Dark Match: Jay Lethal def. Paul Burchill
“Ladies and gentlemen welcome to Monday Night Raw!â€
Cole- Good evening to all our viewers and tonight we are live for another huge episode of Monday Night Raw coming off a massive event in No Way Out.
King- Yes, we saw some big matches last night including John Cena defending his World Heavyweight Title against Shawn Michaels and Randy Orton prevailing in the Elimination Chamber match to earn a title shot against Cena at Wrestlemania 25.
Cole- Speaking of Orton, here he comes!
‘Voices’ plays and the Number One Contender to the Worlds Heavyweight Championship steps out from backstage and slowly makes his way down to the ring, Legacy not by his side. Orton smirks, and soaks in boos from the crowd. He slides into the ring and grabs a microphone, before getting ready for the boos to die down so he can speak.
Orton- I’m going to keep this short and sweet because unlike all of you people, I have somewhere to go and something to do with my life.
Orton- As all of you should know and be very happy about, last night, I defeated 5 other superstars inside an Elimination Chamber to secure a shot at the World Heavyweight Championship at Wrestlemania 25.
Orton- But when I realised that I would be in the Raw main event, I had to think about it a little more. I had to think to myself, what was the point? I was the youngest EVER World Heavyweight Champion on Raw and holding that title was the greatest sensation a 24 year old could have. Since then, I have matured and gone on to become the biggest and best superstar in the WWE. Since I have been on Raw the past few years, I have defeated everyone that matters. Shawn Michaels, CM Punk, Chris Jericho, Christian Cage, Batista and even World Heavyweight Champion John Cena have all fallen victim to the RKO!
Heat at Orton mentioning taking out all their favorite stars.
King- The crowd may boo, but it’s true!
Orton- So I thought of this and then began to contemplate whether participating in the Raw main event would even have a point. I mean, what do I need to prove? Nothing! I’ve done all I need to on Raw, and I am already the top superstar here. There is no reason for me to stay here. That is why, after my match last night; I immediately sought out Smackdown general manager Vickie Guerrero for a little chat. I proposed my case and she agreed; letting me transfer my title shot over to Smackdown and the WWE Championship. Now, there is only one thing in my way from being in the Smackdown main event at Wrestlemania, and-
‘All Grown Up’ plays and Raw General Manager Stephanie McMahon walks out to a mixed reaction, with a microphone in her hand.
King- I wonder what the General Manager will have to say about this supposed brand switch. She can’t be happy to see one of Raw’s best stars leave.
Cole- I for one would be happy to see Orton go.
King- It’s a pity nobody cares, Michael.
Steph- I’m sorry, was I meant to wait for a cue?
Orton smirks and nods in apprehension.
Orton- No, go right ahead Stephanie.
Steph- Well Randy, since you consider yourself so far above MY show then I guess I have to do what’s right-
Steph- And that is to keep you on Raw!
The crowd boos, wanting Orton nowhere near Raw.
Steph- Yeah you heard me Randy, you ain't going anywhere. You’re not the only one who considers you as the most valuable man on Raw and I’m not losing my biggest asset to the enemy. So, I’m sorry, but Randy Orton is staying on Raw!
More heat towards the GM’s decision.
Orton looks furious but suddenly calms down and smiles.
Steph- My word is final.
Orton- Well then I guess I have no other choice but to say this... I QUIT!
The crowd cheers, wanting Orton away from their show.
King- Whoa! Did Orton just say what I think he did?
Orton- Yeah you heard me, I am officially quitting Raw.
Steph- You can’t just-
Orton- See you on Smackdown and then at Wrestlemania, when I’m competing in the main event!
Orton receives a mixed reaction but mostly cheers, as he is finally leaving Raw.
Orton poses in the Raw ring one last time before walking back up the ramp and past a shocked Steph McMahon, all while the crowd sing Orton the ‘Goodbye’ song.
Cole- Wow, Orton is officially a member of the Smackdown roster as of now. And the fans look to be totally happy about this.
King- I’m not, we just lost one of, if not the most talented guy in the WWE.
King- We are about to see the dominant Big Red Machine Kane physically decimate Dolph Ziggler.
Cole- Don’t count out the fighting Ziggler though-
King- Are you kidding? Kane’s going to rip this kid apart!
Fire shoots out from the pyros as Kane finishes his entrance and the bell rings. Ziggler rushes up and hammers away at Kane, but the Big Red Machine is hardly affected by the blows and simply throws young Dolph off him. Ziggler however is determined to upset Kane as he gets right back up and tries to take the big man off his feet with a chop block. Kane grabs his knee as Ziggler dropkicks his legs away and Kane falls to his knees. Ziggler uses the opportunity to rush up and furiously punch his foe but Kane replies by reaching out and grabbing Dolph via the throat. Kane gets to his feet and lifts him for a Chokeslam, but Ziggler escapes through a kick to the gut. Kane doesn’t take kindly to this though and immediately drops Dolph to the ground with a clothesline. Kane stays in dominance, as he picks Ziggler up and nails him with a huge side slam. Kane waits for Dolph to recover and sit up before running off the opposite ropes and dropkicking him right in the chops, an impressive feat for a man of his size. Ziggler looks down and out, but while he still lies incapacitated on the ground, Kane grabs him by the throat and pulls him to his feet. Kane then lifts Ziggler high above the ground and delays the impact, before dropping him with a massive Chokeslam! Kane keeps his hand around Ziggler’s throat as the referee covers for three.
WINNER- Kane by PINFALL in 2:37
Cole- I almost feel sorry for poor Ziggler.
King- I don’t! I enjoyed seeing him get beaten to a pulp.
Cole- Well your morals aside, we now go to the General Manager’s office.
Backstage, we are shown the General Manager’s office and still only one General Manager is shown, that being Stephanie McMahon. She receives a mixed reaction as she spins around at her desk and gets ready to speak.
Steph- Only one person is running the show on Raw from now on.
Stephanie gets a mixed reaction.
Steph- Ever since I displayed why I am the most successful female in the history of the WWE, my part- my FORMER partner has left and I, Stephanie McMahon, am the one calling the shots. Nobody is here to hinder me or hold me down, and with I as the most powerful person on Raw, things are gonna change.
The crowd boo the power hungry Steph McMahon.
Steph- Oh, you people don’t like that?
The crowd boos and some shout ‘No’!
Steph- Well guess what, I DON’T CARE!
Steph- Why would I care what you people think; I am the one who gives you the opportunity to be here. Without me, you people would still be in your crappy homes with your inbred kids, watching your local football team continue their losing streak.
Even bigger heat at this personal insult and a ‘Shane O-Mac’ chant starts up.
Steph- Oh, you people want Shane?
The crowd cheers and reply with a resounding ‘Yes’!
Steph- Well that’s too bad because he was scared off by a girl. Wait, scrap that, he was scared off by a WOMAN! The most dominant and most powerful woman on Raw now and the most successful woman in the history of the wrestling business. I took out the person holding me back, and now I can finally run this show how I want to!
Steph- Aww, you people don’t like that? Well TOUGH SHIT, because it’s going to happen, starting tonight.
The crowd boos the GM as the screen fades to commercial.
Cole- Wow, Stephanie’s one crazy bitch.
King- Did you just swear Michael? Or am I hearing things?
Backstage, Elijah Burke and Kofi Kingston are shown talking together in a corridor.
Cole- What could this be about?
Burke- So it’s agreed?
Kingston- Ya man, we do it tonight.
The crowd discusses amongst themselves what they could be talking about.
Burke- This is strictly business by the way, in no form are we friends.
Kingston- Don’t worry man, I hate your guts.
Todd Grisham walks down the corridor and stops once he sees the conversation.
Grisham- What are you two talking about here?
Burke- None of your business.
Burke storms off down the corridor.
Grisham- What was that about?
Kingston- You’ll see tonight, man.
The crowd murmur, puzzled.
Grisham- Jeez Kofi, Ja-Makin’ me crazy.
Kingston- Shut up Todd.
King- Could Kofi and Elijah be part of an alliance?
Cole- I for one am interested in whatever they have planned. But for now, we can focus on the rematch from last night as Booker T faces Batista.
King- Booker already beat Batista cleanly; he shouldn’t have to fight the Animal again.
Cole- Well that’s not up to you King. The match is now.
The match begins with Batista very fired up after his loss last night, as he is seeking retribution at the arrogant and pompous Booker T. Right off the bat the Animal rushes in with a bug clothesline that knocks the King off his feet before he even knows the match has began. Booker recovers only to be tackled again with a huge Lou Thesz press before mounting him and attacking him with an array of punches to the face. Batista continues with the high powered offense and for the next few minutes he works over Booker using his immense strength, gaining a few one counts and also a powerslam for a near fall. Booker T hasn’t had any momentum whatsoever in the match and doesn’t look to get any anytime soon as Batista sets him up for the Batista Bomb. However, the King manages to reverse the move into a back body drop and leave both men down in the ring’s centre. The referee begins the count and neither men stir, but once he reaches 7 and it looks like there may be a double countout, Booker gets to his feet before kicking Batista over arrogantly. The King raises his little finger to draw some heat, before hitting Batista in the chest with a standing leg drop. Booker then goes up to the top rope and comes down on Tista with the Houston Hangover, which gets a very near fall.
Booker continues to stay in control of the match, as he hits an array of signature moves, including a bulldog, a spinning boot side kick and then taunting Batista with a Spinaroonie, which draws great boos from the crowd. Booker then lifts Booker to his feet and goes for the Bookend, hitting it and planting Batista down on the mat back first. Booker covers, but Tista kicks out at two and the crowd goes wild! Booker applies a lying head scissors submission but Batista manages to get to his feet and reverse it into an alleyoop. Batista then picks up Booker and almost knocks him down with a huge right hand, before running off the ropes for a Spear, only to take a boot to the gut. Booker tries to follow up with a Bookend, but Batista pushes him down and nails a Spinebuster! The crowd goes wild as Tista covers for a near fall. The Animal gets up and shakes the ropes, before turning around and giving Booker the thumbs down. He puts him in position for the Batista Bomb, but Booker slips out and nails Tista with a low blow, and from the angle he is at, the ref misses it. Batista doubles over as Booker uses the opportunity to run off the ropes and nail him with the Scissors Kick! Batista is out and gets covered for 3, but winning the match isn’t enough for Booker. He slides out of the ring and grabs a chair, before getting back in and using it to hit the downed Batista a good 5 times, adding insult to injury. He raises his little finger as the crowd boos.
WINNER- Booker T by PINFALL in 8:48
King- Booker T has gotten the better of the Animal twice now.
Cole- Somebody stop this brutality, he could have caused internal bleeding!
King- And I’m happy to say Booker’s not done, he’s staying in the ring as we go to commercial.
Cole- We go to Booker T who has some sort of announcement to make.
After the match Batista lays KO-ed in the ring as Booker smiles and takes a microphone, presumably to rub salt into Tista’s wounds.
Booker- Now Batista, I know you are as dumb as a post so I will keep this plain and simple. Your uneducated mind probably can’t handle advanced mathematics so I’ll say something even you can understand: Booker T 2, Batista 0.
The crowd boos, defending Batista.
Booker- But alas, I want more. Beating the supposed Animal down has become somewhat of a lust for me. That’s why I want to get myself a trio of wins. Batista, I am challenging you to a match at Saturday Night’s Main Event. And I previously enquired with Stephanie McMahon who said I could give the match a little extra reward. Well, since I will be winning I do love rewards, so the winner of that match will be participating in the Money in the Bank ladder match at Wrestlemania 25. Batista, do you accept my challenge?
Booker walks over to the unconscious Batista and nods his head for him, as the crowd jeers the insensitive action. Booker then raises his little finger in triumph and walks back up the ramp while the crowd gives him heat.
King- Batista just accepted the match without knowing it!
Cole- Please... he can’t do that... can he?
King- I’m not so sure myself but what I am sure of is that there will be another rematch from last night as in a non title match Beth Phoenix takes on Melina!
Cole- I’m excited to see how Beth reacts to Rosa Mendez costing her the victory last night.
King- I’m excited to see some divas!
Beth Phoenix looks more determined than ever in her last chance to get a shot at Melina’s Women’s Championship. As soon as the bell rings she rushes in to take control of Melina with some body blows followed by whipping her into the ropes and matter-of-factly knocking her down with a shoulder block. Beth doesn’t stop her rolling momentum as her optimal start to the match continues, as the Glamazon puts Melina in a sleeper hold. The Women’s Champ manages to fight to escape the hold but Beth Phoenix quickly halts her momentum by grabbing her hair and slamming her back first into the mat. Beth covers with one foot on Melina’s chest but the resilient Champ doesn’t allow herself to be beaten in such a disrespectful way, immediately kicking out. Phoenix looks rather annoyed at this as she goes to pick Melina up only to be hit with some punches to the chest. Melina then goes to whip Beth into the ropes but Phoenix uses her superior strength to reverse the Irish whip, sending Melina into the corner. Beth runs at the champ against the turnbuckle but Melina raises a boot to kick the Glamazon in the head. Phoenix staggers away as Melina pulls herself onto the second rope before jumping at Beth for a crossbody, only to be caught in mid air!
Beth lifts Melina onto her shoulders before pulling on either end of her body, getting her into a torture rack. Beth strains Melina’s stomach and back and even the amazingly flexible Women’s Champion is succumbing to the pressure. However, the crowd begins to get behind Melina and cheer for her, allowing her to grab Beth’s head with her feet and reverse the submission into a tilt a whirl head scissors. Melina rolls back up onto her feet before slamming Beth with a running dropkick to the jaw. Phoenix recovers and stands doubled over in pain, as Melina attempts to jump on her for the Sunset Flip Powerbomb, only for Phoenix to fall backwards and pin Melina with her shoulders on the mat. 1.....2..... The Women’s Champ manages to grab the ropes and break the pin, before using them to pull herself to her feet. She goes to hit Phoenix with another dropkick, but this one is anticipated and dodged, as Beth replies by picking up Melina. She lifts her up and puts her arms painfully behind her back, setting her up for the Glam Slam, but Melina escapes from it with a backwards kick that makes Phoenix drop Melina to the canvas. Melina runs off the ropes and on the rebound ducks an attempted clothesline from Phoenix, before continuing to run before jumping off the opposite ropes and going to nail Beth with a springboard missile dropkick, only for Phoenix to impressively swat Melina out of the air. Beth tries to lift the champ for the Glam Slam a second time, but this time Rosa Mendez’s music plays and she walks out onto the stage. Phoenix drops Melina and goes to the apron to confront the person who cost her the Women’s title last night. Phoenix shouts at Rosa who innocently shrugs and points behind Beth, but it is too late for the Glamazon, as Melina rolls her up for the surprising three count.
WINNER- Melina by PINFALL in 6:02
King- Rosa Mendez has cost Beth Phoenix yet another match.
Cole- She can’t keep getting away with this!
King- It’s called revenge Cole; she’s getting back at the Glamazon for what she did to her.
Cole- I still don’t approve of it. Anyway, after the break it’s the speech you’ve all been waiting for as CM Punk addresses the world regarding what he did last night at No Way Out.
King- We bring you CM Punk...
CM Punk’s music plays and the Straight Edge Superstar walks down to the ring wearing a massive grin, as the crowd boo the shit out of him. Punk pretends not to hear the crowd as he slides into the ring, still smiling devilishly. The crowd start a ‘You Suck’ chant as Punk shrugs his shoulders and smiles some more, seemingly enjoying the hate that he is receiving.
Punk- Last night at No Way Out I did something that nobody else had the guts to do. Not John Cena or anyone else on the Raw roster. Nobody had the balls to do what I did last night, and do you know what I did? I TOOK OUT THE TRASH!
Punk- I know that you people loved Shawn Michaels. Hell, EVERYONE loved Shawn Michaels. I respected Shawn Michaels, and it was my great honour to become his student. But when I became his protégé, I wasn’t planning on playing second fiddle. I wasn’t planning on it being ‘Shawn Michaels and that other guy’. But you people, you made it turn out that way, you completely blocked me out while cheering for your favourite, the Show Stopper. As far as I’m concerned, it was YOU people who took out Shawn, and it was YOU people who cost him the World Heavyweight Championship. YOU people should be ashamed of yourselves.
The crowd boos this personal attack.
King- That’s YOU Cole...
Punk- And as if being pushed away wasn’t bad enough, what happened last night sealed the deal. I went through hell. I went through 10 tons of solid steel, 10 kilometres of iron cables and 5 determined men. I had to go through hell and back, and I had to do it alone. Shawn Michaels promised earlier in the night that he would be there for me, but where was he? I don’t know if he was signing fan mail or watching himself 10 years ago when he was still worth giving a damn about, but the point is, HE WASN’T THERE.
The crowd argues with Punk, and gives him more heat.
Cole- But what could he do?
King- Shut up, let the man speak.
Punk- So after I went through everything in that destructive Elimination Chamber, that’s when Shawn comes out to help. AFTER I risked my body and my life to no avail? THAT’S when he comes out to comfort me? Shawn put me on a stretcher last night, and that symbolized something to me. It wasn’t Randy Orton who lost me the match last night, it was Shawn’s fault.
Punk- But don’t fret people, all is still right in the world. I got my revenge against Shawn later in the night. Unlike him, I came to support him during his match. But sadly for poor old Shawn, his old body couldn’t take a tiny, insignificant steel chair shot to the back. Maybe it’s time for old HBK to finally hang up the boots, and make the WWE a better place.
Even more heat, if that’s even possible.
Cole- This is atrocious!
King- Maybe he’s got a point?
Punk- And as for where I go now, I go off to do bigger and better things. John Cena, your World Heavyweight Championship is on the agenda. I am at that level and tonight, I am challenging you to defend your title. Since your fans have already turned on you, I don’t see the need for you to disgrace that title. Besides, it’s only thanks to me that you are holding it right now anyway.
Punk’s music plays and he walks back up the ramp to a resounding chorus of boos, looking pleased with himself.
Cole- What an awful and disrespectful speech- CM Punk has no right to challenge John Cena to a match.
King- On the contrary Michael, Punk’s done a tremendous job at putting his name out there and has manipulated his way to the top. We could also see a great main event tonight in Cena versus Punk.
Cole- Up next we have the Redneck Rumblers take on Priceless in a non title match.
***COMMERCIAL***
Cole- Jimmy Wang Yang and Shannon Moore look to get another one up on the current World Tag Team Champions with this match.
Cody Rhodes +Ted DiBiase v Jimmy Wang Yang +Shannon Moore
Moore and Cody begin in the ring, and the two cruiserweights begin with some fast paced offense, as they trade hip tosses and then dropkicks, before Cody gets the momentary advantage after an armbar. Jimmy wheels himself around to escape the hold before separating himself from Cody with a kick to the chest. Cody staggers back as Wang Yang prepares for a running dropkick, only for Rhodes to run up and take him down with an unexpected clothesline before he has the chance. Cody then tags in his Priceless counterpart, who immediately rushes in and starts applying the boots to Jimmy’s body and head. DiBiase lifts him up and nails him with an uppercut before drawing him in and applying a chinlock. Yang however reaches over his head and pulls DiBiase over, flipping him onto the mat back first. Yang then nails Ted with a jumping Shining Wizard to the back of the head, before continuing to tag in his partner. Yang lifts Ted and holds him at his feet while Shannon Moore springboards over the top rope to nail DiBiase with a dropkick to the chest, and Yang moves away to the apron before impact. The Redneck Rumblers continue to stay in control of the match, as Shannon Moore lifts DiBiase only to drop him down with a spinning neckbreaker.
Moore then hits DiBiase with an impressive standing somersault leg drop, before ascending to the top rope. He waits for Ted to rise, but while the referee tends to DiBiase, Rhodes pushes Moore off the top and down to the mat, where he lands awkwardly on his neck. Ted pushes a knee into Shannon’s neck and upper back before pulling up on his chin, putting an immense strain on the neck. Moore’s partner notices that he is suffocating in the submission, and Jimmy runs in to break the hold. However, as the ref shepherds him back onto the apron, DiBiase picks up Moore before nailing him with a low blow. Shannon crumples as Ted goes over to the apron and tags in Cody Rhodes. Rhodes immediately comes in and puts Shannon in a side headlock. However, after much abuse in the hold, Moore manages to get back to his feet amidst a rush of adrenaline and break the hold. Moore then hits Cody with an array of punches before capitalizing with a Tornado DDT. Both men crawl for tags after this move and get them, allowing two fresh men to enter the match. DiBiase runs for an immediate clothesline, but Yang ducks it before nailing Ted with a spinning kick to the back of the head. Yang goes up to the top rope but on the apron Cody Rhodes tries to push him down. Lightning doesn’t strike twice though as Moore runs in and dropkicks Cody off the apron, while in the ring Jimmy jumps and manages to nail Ted with the Yang Time! He covers as Moore stands next to him, cheering him on, 1.....2.....3
WINNERS- Jimmy Wang Yang +Shannon Moore by PINFALL in 8:12
Cole- What an impressive tag team bout!
King- Priceless have to be livid after that loss, and I don’t think that they’ll be happy. But for now, we go backstage with interviewer Matt Striker.
Backstage, Matt Striker is with Shelton Benjamin and Charlie Haas, the newly reformed World’s Greatest Tag Team. The crowd gives mild boos towards Raw’s newest tag team.
Striker- I am here with the latest tandem to arise here on Raw, and they are the newly reformed World’s Greatest Tag Team. Guys, what made you want to get back together and reform this once dominant unit?
Shelton- Well, a few weeks ago I called out Charlie here and called him a loser. I secretly knew he was nothing of the sort but just needed motivation to get back to his A-game. So, that’s why I challenged Charlie, to try and get him back to his best. And it worked, when I had my match with him I saw that his intensity returned and I knew my work was done. I left the match and in the week leading up to No Way Out contacted Charlie about teaming up again. He agreed and thanks to me, we are both at our best.
Charlie- Well it’s not really thanks to you but yeah it’s true, the most dominant tag team in history is back on Raw and ready to go after the World Tag Team Championships.
Shelton- Hey, we’d make much more credible challengers than the pathetic contenders we have now.
The crowd boos the arrogant tag team.
Striker- You mean the contenders who just beat the champions in a non title match?
Shelton- No, we mean the contenders who are beneath us and should just go back to plowing fields in Texas, and leave Raw to wrestling’s finest tag teams.
Charlie- And we are wrestling’s finest tag team.
The crowd boos some more as the camera fades out.
King- I have a feeling that the World’s Greatest Tag Team will make a huge impact here on Raw.
Cole- I don’t know, I mean that title is only really self proclaimed.
King- I’m personally more into the match we will see up next and it is the heavily anticipated match for both the Hardcore and Intercontinental Championships.
Cole- That’s right, Kazarian takes on rival John Morrison after the break!
Cole- I can’t wait for this encounter.
Intercontinental Championship & Hardcore Championship
John Morrison v Kazarian
Both men walk to the ring with a minor limp, showing the effects of their match last night in the brutal Elimination Chamber. The bell rings and they slowly lock up, exchanging their usually faster paced offense for a more methodical collar and elbow tie up, possibly due to being sapped of energy after No Way Out. The grapple is broken and both men step back to take a breather, before Kaz puts Morrison in a hammerlock. Morrison twists himself out of the hold and transitions it into a straight jacket hold on Kaz. Kaz in turn manages to escape this with a mule kick, before turning around and hitting Morrison with a straight snap kick to the head. JoMo staggers backwards and Kaz looks to finish him off with a roundhouse kick, only for Morrison to duck before leveling Kaz with a dropkick. John picks up Kaz for a suplex, but in mid air, Kaz manages to control his fall and reverse it into a neckbreaker on Morrison! As both men lie on the canvas, Elijah Burke and Kofi Kingston run down the ramp and simultaneously attack both competitors. The bell is immediately ring as the champs are beaten down, with Burke focusing on Kaz while Kofi pounds away at the Intercontinental Champion. The two champions roll out of the ring and try to retreat up the ramp but are pursued by their respective attackers, and the brawl continues up backstage.
WINNER- NO CONTEST in 1:37
Cole- What? We just got robbed of a quality match by Elijah Burke and Kofi Kingston.
King- But can you blame them? They’re smart men, they wanted opportunities at the titles and this was the best way to get them.
Cole- But in a more serious matter ladies and gentleman, we are about to welcome the World Heavyweight Champion John Cena.
‘My Time is Now’ plays across the speakers and the World Heavyweight Champion John Cena steps out to an awkward mixed reaction. He does his military salute to a combination of heat and cheers before walking slightly dejected down to the ring.
Cena- It’s been a tough week for me. Coming off No Way Out I don’t really know how to feel. I mean on one hand I retained the World Heavyweight Championship last night-
The crowd boos, knowing HBK was screwed out of the victory.
Cole- Well he only won because of CM Punk.
Cena- And that’s my second point. Why have my longtime fans suddenly turned on me? What did I do to be exiled by the WWE universe? Was it the transformation I promised you?
The crowd boos and a faint ‘Yes’ is heard.
Cena- So you don’t like the more ruthless being I have become, huh? Well you can blame Shawn Michaels for that, he was the one who poked and prodded at John Cena until the bubble burst and out stepped a more motivated World Heavyweight Champion... who beat him down at No Way Out!
More heat at this match reference.
Cena- Well don’t blame me for that, blame CM Punk. I don’t know if you realised but neither I nor the referee had any idea of what Punk did yesterday during the match. I was just the bystander, and had nothing to do with it.
More crowd heat, as they don’t trust Cena.
Cena- Oh you people don’t believe me? You people think I was in cahoots with Punk?
Another faint ‘Yes’ is heard from the crowd.
Cena- Okay then, I’ll prove all of you wrong. If I really was on Punk’s side, then would I ACCEPT his challenge for a match tonight?
The crowd cheers for this title match being made.
King- Whoa, did we just see a title match made?
Cena- That’s what I thought. And all I ask from all of you is one last chance. Tonight, when I face CM Punk for my World title, give me one last go at winning back your respect. Please-
Cena is cut off by ‘This Fire Burns’ and a chord of boos as CM Punk walks down to the ring and nods his head, ready for the newly agreed main event. Cena holds his title up and is ready to defend it, but he then sees General Manager Stephanie McMahon step out onto the stage.
Steph- I’m sorry guys, but I couldn’t help you two just decided the main event for MY show. Now I respect your efforts, but I have to decline. This undeserving crowd will NOT be seeing a World Heavyweight Championship defence tonight.
Insane heat at the match being taken away.
Cole- Damn it I was starting to look forward to that.
Steph- But the Cena and Punk match stands, only as a non title match. Knock yourselves out guys, but don’t ever try to make your own decisions again.
Mixed reaction from the crowd, as they got their match but wanted a title defense.
‘All Grown Up’ plays again as Stephanie walks away and we cut to commercial.
King- Oh well, we still got our match but it will be non title I guess. Either way this is a big opportunity for CM Punk to step up and try to make it to the big leagues on Raw.
Cole- The match will be next!
Cole- Here we go for this newly announced main event!
The bell rings and the two superstars lock up, and the World Champ gets a momentary advantage following a headlock. Punk uses his educated feet to kick his way out before catching Cena in the hammerlock, only for John to escape out of that through a back elbow. They meet up again and this time Punk dodges Cena’s attempt to grab him, before resorting to what he knows best, which is kicking. Punk nails Cena with a kick to the side of the legs, before another to the chest. Punk then whacks the champ with a side kick to the gut which doubles him over, putting him in perfect position for Punk to nail him right in the face with a front snap kick. Cena shoots up and grasps at his damaged nose as Punk finally knocks him to the mat with a dropkick which gets some nice hang time. CM smiles to himself and then gets into the corner, before doing a despicable and extremely disrespectful thing- tuning up the band. In the like of vintage Shawn Michaels, Punk slams his feet thrice on canvas before rushing up to a recovered John Cena and altering HBK’s signature move to nail the Champ with a powerful roundhouse, and this mocking of Shawn Michaels garners him some good heat from the crowd. Punk then delves into his own moveset as he attempts to apply his rarely used submission hold, the Anaconda Vice, on John Cena who immediately realises the imminent danger he is in.
However, the deadly armlock is evaded by the World Champ who makes it to the ropes to the general relief of the crowd. Cena pulls himself to his feet as Punk meets him again, and doesn’t stop bringing the offense, as he again makes Cena’s attempts of a comeback futile after a few right hands to the jaw. Punk then whips Cena into the ropes but on the rebound the Chain Gang Commander manages to control his own running to nail Punk right in the chest with a running shoulder block. Cena then gets up and tries to pump up the crowd who are beginning to get behind him. He lifts up the Straight Edge Superstar before picking him up and nailing him with the Salute! The crowd by now knows Cena’s moveset and realise what follows, and sure enough, Cena does the ‘You Can’t See Me’ taunt to a mixed reaction before running off the ropes and nailing the 5 Knuckle Shuffle. Cena then tries to apply a submission hold of his own, as he hooks the leg of CM Punk in hope of locking him in the STFU, but Punk hurriedly claws himself across the amt and grabs the closest rope, not wanting to get anywhere near Cena’s signature submission. John looks a little peeved at not being able to put Punk in the STFU, but instead picks up the man who helped him retain his title last night and hoists him up onto his shoulders, and women and children go crazy for the FU! Cena goes to slam Punk over his shoulder, but in the middle of the move, CM Punk manages to shift the momentum and somehow land an impressive neckbreaker on Cena!
Both men are laid out in the centre of the ring, and this means that the referee has no choice but to start a countout. He gets to 7 and both Punk and Cena are beginning to rise to their feet, but CM manages to get up a split-second earlier giving him the advantage going into the latter stages of the match. Punk goes to grab Cena but out of nowhere is smacked in the face with a gargantuan right hand from the champ. Cena boots Punk in the gut and tries to capitalize on the momentary advantage with an FU, but Punk floats over his shoulders and kicks Cena in the back of the knees, causing his legs to snap shut and his body to fall backwards. Punk lifts Cena and whips him into the corner, before predictably following up with running for the double knee lift. It is so predictable in fact, that Cena dodges it and Punk connects with only the hard turnbuckle covers. Punk staggers backwards dazed from the blow before John Cena clears him from the ring with a clothesline to cheers from the crowd and when Punk hits the floor he doesn’t look too happy. In the ring, Cena gets the crowd behind him and to his great relief, they cheer along with him and he climbs thr four corners of the ring to play to the crowd. He then stands up straight and prepares to do his signature salute, but before he can complete his taunt, he is suddenly knocked down from behind with a steel chair shot from CM Punk! The bell immediately rings as the shocked crowd is forced to sit through watching Punk bloody Cena with the chair, sparing no remorse as he has given up his match with the champ just to inflict pain. Punk keeps beating John Cena down as we head into a commercial.
WINNER- John Cena by DISQUALIFICATION in 12:48
King- Wow, CM Punk is really making an impression on the World Champ.
Cole- Please, stop this beating.
King- We’ll see this drama conclude after commercial.
As CM Punk celebrates, even though Cena got the victory, he hears an all too familiar sound across the speakers. It is ‘Sexy Boy’ and he turns to the ramp to see Shawn Michaels walking sternly down it to the ring, shaking his head. HBK has a microphone in the ring and he looks set to speak his mind as he walks down the ramp.
HBK- Punk, you cost me the World Heavyweight Championship last night.
The crowd give more boos towards this incident.
HBK- Do you really think I would let you get away with that? I know you were beaten within an inch of your life last night in the Elimination Chamber, but tonight, it’s gonna happen again!
The crowd cheers and chants ‘HBK’.
King- HBK looks rightfully pissed, so Punk better run!
Shawn drops the microphone and runs into the ring to get Punk, who immediately slides away to the outside, wanting no part of a furious Shawn Michaels. Punk retreats into the crowd but HBK is hot on his heels, and the chase continues into the stands.
Cole- They’re running through the crowd, such madness!
King- But what for John Cena?
The camera shifts back to the ring, where John Cena is just starting to recover. Suddenly, all the lights go out in the arena and the crowd cheers.
Cole- It couldn’t be... could it?
King- Oh... my... god...
A lightning bolt flies from the rafters to the stage where smoke starts billowing out.
When it clears, a silhouette of a man is standing in the entrance way.
King- I can’t believe this!
The lights go back on and it is revealed the man is THE UNDERTAKER! Taker points at Cena in the ring and takes a microphone.
Taker- You... me... Wrestlemania 25!
The crowd erupts in cheers!
King- Is he... is he serious?
Cena shakes his head in disbelief as Taker nods his head.
Taker- Winning the Royal Rumble allows me to face any champion whose soul I wish to possess. John Cena, hell has chosen you!
The crowd cheers even more, realizing the match is going to take place!
Cole- Oh my, I think this is actually happening.
Cena again shakes his head in disbelief, as Taker begins walking down to the ring.
Taker- I have received signs that you are the chosen one, that you are the man to take the Undertaker’s legacy. At Wrestlemania 25 I am not only proving the doubters wrong, I am becoming the World Heavyweight Champion!
The crowd cheers for Taker.
Cole- John Cena will be taking on the Undertaker at Wrestlemania 25!
King- What an epic announcement!
Taker begins to walk up the stairs and then gets into the ring.
Taker- John Cena, you will not be spared once the fury of-
The Undertaker is suddenly struck in the forehead by the chair still in the ring from CM Punk’s attack. Cena cracks Taker across the face a second time as the crowd erupts with boos. Undertaker falls to the mat where he is hit several more times with the steel chair, and the crowd are going crazy with boos. Cena grabs the microphone that Taker was using and turns to the crowd.
Cena- If all of you pieces of shit don’t care about me now...
Cena receives huge heat, more than at any point in his career.
Cena- Then you all will when I defeat the Undertaker’s undefeated streak at Wrestlemania!
Cena’s music plays and he poses over Taker’s body as the crowd boos and the show comes to an end.
Cole- Holy Sh- I mean, I’m... I’m just lost for words.
King- What an unbelievable conclusion to Raw! The Undertaker and John Cena will be going at it at the Granddaddy’ of them All and Cena just left Taker beaten and bloodied in the ring tonight!
Cole- How chaotic, I can’t wait to see how this pans out next Monday Night.
King- Make sure to tune in to Raw next week, guys!
