Nowhere to Run.
Six nights before Hell in a Cell, the 1013th edition of WWE Monday Night RAW came to you, live, from the Izod Center at the Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford, NJ. As revealed by AJ Lee via Twitter a couple of hours before RAW, the General Manager was called to an “emergency meeting” at WWE Headquarters in Stamford, CT, but what does this last minute meeting mean for AJ’s reign over RAW as GM? Before he challenges Sheamus for the World Heavyweight Title at Hell in a Cell, Big Show would face a familiar rival as “The World’s Largest Athlete” collides with one-half of the WWE Tag Team Champions, “The Big Red Monster” Kane. Also, the culmination of a month-long tournament to crown new #1 Contenders for the WWE Tag Team Titles would take place on RAW as Team Rhodes Scholars, Cody Rhodes & Damien Sandow, face Rey Mysterio & Sin Cara with the victorious team advancing to Hell in a Cell to challenge Team Hell No for the WWE Tag Team Titles.
Match Results
- #1 Contenders Tag Team Tournament: Finals: Team Rhodes Scholars def. Rey Mysterio & Sin Cara by Cody Rhodes pinning Rey Mysterio following Cross Rhodes.
- Non-Title: Kofi Kingston def. Michael McGillicutty by pin following Trouble in Paradise.
- Non-Title: Justin Gabriel def. Antonio Cesaro by pin following the 450 Splash.
- Ryback def. The Miz by pin following Shell Shocked.
- Dolph Ziggler (with Kane) def. Daniel Bryan by pin following the Zig Zag.
- Big Show (with Team Rhodes Scholars) def. Kane by pin following the W.M.D.
- Alberto Del Rio def. Zack Ryder by submission to the cross armbreaker.
- Champion vs. Champion: Largest Lumberjack Match in RAW History: CM Punk (with Big Show) def. Sheamus by pin following a chokeslam by Big Show.
Detailed Results
With Rey Mysterio recovered and ready to compete following his recent bout with the flu, “The Master of the 619” and his high-flying tag team partner, Sin Cara, would face Team Rhodes Scholars, Cody Rhodes & Damien Sandow, in the Finals of the #1 Contenders Tag Team Tournament to determine the new challengers for the WWE Tag Team Titles at Hell in a Cell. After Damien Sandow dove under the referee’s hand to prevent his team’s defeat, it was Cody Rhodes hitting Cross Rhodes on Rey Mysterio en route to Team Rhodes Scholars becoming the new #1 Contenders for the WWE Tag Team Titles as Cody Rhodes & Damien Sandow will challenge Team Hell No, Kane & Daniel Bryan, for the titles at Hell in a Cell!
For the first time since defeating The Miz on last week’s WWE Main Event to become the new Intercontinental Champion, Kofi Kingston was in action on RAW as Kofi went one-on-one with Michael McGillicutty in a non-title match with The Miz a guest on commentary. In the end, it was Kofi Kingston hitting Trouble in Paradise on Michael McGillicutty en route to picking up the win. Can Kofi Kingston retain the gold when he defends the Intercontinental Title against The Miz at Hell in a Cell?
After opting to endorse Ryback for a WWE Title shot at Hell in a Cell over himself on last week’s RAW, John Cena appeared on RAW to explain why he did not take the shot himself. Cena proclaims that, this Sunday at Hell in a Cell, the world will find out that CM Punk is a man who tells the truth. Cena continues that Punk has been the WWE Champion for 337 days, but the most truthful thing that Punk has ever said was before he was the champion, saying that Punk’s vision was “change”. Cena then says that, at Hell in a Cell, the world will see “change” when the unstoppable and undefeated Ryback steps inside Hell in a Cell to challenge CM Punk for the WWE Title. Cena continues that Ryback is not a man who will complain because Ryback stands for one thing and that is “destruction”, proclaiming that the face of the WWE will change at Hell in a Cell. This brings out WWE Champion CM Punk and his associate, Paul Heyman, as Punk says that Cena’s thoughts of change are “laughable” and the fact that he has been the WWE Champion for 337 days means that Cena has not been champion for longer than that and that is change everyone can “believe in”. Punk continues that Cena can promise everything he wants, but when he makes a promise, he means it. Punk then promises that he will walk out of Hell in a Cell as the WWE Champion before calling Cena a “cheerleader” for Ryback. Punk then says that Cena finally realizes that he cannot beat Punk, but Cena reveals that he is now medically cleared to compete! Cena says that he will not mess with the scheduled WWE Title match at Hell in a Cell, but he wants to fight CM Punk right now! Against Paul Heyman’s advisement, CM Punk makes his way to the ring, looking ready to fight. However, Heyman’s pleading would convince Punk to think otherwise as Punk opts to back away from the fight.
The United States Champion was in action on RAW as Antonio Cesaro went one-on-one with Justin Gabriel in a non-title match. In the end, it was Justin Gabriel surviving the onslaught of Antonio Cesaro and managing to hit the 450 Splash on Cesaro en route to picking up a shocking victory over the United States Champion.
Backstage, a limousine pulls into the parking lot and WWE Chairman & CEO Mr. McMahon emerges as McMahon is accompanied by RAW General Manager AJ Lee as the GM appears to be very upset following her emergency meeting with the WWE Board of Directors.
WWE Chairman Mr. McMahon and RAW General Manager AJ Lee then appear in the ring as the Chairman says that AJ was called to an emergency meeting at WWE Headquarters earlier today regarding her tenure as RAW General Manager. McMahon then hands the microphone to AJ to let her explain what the meeting was about in her own words. AJ reveals that she has been accused of “fraternizing” with a WWE Superstar and, as a result, she has no choice but to resign as General Manager of RAW! AJ says that she could have been fired on numerous occasions and that is why, when she was asked to resign, she agreed. AJ continues that some people may find her mentally unstable, but a lot of people like a “crazy chick”. AJ then says that, even though her tenure is ending earlier than she wanted, she has gone from being homeless to being the boss, but she never expected to make it in the WWE, but the fans accepted her. AJ then thanks the fans, saying that she has loved every second that she has spent in the WWE and also thanks Mr. McMahon for giving her an opportunity that no one else would have given her. An emotional goodbye is then interrupted by Paul Heyman, who says that Heyman rose above her “lack of intelligence” and her upbringing as a “Jersey girl”. Heyman then says that a new General Manager needs to be named right away and McMahon needs someone with “class” and someone with “dignity”, saying that the Chairman needs someone with the ability to use “ruthless aggression” whenever necessary. Heyman continues that, if McMahon and the WWE Board of Directors need him to step in, then he would be honored to serve as the General Manager of RAW!
McMahon simply tells Heyman “no” before introducing an individual who is not the new General Manager and is not an Interim General Manager, but is the new “Managing Supervisor” of Monday Night RAW. McMahon then introduces the new RAW Managing Supervisor, Vickie Guerrero! Amidst deafening boos from the crowd, Vickie makes her way to the ring, saying that she is “honored” that the Board of Directors appreciates her “expertise”. Heyman then says that, if he knew that Vickie was in the running, he would not have even bothered trying to become the new guy in charge. Heyman then asks Vickie to call off the Hell in a Cell Match between CM Punk and Ryback, but Vickie refuses. The Managing Supervisor then announces that the main event will be a Champion vs. Champion Match between WWE Champion CM Punk and World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus and it will be the biggest Lumberjack Match in history! After Paul Heyman storms out of the ring, Vickie addresses AJ Lee, saying that she has always known that AJ was not right for the job, saying that she has the maturity and experience to be the future General Manager of RAW. Vickie then reveals to the world that, not only did AJ fraternize with a WWE Superstar, she was part of an affair! Vickie then orders AJ to leave her ring, but, with nothing to lose, the former GM attacks Vickie Guerrero as AJ and the new Managing Supervisor scrap in the ring before Vickie is able to escape and AJ does one last skip from the ring.
Six nights before he steps into Hell in a Cell to go one-on-one with CM Punk with the WWE Title on the line, the undefeated and destructive “Sin City Cyborg” Ryback went one-on-one with former Intercontinental Champion The Miz. In the end, it was a dominant victory by Ryback as Ryback hits Shell Shocked on The Miz en route to picking up the win.
Backstage, Divas Champion Eve is on the phone when Kaitlyn confronts Booker T’s Assistant, saying that Eve is “full of it”, showing her the evidence that she got from Eve’s iPad, thanks to Theodore Long. Eve accuses Kaitlyn of going through her things, saying that she is going to tell Booker T about it, but Kaitlyn tells Eve to drop the act, saying that the Divas Champion is the same “conniving witch” that she’s always been. Eve responds by slapping Kaitlyn and this sparks a brawl between the two and, when Layla tries to break things up, Eve shoves Layla, igniting the brawl once again before referees are finally able to break things up.
“Mr. Money-in-the-Bank” was in action on RAW as Dolph Ziggler went one-on-one with one-half of the WWE Tag Team Champions, Daniel Bryan. During the match, Daniel Bryan’s tag team partner, Kane, makes his way to ringside. During the match, Kane would actually show support for his tag team partner, leading the crowd in a “yes” chant. However, this would actually distract Daniel Bryan, allowing Dolph Ziggler to hit the Zig Zag en route to picking up the win. After the match, Kane and Daniel Bryan argue over what just transpired with Daniel Bryan shoving Kane, but Matt Striker comes out, saying that the new RAW Managing Supervisor, Vickie Guerrero, sent him out there to inform Team Hell No that they will take part in a new game show called the “Newly Tag Game” and he is being designated the host! The apprehensive Striker then says that Team Rhodes Scholars will also be a part of the unique concept.
The bizarre Newly Tag Game starts off with introductions as Daniel Bryan introduces himself as the “world’s toughest vegans” before Kane introduces himself, sarcastically saying he’s a “Scorpio” and he loves “rainbows” and “puppies”. This leads to another argument between Kane and Daniel Bryan before Matt Striker introduces Team Hell No’s opponents in the game show and at Hell in a Cell, Team Rhodes Scholars. Outraged by being asked to take part in the game show, Damien Sandow, calling the show “tomfoolery”, saying he is trying to eradicate the “putrefaction” in that ring and they will not be taking part in the game show. After saying “what he said” to Sandow’s comments, Cody Rhodes tells Team Hell No that they will get a chance to know plenty about them at Hell in a Cell when they become the new WWE Tag Team Champions. Team Rhodes Scholars then take their leave, leaving Matt Striker alone with Team Hell No, but after Striker says that Kane & Daniel Bryan win by forfeit, Bryan celebrates while Kane closes in on Matt Striker. Striker then makes a quick escape, but when Striker gets a safe distance away, the interviewer says that he wishes he could say that he wants to see them win at Hell in a Cell, but he doesn’t. Striker then finds that Big Show is standing behind him moments before the giant hurls Striker across the staging area!
Before he challenges Sheamus for the World Heavyweight Title at Hell in a Cell, “The World’s Largest Athlete” Big Show went one-on-one with one-half of the WWE Tag Team Champions, “The Big Red Monster” Kane, with Daniel Bryan in his corner. During the match, a timely distraction from Team Rhodes Scholars allows Big Show to hit the W.M.D. on Kane en route to picking up the win. After the match, Cody Rhodes & Damien Sandow take the opportunity to double team Daniel Bryan, assaulting the tag champion on the outside before Rhodes hits Cross Rhodes on Daniel Bryan in the middle of the ring.
Backstage, John Cena approaches former General Manager AJ Lee, offering his support to AJ, but AJ reveals that the individual that she was fraternizing with was John Cena himself! Shocked by this revelation, Cena said that they had a “business dinner” one time and that was all, saying that they had that dinner as friends, asking who would make something out of nothing like that. AJ responds by saying that she believes that Vickie Guerrero is responsible for the whole situation and Cena consoles the upset AJ, promising to make things right.
Backstage, John Cena confronts WWE Chairman Mr. McMahon over the firing of AJ Lee and the hiring of Vickie Guerrero. McMahon explains that there was some “incriminating evidence” regarding the alleged affair between Cena and AJ, not to mention the fact that AJ was already on probation from the Board of Directors and that led to AJ’s firing. McMahon reveals that Vickie’s position as Managing Supervisor is a sort of temporary job and even he does not even know what the job of Managing Supervisor is all about, concluding that “it is what it is” before getting in his limousine and leaving the arena.
Six nights before he faces Randy Orton at Hell in a Cell, “The Mexican Aristocrat” Alberto Del Rio went one-on-one with Zack Ryder on RAW. In the end, it was Alberto Del Rio locking in the cross armbreaker on Zack Ryder, forcing Ryder to tap out to pick up the win. After the match, Del Rio envisions Randy Orton in the form of Zack Ryder and Del Rio locks in the cross armbreaker on Ryder, punishing Ryder in a clear-cut message to “The Viper”.
Backstage, John Cena confronts RAW Managing Supervisor Vickie Guerrero, calling Vickie a “liar” and saying he and AJ Lee just had a business dinner. Vickie argues that Cena had dinner with AJ, saying that AJ got what she deserved and Cena is the one who cost AJ her job!
WWE Superstars such as Alberto Del Rio, Rey Mysterio, Sin Cara, 3MB, The Prime Time Players, Team Rhodes Scholars, Kofi Kingston, Antonio Cesaro, The Miz, Wade Barrett, Tensai, Dolph Ziggler, and even Big Show join a slew of lumberjacks at ringside as the largest Lumberjack Match in RAW history would take place in the main event, Champion vs. Champion Match between WWE Champion CM Punk and World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus! During the match, all hell would break loose between the champions and the lumberjacks with Sheamus taking Antonio Cesaro and Jinder Mahal out with the Brogue Kicks. However, the interference of the lumberjacks would distract the referee long enough for Big Show to plant Sheamus with a chokeslam, allowing CM Punk to pick up the win. After the match, Ryback would march down to the ring and, after the lumberjacks prevented CM Punk’s escape, Ryback would torture the WWE Champion with a backbreaker and powerslam. Punk would again try to escape, but the lumberjacks would send Punk in again as Ryback drills Punk with a powerbomb and, after a third failed attempt to escape, Ryback tosses Punk onto a cluster of lumberjacks, making the WWE Champion cower away from the ringside area!
What did you think of this week’s RAW? Post your comments in the box below.
