The Shield Gets Snaked.
The 1076th edition of WWE Monday Night RAW was the first RAW of 2014 and it came to you, live, from the Baltimore Arena in Baltimore, MD. The first RAW of the New Year would be transformed into RAW from yesteryear as the WWE turns back the clocks for a special Old School RAW. Not only would RAW undergo a vintage makeover, but a host of WWE Legends and Hall of Famers would be on hand, including “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair, “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, Gene Okerlund, Bob Backlund, Rikishi, Scotty 2 Hotty, “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase, Diamond Dallas Page, The New Age Outlaws, and more!
After using mind games to bring doubt among the members of The Shield, allowing him to defeat Seth Rollins last week, this week’s RAW would see “The Best in the World” CM Punk squaring off with the powerhouse of The Shield, Roman Reigns. Will CM Punk continue to drive a wedge between the members of The Shield or will The Shield remain strong against the clever tactics?
Match Results
- 6-Man Tag: Rey Mysterio & The Usos def. Daniel Bryan, Luke Harper, & Erick Rowan by Jimmy Uso rolling up Luke Harper.
- Non-Title: Big E. Langston def. Curtis Axel (with Ryback) by pin following the Big Ending.
- Alberto Del Rio def. Sin Cara by pin following a straight kick to the face.
- Non-Title: Goldust & Cody Rhodes def. The Real Americans by Goldust pinning Jack Swagger following the Final Cut.
- Special Referee- Sgt. Slaughter: The Great Khali def. Damien Sandow by pin following the Khali Chop.
- Aksana & Alicia Fox def. The Bella Twins by Aksana pinning Brie Bella following a missed missile dropkick.
- 6-Man Tag: Rikishi & Too Cool def. 3MB by Rikishi pinning Jinder Mahal with the Banzai Drop.
- Roman Reigns (with Dean Ambrose & Seth Rollins) def. CM Punk (with The New Age Outlaws) by pin following the Spear.
Detailed Results
Old School RAW kicks off in a huge way as the only two-time WWE Hall of Famer in history, “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair, makes his way to the ring. The sixteen-time World Champion welcomes everyone to Old School RAW, saying that “old school” has had some “fun” in Baltimore. Flair says that they’ve got legends, Hall of Famers, and, of course, “The Nature Boy”, saying he is ready to “style and profile” all night long. The Hall of Famer is then unceremoniously interrupted by a former protégé and former Evolution stable mate in the reigning WWE World Heavyweight Champion Randy Orton. After embracing his former mentor, Orton says that he cannot thank Flair enough for everything he has taught him. The champion then says that the night is about him, saying that he is the greatest Superstar of this or any generation. Orton says that, since he has so much respect for “The Nature Boy”, he will ask Flair to leave the ring because he’s got something to get off of his chest. The champion continues, saying that The Authority did not consult with him before making a title match against John Cena at the Royal Rumble, saying that he does not anything left to “prove”. Orton then says that he has beaten John Cena and he has proven that he is “the man”, demanding that Triple H & Stephanie McMahon call the title match off.
This is where Ric Flair asserts himself, saying that, in his day, a champion would defend his belt seven days a week. Flair says that, from what he’s heard, all Orton has done is complain about the rematch with John Cena. Orton argues that, every time that Flair was champion, “The Nature Boy” had someone to watch his back, saying that no one is watching his back. The champion then looks Flair in the eye and tells the Hall of Famer that he is the “most overrated Superstar in history”, saying that Flair “was” great a quarter of a century ago. Orton then orders Flair to leave the ring, saying that he cannot be held responsible for what will happen if Flair does not comply. The proud legend does not back down from the confident champion, refusing to leave the ring, telling Orton that, ten years ago, he and Triple H hand-picked Orton to be the future of the business. Flair continues, saying that Orton brought an “immature punk attitude” that he has never grown out of. Flair then says that being the WWE World Heavyweight Champion makes Orton the man in the ring, but is Orton a man outside of the WWE. Orton then gets in Flair’s face, threatening to go “old school” on the Hall of Famer. Before the WWE World Heavyweight Champion can do any harm to Ric Flair, John Cena comes out to the ring. Cena says that, instead of settling it with him or going to The Authority, Orton takes it out on Ric Flair. Cena says that Orton does not hold a candle to Ric Flair and what Flair has accomplished and, if Orton wants a fight, then he wants to go “old school” too. Cena then readies himself to fight Orton, but the champion backs off, opting to retreat from the potential fight.
For the first time since giving in and joining The Wyatt Family last week, the newest and most unlikely member of The Wyatt Family, Daniel Bryan, would join Luke Harper & Erick Rowan, with Bray Wyatt in their corner, to face the team of Rey Mysterio & The Usos in a 6-Man Tag match. During the match, tensions were high between Daniel Bryan and his new family as Bryan tags himself into the match, but Luke Harper then tags himself in, leading to a face-off between Bryan and Harper. This would allow Jimmy Uso to surprise Harper with a roll-up, picking up the win for his team. After the match, Daniel Bryan would get a shot in on Jimmy Uso, but Rey Mysterio & The Usos were able to escape the ring without incident.
In a major announcement made by Michael Cole during Old School RAW, “The Animal” will be a part of the 2014 Royal Rumble Match later this month as former World Champion and 2005 Royal Rumble Winner Batista will join 30 other Superstars on January 26 in Pittsburgh with the winner earning a WWE World Heavyweight Title match at WrestleMania XXX!
Backstage, the WWE Director of Operations, Kane, confronts RAW General Manager Brad Maddox, who was very crucial of Kane in his absence last week. The GM asks if Kane is going to threaten him with “physical violence”. Surprisingly, Kane does not take this route as Kane takes the executive path, saying that such physicality would result in his “dismissal”. Kane continues, saying that Maddox is in a “no win” situation as, if he does lay a hand on the GM and get fired, he would make sure that, on his way out, that Maddox is “never seen again”! Kane then says that, if he were to lose his job as the Director of Operations, then he would go back to being “the monster” and, again, Maddox would never be seen again! The Director of Operations then suggests that Maddox keep that in mind whenever he thinks about talking to Triple H or Stephanie McMahon about his “job performance” again.
After passing Nikolai Volkoff, Irwin R. Schyster, and “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase in the backstage area, the Intercontinental Champion was in action on Old School RAW as Big E. Langston would go one-on-one with Curtis Axel in a non-title match with Ryback a guest on commentary. Despite a distraction from Ryback, Big E. Langston would prevail, hitting the Big Ending on Curtis Axel, pinning Axel for the win.
Old School RAW would feature the return of the most legendary talk show segment in history as WWE Hall of Famer “Rowdy” Roddy Piper would host the infamous Piper’s Pit with his special guests, The Shield! Before introducing his guests, Piper says that he was “old school before old school was cool”, saying that he has fought some guys in his day. However, Piper’s guests would not wait to be introduced as United States Champion Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins, & Roman Reigns would make their way through the crowd as The Shield would make their way to the ring. Dean Ambrose tells the Hall of Famer that Piper is lucky that The Shield was not around when Piper was in his prime. Piper does not back down, saying that the name of the show is Piper’s Pit, not “Ambrose Alley”. Piper admits that his body doesn’t work like it used to, but his mind is perfectly fine. Piper then says that there is only one man who can match him on a microphone and that is CM Punk. Ambrose then gets in the face of “Hot Rod”, but Seth Rollins backs his teammate up, saying that they are “too smart” to fall for Piper’s mind games. Rollins then accuses Piper of being “jealous” because Ambrose is a better United States Champion than Piper ever was.
Roddy Piper says that neither Seth Rollins nor Dean Ambrose could beat CM Punk in a one-on-one match before confronting Roman Reigns, saying that, if Reigns beats Punk tonight, that makes Reigns “better” than Ambrose and Rollins! Reigns then stands up, saying that he is going to beat CM Punk tonight and, if Piper ever talks to him like that again, he will break Piper’s “old ass” in half! Ambrose then suggests that they leave a “lasting impression” on Piper, cornering the Hall of Famer. Before The Shield could do the unthinkable, CM Punk would rush out to make the save, but Punk would not come alone as “The Best in the World” brought the legendary New Age Outlaws along for backup! Together with Road Dogg & Billy Gunn, Punk would clear the ring of The Shield before Punk, Piper, and The New Age Outlaws stand tall in the ring!
For the first time since suffering a concussion nearly a month ago, Alberto Del Rio was in action on RAW as “The Mexican Aristocrat” would go one-on-one with the man who twice beat him a month ago, Sin Cara. In the end, it was Alberto Del Rio landing a straight kick to the face of Sin Cara, pinning the high-flyer for the win. After the match, Alberto Del Rio says that everyone is talking about Batista’s entry into the Royal Rumble Match, but Del Rio vows to throw “The Animal” over the top rope and, then, everyone will be talking about him.
Backstage, Daniel Bryan implores Luke Harper & Erick Rowan to let him “contribute”, offering to team with either Harper or Rowan next week. However, Bray Wyatt makes the decision that Daniel Bryan will team with Bray himself next week.
In a non-title bout, WWE Tag Team Champions Goldust & Cody Rhodes would face The Real Americans, with Zeb Colter in their corner, on Old School RAW. In the end, it was Goldust hitting the Final Cut on Jack Swagger, pinning Swagger to pick up the win for the WWE Tag Team Champions.
Backstage, two WCW alumni and two former WCW Champions re-unite as Hall of Famer Booker T interrupts Diamond Dallas Page’s yoga session. DDP shows Booker an “advanced” yoga move, so Booker tries to mimic the move, but fails. This brings Ron Simmons in to weigh in on the ‘yoga-off’, offering his trademark “damn”.
After their match ended in controversy last week with the referee making the three-count despite The Great Khali’s shoulder being off of the mat, the rematch would take place on Old School RAW as Damien Sandow would go one-on-one with The Great Khali, with Ranjin Singh back in his corner, and, as voted on by the fans, WWE Hall of Famer Sgt. Slaughter would serve as the Special Referee. The Great Khali would hit the Khali Chop on Damien Sandow, pinning Sandow and, despite Sandow’s foot being on the bottom rope, Slaughter would count the three, giving Khali the win. After the match, Damien Sandow would confront Sgt. Slaughter over the botched call, shoving the Hall of Famer, but when Sandow goes for a cheap shot on Slaughter, the Hall of Famer locks Sandow in the Cobra Clutch!
Following his surprise return last week where he decimated Mark Henry with an F-5 on the arena floor and expressed his desire to become the WWE World Heavyweight Champion, “The Beast” Brock Lesnar would appear on Old School RAW with Paul Heyman in tow. On behalf of Brock Lesnar, Paul Heyman says that, according to Lesnar, the meaning of “old school” is not parading legends on RAW. Heyman then says that Lesnar considers “old school” to mean that “one man reigns supreme” and every person in the locker room comes out and challenges that one man for the right to be the man in the WWE. Heyman continues, saying that, back in the day, legends like Bruno Sammartino, Hulk Hogan, and Stone Cold Steve Austin reigned supreme and every man in the back wanted to challenge the champion and become the man. Heyman then says that, either Randy Orton or John Cena will emerge from the Royal Rumble as the WWE World Heavyweight Champion and will have to contend with the “self-proclaimed #1 Contender”, Brock Lesnar. Heyman continues, saying that there is no man in any professional sport that can stand a chance against Brock Lesnar and Brock proved that last week with his decimation of Mark Henry. Heyman says that it does not matter who comes down that ramp to challenge Lesnar, that man will come out as a “loser”. Heyman then chants Lesnar’s mantra, “sleep, eat, conquer, repeat”. Heyman is then interrupted by the injured, but proud Mark Henry, who marches to the ring looking for revenge against “The Beast”. While Mark Henry gets a couple of shots in on Brock Lesnar, Lesnar wastes little time in locking the Kimura Lock in on Mark Henry, snapping the arm of “The World’s Strongest Man” before Heyman calls off the destruction.
As Mark Henry is helped out of the ring by referees and WWE’s medical staff, Brock Lesnar & Paul Heyman are visibly shocked by the arrival of “The World’s Largest Athlete” Big Show! Big Show slowly walks towards Brock Lesnar before “The Beast” slides back into the ring, ready to fight the giant, but once Big Show steps foot into the ring, Lesnar hops out of the ring, leaving with Heyman, who says that Brock does not “fight for free”. This would prove to be nothing but a ploy from Lesnar and Heyman as Heyman gets on the apron to distract Big Show, but Big Show sees Brock trying to jump him and the giant strikes first, backing Brock into the corner before hurling Lesnar across the ring! Lesnar then quickly slides out of the ring, limping to the back with Paul Heyman.
In Divas tag action, The Bella Twins would face Aksana & Alicia Fox on Old School RAW. During the match, Brie Bella would miss a missile dropkick and Aksana would take advantage, scoring the three-count to pick up the win.
Old School RAW would feature the return of one of the most entertaining combinations in WWE history as former WWE Tag Team Champions Scotty 2 Hotty & Grandmaster Sexay would re-unite as Too Cool would join forces with Rikishi to face 3MB, Heath Slater, Jinder Mahal, & Drew McIntyre, in 6-Man Tag action! In the end, it was Rikishi dropping all his weight on Jinder Mahal, pinning Jinder to pick up the win for himself and Too Cool. After the match, Rikishi & Too Cool would break it down with some of their signature dance moves.
Led to the ring by “The Pimp Daddy” himself, The Godfather, Old School RAW would pay homage to the legends and Hall of Famers who appeared on the show as Ric Flair, Roddy Piper, Ron Simmons, Booker T, Arn Anderson, Diamond Dallas Page, Rikishi, Scotty 2 Hotty, Grandmaster Sexay, Sgt. Slaughter, Bob Backlund, Nikolai Volkoff, Irwin R. Schyster, & “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase lined up on the stage and were all given their time in the spotlight.
Before the main event, “Mean” Gene Okerlund would introduce The New Age Outlaws as Road Dogg & Billy Gunn make their way to the ring to do the signature introduction of the legendary team. Road Dogg then does the honor of introducing “The Best in the World” CM Punk, who makes his way to the ring for the main event as CM Punk, with The New Age Outlaws in his corner, would face Roman Reigns, with Dean Ambrose & Seth Rollins in his corner. During the match, Dean Ambrose would get on the ring apron, but Road Dogg would round the corner, pulling Ambrose off of the apron. This would lead to a brawl at ringside that ends with all four corner men out on the outside. With the match truly a one-on-one affair, Punk and Reigns would go to war, trading their best moves, but when Punk goes for the GTS, Dean Ambrose again gets on the ring apron, distracting Punk long enough for Reigns to hit the Spear, pinning Punk for the surprising win. After the match, the world would be shocked by the arrival of the legendary Jake “The Snake” Roberts! As the controversial legend makes his way to the ring, CM Punk and The New Age Outlaws would take it to The Shield in the ring, ending with Punk hitting the GTS on Dean Ambrose. With Ambrose out of it in the center of the ring, Jake Roberts would bring out the legendary snake, laying the snake on the unconscious United States Champion before scaring the other Shield members away with the python!
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