Cerebral Assassination.
With just a few weeks before WrestleMania, the 1086th edition of WWE Monday Night RAW came to you, live, from the AT&T Center in the hometown of “The Heartbreak Kid” Shawn Michaels, San Antonio, TX. After appearing on SmackDown to vow that he will “bury” Daniel Bryan and put an end to the Yes Movement come WrestleMania, WWE COO Triple H is set to kick off RAW. What will Triple H have to say about facing Daniel Bryan at WrestleMania, not to mention the added stipulation that, if Daniel Bryan wins, he will be added to the WWE World Heavyweight Title match?
After Bray Wyatt accepted his challenge for a match at WrestleMania, John Cena will make his first appearance on RAW since the match was made official. What will John Cena have to say to his WrestleMania opponent with their one-on-one showdown looming?
Match Results
- Non-Title: The Real Americans def. The Usos by Cesaro pinning Jey Uso following the Neutralizer.
- Sheamus (with Hornswoggle) def. Titus O’Neil by pin following the Brogue Kick.
- Non-Title: No DQ: Daniel Bryan (with Batista) def. Randy Orton by pin following the Spear by Batista.
- Goldust (with Cody Rhodes) def. Fandango (with Summer Rae) by pin following the Final Cut.
- The Funkadactyls def. AJ Lee & Tamina Snuka by Naomi pinning AJ Lee following the split-legged moonsault.
- 8-Man Tag: Big Show, Mark Henry, Dolph Ziggler, & Big E def. Alberto Del Rio, Damien Sandow, & Rybaxel by Big Show pinning Damien Sandow following the chokeslam.
- Bray Wyatt def. Kofi Kingston by pin following the Sister Abigail.
Detailed Results
With less than a month to go before he faces Daniel Bryan at WrestleMania in a match where, if Daniel Bryan wins, he will be added to the WWE World Heavyweight Title match between champion Randy Orton and #1 Contender Batista later that same night, RAW kicks off with the COO of the WWE, Triple H. Triple H tells the fans that he is going to “end” Daniel Bryan and it is all their “fault”. The COO continues, saying that he has a few things to say to Daniel Bryan and he will do that later tonight and he will say them to Bryan’s face “man-to-man”. Triple H then tries to move on with the show, but the COO is interrupted with the arrival of the #1 Contender for the WWE World Heavyweight Title at WrestleMania, “The Animal” Batista. Batista tells his former mentor that Triple H has a bigger problem and that problem stands in front of him. Batista asks Triple H who the hell he thinks he is allowing Daniel Bryan the opportunity to be in his match at WrestleMania. Batista says that he did not come back to be in a Triple Threat Match at WrestleMania, a match where he does not even have to be pinned or made to submit to lose. Triple H asks Batista if “The Animal” thinks that Daniel Bryan has a “chance in hell” of beating him at WrestleMania. The COO is then interrupted again, this time by the WWE World Heavyweight Champion, Randy Orton. The champion says that he is going to have to agree with Batista, but Triple H insists that Daniel Bryan will not beat him at WrestleMania. The COO asks the champion and challenger if Daniel Bryan has really gotten into their heads that much. Batista comments that it is not as much as Daniel Bryan has gotten into Triple H’s head and Randy Orton offers to take care of Daniel Bryan in a No Disqualification Match here tonight, saying that he will do what Batista could not do last week.
Triple H grants Randy Orton his No Disqualification Match with Daniel Bryan and Orton then says that the reason that the fans chant for Daniel Bryan is not because they believe in Daniel Bryan, it’s because they do not believe in Batista. The champion continues, saying that, when Batista left, “nobody cared” and, when Batista came back, people cared even less and, if Batista would have just lived up to his “hype”, they would not be in the situation that they are in right now. Batista fires back, saying that they love Daniel Bryan because, as WWE World Heavyweight Champion, Orton “sucks”. Batista continues, saying that the only reason that Orton has those titles is because of Triple H’s support, calling Orton a “paper champion” and saying that those titles belong to him! This leads to an intense, face-to-face shouting match between champion and challenger which Triple H tries to walk away from. However, Batista halts Triple H, asking the COO where he thinks he’s going, telling Triple H that he needs to “fix” the situation. Triple H says that he is sick of “gremlins” like Daniel Bryan and he is sick of the fans, but he is not only sick of them, he is sick of “Hollywood movie stars” coming back to the WWE and thinking that they can tell him what is right for the business and thinking that they know more about this business than he does! The angry COO then says that he is sick of “technically-gifted guys” who are so screwed up in the head that they cannot win a match without him “holding their hand”! Triple H continues, saying that the “old man” was right when he said that the only one you can trust in the wrestling business is yourself. The COO then makes a monumental announcement, saying that, at WrestleMania, there will be a Triple Threat Match for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, but it will not be Daniel Bryan joining Orton and Batista, it will be him! Triple H then explains that, if he defeats Daniel Bryan at WrestleMania, then he will put himself into the WWE World Heavyweight Title match, making it Randy Orton vs. Batista vs. Triple H for the top prize on “The Grandest Stage of Them All”! Triple H then storms away from the ring and, with Batista’s attention on Triple H, Randy Orton picks his spot as “The Viper” catches “The Animal” by surprise with the RKO!
As Zeb Colter continues to try and keep them on the same page, the opening match of the night would see The Real Americans, with Zeb Colter in their corner, face WWE Tag Team Champions The Usos in a non-title match. During the match, Jack Swagger would actually pull Cesaro out of the ring, saving Cesaro from getting pinned. However, The Usos would blast Swagger with a double super kick followed by Jimmy Uso diving out of the ring, taking Swagger out. While Jey Uso would try to do the same, Cesaro would catch Jey with a European Uppercut, following it up with the Neutralizer as Cesaro pins Jey to pick up the win over the WWE Tag Team Champions.
After The Shield defied his orders and ultimately found himself on the wrong end of a Spear by Roman Reigns, Director of Operations Kane confronts The Shield backstage, saying that he needs a “united Shield” by his side. Kane continues, saying that, if The Authority cannot count on The Shield, then The Shield will become a “liability”. Kane then asks if he can count on them and Seth Rollins says that they are “united”. The Director of Operations then drives his point home, telling The Shield that, if they do not do the “right thing”, then they will find out just how “replaceable” they really are.
With Christian a guest on commentary, RAW would feature a St. Patrick’s Day Showdown as “The Celtic Warrior” Sheamus, with Hornswoggle in his corner, would face Titus O’Neil. During the match, Titus O’Neil would bring Hornswoggle into the ring, bullying the little man, but Sheamus would come to the aid of Hornswoggle, hitting Titus O’Neil with the Brogue Kick, pinning Titus for the win. After the match, Sheamus announces that he will be a part of the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal at WrestleMania. Sheamus is then blindsided by Christian, who tosses “The Celtic Warrior” into the steel steps before planting Sheamus on the arena floor with the Killswitch.
With his match against Bray Wyatt at WrestleMania rapidly approaching, John Cena would appear on RAW to address The Wyatt Family. Cena says that he has been in the WWE for over 12 years and, regardless of what they think of him, he has always given them his all. Cena then admits that he is “afraid” of Bray Wyatt, saying that he wonders if they are believing what Bray Wyatt has been saying. Cena continues, saying that all Bray Wyatt will stop at nothing to destroy his “legacy” and Bray has tried to convince the fans that Cena is a “phony”. Cena says that he is afraid of Bray Wyatt, but he “believes” in everything he stands for and, at WrestleMania, he will “fight” for his legacy. The Wyatt Family then appears on the Tron as Bray Wyatt, wearing a John Cena t-shirt, tells Cena that his childhood was not all “rainbows and butterflies”, saying that he has a few “scars” as well. Bray continues, saying that he was taught that “sooner or later”, everything will “wither away”, saying that he could sign autographs and make sure everyone buys his merchandise. Bray then says that he could go home to his “plastic girlfriend” and his “castle” and hide behind “jokes”. Bray continues, saying that he is “different” than anyone Cena has ever faced and, at WrestleMania, he does not care if he lives or if he dies as long as the world sees Cena for who he is.
Now that he knows, without a doubt, that he will have to defend the WWE World Heavyweight Title against two men in a Triple Threat Match at WrestleMania, Randy Orton was in action on RAW as the WWE World Heavyweight Champion would go one-on-one with a man he could possibly end up facing at WrestleMania, Daniel Bryan, in a No Disqualification Match. It would not take long for the match stipulation to come into play as, during the fight on the outside, Randy Orton would grab a kendo stick, using it against Daniel Bryan before dropping Bryan on the announce table with a back drop. The game plan of the champion would quickly become apparent as Orton targets the back of Daniel Bryan, delivering a kendo stick strike to the back of Bryan before dropping Bryan on the ringside barricade with another back drop, followed up with a backbreaker on the outside. Back in the ring, Daniel Bryan would fight back, wearing the champion out with kicks and kendo stick shots. Orton would quickly regain the advantage, but when Orton would look for the RKO, Bryan would roll to the outside, grabbing a kendo stick and blasting the champion in the skull with the stick. After a few more shots on the outside, Daniel Bryan would send Orton over the barricade with a running dropkick, but when Bryan goes to retrieve Orton, Orton pops up, bouncing Bryan’s head off of the barricade. The champion then grabs a steel chair, jabbing Bryan in the mid-section with the chair, followed by a chair shot to the back. Back in the ring, Orton was set to finish Bryan off with the chair, but Batista would rush the ring, blasting Orton with the Spear! Bryan then seizes the opportunity to take Batista out with a running dropkick, quickly pinning Orton to pick up the win! After the match, Batista comes back into the ring as “The Animal” sends a clear message to the champion, planting Orton with the Batista Bomb!
Before his client, Brock Lesnar, tries to end the undefeated streak of The Undertaker at WrestleMania, Brock Lesnar’s advocate, Paul Heyman, appears on RAW. Heyman says that, in recent years, The Undertaker has barely defeated his WrestleMania opponents. Heyman continues, saying that Brock Lesnar has proven his “dominance” over those very same opponents throughout his career. Heyman then presents footage that would prove “undisputable evidence” that his claims are true. The video footage then shows The Undertaker’s WrestleMania matches as of late, claiming that “time” is catching up to The Undertaker before showing footage of Brock Lesnar’s assaults on the likes of Shawn Michaels, Mark Henry, and Triple H. Following the video package, Heyman says that The Undertaker’s streak will be “conquered” by Brock Lesnar and, at WrestleMania, The Undertaker’s streak will “rest in peace”.
Backstage, tensions are high between Triple H and his wife, Stephanie McMahon, as Stephanie says that she does not know if Triple H has calmed down or simply forgotten that Daniel Bryan “disrespected” them and the McMahon family legacy. Triple H says that he has not forgotten a thing, saying that he will take care of it at WrestleMania, but Stephanie asks what will happen if Triple H wins the WWE World Heavyweight Title at WrestleMania, asking if the COO has thought of what will happen if he is on the road full-time as the champion, away from their children, asking if Triple H is even thinking at all tonight. Triple H then sternly tells his wife that he is thinking more “clearly” than ever right now, telling Stephanie to leave him alone and let him take care of it. Stephanie responds to this by telling her husband that Triple H had better take care of it.
Mocking Fandango & Summer Rae on their way to the ring, Goldust & Cody Rhodes would appear on RAW as Goldust, with Cody Rhodes in his corner, would face Fandango, with Summer Rae in his corner. During the match, Summer Rae gets on the ring apron, but is scared off by Goldust. However, Cody Rhodes catches Summer Rae, continuing to hold onto Summer until Fandango catches sight of them as Rhodes quickly puts Summer down, but not without twirling Summer first. After moving out of the way of Fandango’s leg drop, a worse-for-wear Goldust would catch Fandango with the Final Cut, pinning Fandango for the win.
After instructing The Shield to “do the right thing” earlier in the evening, Director of Operations Kane appears on RAW, saying that Daniel Bryan’s Occupy RAW movement last week was “dangerous” and “violated numerous safety codes”. Kane then says that he has conducted a “thorough investigation” into the events of last week and he has discovered that Daniel Bryan did not act alone, saying that “one man” made the Occupy RAW movement possible and that man is a native of Memphis, which is where RAW emanated from last week. The Director of Operations continues, saying that they will now take action, the kind of action that does have a place in the ring. Kane then exposes the culprit as being none other than Jerry “The King” Lawler. Turning his attention to ringside, Kane says that he was afraid that Lawler would pull something like this. With that, things begin to get uncomfortable for the Hall of Famer as The Shield makes their way to the ringside area. Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins, & Roman Reigns then swarm the announce table, forcing Lawler out of his seat and into the ring with Kane. The Shield follows Jerry Lawler into the ring, cornering “The King” as Kane takes off his jacket and tie, telling Lawler that he knows that Lawler is not in “fighting shape”, asking Lawler if there is anything he has to say for himself. Seth Rollins then addresses the Hall of Famer, saying that he sees the look in Lawler’s eyes, but Daniel Bryan is not going to save Lawler. Rollins then says that The Shield always does what is “best for business”. While this looks to mean very bad things for the Hall of Famer, The Shield slowly turns around to face Kane, allowing Lawler to exit the ring unharmed! Unable to hide his nervousness, Kane shouts at The Shield, but the trio slowly surrounds Kane. Realizing what is about to take place, the Director of Operations fires the first shot, but The Shield swarms Kane, forcing Kane into a corner. Kane briefly battles back, but the numbers game proves too strong for Kane as Seth Rollins delivers a kick to the skull of the Director of Operations, followed up with a Spear by Roman Reigns. The Shield then hoists Kane up, delivering the three-man powerbomb to Corporate Kane!
For the first time since having her orbital bone fracture several weeks ago, Naomi would return to RAW sporting an eye patch as Naomi & Cameron would face Divas Champion AJ Lee & Tamina Snuka in tag team action with The Bella Twins sitting in on commentary. In the end, it was Naomi hitting the split-legged moonsault on AJ Lee, pinning the Divas Champion to pick up the win. After the match, AJ Lee confronts her bodyguard, Tamina Snuka, blaming Tamina for her recent losses, saying that, when she competes in singles matches, she wins. AJ then screams at Tamina that they always lose when they team up and Tamina responds by shoving the Divas Champion down!
With The Ultimate Warrior, Jake “The Snake” Roberts, Lita, Paul Bearer, & Carlos Colon all announced for the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2014, RAW would feature the announcement of the latest inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame. The latest name for the celebrity wing of the Hall of Fame would be a legendary actor in such TV shows as The A-Team and the man who competed in the first and second WrestleMania events, teaming with Hulk Hogan on the first WrestleMania and facing Roddy Piper in a Boxing Match at WrestleMania 2, as Mr. T will be inducted on April 5 in New Orleans!
Following the announcement that the man who most resembles Andre The Giant, Big Show, will be taking part in the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal at WrestleMania, “The World’s Largest Athlete” Big Show would team with “The World’s Strongest Man” Mark Henry, Dolph Ziggler, & Intercontinental Champion Big E to face Alberto Del Rio, Damien Sandow, & Rybaxel in a big 8-Man Tag Match in a battle of the announced participants for the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal. In a symbolic display of what will occur at WrestleMania, the two teams would take turns throwing their opposition over the top rope before it came down to the two legal men, Big Show and Damien Sandow. Big Show would plant Damien Sandow with a chokeslam, pinning Sandow to pick up the win for his team.
In a rematch from last week’s SmackDown, Bray Wyatt, with Luke Harper & Erick Rowan in his corner, would face Kofi Kingston on RAW. In the end, it was a decisive victory for Bray Wyatt as Bray hits the Sister Abigail on Kofi Kingston, pinning Kofi for the win.
As promised by the man himself earlier in the night, WWE COO Triple H would confront his WrestleMania opponent, Daniel Bryan, man-to-man, on RAW. The COO wastes no time in asking Daniel Bryan to come down to the ring and Bryan wastes no time in coming to the ring. Triple H says that everything that he has done to Daniel Bryan up until this moment has been done because it was what was “best for business”. The COO continues, saying that nothing that he has done has been “personal” and he cannot expect anyone else to understand the decisions that he has to make as the COO. Triple H then says that he is willing to let everything from last week go, but the fact is that they are going to “fight” at WrestleMania and he expects no apologies from either one of them for what they do to each other at WrestleMania. Triple H continues, saying that Daniel Bryan has “crossed the line” and, now, he has “no choice” but to shut the Yes Movement down. Triple H then offers his hand to Daniel Bryan, telling Bryan that he has “no hard feelings” and “may the best man win”. Bryan would refuse the handshake and Triple H would continue, saying that he has put every conceivable road block in the way of Daniel Bryan and he is still standing. The COO says that anyone else would have “took their ball and gone home”, but not Daniel Bryan, telling Bryan that, if nothing else, Bryan has earned his “respect”.
Outraged, Triple H’s wife, Stephanie McMahon, storms out, saying that what Daniel Bryan did last week was “illegal” and that is why she is pressing charges against Daniel Bryan! The Principal Owner then orders the police to come out and arrest Daniel Bryan and, as the six police officers make their way to the ring, surrounding Daniel Bryan, an argument breaks out between Triple H and Stephanie. Meanwhile, in the ring, the police subdue Daniel Bryan as all six officers pin Bryan down to the mat with their knife sticks, cuffing Daniel Bryan. The ruse then becomes apparent as Triple H calls off the police officers, saying that he does not want things to go down like this. The COO then says that they are not even real cops before saying that he would rather handle it himself! As the fake cops leave the ring, Triple H attacks the handcuffed Daniel Bryan, stomping away at the skull of Daniel Bryan. Triple H then drags Daniel Bryan out of the ring before tossing Bryan into the steel steps before picking Daniel Bryan back up and bouncing his skull off of the announce table. Bryan then attempts to fight back, but the COO would quickly snuff out the comeback, dropping Daniel Bryan on the announce table before tossing Bryan into the ringside barricade. Triple H then continues the assault, blasting Bryan with right hands and repeatedly ramming Bryan into the barricade. Bryan gets a couple of shots in on Triple H, but it would not be enough to stop the COO as Triple H plants Bryan face-first onto the announce table, dragging the beaten Bryan off of the announce table and holding Bryan up so that Stephanie can repeatedly slap the face of Daniel Bryan. Triple H then puts Daniel Bryan in the ring, placing Bryan’s skull against the steel ring post before the COO grabs a steel chair, using it to smash the skull of Daniel Bryan. Triple H then picks up the lifeless body of Daniel Bryan, drilling Bryan with the Pedigree in the center of the ring. Triple H & Stephanie then stand over the broken body of Daniel Bryan before Triple H grabs the microphone, shouting that the WWE belongs to them and there is “no Yes Movement”.
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