Raw:
John Cena is in the ring to kick off the show. He introduces Wade Barret as he returns home to the UK. The rest of Nexus, along with Wade, make their way down to the ring. Wade proclaims that the prodigal son has returned. He tells Manchester that there is going to be a party tonight, to celebrate as they will after Wade wins the Title. But, before we get to any of that, there is a matter to be cleared up.
We see a video package of David Otunga taking Nexus to Smackdown this past week, and not being very successful at it. Wade tells him that they will deal with it later. Wade then turns to Cena, and questions his refereeing from last Monday Night. Wade reiterates that at Survivor Series, Cena must raise his hand in victory, with the Title, or else he will be fired. Wade now wants Cena to practice telling the world that he is the new WWE Champion. Cena says, “whatever” and is about to oblige, but Orton’s music hits.
Orton comes to the entrance ramp and informs Wade that he’ll never win the Title.
And I quote…
Wade Barret’s Championship win preview has been officially cancelled. Also, to ensure that there is a decisive winner at Survivor Series, the match can only be won by pinfall or submission. The rest of Nexus will be banned from ringside. As for tonight, Team Nexus will take on an army of Orton’s (as chosen by the GM) in the main event. John Cena will be the Special Guest Referee for the match.
After the announcement, Cena isn’t too thrilled and kicks over the Nexus podium in the ring. Cena pushes over Otunga and heads to the back.
3 on 3 Divas Cup Match
Eve Torres & The Bella Twins v. Alicia Fox, Maryse & Tamina
Josh Mathews just said “6 Divas, 1 Cup”. I love this guy.
Tamina and Eve start things off. Eve hits a slow roundhouse on Tamina in the corner. Tamina lifts her into the air for a Samoan drop. Cover attempt, but Eve kicks out. Maryse gets the tag and goes for a cover. Eve kicks out.
Alicia and one of the Bellas get the tags from their prospective side. Bella goes for the cover, but Tamina comes in to make the save. The other Bella tries to run in to help, but the referee keeps her out of the ring. Torres runs over at Tamina and takes her to the outside of the ring. Maryse drops one of the Bellas, but the other Bella runs in and does “Twin Magic”, making the switch. This match is over.
Winners via Twin Magic: Eve Torres & The Bella Twins
In the back, David Otunga is talking to Nexus. Wade Barret comes into the locker room, and Otunga quickly shuts up. Otunga says he was just telling them to step up tonight. Wade says that tonight, David better be ready to go. Otunga will face John Cena on RAW tonight!
The Hart Dynasty v. The Usos w/ Tamina
David starts things off with one of the Usos. Quickly, things begin to spill over and Smith ends up throwing both Usos to the outside. Tyson runs into the ring off a tag and hits a beautiful somersault plancha into a hurricarana to the outside of the ring. Back in the ring, Jimmy goes for a splash on Tyson, but catches nothing but air.
Smith gets the tag, and comes into the ring for a pin attempt. Kick out by Jimmy. Smith lifts him into the air for a running scoop slam. Cover attempt, but Jimmy(?) kicks out. Jey(?) runs into the ring to break the cover. Tyson connects with a baseball slide to send him out of the ring. Jimmy is able to get a nice kick on Smith which knocks him down. Jimmy leaps from the top rope with a splash. This match is over.
Winners via Splash: The Usos
Matt Striker is in the back with Randy Orton. Striker asks him if he knows the identity of the RAW GM. Randy says it’s a stupid question to even ask him, the bottom line is that he is just waiting to find out who is on his team. The Miz walks into the shot to inform Orton that he heard from the GM that he is on his team.
Otunga is in the back with a less than thrilled Nexus. He tells them that when he said he was the most talented member of Nexus, he was talking about Cena. David is trying really hard to convince the team that it is all good.
Goldust v. Ted Dibiase w/ Maryse
Goldust gets caught with an inverted atomic drop. Dibiase follows up with a clothesline, and then goes for the cover. Goldust kicks out. Dibiase goes for a headlock, but Goldust tries to punch his way out. Dibiase drops him to the mat, and goes for the cover. Goldust kicks out.
Maryse grabs the million dollar championship from ringside. That was easy. Goldust plows out of the corner and hits a bulldog. Cover attempt, but Dibiase kicks out. Aksana runs down to the ring, and grabs the title from Maryse! This distracts Ted just enough to allow Goldust room for a quick rollup.
Winner: Goldust
David Otunga v. John Cena
Apparently Otunga had no interest in this match, as he immediately makes a beeline towards the entrance ramp. Cena runs right after him, and brings him back to the ring. Cena hits a nice standing drop kick. Otunga is able to get back to his feet, and backs Cena into the corner.
Cena catches his wits and sets up for the moves of doom. Cena hits two shoulder blocks, followed by a side slam. Cena goes for the 5 Knuckle Shuffle, and connects. The Attitude Adjustment connects, but Cena isn’t quite done. Cena locks on the STF and Otunga taps.
Winner via STF: John Cena
In the back, Wade is talking with Otunga. He tells Otunga that he will have a match coming up against Edge. If Otunga loses, he is out of Nexus.
Tea Time with Santino
Santino and Vladimir Kozlov come down to the ring wearing suits and top hats. They even have umbrellas. In the ring, there is a table set up for a classic tea party. Santino talks about the UK, and then welcomes out Sheamus (or as Santino calls him Shay-moose).
Michael Cole points out that Santino is Italian, Kozlov is Russian, Sheamus is Irish, and we are in the UK. That’s a lot of multiculturalism.
Santino invites Sheamus to have a seat, and well, the three all take a seat. Shamus says that he thinks he got Santino all wrong. Santino is really a good guy.
I declare this my “youtube-it” segment of the night. Do it.
“We have Green Tea, Ginger Tea…and we also have an autographed picture of Mr.T!” – Santino
Santino says that Sheamus faults are probably for a couple of reasons. First, because he was the result of a genetic experiment, and second that he was excluded because he was a ginger. Santino says that he will not exclude Sheamus. Hence, the party. Sheamus says that Santino actually makes him laugh, and can’t remember why he even hates him. Santino can’t remember either. Kozlov chimes in and says it is because Santino beat him. A “Kozlov” chant breaks out.
Santino notices that Sheamus is low on tea and looks to give him some. His hand is shaking as he says that Sheamus is making him nervous. As expected, Santino drops the tea on Sheamus. As a result, Sheamus flips over the table.
Santino v. Sheamus
Sheamus apparently had his ring gear on, under his suit. Santino runs out of the ring at the start of this match. Sheamus runs out after him, and Santino jumps the barricade. Santino says that he is not ready and needs to warm up. He starts doing some stretches.
And I quote…
Santino, you have two choices. Get back in the ring and compete, or be immediately suspended.
Santino contemplates his options, but ultimately gets into the ring. Santino starts to pump up the cobra, but Sheamus plows him over. Sheamus stomps on him as Santino pleads for a reprieve. Santino hits a low blow on Sheamus, causing the DQ.
Winner via DQ: Sheamus
After the match, Santino takes time to gloat and celebrate. Sheamus is not thrilled and is able to get to his feet and connect with a Brog kick. Sheamus then lifts him up into the air for the High Cross, but John Morrison runs down to make the save! Morrison connects with a flash kick and rescues Santino.
Wade is in the back with John Cena. He hands him a referee shirt and tells him to do his job right, or be a distant memory in the history of the WWE.
“Stand Up for the WWE” video package airs with second and third generation stars talking about growing up, and looking up to the company. That was really good, and might have gotten me a little bit emotional. But I won’t admit that.
Randy Orton, R-Truth, Daniel Bryan, Mark Henry & The Miz v. Nexus
Gabriel and Bryan start things off. Gabriel hits a spin kick, and tags in Michael. Miz hits a blind tag on Bryan and clotheslines Michael. Miz screams across the ring and connects with a splash. Miz goes for the cover, but Michael kicks out. Orton gets the tag.
Orton drops a knee on Michael, and then lifts him off the mat. Orton throws him into the corner and demands that Wade tag himself in. Wade does not, and instead sends in Slater. Poor Heath is met with a clothesline, and Orton tags in Truth.
Truth kicks Slater in the gut, and then dodges a splash in the corner. He hits a spinning heel kick and goes for the cover. Slater kicks out. Both teams spill into the ring and begin to brawl. Nexus falls out of the ring and tries to regroup.
Otunga walks down to the entrance ramp as we head to the final commercial break of the evening.
Gabriel and Truth are in the ring. Truth is pulled to the corner, and Husky Harris is tagged into the match. Truth runs for the tag and gets Mark Henry. Husky unloads with a series of punches, but just one from Henry drops him. Mark leaps for a running splash, but Husky moves out of the way. Husky charges to the corner, and splashes Henry. Michael is tagged in.
Harris chucks him towards Henry, but Henry moves out of the way. Bryan gets the tag. Bryan backs Michael into the corner, and then hits a series of kicks. Bryan hits a German Suplex, and then follows with a running dropkick. Cover attempt, but Michael kicks out. Michael is whipped into the ropes which allows a blind tag to Husky. Bryan locks the LeBelle on Michael, but Husky comes in to make the save. Bryan is turned inside out by a vicious clothesline.
Wade Barret is finally tagged into the match. He goes for a cover, but Bryan kicks out. Bryan is whipped into the corner, and then hit with a backbreaker. Cover, but Bryan kicks out. Wade wrenches back on the arms of Bryan, placing his boot hard into his back.
Otunga comes down all the way to ringside, distracting Wade and Cena enough to make an impact. Slater runs in to help, but it was for naught as Bryan immediately sends him to the mat. Orton gets the tag from Bryan! Wade is met by Orton, who has one focus in his mind. He hits the suspended DDT on the #1 contender! Wade almost powers out after, but is met with a neckbreaker. Michael breaks the tag.
Truth runs into the ring for the save, but Gabriel hits him with a nice kick. Mark Henry comes in to take out the South African star. Husky and Michael throw Henry out of the ring. Bryan leaps from the top rope and connects with a double dropkick! This has cleared out the ring to where only Wade and Orton remain. Otunga tries to run into the ring, which catches Cena’s attention. Miz and Riley run into the ring. Miz goes for the Skull Crushing Finale, and Riley assists with the briefcase. Wade picks up the win!
Winner: Team Orton
SmackDown!:
From Manchester, England: We open with a recap of recent Nexus activity on Raw and SD, with emphasis on Otunga’s continued mistakes, lapses in judgment, and general ring jobbing that has peeved Wade Barrett and diminished him in the eyes of fellow Nexus members. Will Otunga be excommunicated from Nexus?? Main events announced of Edge vs. Otunga for the latter to remain in Nexus. Also, Big Show vs. Kane in a battle of giants.
“You think you know me?!” Edge’s music launches the action as the Rated R Superstar comes to the ring in street clothes to shoot a promo. He claims he’ll walk into Wrestlemania 27 as the World Heavyweight Champion and the build to the “Granddaddy of them all” is already in full force. Edge lays out his plan to become 10-time champion (and I’m remembering when a title change—ANY title–actually was a HUGE deal). Edge is as good as they come with the microphone so he starts cutting into Otunga and Nexus’ generic, vanilla theme music starts up and all but Barrett walk down and surround the ring. Vicki’s loud mouth shrieks throughout the building like a banshee and she states she’s in charge tonight. Let’s pray that means she won’t be “wrestling” again like that debacle last week. She restates the terms of Otunga’s match with Edge and repeats Big Show vs. Kane…for the short-term memory disordered among us. Vicki states that Nexus members and SD roster will surround the ring for their match in lumberjack fashion. In proper English fashion, she forces Edge to shake Otunga’s hand and Copeland acquiesces only to land a spear that takes all of Nexus off the apron. Nexus is incredulous as Edge nods to the crowd and stalks to the back. We get a shot of Del Rio driving his Rolls Royce backstage going into commercial. He will be facing Kofi.
We have our first match as Eddie Munster introduces Del Rio. This guy really seems to “get it” in terms of how to get genuine heat through supreme arrogance. Not the annoying kind of arrogance from most guys these days, but in a way that almost actually makes you want to like him. That smile he has is priceless. Bell rings and Kofi’s landing haymaker forearms before a nice dropkick for two count. Irish whip and Kofi runs into a boot and Alberto’s in control working Kingston over with series of kicks, stomps, body slam, shoulder block, and a small package rollup for one-count. Kofi counters off the ropes with some acrobat leaps over Del Rio’s charges and then a flying elbow smash (shades of Superfly Snuka, says Matt Stryker as he sneaks in a plug for upcoming “old school Raw” on Monday). Kofi back in control now with a series of punches in the corner to Del Rio’s forehead. Del Rio escapes outside to ring floor to clear head but is met with a glancing baseball slide followed by a suicide dive that connects but doesn’t knock him off his feet. Both men back inside the ring now. Kofi about to be back body dropped over top rope but he lands on the apron and as he prepares an offensive move his clock is cleaned by a running side head kick from Alberto that lands flush. Kofi is down and out on concrete floor as we go to commercial. We return with both men inside ring and Kofi is in chin lock. Del Rio using heel tactics to punish Kingston—leverage from ropes, not breaking on ref’s command, etc. Kingston begins to hulk up and gets that mean streak going as he lands punches to Del Rio. Seamlessly jumps up to top rope and leaps high into air with impressive flying body splash (frog style, impressive air time) that’s good for a near fall. Cole says “he had to be 50 feet in the air” and I know it’s hyperbole but I still want to box his ears. Kingston lands a flying lariat that Grisham calls “a superman punch”, thus inaccurately crow-barring in an MMA reference. Boom splash lands and Kofi is signaling for Trouble in Paradise. He goes for it but Del Rio ducks the telegraphed maneuver and slithers outside. Kofi follows him only to have his left arm smashed into ring post. Del Rio is setting up his finisher now as he kicks his opponent’s arm into the post again. Kofi is now ripe for the arm bar and Del Rio wastes no time applying the hold in center of the ring. Easily one of the most impressive holds in WWE right now in terms of how quickly he can get it on and the fact it seems like it’s a legitimately painful hold. Kofi taps in less than five seconds and Del Rio has an impressive, clean submission victory a bona fide star. As I pour on accolades to Del Rio my blood pressure and resentment level spikes immediately as Rey Mysterio’s music starts up and the little stain is on his way to the ring. He does his usual gimmick moves (he only knows about five anymore) to get Del Rio in 619 position and connects. Crowd goes wild and for the life of me I’ll never understand or agree with the attraction to this guy. I will withhold further commentary but suffice to say, I can’t stand Rey Mysterio and remain furious that he went over on CM Punk earlier this year. The match itself was a C+ — these guys are capable of more offense and creativity. The rhythm never really hit a stride but kudos for the clean heel victory over a top opponent.
We go backstage to Nexus having a meeting of the minds. It occurs to me that every member (except Barrett) is basically an NXT babyface that just wasn’t accepted by fans so WWE had to turn them heel to get something out of them. Gabriel and Hennig are destined to eventually be faces in the company; Slater’s just a tool and unlikeable in either role, and I think Harris has the makings of a good heel down the road. They are debating whether or not to support Otunga by exposing only the four of them to 16 other SD superstars later in the night. Slater’s not willing to risk it. Otunga overhears and comes in and implores the guys to support him on the biggest night of his career. Says ‘you’re either Nexus or against us about 20 times’ and the pep talk seems to have worked as fist bumps and nods or approval abound…but is there more than meets the eye being planned??
Natalya to the ring looking cool and confident. We already had my least favorite male performer moments ago in Mysterio. And now the most annoying diva—Layla—comes to the ring to face the Ms Neidhart. This is saying quite a bit considering how annoying the whole Diva scene is to me. Highlights include a very impressive vertical suplex by Natalya where she literally held Layla up for 10 seconds and did several squats while holding her up. Layla in control with head scissors but Neihart powers up to her feet and slams Layla into a backbreaker. Some back and forth and about five minutes in Natalya catches Layla’s leg and turns it into a sharpshooter submission victory, thus gaining momentum going into Survivor Series. I really think Natalya deserves to win the title…and equally, LayCool deserves to lose it.
Now we’re backstage with Kane cutting his usual psychopathic yet eloquent promo against Edge. “destroyed and buried Undertaker”, “Darkest corners of hell”, sinister laughter, and all that jazz.
The first premiere match is starting as Edge comes to ring first, followed by all of Nexus (sans Barrett). Both competitors are in the ring and the lumberjacks…well, lumber their way to the ring. Other than the usual suspects, notable participants are Finlay (thankfully, no Hornswoggle), Kingston with his arm wrapped, Chavo (unfairly ruined by Hornswoggle debacle), and a couple Raw guys (Golddust and Tyson Kidd). Edge on the attack immediately at the bell. Otunga thrown outside and Mysterio defies his Ultimate babyface status by kicking David square in the ribs unprovoked and while he’s down…the twat. After commercial Edge still in control and tossing Otunga outside the ring again and he’s getting stomped by Tyler Reks, Finlay, Cody Rhodes and Chavo. Nexus is helplessly looking on as their guy gets the smackdown from both faces and heels and they do nothing to help. Edge is then tossed outside and is left alone until last moment when Del Rio undercuts Edge’s legs causing his head to slam into ring apron (just couldn’t help himself). Swagger and McIntyre seemed stoked by the move and aggressively get Edge back into the ring as confrontations brew on the outside among SD wrestlers. Inside the ring, Otunga is giving ground and pound to Edge. Not a lot of wrestling so far, mostly just kicks and punches and guys getting thrown through ropes. Otunga tosses Edge against ropes and hits an elbow followed by a trio of elbow drops and vertical suplex. He’s in command but the guy really has a limited repertoire of wrestling moves. Edge blocks a punch and hits some right hands followed by a couple clotheslines and his neckbreaker. A rollup from the corner gives him a two count near fall. Edge has Otunga down and takes opportunity to nail Del Rio with a baseball slide. This sets off a “pier 6 brawl” on the outside among lumberjacks but Nexus continues to hide out on rampway. Inside the ring Edge connects with a DDT. At this point I expect the referee to be distracted by the outside riot, but to my pleasant surprised he keeps his focus on the in-ring action. After all, none of the lumberjacks are legal men in the match and he shouldn’t care about what they’re doing. Edge is stalking for the spear but McGillicutty does a run-in and is creamed with a spear. Things are getting out of control. Edge still poised to take out Otunga but he won’t or can’t get up. From right side of screen enters Kane; the big red monster hits Edge with a chokeslam (what else would it be from a wrestler over 6’ 6”?). By now the referee IS distracted so he naturally misses the run-in. Otunga gets the cheap pinfall as the ref turns his attention to the ring too soon. Otunga wins for like the first time since NXT and gets a stay of execution in his time with Nexus. Match is a C at best. The lumberjack element was a slight boost to the grade, but like the earlier duel, this one just seemed slow-going and didn’t really hit a good stride at any point. I don’t think Otunga’s capable of an A or high B match though. He’s very limited in the ring.
Now it’s time for Dolph Ziggler, the Intercontinental Champion, to come to the ring. Fortunately no Vicki in tow. I’m hoping for a Kaitlyn sighting though…she is quite voluptuous even if she was part of one of the worst matches in WWE history last week. MVP is next and I’m really wondering to myself what this guy is doing back in the title picture. Talk about tired, old acts…here is a classic example for you. He needs a heel turn in my opinion, but then again, the only reason he’s getting this title match is there’s such a shortage of faces on SD. My unimportant thoughts aside, the match begins with a lockup and some grappling and rollups by MVP. As I dog MVP he lands some impressive, power-based offense to start the match and we go into commercial…we return and Ziggler is in control landing a knee drop and tries to lock in sleeper hold. MVP powers his way out of the hold and gets another rollup followed by overhand right. He eats a boot running into the corner and Ziggler nearly scores a pinfall with his legs on the ropes. Ref counts two and Dolph’s over to the corner trying to remove turnbuckle. Ref admonishes him and as the ref turns back to the action to fix the padding, MVP naturally gets a small package and had Ziggler down for at least five seconds. Ref comes over to count but Ziggler out in time. Some back and forth holds—wrist locks, right hands, clotheslines, and now MVP lands a knee to head and goes for balling. He lands the elbow (how is this a finishing move??) but Ziggler gets foot on rope just before 3-count. Now both are on top of near corner and MVP is working on a superplex. Ziggler lands rib punch and head butt that sends MVP down to the mat. Dolph leaps from the top, trying to do who-knows-what, and is greeted with a mouthful of boot. Technically, it looked like a double ax-handle but he was about 10 feet short of his target. High impact move to Ziggler but somehow he kicks out. MVP up and stomping Ziggler but Ziggler recuperates quickly and lands low kick to MVP’s knee and then the Zig-Zag for the pin attempt. MVP briefly gets his leg on the bottom rope but Ziggler cleverly pulls the leg away and tucks it for the three-count. Announcers are uncertain if the technique was legal or not; I say it was a crafty veteran move.
Dashing Cody Rhodes cuts a promo to the British crowd about hygiene and we get more of WWE’s notorious stereotyping. It’s not a terribly malicious diatribe though, as he talks about alcohol, teeth brushing, and other mind blowingly-clever topics. Not much to report here as it’s basically a time killer. We get the tale of the tape on Big Show vs. Kane going into commercial.
Both big buys are introduced and Kane looks a little concerned as the bell rings. It starts as you’d expect, big right hand blows from both men. Some lumbering off the ropes and Big Show lands a huge shoulder block and two-count. Paul Bearer is not at ringside and I must have fast-forwarded through the reason behind his disappearance. Please forgive. Shots to ribcage and sternum by Big Show is interrupted by a “dropkick” from Kane to the knee of Show. Kane now roughing up Big Show in the corner with punches, short-arm clotheslines but is knocked down by a foot to head as he charges Show in the corner. He lays down and scoots into perfect position for Show to land a Vader Bomb for nearfall. Eventually both men square off in middle and clasp each other’s throats for potential choke slams. A simultaneous clothesline take both men over the top rope and they lay on the floor as camera pans backstage to a dark room where Paul Bearer is bound and gagged to a wheel chair. Commercial. Back from break and we’re in center of ring with Kane being victimized by armbar. Big Show continues to work the arm and shoulder of Kane with punches and stomps. Strange to see these men neutralize each other’s size; to see Kane manhandled and Big Show roughed up at various points throughout the match. It won’t win match of the year but it’s an adequate big man match. Big chop by Big Show as he throws Kane to ropes and ducks his head for back body drop but Kane slams the breaks and nails a DDT. The champ now in control with big stomps from the red monster. Cover for a one count and then into a rear chinlock. Show fights out of it and shoulder blocks Kane out of the ring. It looks awkward and now Show is visibly exhausted…this one will likely end momentarily. Kane snaps Show’s neck over top rope from the outside to regain offensive control. He then goes toward the top turnbuckle and Big Show meets him there with a left punch to the side of Kane. Show can barely lift his arm up. Show has Kane poised for superplex and we’re all thinking “ring collapse” a la Lesnar/Show. But to no avail as Kane fights it off and pushes Show away and to the canvas. He lands a leaping lariat from the top. Moments later a shoulder-to-back/side suplex by Big Show. This match is already twice as long as I expected. Series of clotheslines by Big Show followed by irish whip and splash. Kane draped across the corner and Show goes for another splash but it’s lame choreography as he makes obvious hesitation to allow Kane to land big boot. Kane hits another flying lariat and is ready to end the match but we hear Edge’s voice over the sound system and he’s at top of ramp with tied up Paul Bearer. He threatens to wheel Bearer off the stage but only teases it. At that moment Kane is “caught” by Big Show and chokeslammed and pinned. Show scores a pinfall over the champion in a nontitle match. For some reason WWE loves diminishing its World Heavyweight champs (thinking of Swagger’s “reign” where he basically had a losing record). Anyway, this was as good a match as one could expect between these behemoths and rates a C+. The episode ends with Edge escaping with Bearer as his prisoner, Show is celebrating, and Kane is furious…more buildup to Survivor Series.
