11/8 Powell's WWE Raw Live Coverage: The Nexus vs. Team Orton, John Cena vs. David Otunga, Ted DiBiase vs. Goldust


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WWE TV Reports


11/8 Powell's WWE Raw Live Coverage: The Nexus vs. Team Orton, John Cena vs. David Otunga, Ted DiBiase vs. Goldust
Nov 8, 2010 - 08:00 PM


By Jason Powell

WWE Raw on the USA Network
Taped earlier today in Manchester, England


[Q1] The show opened with a shot of John Cena standing in front of a podium that was set up in the middle of the ring. Michael Cole checked in on commentary. Cena read a prepared introduction for Wade Barrett from a scroll. It said Barrett will be the WWE Champion at Survivor Series.

Cena also noted that Barrett was returning home to Manchester. That line got some cheers, but Barrett received more boos than cheers for his introduction. The rest of Nexus filed in. Cole noted on commentary that Jerry Lawler would not be part of the broadcast because he was recovering from a knee injury. Josh Matthews checked in as Cole's broadcast partner.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the prodigal son has returned," Barrett said to a mix of cheers and boos. Barrett said this was a preview of his championship celebration. He turned his attention to Cena and said there are a couple things from last week that he needs to look into. Footage played of Edge beating David Otunga on Smackdown.

Barrett scolded Otunga for taking Nexus to Smackdown without his permission. He told him to make sure he's successful if he does such a thing. Barrett told Otunga to get back in line and said he'd deal with him later.

Barrett went back to Cena. Footage aired from last week's Raw of Cena missing Barrett tagging into the match, which led to R-Truth pinning Otunga. Barrett asked Cena what happened. "You guys lost," Cena responded. Funny. Barrett said he's in his hometown and he would not let Cena ruin his celebration.

Cena said he's happy Barrett is home and that his countrymen embrace him. Cena said that once the match at Survivor Series is over, he's going to give Barrett and anyone who wants to interfere the beating of a lifetime. Barrett said it was time for Cena to practice what will occur after the Survivor Series main event.

Barrett ordered Cena to practice announcing that he's the new WWE Champion. Cena was about to give in when Randy Orton's entrance music interrupted him. Orton got a major pop from the live crowd. Orton said the last time he checked, he was still the WWE Champion.

Orton said he has no doubt that he can defeat Barrett no matter who the referee is. He said Cena is either free or fired in two weeks, but he doesn't care. Orton said he is out to make sure that Barrett will never have the WWE Championship. Barrett said he has an army with him, but Orton does not.

The general manager chime sounded. Michael Cole stood up and went through his usual bit. Cole received "You suck" taunts from the crowd. The general manager said Barrett's championship celebration preview was cancelled. The GM also ruled that the WWE Championship match at Survivor Series an only end via pinfall and submission. The GM also banned Nexus from ringside for the match.

The GM booked Team Nexus vs. Team Orton in a 10-man tag team match. The general manager ruled that he will personally choose the members of Orton's team later in the show. The special guest referee will be John Cena. Cena pushed over the podium and shoved Otunga to the ground before leaving the ring...

Powell's POV: Very good opening segment. Granted, we just heard a better version of the forced introduction gimmick on TNA Impact last week, but the rest of the segment was strong and did a nice job of putting heat on Barrett, building up the Survivor Series main event, and the Raw main event.

Cole teased a Divas Cup tag match for later in the show...

[Q2] [C] 1. Eve Torres and The Bellas vs. Maryse, Alicia Fox, and Tamina. Both teams wore soccer jerseys. The heels wore Liverpool jerseys. Cole said he couldn't understand why it was considered a Diva's Cup match when there was no soccer ball or net. Fair question.

Late in the match, Maryse DDT'd one of the Bella Twins. The twins did their usual switch, which led to one of the Bellas pinning Alicia. The announcers questioned where the cup was and then Cole mocked the idea of buying a cup for this match...

Powell's POV: Cole spent the match boasting about being the GM's spokesman and said Matthews is just a replacement. Josh just kept chuckling to apparently let everyone know that it's all in fun. Ugh. Do the Bellas ever win without their stupid switch finish?

Backstage, Barrett booked Otunga in a match against Cena. He said he and the rest of Nexus would be facing Orton. Barrett recalled Otunga claiming to be the most talented member of Nexus last week, and told him to give it everything he has. Barrett said he would be telling Cena the same thing... [C]

[Q3] Highlights aired from last week of Natalya pinning Michelle McCool...

2. The Uso Brothers defeated The Hart Dynasty (w/Natalya) in 3:40. Cole continued to heel it up by talking about how Natalya is only getting another shot because LayCool is being nice to her. He also said David Hart Smith has the personality of a chalkboard. Okay, so maybe he was shooting rather than heeling with that one.

David bickered with Natalya briefly before taking a tag from Kidd and going on the offensive. He was eventually outnumbered, as Kidd was nowhere to be found. Jey hit a top rope splash on Smith and pinned him clean. Afterward, Natalya could be heard saying, "We're a family and you're not even doing anything about it." Um, okay...

Powell's POV: A solid tag match that the fans didn't seem to care about. The Harts got a nice reaction during their entrance, but that was about it. Could someone explain why the Harts continue to team together at this point?

The announcers hyped a tea party hosted by Santino Marella with special guest Sheamus... [C]

A commercial aired for the Old School, three-hour edition of Raw for next week...

Backstage, Matt Striker interviewed Randy Orton and asked him who the GM might give him as partners. Orton asked how he would possibly know, but said he does care. The Miz entered the picture and announced that he would be part of Orton's team...

The announcers spoke about the two matches involving Nexus members... Inside the Nexus locker room, David Otunga asked the rest of the crew what was up. They gave him the cold shoulder. Otunga said he assumed they would have his back during the match against Cena.

Justin Gabriel asked if Wade Barrett was aware of this. Otunga said they don't need his permission. "It's all good," Otunga said. After he left the room, the Nexus members chuckled over him... [C]

[Q4] Highlights aired of the Goldust and Aksana wedding from NXT...

3. Goldust defeated Ted DiBiase (w/Maryse) in 3:25. During the match, Maryse walked over to the table and grabbed the Million Dollar Title belt. She stood at ringside with the belt as the match continued. Aksana ran out, ripped the belt away from Maryse, and ran off with it. Goldust rolled up the distracted DiBiase and scored the pin...

The announcers hyped the 10-man tag... [C]

Powell's POV: Cole is absolutely obnoxious tonight. It's not even fun listening to the commentary because he's so over the top. I get a kick out of his heel comments on Daniel Bryan in small doses, but this is just overbearing and distracting. The actual match had very little heat. By the way, if DiBiase wants the title belt back so badly, why doesn't he just have Maryse take it and leave rather than stand there with it? Lame. This feud is just a waste of two talented performers.

Ring introductions for the John Cena vs. David Otunga match took place. The rest of Nexus followed Otunga, but stopped at the bottom of the ramp. Barrett led the group backstage...

[Q5] 4. John Cena beat David Otunga in 4:05. The bell rang and Otunga tried to run away. Cena caught him on the stage and slammed him into a taxi that was part of the set. Cena ran Otunga back to the ring and continued the assault. Cena threw a dropkick that hit Barrett's chest.

Cena missed a shoulder block in the corner. Otunga fired away with some punches. A retro graphic with the WWF logo hyped the three-hour Raw. The crowd took turns chanting "Let's Go Cena" and "Cena sucks." Cena eventually hit the Attitude Adjustment and followed up with the STF for the win... [C]

Powell's POV: I'm not sure where they're going with Otunga and I'm not sure I care, but the match served a purpose in that it gave Cena fans a chance to root for him in a dominating performance. It's important to give them that during the Cena servant angle so that it's not all gloom all the time.

A WrestleMania video aired to hype that tickets go on sale on Saturday...

Backstage, Otunga had an ice pack on his neck. Barrett sat down next to him and put his arm around him. Barrett said Otunga was pinned in their tag match last week, and was pinned again when he led Nexus to Smackdown. He said Otunga embarrassed him in his hometown. Barrett said he is giving him a shot at redemption. He said Otunga must beat Edge on Friday's WWE Smackdown or his finished with Nexus...

Powell's POV: I wonder if Otunga will eventually be the guy who lets the world know what Nexus's plan is. Nexus does have a plan, right? All that talk we heard from Barrett early on still matters, doesn't it?

Santino Marella and Vladimir Kozlov came to the ring dressed as English gentlemen. Cole accurately stated that they look like Laurel and Hardy. A loud "Santino" chant broke out. Santino said they like to blend in wherever they go. He said they watched movies and TV shows and now understand the culture.

[Q6] Cole said he can't believe the fans cheer this stuff. Santino asked the fans to drive on the other side of the road tomorrow just for him. Santino turned his attention to the table, chairs, and tea set that was in the ring. He said he wanted to make peace with Sheamus, who he called to the ring.

Santino welcomed Sheamus to his tea party. He said they got off on the wrong foot. He said they had green tea and ginger tea. Santino acted like he put his foot in his mouth over the ginger tea comment. Sheamus smirked as the fans laughed. Santino said he also had an autographed photo of Mr. T.

Sheamus said Santino isn't such a bad guy. He said he reminded him of the village idiot. Santino asked if Sheamus likes his tea dark or milky. He quickly apologized for the milky comment and said it wasn't because Sheamus has no pigment.

Santino said Sheamus has too much rage inside him. He questioned whether it's because he was excluded from playing with the other kids because he's a ginger. The fans chanted Santino's name. Santino said he won't exclude Sheamus from activities and fun. He said this was their party.

Sheamus said Santino makes him laugh so hard that he forgot why he hates him. Kozlov chimed in and said Sheamus hates him because he beat him. He said it was the biggest upset in WWE history. The fans chanted for Kozlov! No, really. Santino shook as he tried to fill Sheamus's cup and spilled it on him.

Santino apologized. Sheamus knocked the table over and was about to attack Santino when the general manager's email chime sounded. Cole stood up and announced that the time for tea and crumpets has come to an end. The GM ruled that Santino would face Sheamus with Kozlov banned from ringside... [C]

Powell's POV: That was good sports entertainment fun. Santino had a rough spell where he just wasn't funny, but this was funny and the live crowd loved him. Yes, an actual chant for Kozlov, whose limited lines were perfectly placed. Sheamus didn't say much but he also played his role nicely.

5. Sheamus beat Santino Marella by DQ. The announcers said Santino was pleading with the referee to call off the match throughout the commercial break. Santino removed his suit and revealed that he was wearing his singlet underneath. Cole cracked that that's what all WWE Superstars do.

Santino ran into the crowd early in the match and called for a time out. The general manager chime sounded again. The GM announced through Cole that Santino could get back in the ring and compete or be suspended. "Right now?" Santino asked. He pumped himself up and entered the ring.

Santino set up for The Cobra, but Sheamus attacked him. Santino begged off and then low blowed Sheamus for the DQ. Santino celebrated in typical Santino style. When he turned around, he ate the Brough Kick.

[Q7] Santino set up Santino for the Irish Curse when John Morrison ran out in street clothes to stop him. Morrison got a weak reaction, but managed to clear Sheamus from the ring. Morrison raised Santino's arm and led him up the entrance ramp. Morrison looked back at Sheamus and flashed him a smirk...

A shot aired of John Cena watching a WrestleMania ticket sale commercial on a backstage monitor. Wade Barrett stood behind Cena and raved about WrestleMania. "Just imagine never being able to experience that again, John," Barrett said. He added that Cena merely has to raise his hand and award him the WWE Championship and he can experience that as many times as he wants. Barrett handed Cena his referee shirt and told him to do his job well or his WWE career will be a distant memory... [C]

An ad for Smackdown hyped Kane vs. Big Show, and Edge vs. David Otunga... A "Stand Up For WWE" video aired...

Powell's POV: It's bad enough that the heels are shown acting like the happiest guys on earth while recalling their family history, but they actually show two Nexus members standing up for WWE. What the hell?

Ring introductions for the 10-man tag match took place. Randy Orton came out first. His partners are R-Truth, Daniel Bryan, Mark Henry, and The Miz, who came out with Alex Riley and the Money in the Bank briefcase. Cole jumped out of his seat to hug and high five Riley.

[Q8] The Nexus came out. John Cena followed them in his referee shirt... [C]

6. The Nexus defeated Randy Orton, R-Truth, Daniel Bryan, Mark Henry, and The Miz (w/Alex Riley) in a 10-man tag with John Cena as special referee in 13:30. The Nexus was represented by Wade Barrett, Michael McGillicutty, Justin Gabriel, Heath Slater, and Husky Harris.

Orton got the better of McGillicutty and shoved him into the Nexus corner. "I want Barrett," Orton said. He got Heath Slater instead and tagged in Henry shortly thereafter. Team Orton cleared Nexus from the ring. David Otunga walked to ringside the show went to break. [C]

After the break, Bryan checked into the match and worked over McGillicutty with kicks in the corner. He also suplexed him and dropkicked him in the corner. The announcers noted that Cena was calling it down the middle, and Otunga stood in front of the announcers' desk near the Nexus corner.

The announcers hyped Hacksaw Duggan, Jimmy Snuka, Nikolai Volkoff, Iron Sheik, Roddy Piper, and more for next week's Old School show. Matthews said Gene Okerlund would handle interviews next week.

[Overrun] Late in the match, Barrett had Orton up for his finisher, but Orton slipped out and hit the backbreaker. Cena chased David Otunga off the ring apron. The Miz attacked Orton. Riley snuck in and hit Orton with the MITB briefcase, and then Miz hit the Skull Crushing Finale. Cena, who missed it all while dealing with Otunga, made the three count.

After the match, Nexus went to the stage and Otunga was there to help hoist Barrett onto his and Harris's shoulders. Orton looked at Nexus and seethed from the ring as Cole questioned whether Orton will be screwed by Cena at Survivor Series...

Powell's POV: I wonder if WWE made the Old School tease right before the top of the hour because they expect some viewers to be tuning out for the debut of Conan O'Brien's new show. Probably just a coincidence, but it could work to their advantage.

I'm officially bored with 10-man tag matches, but this one served its purpose in furthering the intrigue over Orton vs. Barrett with Cena as special referee. Furthermore, the idea of The Miz cashing in his MITB contract got a little more interesting given his turn on Orton at the end of the match. A solid show with a memorable Santino skit. I'll have more to say in the Dot Net Members' audio review later tonight, and in the WWE Raw Hitlist on Tuesday.

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