By Jason Powell

WWE Raw on the USA Network
Live from Dallas, Texas

[Q1] The show opened with a recap video that focussed on the Triple H and Undertaker program... The bell tolled a couple of times and then Undertaker's new entrance theme "Ain't No Grave" played. Undertaker slowly headed toward the ring. Michael Cole chimed on on commentary and noted that 16,744 fans had packed the building.

Taker said there can only be one last outlaw. He said many people believe this is the year that The Streak is broken because Father Time, all the battles, and all the injuries are going to catch up to him. Taker said there are others who feel that Triple H is the one person who has what it takes to bring him down and end The Streak.

Following a setup by Taker, a video played of Taker beating Shawn Michaels to extend his streak. "At WrestleMania, there will be no excuses, no regrets, no disqualifications, no countouts, no rules," Taker said. "Our match at WrestleMania will be No Holds Barred.

"In a match like this, the possibilities of what can happen are endless, but there is one thing that is ironclad and that is the end result. It's just like you said Triple H, you end The Streak, and I die...or you die trying. Triple H, at WrestleMania, you will rest in peace."

Powell's POV: A strong promo from Taker. Very well delivered. The no holds barred element could help them take a few shortcuts if Taker is still limited by his surgically repaired torn rotator cuff.

Josh Mathews checked in on commentary and hyped that John Cena would deliver the final knockout to The Rock. Cole hyped the return of Steve Austin...

Backstage, Randy Orton was fighting off the three remaining Nexus members. He held them off initially, but he was eventually outnumbered. Once Orton was down, Punk said Orton put Michael McGillicutty on the shelf. "Where we're going to send you is much, much worse." Punk ended up nailing Orton with the GTS. He instructed Mason Ryan and David Otunga to pick up Orton and drag him to the ring...

Powell's POV: A great hook going into the commercial break.

After the break, Nexus had Orton in the ring, but several referees were preventing them from roughing him up...

[Q2] 1. Randy Orton defeated David Otunga in 2:00. The referee wasn't going to ring the bell despite Otunga's pleas, but Orton, who was still selling the attack, agreed to take the match. Cole reminded viewers of the general manager's ruling that the Nexus members have to beat Orton in order to earn a spot in Punk's corner at WrestleMania 27.

Otunga dominated the match, but Orton came back with the RKO for the clean win. After the match, Mason Ryan ran out and attacked Orton. Ryan drilled Orton with a big boot and then picked him up, but Orton recovered and hit him with the RKO. Punk ran out and was about to get in the ring, but Orton stared him down. Orton hit the punt kick on Otunga...

Powell's POV: The live crowd loved this, but it's getting hard to take Nexus seriously when the three-on-one attack wasn't enough to slow Orton down. I was fine with Randy getting the win with the RKO out of nowhere, but is there a reason viewers should take his match with Ryan seriously when Orton caught him with the RKO after the match? Even if Ryan is going to get a fluke win, it still seems odd that they made him look so weak presumably one week before they'll meet in the ring. Great energy from the crowd, though.

Cole, who had been playing it straight, went into heel mode while hyping that he would reveal his choice for the special referee of his match against Jerry Lawler... [C]

The Slam of the Week goes to The Miz for hitting the Skull Crushing Finale on John Cena last week... The announcers noted that The Miz wrote on his Twitter page that he's boycotting tonight's Raw because he's not getting the respect he deserves...

Powell's POV: Ted DiBiase Jr. should have boycotted the last 70 episodes of Raw.

Christian came to the ring in his gear. Justin Roberts turned it over to Ricardo Rodriguez, who introduced Alberto Del Rio and Brodus Clay. No car this week. They both headed to the ring via the stage. Del Rio cut a promo on the entrance ramp. He said he and Christian are going to fight, but not tonight.

[Q3] Del Rio said that if Christian wants to beat him, he has to beat his "little friend" Brodus Clay...

2. Christian defeated Brodus Clay (w/Alberto Del Rio) in 2:45. Cole asked Mathews to tell the viewers about Clay, so apparently Cole stopped watching NXT along with 99.9 percent of the fans out there. Cole was in heel mode for the match. Brodus jumped out to the early advantage and shutdown a couple of Christian's attempts at offense.

At 2:20, Clay picked up Christian for an apparent power slam, but Christian avoided it and hit a tornado DDT off the ropes for the clean 1-2-3. Afterward, Del Rio hit the ring immediately and attacked Christian. Del Rio applied his submission hold and eventually released it...

Powell's POV: Brodus losing clean in his Raw debut? I can't say I'm a fan of that call. He dominated the match before losing and was made to look strong, but I'm just not crazy about him losing his first night on real television. I'm not even saying he should have defeated Christian, but they could have simply avoided the match altogether. I hope we see more of Brodus with Del Rio in the weeks ahead.

Footage aired of The Rock's promo from last week... Cole hyped Austin for later in the show... [C]

A Sin Cara video was shown. He was shown from the neck down with his mask in hand, as footage was shown of him performing flashy moves inside a WWE ring...

The announcers discussed the WWE Hall of Fame and announced that Tammy "Sunny" Sytch is the latest inductee. A Sunny video played. "From one of the original Divas, we congratulate Sunny," Grisham said. Cole picked up on the mistake and asked him if he just called himself an original Diva...

Eve headed to the ring. Cole said she would defend the Divas Championship against Brie Bella after the break... [C]

Powell's POV: Let's just say he hot crowd cooled off for Eve's entrance.

A commercial for WWE Tough Enough was shown. Steve Austin, Trish Stratus, Booker T, and Bill DeMott were all shown, and the contestants were also included in the footage...

[Q4] Highlights aired of Brie Bella winning the battle royal from last week...

3. Eve (w/Gail Kim) defeated Brie Bella (w/Nikki Bella) to retain the WWE Divas Championship in 3:15. Cole stood up during the match and summed up my thoughts by asking over the house mic, "Can we please get this over with?" Cole stood on the announcers' table and said he has a major announcement to make.

Mathews stood up and told Cole that was enough. Cole said he is the main event. The referee actually caught the twin magic crap this week. Rather than DQ them, he let the match continue, and Eve ended up pinning the legal Bella.

Afterward, Cole said thank God that's over. He said he would tell the world who the special referee of his match at WrestleMania is going to be... [C]

Powell's POV: Regarding Michael Cole's comments on the Divas, I think I just had a "Crying Wrestling Fan" Dave Wills moment. Thank you for saying what needed to be said!

A graphic hyped that Snooki will be the special guest of next week's Raw... Highlights aired of Jack Swagger attacking Jerry Lawler while Cole taunted The King...

A laughing Cole stood in the middle of the ring and asked if he could have their attention. He said he's working his first WrestleMania match and will be in the main event. Cole held up a contract and said the person who signs it will be able to hold up his hand at WrestleMania. Cole said the referee will call the match right down the middle.

[Q5] Cole hyped the special referee as a former WWE Champion, a true legend, and one of the most iconic figures in WWE history. "And much like me, he's a legendary Texan," Cole said. He said the fans know he's there and they've been waiting all night to cheer for him. Cole led the fans in chanting "Austin" before looking into the camera and saying they are all fools.

Cole introduced JBL as his special referee. JBL's limo pulled into the arena as his music played. JBL exited the limo and headed to the ring with a big smile on his face.

Powell's POV: I guess this explains why Del Rio didn't do his usual entrance with the car tonight.

A slender JBL said he knew the Texas crowd would understand why he went to a "much better place" in New York. He labeled the local sports teams and said they've become irrelevant just like Texas. Awesome. He said he knew the fans would welcome him with open hearts. "But this is so much more important than you," JBL said.

JBL said he hates bullies. "It's wrong that the strong pick on the weak just because they can," JBL said. He congratulated Cole for standing up to Lawler. He vowed to be an impartial referee and said no one can buy him. Cole said that when he signs the contract, he comes home.

JBL said fans will tell their grandchildren about this moment. "Today, JBL starts his journey back to the main event at WrestleMania," JBL said. He was just about to sign the contract when the sound of glass breaking followed by Steve Austin's entrance music played.

Austin stormed to the ring and played to the crowd on the turnbuckles. JBL threw a fit in the ring while Cole hid behind him. Austin eventually hit the Stunner on JBL. Cole left the ring. Cole retreated to the announcers' desk and said to the television audience that this was his night.

Austin picked up the contract while Cole cried on commentary. "No, Steve, please," Cole said. Austin asked the crowd to give him a "hell yeah" if they wanted him to sign the contract. The live crowd gave him the response he was looking for. Austin signed the contract. Austin announced that he'll be the special referee for the Cole vs. Lawler match.

Cole continued to beg and plead on commentary. "Why, Steve, why?," Cole asked. "I didn't do anything to you." Austin approached Cole, shook his hand, and wished him luck in his match. Austin opened a pair of beer cans and dumped them over Cole's head before pushing him back into his chair and wishing him good luck again.

A somber Cole stood up and slowly walked past the ring. He stopped long enough for Austin to pour more beer over his head. As Cole headed up the ramp, JBL managed to get to his feet. Austin gave JBL a beer, toasted, and then kicked him in the gut before hitting another Stunner. Jack Swagger came out to console a tantrum throwing Cole on the stage...

Powell's POV: Damn, JBL was great on the mic. His line about bullies was laugh out loud funny. Austin was great, as usual. I didn't know how they'd get to Austin as the referee, but that was fine. Sure, it always makes the heels look dopey for leaving themselves vulnerable, but it was good fun. Here's hoping JBL pops up at WrestleMania 27 looking for revenge. Sure, he'd eat another Stunner, but it would still be a riot.

[Q6] [C] Backstage, Cole threw a fit about his clothes being soaked and Austin ruining his night. Swagger told him he'd worry about Austin. He said he'd break his ankle like a twig. Cole headed off to the shower...

In the arena, Jerry Lawler was introduced to the live crowd. He came out and joined Mathews on commentary. Mathews set up a replay of Austin's segment. Lawler told Mathews that was the greatest thing he's ever seen...

4. Daniel Bryan beat Sheamus via countout in 1:10. No more King garb for Sheamus, but both announcers called him a king. Footage aired of Triple H destroying Sheamus last week. Bryan dropkicked Sheamus off the ring apron. Sheamus came up holding his ankle and was then counted out. Sheamus threw a fit afterward.

After the match, Sheamus took the mic and admitted that he's been on a losing streak. He said all of that changes next week when he becomes the new United States Champion. Sheamus said he'll quit if he doesn't beat Bryan for the title. Bryan nodded in approval, so the announcers assumed the match was on...

Mathews hyped additional comments from Shawn Michaels on the Triple H vs. Undertaker match...

Powell's POV: Bryan looks like George Hamilton compared to Sheamus. There's your dated reference of the week. I always say that it's better when wrestlers acknowledge they are losing than simply lose and head backstage, as at least that means there's a storyline planned around their losing ways. Will this lead to a heel Hornswoggle showing up with red hair next week? No, it's not rumored, but it's my guilty pleasure fantasy.

Ring entrances for C.M. Punk vs. R-Truth took place. Highlights aired of the Randy Orton vs. Nexus angle from earlier in the show...

[Q7] 5. C.M. Punk (w/Mason Ryan) defeated R-Truth in 2:35. Truth got the name of the town right. Punk targeted Truth's shoulder and eventually applied the Anaconda Vice to for the submission win. Afterward, Ryan scooped up Truth and hit a shoulder breaker...

Powell's POV: After the match, R-Truth took the mic and admitted that he's been on a losing streak. Okay, not really.

The announcers set up the latest HBK video. HBK said Hunter has climbed and conquered every mountain, and when you get to that point you have to create your own mountain. HBK said you have to respect Hunter's ability. He said he can be vicious and brutal, and at times seems to enjoy seeing pain in another person's face.

Shawn said that if anyone can beat Undertaker at WrestleMania, Triple H can. He said Hunter can take the emotion out of the equation. "He's quite possibly the only guy who could do anything and have absolutely no remorse about it," Michael said...

Vickie Guerrero walked to the ring as the fans booed... [C]

The Snooki clip played again... Vickie Guerrero did the "excuse me" routine and then introduced Dolph Ziggler as a former World Hvt. Champion and the newest member of the Raw roster. She credited her own "extensive negotiating efforts" for the move to Raw...

6. Dolph Ziggler defeated John Morrison in 5:35. Vickie joined the announcers on commentary. When Mathews brought up the negative comments she's made about the anonymous general manager, she stated that we all do things in the spur of the moment and said she's only human. Funny. They went to break very early in the match. [C]

[Q8] After the break, Vickie questioned what all the fuss was about Snooki. Dolph eventually poked Morrison in the eyes, hit his finisher, and scored the clean pin. The anonymous general manager's chime sounded. Lawler stepped up to the podium and eventually stated that while the general manager hired Dolph Ziggler, the GM did not hire Vickie.

The GM described Vickie as "a very polarizing figure." The GM ruled that he will hire Vickie if she beats Trish Stratus on Raw next week. Four security guards came out and escorted Vickie to the back...

The announcers set up a replay of a portion of The Rock's promo from last week. They hyped that John Cena would respond after the break... [C]

Powell's POV: A polarizing figure? Hey, didn't Dixie Carter actually say that's a big reason why she continues to employ Vince Russo in that shoot interview that she did? Maybe Vickie can get a creative team gig with TNA if she loses next week. If that doesn't work, she should try to recruit the security guards to go with her, because TNA can't get enough of security guards. Did you catch the K-Mart commercial with Randy during the break?

The end of Rock's promo from last week was shown...

John Cena's music played and he made his entrance to a mixed reaction.

[Overrun] Cena stood in the ring and surveyed the live crowd's reaction. Mathews said there are as many Rocky fans as Cena fans in the arena. Cena played to both sides of the crowd to get the cheers one second and the fans that boo him to boo the next. He said Rock is angry.

Cena said he actually likes it and finds it funny. Cena did Rock's impersonation of him and said he thought it was also funny. Cena said Rock got mad at him because he addressed him in rap. Cena said he would address Rock in hip hop and that should clear everything up. There were way more boos than cheers.

The rhymes included Rock reading lines from a teleprompter. He said Rock is a "Yabba Dabba Disgrace." Boos. He told Rock to "just show up." Cena said Rock eats hits shitzu. A graphic actually showed a lame photo of Rock with a shitzu near his mouth. Weak.

Cena held up a t-shirt that read, "I Bring It Via Satellite." Okay, that was funny. Cena said Rock should never call him out again because that's like bringing a knife to a gun fight. Cena held up two fingers and then held up none to imply that he's up 2-0 on The Rock. Keep on dreaming.

The Miz hit the ring and struck Cena with the WWE Championship belt. When Cena stood up, Miz drilled him again. Miz took the mic and got down on one knee in front of the fallen Cena. He said he's been disrespected for the last time. He asked Cena if he saw a pattern in that every time he and Rock get their panties in a wad, this happens to him.

The Miz said he'd do the same thing to Rock if he were there. Miz said that since Cena likes rap so much, he had one for him. "The Rock, John Cena, Macho Man, and Liz, Stone Cold, Bret Hart, they're nothing compared to The Miz." The crowd booed.

"And one more thing," Miz said. He looked right into the camera and said, "Hello, Rock." Miz said he's the WWE Champion and the star of WrestleMania. Miz said Rock is just the host, so he should know his role and "be the best Ryan Seacrest that you can be." Miz said that if Rock shows up to WrestleMania or Raw, he'll take his eyebrow, his 45 catchphrases, and his father, roll them up into a ball, and shove them straight up Rock's candy ass.

The Miz started to deliver his catchphrase when he saw Cena getting up. Miz stopped and hit the Skull Crushing Finale on Cena. The Miz then took off his elbow pad and performed The People's Elbow on Cena. "Awesome" Miz yelled to finish his catchphrase...

Powell's POV: The Miz didn't get a ton of heat from the live crowd, but I thought it was a great way to put him back in the forefront of his own WrestleMania feud. It looks like they also set up Rock with his first reason to side with Cena over Miz if they opt to go in that direction. Cena was really lame and the live crowd let him know it. His 2-0 hand gesture was embarrassing considering how poorly his response came off.

Overall, this was a hot and newsworthy show. The matches weren't particularly memorable, but the live crowd got six of them, and they are likely going home happier than the Buffalo crowd did last week. I'll have a lot more to say about the show in Dot Net Members' Audio later tonight, and in the WWE Raw Hitlist on Tuesday. You can join us for audio by signing up for membership right now via the Dot Net Members' Signup Page.

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