By Jason Powell

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WWE Raw on the USA Network
Live from Phoenix, Arizona

[Q1] The opening montage kicked off the show... Michael Cole introduced the show along with Jerry Lawler on color commentary...

C.M. Punk headed to the ring while Cole hyped his Royal Rumble match. Punk took a seat in the ring and spoke about his match with Dolph Ziggler with John Laurinaitis as the special referee. He said Ziggler claims to have beaten him three times in the last month, but he said they were all handed to him by Laurinaitis.

Punk aired the footage from last week of Laurinaitis admitted that he intends to screw Punk at the Rumble. Punk said it's hard to referee a match with two broken arms. He invited Laurinaitis to come to the ring and say all of the things he said last week. Punk stood up and waited for Laurinaitis while the crowd chanted Punk's name. Punk said he gave Laurinaitis a chance and now he was going to find him.

Before Punk could leave the ring, John Cena's music played and stopped him in his tracks. Punk said he called for a man named John, but not "John the Boy Scout." Cena said he was tired of listening to Punk ramble, while he was there for business. Cena said "Mr. Laurinaitis" would show up in minutes to address screwing over Zack Ryder, give him a match with Kane, and resign as the interim general manager.

Laurinaitis walked onto the stage and introduced himself. Punk acted like he couldn't hear him. He chalked up last week's follies to having a bad day. He said he's not going to listen to Punk and Cena. "I'm your boss, I won't listen to you," Laurinaitis said. He said he made a mistake with Ryder last week and he apologized for it.

Laurinaitis said Zack Ryder is at the show and has been medically cleared to compete. He said that Ryder will face Kane in a falls count anywhere match. He said that if Cena gets involved in the match, Ryder will never get a U.S. Title rematch. He also booked Punk and Cena in a tag match, and called for a referee to start it.

Vickie Guerrero delivered the "excuse me" line and walked onto the stage with Dolph Ziggler and Jack Swagger. She introduced them and then Ziggler boasted over beating Punk repeatedly and said the same would happen tonight. Swagger said that Cena is "dead meat" because of what he did to him last week.

[Q2] 1. Dolph Ziggler and Jack Swagger (w/Vickie Guerrero) defeated C.M. Punk and John Cena in 11:10. John Laurinaitis walked to ringside for the match and took a seat next to the announcers. Laurinaitis texted and did not join in on commentary. Punk went for the GTS, but Ziggler escaped to ringside to set up the commercial break. [C]

After the break, the heels took control and worked over Cena. Ziggler stopped and did sit-ups at one point. Swagger checked in and hit a Swagger Bomb on Cena. A short time later, Cena hit the Attitude Adjustment on Swagger and then made the hot tag to Punk, who greeted the incoming Ziggler with a flying punch/forearm off the ropes.

Punk set up Ziggler for the GTS again, but Ziggler avoided it. Punk came right back with a kick to the head and went for a cover, but Swagger broke it up. Cena and Swagger went to ringside and fought. Swagger went for the ankle lock, but Cena countered with the STF. Swagger tapped on the floor.

Meanwhile, Punk went to the top rope for a move. Laurinaitis stood up on the ring apron and distracted Punk, who dropped off the top rope to take a swing. Laurinaitis avoided the punch. Ziggler rolled up Punk and pinned him.

After the match, Punk said this doesn't change anything. He said he plans to beat the hell out of Laurinaitis at some point. Punk said he wants Laurinaitis to be something for one night that he's never been in his life. "I want you to be a WWE Superstar," Punk said. "You want to be famous? I'll make you famous. Tonight, I say C.M. Punk goes one-on-one against you."

Laurinaitis stared at Punk from the stage. "Unless, of course, you're afraid," Punk said. Laurinaitis smiled and accepted Punk's challenge. Punk smiled in the ring and the crowd popped. "I just got what I wanted," Punk told the fans...

The announcers spoke about Punk vs. Laurinaitis. Cole said he's excited about it. He said you wouldn't see the commissioners of the NFL or NBA do this, but you do in WWE...

A shot aired of Chris Jericho doing the over the top babyface antics backstage. Lawler said Jericho would host The Highlight Reel later tonight...

Powell's POV: A strong opening with Punk and Cena in the ring together unexpectedly, and then a good tag team match with the right finish to set up the Royal Rumble. The Punk vs. Laurinaitis match is surprising, but I assume they'll put more heat on Laurinaitis. The intensity with Punk and Laurinaitis is great.

[Q3] [C] Highlights aired of Chris Jericho walking out on the tag main event last week...

Chris Jericho was introduced as the returning host of The Highlight Reel by ring announcer Justin Roberts. The lights went out and Jericho did the jacket bit on the stage before heading to the ring. Yes, he has a new Jeri-Tron television for those of you who were concerned. Jericho is in the Rumble match, according to Lawler.

Jericho kept acting like he was on the verge of talking, but he stopped short each time and tried to shush the fans. He got excited and told the fans to hold on. Jericho headed backstage and grabbed the t-shirt gun. Jericho had been getting plenty of boos, but the crowd came to life when he teased shooting a t-shirt, which he never did.

Jericho took a camera from a crew member and filmed the crowd. Cole waved like a dork while saying, "Look, I'm on TV." Jericho put the camera down and pointed to the Jeri-Tron. A highlight video recapped some of Jericho's finest moments and concluded with a clip from his latest viral video. Once the video stopped playing, Jericho shushed the crowd again.

"This Sunday at the Royal Rumble, it's going to be the end of the world as you know it," Jericho said. He flashed a grin to end the segment... [C]

Powell's POV: Fantastic. Jericho (and whoever else may be working on his creative) has laid this out perfectly with two weeks of silence, a walkout last week, and finally a few choice words tonight. It's been a fun four weeks and I'm looking forward to seeing where things go on Sunday. This should lead to a lot more predictions of Jericho winning the Rumble match.

Highlights aired of Hugh Jackman watching Ryder vs. Ziggler from a past Raw... The announcers hyped Kane vs. Ryder in a falls count anywhere match, and R-Truth vs. The Miz for later in the show.

[Q4] Cole and Lawler hyped the Royal Rumble pay-per-view and set up the "numbers" video package. They had stats for the weight of all the wrestlers who competed, the number of fans who have attended the shows over the years, and the usual Rumble records. No. 27 holds the record for most wins, and the No. 1 entrant has won as many Rumble matches as the person who drew No. 30. The narrator said that for the first time ever, every WWE Superstar is eligible for the Rumble match...

Powell's POV: So not everyone was eligible in past years? It's strange marketing. The idea is that everyone who wrestles a match on the show can also compete. Yes, I know this has happened before, so tell WWE, not me. Could they be setting it up for a current champion to win the Rumble? I'm not sure what they are going for with this stipulation, but I don't think it's going to lead to additional buys since it doesn't make sense.

Backstage, Zack Ryder was speaking with Eve when Mick Foley showed up and asked how he's doing. Foley said he's wrestled Kane many times. He said that deep down he's just a human being and he can be beat. Eve tried to talk Ryder out of working the match. He said his back is killing him, but he has to do this.

John Cena showed up with a somber look on his face. Cena told Ryder that he'll be there if he needs him. Ryder told him to stay out of it because he wanted to get a U.S. Title match...

Powell's POV: I'd just take my chances that I or the title would change brands in the draft and then challenge for the other secondary title, but that's just me.

2. Kane apparently defeated Zack Ryder in a falls count anywhere match in 11:30. Kane dominated Ryder and roughed him up at ringside. Eve walked to ringside as Kane shoved Ryder into the announcers' table and the show cut to commercial. [C] Kane continued to dominate Ryder after the break and threw Ryder over the guardrail.

[Q5] Kane followed Ryder into the crowd and slammed his head off a production case. Ryder made a brief comeback when he picked up a briefcase and slammed it over Kane's head, but Kane simply fired back with an uppercut. Kane pulled up the wrap from around Ryder's back and punched him repeatedly.

Kane threw Ryder onto the entrance ramp and kicked him in the gut. Kane covered Ryder near the WWE logo stand, but Ryder kicked out. It sounded like the crowd was getting a little restless with the repetitiveness of Kane's offense, but then they started a "Let's Go Ryder, Woo Woo Woo" chant.

Ryder fired back with punches, but Kane dropped him with another uppercut. Kane chokeslammed Ryder through the stage. The referee went down to check on Ryder. Eve ran up and was screaming no. Kane spotted her and stalked her back to ringside.

John Cena walked onto the stage. Kane exited through the crowd. Eve ran up and joined Cena in checking on the fallen Ryder. Medical personnel came out to stretcher Ryder out of the hole in the stage while Cena and Eve acted horrified... [C]

Powell's POV: It went on a few minutes longer than it needed to, but I'd rather see Kane silent and kicking ass than doing hocus pocus or promos, so I can't complain too much.

An ad hyped Randy Orton's return to television for Friday's Smackdown... An ad hyped the Triple Threat cage match with Daniel Bryan vs. Big Show vs. Mark Henry for the Royal Rumble pay-per-view...

After the break, Dean Malenko was on the stage with referees as the EMT's stretchered Ryder to the backstage area. Eve and Cena followed along, and an ambulance was shown waiting backstage. "Zack, hang in there, I'm going to take care of this, all right, bud?" Cena asked. Eve told Cena that it's all his fault before climbing in the ambulance...

Powell's POV: Wow, even Eve hates John Cena's character.

Josh Mathews returned to his stalking ways, as he and his hair product appeared out of nowhere and stuck a mic in Cena's face. Cena flashed a mean look at Mathews and slapped the mic out of his hand. Cena then looked into the camera and made an unstable and angry face...

Powell's POV: Anyone who felt Hayden Christensen didn't do a good job as Anakin Skywalker needs to see the comically bizarre facial expression that Cena just flashed as part of his portrayal of the man who became Darth Vader.

[Q6] [C] The announcers sat at ringside and spoke about the Ryder angle. Cole said the bit about passing along medical updates, while Ryder spoke of how disturbing it was...

3. Sheamus defeated Jinder Mahal in 3:10. Jinder was already waiting in the ring, so only Sheamus got the intro. Wade Barrett walked to ringside in street clothes. Sheamus spotted him and yelled at him before slamming several punches into Jinder's chest. Barrett joined the announcers on commentary.

Sheamus went to the top rope, but Jinder pulled him down and followed up with a high knee. Barrett said he'll throw Orton down five flights of stairs if he shows up on Smackdown. Meanwhile, Sheamus made his comeback. Jinder cut him off briefly, but Sheamus came back with a Brogue Kick and got the pin.

Barrett got up and started to head backstage with a smile on his face. Cole predicted that Barrett will win the Rumble. Sheamus said something to Barrett that stopped him. Barrett teased entering the ring. Sheamus took the mic and said that he's going to win the Royal Rumble on Sunday...

Powell's POV: Sheamus is at the top of my dark horse list for Rumble winners. He's the biggest name on the Smackdown side that hasn't been in the World Title picture.

Mathews must have recovered quickly from his bitch slapping, as he was backstage for an interview. The Miz cut a promo about R-Truth, who showed up and acted like he was doing market research. He told a bunch of campy jokes about The Miz being No. 1, which concluded with him being called the No. 1 Jackass.

John Laurinaitis showed up with David Otunga and said he couldn't even hear himself think while he was preparing for his match. Laurinaitis said he's tired of hearing about No. 1, so the loser of Miz vs. R-Truth will be the No. 1 entrant in the Royal Rumble match...

The announcers hyped Punk vs. Laurinaitis, and Brodus Clay... [C]

Powell's POV: Please let it be a double DQ so they can be one and two and be eliminated quickly. Don't get me wrong, I have enjoyed both characters in the past, but WWE has really lost their way with this feud.

[Q7] A graphic touted that Friday's Smackdown television show was watched by more viewers than both NBA games on ESPN... Highlights aired of Brodus Clay roughing up William Regal from Friday night...

4. Brodus Clay pinned Heath Slater in 0:50. Brodus did the full entrance along with his dancers. He wore a white jumpsuit and white ring gear. William Regal was on commentary... [C]

Powell's POV: Heath Slater is like a long lost member of the horrible TNA tag team The Rock-n-Rave Infection gimmick. The only thing missing is the Guitar Hero guitar. Meanwhile, Regal is a good opponent for Brodus in that you know who is going to win the feud, but Brodus can learn a lot in along the way.

A Royal Rumble flashback video aired with Undertaker winning in 2007...

5. R-Truth defeated The Miz in 8:15. Lawler asked if anyone had ever been the No. 1 entrant and won the Rumble match. Cole, who actually does prep work or at least watches the videos during the same show, said two men had done so. Truth has a new "Little Jimmy Says" t-shirt.

[Q8] The Miz dumped Truth to ringside early and they cut to commercial. Miz controlled the bulk of the action down the stretch, but R-Truth hit his finisher on The Miz and scored the clean pin, meaning The Miz is the first entrant in the Royal Rumble match...

Powell's POV: The live crowd was not hot for this match. Can we just get to the part where Miz is drafted to Smackdown? It sure seems like they've run out of good ideas for him on Raw. I'm cool with Miz being in the first slot. He's a pest heel and they could tell a fun story by having him stick around and be a threat to win the match. That said, it wouldn't shock me if he was the first man eliminated on Sunday.

At ringside, Lawler said the news regarding Ryder could not be worse. Lawler said Zack Ryder has a broken back. They aired footage of the angle. Lawler once again stated that he couldn't think of any worse news while Cole, who normally rips on Ryder, sat solemnly...

Backstage, Laurinaitis was warming up for his match while dressed in a strange robe when David Otunga showed up. Otunga handed him a piece of paper and said Laurinaitis wasn't going to like it. Laurinaitis looked upset after reading the paperwork... A shot aired of C.M. Punk walking backstage...

Powell's POV: Let the record show that a broken back is apparently worse than death. Looks like Laurinaitis is going to weasel out of the main event match.

The announcers ran through the pay-per-view lineup. Lawler said Big Show will make his first public comments on Smackdown since A.J. was injured...

A graphic touted WWE's work with the Make-A-Wish Foundation...

[Overrun] C.M. Punk was introduced for the main event. Justin Roberts introduced John Laurinaitis, but he did not appear. Roberts tried a couple more times. Laurinaitis and Otunga finally walked to the ring with no music. Laurinaitis was wearing his "Future Endeavored" t-shirt. Cole spoke of Laurinaitis's history in Japan.

Laurinaitis took the mic and set up Otunga reading the letter he received. Otunga read a statement from the WWE Board of Directors, who decided that Laurinaitis's status as the interim general manager on Raw is "under review." He will have his job performance reviewed next week on Raw, and he could be terminated. The job evaluation will be conducted by Triple H.

Punk said there's nothing stopping him from taking out Laurinaitis before he's shown the door. Laurinaitis said the letter is a wakeup call, and then he apologized to Punk and anyone else he may have crossed. Punk questioned Laurinaitis saying that Mick Foley couldn't enter the Rumble match.

Laurinaitis announced that Mick Foley can compete in the Rumble match. He also claimed that he intended to call Punk's match right down the middle. Punk stumbled a bit while saying that he hopes Triple H inherited traits from his father in-law (he was going to say grandfather) and tells him, "You're fired."

Laurinaitis said the match would not take place under the circumstances. He named Otunga as a "serviceable replacement." Otunga, who was not in ring gear, attacked Punk and put the boots to him. Punk speared Otunga and locked him in the Anaconda Vice while staring at Laurinaitis.

Otunga recovered and snuck up behind Punk, who blasted him with a couple of shots that cleared him from the ring. Laurinaitis begged off and then offered Punk a handshake. Punk took his hand and then hoisted him up and dropped him with the GTS for a big pop from the crowd. Dolph Ziggler hit the ring and hit the Zig Zag on Punk and stood above him to close the show...

Powell's POV: Is anyone else surprised that they hyped something for next week's Raw during the go-home show? I know I can't be the only person left disappointed by the lack of focus on the Rumble match. How anticlimactic was that Foley announcement? Why not structure it in a way that would allow Foley to deliver a promo about his involvement?

WWE did a good job of putting more heat on Laurinaitis. While I'm looking forward to what I expect to be a good title match, Ziggler feels like an afterthought in that no one takes him as a serious threat to take the strap without help from Laurinaitis. I wonder if Undertaker will return on Monday now that they announced Triple H will appear on the show? It's only a matter of time before he returns to set up their expected WrestleMania 28 match. I'll have a lot more to say in audio later tonight. Thanks for watching along with me.

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