Coverage and thoughts on the November 12, 2012 episode of Raw
They start the show with a video package honoring the veterans. Very nice video.
They show a video package mentioning that Jerry Lawler will return tonight.
Then they recap the rest of last Monday and they mention that Cena will face Punk tonight. Why are they having this match 6 days before they face each other on PPV?
The actual show starts with Randy Orton coming to the ring for a match.
They show clips of the Orton-Del Rio falls count anywhere match from Smackdown.
Randy Orton vs. Dolph Ziggler. Orton gets the pin. Del Rio
Then Teddy Long comes out. He says Vickie is obsessed with the AJ scandal. Since this is a super show he will do something super. On behalf of Booker T This match will restart right now as a tag match. What’s so super about having all 4 guys in the ring in a tag match? That was the usual predictable bit we always get. Plus we’re all supposed to forget about the Kofi-Orton feud from almost 3 years ago!
Randy Orton & Intercontinental Champion Kofi Kingston vs. Alberto Del Rio Del Rio
Michael Cole mentions that Jerry Lawler will return tonight.
Vickie Guerrero is on her way to the ring. We’ll find out more about the AJ scandal next. This angle is really stupid!
Vickie Guerrero & Dolph are in the ring. Dolph says a scandal is an event that’s legally and morally wrong. He’s not out here to hide behind Vickie. He’s out here for the truth. The truth cannot be denied. They show the Cena/AJ videos again. Dolph mentioned Cena went to dinner in his wrestling gear. That was funny. Dolph commented on the rest of videos too. Vickie says last week AJ said that if she was ever in the ring with Vickie that she would give Vickie the beating of her life. Vickie says she is the managing supervisor and won’t be threatened. She could’ve suspended AJ but she chose not to because she’s not vengeful. Then she says she has more evidence against AJ. She tells AJ to come to the ring. Out comes AJ. AJ asks why Vickie’s doing this. Vickie says AJ did something wrong. She tells AJ to admit she had an affair with Cena. AJ won’t lie. They go back and forth. Vickie tells AJ to be careful what she says. Then she said something about this week’s evidence. Vickie tells AJ to be careful of what she is going to say. Vickie says she’s AJ’s boss and then keeps telling AJ to admit that she had a fling with Cena. AJ finally “admits” it. She admits the truth. Cena & AJ (long pause) are just friends. Nothing has happened between the 2 of them. AJ says this about the fact that at Raw 1000 Vince made AJ the Raw GM and not Vickie. It’s about the fact that AJ has physically embarrassed her in the ring twice. And Vickie can’t stand the fact that AJ can do that again. AJ says Vickie is throwing her considerable weight around. Vickie says AJ has caused a mess for herself. Vickie says she has voicemails that will silence the non believers. They play a message that AJ left on Cena’s phone saying what happened “last night” was a mistake. AJ says she didn’t leave that message. Then they play another. AJ says that she & Cena have to stop doing this but when she sees Cena she loses control. Third voicemail. Cena drives AJ crazy. They should be together. AJ says that Vickie hacked into Cena’s phone. AJ calls Vickie a desperate lying little…Then Dolph says the cat’s out of the bag. We all know something happened and now AJ “can’t see Cena”. Dolph then asks AJ what is worse. The fact that Cena & AJ can’t talk anymore or the nights she spent in Cena’s hotel room. Then John Cena comes to the ring. AJ says she’ll take care of this and slaps Dolph to the mat. Then Cena punches him. Dolph rolls out of the ring and then Cena tosses him the MITB case. This was f***ing terrible!! There was so much crap said here that’s not even worth recapping! How much more of this bull s**t storyline do we have to put up with? Also Dolph got laid out by Super Cena! Great so Mr. MITB gets to look like a loser twice in less than an hour!!
They show the film of Big Show attacking Sheamus in the pub.
Cena & AJ are backstage. Cena asks AJ if she’s ok. AJ says she’s fine. Cena says Dolph & Vickie are making AJ’s life miserable over something that never happened and never will happen. AJ asks, “Never will happen?” Then Cena says, “Ok, never happened.” This was stupid. No one cares about this idiotic storyline!!
William Regal vs. World Champion Big Show. Show gets the pin. This was decent but short. Regal got some good offense in here before getting choke slammed. Afterwards Show was going to punch out Regal but Sheamus storms to the ring and pounds on Show. Show rolls out of the ring. Sheamus checks on Regal while Big Show walks up the ramp. This was alright. Easily better than the crap before this!
Eve Torres is on commentary for the next match
Layla vs. Kaitlyn. Kaitlyn gets the pin. This was really short. Afterwards Kaitlyn & Eve have a stare down.
Michael Cole mentions that Jerry Lawler will be making his return next.
Then they show what happened that night. They actually had film of medics tending to Lawler backstage? This was a real heart attack and I find it in bad taste that they filmed that!
Jim Ross mentions that The King will return next.
Michael Cole & Jim Ross are in the ring. He mentions that 9 weeks ago Jerry Lawler collapsed at ringside and it’s a miracle that he made. Then Jim Ross welcomes back his friend Jerry The King Lawler. Lawler’s music plays and he comes out. JR & King hug. Then King hugs Cole. JR gives King the mic. The fans cheer and chant Jerry. King thanks the fans. He thought he wouldn’t get back in a WWE ring again. Then he mentions how It’s a Wonderful Life is shown every holiday. He says what that movie was about. He then says that in the past few weeks he lived that movie. He had no idea that he had so many friends and fans that sent him they’re well wishes and prayers. King thanks the fans and says it’s great to be back. Then out come CM Punk & Paul Heyman. Lawler leaves the ring. Punk gets in the ring and has the mic. Punk says he’s glad Jerry left the ring because if he hadn’t Punk would’ve beaten him to death again. Punk says what he does is in bad taste. The things he does are disrespectful. Then he mentions that Lawler came back to life and is a real life zombie. Punk says that what Lawler does is in bad taste because having a 60 something year old man getting in the ring with the WWE Champion is in bad taste. Punk says one of the side affects to that is having a heart attack. Punk says that fans blame him but the blame is on Lawler’s shoulders. Punk says the fans point at him and say that what he does is in bad taste. Punk says shame on Lawler for steeling his spotlight. Punk mentions he’s been champion for 358 days. Punks has just tied with Diesel as the 9th longest reigning champion. Punk says that in a week he will be standing in the ring still WWE champion on day 365. He will beat Cena & Ryback just like he has before. Punk’s glad Lawler’s back and is glad he will get to see Punk do what he does best. Punk tells King not to croak. King says he won’t and the only thing on life support is Punk’s title reign. Punk says maybe Lawler wants to get in the ring. Then Heyman acts like he’s having a heart attack. Punk sarcastically screams for medics. Punk says he just saved Heyman’s life. Then Heyman gets up. Punk says Heyman almost gave him a heart attack. Then out comes Mick Foley. Foley says Punk doesn’t cease to amaze him how much he demands respect but refuse to show any to Lawler who commands it. Punk says he & Foley are no longer team captains. Punk says that Foley should worry more about the gaping hole on his team. Foley isn’t picking the 5th guy. The fans will. Punk says Foley shouldn’t care what the fans think because they can’t think. Punk stopped caring what everyone thought of him a long time ago. Punk says that Foley should call his team, Team Worthless. Foley screams at Punk saying that we lost Jerry Lawler but through miracles, hope and Prayers Lawler is here with us today. Foley says this isn’t about Punk. Foley says he wasn’t thrilled when Vince changed the match. Then he realized that Punk doesn’t care about anything but his title. Now Punk is in a position where Ryback or Cena can beat Punk for the title. Punk says no one’s beaten him and no one will. He tells Foley that he doesn’t matter and none of this involves him. Foley says it does. He says that he has a parting gift for Punk. He says that tonight he will be the special enforcer for the Cena-Punk match. This was uncomfortable. I thought them having Punk do a promo about Lawler’s real life heart attack was in bad taste. Punk was good at being the heel and Foley’s promo was good too but the fact that it was based on a real incident didn’t sit well with me. I was really hoping they would just have Lawler speak for a bit and that would be all. They didn’t have to put this into a storyline!
Punk & Heyman are backstage. Punk says he wonders if Heyman is trying to screw him. Punk says that Foley being involved in any of his matches is idiotic. Heyman says they might be out of options. Punk tells him to fix it. Then Heyman asks what about Brad Maddox. Punk tells Heyman to fix that too.
Jerry Lawler is back on commentary, replacing Jim Ross.
Rey Mysterio, Sin Cara, Justin Gabriel & Tyson Kidd vs. Primo, Epico & The Primetime Players. Rey, Cara, Gabriel & Tyson win when Gabriel pins Darren. This was a solid match but I don’t know why they had this on Raw when they could’ve had this at Survivor Series. Ricardo came out and gave Rosa Mendes a note during the match.
They show a video package of the National Guard.
Then they show some of the Ohio National Guard solders in the front row.
They show Brad Maddox backstage and Paul Heyman comes by. He asks the cameraman to shut the camera off. Then Heyman & Maddox walk off.
They show a video promo for Johnny Curtis’ new character Fandango.
Miz is on his phone saying he will find a way to impact Survivor Series. Then Dolph comes by and tells Miz it’s only a matter of time before Miz begs Dolph to be on Team Ziggler. Dolph mentions how he led himself & Del Rio
They show the options that fans can vote for to be on Team Foley. Santino Marella, Zack Ryder & The Miz.
They announce that Antonio Cesaro will defend the U.S. Title against R-Truth at Survivor Series.
Antonio Cesaro comes out and says that Truth talks to “Little Jimmy” because he was once a proud champion who became a joke, just like this country. At Survivor Series he will show everyone that they shouldn’t mess with a true super power. I’m tired of this gimmick too. The whole anti America
R-Truth vs. Tensai. Truth gets the pin. This wasn’t much. Afterwards Cesaro gets the mic and says there’s no way this Sunday at Survivor Series…then Truth gets the mic and does a knock knock joke. “Europe .” You’re up in my face” That was really corny. Then Truth says he will knock Cesaro’s teeth down his esophagus and become a 2 time U.S. Champion. That’s the truth. That was weird. Is R-Truth vs. Antonio Cesaro going to increase the PPV buy rate? Nope. Also poor Tensai. They’ve really messed up with him.
Brad Maddox comes out for his match with Ryback. Then an ambulance pulls in to the arena. Then after Ryback comes out EMTs come out with a stretcher for Maddox.
Time for the promo box. Maddox says that everyone thinks these will be his last words. Maddox says that win or lose this is the greatest night of his life. He has no regrets because he is a WWE super star. Then he says that after tonight no one will forget the name Brad Maddox.
Ryback vs. Brad Maddox. Ryback gets the pin. This was a meaningless squash. Ryback beat the crap out of Maddox the whole match! Afterward the medics get Maddox on the stretcher. Then Ryback tips the stretcher over. Then he throws Maddox into the ringside barrier. Then Ryback gives him a running clothesline. Then Ryback picks up Maddox and carries him to the ambulance and he slams Maddox back first into the doors. Ryback then opens the doors and throws Maddox in. Then Ryback does the feed me more chant. This was pointless.
Back to the show and they show that during the break the ambulance left the arena.
Sheamus vs. David Otunga. Sheamus gets the pin. This was a squash. Afterwards Sheamus says he hope’s Big Show’s watching because the same will happen to him at Survivor Series. He will brogue kick Show and win back his World Title.
Then they show Big Show pounding on William Regal on the Tron. Show tells Sheamus this is what will happen to Sheamus at Survivor Series. Sheamus runs to the back.
Josh Mathews is backstage outside the Trainer’s room. He says that Regal regained consciousness but might have a concussion.
Kane is backstage and Daniel Bryan says they need to talk. Kane ignores him but then asks Daniel what he wants. Daniel wanted to wish him luck tonight with his new partner. Kane says he doesn’t have a new partner; they have a new team mate. Daniel says that if Foley had let him pick a partner he would’ve picked Kane. Daniel then says they could go to Foley and say that they’re not teaming with anyone but each other. As he says that Kane walks off and then Daniel screams no. This was ok.
Time to find out who will team with Kane to face Rhodes Scholars. No surprise it’s The Miz.
Before the match starts Daniel Bryan comes out. He takes a fan’s sign and looks at it for a bit. Then he offers his hand to Miz and they shake hands.
WWE Tag Team Champion Kane & The Miz vs. Cody Rhodes & Damien Sandow. Kane & Miz win when Kane pins Cody. This was a solid match. Daniel went after Miz but Miz sent him into Cody against the ring post. Then Miz threw Cody back in the ring and Kane choke slammed Cody for the win. Afterwards Daniel comes in and celebrates. Kane tells Daniel that he & Miz won. Daniel flips and raises Kane’s hand a few times.
Special Enforcer Mick Foley comes out for the Cena-Punk match.
John Cena vs. WWE Champion CM Punk. Cena gets the pin. This was a solid match but they had the WWE Champion lose cleanly! During the match Cena had Punk in the STF. Then Heyman got in the ring but Foley yanked him out. Later on Punk was going to walk to the back but then Ryback came out. Cena went after Punk, got him back in the ring and gave Punk the AA for the win. Afterwards Cena & Ryback stare each other down. Then they both pick up the belt. Then they turn their attention to Punk and then they pick up the belt again. Then Punk gets on the apron saying the belt is his. Cena & Ryback both hold the belt as Punk looks on to end the show. So they once again made Punk a background player to Ryback & Cena! This is what’s wrong with WWE! They book their heels to look like losers!
This week’s show really dragged! Orton-Dolph wasn’t much. They had Dolph lose cleanly. Orton & Kofi vs. Dolph & Del Rio was solid. Cena-Punk was solid but they had Punk lose cleanly to Cena. Then they had him in the background when Ryback & Cena faced off. The Cena-AJ-Dolph-Vickie segment was painful! I was uncomfortable with the Lawler-Punk-Foley segment. Kane & Miz vs. Cody & Sandow was solid but having Miz as a baby face is odd. Sheamus-Otunga was a squash. Show attacking Regal backstage was decent. R-Truth-Tensai wasn’t much. The bit with Truth & Cesaro was weak too. I also wasn’t into the Dolph-Miz-Foley bit backstage. Ryback-Maddox was a squash. Maddox took a pounding. Layla-Kaitlyn was too short to be much of anything. Kaitlyn will now face Eve at Survivor Series. That won’t get any extra buys. They really didn’t do that great a job building to the PPV. Overall I thought this week’s show was lousy.
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