WWE Hall Of Fame Forum And The Return Of John Cena
As advertised, this week’s edition of WWE RAW opens up with the WWE Hall Of Fame Forum, which features Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair and Shawn Michaels. Jerry Lawler is the announcer on commentary welcoming us to the show and reminding us of the John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar rematch at WWE Night Of Champions.
From there, we go to Michael Cole in the ring, who introduces the WWE Hall Of Famers. First out is “The Immortal” Hulk Hogan. Next out is the 16-time World Champion, Ric Flair. Finally, “The Heartbreak Kid” Shawn Michaels makes his way to the ring.
In the ring, on top of a red carpet coverinng the mat is a RAW announcers table, which is where Hogan, Flair and HBK are seated. Cole brings up the Cena-Lesnar match at SummerSlam and the announced rematch at the upcoming Night Of Champions pay-per-view.
Cole asks HBK what Cena’s chances are of beating Lesnar in the rematch. Michaels says they aren’t good because it’s not happening. HBK talks about how himself and the two legends seated next to him eventually had to admit it was there time and they retired. He says it might be that time for Cena. Hogan disagrees, claiming that Cena can still go. Flair agrees with Michaels, saying he doesn’t “feel it” for Cena.
Michael Cole then asks for predictions. Hogan says he’s routing for Cena all the way on this one. Flair chimes in and says he likes John Cena too. HBK agrees with Flair, saying he too likes Cena but that’s not what they’re talking about. He says Cena doesn’t have a chance. Hogan goes to talk and Michaels interupts him. HBK talks about the beating Cena took and says he’ll never be the same man. Hogan says before HBK interupted him, he says Cena’s beaten Lesnar before and he will again.
As Flair and HBK sort of team up in disagreeing with Hogan and Hogan goes to defend Cena further, they are all interupted by Cena’s theme song. John Cena comes out and makes his way to the ring.
Cena talks about how everyone is talking about what happened to him at SummerSlam. As Cena pauses, the fans break out in “CM Punk” chants, which Cena actually stopped and allowed. Cena says he has the utmost respect for all three of the Hall Of Famers in the ring. Cena says he’s sick of all this talk about what he should do.
From there, Cena goes to reference the beating he took at SummerSlam. He says there’s no way to dance around this. He says SummerSlam was an ass-whooping. A 100-percent beat down. He agrees with HBK, who mentioned that you’re never the same after a beating like the one he took at SummerSlam.
Cena goes on to discuss why he wants to do it again. He says he doesn’t plan on doing it again. He says he’s going to bring the fight to Brock Lesnar at Night Of Champions. He says he’s not going to Night Of Champions to beat Brock Lesnar, he’s going there to beat Brock Lesnar’s ass. He drops the mic and walks off as his theme plays again. That ends the segment and we head to commercial.
Rusev (with Lana) vs. Jack Swagger
When we return from commercial, Rusev and Lana are standing in the middle of the ring. Rusev is waving the Russian flag back-and-forth. Next out is Rusev’s opponent from SummerSlam, “The Real American” Jack Swagger. Swagger comes out alone with the American flag and waves it as he makes his way to the ring. Highlights are shown from there Flag Match at SummerSlam. On commentary, Lawler addresses the fact that Zeb Colter hasn’t been seen since SummerSlam, leading JBL and Cole to talk about it as well.
Meanwhile, the bell has already rung and Swagger and Rusev are already trading punches. Swagger gets the better of the exchange, knocking Rusev out of the ring. Back inside the ring, Swagger goes back to work on Rusev. He goes for the Patriot Lock and gets it but Rusev quickly gets to the ropes, forcing a break of the hold.
Rusev rolls out of the ring twice to avoid punishment from Swagger, who has been dominating Rusev this entire match thus far. The second time Rusev ducks out to the floor, Swagger follows him out and throws him against the ring steps. The two go back in the ring, where Swagger continues to control the action.
Rusev finally gets the better of Swagger, going to work on the injured rib cage of Swagger. Rusev knocks Swagger out of the ring with a big clothesline. On that note, we head to a mid-match commercial.
When we return from commercial, Swagger is stuck in a bear hug from Rusev. Rusev is squeezing away, trying to deliver additional punishment to the already “injured” ribs of Swagger. The fans, meanwhile, are rallying behind Swagger with “We The People” chants.
Rusev taunts the crowd, but as soon as he turns around, Swagger grabs him and hits him with a german suplex. Swagger is making his comeback now, dropping Rusev with a big boot. Swagger goes for the Swagger Bomb but Rusev gets his foot up. Swagger, however, grabs Rusev’s foot and gets him in the Patriot Lock. Rusev remains in the hold for a while, but eventually makes it to the ropes to break the hold. He then goes out to the floor to recover, but Swagger follows him out.
Once on the floor, Rusev shoves Swagger rib-first into the ring apron. And again. Now Rusev throws Swagger back into the ring and follows him in. Lana tells Rusev to “crush.” Rusev goes for The Accolade, but Swagger reverses it into another Patriot Lock attempt. Swagger lets it go in favor of a pin attempt, but Rusev kicks out at two.
The fans chant “U.S.A.” as Rusev regains control of the offense, kicking away at the injured ribs of Swagger. Rusev, meanwhile is selling his ankle from the many Patriot Lock attempts from Swagger. Rusev kicks Swagger in the ribs over and over as the ref yells at him to stop. And again. And again. Now he’s stomping away at Swagger as the ref yells at him to stop because Swagger is on the ropes. This goes on for a while. Too long, actually. Back in the middle of the ring, Rusev stomps away more and more and finally the referee stops the match due to Swagger’s inability to fight back. Cole on commentary puts over that much like SummerSlam, Swagger refused to quit.
Winner via Ref Stoppage: Rusev
After The Match
When the match is over, trainers and officials run to the ring to check on the condition of Swagger. Highlights are shown of Rusev’s vicious attack on Swagger at the end of the match. Back live, the giant Russian flag is dropped from the ceiling as Rusev and Lana celebrate.
