WWE RAW Opener:
RAW opens with a quick Martin Luther King Jr. Day video package.
After that, we shoot live into the arena where The Authority are in the ring. Stephanie McMahon and Triple H talk about this Sunday being the Royal Rumble and the official beginning of the road to WrestleMania. Triple H goes to introduce Batista, but instead Randy Orton’s music hits and out comes “The Viper.” Michael Cole points out that Orton has been in a bad mood all week. Orton makes his way to the ring and gets on the mic.
Orton asks The Authority “who in the hell they think they are.” Stephanie gets in Orton’s face and asks him the same question. Stephanie brings up Orton’s attack on John Cena’s father after losing to Kofi Kingston on RAW last week, which is shown via video recap. Orton blames The Authority for forcing him to lose his control as a result of giving John Cena an immediate rematch, bringing back Batista, etc. Orton says there wouldn’t be a WWE Network without Randy Orton.
Triple H finally chimes in and tells Orton to take the bass out of his voice. He says through all Orton’s faults, they believe in him and see him as the complete package. HHH says somewhere along the lines Orton lost that faith in himself. HHH tells Orton he needs to man up. HHH says Orton will face Kofi Kingston again tonight and get the opportunity to make things right. HHH points out that a camera has been placed in the parking lot shooting the back-entrance of the building.
From there, Batista’s music hits and out comes “The Animal.” Batista makes his way to the ring. When Batista’s music stops playing a “Ba-tis-ta” chant breaks out. Batista hugs Stephanie and then hugs HHH. HHH and Stephanie head to the back, leaving Batista and Orton alone in the ring together as another “Ba-tis-ta” chant breaks out.
Orton walks up to Batista and offers to shake his hand. Batista ignores it and says, “Hello, Randy.” Batista says he understands Orton has a few questions about his return. Batista says he’s back for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Batista says he doesn’t care who ends up holding the title, he’s back to win the Royal Rumble match on Sunday, to become the WWE World Heavyweight Champion and to main event WrestleMania. He concludes by saying, “so deal with it.” He drops the mic, exits the ring, and heads to the back.
Goldust, Cody Rhodes & Big E. Langston vs. The Shield
When we return from commercial, we see a quick shot of the parking lot where we’re waiting for John Cena to arrive. Back in the arena, Goldust, Cody Rhodes and Big E. Langston are in the ring. Out next, through the crowd as usual, is The Shield. The bell rings and this six-man tag-team match is officially underway.
Dean Ambrose and Langston start things off. Within seconds, Langston is out-powering Ambrose and throwing him around. Ambrose tags in Seth Rollins and Langston does the same to him before tagging in Goldust. The babyfaces remain in control, including a big dive spot by Cody Rhodes, as we head to a mid-match commercial.
When we return from commercial, Roman Reigns is beating the crap out of Cody Rhodes in the ring. Reigns tags in Rollins, and both Ambrose and Rollins double-team Rhodes. The smoke clears and Rollins picks up where Reigns left off, beating up Rhodes in the heel corner. Rollins tags Reigns back in. Rhodes hits the Disaster Kick on Reigns and both guys are down. Reigns tags in Ambrose, but Rhodes also makes the tag to Langston.
Langston takes the hot tag and is cleaning house on all three members of The Shield. Langston sends Rollins and Reigns over the top and hits Ambrose with a big splash in the middle of the ring. Rollins comes back in to interfere, but Langston sends him back out to the floor. Langston hits Ambrose with a suplex-throw. Reigns and Rhodes come in to interfere. Rhodes goes for a Disaster Kick on Reigns, but Reigns catches him coming off the ropes with a Superman punch. Reigns blasts Goldust with a spear. After some double-team action by Ambrose and Rollins, Rollins, now the legal man, pins Langston for the 1-2-3.
Winners: The Shield
In-Ring Segment: Daniel Bryan & Bray Wyatt
When we return from commercial, Daniel Bryan is in the ring. The crowd is going nuts with “Yes!” chants and “Daniel Bryan” chants. Bryan starts off by saying, “and some people think I shouldn’t be the face of this company.” JBL on commentary says, “that’s an ugly face.” Bryan says he joined The Wyatt Family to take down Bray Wyatt. He says when you’re dealing with someone with a Messiah complex, you have to not only beat them physically but mentally. Bryan says he exposed Bray Wyatt. He says this Sunday at the Royal Rumble, he’s going to do the same thing. He says he was informed that Erick Rowan and Luke Harper are going to be in the Royal Rumble match. He says that’s perfect because it leaves Bray Wyatt to go one-on-one with him. Michael Cole says it’s Daniel Bryan vs. Bray Wyatt at the Rumble. Bryan leads the fans in a “Yes!” chant.
Bray Wyatt appears on the titan tron. He says a man who isn’t willing to die for something isn’t fit to live. He talks about Bryan being a traitor. He says he didn’t expose him, he only exposed himself. Bray keeps calling Bryan a traitor. He tells Bryan to go home and hug his mother and tell her he loves her and he’s sorry, because everything that happens to him from now on is his own fault. We head to commercial.
Xavier Woods vs. Fandango
When we return from commercial, Fandango and Summer Rae are shown in the ring. On commentary for this match, which will be against Xavier Woods, is R-Truth. It it announced that Truth will square off against Damien Sandow this week on WWE Main Event.
In the ring, Woods dominates Fandango. This match only lasts about a minute before Fandango gets the quick victory.
Winner: Fandango
Backstage: Kane, Brad Maddox & Stephanie McMahon
Backstage, Kane and Brad Maddox are shown talking. Stephanie McMahon comes in. She asks Maddox to excuse them for a second. Stepahnie asks Kane what he was thinking last week when he chokeslammed CM Punk. She says it was bad enough Orton attacked Cena’s father, but he puts his hands on CM Punk and he’s supposed to be in a management position. Kane says, “Stephanie, with all due respect” but before he can continue, Stephanie cuts him off. She says he can’t put his hands on a WWE Superstar no matter what. Kane says he understands and apologizes. Stephanie says that’s nice but he needs to do something more than that. He needs to go apologize to CM Punk. Kane begins to complain but stops himself when he sees the look on Stephanie’s face.
In-Ring Segment: Kane & CM Punk
When we return from commercial, Kane makes his way to the ring. Video replays are shown from last week of what transpired between Kane and CM Punk. Kane gets on the mic in the ring and asks CM Punk to come out here. Punk’s music hits and out comes “The Best In The World” with a big smile on his face. Kane gives a lame, professionally-worded apology to Punk. Punk says he didn’t hear him. He asks if he wants to use his mic. Kane says he apologizes again. The crowd chants “one more time.” Punk says he doesn’t need him to say it again, he doesn’t want to embarass him. He says it’s ok, he apologizes too. With that said, Punk attacks Kane. Kane nearly goes to fight back at Punk but Brad Maddox comes out and stops him. Maddox informs Punk he will be facing one of “these” two Superstars. With that said, the New Age Outlaws come out. Maddox asks for a referee to get out here.
