RAW opens with a look back at Big Show explaining his heel turn from last week.
– We’re live from the Bi Lo Center in Greenville, South Carolina. Justin Roberts introduces Michael Cole and here he comes to the ring. Cole brings out John Cena and says he has a lot of explaining to do. Cena’s music hits and out he comes.
Cole reminds Cena about the two knockout punches from Big Show in a 24 hour period. Cole talks about Show taking out Brodus Clay, Alex Riley, Santino Marella, Zack Ryder, Kofi Kingston and R-Truth in the last week. Cole says this could have been prevented if Cena had done the right thing – supported Big Show in the first place. Cena cuts in and rips John Laurinaitis, calling him power hungry. Cena says he may not have stood up for Show that night but he was going to take him out for good at the pay-per-view. Cole calls Cena self-centered and wrapped up in his own ego. Cole says it’s not all about Cena – Big Show did what he had to do to feed his family. Cole says Big Show decided it was time to teach everyone a lesson – Big Show is no longer a businessman, he’s a 7 foot giant that nobody can beat. Cena says Show is just a man who decided he wanted a wallet the size of his waist line. Cena says we have all had tough times and when you have tough times, you make a decision. Cole says maybe Cena is jealous of Big Show. Cole says he has supported Cena since day one but he’s seeing things different lately. Cole says Cena isn’t interested anymore and he’s overrated. Cole hopes Big Show puts Cena out of our misery at No Way Out in the steel cage. Cole reminds Cena he can’t strike an announcer because it’s prohibited. The music hits and out comes John Laurinaitis on his scooter.
Laurinaitis is going to let Cena pick an opponent for tonight but says Big Show isn’t here tonight because his new contract has selective dates. Laurinaitis says he has retired from singles competition after defeating Cena at Over the Limit. Laurinaitis says anyone else is game. Cena says tonight’s RAW is going to be extra special because his opponent is Michael Cole. Cena’s music hits but Cole starts to protest. Cole says Cena can’t do that. Cole pleads with Laurinaitis but Ace just rides away on his scooter. Cena gets his match and celebrates with the fans at ringside as Cole yells for Laurinaitis to come back.
– Still to come tonight, Kane vs. CM Punk for the WWE Title and there must be a winner this time. We see Sheamus walking to the ring for a rematch against Dolph Ziggler. We go to commercial.
– Back from the break and Cole catches up with Laurinaitis backstage. Cole begs him not to let the match go through. Laurinaitis says there’s a rumor going around that everyone’s job is going to be evaluated soon. Laurinaitis says he’s all about People Power. Cole says the people don’t want to see Cena beat the hell out of them. The crowd pops. Laurinaitis tells Cole to go do his job and get ready for his match. Laurinaitis tells Cole not to call him Johnny any more.
Dolph Ziggler vs. Sheamus
Vickie Guerrero comes out to the stage to begin introducing Dolph Ziggler when Michael Cole comes storming past her on his way to commentary. Ziggler makes his way out followed by the World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus for this non-title match.
They lock up and go at it. Ziggler takes the fight to the corner but Sheamus turns it around. Ziggler takes out Sheamus’ leg but gets caught going for the leg drop. Ziggler tries for a roll up but Sheamus hits the senton for a 1 count. Ziggler pulls the ropes down and dumps Sheamus out to the floor. Sheamus pulls him out and drops his head on the floor. They block attempts at pushing each other into the ring post. Ziggler blocks a shot into the steel steps. Vickie argues with Sheamus as Dolph enters the ring. Sheamus turns around to a dropkick from Ziggler. Sheamus goes down on the floor as Ziggler poses in the corner and we go to commercial.
Back from the break and Ziggler hits a big knee to the gut and takes Sheamus down with a submission. Sheamus comes back with forearms and hits a big powerslam for 2. Ziggler makes a comeback and drops an elbow for a pin attempt of his own. More back and forth action. Dolph with a close 2 count coming out of the corner. Sheamus counters and hits White Noise out of nowhere. Sheamus goes to the corner and gets ready. Ziggler gets up and gets dropped by a Brogue Kick for the win.
Winner: Sheamus
– After the match, Sheamus is headed up the ramp when Alberto Del Rio attacks from behind. Del Rio beats Sheamus down. Sheamus starts to come back but Ricardo Rodriguez comes out to help. They stomp away on Sheamus. Del Rio applies the cross armbreaker with Sheamus hanging off the stage. We go to commercial.
– Back from the break and David Otunga catches up with Laurinaitis. He shows him on WWE.com it says Vince McMahon will be returning next week. Laurinaitis says that’s a good thing. Otunga adds Vince is returning to evaluate Laurinaitis and Ace doesn’t look thrilled. Cole says he gets it now. Ace booked him in a match to please Mr. McMahon. Cole is no longer upset with Laurinaitis. Still to come tonight, Cena vs. Cole.
Sin Cara vs. Hunico
We go to the ring and out comes Sin Cara making his RAW return. Out next comes Hunico riding on Camacho’s bike.
The lights di blue and they go at it. Cara with high flying moves as he sends Hunico to the floor. Cara with a hurricanrana on the floor before bringing it back in the ring. Cara comes in with a roll up but Hunico kicks him in the face and takes control. Hunico with a big knee to the back for a 2 count. Hunico keeps Cara on the mat now.
More back and forth action with Camacho trying to get involved. Cara takes Hunico with with a flying head scissors for the win.
Winner: Sin Cara
– Up next is Ryback coming to RAW. We go to commercial.
Stan Stansky and Arthur Rosenberg vs. Ryback
Back from the break and two indy geeks are in the ring. They do a rap about how they are going to beat Ryback. The bell rings and Ryback begins the squash. He splashes them both in the corner before hitting a big double clothesline. Ryback scoops them both on his shoulders at the same time and drops them for the win.
Winner: Ryback
– Up next is WWE Champion CM Punk vs. Kane where there must be a winner. Back to commercial.
CM Punk vs. Kane
Back from the break and out comes WWE Champion CM Punk. It appears this match is not for the WWE Title but there must be a winner. Punk makes his entrance and out next is Daniel Bryan to join the announcers. Bryan stands up on the announce table and takes a mic. Bryan says it’s time for a little Q&A time. Bryan asks if AJ has gone delusional since he dumped her. He asks if Kane will destroy Punk tonight. He asks if he will become the new WWE Champion at No Way Out and of course every answer is yes! The pyro goes off and out comes Kane now.
The match starts and Kane beats Punk down in the corner. Punk makes a comeback and clotheslines Kane to the floor. Punk dives through the ropes and takes him out as Bryan looks on from ringside. Punk climbs up to the top and leaps down on Kane and he floor. Punk kicks Kane before rolling him back in the ring. Punk goes back up top and hits a crossbody for 2. Punk with more kicks. Kane cuts him off with a knee to the gut and a low dropkick to the face. Kane takes control now and hits a big leg drop for another pin attempt.
Punk fights out of a body scissors. Punk with kicks and chops. Kane goes for a slam but Punk blocks it with more kicks and forearm shots. Punk gets stopped again and Kane throws him over the top rope to the floor as Bryan laughs. We go to commercial.
Back from the break and Punk applies a sleeper hold on Kane. Kane powers out with a big side slam and covers for a 2 count. Kane catches Punk with another side slam. Kane goes up top but Punk runs up and hits a high knee to the jaw. Punk with another knee in the corner and then the bulldog for a 2 count. Punk springboards in with a clothesline for another 2 count. Punk goes for GTS but can’t get Kane up. Kane drops him with a big boot and covers for 2. Kane goes for a chokeslam but Punk counters with a neckbreaker for a close 2 count. Punk goes up top but Kane stops him and climbs up. Kane goes for a superplex but Punk fights him off and sends him to the mat. Punk hits the elbow drop for another close 2 count.
They go back to the floor to fight. Kane throws Punk hard into the barrier, right in front of Bryan. Kane distracts the referee in the ring as Punk tries to get in the ring. Bryan comes from behind and kicks Punk twice as the referee has his back turned. Kane brings Punk back in the ring and goes for a chokeslam but Punk blocks it with a big kick to the head. AJ Lee runs down and tries to tell the referee what happened. Bryan tells her to get down. Punk dives through the ropes and takes out Bryan. Punk slams Bryan’s head in the barrier and comes back in the ring to a big chokeslam from Kane for the win.
Winner: Kane
– After the match, Bryan tries to attack from behind but Kane kicks him out of the ring. AJ comes in and smiles at Kane. Kane doesn’t fall for it and leaves the ring as AJ tends to Punk. Bryan looks confused from ringside.
– Still to come tonight, Cole vs. Cena in the main event. Back to commercial.
– Josh Mathews catches up with AJ Lee and asks her about “the look” we just saw. AJ grabs Mathews by his collar and says he seems uncomfortable. She plays the crazy chick role and he walks off.
– Cole begs the fans to use social media and ask John Laurinaitis to cancel the match against Cena tonight.
– We get another promo video for Big Show.
R-Truth and Kofi Kingston vs. Tyler Reks and Curt Hawkins
WWE Tag Team Champions Kofi Kingston and R-Truth make their way out to the ring as we go back to commercial.
Back from the break and Curt Hawkins is going at it with Kofi Kingston, who has his ribs taped up. Kofi keeps control and gets a 2 count. Truth is also taped up from the attack last week. Truth tags in and they double team Hawkins. Kofi with a big kick to the face. Truth hits a leg drop for a 2 count. Hawkins tags to Tyler Reks. Truth unloads and takes Reks to the corner. Hawkins interferes and Reks slams Truth to the mat. Reks with a big backbreaker for 2.
Hawkins tags back in and they double team Truth. Another tag to Reks and more double teaming. Truth fights back but Reks scoops him on his shoulders. Truth slides out and dropkicks Reks. Kofi gets the tag and hits his usual moves on Hawkins. Kofi hits Boom Drop and knocks Reks off the apron. Kof hits the big crossbody but Reks come in and breaks the pin. Reks dumps Truth to the floor but Truth pulls him out. Hawkins and Kofi go at it now with Kofi hitting Trouble in Paradise for the win.
Winners: Kofi Kingston and R-Truth
– We see John Cena walking backstage as we return to commercials.
John Cena vs. Michael Cole
Back fro the break and out comes John Cena for the main event. Michael Cole is still sitting in his suit at ringside doing commentary. John Laurinaitis comes out and makes the match a No DQ match, if Cena is victorious against this man… Tensai’s music hits and out he comes with Sakamoto.
John Cena vs. Tensai
Tensai comes out and pushes Sakomoto to the side. He charges to the ring where Cena waits.
They lock up and Tensai knocks Cena to the mat before taking him to the corner and beating him down with forearm shots. Tensai stomps away and taunts Cena to get up. Tensai drops Cena again with a big headbutt. Cena fights back and they trade shots. Cena clotheslines Tensai out to the floor and tries to bring him back in but goes down on the floor. We go to commercial.
Back from the break and Tensai is still in control. Tensai hits a big splash in the corner. Cena catches Tensai with boots in the corner and a bulldog. Tensai stops Cena again and leg drops his arm. Tensai with a big shoulder for a 2 count. Tensai tosses Cena back out to the floor and slams his head into the announcers table. Cole takes advantage and slaps Cena in the face. Tensai throws Cena into the steel steps as Cole yells on commentary. Cena rushes in the ring to stop the 10 count but Tensai catches him with a big suplex for a 2 count. Tensai misses the back splash and Cena makes a comeback.
Cena hits the usual followed by the Five Knuckle Shuffle and the Attitude Adjustment for the win.
Winner: John Cena
– Cena hits the turnbuckles to pose for the fans as Cole looks on worried from the announcers table. Cena is ready for Cole to get in the ring now for their No DQ match.
No DQ Match: John Cena vs. Michael Cole
The bell rings as Cole gets up. He hesitates before taking off over the fan barrier and through the crowd. Cena chases him down and brings him back to the ring.
Cole keeps trying to run off but Cena catches him and brings it in the ring. Cole grabs a mic and pleads with Cena. He says they go way back and are good friends. Cole says they can shake hands like friends do. Cole takes off his jacket and his tie. He’s upset now. Cole asks Cena how embarrassing it’s going to be when Cole beats him live on RAW. Cole continues taunting Cena and gets in his face. Cena rips Cole’s shirt open and gives him a big chop to the chest. Cena rips Cole’s pants off and then his shirt. Cena stomps Cole between the legs before taking him to the corner for another big chop.
Cena makes Cole apologize to Jerry Lawler for earlier comments. Cena then makes Cole apologize to Jim Ross for what’s happened in the past. Cole says he’s sorry over and over. Cena makes Cole plug JR’s BBQ sauce next. Lawler just happens to have a few bottles at ringside. Cena hits Cole with the mic and goes out for the bottles of BBQ. Cena gives Cole a JR’s BBQ bath and goes under the ring for a fire extinguisher. Cena cools Cole down with the extinguisher as the crowd cheers. Cole gets to his feet and Cena goes for the Attitude Adjustment. Before he can hit it, Tensai hits the ring and lays Cena out. Cole takes advantage and covers Cena but he kicks out at 2.
Cole slaps at Cena and yells at him. Cole grabs the fire extinguisher and charges at Cena with it but Cena catches him with the Attitude Adjustment for the win.
Winner: John Cena
– After the match, Cena celebrates and sprays the extinguisher some more. Cole is trying to recover on the outside as we go to replays. Cena finds Cole on the floor and sprays him some more with the extinguisher as RAW goes off the air.
