WWE Raw Storyline Tracker
By Robin Scannell, PWTorch Specialist

Episodes - February 6 & 13 & Elimination Chamber PPV

(1) Triple H vs. The Undertaker / John Laurinaitis’s job

On the Feb. 6 Raw, Triple H opened the show, saying that he did want to fire Laurinaitis, but the Board decided to rule on the matter themselves. Hunter then talked about still getting that feeling when Taker walks to the ring. Hunter said he felt bad for Taker and played video of highlights from Undertaker's WrestleMania career. He said that is how he chooses to remember him. He didn’t want to remember him like at WrestleMania 27, and showed a video of Taker taken away on a golf cart after their match.

Hunter then said no to the Mania challenge. He said if they fought, he would have to finish it, but he respects Taker too much to do it. Suddenly, the lights went out and a video aired of Taker watching parts of their match. He said, “This is not over,” and said that he’ll give Triple H one more chance at immortality.

Later, David Otunga came to the ring and prayed for the Board of Directors to keep John Laurinaitis in his position. Justin Roberts then announced Otunga against Sheamus, who defeated David Otunga in a short match.

Backstage, Laurinaitis said to Hunter that he would accept whatever the decision is, regarding his future as interim Raw GM Laurinaitis went on to say that Shawn Michaels would be on Raw the following week, which surprised Hunter.

Josh Mathews asked Laurinaitis about his expectations on the ruling and he said that Triple H rejecting Taker’s challenge is cowardly, and he’s not sure if the Board wants someone like that running Raw. The following day, the Board of Directors announced that Laurinaitis would remain in his current position. Laurinaitis announced this the following week on Raw.

On the Feb. 13 Raw, David Otunga told Laurinaitis that he had an idea to make him the GM of Raw and Smackdown. At Elimination Chamber, Laurinaitis asked for the Board to scrutinize Teddy Long’s performance, then Alberto Del Rio, Mark Henry, and Christian came out one-by-one to offer their support for Laurinaitis running Raw and Smackdown. Later that night, Teddy Long suggested that he should run Raw and Smackdown.

Reax: It's an election storyline, people!

Shawn Michaels came to the ring and said that he was waiting for Triple H to accept Taker’s challenge and invited him to the ring to accept it. Hunter said Shawn should have called, as he’s not accepting the challenge. Shawn asked why Hunter wouldn’t end Taker, as that’s what he does. Shawn asked if he had turned into one of them - a sell-out. Shawn said that Hunter was a coward and stopped him from leaving. Hunter said that everything was going to be his and that Undertaker was a brand that he can’t let end. He said they are the last ones left of an era and he won’t end it. He added that he won't end it for Shawn so that he can do what Shawn couldn’t get done. Shawn said that he is at peace and asked for Hunter to tell him he doesn’t want to end The Streak. Hunter eventually said, "No," and Shawn walked away.

The lights went out and an Undertaker video aired that featured Taker saying it wasn’t over. He was shown cutting his hair with a blade.

Reax: Just an incredibly cool segment. I really enjoyed Michaels here, and I’m looking forward to the next chapter each week.

***

(2) WWE Title Picture / C.M. Punk vs. Chris Jericho

On the Feb. 6 Raw, Chris Jericho came to the ring for a promo, saying he everyone is a wannabe, as they keep stealing from him - from Miz with his suit and talking slowly, to Kofi’s flashy moves, to Dolph Ziggler’s female valet, and to Punk calling himself the best in the world. Jericho affirmed that he was the best in the world and has come back to claim what is his.

Punk then came out and said nothing to Jericho, dropping the microphone, holding up the WWE Title belt, and turning around. He turned his back to Jericho, but Jericho did nothing, so Punk left the ring. Jericho shouted after Punk, telling him to talk.

Reax: It’s a shame that Jericho's comeback character amounted to nothing different than his old character.

In the main event, Chris Jericho won a Six Pack Challenge, earning him the final entry into the Elimination Chamber match. After the match, Jericho posed with the WWE Title.

The following week’s Raw featured a debate between all of the title contenders, who stood in the ring behind podiums. Punk said he was the best in the world. Ziggler and Truth went back and forth about Truth being an idiot, with Truth treating the whole thing like an election debate. Miz said that he main-evented WresleMania and that Punk is 0-2 in the Elimination Chamber. Kofi said that he had been ignored for too long and that everything can change in the Chamber.

Jericho insulted everyone and said that he’s been in the most Elimination Chamber matches and eliminated the most Superstars. Jericho said he came back to reclaim what is his. The segment ended with Jericho pushing a podium over, Punk holding his title in the air, and Kofi hitting Trouble in Paradise on Jericho.

Chris Jericho then defeated Kofi Kingston with the Codebreaker after a thumb to the eye. R-Truth defeated Dolph Ziggler in a short match with a surprise pinfall. C.M. Punk defeated The Miz by submission as Jericho watched on a monitor backstage.

At Elimination Chamber, Chris Jericho eliminated Kofi Kingston, then threw him out of the Chamber. At this point, Punk kicked Jericho, sending Jericho out of the Chamber and leading to him hitting his head. He was unconscious, meaning that he was eliminated from the match. The match came down to Punk and Miz, then Punk won.

Reax: The match, overall, was very good. However, Jericho shouldn’t get another title opportunity. Being unconscious means you lose the match. Punk could have dragged Jericho into the ring and pinned him. However, with a not-so-honorable GM, perhaps that logic goes out of the window.

***

(3) John Cena vs. Kane

On the Feb. 6 Raw, Laurinaitis announced John Cena vs. Kane in an Ambulance Match at Elimination Chamber. Backstage, Kane said to Eve that Cena better embrace the hate soon, as if he doesn’t, he’s afraid of what he’ll do.

The following week, Raw began with Kane saying that Cena will embrace the hate, and said that someone would take a ride in the ambulance.

Later, backstage, Zack Ryder had roses for Eve and Cena told him to wait safely here, as bad things keep happening when he shows up. Cena said that he would find Eve for him. Later, Santino and Zack Ryder had a comedy segment about a new breath mint of garlic, also called “love potion #9."

Later, backstage, Cena was asked for his opinion on a Rock video. However, Eve screamed off camera, interrupting Cena's promo. Cena then ran off camera and attacked Kane, who was locking Eve in the ambulance. Kane then recovered and drove the ambulance away. However, Eve managed to jump out, into Cena’s arms. They began to kiss when Ryder showed up in his wheelchair. Eve then gave the “I just want us to be friends” line to Ryder.

In the final segment, Cena came out to the ring and said that he was sorry to Ryder. Cena said Kane’s plan wouldn’t work and said that he would win. Ryder came out and pushed Cena’s mic away and slapped him. Ryder tried to slap Cena again, but Cena blocked and pushed Zack away. Ryder then left.

Kane appeared on the Tron and said that Cena embraced the hate by stealing Eve from Ryder. Kane said he feeds off hate and that he would put Cena out until WrestleMania. Kane then appeared on the stage, where Ryder was, and he pushed Ryder’s wheelchair off the stage. Cena, EMTs, and Eve rushed to help.

Reax: Kane has a great respect for previously announced matches, wanting to make sure he hurt Cena, but not enough to keep him off WrestleMania.

At Elimination Chamber, after an Attitude Adjustment off the ambulance onto a hidden area of the stage, Cena put Kane in the ambulance to win the match.

***

(4) World Heavyweight Title Picture

On the Feb. 6 Raw, Big Show defeated Daniel Bryan (w/A.J.) via count-out after Big Show nearly ran into A.J., causing Bryan to take A.J. away from the match. Bryan said that Big Show had shown that he could have stopped, meaning that the last time, he really was his fault. Bryan said that he’ll still be champion after the Elimination Chamber match.

Later, Randy Orton and The Great Khali defeated Wade Barrett and Cody Rhodes. After the match, Orton and Khali spoke, as Khali had forcefully tagged himself in. Khali went to chop Orton, but Orton hit the RKO.

The following week, Randy Orton defeated Big Show by disqualification. As Orton was about to pin Show, Bryan, who was on commentary, hit Orton with the title.

At Elimination Chamber, Khali was eliminated fairly quickly upon his entrance to the match. Big Show broke into Bryan’s pod. Cody and Barrett managed to eliminate Big Show. Santino, who was in the Chamber after Randy Orton was removed from the match because of a concussion sustained from "Bryan hitting him with the title belt" on Raw, eliminated Barrett and Rhodes. Bryan and Santino had some good action before Bryan won the match.

***

(5) Divas Title Picture

On the Feb. 6 Raw, Eve, Kelly Kelly, Alicia Fox, and Tamina defeated Beth Phoenix, Natalya, and the Bellas Twins in a tag match, with Tamina pinning one of the Bellas. After the match, Beth smiled at the prospect of a new Divas Title challenger.

The following week, Tamina Snuka defeated Brie Bella (with Nikki Bella) in a short match. Tamina and Beth Phoenix, who was on commentary, had a stare down. It was announced that Tamina would face Beth at the Elimination Chamber in a title match. At the Chamber pay-per-view, Beth defeated Tamina to retain the Divas Title.

***

Current Feuds Active this Week (# weeks)

Raw

John Cena vs. Kane (11)
C.M. Punk vs. Chris Jericho (3)
Undertaker vs. Triple H (3)

Smackdown

Randy Orton vs. Wade Barrett (14)
Big Show vs. Daniel Bryan (7)
Tamina Snuka vs. Beth Phoenix (1)

Email any comments to scannell.torch@gmail.com or follow me on Twitter @robinocracy for my thoughts on the wrestling and non-wrestling things.

[Torch art credit Travis Beaven (c) PWTorch.com]

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