WWE Raw Results
December 20, 2010 - Episode #916
Live from Austin, Tex.
Aired on USA Network
Report by James Caldwell, PWTorch assistant editor

In-ring: The show began with WWE champion The Miz coming to the ring fresh off his title retention over Randy Orton at TLC. Miz had that big heel smile saying, "I'm still champion and you can't do anything about it," for the live crowd. Jerry Lawler and C.M. Punk were alone on commentary without Michael Cole. Miz entered the ring and cut a promo reminding the audience over and over that he is still WWE champion.

Suddenly, some wolf-howling music hit and out came Alex Riley dressed as the "Ghost of Christmas Past." Riley reminded Miz of him retaining the WWE Title over Jerry Lawler three weeks ago. Miz directed some comments toward Lawler, then the wolf-howling music interrupted again. It was Michael Cole dressed ridiculously as Ghost of Christmas Present. Lawler said this is the stupidest thing he's ever seen. Cole said Miz might have retained via nefarious means, but what counts if Miz is still WWE champion. More wolf-howling music hit. Lawler said this is absurd. The scary-looking Miz Girl photo came on the screen. They did the Late Night bit where her mouth moved over a still photo. She "said" she is the Ghost of Christmas Future. Leave it to WWE to beat something into the ground that was actually cool at one time. "Miz Girl" warned Miz about John Morrison. Miz said he is the future and he is...awesome.

John Morrison's music interrupted. Morrison came out dressed in street clothes shooting Miz puzzling looks about what he's doing. Morrison wasn't selling the knee work from Sheamus last night. Morrison said that was stupid...even for Miz. Morrison reminded Miz that he is the new #1 contender to the WWE Title. "Sometime soon," they will fight for the title. He said he beat Miz in the past, he beat him in the present, and he will beat him again in the future. "Really?" Miz asked five times. He said he begs to differ because he's always been different than him.

Riley, suddenly dressed to wrestle, got in-between Morrison and Miz, so Morrison popped him with a right hand. Morrison got the upper-hand, then Sheamus ran into the ring and attacked Morrison. Sheamus went after Morrison's left knee. Riley got in Lawler's face ringside, then Lawler blasted him in the face with a right hand. Riley sold the punch and screamed at Lawler before leaving with Miz. The Raw GM buzzed and Cole walked to the podium. He read that it will be a six-man tag match tonight. Miz, Riley, and Sheamus vs. Morrison, Lawler, and...Randy Orton. On-stage, Miz turned to walk away, but Randy Orton snuck up behind him and decked him with a clothesline. Orton stood on the stage looking down at Miz as the crowd reacted with wild cheers for Orton. PYB (3) talk time: 11:05.

Last night: They replayed John Cena sending a string of chairs on top of Wade Barrett at the end of the PPV last night. As Bruce Mitchell predicted on the Livecast, they're celebrating Cena's liberation and official return to WWE tonight. "Cena is Back!" was the plug for a speech from Cena coming tonight.

[Commercial Break]

[Q2]

Announcers: Cole, Lawler, and Punk were shown on-camera recapping the six-man tag main event still to come. Lawler said he's excited to get involved in this. They were joined on commentary by Divas champion Natalya for a closer look at the next match.

1 -- MELINA vs. ALICIA FOX vs. EVE -- #1 contender match to the Divas Title

Melina came out first for the triple threat #1 contender match to the Divas Title. Alicia Fox, then Eve came out to round out the field. After some sequences of one Diva being dumped out of the ring on a rotational basis to set up one-on-one action, the Divas traded pinning sequences in the ring. Melina and Eve started trading aggressive shots before Melina suddenly countered a Doomsday Device attempt into a victory roll on Alicia for the pin. She gets the next shot at Natalya. Post-match: Melina sold excitement over getting another title shot. Natalya entered the ring to congratulate her, but Melina slapped her across the face, scowled, and stomped out of the ring for an abrupt heel turn. Natalya sold shock in the ring.

WINNER: Melina at 2:54. It's apparent why they did not air the "Tribute to the Troops" Divas match on the NBC special since Melina was set to turn heel on tonight's Raw prior to the extended, two-hour version airing on Wednesday night where she'll team with heel Divas. It creates an issue for Natalya and Melina to build some momentum for the women's division. (*1/4)

Backstage: The Bellas were shown talking to each other, then U.S. champ Daniel Bryan approached them. They decided to be civil for now accompanying Bryan to the ring for his "big match" next. On commentary, Cole did his usual routine complaining about Bryan.

WWE Week promo: Live Smackdown on USA Network tomorrow night continues "WWE Week."

[Commercial Break]

Announcers: Cole announced that Nexus would "in all probability" not be here tonight on Raw. Punk said he wouldn't be in any condition to do anything tonight after what Cena did to them last night.

In-ring: U.S. champion Daniel Bryan came to the ring with the Bellas. William Regal then came out with a big smile on his face. He couldn't wipe the smile off his face having an opportunity to wrestle Bryan, who was also smiling. Punk noted Regal trained Bryan and is probably proud of his work.

[Q3]

2 -- U.S. champion DANIEL BRYAN (w/Bella Twins) vs. WILLIAM REGAL -- non-title match

Lawler sold excitement over seeing this match as the two men locked up and traded holds. Regal backed away to the corner as they continued to feel each other. Punk cut off Lawler talking about Cena as the two men in the ring traded blows. Bryan landed multiple kick strikes to the mid-section in the corner before flipping over Regal, who came back with a big running fist to the forehead for a nearfall. Regal then applied a neck vice and Bryan attempted a suplex, but Regal maintained the vice grip. Regal followed with knee strikes for a nearfall as the announcers debated Bryan's social skills. Oh, how Ross is missed calling a match like this.

Bryan fought back to his feet and they started trading European uppercuts. The crowd did the boo/yay to follow along. Regal cut off Bryan with an uppercut to the gut, followed by a forearm to the back of the head. Regal wanted the Regal Stretch, but Bryan blocked. Bryan also blocked a butterfly suplex and slipped Regal to his mid-section. He wanted the LeBell Lock, but Regal fought it, so Bryan landed signature elbows to the head/neck region. Bryan then fully applied the LeBell Lock and it was good for a submission victory.

Post-match: The Bellas hugged ringside before entering the ring as Bryan looked toward Regal, who applauded him. The Bellas hugged and kissed Bryan, with them playing a game of one-upmanship for who could deliver the better kiss.

WINNER: Bryan via submission at 4:30. It is well with my soul. Could WWE put a "1" before the 4:30 and put this on PPV? Just an excellent five-minute wrestling exchange. It creates an interesting question of whether it's the beginning of a program for Bryan and Regal or simply Regal being able to say he wrestled Bryan on live TV once in his career before retiring. (**1/4)

Still to come: six-man tag match with Orton, Morrison, and Lawler vs. Miz, Riley, and Sheamus. ... Smackdown plug: First time-ever with Smackdown live on USA Network.

[Commercial Break]

Backstage: John Morrison was taping himself up for the main event. In walked Randy Orton to give Morrison a rub. Orton said he was impressed by Morrison's work last night. Morrison said what happened to Orton was "bogus." Orton said he wants the first title shot at Morrison if he becomes champion. Morrison said he's got, but he trusts Orton will be ready tonight. Orton cut him off right there and said that's his first mistake trusting him. Morrison returned his glare to sell he wasn't going to be intimidated.

Backstage: Santino was face-down receiving a back massage with someone standing on his back. Apparently it was Tamina, per a far-away shot. Maryse barged in and told Tamina she'll take care of her tonight. Maryse then stepped on Santino's back and they argued as Santino quietly flailed his arms unable to vocalize his pain. Koslov and DiBiase then pulled off Maryse and Tamina, respectively, leaving Santino out of breath selling pain from the back massage gone wrong.

Backstage: Mark Henry was talking to Gail Kim about how fresher the air is around here. Yeah, Austin is a great city. Oh, they were talking about Nexus not being here for the first time in six months. Suddenly, Vickie Guerrero and IC champ Dolph Ziggler brushed by them. "Excuse me," Vickie said. 41 minutes into the show with the first Smackdown cameo of the show. Henry took his words back that the air is not as fresh anymore.

[Commercial Break]

[Q4]

In-ring: Santino's music hit to bring out a hunched-over Santino along with Tamina. She was sporting a cut-off Santino t-shirt. Santino needed help removing his tag title belt. Ted DiBiase and Maryse then walked out with DiBiase selling disdain for this booking. The announcers speculated on whether a Facebook change has happened in the Santino and Tamina relationship make them official. Cole said he doesn't know, but Maryse and DiBiase are "girlfriend and boyfriend."

3 -- WWE tag champion SANTINO & TAMINA vs. TED DIBIASE & MARYSE

The bell sounded and Tamina squeezed Santino to crack his back into place. Punk noted the Divas are smart, sexy, powerful, and chiropractors. Santino and DiBiase traded offense early on before DiBiase worked on Santino's back. Santino made an inspired comeback before calling for the Cobra. DiBiase tagged out to Maryse, though. Santino suddenly stopped short when he realized a woman was in the ring and he could not deliver the Cobra to Maryse. Maryse shot the Cobra back into Santino's throat, but Tamina blindsided Maryse with a superkick.

Tamina did a long routine setting up a top-rope move as DiBiase and Santino did a comedy routine knocking themselves over the top rope to the floor. Maryse had to sell for a long time before Tamina executed a textbook Superfly Splash for the win. Tamina then helped Santino out of the ring as the crowd applauded their efforts. Tamina comically tried to carry Santino up the ramp, but had to stop halfway up the ramp.

WINNERS: Santino & Tamina at 2:52. More of that Santino Comedy giving the crowd some light entertainment fare. The heels aren't threatening, but the crowd knows enough about their characters to enjoy a good, hearty laugh when they're the butt of the joke. (*)

Backstage: Cena was all smiles walking around talking to people. "Hey, how you doing? Yeah, great to see you!" He randomly received a potted plant. He's a re-gifter, so he gave it to a random female stagehand as a Christmas present. She was delighted with the gift.

[Commercial Break]

Austin: They went to an exterior shot of Austin to show the Capitol building a stone's throw away from the Erwin Center at Univ. of Texas. Many a painful college football loss was enjoyed a few miles down the road at Memorial Stadium this season. (This will come into play soon.)

In-ring: Back in the building, John Cena's music hit to a thunderous ovation with the fanbase re-energized by his "re-hiring." Cena leaned into the camera and said, "We're in Texas." Cena stormed the ring and played to the crowd as Cole noted Cena is finally "liberated." Cena took the mic and said he feels so good tonight. He said he's going to do something he should have done a long time ago. He left the ring and hugged a random fan on the front row. Cena said it was the "We hate Cena" guy. They showed the fan sporting a t-shirt noting his hatred of Cena. Cena then said he could dance...even sing tonight. He led the crowd in a brief rendition of "Deep in the Heart of Texas." That might have been the greatest moment in Raw history.

[Q5 -- second hour] Cena then said he commandeered footage of what happened at TLC last night. He rolled footage of Barrett being crushed by chairs last night. Cena said, "Wait, there's more." He said there's another...camera...angle. Cena said he has yet another...camera...angle. Punk said Cena is acting like this is cute, but how could he be proud of this? Cena said he has another angle, this time in slow motion. Another replay aired and Cena said the crowd got to see the demise of Wade Barrett four separate times. "How can you beat that bargain?" he asked rhetorically. Cena said he made a promise to take out each and every member of Nexus and it might have taken six months, but he did it. Cena turned his attention to winning the Royal Rumble and going on to WrestleMania.

Suddenly, Vickie Guerrero interrupted with Ziggler. Vickie said Cena isn't the only one who won a match last night. The crowd tried to drown out Vickie, who kept shouting, "Excuse me!" Punk said the crowd in Texas isn't very hospitable. Cena laughed and laughed as the crowd chanted, "You suck." Vickie tried to talk, but the crowd booed her away. Every time Vickie tried to talk, the crowd booed even louder. Cena finally asked the crowd to give Vickie the floor. "Silence," he requested. Vickie paused. She finally just got it out that Cena isn't the only one who won a match last night. Intense heat on Vickie. Cena noted they're a lively bunch here in Austin. (Rough football season and Austin is clearly getting out a lot of frustration.) This went on for a while and Cena finally recapped things on Vickie's behalf. Cena introduced a clip on Vickie's behalf.

The clip aired from last week's Raw when Lawler cracked jokes on Vickie. Back live, Vickie demanded an apology or else Dolph would beat him up. Cena and Lawler then traded fat jokes back and forth. Dolph finally interrupted to claim Vickie is the most-respected, most beautiful Diva in all of WWE. Cena cut him off and made a non-PG sex joke about Dolph and Vickie. Vickie finally had enough and slapped Cena across the face. Cena did a slow turn before Dolph intervened. Suddenly, the Raw GM interrupted and Cole stepped to the podium. Cole read from the GM that they should have a match tonight: Cena vs. Ziggler tonight. And that match will take place right now. The crowd roared in agreement. Punk cut a promo on Cena as he recapped the match coming up after the break. PYB (3) talk time: 11:10. Strong, intense heat on the segment, but I dislike the idea of Cena, as the lead babyface, joining in the "fat jokes" routine on Vickie. It's not honorable and felt like a bad throwback to the poopy joke routine from a few years ago.

[Commercial Break]

4 -- JOHN CENA vs. IC champion DOLPH ZIGGLER (w/Vickie Guerrero) -- non-title match

Cole complained to Lawler about doing fat jokes and Lawler justified it. Cole then complained to Lawler about trying to make himself "the show" again by getting the main event. Punk shot back that Cole came out here dressed like Ebenezer Scrooge. Cole was quiet. The crowd went after Vickie early on, so the wrestlers paused before locking up to begin the match.

[Q6] The match picked up with Ziggler taking control of the action as the crowd did a loud dueling chant. Ziggler couldn't capitalize on a series of right hand punches and Cena came back with a gutwrench suplex for a nearfall. Ziggler then punted Cena in the face after being shot off the ropes and applied a modified Crossface. The two men traded instructions in the hold and Cena came to his feet. Cena teased the Attitude Adjustment, but Ziggler came back with a face jam for a two count. They cut to break, giving Cena, Ziggler, and Vickie a big three-segment spotlight tonight in front of a hot crowd.

[Commercial Break]

Back from break, Cena and Ziggler were trading right hand blows. Cena then hit a sidewalk slam as the crowd cheered on Cena. Both men came to their feet before hitting a double knock-down clothesline. Vickie screamed at Ziggler to get up while the referee applied a ten count. Ziggler was up first and delivered a jawbreaker for a two count. Vickie screamed and stomped up and down to sell anger. Ziggler then hit a big dropkick for another nearfall. Punk noted Ziggler's aggressiveness in the match and both men likely aching after the TLC PPV last night.

Cena and Ziggler talked across the ring, then Cena fired up the Cena Comeback Routine. "This here...is vintage John Cena," Cole predictably said. Cena hit the Five Knuckle Shuffle before looking for the Attittude Adjustment. Ziggler elbowed out, though, and slapped on a sleeper. Cena escaped, then applied the STF. Ziggler fought the hold, Vickie distracted the referee, and Ziggler tapped out. Cena thought he won, but the ref said he didn't see it. Ziggler tried to capitalize with the Zig-Zag, but Cena kicked out. Finsih time. Ziggler removed the top turnbuckle pad, the ref was distracted trying to replace it, Ziggler took the IC Title belt, Cena ducked the shot, and Cena hit the Attitude Adjustment for the pin and the win as the crowd exploded.

Post-match: Punk left the announce table with a chair in hand as Cole tried to hold him back. Punk jabbed Cena in the gut, then popped him across the back with a chair shot. Punk left the ring and brushed some dirt off his jacket before leaving to the back. Back in the ring, Cena, who didn't sell for long, stood up with those determined eyes and sold that he sees the battle lines have been drawn.

WINNER: Cena at 13:23. This turned into the Cena-Dolph-Vickie show for about 30 minutes and it made for some very good TV playing to the audience. The match was good with an extended Cena singles formula match and a hot crowd buying into the action. As for the post-match, a Cena vs. Punk feud appears to be one way to bridge the gap between TLC and the Rumble. (**1/2)

[Commercial Break]

[Q7]

Backstage: Punk was leaving and Josh Mathews caught up to him. Punk said he was just giving Cena a taste of his own medicine for the aggression he showed Wade Barrett last night. Apparently Punk is clocking out for the night, as he sped off. So, Cole will be alone on commentary for the main event.

Locker Room: Lawler was shown getting ready for the six-man tag main event while holding his crown. King Sheamus barged in and talked down to Lawler, who said he's been the King since 1974. (Lawler talking in a backstage pre-tape was somewhat surreal.) Sheamus cut off Lawler's "history speech" and claimed the King is dead. "Long live the King," he said. Lawler acted unaffected.

Backstage: Vickie Guerrero said she is so embarrassed by what happened. Ziggler said he is challenging Cena to a re-match tomorrow night on Smackown. Vickie said she can make that happen as the official Smackdown consultant. She then booked a handicap match for tomorrow night: Cena vs. Ziggler..."and me." Vickie stomped off with the match set for the live Smackdown tomorrow night.

In-ring: WWE champion The Miz and Alex Riley were the first two men out for the main event 24 minutes before the top of the hour. Cole set the stage for the main event on the other side of the break.

[Commercial Break]

Arena: Back live, Cole officially plugged Cena vs. Ziggler & Vickie for Smackdown tomorrow night. Cole noted Miz is everywhere - ESPN, CNN, Fox News, NBC - before rolling footage from "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" on Wednesday with Miz showing off the WWE Title belt. In the ring, Miz admired his work on Fallon's show before Sheamus came out to join Miz and Riley. First out for the babyface trio was #1 contender John Morrison. Cole talked up the ladder match between Morrison and Sheamus last night at TLC. They randomly cut to a shot of Sheamus talking to the referee while Miz and Riley seemed to break character a bit listening intently. Jerry Lawler was out next to join Morrison as they replayed Lawler decking Riley. Josh Mathews joined Cole on commentary as Randy Orton's music hit to another strong reaction. Orton quickly made his way to the ring and did the Stone Cold pose in the corner before the bell sounded to start the main event.

[Q8]

5 -- RANDY ORTON & JOHN MORRISON & JERRY LAWLER vs. WWE champion THE MIZ & ALEX RILEY & SHEAMUS

Each team jockeyed for position looking at the match-ups to see who should start things off. They teased Miz vs. Orton, but Miz tagged out to Riley. Orton quickly took control on Riley before tagging in Morrison, who pounded on Riley. Morrison landed some hard European uppercuts before tagging in Lawler. Lawler with a boot to the gut, then a dropkick. Yes, a dropkick from Lawler. Cole heeled on Lawler "putting himself in the spotlight" as Mathews said it's the pot calling the kettle black. Miz tagged in for the heels, then Orton tagged in, and Miz ran away wanting nothing to do with Orton. Sheamus accepted Miz's desperation tag, then slowly entered the ring to circle around Orton. They cut to break.

[Commercial Break]

Back live, the heels were working over Lawler trying to use a numbers game to their advantage. Lawler eventually broke free from Sheamus and tagged in Morrison, who sold the left knee injury after a corner attack. Morrison tried to fight it off before nailing the Flying Chuck. Morrison tried to finish off Sheamus with Starship Pain, but Sheamus cut him off and Morrison ate the middle turnbuckle. The heels began working over Morrison's left knee and cut off a few attempted hot tags to either Lawler or Orton. The crowd bought each of the teases, building anticipation for the big hot tag to Orton at 13:00. Miz also tagged in and he was trapped having to face Orton. Orton went nuts on Miz with a snap powerslam and an Angle Slam. Orton followed with the elevated spike DDT off the second rope for a nearfall.

The action broke down with bodies starting to fly. Orton stalked Miz for the RKO, but Riley snuck in, so he took the RKO. Miz then blindsided Orton with a kick that sent Orton flying to the corner. Lawler blind-tagged in and Miz nearly dropped him with the Skullcrushing Finale, but Orton caught Miz from behind with the RKO with the ref preoccupied with Riley. Lawler then pinned Miz and Mathews noted Lawler has pinned the WWE champion. Orton and Lawler celebrated in the ring together as Cole said he can't believe this.

WINNERS: Team Lawler at 14:18. One of those traditional Raw six-man tag main events where the faces get revenge on the heels for past wrongdoings. Lawler got his "win" on Miz for Raw three weeks ago, Orton got a measure of revenge on Miz with an RKO for TLC last night, and they kept something for Smackdown tomorrow night with Orton getting Miz one-on-one again. Fine action that overall served its purpose. (**1/4)

[Q9 -- over-run] Post-match: the Raw GM buzzed. Cole stepped to the podium and plugged Smackdown tomorrow night live on USA Network. The GM re-announced the handicap match before adding a new match. WWE champion The Miz vs. Randy Orton live on Smackdown. No word on whether it's for the title. Miz then jumped Orton from behind in the ring. Riley helped Miz escape an RKO, then Miz ran away to the stage. The cameras went back and forth between Miz and Orton as Miz smirked and Orton huffed and puffed. They were only two minutes into the over-run here.

The announcers plugged Vickie & Dolph vs. Cena on Smackdown again. Cole plugged that "WWE continues on USA" tomorrow night. More back and forth shots of Miz and Orton as the announcers stretched some more. They finally signed off three minutes into the over-run. Was that the shortest over-run of the year? It appears the Cena-Vickie-Dolph segment caused another segment being cut out, which led to the main event starting and finishing earlier than scheduled.

FINAL THOUGHTS: Strong show (after those first five minutes where it looked like a potential disaster of a night). It helped having a hot crowd that bought into almost everything from start to finish and helped create a memorable segment with Cena and Vickie. That said, I don't agree with the direction of Cena's character if they're going to have him re-visit the "poopy jokes era" and all that comes with it. ... It was good they limited the Royal Rumble mentions to let the TLC PPV breathe since they have six total weeks of TV to build toward the Rumble. They were more focused on trying to create synergy with Smackdown and pop a rating for the special episode tomorrow night. At least the Smackdown cameos were kept to just Ziggler and Vickie on Raw tonight. WWE putting Cena, Orton, and Miz (for the second straight week) on Smackdown tomorrow night shows how much confidence WWE and USA Network have in the star power department for the blue brand. ... As for Nexus, smart move taking them off TV this week. WWE needs a firm next chapter for them and this wasn't the week to hit the re-start button.

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