WWE Raw Supershow Results
May 21, 2012 - Episode #990
Live in Richmond, Va.
Aired on USA Network
Report by James Caldwell, PWTorch assistant editor

This week's live WWE Raw the night after Over the Limit started with a video package on John Laurinaitis stepping back into the ring at the PPV last night. They showed still-shots of Laurinaitis in his track suit, Cena beating up Laurinaitis, and Laurinaitis being degraded as the announcers cackled and narrated. The video transitioned to still-shots of Big Show dragging Laurinaitis back into the ring, then Show helping Laurinaitis beat Cena.

Live in the arena, the crowd was very quiet. Suddenly, John Cena's music played to bring out a very mad and determined Cena. Cena quickly hit the ring and paced around before stammering that he's had a lot of these matches. He said he can't move on from last night, though. "What the hell happened?!" Cena shouted. He paused before saying Laurinaitis beat him. Cena said it's not how it happened, but why it would happen in the first place. "Gaaaaahhhh!" he shouted. Cena said Laurinaitis is a selfish, power-hungry, bully. Last night, Laurinaitis got a taste of his own medicine. He said they were having a blast last night. And, they all knew he was going to be gone. (All Cena had to do was score a pin at any point. But, he's blaming Big Show.) Cena said Show put his giant hand around Laurinaitis's scrawny neck, then he gave Show a nod that he had this one, and Show gave him Laurinaitis. But, then Show - a man he used to call a friend - knocked him out cold. Cena tried to explain to the "experts" that he didn't beat Laurinaitis early in the match and get it over with because Show would have got him anyways. Cena paused for the crowd to react, but they were silent since that didn't make any sense since Laurinaitis still would have been fired even if Show got him after the match.

Cena got the crowd back cutting a promo on Show, then said they should bring the computer back - anything is better than Laurinaitis as GM. Cena, doing one of his voices, said the first email from the GM would have been re-hiring Show. Now, they are stuck with this People's Power garbage. Cena then did Laurinaitis's voice about what they can expect from now on. "This is crap!" he shouted.

Suddenly, Laurinaitis's presidential music played to bring out Eve, apparently to reprimand Cena for mocking Laurinaitis's voice. Cena sarcastically said Laurinaitis got really hot, but still sucks. Eve ignored the jab, then introduced Laurinaitis. Out came Laurinaitis on a motorized scooter selling injuries from the PPV last night. Eve helped Laurinaitis to his feet, and Laurinaitis said he was rushed to the emergency room after their match last night. He listed his possible injuries to his knees, back, and head before announcing that anyone who touches him will be immediately terminated. He then introduced the man who this past Saturday, he re-hired and gave a great bonus to. He said this man will face Cena at No Way Out. Out came Big Show. So, if Show was re-hired before the PPV, wouldn't that mean he's fired since he was a WWE Superstar interfering in the match on Sunday? What are the chances of the fictional Board recognizing this?

[Q2] Show walked out on-stage and said no one is entitled to an explanation from him. He said that last week on Raw, he was on his knees begging for his job. Show said no one loves this business or the fans more than he does. He was so upset that he actually found himself crying. The fans chanted, "You're a sell-out." He said he got no sympathy from anyone. Show screamed that he did what he had to do and did what everyone else would have done. "I have an iron-clad contract now and I'm proud of it," he said. Show shouted at Cena and the fans for judging him. Show took a deep breath, then quietly told Cena, "How dare you." Cena just shook his head and looked away. Show said he will judge Cena on June 17. He told Cena that he's going to knock him out.

Exit Show. Enter David Otunga. Otunga walked out on-stage dressed to wrestle while draped in a coat. Otunga noted Cena lost to his boss, and now it's time he loses to him. Cena told Otunga that he's not in the mood. He told Otunga to go watch re-runs of Law & Order - big crowd reaction - because if he gets in the ring with him tonight, he promises he's going to hurt Otunga. "So be it," Otunga retorted. Cena started to prepare for the match before Otunga paused to dedicate this match to Laurinaitis. Otunga then posed on the stage before slowly making his way to the ring as they cut to break 19 minutes in.

[Commercial Break]

Moments Ago: Show threatened to KO Cena at No Way Out.

1 -- JOHN CENA vs. DAVID OTUNGA

Once the bell sounded, Otunga ducked under the ropes to avoid a charging Cena as Laurinaitis and Eve were shown on-stage. Otunga eventually bailed to the outside to avoid Cena, who glared down at Otunga, then engaged in a game of cat and mouse. The crowd started a dueling "Let's Go Cena / Cena Sucks" chant before Otunga caught Cena back in the ring. As Michael Cole played heel announcer, Cena made a comeback. Cena then did the You Can't See Me wave towards Laurinaitis on-stage before dropping Otunga with the AA. Cena followed with the STF for a quick tap-out.

WINNER: Cena via submission at 1:59.

Post-match: Curt Hawkins & Tyler Reks, then Titus O'Neil & D-Young immediately hit the ring to ambush Cena. World champ Sheamus then hit the ring to help Cena clear the ring, including launching Hawkins over the top rope onto the other heels. Cena and Sheamus were left alone in the ring, then Laurinaitis pulled himself up and asked the heels what they were doing. He said he didn't give them permission and told him to hit the showers. Laurinaitis then addressed Cena and Sheamus. He said the audience must like to see them in action, so they're going to be teaming up in a tag match tonight. He booked them in a two-on-three handicap match, which drew a smile from Sheamus. Laurinaitis said the magic words "first-time-ever on Raw" that it will be a two-on-three handicap lumberjack match. Cole tried to get out a question about who the three men are. Eve then helped Laurinaitis to the back as Cena and Sheamus stood tall in the ring.

Still to come: Randy Orton vs. Alberto Del Rio. Cole said it could have implications on who's next in-line for the World Title. Also still to come: Daniel Bryan plans to call out C.M. Punk tonight on Raw regarding the finish to their title match last night.

[Commercial Break...]

[...Q3] Back live, Justin Roberts introduced Ricardo Rodriguez to introduce Alberto Del Rio, but Santino's music interrupted to bring out the U.S. champ. Cole noted Santino and Ricardo had a segment on Santino's show on YouTube over the weekend. Santino ran down Ricardo's accent and eyebrows before saying he thinks Ricardo doesn't know anything about the "art of introductioners." This led to a battle of rolling their r's. Santino cut it off by scaring Ricardo with the Cobra. He joked that his finisher is stupid and asked Ricardo why he's so scared. Santino then warmed up the Cobra, teased Ricardo, and poked him in the throat. Cue up Del Rio's music. Santino did the long-form Del Rio intro as the camera stayed on Santino. Santino rolled his r's, took a breath, and finished it. They cut to a shot of Cole and Lawler on-camera. Cole made the TV announcement that Raw is about to celebrate 1,000 episodes.

Cue up a brief WWE Network-style video package on Raw surpassing Law & Order, Simpsons, Lassie, and Gunsmoke for 1,000 episodes. The video noted Raw "begins a new era" as a three-hour "extravaganza" on July 23. Lawler said Raw will be live and three hours every week from then on. During the video, Del Rio made his ring entrance and began making his way to the ring. Del Rio hit the ring and scared away Santino as Cole plugged Del Rio vs. Orton up next on Raw.

[Commercial Break]

Back live, Del Rio was staring into the crowd with a scowl after apparently smelling something foul. Randy Orton then made his way to the ring to a strong reaction as the camera focused on a cut on the bridge of Orton's nose from Over the Limit last night. Suddenly, Lawler brought up a logical question - why wasn't Big Show fired at Over the Limit if he signed a contract on Saturday to be re-instated as a WWE Superstar? Cole responded that Show had a deal in-place Saturday, but he didn't sign it until the wee hours of Monday morning. So, Cole - a staunch defender of Laurinaitis - is indirectly calling Laurinaitis a liar for claiming in the opening segment that he signed Big Show on Saturday? The bell sounded before Lawler could retort to Cole's attempted storyline explanation.

2 -- RANDY ORTON vs. ALBERTO DEL RIO

Orton scored with early offense before Del Rio cleared Orton to the outside. They cut to an early commercial break.

[Q4] [Commercial Break]

Back from break, Del Rio was working over Orton in the ring. Orton teased a comeback, but Del Rio kicked him in the back. Del Rio then charged Orton near the ropes, but Orton ducked and Del Rio went flying through the ropes to the outside. Del Rio re-entered the ring and ate a powerslam from a fired-up Orton. Orton then set up Del Rio for the second-rope DDT and connected. The women were screaming at this point. Orton then went to That Place to set up for the RKO, but Chris Jericho snuck in the back-door to drop Orton with the Codebreaker for a DQ.

Post-match: Jericho, in leather pants, glared down at Orton, who sold a head injury. Del Rio was out of the picture by this point. Jericho waited out "You Suck" chants before grabbing a mic. Jericho slowly said in a low voice that he's the best in the world at what he does. Jericho repeated it, but louder. "Do you understand?!" he shouted at Orton. Jericho then dropped Orton with another codebreaker before pounding the mat next to Orton. Jericho stood up and glared into the crowd before repeating that he's the best in the world. Jericho teased leaving, but picked up Orton one more time. Jericho delivered a third Codebreaker, then his music played. Jericho left the ring, still glaring at Orton on the way out.

WINNER: Orton via DQ at 7:20. Unless WWE books Jericho vs. Orton on Friday's Smackdown, it looks like Jericho-Orton at No Way Out to give Jericho a fresh, singles match opponent and keep Orton away from World champ Sheamus until perhaps Summerslam. Of course, WWE could book Jericho-Orton on Smackdown, then book a re-match at No Way Out.

Backstage: Daniel Bryan was shown walking down the hallway. He's going to call out C.M. Punk at the top of the hour.

[Commercial Break]

Smackdown Plug: The Spike TV voice-over man for Impact Wrestling plugged Over the Limit fall-out on Friday's Smackdown.

In-ring: Two minutes before the top of the hour, Daniel Bryan's music played to bring out D-Bryan. Cole said Bryan believes he got screwed last night. Cole and Lawler debated the finish to Bryan-Punk, with Cole taking Bryan's side. Once in the ring, Bryan frowned and stared into the crowd as referee Armstrong got out of the shot. Bryan said last night at Over the Limit, there was a great injustice. He said he should be standing here as new WWE champion.

[Q5 -- second hour] Bryan went to the Tron for footage of Punk tapping out after the ref called for the bell on Bryan pinned. Who needs to order the PPV when they show everything the next night? Bryan did a rhetorical Q&A session. He asked the crowd if he made Punk tap out. The crowd shouted, "Yes!" Asked if he should be WWE champion, the crowd said, "No!" Bryan asked the crowd if he will make Punk tap out if he faces him again. The crowd chanted, "No!" Bryan said the only reason why he is not WWE champion right now is because of the gross incompetence of one referee and he demands a re-match.

Cue up Cult of Personality to bring out WWE champion C.M. Punk to a strong reaction. Punk stood on-stage and said he wants to set the record straight. Punk said it was a great battle, but Bryan is forgetting that he beat him one, two, three in the center of the ring. "I made you tap!" Bryan mouthed. Punk then went back to Friday's Smackdown for a clip of Bryan popping Kane with a chair to give Punk a DQ loss, then Kane assaulting Punk when Kane thought Punk hit him with a chair.

Back live, Punk was on the entrance ramp. He shook his head and said that was pretty clever. Punk said he would love nothing more than to introduce Bryan to his opponent tonight. Cue up the pyro, and out came Kane for a...babyface role? Also, Punk joined the announcers for commentary.

3 -- DANIEL BRYAN vs. KANE

Bryan tried to attack Kane early on, but Kane cut him off and landed corner offense before Bryan came back with a flying dropkick. Bryan then went for a top-rope move, but Kane intercepted. Bryan escaped a chokeslam, then dumped Kane over the top rope to the floor. Bryan followed with a suicide dive right in front of the announcers. Punk then dropped his headset to get a closer look at the action. Punk taunted Bryan with a chair shot, then tried to hit Kane, but Bryan stole the chair. Kane then got up and saw Bryan holding the chair. Bryan dropped the chair, then Kane smacked Bryan and picked up the chair. Kane smashed Bryan over and over with the chair, causing a DQ.

Post-match: Kane rolled Bryan back into the ring and grabbed Bryan for a chokeslam. Kane delivered it center-ring as Punk sarcastically said he really feels Bryan's pain right now. Kane then delivered another chokeslam. "One more time!" the crowd chanted, but Kane stuck to his heel roots by ignoring the crowd and leaving the ring. On commentary, Punk noted someone needs to check on Bryan. He then entered the ring to "check on" Bryan. After pretending to check on Bryan, he slapped on the Vice and Bryan tapped out over and over. Punk released, then shouted, "Yes!" over and over as Bryan sold on the mat.

WINNER: Bryan via DQ at 1:49.

Still to come tonight: Cena & Sheamus in a handicap lumberjack match.

[Commercial Break]

[Q6] Backstage: Punk was shown walking down the hallway. Suddenly, A.J. caught up with Punk and had something to say. She said she really enjoyed watching him beat up D-Bryan last night. Punk asked if she's sadistic rather than crazy. A.J. got flustered, then Punk asked her if she knows she's been acting like a fool this whole time. A.J. turned her back and started crying, leaving Punk flustered. Punk tried calming down A.J., who continued to cry. Punk brought her in for a hug to try to console her. "Everything's going to be fine," Punk dryly repeated. A.J. then pulled away and looked normal...well...kind of normal again. Punk leaned in and said he digs crazy chicks. Punk left, and A.J. went back to crying.

Raw Replay: WWE strategically placed a sponsored replay usually reserved for coming out of a break after the backstage segment. The replay was of Paul Heyman and Triple H's promo exchange last week on Raw. Back live, Cole said Hunter is currently meeting with WWE's Board to determine how to handle Heyman and Brock Lesnar's lawsuit threats. Lawler defended Hunter, but Cole said this is a fight Hunter is not used to.

In-ring: Justin Roberts gave a long introduction for Christian returning to Raw for the first time in eight weeks, solidifying Christian as a face. Out came the new IC champion sporting the belt around his waist. Cole said Christian is in action next.

[Commercial Break]

4 -- IC champion CHRISTIAN vs. JINDER MAHAL -- non-title match

Back live, Jinder Mahal was completing his ring introduction before entering the ring. Christian started with early offense before Mahal dumped Christian to the outside. Back in the ring, Mahal worked over Christian as Lawler cracked a Booker T joke that made Cole snort. Christian came back with successive clotheslines before slapping Mahal across the face. Christian went to the second rope and delivered a flying European Uppercut.

Christian wanted the Killswitch, but Mahal blocked and landed a knee to the face. Mahal then wanted the Camel Clutch, but Christian slid underneath Mahal and delivered the Killswitch. Christian wasn't done, though, as he went up top for a big frogsplash for the pin and the win. Cole called it a new addition to his repertoire. Christian stood tall in victory before posing for the crowd as Cole plugged the handicap main event still to come.

WINNER: Christian at 3:16.

Backstage: Kelly Kelly was shown walking down the hallway. Lawler plugged her inclusion in Maxim's Top 100 list before announcing Kelly vs. Beth Phoenix up next.

[Commercial Break]

[Q7]

Back live, Cole and Lawler talked about Big Show's actions at Over the Limit last night. They replayed events from earlier tonight when Show vowed to KO John Cena at No Way Out.

5 -- KELLY KELLY vs. BETH PHOENIX

Kelly was out first followed by a peeved Phoenix following her Divas Title match loss to Layla last night. A few moments in, they cut to a shot of Layla watching the match on a backstage monitor. Kelly made a comeback on Beth, but Beth cut off a corner handspring with a forearm smash. Beth followed with the Glam Slam for the pin and the win. Layla sold concern backstage afterward.

WINNER: Phoenix at 2:28. Beth is back on track for an apparent re-match against Layla.

Backstage: Costanza a/k/a John Laurinaitis was shown motoring down the hallway with a big smile on his face. He'll be appearing next for the main event handicap lumberjack match.

DVD plug: The new Clash of the Champions DVD was plugged before they went to break.

[Commercial Break]

A Raw #1,000 video brought the show back from break. Cole claimed they have been *live* every Monday night for nearly 20 straight years. In actuality, WWE taped two or three Raws at a time in the early years.

In-ring: Sheamus came to the ring before John Cena came out to join the World champ. Suddenly, Vickie Guerrero's voice interrupted. Vickie excused herself before saying she is thrilled to still be part of the People Power era. She excused herself again before saying she is honored to introduce Jack Swagger and Dolph Ziggler as two-thirds of the team that will teach Cena and Sheamus a lesson tonight.

[Q8] The duo posed on the stage before Lord Tensai's music played to bring out Sakamoto, followed by Tensai. No outfit for Tensai, who has also dropped "Lord" from his name. Tensai stomped right to the ring, ignoring Swagger and Ziggler. As the heels completed their intro, all of the heels from the locker room came out to surround the ring as lumberjack. Lawler noted there isn't a single friend for Cena and Sheamus out here.

6 -- World Hvt. champion SHEAMUS & JOHN CENA vs. TENSAI (w/Sakamoto) & JACK SWAGGER & DOLPH ZIGGLER (w/Vickie Guerrero) -- two-on-three handicap match -- lumberjack match

Less than a minute into the match, Laurinaitis walked out on-stage and stood on a crutch. The faces absorbed an early attack before Swagger got cocky and did too much posing, allowing Cena to destroy Swagger with a clothesline. Swagger scampered over to his corner and tagged in Tensai, who attacked Cena as the crowd taunted him with "Albert" chants. Sheamus then tagged in and Tensai blasted him to the outside. The lumberjacks fought Sheamus, so Sheamus tackled half of the jacks before Jericho grabbed Sheamus's foot to slow him down re-entering the ring. Tensai used the "help" to cut off Sheamus and begin a three-on-one attack. They cut to break five minutes in.

[Commercial Break]

Back from break, the heels were still working over Sheamus. Tensai blasted Sheamus with a corner splash before throwing Sheamus to the outside for the jacks to inflict damage. Sheamus tried fighting them all off before rolling back into the ring. Swagger followed up on the jacks's attack as the ref put one medical glove on. No sign of blood in the ring, though, as the heels continued working over Sheamus. Ref Robinson put the other medical glove on before WWE cut to a shot of Big Show wandering out on-stage. Cole said in the "wee hours of this morning," Show was re-signed to a contract by Laurinaitis. They cut to a shot of Lord Tensai bleeding from the forehead as he waited on the ring apron while Swagger and Sheamus brought the match to a standstill.

[Q9 -- over-run] Tensai tagged in and blasted away at Sheamus, who tried fighting back from his knees. The crowd fired up as Sheamus landed offense, but Tensai cut him off and scored a two count. And, another tag, this time to Ziggler. Swagger tagged back in moments later. Sheamus fought out of the corner again, then delivered a rolling sentaun to Swagger. The crowd went nuts when Cena finally hot-tagged into the match and cleaned house on Ziggler, who also tagged in.

Cena set up for the Five Knuckle Shufle, but the heel lumberjacks suddenly jumped Sheamus, prompting Cena to go flying over the top rope splashing the jacks on the outside. The jacks eventually rolled Cena back into the ring, then joined Cena in the ring to maul and dismantle Cena and Sheamus, causing chaos.

WINNER: No Decision when the brawl occurred at 15:10. This was a match made for the DVR with an extended, extended beat down on Sheamus.

Suddenly, babyfaces stormed the ring, led by WWE champion C.M. Punk. The faces cleared the ring until Great Khali finally hit the ring a minute later. In the chaos, Cena left the ring and went up the ramp looking for Big Show. Bodies flew in and out of the ring before Punk took control in the ring.

WWE cut backstage to show Cena finding Laurinaitis and demanding to know where Big Show is. Laurinaitis shouted that he doesn't know, but if he touches him, he'll fire him. Cena stood his ground and clenched his jaw before turning around to take a big KO Punch from Show. Show stood over Cena, then walked down the hallway as the show ended four minutes past the top of the hour.

***

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