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KELLER’S WWE RAW REPORT
NOVEMBER 26, 2012
AIRED LIVE ON USA NETWORK
[Q1]
-The video package opening the show first focused on the A.J. Lee-John Cena affair followed by clips of “the three renegades” attacking Ryback last week.
-No Raw opening, no pyro. They went straight to Ryback’s ring entrance as Michael Cole introduced Raw. As Ryback entered the ring, they went to Cole and Jerry Lawler at ringside. Cole said he interviewed one of the three “NXT upstarts” and it’ll air later. He said he offers a manifesto.
(WK Reax: At some point soon, for the majority who have no idea of the credentials or skills of the “NXT upstarts,” they either need to show they can really talk or they are great athletes – or both. Otherwise fans will see them like the old TNA Red Shirt Security or the Aces & Eights nameless, faceless thugs.)
(1) Ryback pinned Titus O’Neill in 3:00. A distraction at ringside by Darren Young led to Titus slamming Ryback and scoring a near fall. Ryback knocked Titus into Young when he stood on the ring apron, knocking Young hard to the floor. Ryback then gave Titus his Shellshock for the win.
(WK Reax: Disappointing to see Titus jobbed out. After last week’s strong performance on the mic during commentary, he should have been protected for a future climb up the ladder to meet Ryback “for the first time,” not defined down as basically Primo. I get Ryback dominates almost everyone, but Titus is undefined at this point as being significantly below Ryback. This match finish and the brevity of the match and the fact that it was tossed out there without any hype establishes, needlessly, that Titus is no big deal. Not that he can’t be rebuilt a year or two from now, but WWE shouldn’t be sacrificing needlessly potential breakout acts at this point.)
-A winded Ryback said after the match he’s going to stand in the ring all night until he gets what he wants. He led the crowd in a chant of “Feed Me More.” Lawler asked if he was serious. [c]
-A group of five yellow-shirted security staff walked to the ring to order Ryback out of the ring. Ryback was still chanting “Feed Me More” after the break. We’ll have to find out from live correspondents if he chanted that for over three minutes straight during the break. Ryback tossed one of them out of the ring. The other four backed out.
Vickie Guerrero stepped onto the stage and told Ryback she cannot let him toss around her security or hold her show hostage. He interrupted and said he wants C.M. Punk at the TLC pay-per-view “and I ain’t going anywhere until I get it.” She said he has every right to be angry and in the interest of fairness he can have that match, but “please leave the ring.” Ryback told her to shut up because he wasn’t finished speaking. He said he wanted it to be “Tables, Ladders, and Chairs.” He said, “I swear, if you don’t give me what I want…” She tried to interrupt and he again told her to “shut up.” She said fine, but he has to agree to leave the ring. Security approached Ryback again. He stared at four of them. The crowd chanted “Feed Me More” again. He made a quick half step toward them and all four bailed out. Lawler said, “Can you blame them?” Cole said Vickie had no choice but to give Ryback what he wanted.
(WK Reax: Ryback actually came across as a jerk to Vickie, and that’s hard to accomplish. The way he told her he wasn’t done and twice telling her to “shut up” just came across as being a jerk, a bully, and even a bit of a control-freak crybaby. I did finally realize that Ryback sounds like Kevin from “The Office.” That’s not a good thing.)
[Q2]
-They went to Cole and Lawler at ringside. They said Rosa Mendez was irate over being “Swoggled” by Hornswoggle. They showed a clip of it.
-Backstage Rosa yelled at Hornswoggle. He said it was just a joke. He added, “Who in their right mind would want to kiss you and give you flowers. What a joke.” Rosa continued to rant and rave. Alberto Del Rio walked up to Rosa and told her not to “let this piece of trash bother you.” He said Hornswoggle is just upset “because he knows no real woman will ever take him serious.” He said if Rosa wants revenge, he’d be more than happy to help her. The Great Khali spun Del Rio around and told him to leave his friend alone. Del Rio backed off.
-Del Rio’s ring entrance took place. [c]
(1) Alberto Del Rio (w/Ricardo Rodrigues) beat The Great Khali in 4:00. Cole asked Lawler if he thinks there’s something going on between Del Rio and Rosa. He asked if it’s “another scandal, perhaps?” Del Rio worked over Khali’s arm for a couple minutes. Khali made a comeback with a chop, but then noticed Ricardo on the ring apron. He turned to Ricardo who bailed out to the floor. Hornswoggle bit his butt and chased him to the back, with his teeth locked on his butt the whole way. Del Rio attacked Khali with a round kick to the arm, then applied the Cross Armbreaker for the tap out win.
(WK Reax: Lawler did a nice job trying to sell the idea that Del Rio making Khali tap was a big accomplishment. When Cole speculated about a romance between Del Rio and Rosa, he asked if it’s “another scandal.” Why would a grown man and grown woman establishing a romance be a “scandal?”)
-Punk walked up to Vickie backstage and angrily asked her about giving Ryback a TLC match at the TLC PPV. He said he’s 2-0 against him, so he shouldn’t get another match. He asked if she has any idea the danger she put him in. Paul Heyman said Vickie must at least admit that they have a legitimate gripe. He said her mind may be distracted by the A.J.-Cena scandal. She said she’s thinking clearly. She said she’s biased against Cena, so to cover her tracks, she’s being biased against Punk as well. Vickie then said she’s giving Ryback a rematch because of what happened the first two times they wrestled. She referenced “his boys” attacking Ryback. Punk exclaimed those aren’t his boys. Heyman said, “Innocent until proven guilty.” Punk said he’s as curious as anyone what they have to say. Vickie said he has to wrestle first against the winner of the RawActive poll determining whether he faces Daniel Bryan or Kane.
(WK Reax: Good to see Vickie taking a stand against Punk for the way he beat Ryback. They should have had her speak out about that last week, but better this week than never. Whomever the WWE Board puts in charge must give off some semblance of competency when it comes to trying to create an even playing field for the competitors.)
[Q3]
-Cole and Lawler plugged the poll, then Cole said his interview with the NXT upstarts was next. [c]
-Cole and Lawler threw to the prerecorded sit-down interview he conducted with Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins, and Roman Reigns.
-Cole said he has had the chance to work with them at the developmental territory, NXT, but it feels odd to talk to them like this. When Cole said some people are asking something, Ambrose interrupted and said if he has a question, just ask. Cole asked if they are working for Punk. Ambrose said no. Cole asked if they’re not working for Punk, why are they there. Rollins said that’s the question he should be asking. He said they saw things crystal clearly in NXT, which is the hierarchy of how everyone has to answer to Vickie or Booker T, and they answer to the WWE Board, and the WWE Board has to ultimately answer to the “almighty WWE Universe.” He said that makes WWE a popularity contest, and that’s wrong.
He said they saw things heading in the wrong direction, so they righted those wrongs. He said they’re a shield from injustice in WWE. Cole said everything they’ve done so far has benefited Punk. Ambrose said it’s not about benefiting Punk, it’s about what’s right and wrong. He said it was wrong Punk had to defend his title against two men he had already defeated. He said they would have intervened on behalf of any of those three if they were in that position.
Cole asked for Roman’s take. He simply said, “When I want to say somethin’, I’ll say it.” Ambrose said he hears what he’s saying and reading everything that’s being written.
(Quotebook – Dean Ambrose: “We know what you guys are thinking. We’re not renegades. We’re not mercenaries. We’re not The Nexus. If you’re looking for the NWO, go buy the DVD. We’re about principles. We’re about honor. Where honor no longer exists, we’re going to step in… We are The Shield.”)
Roman then stood and said he now has something to say. He said they’ve said enough and the interview is over. They tore off their mics and walked away.
(WK Reax: Strong opening promo. Just enough questions answered and just enough left a mystery. Ambrose was really good on the mic, really standing out as something other than a typical “pro wrestler promo” sounding vocal style. Wrestling needs more people who seem like they are in it for themselves and not in it to get themselves over or entertain. On Twitter, Gabe Saposlky wrote: “Since a few of you asked, I think it was a good introductory interview, but didn’t even scratch the surface of their potential.” He of course worked with Ambrose and Rollins previously.)
-Back live, Cole said he believes what they’re saying, that they’re trying to make a name for themselves and right what they feel is wrong and there’s no affiliation with Punk. Lawler disagreed strongly and said he’s not buying it. Lawler and Cole plugged that Vickie would have a special guest for Cena and A.J. later. Cole plugged the RawActive poll. [c]
[Q4]
-A Fandango vignette aired. Looked like a scene out of “Dancing With the Stars.” He said there’s a need to be graceful, have passion, and think on your feet. “Follow my lead and watch your step,” he closed with.
(3) Tamina pinned Alicia Fox in 2:00. During her ring intro, an inset interview aired with Tamina saying if there’s one thing she doesn’t like, it’s a woman who doesn’t know her place. She said she hopes A.J. is watching because this match is a warning for her not to mess with Vickie again. Throughout the match Cole continued to try to talk Lawler into taking what The Shield said at face value. Tamina dominated most of the match and won with the top rope splash.
(WK Reax: Smart to give Tamina a squash win since she’s feuding with A.J. It’s good to establish her signature moves and just a sense that she’s a tough wrestler.)
-Photos aired of Eve, Layla, R-Truth, and Miz visiting U.S. troops in Afgahnistan last week.
-They showed Cena heading to the entrance tunnel to be addressed by Vickie in the ring next. [c]
-Cena made his full ring entrance as Justin Roberts introduced him. Cena said everyone has been asking if A.J. is good kisser. He said a gentleman doesn’t kiss and tell. Vickie came out and called it a “disgusting lust scene” last week. She said it confirms that he and A.J. have been having an affair. She said she’s in a holiday mood and she has a gift for Cena and A.J. Cena said, “Please say the gift is you’re retiring.” Vickie handed him a box with a ribbon on it. She revealed matching bathrobes. Cena stepped back and said, “I have no idea where that’s been.” She said it’s a token of her appreciation and love for them so they can bask in the honeymoon phase “while it lasts.” She said one thing she’s going to enjoy more than watching them squirm week after week is watching them implode when their whole world crashes down on them. She said A.J. is psychotic. Vickie listed crazy things she did, including proposing to Punk without ever going on a date with him. “Who does that?!” she said. She said even Kane confirmed she’s not stable. A.J.’s music interrupted.
[Q5]
Vickie asked A.J. if she came out to deny she’s acted like “a panting love-sick puppy” anytime a guy gave her any attention backstage. A.J. didn’t deny that. She said she’s right. She said she’s trying to become a better person, then asked Vickie if she knows what that means to become a better person. A.J. said thanks to Vickie, she’s not G.M. anymore, so therefore she can date whomever she wants. She smiled and shrugged her shoulders. She said she can do whatever she wants now. She then leaned over to Cena and touched his nose flirtatiously. She then patted him on his ass. Cena dropped the mic in a slapstick reaction. She then moved in for a kiss. Vickie said, “Okay, okay, okay, I get it! Move on.” A.J. said because of Vickie, a G.M. can’t do that with talent anymore, which hurts her chances because “being a boss is the only way you’d ever land a man.” A.J. said she’s not a lovesick puppy anymore. She got in Vickie’s face and said, “Between the two of us, there’s only one female dog in this ring.” Vickie got mad, but Dolph Ziggler’s music interrupted them.
Ziggler walked onto the stage and referred to what happened as an episode of “The Jerry Springer Show.” He said they’re losing sight of the real story, which is that Cena can’t deal with the fact that he tackled him last week through a bathroom wall and he just took it. He talked about A.J. shoving her tongue down Cena’s throat last week, but “you know she was thinking about me the entire time.” Cena said that’s funny. He said he knows several things – the sun will rise tomorrow, this is Monday Night Raw, and he’s about to walk over to him and shove that briefcase down his throat. Vickie said he won’t let them fight on the stage. She then booked an official match between them.
(WK Reax: Cena was the worst part of that skit. He was just too slapstick in how he reacted to everything, but then again it’s not high-art he’s ruining or anything. That’s a big match to give away, so my hunch is it’s not a full-fledged showcase match, but gets interrupted or cut off early somehow.)
-Cole and Lawler plugged Sheamus vs. Antonio Cesaro. [c]
-A clip aired of Robert Griffin III being presented with a WWE spinner belt. Cole said it’s a tradition for the Washington Redskins to present a WWE belt to their MVP.
-Wade Barrett joined Cole and Lawler on commentary. He said he’ll be facing Kofi Kingston for the IC Title at TLC.
(3) Kofi Kingston pinned Tensai in 3:00 after a top rope cross body block. Afterward Barrett entered the ring and presented Kingston with the title. Then he left with a smug smile on his face.
[Q6]
-Backstage Daniel Bryan said people like him, and he has proof. Kane said he has no proof because he’s going to win. Bryan said he has “empirical polling data.” He pointed at a map of the U.S. showing all blue states. He said the blue states represent those voting for him. He expanded to a world map. It was also all blue. Josh Mathews walked in and revealed that Kane won the voting 59 to 41 percent. Kane said Bryan’s data was skewed. Mathews then told a pouting Bryan that he has a different match up right now against Rey Mysterio.
-Bryan’s ring entrance took place. [c]
-Rey Mysterio’s ring entrance aired after the break.
(4) Rey Mysterio pinned Daniel Bryan in 12:00. Cole said this “should be a good one” as they locked up. After an early flurry of action they settled down including an early early hammerlock by Bryan, giving indications this was going to be the designated long match on Raw’s second hour. [c]
[Q7]
After the break Bryan rammed Rey into the ring post. At 12:00 Bryan applied the No Lock, but Rey quickly reached the bottom rope to force a break. Rey came back to win with the Drop the Dime splash.
(WK Reax: Good match. Rey is just a novelty legacy act at this point, but not in anything of significance. Two Strikes in the Wellness Policy can put you in that spot.)
-They showed Del Rio and Ricardo walking and chatting backstage for no apparent reason when Rosa walked up to him and thanked him for what he did for her earlier. He told Rosa whatever she needs, he’s there for her.
-Mathews interviewed Dolph Ziggler backstage and asked him if by making the issue between him and Cena so personal he’s given Cena extra incentive. Ziggler said he’s Mr. Money in the Bank and he beat Randy Orton on Smackdown and he’s in the main event of Raw tonight, so it doesn’t get any bigger. He said Cena is preoccupied with an obsessive, weak, narrow-minded, attention-craving nutcase. He said he can’t wait to see the look on her face after she sees what he does to her boyfriend tonight. [c]
-A commercial hyped John Cena vs. Damien Sandow on Main Event. It was billed as a historic first appearance of Cena on Ion TV.
-A clip aired of Ziggler’s nasty promo aimed at A.J. in the locker room last week that led to the Cena-Ziggler brawl into the bathroom stall. Then a clip aired of Cena attacking Ziggler on Smackdown last Friday.
[Q8]
(5) John Cena pinned Dolph Ziggler in 11:00. They cut to an early break at 2:00. [c]
At 9:00 Ziggler hit his signature dropkick. He was too groggy to make an immediately cover. He did a top rope body press onto Cena, but Cena rolled through into an Attitude Adjustment. Ziggler escaped and hit the Zig Zag for a dramatic near fall. Cole exclaimed, “What a match!” At 10:00 Cena’s bad leg gave out as he ran toward the ropes. He bailed out to ringside where trainers tended to him. Ziggler began to untie the turnbuckle pad. A.J. ran out to stop him. Vickie yanked on her leg and yelled at her to mind her own business.
[Q9]
A.J. tilted her head and looked psycho. That freaked out Vickie who backed up. The ref yelled at them. Ziggler tried to KO Cena with the briefcase, but Cena gave him an Attitude Adjustment for the win. Cena favored his leg afterward. A.J. and Cena made out afterward.
(WK Reax: What is the logic of having Cena vs. Ziggler on Raw this week, much less having Cena go over Ziggler clean. Doesn’t make any sense to me. It flies counter to the whole idea that they were going to play up Cena’s bad leg as an excuse for Ziggler to win at TLC so (a) Ziggler would get a win, yet (b) Cena would have an excuse and “stay strong” headed into WrestleMania.)
-After plugging Kane vs. Punk coming up later, they showed Sheamus heading to the entrance tunnel to face Cesaro next.
-Clips aired of the WWE-themed episode of “The Soup.” The encore of the episode airs right after Raw. [c]
(6) Sheamus beat Antonio Cesaro via count out at 13:00.
(Quotebook – Jerry Lawler: “I used to have a girlfriend who spoke five languages and couldn’t say ‘no’ in any of them. Woo hoo!”)
Cole said Cesaro has been in a Twitter war with the WWE Universe and he calls them “faceless keyboard warriors.” Cesaro got in most of the early offense. [c]
[Q10]
Sheamus came back and nearly applied the cloverleaf at 11:00. Cesaro came back and quickly scored a two count. Cole really put over Cesaro’s strength. Sheamus dove at Cesaro off the top rope, but Cesaro countered with his uppercut. He set up the Neutralizer, but Sheamus backdropped out of it. Sheamus then knocked Cesaro out of the ring with the Brogue Kick. Cole covered for it showing light by saying Cesaro was off balance and the kick just brushed his chin enough. It actually didn’t look terrible on TV due to the camera angle and the wide shot from a distance. At that point Big Show’s music played. He walked out with a chair in hand as Cesaro was counted out.
-Sheamus told Show since he’s telling people he’s going to retire with the World Title, he’ll be happy to make his retirement a reality at TLC. He said he’d do it even if it took 100 chairshots. Show tore apart the chair.
(WK Reax: Very good match. Cesaro should be on the fast track to main events with performances like this.) [c]
-More photos were shown of Miz, Eve, Layla, and R-Truth entertaining the troops overseas.
[Q11]
(7) Damien Sandow pinned Zack Ryder in 5:00. He won with the Terminooose neck breaker finisher. When Sandow did his post-match cartwheel, Cole said Sandow calls it the “Rotation of Illumination.” Lawler quipped, “It looked more like a Corny Cartwheel to me.”
-Mathews interviewed Heyman backstage, asking how he feels about Punk having to face Kane tonight. Heyman said he has passed “Macho Man” Randy Savage on the all-time list of top WWE Title reigns. He said his question should be how much can Punk tolerate being disrespected by WWE. [c]
-Cole told Lawler he still has time to get him a Christmas present. Lawler said Cole didn’t use what he got him last year. Cole asked what that was. Lawler said, “A cemetery plot.”
-Cole threw to a replay of the sit-down interview with The Shield from earlier.
(WK Reax: Risky for WWE to go from Sandow vs. Ryder to a replay of a segment from earlier. That said, it was a good enough segment that it was worth rewatching. Ambrose’s body language when he talks just stands out. He has that leadership quality and unique charisma combined with a cool sounding voice that he really stands out as someone to watch.)
[Q12]
-Kane’s ring entrance took place first. As Punk walked out, Cole said he just passed Randy Savage in terms of title reign length and up next is Cena at 380 days. They showed a picture of Punk as the Grand Marshall of the Thanksgiving Day Parade in Chicago.
(8) C.M. Punk pinned Kane in 11:00. Kane dominated early with stomps in the corner. They cut to an early break. [c]
Punk was in control after the break, working over Kane’s legs. Kane landed a chokeslam at 10:00. Heyman at ringside pulled Punk toward the bottom rope, then walked away as if he did nothing.
[Q13]
Kane picked up Punk for a tombstone, but then Kane spotted Roman Reigns watching from the crowd. Cole called him “one half of the group now known as The Shield.” One-half? They showed Rollins and Ambrose also standing nearby in the crowd. That distraction gave Punk an opening to give his Go To Sleep to Kane for the win.
-The Shield entered the ring and appeared to be headed toward attacking Punk. Lawler said maybe they’d make him eat his words. Instead, they suddenly turned and attacked Kane. Bryan ran out and tried to make the save. They attacked Bryan in the corner. Cole asked if there is a plausible explanation for this. Lawler said yes, they’re knee-deep in it with Punk. Ryback’s music then played and he marched out to make the save. Punk bailed out into the crowd. They attacked Ryback, but Ryback was too much for all three. He lifted and slammed Rollins, then clotheslined the other two. Punk then hit Ryback from behind. Ryback no-sold it and set up Punk for a power bomb. In a scary looking move, Reigns speared Ryback as he had Punk lifted in the air. That gave The Shield the opening to triple-team Ryback as Punk sat on the ring apron watching. They looked at each other, but Punk looked like he was trying to figure them out. The Shield eventually left the ring. Punk and Heyman then re-entered the ring. Punk held his title belt in the air. Cole left viewers with the question: “Does The Shield’s argument that they are not working for C.M. Punk still hold water?”
(WK Reax: Good show-closing angle to further the mystery regarding the relationship with Punk and The Shield.)
NOW CHECK OUT THE PREVIOUS FLASHBACK: 5 YRS AGO – KELLER’S WWE RAW REPORT (11/12/12): Final Survivor Series hype, Punk vs. Cena in TV main event, Ryback vs. Maddox, Team Foley fills empty slot, Lawler returns
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