Tonight's WWE RAW Supershow opens with a look back on CM Punk and Daniel Bryan's main event contest last week and the seismic disruption created by the latest and arguably most dangerous incarnation of Nexus.
-We are live from the Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, North Carolina as Jim Ross welcomes us. He's joined by Jerry "The King" Lawler. We go right to the ring and The NEXUS begins their march to the ring.
Barrett and Ziggler lead the charge. Barrett grabs a mic and says that this shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone. He says that he, Ziggler and members of Camp Cornette made it ABUNDANTLY clear in the weeks leading up to Extreme Rules that they had grown fatigued of the same old business as usual and said it was time for a shake-up. Ziggler says with the McMahon family still running the show, they had to stage a revolution by force and get the world's attention. Dolph illustrates that this will be the most aggressive, dangerous and most importantly, EXPERIENCED installment of the Nexus. Barrett tells the crowd that the mistake they as the Nexus had made three times before was surrounding themselves with fresh faces who hadn't the slightest clue how to command a ring or a microphone. With that said, we will not be accepting applications for rehire from former members, present company excluded.
Kofi Kingston steps up and says that last week he issued a challenge to Rey Mysterio for the Intercontinental Championship, but in joining the Nexus, realized he doesn't need the validation. In fact, Kofi says, ALL members of the Nexus will boycott WWE Over The Limit to spite WWE for being shortsighted enough to overlook some of the greater talents on the payroll. Barrett says that they will, however, be seeking out new recruits tonight who feel they're being ignored. Ziggler vows that as Punk, Danielson and the entire ECW locker room learned last week, Nexus will stop at NOTHING to destroy the establishment and have NO PROBLEM starting at the top and working down to the foundation.
CM Punk enters and tells Barrett that perhaps Nexus was weakened in earlier times by hapless subordinates, but from the time he himself took over, it was never for lack of leadership. Punk says he can't speak for the Nexus' leadership under Barrett the FIRST time around, but tells Wade that if he and his "Doofus Squad" feel like grabbing a front row seat for his main event match tonight, by all means come. Because while they may be boycotting Over The Limit, he has no problem taking them out tonight and giving them a legitimate excuse for missing the PPV.
McIntyre takes a swing, but Punk ducks and comes back with a Roundhouse kick that takes Drew out. The rest of Nexus swarms, but Punk is able to fight out and retreat to ringside. Punk grabs a steel chair at the broadcast area and jumps back into the ring, swinging for the fences. Punk strikes Joe Hennig across the back and drives the chair into the ribs of DiBiase. Barrett and Ziggler retreat to the entrance ramp and Punk looks them directly in the eye as he drills Kingston with the GTS. Punk climbs the turnbuckle and raises the World Title above his head.
Stephanie McMahon emerges and tries to restore order. McMahon says that yes, Punk does have a match tonight, as do the rest of the participants in the Championship Scramble Match against randomly selected superstars from Smackdown! Steph advises Punk to head to the back and get ready because he’s got the main event tonight.
-We see Rey Mysterio walking backstage. Up next, Mysterio versus Cody Rhodes in non-title action. We go to commercial.
-Steph runs into Rey backstage and informs him that Kofi Kingston has retracted his challenge from last week and Drew McIntyre has recused himself from participating in the Over The Limit PPV, so a new #1 contender will be named tonight in a 20-Man Battle Royal.
CODY RHODES def. REY MYSTERIO (Non-Title Match)
Great back and forth match. Mysterio counters out of Cross Rhodes and hits a drop toe hold to set up for the 619 and connects. Finish comes as Mysterio attempts West Coast Pop and Rhodes shifts the momentum with a spine-rattling powerbomb. Rhodes floats over into a rolling prawn cover and gets the surprise three.
-After the match, Mysterio confers with the referee for confirmation of a three count and Rhodes stuns the IC Champion with a Beautiful Disaster Kick. Rhodes connects with Cross Rhodes and drives Mysterio’s skull into the canvas. At this time, Barrett and Ziggler walk down to the ring to congratulate Rhodes and Ziggler tosses Rhodes a Nexus shirt. Rhodes unfolds the shirt and slips it on. CODY RHODES becomes the latest face to join the NEXUS.
-Still to come tonight, CM Punk vs. A Mystery Smackdown Superstar in one of a series of prep matches for the Scramble participants. Plus, a 20-Man Battle Royal to determine the NEW #1 contender for Rey Mysterio’s Intercontinental Championship. Back to commercial.
-Back from break and we see footage of Jeff Jarrett’s return at Extreme Rules and subsequent qualifying for the Scramble against Christian last week.
Jeff Jarrett makes his way to the ring and tells the WWE Universe that his Smackdown opponent tonight is irrelevant, because the result will be the same. Sooner or later, ALL will bow at the feet of the King of The Mountain. Pyro explodes and “No More Words” blares through the rafters as the RAUCOUS Greensboro crowd welcomes Smackdown’s JEFF HARDY. Jarrett versus a familiar face from his TNA past as the bell rings to get the Battle of the Jeffs under way.
JEFF HARDY def. JEFF JARRETT
Hardy’s air game and Jarrett’s ground technique made for an excellent match. Hardy attempted a Swanton early, but Jarrett dodged, sending Hardy to the canvas. Jarrett would later counter beautifully from a Twist of Fate attempt into The Stroke. Finish came as Jarrett tried to wrap things up with a Figure Four Leg Lock and Hardy stunned Jarrett with an inside cradle for the surprise three count.
-After the match, Jarrett takes a swing at Hardy, but Hardy low bridges the top rope and sends Jarrett crashing to the mat. Hardy rebounds from the top rope to the outside with a Whisper In The Wind to the arena floor and crawls back to his feet, standing on the ramp victorious.
-We see John Cena getting ready for his one-on-one match with one of RAW’s Scramble participants. Back to commercial.
Back from break and the lights go down as Chris Jericho makes his Lite-Brite entrance and makes his way down to the ring. John Cena steps through the curtain to a mixed reaction before charging down to ringside. The bell rings and here we go.
JOHN CENA def. CHRIS JERICHO
In spite of the fact that Jericho is still nursing his injuries from Extreme Rules, this turned out to be a very physical match. Jericho would kick out of an F-U and two and countered a second F-U mid-throw and landed on his feet, coming back with a Codebreaker for a two count of his own. Finish came as Jericho applied the Walls of Jericho. Cena fought for the ropes, then countered out by picking the ankle and locking in the STFU for the win.
-A visibly nervous Lita is walking backstage, headed to the ring for her next title defense--Against KHARMA. Back to commercial.
-Back from break and Lita is making her way to the ring and retreats to the corner, awaiting what will be her greatest challenge in recent memory. Kharma walks slow and determined from the stage, on a mission to leave as the new Women’s Champion. Lita tries to jump Kharma from behind as the bell rings and here we go.
KHARMA def. LITA to become the NEW WOMEN’S CHAMPION
Lita launches an impressive offensive, even forcing Kharma to retreat from the ring and regroup. The momentum permanently shifts as Lita attempts a Standing Litasault and Kharma swats her away to the mat. With the wind knocked out of her, Lita falls quick prey to an Implant Buster and Kharma makes the cover and gets the three.
-After the match, Kharma raises the title in defiance of the entire Diva’s Locker Room, from backstage, the rest of the divas look on, crestfallen about what has just transpired.
-Still to come tonight, the 20-Man Battle Royal to determine Rey Mysterio’s next #1 contender. Back to commercial.
-Back from break and we get footage of Randy Orton eliminating Cody Rhodes and Jack Swagger from the Tag Match at Extreme Rules before having his momentum inexplicably derailed by an interfering Alberto Del Rio.
-We go back to ringside and Ricardo Rodriguez is in the ring to make Del Rio’s introduction. The Mexican Aristocrat rolls to the ring tonight in a Scarlet 2012 Lamborghini Murcielago valued at well over $250,000. Del Rio awaits and doesn’t have to wait long to discover that his opponent tonight is an incensed Viper, RANDY ORTON. Orton flies to the ring and begins wailing on Del Rio before the bell can ring. The bell finally sounds and here we go.
RANDY ORTON def. ALBERTO DEL RIO
A fairly even match once the referee separated Orton from Del Rio and enabled him to mount an offensive of his own. Finish came as Del Rio went for the Cross Armbreaker, but Orton rolled through the attempt and hit a seamless RKO for the three count.
-After the match, Orton lines up for a Punt, but Ricardo frantically pulls Del Rio from the ring and the duo flees up the ramp.
-We go backstage and The Nexus have split up and begun to beat down former members Heath Slater, David Otunga and Mason Ryan. Thankfully, COUNTLESS officials swoop in and separate the thugs from the trio of attempted victims before sufficient damage is done. Security has to be on high alert tonight, now knowing how serious of a threat the Nexus poses.
Back to the ring Lillian Garcia introduces the next contest as the 20-Man Battle Royal with the winner earning a shot at Rey Mysterio’s Intercontinental Championship at Over The Limit.
20-Man Battle Royal: (Winner faces IC Champion Rey Mysterio at Over The Limit)
Out first comes JBL in his limo for the Battle Royal. David Otunga is out next with brand new pyro that harkens back to The Narcissist and Chris Masters. Mason Ryan is out third followed by Evan Bourne before we take a commercial break.
Back from break and several more superstars are in the ring. Shelton Benjamin comes out followed by Heath Slater and MVP. MVP hits the ring and here we go. An absolute brawl as everyone goes at it. MVP sidesteps Paul London and drives him over the top to the floor with a massive Big Boot. MVP tosses Santino Marella next. James Storm works over Brian Kendrick in the corner while Chris Hero brawls with Christian. Storm tosses Kendrick and Mason Ryan. Jay Lethal gets eliminated. Slyck Wagner Brown comes close to eliminating Evan Bourne, but he fights back in. Shelton Benjamin recruits the help of a couple others to eliminate James Storm.
Slyck Wagner Brown is eliminated. Chris Hero is out next. Benjamin starts brawling with Otunga now. Claudio Castagnoli fights with MVP and gets booted to the buckle. MVP whips Booker T to the same corner and hits the Playa’s Boot with such force that it sends both Claudio and Booker to the floor. We go back to commercial.
Back from the break and it’s down to 10 superstars. Slater and Roode go at it in the center of the ring. Slater charges, eliminating himself and Roode. Benjamin and Otunga continue to fight in the corner. Otunga drops Benjamin and Tensai with spinebusters. Otunga attacks JBL next with a Military Press Slam. Otunga grabs MVP and after exchanging heavy-handed blows drops MVP with another spinebuster. Benjamin goes back after Otunga to the buckle and beats him down to the mat. JBL joins the effort and double teams Otunga in the corner. R-Truth, Benjamin and JBL take their turns beating down Evan Bourne with a Lie Detector, Paydirt and a Clothesline From Hell. Bourne fights them off courageously before stunning them with a blinding flurry of cruiserweight maneuvering. Bourne stuns the crowd by eliminating JBL with a Frankensteiner over the top rope. Bourne dazzles with Air Bourne to Otunga, but Benjamin catches him with a devastating Superkick. Benjamin once again tries to eliminate Bourne but he wants this title shot desperately.
Bourne fights back and amazes again by eliminating Benjamin. MVP comes from behind and eliminates Bourne. Evan buries his head in his hands but is greeted with a standing ovation. Christian attempts a Spear, but MVP has him scouted and drops him with The Play of the Day. MVP sees Tensai charging and drops the top rope to send him flying from the ring. R-Truth jumps MVP from behind, but Otunga surprises them both with a double clothesline sending both men to the floor. It’s down to David Otunga and Christian. Christian charges but Otunga meets him with a stiff clothesline. Otunga helps Christian back to his feet, but Christian answers with a slap across the face and sets up for the Killswitch. Otunga counters, sending Christian over the top rope, but he hangs on. Christian tries to get back in the ring as Otunga charges and Christian answers with a Pendulum Kick in the corner.
Christian sets up for a spear, but Otunga catches him out of the corner with a shoot kick to the face and sets up for another spinebuster, but Christian attacks with a thumb to the eye and tosses Otunga over the top to the floor. Christian will challenge Rey Mysterio for the Intercontinental Championship at Over The Limit.
Winner and NEW #1 Contender: CHRISTIAN
-After the match, Mysterio meets Christian on the ramp, shakes his hand and congratulates him before locking in a staredown.
-Still to come tonight, an update on the Triple H-Brock Lesnar situation and whether Triple H will accept his challenge for a Street Fight at Over The Limit plus CM Punk in action tonight. Back to commercial.
-Stephanie and Triple H are discussing the prospect of a Street Fight with Lesnar and how declining could affect the welfare of the WWE, whereas accepting would almost certainly endanger his own. Triple H says he will not be bullied into playing Lesnar’s game. Ric Flair walks in to the office to a HUGE POP from the Greensboro crowd and Triple H hugs him and wishes him luck in his match tonight. Flair tells him that he may have lost a step or two in recent years, but Space Mountain is still operational enough to give patrons the Ride of a Lifetime.
-We go to the ring and out comes WWE Champion Bryan Danielson. Danielson grabs a mic and tells the crowd that after the Nexus’ Pearl Harbor job last week, he’s feeling a little more violent and that he plans on taking it out on his RAW opponent tonight. The Miz enters to a decent pop and offers Danielson a little insight into his development in WWE. Miz says that there were plenty of times where he could safely say that he didn’t like him, sometimes he downright hated him. Miz says the fact of the matter was that he’s not completely sheltered from what goes on in other circuits and that he was VERY familiar with what Bryan had accomplished in the Independent Circuits and Ring of Honor, and regardless of how he felt about Danielson at any given time, he always DAMN WELL respected his ability. Miz says he hopes to earn the same from Bryan tonight. The bell rings and we get started.
BRYAN DANIELSON def. THE MIZ when Alex Riley interfered
Match of the night. Miz performed admirably, even briefly adapting to Danielson’s technical prowess and countering with some mat technique of his own. Finish came as Miz nearly pulled out an upset with the Skull Crushing Finale, but ALEX RILEY climbed up on the ring apron and clocked Miz in the back of the head with a roundhouse kick that loosened the hold and allowed Danielson to counter into the YES! Lock. Miz taps out and the WWE Champion prevails.
-After the match, Riley hoists Miz onto his shoulders and connects with the Final Score as WADE BARRETT and company convene on the stage and raise their arms in solidarity. Riley returns the gesture and it appears A-Ry has become the 8th member of the newly reformed Nexus.
-We get a video package of the Elimination Tag Match at Extreme Rules and specifically, DX taking Brock Lesnar and Mark Henry out of the equation.
-Up next, Ric Flair will grace the Greensboro crowd with his presence, in action NEXT! Back to commercial.
-Back from break and the crowd ERUPTS into a cascade of WOOOOOOS as The Nature Boy is BACK IN ACTION in Flair Country. Curt Hawkins waits in the ring as the bell sounds to get this match started.
RIC FLAIR def. CURT HAWKINS
Hawkins gets in a decent amount of offensive, but things go downhill fast after he sets up for a Hangman’s Neckbreaker and Flair draws the ref in close to distract him from the Low Blow he just struck Hawkins with. Hawkins drops like a ton of bricks and easily falls prey to the Figure Four for the win.
-After the match, BROCK LESNAR’S music hits and Flair, being the prideful S.O.B. he is, invites him into the ring and greets him with a series of knife-edge chops. Mistake. Lesnar captures Flair’s forearm and drops to the mat, wrenching in the Kimura. In no time at all, Lesnar has snapped Flair’s arm in half. Screaming in agony, much as Batista did last week, Flair writhes on the mat until Lesnar pulls him to his feet outside the ring. Lesnar hoists him up for an F5 and rockets Flair--knee first into the ring post. An agonized Flair gasps for air on the floor as Triple H rushes down to meet Lesnar, but Brock jumps the barricade and high-tails it through the crowd. Trips attends to Flair until EMTs are able to load him up and wheel him from the arena. A LIVID Triple H seethes from the barricade wall. The Game grabs a sledgehammer and smashes the Hell out of the barricades, ring posts and the steel ring steps. Triple H is clearly being put in a difficult bargaining position heading toward Over The Limit.
-We get footage from last week of The Undertaker ending Goldberg’s career.
-The Deadman heads to the ring for his showdown with a random Smackdown superstar. The lights come back up and as The Deadman removes his hat, SHEAMUS’ music hits and The Great White charges down to ringside. An all-out brawl is assured as we head to break.
THE UNDERTAKER def. SHEAMUS
What a war. All offense, all the time. Undertaker attempts a Tombstone, but Sheamus escapes and comes back with a Brogue Kick, but can only get two. Sheamus continues with a top rope Battering Ram and sets up for another Brogue Kick. Finish came when Undertaker sidestepped the second attempt and came back with a Chokeslam. Taker polished off the Celtic Warrior with a Tombstone Piledriver. Barely. After the match, Sheamus and The Undertaker shake hands and The Deadman congratulates Sheamus on one Hell of a fight.
-We get a look back to tonight’s opening segment with Punk and The Nexus. The champion is shown walking backstage as we go back to commercial.
-Triple H is backstage with Ric Flair as EMT’s load him into the ambulance. The Game apologizes for letting this happen. Before they load Flair in, Ric grabs Hunter by the wrist and tells him “I’ve Always Said, To Be The Man, You’ve Gotta Beat The Man...and right now Champ, Brock Lesnar has you beat on points. Don’t let that continue.” The ambulance drives out of the arena and The Game looks conflicted and beyond frustrated.
We go to the ring and out comes CM Punk for the main event. After several moments of waiting, Punk gets his answer as he will be going one-on-one with--THE RATED “R” Superstar, EDGE! Edge makes a beeline for the ring as we head to our final break.
CM PUNK versus EDGE ends in a No Contest
A fantastic match while it lasted. Edge goes for a Spear, but Punk leapfrogs and comes back with a GTS attempt, only to have KURT ANGLE break up the hold and begin brawling with Edge on the floor. The ref tries to regain control of the situation, but in no time at all, THE NEXUS convenes on ringside and beat both Angle and Edge senseless, much in the same way Bryan Danielson was last week. The now 8 members of Nexus jump the apron and surround Punk. The beatdown ensues, but Punk goes down fighting, swinging the same chair that warded Nexus off earlier. Punk chases 6 members from the ring before getting drilled with a ZigZag. Ziggler helps Punk back to his feet and Barrett clobbers him with a steel chair to the face. Barrett hits Wasteland on the chair and invites Kofi Kingston into the ring. Kofi scales to the top rope and crushes Punk with a top rope Boom Drop. All eight members of Nexus climb back into the ring, arms raised in solidarity. The Nexus truly looks UNSTOPPABLE as the PPV approaches and RAW goes off the air.
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