Raw
Fresno, California
February 21, 2011
results thanks to wrestleview.com
The 2.21.11 numbers appear
on the screen along with an hour long countdown. Hopefully, this video isn't
going to be the entire first hour of Raw because that could get boring. Oh, we
go into the video hype package for Raw, so it looks like the mystery man will be
revealed at the start of the second hour! Phew.
The pyro blasts off in the arena as we are only six weeks away from the 27th
edition of Wrestlemania. Cena's music lights up the audio dial, and the #1
Contender for the WWE Championship makes his way down to the ring. Cena says,
"what a day," and nearly the entire crowd begins to boo him. Cena responds by
saying, "what a crowd". Cena is playing into the crowd, and they are eating out
of his hand with a chorus of boos. Cena brags that he won the Elimination
Chamber match, and will be going to Wrestlemania. Cena says that this should be
a joyous occasion, but this isn't a normal situation. Ever since last Monday,
Cena hasn't been hearing about the Miz or the Elimination Chamber. He has been
hearing about some alleged comments made by The Rock. Cena doesn't know what to
say in response to The Rock. Cena says that honestly, he was going to let him
slide because he is The Rock. Cena says that we should take a look at the
footage one more time, and then he'll figure out what to say.
-Video highlight reel of Rock's comments about Cena from last Monday's Raw
Cena says that initially he was excited to see Rocky back, but on second
thought, it seems as though rock was making fun of him. Cena says that if he is
going to call someone out, there is only one way that he knows how to do it. He
hasn't done it in a long time, but Cena reminds the audience that he has a
degree in Thuganomics! Cena says that if he doesn't air it out tonight, he'll
never hear the end of the Rocky stuff. Cena says that this is a onetime deal for
the crowd tonight.
Cena has his Fresno state of mind, and is ready. Cena cuts an old school rap
promo which included highlights such as: "I'm like a big purple pin wheel Rock,
so go ahead and blow me" and "You ain't gonna kick my candy ass dude, I'm gonna
make you kiss it". Cena sets the microphone on the ground and walks to the back.
46 minutes until 2.21.11 is revealed!
****Commercial****
John Morrison v. CM Punk
Both men are limping heavily on their way to the ring. The match starts with
Punk sliding to the outside of the ring and grabbing the leg of Morrison. Punk
slides back into the ring, and kicks Morrison down into the corner. Punk
connects with a couple of kicks to the gut, and then throws Morrison into the
middle of the ring. Punk mounts Morrison and unloads with a series of punches.
Punk then transfers his energy to the knee of Morrison and locks in a
submission. Morrison escapes, and tries to battle back with a slew of forearms.
Morrison mounts Punk and goes for the punches. Morrison sets up for the running
knee, but Punk counters. Morrison is dazed as Punk lifts him up into the air for
the GTS. Punk connects, and this match is over!
Winner via GTS: CM Punk
After the match, CM Punk has a microphone. He calls out, "Randall Keith Orton".
Punk asks him where he is at, because he has decided to give the New Nexus a
night off. He promises Orton that this is not a setup. Punk reflects on the
fateful night in 2008 when Orton punted him in the skull. Punk says that the
bright lights of Wrestlemania are not in Orton's future, he tells him to just
walk away. Punk claims that Orton doesn't deserve to wrestle at 'mania. However,
it's up to Orton to decide why. Either it will be because he will be too
crippled thanks to Punk to compete, or he won't be going because he'll cherish
his health over the risk of injury. Punk says that if Orton shows up on Raw next
week, he will destroy him. The crowd starts to get riled up as Orton sneaks into
the ring. He tackles Punk and goes for the RKO. Punk manages to counter and
scurry out of the ring. The New Nexus runs down to help, but Punk is true to his
word and keeps them from attacking.
****Commercial****
Ricardo Rodriguez does the honors of introducing Alberto Del Rio. Kofi runs up
from behind and begins to assault Del Rio. Kingston's advantage is brief as Del
Rio goes right to work on Kofi's injured arm. The arm is chucked into steel
posts, the barricade, and eventually into the cross arm bar on the outside of
the ring. A referee separates the two, and tells Del Rio to go to the back.
Instead of heading to the back, Del Rio confers with Rodriguez and then charges
back at Kingston, shoving the injured arm into the corner post once again.
In the back, Miz is seen walking with Alex Riley
23 minutes until 2.21.11 is revealed
****Commercial****
Miz and Riley come out onto the ramp. Miz says that he was excited when The Rock
said his name. He was eagerly anticipating a great Rock catchphrase, but the
best that Rock could apparently come up with was that he sucked. Miz says that
he has heard kindergartners with better lines. Miz says that while Rock may be
hosting the show, Miz will be main eventing and beating John Cena. Miz says that
Cena and Rock have something in common. They are beloved pop icons by the fans.
On the other hand, Miz doesn't care about what the fans thinking. It doesn't
matter, because he is awesome.
*GeneralMail Alert
and I quote...
Enough about The Rock, I'll deal with him when I'm ready. However, the Rock and
Sock connection was a formidable tag team. So, tonight the Tag Team Belts will
be defended against The Miz and his partner – John Cena
****Commercial****
Gail Kim & Eve Torres v. The Bella Twins
Gail and one of the Bellas start the match off. The action initially spills to
the outside of the ring, but Gail brings the action back to the inside. With the
referee distracted, the other Bella pulls Gail Kim down off of the apron. Bella
sets up for a leg drop, but misses with the move. Eve gets the tag, and whips
Bella into the ropes. A dropkick from Eve is followed by a high cross body.
Cover attempt, but Bella kicks out. Eve connects with a couple of clotheslines,
and then hits a standing moonsault. The not-in-the-ring Bella distracts Eve,
which breaks the cover. Kim angrily tries to enter the ring which turns the
attention of the referee. Eve slides in with a roll up, but Twin magic takes
over and the roll up is reversed with a new twin. This match is over.
Winners via Twin Magic: The Bella Twins
3 minutes until 2.21.11 is revealed.
****Commercial****
The countdown creeps down to zero. The Undertaker's music plays, and the Phenom
has returned! The lights are out in the arena as Taker walks onto the entrance
ramp. As the bell tolls, he begins to make his way down to the ring amidst
galloons and galloons of smoke. After an eternity, Taker finally makes it into
the ring. A giant crucifix symbol has been lowered from the ceiling to
accentuate his entrance.
The Game's music hits! HHH has returned and saunters his way down to the ring.
Once inside, he stares down Taker. The Undertaker does not look happy that HHH
has come down and interrupted his grand return. After all, that giant light up
crucifix symbol wasn't cheap and HHH ruined any good use for it.
With all music stopped, the stare down continues in the middle of the ring. The
take a gander at the Wrestlemania sign, and then look back at each other.
Undertaker scoffs, and then puts his hat back on and looks to head out of the
ring. Taker decides to re-square himself to HHH. The Game responds by holding
his two arms up high in the air, and then connecting with a DX chop!
There was absolute silence from the commentators during this segment.
****Commercial****
King Sheamus v. Mark Henry
Henry lifts Sheamus up into the air with a bear hug, and chucks him to the
outside! Henry follows after and rolls him back into the ring. Sheamus is
pleading for a reprieve, fella. Henry doesn't oblige, but Sheamus is able to get
back to his feet and connect with a couple of punches followed by a double axe
handle. Cover attempt, but Henry kicks out.
Sheamus puts Henry's neck on the second rope, and presses down with his leg.
Sheamus then pulls Henry in between two of the ropes and clobbers his chest.
Sheamus kicks Henry from on the apron, and then slingshots himself back into the
ring. Sheamus settles in with a chin lock. Henry uses his pure strength to lift
Sheamus into the air, and back him into the corner. Henry starts to build
momentum with a couple of punches, but Sheamus halts the production with a kick
to the gut.
Henry shakes off the kick, and goes for a running splash. Sheamus rolls out of
the way, and then kicks Henry in the skull. Sheamus is looking to finish off
Henry with a Brogue Kick, but noticing that the referee is distracted, he tears
off one of the turnbuckles. Before Sheamus can capitalize, Henry splashes into
the corner, which sends Sheamus into the exposed turnbuckle! Henry hits the
World's Strongest Slam, and this match is over!
Winner via World's Strongest Slam: Mark Henry
****Commercial****
Daniel Bryan is in the back with Gail Kim. They are chuckling and talking to
each other. Sheamus comes up looking pretty angry. He asks what they are
laughing about. Bryan says it had nothing to do with him, but Sheamus threatens
to beat both Bryan and Gail Kim up. Sheamus then trots away.
-Hacksaw Jim Duggan is announced as a Hall of Fame Inductee for this year. He
will be inducted by Ted Dibiase!
Michael Cole enters the ring, and says that he will be interviewing Michael
Cole. The interview is up next!
****Commercial****
Lawler makes his way down to the ring. Cole asks him what he was feeling going
into the title match at the Elimination Chamber PPV. Cole continues the taunting
by asking how he felt when he knew that his dreams were about to be shattered.
When he knew that he was about to lose to The Miz and not go to Wrestlemania.
Cole asks if Lawler at all thought that maybe it was time to retire after last
night. Lawler has thus far refused to respond to any line of questioning. Cole
then asks what he was feeling as he was staring up at the lights into the
heavens and realizing that his deceased mother had the best seat in the house.
When she had the best seat to realize her son was failing. How was Lawler
feeling when he realized that he let his mother down?
Lawler grabs Cole by the neck and says that if he ever talks about his mother
again, it will be the last thing that he ever says! Cole may be saying that
Lawler will not be going to Wrestlemania, but Lawler claims he has a way in,
even if it costs him his job. Lawler says that he is issuing a Wrestlemania
challenge – versus MICHAEL COLE! Lawler asks what Cole has to say about that.
Cole says that Lawler is a senile old man, and there is no way that he'll ever
get him in the ring. Cole exits the ring and heads back to the commentator
booth. Lawler follows after and tells Cole to be a man, and not just hide behind
his words like a gutless yellow coward. Cole takes off his suit jacket, and
throws a cup of water into the face of Lawler. Michael Cole flees up into the
crowd!
****Commercial****
Jerry Lawler has retaken his seat on commentary with the absence of Michael
Cole.
WWE Tag Team Championship
Heath Slater & Justin Gabriel w/ The Corre v. John Cena & The Miz w/ Alex Riley
Miz and Slater are the first to start things off. Miz is caught off guard at the
offset, and Gabriel gets the tag. Miz hits a nice crossbody drop and then grabs
the arm of Gabriel. He drags him to the corner and then tags in Cena, after
trash talking him. Gabriel is set up in the corner, and Miz runs full force from
the opposite side of the ring for his signature splash. Miz connects with the
Skull Crushing Finale, and Heath Slater does not come into the ring to make the
save? This match is over.
Winners & NEW Tag Team Champions: John Cena & The Miz
After the match, Wade Barrett grabs a mic. He says that The Corre wants to
utilize their rematch clause, and they want to utilize it right now.
*GenralMail Alert
Josh Mathews gets up to read the alert in lieu of the cowardly Michael Cole
Ring the Bell!!
****Commercial****
Back from the break, it is John Cena in the ring with Heath Slater. Cena hits a
huge crossbody and goes for a cover. Slater kicks out. Miz gets the tag. Set up
in the corner, Miz connects with a chop, and then bounces off the ropes and
kicks Slater under the chin. Jackson trips up Miz from the outside. Miz is slid
out of the ring, and The Corre prevents Alex Riley from coming to the rescue.
Gabriel takes the chance to hit a couple cheap shots.
When all things are settled, Gabriel is tagged into the match and goes for a
cover. Miz kicks out. Slater is tagged in again, and goes for the cover. Slater
chokes Miz with his boot, and Wade gets in a cheap shot. Cover attempt, but Miz
kicks out. Slater drills his knee into the back of Miz, and then cinches on a
chin lock. Miz escapes, but only to get caught with a neckbreaker. Cover
attempt, but Miz kicks out.
Gabriel gets the tag, and immediately begins with his leg strikes. Miz escapes
via a neckbreaker variant of his own, and tries to get to his corner. Gabriel
makes it to Slater first, and Slater halts The Miz's progress. Heath has on a
headlock, and then slams Miz into the corner. Gabriel gets the tag. Cover
attempt, but Miz kicks out. Miz is struggling to get to the corner, but again he
is dragged back just inches from bringing Cena into the match. Miz is fighting
to escape a side headlock, but gets jammed back first into a corner. Gabriel
looks for a splash, but Miz counters. Gabriel follows with a crossbody, but Miz
kicks him in the mouth!
Both competitors are flat on their backs, and the crowd is going insane. Cena
gets the tag and arena absolutely erupts! Slater is in as well and gets met with
two huge shoulder blocks and a side slam! The 5 Knuckle Shuffle connects! Cena
lifts Slater up into the air for the Attitude Adjustment, but Miz runs into the
ring and hits the Skull Crushing Finale on Cena! Slater rolls onto Cena and
picks up the victory. This match is over.
Winners & NEW WWE Tag Team Champions: Justin Gabriel & Heath Slater