Raw
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
March 19, 2012
results thanks to wrestleview.com
CM Punk’s music hits and the WWE Champion makes his way down to the ring. He
starts by saying that Chris Jericho is not here tonight, which just goes to show
the kind of man that Jericho is. Last week, when Jericho said that Punk’s father
was an alcoholic, it pissed Punk off. His problem is with the fact that it is
not Jericho’s business. He doesn’t necessarily have a problem with Jericho
saying it, or how he said it, but the fact that he said it in front of the
entire world. Punk says that there isn’t anyone who hasn’t been affected in some
way by the disease of alcoholism. Punk says that Jericho said what he said to
try and gain some sort of advantage. Punk says that Jericho’s strategy has
backfired, because if there is a monster inside of him then he is going to let
it out at WrestleMania. Punk wisely tells the crowd, “don’t let your past
nightmares cloud your future dreams.” Punk says that his father has overcome his
demons and has worked hard to become sober. Punk is proud of his father, and he
is proud of being Straight Edge. Punk says that at WrestleMania, Jericho is his
obstacle and he will go right through him. Punk starts to leave the ring.
Chris Jericho appears on the Titantron via satellite. Jericho says that he was
out of line for what he said last week and he is sorry. Jericho says that he is
saying this as Chris Jericho the person and without bravado. It was none of his
business, and he is sorry that he brought it up. He hopes that Punk will forgive
him. Jericho gives Punk his word that he won’t talk about his father again.
But Punk’s sister? Punk’s sister has a problem with substance abuse. She will do
anything to get her fix. Punk’s father is an alcoholic; his sister is a drug
addict, which means that Punk is predisposed to drink. The good news is that
addiction can be overcome. The bad news is that Jericho says that when he beats
Punk at WrestleMania, that will be something that he will never overcome. Punk
calls Jericho a piece of shit, and says that that is exactly what he is going to
beat out of him.
****Commercial****
The Big Show v. Kane
Cody Rhodes’ music hits, and he makes his way down to ringside for this match.
He shows a highlight video of more Big Show embarrassing WrestleMania moments.
Kane and Show lock up. Show tries for a quick chokeslam, but Kane counters. Show
hits a spear, and then heads to the second rope. Cody jumps up on the apron
wearing boxing gloves. Show knocks him down, but it provides enough time for
Kane to get to his feet. Kane flips Show off of the turnbuckle and goes for the
cover. This match is over.
Winner: Kane
Match Rating: ¼ *
After the match, Cody hits the disaster kick. Cody then slides out of the ring
and grabs a pair of handcuffs. Cody handcuffs Big Show with his hands behind his
back and around the second rope. Cody puts the boxing gloves backs on and starts
to unload on the Big Show. Referees jump into the ring to back Cody away from
his victim. A trainer emerges with a pair of bolt cutters to set Big Show free
as Cody heads to the back.
****Commercial****
David Otunga w/ John Laurinaitis v. Santino w/ Teddy Long
Santino pulls down his singlet and engages in a pose off with Otunga. Santino
appears to tweak his knee for a moment which allows Otunga to get in an attack.
Santino bounces back quickly and hits a hip toss. Santino hits the running head
butt and then pulls out the Cobra. Laurinaitis throws his cell phone in the
ring. Santino stomps on the phone. This momentary distraction is enough for
Otunga to run up from behind and hit his finisher. This match is over.
Winner via Cell Phone Distraction: David Otunga
Match Rating ¾ *
After the match, Laurinaitis mocks Santino with a trumpet salute. Teddy Long
responds by slapping him in the face. Long then runs to the top of the ramp to
escape. Long’s music hits and he dances in celebration.
****Commercial****
The Rock appears on the Titantron. He says that finally The Rock has come back
to Philadelphia. He is in front of the statue of Rocky Balboa. Rock shows a
picture of himself at age 12 in front of that same statue as he dreamed of
becoming the greatest of all time. The Rock talks about Hulk Hogan and then the
Ultimate Warrior. Rock tells the story of headlining his first WrestleMania in
Philadelphia when he lost to Steve Austin. Rock says that in order to be the
greatest of all time, there is one last man he needs to face – John Cena. Rock
says that he is going to get in his car and drive to the arena tonight and
address the fans. The Rock then goes through a couple catch phrase of wrestling
greats. At WrestleMania 28, The Rock is going to Layeth the Smackdown on John
Cena’s candy ass. If you SMELLLLLLL what The Rock is cooking!
****Commercial****
Video Package: Zack Ryder holds a rally to try and become a member of Team
Teddy.
Daniel Bryan w/ AJ v. Zack Ryder
Bryan gives AJ a kiss before the match starts. Ryder bounces off the ropes but
gets kicked hard in the gut. Bryan drops a knee and goes for a cocky cover.
Ryder kicks out. Bryan uses the ropes to stretch the abdomen of Ryder. Bryan
goes for another cover, but Ryder kicks out. Ryder gets to his feet and sets up
Bryan in the corner. He connects with a hard running boot. Ryder waits for Bryan
to get back to his feet and then goes for the Rough Ryder. Bryan counters into
the LeBelle Lock and Ryder quickly taps.
Winner via Submission: Daniel Bryan
Match Rating ½ *
After the match, AJ gives Bryan another kiss.
****Commercial****
John Cena v. Mark Henry
They lock up, and Henry tosses Cena out of the ring. Cena reenters and bounces
off the ropes. Henry flattens him with a shoulder block. As Cena gets to his
feet, Henry knocks him right back down to the mat with punch after punch. Henry
throws Cena out of the ring once again, and then chucks him into the barricade.
****Commercial****
Back from the break, Henry goes for the cover. Cena kicks out. Henry looks
surprised and lifts Cena to his feet. Henry has him backed into the corner and
punches him hard. Henry whips him to the other side of the ring and flattens him
with a splash. Henry is starting to look confident as he charges for another
splash. Cena moves out of the way and hits a side slam! Cena signals, and hits
the 5 Knuckle Shuffle. Cena looks to lift up Henry, but can’t get him on his
shoulders. Cena runs straight into a World’s Strongest Slam attempt, but
counters by sliding over the back of Henry. Cena goes to lift Henry on his
shoulders again, and this time he is successful! Cena connects with the Attitude
Adjustment! This match is over.
Winner via Attitude Adjustment: John Cena
Match Rating: 1 & ½ *
After the match, The Rock’s music hits. The Great One runs down to the ring and
hits Mark Henry with a Rock Bottom! The Rock heads right back up the ramp.
****Commercial****
Video Package: Maria Menounos & Kelly Kelly to face Eve Torres & Beth Phoenix at
WrestleMania
The Miz is in the ring and namedrops King Kong Bundy. He says that at
WrestleMania 2 King Kong Bundy was in the main event. The next ‘mania he faced
Hillbilly Jim and a couple of little people. Miz calls it the biggest drop off
in WrestleMania history until now. At least Bundy had a match. So, The Miz has
declared an open challenge. He wants Laurinaitis to watch his match tonight
against whoever his opponent is so that he can prove he deserves a match.
The Miz v. Sheamus
They lock up and Sheamus pushes Miz back into the ropes. Miz goes for a DDT, but
Sheamus him up onto his shoulders. Sheamus connects with an inverted Samoan
Drop. Miz gets back to his feet and hits a back breaker. Cover, but Sheamus
kicks out. Miz places Sheamus’ head against the second rope and then stomps on
his back. Sheamus sets him down in the corner and pounds on him with a series of
stomps. Cover, but Miz kicks out. Sheamus gets to his feet and is smiling.
Sheamus charges for the Brogue Kick, but Miz dodges. Unfazed, Sheamus charges
again and this time connects!
Winner via Brogue Kick: Sheamus
Match Rating: ¾ *
****Commercial****
Josh Mathews introduces Randy Orton. He says that he may not be The Big Red
Machine, but he knows his own purpose. Orton knows what he, himself, is capable
of. He doesn’t care about Kane’s recent identity crisis. He proudly tells the
crowd that his name is Randy Orton, and then heads to the back.
Excuse Me! Vickie Guerrero makes her way out onto the entrance ramp and
introduces the two newest members of Team Johnny – Jack Swagger & Dolph Ziggler.
****Commercial****
Jack Swagger & Dolph Ziggler w/ Vickie Guerrero v. R-Truth & Kofi Kingston w/
Aksana
Swagger and Kofi start the match. They lock up and Kofi is pushed into the
corner. Dolph hits a cheap shot which sets up for Swagger’s second rope splash.
Swagger punches and kicks on Kofi before tagging in his partner. Ziggler points
towards R-Truth and then stomps on the head of Kofi. Ziggler hits a huge
dropkick, and goes for a cover. Kofi kicks out. Swagger gets the tag and grabs
the arms of Kofi. Kofi escapes and hits devastating DDT out of desperation. Kofi
crawls towards his corner. Truth and Ziggler both get the tag. Truth hits a
clothesline, followed by a couple of punches. Ziggler whips him into the ropes,
but Truth hits a spinning heel kick. Truth tries for a cover but Swagger breaks
it up. Truth throws Swagger out of the ring and Kofi heads over to attack. Truth
looks for the scissors kick, but Ziggler dodges. Ziggler hits a leg drop of his
own, and this match is over.
Winners: Jack Swagger & Dolph Ziggler
Match Rating: *
After the match, Vickie Guerrero and Aksana start to brawl in the middle of the
ring. Their men break it up.
****Commercial****
Shawn Michaels’ music hits and he makes his way down to the ring. He says that
everyone wants to know what is going to happen when HHH faces The Undertaker. He
says that you have to tune in to WrestleMania to find out. Shawn says that the
other question on people’s minds is whether or not he can be an impartial
referee. Before he answers that question, Michaels starts to talk about The
Undertaker. He claims that the whole end of an era motif is really just another
way of saying the end of the streak.
The Undertaker’s music hits and he makes his way slowly down to the ring. Shawn
tries to cut him off before he can start talking, but Taker says that he did
enough talking last week. It is in his best interests to shut up and listen.
Taker has already told him that this match has to remain pure. So before Shawn
and his buddy start making plans –
“Time to play The Game”! HHHs music hits and he walks down to the ring. This
week, HHH is not in a suit, but jeans and a T-shirt. HHH tells Taker to stop
worrying about Shawn because despite his ego, this match isn’t about him. As
Taker has said, it is the destiny of HHH and Taker to face each other. They will
meet in the most demonic structure in the history of the WWE, Hell in a Cell.
There have only been 24 Hell in a Cell matches since its inception. Combined,
they have been in 19 of the Cell matches. HHH learned in the Cell how to push
the limits of human endurance, and what it takes to end another man’s career.
HHH says that it is where he thrives and where he excels. The whole world is
going to see an end of an era – Taker’s. HHH says he knows exactly what he needs
to do to finish the job.
Taker asks if he is sure. Because HHH’s mind, body, soul, wife and kids,
everything – is he willing to put it all on the line? HHH says that if it means
giving Taker the end that he deserves, then he is willing to sacrifice
everything. And he will. Taker and HHH stare each other down. Taker backs away
and goes to exit the ring. Taker takes a moment and steps back towards HHH. He
asks if HHH remembers when he said Shawn was better than HHH – because he is!
Taker’s music hits and he exits the ring. HHH stares gruffly at his former DX
partner as RAW goes off the air.