Event: WWE Monday Night RAW
Airdate: Monday, January 12th, 2015 (USA Network)
Location: The Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, LA
Results by Matt Boone
“Yes, sir, we promised you a great main event…”
The Authority Makes A Deal With John Cena To Kick Off RAW
This week’s show opens up with a recap video of Dolph Ziggler, Ryback and Erick Rowan being fired by The Authority. This leads to John Cena coming out to the ring.
Cena talks about how cowardly The Authority was for firing them. He asks the fans if they want to see those three here tonight. They all cheer. He says to go on social media and use the hash-tag “The Authority Sucks.”
He says in case they don’t hear that, he’s got a Plan B. He says he’s going to win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship from Brock Lesnar and Seth Rollins at the Royal Rumble and once he wins, he’s going to go home. This means WWE will not have a World Title match at their biggest show of the year, WrestleMania.
With that said, “King of Kings” hits and out walks The Authority — Triple H and Stephanie McMahon. The fans boo as they make their way to the ring.
Stephanie begins speaking, and mocks Cena for his hash-tag campaign about “The Authority Sucks.” HHH talks about how cute it is that Cena is planning on attempting to take his ball and go home. He reminds them of what the stakes were at Survivor Series and points out that Cena convinced them to go through with it anyways, knowing full-well that his teammates could lose their jobs as a result.
HHH reminds Cena that The Authority always wins. Steph says at the end of the day, John Cena is selfish. After mocking Cena some more, HHH asks the fans if they want Ziggler, Ryback and Rowan back in the WWE.
HHH says that if the WWE Universe wants them back and John Cena wants them back, he wants to know just how bad Cena wants them back. HHH says all he has to do to get their jobs back is win his match tonight. That match will be against Seth Rollins. He says Cena vs. Rollins will be a Lumberjack match just to make sure things don’t get out of control. He asks for the lumberjacks to come out now because that match takes place right now.
With that said, the RAW theme hits as the heel roster all come out together and make their way down to the ring. Cena vs. Rollins in a lumberjack match with Ziggler, Ryback and Rowan’s job on the line is next. On that note, we head to our first commercial of the evening.
Lumberjack Match with Jobs on the Line
– John Cena vs. Seth Rollins
When we return from the first commercial break of the evening, Cena and Rollins are already in the ring and the action is officially getting going. The announcers continue to point out how Cena has the odds stacked against him, as all of the lumberjacks chosen by The Authority are clearly not fans of John Cena.
Everytime Cena gets thrown out to the floor, the lumberjacks do a number on him and then through him back into the ring so that Rollins can pick up where they left off. When Rollins gets thrown out to the floor, the lumberjacks help Rollins regroup and recover before he heads back into the ring. On that note, we head to a mid-match commercial.
We’re back from the break and we see Rollins firmly in control of the offense as we are shown highlights, courtesy of the WWE App, of Bad News Barrett, one of the lumberjacks, getting involved from outside the ring during the match. Meanwhile, back live, Rollins continues to go to work on Cena as the announcers remind us of the importance of this match, as Ziggler, Ryback and Rowan’s jobs are all on the line.
Cena hits the Five Knuckle Shuffle, followed by an Attitude Adjustment, but before he can cover Rollins for the pin, the lumberjacks pull him out of the ring. This leads to Cena climbing to the top rope and splashing onto all of the lumberjacks on the floor. Cena rolls Rollins back in the ring and covers him, but Rollins kicks out at two.
As the two fight back-and-forth, Cena finally blasts Rollins with an Attitude Adjustment again. Before he can pin him, however, the lumberjacks yanked Cena out of the ring this time instead of Rollins, and they proceeded to beat Cena down. They throw him back in the ring, where Rollins waits for him to get up so he can Curb Stomp him. As Rollins charges at him, Cena trips him and locks him in the STF. Kane ends up helping Rollins get to the ropes to break the hold.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the ring, Big Show nails Cena with the Knockout Punch on the floor and then throws him back in the ring. Rollins slowly crawls over to Cena, covers him and scores the 1-2-3. Rollins wins. After the match, Rollins celebrates in the ring with the lumberjacks and then we head to another commercial break.
After the match, Big Show enters the ring and attacks Reigns. He nails him with the Knockout Punch, talks some trash to him and leaves him laying.
Winner: Seth Rollins
Backstage: Stephanie McMahon, The Usos & Dean Ambrose
When we return from the commercial break, we see Stephanie McMahon backstage with The Usos when Dean Ambrose walks in. Steph tells Uso that his wife, Naomi, will be competing tonight with one hand tied behind her back. She then tells Ambrose that he is to be followed around by a doctor tonight and if he doesn’t give Ambrose a clean bill of mental health, then he won’t be able to compete at the Royal Rumble.
Backstage: The Miz & Damien Mizdow
We then go to a quick backstage segment with The Miz and Damien Mizdow. Miz talks about a little boy and how he can achieve his dreams and be like The Miz. All the while, by the way, Mizdow is mimicing his actions.
Backstage: Dean Ambrose and the Doctor
We then go to a room where the doctor is with Ambrose. The doc asks if Ambrose knows why he’s here. Ambrose asks if it’s because he’s been a bad little boy. The doc tells him to sit back and relax. A clock starts ticking. Ambrose looks at it while the doc jots down some notes. On that note, we head to a commercial break.
Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods (with Big E.) vs. Tyson Kidd & Cesaro (with The Rosebuds)
When we return from the break, we see The New Day in the middle of doing their ring entrance. On the other side of the ring is the team of Tyson Kidd and Cesaro. We then see highlights of last week where Kidd and Cesaro, under masks, attacked The New Day.
The bell rings and here we go. Kofi Kingston starts things off for his team, while Cesaro starts things off for his. Representing The New Day alongside Kingston is Xavier Woods, with Big E. on the outside. The Rosebuds, meanwhile, are in the corner of Kidd and Cesaro to show their support.
Xavier hits a big rolling chop out of the corner and kicks for Cesaro as he comes in. Rose gets on the apron and Woods charges. Rose jumps to the floor but Big E runs him over. Woods with a near fall on Kidd. Kingston makes the tag with the big double team stomp on Kidd for the win.
Winners: Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods
Big Show Promo
Big Show makes his way to the ring for a promo segment. Big Show rants and raves, talking about how when he first debuted, he defeated Hulk Hogan for the WCW World Championship. Eventually, Big Show is interrupted by Roman Reigns, who makes his way to the ring through the crowd.
Big Show backs off as Reigns takes the mic. Reigns says Big Show did win the title from “The Hulkster” when he debuted, and he remembers it because he was about 12 years old when it happened. Reigns then went into storytelling mode, talking about Jack and the Beanstalk. Riveting stuff.
Roman Reigns vs. Luke Harper (with Big Show)
All of this leads to an actual match, as Luke Harper makes his way out to the top of the stage with Big Show. The two make their way to the ring. Big Show takes a seat at ringside, as we’ve got Roman Reigns vs. Luke Harper next on RAW.
When we return from the break, Reigns and Harper are going at it, with Reigns gaining the upper-hand in the offense. Reigns remains in control, setting up his Superman punch as he waits for Harper to get up. While he’s cocked and ready to go, Big Show throws his chair at the ring, which distracts Reigns.
Harper takes advantage of the distraction and ends up hitting a huge sideslam. Reigns finally nails his Superman punch. Reigns goes outside of the ring and stares at Big Show before hitting the big apron flying double boot to the face on Harper.
Big Show runs over but Reigns kicks him in the face from the apron. Harper superkicks Reigns for a close near fall. Harper then goes for his big spinning clothesline finisher, but Reigns avoids it and instead nails him with a big spear for the 1-2-3.
Winner: Roman Reigns
Backstage: Jimmy Uso & Naomi
Backstage, we see Jimmy Uso talking with Naomi. Naomi is upset about the fact that she has to wrestle a match tonight with one arm tied behind her back. We head to a commercial break on that note.
Naomi vs. Alicia Fox
We head to the ring after the commercial for Divas action. They tie one of Naomi’s arms behind her back for this match, which will be against Alicia Fox. The bell rings and here we go.
Fox taunts Naomi early on and messes with her before they finally get down to action. Naomi tries fighting with one arm early on, but eventually the odds are too much for her, as Fox hits the Scissors Kick on Naomi for the 1-2-3. Fox wins.
Winner: Alicia Fox
Backstage: Dean Ambrose with his Doctor
Backstage, we see Dean Ambrose and the doctor sitting on couches. The doctor shows Ambrose a series of pictures and asks him for one-word thoughts about them. Some of them were, Roman Reigns — which Ambrose says, “Brother.” Another was “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan, which Ambrose replies by saying “Hoooooo!” The final picture is of Stephanie McMahon, and Ambrose again says, “Hoooooo!” We head to another break on that note.
Brock Lesnar & Paul Heyman In-Ring Segment
We return from commercial and Brock Lesnar’s theme music hits. Out comes the WWE World Heavyweight Champion, accompanied by his “advocate,” Paul Heyman. Heyman tells us what his name is, as he always does, and then talks about how good it feels to return to “the scene of the crime,” New Orleans, where Lesnar conquered the streak.
Having said that, Heyman introduces a video package, which in movie-style fashion, showcases Lesnar’s victory over Undertaker at WrestleMania XXX, conquering Undertaker’s WrestleMania undefeated streak in the process.
Heyman goes on to promote the fact that his client, Brock Lesnar, and his next victims, John Cena and Seth Rollins, will all share the same ring later tonight for the official contract signing for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship match at the upcoming WWE Royal Rumble pay-per-view.
Jey Uso (with Jimmy Uso) vs. The Miz (with Damien Mizdow)
From there, we head back to the ring for our next match of the evening. Out first are The Usos to a nice reception from the fans here in New Orleans. Their opponents, The Miz and Damien Mizdow make their way down to the ring next.
Actually, as it turns out, this will be a one-on-one match, with Jey Uso representing The Usos and The Miz representing his team. The bell sounds to make this one official, so here we go.
This match was kept pretty short. Uso was in control of the offense for the most part, with Mizdow doing his fake selling on the outside of the ring. Eventually, via a distraction, Miz manages to hit his Skull Crushing Finale on Uso for the pinfall victory. After the match, we head to another commercial break.
Winner: The Miz
In-Ring Promo: Daniel Bryan, Stephanie McMahon & Kane
When we return from the break, Daniel Bryan’s music hits and the leader of the “Yes! Movement” makes his way to the ring in street clothes, with the fans in New Orleans, who witnessed his WWE World Heavyweight Championship victory at WrestleMania XXX last year, cheering along with a giant “Yes!” chant.
The “Yes!” chants switch to “Daniel Bryan! Daniel Bryan!” chants as Bryan begins to speak. He says something seems familiar about all of this. He says he seems to recall something major happening the last time he was here in New Orleans.
He says it’s all coming back to him now. He says this time last year, in this city, he won the main event of WrestleMania and became the WWE World Heavyweight Champion. He says, “not bad for a lumberjack-looking B+ player, huh?”
Bryan goes on to remind everyone that he announced his entrance into the 2015 Royal Rumble match. He says he’s going to win it and he’s going to repeat history and do it all over again this year. He says he doesn’t care what anyone says, nobody is going to be able to stop him.
With that said, Stephanie McMahon’s theme music hits and out she comes to the ring. As soon as she enters the ring, the fans begin chanting “No! No! No!” Stephanie says in case Bryan isn’t feeling fit yet, she’d like to give him a present, her “Fit Series” DVD, which stars herself. Bryan shakes his head no.
Stephanie admits that Bryan proved them wrong and proved himself to be an A+ player. She says unfortunately, it all came crashing down, and this is what she remembers. A video package is shown of Kane attacking Bryan on RAW last April, tombstone piledriving him over and over again on the floor, resulting in him being stretchered out, only for Kane to yank him off the stretcher and tombstone him on the announce table. We see Daniel Bryan getting stretchered out to close out the video package.
We return live, and now Stephanie talks about Bryan having multiple neck injuries and surgeries. She says a real A+ player doesn’t just win the big one, they stay on top. She questions whether or not he’ll ever be able to do that.
Stephanie asks him to look inside himself and ask if he really thinks he can do it again. The fans chant “Yes! Yes! Yes!,” so Bryan does as well. Bryan tells Steph to raise her arms and join along in the “Yes!” chant, telling her it’s probably a better workout than the one in her little DVD that she’s holding. He says she called him an average joe, and that’s what she doesn’t get. He will never stop fighting. They (the fans) will never stop fighting. He says he will fight through the Royal Rumble, WrestleMania and once again prove her wrong.
Stephanie says Bryan isn’t so smart and his first match isn’t going to be at the Royal Rumble. She says it’ll be at SmackDown, the first edition of the show to air on Thursday. She says his opponent is someone he is quite familiar with. With that said, Kane’s theme music hits and out he comes to the ring.
Before Kane can get into the ring, Bryan dives through the ropes and splashes onto Kane. He punches and kicks away at him, but Kane reverses the tide and slams him into the ring steps. Kane stomps away at Bryan on the floor. Bryan ends up fighting back, leaving Kane reeling and heading to the back and leaving Bryan triumphant in the ring.
Backstage: Seth Rollins, J&J Security, Brock Lesnar & Paul Heyman
Backstage we see Seth Rollins talking with J&J Security — Jamie Noble and Joey Mercury, when up walks Brock Lesnar. Lesnar gets in Rollins face and says he’s the guy who weaseled his way into his title match with John Cena at the Royal Rumble. Rollins says he’s the future of WWE. Lesnar says the future starts when he says so. In walks Paul Heyman, who tries to cool the situation down. Heyman says he and Rollins have worked together like men in the past, maybe they can do that again and take out Cena, and then may the best man win between Rollins and Lesnar. On that note, we head to a commercial break.
Brie Bella (with Nikki Bella) vs. Paige (with Tyson Kidd & Natalya)
When we return from the break, Brie Bella is in the ring finishing her ring entrance. Already in the ring is her opponent for tonight, former WWE Divas Champion Paige. The bell sounds and here we go.
We see a shot of Nikki Bella in Brie’s corner as Brie goes to work on Paige. Meanwhile, we see Natalya and Tyson Kidd in the corner of Paige. Brie hits a big dropkick off the top on Paige for a near fall as we see Nattie and Kidd looking on from ringside.
Tyson Kidd distracts them on accident, leading to Brie scoring the pin on Paige. Nattie looks at Kidd like “WTF?” and then Paige walks over and bitch-smacks Kidd. Nattie smirks a bit after watching Paige slap her husband. Nattie walks off as Kidd looks confused.
Winner: Brie Bella
Backstage: John Cena
Backstage we see a dejected John Cena sitting with his head down in his locker room. The announcers promote the contract signing between Cena, Rollins and Lesnar for later tonight. On that note, we head to a commercial.
First Inductee Into The 2015 Class Of The WWE Hall Of Fame
After much speculation and rumors throughout the day, it was finally made official — WWE legend “Macho Man” Randy Savage is now the first official inductee into the 2015 class of the WWE Hall Of Fame. Savage’s career video package airs and afterwards, we see multiple shots of the crowd where the fans chant “Randy Savage! Randy Savage!” over and over again. The graphic then airs showing Savage as the first 2015 WWE Hall Of Fame inductee. They then announce that Hulk Hogan will be the man to induct Savage into the WWE Hall Of Fame during WrestleMania 31 weekend.
The Ascension vs. Two Local Wrestlers
From there, we go to The Ascension’s intro to the ring. As they make their way to the ring, we see a pre-recorded backstage interview with the team, once again talking about how they are better than Demolition, the Powers of Pain, the Legion of Doom, etc.
Already in the ring are their opponents for tonight, two local jobber wrestlers. Much like last week, The Ascension make quick work of their opposition, squashing them and beating them in about a minute.
Winners: The Ascension
Backstage Dean Ambrose and the Doctor
After The Ascension’s quick match, we shoot backstage for another segment with Dean Ambrose and the doctor. Only this time, the doctor is laying on the couch crying as Ambrose is telling him he understands and that everything will be okay. Basically, he flipped the script on the doctor and turned the tables. He convinces the doctor to sign the papers that Ambrose was ordered to get signed by Stephanie McMahon earlier in the evening. Now we head to another commercial break.
Rusev (with Lana) vs. Dean Ambrose
After a quick promo segment with Rusev and Lana, where they talk about Russia being better than America and yadda yadda yadda. Same ole’ stuff, finally, out comes Dean Ambrose. Ambrose brawls with Rusev, knocking him out to the floor outside of the ring. Rusev looks pissed as we head to a commercial break.
When we return from the break, the Rusev vs. Ambrose impromptu match is officially underway and Rusev is in control thus far. Ambrose tires to fire up on offense, but Rusev cuts his efforts short. The two trade shots and Ambrose gets Rusev down. Ambrose climbs to the top and hits a big flying elbow smash off the top-rope, ala “Macho Man” Randy Savage.
Rusev ends up fighting back and now has Ambrose tied upside down in the corner. He bashes away at Ambrose’s face with knees and kicks. Finally, the referee unties Ambrose from the ropes and ends up calling the match off due to Ambrose’s condition.
Ambrose argues with the referee for a bit, only to turn around into a big super kick from Rusev. The giant Russian flag drops from the ceiling as Rusev and Lana stand tall and proud in the ring as we head to another commercial break, likely our final of the evening.
Winner: Rusev
WWE Royal Rumble Contract Signing
We’re back from the break and we see the red carpet laid out in the ring, along with a table. The Authority — Triple H and Stephanie McMahon, are already in the ring. They bring out Seth Rollins first. Next out is John Cena. Finally, Brock Lesnar’s music hits and out comes the WWE World Heavyweight Champion, along with his advocate, Paul Heyman.
Heyman starts off by talking about how Seth Rollins is single-handedly responsible for bringing back The Authority, and it was a masterful plan, one that Heyman supported and was executed by Rollins. Rollins goes to thank Heyman and pat himself on the back, but Heyman tells him that he’s not done speaking. Heyman talks about how he doesn’t like the fact that the Royal Rumble main event is now a triple-threat match.
Rollins asks if that’s what’s bothering Heyman. Heyman says that’s correct, he’s not happy about it at all. He says his client, Lesnar, doesn’t even need to be pinned to lose his title, and he doesn’t like that. Rollins tells Heyman he’s pointing out the obvious. Rollins asks Heyman if Brock Lesnar can’t handle a triple threat match. Heyman goes to answer, but Rollins cuts him off and this time says “I am not finished talking yet.”
Rollins says he may not have Lesnar’s accomplishments, but he says Lesnar doesn’t have his either. He says he put together The Shield. He says he broke up The Shield. He says he brought The Authority back. He beat John Cena. He’s responsible for Dolph Ziggler, Ryback and Erick Rowan not having jobs in WWE. He says he did all of that by himself. He says whether Plan A or Plan B is executed, at the Royal Rumble, he is walking out WWE World Heavyweight Champion.
With that said, Rollins drops the mic, picks up the pen and signs the contract. Heyman goes to talk, but Lesnar takes the mic from him. Lesnar says he conquered The Undertaker and he conquered John Cena, and he damn sure will conquer Seth Rollins.
Cena grabs a mic and now he’s gonna talk. He says Lesnar doesn’t need to be pinned to lose his title, but that’s what’s going to happen anyways. Cena says he and Lesnar are gonna kick Rollins ass, and then they will fight each other and Cena will kick Lesnar’s ass and take the title. Cena signs the contract. Lesnar signs it as well.
Rollins says there’s one glaring plan that they’re overlooking. He tells Cena he had a plan to get rid of The Authority, and guess what, he failed. He says he had a plan tonight to get all his buddies their jobs back tonight, and he failed there as well. He says in two weeks at the Royal Rumble, he’ll fail again and that will be strike three. He says that’s only if he can make it to the Rumble.
Rollins attacks Cena but Lesnar joins the mix. Lesnar suplexes Cena and then suplexes Rollins. Lesnar turns around into an Attitude Adjustment from Cena. Cena, while talking trash to Lesnar, who is outside the ring, turns around into a Curb Stomp from Rollins. Lesnar, now in the ring talking trash to Cena, eats a Curb Stomp from Rollins. Rollins Curb Stomps both of his opponents at the Rumble and leaves them both laying as his music plays and he celebrates. The Authority applaud Rollins in approval. We head off the air on that note.
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