Monday Night RAW - Review (11.03.2014)

“It’s good to have you home,” John Cena tells Hogan

Monday Night RAW opened with Hulk Hogan talking about WrestleMania and his matches against Randy Savage. He also says that there will be an Andre The Giant memorial trophy given to the Superstars who wins a battle royal match.

John Cena‘s music hits and he makes his way to the ring.

Cena says it’s damn good to have Hogan back in WWE. He talks about WrestleMania 3 and how he knew Hulkamania would live forever. Cena does a “whatcha gonna do…” and the fans boo. Cena says he’s going to be the first one to enter his name in the battle royal.

The lights go out, the lantern lights up and out comes The Wyatt Family.

Bray Wyatt sits in his favourite spot – the chair and begins to mock both Hogan and Cena. Bray says they are both liars and their foolish pride allows them to prey upon the weak and fill them with hope. Bray says hope is dead, as will be Cena’s legacy. Bray says if Cena looks down at him, he will see an enemy, if he looks up at him, he will see a friend. If he looks straight at him, he will see a God.

Bray holds his arms out. Cena says Bray talks some weird stuff. Cena says he sees a homeless man when he looks at Bray, not a God. Cena says he has 2 other bums with him and a rocking chair from Cracker Barrell. Cena tells Bray to prove that he is somebody.

Cena tells Hogan he might not be able to make that battle royal. Cena challenges Bray for WrestleMania XXX and says he will get the ass whooping of a lifetime. Bray says it’s all fun and games with Cena until it’s Cena caught in the spider web. Bray drops the mic and The Wyatt Family approaches the ring.

Match One: Eric Rowan vs. John Cena

Rowan takes control of Cena, and nails a pump-handle backbreaker for a two count. Hogan is at ringside to cheer on Cena while Harper and Wyatt look on from the ramp.

Rowan locks in a bearhug, and he throws Cena around the ring. Cena eventually powers out of the hold, but Rowan just throws him to the ground.

Cena ends up winning with a roll-up out of nowhere.

Winner: John Cena

John Cena

After the bell, Bray gets up from his chair and is very upset. Hogan celebrates with Cena and raises his arm in the ring. Bray sends Harper and Rowan to the ring.

Hogan and Cena get ready for a fight. Bray calls Rowan and Harper back off the apron. Hogan talks junk to Bray about Cena’s WrestleMania challenge. The Wyatts leave as Hogan and Cena celebrate to Hogan’s music.

Triple H and Stephanie McMahon make their way out to the ring, and talk about last week’s RAW. Stephanie says Daniel Bryan attacked her husband and suffered the consequences – a pedigree. She says his actions are grounds for immediate termination but they’ve decided to lead by example. Stephanie apologizes, because that’s what is best for business.

She says they recognize there is value in Bryan’s brand, not like Randy Orton or Batista or Triple H’s brand but value nonetheless. Stephanie says Bryan has a niche following. She says Bryan must return the favor and apologize to them.

She says it’s time Bryan admitted that he’s wrong and not man enough to be in the ring with Triple H… not now and certainly not at WrestleMania XXX. She says Triple H is above Bryan – professionally, figuratively and literally. Stephanie says as long as Bryan can apologize tonight, they can move forward. If not, there will be severe consequences.

Match Two: Rybaxel vs. The Usos

Ryback and Jimmy start off, and Jimmy takes Ryback down with an armdrag, but Ryback manages to get up quickly and tag in Axel. Jimmy hits Axel on the face sending him hard onto the floor of the ring, but Axel gets back and shoves Jimmy’s face into the middle rope.

Jey finally gets the hot tag from Jimmy and takes Axel out.

Jey kicks out Axel’s leg and knocks Ryback off the apron. Jey with a big Samoan Drop on Axel.

Ryback misses a clothesline and gets a superkick from Jey. Jey gives a superkick to Axel also. Jey runs the ropes and leaps out onto Ryback, tagging in Jimmy at the same time. Jimmy nails a Superfly Splash on Axel for the win.

Winners: The Usos

Kane is the principle and the Shield are getting in trouble

Backstage, Kane has words with The Shield about their second loss to the Wyatt Family last week. He also talks about the showdown they had on SmackDown and says they have shown to the world that cracks exist in their team.

Kane pits Rollins and Reigns in a match with Cody Rhodes and Goldust.

Match Three: Big E vs. Jack Swagger

Big E tries to push Swagger into a corner, but ends up getting cornered himself and ends up receiving a knee to the gut from Swagger.

Big E hits Swagger with a shoulder thrust and mounts Swagger with right hands in the corner. But Swagger manages to get out and hits Big E with a clothesline for a 2 count.

Big E comes back with a clothesline and a belly-to-belly suplex. Big E runs the ropes but Swagger takes out his knee.

Zeb calls for the Patriot Lock, but Swagger chokes Big E on the ropes. Zeb wants Cesaro to hit a cheap shot on Big E but Cesaro won’t. Swagger is distracted, allowing Big E to roll him up for the win.

Winner: Big E

“Brock Lesnar, if he shows up in New Orleans at WrestleMania 30, he will rest in peace!”

Familiar music hits, purple smoke fills the entrance and out walks The Undertaker. The crowd erupts into cheers, but before Taker can speak, Paul Heyman appears.

Heyman apologizes if his presence has updated Taker’s train of thought. Heyman introduces himself to Taker and praises The Streak. Heyman points out that Mr. WrestleMania Shawn Michaels himself could never win 2 WrestleMania victories in a row.

Heyman says similar facts about Triple H, Hulk Hogan, Steve Austin and John Cena. Heyman asks Taker not to step in the ring with Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania XXX because the WWE fans need to worship The Streak. Heyman says even he worships Taker and The Streak after last year.

Heyman says Lesnar will end The Streak, even though he’s stepping into the unknown at WrestleMania. Heyman says it’s an unknown that Taker needs to fear, not Lesnar. Heyman says if Taker steps in the ring with Lesnar, The Streak will be conquered.

Taker tells Heyman to take a message to Lesnar about the fear of the unknown being the greatest fear of them all. Taker tells Heyman to tell Lesnar that if he shows up at WrestleMania, he will rest… in… peace. Taker’s music hits and Heyman makes his exit.

Match Four: Cody Rhodes and Goldust vs. Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns

Goldust takes on Reigns and Rollins

Cody and Rollins start off. Cody drops Rollins on his face for a two count. Goldust tags in and hits a running drop elbow. Rollins manages to corner Goldust but Goldust reverses the Irish whip and hits Rollins with a backbreaker.

Rollins does a cool back flip move in the corner before he drives Rhodes’ face into the turnbuckle. Reigns tags in for a quick two count on Rhodes.

Goldust gets the hot tag and he comes in and takes out Rollins and Reigns. He hits a cross body to both men from the top rope before he sends both men over the top rope.

Cody and Goldust take out both men with high flying moves on the floor.

Back from commercial sees Reigns in full control of Goldust. Rollins tags in to continue the punishment against Goldust. Reigns nails Goldust with his running kick from the floor to the apron.

Goldust hits Regins with a powerslam out of nowhere and tags in Cody. Cody unloads on Rollins and rolls him up for 2. Cody drops down with the right hand. Cody blocks a move and hits a Disaster Kick on Reigns. Cody nails a moonsault on Rollins for a 2 count. Cody blocks a kick and nails a right hand. Cody with a Musclebuster for a close 2 count as Reigns breaks the pin.

Goldust dropkicks Reigns to the floor. Rollins sends Goldust out. Cody and Rollins collide. Reigns and Goldust come back in. Reigns spears Goldust. Cody dumps Reigns to the floor. Rollins blocks CrossRhodes and blocks a Disaster Kick. Rollins powerbombs Cody back into the corner and stomps on the back of his head for the win.

Winners: The Shield

Match Five: The Bellas vs. AJ and Tamina

The Bella Twins vs. Tamina

Nikki and Tamina start off. Tamina shoves Nikki twice. Nikki comes back swinging and ducks a clothesline. They trade shots and Nikki tags in Brie for some double teaming. Brie with a running knee to the face.

AJ distracts Brie. Brie turns around to a big kick to the face from Tamina. The kick knocks Brie out of the ring and the referee counts. Tamina comes out and throws her back in. Tamina drops Brie and covers for 2.

Nikki tags in and clotheslines AJ. Nikki goes for a facebuster and gets a two count as Tamina breaks the pin.

Brie leaps out and takes down Tamina on the floor. AJ kicks Brie in the face. AJ with the Black Widow on Nikki but she counters it. Nikki with the Rack Attack for the win.

Winners: The Bella Twins

“I will not leave this ring until I get what I want, which is a match against Triple H at WrestleMania!”

Daniel Bryan comes out for his “apology”.

Bryan doesn’t apologize, of course. He talks about how “it” ends tonight. He say the Yes movement is going to occupy RAW.

He goes on to say that The Authority wants to scare him, and he’s got only one thing to say to them – The NO chant!

He says everyone is tired of Triple H. He says Triple H doesn’t listen to anyone but tonight, they’re going to make it so Triple H has to listen. Bryan says the Yes Movement is going to occupy RAW tonight. A “yes!” chant breaks out.

Bryan says he’s not leaving the ring until he gets what he wants – the WrestleMania match with Triple H. Bryan says says he’s not alone, he’s got the Yes Movement. Bryan says it’s unlawful, dangerous and subject to prosecution but he doesn’t care.

Bryan says he talked to members of the Yes Movement earlier today and wants them to come down. A bunch of fans in Bryan t-shirts start coming over the barrier and into the ring.

“Alright, Daniel, congratulations. You’ve got your own little Occupy Raw movement.”

Stephanie and Triple H come out. Triple H congratulates Bryan on having his own occupy RAW movement and insults them. Triple H says this is the part where reality comes crashing down. He says they all have about 30 seconds to get out of the ring before they’re arrested. They chant “no” and Triple H counts down on his watch. Triple H picks on one of the guys for being fat and calls them losers.

He calls for security. Bryan asks Triple H what if everyone in the arena walked out in the parking lot right now. He says Triple H could have RAW in front of an arena of empty chairs and they will set up their own ring in the parking lot. Triple H tells security to throw them all out. It’s two guys. They walk down to the crowd and turn back around.

Stephanie yells at them to clear the ring. She says all of the fans are being manipulated by Bryan. They continue to chant “no” as she yells. Stephanie says they’re wrapped up in a power trip and power can go to your head. She tells them Bryan isn’t worth it. Bryan says they underestimate the power of the people. Bryan says Stephanie doesn’t own anything. Bryan says they own the ring, not her. Fans chant “yes” now. Triple H says this ends now. He says to get the next match ready, hit someone’s music and let’s go.

Damien Sandow’s music hits, but the fans keep chanting and Sandow turns to go back. Triple H calls out to him and says he has to fight.

Bryan says the only way they leave is if Triple H accepts his challenge for a match at WM30.

Triple H claims he has been protecting Bryan the whole. Triple H gets worked up and finally accepts the challenge, and then he tells everyone to get out of his ring.

Bryan says that a match is not all he wanted. He says if he beats Triple H, he gets added to the WWE title match with Batista and Randy Orton.

Triple H tries to attack Bryan, but security holds him back. He tells Bryan he gets what he wants, and we head to another break with yet another yes chant during Bryan’s celebrating.

Match Six: Sheamus vs. Christian

Sheamus and Christian’s weeks-long rivalry takes on a new intensity on Raw

The WWE sets up a drum set outside the ring as Sheamus and Christian start off. The match immediately spills outside Sheamus tries to hit Christian with a guitar but he ducks. Christian grabs a guitar and jabs it at Sheamus. Christian gets sent over the steel steps. Sheamus continues and chases Christian up the ramp.

Christian hits a nice tornado DDT from the stage to the floor. We head to a break with both men being checked by doctors.

Back from break, Christian is in control. He grabs a kendo stick from under the ring and beats Sheamus from pillar to post with it. Sheamus catches him coming off the middle rope with a shot to the gut.

Sheamus starts to build a head of steam as he runs through Christian. He catches Christian coming off the ropes and hits a rolling senton for a near fall.

Christian and Sheamus fight over the kendo stick, and Sheamus wins. He hits Christian a bunch of times before he hits him with White Noise for a two count.

Sheamus hits Christian in the chest 17 times instead of the usual 10. Sheamus hits the Irish Curse backbreaker from the second step outside the ring and then he goes under the ring for some chairs.

Christian grabs a chair and lays Sheamus out with it. He puts the chair on Sheamus’ chest and then he hits a huge Frog Splash onto the chair on top of Sheamus for a near fall.

Sheamus nails a Brogue Kick through a bass drum for the pin and the win.

Winner: Sheamus

Match Seven: Big Show and Daniel Bryan vs. Randy Orton and Batista

A historic Raw comes to a close, in the looming shadow of WrestleMania 30.

Bryan and Orton start things off. Bryan pushes Orton out of the ring and goes for a suicide dive. Bryan is still in control, but Orton manages to turn things around and tags in Batista. The Animal hits a suplex and hits Bryan on the apron. Batista slams Bryan into the apron and rolls him back in. Batista runs into a boot but clotheslines Bryan for 2. Orton tags back in and hits Bryan with headbutts and more stomps.

Bryan manages to kick-out and finally tags in Big Show.

Batista tries to Batistabomb Show, but he gets backdropped and both men tag their partners. Bryan comes in hot with a flurry of offense to Orton.

He kicks Batista off the apron for good measure and then he lays in with kicks to the chest of Orton. He kicks Orton in the side of the head for a close two count.

Bryan goes to the top rope and he has to kick Batista off before he goes for the diving headbutt. Orton moves, but he still ends up in the Yes Lock.

Batista comes in and breaks things up and Big Show kicks him in the head. Orton hits Show with an RKO and everyone is down.

Bryan moves and Batista ends up Spearing Orton. Orton avoids a dropkick in the corner and then he hits the rope-hung DDT on Bryan.

Bryan counters the RKO and he hits the running knee to get the pin on Orton.

Winners: Big Show and Daniel Bryan

After the match, Bryan chants with the fans and poses in the turnbuckles to point up at the WrestleMania sign. RAW goes off the air with Bryan celebrating.