After what went down at the Royal Rumble, what would the fallout be? Here’s what happened last night on Monday Night RAW:
The winner of the 2010 Royal Rumbe, Edge, comes to the ring. “I’m baaaack!!! First I want to take you back six months ago when I got injured, doctors said that I wouldn’ be back till March, April, maybe never… I saw the Slammy’s when Chris Jericho thanked me for getting injured and I made a vow that I would not miss another WrestleMania due to injury… Now I have the choice, do I face the guy who’s 17-0 at WrestleMania, or do I challenge the guy who’s never competed at WrestleMania?”
- WWE Champion, Sheamus, comes to the ring, “You’re not back five seconds and you’re running your mouth. Things have changed since you left.”
- Edge responds, “Yeah, it seems as if RAW’s been taken over by an evil Ronald McDonald!”
- Sheamus continues, “but I did something you didn’t do at Mania, I beat John Cena to win the WWE Title and I also beat Randy Orton last night… If I can beat them, I won’t break a sweat beating you!”
- Sheamus then threatens Edge to leave, and throws the microphone at him. Sheamus tries to beat him down, and misses a Pump Kick. Edge takes advantage and lays him down with a Spear.
Video Package: A look at the demonic structure known as the Elimination Chamber.
Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match
John Cena vs. Cody Rhodes
WINNER: John Cena via pin fall after hitting the Attitude Adjustment
Video Package: A look back at the “Montreal Screwjob” in anticipation for the Bret Hart/Vince McMahon showdown.
Backstage: Josh Matthews catches up with Mr. McMahon who’s about to enter his office. Asks him if he thinks Bret Hart will show up? Mr. McMahon responds that it’s unlikely, then enters his office and sees someone who’s not supposed to be there… it’s guest host, William Shatner who says, “as a fellow Canadian, a WWE fan, and a human being, I can’t wait for Bret Hart to embarrass you tonight.”
Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match
Jack Swagger vs. Triple H
WINNER: Triple H via pin fall after hitting a Pedigree
Video Package: Shatner performing Superstar themes in his usual, stereotyped demeanor.
Backstage: Triple H comes back from the ring to talk to Shawn Michaels. Trips asks, “Why did you Super Kick me out of the Rumble… Nah, I get it, hell, if I got the chance I would’ve done the same to you.”
- Shawn replies, “It wasn’t supposed to be that way… I was supposed to face The Undertaker at WrestleMania and break the streak.”
- “Shawn, what you’re doing isn’t healthy… Focus on qualifying for the chamber and then we’ll work together so that one of us will leave with the title.”
Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match
Randy Orton vs. Shawn Michaels
WINNER: Randy Orton via roll up pin fall while Shawn was trying to knip up.
- After the match, HBK’s pissed as he walks to the back.
Video Package: Another look back at Montreal, specifically the “Bret Screwed Bret” interview.
Backstage: Orton walking to the locker rooms when he’s approached by Ted DiBiase, “I’m sorry about what happened last night…” Orton glares at him and walks by.
Jerry Lawler & Michael Cole acknowledge the passing of Jack Brisco and a video package on his life is shown (1941-2010).
Backstage: Kelly Kelly & Gail Kim are talking when they’re approached by Maryse who says, “Let’s show what real women can do in the ring,” after commenting on the drama on Smackdown!
Backstage: Big Show & The Miz chatting in the guest host’s office waiting to ask him about a Tag Team Title match, when in walks the Straightedge Society (CM Punk, Luke Gallows & Serena), who are looking for the same thing since Teddy Long took theirs away last week.
- Shatner walks in the room, and it turns into a Priceline commercial and he becomes the RAW Match Negotiator.
- Both teams make the case for a tag team match, and Shatner makes a triple treat match for next week, both of these teams against DX.
Backstage: Triple H consoles HBK, “It’s not the end of the world. There are plenty of guys for you to compete with at WrestleMania.” Shawn sulks away.
Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match
Kofi Kingston vs. Big Show
WINNER: Kofi Kingston via DQ after Show accidentally got poked in the eye, and while his vision was impaired, he KO Punched the referee.
- Mid match, The Miz came out to be on commentary and was attacked by a pissed off MVP.
Video Package: Last month when Bret Hart was on RAW and Mr. McMahon kicked him in the gut.
Jerry Lawler introduces the guest host, William Shatner. Shatner’s proud to be here, and introduces Bret “The Hitman” Hart!
- Hart grabs a mic, “I’ve had a month to think about things. I came fr all the right reasons, people thought I was crazy, but I was wrong… I didn’t come here for closure, Vince, get your ass out here!”
- McMahon comes out and he’s faking being shocked that Bret is actually here, then waddles to the ring. “I’ve never regretted anything I’ve ever done to you!”
- Bret replies, “that’s the first honest thing you’ve probably ever told me!” Bret then recounts a story after his stroke when he was stuck in a wheel chair. He said, “I’d never feel pathetic for the rest of my life” after he started walking again. “For fourteen years I worked for you… I thought some day, Vince would appreciate it. Took me twenty years to build up a reputation and it took you three minutes to tear it all down!” Bret then threatens to kick Vince’s ass!
- Vince says, “What a crock?!? You’re not a hero to anyone Bret! Look at you, I don’t get what people see in you. You have ZERO personality. You have no charisma. You’ve got that stringy crappy hair, and you’re dressed like a hobo! You deserved to be screwed!” McMahon pulls the Hall of Fame offer for Stu Hart, Bret’s dad off the table.
- Bret is just fed up, and jumps McMahon and rains down punches. He sets Vince up for a Sharpshooter and Batista attacks Bret from behind.
- Batista holds Bret down, and McMahon pays him back for Montreal and spits in Bret’s face!
QUICK THOUGHTS:
I love watching the segments between McMahon and Hart. There’s so much tension between them and you know it’s just a powder keg waiting to explode. The only thing I’m baffled about is why they used a Smackdown guy on RAW to attack Bret from behind… Maybe there’s a story line in the works between Batista and someone who defended Bret previously, like John Cena…?
Now that the participants are set in for the Elimination Chamber match, WWE can now set up the story lines for the quick 3 week turnaround till the PPV. Glad to see they had Orton & DiBiase qualify, but not Rhodes. I have a feeling we’re going to start seeing more of the self-destruction of Legacy in the coming weeks.
Glad they teased Edge about possibly coming back to RAW to challenge Sheamus, but I don’t think that he’s going to be on Monday’s. It would be smart if they kept him on Smackdown where he can feud with Jericho. Since Edge has the automatic WrestleMania main event, I think they’re going to have him wait until after the Elimination Chamber to make his decision.