WWE Raw Storyline Tracker
By Robin Scannell, PWTorch specialist

(1) John Cena & The Rock / Eve’s heel turn

Raw opened with the Bella Twins asking Eve how Zack Ryder was doing. Eve told them they were never friends. She said that she used Zack and would use John Cena, too. Cena then appeared, and then walked off.

John Cena came to the ring, followed by Eve wanting to explain her actions. Cena said she was using her assets to further her career and that she was a "hoeski." Cena said she should hold out for Rock because they were both “scandalous bitches.” Eve went to her knees, Cena tried to help her up, and Eve tried to put her arms around the reluctant Cena. Referees separated them.

Reax: Eve really had to tell everyone her plan before it was complete? I mean, no one had any idea. Everything was going perfectly up until she spoke backstage to the Bellas in front of a camera, and in an area where Cena could just stumble upon their conversation. Of course, none of this makes Cena kissing Eve much better. That has seemingly been forgotten.

Later, Cena came to the ring to talk about Rock, who would be at Raw the following week. He said that Rock was only here to promote his movie and launch his Twitter account. He called Rock out for leaving when he said he wasn’t going to. Cena also referred to himself as a professional wrestler.

***

(2) C.M. Punk vs. Chris Jericho

John Laurinaitis announced a 10-man battle royal to face Punk at WrestleMania. The ten men would be the ten men who lost at Elimination Chamber.

In a backstage interview, Jericho said that he wasn’t eliminated at Elimination Chamber and that tonight would be the end of the world as we know it.

Reax: Of course, Jericho was eliminated. If it’s really about the three count, Punk could have taken the unconscious Jericho back to the ring and pinned him. There doesn’t seem to be anyone pointing out that Jericho is being ridiculous here. I am growing tired of Jericho’s “end of the world” hyperbole, as though it is an attempt to convince people that the vignettes were relevant.

In the main event, Chris Jericho won the ten-man battle royal when Cody Rhodes, who had been thrown out by Big Show, helped Jericho eliminate Show. After the match, Punk, who had been on commentary, extended a handshake to Jericho, who walked away. Jericho’s win means that he will face C.M. Punk at WrestleMania for the WWE Title.

***

(3) World Heavyweight Title Picture

Sheamus, the number one contender for the World Title, defeated former World Champion Mark Henry in a three-minute match.

Later, Daniel Bryan cut a promo about being a role model as he retained his World Title over five other people. Bryan defeated Santino Marella in under a minute.

Reax: Mark Henry would never have lost clean a few months back. Then, he gets injured and he loses that chairs match to Big Show, and now he loses to Sheamus in just three minutes. WWE might think “we can just re-build Henry," but imagine how much better it would be if they didn’t need to. Sheamus defeating Mark Henry means nothing without the match and their history being put into context. This is a huge deal. Sheamus defeated the former dominant World Heavyweight Champion in less than 200 seconds. As they didn’t play it up, Sheamus could have beaten anyone. The opponent was just meaningless. There should have been interviews after this match with Sheamus, Henry, and Bryan. If Sheamus is on such a hot streak, how is Bryan going to retain his title at WrestleMania? That is the question that should be being asked.

By the way, compare the treatment of the two people in the WrestleMania World Title match. The challenger, Sheamus, beats Mark Henry. The champion, Bryan, beats Santino. Those opponents are the opposite ends of the credibility spectrum.

***

(4) The Undertaker vs. Triple H

The Undertaker came out to the ring and said that although his wounds had healed, he had been in a living hell for the past year, since he was carried out of his match with Triple H. He said he never thought that Hunter would turn down his challenge. It wasn’t Hunter’s choice - they are there last two of their kind. Hunter came to the ring, but was interrupted as he began to speak. Undertaker said he didn’t want Hunter’s pity. Hunter talked about it being “bad for business.” Taker called Hunter a coward which really got to Hunter. He began to walk away when Taker said Shawn was better than Hunter. Hunter was furious over this and went back to the ring and accepted the match. He said that they must go all the way and proposed a Hell in a Cell match.

Reax: It does make you wonder how much of a bigger deal this match would be if there were not a Hell in a Cell pay-per-view. Nonetheless, I was surprised by the stipulation and it separates it from Shawn Michaels’s No DQ re-match.

Interestingly, although Taker put his hand on Triple H’s shoulder, which would suggest the same response as when Hunter did it, that Taker would turn the challenge down, it was confirmed by WWE that the match was set.

***

(5) Tag Title Picture

R-Truth and Kofi Kingston defeated Epico & Primo (with Rosa Mendes) in under three minutes.

Reax: It somewhat undermines the career-threatening Elimination Chamber match when R-Truth and Kofi Kingston can be in two matches the night after the match. Truth and Kofi even managed to beat the tag champions in a short match. It hardly says much for your champions when they can’t beat two people that just had an Elimination Chamber match and have never teamed before. Nonetheless, Truth and Kingston should be getting a Tag Title shot for their win here.

***

(6) Teddy Long vs. John Laurinaitis

Backstage, John Laurinaitis and Teddy Long spoke about both wanting to lead both shows. Long cared what the fans thought, whereas Laurinaitis favoured the Board of Directors. Otunga vs. someone from the Smackdown roster was booked. David Otunga (with John Laurinaitis) defeated Ezekiel Jackson (with Teddy Long) in the short match that later followed. If these matches are going to be a common occurrence, Laurinaitis is currently 1-0 against Long.

***

Other Stories

- Ron Simmons (Faarooq) was announced as an inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame.

- The Bella Twins defeated Kelly Kelly and Aksana in a short match.

Current Feuds Active this Week (# weeks)

Raw

John Cena vs. The Rock (54, on and off)
C.M. Punk vs. Chris Jericho (4)
Undertaker vs. Triple H (4)

Email any comments to scannell.torch@gmail.com or follow me on Twitter @robinocracy for my thoughts on the wrestling and non-wrestling things.

[Torch art credit Grant Gould (c) PWTorch.com]

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