WWE Raw Storyline Tracker
By Robin Scannell, PWTorch Specialist

Episode - February 27, 2012

(1) John Cena vs. The Rock

Leading up to the second hour, The Miz came out for a match against John Cena and said that he would prove to everyone that he is worthy of WrestleMania by beating Cena. Cena then defeated Miz via submission. After the match, the screen showed Rock backstage. He looked at the camera and did the "you can't see me" gesture.

Later, The Rock came to the ring and explained that he wasn’t meant to be taken literally when he said he was “back,” as he didn’t mean he’d be back at every single Raw and Smackdown. Rock said that he respects the audience’s intelligence. Rock pointed out that Cena came from private school and became the Doctor of Thuganomics.

Rock said that Cena isn’t a phony. He’s the guy that, last week, ran him down. He said that Cena has his cell phone number, he doesn’t need to go through people to talk to him. Rock said he doesn’t want to talk to Cena and would rather slap him in the face with a piece of kung pao chicken. Rock said that Cena isn’t a phony and not even a bad guy, just a kung pao bitch.

Rock said that he was taught that no one would fight for him. He said he was booed mercilessly when he was a “babyface.” Rock listed Randy Savage and Roddy Piper as two people that didn’t need someone to fight for them. He said that Cena fights for the wrestlers in the back and he fights for the audience.

Rock said he fights for the people who are sick of having a kung pao bitch shoved down their throats every night. He said that when when he called John Cena a big fat bowl of Fruity Pebbles, Cena ended up on the cereal box.

Rock said that Cena’s big moment of the year was changing his jean shorts to camouflage shorts. Rock said the camouflage is working because he can’t find his balls whatsoever.

John Cena then came out and said that he wasn’t there to swing from The People’s Strudel, or whatever it is that Rock is calling his penis nowadays. Cena said he runs down Rock when he’s not here, and he runs down Rock where he is here. Cena said that he liked Rock, but then he met Dwayne Johnson and that he wouldn’t care if the company closed its doors tomorrow.

Cena said he doesn’t need to trend worldwide, just like he doesn’t need notes for his promos on his wrist, and that despite not having balls, he’s going to beat the hell out of Rock at WrestleMania. Cena said, “Carry on, continue trending” as he left.

Rock said that it’s just like John to walk away before he could slap his lips off his face. Rock said that The Rock and Dwayne Johnson are the same person. He then said he’d kick Cena’s candyass all over WrestleMania.

Reax: I thought that was a lot fun to watch. I’m not a fan of the worked shoot approach, such as Rock referring to himself as a “babyface,” though. There’s just no need to say it. I don't see how it accomplishes anything.

They both raised good points, but Cena really seemed a little more cutthroat. I’m enjoying seeing this unfold, and am looking forwards to next week.

***

(2) C.M. Punk vs. Chris Jericho / Sheamus vs. Daniel Bryan / Long vs. Laurinaitis

C.M. Punk came to the ring for his match, when Jericho came out instead of Daniel Bryan. Jericho said that Punk wasn’t as good as he is. Jericho said that he didn’t need to call himself the best in the world, as the people said it for him. Jericho said they both are mavericks going against the grain, and, he said, that means Punk just wants to be him.

Punk said he didn’t steal from him. He said that Bret Hart said he was “the best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be,” and asked Jericho if he gave that to Bret when he was two-years-old.

Jericho said that it’s the sarcastic, never-taking-anything-too-seriously Punk, but that he needs to take him seriously as he’s different. Jericho said that he was the best in the world at everything he does.

Punk said that he’s the best wrestler in the world. That’s who he is and what he does. He said Jericho chooses to leave and write books, have a radio show, be on game shows, and be a rockstar. Punk said “Meanwhile, he’s on top, swimming with sharks while you’re dancing with stars.”

Jericho said that while he was being a bigger star than Punk, all he could think about was Punk ripping him off. Jericho said that the Jan. 2 vignettes, “the best in the world” verbiage, and the flashy jacket are all window dressing. Jericho said that he came back to embarrass Punk at WrestleMania, beat him for the WWE Title, and prove he is the Best in the World.

Punk said that their match could be the greatest wrestling match in WrestleMania history. Punk said it won’t be the world of the world, just the end of Jericho’s world.

Reax: I thought this exchange was very good. I really liked Punk’s “swimming with sharks” line - that was great. I don’t think there’s any need to talk about having possibly the best match in WrestleMania history. I’d focus on both wrestlers claiming that want to and will win the match.

In a re-match from Smackdown, Daniel Bryan (with A.J.) faced C.M. Punk in a champion vs. champion match. Teddy Long (with Santino Marella) and John Laurinaitis (with David Otunga) were at ringside. As Punk hit his elbow drop and was about to go for the Go To Sleep, Otunga climbed onto the ring apron. Punk knocked him down, when he climbed up again. Santino then hit the Cobra on Otunga. Laurinaitis then pulled Santino’s t-shirt and he took a bump off the apron.

Laurinaitis and Long then began arguing, giving Bryan an opportunity to begin walking to the back. Then, Sheamus ran out and threw Bryan into the ring and Punk hit the GTS. Laurinaitis saw this and disqualified Punk.

Long then pushed Laurinaitis over and both GMs took their jackets off if they were going to fight. Punk walked up the ramp, and when he was on the stage, Jericho attacked him from behind and locked in the Liontamer. Jericho then held the WWE Title.

Backstage, Mathews said that Punk was in the trainer’s room, but appeared more angry than hurt.
Later, backstage, Long and Laurinatis discussed the rumors that one another had been fired.

***

(3) Undertaker vs. Triple H

A video package aired on their match at last year’s WrestleMania, with wrestlers commenting on the big moments of the match. Cole then spoke about an interview with Shawn Michaels on WWE's website, where Michaels was upset with questions about if he was better than Hunter. Later, Shawn Michaels was advertised for next week’s Raw.

***

(4) Cody Rhodes vs. Big Show

Cody Rhodes showed another embarrassing Big Show WrestleMania moment, this time with Floyd Mayweather in 2008. Sheamus and Big Show defeated Mark Henry and Cody Rhodes in a short match. Cody tagged in Mark Henry. Show speared Show and then chased Rhodes. Sheamus then hit the Brogue Kick on Henry for the pinfall.

Reax: It’s frustrating to see no big deal being made out of Henry’s loss. He was so dominant as a champion. If they played up how much of a monster he is, then Sheamus’s quick victories over him would mean more.

***

(5) Tag Team Title Picture

Primo & Epico (with Rosa Mendes) defeated Kofi Kingston & R-Truth, and Dolph Ziggler & Jack Swagger (with Vickie Guerrero) in a Triple Threat Tag Team match to retain the WWE Tag Team Titles. Primo pinned Swagger after he was hit with a Trouble in Paradise and a Backstabber.

After the match, Kane came out and attacked Ziggler, Primo, and Truth.

Reax: I enjoyed this match and all the competitors actually arguably earned a shot. The Champions were defeated last week by Kingston & Truth, and then Kingston & Truth were defeated by Ziggler and Swagger.

***

(6) Divas Division

Kelly Kelly defeated Nikki Bella (with Brie Bella) in a short match.

Later, a video aired of Eve's heel actions last week. Eve came to the ring and spoke about telling men what they need to hear and they love it. She said that there isn’t a man in the world who wouldn’t love to be used by a women like her. Eve blew a kiss to the crowd, and left the ring.

Backstage, Kelly Kelly said that Eve was a totally different person. Eve just laughed at her in response.

Reax: Last week’s story wasn’t the best start to this heel turn, but I thought her performance this week was much stronger.

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)
Teddy Long vs. John Laurinaitis (2)

Smackdown

Big Show vs. Cody Rhodes (2)
Sheamus vs. Daniel Bryan (2)

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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