WWE Raw Storyline Tracker
By Robin Scannell, PWTorch Specialist

Episode - March 26 (final WM28 hype)

(1) John Cena vs. The Rock

In the final segment of Raw, The Rock came to the ring and said that everyone has asked him when he is coming back, from his dentist to Betty White. He said that went he came down to Georgia for WrestleMania 27, he knew the wait was over.

Rock said that the fans only wanted to see him face one man – John Cena. Cena then came out and said that the current boos will also be there at WrestleMania.

Cena said that Rock turned his back on the WWE Universe. Cena said he rises above hate and wins, and that even his detractors know he’ll win at WrestleMania.

Cena says he’s been active in WWE longer than The Rock and that people know he means it when he says that this is what he loves. Cena said Rock wouldn’t come in as a visitor and take his life from him.

Cena says he has to win. The Rock then said winning as just as important to him. Rock said he beat Hulk Hogan and Stone Cold, and will beat John Cena to be the greatest of all time. Plus, Rock said that he just doesn’t like Cena. Rock said he’d give Cena the ass kicking of a lifetime. Cena replied that it doesn’t matter what Rock thinks as the headline will read that John Cena whips Rock’s ass at WrestleMania.

Reax: The final week took away the exchange of insults and focused on the match and why both guys want and need to win. Cena was serious, and Rock was better. This segment really makes you wonder who will win the match, as it could go either way. I really enjoyed this segment overall; definitely one of the best segments of their build.

***

(2) Team Teddy vs. Team Johnny

In the ring, Michael Cole said he was the official commentator for Team Johnny. Laurinaitis came out and introduced Vickie Guerrero as the flag bearer and Otunga as the captain. Booker T then announced Teddy Long. Long came out with Santino Marella and Hornswoggle.

Santino defeated David Otunga in a short match. After the match, Santino, about to hit the Cobra on Laurinaitis, was stopped when The Miz attacked Santino. Miz was then welcomed onto Team Teddy…sorry, Johnny.

Later, it was announced that Christian was out of the tag match due to aggravating his neck injury from Punk’s attack.

Backstage, The Bella Twins took opposing sides on the GM match. Zack Ryder tried to change their minds, but ended up offending them both. Eve then asked Zack which hotel he was staying at, and that she hopes he can stay at her hotel. Eve said they could celebrate after WrestleMania.

Later, Mark Henry beat The Great Khali in under a minute. After the match, Laurinaitis threw Teddy into the ring, then Laurinaitis’s team came out. Santino, Ryder, and R-Truth all tried to help. Kofi Kingston got to the ring, but suffered a World’s Strongest Slam. Henry was about to do the same to Long, when Booker T ran in the ring for the save and hit the scissors kick on Henry. Long then invited Booker onto Team Teddy, which Booker accepted.

***

(3) C.M. Punk vs Chris Jericho

Before the C.M. Punk vs. Christian match started, Chris Jericho appeared on the big screen and talked about what he had previously said about Punk’s father and sister. Then, he said that although Punk’s mother was kind and decent, Punk was born before his parents were married, making him a bastard.

Christian then attacked Punk from behind. However, Punk recovered and violently attacked Christian, putting him into an Anaconda Vice. Referees came out and Punk released the submission, only to re-apply it.

Reax: The story fell a little flat this week. However, I liked the fire that Punk showed in attacking Christian. Overall, there’s just not been as much focus on the WWE Title as there could have been.

Backstage, Punk was being interviewed and said Jericho’s claims about his sister are untrue. He said that he’s not a bastard; he’s the best wrestler in the world.

***

(4) Daniel Bryan vs. Sheamus / Randy Orton vs. Kane

Daniel Bryan (with A.J.) and Kane defeated Sheamus and Randy Orton in a tag match. Sheamus was about to hit the Brogue Kick when A.J. stood in the way. Kane then hit a chokeslam on Sheamus and Bryan scored the pin.

Reax: Fine build-up of the feuds on Raw to put heat on the heels heading into WrestleMania

***

(5) Big Show vs. Cody Rhodes

Big Show squashed Primo in under a minute. Cody Rhodes then came out and talked about Big Show being a verb, as in, men will hope they don’t “Big Show” with the ladies, and that Show will be the biggest fool of all on April 1.

Reax: That is not the way to treat Primo or Epico. Aside from that, Rhodes has been irritating enough where you bet that people want to see Big Show knock him out. However, Big Show shouldn’t win the IC Title, which leads me to think and predict a DQ win for Big Show, so that Big Show can get that moment without winning the title.

***

(6) The Undertaker vs. Triple H

After the confrontation of The Undertaker, Triple H and Shawn Michaels last week, this week featured a video package aired, setting up the Hell in a Cell match.

Reax: I think the timing is a little off; the segment that aired last week should have aired on the lead-in show. Nonetheless, overall, the build has been very good, and I’m very excited for this match.

***

Other Stories

- Kelly Kelly beat Eve (with Beth Phoenix)

- Brodus Clay squashed Curt Hawkins. Notably, this is the first opponent he’s faced more than once. There’s no sign that he’ll be on the WrestleMania card so his return prior to Sunday seems of little consequence.

- The second Lord Tensai vignette aired, this one showed him with another person.

Current Feuds Active this Week (# weeks)

Raw

John Cena vs. The Rock (58)
C.M. Punk vs. Chris Jericho (8)
Undertaker vs. Triple H (8)
Teddy Long vs. John Laurinaitis (6)
Santino Marella vs. Jack Swagger (4)

Smackdown

Big Show vs. Cody Rhodes (6)
Sheamus vs. Daniel Bryan (6)
Randy Orton vs. Kane (5)

Email any comments to scannell.torch@gmail.com or follow me on Twitter @robinocracy for my thoughts on WrestleMania.

[Torch art credit Travis Beaven (c) PWTorch.com]

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