WWE Raw Storyline Tracker
By Robin Scannell, PWTorch Specialist

Episode - April 9, 2012

(1) John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar

John Laurinaitis (with David Otunga) introduced Brock Lesnar, who will face John Cena at Extreme Rules, and said he will bring back legitimacy to WWE. Lesnar came to the ring and thanked Laurinaitis. John Cena then came out to the ring and slapped Lesnar. Lesnar then took Cena down and landed a punch to Cena’s face, which bloodied his mouth. The entire locker room ran out to pull them apart. During this, both guys managed to break away and attack the other one.

Backstage, Laurinatis shouted at Teddy Long for not controlling Cena, then told Teddy to get an explanation from Cena. Eve then wanted to speak with Laurinaitis, and Laurinaitis said they could meet in Stamford.

Later, Laurinaitis told Miz that he has big plans for him, but that tonight was crazy. Long and Cena then entered the room. Cena said that he likes to hit and be hit, and that he wants to compete. Laurinaitis booked Cena vs. David Otunga with him at ringside.

Backstage, Brock Lesnar was asked if he’s proud to be back. Lesnar said that he was proud of everything he’s done. He said he was WWE Champion, then the UFC Heavyweight Champion of the world. He said he’s proud John Laurinaitis brought him back and put him at the top.
Lesnar said that Cena couldn’t hold his jock strap. He said he’s a war machine and that he’s not as proud as the WWE suits and ties and the fans are.

In the main event, Cena defeated Otunga. After the match, Lesnar attacked Cena from behind and then hit the F5.

Reax: A strong first week the night after Mania, followed by a lackluster second week (except for the opening segment). Over-exposing Brock would be a big mistake, and it's something WWE really have to be concerned with. However, even with Brock’s presence, it feels like WWE is in the post-WrestleMania slump when it comes to Raw, in general. The guest stars certainly don’t help, in that regard. Is it okay if I still hold Donald Trump responsible for that?

***

(2) C.M. Punk vs. Chris Jericho / Mark Henry

C.M. Punk came to the ring and talked about choosing to be straight edge. Punk said that he made it to the top of WWE because he’s the best wrestler in the world. He said that Chris Jericho then tried to get into his head by making the same claim. Then, he took it one step too far by dragging his family into this and breaking a bottle over his head.

Jericho interrupted on the big screen and asked if Punk was still hung over. He told him to admit that he’s powerless and called Punk “C.M. Drunk." Punk said it’s not about being the best in the world anymore, it’s about him kicking Jericho’s ass.

In the match that followed, Mark Henry defeated Punk after Punk was disqualified for hitting Henry with a TV monitor. After the match, Jericho’s music distracted Punk and Henry attacked him from behind. Jericho then came out and poured the contents from cans of beer over Punk. Punk tried to make a recovery, but Jericho got the better of him. He held the title up, before sliding it into the ring.

Backstage, Henry said that he was getting a no disqualification, no count-out match next week and that he’d be the World Heavyweight Champion.

Reax: Wrong title, Henry. Wrong title.

***

(3) The Three Stooges

Backstage, Santino looked for the Stooges. Later, still looking for the Stooges, Santino found Kane, who he unsuccessfully asked whether or not he’d seen them. Backstage, Santino found a huge crate and figured it was for him. However, it contained the three Stooges, in character, who did their comedy shtick.

Later, the Stooges were trying to think of how they could entertain the WWE Universe. Will Sasso then came out to the ring as Hulk Hogan and he did an impersonation. Kane came out and chokeslammed him.

Reax: Out of interest, was Hulk Hogan’s gear just laying around backstage? Not a good segment. It’s nonsensical to have fictitious characters advertising a movie, and the other wrestlers treat them as if they’re real. It undermines the segments before and after, and hurts the suspension of disbelief. The one week you don’t want to hurt that is the first advertised appearance for Brock Lesnar.

As for Kane’s involvement, this only made me dislike his character even more, which I didn’t think was possible.

***

(4) Big Show vs. Cody Rhodes

Cody Rhodes was beating R-Truth in a match when Big Show walked out and played more “embarrassing” footage of him. Cody was caught off guard again, and lost to Truth.

Reax: Big Show got his revenge at WrestleMania. I don’t know why this needs to continue each week. It makes Cody look bad and it’s starting to make Show look a little mean.

***

Other Stories

- Santino Marella and Brodus Clay defeated Dolph Ziggler & Jack Swagger (with Vickie Guerrero).

- Lord Tensai (with Sakamoto) squashed Yoshi Tatsu. The match finished like the week before with a referee stoppage. After the match, Tensai KO'ed Tatsu with the Claw.

- Alberto Del Rio (with Ricardo Rodriguez) defeated Zack Ryder in a short match.

Current Feuds Active this Week (# weeks)

Raw

C.M. Punk vs. Chris Jericho (10)
John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar (2)
Santino and Brodus Clay vs. Dolph Ziggler & Jack Swagger (2)

Smackdown

Big Show vs. Cody Rhodes (8)

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

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

We suggest these recent related articles...

10/5 WWE Raw Hits & Misses: Natalya vs. Paige, Owens vs. Cara, Stephanie McMahon, Sasha Banks, Xavier Woods

COLLECTIBLES COLUMN: The History of Foam Hands in Pro Wrestling

9/28 WWE Raw Hits & Misses: Kane's Split Personality, Divas Revolution, Heyman & Big Show, Reigns vs. Wyatt