WWE Raw Storyline Tracker
By Robin Scannell, PWTorch Specialist

Episode - April 16, 2012

(1) John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar

Brock Lesnar had a pre-taped sit-down interview where he spoke about only caring about himself and wanting to legitimize the company. Lesnar said that if had been around, Cena would be carrying his bags. Lesnar went on to say that nothing about him is fake, such as last week when he busted Cena’s mouth open. Lesnar said that their match is an Extreme Rules match. He said that he’s an ass kicker and beating people up makes him happy.

Reax: A solid promo from Brock that establishes him as a heel (although, I can’t claim I know how many people will boo him over Cena).

Later, Cena came out to the ring and talked about John Laurinaitis wanting to replace him and wanting to legitimize “all of this." Cena then said that Laurinaitis brought Lesnar back, and after a year of hearing about entertaining and catchphrases and wanting to put on a good show, Brock Lesnar stands for destruction. Cena said that Lesnar wants to end and replace him. Cena then said that he will fight the most vicious man in the most brutal match at Extreme Rules.

John Laurinaitis came out and said that it is the end of the era as it is now the era of People Power. Laurinaitis then announced that Cena would face a mystery opponent in an Extreme Rules match. It was also announced that on the following week’s three-hour Raw, there would be a contract signing between Cena and Lesnar.

Early in the show, backstage, Lord Tensai interrupted Sakamoto, who was answering a question from Josh Mathews. Tensai then said that people fear the unknown, but that he knows what you should fear.

John Laurinaitis (with David Otunga) announced Cena’s opponent as Lord Tensai. Lord Tensai then defeated John Cena in the main event. The match included interference from Sakamoto and David Otunga. The finish came when Tensai sprayed green mist into Cena’s eyes, "blinding" him.

Reax: From a logic standpoint, John Cena should have easily been able to anticipate that Lord Tensai was his opponent. First, Tensai hadn’t had a match so far that night. Second, Tensai had a backstage interview. Third, in the backstage interview he spoke about the fear of the unknown. I’m not championing the idea, but if they had had Tensai squash someone earlier that night, as usual, then Cena would have no reason to suspect that Tensai would be his opponent, and his shock would be logically legitimate, and the announcers could sell that logic to the audience.

***

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

C.M. Punk defeated Mark Henry to retain the WWE Title in a good no disqualification, no count-out match. After the match, Chris Jericho appeared on the Titantron and told Punk that he was granted a WWE Title match at Extreme Rules with the stipulation that the match is a Chicago Street Fight. Punk said that he doesn’t see how Jericho will survive such a fight. Punk spoke of being able to beat Jericho in front of his (Punk’s) family.

Jericho then showed video footage of Punk entering, then exiting a pub. Jericho asked Punk if he was drinking and if he’s drunk right now. Punk said that he’s allowed to go to a bar, and was having fish and chips with a friend. Jericho said Punk was making excuses and then said Punk would lose the WWE Title. As Punk tried to respond, Jericho's feed "cut out."

Reax: In response to Cole’s claim that it’s been nearly a year since the WWE Championship changed hands on Raw, it’s been less than nine months, and on that day Rey Mysterio won the title, only to lose it later that night to John Cena.

Otherwise, this was good development. However, it seemed bad storytelling to have the heel speak about the stipulation that you would assume that Punk would be pushing for. Additionally, Punk’s match with Henry was an example of an Extreme Rules match before the pay-per-view. If you suggested to WWE that Rock wrestle on Raw two weeks before WrestleMania, I’m sure they would see why the negatives outweigh the positives. To a lesser extent, this is what happens here. In a universe where WWE only had Extreme Rules matches one night a year, this pay-per-view would within a couple of years become something special.

***

(3) Sheamus vs. Daniel Bryan / Daniel Bryan & A.J.

Backstage, Daniel Bryan was jealous of A.J. talking to Kofi Kingston, saying that just because he clearly doesn’t want her, doesn’t mean it’s open season. Then, Bryan named the LeBell Lock the “Yes!” Lock. The segment ended with Bryan chanting “Yes!” repeatedly at Kofi.

Daniel Bryan then defeated Kofi Kingston via submission. A.J. watched the match from backstage and smiled upon Bryan’s victory. After the match, Bryan locked in the “Yes!” Lock again, so Sheamus ran out for the save. Bryan escaped from the ring, avoiding Sheamus.

***

(4) Kane vs. Randy Orton

Kane attacked Zack Ryder before the match started, preventing the match from taking place. Kane then spoke about the family reunion of Orton and his father, as Kane had attacked them both on Smackdown. Kane said he didn’t think Randy would go down as easy as his father, but “like father, like son."

Reax: Instead of writing stories based on a compelling beginning, middle, and end, I have a feeling Kane’s storylines are written based on being able to include various clichés.

***

(5) U.S. Title Picture

Before the match, Santino wore multiple soccer jerseys and took them off one-by-one revealing various teams, until he got to England.

Reax: To quote Lawler, "Chelsea, that's not going to work in London. Doesn't he know where he is?" I would response to this with “Jerry, don’t you know where you are? Chelsea is in London."

Santino Marella defeated David Otunga to retain the title. Later, backstage, John Laurinaitis told David Otunga to focus more on his career. Eve then asked to speak to Laurinaitis, they went into his office, with Laurinaitis inviting Otunga in too.

***

(6) Tag Team Title Picture

Big Show and The Great Khali defeated Epico & Primo (with Rosa Mendes) in a non-title match. Abraham Washington (now called A.W.) appeared to be scouting talent from the stage.

Reax: Big Show and The Great Khali should be asking for a title match now, if they don’t automatically receive one. They clearly dominated their opponents.

***

(7) Brodus Clay vs. Dolph Ziggler & Jack Swagger

Brodus Clay defeated Dolph Ziggler (with Vickie Guerrero & Jack Swagger) by a near immediate disqualification after Jack Swagger interfered. After the match, Vickie attacked a dancer, and then Brodus freaked out Vickie with his full body shake.

***

Other Stories

- Throughout the night, R-Truth did various comedy bits acting like Sherlock Holmes. First, he told Teddy Long that he would find him a job. Later, Truth entered a room through a bookcase passage, which Hornswoggle saw and tried to figure out. Later, still, Truth said that he found Long a job as GM of Smackdown. Long pointed out he was fired from the job. Truth said that that makes him perfect for it.

Current Feuds Active this Week (# weeks)

Raw

C.M. Punk vs. Chris Jericho (11)
John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar (3)
Brodus Clay vs. Dolph Ziggler & Jack Swagger (3)

Smackdown

Sheamus vs. Daniel Bryan (9)
Randy Orton vs. Kane (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