WWE Raw Storyline Tracker
By Robin Scannell, PWTorch Specialist

Episode - April 23, 2012

(1) John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar

Raw opened with Teddy Long introducing John Cena for a contract signing ahead of Extreme Rules. After Cena came out to the ring, Teddy introduced Brock Lesnar, but he didn’t appear. John Laurinaitis then came out and told Long that Lesnar wasn’t yet in the building and the contract signing would be on his terms. Laurinaitis told Long to tell Cena to leave his ring. Long told Cena to leave the ring, and Laurinaitis began talking about people power, when he was interrupted by Edge’s music.

Edge came to the ring and said that his contract is about to run out. He said he came to speak to John Cena, his greatest rival, but he doesn’t know who this John Cena is. Edge questioned whether it was Cena’s loss to The Rock that changed him. Edge said that they both love WWE and Lesnar just wants to line his pockets, and that’s why Cena can’t lose. Edge said he wasn’t asking, he was telling Cena to beat him.

Throughout the night, videos aired of Brock Lesnar defeating Jeff Hardy, Hulk Hogan, and Kurt Angle during his WWE career.

Backstage, Josh Mathews tried to interview the arriving Brock Lesnar. Lesnar slammed Mathews into a truck, but then walked away. Mathews mumbled that he was just trying to do his job, and so Lesnar threw Josh into a backstage fence. After the commercial break, Mathews was being put onto a stretcher. Cole played it straight, and made Lesnar’s actions seems detestable!

In the final segment, this time John Laurinaitis introduced Brock Lesnar, who came out, and John Cena, who did not, in some kind of mirror from the opening segment.

Lesnar then said that he wanted to go through some changes that he wants. Laurinaitis said that he thought that had an agreement, but Lesnar said they didn’t. Lesnar said he had some requests that had to be agreed to, in order for him to fight on Sunday, as he’s not the same naïve farm boy from eight years ago.

Lesnar said that any thought Laurinaitis has has to be run by him. He said he’ll turn up for Raw when he likes and he wants Vince McMahon’s private jet to travel to and from Raw. Lesnar said that he won’t be fined for attacking Josh and that until his demands are met, there won’t be a match at Extreme Rules. Lesnar then asked for the Raw to be named “Monday Night Raw starring Brock Lesnar." Laurinaitis agreed, and Lesnar signed the contract.

John Cena then came out, with a chain around his neck, which he then wrapped around his fist. Lesnar told him to sign the contract. He then said that he likes the feeling he can feel, that Cena is scared. Lesnar said that he is why Cena lost last week. Cena signed the contract quickly, and threw it at Lesnar. Lesnar pretended to hit Cena, but ended up leaving the ring, as Cena stood holding his chain.

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

Chris Jericho defeated Kofi Kingston in a singles match. After the match, Jericho cut a promo saying that he would win at Extreme Rules, and that Punk knows all about extreme, as he has an extremely alcoholic father, and is an extreme failure as a champion and human being. Jericho said he brought a gift for Punk to help him cope when he loses.

Backstage, Josh Mathews walked up to Punk in his locker room, to ask him about Jericho’s gift. Punk showed Mathews the basket of alcohol. Punk gave the basket to Mathews, except for one bottle.

Later, backstage, Laurinaitis was on the phone, when Eve walked up. He offered Eve the Executive Administrator job, which Eve accepted. Even more later, backstage, Alex Riley told Jericho that Punk was drinking. Jericho looked into Punk's locker room and saw him drinking from a cup.

Later, Jericho told Laurinaitis and colleagues that Punk should be stripped of the WWE Title as he’s drinking. Eve stated that Superstars cannot drink within 12 hours of an event. Laurinaitis said that proof was needed. Jericho suggested a sobriety test, which Laurinaitis agreed to. Laurinaitis then sent Long do to the work, as if you have bad news, you should get someone else to do it. Long told Punk about the sobriety test, and Punk looked angry and threw a tantrum.

Teddy and two police officers stood in the ring, and Teddy called out Punk. Jericho came out saying that he wanted to be there to ensure it was done correctly and so that Jericho could be given the title.

Punk came out to the ring, acting drunk. A police officer asked Punk to recite the alphabet backwards, which he failed to do. Then, he was told to walk a red line, which Punk claimed to not be able to see. Punk failed to do that, too. Answering Long’s question, a police officer said that Punk was obviously drunk.

Long then asked for the title belt. Punk gave it to him, and then asked for one more chance. Then, Punk walked the red line, threw in the Flair strut, and spoke the alphabet backwards. Then, Punk attacked Jericho with the mic. Punk continued attacking Jericho, who eventually managed to escape.

(3) Randy Orton vs. Kane

Kane came to the ring and cut a promo about Orton and Extreme Rules. Kane called Randy a scared little boy, wanting the nightmare to end, but Kane is the nightmare and monster.
Randy Orton then appeared on the big screen and said that he had to return the favor, and the camera showed Orton put Paul Bearer, who was tied to a chair, into a freezer. Kane seemed angry, but then laughed and said that his true father is the devil. Kane said he wasn’t going to save his father. Then, Orton ran out and attacked Kane, hitting him with a pipe. Kane was knocked into the audience and then ran away. The announcers plugged their Falls Count Anywhere match.

Later, backstage, Kane pulled Paul Bearer from the freezer, but then said he was saving him from himself and so put him back into the freezer.

(4) Big Show vs. Cody Rhodes

Big Show and The Great Khali defeated Cody Rhodes and Alberto Del Rio in a tag team match after Del Rio left Cody, and Show chokeslammed him.

Reax: Cody keeps looking weak and he keeps losing to the Big Show. This means he surely wins on Sunday, doesn't it?

(5) Sheamus vs. Daniel Bryan

Mark Henry defeated Sheamus in a special referee match when Bryan fast counted 90 seconds into the match. After the match, Bryan took his referee shirt off. Sheamus attacked Bryan and threw him into the ring. Sheamus then hit the Brogue Kick on Henry, but was caught by Bryan who put him into the Yes! Lock.

Backstage, Sheamus was asked what he thought of what had happened. He called Bryan a coward who hides behind a referee shirt and a snake. He told Bryan to start praying.

Reax: Intense promo from Sheamus. I’m really looking forwards to this match, more so because there really hasn't been a match between them yet in the feud, but also because of the strong promo work between both guys (and A.J., also, who I think has been very good).

(6) Divas Title Picture

Nikki Bella (with Brie Bella) defeated Beth Phoenix to capture the WWE Divas Championship. Eve made the match a lumberjill match, for no apparent reason. Beth hurt her ankle jumping off the ring apron, allowing Nikki to roll up Beth when she was back in the ring, for the victory.

Reax: I’m pretty sure this was a heel adding a stipulation to a match between a heel and another heel. I guess Beth’s “Pin-Up Strong” storyline really didn’t last long.

Other Stories

- It was announced that Santino Marella would face The Miz in a U.S. Title match on the Extreme Rules pre-show.

- Lord Tensai defeated R-Truth in a short match.

- Brodus Clay & Hornswoggle defeated Dolph Ziggler & Jack Swagger by disqualification when Vickie interfered. After the match, Vickie wanted to do Clay’s dance, but Hornswoggle bit her.

- Zack Ryder & Santino Marella defeated Epico & Primo (with Rosa Mendes) in a non-title tag team match. Then, backstage, A.W. spoke to Epico, Primo, and Rosa about them being treated like jokes, and he gave them his card.

Current Feuds Active this Week (# weeks)

Raw

C.M. Punk vs. Chris Jericho (12)
John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar (4)
Brodus Clay vs. Dolph Ziggler & Jack Swagger (4)

Smackdown

Sheamus vs. Daniel Bryan (10)
Big Show vs. Cody Rhodes (10)
Randy Orton vs. Kane (9)

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

[Torch art credit Travis Beaven (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