WWE Raw TV taping report
April 16, 2012
London, England at the O2 Arena
Report by Steven Greenwood & Steven Michael, PWTorch readers

Raw SPOILERS 4/16

Raw started with the WWE Title match to kick off the show.

(1) WWE champion C.M. Punk beat Mark Henry in a No DQ, No Count-out match to retain the WWE Title. Punk won with a Randy Savage elbow drop from the top rope while holding a steel chair.

Post-match: Chris Jericho appeared on the screen and announced their title match at Extreme Rules will be a Chicago Street Fight. Jericho then played a video of Punk entering a pub. Punk told Jericho he just went for Fish and Chips, which led to a "Fish and Chips chant." Funny. (Punk tweeted during the Raw taping: "Fish and chips will trend world wide.")

No Brock Lesnar tonight. Apparently he will be having conversations with John Cena to promote Extreme Rules.

(2) U.S. champion Santino beat David Otunga in two minutes to retain the U.S. Title. Santino won with the Cobra.

(3) Kane vs. Zack Ryder went to an apparent no decision. Kane essentially gave Ryder a chokeslam and the match never started/no decision was announced for a finish. Kane then cut a promo on Randy Orton.

Backstage, Kofi Kingston was shown chatting with A.J. Daniel Bryan then interrupted and told Kofi to leave her alone. (Bryan was so over with the "Yes!" chants.) Bryan then changed the name of his finisher from the LeBell Lock to the "Yes! Lock." Seriously. Bryan said he will make Kofi tap out, then chanted, "Yes!" until Kofi left. The crowd joined in.

Next was a John Cena promo. Cena addressed John Laurinaitis and Lesnar. He embraced the "Cena Sucks" and "Yes!" chants. Big Johnny then put Cena in a match against a mystery opponent in an Extreme Rules match.

(4) Daniel Bryan beat Kofi Kingston via submission with the LeBell Lock n/k/a "Yes! Lock." After Bryan celebrated the win, he locked the hold back on. Sheamus then ran down to make the save, but missed with a Brogue Kick. Bryan left the ring and celebrated on the ramp as Sheamus stared him down. "Yes! Yes!" out of the building for Bryan.

Slam of the Week focused on Brodus Clay's headbutt to Dolph Ziggler two weeks ago. Brodus is out next.

(5) Brodus Clay beat Dolph Ziggler via DQ when Vickie Guerrero & Jack Swagger and Clay's dancers all interfered. Clay suplexed Dolph, then attempted a splash, which Swagger blocked. After Brodus jiggled against Vickie, she fled.

A video aired of John Laurinaitis giving David Otunga aired, followed by a brilliant tribute to Chief Jay Strongbow. Moving video and met by warm applause.

(6) IC champion Big Show & Great Khali beat WWE tag champions Primo & Epico in a non-title match. Show & Khali won with a synchronized chokeslam/Punjabi Plunge. Show danced a little after the match. At one point, Khali stumbled over himself, which won't air on TV.

John Cena is facing Lord Tensai in the main event...

(7) Lord Tensai beat John Cena. David Otunga distracted Cena, leading to Tensai spitting mist at Cena, followed by the Albert Bomb. They finished the taping with John Cena sitting in the corner receiving treatment from the doctor and being helped to the back.

Biggest Reactions: Daniel Bryan - the "Yes!" chants were going all night. Punk and Cena were tied for #2.

Post-Taping Happenings:

As Cena was leaving, the crowd chanted goodbye. The post-Raw dark match was Punk vs. Jericho for the WWE Title. Punk attacked Jericho during his entrance and the bell eventually rang after Jericho took control.

Dark Match: C.M. Punk beat Chris Jericho via DQ after Daniel Bryan interfered. Sheamus hit the ring, followed by Cody Rhodes. Punk and Jericho battled to the back. In the meantime, Big Show hit the ring, then Alberto Del Rio. Then, Randy Orton. Sheamus hit a Brogue kick on Bryan, Orton gave an RKO to Del Rio, and Big Show gave Rhodes a monster Chokeslam. The faces slapped hands with everyone at ringside before leaving to close the night.

As Justin Roberts tried to wrap up the taping, two idiot fans jumped the ring, backflipping and celebrating. No security; just two blokes with headsets asking them to leave. Justin Roberts then jumped in the ring and they ran out, but not before Roberts tackled one of them and continued his speech about Smackdown tomorrow night from the O2 Arena.

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