Results, Reaction, Review, and Recap for WWE RAW episode #981.


Result: CM Punk cut a promo responding to Chris Jericho's diatribe from the week before regarding Punk's formerly alcoholic father. Jericho appeared on the TitanTron and apologized for mentioning Punk's father, but then said that Punk's sister is a drug addict, and that soon Punk would fall to addiction. Punk then responded with a bleeped-out tirade.

Reaction: WWE is further distancing itself from PG programming. This feud is building nicely, but it is a distant third in terms of perceived importance and push when compared to the big two.



Result: Kane defeated Big Show with a choke slam off the top turnbuckle due to Cody Rhodes interference. Cody then handcuffed Show to the ropes and beat him down.

Reaction: This feud has been pushed just bit too fast, but I like where it's going. This year's WrestleMania is turning out to have many well developed feuds. I like that. I just hope the Big Show loses.



Result: David Otunga beat Santino due to interference from John Laurinaitis. After the match Teddy Long slapped Laurinaitis and bailed the ring. Long and Santino celebrated the slap on the entrance ramp.

Reaction: My prediction for this feud: Team Laurinaitis wins at WrestleMania due to Mark Henry dominating.



Result: Rock was aired in a pre-taped promo standing outside in Philadelphia near the Rocky Balboa statue. Rock mentioned all-time wrestling greats, saying that he needs to beat Cena in order to be the greatest.

Reaction: Meh. I don't like the Rock in taped segments. I think WWE may have over extended him just a bit as his pops are getting lesser. This is to be expected when he is on TV every week, however having him live only would make his appearances both better and more interesting.



Result: Daniel Bryan submitted Zack Ryder with the LeBell Lock in under 2 minutes.

Reaction: I understand the booking here -- WWE wanted Bryan to get a clean win to build his WrestleMania credentials. But why do that at the expense of Ryder? He has just returned after a lengthy absence, his pop has been diminished due to this, so instead of building him up again they put him in a veritable squash match?

Fun Fact: Bryan's "LeBell Lock" is named after Gene LeBell. Gene is a Judo champion, catch as catch can wrestler, movie stunt man, and former professional wrestler. He has trained multiple MMA fighters as well as Rowdy Roddy Piper and Bruce Lee. Rumor has it that on the set of an unnamed movie Steven Seagal was claiming he couldn't be choked out. Gene heard this and proceeded to put Seagal in a choke hold. Steven didn't tap out, went unconscious, and proceeded to soil himself.



Result: John Cena pinned Mark Henry due to planting the World's Strongest Man with an Attitude Adjustment after a chaotic finish. The Rock then stormed the ring and floored Henry with a Rock Bottom while staring down Cena.

Reaction: Usually I hate it when Henry loses. I have no problem with this loss. The WSM dominated Cena throughout most of the match and nearly landed a World's Strongest Slam. The Rock's presence made sense and was effective. The WWE should have just cut the Rock's earlier promo and had him Rock Bottom Henry only.




Result: Sheamus destroyed the Miz with a Brogue Kick for the 1-2-3.

Reaction: More build-up for Sheamus and more burying of the Miz. I couldn't agree more with burying the Miz, and I'm sure it's due to his fear of taking bumps. I would love to have an MMA fight against the Miz. I would beat him as easily as the Ultimate Warrior beat the Honky Tonk Man at SummerSlam '88.



Result: Josh Matthews interviewed Randy Orton old-school style off to the side of the entrance ramp.

Reaction: Orton looks like a tall Oompa-Loompa. His phrase "My name is Randy Orton" is unoriginal and likely stolen from Alberto Del Rio. Orton's promo skills are still subpar after how many years in WWE? Come on, Randal. Step up your game.



Result: Team Johnny members, Jack Swagger and Dolph Ziggler beat Team Teddy members, Kofi Kingston and R-Truth. Ziggler pinned Truth with a Fame Asser due to help from Vickie. After the match Aksana and Vickie brawled and had to be pulled apart by all four wrestlers.

Reaction: More build-up for the team battle at WrestleMania. I can live with a Vickie-Aksana feud, it's more interesting than anything Daniel Bryan is doing.



Result: Shawn Michaels entered and cut a promo only to be interrupted by the Undertaker who was then interrupted by Triple H. HHH once again espoused on how he was going to end the era. Undertaker concluded by saying that HBK is better than HHH.

Reaction: Is the Undertaker a Sith? Anyway, my prediction: Undertaker's second hidden brother will make a run-in, give everyone a Canadian Destroyer, and exit through a smoke filled hole in the ring. Probably not, but I wonder if 'Taker and HHH will try to top the best all-time Hell in a Cell match from the 1998 King of the Ring when 'Taker almost killed Mick Foley. I hope not as they are both too old for anything remotely close to that type of punishment.