As WWE's Raw SuperShow emanated from Liverpool, England, one man captured the opportunity to be be showcased as a focal point of the show.
No, it wasn't WWE Champion Alberto del Rio, or even the self-proclaimed "future WWE Hall of Famer" John Cena. It was "Long Island Iced Z" Zack Ryder who capitalized on the chances laid in front of him.
When Cena opened the show, hyping up his tag team match with The Rock against The Miz and R-Truth at this month's Survivor Series pay-per-view, the Awesome Truth interrupted, challenging Cena to a tag match tonight.
With The Rock unable to be in England, Cena found himself needing a partner to prevent falling victim to the numbers game. Last week, Cena put away both The Miz and R-Truth on his own, but the duo have been fueled by a week's worth of building frustration at the beating they took seven days ago.
Cena teased that his partner was the "tenth wonder of the world," and when Miz and R-Truth started circling the ring, it was Ryder's music that hit the arena, sending the crowd into a frenzy. Ryder and Cena cleared the ring and stood in the ring celebrating, as Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler plugged the main event tag match of Awesome Truth vs. Ryder and Cena.
Later in the show, Ryder appeared backstage with the Bella Twins, visibly excited about his chance to team with Cena in the main event. He promised it would be different than the last time and that he wouldn't be ending the night on his back. Only time would tell for the self-proclaimed Internet Champion.
In the main event, Cena found himself once again face-to-face with The Miz and R-Truth and Ryder found himself with the opportunity to headline Raw. Cena started in the ring, but it didn't take long for the crowd to start the "We Want Ryder" chants.
R-Truth got in on it, too, asking for Cena to tag in his partner. Cena obliged, and Ryder came in but quickly found himself at R-Truth's disposal. A change of fortune would see Ryder take advantage of the situation, as the show went to a commercial break.
Back from the break, Ryder maintained control, but soon made the tag to Cena. Miz and R-Truth worked some double-team moves on Cena, keeping him isolated from Ryder.
When Cena finally made the tag, Ryder re-entered the match a man on fire, as he laid into The Miz, using some double-team moves of his own along with Cena. A Rough Ryder opportunity sent Ryder right into R-Truth, allowing Awesome Truth to regain some advantage.
With Ryder now isolated, Cena found himself slightly distracted by the dueling "Let's Go Cena" and "Cena Sucks" chants from the crowd. Ryder almost scored a quick roll-up on The Miz, but that missed opportunity only led to more assault from both members of the Awesome Truth.
Cena tagged back in, and he and Ryder hit simultaneous Five Knuckle Shuffles on The Miz and R-Truth. The fun and games ended there, however, as shortly after, The Miz hit Cena with a clothesline, allowing R-Truth to hold his feet down while Miz scored the pinfall.
Ryder held true to his promise to not end the night on his back, but his team still wound up on the losing end. The experience of teaming with Cena, however, will likely have a lasting impact on the young star and his quest for another United States title match against Dolph Ziggler.
United States Champion Dolph Ziggler vs. John Morrison
Dolph Ziggler has had a strong run with the United States Championship, putting away challenger after challenger. Along the path, he's suffered some critical losses, notably to Ryder. Tonight, though, he had the opportunity to prove himself to the English fans in a non-title bout against John Morrison.
Ziggler controlled the contest, making it seem as if Morrison would be little more than another name on his growing list of victims. But almost out of nowhere, Morrison found a new burst of momentum, laying the champ out with a serious of quick moves utilizing his speed and agility.
Morrison connected with a kick off the second rope, but the referee was distracted. When Morrison released his pin attempt, Ziggler went for a roll-up of his own, but Morrison responded with yet another reversal into a pinfall. Morrison ended his months long losing streak, but will it be enough to earn him a shot at the United States title?
JTG vs. Mason Ryan
The former Cryme Tyme member found himself making his return to Raw, but it came at a price, as he squared off against the monstrous Mason Ryan, pretty much considered a hometown hero.
JTG's fate didn't take long to be decided as Ryan, yet another man with his eyes set on Ziggler's United States Championship, decimated the former tag champ. Ryan officially disposed of JTG with his backbreaker finisher in a matter of minutes.
WWE Champion Alberto del Rio vs. Kofi Kingston
In this battle of the champions, the WWE champ set out to prove himself against one half of the tag team champions. Alberto del Rio will face CM Punk in a title match at Survivor Series, while no opponent has been announced for Kofi Kingston and Evan Bourne's tag team titles.
Things didn't turn out well for Kingston tonight, as Del Rio tapped him out with the cross armbreaker after a short match. Without Bourne at his side, Kingston appeared to be unsure of himself and unable to compete on the same level as Del Rio.
After the match, Punk hit the ring and found himself in a verbal battle with Del Rio, who tried to get the challenger to relinquish his title opportunity. Punk wouldn't have any of it, as the English crowd strongly backed the straight-edge superstar.
Punk vowed to not only win the title from Del Rio at Survivor Series but also to make the WWE Championship interesting again. When Punk issued his final refusal to forfeit the match, Del Rio physically assaulted the challenger, but tables soon turned. The champ fled the scene, leaving his lackey and ring announcer Ricardo Rodriguez to eat a GTS from Punk.
Santino Marella vs. Jack Swagger
Last week, Jack Swagger was embarrassed by his loss to Santino Marella, due largely to an assist from Beaker from "The Muppets." This week, the former World Heavyweight Champion sought his revenge.
Swagger made his message clear early on, as he unleashed a fury of punches and kicks on Marella. Marella never stood much of a chance, as his offense was limited to a few hits before he ultimately tapped out to Swagger's ankle lock.
For old times sake, Swagger took a victory lap around the ring before having his arm raised by manager Vickie Guerrero.
Quick Hits:
The scheduled Michael Cole Challenge featuring Jim Ross was once again rescheduled, as TSA wouldn't allow Jim Ross to travel to England because he was attempting to carry too much barbecue sauce over the border. Or Cole is just continuing to run scared and making excuses...
A traditional five-on-five Survivor Series match was announced for the pay-per-view. Randy Orton will lead a team of Sheamus, Sin Cara, Kofi Kingston and Mason Ryan against a Wafe Barrett-led entourage of Jack Swagger, Christian, Cody Rhodes and Hunico.
Jerry "The King" Lawler introduced former Divas Champion Kelly Kelly to unveil the cover of the new Maxim magazine with the lovely performer on the cover. Kelly gave a heartfelt speech about growing up in front of the WWE Universe, but reigning champ Beth Phoenix and Natalya couldn't let a girl have her fun. The Divas of Doom tried to force Kelly to cry, but Eve Torres and Alicia Fox hit the ring to even the score, and Phoenix and Natalya bailed to the back.
Interim General Manager John Laurinaitis welcomed his newest signing, Kevin Nash, back to Raw. Nash recalled his past with Triple H, dating back to the first time they met in 1995, when Shawn Michaels convinced Nash that Trips was worth his time and energy. Nash said he taught everyone how "you play the game." Cole informed the audience that Triple H will be out of action for at least four more weeks.
Backstage, Laurinaitis met with David Otunga to discuss legal matters, but before long, Punk showed up and laid a beatdown on Otunga. Del Rio arrived on scene, attacking Punk and putting his challenger through a table.
Match Results:
John Morrison d. United States Champion Dolph Ziggler in non-title action
Mason Ryan d. JTG
WWE Champion d. Kofi Kingston in non-title action
Jack Swagger d. Santino Marella
The Miz and R-Truth d. John Cena and Zack Ryder
