WWE presented a special three-hour Raw Supershow highlighted by the appearance of The Rock, just six days before his match with John Cena against The Miz and R-Truth at Survivor Series. But what else would go down on this show?
The not-so-anticipated "Michael Cole Challenge" finally went down, as Cole opened the show with a three-round challenge for Jim Ross. The stipulation was that if Ross won all three, he'd have his place at the commentary table back and Cole would resign from that post. In the first round, Ross quickly disposed of Cole in an arm-wrestling contest, which Cole blamed on Ross' bad breath. In the second round, the fans voted Ross the winner of a dance-off. For the third contest, Cole unveiled a scale, declaring this round to be a game of "Who Weighs Less?" Not so surprisingly, Cole won the final round and the right to keep his job.
But that wasn't the end. As Cole celebrated, CM Punk emerged from the back, telling Cole his time is up. Once it became clear Cole was rigging the competition, the entire segment became a "colossal waste of time," according to the No. 1 contender for the WWE Championship. As Punk continued to berate Cole, John Laurinaitis came out to tell Punk he'd be teaming with the Big Show to face World Heavyweight Champion Mark Henry and WWE Champion Alberto del Rio later in the night.
Matt Stryker waited backstage as a limo pulled up. But it wasn't the night's honored guest who stepped out of the limo. Rather, WWE icon Mick Foley made his unannounced return to Raw, saying he wouldn't miss The Rock's party for anything.
The first match of the night came in the form of a Survivor Series preview, as Tag Team Champion Kofi Kingston and Sin Cara of Team Orton battled Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes and Hunico of Team Barrett. Kingston and Sin Cara had control early on, but Hunico and Rhodes took over, isolating Sin Cara in their corner. Once Kingston came back in, he managed a slight comeback, but it didn't last long as Rhodes hit Cross Rhodes and pinned the tag champ clean in the middle of the ring.
Vickie Guerrero made her way out to a chorus of boos from the Boston faithful. She informed the fans that an injury would force Christian off Team Barrett at Survivor Series. She tried to announce his replacement, but her client United States Champion Dolph Ziggler interrupted to announce himself as the final member of the team. Tonight, though, the champ finds himself facing a large challenge in the form of Mason Ryan.
The match didn't last long, as Ryan manhandled Ziggler pretty easily. But before he could unleash his full arsenal of offense, Guerrero slapped Ryan, getting Ziggler disqualified from the bout. As the champ retreated to the back, though, John Morrison ran out, throwing Ziggler back into the ring. It seems Ryan, Morrison and even Zack Ryder have legitimate claims to a United States title match, so it will be interesting to see what predicaments Ziggler encounters in the coming weeks.
Foley, the hardcore legend, came to the ring to put over John Cena as a modern day hero of the people. While The Rock may be a friend, Foley also respects Cena, and he wants to see the two get along, despite their pending match at WrestleMania. Foley wanted to help out the cause by showing a video tribute called, "John Cena: This is Your Life." Foley brought out Cena's Little League coach, his former rap partner Bull Buchanan and Cena's father.
One by one, the guests came and went, but Cena still wasn't keen on Foley's idea. Ultimately, The Rock made his presence known, and apparently he didn't like the concept either. The Rock came down to the ring, didn't speak a word and delivered a Rock Bottom to Foley. He then turned around and returned to the back, with the crowd cheering him the entire time.
Back to the in-ring action, Sheamus took on Jack Swagger in the show's third contest. These two former world champions gave it all they had, exchanging control of the match throughout the early goings. In the end, though, it was Swagger on the receiving end of a Brogue Kick, allowing "The Great White" to pick up a win, bringing the night's score between Team Orton and Team Barrett to 2-1.
In the evening's divas action, Kelly Kelly faced off with Natalya. In a very short match, Kelly Kelly managed to reverse Natalya's Sharpshooter set up into a cradle pin for the easy victory.
When Stryker tried to interview The Miz and R-Truth about their upcoming Survivor Series match, the Awesome Truth duo refused to say even a word. When asked what they could do to get the attention of Cena and The Rock, they simply walked away.
Cameras cut away to Punk walking backstage, as he's assaulted by Del Rio. Referees had to pull Del Rio, who was seen interacting with everyone from Laurinaitis to the Bella Twins backstage, away from his challenger.
Del Rio and Henry made their way to the ring for their tag match against Punk and the Big Show. Both their opponents soon emerged, as well, Punk favoring his arm, apparently injured during Del Rio's locker room area attack. The pairings in this match gave fans a glimpse into Sunday's pay-per-view, as well as giving Big Show a chance for revenge against Del Rio for hitting him with a car months ago. The end of the match saw WWE Champion Del Rio score a pinfall over Punk, after Henry and Big Show equalized each others' presence. After the match, Del Rio sent a message to Punk by locking in a cross armbreaker on Punk's already damaged arm.
Santino Marella made his way to the ring, reminding people that Boston was the site of his near-win at this year's Royal Rumble. In the end, however, he lost that contest to Del Rio. His comments drew out the newly re-signed Kevin Nash. While Marella tried to have fun, Nash got down to business and laid out Marella with a big boot. He put an exclamation point on his message by delivering a jack-knife powerbomb on Marella before leaving the ring.
In the final match of the night, the two captains of Survivor Series' teams squared off in a rematch of Friday night's Smackdown main event. On that occasion, Wade Barrett managed to put away Randy Orton, but would he be able to do it again? Both men were on track for a solid performance when things denigrated and all 10 men involved in Sunday's Survivor Series match erupted in a brawl. In the end, Team Orton stood tall in the center of the ring, while Team Barrett huddled on the outside, bruised and beaten.
In the moment the fans have been waiting for, The Rock returned to Boston, delivering a heart-felt speech to the fans. He said he lives for the moment, and he doesn't want to wait six days for his. Calling out Awesome Truth, The Rock was met by two confident stars, unaffected by their recent humiliation at the hands of The Rock's partner, John Cena. It came across through the communication between Cena and The Rock that they think of each other as a bigger threat than their actual opponents.
But The Miz was quick to remind Cena the last time he became overly fascinated with The Rock, it cost him a WrestleMania main event victory. But The Rock wasn't going to sit back and take it; no, he wanted to put boots to asses. He laid out R-Truth with a Rock Bottom, and as Cena tried to hit an Attitude Adjustment on The Miz, The Rock pulled the awesome one down and hit a Rock Bottom on him, as well.
Heading into Sunday's Survivor Series, nothing seems certain. Del Rio seems to have the upperhand on Punk, while Henry and Big Show obviously have unfinished business. Team Orton and Team Barrett find themselves fairly evenly matched, and The Rock and Cena seem unable to get along. Only time will tell what will happen, and all the questions will be answered in six days' time.
Match Rundown:
Cody Rhodes and Hunico d. Kofi Kingston and Sin Cara
Mason Ryan d. United States Champion Dolph Ziggler by disqualification
Sheamus d. Jack Swagger
Kelly Kelly d. Natalya
WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio and World Heavyweight Champion Mark Henry d. CM Punk and Big Show
Randy Orton and Wade Barrett wrestled to a no contest
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