February 14, 2012|By Adam Testa
- Randy Orton and Big Show met in a one-on-one match in wake of their Smackdown-ending brawl last week. The match wasn't bad, and Orton hitting his patented top-rope DDT on Show was an impressive feat. The ending looked rough, as the duo botched an RKO, leaving Orton to hit the move a second time. Daniel Bryan ran in and laid out both men with the title belt, leaving him standing tall. Despite the presence of The Great Khali, the World Heavyweight Championship match is shaping up to be the most anticipated match of Sunday's pay-per-view.
- The Kane-John Cena angle took another sharp turn, as Cena saved Eve from Kane's grasp, only to be rewarded with a deep kiss. Of course, Zack Ryder rolled up in his wheelchair, armed with flowers for Eve, right as it happened. It was hard to believe this feud could get worse, but Arthur Fonzarelli has ramped that lake once again (Google it if you don't understand). Unfortunately, the angle continued in the final minutes of Raw, as Ryder confronted Cena in the ring, slapping his hero. Cena teased hitting Ryder. Kane appeared, saying Cena had embraced the hate (how, I'm not quite sure), and then shoved Ryder off the ramp. Cena and officials rushed to his aid, with Cena even throwing up the X, signifying a legitimate injury. I hate when that sign is used in storyline purposes, as legitimate injuries should be treated as a serious issue.
- Tamina scored a dominant victory over Brie Bella in an average divas match. I appreciate the fact they've actually built Tamina as a challenger heading into her pay-per-view match with Divas Champion Beth Phoenix rather than just have the "diva of the week" get a title shot. Tamina is one of the women - along with Phoenix, Natalya, Kharma and, to a lesser extent, Eve - who could really breathe new life into the divas' division.
Match Rundown
Chris Jericho d. Kofi Kingston
Big Show d. Randy Orton by disqualification
R-Truth d. Dolph Ziggler
Tamina d. Brie Bella
CM Punk d. The Miz
My Take
Tonight's Raw was a tremendous rebound from last week's disappointment. The opening debate segment and the Cena-Kane angles were the low points of the show, but the actual wrestling was a step up, and the rest of the show came together well. The Triple H-Michaels promo was extremely well done and has me more interested in the build to the match than before. Sunday's pay-per-view will be the epitome of a two-match pay-per-view, but those two matches are least looking poised to deliver.
Comment of the Night
"CM Punk with the TV-M. Naked pictures of bestiality? A lot of kids are asking their parents a real tough question right now." - Scott Sudikoff @Sudikoff
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