RAW RESULT 1/17

 Tonight’s WWE RAW kicks off with a video package featuring Martin Luther King Jr. Michael Cole welcomes us to RAW from Little Rock, Arkansas and John Cena’s music hits to get the crowd hype.

– Cena rushes to the ring as the crowd erupts. We see highlights of CM Punk and Nexus attacking him on RAW three weeks ago. Cena says this is his first time in the ring in 2011 and he is ready. Cena talks about his New Years resolutions and says one is taking care of CM Punk, one is winning the Royal Rumble and another is winning at WrestleMania to become the new WWE Champion. Cena calls Punk out to the ring but The Miz’s music hits and out comes the WWE Champion with Alex Riley.

Miz does the “really” at Cena winning the WWE Title back at WrestleMania. Miz says Cena is played out and nobody wants to see him as champion. Miz says the odds are against for Cena winning the Rumble. The crowd breaks out in a huge Cena chant. Miz talks about the Rumble match having 40 Superstars this year and calls it the biggest ever. Miz says whoever wins the Rumble match, they better not come after him. Cena mocks Miz and starts ripping on him, Riley and Michael Cole. Cena gives props to Jerry Lawler and the crowd breaks out in a big Jerry chant. Miz calls Cena corny and says he’s sick of the label that he’s afraid to fight. Miz says it’s generic, just like Cena. Miz says he can fight with the best brawlers in WWE history.

Miz talks about destroying Randy Orton at Royal Rumble. Cena says when he sees Randy Orton vs. John Cena at WrestleMania, that sounds and feels like a WrestleMania championship worthy match. Cena says Miz won’t make it to WrestleMania. Cena challenges Miz to do something about their difference in opinion. The crowd chants for Cena when CM Punk’s music hits and out he comes with David Otunga, Michael McGillicutty and Husky Harris behind him.

Punk tells Miz that he doesn’t have to explain himself to the jerk John Cena. Punk talks about Cena’s chances in the Rumble. McGillicutty, Otunga and Harris head to the ring as Punk looks on from the stage. Nexus charge Cena but he fights them off. Vladimir Kozlov and Santino Marella rush down to the ring and help Cena clean house. They retreat to the stage where Punk waits. Punk goes back to the ring with them to fight but the e-mail alert and we have a message from the General Manager. It’s announced that Nexus is banned from ringside during the Punk vs. Cena match later on and if they interfere, they will be out of the Royal Rumble match. Cena stares down Nexus to end the segment.

- We get hype for Dolph Ziggler vs. Randy Orton later tonight as we go to commercial.

WWE Tag Team Title Match: The Usos vs. Vladimir Kozlov and Santino Marella

Back from commercial and the WWE Tag Team Champions are in the ring with Tamina and their opponents, The Usos. Santino starts it out with one of the Usos and they go at it. Santino is distracted by the other Uso and gets dropkicked of the top for a 2 count. The Usos tag in and double team Santino for another 2 count.
Santino continues to get beat down for another 2 count. Santino tries for the tag to Kozlov but can’t get to it. Santino tosses Uso on his back and goes for the tag again. Kozlov comes in as does the other Uso. Kozlov overpowers him and knocks him down with a headbutt and big boot. Vladimir with a big slam for a 2 count as Uso comes in to break up the pin. Santino comes in to fight him off. Vladimir throws Uso out of the ring. The other Uso makes a comeback in the ring but Kozlov hits him with the battering ram. Santino is tagged in as Kozlov goes to the floor to fight the other Uso off. Santino hits the Cobra in the ring for the pin and the win.

Winners: Santino Marella and Vladimir Kozlov

- We see Nexus backstage arguing. CM Punk walks up smiling. Punk holds his arms out and just says “faith.”

- We see John Morrison headed to the ring for a match. He runs into United States Champion Daniel Bryan and just stops. The Bella Twins walk up, kiss Bryan and walk off with him. Morrison shakes his head and walks to the ring. Morrison vs. Bryan is up next as we go to commercial.

John Morrison vs. Daniel Bryan

Back from commercial and out comes John Morrison to the ring. We cut to a promo video for Morrison. Out next comes the WWE United States Champion Daniel Bryan for this non-title match. They lock up and go back and forth. Morrison works on Bryan’s arm to start things off. Bryan counters Morrison with a suplex. Morrison runs the ropes but Bryan dropkicks Morrison out to the floor. Bryan goes for a baseball slide but Morrison moves. They go back in the ring at the same time and face off as we go to commercial.

Back from commercial and Morrison has Bryan grounded to the mat. Bryan tries to fight back but Morrison takes him to the mat. Morrison goes for Starship Pain but Bryan moves out of the way as the Bellas cheer on Bryan at ringside. Bryan kicks Morrison in the face, drops him and gets a 2 count. Morrison and Bryan collide in mid-air with cross body blocks. The ref begins to count to 10 as they get to their feet. Morrison and Bryan trade right hands. Bryan fires back with kicks. Morrison misses a clothesline but counters Bryan’s suplex. Bryan counters Morrison now and rolls him up for 2. Lots of back and forth pin attempts here. Bryan goes for the LaBell Lock but Morrison avoids it.

Morrison launches Bryan into the turnbuckle and hits a springboard kick to the face off the ropes. Morrison hits Bryan with a running knee to the face for the pinfall and the win.

Winner: John Morrison

– After the match, Morrison helps Bryan up and they shake hands. Sheamus’ music hits and out he comes to the stage. Sheamus says he made Morrison and he can destroy him. Sheamus says Morrison or Bryan isn’t in his league. Sheamus says he will win the biggest Rumble match in WWE history. Sheamus says it’s a match designed for a king. Sheamus promises to win the Rumble and eliminate both of them. Sheamus says long live the king and poses as his music hits.

– We get hype for Cena vs. Punk and Orton vs. Ziggler before going back to commercial.

– Back from commercial and we get a video highlighting WWE winning the Mashable award for their Stand Up for WWE campaign.

– We see The Bella Twins walking backstage, talking about good John Morrison looked. Nikki says she wants to be Daniel Bryan’s “first.” The Bellas wager a bet on who can bag Bryan first.

– We go to the ring where Justin Roberts introduces SmackDown’s official consultant Vickie Guerrero and out she comes to the ring. Vickie asks the fans to excuse her and gets boo’d like always. Vickie says she is here to introduce the man who will beat Edge at Royal Rumble to become the new World Heavyweight Champion, her boyfriend Dolph Ziggler.

Dolph Ziggler vs. Randy Orton

Out comes the #1 contender to the World Heavyweight Title Dolph Ziggler. Vickie and Dolph kiss as he finishes his entrance. Out next comes his opponent Randy Orton, the #1 contender to the WWE Title. Orton comes out to a big pop.

Back from a quick commercial and they lock up to start the match, their first ever against each other. Ziggler takes Orton to the corner and beats him down as the referee tries to break it up. Orton comes back and leaps onto Ziggler with right hands. Orton with a big clothesline on Ziggler now. Orton starts stomping on Dolph and slingshots his neck under the bottom rope for a 2 count.

Ziggler starts to make a comeback and gets a 2 count on Orton. Dolph with a dropkick to the knee. Ziggler stomps away repeatedly on Orton’s leg. Ziggler continues to work on Orton’s leg, using the ring apron. Ziggler pulls Orton over and now uses the ring post on his leg. Back in the ring now and Orton fights back out of the corner. Orton with a big uppercut and more right hands, beating Dolph down. Dolph comes back with a big dropkick for a 2 count. Ziggler works on the leg some more with a submission. Orton fights back with right hands and gets to his feet. They trade right hands. Orton counters and hits the backbreaker on Ziggler.

Orton gains more momentum on Ziggler and hits the big powerslam. Orton goes for the second rope DDT but Ziggler takes his knee out. Ziggler hits the Fameasser for a 2 count. Orton fights back again. Ziggler counters the Angle slam with a sleeper hold. Ziggler gets on Orton’s back with the sleeper locked and makes him go to the mat. Orton makes it to the ropes but Dolph waits to break the hold. Ziggler goes for his finisher but Orton counters it. Ziggler tries it again but Orton turns the move into an RKO for the pinfall and the win.

Winner: Randy Orton

– As soon as Orton’s music hits, The Miz and Alex Riley rush the ring and beat him back down. They beat Orton outside of the ring to the floor. Orton tries to fight them both off but Miz throws him into the steel steps. The crowd chants for Jerry Lawler. Miz goes to take apart the announcer’s table but Lawler gets involved. Lawler decks Riley. Miz responds and lays out Lawler. Miz drops Orton’s head onto the announcer’s table. Miz picks up Orton and rams him back into the steel post. Miz and Riley continue the assault on Orton, beating the hell out of him. They crash Orton through the fan barrier at ringside. Miz takes a mic, kneels down in Orton’s face and declares that he’s awesome. We get ready for another commercial break.

– Back from the break and we get a replay of the attack that just happened on Randy Orton from Alex Riley and The Miz.

– We go backstage with CM Punk talking to Nexus about faith. Punk says one must have humility to really possess faith. One must be willing to sacrifice their all, to bow before the temptations of the blood thirsty. Punk goes on and on. Nexus bow their heads to end the segment.

Maryse vs. Natalya

We go to the ring and out comes Maryse. Eve Torres and Melina are on commentary with Cole. Out next comes the WWE Divas Champion Natalya. The bell rings and Maryse mushes Natalya and slaps her. Natalya drops Maryse and goes for a Sharpshooter. Maryse makes it to the ropes to break the hold. Maryse drops Natalya now for a 2 count.

Maryse with a chinlock now. Natalya breaks out of it and they go at it. Natalya hits the spinning clothesline and goes for the Sharpshooter. Natalya locks it in and Maryse taps out after she can’t reach the ropes.

Winner: Natalya

– After the match, Maryse goes to ringside and starts yelling at Michael Cole. Eve Torres pushes her on her way out. Maryse continues to yell at Cole and raise hell. Ted DiBiase comes out and tries to calm her down. Maryse yells at him also and calls him a loser. Ted takes the mic and asks her if she thinks he can win the Rumble match. She doesn’t. Ted asks the fans and they don’t either. Ted says he will throw anyone over the top rope at the Rumble or right now. Ted issues an open over the top rope challenge for right now and we cut to commercial.

Over the Top Rope Challenge: Ted DiBiase vs. Mark Henry

Back from the break and Mark Henry answers DiBiase’s challenge. The bell rings and they go at it. Out of nowhere Henry just tosses Ted over the top rope and to the floor.

Winner: Mark Henry

– After the bell, William Regal, Tyson Kidd, Yoshi Tatsu, Darren Young, Zack Ryder, R-Truth, Primo Colon and David Hart Smith rush the ring and start going at it, trying to eliminate each other. Henry goes to press slam Ryder over the top when Sheamus runs down and gets into the mix. Sheamus eliminates three at once. It comes down to Henry and Sheamus. Sheamus hangs on and fights off Henry. Henry grabs Sheamus and just tosses him over the top rope. Henry’s music hits and he celebrates but is interrupted by Alberto Del Rio’s music.

Del Rio comes driving into the arena in a 2008 Bentley. Del Rio stands up out of the sun roof and introduces himself to the crowd. Del Rio says it’s his destiny to win the biggest Rumble in history. It’s his destiny to be a champion at WrestleMania. It’s his destiny to be the greatest of the great, he says. Henry motions for Del Rio to come to the ring. Del Rio’s music hits as he taunts Henry from the car.

- More hype for Cena vs. Punk before a Make-A-Wish video and another commercial break.

– Back from commercial and we get a vignette with NXT’s Derrick Bateman dressed as a professor. He has a new cologne called World’s Strongest Man and says it’s made from Mark Henry’s sweat. Bateman sprays some and does some comedy. Henry’s voice appears from the background and reads a warning for the cologne. Bateman asks, “are you strong enough?” to end the odd segment.

– We get a Royal Rumble promo video with various stats from over the years. Cole and Lawler hype up the Royal Rumble and announce Edge vs. The Miz for next week’s RAW.

CM Punk vs. John Cena

Back from another commercial break and out comes CM Punk with Nexus. Punk stops and says something to each member before walking to the ring for the match. Nexus are banned from ringside for this match. We get replays of their initiations from last week. Out next comes John Cena to a big pop.

The bell rings and they come face to face in the middle of the ring. Punk strikes first and they trade blows. Cena beats Punk back into the corner and slams his face into the mat. Cena unloads on Punk with right hands now. Cena takes it back to the corner and works Punk over, sending him to the mat. Cena whips Punk hard across the ring and continues the assault. Cena with a 2 count.

Punk counters and kicks Cena in the stomach. Punk baseball slide kicks Cena’s back, sending him out to the floor. We go to commercial.

Back from the break and Punk is working on Cena’s arm with a submission. Cena gets to his feet with Punk on his shoulders. Punk counters and drops Cena for a 2 count. Punk with big knees and kicks to Cena’s back. Another 2 count by Punk. Punk wraps his legs around Cena’s neck now. Cena breaks out of it and hits his shoulder blocks and big back drop. They go back and forth. Cena goes for the AA but Punk counters and gets a 2 count. Punk runs and hits the big knee to the face in the corner and the bulldog. Another 2 count for Punk.

Punk goes for the GTS but Cena catches his leg and locks on the STF. Punk makes it to the ropes and the hold is broken. Cena and Punk clothesline each other at the same time and go down. They get up and Cena goes for the AA again but Punk grabs the ropes and breaks it. Punk hits a knee to the head from the apron and a springboard clothesline for a 2 count. Back on their feet now and they go at it. Cena goes for the AA yet again but Punk slides out and drops Cena on his face. Punk applies the Anaconda Vice in the middle of the ring and Cena looks to be fading.

Cena finally makes it to the ropes and the hold is broken after Punk hesitates. Punk kicks Cena in the head, sending him from the apron down to the floor. Punk leaps off the apron but Cena catches him in mid-air and rams him into the ring post. Cena makes it back in the ring and goes up top. Punk gets up and knocks Cena down on the turnbubckle. Punk with a high kick to the face. Punk climbs up and headbutts Cena. Punk goes for a superplex but Cena fights him off. Cena headbutts Punk back onto the mat. Cena leaps off the top and hits a leg drop on Punk but only gets a 2 count.

More back and forth action. Mason Ryan, FCW Champ, appears on the apron and distracts Cena, allowing Punk to come up. Ryan comes in the ring and Punk stretches his arms out. Ryan runs the ropes and lays Punk out. Ryan picks up Cena and drops him with a big slam. Nexus rush the ring but Punk tells them to hold off. Punk stares Ryan down. Ryan bows to one knee and Punk puts a Nexus armband on him, welcoming him to the group. RAW goes off the air with Nexus and their new member posing with their fists in the air.