WWE RAW Results (Jan 17th) - Cena Returns, Mason Ryan Debuts!

Results by Lenton Lees & Steve Carrier

We get a Martin Luther King Jr. Video package. If it wasn't for the WWE Logo at the bottom I would've never known it was part of the show. Very quick. None of the usual WWE video openings. How are we going to know rather or not they promise us a great main event?! Gasp!

Cena's music hits and he comes out, looking perfectly healthy and full of energy. We see 3 weeks ago when CM Punk took out Cena. Cena reminds us that was last year, this is a new year, and Cena has new years resolutions! 1. Beat CM Punk. 2. Some joke that he said too quickly that no one laughed at. 3. Win Royal Rumble, headline WrestleMania, and get the WWE Title back.

"Awwwwwwesome."
Here come's Miz & Riley, looking snazzy as all get out! Miz is in disbelief that Cena "thinks" he is going to win the title back. Miz tells Cena he doesn't stand a chance because the Rumble will now have 40 Participants. He warns who-ever wins not to come after him, because if they do they will suffer the same fate as Randy Orton in their title match in two-weeks? you? will? lose.

Cena mocks The Miz and how he talks. Cena reminds Miz if it wasn't for Michael Cole & Alex Riley that Jerry Lawler or Randy Orton would be WWE Champion. Cena calls Alex a "Chicken-McNugget who carries a toy train in a suitcase." What the hell?
Cena makes a poop-joke that I refuse to write, I must retain my dignity.

Miz says he can go toe-to-toe with the greatest technical wrestlers in WWE History, because he's The Miz and he will finish that sentence when he destroys Randy Orton. John Cena says that was the first thing Miz said that made any sense all night. Cena promotes a Randy Orton vs. John Cena match at WrestleMania. Decent pop from the crowd. If this was a reaction test, I hope Vince decides NOT to go with it. Cena wants to see Miz do something, he drops the mic.

CM Punk's music hits and here comes the new Nexus. Michael, David, Husky, & Punk.
Punk tells Miz not to worry about explaining himself cause he's WWE Champion and Cena's not. Punk has a scar under his right eye, not sure what is going on there. Punk reminds Cena about the 40 men in the rumble and that all the Nexus members are going to make sure Punk walks out as the Rumble winner. The Nexus heads down to the ring and begin to brawl with Cena. It's not long before Santino & Koslov make the save, clearing out The "New Nexus."

They re-group at the stage then head back down. They are about to enter the ring when we get an e-mail from the anonymous GM. If any Nexus members get involved in the Cena/Punk match they will be banned from the Royal Rumble match. Punk is pissed, Cena is smiling ear-to-ear!

Later Tonight, Dolph Ziggler vs. Randy Orton, and a Tag-Team Title match is next!

-Commercial Break.

WWE Tag-Team Championship Match
The Uso's vs. Santino Marella & Vladimir Koslov w/ Tamina

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 & Koslov

Backstage Nexus are arguing about what to do when Punk shows up. Punk stares down each member, smiles, and says, "Faith."

John Morrison is passing through and runs into Daniel Bryan. The Bella's pop-up, kiss Daniel, and they head off. Morrison vs. Daniel Bryan is next! Should be awesome.

-Commercial Break. We get a preview for Marvel vs. Capcom 3! Aww yeah, baby!

John Morrison vs. Daniel Bryan w/The Bella Twins

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.

Morrison & Daniel shake hands, acting all buddy-buddy when King Sheamus comes out! He reminds Morrison that before Sheamus "made" John Morrison he was drowning in a pool of mediocrity and that he can destroy him! Sheamus says he will conquer 39 other superstars, because the Royal Rumble is fit for royalty! "Long live the King!" he screams as we cut away.

Still to come, John Cena vs. CM Punk
Up Next, Randy Orton vs. Dolph Ziggler

-Commercial Break.

Backstage The Bella's are discussing being Daniel Bryan's "first." They have a wager, to see which one will get to Daniel first. They don't say that anything is on the line, just shake hands, and "may the best Bella win."

Dolph Ziggler w/ Vickie vs. Randy Orton

Vickie comes out first and takes a microphone! She does her Excuse me bit, crowd is tearing into her, I love it! She introduces Ziggler, crowd won't shut-up, she screams excuse me, they don't care. Out comes Ziggler. I am not into picking a pail of pickled peppers, but I am proud to say that Dolph Ziggler is gorgeous!

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

After the match Miz & Alex charge the ring and begin taking down Orton. Orton tries battling back but Miz is too healthy and sends Orton shoulder first into the steel steps. The announce tables catches the eye of Miz but Jerry Lawler stands up to Miz, keeping him away. Miz acts fast and sends The King over the barricade onto the concrete! Orton tries to take his chance, but Miz scouts it and throws the Viper headfirst into the announce table. Miz sends Orton spine first into the corner post, Orton is now helpless. Alex holds Orton as Miz stomps on his chest, telling him he won't get the championship. The two force Randy to his feet and send him crashing through the barricade onto a steel chair! Miz grabs a microphone, Orton is barely moving! "I'm the Miz and I'm awesome!"

Fantastic beat-down! It shows a side of The Miz that we've only seen against easy prey (Jerry Lawler)

-Commercial Break.

We go backstage where 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. Nexus bow their heads to end the segment. Odd.

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

Maryse is upset and is yelling at Ted Dibiase saying he's a loser for losing to an NxT rookie. Ted says he isn't a loser and will win the Royal Rumble! He issues a challenge to anyone for an over-the-top rope challenge!

-Commercial Break.

Mark Henry come sout and makes easy work off Ted Dibiase! The lockeroom begins to empty out as the mid-carders (William Regal, Tyson Kidd, Yoshi Tatsu, Darren Young, Zack Ryder, R-Truth, Primo Colon and David Hart Smith) run out to prove to the fans they can win the rumble! This is in no way official, just wrestlers trying to prove themselves. Sheamus shows up and begins cleaning out the ring, leaving only Mark Henry & The King. Sheamus is almost knocked out but is able to hold on. Henry grabs Sheamus and tosses him over the top rope as his music plays again!

Not so fast, here comes Alberto Del Rio (aka, my Royal Rumble Winner Prediction!), he introduces himself, great heat from the crowd! Alberto tells us about his destiny again. Henry tells Alberto to come down and face him but he won't. He just smiles and mouths things about his destiny!

Fun segment, but this is my fear of the "40 Man Rumble." All it's going to do is put more mid-carders out there to be thrown out quickly so one guy can look powerful. It's silly and seems unnecessary.

-Commercial Break.

We are back and Derrick Bateman is talking about a new cologne made from the scent of Mark Henry called, "Worlds Strongest Man." He sprays it on himself and we hear Mark Henry talk about the warnings of using it. Apparently it causes hippo's to want to have sex with you & makes bee's angry or some non-sense like that. I can't make this stuff up, it made no sense, and wasn't the least bit funny.

We go to a Royal Rumble "All about the numbers" video package. Almost identical to the last few years video, but this time it's a woman narrator, with updated statistics. Great video!

Michael Cole got an e-mail on his black-berry (I have one of those! We're twins!) and announces Next Week we will, WHC Edge vs. WWE Champion The Miz.

Backstage Cena is walking through and muttering things to people before heading to the ring. Couldn't understand anything cause Cole was yappin' but I imagine it wasn't too important.

-Commercial Break.

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 turnbuckle. 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.