The go home show before Elimination Chamber, this week’s RAW delivered from in terms of both storyline and in-ring action The John Cena/Antonio Cesaro match was perhaps the best match on RAW in 2014 and the continued tease of The Shield and Wyatt Family bout was enough to get you to salivate.
While Elimination Chamber won’t be anywhere as enjoyable as Wrestlemania 30, this week’s RAW did an excellent job of making you think it could be.
Matches:
Christian vs. Daniel Bryan: Christian took advantage of interference from Kane and worked over Bryan on the outside of the ring. Once inside the squared circle, Christian worked on Bryan’s arm with a variety of strikes and a nifty Tornado Arm-Breaker. Unable to put Bryan away, Christian got frustrated and allowed Bryan to get back into the encounter. Using kicks and counters, Bryan evened things out, but Christian was never out of the match. Continuing o work on Bryan’s shoulder, Christian went for the Kill Switch twice and Bryan countered it both times. The first time Bryan was unable to lock in the Crossface-the second time he rolled up Christian for the win. After the win, Kane announced that Bryan would wrestle again, against Kane himself.
Kane vs. Daniel Bryan: Kane continued to work on Bryan’s injured shoulder with strikes and modified Irish whips into the turnbuckles. But after a top rope Front Dropkick and a slew of strikes, it appeared Bryan was back in it. Unfortunately for Bryan, Kane was just getting started. Continuing the onslaught on the outside again, Kane got DQed, leaving Bryan in terrible shape for the Elimination Chamber.
Santino Marella w/Emma vs. Fandango w/Summer Rae: Marella was in control and Emma delivered the Fireman Spin on Summer Rae on the outside, but their budding relationship got the best of them. Distracted, Marella lost to Fandango via a beautiful Michinoku Driver.
Mark Henry vs. Roman Reigns w/Seth Rollins and WWE United States Champion Dean Ambrose: A clean win for Reigns after the Superman Punch/Spear combination. Although Henry put up a dominating performance, Reigns hit a Samoan Drop and several other power powers that put him over the top. After the match, Ambrose beat on Henry, much to the discontent of Reigns and Rollins.
Kofi Kingston vs. Jack Swagger w/Zeb Colter: Kingston nearly won with an SOS, but Swagger had his leg on the ring rope. After Kingston hit the top rope splash, Swagger rolled Kingston over into the Patriot Lock and earned the submission victory.
Intercontinental Champion Big E. Langston vs. Drew McIntyre and Jinder Mahal: While two-thirds of 3MB had their away with Langston for a while, the Intercontinental Champion won after he delivered a pair of the Big Ending.
Antonio Cesaro w/Zeb Colter and Jack Swagger vs. John Cena: This match proved that Cesaro can hang in the ring with the best in the company- if you didn’t know that already. Several different times it appeared Cesaro had the win, but Cena was ever vigilant. European Uppercuts, Giant Swings, Superplexes, Cena took it all. After a slew of counters, Cena won with nasty clothesline and an Attitude Adjustment.
Los Matadores and Sin Cara vs. Bray Wyatt, Luke Harper and Erick Rowan: This was deliciously sad to watch. The Family completely decimated the luchadores, who could barely get a tag in. Although Sin Cara had some luck against the trio, Harper nailed him with a vicious Discus Lariat and Wyatt followed up with the Sister Abigail for the win.
WWE Tag Team Champion Billy Gunn w/Road Dogg vs. Jey Uso w/Jimmy Uso: A quick match that saw Uso reverse a Fameasser and roll up Gunn for the win.
WWE World Heavyweight Champion Randy Orton vs. Sheamus: A tough encounter that saw Orton take a beating. Sheamus also took some damage, fighting off Orton’s signature offense. Just when it appeared Sheamus had the match in his grasp, The Shield interfered to get it thrown out. Soon enough, John Cena, Daniel Bryan and The Family were in the ring as well.
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