This week, Randy Orton closed RAW with four stunning RKOs, dropping Wade Barrett, Edge, Sheamus and Darren Young.
Viper stuns quartet with signature move on RAW
This week, Randy Orton closed RAW with four stunning RKOs, dropping Wade Barrett, Edge, Sheamus and Darren Young.
To kick off Monday Night RAW, the arrogant Superstars of The Nexus recapped last week's 900th episode, in which they ganged up on The Undertaker and punished The Phenom, and also prevailed in a 5-on-5 Tag Team Elimination Match after both Chris Jericho and Edge abandoned their team-mates.
When the five members took turns on the mic, Randy Orton interrupted, and when the war of words between himself and Wade Barrett became overheated, RAW's anonymous General Manager e-mailed in to inform Nexus that whilst last week's group effort may have been impressive, they would now be put to the test as individuals.
First up, Nexus leader Barrett would face Orton, the man he pinned last week to win the main event match. Next, Justin Gabriel would battle the man he pinned the week before, John Cena.
Strength
To add to the tension, neither Nexus member would enjoy the assistance of their fellow outlaws since The Nexus were banned from ringside during both bouts.
Later in the night, without his contingent of Nexus associates to rely upon, Gabriel failed in his attempts to overcome his powerhouse opponent. Cena's strength and size advantage were too much to in the end, as Gabriel eventually found himself on the end of a vengeful Attitude Adjustment off the top rope to end the match.
And so to the main event, where The Viper faced off against Wade Barrett as WWE Champion Sheamus, Edge and John Cena looked on from ringside.
But before the bout got under way, RAW's anonymous General Manager informed fans that the winner of the match would be "rewarded" with a match against John Cena on next week's show.
As the main event progressed, both Orton and Barrett appeared evenly matched, but The Viper managed to slither past his rival when the leader of The Nexus was haunted by a face from his past, Darren Young.
The banished Nexus member distracted Barrett long enough to allow WWE's Apex Predator to level him with an RKO and prevail in the match.
Orton, however, was not content with a singular strike and not only lured Darren Young into receiving a devastating RKO, but also left both Edge and Irishman Sheamus incapacitated by his signature move.
After the series of RKO's, Cena entered the ring, where he faced off with The Viper. The two long-time rivals appeared justifiably cautious in the presence of one another, and appeared content to stare each other down as RAW went off the air.
Also this week, after deserting their team-mates in last week's 5-on-5 Tag Team Elimination Match, Chris Jericho and Edge were informed by the RAW GM that they must win their respective singles matches in order to maintain their slots in the Six Pack Challenge at Night of Champions.
Unfortunately for an irate Jericho, John Morrison toppled the self obsessed Superstar in a thrilling encounter. The defeat not only meant a loss for Jericho but also snuffed out any hope he may have had of capturing the WWE Title.
Fantastic
The Ultimate Opportunist, however, managed to dispose of his giant opponent, The Great Khali, in an Over-the-Top-Rope challenge. Edge kept his chances of becoming WWE Champion alive, after he sent The Punjabi Playboy tumbling over the top rope to maintain his slot in the Six Pack Challenge at Night of Champions.
Elsewhere, Daniel Bryan requested a United States Title match against Miz at Night of Champions. The Miz accepted, so that, as he claimed, he might embarrass his nemesis. As the two Superstars shook on it, the man dubbed "Mr. Money In The Bank" took a cheap shot.
Bryan, however, turned the tables and locked Miz in the LeBell Lock. Just as it appeared Miz was prepared to tap out, his season two NXT Rookie Alex Riley charged the ring from the audience and rescued the United States Champion.
Next Week on RAW, the build up to WWE's Night Of Champions event comes to a head as Randy Orton takes on John Cena in what should be a fantastic main event between two of WWE's finest.
Adding to the excitement of next week's show, RAW Roulette returns! The high-stakes wheel promises to provide a series of unexpected matches.
WWE RAW returns next Monday Night at 2am on Sky Sports HD3.
