WWE Raw results: Sting helps Dolph Ziggler, Ryback and Erick Rowan earn jobs back

Sting's arrival let to John Cena winning Raw's main event

Sting made his maiden appearance on Raw on Monday night to help John Cena win Dolph Ziggler, Ryback and Erick Rowan their jobs back.

The face-painted Superstar strode to the entrance ramp at the height of Cena’s handicap match against Big Show, Kane and Seth Rollins and distracted the Authority’ golden boys for long enough for The Cenation Leader to pin Rollins.

Cena’s victory not only ensured he maintained his place in Sunday’s WWE World Heavyweight Title encounter at the Royal Rumble, but also saw the previously fired Ziggler, Ryback and Rowan rehired, as per a stipulation agreed to by The Authority earlier in the show.

Triple H was left seething at the arrival of Sting, who had caused him and his wife, Stephanie McMahon, to be temporarily removed from power at Survivor Series last November.

But The Game was irked further when the WCW veteran failed to emerge for a scrap and instead watched on in horror as WWE World Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar laid waste to Kane and Big Show.

Lesnar’s ultimate goal was to get his hands on Rollins, who Curb Stomped him on last week’s episode of Raw, but with The Aerialist wriggling from harm’s way, The Anomaly will have to wait until his strap is on the line in Sunday’s Triple Threat Match.

Umbrage

Kane and Big Show ended Raw in pain, then, but made big impacts earlier in the show, with the former costing Daniel Bryan his clash with Bray Wyatt and the latter knocking out Ric Flair.

Kane, who will shatter Bryan’s hopes of competing in the Royal Rumble Match if he beats him on Smackdown on Thursday, tripped the submission specialist up on the ring apron, allowing The Eater of Worlds to administer a Sister Abigail.

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Shawn Michaels, Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair reveal who they think will win the 2015 Royal Rumble.

Big Show, meanwhile, took umbrage at three WWE legends not tipping him to win the Royal Rumble – Hulk Hogan backed Dean Ambrose, Shawn Michaels plumped for Wyatt and Flair chose Bryan – so chose to clobber The Nature Boy with his fist.

However, the giant was soon retreating when Roman Reigns rushed to Flair’s aid and sent his gargantuan rival over the top rope.

Plus, The Ascension aka Konnor and Viktor were made to pay for their disparaging remarks about tag teams of yesteryear when they were battered by the nWo, APA and the New Age Outlaws.

Elsewhere, Natalya and Paige downed Summer Rae and Alicia Fox; Ambrose bested Intercontinental Champion Bad News Barrett; Jey Uso conquered The Miz; The New Day’s Kofi Kingston and Big E overcame Cesaro and Tyson Kidd; and Rusev submitted R-Truth.

Watch WWE Royal Rumble, live at 1am on Sunday on Sky Sports Box Office or follow our interactive blog at www.skysports.com/wwe.

Royal Rumble booking details

WWE Royal Rumble will be shown at 1am on Sunday, January 25 (Mon) on Sky Sports Box Office (channel 743) and on Sky Sports HD Box Office (channel 752).

WWE Royal Rumble will be repeated on Sky Sports Box Office (channel 743) BUT NOT Sky Sports HD Box Office (channel 752) until 9pm on Saturday, January 31.

Repeats showing will last for three hours, with the final showing BEGINNING at 9pm on Saturday, January 31.

The event is priced at £19.95 for UK customers, €24.95 for customers in the Republic of Ireland.

Viewers can call 08442 410 888 from Tuesday, January 13 to book WWE Royal Rumble. (There may be an additional charge for telephone bookings).

You will be able book WWE Royal Rumble online from Tuesday, January 13 by visiting this link: https://my.sky.com/orderboxoffice/

You can also order WWE Royal Rumble at a later date by pressing the Box Office button on your remote. Select 'sports & events' and follow the on-screen instructions.

Cable customers should contact their local cable operator.