NFLFURY

Can't believe it only took a cross body to take Orton out and set him up for the FU.....

First time I've watched Raw in quite some time.

Wish I had that hour or so back.

I may give this another shot some other time, but right now this is just too.....campy. Not sure if that's the right word.

I missed the DX tag match, sounds like the best match of the evening. I'm just glad that Philly didn't disappoint me and booed Cena.

The DX match was pretty same ol same ol DX

Even so, always good to see Trips and HBK work together.

They're still entertaining and were by far the bright spot of the evening.

I wonder if even the hardcore WWE fans are starting to lose interest these days? That crowd wasn't very enthusiastic.

They hated Cena, they reacted when they gave them something to react to. They liked it when Maria's pants came down. Hell, I liked it when Maria's pants came down.

I wasn't happy about that at all.

Underwear stayed on.


But I took what I could from it.

Touche, but that will all change come Wrestlemania time. In due time my friend, in due time.

Event: WWE Monday Night RAW
Airdate: Monday, February 11th, 2008 (USA Network)
Location: The Frank Erwin Center in Austin, TX
Results by Austin of Rajah

RAW this week starts with Hornswoggle coming out to the ring looking rather upset. Video of Horney biting Vince’s ass at Finlay’s prompting. Horney stands in the ring and lets out a deep sigh when Vince’s music starts. Vince comes out in wrestling gear looking rather buff (for his age). Horney looks up at Vince and shakes his head.

Vince calls for the bell. He points in front of him for Horney to stand there. “Horney” chant from at least one guy in the front row. Vince pushes him down. They lock up and Vince pushes him down to heat from the fans. Vince flexes one arm to show off his muscles. Vince gets on one knee and points at his chin giving Horney a free shot. Horney doesn’t want to do it and Vince pushes him back. Horney pulls back to bitch slap Vince, but can’t do it. Vince grins and then Horney smacks him. Vince is pissed and gets to his feet. Vince takes off his gelt and draws back. Finlay rushes the ring and Vince rolls out.

Vince gets back in the ring with a mic. He can’t believe Finlay dares interfere in family business. He says Finlay’s got kids and is about to through his entire career away in one moment and for him? Finlay says friendship and loyalty. Vince says he doesn’t think so. Vince is about to fire him and Finlay steps back. Horney is crying out to Finlay and holding a hand out. Finlay turns his back to the ring, holding the ropes. Vince looks at Horney and says Finlay isn’t his friend, he’s a coward. Vince pushes Horney across the ring. Finlay comes back and nails Vince with the sheleighly. Finlay then positions Vince and Horney climbs. Horney hits a tadpole splash and pins Vince for three. It was a No DQ Match.

- Winner: Hornswoggle

video of the sheleighly hit and tadpole splash. Horney and Finlay back up the ramp grinning and Vince glares as he lays on the mat.

- Commercial

Vince is out back being examined. Regal asks if there’s anything he can do. Vince says to get some dismissal papers because Finlay’s being fired tonight.

JBL comes down to the ring, on foot. The arena isn’t set up right for him to come out in his limo. Video from his match with Y2J at the RR. Y2J’s music and he comes out to the ring. They glare at each other before Y2J gets in the ring. JBL tries to rush Y2J while he’s on the apron, the ref stops him.

“Y2J” chants. They lock up and Y2J is backed into a corner. The ref has troubles breaking them up. They lock up again and JBL is backed into a corner. They back out and Y2J gets backed into a corner. JBL head butts Y2J on the break. Y2J ducks the big boot and comes back with forearms. They end up outside brawling. JBL gets his head bounced off the stairs. Back in the ring JBL is on all fours and Y2J kicks him in the gut a couple times. Y2J rips at JBL’s face and then bites JBL’s face. Y2J gets sent outside but lands on his feet. He re-enters and tries to lock on the walls. He gets him over but JBL gets to the ropes quickly. JBL is laying on the mat on the apron and Y2J baseball slides into him knocking him to the floor.

Back in the ring Y2J nails some chops in a corner but JBL comes back with a thumb to the eye. JBL kicks Y2J in the head. Y2J nails a roundhouse kick to JBL but then runs into JBL’s boot. Both are hurting at this point.

- Commercial

Y2J runs into the clothesline from hell. JBL hits another clothesline from hell. JBL stomps Y2J in a corner. Y2J comes back with chops but runs into a sleeper. Y2J drops to his knees, then his bum. They are now prone on the mat. JBL lets go of the hold and covers for two. JBL sets Y2J up top and hits a couple of right hands. Y2J is flopped over almost falling off. JBL climbs but Y2J blocks the superplex and head butts JBL who flies. Y2J then flies with a forearm to the back of JBL’s head. Y2J covers for two. Both are down for six. Y2J comes back with blows and a flying forearm. An enziguri to JBL followed by a dropkick for two.

Y2J goes for a cross body but JBL grabs him. JBL goes for a fall away slam but Y2J reverses it into a DDT. Y2J covers but JBL’s arm goes onto the ropes. A boot to Y2J. JBL dives at Y2J but gets only corner. Y2J hits his new finisher and covers for three.

- Winner: Y2J

Umaga is suddenly in the ring and attacks Y2J. A Samoan spike to Y2J and then one to JBL! There’s now two prone bodies in the ring while Umaga backs up the ramp.

- Commercial

Mike (the new crappy announcer) is in the crowd talking about Cena and his upcoming match with Orton. Video of Orton destroying Cena the night of Cena’s injury. Vince talks over it talking about the injury and that Cena would be out for six month to a year. Orton became the new champion. Cena says his WM dreams faded further and further away, but in the last second of the final hour he made a choice. He ended up coming into the RR as #30 and winning. He’s going to WM. Then he challenges Orton to wrestle for the title that night. Orton says he’s beaten everyone. He’ll face Cena at NWO. Cena hits the FU on Orton. Orton comes back with an RKO.

Regal is pounding on Vince’s office door. He has the dismissal papers. He says he’ll have a group of men drag Finlay in so he can fire him. Regal shows off the huge bump on Vince’s head. Vince says firing is too good for Finlay. He’s going to make Finlay watch Vince beat Hornswoggle next week in a steel cage.

- Commercial

A ‘no shortcuts’ promo with Cena talking about no drugs and no ‘roids.

Paul Burchill comes out with his “sister” Katie Lea. (She looks rather trashy, in my opinion.) She takes a mic and says it a special night. She introduces him as brutal, vicious, her big brother Paul. Through her whole life she’s loved watching him inflict pain. He takes the mic and says every big brother wants to make his little sister happy. What Katie wants, Katie gets. Brian Kendrick comes out.

They lock up and takes Brian down. And arm bar then hammer lock on Brian. Brian gets out by flipping up and over Paul’s shoulder. Brain gains control and Paul gets in the ropes and yells to get brain off him. Huge arm drag to Paul. Brain gets backed into the ropes and finally breaks the hold but Katie attacks Brian from outside. A huge clothesline to Brian and Paul covers for two. An arm bar to Brian. He gets out with and arm drag. Brian uses his feet then flies at Paul in a corner.

Paul stands on Brian’s back, pulls his arms up and then stomps/slams Brian’s face down to the mat with a foot on the back of his head (it looked icky). A modified swinging neck breaker and Paul covers for three.

- Winner: Paul Burchill

Cena is out back heading for the ring.

- Commercial

Slam Of The Week - The arm wrestling match between Cena and Mark Henry last week. Cena almost won before Orton shows up. Orton ducks out of the FU, but Henry gets one.

Orton’s music and he comes out in jeans and a t-shirt. Orton sits at the announce table. Mark Henry comes down to the ring. Cena comes down to the ring. Orton gets to his feet and yells to Cena who ignores him and enjoys the fans.

Orton says he’s just letting Cena know he’s there. Cena goes for a cross body, gets caught in midair and slammed to the mat. A punch to Cena’s face. Henry chokes Cena in a corner. Cena gets whipped and falls to the floor. Henry rips the pad off the top of one turn buckle. Cena tries to fight back but gets him in a full nelson. Cena gets slammed down again. Cena holds himself up in the corner with the exposed turn buckle. Henry rushes him and Cena moves so Henry hits that corner. Cena locks on the STFU and Henry taps out.

- Winner: Cena

Orton is at the announce table, pissed. Cena leaves the ring, goes to the announce table and grabs the mic. Cena says he doesn’t have to look at him or even stand up. But he advises him to shut the hell up and listen. Cena says he’s 100%. Orton is a smart champion but the plan didn’t work. Orton’s seen what Cena did to a man who’s 400lbs. He’s stronger than ever and for once he’s not the hunted. Orton’s the hunted. This Sunday there’s not injuries and for Cena, no excuses. For Orton, there’s no way out. Cena drops the mic and leaves. Orton’s now all pissed that Cena said his peace and walked away. Now he’s acting and talking tough.

- Commercial

Promo for WM. 48 days away.

Kennedy comes down to the ring in jeans and a t-shirt. He has a mic in hand and says he gave Flair a week to give him an answer. Either forfeit and retire or they’re facing off at NWO. He wants and answer and right now would be a good time. (He’s chomping on gum and looks like a cow.)

Flair comes out to huge pop. He’s, of course, dressed in a beautifully cut suit. Flair one steps up the stairs to get in the ring, playing up the knee injury from MVP. He grabs a mic and faces Kennedy. Flair says he doesn’t think they’re on the same page. This is food for thought. Before Kennedy was born. Kennedy cuts him off being annoyed. Flair says twice on Saturday, twice on Sunday, seven days a week so guys like Kennedy could work 100 days a year. Kennedy’s not impressed. If Kennedy think he’s going to say he’s so hurt he can’t go on Sunday, he doesn’t know.

Kennedy says Flair doesn’t know what’s good for himself. He just doesn’t know.

Flair says Kennedy wanted to be face to face and Flair couldn’t be any closer. Why? He’s been his world champion 16 times. He knows because Kennedy wants to be it once. But it won’t be at the expense of the Nature Boy. Flair says he needs to win to survive. At NWO Flair says he will walk to aisle and will live to fight another day.

Both mics drop. They’re face to face and Flair is grinning. Kennedy puts his hands up and backs off. Then a cheap shot, low drop kick, to Flair’s left knee. Flair’s down holding his knee while Kennedy rolls from the ring. Kennedy mocks Flair by limping backward up the ramp.

- Commercial

WWE Rewind - Earlier tonight when Vince faced Horney. Finlay almost gets fired for getting involved. Finlay then uses the sheleighly to take down Vince and Horney hits the tadpole for the three count.

Melina comes out in a fuschia and gold version of her two piece outfit. Jillian comes out with her in jeans and a purple lace halter. Maria comes out in black boy shorts and a gold tank that hooks under her sparkly bra. Santino is with her.

An arm bar on Maria. Maria gets out and a knee to Melina’s gut. Melina comes back with a hard shoulder to Maria’s gut. Maria gets laid across the corner on the second ropes. Melina comes down with her knees on Maria’s gut. Melina gets some type of octopus submission on Maria. Maria gets out and hits some forearms. Maria ducks a clothesline and hits one of her own. Maria slams Melina down across Maria’s knee. Melina goes up onto the second ropes and Maria knocks her over.

Jillian starts screaming/singing to get Maria’s attention. She puts a lip lock on Santino. Melina gains the upper hand and covers for three.

- Winner: Melina

Santino gets in the ring and says that’s what happens when you get involved with Playboy. You’re a target. It’s the Playboy curse. Candice - injured. Torrie - injured. Ashley, well, she’s not injured but we never see her. So Maria has a week to make a decision - Playboy or Santino. They play tonsil hockey (yuck) and he leaves her looking lost and confused.

- Commercial

Video of Cena’s new Gillette commercial.

King and JR go through the matches for NWO.

HHH video for NWO.

- Commercial

Promo for Candice Michelle’s return.

HBK comes down to the ring for the main event. Jeff Hardy comes out to face him. “Hardy” chants.

They stare at each other and knock knuckles. HBK hits a chop and drops Jeff. HBK gets tossed from the ring. Jeff flies out but HBK moves. Jeff lands on his feet. “Hardy” chants. Jeff returns to the ring. A headlock takeover to HBK. Jeff keeps the hold on. Shoulder block drops Jeff. HBK tries to lock on a sleeper but Jeff slams him and covers for two. Another side headlock on HBK. They get to their feet and HBK gets out. A reverse elbow to Jeff’s face. Jeff in the corner and HBK chops him. HBK gets whipped, goes up-side-down and Jeff immediately nails him form behind. Another side headlock takeover on HBK. A shoulder block drops HBK. Jeff goes over the top, skins the cat but runs into a clothesline. Jeff gets hits face bounced off a corner. A knee to Jeff gut. HBK goes for a suplex but Jeff gets out. Bodies are flying everywhere. HBK lands on the apron and Jeff baseball slides him out to the floor. Jeff runs the rail and HBK catches him and counters with a power slam.

- Commercial

Jeff is down and HBK is stomping him. HBK drops an elbow on Jeff’s back. Jeff gets slammed into the corner back first. HBK covers for two. Irish whip to Jeff. HBK drives his knee into Jeff’s back a couple times. A submission hold to Jeff with a knee in his back. Jeff is bleeding, possibly from the piercing in his lower lip. Jeff nails a couple elbows to HBK’s face to get out of the hold. A back breaker on Jeff and HBK covers for two. They exchange blows. Jeff gains the upper hand but telegraphs and gets a neck breaker for his troubles. HBK covers for two. “HBK” chants. Chops to Jeff in a corner. Scoop slam to Jeff. HBK goes up top. Jeff gets his feet up but HBK stops himself from hitting them and locks on the 1.2 Boston crab. Jeff is trying for the ropes an manages to get there.

HBK gets Jeff up. Jeff throws punches and then kick HBK in the back of the head. Both are down for four. Jeff kicks HBK in a corner. Jeff gets whipped but moves so HBK meets the ring post with his shoulder. HBK flies and lands across the corner and Jeff kicks him in the gut. They both end up up top. Jeff is sent flying. HBK flies but Jeff moves out of the way of the elbow. Jeff covers for two. A lariat take down by Jeff and both are down for four. Jeff hits a couple punches and a clothesline. Jeff spears HBK into a corner and drives his feet into HBK’s gut. Jeff drags him out and covers HBK for two. Jeff hits whisper in the wind and covers for two. JR is yelling and screaming, but for good reason, this is and amazing match. Jeff goes for the twist of fate but HBK counters with a face buster. Inverted atomic drop on Jeff followed by a scoop slam. HBK climbs. HBK hits his flying elbow. HBK tunes up the band. Jeff ducks, tries fort he twist of fate but HBK counters. HBK locks in that strange figure four type submission he’s used lately. Jeff somehow gets to the ropes, screaming his head off the whole time. Jeff isn’t getting to his feet but kicks HBK off twice. Jeff hits the twist of fate and climbs. A swanton and Jeff covers for three. What a bloody amazing match!!!

I caught the end of the Hardy/HBK match. That was about the fastest swanton bomb I've ever seen, lol.

at the beginning of the match it seemed like Michaels was intending on being the heel of the match by doing the whole "greet then cheap shot" bit. I don't think those two have ever feuded, they should. Michaels was a heel after the whole montreal screwjob thing, i wouldn't mind seeing him as one again possibly leading up to his match at wrestlemania with flair.

I dont see why they keep pushing Jeff, if they dont plan on him wearing the strap. He should not be winning main events if they dont plan on giving him a run, hes earned it and has probably about top 3 in popularity with the fans.

I totally agree. No shot he wins the Elimination Chamber Sunday and they keep calling him "The Hottest Superstar in the WWE right now." and he's gonna lose. Why keep squashing his momentum. He will also never hold the strap while he has the IC strap too.

Event: WWE Monday Night RAW
Airdate: Monday, February 18th, 2008 (USA Network)
Location: The Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif.
Results by 411Mania.com

PROMO TIME �" Triple H. He's the #1 contender for Wrestlemania's main event dontcha know. He's in a good mood as a result. He says last year he was in a wheelchair watching 80,000 fans at Wrestlemania from backstage. "The Game is back" claims H's before telling us he belongs in the main event at Wrestlemania. He's aiming to win his 12th WWE title. He's about to do his King of Kings thing when RANDY ORTON comes out here to interupt. Crowd tell him he sucks. Orton says this is full circle as it was Cena, Hardy, Jericho, Michaels and before them it was HHH who lost to Orton first. Orton claims H's is jealous of him, which is why he kicked him out of Evolution. And now he's that much better so H's is even more jealous. I hear an "RKO" chant from the minority. He continues to talk but out comes JOHN CENA. The usual mixed reaction for him. Cena calls Orton a liar and a loser. He claims Orton has an asterix next to his name after he lost his way into Wrestlemania. He wants a re-match, tonight. Orton tries to bully H's into siding with him in the Wrestlemania main event club. H's says he doesn't give a crap who he faces. This brings out WILLIAM REGAL to bestow his decision on the matter. Regal tells us H's is a lock for Mania but Orton got himself disqualified on purpose so that doesn't reflect well on the Raw brand and books Orton v Cena tonight in a non-title match. Cena gets to compete in a 3-way at Wrestlemania if he wins. Crowd actually BOO that. Oops, looks like the crowd don't want to see a 3-way dance. H's doesn't either. Regal makes it interesting by booking H's as the referee for tonight's match.

New music for Jeff. About time after 9 years of that Hardy Boyz music. He's all growns up now. The band that recorded it are at ringside. JR claims every winner of the MitB match has gone on to win the WWE title. So I guess Mr Kennedy didn't win it, which is strange because I saw him do so. Snitsky starts with the usual size and power and Hardy clocks him with the corner dropkick. Jeff up top but Snitsky crotches him and boots him out of the ring. Ad break. We return with Snitsky working at a bearhug. Hardy elbows out. Crowd is quiet all of a sudden. Snitsky is very methodical with a series of elbow drops. Snitsky works at a chinlock for a while. He's really sucking the life out of this match now. Snitsky with a slam but he misses a legdrop. Hardy comes back with a crossbody for 2. Whisper in the Wind wings Snitsky for 2. Sign of Hardy's move up the card; people buy that as a finish now. I heard gasps at the kickout. Snitsky avoids the Twist of Fate into a big boot. He goes for the pumphandle but Hardy counters into the Twist of Fate and the Swanton bomb finishes.

Winner: Jeff Hardy via pinfall. ½*. No issues with Hardy, fake tan aside, but Snitsky just bored the hell out of me there.

POST MATCH Jerry Lawler shills WWEMobile voting. Tonight "Should Maria pose for Playboy"? Gee, I wonder if that'll come back in the positive?

BACKSTAGE We see Floyd Mayweather chatting to Rey Jr.

HALL OF FAME �" Shawn Michaels comes out to make the announcement. He's in good spirits despite losing last night. He says it's an honor to introduce the first inductee. He's idolised this man his entire professional career and the reason why he became a wrestler. He's the greatest wrestler of all time. And he's my friend…RIC FLAIR. We get clips of his history complete with bits from promos over the years. WOOOOO! JR points out that Flair deserves his own wing in the Hall of Fame. HBK says no one deserves it more than Flair. WOOO!

SHILL �" Top Ten Slammy Moments of all time. On WWE.com this Saturday night. Some great stuff in there.

Paul Burchill w/Katie Lea v Super Crazy

Paul gets a little promo time inset to talk about how the guys are all looking at his sister. Crazy doesn't even get music. Jobber. He starts fast but Burchill boots him in the chest. "Paul the pirate" chant the crowd with better memories. Burchill starts stretching Crazy on the mat then clocks him with a lariat. Crazy is finished already but Burchill adds in a Curb Stomp for the pin.

Winner: Paul Burchill via squash . He needs to make his stuff look stiffer if he's going to get over. That lariat isn't hard enough.

BACKSTAGE Big Show chats with Shane McMahon.

ELSEWHERE H's is on the phone saying it doesn't matter who he gets. Randy Orton arrives to discuss said matter. He's opposed to a triple threat match because Cena doesn't deserve it. And in the process reminds H's that Cena made him tap at Wrestlemania two years ago. H's reminds him that he taught Orton how to play mind games so he's calling this match to favour himself not Orton.

CLIPS �" Big Show & Floyd Mayweather. We'll likely see this a lot before Wrestlemania.

PROMO TIME �" The Big Show. He looks upset. Less jovial than last night certainly. He says he was asked to come out here and apologise for antagonising Floyd Mayweather. He knows Mayweather is in the building so he invites him out here so he can formally apologise. Mayweather comes out here and he has that massive entourage again. Smattering of boo's in his reaction. Excellent. Floyd says he loves publicity and has been a WWE fan for several years. He's sorry things happened last night but he's the best fighter in the world (BOOOO). When someone calls him out he has to retaliate. Show says he didn't call him out he was just trying to get a little publicity because of his size advantage. Show says he's sorry (BOOOO). He offers a handshake. Floyd is cautious but accepts. Show isn't happy with the segment ending that way though. He's done what he was supposed to do but now he's going to get something off his chest. He says the only way Floyd could hurt him was on his knees but even on his knees he's still bigger than Floyd. And if he wanted to he'd take Mayweather out in 2 minutes. Show wants him one on one. "The Greatest fighter in the world versus the biggest athlete in the world". Floyd runs down here accompanied by about a dozen guys (BOOOO). Floyd accepts and makes Show flinch with a ghost punch.

Ok, let me talk about this a bit. Why does Show have to apologise? He was in the ring being the performer. A fan, Floyd, jumps into the ring and repeatedly punches him. Then runs away like a coward surrounded by 12 guys. And this makes him the babyface? I'm also thinking he's the one who owed the Big Show an apology for a) getting in his ring and b) sucker punching him like a coward. Oh and c) taking liberties. His big shot attitude is about on a par with Kevin Federline. I've never liked Floyd Mayweather and I like him even less now.

SHILL �" Wrestlemania 24. 41 days away.

Money in the Bank qualifier �" Mr Kennedy v Val Venis

JR remembers what happened to Mr Kennedy last year during this match. Kennedy looks upset as well because he failed to beat Ric Flair last night and end his career. He works over Val's arm from the opening bell. Kennedy blocks a clothesline on that bad arm. Apparently Val had elbow surgery recently. Kennedy stays on the arm but Val gets a swinging neckbreaker. Val charges into the Mic Check and that'll do it.

Winner: Mr Kennedy via pinfall. Squash. Kennedy has a shot at repeating his achievement last year. Although he's lost momentum since then.

Steel cage match �" Mr McMahon v Hornswoggle

Finlay comes out here with Hornswoggle complete with shillelagh. Vince isn't best pleased to see him. "This is wrong" shouts Finlay. JR says something about tough love going too far here. JBL promptly appears out of nowhere and rams the cage door into Finlay's head. He handcuffs Finlay to the ropes and wails away with kicks and punches. Vince decides to administer tough love with his belt. Hornswoggle takes a shot and he's whimpering like a dog. Who'd have thought beating a lephrechaun with a belt would get booed? Vince has had enough and after half a dozen shots he walks out of the cage to win. JBL is still in there though and he wants to make a point by strangling Hornswoggle and running him head first into the cage. He's looking to get under Finlay's skin. "TAKE IT OUT ON ME" screams Finlay. JBL kicks Hornswoggle in the head. They've really created some strong emotions with this match and its not what I expected. FALLAWAY SLAM INTO THE CAGE! JBL = midget killer!

Winner: Mr McMahon via escape. Even Vince felt the conclusion of that beating went a little too far and he calls for help. You can hear him saying he's sorry and he sounds upset. Nothing compared to Finlay who's steaming mad. "Both of you will pay" he's shouting. JBL walks off. What a bastard.

PROMO TIME �" Santino Marella & Maria Kanellis. We get the mobile answers; 94% said Maria should pose for Playboy. 6% of people wasted their money. Marella says he has great news; Maria is going to be in Playboy. More good news; Maria gets to wrestle Beth Phoenix right now.

Maria Kanellis v Beth Phoenix

Maria is actually wearing high heels. This match is somewhat of a surprise for her. Santino stops off to say in the contract with Playboy says she has to beat Beth Phoenix tonight. "Someone play a joke on us" claims Santino. Beth dominates, as you'd expect. Maria tries to come back with a whirl but she gets slammed. Maria with body shots but she's powered up again. CANDICE MICHELLE is out here and Maria uses the distraction to get a fluke roll up win!

Winner: Maria via pinfall. Santino's fist biting reaction is priceless. As well as his smiling while he raises Maria's hand then grimacing whenever she's not looking. Awesome reaction shots.

(6) Randy Orton vs. John Cena �" Special Guest Referee: Triple H. (If Cena wins, he is added to the WWE Championship match at WrestleMania)

Randy Orton v John Cena

Special referee is Triple H. Orton gets in a quick closed fist and continues along those lines with repeated punches. HHH lets it go. Cena figures he might as well punch too but Orton catches him with a dropkick out of nowhere. Cena gets knocked off the apron and bounces off the announce table. H's is reluctant to start counting as we head into the ad break. We return with Cena getting fired up and he elbow drops Orton for 2. H's cadence is normal. He's just ignoring most of the rules. They head outside and Orton wants a weapon but Cena bounces his face off the announce table instead as a receipt. Heading back inside Orton gets his rope DDT but Cena landed flat off it. Pin gets 2. "RKO" chant is growing. Cena fires up again but gets caught in a loose powerslam. Orton with the Garvin Stomp. He specifically aims at the ankle, which was a target last night. Orton with a headlock but Cena back suplexes out. Boo's from the Cena haters once more. Cena misses a corner charge and gets rolled up for 2. That wasn't terribly clean either. Cena fires away with punches to booing. Shoulderblocks and Cena is getting no height on those suggesting his ankle really is hurt. Five Knuckle Shuffle. Orton grabs the ropes to avoid the FU and hangs Cena up on the ropes. Outside and Orton uses the environment by whipping Cena into the steps. That leads to Orton's stalking. Cena sells it and slowly gets up. RKO blocked into the STFU. H's is down to check. Orton tries to break the grip but can't. He edges over towards the ropes like he did last night. H's remains neutral. Orton just noly gets the rope. H's points out to Cena he was a little slow to release the hold. Cena eyeballs him but Orton charges into an FU for the loss.

Winner: John Cena via pinfall. *1/2. An unusual misstep for these guys. Loose and sloppy at times and had none of their usual chemistry.

POST MATCH H's shows his cerebral assassin mentality by jumping Cena and Pedigreeing him. Because Orton is lying around doing nothing he gets a Pedigree too. H's poses with the belt.

It's Randy Orton vs. Triple H vs. John Cena for the WWE title at Mania.

Looks like it will be Finlay/Hornswoggle against McMahon/JBL at Wrestlemania.

Sure looks like it. I also think that Hornswaggle is Finlay's son, not McMahon's. They've talked about having made a deal in the past and Finlay certainly has a real attachment to the guy so it would make sense.

Yessss, it's about time Cena got a shot at the belt. If he wins I may quit watching.

If Triple H doesn't win the belt then the WWE staff needs to take a long look at what they're doing. It's basically just swapping back and forth between the same three people anymore.

I agree. The timing is right for Trips to hold the strap. Plus, Cena needs a heel turn and a half so maybe real fans would respect him.