By @B_Rock1978
Wrestling Lockup with Brandon, brought to you by Triple Threat CLE. It's the RAW recap from last night's show. It's the first RAW of 2015 and The Authority is once again back in charge. All the superstars that wanted The Authority gone at Survivor Series, will now have huge targets on their backs, by The Authority. Also last week, it was announced that Dean Ambrose would face Bray Wyatt in an "Ambulance Match", the first one ever on RAW. This week, RAW was live in Corpus Christi, Texas, let's get to this week's RAW recap.
- In Ring Segment with John Cena: The ring is surrounded by the RAW locker room as Cena stands in the ring with a mic. Cena apologizes for bringing back The Authority because saving Edge was more important. Triple H and Stephanie McMahon arrive and immediately interrupt Cena. Triple H calls Sting a painted face goof and claims the WWE was a sinking ship the month The Authority was banned. Triple H thanks Seth Rollins and calls Rollins out to the ring. Triple H announces that the WWE World Heavyweight Championship Match at Royal Rumble will now be a "Triple Threat Match" with Seth Rollins being added in with John Cena and Brock Lesnar. Stephanie then announces that tonight will be John Cena appreciation night.
- "WWE Intercontinental Championship Match": Dolph Ziggler (c) vs. Bad News Barrett: Both men with near falls early. Barrett tries to slow the match down with stomps, knees and head locks. Ziggler counters a head lock and cradles Barrett for the pinfall. After the match, Barrett viciously attacks Ziggler. Barrett tosses Ziggler into the barricade twice, face first into the announcers table, into the steel steps, face first into the steel steps, into the ring post and finally shoulder first into the ring post a couple times. Corporate Kane arrives and announces that this is now a "2 Out of 3 Falls Match".
- Match #2: Barrett quickly capitalizes on Ziggler and hits a big boot. Barrett next hits "Wasteland" on Ziggler, covers, scores the pinfall and ties the score at one. After the match, WWE medical check on Ziggler.
- Match #3: Barrett big boot and "Wasteland" but Ziggler kicks out at two. Barrett hits another big boot for a near fall. Ziggler tries to fight back, but misses a splash and catches a Barrett knee for another near fall. Barrett counters Ziggler's "Famasser" and hits "Winds of Change" but Ziggler again kicks out at two. Barrett goes for the "Bullhammer", Ziggler counters and super kicks Barrett. Kane gets on the apron, but Ziggler knocks him off. Ziggler now distracted, gets nailed with the "Bullhammer" by Barrett. There's a cover, a pinfall and Bad News Barrett is the NEW WWE Intercontinental Champion. After the match, Kane and Barrett celebrate.
- "Cena Appreciation Night" video highlights are shown.
- Backstage Segment with Roman Reigns hyping his match against Big Show tonight.
- Backstage Segment with Bray Wyatt hyping his "Ambulance Match" against Dean Ambrose tonight.
- The Ascension vs. Two Local Wrestlers: Another squash match as The Ascension hit the "Fall of Man" for the pinfall.
- Backstage Segment with Rusev and Lana ripping apart America and claiming that Vladimir Putin should be running the world.
- Roman Reigns vs. Big Show: Show hits a spear for a two count. Show works over Reigns with a slam, stomps and steps on top of Reigns. Reigns gets in some shots but gets caught in a bear hug. Reigns elbows out, hits some body shots, a clothesline and a samoan drop. Show dodges the "Superman Punch" and tosses Reigns to the floor. Show follows and fights with Reigns on the floor. Show hits Reigns in the face with the steel steps and gets DQ'ed. After the match, Show tries to hit Reigns with the steel steps again. Reigns spears Show and the steps land on Show's head. WWE Medical check on Show as Reigns escapes to fight another day.
- Nikki Bella vs. Nattie Neidhart: Paige watches from Nattie's corner. Nattie goes for the "Sharpshooter" early, but Nikki escapes. Paige and Brie Bella argue outside, distracting Nikki. Paige tosses Brie into the barricade as Nattie catches Nikki with a rollup on the distraction for the pinfall. After the match, Paige super kicks Nikki and celebrates with Nattie.
- Backstage Segment with Dean Ambrose hyping the "Ambulance Match" against Bray Wyatt tonight.
- Nice family condolences mention to ESPN sports analyst, Stuart Scott, who passed away Sunday morning. Very classy WWE.
- Erick Rowan vs. Luke Harper: Mercury and Noble come out in referee shirts and are announced by The Authority as the special guest referees for this match. Harper beats Rowan down in the corner. Rowan gets back into the match and plants a spin kick on Harper. Mercury and Noble refuse to count as Rowan makes the pinfall cover. Rowan yells at Mercury and Noble for not counting, turns back toward Harper and gets nailed with the Harper clothesline. Harper covers and both Mercury and Noble make the fast three count.
- We get another "Cena Appreciation Night" highlight video.
- A video is shown and we see Alicia Fox confront Naomi earlier in the day. Fox bragged about being on Total Divas and Naomi being taken off of the show. Fox attacks Naomi and slams her face first into a table.
- "Ambulance Match": Bray Wyatt vs. Dean Ambrose: Both men brawl around the ring at the bell. Ambrose tosses Bray over the announcers table, runs over the table, hits Bray and dumps him in the crowd. Bray regains offense and goes for "Sister Abigail", but Ambrose counters. Bray and Ambrose brawl around the ring some more, then brawl up the ramp to the stage by the ambulance. Bray throws Ambrose into the ambulance but before he can shut the doors for the win, Ambrose fights out. Ambrose throws a chair at Bray and leaps out of the back of the ambulance, taking Bray out. Ambrose tosses Bray into the ambulance but can't get the doors closed. Bray drives Ambrose face first into the ambulance door a couple times. Ambrose bounces off a stretcher and lands a clothesline on Bray.
Ambrose grabs the stretcher backboard and beats Bray senseless with it. Ambrose sets up a table next and lays Bray on it. Ambrose climbs on top of the ambulance roof, leaps off and drives Bray through the table with the elbow drop. Ambrose goes to put Bray in the ambulance, but Bray delivers "Sister Abigail" on Ambrose into the back of the ambulance. Ambrose fights out of the ambulance but catches a second "Sister Abigail" from Bray onto the floor. Bray throws Ambrose into the ambulance, closes both doors and picks up the win. The ambulance pulls away, sirens blaring as Bray laughs hysterically.
- "Mixed Tag Match": Naomi and The Usos vs. Alicia Fox, Damien Sandow and The Miz: Naomi goes at it with Fox to start the match. Miz and Jey Uso are in next and Miz gets a near fall with a neck breaker. Jimmy gets tagged in and unloads on Miz. Naomi takes out Fox as Jimmy is still unloading on Miz. Jimmy gets distracted by Naomi which allowed Miz to sneak in from behind and roll Jimmy up with a handful of tights for the pinfall.
- Ryback vs. Seth Rollins: Corporate Kane comes out and announces this match will now be a "Handicap Match", as Kane is putting himself in with Rollins. Ryback hits a "Thesz Press" and a splash on Kane for a near fall. Ryback hits a big boot and more splashes on Kane. Kane and Rollins go for the double team but Ryback gets back on offense and beats Rollins around the ring. Ryback tossed Kane to the floor then bench pressed Rollins to the floor. Rollins and Kane finally gain offense and hot tag back and forth on Ryback, slowing the big guy down. Ryback catches Rollins with a power slam, a back body drop and then plants him with a spine buster. Mercury and Noble try to distract Ryback but he hits the "Meat Hook" on Rollins. Kane gets involved and gets laid out by Ryback with "Shell Shock". While distracted with Kane, Ryback forgets about Rollins, who lands a "Curb Stomp" on Ryback. Rollins then hits a second "Curb Stomp" on Ryback, covers and scores the pinfall.
- Adam Rose vs. Big E: Back and forth match with a quick ending. Two of Rose's Rosebuds wearing masks get in the ring and attack Big E. causing the DQ. Big E gets beat down then the two mask guys unmask and reveal themselves to be Cesaro and Tyson Kidd.
- John Cena Appreciation Night Segment: Triple H and Stephanie McMahon are in the ring. Stephanie says John Cena knew that reinstating The Authority was best for business. Cena is called out and he heads out to the ring. Triple H tells Cena that he appreciates him from the bottom of his heart and thinks that Cena finally looks past "Hustle, Loyalty and Respect" and realizes what's best for business. Triple H calls out Ryback, Dolph Ziggler and Erick Rowan who were apart of Team Cena at Survivor Series. Triple H says they all were thrown back into the fire when Cena reinstated The Authority. Triple H and Stephanie have a private discussion with each other then walk to the stage. The Authority announce that Rowan, Ryback and Ziggler, as punishment, are now fired and they can thank Cena for that. Music plays, Triple H and Stephanie kiss, balloons and confetti fall from the rafters and RAW closes out with Cena standing stunned at what just happened.
And that's a wrap on this week's RAW results, till next time tap or snap.
