WWE Recap By Ryan...

This weeks Raw started off with Cena saying that he wants to set the record straight. He said he took a risk by going against Nexus with the chance to eliminate them completely. Cena said he could argue all day about how he lost, but the fact is he lost. They zoomed in on the Nexus armband on his arm. He said he has to take orders from Wade Barrett, which means he's gone gone, not "with the option to head to Smackdown." Cena said he's been through it all and back again on Raw and the fans have stuck by. He said this isn't about titles or money, but about what he loves. Cena said if he didn't have this (WWE), he doesn't know what he would be doing.

Cena said he has to do some things he doesn't really want to do because he knows what type of guy Wade Barrett is. Suddenly, The Miz's music interrupted. Out came Miz, with MITB briefcase in hand, flanked by Alex Riley. Miz mocked Cena baby not wanting to lose the support of the WWE fans. He said he's taken it upon himself to captain Team Raw vs. Big Show's Team Smackdown at Bragging Rights. Miz said he's a better captain than Cena by evaluating what people can actually bring to the team, not based on personal preference. Therefore, he requested Cena join his team. Cena sarcastically said he really, really thinks this is a good idea. He said his problem is Miz as the captain. Cena said maybe he should captain Team Raw. Miz: "No, no, no, no, no, I'm captain."

On cue, Nexus's music hit to interrupt and out came Wade Barrett, alone, marching down the ring entrance ramp. Barrett said he doesn't care about Raw and he certainly doesn't care about Smackdown. He just cares about the WWE Title. Ah, refreshing. Barrett told Cena his orders are to be in his corner when he faces Randy Orton for the title. He told Cena he doesn't want anything else distracting him. Cena tried to explain he can do both, but Barrett cut him off and asked if he's going to disobey his orders.

Alex Riley stepped to Cena and told him he better listen to Barrett. Riley said Miz could decide to cash in his MITB briefcase and become champion. Miz, frustrated, thanked Riley for ruining the element of surprise. He said Riley could be right, though, and lead Raw to victory before becoming WWE champion.

And the GM buzzed, the lights flickered, and Michael Cole began talking. Cole read an email that Cena might have to obey Barrett, but everyone obeys the GM. The GM has booked a series of matches to determine who joins Team Raw. The person doesn't want jealously or betrayal to sneak in like last year. There will be a match tonight to determine the captain of Team Raw: The Miz vs. John Cena.

Back to Miz, who said he'll beat Cena tonight, then perhaps cash in his MITB briefcase at Bragging Rights to become champion. He told Barrett there's nothing he can do about it. Barrett then shoved down Miz until Miz and Riley double-teamed him. Cena stood in the background watching, then Barrett signaled for Cena's help. Cena pounded on Miz, then dropped Riley with an Attitude Adjustment center ring. Riley rolled away, Miz bailed, and Cena posed in the ring getting his babyface shine. Barrett then got right in Cena's face and screamed at him for not helping him during the two-on-one beating.



TED DIBIASE vs. R-TRUTH -- Team Raw qualifying match

DiBiase landed an early knock-down clothesline before Truth caught him with a boot in the corner. Truth then landed a dropkick and a powerslam for a two count. Cole talked up an artificial rivalry vs. Smackdown, referencing for the first time in about 50 weeks Smackdown defeating Raw at last year's PPV. Suddenly, Goldust's music hit as DiBiase was looking for Dream Street. On stage were Goldust and Aksana. Goldust stroked the title belt, distracting DiBiase, then Truth scored a close nearfall followed by the Lie Detector for the pin and the win.


JOHN MORRISON vs. TYSON KIDD -- Team Raw qualifying match



Here's an opportunity for a dose of athleticism on Raw. Kidd blocked an early high-flying attempt by Morrison before settling into a reverse chinlock center ring. Morrison flipped out of the hold before dropping Kidd with a dropkick. Morrison then landed a series of clubbing right hands in the corner. Morrison followed with a leaping leg lariat for a two count. He tried to follow up with a springboard move, but Kidd blocked with a Russian Legsweep off the second rope for a two count. Kidd then teased the Sharpshooter, but Morrison flung him away to the outside. Back in the ring, Kidd and Morrison exchanged great nearfalls in succession before Morrison busted out a sweet-looking back flip-over neckbreaker of sorts. Morrison with the cover for the win. They replayed the finisher a few times to get over the move.


-- U.S. champion DANIEL BRYAN vs. SHEAMUS -- non-title match -- Team Raw qualifying match


Just as the bell sounded, Bryan came flying at Sheamus with a knee strike to the face. The ref had to break it up, then Bryan knocked Sheamus to the outside. The crowd was loud with a "Daniel Bryan" chant as the action moved to the floor. Bryan sent Sheamus into the ringpost with a dropkick before rolling him back into the ring.
Sheamus cut off Bryan's offense back in the ring as Cole reminded viewers Sheamus took out Triple H months ago. Bryan landed multiple kick strikes to the chest, then fired off a final kick strike to the head. Bryan with a cover, but Sheamus kicked out. The crowd chanted Bryan's name again as Bryan went up top and landed a double-foot missile dropkick for a close two count. Sheamus then suddenly came back with the Irish Hammer to the face that floored Bryan. Sheamus proceeded to drop multiple knee strikes to the head as the ref reprimanded him. Sheamus backed away, then stalked Bryan, who sold that he was KO'ed. Sheamus smiled, then approached Bryan to pick him up. Sheamus got a little cocky, though, and Bryan nearly scored a pin with a sunset flip. Sheamus, upset, came back with the Brogue Kick to the face for the pin and the win. Sheamus got up selling that he couldn't believe Bryan's resiliency.



JOHN CENA vs. THE MIZ -- Winner is Team Raw captain -- No DQ match


Cena gained the early advantage and Miz scrambled to the outside. Cena followed him on the outside, but Riley grabbed his feet and dropped him with a clothesline to take advantage of the No DQ rule. They cut to break with Cena selling on the outside and Miz acting cocky in the ring.


Back from break, Cena made a comeback with a flying bulldog and scored a two count. As Cena scored the nearfall, Riley sold like there were alligators surrounding the ring disallowing him from entering the ring to help Miz despite the early use of the No DQ help. Miz then chucked Cena to the floor and Riley landed some shots. Miz took Cena to the Raw announce table and teased the Skullcrushing Finale into the table, but Cena did a "feat of strength" to escape. Miz then cut off Cena's comeback and shoved him off the table into the guardrail.

They reached the top of the hour as Miz continued to stand on the table while Cena sold on the floor. Miz tried to follow up, but Cena flung him away. Riley tried to get involved again, but Cena decked him. Cena then tried to charge into Miz ringside, but Miz moved a piece of the guardrail cover, causing Cena to run into the exposed rail.

Back in the ring, Miz measured Cena for a charging corner attack, but Cena moved. Cena then started his full comeback and hit a sit-out slam setting up the Five Knuckle Shuffle while gasping for air. After dropping the Shuffle, Cena went for the Attitude Adjustment, but Miz slipped out. Miz then nailed a boot to the head and scored a nearfall. Miz followed with the Reality Check, but Cena kicked out. They cut to a shot of Riley holding Miz's MITB briefcase ringside, then Riley handed him the case. Miz measured Cena, but Cena ducked a case shot. Cena then slapped on the STF center ring. The crowd was hot as Miz crawled across the ring looking for a break. Riley entered the ring, but Cena took him out with a football tackle before slapping on the STF. Riley fought the hold wildly before Cena dropped the hold. Cena then focused on Miz and wanted the AA, but Miz slipped out. Husky and Hennig suddenly hit the ring. Cena ate a swinging neckbreaker, then Harris landed a flying sentaun. Miz capitalized by rolling over Cena and making the cover for the win to become captain of Raw.
So, it's Miz, Punk, Morrison, Sheamus, Santino, Truth, and a silhouetted seventh member.