This special WWE Raw 20th anniversary show comes to us live, and sold out, from the Toyota Center in Houston, TX. The announcing team tonight is Michael Cole, Jerry “The King” Lawler, and JBL.
Opening Video
There is no recap or preview video to open the show. Instead we have a montage of all the WWE Raw openings and theme songs from the past, all mixed together.
In Ring Segment
Vince McMahon is in the center of the ring to kick off this special edition of Raw. He says that throughout the years the WWE has brought to everyone “entertainment.” He mentions that Neilsen Ratings has figured, that over the 20 years of Raw, there has been over 4 billion viewers. He calls himself an “iconic genius” and also thanks all the fans for watching. Mr. McMahon begins to rundown the evenings events, including John Cena vs Dolph Ziggler in a Steel Cage Match and The Rock in concert. The Big Show’s music hits, and he walks down the aisle. Show claims it was a “travesty” what happened to him last Friday on SmackDown. Mr. McMahon does not like the Big Show interrupting him, or calling him by his first name. Mr. McMahon says the Big Show has lost weight, but ribs him and says he just lost the World Heavyweight Championship! They roll the footage of Alberto Del Rio defeating Big Show on SmackDown. Alberto Del Rio’s music hits, and out comes Riccardo Rodriguez to introduce him. They walked to the ring, ADR calls Big Show a “crybaby” and challenges him to a match for the title tonight in Houston. The crowd is loving this, and a huge “Si, Si, Si” chant erupts. However, Big Show says no, and wants his rematch at the Royal Rumble in 2 weeks. A fight ensues, with ADR getting the better of Big Show. Segment ends with Mr. McMahon enthusiastically announcing that Alberto Del Rio is the World Heavyweight Champion!
Flashback Video Segment
Video of former “Price is Right” host Bob Barker is shown, when he was the special guest host of Raw. In the clip, both Chris Jericho and Chavo Guerrero Jr. are shown as contestants.
Singles Match/Non-Title
Wade Barrett defeated Randy Orton by pinfall with his finisher the Bull Hammer.
Backstage Segment
Eve is shown, and Booker T and Teddy Long walk up to her. Booker T tells Eve that a special stipulation has been added to her Divas Championship Match against Kaitlyn. If she decides to get herself disqualified or counted out, she will lose the title. Eve slaps Teddy Long, and angrily storms off.
Earlier In The Day
Team Hell No is set to meet with Dr. Shelby, per Vickie Guerrero’s request. Bryan and Kane agree to lie, and make a deal, to make the “check-up” as quick and painless as possible. They shake hands on it, and Dr. Shelby walks in and is impressed with how well the two are getting along. He calls for a “group hug,” and then they begin an exercise where they have to compliment each other. Finally, the last test, is to bring Team Rhodes Scholars in and have them “cause a trigger” to anger Team Hell No. However, Sandow and Rhodes just anger Dr. Shelby, and then Team Hell No kicks them out of the room. They all bond with a “Yes, Yes, Yes” chant.
Singles Match
Kane defeated Damien Sandow by pinfall with a choke slam.
In Ring Hall Of Fame Announcement
Mick Foley is officially announced as the first inductee into this years, Class of 2013, Hall of Fame. Foley is live in Houston, and walks down to the ring to speak. However, The Shield’s music plays, and they are making their way to the ring, through the crowd. It’s going to be 3 on 1 against Foley, until Ryback makes his way down to the ring. Followed by Randy Orton and Sheamus to even things out. Ryback hits the Shellshock on Dean Ambrose. Josh Matthews gets into the ring to interview Ryback. Ryback wants revenge on The Shield for constantly costing him his matches against CM Punk. He starts to chant, “Feed me Shield!”
Flashback Video Segment
“The Most Outrageous Gimmicks” in the history of Raw are shown in a video package. A couple highlights are Goldust, The Boogeyman, and William Regal in “A Man’s Man” gimmick.
Divas Championship Match – Title Can Change On A DQ or Count Out
Kaitlyn defeated Eve by pinfall with a spear, to become the new Divas Champion.
Backstage Interview
Josh Matthews introduces Brodus Clay, they show the video from last week of CM Punk calling Clay a “400 pound monster,” but instead he chooses to dance with the kids. Clay angrily tells Matthews that Punk needs to mind his own business.
Flashback Video Segment
The Donald Trump and Vince McMahon confrontation prior to WrestleMania XXIII is shown, with the “Hair vs Hair” stipulation highlighted.
Singles Match/Non-Title
CM Punk defeated Brodus Clay by submission with the Anaconda Vice. After the match, CM Punk explains that what he does is make 400 pound monsters tap out. He’s been WWE Champion for 421 days, and he will leave the Royal Rumble as Champion. “Best in the world!”
Flashback Video Segment
“The Best Vehicular Moments” of Raw are featured including: beer trucks, ambulances, cement trucks, garbage trucks, zambonies, monster trucks, and exploding limos.
Backstage Segment
Mick Foley is on the phone with his son, until The Rock walks in, and congratulates Mick Foley on the Hall of Fame Induction. “Finally, The Rock and Sock are back in Houston!” Vickie Guerrero interrupts, and tells them to shut up, because she has a show to run. Foley is shocked that The Rock didn’t respond back, but he tells him there’s a time and place for everything. He hypes up his concert for later tonight.
Over The Top Rope Challenge
Sheamus eliminated Jinder Mahal and Drew McIntyre, only to be defeated by Heath Slater (with the help of the other 2 from the outside). After the match, 3MB are celebrating in the ring, and Sheamus comes in and lands the Brogue Kick on the band.
Backstage Interview
Josh Matthews interviews John Cena in the locker room, they discuss the Steel Cage Match with Dolph Ziggler later tonight.
In Ring Segment
Miz TV with special guest, Hall of Famer, Ric Flair. Miz asked Flair what his favorite Raw moment of all time was, and it was the night after his WrestleMania loss to Shawn Michaels in which he had to retire from wrestling. Miz then shows a video of some of the best “Catch-Phrases” in Raw history. Afterwards, he asked Flair to do his schtick in the ring, but US Champion Antonio Cesaro interrupts. Cesaro insults Flair, capping it off with the 4 Horseman symbol now stands for his 4 ex-wives. Miz defends Flair, but Cesaro decides to leave and not fight. However, Flair stops him, and some classic Ric Flair chops ensue. The Miz slaps the figure four leg lock, with Flair’s consent, on Cesaro.
Flashback Video Segment
The Mike Tyson and Stone Cold Steve Austin confrontation on Raw is shown.
Singles Match
Daniel Bryan defeated Cody Rhodes by submission with the Yes-Lock.
Breaking News
During a WWE Active interview with Matt Striker, Eve let the best of her emotions get to her. She decides to quit the WWE, and thus ends Eve’s career in the WWE.
Backstage Segment
AJ with Big E. Langston, introduces a video with some of the “Greatest Wedding Moments” of Raw. The videos include the Edge and Lita wedding, that was interrupted by Kane. The HHH and Stephanie McMahon wedding, where HHH calls off the wedding, and pedigrees Vince McMahon. And finally, the AJ and Daniel Bryan wedding, where AJ only says yes to becoming the new Raw GM. AJ goes crazy, because that was the best time for her, but she no longer is GM due to John Cena. Dolph Ziggler now enters, and defends AJ, he will take on John Cena next. The “Show Off” exits. Prior to match, Jim Ross walks down the aisle, invited by Michael Cole to sit in his chair and call the main event match.
Steel Cage Singles Match
John Cena defeated Dolph Ziggler (with AJ and Big E. Langston) by pin fall with the AA.
The Rock Concert
The Rock heads to the middle of the ring, for a special concert. Before he begins, The Rock shows a picture of himself, on the big screen, of his first appearance on Raw. The crowd laughs as it’s him with the Rocky Maivia gimmick. The highlight of the concert, was The Rock getting his revenge on Vickie Guerrero, from earlier in the night. The crowd sang along with Rock, telling Vickie, “you look horrible tonight.” The show ends with The Rock calling out CM Punk, who comes out to the top of the ramp. After The Rock took some shots at Punk and Heyman, Punk comes charging down the ramp, and they began attacking each other on the outside of the ring. After some back and forth between the two, many officials and agents from the back came out to separate the two.
