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First out was Randy Orton to one of the strongest reactions of the night thus far. Edge came out to a strong reaction as well. Sheamus then came out to a strong heel reaction as Cole kept Triple H’s name on the broadcast reinforcing that Sheamus took out Hunter “possibly forever.” WWE champ John Cena then came out to a typically strong mixed reaction with a determined look on his face. Cole gave his prediction that Edge has the advantage tonight. Take that for what you will. Justin Roberts then handled the formal ring intros, with Orton receiving a strong reaction. Edge was mixed. Sheamus was all boos. Cena was big boos and strong cheers from the kids. Before the bell sounded, Cole talked about the sheer number of championships and WrestleMania main events combined with all four. That should have been part of the PPV build-up, not when they already have people’s money.
WWE champion JOHN CENA vs. RANDY ORTON vs. EDGE vs. SHEAMUS — WWE Title match
The opening bell sounded and Cena cleared Sheamus while Orton cleared Edge. Cena and Orton then turned to face each other doing their trademark mannerisms. Cena looked around the arena while Orton met him with The Eyes. Cena then teased the Attitude Adjustment, but Orton countered with an RKO tease. Edge then pulled Orton to the outside while Sheamus attacked Cena from behind. Edge and Sheamus then double-teamed Cena in the ring. The deep-throated fans picked up a loud “Cena Sucks” chant in response to a “Let’s Go Cena” chant. They cut backstage to show babyfaces Truth, Bourne, and HD watching the match on a monitor. Back to the action, Edge cleared Cena over the top rope before going up top. Orton crotched him, then teased a Bob Orton special, but Sheamus cut him off. Sheamus teased a powerbomb, but Orton punched him away. Edge then came off the top with a tackle on Sheamus after leaping over Orton. It looked like a spot where they were going for something bigger and didn’t quite execute it.
Orton cleared the ring and Cena pulled himself up to the apron, leading to Orton suplexing Cena back into the ring. Orton began a methodical attack on Cena as the crowd picked up another dueling chant. Orton then missed with a knee drop after pausing to hear the crowd and Sheamus knocked him to the outside. Sheamus and Cena resumed a mid-ring exchange, with Cena hitting a Fisherman’s suplex. He teased the AA, but Sheamus countered with a backbreaker across his knee for a two count. Orton then re-entered and cleaned house before teasing the big spike DDT on Sheamus. Cena then entered the picture and Orton landed a double spike DDT. He made a cover on Sheamus, but Sheamus put a foot on the ropes for a break. Edge then re-entered to clear Orton and tease the spear on Cena, but Cena moved and started his trademark comeback routine. Cena hit the Shuffle, but Orton snuck in the back door and hit his fallaway neck breaker. Orton followed with a powerslam on Edge before rubbing his face with his hands to sell the set-up for the RKO. Sheamus cut Orton off, though, and dumped him to the outside.
They reset at 10:30 with Sheamus and Cena battling. Cena then dumped Sheamus over the top rope, leaving Cena and Edge in the ring. Orton tried to enter again, but Edge speared him off the ropes to the floor. Edge turned around and Cena slapped on the STF center ring. Edge teased a tap out and tried to crawl to the ropes, but Cena reapplied center ring until Sheamus snuck into the ring to attacked Cena. Sheamus then tried to cover Edge, but Edge kicked out. After Sheamus and Edge danced a bit, Orton and Cena re-entered, with Orton nailing the RKO on Cena. Orton made a cover, but Sheamus shoved the ref away to stop the count. It’s No DQ, so apparently that works to stop a count. It opens up a can of worms, though. After order was restored, Sheamus and Orton were left in the ring. Their issue spilled to the outside where Sheamus ate the announce table. Edge then speared Orton into a guardrail.
They cut backstage where the babyfaces were watching the match. Suddenly, the NXT Season One Rookies jumped them and tore down a backstage set. Meanwhile, a WWE TITLE MATCH IS GOING ON IN THE RING. They cut back live where John Cena was kneeling in the ring. The crowd sat quietly trying to figure out what was going on. Apparently Michael Cole took a blow during the ringside events, of note. The NXT Rookies then stormed the ring and attacked Cena, who tried to fight them off. Edge then tried to fight off Wade Barrett, but they tackled Edge ringside. Back in the ring, Sheamus suddenly covered Cena in the ring and scored a three count. And the Celtics win after the Lakers won the World Title. Sheamus high-tailed it from ringside and left through the crowd to avoid the NXT Rookies.
Post-match: the Rookies took apart Cena before Justin Gabriel hit his 450 splash on Cena. Sheamus was then shown standing on the entrance stage holding up his WWE Title belt. The Rookies chased after Sheamus and disappeared. Meanwhile, Orton and Edge were shown out cold ringside as Cena clutched his mid-section in the ring. The crowd sat quietly with no sound from the announcers. After soaking in the scene, they started an inaudible chant. Suddenly, the PPV went off the air with Cena clutching his mid-section in the ring and 25 minutes of PPV time left.
WINNER: Sheamus at 17:27 to capture the WWE Title.
