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In-ring: Before Bret Hart came out as Gabriel’s opponent, the MacBook buzzed again. Cole read that the anonymous GM is replacing Bret Hart. The GM doesn’t like Bret, never did like Bret, and doesn’t want to see him wrestle. Okay, that was odd considering the GM just booked Hart to present the new tag titles. Anyways, the new opponent will be out next, the GM’s message read. Out came Randy Orton to a big pop. Cole recapped Orton not winning the WWE Title against Sheamus at Summerslam the night before.
RANDY ORTON vs. JUSTIN GABRIEL — If Gabriel loses, he’s out of Nexus
They came face-to-face after the opening bell and Orton glared down at Gabriel, who shoved him in the chest. Gabriel landed a few kick strikes, but Orton began dominating the match. Orton was in control, ready to take it home, but, suddenly, WWE champion Sheamus showed up ringside. Orton rolled to the outside and they started fighting on the outside before taking it over the guardrail to the front row. The ref reached a ten count and Orton was counted out, giving Gabriel the win. Meanwhile, Orton and Sheamus continued to brawl among the fans. Roberts then announced Gabriel as the winner, giving Orton pause.
Orton, having taken out Sheamus, then charged the rung, spun Gabriel around, and dropped him with the RKO. Orton wasn’t done, as he left the ring to find a chair to his liking. The crowd was hot for Orton, who blasted Sheamus over and over across the back with the chair. Refs tried to intervene as Orton shouted to let out his frustration from not winning the WWE Title at Summerslam. “Randy Orton has snapped here tonight,” Lawler said. The crowd chanted his name as he rubbed his face on the way out. Orton then stopped and decided he wasn’t done. Orton sprinted to the other side of the ring by the announcers and dropped Sheamus with an RKO on the padded floor. Orton pounded the announce table, shot a sinister grin to the crowd, and his music played. Orton looked at his hands and Cole said something at Summerslam sent him off. He posed on the entrance ramp to conclude the segment.
WINNER: Gabriel via count-out at 2:53. The needed emphasis was on Orton back on the WWE Title chase taking his game to the next level. Although these non-finishes are coming too frequently lately, this one served a bigger purpose. The crowd was hot for Orton, which really added to the segment. Meanwhile, Nexus goes to 3-0. Sure, it was no thanks to Gabriel’s effort, but that fit the group being heels distorting the truth and the match story was more about Orton-Sheamus.
