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Orton pounded the mat as Sheamus returned to the ring. He hit the DDT off the second rope and then played to the crowd some more. The crowd popped and some feared he was going to pop his shoulder out again. He went for the RKO, but Sheamus blocked it. Cole mis-called it and declared that Orton hit it before realizing he didn’t. From a certain angle it definitely looked like a typical RKO, but Sheamus did push him off. Sheamus went for a quick pin and got a near fall. He set up the High Cross, but Orton escaped. Orton went for an RKO again, but Sheamus escaped and thrust kick him in the face. Orton kicked out. Sheamus threw a fit as Lawler exclaimed, “What?! How did Randy Orton survive that?”

Sheamus grabbed a chair from ringside as Lawler wondered if Sheamus wondered if he beat Orton. The ref tried to yank the chair from Sheamus. Sheamus yanked it back and sent the ref tumbling to the floor. The ref called for the bell and DQ’d Sheamus. Sheamus smiled.

WINNER: Orton via DQ in 18:00.

-Afterward Sheamus held the chair and waited for Orton to stand. Orton ducked a swing and kicked Sheamus between his legs. Orton then picked up the chair. He yanked Sheamus to the floor, cleared the announce table, and then set up Sheamusf for a RKO on the table. The table didn’t collapse. Sheamus tumbled to the floor as Orton huffed and puffed.

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I the ring, Bourne set up a ladder. Jericho charged at him with the ladder. Bourne ducked and then set up a ladder mid-ring and climbed to the top. Edge grasped as Bourne. Bourne dove off and head scissored him to the mat. Orton entered the ring and gave Bourne a DDT off the ladder’s third rung the same way he usually does off the middle rope. Morrison rammed Orton into the turnbuckle and then leaping roundkicked him in the head. Orton rolled to the floor. Morrison fell backward into the ladder and hit the back of his head and seemed momentarily stunned. DiBiase went after Morrison, but Morrison reversed him with a suplex attempt. Miz intervened. Miz and DiBiase stomped on Morrison. Morrison used a drop toe hold to send DiBiase into a ladder propped in the corner.

At 6:00 Morrison then climbed the ladder. Edge re-entered and met him on the other side. Jericho set up his own ladder and climbed it. Orton met him at the top. All four battled to reach the swinging briefcase. Henry entered and shoved both ladders over for stereo mirror images bumps on opposite sides of the ring by both pairs of wrestlers. Bourne springboarded into the ring and at Henry, but he flew all the way to ringside. Maryse checked on DiBiase, who was KO’d at ringside. Maryse climbed into the ring as if she was going to climb the ladder. Lawler wondered if she could officially win the match. Maryse climbed to the top. Morrison gently helped her down and onto his back in a fireman’s carry position. He ordered her out of the ring. DiBiase climbed the ladder. Morrison quickly turned and went after DiBiase. DiBiase leaped off the ladder onto Morrison.

Miz catapulted Morrison into a ladder at ringside. he climbed that ladder and then teetered of of another ladder in the ring to land on top of a ladder mid-ring. That was a first. It was like the old Mouse Trap game. He knocked Edge down and reached for the briefcase. Edge yanked Morrison through the ladder so he was bridge of sorts between both sides. Miz and Edge rammed Morrison in his abs (no, not the abs!) with the ladder. Edge then jabbed Miz in the face with the ladder. Lawler said, “Never trust Edge.” Edge tipped the ladder over with Morrison’s body still bridged across it. He knocked Morrison to the floor and then set up a ladder again.

DiBiase jabbed Edge in the gut with the ladder. He set up it up upside down in a “V” position. He knocked Orton off the ring apron with another ladder. DiBiase propped another ladder against the “V” ladder, then climbed the ladder in the middle. Henry finally returned to the ring and went after DiBiase. DiBiase dove at him, but Henry caught him and powerslammed him. Jericho charged at Henry. Henry kicked the ladder into him. Then he caught Miz and dropped him into Jericho. Bourne leaped onto Henry’s back and climbed to the top of the ladder. Edge and Orton intervened, but they turned to Henry. Bourne, meanwhile, reached for the case. They turned back and yanked Bourne off and co-pressed him and threw him onto Henry on the floor. Henry powerslammed Bourne on the floor. Morrison leaped off the ring apron and kicked Henry. Jericho gave Henry a Code Breaker. Edge speared Henry at 14:00.

Miz and Orton and Morrison climbed a ladder in mid-ring. Jericho joined them. DiBiase slid a ladder into the ring, bridging it over the top rope and into the support beam of the ladder and walked over to join them. The meeting of five broke up when Edge and Orton slid the ladder, with DiBiase on it, out of the ring. DiBiase took a hard fall. Orton then gave Edge an RKO. Jericho and Morrison remained on the top. Jericho reached for the case. Morrison stopped him. Jericho ended up hung upside down in the corner. Orton yanked Morrison down and gave him an RKO. Bourne gave Orton an Air Bourne as soon as Orton landed. Bourne them climbed the ladder with Jericho still hanging upside down on the other side. He dramatically reached it and almost had it unhooked. Jericho punched at him. Bourne fought him off and again tried to unhook it. Jericho met him at the top again. At 18:00 Jericho knocked Bourne down by hitting him with the briefcase. Jericho was spent and slipped a couple rungs. Good drama there, especially for Bourne fans.

Edge met Jericho at the top. Edge headbutted Jericho. Orton then gave Jericho an RKO off the ladder. Edge reached for the case, but it was out of reach. Orton knocked Edge onto the “V” ladder. Orton then eyed the briefcase. The crowd popped as he climbed the ladder. He reached for it, got a sense of the height, and almost unhooked it when Miz tipped over the ladder. Good believable near finish. Miz then climbed the ladder and unhooked it for the win. I’m doing pretty well on my picks made earlier today on the VIP Wade Keller Hotline (79 straight days and counting!)

WINNER: Miz in 20:00

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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.

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RANDY ORTON vs. EDGE
The bell sounded and Orton remained still staring straight ahead at Edge. They waited out an “R-K-O” chant before Edge paced around the ring, then locked up with Orton. Striker painted a picture that Edge wanted to create distance to hit the spear and Orton wanted to keep things close to hit the RKO. Cole noted the winner of the match could jockey into position for a slot in the WWE Title match at the Fatal Four-Way PPV. Orton started on the offensive, then the action moved to the floor where Edge took control and dropped Orton stomach-first across the guardrail. Orton was selling his left arm as Edge rolled him back into the ring to begin a focused attack. Orton started elbowing out of a body scissors submission as the fans chanted “R-K-O,” but Edge cut off Orton with a knee to the stomach to continue focusing on the mid-section to set up the spear.

Edge went up top at 7:00, but Orton cut him off. He wanted a superplex, but Edge blocked and headbutted Orton to the mat. Edge tried to come back with a high-risk move, but Orton crotched him and this time hit the Orton family tradition superplex. Edge and Orton recovered to their feet, then started trading haymakers. Orton won the exchange with a powerslam for a two count, but Edge came back with a boot to the face. Orton then came back with a classic spike DDT with Edge hanging across the middle rope. Edge kicked out of a pin attempt, then rolled to the outside to recover. Edge lured Orton into a trap to yank Orton throat-first across the top rope to regain control. Edge then rolled into the ring and got his space in the corner. Edge teased the Spear as Orton recovered to his feet, but Orton kicked him in the head.

Orton then started pounding the mat to tease the RKO, but he sold an injury to his arm and seemed to tell Edge to call an audible. Orton suddenly stopped the match and sold an injury to his right arm. His arm seemed to be hanging by a thread as he rolled to the outside no-selling punches. The ref started a ten count and they did a spot where Edge missed a spear and Orton continued to hold his arm. Double count-out finish. Refs checked on Orton and they tried a recovery angle with Edge snapping and trying to go after Orton, who just walked away clutching his forearm in pain. The announcers ringside talked about the potential injury and Orton’s history of shoulder injuries. Striker unwittingly said the “night must go on.” Where did we hear that before eleven years ago?

WINNER: Double count-out at 12:50. They were booked into a corner where neither wrestler could really afford a loss, so the finish made sense. Orton sure seemed to be legit injured, although the finish made sense for a double count-out so neither wrestler had to take a loss. It will be interesting to see what the follow-up is on Orton, who could be out an extended length of time if the injury was legit.

But WWE’s Apex Predator wasn’t about to slip down the food chain. Appearing on Edge’s talk show “The Cutting Edge” on the May 3 edition of Raw, an infuriated Orton silenced the former SmackDown Superstar, delivering an RKO not only to Edge, but to “Let’s Make a Deal” star Wayne Brady. When it comes to these two bitter rivals, not even Raw guest hosts are safe. (PHOTOS)

Before Orton put an abrupt end to the Raw return of “The Cutting Edge,” The Ultimate Opportunist suggested that the two Superstars once again join forces. As Rated-RKO, Orton and Edge became World Tag Team Champions in 2006, waging a series of battles with D-Generation-X before breaking up the following year. Given the last few tumultuous weeks, a Rated-RKO reunion seems unlikely to happen anytime soon.

Will The Viper be defanged, or will Orton make Edge regret being drafted to Raw? Find out at Over the Limit, live Sunday, May 23, only on pay-per-view.

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Basically, anything goes with the only way to win being a pin or submission. Orton cleared Swagger to the outside early on and Swagger grabbed a chair ringside. Orton walked out to the floor and kicked the chair away, then Orton stalked Swagger around ringside back into the ring. Swagger started playing cat and mouse, then suckered Orton into a forearm to the gut. Swagger proceeded to suplex Orton on the floor before rolling him back into the ring to land more offense. Swagger established a methodical pace here with constant gazes into the hard camera in-between holds. The announcers debated whether Swagger is taking too much time or just confident. Swagger eventually went to the floor and grabbed the World Title belt to use as a weapon back in the ring. Swagger measured Orton, but Orton kicked him in the gut and landed multiple European uppercuts. Swagger cut off Orton, then slowly, slowly, slowly backed away to the corner for a running Vader Bomb, but Orton grabbed the title belt and smashed Swagger in the lower region with the title belt. Swagger rolled to the apron to recover, but Orton grappled him for the spike DDT, only to have Swagger block with a back drop over the top rope to the floor.

On the floor, Swagger flipped up the apron to signify weapons were coming into play. Orton blocked a trashcan shot, then grabbed the can and smashed Swagger over the head with two clean trashcan shots to the head. Apparently there won’t be a fine since it wasn’t a chair. For shame there are still blows to the head with a weapon. Orton then rammed Swagger into the ring steps before placing Swagger face-first on the steps. He did a foot stomp that barely grazed Swagger’s head before rolling him into the ring. Swagger cut off Orton, though, and tried to bring a chair back into the ring, but Orton caught Swagger on the apron and delivered the trademark spike DDT. Orton then did a big stare that drew a pop and crouched down on the mat preparing for the RKO. Orton’s attention was then distracted and he placed a chair center ring. Orton teased a running RKO into the chair, but Swagger countered by dropping Orton back-first across the seat of the chair. Orton sold that like his back was exploding with each breath. Swagger tried to follow with the gutwrench powerbomb and he eventually connected center ring. Swagger with the pin for the win.

WINNER: Swagger at 14:01. Decent, but not memorable title match. I’m not a fan of any weapon shots to the head, but this wasn’t exactly an “Extreme Rules” match. In a PG environment, WWE is better off not raising expectations by advertising an “Extreme Rules” match when the match isn’t going to come close to what that term suggests. Swagger needed the win, so that was fine. They still have some work to do with Swagger’s character, but that’s a good issue to have. (**)

Post-match: Swagger slowly took his title belt and celebrated on the outside. Orton then caught up with Swagger on the floor and spun him around to deliver an RKO on the floor. The fans chanted, “Randy, Randy” as Orton walked off. Suddenly, Sheamus’s music hit and Sheamus walked out past Orton to the ring. Swagger had apparently disappeared at this point. Sheamus still had the pipe in hand with a big smile on his face.

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The fight moved to the floor, then back into the ring as Striker suggested it could be a future WM main event. Orton was standing at this point and he dumped Cody out of the ring before clotheslining DiBiase. After an exchange, Orton smashed Cody with the fallaway backbreaker as the crowd came to life with a loud RKO chant. The sequence ended with Orton remaining in the ring before Orton grappled DiBiase, then Cody as they tried to re-enter the ring. Orton then executed an awesome double spike DDT off the middle ropes, which popped the crowd.

Orton teased the RKO on Cody, who remained out cold on the mat. Orton then slowly raised himself up as Cody continued to sell on the mat. Orton stared around the building, which drew more applause as Cody slowly got to his knees. Orton then went to the corner for The Punt and he connected, but the camera inexplicably cut to a shot of DiBiase. Apparently TNA took over for a second. Orton stared down at his work, but DiBiase came in behind with an attempted Dream Street. Orton shook him off, then nailed the RKO to a big pop. Orton with the pin on DiBiase for the win. Post-match: they had an awesome video screen lower down from the ceiling with a flashing “RKO” sign as Orton posed in the corner. Orton continued to pose in the ring as they rolled a highlight video on the match.

WINNER: Orton at 9:01.

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The bell sounded and Matt Striker gave us the first piece of history on the night that the WWE Title last changed hands in St. Louis in 1998. Fact check: correct, as it was Survivor Series 1998 when The Rock won the title from Mankind. Sheamus dominated Kofi early on in the match as Randy Orton’s hometown crowd chanted, “RKO,” while Orton watched from inside a pod. Sheamus continued to hit a move, then play to the crowd. Kofi then came back with an enziguiri kick and a springboard splash for a two count. Sheamus shook off Kofi’s offense and regained control as they closed in on the five-minute mark.

At 5:00, the screen bounced from pod to pod before stopping on…Triple H. The spotlight focused on Hunter’s pod and he had a big smile on his face before turning serious and entering the Chamber to go nose-to-nose with Sheamus center ring. They picked up from the end of Raw, where Sheamus gave Hunter the running Outsider’s Edge, with Hunter in control giving Sheamus a beating using the cage as a weapon. Sheamus then tried to come back with the running Edge, but Hunter blocked and hit a DDT for a two count. Kofi, who was MIA for a few minutes, then came off the top with a splash that Hunter ducked and Sheamus ate. Kofi then stacked up Hunter and Sheamus in the corner before cat jumping Sheamus for some weak-looking right hand blows out of a corner mount before hitting a leaping clothesline. Kofi then followed with an innovative Boom Drop over the top rope onto Hunter, who was on the platform on the other side of the ring. Both men sold the effects here.

At 10:00, the spotlight went to Randy Orton, who exploded out of his pod and went right after Sheamus to take the fight to the champ. Orton then played pinball with Sheamus’s head to send him face-first into the structure walls over and over. Same with Triple H. Kofi then took out Orton, Hunter, and Sheamus on the platform before trying a springboard move onto Orton, only to have Orton counter in mid-air with a textbook dropkick. Hunter re-entered the action and Orton knocked him down before stalking him for the RKO. Orton wanted it, but Hunter shoved him away. Kofi, Hunter, and Orton danced before Orton back dropped Hunter over the top rope to the wire platform. Orton is the focal point here thus far. Suddenly, Sheamus rammed Orton into the ringpost and everyone was down and out.

At 15:00, the spotlight focused on DiBiase to bring in the fifth man of the match. DiBiase immediately started cleaning house as Cena waited for the final entry in the match. DiBiase then walked over to Orton and stared him down before extending a hand. DiBiase helped up Orton, then Legacy talked strategy. They targeted Hunter with kicks and stomps before targeting Sheamus to ram him shoulder-first into the ringpost. Legacy then took Kofi’s head and tried to ram him through one of the square bars. They eventually squeezed his head through the chamber wall and DiBiase put him in a Boston Crab. That was sick. Orton and DiBiase then took apart Hunter including the horizonal DDT off the middle rope onto the platform. Nice. This happened right in front of Cena’s pod. Orton and DiBiase stared down Cena as the countdown went on.

At 21:00, the door opened for Cena as the final entrant in the match. Cena came out fighting with right hands for both DiBiase and Cena to run wild on Legacy. Cena then hit the Five Knuckle Shuffle on Orton before teasing the Attitude Adjustment on DiBiase. DiBiase tried to hook the ropes to block, so Cena dumped him over the top rope onto the platform to hit the AA. Cena then applied the STF on DiBiase, but Orton broke it up. Remember that. Cody Rhodes then stormed the ringside area and slipped a pipe into the ring. He was yelling for Orton, but DiBiase took the pipe as Cena had Orton up in the air for the AA. DiBiase then blasted Orton with the pipe, followed by Cena. Cena and Orton were KO’ed on the mat, then DiBiase had to make a choice. He opted to cover Orton and score the pin for the first elimination.

Randy Orton eliminated at 24:00

After the elimination, Orton was escorted out of the Chamber, but he looked back to shoot DiBiase a look.

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Orton slowed things down with a focused attack as the announcers talked about both men being in a fragile state of mind. Orton then took Michaels up top, but Michaels knocked Orton off the top with forearm strikes before hitting a flying elbow drop. Michaels then went to the corner to tune up the band at 6:00, but Orton ducked and teased the RKO, only to have Michaels hit an atomic drop and chop combo twice. Michaels then flew off the ropes with a trademark flying elbow smash. He was about to do the classic kip up, but Orton grabbed him in mid-air and rolled up Michaels for the surprise pin and the win.

Post-match: Orton walked out of the ring pleased with himself in his own way while Michaels fought himself on screwing up again. Orton’s music stopped and Michaels walked around the ring in frustration. Michaels ripped off his wrist bands and stomped out of the ring muttering to himself. The announcers talked about it being a frustrating 24 hours as Michaels disappeared in the back.

Winner: Orton at 6:37 to qualify for the Elimination Chamber match. Only went seven minutes, but it felt like a longer match. Great storytelling from both men and a great finish with the flurry at the end before Orton made the big counter. If only someone would roll up Cena on the “You Can’t See Me” hand wave. Michaels’s post-match storytelling was well done to hook viewers on what’s next.

Backstage: Ted DiBiase stopped Randy Orton and congratulated him on the win before apologizing for what happened last night. He said he can’t speak for Cody, but he’s sorry. Orton then got in his face and simply glared at him without saying a word. Orton as the silent assassin is great. Orton walked off, then DiBiase made a pouty face to sell his confusion.

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Backstage: Randy Orton was walking down the hallway, then Ted DiBiase walked up to him and said he has his back. DiBiase said he can’t even talk to Cody right now. He said Cody’s been talking about winning the Rumble and facing Sheamus at Mania, even counting Orton out. Orton had enough of their games and said he’s going to win against Sheamus and he doesn’t want their help.

In-ring: WWE champ Sheamus came to the ring to near-unanimous boos. Randy Orton then came out to a smattering of cheers, but mainly boos as Cole made sure Orton was presented as a heel too. Lawler said it’s a battle of un-likeable wrestlers. Justin Roberts then handled the formal ring intros. Orton was about 90 percent cheered. He didn’t acknowledge, though. Sheamus was the clear heel with the crowd.

WWE champion SHEAMUS vs. RANDY ORTON — WWE Title match
The bell sounded and they faced off without locking up. A chant of “Randy, Randy” started the action before they came together and blocked each other’s shoulder tackle attempts. Orton then hit a standing dropkick and teased the RKO before slithering backward from a defensive Sheamus. Orton then nailed a standing uppercut and Sheamus came right back with a big Polish hammer blow to the face. Sheamus knocked Orton to the floor with a shoulder attack and followed on the floor with uppercuts. Orton returned to the ring holding his shoulder before luring Sheamus into an attack on the left knee. Orton dissected Sheamus’s leg and continued his attack with methodical work in the ring and on the ring apron. Striker explained to the audience the pro-Orton crowd by saying there is a certain respect and familiarity with Orton. Sheamus then found an opening in Orton’s methodical attack to go back to working the left shoulder looking for a submission. They came to their feet and began an exchange of standing right hand blows. After they threw bombs, Sheamus caught Orton off the ropes for a big swinging backbreaker across his knee for a close two count.

Just before 10:00, Sheamus pounded his chest and measured Orton for his finishing move. Sheamus wanted the running Outsider’s Edge, but Orton slipped out and kicked Sheamus out of the ring to the floor. Orton then grappled Sheamus back in the ring and held him across the middle rope for a spike DDT that the crowd popped for. Orton made a cover, but Sheamus grabbed the bottom rope for a two count. The crowd came to life as Orton stalked Sheamus before slowly backing away. He measured the champ for The Punt, but Sheamus rolled to the outside. Orton gave chase and landed a European uppercut. Sheamus then ran him into the ringpost, though, and smashed his shoulder into the post. Suddenly, Cody Rhodes jumped the security rail and blasted Sheamus from behind. The ref reprimanded Cody, but the match continued. Back in the ring, Orton hit the RKO on Sheamus. Ref Armstrong then casually walked over to the ring announcer and called for a DQ as Orton was making a cover.

Post-match: Sheamus was announced as the winner via DQ as Cody freaked out ringside afterhis mistake. Cody then entered the ring and tried to explain himself to Orton, who slowly, slowly, slowly absorbed the situation and stared down Cody. Orton then reached back and popped Cody in the face, which drew a crowd pop. Orton then punched Cody multiple times until Ted DiBiase stormed the ring. DiBiase tried to intervene, but Orton punched Ted down to the mat to another pop. Orton shouted, “You’re done, you screwed it up!” at both of them. Orton then got up and the crowd was yelling as Sheamus stood in the background. Orton then turned around and ate a running bicycle kick to the head from Sheamus. Smack. Sheamus picked up his WWE Title belt and walked out of the ring as Cody and Ted simply looked at Orton from the corner. Orton was KO’ed in the ring as Ted and Cody walked out unsure what to do or how to handle the situation. After the announcers narrated replays, they showed Orton checking his jaw in pain on the mat.

WINNER: Sheamus via DQ at 12:27.

Like a rough Irish whiskey, WWE Champion Sheamus has proven that, when trifled with, he’s more than capable of leaving even the toughest man flat on his back. At the Royal Rumble, however, The Celtic Warrior must face a particularly sobering prospect: Defending his title against five-time WWE Champion Randy Orton.

While The Viper’s inclusion in the WWE Title Match may seem unexpected, it should come as no surprise to those familiar with his methods. Orton recognized an opportunity during a Triple Threat Match on Raw to determine the No. 1 contender and, as usual, he quickly seized it. As he battled with his opponents, John Cena and Kofi Kingston, his henchmen from The Legacy, Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase, caused enough of a distraction to allow the scheming Superstar the victory.

While Orton has never seemed interested in clothing his naked ambition, he should be careful what he’s gotten himself into. Sheamus’ rabid aggression and overwhelming strength promise to be a powerful antidote to the cold calculation and athletic agility of The Viper.

Will The Celtic Warrior be able to prevent Orton – with a possible assist by Legacy – from regaining the precious WWE Championship? Or will the pipes, the pipes be calling for the insistent Irishman?

To find out, be sure to catch all the action live on Sunday, Jan. 31 at 8 PM/5 PM PT, exclusively on pay-per-view.

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RANDY ORTON vs. KOFI KINGSTON
Orton got his obligatory side headlock out of the way very early, going to it immediately at the start of the match. After a powerslam at 1:00, he applied his obligatory chinlock. Kingston surprised Orton with a roll-up at 2:00. Kingston ran in place, drawing some boos, and signaled for his “Boom Boom” sequence. Orton rolled out of the ring. Kingston leaped off the top rope at Orton, but Orton caught him with a dropkick. Orton dominated offense methodically for several minutes in the ring. At 8:00 Kingston clotheslined Orton over the top rope to the floor and then dove at him at ringside, knocking him down with a shoulder tackle. Back in the ring Kingston scored a two count after a flying bodyblock. Orton fired back with a backbreaker. At 9:00 Kingston hit Trouble in Paradise for a near fall, stopped when Orton grabbed the bottom rope. Orton then gave Kingston an implant DDT off the second rope. Orton waited for Kingston to rise onto his knees. Orton went for the punt kick. Kingston blocked it with his arm, but then sold serious arm pain. Orton drove his arm into the mat DDT-style, then licked his lips and rolled his eyes back as if he really enjoyed that moment. He then pounded the mat and set up his RKO. Kingston went for Trouble in Paradise out of nowhere, but Orton ducked and hit the RKO for the clean win. There was a significant minority pop for Orton’s win.

WINNER: Orton in 13:00.

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In-ring: C.M. Punk came out first, followed by William Regal for Randy Orton’s heel team. Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase came out together next, followed by Randy Orton as the announcers talked about the problems for Orton’s team members as of late. Announcers then plugged the TLC PPV in three weeks from San Antonio. Reversing the intro pattern from the opening match, Kofi Kingston came out first for the babyface team. WWE cut to a video package from Raw of the Kingston-Orton brawl that led to Kofi’s “MSG moment” Boom Drop. After the video aired, MVP, then Mark Henry came to the ring. Out next was “the white guy” ECW champion Christian, followed by R-Truth. This announcing trio is not a good combination, by the way. It’s rather annoying Striker has to explain every multiple-syllable sentence.

TEAM KOFI (KOFI KINGSTON & MVP & MARK HENRY & R-TRUTH & ECW champion CHRISTIAN) vs. TEAM ORTON (RANDY ORTON & TED DIBIASE & CODY RHODES & WILLIAM REGAL & C.M. PUNK)
Henry and Orton started things off and Team Orton ran interference to distract the ref allowing Cody and Ted to take the knees out from under Henry. Orton then dropped Henry mid-ring with the RKO for an early pin before the first minute was up. After a pause to collect themselves, Team Kofi sent MVP into the ring, but MVP took a beating in the heel corner. Truth then tagged in and Team Orton also ran a distraction to set up Punk for the Go 2 Sleep on Truth. Punk with the pin on his new rival, Truth for another early pin. Christian entered for Team Kofi, but Team Orton went to work on him as well. Christian then blocked a corner attack by DiBiase and executed a sunset flip for a pin out of nowhere on DiBiase. After a few exchanges by multiple participants, Kofi scored a pin on Regal to even the sides at three apiece.

At 7:00, Christian and Cody battled before Cody locked his legs around Christian with a leg scissors to slow down the pace. MVP then tagged in and dropped a Ballin’ elbow drop on Rhodes with the announcers noting the local Wizards NBA team needing some help. Orton then distracted MVP, which gave Cody just the slightest opening to hit Cross Rhodes for the pin. Down to Kofi and Christian for the babyfaces. About a minute later, Christian entered and nailed the Killswitch on Cody for the pin.

At 12:00, it was two-on-two with Orton beginning an attack on Christian. Orton bumped Kofi off the apron for good measure, then walked over to Christian, who tried a surprise small package, but only scored a two count. Orton tried to follow with the RKO with a Punk distraction, but Christian hit the Killswitch. Crowd was hot for an apparent pin, but Punk broke up the pin. Christian cleared out Punk, but then Orton sprung with an RKO for the pin. So, we’re down to Kofi vs. Orton and Punk. Crowd hot for Kofi, who squared off with Orton, only to have Orton bail and tag in Punk. Announcers noted that Punk and Kofi are former tag champs. Boy, that seemed like a really, really long time ago. Kofi and Punk took their time talking out things, then they came to blows. Punk teased the G2S, but Kofi slipped out and missed the Trouble in Paradise. Both men squared off after the exchange and the crowd applauded.

At 16:00, Punk went to work on Kofi with a mat hold while the camera focused on Orton pacing ringside watching Punk do his dirty work. Kofi then broke free of the mat hold and went for a splash, only to have Punk knee him in the gut. Punk then measured Kofi for a running knee strike and he connected, but Kofi blocked the running bulldog part two. Kofi slowly went up top, but Punk crotched him and they battled up top. Kofi finally dropped Punk to the mat and came off the top with a high crossbody splash for a close two count.

At 20:00, Kofi made his fired-up comeback, but Orton distracted Kofi. Punk tried to roll up Kofi from behind, but Kofi rolled through into a pin for a three count. Orton tried to storm into the ring to follow up, but Kofi nailed him with the Trouble in Paradise kick for the pin and the win. Cole quickly drew attention to Kofi pinning two former World champs in a matter of six seconds. Eliminations: Henry by Orton at 0:51, Truth by Punk at 3:13, DiBiase by Christian at 5:10, Regal by Kofi at 6:50, MVP by Rhodes at 10:10, Cody by Christian at 11:34, Christian by Orton at 13:25, Punk by Kofi at 20:43, Orton by Kofi at 20:50.

WINNERS: Team Kofi

Though Orton may be more experienced than Kingston, the athletic Superstar has shown in recent weeks that he has exactly what it takes to hit The Viper where it hurts. As retaliation for Orton viciously attacking him after a match, Kingston sought out his nemesis’ personalized NASCAR racer and defaced it while The Legend Killer looked on, helpless to stop the automotive carnage. The two’s rivalry then expanded during a Six-Man Tag Team Match on Raw when Kingston and Orton were joined by fellow Survivor Series combatants, MVP & Mark Henry and Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase, respectively.

In addition to R-Truth on the side of Kingston and the devious CM Punk teaming up with Orton, two of the top competitors in the Land of the Extreme, ECW Champion Christian and William Regal are also joining the fray. For months, The British Brawler has struggled to get the upperhand against Captain Charisma, and he might just have that chance when he joins up with Team Orton to face the ECW Champion and the rest of Team Kingston in a 10-Man Tag Team Match.

Don’t miss the epic confrontation between Team Kingston (Kofi Kingston, MVP, Mark Henry, ECW Champion Christian & R-Truth) and Team Orton (Randy Orton, CM Punk, Cody Rhodes, Ted DiBiase & William Regal) at the 23rd annual Survivor Series on Nov. 22, at 8/7 CT, live on pay-per-view.

source: wwe.com

Gallery Links:
- Fan Candids > Pay-Per-Views > Bragging Rights 2009 – Set #001
- Fan Candids > Pay-Per-Views > Bragging Rights 2009 – Set #002

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WWE champion RANDY ORTON vs. JOHN CENA — 60-minute Iron Man match — WWE Title match — Anything goes
Cole asked Lawler to offer some insight into going 60 minutes. Lawler said he’s never been in an Iron Man match, but he’s been in some hour-long matches where conserving energy is key. Cena and Orton started with an early lock-up, then Cena hit the turnbuckles hard on a whip to the corner. Orton whipped Cena to the opposite corner and Cena came out looking for a bulldog, but Orton blocked and went back to work on Cena. Out of nowhere, Cena slapped on the STF and Orton quickly tapped out. Crowd popped for Cena’s quick win. Orton popped up and glared at Cena, who took a deep breath and understood the strategy of Orton trying to conserve and not take too much damage in the STF.

***Cena 1, Orton 0 at 3:55***

Orton gained the advantage after the first fall as the announcers discussed the Shawn Michaels vs. Bret Hart classic Iron Man match from WrestleMania 12. Meanwhile, Orton slapped on a reverse chinlock as Cena faded. Cena fought back to his feet and hit the running blockbuster before going up top. Cena wanted the top rope guillotine and connected. He then set up the Five Knuckle Shuffle, but Orton suddenly snapped to his feet and nailed the RKO as Cena bounced off the ropes. Orton with the pin for the second fall at 9:00. And now a 30-second wait.

*** Cena 1, Orton 1 at 9:00***

After the pause, Orton rammed Cena off the apron into the guardrail on the floor. Orton followed to the floor and stared at the announce table. He turned his head and started clearing the table before grabbing a TV monitor. Orton blasted Cena over the top of the head with the point of the gimmicked monitor, then made a cover, but Cena kicked out. Apparently it’s Falls Count Anywhere too. Orton rolled Cena into the ring, then took a wireless mic and bopped Cena over the head with it. Orton made a cover, but Cena kicked out. Refs and medics then wanted to check on Cena, who sold injury. Cena suddenly stormed Orton in the corner with an explosion of energy before chucking Orton clear over the top rope to the floor. And we have blood with Cena bleeding from the head. Really does mean something since we haven’t seen blood on WWE TV in a while.

At the top of the third hour, Orton put a boot to Cena as Cena was face-first on the ring steps. Orton made a cover on the floor, but Cena kicked out. Back in the ring, Orton methodically began an attack on Cena with right hands to the source of blood. Orton then went down to the mat and pounded the mat with his fists before teasing the RKO. Cena ducked, though, and started his comeback routine. Cena then did the You Can’t See Me and connected with the Shuffle drop this time. Cena then wanted the FU and he connected. No wait, Orton apparently countered in mid-air with a reverse RKO. Both men were down and both men had an arm over each other. Ref counted a three count for each man at 17:00.

***Cena 2, Orton 2 at 17:00***

Medics hit the ring during the 30-second pause and checked on Cena. The 30-second interval expired and Orton missed with a running shoulder tackle when Cena moved. Medics apparently glued Cena’s head shut to close the wound and stop the bleeding. Cena then took Orton to the corner and wanted an FU from the second rope. He connected in a nice spot, but couldn’t make a cover. Cena then made a cover and scored the pin for another fall at 19:40.

***Cena 3, Orton 2 at 19:40***

During the 30-second pause, Ted DiBiase and Cody Rhodes stormed the ring to beat up on Cena. Apparently DiBiase is on Orton’s side tonight…thus far. DiBiase gave Cena the Dream Street finisher. They put Orton on top of Cena and Orton scored a pin at 20:55.

***Cena 3, Orton 3 at 20:55***

After the fall, Kofi Kingston stormed the ring with chair in hand to chase away DiBiase and Rhodes. Crowd was hot for Kofi. Good incorporation of Kofi to give him a main event spotlight. After the next 30-second interval, both men came to their feet and started brawling. The brawl spilled to the floor and Cena rammed Orton into the guardrail. Kids were screaming as Cena continued to beat on Orton. Ref told one of the thousands of fans wearing Steelers jerseys in the arena to back off. Orton then reversed a whip into the rail and smashed Cena into the structure. He made a cover, but Cena kicked out. Announcers talked about the equipment being dangerous as they approached the stage area. High Voltage given a name-drop. Orton then smashed Cena’s head into the pyro machine and some pyro went off. Orton freaked out, then caught his breath. He threw Cena through the HD lighting grid and Cena ended up in the backstage area. Orton then dragged Cena back to the arena-side of the Titantron and made a cover for the pin.

***Orton 4, Cena 3 at 25:35***

Orton looked around contemplating his next move during the 30-second interval. He went over the pyro machine and started playing with the buttons like a crazy kid with a new set of toys. Orton figured out how the pyro works, then smashed Cena across the back with a chair. Orton then dragged Cena to the stage area where the pyro shoots off. Orton ran over to the pyro machine and shoved the man in charge away. Ref admonished Orton, who had his finger on the trigger as Cena went motionless. Orton punched the button, but it wouldn’t work. Suddenly, the pyro went off and Cena had enough time to roll out of the way. Cena still alive. Orton then checked on Cena and was so pissed that Cena was still alive. Orton went into a rage beating and pounding on Cena before taking him down to ringside. Announcers called Orton a psycho pyromaniac. They hit the 30-minute mark with Cena out cold on the floor as Orton contemplated his next move.

Orton began a methodical attack on Cena, including ring steps to the face and a chair to the back as Cena leaned against the ringpost. Orton made a cover on the floor, but Cena kicked out. “What more can Orton do, he already tried to blow the man up?” Lawler asked rhetorically. Back in the ring, Orton slowly lifted Cena to his feet and Cena suddenly executed a small package after playing opossum. Cena scored the pinfall at 33:00, then Orton went nuts until the ref pulled him away for the 30 seconds. “F—” Orton shouted twice on the floor.

***Orton 4, Cena 4 at 33:00***

The 30 seconds expired, but Orton waited before re-entering the ring. He then dragged Cena across the ring apron and stared a hole into Cena’s soul. He wanted the horizontal DDT from across the ring apron to the floor and he executed it with Cena going face-first into the floor padding. Orton then rolled Cena over and made the cover for the pin at 35:20.

***Orton 5, Cena 4 at 35:20***

Crowd was quiet as WWE replayed the DDT into the floor. Orton was shown slapping the mat on the way down to create the sound of Cena’s face hitting the floor. After the 30 second rest period, Orton rolled Cena back into the ring as the crowd came to life with a dueling chant of “Let’s go Cena” vs. “Let’s go Orton.” Orton began his Orton Stomp trying to take apart Cena’s entire body. Cena slowly made his way to his feet, but Orton knocked him right back down with a straight right hand to the face. Orton with a cover, but Cena kicked out. They zoomed in on an evil look on Orton’s face as Grisham said he could be the face of Raw for many months or years to come. He said it appears Cena is headed for Smackdown. Well, that means Cena is winning.

Orton continued to slowly stalk and attack Cena, who finally ducked a clothesline and staggered Orton to the floor. Cena then staggered around in the ring as the cut on top of his head started to bleed again. Orton collected himself on the floor and checked the scoreboard with 20 minutes left in the match. Announcers speculated whether he’ll play prevent defense with a fall advantage. Lawler said it might be too long to stall. Cena then jelly-legged walked up the ramp to Orton, who met him with kicks and stomps. Back in the ring, Orton wanted the horizontal DDT, but Cena countered with an FU tease. Orton escaped, though, with elbow strikes and ran right out of the ring to the floor. Orton tried to take off through the stands up into the arena seats, but Cena met him and blasted him with right hands. Orton started rolling down the arena steps with a one-fall advantage trying to run away from Cena, who chased him down in-between the floor seats and 100-level seats. And we hit the 45-minute mark with Cena measuring Orton for right hand blows on the floor.

Back on the floor outside of the ring, Cena continued to chase down Orton before blasting him into the ring steps. Cena made a cover, but Orton kicked out. Cena then whipped Cena hard through the barricade near the timekeeper’s table and Orton crashed hard through the gimmicked barrier. Cena then calmly picked up the ring steps and blasted Orton in the face with the steps. Cena triumphantly lifted the steps in the ring, then looked over some potential options for his next move. After his review, Cena scooped up Orton’s dead weight and slowly carried him up the ring steps to position him for an FU through the announce table. Orton did the Abyss Shake as if he took a bump through the tacks, then Cena dropped down and covered Orton to score a pinfall at 51:00 to even it up.

***Orton 5, Cena 5 at 51:00***

Cena waited for the 30-second interval, then he tried pinning Orton again, but Orton kicked out. Cena then went under the ring and grabbed a table. He set up the table in the ring while Orton slowly started to stir on the floor. After setting up the table in the ring, Cena carried Orton back into the ring. They approached the five-minute mark and Cole reminded us there will be overtime if this is tied. Cena placed Orton on the table and Orton sold near-death. Cena then went up top and thought about this move. He tried a top rope leg drop, but Orton rolled off the table and Cena ate wood. And they hit 55:00 with both men down and out on the mat.

Orton landed the first right hand from his knees. Cena responded in kind. Orton with a right. Cena with a right. Orton with a right. Cena with a right. Orton with a right hand. Cena with a haymaker. Orton with an uppercut. Cena with a punch. Orton with a punch. Now both men on their feet. Cena with a shot to the gut. Orton with a right to the face. Cena likewise. Orton with a haymaker. Cena staggered, then another to the gut. Orton to the top of the head. Again. Cena with two, then three, and four. Cena ducked a clothesline and hit a shoulder tackle. He then tried a second, but airballed and the ref ate the shoulder tackle. Orton then dropped Cena in mid-ring with the RKO, but the ref was out cold. Another ref stormed the ring and Cena kicked out before three. Nice sequence.

At 58:00, Orton was PO’ed and shoved down the replacement referee. Two refs down. Orton slowly walked around the ring as Cole talked overtime. Lawler said he wants to see OT. Orton’s eyes bulged out of his head as he thought things over. Orton was on the verge of a nervous break down, but then stopped when he had an idea. He then backed up and teased The Punt, but Cena moved and dropped Orton with the STF in center ring. Orton had nowhere to go. Crowd ready to explode like a fourth down play on the goalline. Cena twisted Orton’s neck with the STF as Orton tried to hang on for 20 more seconds. Orton wouldn’t tap, though. Fans counted it down. Nine, eight, seven… and Orton tapped out at 59:54 with the crowd exploding. The time then expired and Cena won back the WWE Title.

Post-match: Cena grabbed his title belt and held it up high in the air. Cole called it one of the greatest matches he’s ever seen. Announcers recapped the high points of the match, then they cut back to show Cena on the stage sweating and holding the title belt. Orton was selling mass pain to his shoulder back in the ring. Announcers then showed Orton’s visible three count with the score 5-5 around 58:00. Back live, Orton was shown collecting himself. Cole said it’s the end of the war between Orton and Cena. Orton grimaced to close the PPV.

WINNER: Cena 6, Orton 5 with a submission at 59:54; Cena wins the WWE Title at 60:00. Quite the war. Nothing else on this show was replay-worthy, but this was replay-worthy. WWE pulled out all the tricks, gimmicks, and other assorted items to tell a 60-minute story. Orton was the star of the match with his crazy facial expressions and psychotic behavior staying true to his character. Story at the end we’ll probably see play out on Raw was Orton unable to hold on for those last six seconds or Orton complaining that he had Cena pinned at 58:00. Hard to rate this on a traditional scale, but I believe this was one of the best stories WWE has told on PPV this year. HBK vs. Taker is another level and in its own category, but this was a different type of four-to-five-star level match.

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By the time he got around to a follow-up move, a leaping kneedrop, Cena recovered enough to move. Cena applied an STF mid-ring. Orton crawled to the bottom rope. Cena dragged him back to the middle. Orton kicked Cena off of him, knocking Cena into the ref. Cena applied the STF again, but the ref was down as Orton tapped. Cena released the hold, apparently assuming Orton gave up and the match was over. He realized there was no ref in the ring and went to ringside to roll him back in. Orton recovered and surprised Cena with an RKO for a near fall. The crowd popped for the kickout. Lawler said Orton looked like he was going to cry. Cole said that may have been Orton’s last chance, although there’s no apparently reason why it would be (but it’s presumably what McMahon wanted Cole to say, so he said it).

Orton tied Cena up into the ropes and then applied a sleeper from behind. Cena appeared to be out cold. Orton released the hold and sat in the corner and pulled himself to his feet. He waited for the ref to release Cena. Cena fell face-first to the mat. Orton then waited for Cena to raise his head and then kicked him. And then he scored the three count.

WINNER: Orton in 21:00 to win the WWE Title.

STAR RATING: ***1/2 — They tell a good story and have chemistry with one another. No doubt about that. It’s just so familiar at this point that it’s like reading the same great book over and over, or a slightly different book with the same two main characters over and over. Fans are also expecting some blood in this type of intense rivalry. The Cell didn’t come much into play, either.

Backstage: Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase tried to celebrate with Orton, telling them that after they win, they’ll have a great night on the town. Orton said they are going to be in the Cell and win or lose they won’t just walk away. DiBiase said they’ve studied the Cell and spent time in it. He said they’re younger, stronger, and faster and have every right to be confident. Cody told Orton he’s starting to sound like his “old man.” Orton said they have no idea what they’re getting into. Orton stood and told Cody, “By the way, I’m not your old man. I’m the WWE Champion, and if I were you two, if I had something to say, I’d listen.” DiBiase said, “If I were you, I wouldn’t underestimate us.” The crowd oohhhed.

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Randy Orton vs. John Cena — I Quit match for the WWE Championship
No contact in the first minute, then Cena took it to Orton with a forearm and fisherman suplex out of the corner. Cena landed a fist strike, then airballed with a flying shoulder tackle when Orton ducked down to the mat. Orton then bumped Cena off the apron into the Raw announce table on the floor. Ringside, Orton grabbed a TV monitor and directed a shot toward Cena, who got his hands up to absorb the blow. Cena sold it like a direct shot to the head, though. Back in the ring, Orton set up Cena across the middle rope for his patented Jake Roberts DDT. Announcers reminded us Cena suffered a head injury on Raw, which could affect him tonight. Nice piece of storytelling to stack the deck just a little bit more. Orton then grabbed a chair and set it up in the ring. He wanted to repeat the end of Raw with an RKO into the chair, but Cena blocked and made a classic comeback. He paused for the crowd to reach its peak before he delivered the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Cena then wanted an FU, but Orton grabbed the top rope and landed on the apron. He then yanked Cena’s shoulder/neck down hard across the top rope.

At 5:00, Orton saw Cena prone for The Punt, but Cena ducked and teased the STF. Orton slipped out of the ring, through, and lured Cena into a whip to the ring steps. Orton then grabbed the ring steps and blasted Cena in the face. Orton demanded Cena give it up, but Cena sternly said “no” a few times. Orton was angered by this development, so he lifted Cena and rolled him into the ring. He then grabbed a bag out from under the ring. Thumbtacks? No, it was a chain with a key on it and handcuffs. Orton put the chain around his neck, then put Cena in a handcuff. Orton stomped Cena down to the mat, then cuffed Cena to the top rope. Orton symbolically “held the key” to the match with it around his neck. Orton began attacking Cena, who refused to quit.

At 10:00, Orton took the mic and jammed it into Cena’s head. Orton then unhooked Cena and cuffed Cena’s hands together. Orton then dragged Cena up the ring steps and hung Cena over the top turnbuckle. Orton began assaulting Cena’s stomach with body blows, then he landed fist smashes one after another. Orton screamed at Cena that he’s not passing out on him, so he threw water at Cena, who then spit it back in Orton’s face. Orton was not pleased, so he grabbed the Singapore canes from the bowling shoe ugly match early. Orton then “tortured” Cena with multiple cane shots to the body. Orton then smashed him across the wrist as he continued to be hung up in the corner. Cena refused to quit. Orton then put the cane into Cena’s throat and Cena kicked him in the crotch. They didn’t show it, but Cena pulled himself down to the ground. Camera zoomed in on Cena having cut marks across his stomach. Cena slowly walked over to Orton, who had a chair in hand to surprise Cena with a chair shot to the head.

At 15:00, Orton uncuffed Cena, then he re-cuffed Cena around the ringpost with Cena on the ground facing the post. Lawler did the “babyface is about to lose, which means he’s not going to” line about Cena needing to think about living to fight another day. Cena then blasted Orton across the back with a chair shot and Cena shrieked. Cena refused to quit. Orton was about to lose it. At this point, you’re wondering where the gun is to shoot him. How much further can you go before the heel loses credibility for not killing the other guy? Anyways, Cena back dropped Orton to the mat, then he stole the key from Orton and uncuffed himself before cuffing them together. They transferred all the heat onto Cena, who then cuffed Orton and started going nuts on Orton. Cena exploded with body shots before taking Orton into the ring to land more body shots. Cena teased the FU, but Orton slipped out and nailed the RKO in center ring. Orton then tried to drag both of them toward the key across the ring, but Cena tugged him back to center ring and applied the STF. Cena wrapped the cuff around Orton’s throat, then Orton fought the hold before shouting “I quit, I quit” to give Cena the win.

After the post-match happenings for replays, recovery, etc., Cena took the mic and declared, “I did not quit.” They stayed with Cena’s post-match celebration for a while as Orton sold a shoulder injury on the way out. Cena then stood on the stage and lifted up the title belt to salute the crowd.

Winner: Cena at 19:45 to win the WWE Title.

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Orton then stalked Cena for The Punt at 11:00, but Cena moved and did the full comeback. Cena with a facebuster, then he went up top and hit a guillotine leg drop clear across the ring for a two count. Cena then teased the FU, but Orton grabbed the top rope to block. Double clothesline. Both men on the mat. Crowd took a deep breath, then started dueling chants. They came to their feet and did a right hand blow exchange. Mixed Yeahs/boos for Cena, Yeahs for Orton. Suddenly, Orton walked over to the ref and shoved the ref, causing a DQ. Cena sold shock. Orton took his belt and left. Lilian Garcia then took the mic and said she just received word that Randy Orton is the new WWE champion. Um… She corrected herself that she received word from Mr. McMahon that the match must re-start and if Orton gets DQ’ed, he loses the title.

Match re-started with an exchange that led to both men brawling to the outside. Back in the ring, Orton made a cover for a two count. He then went to the outside and demanded the WWE Title belt. He then took his belt and started to walk away as the ref started a ten count. Orton high-tailed it up the ramp and took the ten count to lose. Lilian Garcia then re-introduced Mr. McMahon’s word that if Orton gets counted again, he loses the WWE Title. When did McMahon get involved in storylines again, by the way? Orton stormed back into the ring, avoided the FU, then rolled up Cena and put his feet on the ropes to score a pin and the win.

Lilian announced Orton as the winner, his music hit, and Cena sat in the corner stunned. A second ref then hit the ring and told Scott Armstrong that Orton used the ropes. Armstrong called for a re-start. Cena instantly put Orton in the STF. He pulled Orton back into center ring and re-applied, but a fan suddenly ran into the ring and attacked the ref. WWE head of security jumped on the dude and hauled him out of the ring, but everyone just stood there like what the heck? If that was a planted fan, it was a crazy spot. They cut to a second shot of the fan being hauled away. Cena acted stunned. Crowd didn’t know how to react. Ref tried to get everyone back into the match, then Orton caught Cena with an RKO across the middle rope and one in center ring to score the pin for the win.

WINNER: Randy Orton at 17:40 to retain the WWE Title. If that was a legit fan who hit the ring, it gives new meaning to “If Cena Wins, We Riot” since Cena was about to score a tap out win. Crowd was into the match, but WWE over-booked the crap out of this match. Fan interference – legit or not – was the icing on the cake. For the record – first stop at 13:31, second stop at 15:34, third stop at 15:50, and finish at 17:40. Looks like an Orton vs. Cena re-match at Breaking Point where only way to win is by submission. (**1/2)