[wind howling]
[man 1] There is a change coming.
[stirring music playing]
It's in the air.
It's all around.
And tonight,
it's here.
Change is a powerful force.
It can twist perceptions…
[Mysterio] It wasn't me who took out The Undertaker.
It was you, Kane!
[man 1] …transform and convert realities…
[Punk] I have built the foundation for a superior society.
[man 1] …and strike…
[Sheamus] As long as I'm champion,
you'll never get another title opportunity.
[man 1] …when you least expect it.
[music fades]
[man 1] Tonight, change threatens to alter the foundation of our universe
as these seven upstarts have decided
it's their time.
[dramatic music playing]
Resentful,
they are lashing out,
destroying everything in their sight.
[Barrett] The balance of power here is about to shift dramatically
and permanently.
[man1] Where will their change take us?
What we're doing now is part of a much, much bigger picture.
[man 1] These seven deadly sinners must be stopped.
[Cena] At SummerSlam, we end Nexus! [echoing]
[man 1] But what if they succeed?
Oh, if they succeed…
-[wind howling] -[music fades]
[whooshing]
[man 2] And now the 23rd annual WWE SummerSlam.
♪ Flashing your stash ain't nothing new ♪
♪ I'm gonna get you, my pretty Your little dog too ♪
♪ "Make me rich," your doctor said ♪
♪ And if you ever break down I'll cut you up again ♪
♪ Whoo! ♪
♪ Get on your feet, boy ♪
♪ Rip it up, rip it up If you're ever gonna make it ♪
♪ Get on your feet, girl… ♪
[Cole] The future direction of WWE is at stake tonight
as we welcome you to the 23rd annual SummerSlam.
You are looking live at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
We are sold out.
17,463 WWE fans here to witness "The Biggest Event of the Summer."
I'm Michael Cole, alongside the Hall of Famer Jerry "The King" Lawler,
and of course Matt Striker.
King, a big, big night.
The atmosphere is absolutely electric.
I mean, we're in store for a huge SuperSlam… or SummerSlam,
but I'm gonna tell you that I'm just looking for
an end to Nexus once and for all.
Well, the stars are out, and WWE is taking over Los Angeles.
Let's kick this off right.
Yeah, can't wait. Title match to start things tonight.
[bell rings]
The following contest is scheduled for one fall,
and it is for the Intercontinental Championship.
[cheering]
♪ I am perfection ♪
♪ Perfection… ♪
[Chimel] Making his way to the ring, from Hollywood, Florida,
weighing in at 223 lbs,
he is the Intercontinental Champion,
Dolph Ziggler!
[Cole] Yes, ladies and gentlemen, accompanied, of course,
by the consultant to SmackDown,
and I guess Dolph's girlfriend, Vickie Guerrero,
the new Intercontinental Champion, Dolph Ziggler,
and, Matt Striker, over on Friday Night SmackDown
a couple of weeks ago,
Vickie Guerrero very instrumental
in helping Dolph Ziggler win the championship from Kofi Kingston
[Striker] The lovely Vickie Guerrero has been instrumental in Dolph's rise.
Here you see the championship match.
Now watch here. Dolph's love for Vickie,
and this is beautiful
to see two people love each other the way that they do.
Kofi Kingston will take advantage and hit the Trouble in Paradise,
but, King, you take exception to what happens next. Why?
[Lawler] What do you mean? Look at this.
The referee is totally distracted. She keeps screaming "excuse me" there.
Kofi had this match won.
Now look at from behind, Dolph Ziggler,
and now, conveniently, Vickie exits the ring.
[Striker] Vickie never touched anyone, therefore no disqualification needed.
Congratulations, Dolph Ziggler,
the new Intercontinental Champion.
What a hug. That's just beautiful.
[Lawler] I would have hated to have to witness that victory celebration.
[inaudible]
This is mine forever!
[Guerrero] Excuse me!
-[Lawler] Oh. -[booing]
[Striker] It's like music to my ears.
I said, excuse me!
[booing]
[inaudible]
-Excuse me! -[booing]
[inaudible]
Excuse me!
♪ Come on… ♪
[Cole] Yeah, you're excused.
♪ SOS ♪
♪ I hear them shouting… ♪
[Lawler] Thank goodness.
♪ SOS… ♪
[Chimel] And the challenger, from Ghana, West Africa,
weighing in at 221 lbs,
Kofi Kingston!
[Cole] Matt, from what I understand,
Vickie and Dolph Ziggler had some big vacation plans, uh,
well, put on hold this past Friday night by General Manager Theodore Long.
[Striker] Yeah, Vickie and Dolph were set to go to Tahiti,
which would be beautiful. I would have loved to see the pictures.
Teddy Long came out and forced Dolph Ziggler into competition,
also forced Kofi Kingston into competition.
What's interesting about Kofi is there is a new intense, aggressive streak
in the former champion.
[Cole] Why don't you go to a couples resort with Dolph and Vickie?
[Striker] I would if I could find a girlfriend.
Vickie's hot. She looks like Joan Jett got stung by bees.
I'd love to go to Tahiti with Vickie.
[Cole] This is about the Intercontinental Championship
as we kick off SummerSlam,
ladies and gentlemen, being viewed all over the world
in places like the United Kingdom on Sky Box Office,
Australia, Italy, and Germany live tonight.
[Lawler] And for the first time ever, we're being seen in Malta.
How about that, huh? That's huge!
[Striker] Home of Baron Mikel Scicluna.
[Cole] Kofi Kingston, you mentioned his aggressive attitude.
Kofi wasting little time going after the Intercontinental Champion.
But remember, Kofi cannot be disqualified.
Title can only change hands via pinfall or submission.
[Lawler] Uh-oh. Watch… watch Vickie.
-Let's see if she… -[Striker] Keep your eyes on Kofi.
-[Lawler] Oh no! Oh no. -[Cole] Oh, nobody home!
And perhaps Kofi Kingston, King, let his emotions get the best of him
in the early going of this matchup.
[Striker] It looked as if Vickie pulled Dolph out of harm's way,
and that's the benefit
of having someone so vested in your interest at ringside.
[Cole] Dolph Ziggler winning the Intercontinental Championship,
his first major title.
[Lawler] Oh, you're right.
She's a regular lifesaver there.
[Cole] No, she's a cougar, according to Striker.
-[Lawler chuckles] -[Striker] And her necklace.
[Cole] And Kofi begging for the official to count,
perhaps count out Kofi Kingston,
and, well, it'd be in Dolph's nature to relish a… a count-out victory.
How do you think he handles it in the locker room
and people say, "You won because of your girlfriend"?
[Striker] No one says that. No one would dare say that to Dolph Ziggler's face.
[Cole] And Ziggler, now he's the one who's on the attack,
and a kick-out by Kofi at one.
[Lawler] Matt, if I pulled up at a restaurant here in LA
and Vickie came out to park my car, I'd eat somewhere else.
[Cole, chuckling] And look at Ziggler, again into the cover.
Hooks the leg on Kofi, who kicks out at two.
Dolph Ziggler had a great match this past Friday night on SmackDown
against the number one contender for the World Championship, Rey Mysterio.
Kofi also in a great match with the World Champion, Kane,
this past Friday night.
[crowd chanting] Kofi! Kofi! Kofi!
[Striker] What a difference a year makes for Dolph Ziggler.
Last year at this time, at this very event, in this very arena,
Dolph Ziggler was competing for the Intercontinental Championship.
One year later, Dolph Ziggler is at SummerSlam
as our Intercontinental Champion.
One!
Two!
Three! Four!
[Lawler] Yeah, nobody doubts the, uh, the athletic ability of Dolph Ziggler.
The guy's a fantastic Superstar.
I just, uh, I doubt his sanity
if he's dating Vickie Guerrero.
[Striker] King, you mean every girl you've dated has been a perfect ten?
[Cole] Guys. As Kofi tries…
[Lawler] Sometimes 11 or 12.
[Cole] …to get back into this matchup for the championship,
make no mistake about it. Ziggler's not an idiot.
He may be with Vickie because of her looks and because he actually likes her,
but he's also there to profit. And here's a cover by Dolph.
Hook of the leg, and a kick-out at two.
It's already allowed Dolph to win the Intercontinental Championship,
so he's made out like a bandit thus far.
[Striker] And it puts Kofi Kingston in a precarious position.
-It's essentially a two-on-one. -[Lawler] Wow.
[Cole] Quickly, Ziggler crawls to the cover. This time, both legs,
as he rolls up Kingston, and a kick-out at two.
Stacking Kofi there. Vickie looking on.
What do you say, Kofi?
[Cole] Don't you think it's a conflict of interest
that Vickie Guerrero happens to be
the consultant to the General Manager on SmackDown
and she's also dating the Intercontinental Champion?
[Striker] Okay, some would say yes,
but, I mean, there's no accounting for love.
You can't control who you fall in love with, Michael.
[Cole] What do you know about love? When's the last time you had a girlfriend?
High school, I think.
[Striker] I'm in love with the WWE.
[Cole] And look at Ziggler… [laughing]
[Lawler] I guess there's probably conflicts of interest everywhere.
Even here at this announce table, who knows.
[Cole] There could be too, right?
-As Ziggler looks to wear down… -[Lawler] Everywhere.
[Striker] We have been poking fun.
There's some levity, but what about Kofi Kingston
and this new aggression that Kofi brings?
Does that help or hinder Kofi, King, in your opinion?
[King] Well, you know, I'm waiting to see this new aggression
from Kofi here tonight. I'm quite frankly surprised. I…
[Cole] And look at Ziggler. Kofi had to kick out.
[Lawler] Dolph Ziggler so far, I'm not gonna say been dominating,
but he's had the upper hand most of this match.
Again, Ziggler into the cover. Forearm to the face,
and a kick-out. And remember, Dolph Ziggler,
a great amateur background.
One of the greatest, uh, stars in the history of Kent State University,
as he continues to wear down Kofi.
And to King's point, Matt, you know,
Kofi hasn't been able to get out of the blocks.
He has not been able to get that controlled frenzy going.
[Striker] And that shows you that Dolph truly sees
that Kofi is a threat to the championship,
constantly staying on his challenger.
What do you say, Kofi?
You wanna give it up?
[Cole] Looking to wear Kofi down and needs to get back to a vertical base.
Kingston went absolutely bonkers
the night that Vickie Guerrero helped Ziggler steal the championship.
And he has not let up since in trying to get back into this match.
[Striker] Again, I gotta call it to task.
It's not stealing. If it's in the record books,
Dolph Ziggler won the championship fair and square.
-[Lawler] Uh-oh. -[Cole] And Ziggler, nobody home.
And perhaps this is the opening that Kofi Kingston needs.
[Lawler] That might put a little damper on some of that momentum from Ziggler.
I actually saw a Dolph Ziggler sign in the audience a moment ago.
He's got some fans. There it is.
[Cole] And you saw Kofi, uh, to the neck area, Matt.
Anything from what happened Friday night on SmackDown
that could be affecting Kofi 48 hours later?
[Striker] Dolph Ziggler likes to employ the sleeper hold,
whereas Kofi likes to employ Trouble in Paradise,
so a weakened neck is certainly a detriment to both competitors.
[Cole] That's what Kane did this past Friday night.
Look at Kingston. Over the top, takes Ziggler down,
and here comes Kofi, unloading on Ziggler.
And again he cannot risk disqualification here,
'cause the title can't change hands.
[Lawler] It looks like Kofi just about to lose it there.
He was just flailing away at… at Dolph Ziggler.
Boom! Boom!
[Cole] And the Boom Drop by Kofi.
[Striker] We talk about Trouble in Paradise,
Kofi's patented side volley kick to the back of his opponent's head,
can come from out of nowhere.
[Cole] And Ziggler realizing that.
Notice how he crawled to the ropes to get out of harm's way.
Kingston, tremendous balance. Crossbody.
A roll-through by Ziggler! Hook of the leg, may have it here,
and a kick-out at two.
-[Lawler] That was close. -[Cole] What a great counter by Ziggler.
Now Kofi rolls up Ziggler.
Title on the line,
and a kick-out at two. Fast-paced action now. Ziggler…
[Striker] Making Kofi famous right there with the leg drop to the back of the head.
-[Lawler chuckles] -[Cole] And Ziggler…
[Lawler] Vickie so proud of her man.
[Cole] Can Kofi get out of this one…
And he kicks out at two.
[Striker] Think of the importance of the Intercontinental Championship.
Think of how many Hall of Famers have held this prestigious title,
and you understand what's at stake here.
[Cole] Both men trying to get back to their feet.
And Kingston caught Ziggler.
[Lawler] Kofi going up now.
-[Cole] Kingston… -[Lawler] It connects!
[Cole] The Intercontinental Champion in trouble.
Could this be the moment Kofi Kingston needs?
Boom!
Boom! Boom!
-[Lawler] Here we go. -[Cole] Trouble in Paradise.
Missed wildly. And the sleeper hold locked in.
Ziggler's patented sleeper hold.
Kingston in trouble.
Kingston could be fading.
Intercontinental Championship on the line.
[crowd booing]
Oh my God, look, look, look, look, look!
Look, it's Nexus! It's Nexus!
The Nexus seven!
Slater and Tarver and Gabriel and company.
They came from out of nowhere and attacked Ziggler and Kingston.
The Nexus with an ambush
in the middle of this Intercontinental title match.
[Lawler] This is absolutely, totally uncalled-for.
[Cole] Oh my God, and Kofi Kingston is surrounded.
[Lawler] Try to get out of there some way, Kofi.
[Cole] Kofi Kingston surrounded.
The Nexus licking their chops.
Kingston trying to fight his way out, and like a pack of feral dogs,
The Nexus attacking and assaulting Kingston.
This has become this group's MO for months and months.
And on a night where they wanna prove their dominance,
take control,
they're wasting little time
in marking their territory.
[Striker] Darren Young has Kofi hooked up.
This what Team WWE, led by John Cena, must endure later tonight.
[Nexus members shouting encouragement]
[Lawler] Oh no, not this.
[Cole] Wade Barrett,
Nexus leader by proxy.
Oof!
The complete dissection of Kofi Kingston.
[booing]
[Lawler] What point is this proving? What… what is this accomplishing?
A great match going on.
Now, that was just a little taster
of what we've got in store for Team WWE tonight.
[booing]
You see, Team WWE is currently searching for a seventh member.
But let's be honest. It isn't gonna make a shred of difference
to the end result tonight.
'Cause we are talking about a roster that is so divided,
so fragmented
with its own self-importance,
its own egos,
that they wouldn't be capable of getting together long enough
to sign a birthday card,
let alone form a cohesive unit
capable of fighting us.
[booing]
Now, The Nexus, on the other hand,
we are the most destructive force in the history of the WWE,
and there is a good reason for that.
[booing]
It's because we are united behind a common purpose.
We just wanna let the WWE and the rest of the world know
that you're either Nexus…
[booing]
…or you're against us.
[inaudible]
[Cole] Ladies and gentlemen, for these seven upstarts,
it could well be an historic night as we take you back to the closing moments
of the Intercontinental Championship match
when The Nexus, from out of nowhere,
ambushed Kingston and Ziggler.
[Lawler] I don't know if they're upstarts. They are in our main event here tonight,
but, you know, why come out here now and send a message for the main event?
They're already there.
Look at this. Total beatdown and destruction of Kofi Kingston.
[Striker] It's a pack of lions mentality.
Kofi's head bounces off the canvas.
And to answer your question, King, John Cena's watching.
The entire WWE roster is watching.
[Cole] It is a night of epic proportions.
A night, ladies and gentlemen, where the WWE could be changed forever.
Solidified, unified,
vilified.
The Nexus.
[cheering drowns out speech]
Did you see the chaos of what Nexus just did?
Did you see the beatdown they just gave those guys out there, huh?
It almost pains me to say this, but, Miz, but we need you on our team tonight.
You're the only guy on this roster with the talent and uniqueness you have.
You're the US Champion, and we need you tonight.
[crowd laughing]
Yeah, because, I mean, you're the Money in the Bank winner.
I get that. I can appreciate that if anybody can.
Tonight is not about cashing that in.
Tonight is about seizing the ultimate opportunity.
You know what I'm saying?
I mean, think about this, Miz.
If you accept our offer,
you could become a legend in this town.
I mean, Los Angeles, California.
-Hollywood! -Yeah.
-Home of the blockbuster. -Place to do it.
If you accept our offer tonight,
this could be the biggest blockbuster announcement in history.
-Bigger than Avatar. -Listen, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys.
I, uh, I appreciate you guys coming to me.
I appreciate that you need my help.
But I have a lot of things on my plate right now.
I'm not sure if I wanna make Nexus a priority.
But I'll let you know.
Think about it.
It'll be bigger than the Titanic.
[crowd laughing]
What do you think he's gonna do?
[Miz scoffs]
I think we got him.
[bell rings]
This contest, set for one fall,
is for the WWE Divas Championship!
[Alicia Fox's theme music playing]
[Lawler] Well, it looks to me like Miz is in.
-[Cole] I hope so. -[Lawler] I think they got him.
[Roberts] …she is the current WWE Divas Champion,
Alicia Fox!
[Cole] The Divas Champion out to prove her title reign is no fluke,
but, King, did she lose confidence losing to her opponent tonight, Melina,
in a non-title match this past Monday on Raw?
[Lawler] Well, I had an opportunity to speak to Alicia a little bit earlier.
She is full of confidence. She told me, assured me
that that was a total fluke, that she will not lose tonight.
[Cole] Cat got your tongue? You're laughing.
[Striker] I'm enjoying it.
[Melina's theme music playing]
[Roberts] And the challenger,
from Los Angeles, California,
Melina!
-[Cole] A very unique getup for Melina. -[Lawler] Wow!
[Cole] Paparazzi in tow,
she feels so at home right here in Hollywood.
[Lawler] This is a great photo op.
[Striker] Well, SummerSlam one of the biggest events of the year,
and why not?
Here in Hollywood, Melina making a huge, epic return.
Costumes galore, but once the bell rings,
I promise you, Melina will be focused.
[Cole] Now, this will be interesting. How's she gonna get in the ring?
[Striker] There you go. Okay.
Well, the Divas have been on display in SummerSlam
starting back in 1994
with Alundra Blayze and your favorite, King, Bull Nakano.
-[Cole laughing] -[Lawler] Oh.
Matt, did you not see the sign?
-[Striker] Which one? -[Lawler] "Memory Lane is closed."
-[Striker] Not for me. -[Lawler] Oh my goodness.
[Striker] It's about making memories at SummerSlam.
[Lawler] Not Bull Nakano.
[Cole] Well, for Melina, her victory over the champion, Alicia Fox,
in a non-title match on Monday
allowed Raw's General Manager to give Melina
a title opportunity here tonight at SummerSlam.
Remember, guys, Melina never lost that Divas Championship
back in January. She vacated the title due to injury
when she tore the ACL in her knee.
[Striker] It goes to show you the level of competition on Raw, you know.
Once a Diva is removed, Alicia Fox just rises through the ranks,
and right now if Melina wants to capture the Divas Championship,
she'll have to defeat
a very capable and formidable champion in Alicia Fox.
[Lawler] Enough about championships.
Let's talk about the interesting attire Melina is wearing.
-[Cole] Yes, uh, Pocahontas-like. -[Lawler] I mean…
Alicia Fox is stunning looking,
but almost bland in comparison to the entrance
and that outfit Melina's wearing tonight.
[Cole] Yeah, but Alicia has one piece of…
or one item on her outfit that, uh, Melina doesn't have,
and that's the Divas Championship.
[Striker] Tell me more! Okay.
[Cole] The matchup underway for the Divas title.
Alicia Fox, the young champion,
against one of the all-time greats.
She's held the Women's title and the Divas Championship,
only a handful of Divas to do that, and that is Melina.
[referee] Break clean, break clean.
[Lawler] I told you earlier that Alicia Fox…
Alicia impressed me as confident, but--
[Striker] Doesn't take much to impress you!
[Lawler] Not when it comes to the Divas. But look at the look on Melina's face.
She is totally confident as well.
[Striker] While Melina was rehabbing from her injury,
she was constantly watching Raw,
constantly seeing Alicia Fox wearing the Divas title. That's motivation.
[Cole] And Melina, she is so impressive.
Her first night on Monday Night Raw late last year,
she came aboard from SmackDown,
and she won the Divas Championship that night.
-Now Alicia Fox the current champion. -[Lawler] Whoa!
[Cole] Takedown on Melina.
[Striker] Melina's gonna try to employ a very unique, unpredictable offense,
where it looks like Alicia Fox will try to ground her challenger.
[Lawler] I don't know exactly what strategy she has in mind,
but Alicia assured me today, she said,
"When this match is over, there will be no doubt in anybody's mind
who is superior."
[Cole] Almost a smirk crossing Alicia's face
as she had Melina in that side headlock.
One! Two!
Three! Break clean, break clean. Come on, ladies.
[Cole] Again, the question is, despite the victory this past Monday,
does Melina have her legs?
Is she ready for in-ring action after an eight-month layoff?
[Lawler] She's got some legs, all right.
-Look out. -[Cole] Nice takedown.
-[Lawler] On the leg. -[Cole] Melina sliding through.
[Striker] Look at this!
[Lawler] Ow! Melina, you're never gonna get away--
-Wow! -[Cole] Yeah, she can't pull the hair.
She can't risk disqualification. Cannot win the championship that way.
Ooh!
[Lawler] Melina obviously out here to prove a point.
[referee issuing instructions]
-[cheering] -[Lawler] What?
[Cole] One thing about Melina, she always has unique offense.
Such a hard worker over her career.
Said this is her dream,
competing at SummerSlam in her hometown of Los Angeles.
[Lawler] You know, I believe Alicia's hurt.
You remember earlier when…
when Melina had Alicia by the hair and then she kicked her from behind?
Her f… Alicia's face went right into the mat.
She may have-- Whoa!
[Cole] And Melina capitalizing yet again. Face-first goes Alicia. And Melina…
Here's the cover, and a kick-out at two.
Alicia was out here crowing a couple of weeks ago
about how she's the greatest Diva ever,
she's knocked off everyone, nobody can challenge her,
and she forgot about one person, being Melina.
[Striker] Hang on. Right there.
That's the injury that took Melina away, the left knee.
Hold on.
[inaudible]
[Striker] I'd hate to see that be the case.
[Cole] It's up to the referee on whether or not Melina should continue.
[Striker] If I'm Alicia, I go right after it.
[Cole] She went after Melina's head.
She tried ducking under with the Matrix move, and
Alicia just caught a tiny bit of it.
[Lawler] Melina's gonna have to try to stay on the offense here--
-[Cole] That doesn't help. -[Lawler] Oh no.
She is definitely not 100% anymore.
[Cole] King, we've seen what Alicia can do
when she's in total control like she is now.
[Striker] Compassion goes out the window now, Alicia. Focus.
[Cole] Very vindictive individual.
[referee] Get in the ring.
[Striker] Take a look right here. Shoulder right into the steel ring post.
[Cole] Alicia looking to put Melina away.
[Striker] King, surprised Alicia hasn't gone after the knee?
Did she not notice the injury?
[Cole] How could she not notice it? She was staring at her.
[Striker] She had something wrong with her eye. It's possible.
[Melina screaming]
[Cole] Now she's turned her attention to the left arm and shoulder of Melina.
[Lawler] If that's that… if that's that injured knee of Melina,
Alicia probably realizes
that's not something that's gonna get better in the next few minutes.
I mean, that's gonna be, uh, you know, that's gonna affect her the entire match.
[Striker] Unless Alicia doesn't want any excuses.
She doesn't want anyone to say that she took advantage of an opponent.
[Lawler] And that could be. She told me earlier.
"There'll be no doubt who's superior after this match."
[Cole] She's cognizant of the fact
that many people believe her winning the Divas Championship was a fluke.
So every time she's out there, she's trying to prove it wasn't.
[Lawler] I don't think it was a fluke at all.
-[Cole] Not at all. -[Lawler] Look at this!
Melina looking to take the championship,
and a kick-out at two by the champion, Alicia.
[Lawler] You can tell the knee is bothering Melina. She's waiting back.
She's not… she's not as aggressive as she should be.
[Striker] Melina has a great deal of experience,
knows what it takes to win these types of matches.
[Melina screams]
-[Lawler] Uh-oh. -[cheering]
There's that primal scream.
[Cole] Now Melina…
And now Alicia's in trouble.
Melina measuring the champion.
Ooh!
Face-first. We could have a new champion right here at SummerSlam.
-Got her! -[Striker] Oh!
-[cheering] -[Lawler] Man!
[bell rings]
[Melina's theme music playing]
[Cole] What a victory for Melina here tonight.
[Roberts] …and new WWE Divas Champion,
Melina!
[Cole] And you notice how Melina adjusted.
She had injured the knee earlier.
Normally, she would use that Sunset Split to win the match.
She couldn't with the injured leg, but she won the championship nonetheless.
[Striker] Again, it's the experience. It's the determination.
-Right here… -[Lawler] Watch this move.
-[Striker] Bam! -[Lawler] Oh.
[Cole] And another look at how Alicia loses the Divas Championship to Melina.
[Lawler] Alicia's forehead bounced off that mat, and you know what?
To me, there is no mistake about who was superior in this match.
[Cole] An emotional night for Melina here in her hometown.
Ladies and gentlemen, the new Divas Champion,
Melina!
-[cheering] -[music fades]
Melina, it was nearly one year ago
that… that you had to vacate the Divas Championship.
Now here we are at SummerSlam, and once again, you're the Divas Champion.
How does it feel to win the championship--
[LayCool's theme music playing]
[Striker] That's Team LayCool from Friday Night SmackDown.
-Wow! -Wow!
[both] Wow!
What a moment, Melina.
I mean, you must be so proud of yourself.
And has anybody told you how good you look, Melina?
Because, girl, you look good.
[both] Not!
[both laughing]
I mean, we look good. We always look good. But then again, we are…
[both] Flawless!
You know, 'Chelle, we've run off every SmackDown Diva,
and tonight we had no competition.
Uh-uh.
So, Melina, we wanted to come out here
and share in your oh so special moment!
-You're welcome. You're welcome. -[Layla] So welcome.
Yeah! Yeah.
-[Layla] They love us, 'Chelle. -[McCool] I'm happy for you.
I'll just put this right here.
Right here. Yeah, that's good.
[Layla laughs] Well…
[both] Real talk!
Now, this, people, this is a moment you wanna capture.
You've got three champions in the ring. Count 'em.
[both] One, two, three!
-Woo! -And look at you.
You've got goosebumps all over.
Uh, 'Chelle, cellulite.
-I don't know what cellulite is. -It's gross.
-Anyway, google it. -Okay.
But I do have my phone. I've got my phone.
-So we've gotta Twitter this. -Picture time.
@realmelina, right? Get with her, Lay.
Come on, two champs together.
Yeah, yeah. Say cheese. Ready? One…
[Lawler] Uh-oh.
Oh, you don't like Layla, Melina?
You wanna take one with me? Let's take one together. Ready?
One…
[Lawler] Oh.
-[Cole] Oh, Melina… -[Lawler] Look at Melina!
-[Cole] Who can blame her? -[Striker] Maybe she doesn't have Twitter.
[Cole] Oh, LayCool spoiling her moment,
and Melina's had enough, the new Divas Champion.
[Lawler] Yeah, Tweet this.
[McCool] Get off!
[Lawler, chuckling] Melina…
Uh-oh, watch out here. Watch it!
[Cole] Oh!
[Lawler] Oh no.
[LayCool screeching]
[booing]
[Striker] This has been the MO of LayCool on Friday Night SmackDown,
the co-Women's Champions.
[Cole] Now Alicia…
[Lawler] LayCool's showing no favorites here.
[Layla] Get her! Get her, get her, get her, get her!
-Get her! Get her! -Get up, Melina!
♪ You're not enough for me ♪
♪ No, no, no… ♪
[Cole] What in the world?
-[Lawler] Watch it, watch it. -[Cole] Oh!
♪ Gotta open up your eyes and see ♪
[Cole] Well, you gotta admit, that'll look great at, you know, at TMZ
or Perez Hilton's website, that shot right there.
LayCool, Melina.
They are flawless.
[Lawler] Ref, get 'em out of here.
♪ That you're the type of man I like to call a spout ♪
♪ You turn off, turn on Hot, cold again ♪
♪ But please… ♪
[Lawler] I hate to see Divas leave, but in this case, good riddance.
♪ 'Cause I think you forgot This chick is mean ♪
♪ I never lost my touch I just gave it to you ♪
♪ But I woke up this morning With a different point of view ♪
♪ 'Cause I'm a woman, ha ha Those girls… ♪
♪ Get on your feet, boy… ♪
[Cole] Tonight, "The Biggest Event of the Summer"
is live in Los Angeles under the setting sun.
We are sold out.
17,463 WWE fans at the Staples Center,
and, of course, we're in Hollywood, which means, King,
celebrities abound at SummerSlam.
[Lawler] And look who we have at ringside. Trace Adkins!
Oh, he's my favorite!
I've even heard his new album. It's called Cowboy's Back in Town.
His brand-new single is "This Ain't No Love Song,"
and I love that honky-tonk, badonky-donk.
-[Cole] You like that, don't you? -[Lawler] Look!
[Striker] Speaking of laughter, there's Marlon Wayans
from the famous Wayans family.
Michael Clarke Duncan is here as well.
All the stars are out for SummerSlam.
[Cole] All the stars are out, and here at ringside is Matt Striker.
-Nonetheless… -Thank you!
-Nonetheless… -I was in a movie.
We just saw the Melina situation and… and LayCool.
You guys got a lot of issues over there on SmackDown.
Who will forget Rey Mysterio shaving the head of CM Punk?
Punk was so embarrassed over that situation,
he actually put a mask on to hide his embarrassment
over having his head shaved. Won't last too long though.
[Striker] The straight-edge mentality is what drives CM Punk.
But The Big Show, like King Kong, climbed the ladder,
and then the ultimate embarrassment here.
A bald head signifies weakness as far as CM Punk is concerned.
-[cheering] -[Lawler laughing]
[Lawler] What a chrome dome!
[Striker] But knowing CM Punk…
It looks like the cover of the movie Stepbrothers.
But knowing CM Punk, revenge would not be soon far off
from the ultimate humiliation
at the hands, no pun intended, of The Big Show.
[Lawler] Look at that big smile on Big Show's face.
[Cole] Yeah, but CM Punk wasn't gonna take that lying down.
The Straight Edge Society would get their revenge.
[Striker] The right hand is what Big Show uses
for the Knockout Punch and the chokeslam.
CM Punk seeking to break The Big Show's hand.
[The Big Show screaming]
And if this were not enough, Serena will enter the picture
with her big Gene Simmons boots on in a moment.
There she goes.
[Lawler] Oh! Oh man!
[Striker] Again, the knockout hand.
The doctors have told us severed tendons and cracked carpals.
You can feel around the bones in your hand.
Feel how tender they are. Imagine what it takes to break that hand,
especially the hand of a giant.
[bell rings]
[Chimel] The following contest is scheduled for one fall
and is a three-on-one handicap match.
[Straight Edge Society's theme music playing]
Making their way to the ring, being accompanied by Serena,
at a combined weight of 733 lbs,
Joseph Mercury, Luke Gallows, and CM Punk,
the Straight Edge Society!
[Cole] Now, Matt, you're closer to the situation than I am,
but it seems to me that, well,
the Straight Edge Society seem to be getting darker as of late,
at least the message that CM Punk has been delivering.
[Striker] CM Punk called the Straight Edge Society
a sin-free machine of self-discipline.
They promise to play an orchestra of virtue,
the maestro, CM Punk.
And notice the T-shirt. "I broke Big Show's hand."
That's an homage to the great Greg Valentine
after he broke Wahoo McDaniel's leg.
CM Punk is a historian as well as an evil, evil man.
[Cole] You think it's smart to be wearing that T-shirt out here
and, well, really poking the giant?
[Lawler] Uh, absolutely not.
And I think that he will live to regret it.
Maybe momentarily.
[Striker] This is a three-on-one handicap match.
It'll be Punk, Luke Gallows, and Joseph Mercury
all in the ring against the giant.
[as Randy Savage] Ooh yeah!
[music fades]
[Cole] CM Punk who, of course, last year was involved
in the main event of SummerSlam in a Tables, Ladders and Chairs match.
♪ Well, it's The Big Show… ♪
[Chimel] And standing seven feet tall,
weighing in at 485 lbs,
The Big Show!
[Cole] And, of course, The Big Show, as he makes his way to the ring,
still has his right hand heavily bandaged.
Notice the X as well on the right fist of The Big Show.
My question is, Matt, Friday night on SmackDown,
did The Big Show prove to you that that right hand is ready to go,
especially with the Knockout Punch?
[Striker] The Big Show had a three-on-one handicap match,
delivered a heavy right hand,
knocking out his opponent.
So, yes, the right hand is certainly a factor in this match,
but I can guarantee you that the Straight Edge Society
will look to stay away from the giant punch.
[Cole] But it's one thing
for The Big Show to beat up, uh, three local yokels on SmackDown
than to take on the Straight Edge Society,
as you just had a look at this huge crowd here tonight.
17,463 members of the WWE Universe on hand.
Sold out in the Staples Center for SummerSlam.
[Striker] King, you've been in the ring with some heavy hitters.
If a guy has a big right hand, do you circle to the left
and try to constantly stay away from that danger zone?
[Lawler] Well, I'll tell you what, you're right.
I've been in the ring, actually, with some professional boxers.
I fought Leon Spinks one time.
I tried to box myself,
but I started out with shadow-boxing and the shadow won.
So I gave up that. I try to avoid anybody that has a big right hand.
[Cole] So you… you're the one who knocked Spinks' teeth out?
-[Lawler] One of 'em. -[Cole chuckles]
[Striker] Wait, hang on. There you see our medical staff, the trainer.
Is he taking the tape off?
-[Cole] Well, if that's the case… -[Striker laughs]
[Striker] That means that the right hand is fully healed!
[Cole] Psychological blow to CM Punk and company.
Wait a second.
[Cole] Uh, it's time to regroup.
-[Lawler] I don't really like these odds. -[Striker] For whom?
[Lawler] I think Punk needs to add a couple more members to his team!
[Striker] As we look over the shoulder of Joseph Mercury,
we see CM Punk, big Luke Gallows in red,
the original "Sin-Free Soldier."
[Cole] "Sin-Free Soldier."
So he commits no sin, at all?
[Striker] It took you that long? Your powers of deduction are amazing.
[Cole] Serena did well on the program. She fell off the wagon after a few weeks.
[Striker] Hey, now. She had four adult beverages
and made a friend in the span of 45 minutes. That's my kind of girl.
[Cole] So this matchup underway. Joseph Mercury starting things off,
and Big Show immediately shows us the right hand's okay.
[Striker] The rules of the three-on-one handicap match, Michael?
[Cole] Everybody has to tag in and out on the Straight Edge Society side.
[Lawler] Ow!
[Striker] I think the hand's working okay.
[Lawler] Luke Gallows just got lit up.
[Cole] So what strategy would you employ, King,
if you were involved on the Straight Edge Society side?
[Lawler] Well, I would do exactly what we're seeing Punk doing here.
I would call for a little conference.
I would get us all on the same page, and I would…
I would stay back while I made the other two rush him.
That's what they're doing.
[Striker] You don't need to tag in. It's going to almost be tornado rules,
three-on-one.
[Cole] That was a change.
[Striker] Perhaps Punk lobbied for that change.
[Cole] Could well be. And Big Show…
Joseph Mercury in trouble!
Did you see how small Mercury's head was
in the hands of The Big Show?
Now, this is wise.
Joseph Mercury trying to pull 500 lbs out of the ring.
And he just pulled the head, Kobe Bryant-like,
in the Staples Center.
-And Big Show… -[Striker] And see ya, bye! Ooh, ooh!
[Cole] Now, King, the stage has been set.
The ring has been cleared.
Here comes CM Punk.
[Lawler] Mercury may be cleared for a while.
Did you see Mercury's head hit that wall?
CM Punk is on his own now.
[crowd chanting] CM Punk! CM Punk!
[inaudible]
[chanting continues]
Hey! Hey!
[Cole] Serena barking at Big Show,
and Big Show with a glancing right hand,
just over the top of Punk.
Punk ducking underneath it, and Big Show right back on the attack.
[Lawler] Oof!
Oh my…
[Striker] The giant is going to enjoy this.
CM Punk has been a thorn in the giant's side for about a month now.
[Lawler] It looks like The Big Show is not gonna wait
for CM Punk to get back in the ring.
[Striker] There you go. There you go!
[Cole] To the throat, and now goes on the attack on The Big Show.
Quickly moving the hand out of the way.
Sh!
[Cole] Oh, this is gonna be bad.
Oh! Bad hand, bad hand.
[Striker] Here we go. Now the Straight Edge Society will attack.
[Cole] Luke Gallows… and Punk,
and here, with the numbers game, catch up on The Big Show.
[Lawler] And every opportunity they get,
somebody goes to work on Big Show's big right hand.
[Cole] Oh, Big Show is down. The giant is down.
And the Straight Edge Society mauling The Big Show.
[Striker] It looks like CM Punk went back in the ring to distract the official.
[Lawler] Wow.
[Striker] It's a great strategy on the part of the Straight Edge Society.
[Lawler] Yeah, uh, I'm not looking on in, uh…
it's almost in awe. You know, I'm not disagreeing.
It's the type of match this is. You gotta take what you get.
[Striker] Here we go. Looks like Gulliver's Travels here.
[Cole] Completely targeting the injured hand,
as you see Punk stomp on it yet again.
[Lawler] They're gonna work on both hands.
[Striker] The Big Show has a boxing background.
[Cole] Think about the Superstars he's knocked out
over the years in the WWE.
Luke, splash him!
[Cole] And Punk
directing traffic.
[Striker] Big Luke Gallows, over 320 lbs.
[Lawler] If these guys can keep The Big Show grounded,
this match may not last much longer.
[Striker] Mercury is a submission specialist,
and CM Punk is the head of the snake.
[Cole] Now the Straight Edge Society totally dominating the giant.
They had to get Big Show off his feet. They did.
[Striker] Now, let me ask you this. Punk's maneuver, the GTS,
the GTS, involves picking his opponent up on his shoulders.
-Is that possible? -[Lawler] I don't think so.
[Cole] I don't think Punk's even thinking about that.
I just think he just wants to decimate and destroy The Big Show.
Remember how Big Show has completely embarrassed
and humiliated the entire Straight Edge Society.
He's made a joke of it in CM Punk's mind.
[Lawler] Big Show doing the best he can now though.
He's at least able to get back to his feet, but he…
[Cole] Yeah, but that may have done more harm than good.
[Striker] Straight Edge simply means that the society is better than you.
They live a better lifestyle.
-[Cole] And Big Show! -[Lawler] Pledge allegiance to that.
[Cole] Big Show exploding out of the corner,
and the 500-pounder just tossing people around.
[Lawler] Watch out, Joseph! [chuckles]
[Striker] Oof!
The giant on the move.
[Cole] Oh man!
-[yells] -[cheering]
He leveled Mercury and Gallows.
-And Punk in trouble. -[Lawler, laughing] Oh no!
-Ooh! -[Striker] Nice!
[Cole] Nice kick by Punk.
[Lawler] Wow. That was impressive.
[Cole] Yeah, stunning Big Show.
[roars]
Now CM Punk my have the upper hand. Three-time World Champion.
That patented knee to the jaw,
and CM Punk rolling again with yet another one.
[Lawler] You're right. That's almost a version of the Go to Sleep
when he hit…
[Cole] And a third, right to the jaw.
[Striker] Yeah, question if that knee pad is legal. Could something be in there?
-[Cole] And now-- Oh! -[Lawler] Wow!
[Cole] Double DDT,
and Big Show… Mercury into the cover.
There's two, and Big Show kicks out.
[Striker] He looked like Sky Low Low just being thrown off!
[Cole] He tossed Mercury completely out of the ring.
[yells]
[Cole] Oh!
CM Punk assaulting the giant.
[Striker] You almost have sympathy for the giant,
being beaten on by three men.
[Cole] This may not be good.
If Big Show can make it back to a vertical base…
CM Punk completely lifted in the air.
Mercury. Top rope.
-[Lawler] Eurgh! -[Cole] Caught by Big Show.
Here comes Luke Gallows.
And Gallows with a kick to the jaw.
And-- Oh!
[cheering]
[Lawler] Double clothesline from the giant, but…
Looked like CM Punk was dumped over that top rope
and into the waiting arms of Serena. Where's she taking him?
[Cole] Big Show looking to put Gallows and Mercury away.
[Lawler, chuckling] You're way up there, Joseph Gallows.
[Cole] Massive chokeslam.
Did Mercury meet Gallows.
The Straight Edge Society united,
but not how they'd like to be.
♪ Well, it's The Big Show… ♪
[Cole] And CM Punk, the leader, nowhere to be found.
CM Punk, great leader there, Matt.
[Striker] The straight edge sacrifice. CM Punk leaving his minions
to do his bidding.
[Cole] Bidding? He just sacrificed two of his men!
♪ Crank it up Turn on them lights… ♪
[Cole] I don't think it was sacrifice.
I just think CM Punk didn't want anything else to do with The Big Show,
period.
Big Show impressive at SummerSlam.
♪ But I promise you'll know It's The Big… ♪
[somber music playing]
Tonight, brother,
the vengeance which has eluded us for so long will finally be ours
when I defeat Rey Mysterio,
shut this casket lid,
and end his very existence!
[crowd booing]
What do you want?
Relax, big man.
I just came to say that this casket here
is far too large for a little fella like Rey Mysterio.
But it's the perfect size for Randy Orton.
So how about you let me borrow this for my championship matchup next?
Because just like St. Patrick drove the snakes out of Ireland,
I'm gonna drive "The Viper" out of the WWE.
No.
Well, that's too bad.
Because if you and I are on the same page together,
we'd be unstoppable.
I tell you what, you can keep your casket,
but I'll take your nickname.
Because people everywhere have been calling me "The Big Red Monster."
[crowd booing]
So if you lose your match tonight,
and you decide to go on those psychotic rampages,
from one champion… to another,
stay out of my way.
[chuckling]
I like you.
You've got guts.
Most of which will be spilled out all over the floor
if you ever interrupt me again.
[crowd cheering]
Wow.
It's time for Sheamus to refocus now, however,
because coming up next, ladies and gentlemen,
Sheamus is gonna defend the WWE Championship
against "The Viper" Randy Orton.
Man, this is a match tonight--
-Awesome! -[Cole] Wait a minute.
♪ I came to play ♪
♪ I came to play There's a price to pay… ♪
[Cole] Ladies and gentlemen, could this be it?
Could this be the moment of truth?
Will he or won't he?
Is The Miz gonna tell the world
whether he'll join Team WWE
and make it seven-on-seven versus The Nexus tonight?
[Striker] Or is The Miz gonna cash in the Money in the Bank contract
in that briefcase, good for a championship match at any time?
-[Cole] That's a great point. -[Lawler] Wait a minute. Wait a minute.
If Miz were gonna cash in, he wouldn't come out now
with no champion out here.
[Cole] All I can say is do it, Miz. Do it.
Do what's right for Team WWE.
He's the United States Champion. Mr. Money in the Bank.
[Lawler] Take my word for it. He's in.
♪ I came to play… ♪
[music fades]
[booing]
So I guess the question is,
should I join Team WWE or not?
Hmm.
It's a good question.
What do you think?
-Do you think-- -[booing]
Do you all think I should join Team WWE?
-[booing] -[Lawler] Yep.
Well, it's a good thing I could care less about what you people think.
-[Striker chuckles] -[booing]
Because the opinion in the locker room is that I'm the missing link.
I'm the missing puzzle piece.
I'm the missing link in the chain
that will lead Team WWE to victory.
You all saw it.
Last Monday night on Raw,
Bret Hart and John Cena both asked me
to be on Team WWE.
But what you didn't see is what happened earlier today
when I arrived at Staples Center.
John Cena came up to me,
and he admitted that he's been wrong about what he's been saying about The Miz.
John Cena got down on his knees
and begged me to be a part of Team WWE,
saying without me, they can't do it.
[booing]
John Cena literally said
I am the only Superstar that can see him.
Bret "The Hitman" Hart,
a Hall of Famer,
said I was the real "Excellence of Execution,"
that I am the best there is, was, and ever will be.
Chris Jericho gave me his band CD Fozzy.
And I graciously accepted it.
But then threw it in the trash.
My former tag team partner, John Morrison,
finally said he is the Jannetty of our former tag team.
And I am the Shawn Michaels,
only better.
-[Striker] Wow. -[booing]
Edge gave me a year's supply of Slim Jims.
R-Truth wrote me a crappy rap.
[crowd laughing]
As you can see,
everyone has admitted that they needed me on Team WWE,
except all… of… you.
[booing]
The WWE Universe needs to realize I am the fastest-rising star.
That I am WWE's new hope.
No, I am WWE's only hope!
[booing]
I am the future.
Look at me, people.
I am the future, this face.
I'm the United States Champion.
I'm a future WWE Champion.
You people need to realize that.
But I guess we need to get to the big decision.
What's it gonna be, Miz?
This decision is bigger than the Pepsi Challenge.
It's bigger than Arnold Schwarzenegger starring in Terminator 5.
It is bigger…
[laughs]
than LeBron James' spectacle on ESPN.
[booing]
Which will ultimately lead to the Lakers losing the NBA Championship.
-[booing] -[Striker laughs]
[inaudible]
Woo!
The question is…
am I going to join Team WWE?
[booing]
The answer
is…
[booing]
[Lawler] All right already. Come on!
…yes.
[Striker] Yes! Yes!
-[booing] -[Lawler] I told you.
I will join Team WWE,
and I will lead them to victory.
The WWE Universe will not be talking,
they will not be buzzing about The Nexus.
No.
They won't be looking up to their hero, John Cena.
No, you will be saying,
you will be admitting to what I have been saying all along.
That I'm The Miz…
[booing]
-…and I'm… -[crowd joining in]
No, no, no, no, no.
You don't get to do my catchphrase.
If any of you have anything to say to me,
you raise your hand!
[Lawler] They were saying "awful," not "awesome."
And you wait. You wait to be called upon.
Until then, I want absolute silence!
-[booing] -[Striker] Sh!
Because I'm The Miz,
and I'm
awesome!
[Cole] Absolute awesome news, ladies and gentlemen.
Team WWE now has seven men,
seven men to compete against The Nexus here tonight at SummerSlam.
And, ladies and gentlemen, Team WWE also has this.
They got a little bit of attitude, somebody who is not gonna back down.
Somebody with confidence, who's not afraid to--
[Lawler] Calm down, calm down.
[Cole] …who's not afraid to stand up to The Nexus here tonight.
After hearing that tirade, I'd almost rather lose the match without Miz
than win one with him. I don't know about this guy.
King, I gotta reach across and shake your hand.
You'e come out from behind the desk to defend the WWE flag.
It puts food on our table.
If a guy like The Miz wants to join Team WWE, we're all for it.
What impact will The Miz have? We'll find out later on tonight.
But coming up next,
the most coveted title in the history of sports entertainment is on the line.
[Lawler] There you see him, the WWE Champion, Sheamus.
He'll be putting the gold on the line against "The Viper" Randy Orton.
[chuckles] This is a long-awaited match,
and it's about to explode.
[electricity crackles]
[stirring music playing]
[Cole] The WWE's "Apex Predator,"
Randy Orton.
And Orton strikes with an RKO.
Triple threat matchup between Chris Jericho, Edge, and Randy Orton.
[Lawler] And the winner of this triple threat
will face the WWE Champion at SummerSlam.
Here comes "The Viper"!
[Cole] RKO!
Cover.
Randy Orton is heading to the main event at SummerSlam.
[Sheamus] The entire WWE Universe
was convinced that I was scared to get in the ring with Randy Orton.
Well, the truth is, I was scared.
I was scared of what I might do to him.
[dramatic music playing]
See, I hurt people,
and I've been hurting people since I set foot in the WWE.
[Lawler] I don't think I've seen anyone make as big an impact here in the WWE.
[Sheamus] In less than one year, I've ended careers,
I've dominated Raw,
and I became…
[Cole] …the first-ever Irish-born WWE Champion.
[Sheamus] Your hero, Triple H.
Well, I ended his career.
And the irony is, I'm gonna do the same to Randy Orton at SummerSlam. [echoing]
[Orton] I'm not Triple H.
But if you wanna redeem yourself for what you didn't do,
well, then all I gotta say is, do something about it.
[tense music playing]
[energetic rock music playing]
[cheering]
[Cole] Oh, and a big ax handle to the skull!
Oh, look out. Sheamus setting up Randy Orton
for the Brogue Kick,
and Orton…
And now "The Viper" is in control.
[Orton] Sheamus, I am gonna beat you at SummerSlam.
I am gonna beat you.
With an R…
K…
O.
[music fades]
[electricity crackling]
[bell rings]
[Roberts] This bout, set for one fall,
is for the WWE Championship!
♪ It's a shame for they Lost their head ♪
♪ A careles man who… ♪
[Cole] He is the first-ever Irish-born WWE Champion,
who has had a spectacular first year on Monday Night Raw,
highlighted by two WWE Championship reigns,
and, King, who will ever forget
that Sheamus took out "The King of Kings," Triple H,
and he may have cost Triple H his legendary career.
[Lawler] Well, we've talked about it many times on Raw.
This young has made a remarkable rise to the top,
maybe… maybe, uh, I don't know, unprecedented.
I don't know if there's been anybody in the history of this great company
that's risen to the top as quick as Sheamus.
[Cole] And, Matt, you had the opportunity in Sheamus' younger days
when he started out in ECW before moving to Raw,
what a maturation process for this young man.
[Striker] History has shown us
that the Irish are a very aggressive, fearless, combative people.
Sheamus is on his way
to perhaps becoming the biggest Irish-born star
in all of pop culture.
This is a man to be reckoned with, the WWE Champion.
[Lawler] You heard what he said earlier. He likened what he's gonna do tonight
to an Irish, uh, legend, St. Patrick, who drove the snakes out of Ireland.
-[Striker] Well, speaking of snakes… -[Lawler] "The Viper."
[male fan] You suck, Sheamus!
[crowd chanting] Randy! Randy! Randy!
♪ I hear voices in my head ♪
♪ They counsel me, they understand ♪
♪ They talk to me… ♪
[Cole] Randy Orton is in search of his seventh championship.
Remember, he won a triple threat match to get this opportunity here tonight.
Sheamus is yet to take his eyes off Orton,
and this is really important, King,
considering what Sheamus told us on Monday.
He came to the ring, and he was just so, so upset
over the fact that people thought that he was afraid of Randy Orton.
And he emphatically stated, "I am not afraid of Randy Orton,
and I am not responsible for my actions tonight."
[Lawler] Well, I, for one, believe him.
I don't believe that Sheamus is one bit afraid of Randy Orton.
But on the other hand,
I don't believe that "The Viper" is afraid or intimidated by Sheamus either.
That's what makes this matchup so great.
[Cole] Sheamus told Orton point-blank,
"I've worked for everything that I've achieved."
"I wasn't some nurtured child,
some third-generation Superstar like you are."
The fact of the matter is this.
Randy Orton has worked for everything he's achieved here in WWE.
[Striker] Since the first inception of SummerSlam in 1988
in New York City's Madison Square Garden,
the WWE Championship has been defended 18 times.
Eleven times we have seen a new champion.
If you're a betting man,
the percentages point to Randy Orton tonight.
[Cole] And Randy Orton has been in the main event of SummerSlam before.
Sheamus never has.
Will that be a factor with the championship on the line tonight?
♪ Politicans all are liars ♪
♪ I see darkness falling ♪
♪ I hear… ♪
[Cole] Massive WWE Universe looking on at the Staples Center.
♪ I see faith has fallen ♪
♪ I hear voices in my head ♪
♪ They counsel me, they understand… ♪
[music fades]
[Roberts] Introducing first, the challenger.
From St. Louis, Missouri,
weighing 245 lbs,
Randy Orton!
[cheering]
And his opponent, from Dublin, Ireland,
weighing 272 lbs,
he is the current WWE Champion,
"The Celtic Warrior" Sheamus!
[Cole] This match is about the most important championship
in the history of sports entertainment.
Sheamus, the champion. Orton, the challenger.
And let's remind everyone about the unique stipulations
placed on this match
by our General Manager this past Monday night.
For Sheamus, if there's any outside interference on his part,
that person who gets involved will be indefinitely suspended.
If Randy Orton loses, he goes to the back of the line.
He'll have no return match against Sheamus,
and why the stipulation for Sheamus, guys?
Well, remember, Sheamus won the WWE title
and then successfully defended it last month
because of interference by The Nexus.
So Sheamus and Orton start things off.
King, strategy first for the champion, Sheamus.
[Lawler] Well, you know, Sheamus is in the driver's seat here.
He doesn't have to win. He just gotta avoid being beaten.
But he wants to win. He wants to do what he said earlier.
He wants to drive "The Viper" right out of the WWE.
[Cole] Matt, strategy for the challenger, Orton.
[Striker] The three keys to victory for Orton will be patience,
will be a cunning wherewithal of the ring,
as well as timing.
Randy Orton is remorseless.
-He's like a-- -[yells]
He's like a crocodile, like an amphibian. He is cold-blooded.
[Cole] Randy Orton may have a psychological advantage as well.
He told Sheamus Monday night that, "You've never beaten me,
and you never will."
[referee] Let go, Randy. Let's go, break.
Let's go.
Let's go. Back out, back out.
[yells]
[Cole] A lot of posturing going on by the champion,
and now, well, he's gonna pay for that.
Randy Orton not gonna sit by and watch that go on.
[Lawler] Well, as I said,
I don't think Orton is one bit intimidated by the WWE Champion.
[Striker] Well, the challenger has a pronounced devious side,
a level of darkness that he can call upon
that will suit him very well in his quest for the championship.
[Lawler] You're right. We've seen Orton go that… that other place many times.
[Cole] And there may… there may not be a Superstar in WWE right now
that is as intimidating as Randy Orton is.
Oh!
And as physical as well.
[Striker] Hey, King, as a guy who's held more championships
than anyone in our great industry,
does the champion's 30 lb weight advantage benefit Sheamus in any way?
[Lawler] I think it does. I think it does. Just, uh…
I mean, it gives him that little extra power behind each punch
or each kick.
[Cole] Yeah, but Orton has power of his own though.
[Striker] Watch Sheamus' reaction right there.
-Sheamus knows that-- -[Cole] Cover. Cover.
Cover by the number one contender,
and a kick-out at two.
[Lawler] I'm not arguing with you guys.
Randy Orton looks like he's chiseled out of stone.
I don't think I've ever seen him look in better shape in his life.
[Cole] I don't think he's ever been this focused, King.
The last couple of weeks, he has just looked awesome.
-Whoa! And again physical. -[Lawler] Wow!
[Cole] So Orton has decided to play the physical game
with the bigger champion.
And there goes Sheamus!
[Striker] Let's talk about that Randy Orton brings.
He's got the punt kick to the head as well as the RKO,
whereas Sheamus has the Brogue Kick,
as well as that huge finishing maneuver, Michael.
[Cole] Yeah, the Irish Curse,
as Orton looks on. Now, remember, ladies and gentlemen,
the official is counting in the ring.
Randy Orton cannot win the championship via count-out or disqualification.
Sheamus has the championship advantage in that point.
[Striker] That's where Randy's hot-headedness is a detriment.
[Cole] This match has spilled out into the crowd. This is a…
Believe it or not, even though the champion's getting beaten up by Orton,
this is to his advantage. Sheamus is…
[Lawler] The referee is up to a count of six.
I don't know if Randy even hears him.
[Striker] No, Randy just looked at the official.
We talked about Randy's keys to victory,
one of them being patience.
[Cole] At the count of eight, Randy, how smart is this?
-[Lawler] He realizes. -[Cole] Champ back in the ring.
Now Randy Orton has the champion where he wants him
and can slow down the match to his pace.
[Striker] Now the patience.
Orton likes a methodical pace, as he stomps his opponent,
causing not only physical but psychological damage as well.
King, when you're laying there prone
and you know you're gonna get kicked in the skull, chest, and leg,
that's gotta be unbelievable.
[Lawler] I don't know right now if Sheamus knows
where the next, uh, shot is coming from. Sheamus is in a bad way.
I mean, he went through some serious punishment outside…
outside the ring, out…
[Cole] Here's the cover by Orton again. Hook of the leg,
and a kick-out by the champion,
as we take another look, King, at the Orton stomp.
[Lawler] As you would say, Michael, this is vintage Orton.
It's like a walk in the park for Randy Orton.
-[Cole] I was saving that. -[Lawler] Oh, I'm sorry.
[Striker] I'm sure you'd use it 100 times. Those stomps are great.
They're designed to hit every joint on your opponent's body,
and as the match wears on, the pain really begins to come through.
[Lawler] Oh man! Right to the side of the head.
[Cole] Orton loves the match at this pace.
[Orton grunts loudly]
-[Lawler] Uh-oh. -[Sheamus yells]
[Cole] Look at how he makes his opponent wait.
Wait for the pain. Wait for the misery!
[Lawler] He's making his opponent beg.
[Striker] Sheamus wise to roll to the floor there.
[Cole] Again, Orton will be back out on the assault.
Needs the champion in the ring.
But Sheamus, the wherewithal to try to take control.
[Lawler] Something about… We talked about the size of Sheamus.
-This guy is… -[Cole] Uh-oh, look out!
[Lawler] …unbelievably resilient.
The punishment he's taken thus far in this match from Randy Orton
would have beaten most.
[Cole] Orton back in the ring, breaks the count momentarily.
[Striker] Randy's heritage is well documented.
A third-generation Superstar.
Both his grandfather and father great Superstars.
Randy seemingly on his way to a Hall of Fame career.
A victory tonight makes Randy Orton one step closer to becoming legendary.
-[Lawler] Oh no. Whoa, look out! -[Cole] That may have changed it.
Randy Orton, who has had a history of shoulder, elbow, and arm problems,
and Sheamus focuses on that part of the body. Watch this.
[Striker] Reversal…
[Lawler] No, this was, uh, Sheamus being thrown into that.
But here's the reversal right here.
[Striker]
[Lawler] Yep.
Man!
That could be a difference maker in this match.
[Cole] Speaking of the difference and the advantage the champion has,
Sheamus can wait for a count-out.
-[Lawler] Sure. -[Cole] He has nothing to lose.
[Lawler] Something you don't like to see.
It looks as if that, uh, hand was almost, uh, useless there to Randy Orton.
[Cole] And this is where Sheamus becomes so dangerous.
The barbaric "Celtic Warrior."
[Striker] And if it is the right arm that's injured,
how does that affect Randy Orton's RKO?
[Lawler] I think it affects it big-time.
Randy's gotta try to buy some time here.
[Cole] Again, cover, this time by the champion.
Hooks the leg, and a kick-out by Orton at two.
Sheamus almost put him away.
[Lawler] That was like two and seven eighths.
[Striker] Orton struggling to lift it. Grabbed the rope.
-[Cole] Ooh! -[Striker] Short-arm clothesline.
-[booing] -[Cole] Six-six, 272 lbs.
Well-placed knee. Again, the cover.
Hook of the leg on Orton,
who powers his way out at two and a half again.
Notice how… Just a… a sharp contrast in styles.
Orton, who likes to take his time, slow the pace down.
Sheamus, very little wasted movement.
Right off the kick-out by Orton, Sheamus was right back on the attack.
[Lawler] Yeah, Sheamus is gonna punish Orton if he can here.
And a lot of punishment in a short amount of time.
[Cole] Went for the suplex.
You don't often see Sheamus do suplexes,
and Orton with a nice counter.
[Lawler] It may have taken something out of his…
his shoulder, Randy's right shoulder.
[Striker] And Sheamus…
Uh-oh.
[Cole] Randy Orton… Oh, we have seen this before.
Randy Orton targeting the champion.
[Lawler] Oh, you know what Orton wants here.
[Cole] Sheamus, though, great counter by Sheamus.
The champion knew it was coming,
and Sheamus was able to turn the table.
[Lawler] That's Sheamus looking down at Orton, saying, "I read your book."
[referee issues instructions]
I don't know about…
I don't know if I agree with the strategy here by Sheamus.
I would have waited till Orton took whatever count-out he was gonna get.
[Striker] Didn't Sheamus say he wants to prove to the world
that he's not afraid of Randy Orton?
[Cole] He said, "If you provoke me,
I'm not gonna be responsible for my actions."
[Striker] Ooh!
[Lawler] Man, he almost drove Randy Orton through that wall.
[Cole] A decisive victory over Randy Orton by Sheamus here tonight…
Oh!
…would answer a lot of questions by some critics out there.
[Lawler] Randy's eyes just rolled back into his head.
He's gonna be unconscious here.[Cole]
[Cole] Sheamus back into the ring, looks to put Orton away.
This time, he'll hook the leg yet again,
and Randy-- Oh!
[Striker] Are you noticing that it's more and more closer to a three-count
every single time? Randy Orton could be fading away.
[Lawler] That was just out of pure instinct
that somehow Randy kicked out of that.
[Cole] Sheamus is just physically wearing down Randy Orton,
and that's why the size difference you talked about's coming into play now.
[Lawler] Boy, he does look like a "Big Red Monster" now,
just waiting to attack.
[Cole] Stalking Orton.
[Lawler] Watch your back, Randy. Oh!
[Cole] And Sheamus connects to the skull.
This could be it. Hook of the leg again.
Will Orton fade away?
No, a kick-out at two and a half.
[Striker] How much of a part does frustration play?
Remember, Sheamus has never been in a main event at SummerSlam.
[Lawler] You're right about that, and we're seeing frustration here.
That's something you seldom see from Randy Orton.
He is so cool, calm, and collected, as if there's ice water in his veins,
but I have seen… I have seen Sheamus blow a gasket in the past.
[Cole] See just how Sheamus wrestles Orton down to the mat,
just powers him down.
[Striker] This is a submission hold, all the pressure on the shoulder.
Take a look at this Celtic Hammer, just designed with malintent.
[Cole] I see shades of Ivan Putski.
-[Striker] Hey! -[Cole] Polish Hammer.
Come on. Every once in a while, I throw in a historical reference.
[Striker laughs] You said "Putski."
[Cole] And look at Sheamus, as Orton makes it back to a vertical base.
Randy Orton, the challenger, trying to battle back into this match.
Oh, look at that! You don't often see something like that out of Sheamus.
Mostly physical, but that was a great drop toehold.
[Lawler] You gotta give credit where credit's due. Nice move.
[Striker] Look at the way Randy's head is just hanging.
Uh-oh.
[Cole] What in the ill intentions does Sheamus have planned?
-[yells] -Oof!
Cover again. Hook of the leg.
And Orton kicks out.
When you notice how every--
And again a pin by Sheamus, the champion,
and a kick-out.
Maybe the frustration is starting to set in.
[Striker] Every time you cover, you wear your opponent down,
because he has to throw 260 lbs off his body.
[Lawler] Another… another point where that weight advantage comes into play.
[Cole] Look at Randy Orton, trying to fight back into this thing.
Randy Orton…
And again runs into the Irish Hammer, as Matt has dubbed it.
-[Lawler] It was Celtic Hammer. -[Cole] Was that what it was?
[Striker] Hey, King to my defense! I love it!
-[Cole] I don't listen to you a lot. -[Striker] No one does.
[Lawler] Did you guys notice the look on "The Celtic Warrior"'s face?
Now he seems to really be… I mean, he's just enjoying this now.
[Cole] Well, every time Randy tries to build a little flurry…
Ask him!
[Cole] …Sheamus knocks him back down.
[Lawler] It's almost like Sheamus is in no hurry for this to end.
[Striker] King, every time you find yourself
back in these submission holds,
what does it do to your psyche as the match wears on?
[Lawler] Yeah, it definitely plays a part. You begin to…
And the worst thing that can happen to you,
you begin to have self-doubt.
You begin to wonder, "Hey, can I beat this guy?"
Or "Is this guy gonna beat me?" You know…
Sheamus has never beaten Orton.
[Cole] And Orton planted that seed. Perhaps it stuck in the mind of Sheamus.
-Orton… -[Lawler] Look at this.
[Cole] Great switch by Orton.
And this could be the opening that Orton needs.
Can he capitalize?
[Lawler] I think Orton just trying to buy himself a little R&R time here.
He needs to get his wits back about him.
[Cole] Champion down.
Challenger trying to pull himself back to his feet.
WWE Championship
up for grabs.
Nobody home. Orton almost suckered Sheamus in there.
And there is vintage Orton.
Orton into the cover. Champion down.
Randy… And I believe it was the inured shoulder.
But did you notice he could not quite hook the leg of Sheamus?
I don't care who you are.
You're not gonna pin a man Sheamus' size if you can't hook his leg.
[Lawler] Fortunately for Randy Orton, I don't…
I don't think Sheamus realizes how possibly bad Orton's shoulder is.
[Cole] Almost hanging there like a lame wing.
[booing]
[cheering]
[booing]
[cheering]
-[booing] -[cheering]
[booing]
[cheering]
[Cole] Oh, uppercut!
[Lawler] Both these guys throwing bombs. Look out!
[Cole] And Randy Orton
is about to transform.
About to kick it into a higher gear!
Scoop slam by Orton.
[grunts]
A malignant growth of momentum for Randy Orton
as he tries to wrestle away the WWE title from Sheamus.
-[Lawler] Oh! -[Cole] Oh, shoulder-first!
[Lawler] Now we got both of these warriors with shoulder problems.
Ooh!
Did Sheamus' head go into that unexposed turnbuckle?
[Striker] Uh-oh.
[Cole] This could be bad news for the champion.
Randy Orton… Sheamus looking to go to the top rope.
Randy Orton looking to fire off a superplex, and he does.
Randy Orton, can he capitalize?
Can he roll? Can he crawl to the cover?
He does. Hook of the leg. New champion!
No, Sheamus kicks out at two.
The icy eyes of Orton
emotionless,
despite the fact he almost won the championship.
[Lawler] Giving it everything he had.
He was able to hook that leg of…
of Sheamus, but still Sheamus able to kick out.
This guy's so strong.
Oh!
Sheamus set too soon for that backdrop.
[Cole] Uh-oh. Orton in trouble.
Oh, what a backbreaker!
What a vicious backbreaker.
Sheamus, this may be just a matter of a three-count.
Hooks the leg and the arm. Orton still powers out.
[Lawler] Man, what a match!
[Striker] On a night when the wellbeing of the WWE
hangs in jeopardy, you can see the importance of being WWE Champion.
[booing]
[Cole] Now Sheamus…
just waiting for the moment…
[yells angrily]
…to slay "The Viper."
Nobody home! Went for the Brogue Kick. Sheamus went for the Brogue Kick.
And champion…
the champion, Sheamus, got all caught up in the top rope
and tumbled out of the ring as he completely missed.
[Lawler] Oh man.
You can add a leg injury to the woes of Sheamus after that.
Four!
Five!
[Cole] Look at Randy Orton just waiting.
Six!
[Lawler] Orton's not about to let him be counted out.
[Cole] Uh-oh. Randy Orton…
The WWE's "Apex Predator" is on the hunt.
[Lawler] Oh man.
[Cole] There it is, King. There's that transformation,
that metamorphosis.
[Lawler] There's Randy Orton going to that dark and dangerous place.
[Cole] Going for the RKO,
and he hits it! Randy Orton…
Oh, Sheamus, I think, countered!
Sheamus countered! He countered the RKO!
Hook of the leg…
And Orton kicks out!
What a counter by Sheamus.
From our angle, it looked like he hit the RKO.
[Striker] Look at that face.
[Lawler] I think Sheamus, as I said earlier,
he read his book. Sheamus was waiting on this.
[Striker] He pushes Randy off. Randy hits the back of his head.
One more time, Sheamus' power comes into play.
[Cole] From that angle there, you couldn't see
that Sheamus pushed Orton off the RKO.
[Lawler] But what you could see was the look of concern on Sheamus' face
when he didn't get that three-count.
[Striker] How liberating for Sheamus that he knows he can counter the RKO.
-[Lawler] That's huge. -[Cole] Uh-oh. And Sheamus…
looking to… to put Randy Orton away
with the Irish Curse.
[Lawler] This is it.
Nobody survives th-- Whoa!
-Randy Orton! -[Cole] Orton went for the RKO again.
Brogue Kick!
[Lawler] Oh my God.
[Cole] The Brogue Kick.
Sheamus into the cover.
Hook of the leg.
-And he got it. No! -[Lawler] What?!
What?!
I can't believe it either, Sheamus. How did…
how did Randy Orton survive that?
[Cole] Sheamus has thrown the Irish Curse backbreaker,
the Brogue Kick, and he here goes for the High Cross.
-But Randy Orton… -[Lawler] Watch this. Oh!
[Cole] Runs right into the Brogue Kick.
What a match here at SummerSlam.
[Lawler] I think that…
Uh… uh, what in the world does Sheamus have to do here?
Sheamus has never beaten Orton. Maybe he can't beat Orton.
But maybe Orton can beat Sheamus. What…
[booing]
[inaudible]
Do not bring that chair into the ring.
[Lawler] Oh, the referee just…
[Sheamus] Get off it!
-Let go of the chair! Let go! -Get off it! Get off!
-[Lawler] Whoa! -[Cole] Oh God.
-Ring the bell! -[bell rings]
-[Cole] That's a shame. -[booing]
[Striker] Look at that. Sheamus realizes he escapes with a gift.
[Cole] Yeah, with a disqualification.
Randy Orton cannot win the championship on a disqualification.
[Lawler] Man, Sheamus just literally
threw the referee… well, the referee holding on to that chair,
but just threw the referee out of the… onto the floor on his head.
[Cole] The story here now is the health of Randy Orton.
[Striker] It wasn't intentional, but I understand the referee's decision.
But now Randy Orton is in grave danger.
Get up!
[Lawler] Maybe that wasn't intentional,
but I think what Sheamus has in mind now will be intentional.
[Striker] Sheamus already bent one of those sharp edges.
Could have Randy Orton's name on it.
[Cole] Oh, Orton ducks underneath.
-[Lawler] Ooh! -[Cole] Randy Orton…
[Striker] That may have been Randy's only recourse.
[Cole] Ah, it's frustration on the part of Orton.
He wanted to win the WWE Championship here tonight, and it didn't happen
'cause of the disqualification of the champion, Sheamus.
[cheering]
[chair clatters]
[Lawler] Randy Orton with some evil intentions.
He dropped the chair, but…
-[Cole] Oh boy. -[cheering]
[Lawler] Randy, what-- Randy, come on!
[Cole] Randy Orton has completely…
lost it, ladies and gentlemen.
If you could see "The Viper"'s eyes here at ringside…
[Lawler] We better get out of the way. Whoa!
Randy Orton…
What on earth?
Orton is seething.
[Striker] Randy Orton is the antihero with malintent.
-Come on, Randy! -Randy's irate.
What on earth?
[cheering]
Look at the smile.
Look at that sinister smile.
-[Lawler] Look out! -[Cole] RKO on the table!
[cheering]
[yells angrily]
♪ I hear voices in my head ♪
♪ They counsel me… ♪
[Roberts] The winner of this match, as a result of a disqualification,
Randy Orton!
[Lawler] Well, Randy Orton has won this match, but
he did not win the WWE Championship.
Sheamus…
[Lawler sighs]
I think Sheamus is unconscious…
right here at the foot of our table.
But Sheamus is still…
Sheamus is still the champion, but I don't think Randy's done with him.
♪ I see heroes dying ♪
♪ I taste blood that's drying ♪
♪ I feel… ♪
[Lawler] Now, what a battle.
What a war.
♪ I hear voices in my head ♪
♪ They counsel me, they… ♪
Somebody needs to… somebody needs to get some help for Sheamus here.
♪ They talk to me ♪
♪ They tell me things that I will do ♪
♪ They show me things… ♪
[Striker] You can see here the beginning of Sheamus' frustration.
After going for his coup de grâce, Randy goes for the RKO.
King, I thought this was it.
[Lawler] And so did Sheamus.
And watch this as…
as Orton was somehow able to kick out,
Sheamus lost it. I mean…
[chuckles] It was unbelievable.
Sheamus then went for the chair.
[Striker] Again, this isn't intentional.
But again, the official knew that the match was gonna get out of control
with the chair, causing the disqualification.
And then speaking of out of control, what happens next?
[Lawler] RK-Ohhh!
On our table.
And R…
Randy Orton, after delivering this RKO,
standing tall in the ring. Sheamus still…
still lying here motionless.
♪ They counsel me, they understand ♪
♪ They talk to me ♪
We're gonna need a trainer or some help out here for Sheamus.
♪ They tell me things that I will do ♪
♪ They show me things I'll do to you ♪
♪ They talk to me ♪
♪ Talk to me, talk to me ♪
-♪ Talk to me… ♪ -[Lawler chuckles]
Well, Sheamus
still doesn't have a victory over "The Viper,"
but somehow Sheamus still has the WWE Championship.
[music fades]
[Roberts] Ladies and gentlemen, still your WWE Champion,
"The Celtic Warrior" Sheamus!
[booing]
Take it easy. Good job.
Cone!
[crowd chanting]
[exhales deeply]
[grunts]
[Lawler] Ooh.
♪ Get on your feet… ♪
[Cole] Look who's here tonight. Devon Graye, the actor from "Legendary,"
which, of course, is in theaters September 10.
So many stars here in Hollywood tonight,
and we're just trying to regroup here at ringside, ladies and gentlemen,
after what just happened moments ago.
An RKO by Randy Orton on this table,
irate over the fact that Sheamus was disqualified
with the championship on the line.
What a battle. That was as good a match as you're ever gonna witness,
and, uh, unfortunately, Randy Orton just…
You can't say he came up short, but he came up empty-handed.
Great night here tonight as you are listening to the theme song,
of course, of SummerSlam.
[Lawler] Yeah, we wanna say thanks to Jet for "Rip It Up."
It's the official SummerSlam theme.
It's off the album Shine On, which is available now on iTunes.
Be sure to check out Jet's latest album.
It's called Shaka Rock, and it's available right now.
[Cole] And, ladies and gentlemen, up next, the World Heavyweight Championship.
[Striker] Rey Mysterio has accused Kane.
Kane has accused Rey Mysterio.
Who attacked The Undertaker?
Who will walk away from SummerSlam as the new World Champion?
Caskets and accusations abound.
[whooshing]
[dramatic music playing]
[Kane] I made history.
[Lawler] He's got it!
Yes!
[Kane] I won the Money in the Bank contract.
That very same night,
I cashed in the Money in the Bank contract
to become the new World Heavyweight Champion.
But I didn't do it for myself.
I did it for my brother.
[funeral bell tolls]
I brought the World title back to the dark side.
But my brother's assailant is still at large,
and I will not rest
until I find the culprit.
I will not rest
until I find the one who put my brother in a vegetative state.
Hell will reign supreme
when the World Heavyweight Champion
achieves his vengeance!
[music fades]
[eerie music playing]
[Striker] Someone attacked The Undertaker over Memorial Day weekend.
Everyone is guilty until proven innocent
in the eyes of "Big Red Justice," Kane.
For 60 days and 60 nights,
I have sat at my brother's bedside,
waiting, as he suffered silently.
The unthinkable happened.
My brother moved,
and he could manage to utter only two words.
Those two words was the name of his assailant.
The man who attacked my brother is…
-[funeral bell tolls] -…Rey Mysterio!
[funeral bell tolls]
This time, defeating you will not be enough.
This time, I will make you pay.
I am going to open this casket
and stuff you in.
I did not have anything to do with attacking The Undertaker.
And now he's threatening to put me in a casket
after our match at SummerSlam?
Caskets were made for the dead.
[dramatic music playing]
[Kane] As you gasp for air, Rey,
your fate will be sealed
over what you did to my brother.
[Mysterio] It wasn't me
who took out The Undertaker.
[music intensifies]
It was you, Kane!
It was you! [echoing]
[Kane in demonic voice] No, it wasn't me.
I didn't do it. [echoing]
I love my brother.
[music builds to crescendo]
[music fades]
[bell rings]
[Chimel] The following contest is scheduled for one fall,
and it is for the World Heavyweight Championship!
[cheering]
♪ Booyakka, booyakka ♪
♪ 61, 619 ♪
♪ Booyakka, booyakka ♪
♪ That's my, that's my pueblo ♪
♪ Booyakka, booyakka, 618, hey ♪
♪ Booyakka, booyakka That's my pueblo ♪
♪ Booyakka, booyakka, 619, hey ♪
♪ Booyakka, booyakka, Rey Mysterio ♪
♪ Booyakka, booyakka, 619, hey… ♪
[Striker] Well, Rey Mysterio has been called an underdog,
but not spiritually, not emotionally.
Merely a physical underdog,
but I ask you this question.
Has Rey Mysterio ever faced an opponent smaller than he is?
One of the most sterling careers in WWE history
has been built upon beating men bigger than himself,
and that's what Rey Mysterio seeks to do tonight for the World Championship.
[Cole] Ladies and gentlemen, I'm gonna go on record.
I've been thinking a lot about this,
and I'm gonna say that I believe Rey Mysterio could have done it.
That he could have attacked The Undertaker.
And I think it's plausible.
-Now, I don't know how. -[Striker] Okay.
[Cole] But I do believe Rey Mysterio could have done it.
[Lawler] But, Michael, come on!
[Cole] What if he had help?
[Lawler] What about a motive? Give me motive.
[Cole] What do you mean? He takes The Undertaker out.
It puts him into a battle royal
for an opportunity to qualify for The Undertaker's spot
in the fatal 4-way match at the Fatal 4-Way pay-per-view.
Mysterio wins. Now he's in that spot, and he becomes World Champion, King.
[Lawler] I don't think Rey's mind worked like that.
It may be plausible, but…
[Striker] I will side with King here for a change.
This is not… Rey Mysterio's career has been built on honesty
and dedication and doing the right thing.
That's not something that one would say is indicative of Rey Mysterio.
[Cole] But in order to win the World Heavyweight Championship,
with all the prestige and the money and the pride
and the glory that comes with that…
that comes with that, Rey Mysterio,
who only got to taste that once in his career,
to try to get there a second time,
maybe he believed he had to do something like this,
had to put himself in this spot, in this opportunity.
[Striker] And Kane did say that when The Undertaker was revived
for a short moment,
he uttered the words "Rey Mysterio."
Was The Undertaker trying to complete a sentence?
Was there more to it?
'Cause Undertaker lapsed back into unconsciousness.
[Lawler] Well, I'm just gonna say,
plausible, yes,
but I still don't think Rey Mysterio does this for money.
[Striker] Whoa, boy!
[Lawler] The money or the prestige.
[Kane's theme music playing]
[Cole] And remember, the casket has become symbolic
of this World Heavyweight Championship match,
because Kane has vowed
to put Mysterio in that casket here tonight,
I guess sort of as a…
as a symbol to his brother, The Undertaker.
[Striker] Well, the casket represents loss.
It represents finality.
And let's not forget,
Rey Mysterio has gone on record to say that he is semi-claustrophobic.
He doesn't like being in enclosed places. He doesn't like gasping for air.
Rey celebrates life,
whereas "The Big Red Demon" Kane celebrates the netherworld.
[Lawler] I can't imagine anyone liking to be in an enclosed place,
much less a coffin.
[Cole] And this is psychological in nature as well for the champion,
King, because Mysterio,
we've learned over the past few weeks
that he gets a little creepy when he's around caskets.
So Mysterio, who's trying to focus on the match,
you can see an example there,
trying to focus on the championship also has in the back of his mind
that there's a casket at ringside.
[Striker] Kane and Undertaker are brothers.
They grow up in a mortuary where their parents worked
before the fire burned down the mortuary and they lost their family,
so both Kane and The Undertaker are almost comfortable around the macabre,
comfortable around the eerie.
[Cole] I wanna know how all this rumor, all these accusations
are gonna come into play tonight at SummerSlam
with the World title on the line.
[music fades]
[Lawler] Rey looks like he's scared to death.
Introducing first, the challenger. From San Diego, California,
weighing in at 175 lbs,
Rey Mysterio!
[cheering]
And weighing in at 323 lbs,
he is the World Heavyweight Champion,
Kane!
[booing]
[Cole] Well, this is about the World Heavyweight Championship,
and WWE fans are watching worldwide live tonight
in places like Spain,
all throughout the Middle East, Africa,
and Mexico
as Rey Mysterio looks to try to take away the World title from Kane.
[Lawler] And let's not forget our Armed Forces Network,
watching this great match all over the world.
[Striker] I… Michael, keys to victory for the challenger.
[Cole] Well, I believe Rey Mysterio's just gotta,
you know, juke and jive. He's gotta stay away from Kane.
He's gotta, uh, use his quickness,
and he's gotta, uh, to try to catch Kane. That's the only chance he has.
He's not gonna be able to physically engage Kane.
What does Kane have to do?
[Striker] I was gonna go to King and flip the coin.
King, keys to victory for the champion.
[Lawler] Well, I wanted to add something to--
-Oh. -[Cole] Look at this.
[Lawler] I wanted to add something to a key to victory for Rey Mysterio.
If he indeed is innocent,
as he claims to be, of any involvement in this,
that is gonna be an extra incentive for Rey.
[Cole] And Kane, though,
believes he has a lot to prove to his fallen brother.
He really has taken up that cause and would like to punish Mysterio
for what Kane calls his indiscretions.
And there's Mysterio. Knocked the big man down to size,
the 323 lb Kane.
Mysterio went for the 619.
Rolled through and Kane with a kick to the gut.
[Lawler] Oh goodness!
[Cole] Mysterio landing on his feet, but that's just an example
of what Kane can do.
[inaudible]
Look at Mysterio baiting Kane.
[crowd laughing]
You think you're funny, Rey?
[referee] One!
[Lawler] You know, this may be…
You heard the old expression
"whistling as you walk through a graveyard"?
This… Rey may be just trying to, uh…
I'm not saying that's humorous.
Wow.
[Cole] In the early going, Mysterio surprising, perhaps, some folks,
as he's… taking the lead here.
[Striker] The speed and the agility of Rey Mysterio
getting into the mind of his larger opponent.
[Cole] Rey Mysterio…
-[Striker] Uh-oh. -[Cole] Uh-oh. Well…
And look at Mysterio go.
[Striker] Guys, this is speed versus power.
The unpredictable offense of Rey Mysterio
versus the power and masochistic ways…
[Cole] Just like that. A perfect example of what you were talking about.
[Striker] And now watch. The pace is gonna get almost scary.
It's gonna be stalking. It's like Jason Voorhees
and Angus Scrimm and all these great Hollywood villains
and… and attackers that we've come to know and love, like Kane.
[Lawler] I'll tell you, I think Kane is gonna…
I don't think… I don't know if Kane is gonna be able to slow this match down
to the pace that you were talking about there.
[Cole] He may after damaging Rey's back and following it up there.
-[Lawler] Oh my goodness. -[Striker] Take a look.
[Lawler] That's what I'm talking about. Kane is gonna have to be more speedy
with moves like that.
[Cole] Yeah, but if you take Mysterio's back out of the equation,
the man can't move. He's not gonna be able to fly around the ring.
He's not gonna be quick enough to counter Kane.
[Striker] Kane enjoys dissection. He enjoys breaking down the body,
and then ultimately breaking down the mind.
[Cole] Ooh! The demented look on Kane's face moments ago.
It's almost like he is enjoying punishing Mysterio.
[Lawler] That's his normal look. He looks that way all the time.
[Cole] I try not to get close enough to him.
[Lawler] Watch this baseball-type slide.
Oh!
And just squashing poor Rey in that…
between those huge feet of Kane and that steel ring post.
[Striker] Let's not lose sight.
Kane firmly believes he is in the ring
with the man that assaulted his only friend,
his brother, The Undertaker.
[Cole] Oh man!
[Striker] Oof!
[Lawler] Unless… unless, Matt…
-[Striker] Yes? -[Lawler] …Rey is right.
Then Kane knows for real,
for the truth who assaulted The Undertaker.
[Striker] So if Kane is guilty,
ultimately he wants to silence Rey Mysterio forever.
If Kane is innocent, he wants justice.
[Cole] Kane quickly into the ring.
Looks to put Mysterio away. Hooks the inside leg,
and Mysterio manages to somehow kick out.
Kane, the World Champion, well documented moments ago how he won,
cashing in Money in the Bank last month. Quickest to ever do that.
[Striker] Ooh man!
[Cole] That is a whip.
[Lawler] Yeah, and if Kane can sustain this type of offense for…
[Cole] Cover again by Kane. Inside leg…
[Lawler] It's not gonna take that much longer.
I mean, he will wear the much smaller Rey Mysterio down
and just have him at his mercy.
[Striker] Again, who's gonna forget the look on Rey's face
when Kane came down to cash in the Money in the Bank contract last month?
It was heartbreak. It was fear. It was so much emotion.
[Cole] The bottom line is, Kane did what he had to do.
[Striker] Yes.
[Cole] Cashing in Money in the Bank and the guaranteed title opportunity
is all about taking advantage of an opportunity.
[Striker] The World Championship has been defended seven times at SummerSlam.
Four times the title has changed hands,
so again, play your percentages.
[Lawler] Rey really gotta reach down here to just… Oh yeah, nice, right in that ear.
[Cole] Both these men two-time champions.
-Vicious bear hugs -[Lawler] Once again locked on by Kane.
This takes so much out of Rey.
[Cole] And the focus of the attack is on the lower back of Mysterio,
which Kane damaged in numerous ways early on in the match.
[Cole] Matt, we talk a lot about the heart, the soul, the guts of Mysterio,
but with everything that's happened over the past few weeks
and how it's all snowballed against Mysterio,
hard to deny.
[Striker] Again, arguably the greatest manager to walk the earth
has said, "The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."
That could very well be the case with Rey Mysterio.
[Cole] And Mysterio with a counter.
Trying to somehow switch the momentum.
[Lawler] His speed is catching Kane off guard.
Oh! Hey!
[Cole] Uh-oh, 619 position.
Mysterio, if he connects here, he's got a chance--
And what a clothesline!
-[Lawler] Mm. -[Striker] Mm-mm.
[Cole] Kane off the thunderous clothesline.
Shoulders down,
and a kick-out by Mysterio.
[Striker] Guys, it looks like Rey might be clutching his right knee.
[Lawler] Watch this clothesline you talked about.
Ooh, Rey just flattened.
Oh no! Face-first.
Rey not able to
turn that into one of those rolling maneuvers to save himself.
Took the full impact of that floor.
[Striker] Let's not forget how the World Championship
is affected by a count-out or disqualification.
[Cole] Well, if Kane is… I should say Mysterio is counted out,
then Kane will retain the World Championship.
[Striker] The World Championship is the holy grail to Kane.
[Cole] Count of six, and Mysterio just crawling to the ring.
[Striker] Kane knows Rey's not gonna go away.
[Cole] But he almost shook his head. "Why are you doing this to yourself, Rey?"
Rey trying to fight back,
and just… again, just viciousness.
[Lawler] Oh boy.
Kane coming outside.
[Cole] Mysterio has really suffered since almost the beginning of this match.
Kane has not allowed Mysterio any offense,
and Mysterio…
Oh, the drop toehold. Trying to garner a little bit here.
[referee] Three!
Kane, inside.
Four!
[Lawler] Kane ate the top of that, uh, wall there.
[Cole] Mysterio knows he's gotta go high.
He's gotta pick up the pace.
[Lawler] This is what Rey has to do.
[Cole] Mysterio… Using his head as a battering ram off the top rope.
Cover. Has he stunned Kane enough?
No, Kane kicked out.
[Striker] Rey Mysterio's lucha libre-ness coming into play.
Unique offense. Take a look at this.
[Lawler] You're right, Michael. This is a stunning move. Whoa!
Head and body as a battering ram, but--
[Cole] Mysterio trying to pick up the pace a little bit,
and again Kane slows it down, goes to the injured back.
[Lawler] Boy oh boy.
[Cole] Cover by the champion. Hook of the leg,
and… Kane continues to wear down Mysterio,
and it may just be a matter of time
before this one's over.
[Striker] Rey just hasn't been able to get out of the blocks.
[Lawler] He's hit some good moves, but…
[Cole] Ooh! Again, just…
[Lawler] I think it's just that size and weight difference.
[Striker] One of the keys to victory was Rey's speed,
and Kane very wise to neutralize that.
[Lawler] He has nullified the speed.
Ask him, ref!
Mysterio, you wanna quit?
Give it up, Rey! I'll make you hurt worse.
[Cole] Complete distress to the back of Mysterio.
Quit, Rey! Quit!
[Cole] Poor Rey, look at him.
Fighting for survival.
[Lawler] Kane imploring Rey to quit or he'll make it worse.
[Cole] Mysterio's not gonna quit. I can guarantee you that.
-Oh! -[Lawler] Well, maybe now.
[Cole] He may not be able to walk out of here.
Hook of the leg,
and Mysterio again spins out.
The pace has favored Kane since the beginning.
[Lawler] This is not… this is not, uh…
[Cole] Well, this huge WWE Universe crowd here at the Staples Center
is just on the edge of their seat.
They're waiting for Mysterio to drum something up.
[Striker] There's also an uncomfortable hush.
[Cole] Oh, went for the hurricanrana,
and Mysterio knee-first.
So not only the back, now the knee.
Talk about taking speed
and the high-flying ability out of the equation.
[Striker] It's the dissection…
[Cole] Oh, nobody home. It's Kane this time who misses.
But can Mysterio somehow capitalize?
You mentioned the knee earlier on Kane, Matt.
-Oh, what a counter! -[Lawler] Beautiful!
[Cole] Mysterio, this could be it. This could be it.
Two-count and a kick-out.
A kick-out at two and a half by the World Champion.
[Striker] Beautiful tilt-a-whirl modified Slop Drop,
and this could be the opportunity that Rey Mysterio needs.
[Cole] And that's what, you know, is so dangerous about Rey.
-So quick. He can win at any time. -[Lawler] Matt, you mentioned this.
-It's almost like an uncomfortable hush… -[Striker] Yeah.
[Lawler] …from our fans here, but, I mean, Rey…
[Striker] Speaking of uncomfortable.
[Cole] Rey didn't wanna be anywhere near that casket,
and perhaps he tossed his fear aside for a moment
to put himself on offensive position.
[Striker] How fitting that the casket is red.
[Cole] Seated senton from the top rope.
Mysterio starting to pick up the pace a little bit.
But he's caught again by Kane.
[Lawler] Caught in midair and--
[Striker] Oh!
[Cole] Tilt-a-whirl DDT!
Mysterio, for the World title. Did he get it here?
And Kane powers out.
[Striker] You can sense the desperation. Rey keeps going for covers.
He wants to win this match, wants to win the World Championship.
[Cole] Kane trying to make it back to his feet.
This time, leg drop to the back of the head.
Dropping the Dime by Rey. Here's the cover.
And Kane…
Did he kick out? Yes, he did at two.
Come on, Rey!
Rey, come on. Get off of him.
[Cole] Mysterio's gotta be careful.
-Oh! -[Lawler] Whoa!
[Cole] What a kick. This could be it again. Mysterio…
And Kane kicks out.
[Lawler] Boy, Mysterio just got up like, "I've had enough of you, Kane,"
and just kicked Kane in the side of the head.
I thought that'd do it.
[Cole] Yeah, but Rey was so physically abused earlier on,
he's having a hard time getting the momentum going.
-Going to the top rope again. -[Lawler] High risk.
[Cole] Mysterio… Oh, and a big right hand.
And Kane looks to put Mysterio away. Hook of the leg. Two-count…
And again Mysterio fights out.
[Lawler] Boy, this has gotta be frustrating for Kane.
What's he thinking here?
[Striker] See, that's the psychological advantage.
Look at how peaceful and serene it looks inside there.
[Lawler] No.
-[Cole] Kane… -[Lawler] We know where Rey's headed.
[Cole] Exactly.
And Rey Mysterio in trouble. Went for the chokeslam, did Kane.
Mysterio… And Kane face-to-face with the casket.
-[Lawler] Is he gonna hit a 619? -[Cole] Oh no, Rey was caught.
Mysterio caught as he went for the 619.
And Mysterio in the casket! Mysterio's in the casket!
Has to fight his way out. Can he do it?
[Striker] But how will Rey react? There, close it.
You don't even wanna think about that thing again.
[Cole] And Rey Mysterio trying to keep Kane off-balance now,
and he does that. Now Rey goes for the 619 on the other side,
and again Kane…
[Lawler] This monster can't be stopped.
[Cole] Intercepts Mysterio,
who counters again.
For a third time, 619!
[Striker] Boom!
[Cole] Mysterio, can he do it?
Can Mysterio win a third world title?
And Kane countered. No, he didn't!
Mysterio, shoulders down. He got him! He got him!
No. Had him stacked up, and Kane kicked out.
[Striker] Wow, back and forth!
[crowd groans]
There you go. Slow this pace down, Kane.
[Cole] That may be it for the rally. It's been snuffed out by Kane.
-[Lawler] Oh no! -[Cole] And a chokeslam with authority.
Kane into the cover.
Hook of the leg…
And Kane retains the World Championship.
[Kane's theme music playing]
[Chimel] Here is your winner,
and still the World Heavyweight Champion,
Kane!
[Striker] Some vindication, some justice.
Does this mean that Rey Mysterio is guilty, King?
[Lawler] Not in my mind. Look at this move by Rey Mysterio.
He kept trying to hit the 619,
finally successful.
I thought that was it.
But somehow this "Big Red Monster" lives on
and… put Rey down with a huge boot.
[Cole] Yeah, the problem was, Rey Mysterio never recovered
from the back injuries early on in the matchup,
and that was the last straw,
the massive chokeslam,
as Kane physically dominates Mysterio
to retain the World title.
-Rey. -[music fades]
I told you that you were going to pay
for what you did to my brother.
And you will pay.
You will pay with eternal suffering
as hell consumes your soul
and you are surrounded evermore by darkness
within
the casket.
[Lawler] Oh, come on. This is enough.
[Striker] This is what Kane vowed to do.
[Cole] Look at Rey trying to fight back out of this.
[Lawler] That's out of desperation.
[Kane yelling furiously]
[Cole] Uh-oh.
-[Lawler] Oh, not another… -[Cole] And another one.
[Lawler] Oh, come on. That's enough!
Kane just trying to absolutely destroy Rey.
-[Cole] Tombstone piledriver. -[Striker] Symbolic Tombstone.
[Lawler] No doubt--
-[crowd roars] -[Striker] Whoa!
-[Cole] The Undertaker! -[funeral bell tolls]
[cheering continues]
[Striker] "The Deadman" is back!
[Lawler] What the…?
[cheering continues]
[inaudible]
[Kane drowned out by cheering]
He destroyed you.
[Mysterio] It wasn't me, Taker. I swear.
Have you ever heard
an eye for an eye?
[coughs, wheezes]
And a tooth for a tooth?
Before…
before I make things right…
why?
Why'd you do it, Rey?
Taker, I swear I didn't. I swear.
-Uh-huh. -It wasn't me.
Let me prove it to you.
You know, Rey.
I would never do it to you, Taker.
I swear.
On the thing I most love in life.
I believe you.
[cheering]
[crowd roars]
No, it was him. No! No!
[Cole] Undertaker with Kane!
-[Striker] Guilty as charged! -[Lawler] His own brother!
[booing]
[Lawler] My God.
[inaudible]
Kane is overpowering The Undertaker here.
[Striker] The Undertaker's been in a vegetative state for two months.
-[Cole] No! No! -[Lawler] No!
[Cole] Tombstone to his own brother!
[Striker] "The Brothers of Destruction"
are no more.
[booing]
[Kane's theme music playing]
[inaudible]
[Lawler] That "Big Red Monster"…
has destroyed his own brother.
[Cole] So everything Rey Mysterio was saying was…
was the truth?
[inaudible]
[Lawler] Look at that face of evil.
[Striker] Well, am I my brother's keeper, or is the holy grail more important?
[Cole] Well, I think that's been obviously answered.
[Lawler] Well, I think one question was answered.
We know, I believe, who did that originally to The Undertaker.
It was that man, but why?
[Striker] There's your reason why. The World Championship.
[laughing wickedly]
What type of revenge, if any, will The Undertaker have in store
on Friday Night SmackDown?
[music fades]
[Cole] Well, of course, this is the 23rd annual SummerSlam,
"The Biggest Event of the Summer."
And we are just in the middle part of an amazing week in Los Angeles.
Remember, Monday Night Raw is here tomorrow night,
and all weekend long, the excitement that is SummerSlam Axxess.
[MVP] We're doing a day here in LA. WWE and the WWE Universe
have taken over Los Angeles.
You've got all of your favorite Superstars hanging out at fan access.
You just dream of stuff like this, and here it is, live and in person.
[boy] People was lined up all around the block.
At least you have to tell me I'm kinda awesome.
I don't care! [teases]
We're making Axxess flawless.
I traveled from the East Coast to the West Coast just for this.
There is no way I was gonna miss meeting Randy Orton.
We're here today with WWE to engage in a day of service
to help beautify the neighborhood
and do what we can to say to this community, "We care."
So happy to participate in an event like this. They support us.
It's only fair that we come back out and support them.
["Rip It Up" playing]
[all] SummerSlam, we love you!
[cheering]
Myself and Layla have come to a library here in LA,
and we interacted with several kids and talked to them about reading.
Right there it is.
We just wanna encourage the kids to read.
Aw, he's like a vole.
Lincoln Heights Branch library has never seen this many people, ever.
[man] Lights, camera, action. We're here to tear the roof off.
[Orton] We're here to help raise awareness for MDA.
Make a muscle.
Make a difference.
I just met Big Show, and, wow, that was so cool for me.
Jermaine Dupri's DJing tonight. I just wanna dance.
I just wanna go on and have a good time.
The energy is just buzzing. The whole weekend, it's been that way,
and that's what SummerSlam is all about.
♪ Rip it up, rip it up ♪
♪ Rip it up, rip it up, rip it up… ♪
WWE's taking over LA, huh?
-[music fades] -[male fan] What's up, Randy?
[Cole] Up next, the match that could change the entire future
of World Wrestling Entertainment.
A seven-on-seven elimination tag match,
as Team WWE looks to stop these men, Nexus.
[ominous music playing]
[Barrett] You're either Nexus…
or you're against us. [echoing]
[music builds]
[music fades]
[Cole] Look at The Nexus! Like a pack of dogs.
[dramatic music playing]
[Barrett] You're either Nexus
or you're against us.
[Cena] You sealed your fate, 'cause guess what?
[tense music playing]
I got me some help.
I've quietly been forming a team.
A team that will take down The Nexus at SummerSlam.
[Lawler] What?!
[Cole] Bret "The Hitman" Hart!
Cena's recruited Bret!
[inaudible]
And here comes Cena's army!
And The Nexus retreating!
[Lawler] Look at this super team!
[Cole] It's a level playing field.
[Cena] At SummerSlam, The Nexus is history!
[music fades]
[ominous music playing]
[Barrett] You see, The Nexus,
we've always been 100% behind a common purpose.
But Cena's team,
the cracks are already starting to show.
[Cole] The Nexus has gotta be loving this.
[Lawler] This team is imploding.
[Barrett] And those cracks are caused by their own individual egos
and agendas.
[Edge] I don't respect John Cena.
I don't have any faith in The Great Khali.
I quit!
[Jericho] Nexus isn't the only threat to this company.
There's another threat.
And his name is John Cena.
[Lawler] Jericho just quit.
[Barrett] Come SummerSlam,
those cracks are gonna destroy the very foundation of that team.
Wade Barrett, you and me tonight!
-[Cole] Oof! -[Lawler] Hey!
[Barrett] Come on!
[Cole] Team WWE finds itself now with just four members.
[music fades]
For the first time ever, John Cena teams with Hall of Famer Bret Hart
versus Chris Jericho and Edge
with the seven members of Nexus lumberjacks at ringside.
[Lawler] And look at the number Nexus does on Cena
and not even attempting to throw him back in yet
until they do some serious damage.
[Cole] It's all about ego, King, for Jericho and Edge,
as they send Cena over-- No, it's Jericho!
Jericho now.
[Lawler] Looks like Jericho's getting a free pass here.
[Cole] Oh, nobody home. John Cena…
And look at this. There goes Wade Barrett.
And Cena, he picked his spot.
And there goes Barrett.
Barrett knocked down by Jericho.
And now Jericho the victim of this assault by Nexus,
seven-on-one.
And Edge trying to get involved, and Nexus turning on Edge here.
[Barrett] You see, The Nexus,
we've always been 100% behind a common purpose.
But Cena's team?
The cracks are already starting to show.
[Cole] Morrison and Truth.
[Lawler] Four-on-seven is a little better, but still not good.
[Barrett] And those cracks are caused by their own individual egos…
[Cena] You gotta realize the only way we have a chance against Nexus
is seven-on-seven.
[music fades]
[tense music building]
When it comes down to The Nexus,
we're all in this together.
[dramatic music playing]
At SummerSlam, The Nexus is history!
[music fades]
[bell rings]
Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest
is a seven-on-seven elimination match!
♪ We walk alone ♪
♪ In the unknown ♪
♪ We live to win another victory… ♪
Introducing the participants, first, The Nexus.
[Cole] Well, as has been their MO since their assault on WWE months ago,
Nexus enters as one.
As you see on the stage, from left to right,
it's Darren Young and Heath Slater, David Otunga, Wade Barrett,
Skip Sheffield, Justin Gabriel,
Michael Tarver.
This blind faith a driving force in this takeover bid.
Absolutely no dissent, King,
because they believe in this.
Nexus believes in what they're doing.
[Lawler] Oh, without a doubt.
This is cohesive…
Uh, "group" is not a strong enough word.
This is a cohesive unit that thinks as one and acts as one,
and that's what makes it so dangerous.
[Cole] Wade Barrett, earlier tonight
as they attacked Kofi Kingston and Dolph Ziggler,
called them "the most destructive force in WWE history."
You see Michel Tarver on the end,
Justin Gabriel next to him.
There's David "A-List" Otunga.
Wade Barrett, the leader of Nexus.
Skip Sheffield, the powerhouse.
Heath Slater, part of Nexus as well,
and on the end, Darren Young.
The Nexus seven, hellbent on domination of the WWE.
[music fades]
[cheering]
[John Cena's theme music playing]
♪ Krrrr, Amadou! ♪
[Roberts] And their opponents, first, from West Newbury, Massachusetts,
weighing 240 lbs,
John Cena!
[Lawler] Well, this huge,
and I mean huge, crowd here in Los Angeles
on their feet as John Cena prepares to lead Team WWE
into battle against The Nexus.
[Cole] And John Cena has been the one constant in all this.
He's been the man constantly attacked by Nexus,
and he's been the man who has constantly tried to keep Team WWE together
for this momentous match here tonight.
♪ Plus I keep it on lock Like I'm part of the jail ♪
♪ I'm smarter than stale competition ♪
♪ I got the whole block wishing… ♪
[Lawler] Well, we know the old saying "there's strength in numbers."
Nexus number seven.
[Edge's theme music playing]
[Roberts] From Toronto, Ontario, Canada,
weighing 241 lbs,
he is "The Rated-R Superstar,"
Edge!
[Cole] Well, here's the man who quit Team WWE,
but rejoined last week,
more for self-preservation than anything else.
A reluctant member of Team WWE.
[Striker] SummerSlam has a special place in Edge's heart.
His first pay-per-view appearance was at a SummerSlam.
His first ever Tables, Ladders and Chairs match
was at a SummerSlam.
[Lawler] You know, two weeks ago, I would have said
Edge was reluctant to be here,
but now I believe. Just looking at Edge, I believe his heart's in it.
♪ Whassup? ♪
♪ Stand up and say whassup… ♪
[Roberts] From Charlotte, North Carolina,
weighing 235 lbs,
R-Truth!
[Cole] R-Truth told us a couple of weeks ago
that we've gotta do this, because it's about our family.
It's about our friends. It's about our livelihood.
It's about the entire WWE Universe.
[Lawler] And he's right.
[Striker] Each of these Superstars have an allegiance to the WWE.
R-Truth was here before as K-Kwik,
got another opportunity to come back as R-Truth.
♪ Break down the walls ♪
♪ For those about to rock ♪
♪ I'm what you want ♪
♪ Baby, you know you're Judas… ♪
[Roberts] From Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, weighing 226 lbs,
Chris Jericho!
[Cole] What's interesting about this, folks,
is that Chris Jericho,
he was the pro for that man, Wade Barrett, on NXT season one.
He knows all about Barrett.
And let's not forget R-Truth, who we saw moments ago.
He was the pro for Nexus member David Otunga in season one,
so you got a couple of guys who know the guys on Nexus.
[Lawler] This makes this battle all the more personal.
[music fades]
[Cole] Pretty formidable team right there.
[John Morrison's theme music playing]
[Roberts] From Los Angeles, California,
weighing 224 lbs,
John Morrison!
[Striker] What about John Morrison, who got his start on Tough Enough?
He has been WWE since day one.
John Morrison and R-Truth,
for a moment, were the only cohesive unit.
But now Team WWE stands united.
♪ I'm coming for you… ♪
[Lawler] I'm liking the looks of Team WWE more and more every minute.
[Bret Hart's theme music playing]
[crowd roars]
[Roberts] From Calgary, Alberta, Canada,
weighing 235 lbs,
WWE Hall of Famer
Bret "The Hitman" Hart!
[Cole] Well, really the man who's the heart and soul of this team.
And let's not forget what Nexus did to Bret Hart
when he was General Manager.
They attacked him in a limousine. They ran the man over.
They threw him in a limousine and banged the limousine around.
They almost cost Bret Hart his entire career.
[Lawler] It was horrible. It was like a demolition derby.
They meant to hurt Bret and hurt him bad.
Awesome!
[Cole] Yes, the man I believe is gonna be the key to Team WWE.
[Cena] Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa,
hold it. Hold up.
Wait. Wait a second.
Miz,
I got news for you. You're way, way, way too late.
[cheering]
We realized how important this match is to WWE,
and we couldn't rely on somebody
who was gonna make their decision the day of SummerSlam.
So we all have gone out and found a seventh member of Team WWE.
[cheering]
[Lawler] You gotta be kidding me.
It's not you.
As a matter of fact, it's somebody that hates The Nexus
just as much as all of us.
The seventh member of Team WWE is Daniel Bryan.
[Striker] What?!
[Lawler] Daniel Bryan?
[Cole] You gotta be kidding me!
[Daniel Bryan's theme music playing]
-[Cole] This is-- -[Lawler] Daniel Bryan!
[Cole] This is ridiculous. This is a huge mistake.
Daniel Bryan was The Miz's rookie in NXT,
and now he's part of Team WWE.
-Here we go! -[Striker] Here we go!
"The American Dragon" has arrived at SummerSlam!
[Cole] And The Nexus being tossed around.
Team WWE trying to gain the upper hand in the early going,
and we haven't even gotten started officially!
[Lawler] Has the bell even rung for this?
[Striker] No one knows The Nexus better, arguably, than Daniel Bryan.
[Sheffield yelling angrily]
[Lawler] I don't think this is officially underway yet.
[Cole] No, it isn't. Daniel Bryan. How can you trust the guy?
He was with Nexus when they first started assaulting the WWE.
[Striker] But Daniel Bryan showed remorse in the beginning.
[Cole] Come on, that's what they said.
He could be a plant for Nexus, for all you know.
[Striker] This is true.
Daniel Bryan has been around the world.
[Cole] Yeah, I don't care where he's been.
You replace The Miz, the United States Champion,
Mr. Money in the Bank, with this goof?
[Striker] Hang on. The Nexus is getting themselves together.
They're coming.
What is he doing there? What is he doing back?
[inaudible discussion]
[Lawler] Nexus trying to decide who's gonna start this match.
You gotta remember, this is an elimination match.
You get pinned, you submit, you gotta get out of here.
Gotta head back to the locker room.
[Cole] You're counted out or disqualified, you head back to the locker room as well.
The last team standing will win this matchup.
So look who's gonna start things off, it seems, ladies and gentlemen,
for Team WWE.
Daniel Bryan, the ten-year veteran of the minor leagues,
who's wrestled, apparently, on multiple continents around the world.
And Daniel Bryan and Darren Young start things off
in this huge elimination tag team matchup, and again, this is a huge mistake.
Huge mistake to replace The Miz with this guy.
[Striker] Daniel Bryan and Darren Young in the main event at SummerSlam.
Welcome, gentlemen. You've arrived to the big time.
[Lawler] Man!
[Lawler] Michael, you gotta realize, you heard what John Cena said.
They could not wait till today, the day of SummerSlam,
to have… to decide whether…
whether Miz was gonna decide to be in the team.
[Cole] There's the quickness of Bryan. Guillotine.
Guillotine applied here to Darren Young.
[Striker] Daniel Bryan was trained by Shawn Michaels--
[Cole] The gogoplata crossface! He's got it in.
This is his submission hold.
-And… he taps out! -[Striker] Whoa!
[Cole] Daniel Bryan has made Young tap out,
and for the first time, Nexus is behind in the numbers game.
[Lawler] This is huge. This is huge!
[Striker] The training of Shawn Michaels and William Regal evident in Daniel Bryan.
[Cole] And now it's Justin Gabriel to try his fare.
Bryan makes the first tag of the matchup to Chris Jericho.
Nexus facing adversity for the very first time here in WWE.
[Lawler] I cannot stress just how important
the fact that Nexus is on the short end of the numbers game,
how big this is.
[Cole] Chris Jericho takes it to Justin Gabriel.
Chris Jericho, six-time World Champion, nine-time Intercontinental Champion.
A man who reluctantly joined the team,
and now will tag in R-Truth.
[Striker] It seems that everyone on the WWE team is on the same page.
You know in athletics, you know in business
that unity… Teams that are together will always overachieve.
[Cole] Matt, I agree, but we're only a minute into this match.
Let's see how things break down as we move along.
R-Truth. Nice split by R-Truth.
-[Striker] Ooh! -[Lawler] Wow!
-[Cole] Catches Justin Gabriel. -[R-Truth] Whassup?!
[Striker] It was Justin Gabriel's 450 splash
that took out Mr. McMahon.
Suplex stunner!
-[Lawler] That's it! -[Cole] R-Truth hooks the leg.
Gabriel kicks out.
Nexus was almost in a deep, deep hole.
And you realize the
angst on the faces of the member of Nexus who remain.
[Striker] Guys, personal agendas aside, the pride in the company and the business,
all the sweat, all the people that sacrificed before us,
that's what's going on in this match right now.
[Cole] But great move by Gabriel, the 223-pounder from South Africa.
Justin Gabriel, tag made, and here comes Michael Tarver.
Tarver is one mean dude.
250 lbs.
He's aggressive. He's mean.
And he can throw a wicked right and left hand.
-Hey, come on! Two! Hey, hey! -[Striker] This is an elimination match.
How many different ways can you be eliminated, Michael?
[Cole] Pinfall, count-out, disqualification, and submission.
We saw the submission earlier when Darren Young went down.
Seven-six right now for Team WWE.
Huh?
[Lawler] Did that change your mind about Bryan Danielson?
[Cole] Not at all. I think it's a huge mistake.
It's a huge mistake.
[Striker] Daniel Bryan is a huge surprise here tonight.
[Cole] It's Daniel Bryan, King, as Tarver misses with the big right hand.
[Lawler] How easy I forget.
[Cole] And look at this. Morrison catches Tarver with a kick to the jaw.
And John Morrison trying to eliminate another member of Nexus.
[Lawler] I think Daniel Bryan… I think it's a great move.
I really do. He's solely responsible for the WWE being up one.
[Cole] It may… It was awesome--
Oh, what a kick by Morrison to Tarver.
-And John Morrison… -[cheering]
-[Lawler] Oh boy. -[Cole] Look at this.
-Awesome! -[Striker] Oh!
[Lawler] Cover, cover!
[Cole] Hook of the leg…
-Got him! -[Striker] Oh wow!
[Cole] Suddenly, the WWE with a seven-on-five advantage
after Starship Pain.
It is regroup time for Wade Barrett and company.
[Barrett shouting angrily]
[Striker] Let's listen.
[The Nexus bicker furiously]
[bickering continues]
[Barrett issuing instructions unclearly]
[Cole] Folks, for the first time since Nexus burst on the scene in WWE,
they're facing major problems here.
[bickering continues]
Get in there!
[Cole] First, the appearance by their former member Daniel Bryan
threw them off their game. Now they find themselves down seven to five
in this elimination matchup.
-[Lawler] And here comes the powerrhouse. -[Striker] Yeah.
Think you're so tough?
[Striker] William Regal was Skip Sheffield's mentor on NXT.
[Lawler] And it's no question why Nexus has chosen Skip Sheffield
to enter this match at this point.
[Cole] You gotta slow the momentum if you're Nexus.
But a great start for Team WWE. You couldn't have asked for a better one.
Right here! Right here!
[Lawler] That's kinda scary.
[Striker] I hate to say it,
but I feel like the momentum is starting to change a little bit.
[Cole] I don't believe that's true. I don't think that's the case
until Team WWE loses someone.
-It's still a seven-on-five game. -[Lawler] And that is huge.
Huh, Morrison?
You think you're so bad--
[Cole] Oh, there you go. Well, welcome to the, uh, to the club, kid.
[Lawler] That'll cross his eyes even further.
[Cole] The other thing we don't know, Matt,
is we don't know how Nexus is gonna respond to this type of adversity.
They've never faced it before. And Sheffield…
[Lawler] That may have just made Sheffield mad.
[Striker] Whether short-handed or on a power play…
[Lawler] Whoa!
[Nexus members shout encouragement]
[Cole] You see the force in which he drove Morrison to the mat?
Sheffield, 283 lbs.
He says he'll break you mentally and physically.
[Lawler] Well, I can tell you one thing.
He is intense.
I can believe the "break you physically" part.
You ain't so big man tough now, are you?
[Striker] Look at his face. I can believe the "break you mentally" part as well.
[cheering]
[Cole] R-Truth, Bret Hart trying to rally the WWE Universe
here at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
17,463 looking on at this momentous main event.
[Striker] And for the first time ever, seven newcomers main-eventing SummerSlam.
When we look back in history,
we will see what kind of legacy
these seven Nexus members leave on the WWE.
[Cole] Yeah, a win tonight will cement their legacy.
Nexus could take over the entire WWE with a victory tonight.
[crowd chanting] We want Bret! We want Bret! We want Bret!
[Cole] Nice suplex by Sheffield, who right now is putting on a clinic.
[Lawler] You're right. I'm impressed by this young man,
this Skip Sheffield, with the poise that he's showing here under adversity.
He's not in a hurry.
He's doing exactly what he needs to do to try to shift this momentum.
He's not panicking. He's in control.
[Cole] And another suplex.
Nexus down seven to five,
but Sheffield
trying to, uh, shift the momentum a little bit, as Matt alluded to earlier.
[Striker] I agree, King.
Sheffield's not acting like The Nexus is at a disadvantage.
[Lawler] And that's important.
[Cole] Again, a third suplex by Sheffield, buckling the back of Morrison.
Hook of the leg for Sheffield,
and Morrison spins and kicks his way out.
You know, it's real interesting not only watching Nexus,
but watching Team WWE on the apron.
Eyes just ripped with this matchup.
They all realize what is at stake here tonight.
[Lawler] Oh, John Morrison. Here comes Morrison!
[Cole] Morrison has gotta make a tag.
-He's been-- -[Striker] Oh!
[Cole] The referee was distracted.
Gabriel with a kick to the back of the head.
That's what The Nexus does.
They take advantage.
Sheffield has eliminated Morrison.
It is now… six to five.
[Lawler] You gotta give the devil their due.
That was impressive.
[Striker] It's gonna be who gets the ball last before the clock runs out.
[Cole] R-Truth in off the elimination.
R-Truth trying to take it to Sheffield now.
[Lawler] And he is doing just that.
Take one more look at what happened with that kick to the back of the head.
[Cole] Look at Sheffield. Oh, what a clothesline! Thunderous!
Here's the cover by Sheffield.
R-Truth in trouble.
And Sheffield has eliminated Morrison and Truth.
-We are all even at… five-five. -[Lawler] Just like that, we're even.
[Cole] And now Chris Jericho into the matchup.
[Striker] Notice how Jericho takes Sheffield away from his corner.
That's veteran strategy from Chris Jericho.
[Lawler] You're right. Sheffield's been in this match a long time now.
[crowd chanting] Y2J! Y2J!
[Cole] Sheffield and Jericho in the ring.
There is the strength of that hoss, Skip Sheffield.
[Striker] Oh!
[Cole] Sheffield and Gabriel
and Slater, Barrett, and Otunga remain for Nexus.
On the WWE side,
you got Bret Hart, John Cena, Edge, and Daniel Bryan,
along with Jericho. We're all even here at five-five.
[Striker] Here comes the leader of the pack, Wade Barrett.
[Cole] The man who won NXT season one.
And there again, the… the pack of feral dogs mentality.
"A-List" David Otunga, who should be at home here in Hollywood.
And now this is what Nexus, I believe, had to do, King.
They've settled the match down.
They've quelled the early momentum from Team WWE.
They're keeping the WWE team in its corner, isolating them.
[Lawler] What's interesting to me is…
Well, now her'e's Wade Barrett coming back in.
He's spent precious little time in this match so far.
He's spent more time directing traffic,
telling his teammates where and what to do.
[Cole] Maybe that's what he needs to do.
[Striker] He's been very effective as well. The strategy's working.
[Cole] Barrett's been that settling factor,
that influence for the rest of Nexus throughout.
[Striker] Former bare knuckle champion from England, Wade Barrett,
has created such a stir.
[Cole] And again, right in the ring now, we mentioned a bit earlier on,
but to reemphasize, Chris Jericho was Wade Barrett's teacher,
his pro in NXT season one.
Barrett attributed everything he learned to this man, Chris Jericho.
And Jericho trying to fight back into this matchup.
[Striker] But did Jericho teach him everything that Jericho knows?
[Cole] Nice dropkick, and, King, let's not forget, again,
what is on the line in this match here tonight.
[Lawler] Well, it could be our,
and I say "our" when I'm talking about
the entire WWE as we know it is on the line here tonight in this match.
[Striker] Our livelihoods, our families, our friends.
[Lawler] Guys, look how bad John Cena wants in this match.
[Cole] Cena has been the emotional leader.
[Lawler] Bret Hart wants in this match.
[Cole] Yeah, Bret Hart, the Hall of Famer, the heart and soul of Team WWE.
[Cole] Here he comes! And here comes Bret Hart,
and Heath Slater in for The Nexus.
And here comes Bret,
the Hall of Famer, who's had so many SummerSlam moments,
but this would be the greatest of his career
if he could lead Team WWE to victory.
[Lawler] And Bret Hart unloading here. Whoa, look at this!
[Cole] Look at Bret go!
How fired up is Bret Hart here tonight?
-[Lawler] Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow! -[Cole] He owes so much to Nexus.
The vicious assault on Bret a couple of months ago.
What The Nexus has done to Bret's kin, The Hart Dynasty,
over the last few months.
[Striker] And what a great opportunity to see the Hall of Famer back in the ring.
[Lawler] Bret Hart looking good here. He's spent time,
a lot of time training up in Calgary, getting ready for this match.
[Cole] Look at Bret Hart with a scoop slam on Heath Slater!
And Barrett, to our left, is incensed
as Bret Hart continues to hammer away on Heath Slater.
Bret "The Hitman" Hart, the Hall of Famer.
He was won every title imaginable in WWE history.
-A King of the Ring, Royal Rumble winner. -[Lawler] What a right hand.
[Striker] Now the longest match in SummerSlam history,
the only guy to compete twice in one SummerSlam.
[Cole] Sharpshooter time!
Sharpshooter time!
Can Bret get Slater to tap out?
[Lawler] He's got him! He's got him!
[Striker] One of the most controversial submission holds in WWE history,
but hang on a second.
[Cole] Look at this. Steel chair…
I think Barrett tossed it in, and Bret Hart is using it.
[Lawler] Wow!
[Barrett] Ref! Come on, ref!
[Hart and referee argue indistinctly]
[booing]
[Striker] That's wise strategy.
Barrett introduced the chair, but Bret used it,
resulting in a disqualification.
[Cole] Bret Hart's been eliminated, I believe.
-[Striker] Yeah. -[Cole] Via disqualification.
If that's the case, it'll be five-on-four in favor of The Nexus,
and that is the case. Bret has been disqualified.
[Lawler] You're kidding.
[Cole] You know, you sort of can't blame Bret for using the chair…
[Lawler] He didn't bring it in the ring.
[Striker] Yeah, but he used it.
[Cole] You can't blame him, everything that The Nexus has put Bret through.
But again, now Team WWE is behind in the numbers game by four.
Jericho looks… Codebreaker to Sheffield!
[Striker] Though his mind is not for rent, don't put him down as arrogant.
Come on, Chris!
[Cole] And here comes Edge for the first time,
the nine-time World Champion.
[cheering]
[Lawler, chuckling] Edge is not gonna waste any time!
[Cole] What great SummerSlam moments Edge has had over the years.
[Lawler] Edge wants to cut somebody in half!
-Look at this! -[Cole] Spear!
Spear! Cover.
Hooks the leg.
We are all even. Four-four!
[Striker] It was the chair shot to the back,
then the Codebreaker, then the Spear that needed to rid Skip Sheffield.
[Cole] So here's the story. Four-on-four. Nexus against Team WWE.
Justin Gabriel in and runs into the boot of Edge.
And things are, well, looking up for John Cena and company.
[Lawler] Let me tell you something, this is a great match.
-Oh! -[Cole] Edge unloading.
Remember, him and Jericho in this matchup, many believe, out of necessity.
But it doesn't matter.
They've been tremendous teammates.
[Striker] Guys, the WWE has been challenged before.
The NWO, then ECW, the Alliance,
but nothing ever like The Nexus.
[Cole] You can almost feel at this juncture
that the momentum has shifted,
that the veterans on Team WWE are just
in total control.
[Lawler] Guys, let's talk about the testament to the Nexus.
[Cole] Cover, cover, cover. Hook of the leg. Shoulders down.
Got him! No, kick-out by Gabriel.
[Lawler] I'll tell you about the testament to The Nexus.
I mean, these guys who, in the WWE or in this world,
are literally still wet behind their ears.
But here they are in the main event of SummerSlam.
and they're holding their own
against some of the best… best Superstars in the world.
[Striker] That's what NXT brings us. New stars, new faces.
[Cole] And look at Justin Gabriel.
Tremendous athletic ability from Gabriel, and he catches Edge with a kick.
-[Lawler] Oh! -[Cole] And it could be Edge now.
Does Gabriel have enough to get to the cover?
He has to crawl there. Hooks the leg. Will this be it?
And Edge kicks out. You heard Jericho,
just barking at Edge to kick out. Barking at him!
[Striker] WWE's only South African Superstar, Justin Gabriel.
Here comes "The One-Man Rock Band" heath Slater.
[Cole] Yeah, Heath Slater, 247 lbs.
Really taking it to Edge.
[Lawler] These members of Nexus, they believe in themselves.
They know they're in the ring against the best in the world,
but they are…
they believe they can… they can win this match.
Ooh!
[Cole] And I don't know if Edge wants to be out there.
[Lawler] No, not at all.
[wrestlers shouting encouragement]
-[Cole] Edge, Jericho… -[Striker] See that?
[Cole] …and John Cena remain.
[Striker] Very smart.
Against Otunga, Barrett, Gabriel, and Slater from Nexus.
It is four-on-four,
and the next elimination could prove crucial.
Barrett back in.
[Striker] You have to believe that the next elimination will probably lead us
to whichever team will be victorious.
[Lawler] And you can hear John Cena from over in his corner yelling,
"Edge, you gotta get out of that corner!"
[Striker] Cena's yet to be in this contest.
Watch your head, watch your head.
[Cole] This is where Nexus is so dangerous.
They work so well together as a team.
[referee] One! Two! Three!
[Lawler] Come on, get off him.
[Cole] Barrett's got a five-count. Look at Gabriel.
-Look at Gabriel taking advantage. -[Lawler] Look at this.
[Striker] We don't have to like The Nexus, but we do have to admire their bravado,
admire their… their brilliance, essentially, in what they're trying to do.
[Lawler] I don't admire what they're trying to do.
I'll admit they've been successful, but I don't admire them.
[Cole] Ooh, nice backbreaker by Barrett. Quickly into the cover.
Edge in trouble. Hook of the leg on Edge,
who kicks out at two.
[Lawler] Man, that was close.
Come on, man!
[Cole] John Cena has been a vocal cheerleader,
and that's all he's been is a cheerleader in this match,
yet to enter the fray,
although he wants in badly.
[Lawler] You're not kidding. Cena like a caged animal over there.
That hand outstretched. If… some way Edge can make his way to Cena,
the roof would come off this Staples Center.
[Cole] Edge back to a vertical base. What he'd need to do first off, Warrett…
I should say "Barrett."
And-- Oh, and Edge caught him!
Now, can Edge make the tag?
[Striker] But did you notice Barrett is in-between Edge and his corner?
By design or perhaps by chance,
either way, it's important to realize.
[Cole] Edge is moving to the wrong corner as well.
-[Slater] Come on! -[Lawler] Yeah, not good.
[Cole] Look at this. Edge…
And Barrett, great reversal.
Wade Barrett… Oh, what a neckbreaker!
[Slater] Nice, Wade.
[Lawler] Edge in big trouble here now, as is Team WWE.
-[Otunga] I want him! -[Lawler] They can ill afford to lose him.
[Striker] Did you hear that? Otunga, "I want him. I want him."
That's eager. That's the desire.
[Cole] And David Otunga, "The A-List."
His wife, of course, Jennifer Hudson, the Academy Award winner,
the Grammy Award winner.
He loves Hollywood. He loves to talk about it.
Looks to plant Edge. Edge counters though.
[Striker] Blocked!
[Lawler] And Edge plants the Harvard graduate.
[Cole] David Otunga left law school
to become a part of NXT and now Nexus.
As Edge realizes he's gotta make a tag,
and he… he does to Chris Jericho.
Jericho back into the matchup.
Jericho with a big shoulder knockdown,
and Otunga's reeling.
[Striker] The Winnipeg Jet Chris Jericho fighting with everything he has.
[Lawler] Nice kick.
[Cole] Running bulldog by Jericho.
And Chris Jericho…
-Lionsault! Halfway across the ring. -[Lawler] He hit it!
-Come on, baby! Let's go! -[Striker] Jericho's pumped, baby.
[cheering]
[Cole] Uh-oh!
-Walls of Jericho time! -[Lawler] Get him turned! Get him turned!
[Cole] Will Otunga tap? Will Otunga tap to the Walls?
-[Striker] Look at… -[Cole] The Walls of Jericho!
Otunga taps out!
Advantage WWE!
-[Striker] Huge elimination, Michael. -[Cole] It is four-three for Team WWE.
And suddenly things look grim for The Nexus.
[Striker] Watch "The Ayatollah of Rock 'n' Rollah"!
[Cole] And Chris Jericho is on fire.
[Striker] I love this side of Chris Jericho.
[crowd chanting] Y2J! Y2J!
[Cole] Ladies and gentlemen,
we are getting deep, deep into this matchup.
It is crunch time,
and Team WWE has a four-to-three lead,
and Jericho looking to put him away with a flying elbow.
And momentum clearly on the side of Team WWE.
-[Lawler] Oh! -[Cole] Uh-oh.
[Cole] And Slater from behind!
And here's the cover. Hook of the leg.
You can't turn your back, and Nexus makes Jericho pay.
It is three-three.
This is what I was talking about!
[arguing bitterly]
I haven't been in the match yet!
[Edge drowned out by crowd]
That wasn't my fault. It wasn't my fault!
I did it once!
Come on!
[inaudible]
[Cole] Oh, look at Slater, from behind.
Heath Slater trying to steal one here!
And he does!
I said you can't turn your back.
You can't turn your back. Now Edge and Jericho eliminated.
And Cena and Bryan…
[Lawler] And that momentary decision-- Look at Edge!
[Cole] Oh, come on, now!
[Striker] This is…
[Cole] Not another implosion.
[Lawler] Oh, come on! Jericho, Edge!
[Cole] Jericho and Edge have both been eliminated.
[Striker] Let's not forget, Jericho and Edge…
You're a stupid man! You're a stupid, stupid man!
[Cole] It's clear they're blaming Cena for their elimination.
[Striker] But their ultimate goal is to eliminate John Cena.
[Cole] The problem is this. Cena's down. He's in trouble.
It's Cena and Daniel Bryan remaining on Team WWE
against three Nexus members, Slater, Barrett, and Justin Gabriel.
Come on, John, come on.
Come on, John, we can do this.
[Cole] I told you. I told you, guys. We needed The Miz out here.
Nobody wanted to listen to me.
Come on, John, come on!
[Cole] You got an inexperienced Daniel Bryan--
[Lawler] The Miz is not gonna make any difference to what has transpired.
[Striker] You gotta go with your team now.
[Cole] Whatever. The guy's a twerp.
And if The Miz was out here, Team WWE would have a chance.
And now Cena's where he doesn't wanna be.
Terrible, terrible position for John Cena.
-[referee] Hey, back it out now! -[Slater] Hey!
[Cole] And look at Nexus just picking Cena apart.
First, Cena abused by Jericho and Edge, and now Nexus having their way.
-Ladies and gentlemen-- -[Striker] I believe in Daniel Bryan.
-We've come to-- -[Cole] You may have to believe in him.
If Cena's eliminated here, it's three-on-one against that goofball.
That's your situation.
You could've had The Miz out here, but no. No.
-[Striker] I didn't make the decision. -[Cole] And look at Wade Barrett.
Just hammering away on Cena.
Cena's gotta get back in this thing to give Team WWE any chance.
[Lawler] I think you can tell just from the attitude now of The Nexus,
they're not concerned with Daniel Bryan.
They're just gonna pick apart John Cena
until there's… till there's nothing left of Cena here.
[Cole] Yeah, and it could take about 30 seconds to polish off Daniel Bryan.
That's why The Nexus has turned all their focus on Cena.
[Lawler] I don't think you're right about that.
Is that all you got, Cena?
[crowd clapping rhythmically]
[Cole] Now, the WWE had numbers early,
and they've lost that right now, but here comes Cena. Come on, John!
Oh! Cena trying to get back in it,
and Wade Barrett with a big old clothesline.
And this could be it. Cena…
And he manages to stay alive,
and with it, the hopes of his team.
[Striker] If anyone has the determination to continue, it's gonna be John Cena.
[Cole] Well, he's gonna have to dig down deep,
and he may be facing one of the toughest challenges
he's ever faced in his career here.
[Striker] Look at everyone standing in the Staples Center.
[Cole] They realize what's at stake.
The balance of power will shift tonight with a Nexus victory.
[Bryan] Come on, Cena!
[Lawler] Well, unfortunately,
it's looking more and more like the… the inevitable.
[Cole] Just a matter of time. We talk about John's heart and his guts.
These three guys are gonna wear him down
to the point where he's not gonna be able to kick out.
Simple. Then you put Bryan away, and Nexus wins.
[Lawler] I s--
You may be right, I don't know,
but I still say you can't… you can't blame--
[Cole] Look at this! Come on, Cena.
Cena…
And Gabriel… Oh, and he drops Cena again.
Every time Cena tries to get something going, he can't.
[Lawler] I still say you can't blame--
Will this be it? Will this be it for Cena?
No, he kicks out.
[Lawler] You can't blame what's happened to Team WWE on Daniel Bryan.
[Cole] I'm not blaming it on Daniel Bryan.
I'm blaming it on an ill-advised pick by Cena and company.
-It should have been The Miz out here. -[Striker] So why don't you get on Cena?
[Cole] I just said that. What do you want me to say?
I just said John Cena made an ill-advised pick.
Now Cena's gotta rally for himself and his team.
[Lawler] Daniel Bryan has not cost Team WWE anything.
As a matter of fact, he personally eliminated one of The Nexus.
[Cole] He hasn't cost Team WWE anything yet, King.
You're gonna throw your backing behind Daniel Bryan
when you're down three-one?
[Striker] This is what The Nexus wants. Division. Stop!
[alternating chants of "Let's go, Cena!" and "Cena sucks!"]
[Cole] John Cena.
Look at Barrett. Uh-oh!
This could be it.
[Striker] Can't believe I'm rooting for John Cena, but come on!
[Bryan] Come on, Cena!
[Cole] Daniel Bryan looking on, the surprise member of Team WWE tonight.
[Striker] Daniel Bryan, just a kid from Aberdeen, Washington,
wants nothing more… than to be in the WWE.
A guy with heart. A guy with passion. A guy who wants to be here.
[Cole] The entire future of this company
could be laying on the shoulders of Daniel Bryan.
-Do you want that? -[Striker] Why not?
[Lawler] Daniel Bryan can't get in this match and show us what he's got
unless Cena can get to the corner.
[Cole] Matt, I'd rather have you on the team.
[Striker] King's taken his headset off and fought for the WWE flag.
I'd do it too.
[Cole] I don't know if Cena-- Heath Slater in off the tag.
I didn't want Cena to make the tag, but he's got to.
Cena's absorbed so much punishment by Nexus.
[Striker] Michael, you root for the name on the front of the jersey,
not on the back. You root for WWE.
[Cole] I am rooting for WWE.
I've been cheering for Cena all along to get back in this matchup.
[Lawler] You just don't think Team WWE has a chance with Daniel Bryan.
[Cole] Exactly.
[Bryan] Come on, Cena!
[Cole] I'm a Mets fan.
I don't think they have a chance with half their players.
-Doesn't mean I don't like the team. -[Striker] Good decision-making.
[Cole] Now look at Heath Slater.
Look at how they're punishing Cena.
-[Lawler] Yeah, this is a dissection. -[Cole] Yeah.
Not at all what John Cena--
Oh, both men down in the center of the ring.
[Lawler] Double clothesline.
[Cole] I'm sure when John Cena sat down and mapped this night out,
this is not at all what he expected in Los Angeles.
[Lawler] I mean, how… how… how would you expect
what the, you know, the actions of Jericho and Edge?
[Cole] And let's remember why Daniel Bryan's here in the first place.
Because The Great Khali was supposed to be a part of this team,
and The Nexus took him out Monday Night on Raw.
[Lawler] And John Cena and his team could not wait for Miz to make a decision.
Suppose Miz had said no? They had to have a backup.
[Cole] He didn't. He said yes. So why not--
[Lawler] They didn't know.
[Cole] Why not just kick Bryan to the curb and take Miz?
[Striker] Daniel Bryan is a highly skilled young man, and--
[Cole] And here he comes.
Daniel Bryan's gonna have an opportunity to prove his worth.
He comes in off the tag,
and Daniel Bryan, who's fired up here tonight…
-[Striker] Kick his head off! -[Lawler] He's fresh.
[Cole] Nice suplex, German by Daniel Bryan.
Bryan is fired up. Can he somehow pull off some sort of miracle here?
[Striker] Cattle Mutilation! Come on, roll him over.
[Cole] Can Daniel Bryan pull off an upset?
[Lawler] Well, he is putting every ounce of strength,
everything he has into every one of those blows and kicks.
[Bryan yelling]
-[Lawler] This young man means business! -[Cole] Former member of Nexus.
Kicked out of the group for showing remorse
on their initial attack on the WWE.
[Lawler] Look at this!
[Striker] Michael, like it or not, Daniel Bryan is a star!
[Cole] Oh, Daniel Bryan knocking down Heath Slater.
And Daniel Bryan, as John Cena tries to recuperate,
looking to take out Slater.
And Nexus…
[Lawler] I don't know whether Daniel Bryan's a star or not,
but I know he is giving a great account of himself
here in this match.
[Cole] He's showing a tremendous amount of heart
on behalf of Team WWE,
and here's an example.
[Striker] Beautifully done!
[crowd chanting] Daniel Bryan! Daniel Bryan!
[Cole] WWE Universe seems to be behind Bryan as well
as he goes to the top rope. Heath Slater in trouble.
Daniel Bryan… There's the missile dropkick.
And a kip-up by Daniel Bryan.
Can Bryan put Slater away?
-See you later, both Barrett and Gabriel. -[Striker] Nice!
-[Cole] Slater going down and out. -[Striker] Put him away!
[Cole] Daniel Bryan missed wildly. Heath Slater rolls him up.
Shoulders down, and Bryan kicks out.
Again, into the crossface.
-The crossface again. -[Striker] Tap out!
[Cole] Slater taps out. It's two-two.
Slater taps out, and it's two-to-two.
[Striker] It's now up to Daniel Bryan.
[Cole] Cena's gotta get back into this. He's still recuperating outside the ring.
Who's it gonna be to try their fare next with Bryan?
Gabriel or Barrett?
Hey! Hey!
Miz! Miz from behind and with the briefcase!
-[Lawler] What are you-- Miz! -[booing]
[Cole] And here's Wade Barrett.
Hook of the leg on Daniel Bryan,
and it's down to two-to-one.
[Lawler] What is The Miz doing?
[Cole] Remember, he was supposed to be a part of this team, King,
and he said yes, and he was embarrassed
when John Cena told him to take a hike,
and Miz retaliated here with an attack on Daniel Bryan.
And that is what is left there, ladies and gentlemen.
That is a picture of what is left of Team WWE.
A dismantled John Cena.
[Striker] If there's anyone that's gonna go down with the ship on flames,
it may as well be John Cena.
[Cole] It is two-on-one.
It is Barrett and Gabriel against John Cena,
who has absorbed so much punishment here tonight.
[referee issues instructions]
[Cole] Well, I guess it's sort of apropos that
the entire hopes of the WWE has come down to rest on… John Cena.
A man who has really become symbolic
of the entire World Wrestling Entertainment.
The man who formed this team
because he was… the target of so many attacks by The Nexus
over the past number of months.
[Lawler] Wade Barrett just standing there in the corner, shouting instructions.
Cena rose to his feet. Whoa!
[Cole] And John Cena… John Cena!
Can he get rolling here?
Shoulder knockdown. John Cena with another one.
Vintage Cena!
-[Striker] Get him up. -[Lawler] He's got him!
[Striker] King, get ready. Get ready, baby!
[Lawler] Oh yeah!
[Lawler laughing]
Hey, Nexus!
You can't see me!
A little Five-Knuckle Shuffle for you. Whoa!
[Cole] John Cena looking to put Gabriel away.
Barrett, the leader, wants in.
Justin Gabriel, Attitude--
Oh, tag. Tag.
Tag was made. Barrett made the tag.
Cena I don't think realized it.
[Lawler] I think he may have realized it, but too late.
Nothing he could do about it.
[referee] Hey, hey! Come on, now! Hey!
[Cole] So much riding on the last three men in this matchup.
The complexion of the WWE rests on the shoulders of these three men.
Gabriel in off the tag.
One! Two! Three!
[Cole] And the five-count to break, and they do.
But again, Nexus with numbers in their favor have been unstoppable.
[referee] Four! Come on!
Let's go, guys. Come on.
[Cole] What on earth do you do? Frequent tags wearing Cena down.
Three! Get out of there!
[Lawler] Mm. Mm-mm.
This is all Nexus has to continue to do,
and it's, uh… it's a hopeless situation here.
[Striker] If you're a fan, you've gotta be rooting.
You have to believe in John Cena.
[Lawler] But he's got no help. No one to tag.
[Cole] Wade Barrett… That could be the death knell
to the WWE.
I mean, this is…
[Lawler] Here comes Barrett. He's not gonna give…
[Cole] It's becoming hard to watch, is what's happening right now.
[referee] Hey!
[Lawler] Now what?
[Cole] Now exposing the concrete that's…
[Lawler] These guys are sick.
[Cole] Nexus, I guess in their mind they've already proved dominance here.
They might as well…
If you're gonna kill Team WWE,
you might as well take out its…
its leader.
[Lawler] Yeah, but not like this.
[female fan] Come on, Cena!
[Cole] Oh no.
Oh my lord!
[Striker] The face of the WWE was just splattered all over the concrete.
-King? -[Lawler] Listen to this.
[Striker] Ooh!
[Cole] Cena hasn't moved. Defenseless.
[Lawler] Defenseless? I'm surprised he's still conscious.
[Cole] Just a real weak "Let's go, Cena" chant from the WWE Universe.
And nobody can believe what's happening here.
I think they've realized what we've all come to realize, that…
[Striker] This is it. Bring in… bring in the closer.
[Lawler] It's a hopeless… hopeless situation.
[Cole] Exactly. Bring in the closer. Justin Gabriel…
Justin Gabriel's gonna go for the… he's going for the 450 splash,
the move that's taken out the likes of our chairman, Mr. McMahon,
and John Cena and others along the way.
And Justin Gabriel, from the top rope,
for the exclamation point
to Nexus dominance here at SummerSlam.
And Cena rolls out of the way! There is life.
Cena, cover.
He got him! He got him!
He got him! Cena did it! Cena did it!
Cena did it!
[Striker] One-on-one now.
John Cena and Wade Barrett.
[Cole] And Wade Barrett back into the ring,
looking to take advantage of John Cena.
John Cena, he's got it.
Come on, John! Come on, John!
-STF! STF! -[Striker] Do it! Tap!
-[Cole] STF! STF! -[Striker] Tap!
[Cole] Barrett trying to hang on.
[Striker] If anyone can do it, damn it, John Cena can!
[Cole] Nowhere to go!
He did it! He did it!
-He did it! -[bell rings]
-Team WWE survives! -[Striker] We win! We win!
We win!
[Roberts] The winners of this match, Team WWE!
-[John Cena's theme music playing] -[Cole] What a rally by John Cena!
[Striker] Oh boy, let's go out and party tonight!
[Cole] If you've ever questioned
John Cena's guts
and his fortitude,
you can't question it anymore.
Faced with a two-to-one deficit,
Team WWE, thanks to John Cena, has survived.
[Lawler] I don't think anyone has ever questioned
the intestinal fortitude of John Cena.
But if you've ever questioned the staying power of Nexus
and what they brought to the table, you can't question that either.
[Striker] It came down to Daniel Bryan and John Cena
versus Heath Slater and Wade Barrett.
-After the submission, it was two-on-one. -[Cole] I think that was all luck.
[Striker] And then this, Michael.
[Cole] Yeah, Miz.
I think Daniel Bryan deserved that
after the embarrassment he caused The Miz here tonight.
-[Lawler] Oh, come on. -[Cole] It cost Team WWE.
I told you it was gonna cost us to have this guy in the match,
and it came down to two-on-one.
[Lawler] Daniel Bryan didn't cost the team.
The Miz cost the team.
[Striker] And everyone thought this was it,
but he's John Cena.
He's the WWE,
and it came down to one-on-one,
and I'll take John against anyone with those odds.
Thank you, John Cena.
[Cole] Team WWE survives team dissension.
It survives massive egos.
It survives Nexus.
A major victory for Cena's army,
and Cena's the heart and soul that somehow kept it all together.
Payday for John Cena at the 23rd annual SummerSlam.
Good night, everybody. Thanks for joining us.
From Hollywood, Los Angeles, good night.
♪ You can't see me My time is now ♪
♪ Your time is up My time is now… ♪
[music fades] is up My time is now… ♪