With almost 6 nights to go, the landscape of T.L.C. has changed! Since WWE Champion C.M. Punk is out with an injured knee, Ryback is now teaming with Tag-Team Champions “Team Hell-No” (Kane and Daniel Bryan) to face the trio of The Shield in a regular Tables, Ladders, and Chairs Match. This is a really intriguing bout, because both teams can use the win and be developed well from it. (More on that in predictions).

And, as usual, since it’s less than a week away from a Pay-Per-View, the rest of Raw will be devoted to building it up, so why waste time! Read on to find out what went down in New Jersey

Monday Night Raw Report for December 10th, 2012 – “Tables, Ladders, and Chairs – Oh My!”

Introduction Segment – Recap and Arena Promo

Following the usual montage of recent events, “Mr. Money In The Bank” and “The Showoff” Dolph Ziggler is already in the ring, perched on a ladder with microphone in hand. He talks about his upcoming ladder match at T.L.C. and is proud of himself.

Dolph reminds us of how many opportunities John Cena has had at being champion and failed. Dolph declares that after he wins the ladder match on Sunday, he will then cash in his Money In The Bank Briefcase on The Big Show and capture the World Heavyweight Championship!

A challenger has a different view though, as Sheamus walks on down and claims that he will beat The Big Show for the World Championship, then go on to face John Cena for the title, as he thinks that is who will win the ladder match.

The main-man in this debate is The Big Show and the World Champion struts out. Show says they are both wrong, as he will defeat Ziggler and Sheamus.

Even though he really wants to have contact with The Big Show, Sheamus knows he can’t, so instead he chooses Dolph Ziggler. He tips the ladder over, sending Dolph crotch-first onto the top-rope. It is announced later that John Cena will face World Heavyweight Champion The Big Show (not for the championship).

Backstage, the owner is in the house! Mr. McMahon is walking through the backstage hallway and appears to be on his way out.

Commercials.

Match #1: Single – R-Truth VS. Wade Barrett

(Note: Both Intercontinental Champion Kofi Kingston and United States Champion Antonio Cesaro are on commentary). Prior to this contest, “The Boss” interrupts and gives props to Managing Supervisor Vickie Guerrero for her booking skills on the main event. However, he wants to add more, so Vince persuades her to make Dolph Ziggler VS. Sheamus and A.J. taking on herself, Vickie Guerrero!

Barrett hammers away then tosses Truth to the outside beginning the bout. In the ring, Wade drops an elbow and kicks R in the face for a two-count. He uses the middle rope to choke Truth with his right knee, then clutches on a grounding rear chinlock. Barrett ducks a clothesline and kicks Truth in the gut, but R reverses a pump-handle slam and runs off the ropes into a victory roll for the quick and surprising 1 – 2 – 3!

Winner via Pinfall: R-Truth

Post-match, Kofi comes in and flies off the top-rope with a crossbody to send Wade a message.

Also, up next is a Fatal-Four-Way Elimination to advance to the #1 Contender’s match to the Tag-Team Championship!

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Segment #2: Backstage Promo

A.J. is extremely excited about her match with Vickie later tonight, so much so that she enters the men’s locker room to tell John Cena. He quickly shoos her out, but of course follows her.

Match #2: Tag-Team Fatal-Four-Way Elimination, advancing to the #1 contendership bout to the Tag-Team Championship – The Usos (Jey & Jimmy) VS. “The Primetime Players” (Darren Young and Titus O’Neil) VS. Primo and Epico (with Rosa Mendes) VS. “The Rhodes Scholars” (Damien Sandow and Cody Rhodes)

Epico and Jimmy start out Jimmy hitting an Atomic Drop and clothesline, then tagging in his brother Jey. Double-elbow drop by The Usos, but Epico backs out of a backdrop and tags in Primo. He takes control over Jey, and Epico and Primo dominate for a while over The Usos. Eventually, The Usos take out Primo and Epico with a Superfly Splash for the first elimination!

First Elimination via Pinfall: Primo and Epico by The Usos

Titus O’Neil comes in and drills Jey with a clothesline.

Commercials.

Back live, it’s now just down to The Rhodes Scholars and The Usos, as during the break, The Usos eliminated “Primetime Players” with another Superfly Splash.

Sandow and The Usos go at it. Damien and Cody double-team Jimmy, then Rhodes is in. He tries a bulldog out of the corner, but gets tossed aside and Jimmy tags Jey. He’s on fire, with a kick-to-the-gut and Samoan Drop.

He runs at Cody with the “Back Thunder” rear-bump in the corner, and as Sandow and Jimmy fight, Jey ascends the top for another Superfly Splash. Cody gets the knees up though and spins him around with the CrossRhodes neckbraker for the hard-fought victory!

Final Elimination and Winners via Pinfall: “The Rhodes Scholars” Cody Rhodes and Damien Sandow

Up next, Divas Champion Eve will come back and go against Alicia Fox!

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Match #3: Single – Alicia Fox VS. Divas Champion Eve (Non-Title)

Eve in domination early with a kick and side headlock takedown. Eve counters with a shoulder-block, but Alicia catches her off the ropes with a somersault headscissors. Eve tries to plead, but Fox doesn’t by it and attempts a near-fall with a Northern Light Suplex. Eve counters another move and pulls Alicia off the ropes, and then drives her down with a variation of the spinning neckbreaker for the W!

Winner via Pinfall: Divas Champion Eve

Backstage, WWE Champion C.M. Punk is on crutches but also on his way out with Paul Heyman behind him.

Commercials.

Segment #3: Arena Promo

WWE Champion C.M. Punk and Paul Heyman (who is holding the title high and proud) comes out to the stage. He speculates that people already think the knee injury and surgery were faked, to duck out of another championship match with Ryback. Punk denies these accusations, saying that this is the result of someone working more days than anyone else in the company. Injuries are real and the proof is in the footage Punk shows of Ryback’s assault from last week.

Heyman now takes the microphone and says that Punk is a real champion, because unlike The Rock, he has no stunt-double to go through the table for him. Paul reminds us of Punk’s 388 day and counting reign, then again proclaims he is the “best in the world.”

Punk finishes the promo by telling us that Ryback had is two chances and failed, just like the list of other opponent’s “The Second-City Saint” has faced in the last year. Punk will enjoy watching T.L.C. when “The Shield” (which he also insists he has no part of) takes out Ryback and the Tag-Team Champions Kane and Daniel Bryan, to ensure their dominance. And when he faces The Rock at Royal Rumble in January, Punk will win he proclaims!

Up next, Sheamus takes on Dolph Ziggler!

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Match #4: Single – Sheamus VS. “Mr. Money In The Bank/The Showoff” Dolph Ziggler

Lockup by both wrestlers to start out. Dolph punches Sheamus into the corners, but then gets kicked down and a leg-lock clamped on. Ziggler gets back up and both trade blows, Sheamus getting the best of them. Knee-smash drop by Sheamus for a two-count. Dolph kicks Sheamus, but he comes back with a shoulder-block and slams Ziggler’s head into the turnbuckle.

Dolph fights his way out of the corner with his beautiful dropkick, then punches and kicks down Sheamus. The Irishman reverses and tosses Dolph to the outside, then runs at him with an axe handle.

Commercials.

Back live, Dolph is back in control after knocking Sheamus off the apron during the break. Dolph has him on the canvas with a rear chinlock and scissors, then knees him in the stomach. Ziggler punches away again in the corner and drives him down with a classic neckbreaker. Sheamus runs Dolph into the corner and fire up for a comeback.

He hits with punches and clotheslines, but misses with a shoulder-block, slamming his own shoulders into the ring. Dolph tries a couple of roll-ups and then a dives off the second rope with a crossbody, but he is caught into a fall-away slam by Sheamus!

“The Celtic Warrior” pounds away against the ropes and suplexes Dolph back in the ring. He ascends the top rope. but Ziggler crotches him and punches on the top. Sheamus pushes him down, but Dolph runs back up with an X-Factor faceplant! 1 – 2 – Sheamus kicks out!

Ziggler tries the Zig-Zag, but is caught in a fireman’s carry. Ziggler wiggles out of that and a Cloverleaf submission, then dropkicks Sheamus’ knee. He misses the Fameasser and lands in the arms of Sheamus and Irish Curse backbreaker for another near-fall! Sheamus signals for the Brogue Kick, but Dolph ducks to the outside.

He grabs a chair and starts to whale away on Sheamus, causing a dq.

Winner via Disqualification: Sheamus

Post-match, Dolph continues to swing with the steel chair, but Sheamus Brogue Kicks the chair and Dolph right out of the ring! Ziggler retreats to the stage and the two stare down after a tough battle!

Commercials.

Segment #4: Locker Room Promo

Vickie Guerrero is warming up when Hornswoggle and The Great Khali enter. They help her (very badly, I might add!) with her stretches. Mr. McMahon walks in on a VERY compromising position between the three, and he exclaims “I thought this was supposed to be a family show!”

Segment #5: Video Promo

After a recap of “The Shield’s” attack on Daniel Bryan from Smackdown (read that fine report on this fine website!), Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose, and Roman Reigns talk about their recent attacks. They took out The Miz because he disrespected WWE Champion C.M. Punk with the lie detector test, while Randy Orton took advantage of a “defenseless” Brad Maddox.

They claim that nobody says “no” to “The Shield.” With Ryback, they say that he has had his success handed to him and put on a pedestal. The trio have knocked him off that pedestal and they don’t work for anybody but themselves and injustice.

Ads.

Match #5: Single – Alberto Del Rio (with Ricardo Rodriguez) VS. “Long Island Iced-Z” Zack Ryder

(Alberto made his entrance prior to the break). Lockup and knee-to-the-gut by Del Rio begins the bout. Ryder ducks a clothesline and hits a dropkick, then punches away in the corner. Short-arm clothesline by Zack, then he clamps on a grounding rear chinlock. Alberto fights out of it, but gets taken down with a side headlock.

Big flapjack drop from Ryder for a near-fall! Del Rio counters double-knees with a kick-to-the-back. Alberto uses the ropes to press on Zack’s shoulder, wearing it down for a possible submission later. Snap suplex by A.D.R. and a tilt-a-whirl-backbreaker for two! Del Rio has gained control for a bit.

The fans are cheering on Zack to help him out and it works, as he counters with a jawbreaker and tosses Alberto over the top. Double-knees connect this time and Ryder lines up, but misses the Broski Boot! Del Rio rolls him over into the cross-armbreaker for the tap-out!

Winner via Submission: Alberto Del Rio (with Ricardo Rodriguez)

Up next, A.J. will hope to get her revenge against Vickie Guerrero!

Commercials.

Match #6: Single – A.J. VS. Vickie Guerrero

Both women are in the ring and ready, however there is no referee! After screaming for one, Vickie sees the referee walk out – it is Brad Maddox! He rings the bell and Vickie pounces on A.J. This is just an all-out catfight brawl, until A.J. covers but Maddox won’t count. A.J. gets up and wonders over, but Guerrero rolls A.J. up and Maddox counts (surprisingly not fast either) for the 1 – 2 – 3!

Winner via Pinfall: Vickie Guerrero

Post-match, A.J. goes psycho, tearing apart pieces of the announce set.

Ads.

Segment #6: Backstage Promo

A.J. is still going off, when John Cena consoles her and tries to get her to calm down.

Match #7: “Champion VS. Champion” Single – Intercontinental Champion Kofi Kingston VS. United States Champion Antonio Cesaro (Non-Title)

Lockup and trading waistlocks by both, then they switch hammer locks. Cesaro stomps Kofi down, but Kofi double-leap frogs Antonio, and then jumps on him in the corner for a 10-punch! Springboard (but semi-missed) chop, although Cesaro counters again with a rope-jawbreaker. Scoop slam and elbow drop by Cesaro for a near-fall. Kofi counters a run with a monkey flip, but runs right into a big boot.

Commercials.

Back live, Antonio has Kingston grounded with a waistlock submission, but Kofi fights out and slides under. He tries to pull him down, but Cesaro pull him up. Kofi floats over and gets a close-call with the Sunset Flip! Antonio rushes at Kofi, dropping him with a side-slam. Another gut-wrench slam by the U.S. Champion and he regains control.

Kofi counters in the corner with boots-to-the-face and then a second-rope splash on Cesaro’s back for a near-fall! Antonio reverses the S.O.S. with an uppercut to Kofi’s head. He gives Kofi some body-shots in the corner, but the I.C. Champ counters into the S.O.S and pinfall! Or not, as Cesaro managed to grab the ropes for a break!

Kingston climbs the top rope, but gets caught in mid-air by Cesaro with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. He then finishes off Kofi with “The Neutralizer” for the victory!

Winner via Pinfall: United States Champion Antonio Cesaro

Up next, The Miz will have “The Rhodes Scholars” as his guests on MizTV!

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Segment #7: Arena Promo

The Miz brings out Cody Rhodes and Damien Sandow. “The Intellectual Saviour of the Masses” immediately insults MizTV, then re-introduces his tag-team partner, the “new and improved” Cody Rhodes. Rhodes puts them over as a “shining beacon of light” and Princeton University, all while taking a shot at New Jersey as “dinse Americans.” Miz retaliates with innuendos of their “tag-team relationship.”

Miz says they have no chance of become #1 Contenders to the Tag-Team Championship, claiming they will “hit the ground harder than Manny Pacquiao in the 6th!” He then tries to plant “seeds of jealousy” in the two-man group, saying that Damien thinks he is better than Cody. Rhodes doesn’t buy it and walks out. Miz gives the team a new name to conclude the interview, “The Pink and The Stink.”

Next is the main-event. First, A.J. chases John Cena down and wants to join him at ringside. He finally convinces her not to.

Commercials.

Match #8: Single – John Cena VS. World Heavyweight Champion The Big Show (Non-Title)

(Note: Dolph Ziggler comes out and joins in on commentary). Lockup by both and Cena punches away in the corner, only for Show to shove-off and start to dominate. This is the usual, until Cena jumps on the back of Show and clutches on a sleeper. This slowly brings Show to one knee and Cena covers for a near-fall. He tries an Attitude Adjustment, but Show is too heavy. Both men down.

Ads.

As par for the course, Show is still in control when we come back and continues the domination for a long while. Cena kicks out of a corner splash by Show, but gets punches in the stomach afterward. Cena rolls out of another corner splash, then fires up with his regular moves of shoulder tackles and a backdrop.

He goes for the “5-Knuckle-Shuffle” fistdrop but misses and receives a chokeslam instead. The World Champion only receives two though, and then measures Cena for the K.O. Punch. Cena ducks it and manages to drop Show with the A.A.!

As both men lay, Seth Rollins runs out and attacks John Cena, causing disqualification.

Winner via Disqualification: John Cena

Post-match, all three assault Cena and bring a table into the ring. Before they can use it, “Team Hell-No” run out and make the save. They, Dolph Ziggler, Big Show, and Sheamus all brawl, with Cena running Show into the table. Enormous “feed me more” chants bring out Ryback and the beast runs into the scuffle. The show closes with an all-out clash!

End Of Raw.

Reporter’s Rumblings – By Moe Tapp

Definitely another routine Raw tonight, but basically expected considering it is the “go-home” show before the Pay-Per-View. Onto the quick analysis, then predictions:

Excellence: Dolph Ziggler’s promo – great way to open with him standing on the ladder, ensuing a win for the PPV. His points were well-explained and correct! Continuity at it’s finest! Tag-Team 4-Way was nice and a good idea to further determine #1 Contender’s for the Tag-Team Championship – legitimately! Punk/Heyman’s promos are always gold. Dolph/Sheamus match – beautiful – enough said! Even though “filler,” Del Rio/Ryder was a solid bout too! “The Shield” promos – also enough said! Kingston/Cesaro – another great WRESTLING match and chemistry!

Bogus: Ziggler’s promo being interrupted. Unfortunately, it felt like he was overshadowed, especially when he got tipped by Sheamus. Also, Sheamus/Ziggler ending – too quick of match for what they can do and the finish was too sudden. Anything with Vickie was boring and the same, same, same. The other matches were just filler and/or repeated, again, again, again, (Cena/Show, for example!). Even though the promo was decent, I don’t understand what Miz had to do with “Rhodes Scholars.”

T.L.C. Predictions:

Big Show over Sheamus to retain World Heavyweight Championship

“Rhodes Scholars” will put Sin Cara and Rey Mysterio through a table to become #1 Contenders

New Intercontinental Champion in Wade Barrett

Antonio Cesaro keeps his U.S. Title

“The Shield” and Kane/Bryan/Ryback will end in some sort of melee’ controversy

Dolph Ziggler gets the biggest win of his career and will go on to cash in his Money In The Bank briefcase at one point down the road

That’s all for now, so enjoy T.L.C. (actually really has a great card) and until next week, as always, Be Excellent Wrestling-Online Readers and Wrestling Fans!