Barrett was next to say he pinned Randy Orton, which is just a taste for Night of Champions when he beats Orton, Cena, Sheamus, Jericho, and Edge to bring the WWE Title “back home” to Nexus. Barrett said it will be historical, ground-breaking, and everything he has said. Suddenly, Randy Orton’s music interrupted to a big pop. Orton slowly walked out on stage to let the moment breathe before his music stopped.

Orton said what he took away from last week was him taking out two of Nexus’s men in less than 30 seconds. Orton said he doesn’t need to roll footage of that because he’ll do it again. Orton said he’s going to make it his business to hit Barrett with the RKO at Night of Champions. Barrett said that’s real tough talk, so why not come to the ring and try giving him the RKO. Orton glared back at Barrett and slowly walked down the ramp. Suddenly, the Raw GM buzzed.

Michael Cole approached the podium and opened up the laptop to read off the piece of paper on the keyboard. Cole read that for the first time ever, Gabriel will face John Cena. Gabriel sold confidence. Also, Orton doesn’t have to wait until NOC, as he gets Wade Barrett for the first-time ever tonight. Cole read that Nexus is banned from ringside tonight to make sure both matches are fair. Slater and Tarver flipped out while Barrett sold mild disdain and confidence facing Orton tonight. Lawler plugged what’s to come as they cut back and forth between Orton and Barrett staring each other down.

WADE BARRETT RKO-ed

RANDY ORTON vs. WADE BARRETT
The bell sounded and Orton aggressively attacked Barrett. Cena talked strategy of the key to Nexus being isolating them. Suddenly, the match moved to the floor where Orton banged Barrett’s head off the announce table in front of the men assembled ringside. Back in the ring, Orton shouted to the crowd before stomping on Barrett. Orton caught Barrett with an elbow, but Barrett blasted him with a big boot to the face. Sheamus, meanwhile, asked why it’s fair that he could lose the WWE Title without ever being pinned. Cole defended the Raw GM’s decision-making, continuing to hint Cole is the GM. Lawler backed up Sheamus, then Cole noted Sheamus won the title because of Nexus. Sheamus said that fact is irrelevant. He said his poor granny at home has been praying and is distraught because of these circumstances. Great delivery.

DARREN YOUNG RKO-ed

Orton made a comeback, but Barrett cut him off and delivered a backbreaker. Cena put over Barrett, saying he looks like he belongs. Sheamus said he has a touch of the flu, which is why he hasn’t been in the ring this week. Cole returned fire and Sheamus said he better watch out or Cole won’t be on TV next week. Orton delivered his trademark fallaway backbreaker and Edge added good commentary that it makes your feet go numb when you take the move. Orton then fired up and set up for the spike DDT from the second rope, but Barrett blocked and back-dropped Orton over the top to the floor.

Suddenly, some new music hit and out walked Darren Young on stage. Young said Barrett thought he could kick him out of Nexus and get away with it. Young slowly walked down to the ring and said he’s going to show Barrett he wasn’t the weakest link, but the missing link. Young approached the ring steps as Barrett stared him down. Orton then snuck in the back door and dropped him with the RKO. Orton with the pin for the win. Orton was frothing at the mouth post-match, which was a good look to get over his intensity.

ADAM EDGE RKO-ed

Post-match: Orton called Young into the ring, smiling at him. Young took the bait and ate an RKO from Orton. Sheamus and Edge then tried to corner Orton, but Orton avoided their attacks. Orton smashed Edge with the RKO. Orton then ducked a kick from Sheamus and hit the RKO. Orton did his IED convulsions and his music hit as Cole said he is on fire. No sign of Cena here.

WINNER: Orton at 6:03. They needed to have Orton win, but without making Barrett look weak, so enter Darren Young with the random interruption. They’re at the make-or-break point with Nexus on the audience teetering on the edge of not caring about the group anymore. On commentary, Edge was terrific, Sheamus was solid playing a confident top champion, and Cena was good picking his spots to interject comments.

Last, SHEAMUS RKO-ed

They replayed the roll of RKOs, then cut back live to the ring where John Cena was now in the ring. It’s Cena vs. Orton next week. Cena took off his t-shirt and stared down Orton, who returned the stare with a glare. Orton slowly inched toward Cena, who stood his ground. They continued to stare down each other, then Orton eased up and wiped his mouth. “Cincinnati, brace yourselves, Cena and Orton live on Raw next week,” Cole said. They continued to stare each other down as the crowd chanted, “Fight, fight,” to conclude the show.