Backstage: And on with the show to a smiling Josh Mathews. He brought in WWE champ Randy Orton, who cut a three-sentence promo on John Cena’s predicament tonight.

Wade Barrett, Nexus’s music hit to bring out Barrett. Cena followed close behind as an unwilling servant. WWE champ Orton then came out and Justin Roberts handled the formal ring intros. Before the bell sounded, Barrett made it clear to Cena that if Barrett does not win this match, he fires Cena tonight.

WWE champion RANDY ORTON vs. WADE BARRETT (w/John Cena) — WWE Title match
Orton dominated in the first minute as Cena simply stood by non-reactionary on the outside several feet away from the ring. Some of the males chanted, “Fire Cena,” as Orton worked over Barrett. The chant gained momentum and the announcers ignored it. Barrett then tossed Orton to the outside, leading to a stare down between Cena and Orton. Barrett didn’t like Cena’s reaction to an opportunity, so he rolled out of the ring to challenge Cena with his eyes. Back in the ring, Barrett rocked Orton into the corner with kicks before Orton fired back with a clothesline. Barrett continued to work over Orton as Cena watched from a distance.

Barrett didn’t appreciate Cena’s lack of effort, so he screamed at him ringside. Orton snuck up behind Barrett and clotheslined him into the ring steps as Cena backed up to the announcer table. Orton stared down Cena, then rolled Barrett back into the ring and applied a chinlock. The match moved back to the floor where Barrett reversed a whip sending Orton flying into the ring steps. Back in the ring, Barrett landed three left hand jabs to Orton and made a cover for a two count. Barrett went to the second rope, paused, and delivered a flying elbow drop for another nearfall.

At 8:00, Barrett shoved a boot into Orton’s face in the corner as the camera continued to focus on Cena staring into the ring from ringside. Barrett continued to score nearfalls as the crowd waited for something to get excited about. Barrett slowly came to his feet and dragged Orton to the outside before ramming him head-first into the guardrail in front of a fan dressed as a clown and a man wearing a Peyton Manning jersey. The clown or Peyton shouted, “You suck!” toward Barrett as he rolled Orton back into the ring and slapped on a chinlock.

Orton sold a comeback, was cut off, then finally gave the audience some hope with right hand strikes, followed by a dropkick. Orton positioned Barrett on the second rope for his patented spike DDT, but Barrett slipped out and the ref was bumped. Barrett knocked down Orton with a clothesline as Barrett shouted at Cena to get on the ring apron. Orton suddenly bumped Barrett into the apron, bumping Cena off the apron to the floor. Nexus then stormed the ring and Orton tried to fight them off. Striker ominously said Barrett is going to be the new WWE champion. We know that’s not happening now.

Nexus held up Orton, who accepted right hand strikes from Nexus members. Cena suddenly stormed the ring and tackled Nexus members. Barrett knocked down Orton in the confusion, then Barrett screamed at Cena. Cena said that if Barrett gets DQ’ed, he loses. Barrett accepted the explanation, then went on the attack, but Orton made his comeback as the ref came back to life. Orton dropped Barrett with the spike DDT from the second rope before he started pounding the mat with his fists.

Suddenly, Cena snuck in the back door and scooped up Barrett. He dropped him with the Attitude Adjustment and the ref called for the bell. Barrett was announced as the winner via DQ, which drew silence since it was one of those groan-inducing, predictable cop-out finishes for Barrett to win. Cena grabbed the title belt and started to hand it over to Orton, who dropped Cena with the RKO. That drew a mild pop from the males. Orton celebrated with the title, then dropped Barrett with the RKO as Barrett tried to sneak attack him. The announcers tried to explain the finish and Cena working Barrett’s system as Orton celebrated. They replayed the key moments of the match as Cole said Barrett will be livid going forward. Orton held up the title belt in the ring as the show concluded.

WINNER: Barrett via DQ at 14:34, Orton retains the WWE Title.