The show opened with Randy Orton walking to the ring to his intro music. I miss the mood-setting opening song and pyro every week they skimp on it. Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler introduced the show and recapped the Randy Orton vs. Wade Barrett title match stip with John Cena as special referee.

Orton entered the ring to his polite reception holding his world title. He said he doesn’t think there’s a man alive who can take the WWE Title from him, but if someone did, he wouldn’t be happy about it, but he would accept it. He said what he can’t accept is if he lost it due to a crooked referee, especially if that crooked referee happened to be Cena. He asked Cena to come to the ring because if he’s going to screw him over at Survivor Series, he could at least be man enough to say it to his face.


Cena came out and said of all people, he should cut him some slack. He said he has a decision to make because if Barrett beats him, “I am out of Nexus, finally.” He added that if Orton wins, he’s fired. He said he has to call the match down the middle, “but if there’s a situation, if something happens in there…” and he trailed off. He looked down for a few seconds and then looked up, not sure how to admit the tough choice he might make. He looked around at the fans and said he’s either free or he’s fired.


Orton said he gets that. Orton said this is his bleeding heart way of saying he’s going to screw him over at Survivor Series. Cena said that’s not true. Orton said if he does cheat him out of his title to keep his job, he’s the biggest phony in WWE. He told him not to talk about Hustle, Loyalty, and Respect, especially Respect. He said if he cheats him out of the title, he’s disrespected everyone including himself. He told Cena to get out of the ring because he doesn’t deserve to be in it. Cena said he doesn’t like the situation he’s in. He said he worked hard to get where he is. He said Barrett has everyone under control and they’re running the show. He then bad-mouthed Barrett, saying he’s the one who doesn’t know about respect.

Nexus walked out onto the stage as their music played. Barrett stood front and center and said, “Oh Cena, thank you very much for those kind words.” He said he’s going to give him permission to say whatever he wants about him because ultimately actions will speak louder than words. He said words don’t matter because when push comes to shove, he will do exactly as he is told and raise his arm as the new WWE Champion. Cena said in three weeks at Survivor Series it’s over one way or another.


He promised Barrett that he’d leave him with a parting gift. He said when it’s all over he’ll beat the hell out of him. Orton said he doesn’t have to wait until Survivor Series. He said as far as he’s concerned, he’s a scared, little child who has to stand behind others. He said the only thing left for his little stooge Cena to do is raise his arm unless he wants to come to the ring by himself and prove him otherwise. Barrett made his way toward the ring when the G.M. chime sounded.
Cole stepped up to the podium, which was on the right side of the announce desk for the first time ever. He read a statement stating that the G.M. sympathizes with Orton’s position. He said later tonight there will be a main event with Barrett and a partner of his choice against Orton and a partner of his choosing. He said the special guest referee will be Cena.


They showed Orton backstage. Truth said he feels for him. He said he just talked to Cena and he didn’t like what he saw. He said he thinks he already made up his mind. Truth said Cena should have just quit at the beginning. He said he’s not going to let himself get tired. He said he thinks in three weeks he’s going to look him in the eyes as he counts Barrett victorious. Orton said tonight he’d like to make him his tag team partner. There were actually a few groans in the crowd and no pop. Orton said since he’s friends with Cena, he’d like to see how he treats a friend. He said they might find out tonight Cena doesn’t have any friends.

WWE champion RANDY ORTON & R-TRUTH vs. NEXUS (WADE BARRETT & DAVID OTUNGA) — John Cena special referee
Orton and Otunga started things off with Cena asking for a clean break in the corner. Orton landed a boot before running over Otunga with a shoulder tackle. Orton added a little salute to the crowd before following up with a shoulder tackle on Barrett and another salute. Orton landed elbows and forearms in the corner before Cena demanded a clean break. Barrett tried to roll up Orton, who kicked out and argued with Cena. Barrett and Otunga exchanged tags, but Orton regained control and glared at Barrett. On the outside, Otunga reversed a whip and Orton ate the ring steps back-first.

Back in the ring, Orton escaped a headlock and back dropped Barrett, who had tagged in. Truth finally entered the match and cleaned house on Nexus until Barrett re-entered and started working over Truth. Barrett wanted a top rope elbow, but Truth moved in time. They did the old spot where the ref didn’t see the babyface tag, which led to Cena telling Orton to get back in his corner. Meanwhile, Nexus went back to working on Truth. Truth suddenly fired up with clubbing forearms before Truth and Otunga collided mid-ring. This was followed by the “ref not seeing the heel tag in” spot, which led to Orton sneaking in the back door to drop Otunga with the RKO as Cena was arguing with Barrett. Truth then made the cover and Cena walked back over to make a three count for Truth on Otunga. On the outside, Orton just smiled to himself as Nexus argued with Cena. Cena told Barrett he called it right down the middle. Orton and Barrett then had a stare down going back and forth as Barrett acknowledged Orton getting the upper hand this time. They concluded Raw with Orton standing tall in the ring.

WINNERS: Orton & Truth at 8:50.