DIGITAL PICTURES — SCREEN CAPTURES

Prior to his match against CM Punk, WWE’s 2010 Superstar of the Year was confronted by Nexus loyalist David Otunga, who suspiciously offered to bury the hatchet in the new year. He even proclaimed that Nexus was under new management, presumably having ousted Wade Barrett. After being rebuffed by a guarded Cena, Otunga and his Nexus cohorts attacked, leaving a Nexus armband in the ring.

After leaving their rival battered, Nexus exited and CM Punk, who had been trying to rally the Raw roster against Cena all evening, assumed their position. The Straightedge Superstar shrewdly nailed his opponent with a GTS, then slipped the Nexus armband on himself, signaling that perhaps Punk will be the new ringleader of the yellow-and-black brigade.

When it comes to snide, arrogant, Straight Edge weasels, John Cena’s not exactly a fan. And who could blame the guy? Last week, WWE’s 2010 Superstar of the Year appeared finally to be putting a tumultuous year behind him by besting Intercontinental Champion Dolph Ziggler. As he reveled in the victory, however, CM Punk ambushed him and slammed a steel chair into his back. The Second City Savior then did the same, mere days later on SmackDown.

Soon after Cena called out the self-righteous Superstar, Punk defended The Nexus as well as SmackDown Official Consultant Vickie Guerrero and opined that WWE’s 2010 Superstar of the Year was nothing more than a bully. Perhaps the only thing the two were able to agree upon was that they would face off later in the evening.

DIGITAL PICTURES — SCREEN CAPTURES

After Punk’s acceptance speech, a couple of other despicable Superstars, Intercontinental Champion Dolph Ziggler & Ted DiBiase, teamed up to challenge U.S. Champion Daniel Bryan & Kofi Kingston in a tag team match. Although Ziggler & DiBiase waged an aggressive offense, Bryan & Kingston managed to surmount the challenge for the victory.