DIGITAL PICTURES — SCREEN CAPTURES

WWE Champion CM Punk confronted Chris Jericho (WATCH)
Chris Jericho finally spoke his mind on Raw SuperShow. WWE’s first-ever Undisputed Champion delivered a bold statement and message to the WWE Universe and all the Superstars and Divas, that they are all “Jericho wannabes.” Jericho explained that he did everything before everyone else, that he was the trendsetter in WWE. He then set his sights on WWE Champion CM Punk, claiming that he, not Punk, was “the best in the world.”

As Jericho continued to present his case, The Voice of the Voiceless made his way to the ring, itching to use his pipe-bomb. However, as Punk stood face to face with Jericho, he dropped the microphone and proudly held the WWE Championship high in the air. The Straight Edge Superstar turned his back, giving Jericho a chance to attack. When Jericho did not attack, CM Punk left the ring and returned to the locker room.

Chris Jericho def. WWE Champion CM Punk, R-Truth, Kofi Kingston, The Miz & Dolph Ziggler (WATCH)
The stakes were certainly high in Raw SuperShow’s main event – the winner would be the final entrant into Raw’s Elimination Chamber Match at WWE Elimination Chamber. That prospect was enough to fuel each Superstar involved in the Six Pack Challenge as the winner would be able to conserve the most energy inside the unforgiving structure.

Before the contest on Raw SuperShow turned into a free-for-all, Truth, Kingston, Miz and Ziggler all focused their attention on Jericho, no doubt retaliating for the first-ever Undisputed Champion’s comments earlier in the evening. The WWE Champion waited, grabbed Miz and tried to take the early victory. From this point on, the match became every Superstar for himself as the battle raged in and out of the ring. However, with Miz outside the ring, R-Truth attempted to hit a somersault dive over the ropes but The Awesome One moved out of the way. This resulted in a very hard landing for Truth, and WWE doctors determined that Truth was unable to continue in the match. (INJURY UPDATE)

As the battle raged, none of the Superstars were able to maintain any momentum or an advantage for very long. This only kept the WWE Universe in Oklahoma City on the edge of their seats, no doubt making them envious of their counterparts in Milwaukee who will witness these Superstars battle inside the Elimination Chamber in two weeks. After tossing Chris Jericho from the ring, CM Punk seemed to have a clear path to victory when he caught Ziggler with the GTS. With the ring cleared, CM Punk pinned The Show Off but Jericho pulled the WWE Champion out of the ring, tossed him over the announce table and stole the victory!

In breaking news, Executive Vice President of Talent Relations and Interim Raw General Manager John Laurinaitis revealed exclusively to WWE.com the Superstars who will compete for the WWE Title in the Raw Elimination Chamber Match: WWE Champion CM Punk, Dolph Ziggler, Chris Jericho, R-Truth, The Miz and Kofi Kingston.

With all eyes on Punk’s title, the six competitors will brave the redoubtable dome live on pay-per-view Feb. 19.

For the uninitiated, the Elimination Chamber Match is a bout in which two participants begin in the ring and the remaining four are held within pods in each corner. These Superstars are released into the match at five-minute intervals, with the objective being to eliminate each opponent via pinfall or submission. The last Superstar standing is declared the winner.

Measuring 16 feet in height and 36 feet in diameter, the Elimination Chamber has been unleashed on the WWE Universe 13 times since its debut in 2002 at Survivor Series. Heading into this year’s event, the Raw match participants bring with them wildly varying levels of experience inside the structure.

On one end of the spectrum is Jericho, a veteran of six Elimination Chamber matches. Tied with Triple H for most appearances, Jericho took part in the first three installments of the Elimination Chamber, and he scored big in his last appearance, capturing the World Heavyweight Championship in 2010.

Could that edge mean all the difference this time around? WWE Champion Punk is no stranger to the dangers that lurk within the structure’s wicked walls, having entered the Chamber on three separate occasions. Despite repeat visits, however, The Straight Edge Superstar has yet to attain victory.

Kingston and R-Truth boast one and two winless Chamber appearances, respectively. Ziggler and The Miz, meanwhile, are completely unacquainted with The Elimination Chamber. For them, Feb. 19 will mark maiden trips into the devastating dome.

With the WWE Championship at stake and personal vendettas very much in the mix, the Raw Elimination Chamber Match is sure to pack plenty of punch when it emanates from the Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wis. Catch all the action live on Feb. 19 on pay-per-view starting at 8/7 CT.

DIGITAL PICTURES — SCREEN CAPTURES

WWE Champion CM Punk vs. World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan announced 
With his job in jeopardy, Interim Raw General Manager & EVP of Talent Relations John Laurinaitis started off Raw SuperShow fully confident that he would keep his job by the end of the night. Then, after calling attention to the big Raw Elimination Chamber Match on Feb. 19 (PREVIEW), the GM announced WWE Champion CM Punk and World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan would collide later tonight.

After the GM’s announcements, Punk led the WWE Universe in singing “Nah Nah Nah Hey Hey Hey Goodbye.” Next, after Punk and the GM traded verbal barbs, World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan emerged to tout his accomplishment at the 25th anniversary of Royal Rumble. Then after the two champions mixed heated words, the 2012 Royal Rumble Match winner Sheamus came out to remind them that he earned the right to be in the main event of WrestleMania, where he boldly proclaimed he will become the WWE or World Heavyweight Champion.

World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan def. WWE Champion CM Punk by Disqualification (WATCH)
In a highly competitive bout, two of WWE’s best went toe-to-toe in their first one-on-one match in WWE. But before either Superstar could put the other away, Chris Jericho charged in and pulled Daniel Bryan from the ring, causing the match to end in a disqualification. With Bryan down and Punk vulnerable after the hard-fought match, Jericho blasted the Straightedge Superstar with the Codebreaker.

thanks to Amanda for the screencaps!

DIGITAL PICTURES — SCREEN CAPTURES

Whether Interim Raw General Manager and Executive Vice President of Talent Relations John Laurinaitis intended it or not – CM Punk stood tall over Dolph Ziggler in the WWE Championship Match at Royal Rumble, proudly showing off the most coveted prize in WWE.

Rather than risk seeming biased in light of his upcoming performance appraisal by WWE COO Triple H, Mr. Laurinaitis excused himself from officiating duties in the WWE Championship Match. This ultimately allowed Punk and Ziggler to do what they do best in an evenly- officiated contest.

The sold-out WWE Universe inside St. Louis’ Scottrade Center witnessed the two Superstars lay everything on the line, highlighting the importance of the WWE Championship and The Grandest Stage of Them All waiting on the horizon in Miami.

The contest began with each Superstar trying to get a feel for each other’s in-ring abilities. Momentum swings were fairly even, both ring warriors trading blows and trying to make each other tap out. There were unforgettable moments and near-pinfalls that could have crowned a new champion, but ultimately these did not seal the deal for either competitor. At one point, Ziggler lined up Punk for his signature face-crusher, but Punk countered with a sit-down powerbomb. Although CM Punk had Ziggler defeated on a few separate occasions, the referee was knocked out for two of those moments and Mr. Laurinaitis was checking on the officials condition, leaving no one call the match. Finally, The Voice of the Voiceless took control of the match, hoisted the Dolph Ziggler over his shoulders and put him to sleep. As the referee made the count, Mr. Laurinaitis slipped inside the ring and joined in on the three-count.

Leading up to the official start of The Road to WrestleMania, Dolph Ziggler had built a fair share of momentum against the WWE Champion. Although CM Punk managed to have The Show-Off’s cohorts, U.S. Champion Jack Swagger and Vickie Guerrero, banned from ringside, Ziggler had the potential to capture the title with Mr. Laurinaitis as special referee. But when Raw’s Interim General Manager announced he would not be in that role, the news seemed to have served a crucial blow to all of the momentum Ziggler had built heading into Royal Rumble.

However, with the battle underway, The Show-Off proved he did not need the screeching sounds of Vickie Guerrero’s voice, nor the extra muscle in the form of U.S. Champion Jack Swagger. Perhaps the prospect of going into WWE Elimination Chamber, and ultimately, WrestleMania as WWE Champion helped light a fire inside of Ziggler, giving CM Punk one of the greatest challenges of his championship reign.

The Voice of the Voiceless leaves St. Louis with the WWE Championship intact, but has to get through WWE Elimination Chamber to remain on top heading to WrestleMania. Watch all the fallout – and the Interim Raw General Manager on Monday Night Raw.

thanks to Annabella for the link!

DIGITAL PICTURES — SCREEN CAPTURES

WWE Champion CM Punk called out Interim Raw General Manager John Laurinaitis
One week after unloading a verbal tirade on Mr. Laurinaitis, The Voice of the Voiceless opened WWE Raw SuperShow by calling out the Executive Vice President of Talent Relations, and demanding he admit that he will screw Punk at Royal Rumble. To the surprise of the WWE Universe, John Cena made his way to the ring as Mr. Laurinaitis did not. Cena took the opportunity to demand a match with Kane on Raw and to grant Zack Ryder a U.S. Title rematch.

The Interim Raw General Manager finally appeared and announced that Zack Ryder would face Kane in a Falls Count Anywhere Match tonight. He also declared that if Cena interfered, Long Island Iced-Z would never have another U.S. Title opportunity. Mr. Laurinaitis then announced that CM Punk and John Cena would battle Jack Swagger and Dolph Ziggler next!

Dolph Ziggler & U.S. Champion Jack Swagger def.  WWE Champion CM Punk & John Cena (WATCH)

In an impromptu tag team match, John Cena and CM Punk immediately showed great teamwork in an effort to take out their frustrations with Mr. Laurinaitis. With momentum not in their favor, Ziggler and Swagger tried to regroup and re-strategize. With a combination of pure athleticism and show-boating, The All-American American and No. 1 contender to the WWE Title built a fair amount of momentum against Cena. But the fighting spirit deep within the Cenation leader overpowered Swagger with an Attitude Adjustment paving the way for the WWE Champion to get inside the squared circle. However, as The Voice of the Voiceless ascended the ropes to elbow drop Ziggler, Mr. Laurinaitis distracted Punk, allowing The Show-Off to capture the victory.

In response, CM Punk challenged the Executive Vice President of Talent Relations to a match tonight and Mr. Laurinaitis accepted!

WWE Champion CM Punk vs. John Laurinaitis did not take place  (WATCH)

Moments before Interim Raw General Manager John Laurinaitis battled WWE Champion CM Punk, he received word from WWE’s Board of Directors that his job performance would be evaluated. The Board of Directors is bringing Mr. Laurinaitis’ decision-making into question, especially his declaration that he would screw CM Punk at Royal Rumble. Furthermore, the Executive Vice President of Talent Relations’ job performance would be evaluated personally by WWE’s COO, Triple H.

David Otunga and Mr. Laurinaitis read the letter to CM Punk inside the squared circle. Mr. Laurinaitis apologized to Punk, announcing he would fairly call the WWE Title Match at Royal Rumble and that Mick Foley was officially an entrant in the Royal Rumble Match. However, the Interim Raw General Manager also informed the WWE Champion that their match would not take place and Punk would battle David Otunga. This prompted Otunga to attack The Voice of the Voiceless.

Otunga’s attack was short-lived and CM Punk was soon left alone in the ring with Mr. Laurinaitis. The Executive Vice President of Talent Relations extended his hand in peace, but was reciprocated with a resounding GTS from the WWE Champion. This bold move by The Second City Savior was quickly upstaged when Dolph Ziggler snuck into the ring and took down his Royal Rumble opponent with the Zig Zag.

98KUPD Photos
Power 98.3 Photos

Photos from 98KUPD & Power 98.3

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