WWE Raw Report: January 5, 2015 - Three stars fired on Cena appreciation night, big change made to Royal Rumble title match, more
WWE Monday Night Raw took place at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas on January 5 as The Authority returned to the show since John Cena reinstated them on the last episode of Raw. Cena opened Raw with every superstar from the locker room joining him inside the ring.
He apologized to the WWE Universe for bringing The Authority back. He said that saving Edge was the most important thing and he had to do it. The Authority interrupted as Triple H and Stephanie Mcmahon came out.
WWE World Heavyweight title announcement and Cena appreciation night
Triple H made a major announcement regarding the John Cena vs Brock Lesnar match at Royal Rumble 2015. Seth Rollins, who was responsible for forcing Cena to bring back The Authority has been included in the match and now the WWE World Heavyweight title match with be a Triple Threat match between Cena, Lesnar and Rollins.
They also declared that Dolph Ziggler would be defending his Intercontinental title and everyone would be getting what they deserved.
Bad News Barrett becomes the new Intercontinental Champion
Ziggler won the encounter by countering Barrett’s headlock to gain a pinfall. After the match, Barrett unleashed an assault on the IC champion and in the middle of a beat down, Kane came out and announced a 2 out of 3 falls stipulation for the match. Bad News for Ziggler was followed by an immediate big boot and a Wasteland on Ziggler for the pin.
With Kane’s distraction, Barrett hit the Bullhammer on Ziggler and won the bout to become the new IC champion.
Bray Wyatt prevails over Dean Ambrose in the Ambulance match
The Eater of the Worlds and The Lunatic Fringe went one on one in an Ambulance match. Bray Wyatt was put through a table by a leaping Ambrose from the top of the ambulance. But Bray came back with a Sister Abigail from nowhere and deposited Ambrose inside the Ambulance to win the match.
Ziggler, Rowan and Ryback get fired by the Authority
Triple H brought Dolph, Erick Rowan and Ryback out after welcoming John Cena to the ring in order to celebrate Cena Appreciation night. For siding with Cena against the Authority at Survivor Series, Triple H and Stephanie decide to punish Rowan, Ryback and Ziggler with 30, 60 and 90 days of suspension without pay respectively.
However, they leave the ring stating that they need to discuss this matter privately and walk towards the stage. To everyone’s surprise, they fire all three of them and ask them to thank Cena for ruining their lives. The balloons and confetti fell from the rafters as Raw closed with a worried Cena looking on.