Episode number 998 of Monday Night Raw kicked off with a video recap of the AJ, CM Punk and Daniel Bryan love triangle. After the video montage, Aj's music hit and she made her way to the ring. She said she understands that the WWE championship match has a lot to do with her and says it is emotionally draining. She then introduced the WWE champion, Punk. Aj said that there was only one thing she could after the way Punk kissed her and looked into her eyes. She dropped to a knee and asked, "CM Punk, will you marry me?"
Before Punk could respond, Bryan ran to the ring, yelling "no." Bryan said that Punk only cares about Aj because she will be the special referee. He said that he truly cared about Aj and saw her as a special referee, when "I see you as a special person."
Bryan said, "When I woke up this morning, I had no intention of breaking up a proposal, I intended to make one," He then dropped to a knee and asked Aj to marry him. Punk cut Bryan off and asked where the ring was if this was something he had planned. Before anything could be said, the anonymous Raw General Manager made an appearance. Michael Cole read the message that said Punk and Aj would team to face Eve and Bryan.
Sheamus vs. Jack Swagger
Sheamus got the quick win after a Brogue Kick. Following the match, Alberto Del Rio appeared and said that at the pay-per-view, he was going to win the world heavyweight title.
Dolph Ziggler and Tensai vs. Tyson Kidd and Christian
This match featured the four competitors in the world heavyweight championship money in the bank match. This was another quick match that saw Tensai get the pin on Christian. Tensai attacked Kidd following the match, which seemed to impress Vicki Guerrero.
Following the match, Cole and Jerry Lawler began to go at it, but were interrupted by the GM's message. Cole refused to read the message, but Lawler had no problems announcing that they will meet in a WrestleMania rematch.
Brodus Clay vs. Drew McIntyre
The third match of the night featured the third quick match, really proving the point that the 2012 WWE is all about "entertainment" instead of in-ring action. Clay got the quick win against the former "Chosen One."
John Cena and Kane vs. Chris Jericho and Big Show
Cena was the first man out and gave the typical hype interview saying he was going to win his match at Money in the Bank. This match made it longer than the previous three combined, but was again used mostly as a way of pushing Show as an unstoppable force in WWE. The finish saw Show pull Cena out of the ring during a pin attempt and throw him into the barricade at ringside. He threw Kane into the ring and pulled two ladders out from under the ring. He proceeded to use these as weapons until Cena used a ladder to knock Show out of the ring.
Sin Cara vs. Heath Slater
Cara picked up the easy victory, earning the final spot in the world heavyweight championship money in the bank match.
After the match, Slater called out any former champion from the locker room, which led to Bob Backlund coming to the ring. Backlund locked in the Cross Face Chicken Wing on Slater, much to the delight of the WWE Universe.
Jerry Lawler vs. Michael Cole
This was a boring match that saw Lawler get the pin after making Cole dizzy by spinning him around on his shoulders. The anonymous GM announced that due to interference from Booker T, he was reversing the decision and calling Cole the winner. Santino Marella appeared in the arena and said that he thinks that the only place left for the anonymous GM to appear is under the ring. Marella then went to the floor and was dragged down by someone that turned out to be Hornswoggle. Hornswoggle kicked Lawler in the shin, bit Marella in the butt and kicked Cole in the leg before leaving the ring.
CM Punk and Aj vs. Daniel Bryan and Eve
The finish of this match came when Bryan refused to tag in to Eve, allowing Aj to get the roll-up for the win. After the match, Bryan said that he proved his love for her and said they should go get married. Punk said he wasn't going to lie to Aj to keep his title. He said he wasn't going to marry her and apologized if that hurt, but he said that at least he cared enough about her to tell the truth. This prompted Aj to slap Punk in the face, as Bryan was saying to "come home." Aj walked towards Bryan and slapped him too, which prompted the WWE Universe to scream "yes" with her as she walked to the locker room.
For WWE WrestleMania history articles and more, go here.
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Hobson Lopes has been a fan of professional wrestling since watching SummerSlam 1992 with his father and can be followed on Twitter @HobsonLopes.
