Raw: February 28, 2011

BUFFALO, N.Y. - As the WWE Universe looked on, an entire galaxy of Superstars appeared inside the HSBC Arena. While several triumphed in their insults and in-ring endeavors, others crashed as if flying over nearby Niagara Falls in a barrel.

John Cena def. Alex Riley in a Steel Cage Match (WATCH | PHOTOS)
Rarely has social media been so unsociable. During a Steel Cage Match between John Cena and Alex Riley, WWE Champion The Miz used his cell phone to tweet out a photo of his WrestleMania opponent with his face pressed against the unforgiving steel grid. He then tossed the phone to Riley, who used it to clock his opponent in the face.

In the end, though, Riley lost the match – and his job as a result. As stipulated, the frat-boy fighter was forced to retire as Miz’s apprentice after his defeat. The Cenation Commander-in-Chief did not celebrate long, however, before Miz ambushed him with a Skull Crushing Finale onto the cold, hard arena floor.

U.S. Champion Daniel Bryan vs. William Regal ended in a No Contest (WATCH | PHOTOS)
The scheduled match between United States Daniel Bryan and William Regal was over before it even began. As the U.S. Champion approached the ring, WWE Champion The Miz ambushed him. As a result, Bryan’s match with Regal was proclaimed a no contest. The Cleveland Screamer described his motivation for the attack by simply saying that Raw is his show.

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson rebutted John Cena’s comments from last week (WATCH)
After suffering a barrage of verbal grenades from John Cena the week prior, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson returned fire. The host of WrestleMania mocked the Dr. of Thuganomic’s rapping skills. He then went on to tell the WWE Universe that Cena unjustly called him a liar, that he “loves the WWE” and that he will soon confront Cena face-to-face.

Shawn Michaels discussed Triple H vs. The Undertaker at WrestleMania (WATCH)
Shawn Michaels, the man who founded D-Generation X with Triple H and faced The Undertaker in classic showdowns the past two WrestleManias, offered his thoughts on the powerhouse clash. HBK told the WWE Universe that he has mixed emotions, but he's rooting for his friend Triple H to emerge victorious.

Brie Bella won a No. 1 Contender’s Diva Battle Royal (WATCH | PHOTOS)
Do you believe in magic? If you’re Brie Bella, you have every reason to. The beautiful nad cunning Diva emerged victorious against Natalya, Gail Kim, Tamina, Maryse, Alicia Fox, Melina and her sister Nikki. As Divas Champion Eve looked on, The Bella Twins hoodwinked the referee and performed Twin Magic to lock up the win for Brie.

Randy Orton vs. CM Punk WrestleMania match announced; Randy Orton def. Michael McGillicutty (WATCH | PHOTOS)
The Raw General Manager has proven he or she is as astute as they are anonymous. Sensing that tensions between Randy Orton and CM Punk have risen to uncontrollable heights, the GM declared that the two will settle their substantial differences on a stage equally as grand, WrestleMania XXVII.

During the announcement, the GM also revealed that Orton must face every one of Punk’s New Nexus disciples in singles matches over the next few weeks. If The Viper defeats that member, they are banned from WrestleMania. However, should any member defeat Orton, that member is permitted to be in Punk’s corner at The Show of Shows. Not only that, if any New Nexus member interferes, the group will be disbanded.

So far, Orton 1 – New Nexus 0. WWE’s Apex Predator battled Michael McGillicutty and managed to defeat the fellow third-generation Superstar. Dealing a further blow to The Second City Savior, Orton punted McGillicutty in the head after Punk pleaded that he show restraint. 

“Stone Cold” Steve Austin to return to Raw next week
The Texas Rattlesnake returns! The host of WWE’s Tough Enough program, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, will make his way back to Raw next Monday night. There’s no telling what might happen, so don’t miss any of the action!

Michael Cole agreed to a WrestleMania match against Jerry “The King” Lawler (WATCH | PHOTOS)
After scurrying away last week in the face of a challenge by his fellow announcer Jerry “The King” Lawler, Michael Cole returned to Raw with a change of heart. After inviting Lawler into the ring, Cole agreed to face him in a match at WrestleMania – under two conditions. First, the bigheaded broadcaster would get to name a special guest referee. Second, during the bout he would get to have in his corner the Superstar who will train him, Jack Swagger!

Once Lawler agreed to the conditions, Swagger approached the ring and he and Cole attacked the WWE Hall of Famer with “The All-American American” snapping on an ankle lock.

Evan Bourne def. King Sheamus (WATCH | PHOTOS)
King Sheamus continued the tumble off his throne. His latest unceremonious defeat came compliments of Evan Bourne, who reemerged on Raw for the first time in months. The high-flyer prevailed in the wake of a Triple H Pedrigree delivered to Sheamus just prior to his bout with Bourne.

Triple H addressed the WWE Universe; Sheamus confronted The Game (WATCH | PHOTOS)
After months away from Raw recuperating from an injury suffered at the hands of Sheamus, Triple H has returned with renewed determination. The Cerebral Assassin explained to the WWE Universe that, although he has accomplished an enormous amount in WWE, he has yet to enjoy an unadulterated WrestleMania moment, one not overshadowed by other Superstars. Were he to defeat The Undertaker and put an end to The Deadman’s undefeated streak at The Show of Shows, then, and only then, could he experience such a moment. 

After The King of Kings’ speech, the man who hobbled him months earlier paid a visit. King Sheamus interrupted and swaggered up to Triple H. It was unclear precisely what the Irishman expected, but what he received instead was a long overdue Pedigree through an announce table. Time to “pay” The Game, indeed.