As The Authority said goodbye, Daniel Bryan said hello!

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — A new future began in WWE, LIVE on Monday Night Raw, as The Authority was no more, Daniel Bryan was in charge and the WWE Universe was truly calling the plays.

Triple H and Stephanie McMahon kicked off Raw to offer their farewell address to the WWE Universe — after being  ousted from power by falling to Team Cena at Survivor Series with a little help from the surprise emergence of Sting!

Watch as Mr. McMahon expresses his disappointment | Five Dream Sting Matches

In an emotional goodbye, The Authority reflected on the reasons for their epic loss and admonished the WWE Universe — cautioning them to be careful what they wished for. The Game ridiculed the fans, John Cena, Dolph Ziggler and Sting, before promising that their demise would mean the end of WWE. He also made the profound prediction that, in the end, the people would beg them to come back.

But they were interrupted by John Cena’s selection for the man who would be running Raw for the night: Daniel Bryan!

Daniel Bryan settled business with Team Authority

Daniel Bryan wasted little time in calling out the beaten members of Team Authority to the ring. And his first order of business was to put Seth Rollins’ fate in the hands of the WWE Universe, with a WWE App vote to decide Mr. Money in the Bank’s partners against John Cena & Dolph Ziggler in a 3-on-2 Handicap Match: Mark Henry & Luke Harper, Mark Henry & Kane or Jamie Noble & Joey Mercury.

Behind the scenes of Triple H and Stephanie's 'Muscle & Fitness' cover shoot

Bryan and the WWE Universe also changed the job responsibilities of his old friend Director of Operations Corporate Kane, transforming him into “Director of Food and Beverage,” “ Concessions Kane.” United States Champion Rusev would face an “American Ultimatum” — either he would have to put his title on the line in a company-wide Battle Royal or he and Lana would have to recite the Pledge Allegiance in front of an America flag.

In addition, Bryan made two huge singles matches: Luke Harper vs. Dean Ambrose in an Intercontinental Title Match and Mark Henry vs. Ryback (at The Big Guy’s request).

Ryback def. Mark Henry

Before their Raw match could even get under way, Ryback attacked Mark Henry on the ramp and threw him, head first, into the steel ring post. And the match didn’t last much longer once the referees were able to reestablish control and called for the opening bell. The Human Wrecking Ball ultimately made short work of The World’s Strongest Man with a Spinebuster–Meat Hook Clothesline combination. "Feed Me More!"

Pre-match feeding time!

Dean Ambrose def. Luke Harper by Disqualification – Intercontinental Championship Match

After Daniel Bryan forced him to defend his Intercontinental Title against the unstable Dean Ambrose, Luke Harper ended the hard-fought contest by hurling his opponent — intentionally or otherwise — into the referee. While the official disqualified the titleholder and the championship stayed in Harper’s possession, Ambrose intended to make him pay for his actions.

Wyatt's sneak attack | Hall of Intercontinental Champions

Before the smoke could even clear, The Lunatic Fringe was already looking for chairs and ladders to finish the job — no doubt thinking of his Tables, Ladders & Chairs Match against Bray Wyatt at WWE TLC. When he reached under the ring for a table, however, The Eater of Worlds unleashed a vicious assault from behind, hitting Sister Abigail and burying Ambrose in a sea of chairs.

The Miz & Damien Mizdow def. Gold & Stardust – WWE Tag Team Championship Rematch

While a luchador-wearing Larry the Cable Guy and Santino Marella — the stars of “Jingle All the Way 2,” available Dec. 2 on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD — emerged to address the WWE Universe, their time was cut short by the emergence of Gold & Stardust. 

Explosive stunt show 

The bizarre former WWE Tag Team Champions were focused on recapturing their titles, after losing them to The Miz & Damien Mizdow in a Fatal 4-Way Match at Survivor Series.

At one point, it looked like they might do just that. When The Awesome One got hit in “The Moneymaker,” he retreated outside the ring to receive medical attention, leaving Mizdow to fend for himself. Conveniently, once his stunt double regained advantage, Miz leaped back into the action to win with the Skull-Crushing Finale.

Meet Concessions Kane

Per Daniel Bryan’s earlier decree, Kane was forced to embrace his new role as Concessions Kane. And he wouldn’t have an easy time of it from the start, as he was quickly made to suffer at the hands of a bossy concession manager obessed with chips.

Later, Santino Marella and Larry the Cable Guy came around to buy food and drinks from Concessions Kane. And when they did, The Big Red Demon made a big yellow mess out of the Italian Stallion, covering him with mustard.

When Ryback came calling later in the show, The Big Guy rearranged Concessions Kane's work station and finally drove him from his post.

Rusev and Lana’s received help in their an “American Ultimatum”

Former WWE Champion Sgt. Slaughter emerged to help Rusev & Lana fulfill the “American Ultimatum” set forth by Daniel Bryan, in which they would have to recite the Pledge of Allegiance with Old Glory hanging high above or defend his title in a company-wide Battle Royal.

Watch: Rusev and Lana express their outrage

Tempers were running high, though, and when it looked like Rusev was about to attack rhe WWE Hall of Famer, Jack Swagger charged the ring and sent The Hero of the Russian Federation heading for the hills.

Fandango def. Justin Gabriel

The new and improved Fandango emerged to dance with his lovely partner Rosa Mendes, before beating the high-flying Justin Gabriel with the leg drop off the top rope.

Eric Rowen confronted Big Show on his traitorous acts

After shocking the WWE Universe by turning traitor and KO’ing his own teammate John Cena at Survivor Series, Big Show emerged to clear the air. He explained that he made a mistake in the heat of the moment and shared his opinion that the WWE Universe owed him a mulligan. But when the fans didn’t reciprocate, The World’s Largest Athlete lashed out at them in frustration.

He then  called out any “cowards” in the locker room to come criticize him to his face and Erick Rowan emerged – engaging the giant and knocking him from the ring.

AJ Lee def. Brie Bella

Prior to her match with Brie Bella, AJ Lee insulted both Nikki and her opponent, as she was extremely angry over being tricked out of the Divas Championship at Survivor Series. But when Nikki interfered, Brie was able to reign supreme. Despite the loss, AJ made it clear that the Bella Twins aren’t half the woman she is.

Divas Throwback

Tyson Kidd & Natalya def. Adam Rose & The Bunny – Interspecies Tag Team Match

Santino Marella and Larry the Cable Guy joined the Raw announce team to get a ringside seat for the latest Interspecies Match, pitting Adam Rose & The Bunny against Tyson Kidd & Natalya. And in the height of the contest, The Bunny mistakenly grabbed his own partner’s foot, clearing the way for Kidd to pick up the pin on the leader of the Exotic Express.

A bunny blunder

John Cena & Dolph Ziggler def. Seth Rollins & Jamie Noble & Joey Mercury

With Daniel Bryan leading the way, it was revealed that the WWE Universe had overwhelmingly selected J&J Security — via a WWE App vote — to team with Seth Rollins against John Cena & Dolph Ziggler.
 
In the final moments of Raw’s main event, it was Jamie Noble and Joey Mercury who would suffer Ziggler’s Zig Zag and Cena’s Attitude Adjustment at the same time for the loss. As the dust cleared, The Beard would reemerge, throwing Rollins into the ring to suffer a post-match Super Kick from The Showoff and an Attitude Adjustment from the leader of the Cenation.  

But the celebration was cut short by the familiar alert sound of the notorious Anonymous RAW General Manager. Michael Cole rose and read the email, a statement that the party will be over next Monday, Cyber Monday, when the Anonymous GM is once again in charge!