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| Reported by Ernest I Aguilar |
It's time for "Spin the wheel, make a deal!" Oh, sorry, that's WCW's original. Tonight is "Raw Roulette", live from Sin City, which means only one thing - the matches are rigged yet again! On the plus side, a Hall Of Famer is showing up and possibly a former WCW Heavyweight Champion (hence the reference above). Who might they be? Read on to find out...
Introduction Segment: Arena Promo
Michael Cole & Jerry "The King" Lawler welcome us to Monday Night Raw, live from the Thomas & Mack Centre in Las Vegas, Nevada. Booker T. is shown backstage and he will be doing the spinning duties for the "Wheel Of Stipulations" (as I will refer to it in this report tonight).
Right off the bat, the 2011 Hall Of Famer prances & dances his way out on stage to the ring. And I say "prance & dance" because it is the "Hearbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels! Shawn is welcomed back with huge "HBK" chants courtesy of the fans and tells us that he is struggled with a decision - whether to come back or not. He missed all the fans and because of them, he has been "The Headliner, The Showstopper, The Main Event, Mr. Wrestlemania, & Mr. Hall Of Fame."
Michaels shamelessly plugs his new Outdoor Network program until the #1 Contender for the WWE Championship, followed by the WWE Tag Team Champions, interrupts him and saunters out to the ring. C.M. Punk has a microphone in his hand and enters the ring with David Otunga & Michael McGillicutty behind him.
Punk tells "HBK" that he couldn't stay away, but C.M. can when he leaves on July 17. The "Straight Edge Superstar" tells Shawn & the crowd that he will leave a winner and the WWE Champion, unlike Michaels who left a loser. Punk is confident that in his hometown of Chicago, he will take John Cena's title with him.
One of the reasons Punk is leaving is due to the people. He thinks it is sad that people cheer more for someone in the past, like Shawn, than the current & future of the WWE, C.M. Michaels says it's because Shawn is better, hence the adoration. "The Second City Saint" agrees with Shawn and asks Shawn if it is a challenge that was just laid out. Michaels replies by saying that while they can be alike, Punk has his style and "HBK" has his. Shawn then boots Otunga with some Sweet Chin Music.
At this point, the Anonymous General Manager of Raw chimes in and tells Punk his last three Monday Night Raws will count, and tonight he is the first match for "Raw Roulette." It will be C.M. Punk VS....(after Booker T. goes through the choices)....Mystery Opponent - otherwise known as Kane.
As C.M. stares at Kane on the Titan Tron, "HBK" takes out McGillicutty with another does of the Superkick. Kane's pyro explodes and the Big Red Machine marches down to the ring for the match, following ads.
Commericals.
Match #1: Single - C.M. Punk VS. Kane
Highlights:
- Uppercut by Kane to begin the contest
- C.M. Punk tossed outside and slammed against the barricade before being dragged back into the ring
- Kane pounds on Punk in the corner with punches and kicks
- Big boot and 2-count for Kane
- Clotheslines in the corner and side slam by Kane, for another close nearfall
- Punk counters a Chokeslam attempt with a kick-to-the-head and then stomps away on a fallen Kane
- Kane climbs the turnbuckle but gets cut off by C.M. but Kane pushes him down
- Punk rolls out of the ring and walks out of the arena to the backstage area.
- Referee Charles Robinson adds to ten and C.M. is counted out
Winner via Count-Out: Kane
We learn two rematches are on tonight's card, Big Show VS. Alberto Del Rio and John Cena VS. R-Truth, both with the "Wheel Of Stipulations" on the line.
Ads.
Match #2: Single - Sin Cara VS. Evan "Air" Bourne
(Note: Booker & Eve spin the "Wheel Of Stipulations" for "No-Count-Out" rules)
Highlights: (plenty of them!)
- Lockup and fireman's carry toss by Evan Bourne
- Armdrags are traded and Evan locks in an armbar
- Springboard snapmare by Cara
- Springboard armdrag by Cara
- Both on the outside, stare at each other, then simultaneously
roll in the ring
- Kicks-to-the-body by Sin
- Irishwhip and Sunset Flip reversed by Bourne
- Both miss aerial moves and Cara with a Hurricanrana, throwing Evan to the outside and following up with a Suicide Dive
- Bourne counters a shoulder rack into a spinning headscissors in the aisle way! (Cool!)
- La Majistral cradle by Cara for a 2-count!
- Knee-to-the-jaw. 1 - 2 - Sin kicks out!
- Springboard-twisting-back-body-splash by Cara on to Bourne. 1
- 2 - kickout!
- Evan sweeps Sin and lands on him with a Standing Moonsault. 1
- 2 - kickout!
- "Air" attempts "Air Bourne" but Cara rolls out of the way and nails Bourne with a Headscissors. 1 - 2 - 3!
Winner via Pinfall: Sin Cara
Segment #2: Backstage Promo
Booker T. is with Kofi Kingston, who will spin the wheel for the stipulation for his match with United States Champion Dolph Ziggler. (Again? Ugh, seriously this needs to end and Dolph moves on to a better feud!) Vickie Guerrero interjects herself and does the honours, selecting a "Player's Choice." This means Kofi gets pick the match...which is Kofi Kingston VS. Dolph Ziggler, and Vickie is BANNED from ringside, all up next.
Commercials.
Lawler & Cole plug the "Money In The Bank" PPV and we find out that the MITB Ladder Match is already set (I guess no qualifying anymore - how unfair!). The participants are: Kofi Kingston, Rey Mysterio, Evan Bourne, Alberto Del Rio, R-Truth, Jack Swagger, Alex Riley, & The Miz. The winner will get the WWE Championship title shot anytime they want after the Pay-Per-View in three weeks.
Match #3: Single - Kofi Kingston VS. WWE United States Champion Dolph Ziggler
Highlights:
- Much like the first match, Dolph rolls out of the ring, not wanting to wrestler. However, Kofi catches him and chucks him back in the ring for the contest
- Ziggler finds a little agression and hammers on Kingston right away
- Kofi fires back with a flying forearm and bodyslams Dolph on the mats outside
- Dolph pushes Kingston into the ring post and locks on a rear chinlock inside the squared circle
- Kofi misses a high splash in the corner and Ziggler capitalizes with a Fameasser. 1 - 2 - kickout by Kingston!
- Neckbreaker by Dolph for another close 2!
- Kingston with a Small Package for a 2-count!
- Kofi counters an Irishwhip by pushing himself against the ropes and knocking out Dolph with the Trouble In Paradise spinkick. 1 - 2 - 3!
Winner via Pinfall: Kofi Kingston
Segment #3: Backstage Promo
Maryse is now joining Booker T, who is running down what happend so far on Raw, until Alberto Del Rio wonders why he has to face Big Show again. Del Rio wants the beautiful French Canadian (no, not Booker!) to spin and she does. The wheel lands on a Steel Cage for the win! Booker laughs at A.D.R. and that match is after the commercials.
Ads.
Match #4: Steel Cage Single - Alberto Del Rio VS. Big Show
Highlights:
- Alberto tries to escape but is chopped by Big Show all over the ring
- Show makes use of the steel fence, throwing Del Rio's head into it and rubbing his face against the mesh
- Big runs to Alberto in the corner, but Del Rio drops and kicks Show in his injured knee (great continuity)
- Del Rio takes Show down again with another dropkick to the knee and locks in a leglock submission on that knee
- Mark Henry is walking down and paces around the ring
- Show gets out of the hold with a calf-to-the-face and chops Del Rio a couple times
- Chokeslam attempt is counter and a DDT delivered by Alberto
- Del Rio climbes the corner of the cage but again is stopped by Show
- Both men fight on the turnbuckle and Show drives Del Rio into the mat with a suplex out of the corner!
- Henry now rips the cage door off, takes it, and enters the rin
- He attacks the Big Show, allowing Alberto to slide out the open area for the win!
Winner via Climbout: Alberto Del Rio
Post match, Mark Henry runs the steel door into The Big Show, who was against one of the cage walls. Big Show falls to the floor, as the fenced wall collapsed to the mat below! (That was actually unique, well done for something different!). Henry keeps on yelling at an unconscious Show as all referees come out and get him to leave, while tending to an out-cold Big Show.
Commercials.
Match #5: Single - Kelly Kelly (WWE Divas Champion) VS. Nikki Bella with Brie Bella (Non-Title)
(Note: Booker T. turns the circle for Submission Rules - alright, this should be interesting to agree with Cole!)
Highlights:
- Nikki begins by working over Kelly's left arm and applying an armbar
- Kelly fights back with forearms and hooks in a Boston Crab. Nikki taps out immediately!
Winner via Submission: WWE Divas Champion Kelly Kelly
Post match, both Bella Twins attack Kelly until Eve Torres runs out and saves Kelly.
Ads.
Segment #4: Video Promo
Andy Leavine, WWE Tough Enough, is put over with highlights from his home life, Tough Enough and Florida Championship Wrestling, including comments from legends Steve Keirn, Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat, & "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes.
Segment #5: Backstage Promo
Rey Mysterio Jr. is now with Booker T. and his match tonight is a Tag-Team Tornado, meaning that all four wrestlers are in the ring at the same time. "Self High-Five" The former WCW Heavyweight Champion, Diamond Dallas Page, greets Booker T. He plugs the new WCW Monday Nitro DVD (which I just remembered I'd like to buy for summer night viewing after these Raw Reports!).
Of all people, Drew McIntyre interrupts the WCW Alumni reunion and threatens both of them until he gets nailed with a third does of Sweet Chin Music. Shawn Michaels is back and tells Booker & DDP he has never seen Nitro, but sure it's exciting. He leaves while Page & Booker look on in disbelief.
Commercials.
Match #6: Tornado-Tag-Team - The Miz & Jack Swagger VS. Alex Riley & Rey Mysterio Jr.
Highlights:
- Riley & Miz hammer on each other in the corner, while Swagger & Mysterio go at it in another
- Corner springboard splash by Jack on Rey for a 2-count
- The Miz is straddling the top turnbuckle and Alex Riley jumps on his and hip-tosses him from the top! 1 - 2 - kickout!
- Ads.
- Swagger stomping on Mysterio in the corner and then he & Miz double-team Riley
- Roll-up by Riley for a two-count
- Jack catches Rey off the top turnbuckle and throws him onto a waiting Miz for a knee-drop. 1 - 2 - kickout by Mysterio!
- Harsh DDT by Miz onto Rey. 1 - 2 - another kickout!
- Mysterio pushes Miz onto the mat and then lands on him with a Seated Senton
- Headscissors onto Swagger and he is dumped to the outside
- Stiff kick by Mysterio onto Miz for a close nearfall
- Swagger intercepts Rey's 619 attempt, but then gets a Spinebuster courtesy of Alex Riley
- Miz & Riley take each other out, and Jack nails Mysterio with a big boot-to-the-face for a very close 2-count! Swagger is frustrated!
- Gutwrench Powerbomb reversed into a 619 setup, but Jack catches Rey again and grips on the Ankle Lock
- Riley cuts off Miz, helps Mysterio nail the 619 on Swagger, plants him with an Implant DDT, and Mysterio flyes off the corner with the Rocket Splash - all for the 3-count!
Winners via Pinfall: Alex Riley & Rey Mysterio
Segment #6: Backstage Promo
Raw's resident "Crazy-Man" is talking to himself and R-Truth's turn is up to spin th wheel for his match. It will be a Tables Match against John Cena! Truth says that John Cena "is going to get got" and talks to "Little Jimmy".
Ads.
Match #7: Tables Single - R-Truth VS. John Cena (WWE Champion)
Highlights:
- R-Truth aggressive early and pounds away on John Cena with kicks and punches around the ring
- Irishwhip reversed and Cena drives Truth down with a Fisherman's Suplex
- Cena goes for a table but Truth stops him and drags him back into the ring
- Surfboard Stretch applied by Truth
- As usual, major "Let's go Cena/Cena Sucks" chants
- Dropkick by Cena (actually pretty good)
- Attitude Adjustment try by Cena but countered by Truth with a Reverse Jawbreaker (Stunner)
- Truth now collects a table and sets it up in the ring against the corner
- Suplex try by Truth, but reversed into a suplex of his own by John
- Truth gets thrown into the steel steps by Cena and John goes and gets some wood (the table!) of his own
- Cena takes out R-Truth with an Attitude Adjustment, which would've gone through the table, if not for C.M. Punk, who returned and moved the furniture
- Cena notices Punk staring and dives to the outside to trade punches with the "Straight Edge Superstar"
- Attitude Adjustment try onto Punk this time, but R-Truth saves Punk by running into Cena, and colliding into that corner table. Truth wins.
Winner via putting their opponent through the table: R-Truth
Post match, Cena is down in pain while Punk looks on in happiness. (Note, for some reason, Punk is wearing a "Stone Cold" Steve Austin t-shirt). C.M. takes a microphone and walks up the ramp. He sits cross-legged on the stage, informing Cena and the crowd he wants to get a few things off his chest.
Punk actually likes Cena, but not the idea that John is the best. Cena is not the best as C.M. declares he is the best in the world. However, Cena is good at one thing: ass-kissing - just as good Hulk Hogan, and maybe even Dwayne. ("The Rock"). Punk says he is the best wrestler in the world and claims he was hated since he was associated with Paul Heyman, just like Brock Lesnar. (Interesting references).
"The Second City Saint" runs down that he is not anywhere to be seen as far as promotional material and after ripping on the fans, says that he will leave with the WWE Championship. He even says that he may defend it in New Japan Pro Wrestling or Ring Of Honor (giving a shout-out to Colt Cabana, a wrestler from that company).
Punk then goes into detail of the workings of Vince McMahon and who he is associated with - naming names such as John Laurinatis. He even says that maybe the company will be better off if Vince was dead, however not so much, because his "idiotic daughter, his doofus son-in-law, and the rest of this stupid family." As C.M. was going to tell a story about the McMahon's, his microphone is gone silent.
Punk mimes what he was going to say and mouths at the camera, until the screen goes black, abruptly ending the show.
Reporter's Rumblings - By Moe Tapp
Well that was...interesting! Overall a great show and I thought much better than last week in terms of matches and promos. The "Raw Roulette" gimmick worked, however, I think a couple of things could've been changed.
#1. Sin Cara VS. Evan Bourne while a fantastic match, was too short and should've been "Falls Count Anywhere" to add more excitement and drama
#2. There were another option that wasn't used called "WWE Blast From The Past." I thought the Divas match would've benefited from this, perhaps bring back Trish Stratus to wrestle Nikki and/or use the option for DDP. Much like Michaels (more on him below), other than pluggin the new WCW DVD, Page wasn't used as well as he should've been. I think he could've slugged it out with someone current tonight, like Drew McIntyre, where I thought that was leading to, or The Miz.
Speaking of not being used well, I think Shawn was wasted tonight (not in that sense!). While he always does excellent with what's he's given, again an option on the "Wheel Of Stipulations" was Special Referee - Michaels could've been that for R-Truth/Cena instead of the tables.
Other than those points, Raw was great and kept me focused for the entire show. Booker T. was awesome in his role and really sold the Roulette well, either on his own or the interactions with the various WWE Superstars. And again, while it was a decent match, Dolph Ziggler/Kofi NEEDS TO END! Dolph should be having feuds with Evan Bourne, Sin Cara, Rey Mysterio, Alex Riley, etc... to move on and establish himself as a viable Champion, taking on all comers!
I am really liking the new attitude in Mark Henry. What he did tonight should be how he is booked all the time, just an ass-kicker and take-no-prisoners mentality.
Finally, what to say about C.M. Punk? That promo was totally scripted at the end, in my opinion, since they wouldn't have let him go on the air for that long I'm sure. However, great job at making it seem very real and I am truly not sure if they will have him on next week or not.
It's too bad he is leaving (or is he?), since mic work like that, along with emotions and improvisation at its finest is one of C.M.'s strong points, and he can pull it off better than three-quarters of the entire WWE Roster! In any case, the next few weeks will be hotly debated and intriguing.
Until next week, as always, Be Excellent Wrestling-Online Readers & WWE Fans!
Introduction Segment: Arena Promo
Michael Cole & Jerry "The King" Lawler welcome us to Monday Night Raw, live from the Thomas & Mack Centre in Las Vegas, Nevada. Booker T. is shown backstage and he will be doing the spinning duties for the "Wheel Of Stipulations" (as I will refer to it in this report tonight).
Right off the bat, the 2011 Hall Of Famer prances & dances his way out on stage to the ring. And I say "prance & dance" because it is the "Hearbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels! Shawn is welcomed back with huge "HBK" chants courtesy of the fans and tells us that he is struggled with a decision - whether to come back or not. He missed all the fans and because of them, he has been "The Headliner, The Showstopper, The Main Event, Mr. Wrestlemania, & Mr. Hall Of Fame."
Michaels shamelessly plugs his new Outdoor Network program until the #1 Contender for the WWE Championship, followed by the WWE Tag Team Champions, interrupts him and saunters out to the ring. C.M. Punk has a microphone in his hand and enters the ring with David Otunga & Michael McGillicutty behind him.
Punk tells "HBK" that he couldn't stay away, but C.M. can when he leaves on July 17. The "Straight Edge Superstar" tells Shawn & the crowd that he will leave a winner and the WWE Champion, unlike Michaels who left a loser. Punk is confident that in his hometown of Chicago, he will take John Cena's title with him.
One of the reasons Punk is leaving is due to the people. He thinks it is sad that people cheer more for someone in the past, like Shawn, than the current & future of the WWE, C.M. Michaels says it's because Shawn is better, hence the adoration. "The Second City Saint" agrees with Shawn and asks Shawn if it is a challenge that was just laid out. Michaels replies by saying that while they can be alike, Punk has his style and "HBK" has his. Shawn then boots Otunga with some Sweet Chin Music.
At this point, the Anonymous General Manager of Raw chimes in and tells Punk his last three Monday Night Raws will count, and tonight he is the first match for "Raw Roulette." It will be C.M. Punk VS....(after Booker T. goes through the choices)....Mystery Opponent - otherwise known as Kane.
As C.M. stares at Kane on the Titan Tron, "HBK" takes out McGillicutty with another does of the Superkick. Kane's pyro explodes and the Big Red Machine marches down to the ring for the match, following ads.
Commericals.
Match #1: Single - C.M. Punk VS. Kane
Highlights:
- Uppercut by Kane to begin the contest
- C.M. Punk tossed outside and slammed against the barricade before being dragged back into the ring
- Kane pounds on Punk in the corner with punches and kicks
- Big boot and 2-count for Kane
- Clotheslines in the corner and side slam by Kane, for another close nearfall
- Punk counters a Chokeslam attempt with a kick-to-the-head and then stomps away on a fallen Kane
- Kane climbs the turnbuckle but gets cut off by C.M. but Kane pushes him down
- Punk rolls out of the ring and walks out of the arena to the backstage area.
- Referee Charles Robinson adds to ten and C.M. is counted out
Winner via Count-Out: Kane
We learn two rematches are on tonight's card, Big Show VS. Alberto Del Rio and John Cena VS. R-Truth, both with the "Wheel Of Stipulations" on the line.
Ads.
Match #2: Single - Sin Cara VS. Evan "Air" Bourne
(Note: Booker & Eve spin the "Wheel Of Stipulations" for "No-Count-Out" rules)
Highlights: (plenty of them!)
- Lockup and fireman's carry toss by Evan Bourne
- Armdrags are traded and Evan locks in an armbar
- Springboard snapmare by Cara
- Springboard armdrag by Cara
- Both on the outside, stare at each other, then simultaneously
roll in the ring
- Kicks-to-the-body by Sin
- Irishwhip and Sunset Flip reversed by Bourne
- Both miss aerial moves and Cara with a Hurricanrana, throwing Evan to the outside and following up with a Suicide Dive
- Bourne counters a shoulder rack into a spinning headscissors in the aisle way! (Cool!)
- La Majistral cradle by Cara for a 2-count!
- Knee-to-the-jaw. 1 - 2 - Sin kicks out!
- Springboard-twisting-back-body-splash by Cara on to Bourne. 1
- 2 - kickout!
- Evan sweeps Sin and lands on him with a Standing Moonsault. 1
- 2 - kickout!
- "Air" attempts "Air Bourne" but Cara rolls out of the way and nails Bourne with a Headscissors. 1 - 2 - 3!
Winner via Pinfall: Sin Cara
Segment #2: Backstage Promo
Booker T. is with Kofi Kingston, who will spin the wheel for the stipulation for his match with United States Champion Dolph Ziggler. (Again? Ugh, seriously this needs to end and Dolph moves on to a better feud!) Vickie Guerrero interjects herself and does the honours, selecting a "Player's Choice." This means Kofi gets pick the match...which is Kofi Kingston VS. Dolph Ziggler, and Vickie is BANNED from ringside, all up next.
Commercials.
Lawler & Cole plug the "Money In The Bank" PPV and we find out that the MITB Ladder Match is already set (I guess no qualifying anymore - how unfair!). The participants are: Kofi Kingston, Rey Mysterio, Evan Bourne, Alberto Del Rio, R-Truth, Jack Swagger, Alex Riley, & The Miz. The winner will get the WWE Championship title shot anytime they want after the Pay-Per-View in three weeks.
Match #3: Single - Kofi Kingston VS. WWE United States Champion Dolph Ziggler
Highlights:
- Much like the first match, Dolph rolls out of the ring, not wanting to wrestler. However, Kofi catches him and chucks him back in the ring for the contest
- Ziggler finds a little agression and hammers on Kingston right away
- Kofi fires back with a flying forearm and bodyslams Dolph on the mats outside
- Dolph pushes Kingston into the ring post and locks on a rear chinlock inside the squared circle
- Kofi misses a high splash in the corner and Ziggler capitalizes with a Fameasser. 1 - 2 - kickout by Kingston!
- Neckbreaker by Dolph for another close 2!
- Kingston with a Small Package for a 2-count!
- Kofi counters an Irishwhip by pushing himself against the ropes and knocking out Dolph with the Trouble In Paradise spinkick. 1 - 2 - 3!
Winner via Pinfall: Kofi Kingston
Segment #3: Backstage Promo
Maryse is now joining Booker T, who is running down what happend so far on Raw, until Alberto Del Rio wonders why he has to face Big Show again. Del Rio wants the beautiful French Canadian (no, not Booker!) to spin and she does. The wheel lands on a Steel Cage for the win! Booker laughs at A.D.R. and that match is after the commercials.
Ads.
Match #4: Steel Cage Single - Alberto Del Rio VS. Big Show
Highlights:
- Alberto tries to escape but is chopped by Big Show all over the ring
- Show makes use of the steel fence, throwing Del Rio's head into it and rubbing his face against the mesh
- Big runs to Alberto in the corner, but Del Rio drops and kicks Show in his injured knee (great continuity)
- Del Rio takes Show down again with another dropkick to the knee and locks in a leglock submission on that knee
- Mark Henry is walking down and paces around the ring
- Show gets out of the hold with a calf-to-the-face and chops Del Rio a couple times
- Chokeslam attempt is counter and a DDT delivered by Alberto
- Del Rio climbes the corner of the cage but again is stopped by Show
- Both men fight on the turnbuckle and Show drives Del Rio into the mat with a suplex out of the corner!
- Henry now rips the cage door off, takes it, and enters the rin
- He attacks the Big Show, allowing Alberto to slide out the open area for the win!
Winner via Climbout: Alberto Del Rio
Post match, Mark Henry runs the steel door into The Big Show, who was against one of the cage walls. Big Show falls to the floor, as the fenced wall collapsed to the mat below! (That was actually unique, well done for something different!). Henry keeps on yelling at an unconscious Show as all referees come out and get him to leave, while tending to an out-cold Big Show.
Commercials.
Match #5: Single - Kelly Kelly (WWE Divas Champion) VS. Nikki Bella with Brie Bella (Non-Title)
(Note: Booker T. turns the circle for Submission Rules - alright, this should be interesting to agree with Cole!)
Highlights:
- Nikki begins by working over Kelly's left arm and applying an armbar
- Kelly fights back with forearms and hooks in a Boston Crab. Nikki taps out immediately!
Winner via Submission: WWE Divas Champion Kelly Kelly
Post match, both Bella Twins attack Kelly until Eve Torres runs out and saves Kelly.
Ads.
Segment #4: Video Promo
Andy Leavine, WWE Tough Enough, is put over with highlights from his home life, Tough Enough and Florida Championship Wrestling, including comments from legends Steve Keirn, Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat, & "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes.
Segment #5: Backstage Promo
Rey Mysterio Jr. is now with Booker T. and his match tonight is a Tag-Team Tornado, meaning that all four wrestlers are in the ring at the same time. "Self High-Five" The former WCW Heavyweight Champion, Diamond Dallas Page, greets Booker T. He plugs the new WCW Monday Nitro DVD (which I just remembered I'd like to buy for summer night viewing after these Raw Reports!).
Of all people, Drew McIntyre interrupts the WCW Alumni reunion and threatens both of them until he gets nailed with a third does of Sweet Chin Music. Shawn Michaels is back and tells Booker & DDP he has never seen Nitro, but sure it's exciting. He leaves while Page & Booker look on in disbelief.
Commercials.
Match #6: Tornado-Tag-Team - The Miz & Jack Swagger VS. Alex Riley & Rey Mysterio Jr.
Highlights:
- Riley & Miz hammer on each other in the corner, while Swagger & Mysterio go at it in another
- Corner springboard splash by Jack on Rey for a 2-count
- The Miz is straddling the top turnbuckle and Alex Riley jumps on his and hip-tosses him from the top! 1 - 2 - kickout!
- Ads.
- Swagger stomping on Mysterio in the corner and then he & Miz double-team Riley
- Roll-up by Riley for a two-count
- Jack catches Rey off the top turnbuckle and throws him onto a waiting Miz for a knee-drop. 1 - 2 - kickout by Mysterio!
- Harsh DDT by Miz onto Rey. 1 - 2 - another kickout!
- Mysterio pushes Miz onto the mat and then lands on him with a Seated Senton
- Headscissors onto Swagger and he is dumped to the outside
- Stiff kick by Mysterio onto Miz for a close nearfall
- Swagger intercepts Rey's 619 attempt, but then gets a Spinebuster courtesy of Alex Riley
- Miz & Riley take each other out, and Jack nails Mysterio with a big boot-to-the-face for a very close 2-count! Swagger is frustrated!
- Gutwrench Powerbomb reversed into a 619 setup, but Jack catches Rey again and grips on the Ankle Lock
- Riley cuts off Miz, helps Mysterio nail the 619 on Swagger, plants him with an Implant DDT, and Mysterio flyes off the corner with the Rocket Splash - all for the 3-count!
Winners via Pinfall: Alex Riley & Rey Mysterio
Segment #6: Backstage Promo
Raw's resident "Crazy-Man" is talking to himself and R-Truth's turn is up to spin th wheel for his match. It will be a Tables Match against John Cena! Truth says that John Cena "is going to get got" and talks to "Little Jimmy".
Ads.
Match #7: Tables Single - R-Truth VS. John Cena (WWE Champion)
Highlights:
- R-Truth aggressive early and pounds away on John Cena with kicks and punches around the ring
- Irishwhip reversed and Cena drives Truth down with a Fisherman's Suplex
- Cena goes for a table but Truth stops him and drags him back into the ring
- Surfboard Stretch applied by Truth
- As usual, major "Let's go Cena/Cena Sucks" chants
- Dropkick by Cena (actually pretty good)
- Attitude Adjustment try by Cena but countered by Truth with a Reverse Jawbreaker (Stunner)
- Truth now collects a table and sets it up in the ring against the corner
- Suplex try by Truth, but reversed into a suplex of his own by John
- Truth gets thrown into the steel steps by Cena and John goes and gets some wood (the table!) of his own
- Cena takes out R-Truth with an Attitude Adjustment, which would've gone through the table, if not for C.M. Punk, who returned and moved the furniture
- Cena notices Punk staring and dives to the outside to trade punches with the "Straight Edge Superstar"
- Attitude Adjustment try onto Punk this time, but R-Truth saves Punk by running into Cena, and colliding into that corner table. Truth wins.
Winner via putting their opponent through the table: R-Truth
Post match, Cena is down in pain while Punk looks on in happiness. (Note, for some reason, Punk is wearing a "Stone Cold" Steve Austin t-shirt). C.M. takes a microphone and walks up the ramp. He sits cross-legged on the stage, informing Cena and the crowd he wants to get a few things off his chest.
Punk actually likes Cena, but not the idea that John is the best. Cena is not the best as C.M. declares he is the best in the world. However, Cena is good at one thing: ass-kissing - just as good Hulk Hogan, and maybe even Dwayne. ("The Rock"). Punk says he is the best wrestler in the world and claims he was hated since he was associated with Paul Heyman, just like Brock Lesnar. (Interesting references).
"The Second City Saint" runs down that he is not anywhere to be seen as far as promotional material and after ripping on the fans, says that he will leave with the WWE Championship. He even says that he may defend it in New Japan Pro Wrestling or Ring Of Honor (giving a shout-out to Colt Cabana, a wrestler from that company).
Punk then goes into detail of the workings of Vince McMahon and who he is associated with - naming names such as John Laurinatis. He even says that maybe the company will be better off if Vince was dead, however not so much, because his "idiotic daughter, his doofus son-in-law, and the rest of this stupid family." As C.M. was going to tell a story about the McMahon's, his microphone is gone silent.
Punk mimes what he was going to say and mouths at the camera, until the screen goes black, abruptly ending the show.
Reporter's Rumblings - By Moe Tapp
Well that was...interesting! Overall a great show and I thought much better than last week in terms of matches and promos. The "Raw Roulette" gimmick worked, however, I think a couple of things could've been changed.
#1. Sin Cara VS. Evan Bourne while a fantastic match, was too short and should've been "Falls Count Anywhere" to add more excitement and drama
#2. There were another option that wasn't used called "WWE Blast From The Past." I thought the Divas match would've benefited from this, perhaps bring back Trish Stratus to wrestle Nikki and/or use the option for DDP. Much like Michaels (more on him below), other than pluggin the new WCW DVD, Page wasn't used as well as he should've been. I think he could've slugged it out with someone current tonight, like Drew McIntyre, where I thought that was leading to, or The Miz.
Speaking of not being used well, I think Shawn was wasted tonight (not in that sense!). While he always does excellent with what's he's given, again an option on the "Wheel Of Stipulations" was Special Referee - Michaels could've been that for R-Truth/Cena instead of the tables.
Other than those points, Raw was great and kept me focused for the entire show. Booker T. was awesome in his role and really sold the Roulette well, either on his own or the interactions with the various WWE Superstars. And again, while it was a decent match, Dolph Ziggler/Kofi NEEDS TO END! Dolph should be having feuds with Evan Bourne, Sin Cara, Rey Mysterio, Alex Riley, etc... to move on and establish himself as a viable Champion, taking on all comers!
I am really liking the new attitude in Mark Henry. What he did tonight should be how he is booked all the time, just an ass-kicker and take-no-prisoners mentality.
Finally, what to say about C.M. Punk? That promo was totally scripted at the end, in my opinion, since they wouldn't have let him go on the air for that long I'm sure. However, great job at making it seem very real and I am truly not sure if they will have him on next week or not.
It's too bad he is leaving (or is he?), since mic work like that, along with emotions and improvisation at its finest is one of C.M.'s strong points, and he can pull it off better than three-quarters of the entire WWE Roster! In any case, the next few weeks will be hotly debated and intriguing.
Until next week, as always, Be Excellent Wrestling-Online Readers & WWE Fans!
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