Monday Night Raw Report TV 9/12/11

Reported by Ernest I Aguilar

Canadian pride rings in for me again as Raw is live from the capital of the country, Ottawa! Plus, the return of a Canadian Hall of Famer and all-around excellent wrestler - Bret "The Hitman" Hart! What will he be doing tonight in his home-country?

Also, how much more fall-out can occur between Triple H & C.M. Punk, and will the WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio take one last shot at his challenger John Cena before this Sunday's "Night Of Champions" Pay-Per-View? To find out, read on...

Introduction Segment: Arena Promo

The WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio is already in the ring, with Ricardo Rodriguez and microphone in hand. (There was no video opening or pyro combo - poor Ottawa!) He accepts the fans booing him but not disrespect. He says the fans made fun of him last week when John Cena hit the Attitude Adjustment and no one makes fun of him. He rolls out his list of accomplishments, including forcing Edge to retire and beating C.M. Punk at SummerSlam, just like he will beat Cena at Night Of Champions.

It looks like both questions above will be answered, as Del Rio has already taken a shot at Cena, and now the famous guitar solo blares the speakers to signal that Bret "The Hitman" Hart is in the building. The "Excellence Of Execution" makes his way to the ring, to a HUGE ovation (of course, since we're in the Canada).

He takes a microphone and gives Alberto some advice. Bret tells him that he is style, no substance, and no class. Hart says that Del Rio should become a real champion with pride, facing all challenges, and wrestles day in/day out, leaving it all in the ring to become "The best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be."

"The Greatest of the Great" shoots back, calling Bret a homeless person with his 1994 attire. He claims that he will make an example out of Hart, but not before Cena has anything to do.

The #1 Contender for the WWE Title enters the festivities (also to a huge pop). John gives Bret his clothing-reputation back and tells Alberto that he has grown a "set of jalapenos", since this time he did not run away when Cena confronted him. The "Dr. Of Thuganomics" says that Del Rio will only be WWE Champion for six more days and he will beat him at Night Of Champions.

Del Rio challenges Cena to a fight, but in a swerve throws Ricardo in the fray instead. Rodriguez pleas to not (and well-acted), so Cena instead issues a challenge for Alberto to put his WWE Championship on the line tonight against...Bret "The Hitman" Hart!

Both Bret & the crowd are psyched up for the potential until the WWE Vice-President of Talent Relations announces the match... which is what the crowd wants as well...a Tag-Team match between Ricardo Rodriguez & The WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio VS. John Cena & Bret "The Hitman" Hart!


Also tonight, Jim Ross & Michael Cole plug other bouts/face-offs, including Triple H & C.M. Punk in a final confrontation and Champion VS. Champion, with World Heavyweight Champion Randy Orton VS. Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes (again, they just had this match on Smackdown, and it's all Smackdown competitors...no sense!)

Commercials.

Match #1: Tag-Team - Alex Riley & John Morrison VS. Jack Swagger & WWE United States Champion Dolph Ziggler (w/ Vickie Guerrero)

Morrison and Ziggler circle around and lock up to begin the match. Hip toss and slingshot-into-the-corner by John and Springboard Flashkick for a two-count. Dolph moves out of the way and sends Morrison into the ring post to take control with stomps.

Jack wants a tag, but Ziggler tells him "he's the man and stay out of this." This works great, since he walks into a Pele Kick from "The Monday Night Delight" and now both Alex Riley & Jack Swagger are tagged in. A-Ry completely cleans house and drives down Swagger with a reverse Flatliner for a 2!

"The All-American-American" counters a DDT attempt with the Ankle Lock, but Riley wiggles out and chucks Swagger into Dolph. Alex then finishes Jack with a T.K.O and gets the 3, since the U.S. Champ only looked on!

Winners via Pinfall: Alex Riley & John Morrison

Post match, Vickie & Ziggler argue and scream Swagger from the ramp.

Segment #2: Backstage Promo

Josh Matthews is with Team Conspiracy and asks The Miz & R-Truth if their feelings towards The C.O.O. Triple H has changed since they are getting their Tag-Team Title Match. Miz grabs the microphone and both begin walking through the backstage area and saying that it was expected. Everything is laughable since all they talk about is Triple H & C.M. Punk. They both want HHH to lose and walk out to the ring.

R-Truth says that "The Game" is the C.O.O., which spells "COO", times by 2 spells "COO COO", which is what HHH is. Truth says he & The Miz should be in the main event of every Pay-Per-View and they will prove it tonight and at Night Of Champions because "Air Boom" is "going to get got" and that is "AWESOME!" (Just like this promo!)

Ads.

Match #2: Single - The Miz (w/ R-Truth) VS. WWE Tag-Team Champion Kofi Kingston (w/ Evan Bourne) (WWE Tag-Team Champions)

Miz aggressive early with south-paw punches and cornering Kofi. Big suplex and a rear chinlock by Miz. Kofi fights his way out and two Irish Whips into a Monkey Flip from Kingston. Both end up on the floor after a high-impact takeover and their partners cheer on and help each other up.

Commercials.

Back from break, Miz is controlling again and drives Kofi's head into the mat with a DDT. Cover for a 2 count! Kofi counters a Miz pick-me-up into a Sunset Flip and delivers a double-stomp to Miz's sternum. Kofi gets some momentum with clotheslines and dropkicks, and a huge corner Springboard Crossbody from the top.

Miz counters with a kick and tries for another, but is reversed into a roll-up for a two-count and gets "backslid" for another nearfall! Kingston goes to the top again but Miz chops him off and brings him down with a neckbreaker. "The Awesome One" is now focused and slams Kofi full-body with the "Skull-Krushing Finale". 1 - 2 - 3!

Winner via Pinfall: The Miz (w/ R-Truth)

Post match, both celebrate and look over the fallen Kingston with Evan helping him out.

Segment #3: Backstage Promo

Teddy Long, General Manager of Smackdown (again, I thought this was Monday Night Raw), books a Fatal-Four-Way for the U.S. Championship at "Night Of Champions" between WWE United States Champion Dolph Ziggler, Alex Riley, Jack Swagger, & John Morrison. Following a quick (thank you) and meaningless argument between Vickie & WWE Divas Champion Kelly Kelly, he also books a match between the two for tonight. (I'll be skipping that one to the finish!).

Elsewhere, we see Cena & Hart talking and a plug for David Otunga & Michael McGillicutty VS. Jerry "The King" Lawler and a mystery partner (please be Zack Ryder!)

Commercials.

Match #3: Tag-Team - Michael McGillicutty & David Otunga VS. Jerry "The King" Lawler" & ???

Prior to the bout, McGillicutty & Otunga take shots at Lawler, who introduces his partner, with lots of charisma and personality...Sheamus!

Lawler wants to start, so he & Otunga do so. David controls quick and then tags McGillicutty. Big scoop slam from Michael and then is flipped over with a punch-to-the-gut from "The King." Sheamus is slapped to take over and does so with his rope-punches and a top-rope flying shoulder block. Two Brogue kicks to each opponent and a Celtic Cross Crucifix Powerbomb complete the match.

Winners via Pinfall: Jerry "The King" Lawler" & Sheamus

Segment #4: Backstage Promo

Ricardo is warming up for his match with bad pushups and an empowering milky substance in a glass. Alberto questions this and then walks off.

Ads.

Match #4: Tag-Team - Bret "The Hitman" Hart & John Cena VS. Ricardo Rodriguez & WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio

(Note: THIS SHOULD BE THE MAIN EVENT!!!) Cena takes off his RED shirt and then teases Ricardo with it ala trying to catch a bull. John tosses the shirt into the crowd and then takes out Rodriguez with a backdrop.

Ricardo goes over and hugs Del Rio which apparently constituted a tag. They chase each other around the ring until Del Rio stiffly kicks Cena in the head and stomps away. Cena reverses an Irish Whip and shoulder-blocks the WWE Champion and dominates Alberto now with clotheslines and a NICE HIGH dropkick. He goes for the A.A. but "The Mexican Aristocrat" grabs the ropes and Ricardo's hands to get another inadvertent tag.

Rodriguez comes in to get man-handled by the #1 Contender and driven to the mat with the Attitude Adjustment. Del Rio walks up the ramp and watches on as Bret is tagged in and clamps on the Sharpshooter for Ricardo to give up to another HUGE ovation!

Winners via submission: John Cena & Bret "The Hitman" Hart

Post match, Cena takes a microphone and boldly informs Del Rio that the "Champ is HERE!" (pointing to himself). He then raises Bret's arm as Hart's music played in the background.

A very, very patriotic and heartfelt tribute video plays, narrated by John Cena, commemorating the 10-year anniversary of 9/11. (Well done and gave me a few chills!)

Commercials.

Match #5: Single - WWE Divas Champion Kelly Kelly VS. Vickie Guerrero (w/ WWE United States Champion Dolph Ziggler) (Non-Title)

The highlight of the match - Jack Swagger comes down and slugs Dolph, distracting Vickie who gets rolled up by Kelly Kelly for the fall.

Winner via Pinfall: WWE Divas Champion Kelly Kelly

Post match, Kelly celebrates until Beth Phoenix tries to attack but is cut-off with a kick. Kelly hurries out of the ring with Beth staring on.

Ads.

Segment #5: Video Highlights

Footage airs depicting Triple H's career and is dominating ways in the ring.

Segment #6: Backstage Promo

Matthews is now with Mark Henry, who says that after 15 years of no respect in the WWE and not being the #1 Contender, let alone the World Heavyweight Champion, this Sunday, he promises that Randy Orton will enter his "Hall Of Pain."

Match #6: Single - World Heavyweight Champion Randy Orton VS. Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes (Non-Title)

The two generation superstars begin with Orton gripping Rhodes in a side-headlock. Backdrop off an Irish Whip from Randy and we see that Henry is walking to the ring. Orton quickly grabs a chair and scares away Mark, until Cody tries an advantage, but Orton cuts him off. Randy chucks Cody into the ring and goes for nearfall.

Stomps in the corner by the Heavyweight Champion and a 10-punch. Henry returns to the stage, this time armed with a chair in which he sits on and glares at Orton. Orton begins to walk up the ramp until he realized Cody is behind him. Rhodes hits him with a kick and the ref starts a 10-count to send us into a break.

Ads.

Rhodes is now in control, stomping away at Randy's left arm and pulling away on his hand. Cody clutches a Chicken Wing and Keylock, but "The Viper" counter's with a huge toss. Henry is now making is way to the ring, chair in hand, which is sits on again, just at the top of the mats.

This doesn't detour Randy to much, as he gets into his "zone" with a powerslam, then reverses a CrossRhodes, delivers a Slingshot DDT, and tries for the R.K.O. Henry distracts Orton and the ref though, which allows Cody to remove his mask, smash Orton and drive him down with the CrossRhodes. Cody covers for the 1 - 2 - 3!

Winner via Pinfall: WWE Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes

Post match, Henry clobbers Randy with the chair and then demands "give me my title!" "The World's Strongest Man" takes the World Heavyweight Championship and holds it up high, while still yelling at Orton.

Commercials.

Segment #7: Arena Promo

The Chief Operating Officer Triple H is out first, followed by his opponent C.M. Punk. (I really hope this doesn't go long, since to be honest, I'm bored by this storyline.

Note: if they say the same stuff, it's going to be abbreviated).

Punk starts the verbal joust by saying he respects Triple H, especially for firing the "ratings killer and charisma vacuum Kevin Nash". He tells HHH that he knows that HHH doesn't like him.

"The Second City Saint" compares Triple H & Vince McMahon in every way, especially their view on what a WWE Superstar looks like (I.E. body builder image). Triple H counters with other examples such as Shawn Michaels, Bret Hart, & Rey Mysterio.

"The Game" claims Punk is using the above theory as an "excuse for your failures." He tells C.M. that his opinion doesn't matter but theirs (pointing to the crowd) does. He basically says get over with the fans and you will get what you want.

Punk says that he would rather "be hated for what I am, then loved for something I am not." Triple H rattles off Punk's accolades that he has accomplished already to throw those in C.M.'s face. He reiterates that is all about winning the people over, busting your ass, and leaving all the blood, sweat, and tears in the ring.

Triple H gets fired up and in Punk's face, saying that he will not be the C.O.O., not a business man, but a MAN. They will face off in a no-dq match, anything goes with him. Just a man, a man insulted and a man that will "kick your ass!"

Punk mocks HHH and says he will do the same, with satisfaction. Punk then says it's not C.M. Punk talking to Triple H, it's "Phil Brooks talking to Paul Levesque." Just now, Punk's microphone goes dead and they argue about it, until HHH gives him his to talk some more, until that one goes silent. HHH demands another microphone and wants to know what's up.

He gives holds out the mic to Punk, who takes it and nails Triple H in the head, then makes the DX "crotch-chop" signal and exists the ring. Punk leaves the stage and Triple H slowly gets to his feet to close the show.

End of Raw.

Reporter's Rumblings - By Moe Tapp

This was truly a "go-home" show as really the only special-ness of it was Bret Hart. Otherwise, it seemed like an average effort to get us ready for Sunday. Followed by the "Excellence/Bogus" of the night will also be my predictions for "Night Of Champions"

Excellence: Bret Hart/John Cena/Ricardo Rodriguez/Alberto Del Rio opening promo and match...both short but did the job and got over what they were supposed to build the pay-per-view. Plus, I think all three have great chemistry.

The first tag-team match, short but great wrestling. Miz/R-Truth promo and match was fantastic...props to Kofi/Evan as well. Cody Rhodes winning the match over the World Heavyweight Champion - still solidifying him as a top contender. Mark Henry making everyone believe he can and will take the title of Randy Orton.

Triple H's side of the "confrontation" - totally owned Punk with a different speech and passion. The fire he gets when talking about this business is like no other that I remember and you truly feel his desire for wrestling.

Bogus: Teddy Long on Raw and booking matches? He's the G.M. of SMACKDOWN! Kelly VS. Vicke - pointless. Lawler has defeated Otunga/McGillicutty twice now....move on!

Bret/Cena VS. Rodriguez/Alberto SHOULD'VE BEEN THE MAIN-MATCH. The main-match of Randy/Cody...it was just done on Smackdown and kind of devalues the two titles in a Champion VS. Champion match with no build! C.M.'s side of the promo...it was nothing new and the same stuff he's been spewing for almost 3 months now. Getting very bored with him. Great wrestler and talker, but want this to be over.

Predictions:

Mark Henry defeats Randy Orton and becomes World Heavyweight Champion; John Cena defeats Alberto Del Rio - by DQ/Count-Out/Screw-Job, so Del Rio keeps the title; Beth Phoenix (please!) to win the Divas Championship and restore some credibility to it; Jack Swagger to gain the U.S. title, thereby continuing feud w/ Ziggler; "Air-Boom" will retain Tag Titles to add the "conspiracy" to R-Truth/Miz; Screwjob finish for HHH/Punk, no winner.

Well, let's see how right I am, and to do that, we wait until next week. Until September 19th, as always, Be Excellent Wrestling-Online Readers and & WWE Fans!