Monday Night RAW TV Report 6/13/11

Reported by Ernest I Aguilar

 grand ole 3-Hour edition of Monday Night Raw is on the cards for tonight. Speaking of cards, it is the last one before "Capitol Punishment", which means two things: 1 - lots of build up & 2 - my predictions at the end of the show. Let's get to it!

Introduction Segment: Arena Promo

Raw video play and pyro explodes in the Nassau Coliseum to start off "All-Star" night, complete with "Stone Cold" Steve Austin as General Manager. It is announced that John Cena VS. C.M. Punk will be the main event. (Note: the graphics for the match previous are modeled like the WWE "All-Stars" video game - cheap plug!)

The first "All-Star" (and truly in my book) enters the arena - The Awesome One, The Miz. He boasts about his win from last week on Raw and calls himself the "all-time WWE All-Star." Miz then rips on his "Capitol Punishment" opponent, Alex Riley, saying that he will be exposed "more than a tweet from Anthony Weiner." (nice one!)

First, Miz has a lesson tho for A-Ry to be a true superstar, and calls out the host for Raw tonight - Stone Cold. Miz wonders why all the "Attitude Era" stars come back and steal his spotlight (got a great point). Before he can continue, The Texas Rattlesnake himself marches to the ring and greets the crowd with his usual entrance.

3:16 says that everything about The Miz is stupid, but gives him credit for being a "silver-tongued devil." Austin says that he will get respect anytime he gets in the ring and gives Alex Riley credit for having guts. He calls A-Ry a "bigger superstar" than The Miz one day.

Steve grabs Miz by the collar and tells him that there will be a counseling session tonight - Alex & Miz with the one and only legendary "Rowdy" Roddy Piper during "Piper's Pit." (that'll be sweet!) Stone Cold threatens Miz to walk out before he gets a whoopin', Miz backs out of the ring, up the ramp, and out of the arena.

Alberto Del Rio then drives his way into Stone Cold's promo, with Ricardo Rodriguez announcing him. Del Rio, as always, reminds us of his name. He then wants Austin to pass the torch to himself, as he is now the greatest superstar of all-time. Alberto talks about his destiny, but Stone Cold says that the only destiny he has is an ass-whoopin coming up, especially since he injured The Big Show.

Austin books A.D.R. in a match right now....vs. Big Show's partner, the "Big Red Machine" Kane! Kane's pyro lights up the stage and out walks the 7-foot wrestler, as we go to the first commercial break.

Commercials.

Match #1: Single - Alberto Del Rio VS. Kane

Highlights:

- Kane corners Alberto with punches in the corner to begin the match

- Del Rio counters a Powerslam attempt and drops Kane with a knee-jumping Armbar

- A.D.R. in control with an armlock until Kane runs him over the top-rope

- Kane punishes Alberto more with clotheslines and big boots, followed up by a side walk slam for a very close two-count! (really was very close, too!)

- Del Rio ducks a top-rope Kane clothesline and kicks Kane to set up the Cross-Armbreaker submission

- Kane struggles with Alberto and crawls to the ropes to break the hold, however Del Rio holds on for a 5-count, so he is disqualified

Winner via Disqualification: Kane

Postmatch, A.D.R. has the submission clamped in, until "Well...it's The Big Show!" The giant runs down (like he wasn't injured, how convenient), and pounds on Rodgriguez with closed fists, who was pushed in front by Del Rio.

Alberto escapes and Kane eventually yanks Show off Ricardo. Stone Cold then comes back out and announces that Del Rio will face The Big Show at "Capitol Punishment." Big Show walks to the back to cheers from the crowd.

Ads.

Returning from commercial, we see that Ricardo Rodriguez was stretchered out of the arena due to the beatdown from The Big Show.

Match #2: 6-Man Tag-Team - Wade Barrett, Cody Rhodes, & Ted DiBiase VS. Sin Cara, Daniel Bryan, & Ezekiel Jackson

Highlights (plenty of them!):

- Cody Rhodes & Sin Cara start off, with Cara kicking Cody in the thigh and hitting him with a Sprinboard Back Elbow

- Cara brings in Daniel Bryan but Rhodes takes control quickly over Bryan

- DiBiase now in and hits a nice high dropkick on Daniel for a two-count

- Barrett now in and gets a 1 - 2 after a harsh Irish-Whip into the corner

- Rear chinlock applied by Wade onto Daniel, and lifts up and slams down Bryan with a Pump-Handle Slam (something I don't see nowadays much - way to go Wade!)

- Bryan escapes Barrett's punishment and slaps Jackson's hands for the tag

- Ezekiel lives up to his moniker and dominates Wade with clotheslines, shoulder-blocks, slams, and a Torture Rack attempt

- Rhodes & DiBiase double-team Big Zeke, but "The Personification Of Domination" tosses both of them over the top rope, and then rockets Daniel Bryan to them

- He tags Sin Cara back in, who flys with a Cross-Body onto Barretts for the 1 - 2 - 3!

Winners via Pinfall: Sin Cara, Daniel Bryan, & Ezekiel Jackson

Segment #2: Arena Promo

Hornswaggle (where ya been, dude?) is in the ring and shooting T-Shirts to all "little Jimmys." That's right, I made an R-Truth reference because he comes out and cuts in on Horns fun. Truth says that this Sunday, he will beat John Cena to become the new WWE Champion, since he is a good R-Truth.

He looks at Swoggle, who tries to fend him off with a shot of the T-Shirt cannon, which does nothing. R grabs Horn and then gives him a little hug, before shaking his hand and booting him in the face. (That says sorry right there!)

R-Truth mouths words at Swoggle until Stone Cold (from the Titantron) tells Truth to pick on someone his own size, like the returning John Morrison! Truth accepts in his own way - kicking Hornswoggle again and walking up the ramp.

Commercials.

Replays of the previous segment, and Hornswoggle being carried (literally) by referees is shown. (I'm sensing a trend here - I'll say there will be at least one more wrestler to be taken away not under their own power!)

Match #3: Single - Sheamus VS. Santino Marella

Highlights:

- Santino "air-kicks" to taunt Sheamus, but to no avail, as the Irishman just takes down Marella with a forearm and proceeds to work over Santino

- Short-arm clothesline by Sheamus for a two-count

- Sheamus rams Santino's head into the turnbuckle, but Marella "mini-Marella's up" and manages to escape a Celtic Cross-powerbomb

- He hits The Cobra on Sheamus, but only gets a quick 2

- Sheamus refires with a Brogue Kick and then locks in another submission one hasn't seen in a while - The Texas Cloverleaf

- Marella taps to give Sheamus the victory

Winner via Submission: Sheamus

A plug for a USA series is played and then the World Heavyweight Champion, Randy Orton, is walking out to the arena.

Ads.

Segment #3: Arena Promo

The World Heavyweight Champion is in Nassau and has the microphone - unfortunately it's dead, so he tosses and gets a working one. Randy says that it "feels damn good" to be back on Raw, however he is not satisfied. Even though he is the Champion and can cause Christian a lot of pain at the Pay-Per-View, he knows his challenger is in the building and wants Christian to come out and talk. No response, so Orton tells the #1 Contender to not come back there and find him himself.

Christian appears on the 'Tron (another trend tonight) and compares careers between he and his opponent - Randy with a "silver-spoon" path and Christian busting his rear for all he wants. Christian then takes a poll of the audience to see if they want him to come out and face Orton.

They obviously cheer for it, but Christian is not there to please them, so it's not going to happen! Orton tells Christian he should just have Edge carry him out, since he's been doing that Christian's entire career. (burn!). This irkes Christian enough to walk out.

He gets as far to the stage and then backs away, allowing for security to run in front and block off Orton. The Anonymous General Manager chimes in at this point (doesn't that defeat the purpose of Stone Cold then?) and tells Randy that he will not compete tonight, due to a "concussion" suffered from Friday's Smackdown! (Read Dan's report - cheap plug for you, co-writer!)

If Orton doesn't comply, the A.G.M. will take the World Title off him (which belongs to Smackdown - follow the logic if you will?!)

The Viper is guided up the ramp with security, staring down Christian the whole time. (Note, sans the Championship). Austin appears again and books Christian in a match with Rey Mysterio, next! (If given time, great match coming up after the break....we'll find out.)

Commercials.

Match #4: Single - Christian VS. Rey Mysterio

(Note: Booker T. is on commentary as well, now, with Jerry "The King" Lawler and Michael Cole)

Highlights

- Christian controls early with small kicks, but Rey slides through the legs and flies around

- Botched 619 setup (Christian lands on the bottom rope), but recovers and takes Mysterio down with a clothesline and locks in a rear Chinlock

- Christian pushes Mysterio out of the ring to go to ads.

- Another rear chinlock and then Christian corners Rey and chokes him against the ropes with his right knee. The ref warns Christian but that doesn't set in Christian's mind, so he is disqualified.

Winner via Disqualification: Rey Mysterio

Post match, Christian tries to lay more of a beating on Mysterio, but he is thrown off the top-rope. Rey-Rey goes to dive on Christian, but instead lands on C.M. Punk, who ran down the ramp.

The rest of the Nexus follow and collect Punk, distracting Mysterio. Christian uses the distraction to catch Rey in an "Unprettier" attempt, but Mysterio slips out and sets up another 619. Mason Ryan catches Mysterio off the ropes and runs him into the ring post, back first, and rolls him into the ring. Christian preys on Rey-Rey and delivers a Killswitch.

Segment #4: Backstage Promo

Stone Cold is on the phone when Vickie Guerrero excuses herself into his office. She asks Steve for a United States Title Match with Kofi Kingston at "Capitol Punishment" this Sunday for Dolph Ziggler. Austin then makes a stipulation, Dolph must drop Guerrero as his "whatever she is" to him.

3:16 convinces "Perfection" to do it, citing that he needs to take the ball on his own and run with it. With Vickie upset, Austin reveals it as a rib and that the match was booked earlier anyway. Up next is Morrison VS. Truth.

Ads.

Match #5: Single - R-Truth VS. John Morrison

John Morrison does not enter right away and Truth picks up a microphone to entice him to fight. No response, so Truth says he'll come "bring the fight to you." Truth walks to the back, while the announcers are wondering what's up (sorry, that the old R-Truth!) with Morrison.

R-Truth finds John laid out backstage (holding his right shoulder) and taunts him, saying that "little Jimmys" will not get to see the match. Truth then runs a steel container into "The Monday Night Delight" and tells Little Jimmy to take that.

For protocol - Winner: No Contest

Commercials.

Match #6: Tag-Team - Dolph Ziggler & "The All-American-American" Jack Swagger VS. Evan "Air" Bourne & United States Champion Kofi Kingston

Prior to the match, a highlight video of Ziggler plays for us to see his "perfect" talents.

Highlights:

- Dolph & Kofi begin, with Ziggler placing Kingston in a headlock

- Leapfrogs and a jumping back elbow by Kofi

- Dolph nicely rolls Kingston into a quick one-count and then tags in Jack

- Swagger grounds and pounds Kofi with punches and then grips in a front-facelock

- Belly-to-belly suplex by Swagger. 1 - 2 - kickout by Kofi!

- Corner splash attempt by Jack, but Kingston raises his boots to connect with Swagger's face, and then slaps Evan's hand for a tag

- Bourne flies around the ring, taking down both his opponents, including a Victory Roll on Jack for a two-count!

- Swagger tries for the Ankle Lock but Evan tosses him into the turnbuckle, which Kofi helped out by hitting Jack with "Trouble In Paradise."

- Bourne follows up with his "Air-Bourne" Shooting Star Press (seriously, perfectly done too!) for the 3 count!

Winners via Pinfall: Evan "Air" Bourne and United States Champion Kofi Kingston

Ads.

Segment #5: Arena Promo

The bag-pipes are a blowing, as ring announcer Justin Roberts welcomes WWE Hall Of Famer, Rowdy Roddy Piper. The crowd welcomes him with "Rowdy" chants as he holds a microphone. First, Piper commemorates the moment he dropped Mr. T. in the ring, in the Nassau Coliseum - 25 years ago at WrestleMania 2.

"Awesome" blares over the speakers and The Miz saunters out. Miz says he gets infuriated when people tell him that he is the next Roddy Piper, but Piper cuts him off and says there will never be another Roddy Piper.

Miz says that he is actually better than the real Roddy, since he won a WWE Championship, a main event at WrestleMania, and even his reality show was far more entertaining than "They Live." (which is a movie that Piper did a long, long time ago, for those youngings out there). Piper talks about the future and brings out Alex Riley, who has demolished the Miz once and will again, according to Roddy.

A-Ry walks out and stands opposite The Miz with Piper in between. The crowd is big-time behind Riley, chanting his name. Piper asks why Alex had enough of The Miz. Riley says he was used, but then realized "why help him, when in actuality, I can beat him." The Miz retorts by saying that he wasn't dumped, but that Miz fired Riley. Piper throws Miz off verbally, changing the questions when Miz might have the answer, just like Riley will do to the Miz on Sunday.

Alex then says he thinks Roddy could beat The Miz right here, right now. Miz accepts, and even wagers $1000 to that bet. "Put up or shut up" Piper? "Rowdy" mulls it over and then offers $5000. Stone Cold agrees and books it, with another referee - Alex Riley!

Commercials.

Match #7: Single - The Miz VS. "Rowdy" Roddy Piper (Special Referee - Alex Riley)

(Note: Piper is in black trunks and his T-Shirt, while The Miz is wrestling in his all-black suit).

Highlights:

- Roddy rushes Miz in the corner and punches away, then quickly clamps on his Sleeper Hold submission

- Miz backs Piper into the corner until A-Ry pulls him off and gets in The Miz's face

- Miz & Riley punch away at each other, which allows Roddy to sneak up and roll-up Piper for a very quick 3-count!

Winner via Pinfall: "Rowdy" Roddy Piper

Ads.

Match #8: 8-Diva Tag-Team - Tamina, Alica Fox, Rosa Mendes, Melina, Maryse, Nikki, & Brie (WWE Divas Champion) VS. Eve Torres, Gail Kim, Natalya, "The Glamazon" Beth Phoenix, Kaitlyn, A.J., & Kelly Kelly

Highlights:

- Brie & Kelly start off, until Brie tags in Rosa

- Lou Thesz press by Kelly and corner bulldog

- Big brawl breaks out and Kelly ends up finishing Rosa with a Fameasser

Winners: Eve Torres, Gail Kim, Natalya, "The Glamazon" Beth Phoenix, Kaitlyn, A.J., & Kelly Kelly

Post match, Eve Torres gets all the face-Divas to dance like The Rockets since the Tony Awards were in New York. During this, Michael Cole gagged (rightfully so, as this was really demeaning to actually women wrestlers like Natalya & Beth Phoenix).

Segment #6: Backstage Promo

A video then recalls Andy Leavine's win of Tough Enough from last week. He is shown sharing a brewsky with Steven Austin backstage until C.M. Punk interrupts. Stone Cold tells Andy to take a hike and let him deal with Punk. Austin offers a number of liquored drinks to Punk, but the "Straight Edge Superstar" rejects the drink. 3:16 tells C.M. that Nexus can not be involved in the match tonight and walks off to announce something to the world.

Commercials.


Segment #7: Arena Promo

The glass breaks and out rides The Texas Rattlesnake, on his A.T.V. Inside the squared circle, Stone Cold thanks the crowd for their hospitality. The A.G.M. makes their presence known again and Cole humbly reads it.

The General Manager announces that it will be back next week. (Back, you never really left!). Steve then says while he's still in charge, the June 20 Raw will be another 3-hour show and the power goes to the people. They can basically book the entire show.

Manager replies with the sounds, much to Austin's chagrin and he chases off Cole, and destroys the laptop by giving it some beer for it's thirst! (Please, hopefully for good!) Topping it off, he runs over it, twice with the A.T.V. - to the pleasure of the crowd. He runs back into to have a few more Steveweisers with Nassau. "And that's the bottom line, 'cause Stone Cold said so!"

Match #9: C.M. Punk VS. WWE Champion John Cena

Highlights:

- Waistlock by C.M Punk on John Cena to begin

- Stare down, complete with the crowd splitting "Let's go Cena" & "Cena sucks" chants (very, very loud)

- Headlock takedown by Punk on Cena

- Shoulder block by Punk, but impressive leapfrog by John

- Traded attempts at the Go To Sleep & Attitude Adjustment, but both countered and another stare down

- C.M. kicks Cena to the outside for a commercial break.

- Abdominal Stretch submission by "The Second City Saint" on the former "The Doctor of Thuganomics"

- Great facial expressions by Punk during the above submission

- The Champ reverses with a Hip Toss, but gets tossed himself and landed on by a flying Punk to the mats

- "Straight-Edge" dives off the top rope with a Mini-Axe-Handle and then taunts Cena with his own "you can't see me" sign

- Body scissors submission applied by C.M. Great selling by both

- Cena wiggles out of the hold, and quickly clamps in the STF, but C.M. crawls to the rope fast

- Guillotine rope choke by Punk. 1 - 2 - kickout for Cena!

- Bulldog attempt by C.M. but countered and chucked by John. Both down and selling the move

- Cena tries a running shoulder-block, but Punk ducks and John crashes to the floor. The ref (Mike Chioda) begins the 10-count, but only gets to 7 before Cena climbs back in

- Snapmare and two-count for Punk

- More "Let's go Cena" & "Cena sucks" yells

- "Straight-Edge" finds the canvas after attemtping his Springboard Clothesline

- Cena now in control with shoulder-blocks and a Spin-Out Backdrop

- Cena sets up for the 5-Knuckle Shuffle, until R-Truth comes back looking for his "Little Jimmys." This distracted Cena enough for C.M. Punk to hit the G.T.S. on John
- 1 - 2 - 3!

Winner via Pinfall: C.M. Punk

Post match, a crazy-eyed R-Truth attacks Cena, smashing him in the head with a water bottle and driving him to the mat with his Jumping Flatliner. Truth then grabs the WWE Championship from beside Justin Roberts (who had a girl with him - are we on a date dude?) and tells Cena that he will be him for the WWE Championship. "And that's The Truth!" He walks off with the title over his shoulder and holds it high, with Cena looking on in disbelief to close the show.

End Of Raw.

Reporter's Rumblings - By Moe Tapp

This was one of the best Raws I have seen in a long while to "go-home" for a Pay-Per-View. It was all focused on the upcoming show, while promoting a "mini show/game with in a show", hence the "All-Stars" tie-in.

Stone Cold Steve Austin was used well as the General Manager and except for the Divas match (I'm sorry, but I will probably bash them for a while until it returns to actual wrestling), the rest of the bouts interplayed well with the storylines and card of "C.P." Plus, they were all well-wrestled.

However, while I've become an eternal-optimist in life, not all was positive on Raw tonight. I have to be nit-picky and say I did not like the two matches ending in DQ's with basically the same finish. Alberto's was fine to do that, especially since his finish is a submission, but I thought Christian's ending was just cheap and easy.

Also, last time I checked, you don't heal that quickly from a "car-accident." Case in point: Stone Cold himself back in November 1999 - October 2000! I think they should've stretched (no pun intended!) Big Show's absence a little longer and had Kane VS. Alberto this Sunday instead. Finally on the negative side, as much as I like him for the great heel/promo/wrestler he is, did not see the point in Sheamus squash over Marella. Could've either had a better opponent or just not been on the show all-together.

Back to joy-land about Raw, other than the abundant number of matches (even though they were short, it's still pleasant to have lots of matches), I definitely enjoyed "Piper's Pit." That segment was done well and all three men (of course, Rowdy #1) carried it well. I'm really impressed with Alex Riley, both his developing mic/wrestle work, and his loud crowd reactions - that would be a face-turn that has paid off and done well for WWE.

Lastly, must give compliments to the Nassau people themselves. They are passionate and know who they like and don't like, particularly in the last segment/main-event match. That was some of the loudest (and I'm watching on T.V.) cheering/booing I've heard in a very long time. I want all crowds to be this vocal to show WWE that fans still love their pro-wrestling all around!

In conclusion, great Raw, look forward to next week's "Power To The People" episode, and below are my picks for "Capitol Punishment."

WWE Championship: John Cena defeats R-Truth

Alex Riley gets a win over The Miz, and I'll say via count-out for fun. (Miz runs after getting his butt handed to him).

Big Show for revenge on Alberto

WWE United States Championship: Dolph Ziggler to win the Title (please, give him a great long run)

C.M. Punk pins Rey Mysterio clean (Punk's on a new momentum, keep it strong)

WWE Intercontinental Championship: Ezekiel Jackson to pick up his first major singles Title over Wade Barrett

World Heavyweight Championship: Randy Orton to retain via disqualification

That's all for this week, so see you in 7 for another 180 + minutes of WWE Monday Night Raw! As always, Be Excellent Wrestling-Online Readers & WWE Fans!