Monday Night Raw TV Report 9/19/11

Reported by Ernest I Aguilar

You know that the WWE is booking interesting enough storylines that for me, a passion pro-wrestling fan, to NOT find out the results of last night's Night Of Champions Pay-Per-View, takes great stride so I can have a true natural reaction when I write about/watch Raw. (And this is the 3rd PPV in a row where I declined to find out the information beforehand)

Which leaves the following questions for tonight: Is Alberto Del Rio still the WWE Champion? (I hope so!) Did Beth Phoenix regain the WWE Divas Title in her hometown? (I hope so!) Finally, who is running WWE - Triple H, John Laurinaitis, Vince McMahon, C.M. Punk, or a complete swerve? (Interesting). Plus why is Hugh Jackman on Raw and what will he be doing? Read on to find out...

Introduction Segment: Arena Promo

The regular Raw opening video and pyro play/explode in the arena as Michael Cole welcomes us to Monday Night Raw from Cleveland (rocks!) Ohio. He states that new champions were crowned and controversy reigns, which leads to "Mr. Cult Of Personality" C.M. Punk walking out to the arena.

Jerry "The King" Lawler & Jim Ross chime in, stating that Triple H & Punk are both injured courtesy of their match. Also, apparently there are two new Champions - a WWE one and World Heavyweight One. (No names were given - intriguing!)

Punk is now in the ring and takes the "pipe bomb." He claims that Cleveland has not been kind to him, since he's forfeited the World Title one time and Bob Holly punched him in the eye. However, the thing that hurts the worst is his pride, since he says he may have been wrong. He admits that R-Truth & The Miz were right, saying there was a conspiracy in WWE. Before he can continue, the still C.O.O. of WWE Triple H interrupts and limps his way to the ring as well.

Triple H gives Punk credit over the "war" they engaged in last night, but the fact is HHH is still the Chief Of Operations. "The Game" gets back to business and books the WWE Championship match for Hell In A Cell in 2 weeks - C.M. Punk VS. Alberto Del Rio VS. NEW WWE Champion John Cena (damn!)

Triple H also says if "The Straight-Edge Superstar" still believes in this conspiracy about him & Kevin Nash, then they can go at it again. Punk cops to another theory though and instead believes that someone "a little higher up on the ladder" is actually playing the HHH VS. Punk battle.

Another interruption occurs, this time it is John Laurinaitis telling C.M. he is not fooling anyone. Punk contradicts Laurinaitis and accuses him of being the wedge between HHH & Punk. As usual, John denies and Triple H says he will get to the bottom of it. For some reason, Laurinaitis "fires" Punk, but the C.O.O. counters and "not fires" the "Second City Saint."

Instead, somebody is getting fired according to Triple H by the end of the night, when he finds out what's going on by the end of the night.

Another question is answered, as it is Mark Henry who became the World Heavyweight Champion at Night of Champions. (Sincerely, good for him!) Jim Ross says that he will interview the new Champ later tonight. Up next is an 8-man tag featuring both Raw & Smackdown wrestlers.

Commercials.

Match #1: 8-Man Tag-Team - David Otunga, Michael McGillicutty, Wade Barrett, & Christian VS. Justin Gabriel, Sheamus, & WWE Tag-Team Champions "Air-Boom" (Evan "Air" Bourne & Kofi Kingston) (Non-Title)

Justin Gabriel & Michael McGillicutty face-off to begin. Huge dropkick from Gabriel and tags in Kofi for a Sunset-Flip pin. 1 1 - 2 - kickout! Kofi tags in his partner, who flies off the top rope with a double-stomp. He gets caught soon with a headscissor counter into a backbreaker from Michael, who takes control and slaps hands with David. Evan is worked over by all four opponents, until he knees Christian in the face to set-up a crawl-over tag. Otunga cut him off and tries a clothesline, which is ducked and then tagged for Sheamus.

The Irishman enters and dominates all over the "A-Lister." Mayhem breaks down, with all 8 competitors going at each other. The match finishes with a Brogue Kick & "Celtic Cross" Crucifix Powerbomb courtesy of Sheamus for the 1 - 2 - 3!

Winners via Pinfall: Justin Gabriel, Sheamus, & WWE Tag-Team Champions "Air Boom" (Evan "Air" Bourne & Kofi Kingston)

Segment #2: Backstage Promo

Referee Chad Patton gets some air-time as he is with C.O.O Triple H. Chad is concerned about his safety with Miz & R-Truth, but HHH says not to worry and bring those two to him. Following the ref is former WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio chastising "The Game" for his decision on the Triple-Threat Hell In The Cell match and wants Vince McMahon back as the leader. Triple H tears a strip off him too.

Ads.

Match #2: Single - Alberto Del Rio (with Ricardo Rodriguez) VS. John Morrison

A.D.R. is aggressive early, hammering away on Morrison with punches and kicks. John gets out of it with a quick Pele kick, but that does not last long as Del Rio immediately clamps on the Cross-Armbreaker submission and forces Morrison to tap.

Winner via Submission: Alberto Del Rio

Commercials.

Segment #3: Arena Promo

The Raw host is now welcomed by Justin Roberts. Wolverine himself, Hugh Jackman, greets the fans to a moderate cheer. He cheap pops by putting over Cleveland and then his new movie.

First though, he has to be "excused" as Vickie Guerrero marches down to the ring, with the United States Champion Dolph Ziggler in tow, interrupting Jackman. She begins ogling over the movie star until Dolph interjects. He says that he should be celebrating as the "greatest United States Champion this business has ever seen," since he defeated three other great superstars to retain the title.

The two stars go back and forth, until Jackman challenges Dolph to face "the biggest underdog" back there and beat Ziggler in the upset of his life. Dolph agrees and says he will beat him anyway. The crowd chants loudly "We want Ryder", so Hugh grabs a sign from a fan that reads "Ryder > Wolverine." Jackman takes the sign to the back.

Backstage, R-Truth & The Miz (to a huge pop since they're in Cleveland - his hometown) pull up and are informed by Laurinaitis that Triple H wants to see them. They apologize to John for last night and he tells them to "let me know how it goes."

Ads.

Match #3: Single - Sin Cara (Which one?) VS. Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes

Prior to the match, the other Sin Cara makes his appearance and has a face-off with the one in the ring. The announcers are confused and both Caras receive boos and cheers respectively. They trade signature maneuvers back and forth, until one Sin Cara dropkicks the other out of the ring to end the match/segment.

Winner: No Contest

Backstage, Triple H is getting what I'm sure is top-grade coffee when he turns around to find "Team Conspiracy." Both Miz & R-Truth fess up to Triple H, the WWE Universe & Little Jimmies and apologize profusely. "The Game" accepts and decides to fine them each $250,000 for putting their hands on a referee and books them in a match VS. C.M. Punk & The NEW WWE Champion John Cena!

Up next, Jim Ross will interview "The World's Strongest Man" Mark Henry!

Commercials.

Segment #4: Arena Promo

Jim Ross informs the crowd (and us at home) that Randy Orton has invoked his rematch clause, so Smackdown General Manager Teddy Long has booked Mark Henry to defend his new World Title against "The Viper" at Hell In A Cell in Hell In A Cell.

Good Ole' J.R. congratulates Mark on his big win and asks him about the doubters in his life. Henry responds by telling Orton and the people he will "give him hell" again and never forgive anyone who didn't believe him. He tells Jim that he will apologize for the people and to Mark for being a "naysayer." Henry says that Ross never wanted Mark to stick around, but all that is proof is the World Title Henry is grasping in his hand.

Ross apologizes but to no avail, as Henry clutches his tie and begins to choke out the announcer until Jerry Lawler runs in and talks down Henry. Henry tosses J.R. to the side but grabs a hold of Lawler, who strikes the big man but receives a headbutt and "World's Strongest Slam" for his efforts. Henry then rips apart the commentator's table and slams "The King" through it again, standing over his fallen prey of destruction. Henry takes his Championship and walks to the back as personnel help Lawler.

Ads.

Match #4: Diva Tag-Team - Eve Torres & WWE Divas Champion Kelly Kelly VS. Natalya & "The Glamazon" Beth Phoenix

Damn! She's still the champ. Oh, & Josh Matthews is now out calling the action with Michael Cole now. In any case, Kelly starts out with Phoenix and spins her around with a nice Headscissors.

She tags in Eve who quickly gets laid out with a double-team clothesline. 1 - 2 - Eve kicks out! Natalya now in control and dominating with shoulders in the corner to her gut. Natalya misses a late shoulder, Eve elbows Beth off the apron, and rolls up Natalya for the W!

Winners via Pinfall: Eve Torres & Kelly Kelly

Segment #5: Backstage Promo

The fans get their wish as Hugh Jackman selects Zack Ryder to face Dolph Ziggler!

Commercials.

Match #5: Single - United States Champion Dolph Ziggler (with Vickie Guerrero) VS. "The Long Island Iced-Z" Zack Ryder (with Hugh Jackman)

Quick start with a punch and roll-up by Ryder for a 1-count. Stare-down occurs with HUGE "Let's go Ryder" chants. Ryder obliges with fast punches in the corner and a stiff kick. Cover for a nearfall until Ziggler counters with a kick-to-the-chin of his own. Ziggler stomps away and then yells at Jackman.

Neckbreaker and nice dropkick from "Perfection." He locks in an almost-STF but Ryder fights out and eventually hits a boot-to-the-face from the corner. Both men give each other clotheslines and the ref begins the 10-count. Vickie slaps Zack as he is using the ropes for leverage, but referee Mike Chioda (hey, back from suspension!) sees this and ejects Guerrero from ringside.

While Chioda's back is turned, Hugh knocks out Ziggler with a right hand, setting up Ryder to drive Dolph to the canvas with the "Roughrider" Leg-Lariat. Ryder covers 1 - 2 - 3!

Winner via Pinfall: Zack Ryder

Post match, Ryder & Jackman celebrate and we are given a reminder of the Tag-Team main event tonight.

Ads.

Segment #6: Video Promo & Backstage Promo

A "highlight" package of "The All-American-American" Jack Swagger airs depicting his accomplishments in his WWE career. He & Vickie are then shown, with Jack asking about a contract for him to join up with her & Dolph. She accepts much to the dismayed look on Dolph's mug.

Segment #7: Locker Room Promo

C.M. Punk is warming up when the new WWE Champion John Cena walks in. He recounts the history he & Punk have and says he is more worried about after the tag-team match. He implies that C.M. may be fired by Triple H tonight, which would be history, however Punk retorts with the proposition of John Cena the CURRENT WWE Champion being fired, which would also be HISTORY!

Segment #8: Video Promo

A montage of the Hell In A Cell match from its inception in 1997 to the most recent Pay-Per-View last year airs plugging the danger of the match.

Match #6: Tag-Team - R-Truth & The Miz VS. C.M. Punk & WWE Champion John Cena

Miz & R-Truth make their entrance, complete with new rap for the crowd. A quick commercial break and then the faces of C.M. Punk & WWE Champion John Cena come out.

Miz & Cena begin fiercely with punches and Cena takes down Miz with a bulldog. He tags Punk and they double-team Miz with a hip-toss. Legdrop by Punk for a quick 2-count. Miz manages to kick Punk and tag-in R-Truth. Northern-light Suplex by Punk for a 2-count until Truth takes control, until Punk kicks & scoop-slams him.

Tag to Cena (mixed crowd reaction) and an old-school Wishbone legsplit by both to R-Truth. Truth crawls over and slaps hands with Miz. Stare down between Miz & Cena and a bit of counter-wrestling between the two, until Miz drives Cena to the mat with a DDT.

Ads.

Back from break, Miz in full control with a knee/backbreaker combo. Cena kicks out of a 2, and Miz argues with referee Charles Robinson ("Little 'Naitch!") but Truth convinces Miz to back down to avoid another altercation and fine. Truth now in and has a head lock on the WWE Champion.

Cena wiggles out with a backdrop. Tag again to Miz and Miz is punching around the head of Cena. John eventually reversed and flips over Miz with a gutwrench suplex. Miz is able to make the tag first and Truth cuts off Cena from doing so with Punk.

Truth stomps and punches away some more on Cena then tags again to Miz. Cena catches Miz this time and splits him between the legs with a Reverse Atomic Drop. Miz manages to clothesline Cena and measures him in the corner, but Cena moves out of the way sending Miz to the turnbuckle.

This allows Cena to jump for Punk's hand, who comes in and cleans house on "Team Conspiracy." He hits the running Bulldog on Miz and flies off the ropes with a Springboard Clothesline. He attempts the "Go To Sleep" but Miz wiggles out. Miz tries a right-handed clothesline, but almost finds R-Truth instead. Punk nails both and then knocks out Miz with the "G.T.S." Fireman's Carry Knee-To-The-Face and plasters Miz's body. 1 - 2 - 3!

Winners via Pinfall: C.M. Punk & John Cena

Post match, as Punk & Cena celebrate, the Chief Operating Officer Triple H congratulate them on a good match, and then promptly fires The Miz & R-Truth! Backstage, the "boys" are shown with their reaction and Triple H is attacked by the former employees as he is walking through.

The locker-room comes to the rescue and as per the Boss's orders, chuck Miz & R-Truth out of the arena and Triple H storms off to close the show!

End Of Raw.

Reporter's Rumblings - By Moe Tapp

Wow! What a Raw! This was a great show and one of the better ones all-around for the last few weeks, complete with a surprise ending, following up what seemed to be a decent PPV from the results I saw on the show tonight. On to my Excellence & Bogus.

Excellence: The opening promo - short, sweet, to the point, and well-delivered by Triple H/C.M. Punk, and even John Laurinaitis! Set-up the storyline and new matches for the night/next PPV perfectly.

"Air Boom" still WWE Tag-Champs. Better to keep the belts on a new, but slowly-solidifying tag-team for the long-haul.

Hugh Jackman - much like the opener, is role was short, sweet & simple. Glad they did not make the "guest host" the focus of the show and instead kept Jackman to a minor role, (compared to hosts in the past) but still put him with an established grouping of Superstars/Wrestlers. And he did NOT overshadow them either!

Sin Cara VS. Sin Cara - this actually looks intriguing and both can produce a classic showdown eventually. Happy they didn't jump the gun and have a match tonight.

Zack Ryder getting the W - hopefully this lines him up for a future U.S. Title shot/run!?

Jack Swagger joining Vickie - again short, sweet, simple, accomplished little segment and I like the fact that Jack used footage of his career to "win over" Guerrero - nice little touch. (It wins us over to and reminds us that he is actually a great wrestler).

The main event - great wrestling and great story for the tag-team match, especially Miz & R-Truth doing everything to obey the rules so as not to get punished again. The ending - while not sure what will happen with Miz & Truth, at least it was a decent swerve. (They're not fired, that'll be reconciled I'm sure next week).

Bogus: Divas - Kelly as champ needs to end, as does feud with Beth Phoenix/Natalya. Give title to either and then move on with other women for it.

8-Man Tag - quick & boring, although at least all competitors made sense considering they have been facing each other in different matches over the last couple weeks, so I'll give it that.

Again, as you can read above, I really really like Raw this week! Hopefully this trend continues and next week will be awesome (no Miz pun intended!) too! Until then, as always, Be Excellent Wrestling-Online Readers & Wrestling Fans