Monday Night Raw Tv Report 9/5/11

Reported by Earnest I Aguilar -Zevallos

Ah, September. The month were fall begins and all who attend or work at a school go back to it. It is also the month for the now annual Pay-Per-View "Night Of Champions" and tonight, the build towards said PPV should continue.

Yes, week number two of the "Monday Night Raw Supershow" is underway. Who will come over from Smackdown this time? And, with Alberto now aloud back in the country, how will the WWE Champion make is presence known?

Finally, how much more controversy lurks between C.M. Punk, Kevin Nash, & Triple H? Only one way to find out, so read on!

Introduction Segment: Video Replay

A recap of the history so far between Kevin Nash, C.M. Punk, & Triple H since SummerSlam airs to begin Raw.

Segment #1: Arena Promo

"Cult Of Personality" is the theme to kick off Raw tonight as C.M. Punk makes his way to the ring and sits down on the canvas with the "pipe bomb" in his hand. Punk informs us, to no surprise, that he is different, especially with the fact that he says whatever comes to his mind and pisses people off.

He announces that he is to face R-Truth tonight, however he'd rather "kick in the face as hard as he can" Kevin Nash. "The Straight-Edge" Superstar rips on Nash's never-changing personality and insinuates the ever-loving alliance between Kevin & Triple H. He challenges Nash to come out and face him like a man.

It is answered and Nash (conspicuously dressed in all black T-Shirt & jeans) appears on stage. He tells Punk that he does whatever he wants and doesn't listen to him. Punk says that Nash has more excuses than nicknames (such as "Vinnie Vegas", "Oz," "Supershredder" - sweet, and so on).

They bicker back and forth, with C.M. claiming the last time Nash was relevant was 1994 and that no matter how many times he's knocked down, Punk will keep getting up and fighting.

The man in charge and now Punk's opponent, Triple H interrupts the bantering. Nash tells HHH that he should've gotten rid of Punk, but Trips has other news. He says he "found out the truth" and courtesy of the Staples Center in Los Angeles (home of Summerslam), they had footage of Nash walking into Triple H's locker room to send the mysterious text messages.

Kevin finally admits it and demands the C.O.O. to make a decision on who goes - Nash or Punk. "The Game" responds by he can do that, but before he can say so, Nash cuts him off and reminds HHH of their 20 + year friendship. Nash provokes HHH and "The Cerebral Assassin" comes back with a right hand, knocking the 7-Footer off his feet, and then fires him.

Triple H walks out of the ring and C.M. Punk tells Kevin "good luck in your future endeavours" before vacating.

Commercials.

Segment #2: Backstage

Kevin Nash is shown walking to a car with John Laurinaitis in tow. They drive out together.

Match #1: Tag-Team - WWE Tag-Team Champions "Air-Boom" (Kofi Kingston & Evan "Air" Bourne) VS. Jinder Mahal & The Great Khali

(This is a mismatch - here's hoping for "Air-Boom"). Evan & Jinder start out with Mahal overpowering until Bourne catches him with a Hurricanrana. Jumping Knee and Butterfly Suplex for a 2-count gives Jinder control and he tags in Khali. The Great slowly kicks and punches/slaps away at Evan in the corner. Tag back to Jinder, who drops a bunch of knees on Bourne's chest.

Bourne counters with a foot-to-the-face and he is able to jump-tag Kofi, who flies around with chops and dropkicks as usual all over Jinder. Khali tries to help Jinder with the Overhead Chop, but Kingston ducks (thereby Jinder receiving it - and selling very well) which that sets up a hot-tag and "Air Bourne" Shooting Star Press for Evan to get the three!

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

Postmatch, the Tag-Champs celebrate and we see that the WWE Champion is back - Alberto Del Rio has arrived in the arena backstage. Also, later tonight is C.M. Punk VS. R-Truth. Kelly Kelly now comes out with her Divas title. Jerry "The King" Lawler ogles her as he tells us she will be on commentary next, during the Eve Torres VS. Beth Phoenix match.

Ads.

Match #2: #1 Contender Single - Eve Torres VS. Beth Phoenix

(Note: Both Kelly Kelly & Natalya are on commentary - and both just argue, saying nothing worthwhile).

Lockup by both Divas to begin and headlock by Eve. Shoulder-block for a 2-count from Phoenix and sweep-leg pin for another 2 from Eve. Beth tosses Torres into the ring post and works her over until Eve kicks her in the face and runs off the ropes with a clothesline. Beth ducks a kick from Torres and finishes her with the Glam-Slam.

Winner via Pinfall & #1 Contender to the WWE Divas Championship: Beth Phoenix

Post match, Natalya slams Kelly into the apron and chucks her onto the mat. The "Sisters of Destruction" look over the fallen Eve & Kelly

Commercials.

Segment #3: Backstage Promo

Drew McIntyre is talking with Christian about deserving chances. The WWE Champion barges into the conversation and tells Christian he was expecting to see him with the World Heavyweight Title.

Alberto says that it is because of John Cena that Christian isn't the champ, since before his Smackdown match, Cena assaulted him. He plants the seed of it being Cena's fault in Christian's head before walking off.

Segment #4: Video Promo

The trailer for "Inside Out", Triple H's movie plays. Meh.

Ads.

Segment #4: Arena Promo

Prior to the bout, "The Truth" cuts a promo. He claims Punk has ripped him off, since Truth has already been speaking the real truth all his life. "Awesome!" The Miz now comes out (in a helluva checkered suit) and agrees with R-Truth's conspiracy theme. He says Triple H is concerned only for his friends and not the two best talents on the roster. (How true!).

Miz announces that he has booked himself & Truth into a WWE Tag-Title Match with "Air-Boom." After a little more "craziness", Truth says C.M. Punk is "about to get got!"

C.M. Punk himself finally comes out and the match shall begin! (Right after the break).

Commercials.

Match #3: Single - R-Truth VS. C.M. Punk

A stare down then lockup commence, followed by a wristlock and kicks from Punk. Legsweep take-down into 1-count pin and more kicks from C.M. Side headlock into the corner and Truth kicks Punk in the gut to take control. Runs off the ropes are countered by Punk with a Leapfrog and dropkick, sending Truth to the outside. "The Second City Saint" follows that up with a Suicide Dive into the commentary table.

Miz distracts Punk so Truth can regain the lead in the contest. Snapmare into a pin and another rear-chinlock from R. Truth chucks Punk to the outside (botched from mostly likely into the ringpost) and Miz gets a cheap knee chop-block for good measure. Truth hunts the downed Punk and takes him into the ring. Cover but a kickout by Punk!

Truth works over the left knee of C.M., including slamming it on the ring apron. Miz looks on with an approving smile. Punk reverses into a Small Package for a 2 and Backslide. 1 - 2 - kickout! Truth locks on a weak Half-Crab submission and then slams Punk's knee on the mat. A scoop slam from Truth and he climbs the turnbuckle, but Punk cuts him off with punches and chops. Punk scales the ropes and hits an off-the-top-rope Superplex!

C.M. is fired up now with more kicks and the knee/bulldog in the corner combo. Springboard Lariat and he is getting ready for the G.T.S. Attempted and countered by Truth into a front Suplex/Flapjack. 1 - 2 - kickout by Punk! Scissors Kick attempt by Truth but ducked by Punk. The Miz interferes to catch C.M. off guard but gets thrown out by the ref. As Punk looks on, Truth tries to get him, but C.M. reverses into the "Go To Sleep" for the W!

Winner via Pinfall: C.M. Punk

Post match, before Punk can really be happy, Triple H is back out with a microphone. Punk cuts him off right away and isn't buying the Nash/HHH deal from earlier. Triple H informs Punk that whether he believes it or not, Nash is gone and if he wants change, then their match is changed.

He tells Punk that it's personal, so he's not satisfied just pinning Punk. "I want to hurt you, bad!" At N.O.C., it will be "No Holds Barred." Punk agrees to one stipulation, but gives Triple H another - if C.M. beats HHH, then he resigns as C.O.O. of WWE! "Done!" So, there it is, high-stakes at "Night Of Champions" going Punk's way.

Segment #5: Backstage Promo

Wade Barrett is talking with Curt Hawkins (who I did not recognize) and Tyler Reks (where the heck has he been?), until Alberto Del Rio walks in. He basically says the same thing about John Cena Barrett as he did with Christian, but Barrett counters saying that he's been doing it and watch what he does tonight! Wade walks off leaving the WWE Champion smiling.

Ads.

Match #4: Tag-Team - David Otunga & Michael McGillicutty VS. Jerry "The King" Lawler & "The Long-Island Ice-Z" Zack Ryder

Before the match, an explanation to this match is given, along with Jerry introducing Zack Ryder and a video package of all his antics (awesome ones, too!) is played.

McGillicutty & Ryder begin with Michael over-powering and then tagging in Otunga. Otunga does the same until Zack manages to tag Lawler after a Flapjack on Otunga. "The King" cleans house with the help of Ryder. Lawler delivers the Fist Drop and Ryder wants the tag again. He gets it and then follows up with the "Roughryder" Jumping Legdrop to get the 1 - 2 - 3!

Winners via Pinfall: Jerry "The King" Lawler & "The Long-Island Ice-Z" Zack Ryder

Segment #6: Backstage Promo

Alberto Del Rio is now talking with Dolph Ziggler and basically saying the same things he did to Christian & Wade Barrett. Dolph re-iterates that maybe Del Rio is scared, since he wasn't on Raw last week and Dolph was "stealing the show."

For some reason, the Bella Twins show up and "shmooze" Alberto, who tells them to wait 5 minutes. Del Rio implies that Vickie is going to dump Ziggler and look for someone who will fight for her. He walks off and then we see Randy Orton, the World Heavyweight Champion, walking to the ring.

Commercials.

Match #5: Single - World Heavyweight Champion Randy Orton VS. Heath Slater

(Really?) Immediately, Orton chucks Slater into the ring post and delivers three uppercuts in a row. Randy works over Heath until "The One-Man Rock Band" counters with an Enziguri and a side headlock, complete with Double-Leg Spinebuster. Orton fights out of a rear chinlock and many clotheslines and a Scoop Powerslam. He nails the Slingshot DDT and "The Viper" gets into the zone for a massive "R.K.O.!" Done.

Winner via Pinfall: World Heavyweight Champion Randy Orton

Segment #7: Backstage Promo

Zack Ryder is all hyped-up about winning his match and gives John Cena a pair of his sunglasses. Cena congratulates and is on his way to the ring.

Ads.

Segment #8: Arena Promo

John Cena is in the ring and during which, they show a clip of Alberto Del Rio beating the tar out of him 2 weeks ago. Cena says he's upset because he can't get his hands on Del Rio. He calls out Del Rio, and as usual, it is Ricardo Rodriguez who announces him first.

The WWE Champion rolls out in his fancy car (didn't get the name and not a car guy) with a microphone. Alberto tells Cena he doesn't get it and that he is actually giving Cena a fighting chance at "Night Of Champions," because that's "just the champion I am." He says that he didn't show up last week to protect John, just like why he is standing by his car tonight instead of in the ring with Cena. He then calls out the men he was talking to earlier to beat down Cena.

Jack Swagger, Wade Barrett, Dolph Ziggler, & Christian run out and pummel Cena until Alex Riley, Sheamus, & John Morrison make the save. (I smell an 8-man Tag main event?). I'm right, as Smackdown G.M. Teddy Long announces an 8-Man Tag-Team Elimination Tag-Team Match as the main event - next!

Commercials.

Match #6: 8-Man Elimination Tag-Team - Jack Swagger, Wade Barrett, Dolph Ziggler, & Christian VS. Alex Riley, Sheamus, John Morrison, & John Cena

It is Alex Riley & Wade Barrett punching it out and Riley drives Barrett into the mat with a reverse Flatliner. Big side-slam by Wade for a 2-count! Barrett works over Alex until he misses a big-boot into the corner.

Morrison & Ziggler are both tagged in and John takes out all comers with his "delightful" moves, including a Flipping Uranage. Ziggler soon catches Morrison in a Sleeper and with it still locked on, tags in Swagger, who clamps an Ankle Lock to make Morrison tap. Morrison is eliminated. Vickie Guerrero is walking the aisle to watch the match.

Ads.

Ziggler and Riley are now wrestling with the United States Champion Dolph in control. Riley fights out of a headlock and comes back with a few Axe Handles and Spinebuster. He knocks off the other two opponents, but walks into a Fameasser from Dolph for a nearfall!

As Ziggler is taunting Alex, Swagger blind-tags him and then jaws with Dolph. Eventually, Jack holds onto another Ankle Lock and A-Ry gives up for the elimination.

Sheamus is the next man in (with John Cena being the only other) and ends up dominating over Swagger until Barrett is brought in. Sheamus begins a fight with Wade but gets kneed into the gut and a huge kick to the head. 1 - 2 - Sheamus kicks out! Sheamus catches Barrett off a run into a over-the-shoulder Powerslam and hammers away on Barrett's chest.

He hits a running-knee-lift and climbs the top-rope to dive off with a shoulder block! Wade ducks a Brogue Kick and tries a Pump Handle Slam, which Sheamus gets out of and nails the Brogue Kick again for the elimination. Wade is out and Christian is in.

Christian attempts a Killswitch but Sheamus slides out and tosses Christian over the rope. Christian slaps Sheamus disrespectfully, which irates Sheamus, and they chase each other around the arena to a double-count-out elimination. It is now Cena VS. Dolph & Swagger.

Cena goes into his "mode" and works over Swagger until Dolph comes in with a dropkick. Swagger covers for only a 2, but starts to gain control on John, and then tags in Dolph. "Perfection" stomps away on Cena then slaps hands again with "The All-American-American" who punishes Cena more. As usual, Cena eventually fires up and makes his comeback, taking down both with a double "5-Knuckle-Shuffle." (Surprisingly, he is getting A LOT of cheers!).

Attitude Adjustment attempted until Dolph intervenes, allowing Swagger to slam down Cena. He is in position for a Swagger Bomb, which Jack hits. Swagger is gearing up until Dolph blind-tags himself and they argue, right into an A.A. for Dolph and the pin/elimination.

Dolph is out, but Jack catches Cena in the Ankle Lock. Great back and forth struggles, and Cena reverses into the STF for the submission!

Winner/Survivor via Submission: John Cena

Post match, Alberto Del Rio tries to ambush Cena but gets an Attitude Adjustment and dragged out by Rodriguez. Cena & Del Rio stare each other down and Michael Cole wishes a "Happy Labor Day" to close the show.

End Of Raw.

Reporter's Rumblings - By Moe Tapp

Much better episode of Raw this week. Most everything made sense and the match quality was up, even if it was short. On with the "highs & lows."

Excellence: "Air-Boom" - liking the tag-team and are starting to make the division exciting. Definitely liked the double-team finish. Beth Phoenix #1 Contender - now give her the title! Truth/Miz's promo and Truth/Punk's match - great entertaining mic work and great wrestling match. Punk can have in-ring chemistry with just about anyone it seems and make them look good!

Zack Ryder - both the video package and him getting the pin/win! The video package should've actually happened a while ago and him been on more consistently, so hopefully this is the start of consecutive big appearances and wins for the "Long-Island Iced-Z"!

Alberto Del Rio's before match promo, where he was "protecting John Cena" by not showing up. That is the way to build yourself, say that you will beat the living out of someone, so I want to do it at a time when it's worth more, like on the Pay-Per-View than on free T.V.

The main event - something new that you don't see too often and another eight men with great chem inside the squared circle. Really loved the story of the match and the different styles of the eliminations.

Bogus: Nash/HHH/Punk - starting to get tired of the storyline now. I think if it was still Nash VS. Punk, I'd be intrigued, but I'm not excited to see Triple H back in the ring - still too soon and the now whole "if I win, you resign" deal has been done many times before.

Kelly Kelly & Natalya on commentary added NOTHING and took away from the match. I found it very hard to concentrate on the in-ring talent when they were so LOUD!

Alberto Del Rio's backstage promos - they were king of the same thing again and again, but at the same time, at least it did lead somewhere (the main event). Orton VS. Slater - other than to have the W.H.C. on Raw, totally pointless. Cena "A.A.-ing" Del Rio. Rio just said he doesn't want to attack Cena until Night Of Champions, so why do it, get taken down, and then disprove your theory?

Again, strong show and looking forward to next weeks. Until then, as always, Be Excellent Wrestling-Online Readers and Wrestling Fans!