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| Reported by Ernest I Aguilar |
A big night tonight as it is the Raw before SummerSlam this Sunday. On the cards (or should I say "table") is a contract signing for the WWE Championship match between WWE Champion John Cena, and well, WWE Champion C.M. Punk. Plus, both will apparently be in action on the show as well. Here's hoping a great "go-home" show tonight and to find out, read on!
Introduction Segment: Arena Promo
Sans video and pyro (again), Michael Cole just welcomes us to Monday Night Raw, followed by "It's Time To Play The Game." The WWE C.O.O. Triple H walks to the ring with a smile on his face. HHH calls six nights from now "one of the most historic nights in the WWE, where the entire landscape of this business changes."
He name-drops the match (John Cena gets pretty evident boos, while C.M. Punk receives a mixed reaction). He calls the last month a big change, from no WWE Champion, to Vince in charge, to himself in charge, to two WWE Champions (again, still one - C.M. Punk - in my opinion), to finally one WWE Undisputed Champion following Sunday night.
"The Game" declares that it may tricky to determine that Undisputed Champion, since anything can happen in the WWE. Therefore, he has found a man that is bigger and larger than life than anyone, including Cena & Punk, in the WWE - himself! Triple H appoints himself the special referee and will call it down the middle for the match at SummerSlam. (Cha, right! I'm getting "screw job" tingles!).
He also announces that both Cena (again, boos from the crowd) and Punk will be signing their contract AND be in action tonight, with John's match beginning - right now! (Not really, as when Cena comes out to have a verbal joust with Triple H - albeit under their breaths - we get Jim Ross re informing us about the contract signing and a break).
Commercial.
Match #1: Single - WWE Champion #2 John Cena VS. "The All-American-American" Jack Swagger (Non-Title)
Prior to the match starting, Cole gives us a replay of said above "conversation" between HHH and Cena. Cena claimed it was an ego thing, whereas Triple H says what happens at SummerSlam will be because he wanted it to happen. (Again, screw job!)
On to the match, Cena & Swagger lock up and Jack takes him down with a headlock roll-over and slaps John's head. This didn't go so well, as Cena got up right away and became aggressive. Cena grabs Swagger in his own headlock and hit a nice (sincerely) looking dropkick.
Jack reversed an armlock into a belly-to-belly suplex for a quick two-count! (Also nice!) After whipping Cena into the turnbuckle, Jack dives off the second one with his "Swagger-Bomb" but only gets a two-count still! The WWE Champion #2 struggles and fights out of a Surfboard Stretch and takes down the amateur wrestler with a gutwrench suplex.
John misses a shoulder-block in the corner, which allows Swagger to take control again with another armlock and work over Cena's body for a while. Swagger tries an Ankle Lock, but Cena reverses that into an STF attempt, but Jack gets out of that too by kicking Cena off. However, "The All-American-American" missed a clothesline, which allowed "The Dr. Of Thuganomics" to fire up with shoulder-blocks, the "5-Knuckle-Shuffle" fist-drop and an "Attitude Adjustment". Cena covers for the pin and 1 - 2 - 3!
Winner via Pinfall: WWE Champion 1 John Cena
Post match, Cena celebrates as Jerry "The King Lawler" reminds us of the contract signing and Cole & Ross plug another "Awesome" (pun intended!) match set: Rey Mysterio VS. The Miz. (Cole tells us to set our DVRs since The Miz is in action. I already have - I do these reports on tape!)
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Segment #2: SummerSlam Recall
From 1991, it is "The Excellence Of Execution" Bret "The Hit Man" Hart VS. (the late) "Mr. Perfect" Curt Hennig. This was a great match and story told 20 years ago by both technically-sound wrestlers, made special by the end celebration of Bret Hart with his parents, the late Stu & Helen Hart.
Segment #3: Backstage Promo
Scott Stanford is with WWE Champion #1 C.M. Punk's opponent - Alberto Del Riiiioooooo! (as announced by Ricardo Rodriguez). Del Rio calls Punk "the voice of the gutless", since when C.M. won the WWE Title at "Money In The Bank", he ran from Alberto. "The Mexican Aristocrat" will show Punk what would've happened that night in Chicago.
Segment #4: Backstage Promo
We are reminded of why John Morrison and R-Truth are feuding right now via a video package from four months ago. This leads into Josh Matthews interviewing "The Good R-Truth." Matthews asks why he would take advantage of his friend, and R-Truth retorts with many questions with no answers, such as gems like "why are there 10-pack hot-dogs, but only 8-pack buns? Two buns are missing!" Or, "why did God create spiders?"
He goes on to tell a story of his grandmother making "spider stew" and that only "Little Jimmy" would eat it. Tonight he will squish a spider of his own - John Morrison. (This was great and R-Truth really has a personality and much better promo with this "crazy-man" gimmick beautifully!)
Commercials.
Match #2: Single - Rey Mysterio VS. The Miz
It is announced that Rey Mysterio will face the WWE Champion - whomever that may be - next week on Raw for his rematch in his hometown of San Diego. Or maybe not, as The Miz blindsides Rey from behind and assaults him on the stage, slamming him repeatedly into the metal WWE sign on the stage.
Referees come to pull him off and Miz walks to the ring instead, with a sadistically pissed off look on his face. (In other words, Rey is injured and he is now written-off T.V. - for real and for a while I'm sure!)
Michael Cole is in the ring (gee, what a surprise!) and tells Miz that was an unbelievable display of audacity. The Miz grabs the microphone and totes about his accomplishments, wondering why he is not on the SummerSlam card. He will do acts like the above to get everyone's attention. He then demands a referee to come down and claim him the winner by forfeit.
Instead, the referee informs ring announcer Justin Roberts that The Miz will compete in a new match, courtesy of C.O.O. HHH.
Winner: No Contest
Match #3: Single - The Miz VS. Kofi Kingston
Dang, I was thinking and hoping for Zack Ryder. Ce le vis! Lockup by both men into the corner and Kofi flies around a bit before nailing The Miz with a high dropkick. Miz whips Kingston into the corner, but gets met with a Lou Thesz press and mounted punches. A clothesline over the top rope followed by a suicide dive sends The Miz to the outside mat and us to ads.
Back from commercials, The Miz has Kofi gripped in a ground headlock. Kofi ducks a ground kick and catches Miz with a roll-up for a two count! Clothesline and whip-into-corner from Miz and this time he hits the corner clothesline too! Off the top rope, Miz hits Kingston a perfect Double Axe Handle Smash, but only gets the 1 - 2!
Another roll-up by Kofi gets another 2-count and Kingston flys off the top-rope Springboard Crossbody for another nearfall! Miz drives Kingston with a DDT, and gets a long two-count. (The expression of disbelief is a great shot and again, great story-telling, of a frustrated wrestler). A top-rope suplex by Miz gets turned into a Sunset Flip Powerbomb, but Miz gets the shoulder up a the last second!
Both the "Trouble In Paradise" & "Skull-Krushing Finale" attempts are reversed until Miz drops Kingston across the top-rope and finishes him off with the Front-Russian Legsweep for the win!
Winner via Pinfall: The Miz
Segment #5: Backstage Promo
WWE Champion #1 (again in my opinion) C.M. Punk is walking in the hallway, where Josh inquires his feelings of Triple H being the special referee. The "Straight-Edge Superstar" claims it is all about ego - Triple H's - and that the line of "what's good for business" means that HHH stays out of his business and Punk beats John Cena for the WWE Championship. However, right now C.M. is focused on kicking Alberto Del Rio's "teeth down his throat", as that is good for his business.
Commercials.
Match #4: Single - Alberto Del Rio VS. WWE Champion #1 C.M. Punk (Non-Title)
Huge "C.M. Punk" chants prior to his entrance, but when "Mr. Cult Of Personality" walks out, not a lot of reaction. (Squashed by "technical difficulties" perhaps?). Again though, back to "C.M. Punk" cheers when the match begins, with you guessed it a lockup and a swift karate kick that was missed by Punk.
Del Rio soon takes control, kicking away himself at those weapons of Punk's until C.M. works him over with an armdrag and shoulder-blocks int he corner. Del Rio gets out of the way and Punk runs shoulder-first into the ring post and sells the pain well (possible legitametly) and Alberto pulls on the arm around the post, then works it over more with an armlock.
This time, Punk moves out of the way and Del Rio flies through the ropes to the mats and gives C.M. an inadvertent break. "Mr. Money In The Bank" gets back in to receive a series of a neckbreaker, corner shining-wizard, and top-rope flying clothesline.
"The Second City Saint" attempts the "Go To Sleep", but Del Rio wiggles out and chucks Punk back into the ring post. Del Rio hits a knees-to-the-back "Backstabber" but only gets a two-count! Alberto sets up for the Cross-Armbar submission, however WWE Champion #1 counters and kicks Del Rio in the head, and follows it up with the G.T.S for real this time, getting the 1 - 2 - 3!
Winner via Pinfall: WWE Champion #1 C.M. Punk
Ads.
Match #5: Single - "The Glamazon" Beth Phoenix VS. Eve Torres
A recap of Beth's heel turn against her opponent for SummerSlam, WWE Divas Champion Kelly Kelly, is aired and Cole touts a possible change in the Divas division, with Natalya doing the same gig on Smackdown. (Read Dan's report on this fine website for SD - cheap plug!)
Eve locks up with Beth and tries a wristlock, which Beth easily powers out of. Phoenix tosses Eve onto the apron and then off to the floor. She throws Torres into the barricade and drags her by her hair (ouch!) back into the ring. 1 - 2 - Eve kicks out. A "Tilt-A-Whirl-Something" is tried but Eve gets out, only to get chucked again into the corner.
Eve manages to knock Phoenx down with a Springboard Kick from the corner and attempts her Moonsault finisher. "The Glamazon" gets up fast and pulls Eve out of the corner and into her "Glamslam" to receive the win!
Winner via Pinfall: "The Glamazon" Beth Phoenix
Post match, Beth tells a fallen Eve that she is sick of all the mockery made by her and Kelly Kelly. She means "no more booty-popping, splits, or stinkfaces." (Yay - for the fact that they can actually wrestle now?).
As Phoenix walks up the ramp, she is hit from behind by the WWE Divas Champion herself and Kelly Kelly then goes to check on Eve while "The Glamazon" stares them down.
Commercials.
Match #6: Single - WWE United States Champion Dolph Ziggler (w/ Vickie Guerrero) VS. Alex Riley (Non-Title)
While this should be a great wrestling match, it really should've been saved for SummerSlam. In any case, A-Ry takes the microphone and insults Guerrero's bad breath, and her responses was to scream at him.
Riley quickly follows up with a clothesline and attempts a quick pin, but Dolph kicks out just as quick. Ziggler then comes on with some fury and soon locks in the Sleeper Submission, but Riley forces himself out and slams "Perfection" to the canvas with a Spinebuster. Vickie then climbs back into the ring and slaps Riley hard, inadvertently getting Dolph disqualified.
Winner via Disqualification: Alex Riley
Post match, the United States Champion is upset and Alex punches him into Vickie. They yell at each other more as A-Ry leaves the ramp please with his work. However, Dolph & Guerrero are not happy with each other and Vickie exits on her own, waving "goodbye" to Dolph.
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Segment #6: Video Promo
All three commentators set up the highlight package of the events surrounding the WWE Championship. While definitely a blatant NFL Films-esque type video, still awesomely done and proves why WWE is #1 in production value!
Match #7: Single - R-Truth VS. John Morrison
R-Truth makes his entrance and then we go to commercials. (Why not just have the commercial before all setup for the match). Any case, after the break, John Morrison is out and both are in the ring.
A change from the usual formula happens, since (and good for the story), both Truth & Morrison trade vicious punches and Morrison nails the Flipping Uranage. He attempts Starship Pain but Truth rolls out of the ring. In an amazing and close-up spot (look out camerman!), "The Monday Night Delight" soars OVER the ring post with a Corkscrew Plancha onto Truth.
John throws Truth into the barricade and voices "May 2nd Truth, you tried to end my career!" (Great add-lib and story-telling/continuity!). Morrison hops over the barricade and punches away again until Truth trips him up, with Morrison landing on the back of his previously injured neck. R-Truth gets back in the ring, as does Morrison before the 10-count.
Raw's resident "Crazy-Man" continues to pound away on John, and shouts out "take that, Little Jimmy!" Suplex-Facebuster and Jumping Flatiner attempt by Truth but "The Shaman of Sexy" counters, until Truth re-counters and hits the second Jumping Flatliner. Truth covers for the 1 - 2 - 3! (This should've also been saved for SummerSlam, and it made no sense for the clean finish).
Winner via Pinfall: R-Truth
Backstage, WWE C.O.O. Triple H and WWE V.P. of Talent Relations John Laurinatis are reviewing the contract for SummerSlam.
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Segment #7: Backstage Promo
Despite being attacked earlier tonight, Rey Mysterio will still face whoever the Undisputed WWE Champion is next week for the title on Raw in San Diego.
The World Heavyweight Champion Christian is allowed some face time on Raw to declare that he will make an announcement this Friday on Smackdown, and invites the WWE C.O.O. to hear it live.
Segment #8: Arena Promo/Contract Signing
Triple H welcomes us to the event and out first is WWE Champion #1 C.M. Punk. Next, of course, is WWE Champion #2 John Cena. They put their respective championship titles on the table and before HHH cuts to the chase, C.M. wonders why they're really out there, since all is already to go anyway. He mocks previous contract signings, as they have all ended in chaos.
Punk says instead he feels like he is in a movie and brings out a clip of an actual movie star (he pokes fun of Triple H & "The Chaperone") to tell everyone how he feels about John Cena. Of course, that star is Dwayne, a.k.a. The Rock.
Via video, The Rock cuts his usual verbiage on Cena, adding fuel to their impending WrestleMania XXVIII showdown. After the footage, Punk calls both phonies and goes to sign the contract. Instead, Cena chimes in and commends C.M. for his antics. He puts over "Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson's" success and his issues with Cena.
John also rips on Punk's points about himself, being "too P.G. and a product of the system." The truth (not the wrestler), according to Cena, is that The Rock is a star with millions (and millions!) of fans, while Cena knows he will NEVER win over the people that hate him.
He applauds "The Second City Saint" for his comparison of John Cena to The New York Yankees, since both are the most loved & hated all over. Cena is not concerned with those people who hate him, he cares about all the ones who are actually loyal to John and never give up on him, because there is nothing phony about it. If Punk wants phony, Cena tells him to look in the mirror.
Triple H now gives his two cents and agrees with Cena, since really all C.M. did was just hold out for more money and perks, all "gutless" for doing it over the phone. (Hey, just like Eric Bischoff! - perhaps a cheap-shot!?)
Punk turns it around on Laurinaitis instead and calls him "gutless" for the slew of firings last week, name-checking Vladimir Kozlov, Chris Masters, and Harry Smith. (Nice realism added in!) C.M. says it's not about them, but "John-boy" and the WWE Championship. Punk tells Cena (and the crowd) a story about John almost giving up on Punk backstage 4 years ago when C.M. won his first ECW Title. This put a sour taste in Punk's mouth and he's held a grudge since.
Unlike seven years ago when Cena first won the WWE Title in L.A. (At WrestleMania XXI), this time he will not walk out with the WWE Championship at SummerSlam this Sunday, Punk proclaims. C.M. then signs the contract.
Cena congratulates Punk on his speech, but says that he won exactly ONE match for the WWE Championship. John clues Punk into the reality that he may lose, and that if he does, C.M. will be a "one-hit-wonder." Punk would rather be a "one-hit-wonder than a phony."
John then tells Punk it's enough for talk and time to entertain. Both rise from their chairs and "remove" the table. Before they can get into it, Laurinaitis gets in between, only to receive a kick to the back of the head from Punk.
Triple H tries to intervene, but also gets shoved down by Cena, and then he shoves back. Triple H & Cena stand in the ring and Punk shouts to HHH that it's a "fix-in and is that how it's going to be?" Lawler ends the show by declaring that "one way or another, at the end of SummerSlam, there will only be ONE WWE Undisputed Champion."
End of Raw.
Reporter's Rumblings - By Moe Tapp
This was the last Raw before SummerSlam to build and I thought the build was pretty well done. The show itself wasn't anything spectacular, but the push of/for the pay-per-view was nice. Plus, the card (so far) looks great for the show, so along with my new "likes/dislikes" for Raw, I will also give you my picks for the matches of the 24th annual event.
Likes: Amount of wrestling in the matches with Cena/Swagger, Miz/Kofi, & R-Truth/Morrison; opening promo by Triple H was short and to the point; R-Truth's promo talking about anything but the topic at-hand, again to keep his gimmick alive; Beth taking the new "no-nonsense" approach to the Divas division; the video package for Cena/Punk; the aggression and "hate" displayed in Morrison for R-Truth during their match; Punk's "line-crossing" comments, inserting real things that happen/happened in WWE life backstage for his promos.
Dislikes: Triple H as referee. Sure it adds intrigue, but only to a degree as you know something will happen. This would've been better for a straight one-one match, or if they did want to try something different, how about a Steel Cage? Beth Phoenix NOT completely dominating Eve - with her new heel turn, she should've just wasted Torres in about 1 minute. Also, Kelly taking her down with one shot was not good for the new "monster diva." R-Truth VS. John Morrison & Dolph Ziggler VS. Alex Riley should've been matches made for SummerSlam - hopefully Dolph/A-Ry will get added to the card because of tonight's result. And of course NO Zack Ryder - boo, boo, boo!
Summerslam Predictions: Beth Phoenix to win the WWE Divas Title to make her new character strong; Sheamus/Mark Henry non-finish to also keep both new turns (face for Sheamus, heel for Henry) relevant/meaningful; Christian over Randy Orton to remain World Heavyweight Champion and a nice reign forthcoming; and I'll say screwy/non-finish for the WWE Championship match. I really can't decide, as mine was made two weeks ago and this feud, while great, is rushed. I still think it should've been Rey VS. Del Rio (who is also mysteriously off the card) for the WWE Title, but if I was absolutely picking, I'll go with C.M. Punk for the win. That's my heart choosing and hoping.
Overall, again, a decent Raw, and looking forward to the results (not watching) of SummerSlam next week. Until then, as always Be Excellent Wrestling-Online Readers and Wrestling Fans!
Introduction Segment: Arena Promo
Sans video and pyro (again), Michael Cole just welcomes us to Monday Night Raw, followed by "It's Time To Play The Game." The WWE C.O.O. Triple H walks to the ring with a smile on his face. HHH calls six nights from now "one of the most historic nights in the WWE, where the entire landscape of this business changes."
He name-drops the match (John Cena gets pretty evident boos, while C.M. Punk receives a mixed reaction). He calls the last month a big change, from no WWE Champion, to Vince in charge, to himself in charge, to two WWE Champions (again, still one - C.M. Punk - in my opinion), to finally one WWE Undisputed Champion following Sunday night.
"The Game" declares that it may tricky to determine that Undisputed Champion, since anything can happen in the WWE. Therefore, he has found a man that is bigger and larger than life than anyone, including Cena & Punk, in the WWE - himself! Triple H appoints himself the special referee and will call it down the middle for the match at SummerSlam. (Cha, right! I'm getting "screw job" tingles!).
He also announces that both Cena (again, boos from the crowd) and Punk will be signing their contract AND be in action tonight, with John's match beginning - right now! (Not really, as when Cena comes out to have a verbal joust with Triple H - albeit under their breaths - we get Jim Ross re informing us about the contract signing and a break).
Commercial.
Match #1: Single - WWE Champion #2 John Cena VS. "The All-American-American" Jack Swagger (Non-Title)
Prior to the match starting, Cole gives us a replay of said above "conversation" between HHH and Cena. Cena claimed it was an ego thing, whereas Triple H says what happens at SummerSlam will be because he wanted it to happen. (Again, screw job!)
On to the match, Cena & Swagger lock up and Jack takes him down with a headlock roll-over and slaps John's head. This didn't go so well, as Cena got up right away and became aggressive. Cena grabs Swagger in his own headlock and hit a nice (sincerely) looking dropkick.
Jack reversed an armlock into a belly-to-belly suplex for a quick two-count! (Also nice!) After whipping Cena into the turnbuckle, Jack dives off the second one with his "Swagger-Bomb" but only gets a two-count still! The WWE Champion #2 struggles and fights out of a Surfboard Stretch and takes down the amateur wrestler with a gutwrench suplex.
John misses a shoulder-block in the corner, which allows Swagger to take control again with another armlock and work over Cena's body for a while. Swagger tries an Ankle Lock, but Cena reverses that into an STF attempt, but Jack gets out of that too by kicking Cena off. However, "The All-American-American" missed a clothesline, which allowed "The Dr. Of Thuganomics" to fire up with shoulder-blocks, the "5-Knuckle-Shuffle" fist-drop and an "Attitude Adjustment". Cena covers for the pin and 1 - 2 - 3!
Winner via Pinfall: WWE Champion 1 John Cena
Post match, Cena celebrates as Jerry "The King Lawler" reminds us of the contract signing and Cole & Ross plug another "Awesome" (pun intended!) match set: Rey Mysterio VS. The Miz. (Cole tells us to set our DVRs since The Miz is in action. I already have - I do these reports on tape!)
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Segment #2: SummerSlam Recall
From 1991, it is "The Excellence Of Execution" Bret "The Hit Man" Hart VS. (the late) "Mr. Perfect" Curt Hennig. This was a great match and story told 20 years ago by both technically-sound wrestlers, made special by the end celebration of Bret Hart with his parents, the late Stu & Helen Hart.
Segment #3: Backstage Promo
Scott Stanford is with WWE Champion #1 C.M. Punk's opponent - Alberto Del Riiiioooooo! (as announced by Ricardo Rodriguez). Del Rio calls Punk "the voice of the gutless", since when C.M. won the WWE Title at "Money In The Bank", he ran from Alberto. "The Mexican Aristocrat" will show Punk what would've happened that night in Chicago.
Segment #4: Backstage Promo
We are reminded of why John Morrison and R-Truth are feuding right now via a video package from four months ago. This leads into Josh Matthews interviewing "The Good R-Truth." Matthews asks why he would take advantage of his friend, and R-Truth retorts with many questions with no answers, such as gems like "why are there 10-pack hot-dogs, but only 8-pack buns? Two buns are missing!" Or, "why did God create spiders?"
He goes on to tell a story of his grandmother making "spider stew" and that only "Little Jimmy" would eat it. Tonight he will squish a spider of his own - John Morrison. (This was great and R-Truth really has a personality and much better promo with this "crazy-man" gimmick beautifully!)
Commercials.
Match #2: Single - Rey Mysterio VS. The Miz
It is announced that Rey Mysterio will face the WWE Champion - whomever that may be - next week on Raw for his rematch in his hometown of San Diego. Or maybe not, as The Miz blindsides Rey from behind and assaults him on the stage, slamming him repeatedly into the metal WWE sign on the stage.
Referees come to pull him off and Miz walks to the ring instead, with a sadistically pissed off look on his face. (In other words, Rey is injured and he is now written-off T.V. - for real and for a while I'm sure!)
Michael Cole is in the ring (gee, what a surprise!) and tells Miz that was an unbelievable display of audacity. The Miz grabs the microphone and totes about his accomplishments, wondering why he is not on the SummerSlam card. He will do acts like the above to get everyone's attention. He then demands a referee to come down and claim him the winner by forfeit.
Instead, the referee informs ring announcer Justin Roberts that The Miz will compete in a new match, courtesy of C.O.O. HHH.
Winner: No Contest
Match #3: Single - The Miz VS. Kofi Kingston
Dang, I was thinking and hoping for Zack Ryder. Ce le vis! Lockup by both men into the corner and Kofi flies around a bit before nailing The Miz with a high dropkick. Miz whips Kingston into the corner, but gets met with a Lou Thesz press and mounted punches. A clothesline over the top rope followed by a suicide dive sends The Miz to the outside mat and us to ads.
Back from commercials, The Miz has Kofi gripped in a ground headlock. Kofi ducks a ground kick and catches Miz with a roll-up for a two count! Clothesline and whip-into-corner from Miz and this time he hits the corner clothesline too! Off the top rope, Miz hits Kingston a perfect Double Axe Handle Smash, but only gets the 1 - 2!
Another roll-up by Kofi gets another 2-count and Kingston flys off the top-rope Springboard Crossbody for another nearfall! Miz drives Kingston with a DDT, and gets a long two-count. (The expression of disbelief is a great shot and again, great story-telling, of a frustrated wrestler). A top-rope suplex by Miz gets turned into a Sunset Flip Powerbomb, but Miz gets the shoulder up a the last second!
Both the "Trouble In Paradise" & "Skull-Krushing Finale" attempts are reversed until Miz drops Kingston across the top-rope and finishes him off with the Front-Russian Legsweep for the win!
Winner via Pinfall: The Miz
Segment #5: Backstage Promo
WWE Champion #1 (again in my opinion) C.M. Punk is walking in the hallway, where Josh inquires his feelings of Triple H being the special referee. The "Straight-Edge Superstar" claims it is all about ego - Triple H's - and that the line of "what's good for business" means that HHH stays out of his business and Punk beats John Cena for the WWE Championship. However, right now C.M. is focused on kicking Alberto Del Rio's "teeth down his throat", as that is good for his business.
Commercials.
Match #4: Single - Alberto Del Rio VS. WWE Champion #1 C.M. Punk (Non-Title)
Huge "C.M. Punk" chants prior to his entrance, but when "Mr. Cult Of Personality" walks out, not a lot of reaction. (Squashed by "technical difficulties" perhaps?). Again though, back to "C.M. Punk" cheers when the match begins, with you guessed it a lockup and a swift karate kick that was missed by Punk.
Del Rio soon takes control, kicking away himself at those weapons of Punk's until C.M. works him over with an armdrag and shoulder-blocks int he corner. Del Rio gets out of the way and Punk runs shoulder-first into the ring post and sells the pain well (possible legitametly) and Alberto pulls on the arm around the post, then works it over more with an armlock.
This time, Punk moves out of the way and Del Rio flies through the ropes to the mats and gives C.M. an inadvertent break. "Mr. Money In The Bank" gets back in to receive a series of a neckbreaker, corner shining-wizard, and top-rope flying clothesline.
"The Second City Saint" attempts the "Go To Sleep", but Del Rio wiggles out and chucks Punk back into the ring post. Del Rio hits a knees-to-the-back "Backstabber" but only gets a two-count! Alberto sets up for the Cross-Armbar submission, however WWE Champion #1 counters and kicks Del Rio in the head, and follows it up with the G.T.S for real this time, getting the 1 - 2 - 3!
Winner via Pinfall: WWE Champion #1 C.M. Punk
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Match #5: Single - "The Glamazon" Beth Phoenix VS. Eve Torres
A recap of Beth's heel turn against her opponent for SummerSlam, WWE Divas Champion Kelly Kelly, is aired and Cole touts a possible change in the Divas division, with Natalya doing the same gig on Smackdown. (Read Dan's report on this fine website for SD - cheap plug!)
Eve locks up with Beth and tries a wristlock, which Beth easily powers out of. Phoenix tosses Eve onto the apron and then off to the floor. She throws Torres into the barricade and drags her by her hair (ouch!) back into the ring. 1 - 2 - Eve kicks out. A "Tilt-A-Whirl-Something" is tried but Eve gets out, only to get chucked again into the corner.
Eve manages to knock Phoenx down with a Springboard Kick from the corner and attempts her Moonsault finisher. "The Glamazon" gets up fast and pulls Eve out of the corner and into her "Glamslam" to receive the win!
Winner via Pinfall: "The Glamazon" Beth Phoenix
Post match, Beth tells a fallen Eve that she is sick of all the mockery made by her and Kelly Kelly. She means "no more booty-popping, splits, or stinkfaces." (Yay - for the fact that they can actually wrestle now?).
As Phoenix walks up the ramp, she is hit from behind by the WWE Divas Champion herself and Kelly Kelly then goes to check on Eve while "The Glamazon" stares them down.
Commercials.
Match #6: Single - WWE United States Champion Dolph Ziggler (w/ Vickie Guerrero) VS. Alex Riley (Non-Title)
While this should be a great wrestling match, it really should've been saved for SummerSlam. In any case, A-Ry takes the microphone and insults Guerrero's bad breath, and her responses was to scream at him.
Riley quickly follows up with a clothesline and attempts a quick pin, but Dolph kicks out just as quick. Ziggler then comes on with some fury and soon locks in the Sleeper Submission, but Riley forces himself out and slams "Perfection" to the canvas with a Spinebuster. Vickie then climbs back into the ring and slaps Riley hard, inadvertently getting Dolph disqualified.
Winner via Disqualification: Alex Riley
Post match, the United States Champion is upset and Alex punches him into Vickie. They yell at each other more as A-Ry leaves the ramp please with his work. However, Dolph & Guerrero are not happy with each other and Vickie exits on her own, waving "goodbye" to Dolph.
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Segment #6: Video Promo
All three commentators set up the highlight package of the events surrounding the WWE Championship. While definitely a blatant NFL Films-esque type video, still awesomely done and proves why WWE is #1 in production value!
Match #7: Single - R-Truth VS. John Morrison
R-Truth makes his entrance and then we go to commercials. (Why not just have the commercial before all setup for the match). Any case, after the break, John Morrison is out and both are in the ring.
A change from the usual formula happens, since (and good for the story), both Truth & Morrison trade vicious punches and Morrison nails the Flipping Uranage. He attempts Starship Pain but Truth rolls out of the ring. In an amazing and close-up spot (look out camerman!), "The Monday Night Delight" soars OVER the ring post with a Corkscrew Plancha onto Truth.
John throws Truth into the barricade and voices "May 2nd Truth, you tried to end my career!" (Great add-lib and story-telling/continuity!). Morrison hops over the barricade and punches away again until Truth trips him up, with Morrison landing on the back of his previously injured neck. R-Truth gets back in the ring, as does Morrison before the 10-count.
Raw's resident "Crazy-Man" continues to pound away on John, and shouts out "take that, Little Jimmy!" Suplex-Facebuster and Jumping Flatiner attempt by Truth but "The Shaman of Sexy" counters, until Truth re-counters and hits the second Jumping Flatliner. Truth covers for the 1 - 2 - 3! (This should've also been saved for SummerSlam, and it made no sense for the clean finish).
Winner via Pinfall: R-Truth
Backstage, WWE C.O.O. Triple H and WWE V.P. of Talent Relations John Laurinatis are reviewing the contract for SummerSlam.
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Segment #7: Backstage Promo
Despite being attacked earlier tonight, Rey Mysterio will still face whoever the Undisputed WWE Champion is next week for the title on Raw in San Diego.
The World Heavyweight Champion Christian is allowed some face time on Raw to declare that he will make an announcement this Friday on Smackdown, and invites the WWE C.O.O. to hear it live.
Segment #8: Arena Promo/Contract Signing
Triple H welcomes us to the event and out first is WWE Champion #1 C.M. Punk. Next, of course, is WWE Champion #2 John Cena. They put their respective championship titles on the table and before HHH cuts to the chase, C.M. wonders why they're really out there, since all is already to go anyway. He mocks previous contract signings, as they have all ended in chaos.
Punk says instead he feels like he is in a movie and brings out a clip of an actual movie star (he pokes fun of Triple H & "The Chaperone") to tell everyone how he feels about John Cena. Of course, that star is Dwayne, a.k.a. The Rock.
Via video, The Rock cuts his usual verbiage on Cena, adding fuel to their impending WrestleMania XXVIII showdown. After the footage, Punk calls both phonies and goes to sign the contract. Instead, Cena chimes in and commends C.M. for his antics. He puts over "Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson's" success and his issues with Cena.
John also rips on Punk's points about himself, being "too P.G. and a product of the system." The truth (not the wrestler), according to Cena, is that The Rock is a star with millions (and millions!) of fans, while Cena knows he will NEVER win over the people that hate him.
He applauds "The Second City Saint" for his comparison of John Cena to The New York Yankees, since both are the most loved & hated all over. Cena is not concerned with those people who hate him, he cares about all the ones who are actually loyal to John and never give up on him, because there is nothing phony about it. If Punk wants phony, Cena tells him to look in the mirror.
Triple H now gives his two cents and agrees with Cena, since really all C.M. did was just hold out for more money and perks, all "gutless" for doing it over the phone. (Hey, just like Eric Bischoff! - perhaps a cheap-shot!?)
Punk turns it around on Laurinaitis instead and calls him "gutless" for the slew of firings last week, name-checking Vladimir Kozlov, Chris Masters, and Harry Smith. (Nice realism added in!) C.M. says it's not about them, but "John-boy" and the WWE Championship. Punk tells Cena (and the crowd) a story about John almost giving up on Punk backstage 4 years ago when C.M. won his first ECW Title. This put a sour taste in Punk's mouth and he's held a grudge since.
Unlike seven years ago when Cena first won the WWE Title in L.A. (At WrestleMania XXI), this time he will not walk out with the WWE Championship at SummerSlam this Sunday, Punk proclaims. C.M. then signs the contract.
Cena congratulates Punk on his speech, but says that he won exactly ONE match for the WWE Championship. John clues Punk into the reality that he may lose, and that if he does, C.M. will be a "one-hit-wonder." Punk would rather be a "one-hit-wonder than a phony."
John then tells Punk it's enough for talk and time to entertain. Both rise from their chairs and "remove" the table. Before they can get into it, Laurinaitis gets in between, only to receive a kick to the back of the head from Punk.
Triple H tries to intervene, but also gets shoved down by Cena, and then he shoves back. Triple H & Cena stand in the ring and Punk shouts to HHH that it's a "fix-in and is that how it's going to be?" Lawler ends the show by declaring that "one way or another, at the end of SummerSlam, there will only be ONE WWE Undisputed Champion."
End of Raw.
Reporter's Rumblings - By Moe Tapp
This was the last Raw before SummerSlam to build and I thought the build was pretty well done. The show itself wasn't anything spectacular, but the push of/for the pay-per-view was nice. Plus, the card (so far) looks great for the show, so along with my new "likes/dislikes" for Raw, I will also give you my picks for the matches of the 24th annual event.
Likes: Amount of wrestling in the matches with Cena/Swagger, Miz/Kofi, & R-Truth/Morrison; opening promo by Triple H was short and to the point; R-Truth's promo talking about anything but the topic at-hand, again to keep his gimmick alive; Beth taking the new "no-nonsense" approach to the Divas division; the video package for Cena/Punk; the aggression and "hate" displayed in Morrison for R-Truth during their match; Punk's "line-crossing" comments, inserting real things that happen/happened in WWE life backstage for his promos.
Dislikes: Triple H as referee. Sure it adds intrigue, but only to a degree as you know something will happen. This would've been better for a straight one-one match, or if they did want to try something different, how about a Steel Cage? Beth Phoenix NOT completely dominating Eve - with her new heel turn, she should've just wasted Torres in about 1 minute. Also, Kelly taking her down with one shot was not good for the new "monster diva." R-Truth VS. John Morrison & Dolph Ziggler VS. Alex Riley should've been matches made for SummerSlam - hopefully Dolph/A-Ry will get added to the card because of tonight's result. And of course NO Zack Ryder - boo, boo, boo!
Summerslam Predictions: Beth Phoenix to win the WWE Divas Title to make her new character strong; Sheamus/Mark Henry non-finish to also keep both new turns (face for Sheamus, heel for Henry) relevant/meaningful; Christian over Randy Orton to remain World Heavyweight Champion and a nice reign forthcoming; and I'll say screwy/non-finish for the WWE Championship match. I really can't decide, as mine was made two weeks ago and this feud, while great, is rushed. I still think it should've been Rey VS. Del Rio (who is also mysteriously off the card) for the WWE Title, but if I was absolutely picking, I'll go with C.M. Punk for the win. That's my heart choosing and hoping.
Overall, again, a decent Raw, and looking forward to the results (not watching) of SummerSlam next week. Until then, as always Be Excellent Wrestling-Online Readers and Wrestling Fans!
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