Pulse Wrestling’s Real-Time WWE RAW Report 08.25.2008

Reviews, Shows, Top Story, TV Shows

If you’re unable to watch on Sci-Fi, keep your browser set to the Pulse and I’ll give you the best RAW coverage on the internet.  As always, comments are open, so speak your mind!

And it seems like RAW will be interrupted by the Democratic National Convention’s opening night.  I thought this was Sci-Fi – not USA or NBC…

Thank God that didn’t take long.  Let’s get ready to GET…IT…RAW!

Unforgiven is in TWO WEEKS!  MC and The King are at ringside.  We open our show with a match, a positive change from the past few weeks!  Sadly, it involves our World Heavyweight Champion, who needs to be in the main event.

CM Punk v. John Bradshaw Layfield
Summerslam Rematch – Non-Title

They circle the ring and JBL takes the early control with clubbing blows.  JBL locks on a headlock and Punk gets out of it.  He uses the MMA kicks to force a cover on JBL for two.  JBL kicks Punk straight in the face!  JBL is back in control as we get a rumor of John Cena possibly suffering a major injury.  Punk gets a cover following a kick to the jaw FOR TWO!  Punk takes it to JBL in the corner and TEXTBOOK DROPKICK connects.  JBL gets tossed and pinned for two again.  Punk has on the headlock, but JBL gets out of it.  Punk misses the big boot and nails an armdrag instead.  JBL misses the short-arm clothesline from Hell and he gets sent out of the ring.  Punk DIVES THROUGH THE ROPES to connect with JBL.  Back inside and Punk gets two following a crossbody.  JBL sends Punk out, but Punk is flexible.  Back inside, JBL kicks Punk out of the ring as we go to break.

Commercials.

Welcome back as JBL locks on a bearhug and has not gave up control since the commercial.  JBL gets a pin attempt for two!  JBL hits a suplex-to-pinfall and gets a two count for it.  Octopus Stretch applied and Punk is in trouble.  JBL lets go and gets two from it.  JBL hits a lariat and elbow drop and gets another two as JBL is getting pissed.  JBL picks Punk up and has him in the torture rack, punishing the injured ribs.  Punk fights out of it and he looks for a bulldog, but gets slammed for two!  JBL posts Punk and he sets him on top of the turnbuckle.  SLAP to the face and JBL climbs up.  Punk shows life and TORNADO DDT BY PUNK!  Punk rolls over for a two count!  Punk hits his knee strike, slapping combo and he goes SPRINGBOARD CROSSBODY and gets another two count!  High knee into Bulldog connects again..FOR TWO!  Damn!  Punk goes for the GTS, but JBL gets out of it.  Punk misses a corner charge…CLOTHESLINE TO HELL!  Both men are down!  JBL looks for a cover and Punk gets the ropes!  JBL leaves the ring and grabs a steel chair.  The referee takes the chair away and that’s all Punk needs to catch JBL off guard and hit the Go2Sleep!  What a match to kick off RAW!

Winner: CM Punk
Grade:  A

Later tonight, Kofi Kingston gets his rematch for the Intercontinental Title and Kane gets his hands on Batista!

Commercials.

Catch Sassy for your Friday Night wrestling Fix, especially when SmackDown heads over to MyNetworkTV October 3rd!

We’re back and Mike Adamle is on the stage.  He takes us back to memory lane to Cena v. Batista at Summerslam.  Empahasis is shown on the leap into a powerbomb and we found out that Cena suffered a severely herinated disc in his neck.  He underwent a MRI and doctors will require surgery.  This means that Cena is out indefinitely!  Mike promises to have a replacement for Cena later tonight!

Kane steals the camera and he talks about what Batista did to Cena fails to compete with what Kane did to Rey Mysterio.

Mike quickly heads to his office and he apologizes to Primo Colon.  He claims to be better than Carlito.  Enter Shawn Michaels and he wants Jericho now.  Jericho has not arrived yet so Michaels can have all the time he needs.  He asked about Rebecca and Michaels is silent.

Commercials.

We’re back and it’s time for a divas match!

Beth Phoenix v. Kelly Kelly
Non-Title

Santino Marella is with Beth tonight.  The bell sounds and it’s a struggle!  Beth carries Kelly to the corner and she toys with her.  Big Mistake.  Kelly gets a small dose of offense, but Beth gets lucky.  Beth is bleeding from the nose and that is trouble for Kelly.  Beth tries to end the match quickly, but Kelly is resiliant.  Kelly kicks Beth in the head and gets a cradle for two.  Kelly is on fire with the kicks, but she gets sent to the corner.  Beth tries to send Kelly to the corner, but she drop toes her, landing on her nose!  Handspring elbow is stopped as Santino pulls Beth out of the way.  She does not like that and Kelly rolls her up for three!

Winner: Kelly Kelly
Grade: C+

Post match, Santino gets his ass kicked by Beth and he runs away.

Commercials.

Don’t forget to catch Blatt for Blatt v. ECW tomorrow night!  Tell him I sent ya!

WWE 24/7 Moment: Curt Hennig v. Bret Hart, which ended in a time limit draw.

Well, he’s not Carlito – but he’s Charlito or whatever.  He’s Charlie Haas though, but whatever.

“Charlito” v. Primo Colon

Colon makes Charlito his bitch in the opening moment of the match, but Charlito scores a nearfall on Colon.  He lays into the kicks.  Side slam gets two by Charlito.  Charlito gets a headlock, which is making me drowsy.  Colon fights back, only to get clubbed in the back.  Charlito bites into apple and Colon makes him choke on it.  Dropkick by Charlito is telegrapped, but not the one from Colon.  The wig comes off and Charlie Haas gets cornered.  Colon gets the crossbody for the win.

Winner: Primo Colon
Grade: C+

HBK walks.

Commercials.

We get a recap of what happened last week between Jericho & Michaels.

Shawn Michaels is in the ring with a live mic.  Take cover everyone!  He lets everyone know that Rebecca is still hurt, but she’s tough and will be okay.  Last week, he tried to believe that Jericho didn’t mean to hit Rebecca, but the way Jericho talked and that he shown no remorse, that made him mad.  Uh-oh, Shawn’s getting mad now.  He looked at Rebecca’s eyes last week and he knew that he was not going anywhere.

Chris Jericho shows up on the TitanTron with a disgusted look on his face.  Shawn’s lucky that Chris is in WWE Studios.  He says that the last time they faced off, Jericho tore him apart.  Shawn gets down on his knees and he wants Jericho in a match, because if he got his hands on him elsewhere, Shawn would be in jail.  Without rules and liabilities, Shawn would do anything he wants.  Jericho accepts the unsanctioned match!  Shawn Michaels is going into the match with this mindset: “An Eye for An Eye.”

Commercials.

Tomorrow Night on ECW: Mark Henry knows his opponents for ECW’s Title Scramble Match!  Three Scrambles in one night?

Welcome back and say hello to the “Champions by name only”, Ted DiBiase & Cody Rhodes.  Last week, Cryme Tyme stole the belts.  Oh nice, maybe we get King & Duggan…one month later!

Ted DiBiase & Cody Rhodes v. Jerry Lawler & Hacksaw Jim Duggan

The bell sounds and Cody tags out to Ted DiBiase, who locks it up with Lawler.  Back body drop connects by DiBiase.  Lawler returns the favor with a back body drop of his own.  DiBiase gets telegraphed-cold-cocked bvy Lawler.  Rhodes tags in and Lawler is stuck in the heel corner.  Headlock is applied as MC’s voice is being drowned out with USA Chants.  King tries to get out of a headlock, but Rhodes slams him to the ground and works on the arm.  Suplex connects and Lawler is in trouble.  Rhodes slaps around with the King of FISTS!  Rhodes gets bitched out and in comes DiBiase.  Million Dollar Dream is countered to a jawbreaker.  In comes Duggan and he slams DiBiase on the mat.  Three point stance clothesline gets TWO!  Thingss break out and Lawler & Rhodes go to the outside.  In the ring, DiBiase hits the Russian Leg Sweep for three!

Winners: Ted DiBiase & Cody Rhodes
Grade: B-

Rhodes grabs a microphone and they warn Cryme Tyme that they are going to hunt them down.  Don’t look far, but here they come from the luxury boxes!  Crime?  They’re Cryme Tyme.  It’s time for Simply Priceless to put the titles on the line.  Ted mouths off saying that they should had gone through the proper channels.  The match is set for Unforgiven.  “Silly White Boy”!  Nothing comes without a price.  Funny segment.

Up next, the Intercontinental Championship is ON THE LINE!

Commercials.

Welcome back folks, we go over the Scramble Rules!  T-Grish has Batista up for an interview.  Before we go to Kane, Batista puts over Cena and he has a lot of respect for him.  Tonight, however, Kane is a sick, twisted, demented freak.  Batista isn’t scared, but tonight…it’s personal.

Kofi Kingston v. Santino Marella (c)
WWE Intercontinental Championship

Santino sneaks out onto the stage, wondering if Beth Phoenix is looking for him.  Earlier tonight, he got OWNED by Beth Phoenix.  The bell sounds and Kofi rolls up Santino for one.  Kofi gets an armbar, but Santino gets out of it and into a headlock.  Santino runs into a high hip attack for one by Kofi.  Kofi works on the arm, but Santino sends him to the ropes.  Kofi monkey flips him, and follows it with a thrust in the corner.  Uppercut gets two.  Kofi gets sent to the corner, High cross body misses!  Front face suplex gets one for Santino.  Octopus Stretch is applied, but Kofi counters with a fireman’s carry.  Kofi takes him down and he’s on fire.  Kofi off the turnbuckle, taking Santino down.  Santino hits the BOOM BOOM knee drop and Santino rolls out of the ring.  Beth is there to stop him and Kofi rolls back in the ring.  Beth takes and she drops Kofi on Santino’s knee and Santino gets the pin?

Winner: Santino Marella
Grade: C+

After the match, Beth corners him and she plants a kiss on the rips.  Santino turns her around and plants one of his own!  Who wears the pants in this relationship?

Who will replace John Cena?  We’ll find out NEXT!

Commercials.

WWE proves that more people don’t pay attention to Preseason Football!  Josh Matthews is in Denver at the Democratic National Convention!  He’s with Candice Michelle and they talk about tonight’s convention.

Mike Adamle needs a better entrance music than the current RAW theme.  He has found a replacement, who is a former World Heavyweight Champion.  His name…REY MYSTERIO!

Batista walks.

Commercials.

It’s 10:43PM and it’s time for our main event!

Batista v. Kane

The bell sounds and they lock up.  Batista gets the first move and Kane responds with a shoulderblock.  Batista is back up and he BLOCK’s Kane’s attempt to go low.  Kane reverses to a wrist lock and Batista fireman carries his way out of it.  Kane sends Batista to the corner, but Batista explodes out knocking Kane off.  Kane sweeps the leg, but Batista tries to choke Kane a bit.  Batista works on the arm a bit.  He fires off a couple rights and a shoulder thrust before taking Kane opposite corner and beats his head to the turnbuckle.  Batista sends Kane back to the corner and Kane misses a charge.  Batista goes for the bomb, but opts for a clothesline instead.  Kane gets sent out of the ring and he LOSES IT!  The steps go bye bye and the chairs get split as we go to commercials.

Commercials.

We’re back and Kane gains control following an throat jab during the break.  Kane has a headlock on Batista, who’s fighting for air.  Batista gets up and sends Kane to the ropes, and down he goes.  BIG BOOT to Kane makes sure he’s down.  Batista goes for the spear, but Kane JABS the throat!  GOOZLE by Kane, Batista fights it off and Kane goes on Batista’s injured knee!  Kane goes crazy over the knee, locking on an Indian Deathlock!  Batista gets to the ropes and it’s calculated for Kane.  Kane hits an atomic drop, right on the knee as Kane is smiling with evil intentions.  Kane boots Batista’s face and he goes for the cover.  Batista gets a shoulder up and Kane looks to work on the knee some more.  Batista kicks out of that hold, but Kane attacks again sending Batista outside.  Kane kicks Batista’s knee against the steel steps repeatedly.  Back inside the ring, Kane toys with Batista and the Animal shows new life!  Kane stops the assault by going back to the knee.  Kane lifts Batista up and slams him down on that knee.  Kane applies something close to an anklelock, but focusing more on the knee.  Batista counters it to the ARMBAR!  Kane reaches the ropes and Batista can’t get up.  Chop block by Kane and another attempt results in a hard clothesline by Batista!

Kane gets back up and Batista tries to fight out of it.  Batista powerslams Kane with bad knee and all, but he cannot capitalize on that exchange!  Kane charges, but eats turnbuckle and Batista is working on one leg!  He charges again and GOOZLE!  Batista fights out of it and hits the SPINEBUSTER!  Batista Bomb is countered to another chop block and Kane brutalizes Batista’s knee against the ring post!  Kane grabs a steel chair and he bashes Batista’s knee REPEATEDLY!

Winner via DQ: Batista
Grade: B+

Batista hobbles around the ring and Kane gets inside with the chair.  Batista kicks Kane in the face and follows with the Spear.  Batista has the chair now and Kane gets the message sent back to him! Now Batista smashes the chair repeatedly against Kane’s knee!  Batista drops down as they are both in pain.  That’s it for the show!

Show over.

The WWE RAW Report Card

CM Punk d. JBL: A
Kelly Kelly d. Beth Phoenix: C+
Primo Colon d. “Charlito”: C+
Ted DiBiase & Cody Rhodes d. Jerry Lawler & Hacksaw Jim Duggan: B-
Santino Marella d. Kofi Kingston: C+
Batista d. Kane via DQ: B+

The Final Grade for WWE RAW for 08.25.2008: B

With John Cena’s injury, the RAW creative team is forced to rewrite months of angles already planned.  This could be a blessing in disguise in possibly keeping the title on CM Punk.  With RAW losing the top heel, Randy Orton, and the top face, John Cena, it’s surprising that they have not hit the big red panic button.  Rey Mysterio being involved in the SCRAMBLER match makes the title picture much more interesting.  See you all later this week!  For now, catch Daniel’s 10 Thoughts later tonight and if our personal Savior comes around to it, some good old-fashioned Wrestling News, Opinions, Etc.  And no, I don’t have brown on my nose.  That’s another joke for another day, maybe Thursday perhaps.  Have a great week!

Paul Marshall has been with Pulse Wrestling since September 2007. He currently does a weekly WWE Column titled "This Week In 'E". Follow him on Twitter here.