It’s the final RAW before SummerSlam, and we are suppose to see Paul Heyman take on CM Punk. I doubt it happens, but you know Punk could carry Heyman to a five star match.
Some People Just Look Better With Facial Hair
RAW started with Daniel Bryan vs Wade Barrett, with Brad Maddox as ref. Bryan landed a dropkick then some kicks to the leg of Barrett. Bryan landed a couple of body drops on Barrett’s leg then hit a baseball slide to the outside. Barrett ducked a high knee on the outside then hit a boot to the face of Bryan. Barrett tossed Bryan into the barricade before tossing him back in the ring. Barrett worked over Bryan some more before throwing Bryan back to the outside and tossing him into the steps. Back in the ring Bryan caught Barrett with a punch to the gut then hit his flying clothesline, then another knocking Barrett to the outside. Bryan hit a dive to the outside on Barrett. Bryan connected on a missile dropkick back in the ring. Bryan landed a handful of kicks on Barrett, but Barrett ducked the head kick and Barrett rolled him up. Maddox made a very quick three count, giving Barrett the win.
Bryan tried going after Maddox but Maddox escaped.
Segment Analysis: Another short match here. The point they are trying to get across is that no one wants Daniel Bryan to be WWE Champ. I’m guessing you can expect some type of interference during the WWE Title Match at SummerSlam. The crowd was FIRMLY behind Daniel Bryan again. Okay start to RAW. Survey Says: 2.5/5
Nothing But Wrestling In The First 30 Minutes?
Randy Orton vs Damien Sandow with Cody Rhodes on commentary. Sandow started with a shoulder tackle then a headlock. Orton recovered with a quick uppercut and some corner punches. Orton connected on a suplex. Orton was tossed into the corner but bounced right back with a clothesline. Orton tossed Sandow over the top but he landed on the apron. Orton dropkicked Sandow off the apron into commercial.
Sandow had the upper hand back from break. He ran right into an Orton boot. Orton went to the top but Sandow pushed him off to the outside. Sandow worked over Orton back in the ring with some kicks and an elbow, then applied a headlock. Sandow hit a running knee then the Elbow of Disdain. Orton countered out of a headlock with a backdrop. Orton started a comeback but Sandow countered a powerslam with a swinging neckbreaker for two. Sandow caught Orton with an elbow but Orton bounced right back with the powerslam. Orton then connected on his middle rope DDT. Orton went for the RKO but Sandow escaped out of the ring, then threw Orton into the ringpost. Sandow told Cody to take notes before tossing Orton back in the ring. Cody then tried to take Sandow’s briefcase off the post where it was handcuffed. Sandow was distracted, then walked right into an RKO. Orton wins.
Match Analysis: These two just didn’t seem to click that well in the ring. There just doesn’t seem to be any chemistry with them. It was an okay match but there wasn’t a lot to like. They also buried Cody on commentary, basically questioning all of his motives. I mean, they were right, but you don’t do that when you are trying to build Cody as a face. Just a weird segment overall. Survey Says: 2/5
The Shield cut a promo saying they were the new guard and it was time to get rid of all the old in the WWE. Reigns challenged any two men to go after their Tag Titles at SummerSlam. There is also a twenty man battle royal and the winner faces Dean Ambrose at SummerSlam for the US Title. Ambrose said unless the ghost of Andre the Giant is in the Battle Royal, he isn’t worried.
They re-aired the Brock Lesnar promo from Smackdown. CM Punk was then interviewed. He said he knows this is nothing but a mind game from Paul Heyman, and he expects to see Brock Lesnar tonight.
The Great Khali and Natalya defeated Big E Langston and AJ after AJ tapped to the Sharpshooter. Something got screwed up in the finish the first time with the ref apparently not seeing the tap, so Natalya reapplied it. Messed up ending.
Maroon Vince? Really?
Vince McMahon came out and asked Brad Maddox to come out. Vince asked why he named himself ref of the Daniel Bryan match. He said the WWE Universe appreciates someone who makes the right decision, and since Daniel Bryan matches get out of hand he couldn’t think of anyone better. He said he hasn’t been a referee in a while and he had to shake the rust out of his game. Vince said everyone makes mistakes. Maddox said he would like a second chance and asked to ref the WWE Title Match at SummerSlam. Vince asked Maddox if he would be impartial and not make fun of Bryan’s physique or call him names.
Vince was about to name Maddox ref but Triple H came out. He agreed and said they need a ref that would be fair and impartial but not Brad Maddox. Someone more like himself. He then pedigreed Maddox.
Segment Analysis: HHH as ref? Because you did such a great job doing that in the main event of SummerSlam 2011. I just hope this doesn’t somehow kill Bryan’s momentum. I mean, outside the MITB cash in, they can’t do anything to screw up Bryan’s momentum at all. I don’t have a problem with the MITB angle, but getting buried by Vince and Co. is bad for business if it happens. Survey Says: 1.5/5
Kane made very quick work of Titus O’Neil. The Wyatts came out after the match, but when the lights came back on Kane was on top of the ramp.
There was a backstage segment with everyone from Total Divas. They are having a match Sunday: The Bellas and Eva Marie vs Natalya and the Funkadactyls. Man, I hope the crowd SHITS on this match. This is why the US Title Match is on the pre-show.
The World Champ Wins???
Alberto del Rio vs Kofi Kingston. Kofi hit some punches in the corner then an upper cut. Del Rio then got Kofi tied up in the corner and landed a kick to the head, then hit a reverse superplex off the top for two. Del Rio stepped out of the way of a dropkick and hit a body stomp. Del Rio went for a dive but Kofi moved and Del Rio went to the outside. Kofi started a comeback and hit the boom drop. Del Rio ducked Trouble in Paradise and hit a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Kofi came back with an SOS for two. Kofi went for Trouble in Paradise again but Del Rio bailed to the outside. Kofi scored a quick roll up that got two. Kofi caught Del Rio with a kick and went for a springboard dive, but Del Rio got his knees up. Del Rio applied the cross armbreaker for the win.
Match Analysis: Short match but it had some solid action. At least Del Rio one. I like the added aggression to Del Rio’s character. It has added a bit of life to him. Survey Says: 2/5
Christian and Alberto del Rio had a stare down backstage.
The Usos vs The Real Americans. Cesaro slapped around Jey for a bit then tagged in Swagger. He landed some knees in the corner then hit the Swagger Bomb. Cesaro came in and Jey started fighting back but Swagger made a quick tag and hit a kick to the back. Swagger applied an armbar. Swagger tagged in Cesaro and tossed Jey in the air so Cesaro could hit an uppercut. Jey finally tagged in Jimmy who started the hot comeback. Both Swagger and Cesaro ended up on the outside, where the Usos hit dueling dives on both of them. A Zeb distraction failed, and one of the Usos rolled up Swagger for the win.
“This Needs More HHH!” Said Triple H
MizTV with Daniel Bryan and John Cena. Miz asked about HHH being ref. Bryan said he was glad someone stood up to Vince and they can have the match the WWE Universe deserves. Cena said he couldn’t think of a better person to call the match down the middle. Cena said their issue is only about the WWE Championship, nothing else. Cena said Bryan will put up a hell of a fight. Miz said that is John Cena code and for your going to lose. Miz said Cena just wants to ride Bryan’s recent popularity. Bryan said if Miz doesn’t shut his mouth he will punch him in the face. Bryan said last week Cena did what he did best, he made explosive remarks that got the WWE Universe talking. Cena grabbed the spotlight and that’s why he is in it for the glory and not the wrestling, like himself. Bryan said Cena is a parody of wrestling, and he wants to be WWE Champ so that everyone knows that when he steps in the ring, there is no one better than Daniel Bryan.
Cena took his shirt off and appeared to get serious. Cena said Bryan almost got him. Cena said he isn’t a parody and he is out there for everyone in the WWE Universe. Cena said they are chanting YES and NO because they believe in Daniel Bryan. Cena said the WWE is about the WWE Universe picking their favorite superstars and riding the wave of momentum. Cena then compared his shirt to the American flag and said it is more than a cloth, it sends a message. Cena said he shows up every day and busts his ass for his fans. He said Bryan is red hot but he always will have critics. Cena said he is proud of who he is and proud of what he’s become. He’s spent the last 12 years wrestling around the world. And during all those matches he did it holding the WWE Title.
Cena ran through a list of opponents he’s beat, including Rock and Shawn Michaels. Cena said he can’t put Bryan in that class because he doesn’t belong in that class. He said Bryan will earn his respect if he beats him Sunday. Bryan said Cena has held the WWE Title 11 times, but Bryan just wants to hold it once. And Cena can’t understand the magnitude of that. Bryan said it is the biggest match of his life. Bryan said in Japan, he learned the tradition of slapping an opponent in the face, but he can’t because Cena isn’t a wrestler and he doesn’t deserve it. Cena then slapped Bryan in the face.
Triple H came out too cool both men down, then Randy Orton came out and stood on the ramp with the MITB Briefcase.
Segment Analysis: Outside of HHH and Orton coming out, I thought that was a really strong promo from both men. Cena delivered a strong performance and backed up why he deserves to be where he is at. Bryan did a good job of playing up the underdog and respect role. Both men have played their parts well during this feud. Bryan wants to prove he is the best wrestler in the world, Cena wants to prove he is more than just an entertainer. Good final sell from both men. Survey Says: 3.5/5
Fandango and R-Truth were supppose to wrestle, but instead they danced then brawled. Then Fandango said his name.
I Can’t Believe They Hindered Jinder.
Battle Royal Time. These are tough, especially when everyone is in the ring at once. Ryback eliminated Justin Gabriel and Darren Young. He then clotheslined Tensai over the top. One of the Usos was eliminated. R-Truth tossed Fandango, then Fandango came back in and tossed out R-Truth. Back from commercial Brodus Clay, all of 3MB and Great Khali were eliminated. The Other Uso was gone too. RVD eliminated Titus O’Neil. They did a nice spot with Cesaro on the apron and Swagger went to toss Kofi, but Kofi held on by hanging onto Cesaro’s legs. Kofi was eventually tossed. Mark Henry eliminated Jack Swagger and Antonio Cesaro at the same time. Henry tossed Wade Barrett. Henry put Ryback over on the apron. RVD kicked him but he didn’t fall off until Henry pushed him off. Down to RVD and Mark Henry. RVD hit a crescent kick to Henry and went to the top but Henry crotched him and landed on the apron. Henry charged at RVD but he ducked, and Henry went over the top. RVD wins.
Mark Henry came back in the ring and fist bumped RVD. The Shield came out and surrounded the ring. Big Show came out to even the odds and The Shield retreated.
Match Analysis: Not a lot of action in that battle royal. It is a shame RVD and Dean Ambrose are relegated to the pre-show. They should have a good match. Looks like Henry/Show vs Reigns/Rollins for the Tag Titles. At least the Shield is a part of SummerSlam. Survey Says: 2.5/5
Oh No! Not the 1980s Style Camera!
Paul Heyman came out for his match. He said he blamed the WWE Universe for what has happened. He said CM Punk now lives for their acceptance, not Paul Heyman’s. He said the WWE Universe took CM Punk away from Paul Heyman. Tonight he returns the favor. Heyman admitted to having a trap but said he has a co-conspirator, Brock Lesnar. Lesnar came out. Heyman showed a video package of Lesnar beating up Punk in the last few weeks. Heyman said he is willing to fight Punk, if Punk is willing to fight him and Lesnar. Heyman said Punk doesn’t have to play the hero, he can just disappoint all of the WWE Universe and walk out the back door.
CM Punk’s music played. Punk didn’t come out. He came through the crowd and hit Lesnar with a camera. He hit him again then hit a dive to the outside. Punk hit Lesnar with a chair a couple of times then turned his attention to Heyman. He chased Heyman with the chair up the ramp. Curtis Axel came out but Punk hit him in the gut with a chair then through him into the stage set up. Punk hit a GTS on Axel and stared down Lesnar from on top of the ramp.
Segment Analysis: It took a little bit to get to the point, but they did a good job of making Punk look strong in the final segment before SummerSlam. Punk showed that he can be just as physical with Lesnar as he can with him. With Lesnar getting the upper hand recently, they had to show the casual viewer that Punk has a shot of winning. Punk doesn’t get his hands on Heyman yet. It might happen Sunday, it might not. I think there are multiple matches for these two on the horizon. Survey Says: 3.5/5
OVERALL
I thought the WWE did a good job of selling the top 2 matches on SummerSlam on this show. I don’t like the idea of adding HHH to the WWE Title Match as ref, but I get that it adds more star power. It just sucks that HHH has to add himself into all of these hot summer angles. Bryan and Cena has a lot of intrigue to it and there are a handful of possible outcomes. With the way RAW ended, you would assume Lesnar is winning Sunday. Like I said, I think we get at least two matches with Punk and Lesnar. And I really think Lesnar/Punk could main event Wrestlemania 30 for the WWE Title. The WWE seems to be banking on those two matches selling this show, because everything else is thrown together. Cody/Sandow took a turn for the worse this week. The Shield’s matches were just thrown together. The WHC match got about 5 minutes. And TOTAL DIVAS are on the PPV instead of Ambrose/RVD. And Big E and AJ lost clean heading into their match Sunday. And Dolph and Kaitlyn were nowhere to be found. The wrestling was okay. I’m going to give the show a 6.
Until Next Time,
Justin C
Follow Me On Twitter @JCWonka
