Hey folks, I’m here to give you the review of the latest Raw edition here on EGW. Since this is the go-home show for Night Of Champions, we should get good things. I guess it’s a super show again, so let’s get started! The burning questions are?
- Will Nash come back?
- What will Bret’s role be since Raw is in Canada?
- Will Zack Ryder be there?
- Will Punk-HHH give another promo?
- Will HHH wrestle?
Let’s go.
Raw starts with ADR and Ricardo Rodriguez in the ring. Del Rio, apparently, isn’t happy with the crowd booing him. Rio says everyone made fun of him while he was getting the Attitude Adjustment. Alberto says that he is the WWE champion and no one makes fun of him. Canadians boo. He talks about taking out Mysterio and ending Edge’s career. Del Rio says that he beat Punk and he will beat Cena at Night Of Champions. So the people, stop making fun of him. The declares himself the greatest champion of all time before Bret Hart enters to a huge ovation.
Bret says that he’s not here to disrespect Del Rio, but he’s here to give him a little education. When Bret sees Rio, he doesn’t think that he is championship material. Rio tries to threaten Bret, but he cuts him off. Bret says Del Rio should be a real champion and Del Rio has had enough. He calls Bret a homeless person with his 1994 jacket and greasy hair. Nice one, Rio! He calls him an illegal Canadian who cleans his house. He wants to make an example out of Bret before….
Mr. Fruity Pebbles enters. Cena basically calls Del Rio a coward. He also says that he will be champion in six days so Del Rio can drive away in his Ferrari. Last time I checked, doesn’t Cena have a lot of cars? Moving on, they both want to fight. But Rio puts Rodriguez and says that, they want to see this match. Ricardo doesn’t like it, though. Cena wants Del Rio to put his title on the line against Bret Hart.. Are you kidding me? Laurinaitis arrives and sets up a tag match between Cena/Hart and Del Rio/Ricardo! No, Ricardo can’t wrestle, and especially Bret can’t wrestle right now. Gosh. Cena says that this is the best decision Johnny Ace has made all his life and Del Rio’s team head to the back.
The announce team plug tonight’s show with the CM Punk- Triple H face off, and plus we’ll be getting a SmackDown rematch on Raw with Cody Rhodes facing Randy Orton.
A match is next….
Match: JoMo/ Riley vs Dolph/Swagger
Back from the break and Jack Swagger is in the ring with WWE United States Champion Dolph Ziggler and Alex Riley as John Morrison makes his way out. Ziggler and Morrison start things off. Ziggler takes control early but Morrison turns it around and catapults Ziggler into the corner face first. Morrison hits a springboard kick for a 2 count. Morrison charges in the corner but Ziggler moves and he hits the ringpost. Ziggler stomps away on Morrison and hits a neckbreaker. 2 count for Ziggler.
Ziggler drops a big elbow for another 2 count. Swagger wants to tag but Ziggler won’t. Morrison kicks Ziggler to the mat and Swagger tags himself in. Riley also is tagged in and unloads on Swagger, hitting a spinebuster. Riley dumps Dolph out to the floor and slams Swagger down for a close 2 count. Riley goes for a move but Swagger counters and applies the ankle lock. Riley rolls out of it and pushes Swagger into Dolph, knocking him off the apron. Riley hits his finisher on Swagger for the pin as Dolph watches him lose just a few feet away.
Winner: Riley/John Morrison
Animosity between Vickie, Dolph and Swagger where Ziggler calls him a ‘loser’ and Vickie is shouting at him.
Backstage.. Josh Matthews is with R-Truth and The Miz and points out that HHH gave them their tag title shot. Miz snatches the mic and they walk away, talking. Miz says that everyone is talking about the ‘face-off’. Miz says that if Punk wanted to tell the truth, he would keep his name, BS. R-Truth says that he thinks that HHH has made a good decision for which Miz replies with, Really? Then, Truth says that Ninja please, he’s just messing around. Okay, that’s weird! Ron wants HHH to lose on Sunday and thus he will not be the COO. Awesome Truth say that they will show everybody the ‘real’ truth. They walk till the stage.
Truth rambles about HHH and says that he should be main-eventing every PPV. Then they say that AirBoom is going to get got before making his way into the ring.
Match: Miz vs Kofi Kingston
Back from the break and out come the WWE Tag Team Champions Kofi Kingston and Evan Bourne – Air Boom. Miz and Kofi go to lock up but Miz kicks him and beats him into the corner and down to the mat as the referee tells him to back off. Miz hits a suplex and covers for a 1 count. They run the ropes several times and it ends with both men out on the floor. Truth helps Miz up while Bourne helps Kofi as we go back to commercial.
Back from the break and Miz has Kofi in a headlock. Miz drops Kofi with a DDT for a 2 count. Miz works Kofi over in the corner. Kofi turns it around coming out of the corner and hits a stomp on Miz. Kofi fights back with kicks and right hands, followed by chops and a dropkick. They trade counters and Kofi kicks Miz in the face. Kofi hits a big springboard crossbody from the top for a 2 count. Miz drops Kofi with a big boot to the face. Kofi blocks the running kick and rolls Miz up for 2. Miz hits a backbreaker and goes for a neckbreaker but Kofi backslides him for a 2 count. Kofi dropkicks Miz into the corner and leaps to the top. Miz moves and hits a neckbreaker on Kofi from the top.
Miz waits on Kofi to get up and then hits the Skull Crushing Finale for the pin and the win.
Winner: The Miz
Teddy’s backstage with Vickie and says that Dolph will defend his title against Swagger, John and Riley at Night Of Champions. Wow, that will be awesome! Kelly is also backstage and the women are battling and Teddy Long announces Vickie vs Kelly for tonight.
A tag match is next….
OtungaCutty vs Lawler and ??
Back from the break and in the ring are Michael McGillicutty and David Otunga. McGillicutty addresses Jerry Lawler, who is at ringside, and says he was born with a personality. McGillicutty asks Lawler if he knows who his father is. Otunga points out that he is a Harvard educated lawyer. Lawler says he did know who McGillicutty’s father was, and he’s not the same person. Lawler rips Otunga and introduces his partner… Sheamus.
Lawler starts things out against McGillicutty, who takes control. Otunga is tagged in for some double teaming and a tag right back to McGillicutty. Lawler catches him with a big right hand and tags in Sheamus. Sheamus comes in strong but gets hit by a big boot. He comes right back and slams McGillicutty down hard. Sheamus wails away with big forearm shots to the chest now and knocks Otunga off the apron. Sheamus with a big knee to the face on McGillicutty. Sheamus climbs up top and comes down with a shoulder block. Otunga comes in and dodges a Brogue kick. Lawler decks Otunga with a right hand and Sheamus drops him with a Brogue kick. Sheamus then Brogue kicks McGillicutty and drops him with the Celtic Cross for the win.
Winner: Sheamus and Lawler
Backstage Del Rio and Ricardo are preparing for their match and Ricardo attempts a weak attempt for push ups. Next…
Match: Bret Hart and John Cena vs Alberto/Ricardo
Back from the commercial and out comes John Cena and his partner Bret Hart. Ricardo Rodriguez comes out next in tights and a t-shirt. He introduces the WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio but looks scared. Del Rio looks angry and frustrated with Ricardo. The match starts with Cena and Ricardo. Cena takes off his red t-shirt and plays around with Ricardo like he’s a bull. Cena charges Del Rio ont he apron but he jumps down to the floor. Ricardo hits Cena from behind but it doesn’t phase him. Ricardo turns around to Bret and back around to Cena where he gets back dropped. Ricardo tags in Del Rio.
Del Rio comes in and takes control of Cena, working him over int he corner. Cena comes back with a clothesline and a splash int he corner. Cena dropkicks Del Rio and goes for the AA. Ricardo tags himself in and saves Del Rio from the AA. Cena Yanks Ricardo over the top rope and hits him with the shoulder blocks and the big slam. Cena hits the Five Knuckle Shuffle on Ricardo as Del Rio looks on from ringside. Cena then hits the AA on Ricardo while Del Rio is backing up the ramp and heading to the back. Cena motions to Bret and tags him in. Bret locks the Sharpshooter in on Ricardo and makes him tap out immediately for the win.
Winner: Cena and Bret
Cena and Bret celebrate and Cena says that he’s going to end Rio’s reign.
WWE airs the 9/11 video in which John Cena is commenting. An awesome video by WWE covering speeches by Mr. McMahon and George Bush. Nice one, WWE.
Match: Vickie vs Kelly
Back from the break and out comes WWE Divas Champion Kelly Kelly. Her opponent Vickie Guerrero is out next, to no theme music, with United States Champion Dolph Ziggler. The bell rings and Vickie pushes Kelly. Kelly comes back with a Thesz press and some shots to the head. Kelly smacks Vickie on the ass. Kelly goes for a bulldog but they botch it bad. Kelly does the stinkface as Jack Swagger makes his way to ringside. Dolph argues with him and says he’s out here with Vickie. Swagger drops Dolph with a right hand as Vickie starts screaming at him. Kelly comes up from behind and rolls Vickie up for the win.
Winner: Kelly Kelly
After the match, Kelly celebrates as Vickie argues with Dolph and Swagger at ringside. Kelly turns around as Beth Phoenix is entering the ring. Kelly kicks her out to the floor. Beth comes back in the ring as Kelly leaves up the ramp, showing her title off.
Still to come tonight, Randy Orton vs. Cody Rhodes and the Final Face-Off with CM Punk and Triple H. Back to commercial we go.
Back from the break and we get a plug for Hugh Jackman hosting next week’s RAW and a promo video for Triple H going into his return at Night of Champions.
Josh Matthews is backstage with Mark Henry. Henry tells him to not say a word and just listen. Henry hopes Randy Orton is listening also. Henry talks about beating up Big Show, Kane and Sheamus. Henry says 15 years of looking over him and 15 years of no respect, 15 years of not being the #1 contender. 15 years of not being the World Heavyweight Champion. Henry says all that has got him to this point – to beat the World Champion. Henry promises that Orton will enter his Hall of Pain at Night of Champions.
Match: Rhodes vs Orton
We go to the ring and out first comes the World Heavyweight Champion Randy Orton to a nice pop from the crowd. Orton hits the turnbuckles as we go to commercial.
Back from the break and out comes WWE Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes with his brown baggers. The bell rings and they lock up. Orton goes to a headlock and drops Cody with a shoulder. 1 count for Orton. Orton goes back to the headlock. Cody takes him to the corner and turns things around, beating Orton down. Orton connects with a big back drop when Mark Henry comes out on the stage. Orton rolls out to the floor and grabs a steel chair. Orton walks up the stage and Henry runs to the back. Cody comes up from behind to attack but Orton catches him. Orton beats Cody back to ringside and clotheslines him on the floor. Orton brings it back in the ring for a 2 count.
Orton stomps away on Cody in the corner now. Orton mounts Cody in the corner with a series of right hands as the crowd counts with him. Orton with another big clothesline and a 2 count. Orton keeps watching the ramp for Mark Henry as he continues the assault on Cody. Henry comes back out with a chair and takes a seat on the stage. Orton walks up the ramp. Cody comes from behind as Henry stands up. Orton heads back to the ring but Cody kicks him in the head as Henry sits back down. We go to commercial.
Back from the break and Cody kicks Orton in the head and drops him on his shoulder. Cody with a 2 count. Cody continues to work on Orton’s shoulder while Henry watches from the stage. Orton tries to fight back and finally catches Cody in mid-air, slamming him down to the mat. Henry makes his way down to the ring with the chair now. Henry stops and takes a seat at ringside as Orton hits a pair of clotheslines and a snap slam on Cody. Cody goes to the apron and Orton goes for the second rope DDT. Cody counters it and goes for Cross Rhodes. Orton counters and brings Cody to the apron, hitting the second rope DDT. Orton hits the mat to get ready for the RKO. Henry walks over to the steel steps. Cody takes off his mask and hits Orton while the referee isn’t looking. Cody hits Cross Rhodes and covers Orton for the win.
Winner: Cody Rhodes
After the match, Henry enters the ring and attacks Orton with the chair. Henry stands over Orton yelling about the World Title and pain.
Up next is the Final Face-Off with CM Punk and Triple H. Back to commercial.
Back from the break and we see a replay from last week where Triple H fired Kevin Nash. The Game’s music hits and out he comes for the Final Face-Off. Out next comes CM Punk to a nice reaction from the crowd. There is no table or anything set up.
Punk speaks first and says he’s fascinated that the whole world is watching to see what they say tonight. Punk says he respects Triple H, especially for last week when he fired that charisma vacuum and ratings killer Kevin Nash. Punk says that doesn’t mean he likes Triple H and knows Triple H doesn’t like him either. Punk says people have told him all the horrible things Triple H says behind his back. Punk is also a good judge of character and can see it all over Triple H’s face. Punk goes on and the crowd chants his name. Punk talks about change and says nothing has changed since Vince McMahon left. Punk says Triple H is just as bad. Punk says Vince and Triple H believe that a guy who looks like him don’t belong in a ring with a guy who looks like The Game. Punk says Triple H and Vince have had this weird bodybuilder fetish. Punk says guys who fit Triple H’s image get 10 times the opportunity. Triple H cuts him off and brings up Shawn Michaels, Mick Foley, Bret Hart and Rey Mysterio as top stars who wouldn’t be described as bodybuilder. Triple H says if Punk wants to use the idea of that bodybuilder theory as an excuse for his failures, then go ahead. The crowd chants for Punk some more.
Triple H says his opinion doesn’t matter and Punk needs to worry about the fan opinions. Triple H says Punk thought he was being held back for the first six years when he wasn’t getting reactions like that. Triple H says when you win the fan opinions, you get what you want. Triple H says you won’t have to make calls to get on a 7 Eleven cup, 7 Eleven will call WWE and demand he be on it. Punk responds and asks where his WWE ice cream bars are? The crowd pops at this.
Punk tells a story from 2006 before his first pay-per-view at Survivor Series where he was on a team with DX. Punk says the people in Philadelphia weren’t chanting for DX, they were chanting… the crowd starts chanting his name. Punk says the story doesn’t have a happy ending because that was the first time he grabbed the imaginary brass ring and went it went nowhere. Punk would rather be hated for what he is as opposed to loved for what he’s not. Triple H brings up that Punk has been in main events, won Money in the Bank and world titles. Triple H says maybe Punk isn’t as good as he thought he was, maybe he isn’t the best in the world. Triple H brings up Punk’s story on John Cena from last week. Triple H puts over Cena big time and the crowd boo’s. Triple H says the fact remains true – Cena sells out arenas all over the world and he has done it on his own, by winning the fans over. Triple H says Punk needs to worry about the fans opinions all the time. Triple H says sometimes he looks at a guy and doesn’t think he will be anything but that guy turns out to be a John Cena. Triple H says all Punk has to do is win the fans over. Punk asks Triple H if he is hearing this. Don’t tell him he has to win the fans over. Triple H says today they are chanting his name, last year – not so much. Triple H says Punk is just now getting the people. Punk says he has earned everything he’s got in the last 6 years. Punk says he busted his ass and sacrificed for this business. Triple H goes on and says this isn’t business, it’s personal because Punk turned it into a personal issue. Triple H says Punk won’t step in the ring with the multi-time World Champion, not the COO, not the business man and not The Game on Sunday. He will step into the ring with a man, a man who will kick his ass.
Punk says he is dead wrong and this isn’t about John Cena. Punk says he is the best. Punk says he’s going to kick Triple H’s ass also, pin him 1-2-3 and make him go to sleep. Punk says it’s going to be so satisfying to him. Punk says this is Phil Brooks talking to Paul Levesque. Punk goes on about why it’s going to be satisfying to beat Triple H’s ass when the mic gets cut out. Triple H tells Punk to say it to him. Triple H gets the mic going again. Punk starts talking and it’s cut out again. Triple H demands a mic and asks a producer what the hell is going on. Punk decks Triple H with the mic and he goes down. Punk throws a crotch chop at Triple H as the crowd pops and he leaves the ring to his name being chanted. Punk walks up the ramp smiling as Triple H recovers in the ring and RAW goes off the air.
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Actually, Raw blatantly sucked. If you watched CM Punk-HHH face-off, you didn’t miss a thing. Cody Rhodes winning was a plus.
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‘You are what you write’
Signing off,
Sid
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