Monday, July 16, 2012

The RAW Truth Review for 7/16/12

One day after Money in the Bank, one week before the 1000th episode of RAW. I would expect tonight to be a set up for next week's show. John Cena has teased a major announcement. I will assume it will be about his Money in the Bank cash in. Stay tuned.

WWE Champ to Start? Shocking
C.M. Punk was out to start the show. He brought up his pipe bomb promo from Las Vegas last year. Punk said he's beaten everybody in front of him since then. Punk said a guy like him would have never been on the first episode of RAW. Big Show came out and interrupted. Big Show mocked C.M. Punk's story. He said Cena was in the right place at the right time when the handle on the briefcase broke, and if he had one, he would have cashed in the contract right now. Punk said Big Show did what he always did last night, leave a path of destruction and lose. Punk said that is why he has the respect of everyone and Big Show has none. Show laughed and said if Punk left today, they would be over him in a week. Show said they both know the WWE revolves around one man. Punk said he is the WWE Champion, and Big Show is an over paid, shell of a former giant. Show said after he beats Punk tonight, he could very well lose the WWE Championship to John Cena.

Segment Analysis: Good opening promo from both men. The seeds of doubt continue to be planted in the mind of C.M. Punk that the WWE is John Cena's, and not his even though he is WWE Champion. I doubt Cena cashes in tonight. I will be interested to see what Punk says once he is finally face to face with Cena. Survey Says: 3.5/5

Millions and Millions of Nothing
Tag Titles on the line. Ha, no pre advertisement. The faces hit a double hip toss on Darren Young and Truth hit a leg drop. Kofi hit a crossbody for two. The faces then hit a double baseball slide and Kofi hit a swanton to the outside into commercial. Back from break, the heels had control over Kofi. Titus O'Neil applied a bear hug. A mis-communication between the heels allowed Kofi to tag in R-Truth. Truth clotheslined young over the top. A.W. tried distracting the ref, but it back fired as Kofi hit Trouble In Paradise on the apron, allowing R-Truth to pin O'Neil for the win.

Segment Analysis: So much for the Prime Time Players. They didn't even build up to their Title match which is disappointing. Couldn't even save it for a 3 hour RAW? Match was nothing to write home about. Survey Says: 2/5

Daniel Bryan tried apologizing to A.J. Eve interrupted and said A.J. and Bryan had to face Eve and a partner of her choosing tonight.

But Is It The Real Rey Mysterio?
Alberto del Rio made quick work of Zack Ryder. After ADR applied the cross armbreaker again, Rey Mysterio came in and made the save. He hit a 619.

Segment Analysis: Mysterio back is a good thing for the WWE. But I really hope we don't get another Rey/Del Rio feud. Its been done to death. Survey Says: 2.5/5

Rikishi beat Heath Slater. Afterwards he danced with his sons, the Usos.

So Who Drugs A.J. at the Bachelorette Party?
Eve chose Miz as he partner. Miz and Bryan started. Bryan landed some kicks in the corner. Miz reversed an Irish Whip and hit a high knee. A.J. proceeded to tag herself in. Eve hit a kick then a headlock on top of the apron. A.J. hit a spin kick then a running knee. Miz distracted the ref. A.J. drop kicked him off the apron. Miz distracted the ref again. Eve had a roll up, but Bryan reversed it and put A.J. on top and A.J. scored the pinfall win.

After the match, Bryan told A.J. that he loved her. Bryan got on one knee and proposed to A.J. She said yes.

Segment Analysis: Well, I guess we know where this is going now. It looks like Punk is being put out of the equation and it is back to Bryan/A.J., which is actually the best thing they could probably do. Wedding? Maybe at SummerSlam. I doubt the wedding actually happens. Something, like always, will go wrong. Survey Says: 2.5/5

Ryback vs Jack Swagger never happened. Swagger jumped Ryback before the bell, but Ryback got the upper hand in the end.

More Random Face Turns!
Dolph Ziggler came out. He reminded everyone of the success of the MITB cash ins. He said its only a matter of time before he cashes in the briefcase. He said he is better than a bunch of former legends, then Chris Jericho came out. Ziggler said this is his moment and Jericho is not going to steal that moment from him. Ziggler asked Jericho when was the last time he won anything. Ziggler said all he's heard since he came back is how Jericho is the best in the world at everything he does, and all Jericho does is lose. Ziggler called Jericho all hype. He asked Jericho if he was losing his touch. Ziggler turned to Vickie and Jericho surprised him with a Codebreaker.

Segment Analysis: I could get behind a Jericho/Ziggler feud, especially if Jericho is leaving after SummerSlam. Jericho is the perfect guy to put over Dolph. Dolph did a good job with his promo, antagonizing Jericho until the very end. He's to the point where he almost doesn't need Vickie anymore. Looking forward to this. Survey Says: 3.5/5

Brodus Clay beat JTG. Rinse, Wash, Repeat.

What A Nice Guy!
Main event time. Punk tried landing some kicks but Big Show caught him with a head butt. Show threw Punk off the ropes and hit a shoulder tackle. Show hit a chop and another head butt outside the ring. Punk escaped Big Show's grasp and Show went right into the ring post. Punk landed some kicks but Show connected again with a head butt. Show hit a bodyslam after catching Punk off the top rope. Punk again tried fighting back and applied a sleeper hold. Big Show fought out and went right into a side slam. Show went for a Vader Bomb but Punk rolled out of the way. Punk's comeback was thwarted by a hip toss. Show went for a KO Punch but Punk ducked. Three high knees by Punk. Punk moved away from a charging Big Show and hit the Macho Man Elbow for 2. Show caught Punk and hit a chokeslam, but Punk got his foot on the ropes. Show went to work on Punk and shoved the ref, causing a DQ.

Show continued to attack before John Cena came out. Show walked away. Cena went to make his announcement but Show interrupted. Show tried to goad Cena into cashing in now, but Cena didn't. He said he was going to cash in at RAW next week. Cena then laid out Show with the briefcase.

Segment Analysis: The match was okay, and the announcement was somewhat expected. I thought that the cash in may happen at SummerSlam, but I don't think the WWE is even there yet. They are more concerned about the 1000th episode of RAW. Survey Says: 3/5

OVERALL
I thought this was an average show of RAW, with the clear hype being thrown at next week's show. The promos were good. The WWE continues to play at the angle of Punk not being the top guy despite being WWE Champion. The Ziggler/Jericho promo was good and I look forward to a program between these two. Jericho is the right guy to help put Dolph over. Rey Mysterio's return was a bit under whelming, especially if it just means another feud with Alberto del Rio. The wrestling on the show was nothing to write home about. The main event was good but that's about it. Looking forward to the A.J./Bryan Wedding next week. WWE Weddings are always fun. I'm giving the show a 5.

And remember kids, quick marriages almost never work. Hit it and quit it: The Male Motto.

Until Next Time,
Justin C
Follow Me On Twitter @JCWonka

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