Reported by Hunter Golden of WrestleView.com
On Monday, June 30, 2008 at 11:27 PM EST

WWE RAW
June 30, 2008
Oklahoma City, OK
Commentators: Michael Cole & Jerry “The King” Lawler
Reported By: Hunter Golden of WrestleView.com

For hour one results, click here.

Hot tag from Adam and here I go. Figures the ONE night I can’t get hour 1 in the books and we get a new World Champion. I’m such a shmuck.

The New World Tag Team Champions Ted Dibiase and Cody Rhodes made their way out to the ring for their match.

Ted Dibiase Jr. & Cody Rhodes v. Darren Wayne & Steve Anthony

Rhodes backed up Anthony into the corner before grabbing a side headlock. Anthony pushed the hold off before getting blindsided by Dibiase. Dibiase dropped a fist and tagged Cody back into the ring where he dropped a knee. Rhodes cut off an incoming Wayne and nailed the DDT on Anthony for the quick win.

Winners: Ted Dibiase Jr. & Cody Rhodes via pin fall

After the match, Rhodes gave us the explanation of why he turned on Holly. He said he did the ‘right thing’ like his Dad taught him and all it got him was carrying a baby boomer around by the boot straps. He said when you’re as talented as he is, you take what you want.

DiBiase slammed his generation for being spineless. He said they weren’t cutting edge, in reality they were nothing but spoiled, obedient sheep. He said Cody and DiBiase took matters into their own hands and that made them absolutely priceless.

****Commercial****

Katie Lea and Paul Burchill are in the back. He said he was going to insure she’d be women’s champion. Jamie Noble popped up after Paul left. He introduced himself and said he was new around here, but he was a big deal on Smackdown. Gibson talked about drawing the line in the sand. He said he was going to find the biggest guy on Raw and challenge em. Kane walked in and Katie said it was his chance. Jamie didn’t look too excited. Noble said there wasn’t a boss or any rules so that made him and Kane equals. He said he better not catch Kane digging in his bag listening to his CD’s or there’s be trouble… or something. Noble cracked a stupid joke before getting a throat around the neck. He wiggled out and ran off. Kane chased him down the hall.

Back out in the arena.. Here comes Noble. Oh good lord. He tried hiding behind the announce table but was kicked out and then went under the ring. The pyro went off and Kane came down to the ring. Noble knows it’s time to pay the piper

Noble chucked himself through the ropes at Kane and stomped away at him on the floor but Kane quickly came back. Kane choke slammed Noble off the announce table REALLY hard and it didn’t break, but Noble bounced.. Ouchie.

****Commercial****

WWE Intercontinental Championship
Kofi Kingston v. Chris Jericho

We came back to Jericho being in control but Kingston came back with some forearms and a lunging axe handle. The two criss crossed and Kofi hit a flying forearm before Kofi hit the boom boom double leg drop. Kofi went bounding into the ropes but almost found himself rolled up. Jericho hit an enzeguiri for a two count and Jericho’s back in command.

Kofi again fought back but Jericho hit a boot out of the corner before nailing the running bulldog. Jericho nailed a lion Sault for a two count but Kingston kicked out. Jericho gathered the champion before going for a vertical suplex. Kingston rolled through though and went for a roll up with the tights only to be reversed by Jericho who also held the tights. Unfortunately for Jericho though, the official caught him and disqualified him.

Winner and STILL Intercontinental Champion: Kofi Kingston via DQ

Jericho was crazy after the match and tried to gouge the eyes of Kingston out. He backed off to a chorus of boos after leaving the champion a mess in the ring.

****Commercial****

Cole & King recapped the night’s events.

Edge was outside with Hawkins and Ryder and he blamed them for his losing the title tonight.

****Commercial****

World Heavyweight Championship
CM Punk v. JBL

The two circled it up and JBL looked at Punk before his private security force showed up.

JBL backed Punk into the corner easily before laying the boots in and hitting a clothesline. JBL dropped a couple of elbows for a quick near fall before grabbing a side headlock, trying to wear the smaller champion down.

Punk tossed him off and hit a killer arm drag before hitting a back kick and a nasty leg lift. Punk went for a baseball slide drop kick but JBL side stepped back and uncorked a nasty clothesline on the floor before slamming Punk on the table and chucking him back into the ring and going for a cover.

Punk kicked out but found himself on the receiving end of a big boot. JBL slapped on a cravat. Punk kneed away at JBL before bounding off the ropes only to get stuck in a sleeper hold. Punk fought out of the hold only to get shoulder blocked to the mat hard. JBL whipped Punk to the corner only to eat a boot to the face. Punk hit a wheel kick out of the corner and tried to get back into the match.

Punk hit the knee in the face and the bulldog out of the corner for a near fall. Punk ducked under a clothesline but got caught in a fall away slam for another near fall. Punk ducked under another clothesline and hit a kick to the head before going to the top rope and hitting a clothesline off the top rope for a super hot near fall.

Cena and Cryme Tyme showed up to even up the odds on the outside and take out JBL’s thugs. JBL hit a huge clothesline in the ring but was easily distracted by the craziness on the outside. That enabled the champion to sneak up on JBL and nail the GTS for the big win.

Winner and STILL World Heavyweight Champion: CM Punk via pin fall

Immediately after the match CM Punk vaulted over the top rope and crashed into the crowd below. The brawl was still going as we went off the air.

---

RAW THOUGHTS
Show Thoughts-- I honestly don’t even know what to say about tonight’s Raw. It was just that good. Easily the best show of the year in a year where we’ve had a lot of strong stuff.

So we’ve got a new World Heavyweight Champion and it’s CM Punk! First of all, this is REALLY risky. Like really, really, really risky. BUT, it’s a smart risk. Just smacks of Bret Hart circa 1992. Raw really needs to get that aura of unpredictability back that it’s lacked in recent years. Sure, it’s been awesome the last two years, but the unpredictability factor HAS been lacking and honestly, I can’t think of a better guy to hold the belt on the show right now.

Punk is guarunteed to be a champion whose a legit under dog in every defense he’s going to have. I’d pick Cena to beat him. Jericho, too. Batista for sure, Mysterio likely, JBL I thought might beat him tonight, etc. Every match or defense he has is going to be totally unpredictable and exciting. So from just that standpoint alone, it makes it a good move in my book.

Second, I think this is really an olive branch to the IWC on the part of the ‘E. This is a guy who’ll bring them back in the fold. Samoa Joe and CM Punk are the top dogs in the two biggest wrestling promotions on the continent. Who’d have thought four years ago, eh? Punk is going to have the kind of appeal that a local sports hero does. Fans feel like they’ve grown up with Punk in a way and it’ll make rooting for him that much easier.

The general instability of the show was just off the charts fun though. JBL declaring martial law. John Cena getting *gasp* a HUGE pop on the run in on the final match. Rhodes and Dibiase slithering their way to tag gold. Jericho being a loose cannon. A fresh, unique and exciting Intercontinental Champion. Just so much good already to say about the new-look Raw.

The whole show built and in a way revolved around the new Champion and that’s usually what makes for great TV. This was honestly the most fun I’ve had watching a wrestling show in forever. And Randy Orton wasn’t even on this show tonight. Good lord.

Overall Grade: A

Quick Results
CM Punk def. Edge to WIN the World Heavyweight Championship
Cody Rhodes & Ted Dibiase def. Darren Wayne & Steve Anthony
Kofi Kingston def. Chris Jericho
CM Punk def. JBL to retain the World Heavyweight Championship

Who’s Hot, Who’s Not?

Biggest Pops
1. CM Punk
2. John Cena & Cryme Tyme
3. Batista
4. Rey Mysterio

Most Heat
1. Edge
2. Chris Jericho
3. JBL
4. Cody Rhodes & Ted Dibiase

Match of the Night: CM Punk v. JBL ***

Power Rankings
5 Points= Title Win
4 Points= World Title defense/win
3 Points= Singles PPV Win
2 Points= Tag PPV Win
2 Points= TV Singles Win
1 Point= TV Tag Win
0 Points= Loss

World Heavyweight Champion: CM Punk 2-0, 9 Points (Last Week: NR) -- So can anyone honestly say anyone’s had a better day that this guy? He’s a vulnerable champion for sure and there’s a good possibility he could flop. But then again… he might not ;)……

Intercontinental Champion: Kofi Kingston 2-0, 7 points (Last Week: NR) -- Another guy whose a great choice to hold this belt. He’s so recognizable, unique in the ring and in general, is a fun guy to watch. He’s green, doesn’t sell well and his offense is sloppy at times, but I think this title will do him a lot of good. I’m glad to see him get the run.

1. John Cena 14-8, 25 points. (Last Week: 1) -- I’m going to keep Cena here despite the loss to Triple H last night. Talk about the difference a night makes.

2. Shawn Michaels 15-3-1, 20pts. (Last Week: 2) -- “Looking” to make a comeback. LOLZ.

3. Chris Jericho 10-13-1, 21pts. (Last Week: IC Champion)-- As a character, he’s the most interesting thing in the WWE right now. He’s got a new attitude, totally improved in the ring.. I’m saying Jericho wins the title off of Punk. Jericho’s molten hot these days.

4. JBL 9-13, 16 points (Last Week: 5)-- Unfortunately, he seems destined to be floating around mid card land being the good ole gate keeper on Raw. Realistically, he’s not going to out draw or out perform Batista, Rey, Randy Orton or John Cena.. I’d have loved to have seen him on ECW.

5. Paul Burchill 4-1, 5 points (Last Week: 7)-- By default in a way, Burchill moves into the top five thanks to no one else really winning or losing. Don’t expect him to stay here long but thanks to the shake up, he’ll get a week in the sun.

7. Santino Marella 5-6, 5 points (Last Week: 8) --Santino’s shtick with Rey Mysterio was just freaking great tonight. I’ll move him up, mostly by default, but I’ll still move him up.

8. Batista 0-1-0, 0 Points (Last Week: NR)-- Sure, he’s 0-1 but he was the catalyst for one of the most shocking moments in recent Raw history. That in itself gets you a spot.

9. Ted Dibiase, Jr. 1-0, 4 Points (Last Week: NR)-- Thank f-ing god for this guy. If he’s as good in the ring as he is on the mic, we’re in for some good stuff.

10. Cody Rhodes 7-5, 7 points (Last Week: 10)-- I love Cody’s new heel deal. Just so much more fresh and interesting.

OTHERS:
Kane 0-1, 0 Points (Last Week: ECW Champion)
Jamie Noble 0-0, 0 Points (Last Week: NR)
Rey Mysterio 0-0, 0 Points (Last Week: NR)
Deuce 0-0, 0 Points (Last Week: NR)
Chuck Palumbo 0-0, 0 Points (Last Week: NR)
Matt Striker 0-0, 0 Points (Last Week: NR
Randy Orton 10-9-2, 20pts. (Last Week: INJURED)
William Regal, 3-4, 9 points (Last Week: NR)
Paul London 3-4, 3 points(Last Week: NR)
Jerry Lawler 0-1, 0 points (Last Week: NR)
Lance Cade 1-5, 2 points (Last Week: NR)
Jim Duggan 0-1, 0 points (Last Week: NR)
Rory 0-2, 0 points (Last Week: NR)
Charlie Haas 0-1, 0 points (Last Week: NR)
Robbie 0-2, 0 points (Last Week: NR)
Mick Foley 1-0, 1 point (Last Week: NR)
Sgt. Slaughter 0-0. 0 pts. (Last Week: NR)
Val Venis 0-1 0pts. (Last Week: NR)
Snitsky 2-5, 3 points (Last Week: NR)
JTG 2-2, 4 points (Last Week: NR)
Big Shaad 2-2, 2 point (Last Week: NR)
Ken Kennedy 10-7, 22pts. (DRAFTED TO SMACKDOWN)
Carlito 9-9, 13 pts. (Last Week: DRAFTED TO SMACKDOWN)
Brian Kendrick, 3-8, 3 points (Last Week: DRAFTED TO SMACKDOWN)
Trevor Murdoch 0-8, 0 points (Last Week: DRAFTED TO SMACKDOWN)
Super Crazy 0-3, 0 points (Last Week: DRAFTED TO ECW)
Harry Smith 0-1, 0 points (DRAFTED TO SMACKDOWN)