WWE Monday Night Raw
June 7th 2010
Commentators: Michael Cole, Jerry “The King” Lawler
Reported by: David Stephens of WrestleView.com
Are you ready? Then stop questioning your heart and join me, because it is time for Monday Night RAW!
The show kicks off with Bret Hart and Teddy Long in the ring. Bret welcomes us to the very first Viewer’s Choice edition of RAW. He says that by logging on to WWE.com, the fans will be able to select participants and stipulations as they are announced. The GMs tell us that all the participants in the Smackdown World Heavyweight Four Way match will wrestle tonight, with the fans picking their opponents. They are about to say something about Orton, but before they can his music hits.
Orton is heated about getting attacked by Edge last night, and demands a match against his foe tonight! Edge’s music hits and he is not too pleased about this turn of events. Long says that since it is Viewer’s Choice, the fans in attendance can decide the stipulation for this match by their applause. They are presented with the three options of Debate, Push Up Contest, or One Armed Match. Needless to say the outcome wasn’t too shocking as the crowd cheered the One Armed Match.
Next, it is announced that up next Chris Jericho will wrestle the Big Show. Fans have the chance to go online right now to decide the stipulation! Fans are asked to log on to WWE.com to cast their vote. The choices are Submission Match, Over the Top Rope Challenge or Body Slam Challenge.
****Commercial****
Matt Striker is ringside with the poll results from WWE.com. With 48% of the vote, it looks as though it will be a Body Slam Challenge.
Viewer’s Choice Body Slam Challenge
Chris Jericho v. Big Show
This one is pretty straight forward. They exchange blows back and forth with Jericho attempting to hit a body slam. It doesn’t work, and he finds himself thrown down to the mat. Show goes for the Knockout Blow, but Chris rolls out of the ring. Jericho gets back in the ring, and sets into Big with a series of kicks and punches. Jericho appears to be targeting the arm of Show so that he can’t connect with a slam. Jericho heads to the second rope and tries a crossbody, but gets swatted away. Jericho is sent bouncing off the ropes and is caught by Show. Jericho is slammed to the mat, and this match is over.
Winner via Body Slam: The Big Show
After the match the Big Show puts an STF on Jericho and makes him tap. Justin Roberts announces Show as the winner via Tap Out. Show then throws Chris over the top rope, and his music hits again. Apparently Big Show figured he wouldn’t just win one of the stipulations, he would take care of all three.
Current online poll is to decide who the Tag Team Champions will wrestle. The choices are The Usos, the Dudebusters, or the Great Khali and Hornswoggle.
****Commercial****
Winners of the poll are The Great Khali and Hornswoggle with 54% of the vote. I’m not going to lie, I voted for them!
Viewer’s Choice: Tag Team Match
The Hart Dynasty v. The Great Khali & Hornswoggle
The match starts off with Tyson and Khali in the ring. Kidd finds himself backed into the corner and chopped. Khali picks up Tyson and slams him down to the mat. Khali tags in Hornswoggle. He heads to the top rope and goes for the Tad Pole splash. Tyson rolls out of the way, and David comes into the ring. Smith kicks Khali off the apron, and Kidd rolls up ‘Swoggle for the win.
Winners via Roll Up: The Hart Dynasty
After the match, the camera cuts to the commentator’s booth. King says he has something to take care of and walks away. Cole is confused, but continues with his plug of last week’s Smackdown.
Video package airs highlighting the Kane & Undertaker storyline on Smackdown
****Commercial****
Justin Roberts introduces tonight’s Guest Host, the cast of the New movie the A-Team. Bradley Cooper comes out and says that he doesn’t know where his costars are, but he promises a great show tonight.
In the back, King is still looking for something. The other two members of the A-Team pull him into their office and say that they can help him. King says that someone stole his crown. They have an idea, so off they run. After leaving the room, the A-Team members are spotted by the Bella Twins. The Bellas make comments about how much they love the actors, but the A-Team members pretend to not know what they are talking about and stay in character.
Current Poll on WWE.com: Santino v. Khali in either a Match, Arm Wrestling Competition or Dance-Off
****Commercial****
I couldn’t log on to WWE.com fast enough to vote for this match, but for the record I was going to select Dance-Off. The results are in, and with 84% of the vote, it will be a dance off.
Viewer’s Choice: Dance-Off
Santino v. Kozlov
Santino says that he was the sixth member of the Backstreet Boys, so this will be a walk in the park. Santino… dances. After Santino finishes, Matt Striker asks him for his thoughts. Vlad says that he is stronger and faster. It’s time for Kozlov to dance. Kozlov does… a disturbingly good dance off. The winner is determined by crowd applause, and Vlad takes it without any question.
Winner: Vladimir Kozlov
After the match they dance with each other for a bit. Santino tries to get Kozlov to catch him, but he just slaps him away.
Current poll: The Divas are in action next in either a: 6 on 6 match, Diva Battle Royal or Champion v. Champion Match
****Commercial****
I voted for Champion v. Champion. The poll results are in and it will be a Diva Battle Royal. No surprise there. Lawler and not Striker announces this match.
Viewer’s Choice: Divas Battle Royal
WWE Divas
Lawler has made his way back to the commentary for this match. Lawler says that he misses having Kelly Kelly on RAW, me too!!
Winner: Maryse
In the back, Sheamus is walking around. He runs into Kane who tells him that just because Sheamus is on RAW doesn’t mean anything. He took out HHH to make a name for himself, so maybe he took out The Undertaker as well. Sheamus says that if he took out The Undertaker, he would shout it from the mountain top and he doesn’t take kindly to being falsely accused. Kane says he doesn’t like liars, and hopes to see Sheamus soon.
Current poll: Who will Sheamus’ opponent be? Kane, Mark Henry, Evan Bourne
****Commercial****
I voted for Bourne, but honestly I wasn’t super attached to any of the three against Sheamus. The poll results are in, and his opponent is… Kane with 88% of the vote.
Viewer’s Choice: Sheamus’ Opponent
Sheamus v. Kane
The match starts with Kane chucking Sheamus out of the ring. Kane follows after and beats Sheamus’ head into the barrier. Kane rolls him back into the ring and heads to the top rope. Sheamus runs to the corner and knocks Kane down to a seated position. Sheamus grabs him and hits a running power slam. Kane kicks out of the cover.
****Commercial****
We come back as Sheamus has Kane in the middle of the ring in an arm hold. Kane breaks free and connects with a big boot. Kane picks him up and connects with a couple of punches. He sends Sheamus to the corner and connects with the splash. Kane follows up with a side walk slam, and then a dropkick to the seated Sheamus. Kane heads to the top rope again. This time, he does connect with the clothesline! Kane is looking for the chokeslam. Sheamus counters, and then hits a backbreaker. Sheamus goes for his big boot, but Kane dodges and goes for the chokeslam again, but Sheamus counters yet again. Sheamus looks to Kane and is caught with the chokeslam. Finally, Kane connects! Unfortunately they are too close to the ropes, and Sheamus rolls out of the ring. Sheamus is able to get to this feet, but instead of returning to the ring, he heads to the back and takes the count out loss.
Winner via Count Out: Kane
****Commercial****
Video package airs highlighting the winner of NXT Season 1, Wade Barret
In the back, Savannah interviews Wade Barret. She asks how it feels to win NXT. He says that the result was never once in question, and it is the start of much greater things to come. Barret says that in one weeks time we will find out something that has been accomplished that never before has been accomplished in the history of the WWE.
In the locker room, Dibiase is talking to Virgil about the Viewer’s Choice happenings. The A-Team members come into the room to ask about the missing crown. They go back and forth up until it looks like the one guy is going to punch Virgil. I.R.S. comes into the shot and is wearing the crown. He says that the whole thing can be easily explained. Lawler never paid the back tax on the crown’s jewels, so it had to be repossessed.
Current Poll: Vote for the tag team partners for both R-Truth and The Miz
****Commercial****
Viewer’s Choice: Tag Team Partners
R-Truth & John Morrison v. The Miz & Zack Ryder
The match starts with R-Truth and The Miz. Truth knocks Miz around and then tags in Morrison. John hits a stomp to the face, and then tags Truth in again. They hit a suplex together. Truth goes for the pin, but Miz kicks out. R is caught by a cheap shot, and Miz tags in Zach Ryder. He goes for the cover, but Truth kicks out. Ryder tags Miz back into the ring. Miz kicks R in the gut, and then connects with a running boot to the head. He goes for the cover, but Truth kicks out.
Miz locks on a rear headlock. R-Truth escapes and hits a big back suplex. Miz tries to keep him from reaching the corner, but Truth makes it. Morrison comes running into the ring, and connects with a couple of punches and then a spinning kick. Morrison hits a running knee to the face, but Ryder breaks up the cover. R comes in to make the save, but Ryder throws him to the outside. Morrison hits Zack with a huge kick, but Miz takes advantage and hits the Reality Check for the win.
Winners via Reality Check: The Miz & Zack Ryder
In the back, Edge is with Bret Hart and tells him how unfair his match against Orton later is to him given the stipulation. Kane comes up next and asks Hart if he went after The Undertaker. Kane asks if Hart took him out because The Undertaker’s legacy has surpassed his own. Kane warns him that bad things are coming his way if he was responsible.
****Commercial****
Viewer’s Choice: One Armed Match
Randy Orton v. Edge
The match starts with both competitors planning to use their legs as much as possible. Orton connects with a clothesline, but misses the RKO attempt. Edge looks to be setting up for the spear, but also unties his arm restraint. The referee makes him back off and retie it. Edge refuses and instead goes right back to punching Orton. The referee calls for the DQ. Edge flies across the ring for the spear, but Orton uses his boot as protection, and Edge falls to the outside of the ring.
Winner via DQ: Randy Orton
Edge picks up a chair and drives it into the injured shoulder of Orton twice.
****Commercial****
In the back, John Cena thanks Evan Bourne for his help last week in the main event. Savannah then comes up and asks how he feels about not knowing the identity of his opponent for later tonight. He says that he feels good, because at least he knows he has a match, and that it is in the hands of the WWE Universe to decide.
Another A-Team skit airs. Mean Gene makes a cameo! Gene’s voice is so awesome!!
Current Poll: Drew McIntyre’s Opponent: Goldust, Yoshi Tatsu, or Mystery Opponent. Gee, I wonder which will get picked.
****Commercial****
Viewer’s Choice: Drew McIntyre’s Opponent
Drew McIntyre v. Matt Hardy
Before the match, McIntyre says that this match is not happening. Hardy was suspended, so he can’t wrestle. Teddy Long comes out, and says that Matt was suspended from Smackdown, not RAW.
Matt starts the match by punching Drew in the face. The referee is struggling to pull Hardy off. Matt clotheslines Drew to the outside of the ring. He throws Drew over the commentator’s booth, and then into the ring barricade. Hardy lifts him up and hits his head against the steel post. He finally rolls Drew back into the ring.
Once inside, Drew hits a big boot on Matt. He runs at Matt, but misses and connects with the steel post instead. Hardy grabs him and hits the Twist of Fate for the win.
Winner via Twist of Fate: Matt Hardy
After the match, Hardy continues to beat on McIntyre.
In the back, the Mohawk A-Team guy has been tied up to a chair. Dibiase, Virgil and IRS appear. They tell him that he is about to get answers as they head to the ring.
****Commercial****
In the ring, Dibiase and crew have Mohawk dude. Dibiase says that someone called and asked to deliver BA (’tis his character’s name) on a silver platter. He said that he named his price, and cashed it in.
Rowdy Roddy Piper’s music hits, and he comes out! Roddy is here because in the build up to Wrestlemania 1, all he heard about was the A-Team, and Mr. T. Roddy says that he is here because it is all starting again, and he just can’t let that happen. Piper says that he is going to beat the mohawk off of BA tonight, because he pities the fool stands in his way.
The A-Team music hits and The American Dream, Mean Gene and the other A-Team guy come riding out on a golf cart. They go into the ring and make the save. Gene congratulates the group and they celebrate together. They have retrieved the King’s crown.
Current Poll: Vote for Cena’s Opponent – Jack Swagger, Rey Mysterio or CM Punk
****Commercial****
Viewer’s Choice: Cena’s Opponent
John Cena v. CM Punk
The match starts as the two lock up. Punk is still wearing his mask to cover the absence of hair. Punk’s entourage is with him. Cena runs behind Punk and hits an arm bar snapmare. Punk reverses, but then John counters with a leg scissors. Cena is going for the mask, so Punk runs out of the ring. Back in, Punk kicks Cena in the gut and then backs him into the turnbuckle. He connects with multiple shoulder thrusts to the gut. Punk hits a snapmare and then a kick to the back of John’s head. CM locks on a leg scissors. Cena reverses into an STF attempt, but Punk makes it to the ropes. Cena whips Punk in the turnbuckle, and follows up with the running bulldog. Gallos hits a cheap shot on Cena as we head to commercial.
****Commercial****
We are back as Punk has a headlock on Cena. Cena goes for the FU, but Punk counters into a DDT. He goes for the cover, but Cena kicks out. Punk throws him to the outside of the ring. Punk distracts the ref which allows Sarina to get in a cheap shot. CM rolls out after him to throw him back in the ring. Once in the ring, he connects with a series of kicks on Cena. With a gust of energy, Cena connects with a shoulder block and side slam. Cena is setting up for the 5 Knuckle Shuffle, but hesitates as Wade Barrett appears on the entrance ramp. Cena connects, and then lifts up Punk for the FU. Wade continues his way down to the ring, so John drops Punk.
John starts to stare him down, and the rest of the NXT rookies come out to ringside and take out all of the S.E.S. members at ringside. They then all climb into the ring together, surrounding Cena. Otunga takes out the ref. Cena knows that they odds aren’t in his favor, so he fires the first shot.
It’s safe to say the match ended in a no contest
The 8 on 1 is too great of an odds contest, even for Cena. They are beating on Cena from all sides. One of them punches out Matt Striker. Then Heath Slater and another rookie go after King! The NXT Rookies are destroying everything ringside. Even the production assistant finds himself at their mercy. No one is safe. Poor Justin Roberts never stood a chance as he gets caught in a four on one predicament. Their tear off his shirt, and choke him with his tie.
The rookies continue to take apart the ring until even the ropes are slack and falling off. Cena gets to his feet, but he should have stayed down. He is caught with multiple devastating attacks. Slater and Young whip him into Skip Sheffield, and he hits a huge clothesline. Daniel Bryan is in his face, and yells that “you are not better than me”. Bryan than spits in Cena’s face, and kicks the back of his head. Wade Barret then connects with his finisher. Justin Gabriel takes to the turnbuckle and hits the 450 splash!
All the rookies head to the back and leave Cena sprawled out in the ring. Medics come to attend to him as the show goes off the air.
Raw Thoughts
Well, it certainly was a Viewer’s Choice edition of RAW. For the most part, the options given were pretty straightforward and easy to predict. The WWE made it so that they could almost force the audience to pick a certain stipulation or match up, but that comes as no surprise. We have seen that each year with Cyber Sunday.
I want to start off by talking about the crazy and confusing end to the show. I haven’t been this baffled in a very long time. I do have a major problem with it though. Where the hell was the rest of the WWE locker room? You mean to tell me that there was no one in the ENTIRE WWE that was even a bit upset by what was going on? NO ONE?!?
The rookies weren’t just attacking Cena and the ringside crew. They were dismantling the ring itself. Every superstar in that locker room should have been running out to the ring. The NXT stars were disrespecting the business, which goes far past any face or heel roles. I really like the fact that clearly this is the start of something big, but I can’t get the lingering anger over the lack of reaction by the WWE stars out of my head.
Do you understand what I mean? I can’t be the only one wondering why no one gave a damn about what was happening.
Now then, as for the rest of the show. Through the first half hour of the show, there is not too much to comment on. I have to say that I knew the dance off between Santino and Kozlov was going to be good, I just didn’t think it was going to be THAT good. Kozlov had some hilariously awesome dance moves. Where did that come from? I love it.
The Divas battle royal was pretty weak. I yearn for the old days when poll options for the Divas included Bra and Panties and Lingerie matches. But hey, maybe that’s just me.
Did the WWE really think they could pull one over the fans by having a Sheamus and Kane segment right before opening the poll for Sheamus’ opponent? The Answer is yes, because he was selected with an absurd majority. The match itself was fairly straightforward. It was nice to see Kane win for once, even if it was via Count Out. The type of ending assured that neither competitor came out looking weak.
The backstage segment with Dibiase and the A-Team was very disappointing. I’ll give the WWE credit for giving the guys a bit of screen time, but they just could not perform up to par. Their segments garnered no reaction, and to be blunt I didn’t find them amusing at all. I’m very let down by their presence on tonight’s RAW. I feel as though the only person that could care less about their RAW involvement is whichever creative member was in charge of their segments tonight.
Edge v. Orton was a pretty lame match.
Mean Gene making an appearance was AWESOME! I laughed my butt off at the Josh Mathews reference, and then Mathews standing right next to him. I fans of both those guys, and they were fun to watch together.
Hardy v. McIntyre continued the trend of lackluster matches. The problem with tonight’s RAW is that it had essentially a PPV level theme, but really bad matches. Putting the two together just really killed off the enjoyment factor. Not even halfway into the final hour I was getting bored. I think it really comes down to the length. Tonight’s RAW shouldn’t have been three hours long. I’m not going to go too far out on the line here, but when the rating comes in, don’t be shocked if it is fairly low. Three hour RAWs generally score a lower average due to the inclusion of the 8-9pm time block, but even still I think the WWE will be disappointed with the rating. Even if it isn’t much lower, you have to assume that they were aiming for a higher rating than normal given the special elements. Also, I’d love to see the voting data, because I guarantee you that save the main event, less people voted each time.
I don’t have much more to say about tonight’s show, which considering that it was three hours long, should tell you something about the product. The WWE has had a couple really phenomenal RAW episodes in the last couple weeks, so I guess we were due for a bad one. It happens.
Cool concept with the Viewer’s Choice, but I couldn’t really get into it. The fact that the options were so contrived made voting almost pointless, and thus my attention wondered. In the future, if they really want such gimmick nights to succeed, they need to give some real options for fans to vote on. Oh, and a few less DQ or cheap finishes. Save for the really intriguing and baffling ending, RAW was rather lackluster. That being said, because of the end it will be the source of a lot of conversation.
Send me some e-mails, and have a safe week everyone!
So that’s RAW…. Love it? Hate it? Disagree with everything I said? Just want to chat wrestling? I’m always up for reading your thoughts and do my absolute best to reply to every message I get. Send them over to me at david@wrestleview.com.
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