Monday Night RAW
San Antonio, TX
August 2nd 2010
Commentators: Michael Cole, Jerry “The King” Lawler
Report 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!
Edge makes his way out to the ring to explain his actions last week. (Edge set in motion the breakdown of the Cena Army) Edge recalls the fact that after returning from his Achilles’ injury, he listened to the fans. That was clearly a mistake, and it is for that reason that he must focus his energy on the correct way to go after the Nexus. With no faith in Cena’s leadership, a lack of trust in Jericho, and almost no faith in Khali, he is going to change the way he is playing this game. Edge lays down the challenge against Wade Barrett for a match tonight on RAW!
R-Truth was not fond of the way the team was being smack talked, so he makes his way down to the ring to confront Edge over the matter. Edge says that he didn’t want anybody coming down to the ring. Truth gives Edge the fact that he might not want to listen to Cena, but he WILL listen to the Truth. R says that Edge has been in many matches over the years, and in many fights. But this one is different. They are fighting for their careers, for the company, and for the WWE Universe. If they don’t fight together, then the Nexus will win. It’s just that simple. Edge needs to stop thinking so selfishly and pull his head out of his rear end. “That’s the Truth”.
Edge responds that those words are just one version of the truth. As far as he is concerned, the best way to kill a snake is to cut off its head. So Truth needs to get out of the way, or he is going to be speared.
*General Mail Alert*
If this is what Edge wants, then this is what Edge gets. Edge will fight Wade Barrett of the Nexus and this match will be up next!
****Commercial****
Edge v. Wade Barrett
Barrett is strong at the offset as he floors Edge with a punch and sends him to the corner. Edge regains his composure and whips Wade to the opposite corner. Barrett tries to counter a splash, but Edge slides out of the ring and grabs Wade’s legs. Wade hits the mat as Edge slides back into the ring. Edge whips Wade hard into the corner and then follows with a quick modified spear. Cover attempt, but Barrett kicks out. Edge bounces off the ropes and goes for a clothesline, but Wade counters and sends Edge to the floor outside the ring. Wade follows after and slams the head of the Rated R Superstar into the apron. As the referee begins the count out, Wade slides his competitor back into the ring. Wade sets him up on the second rope and applies pressure to his neck with his knee. Wade goes for the cover, but Edge kicks out.
Barrett is frustrated as he lays on a sleeper. Edge’s strength is starting to diminish as he struggles for air. Edge begins to get to his feat, and breaks the hold with his elbow. Both competitors hit stereo clotheslines and they crash to the mat. Edge gets to his feet and connects with a slew of punches to the head of Barrett. Wade reverses an Irish whip, but gets met with a clothesline. Edge lifts him to his feet and hits a quick sit-down backbreaker. Wade kicks out of the cover.
Edge decides to start climbing the turnbuckle. Wade runs over and lifts Edge into the air for his finisher! Edge counters into a DDT! Edge is set up in the corner and begging for the spear. Edge starts to run, but Barrett wisely rolls out of the ring. Edge is fuming as he paces around the ring. Wade shakes his head, and holds his hands up to call the Nexus. Edge bails out of the ring and heads through the crowd.
No Contest
****Commercial****
Backstage, Edge is furiously searching for John Cena. Edge complains that John was nowhere to be found while he was getting outnumbered. Cena said that Edge demanded he do it on his own, so that’s why he wasn’t there to help. Cena says that the only way for them to take down Nexus is with a seven man team. Edge says he quits and walks away.
Jericho walks up to Cena and says that the problem on the team is actually Cena. Jericho says that John is as much of a problem in this company as Nexus. Jericho challenges Cena to a match later tonight. Loser has to leave the Summerslam team.
Video package airs of Bret Hart v. Mr. Perfect from Summerslam 1991
Backstage John Morrison is talking to The Great Khali. Morrison tells him to remember the movie the Magnificent Seven and the fact that all 7 had to work together to achieve their goals. Khali says through his translator that there were also 7 dwarfs. Morrison wishes him luck, and walks away. Nexus comes into the shot and explains that the reason they didn’t attack him last week is because of the fact that they respect him. They let a rumor circulate in his head that if Khali loses his match tonight, he may be kicked off the Summerslam team. They let him know that the door is always open in Nexus for him.
****Commercial****
Jillian, Alicia Fox & Tamina v. Gail Kim, Eve Torres & Natalya
The match starts with Gail Kim and Jillian. Kim is whipped hard into the corner, and Jillian goes for the cover. Kim kicks outs. Hall hits a backbreaker and tries for another pin, but Gail kicks out again. Fox is tagged into the ring. Alicia hits a modified Northern Lights suplex and holds the bridge for a pin. Kim kicks out. Fox tries to tag in a team mate, but Kim stops her, and tags in Natalya.
Natalya starts to turn the pace around for her team, as she hits a beautiful bridged suplex. All hell breaks loose as the girls all start to run into the ring. Kim flies out with a crossbody from the top turnbuckle to her competitors outside the ring. In the end it is Natalya and Fox in the ring. Natalya is going for the Sharpshooter, but Tamina starts to come into the ring. Natalya runs over and knocks her off the apron. Unfortunately, that distraction was all Fox needed to hit her finisher.
Winners via A-Scissors-Kick-So-Ugly-Booker T-Just-Threw-Up: Alicia Fox, Jillian & Tamina
After the match, Fox starts to gloat on the microphone. She claims we are all being treated to the best Women’s Title reign of all time. She says that there is no one who can touch her.
The familiar paparazzi music hits the audio dial, and Melina comes out for her return! Melina runs into the ring and goes right after Fox. It’s a quick matrix dodge followed by an inverted face buster that shuts the mouth of Fox. Melina hits here finisher and poses for the crowd.
****Commercial****
Sheamus v. Goldust
The match starts with Goldust hitting a punch to the head, and then a clothesline. Goldust kicks Sheamus in the gut, and then goes for his drop down punch. Sheamus counters with a strong clothesline. Goldust is in trouble as Sheamus hits the Irish Curse back breaker. Sheamus is powering up, and then connects with the Bro Kick. Sheamus taunts the crowd as he prepares to hit his finisher. Sheamus slams Goldust across the ring with the High Cross, and picks up the pinfall.
Winner via High Cross: Sheamus
After the match, Sheamus grabs the microphone. Sheamus references the fact that a year ago in ECW, he was in a feud against Goldust trying to make a name for himself. But a year later, there isn’t even a challenge. He is a two time WWE Champion, and he is on top of the world. Sheamus puts over the fact that he made it to the top all on his own, by his own hard work. All of the WWE fans are in attendance to watch him. Sheamus asks the crowd about HHH. The man that Orton couldn’t beat, and yet Sheamus ended his career. Sheamus vows to do the same to Orton at Summerslam. Sheamus says he doesn’t need the respect of the crowd, because he already has everything he needs – the Title.
****Commercial****
John Cena v. Chris Jericho
The two men lock up as John pushes Jericho into the corner. The ref breaks them up, and Jericho kicks Cena in the gut. Jericho sends him to the corner hard. John bounces back as Chris hits a snap back suplex. Cena regains his composure as he connects with a couple of punches. He bounces off the ropes, but Jericho dodges the shoulder block and Cena flies out of the ring. Jericho follows after and picks Cena up off the floor. Chris whips John hard into the steel steps.
The referee begins the ten count. Cena rolls into the ring at the very last moment. Chris puts John’s head against the second rope and stands on his shoulders to apply pressure. Jericho taunts Cena as he helps him to his feet. Cena punches Jericho in the gut and backs him into the corner. Cena tries for a running punch, but Jericho counters. John is lying on the mat as Jericho grabs his legs. Chris hits a see saw that sends John neck first into the bottom rope. Jericho pulls Cena to the middle of the ring and locks on a sleeper.
Cena is set up in the corner, and Jericho goes running after him. Cena dodges and Jericho goes shoulder first into the turnbuckle. Cena senses his opportunity and connects with the shoulder block. Cena follows up with the running bulldog and it’s time for the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Jericho springs to his feet and hits the Code Breaker! Cena falls outside the ring. Jericho runs after and slides Cena back into the ring. To Jericho’s chagrin, too much time has passed and Cena kicks out of the cover.
****Commercial****
Back in the ring, Cena is on the mat and Jericho is taunting the crowd. Cena hits a drop toe hold and goes for the STF. Jericho rolls out. Chris then goes for the Walls of Jericho, but Cena rolls out. John then lifts Jericho up for the Attitude Adjustment, but Jericho holds on to the ropes. Cena then tries for a clothesline, but Jericho pulls down the rope and Cena flies out of the ring once again. Cena makes his way on to the apron, as Jericho hits a springboard kick which sends him right back out yet again. This time Jericho heads out as well. Chris yells that Cena is a “stupid man” as he slaps him and slams him head first into the announce table.
Jericho sends Cena back into the ring and heads to the top turnbuckle. Jericho leaps, and connects! Very nice back elbow which sets up the cover. Cena kicks out. The certified brawler that is John Cena makes his way back to his feet and connects with a couple of punches. He goes for the bulldog but gets nothing but air. Jericho leaps from the second rope to hit the lionsault! Cena kicks out.
John has made his way over to the corner as Chris follows after. Jericho is heading up for a Superplex. Cena knocks him down, setting up for the leg drop. From the top rope, Cena leaps and connects on Chris Jericho. He goes for the cover, but fails. Cena lifts Jericho up for the Attitude Adjustment. Jericho counters all the way into the Walls of Jericho. John looks to tap, but reverses into the STF! Before Cena can even lock on the hold, Jericho begins to frantically tap. Cena is perplexed as his music plays for the victory.
Winner via STF: John Cena
After the match, Cena grabs the mic. He says that the fans saw a great match between two of the best in the WWE. Cena does not want Jericho to leave. He says Chris is the best in the world at what he does, and he can go toe to toe with anyone in the ring. Cena wants him on his team, but he won’t beg. Chris can get back into the ring, and they can find their peace and get through Summerslam, after which whatever happens, happens. OR, Jericho can leave and let everyone down, including himself. Jericho starts to head to the ring, but pauses, and heads to the back. He stops at the top of the entrance ramp, and then heads out.
****Commercial****
Edge is sitting backstage as Jericho comes into the room. Edge says that he respects what Jericho did tonight. Cena needs them a lot more than they need Cena. Jericho and Edge decide that they could run the place if they teamed up. They shake hands.
*General Mail Alert*
After what has transpired tonight, Edge & Jericho will team up to wrestle John Cena & Bret Hart next week on RAW. Nexus will be ringside as lumberjacks!
Backstage Josh Mathews is with Randy Orton. Orton puts over his match against Miz tonight. He says that after the match Miz will be in no shape to cash in his Money in the Bank case. Further, come Summerslam, he will be the WWE Champion.
****Commercial****
Trailer airs for John Cena’s new movie Legendary
****Commercial****
The Great Khali w/ Ranjin v. Ted Dibiase w/ Maryse
Ted tries to slap Khali, but “it wasn’t very effective”. Khali pushes him back into the corner and then lifts his hand high up into the air. Khali strikes with a resounding chop. Ted gets to his feet and dives at the leg of the Khali tackling him to the mat. He locks on a headlock, but Khali gets back to his feet. Khali is able to hit a head chop, and Ted scurries away before being hit with another. Khali does seem to be going for a choke slam, but Maryse distracts him. Ted rakes the eyes of the giant, and the big man starts to reel.
Nexus starts to make their way down to ringside. Dibiase is very flustered. Khali takes advantage of the situation and locks on the Vice Grip. The referee calls for the bell as Khali picks up the win. Maryse looks embarrassed as we head to commercial.
Winner via Vice Grip: The Great Khali
****Commercial****
Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg are sitting down for an interview to promote their upcoming movie “The Other Guys”. The Bellas walk in to be their usual scripted street-walking characters. The segment ends with Ferrell calling them average looking, and Wahlberg left out in the cold.
The Miz makes his entrance. He grabs the microphone and proclaims that he will be the WWE Champion. Because “I’m the Miz, and I’m awesome!”.
The Miz v. Randy Orton
The two tie up in the middle of the ring as Orton is able to back Miz into the corner. Without breaking the hold, Miz spins out and backs Orton into the adjacent corner. Miz starts off strong with kicks and punches. Randy is whipped into the corner, but bounces out and hits a clothesline. Orton splits the leg of Miz, and stomps hard on his gut. Miz’s scalp is crushed via the boot of Orton with a hard stomp. Miz rolls out of the way of a flying knee.
Miz connects with a knee of his own and goes for a cover. Orton kicks out. Randy is in the corner and Miz applies his boot onto his throat to choke the Viper. Miz hits a series of punches as the ref tells him to back off. Orton kicks Miz in the face and then hits a see saw to send Miz’s neck into the bottom rope. This time, Orton does connect with his flying knee drop. Orton goes for the cover, but Miz is able to kick out. Orton clotheslines Miz outside of the ring.
Sheamus appears on the top of the entrance ramp as we head to our final commercial of the evening.
****Commercial****
Back from break, Orton is kicked brutally by the boot of Miz. Miz then gets behind Orton and centers on the head region and slams his forearms across the chest of Orton. He goes for the cover, but Orton kicks out. Orton grabs the neck of Miz from behind and hits the inverted back breaker. Both men are struggling to get to their feet. Orton is favoring his left knee as Sheamus looks on. Miz trips Randy head first into the turnbuckle. Miz starts to choke him out with the bottom of his foot in the corner. Miz is powering up for a splash, and connects!
Miz goes for the cover, but Orton kicks out. Orton connects with an uppercut out of NOWHERE! It only buys Randy a small amount of time as Miz is able to keep him down on the mat. Miz goes for a punch, but Orton blocks and goes for one of his own. Orton is able to start his momentum as he hits a clothesline, and then follows up with the snap scoop slam. Orton is looking for the RKO, but Miz rolls to the apron. Randy hits him in the head, and then sets up for his suspended DDT! Miz counters and throws Orton to the outside!
Miz follows after and rolls Orton back into the ring. Miz hits a beautiful backbreaker neckbreaker combo and goes for the cover! Orton kicks out. Miz runs at Orton for a clothesline, but Orton dodges and hits an RKO! This match is over.
Winner via RKO: Randy Orton
RAW Thoughts
Well, I WAS praising the company for setting up their Summerslam matches so far in advance that they could get really strong build, but that kind of fell apart tonight. To be fair, to expect that team of seven to get along for a month was asking a lot, so it makes perfect sense. I was just starting to get excited about the team that they did have. This is actually not that bad of angle if you really think about it. The caliber of talent on the RAW team versus the Nexus team was incredibly lopsided. By throwing doubt into the cohesion and makeup of the RAW groups, it acts as a leveling agent. It will be interesting to see how this plays out over the next two weeks.
Edge v. Wade was fairly predictable. I’m just trying to figure out why Wade exited the ring at the end. He easily could have just stayed in and picked up the count out victory. The Nexus never touched Edge so there would be no disqualification elements present. It’s not that important, I just think Wade being able to say he defeated Edge would hold more value than a no contest.
Is Alicia Fox even trying anymore? That Scissors Kick wasn’t just sloppy, it was a complete joke. I was never the biggest Melina fan in the world, but it was nice to see Fox laid out for once.
Sheamus v. Goldust was what it was intended to be – a squash match. I liked the fact that they showed the parallel between this match and where Sheamus was in his career a year ago. I remember recapping those matches against Goldust, and they were pretty decent match ups. It didn’t exactly come across in tonight’s match, but Dust is in some of the best shape of his entire career. His ability to work with younger talent, and appear as a legitimate jobber does make him a valuable asset to the company.
I’m honestly confused about the Cena v. Jericho match. I can’t figure out why Jericho decided to tap that fast. It’s quite fantastic, because something so small has created a million different possibilities in my mind. The match its self was decent. I wouldn’t go out of my way to see it, but it was appropriate for free TV. RAW just seems to be leaving me very confused this week.
Jericho & Edge teaming up could be epic. They could wreak quite a bit of havoc if they can separate themselves from the Cena/Nexus drama. Their match against Cena & Hart with the Nexus lumber jacks actually sounds pretty awesome for next Monday. I can’t believe I’m excited for a lumberjack match of all things. This is what happens when RAW is slow, odd things get me excited.
I’m not even going to comment on Wahlberg & Will Ferrell. Clearly that doesn’t even count as guest hosts. They just flew out the Bellas to act slutty and filmed a quick segment.
The Miz v. Orton was… ok I guess. It didn’t do all that much for me. I will say that I strongly dislike when someone picks up the victory by hitting one move out of the blue. Case in point that RKO, it just felt like a letdown after a decent match. It just capped off what turned out to be a rather lackluster RAW. It’s just not a show that I’ll be talking about even a month from now, let alone remember in six months. Nothing bad (except for Alicia Fox), just nothing all that great. I chalk this week up as a forgettable show.
I do read every single e-mail you guys send, and really appreciate hearing your thoughts. 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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