WWE Monday Night Raw
Los Angelos, CA
August 23rd 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!
The show opens with a video recap of the Nexus happenings from last week, including the exile of Darren Young.
Sheamus’ music hits and he makes his way down to the ring. He goes ringside with a microphone to berate little kids, and say that they don’t deserve to have tickets to get to see him. He says that Americans are all little babies, the biggest of which is Randy Orton. Sheamus is tired of the crowd chanting RKO. But it doesn’t matter, because Orton is not the WWE Champion, the Champ is Sheamus! Sheamus says that he explained his case to the GM that Randy should not have a Title shot at Night of Champions.
*GeneralMail Alert*
The General Manager feels that he actually does not dislike Sheamus. So instead, he has another idea. He calls for ring helpers to bring out a throne. A throne emerges, and the General Manager says that Sheamus will watch tonight’s matches, and then at the end of the show pick one of the competitors to be his challenger.
Edge v. R-Truth
An emergency pulled me out at the beginning of this match. I apologize for the brevity.
Winner: Edge
I’m tagging in WrestleView reader, and friend, Jeremy Samples to cover RAW for 20 minutes as I take care of this situation. I apologize in advance
Jericho vs. The Great Khali
Chris Jericho starts off the match by attacking The Great Khali’s knee, and making him vulnerable. Sheamus watches on from his thrown on the stage. Jericho goes for the Walls, but Khali locks the Vice Grip on him instead. Jericho escapes, and continues his work on Khali’s knee. Jericho attempts to hit the Codebreaker and Khali pushes him off. Khali hits a couple clotheslines and then a slam. Khali looks on at Sheamus, as Jericho escapes a finisher. Now, Jericho is desperately trying to lock in the Walls of Jericho. Finally, gets the Walls locked in. Khali taps out.
Winner: Chris Jericho
After the match, Jericho looks on to Sheamus, while Sheamus has a bewildered look on his face. Jericho: “Did you see that Sheamus? I hope you weren’t taking Edge’s comments to heart. I was the first Undisputed Champion. I just made a Giant tap out. I am in the best in the world at what I do, not Edge. So, it’s vital that you choose me as your next opponent! Do you understand what I’m saying to you right now?!” Khali then attacks Jericho from behind and knocks him out of the ring.
Highlight clip of Bryan Danielson being defeated by Michael Tarver last week on Raw with Alex Riley and Miz’s post-match attack. Miz delivered the Skull-Crushing Finale.
John Cena Interview: Cena comments on last week’s attack as being “petty and classless”. He doesn’t regret choosing Daniel Bryan at Summerslam. Miz cost them the match. Miz has developed an overinflated ego and attitude problem. Cena says tonight that he will shut his mouth with an Attitude Adjustment.
*Commercial*
Jillian is in the ring currently cutting a promo. She says that she has been the Diva’s Champion before, and will be again tonight. Because she is….”Not Afraid…to take a stand…” and sing an epic rendition of Eminem’s hit, “Not Afraid”. Melina interrupts and makes her entrance to the ring. An ad for Golden Corral and Pep Boys.
WWE Diva’s Championship
Melina (c) vs. Jillian Hall
They lock up in the center of the ring, and Jillian pushes Melina to the ropes. Hits her with an elbow, and Melina locks on a foothold from the top rope. Melina then tries to take control by hitting another move off of the rope. Jillian moves out of the way, and regains control with a handful of hair. Jillian locks in a submission, with her foot in the middle of Melina’s back. She then “surfs” on top of Melina. Melina then hits a part of the Sunset Flip. Melina tries to attack with her finishes, but Jillian hits her away. Jillian attacks from the top rope after letting out a lower octave scream. Melina moves out of the way and hits The Last Call on Jillian.
Winner: Melina
After the match, the commentators talked about all of the screaming, as well as talking about the history of the Diva’s Championship. They show a highlight clip of the finisher of the match. LayCool appears on the video screen, saying that they “kind of felt bad about what they did at SummerSlam”. But, they were joking. LayCool said that next week was the 900th episode of Raw, and that they would be there. They said that they had an offer for Melina next week on Raw, and that it would be “flawless”.
Backstage Interview of Josh Matthews with the Miz: He comments on nailing Daniel Bryan in the back of the head at SummerSlam. But, what about Cena? He put Team WWE at risk when he chose Daniel Bryan over him. He’s surprised that Cena wants to talk about ego’s. After SummerSlam, Sheamus was out and down. Miz says that he refused to cash in his Money In The Bank contract. The least Cena could have done was talk to him backstage about it. The Miz said that he will finish things with Cena tonight. The Miz says that he doubts Sheamus will pick him to face at Night of Champions…but that doesn’t really matter now does it? Because he can pick Sheamus anytime he wants with his Money In The Bank contract. “He may pick him tonight.”
*Commercial*
We come back to Sheamus sitting on his throne. The Nexus comes out to the ramp, led by Wade Barrettt and without Darren Young. Sheamus begins to ask what they wanted, but Michael Cole receives an E-Mail from the General Manager. And I quote, “I told Nexus to come out here because I was impressed with their performance last week. The ban that Nexus can no longer compete for titles has been lifted. Wade Barrettt stares down Sheamus. Wade Barrettt says, “Consider our truce over.” Nexus then leaves the stage, while Sheamus has a very worried look on his face.
John Cena and The Miz are showing walking backstage to the ring for their match. Can Cena shut Miz’s mouth and his attitude with an adjustment? We’ll find out next!
****Commercial****
Cody Rhodes is guest-starring at WareHouse 13 on Sci-Fi. A Pep-Boys highlight commercial plays of the highlights of Daniel Bryan from last Monday night.
Alright, I’ve been tagged back in to finish off the recap. Thanks again to Jeremy Samples for the help!
John Cena v. The Miz
The two square off in the ring and you can feel the tension rising. Miz starts off with a strong punch to the face, and then lays Cena out on the mat. Miz stays strong on the attack as he whips Cena hard into the turnbuckle. John springs to his feet and connects with a huge side slam on Miz. Cover attempt, but Miz kicks out.
Miz is set up in the turnbuckle and Miz charges after. Cena misses, and flies shoulder first into the steel post. Miz tries for a cover, but Cena kicks out. Miz lifts Cena to his feet and sends him right back to the mat with a punch. Cena is on all fours as Miz bounces off the ropes and kicks him hard in the gut. Miz follows up with a nice leg drop and goes for the cover. Cena kicks out. Miz sends Cena careening to the outside of the ring as we head to commercial.
****Commercial****
We come back as the Miz has Cena in a headlock. John powers out and makes it back to his feet. Cena escapes and tries for a running bulldog, but Miz counters and Cena flies forward catching nothing but air. Miz takes advantage of the moment by kicking Cena square in the head punt style. Cena is now laying with his head under the apron as Miz sets up for a slingshot. The move connects and Cena hits the bottom rope neck first. Cover attempt, Cena kicks out.
Cena is thrown into the corner. Miz runs wildly across and connects with his patented splash. Another cover, but again Cena kicks out. Cena is once again in a corner, but this time he dodges a splash attempt. Cena is the first to his feet and hits two consecutive flying shoulder tackles. A side slam later, and it is time for “You Can’t See Me”. Five Knuckle Shuffle connects, and Miz is out cold.
Miz kicks out of the cover and then connects with his backbreaker, neck snap combination from The Miz sends Cena down to the mat. He goes for the cover, but Cena kicks out. Miz is looking for the kill and he attempts to lock up Cena for the Skull Crushing Finale. John counters into the STF! The Miz is moments away from tapping, but he reaches the ropes!
Miz tries a quick cover on Cena, but fails. Miz sends Cena front first into the turnbuckle, and again tries for the Skull Crushing Finale. Cena counters and is looking for a clothesline. Miz wisely slips out of the ring to avoid the move. Before he can make his way back into the ring, down runs Daniel Bryan! Bryan attacks Miz from behind with a series of kicks and punches. Daniel then rolls Miz back into the ring. The referee meanwhile, has called for the DQ.
Winner via DQ: The Miz
Cena lifts up the fallen Miz, and sets him up for the Attitude Adjustment. The move connects as the bell rings to confirm the disqualification. Cena looks at Bryan as if to send his approval, and then exits the ring. Daniel slides into the ring, and has very evil intentions for Miz. Bryan locks on a cross face! Miz starts to tap, and it takes all of the referees to separate the two! Daniel’s music hits as he heads to the back.
****Commercial****
Santino & Kozlov v. The Usos with Tamina
Santino and Jimmy start things off in the ring. Jimmy quickly gets Santino to his knees and delivers a hard kick to the gut. Jimmy tags in his brother. Jay is in the ring now, and goes for a cover. Santino kicks out, and Jimmy is tagged back into the match. Santino hits a dropkick to the face of Jimmy, but still gets caught with an elbow drop. Santino kicks out of the cover. Jimmy tries his best to keep Santino from the corner, and manages to hold him back. Jimmy takes a moment to punch Kozlov, but as a result, gives Santino the room to make the tag.
Kozlov comes charging into the ring and takes out Jay with a Spinebuster. Jimmy comes in to make the save. Santino throws Jimmy out of the ring, and takes a second to check out Santino. Jay kicks Santino in the face with version of a super kick. Santino falls to the outside of the ring. Kozlov picks up Jay and hits his finisher. This match is over.
Winners: Santino & Kozlov
After the match, Tamina stops her brothers from further attacking Santino. They seem disgusted by her actions, but she doesn’t care. Tamina plants a kiss on Santino’s cheek! The “Italian” star looks shocked as we head to commercial.
****Commercial****
Randy Orton v. John Morrison v. Ted Dibiase
The match starts with Morrison hitting a flash kick which sends Ted outside of the ring. Randy hits a shoulder block and tries for a cover on Morrison. John kicks out, but gets caught in a side headlock. Morrison is able to get to his feet, but Dibiase has entered the ring. Ted throws John to the outside, and then starts to go after Orton. He has Randy on the mat, and continues with his onslaught of fists and kicks. Orton is in the corner and uses the ropes to return to his feet.
Sheamus left his place on the thrown and headed towards the back. Apparently, he is finished with this match.
Morrison makes sway back into the ring and starts to go after Ted. The two struggle back and forth as Orton takes a moment to regain his ground. Ted finds himself catapulted back outside of the ring. Meanwhile, Morrison senses his opportunity and springboards from the apron into the ring for a crossbody. Orton manages to catch Morrison in mid-air and hits the RKO! That was incredible and this match is over!
Winner via RKO: Randy Orton
After the match, Ted Dibiase Jr. attempts a sneak attack on Orton. For his trouble, he too is hit with an RKO!
In the back, Josh Mathews asks Sheamus why he left the match early. Sheamus says that he had no need to watch the match, because he has already reached a decision as to who his Night of Champions opponent will be. He will inform the whole world, next.
****Commercial****
Sheamus is in the ring to announce his choice. He says that he wants to pick an opponent out of left field. He wants to pick someone who has never had a title shot. His choice…. Zack Ryder!!!
Ryder’s fantastic music hits, and he has a mic. He says that Sheamus just made a big mistake, because people all over the world know that they are looking at the next big thing.
WWE Championship Match
Sheamus v. Zack Ryder
OH RADIO!!! tell me everything you know…
The match starts with Sheamus hitting a bro kick to the skull of Zack Ryder. Well, that was quick.
Winner & STILL WWE Champion: Sheamus
Sheamus takes back to the mic, and lets the audience in on a little secret. Now that he has defended the Title, he doesn’t need to defend it for another 30 days. (That’s actually a clause for the record). So, no Night of Champions for Sheamus
Well, Wade Barrett apparently is not too impressed. He comes down to the ring. He says that legally, Sheamus is correct. BUT, there is something else to keep in mind. Because Wade won season 1 of NXT, he was granted a shot at any Title of his choosing, at any PPV of his choosing. So, he will be facing Sheamus for the Title at Night of Champions.
*GeneralMail Alert*
Sheamus WILL defend against Barrett at Night of Champions. Also, Sheamus will face Chris Jericho, Randy Orton, Edge & John Cena; Because it’s going to be a six pack challenge at the PPV!
Everyone’s music hits, and they all make their way down to the ring individually. All five men surround Barrett, as is eerily similar to the way Nexus surrounds their prey. Cena is first to strike, and the rest all join in. Wade is thrown out of the ring. Jericho spins around and hits Sheamus with a Code Breaker. Edge hits Jericho with a Spear, Cena hits Edge with the Attitude Adjustment and then Orton finishes off with the RKO. Orton’s music plays as we fade to black.
Quick Thoughts
Not really all that much to say about RAW this week. It wasn’t live, which always puts a downer on the show. The Cena/Miz match was pretty awesome, so that’s certainly worth mentioning. Next week should be a pretty big show as we build to Night of Champions. 900 episodes is a crazy amount. Wow.
Thanks again to Jeremy Samples for covering my butt for about half an hour. An emergency came up that I had to take care of, and I really appreciate the fact that we have amazing readers such as Jeremy who have no grievance towards stepping in to help the site at literally a moment’s notice. You guys are truly the best!
I had the opportunity to interview Colt Cabana this past week with my Co-Host Mr. V on are WrestleView Radio Show. If you haven’t yet, please check out this past week’s “Teacher’s Lounge”.
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. (there were a lot of great ones that I didn’t get a chance to respond to this past week, and I hope to reply to them this week so sorry if you were one of them!)
Visit WrestleView daily for unique columns, recaps, audio and more including my columns That’s a Wrap and WrestleView Road Trip! Also, check out my audio show for the WrestleView Radio Network featuring Anthony Valvo (Mr. V) entitled “The Teacher’s Lounge”. If you’re a VIP member, don’t miss it!
