WWE Monday Night Raw
Columbus, Ohio
September 5, 2011
Commentators: Jerry “The King” Lawler, Jim Ross & Michael Cole
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 a video package highlighting the CM Punk/Kevin Nash/Triple H feud. Punk walks down to the ring and says that he doesn’t have a filter between his brain and mouth. Punk says that he claims to be the best in the world, which he backs up every time he steps in the ring. He says that because he is different, he has been made a target for many people. Punk doesn’t know why R-Truth attacked him last week, but they have a match later tonight. Punk says that Kevin Nash is the skull crushing status quo. He has been using the same music and hair dye since the early 90s. Punk says that he believes Nash and HHH are still best buddies, despite their fighting. Punk calls out Nash to get into the ring and face him like a man. It doesn’t look like Nash is going to show, so Punk begins to stand up.
Nash’s music hits and he appears on the entrance ramp with a mic. He says that he does whatever he wants, and isn’t going to take orders from Punk. CM references a bunch of different Nash personas over the years. Nash asks what Punk really expects to happen here tonight. Punk should be grateful that HHH pulled him out of their match. Punk says that Nash hasn’t been relevant in over a decade. Nash begins to walk towards the ring. Punk says that no matter how many times Nash beats him down, he will always get back up.
HHH’s music hits and he walks down to the outside of the ring, where Nash is standing. Nash says that Punk is a cancer that needs to be removed. The universe isn’t big enough for both Nash and Punk. HHH gets in the ring and says that normally he would be inclined to release Punk, but this is the week where HHH found out the truth. Trips received security footage from outside his office. He knows that Nash is the person who sent himself the text. Nash admits that he lied. He says he did it to make the WWE exciting and cool again. Nash says that HHH must decide between him and Punk. Both me cannot stay in the company.
HHH says that he doesn’t like CM Punk, but Punk has never lied to him. Nash has spent all of his time lying to HHH. So, HHH will get rid of Nash. Kevin interrupts and says that he can’t believe HHH would choose Punk over him. He asks if this is all about the push last week. If that is the case, then what is HHH going to do about it if Nash pushes him? He continues to goad HHH, until The Game punches him in the face and drops him to the mat! HHH says that maybe they used to be friends, but Nash is fired.
****Commercial****
Kevin Nash is shown in the back entering a Cadillac with John Laurinaitis.
Evan Bourne & Kofi Kingston v. Jinder Mahal and The Great Khali
Bourne and Jinder start things off. Jinder uses his size to get the quick advantage, but Evan uses his speed to spin in with a few kicks. Bourne is grounded once again, and Khali gets the tag. He hits a clothesline on Bourne and throws him head first into the turnbuckle. He kicks him in the gut, and then smashes his boot into Bourne’s face for good measure. Khali hits a huge chop to the chest and tags in his partner. Jinder hits a dropkick and then drops a knee onto Bourne. Kofi gets the tag and runs into the ring with a high clothesline. He runs towards the ropes, but Khali pulls them down and Kofi flies out of the ring. Khali tries to hit Kingston as he reenters the ring, but makes contact with Jinder instead. Bourne gets the tag and takes to the top turnbuckle. Bourne leaps for the Shooting Star Press, and this match is over!
Winners via Air Booming It Up: Evan Bourne & Kofi Kingston
In the back, Ricardo Rodriguez and Alberto Del Rio are shown entering the building.
****Commercial****
Beth Phoenix w/ Natalya v. Eve Torres w/ Kelly Kelly
Kelly Kelly and Natalya have joined commentary for this matchup. Eve botches a cruiser bridge sequence, and gets whipped shoulder first into the steel post. Beth tries to drop a leg on Eve, but Eve moves out of the way. She hits a running clothesline and then hits a running front flip. Beth lifts up Eve for the Glam Slam, and this match is over.
Winner & #1 Contender for Divas Championship: Beth Phoenix
After the match, Natalya attacks Kelly from behind. She gets into the ring to taunt the other Divas with Beth.
****Commercial****
Drew McIntyre is in the back talking to Ricardo Rodriguez. Drew leaves the shot, and Christian walks up to talk to Del Rio. Rio tells Christian that Cena is the reason he isn’t the World Heavyweight Championship. Del Rio wishes him well and exits.
Video Package: Inside Out
****Commercial****
R-Truth comes out and asks what exactly Punk is doing which is different? Truth has been telling the real truth his entire life. Maybe he should keep his mouth shut, buy a ticket, and go to Night of Champions to eat junk food with all the other fans. The Miz walks out and says that he has had an epiphany. He and Truth know what is going on around here, and there is definitely a conspiracy. HHH is in way over his head as COO. He then goes on to mock the name, “Air Boom”. Truth makes some potty humor jokes and says he is going to take out Punk.
****Commercial****
R-Truth w/ The Miz v. CM Punk
Punk goes for a quick arm bar and kicks the back of Truth’s leg. Cover attempt, but Truth kicks out. Punk kicks him square in the back, and then goes back to working the leg. Punk stomps him in the gut and then transfers into a side headlock. Truth escapes and smacks his opponent in the face. Truth locks on a side headlock of his own. Truth gets caught with a dropkick while running the ropes, and slides out of the ring. Miz comes to his side for positive reinforcement. Punk flies out with a suicide dive, which Miz avoids but catches Truth.
Back in the ring Truth stomps on Punk’s stomach. He locks on a side headlock, and then throws Punk out of the ring. Miz gets in a cheap shot and then runs away before the referee can see him. Truth rolls Punk back into the ring and goes for the cover. Truth kicks out and then begins to attack the back of Punk’s knee. Truth slams the knee down hard against the apron. Punk attempts a quick roll up, but Truth kicks out. Miz is smiling from ringside as Truth punches the skull of Punk. Truth connects with a scoop slam and then heads to the top turnbuckle. Punk gets to his feet and punches Truth. He follows up the ropes and is looking for a Superplex. Truth attempts to fight him off, but instead goes flying into the ring! Both men are down as the ref begins the 10 count.
Punk blocks a punch and aims with a flurry of kicks. He charges towards Truth in the corner and hits the high knee. He connects with a monkey flip and then leaps for a springboard clothesline. Punk lifts him up for the GTS, but Trust counters into a facebuster. Punk kicks out of the cover! Punk kicks Miz through the ropes, which makes The Miz irate. The referee bans The Miz to the back. Punk spins around and Truth connects with a blow to the back. Punk shakes it off and hits the GTS. This match is over!
Winner via GTS: CM Punk
After the match, HHH’s music hits. The Game walks into the ring and Punk has a mic. Punk says that he doesn’t buy the punch between Nash and Trips earlier tonight. HHH says that either way Nash is fired. HHH says that their match at Night of Champions has been changed. Trips says that Punk made their feud personal. He won’t be satisfied just pinning Punk, he wants to truly hurt him. HHH declares that their match at Night of Champions will be No DQ. HHH says that Punk should hope he gets this all out of his system, because if not he just might fire Punk as well. Punk says that he’ll agree to the stipulation that if Punk wins, HHH must resign as the COO. Trips agrees!
Wade Barrett is in the back with Tyler Reks and Curt Hawkins. Del Rio enters and begins to talk about Cena. Wade says that he doesn’t need any motivation to go after Cena, he already has plenty.
****Commercial****
David Otunga & Michael McGillicutty v. Zack Ryder & Jerry Lawler
Ryder and Otunga start off the match. Otunga stretches him against the second rope, and Michael gets in a cheap shot. Cover attempt from Otunga, but Ryder kicks out. Otunga holds him in a front headlock to keep him from the tag. Ryder escapes and Lawler gets the tag. It’s a series of punches and a dropkick which leads to a cover. Jerry kicks out. Ryder sends Michael flying out of the ring, and Jerry heads to the second rope. He leaps for the patented fist drop. Instead of going for the cover, Ryder begs for the tag. He hits the Rough Ryder, and this match is over!
Winners via Rough Ryder: Zack Ryder and Jerry Lawler
Alberto Del Rio is in the back with Dolph Ziggler, trying to convince him to join his crusade against John Cena. Ziggler says that Rio is afraid of Cena. The Bellas come up to fawn all over the slice of Mexican royalty. Rio suggests that Vickie doesn’t want Swagger just to be a client, but also someone who will fight for her. But, that’s not his business. Ziggler bites his lip in frustration.
****Commercial****
Randy Orton vs. Heath Slater
This match doesn’t last long as Orton hits the RKO and picks up the victory.
Winner via RKO: Randy Orton
In the back, Ryder is filming his show and expresses his excitement to John Cena.
****Commercial***
Cena’s music hits and he runs down to the ring. He calls out Alberto Del Rio, but knows that Rio will only have an excuse as to why they can’t fight tonight. The WWE Champion comes out in his expensive rent-a-car and grabs a mic. Rio says that he is just trying to give Cena a fighting chance. He points out that Mysterio is out of action due to his attack. Rio says that he didn’t injure Cena two weeks ago because he wants to give him a fighting chance at the PPV. Last week, Rio didn’t show up at the show because he was trying to protect Cena. He is avoiding entering the ring with Cena tonight, because he is trying to protect him. Rio says that he only speaks for himself, but he can’t say the same about these guys –
Swagger and Wade run into the ring to attack Cena. Ziggler runs down to join in the fight. Sheamus, John Morrison and Christian run down to Cena’s defense and clear the ring. Teddy Long’s music hits and he says that he has been given the authority to intervene when necessary. He says that all 8 of these men will be in action right now!
****Commercial****
Wade Barrett, Dolph Ziggler, Jack Swagger & Christian v. John Morrison, Alex Riley, John Cena & Sheamus
Wade is in the ring with Riley and whips him into the corner. Riley dodges and struggles to get to a tag. Morrison and Dolph both come into the ring. Morrison hits a flipping slam and then mounts Ziggler. Christian runs in to break up a cover, which allows Ziggler to lock on a sleeper. Morrison is fading and Swagger gets the tag. He cinches on the Ankle Lock, which forces Morrison to tap.
John Morrison has been eliminated
****Commercial****
Ziggler drops an elbow on Riley and goes for a cover. Alex kicks out, but gets caught in a side headlock. Back on his feet, Riley tries to escape and does so by connecting with a couple lariats and a spinebuster. Riley knocks Swagger off the apron, which allows Dolph to attempt a cover. Riley kicks out. Dolph is looking for the Sleeper, but Swagger tags himself in. Jack goes back to the Ankle Lock, but gets sent into the cover. He blocks a charge and grabs Riley’s ankle once again. Riley taps out.
Alex Riley has been eliminated
Sheamus enters the ring and squares off against Wade Barrett. He punches him in the skull, but gets a knee driven into his gut. Wade punches him in the head and uses the ropes for leverage to hit some high knees. Wade kicks him in the face and goes for the cover. Sheamus kicks out. Wade grabs a headlock and is trying to choke out the “Great White”, as Jim Ross keeps referring to Sheamus. Wade connects with another big boot, but gets lifted into a shoulder slam. Sheamus hits clubbing blows across Wade’s chest and knocks the wind out of his lungs. Sheamus climbs onto the apron and hits a knee thrust. He then scales to the top rope and leaps for a shoulder block. Sheamus tries for a Brogue kick, but Wade blocks and goes for a slam. Sheamus reels back and hits the Brogue Kick!
Wade Barrett has been eliminated
Christian runs into the ring and tries for a quick cover, Sheamus kicks out. Christian slaps him across the face, which angers the Celtic Warrior. Christian runs out of the ring and into the crowd. Sheamus follows after and Christian keeps running, now up towards the ramp. Sheamus follows after and both men are counted out of the match.
Christian & Sheamus have been eliminated
Cena finally enters the ring and goes after Jack Swagger. He charges him in the corner and then just tosses Dolph up into the air. He knocks Swagger down again, but Dolph connects with a dropkick. Swagger throws Cena chest first into the turnbuckle, and then tags in Dolph. Cena is stomped to oblivion and staggers to his feet. Ziggler knocks him back down, and tags in Swagger. Jack kicks Cena in the gut and pulls him into the middle of the ring. The crowd begins a loud “Let’s Go Cena, Cena Sucks” chant. Vickie is shown at ringside cheering on her men. Swagger stands over the fallen body of Cena and throws him into the ropes. Cena dodges a clothesline and hits a shoulder block on both Swagger and Dolph. Cena lays out both men in the middle of the ring and looks to be going for his newest evolutionary masterpiece, the 10 Knuckle Shuffle. Swagger plants Cena with a simple slam and charges for his second rope splash. The move connects and he wants the Ankle Lock. Ziggler tags himself in, and begins to argue with Swagger. Cena uses the moment to scramble to his feet and hit the AA.
Dolph Ziggler has been eliminated
Swagger immediately grabs the Ankle Lock. Cena counters into the STF! Swagger tries to reach for the ropes, but there are a few crucial inches too far away.
Winners: John Morrison, Alex Riley, John Cena & Sheamus
After the match, Alberto Del Rio runs into the ring to attack Cena. This time, surprise isn’t a big enough factor as Cena is able to send him right back out of the ring.
David’s Thoughts
Tonight’s opening was a little too contrived for my liking. Nash is certainly talented on the mic in his own way, but for whatever reason he and Punk just don’t mesh well together. I don’t know if their styles are just too different or what, but I just can’t feel the chemistry and flow when they are in the ring together. Punk has the swagger, while Nash is like a genetically altered Wilford Brimley.
Okay, let me just say it once and get it off my chest – “Air Boom” is an awful Tag Team name for Bourne and Kofi. It’s so lame.
I heard Beth in an interview talking about her new ring attire. I get that she wanted to be different, but just being different doesn’t mean being better. It’s an awkward ensemble.
So… what ever happened to the Anonymous RAW General Manager? Even if they came out and said it was HHH, at least we would get a reveal. Sadly, it looks the WWE is just never going to mention it again and hope that the audience forgets about it. Truthfully, give it a couple more weeks and we probably will. Oh well.
Punk/Truth was a very solid showing. It did pretty much everything you’d hope for from a TV match. Most importantly it told a story and progressed the angle.
As for that Miz/Truth segment before the match – I’m not sure what to say. At times I was laughing, at other times I was in awe of how juvenile and awkward the moment felt. Maybe they should just do it again next week, can’t hurt.
Zack Ryder was on RAW. Here’s the thing, I just don’t see him translating his popularity into the broader WWE audience, sorry. It doesn’t matter how much a minority of fans are obsessed with the guy, because they will always be a minority. You’re welcome comment trolls.
I actually enjoyed the match between Slater and Orton. Sure, it wasn’t much more than a glorified squash, but sometimes you have to water the gourd every now and then. By that I mean, Orton should continue to grow each week, and not become a stagnant Champion.
The main event was slow to start, but really caught a lot of wind in its sails by the end. Cena is obviously a guy that you either love or hate, but you can’t deny the reaction he got during the de facto hot tag at the end of the show. For the first time in the entire evening, the crowd finally let loose.
It wasn’t a bad RAW, it wasn’t a great RAW. El Dorado wasn’t conquered. It was just… RAW. I’ll take it.
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!
– David Stephens
Follow me on Twitter!@TheDaveStephens
Visit WrestleView daily for unique columns, recaps, audio and more including my column That’s a Wrap! Also, check out my radio show for the WrestleView Radio Network called The Teacher’s Lounge with co-host Anthony “Mr. V” Valvo. If you’re a VIP member, you don’t want to miss it!
