WWE Monday Night Raw
Chicago, Illinois
September 3,2012
Commentators: Michael Cole and The Miz
Report by: David Stephens of Wrestleview.com
Are you ready? Then stop questioning your heart and join me because it’s time for Monday Night RAW!
Michael Cole informs us that Lawler did not come out to the commentator’s booth tonight. We cut to a clip from three minutes before the show in which CM Punk is attacking Lawler backstage. Referees break them up, but the King has fallen and doesn’t look able to get up. Someone should call all of his horses and men and see if they can put him back together again.
Justin Roberts is in the ring and introduces Sheamus. The Great White makes his way down to the ring. He puts over the fact that he is in Chicago tonight. He says that whenever he is here the party never ends, but tonight it will end for one person – Alberto Del Rio.
CM Punk’s music hits and he interrupts Sheamus as he is speaking. The crowd erupts into a loud *CM Punk* chant as he stands on the entrance ramp. Punk tells Sheamus not to come out here and try to talk to his hometown. They can’t relate to a guy like Sheamus, they can however relate to a guy like Punk because this is where he is from. Punk puts over the fact that he beat up Jerry Lawler. What the camera did not catch was Lawler attacking Punk from behind. Punk says that Lawler got what he deserved, Chicago style. Punk says that last week he decided to teach Jerry a lesson in respect until a little white knight decided to stick his nose where it didn’t belong. That white knight was John Cena. Punk drops the Title and asks the crowd if Lawler was right when he said that Punk turned his back on the WWE Universe. The crowd naturally roars no. Punk tells Cena that by helping Lawler he disrespected Punk. If you choose to disrespect the WWE Champion for 288 days, then it is in fact Cena who has turned his back on the WWE Universe.
Sheamus cuts in to interrupt. He acknowledges that he is in Punk’s hometown. He says that to come out here and says that he is the best in the world seems to leave out the fact that Sheamus is the World Heavyweight Champion. Sheamus reminds Punk that he complained about Rock interrupting him, but now he is doing the same exact thing to Sheamus. At least The Rock had the guts to step into the ring and not hide up on the entrance ramp.
Punk says he has already beaten up one goon tonight so he doesn’t need to fight Sheamus. The fact that Sheamus is the World Heavyweight Champion makes him the second best in the world.
AJ’s music hits and she comes out to announce some matches. She says that Alberto Del Rio will be facing John Cena. The other main event for tonight will be a Champion vs Champion match. Sheamus will take on CM Punk. AJ decides to prance about the ring for good measure.
# In the back Randy Orton is shown getting ready for his match against Dolph Ziggler which is up next.
****Commercial****
Dolph Ziggler v. Randy Orton
They lock up and Ziggler pushes Orton down toward the mat. Orton gets back to his feet and uses a side headlock to ground Ziggler. Dolph is whipped towards the corner but jumps over Orton only to be caught with a vertical suplex. Cover, but Dolph kicks out. Orton is whipped towards the corner but bounces right back out with a clothesline. Dolph is tossed out of the ring and Orton follows after. Ziggler meets the barricade face first, twice. The referee is counting as Orton slides back into the ring.
****Commercial****
Back from the break Ziggler is in control. We see that during the break he was tossed into the barricade. Ziggler rolls him back into the ring and follows after. Ziggler cinches on a rear headlock and bridges to apply pressure. Orton slowly climbs back towards his feet. He fights free with fists, only to be knocked back down to the mat. Ziggler tries to climb to the top rope, but Orton gets to his feet and knocks him to a seated position. Orton climbs up after and goes all the way to the top rope for a Superplex. Cover, but Ziggler kicks out!
Orton tries to push Ziggler onto the apron for the DDT, but he pulls down on Orton’s neck. Back inside the ring Orton hits a backbreaker and tries a cover. Ziggler kicks out. Dolph leaps up into the air and hits a DDT variation. Ziggler looks for the leg drop, but Orton counters into the suspended DDT! Orton tries a RKO attempt, but Ziggler blocks. Orton attempts a roll up, but Ziggler counters into a roll up of his own!
Winner via Roll Up: Dolph Ziggler
The Miz has joined in for commentary.
****Commercial****
# Bryan and Kane are back in Anger Management class. They show off their anger collages. Bryan shows his first and it’s covered in the words yes and no. He says he can’t take it anymore. Kane holds his up and it is a blank piece of paper. The counselor asks if that’s how Kane feels inside, blank? Kane asks him if he wants to see how he feels inside. Kane gets up and walks towards a garbage can and throws his paper inside. Kane lifts his arms up and drops them like in the ring. The can erupts with fire and burns up the paper. Bryan calls him a teacher’s pet.
****Commercial****
Rey Mysterio & Sin Cara v. Tensai & Cody Rhodes
Cara and Rhodes start the match off but quickly get into a standoff before the commercial break.
****Commercial****
Back from the break, Tensai gets in a cheap shot on Cara. Rhodes covers him, but Cara kicks out. Rhodes cinches on a back breaker. Cody releases and tags in Tensai. Cara is flattened and then met with a scoop slam.
Cole informs us that Lawler is dealing with chest pains and can’t commentate tonight.
Cara hits a step up kick but Rhodes gets the tag. Cara fights off Rhodes and tags in Rey. He flies into the ring and a snap hurricarana. Rey climbs to the top rope and leaps for a seated senton. Rey flips out of a roll up and tries for a cover. Tensai climbs into the ring to break it up. Tensai lifts him high into the air but Rey scurries free and sets up for the 619. The move connects and Cara flies into the ring for a missile dropkick. Cody plants Rey face first on the mat and goes for the cover. Rey kicks out. Rey hits a 619 on Rhodes and tries to tag in Cara. He was on the apron so Rey has to climb into the ring to make the tag legal. Cara flies off the top rope for a splash on Rhodes and this match is over.
Winners: Sin Cara & Rey Mysterio
# We head back to anger management class. The counselor says that one of the reasons they have anger issues is because they have trust issues. Everyone is supposed to move their chairs back, but Bryan and Kane don’t seem to want to participate. The group encourages them so they reluctantly stand. Bryan is to engage in a trust fall with Kane catching him. Bryan falls and Kane catches him! It’s time to make this a team exercise. Bryan and Kane are tasked with catching Harold. He falls to the ground. Bryan and Kane both ask each other if they knew the other wasn’t going to catch him. Bryan says that he thinks he finally understands Kane.
****Commercial****
Sheamus comes down to the ring for his match against Punk. CM Punk’s music hits and he comes down to the ring without his ring gear. Punk says that the fans understand that Punk is a main event wrestler. He should not be used to kick off the eight o’clock hour to exploit the fact that he is from Chicago. Punk says that it is disrespectful and walks to the back! Sheamus says that if the only disrespectful thing that happened was Punk walking away.
# Backstage Punk tells AJ that he is taking a personal day. Matt Striker asks what AJ is going to do. She asks who he is, and then says that Sheamus should stay in the ring because she will find him an opponent.
****Commercial****
Sheamus v. Jack Swagger
Alberto Del Rio and Ricardo Rodriguez come down to ringside to watch this match.
Jack Swagger is knocked down to the mat and Sheamus tries for a cover. Swagger kicks out. Swagger rakes the arm but is pushed back into the corner and met with a couple of shoulder thrusts. Swagger sends him to the apron but gets caught with a fist. Sheamus climbs to the top rope for a battering ram. Cover, but Swagger kicks out. Swagger whips Sheamus towards the corner and runs into a big boot. Sheamus uses the axe handle a couple of times and then hits a hard shoulder thrust. Swagger dodges a knee and tries to lift him up into the air. Swagger can’t quite pull it off but does connect with a second rope splash. Sheamus kicks out of the cover.
Swagger charges towards Sheamus but gets caught with a boot. Sheamus lifts Swagger up and applies a Texas Clover Leaf. Swagger taps!
Winner via Submission: Sheamus
After the match, Del Rio and Ricardo charge into the ring. Sheamus is able to fight them off and hits the White Noise on Del Rio. Sheamus pumps up for the Brogue Kick, but Ricardo takes the bullet and pushes Rio out of the way.
****Commercial****
Eve Torres v. Kaitlyn
Layla joins in on commentary for this match.
Kaitlyn jumps on Eve’s back and tries for a cover. Eve kicks out. The wrap up and roll around on the mat. They both get to their feet and I guess catch their breath. They roll around some more and I’m really distracted by the arguing. Eve picks up the victory.
Winner: Eve
After the match, Eve walks over to Layla and shakes her hand. I don’t know why.
# AJ walks up to Swagger backstage. He says that he is taking some extended time off because he doesn’t know what happened to himself.
****Commercial****
# Back to Anger Management! The counselor says that he is very proud of Bryan and Kane. Bryan says that he has learned so much. He had an anger problem but it is all behind him. Bryan would like to give Kane a rematch from Summerslam anytime that he wants it. Kane gets to his feet and thanks Bryan. He says that someday he will accept that challenge. He will do his best not to eviscerate him. Bryan says that’s if Kane can do that to him. Kane tells him that he can make sure Bryan doesn’t leave this room. Bryan and Kane continue to argue. The counselor starts to flip out and walks out of the room.
Michael Cole announces a Twitter vote to decide what Kane and Bryan will do tonight. They can wrestle each other, be in a tag team together or hug it out.
# Matt Striker is in the back with Del Rio. Otunga walks out and takes Rio into the training room.
****Commercial****
Jinder Mahal v. Ryback
They lock up and Jinder rakes the arm. Ryback tosses him down to the mat. Jinder climbs up the ropes and leaps for a splash. Ryback gets back to his feet and hits a scoop slam. Ryback hits a high back body drop. Ryback lifts him up for the Goose Step Salute and this match is over.
Winner via Shell Shock: Ryback
****Commercial****
Bryan and Kane make their way down to the ring. The voting has ended and the fans have voted for them to hug it out! They take their time to hug, but finally embrace. They even take the time to shake hands. Kane pats Bryan on the shoulder hard, so Bryan pats him back. They begin to brawl to the outside of the ring. It culminates with Kane choke slamming Bryan.
****Commercial****
Santino v. Antonio Cesaro
Antonio gets behind Santino and locks on a headlock. Santino tries to reach for the cobra but he can’t get to it. Antonio gets knocked out of the ring as Santino is able to reach. Back inside the ring, Antonio hits his finisher and this match is quickly over.
Winner: Antonio Cesaro
****Commercial****
Zack Ryder v. Heath Slater
Slater is tossed into the ropes and hits a shoulder block. Ryder hits a face plant and goes for a cover. Slater kicks out. Slater gets behind Ryder and hits him in the back of the head. Slater drops him down to the mat and then locks on a rear headlock. Slater whips him into the ropes and then plants him down to the mat. This match is over.
Winner: Zack Ryder
After the match, Vickie Guerrero comes down to the ring and takes a seat in a chair.
****Commercial****
Vickie is in the ring and continues to complain about AJ. Vickie says that AJ has failed to deliver on promises so she demands that AJ come down to the ring.
AJ complies and admits that she is not to touch WWE stars or managers. Vickie asks if she is apologizing for being a bad GM or for the way that she treated her? Vickie demands that AJ apologize to her right now. AJ finds herself slapped across the face by Vickie. Vickie taunts her saying that she can’t hit her back. Vickie hits her again. Vickie skips her way back up the entrance ramp.
****Commercial****
Falls Count Anywhere
John Cena v. Alberto Del Rio
They lock up at the start. Del Rio takes to the top rope and leaps, but Cena is able to counter with a dropkick. Cena bounces off the ropes and hits a shoulder block. Cena signals for the 5 Knuckle Shuffle. Cena lifts him up on his shoulders, but Del Rio falls towards the ropes and rakes the head of Cena. They fall to the outside of the ring. They begin to brawl outside of the ring. Cena throws him into the barricade and tries for a cover. Del Rio kicks out. Del Rio takes Cena near the commentators’ booth and tries for a cover of his own. Del Rio picks up a steel chair and swings it at Cena, but hits the steel post instead. Cena drags the steel steps over towards the table of the announcers. Cena kicks Del Rio in the gut and tosses him once again into the barricade.
Cena lifts him up onto his shoulders and climbs up the steps onto at a time. Del Rio uses his elbow to fight free and hits a side slam that sends Cena through the commentators table. Del Rio slides him back into the ring. Rio grabs a mic and starts to put himself over. He says that Chicago is beneath him and now he is going to break Cena’s arm. He attempts the cross arm breaker, but instead Cena locks on the STF. Rio escapes by hitting Cena with the microphone.
Del Rio continues the attack on Cena and they head towards the back. Cena goes for the AA and connects on top of crates. Punk runs outs and attacks Cena. He lays Del Rio over top and this match is over!
Winner: Alberto Del Rio
After the match, CM Punk gives Cena a GTS over his car. Punk gets in the car and it stops near Cena. Paul Heyman is driving the car.
David’s Thoughts
Punk’s cheap attack against Lawler was an alright decision. I’m pretty tired of their feud, but as long as it is used to propel Punk into another program it could work. I have to give some props to Sheamus for pointing out Punk’s hypocrisy in terms of interruption potential. Often we are trained as an audience to forget about the past, but it worked in this scenario.
I’m over AJ Lee as General Manager. I’m definitely not suggesting Vickie take over, but AJ has gone from a spunky character to boring. Even her little prances around the ring seem boring and tired. It’s time for a new direction.
Ziggler picking up a victory over Orton on RAW was pretty huge. Was it some sort of punishment for Orton? Maybe, but I think more likely they realize that it’s the Labor Day RAW and most people are more concerned with picnics and back to school then they are about a match during the first hour of the show. It makes sense to give it a shot tonight and attempt to add more legitimacy to Ziggler’s character.
The Anger Management segments continue to be some of the most entertaining parts of RAW each week. The tide clearly points to Bryan and Kane becoming a tag team together. They would dominate.
I really dislike the way Rey’s half masks look. I know it’s been like that for a while now, but it still grinds my gears. Sin Cara and Rey make a decent tag team; the fans will certainly eat it up. Aside from merch sales the biggest benefit of this tag team will no doubt be Rey’s mentoring of Cara. Of course knowing the WWE they will never tag together again, so who knows.
It’s difficult to get a hometown crowd to turn on someone that they adore as much as Punk. Having him walk out of the arena on his fans could work.
The Miz gets my appreciation tonight for his line at the end of the Sheamus/Swagger match when he rightfully declared the submission move as the, “Texas Cloverleaf, son”.
I have no idea why Eve won over Kaitlyn while we are supposed to believe that Kaitlyn will beat Layla. Honestly I don’t care about this one at all. The match was sloppy and boring.
The WWE is doing a good job with the Twitter votes each week. They don’t shove it down our throats, it’s rather artfully done.
David Stephens
Follow me on Twitter!@TheDaveStephens
The Teacher’s Lounge (Saturday)
“The Teacher’s Lounge” is a weekly podcast archived every Saturday on the Wrestleview Radio Network featuring hosts David Stephens and “Mr. V” Anthony Valvo. The show reviews all of the news from the week, tosses out Gold Stars and Detentions, PPV previews and special guests. Past Interviews include: Colt Cabana, Hernandez, Sara Del Rey, CZW Owner DJ Hyde, Shane Douglas & more!
