Photo credit: WWE.com
The still-injured John Cena kicked off the show by cracking a few jokes about certain members of the roster after sitting back and watching Raw properly last week, including Antonio Cesaro and his unusually large nipples (which is strangely true). He then switched to a more serious tone and ordered CM Punk to be "a man" and accept his challenge at Hell in a Cell. It was a decent enough promo to start the show.
Ryback defeated Epico and Primo in an average Handicap match. The action just felt a little mediocre and messy at places. Although one plus is the crowd were firmly behind Ryback, especially as he lifted both his opponents and applied his Shell Shocked finisher for the one-two-three.
Before their match up R-Truth warned Brodus Clay that 'Little Jimmy' was going through puberty right now and just wanted to dance with Clay's cheerleaders Naomi and Cameron rather than see him wrestle. Fortunately the dancing was cut short as Vince McMahon appeared on the big screen and asked them to leave as he was about to make his address regarding the state of the WWE.
McMahon soon made his way out and stated that there was enough time in WWE for all kinds of performers, but especially top champions taking on all comers, which cued the WWE Champion himself CM Punk to come out and once again talk about the disrespect that he receives from the Chairman and the fans every week. Punk went on to truthfully tell Vince that he is the best thing the company has right now and that he should be a "CM Punk guy."
The champ also threatened to leave the WWE if he doesn't get the treatment he deserves like he did last year, and see what kind of state that would leave the company. In truth it woud make Raw a far, far less interesting show to watch. Vince retorted by stating that Punk was now where near the talent of some of the all-time greats like Michaels, Andre, Bret, Austin, etc. CM Punk then took a jibe at Vince by claiming that Austin only ever made it to the top by taking on an "inept" and "clueless millionaire."
After claiming that Vince has been slapping him in the face for years, Punk then actually slapped the Chairman in the face. A flustered McMahon in retaliation challenged Punk to a match that night, which the WWE Champion accepted. It was a terrific segment which I thoroughly enjoyed, I'll be shocked if you see a better promo than both men gave for the rest of this week. Vince and Punk together just equals quality moments.
Rey Mysterio and Sin Cara bested Darren Young and Titus O'Neil in a passable to sub par tag bout that advanced them to the tag team tournament final. Most of the action was okay, but there were too many average moments and slip ups that marred it.
Sheamus won via disqualification versus Wade Barrett in an enjoyable contest. In Barrett's best performance since returning both men went back and fourth in an intense and highly competitive bout. I was hoping they would save Barrett versus Sheamus for a World title match on PPV but with the finish (Tensai ran in and attacked 'The Great White' after he struck him on last weeks SmackDown) I could still see it happening.
After Sheamus managed to fight his way back and eliminate Barrett and Tensai from the ring, he attempted to Brogue Kick Big Show who'd been at ringside, but failed as a smug giant caught his leg and threw him out of the ring. The World Champion looked rattled.
Antonio Cesaro beat Tyson Kidd in a solid display from both men. With two talents like this a good match wasn't unexpected, but it was actually better than I predicted. Nice stuff. And I think Cesaro has definitely benefitted from dumping the untalented Aksana, she was unnecessary.
Team Hell No defeated Dolph Ziggler and Alberto Del Rio in an entertaining tag bout. As usual Bryan and Kane were tagging themselves in and arguing from time to time, but it still works for them. All four men put in worthy efforts to provide a pleasing match up.
On a special Raw edition of 'Larry King Live', Larry King and his wife brought out The Miz as their first guest, but soon had enough of the bragging Intercontinental Champion and replaced him with Kofi Kingston. Miz soon interrupted the interview and called both men amateurs compared to him, and demanded that King leave his stage. King's wife had enough and tipped her drink at Miz, then Kofi decided to take out the champ and sent him reeling. It wasn't a bad segment actually, maybe felt a little out of place but Miz was on good form.
The Rhodes Scholars bested Santino Marella and Zack Ryder in a fair tag team contest. It wasn't anything that special or even that memorable, but it wasn't a bad performance from all involved. Afterwards Drew McIntyre, Heath Slater and Jinder Mahal attacked Santino. I hope this group get some more air time soon, I'd like to see a more prominent spot for the trio.
Eve (c) beat Kaitlyn to retain the WWE Divas Championship. It was a largely pedestrian Divas bout, with Eve logically targeting Kaitlyn's previously injured leg and eventually forcing her to tap for the victory. After the bell rang Eve still held onto the submission hold until Layla (who'd provided guest commentary) ran into help her friend. Eve feigned guilt for what she'd done. I'm not sure why they're still having Eve pretend to be a face, they should've revealed that it was her that attacked Kaitlyn at Night of Champions by now.
In an entertaining backstage segment, Daniel Bryan compared Larry King being told he looks like an owl to him being called 'Goat Face' with King and his wife, calling himself an extremely attractive man. Kane then turned up and as the two bickered King and his missus managed to sneak off. When Kane was told it was Larry King, he was surprised and admitted he thought he was "Skeletor." This is possibly the most entertaining Kane ever.
CM Punk versus Vince McMahon ended in a no contest. Before the match had even begun Punk attacked McMahon from behind and controlled the start of the fight. But Vince soon came back with the help of a kendo stick and held Punk's title hostage in the ring. The champ also found a kendo stick and evened the score as he struck the chairman and low blowed him, but as he set him up for a GTS Ryback ran in and chased him off.
Cena also then appeared and with one arm (which looked quite daft) threw Punk back into the ring to be clotheslined by Ryback. But once again the champ found a way out and raced into the crowd, clutching his title belt close to his chest. McMahon then gave CM Punk the choice of either Cena or Ryback to face at Hell in a Cell, which will be decided next week. It was an electric main event and the fans were really into it, but the big story to come from the night was yet to happen...
As Vince was making his announcement, Punk got into an altercation with a fan in the crowd and clearly struck him on camera. According to early reports (don't take my word for it) there were a couple of fans pushing Punk in the back and then his head, causing him to swing his arm around at them. The fan that was struck has since come out and claimed he did not touch CM Punk and posted pictures of minor bruising and his broken glasses online. He's apparently pressing charges. Not too sure how Punk will be dealt with by WWE if it goes through.
Overall it was a mostly enjoyable Raw, with a few very solid matches, a brilliant McMahon CM Punk segment and an entertaining main event. Certainly a step up from last weeks show and hopefully a sign that the low ratings last week have urged them to mix things up a bit.
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