Top 10 moments from the 06/25/12 edition of Raw

Raw delivered a somewhat interesting show last night. It had its major highs (AJ), its major lows (Santino), and a few “meh” moments (main event). Overall, I would give the show a decent 6.4/10. Well, it’s time to get into the top ten moments from last night’s show.

WWE Stats:

Kane competed in his 25th match of the year in a losing effort against CM Punk and Daniel Bryan.

Santino Marella competed in his 40th match of the year in a winning effort against Jack Swagger.

Jack Swagger suffered his 25th loss of the year to Santino Marella.

Jack Swagger competed in his 35th match of the year in a losing effort against Santino Marella.

Dolph Ziggler competed in his 40th match of the year against Alberto Del Rio, which ended in a no contest.

AJ scored her 5th win of the year in a Divas Summer Battle Royal.

Aksana competed in her 5th match of the year in a Divas Summer Battle Royal.

Natalya competed in her 20th match of the year in a Divas Summer Battle Royal.

#10. Santino defends his title

For the first time since April (as Michael Cole reminded us), Santino defended his title against Jack Swagger. For the entire match, I was just hoping that Jack Swagger would win. I realize that he’s been booked as shit and that’s he’s been shown to be a crappy champion, but anything is better than Santino. Anything.

#9. Brodus Clay suffers his first loss

In what was an extremely anti-climactic finish to what could have been a good feud, Big Show handed Brodus Clay his first loss after Brodus failed to pick up the Big Show, letting Big Show fall on him and get the pin. There are a few things that bother me about this. First, Big Show won in really lame fashion. No Chokeslam, no knock-out punch. Nothing. Secondly, the match was two minutes. Seriously? They have been building this up for weeks, and you finish it in two minutes? And finally, Brodus lost because of a leg injury caused by David Otunga. That pretty much means that we will see a Brodus/Otunga feud.#8. Sycho Sid returns

Well, it wasn’t as good as Vader, but it was still a nice surprise. After Heath Slater (who is flourishing in his new “jobber to the stars” role) came out and started saying Sycho Sid’s catchphrase over and over again, Sid Vicious’s music hit and he came down to the ring to a luke warm reaction. It’s nice to see WWE bring back guys that we don’t see on a regular basis (like Roddy, Austin, Dusty), and actually surprise us by bringing back guys that we would not expect to see. It would have been nice if he finished the match with a top rope big boot though…#7. Big Show makes Cena pass out

In what was probably a five minute match, Big Show came out during Cena vs. Jericho, and took it to John Cena, eventually making him pass out with a Colossal Clutch. It was a pretty underwhelming moment, and it would have benefited everyone if they actually let Cena and Jericho have an actual match, because I know that the two could tear the house down given the chance. Also, it means that we get to Cena the god awful Cena/Show feud continue. Wonderful.#6. CM Punk vs. Daniel Bryan vs. Kane

The opening match saw a No Way Out elimination rematch from the three men AJ has her eyes on, and although they didn’t top their No Way Out encounter (how could they?), they still put on a great match. AJ, of course, came out and got herself involved, getting Kane eliminated. After CM Punk took out Kane, Bryan gave Punk and big kick to the head for the win, securing himself a WWE Championship match at Money In The Bank that nobody will be complaining about.#5. AJ wins the battle royal

In a match type that I find somewhat degrading to women, AJ beat all other competitors (including the Divas Champion and Vickie Guerrero), and started to do Daniel Bryan’s “YES!” chant in the ring. I have no idea how AJ can get any better than she already is, but maybe a Divas Championship around her waist would help.#4. Ziggler and Del Rio become a comedic silent film from the 1930′s

Okay, maybe I’m over-exaggerating, but Ziggler and Del Rio were flopping around like fish when they were going for that contract. Anyway, Ziggler and Del Rio managed to put on a good match given the small time they were given (and the dumb ass match type), and in the end they were both given the #1 contender-ship. Don’t know why they had the match in the first place if Vickie was going to make a Triple Threat match, but hey, IT’S WRASSLIN’!#3. Kane friend-zones AJ

Oh come on, you know you laughed. In a small backstage segment, Kane confronted AJ about how insane she was, and basically gave her the friend-zone speech. Say what you want about Kane’s mic skills, but the man can be funny given the chance.#2. Money In The Bank gets ruined

Money In The Bank, proving grounds for the up and comers. Opportunity at the main event for mid-carders who are ready to make the leap. This is what the match has been since it’s inception, and that’s the main reason why people get so excited when the match comes around. Who will be the next Edge? The next CM Punk? The next Miz (in his main event run, at least)? Well, this year, it looks like we’re going to have to see four guys who were already WWE Champions be in the Money In The Bank match, four of them being guys who can bring absolutely NO EXCITEMENT to a ladder match. Seriously WWE, nobody wants to see Cena, Kane, Show, or Jericho (okay, maybe Jericho) win a Money In The Bank briefcase. Now I guess my dreams of having Ziggler and Rhodes (or Barrett) win Money In The Bank this year are ruined, and only one of them will get to hold the briefcase.#1. AJ

For what is probably the 1,235,986th time, AJ makes our number one spot again. Do I really need to even explain why?

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