WWE Raw August 1, 2011: Review

‘The two title controversy’ , which arose due to the return of CM Punk back to WWE in last week’s Raw, had created confusion in the minds of the WWE Universe for the last few days. Fans were locked in heated debates on who should be the champion – CM Punk or John Cena? This week’s Monday Night Raw promised answers for these raging debates. Let us take a look at what transpired this week on Monday Night Raw.

Segment 1: The CM Punk Promo

Raw started with a recap a video showing how the title controversy arose. It was followed by the entrance one of the two WWE Champions CM Punk to his new theme song – “Cult of Personality” by Living Colour. He enters the ring and makes a promo stating that he speaks his mind and the impact of his shoot promo, a few weeks, back that created a stir in the WWE. He claimed that he had made wrestling fun again. He continues saying that he has the true championship and John Cena’s is just has a belt.

He was interrupted by the COO of WWE, Triple H. It was funny to see CM Punk still talking while Triple H’s theme was playing in the arena. Triple H discusses bringing back C.M. Punk because it was good for business, he said the WWE Universe wanted Punk, so he gave it to them. He says he put his “personal feelings aside” and signed Punk. H calls C.M. Punk a “smug, overrated, attention seeking guy that puts too much stock in his hype.”

Punk then compared himself to Triple H. Punk talks about how Vince let some big names main slip through his hands, like Batista, Mick Foley, Chris Jericho, Brock Lesnar. Punk continues to bash Triple H, on how he hogged the spotlight, pushed people around, and was only a bag carrier to Shawn Michaels. He pulled up the Stephanie McMahon card, and said he will not be pushed around by Hunter.

It was a highly entertaining segment with CM Punk getting the upperhand over Triple H in the end. Punk’s interaction with HHH was well done by both parties, because both men has a way with words, and know how to keep the crowd interested.

Segment Rating: 5/5

Beth Phoenix emerged as the winner

Match 1: Divas Battle Royal to determine the No.1 Contender for the WWE Divas Championship

A divas battle royal kicked off with quick eliminations of Gail Kim and Rosa Mendes, the only two divas who can actually wrestle. This leaves us with Eve, Beth, Bella Twins, and Alicia Fox left in the ring. Beth Phoenix eliminates the Bella Twins to earn a title match against Kelly Kelly at Summerslam. Beth attacks Kelly Kelly after the match. She gets on the mic, and talks about her days as the blonde bimbo are over.

Match Rating: 2/5

The Miz and R-Truth who are going to be involved in a tag-team match discusses about the huge mistakes that Triple H has been making since taking over from Mr. McMahon. Then, Josh Mathews interviews John Cena who seems to be impressed by the decisions being taken by Triple H.

Winner: Miz and Truth

Match 2: The Miz & R-Truth vs. Mysterio & John Morrison

Tag team match

This is the first match for the ‘Shaman of sexy’ John Morrison since returning from an injury. Miz and Morrison start off the match with Miz taking an early advantage. Mysterio entered the fray and performs his typical moves, and Morrison barely hits a corkscrew to the outside on Miz and Truth.

Then, Rey gets beaten down by The Miz. Miz continues the offensive with a DDT on Mysterio, and Miz tags Truth in. Mysterio finally hits an offensive move and gets the hot tag to Morrison. Quick moves back and forth, as Truth hits his finisher on Morrison for the win. Truth and Miz beat up Morrison after the match. An excellent match in my opinion and it was refreshing to see John Morrison back in action.

Match Rating: 4/5

Riley, Vickie and Ziggler during the segment

Segment 2: Ziggler goes A-RY

A backstage interview of Triple H followed the tag team match. Triple H talked about being in-charge of the WWE and his duties. United States Champion, Dolph Ziggler enters the ring with his business associate Vickie Guerrero. Ziggler made a mockery of the current superstars stating that they aren’t talented or possess the skills as much as he does.

Alex Riley interrupts him as questions whether Ziggler is a man since he always hides behind Vickie. They go back and forth with Riley suggesting Dolph to leave Vickie. Ziggler seemed to tease Riley for a match but leaves without much fuss. Good segment to build a fresh feud between two young superstars. Well performed by Ziggler and Riley.

Segment Rating: 4/5

Match 3: ‘WWE Tag Team Champions’ David Otunga and Michael McGillicutty vs Santino Marella and Zack Ryder

Tag Team Match

Tag Team Match

This is the first time that Zack Ryder is being involved in matches held at two consecutive Raw’s in 2011. Santino and MuGillicutty start off the match, with a quick tag to Otunga. He begins a beatdown, as the crowd chants “ We want Ryder.” Ryder enters and hits a few impressive moves, knees to the face, and a boot to the face of McGillicutty.

Ryder misses his finisher, and the tag champs begin to beat away at Ryder. A weak finisher of a forearm finishes off Ryder, as Otunga pins Ryder. A poor quality match but it was good to see the ‘Long island iced Z’ Zack Ryder in action.

Match Rating: 3/5

Josh Mathews interviews CM Punk backstage. Punk talks about his altercation with Triple H at the start of the show. Punk emphasizes that he is the WWE Champion and not John Cena. The announcers show a slide which asks viewers to vote on who do you think is the true WWE Champion in an online poll conducted on WWE.com.

The poll announcement

Match 4: Alberto Del Rio vs Evan Bourne

Singles Match

Alberto Del Rio after winning the match

Del Rio starts off the match by beating on Bourne. He uses submissions and armbars to ground Bourne who is a high flyer. A backbreaker by Del Rio gives him a 2 count on Bourne. Bourne finally hits a few kicks to Del Rio, but Del Rio ends up making Bourne tap out to his cross armbar.

Kofi Kingston comes out and saves Bourne from further attacks from Del Rio. It was disheartening to see Evan Bourne being completely dominated by Del Rio in squash match. Kofi Kingston making the save takes forward his feud with Del Rio which has been going on for a few weeks.

Match Rating: 2/5

Segment 3: Triple H’s decision

The result of the poll on WWE.com

The results of the WWE.com poll on who should be the WWE champion is announced with John Cena winning with 54% of the votes. Triple H makes his entrance to the ring and begins to talk, and John Lauranitis [Executive Vice President of Talent Relations, WWE] comes out and interrupts Hunter.

Laurinitis introduces himself and talks about his duties, as well as his longevity with the company. He tells Triple H that Vince would want him to strip Cena of the WWE Championship. Out comes John Cena, who criticizes John Laurinitis as a “yes man.” They rehash the Money in the Bank night, and Cena tempts to punch Laurinitis in the face. Hunter says Cena’s claim to the WWE Title is legit. C.M. Punk comes out, and says he has been in this position before. He asks if he will be stripped of the title, and Triple H says at Summerslam it will be WWE Champion John Cena vs. WWE Champion C.M. Punk, for one undisputed WWE Championship. Triple H leaves and Cena and Punk remain in the ring, as Punk lifts his title up, his music hits, Cena lifts his title up and his music hits. Punk goes on the ropes and his music hits, followed by Cena doing the same, and we go back and forth music and poses as Raw goes off the air. So, we will have to wait till Summerslam to find out who is the undisputed WWE Champion and it will be decided through a singles match between Cena and Punk.

Segment Rating: 4/5

Going back and forth: Cena and Punk

The Bottomline:

An exciting show, but the wrestling quotient was lacking with just 3 mid-card matches. Plenty of promos and segments, which were actually good but were an overkill, which might not have impressed the hardcore wrestling fan. With the decision on the undisputed WWE Champion to be made through a match at Summerslam, it’s no secret that the Punk-Cena feud will take further turns in the Raw before Summerslam, next week.