With Money in the Bank over and done with and an episode to go before RAW’s 1,000th episode and Summerslam a few weeks after that, RAW needed to set the scene for something special.
The CM Punk/Big Show main event could have been breathtaking, but a sloppy finish to the match took away from an otherwise solid program. John Cena’s boy scout image worked out well for once and Show continues to be a more than functional main event heel.
The Daniel Bryan/AJ marriage proposal and a few spots during the Punk/Show match stole the show. There were a few other memorable moments as well.
Rey Mysterio’s return signals a return to mediocrity for Alberto Del Rio- nothing good can come for him in a feud with the fan favorite. Welcome to the mid-card Del Rio.
The same thing can be said for The Miz, whose return, as Eve’s tag partner, isn’t exactly where a former WWE champion should be.
On the other side of the coin, Dolph Ziggler’s feud with Chris Jericho may be Ziggler’s last stop before a real title push. You heard it here first.
Get used to it boys, the scene is a-changing.
Matches:
WWE Tag Team Champions R-Truth and Kofi Kingston vs. The Prime Time Players: Darren Young and Titus O’Neil w/ AW: Contrasting styles met in a so-so opening match. AW needs to be disconnected from the microphone though. Holy crap is his headset banter annoying-just a terrible idea. Kingston hit the Trouble in Paradise and Truth followed it up with the Little Jimmy for the win.
Zack Ryder vs. Alberto Del Rio: The Mexican Aristocrat worked on Ryder’s arm inside and outside the ring from the beginning. He caught Ryder in a rather unceremonious cross-arm breaker for the win. After the match, Rey Mysterio made his return and hit Del Rio with the 619.
Heath Slater vs. Rikishi: Standing side kick, stinkface, Samoan Spike and Bonzai drop=Game Over. After the bell, the Uso’s came and danced with their dad.
Daniel Bryan and AJ vs. Eve and The Miz: So great that AJ gets the biggest pop of all the contestants in this match. Eve and The Miz were stiff in this one, but AJ and Bryan got the win after Bryan interfered and reversed an Eve rollup. After the match, Bryan told AJ he loved her and proposed. She said yes.
Jack Swagger vs. Ryback: Swagger hit a powerbomb and a Swagger bomb early on, but couldn’t latch on the Ankle Lock. Ryback snapped back and hit three sloppy-repeated powerbombs and a clothesline. Too bad the bell never rang.
Brodus Clay vs. JTG: Even with his new-look, JTG was no match for Clay. T-Bone Suplex, Headbutt and a Splash and it was all over.
WWE Champion CM Punk vs. The Big Show: This was an old-School kick-punch match early on. Stiff and slow, but emotional. Show was in control, but couldn’t put Punk away. Fighting back with vicious kicks and knees, the match picked up Punk was able to hold his own. He nearly won with a big elbow, but Show still had some gas left in his tank. Show nearly won with a Chokeslam, but Punk got his leg on the rope. After Show hit the referee, he got DQed. Terrible end to what could have been a match of the year candidate.
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