WWE RAW Coverage: Over-Fed?

After he meandered for 10 minutes and refused to announce his opponent for Hell in a Cell, CM Punk opened the door for Vince McMahon to make the decision for him.

In a contract-signing segment later on RAW, McMahon announced that Ryback would battle Punk for the WWE Heavyweight title at Hell in Cell.

Should you be excited?

Was this not what you expected all along with John Cena’s elbow injury?

Is Ryback ready for a WWE Title Shot?

In other developments, the David Otunga “push” is interesting. To see him talk smack and tell the world he deserves a title shot is actually a good thing. The WWE needs a few more faces in the WWE Heavyweight title picture.

It’s just a shame Ryback destroyed him and Dolph Ziggler.

Also interesting is the developing angle between The Miz and Kofi Kingston. Both of these guys are mainstays, but Kingston never has an opportunity to speak. This program could be fantastic for him. Miz is one of those guys the WWE should consider themselves lucky to have. He came into his own as WWE champion and is a fantastic Intercontinental Champion. In the ring, these two can get it done, but in order for this to really work, Kingston needs to develop his character on the mic.

Aside from developing Kingston, this angle is pivotal to fill out the show. At three hours, the show continues to drag. It needs something controversial or exciting. Right now, Punk, Miz, Daniel Bryan, Kane and Kingston are carrying the load.

Matches:

The Big Show vs. WWE Tag Team Champion Daniel Bryan: Still pissed about his 45-second World Title reign, Show called out Bryan and beat him silly. Bryan battled back with his trademark kicks, but Show was pissed. After two dropkicks in the corner, Bryan went to the top rope, but Show caught him with the Chokeslam for the win. After the match, Show went for the WMD, but Kane had his partner’s back.

Alberto Del Rio w/ Ricardo Rodriguez vs. Brodus Clay: Del Rio worked on the arm early and threw in a few quick basement drop kicks. Clay fought back, but Del Rio continued his occupation on the arm. He won soon late with the cross-arm breaker.

Santino Marella and Zack Ryder vs. The Primetime Players: Darren Young and Titus O’Neill are the better team, but Marella and Ryder were the fan favorites. Ryder hit the Broski Boot, (With Young hitting his Gutbuster and Ryder nailing Young with the Rough Ryder in between) but O’Neill hit the Sky High for the win. After the match, Jinder Mahal, Drew MacIntyre and Heath Slater attacked Ryder.

Dolph Ziggler and David Otunga vs. Ryback: Ziggler hit a dropkick and that was all the offense the team could muster. Ziggler soon quit the match and Otunga caught the Shellshock. Game over.

U.S. Champion Antonio Cesaro vs. Justin Gabriel: The champion took it to the South African speedster. Gabriel had few opportunities to hit any high-flying maneuvers. With submission holds, strikes and suplexes, Cesaro was in control for most of the match. Gabriel did hit a reverse DDT and his 450, but Cesaro put his leg on the ring rope to break the pin. Gabriel went to the high spot again but Cesaro caught him with a massive uppercut and then the Neutralizer for the win.

Matt Striker vs. Kane: The two hugged it out for a while, but Kane ended it with the Chokeslam.

World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus vs. Wade Barrett: These two are both big and strong, but the match was brisk enough to entertain. Both Barrett and Sheamus had moments, but the champ had a few more of his own. However, just when the match was about to cook, Big Show hit the ring ramp with a chair. Apparently Show wanted a better seat to watch. The match continued for another ten minutes, with Sheamus and Barrett trading blows. These two have more chemistry than they had last time. Barrett nearly got the win with the Bossman slam but Sheamus persevered. The champion latched on the Cloverleaf and victory looked imminent, but Show caused the DQ. Barrett still caught the Brogue Kick.

Divas Champion Eve Torrez vs. Layla: Longer than most Divas matches, this one was a bore. Torrez used a bevy of submission moves and kept Layla on the ground. Layla fought back, but Eve knocked Layla off the middle rope and rolled her up for the win. Layla did have her foot on the bottom rope, but the referee blew the call.

Tag Team Tournament: Cody Rhodes and Damien Sandow vs. Primo and Epico w/ Rosa Mendez: Fast-paced match in the beginning but it ended up a drag by the end. Sure, lots of fast tags and technically sound action, but it was boring. Sandow won with the Straight-Jacket Neckbreaker.

Intercontinental Champion The Miz vs. Kofi Kingston: Another slow match. Kingston and Miz both worked hard but after a quick Trouble in Paradise, that legitimately knocked Miz out, Kingston has massive momentum and a win over the IC champ.