This week's edition of WWE Raw earned a 3.2 cable rating, down from the 3.5 of the last few weeks and back to where the show was doing before the draft.
The show did hours of 3.11 and 3.29. Keep in mind, however, that it was up against the popular Major League Baseball Home Run Derby.
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The following took place on last night in Raleigh, NC at the WWE Raw tapings...
Dark Matches:
- D'Lo Brown defeated Matt Striker.
- Charlie Haas defeated a local wrestler.
Post-Raw Bonus Match:
- Batista defeated World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk in a non-title match.
Here's what went down on WWE Raw last night...
Shane and Stephanie McMahon address the chaos over the past two weeks on RAW. They want everyone to work together.
Fron there, we immediately cut to Shawn Michaels and Chris Jericho beating on each other in front of the ring. As soon as the refs get them separated, the arena explodes with pyro and Kane walks to the ring. Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler stand up and look ready to run, as Kane makes his way to the announce table holding a bag. Kane looks at the two announcers and says he is sorry.
Mickie James vs. Katie Lea Burchill w/Paul Burchill
Mickie James wins with a flying Thesz press.
Kofi Kingston vs. Paul Burchill
Kofi Kingston hits his big leg drop on Burchill who is laid out in the center of the ring. Katie Lea gets up on the apron, but Mickie James pulls her down and they fight at ringside. Kofi hits his spin kick on Burchill to get the pinfall and the win.
Back from commercial, Kane is backstage with CM Punk. Kane says deep down inside, he knows he is dead. He tells Punk that they have been partners before, but tonight he needs him in the ring one-on-one. Punk says he has a huge match in a few days. Kane says it's not about the title, he needs this. Punk says he needs to prove to everyone that he is not a fluke and says Kane is on, he's got his match. Punk asks Kane what's with the bag he's holding? Kane just laughs and walks off.
Santino Marella vs. Beth Phoenix
Beth slams Marella to the mat. Santino recovers, and charges Phoenix in the corner. Beth dodges it and then rolls up Santino. Beth Phoenix gets the three count.
Kelly Kelly comes to the ring for a match, but instead of an opponent, Cody Rhodes and Ted Dibiase come to the ring. They tell her they don’t care she had a match, and tell her to leave. Cody says he and Ted aren’t bad, they are realistic. Ted says they are the future whether you like it or not. Hacksaw Jim Duggan interrupts the champs.
Here's the official Monday Night Raw preview, courtesy of WWE.com...
Since CM Punk became World Heavyweight Champion, he has been mobbed by Superstars hoping to get their opportunity to win it away from him. With neither a General Manager or the WWE Chairman to set matches, last Monday night saw John Cena, Batista, Kane and JBL face off in a Fatal Four Way Match to determine which of them should face Punk at The Great American Bash.
Batista won the contest and will compete for the World Title in just two short weeks. How will The Animal garner momentum in the coming weeks?
After Batista pinned Kane in the Fatal Four Way, the Big Red Monster went on a rampage outside the ring, manhandling WWE production crew and announcers alike, including Jerry “The King” Lawler. While tearing apart the ringside area, Kane screamed “Is he alive or is he dead?” Who is the Big Red Monster referring to, and what other outbursts can we expect from him in the coming weeks?
Intercontinental Champion Kofi Kingston won his title from Chris Jericho at Night of Champions, and managed to successfully defend it against Y2J. On Monday he continued his winning streak on Raw by defeating Charlie Haas.
This week, on WWE Raw, Batista overcame John Cena, Kane and JBL in a fourway match for the number-one contender spot to CM Punk's title.
Relive the match now:
WWE Raw opens with Vickie Guerrero sitting in the middle of the ring in a wheelchair. CM Punk walks down to the ring, and Vickie says that Edgeâs demise was due to CM Punk beating him.
Vickie stands up and slaps him. CM Punk tells Vickie that sheâs got a one way ticket back to Smackdown. JBL runs out and says that he should be champ, challenging Punk to a match. John Cena comes out and tells JBL that we donât play the âblame gameâ on Raw, and to go back where heâs from. JBL says that since there is no McMahon there tonight, it will be Cena vs. JBL for the #1 Contendership for the next PPV against CM Punk.
Batista comes out and says that he wants a piece of Punk. Cena changes the match to a triple threat match for the contendership at the Great American Bash. Kane comes down and says that he wants to get in as well, so CM Punk proposes a âFatal Four Way.â The match is set for tonight's main event.
Rey Mysterio vs. Santino Marella
Ray hits a 619 on Marella, followed by the top rope for a spash and the pin.
Winner: Mysterio
Layla and Jillian Hall vs. Kelly Kelly and Mickie James
Jerry Lawler says Kelly Kelly is like a museum âtouch with your eyes and not your hands!â Kelly Kelly sits on Jilians shoulders and crouches down for a victory roll.
Winners: Mickie James and Kelly Kelly
JBLâs limo arrives. The doors lock and JBL looks puzzled. Cena comes out of the back of the car and says that the limo wonât pass inspection, but that he knows two guys who can fix cars quick: Cryme Tyme comes out from the limo. Cryme Tyme smashes the mirror with a bat and smashes a hole in the windshield, destroying the limo.
CM Punk vs. Snitsky
Punk slingshots over the top rope onto Snitsky for the crossarm block. CM Punk with GTS on Snitsky.
Winner: CM Punk
HBK comes out and says that he accepts the match against Jericho at GAB.
Charlie Haas vs. Kofi Kingston
Kingston hits his double leg drop move to the chest of Haas. Kingston connects with his spinning kick to the face and covers Haas for the 3 count. Kofi Kingston defeats Haas with a spin kick to the face.
Winner: Kofi Kingston
Cena vs. JBL vs. Batista vs. Kane
Batista spear Kane at the end to win. Batista will face CM Punk at the Great American Bash.
Winner: Batista
Kane flips out and attacks the stage crew. He grabs Michael Cole for a choke slam and Lawler attacks Kane from behind to try to save Cole. Kane ends up attacking Jerry, leaving him helpless in the ring as the show ends.
Here's a look at the official WWE RAW preview for tonight, courtesy of WWE.com...
After seeing the WWE Championship move to SmackDown, and failing to win a World Championship back to Raw at Night of Champions, Monday nights once again have a World Title.
CM Punk cashed in his Money in the Bank briefcase to challenge and defeat Edge, bringing the World Heavyweight Championship to Raw and even going on to defend it in the same night against JBL.
Though Raw suffered a dearth of World Titles for a period, there is no lack of former World Champions, eager to end the Straightedge Superstarâs title reign, including John Cena, Batista and JBL. Which of these men will step forward in search of gold, and will Punk be able to hold them off?
Though Raw is no longer lacking a World Title, there is a conspicuous absence on the program in the form of Mr. McMahon. The WWE Chairman was injured at the end of the June 23 Raw when the set collapsed and he was buried underneath a ton of lighting equipment.
We're still traumatized by the awful injury to Vince McMahon last week. Hopefully, we can keep it together as we sum up last night's WWE RAW...
- Shane McMahon appears from WWE Headquarters. He talks about his father experiencing an accident last week. Shane said in respect of his father's privacy, they will not reveal his condition or anything else at this time. Shane asks WWE employees to pull together during this time of uncertainty.
- Jim Ross is on his way out to the ring. JR gets a big reaction from his hometown crowd. He gets into the ring and salutes the thousands of fans in attendance tonight. He said he is excited about a new journey he is embarking on as the new play-by-play voice for Friday Night Smackdown. He thanks Jerry Lawler and says he is a special guy. JR calls his time on WWE Raw an amazing run. He thanks everyone for being here tonight and encourages everyone to eat some more BBQ when Edge's music hits.
Edge appears with the world title over his shoulder and Curt Hawkins and Zack Ryder close behind him. Edge has a big smile on his face as his pyro goes off. Edge said when he heard JR was having a farewell speech tonight, he just had to make an appearance. He said JR's arrogance never ceases to amaze him. Edge said instead of JR yelling "Stone Cold! Stone Cold! Stone Cold!" it will now have to be "Edge Wins! Edge Wins! Edge Wins!"
He asks Hawkins and Ryder to escort JR out of the building. JR walks out and leaves the ring. Edge says his farewell speech is officially over as JR leaves the ring with Hawkins and Ryder right behind him.
Edge remains in the middle of the ring as the fans boo him again. He said now that he took care of that he did have a reason to be here tonight. Edge wants to point out to all the Raw viewers that this "flagship show" doesn't have a General Manager... unlike his show that has the greatest GM in history, his fiancee, the love of his life, Vickie Guerrero. He said she is resting comfortably and thanks the fans for asking. Edge said this show is also missing The Undertaker. He adds the entire WWE Universe is missing him since he banished him from the entire WWE and adds your welcome.
Edge said there is one other thing this show is missing, oh yeah, a World Champion. He said he wanted to come here tonight to let John Cena, Shawn Michaels, Rey Mysterio or Batista know they will never have a shot at his World Heavyweight Championship. Edge says unless there is another Draft, fans will never see him on Monday night's ever again. He drops the mic and as he gets to the top of the ramp, Batista's music hits and Edge stops. Edge turns around and Batista walks out. Batista stares Edge down. Batista goes after Edge and chases him around the ring. Batista catches Edge and gets in a few rights. Batista picks up Edge and drives him into the ring barricade and the ring. Batista then sends Edge into the steel ring steps. Batista gets Edge up for a Batista Bomb and connects. Michael Cole said this was not about the World Title tonight but rather about retribution. Batista stands over a lifeless Edge, stares him down and then leaves the ring.
As Batista walks up the ramp, CM Punk's music hits and he runs down with his briefcase in hand along with a referee. The referee orders Lilian Garcia to say that the following match is for the World Heavyweight Championship. The bell rings and here we go.
World Heavyweight Championship Match: Edge (c) vs. CM Punk
CM Punk picks up Edge and connects with the GTS! Punk hooks the leg and gets the pinfall! We have a new World Heavyweight Champion!
Winner: CM Punk
Non-Title Match: WWE Women's Champion Mickie James vs. Jillian Hall
Jillian slams Mickie's face down on the mat and then goes to work on Mickie's shoulder that was roughed up by Katie Lea Burchill last night. Jillian with a big slam takedown on Mickie, but misses a flipping body splash. Mickie comes back kicking Jillian and with another big takedown. Jillian attempts her flipping splash in the corner, but Mickie gets her knees up and catches Jillian with her big kick (or what they called the Mick Kick). Mickie covers Jillian and gets the pinfall.
Winner: Mickie James
- Rey Mysterio comes out and gets a big reaction from the crowd. Mysterio takes the mic and congratulates CM Punk on beating Edge and bringing back the World Heavyweight Championship back to Raw. He said that was kind of weird. Mysterio said up until last week, his entire WWE career, his entire life was on Smackdown. Mysterio said he was shocked when he got drafted to Raw.
Santino Marella's music hits. Santino grabs the mic and said just like Shane McMahon said earlier, we have to pull everyone together and officially welcomes Rey Mysterio to Raw. He laughs and says personally, he doesn't see what the big deal is because anyone who hides behind a mask is either ugly, stupid or is The Batman!
He says there is a reason Mysterio has never been on Raw. Santino says Raw is where true superstars like himself rise and shine. Mysterio hits Santino with the mic and lights him up with some right hands. Mysterio drop toe holds Santino on the second rope and connects with the 619. Mysterio celebrates and heads up the ramp.
- We are back live and John Cena is out to a big reaction. He said no, I did not win the WWE Title last night. Cena said he was defeated by Triple H, but it is a loss he takes with pride. He said last night's match proved one thing: we are the best two in this business and that match will go down in history. Cena said just like tonight, you have all been part of history and that you will look back and say you were there when CM Punk cashed in the "Money in the Bank" briefcase and became the new World Heavyweight Champion.
Following last night's WWE Draft, we can't help but wonder if Smackdown has taken the reigns from Raw as the company's top brand.
Consider the new Smackdown roster, highlighted by: Triple H, Edge, MVP, The Big Show, Jeff Hardy, Mr. Kennedy, Umaga, and even top announcer Jim Ross.
Now, compare that with Raw's best: John Cena, Batista, Chris Jericho, Randy Orton, JBL, CM Punk, Shawn Michaels, and Rey Mysterio.
Which WWE brand do you prefer?
Forgive this brief WWE RAW report, as we're just too shaken up by the condition of Vince McMahon to go into much detail...
There will be a series of matches that determine which brand makes a pick in this year's WWE Draft. Up first:
Triple H vs. Mark Henry
Winner: Triple H
Raw Draft Pick: Rey Mysterio
In the back, Triple H welcomes Rey to WWE Raw. John Cena is there. Cena doesn't appreciate The Game kicking his ass last week when Cena made the save. The Game doesn't want or need his help. He says they've tip-toed around this and now it's personal. He never got over Wrestlemania 22 because he knows he is better than Cena.
Hardcore Holly and Cody Rhodes vs. Chavo Guerrero and Bam Neely
Winners: Holly and Rhodes
Raw Draft Pick: CM Punk
Shawn Michaels out to contront Chris Jericho! He's got that angry look on his face and heads for the ring. Spear⦠brawl! HBK tackles Y2J and they go to the floor. Jericho sends Michaels face-first into the announce table and Shawn is hurt again. EMTs are down to tend to Michaels as Jerichio smiles.
John Morrison and The Miz vs. The Hardys
Winners: Miz and Morrison
ECW Draft Pick: Matt Hardy
Mickie James and Melina vs. Natalya and Victoria
Winner: No-one. Double DQ
SmackDown Draft Pick: Jim Ross
Raw Draft Pick: Michael Cole
Edge vs. John Cena
Winner: John Cena
Raw Draft Pick: Batista
