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RAW emanated from my current home of beautiful sunny San Diego, California, where it was a beautiful day to hike up Cowles Mountain and enjoy the scenery. Jerry Lawler, Jim Ross, and Michael Cole were on commentary. Michael Cole outdatedly referred to the building as the “San Diego Sports Arena” but corrected himself later on in referring to it as the “Valley View Casino Center.”

This edition of the RAW Review is dedicated to the world’s smallest R-Truth fan, Giuliana Arsenault, a 13 lb five-month-old who just got her ears pierced yesterday and was a real good sport about it.

Highlights:
Kevin Nash made his return to RAW, and CM Punk picked a fight with him.
Alberto Del Rio was announced as the WWE Champion.
Alberto Del Rio defeated Rey Mysterio in his first WWE Title defense.
The WWE Tag Team Champions have a new look in a losing effort.
John Cena came to Rey Mysterio’s aid during his post-match beat-down by Del Rio.
HHH’s role in the outcome of SummerSlam was questioned.

Match Summaries:

John Morrison defeated R-Truth by pinfall in a Falls-Count-Anywhere match.
Kelly Kelly and Eve Torres defeated The Bella Twins by pinfall.
Jack Swagger defeated Alex Riley by pinfall.
Kofi Kingston and Evan Bourne defeated David Otunga and Michael McGillicutty by pinfall.
Alberto Del Rio defeated Rey Mysterio by pinfall in the WWE Championship Match.

Prior to the opening segment, the WWE Championship match from SummerSlam was reset. Still shots showed HHH Counting CM Punk the winner with Cena’s foot on the ropes; CM Punk’s hand was raised in victory; Kevin Nash waited in the background; Kevin Nash delivered a Powerbomb; and Alberto Del Rio held the WWE Championship on the entrance.

Opening Segment:

HHH came out to the ring, acknowledging that a lot of people were upset at how things ended up last night at SummerSlam. HHH apologized to the WWE Universe and to John Cena. HHH made a mistake, and he will apologize to Cena to his face later on tonight. Without the mistake, HHH had no idea who would have won, but things happened as they happened, and HHH had no problems lifting CM Punk’s hand in victory. HHH then reassured the crowd that he had nothing to do with what Kevin Nash did after the match. HHH had left some tickets for Nash at will-call and had no interaction with Nash other than that. Kevin Nash will be here tonight, if he is allowed to tell the truth. Regarding Alberto Del Rio cashing in the MITB, that’s the nature of MITB. HHH promised that in San Diego, there would be one undisputed WWE Champion, and he delivered.

Alberto Del Rio then came out, WWE Championship in hand. Michael Cole touted Del Rio as the most caring, philanthropic, and well-bred WWE Champion in history. The King vehemently disagreed. Del Rio said that he was going to be honest with the crowd because he loves them. He had no intention of cashing in his MITB at SummerSlam, but destiny has a way of doing things. When Kevin Nash attacked CM Punk, Del Rio couldn’t resist. Del Rio will represent the people with respect, honesty, and passion. He will be their champion. He will sign autographs in the lobby, and he will take pictures with all of their kids. For tonight, at his very first title defense, he will face Rey Mysterio. Del Rio then said that, when he found out that he would be defending his Championship against Rey Mysterio, he was thrilled because he loves Rey Mysterio. Del Rio encouraged the crowd to chant 6-1-9!!! Del Rio loves to defeat Rey Mysterio. Del Rio began his WWE career by beating Mysterio. Del Rio, when he wakes up in the morning, when he asks himself what he wants to do, the answer is, “Beat Rey Mysterio.” After Del Rio defeats Rey Mysterio, all of us in San Diego will have to get a new area code (maybe 858 would work.)

R-Truth versus John Morrison (Falls Count Anywhere)

R-Truth came out, and he actually had his old “What’s Up” music intro. After locking up, the two superstars battled it out with an exchange of punches. R-Truth ducked a Morrison knee off the ropes and earned a near-fall. Morrison then applied a near-side cradle and earned a near-fall. Truth ended up outside the ring, and Morrison launched himself over the top rope in a corkscrew flying body press that caught Truth. Outside the ring, Morrison earned a near-fall. Morrison then used the barricade to get some momentum for a kick to the head on Truth. Truth then avoided a move and delivered a face buster to Morrison on the floor outside. Back from commercial, Morrison was still on the ground after being dumped over the top rope. Truth earned a near-fall and then continued to pound on Morrison. Truth connected with a running knee to Morrison’s head against the barricade. Truth earned a very close near fall. Truth then delivered a running stomp to Morrison’s head and then delivered a series of stomps to Morrison’s chest. Truth then delivered an atomic drop to Morrison on the top of the barricade. Ouch. Truth then threw Morrison over the barricade and stalked Morrison into the crowd, earning another near-fall amongst the Lil Jimmys. Truth threw Morrison back over the barrier and looked around at the crowd as per his recent usual mid-match distractions. When Truth attempted to cross over the barricade, he was greeted by a kick to the head by Morrison. Truth kicked out at two. Truth then was going to do something with an office chair but was clotheslined by Morrison. Morrison then suplexed Truth into the chair, ran back a few steps, and delivered his running knee flush on Truth’s head, turning Truth ass-over-elbows. Morrison attempted the cover and earned the pinfall. Winner by pinfall: John Morrison.

Backstage, CM Punk arrived to the arena.

Rey Mysterio’s Wrestlemania XXII in 2006, during which he won his first World Heavyweight Championship, was reset.

The Miz came out, dressed in a suit. The Miz came out because he was asked to say hello to someone in the audience…Jared from Subway. The Miz said that Jared is a big fan of the Miz and is a Mizfit. Miz then said that he is not a fan of Jared, and he could do Jared’s job better than Jared can. The crowd began cheering “Subway Sucks.” The Miz then promoted the new Subway Oven-baked Chicken Sandwich, 7 grams of fat, baked-never fried. Miz then advised the executives at Subway that the reason why the oven-baked Chicken Sandwich is trending is because The Miz was talking about it. Miz then took a gluttonous bite of his sandwich and had a satisfied grin on his face. (This segment was a disappointment! I expect more from the Miz.)

Kevin Nash arrived in a limousine backstage.

WWE Greatest Stars of the 21st Century…available NOW!

BTW, the burger logo on the hat in the Subway commercial looks suspiciously like CM Punk’s new logo on the center of his shirt. Too funny!

Kelly Kelly and Eve Torres versus the Bella Twins

Early on, Kelly Kelly delivered the Stinkface to one of the Bellas. In the Bella’s corner, the Bellas then worked on Kelly Kelly’s left knee using the ropes. One of the Bellas continued to work on Kelly Kelly’s knee with a submission hold. Kelly Kelly fought off the second maneuver and then tagged-in Eve. Eve mounted some good offense and then reversed a suplex attempt with a neck-breaker. Kelly Kelly came in and Lou Thesz pressed the non-legal Bella, allowing Eve to hit her backwards moonsault on the legal one, earning the pinfall. Winners by pinfall: Kelly Kelly and Eve Torres.

Post-match, Beth Phoenix and Natalia came out looking devilishly hot in black dresses and glared at the two pin-ups in the center of the ring. Nothing further happened.

Kevin Nash was announced, and he came out to no music. Nash descended the ramp and entered the ring. First, he wanted to thank HHH for inviting him here tonight to explain his actions. HHH and Nash have been friends for twenty years, and HHH is the godfather of Nash’s son. Nash was watching SummerSlam and received a text just before the main event. The text said, no matter who wins, stick the winner. So he did. Nothing personal, Punk, just business. Nash was surprised that HHH is acting like he knew nothing about it. Nash said that he and HHH need to get on the same page. At this point, CM Punk came out and stood at the entrance ramp. Punk asked Nash if he expected Punk to believe him. Punk asked Nash that, if HHH asked Nash to jump of a bridge, then would he…and Nash jumping off a bridge would be good for business. Punk continued that HHH doesn’t really know what’s good for business. Punk heard that Nash had no idea what was good for business. After the events of SummerSlam, Punk knows firsthand that Nash has no idea what’s good for business. Nash warned Punk to watch his mouth. Punk said that Nash obviously hasn’t seen the show because Punk says whatever he wants to whomever he wants. Nash warned that obviously Punk’s world just changed. Punk stated that the story Nash just told points to HHH as a liar. But maybe HHH is telling the truth and Nash is the liar. Nash asked Punk if he wanted to see the text message HHH sent. Punk responded by asking Nash if he wanted to see the text from Punk’s little sister last night, “OMG. Kevin Nash, WTF. I thought he was dead! LoL.” Punk said that Nash is live right here. It’s only his career that’s dead. Punk is pissed off at a lot of people for last night, and Alberto Del Rio is not one of them because Punk had done the same thing as MITB winner. Punk said that now that HHH is in charge, he will be bringing all of his old cronies in. Nash interrupted by saying that HHH has shook things up around here. Punk corrected Nash…Punk is the man who has shaken things up around here. Nash then called Punk an indy-riffic wanna-be who has been here five years and have been in two main events. Punk wanted to know what Nash knows about talent. It’s 2011, not 1994. Nash then said to go to 1996, when Nash and Scott Hall changed the business by getting everybody guaranteed money. Everybody should be saying, “Thank You, Mr. Nash.” Nash then declared that if this is the current state of the business, that someone who looked like a short-order cook at a Pikeville Waffle House can be champion, then take a shower, hit the weights, and get a clue. Punk likes Waffle House (as do I…I’ll have some fully loaded homefries, please!). Punk said that Nash did something bad for business when he put his hands on Punk. Punk then stated that he came into the WWE as CM Punk and will leave as CM Punk. He didn’t need to be Vinnie Vegas, Big Daddy Cool, or whatever other incarnations that Nash had while in the WWE. Enough with the talk, and enough of the snarky comments. Nash’s actions from last night clearly show that he wanted to fight; so let’s fight. Punk headed down to the ring, but was headed off by eight security guards. Punk stopped, and Nash wryly smiled. Punk then said that Punk didn’t put security there; so that means that HHH has deemed his buddy Nash as untouchable. Since all of security is protecting Nash, then that means HHH is unprotected; so Punk will just go and find HHH, and Punk returned backstage.
Rey Mysterio’s victory in the Fatal Fourway in July 2010 to earn the World Heavyweight Championship was reset.

Backstage, Nash was looking for HHH and found John Laurinaitis. Laurinaitis said that HHH is in a meeting with CM Punk. Laurinaitis said that Punk’s words to Nash were totally unacceptable. Laurinaitis then said that he had something to talk about with Nash, and his office is down this way. A mildly frustrated Nash relented and followed Laurinaitis.

Dolph Ziggler and Vickie Guerrero, who were arguing with each other, joined the ringside commentary team.

Alex Riley versus Jack Swagger

The two men locked up, and Swagger pushed Riley to the corner and hit him with some shoulder blocks. Riley hit a clothesline, but then Swagger hit his running Vader Bomb. The commentary for this match was great. At the start of the match, Vickie said that SOMEONE should beat Riley, hinting that Dolph has not done so. Dolph responded that, yes, someone booked in a match with Riley should defeat him, but he’s not booked in a match with him. Michael Cole asked Dolph if he would be the champion without Vickie. Dolph answered that Vickie was like a garnish to a piece of steak, with Dolph being the steak. People go for the steak and avoid eating the garnish. King then chimed in that, of course the topic would turn to food when Vickie is around. Dolph then defended her by saying that Vickie was in better shape than the King or any of the announce team. Dolph said that he takes care of business in the ring. Vickie said that Dolph takes forever to take care of business; so she took care of it herself last week against Riley. Dolph said that Vickie’s bad breath should not be an issue during his match. And the two continued this sort of banter throughout the remainder. It was pretty good, though.

Back to the match, Swagger continued the assault and held an arm bar on Riley. Riley found his way back to his feet and hit a Spinebuster on Swagger. Riley then continued the offensive and hit a sort of Rock Bottom on Swagger. Riley earned a near-fall. Vickie at this point took JR’s hat, placed it on the referee while the referee should have been counting the cover, and then got admonished by the referee. When A-Ry came over to see what was going on, Swagger capitalized and then, on the third attempt at trying to lift A-Ry, hit a gut-wrench sit-through power bomb, earning the pinfall. Winner by pinfall: Jack Swagger.

Post-match, Ziggler gratuitously and capriciously stomped on JR’s hat, earning reprobation from both the King and Michael Cole. I don’t know what that was about.

Rey Mysterio’s victory over the Miz in the WWE Championship Tournament a couple of weeks ago was reset.

Backstage, Jack Swagger thanked Vickie for her help. Vickie said that she’s trying to show Dolph….Swagger cut her off and said that she doesn’t need to show Dolph anything because she’s Vickie Guerrero and she’s managed World and WWE Heavyweight Champions. All of the greats, Freddie Blassie, Bobby “the Brain” Heenan, “the doctor of Style” Slick, Skandor Akbar, James J. Dillon, and Jimmy Hart managed entire stables. Swagger told Vickie to think about expanding her roster, and Swagger left her in thought, her interest clearly piqued.

Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley greeted Punk when he entered his locker room. Stephanie said that she felt bad about what happened to Punk last night, losing the WWE Title…although technically he never won it since Cena’s foot was on the ropes. Regardless, it will be okay, and people always get what they deserve. With that, Stephanie left.

Michael Cole said that it was WWE Day in Santee (er, Clan-tee), California, and Evan Bourne went there to receive a proclamation.

Kofi Kingston and Evan Bourne versus Otunga and McGillicutty

The tag team champions came out to new music and a Nexus-free new look. Early in the match, Kingston held Bourne’s upper body and whipped him into head scissoring McGillicutty into a hurracanrana. McGillicutty turned the momentum in his favor and delivered a series of stomps to Bourne. The two former Nexus members worked on Bourne on their half of the ring. Bourne tried to scurry to his corner, but Otunga prevented him. Otunga continued to work on Bourne. More double-teaming ensued as McGillicutty was tagged in. McGillicutty with a snap suplex and a near fall. Bourne tried to fight out of a chinlock and then made the hot tag. K bounded over the ropes and into the ring with an axe-handle to McGillicutty. Kofi then knife-edge chopped McGillicutty and dropkicked him. Kofi missed with a splash attempt in the corner but then did his sit-through kick to the head when McGillicutty charged him. Kofi then got great air as he hit his high clothesline from the top ropes, but the pinfall attempt was broken up by Otunga at the two-count. K with another drop kick to Otunga. Bourne tagged himself in, Kofi hit a Trouble in Paradise as Bourne mounted the top ropes. Bourne hit the Air Bourne on McGillicutty and earned the pinfall. (Niiice finish, as the Trouble in Paradise is a nice set-up for the Air Bourne.) Winners by pinfall: Kofi Kingston and Evan Bourne.

Alberto Del Rio versus Rey Mysterio (WWE Championship Match)

Alberto Del Rio came out in a fire-engine red Ferrari. The two men squared off and circled each other. The two men locked up and exchanged holds. Mysterio kicked Del Rio in the face and attempted an early cover, earning a near fall. Del Rio kicked Rey in the quad and slowed things down. He measured Rey Mysterio who reversed a move to put Del Rio in 619-receipt position. As Mysterio bounced off the ropes, Del Rio scurried out of the ring to regain his composure. After commercial, Del Rio had body scissors on Mysterio as he very nearly de-masked Mysterio. Mysterio punched Del Rio’s knee to get out of the hold. Del Rio charged Rey but was met with a drop toe hold that catapulted his face downward into the second turnbuckle. Seated in the corner, Del Rio then fell victim to a running kick to the face. Mysterio climbed to the top ropes but Del Rio challenged him, only to fall victim to the whirlwind DDT from the top rope. Off the ropes, Mysterio hit a body press and earned a near-fall. Rey then earned another near-fall. Del Rio kicked Mysterio in the head and slowed the momentum of the match. Del Rio covered Mysterio and earned a near-fall. Del Rio then cinched in the body scissors once again in the center of the ring, as he tried to remove the mask of Mysterio. Mysterio then pounded Del Rio’s knee to break free. Del Rio backed up and launched himself at Mysterio, who dodged and sent Del Rio careening through the top and second rope like Del Rio does in every match. When Del Rio tried to get back in the ring, Rey baseball slid both feet into Del Rio’s sternum. Rey then flipped over the top ropes and landed with a body press on Del Rio. Rey then helped Del Rio into the ring. Rey hit a seated Senton on Del Rio and then landed Del Rio in 619-recepit position, but Rey was greeted with a clothesline that silenced the crowd. Del Rio then Charged Rey in the corner but was greeted by a kick to the head. Del Rio then delivered a spinning backbreaker to Mysterio. Del Rio rammed Mysterio into the corner and delivered a series of shoulder blocks to Mysterio. Del Rio helped Mysterio onto the top ropes and delivered his enziguri kick to the top of Rey’s head. Somehow, Rey was able to kick out of the cover. Rey then rolled up Del Rio as Del Rio attempted the cross arm breaker and earned a very close near fall. The crowd began chanting 619!!! Del Rio missed again with his cross arm breaker. Mysterio then hit a hurracanrana that landed Del Rio in 619-receipt position. Rey hit the 619 and went to the top turnbuckle. As he attempted the flat splash, Del Rio lifted his knees to block the move and then rolled Mysterio up and earned the pinfall.

Post-match, Del Rio stomped on Mysterio and then applied the arm breaker off the bottom rope. Del Rio then rammed Mysterio’s arm into the announce table. Del Rio dragged Mysterio into the center of the ring and applied the arm bar to Mysterio and would not relinquish it. John Cena sprinted into the ring and chased off Del Rio. After clearing the ring, Cena declared that he could be pissed off at a bunch of people, but he’s pissed off at scum like Del Rio, who cheapened the effort that he and CM Punk put in last night. Del Rio is not a Champion. He is a target. Having that championship will make everyone your enemy. CM Punk earned the right to be called Champion…unlike Del Rio who just cashed in a briefcase. Sooner or later, Del Rio will have to defend the title against him, and Del Rio will find out that his destiny is getting his ass whipped by John Cena. And the credits began to roll.

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Source: wrestlingtruth.com