WWE Monday Night Raw 8-6-12 Live PBP Coverage

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WWE Raw on the USA Network
Live from San Antonio, Texas at AT&T Center

[Q1] The show opened with a video recap from last week... The new "Tonight's The Night" theme song opened the show... 

A.J. headed to the ring wearing a white outfit and welcomed viewers to Raw. She announced that Randy Orton will face Big Show, and Daniel Bryan will go against John Cena for the first time ever on Raw. There were plenty of boos for the mention of Cena's name. A.J. was interrupted by C.M. Punk's entrance music. 

C.M. Punk entered to a mixed reaction. Punk said he's a man who lives his life with no regrets. He said he's also man enough to know when he's made a mistake. He said he did something last week that he's not proud of and he wishes he could take back. Punk said he stepped out of line and lost his temper. 

Punk said that someone in A.J.'s position of power doesn't deserve to be disrespected, just as someone with his power doesn't deserve it. Punk apologized and A.J. accepted his apology. Punk asked her to cancel the Triple Threat match at SummerSlam and assumed she booked it out of anger. He noted that the champion doesn't have to be pinned or submit to lose his title.

A.J. said she's new at the job and she will make her share of mistakes, but this was not one of them. She said the match stands. Punk accused her of booking the match because he rejected her. He said she should just cancel the match, yet noted that he was more than willing to face a different opponent in a singles match.

John Cena's music played and he headed to the ring. Cena said Punk has become "one of those guys." He said Punk is now one of those guys who comes out every week and demands respect. "You don't demand respect, you come out here and earn it, plain and simple," Cena said. Cena held up the mic as the fans delivered dueling chants for and against him.

Cena noted the crowd's reaction and said he has to fight every day to earn respect. Cena said he was looking good in his match against Big Show last week before Punk got involved, and that's why there's a Triple Threat match. Cena stopped to tell A.J. she smells great, and then he shook her hand.

Punk noted that he didn't stick his nose in the Show vs. Cena match. He accused Cena of putting his hands on him when he came barreling over the announcers' table and crashed into him. Punk proclaimed that he is WWE Champion and that he won't be disrespected by anyone. He added that Cena had Big Show up, but everyone knows he's not strong enough to give him the Attitude Adjustment. "You're welcome, John," Punk said regarding his interference.

Cena pointed out that the WWE Champion doesn't do well in Triple Threat matches and said Punk probably won't be champion coming out of Summerslam. They bickered until Big Show's music interrupted them. "Stop it, stop it, stop it," A.J. said. She said she wasn't going to let things get out of control on her show. She said Cena and Show should save their aggression for their matches.

[Q2] Punk said the top two contenders are in matches, but A.J. didn't include him in her infinite wisdom. She said she did in fact have him booked in a match. She said the fans would decide who his opponent will be via their vote. She said the options are The Miz, Kane, and Rey Mysterio. She said voting starts now because his match is next... 

The announcers hyped the fan voting and showed footage of Brock Lesnar breaking Triple H's arm. They hyped Triple H and Lesnar appearances for later in the show...

NGWS Reaction: ok punk talked to aj like she was a little kid. john cena promo did nothing for me. im glad aj is kinda getting her crazy chick gimmick back with the skipping & the way she acts. big  show had nothing to do with this segment which made it better. an ok way to kick things off. im suprise that punk is up first they must have something for him later.  

After the break, Lawler revealed the results of the fan voting. Mysterio received 47 percent of the vote, Kane received 31 percent, and 22 percent of the fans voted for Mysterio... 

1. C.M. Punk vs. Rey Mysterio in a non-title match. Cole touted Punk's title reign length. Punk caught Mysterio going for a head scissors move and countered with a backbreaker for a two count. Mysterio came back with a split-legged dive onto Punk at ringside heading into the commercial break. [C] 

[Q3] After the break, the announcers recapped footage of Punk cutting off Mysterio's 619 attempt with a clothesline. Back live, Mysterio went on an offense flurry and hit the 619. He went for a top rope splash, but Punk put his knees up. Punk followed up with GTS and scored the clean pin... 

C.M. Punk defeated Rey Msyterio in a non-title match in 10:15.

NGWS Reaction: pretty good back & forth acton. the commercial didn't hurt the match but it would have been better if there wasn't one. the finish didn't hurt rey but where does he go from here. adr is in the world title hunt so who does he feud with is the really question. (good 3-5)

Wade Barrett video

NGWS Reaction: wait they repackaged wade Barrett. why ? hes an awesome heel & didn't need a re package gimmick

The announcers hyped the Show vs. Orton, and Cena vs. Bryan matches for later in the show... Backstage, Alberto Del Rio and Ricardo Rodriguez were shown backing a sports car into the building. Ricardo said something to Del Rio in Spanish. Del Rio shoved his shoulder and said, "Let's go"... [C]

2. Alberto Del Rio (w/Ricardo Rodriguez) vs. Christian. Del Rio targeted Christian's arm early. Lawler noted on commentary that Booker T has been named the new Smackdown general manager. Christian came back with some offense and got a two count, but Del Rio worked over his shoulder again while Cole recalled Christian's shoulder injury. 

Christian went for the spear, but Del Rio countered with a kick. Christian regained control of the offense, but Ricardo distracted him momentarily. As the ref was scolding Ricardo, Del Rio used his own boot as a weapon by slamming it over Christian's head. Del Rio applied the Cross Arm Breaker and got the win... 

Alberto Del Rio defeated Christian by submission in 3:10.

After the match, Sheamus appeared on the big screen and was standing in front of Del Rio's car. Sheamus told him not to leave the keys in it, and then informed him that he was going to take it on a drive around San Antonio... [C]   

NGWS Reaction: gotta like ricardo the ring announcer for adr. acting likes he is out of breath. he is a trained wreslter. hes just a like able character. i think they shoudl keep him as the announcer for adr but maybe a match here & there would be fine with me. by the way didn't adr say he isn't gonna wrestle til summerslam. good match but christiajust jobbed out for know reason. ok 2-5

3. Randy Orton vs. Big Show. Show got the better of Orton early and told him that he's in over his head. "Too easy," Show said while Orton was struggling to get back to his feet. Orton got Show down and then struck the Viper's Pose. Show got to his feet, grabbed Orton by the throat, and chokeslammed him. Show went for the pin, but Orton kicked out. 

Show continued to rough up Orton and then teased the chokeslam. Orton kicked Show a couple times, but Show threw Orton to ringside. Show went after Orton and delivered a hard slap to his chest in front of the announcers' table. Show picked up Orton, who slipped out and rammed Show into the post. 

Show came back moments later with a spear as the referee counted both men out. After the match, Show went for the WMK knockout punch, but Orton dodged it and dropped him with an RKO... 

Randy Orton fought Big Show to a double countout in 5:40.

The announcers hyped that Triple H and Brock Lesnar were both in the building, and the Shawn Michaels appearance for later in the show... [C]

NGWS Reaction: not a bad match but a decent one. makes sense because it didn't both men. 1-5

[Q6] A SummerSlam commercial aired... 

Tyler Reks and Curt Hawkins were standing in the ring after the break. Ryback came out and the camera closed in on both of his eyes to show that one of them was red from an apparent injury. A pre-taped clip aired of Ryback saying that his hunger consumes him and is never satisfied. He said Reks and Hawkins are being served. He welcomed them to the food chain and concluded by saying, "Feed me more"... 

4. Ryback vs. Tyler Reks and Curt Hawkins in a handicap match. Reks and Hawkins got a little offense in early, but he eventually destroyed them both and pinned Hawkins after hitting him with his finisher. He led a modestly received "feed me more" chant afterwards... 

Ryback defeated Tyler Reks and Curt Hawkins in a handicap match in 2:50.

The announcers hyped John Cena vs. Daniel Bryan for later in the show... [C] 

NGWS Reaction: typicallly match for ryback. 1-5 

5. The Primetime Players (w/A.W.) vs. Primo and Epico. A.W. provided a basic introduction of his team using his headset mic. Rosa was not at ringside with her team. The Players tried to leave ringside for another countout finish, but Kof Kingston and R-Truth came out. Primo and Epico attacked The Players at ringside. Back in the ring, Primo hit the Epico hit the Backstabber on Darren Young and got the pin...  

NGWS Reaction: good match. aint it funny that epico & primo can wrestle but can't talk but ptp cant wrestle & they have a guy who can talk. 2.5-5

[Q6] A SummerSlam commercial aired... 

Tyler Reks and Curt Hawkins were standing in the ring after the break. Ryback came out and the camera closed in on both of his eyes to show that one of them was red from an apparent injury. A pre-taped clip aired of Ryback saying that his hunger consumes him and is never satisfied. He said Reks and Hawkins are being served. He welcomed them to the food chain and concluded by saying, "Feed me more"... 

4. Ryback vs. Tyler Reks and Curt Hawkins in a handicap match. Reks and Hawkins got a little offense in early, but he eventually destroyed them both and pinned Hawkins after hitting him with his finisher. He led a modestly received "feed me more" chant afterwards... 

Ryback defeated Tyler Reks and Curt Hawkins in a handicap match in 2:50.

The announcers hyped John Cena vs. Daniel Bryan for later in the show... [C] 

NGWS Reaction: typicallly match for ryback. 1-5

Brodus Clay and his dancers started to make their entrance, but Damien Sandow attacked Clay from behind. Clay fought back briefly, but Sandow recovered quickly and attacked Clay's injured left knee on the floor near the stage. Sandow worked over the knee while Clay screamed out in pain...


The announcers recalled that Sheamus is driving Alberto Del Rio's car around San Antonio. Cole said he stole it, Lawler said it's just a joyride... 

[Q8] 6. Kelly Kelly vs. Eve Torres. The announcers played up Kelly's return, but the live crowd wasn't overly excited based upon their ho-hum reaction to her entrance. The women fought to ringside and Kelly whipped Eve into the barricade. The announcers said Kelly returned with a chip on her shoulder.

Back inside the ring, Kelly hit a cross body block for a near fall. She went for a head scissors in the corner, but Eve slammed her down to the mat face first. Later, Kelly used the head scissors that she turned into a roll up with her legs to score the clean pin... 

Kelly Kelly defeated Eve in 3:00. 

NGWS Reaction: ok kelly kelly every match ends up with a roll up. 1-5

Ring announcer Justin Roberts introduced WWE Hall of Famer and San Antonio's own Shawn Michaels. HBK made his entrance and got the usual pyro treatment. Michaels got a strong reaction from the live crowd, and Cole and Lawler were shown standing and applauding from ringside. 

The fans chanted "HBK" once his music stopped playing. Michaels, who was wearing a "Mr. Hall of Fame" t-shirt, joked again that he's not in shape for his entrance routine. Michaels thanked the WWE Universe for allowing him to be part of history via the Raw 1000 show.

Michaels said he's usually content watching the world go by from his ranch, but there was no way he would miss Raw being in San Antonio. He said there are some familiar faces and some that he didn't recognize. He said they are all talking about the confrontation at SummerSlam between Triple H and Brock Lesnar. He said they were all asking him for his opinion. Brock Lesnar's music interrupted Michaels.

[Q9] Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman headed to the ring at the top of the show's third hour. Heyman said everyone should be asking HBK's opinion regarding Lesnar vs. Triple H because HBK is the single greatest entertainer in the history of WWE. Heyman said he and Lesnar would seek out his opinion as well, but not for this particular match.

Heyman said Lesnar is not going to SummerSlam to be an entertainer or a showstopper. He said Lesnar is going to Summerslam to fight Triple H and to prove once again that he's the baddest dude on the planet. Lesnar glared at Michaels throughout the promo, but then looked to the crowd once the "HBK" chants started again.

Michaels said he's not there to dispute the attributes of Lesnar. "Exactly, he said it..." Heyman said. Michaels told him not to put words in his mouth. HBK said any other time, Lesnar is the man. However, they went somewhere they shouldn't have gone with Triple H by making it personal by bringing up his wife and kids. Michaels said he doesn't even recognize Hunter anymore.

Michaels said that he would give his opinion even though they didn't ask for it. "On this day, I am going with Triple H," Michaels said. "And I believe it down to my core. In fact, I believe it so much that I want to be there to see it personally. In fact, I'm going to be in his corner at SummerSlam to watch Triple H defeat Brock Lesnar."

Heyman told Lesnar that's the big announcement. He said that's the moment they are going to play over and over again when they look back on Triple H's career. Heyman said Michaels left on his own terms, but Lesnar won't give Hunter that option. Lesnar took the mic and said the only reason Michaels thinks Triple H can beat him is that HBK has never been in the ring with him. "Until now," Lesnar said while walking toward Michaels.

Triple H's music played and he headed to the ring and stood by HBK's side. Lesnar laughed at Hunter and teased leaving the ring. He took a mic from Heyman. "I'll see you at SummerSlam," Lesnar told Hunter. "And you (HBK), yeah you, I'll see you before then." Lesnar and Heyman left the ring together... 

NGWS Reaction: a perfect segment. wwe does a good job handling lesnar with heyman doing the talk. 

The announcers set up footage of Sheamus stealing Del Rio's car again. They aired a Tout that had Sheamus singing while sitting in Del Rio's car... [C] 

Alex Riley was already in the ring after the break. The announcers were joined by Chris Jericho on commentary. Jericho was wearing Dolph's t-shirt. Vickie Guerrero came out and introduced Dolph Ziggler for his match... 

[Q10] 7. Dolph Ziggler (w/Vickie Guerrero) vs. Alex Riley.Ziggler stopped wrestling to taunt Jericho, who said he was easily distracted. He noted that Riley was in Miz's corner in the main event of WrestleMania. Jericho put over Ziggler by talking about how he is the future, yet Jericho said we are here and now. Ziggler continued to taunt Jericho, who stood up to film a tout video. Dolph was even more distracted and was rolled up by Riley for the upset win... 

Alex Riley defeated Dolph Ziggler in 4:15. 

NGWS Reaction: good to see alex on raw & he won. this doesn't hurt dolp at all. 2-5 

[Q12] An ad for Friday's Smackdown hyped that Chris Jericho will host Dolph Ziggler on The Highlight Reel... 

After the break, Bryan was in the ring muffing his ears as the fans chanted "Yes" at him. Lawler said hello to actor Tom Arnold, who was Tweeting about Raw. They plugged his forthcoming movie... 

John Cena made his entrance. Cena said something into the camera, but I couldn't make it out and didn't care enough to rewind more than once to make it out. The announcers set up footage that recapped the closing segment from last week with A.J. setting up the Triple Threat match... 

9. John Cena vs. Daniel Bryan. The women and kids chanted, "Let's Go Cena" and the men chanted "C.M. Punk." Daniel Bryan yelled that it's about him and "no, no, no." Cole noted that Bryan has changed his finishing hold to the No! Lock. Cena went on the offensive early. Bryan came back and hit a flying knee off the apron on Cena, who was at ringside. Bryan had a "Yes" and "No" exchange with one of several fans dressed in referee shirts. [C] 

After the break, Bryan remained in control and hit Cena with a nice dropkick in the corner. Cena made brief comebacks, but Bryan kept shutting him down and regaining control of the match.

[Overrun] Bryan hit a top rope headbutt as Cole reset the show at the top of the hour. Cena applied the STF. Bryan teased tapping only to counter with a No! Lock attempt. Cena avoided Bryan's submission hold attempt and hit him with the Attitude Adjustment and scored the clean pin. Cole raved about the match and thanked A.J. Lee for giving it to them.

John Cena defeated Daniel Bryan in 13:45.

After the match, C.M. Punk's music played and he came to the ring. Punk went face-to-face with Cena. Punk held up the title belt. Cena shoved Punk to the ground and then the camera showed that Big Show was entering the ring. Cena fought off Show and hoisted him up for the Attitude Adjustment, but Punk struck him from behind again.

Punk went to ringside and put on the extra headset. He said maybe it is his fault that he's in a Triple Threat match and that he's disrespected. He said he's been shaking everyone's hand, smiling, kissing babies, and letting people walk all over and disrespecting him. 

Punk pointed at Cena and Show lying in the ring. He said that from here on out, he does what he does best. He said Raw ends the same way two weeks in a row with C.M. Punk standing tall with his WWE Title, which proves that he alone is the best wrestler in the world. He said anybody else who stands in his way will end up lying on the mat just like Show and Cena.

Punk headed back to the ring and tried to kick Big Show. However, Show caught Punk's leg and knocked him out with a WMD punch. Cena got to his feet and also took the WMD punch. Show held the WWE Championship belt above his head and then put it over his shoulder as he looked down at Punk and Cena...  

NGWS Reaction: bryan made it better than it was supposed to. 2.5-5