8-15-11 Raw results and thoughts

Coverage and thoughts on the August 15, 2011 episode of Raw

The show starts with Triple H coming to the ring talking about how a lot of people are upset with what happened at SummerSlam and he apologizes to the fans and John Cena. He puts over the Cena-Punk match and says he’s not sure who would’ve won if he hadn’t messed up, but he had no problem raising Punk’s hand. He also says that he had nothing to do with Kevin Nash coming out after the match. He mentions that Nash called him and H got him a ticket for the PPV and says Nash can explain why he came in power bombed Punk. He mentions Alberto Del Rio cashing in the MITB case and said that after SummerSlam there would be ONE UNDISPUTED CHAMPION, “and here he is.” Alberto Del Rio then comes out and mentions that it was his destiny to be WWE Champion and that it was not his intention to cash in at SummerSlam and says that destiny does whatever it wants and that he couldn’t resist after Kevin Nash power bombed Punk. He says that as Champion he will represent everyone with respect and honesty and that he will be in the lobby signing autographs for the fans and take pictures with their kids too. He says that he will be a champion for his people. He then mentions that he will defend the Title against Rey Mysterio. He puts over Rey saying that he is a Mexican icon. He says he loves beating Mysterio and mentions that that was how he started his career and that he will do the same tonight. He tells the fans there will be no more 619 after tonight and he will be their new hero. I thought this was a good promo from Alberto.

They show Triple H going into John Cena’s dressing room to talk to him.

They show Morrison from earlier saying that he will take R-Truth down on his terms

John Morrison vs. R-Truth in a Falls Count Anywhere Match. Morrison gets the pin on the floor. They brawled around ringside mostly and went into the crowd for a bit, but I thought it was good.

They show CM Punk walking backstage.

The Miz comes to the ring for a promo. He says that he came to say hello to Jared the Subway guy because he known what a huge Miz fan he is, but Miz is not a fan of his and that he can be a better spokesperson for Subway than he ever could be. Miz then does his own Subway plug, which was really good. He says that he will be a Champion again because he is The Miz and he is “AWESOME!” This was another really entertaining Miz promo.

They show a Limo pulling in and Kevin Nash comes out.

Divas Champion Kelly Kelly & Eve Torres vs. The Bella Twins. Kelly & Eve win when Eve gets the pin. This was a typical Divas match. It was ok for what it was. After the match Beth Phoenix & Natalya and sarcastically applaud Kelly & Eve and the 4 have a stare down.

Kevin Nash gets introduced as a former WWE Champion, 4 time WCW Champion and one of the most influential wrestlers in the industry. Kevin Nash and first thanks Triple H for letting him come out to explain his action last night. He mentions that before the main event he got a text message, which said to ask him to stick it to the winner. He mentions that it was just business. He talks about Triple H not knowing anything about it and that they should get on the same page. CM Punk then comes out and asks Nash if he expects him to believe that he & H aren’t on the same page. He then talks about how H resigned him because it was good for business and that he’s always thought H doesn’t know what’s good for business and Nash has no idea what is. Nash tells Punk to watch his mouth and Punk Nash needs to watch the show because he whatever he wants to whoever he wants and that Nash story shows that H is a liar, but maybe H was telling the truth and that Nash is the lair. Punk then mentions that Nash’s career is dead and that he’s pissed off at a lot of people in WWE but not Alberto. He mentions that H is bringing his friends back no that he is in charge. Nash then calls Punk in Indy guy and rags on his accomplishments. Punk then says that Nash called Eddie Guerrero a vanilla midget and that it’s 2011 not 1995. Nash then talks about 1996 and then says that if Punk who he says looks like a guy who works in a waffle house is a champion then he should hit the weights. Punk than mentions that he came in and left as CM Punk and says they can fight right now if Nash wants to. Punk goes to the ring but security block him. Punk says that he is not surprised that H made his buddy untouchable and that if they’re watching Nash’s back no one is watching Triple H’s so he will go and find out from H himself. This was a mixed bag segment I thought. I wasn’t too crazy about Nash’s promo and calling Punk an Indy guy. Punk’s promo was really great as always.

Nash walks into Triple H’s office and Johnny Ace comes in and says that H is talking to Punk and says that Punk was out of line. He says that it was good see Nash and they should go somewhere. This was pointless. Why is Johnny Ace an on air character?

Dolph Ziggler & Vickie Guerrero are on commentary and they bicker.

Alex Riley vs. Jack Swagger. Vickie takes her head set off and takes JR’s hat and puts it on, then she puts it on the referee. Swagger gets the pin. Dolph then steps on JR’s hat and puts hit on JR’s head. This was stupid. The whole match was more of a background to the Dolph-Vickie commentary/bickering. They hardly focused on the match at all.

Backstage Swagger thanks Vickie and says that she managed both Dolph and Edge and they were both World Champion. He then talks about all the great managers from the old days and tells Vickie that she should manage him.

CM punk walks into the office and Stephanie is there and says that she is sorry that he lost the Title, but that he might not have actually won it either since Cena’s foot was on the rope. She then says that in the end people always get what they deserve. I’m not sure what was up with that.

Kofi Kingston & Evan Bourne vs. WWE Tag Team Champions Michel McGullicutty & David Otunga. Kofi & Bourne win when Bourne pins Otunga. This was a decent match. Kofi & Bourne are really good. The other 2 guys, not so much. I’m guessing they’ll have a rematch at Night of Champions.

They show Rey Mysterio getting ready for his Title match next.

Rey Mysterio vs. WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio for the Title. Del Rio gets the pin to retain the Title. This was a really enjoyable back and forth match. After the match Alberto continues to attack Rey and slams his arm the announce table, throws him back in the ring and locks on the arm breaker. Cena then comes out and tries to STF Alberto, but he bails. Cena says that he could be pissed off at Triple H, but he’s not. He’s pissed off at Alberto because he went into business for himself and cashed in the MITB case after Cena & Punk had a great match and that Del Rio is not a Champion but a target. He mentions that Punk earned the right to defend the Title and Del Rio was lucky, but won’t be lucky if his next Title defense is against him. This was a good intense promo from Cena.

I thought that this was a decent show on the whole. I enjoyed the Title match and the post match segment and promo from Cena. The Punk-Nash segment had its ups & downs. I did not care for Nash’s promo that much, but I liked Punk’s. He was great as always and I think he is definitely a face now. I think this storyline could be good if they don’t focus most/all of it on the McMahons and the old click. Punk deserves to be the top guy.