6-11-12 Live Raw recap and thoughts

Live thoughts on the June 11, 2012 episode of Raw

I was at Monday Night Raw last night in Hartford, CT and I figured I’d give my recap and live thoughts of being at the show. Getting to see the show live was great. I couldn’t really see the ring too well from where my seat but I managed to watch everything on the Tron since I was sitting right across from it. Being at the show live made it much more enjoyable. Also the Hartford crowd was hot for most of the night and that made the show even more fun.

It was kinda cool to see what they do in the arena during the commercial breaks. Like when a guy comes out and is in the ring while his music plays, they cut the music and they play video packages. Then they play the guy’s theme music again when the show returns. Also getting to see the steel cage live was really cool. During the backstage segments they also shut the ring lights off. I felt like I was watching the show in a movie theater which isn’t bad.

It was hard to hear what the performers were saying at times because of the crowd reaction but that’s to be expected.

Also before I get into my thoughts, my apologies if this isn’t going to be as detailed as my usual recaps but it was hard to hear everything the performers said.

On with the show.

They started out with Alex Riley vs. Drew McIntire in a dark match. Riley got the pin. This was a solid match and they both worked hard. A-Ry got a huge pop since he was the first guy to come out. Also the pyro is REALLY noisy live!

Then Josh Mathews & Scott Stanford came out to do commentary for the Superstars matches.

The first Superstars match was Zack Ryder vs. Michael McGuillicutty. Ryder got the pin. This was a really good match too. Both guys really worked hard here and should be used better. Ryder got a good pop too when he came out. They really dropped the ball with him. Woo woo woo, they know it.

The second Superstars match was the Usos vs. Titus O’Neil & Darren Young. This was a good match too. Titus & Darren got the win.

Raw started with Johnny Ace coming to the ring and as he about to say who he is, Vince’s music hit and he came out to a huge pop! The segment with these 2 was ok. They screwed up a couple lines. I know Johnny said 100^th episode of Raw by mistake instead of 100^th. There was a big “Fire Johnny” chant. Sheamus coming out was good too. I thought he cut a good promo. Him sarcastically saying that Johnny has been a friend was predictable but I thought Sheamus said it well. Then of course he said that Johnny is the worst GM ever. Then Johnny said that he would find an opponent for Shamus. Then Vince said that whoever Ace picks better be impressive or “You’re Fired!” Then Vince got on Johnny’s scooter and wheeled up the ramp. Then he pushed the scooter off the stage. This was a decent opening segment. I thought seeing it live made it better.

Then they show the Khali-Del Rio match from Smackdown and they mention that Khali’s chop is what caused Del Rio’s concussion.

Sheamus was still in the ring and Johnny has an opponent for him. Out came Tensai.

Sheamus vs. Tensai. Sheamus got the pin. This was better than I thought it would be. I knew Sheamus was gonna win but the match was longer than I expected it to be and was solid.

The Vince-Johnny Ace segment in the office with Teddy Long was alright. Teddy Long was in there too. Vince told Johnny that Tensai losing to Sheamus was strike one for Johnny. Then he asked Johnny who Sheamus’ new challenger will be at No Way Out. Then Vickie Guerrero came in and said that Jack Swagger & Dolph Ziggler are former World Champions and that they should challenge Sheamus in a Triple Threat match at the PPV. Then Vince asked if Johnny had any ideas. Then Johnny asked for Teddy Long’s opinion. Then Long mentioned that there were 4 former World Champions in the arena. Swagger, Dolph, Khali & Christian. Then Long suggests that those for be in a 4 was elimination match later in the show.

I wasn’t sure what they were doing having Tensai turn on Sakamoto. The guy never really did anything besides be at ringside for Tensai’s matches. The crowd was dead for that part.

I’m not sure if the R-Truth segment backstage was pre taped since Truth is out with a broken foot. I thought his promo followed by Big Show knocking him out while he was talking was decent. I’m not sure what they’ll do with the tag titles. They probably don’t know either.

Then we had U.S. Champion Santino Marella & Divas Champion Layla vs. Ricardo Rodriguez & Beth Phoenix. The crowed wasn’t really into this as much. Ricardo ran into the post and fell. I wasn’t into that. Ricardo & Beth got the win when Beth pinned Layla after the Glam Slam. After the match Ricardo taunted Santino and then Santino pulled Ricardo’s shirt off and underneath was a Justin Beiber t-shirt. Whatever.

David Otunga going into Vince’s office and sucking up to Vince was dull. Otunga said that if Johnny gets canned then he should be the new GM. Vince saying that he doesn’t like suck ups was stupid since we all know that’s what he loves. Then Kofi Kingston came in and told Johnny that he wanted a match with Big Show. Johnny said that Kofi would face Big Show in the cage. This was ok. Kofi is getting buried which sucks. The guy’s talented.

The CM Punk-Kane-Daniel Bryan-AJ segment was good too. I thought Punk & Bryan cut the usual good promos that they always cut. I loved Daniel’s line; “Once you go Bryan, there is no point tryin” was funny. I liked Punk mentioning how when Bryan broke the glass ceiling it got him swelled headed. The goat face line was corny, but of course the fans chanted that. Kane was ok here too. I liked AJ too. I couldn’t hear everything she said but it was good. Then Johnny Ace showed up on the Tron mad AJ & Punk vs. Kane & Daniel. I thought this was a solid segment.

The 4 Way elimination match was next. Intercontinental Champion Christian vs. Great Khali vs. Jack Swagger vs. Dolph Ziggler. This was a good match. Christian, Swagger & Dolph piled on top of Khali and got the pin. Then there was a lot of good back and forth with the remaining guys. Christian hit the Kill Switch on Swagger and Dolph came in and pinned Swagger. Christian & Dolph had some good back and forth stuff too.  Eventually Dolph got the pin. I knew Dolph was gonna win. They’ll be having him challenge Sheamus for the World Title at No Way Out. The only thing here is that Dolph has lost to Sheamus twice and now we’re supposed to take him seriously as a World Title challenger? WWE should be pushing Dolph better.

Natalya and Vince were backstage. Natalya asked if they could a Hart-McMahon family get together again and Vince said he’d think about it. I didn’t really get this.

Then as Vince was walking backstage Naomi & Cameron came by and asked Vince if he can lift the, “Brodus can’t be on Raw” stip. Vince said he wasn’t sure and the funkettes spoke and they were awful. Then Vince says for someone to call his momma. Then Vince and the funkettes to Brodus’ bit. Then Zack Ryder showed up looking all surprised. Then Vince said Ryder’s catch phrase to him. This was terrible.

Then came the Ryback squashes 2 unknowns match. Not much to this. Same old Ryback kinda match.

The Vince-Hornswoggle backstage segment was THE WORST PART OF THE SHOW! Hornswoggle had a cowboy hat, Vince said that Hornswoggle has a big head for a dwarf. Then Vince puts on the cowboy hat and mock JR AGAIN! TERRIBLE!!

Then Cena came in and told Vince that Johnny is the worst GM ever and that Vince should can him. Vince mentions that Cena lost to The Rock at WrestleMania. Then Cena mentioned all the WrestleMania matches Vince lost. Then Vince tells Cena not to get involved in the cage match. Cena said Kofi will handle this himself. Then Otunga came back in and sucked up to Vince again. Vince again said that he doesn’t like suck ups. Then he looks off the camera and says, “No offense.” They show William Regal on the couch. This was idiotic. 

Then they show on the Tron that Brodus Clay will face David Otunga on the Youtube No Way Out pre show.

Kofi Kingston vs. Big Show in the cage was ok. Show dominated most of the match. Kofi got some offense in, but Show pounded on him throughout most of this. Show knocked out Kofi, stood in the ring for a bit and then he walked out the cage door for the win.

Sin Cara vs. Curt Hawkins was a solid match too. Hawkins is another guy whose good in the ring and it underutilized. Sin Cara got the pin of course.

The Daniel Bryan-Vince segment backstage was decent too. I liked how Bryan mentioned that last year WWE canned him and then he returned and proved him wrong. I wasn’t really into Vince mentioning Bryan losing the World Title in 18 seconds. Bryan said that they’re both self made men. This was a decent bit.

Heath Slater came to the ring and asked why WWE is celebrating past Raw stars when there is a current star right in front of everyone’s face. He says it’s Slater time and then Vader’s music hit and he cam out to a huge pop!

Vader vs. Heath Slater. Vader got the pin. This was a squash. The crowd was way into Vader and the chanted, “You still got it.” I liked seeing Vader live! Great moment!

The CM Punk-AJ segment backstage was good too. AJ was freaking out and Punk said he would face both guys. Then AJ kissed Punk. This was good. I like Punk’s character and AJ has been really good playing the crazy chick.

Then came AJ & WWE Champion CM Punk vs. Kane & Daniel Bryan. Punk & AJ won when Punk pinned Daniel. The match was decent. During the match AJ got in the ring and skipped around Kane. Then she jumped into his arms and kissed him. Then Kane tagged Daniel in and he walked put. Then Punk got the pin on Daniel. Then AJ lovingly stared at Punk. I’m thinking that AJ will assist Daniel at No Way Out.

Time for the Vince-Johnny Ace “Moment of truth.” Vince mentioned that he has a soft spot for Hartford. He mentioned that Stephanie was born there. He also had the security guys with him and he said they were for Johnny. Then Vince was about to tell Johnny his decision but then Big Show came out. He talked about the iron clad contract Johnny gave him. Then Show blames Vince for everything that has happened. I liked Show’s line when he said that at No Way Out “The Golden Goose” John Cena’s feathers will get plucked. Then Cena came out to a huge pop. He wasn’t his usual over the top cartoon self like usual. Then Cena mentioned that Show blamed everyone for what’s happened except for Johnny. Then Cena asks Big Show what he will do if Cena beats him at No Way Out. Then Vince says that he will be at ringside for the Cena-Big Show cage match. Vince says that if Cena wins then he will can Johnny. Then Show grabbed Cena and security comes in to break it up but Show pummeled them. Then Cena punched Big Show and Johnny tried to break it up. Then Johnny got knocked down and then Big Show gave Vince the knock out punch. Then medics came out to check on Vince and that ended the broadcast. Vince never actually made his decision of what to do with Johnny Ace.

After the show went off the air the Medics helped Vince up off the canvas and helped him up the stage. The fans cheered.

John Cena was still in the ring. Then Johnny Ace came back out and said that Cena will face Big Show and him right now in a handicap match. Big Show comes back out. David Otunga came out too and Johnny told Cena that this will be a 3 on 1 handicap match.

John Cena vs. Big Show, David Otunga & Johnny Ace. Cena won after he pinned Otunga. Show was going to punch Cena but Cena got out of the way and Show knocked out Otunga. Then Cena pinned Otunga for the win. After the match Johnny Ace hit Cena with his crutch but Cena gave him the AA to send the fans home happy.

I really liked being at the show live. It made the made the show much more fun to watch! Hopefully I’ll get to go to a Raw taping again or maybe a Smackdown taping soon. I also heard that Vince will be selling the Knockout punch from Big Show and might not be at ringside at No Way Out. They might have Johnny Ace be some other kind of on air/storyline heel in charge role. Overall I liked being at the show live.