WWE Raw Storyline Tracker 5/9 & 5/16
By Robin Scannell, PWTorch specialist

(1) WWE Title Picture / John Cena vs. The Miz

Alberto Del Rio opened Raw on May 9, criticizing the celebration of The Rock’s birthday when they should have been celebrating his arrival to Raw. Del Rio then went on to explain why he should be the number one contender for the WWE Championship. Rey Mysterio then came down to the ring and contested Del Rio’s destiny to win the WWE Title. The Miz, accompanied by Alex Riley then came to the ring and blamed the referee for reversing the decision in his title match the week before. R-Truth came to the ring also. He talked about John Morrison being in the hospital because of him. The GM then decided that three of the competitors deserved a title shot, so there would be a Triple Threat match. R-Truth was annoyed he wasn't included. The Miz won the number one contenders match. John Cena then announced that the match would be an “I Quit” match. Truth then attacked Mysterio, which ended the show.

The following week, John Cena opened Raw, but was interrupted by Alex Riley. The GM said Miz could pick Cena’s opponent and the stipulation for tonight, so long as Miz and Riley were not involved. Miz was seen throughout the night speaking with various Superstars backstage. Later, Miz announced that the match was No Holds Barred. Jack Swagger attacked Cena from behind to start the match, which revealed that Swagger was the chosen opponent. Cena beat Swagger in an 11-minute match.

After the match, Miz came out and listed all the things that he could do to Cena, such as throw him off the stage. Miz swung a camera into the stage and said he could do that to Cena also. He then said he wouldn’t do any of that though, and he guarantees that he will win the match as he’s found a way that Cena has never seen before. Miz and Riley attacked Cena. After Cena cleared the ring, he said that Miz would say “I quit” on Sunday.

Reax: Jack Swagger looked like he had turned face earlier in the episode of Raw, but then he was put against Cena, so it seems that if he’s going to turn, it still hasn’t happened yet. Perhaps it will at the pay-per-view.
As for the title match, I can’t see Cena losing, unless Miz really has come out with a way to cost Cena the match. John Cena has had more “I Quit” matches than anyone else, and is 3-0 in them (his opponents were JBL, Randy Orton, and Batista). Cena is 2-1 in title matches against Miz.

***

(2) Kharma

On May 9, after Eve and Kelly Kelly defeated the Bella Twins in a tag match, Kharma came to the ring. The Bellas ran backstage, Kelly slid out of the ring, and Eve attempted to attack Kharma from behind, but Kharma ended up taking Eve out.

The following week, after Kelly Kelly defeated Brie Bella in a non-title match, Kharma came out and walked over to Kelly. The Bella Twins attacked Kharma, who who took out the Bellas. Kharma then walked over to Kelly and flicked her forehead, before leaving.

Reax: Kharma’s attention has really been focused on Kelly Kelly. She hasn’t yet attacked her. With Kelly Kelly challenging for the Divas Title at Over the Limit, it seems likely that Kharma will at least make an appearance.

***

(3) The New Nexus vs. Big Show and Kane

On May 9, Kane faced Mason Ryan in a match that Ryan dominated. However, as Kane began to get some offense in, C.M. Punk interfered, leading Kane to win by disqualification. The rest of New Nexus came to the ring and they brawled with Kane and Snow.

On May 16, C.M. Punk defeated Kofi Kingston clean, and afterwards said that New Nexus will become the most dominant force WWE has ever seen. David Otunga and Michael McGillicutty then defeated Big Show and Kane after distraction from Punk. It was announced that Big Show and Kane would defend their Tag Team Championships again Punk and Mason Ryan at Over the Limit. Backstage, Kane and Big Show had an interview vowing to annihilate New Nexus.

Reax: There was no logic in Punk and Ryan getting a Tag Team Championship shot. Punk beat the United States champion, and Otunga and McGillicutty beat the Tag Team champions. There should really be logic in how these title matches come about, even if WWE thinks their audience doesn't think about these things. Why was Punk’s match non-title when Jack Swagger’s match against Kofi Kingston the week before a title match?

***

(4) Jerry “The King” Lawler vs. Michael Cole (w/Jack Swagger)

On the May 9 edition of Raw, Michael Cole cut a promo announcing his retirement from in-ring competition. He said he wants to enter the Hall of Fame as a broadcaster and an in-ring competitor. Lawler said that he would induct Cole into the Hall of Fame and give him his ring if Cole could beat him again. Cole declined. He then went back to the Cole Mine and made comments about Lawler’s mother before Jack Swagger attacked Lawler from behind. Kofi Kingston then beat Jack Swagger in a United States Title match, after distraction from Lawler. Lawler attacked Swagger and Cole (or at least Cole’s tie). Swagger then accepted the match on Cole’s behalf.

On May 16, there are a contract signing. Lawler signed, but didn’t read the fine print, that the match was a “Kiss My Foot” match. Lawler then talked up Swagger, causing Cole to make light of Swagger, saying that he was only at WrestleMania because of him. Swagger was not happy at this, and seemed to abandon Cole. Cole then tried to stop the match, but Lawler just told him to shut up.

Reax: Cole claimed he was undefeated. He’s not. He lost via disqualification to Jim Ross on April 25 (the WWE Draft edition of Raw). Like most people, I just want this feud to end. Hopefully this will happen at the pay-per-view. I think Jack Swagger may turn babyface, as there’s no real #3 babyface on Raw (Kofi is stuck in the mid-card, Morrison is injured, and Big Show is otherwise occupied with the Tag Titles), and it would move Swagger on from Cole.

***

(5) Rey Mysterio vs. Alberto Del Rio / R-Truth

On May 16, Mysterio cut a promo about R-Truth attacking him the week before. He criticized R-Truth for “losing it.” He called out R-Truth, but he didn’t come out. Instead, Del Rio did. Del Rio talked about being a full-blooded Mexican. Mysterio and Del Rio then had a match, which Mysterio won after Del Rio was disqualified when Ricardo Rodriguez took a 619 from Mysterio.

Truth spoke on a microphone during the match, saying that Mysterio stole his spot. Then, after the match, Truth attacked Rey and said that Mysterio was going to “get got” at the pay-per-view, setting up a match.

Current Feuds Active this Week (# weeks)

Jerry “The King” Lawler vs. Michael Cole (24)
John Cena vs. The Miz (w/Alex Riley) (15)
Rey Mysterio vs. Alberto Del Rio (2)
Rey Mysterio vs. R-Truth (1)

Email any questions and comments to scannell.torch@gmail.com.

[Torch art credit Grant Gould (c) PWTorch.com]

We suggest these recent related articles...

10/5 WWE Raw Hits & Misses: Natalya vs. Paige, Owens vs. Cara, Stephanie McMahon, Sasha Banks, Xavier Woods

COLLECTIBLES COLUMN: The History of Foam Hands in Pro Wrestling

9/28 WWE Raw Hits & Misses: Kane's Split Personality, Divas Revolution, Heyman & Big Show, Reigns vs. Wyatt