WWE Raw Storyline Tracker - 7/11 episode
By Robin Scannell, PWTorch specialist

(1) John Cena vs. C.M. Punk

C.M. Punk came to the ring with a megaphone in case his mic got cut out again. Punk spoke of everything he said before. He said that, in his hand, the mic is power. Punk said Vince McMahon wanted to sign him to a new, long and lucrative contract. He said that WWE only gets attention when he talks or when someone dies. Punk said there would be a live contract negotiation, and that he might sign, but he might not.

John Cena came to the ring. Punk said that he’s going to change how the title looks. Cena listed a bunch of guys who underestimated Cena, but they were all disappointed. He said, in Chicago, he is going to whip Punk’s ass. The GM then booked Cena in a match. John Cena then defeated David Otunga and Michael McGillicutty in a handicap match.

At the end of the show, Vince McMahon came to the ring and asked Punk to come out. Punk said that Vince wasn’t that confident in Cena and he had a different contract, which he had already signed. Punk pushed Vince, as he was allowed per a provision in his contract. He said he wants his own jet and his face on the turnbuckles, amongst other things.

Punk asked for Vince to bring back WWE ice cream bars. He said he wants to be in a movie, The Chaperone 2, like the first, but funny, entertaining, and successful. Punk wanted whatever match he was in at WrestleMania to be the main event and he wanted an apology for the suspension. Punk called Vince a bully. Punk said Vince will apologize for his friends that were fired, for Colt Cabana and Luke Gallows. Punk said he was the “voice of the voiceless.” Vince eventually apologized in a whisper and Punk responded with “what?” Vince then apologized much more loudly and angrily.

Cena then came out and did a comedic bit about Punk and Vince’s back and forth and about how much he dislikes Vince. Cena brought up The Rock, as a slight non-sequitur. He then said that Punk has lost sight of things. Punk said that all the Boston sports team say that they are underdogs, and that Cena is the one who has sight of him becoming what he hates. He said that Cena is the “New York Yankees.” Cena then punched Punk. Punk left the ring and he said that he’s the underdog.

Punk then sat at the top of the stage. Punk said that he is tired. He said fans could say goodbye to C.M Punk. He then ripped up the contract and said that he will “go be the best in the world somewhere else."

Reax: Like many others, I am really looking forward to this match at the pay-per-view. I just hope the story isn’t finished with a clean Cena victory. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a Punk victory, and then him lose to the Raw Money in the Bank winner. Pat McNeil provides a very interesting idea in his Money in the Bank preview, which I recommend reading.

***

(2) Dolph Ziggler

Backstage, Dolph Ziggler said that McMahon should fire Punk and Cena as the United States Championship was the most important title. Then, Drew McIntyre appeared, and him, Dolph Ziggler, and Vickie Guerrero mocked Vince McMahon. McMahon then appeared and booked Ziggler and McIntyre in a handicap match against Big Show. Vince McMahon was then asked for a comment on the contract negotiation, but Vince said he could tell everyone “go to hell.”

Reax: If the storyline develops in a way that Cena and Punk both leave Raw, at least for a week or two, then I really like the idea of Dolph Ziggler claiming to be the face of Raw with the most important championship. If Randy Orton comes over from Smackdown, and his title becomes interbrand, in this period of uncertainty, Ziggler and Orton could provide a fresh feud.

I think it is noteworthy that Dolph Ziggler isn’t on the pay-per-view. For all I know, WWE could throw together a bonus tag match at the PPV of Ziggler & McIntyre, Koslov & Santino, The Usos, and tag champions Otunga & McGuillicutty.

***

(3) Big Show vs. Mark Henry

Big Show faced Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre in a handicap match. McIntyre was in the ring, while Ziggler was hiding outside the ring. There was a double-count out as Show and McIntyre were on the stage. Henry ran out and pushed Show and McIntyre onto a side of the stage. Drew McIntyre appeared to fall into some lights.

Reax: The announcers didn’t comment on McIntyre until after the commercial break, and even then, they didn’t say much. I was more worried about how he fell than Show and Henry.

***

(4) Kelly Kelly vs. The Bella Twins

The Bella Twins were on commentary for Kelly Kelly’s victory over Melina. After the match, The Bellas entered the ring and cut a promo talking about how skinny Kelly is. Eve ran out for the save, but The Bellas came out on top.

Reax: As uninteresting as this is, the Bellas put heat onto themselves by cutting a promo and then ending up on top at the end of the segment. Thus, The Bellas appeared as a threat to Kelly and her title.

***

(5) Money In The Bank Participants

The Miz came to the ring and sat on top of a ladder in the middle of the ring. He spoke about winning last year. Jack Swagger then came out and said he also won. Miz asked if it counted if no one remembered it. Evan Bourne came out and said he’s tired of Miz and Swagger talking about the past. Kofi Kingston came out and put over how dangerous the match was, citing Edge has an example. R-Truth then came out and talked about a fear of heights and a fear of spiders. Alex Riley then came out and chased Miz, who ran out the ring. Alberto Del Rio then came out in his car and said he won a number one contenders match, so he shouldn’t even be in the match. The GM then booked Swagger, Truth, and Miz against Riley, Bourne, and Kingston.

The babyfaces won the match, with Riley pinning Swagger. After the match, the wrestlers all hit their finishers. Del Rio, though, managed to knock down Bourne and he used a ladder to attack all of the other wrestlers.

***

Current Raw Feuds Active this Week (# weeks)

Kelly Kelly vs. The Bella Twins (9)
Alex Riley vs. The Miz (8)
John Cena vs. C.M. Punk (4)

[Torch photo (c) PWTorch.com]

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