WWE Raw Storyline Tracker
By Robin Scannell, PWTorch Specialist

Episode - July 16, 2012

(1) WWE Title Picture

Raw opened with the announcement that John Cena won the Raw Money in the Bank Match. Additionally, the main event was announced as C.M. Punk vs. Big Show.

C.M. Punk came to the ring and said he loved Las Vegas. He referenced his “pipe bomb” from a year ago, and he talked about saying and proving that he is the best in the world. Punk said he defeated Daniel Bryan the night before, despite there being a very, very, very confused guest referee who couldn’t decide if she was with him or against him. Punk said that someone like him wouldn’t have been on the first episode of Raw.

Big Show then came to the ring and said that Punk’s story was really touching. Show spoke about nearly winning at MITB, and that John Cena was just in the right place at the right time when the handle broke. Show said that if he had the contract, he’d cash it in right now.

Punk said that although Show said he almost won, almost only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades. Punk said Show leaves destruction in his wake, but loses. Punk said that although Show has the size and the strength, he lost. Punk said that’s why he, who is half his size, has the respect of the people and the WWE Championship, while Show has his big, fat contract, and the respect of no one. Big Show said it’s not possible, that they don’t even respect themselves.

Show said that if Punk left tomorrow, after a week they’d move onto the next new thing. Show doesn’t care about not having the people’s respect. Show said that the company revolves around one man, and that Punk isn’t special; he’s just another cog in the machine. Punk said he’s the WWE Champion and Show is not. He said that Show is bitter, well paid, shell of a man who is also a giant.

Show said that that is his opinion. Show said that as John Cena has the Money in the Bank briefcase, after Big Show knocks out and beats Punk in their match, Punk could very well possibly lose the title to Cena.

C.M. Punk defeated Big Show in the main event by disqualification after Show pushed the referee down. After the match, John Cena’s music hit and he ran to the ring with the briefcase, while the announcers declared that he was cashing in his briefcase. Cena then said that he sent out a Tout about a huge announcement that he had about the briefcase. Big Show interrupted saying he knows he’s going to cash in the briefcase right now.

Show asked how long it’s been since Cena was champion. Show even said that Cena designed the title, it’s his. A referee requested the briefcase from Cena. Show said that Cena would be a fool not to cash in the briefcase now. Cena said, “No,” giving Punk one week to prepare for the biggest match of his life. Cena then announced that at Raw 1,000 he is cashing in the Money in the Bank contract against him for the WWE Championship.

Cena then referenced his huge announcement, and then hit Show with the briefcase. Punk held up the title, and Cena held up the MITB briefcase to close Raw.

Reax: The point is often made that whenever the announcers foreshadow something, it won’t happen. This is because to avoid spoiling something, the announcers never foreshadow something when it will actually happen, so that only leaves the time where it won’t.

WWE need to treat these situations identically, not just because the announcers don’t know what will or won’t happen, but also because the audience catch on to the constant foreshadowing of something that doesn’t happen. For example, Michael Cole calling a nearfall as if it’s the end of the match. This is despite the wrestler never having won a match with that particular move. Another example is, of course, the hyping of Cena to cash in his MITB briefcase.

As I side note, I have post a VIP blog looking at the ways the announcers have treated MITB successful cash-ins and attempts in the moments immediately prior to the cash-in. It's interesting to see some of the differences.

***

(2) Raw 1,000 Hype

WWE polled their audience to choose a title match for Raw 1,000, between the United States, Intercontinental, or Divas Championships, which resulted in an Intercontinental Championship match being selected for the following week with 36 percent of the vote. Christian’s opponent wasn’t announced.

It was also announced that a DX reunion will kick off Raw 1,000. Additionally, The Rock was announced as appearing on the show, too.

Also, the Daniel Bryan and A.J. wedding, the C.M. Punk vs. John Cena WWE Title match, the new General Manager of Raw & Smackdown, and a Brock Lesnar appearance are all due to occur as well!

***

(3) Daniel Bryan & A.J.

Backstage, Daniel Bryan approached A.J., and A.J. said that she called the match down the middle at the MITB PPV. Bryan then apologized for all the awful things he’s said to her since WrestleMania. He simply got caught up in beating Punk and becoming champion, that he made her the scapegoat. He then was about to tell A.J. something, when Eve walked up.

Eve brought up Bryan ditching her in their tag match last week. Eve then said there will be a mixed tag match tonight of Bryan and A.J. vs. Eve and a partner of her choosing. After Eve walked away, Bryan said that he’ll tell A.J. what he was going to say after they win their match, and kissed A.J. on the cheek.

Daniel Bryan & A.J. defeated Eve and her chosen partner, The Miz in the mixed tag match. While the referee was distracted by Miz who tried to approach A.J. for kicking him off the apron, Bryan rolled over a pin that Eve had on A.J., to allow A.J. to get the victory.

Reax: Miz and A.J. shared a stare after she kicked him off the apron. It was an interesting moment, as those characters haven’t had any interaction. It’ll be interesting to see if it goes anywhere.

Also, the idea of having a Mixed Tag Title division appeals to me, after all Raw has an extra hour to fill each week. It would also be a way to utilise the Divas in longer matches. Most of all, though, I think Bryan and A.J. could be good, credible champions, and the titles can really seem like a big deal, if presented in such a way.

After the match, Bryan said that there was something she used to say to him, something he was too stupid and too scared to say back. He said that he now releases that his career, his state of mind, his entire life won’t be right until his says this to himself. He said that he loves A.J.

Bryan said that he asked her a question, last week, because he wanted to become the WWE Champion, but that this week, he doesn’t want anything except this. Bryan got on one knee, with a ring, and asked A.J. to marry him. Bryan put the ring on her finger, and A.J. eventually nodded and said “Yes!” The newly engaged couple then chanted “Yes!” over and over.

It was later announced that their wedding would be on R,aw 1000.

***

(4) Chris Jericho vs. Dolph Ziggler

Vickie Guerrero introduced Dolph Ziggler, the winner of the World Heavyweight Championship Money in the Bank match. Ziggler said that as every Money in the Bank contract has been cash in successfully, the fans were looking at the next World Heavyweight Champion. Ziggler said he would be the greatest champion in WWE history. Zigger said he’d be better that Bret Hart, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, and The Rock. Vickie repeated the names after Ziggler said them. Ziggler said he’s the “Showoff,” the future champion and it’s undisputed.

Chris Jericho’s music then hit and he came to the ring. Jericho was about to say something, but Ziggler wouldn’t let him talk. Ziggler said that this isn’t about Jericho. Ziggler said that he won his MITB match, while Jericho didn’t win his. Ziggler then asked, “When’s the last time you won anything?” Ziggler asked Jericho if he couldn’t remember, either.

Ziggler said that all he’s heard since Jericho came back is how great he is and how he’s going to save us, how it’s the end of the world as we know it, how he’s the best in the world at what he does. Ziggler said that apprarently what Jericho does, is lose. Ziggler said no-one has had more opportunities than Jericho, and that he’s been coasting along for so long, that he has everybody fooled. Ziggler asked when the last time was that Jericho won an important match. He asked if Jericho was losing his touch, and then told Vickie that he thinks Jericho’s losing his touch. Jericho hit Ziggler with the Codebreaker, and then headed backstage.

***

(5) Rey Mysterio vs. Alberto Del Rio

Alberto Del Rio defeated Zack Ryder in a short match. After the match, Del Rio locked in the Cross Arm-breaker again, leading to Rey Mysterio coming out for the save. Rey ended up hitting the 619 on Del Rio.

***

(6) Heath Slater vs. Legends

Heath said he knew a legend would be coming out, and that he’s not stupid. Rikishi came out and beat Slater in a short match. After the match, the lights went out as Rikishi prepared to do the Rikishi & Too Cool dance. When the lights came up, his sons Jimmy and Jey Uso were in the ring, and all three of them danced wearing hats.

***

(7) Tag Team Title Picture

At Money in the Bank, Kofi Kingston & R-Truth defeated Hunico & Camacho. Then, later that night, Primo & Epico defeated the number one contenders, The Prime Time Players (with A.W.), in a match that had no repercussions.

The Prime Time Players (with A.W.) lost their title match against Kofi and R-Truth, which they earned on June 17 at No Way Out. The finish came when A.W. distracted the referee, which backfired when it allowed Kingston to hit Trouble in Paradise on O’Neil, which was followed by R-Truth’s Little Jimmy and a pinfall.

Reax: Now Primo & Epico are babyfaces, and they lost their title shot that they’re entitled to, shouldn’t Kingston and Truth offer them a re-match. It seems, to me, to be the honorable thing to do.

(8) Ryback

Before their scheduled match, Jack Swagger attacked Ryback as he entered the ring. Ryback fought back, and Jack Swagger ended up out of the ring, at ringside.

Reax: It would be a good way to end his losing streak, if Swagger could beat Ryback. After all, Swagger is the one with the most potential.

***

(9) Brodus Clay

Brodus Clay defeated JTG in a short match.

Reax: Brodus Clay lost against Big Show on the last Raw in June, and now he’s back to short matches that don’t mean a whole lot.

Email any comments to scannell.torch@gmail.com or follow me on Twitter @robinocracy for my thoughts on Raw 1,000 where I will attempt to tweet 1,000 times. No, you won’t. Yeah, I probably won’t.

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

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