WWE Raw Storyline Tracker
By Robin Scannell, PWTorch Specialist

Episode - August 6

(1) WWE Title Picture

Raw opened with the General Manager of Raw, A.J. Lee, coming to the ring. A.J. announced the matches of Randy Orton against Big Show and Daniel Bryan against John Cena both for later in the show. As A.J. was set to make a third announcement, C.M Punk’s music played and he came to the ring.

Punk talked about having no regrets, but that he’s big enough to admit that he made a mistake. Punk said he wishes he could take it back what he did last week, but he can’t. Punk apologized to A.J. for letting his emotions get the better of him when he shouted at A.J. Punk said that neither A.J. nor him should be disrespected.

A.J. accepted Punk’s apology. Then, Punk asked for the Triple Threat match to be cancelled. A.J. said that although she will make mistakes, this wasn’t one of them and refused to cancel the match.

Punk then accused A.J. of being the evil Raw GM who sticks it to the guy everyone likes just because he rejected her. Punk asked for a singles match against either guy, or a brand new opponent.

Then, John Cena came to the ring. Cena said Punk has become one of those guys demanding respect. Cena says you don’t demand respect, you earn it, like Cena fights for respect every day. Cena pointed out that it’s Punk’s fault for the Triple Threat match, as he decided to get involved. Cena then said that A.J. smells great and introduced himself to her.

Punk said he just tells it like it is. Punk said Cena was the one that stick his nose in, flying over the commentary table into him. Punk said he won’t be disrespected by anyone. Punk said Cena’s not strong enough to hit the AA on Big Show anyway.

Cena said that Punk probably won’t walk out the champion at Summerslam. Big Show then came out. However, A.J. told them all to stop. A.J. said Show and Cena should save their aggression for their matches later on.

Punk then asked why he doesn’t have a match. A.J. says he has a match, and the opponent will be decided by the WWE Universe. They will vote for The Miz, Kane, or Rey Mysterio.

The vote was revealed as Rey Mysterio with 47 percent, Kane with 31 percent, and Miz with 22 percent. C.M. Punk defeated Rey Mysterio clean in the match that followed.

The match between Randy Orton and Big Show ended in a double count-out in a match where Show was quite dominant. After the match, Orton hit the RKO on Show.

Later, Daniel Bryan came to the ring, frustrated at the fans chanting “Yes!” In the main event, John Cena defeated Bryan after reversing the re-named “No!” Lock.

After the match, C.M. Punk came to the ring and held up the title in front of Cena. Cena pushed Punk away, as Big Show was running towards the ring. As Cena set up Show for an Attitude Adjustment, Punk attacked him again.

Punk then went to the announce table, grabbed a headset, and said that he let people disrespect him and walk all over him anymore and Raw will end with him standing tall with the WWE Title each week, from here on out.

Punk entered the ring and tried to attack Big Show, but Show hit the KO Punch, and then hit it on Cena after. Show held the title and stood tall as the show ended.

***

(2) Sheamus vs. Alberto Del Rio

Backstage, Alberto Del Rio and Ricardo Rodriguez arrived. Del Rio spoke to A.J. and praised and sucked up to her, saying that he shouldn’t have to compete until Summerslam. A.J. said he hadn’t booked him in a match. Then, Del Rio mentioned that Rodriguez that they thought she would do something crazy. A.J. heard that, though, and decided to book him in a match. Del Rio sent Rodriguez to get his gear.

Alberto Del Rio defeated Christian after Ricardo Rodrigeuz distracted the referee, and Del Rio took advantage, hitting Christian with his boot. This led to Del Rio applying the Cross Arm-breaker for the submission victory.

After the match, Sheamus was shown on the Titantron standing at Del Rio’s car, with Ricardo having left the keys in the car. Sheamus then said he would borrow the car and go for a sight-seeing tour around San Antonio.

Throughout the night, Sheamus touted twice about his misadventures in Del Rio’s car around San Antonio, which included eating and spilling Mexican food in the car. Later, backstage, Sheamus returned Del Rio’s car in somewhat of a bad state. Later, Del Rio blamed everything on Rodriguez and told him to clean the mess.

***

(3)Triple H vs. Brock Lesnar

Shawn Michaels was introduced and came to the ring. After Michaels spoke about the entrance tiring him out and thanking the audience, Michaels said that people were looking for his opinion on the confrontation between Triple H and Brock Lesnar that will occur at Summerslam.

Brock Lesnar and Paul Hayman then interrupted and came down to the ring. Heyman said everyone should be asking for Michael’s opinion, as he’s the “greatest in-ring entertainer in the history of WWE." Heyman said that they wouldn’t seek out his opinion for this particular match, as Brock Lesnar isn’t going to head into Summerslam as an entertainer. Lesnar is showing up at Summerslam to fight Triple H and prove that he is the “baddest dude on the planet today."

Michaels said that he’s picking Triple H in the fight, because Lesnar made it personal with his wife and children, and now he doesn’t recognize Triple H anymore. Michaels said he’ll even be in Hunter’s corner at Summerslam.

Heyman said while Michaels left on his own terms, Lesnar will not let Triple H have that option. Lesnar said Michaels only picked Triple H because he’s not been in a ring with him, until now.

Triple H came to the ring. Lesnar told Hunter that he’ll see him at Summerslam, hen he turned to Michaels and said that he’d see him before then. That ended the segment.

***

(4) Kane vs. Daniel Bryan

Backstage, A.J. told Bryan though he may be sane, he has anger management issues. Bryan suggested that it might be related to her leaving him at the altar. Bryan said he’s calm and he agrees with the announcement of his match against Cena, saying that after he defeats Cena, he’ll have to be included in the WWE Title match at SummerSlam. A.J. then informed Bryan that he already had a match at Summerslam, against Kane. They then alternated “No” and “Yes” over and over.

***

(5) Chris Jericho vs. Dolph Ziggler

Dolph Ziggler (with Vickie Guerrero) faced Alex Riley in a singles match, with Chris Jericho on commentary. At one point, Jericho started filming the match with his phone. This distracted Ziggler, allowing Riley to score a quick roll-up for the victory.

***

(6) Brodus Clay vs. Damien Sandow

In a backstage interview, Damien Sandow was asked for an explanation as to why he attacked Brodus Clay the week before. Sandow said that as the intellectual savior of the masses and your martyr, he is obligated to rid the WWE of all foolishness, such as dancing.

Then, Brodus Clay (with Cameron and Naomi) began to make his way to the ring, but was attacked by Sandow. Sandow focused heavily on Clay’s left knee and leg. Eventually, referees came out, forcing Sandow to break the hold.

***

(7) Tag Team Title Picture

Primo and Epico defeated The Prime Time Players (with A.W.) in a tag team match. The PTP was going to get counted out from the match when Kofi Kingston and R-Truth came out, preventing them from escaping. Primo and Epico then took advantage of their being distracted, with Epico pinning Young after a backstabber for the win.

(8) Intercontinental Title Picture

Kane defeated The Miz in a short match. A.J. announced the match between the two vote losers by tweeting it.

Reax: It confuses me so much when I see the secondary title champions losing so frequently and it, one, not be a big deal, and two, the winner of the match then not demanding a title shot.

***

(9) Wade Barrett Vignette

Wade Barrett’s vignette shows an underground fight club, with his voiceover and some somber string instruments being played. He says:

“Where I come from, an onslaught of fury is the only way to survive. Survival leads to escape, but with escape calloused souls soften, and you become vulnerable.”

Barrett is seen at first watching two men fight, but then he is seen fighting himself.

“When the fire insides you burns out, you have to go back into the abyss, to reignite the flame. I am Wade Barrett, and my barrage has just begun.”

Other Stories

- Ryback had an inset promo on the way to the ring, where he welcomed Tyler Reks and Curt Hawkins to the food chain. Ryback defeated Reks and Hawkins in a handicap match.

- Kelly Kelly returned to defeat Eve Torres in a singles match.

Email any comments to scannell.torch@gmail.com or follow me on Twitter @robinocracy for my thoughts on tonight's Raw!

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

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