By Wade Keller, PWTorch editor

KELLER'S WWE RAW REPORT
SEPTEMBER 6, 2010
WASHINGTON D.C.
AIRED LIVE ON USA NETWORK

[Q1]

-The show opened without the show opening or pyro (a big money savings for WWE). Instead, Nexus stood mid-ring. Wade Barrett bragged up what they did to Undertaker last week. A clip aired of what they did. David Otunga said they're the new phenoms of WWE. "Come on, we're it!" he said. He said despite trimming the fat of Darren Young and losing Sheffield to injury, they still had the greatest night of their existence. Michael Tarver said if anyone could do something as unprecedented as they did to Taker, they'd probably sit back and savor that moment the rest of their lives, but they weren't finished. He said they went on to take out five of Raw's top Superstars. Heath Slater then bragged up pinning Sheamus. Justin Gabriel then bragged up hitting his finisher on both Undertaker and John Cena in the same night. "You can see me, John," he said.

Barrett took the mic back and said on top of all of that, he personally devenomized the Viper. He said at Night of Champions, he will defeat the other five wrestlers in the Six Pack Challenge and become WWE Champion. Randy Orton's music played and he walked onto the stage. Orton said they're not going to brag or roll footage on him taking out two of their members in 30 seconds last week. He said no problem, he'll just do it again. He said whomever he has to pin at Night of Champions to win the title doesn't matter, but he'll make it his business to hit Barrett with an RKO. The crowd popped. The mystery G.M. chime sounded. Michael Cole stood to announce he had received an email from the G.M.

He walked up to the podium and read off the laptop that last week was a historic night for Nexus as a group. He was again reading off of a sheet of paper on the keyboard which was visible in the over-the-shoulder shot. He announced that they will be tested this week in singles matches (just like two weeks ago). He announced Cena vs. Gabriel and Orton vs. Barrett. He added that Nexus would be banned from ringside tonight. The crowd popped and Orton smiled. The Raw opening theme then played as Jerry Lawler recapped the announcement. [c]

[Q2]

-Chris Jericho walked to the ring. Cole stood up and read a statement from the G.M. saying that when Jericho and Edge walked out on their match last week, it was a slap in the face to the G.M. and the WWE Universe. He said as a result there will be appropriate consequences. He said tonight if Edge and Jericho do not win their respective matches, they will be taken out of the Six Pack Challenge at Night of Champions. Jericho jumped to the floor and demanded to know who the G.M. is. John Morrison then walked out.

1 -- CHRIS JERICHO vs. JOHN MORRISON

They cut to an early break at 1:00. [c] Back from the break Jericho was on offense. Cole said Jericho had to make a statement putting his career at stake at Night of the Champions because his career has been stalled in recent months. He said he made that statement before the G.M. made his statement tonight. At 6:00 Morrison scored a near fall after a backbreaker. Jericho countered seconds later with a Walls of Jericho attempt, but Morrison twisted himself free. Jericho kicked Morrison to the mat and then went for a Lionsault. Morrison moved and kicked Jericho for a near fall. At 8:00 Morrison set up a Starship Pain, but Jericho moved. Morrison landed on his feet, but Jericho seized the chance to apply the Walls of Jericho. Morrison was caught mid-ring, but crawled toward the bottom rope. He reached it at 9:00 to force a break. Morrison punched out of a superplex attempt by Jericho, knocked him to the mat onto his back, and then landed a Starship Pain for the pin. I love Morrison shoving his elbow over Jericho's face during the cover for additional leverage. It's what you'd do if you were really trying to win.

WINNER: Morrison in 10:00.

STAR RATING: ** -- Solid TV match.

[Q3]

-They went back to the ring where Jericho was slow to get up. He looked down and solemnly walked out of the ring and sat on the ringside steps. The camera zoomed in on him as he seemed to assess the situation. He was bleeding from his mouth. Lawler said this is a defining moment. Cole said his career is going to be "significantly changed after tonight." Jericho began walking to the back. Lawler said this does have to be a turning point. This is an old-school burial of a wrestler. Either there's a big swerve going on here or there's a big time powerplay going on with WWE management pushing for him to sign the deal they're offering him. So is someone going to fill Jericho's slot at the Six Pack Challenge? Shouldn't it be Morrison? Was that made clear? [c]

-Cole touted that later tonight they'd have an exclusive preview of Cena's movie, "Legendary." How did WWE pull off that coup?

2 -- MELINA vs. ALICIA FOX -- WWE Divas Championship Match

Fox bragged before the match that she'd be the Divas Champion at the Night of Champions PPV after beating her tonight for the title. Melina dominated early including a big boot into the splits. She finished her with the split-legged legdrop finisher.

WINNER: Melina in 2:00 to retain the Diva's Title.

-Backstage Miz complimented something he was looking at behind a black tarp. Miz said everyone's going to learn about the journey of the Road to Awesome. Josh Matthews wanted to look at what's underneath the tarp. Miz slapped his hand. [c]

[Q4]

-Edge told Zach Ryder backstage he doesn't get why he has to put his spot in the Six Pack Challenge on the line tonight. Edge said he may have shoved the ref last week, but the ref said bad things about his mother. Ryder suggested that he face him tonight so he can win and take his spot. Edge said that's a great idea because he sucks so it'd be an easy win. Ryder said, "Are you serious? I'm standing right here." Edge called out for the anonymous G.M. to match him against Ryder. Edge said if he doesn't, he will have serious problems with his top Raw Superstar and he will destroy his laptop computer. Ryder said Edge calling him a tool really hurt his feelings.

-Ted DiBiase backstage was telling someone on the phone he loves her and enjoys spending time with her. In walked Maryse, asking whom he was talking to. He said, "My mom." Maryse said, "Me, too." DiBiase asked what that meant. Maryse said she's enjoying his notes. He was befuddled. He read the note, which said, "I want you so bad." DiBiase asked why he'd write a note when he can tell her. Maryse said who else. DiBiase said he's a millionaire in his 20s and there's a new group of rookie Divas who would die to be in her shoes. She ranted in French, frustrating DiBiase who said he doesn't understand her.

-Justin Gabriel made his ring entrance. [c]

-A commercial aired stating the season premiere of Raw next week features "Raw Roulette." Cole said it's the first Raw Roulette in three years.

3 -- JUSTIN GABRIEL vs. JOHN CENA

After Cena took early control with some mat work, the fans engaged in a battle of "Let's Go Cena" and "Cena sucks!" chants. Gabriel caught a charging Cena at 2:00 with an elbow and then took it to him at ringside.

[Q5]

Cole reset the show at the top of the hour as Cena kicked out of a Gabriel cover in mid-ring. At 4:00 Cena avoided a moonsault. Then he hit his flying shoulder knockdowns and went into his You Can't See Me routine. Gabriel escaped from a Attitude Adjustment and went for a 450 splash. Cena got up and knocked him off balance. Then he gave him an Att-Adj from the top rope for the win.

WINNER: Cena in 5:00.

STAR RATING: *1/2 -- Solid short TV match. Gabriel looked strong enough to not look like he was totally out of Cena's league.

-Lawler and Cole threw to a behind the scenes look at the filming of "Legendary." Cena said it's the type of movie that everyone who watches it will walk away from feeling positive. [c]

-A commercial hyped the start of NXT season three featuring an all-Diva cast.

-Miz stood mid-ring in front of a mattress-sized object draped in a black sheet. He wore a black suit with a neon blue shirt. He said his name is Mike Mizanin "and I have no right to be here." He said that was at least what everyone told him when he got to WWE because he was supposedly the lowest form of human being, a reality star. He said he had to start as a contestant on "Tough Enough." He said he started hearing voices of Superstars and so-called legends and the fans asking, "Why are you here? Miz, you shouldn't be here, you should go back to MTV." He talked in a sniveling sneering tone. He said he did whatever he had to do to get a job in WWE. He said he became a host of Smackdown. He said the voices still got louder. He said fans began telling him to leave. He said each of the fans in his position would have left, but he stuck around.

[Q6]

He said he formed a team with John Morrison, but fans saw Morrison as the star and he was just a star. He said fans said he was riding Morrison's coat tails. He said they predicted he would fall into obscurity after they broke up. But then he became U.S. Champion. Fans, though, said it was a fluke. But then he won the Money in the Bank. He held up the briefcase. He then unveiled the black sheet showing Miz on the cover of WWE Magazine. He said as a kid he would buy every issue and keep them in his bedroom and dream of one day being on the cover. He said he wants to hear from each and every fan that they were all wrong. "I made it! I did it! I am the poster child. Not Cena, not Orton, nobody besides me!" He said he earned the right to declare himself awesome.

Daniel Bryan interrupted. Cole was disgusted with Bryan ruining Miz's moment. Bryan said he came out there to congratulate him. He said they share more in common than he realizes. He said nobody thought he'd make it in WWE, either. Miz said he's wrong, he hasn't done nearly what he has in WWE. Bryan said that's true. He noted that he just walked out to the ring to generic rock music that even he can't identify. He said he has a ten dollar haircut. He said he has to wear his wrestling gear in the back to avoid security throwing him out and he has to show his ID three times. "If anything, I'm the anti-Superstar," he said. But he added that if he faces him for the U.S. Title, he can beat him. Miz agreed he has a ten dollar haircut, but he said he doesn't deserve a U.S. Title shot. Bryan said he's probably right, but if he does face him, the next WWE Magazine could show him making Miz tapout. An image of that appeared on the big screen. Bryan said he can beat him and he can make him tapout and he can become the next U.S. Champion.

Miz said he's never liked him. He said if he thinks he can beat him, he believes he can annihilate him. He said he'll beat him so bad, he'll beg to go back to the minor leagues. Bryan asked him if he'd give him a title shot. "Yes or no?" he asked. Miz leaned in and said, "Yes." Bryan smiled and said he appreciates it. Miz said, "No, thank you." He took a swing at Daniel. Daniel ducked and applied a LaBell Lock. Alex Riley leaped into the ring and attacked Bryan. Bryan fired back with a high roundkick and then backdropped a charging Miz out of the ring. Riley charged again and Bryan applied the LaBell lock again. Riley tapped. Miz watched from ringside, but didn't save Riley. Daniel stood up and smiled as Miz backed up the stage. Bryan kicked the cardboard poster of Miz on the WWE Magazine cover. Cole called it absolutely sickening and said he has no chance against Miz.

-A WWE Classics On Demand "This Week in History" segment aired from Sept. 5, 1995 with WCW Nitro's debut at Mall of America. The narrator said the "sports entertainment landscape was changed forever." They showed Brian Pillman (dead) and Ray Traylor (dead) in the first two shots. The narrator said one moment showed the battle lines were drawn when Lex Luger made a shocking debut mere hours after his last appearance with WWE. They went into a video package on Nitro, noting that Nitro won the ratings battle for near two weeks until WWE countered with an Attitude Era. He said WWE eventually won when it purchased WCW. [c]

[Q7]

-Cole got a text message from the G.M. on his Blackberry stating that next week Cena will face the winner of tonight's main event between Orton and Barrett.

4 -- EDGE vs. THE GREAT KHALI (w/Ranjin Singh)

Edge was hoping for Ryder, but instead Khali came out with the most annoying man in show business, Ranjin Singh. Edge jumped to ringside and looked at the computer. They showed the script sitting right on the keyboard that Cole reads from. Why such a lack of attention to detail? Edge thought better of destroying the computer. Edge mocked Khali at ringside and then grabbed Singh. Khali grabbed Edge by his hair. Edge fled up the ramp. Khali pursued him. Edge kicked him in the knee and then ran back into the ring, beating Khali by countout.

WINNER: Edge in 1:00.

-The G.M. chime sounded. Cole stood and said he received another email from the G.M. he stood at the podium and said, "Edge, I refuse to acknowledge your cheap countout victory. Therefore I am restarting this match and it will now be a no disqualification over the top rope challenge." Edge shook his head no. [c]

4b -- EDGE vs. THE GREAT KHALI (w/Ranjin Singh)

At 1:00 Khali walked over the top rope and grabbed Edge. Cole said, "Hello?" Lawler asked what. Cole asked if he was the only one paying any attention. The ref said nothing. Lawler explained that you have to be thrown over the top rope. Back in the ring Edge set up a spear. Khali blocked it with his hand to the throat. He threw Edge between the middle and top rope. Khali began to climb over the top rope. Edge yanked him by his leg to the floor over the top rope to win. Khali grabbed his groin muscle afterward.

WINNER: Khali in 2:00. [c]

[Q8]

-Matthews approached Jericho who was sitting backstage in a bit of a trance. He reminded Jericho that last week he vowed to leave WWE forever if he didn't become champion at Night of the Champions. He asked him what his plans were. Jericho said nothing. Matthews thanked him for his time. The camera remained on Jericho as he continued scowl. Morrison walked up and sat next to him. He asked him if he was having a bad day. He said things will get better. Jericho turned and sneered at him. Morrison asked if he understands what he's saying to him. Jericho just returned to staring off into space.

-Sheamus made his ring entrance. [c]

5 -- RANDY ORTON vs. WADE BARRETT

Lawler hyped that the winner of this match faces Cena next week. They showed that Edge, Sheamus, and Cena were sittng next to them at ringside. Orton's ring entrance took place. Orton rammed Barrett into the announcers table at ringside at 1:00, showing off in front of his Night of the Champions main event opponents. Cena started calling the main event a Five Pack Challenge now. Not quite the same ring to it. Cena, Edge, and Sheamus bickered during the match. Barrett made a comeback with a boot to Orton's face.

[Q9]

At 4:00 Orton set up a DDT off the second rope. Barrett blocked it. Suddenly strange music played and out walked Darren Young. He said if Barrett thinks he can kick him out of Nexus and get away with it, he's mistaken. "I'm going to show you I wasn't the weak link, I'm the missing link." His distraction gave Orton an opening to finish Young with an RKO.

WINNER: Orton in 6:00.

STAR RATING: *

-Orton called Young into the ring, but then he gave him an RKO. Sheamus stepped onto the ring apron. Edge charged at Orton from behind. Orton gave him an RKO. When Sheamus entered, he gave him an RKO. Orton's music played as Cole declared that "Orton is on fire" and called him the "apex predator." Cena entered the ring. The music stopped. They had an intense staredown to end the show. Cole told Cincinnati to brace themselves for Cena vs. Orton live next week on Raw.

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