By Wade Keller, PWTorch editor

KELLER'S WWE RAW REPORT
SEPTEMBER 27, 2010
AIRED ON USA NETWORK

[Q1]

-Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler introduced the show and hyped that Chris Jericho would face Randy Orton for a chance to become the no. 1 contender.

-The Miz and Alex Riley walked out. Miz said Daniel Bryan has challenged him to a tag match tonight. He said Bryan is like someone who wins a lottery and thinks he's going to win it every time because of it. Bryan interrupted with what Miz called his "Superman music." He asked him who his partner was. Miz's ex-partner, John Morrison, came out.

1 -- MIZ & ALEX RILEY vs. DANIEL BRYAN & JOHN MORRISON

Bryan opened up with some karate kicks on Riley followed by a flying clothesline. After Morrison tagged in, the heels took over with rapid tags and isolating them in their corner. The fans taunted Miz with a chant of "You Tapped Out!" Cole insisted, "He did not tap out! It was a valiant effort by Miz." Lawler said he was tapping like crazy. Morrison eventually rolled under Miz and hot-tagged Bryan back into the match. He knocked Riley off the ring apron and then gave Miz a nasty released German suplex. He scored a two count after a power dropkick into the corner. Miz elbowed Bryan, but Bryan countered with a Lebell Lock attempt. Miz escaped and shoved Bryan into Morrison on the ring apron, then gave him the Skull Crushing Finale for the win.

WINNERS: Miz & Riley in 4:00.

STAR RATING: * -- Good for a short TV match.

REAX: Listening to Cole continue to play a partial heel just feels so awkward and inappropriate for a lead announcer. I wonder if ratings stay below 3.0 if WWE would consider swallowing some pride and asking Jim Ross to return to breath some new life into the announcing and give the fans a "voice of reason" again?

-Afterward, Miz decided to kick Bryan. Morrison made the save and tackled Miz to the floor. Bryan then dove through the ropes, aiming for Miz, but he his Morrison too. Bryan went after Miz with punches. Morrison yanked him off of Miz. Bryan gave Morrison an elbow to the head. Morrison got up and jumped Bryan. Bryan shoved Morrison over the ring barrier. Miz jumped Bryan from behind and got the advantage. Morrison then dove off the ring apron onto both. The G.M. chime sounded. Cole stepped up to the laptop and said he has decided that this Sunday at Hell in a Cell, for the first time ever, Bryan will defend the U.S. Title against both Miz and Morrison in a Triple Threat Submissions Count Anywhere match, which the G.M. said he "just made up."

REAX: Nice set-up for a three-way. Nothing huge, but it gets Morrison into the mix with Bryan and Miz and sets up a potential strong in-ring match at the PPV. The misunderstanding between Morrison and Bryan was set up in a way that didn't turn Morrison solid heel, but rather just built heat between them. Morrison is pretty blah as a personality so this may draw something out of him that doesn't resemble a dry under the surface grin.

[Q2] [c]

-A commercial aired hyping Smackdown debuting on SyFy on Friday at 8 p.m. ET. It focused on Kane as the star.

REAX It's worked out, perhaps by design, that the supernatural Kane-Taker storyline is climaxing in time for the move to SyFy. It fits them loose theme of the network.

2 -- DIVAS BATTLE ROYAL

The winner of the battle royal gets a title shot against one of them for the unified women's title. Entrants: Gail Kim, Eve, Tamina, Alicia Fox, Melina, Natalya, Maryse, Jillian Hall, and the Bellas. LayCool (Michelle McCool & Layla) walked out to the ring as the match began and joined the announcers, offering a stream of snarky comments. McCool said Maryse didn't get the note "that in America we grow hair on our heads, not our back." Tamina eliminated Kim. Lawler scolded LayCool for not paying enough attention to the match. Eve eliminated Tamina. Cole asked if either of them would ever date Ted DiBiase. They said he asked them many times, but they're too high maintenance. Lawler said he felt like he was on "The View." The Bellas sandwiched Maryse between their butts and shook them. The Bellas were eliminated by sliding under the bottom rope and missing their targets. It came down to Alicia, Eve, Natalya, and Jillian. Lawler said, "I think it's time to change the air in your head." Cole told Lawler to show some respect. Natalya won Alicia for the win.

WINNER: Natalya in 4:00.

-A video package aired on John Cena's p.r. tour for "Legendary." It included various radio show and TV appearances including "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" and ESPN's "First Take." One of the hosts said they like Cena as a guest because he's "polished but there's still someone real there."

-Cole plugged that the G.M. would speak for the first time on The Cutting Edge with Edge.

-A commercial aired "introducing" the Undertaker character to Raw viewers who may not know him, hyping his presence on SyFy's Smackdown on Fridays. [c]

[Q3]

-Ted DiBiase and Maryse argued about last week's loss. Then there was a knock on their door. DiBiase opened it and no one was there, but a note was left outside the door. It said: "Next week you will be mine." She acted jealous and walked out.

-Sheamus talked about an old Irish tale about the battle for the throne or something like that, leading to a Prince cutting off his hand and throwing it. Sounds like the next TNA gimmick match. He warned Orton that he is willing to cut off his own hand to regain his WWE Title. Sheamus bragged that he ended Triple H's career, so Orton should talk to him about what it's like. He said he's a future three-time WWE Champion and "the fiery red hand of the WWE."

REAX: More nicknames and catch phrases won't get WWE out of this rut or the mess they've once again booked themselves into with three PPVs in a span of six weeks. He issued an open challenge to anyone in the back. [c]

3 -- THE GREAT KHALI (w/Ranjin Singh) vs. SHEAMUS

During Khali's entrance, Michael Cole threw out a plug to "out good friend Mick Foley" whose new book, "Countdown to Lockdown," is coming out Friday. Where in the hell did that come from? Foley is a featured star on TNA Impact right now. That's strange. Cole said there are many untold stories about being a commentator in WWE. Lawler said Foley's books have always been great, so Cole should get someone to read them to him. Khali opened with chops to Sheamus's chest. Sheamus came back with stomps and uppercuts. Khali rolled to the floor. Sheamus threw a chair at Khali and the ref DQ'd him. Afterward Khali threw Sheamus into the ringpost, but Sheamus avoided a subsequent forearm and then thrust kicked him in the skull. They showed a close-up of Sheamus's chest from the Khali chop. Sheamus gave Khali another boot to the skull. Cole said that shows he is ruthless, relentless, and remorseless.

WINNER: Khali via DQ in 1:00. [c]

[Q4]

-WWE Fact: More than 60,000 teens are expected to participate in this year's WrestleMania Reading Challenge.

-The Cutting Edge: Edge interviewed the mystery G.M. via the podium with a laptop on it. He said the computer was programmed to speak to protect the G.M.'s identity. Why not just do that all the time instead of having Cole read the announcements? Edge asked the G.M. "why are you such a spineless coward." The G.M. asked back: "Why are you such a moron. I remain anonymous to protect my identity. If people knew who I really was it would change anything." Edge said he thought he was Steve Austin or Rock or Shawn Michaels and Bob Barker. "Based on your decision-making, you're probably Lindsay Lohan after another bender." The G.M. asked Edge why he despises him after his/her attempts to make peace. Edge said: "We've gone from Stone Cold stunning Mr. McMahon on Raw to Edge arguing with a computer." Well, that's what a lot of viewers were saying to themselves. The G.M. said he knows a lot of things, such as his opponent right now. Edge insisted he doesn't have an opponent tonight. Edge said he's tired of speaking to an overgrown Speak & Spell. The G.M. told him he must face John Cena right now. [c]

3 -- JOHN CENA vs. EDGE

They showed The Nexus watching the match on a monitor backstage. Cena applied a headlock on the mat early. Edge came back and nailed Cena with a slidekick. At ringside, Edge limped to Cena and punched him. Cole said if Cena is forced to join The Nexus, it'd be like Lebron James joining the Miami Heat because Nexus is so strong already and Cena would change the landscape of WWE forever. They really need to define what every viewer is wondering: What would Cena have to do if he joined Nexus, and how long would he have to be with them? You can't just skip over those obvious questions and expect people to care anyway. Cole began reading comments from WWE Universe message boards with fans saying they want Nexus ousted from WWE. At 5:00 Cena began a comeback in the ring. He placed Edge on the top rope and then lifted him onto his shoulders. Edge slipped free to the mat and took over offense again. Cena missed a charge into the corner and then Edge hit a sudden spear for the clean win. Cena's leg was draped under the bottom rope, but the ref didn't see it.

[Q5]

The G.M. chimed in and said Cena's rope was clearly under the bottom rope. He showed him the replay on the big screen. "Therefore this match will continue," said the G.M. "Since when does the general manager make decisions on matches?" Cole said. "I guess he's an official now." Lawler said the G.M. can do what he wants. Cena avoided a spear and applied the STF. Edge crawled toward the ropes, but Cena dragged him back to center-ring. Edge then tapped out.

WINNER: Cena in 8:00.

STAR RATING: *1/4 -- Eh, it was fine. It felt so thrown out there without any build up that it felt secondary to the Edge-G.M. rivalry.

-Edge walked toward the podium at ringside. The G.M. said: "Edge, you lost fair and square. Don't look at me like that. Just walk away." Edge didn't walk away. The G.M. said: "You've got the crazy eyes. I'm warning you." The G.M. then acted like he was feeling pain as Edge bashed the computer with a chair. That's pretty dumb even for the ten year old viewers. Edge bashed his own forehead with the laptop as it broke into pieces. [c]

-A commercial aired hyping Rey Mysterio and his 6-1-9 finisher. Cole and Lawler at ringside briefly plugged the Smackdown move to SyFy. Then they commented on a replay of Edge beating up the G.M. in one of the cornier segments you'll see on a pro wrestling show. Then they plugged Cena vs. Wade Barrett with the big stips.

4 -- MARK HENRY & EVAN BOURNE vs. JUSTIN GABRIEL & HEATH SLATER

Cole again plugged Smackdown on SyFy in Oklahoma. He said J.R. will be there and it'll be a slobberknocker. Henry hot-tagged in at 1:00 and went to work Gabriel and then an interfering Slater. He pressed Gabriel and set him up for the Shooting Star Press by Bourne. Slater, though, charged into the ring and broke up that sequence. Slater beat up Henry at ringside as Gabriel went for his 450 splash. Bourne moved, though, and then climbed to the top and hit his Shooting Star Press. When Bourne went for the pin, Slater shoved Gabriel over and onto Bourne for the leverage reversal and a three count.

WINNERS: Gabriel & Slater in 2:00.

-Afterward Nexus teamed up against Henry at ringside, then worked over Bourne in the ring. Cole said Nexus can't do this against Cena at Hell in a Cell because they'd be DQ'd and Nexus would have to disband forever. They set up Bourne for a Gabriel 450 splash.

Barrett then said "You're either Nexus or against us," and said after Sunday Cena will be Nexus, not against them. Otunga then announced that on Friday they're invading Smackdown. He sounded like he was doing a YouTube fantasy wrestling promo. Michael Tarver said no one can stop them. He wasn't much better. Just generic short wrestling promos. Nothing horrible, but no star power oozing there. [c]

[Q7]

-Cole and Lawler announced that Johnny Knoxville will guest star on Raw next week to promote his movie "Jackass 3D." Lawler asked, "You were in Jackass 1 and 2 weren't you?" Cole told Lawler his stuff never gets old.

5 -- DREW MCINTYRE & CODY RHODES vs. THE HART DYNASTY (w/Natalya) -- WWE Tag Team Title Match

REAX: Doesn't WWE get that by not mentioning this earlier in the show it defines down a WWE Tag Team Title match as being just mid-show filler? How tough is it to pay lip service to this being a big deal to have the tag titles defended live on Raw?

Cody & Drew came out to Cody's music. I vote for Drew's music. Cole explained that the tag champs can appear on either Raw or Smackdown to defend "the gold." Those belts really are gold now. Cole apologized for some of the things he said about Hart Dynasty last week. Then he said, "But the fact of the matter is they're boring!" Yeah, but Kidd has new sparkly pink tights. Cole said Kidd has a sarcastic sense of humor, but David Hart Smith needs a personality transfusion. Cole said Cody had a "Spa Day" in New York City over the weekend. After a one-armed slam by DHS on Cody, Cole declared that The Hart Dynasty were going to win the tag titles back. That meant a kickout was coming, and it did. Drew intercepted a Hart Attack springboard clothesline attempt by Kidd, then Cody gave DHS the Crossroads for the win.

WINNERS: Cody & Drew in 2:00 to retain the WWE Tag Team Titles.

-Afterward DHS yelled at Kidd for not taking off Cody's head with a clothesline. He then stormed to the back showing his second facial expression in WWE history. He's not tied with Bobby Lashley. [c]

-R-Truth talked with John Cena backstage. He told him no matter what happens on Sunday he always has his back. Cena said he is not going to lost and end up part of Nexus. Truth told him to be careful. Cena said he always is. Truth said he's one of the most reckless people he knows. He said since Nexus is going to Smackdown on Friday, maybe he should be there, too. He said perhaps if he runs into them there, Hell in a Cell gets started early. Truth said that's not being careful. Cena said that is the truth.

-They went to Lawler and Cole who said the stakes just got bigger on Friday's Smackdown. They hyped the Hell in a Cell line-up.

[Q8]

-Chris Jericho's ring entrance took place. Cole plugged his DVD box set. Jericho entered the ring and said he will win this match, become the no. 1 contender, and go on to win the WWE Title. He said Orton is a dangerous man, but he's not scared of him. He said he has changed from a fresh-faced up-and-comer to a lunatic who will do anything to retain the WWE Title. He said he moves and strikes like a snake. He said Orton maybe the Legend Killer, but he's declaring himself the Viper Killer. He said Orton will join the list of great champions and Hall of Famers whom he has defeated such as Austin, Rock, Triple H, Kane, Shawn Michaels, Eddie Guerrero, Rey Mysteiro, JBL, The Big Show, Edge, the Undertaker ("who I beat twice, I might add"), MVP, C.M. Punk. They cut him off mid-sentence, in a flashback to his breakout moment on the mic back in WCW. [c]

He continued with his list: Invader I, Invader I, Villaino I, II, III, IV, V, Juventud Guerrera, The Great Muta, Masa Chono, Funaki, Yoshi Tatsu, a few other Japanese and Mexican wrestlers, Perry Saturn, Dean Malenko, Lex Luger, Sting, Ric Flair, Bill Goldberg, Booker T, Stevie Ray, Scott Norton, Buff Bagwell, Flash Flanagan, Flash Funk, Kevin Nash, Diesel, Oz, Scott Hall, Razor Ramon, American Starship Eagle... at which point Orton's music interrupted. Yes, he dropped the names of Nash, Flair, and Sting - all currently part of TNA. That and the Foley plug earlier is enough to get rumors started.

6 -- RANDY ORTON vs. CHRIS JERICHO

Orton dominated for the first minute. Jericho took advantage of the ref scolding Orton in the corner and took a cheap shot to take over offense. [c]

During the break a commercial aired for Smackdown featuring Kofi Kingston. A commercial also aired for "Legendary." Orton nailed Jericho with a clothesline after the break, having made a comeback during the break. Cole touted that this is the first time these two have met one-on-one on Raw. Sheamus then stepped out to watch. Jericho caught a distracted Orton with a kick to the back of his head.

[Q9]

Jericho missed a charge into the corner. Orton went for an RKO. Jericho countered with a backslide. Orton escaped. Jericho dropkicked Orton for a near fall. Jericho complained to the ref, then applied a chinlock and told the ref to "ask him" because, you know, wrestlers submit to chinlocks routinely. Orton avoided a Lionsault and then hit a backbreaker. He followed with an RKO attempt, but Jericho countered and hit a Lionsault for a two count. Jericho attempte a leaping move off the second rope, but Orton avoided it and set up a DDT. Jericho countered with a Walls of Jericho. Orton was caught center-ring. He maneuvered toward the bottom rope while yelling in pain. Jericho walked him back toward the middle. Orton powered his way under Jericho. Lawler said he slithered like a snake. Orton powered out and then gave Jericho that DDT. He played to the crowd by pounding the mat, managing to not pop his shoulder out of joint this time, and then fended off an interfering Sheamus. The ref called for the bell, DQ'ing Jericho.

WINNER: Orton via DQ in 13:00.

STAR RATING: **1/4 -- Good match.

-Orton gave Sheamus a DDT off the middle rope, then set up the RKO. However, Jericho caught Orton with a Code Breaker to stop him. He stood over the fallen Orton, then his eyes lit up as he thought of something. He grabbed a chair at ringside and entered the ring. He called for Orton to stand up. Orton ducked and gave Jericho an RKO. The crowd chanted "Punt! Punt! Punt!" He charged at Jericho and gave him the punt kick. It wasn't a complete miss, but it didn't look great, either. Jericho was out. As Orton examined Jericho, Sheamus looked concerned and intense at ringside. Orton's music played as the show ended.

REAX: More paint-by-numbers solid WWE booking. It's not that they're doing anything major wrong here, but Orton isn't a dynamic likable enough babyface nor is Sheamus quite over enough as a mega-star heel for the 101 formula to create that emotional crescendo right before a PPV. Two Raws really isn't enough to promote a full PPV. The Hell in a Cell concept itself felt really short-changed here as they didn't have time to really get across what that entails.

-They went to a final commercial for Smackdown on SyFy with some vintage Smackdown and then hype for Nexus and Cena appearing on Friday.

We welcome your 0-10 score and comments on this show for a "Raw Reax" feature in the Torch Feedback section of PWTorch.com. To contribute your thoughts on Raw, email to pwtorch@gmail.com.

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