By Wade Keller, PWTorch editor

KELLER'S WWE RAW REPORT
OCTOBER 18, 2010
LIVE FROM CALGARY, ALBERTA
AIRED ON USA NETWORK

[Q1]

-The show opened with the Raw opening and then a full pryo show as Michael Cole introduced the show. As Jerry Lawler expressed excitement over it being Bragging Rights season, Teddy Long's music played. He strode to the ring and told viewers not to adjust their TV sets, he is Teddy Long, and he is the G.M. of Smackdown. He said he's here because he can be. He said tonight he is going to take over Raw. The crowd booed, which makes little sense. The Raw G.M. chime sounded. Cole stood up and said he's received an email from the anonymous Raw G.M. Cole said: "Get out of my ring right now."

Long called a referee to the ring. He carried with him the Bragging Rights Trophy. He said it belongs to Smackdown because they "laid the Smackdown on all of the Raw Superstars" last year. Cole read the G.M.'s message: "Get out of my ring or else." Long said he'll show him "or else." He got in Cole's face. Cole argued on behalf of the Raw G.M.'s authority. The Raw G.M. chimed over and over again trying to get everyone's attention. Long stood at the podium and said he, as the Smackdown G.M., has an announcement to make. He said the Raw G.M. is going to be disconnected. He shut the laptop and introduced Team Smackdown.

He introduced Smackdown's team captain, The Big Show, followed by Edge, Alberto Del Rio, Kofi Kingston, Jack Swagger, Tyler Rex, and Rey Mysterio. Long called Rex a "new comer." Cole said Rex is frightening. Cole yelled out that Long is on the wrong show and go back to Friday. That would resonate with a little more credibility if Cole hadn't been co-hosting Smackdown in recent weeks

The Miz walked out with Alex Riley. "It looks like Smurf Village grew up next to a nuclear power plant," Miz said from the stage. He said it's Fat Smurf, Rico Suave Smurf, Homeless Smurf, Lispy Smurf, and Surfette. "Oh wait, that's Edge," Miz said. He said he is Raw's Team Captain as the sole winner in Team Raw last year at Bragging Rights. He said that trophy and all of the bragging rights that accompany it will be coming over to the A-Show. He introduced C.M. Punk, John Morrison, Santino Marella, Ezekiel Jackson, and Sheamus. Lawler said he was getting goose bumps during the intros. Miz said, "Now get out of our ring or we'll make you get out."

The Raw wrestlers entered the ring and a seven-on-seven brawl broke out. Cole said this is what it's going to be like on Sunday. A fan held up a sign that said, "Best Raw in 13 Years." Which episode 13 years ago do they think was better? Smackdown cleared the ring of Miz and his guys. Cole said they were just regrouping. "How dare Smackdown show up tonight!" said Cole. Show told Miz he gets it that this is Raw and it's his ring. He said they'll get out of the ring willingly on one condition as long as he faces him one-on-one in a captains match. Punk whispered something to Miz. Show made chicken sounds. Miz said, "Game on! Cole said he loved it because it showed that Miz is a true leader "and that's why Miz is awesome!" Cole told Long to go away and beat it.

WK REAX: They don't do enough to really create a sense of Raw vs. Smackdown rivalry throughout the year to make this concept work. It's also contradictory to what WWE promotes otherwise, which is loyalty to the WWE brand first and foremost, and loyalty to babyfaces over heels second, so asking fans to rather arbitrarily cheer for Miz over Show if they're a "Raw fan," while asking them to somehow reconcile cheering for Pun against Rey just doesn't work, especially when they sell dual brand PPVs where Punk is otherwise booed and Rey is cheered. It's just a mess, and Vince McMahon has never figured out how to pull this off effectively.

[Q2]

Cole then threw to a highlight package of last week's Raw main event between Miz and Randy Orton leading to the Wade Barrett-John Cena tension at the end. They did a nice job with the production maximizing the drama and emotions of the segment. [c]

1 -- CODY RHODES & DREW MCINTYRE vs. THE HART DYNASTY (w/Natalya)

Drew and Cody stood in the ring coming back from the break, so no entrances for them. The bell rang at 9:21 p.m. Cole said this is a chance for the Hart Foundation to get back into the tag title hunt. A fan held up a sign that read "We Want UFC." That fan is not long for this world. David Hart Smith hot-tagged in at 3:00 and went on a flurry of offense against Drew while also taking a shot at Cody on the ring apron. He powerslammed Drew for a near fall, broken up by Cody. Tyson Kidd kicked Cody. DHS set up a Hart Attack, but as Kidd was about to springboard into the ring, DHS set up a sharpshooter instead. Kidd shouted at DHS, DHS turned to Kidd, and Drew took advantage with a Future Shock DDT for the win. Natalya was upset and yelled at Kidd and DHS afterward.

WINNERS: Cody & Drew in 4:00.

-Backstage Orton stepped into Cena's personal space. He suggested they lay all the cards on the table. He said he knows being part of Nexus is eating him alive, but he think he'd take secret joy in helping Barrett take the WWE Title away from him. He said if he gets in his way he will have no problem whatsoever kicking him in his skull and putting him out of his misery. Cena said if he even sets up that kick, he'll break it off. Then he walked away. [c]

[Q3]

-Cole plugged that WWE.com has listed the Top 25 Talkers in WWE History.

-A music video aired for R-Truth's "Get Crunk" sound with sing-a-long words to help us sing along.

2 -- GOLDUST (w/Aksana) vs. ZACH RYDER

Cole said it's been a strange few weeks for Goldust as he's stolen Ted DiBiase's belt and proposed to NXT rookie Aksana to help her avoid deportation. This began at 9:33 and ended at 9:33. Goldust won with the Final Cut.

WINNER: Goldust in 1:00.

-Afterward DiBiase charged into the ring and attacked Goldust. Maryse chased after Aksana at ringside afterward, chasing her to the back as Aksana clutched the Million Dollar Title belt. Goldust got the better of DiBiase with a Final Cut mid-ring.

-Cole and Lawler plugged the Miz vs. Big Show match. "Come on, Miz!" pleaded Lawler, siding with the Raw heel against the Smackdown babyface. [c]

-A commercial announced that Orton will invade Smackdown and face Kane in a battle between the two champions.

WK REAX: Okay, that's maybe the most ridiculous thing that's happened this year in terms of hotshot moves. They're giving away a freaking Smackdown champion vs. Raw champion match on less than one week's notice on basic cable? That reeks of desperation and a lack of discipline. It's jaw-droppingly stupid, actually, to make that seem like less of a big deal than something that belongs exclusively on a heavily-hyped PPV with weeks and weeks of hype surrounding it. Wow. Just wow. [c]

-Backstage Wade Barrett, backed by the rest of Nexus, told Cena to go out there and give Husky Harris and Michael McGuillicutty the best he's got. Cena said he was expecting different instructions. Barrett then ordered Cena to get him a glass of water. Cena asked him to repeat that, but the complied rather reluctantly.

-Miz yelled at a kid backstage for playing a video game where Show beat Miz. Miz told him to tell Show he has a surprise for him bigger than Show himself. Show then walked in as the kid trash-talked Miz. I'm told that kid is teen actor Bobb'e J. Thompson.

-They cut back to Cena giving Barrett a glass of water. A group of fans could be heard chanting "Water Boy! Water Boy!" Barrett took a sip, said he's enjoying this very much, then threw the water in Cena's face. The rest of Nexus laughed.

[Q4] [c]

3 -- JOHN CENA & RANDY ORTON vs. HUSKY HARRIS & MICHAEL MCGUILLICUTTY


The match began at 10:51 p.m. Nexus walked onto the stage and watched the match from afar. Cena got in early offense against McGuillicutty. As the heels regrouped at ringside, they cut to an early break. [c]

Orton hit McGuillicutty with a standing high dropkick. Orton tagged Cena in at 4:00. Cole talked about McGuillicutty's family history as the son of Curt Hennig and grand son of Larry "The Axe" Hennig. When Husky tagged in, he acknowledged that he's the son of Mike "I.R.S." Rotunda and the nephew of Blackjack Mulligan. Cole said this is really a job interview or audition for McGuillicutty and Husky. The heels eventually took over against Cena for several minutes. Just after McGuillicutty hot-tagged into the match, Orton did also, hitting McGuillicutty with a powerslam. Orton played to the crowd. Cole said Orton has entered the place where he hears voices in his head. Orton DDT'd McGuillicutty and then pointed as Barrett on the stage before slamming the mat with his forearms. Husky charged, btu Cena gave him an Attitude Adjustment. Orton then hit McGuillicutty with an RKO for the win. Cole said there was an "explosion of emotion" by Cena after the win.

WINNERS: Cena & Orton in 8:00.

STAR RATING: *1/4

[Q5]

-As Orton and Cena began to celebrate, Barrett ordered Cena not to shake his hand. He threatened to fire him if he didn't leave the ring. Nexus surrounded the ring with Orton alone inside. Barrett said this is the night they will put an end to The Viper. Cole said Cena has to stand and watch or he'll be fired. Orton showed some fight, but eventually ended up overwhelmed. The crowd chanted "Cena! Cena!" as he watched Orton take the beating mid-ring from all of Nexus. Lawler said he didn't know how Cena could take it, having to stand there and watching his longtime enemy whom he exchanged threatening words with earlier take a gang attack beating in front of his very eyes. Justin Gabriel hit his 450 splash. Barrett told Cena to get into the ring. When Cena didn't move, Barrett asked if he was deaf. Cena reluctantly entered the ring. Barrett ordered him to give Orton an Attitude Adjustment. When Cena resisted, Barrett threatened to fire him. Cena lifted Orton for the AttAdj, but then Barrett said he doesn't want him stealing his spotlight. He ordered him to hand Orton to him. Barrett then gave Orton his finisher. Cena walked to the back shaking his head in disgust. Cole said the public humiliation of Cena continues. [c]

-A commercial aired hyping Sunday's Buried Alive match between Kane and Undertaker at Bragging Rights. The tag line is WWE is the "best value in entertainment." On my cable system, it was followed immediately by an ad for Brock Lesnar vs. Shane Carwin. You gotta give UFC credit for rubbing it in that Jake Shields enters UFC "fresh off his destruction of Dan Henderson," the former UFC fighter who jumped to Strikeforce and lost the fight he was supposed to win - Shields's final contractual fight for Strikeforce and Henderson's first.

-WWE Fact: Smackdown was the no. 1 entertainment show on cable TV and SyFy's most watched Friday show in over five years. That's the bright side of Smackdown's ratings lately.

[Q6]

-Cole and Lawler commented on highlights of the previous segment. As Lawler and Cole were talking rather casually about Orton facing Kane on Smackdown on Friday, Vickie Guerrero interrupted. She said she is the Sultan of Smackdown and happy to take the credit for the Smackdown wrestlers appearing on Raw tonight. The crowd booed. She blared out, "Excuse me!" She said one special Superstar has a twinkle in his eye because his eyes are only for her, Dolph Ziggler. Cole said Vickie looks hot today. Lawler said if she looked in the mirror, her reflection would throw up. Ziggler said people confuse his cockiness with confidence. He said, "Just look at me. I've got it all. The looks, this shredded physique, and this gorgeous head of hair, and that's not the best part." He then bragged up Vickie. Cole said if they ever break up, he's getting in line. They entered the ring as Ziggler said she makes his heart go pitter-patter.

Daniel Bryan walked out and said he's not exactly a ladies man, but he said he suspects he could do better than Vickie. Cole said, "Stop the pain!" Bryan said, "Now if I could be serious for a minute," perhaps a tribute to Lance Storm. He said he doesn't have the peroxide-infested hair like Ziggler does, but he does have the ability to capitalize on any mistake he makes in the ring. He slid into the ring and said he has the ability to make him tap out. He proposed a U.S. Champion vs. Intercontinental Champion at Bragging Rights. Ziggler accepted. He took his belt off and said, "Why wait until Sunday." Ziggler slapped Bryan, but when Bryan moved toward Ziggler, Vickie stepped in his way. Bryan ran around Vickie and tackled Ziggler off the ring apron. Ziggler tried to escape through the crowd, but then dragged him back and applied the Lebell Lock. Ziggler frantically tapped out on the mat. Eve, The Bella, Melina, Kelly Kelly, and Melina walked to the ring to Eve's music.

They surrounded Vickie in the ring. Gail Kim threw a bucket full of glittered at Vickie, but because she literally threw a bucket, the bucket twisted and turned and missed Vickie and most of the glitter fell out of the bucket. That was an IQ test failure right there. You hang onto the bucket after swinging it toward the intended target. Eve made a nice save and poured it on Vickie anyway. Vickie fled the ring. Cole said Vickie was humiliated, but actually Gail was. She won't hear the end of that. Bryan entered the ring and the Divas then surrounded him and gyrated around him. Cole said, "I think he's scared of girls." Cole said he's never had a date. Bryan began dancing and backflipping. he did the split, but then grabbed his crotch in pain. He went back to dancing a few seconds later.

-Cole hyped the Show vs. Miz match later. [c]

4 -- NATALYA vs. ALICIA FOX

The match began at 10:25. Cole said it was made official during the break, Bryan vs. Ziggler at Bragging Rights. Fox took early control, but Natalya came back quickly with her double underhook released suplex and a sharpshooter attempt. Fox bragged the bottom rope, but Natalya yanked her back to mid-ring and got the tapout win.

WINNER: Natayla in 1:00.

-LayCool walked out and this is such a wonderful moment for her in her hometown. They complained about the watered-down Calgary beer and how cold it is. They made fun of the Canadian accent. Michelle McCool asked Layla why she sees Harts everywhere. Layla said the Harts don't belong in the Hall of Fame. McCool said they belong in the looney bin, just like her. They entered the ring and attacked Natalya. Natalya made a comeback, so LayCool bailed out of the ring.

-Cole and Lawler talked about Punk's Raw debut against Evan Bourne last week. A clip aired of the win and the post-match attack. Cole said Bourne suffered a torn rotator cuff that will require surgery and four months of recovery.

-They went backstage to Long hanging out with Hornswoggle and Big Show. Josh Matthews asked Long if he thinks it's rather brazen of him to show up on raw with his wrestlers. Long disagreed. The rest of the Smackdown roster walked past him. Long said he's always prepared. He said, "Vintage!"

[Q7] [c]

-A commercial aired hyping "Knucklehead" with Big Show.

-Cole threw to "Stand up for WWE" and said, "If you want to know what WWE is all about, take a look at this." A video package aired touting the WWE brand featuring clips of WrestleManias and celebrities, including Snoop Dogg saying WWE is a family affair. They touted big crowds, international events, all of the countries it's translated for, and Cena touting the fact that WWE is rated PG. It touted the unique visitors to WWE.com, the PPV buy totals, the celebrities on the show, the number of live events, and even Cena touting "no off-season guaranteed." They continued with clips of wrestlers in commercials, movies, charity events, autograph shows, TV talk show appearances, Smackdown Your Vote, news coverage of the Tribute to the Troops, and how at the end of the WWE is about "making families smile." Cole said: "If you're fed up with the holier than thou elitists who make disparaging remarks about us, go to WWE.com for more information." Lawler said he's been excited about this forever and he encouraged fans to stand up for WWE. Oh, WWE sure showed that nasty mainstream media who's boss.

WK REAX: It wouldn't have been that tough had WWE done the right thing (and obviously right thing) sooner over the years, they could really take a high stand against snobbery against those who don't get pro wrestling's quirkiness and get hung up on the real-fake issue. Unfortunately, most of the criticism that's sticking against WWE has nothing to do with all of the positives WWE touted, nor did WWE's video counter any of the more serious points made against WWE in a variety of areas be it the whole lack of off-season, the slow adoption of a concussion and wellness policy, the off-and-on drug policy's lack of true independence and transparency, the non-PG era with a lot of not-so-smile-inducing segments for families, the bullying of people who take reasonable stands against their policies or fight back against injustices, and many other traits that critics point out which WWE didn't address.

[Q8]

-Barrett put his arm around Cena and said he's not done with him yet, nor Orton. He walked away with him.

-They cut to a split screen of Show and Miz each heading to the entrance tunnel. [c]

5 -- THE MIZ vs. THE BIG SHOW

Miz brought his team to the ring with him, along with other Raw members such as Sheamus, Vladimir Kozlov, William Regal, and others. A crowd of Smackdown wrestlers also came out with Show. After some ringside conflict with the wrestlers at ringside, Long stepped out and said since Bragging Rights is just six days away, and since so many are also at ringside, he switched the match to a Smackdown vs. Raw battle royal. The crowd cheered and Cole said Long actually came up with a good idea.

WINNER: No decision in 1:00. [c]

6 -- SMACKDOWN VS. RAW BATTLE ROYAL

This began at 10:54. Hornswoggle harassed Cole at ringside and stole his headset and began calling the battle royal with his gibberish. Cole called for security. Hornswoggle beat him up a little. Cole said this is Raw, it's serious, not a game like Smackdown on Friday nights. At 5:00 Swagger protested Edge's role in eliminating him since they're both on Smackdown. Swagger yanked Edge to the floor and applied his anklelock.

[Q9]

Cole reset the circumstances as thousands of viewers joined the show at the top of the hour. Ezekiel, Sheamus, and Bryan represented Raw at the end against Show. Show tossed our Bryan easily. Sheamus and Zeke beat on Show and then teamed up to suplex him. Show shoved Zeke over the top rope, but Miz entered the ring and helped Sheamus tossed Show over the top rope to the ring apron. Show resisted dropping to the floor. Edge entered and speared Sheaus. Show tossed Miz, who reentered the ring, over the top rope. Edge reentered the ring and clotheslined Sheamus over the top rope. Edge and Show celebrated the Team Smackdown win. The announcers didn't do a good job explaining the late involvement of Miz and Edge and whether they were legal or illegal.

WINNER: Team Smackdown in 11:00.

WK REAX: Not a good battle royal, and most standard battle royals aren't good. Not much effort went into booking it.

-Backstage in the Nexus locker room, Barrett told Cena to do what they do when somebody wins a match. He asked Barrett to raise his hand as a token of victory. "Do it now!" Barrett said after Cena hesitated. Cena stood up and did it, hanging his head in shame in the process. The show ended with a close-up of Barrett grinning widely.

FINAL THOUGHTS: WWE has downgraded the whole concept of Smackdown and Raw wrestlers appearing on the same show to the point that this show didn't seem all that special even with everyone from Smackdown present short of Undertaker and Kane. Their lack of time dedicated to what should be monumental - the battle between Orton and Kane scheduled for Smackdown - is crazy. If they're going to soften the brand split for the Bragging Rights hype, by not making a bigger deal at the end pushing Orton vs. Kane, it makes the match seem like no big deal. It just doesn't follow any logic at all. The goal in playing that special card (Raw champ vs. Smackdown champ) is to draw a rating, so why not go all the way with it? It's not like it'd be weird or out of place for the Raw announcers to push Smackdown since Cole is on Smackdown now, Smackdown wrestlers were on Raw, the PPV features Raw vs. SD wrestlers, and SD is now on SyFy, a sister-station of USA Network under the NBC Universal umbrella. I'm really dumbfounded... WWE should benefit from two blows out in the major sports games serving as cable ratings competition tonight.

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