R-Truth Goes Even More Mental
The highlight package showing how R-Truth vs. John Cena at Capitol Punishment came about was shown followed by highlights of the match. Truth stole a fan's hat and got water sprayed in his face, allowing Cena to pick up the victory.
Truth came out, talking to himself and the crowd. He claimed the fans of Baltimore aren't home trained so he'll continue to let them act like animals. The crowd still gave him the 'What' business. He had a conversation with himself where he said "self, who do you think is gonna try to get you?" It wasn't the computer or John Cena, but little Jimmy himself. "I got got by little Jimmy." After discussing more and more about Jimmy, R-Truth was interrupted.
Christian Knows Where He's Coming From
An unexpected turnabout with Christian's arrival, claiming he knows what Truth speaks of. Yes, Booker T, Christian called R-Truth dawg. He made the tried and true argument of losing the belt five days after winning it. He blamed the people for forcing him to face Orton.
Captain Charisma told R-Truth to examine footage from Capitol Punishment, showing him how his foot was under the bottom rope. He told Truth all he needed was one more shot at the gold. Truth responded with "you've had how many?"
It's not the point, he needs another title shot. Truth hasn't become champion yet and Truth got hosed by Jimmy. Christian pondered the existence of Jimmy. Truth said maybe they don't have Jimmy's in Canada, but in America the little Jimmy's want him to be a good R-Truth. Alright, that was funny.
The More the Merrier
Really? Really? Really? Yes, the Miz got involved in the fiasco, calling Christian and Truth crybabies. After claiming his gripes were legitimate, Miz got run down by Christian. How dare Christian. No, how dare R-Truth. No, how dare Christian. Really? Really? Really? Riley? Randy? Riley? Randy.
JIMMY! JIMMY! JIMMY!
The Playa is Here
Teddy Long came out and said nobody wanted to see them blabbering, but rather fighting, so the three of them will team up against Alex Riley, Randy Orton, and John Cena.
Rating - A: Absolute brilliance on the part of three of the best mic-workers in the business today. Truth starting off with his crazy spiel, Christian coming down, which was an unexpected surprise, and Miz capping it off. The back and forth Really? Randy? Riley? Jimmy! reeked of awesomeness. Great job on the part of everybody, even if I'm still a tad confounded on why Teddy Long was allowed to make the match.
Power to the People - US Title Edition
New United States Champion Dolph Ziggler will battle Kofi Kingston in one of the following matches:
- A) Two out of three Falls
- B) Vickie Banned from Ringside
- C) Submission
Coming back from the break, a video package was shown of Ziggler winning the US Title at Capitol Punishment.
Vickie introduced Dolph Ziggler after getting her "excuse me" heat. If she's walking down to the ring, there's a high probability she'll be banned from ringside.
- A) Two out of three Falls: 51%
- B) Vickie Banned from Ringside: 31%
- C) Submission: 18%
Wow, color me shocked, a fantastic segment followed by what could be a great match if given time and they've got it with a three-hour program.
Kofi Kingston vs. Dolph Ziggler
Fall 1 - During the Commercial Break
Kofi Kingston went on a blitzkrieg offense, stomping Ziggler in the ring and out. He got back inside and Ziggler took brief control. Kofi didn't let up though, continuing the assault with his boots and bringing Ziggler to the floor. He brought him back in for a two count. A vertical suplex didn't get a fall for Kofi. Ziggler almost fell victim to a backslide. Kofi then pounded Ziggler with a spear and then crashed and burned when trying to keep his attack going, hurting his back. The commercial break saw Ziggler get the first fall after Zig-Zagging on the floor and rolling Kofi in the ring.
Fall 2: A Quick Rebuttal
A nasty dropkick from Ziggler almost ended the night for Kofi. Kofi fought back with body shots but fell to a fameasser and near fall. Ziggler spent a bit too much time setting up and fell victim to Kofi's finisher, tying it up at 1-1.
Fall 3: A Cheap Ending
Both men struggled to their feet. Kofi got a front face lock but Ziggler was playing possum and landed a swinging neckbreaker for another near fall. Ziggler got on top of Kofi and got a side head lock. After escaping, Kofi's aggressive style got him into prime position for a slingshot into the corner. A nasty set of chops followed by a high arching dropkick culminated in a missed roll through. A giant stomp by Kofi got a near fall. Wow, Kofi's offense is downright aggressive. Ziggler went for the tights off a roll-up but didn't get a chance. Kofi got up and landed the back splash with a near fall as Vickie nearly had a heart attack on the floor. Ziggler rolled out of the ring and grabbed the US Title, trying to belt Kofi with it, but he got a Trouble in Paradise for his efforts. Kofi brought Ziggler's dead weight in and pinned him, but two fingers on the bottom rope saved Ziggler. Ziggler again tried to haul it and hit Kofi with the microphone... ends in a disqualification. Post match, Ziggler tried attacking but Kofi landed another Trouble in Paradise.
Rating: B+ - Kofi's offense was brilliantly done in this match. He looked like the man who was pushed to face Randy Orton many moons ago when Orton was a monster heel. If he can bring this kind of consistency to the table, he could get more over with crowds. I would give this match an A, but the finish was a bit sour. They gave the match I wanted to see, but alas, not the end result. A clean finish should have been applied or at least a re-start of the match.
Cole and Booker T argued the schematics of Austin making the ruling last week for "Power to the People" followed by a highlight package that featured Austin destroying the GM's computer.
Power to the People - Triple Threat
The fans get to decide the stipulation for Alberto del Rio vs. CM Punk vs. Rey Mysterio. Their options areTo make Raw Roulette more bearable, Shawn Michaels will be appearing next week. For the curious, Alberto del Rio came out in a White Bentley Azure Drop Top worth over $300k. Del Rio spouted about destiny, realizing that the "car accident" inflicted upon Big Show was destiny, along with his victory tonight. The winning stipulation is...
- A) No Disqualification
- B) Falls Count Anywhere
- C) Submission
- A) No Disqualification:
- B) Falls Count Anywhere:
- C) Submission: 11%
Rey Mysterio vs. CM Punk vs. Alberto del Rio
Punk and Mysterio went at it first before ADR tried to seize advantage. ADR and Mysterio had a brief spat before Mysterio kicked both Mysterio and Punk back and forth. The typical three-way moment when a wrestler exits happened when del Rio was backdropped out of the ring. Punk was kicked and set up for the 619, but del Rio came in and landed a nasty clothesline followed by a near fall. Punk was able to gain advantage on ADR and landed a sunset powerbomb, but a near fall on the floor. Mysterio came flying out of no where with a rana from the apron and got a near fall as we went to commercial break.
Back from the break, Mysterio ran the ropes and landed a tilt a whirl splash followed by Mysterio receiving back-to-back tilt-a-whirl backbreakers. ADR and Punk went at it, Punk missing the Go to Sleep, while del Rio drove his knees into the arms and then violently stomped Punk. After throwing Punk into the corner, he focused on Mysterio, who fought back and landed a top rope hurricanrana. Punk was set up for the 619 as well while del Rio ducked. ADR went for the cross-arm breaker but Punk kicked him in the head and got a near fall. Punk put Mysterio on the top rope while del Rio snuck underneath and they did a combination superplex/powerbomb.
ADR couldn't pin either man and then decided to stalk Mysterio. He got a foot to the face for his efforts and got a wheelbarrow suplex. Mysterio was saved by Punk, who kneed ADR in the face. His whip got reversed and Punk got drilled in the midsection with a spear. ADR went to do the same thing to Mysterio, but his shoulder hit the post and he hit the floor. Punk slammed Mysterio into the corner and got two feet to the face. Mysterio went for a rolling splash on Punk off the top and then fell to the floor. Mysterio went for the top rope rana splash and got a near fall. Mysterio ducked the clothesline, went off the second rope and missed his cross body when Punk dodged it.
Punk went to the top rope and was caught by Mysterio, almost falling off. Mysterio went up top and missed a top rope hurricanrana. Del Rio came in and got the cross arm breaker, but Punk landed the second rope leg drop. Another near fall. Punk picked up ADR and got put into the corner, allowing ADR to land his step up enziguri. Mysterio came in and landed the 619 followed by the WCP. Punk came in at the last second to save it, throw Mysterio out of the ring and pin ADR to become the number one contender. Rating: A+ - A fast paced, high energy, spot fest match that saw all three men giving a Pay-Per-View quality match on free television. If you can watch this on YouTube, do so.
Matthew Braswell - A wrestling fan since 1995, an MMA fan since 2005, and a lover of television since I found out it existed.
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