By Rich Twilling

WWE Raw on the USA Network
Live from Bridgeport, Conn.

[Q1] The opening video aired and fireworks lit up the stage. Michael Cole and Jerry "The King" Lawler welcomed us to the show. They quickly pointed out Sheamus won the WWE Championship last night after the NXT7 struck again...

Vince McMahon made his way to the ring. He must have read my report last night because tonight's suit is pretty bad ass. Vince welcomed everyone to Monday Night Raw. He said there was "ultra, sheer chaos" last night which resulted in Sheamus being the new WWE Champion.

Vince said the man responsible for the chaos was Bret Hart. Hart made a lot of bad decisions, including firing Wade Barrett and dismissing the other six NXT Rookies. Bret did not tip off any other WWE wrestlers.

As a result, he fired Bret Hart. He said Bret now had his "closure." Vince said there was a new general manager and that person wanted to remain anonymous. He said a computer on the announce desk will allow Michael Cole to announce when the new GM had something to say.

A loud instant message sound was heard and Cole stood up. He announced all seven NXT Rookies have been hired and will address the WWE Universe tonight. Sheamus' music hit and he made his way to the ring with Vince still there...

Twill's Two Cents: That was a hot and noteworthy way to begin the show. Bret is out. Someone is in. Who is the new GM? Is he the the same person leading the NXT7? Intriguing stuff thus far.

Sheamus said he did not want to win the WWE Championship like he did last night. He even began to hand the belt to Vince. The crowd cheered. He pulled the belt back and said it didn't matter how it happened, because he was the new WWE Championship.

Sheamus then thanked the NXT7 for interfering last night, taking out Bret Hart last week, and beating up the WWE Raw wrestlers watching last night's match backstage. He thanked them again. He then said he didn't need their help...

Twill's Two Cents: That was weird. He didn't need their help but he thanked them anyway? The first part was well done. He was believable in that he was going to give the belt back. Sheamus just keeps getting better on the mic.

John Cena's music hit and he made his way to the ring. He was all smiles. He started thanking people too. He told Cole to send the new GM an email saying thank you for hiring the NXT guys, because now he knows they will be in the building.

[Q2] He also said as the former champion, he was going to invoke his rematch clause tonight. Sheamus said it was not going to happen tonight and asked permission to take Cena out. IM sound! Cole said tonight's main event will be Sheamus vs. Cena for the WWE Championship.

Vince started to say it does not get any better than that. IM sound! Cole announced to ensure there would be no interference tonight, Vince McMahon would be the special guest referee. Everyone seem pleased except for Sheamus... [C]

Twill's Two Cents: Nice. They got that horrible Fatal Four Way taste out of our mouths right away. Big news with Bret Hart. Big news with the new GM (it is going to be fun trying to figure out who it is), and huge main for tonight. Now we can speculate what the NXT7 will do and how Vince is involved.

Footage aired of Evan Bourne defeating Chris Jericho last night. When Jericho made his entrance, he said he asked for the rematch and if he doesn't win, he will leave the WWE forever...

Twill's Two Cents: Wow. This show just continues to roll. Good stuff.

1. Chris Jericho defeated Evan Bourne in 10:42. Jericho quickly found himself on the floor recollecting his thoughts... [C]

Jericho gained the offensive advantage during the commercial break. Very close nearfall from a roll through from Evan. Jericho dropkicked Bourne to the floor. Bourne beat the count by jumping back into the ring at nine. Jericho locked in the Walls but Bourne rolled through, applied a guillotine, and hit a DDT for a two count.

[Q3] Jericho fought back with a double underhook backbreaker. With Jericho standing on the second rope, Bourne based jumped from the ring into a hurricarana. That is always impressive. Jericho locked in the Walls again and sat down very low. He pulled him to the center of the ring.

Bourne would not tap out and he finally was able to get to the ropes. Jericho approached him on the apron and was knocked on his back. Evan attempted the Shooting Star Press, but Jericho put his knees. He followed with the Codebreaker for the win...

Afterwards, Jericho helped Bourne up and looked like he was going to help him, but he pie faced him to the mat instead...

Twill's Two Cents: Another very good match between the two. The last second stipulation added a lot to this and now Jericho is back on a roll just like that. Cole made a nice point that Jericho attacking Bourne after the match means he is getting his swagger back. Bourne looked impressive in defeat, so they can still hype his win from last night.

A graphic showing the NXT7 aired and they will cut a promo later in the show...

Sheamus vs. John Cena with Vince McMahon as the special guest referee was hyped... [C]

Twill's Two Cents: Looks like tonight is an "I'm sorry for Sunday's shitty PPV" to those watching. Of course, I think we'd rather have our $54.95 back.

Cole and King set up footage of the announcement of tonight's main event with Vince as the special guest referee...

Backstage, Vince was talking to the GM on the phone. He was happy with tonight's main event announcement but instructed his new GM to never surprise him again...

Virgil was sitting backstage. Ted DiBiase approached him and because they've known each other for years, he was apologetic for the way he acted last week. That being said, Virgil was fired. He upgraded.

Maryse came in and locked herself on the arm of DiBiase. Ted said she appreciated money. Virgil asked what Ted was going to do for protection. "Go the the drugstore." They went face to face and Virgil walked away...

Josh Mathews interviewed someone besides John Cena. The Hart Dynasty were his guests. Natalya said Bret was railroaded and that won't happen to them. Tyson Kidd said both sides were at fault in 1997, but Bret did nothing wrong. David Hart Smith said they would make Bret proud. Natalya said she was ready for her first Raw match...

A mysterious SUV was shown in the parking lot... [C]

Twill's Two Cents: First Bret and then Virgil? Any other retired wrestlers working on camera for WWE? Very good opening 45 minutes of this show. By the way, the DiBiase and Maryse pairing could be very interesting and for Maryse, it has to be considered a step up from what she has been doing.

[Q4] 2. Tamina (with Jimmy and Jey Uso) vs. Natalya (with Tyson Kidd and David Hart Smith) ended in a no contest in 1:21. Tamina set up a Samoan Drop, but Natalya rolled out of it and was setting up for the Sharpshooter. The NXT7 walked out and Wade Barrett grabbed a microphone at ringside.

Barrett began to apologize to the Harts, but Tyson Kidd hit a somersault plancha onto them on the floor. Smith got involved too, but they were quickly outnumbered. The NXT guys jumped into the ring as the show went to commercial... [C]

Twill's Two Cents: Nice hook going into a commercial. They made an appearance with a trio they will be feuding with, and now we wait for their promo. Solid segment.

Otunga stood in front of his guys and behalf of them, apologized for their actions over the past few weeks. He said they did what they did for the love of WWE. They would do anything to get noticed and get contracts.

Heath Slater reiterated they were sorry. Nothing they did was personal. Justin Gabriel apologized to Bret Hart. He said Bret painted them into a corner and fired their only link to WWE at that time. He moved onto David Hart Smith and Tyson Kidd and hoped they could co-exist.

Darren Young apologized to John Cena. He said people used to call him the black John Cena. He said Cena would get his title back.

Twill's Two Cents: Used to? Everyone still calls you that Darren.

Sheffield apologized to the kids and fans. He knew the fans wouldn't respond, but he "tried" to get them to repeat his catchphrase. Tarver apologized to his five kids.

[Q5] Barrett said the other six guys had to do what they could, but what about him? He had a job and he had a PPV title match. He aligned himself with the NXT guys because of one word, loyalty. They agreed to have fun on NXT and stick together at the end.

He continued by saying they made Cena a target and can do the same thing to Sheamus. Sheamus could play it off, but he was in the right place at the right time and was the new WWE Champion because of them.

He said he could take Sheamus' title from him anytime he wants. He said whether it was Sheamus, Cena, or whomever, he was going to become the new WWE Champion and for that, he was making no apologies...

Twill's Two Cents: At first I rolled my eyes at the apologies, but Barrett's promo was very good and made the apologies logical. They meant what they said. It was like, "We're sorry, but we're not." It is logic they can use time and time again when they really want something Very solid mic work from Wade.

The main event was hyped... [C]

John Morrison made his entrance and was accompanied by his NXT Rookie, Eli Cottonwood. Ted and Maryse came out to the stage. Ted said they had a match scheduled but he had better things to do. He said he found a replacement. Zack Ryder came out to no reaction...

Twill's Two Cents: So, if Maryse is replacing Virgil, does that mean she has to carry his bags and be his driver?

3. John Morrison (with Eli Cottonwood) defeated Zack Ryder (with Titus O'Neill) in 4:22. Several nearfalls by Ryder early on. He then grounded Morrison but was the victim of a jawbreaker followed by a kick for a two count.

[Q6] Zack went for the Roughryder but Morrison countered it into a powerbomb. He then hit Starship Pain for the win...

Twill's Two Cents: Morrison and Ryder are two NXT Pros that are in a certain place right now, so anything they do can help elevate them to that next level. We'll see if either of them get there.

Backstage, Mathews ran down Cena and asked about the apology from the NXT7. Cena said they said it wasn't personal, but it was because Cena's career was in jeopardy after being taken out on a stretcher.

Vince McMahon approached Cena in his referee shirt. He said Cena would have no excuses tonight. He said Sheamus wouldn't have any excuses either. He would make sure the best man won tonight... [C]

4. The Great Khali and Eve Torres defeated Primo and Alicia Fox in 3:56. Primo tagged in Alicia because he didn't want to lock up with Khali. Eve and Alicia did the heavy lifting. Alicia took off and Khali made short work of Primo...

Twill's Two Cents: Watching Eve, you can tell she has worked hard to get better in the ring. Too bad that's not really a priority right now.

Randy Orton was shown walking through the backstage area... [C]

[Q7] Orton made his entrance. He said he was glad the NXT guys had contracts, because he was going to punt everyone of them in the skull. He said he accepted Barrett's apology and hopes he wins the WWE Championship, because he was going to take it from him.

The Miz's music hit and he began his promo at the top of the stage. He said he was sick of seeing Orton in the main event. He said he would be the first person in WWE to ever hold the United States and WWE Championships at the same time.

In the ring, he began his catchphrase but attacked Orton before finishing it. Orton got the best of Miz and knocked him to the floor. Edge came into the ring and hit a distracted Orton with a spear. He then got in face and said the fun was just beginning...

Twill's Two Cents: Great segment. The NXT guys have set up feuds with a lot of people. It's funny, what Miz did tonight (put himself in the WWE Championship picture) was the exact logic I was using when I said he would lose the U.S. Title at the PPV. Barrett, Miz, Orton, and Edge, along with Cena and Sheamus, are all laying claim to the WWE Championship. Good stuff.

The main event is next... [C]

The Ed Hochuli of WWE referees, Vince McMahon made his way to the ring. Cole said the new GM has been emailing him all night. Odd, I haven't heard that loud IM noise. Cena made his entrance. A loud ass fan keeps "Wooooing" close to a camera and/or microphone...

[Q8] 5. Sheamus vs. John Cena for the WWE Championship with Vince McMahon as the special guest referee ended in a no contest in about 15:00. Justin Roberts handled the championship introductions.

Twill's Two Cents: I wonder if Roberts says first names like announces them. Imagine him leaving a voice mail or making a toast.

Vince is actually not the referee; he is the outside enforcer. Like last night, a dueling "Let's go Cena/Cena sucks" chant could be heard from the kids, and the adults respectively. Sheamus dominated early and threw Cena to the floor... [C]

Cena continued to be on the receiving end but had a momentarily glimpse of hope. Both men hit a closeline. Cena picked him up for an AA, but Sheamus slithered out. Sheamus missed the bicycle kick and Cena hit his usual spots. Sheamus avoided the AA again hit an Irish Curse backbreaker for a two count.

Cena locked in the STF, but Sheamus was able to will his way to the ropes. He rolled to the floor. Cena followed him out there and whipped Cena into the steel ring steps.

[Overrun] Sheamus couldn't pin Cena. He set up the steps upright at the bottom of the ramp. He whipped Cena into them. For some reason, he was not disqualified. He put Cena in the ring and hit the bicycle kick. The NXT7 hit the ring and ran off Sheamus.

They pulled Cena out of the ring, whipped him over the announcer table, and then turned the table over on him. Vince jumped into the ring and called the NXT7 in to join him. He said he was partially responsible for all of the actions of the NXT guys.

The Seven stopped smiling and acted like they were going to attack Vince. Vince breathed a sigh of relief when they started smiling again. However, that was short lived. They circled Vince and began attacking them.

They hit that same closeline spot they think looks good. Barrett hit his finisher and Gabriel hit the 450. They took off to the back as the fans chanted "NXT." The cameraman jumped into the ring and did his best to get some help for Vince...

Twill's Two Cents: The main event was solid and I was disappointed with the run-in. I'm guessing a lot of people are going to compare this to a couple of weeks ago, but I didn't love it as much as that. It was interesting and surprising, but in reality, Vince could just fire all of them. Never mind the "giving total control to the new GM" crap. Another thing, I would think, based on what happened, the only person the new GM could be is Shane or Stephanie McMahon. This will get a lot of people talking, but let's just see how it plays out.

What did you think of the show? Feel free to let me know by shooting an email to dotnetrich@gmail.com.

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