By Jason Powell

WWE Raw on the USA Network
Live from Sacramento, Calif.

[Q1] The opening video started the show... The usual pyro went off on the stage as Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler introduced the show and hyped that it was their final stop on the road to SummerSlam. They also hyped the main event of the show...

Powell's POV: I just posted the WWE Superstars spoilers right before the show on both version of the site. Plus, Dot Net Members are reading this report on the ad-free version of the website and will be listening to audio reviews of the show later tonight. You can become a member for as little as $5.50 per month by signing up via the Dot Net Members' Signup Page.

Bret Hart came to the ring for a promo.. He was wearing a Batman shirt, shorts, and his leather jacket. Bret said he's been training like a lunatic for SummerSlam. He said he's more than just a little disappointed that Edge and Chris Jericho decided to quit "Team WWE."

Hart called out Edge and Chris Jericho in hopes of getting everyone back on the same page. Jericho came out and said Hart should dazzle him and tell him he's the best in the world at what he does like John Cena did. Hart told Jericho to shut up. He said it's Jericho's chance to be a man.

Bret said it's obvious that Nexus didn't want anything to do with Jericho. He said the wrestlers who Jericho turned his back on don't want anything to do with him either. Bret said this is Jericho's chance to step up and do the honorable thing. Hart asked Jericho if he would consider rejoining Team WWE or if he is willing to disappoint his fans.

Jericho said Bret knows that he can't beat Nexus without him. "Once again in the WWE, Bret Hart is screwed," Jericho said. He said he's not interested in being on the same team as John Cena, and he's even less interested in teaming with Hart. He said he's more concerned with dismantling Hart in the Raw main event.

Edge's music played and he came to the ring with a conflicted look on his face. He questioned what was wrong with Jericho. "This is Bret 'The Hitman' Hart," Edge said. "We grew up idolizing him. He's the reason we got into this business, Chris." Edge noted that Jericho trained at the Dungeon, and Edge said he had Hart's poster on his wall.

"Bret, I don't know about Jericho, but you can count me in," Edge said. Hart and Edge shook hands while Jericho left the ring. Edge tried to kick Hart, who saw it coming. Hart caught Edge's leg and tried to apply the Sharpshooter, but Jericho returned and thumbed Hart's eye.

As Edge and Jericho were leaving, Natalya ran out with a concerned look on her face and went to Bret. Meanwhile, the Titan Tron showed The Nexus beating up Tyson Kidd and David Hart Smith inside a locker room. Wade Barrett said it looks like The Hart Dynasty won't be the replacements for Jericho and Edge...

Powell's POV: Solid opening segment that sets the stage for the rest of the night. I like the way they are keeping things open regarding who the last two members of Team Raw will be. I suppose it could be a swerve with Edge and Jericho actually being on the team and then helping Cena and Hart later in the show. Either way, they're off to a solid start, but they have a lot of work to do when it comes to hyping and announcing the rest of the SummerSlam card.

[Q2] [C] Backstage, Bret was checking on The Hart Dynasty. Bret picked up a chair and said he was going to take matters into his own hands. John Cena showed up and stopped him. He said he needed to find out who was still with the team. After Cena calmed Bret down, he headed out to talk to Great Khali...

1. The Miz pinned Evan Bourne in 4:00. Bourne was sporting a black eye. Cole said he believes he got the black eye during a match on WWE Superstars. Bourne had a great flurry of offnense and scored a believable near fall, but Miz came back and hit the Skull Crushing Finale for the win.

After the match, Miz said he doesn't care whether Sheamus or Randy Orton win on Sunday. He said he'll beat either one of them when the time comes to cash in his Money in the Bank contract...

Powell's POV: A strong TV match. Cole continues to speak favorably about Miz by saying he thinks he will become a WWE Champion.

A shot aired of John Cena talking with Great Khali backstage... [C]

Powell's POV: No sign of Ranjin Singh, so does that mean Khali has no clue what Cena is saying to him?

[Q3] Highlights aired of Melina returning last week...

2. Melina defeated Alicia Fox in a non-title match in 3:40. Cole told the story that Melina might be rusty after the long layoff. Alicia controlled the early offense, but Melina hit the Last Call Sunset Bomb for the clean pin...

Powell's POV: I'm guessing this sets up a SummerSlam match between the two, but nothing is official yet.

Backstage, Josh Matthews asked Great Khali whether he's with WWE or The Nexus. "WWE," Khali responded. Khali grabbed Matthews and spoke in his native tongue. Matthews asked him to speak in English since Ranjin Singh wasn't there. Khali said he wanted Wade Barrett in a singles match... [C]

Highlights aired from during the break of Michael Cole reading a message from the anonymous general manager. It was announced that Alicia Fox will defend the WWE Divas Championship against Melina at SummerSlam...

Back live, Cole said Barrett will face Khali per the general manager's orders later tonight. Lawler hyped a summertime spectacular featuring Eve and Gail Kim vs. The Bellas vs. Maryse and Jillian Hall. Plus, Sheamus will call out Randy Orton...

Backstage, Edge complained to Chris Jericho about Bret Hart trying to put him in the Sharpshooter. Jericho expressed some concern over Nexus. Edge said they've survived big names in the past. Jericho said they would take out Cena and Bret so there would be no match at SummerSlam and then they'll be in the clear...

[Q4] In another part of the backstage area, John Morrison and R-Truth were talking about the SummerSlam match. Mark Henry showed up and said he could replace two men. He said to consider his upcoming match his audition.

Meanwhile, a shot aired of Nexus watching that segment on a backstage monitor. Wade Barrett gave the nod and all the other Nexus members left the room, presumably to go after Henry... [C]

Powell's POV: I just heard a juicy rumor from a reader at the show about a big name backstage who might appear on tonight's show. I haven't been able confirm the news with sources, but it would be big. Not an outsider, but it would be an unexpected appearance. The show has been good thus far.

Ted DiBiase and Maryse made their entrance. Mark Henry was out next for their match. Before Henry could get to the ring, Nexus (minus Barrett) attacked him. They roughed him up on the floor and then ran him headfirst into the ring steps. The Nexus members exited through the crowd.

Cole said the plan is obviously to eliminate possible replacements for Team WWE. The referee stood over Henry and called for help from the back. A trainer came out and tended to Henry, who was motionless on the floor...

A shot aired of Sheamus walking backstage with the WWE Championship belt draped over his shoulder... A trailer aired for John Cena's movie... [C]

Sheamus came to the ring for a promo and set up a video package that showcased him dominating various WWE performers.

[Q5] Sheamus was all smiles after the video played. He asked how many fans thought he was afraid of Randy Orton after seeing the video. "That footage proves I'm afraid of nobody in WWE," Sheamus said. Sheamus called out Randy Orton.

Orton's music played and he headed to the ring. Sheamus said he was surprised that Orton accepted his invitation. Orton cut him off and said he had something to say to Sheamus first. Orton said he believes Sheamus is capable of hurting people, but he wasn't buying that Sheamus didn't get in the ring with him last week because he was afraid what he would do.

Orton said Sheamus had a chance to be taken seriously by getting inside the ring. Sheamus took offense and said, "Everyone takes me seriously, fella." The live crowd was hot for the verbal exchange and chanted for the RKO. Orton said the fact is that Sheamus has never beaten him and never will.

Sheamus said Triple H and John Cena looked him in the eye. Orton challenged Sheamus to "do something about it." They had an intense staredown that was interrupted by the anonymous general manager chime.

Cole stood up and read that the general manager had ruled that if anyone interfered on behalf of Sheamus on Sunday, they will be suspended indefinitely. The general manager ruled that if Orton loses on Sunday, there will be no rematch and he will go back to the end of the line. The general manager said that he agrees with Orton in that if Sheamus isn't scared of Orton, he encouraged him to do something about it right now.

The fans popped as Sheamus and Orton stared each other down intensely. Sheamus shook his head and backed away. He teased throwing a punch, but stopped. Sheamus was about to leave the ring when Orton attacked him from behind. Sheamus came back with a shot that knocked Orton to the mat.

Sheamus went for the big boot to the head, but Orton dodged it and performed his backbreaker move. Orton looked down at Sheamus and started making weird faces. He backed into the corner and teased the punt kick, but stopped. Sheamus showed major fear as he backed into the corner.

Orton rolled to ringside and picked up the WWE Championship and held it while a rattled Sheamus looked on. Orton threw the belt toward Sheamus, and then flashed a sinister grin as he walked up the ramp... [C]

Powell's POV: Very well done. They really needed to sell people on that match and Orton's desire to win the WWE Championship. Mission accomplished on selling the match. Sheamus continues to show range as a performer, and the crowd loved everything Orton did. WWE needed a hot show heading into SummerSlam, and so far they've delivered.

[Q6] After the break, the announcers plugged the SummerSlam theme song. They also pointed out that Sheamus was still pacing at ringside...

3. Michael McGillicutty, Alex Riley, and Husky Harris defeated Percy Watson, Kaval, and Lucky Cannon in 3:15. Sheamus took a seat at ringside to watch the match. Meanwhile, Cole ran through the basics of the NXT wrestlers who were competing in the match. Kaval hit a big stomp on Cannon, but Husky nailed him from behind and followed up with his back splash for the win.

After the match, Sheamus attacked the rookies. He hit his High Cross move on Kaval inside the ring and then headed to ringside for a mic. Sheamus said that was a message to the general manager. He guaranteed that he will still be the WWE Champion at this time next week...

Powell's POV: Sheamus has become a true star of the Raw show. I'm digging everything the guy does these days.

A shot aired of Morrison and R-Truth walking backstage as the announcers questioned what Nexus might do... [C]

The announcers hyped Khali vs. Barrett for later in the show...

4. R-Truth and John Morrison defeated William Regal and Zack Ryder in 2:10. Truth did his full entrance. Morrison made his own entrance. Cole sold the match by saying he was curious to see whether Truth and Morrison are on the same page. The heels got the early advantage, but Truth fought out of it and tagged in Morrison.

Morrison hit some flash offense on Ryder. He went for a cover, but Regal broke it up. Truth got rid of Regal. Morrison ended up hitting Starship Pain for the win on Ryder...

Powell's POV: WWE Superstars called and wants its match back. All joking aside, it was a quality TV match thanks to Morrison's wild offense, and it told the story that Morrison and Truth are on the same page.

The announcers ran through the SummerSlam lineup and questioned how the final two members of Team WWE would be on Sunday. They also hyped Kane vs. Rey Mysterio for the World Hvt. Championship, Big Show vs. Straight Edge Society in a handicap match, and Sheamus vs. Randy Orton for the WWE Championship...

[Q7] [C] A shot aired of the celebrity whore Bella Twins walking backstage with penis shaped balloons (or something like that)...

The ring was decked out in a beach theme. There was an inflatable slide set up in the entrance area and the two babyface teams slid down it. Santino and Vladimir Kozlov were in the ring...

5. The Bella Twins defeated Jillian Hall and Maryse and Eve and Gail Kim in a three-way tag. Santino was the ref and Kozlov stood at ringside. The Bellas did the switch routine and got the win.

After the match, Tamina came to the ring in a swimsuit and got in Santino's face. He tried to avoid her, but she wouldn't let him get by. She finally stepped aside and then slapped him on the ass when he walked by...

Powell's POV: Ladies and gentlemen, we have a chance to announce. Playing the role of Beth Phoenix tonight will be Tamina.

A SummerSlam flashback focussed on Big Bossman vs. The Mountie...

A shot aired of Great Khali backstage and the music played as if they were heading to break. Suddenly, the Nexus members attacked Khali. The beatdown didn't last long, but Khali was left holding his knee. A referee called for help...

Powell's POV: Damn, it sure would be a shame if they wrote Khali out of the match on Sunday. Yes, that's sarcasm.

[Q8] [C] The Nexus came to the ring as the announcers recapped their beatdown on Mark Henry. Barrett announced that he'd just been informed that his match with Great Khali has been cancelled. The fans actually booed for some reason. Barrett said the balance of power on Raw is going to shift dramatically and permanently.

Barrett said Nexus will beat Team WWE on Sunday. Skip Sheffield took the mic and said Raw has become their show. He predicted that Bret Hart will join Vince McMahon and Ricky Steamboat as their victims. David Otunga took the mic and said anyone who is thinking about joining Team WWE should think about their various attacks.

Otunga said people should think about whether they to be next. "Because you're either Nexus or against us," Otunga said. A shot aired of John Cena and Bret Hart walking backstage. They ran into The Miz, who was standing there with a smirk on his face. Miz said he wanted to address the inevitable.

Miz said Cena needs help, and he figured it was only a mater of time before he came looking for him. Miz said he wants to hear Bret Hart ask him. "I want to hear it from your mouth," Miz said. Bret asked if he was in or out. Miz said he wanted to hear it from both of them. Cena asked the same question.

Miz got off on Hart and Cena asking him for help. Miz said he'd let them both know on Sunday. Miz walked away. Cena said he and Hart have to take care of Jericho and Edge. A shot aired of Nexus standing in the ring before the show went to break... [C]

Powell's POV: I really wanted to hear Miz tell them to go to hell. At least he didn't completely commit. The Cena overcoming the odds story was old a long time ago, but I like the way they're making it seem like Team WWE has the odds stacked against them in a big way with only about 10 minutes left in the show.

Cole hyped that actor Justin Long will be the guest host of Raw next week...

Powell's POV: I wish he'd show up and play the gay porn star character he portrayed in "Zack and Miri Make a Porno." HIlarious.

Ring introductions for the main event took place. Bret came out wearing the same clothes he had on earlier. He didn't look bad physically, but he didn't look like he'd been training as hard as he claimed earlier...

[Overrun] Cena made his entrance at the top of the hour...

6. John Cena and Bret Hart vs. Chris Jericho and Edge with Nexus as lumberjacks. The Nexus wrestlers all stood on the side of the ring opposite the hard camera. Cena was tossed to ringside early and they put the boots to him and then rolled him back inside the ring. Rinse and repeat.

Cena threw Jericho to ringside for the first time at 2:30. The Nexus members glared at him, but they never touched him. Jericho went from being afraid to flashing a smirk. Cena's momentum carried him outside the ring a short time later. Barrett ran to that side of the ring and took a punch from Cena.

Barrett climbed onto the ring apron and was accidentally struck by Jericho. Moments later, Jericho ended up at ringside and was surrounded by Nexus. "Get him," Jericho said while pointing at Cena. The Nexus members roughed up Jericho. Edge came over and was also attacked. Bret got his hands on one member of Nexus and roughed him up.

Nexus huddled at ringside. They climbed inside the ring and was about to be seven-on-two. John Morrison and R-Truth ran out and joined Cena and Hart in the ring. Edge and Jericho headed up the ramp. Jericho nodded toward the back, but they eventually joined the rest of Team WWE inside the ring.

The fans popped huge as the two sides stared each other down. The place came unglued when the big brawl started. The WWE team cleared the ring and Nexus headed into the stands where they regrouped near the top of the lower bowl. The two teams stared at one another from a distance to close the show...

Powell's POV: A strong angle to close the show. The fans loved the big Team WWE vs. Nexus showdown. Cool moment. No luck on the big return tease that a reader claimed to have. Now you know why I didn't run the info on the main page without being able to confirm it.

Anyway, this show delivered great final hype for Sunday's pay-per-view for the big Raw matches. The overall card still leaves a lot to be desired, but the Raw matches have a lot of potential. I'll have more to say about the show tonight in Dot Net Member exclusive audio. You can join us by signing up for as little as $5.50 per month via the Dot Net Members' Signup Page.

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