By Jason Powell

WWE Raw on the USA Network
Live from Baltimore, Md.

[Q1] The opening montage played... Pyro went off the stage, which had the "Power to the People" graphic below the big screen. Michael Cole introduced the show and was accompanied by Jerry Lawler and Booker T. The text number is 46993 and voters will text A,B, or C...

C.M. Punk made his way to the ring. Booker T spoke about hanging out with "The President" at Capitol Punishment. Um, I think we'd all like to forget that one, Booker. Punk entered the ring and took a seat in the middle of the ring. Lawler said he wouldn't believe Punk if his tongue was notarized.

Punk said he wouldn't trust the fans to have the power in anything. "You chose to live in Baltimore, Maryland," Punk said. "You can move, you know." Punk said the fans can't guide his career because he is the best wrestler in the world. Yes, he said wrestler. Punk boasted about "soundly defeating" John Cena last week and Rey Mysterio at the pay-per-view.

"Yes, ladies and gentlemen, wins and losses still do mean something," Punk said. He announced that he is the No. 1 contender to the WWE Championship. Punk said he would like the anonymous general manager to email Cole to announce that he is officially the No. 1 contender to the WWE Championship.

Punk said he wants his title match in his hometown of Chicago at the Money in the Bank pay-per-view. He said he was staging a sit-in and would not leave the ring until the match was made. The email chime sounded and then Cole delivered his usual line. Punk mocked him and said the line along with him.

The chime sounded again. Cole said on behalf of the general manager that Punk's demands are understood and he will take them under consideration, but wanted Punk to leave the ring. Punk wasn't happy. The chime sounded again and the general manager "suggested" that Punk leave the ring "right now."

Punk said he wasn't going to leave the ring until he's named No. 1 contender. He said the general manager could watch him make snow angels in the ring. The GM said through Cole that he was going to name Punk the No. 1 contender, but not now that he feels disrespected. The GM booked Punk vs. Alberto Del Rio in a No. 1 contender's match.

Punk grumbled about the general manager's ruling. The GM chime sounded again and Cole announced that the match will now be Punk vs. Del Rio vs. Rey Mysterio in a No. 1 contender's match to determine which wrestler will challenge John Cena for the WWE Championship. The Raw theme played and Punk left the ring...

Cole hyped that viewers could vote for Eve, Kelly Kelly, or Beth Phoenix to determine which one of them will challenge Brie Bella for the WWE Divas Championship. Lawler provided a demonstration from ringside as he cast his vote for Kelly. A shot aired of the three Divas grinning backstage... [C]

Powell's POV: That was hardly a monumental announcement from Punk. Maybe there's more to it, but it feels like the whole thing was overhyped thus far. I did get a kick out of Punk using the word wrestler. However, the line about wins and losses mattering was spoiled when Mysterio was added to the match given that he's lost two of his last three matches to Punk.

[Q2] 1. Kelly Kelly beat Brie Bella (w/Nikki Bella) to win for the WWE Divas Championship in 2:50. Kelly received 53 percent, Beth got 36 percent, and Eve received only 11 percent of the votes. Kelly was distracted by Nikki early, and Brie attacked her from behind. Brie had Kelly pinned, but Kelly rolled through and got the pin. The Bellas bickered afterward.

Jerry Lawler entered the ring with a mic to interview Kelly, who was trying to cry. She said it's her first Divas Championship. She said she would make everyone proud and thanked the people. Cole said he's throwing up...

Cole told viewers to stay tuned because the magical Evan Bourne was coming up after the break. They aired a Bourne highlight package... Viewers were given the option of voting for Jack Swagger, Mason Ryan, or Sin Cara as Bourne's opponent... [C]

Powell's POV: 53 percent of the WWE voters proved that it is possible to text with their penises. Lawler interviewed Ezekiel Jackson after he won the Intercontinental Title at the pay-per-view on Sunday. However, he did not interview Dolph Ziggler when he won the U.S. Title. Is the MMA-inspired gimmick only for babyface title winners? The internet may break when Bourne wrestles Sin Cara.

2. Mason Ryan beat Evan Bourne in 4:05. Mason Ryan received 51 percent of the vote, Sin Cara scored 30 percent, and Swagger had 19 percent. The live crowd booed. Bourne used his quickness to dodge Ryan during the opening seconds of the match.

[Q3] A loud "Batista" chant broke out as Ryan roughed up Bourne. Evan came back with a couple of dropkicks that failed to knock Ryan off his feet. Bourne got his share of offense and even got an awkward inside cradle for a two count. However, Bourne jumped into Ryan's Rock Bottom for the loss...

Powell's POV: Did everyone in Wales just vote 15 times each for their native son? If not, I say bullshit for the voting results. It's a good thing we got the Evan Bourne video only to see him lose.

The announcers teased Kane vs. Mark Henry with voting options of a body slam match, arm wrestling match, or an over the top rope match...

Powell's POV: I voted for D - none of the above.

A commercial hyped Raw Roulette for next Monday's Raw from Las Vegas...

Powell's POV: The theme crap continues, but it's only a two-hour show next week.

The announcers aired highlights of the recent Big Show and Henry incidents. Henry came to the ring for a promo and boasted about what he did to Big Show at the pay-per-view. He said the earth shakes when Show walks, whereas all the fans chanting "what?" shake when he walks... [C]

[Q4] 3. Kane beat Mark Henry by DQ in an arm wrestling challenge. The voting results were 52 percent for arm wrestling match, 35 percent for over the top rope, and 13 percent for body slam match. Kane started to gain control of the arm wrestling match, but Henry punched him for the DQ. Henry beat up Kane afterward and slammed him through the announcers' table. Henry yelled a lot at ringside...

Powell's POV: Viewers voted for an arm wrestling challenge and Mason Ryan? Not buying it. Is this Vince's revenge on the world for Connecticut voters not electing his wife after she spent $50 million? Either way, I think we can all agree that WWE did not need the extra hour this week. It's not over yet, but this has been a horrible first hour.

Highlights aired of R-Truth roughing up John Cena last week. Cole said Truth says the conspiracy lives on in Truth's mind and questioned what he would say after the break... [C]

[Q5] An R-Truth video aired... R-Truth came to the ring dressed in street clothes for a promo. Cole reset the show since it was the top of the hour and recapped the first hour for viewers who checked in at the normal start time. The fans chanted "What" when Truth paused. "Don't what me," Truth said, which only encouraged them. Truth said he got got by Little Jimmy.

Christian's music played and he headed toward the ring with a mic in his hand. "Truth, I feel where you're coming from, dog," Christian said. Booker asked if he really just called him dog. Funny. Christian entered the ring and complained about his foot being under the bottom rope when he was pinned by Randy Orton. He aired a still shot photo to support his claim.

R-Truth got worked up when Christian pointed out that he's had more than one title shot. "I got got by Little Jimmy," R-Truth said. The Miz's music played and he walked onto the stage with a mic in hand. "Really?" Miz mocked before calling them both "whiners" and "crybabies."

Miz headed to the ring and some comical "Really" and "Riley" and "Randy" and "Jimmy" exchange broke out between the trio of heels. Teddy Long came out booked Miz, Christian, and Truth vs. John Cena, Randy Orton, and Alex Riley in a six-man tag. Cole threw a fit about Long booking a match on Raw and said he ruins everything...

Powell's POV: A fun verbal exchange. It doesn't really put heat on the heels and actually makes them look comical, but that was so much better than anything we saw in the first hour. I even got a kick out of Cole channelling Michael Scott while complaining about Toby Flenderson, er, Teddy Long.

The announcers listed voting options for Dolph Ziggler vs. Kofi Kingston for the U.S. Title as two of three falls, Vickie Guerrero banned from ringside, and submission... [C]

[Q6] Still shots aired of Dolph vs. Kofi from the pay-per-view... Vickie introduced Dolph...

4. Kofi Kingston beat Dolph Ziggler (w/Vickie Guerrero) in a best of three falls match, but Ziggler retained the United States Championship. The voting was 51 percent for a best of three falls, 31 percent for Vickie banned, and 18 percent for the submissions match. They went to an early commercial after Kofi was bumped to the floor. [C]

[Q7] Highlights aired from during the break of Ziggler hitting a Zig Zag and getting a pin to jump out to a 1-0 lead. Lawler took his usual jabs at Vickie. Kofi hit the SOS and won the first fall at 7:30. Kofi had the deciding pin at 11:40, but Dolph reached out and put two fingers on the ropes to break the hold. They went to ringside where Dolph hit Kofi with the ring announcers' mic for the DQ...

Powell's POV: Good action during the match. The cheap finish was weak, yet expected. Does this mean they're going forward with the never ending Ziggler vs. Kingston feud?

The horrible announcers bickered at ringside and set up a video that recapped Steve Austin running over the GM's laptop last week...

The announcers hyped that viewers could determine the stipulation of the Triple Threat between Del Rio, Mysterio, and Punk. The options were No DQ, falls count anywhere, and submission...

A graphic hyped that Shawn Michaels will appear on next week's Raw Roulette show in Las Vegas...

Powell's POV: There's a pleasant surprise. They didn't really tease him for anything, but it will be good to see HBK back on Raw again.

Alberto Del Rio came to the ring and cut a promo. He mentioned Ricardo Rodriguez hitting Big Show with his car. He said he thought it was just an accident, but then he decided it was just destiny. He said his destiny is to become No. 1 contender... [C]

[Q8] An ad for Smackdown focussed on the Christian and Randy Orton feud but teased no matches... The cameras showed fans submitting their votes via text...

5. C.M. Punk beat Alberto Del Rio and Rey Mysterio in a Triple Threat falls count anywhere match in 11:35 to become No. 1 contender to the WWE Championship. Falls Count Anywhere received 66 percent, No DQ received 23 percent, and submissions received 11 percent.

Punk performed a sunset flip powerbomb on Del Rio off the apron and to the floor for a near fall. Mysterio dove onto Punk and got a near fall. [C] The trio took turns on offense after the break. Good rapid fire action with the momentum shifting frequently.

[Q9] Late in the match, Del Rio knocked Punk to ringside with a kick. Mysterio hit a 619 on Del Rio and followed up with a top rope splash. Punk ran in and threw Mysterio under the bottom rope and into the ring post. Punk covered Del Rio and scored the pin to become No. 1 contender...

Powell's POV: The only bad thing about that match was hair on the back of Punk's head that refused to stay down. Otherwise, that was excellent with several quality near falls and excellent three-way work.

After the match, Punk took a seat on the mat and said that July 17, 2011 will be the most historic day for WWE. He said that not only is July 17 the second annual MITB pay-per-view, it's the night he defeats John Cena for the WWE Championship.

Punk brought up the honesty he was talking about. He said it's gotten him in trouble more times than he cares to admit. Punk said July 17 is the day that his contract with WWE comes to an end. He said that when the clock strikes midnight that night, he is leaving. "And trust me when I tell you, I am leaving with the WWE Championship," Punk said...

Powell's POV: An interesting twist on the match. Does it send the message to the masses that that Cena goes over for sure or will the Cena fans buy into their hero trying to prevent Punk from leaving with the title? I'm guessing it's a mix, but I think it's an interesting development that puts a fresh spin on the Cena vs. Punk feud.

The announcers hyped Cody Rhodes vs. Daniel Bryan with the voting options of a paper bag match, a no count out match, and a collegiate rules match... [C]

6. Daniel Bryan beat Cody Rhodes in a no count out match in 4:30. The voting results were 51 percent for the no count outs, 43 for paper bag, and six percent for collegiate. Cody's crew handed out paper bags to some lucky fans in the crowd. Late in the match, Cody had Bryan pinned with an inside cradle, but Bryan reversed it and got the win.

[Q10] Bryan had Rhodes in the LeBell Lock after the match, but Ted DiBiase hit the ring and attacked him. Cody hit the Alabama Slam on Bryan. Booker called it the Sidewalk Slam, and Cole openly mocked him. Cody followed up with CrossRhodes. DiBiase put a bag on Bryan's head and they left him lying...

A preview of a new USA Network show "Suits" aired... The voting options for Vickie Guerrero's dance contest with Cole, Lawler, or Booker was announced...

Powell's POV: No, I'm not making up the dance contest stuff. Worse yet, Cole danced around like a jackass before they went to commercial. Bryan vs. Cody was fine. I just feel like both guys are stuck on the rung of a ladder rather than climbing it at this point. Man, these three-hour Raws are just too much.

The Did You Know graphic boasted that WWE has more Twitter followers than Microsoft, Pepsi, Coke, Disney, etc... The announcers recapped several key moments from the show...

Matt Striker stood in the ring with Vickie Guerrero, who claimed she took 15 years of dance training and his an expert of exotic dancing and other forms of dance. She said her old stage name was Peaches. She delivered a variation of Sable's old catchphrase. She danced and then kissed Striker. The voting for the dance contest went 47 percent Cole, 39 percent Lawler, and 14 percent for Booker.

Cole entered the ring and told the fans to sit back and enjoy perfection. Cole did several dance moves to boos and then did a Spinaroonie that only Evan Bourne would be impressed by. Striker left it up to the fans. Vickie had more boos, and Cole even had some cheers. Striker gave it to Cole for having the loudest boos. Vickie slapped Cole...

Powell's POV: It's moments like these that leave me tempted to tell old friends I bump into that I make my living as a heroin dealing male prostitute rather than admit that I actually cover this industry for a living.

The announcers noted that they were using a John Lennon song as the theme of this lousy show... The stipulations for the six-man main event are one fall to a finish, 20-minute time limit, and elimination match...

[Q11] [C] A video hyped Raw Roulette, and the announcers hyped HBK returning on next week's show... Ring introductions for the six-man tag match took place. WWE aired fan-cam footage of the main event finish of Capitol Punishment so there's no need for Cena fans to order the pay-per-view. A "Little Jimmy" chant broke out...

The fan voting went 79 percent elimination match, 15 percent one fall to a finish, and six percent with a 20-minute time limit... [C]

Powell's POV: Obviously, I'm happy with the end result, but could it get any lamer than a 20-minute time limit option? Hey, there's that Keith Stone guy in the commercial break. Former TNA wrestler Cody Deaner should sue for gimmick infringement.

[Q12] 7. John Cena, Randy Orton, and Alex Riley beat Christian, R-Truth, and The Miz in a six-man elimination tag match in 19:15. Cena and Miz started the match. Cole and Booker spent the first part of the match bickering. Vince must be tired of Booker's horrible work, as Cole has been all over him tonight. Christian took out Riley with a Skull Crushing Finale from behind and pinned him at 6:30.

[C] A commercial for Smackdown actually questioned who is the World Hvt. Champion coming out of the Capitol Punishment pay-per-view.

Back live, the heels still had the one-man advantage and were working over Orton. He made a hot tag to Cena, who was roughing up the heels until Miz caught him with the Reality Check for a near fall. The heels worked over Cena.

[Overrun] Cena made his comeback, avoided the Skull Crushing Finale, and hit the Attitude Adjustment on Miz before pinning him at 16:05. Orton eliminated Truth with an RKO at 18:40. Christian ran in and speared Orton and then pinned him.

As Christian was boasting that he should be WWE Champion, Cena tried to pick him up for the Attitude Adjustment. Christian got away, but Orton hit him with the RKO. Cena applied the STF and got the submission win. Cena called Orton back into the ring and they shook hands and celebrated. Cena went to ringside and greeted military members to close the show...

Powell's POV: They forwarded the Orton vs. Christian feud, but that was about it. Overall, though, a quality Raw main event to a show that felt like it would never end. The first hour was terrible. It wasn't all bad after that, but it really felt like a marathon, especially for those of us who watched the pay-per-view last night. I'll have more to say about the show, C.M. Punk's situation, Shawn Michaels appearing next week, Raw Roulette, and more in Dot Net Members' audio later tonight. Join us on the ad-free version of the website by signing up now via the Dot Net Members' Signup Page.

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