By Jason Powell

Dot Net Members will be listening to my exclusive audio review of WWE Raw later tonight. Take advantage of our limited time $5 Summer Sale on Dot Net Membership. For all the details on the access codes you'll need to sign access to sale price, click here.

WWE Raw on the USA Network
Live from Edmonton, Alberta

[Q1] Michael Cole welcomed viewers to the show. In the ring, Justin Roberts introduced Ricardo Rodriguez, who then introduced Alberto Del Rio. The WWE Champion drove a sports car into the building and headed to the ring wearing his sports entertaining gear. His WWE Championship now has a name plate.

Del Rio soaked up the boos and was about to introduce himself when John Cena's music interrupted him. Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler were on commentary with Cole. Ross said business just picked up. Cena got the usual mix of boos and cheers during his entrance.

Cena said everyone knows who Del Rio and that he thinks it was his destiny to win the WWE Championship. Cena said he was there to reintroduce himself. He said he's John Cena and he's the guy who is going to take the WWE Championship off of Del Rio's waist.

Powell's POV: I assume that's how Cena introduces himself to every new WWE Champion.

Cena said he's not just going to take the title, he's going to hurt Del Rio in the process. Cena said there is only one man who can go toe to toe with him. He said Del Rio is not C.M. Punk, so when he faces Del Rio, he's going to whip his ass. Punk's music played and he got a big pop from the crowd.

Punk said he feels like he's watching a rerun. "Hey, everybody, John Cena wants another title match," Punk said. Amen. Punk said it feels like a rerun and that's now why they're doing that. Punk said he beat Cena twice in two high pressure situations. Punk once again stated that Del Rio had every right to cash in his Money in the Bank contract.

Punk said that if anyone deserves the next title match, it's him. Del Rio interrupted. "Hey, look, it's Captain Third Wheel," Cena said. Del Rio said it was his time because he's the WWE Champion. "Are you finished?" Punk said. He told Del Rio not to every interrupt him when he's speaking.

Punk noted that he and Cena have both had problems with Triple H in the past. Punk pointed out that if Cena had won the belt, Nash probably would have attacked him instead. Punk said someone wants Del Rio to be the champion badly. Punk said he was cashing in his rematch clause. Cena spoke up and said he wanted to cash in on his rematch clause. Del Rio said he defended his title last week and now it's time for him to celebrate.

[Q2] Triple H's music played and he walked out wearing a suit. He said rematch clauses are not like Money in the Bank contracts. He said they are not allowed to cash them in whenever they want to. Triple H told Del Rio that he would be facing someone in the first match of the night on Raw.

Hunter turned his attention to Cena and Punk. He said he never sent a text message to Kevin Nash, and opted to leave it up to Cena and Punk to determine which one of them would challenge Del Rio first. Hunter said that Del Rio will defend the WWE Championship at Night of Champions against the winner of the Raw main event between C.M. Punk and John Cena. The announcers hyped the match and questioned how Del Rio would face next... [C]

An ad for Smackdown hyped Mark Henry vs. Sheamus for Friday's television show...

Powell's POV: I expect a cheap main event finish and would be disappointed in WWE if they didn't go that route. They can't just give away a full fledged match between Punk and Cena complete with a clean finish with no real buildup on Raw. That would be absolute insanity. I do hope they are out there long enough to give viewers a glimpse at what has made their last two matches so special. As for Del Rio, he really did feel like the third wheel out there.

1. Alberto Del Rio (w/Ricardo Rodriguez) defeated John Morrison in a non-title match in 12:30. The announcers did a good job of putting over the way Del Rio defeated Rey Mysterio and Daniel Bryan last week. Del Rio went for a Asai moonsault off the ring apron, but Del Rio moved. Morrison landed on his feet on the floor, but Del Rio shoved him into the guardrail. [C]

[Q3] Del Rio was in control after the break, but he was backdropped to ringside. Ricardo was there to shout encouragement. Later, Morrison got a really good near fall with a roll up. He followed up with a wild DDT for another near fall. Del Rio suffered a small cut by his left eye at one point.

Del Rio went for a powerbomb, but Morrison turned it into a huracanrana for another good near fall. Morrison went for his finisher, but Del Rio moved. Moments later, Del Rio applied the cross arm breaker and got the submission win. Afterward, Del Rio locked in the hold again at ringside.

Powell's POV: I love the way they are positioning Del Rio as the rare heel champion who actually wins matches clean. It seemed like they were headed in that direction during the build toward WrestleMania 27, but then Del Rio started losing matches to Christian and never actually won the World Hvt. Championship. It looks like they're back on track with that again and I'm all for it. It's a refreshing change from the usual vulnerable heel champion routine that is so played out. As for Morrison, he lost the match, but he didn't lose anything by losing such a back and forth, competitive match.

A shot aired of Kelly Kelly and Eve stretching out backstage. The announcers said they were up next... [C] A Night of Champions commercial aired...

A graphic noted that more people watched Smackdown on Friday than any other show on cable...

2. Eve Torres (w/Kelly Kelly) beat Nikki Bella (w/Brie Bella) in 2:30. A pop-up box video featured Natalya and Beth Phoenix saying they don't want to be like Eve and Kelly. They said they wouldn't say what they actually want. Eve did a ridiculously over the top dance move before hitting the standing moonsault at one point. Ugh.

Later, Eve went to the top rope and was distracted by Brie. Nikki tripped her up and got a near fall that no one seemed to care about. In the end, Eve caught Nikki with a neckbreaker and scored the clean pin.

[Q4] Afterward, Kelly hit her finisher on Brie Bella. Beth and Natalya walked onto the stage and applauded the babyfaces...

Kevin Nash was shown walking backstage... [C] A commercial hyped the live edition of Smackdown next Tuesday. It hyped that wrestlers from Raw and Smackdown would be on the "Super Smackdown" special...

Powell's POV: Someone should tell Kelly not to raise the belt and play to the crowd as Eve is being introduced. By the way, I'll be covering the Smackdown special live next week, and Chris Shore will be filling in on Raw live coverage. I'm taking a rare Monday night off for an annual fantasy football auction, so we're swapping show coverage.

Highlights aired of Jack Swagger winning his match last week while Vickie Guerrero and Dolph Ziggler were on commentary...

Vickie Guerrero walked onto the stage and introduced Jack Swagger as her "next potential new signing." Cole said Alex Riley demanded a rematch with Swagger...

3. Alex Riley defeated Jack Swagger (w/Vickie Guerrero) in 2:00. Dolph Ziggler came to ringside early in the match and wasn't happy about Vickie appearing in Swagger's corner. Dolph accidentally knocked her down. Swagger walked over to check on her and was eventually rolled up by Riley for the win. Dolph continued to boss Vickie around afterward... [C]

Powell's POV: Another win that Riley gains nothing from. Vickie's multi-person management movement is off the start I feared with her guys coming across more like mid-card comedy figures than real players. Yes, I know she's not managing Swagger yet, but you get the point. Fortunately, it looks like they might be setting up Ziggler vs. Swagger, which would be a nice change from the norm.

Another Smackdown ad aired...

Triple H came to the ring as the announcers recapped the mystery of who sent Kevin Nash the text message. Hunter said he and Nash spoke and he thinks it's all behind them now. He called out Nash to explain what happened. Nash walked out in street clothes and did not have entrance music. The announcers used the time to give a brief recap of the Hunter and Nash history.

[Q5] Hunter spoke about the controversy regarding the text message. Nash said he accepts that Hunter didn't send the text message because he trusts him. He said he was going to come out and apologize to Punk, but he crossed the line last week during their verbal confrontation. Nash told Hunter not to ask him not to be a man.

Triple H said Nash doesn't work for WWE. Nash said that's right, so he doesn't have to put Punk over. Hunter said that if he wants to beat up Punk, he could do so at the Tim Horton's across the street. Hunter asked Nash to please leave. Punk's music played and Hunter flashed a great look of frustration over not being able to keep them apart.

Punk brought up the mystery of who sent the text. He asked whether the culprit was "Big Lazy" in the conservatory with a tube of Just For Men. He questioned whether it was Hunter, and also mentioned Stephanie McMahon as his best guess. Punk said Nash got off easy last week, but he was kicking his ass this week.

Punk entered the ring and walked toward Nash, but Hunter cut him off. Punk told Hunter to get his hands off him. He asked who was calling the shots and called Stephanie bean headed. Hunter said he gave his word to the board that he wouldn't get involved physically, but warned Punk that he shouldn't cross the line.

Punk told Hunter that he didn't want him to take off his suit, fold it up, and put it in his wife's purse along with his cell phone and balls. Nash blindsided Punk with a punch. Nash and Hunter left the ring. Hunter chastised Nash by saying he couldn't be doing this to him...

Powell's POV: A strong segment. Nash got the lame ass "what" chants from the crowd, but otherwise it was well done. Punk is a great agitator, and I like the new dynamic between Hunter and Nash now that Triple H asked him to leave. I also like the way Punk mentioned Steph as the obvious text message suspect. There are too many times in wrestling angles where the babyfaces come across like oblivious morons.

The announcers hyped Michael McGillicutty and David Otunga vs. Kofi Kingston and Evan Bourne for after the break... [C]

Backstage, Nash told Hunter that he never thought he'd say it, but Hunter has changed...

4. Kofi Kingston and Evan Bourne defeated Michael McGillicutty and David Otunga to win the WWE Tag Titles in 5:05. The announcers spoke about whether Hunter has changed. They said he had and it was for the better. Ross stressed that Nash doesn't work for WWE.

[Q6] In the end, Bourne hit Air Bourne on Otunga and scored the clean pin to win the WWE Tag Titles. The crowd counted along with the pinfall and popped big for the tag title change. Ross said he wants to see where the WWE tag division goes now that Bourne and Kingston are the tag champs...

Powell's POV: The crowd reaction and the way Kingston and Bourne celebrated made the tag titles feel relevant. Ross sounds optimistic that we're going to be seeing bigger and better things from the tag division. I hope he's right.

An graphic hyped the Cena vs. Punk main event... [C] After the break, the announcers narrated footage of the tag title change...

Backstage, Josh Mathews interviewed Kingston and Bourne. Kofi spoke briefly before Zack Ryder, Derrick Bateman, Titus O'Neil, and some Divas entered the picture for a champagne celebration...

Backstage, John Laurinaitis caught up with Triple H and informed him that Kevin Nash had been in a car accident. He said Nash was in a local hospital. Laurinaitis gave Hunter the hospital info and told him he'd take care of things while he was away. Hunter headed out...

Powell's POV: The game playing continues. Of course, the question is who is playing the game. Or perhaps the question is who is playing The Game. See what I did there? For those not watching the show, we did not get an evil smirk or any type of tell from Laurinaitis after Hunter walked away.

[Q7] [C] A graphic compared Rock vs. Cena in terms of Twitter followers and Facebook fans...

Santino Marella made his entrance for a match, but he was attacked from behind by R-Truth and The Miz. They roughed him up and took him to the ring, where the double teaming continued. Truth took the mic and said that will happen to Little Jimmy every time.

Truth said there is a conspiracy in WWE. He fought off the lame ass "what" chants as best he could and then said Triple H, Kevin Nash, Stephanie McMahon, John Cena, and C.M. Punk all sit around "the conspiracy table and they conspire." Truth said that now that Hunter is in charge, it's no longer about The Truth or The Miz.

The Miz took his turn on the mic. "I can't believe I'm actually going to say this," Miz said. "You're right." He said there is a conspiracy in WWE. Miz snapped on the fans for the lame ass "what" chants. He boasted about beating John Cena in the main event of WrestleMania 27. He said that once Hunter took over Raw, he had to pick a fight with Jared from Subway just to do something on Raw.

R-Truth took a shot at the Canadian fans and then Miz said he was going to speak slowly so they would understand him. A loud "You suck" chant broke out. Truth said the fans sound like a bunch of animals. Miz said he's sick of seeing guys like Santino Marella on Raw. He said Santino hasn't won a match in five years.

Miz said they aren't waiting for an opportunity, they are taking it. Truth said they would squish spiders and will push back if any conspirators want to push them around. Truth said people are gonna get got. Truth delivered his catchphrase, and Miz finished off by saying, "It's awesome!" Truth's music played and he and Miz sang "You suck" instead of "What's up?" Truth had new heel lyrics...

Split screen shots aired of C.M. Punk and John Cena walking backstage...

Powell's POV: Are Truth and Miz now a tag team who will help Kingston and Bourne get the tag division relaunched or do they fit in elsewhere? Either way, I really enjoyed that segment and the way they eventually shut down the dated "what" chants. Does anyone know if Slumberland sells conspiracy tables?

Highlights aired of John Cena running off Alberto Del Rio following the main event of Raw last week...

John Laurinaitis and Alberto Del Rio joined the announcers at ringside for the main event. The announcers recapped the Nash saga...

Powell's POV: Del Rio, Laurinaitis, and probably Nash. So many run-in possibilities, so little time.

[Q8] Ring introductions for the main event took place. Punk came out first and then rolled his wrists while waiting for Cena...

5. John Cena defeated C.M. Punk to become No. 1 contender to the WWE Championship in 14:25. Cena threw his shirt into the crowd and it was thrown back. He eventually found one of his fans who wanted it. Funny. There was a chant for Punk and then the crowd started chanting "Let's Go Oilers" during the hottest feud in wrestling. Ouch.

Punk was clearly whispering into Cena's ear early in the match. The crowd was anti-Cena and booed when he went on the offensive, which he had fun with by saying something to the fan who threw his t-shirt back. Punk came right back and hit the high knee into a bulldog. Punk landed in front of Del Rio and looked down at him. Cena knocked Punk off the ropes and to ringside in front of Del Rio. [C]

Powell's POV: Del Rio and Laurinaitis are just kind of hanging out with the commentators at this point. Del Rio doesn't even have a headset on. Apparently, he's just there because it's a No. 1 contenders match. I'm fine with that, as a three-man booth is crowded enough. That said, the three-man crew is having their best week to date at this early stage in their run together.

After the break, Punk and Cena took turns teasing their finishers. The crowd cheered for the GTS attempt and booed the Attitude Adjustment try. The Oiler chants were long gone and the fans were into the match. At 9:00, Punk hit a rough looking GTS on Cena, who kicked out at two.

Punk went to the ropes and slowly climbed to the top. He raised his hands, got a cheer, and went for the top rope elbow drop. Cena rolled out of the way. Cena went up top and hit the top rope legdrop on the back of Punk's head for a really good near fall. Cena went for the Adjustment again, but Punk countered with a series of elbows to the side of Cena's head and then nailed him with a running knee for another near fall.

[Overrun] Cena came back with the Attitude Adjustment, but Punk kicked out. Punk came back with a cross body block, but Cena rolled through and tried to go for the AA again, but Punk countered into a pin attempt for another good near fall. Punk landed a kick and then motioned for his GTS finisher.

Punk picked up Cena, but Kevin Nash's voice interrupted him. "C.M. Punk, this isn't over yet," Nash said. Nash walked to ringside. Punk turned his attention back to Cena and walked into the Attitude Adjustment. Cena made the cover and got the pin.

Alberto Del Rio hit the ring and Punk disappeared. Cena fought Alberto off briefly, but Del Rio got the better of him. John Laurinaitis entered the ring and helped the referee back Del Rio into a corner. Del Rio broke free and attacked Cena until Laurinaitis and the referee backed him up again. Del Rio broke free and continued to rough up Cena as the show went off the air...

Powell's POV: The match was exactly what it needed to be. My only complaint is that they didn't advertise this a week out. They showed the television audience how exciting their matches can be, and this should help Punk get over with any fans who skipped the pay-per-views and weren't seeing him as being on Cena's level.

Sure, Punk lost the match, but he scored several near falls and the finish was laid out in a way that gave him an out for losing. One can only hope that they will have Cena acknowledge that he didn't win the right way next week to drive home the point that the match could have gone either way. Overall, a strong show, and I'll have a lot more to say about it in my Dot Net Members' exclusive audio review later tonight. Thanks for watching along with me.

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