By Jason Powell

WWE Raw on the USA Network
Live from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

[Q1] The show opened with a recap video that focussed on the vote of no confidence and the walkout... A shot aired of the empty broadcast booth. The cameras eventually went backstage and caught up with Triple H. The fans cheered him and chanted his name.

Powell's POV: Triple H is the biggest babface on Raw right now. He'll do huge business at the live events, er, when he works regularly on pay-per-view, er, on TV. Okay, so television is important, but I am curious to see what they do to make the babyfaces who walked out look better than they did at the end of last week's show. By the way, the WWE Superstars spoilers are available on the main page.

Triple H headed to the ring in his suit. He said he showed up and the fans showed up. He said he never thought he'd see what happened last week when everyone walked out. The fans booed. "I never thought I'd see it, but they walked out on Monday Night Raw," he said. "The thing is they didn't walk out on me, they walked out on you."

Hunter said those who walked out are standing outside with picket signs. He mocked them by saying in a whiney voice that WWE is too hard for them. He said all the wrestlers brought their gear, but they won't perform for the fans. The crowd booed. Hunter said the only way they will return is if he resigns. The fans booed again.

Triple H asked the fans whether he should walk away or quit. They yelled "no" to both. Hunter said maybe he should just leave, but the problem he has is that he's not a quitter. He said he won't be intimidated, blackmailed, coerced, and he will not quit. He said everyone in the parking lot could kiss him where his cheeks meet.

Hunter said he would strip down to his underwear and wrestle a broomstick for two hours. He said he's wrestled most of the guys outside and the broomstick would give him a better match than they would. "Come hell or high water, I am giving you a show tonight," Triple declared.

John Cena's music played and he walked onto the stage. He looked into the camera and said it was about to get serious. A serious Cena said there was a reason he didn't take part last week. He said there's a reason he hasn't addressed the media or the fans via social networking. He said there are a lot of people who think the 55-man walkout would have been stronger with him.

Cena said everyone who walked out has asked him to join them. "You never so much as sent me a text message asking me to stay," Cena said. He recalled some of the complaints about Hunter. Cena said he's worked for Vince McMahon, Eric Bischoff, Vickie Guerrero, celebrity guest hosts, an anonymous general manager, and even the Mike Adamle era.

"So I'm not here tonight to tell you that you're my best friend," Cena said. "I'm here to tell you that you're my boss and I'm staying." Cena stumbled over his words as he tried to say he loves the unsafe work environment. He said the loyalty on his shirt means something, and he's staying on Raw no matter what.

[Q2] Sheamus's music played and he came out to a decent reaction. the crowd isn't mic'd well or is tough for the entrances. Sheamus recalled the time he attacked Triple H with a pipe while he was delivering a speech about his best friend. He said Triple H came back like a man. "I'm not ashamed to say, you gave me the biggest ass kicking of my entire life," Sheamus said.

Sheamus said he and Hunter have had their differences, but he isn't afraid to admit that he has a lot of respect for him. Sheamus said he wasn't going to take part in "some parking lot shenanigans." He said he wouldn't go outside with "those losers." He said he came to be part of Monday Night Raw.

C.M. Punk's music played and he came out to a good reaction. His music stopped before he got to the ring. Once he entered the ring, a small chant of his name broke out. Punk said this is all his fault. He said he's been at the epicenter of everything controversial since Hunter took power and even before that.

Punk said everyone in the parking lot "having a picnic" misunderstood what he was trying to do. Punk said he was trying to prove a point to an entire company, not just one man. He said his mic cuts out constantly, Kevin Nash attacks him (he took a jab at Nash moving slowly), and said someone doesn't want him to be WWE Champion.

Punk said the company gives us Hell in a Cell and Elimination Chamber. He said he thrives on the unsafe work environment. "This is professional wrestling, this ain't ballet," Punk said. The crowd cheered. He called Cena a boy scout and said he was the last person people would expect to be there with the good guys, yet there he was. "What do we do now?" Punk asked.

Triple H said they should do what they normally do on Raw, which is shut up and fight. Yes, really. Hunter booked Sheamus vs. John Cena. Triple H said he would be the referee. He said there was a whole table just waiting for Punk to deliver pipe bombs. Punk's eyes lit up like a giddy school kid.

Punk asked if he could wear Hunter's blazer. Triple H confirmed that he could. "I'm in," Punk exclaimed. Funny. Hunter told him he has to do double duty and ring the bell...

1. John Cena fought Sheamus to a no-contest with Triple H as special referee in 5:00. Punk sat down behind the desk and called the match. Punk said he was also the ring announcer and time keeper. Just 50 seconds into the match, Punk transitioned into a commercial break. [C]

Powell's POV: It's all out Crash TV. WWE is breaking from the usual formula and presenting something unique in hopes that viewers will stay tuned to find out what happens next. I'm still concerned that the babyfaces who walked out look really bad for doing so. Hell, they look worse now that everyone of the remaining stars mocked them. Hunter's comment about shutting up and wrestling would be more effective if they didn't talk for more than 20 minutes and then cut to commercial less than a minute into the match.

After the break, the match continued for less than a minute when Vince McMahon's music interrupted them. Vince walked out and asked if he could have the ring to speak with his son-in-law. Cena and Sheamus cleared the ring. Vince thanked Cena, Sheamus, and Punk for standing up for what they believe in. He said the people on Wall Street are doing the same.

Vince said he believes in Triple H. He said it's a hoot to watch the chaos. Vince said the people outside the building have some sympathizers. Vince said that while none of them included anyone in the live crowd, they did include with the WWE Board of Directors. Vince said the board fears the cancellation of live events, Raw, and even WrestleMania if it gets out of control.

[Q3] Vince said the board is concerned that there could be a financial catastrophe. Vince said he was there to tell Triple H that his services are no longer required. Hunter smiled and the crowd booed. Vince said he, Hunter, and no member of the board of directors would be running WWE.

Vince said the board is looking for someone independent of all of this. Vince said that while they find someone, they have appointed someone to be the interim general manager. Vince introduced John Laurinaitis as the interim replacement. The crowd booed and chanted, "You suck" as he walked onto the stage and smirked. Laurinaitis stood on the stage and looked at Hunter, who glared back at him as the show cut to commercial... [C]

Powell's POV: I saw that coming the moment that Alberto Del Rio dropped Vince McMahon's name on television! Okay, not really. That whole shut up and wrestle thing looks really bad right now. The fans hate Laurinaitis. Is it genuine heat or go away heat? I think it started as the latter, but he may actually be effective in this role on a temporary basis. The key for WWE is limiting his mic work because he sucks the air out of the room when he goes on too long. I assume this means everyone protesting returns to work tonight, as they have to start hyping the pay-per-view that is less than two weeks away. Yes, really, another pay-per-view already.

Backstage, Laurinaitis greeted the protestors as they entered the building. John Morrison told Laurinaitis that he sucks. Laurinaitis told him to go to the ring in his street clothes. He said he'd pick his opponent. Christian entered and told Laurinaitis they should remove the interim title. Laurinaitis said he'd like him to go to the ring to face Morrison. Christian said he would and added, "Let's go, guys"...

Jim Ross entered the Oklahoma Sooners' fight song. Jerry Lawler was out next. Michael Cole came out to no music and a lot of boos. Cole put on his headset. Apparently, the audio guy was still picketing, because it didn't sound like Cole's mic was on, yet you could still hear him gloating over Triple H being removed from power...

Powell's POV: By the way, I mistakenly labeled Laurinaitis as the interim COO. He's actually the interim general manager. I guess that means the anonymous general manager is gone for good. How nice of WWE to pay that one off. I guess they technically still could, but right now it appears as if it's just another loose end left by Vince and the creative team.

2. Christian (w/Dolph Ziggler, Cody Rhodes, and Jack Swagger) beat John Morrison in 1:10. Both men worked in street clothes. Christian took advantage of the distractions from ringside and hit a spear for the clean pin. The heels took turns hitting their finishers on Morrison afterwards...

Cole hyped Alberto Del Rio vs. C.M. Punk, and Mark Henry vs. Randy Orton. Neither match was listed as a title match. Mark Henry's music played and he headed to the ring for his match...

Powell's POV: Mark Henry might not be the fastest guy in the ring, but apparently he changes clothes quickly. By the way, does any of this make anyone want to order the pay-per-view next weekend? I was really hoping they would go all the way with the no confidence storyline and call off the pay-per-view. Fine, so I just wanted them to cancel that meaningless pay-per-view so that I could enjoy a free Sunday night off. For those keeping score at home, we are 45 minutes into the show and they haven't humiliated Jim Ross in his home state yet.

[Q4] [C] Backstage, John Laurinaitis was on the phone with his wife (or some person he calls "honey"). Triple H entered the room and stared him down. Laurinaitis quickly got off the phone and spoke about how much he loves WWE. Hunter asked Laurinaitis if he's ever tried to pick up his teeth with a bunch of broken fingers...

Powell's POV: All talk and no action. Shut up and punch out his teeth and break his damn fingers.

Mark Henry stood in the ring and boasted that he'll take on any one at any time "as long as they're the No. 1 contender." Henry said Big Show is not the No. 1 contender. He set up a video from Smackdown of Show asking for a title match, which Henry denied...

Powell's POV: They did a nice job with Show's return and of getting his feud with Henry back on track on Smackdown, but what's up with the new G.I. Show look?

Back live, Henry said he took all of Show's punishment and pain, yet he's still there. "And Big Show, at Vengeance, vengeance is mine," Henry said. Randy Orton's voice came over the arena sound system. "No, you're wrong about that, Mark," Orton said. "Vengeance is mine." Orton made his entrance for their match... [C]

3. Randy Orton beat Mark Henry by DQ in a non-title match. The match was joined in progress. Orton was about to hit his signature offense when Cody Rhodes intervened. Orton avoided him and hit the RKO on Henry, but Rhodes entered the ring and Cole said that forced the DQ.

[Q5] Orton roughed up Rhodes. Ross said Orton had the World Heavyweight Champion and the Intercontinental Champion down. Orton went for the RKO on Rhodes, who avoided it and shoved him into Henry, who hit the World's Strongest Slam. Henry left the ring and then Cody rolled inside and hit his finisher on Orton.

One of Cody's assistants brought a bag out, and Cody put the bag on Orton's head. Cody took the mic and said that if you cut the head off a viper, all the venom goes with it. Cody asked if Orton would like a receipt with his paper bag. Cody laughed maniacally and then left the ring...

Powell's POV: I'm just not buying Cody's attempt to be psychotic. The receipt line was terrible in that I think it goes over the heads of over 90 percent of the viewing audience. However, as I told Dot Net Members in the Dot Net Weekly audio show last week, Vince McMahon has done a 180 on Rhodes. Vince wasn't crazy about Cody's potential for a long time, but he's a big believer in his current character. Join us on the ad-free version of the website and get the first look at an update on Hulk Hogan's contractual situation that explains why TNA was advertising him for Bound For Glory even though his original deal was set to expire before the pay-per-view by signing up for membership now via the Dot Net Members' Signup Page.

A video recapped Kelly Kelly flipping out last week...

4. Kelly Kelly and Eve beat Rosa Mendes and Tamina in 2:30. Kelly went after Rosa in the corner and screamed while attacking her. She then executed a horrible springboard elbow spot. Her feet actually caught Rosa in the head and then she awkwardly backed into her in the corner.

Tamina missed a move on Kelly, who tagged in Eve, who went to work on Tamina. She hit a weak looking front flip onto Tamina. Cole said he had breaking news. He said everyone is invited to follow him on Twiter. Eve hit a moonsault on Tamina and got the pin. Beth Phoenix and Natalya were shown watching the match backstage. They didn't look impressed (they're not alone)...

Powell's POV: An embarrassing performance. Rosa actually took a step out of the corner while taking the springboard elbow, so she was at least partially to blame for the blown spot.

Laurinaitis walked to the ring and said he's a little nervous. He said the fans may not like him, but he has a job to do. Laurinaitis announced that Alberto Del Rio will defend his title against John Cena at Vengeance. Laurinaitis said he's ethical. He called for Jim Ross to join him in the ring.

[Q6] Laurinaitis recalled Ross walking out on Triple H last week. Laurinaitis said Ross did so even though Hunter gave him his job back. He said he walked out on Raw and the state of Oklahoma. He said that makes Ross an ingrate and took a couple of jabs at Oklahoma in the process. Laurinaitis fired Ross, who grabbed a sheet off the table, walked up the ramp, and tipped his hat to the fans while Cole celebrated at the table... [C]

Powell's POV: And there it is. It's possible they will bring him back once the regular general manager or COO or whatever the f--- they decide to call the new person takes over. If the creative team showed even half the focus in writing good, episodic television as they do in screwing with Ross in Oklahoma, Raw would be a much better television show. The live crowd wasn't even that upset. I'm sure they're just numb to this crap they do with Ross by now.

Highlights aired of Mason Ryan and Zack Ryder getting the better of Dolph Ziggler... Ring introductions for the next match took place. Meanwhile, Cole continued to gloat about Ross being fired...

5. Mason Ryan, Kofi Kingston, and Evan Bourne beat David Otunga, Dolph Ziggler, and Jack Swagger (w/Vickie Guerrero) in 8:20. Cole said he likes to call the heels "The Agents of Change" due to their role in Triple H being removed from power. The cut to commercial early on. [C]

[Q7] Late in the match, Bourne went for a knee press, but Swagger caught him and powerbombed him. Cool spot. Moments later, Ryan hit a twisting slam on Ziggler and pinned him clean. Vickie threw a fit at ringside. Bourne stayed down after the match and was checked on by the referee and his partners...

The announcers spoke at ringside about the WWE Network. Cole said there will be "live event shows, reality shows, live shows, and even shows about WrestleMania." They pushed that fans can go to the WWE website to vote on the name for the WrestleMania retrospective show. They also hyped Punk vs. Del Rio for later in the show... [C]

Powell's POV: There was nothing unordinary about the way Bourne took the bump from Swagger's powerbomb. Swagger slams his opponents hard on that move. They never went back to a shot of Bourne after the announcers stopped talking. It looks like they are setting up Ziggler vs. Ryan for the pay-per-view. I assume Ryan eventually wins the mid-card title and plays the part that Ezekiel Jackson did when he was U.S. Champion on Smackdown. By the way, this show blows.

An Brodus Clay vignette was shown... Cole hyped Cena's movie "The Reunion" for a "special engagement" in theaters. They played the movie's trailer...

Powell's POV: It looks like it has the potential to be better than Bucky Larson. Okay, I didn't actually see Bucky Larson, but neither did anyone else based on the short stretch it was in theaters. If you saw it, spare yourself the embarrassment and don't send me an email.

The announcers hyped Del Rio vs. Cena for the pay-per-view...

Powell's POV: Cena is getting a pay-per-view title match? Damn, I can't believe it. Hey, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Wait, the pay-per-view numbers say it is broke. Maybe if they distract viewers with a big walkout that lasts 30 minutes then that will get them excited about seeing Cena challenge for the belt again. Brilliant!!!

Ricardo Rodriguez introduced Alberto Del Rio for the main event... [C]

[Q8] Cole told us that Raw is sponsored by KMart layaway... Punk made his entrance for the main event...

Powell's POV: Layaway? They still do that? Really? Chris Rock will be happy that one of his standup bits has new life.

6. Alberto Del Rio (w/Ricardo Rodriguez) fought C.M. Punk to a no-contest in a non-title match in 4:20. The crowd was not hot as the match got underway. They were very quiet and you could hear some women screaming for Punk (presumably). The fans started to warm up as Punk took a bump on the floor.

John Laurinaitis walked out and said, "Stop this match." He stood on the stage and said that as the general manager, he was ordering the match to stop. Laurinaitis said he was making it a tag team match with Punk and Del Rio facing two men he's reinstated - The Miz and R-Truth. They sang the "You Suck" song on the way to the ring... [C]

Powell's POV: Gee, what a shocking development. They had some attitude when they hit the ring in the black hoodies at the pay-per-view, but they went right back to being the same old guys when they sang that song. WWE is in a really bad place right now. This is awful.

7. The Miz and R-Truth vs. C.M. Punk and Alberto Del Rio. The match was joined in progress and the teams traded offense.

[Overrun] Del Rio feigned a knee injury and was helped to the back by Ricardo, leaving Punk to work a handicap match. Cole defended Del Rio by saying he's had well documented knee injuries. The crowd booed Del Rio and got behind Punk as the heels worked him over.

Punk had The Miz up for Go To Sleep, but R-Truth broke it up. Miz and Truth roughed up Punk until the referee disqualified them. Triple H hit the ring to a big pop. Hunter got the better of the heels and helped Punk clear them from the ring. The heels tried to flea, but Hunter and Punk worked them over at ringside. Punk and Hunter played to the crowd in the ring.

Backstage, Otunga told Laurinaitis that he's happy that he brought back Miz and R-Truth. Laurinaitis said he's going to ask the board to go with Hunter and Punk vs. The Miz and R-Truth at the pay-per-view. Cole and Lawler hyped the match as if it's official for Vengeance...

Powell's POV: This was a terrible edition of Raw. The walkout followup was rushed and I sure as hell don't see John Laurinaitis taking over as the general manager as a key to a ratings turnaround. He's just another heel authority figure, and WWE continues to play into pro wrestling's obsession with having non-wrestlers fight for storyline power.

They did nothing to get me excited about next week's Raw or Friday's Smackdown, let alone the Vengeance pay-per-view. I'm sorry, but Punk teaming with Triple H to face heels they've proven they can dominate isn't enough. Raw is in a really bad place right now. WWE has done a lot of damage lately with their hotshot booking that leads to lousy payoffs, and the big walkout angle was no exception. I'll have more to say in my audio review that will be available exclusively to Dot Net Members.

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