By Jason Powell

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WWE Raw on the USA Network
Live from Detroit, Michigan

[Q1] The opening video aired... Michael Cole introduced the show along with Jerry Lawler from ringside. Cole said there were 16,122 fans in the sold out building... Justin Roberts introduced Teddy Long as the former general manager of Smackdown. Long stood in the ring for the contract signing and introduced John Cena.

Cena walked onto the stage, looked into the camera, and said, "I feel a little older today" in reference to his 35th birthday. The announcers questioned whether Cena's loss to The Rock at WrestleMania 28 are still messing with Cena's mind. Long introduced Brock Lesnar and once again referred to him as a former UFC Champion while running through his accomplishments. Lesnar didn't come out.

John Laurinaitis walked out and scolded Teddy Long. He claimed he told Long that Lesnar was not in the building yet. Long protested a bit. Laurinaitis said they would hold the contract signing on Lesnar's terms. Laurinaitis said he's not sure why Cena is in such a hurry to sign the contract since it could be his last night on Raw.

Laurinaitis ordered Long to tell Cena to leave "my ring now." Long reluctantly complied with the Laurinaitis order. Long left the ring, leaving Cena standing in the middle of the ring with his hands on his hips. Laurinaitis welcomes viewers to the People Power era of Raw. He continued talking, but he was quickly interrupted.

Edge's music played and he received a huge pop for the surprise appearance. Edge headed to the ring, where Cena clapped for him. Edge's face turned as he faced Cena. Edge said he's not supposed to be at the show and he won't even be under contract a couple days from now. Edge said he came to talk to Cena, but not "this John Cena." Edge said he doesn't even know who "this John Cena" is.

Edge said he came to talk to the John Cena that was the greatest rival of his career. He said he wanted to talk to the Cena that came into Toronto and beat him in his hometown for the WWE Championship. He said he doesn't know if it was the loss to The Rock that changed Cena. He mentioned Andre the Giant after Hulk Hogan, Bret Hart after the screwjob, and even The Rock after he got beat by Brock Lesnar. "It took him eight years to find his mojo," Edge said.

Edge said Cena can't lose. He said that despite all of their differences, they always had one similarity. "And that's how much we love this," Edge said. He questioned whether this is what Brock Lesnar wanted when he grew up. He said Lesnar only cares about putting money in his pockets. He said it's a slap in the face to him, Undertaker, etc. "I'm not asking you to beat Brock Lesnar," Edge said. "I'm telling you to"... [C]

Powell's POV: That was an unexpected treat from Edge. A very good promo by the new Hall of Famer. I wish WWE had taken their time and told this story better. My only real complaint about the promo is that it felt like it came out of nowhere. Granted, the Edge surprise should come out of nowhere, but it's not like they've been playing up the pro-WWE vs. spoiled athlete approach.

[Q2] 1. Chris Jericho vs. Kofi Kingston. Jericho wore his awesome WrestleMania 28 jacket. Kofi got the bulk of the early offense, but Jericho thumbed him in the eye and took control. Kofi came back and flipped over the top rope onto Jericho on the floor before the break. Cool move. [C]

After the break, highlights aired of Jericho regaining control of the offense with a dropkick off the second rope. Later, Kofi went for the Trouble in Paradise kick, but Jericho blocked it. Jericho went for the Walls of Jericho, but Kofi avoided it. Kofi went for a top rope move, but Jericho greeted him with the Codebreaker on the way down. Jericho followed up with the Liontamer for the win...

Chris Jericho beat Kofi Kingston in 12:00.

After the match, Jericho took the mic and asked the crowd if they saw that. He spoke about Punk's family issues and said he's been an extreme disappointment and a failure as a champion and as a human being.

[Q3] Jericho said that he's going give Punk a beating in front of his family, friends, and all of his wannabe fans. Jericho said he brought a gift for Punk that will help him cope when he loses the WWE Championship on Sunday...

A video showed Brock Lesnar destroying Jeff Hardy in a past match... Lawler reminded viewers that the contract signing in still to come... [C]

Powell's POV: I miss the days of the challenger looking dominant going into a pay-per-view rather than struggling to beat a guy that everyone seems to beat these days. Meanwhile, the Brock video was a good reminder and/or introduction for viewers of how dominant his character is. I'm bracing for the "did they do that because Hardy is in TNA?" questions and comments. By the way, I don't mind the swerve of the contract signing opening the show since they inspired some online fans to tune in early and put the heat on Laurinaitis and Lesnar for not delivering.

Backstage, John Laurinaitis spoke with his mom about the contract signing. Eve entered the room and he ended the call with his mother. Laurinaitis said he has a job opening that may interest Eve. He said he and David Otunga are looking for an executive administrator. Eve didn't seem pleased, but she said the key word is executive and accepted. Big Johnny went for a hug, she gave him a handshake...

Powell's POV: Why must Raw always remind me of my high school dating career?

The great Brock Lesnar video from last week was shown...

Backstage, Josh "The Stalker" Mathews popped up next to C.M. Punk in his locker room. Josh asked him about the gift that Jericho promised. Punk showed off a basket of liquor. Punk said he's going to regift the basket because he has no use for it. He gave the basket to a smiling Mathews. Punk ended up keeping the bottle in his hand as Mathews left with the basket... [C]

Cousin Eddie's POV: Clark, that's the gift that keeps on giving the whole year.

[Q4] Highlights aired of Lord Tensai beating John Cena last week...

2. Lord Tensai (w/Sakamoto) vs. R-Truth. In the end, Tesai spat the green mist onto his hand and then applied the claw hold on Truth with the same hand. The referee counted Truth down for the three count...

Lord Tensai beat R-Truth in 2:00.

A shot aired of Kane walking backstage...

Powell's POV: The crowd was back to being flat for Tensai this week. Having thoroughly examined the official WWE rulebook, I can tell you that there is nothing in there about spitting a green substance onto your hand and then applying the claw hold. However, closed fists are highly illegal. No, you can't have a copy of the rulebook.

Kane made his entrance and the announcers hyped his Extreme Rules pay-per-view match with Randy Orton. Kane took the entrance and said Extreme Rules is his favorite night of the year because WWE gets extreme. "And that means bad things for Randy Ortonnnn." Yes, he included the extra N's.

[Q5] Kane said he knows what Orton his going through right now. He said he's struggling with his humanity because Kane has discovered his one true weakness. Kane said he saw fear in Randy's eyes when he attacked his father. Kane said he realized that Randy isn't a man or a viper, he's just a scared little boy who cries out for his father in the middle of the night, begging for the nightmare to end. Kane said he is the nightmare and the monster that Orton will never wake up from.

Randy Orton appeared on the big screen. Orton said there's no turning back once you mess with his family. He said that he had to return the favor. The camera puled back and showed Paul Bearer tied to a chair. Orton shoved the chair inside a freezer. Kane paced and seethed in the ring. Kane stopped and started laughing. He said the heart of a monster holds no place for his father. He said his true father is the devil himself.

"I'm sorry to say, Dad, I have no intention of saving you," Kane said before doing the pyro bit. Kane started to leave, but Orton ran out and attacked him on the entrance ramp. Orton pulled out a pipe and struck Kane with it three times. The last blow knocked Kane into the crowd and he fled up the stairs in the building. Cole said there will be no retreat and no surrender for either man on Sunday...

Powell's POV: I was going to order Extreme Rules to see Orton get his revenge, but I guess I don't need to do that now. Okay, so I will order the pay-per-view and cover it live on Sunday, but you get what I'm saying.

The announcers set up a replay of the Edge and Cena segment from earlier in the show...

Powell's POV: That's the other reason I didn't mind the swerve for the contract signing at the start of the show. Viewers didn't get the contract signing, but they got a hell of a surprise appearance from Edge. To everyone who has emailed and tweeted @prowrestlingnet tonight, yes, the Cena, Edge, and Lesnar dynamic is straight out of Rocky 3. Let's just say Edge better stick to his retirement and stay the hell out of the ring if a Russian wants a piece of Cena next.

A shot aired of Chris Jericho walking backstage. Alex Riley approached Jericho and told him that he caught Punk drinking a bottle of the booze that Jericho left for him. Riley assured Jericho he wasn't pulling a fast one. Riley led him to the roo, where Punk was drinking out of a red glass while talking on the phone next to a table that the bottle was sitting on top of...

Ricardo Rodriguez did his usual awesome job of introducing Alberto Del Rio, who drove a 2012 Porsche into the arena.

[Q6] Cole informed the Raw viewers that Del Rio "is, of course, the newest member of Friday Night Smackdown." Cody Rhodes made his entrance. Cole announced that Cody will face Big Show at Extreme Rules with a stipulation to be determined.

3. Big Show and The Great Khali vs. Cody Rhodes and Alberto Del Rio (w/Ricardo Rodriguez). The announcers noted that Khali wasn't 100 percent after Smackdown, but he wanted this match anyway. Del Rio made Cody start the match with Khali. Del Rio was roughed up with a big slap to the chest that made him flee to ringside as the show went to break. [C]

After the break, the heels tool control of the match. However, the faces battled back. Del Rio fled the ring, leaving Cody Rhodes to take the chokeslam from Big Show for the loss...

Big Show and Great Khali defeated Cody Rhodes and Alberto Del Rio in 10:30.

The announcers hyped the Extreme Rules pre-show that will air on Youtube. The show will feature Santino Marella vs. The Miz in a U.S. Title match...

Powell's POV: I like the free pre-show idea, but I have a feeling I'm really going to hate it once NFL season rolls around. The tag match didn't do anything to make me look forward to Extreme Rules. Once again, the face gets the better of the heel on the go-home show. Maybe that means Cody goes over on Sunday and gets his belt back.

[Q7] [C] Backstage, Chris Jericho told John Laurinaitis, Eve, and Teddy Long that C.M. Punk must be stripped of the WWE Championship for drinking. Eve said WWE wrestlers are prohibited from drinking within 12 hours before an event. Laurinaitis said he needs proof. Jericho came up with the idea of getting a cop to give Punk a breathalyzer. Laurinaitis agreed.

Jericho thanked him, said Eve looks ravishing, and snidely said, "Later, Teddy." Long questioned whether Laurinaitis was going to publicly humiliate Punk and strip him of the belt. Laurinaitis said Long is going to do it. He said Jim Ross once taught him if you have bad news to distribute, get someone else to do it...

Powell's POV: Let the speculation begin that Eve was the girl in those Chris Jericho viral videos. Okay, probably not.

Backstage, Brock Lesnar arrived at the building and was confronted by Josh "The Stalker" Mathews, who asked him where he was at the start of the show and whether he'd be the face of WWE if he loses to Cena on Sunday. Lesnar slammed Mathews into a truck, but then eased up and started to walk away. When Mathews said he was just trying to do his job, Lesnar threw him to the ground... [C]

Powell's POV: It's about time someone beats the shit out of The Stalker. I think his hair may have actually moved slightly. In all seriousness, that's good use of the smaller Mathews, as he made Lesnar look like a bully. I know, big stretch, right?

After the break, the announcers narrated highlights of Lesnar attacking Mathews. Cole said Josh was right in saying that he was just trying to do his job. Backstage, medical personnel tended to Mathews and loaded him onto a stretcher. Cole said it was absolutely ridiculous...

Powell's POV: Cole is a heel one minute and outraged by a heel's actions the next. It would work if he were so outraged that he finally went against the heel, but his character teeter totters way too much.

4. Beth Phoenix vs. Nikki Bella (w/Brie Bella) for the WWE Divas Championship. Cole said Beth has held the Divas Championship for 205 days and the record is 213 days. Eve walked onto the stage before the bell and announced that John Laurinaitis approved of her suggestion that they make the match a lumberjill match. Oh, goody.

Cole recalled Sheamus being fined $500,000 for striking a referee. He said it will be interesting to see what type of punishment Lesnar receives for attacking Mathews.

[Q8] Beth threw Nikki to ringside at one point. Beth hopped off the ring apron and landed awkwardly on her ankle. The match turned into a big mess with the lumberjills piling on top of both women. Beth held her ankle in pain afterwards. Nikki rolled up Beth and pinned her. A trainer looked at Beth's ankle while the Bella Twins celebrated...

Nikki Bella beat Beth Phoenix in 4:10 to win the WWE Divas Championship.

Powell's POV: You had to know Beth was in trouble when the announcers mentioned her near record title reign. I just assumed the title change would take place at the pay-per-view. Either the Bellas have re-signed or Nikki will have a short title reign since their contracts are reportedly up on April 30.

Backstage, Long delivered the breathalyzer news to Punk, who acted drunk and out of control... [C]

Teddy Long stood in the ring next to police officers. He called for Punk to come out for a field sobriety test. Jericho came out and said Teddy is incompetent and mediocre, so he wanted to be there to make sure it was done right. Plus, he said he wants Long to give him the title personally after he strips Punk of the strap. Long said that if Punk fails the test, he will be stripped of the belt and subject to further discipline.

Punk made his entrance and walked as if he was drunk. He had a cop hold the mic for him while he negotiated standing on the ropes. There was a red line in the middle of the ring for the field sobriety test. Punk acted drunk while saying the whole thing is ridiculous.

[Q9] The first police officer asked Punk to say the alphabet backwards. He failed. Punk acted like he couldn't see the red line when the officer told him to walk the red line. He was going to walk the line, but he stopped and struck the Karate Kid pose. Punk stumbled while walking the line. One of the cops told Long that Punk was obviously drunk.

Jericho thanked Detroit's finest, which drew big boos. Funny. Long said he had no choice and asked Punk to hand over the title belt. Jericho taunted along as Punk contemplated giving him the belt. Cole said it was a bad day in WWE. Lawler said he'd never seen anything like this in WWE.

Punk handed the belt to Long, who nearly dropped it. Jericho called him fumble fingers and demanded he get the title. Punk asked for one more chance. Jericho surveyed the crowd and then said Punk was embarrassing himself. Punk stood on the red line and read the alphabet backwards (sort of) while walking the red line perfectly frontwards and then broke into the "worst moonwalk ever" before going forward with a Flair strut.

When Punk got to A, he paused before saying it and striking Jericho with the mic. Punk and Jericho brawled. Cole said Punk pulled a ruse on Jericho. Punk roughed up Jericho at ringside and then onto the entrance ramp before Jericho finally escaped...

Cole said Sheamus would face Sheamus after the break. He also recalled Lesnar attacking Josh Mathews and set up a video of Lesnar beating Hulk Hogan on the August 8, 2002 edition of Smackdown... [C]

Powell's POV: Welcome to Raw is Take Heat Off The Heels Heading Into The Pay-Per-View. It was a mildly entertaining segment, but at the rate they are going, the show will close with Lesnar tapping to the STF.

Ring introductions for the Sheamus vs. Henry match took place. Just as the match was about to start, Lawler noticed they didn't have a referee. Justin Roberts introduced Daniel Bryan as the special ref per the orders of John Laurinaitis. Bryan walked out wearing a ref's shirt and did the "Yes! Yes! Yes!" routine. Cole also said it while cheerleading the decision...

[Q10] 5. Sheamus vs. Mark Henry in a non-title match with Daniel Bryan as special referee. Cole applauded the move because Sheamus kicked the referee on Smackdown. Lawler said the $500,000 fine Sheamus received was too much. Bryan begged Sheamus to hit him so he could DQ him (and presumably fine him).

Sheamus turned around and took a shot from Henry. Henry made the cover and Bryan made a ridiculously fast count. After the match, Bryan took his referee shirt off. Sheamus attacked him and threw him back inside the ring. Sheamus hit Henry with a Brogue Kick, but Bryan caught him with a kick and applied the Yes! Lock...

Mark Henry beat Sheamus in a non-title match in 1:35.

Powell's POV: Finally, some heat on a heel going into the pay-per-view. This was 95 seconds of fun. Sure, we've seen variations of this a million times, but they did a good job with it and it tied in nicely with the Sheamus attacking the referee story. There were plenty of Yes! chants from the crowd, but it was nothing like Miami or London until Bryan led the fans in the cheer while heading backstage.

The announcers hyped Brodus Clay and Hornswoggle vs. Dolph Ziggler and Jack Swagger. The match is presented by the Taco Bell made with a Doritos shell. Yes, really... Cole hyped the contract signing between Cena and Lesnar for later in the show... [C]

Powell's POV: I'd like to thank Taco Bell for pulling the Beefy Crunch Burrito from the menu in favor of the Doritos taco. The BCB with the spicy Fritos chips was too damn good and diet ruining. That said, I hope to see you again someday. Until we meet again, my old friend.

Backstage, Matt Striker asked Sheamus for his thoughts on what happened with Daniel Bryan. Sheamus called him a sniveling coward who hides behind a referee's shirt. He called Bryan a snake and asked Striker if he knows what happened to the snakes in Ireland. He said if he were Bryan, he would start praying...

6. Epico and Primo (w/Rosa Mendes) vs. Zack Ryder and Santino Marella in a non-title match. The announcers hyped the Extreme Rules pre-show again. Cole brought up Rosa complaining about her team's lack of TV time via her Twitter page. In the end, Santino hit the Cobra on Primo and scored the clean pin...

Zack Ryder and Santino Marella beat Epico and Primo in a non-title match in 3:15.

Powell's POV: So, um, whatever happened to that renewed emphasis on the tag division? Has enough time passed for the once every ten year tease that they are going to launch a serious cruiserweight division?

[Q11] The announcers set up another replay of Brock Lesnar roughing up Josh Mathews. Lawler questioned what will happen when Lesnar comes face to face with John Cena for the contract signing later in the show... [C]

A graphic touted that Raw had four times the viewers of MLB on ESPN last week...

Backstage, Kane finally rescued Paul Bearer from the freezer. Kane said he was there to save Paul Bearer "from me" and then wheeled him back inside the freezer...

Powell's POV: The only people more coldhearted (no pun intended) than Kane and Orton are those asshole cameramen who refuse to open the door.

Backstage, A.W. (Abraham Washington) worked up Primo, Epico, and Rosa Mendes about the way they've been treated. He gave them his card and said to call him if they need guidance. The champs said it couldn't hurt...

Powell's POV: They're not being disrespected in the storyline. They're f'n losing! There's a big difference.

Justin Roberts announced that the next match was sponsored by Taco Bell. Brodus Clay and Hornswoggle made their entrance with the dancers. Horny was dressed like Brodus Clay (Horny had an H on his jacket) and did the dance routine with him and the dancers. Hornswoggle even removed the pants at the end in Brodus style... [C]

7. Brodus Clay and Hornswoggle (w/dancers) vs. Dolph Ziggler and Jack Swagger (w/Vickie Guerrero). Lawler drank from a Taco Bell cup at ringside. Hornswoggle got roughed up until he performed a huracanrana on Ziggler and made the tag to Clay. Brodus roughed up the heels. Vickie entered for the DQ.

Brodus Clay and Hornswoggle defeated Dolph Ziggler and Jack Swagger by DQ in 2:00.

[Q12] After the match, Vickie tried to play nice with the faces by doing Clay's dance. Hornswoggle bit her on the ass and she ran away screaming. Brodus, Hornswoggle, and the dancers did the dance routine...

Powell's POV: The Brodus Clay act will jump the shark for a lot of viewers if Hornswoggle continues to be part of it.

Footage aired of Brock Lesnar beating Kurt Angle to win the WWE Championship... Lawler pimped the contract signing segment...

Cole announced that Sheamus will face Mark Henry in a rematch on Friday's Smackdown television show. Cole also hyped that he will have an exclusive interview with Randy Orton on Smackdown. Lawler said Cole better hope Orton doesn't pull a Brock Lesnar on him...

Last week's Brock Lesnar video aired for the second time tonight...

Powell's POV: Okay, conspiracy theorists, yes, Lesnar has been shown specifically roughing up three TNA wrestlers in the video packages. Is this WWE firing away at TNA? Hell no. What incentive do they have when TNA just drew a 0.957 rating on Thursday? Hulk Hogan, Jeff Hardy, and Kurt Angle are notable names in WWE history who were with the company when Brock Lesnar was there previously. Put yourselves in their shoes. Would you damage your own talent by showing Lesnar beating Cena, Taker, Rey Mysterio, or someone else still on the WWE roster, forgettable names for the past, or would you show the wrestlers they did? Honestly, I think they would have shown those same clips if all three guys were out of pro wrestling entirely.

John Laurinaitis introduced Brock Lesnar, who came to the ring for the contract signing.

[Overrun] Laurinaitis introduced John Cena, but he didn't come out. Brock picked up the microphone and said, "Come on out, Little Johnny." Lesnar said that since Cena doesn't have the balls (censored) to show up, he wanted Laurinaitis to have a seat. Brock said he spent time thinking about some changes he wants and needs. Laurinaitis indicated that he thought they had an agreement.

"No, we don't have an agreement," Lesnar said. He said he had some small requests/demands that Laurinaitis must agree to in order to have the match on Sunday. Brock said he wants the changes made on the spot. Lesnar said he's not the same naive farm boy who was with the company eight years ago.

Lesnar said he's an enterprise. "I am this company," Lesnar said. "This company needs Brock Lesnar." The fans booed and there was a small Cena chant. Lesnar said Laurinaitis has to run any thought that goes through his mind about him or anything else must be run by him. Lesnar smiled and said, "That's right, that's right, John."

Lesnar said that since all major decisions go through him, when he comes to WWE Raw he gets Vince McMahon's private jet to and from the venue. Lesnar said the thing that makes him happy is beating people up. He said he got a chance to beat someone up via the Josh Mathews interview. "There's one thing that I don't like, John, and that's people, especially stupid people."

Lesnar said he won't be Laurinaitis's puppet like others in the back. He recalled Laurinaitis fining Sheamus $500,000 for pushing a referee. Brock said he won't be fine. "In fact, you're going to pay me more money." The fans chanted "You suck" at Lesnar. Brock said he doesn't care what anybody thinks or says about him. Lesnar said that until the demands are made, there is no match at Extreme Rules.

Lesnar put his feet up on the table that was positioned between them for the contract signing. Lesnar pointed out another issue in the contract. "If I am the face of Monday night, I think that a new name has to be made. It's no longer just going to be Monday Night Raw, it's going to be Monday Night Raw starring Brock Lesnar." Laurinaitis continued to squirm in his chair.

"Make me happy, Mr. Laurinaitis," Lesnar said. "If you make me happy, I'll make you happy by signing this contract for Extreme Rules. Lesnar made Laurinaitis tell everyone that he agreed to those terms. Laurinaitis complied. "Since I got what I wanted, I'll give you what you want," Lesnar said. Lesnar signed the contract for his match with Cena at Extreme Rules.

John Cena's music played and he headed to the ring. Lesnar eased back in his chair and leaned it against the ropes. Cena received the usual "Let's go Cena/Cena sucks" chants. Cena had a chain wrapped around his fist. He remained silent and kept a straight face.

"What's the matter, John?" Lesnar asked. "Sign the contract." Lesnar told him the problem is that Cena stands there and he feels a vibration coming from him. "And I'm liking what I'm feeling," Lesnar said. He said he likes it because "this is real, John, this is a real feeling because I can feel it." Lesnar said Cena is scared.

Lesnar said he's the reason Cena lost last week and he's the reason he's feeling the way he is now. Brock said he's been in Cena's mind. Cena signed the contract and threw it at Lesnar. Brock teased hitting Cena, who held his ground with the chair wrapped around his fist. Lesnar dropped the mic and smiled mockingly at Cena before slowly leaving the ring and backing his way toward the ramp to close the show...

Powell's POV: They miss Paul Heyman. I like that there was an actual issue in pro wrestling because the lame brain authority figures hold off on contract signings until the last minute. Brock's antics got a lot of heat from the fans early on, but it seemed like he lost a lot of people as it kept going on and on. They succeeded in turning a lot of people against him, but I don't think they succeeded in selling a lot of pay-per-views in that final segment.

I was actually hoping that Laurinaitis was going to hold his ground and they'd save the match for down the road. No, I didn't think there was any real chance of that happening, but the whole thing feels rushed. Hell, the ad I saw last night on DirecTV didn't even mention Lesnar's name. I'm all for trying to avoid the WrestleMania hangover, but not at the expense of rushing into what should be a big money match between the top star of WWE and the guy who was the top star in UFC at one point. I'll have a lot more to say about this tonight in Dot Net Members' audio and in the WWE Raw Hitlist on Tuesday. Thanks for watching along with me.

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