5/14 Powell's WWE Raw Live Coverage: Triple H returns to Raw for the first time since Brock Lesnar attacked him, final hype for Over The Limit


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WWE TV Reports


5/14 Powell's WWE Raw Live Coverage: Triple H returns to Raw for the first time since Brock Lesnar attacked him, final hype for Over The Limit
May 14, 2012 - 10:00 PM


By Jason Powell

Dot Net Members will be listening to my exclusive audio review of WWE Raw later tonight. They are already listening to my 42-minute audio review of TNA Sacrifice. Join us on the ad-free version of the website by signing up for membership now via Prowrestling.net/amember/signup.php. You are also encouraged to download our free iPhone, Android, and Kindle Fire apps.

WWE Raw on the USA Network
Live from Pittsburgh, Pa.


[Q1] Triple H entered the building wearing a brace on his arm. John Laurinaitis was waiting. He told Hunter that he didn't know Brock Lesnar was going to attack him. He said it was painful for him to watch Brock humiliate Hunter and then break his arm. Laurinaitis said Hunter has his support and sympathy.

Triple H stood silently. Laurinaitis asked if he was going to say something. Hunter said that what he had to say he would say in front of the world. "And good luck with John Cena on Sunday," Triple H concluded... The opening montage aired with that lame ass theme song... Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler checked in from ringside...

Powell's POV: I guess this is one of those times when Hunter has to wear the arm brace unlike when he's hanging out in Las Vegas.

Triple H made his entrance and was introduced by Justin Roberts as the Chief Operating Officer of WWE. Highlights were shown from two weeks ago of Lesnar's attack on Triple H. Hunter was shown watching the video on the big screen as he stood in the ring.

Hunter said everyone wants to know his thoughts on Brock Lesnar. He said he's been telling everyone the same thing. He said it's not the physical part that bothers him so much. He said he's had worse done to him.

Powell's POV: Way to sell it, Hunter!

Triple H said he's offended that Brock claims he brought legitimacy back to WWE. He said it was funny because the day before Lesnar returned, Hunter was standing in the ring with Undertaker on the most watched WrestleMania in history. He cracked that he was standing there the whole time at WrestleMania wishing someone would legitimize it.

Hunter said Lesnar's ignorance is insulting. He ran through a long list of former WWE greats including Bob Backlund and Bruno Sammartino and said it offends them too. He said he's been part of the WWE Universe since he was a kid. He said that as a member of that universe, it offends him.

Triple H said he's also embarrassed because he bought into Lesnar's trap - his hype. He said he made the same mistake when he met Lesnar in 2002 when he met the simple farm boy from Minneapolis and said he was going to be the next big thing. He said that Lesnar climbed to the top just as everyone expected, but he said that when Lesnar was challenged and had to actually fight, Lesnar quit and went to UFC.

Triple H recalled Lesnar climbing to the top of UFC. He said that when Lesnar got there and someone kicked his ass, Brock Lesnar quit. He said that Lesnar returned to WWE, looked at John Cena, and thought he could take him. He said Lesnar stepped into the ring and gave him everything he could handle, but Cena never quit just like his shirt says. Insert tasteless divorce joke here. Hunter said Cena dug deep and won. He said Lesnar then quit the next night.

Brock Lesnar's music played. Paul Heyman walked out with another man in a suit who was carrying a large envelope with him. They climbed inside the ring and Heyman said he gets it. He said it's spin and damage control. He said it's what every promoter does when they lose their biggest star.

Heyman said Lesnar enter a binding oral agreement on live television. He said Triple H arrogantly, defiantly, and illegally ripped up the contract. He said that's breach of contract. "You bring a fighter into an entertainment company and then you don't like it when he wants to fight?" Heyman asked.

Heyman said Hunter doesn't understand the seriousness of the situation, but he gets this. The second man handled Hunter the envelope. Heyman said Hunter had been served. He said Hunter will be writing out a multimillion dollar check to Lesnar. Heyman mentioned the brace on Hunter's arm.

Triple H palmed Heyman's face and backed him into the corner. "What are you doing?" Heyman asked. "Don't do it." Hunter backed off. "You tell Brock Lesnar he's going to get everything he deserves," Triple H said while throwing the legal papers back at Paul Heyman.

[Q2] Triple H's music played and he started to leave the ring, but Heyman called for him to stop. Heyman said that "Mr. Businessman" just screwed up again. He said Hunter put his hands on him so that's assault and battery, meaning he will see him in court. Hunter stared at Heyman...

At ringside, Lesnar told Cole that one word describes Paul Heyman and it's disgusting. They turned their focus back to the ring for a moment and then said Heyman just left the ring. Cole said Heyman thrives in situations like this.

The announcers recapped Big Show mocking John Laurinaitis after bumping into him last week, and Eve staring Show down. Cole said that if Show doesn't apologize, Show will be fired. Lawler said Big Show will face Kane in what could be Big Show's last match in WWE. Cole hyped the return of John Cena and said he would be face-to-face with Laurinaitis later tonight...

C.M. Punk made his entrance. The announcers recapped Lord Tensai and Daniel Bryan beating Punk in a handicap match last week. The announcers hyped the tag match for after the break... [C]

Powell's POV: The Hunter and Heyman verbal exchange was well performed by both men, but it didn't seem to excite the live crowd. There were plenty of "What?" chants which both men wisely ignored. Ultimately, though, I believe the legal games by Lesnar and Heyman will put a lot of heat on them and obviously fill some television time between Brock's matches. I have no idea why Hunter felt the need to say he's endured worse injuries. Granted, the guy tore his quadriceps, but he diminished the injury and the assault by Lesnar in the process. I also didn't care for the way he tore down Lesnar. I prefer Lesnar the WWE character to be an intimidating ass kicker, not a quitter. Quitting WWE is ancient history to most fans, and he had legit medical issues that contributed to his departure from UFC, so it just feels counterproductive and only half true at best.

1. C.M. Punk and Santino Marella vs. Daniel Bryan and Cody Rhodes. Punk got the better of both heels early by clearing them to ringside and hitting suicide dive. Santino teased doing the same, but he ran into the middle rope for a not all that comedic moment. [C]

[Q3] After the break, Bryan dropped repeated knees on Santino. He yelled "Yes!" with every knee he dropped and the crowd responded by yelling "No!" Lawler complained about "Yes!" being everyone's favorite word. Cody and Bryan made quick tags while working over Santino. He eventually made a big dive for the hot tag and came up short. Now that was funny. He managed to make the tag a moment later.

Punk hit a series of offense on Rhodes. He taunted Bryan by teasing a GTS, but Rhodes avoided it. Punk blasted Rhodes with a kick. He tried to hit Bryan with a kick, but Bryan fled. Cody avoided The Cobra from Santino from the ring apron, but he walked into the GTS from Punk, who scored the pin. Bryan stood on the ramp and had a staredown with Punk from a distance...

C.M. Punk and Santino Marella defeated Daniel Bryan and Cody Rhodes in 10:55.

The announcers hyped Randy Orton vs. Chris Jericho, and the return of John Cena... [C]

Powell's POV: A good match. Santino did a lot of selling for the heels and Punk was high energy whenever he was in the ring. Okay, so Santino's failed suicide dive was kind of funny, but the big hot tag dive that came up short was better. I wish they would have done a better job of putting heat on Bryan heading into the pay-per-view at some point over the last few weeks, but I am looking forward to what should be a hell of a match on Sunday.

2. Beth Phoenix vs. Alicia Fox. The announcers hyped Layla vs. Beth for the pay-per-view. Layla walked onto the ramp during the match and watched as Beth finished off Alicia with the Glam Slam for the clean pin. Afterward, Beth glared at Layla and then went after Alicia. Layla ran in slammed Beth's head to the mat. Beth fled the ring while Layla stood tall and three fans cheered...

Beth Phoenix pinned Alicia Fox in 1:20.

Powell's POV: With all of the leather, studded gear, Alicia's hair, and Beth's headband, they looked like extras from the old Mad Max "The Road Warrior" movie. I guess this means they won't be playing games with Beth not being medically cleared on Sunday.

Cole hyped that Cena is one of the most liked celebrities in the world on Facebook. A video featured Cena hyping WWE's work with Make-A-Wish.

[Q4] After the video, they showed a shot of the live crowd. There was a polite round of applause...

Cole hyped Orton vs. Jericho as the main event, and the Laurinaitis and Big Show followup. They played the Show and Johnny clip from last week again... The announcers hyped Big Show vs. Kane... [C]

Powell's POV: They're going into replay overdrive this week. As great as the Make-A-Wish work is, I can't help but wonder whether WWE would be showing that video this week if it wasn't for the Cena divorce.

After the break, a graphic touted that more people watched Raw last week than the NHL and NBA playoffs, and an MLB game... The announcers hyped Zack Ryder vs. Kane as the free pre-show match for Sunday. They said it will air on Youtube, Facebook, and the WWE website...

Another f'n replay aired of the John Laurinaitis and Big Show angle from last week...

Powell's POV: Goddamn, we get it already. This one was longer than the first videos they showed. It also included Eve forcing Show to apologize, and then Big Johnny telling Eve that Show's apology was insincere. It also included footage from Smackdown of Big Johnny pulling an Earl Hebner/Vince McMahon during the Show vs. Daniel Bryan match on Smackdown. So it's Show vs. Laurinaitis on Sunday, right?

John Laurinaitis and David Otunga walked to the ring together. The announcers said they were going to take a front row seat to watch Big Show vs. Kane. Cole questioned whether this would be the last time we see Big Show... [C]

Entrances for the Big Show vs. Kane match took place...

Powell's POV: Congrats to WWE for actually lowering my interest level in Sunday's pay-per-view via the first hour of Raw. It can only get better in hour two, right?

[Q5] 3. Kane vs. Big Show. Laurinaitis and Otunga sat at ringside. Show was in control until he missed a Vader Bomb. Kane went for God knows what move off the second rope, but Show grabbed him by the throat. Kane avoided the chokeslam, but Show threw him to ringside. Show whipped Kane into the barricade and followed up with a spear.

As the wrestlers headed back inside the ring, Laurinaitis stood up and demanded an apology. Kane used the distraction and chokeslammed Show for the win...

Kane defeated Big Show in 4:10.

Powell's POV: The production team did what they could to show the awful chokeslam from a bad angle. Okay, so I'm not sure if that was actually by design, but that was one lousy chokeslam.

After the match, Laurinaitis and Otunga entered the ring. Laurinaitis told him to look him in the eye and apologize. Johnny said it better be good or he will fire him. Big Show grabbed a mic. He said he's been thinking long and hard about what he was going to say.

Show said he broke into WCW when he was 23. He said he's seen and done it all over the last 18 years. Show said there's part of him that can walk away with his head held high and have no regrets. Show said he loves what he does. He got choked up while talking about it not being just the matches, but being about the smiles on the faces of the kids and the bonds he's made backstage. The crowd chanted Big Show's name.

Show asked Laurinaitis not to erase 18 years of his life for something petty. Show said Laurinaitis could fine him or ban him from ever having a championship match again. He said that if his imitation of his voice was offensive, he's sorry. He said that if Johnny has an ounce of decency, he will continue to let him do what he loves.

Laurinaitis said that was very passionate, but he didn't hear him say he's sorry. Show said he's sorry. Johnny said the fans in the cheap seats didn't hear him. Show repeated himself. Laurinaitis said Show said it and now he's going to prove it by begging him. He told him to get on his knees and beg him.

Show was crying as he asked if Laurinaitis was serious. Johnny ordered him to get on his knees and beg him. Show teased getting down on his knees and showed anguish. He said he would beg. "Johnny, I'm sorry, please, please don't make me do that," Show said. Laurinaitis said Show disgusts him. He said he's doing what's right for business. He said he would reconsider it.

Laurinaitis and Otunga walked to the top of the stage and was about to fire him when Show asked him to wait. Show dropped to his knees and received a mix of cheers and boos. "I apologize," Show said. "I apologize for making fun of your voice and I'll never do it again. Are you happy now? Are you happy?"

Laurinaitis said he's not. "As general manager of both Raw and Smackdown, I wish you the best in your future endeavors," Laurinaitis replied. "And Show, you're fired," he said with a smile...

Powell's POV: A strong performance from Big Show even though the crying felt a bit over the top when he started. They put heat on Laurinaitis heading into the pay-per-view via that segment, but I kept waiting for John Cena to show up and save the day. It was bold to put Show in that position because it definitely could have come across a lot more sappy than it did.

[Q6] [C] Just in case you missed the last 20 minutes of the show, they played the 142nd replay of a segment involving Show and Laurinaitis... At ringside, Lawler said he's personal friends with Big Show and it's going to do more than break his heart. Lawler said Big Show deserved better than that after nearly 20 years in the business. Cole hung his head...

It's time for a Stewie Griffin Sexy Party!!!!! Er, Brodus Clay made his entrance with the dancers to lighten the mood. He was joined by the WWE Tag champs for a six-man tag match. The announcers hyped the tag title match for the pay-per-view...

4. R-Truth, Kofi Kingston, and Brodus Clay (w/dancers) vs. The Miz, Dolph Ziggler, and Jack Swagger (w/Vickie Guerrero) in a six-man tag match. Brodus and company cleared the heels from the ring going into the break. [C]

After the break, Dolph was getting the better of R-Truth. They cut to a shot of A.W. with Mason Ryan, Epico, Primo, and Rosa Medes in a luxury box.

[Q7] Late in the match, Kofi hit Trouble in Paradise on The Miz and then Brodus followed up with the big splash. After the match, Brodus brought his "Little Funkasauruses" in the ring to dance...

R-Truth, Kofi Kingston, and Brodus Clay (w/dancers) beat The Miz, Dolph Ziggler, and Jack Swagger in 6:15.

The announcers hyped Orton vs. Jericho as the main event...

Powell's POV: Hey, the two guys who aren't advertised for the pay-per-view factored into the finish. We're over 90 minutes in and I want to see Sunday's pay-per-view even less than I did at the end of the first hour. They better hope that Big Meanie Laurinaitis sold some pay-per-views to the kiddies who want to see John Cena avenge Big Show because this has been an atrocious go-home show thus far.

Highlights aired from Smackdown of the drama involving the Fatal Four Way competitors...

Backstage, Alex Riley was talking with C.M. Punk when A.J. interrupted them. Riley left to go tell Chris Jericho was drunk or whatever it is he does when he's not on camera. A.J. wished Punk luck. Punk stammered as he told A.J. she's been pretty unstable. She didn't look pleased...

Sheamus joined the announcers on commentary. Chris Jericho made his entrance and Cole hyped that Jericho is on the cover of the new Revolver magazine. Randy Orton made his entrance...

5. Randy Orton vs. Chris Jericho. Orton dumped Jericho to ringside as the show went to break one minute in. [C]

[Q8] After the break, they showed highlights of how Jericho took over on offense. Orton came back with his signature offense, including his powerslam. Orton went for his middle rope DDT, but Jericho dumped him over the top rope in front of Sheamus. Jericho taunted Sheamus, who stood up for a moment and then sat down.

Jericho threw Orton into Sheamus and knocked him out of his chair. Jericho slid Orton back inside the ring. As Jericho was climbing between the ropes, Orton kicked him and dropped him with the middle rope DDT. Orton struck the Viper's Pose. Sheamus pulled Jericho to ringside the referee disqualified Orton.

Chris Jericho defeated Randy Orton by DQ in 8:40.

Orton was hot and went after Sheamus to complain about the way he cost him the match. Sheamus and Orton jawed back and forth. Orton invited Sheamus to join him inside the ring. Sheamus obliged. They were about to fight, but several referees ran out to keep them apart... [C]

Powell's POV: Hey, they actually did something that played into the pay-per-view nicely. I have no idea why Alberto Del Rio wasn't in the mix, but it was still effective. They just showed a WrestleMania DVD commercial. It probably didn't help that a Big Show clip showed him on the verge of tears after winning the IC Belt. He cries more than a hormonal pregnant woman. I can pick on them because I'm pretty sure they don't read the site in great numbers. If they are, shut up and get me a beer. You had your damn day yesterday.

The announcers recapped the Big Show angle. Cole questioned what Laurinaitis would do for an encore since he's up for a break...

Cole announced that Eve booked Sheamus vs. Randy Orton for Friday's Smackdown television show...

John Laurinaitis walked to the ring. He said he was sorry for fans who consider John Cena their favorite superstar because that makes them a loser. He pointed out that Cena lost to The Rock at WrestleMania, and looked like a loser after he fought Brock Lesnar at Extreme Rules. Laurinaitis said he's better than Rock and Brock combined.

Laurinaitis said the world needs losers. "If there were not losers like you, there would not be winners like me," he said. Just when the show was finally getting good, John Cena made his entrance. Cena looked into the camera and said his arm was a little dinged up but he's good.

[Overrun] Cena entered the ring and sniffed Laurinaitis. "Desperation is such a stinky cologne, Mr. Laurinaitis, if that's your real name," Cena said. Cena imitated Laurinaitis's voice and then questioned whether he'll get so offended that he'll fire him like he did Big Show. Cena said Laurinaitis became the undisputed king of douchbaggary (censored).

Cena ran through Laurinaitis's recent failures. He said Laurinaitis was one for his last four and that makes him a loser.

Powell's POV: Thank goodness I only went 1-3 in my softball game last week. Okay, so that's not much better.

Cena got in Laurinaitis's face and called him a loser in an over the top manner several times. Cena said Big Johnny needs to drop the People Power line because the only person that matters to him is himself. He polled the crowd on who wants to knock him back in time to a lead role in the Dynamic Dudes. He said that even with the random skateboard reference it was pretty strong.

Cena polled the crowd about beating Big Johnny and they were even louder the second time around. The crowd started up with a "Yes!" chant. Cena played to the Pittsburgh fans by comparing what he'll do to Laurinaitis to what the Steel Curtain did. He was about to make a Pittsburgh Penguins when Big Johnny interrupted and said he was going to reference the Penguins later on in his own promo.

Cena encouraged Laurinaitis to talk, but called him a "loser" every time he did. He encouraged Laurinaitis to share his Penguins reference. This time, Laurinaitis said losers. Cena pointed out that there were Penguins players in the crowd and guaranteed him they will enjoy what was about to happen.

Cena pulled a hockey puck from his back pocket, flipped it at Laurinaitis, and told him to go puck himself. The crowd chanted "Yes!" again while Cena smiled. Laurinaitis said those are tough words. "Listen to me, I'm Big Johnny," he said. He claimed Cena was upset because he's taller and better looking than Cena is.

Eve walked out. Laurinaitis said he can make matches, change matches, add referees. Eve entered the ring and whispered in Big Johnny's ear. She handed him a piece of paper. Cena ripped it in half while taking it from Laurinaitis. Cena read the statement from the board of directors.

The statement declared that Cena vs. Laurinaitis will be a one-on-one match, there will not be a special guest referee, no one is allowed at ringside, the only way to win is by pinfall or submission, and any superstar who interferes in the match will be immediately terminated.

Cena said the thing Laurinaitis should be most concerned with from the statement is that if he loses this match to Cena, he will be officially terminated. The crowd roared. Laurinaitis read the line. They started to play Cena's entrance theme, but he stopped them.

Cena recalled Cole saying Laurinaitis had a big announcement. He asked what the major announcement is. Laurinaitis walked over and slapped Cena across the face and then left the ring...

Powell's POV: I guess John Cena spent his first weekend as a single man watching Jim Carrey movies with the guys given some of his antics during the segment. The live crowd loved it. I liked the way they established that Laurinaitis is on his own. Of course, that ruling leaves the door open for Brock Lesnar or someone who isn't technically under contract to interfere an help Big Johnny, or he just gets his ass kicked and gets fired. The last 30 minutes focussed on the pay-per-view and they did a lot to put heat on Big Johnny, but this was still a painful show to sit through. I'll have more to say in tonight's Dot Net Members' exclusive audio review.

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