5/12 WWE Raw in Syracuse, N.Y.: John Cena vs. Dolph Ziggler, C.M. Punk vs. Chris Jericho for the WWE Championship, Zack Ryder vs. Dean Ambrose, Layla vs. Beth Phoenix for the Divas Championship

WWE Raw live event
Syracuse, N.Y.
Report by Dot Net reader Dennis Guerin

1. Brodus Clay (w/dancers, Hornswoggle) defeated JTG. Basic squash match and entertaining opener. He invited three youngsters into the ring to dance with him after winning the match the headbutt and splash.

2. Zack Ryder beat Dean Ambrose by DQ. Ambrose was DQ'd after removing the padding on the turnbuckle and ramming Ryder into it. Ambrose played a mentally deranged and psychotic character, and played it well and got some good heat. I was impressed with Ambrose's character very much.  Ryder hit the Broski Boot, but Ambrose was able to counter the Ruff Ryder. After the match, Dolph Ziggler ran in and gave a Zig Zag to Ryder and took the mike proclaiming he was the showstopper.

3. Layla defeated Beth Phoenix to retain the WWE Diva's Championship.
- Long match, especially for the Diva's, although Beth used a lot of time during the match to play the crowd. Beth Dominated most of the match until being pinned by Layla. Nothing special, but not terrible.

4. Santino Morella defeated The Miz and Jack Swagger to Retain U.S. Championship in a Triple Threat Match. Miz was originally advertised as John Cena's opponent, but ended up in this Triple Threat Match. Miz and Swagger teamed up on Santino before eventually turning on one another. Miz and Swagger took turns recovering on the outside for long periods of time, giving us a lot of one on one action. Satino hit the Cobra on mix and pinned him for the win while Swagger was out on the ground.

5. R-Truth and Kofi Kingston defeated Epico and Primo (w/Rosa) to retain WWE Tag Team Tiles. Epico and Primo had a false victory when the ref didn't see Truth's foot on the rope and counted three. Another ref ran in and the math was restarted. Kofi got the pin 10 seconds later after connecting with Trouble in Paradise. Kofi had some real good spots, and looked by far to be the best wrestler of the four. Rosa interacted and played the crowd ringside very well.

6. Lord Tensai defeated Tyson Kidd. Another total squash match. No chance for Kidd to show any offense. Tensai was alone tonight, and used the Green Mist Claw for the victory.

7. John Cena defeated Dolph Ziggler (w/Mason Ryan). 90 percent of the crowd was there to see Cena, who showed no effects of an injured arm, as the TV angle is going. Mason Ryan accompanied Ziggler as a bodyguard, and got involved in the match when the ref took a bump. Ultimately, Super Cena hit the FU (or AA) for the victory after clearing out Mason Ryan and getting Ziggler alone. It really was not an intense match. Cena looked low on energy and disinterested and both wrestlers did not seem that into it.

8. CM Punk defeated Chris Jericho to retain WWE Championship. This was originally advertised as a no DQ match, but ended up being a normal singles match. Longest match of the night, and probably best. Both wrestlers got chances to show a lot of offense and both hit all of their signature moves. Punk eventually won after hitting the GTS. Punk got on the mic and thanked the crowd for coming and promised to be back soon.

The building was packed and the crowd was ok. Lots of youngsters in the house for Cena.

Biggest Pops
1. John Cena
2. CM Punk
3. Kofi Kingston

Most Heat
1. Chris Jericho
2. Beth Phoenix
3. Lord Tensai