WWE Raw Live Event
Rochester, Minn. at the Mayo Civic Center
Report by Dot Net Member HiSpot

Much bigger crowd than TNA drew in the same building last year. The floor seating was gone and the lower bowl was 95% plus full. There were maybe 200 additionally people in the upper deck, but the Mayo Civic Center is a small arena. I'd estimate the crowd around 3,000. Parking was free in the ramp! Thank you City of Rochester! We were seated in the second row on the end by one of the corners, so my kids could run up to the guard rail.

1. R-Truth defeated Zach Ryder in about 8 minutes. For the record, my oldest who is 10 years old had the mic shoved in his face for a "What's Up!" during the entrance and he totally whiffed!

After the first match, Justin Robert announced that John Cena would not be appearing and the WWE offered refunds until 8:30 PM CST; for one hour. I didn't see anyone take them up on the offer, but someone must have, I imagine.

2. Vladmir Koslov and Santino Marella over Michael McGillicutty and David Otunga (w/Mason Ryan) to retain the WWE Tag Titles. Santino won with The Cobra in approximately 10 minutes. McGillicutty acknowledged his Minnesota roots, but said he was embarrassed by it because of all the hicks in attendance (looking immediately around me, I had to agree.) Mason Ryan was ejected from ringside just before the finish, but returned for a beatdown of Santino after the finish.

AJ came out to host a guest time keeper contest - she picked children to play. The question was, "Name the next pay per view?" The first kid incorrectly answered "John Cena." I was going to rename it "Overpriced" but she never got to me. AJ was cute as a button wearing a zebra patterned mini dress with a red belt. The dress was about the size of a hotel pool towel, so she had to move carefully.

3. Daniel Bryan (w/ Gail Kim) defeated Ted DiBiase with the Labell Lock in about 8 minutes to retain the Intercontinental Championship. The best technical match of the night, but neither guy really connected with the crowd. Maryse made a late appearance which served to distract DiBiase slightly leading to the Bryan comeback. Afterward, there was a shouting match in the ring between Maryse and DiBiase which led to a six Diva chick fight. Justin Roberts announced a six diva tag team match.

4. Eve Torres, Gail Kim and Tamina defeated Maryse, Melina, and Alica Fox in about six minutes with Eve getting the pin. Pretty decent action and a good performance for the Divas. I thought they held their own against the guys tonight.

Next was a fan's choice match: either two-out-of-three fall or a street fight. Justin Roberts only gave us one chance without even hearing the options first. Someone had dinner reservations...

5. John Morrison defeated King Sheamus in a street fight. The match went nearly 20 minutes and ended after a running knee to Sheamus, who was seated on a chair in the ring. This gets my vote for match of the night for the great back and forth. Sheamus getting into it with the crowd, destroying a couple Singapore canes, and lots of near falls.

Intermission

I missed the first match out of intermission as my kids were making me poorer at the concession and merch stands (I got some Cena bands!).

6. Yoshi Tatsu vs. Primo. I'm told the match involved Primo and Yoshi Tatsu. Powell's Note: I assume the finish was the same as we got the night before in Minneapolis with Tatsu going over.

7. CM Punk defeated Mark Henry in about 8 minutes. After suckering Henry into charging the corner with the turnbuckle pad removed, Punk caught him with a kick to the side of the head. Punk was classic getting into it with ringside fans (and keeping security busy) and delay tactics. Lots of mic work for Punk entertaining the fans.

8. The Miz (with Alex Riley) defeated Randy Orton to retain the WWE Championship in about 15 minutes. Riley provided the distraction allowing the Miz to connect with the Skull Crushing Finale. Afterward, Randy sent the fans home happy ducking a briefcase shot and delivering RKOs to Riley and the Miz. The Miz did a great job connecting with fans and getting them all riled up with his antics and mic work. Randy's a smooth operator who really has his game down pat, but didn't really connect with the fans.

Most Heat:
CM Punk
The Miz
Sheamus
Nexus

Best Pops:
Randy Orton
John Henry
R Truth
Santino & Koslov

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