Raw Is War!

Another week down and another episode in the books. Raw was indeed war this past week and I have to take my hat off. This past week's Raw hosted a three hour special. Show casing some pretty decent matches as far as wrestling goes. Drawing a 3.05 cable rating and 4.49 million television viewers. I would say a big plus so far as compared to the past few months of Raw. The show in its last few hours of broadcasting went up 1.6% from last week. Not so fast, however for the normal two hours. Viewership went down 2.9% from last week's show. This had 4.97 million viewers and another three hour special this week! Stone Cold Steve Austin of course trying to outdo his prior appearance. Although the numbers don't lie a lot of people would agree. That Raw, even though it was three hours, was still better this week then it has been. Some matches of course being better than others. Exclusive sources say Randy Orton wasn't too happy this past week. One of the things was his long promo segment on Raw. A large problem being that he had suffered a concussion on the overseas tour. Capital Punishment right around the corner, Orton was asked to appear Monday night. The reason being is to keep his storyline with Christian fresh and up to date. Randy always lets the WWE know what's on his mind. Remained professional and went on with the show, even though he was in tremendous pain and the pay per view only days away.

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There are rumors floating about that the WWE is preparing to implement some changes on Raw. One new change being a pre-show to Raw from 8:30-9pm EST. Acting as a countdown show before Monday night Raw. Some of the things that the show will include: Superstar interviews, fan interaction and obvious developments and promoting of the big stories going on. Reliable sources say that this something that is very close to being accomplished and star this fall sometime. This obviously means more money from sponsors and promoters. Maybe a slight boost in the ratings, but we can only wait. With this added to the already busy schedule. One can only speculate that over time "wrestling" will once again be wrestling. Back to Monday night Raw and we start with the opener. The Miz of course thinking he's the only All Star in the building. Had quite a bit of microphone time and probably a little too much. Saying how Alex Riley is stupid and is going to beat him at Capital Punishment. Then the egomaniac calls out non other then the host of Raw. Stone Cold Steve Austin who actually gives The Miz some credit. Telling him how impressive The Miz is, but that Alex Riley will be a better star then he is. I don't mean to chuckle, but maybe! Anything could happen and does happen in the WWE.

At the end of the one liners and the Stone Cold chants. Austin decides to put The Miz inside of Piper's Pit tonight! Ring in Alberto Del Rio, who comes out and talks about his destiny. Austin who at this point isn't really happy to have someone interrupts him AGAIN! Austin tells Alberto that he isn't a mind reader, but smells an ass whoopin'. This brings in the first match and after Alberto took out The Big Show. There was only one opponent for Del Rio and that was The Big Red Monster Kane! Alberto eventually getting disqualified and loosing the match. Big Show runs out (actually running) and starts a beating upon Ricardo while Alberto runs away. This sets up a match between Big Show and Alberto Del Rio at Capital Punishment. Following a few more matches Randy Orton finally makes his appearance. Calls out Christian and of course he doesn't want to come to the ring. Appearing on the big screen and telling the fans that he doesn't care about what they think. Eventually getting mad and coming out to the ring anyways. Only to be stopped by security, because Orton is not cleared to fight. Leading up to Stone Cold announcing that Christian has to face Rey Mysterio. The matches being ok up till now and of course this one ends in a disqualification as well (didn't we see this an hour ago?). Christian sends Rey into the corner and puts a knee to the back of his head. Christian gets mad and ends up body slamming Rey into the corner. Rey gets out and appears to fight back, before Nexus appears. CM Punk and Christian beat Rey till he can't stand anymore along with the rest of the Nexus. Leave together for some odd reason leaving Rey in the ring.

I guess one can't really complain so far. Vickie ends up screaming into Stone Cold's ear EXCUSE ME. Whining about wanting to get Dolph Ziggler a U.S. Championship match. Austin says only if Dolph, drops Vickie can this happen. Of course Austin reveals that he wasn't really being serious. Dolph ends up getting the match anyways. This seriously, really, honestly has to stop. If Dolph wants to get anywhere he has to get rid of that annoying bug in his ear. Let's get to the more important things shall we? R-Truth waits for Morrision who doesn't come out after having his music played for the second time. Truth finally walks backstage and surprise, surprise! Morrision is down and isn't moving and of course the audience never saw what happened. Truth only adds to injury by ramming a stage case into John Morrision, and Screaming "take that little Jimmy." Finally, time for Piper's Pit and of course The Miz isn't happy about this. Miz comes out and says he can't wait for them to tear the building down and that he's sick of everyone calling him a modern day Piper. Piper eventually brings out Alex Riley and somehow Piper get's a match with The Miz. After the idea being instigated by Alex Riley. The stipulation is that whoever won would get $5,000. The winner of course being Rowdy Roddy Piper after rolling up The Miz.

A 7 on 7 Divas Tag Team Match?! Who has ever heard of such a thing? Didn't realize there was that many Diva's on Raw. Not even a match really, more of a brawl. After a few tags the ring eventually cleared. Kelly Kelly hitting the K2 on Rosa for the win. After all the craziness that has happened things only seemed to get better. Stone Cold rides to the ring and thanks Long Island for a good show. About to make his last announcement and of course the "real" Raw GM chimes in. Cole reluctantly goes to the podium, scared out of his pants that Austin is going to open up a case of whoop ass again! The GM says he's going to be back again next week, but not before Stone Cold make's his last announcement. That being this week's edition of Raw is going to be in the hands of the viewers and audience. The matches, the stipulations, and the contenders. The crowd erupts as Austin chases Michael Cole off the podium and pours beer all over a busted laptop. That he destroyed, does this ring a bell anyone? Brings us to the main event and it was just that. The match was good from start to finish and many say CM Punk "cheated." That's non-sense, because R-Truth decides to come down through the crowd. If John Cena would have just stayed focused he maybe could of won. No one gives CM Punk enough credit when in reality he's a true wrestler. More moves in his arsenal then John Cena has t-shirts and that's the truth! Back to the show, Truth wants to trade "a sip of water" for some little kid's John Cena hat. Why on earth would that kid want a sip of water from R-Truth? Especially for a $20-30 hat that he takes anyways. The Good Samaritan that John Cena is. Yells at Truth and tells him to get away from that fan! As if Truth is actually going to hurt a live audience member. That was enough to distract Cena and for Punk to hit the Go To Sleep to get the win. All in all, not too shabby. Truth eventually comes down and hits Cena with a bottle of water. Leaving him helpless in the middle of the ring and to be honest. I can't wait for this rival to end. Whatever happened to John Cena and The Rock? I suppose the closer to Wrestlemania we get. I wouldn't mind seeing this rival go on all year long. It would be great in the minds of everyone. With another three hour special this week. Who knows what will happen?

By: Jeremy Spidahl
ProWrestling-fans.com Wrestling Writer