Match-by-match results and television rating of this edition of Monday Night Raw.
Show: Monday Night Raw
Date: August 22, 2011
Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Commentary: Jim Ross, Michael Cole, Jerry Lawler
Reported By: Jacob Gilbert
TV Rating:
1. Non-title: Alberto Del Rio def. John Morrison via submission.
2. Eve Torres def. Nikki Bella.
3. Alex Riley def. Jack Swagger.
4. WWE tag titles: Evan Bourne & Kofi Kingston def. David Otunga & Michael McGillicutty to win the titles. Bourne pinned Otunga.
5. John Cena def. CM Punk.
We open with Alberto Del Rio, but before he can actually say anything, John Cena and CM Punk are out, both campaigning for a title match. Triple H settles that issue by setting up a #1 contender's match between the two former champs as tonight's main event, with the winner advancing to face Del Rio at Night of Champions on September 18. Del Rio has the first match, though........
1. Non-title: Alberto Del Rio vs. John Morrison.
After a show-stopping performance last week in beating R-Truth, Morrison gets a chance to put his name in the conversation for the title. Unfortunately, Del Rio seems to be one step ahead of Morrison at every turn, dodging both an Asai moonsault on the floor, and, at the end, Starship Pain. After ramming Morrison into the post, shoulder-first, Del Rio applies the cross-armbreaker, and that is it. Winner: Alberto Del Rio.
Post-match, as has been the pattern of late, Del Rio renews his attack, this time reapplying the submission on the floor as Ricardo Rodriguez taunts Morrison with the belt.
2. Eve Torres (w/Kelly Kelly) vs. Nikki Bella (w/Brie).
No "twin magic" this time, as Brie is in street clothes. She gets involved anyway, trying to give her sister a helping hand, but Eve perseveres, and rolls the dice. Winner: Eve Torres.
After the match, Kelly intercepts Brie and hits the K2.
As was the case last week, Beth Phoenix & Natalya are out post-match, with polite applause. Jim Ross asserts that one of the two could be the next Diva champion.
3. Alex Riley vs. Jack Swagger (w/Vickie Guerrero).
Riley demanded the rematch after last week, in which the wicked widow's distraction enabled Swagger to pick up a much needed victory. However, the fact that Swagger asked Vickie to be his new manager doesn't sit well with US Champ Dolph Ziggler, who comes out halfway to argue. Vickie gets knocked down, Swagger is distracted this time, and Riley rolls him up to even the score. Winner: Alex Riley.
Triple H calls Kevin Nash out to the ring. Nash didn't get a text from the Cerebral Assassin at Summerslam, so who did? CM Punk wants to know, and comes down for answers. Nash was going to apologize, but after Punk ran him down last week, that ain't happening. Punk thinks Stephanie, who didn't make the trip, is behind this, but he's wrong there, as we'll see later. Punk gets personal with HHH, and pays for it, as Nash gets in a cheap shot. HHH has to pull him out of the arena, and, after the break, removes him from the building, or so you'd think. You know how these things go......
4. WWE tag titles: David Otunga & Michael McGillicutty vs. Evan Bourne & Kofi Kingston.
The 2nd return match from last week's show. Again, the announcers talk up the need to rebuild the tag division, which happens to be a pet project of Triple H's, oh by the way. The remnants of the now-defunct Nexus got heat on Kofi, but couldn't put him away, and that would be costly. Hot tag to Bourne, and the scene plays out almost exactly like it did last week. Kingston gets rid of McGillicutty, then hits Trouble in Paradise off the apron on Otunga, setting up Air Bourne, with JR mistakenly refers to as the 450, when he should know better. Winners & new champs: Evan Bourne & Kofi Kingston.
The new champs' interview with Josh Mathews is interrupted by a champagne bath started by Zack Ryder.
Santino Marella is scheduled next, but is ambushed by the Miz & R-Truth. Both heels hit their finishers on Marella, and now, it's promo time. Truth's legal problems in Canada appear to have been resolved, enabling him to be in Edmonton this week. Miz has bought into Truth's conspiracy theories, which this week seem to involve Nash, Cena, Punk, HHH, & Stephanie. It's all about seizing opportunity. Something tells me Miz & Truth will be the next challengers for the tag titles.......
John Lauranitis gave HHH a message claiming that Nash was in a car accident. Now, if you actually fall for that, I've got a bridge to sell you.........
5. #1 contender's match: John Cena vs. CM Punk.
Lauranitis & Alberto Del Rio are at ringside on either side of the broadcast table. Punk has had Cena's number all year, dating back to when he was in charge of Nexus back in the winter, so the tide has to turn sooner or later. Tons of near falls. Each man kicked out of the other's finisher. I'm surprised Cena didn't try to use the GTS himself, and I think Punk can do a better job of applying the STF. Anyway, the deciding factor is---wait for it---Kevin Nash, all hale & hearty. Punk is distracted, and Cena hits his 2nd Attitude Adjustment of the match to end it. Winner: John Cena.
No time to celebrate, as Del Rio attacks the man he'll face at Night of Champions. It's all Lauranitis & the ref can do to hold him at bay, but Del Rio leaves Cena lying just the same.......
