Raw Results and Discussion Thread (will obviously contain spoilers)

[The Best in the World]

Tonight's WWE RAW kicks off with a look back at last week where Stephanie McMahon and Vince McMahon stopped Triple H from wrestling.

- We're live from the Richmond Coliseum in Richmond, Virginia as Michael Cole welcomes us to RAW. We go right to the ring and here comes Triple H to a big pop.

Triple H vs. Curtis Axel

Triple H makes his entrance. Out next comes Curtis Axel with Paul Heyman. Triple H is ready to fight but Axel takes his time. The bell rings and Triple H beats Axel down in the corner. The referee backs Triple H up but he goes back at it. Triple H with a big suplex for a 1 count. Vince McMahon's music hits and out he comes. Triple H keeps wrestling and has Axel in a headlock. Vince walks around ringside and Axel turns it around, sending Triple H to the mat. Vince is all smiles. Triple H tosses Axel to the floor. Vince has them ring the bell and tells Justin Roberts to call it.

Winner by DQ: Curtis Axel

- Triple H yells at Vince from the ring. Vince's music hits and he struts up the ramp, still smiling. Heyman and Axel taunt Triple H from the apron. Triple H goes out to Roberts and tells them to ring the bell. The match is being re-started by WWE's COO.

Triple H vs. Curtis Axel

The bell rings and they lock up. Triple H with another headlock. Vince storms back out and isn't smiling as much as he was before. A "you suck" chant breaks out at Vince as he has the match called again.

Winner by Forfeit: Curtis Axel

- Vince leaves again and Triple H asks him what he's doing. Triple H goes back to Roberts and has the match announced as a 60-man Iron Man Match. The bell is rang but Vince marches back to ringside. Vince takes the mic and says Curtis has already won twice, leave the ring now. Curtis quickly leaves with Heyman. Vince takes Roberts' microphone and the timekeeper's bell. Vince walks off with them as Triple H looks on from the ring.

- Still to come tonight, John Cena and Ryback will go face to face in the ring. Also, Kane vs. Dean Ambrose. We go to commercial.

- Back from the break and Triple H is backstage venting to Stephanie. He says Vince crossed the line and did that just to embarrass him. Stephanie agrees it was wrong. Stephanie begs Triple H not to hurt Vince. She says he's not getting any younger. She tells him to try and think about Vince in the pool with their kids. Triple H tells Stephanie to go talk to Vince because if he has to, it won't end well.

Kane vs. Dean Ambrose

We go to the ring and out comes Kane. WWE United States Champion Dean Ambrose comes out next through the crowd. Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns are right behind him but don't go to the ring.

Ambrose strikes first in the corner. Kane runs over him with a big boot for a 1 count. Kane with a low dropkick and another pin attempt. Kane takes control now. Kane with a knee drop to the back and a boot to the face. Kane whips Ambrose hard into the corner and he goes down. Kane with a backbreaker now. Kane bends Ambrose over his knee and holds it. We finally get another timekeeper's bell brought down. Ambrose fights back but Kane tosses him out of the ring and follows. Kane with a big right hand. Ambrose blocks a shot into the steps and fights back. Kane catches him in mid-air with a big right hand. We go to commercial.

Back from the break and Ambrose is back in control. Kane fights out of a hold and hits Ambrose with right hands. Ambrose with a double dropkick. Ambrose eventually goes to the top but Kane grabs him for a chokeslam. Ambrose fights him off but Kane brings him down to the mat. More back and forth. Kane with a big tilt-a-whirl backbreaker for a 2 count. Ambrose goes for a roll up but Kane tosses him into the corner. Kane with a splash. He catches Ambrose's boot and pulls him to the mat. Kane hits the sideslam for another 2 count. Kane goes to the top but Ambrose cuts him off. Kane blocks a superplex and sends Ambrose to the mat. Kane comes crashing down with a big right hand. Ambrose rolls out of the ring when Kane calls for a chokeslam. Rollins and Reigns hit the ring and attack Kane for the DQ.

Winner by DQ: Kane

- After the bell, Randy Orton and Daniel Bryan run down to save Kane. Orton and Team Hell No clear the ring as The Shield retreats through the crowd.

- We get hype for Sheamus vs. Damien Sandow for the WWE Payback pre-show.

- Fans can get on the WWE App and vote for Daniel Bryan's opponent tonight - Rollins or Reigns. Back to commercial.

- Back from the break and it's determined Bryan will face Rollins and Orton will face Reigns tonight.

- Kane, Bryan and Orton are all arguing. Vickie Guerrero comes in and makes Orton and Bryan vs. Rollins and Reigns in a WWE Tag Team Title match at Payback. Kane isn't happy about this. Vickie grants Kane a US Title shot for Payback.

- We go to commercial as The Miz makes his way out.

The Miz vs. Cody Rhodes

Back from the break and WWE Intercontinental Champion Wade Barrett is on commentary. It's announced that Barrett will defend against just The Miz at Payback due to Fandango's concussion. Cody and Miz go back and forth to start the match. Cody with a big suplex and a 2 count. Cody keeps control and works on the legs of The Miz.

Cody with more offense and a 2 count. Cody goes back to working on the knees. Miz turns it around and locks in the Figure Four for the win.

Winner: The Miz

- After the match, Miz limps around as Barrett enters the ring. Paul Heyman interrupts. He says Vickie Guerrero has allowed Curtis Axel to take Fandango's spot at Payback. Axel comes out and cuts a promo about how he will be the next Intercontinental Champion.

- Cole leads us to a promo about Mark Henry's return next week. The Hall of Pain is returning.

- Chris Jericho is walking backstage as we go to commercial.

- Back from the break and we get a look at how RAW opened with Vince McMahon and Triple H.

- Stephanie McMahon walks into Vince's office and he has his back turned. She says she knows he's trying to protect Triple H but what he did was embarrassing. Stephanie says Vince walked all over him. Vince heard what Triple H and Stephanie said about him. Vince says Triple H made his baby girl cry. Stephanie says Vince made her cry. Vince doesn't care about Triple H's pride, he puts WWE first. Vince says you do the right thing for business every single time. Vince says it's best if Stephanie keeps Triple H away from him. Vince isn't interested in talking to him either. Vince walks off.

- We go to the ring and out comes Chris Jericho to a big pop. Jericho comes out and talks about his Payback match with CM Punk. Jericho talks about their past matches. He says Punk will get his best on Sunday. Jericho says he needs to beat Punk, he has to beat Punk. Jericho says neither of them will ever, ever be the same... he's interrupted by World Heavyweight Champion Dolph Ziggler with AJ Lee and Big E Langston. Ziggler says the nameplate was barely on his title before it was almost taken due to a concussion. Ziggler talks about how he stole the show and earned the belt. Ziggler says he will face Alberto Del Rio at Payback. Jericho suggests a warm-up match for tonight. Ziggler says Jericho can face Big E Langston and that match is up next after commercial.

Chris Jericho vs. Big E Langston

Back from the break and Big E is working Jericho over outside of the ring. Jericho apparently hurt his knee during the commercial. Big E brings him back in the ring and covers for a 2 count. Langston with a hold on Jericho as he tries to fight up and out. Jericho ends up tossing Big E over the top rope. Jericho runs the ropes and dropkicks Big E back into the barrier. Jericho comes out to the floor and kicks Big E in the back. Big E fights back and sends Jericho into the steel steps.

Big E brings it back in the ring for a 2 count. Big E with shoulder thrusts in the corner now. Jericho comes back with a 2 count but Big E runs over him for another pin attempt. Jericho fights back to his feet and trades shots with Big E. Jericho with a kick in the face and chops. Jericho with a big right hand and more offense. Jericho ducks a clothesline and hits an enziguri. Jericho with a low dropkick for a 2 count. More back and forth. Big E catches Jericho in mid-air and hits a series of backbreakers for another 2 count. Jericho ends up hitting a big crossbody from the top but Big E kicks out at 2. Ziggler distracts Jericho and allows Big E to run over him. Del Rio runs down and lays out Ziggler from behind at ringside. Langston is distracted by Del Rio but turns around to a Codebreaker for the win.

Winner: Chris Jericho

Sin Cara vs. Antonio Cesaro

Back from the break and Zeb Colter is on commentary. Sin Cara makes his way out to the ring. Apparently Cara interrupted a Colter interview backstage on the WWE App and Colter isn't happy about it. Out comes Antonio Cesaro.

Cesaro strikes first and takes Cara to the mat before tossing him out to the floor. Cara comes back in but Cesaro puts the boots to him. Colter rips Cara but defends Cesaro on commentary. Cara makes a comeback until Cesaro knocks him down on the top rope. Cesaro stands on Cara before hitting a big gutwrench slam. Cesaro with a headlock now.

Cesaro with another big slam and a 2 count. Cesaro with another stomp and a 2 count. Colter says Jack Swagger is injured but will be back soon. Cara makes another comeback out of the corner. Cesaro misses a clothesline. Cara hits a crazy looking sitdown powerbomb for a 2 count. Cara with a kick to the face from the apron. Cara goes to the top for a crossbody but Cesaro catches him in a backbreaker. Cesaro swings Cara around by a headlock. Cesaro nails The Neutralizer for the win.

Winner: Antonio Cesaro

- As we go to replays, Colter says he's impressed with Cesaro and that's what happens when you do things the right way.

- We get another vignette for Bray Wyatt and The Wyatt Family.

- Still to come, Ryback and Cena will go face to face in the ring. Back to commercial.

- Vickie Guerrero is backstage with Brad Maddox. Vickie is downing a big Hardees cheeseburger. Vince appears and tells Vickie to breathe and swallow. Vickie licks her fingers and goes to shake Vince's hand. Vince is clearly in a bad mood tonight. Vince isn't sure about the Ryback and Cena face off tonight. Maddox suggests they have the Payback Lumberjacks come out to the ring tonight. Vince says that's a good idea and Vickie should share her burger with Brad.

Randy Orton vs. Roman Reigns

We go to the ring and out first comes Randy Orton. Daniel Bryan comes out and waits with Orton as we go back to commercial.

Back from the break and out comes WWE Tag Team Champions Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns. They lock up to start the match and Reigns hits Orton with a knee to the gut and an elbow. Reigns takes it to the corner. Orton turns it around and fires back. Orton with a 2 count. Orton with knee drops and another 2 count. They fight on the floor now with Orton in control. Orton back drops Reigns on top of the fan barrier as Rollins and Bryan look on. Orton brings it back in the ring for a 2 count. Orton misses a knee drop and Reigns goes to work on him.

Orton hits a Thesz Press and right hands. Orton with more right hands in the corner as he climbs up. Reigns runs into a big boot. Orton with a forearm shot to the chest. Reigns knocks Orton from the top to the floor with one big punch. We go back to commercial.

Back from commercial and Reigns is in control, keeping Orton on the mat. Orton fights up and out with punches to the gut. Reigns drops Orton over the top rope. Reigns with another 2 count. We see Kane watching backstage. Orton fights out of another headlock and back drops Reigns. Orton with clotheslines and a powerslam. Rollins gets on the apron but Orton backs him off. Reigns goes for a Samoan Drop but Orton counters with a backbreaker. Orton hits the second rope draping DDT. Rollins comes in and Orton tries to DDT him. Reigns makes the save and pulls him out. Bryan comes in and leaps out onto Reigns and Rollins, taking them down on the floor.

No Contest

- Bryan gets a massive "yes!" chant from the crowd as he stands with Orton in the ring.

Daniel Bryan vs. Seth Rollins

This matches starts right now as Rollins takes Bryan to the corner. Bryan runs the ropes and nails a huge clothesline. Bryan with uppercuts and more offense. Bryan with a running knee to the gut and kicks to the back.

Bryan hits a bunch of kicks and elbows as the crowd chants yes. Bryan tries for the surfboard submission but Rollins crawls for the ropes. Bryan ends up sending Rollins to the floor after a dropkick. Bryan runs the ropes and kicks Rollins back into the barrier. Bryan leaps off the apron with a big knee to the face. Rollins turns it around and drives Bryan's face into the corner. 2 count by Rollins. Rollins goes for the surfboard submission and locks it in. Bryan turns it around and applies the same hold on Rollins. Bryan falls back on the neck and holds it but Rollins finally breaks it. Back to commercial.

Back from the break and Bryan is fighting out of a hold. Rollins cuts him off and goes for another pin attempt. Rollins keeps control and takes Bryan back to the mat. Bryan fights back as the crowd chants. Rollins goes for a kick but Bryan catches it and turns it into a half crab. Rollins makes it to the ropes and breaks the hold. Bryan with kicks in the corner now. Bryan runs and nails the big dropkick and another in the corner. Bryan with a 2 count. Bryan with more kicks to the chest. Rollins ducks a kick and lays Bryan out. Rollins with kicks until he misses one. They counter again. Rollins powerbombs Bryan back into the turnbuckles for another 2 count. Rollins keeps control until Bryan back drops him out to the floor. Bryan runs the ropes but the collide at the ropes as Rollins tries to come in. Rollins comes off the top but they roll through with more counters. Bryan with another close 2 count. Bryan goes back to the top but Rollins cuts him off. Rollins climbs up for a superplex but Bryan slides out and crotches Rollins. Bryan climbs up and nails a super back drop but Rollins counters in mid-air and falls on top of Bryan. Reigns gets on the apron but Orton takes him out. Bryan rolls up Rollins for the win.

Winner: Daniel Bryan

- After the match, Bryan is celebrating in the corner when Rollins pulls him down. Bryan connects with a big kick. Orton catches Rollins with a RKO. Orton and Bryan stare at each other as Reigns helps Rollins retreat.

- We get another look at how RAW opened with Triple H and Vince McMahon tonight.

- Back from the break and WWE Divas Champion Kaitlyn is in the ring. She wants her secret admirer to show himself. Out comes Big E Langston with flowers in hand and dressed up. Kaitlyn is surprised. Big E is nervous but says people only see him as a big bad tough guy. Big E says he cares about more than that, he cares about Kaitlyn. Kaitlyn says she doesn't get it. Big E says Kaitlyn has been all he could think of since first laying eyes on her. Big E drops the mic and goes in for a kiss. Big E drops Kaitlyn on the mat after making her wait for the kiss and out comes AJ Lee. AJ says she hopes Kaitlyn feels like she did when other Superstars played with her emotions and Kaitlyn was off chasing the Divas Title. Kaitlyn calls her crazy. AJ says she's smart. AJ says Kaitlyn is sad, weak and pitiful. She calls her trash. Kaitlyn starts crying. AJ says Kaitlyn has nobody and none of the people care about her. AJ says all Kaitlyn has is the Divas Title and she will be taking it on Sunday at Payback. AJ keeps putitng her down until Kaitlyn attacks her. They go at it and AJ escapes as Kaitlyn looks on from the ring.

Damien Sandow vs. R-Truth

Back from the break and out comes Damien Sandow, for a match sponsored by the new Hardees cheeseburger. Sandow talks about how he will beat Sheamus on the Payback pre-show. Out comes his opponent R-Truth.

Sandow takes control early on and beats Truth out of the ring. He brings it back in and keeps Truth on the mat. Sandow with a headbutt and a leg sweep. Sandow hits the Elbow of Disdain for a 2 count. Truth makes a comeback and hits his usual moves. The end comes when Sandow takes out Truth's knee and hits the Silencer for the win.

Winner: Damien Sandow

- After the match, Sheamus comes out to the stage and congratulates Sandow on his win. Sheamus says Sandow got his attention last week and because of that, they're fighting on the Payback pre-show. Sheamus says he's going to kick off Sandow's head in Chicago.

- Stephanie McMahon tells a crew member to go find Vince and have him meet in their office because it's urgent and it's about business. She tells another crew member to find Triple H, tell him to get there because it's urgent and it's personal. Back to commercial.

- Back from the break and we get a vignette for Ryback's rage.

- We go to the ring and Vickie Guerrero leads the Lumberjacks out and they surround the ring. More replay videos and another commercial break.

- Back from the break and Vince is talking to Stephanie when Triple H shows up. An argument breaks out. Stephanie screams and tells them both to work it out. She's sick and tired of it. Stephanie storms off. Neither Vince or Triple H want to apologize to each other. Vince said he did the right thing because Triple H is bigger than a match with Curtis Axel. Vince says he wants Triple H to be more than an icon or a legend, he wants him to be the man. Vince wants bigger things for Triple H. Vince says he's a giver, that's what he does. Triple H says he gets it but he's not going to apologize. Vince says Triple H can have his match with Axel on next week's RAW. Triple H says he doesn't want the match with Axel. Vince says he would like to see the match. Triple H doesn't want it. They start arguing again when Stephanie comes back. She wants a group hug. Vince says he doesn't hug other men. Stephanie tells them to hug her at the same time. Triple H takes offense to Vince not hugging him. Finally, they barely do a group hug and Vince leaves. Triple H walks off next and Stephanie smiles.

- We go to the ring and it's surrounded by WWE Superstars. Out first comes WWE Champion John Cena.

An ambulance pulls up to the stage and out comes Ryback. Ryback heads to the stage instead of going to the ring where everyone is at. Cena reminds Ryback that face to face means he needs to waddle his ass to the ring and face the WWE Champion. Cena cuts Ryback off and talks about the Three Stages of Hell match at Payback. Ryback says he could tear through any of the Lumberjacks, Cena or any of the fans. Ryback says he does deserve to be WWE Champion. They go back and forth on the mic. Ryback says he got too good, too fast and became a threat to Cena. Ryback says he became so popular so Cena went to damage control. Ryback says when the going got tough, Cena left him high and dry. Cena tells Ryback to shut up. Cena puts Ryback over but says he spends all his time bitching and crying. Cena says on Sunday, he's walking into hell but he's walking out saying the champ is here. Ryback says his eyes are wide open now, he can see Cena and he's full of crap. Ryback says the legend of John Cena ends on Sunday. Ryback says Cena has an un-athletic body. Ryback says he will become WWE Champion at Payback. Ryback says he will take Cena's spot. Cena takes off his shirt and readies for a fight. Cena runs out of the ring but the Lumberjacks throw him back in. Cena looks surprised. He tries to go another way but they stop him. Ryback runs down but Cena ducks and sends him over the top into the Lumberjacks. Ryback and Cena brawl in the ring while the Lumberjacks enter to try and break them apart. Cena breaks free but they are separated again. RAW goes off the air with Cena and Ryback being held back by the Lumberjacks.


source: nodq.com

[TopoftheChops]

Really enjoyed RAW. Bryan-Rollins was an incredible match, remindered me of the michaels-jericho match at Wrestlemania 19. The Kaitlyn secret admirer angle was interesting and AJ came across as a very strong heel. Cena was only mentioned towards the end of the show indicating that the show is not just about him, WWE copied the Lesnar-Cena confrontation from last year but it got across the lumberjack match. No Khali etc and it looks like they are pairing Cesaro with Colter which could push him.

The worse angle was the start with mcmahon and HHH, it was odd and didn't make sense when Mcmahon said that he wanted to see the match with axel next week 2 hours later. Payback looks like a good card now though but I still think Punk will be a no-show

[NickisBHAFC]

Some thoughts on Raw

The McMahon and whole HHH thing was just boring and wired IMO. Made no sense and the whole thing as i say was just stupid. McMahon stopping the match but only to want it again and then HHH to not want it? Just confusing and the whole hug with all 3 of them was cringe worthy and pointless.

Seth Rollins vs Daniel Bryan was class. Bryan again stole the show last night IMO. The guy is just class and the YES chants were back to there best. Im still thinking either Bryan or Orton will turn heel at Payback. Now im in a situation where i really don't want Bryan to turn, but i really want Orton to turn, so i know which one its going to be

I was happy they cut out a lot of crap during raw. E.g. Tons of Fun, Kahli, Hornswoggle etc. So this made the show a lot better.

Good to see Dolph on the show, but its too little too late. There is simply not enough booking going into there match at Payback, that's not to say the match will be crap.

Finally the ending did the job wasn't great but it was enough. Tbh i recon the Ryback vs Cena match will be good, and ill probably actually get the PPV.

I have a feeling if Punk doesn't show, we could get lesnar instead.

[x12x]

Seth Rollins vs Daniel Bryan was class. Bryan again stole the show last night IMO. The guy is just class and the YES chants were back to there best. Im still thinking either Bryan or Orton will turn heel at Payback. Now im in a situation where i really don't want Bryan to turn, but i really want Orton to turn, so i know which one its going to be

I had this dreadful feeling as well this morning, it seems so obvious that an Orton turn is coming from the PPV advert and the fact that the fans want it so badly...WWE logic points towards a Bryan turn though...I hope not though because right now he's massively over.

[Blade]

Bryan v Rollins was ppv class, Back and forth they went and put on a great show.

Is it me or does Rollins look like Jeff Hardy?

[Dolphin Ziggler]

I dont particularly want Orton to turn and I dont think Bryan will.

Otherwise a good show, the HHH and Vince stuff a bit nonsense but possibly being used for future really more than the impact of that night. I think the point of the change of heart was meant to be funny cos they were being stubborn, Americans would have lapped it up.

Curtis Axel ppv move is very good, shows how an injury can affect a career though as Fandango may not get the chance to grab a belt again anytime soon.

Marked out when Big E dropped Kaitlyn because I was worried I was seeing my man leave me, I mean his character ruined.

The bonus with Dolph facing ADR is that the feud has been running anyway so it doesnt need the tiresome build it would have had.

[Guest]

Some thoughts on Raw

The McMahon and whole HHH thing was just boring and wired IMO. Made no sense and the whole thing as i say was just stupid. McMahon stopping the match but only to want it again and then HHH to not want it? Just confusing and the whole hug with all 3 of them was cringe worthy and pointless.

Seth Rollins vs Daniel Bryan was class. Bryan again stole the show last night IMO. The guy is just class and the YES chants were back to there best. Im still thinking either Bryan or Orton will turn heel at Payback. Now im in a situation where i really don't want Bryan to turn, but i really want Orton to turn, so i know which one its going to be

I was happy they cut out a lot of crap during raw. E.g. Tons of Fun, Kahli, Hornswoggle etc. So this made the show a lot better.

Good to see Dolph on the show, but its too little too late. There is simply not enough booking going into there match at Payback, that's not to say the match will be crap.

Finally the ending did the job wasn't great but it was enough. Tbh i recon the Ryback vs Cena match will be good, and ill probably actually get the PPV.

I have a feeling if Punk doesn't show, we could get lesnar instead.

I was going to post something similar but I've made my mind up that I reckon Orton will turn. First of all I reckon if Bryan was turning he would have turned on Kane. Secondly I think this is the reason its Orton/Bryan as a tag team instead of Kane/Bryan with Orton v Ambrose for the US title. I don't think it will be straight away, but this will be the beginning of it. Maybe a breakdown in communication between them and Orton hits RKO and leaves Bryan on his own for SHIELD to win

Other thoughts from Raw. The McMahon/HHH part was pointless (where are they going with this?). Are they really going to put the IC title on Axel??? REALLY?? The build up to the Punk Y2J match has been pathetic, I don't know why but can see WWE throwing a spanner in the works and Punk doesn't actually come back and Lesnar comes out to destroy Jericho (especially a Fozzy are going be touring)

[Kay Fabe]

The McMahon/HHH thing was intriguing to me, I know people say its confusing and maybe it is nut I thought it was perfectly clear, there is a power struggle going on and an aging McMahon (back with a tint in his hair and his old hair style) is desperate to show that he still calls the shots, he feels HHH is getting to big for his boots so is showing him who's boss, both of them are trying to one up each other so when Hunter finally agrees with Vince the insane old barsteward decides to change the rules...classic McMahon character-wise IMO


With McMahon going to his vintage hairstyle and HHH appearing on TV more regularly then you can be sure theres a big story brewing, some might see these changes and not think to much into them but I dont think Vince does to much so obviosuly unless its leading somewhere IMO

[Dr Gregory House MD]

I don't think the VKM/HHH story is confusing, I just think it's been crap so far.

Bryan vs Rollins was a great match, as was Orton vs Reigns that immediatly preceeded it.

Don't know why people want Lesnar to destroy Jericho, as it would inevitably lead to a Jericho v Lesnar match and that's just a waste of Lesnar.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

I agree almost entirely with Kay Fabe, as I often find is the case. It hasnt been handled brilliantly but its intriguing and I think looking through the odd bits of it you can see the general point. Vince is being painted as older and HHH is having his usual powerful position challenged. They throw in certain words for a reason and Vince McMahon specifically is one who wouldnt let his daughter go on TV and paint his as "frail" if they hadnt planned it

[Mr H]

I like the HHH/Vince angle. Say what you want about HHH but the guy is so damn good. He’s such a good storyteller. I’m interested to see where they go with this but get the feeling it will end with a damp squib.

Although I’m not totally sold on Curtis Axel yet, I am impressed. Heyman will get most of the praise and rightly so, the guy could turn sh*t into gold, but Axel has been the man in the ring and have been fastracked from jobbing on Superstars to main eventing against HHH, Cena and Jericho and he hasn’t looked out of the place. Fair play to him. I just hope he’s booked strongly and surely he’s nailed on to win the IC Title at Payback.

Ryback v Cena. Meh. Not interested whatsoever I’m afraid. It’s far too early to book a Three Stages of Hell match in only their 2nd PPV match. The stipulations suck too. Lumberjack, Tables and Ambulance are too weak for a ‘Three Stages of Hell’. That match should always end in a Cell for me.

Dolph Ziggler. Meh. Get the title off of him asap. The sooner the name engraved on the belt is a heel Randy Orton the better.

I’ll finish with the red hot Daniel Bryan. Probably the only man in the world who doesn’t want CM Punk to return. Despite his brilliance Bryan as arguably been in Punk’s shadow over the last year but all eyes have been on him in Punk’s absence and rightly so. I think Bryan will still be massively over even with Punk back and could even overtake him on the card.

Speaking of Punk I was watching the Summer of Punk 2011 back the other day and it laid to rest any doubt about whether he’d work as a face if he returned. The answer is yes he would. He was ridiculously over and has the ability to work a crowd however he pleases. The reaction he’ll get in the Allstate Arena on Sunday (if he returns) will be electric. It could go one of two ways for me – either Heyman inadvertently costs Punk the match, they argue at the finish til Punk has enough and nails Heyman to the delight of the crowd. Or – Punk comes to the ring with a massive pop, looks set to take on Jericho but instead hops between the ropes and up the ramp thus walking out of the match. Imagine the hometown heat he’d get for that. Either way I’m looking forward to the reaction.

[Sara]

RAW was great this week. The Bryan / Seth match was outstanding; yet again its all about Daniel Bryan and The Shield boys.

I found the Vince / Trips' segments amusing but I am not sure where they are going with it....is it over? Some kind of power struggle? Its a bit random.

Good to have Dolph back at long last; just needs to sort his hair out and all will be well.....I think the bit of stubble suits him. Despite the lack of build up involving him, I can still see his match with 'Berto being good.

The AJ / Kaitlyn segment was good....well from AJ. Terrible fake crying from Kaitlyn and an awful, inappropriate for fighting outfit! I assume AJ will win on Sunday.

I still don't think Punk will show up on Sunday; I have a horrible feeling it will be Brock. Normally I would be thrilled at this but I don't think I would enjoy it against Jericho.

[Mr H]

I doubt very much it will be Lesnar. They wouldn't waste any of his dates in a throw away match like that, and they also wouldn't use him without advertising him.

[Sara]

I can't see what else will happen then.....unless Punk turns up!

[Mr H]

Hey I might be wrong, Lesnar may well show up, I just think it's unlikely.

If they are keeping Punk heel I think the best way is for him to show up to a massive pop but walk out before the match starts. I can't imagine even the partisan Chicago faithful would cheer that.

Heyman would then call for Axel to take his place who'd pull double duty for the night.

[Sara]

I originally thought Axel would be in place of Punk but since he and CJ fought on SD! it seems pretty pointless. I guess we will have to wait and see!

[MetalMotty]

Could do a ziggler and do two shows in one night. Or Heyman could announce a new member of his stable

[Kay Fabe]

Lesnar could replace Punk,  I can see the logic in it to be fair, with the way Heyman talks about both men you have to believe that both of them cant be the best so inevitably you have to imagine both will clash, now Lesnar normally would require being advertised but on this occassion not advertising him is made up by the advertised return of CM Punk, this could be the first step in taking us on a journy that leads to Punk/Lesnar at WrestleMania 30

I think Brock could get the title put on him in time for a WrestleMania match with Punk so getting PPV wins over the likes of HHH, Jericho and whoever else does him no harm at all when justifying why he can be considered the eventual #1 contender

[Mr H]

I don't think we'll have to wait that long for Punk v Lesnar, I reckon it'll happen at Summerslam. The booking is easy, both guys are red hot, the WWE need a big summer fued for Lesnar and it's staring them right in the face. I don't think they'll be able to resist pulling the trigger on it.  

As for this Sunday I actually fully expect Punk v Jericho to happen but with a screwy finish. I think Jericho will win with Heyman's help, turn heel, Heyman will hold up Jericho's hand over a fallen Punk = massive heat. Next night on Raw Heyman introduces us to the Best in the World, the newest Paul Heyman guy - Chris Jericho. Heyman says Punk walked out on him, that he lost to Rock, Cena & Taker and he isn't the Best in the World anymore.

Shazam, Punk face turn. Punk beats Jericho at the next PPV, goes after Heyman, Brock helps Heyman, Brock v Punk at Summerslam.

[Dr Gregory House MD]

Just to say for Mr H, no 3 stages of hell match has ever featured a Cell match let alone ended in one.

First couple had cage matches in them somewhere but that was it.

Your pedantic friend

Greg

[Mr H]

By the way I f**king hate my new username! Hero you swine!

[Mr H]

Just to say for Mr H, no 3 stages of hell match has ever featured a Cell match let alone ended in one.

First couple had cage matches in them somewhere but that was it.

Your pedantic friend

Greg

Oooh you little jobs worth you! Cage/Cell, same difference!

My three stages of hell would be 1) Last Man Standing 2) I Quit 3) Hell in a Cell

[Dr Gregory House MD]

Personally I don't think LMS would work well as an opener, once you've beaten your opponent to the point where they can't stand for 10, where do you go?

Same with the I Quit, those 2 matches suggest total incapacity as a result, to follow them back to back would undercut the matches for me, same with finishing in a cell, though WWE has not treated it as such over the past few years, it is for me the ultimate gimmick and shouldn't play 3rd fiddle to two other gimmicks.

For me HHH & HBK got it about right in 02, street fight, cage and ladder, a fight and 2 iconic gimmick matches that you could lose and still believably be just about up for the next round.

Personally I'm ok with the stages chosen for Cena vs Ryback, Ryback has done well to build up the tables and Ambulance portion, and ok the lumberjack it is pretty crap, probably would have been better as a streetfight/FCA, but my major misgivings with this match aren't so much down to the stages more that I think it will be drawn out and not very good.

[Mr H]

I agree to a degree Dr G (there’s a rap song in there somewhere), but for me Three Stages of Hell should be just that – hell. A Lumberjack Match and Tables Match aren’t hell. I can see why you’d have reservations about an LMS match opening but I think it could be quite iconic. The commentators putting over how could the competitors carry on after such a brutal opener and follow it up with an I Quit Match? Both guys involved would come out of it looking like beasts for enduring such hell. I don’t think coming out of a Lumberjack and Tables match really does a lot for someones stock.

By the way the 3 stages I suggested would not involve Cena or Ryback, it’d have to be a much bigger and better fued to make it worthy.

[Dr Gregory House MD]

I can see where you're coming from, and I agree LMS, I Quit and HIAC does sound on paper like the 3 most hell-ish matches you could combine, but I just can't see it working that well in practice, I get that it would probably be a real status enhancer for whoever wins, but I don't think the match would pace very well at all, by the time they got to HIAC, they would both just be rolling around on the floor selling.

On a seperate argument, I get how Ryback vs Cena isn't the most hell-ish 3SoH of all time, but to WWE's credit at least they've built up and given a reason for the table and ambulance falls, I agree though the lumberjack on is just stupid.

[Shot 21 LCFC]

Just to say for Mr H, no 3 stages of hell match has ever featured a Cell match let alone ended in one.

First couple had cage matches in them somewhere but that was it.

Your pedantic friend

Greg

Are you sure? Im certain the Triple H v Stone Cold match ended in a Hell In A Cell?? Could have been a cage though.

[Crimey]

Was a cage match.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100724101534AApW7Ew

[Shot 21 LCFC]

I think it was a great Raw. The only letdown for me was Fandango being injured. I really hope this doesnt ruin his push.

If CM Punk no shows Payback then I have an idea from outside the box on who would replace him - Big Show.

He is another person who was affiliated with Paul Heyman and when was the last time you saw him on TV? When he got chased away by Chris Jericho with a steel chair. If it happens, remember where you heard it first...

[Sara]

Oh God, I hope it isn't the Big Show....that would be so depressing.

[NickisBHAFC]

Yeah it could well be the Big Show. Great shout there shot.

[Sponsored content]