WrestlingNerd Presents: WWE Raw Review 6/11/12 (You're Fired.......maybe)

What up wrestling fans, I'm the WrestlingNerd bringing you another written review. Today, we take a look at WWE Raw 6/11/12. With No Way Out set for this Sunday, how can they build up the PPV? Let's find out and start the review. 

We open up the show with John Laurinaitis. As soon as Johnny speaks, Vince McMahon interrupts. Its been a while since we've seen that power walk. It feels like old times. And through some irony, WWE is approaching 100 episodes. Apparently, they went backwards. Johnny pleads his case for wanting to keep his job. Vince says Johnny has made some terrible moves during his tenure. Hell, Vince even claims that Johnny signing Big Show to a big contract was a horrible investment, but not before Johnny chews up another 4-5 sentences. Maybe he should've jotted down some notes on his sleeve? That couldn't hurt. Sheamus interrupts and claims that Johnny is a friend for fining people a $250 thousand dollars. Hey, he's got to fuel that People Power Scooter somehow. Sheamus claims that Johnny Five is the worst GM ever. Well, what about Mike Adamle? Vince cuts off Johnny and tells him if he doesn't deliver a good show…..

Vince still does it the best. Donald Trump has nothing on the way Vince says it. The segment ends with Vince riding away on the People Power Scooter, but not before driving it off the ramp. PEOPLE POWER SCOOTER!!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! I actually enjoyed the opening to the show, but it was mostly because of Vince's comebacks. 

Match #1: Sheamus vs Tensai

We find out that Alberto Del Rio sustained a concussion against Great Khali on Smackdown last week. Because of the concussion, Del Rio will not be able to compete at the PPV. We find out later that a Fatal 4Way Elimination Style match will occur to determine the new #1 Contender to the WHC. This was an okay match. The finish comes when Sheamus hits the Brogue Kick on Tensai for the clean victory. So, how much longer until Tensai is Gone-sai? After a commercial break, Tensai attacks Sakamoto for his failures. Sakamoto is probably the only reason to pay attention to Tensai, but what would I know. 

Winner via pinfall: Sheamus

In a backstage scene, Teddy Long suggest a Fatal 4Way match for the WHC. It will be Dolph Ziggler vs Jack Swagger vs Khali vs Christian later tonight. Silly Vince. Johnny doesn't have small hands. He has robot hands. Still, that was hilarious line by Vince. In another backstage scene, R-Truth says Little Jimmy was scared of Show's attack a few weeks back. Truth is about to say the truth, but not until Show decks his lights out. What's the truth? WHAT'S THE TRUTH? Great, now we'll never know. 

Match #2: Santino and Layla vs Ricardo Rodriguez and Beth Phoenix; Mixed Tag match

Del Rio may be out for a while, but at least Ricardo's still around. Ricardo doesn't want to get in the match, but he seems interested in fighting Layla. At least he has good taste……FORESHADOWING!!! The finish comes when Beth hits the Glam Slam for the victory. So, I guess Beth will be getting another Divas Championship match? Like I've said for months, I kinda gave up on what WWE does with the diva division, so I don't care anymore. After the match, Ricardo celebrates since he was on the winning team. He's dancing around and gloating about the victory, but that forces Santino to rip Ricardo's shirt. Ricardo is wearing a Justin Bieber T-shirt. I'm serious about Ricardo having his own TV show. He's the funniest guy right now. 

Winner via girly T-shirt: Ricardo Rodriguez and Beth Phoenix

We are back in the ring. Daniel Bryan cuts a promo about his match this Sunday. He claims that CM Punk and Kane are both distracted by AJ and that will be their downfall. Despite AJ playing games with Punk and Kane, Bryan knows that AJ still has feelings for him. Why? Because once you go Bryan, there's no point in trying. I gotta admit. That was a good one-liner. Punk interrupts Bryan's speech and says AJ is a cool chick and Bryan is completely out of his mind. Wait? Bryan says no?

Bryan goes on a speech in how Punk has changed, but Punk says otherwise. I would like to add that the promo exchange between Punk and Bryan was good. It was probably one of the better Punk promos I've heard as of late. Since the Indy boys got a chance to speak, time for Mr. Majora's Mask to arrive and say why he's gonna win this Sunday. AJ finally shows up and has a few things to say. She looked into Kane's eyes and thinks he has a heart. I'm getting Digimon flashbacks for some reason. Either that or she looked at old tapes of Kane trying to hook up with Lita. She admits that she still isn't over Bryan, but Punk is the coolest guy she's ever met. She says the best man will win at No Way Out. Johnny gets on the titantron and makes a match for tonight. It will be Bryan and Kane vs Punk and AJ. Yeah, that sounds fair. Then again, she's crazy so she might have the edge. 

Match #3: Christian vs Dolph Ziggler vs Jack Swagger vs Khali; Fatal 4Way Elimination Match for WHC title shot

Hmm….I get the feeling that I've seen Christian within a 24-hour period, but I can't quite put my finger on it. Within minutes, the three guys take out Khali. Once Khali was eliminated, it became a pretty good match. I really liked this match. Christian hit the Killswitch on Biff Tannen, but Dolph jumps in the ring to make the cover. We are down to Christian and Dolph. The match between Christian and Dolph is what really made this match excel. The finish comes when Dolph hits the Zig Zag for the victory. That means it will be Sheamus vs Dolph at the PPV. With the four people involved, this was the best way to go. Part of me is hoping that Dolph will be able to claim the title on Sunday. He's mostly there as a replacement and nothing more, but I think it would be a great change of pace to have Dolph take the title on Sunday. I guess we will wait and see. 

Winner and NEW #1 Contender to WHC: Dolph Ziggler

Vince is having a conservation with Natalya about the Hart family. Once they leave, Brodus' dancers arrive and they dance with Vince. Once the dancing is over, Zack Ryder is shocked with what he just saw. That's okay, but I would've added a different cameo….

Match #4: Ryback vs jobbers from the hood

The jobbers were named Willard Fillmore and Rutherford Hayes. Rutherford Hayes? What kind of a name is that? Well, at least they are being creative with the names this time around. Regardless, I thought they were pretty amusing…..At least when you compare them to the people that get killed by Ryback. I like how one of the jobbers tried to run away after the first guy got killed. It makes you wonder why nobody else thought to do this. Unfortunately, he would get caught by Ryback and eventually join the slaughter. The finish comes when Ryback hits the double Muscle Buster for the victory. Feed me more…..cake!!!

Winner via massacre: Ryback

Did you notice that Vince is in almost every backstage scene tonight? Yeah, Vince doesn't have an ego at all. Anyway, Vince and Hornswoggle are doing bad impressions of Jim Ross, while David Otunga is trying to explain his case. In an earlier scene, he kissing Vince's ass, but it didn't amount to anything. Vince tells him that he doesn't like ass-kissers, but no offense to William Regal. IT'S REGAL!!! REGAL!!! WILLIAM F***ING REGAL!!! Okay, I'm done. 

Match #5: Big Show vs Kofi Kingston; Steel Cage match

Kofi demanded for this match since Show took out Truth earlier tonight. Yeah, that's a good thinking. What's next? Truth going to go skydiving with a parachute, so Kofi can do the same thing? What kind of thought process is that? Then again, I understand what they are doing here. Show pretty much kills Kofi in this match. The finish comes when Show hits the KO punch on Kofi. He walks out of the ring in the slowest way possible and he wins the match by escaping the cage. It makes people wonder if this will be the same fate for John Cena. Please. You can throw Cena out in a nuclear explosion and the guy would still find a way to kick out at two. 

Winner: Big Show

Match #6: Sin Cara vs Curt Hawkins

Sin Cara wins with La Mistica in another showcasing match. I guess Lord Zed hasn't figured out a way to defeat Mr. Red Ranger. 

Winner via pinfall: Sin Cara

Match #7: Heath Slater vs Vader

I liked the Vince/Bryan exchange backstage, but I can't help but think that there was some lost potential here. Then again, don't want to get the IWC too riled up. I also just realized that Vader is in the ring. You remember Vader, right? Am I watching WWE or an old episode of Boy Meets World? What's this Vader doing in my 2012 wrestling show? What the hell is going on here? Joking aside, it was a bit of a nostalgia moment to see Vader in that ring. The audience was very positive on Vader's appearance. I would comment on Vader's size, but the guy was always large. I can't even tell if he's slimmer then or now. Anyway, Vader takes out Slater with the Vader Bomb. It's time, alright. Time to check on that calendar. Seriously, did we hit a time stream? 

Winner via time machine: Vader

Match #8: CM Punk and AJ vs Daniel Bryan and Kane

Oh, I forgot to mention. It will be Brodus vs Otunga in the No Way Out pre-show this Sunday. If that isn't a "must see" match, I don't know what is. This wasn't a great main event, but it also wasn't designed to look good. Keep in mind that the theme of tonight's show was Johnny's job status. AJ got herself tagged into this match and she's up against a corner against Kane. Only one thing to try……My little pony. She starts to skip around the ring while Kane watches. She jumps into Kane's arms and starts to kiss him…. 

Okay, what am I watching? That….that……THAT……that was something else. Hey, I think Kane has more than a heart, if you know what I'm saying? After that show of emotion, Kane tags in Bryan and walks away confused. Yeah, I think the 90% of the audience is confused as well. Punk gets back in the ring, but actually caught a little bit of the crazy lady/crazy monster action. Punk hits the Flying Elbow on Bryan for the victory. Yeah, that was clearly a rushed finish. I wasn't big on the finish, but I understand why that happened. Still, that probably wasn't the best decision, booking-wise. After the match, AJ sits in the ring Indian-style as Punk is confused, Kane is dumbfounded, Bryan is in denial, and I don't know what's going on. Yeah, you have to believe that AJ is going to play a major factor in the WWE title match this Sunday. I think that her and Bryan are secretly together and they are setting up both Punk and Kane, but that might be the cliche way to go. Still, it will be interesting to see what they do. 

Winner via crazy chick: CM Punk and AJ

It is time for the final segment of the night. Vince is in the ring and calls out Johnny. Johnny is not happy with what happened to the People Power Scooter. Oh PPS……you will be missed…

As Vince is about to fire Johnny, Show interrupts. Show says that Johnny isn't perfect, but the real blame in all of this is Vince himself. He says it was Vince that turned Show into a sideshow attraction. Even though the promo is a stretch, consider that Show has turned heel many times, I think he did a good job with the promo. It was good and I was impressed with the promo. Once Show threatens the fate of Cena, it's time for the superhero to make the rescue. Cena claims that Show only blames others for his misfortunes and should be blaming himself. He says that if he it blows it at the PPV, he's out of excuses. Vince makes the decision that if Show loses to Cena at the PPV, Johnny will be fired. Show and Cena start to get physical, but not before the security staff falls to the ground. Why does Vince pay these guys for? As soon as security is taken out, Johnny and Vince get in the middle of the Show/Cena business. Show goes for a KO punch on Cena, but ends up hitting Vince with the punch. The show ends with Show leaving the ring while Vince looks dead. Oh no, it's the limo explosion all over again. I kinda liked the way the show ended. There was some decent promo work to go around. They also added a stipulation for the Show/Cena match. Not sure if it adds more interest to hardcore wrestling fans, but it does give some people hope that Johnny might be fired……again. I feel like we did this before. 

Overall Impression:

I thought this was a pretty good episode of Raw. Now, while there wasn't a lot in terms of action, there was a couple of matches that stood out. What really helped the show was the promos/segments. There was some good segments for most of the night. I found myself mostly entertained with tonight's show. There was some moments that people aren't going to like. Yeah, the comedy and all the heavy emphasis on Vince might be tough for some people to enjoy, but I was enjoying these segments. Tonight's show was funny and I found that it added a lot of buildup for No Way Out. Going into tonight, the buildup for this PPV was missing something. I felt they addressed most of the key matches and I think it will help out the PPV in the long run. Now, I still think this PPV isn't one of those events that you must check out, but it will be interesting to see what they can do. I'm probably the minority on this, but I enjoyed tonight's Raw. If you didn't like it, there's certainly no problem with that. I always encourage people to disagree with me. Well, that's gonna do it for the review and I hope you enjoyed it. As always, tell me what you thought of my review or tonight's show. I will see you guys and girls on the next WrestlingNerd show. See you next time.