WrestlingNerd Presents: WWE Raw Review 6/18/12

What up wrestling fans, I'm the WrestlingNerd bringing you another written review. Today, we take a look at WWE Raw 6/18/12. After the events of No Way Out, how do things move forward? Let's find out and start the review. 

We open up the show with the guy from Long Island, Zack Ryder….

I'm just f***ing with you. We open up with Mick Foley. Yeah, like they would ever open up with Ryder. Foley informs us that for the next several weeks, former GMs will get to run Raw and Smackdown on an interim basis. This will keep going until the B.O.D makes a decision. That or whenever the script says they made a decision. So, former GMs will get to run the shows? Will we get to see Paul Heyman's SD? Mick allows John Laurinaitis to make his farewell address, but the audience is booing the hell out of Johnny. Roboinaitis is pissed off that robots aren't planted in the audience to cheer for him. Johnny is so pissed that he will save his farewell speech for later tonight. Johnny also says that before he was fired, he booked John Cena vs Big Show, David Otunga, and Johnny in a handicap match. Wait? How does that work? If Johnny or Cena were set to be fired, how can they sign off on something like that? I think it's a little soon for the WRESTLING LOGIC to arrive, but nothing I can do about that. The opening does address how things are going to be running since we don't have a current GM on both shows. Still, something about the idea of seeing Mike Adamle in a wrestling ring again is going to give me nightmares. 

Match #1: CM Punk and Sheamus vs Daniel Bryan and Kane

This was a decent match. It was given more time than I projected and it was a decent way to get the action portion of the show rolling. The finish comes when AJ runs out in a Kane get-up and skips around the ring. Kane watches this, so he's obviously thinking with his Red Pitchfork once again. For some reason, I thought AJ looked more like Harley Quinn as opposed to Kane. The only thing missing was the makeup. As Kane is distracted, this allows Punk and Sheamus to hit the GTS and Brogue Kick on Bryan. Daniel got comboed!!! I found out why Kane was upset. Apparently, Kane bought that outfit for AJ and he doesn't appreciate her showing the entire world what he was doing to her last night. Yeah, so Kane's not in a good mood after that. Maybe Kane was able to buy himself a two-night stand with AJ? I guess we will find out since it seems Kane will remain in this storyline for a while. 

Winner via pinfall: CM Punk and Sheamus

In a backstage scene, Dolph Ziggler and Biff Swagger are arguing over the size of their d***s, while Vickie Guerrero interrupts. Girls, girls, you're both pretty. She's tired of them competing against each other, so they are put in a match against each other. The winner gets to shower with Vickie and wins her affection. What, what happened to those managerial services? Johnny, Otunga, and Big Show are in a separate backstage scene. They are laughing at they fact they will embarrass Cena tonight. Yeah, because that went so well last night. Maybe it was a good idea that Johnny lost his power. He's got more gears loose than Bender, but Bender can still be cool after that. 

Match #2: Dolph Ziggler vs Jack Swagger

Swagger was mostly targeting Dolph's knee during this match. It wasn't a long match, but it was decent. The finish comes when Dolph gets out of the Ankle Lock and is able to hit the Zig Zag for the victory. After the match, Dolph and Vickie kiss in the ring. I can see some people being upset with this. Mainly because Dolph is good enough to go out on his own, while Swagger being on his own does nothing for him. That's probably true. I would like to eventually see Dolph go out on his own, but I'm okay with this approach. Now, let's make like a tree and get out of here. 

Winner via pinfall: Dolph Ziggler

Paul Heyman arrives to address Triple H's idea. Paul says NO to dropping the lawsuit and NO to the SummerSlam match. I would like to see a promo battle between Paul and Bryan someday. Paul is getting ready to leave, but Trips interrupts. Trips wants to hear from Brock's words that he declines the match. Trips tries to tempt Brock by putting his face on the SummerSlam poster……$14.95+ shipping and handling. Anyway, Paul and Trips have a disagreement in Brock having an ego or not. Yeah, do you really want me to answer that question? Paul starts to go on a rant in how Trips used to be a fighter, but he's becoming more like a businessman every single day. Umm, did we forget that Trips and Undertaker beat the crap out of each other at WM 28? Yeah, that would be more of that logic……in the wrestling variety. As Paul continues to taunt Trips, the Game gets angry and grabs Paul. He's about to attack Pauly, but he eventually let him go. Paul starts to laugh and brag about how he knows what Trips is gonna do. Is Paul MewTwo?Trips finally punches him and says he still wants Brock at SS. I'm kinda looking forward to seeing this unfold and how the match between Trips and Brock will turn out. I think it can be a lot of fun. Plus, it's great seeing Pauly being the voice of Brock. No offense to Brock, but promos is not his strong suit. 

Match #3: Alberto Del Rio vs Santino

Del Rio locks in the Cross Armbreaker for the submission victory. Yeah, Santino is the greeeeeeeatest US Champion eveeeeer!!! Seriously, they need to get the title off of him. After the match, Ricardo Rodriguez lands a cheap shot on Santino. This match gets two Del Rio underwear out of ten. 

Winner via submission: Alberto Del Rio

We are back in the ring with Cyndi Lauper, Wendi Richter, and Layla. She's talking about the Rock and Wrestling connection back in the day. Heath Slater comes out and sings. I think we finally found someone that sings worse than William Hung….or 80% of rappers. I'm sorry if you're a fan of rap, but I couldn't resist. "Rowdy" Roddy Piper comes out and tells Slater to f*** off and talks about the old days of Captain Lou Albano and how Cyndi did so much more for this business than people realize. He gives Cyndi a golden record as an apology for smashing it over the Captain, but she would us it on Slater's skull. Hey, that costed Piper like $20…..what a waste of money!!! I know people cringe at this segment, but I think some people don't realize that Cyndi played a big roll in pro wrestling going mainstream. Heck, you can possibly make the argument that WM was inspired by the Rock and Wrestling connection. I don't have a problem with paying a little bit of homage to the people who helped this business rise to the top. With that said, look for the internet to do nothing but complain about this spot. I will admit that the segment didn't do anything for anybody, but it wasn't designed to. Either that or this is Slater's new gimmick of getting crushed by former wrestlers. He's 2 for 2. I'm glad they showed some respect to the Captain. In honor of the Captain, there's only one dance we can do……Let's do the Mario….

May you rest in peace, Lou. 

Match #4: Prime Time Players vs Primo and Epico

AW comes out with his new crew, the Prime Time Players. This was a short match. Just as Primo and Epico were about to suicide dive on PTP, AW protects his clients and they walk out of the match. What? A storyline in the tag team division? Who are you and what have you done to the WWE? In all seriousness, I'm just glad to see some type of program in the tag division. It may not last long, but it would be cool to watch. 

Winner via countout: Primo and Epico

Match #5: John Cena vs David Otunga and John Roboinaitis; Handicap match

You're probably wondering what happened to the Big Show. Well, there's a reason for that. As Johnny is talking about how people will regret the end of People Power. I'll miss you, People Power Scooter……I'll miss you the most. Show comes out and says he's moving on to bigger and better things. In other words, the robot is screwed. This match goes about the way you would expect. Cena destroys both Otunga and Johnny. There was a few moments where Cena had to fight back, but he was pretty much in control of this entire thing. The finish comes when Cena hits three AAs on Johnny and follows it up with the STF for the submission victory. Teddy Long was watching this match at ringside and was enjoying it. It was one of those main events designed to give the casual fans what they wanted in Johnny getting destroyed…..again. It wasn't a good match, but it also wasn't designed to look good. Still, I was kinda hoping for something else. I'm not sure what I mean by that. I think I'm referring to a surprise or a return of some kind. That didn't happen, so I can understand why people are upset by this. If you hate Johnny, you might get an enjoyment out of this. Now that Roboinaitis has failed to take over the world, I guess Metal Sonic can always give that another shot. 

Winner via submission: John Cena

Overall Impression:

This show is gonna get a mixed response, no matter what I say. It wasn't a great show, but I don't think it was a terrible show either. I did enjoy the first half of this show, but the second half did struggle a bit. I think the show did fall apart after the Trips/Heyman segment. This isn't the best show to witness after a pretty disappointing PPV. Still, I was able to enjoy a couple of segments here and there. The first two matches were pretty decent, but I think most people were expecting something in terms of a new storylines. That's where tonight's show fell short. Still, there's some decent stuff to witness at the end of the day, but this is definitely a show you can pass on. That's gonna do it for the review and I hope you enjoyed. 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.