LAS VEGAS –Whilethe United States of America let freedom ring in celebration of IndependenceDay on Monday night, the WWE Universe around the globe was still reeling fromCM Punk’s controversial “declaration of independence” one week earlier. TheStraight Edge Superstar’s inflammatory words and unprofessional conduct on Rawresulted in a suspension that would essentially end his WWE career three weeksbefore his contract expiration – and his anticipated WWE Championship clashwith reigning titleholder John Cena at WWE Money in the Bank.
However, support for Punk’s reinstatement would ultimatelycome from an unlikely source: The Champ himself.
John Cena convincedMr. McMahon to reinstate CM Punk(WATCH |PHOTOS)
Following CM Punk’s inflammatory outburst the previous week, the WWEUniverse eagerly anticipated how WWE Chairman Mr. McMahon would respond on Raw,but few could have expected Punk’s actions to spark an emotionally chargedconfrontation between The Chairman and WWE Champion John Cena.
The Champ lauded The Second City Savior for speaking hismind, and criticized the strong-willed CEO – who famously went toe-to-toe withTed Turner and won – for being thin-skinned the previous week following Punk’srant against the company. However, it’s all about “calculated risks” with Mr.McMahon, who was quick to correct The Champ. He didn’t suspend Punk for hiswords; he suspended him because he doesn’t think Cena can beat him. As such,The Chairman didn’t want to risk Punk leaving WWE with its grandest prize inhis possession.
Questioning what the WWE Championship stands for in light ofMr. McMahon’s refusal to lift Punk’s suspension, Cena handed the title to theWWE CEO and turned his back on the boss. Irate, Mr. McMahon reluctantly agreedto reinstate The Straight Edge Superstar, under a single condition: If CM Punkleaves Chicago with the WWE Title, The Chairman will fire Cena personally inthe middle of the ring.
Alex Riley def. TheMiz; Miz assaulted his former protégé(WATCH |PHOTOS)
For Alex Riley, Independence Day likely takes on a whole new meaning thisyear following his liberation from his overbearing former employer, The Miz.Holding multiple victories over The Awesome One since their falling out –including an impressive win at Capitol Punishment in our nation’s capital,Washington, D.C. – A-Ry added to his accolades by decisively pinning his formermentor once again.
Never quite graceful in defeat, The Miz erupted after the match, sending his former apprentice into andover the ringside barricade before throwing him into the steel steps and ontothe announce table. Putting a sickening exclamation point on the attack, afrustrated Miz stunned Riley with a boot to the face, leaving his season twoNXT Rookie in a heap on the floor.
Vickie Guerrero threw U.S. Champion Dolph Ziggler a “birthday”party
(WATCH |PHOTOS)
Independence Day is a celebration of America’s birth, so it stands to reasonthat it should also be considered the birthday of United States Champion DolphZiggler, right? Well, in the Dolph-centric mind of Vickie Guerrero, this allmakes perfect sense.
After presenting the blond braggart with a star-spangledbirthday cake, Vickie urged the Las Vegas crowd to join her in screeching“Happy Birthday” to Ziggler, who proceeded to inform the WWE Universe of howlucky they are to be in the presence of “the greatest sports-entertainer in thehistory of WWEin his prime.”
Vickie and her business associate continued theircelebration of all things Ziggler, but they hadn’t counted on Kofi Kingstoncrashing the party, who reminded his longtime nemesis that he will never beable to beat him in a fair fight without WWE’s resident cougar in his corner. Abrawl between Ziggler and The Dreadlocked Dynamo ensued, which left Vickiefalling right into Ziggler’s “birthday” cake – twice. Covered in frosting, anashamed Vickie strode up the entrance ramp, knowing she’d gotten her justdesserts.
Alberto Del Rio def.Rey Mysterio and R-Truth to become the new No. 1 contender(WATCH |PHOTOS)
Alberto Del Rio believes he is destined for championship glory … but wealready know that. Nevertheless, The Mexican Aristocrat had his work cut outfor him in a Triple Threat Match against R-Truth and Rey Mysterio to determinethe No. 1 contender to John Cena’s WWE Title.
Although all three of these ring warriors were scheduled tocompete in the Raw Money in the Bank Ladder Match on July 17, a victory in thisbout would allow them to bypass that harrowing, high-risk encounter.
At the end of an incredible match that pushedall three of these Superstars to their limits, The Ultimate Underdog seemed tohave sealed a victory after nailing Truth with a 619 followed by a frog splash.However, as Mysterio had the conspiracy theorist pinned, the moneyed Mexicanpounced, locking in the cross armbreaker on the surprised Master of the 619. AsDel Rio seemed to nearly wrench Mysterio’s arm out of its socket, the maskedSuperstar had no choice but to tap out, earning The Mexican Aristocrat a No. 1contendership.
Jack Swagger def.Sgt. Slaughter, Evan Bourne retaliated(WATCH |PHOTOS)
A Fourth of July edition of Monday Night Raw just wouldn’t be complete withouta visit from WWE Hall of Famer Sgt. Slaughter, who aimed to teach All-AmericanAmerican Jack Swagger about what it means to be an true patriot.
Unfortunately, even after taking this “maggot” to boot camp,fueled by “U.S.A.” chants echoing throughout the arena, Sarge suffered defeatafter the former World Heavyweight Champion landed his signature splash. Notcontent with merely humbling Slaughter, Swagger trapped the veteran in hisexcruciating ankle lock. As Slaughter vigorously tapped the mat, it was EvanBourne who swooped in to save the WWE Legend and send his Raw Money in the BankLadder Match opponent staggering back to the locker room. Then, Slaughter led“Air” Bourne and the entire WWE Universe in a proud recitation of the Pledge ofAllegiance. A-ten-hut!
WWE Tag TeamChampions David Otunga & Michael McGillicutty def. Santino Marella & VladimirKozlov(WATCH |PHOTOS)
Their leader might be leaving WWE, but The New Nexus stands strong. Withthe coveted WWE Tag Team Titles clasped around their waists, David Otunga &Michael McGillicutty entered the ring with fire in their eyes as they preparedto battle former titleholders Santino Marella & Vladimir Kozlov.
Otunga ultimately fell victim to Santino’s dreadedCobra, but it was McGillicutty who sent the international oddballs packing.Speaking of oddballs, The New Nexus’ victory celebration was cut short by LongIsland Iced Z himself, Zack Ryder. The self-proclaimed “Internet Champion” leftOtunga & McGillicutty with a cryptic warning as only he can deliver: “Woowoo woo, you know it.” Just what are they supposed to know?
Divas ChampionKelly Kelly & Eve def. The Bella Twins(WATCH |PHOTOS)
When will Nikki & Brie learn? One week after a double-team attack onKelly Kelly was thwarted by the Divas Champion’s friend Eve, the devious duo’sarrogance once again got the better of them, this time in tag team actionagainst both of these gorgeous and powerful competitors. For the third straightweek, Kelly Kelly demystified the Bellas’ “Twin Magic,” getting the pin following a K2 Legdrop.
WWE Champion JohnCena defended CM Punk, called out WWE Chairman Mr. McMahon
(WATCH |PHOTOS)
John Cena might not have agreed with what CM Punk had to say about him oneweek prior on Monday Night Raw, but he’ll do whatever it takes to defend hisright to say it. On the day the United States of America annually celebratesits freedoms, including the Freedom of Speech, The Champ vehemently criticizedthe WWE Chairman’s decision to suspend The Second City Savior and strip him ofhis scheduled WWE Title opportunity in two weeks at WWE Money in the Bank,emanating from Punk’s hometown of Chicago. After all, if Punk is unable tospeak his mind, where does the censorship end?
Cena had it on good authority that Mr. McMahon would be inthe building later in the night, and demanded that The Chairman meet himface-to-face to explain Punk’s exile. Also later that night, with Cena’s WWEChampionship opponent on July 17 in question, Rey Mysterio, R-Truth and AlbertoDel Rio would collide in a No. 1 Contender’s Match.
- Divas Champion Kelly Kelly & Eve def. The Bella Twins
- WWE Tag Team Champions David Otunga & Michael McGillicutty def. Santino Marella & Vladimir Kozlov
- Jack Swagger def. Sgt. Slaughter
- Alberto Del Rio def. Rey Mysterio and R-Truth in a No. 1 Contender's Triple Threat Match
- Alex Riley def. The Miz
Published onJune 30, 2011
