WWE News: Thoughts on Monday Night Raw as CM Punk Returns to Confront John Cena

This was the first night of the new Triple H regime, and I've got to say that I really enjoyed the show.

Under “The Game,” he gave us two WWE Title matches, a few returns and Zack Ryder in a match.

The WWE seems to be heading in a new direction, and I’m liking it so far. So here’s what happened on Raw.

Rey Mysterio vs. The Miz: WWE Title Match

Mysterio would pick up the win with a 619 and a top-rope splash to become the new WWE Champion.

Alberto Del Rio tried to cash in the briefcase but failed. Since the bell didn’t ring, though, it doesn’t count.

This was a good match with some back-and-forth action at times.

The Miz sometimes doesn’t get the credit he deserves. He’s quite good in the ring. He has proven that he can hang inside those ropes with a veteran like Rey Mysterio.

Mysterio has still got it, and I was glad to see him win his first WWE Title. Things are looking up for the masked man on the red brand, or so I thought.

Match rating: 3.5/5

Dolph Ziggler vs. Evan Bourne

Ziggler would pick up the win with a sleeper hold. This, too, was a good match. These two superstars work well together.

Dolph is proving to be a worthy holder of the U.S. Title as he takes on all comers, whether the title is on the line or not.

Even though he lost, I hope this is a sign of things to come for Bourne.

It’s about time he’s put into a title feud. Bourne doesn’t have to win the title. He needs to just be considered a contender to take that next step up.

Match rating: 3/5

Backstage, The Bellas are arguing with Eve over the whole twin magic thing.

Keith Stone is just standing there, and he decided to solve their problem.

With a marker, he proceeded to give Nikki a full tattoo sleeve.

The Bellas left, and I sat there shaking my head. How does beer factor into the PG thing?

Maryse and Melina vs. Kelly Kelly and Eve

The faces would pick up the win when Kelly hit the K2 on Melina.

This was your typical divas' match, with nothing special happening.

Eve continued to get no crowd reaction until she decided to get a cheap pop from the men by shaking her back side.

I was hoping that, with a fresh face as champion, the WWE was going to start giving more attention to its female performers.

Unfortunately, my hopes were crushed.  It’s the same old thing over and over again.

Match rating: 1.5/5

Triple H came out to the ring to give the state of the WWE address. 

He said we’re there because of Vince McMahon and said “thank you.”

He announced a second WWE Title match for later, as Mysterio was to defend his newly-won title against John Cena.

He then brought back Jim Ross to comment.

J.R. got one of the biggest pops of the night. Michael Cole was mad and refused to work with him, so Triple H gave him the night off from commenting and booked him in a match.

R-Truth made his way to the ring with his new imaginary friends and said Triple H has been a part of the conspiracy since day one.

Trips then announced the return of John Morrison, and Morrison took Truth out with Starship Pain.

This wasn’t so much a state of the WWE address as it was Triple H saying “Hey, it’s my first night in charge so I’m going to announce some stuff I know you’re going to pop for.”

I love the fact that J.R. is back. I hope that he stays and that Cole doesn’t come back from SmackDown.

It’s also great to see Morrison back. I just hope he’ll get the push he deserves.

The only thing I personally didn’t like about this was the announcement of a second title match, mostly because it was with John Cena.

Tonight was supposed to be about crowning a new champion. With what happened at the end of the show, though, I understand why they did it.

Michael Cole vs. Zack Ryder

Ryder would pick up the win by hitting the Rough Ryder on Cole, who was wearing Triple H’s gear. 

This was a really quick match. 

Even though I loved seeing Ryder on the main show it would have been nice to see him in a legit match. 

Maybe it’s a sign of things to come.

Match rating: 0.5/5

Alberto Del Rio vs. Kofi Kingston

Del Rio would pick up the win with his cross arm bar.

This was a good match. Both of these men are great workers inside the ring and work very well together.

I can see these two going at it at Summerslam, possibly with the briefcase on the line. Putting these two on a big stage with more time could really produce a great match.

Match rating: 3.5/5

Backstage The Miz is doing what he does best: complaining.

He complains about Cena getting a title shot and Triple H being in control.  He said this new WWE is a huge mistake. 

To a heel, it may be.  To the fans, things are looking up!

Rey Mysterio vs. John Cena: WWE Title Match

I was not surprised when John Cena became the new champion after an Attitude Adjustment.

Despite my disappointment in the outcome, this was a good match.

Cena held his own against Mysterio, though they don’t have much chemistry in the ring as opponents.

Mysterio has proven that he is one of the best in the business right now. The man had two matches in one night, and both of them were good.

Match rating: 3/5

My disappointment soon turned to intrigue as Living Colour’s “Cult of Personality” started to play.

I sat there and thought “who could this be?” CM Punk then appeared with his WWE Title to a huge crowd reaction.

Once in the ring, Cena held up his title to boos.  Punk held up his to blow the roof off the building to end Raw.

I now understand why they put the title back on Cena.

I suspect a unification match at Summerslam much like Shawn Michaels and Razor Ramon had for the Intercontinental Title at Wrestlemania.

Overall, this was a great episode of Raw.  The ending alone has gotten me excited for next week and Summerslam.

With the exception of the time-filling matches, all matches this week were quite good.

There was only one in-ring segment, and that segment was great.  I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed an entire episode of Raw.  Keep it up, WWE!

Overall Show: 3.5/5