WWE Raw: John Laurinaitis' Position in Jeopardy, Big Show Fired and More

WWE Monday Night Raw opened with Triple H arriving and John Laurinaitis stopping him. The Game had his support, but Triple H declared that he’d do his talking in the ring.

In the ring, Triple H felt offended by Brock Lesnar claiming to bring legitimacy back to the WWE and that it’s offensive to guys like the Undertaker, Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair and many others. He went over how Lesnar tended to quit when something got hard and that brought out Paul Heyman, who stated that they were suing the WWE for the millions owed to Lesnar.

I thought this was a decent way to open the show. I felt that Triple H kind of dragged out what he was saying and it took him way too long to get to his point. When Heyman came out I was hoping for a back-and-forth between them, but that unfortunately didn’t happen.

The whole “lawsuit” could have been seen from a mile away, but if it keeps Paul Heyman on television then I’m fine with it. I just hope that the build to the eventual Lesnar vs. Triple H match won’t be too predictable.

CM Punk and Santino Marella vs. Daniel Bryan and Cody Rhodes

The faces picked up the victory after Punk hit the GTS on Rhodes. This was the typical WWE tag match with the faces controlling before the commercial, the heels in control afterwards and the hot tag changing everything. I did enjoy it, though.

It was great to see Punk and Rhodes interacting in the ring, and it makes me want a feud to happen between them sometime in the near future. Bryan didn’t do much except for working over Santino, but I like that he and Punk were kept away from each other for the most part. Their war should be saved for the big match!

Santino seemed out of place here, especially when he did a few comedy spots. There weren't many but, they were noticeable. He played the “face in peril” very well, though. With the apparent feud between Santino and Rhodes over whose title is more important, perhaps it will lead to the two titles being unified.

Beth Phoenix vs. Alicia Fox

Phoenix won the match with the Glam Slam. Its matches like this that makes me care even less about the division. I’m hoping that Phoenix and Layla are given some proper time at Over the Limit, as I think they could have a good match. A good Divas match would restore some faith in the division, but I won’t get my hopes up.

The Big Show vs. Kane

Kane won the match with a Chokeslam after John Laurinaitis demanded his apology in the middle of the match. I thought the match itself was slow and kind of boring. I’ve seen these two face each other too many times to really care anymore.

The return of Kane’s mask was a bad idea. I figured it would rejuvenate his career but he’s back exactly where he was before he returned in December.

After the match, Laurinaitis once again demanded an apology for last week. Big Show went over his career and how much he loved his job. He apologized but Big Johnny wanted him to get down on his knees.

Big Show eventually did, but Laurinaitis fired him anyway.

This segment ran so long! There was no need for it to be as long as it was and it started to become boring. I almost fell asleep towards the end.

The Big Show obviously isn’t gone from WWE, and I have a feeling that he’ll be returning in a big way.

Brodus Clay, Kofi Kingston and R-Truth vs. the Miz, Dolph Ziggler and Jack Swagger

The faces picked up the victory here when Brodus hit the big splash on the Miz after Kingston connected with a Trouble in Paradise. This was a decent match that included some fun spots, but I was overall bored with it.

The Tag Team Championship feud, assuming it continues after Over the Limit, could be a good one. Nothing much has happened in it so far but if WWE gives it another month, it will be a feud that could help rejuvenate the division.

As for the Brodus/Miz feud, is the Miz being punished for something? It seems like he’s being punished for some reason. He went from WWE champion in 2011 to Funkasaurus chow in 2012. The once “most must-see WWE superstar in history” has fallen disturbingly far. He needs a career boost and quick!

Backstage, CM Punk was making fun of the Yes Lock with Alex Riley when A.J. appeared out of nowhere. She wished Punk luck on Sunday, but the champion declared that he didn’t want to get in the middle of her situation with Daniel Bryan.

I really like this new crazy A.J. Love-sick A.J. was getting boring and it was time for a change. The change they made was certainly for the better. She obviously still loves Bryan, though, but now she’s trying to get close to Punk. Is she looking to make Bryan jealous? Could she try to manipulate Punk at Over the Limit to get Bryan’s attention?

Only time will tell I suppose.

Chris Jericho vs. Randy Orton

Jericho won via disqualification when Sheamus clotheslined him outside the ring after Y2J threw Orton at him. I thought this was a good match that saw some nice back and forth action. Jericho and Orton work well together in the ring and it showed here. I was hoping that these two would enter into a feud before Jericho left again, and it looks like that may happen.

As for the finish of the match, I like it. Neither superstar looks weak heading into SmackDown, and I suspect it’ll stay that way come Over the Limit.

Three of the four competitors look like equals as the PPV approaches, and that makes it seem like either of them could win the match.

Then there’s Alberto Del Rio. He got dismantled last Friday and didn’t even appear on Raw. The chances of him winning are slim to none.

At the end when Laurinaitis was about to make his big announcement, Eve came out with a letter from the board of directors. Cena read it for the fans and it stated that there would be no special referees for their match and if anyone interfered they would be fired on the spot.

They also stated that if Laurinaitis lost, he’d be fired. Big Johnny then slapped Cena to end the segment.

This was quite the segment here. John Cena was very entertaining and John Laurinaitis was put in his place for the first time since he became the general manager of both shows. The stipulation by the board of directors brings up a lot of possibilities, though.

There are the simple ones like Cena destroying Laurinaitis or Johnny Ace pulling an upset. Then there are ones a bit more complicated. If you interfere you’re fired? Well, there are two superstars who are no longer “employed” by WWE. That little loophole could see Big Show or even Brock Lesnar jump the barricade and attack one of the John’s.

Overall I thought this episode of Monday Night Raw was a decent one. There were a few enjoyable matches and the final segment was great. On the other hand, I thought that the episode didn’t flow too well. Everything just kind of seemed to appear with no real transition between most of the segments.

Over the Limit received some very good build, though, and this show got me excited for the PPV.