WWE Raw: Live Play-by-Play Coverage (Monday, June 18, 2012)

Tonight, World Wrestling Entertainment presents Raw live on USA Network. Stick right here with Bleacher Report for the live play-by-play coverage of WWE Monday Night Raw.

WWE is advertising former general manager John Laurinaitis' farewell address, and Brock Lesnar's representatives will respond to Triple H's open challenge. 

WWE Raw, live from Long Island, New York, begins with their usual opening video package and fireworks. Announcers Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler hype up the show lineup. Mick Foley is then introduced to the ring to officially open Raw. 

Foley announced that he had received a phone call from the WWE Board of Directors and that they were looking for a new interim General Manager. Foley makes a tag team match for later tonight consisting of Kane and Daniel Bryan versus Sheamus and CM Punk. Foley goes ahead and introduces former GM Laurinaitis to the ring. 

Laurinaitis, to a choir of boos from the crowd, introduces himself. Laurinaitis says everyone booing him are extremely rude. He announces a main event handicap match. It will be John Cena versus Big Show, David Ortunga and himself before he officially leaves the GM position tonight. Suddenly, Sheamus comes out, stares down Laurinaitis, and heads to the ring. CM Punk then follows. Cole announces that Sheamus and Punk will square off against Kane and Bryan, as Raw heads into a commercial break. 

Sheamus and CM Punk versus Kane and Daniel Bryan

Your winners, Sheamus and CM Punk. AJ came out and jogged around the ring in a Kane mask. Kane was distracted and followed her up the entrance way. Overall, a pretty solid opening match for Raw, lasting over 10 minutes of action inside the ring. The crowd was also very into it as well, which added to the great atmosphere Raw has tonight.

Match Rating: 3.5/5

Back from commercial break, Jack Swagger and Dolph Ziggler are backstage. While Swagger and Ziggler are arguing, Vickie Guerrero says she will pick one of them to stick with her. She announces they will settle this in the ring. In another shot, Laurinaitis, Ortunga and Big Show discuss about tonight's handicap match against Cena. 

Dolph Ziggler versus Jack Swagger 

Your winner, Dolph Ziggler. After the match, Guerrero kissed Ziggler and walked out with him to the entrance way. A decent match, nothing special to report. 

Match Rating: 2.5/5

A video package of Triple H announcing in the ring he wants to fight Lesnar during No Way Out.

Back from commercial, Lesnar's music hits the arena but Paul Heyman is out to the ring. Heyman says Lesnar will not drop his lawsuit to the WWE and will not face Triple H at Summerslam. As soon as Heyman is about to leave the ring, Triple H arrives. Triple H says Heyman is a liar and he wants to hear it from Lesnar's voice. Triple H continues by saying Lesnar is all about his ego and will go down the guy scared of facing him. Heyman tells Triple H he sees what he will do, even a mile away. Triple H reaches back and knocks out Heyman. Triple H says Heyman better tell Lesnar to show up as Sumemrslam before leaving the ring. 

Alberto Del Rio versus Santino

Your winner, Alberto Del Rio. A squash match would be a good description of it. 

Match Rating: 2/5.

WWE Diva Layla introduces Cyndi Lauper to the ring. Heath Slater comes out and says everything happening in the ring is a train wreck. Slater begins to sing a solo performance in the ring. Surprisingly, Rowdy Piper interrupts Slater's performance. Piper takes control of the microphone and gives Lauper a gift. Slater goes back to singing but Rowdy distracts him. Lauper hits Slater over the head with the gift Piper gave her. 

Primo and Erico versus Titus O'Neil and Darren Young

Your winner via count out, Primo and Erico. What happened to the quality wrestling that showed in the first match? Very disappointing tag team feature. 

Match Rating: 1/5

Laurinaitis is the ring after a commercial break. He talks about his experience at No Way Out and says he believes the biggest loser in the match was the audience because they no longer have people power. He then introduces Ortunga to the ring. The Big Show follows.

After the commercial break, Big Show says he sees himself not competing in tonight's match and walks out.  

John Laurinaitis, David Ortunga versus John Cena

Your winner, John Cena. Ortunga also bailed on Laurinaitis during the match as he took off his protection gear and faked his injury.

Match Rating: 2.5/5

WWE Raw closes with Cena celebrating in the ring.