WWE Raw: AJ and Bryan Get Engaged, Punk and Cena Title Match Set for Next Week

The Monday, July 16th edition of WWE Raw, in its 999th episode, was live from Las Vegas in the aftermath of the Money in the Bank pay-per-view.  

CM Punk opened the show. Punk began to talk about what happened a year ago in Las Vegas when we went off on the WWE.

Punk reminded fans that he is now eight months into his championship run and is excited for next week's 1,000th Raw episode.

The Big Show interrupted and made his way to the ring, where he reminded Punk that he was inches away from winning the Money in the Bank match.

The crowd began to give the Big Show heat.

Punk fired back, stating the fact that the Big Show lost. The Big Show said Punk could knock him out, which would allow John Cena to cash in his briefcase and win back the WWE title. 

Match No. 1: Kofi Kingston and R-Truth versus Prime Time Darren Young and Titus O'Neil for the WWE Tag-Team Titles

Your winners to retain the titles, Kingston and R-Truth.

(My quick take: Pretty good opening match. No reason to change the title belts, so it was a good choice to keep it on Kingston and R-Truth.)

Match Rating: 3/5

AJ, Daniel Bryan and Eve Torress were backstage. 

Match No. 2: Zack Ryder versus Alberto Del Rio

Your winner, Del Rio.

After the match Rey Mysterio made his WWE return. Mysterio fought Del Rio in the ring and connected with a 6-1-9.

(Pretty much a squash match, which made Del Rio look strong coming off a loss. Mysterio's coming back was at a good time, and it seems a potential feud can come of it between him and Del Rio.)

Match Rating: 2.5/5

Match No. 3: Heath Slater versus Rikishi

Your winner, Rikishi.

(I feel very bad for Slater. He is the one chosen to lose every week to WWE legends. This was a complete squash match, but it was nice to see Rikishi back for one night.)

Match Rating: 2/5

Match No. 4: Eve and The Miz versus Daniel Bryan and AJ

Your winners, Bryan and AJ.

After the match Bryan admitted his love to AJ. He got down to a knee, with a ring in his hand, and proposed to her.

AJ, after thinking about her final decision, accepted.

(Decent tag action, but I was hoping for a longer match. AJ and Bryan's now being engaged brings new questions as to why she accepted. A marriage ceremony is set for next week's 1,000th Raw.)

Match Rating: 3/5

Vickie Guerrero, Dolph Ziggler and Chris Jericho

Jack Swagger came out to the ring for his anticipated match with Ryback. However, the bell did not sound, so this was not considered a match. 

Vickie Guerrero and Dolph Ziggler came out to the ring. Ziggler said everyone was looking at the next world heavyweight champion and that he will become the greatest.

Chris Jericho interrupted and made his way to join Ziggler and Guerrero. 

Ziggler told Jericho that this was his own time and questioned when Jericho last won a championship. He told Jericho that he is the best at losing matches. Ziggler continued to taunt Jericho.

Jericho responded by taking him out in the center of the ring.  

Match No. 5: Brodus Clay versus JTG

Your winner, Clay.

(This was a match used as filler before the main event. JTG got some good action in this short match.)

Match Rating: 2.5/5

Match No. 6: CM Punk versus the Big Show

Your winner via disqualification, the Big Show.

Afterward, John Cena came out with the briefcase in hand to chase away the Big Show. Cena took the microphone, and before he made his announcement, the Big Show tried to persuade him to cash in his chance.

Cena then announced that, next week, he will cash in his briefcase and challenge Punk for the title.

He then hit the Big Show with the briefcase as WWE Raw concluded.

(A solid main event that started a little slow but picked up nicely toward the second half.)

Match Rating: 3.5/5

(WWE did plenty to promote its 1,000th episode of Raw for next Monday. Overall, this 999th episode of Raw was a major improvement from last week's edition and put lots of hype going into next Monday night.)

Overall Raw Rating: 3/5