Complete Report Card and Analysis Following WWE Raw for August 12

The match between John Cena and Daniel Bryan at SummerSlam is about more than the WWE Championship.

It's about more than personal pride.

It's, very simply, about two visions of professional wrestling.

Daniel Bryan, just a few years ago, was the king of the independent wrestlers. Undersized at 5'8", skinny at 180 pounds and lacking the dynamic personality of his compatriot CM Punk, Bryan seemed destined to remain a big fish in a small pond. His work in the ring was second to none—but when it comes to making it in the WWE, what you can do in the ring isn't always the leading line of your curriculum vitae.

Whether it should be is at the heart of the issue between Bryan and Cena.

Bryan is the world's best wrestler. He's scraped and clawed his way to the main event with wrestling as his calling card. High flying, submissions, realistic strikes—Bryan does it all with a passion and attention to detail that few in modern wrestling history can match. When they talk about "wrestling being on the marque," they're talking about guys like Daniel Bryan.

Cena, of course, is the anti-Bryan. He was pushed to the top based entirely on his look and his clever way with words. That he's developed into a pretty good worker is a happy accident. It's not what brought him to the dance, and it's certainly not what has kept him there for nearly a decade.

He's the closest thing the WWE has had to Hulk Hogan since, well, Hulk Hogan. He may not ask kids to bow their heads and pop their Flintstones vitamins—but he might as well. He's the squeaky clean poster boy, the walking and breathing embodiment of sports entertainment.

Daniel Bryan will never win the war.

Vince McMahon has spent 30 years making sure his vision of sports entertainment triumphed over old-fashioned "rasslin." That's not about to change. But it sure would be fun to see Bryan win a battle, to score some points for the Eddie Guerreros, Rey Mysterios and Shawn Michaels of the world—the little guys who made it to the top with gumption, grace and unbelievable strength of will. 

Bryan is right when he says this is just another SummerSlam for Cena. One of dozens of major matches he's had in his career. For Bryan, and by proxy for us hardcore fans, this means much more. We could use a win. I hope we get one this Sunday.

Daniel Bryan vs. Wade Barrett

Result

Wade Barrett pinned Daniel Bryan with a roll up after a fast count by guest referee Brad Maddox.

Key Quotes

"A win would perhaps put Wade Barrett in the title hunt."—Michael Cole. Cute of him to pretend there is a rhyme or reason to WWE title shots.

"Yes, yes, yes!"—The crowd, as Bryan lands kick after kick.

"There is animosity between Daniel Bryan and John Cena. But it's about who is the better wrestler."—JBL

"Wade Barrett is better with a beard...the more you cover up, the better."—JBL

"Mr. McMahon has made it clear that he doesn't want Daniel Bryan or John Cena to be WWE champion."—Jerry Lawler.

Memorable Moments

Barrett throws Bryan into the ring steps. Ouch.

Maddox bails out of the ring before Bryan could get his revenge.

Grade

C+

Analysis

I understand that they want to get over the idea that Mr. McMahon is out to get Daniel Bryan. But couldn't they do the angle with Maddox after a solid 15-minute match? Bryan is over because he's the best wrestler in the world. I don't think a meaningless five-minute match on the go-home Raw is playing to his strengths.

Damien Sandow vs. Randy Orton

Result

Randy Orton pinned Sandow with the RKO after Rhodes distracted Damien by trying to steal his Money in the Bank briefcase.

Key Quotes

"Tacky as a wallet chain."—Cody Rhodes on Sandow's decision to lock up his new Money in the Bank briefcase.

"If you had told me three months ago I'd be competing with Damien Sandow, I'd have said you were crazy."—Rhodes.

"It looks like chocolate."—Rhodes on the new briefcase.

"I don't want to come off as a sore loser."—Rhodes. Too late.

"He's a scholar. I'm a Rhodes."—Cody

"Son of a son of a plumber."—JBL. Cody was really good here as the guys really grilled him hard.

"Take notes you little punk."—Sandow to Rhodes.

Memorable Moments

Orton dropkicks Sandow from the apron to the floor.

Sandow with a brutal headlock takedown. Cool-looking spot.

Grade

B

Analysis

The announcers really grilled Rhodes here, making him seem foolish for parting ways with Sandow. Isn't he supposed to be the babyface? Are all three announcers heels now? Rhodes handled himself well, however, actually adding to the commentary rather than just filling time until he inevitably interfered.

The match was paced well and never boring, but we've seen it before. Ad nauseum. Nothing really stood out—it was just two segments of filler while we waited for the Sandow-Rhodes angle to play out.

Great Khali/Natalya vs. Big E/AJ Lee

Result

Natalya makes AJ Lee tap to the Sharpshooter. Twice.

Key Quotes

"I can't believe the manager at Keebler let Hornswaggle off tonight."—Lawler, cracking himself up.

"You've still got it, King."—Cole.

"Dolph needed me, but I never needed him."—"Big" E Langston

Memorable Moments

The grin on AJ's face after she slapped Khali.

Grade

C-

Analysis

I love the new "AJ Lee: technical wrestler" character. She's apparently mastered it between developing her nefarious schemes. I'm not sure what the point of that match was, though.

I guess Total Divas! has given Natalya a new lease on life, and it is building her for a program down the line. Good for her. But it doesn't really do much to build the match at SummerSlam.

Vince McMahon/Brad Maddox/Triple H Interview

Result

Before Mr. McMahon can make Brad Maddox the guest referee at SummerSlam, Triple H takes the job for himself.

Key Quotes

"What does Mr. McMahon want?"—Lawler.

"He doesn't seem to know."—Cole. Watch yourself, Cole.

"Daniel Bryan matches tend to get a little out of hand...I thought the WWE Universe would appreciate an authority figure with the guts to make the right decision."—Brad Maddox explaining his previous fast count.

"I would like a second chance...I would like to be the official for the match at SummerSlam between Daniel Bryan and John Cena."—Maddox.

"Would you stop calling Daniel Bryan names like troll and dwarf?"—Vince McMahon.

"You'd be impartial?... You'd cross your heart?... Scout's honor?"—Vince McMahon.

"Please do not feed this man's ego."—Vince to the crowd, urging them to stop cheering Triple H.

"It seems an awful lot like you're referring to me."—Triple H, putting his hat in the ring to be the guest ref at SummerSlam.

Memorable Moments

Triple H pedigrees Brad Maddox.

Grade

B-

Analysis

Wrestling gods, hear my prayers—please let Daniel Bryan and John Cena have a great match before all the McMahon drama begins. Somebody is getting screwed at SummerSlam. Will it be John Cena? Daniel Bryan? The fans?

Their match is going to be the canvas for "sports entertainment." Hopefully, we see it painted with some great wrestling first.

Kane vs. Titus O'Neil

Result

Kane pins Titus O'Neil with a chokeslam.

Key Quotes

"I don't think he'll be laughing on Sunday."—Lawler on Bray Wyatt, who has to wrestle Kane on Sunday.

"I don't get half of this."—Lawler.

"Half?"—JBL.

Memorable Moments

The lights go out as the Wyatt Family appears in the building.

Grade

C+

Analysis

Wow, WWE was in quite a rush Monday night. Poor Titus, seemingly just a push away from potential stardom, got nothing at all in his match with Kane. This wasn't a "glorified squash." It was just a plain old squash match, all to set up the Wyatt Family's entrance.

I'm still "in" on the Wyatt Family. If WWE sells the Bray Wyatt XXXL Hawaiian shirt, I'll take two. But this was a "nothing" segment, meaning it did nothing but waste my time.

Alberto Del Rio vs. Kofi Kingston

Result

Del Rio makes Kingston tap out to the cross armbreaker.

Key Quotes

"Is his mind on Christian?"—Cole on Del Rio. Yes, it's 2013.

"If you want to talk about fine young men, let's talk about Kofi."—Cole. Umm...

Memorable Moments

Del Rio's stiff kick to Kingston as he hung in the tree of woe.

Del Rio hits a reverse superplex.

Grade

B

Analysis

Del Rio looked fantastic, but Kofi didn't quite hold up his end. Maybe the impact from the reverse superplex rung his bell a bit? Kingston hit the mat hard, sounding just like a cantaloupe after Gallagher gets a hold of it. He was just a little off and it kept this match from really stealing the show.

But Del Rio is wrestling mean, a snarl on his face we've never really seen before—and I like it.

Real Americans vs. The Usos

Result

The Usos roll up Swagger after a great back-and-forth match.

Key Quotes

"Your state is not so golden now. It looks like a rusted piece of scrap metal laying around in a junkyard somewhere."—Zeb Colter.

"Where did the real Americans go? Where did the California dream go?"—Colter, who explained his California dream involved the state falling off into the ocean.

"He looks like a beige Super Mario."—JBL on Colter.

Memorable Moments

Swagger tosses an Uso into the air for Cesaro to uppercut him. Great spot.

Usos with stereo suicide dives.

Grade

A-

Analysis

These two teams have great chemistry. Their timing is perfect—there are none of the awkward pauses and missed spots that can easily pull you out of the flow of a match. I could watch them every week.

The Usos are getting the "Total Divas! push," so they had to win. But there are no losers in a match like this. The Real Americans have potential to be a midcard act that can fill two segments with an entertaining match. Those don't grow on trees in today's WWE.

Miz TV with John Cena and Daniel Bryan

Result

John Cena and Daniel Bryan finally take the gloves off with a tremendous microphone battle.

Key Quotes

"I just think it's great somebody stood up to Mr. McMahon. Now John and I can have the match we, and the entire WWE Universe, deserve."—Daniel Bryan

"I cannot think of a better person to keep order...and make sure the match is called right down the middle."—John Cena. OK. Segment over?

"The issue between myself and Daniel Bryan is simply this—the WWE championship. Daniel Bryan wants to be the WWE champion and I am the WWE champion."—Cena.

"It's obvious that John Cena doesn't respect you."—The Miz. Wisely, he quieted down after this.

"It's obvious that if you don't shut your mouth in two seconds, I am going to punch you in the face."—Bryan.

"Don't interrupt me!"—Bryan, getting fired up.

"You saw that that red light was on and you grabbed the spotlight. And that is why I don't watch television. You and people like you. More style than substance....not in it for the wrestling."

"This shirt is a parody of you. Because I think you are a parody of wrestling."—Bryan

"When I step in this ring, there is nobody better than Daniel Bryan."—Bryan to a mixed response.

"A parody? That's strong. That's real strong. Daniel, I'm not a parody...I thought you would be smart enough to realize that."—John Cena.

"It's about the message that the shirt represents. Loyalty."—Cena

"You've got the gall to call me a parody? Because you don't approve of John Cena. Like you were the first one to step into this ring and say 'Newsflash, John Cena is what is wrong with all of this.'"—Cena.

"I am proud of what I've done here. I'm proud of what I have become."—Cena, bringing up his work with Make a Wish kids.

"The difference between you and me...everyone of those matches I did it while I was holding this."—Cena, holding up the strap.

"Please think that about me. That's what everyone of your peers have thought about me. And I've beaten every one."—Cena.

"You talk about all those people like they are so much better than me."—Bryan.

"I can't put you in that class because you don't belong in that class."—Cena. Touche.

"If you are good enough to take this, then and only then will you earn my respect."—Cena.

"You've held the WWE Championship 11 times. How could you understand the desire, understand the hunger that I have to hold it just once?"—Bryan. This is getting intense.

"For you this is just another SummerSlam. For me it's the biggest match of my life."—Bryan.

"You're not a wrestler. And you don't deserve it."—Bryan, explaining why he won't give Cena the Inoki slap.

Memorable Moments

Daniel Bryan says Cena isn't a real wrestler.

Cena slaps Bryan, who smiles.

Grade

A+

Analysis

Wow. Finally the gloves come off.

Daniel Bryan posited that Cena wasn't a real wrestler and things escalated quickly. Cena took offense and explained that he's been wrestling all over the world for 12 years. Not only does he beat the best in the business, but he makes young lives brighter through the Make a Wish program. The weight on his shoulders is immense, but he never buckles under the load.

But Bryan will not be deterred. This is his time. The match of his life. And he will prove to Cena and the world that he belongs in the same breath with HBK, Triple H and the biggest stars in the game.

If that didn't make your pulse race, wrestling may not be for you.

R. Truth vs. Fandango

Result

Fandango attacks Truth before the bell. There is no match.

Key Quotes

"Dial 1-800-You-Wish."—Lawler on Cole's chances of dancing with Summer Rae.

"R-Truth gets a 10 in my book."—Cole on the dance off.

"You're like a Russian judge."—JBL.

Memorable Moments

None

Grade

D

Analysis

I would have rather watched three extra commercials than that segment.

20-Man Battle Royal for U.S. Title Shot

Result

Rob Van Dam eliminated Mark Henry to earn a shot at Dean Ambrose.

Key Quotes

"These complacent hollowed-out icons living off their reputations? They've got to go."—Seth Rollins.

"We've delivered justice all around the world and there's one thing we've noticed....nobody can compare. Nobody can compete on our level."—Roman Reigns.

"If Andre the Giant's ghost isn't in this Battle Royal tonight I'm not losing this title at SummerSlam."—Dean Ambrose

"They're going to have Brodus week instead of Shark Week next week."—Cole. They got jokes!

"It's just bedlam."—Lawler. Yep.

"It doesn't matter how many you take out. All that matters is the sole survivor."—JBL after Ryback threw out his third man.

"If you're eliminated twice, can you not even come to SummerSlam?"—JBL after Fandango came back in the ring to go after R-Truth.

"RVD, RVD, RVD."—The crowd letting us know who they favor.

Memorable Moments

Ryback gorilla slams Justin Gabriel out of the ring.

Cesaro wrecks Titus O'Neil with a European uppercut.

Kofi Kingston hangs on for dear life before being eliminated by Cesaro and Swagger.

Ryback breaks up RVD's Rolling Thunder.

Mark Henry overpowers both Real Americans.

Big Show returns to stand against the Shield.

Grade

A-

Analysis

I love a good Battle Royal—and this was a good Battle Royal. What's great about the match format is how it allows several guys to look good in a single bout. Here Ryback was put over strong, as was Mark Henry. Even the Real Americans.

In the end, it was Van Dam who earned the title shot. The fans demanded it, and they got it. That doesn't always happen in the WWE, so enjoy it when the Universe aligns our way.

CM Punk vs. Paul Heyman

Result

CM Punk sneaks up on Lesnar and Heyman. He got the better of Brock, but Heyman escaped to fight another day.

Key Quotes

"I don't think there's a man alive who's afraid of Paul Heyman in a one-on-one fight."—CM Punk.

"I don't think Paul has lost his mind or suddenly grown a set."—Punk.

"You come at the king, you best not miss."—Punk, channeling Omar from The Wire.

"Brock likes to say the Beast is the Best...but when it's all said and done, the best is the best."—you guessed it...CM Punk.

"Tonight would have been a good night for him to introduce some entrance music. Like a funeral march."—Lawler.

"Your worshipers are calling for their hero...I don't blame CM Punk for everything that has happened. I blame every single, solitary member of the WWE Universe."—Paul Heyman.

"CM Punk used to live for my respect, for my love, for my adulation. Now CM Punk doesn't live for my love. He lives for your acceptance."—Punk was drinking that Heyman Kool-Aid.

"You took CM Punk away from me. So tonight I take CM Punk away from you."—Heyman.

"This is a conspiracy. It's a conspiracy, Punk. And I didn't come up with it all by myself. I had a co-conspirator....ladies and gentlemen, I want to introduce you to the Beast, Brock Lesnar."—Heyman.

"I didn't expect the Walrus to show his hand this early."—Lawler.

"All heroes are stupid...CM Punk doesn't have to play the hero. All he has to do is disappoint each and every one of you."—Heyman.

"Are you going to be the smart coward? Or are you going to play the stupid hero?"—Heyman.

"It was Punk who set the trap."—Cole.

"CM Punk, CM Punk, CM Punk."—The crowd.

"I am the best in the world!"—CM Punk.

Memorable Moments

Punk sneaks up on Lesnar with a camera, then lays him out with chairshots.

Curtis Axel allows Heyman to escape but pays the price with a GTS on the ramp.

Grade

B

Analysis

Punk finally got the best of Heyman and Lesnar, at least in part. Lesnar took a beating, but Heyman managed to escape, perhaps delaying gratification to the point people will demand the payoff at SummerSlam.

Pretty strange turn of events here. I expected Punk and Heyman to deliver striking promos to try to separate fools from their money on Sunday. Instead, their segment was merely passable. It was Bryan and, yes, Cena who stole the show. Punk and Heyman may as well have been spectators.