WWE Raw Review: May 9, 2011

Hello Raw fans and welcome to my weekly Raw review! With only two weeks remaining to build a card for the impending pay-per-view, Raw had to pull something from where the sun doesn’t shine this week.

They wasted no time getting on with it as Alberto Del Rio was already being introduced as we were shoved straight into the show. Maybe the WWE can’t afford the fireworks that go off at the start every week?

The stage was all back to front—it really confuses me when they do this; it just doesn’t seem like a proper broadcast when everything is the opposite way around.

Maybe that’s just my OCD—even the Colemine was on the other side. What’s going on?!

Anyway, I digress. Alberto cut a promo asking why we wasted so much time on the Rock last week instead of himself—I’ll tell you why Del Rio, because we’d rather waste it on the most electrifying man in sports entertainment than you. He said his destiny can be delayed but not stopped.

Rey Mysterio interrupted.

That’s the last thing I wanted. He challenged Del Rio to a number 1 contender match for the WWE Championship. I lied.

That’s the last thing I wanted.

AWESOME! This was the night The Miz seemed like a proper Superstar in my eyes. I got shivers when his entrance music hit and found myself getting excited when he made his appearance.

I will predict now that he will be as massive as Cena in a few years. You read it here first.

He explained that he wanted a legitimate rematch with Cena. So do I Miz, and I want you to win.

R-Truth then interrupted! I really didn’t expect that. He said Morrison is in the hospital and intimidated the other three Superstars with an excellent heel promo.

The Raw GM chimed in to set up a Triple Threat Match and announced the Superstar’s participation in order. Del Rio was in, The Miz was in and...Mysterio was in.

This is bulls**t! This is bulls**t! That really should have been Truth and you know the face he made when he wasn’t chosen? My face looked like that aswell. He looked like was about to explode but he just left the arena talking to himself.

The segment finished with a melee between Riley, Miz, Del Rio and Ricardo with Mysterio not being able to resist getting involved with an aerial attack.

A divas tag match was up next. I really enjoy Divas matches nowadays because it’s almost inevitable that Kharma will show up after the victory.

Eve and Kelly Kelly faced the Bella twins in what was an underwhelming match.

King sounded like his old self when he was talking about Kelly Kelly in Maxim. Excited and funny.

Kelly Kelly picked up the victory and lo and behold, Kharma showed up.

The Bellas ran off and Kelly Kelly managed to escape but Eve wasn’t so lucky. She suffered Kharma’s finisher in the centre of the ring.

I guess that puts my theory of her only attacking heels to bed. She’s a beast nonetheless.

Mason Ryan took on Kane next with CM Punk and Big Show at ringside respectively.

Mason Ryan is definitely being built as the next Batista, judging how much he was allowed to manhandle Kane.

The match wasn’t bad but it was spoilt by an interference by New Nexus who were quickly dispatched by the tag champions, with Mason suffering a double chokeslam.

Santino was taking on the new, improved, generic Dolph Ziggler. I don’t know whether it was just me, but Dolph Ziggler looked like he’d been tangoed to new extremes.

I’d say he was a Burnt Sienna going off the Dulux chart. Nevertheless he won in what was a squash match.

R-Truth cut another excellent heel promo in the back: intimidating Scott Stanford.

Cena was shown in the back with the ultimate broski Zack Ryder!

There was a huge pop in the crowd and I’d be more inclined to assume it was for Zack Ryder’s cameo. WOO, WOO, WOO, You Know It! Get the headbands in the store, WWE.

The Miz and Riley were shown arguing backstage about the loss Miz suffered last week on Raw. Riley ended up saying he will make it up to Miz.

Then he stormed to the ring and called out Cena who didn't make Riley wait long.

The match was underway and soon Cena hit his five minute finisher involving the Five Knuckle Shuffle and the Attitude Adjustment.

The Miz came out to view this squash match. Cena delivered another AA to Riley then locked in the STF—talk about sending a message to Miz.

Cole was in the ring after commercial to announce his retirement from in-ring competition. Jerry Lawler then challenged him to a match at Over The Limit with the stipulation that if Cole wins The King will induct him into the Hall of Fame and forfeit him his ring.

Cole declined, then, in his rant against King, he insulted Elvis.

Now I have actual hate for Cole. Don’t insult Elvis, the King of Rock and Roll. That is a no go.

If King doesn’t get the job done at Over The Limit I’ve a good mind to go to America and take care of Cole myself.

King finally lost it when Cole insulted his mother in what was too far even for my standards. Even if King was OK with it, it was distasteful. Swagger saved Cole and the segment was over.

Swagger then faced Kofi for the US title. Swagger gained control and kept it through the commercial break.

The match was decent. The ankle lock on the ropes was the highlight for me—I thought it was inventive and exciting.  A distraction by King cost Swagger the victory and then King dispatched of him by throwing him in the crowd.

Lawler then attacked Cole by grabbing his tie and pulling his head into the glass wall of the Colemine. This resulted in an even funnier face than the one he pulled on NXT.

Swagger then accepted the match on Cole’s behalf.

That’s right three matches between the two in three pay-per-views. And they wonder why buy-rates are dropping? This should have been taken care of at WrestleMania.

The main event was next.

Del Rio was introduced by Justin Roberts. What happened to Ricardo?

The main event was entertaining enough. There were a couple of times when I thought Mysterio was going to win.

Del Rio managed to lock in his arm-breaker for an extended amount of time. I can’t believe he didn’t tap out. Miz managed to break it up.

Alex Riley came to aid the Miz as Mysterio hit the 619 on Del Rio. Just as he was about to win, Riley broke up the pin and Miz got a sneaky roll up to gain the victory. Thank heavens for that. It seems some things in the WWE do go the way they’re supposed to.

John Cena arrived mid-celebration and announced an “I Quit” match for Over The Limit. The same match he had with Batista last year. Deja vu anyone?

Just as I thought the broadcast was over, R-Truth attacked Mysterio from behind! As cool as it was to see him get his comeuppance I don’t think it fitted the end of the show.

So Raw wasn’t bad, but it was far from the best. I can’t believe only two matches were set for Over The Limit but I guess there’s always next week. I love R-Truth’s new persona and the cameo appearance by Zack Ryder.

So from the latest addition to the Zack Pack, take care, spike your hair and thanks for reading!

Don’t forget to come back on Saturday for your weekly SmackDown review!

Also, please leave a comment below as it makes this all worthwhile and hey, become a fan!

WOO, WOO, WOO, You Know It.