WWE Capitol Punishment Review: June 19, 2011 (Part 1)

Hello Folks, and welcome to the best WWE Capitol Punishment review on the Internet! This review is split into two parts to make it easier to read.

After the lacklustre pay-per-view last month, WWE needed a good outing last night and with a card I was actually excited about, the night looked promising.

Emanating from the Verizon Centre in the United States’ capital, WWE Capitol Punishment is hopefully the first in a long line of pay-per-views that have a decent name. Without further ado, let’s analyse the night’s proceedings!

The promo for the event was extremely good, mainly because Truth has been amazing since becoming a heel. But if anything, hearing Cena’s responses in the promo kind of ruined it for me. I hope that Truth stays in the main event for a very long time.

The stage set-up was a huge replica of the United States Capitol. Just seeing how much more effort was put into it than last month’s stage set-up also led me to believe that this could be a special pay-per-view.

Kofi Kingston and Dolph Ziggler started the pay-per view with a match for the U.S. title. I’m glad this match was first and that they didn’t start with a World title match as they have done in the past. The order of the matches can sometimes make or break a pay-per-view, as the crowd needs to be built up.

The match was tit-for-tat at first, and the crowd was appreciative of what they saw in the ring. I must say that Kofi did a huge kip up that Dolph just couldn’t replicate. Counter after counter made for a great match between the two.

Dolph hit the FameAsser on Kofi—I think it’s funny when you see superstars perform finishers that aren’t recognised as finishers anymore (or yet).

Kofi chants filled the arena as a weird crane camera angle surveyed the action in the ring. After a failed Trouble in Paradise, Kingston hit a huge cross body across Ziggler’s back. I don’t think I’ve ever seen that before, but it looked painful.

Kofi then hit the boom drop and excited the crowd. After another failed Trouble in Paradise, Kofi hit the S.O.S, which Ziggler managed to kick out of.

In the closing moments of the match, Vickie Guerrero poked Kingston’s eyes, allowing Ziggler to lock in his sleeper hold.

The referee called for the bell and I really thought he was going to be done for a disqualification, the excuse being that it wasn’t a sleeper but a choke hold. However, the referee named Ziggler the winner of the contest and we had a new Champion!

Not what I predicted, but it was an awesome match to kick off the night!

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R-Truth was shown backstage, and after Josh Matthews attempted to interview him, Truth walked off and met Eve. He told Eve that no one knows who he is anymore, as she just stood there looking scared...and hot.  

The Miz was then interviewed by Todd Grisham and told him that he couldn't believe how far his career had sunk, and that people now had to ask if he could beat Alex Riley. He said that there is a fine line between luck and awesome.

Riley got a huge pop, not only because he’s become amazing as a character, but because he was in his hometown of Washington D.C. Riley looks good in the ring and his entrance music also sounds cool.

Both competitors began trash talking in the middle of the ring before just flat-out fighting. Riley exploded on Miz as we have seen before, chasing him around the ring. Miz gained control of the match with a huge DDT.

As the action flitted between the outside of the ring and the inside, Miz stamped his authority on Riley and seemed to be teaching him a lesson—but Riley just kept on kicking out.

Riley found a second wind towards the end of the match and even found time to grab Cole over the announce table. Cole got more comeuppance, and that already made this pay-per-view better than last month’s.

The Miz went to hit Riley with the briefcase to finish him off, but the ref grabbed it and Riley capitalised, picking up the win with a jumping DDT. I did not think that would happen. My prediction was that Miz would win; however, he seems to be becoming a bit of a Jericho, where he can job to people but still look good. I believe that is probably the plan, but Miz is not a veteran yet, so in my mind it makes him look weak.

Sergeant Slaughter was shown talking to a Barack Obama impersonator. I’ve got to give it to WWE for involving the President like this; I did not expect it. Vickie came and sang Happy Father’s Day to him before being dragged off by security.

Del Rio faced Big Show next. Big Show interrupted Del Rio’s entrance and immediately went to work, manhandling the Mexican star and throwing him all over the place. However, Mark Henry came out seeking retribution for being knocked out on SmackDown.

He slammed Big Show through the Spanish announce table (I thought it was weird that they were there...) with extreme ease, as if Big Show weighed 100 lbs. He then re-injured Big Show's leg by slamming it into the debris. Mark Henry made his presence felt.

I never heard the bell ring to start the match, but the ref thought it would be a good idea to try and count the Big Show out. Big Show saved the ref from utter embarrassment by clambering back into the ring before the ten-count.

Alberto tried his best to keep the Bog Show grounded by attacking his leg, but he still received a huge chokeslam—this, however, made the Big Show’s leg buckle and he never recovered. Del Rio locked in a cross leg-breaker, taking out the Big Show undoubtedly. Despite showing unmitigated power, the Big Show could not stand on his wounded leg and the ref rang the bell, declaring Alberto Del Rio the winner of the match.

MUST READ: WWE SmackDown Review: June 17, 2011

This concludes Part One of my extensive review. To view Part Two, please click here. I have split the review up here on Bleacher Report to make it an easier read.

See you there!