WWE RAW – August 1, 2011 – Indianapolis, Indiana
Announcers: Jim Ross & Jerry Lawler & Michael Cole
VIDEO PACKAGE: They reviewed recent events including C.M. Punk winning the WWE championship from John Cena at the Money in the Bank PPV, then leaving the WWE. Next they showed Rey Mysterio winning the vacant title, then John Cena pinning him to become champion again. Next they showed C.M. Punk’s return to WWE, setting up a champion vs. champion match at SummerSlam!
IN THE RING
WWE champion C.M. Punk + Triple H: C.M. Punk came out to an incredible reaction waving his WWE championship over his head. He came out to his great new entrance music, “Cult of Personality,” by Living Colour. Some booed, but some chanted C.M. Punk’s name. Punk proclaimed “THE CHAMP IS HERE!” to a mixed reaction. Punk sat cross-legged in the middle of the ring to deliver his promo. Punk said the question everybody was asking was why he came back to the WWE. Punk said a year back he struggled with a life-changing decision he had to make. Punk said he loved the place he works, but hates the people in charge. Punk said he had the opportunity to speak his mind and cause a little change. Punk talked about Vince McMahon being relieved from his day-to-day duties, and wanted to take some credit for that change. Punk came some of the credit to the fans, too. Punk said he was there to make “this” fun again. Punk said people get scared when he shows up with a microphone. Punk said as proud as he was about what he said, and proclaimed that the voice of the people had to be heard. Punk said he can’t change the business and make it a better place while sitting on his couch in Chicago. Punk said he picked up the phone and made a call. Punk said he came back just in time because John Cena is champion again. Punk said Cena is as much of a champion as the guy in the front row wearing a replica belt. Punk said Cena had a belt, while he (Punk) had a TITLE! Punk called the championship tournament bogus, then said he holds the most important title in the world. Punk said he was the best professional wrestler the world has to offer. Chief Operating Officer of the WWE, Triple H, came out to the ring wearing a suit. Triple H said he thought he would come out and explain why he resigned C.M. Punk, saying it was good for business – the same reason he brought back Jim Ross, and brought back John Morrison. HHH said it was his job as COO to give the fans what they want. HHH said he had to put his personal feelings aside and rehire C.M. Punk. Punk wanted to know what HHH’s personal feelings are for him. HHH said if Punk insists, he thinks Punk is a smug over-rated attention-seeking guy that puts a little too much stock in his own hype. Punk said it was kinda like looking in the mirror, right Hunter? Punk said he wished HHH just said he hated his guts. Punk talked about Vince surrounding himself with YES men and letting main event guys go; like Batista, Mick Foley, Chris Jericho, and Brock Lesnar. Punk said HHH didn’t want to see Punk go anywhere else, and couldn’t afford to see him go anywhere else. HHH told Punk to tell everyone why he resigned. Punk said he already did, he wants to facilitate change. HHH said Punk did it so he could hear his own voice. HHH said Punk needed the WWE Universe, because without the WWE, Punk and his voice mean nothing. Punk said he was the WWE champion. HHH said John Cena is also the WWE champion, and that is a situation he will fix later tonight. HHH’s music hit, but Punk cut it off and demanded HHH come back. Punk said he was just getting warmed up, and he’s not going to shut up. Punk wanted to talk about EGOS, and accused HHH of hogging the spotlight for many years. Punk asked how many times HHH said “well, I just don’t know if he has what it takes” when he’s laying in bed with his wife (burying wrestlers he didn’t like). Punk said HHH was wearing a $5000 suit, but he’s the same guy he’s always been – a bully looking to pick a fight. Punk warned HHH about pushing him, because he likes to push back! HHH said he will be the first to admit he has a massive ego, and that ego is telling him to slap all the tatoos off of Punk’s skinny fat ass. HHH said he wasn’t going to do that because this was bigger than that. HHH said he took the job for the fans, and that comes with certain responsibilities and rules. HHH said he won’t break the rules for the fans, and strongly suggested Punk didn’t break them either. Punk asked “or what?” and “are you gonna fight me?” adding “or do you gotta go ask your wife first?” Punk’s music hit and he left satisfied.
DIVAS #1 CONTENDERS BATTLE ROYAL
Beth Phoenix defeated Eve Torres and Maryse Ouellet and Natalya Neidhart and Gail Kim and Alicia Fox and Brie Bella and Nikki Bella and Melina Perez and Rosa Mendes and Tamina and A.J. and Kaitlyn: WWE Diva’s champion Kelly Kelly joined commentary for the match to scout her next challenger. After the match, Kelly Kelly jumped in the ring to congratulate Beth Phoenix, but she snapped and beat the living crap out of Kelly! Beth snatched the microphone and said Kelly’s days as the perky cute blond little bimbo are officially over!
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT
R-Truth & The Miz: R-Truth asked the Miz “what’s up?” Truth said they had a lot in common but the Miz disagreed. Truth talked about the conspiracy which they share about the WWE. Truth asked if HHH was bring back Punk all along, why were they competing in a championship tournament?
BACKSTAGE INTERVIEW
John Mathews & WWE champion John Cena: John Cena said of C.M. Punk, you live by the sword you die by the sword. Cena talked about HHH’s big decision tonight.
TAG TEAM MATCH
The Miz & R-Truth defeated Rey Mysterio & John Morrison: After the match, the Miz attacked John Morrison and held him up so R-Truth could knock him out!
BACKSTAGE INTERVIEW
John Mathews & Triple H: HHH said C.M. Punk thinks he dropped the bomb on him by talking about his wife, but that bombs been dropped for 10 years. HHH said anybody can come out when he announces his decision tonight, but suggested John Cena keep it strictly business.
IN THE RING
WWE United States champion Dolph Ziggler & Vickie Guerrero + Alex Riley: Vickie said everyone is talking about the controversy of having two WWE championships, when Dolph Ziggler has proven then he is far superior than John Cena. Dolph said after his victory last week, he told everyone to “follow that.” Dolph said no one will ever have his talent or charisma. Dolph said he was more of a man than anyone in the arena and anyone in the locker room. Alex Riley interrupted to accuse Dolph of hiding beind a woman. Alex asked when was the last time Dolph did something on his own. Alex compared the Miz hiding behind him to Dolph hiding behind Vickie. Alex said if Dolph wants to be a man then he should drop Vickie. Alex suggested Dolph would be exposed for what he was, a bleech blond arrogang fraud. Dolph took off his jacket and gave the U.S. belt to Vickie before bailing out of the ring and retreating with Vickie. Dolph said he didn’t even know who that guy was.
NON (WWE TAG TEAM) TITLE MATCH
WWE Tag Team champions David Otunga & Michael McGillicutty defeated Santino Marella & Zack Ryder:
BACKSTAGE INTERVIEW
John Mathews & WWE champion C.M. Punk: C.M. Punk said he was just testing HHH earlier and promised that it would be strictly business from then on.
SINGLES MATCH
Alberto Del Rio w/Ricardo Rodriguez defeated Evan Bourne: Alberto Del Rio was interoduced by his personal ring announcer Ricardo Rodriguez. Alberto came out with his Money in the Bank briefcase in hand. After the match, Alberto reapplied the dreaded Armbar on Bourne until Kofi Kingston ran down to make the save!
IN THE RING
Triple H + John Laurenitis + WWE champion John Cena + WWE champion C.M. Punk: Triple H talked about the situation of having two legitimate WWE champions right now. HHH was about to announce his decision when he was interrupted by Executive Vice President of Talent Relations John Laurenitis (sp?). John said it was his job to sign talent and manage their contracts. John said HHH has been a member of the WWE corporate structure for a very short time, but he (JL) has worked with Mr. McMahon for 10 years. John said he knows how Vince would want HHH to handle the situation; stripe the WWE championship from John Cena. Suddenly Cena came out to the ring and called John Laurenitis Vince McMahon’s right hand man. Cena said when C.M. Punk was talking about Yes-men, he was talking about guys like John Laurenitis. Cena said he will not be stripped of the WWE championship just because some goon in a suit doesn’t like him. JL said Cena was out of line, and will make a decision on his unprofessional behavior. Cena said it felt good to punch JL at the MITB PPV and thinks he should do it again! HHH said he didn’t have a problem with that, so JL bolting out of the ring. Cena plead his case directly to HHH, and HHH said Cena’s claim to the WWE championship is legitimate. HHH explained that he talked to Punk and gave him a contract but didn’t hear from him until last week just as John Cena won the championship Rey Mysterio – when Punk walked up to him and handed him a signed contract. HHH said he will not strip Cena of the WWE championship. C.M. Punk came out to protest, and asked if HHH was going to strip him, and allow everything go back to the way it was. HHH said both guys needed to stop whining like little girls. HHH said they would settle it at SummerSlam in a champion vs. champion match to crown an Undisputed champion! Each champion took turns holding up their championship belt. The music would switch every time they did their thing. Cena got the bigger reaction.