Raw Kicks WWE Summer Season Off with a Bang

Image Credit: WWE.com

Image Credit: WWE.com

What a 48 hr period in WWE. I can’t remember a more tumultuous and eventful two days in quite some time. Returns, double crosses, double turns, a power struggle, new stables, and Sheamus debuted 1-800-FELLA…well, they can’t all be winners.

Last night’s edition of Raw is a prime example of WWE at its best: shocking occurrences setting up the summer storyline. In past years we’ve been treated to summertime gems like the pipebomb promo that spawned the Summer of Punk, the Nexus debut, or last year’s Brock-HHH feud which brought Paul Heyman back onto the WWE scene. This time it looks like we’ve got a number of fires burning.

WWE set a high bar last night launching a number of summertime storylines and building a potentially blockbuster SummerSlam card.

Lesnar-Punk

The long rumored feud for Summerslam has been set in to motion. CM Punk and Paul Heyman cut ties as “client-manager” but vowed to remain friends. Until Brock Lesnar had something to say about it. Much like Mark Henry’s storyline (more on that later), I don’t know who predicted we’d see Brock Lesnar back on WWE TV so far in advance of Summer Slam. Now that we’ve seen the F5 heard round the world, I have full confidence Punk and Heyman will carry the bulk of this feud with some masterful mic work.

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Coolest Pic You’ll See All Day

Photo Credit: WWEClassics.com

Ok, I am writing this while chuckling like a child that just saw a silly cat video on YouTube for the first time.

He looks amaaaaazing. How many CC’s do you think that is?

I’ve been getting a little burnt out on Wrestling lately, but after last nights Raw, and now THIS…I’m back!!!

Where do you think he’s headed? And what could those guys in the background possibly be leering at in the pen?! Hey, look to the left, it’s Andre the Giant on a trike. I think that’s waaaaaaaaay better than whatever horses, goats, moo-cows, or llamas are in that enclosure.

How gloriously short are those shorts that Andre is wearing. I guess after wearing the single strap singlet for so long, he just needs as much thigh out there as possible.

My day is so much better now due to this, I hope yours is as well.

The Morning Roundup – 6/18/2013

#FlyingElbowsBeforeHoesWhat a good Raw.  You got Punk, Lesnar, Cena, Del Rio, Ziggler, Bryan, Vickie, AJ, Vince, and HHH.  You also got the retirement of Mark Henry, or did you?  Swerve.  I have a feeling it’s a quick feud to fill time till a big story line can be built for Summerslam, but the monster heel is back.  Lets get to it!

Main Event for Money In The Bank - LOP

Speaking of that monster heel, Mark Henry did a great job with that swerve and you’re lying if you weren’t fooled just a little bit. The World’s Strongest Man has challenged John Cena at Money In The Bank. Cena not being one to back down from a challenge will surely accept. We’ve got ourselves a main event.

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Monday Night Raw Preview – 6/17/13

Photo Credit: WWE.com

First Father-Son combo to ever hold the IC title. Pretty cool stat, especially when the former was one of the best IC title holders of all time. Great accolade for the Hennigs.

Payback is over. Three title changes, and even more meaningful title defenses. So may have said the lead up into the PPV wasn’t the most encapsulating, but they really put on a great show and twisted around and capped off a few major story lines.

  • Sheamus got a big W over Sandow on the pre-show. Just goes to prove, if you’re gonna be dumb – ya gotta be tough.
  • Curtis Axel stole a huge upset victory over the Miz and Wade Barrett. These are former main event players, and with a title on his waist, it’s very clear there are big things in the future for the prodigious Superstar.
  • The Shield defended their two sets of titles against Kane, and the team of Daniel Bryan and Randy Orton, but not without controversy and…wait for it…intrigue!
  • Dolph Ziggler lost his WHC, and the decision to clear him medically has seemingly been reversed. What gives?
  • … But AJ Lee took the Divas title from Kaitlyn.
  • Chris Jericho was defeated by the returning CM Punk – what’s next for the Second City Savior? Is he really breaking from the Heyman stable?
  • And John Cena got a definitive victory over Ryback. There should be closure here, and the big man was driven out of the arena in the back of the “whaaaambulance” – amirite?!?? – That line stunk.

But there’s more! Mark Henry took to twitter and is talking about his career in a retrospective voice, could the Hall of Pain be closing? He could address this tonight, but it looks like he may be saving it for Smackdown.

PLUS Rob Van Dam is officially (after months of speculation and false claims) returning at the Money in the Bank PPV. Going to be a packed show tonight, especially if there are any McMahon-Helmsley hi-jinks.

CDW Top 5 – 6/10 – 6/17/13

top5v2

I’m filling in for the great Louis Tully, but it’s time once again for a wrap up of our weekly top 5 performers based on THIS PAST week of action. Based on highly subjective criteria (and apparently WWE Payback results), with CDW writers voting for their top 5 names in all of Professional Wrestling for the week. Could be managers, could be superstars, could be announcers.

Disagree with our results? Want to argue a placement? Want to name your top 5? Feel free to leave a comment or message us on twitter: @dukeswrestling. We’ll gladly name names of who voted for whom, and demand the defend themselves.

Hit the jump for the results for this week.

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