Black Widow
07-26-2008, 08:20 AM
Just got back from the RAW Summerslam Tour House Show at the Chevrolet Center in Youngstown, Ohio.
The show opened with Tony Chimel welcoming us and explaining that the fans would have a chance to vote via text message to determine the type of match for C.M. Punk Defending against Batista.
The National Anthem is played over the P.A. Speakers
The Raw theme music played
Chimel introduces Layla as the guest host tonight and Layla is with a family who has a chance to win ringside seats if they can correctly give the location for the last Wrestlemania. They honestly appeared not to know and the crowd started an "Orlando" chant to which the family responded and were given the ringside seats. The family appeared genuinely thrilled to sit ringside.
Match 1: Mixed Tag Team Match
Intercontinental Champion Kofi Kingston & Kelly Kelly vs Paul & Katie Lea Burchill
This was a great match to get the crowd fired up. A lot of action back and forth and good clean tags in and out. I was somewhat blown away by how much chemistry there is between the four superstars. Katie Lea and Kelly Kelly mixed it up for a while with Katie taking an early advantage but Kelly coming back with the support of the crowd. There were some weak attempts at "USA" chants during the bout which saw Kofi get the clean pin on Paul Burchill.
Match 2:
Matt Striker vs. Johnny Curtis
Before the match Striker cut a promo talking about how this was the WWE debut of Johnny Curtis (who is billed from Portland, Maine), and there was no way in the world Curtis was going to win over him tonight. The crowd was giving it to Striker before he even grabbed the mic and Striker made a comment that he hadn't said anything yet. Quite honestly the match made me ask why they don't let Striker wrestle more on TV. It was a good match and I look forward to seeing more out of Johnny Curtis who picked up the surprise pin over Striker.
Match 3:
Lance Cade vs. D-Lo Brown
The crowd popped huge for D-Lo and it was a very nice surprise to see D-Lo on the card tonight. This was a slower match with a lot of mat holds, D-Lo when for the frog splash and crashed and burned which opened up the opportunity for Cade to hit a 360 clothesline and pick up the 3 count.
Match 4: WWE Women's Championship
Mickie James (c) vs. Beth Phoenix
Earlier in the night, Layla, who was playing hostess to the crowd, sought out people to be a guest manager for a match. They picked this adorable young girl maybe 8 or 9 years old and she came out with Mickie. Beth displayed her sheer power during the contast having Mickie in several "torture rack" like moves but in the end it was Mickie James who picked up the clean win to retain the women's championship. After the match the quest manager got to celebrate with Mickie in the ring, posing on each side of the ring for the crowd. There were a lot of pro-Beth fans tonight, although the majority were still for Mickie.
As Beth was still in the ring, Santino's music hits and out he comes to the ring. Santino starts to massage Beth's neck and shoulders. Santino talks about how he knows Beth has been distracted ever since RAW and that he has been distracted too. Santino tries to get the crowd to pop by saying "Monday Night RAW" three or four times but it didn't happen. Santino says that he knows what will make Beth feel better. He says that he will defeat his opponent tonight because this is a man who is about to retire and who needs to retire.
Hacksaw Jim Duggan's music hits and he comes to the ring with his 2x4 and waving a large American Flag. Hacksaw says that he cares what a lot of people have to say about him retiring. The Fans, Vince McMahon but the one person he doesn't care what they say is Santino.
Match 5:
Hacksaw Jim Duggan vs. Santino Marella
Hacksaw knocks Santino down with a clothes line and picks up the 1, 2, 3 in a match that literally last seconds. They spent more time on the mic work than they did on the match.
Santino is left alone in the ring with Beth who dips Santino down for a passionate kiss and then as Santino "passes out" from the kiss, Beth rolls him out of the ring and carries him on her shoulders back to the locker room. Pretty funny stuff.
Layla comes to the ring as Hostess and as she starts to talk, Jamie Noble comes out. Layla tells him to stay out of trouble tonight because she does not want him getting hurt. Jamie promises no trouble tonight because all he wants is a date with Layla. Jamie asks the crowd for help and he gets cheered and Layla finally agrees to one date only. Jamie said he is so happy he will now defeat his opponent tonight.
Match 6:
Jamie Noble vs. Kane
Kane comes to the ring carrying the bag, enters the ring, choke slams Noble for the 1, 2, 3 and leaves. 10 second match tops. Layla checks to make sure Jamie is OK and it appears the only thing hurt on Noble is his pride.
Tony Chimel announces that it is intermission time
Match 7: Six Man Tag Team Match
Chris Jericho w/ Lance Cade & The WWE Tag Team Champions Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase vs.
John Cena & Cryme Tyme
Jericho and Cade come out first and Jericho cuts a rather long promo about how he knows the people all want to see HBK but that HBK is not here tonight because Jericho ended his career. Jericho had to work hard to make the fans in Youngstown boo him because when his music hit there was a huge pop. Jericho said anyone who supports HBK is a liar and a cheat and he would do the same thing to all the fans there tonight that he did to HBK. There were some back and forth "HBK/Y2J" chants from fans. Our section was heavy for Michaels this because evident when Jericho was talking about ending Michaels career and we started a "Thank You Chris" chant and no one else joined in. Jericho noticed we were cheering for him and he looked right at us and we thought for sure he was going to break character and laugh.
Rhodes and DiBiase are introduced, followed by Cryme Tyme.
Then, the biggest, loudest pop I have ever heard. When Cena's music hit, I thought the roof was going to come off the Chevrolet Centre. Cena may be booed a lot of places but Youngstown, OH is not one of them. The fans were very pro Cena.
Before the match started some fan was yelling at Jericho and Jericho was in this guy's face. Cena grabbed a mic and said that Jericho must be stupid because he can't keep his mouth shut and is about to get whipped by one of Youngstown's finest. I don't think this was a "work" at all as the gentleman who escorts the WWE Superstars to and from the ring had to step in between this fan and Jericho and also arena security had to get involved with the Sheriff's department close by. This fan was angry over Jericho "ending" HBK's career and the comments Jericho was making on the mic. Can you say "overzealous?" Oh yes! To make matters worse the fan had his daughter with him and had went to ring side to obviously pick a fight as his seat was in a different section of the floor to which he was advised by security to return. He walked by us and said it was a good thing security stepped in or he would have opened up a can of "whip a**" on Jericho. Whatever buddy....proof that some people should not be allowed to consume alcohol at these events.
This was the longest match of the night with a lot of action involving everyone. Rhodes & DiBiase did a lot of double teaming and they looked like a well oiled machine to say the least. DiBiase was impressive with his offensive moves against Cena and I really think sooner than later this kid will be a main event star. Cena did a double "You Can't See Me" and "Five Knuckle" to Rhodes and DiBiase who were both on their backs. then End came when Cena locked in the STFU on DiBiase who quickly tapped out. Another huge pop for Cena, my ears were literally ringing after all the pops this guy got.
Match 8: World Heavyweight Championship - Batista vs. WWE World champion CM Punk - No DQ
Tony Chimel thanks us for coming and says that this main event match is for the World Championship.
Batista is out first to a huge pop. Batista did his "gunner" thing but it's just not the same without the pyros. C.M. punk is introduced and while Punk is posing to the crowd Batista walks over to Chimel and says something in his ear. Chimel then announces that this is a no DQ match and Punk says "finally." Chimel says this style match won with 73% of the votes.
A "We want tables" chat was started early on and as close as we got was a steel chair. Punk used some kicks for his offense against Batista and this was a back and forth match. At one point Punk was down and looked out and it looked like Batista would win and I swear the ref hit three but he showed a "two count" and the match continues. I thought for sure someone would do a run in but it never happened and Punk picked up a clean pin fall victory over Batista. Nothing flashy about the finish. It ended in a similar way to Orton's title defense at Wrestlemania, just quick and sudden.
After the match Batista and Punk stood face to face and Batista slams Punk with the Batista Bomb before leaving the ring. Punk gets up moments later, poses for the fans with the title and walks to the back ending the show.
No surprise that HBK was not there with the injury angle and all. Before we went in the arena, we saw Jim Duggan, Batista, Cryme Tyme and Ted DiBiase all drive in with only Hacksaw acknowledging the crowd. Show started at 7:30pm and ended at about 10pm. I would estimate that the arena was about 90% full by the Cena match. It looked empty in a lot of places all evening until the end. At least one person was ejected by the police for filming. Something we were warned about when we entered the arena.
It was a good show over all with every match ending clean.
The show opened with Tony Chimel welcoming us and explaining that the fans would have a chance to vote via text message to determine the type of match for C.M. Punk Defending against Batista.
The National Anthem is played over the P.A. Speakers
The Raw theme music played
Chimel introduces Layla as the guest host tonight and Layla is with a family who has a chance to win ringside seats if they can correctly give the location for the last Wrestlemania. They honestly appeared not to know and the crowd started an "Orlando" chant to which the family responded and were given the ringside seats. The family appeared genuinely thrilled to sit ringside.
Match 1: Mixed Tag Team Match
Intercontinental Champion Kofi Kingston & Kelly Kelly vs Paul & Katie Lea Burchill
This was a great match to get the crowd fired up. A lot of action back and forth and good clean tags in and out. I was somewhat blown away by how much chemistry there is between the four superstars. Katie Lea and Kelly Kelly mixed it up for a while with Katie taking an early advantage but Kelly coming back with the support of the crowd. There were some weak attempts at "USA" chants during the bout which saw Kofi get the clean pin on Paul Burchill.
Match 2:
Matt Striker vs. Johnny Curtis
Before the match Striker cut a promo talking about how this was the WWE debut of Johnny Curtis (who is billed from Portland, Maine), and there was no way in the world Curtis was going to win over him tonight. The crowd was giving it to Striker before he even grabbed the mic and Striker made a comment that he hadn't said anything yet. Quite honestly the match made me ask why they don't let Striker wrestle more on TV. It was a good match and I look forward to seeing more out of Johnny Curtis who picked up the surprise pin over Striker.
Match 3:
Lance Cade vs. D-Lo Brown
The crowd popped huge for D-Lo and it was a very nice surprise to see D-Lo on the card tonight. This was a slower match with a lot of mat holds, D-Lo when for the frog splash and crashed and burned which opened up the opportunity for Cade to hit a 360 clothesline and pick up the 3 count.
Match 4: WWE Women's Championship
Mickie James (c) vs. Beth Phoenix
Earlier in the night, Layla, who was playing hostess to the crowd, sought out people to be a guest manager for a match. They picked this adorable young girl maybe 8 or 9 years old and she came out with Mickie. Beth displayed her sheer power during the contast having Mickie in several "torture rack" like moves but in the end it was Mickie James who picked up the clean win to retain the women's championship. After the match the quest manager got to celebrate with Mickie in the ring, posing on each side of the ring for the crowd. There were a lot of pro-Beth fans tonight, although the majority were still for Mickie.
As Beth was still in the ring, Santino's music hits and out he comes to the ring. Santino starts to massage Beth's neck and shoulders. Santino talks about how he knows Beth has been distracted ever since RAW and that he has been distracted too. Santino tries to get the crowd to pop by saying "Monday Night RAW" three or four times but it didn't happen. Santino says that he knows what will make Beth feel better. He says that he will defeat his opponent tonight because this is a man who is about to retire and who needs to retire.
Hacksaw Jim Duggan's music hits and he comes to the ring with his 2x4 and waving a large American Flag. Hacksaw says that he cares what a lot of people have to say about him retiring. The Fans, Vince McMahon but the one person he doesn't care what they say is Santino.
Match 5:
Hacksaw Jim Duggan vs. Santino Marella
Hacksaw knocks Santino down with a clothes line and picks up the 1, 2, 3 in a match that literally last seconds. They spent more time on the mic work than they did on the match.
Santino is left alone in the ring with Beth who dips Santino down for a passionate kiss and then as Santino "passes out" from the kiss, Beth rolls him out of the ring and carries him on her shoulders back to the locker room. Pretty funny stuff.
Layla comes to the ring as Hostess and as she starts to talk, Jamie Noble comes out. Layla tells him to stay out of trouble tonight because she does not want him getting hurt. Jamie promises no trouble tonight because all he wants is a date with Layla. Jamie asks the crowd for help and he gets cheered and Layla finally agrees to one date only. Jamie said he is so happy he will now defeat his opponent tonight.
Match 6:
Jamie Noble vs. Kane
Kane comes to the ring carrying the bag, enters the ring, choke slams Noble for the 1, 2, 3 and leaves. 10 second match tops. Layla checks to make sure Jamie is OK and it appears the only thing hurt on Noble is his pride.
Tony Chimel announces that it is intermission time
Match 7: Six Man Tag Team Match
Chris Jericho w/ Lance Cade & The WWE Tag Team Champions Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase vs.
John Cena & Cryme Tyme
Jericho and Cade come out first and Jericho cuts a rather long promo about how he knows the people all want to see HBK but that HBK is not here tonight because Jericho ended his career. Jericho had to work hard to make the fans in Youngstown boo him because when his music hit there was a huge pop. Jericho said anyone who supports HBK is a liar and a cheat and he would do the same thing to all the fans there tonight that he did to HBK. There were some back and forth "HBK/Y2J" chants from fans. Our section was heavy for Michaels this because evident when Jericho was talking about ending Michaels career and we started a "Thank You Chris" chant and no one else joined in. Jericho noticed we were cheering for him and he looked right at us and we thought for sure he was going to break character and laugh.
Rhodes and DiBiase are introduced, followed by Cryme Tyme.
Then, the biggest, loudest pop I have ever heard. When Cena's music hit, I thought the roof was going to come off the Chevrolet Centre. Cena may be booed a lot of places but Youngstown, OH is not one of them. The fans were very pro Cena.
Before the match started some fan was yelling at Jericho and Jericho was in this guy's face. Cena grabbed a mic and said that Jericho must be stupid because he can't keep his mouth shut and is about to get whipped by one of Youngstown's finest. I don't think this was a "work" at all as the gentleman who escorts the WWE Superstars to and from the ring had to step in between this fan and Jericho and also arena security had to get involved with the Sheriff's department close by. This fan was angry over Jericho "ending" HBK's career and the comments Jericho was making on the mic. Can you say "overzealous?" Oh yes! To make matters worse the fan had his daughter with him and had went to ring side to obviously pick a fight as his seat was in a different section of the floor to which he was advised by security to return. He walked by us and said it was a good thing security stepped in or he would have opened up a can of "whip a**" on Jericho. Whatever buddy....proof that some people should not be allowed to consume alcohol at these events.
This was the longest match of the night with a lot of action involving everyone. Rhodes & DiBiase did a lot of double teaming and they looked like a well oiled machine to say the least. DiBiase was impressive with his offensive moves against Cena and I really think sooner than later this kid will be a main event star. Cena did a double "You Can't See Me" and "Five Knuckle" to Rhodes and DiBiase who were both on their backs. then End came when Cena locked in the STFU on DiBiase who quickly tapped out. Another huge pop for Cena, my ears were literally ringing after all the pops this guy got.
Match 8: World Heavyweight Championship - Batista vs. WWE World champion CM Punk - No DQ
Tony Chimel thanks us for coming and says that this main event match is for the World Championship.
Batista is out first to a huge pop. Batista did his "gunner" thing but it's just not the same without the pyros. C.M. punk is introduced and while Punk is posing to the crowd Batista walks over to Chimel and says something in his ear. Chimel then announces that this is a no DQ match and Punk says "finally." Chimel says this style match won with 73% of the votes.
A "We want tables" chat was started early on and as close as we got was a steel chair. Punk used some kicks for his offense against Batista and this was a back and forth match. At one point Punk was down and looked out and it looked like Batista would win and I swear the ref hit three but he showed a "two count" and the match continues. I thought for sure someone would do a run in but it never happened and Punk picked up a clean pin fall victory over Batista. Nothing flashy about the finish. It ended in a similar way to Orton's title defense at Wrestlemania, just quick and sudden.
After the match Batista and Punk stood face to face and Batista slams Punk with the Batista Bomb before leaving the ring. Punk gets up moments later, poses for the fans with the title and walks to the back ending the show.
No surprise that HBK was not there with the injury angle and all. Before we went in the arena, we saw Jim Duggan, Batista, Cryme Tyme and Ted DiBiase all drive in with only Hacksaw acknowledging the crowd. Show started at 7:30pm and ended at about 10pm. I would estimate that the arena was about 90% full by the Cena match. It looked empty in a lot of places all evening until the end. At least one person was ejected by the police for filming. Something we were warned about when we entered the arena.
It was a good show over all with every match ending clean.