The show began with Shane McMahon asking the WWE roster to pull together as his father recovers from last week’s stage collapse. Shane opted not to update viewers on Vince’s condition, saying his dad is a very private person (as the number of times he has shown his bare ass on national television can attest to).

World Champion Edge, Curt Hawkins, and Zack Ryder interrupted Jim Ross as Good Ol’ J.R. bid farewell to the Raw audience following his trade to Smackdown last week. Edge berated the legendary announcer and ordered his lackeys to escort Ross from the ring. The Rated R Superstar then proceeded to poke fun at the Raw brand for failing to claim a Heavyweight Championship at last night’s PPV. As Edge headed up the ramp, Batista’s music hit and The Animal began to assault the man who cheated him out of the World Title at Night of Champions. Batista brutalized Edge outside the ring before tossing him into the squared circle and delivering a Batista Bomb. As the powerhouse made his exit, CM Punk ran to the ring accompanied by a referee. Punk informed the official that he wished to cash in his Money in the Bank title shot and quickly executed the Go to Sleep to win the match and the belt.

John Bradshaw Layfield later goaded Punk into placing the World Championship on the line against him in the main event. John Cena attempted to insert himself into the challenger’s position, but was forcibly escorted from the arena by JBL’s hired security (the story throughout the evening was that due to Vince McMahon’s injury and the absence of a Raw General Manager, there was nobody in charge and the inmates were running the asylum). Cena later interfered in the Punk-Layfield match, taking out the guards at ringside along with Cryme Tyme. The distraction allowed Punk to down JBL with the GTS and retain his strap.

Chris Jericho cut a promo before his Intercontinental Championship rematch against Kofi Kingston where he challenged Shawn Michaels to a showdown at next month’s Great American Bash PPV. Y2J was later DQ’d when the referee caught him pulling Kofi’s tights (!).

In other news, Santino Marella crashed Rey Mysterio’s debut as an official member of the Raw roster and received a 619 for his troubles. Jamie Noble was also chokeslammed on a ringside announce table by Kane following a backstage confrontation with The Big Red Machine.

I’m a big CM Punk supporter and part of me is happy that he is now World Champion. However, the way in which he won the belt was very weak - not to mention that taking advantage of a destabilized titleholder is total heel strategy. I have no problem with Punk winning the Championship as a way to return a Heavyweight strap to Raw. I also find nothing wrong with that title change taking place on free television, as Punk’s terrible won/loss record since WrestleMania may have made for a hard sell on PPV. However, I feel Punk coming to J.R.’s rescue during the opening segment and announcing his intention to use the MITB opportunity in the main event would have been a much better setup for a title win later in the program. Punk - acting as a Raw crusader - goes over, possibly with some minor assistance from Ross (such as a distraction of some sort). This would have not only pleased the live crowd - who were treated to their hometown hero being bullied and basically chased from the ring - but is also a stronger scenario for Punk‘s big moment. I suppose the main event victory over JBL was meant to provide the new Champ with some credibility, but I feel a lengthy title reign is now the only way to establish Punk as a legitimate kingpin.

I’m hoping that a new GM is appointed very soon, as this “inmates are running the asylum” atmosphere is nonsensical. Where did JBL get the authority to eject John Cena from the building (not to mention appointing himself the head of Raw)? How can wrestlers simply walk into the arena and begin making their own matches?

Match Results: CM Punk over World Champion Edge via pinfall to win the title … Women’s Champion Mickie James over Jillian via pinfall in a non-title match … World Tag Team Champions Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase over Darren Wade and Steve Anthony via pinfall in a non-title match … Intercontinental Champion Kofi Kingston over Chris Jericho via disqualification … World Champion CM Punk over JBL via pinfall.
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