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Last night's Raw featured the final installment of Chris Jericho's Highlight Reel, William Regal's return to action, and the introduction of a new General Manager (Although the inmates were likely better suited to continue running the asylum).
John Cena began the show by calling out Batista and apologized to The Animal for accidentally striking him at the conclusion of last week’s broadcast. Batista accepted and all appeared well between the two until Cena took issue with the former Evolution powerhouse’s desire for another opportunity at CM Punk’s World Championship, pointing out that Batista had already received a pair of title shots and come up short on both occasions. Shane McMahon interrupted the argument and announced that he and his sister Stephanie had appointed a new Raw General Manager, whose identity would be revealed later in the evening. Following Batista and Cena’s main event victory over JBL and Kane via a surprisingly clean F-U pin on The Big Red Monster (So much for Kane’s big push - not that I’m complaining), Shane reappeared and introduced the red brand’s latest GM - Mike Adamle (who was seated at the announce booth while substituting for the injured Michael Cole). Adamle then proceeded to sign a Batista-John Cena match for SummerSlam (the irony here is that offering a fresh, WrestleMania-worthy showdown in just a few weeks’ time on a less significant PPV is something that the real-life Adamle would do).
Adamle’s influence was felt throughout the program, as Lillian Garcia announced that - by order of the new General Manager - Jerry Lawler’s scheduled tag team partner Hacksaw Jim Duggan had been replaced by Michael Cole. The Raw announce team challenged Ted DiBiase and Cody Rhodes for the World Tag Team Titles, with the Champions easily retaining following Rhodes’ clothesline on Cole.
World Champion CM Punk competed in a non-title bout against the returning William Regal, whom Shane McMahon referred to as the “hottest free agent” in the business. This was a great match, but I had hoped Regal would resume the General Manager’s role following his suspension (and considering who was chosen to fill the position instead, you can take a guess as to whether or not my opinion has changed).
Chris Jericho hosted what was touted as the final edition of The Highlight Reel. Y2J presented a video package of his more amusing moments and stated that those light-hearted days were over. Jericho spoke indirectly to the yet-to-be-named GM and requested a World Title match with CM Punk. In a related note, it was announced later in the show that Shawn Michaels would appear live on next week’s Raw for the first time since The Great American Bash.
In other news, Katie Lea Burchill attacked Mickie James as the Women’s Champion celebrated a victory with her father at ringside and Beth Phoenix kissed Santino Marella following a mixed tag team match.
Here are my thoughts on the Mike Adamle situation:
I understand WWE’s desire to make use of the man considering his contract runs well into six-figure territory. I also recognize the need for Adamle’s removal as a commentator and reassignment to a position requiring less camera/speaking time (Who in Hell, Heaven, and Earth doesn’t?). Perhaps this is the rationale behind his storyline promotion to Raw GM. However, the viewership for Raw is far higher than that of ECW, so I fail to see how this relocation solves any problems.
I suppose it’s also possible that the company hopes to attract interest by placing Adamle - already an unpopular figure among fans - into a heel GM role, although I seriously doubt he has the charisma to make such a character work.
Then again, maybe Vince and WWE Creative just really hate us all this much.
Match Results: Santino Marella and Beth Phoenix over D-Lo Brown and Kelly Kelly via Marella’s pinfall on Kelly … World Tag Team Champions Ted DiBiase and Cody Rhodes over Jerry Lawler and Michael Cole via Rhodes’ pinfall on Cole … Intercontinental Champion Kofi Kingston over Jamie Noble in a non-title match … World Champion CM Punk over William Regal in a non-title match … Women’s Champion Mickie James over Jillian via pinfall … John Cena and Batista over Kane and JBL via Cena’s pinfall on Kane.
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