By Wade Keller, PWTorch editor

KELLER'S WWE RAW REPORT
JULY 5, 2010
NASHVILLE, TENN.
LIVE ON USA NETWORK

-In WWE's "save tens of thousands of dollars on pyro" opening, the show opened with The Nexus standing in the ring. Michael Cole softly spoke a few words of introduction. He said they were awaiting to learn their fate at the hands of the WWE General Manager. Wade Barrett spoke first. He said he received an email from the Raw G.M. telling him to assemble the entire Nexus group so they can receive news of the consequences for their actions. He said he cannot reveal at this time why they did what they did to Mr. McMahon, but it's all part of a bigger picture. He said Mr. McMahon thought he controlled them, but that's not the case. He said just like all of the fans, he had no idea what their agenda is. He handed the mic to Skip Sheffield.

Sheffield said unlike what they did to Mr. McMahon, what they did last week to Ricky Steamboat and the Legends was done for fun. He said they found a loophole in the G.M.'s ruling and they exploited it. He said the fans won't admit it, but they loved every second of it. He said they watched like rubber necks on the highway gawking at the scene of a car accident. He said more people now are interested in Steamboat's DVD than before the attacked him, so he should be thanking each of them. (Steamboat may already be out of the hospital, but may miss about a month of time of work on the road for WWE.) The G.M. chime sounded.

Michael Cole stood at the podium and announced: "None of The Nexus can compete for a WWE Title until further notice and furthermore, as of this moment, the ruling of Nexus members not being able to touch Raw superstars and vice-versa has been lifted." Barrett acted like this was the worst news possible. Jerry Lawler said, "This could be open season."

John Cena's music played and he walked out onto the stage. Lawler said that didn't take long. Cena said The Nexus have done a lot since arriving, but one thing they haven't done yet is get themselves into a fair fight. "By my math that would make my numbers seven on seven," he said. Out walked Randy Orton, R-Truth, Evan Bourne, The Hart Dynasty, and John Morrison. As they walked to the ring, Sheamus, Miz, Edge, Ted DiBiase, The Usos, and Chris Jericho attacked the WWE wrestlers. Cole said "they were ambushed by their own kind." The Nexus wrestlers fled the scene as the WWE babyfaces had to battle the WWE heels. Sheamus gloated from the stage. Cena said they ruined their chance to get at The Nexus. He wanted to know why. Sheamus said he doesn't know their agenda, but they seem to be focused on him, Cena. He said if their agenda is taking out Cena, Bret Hart, and everyone else on that stage, he supports it, as does everyone standing next to him. Sheamus said they respectfully decline Cena's invitation to fight alongside him. He said if his friends have any brains, they'll turn down his invite, too.

Orton grabbed the mic and said he and Cena aren't friends and probably never will be. "Unless we have to," he added. He said The Nexus is a serious threat to each of them. He asked Edge if he forgot about The Nexus jumping them at the Fatal 4-Way. Orton suggested they all wrestle each other seven-on-seven later.

The G.M. chime sounded, and they've added the lights flickering too. Cole read a statement from the G.M. that said they shouldn't even think about fighting right now. Cole said if they want action, all eight members of the Money in the Bank ladder match will be against each other in a series of matches. He said later tonight Cena will step inside the ring against Wade Barrett, but it won't be a match. He said the G.M. wants them to shake hands and call a truce. Cena didn't like what he was hearing. "We all know the anonymous general manager is watching, so Mr. Anonymous G.M., instead of shaking the hand of Wade Barrett for a truce, how about I take my hand, make a fist, and knock his teeth out? Does that work?" The G.M. replied that he needs him to be the bigger man. He said he trusts that he'll do the right thing, or else his actions will be met with appropriate consequences. "And that's the bottom line, because the G.M. said so," Cole concluded. Fans popped, then thought about it, and were conflicted. Lawler said tonight is getting interesting. The Raw theme song played as Cena and the other babyfaces walked out of the ring.

The G.M. doled out innocuous and potentially harmless punishment to The Nexus, but without showing his cards that he's actually on their side. The Austin teaser is clever as it's the G.M. throwing out a red herring just to mess with everyone.

[Q2] [c]

-Lawler announced the launch of the WWE channel on YouTube featuring HD clips of all WWE shows.

1 -- JOHN MORRISON vs. TED DIBIASE (w/Maryse)

Cole said the G.M. sent him an email booking this match. Lawler reiterated that things are getting very interesting. Maryse joined Cole and Lawler on commentary. She told Cole her ring is worth more than he is. She denied being a gold digger. "I love money, he's rich, pure coincidence," she said. She added that she and Ted want to make the world a better place. She said they are helping the economy and creating jobs by buying diamonds and spending money on limo drivers, Jaccuzzi cleaners, maids, and gardeners. Cole said pretty soon she'll be adopting babies from all over the world. Cole said he finds it interesting that she hooked up with DiBiase after discovering he gained access to his trust fund. Lawler said a lot of women think Morrison is good looking. Maryse said she had to take a phone call. She spoke in French on the phone and laughed. Cole asked who it was. She told him it was none of his business. Maryse distracted the ref as DiBiase gave Morrison a thumb to the eye. He then finished Morrison with Dream Street for the win.

WINNER: DiBiase in 2:00.

-Backstage Santino told Vladimir Kozlov that they're going to make a great tag team. "Italy and Russia back together again. It'll be like World War II, only this time no Nazis," he said. Santino went for a high five. Kozlov told him if he loses, he will deliver a fist to his face.

-At ringside they showed Cole and Lawler who threw to a video package on The Nexus attack on John Cena.

2 -- VLADIMIR KOZLOV & SANTINO MARELLA vs. WILLIAM REGAL & THE GREAT KHALI (w/Ranjin Singh)

Cole said Russo and Italy were actually enemies, not allies, in World War II. Regal walked out and called Santino and Val "oxygen thieves." He vowed revenge for last week. He said he used his power of persuasion to get himself a monster. Out came his surprise partner, Great Khali. Ranjin Singh seemed excited about the pairing, whereas Khali was all-business. Cole noted that they found out last week Khali and Singh haven't been getting along lately. He said Singh told him he's trying to get Khali to be more aggressive. After Kozlov dominated Regal early, Santino tagged in and leaped off the bottom rope with an axe handle to Regal's back. He missed badly with a spinning wheel kick and a hook kick, just trying to show off his new Karate Kid skills. Santino played up his Cobra finisher. Regal attacked Santino. Vlad tagged back in and quickly finished Regal with a one-armed clothesline.

WINNERS: Vlad & Santino in 2:00

-Afterward, Khali was upset that Regal never tagged him in. He demanded that Santino and Vlad hold up Regal. When they did, Khali chopped him to the ground. Cole called it a "strange, strange match." Santino and Khali danced together. Singh joined in. Vlad watched and shook his head in disgust.

-Cole plugged that The Cutting Edge would feature Edge interviewing Bourne and Jericho later, two fellow MITB competitors. Lawler plugged that they'd have an update on Steamboat's condition next. [c]

-They went to a close-up of Lawler, who's a master of looking sincere when delivering this type of update. Lawler said he learned from his mentors when he got into the business that putting out someone else's candle doesn't make yours burn brighter. He said The Nexus's actions last week ruined a special moment for Ricky Steamboat. He said their actions were that of punks. He threw to a highlight video that began with very upbeat music and production values of the tribute to Steamboat by the Legends. Then the tone changed when The Nexus attacked the Legends to basically a shark attack soundtrack.

[Q3]

-They cut live to Arn Anderson being interviewed Josh Matthews. Arn was boiling over with emotion. Josh asked him for an update on Steamboat. Arn said it's tough to stomach that footage. He said Steamboat's condition is serious. He said he's 57 and he's one of the good guys. Sheamus walked up behind Anderson. Anderson told Josh he ought to walk away. Sheamus told Anderson that he used to be The Enforcer, but now he's just an old man. My question is, what is Josh's mic for? He walked away with the mic, but we could still hear Arn and Sheamus just as clearly. Anderson asked Sheamus if he knows what "hostile takeover" means. Arn said the fire has been set and the company could go up in smoke without everyone banding together. Sheamus said the company won't go up in smoke with him on top. He said The Nexus are smart enough not to interfere in his business. Anderson said right now he is comfortable and the champion of a thriving company, but if he doesn't get together with everyone else in the back and stop the bleeding, a month from now he may be a great white shark patrolling around an empty mud hole. Sheamus laughed off his comments. Sheamus said he must've gotten kicked in the head last week because as WWE Champion, he doesn't need anyone. Anderson shook his head in exasperation and said, "You just don't get it."

-Cole plugged that Eve vs. Alicia Fox was coming up later. Lawler plugged that The Miz vs. R-Truth was next. [c]

-A WWE On-Demand commercial aired pushing the Lex Luger-Yokozuna angle on the U.S. Intrepid back in 1993, followed by the Lex Express tour, and his main event match at SummerSlam.

-R-Truth vs. The Miz was scheduled next. R-Truth's song was joined in progress with him inside the ring. The Miz then did his imitation version on his way to the ring. He sang about winning Money in the Bank, but it was as bad as "The WrestleRock Rumble" (check YouTube for that classic). He hit Truth with the mic before the bell. At least the ref didn't signal for the bell to ring. Instead, he tried to restore order first. Miz attacked Truth's arm at ringside, and then in the ring he grabbed it and dropped backward, snapping it in the process. Truth rolled out of the ring and clutched his arm. Medics tended to him. Miz said R-Truth always says the Truth hurts, so he just made sure that's true. He said everyone who steps into the ring with him will suffer the same pain. "I'm going to make it hurt," he said. "And that's the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth because I'm The Miz and I'm awesome." He tried to show a more devious, less comedic side of his persona. [c]

[Q4]

-Edge walked out and said first, "A moment of silence for R-Truth. He only knew one song, but oh so well." He addressed Nexus attacking him. He said people are wondering if he's going to let it slide. He said he's smarter than Randy Orton and everyone else in the crowd. "Why make seven enemies when you can make seven powerful allies," he said. He elaborated that all those seven need is leadership and guidance from a veteran such as himself. He said he is in the Raw Money in the Bank ladder match. He said winning that match is the equivalent of winning the WWE Title. He said he's done it twice something neither of his guests know how to do. He said that especially applied to a "spunky little guy with all kinds of heart and determination," Evan Bourne. Instead Jericho's music played.

Jericho marched to the ring. He said Edge is pandering to Nexus hoping they don't attack him again. Jericho said he was Wade's Pro in the first NXT season. He said it was his guidance that led to his victory. He said he'd like to think all of the chaos caused by The Nexus was due to his influence "even to the point of destroying Ricky Steamboat, just as I did at WrestleMania last year." Jericho said if anyone is going to be a leader for Nexus, it's him. Edge asked why they'd listen to a guy who could barely beat Bourne two weeks ago. Jericho shot back, "The same guy who beat you decisively at WrestleMania?" That drew some oohs from the crowd. Edge said his mind wasn't clear at WrestleMania because he was "too concerned with what these sheep think about me." He said he did himself a favor and stopped caring about them.

He said he owns the Money in the Bank ladder match and after he wins the briefcase, he may cash it in on the champion when he's vulnerable, like after he's competed in a steel cage match. Edge wanted to give Jericho a history lesson, but Jericho interrupted and asserted that Edge idolized him and wanted to be just like him. He said he grew out his hair to be like him. He won a title just after he did. He got his own talk show, then he got his own talk show. "You're entire career, all you've wanted to be is Chris Jericho," he said. He said like Bourne, he's trying to knock him off his perch. He said he is the most valuable performer in this company and cannot be replaced. Edge finally heard enough and hit Jericho. He leaned a ladder in the corner and then whipped Jericho toward it. Jericho blocked it and applied a Walls of Jericho. Evan Bourne ran out and leaped off the top rope with two flying knees at Jericho. Bourne avoided Jericho and Edge's attempt to grab him by jumping to the floor. The G.M. chime sounded and the lights flickered.

Cole stepped up to the podium and said the G.M. wants to know if they want to see some action, give him a "Hell yeah!" Cole announced that Jericho & Edge will team up to face Bourne & Randy Orton. Bourne smiled excitedly as Jericho and Edge looked apprehensive and tense. Orton's music played and he walked down the aisle. [c]

3 -- CHRIS JERICHO & EDGE vs. RANDY ORTON & EVAN BOURNE

They joined the match in progress. A "Let's Go Evan!" chant rang out. Lawler said this is a "temporary alignment" between Edge and Jericho.

[Q6]

At 5:00 Orton tagged in Bourne. Jericho tagged in shortly thereafter. Bourne kicked him repeatedly. Jericho bailed out to the floor, then Bourne slidekicked him. Bourne slingshotted himself onto Jericho at ringside. Jericho came back with a clothesline at 7:00. They cut to a break. [c]

Edge had Bourne grounded after the break. They showed a clip of Jericho slidekicking Bourne. Bourne attempted a comeback, but Edge countered it and tagged in Jericho. At 12:00 Bourne escaped Jericho on the mat and crawled toward Orton, but Edge got tagged in first and got to Bourne. Bourne hit a leaping reverse sidekick after escaping a suplex attempt. Cole said it could be the turning point of the match. Orton got the hot-tag just as Jericho also tagged in. Orton gave him the DDT off the middle rope. Orton dropped to the mat and slapped it. Edge distracted Orton, giving Jericho a chance to recover and kick Orton. After more back and forth action, Jericho got upset with Edge not listening to him, especially for hesitating when he reached to tag in Edge. So when Edge reached for a tag a minute later, Jericho chewed him out. Bourne kicked him. Edge then speared Jericho and walked out on the match at 17:00. Bourne then hit his Air Bourne shooting star press for the win. As Bourne celebrated as his music played, Orton gave him an RKO. That silenced the crowd. Orton's music then hit. Maybe Orton just wanted to hear his song. Lawler said you can't ever trust a snake.

WINNER: Bourne & Orton in 18:00.

STAR RATING: **3/4 -- Some of it felt like they will filling time. It was never bad, but most of the way it was just solid but in the same gear throughout. Good way to promote the lack of alliances in the MITB.

[Q7] [c]

-Backstage The Nexus crossed paths with Orton. David Otunga said their group may have jumped them at the Fatal 4-Way, but it wasn't personal. Orton said that was his chance to win the WWE Championship. Health Slater assured him they will not interfere in the MITB ladder match. Otunga said depending on how the truce goes, they might not make the same promise about Sheamus vs. Cena. He said when that cage rises, who knows what will happen, but the champion will be in a very vulnerable position. He said if the MITB winner is involved in a war with their group, he may not be in any condition to win the title. Otunga said Orton should think about that next time Cena tries to recruit him to his cause. Orton said he's heard what they had to say and concluded, "Now get out of my face."

-They went to Cole and Lawler at ringside. Lawler said one shouldn't make a deal with the Devil. They plugged a Raw/Smakdown Supershow tomorrow night in Atlanta, which is also the home of WrestleMania. Then they shifted to plugging the MITB PPV. Cole said Truth cannot compete in the MITB due to Miz's actions, so now there's an opening in the Raw MITB. They hyped the entire MITB PPV line-up.

-Matthews announced that the Raw G.M. announced another championship match at the first-ever MITB event - The Hart Dynasty vs. The Usos. The Usos and Tamina joined Matthews. Jimmy bet Jai that Matthews doesn't know who is Jimmy and who is Jai. Matthews admitted he wasn't sure. Jai said after MITB, everyone will know what they're all about. Alicia walked into the picture as the Usos and Tamina left. She complained that she hasn't been interviewed once since winning the Divas Title. She wondered if the Divas Champion isn't worth his time or if he doesn't care what she has to say. She said at the Fatal 4-Way it was not a fluke that she went home with the title, and if she doesn't believe it, he ought to watch what she's about to do to Eve. Nice to see some mid-carders get some mic time to show their personalities and hype their matches. [c]

[Q8]

4 -- ALICIA FOX vs. EVE -- Divas Title Match

Fox sold an ankle injury after a backdrop. The ref ordered Eve to back off. Eve reluctantly backed off. Fox told the ref she needed a minute. Eve yelled, "Come on!" The crowd began to boo. Fox then kneed a charging Eve and nailed her with a legdrop to the back of her neck for the win, showing no signs of weakness. She was faking it, although she tried to cover for herself by limping to the back afterward.

WINNER: Fox in 2:00. [c]

-Cole and Lawler announced an Edge vs. Orton match next week on Raw.

-Wade Barrett walked to the ring. He invited Cena to come to the ring so they could "shake hands like men." Cena came out. Barrett told Cena he is no longer in their plans. He said he wants to look to the future and be able to move on. He said the Nexus Seven are going to be there for a long time. He said they can make his life easy or harder than it's ever been, and the choice is his. Cena said softly, "So the choice is mine?" Cena asked if he means it that if they shake hands, the chaos stops. He said where he comes from, his word is all he's got, so if they shake hands, it all stops. He put on his puppy dog eyes and then reached his hand out. Barrett went to shake it, but Cena pulled his hand away and changed his demeanor. He said why stop when they're having so much fun. He said he's also looking to the future where all kids have hover boards, cars fly, they have robot butlers, and The Nexus runs rampant on Raw. He checked his imaginary 8-Ball, and it said, "Ask again later." Cena told Barrett to take his short-term and long-term plans "and crumple them and stuff them up your Nexus."

[Q9 - Overrun]

Cena told the future of Nexus is him taking them all down. He said he will get to each and every one of them and that is their future. He said they've got his word on that. He smiled and began to leave the ring. Barrett said, "That you're even capable of standing in the ring today is a testament to the fact that what we've done to you in the past is nothing compared to what we could do to you in the future." Barrett warned him to call a truce or face dire consequences. He again reached his hand out. Cena grasped it and yanked him into his chest, then lifted him for an Attitude Adustment. The other Nexus members ran out and stopped Cena from executing it. They swarmed him. Bourne ran out to make the save. He was swarmed. Morrison was next. He was outnumbered. Lawler said they need more help than that Mark Henry's music played and he waved the rest of the locker room to the ring - Khali, Goldust, Kozlov, Santino, and the Hart Dynasty. Cole said the numbers game was finally swaying toward the Raw locker room. The Nexus retreated, although they left one member behind - Darren Young.

The G.M. chime sounded. Cole said, "The G.M. says I wanted peace. So if things don't stop now, there will be consequences." Cena applied the STF on Young. Lawler didn't seem to know his name and awkwardly tried to talk around that. Cole said as a consequences of what he just did, the G.M. just ruled he must fight all seven members of Nexus next week in a seven-on-one handicapped match. Cena trembled with anger and continued to attack Young. Lawler was apparently clued in on his name as Cena lifted the top part of the ringside steps and threw them at Young. Then he threw Young into the announce table, destroying it. Cena dove back into the ring, threw his hands into the air, and his music played as the show ended and Cena fumed with anger and determination regarding the G.M. ruling and the odds he faces next week. He had a cut under his left arm that was bleeding a bit.

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