Raw Five-Point Preview: August 6, 2012
I can’t get no respect around here!
Sure, Rodney Dangerfield said it first, but WWE Champion CM Punk echoed the statement with gusto last week on Raw, airing his grievances that The Rock — and, by extension, the WWE itself — hasn’t afforded him the proper reverence as champion in recent weeks. It was a strong argument, but The Second City Saint’s night didn’t exactly get better thanks to Raw General Manager AJ Lee’s decision to place him in a Triple Threat WWE Title Match at SummerSlam against both John Cena and Big Show. Elsewhere, the inimitable Miss Lee turned the tables on her volcanic ex, Daniel Bryan, and Alberto Del Rio made a bold proclamation that didn’t exactly pay dividends for him on SmackDown. What awaits these competitors on the next episode of Raw? We have five things to watch out for.
You “NO!” nothing, Daniel Bryan
Oh, how the tables have turned. Only a few months ago, AJ Lee’s mental stability was being called into question by Daniel Bryan, but last week it, was AJ who had Bryan detained by the men in white coats. Later, the former World Heavyweight Champion later seemingly traded his trademark “YES!” for cries of “NO!” condemning the WWE Universe for daring to ape his catchphrase. The WWE Universe tends to have a mind of its own, however. How will they respond to Bryan’s newfound attitude? Also, just exactly what does “anger management therapist” Kane have in mind for the newfound “No!” man?
Del Rio can do as he likes?
Alberto Del Rio made a bold proclamation last week on Raw: following his defeat of U.S. Champion Santino Marella, The Essence of Excellence would refrain from competition until his World Heavyweight Championship Match against Sheamus at SummerSlam, as there wasn’t a foe in WWE that Del Rio considered to be of his caliber. Of course, that didn’t sit well with newly appointed SmackDown General Manager Booker T, who immediately put Del Rio into a match against Randy Orton on Friday night. With SummerSlam fast approaching, though, will Del Rio’s self-imposed moratorium hold under the red brand’s roof? Or does AJ have a plan for The Mexican Aristocrat?
The Viper hunts again
Randy Orton returned last Monday on Raw, cementing himself as the true Legend Killer by decisively defeating his would-be usurper, Heath Slater. Though Orton is technically a SmackDown Superstar, it’s unlike The Apex Predator to stay confined to the blue brand. Will he prowl the halls of Raw once again? And if so, who will be caught in his venomous wrath?
"Prime" opportunity
Fun fact: The Prime Time Players have now defeated Tag Team Champions Kofi Kingston & R-Truth in consecutive singles matches on both Raw (where Titus beat Kofi) and SmackDown (where Young conquered Truth). The Players have been backing up their jibber-jabber with several solid performances in the past weeks; has their recent run against the champs earned them the right to challenge for the Tag Titles once again? Or will another aspiring duo step up to claim their spot in the food chain?
R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Don’t expect CM Punk to stay silent on the matter of his Triple Threat Match at SummerSlam: The stipulation places the champion in an extremely disadvantageous situation. If Punk’s tirade on the stage against AJ (“You’re a BAD GM!”) is any indication, The Voice of the Voiceless doesn’t think his gripes of being disrespected have been heard quite loud enough yet. Expect him to turn up the volume.
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