Raw Five-Point preview: July 30, 2012

Raw Five-Point preview: July 30, 2012

We were shocked – shocked, we say – when CM Punk seemingly snapped on Raw 1,000 and GTS-ed The Rock into a catatonic state after The Great One interfered following Punk’s WWE Title Match against John Cena to close the show. The Second City Saint left without another word as boos rained down upon him for the first time since the “pipe bomb,” with Rock splayed in ruin across the canvas and a thousand questions echoing in the WWE Universe’s collective mind. Elsewhere, Cena found himself on the wrong side of history, and Raw got itself the unlikeliest of General Managers by appointment of Mr. McMahon himself. Here are five things to look out for on Raw 1,001.

The age of AJ

Instead of marrying Daniel Bryan, AJ accepts Mr. McMahon's offer to be permanent Raw General Manager: Raw, July 23, 2012

AJ leaves Daniel Bryan at the altar after accepting Mr. McMahon's offer to become the permanent Raw General Manager.

Crazier things than AJ being appointed the General Manager of Raw have happened, but now comes the interesting part: What, exactly, does the unpredictable Diva have in store for her new domain? It’s highly likely that Daniel Bryan will have a few things to answer for, and AJ will likely make him pay for his past manipulations of her with lots of seemingly impossible to win matches for the “Yes!” man to compete in. But there’s plenty of other, non-revenge-oriented managerial work to be done; is AJ truly up to the task of running Raw?

Can Ziggler tame the lionheart?

Sheamus, Rey Mysterio & Sin Cara vs. Alberto Del Rio, Dolph Ziggler & Chris Jericho: Raw, July 23, 2012

World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus, Rey Mysterio, & Sin Cara compete against the team of Alberto Del Rio, Chris Jericho, & Dolph Ziggler in a Six Man Tag Team Match.

Dolph Ziggler has beef with Chris Jericho. This much is apparent, as the two have been causing each other passive-aggressive misery over the past couple of weeks. Ziggler fed Jericho to Sheamus on Raw 1,000 during their Six-Man Tag Match, sending The Ayatollah of Rock ‘n’ Rolla headlong into a Brogue Kick. Jericho repaid Ziggler in kind on SmackDown, setting him up for a beating at the hands of The Great White. It’s only a matter of time before these two settle their differences in the ring. Will it be Monday night?

Destiny resumed?

Sheamus helps Rey Mysterio fend off Dolph Ziggler and Alberto Del Rio: SmackDown, July 20, 2012

Dolph Ziggler & Alberto Del Rio have their own problems, but put it aside to take down Rey Mysterio until World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus shows up to even the sides.

Alberto Del Rio is the No. 1 contender for Sheamus’ World Heavyweight Title once again, and The Essence of Excellence is under heavy pressure to deliver this time out when he challenges for The Great White’s prize. He’ll have Rey Mysterio to answer to, though, whom Del Rio robbed of the No. 1 contender’s spot on SmackDown with a little help from Ricardo Rodriguez. The Ultimate Underdog has gone after Del Rio with abandon since his return two weeks ago, will The Master of the 619 have more plans in store for his highfalutin foil?

Cena cashes out

CM Punk vs. John Cena: Raw, July 23, 2012 - WWE Championship Match

CM Punk defends his WWE Championship against John Cena in the main event until things get out of control when Big Show and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson get involved.

Only one Superstar has ever failed to successfully turn a Money in the Bank contract into a World Championship win, and that man is John Cena. For all the Cenation leader’s towering accomplishments, he now finds himself on the less-enviable side of history thanks to the interference of Big Show (the irony in all of this is that Cena did win the match by disqualification, but not the championship). Cena has never been one to dwell too deeply on his failures, but with this one etched into the annals of WWE history, how will he reply to being robbed of his prize?

The Voice of the Voiceless speaks

Rock reveals he will fight for the WWE Title at Royal Rumble then Rock Bottoms Daniel Bryan: Raw, July 23, 2012

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson announces that he will compete for the WWE Championship at Royal Rumble 2013 and then gives Daniel Bryan a Rock Bottom.

No one has seen or heard from CM Punk since he attacked The Rock at the end of Raw 1,000, so far be it from us to assume we know what he might be thinking. As first revealed on WWE's Breaking News alert service, the WWE Champion will kick off Raw by addressing the WWE Universe. Will The Straight Edge Superstar explain his actions from last week? Perhaps a forecast for a potential WWE Title Match against The Great One at the 2013 Royal Rumble? Frankly, we have no idea what Punk plans to say, but we can’t wait to find out.

WWE Shows Latest Results

View all Shows