NEW ORLEANS -- Two weeks after the WWE Draft helped lay a new foundation for Raw, a Fatal Four Way Match featuring JBL, John Cena, Batista and an especially furious Kane nearly shook that foundation to its core. In a Fatal Four Way Match, Batista prevailed and earned himself the No. 1 contender spot for the World Heavyweight Championship against CM Punk at The Great American Bash.

The night kicked off when SmackDown General Manager Vickie Guerrero rolled out in her wheelchair and blamed the newly-crowned World Heavyweight Champion, CM Punk, for the break up of her impending nuptials to the man he defeated, her fiancé and former champion Edge.

As the two traded barbs, the familiar strains of JBL's entrance music hit. The Longhorn Loudmouth began yelping about how he deserved a title opportunity against Punk. As he offered excuse after excuse why he wasn't sporting gold, he was cut off by John Cena.

JBL's longtime nemesis scolded the media maven for playing the "blame game" and insisted that he, too, wanted an opportunity to be the No. 1 contender for the championship at The Great American Bash in two weeks.

"Take off your diaper … and let's figure this out like a bunch of men," Cena, in the absence of a Raw GM or Mr. McMahon, told JBL.

Before they could reach an agreement, however, Batista rumbled onto the scene. In a show of respect, The Animal told the Straightedge Superstar that he deserved the title after prevailing in the Money in the Bank Match at WrestleMania XXIV. He then made his intentions clear: The former World Heavyweight Champion was determined to regain the title.

After boisterous debate, the three finally settled on battling in a Triple Threat Match to determine who would face off against Punk for the World Heavyweight Championship. It would be Batista vs. John Cena vs. JBL in a…

Not so fast! There was one other big man yet to be counted.

"I want in, too," bellowed recent Raw recruit Kane, after lumbering his way to the ring.

With that, a Fatal Four Way Match would decide who the contender would be.

After several potential match-ending maneuvers, including chokeslams, Batista Bombs and Clotheslines from Hell, it was Batista who emerged victorious among the rubble of the four men. After leveling Kane with a spear, The Animal earned the right to contend for the World Heavyweight Title.

As if the rafters hadn't suffered enough, Kane continued to rattle them after the match.

An enraged Kane went on a tear, tossing around several members of the WWE production crew before turning his sights on Michael Cole. Kane grabbed the Raw announcer and dragged him to the ring. He repeated the same question, one way or another, over and again: "Is he alive or is he dead?"

When a befuddled Cole was unable to answer, Kane prepared to chokeslam him. His announcing partner, Jerry "The King" Lawler, however, charged the ring for a save, allowing Cole to flee. After suffering Kane's wrath, Lawler lie motionless in the ring.

When the dust finally settled, CM Punk's Bash challenger seemed determined, while Kane's actions left many confused, shaken and wondering what the future will hold.