WWE RAW – July 18, 2011 – Green Bay, Wisconsin
IN THE RING
Vince McMahon & John Laurenitis: Vince McMahon & John Laurenitis walked to the ring to address the WWE championship situation (it was won by C.M. Punk last night just before he walked out of the WWE). The entire WWE roster watched on a TV, most notably Alberto Del Rio standing in the middle of the room clutching his Money in the Bank briefcase. The crowd chanted for C.M. Punk, but Vince called him an ingrate and said he would never say his name ever again. Vince announced that they would crown a new WWE champion here tonight in a single elimination tournament. Vince announced Rey Mysterio vs. Dolph Ziggler, R-Truth vs. Jack Sagger, Kofi Kingston vs. Alberto Del Rio, and Alex Riley vs. The Miz. Vince then addressed the John Cena situation, blaming him for Punk leaving the WWE with the title. Vince said there will be severe consequences and it will be a night that we always remember. Enjoy the show!
RINGSIDE SEGMENT
Michael Cole & Jerry Lawler: Michael Cole said he was on John Cena’s Twitter and relayed that Cena considers himself fired and apologized to the Rock for not being able to participate in WrestleMania 28. Next they showed the brackets for the upcoming WWE Title Tournament!
WWE CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT ROUND #1
Mike Mizanin defeated Alex Riley to advance: They showed a freeze frame of The Miz injuring his knee at Money in the Bank. The Miz favoured his knee throughout the match and limped away from the ring afterwards..
VIGNETTE: John Morrison..
WWE CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT ROUND #1
R-Truth defeated Jack Swagger:
WWE CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT ROUND #1
Kofi Kingston defeated Alberto Del Rio : Alberto got this opportunity despite owning the Money in the Bank contract.
SUMMERSLAM RECALL: The British Bulldog vs. Bret “The Hitman” Hart for the Intercontinental title at SummerSlam 1992 at Wembley Stadium in England – one of the greatest matches of all-time!
BACKSTAGE INTERVIEW
Josh Mathews & Kofi Kingston: Kofi talked about coming up short at Money in the Bank but tonight is a new opportunity. Kofi said beating Alberto just now was the first step towards him becoming WWE champion!
WWE CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT ROUND #1
Rey Mysterio defeated Dolph Ziggler w/Vickie Guerrero:
WWE DIVAS 7-on-7 TAG TEAM MATCH
Kelly Kelly & Eve Torres & Gail Kim & Beth Phoenix & Natalya Neidhart & A.J. Lee & Kaitlyn defeated Brie Bella & Nikki Bella & Maryse Ouellet & Alicia Fox & Melina Perez & Rosa Mendes & Tamina: It immediately broke out into a brawl on the floor while Beth Phoenix finished off Rosa Mendes with a Glam-Slam in the ring.
WWE CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT SEMI-FINAL
Mike Mizanin defeated Kofi Kingston to advance: The Miz advanced to the finals despite working with a knee injury…
BACKSTAGE INTERVIEW
Scott Stanford & R-Truth: Truth said that Rey Mysterio was going to get GOT!
VIGNETTE: Tough Enough winner BIG ANDY.
WWE CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT SEMI-FINAL
Rey Mysterio defeated R-Truth:
IN THE RING
Vince McMahon + John Cena + Triple H: Vince McMahon postponed the finals of the tournament until next week due to time constraints. Vince said he had to do something that is bigger than the WWE championship right now. Vince said that no one man is bigger than the WWE, and proclaimed that he could make a new John Cena. The crowd started chanting for C.M. Punk. Vince talked about Cena’s work ethic and thanked him for his contributions to the WWE. Vince said sometimes you have to make difficult decisions and do what’s right for the business. Vince said sometimes the fans are blinded and don’t understand that he is long-term oriented. Vince claimed that some day the fans would thank him. Vince said as much as he would like to not do this….. he paused the fans started chanting for C.M. Punk again. Vince asked to get it over with, and he was joined in the ring by John Cena. Cena said he was going to behave, adding that he won’t go through what Vince made Shawn Michaels go through. Cena said over the years everybody said that HE (Shawn Michaels) was the one who screwed Bret. Cena said he thought about it all week, and asked himself if he wanted to the be the one who screwed C.M. Punk. Cena said Vince just wanted to keep his Universe in one piece. Cena looked in the camera and thanked C.M. Punk for a hell of a match last night. Cena said he won’t play along with any crap that would make the WWE championship meaningless. Cena said he’s had a good career in WWE, and challenged Vince to make another John Cena to face The Rock at WrestleMania 28. Cena said he will get to walk out of there with his pride and dignity. Cena said he wanted to tell Vince that he loves the WWE and truly believes that he belongs here. Cena said if Vince makes him walk, he will walk onto someone else’s TV show and keep doing this, BROTHER! (Hogan/TNA reference) Cena said the one thing he will not do is kiss Vince’s ass. Vince took the mic and was about to fire John Cena, when suddenly Triple H’s music hit and Triple H walked out to the ring wearing a suit and tie. Vince had a big grin on his face. HHH talked in Vince’s ear and Vince got him a microphone and introduced him. HHH said he got there as quickly as he could and informed Vince that there was a board of directors meeting this morning. HHH said the board asked him to come to RAW to tell Vince that they are concerned about the situation. HHH wanted to talk in the back but Vince was stubborn. HHH said the board is specifically concerned about Vince. HHH said Vince built this empire and it was all his vision. HHH said the board is concerned about Vince’s questionable decisions lately. HHH again wanted to talk in the back, but Vince remained stubborn. HHH said the board has filed a conjunction against Vince with a vote of no confidence – and the family agrees. HHH added that the board has appointed someone to take over the day to day operations of the WWE. HHH apprehensively informed Vince that it was HIM. HHH said Vince is not going to fired John Cena, he’s not going to be doing anything else. HHH said Vince taught him from day one that nobody is bigger than the business, and this is just business. HHH said with all due respect, he’s there to inform Vince that he is relieved of his duties! Vince started to cry. HHH was shaken up as well. The crowd sang nah nah nah nah hey hey hey good bye. HHH also started to cry for his father in law. HHH asked Vince to understand he didn’t want to do it, but it’s what’s right for the business. HHH said “I love you POP, and I’m sorry!” HHH left the ring, where Vince McMahon continued to cry. The crowd changed to cheering respectfully for Vince and evey started chanting “thank you, Vince!”