The Silver Report: July 22-28

The 1000^th episode of Raw has come and gone.  In the end, it was a very entertaining show that had incredible ups and very few lows.  It was a celebration of both Raw’s past, present and future.  It was nice to see the WWE take some time to make fun of themselves like the return of Mae Young and Mark Henry’s son all-grown up.  The 1000^th episode of Raw was easily the best 3 hour Raw the WWE has put on in years.  Now the question is if the WWE can keep each Raw from dragging each and every week now that it is permanently three hours long?  This next month will be the real test and I hope the WWE either brings the same passion and excitement they brought for this 1000^th episode that they do for the next 1000 or change the Raw back to a two hour show before the three hours damages the overall quality of WWE’s product.  For all wrestling fans, the 1000^th episode of Raw is a must-watch show.  Also make sure to watch this week’s Smackdown, it has some quality matches that deserve your viewing.

The Rock, Daniel Bryan and CM Punk Steal the Show

A lot of focus might have been on Daniel Bryan and AJ’s wedding on Monday, but it was what followed that wedding that really stole the show in my opinion.  After being stood up at the altar by AJ, who is now the new General Manager of Raw, Daniel Bryan was livid.  He would not leave the ring until AJ came back to the ring to apologize.  Instead CM Punk made his way down to the ring to rub salt into Bryan’s wound.  It did not turn out as Punk had expected as Bryan’s tirade on being the greatest wrestler of all-time brought out The Rock.  The Rock did his normal shtick, but added in one important detail.  The Rock will be challenging whoever the WWE Champion is come the Royal Rumble in Phoenix.  Then Rock went on to wish CM Punk good luck in his match against John Cena later on last Monday’s Raw.  Feeling a bit left out of the proceedings, Daniel Bryan interrupted Punk and Rock’s talk, which lead right into The Rock making of fun and laying out the American Dragon to end this incredible segment.  Seeing Daniel Bryan and CM Punk hold their own on the microphone with the Great One was an excellent moment.  It was easily the best segment of the night and the most fun I had while watching Raw 1000.

Triple H and Brock Lesnar, Summerslam

The 1000^th episode of Raw began with the full reunion of D-Generation X sans Chyna.  It was very fun and light-hearted segment that had some of the best superstars from the Attitude Era giving one hell of a rub to the up-and-coming Damien Sandow.  While Triple H did get to have some fun with old friends at the top of the show, things got serious when he came out to find out Brock Lesnar’s answer to his challenge for a match at Summerslam.  Triple H called out Brock Lesnar once again only to have Paul Heyman make his way to the ring.  Heyman reiterated yet again that Brock Lesnar would not accept Triple H’s challenge to a match at Summerslam.  Before Heyman could waddle backstage, Stephanie McMahon, Triple H’s wife and daughter of Vince McMahon, made her first appearance on Raw in a few years.  Stephanie got on the microphone and just torn into Paul Heyman.  At first, Heyman went back-and-forth with Stephanie in an incredible war of words, but eventually Vince McMahon’s little girl got under Paul Heyman’s skin.  Paul Heyman, in Brock Lesnar’s name, accepted Triple H’s challenge for a one-on-one match at Summerslam.  Once Heyman made the announcement and a few derogatory comments towards Triple H’s children, all hell broke loose.  Stephanie started beating the crap out of Heyman and Brock Lesnar made a mad sprint to the ring to fight Triple H.  At the end of segment, Triple H stood tall in the ring as Lesnar and Heyman would retreat backstage, but this is just the start of a feud that should escalate nicely in the next few weeks leading up to Summerslam.

Long Live Heel Punk

You knew WWE had something big planned for the very end of Raw 1000.  They needed a huge hook like the debut of the Nexus or CM Punk’s pipe bomb to get everybody excited to tune into episode 1001 of Raw.  There was a ton of speculation, but what we actually happened got caught many including me completely off guard.  Like expected the main event had CM Punk and John Cena put on a fairly entertaining one-on-one contest for the WWE Championship.  The only thing I personally did not enjoy was the disqualification ending to the match.  Personally I would of preferred a screw job finish with the Big Show costing John Cena the match, much like the false finish we had earlier in the match.  While the ref was knocked out, Big Show hit Cena with a huge spear, which gave Punk the opening to pick up the victory.  CM Punk, being a face, was conflicted over taking the easy way to victory or winning fair and square.  The time Punk spent reflecting gave Cena enough energy to kick out of the eventually pinfall attempt.  I can see why they went with the DQ ending because they want to extend CM Punk vs. John Cena until Summerslam.  I just believe things could have done differently to get the same great end result.  The ending I am talking about happens immediately after Big Show breaks the STF.  Big Show continues to beat down John Cena while CM Punk walks away with the WWE Championship in hand.  Seeing that nobody is coming to John Cena’s aid, The Rock sprints to the ring to plant the Big Show with a huge spinebuster.  When Rock goes for the People’s Elbow, CM Punk intercepts the People’s Champ with a thunderous clothesline.  With John Cena, Big Show and the Rock all laid out in the ring, Punk turns his back and walks down the ramp with a serious look on his face.  At first, I did not fully enjoy the ending of Raw 1000 as I thought WWE would put a bigger, more in your face cliffhanger than what actually happened much like the debut of Nexus.  It was very surreal and more thought-provoking cliffhanger ending that took a while for me personally to see it’s brilliance much like Shawn Michaels’ turn on Hulk Hogan way back in 2005.  I was surprised that WWE would turn CM Punk heel just a year after turning him face even though Punk works much better as a heel than he does as a face.  CM Punk’s heel turn was an excellent way to end the 1000^th episode of Raw off and it keeps fans wanting to see Punk’s explanation this coming week on Raw.  Great job WWE and long live heel Punk!!

The Silver Report: July 15-21

After months of hype, counting down each and every leading up to it, the 1000^th episode is finally upon us.  This momentous occasion has plenty of fans including yours truly excited to the point that WWE NEEDS to deliver with this show.  Not only to kick off the next 1000 episodes off with a bang, but to convince every wrestling fan that Raw’s move to three hours is really worth it.  In all honesty, I am quite skeptical that WWE can put on a consistently watchable product with Raw being three hours each and every week.  They have a hard time keeping many interested through the two hour shows.  Things can easily drag when you have three whole hours to fill with content.  Hopefully that does not happen, but I am still worried.  With the DX Reunion, Brock Lesnar’s answer, the naming of the new GM, AJ & Daniel Bryan’s wedding, the Rock’s message, the Intercontinental Title match and CM Punk vs. John Cena for the WWE Championship, the 1000^th episode of Raw is definitely stacked.  We will just have to see how everything turns out come Monday night.  While a little worried, I personally cannot wait to see what happens.

CM Punk vs. John Cena, WWE Championship, Raw 1000

To nobodies’ surprise, John Cena won the WWE Championship Money in the Bank Ladder match last Sunday at Money of the Bank.  That left one question that lingered throughout last Monday’s Raw.  When and where will John Cena cash in his Money in the Bank contract?  We would not find out until the very end of the show.  After Big Show got disqualified from his very good match against CM Punk, John Cena made his way to ringside with the Money in the Bank briefcase in tow.  We got a nice little exchange between Cena and Big Show where the Giant played devil’s advocate.  He kept on trying to convince John Cena to throwaway all his morals and cash in the Money in the Bank contract right then and there.  Eventually Cena got fed up and announced he will be cashing in his Money in the Bank contract this coming Monday at the 1000^th episode of Raw before cracking Big Show in the head with the Money in the Bank briefcase.  CM Punk and John Cena have incredible chemistry.  No matter what outside force gets involved in the match, it should be a very entertaining contest.  While I would personally like if the match went on without a hitch, the plans are to have John Cena vs. CM Punk for the WWE Championship at Summerslam.  To get us to that point, something big has to happen at some point during this match to start us on the road to the WWE Championship rematch at Summerslam.  The Rock, Big Show, whoever it may be, whatever happens at the conclusion of this match should be big and hopefully send us to Summerslam in style.

Can You Smell What the Rock Has Cooking?

About two weeks ago, it was announced that the Rock would be on the 1000^th episode of Raw.  This announcement led to lots of speculation.  The last time the Rock was on Monday Night Raw, he promised to become the WWE Champion once again.  Most people, me included, believe that Rock will announce when and where he will be challenging for the WWE Championship because WWE would most likely want to promote the holy hell out of that match like they did for Rock vs. Cena.  My prediction is that the People’s Champ will announce that he will challenge for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 29.  That could set up Cena vs. Rock II, Brock Lesnar vs. Rock or even CM Punk vs. Rock depending on who is holding the WWE Championship come WrestleMania.  Other possible events where Rock could challenge for the WWE Title are either Summerslam or Survivor Series.  One of the Big Four PPVs other than Royal Rumble (as the actual Royal Rumble match would overshadow this WWE Title match) would be perfect for a match of this caliber.  Maybe the Great One has something else completely different to talk about this coming Monday.  No doubt the whole wrestling world will be listening to what the Rock has to say the 1000^th episode of Raw.

He’s Here to Show the World

While John Cena won the WWE Championship Money in the Bank Ladder match, Dolph Ziggler won the World Heavyweight Championship Money in the Bank Ladder match to the pleasure of yours truly.  Dolph finally has the one thing that could launch him to superstardom.  Now we just have to wait to see when WWE pulls the trigger, but until then we should see Mr. Ziggler hanging in upper card feuds.  One possible feud could be against Chris Jericho, who interrupted Ziggler’s victory speech last Monday on Raw.  Jericho came out and before he even got to speak, Ziggler jumped all over him.  Asking when was the last time Jericho won anything important and going on about how Jericho says he is the Best in the World and has done nothing in his latest run in WWE to prove it.  Dolph would continue to berate Jericho until the Liontamer shut the Show-Off up with a Codebreaker.  It was an excellent segment that planted the seeds for a match at Summerslam or even the 1000^th episode of Raw.  WWE could also put Ziggler into the World Title picture with Sheamus, Alberto Del Rio and the returning Rey Mysterio for a Fatal 4 Way match at Summerslam, but that would not be preferred.  I personally think that Dolph Ziggler should stay as far away from the World Title picture for the time being so he has the element of surprise when he actually cashes in the briefcase and he can have time to establish himself as a main eventer before being handed the title.  At this point and time, it is key to have Dolph Ziggler in meaningful feuds with upper mid-carders to main eventers like Chris Jericho, Daniel Bryan, Rey Mysterio and Christian which raise Dolph’s stock with the fans and in the WWE locker room.  It is Dolph Ziggler’s time to show the world what he can do.  WWE, it is on you not to screw this up.

Battle for the Briefcase: Preview of WWE Money in the Bank 2012

It has been a long while since I have been able to do a full preview of a WWE PPV.  It seemed for the longest time that every Sunday that there was a PPV, I would either be working or have some kind of family function.  I never would have the time to sit down a write an entire PPV preview.  It comes at the right time as my first PPV preview in the longest time is one of my personal favourite PPVs of the year, Money in the Bank.

This year, Money in the Bank has a lot to live up to.  Money in the Bank 2011 was easily the best PPV of 2011 and one of the most memorable shows in WWE history.  In order to solidify this PPV as a big player outside the Big Four PPVs (Royal Rumble, WrestleMania, Summerslam and Survivor Series), WWE needs to put on a good to great show this year.  While the four matches that have been announced are enough to sell any PPV, WWE needs to carefully balance the other matches they throw on the card.  Honestly nobody wants to see a Ryback squash match or a throwaway Diva’s Title match on any PPV.  If the WWE needs something that might fill some time, put on Epico & Primo vs. the Prime Time Players because they at least have a little feud going on or a return promo for Rey Mysterio and/or Randy Orton.  Just put on something that will be worth our time instead of completely wasting it like they have done at the last few PPVs.

Dolph Ziggler vs. Cody Rhodes vs. Tensai vs. Damien Sandow vs. Tyson Kidd vs. Christian vs. Santino Marella vs. Sin Cara in the World Heavyweight Championship Money in the Bank Ladder Match

Out of the Money in the Bank Ladder matches at this year’s Money in the Bank, this one is the most exciting.  While the WWE Championship Money in the Bank Ladder match is restricted to only former WWE Champions, the World Heavyweight Championship Money in the Bank Ladder match is open to any superstar.  That meant we got a very diverse level of talent in this contest.  Young talent like Damien Sandow and Cody Rhodes, underappreciated talents like Dolph Ziggler and Tyson Kidd, high-flyers like Sin Cara comedy acts like Santino Marella and veterans like Christian and Tensai.  This match has all the bases covered and should be an exciting showcase for these superstars’ incredible wrestling abilities.  Unless Wade Barrett gets added to the match at the last minute, it is time for Dolph Ziggler shine in the main event.  The first step is winning this Money in the Bank Ladder match.  WWE, give Ziggler a chance to hold the ball because he will run with it.

Prediction:  Dolph Ziggler wins the World Heavyweight Championship Money in the Bank Briefcase

Sheamus (c) vs. Alberto Del Rio for the World Heavyweight Championship

It has take about three months to finally get a singles match between Alberto Del Rio and Sheamus for the World Heavyweight Championship.  Every time WWE booked the match for previous PPVs, the match would get changed at the last minute due to outside circumstances.  It is finally time to see these two heavyweights collide this Sunday with the World Heavyweight Championship in the balance.  With all the time this match has been changed previously, I personally believe Sheamus and Alberto Del Rio have out an added pressure on themselves to put on one amazing singles match.  Added Alberto Del Rio’s budding mean streak, which in my opinion he should have had since he debuted, this match should be a very competitive and equally intense title match.  So keep an eye on this match, it could easily steal the show.

Prediction:  Sheamus retains

John Cena vs. Big Show vs. Kane vs. Chris Jericho in the WWE Championship Money in the Bank Ladder Match

While I am excited to see the result for the World Heavyweight Championship Money in the Bank Ladder match, I do not care much for the WWE Championship Money in the Bank Ladder match.  Out of all the superstars in this match, who honestly thinks that John Cena will not walk out of Phoenix with the WWE Championship Money in the Bank briefcase?  It is a sad, but true.  With that big elephant in the room, my interest for this match has completely faded.  Do not get me wrong, this should be an incredible Fatal 4 Way Ladder match, but it is not what I would ever consider a Money in the Bank Ladder match other than the briefcase hanging above the ring.  If the WWE added two more former WWE Champions to the match, say Randy Orton and/or Rey Mysterio, I would personally be more interested because there would be that slight chance Cena would not win.  With the match in its current state, Super Cena will be holding that Money in the Bank briefcase at the end of the night and I will not care.

Prediction:  John Cena wins the WWE Championship Money in the Bank Briefcase

CM Punk (c) vs. Daniel Bryan for the WWE Championship with AJ as Special Guest Referee

One year after launching himself to superstardom with one incredible match in Chicago, CM Punk is in yet another Money in the Bank main event.  This year, CM Punk defends his WWE Championship against rival Daniel Bryan.  These two wrestlers colliding in a one-one-one match for the biggest prize in the biggest wrestling promotion in the world is a dream for any self-respecting wrestling fan.  We will no doubt be in for one amazing treat come the main event at Money in the Bank as these two will do everything in their power to put on a show that no wrestling fan will ever forget.  Add in the unpredictable element in the special guest referee, the mentally unstable diva AJ and we got one interesting bout that should provide an overbooked yet climactic conclusion to this storyline.  While I would not mind Punk retaining, I would love it if AJ’s madness was just a ploy to help Daniel Bryan win the WWE Championship from CM Punk and we get the Bryan-AJ power couple that we all want and would love.

Prediction:  Daniel Bryan wins the WWE Championship

If WWE can resist from adding anything stupid to Money in the Bank, this year’s event could possibly reach the greatness of last year’s show.  Smart booking, quality matches with the right amount of time and zero to no filler are the keys to keeping Money in the Bank from entering No Way Out 2012 territory.  On paper, this card is incredible.  We will have to wait until later this evening to see if this card is just as incredible in reality as it is on paper.

The Silver Report: July 1-7

I will admit this past week was the most fun I had watching WWE in a long while.  Raw was highly entertaining and left my brother laughing at the good and incredibly cheesy moments.  Even the No Holds Barred ad was so hilariously bad that we could not help but laugh.  While I did not watch the entirety of Super Smackdown, what I watched was great.  Easily the best live Smackdown WWE has put on in ages.  A very good thing considering Money in the Bank is only a week away.  We will just have to see how WWE brings it this week for the go-home shows to both Money in the Bank and the 1000^th episode of Raw. 

In the Hands of a Crazy Chick

By now everybody should that AJ is absolutely crazy.  Ever since Daniel Bryan dumped her back in April, there has been a screw loose in this young lady.  No more was that true than this week as the focus was clearly on the special guest referee for the WWE Championship.  A good thing in my opinion because this storyline is the most entertaining out of all of WWE’s programming.  Also the WWE Championship has got shafted for whatever John Cena was doing for the past few months; it did deserve all of the limelight it got this week.   AJ went through a lot on Monday from turning down Bryan’s sad attempt at tricking her to completely freaking out on Punk for not watching her match.  An unhinged AJ did not result in anything good for CM Punk and Daniel Bryan as both men ended Monday night by going through a table.  Everybody was looking for answers from AJ come Tuesday for Super Smackdown on why she put Punk and Bryan through a table on Raw, but nothing was answered.  Instead we were left with more questions as AJ played more mind games with Punk and Bryan by making out with both wrestlers before leaving Smackdown.  As long as all these questions are answered in a satisfying way at Money in the Bank, I am completely fine with WWE pulling us along a little longer.

More for Money in the Bank

As we move closer to the Money in the Bank PPV, the more anticipation there is for the Money in the Bank Ladder matches.  While WWE did tease that there may be more superstars added to the WWE Championship Money in the Bank, nothing came of the little tease.  It is sad because that match is lacking some star power that a returning Randy Orton and/or Rey Mysterio could easily fill.  While I do hope either one or both are added this coming week.  It does feel far little too late to add them to the match, but you never know.  The qualifying matches for the World Heavyweight Championship Money in the Bank Ladder match rolled on this past week on Super Smackdown.  Cody Rhodes and Dolph Ziggler both qualified for the World Title Money in the Bank thus bringing the number of participants to seven.  We do not know for sure if there will be more qualifying matches this week on Smackdown.  Seeing as Zack Ryder is the General Manager this week, it is easy to believe that he will add himself to the match one way or another.  So far these matches should be exciting nonetheless.

Del Rio More Dangerous Than Ever

After months of teasing a one-on-one match between Alberto Del Rio and Sheamus for the World Heavyweight Championship, it will finally happen next Sunday at Money in the Bank.  Some wrestling fans might be not care anymore, but I do believe Sheamus and Del Rio will surprise us with a great singles match.  Now that he is back in the title picture, Del Rio has a drive many have not seen in a while.  The Mexican Aristocrat is more dangerous than ever as he hungers for the World Heavyweight Championship.  First on Raw, he completely demolished Sin Cara by attacking the luchador and hooking in the Cross Arm Breaker before the bell rang.  Then on Smackdown, Del Rio took Sheamus for a ride as he slammed the hood of his car down on Sheamus quite a few times.  Del Rio’s attack on Sheamus caused the World Heavyweight Champion to withdraw from the Great American Bash Battle Royal that was held later that night.  We will have to see how this injury plays into their title match next Sunday.  The attack showed the champion that Alberto Del Rio is not a challenger that you take kindly.  He is a vicious and sneaky competitor that will try to win at all costs.  It should make for a highly entertaining title match at Money in the Bank.

The Silver Report: June 24-30

We are right into the summer months and things look to be kicking into gear.  As WWE moves closer to Money in the Bank, the more interesting the WWE seems to get.  Last year, Money in the Bank solidified its spot in WWE’s PPV schedule with possibly the best PPV in years.  This year the wrestling world is hoping for another great show and so far things are looking good.  When a PPV has not one, but two multi-man ladder matches, there just needs to be a few great singles or tag team matches to wrap everything together.  Depending what the card is, I am seriously debating going to see Money in the Bank.  Two ladder matches, solid singles matches for the WWE and World Championships, a good Diva’s Title match and a decent tag team title match and I will be sold.

Former Champions Only

The biggest news from Raw this past week was the announcement of the WWE Championship Money in the Bank Ladder Match.  There will no longer be a ladder match for each brand, now there will be a ladder match for each title.  The WWE Championship Money in the Bank Ladder match is only open to former WWE Champions and this year only four superstars will compete in it.  John Cena, Big Show, Kane and Chris Jericho are the participants in this year’s match for the WWE Championship briefcase.  While it is neat and concept, the main purpose of the Money in the Bank Ladder match is to get up-and-coming talent over in the main event scene.  Some excellent examples are Edge, CM Punk and Daniel Bryan.  With all former champions in the mix, it does not give a chance for a younger guy such as Dolph Ziggler, Kofi Kingston or Brodus Clay a chance to shine.  The talent in this match should be able to put on an excellent ladder match, but there is no real reason to have this match be for the Money in the Bank briefcase.  From the looks of things, this match will serve as an excuse to get John Cena back into the WWE Title hunt as he will most definitely be winning.  Well there is no way Chris Jericho, Kane or the Big Show are winning if Super Cena is in the match.  Another gripe I have with the WWE Championship Money in the Bank Ladder match is that it is more or less a glorified Fatal 4 Way Ladder match.  Every Money in the Bank Ladder match before this match had at least six wrestlers in the match.  It should be hectic, but nothing as crazy as past Money in the Bank Ladder matches.  Hopefully WWE adds at least two more former WWE Champions to the mix, say Rey Mysterio or Randy Orton, to make this match a little more interesting.

All for the World Heavyweight Money in the Bank

While the WWE Championship Money in the Bank Ladder match is only for former WWE Champions, the World Heavyweight Money in the Bank Ladder match is open to everyone.  This past Friday on Smackdown saw five superstars qualify for the World Heavyweight Money in the Bank Ladder match.  The five lucky superstars were Damien Sandow, Tyson Kidd, Santino Marella, Christian and Tensai.  So far a good mix of superstars in this match, but I cannot wait to see who will qualify this coming Tuesday on the special Great American Bash live Smackdown.  The rumour is that there will be four more qualifying matches this Tuesday on Smackdown, which will bring the number of participants to nine.  Add one more surprise entrant say in the return of Wade Barrett and you got an even ten men in what should be an incredible showcase of talent.  Personally I do hope that Dolph Ziggler will qualify and win the World Heavyweight Money in the Bank briefcase.  Dolph is just on the precipice of the main event and that Money in the Bank briefcase just may be exactly what Dolph needs to break that glass ceiling.  All-in-all, the World Heavyweight Money in the Bank Ladder match looks much more promising than the WWE Championship Money in the Bank Ladder match. 

CM Punk vs. Daniel Bryan II at Money in the Bank

Well, I guess WWE creative reads the Silver Report.  Just last week, I hoped that we would get CM Punk vs. Daniel Bryan for the WWE Championship over another Triple Threat Match between Punk, Bryan and Kane at Money in the Bank.  After pinning CM Punk in a Triple Threat Elimination Match this past Monday on Raw, Daniel Bryan has been granted one more singles match for the WWE Championship in a few weeks at Money in the Bank.  All WWE has to do now is make CM Punk vs. Daniel Bryan II for the WWE Championship the main event of Money in the Bank and I will be in heaven.  CM Punk and Daniel Bryan have incredible chemistry from their times in Ring of Honor and given the spotlight and time of the main event, they could produce something just as or more incredible as my current Match of the Year, Undertaker vs. Triple H from WrestleMania.  With the addition of AJ as the special guest referee, this match looks like the climax of this Punk vs. Bryan feud.  Come Money in the Bank, we will know who AJ sides with, who will leave Phoenix with the WWE Championship and who is the better wrestler between CM Punk and Daniel Bryan?  All these questions should be answered in an incredibly climactic showdown in the desert that all wrestling fans should go out of their way to watch.