Raw Review (July 28)

1. John Cena came out to settle things with Batista, who he punched in a main event brawl last week. Eventually after being invited by Cena, Batista, the hometown boy, came out to set things straight. Then for a couple of minutes they argued on who should get the next title shot against CM Punk, but during the debate John Cena ended up challenging Batista for a battle tonight. This brought Shane McMahon out, and after he did his signature dance, he had a lot of announcements. First, he confirmed that he and sister, Stephanie, had appointed a new General Manager to be shown later. Second, the match between CM Punk and the "hottest free agent in our business today" (apparently not a title match) was set. After that, a huge tag team bout was booked with JBL and Kane challenging Batista and John Cena, bringing an end to segment one. (Segment Rating: 2 out of 5)

2. Segment two started with a recap of the Santino-Beth kissing scene aired last week followed by an interaction backstage between the two. This brought us to the tag team match. Santino and Beth Phoenix def. D-Lo Brown and Kelly Kelly in 2:00 when Santino rolled up Kelly Kelly. The match was short, but after the bout we got a duplicate of Beth and Santino's performance from last week. Once again, both counterparts found each other in a lip-lock. (Seg. Rating: 3.5)

3. Coming back from commercial break, JBL was found in new GM's locker room arguing with Shane McMahon over his status in the World Title mix-up. Shane finally ended the debate when he told Bradshaw to take it up with the GM when he arrives. Next, we went to the ring for a World Tag Team Title match pitting Champions Rhodes and DiBiase against veterans Jerry Lawler and Jim Duggan who have been in a struggle over respect with the Champions for two weeks. However, the new GM had changed the match. No longer would Hacksaw Jim Duggan be in action, but Jerry Lawler's partner would be Michael Cole!!! (Seg. Rating: 0, too short to register)

4. Back from commercial, Champions Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase Jr. def. Jerry Lawler and Michael Cole in 2:00 when Rhodes clotheslined Cole to retain the titles. The match served its purpose, and I liked the fact that WWE took a risk and left the match without announcers. It is also great to see Jerry Lawler work a better match then some main-eventers at age 58. Commercial. (Seg. Rating: 3)

5. Back from the break, Mike Adamle joins Jerry Lawler at the announcer's desk due to Cole's injury. After a the introduction of announcers and Mike Adamle being clueless of why he was there, Jamie Noble challenged Kofi Kingston, who he called "Coffee Kingston", to a Intercontinental Title match. IC Champ Kofi Kingston def. Jamie Noble in 2:00 with a spinning heel kick to retain. (Seg. Rating: 2.5)

6. JBL joined the Adamle and Lawler at the desk when we came back from the break to announce Punk's match. So who is this free agent? WILLIAM REGAL. World Champion CM Punk def. William Regal in 4:00 with a "Go 2 Sleep" in a non-title match. It is great to see Regal back. The match wasn't half bad, it should be fun to see the development of Regal. When the match ended, JBL confronted Punk in the ring when Kane interfered in the confrontation. The three traded some blows that eventually led to a Punk on his back and a staredown between Kane and Layfield leading to commercials. (Seg. Rating: 3)

7. Chris Jericho came out with Lance Cade for the advertised final Highlight Reel. His promo started off on the subject of the fans not accepting his new character and how he wanted to abandon his old "party" host persona. He then gave us a video compilation of the Reel's greatest moments. Then, Y2J promised the fans that they will never see Shawn Michaels again after he injured his eye at the Great American Bash. After cutting on Michaels a bit more, he handed the mic to Lance Cade who thanked and honored Chris. After telling Shawn to stay home and raise his children, Jericho threw his hat into the challenge for the World Title followed by a commercial break. Another great promo from Jericho and a great way to end the last Highlight Reel. (Seg. Rating: 3.5)

8. Jim Ross joined Lawler and Adamle at the desk after the break, and as Adamle was, JR was shocked to be on Raw. Apparently, both were told to come to D.C. for the show. Now to ring action. Women's Champion Mickie James def. Jillian Hall in 3:00 with a "DDT" in a non-title match. Katie Lea attacked James, whose father was in the front row, on the outside after the match. She then told the new GM to observe the next IC and Women's Champions, Paul and Katie Lea Burchill. Then a Smackdown recap aired followed by Todd Grisham asking Shane O'Mac for some insight on the new GM, but realizing Grisham is nobody, Shane ignored him. Commercial break. (Seg. Rating: 2.5)

9. Summerslam plug, Saturday Night's Main Event plug, Batista and Cena backstage banter (Seg. Rating: 0, too short to register)

10. Back from break, it was announced that Shawn Michaels would return next week on Raw. Now it's main event time. Batista and John Cena def. Kane and John Bradshaw Layfield in 12:00 when Cena pinned Kane following a "FU". After the match, Shane McMahon came out and announced the new GM......MIKE ADAMLE???!!! Could he be a quality heel GM? I can see that. As his first on-camera act as General Manager, Adamle booked Cena Vs. Batista for Summerslam to end the show. (Seg. Rating: 3.5)

Hits: Santino Marella and Beth Phoenix, Jerry Lawler's skills at 58, Cole getting clotheslined and sidelined, the return of William Regal, Jericho and the final Highlight Reel, main event and No. 1 Contendership race, Katie Lea
Misses: the burial of CM Punk, constant SNME plugging
Tweeners: Adamle as GM (could be a future hit or miss)
Misfires: Jamie Noble, Kofi Kingston
Overall Raw Rating: 2.5 out of 5