Raw Review (August 4)

- To open the show, we get the new Raw General Manager Mike Adamle standing on the ramp. First he tells that he is comparable to Ronald Reagan because they both failed at the first jobs: announcer and actor, respectively. But he then assured us that, like Ronald Reagan as the US President, he will succeed at his current role. He then pleaded the fans for a chance as GM because he would like to be a part of the "Land of Opportunity". That's why he placed Michael Cole in a Tag Team Title match with Jerry Lawler last week. He half-apologized to both men. Adamle then announced three Title matches, one of which was World Tag Champs Rhodes and DiBiase against John Cena and Batista. Eventually, JBL came out and levied for a JBL-Punk World Title bout at SummerSlam until he was interrupted by Chris Jericho who also argued for a shot at the belt. Soon enough, we got an "Adamle Original" from the new Raw GM! It would be Jericho and JBL Vs. Punk in a handicap match. Whoever pins or defeats Punk will get the World Title shot at SummerSlam, but if neither are successful, neither one get the shot. Adamle wished them luck and sent us to commercials.
- Intercontinental Champion Kofi Kingston def. Paul Burchill in 4:00 with a "Trouble in Paradise" to retain. The match was a short and dull but purpose-serving. After the bout, Kofi and Burchill battled to the outside leaving Katie Lea in the ring alone. Mickie James ran in after Katie to set up the Women's Title match which is up after the break. (Match rating: *)
- Women's Champion Mickie James def. Katie Lea Burchill in 5:00 with a "DDT" to keep the strap. The match was a tad better than the IC Title bout, but this match was still way too short. After the match, Beth Phoenix, with Santino Marella, attacked Mickie then walked up the ramp where she and Santino exchange taps on the rear end. Now commercials. (* 1/2)
- Back from the break, Adamle is in his office and on his cell phone talking to Stephanie McMahon and congratulating her on the birth of her second child (Murphy Claire Helmsley-McMahon). Eventually Santino and Beth come in and want their respective title shots at Kofi and Mickie. Admale comes up with another "Adamle Original" that puts Beth and Santino in a tag bout against IC Champ Kofi Kingston and Women's Champ Mickie James for both titles at SummerSlam. Next we get a John Cena video and a solid promo by Batista before the commercials.
- Back from commercials, Layla is "dancing" in the ring and soon after a clip of her and Jamie Noble talking backstage from earlier in the day is aired. During the clip, Layla turns down Jamie's offer to go to the Waffle House because she is not going to "associate herself with a loser." After the clip, William Regal interrupts Layla in the ring and is soon encountered by Jamie Noble. The two have a brief brawl before being broken up by security. This could be Regal's punishment loss for being suspended last month. We'll see next week. Now a commercial.
- JBL and Chris Jericho def. CM Punk in 9:59 when JBL pinned Punk to gain a title shot. Before the match, Adamle reminded everyone that the match must be decided in 10:00 or both men will compete in a Triple Threat for the title at SummerSlam. However the match ended in time when Chris Jericho clotheslined JBL on the top rope when time was running out and JBL landed on Punk for the win with one second to spare. The bout was fairly good with a shocking outcome. Nice handicap match. (Match of the Night **3/4)
- Back from break, we get the return of Shawn Michaels who is live via satellite from his San Antonio home. Jerry Lawler conducts an interview with him, and Michaels says that he isn't for sure if he will return or retire. Ultimately he rules that he will follow the doctor's orders following his appointment on the 15th. Michaels was stern, serious, and intense as always. Nice interview. Next was a short "class" by the "teacher" Matt Striker. Eventually Kane interrupted and squashed Striker. Kane def. Matt Striker in 1:00 with a "Chokelsam". After the match, Kane grabbed the burlap sac and assured us "he" was dead. Anyway, it was just a squash. (1/2*) After the Smackdown Review, John Cena delivered a serious, solid promo to hype SummerSlam. This lead to a commercial.
- Back from the break, Kelly Kelly shows up for no good reason to congratulate Mike Adamle who promises another "Adamle Original" by finding what's inside Kane's bag. Now for the main event which was interrupted by commercials. John Cena and Batista def. World Tag Champs Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase Jr. in 14:00 to win the belts. The match wasn't all that, but the outcome is just awful. It looked as if WWE was going to actually put faith in the tag team division, but this destroys everything. Cena and Batista become tag team champions for no reason. Simply ridiculous. After the match, Cena and Batista pose with their titles to the crowd's approval to end the show. (*1/2, good match, awful ending)

Hits: Mike Adamle, the Handicap Match, Santino and Beth, the Continued IC and Women's feuds, Shawn Michaels Interview
Misses: The Main Event's Outcome, the Burial of Matt Striker
Tweeners: William Regal and Jamie Noble, Kane
Overall Rating: **1/2 (Overall good except for ending)