“Almost as hard-hitting as Chuck Norris!”

Issue #3: “Raw Meat”

Ladies and Gents, your discretion is advised, this article contains opinionated bits and pieces

Promo #1

The show kicks off with Wade Barrett standing in the ring and talking about the NXT attack he was apart of last week. The GM Bret Hart has ordered him and all the other former NXT rookies to come out tonight and to apologize to everyone for their actions last week when they took out countless WWE personnel as well as the entire Straight Edge Society and John Cena. Barrett calls the other rookies to come in the ring with him, and they all agree that if anthing WWE should apologize to them for mistreating them and not giving them contracts.

Bret Hart, who either needs to not be GM or Raw needs to drop the guest host thing, decides to come out and solve the situation. Barrett tells Hart that he lucked out and got the title shot and WWE contract , but now it was the other rookies turn. Ortunga joins in and says that they all deserve the first class stuff that the WWE roster was getting. He also says that if WWE can't follow any of the demands that last week's attack will be just the beginning. Barrett pipes in again saying that since all the rookies were such great athletes, Bret giving them contracts would make history. Hart apparently ignores all the Barrett says, and actually tells Barrett that he wont get his title shot or contract either because he was FIRED!

Commercial Break

The Miz v. John Morrison v. Zach Ryder v. R-Truth(c.) - United States Title

This match was designed to be a warm up for the PPV, and if the matches at Fatal Four Way are as good as this one then WWE's in good shape. All men were deserving of the title, perhaps Morison more than any. Zach Ryder was more of a wild-card for me. Even if he didn't win there were more than a few eligible contenders for the title. Wrestlers like Christian, Cody Rhodes, and JTG to name a few.

However, I don't call the shots in WWE, but whoever does thought that it'd be a great idea to not only let Ryder in the match, but to give Miz the title again.

Winner: The Miz

Rating: ★★☆☆☆

I guess they just needed another match for the PPV, but if that was the case they could've just let The Miz use his rematch clause that he still has.

Promo #2

Orton comes on screen with Josh Matthews talking about the NXT invasion that occurred last week on Raw. Orton goes on to talk about how the NXT rookies are nothing but a bunch of punks with no talent whatsoever.

No one can really disagree, less than a hand full of the participants had actual great ring working ability and it was a mistake in my opinion to replace ECW with NXT. Only time will tell if the head honchos of WWE will feel the same way, but I strongly doubt it with “PG” in full effect and all.

Commercial Break

Promo #3

Co-hosts The Big Show and Mark Feuerstein are seen talking to the Bella Twins about the episode of Royal Pains to air this Thursday that Big Show is guest starring in. As usual, the Bella Twins are just there to serve as the eye candy to the guest hosts, but some conflict starts to brew when Ted DiBiase comes in the room with Virgil.

Ted tries to buy a co-host spot from Feuerstein by promising him a shiny new car. Feuerstein starts to blab about his integrity and bad mouths Ted. Tensions run hot, and it's announced that the four men would have a match later on tonight.

Commercial Break

Evan Bourne v. Chris Jericho

Jericho's getting the same losing streak push that MVP received a while back, look forward for Jericho to start winning again after he finishes taking time off for his new TV show.

Jericho takes out his angers on Bourne, another able title contender. Bourne was able to counter each of Jericho's finishers (Walls of Jericho, Codebreaker) and was even able to get a couple near falls. The match ended with Jericho getting DQ'd for beating down Bourne after the ref told him to stop and threatening the ref.

Winner: Evan Bourne (DQ)

Rating: ★☆☆☆☆

Jericho tries to continue the beat down on Bourne, but Bourne's able to somehow counter and hit an Air Bourne before leaving the ring celebrating.

Promo #4

John Cena is the next person to talk about the attack last week. He actually applauds the men for what they did and seizing and opportunity to get something they wanted. But he also goes on to say that by doing so they just made millions of new enemies by destoying the “sacred” Raw ringside. He goes on to say that the Raw after FFW, he'll come out and face every rookie by himself if he has to.

As he does, the ring fills with the rookies. But, at the same time, out rush Raw wrestlers and personnel to contain them, and they do a pretty good job for the most part. They're able to best the rookies this time, regaining control of their ring as we go to commercial

Commercial Break

Gail Kim & Eve v. Maryse & Alicia Fox

All four divas will be apart of the Divas Championship FFW match this Sunday.

Gail and Eve showing great tag action while Maryse and Alicia try to shine on their own. Heels haven't worked all that great together (technically speaking) since the Rated RKO days. Anywho, as usual Maryse has to carry the team but it leads to her own undoing and her team loses the match.

Winners: Gail Kim & Eve

Rating: ★☆☆☆☆

The Miz(c.) v. R-Truth is announced as an official match at Fatal Four Way.

Commercial Break

Mark Feuerstein & Big Show v. Ted DiBiase & Virgil

Well, even though it was broadcasted that Virgil and Feuerstein were apart of the match, it originally appeared they were just playing the role of “eyes-sores” until DiBiase tags Virgil in. … to a waiting Big Show. Virgil, like I would've tried to leave the ring put gets dragged back in the ring and choke slammed by Big Show. DiBiase just looks on as Feuerstein pins Virgil.

Winners: Mark Feuerstein & Big Show

Rating: ★☆☆☆☆

Santino Marella v. William Regal (Vlad Kozlov is Special Referee)

Potty break match of the show, my toilet took a longer time to flush than the match actually lasted ..

Winner: Santino Marella via roll-up

Rating:☆☆☆☆☆

After the match Bret Hart calls out the entire Raw roster to come out and wait on the stage in case the former NXT rookies actually do decide to strike again.

Commercial Break

John Cena & Randy Orton v. Edge & Sheamus

Even though both Cena and Orton are somewhat still recuperating from the injuries they suffered at the last pay per view Over The Limit, the creative team still wants to beef the rivalries between Edge and Orton/Cena and Sheamus up which isn't such a bad idea. WWE hasn't had a great feud in a long time, some decent ones but no great ones. And, from previous history we all know how ANY feud including John Cena and a title is going to end.

Cena works the match, taking blows from Edge and Sheamus respectively while still attempting to turn the tide and fight back. Orton, with the fans on his side and cheering “RKO” the whole match, still showed to have some sensitivity on that injured shoulder which may allow one to conclude Orton's not so likely to win on Sunday. A hurt champion isn't a happy champion.

Commercial Break

And that's where I can see Raw's roster in the future, out of candidates; GOOD candidates for titles. The rating war with TNA is really effecting the roster because there aren't enough main event talent in WWE at the moment as there is with TNA.

This match though was a decent warm up for the Fatal Four Way pay per view, showing the tensions in the ring with opponents as well as team mates. Unfortunately the match gets stopped and is declared a No Contest due to an issue backstage.

Winners: N/C

Rating: ★★★☆☆

The camera starts to show a clip of the NXT rookies running a muck backstage and destroying everything in their way. The end up getting Bret Hart and beat him down really well before loading him into a limo. The limo driver is told to start driving by the rookies, and he crashes the limo into numerous cars and other vehicles in the parking lot. The rookies are able to pull the fallen Bret out of the limo and warrant for an answer to their declarations from earlier by Sunday as the show ends.

Time to summarize the summary …

Best Match: John Cena & Randy Orton v. Edge & Sheamus

Snoozer Match: Santino Marella v. William Regal

Best Performer(s): Randy Orton, Edge, John Morrison

Show Rating:

Fatal Four Way Predictions

*Only of matches confirmed so far*

Divas Championship: Eve(c.) v. Maryse v. Gail Kim v. Alicia Fox – Maryse via French Kiss

United States Championship: R-Truth v. The Miz(c.) - The Miz

World Heavyweight Title: Jack Swagger(c.) v. Big Show v. Mysterio v. CM Punk – Jack Swagger

WWE Championship: Randy Orton v. John Cena v. Sheamus v. Edge – Edge via Spear

Thanks for reading this edition of the Raving Reports, let's keep the Rave going next week!