Daniel Bryan def. CM Punk
What I Liked:
Another great bout between both guys. We expected them to work great together, but I can watch them fight time and time again and not get bored. Bryan utilized more aggressive offense, including a few Northern Lights Suplexes that swung his momentum into submission holds. Punk was able to flip the switch and focus more on kicking and submissive holds. Bryan did a great job with a backdrops on Punk on the apron. The feud expands with the appearance of AJ, who is in Punk gear. She did not cost Punk the match, which I thought was smart, but she is viewed more right now as "bad luck." This let Bryan use the exposed turnbuckle and pick up the win over Punk. Great work from both guys, and out comes Kane. Another wrinkle in a crowded feud, but I like it. At least they are using him, but will he be involved in the title match? I am not sure that is the best idea, but it definitely is different right now with him. Punk gets the better thanks to a chair by AJ, and unleashes on Kane. Good work keeping all three guys tangled together and not having Kane dominate both while they look weak.
What I Disliked:
Was this match too good for Raw? I am not going to complain about seeing it because it was PPV caliber and felt like they needed to add this match to keep them going strong with the crowd and fans at home. I cannot find a flaw in this segment.
Grade: A
Christian def. The Miz
What I Liked:
Christian gets some good competition, and was able to fight him off. Good work between both guys, who are former World Champions. I felt like the Miz looked good tonight, especially with his boot connecting perfectly onto Christian. Cody Rhodes was able to be seen, and not have to do much tonight besides be at ringside for Christian. Furthermore, Christian picked up the clean win on The Miz after a few reversals that led into his Frog Splash.
What I Disliked:
I am not sure if I like Christian's new finisher. It does not look really pretty, but more awkward. I appreciate the fact he is trying to impliment new moves and more high flying to his arsenal, but he is not that guy. He is more of a smart and physical wrestler who is crafty and uses his intelligence to get victories. After the match, Miz stayed in the ring and talked about how he was being treated. This triggers Randy Orton, who RKO's Miz. It looks like we will get Miz vs. Orton, which I like the pairing. That being said, we can expect a random feud that lasts one month and basically does nothing for either guy. That has to frustrate you, right? I know it does for me. Smackdown will have Miz get the better, and that will follow with Miz and Del Rio vs. Sheamus and Orton on Raw, and then we will just get useless reasons to try and care about it. I guess this is better than Miz losing at Extreme Rules Pre show, but we should believe that he can beat Orton. Got it, well done WWE.
Grade: C+
