The Undercard Part Two
Christian defeated Alberto Del Rio in an excellent match. Say what you want about Christian, but the guy knows how to work in the ring. Christian knocks Del Rio down and follows with a tornado DDT. Christian ends up striking Alberto several times and connects with a missile dropkick for two. Alberto tries to beg him off but drop toe holds him in the corner. Something that little in the match makes the progression of the champion go from battling back to taking control. Del Rio and Christian finish an excellent match with Christian hooking the legs of Del Rio for the sneaky pin. I think Christian vs. Del Rio would be a good match for Summerslam, but we just got that match for free on Raw. Why would we really want to see the storyline take place for the next few weeks when we got a match that will be hard to top on the big stage of Los Angeles? Give me RVD added, or even an Orton to distract our minds from Orton cashing in.
Grade: B+
Cody Rhodes defeated Wade Barrett . I really am enjoying what they are doing with Rhodes right now. As he picks up a victory against Wade Barrett, Rhodes gets interrupted by Damien Sandow and he intelligently bashes Cody and his family. Cody looks to chase off Sandow, who runs away. You can see the intensity of Rhodes, while Sandow is comically pushing the feud to a new step. This tells me that WWE is considering Sandow attacking Dusty Rhodes who, ironically enough, was a big piece of giving Sandow the briefcase. I have finally bought into the idea of Sandow vs. Rhodes for the briefcase because the meaning of that match is much more important than just a singles match between two friends who are fighting. Rhodes and Sandow deserve praise for being able to pave their own way. When have you seen two guys, who are still very young in their gimmicks, put on a very intriguing storyline for Summerslam.
Grade: B
Brie Bella defeated Natalya in a boring Divas match. Two Divas matches on Raw tells you that this show lacks much relevance. Total Divas, on the other hand, was somewhat interesting to me. Although some of it is scripted, you do get a backstage look at the (somewhat) real life of being in the WWE.
Grade: D… for the match.
Curtis Axel vs. R-Truth ends in no contest when CM Punk comes out and attacks Axel. Axel and Punk are going to have issues heading into Summerslam because of the Paul Heyman effect. I ask, you the reader, this question. Would you rather have Axel in a meaningful IC Title feud or have him as a detailed factor in the building feud of Punk/Heyman/Lesnar? I think I lean towards the latter because this is more meaningful than anyone else they could give Axel to fight.
Grade: C
