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WWE Raw – August 2, 2010
World Cup Group B action kicks us off tonight as Zack Ryder takes on Tyson Kidd. This bout is highly competitive and gets the crowd going. Ryder grabs the win following a Zack Attack. Kidd finishes group play at 0-3, while Ryder goes 2-1. Shawn Michaels announces that since three Group B participants finished with 2-1 records, we’d have a triple threat match right now, with the superstar taking the fall or submitting not advancing to the Round of 16.
Zack Ryder can’t believe he has to wrestle another match right away, especially against two great talents like Evan Bourne and John Morrison. This was a really fun, fast-paced match with plenty of nearfalls. Bourne shoves Morrison off the top to the outside before climbing the top rope himself. As the ref goes to check up on Morrison, Primo runs out and crotches Bourne on the top turnbuckle. Zack Ryder capitalizes with a top-rope Zack Attack. Against all odds, Ryder had won back-to-back matches. Ryder and Morrison advance to the Round of 16.
Group A wraps up as Goldust goes up against Chris Jericho. Good match from these two as per usual. Goldust nearly gets the huge upset but Jericho powers out and connects with a Codebreaker soon thereafter to advance. Jericho finishes group play at 2-0-1 while Goldust goes 1-2.
The Miz is looking to make an impact when the Round of 16 starts next week, but he had the chance to make an even bigger impact tonight against John Cena. Much like the previous match, The Miz had people think that the huge upset was going to happen, but it was not to be. Miz puts on a great showing, but still submits to the STF. After the match, Cena reminded everybody of his ongoing quest to run through the roster until he proves himself worthy of another title shot.
Group D wraps up with a match between David Hart Smith (accompanied by Tyson Kidd and Natalya) and William Regal (accompanied by Vladimir Kozlov). This was a very good technical match throughout the duration. Kozlov, Regal’s associate, started attacking Tyson Kidd. This distracted Smith, who got rolled up by Regal (who then hooked the tights). That’s the second time Smith has lost in this fashion. Nevertheless, Regal finishes group play at 2-1 to advance to the Round of 16, while Smith finishes at 1-2.
The 8th and final Raw participant in the Round of 16 was up for grabs in a Group C match between R-Truth and Justin Gabriel. Another good match, continuing a promising trend. Truth picks up the victory, albeit unknowingly benefitting from interference from the man who last week helped attack Gabriel on behalf of Primo. Truth advances at 2-1 while Gabriel goes 1-2. A brawl breaks out between Gabriel, Evan Bourne, Primo, and his associate.
Edge was thrilled to see that Shawn Michaels had booked another Triple H vs. Sheamus match for tonight, but his optimism went away when he was told he would be facing Randy Orton next week. He let his displeasure show as he interfered (a common theme tonight) in the main event, sufficiently distracting Triple H. Triple H then walked right into a Brogue Kick as Sheamus picks up a huge win, getting revenge for his PPV loss.
Sheamus takes off and Edge laughs at ringside. However, Randy Orton comes from behind and throws Edge into the ring. Edge eats a Pedigree as Triple H gets some revenge on Edge for costing him the match. Orton stands over the downed Edge and teases a MITB cash-in. He starts lining up for a punt but Edge spots it and manages to escape. Orton and Triple H pose on the turnbuckles to end the show.
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