Tonight’s WWE RAW Supershow opens up with the normal video. We’re live from the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Michael Cole welcomes us to episode #999. Jerry Lawler plugs John Cena’s Money in the Bank victory. Big Show vs. CM Punk is announced for tonight’s main event.

– We go to the ring and out comes WWE Champion CM Punk.

Punk talks about he dropped a pipe bomb one year ago and started a revolution. Punk says he has proven that he is the best in the world. He’s beaten everyone that stepped in front of him, including Daniel Bryan last night. Punk talks about how confused AJ Lee has been. Punk talks about the 1000th RAW and says a guy who looks like him would have never been on that first episode of RAW. He definitely wouldn’t have been standing there in his 8th month as WWE Champion. Punk goes on but is interrupted by Big Show.

Big Show mocks Punk’s speech and the crowd starts to tell him he sucks. Show talks about how John Cena got lucky with the briefcase handle last night. Show says if he won, he would cash in right now and take the WWE Title. Punk picks on Big Show for always losing. Punk says Show has the size and the strength but he just lost. They go on and Show reminds Punk that John Cena could cash in on him tonight once Show wins their main event match. Show drops the mic and walks off as Punk takes in what he just said.

– Cole and Lawler plug next week’s RAW and The Rock’s appearance.

– WWE Tag Team Champions R-Truth and Kofi Kingston are backstage walking to the ring as we go to commercial.

WWE Tag Team Title Match: Titus O’Neil and Darren Young vs. Kofi Kingston and R-Truth

We go to the ring and out first comes the WWE Tag Team Champions R-Truth and Kofi Kingston. AW is out next to introduce Titus O’Neil and Darren Young.

AW is mic’d up again so we get to hear him from ringside. Titus and Kofi start things off. Titus takes Kofi to the corner and beats him up. Titus with a big uppercut and a tag to Young. Kofi makes a tag to Truth and they double team Young. Truth with a big kick and leg drop. Kofi tags back in and leaps onto Young with a big crossbody for a 2 count. Kofi ends up leaping out onto both men on the floor as we go to commercial.

Back from the break and Titus comes back in to take control of Kofi. Titus with a bearhug now. Kofi fights out with headbutts but goes back down. Young tags back in to continue the assault. Young tries to double team Kofi but he escapes and tags in Truth. Truth goes at it with Titus and DDT’s him for a 2 count. Truth clotheslines Young out of the ring and Kofi hits Titus with Trouble in Paradise. Truth drops Titus on his face for the win.

Winners: R-Truth and Kofi Kingston

– After the match, AW gets in the ring and argues with the referee.

– AJ Lee is backstage texting when Daniel Bryan walks up. They both apologize for everything. Bryan says he has no hidden motives or agendas, he just got caught up in becoming WWE Champion that he made AJ the scapegoat. Bryan says he was wrong. Bryan goes on but is interrupted by Eve Torres. She’s upset about Bryan ditching her in their tag match last week. Eve spoke to the Board of Directors and tonight it will be Bryan and AJ vs. Eve and a partner of her choosing. Eve says payback is exactly what AJ is. AJ asks Bryan what he was going to say and he says he will tell her after their match. Bryan kisses her on the cheek and walks off.

– We get even more hype for the 1,000th RAW and Tout. Michael Cole plays the very first Tout video that John Cena sent out.

Zack Ryder vs. Alberto Del Rio

We go to the ring and out comes Zack Ryder. Ricardo Rodriguez begins the introduction next as Alberto Del Rio comes down the ramp. The bell rings and Del Rio goes right to work on Ryder. The referee backs him off. Del Rio drops Ryder with an armbreaker and kicks him in the back before going back to work on the arm.

Del Rio takes Ryder to the floor and stomps on his head. Del Rio unloads on Ryder but gets rammed back into the apron. Ryder comes back in the ring but Del Rio is angry. Del Rio beats Ryder some more and applies the cross armbreaker for the quick win.

Winner: Alberto Del Rio

– After the match, Del Rio attacks Ryder but Rey Mysterio’s music hits. Rey makes his return to a big pop and rushes the ring to go at it with Del Rio. Rey hits the 619 and sends Del Rio to the floor.

– More 1000th RAW hype with Heath Slater talking about his run-ins with Legends. Cole says we have another returning Legend tonight. Back to commercial.

– Back from the break and Heath Slater is in the ring. He wants to know which Legend is coming out next. The music hits and it’s Rikishi!

Rikishi vs. Heath Slater

The former WWE Intercontinental Champion and father to The Usos makes his way to the ring to a mild reaction from the crowd. They go to lock up but Slater goes behind and runs his mouth. Rikishi drops Slater with a big superkick and then hits him with a stinkface. Rikishi hits the Samoan Spike and climbs to the second rope for a big splash and the win.

Winner: Rikishi

– After the match, Rikishi dances. The lights go out and they come back on with The Usos in the ring. They dance with their dad as the crowd cheers.

– Up next is Daniel Bryan and AJ vs. Eve and a mystery partner. Back to commercial.

Eve Torres and The Miz vs. Daniel Bryan and AJ

Back from the break and out comes Eve Torres. She introduces her partner for tonight and out comes The Miz. Out next comes Daniel Bryan followed by his partner AJ.

Bryan starts off with Miz and they lock up. Bryan takes Miz to the corner and beats him down with kicks. Miz comes back with a high knee and a kick to the face. AJ tags herself in and in comes Eve. They lock up and Eve shoves AJ to the mat and into the corner. Eve with kicks and a kick to the face. Eve with a 2 count. Eve chokes AJ on the middle rope before taking her to the corner and choking her. AJ fights back with forearms and a kick to the face. AJ kicks Eve to the mat and hits her finisher for the pin but Miz has the referee distracted. AJ runs over and kicks Miz out to the floor from the apron. Miz runs in while Eve has AJ rolled up but the referee is distracted. Bryan comes in and helps AJ get the pin while the referee isn’t looking.

Winners: AJ and Daniel Bryan

– After the match, Bryan takes the mic as the fans chant yes. Bryan tells AJ that he loves her. Bryan gets a ring from a crew member at ringside. He admits he lied last week about wanting to get married because he wanted to win the WWE Title. Bryan is for real this week and he drops to one knee to propose. AJ hesitates but Bryan puts the ring on her finger. Bryan puts the microphone up to her and she says yes. They kiss as some of the crowd boos. Bryan starts chanting yes and AJ joins in. The crowd joins them with a mix of no chants.

– Still to come tonight, Show vs. Punk in the main event. Back to commercial.

– More hype for the 1000th RAW with a look back at Steve Austin and The Rock.

– It’s announced that AJ and Daniel Bryan’s wedding will take place next week.

Jack Swagger vs. Ryback

We go to the ring and out first comes Jack Swagger. Ryback is out next with a big explosion.

Ryback hits the ring and Swagger immediately attacks him. Swagger unloads and hits the gutwrench powerbomb. The bell still hasn’t rang yet but Swagger nails a Swagger Bomb in the corner. Swagger applies the ankle lock but Ryback blocks it. Swagger runs right back over him. Swagger goes for the leg again but Ryback fights him off. Ryback with a big clothesline. Ryback slams Swagger hard and then hits three straight powerbombs. Ryback kicks Swagger out of the ring and yells “feed me more” as his music plays. The crowd joins along in the chants.

– Still to come, Show vs. Punk. Back to commercial.

– Back from the break and more plugs for Tout.

– Vickie Guerrero comes out and introduces Dolph Ziggler. Dolph comes out in a suit, holding his Money in the Bank briefcase. Dolph takes the mic and says we’re looking at the next World Heavyweight Champion. It’s just a matter of time before he cashes it in on Sheamus. Ziggler says he will be the best champion in history when he wins. Better than Bret Hart, Steve Austin and The Rock. Ziggler goes on but is interrupted by Chris Jericho.

Jericho hits the ring. Ziggler says tonight isn’t about Jericho and he’s not going to come in and steal Ziggler’s spotlight. Ziggler says he won his Money in the Bank match and Jericho didn’t. Ziggler points out Jericho has never won Money in the Bank. Ziggler asks when is the last time Jericho won anything. Ziggler talks about all the hype around Jericho but says all he does is lose. Ziggler says nobody has been given more opportunities than Jericho. Ziggler says Jericho has been coasting along for so long that he has everyone fooled. Ziggler says Jericho is all hype and asks when the last time he won an important match was. Jericho still hasn’t said a word since coming out. Ziggler wonders if Jericho is losing his touch. Ziggler rubs it in some more but gets laid out with a Codebreaker out of nowhere. Jericho gets a small face chant from the crowd and walks off as Ziggler smirks from the ring.

– Still to come, Show vs. Punk. Back to commercial.

– We get more hype for Tout. This time they show fan videos that have been uploaded to the site tonight. Fans share their favorite RAW moments.

– The announcers hype next week’s RAW with DX kicking things off and Brock Lesnar responding to Triple H’s challenge. Also, The Rock’s return and several others.

Brodus Clay vs. JTG

We go to the ring and out comes Brodus Clay with Naomi and Cameron. Fans voted on WWE’s website tonight and it’s announced that Christian will defend the WWE Intercontinental Title on RAW next week against an un-named opponent. We go to commercial with Clay in the ring.

Back from the commercial and we get the official invitation to Daniel Bryan and AJ’s wedding next week. It’s announced that Bryan and AJ will be special guests on Christian’s Peep Show this Friday on SmackDown. We go back to the ring and here comes JTG.

The bell rings and Clay goes to work on JTG with the power moves. Clay with a big suplex and elbow drop. Clay runs into a big boot and has his knee taken out. JTG takes Clay down and stomps away. JTG continues the assault and mocks Clay’s dancing. Clay finally catches JTG’s clothesline and throws him with a suplex. Clay with a headbutt and splash for the win.

Winner: Brodus Clay

– Clay, Naomi and Cameron dance in the ring with some kids after the match.

– Up next is Punk vs. Big Show. Back to commercial after some more hype for the 1000th RAW.

CM Punk vs. Big Show

Back from the break and out comes WWE Champion CM Punk for tonight’s non-title main event. Big Show is out next.

The bell rings and Punk dodges shots from Show. Punk throws some kicks but Show takes him to the corner and hits a right hand. Punk comes out fighting but Show knocks him to the mat with a headbutt. Show runs over Punk with a clothesline after more offense. Show stands on Punk’s back and goes to the floor for a big chop to the chest. Punk fights back on the floor but Show knocks him back down. Punk shoves Show into the ring post and brings it back in the ring. Punk unloads with kicks but Show drops him with another headbutt.

Show keeps control and puts the boot to Punk in the corner. Show charges in the corner but Punk puts his foot up. Punk leaps off the top but Show catches him in a bearhug. Show slams Punk and runs his mouth to the fans. Show with right hands and more trash talking now. Punk gets up and fights back. He jumps on Show’s back for a sleeper hold. Show breaks out and drops Punk with a sideslam. Show misses the splash from the second rope as Punk rolls out of the way. Punk fights back and staggers Show but can’t knock him down. Punk charges but Show hits a big back body drop. Show gets ready for the knockout punch but Punk ducks it. Punk hits a superkick and another kick to the head. Punk sends Show to the corner with another kick and then hits the high knee. Punk hits another high knee. He nails a third high knee and then the bulldog but it’s blocked. Show misses a splash in the corner and finally goes down.

Punk hits the elbow drop from the top but Show kicks out at 2. Punk springboards in but Show catches him with a huge chokeslam but Punk gets his foot on the bottom rope at the 2 count. Show takes Punk to the corner and works on his ribs. Show with big body shots now. Show pushes the referee down and gets disqualified.

Winner by DQ: CM Punk

– After the bell, Show continues beating Punk up. Show readies for the knockout punch when John Cena’s music hits and out he comes with the briefcase. Show leaves the ring as Cena takes a mic. Cena goes to make his announcement but Show interrupts him. Show thinks he’s going to cash it in now. Show taunts Cena to cash it in. Cena tells Punk to take one week and prepare for the biggest match of his life. Cena says at the 1000th RAW, they will find out who the best in the world really is. Cena announces he will cash in next week for a shot at Punk’s WWE Title. Show still wants him to cash it in. Cena decks Show in the head with the briefcase and celebrates as his music hits. Punk raises up the WWE Title and they meet in the middle of the ring as RAW goes off the air.

– Rey Mysterio returns to action at tomorrow night’s SmackDown taping in San Diego, California. The official website of the Valley View Casino is advertising a tag team match featuring Mysterio and John Cena against Big Show and John Laurinaitis.

The masked grappler has been out of action for nearly a year due to injury, a Talent Wellness Program violation and WWE’s refusal to utilize him post-suspension. WWE is not advertising Mysterio for other upcoming events.

– Former WWE Women’s Champion Melina appears for Maryland Championship Wrestling on Saturday, August 25, 2012 at The Green Room in Dundalk, Maryland (2401-G North Point Blvd.) She will be on hand for a meet-and-greet/autograph signing.

– AJ is today’s featured Superstar on WWE.com. The website has also put up a poll asking whether she has lost CM Punk or Daniel Bryan following the WWE Championship Match at Money in the Bank.

Just hours before the start of WWE Money In The Bank Pay-Per-View, WWE texted the following out from their 59907 Short Code:

BREAKING NEWS: Tonight’s WWE Title bout between CM Punk & Daniel Bryan, refereed by AJ, is now No DQ. Money in the Bank – 8 ET/5 PT http://wwe.me/cfCZg #MITB

– Jim Ross noted on Twitter this weekend that his status for RAW’s 1,000th episode is still up in the air.

Finally…a new question…TBD. Thx 4 asking. RT @RimaLoveNatalya: @JRsBBQ You Will Be At The 1000 Episode Of Raw ?

— Jim Ross (@JRsBBQ) July 15, 2012

– WWE.com has an article looking at why Daniel Bryan does not deserve mercy from AJ Lee, the guest referee of his WWE title match against CM Punk.

– DirecTV viewers were unable to watch this week’s episode of Steve Austin’s Redneck Island show on CMT because of the dispute with Viacom. Full episodes of Redneck Island can be viewed at Austin’s official website, BrokenSkullRanch.com.

Daniel Bryan spoke to USAirwaysCenter.com this week to hype Sunday’s WWE Money in the Bank pay-per-view. Here are some highlights of what Daniel Bryan said about:

His Match With Punk on Sunday: “I don’t know what fans can expect. Obviously, whenever I wrestle CM Punk, they’re going to get a great wrestling match. But the one thing that is unknown about this whole thing is that AJ is going to be our referee. So when you put a 95-lb woman in a referee shirt, you never know what’s going to happen.”

How They Can Take It Up A Notch: “Well, it’s interesting. This is a pay-per-view match and it’s for the WWE Championship, so that obviously ups the intensity. I expect to be in the main event of the pay-per-view, so anytime that happens, and you have two guys with as much pride as me and CM Punk, you know it’s going to be intense.

What Caused Vince To Push Him: “Well, I think a lot of it was just opportunities. We were in a situation where Mark Henry and a lot of other guys were hurt. Then when I cashed in the Money in the Bank contract and won the championship, they gave me an opportunity to see what I could do. They gave me the opportunity to go out there and talk on the microphone in the ring. And the more that I was able to go out there and do it, and perform well, the more responsibility they were able to give me. “Okay, he did good last week, let’s give him a little more time this week. Let’s see if he can be out there for 10 minutes or 12 minutes on the microphone and hold people’s interests.” Luckily, I’ve been able to do it.”

“If you would have asked my high school English teacher if I would have been able to stand out in front of 10,000 people and talk on a microphone. He would have said, “Wait a second, this guy stuttered doing a book report.” So yes, it’s been pretty crazy.”

Who Will Win Money in the Bank: “Gosh, I think it’s a toss-up. Initially, I would say John Cena, but he’s never been in a Money in the Bank match and until you’ve been in one of those, you don’t know how they are or what’s going to happen. You’ve also got Chris Jericho, Kane and Big Show, who have all been in this match before. But I guess if I had to put my money on it, I would put money on John Cena.

– Interim Raw General Manager Theodore Long has announced via WWE.com a tag team match pitting Money in the Bank opponents for tonight’s Raw SuperShow as WWE Champion CM Punk and John Cena will face Chris Jericho and Daniel Bryan.

– SmackDown ring announcer Lilian Garcia went to Akron, Ohio, to visit kids with cancer and help the Akron Children’s Hospital raise money at the 10th Annual LOPen Charity Golf and Music Event, where she sang the National Anthem and even hit the links at the LOPen Celebrity Golf Tournament Outing. (Article)

– The June 29, 2012 episode of WWE Vintage Collection featured the following matches and segments: Fit Finlay vs. Psychosis (WCW Thunder – June 4, 1998), Lord Steven Regal and Bobby Eaton become tag team partners (WCW Saturday Night – March 18, 1995), The Blue Bloods go to a Restaurant (WCW Saturday Night – March 25, 1995), The Blue Bloods vs. The Nasty Boys (WCW Great American Bash – June 18, 1995), The British Bulldogs vs. Nikolai Volkoff and Iron Sheik (WWF Prime Time Wrestling – November 5, 1985), Chris Adams vs. Dave Taylor (WCW Saturday Night – January 17, 1998), Lord Steven Regal vs. Davey Boy Smith (WCW Halloween Havoc – October 24, 1993). (Thanks to Devin Cutting)

– “Big Poppa Pump” Scott Steiner is the latest addition to WWE.com’s Alumni section (view his profile). WWE.com writes of Steiner: “Scott Steiner is not only an accomplished tag team competitor, but he is also one of the most physically impressive and imposing Superstars of all-time.”

Promoting the page via Twitter, website director Joey Styles acknowledged Steiner’s obscenity-laced Twitter page but would not link to it:

https://twitter.com/joeystyles/status/215828557614694400

– WWE Hall of Famer Tammy “Sunny” Sytch plans to relocate from New Jersey to her boyfriend’s residence in Connecticut and indicated via Facebook that would be interested in working at the sport entertainment organization’s Stamford-based television production studio. She wrote Thursday:

“Hmmm just had a thought…. I’ll be living in Connecticut soon… I think I’ll make a call and work in the studio….hmmmm.”

A fan then pleaded for one final WWE run, reasoning that she’s ‘hotter’ than Vickie Guerrero. The remark offended Sytch, who wrote back:

“Than Vickie?? Of all people you have to compare me to her???”

– Daniel Bryan is today’s featured Superstar on WWE.com.

New York City radio DJ Peter Rosenberg of the Hot 97 hip hop radio station has landed yet another exclusive interview with a WWE superstar – Daniel Bryan. Rosenberg interviewed Bryan, who was in town to hype tonight’s WWE RAW Supershow from Long Island, NY.

Storyline Plans Revealed For Daniel Bryan, CM Punk & AJ Lee

Among the topics discussed:

– Setting the record straight on his backyard wrestling past
– Training with Shawn Michaels and William Regal
– Working at McDonald’s
– Vince McMahon’s reaction to him being a vegan
– How he CM Punk don’t fit the mold of the typical WWE main eventer
– Their match at No Way Out last night
– Original plans for his feud with Mark Herny
– A funny story about him, Ryback & Cody Rhodes at Panera Bread restaurant
– Which WWE superstars need a push & who WWE should sign

You can check out the 25-minute video interview below, courtesy of RosenbergRadio.com:

– WWE officials were impressed with Tensai’s match against Sheamus on RAW, with most people feeling that it was his best match since returning to the company. After getting off to a rocky start, Tensai is currently being repackaged and WWE officials still have faith that he can be used as a strong heel character.

– WWE diva AJ Lee has responded to Daniel Bryan insulting her on RAW. She tweeted:

“Was I just in the main event match on Raw with 3 of the best Superstars of all time? And my team won? My mind is blown. So happy right now. And now I can proudly rub it in Daniel’s face that I beat him in a match. Btw, once you go Bryan…you have to keep tryin’.”

– Daniel Bryan has responded to CM Punk’s insult on RAW, where Punk called him “Goat Face.” Bryan tweeted:

“Goat face is a horrible insult. My face is practically perfect in every way. In fact, from now on I demand to be called Beautiful Bryan.”

* Update On Whether Triple H vs. Brock Lesnar Is Still Happening At SummerSlam

(Partial Source: f4wonline.com)

Fueling rumors that WWE may part ways with Randy Orton as a result of his second violation of the Talent Wellness Program, former WCW announcer Mark Madden stated Thursday on Twitter, “WWE wants to get rid of Orton PERMANENTLY. Character and popularity have plateaued, and he’s a pain to deal with.”

In response to his statement, a Twitter user asked Madden whether Vince McMahon has suddenly stopped liking money. Madden responded, “Vince thinks everybody is a WWE creation, and therefore disposable, to be replaced by another WWE creation. And you’re overrating Orton.”

The Wrestling Observer reported Wednesday that there is a ‘small, vocal pocket’ within the sports entertainment organization lobbying for his termination. Vince McMahon is reportedly contemplating the move, but many employees believe he will ultimately retain the nine-time world champion due to the lack of roster depth.

The Observer added that there are people within WWE saying Orton’s hiatus ‘isn’t going to be that big a problem.’ For the first time, employees are openly categorizing CM Punk as the second-ranked babyface rather than Punk and Orton being on the same level. Many also feel SmackDown’s babyface side will be adequate with Sheamus, Christian, Sin Cara, Rey Mysterio returning soon from suspension and the option to turn Daniel Bryan at a moment’s notice.

WWE main eventer Daniel Bryan (YES!) was recently interviewed by CT.com and spoke about a number of topics, including physical pain he deals with from wrestling, getting burnt out from WWE’s brutal travel schedule, CM Punk’s recent Vince McMahon impression and much more. Here are some highlights:

Dealing With Physical Pain from Wrestling:

“Well, for right now, I’m not in any pain whatsoever. It’s just times when you have a nagging injury and you don’t have any time off, that’s when that nagging injury can become something like, ‘Oh, it’s hard to sleep because this is bothering me.'”

How He Deals With The Demanding WWE Schedule:

“I don’t really feel like it’s that grueling. The most grueling part to me is waking up at 6 a.m. to take a flight because it’s hard for me to get back to sleep. As long as I’m not flying, it’s not grueling for me at all. I enjoy being on the road. I’m a gentleman of the road!”

His “Road Wife” & A Funny Ryback Story:

“Right now, my road wife is the Ryback [Laughs] and Cody Rhodes. We don’t have any particular good road stories because I feel like we’re kind of boring. We just kind of drive to the next town. But what me and Cody really like to do is make up stories about the Ryback and then spread them amongst the locker room. For example, yesterday, we were working out in a gym. He was doing kettle bell snatches with only 35 pounds. You look at him, and you’d think, ‘Oh! This guy is way stronger,’ but he was lifting this kettle bell and he couldn’t control it, and it hit him in the eye and now he’s got a black eye. That story spread throughout the locker room all day yesterday.”

CM Punk’s Recent Promo About Vince McMahon & How He’d Never Picture Punk & Bryan Wrestling Main Event:

“Oh, I think one year ago he would have said that. One year ago, he would have been like, ‘Daniel Bryan’s going to be in a WWE Championship match at a pay-per-view? [Incredulously] No! Against CM Punk? No!’ [Laughs] I’m absolutely certain that’s correct. The 10-year time frame is a little longer than it should have been. He could have said a year ago and been accurate.”

His Goals In WWE:

“Well, for me, it’s all about enjoying my life. I don’t have a specific goal set like that necessarily. I just want to, at the end of my life, look back on it and be like, ‘Yeah, I enjoyed that,’ because as far as we know, we only get one life, and I want it to be good. I don’t want to waste it. I wrestle because I love to wrestle, so for me, [my goal is] to keep enjoying it. You see a lot of people lose their passion for it, and I don’t ever want that to happen.”

— SmackDown stars Daniel Bryan and the Big Show will be joining the RAW brand for its European tour that kicks off on Wednesday in Seville, Spain and runs until Saturday in Barcelona, Spain.

Daniel Bryan is replacing Chris Jericho in WWE title matches against CM Punk and Show will team with John Laurinaitis in handicap matches against John Cena.

Cena tweeted on Tuesday afternoon that he’s “off to spain” today.

— The social media activity score for Monday’s RAW was down a sharp 18% from last week’s Memorial Day episode. According to Trendrr.tv, RAW had had a score of 119,420, its third-lowest of the year. The show ranked #6 on cable for the night was down 28% from its 2012 average.

(Sources: Trendrr.tv, PWTorch.com)

– Several fans have sent in word that Ric Flair was spotted out in Greenville, South Carolina on Sunday night – the host city of tonight’s WWE RAW Supershow.

Update On Ric Flair Leaving TNA & Possibly Returning To WWE

– Former WWE superstar Sid Vicious noted on Twitter over the weekend that he’s received a “big offer” to make an upcoming appearance.

With WWE recently contacting dozens of legends to appear at the 1,000th episode of RAW on July 23rd, this could be what he’s referring to.

Plans For WWE’s 1,00th Episode of Monday Night RAW

– WWE is starting to contact businesses it believes are infringing on Daniel Bryan’s “Yes!” catch phrase, which they have trademarked.

(Partial Source: PWinsider.com)

– WWE officials have been so impressed with CM Punk and Daniel Bryan’s recent series of matches that there are plans to have Daniel Bryan travel with the RAW brand and continue wrestling Punk at live events. There is talk of Bryan and Punk wrestling submission matches.

– WWE has released new t-shirts for WWE Champion CM Punk (“I Dig Crazy Chicks”) and Sin Cara (“Follow the Faceless”). Punk’s crazy chicks shirt is from his recent backstage interaction with AJ, who recently tweeted that she digs guys who dig crazy chicks.

– Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler will be appearing together at the 2012 SportsRadio 610 Fan Fest on June 10th from 12-5pm at the University of Houston Athletics Alumni Center.

– WWE recently signed UK bodybuilder Steve Evans to a developmental deal. The 6-foot-6, 260 pound beast recently underwent WWE’s medical physicals and is expected to report to FCW soon.

— WWE Hall of Famer Tammy “Sunny” Sytch admitted herself to the hospital this week due to a stomach flu and was informed that she has other ailments.

She wrote Tuesday evening on Facebook, “well… just got home from the hospital…again. wasnt just a stomach flu. severe gastroenteritis and an enflamed pancreas. i have no luck. feeling better now.. on meds.”

— Former WWE star Gene Snitsky stated on Twitter that he was backstage at Tuesday’s SmackDown taping in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. He said he was visiting friends.

— CM Punk, John Cena, Sheamus, Kofi Kingston and Daniel Bryan are featured on the cover of the June 2012 issue of WWE Magazine. It is branded as “THE POWER ISSUE” as the top WWE Superstars and twenty toughest WWE Superstars of all-time are ranked.

– CM Punk retrained the WWE Championship at Sunday’s Over The Limit pay-per-view in a match with Daniel Bryan that was far and away the best on the show. Punk’s title reign continues – but WWE officials almost decided to put the title on Daniel Bryan.

The topic of Bryan winning the WWE Title was being discussed a lot over the past few weeks. Apparently the talks got “pretty serious” but the decision was made in the past week to have Punk retain.

With the rave reviews that Punk vs. Bryan received, expect to see more matches between these two in the coming months. In his latest blog, Jim Ross called their match one of the best bouts he’s seen in years and floated the idea of them competing in a 30 or 60 minute Iron Man Match.

Jim Ross Blogs About CM Punk vs. Daniel Bryan

– Speaking of Daniel Bryan, he turns 31 years old today. YES! Today’s other wrestling birthdays include Husky Harris (25), former TNA Knockout Traci Brooks (37) & former WCW star Scott Putski (46).

– There was a lot of talk backstage at WWE’s Over the Limit pay-per-view about the quality of the Divas Title match with Layla and Beth Phoenix. The feeling was that Layla’s performance was a sign that her knee isn’t 100%.

Daniel Bryan will challenge CM Punk for the WWE Championship tonight at Over The Limit and spoke to IGN.com this week about that match, feuding with huge guys like Big Show and Mark Henry, his storyline with AJ and more. Here are some highlights:

IGN: Those of us who anticipated you becoming a World Champion in the WWE expected you to be having matches with guys like CM Punk. Guys similar to your stature. Did you ever think that your very first championship feuds would be against guys like Big Show and Mark Henry?

Bryan: No, I never thought that if I was going to be the champion in the WWE that those would be my first opponents. My first feuds. Especially because I also felt like I didn’t match up very well with those guys. But then it seems to me that both of those feuds went very well. And I was thrilled to wrestle those guys because it forces me to go outside my usual box. You know, I could go out there and wrestle CM Punk and have a fantastic match, but that’s along my normal line of thinking. Wrestling someone like Big Show requires a totally different style. And for me that was fun.

IGN: Are you yourself surprised, given your indie history and legacy, that you’re now a part of a major high-profile relationship storyline with AJ?

Bryan: [laughs] Definitely. And you know what’s funny is that I feel like – not since I started with WWE, but since I got fired and then brought back – they had this storyline with me and the Bellas. Then it was me and Gail Kim. And now it’s me and AJ. It seems like I’m always in these stories with these Divas. And I don’t know what the deal is. Maybe they just see me as someone who’d be funny to pair up with them. Like “Yeah, it would be funny to put him with the Divas.” But I really have no idea.

IGN: This Sunday, in your match with CM Punk, and given your history with him, will the WWE audience get to see some moves they might not have seen before?

Bryan: Oh yeah. I would expect that there will be moves that the WWE audience hasn’t seen before. And I hope that there is. I want it to be more than standard-fare. I think it’s going to be something that people aren’t used to seeing. And something that people will get excited about. Something that’s really fun to watch and engaging and hard-hitting. The kind of match that, when you buy a Pay-Per-View, that’s the kind of match you want to see.

— Sin Cara competed in his first match of 2012 at Saturday’s WWE Supershow in Florence, South Carolina, defeating Hunico in the opening match. He had been sidelined since Survivor Series due to a patellar tendon rupture.

— The following matches are advertised for WWE’s post-SummerSlam tour of Australia taking place August 30 through September 1: John Cena vs. Lord Tensai and John Laurinaitis, WWE Champion CM Punk vs. Daniel Bryan and United States Champion Santino Marella vs. David Otunga.

— Sunday marks the one-year anniversary of the passing of Randy Savage. The legendary wrestler died after suffering a sudden, massive heart attack while driving with his wife in Seminole, Florida. He became unresponsive and lost control of his Jeep Wrangler, crashing into a tree.

source: Pro Wrestling Torch

Daniel Bryan was interviewed by Brian Fritz of the Between The Ropes podcast and spoke about a number of topics, including  the “Yes!” chants changing his life, his match against CM Punk this Sunday at Over The Limit, Brock Lesnar’s return to WWE and much more. Here are some highlights of what he said about:

Whether or not he ever thought a word as simple as ‘yes’ could change his life the way it has:

“(laughs) Yeah, you’d never think it. All the years I spent toiling on the independent scene, really learning my craft, being as good of a wrestler as I could possible be and the thing that makes me the most popular is probably the first word I learned as a kid.”

If he was disappointed for his match at WrestleMania which only lasted 18 seconds or if that is just part of the job:

“You have to look at it as part of your job but you can also be disappointed. I’ve always wanted to go out there and steal the show, every show that I’m on. That’s how I got to where I’m at. I didn’t get here by being a nice guy or going out there and being a character or anything like that. The WWE noticed me because I put on great matches. That was my thing.

“Now, I’ve developed into somebody who has some personality on TV and that sort of thing but that isn’t what brought me to the dance. What I love and what I enjoy doing is going out there and wrestling and going out there and entertaining people with what I do in the ring. So to not be able to do that to the best of abilities what disappointing but everything that has come from it has actually been very good so I guess I can’t complain.”

On if it will be special to face CM Punk on a big stage at the Over the Limit considering where they came from and knowing each other for such a long time:

“It is, especially because nobody expected either of us to get to this point. When we were both on the independent scene and stuff like that, there were knocks against Punk’s looks against my looks and how we don’t look like prototypical WWE superstars. And ever when we both signed here, Punk, he has that character, he has that quality that you think if they would just give him an opportunity he could really connect with the WWE Universe.

“For me, even the people who really liked me, kind of doubted whether I would be able to succeed here in the WWE. And it’s cool that two guys who really paid their dues and worked hard on the independents just to get opportunities like this or having this chance. This isn’t a small opportunity. This is a WWE Championship match at an Over the Limit pay-per-view. It’s unreal. This is more that I even dreamed of.”

Brock Lesnar’s return to WWE:

“I think it’s great. I think he brings a lot of added interest to the company and I’m hoping some of those UFC fans will come and watch some of out pay-per-views, especially that last pay-per-view Extreme Rules was awesome. It was an awesome show. I hope they stick around and watch Over the Limit and they’re going to see another awesome show. This is going to be a great night of wrestling for everybody involved. I think it’s great and I would love to have a match with Brock Lesnar. I know that’s probably not in the cards but I’m petitioning for it right now because I feel like me and him could have a match unlike any other pro wrestling match in North America probably ever.”

On whether he will shy away from the physicality of that match:

“No, not at all. And actually I like that sort of thing. My skills, especially as a grappler, lend itself to that kind of thing. When he’s ground and pounding, like doing the kind of stuff he was doing with (John) Cena, there’s not a lot of guys who have any counters for that. Well, I have a million. There would be a lot of things that would be really fun about a match like that. I think people would be excited to see it too.

Other Interview Topics

-Whether he regrets not going to WWE sooner so he could have a match against one of his mentors Shawn Michaels

-If this is the most fun he has even had in his career

-If there were a lot of people around him that thought going to the WWE would be bad for his career

-What he will do – if he remembers – if he wins the WWE Championship on Sunday

WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross is back with another blog update, which you can read in its entirety at JRsBarBQ.com. Here are some highlights of what JR wrote about:

Paul Heyman’s Return To WWE Television:

“Paul Heyman’s return is one of the more positive things to occur in WWE in a good while. As I have said over the years, Heyman’s TV persona is an easy one to dislike.”

“What makes Heyman so effective is that he doesn’t play the ‘role’ of a villain who has litigious tendencies. Plus, Heyman is a life long fan who now has the chance to essentially reinvent himself with this unexpected return to the genre. It will likely be his last return to the business if I had to make a wager.”

Visiting WWE Developmental This Week:

“I’m very excited about today’s trip and tomorrow’s work in Orlando. I’m like a kid on his first day at a new school. I don’t know what to expect but am excited to be ‘enrolled.’ The future of the WWE lies within the Talent Development program and I am blessed to be able to help in that area in any way that the company sees fit. My role has yet to be outlined but I think I can assist in many areas and I’m excited to devote my time and energies to helping develop the young stars of tomorrow.”

CM Punk vs. Daniel Bryan This Sunday At Over The Limit:

“Can’t wait to see CM Punk vs. Daniel Bryan for the WWE Title this Sunday night in Raleigh on PPV. Hope the Raleigh live audience is more emotionally invested that was the Greensboro audience a week or so ago. Punk vs Bryan should be off the page. I love their individual, in ring styles and, Lord knows, both men have paid ample dues.”

“Some day, Punk vs. Bryan has a potential ‘Ironman Match’ written all over it or perhaps even a ‘best of three’ series of bouts.”

As always – make sure to check out JR’s amazing line of BBQ products at the WWEShop website!

— WWE Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes revealed on Twitter that he will partner with Daniel Bryan tonight on Raw SuperShow in a tag team match against WWE Champion CM Punk and United States Champion Santino Marella.

— Syfy will air SmackDown live on Tuesday, July 3; the event takes place at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas. Ticketmaster.com is holding a pre-sale this Thursday at 10:00 a.m. with the password SMACK.

— Monday’s broadcast of Inside Edition featured a piece on Jennifer Hudson and fiancée David Otunga visiting Six Flags in Illinois 24 hours after the songstress’ former brother-in-law was convicted Thursday of murdering her mother, brother and 7-year-old nephew.

— Former WCW and WWE talent Robert Fuller (a/k/a Col. Robert Parker, Tennessee Lee) turns 61 years old on Monday.

source: PWInsider.com

— Jim Ross makes his return to the announce booth this week as he is slated to broadcast the debut episode of WWE NXT at Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida. It is not known whether he will broadcast the FCW Wrestling taping.

Speaking of the WWE Hall of Famer, he wrote Sunday night on Twitter that he was in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania—the site of tonight’s Raw SuperShow—with his wife.

— David Otunga is expected to return to television shortly after fiancee’s Jennifer Hudson’s former brother-in-law was convicted Thursday of murdering her mother, brother and 7-year-old nephew. Otunga and Hudson were spotted at Six Flags less than 24 hours after the verdict was announced.

— Daniel Bryan will be appear on 105.7 the X Tuesday morning in Pennsylvania to promote the evening’s SmackDown taping in Hershey.

source: PWInsider.com

WWE holds their fourth annual Extreme Rules pay-per-view event tonight at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois. The following seven matches have been announced for the show:

* John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar (Extreme Rules Match)

* World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus vs. Daniel Bryan (2-out-of-3 Falls Match)

* WWE Champion CM Punk vs. Chris Jericho (Chicago Street Fight)

* Randy Orton vs. Kane (Falls Count Anywhere Match)

* Intercontinental Champion Big Show vs. Cody Rhodes

* United States Champion Santino Marella vs. The Miz

* Divas Champion Nikki Bella vs. Beth Phoenix

During an interview with ChicagoNow.com to promote Sunday’s WWE Extreme Rules pay-per-view,  Daniel Bryan was asked who he’d want to face at WrestleMania 29 next April. Bryan named a former rival of his – current WWE champion, CM Punk. Here’s what Daniel Bryan said about the potential showdown:

“I would think it would be really cool and how both are careers have gone, it would be CM Punk. I think that would be a major important match and be awesome to go out there in front of 70,000 people and show them what we can do. Both of us wrestled in front of 35 people so having that kind of crowd in front of us would be amazing.”

Bryan also revealed in a new interview with Arda Ocal that after he was released by WWE back in 2010, he had talks with people in TNA. Bryan also noted that at the time of his release that he wasn’t concerned financially because he had options to make more money compared to NXT wrestlers were being paid.

“WWE apologized and said they had sponsors they had to deal with and whatnot. And I said don’t worry about me, I’m probably going to make more money this year than I did the last year when I was on NXT,” Bryan said. “I had people from Japan calling me, I had TNA people talking to me, not directly, but through other people. It was just a fascinating time for me in my career.”

Interesting pick from Daniel Bryan. We want to know – which match would you rather see at WrestleMania 29? Daniel Bryan vs. CM Punk or CM Punk vs. “Stone Cold” Steve Austin? Hit up the comments below with your pick.

— WWE.com is advertising a Six-Man Tag Team match for tonight’s episode of SmackDown on Syfy as World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus, Randy Orton and The Great Khali will join forces against Cody Rhodes, Daniel Bryan and Mark Henry. Other matches airing include AJ vs. Natalya, Brodus Clay and Hornswoggle vs. Camacho and Hunico, Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso vs. Darren Young and Titus O’Neil, Ryback vs. James Lerman and Big Show vs. Alberto Del Rio.

— Brodie Lee, who recently signed a developmental contract with WWE, will report to Florida Championship Wrestling shortly. He concluded his independent wrestling commitments over the weekend.

— WWE Hall of Famer “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase has changed his Twitter handle to twitter.com/MDMTedDiBiase.

— Former WWE star Johnny Stamboli turns 35 years old today.