WWE presents one of the most anticipated non-WrestleMania pay-per-views in quite some time tonight from Chicago with John Cena defending the WWE championship against controversial hometown boy C.M. Punk in the main event of this year's Money In The Bank extravaganza.
This past Monday's Raw featured very entertaining promos by Punk, Cena and Vince McMahon that certainly enhanced the already strong promotion for the intriguing bout set to take place on the verge of Punk's contract expiration, where he could walk away with the title and be "the best in the world somewhere else" as he threatened at the end of Raw.
There was plenty of seriousness, "shooting", and just the right mix of inside comedy during the course of the evening that essentially featured a main event of a public contract negotiation between Punk and Vinny Mac with Cena playing the perfect devil's advocate and spoiler.
Punk demanded his name and likeness on virtually everything from the TitanTron to the turnbuckles, his own jet, a movie and for the return of WWE Good Humor Ice Cream Bars. He forced Vince to apologize to him and the entire WWE universe and Vince barely countered (but had some great facial reactions) during the entire episode - once calling Punk Phil (his real name being Phil Brooks).
Vince seemed ready to meet Punk's demands and sign the contract until Cena came out to question the whole issue, and he and Punk had a strong exchange that served to further increase interest in seeing them do battle. What will the finish be? They could go in several different directions, but the fact that nothing seems predictable or obvious has everyone wondering and that makes wrestling interesting again.
Randy Orton also defends the Smackdown championship tonight against Christian and the Raw Money In The Bank match will include Kofi Kingston, Alberto Del Rio, Evan Bourne, Alex Riley, the Miz, Jack Swagger and R-Truth. Smackdown goes with Sheamus, Wade Barrett, Daniel Bryan, Sin Cara, Cody Rhodes, Heath Slater, Justin Gabriel and Kane.
Big Show tangles with Mark Henry and Kelly Kelly battles Brie Bella for the Diva crown. Should be plenty of action and intrigue throughout the night and it will likely be a hot crowd live, which always adds to the show.
TNA had a very good Destination X pay-per-view last Sunday with lots of the high-flying action one would expect, but turned around and featured a world title change on Thursday night's Impact as Sting regained the belt from Mr. Anderson.
Results from the ppv included Kazarian upsetting Samoa Joe in a solid opener. Doug Williams went over Mark Haskins. Alex Shelley emerged victorious in the Ultimate X bout over Robbie E, Amazing Red and Shannon Moore to become the number one contender for the title. Brian Kendrick captured that strap with a victory over Abyss after tons of outside interference.
Austin Aries pinned Low Ki to win a TNA contract in an excellent four-way that also included Jack Evans and Xema Ion. RVD used a Van Daminator and Five Star Frog Splash to defeat Jerry Lynn in another well-received bout and A.J. Styles beat Christopher Daniels in an exceptional main event that went almost 30 minutes in duration.
The company announced this week that the Bound For Glory ppv will be from Temple University in Philadelphia on October 16.
Big show coming up
Remember the big show coming on July 30 to the Ralpho Sports complex and the return of PCWA to the area for an August 13 date at Shikellamy High School with a Robbie E-Angelo Dinero main event.