LIVE Raw thoughts - August 6, 2012

11:10 - Internet problems persist so I'm going to make this quick.  Loved Bryan/Cena and had no issue with the ending (how many people get to break out of the STF?)  The end sequence was great too, with Punk giving a rousing speech.  I would have ended with Punk standing triumphant, though.  After such a passionate statement, having Punk stand tall would have irked the audience, I think.  Then maybe next week have Big Show get his moment (oddly, Show was the only one who not only didn't win his match -- and cleanly -- but didn't even get the upper hand in the end).  Enjoyable Raw, I'd say.

10:48 - The downside to Bryan's new Anti-Yes stance?  The elimination of the incredibly awesome YES jacket.

10:40 - Sorry, had some Internet issues there.  I'm back.

10:20 - I was about to remark that Jericho has done more to put over Alex Riley than creative has done all year.  Then it all came crashing down when Jericho talked about how Ziggler couldn't win the "little one" and how he couldn't even beat Alex Riley, who hasn't won a match in forever.  Oh, so close..

Also, did anyone else notice that WWE had AJ's Twitter wrong on that graphic?

10:08 - How often does Triple H rely on Shawn Michaels to make his storylines interesting?  Unfortunately, not much developed here.  I didn't have a problem with Brock backing down, because he laughed Triple H off and didn't seem scared or intimidated.  I just feel like they're overthinking this storyline.  Why not just be about Brock breaking Triple H's arm?  Why does it need to be about Stephanie and the pride of the McMahon family?  How long before we see Lucy the dog?

9:59 - There are some faces that Shawn Michaels didn't recognize from two weeks ago?

9:51 - Despite last week's Trending Topic, I'm actually going to pay a compliment to Tout.  Michael Cole is hyping that Sheamus will send a Tout with ADR's stolen car.  THIS is a great way to use this feature, as it provides a logical explanation for why something is being filmed (opposed to the mysterious camera man who is always there but never acknowledged).  Kofi Kingston and Kaitlyn saying, "I'm backstage!"  No thanks.  But this works.

9:49 - I might be wrong.....but is this the first recap we've seen so far tonight?  After nearly two full hours?  A GREAT improvement over the last couple weeks.

9:46 - Oh, and I like Eve too!  Actually, as a heel, I kinda wish they'd let Eve dominate a little.  She's pretty, tall, strong, and has legit MMA training.  She could actually be a believable threat to the other divas.

9:44 - Another confession.  I like Kelly Kelly.  There, I said it.  And I missed her.

9:41 - Daniel Bryan and AJ are gold together.  Their scenes together bring out the AJ that became popular in the first place.  Their Yes/No thing COULD have gotten old, but their delivery and chemistry made it work.  And work great.

9:38 - While I'm not utterly enthralled into this Damien/Brodus feud, I do appreciate it when they have newcomers feud with each other (instead of juts feeding them to established guys).  Remember, Edge became a star because he was set up against (and later with) newcomers Gangrel and Christian.

9:25 - Confession time.  I like that the Prime Time Players wear matching trunks, which in turn match the color of AWs shirt.

9:24 - I find it somewhat odd that WWE decided to cut out televised entrances when Raw went to three hours.

9:17 - The varying career paths of the members of Nexus is quite interesting.  Daniel Bryan completely reinvented himself and became one of the most entertaining and over guys in the company (and marketable, too).  Heath Slater became a heel jobber to legends (before just being a heel jobber).  Ryback was completely rebranded and given an undefeated streak.  David Otunga became more entertaining than he probably had any right to be as Johnny Ace's right hand man (with a travel mug).  Wade Barrett was always destined for greatness, but never really achieved it.  And perhaps the most surprising thing, for me anyway, is the complete lack of a splash (HA!) Justin Gabriel has made.  He seemed like he could be the breakout star....and since the breakup of the group, he really hasn't accomplished anything.  Rather shocking.

9:08 - So let's spend several months building Big Show up as an unstoppable monster.  And then, the week after putting him in his first PPV title match since turning heel, let's have him get laid out by a guy who not only isn't in the match....but isn't even scheduled for a match at the PPV at all.

8:59 - Putting ADR and Orton segments back to back?  Not exactly the best way to keep your audience awake for a 3 hour Raw.

8:53 - At least that wasn't the squash I was somewhat expecting it to be.  And the victory was cheap.  A highly competitive loss after the heel cheats.....it can be worse.  I'm going to be glad when this Albert Del Rio feud is going to be over, though.

8:48 - Great....Christian -- who is an interesting character, and was actually an entertaining heel -- is going to be jobbed out to Alberto Del Rio, who possibly bores me even more than Orton.  Depressing.

8:43 - If AJ isn't going to wear the Converse, I at least appreciate that she has them on display.

By the way, this Triple H/Brock Lesnar package gets me so annoyed.  I HATE the way Triple H and Stephanie are so self righteous about how Paul Heyman is to never say anything about their kids...only for Stephanie to turn around and make comments about Heyman's kids.  With no sense of irony.

8:25 - Lawler's anti-Punk comments really grate me.  For the past year Punk has been nothing but an honorable champion.  And what's the worst thing he's done?  He didn't help Cena in a match in which they were competing against each other, and he attacked the Rock?  Suddenly now he doesn't deserve any respect?  Just feels really contrived.

8:21 - Fun intro with AJ reverting a bit more into that character we grew to love (wearing flats and skipping again) and Punk actually mentioning their history together.  Punk's heel turn is a little more immediate than I thought they'd go (I figured it'd be more slow-burn).  Also, I'm glad Big Show is back to the black singlet.  Those camouflage ones were awful.  Now we're having Punk/Mysterio, which could possibly solidify Punk's heel turn.  And hey, how about a Mysterio/AJ backstage skit?

7:46 - Yes, there will be an edition of LIVE Raw thoughts tonight.  But I do have family over at the moment, so I might be SLIGHTLY late.  But hopefully not.  Starting dinner now.