Welcome to WWI's ongoing coverage of Monday Night Raw. This week Raw was live from the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.

Last night was the Great American Bash. As scenes were shown of Kane's interference in the Raw title match, Batista was watching from the production truck.

Michael Code and Jerry "The King" Lawler welcomed viewers to the show as the suspense unfolded.

Batista got a huge pop from the crowd as he headed to the ring. He looked like he had a bone to pick. He said he'd expected to bring the title belt out with him tonight, but Kane has burst that bubble. Since Shane and Steph were not there, Batista put himself in charge tonight, at least as far as a single match was concerned--CM Punk vs. Batista. Oh, and Kane had better not have any ideas about interfering.

Next, JBL appeared on the TitanTron and wanted to know what gave Batista the idea he could make a match tonight. JBL said that he, on the other hand, was special and was next in line for a shot at the title.

Batista chuckled and told JBL to come down to the ring to discuss the matter.

JBL said nothing doing.

Another country heard from, so to speak. CM Punk and the title belt came down to the ring. Punk said that according to the law of the jungle, he was the king and told JBL that as the king, he didn't have to listen to JBL.

Punk went on to accept Batista's challenge for tonight.

Someone--mercifully--had put the TitanTron audio on mute, JBL continued his rant, but no one could hear him. Perfect!

(Commercial break)

The first notes of "Sexy Boy" hit, but it wasn't to be. Lance Cade had used it as a ruse. Cade said he knew that Shawn Michaels was in the building and he invited him to come on down to have the "words" they should have had a long time ago.

Guess HBK will have to wait, since Paul London made a beeline for the ring.

Lots of chants for London as the match got underway. Cade unleashed a mean streak which he hoped would bring out Michaels, and finished off London with a power bomb rather quickly.

HBK still had not come out, so Cade introduced Chris Jericho, who had possibly ended HBK's career last night.

(Commercial break)

Jericho said HBK was not coming tonight and he showed some footage that would show why Michaels might never get in the ring again. After warning viewers that the footage was disturbing, Jericho practically plucked HBK's eyeball out. It was gruesome. In fact, a doctor had deemed that HBK would be unable to continue so Jericho had won the match last night. Jericho said the fans were to blame for HBK's condition. HBK has cracked ribs and a detached retina, but Jericho said he had no remorse. He had matured and grown up, unlike HBK who had never grown up. Jericho said he was proud of what he'd done. Excellent heel promo.

(Commercial break)

As Lawler wiped the drool off his chin at the appearance of Kelly Kelly, the Beth-azon tossed the object of Lawler's affection from pillar to post. Nice drop kick and other acrobatics from Kelly, but Beth made the winning pin.

(Commercial break)

Jim Duggan was in the ring infringing on Vickie's line--EXCUSE ME. He said he'd had a 30-year run and he thought it might be time to hang up his boots. What DiBiase and Rhodes has said last week had made him think that this really was a game for young men. He wanted to say thanks. Lawler stopped him and reminded Duggan that there is no age limit in WWE. As long as he was passionate about getting in the ring, he could do it as long as he wanted. Plus, the presidential candidates can't even make people stand up and chant "USA" the way Duggan can. It cheered Hacksaw up and he decided to stay.

But…

Out came Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase the Younger. Booooooo! The young guys thought both Lawler and Duggan should quit. Lawler had heard enough and gave Cody an "Andy Kaufman slap." Pretty good feud in the making.

The mooing of cows heralded Bradshaw's entrance for the next match.

(Commercial break)

The announcers finally got around to explaining what had happened after Raw had gone off the air last week. It had looked like Cena had been killed by a speeding car driven by JBL. Silly us for thinking such a thing. JBL had only meant to scare Cena, and, as the disclaimer goes, no wrestlers had been harmed during the making of that promo.

While JBL looked none the worse for wear after last night's New York City Parking Lot Brawl, Cena had apparently suffered a gash to his arm from going through a windshield. Arms going through glass are not a good idea. Remember Goldberg?

The crowd was loving this match. Cena picked up Rhodes and Teddy and gave them a double FU for the win. Where was JBL? Hightailing it through the crowd and out of harm's way.

Cena's dad was at ringside, and he got a hug from his son after that awesome finishing move.

Jericho and Cade were headed out the back door when they encountered Kane, looking a wee bit psycho.

(Commercial break)

WWE had participated in a Generation Rescue event recently to raise money for autism. Jenny McCarthy, who had hosted the event, will appear in the ring at the August 2 Saturday Night's Main Event.

The ladies weren't exactly ladylike as they fought with each other and with the guys. Birchill pinned Kofi after Kofi kicked the ring post. Accidentally? In any case, it took him off his feet and out of the air where he excels.

Jaime Noble was backstage trying to pick up a diva when Batista walked by looking for Kane. Jaime sassed Batista and got choked for his trouble.

(Commercial break)

CM Punk, the one person who doesn't seem to mind being interviewed by Todd Grisham, was interrupted in mid-interview by JBL, who told Punk he intended to win the championship at (or before) Summer Slam. JBL told Punk he'd make sure he'd just be a transitional champion. Punk reminded JBL that his first successful title defense had been again JBL. HA HA.

(Commercial break)

Santino came out with a pout on his face. He'd been getting ribbed for being pinned by Beth Phoenix last week after he'd issued a challenge to anyone in the locker room. So he issued his challenge again. To a man. This time the returning D-Lo Brown accepted.

Before the bell rang, Beth Phoenix headed down to the ring with her hands on her hips to watch the match.

Santino was distracted (which will probably be his excuse next week). D-Lo sailed off the top rope with a Low Down and pinned Santino for the win.

While D-Lo headed up the ramp, victorious, Beth Phoenix got in the ring looking menacing. She and Santino started to fight…but then they kissed. A nice, sweet kiss. Both reacted awkwardly. Ahhhh, sweet romance, albeit it a conflicted one.

(Commercial break)

The announcers hinted that Shane and Stephanie are looking for a new GM for Raw. Hmmmm…

Before Punk could get to the ring, Kane's music hit and Big Red and his Magic Burlap Bag, went after Batista with a chokeslam. Entrance or no entrance, CM Punk headed to the ring.

Kane was ejected from the ring by a referee (since when does Kane ever listen to anyone?) and Punk asked if Batista was able to start the match. Batista responded affirmatively with a kick.

(Commercial break) (If Mr. McMahon is really at death's door, why is he appearing on this new series of Gillette razor commercials?)

Batista was still a little wobbly from Kane's attack. This was not the most spirited match, but then both had done battle last night. Punk tried his best to submit Batista, but he was too slippery. Batista caught Punk in midair, but both were down for the count. Batista with a spear to Punk.

But, but…

JBL ran down to the ring, kicked Punk out of the ring and went after Batista.

But, but…

John Cena didn't want to be left out. He wanted a piece of Batista, too.

Needless to say, the match ended in a DQ, and so did the show.

* * *

I like reasons with my rhymes, and tonight I was very pleased. Raw has often been a show with no rhyme or reason at all. For instance, instead of Santino and the Glamazon just fighting for no reason, there was more depth to it tonight. And who doesn't love a good romance?

Jim Duggan and The King in a feud with the new generation also had depth to it. In the Randy Orton Legend Killer days there would be no backstory behind such a feud, but I'm already liking this one.

All in all, not a bad show.