This week on RAW CM Punk was given the hard word by John Cena; that the respect of the WWE Universe can’t simply be demanded but has to be earned.  And when Punk once again tried to make the end of the episode all about him and the WWE Championship he discovered that respect doesn’t come automatically from a big angry giant.  Shawn Michaels was also in attendance this week, with a huge announcement pertaining to the Triple H versus Brock Lesnar bout at SummerSlam.

As RAW got underway AJ had barely begun to announce the matches when she was interrupted by WWE Champion CM Punk.  At first Punk offered an apology for yelling at her at the end of last week's episode after the new General Manager had ordered a Triple Threat match for the title at SummerSlam, but soon Punk was talking about feeling disrespected by her decision, demanding that she change the stipulation.  This drew out John Cena who expressed disgust at the champion, explaining that he never though Punk would become one of those men who complain and demand respect.  "Respect is not demanded, around here it is earned" reminded Cena.

This drew Punk's ire, and the champion accused Cena of also disrespecting him, by "putting your hands on the champion" the week before.  Punk then berated Cena as being incapable of beating either him or Big Show, and things looked to be close to overheating when Big Show decided to make his own way down to the ring to join his SummerSlam title match opponents.

AJ quickly sprang into action, demanding all three men stay where they are and respect her authority as General Manager before things got out of hand.  AJ then told Cena and Show that they both had big matches to get ready for, against Daniel Bryan and Randy Orton respectively, and as for CM Punk she had something in store for him too.  Punk, she revealed, was going to compete in a match immediately, against an opponent chosen by the WWE Universe via Twitter during the upcoming advertising break.  The choice was to be made, AJ explained, between The Miz, Kane or the recently returned Rey Mysterio.

Mysterio was the narrow winner of the choice for Punk's opponent, and Mysterio continued the momentum he's carried since his return from injury by taking the WWE Champion to his limit, coming close to earning a victory at many stages of a fast-paced, furious bout.  After Mysterio had survived an early assault by Punk he stepped up the pace and soon the WWE Champion was reeling, seemingly flummoxed by Mysterio's ability to attack from any and all directions.  Eventually Mysterio had Punk in place for the 619, and his knees connected to Punk's face as he swung through the ropes.  But when Mysterio catapulted over the ropes with the West Coast Pop Punk was able to lift his knees, winding Mysterio when he landed.  Punk quickly clambered back to his feet and lifted Mysterio to his shoulders to deliver the Go to Sleep.  Punk then covered his opponent, relief clear on his face as he managed to secure the victory over a resurgent Rey Mysterio.

Randy Orton had the upper hand during the early going of his battle against Big Show, rattling the giant with hard clotheslines.  But a big head butt from Show turned the tide of the battle, and soon Orton was desperately trying to work his way back into control of the match as the angry giant let lose.  Show, it was soon revealed, seemed to have no real intention of winning the bout, rather his focus seemed to be to send a message to his SummerSlam opponents, and Show completely ignored the referees count as he took Orton out of the ring, setting him up for a nasty chest chop across the announcer's table.  Orton briefly recovered, sending Show crashing into the ring post, but Show was then able to counter Orton's attempt to follow up with an RKO.  Just as the referee reached the count of ten Show then crashed into Orton with a massive spear tackle.

After the bell had been rung to indicate the double count out, Show rolled Orton back into the ring.   Show then curled his big right hand into a fist as he waited for Orton to regain his footing, but as Show stepped in to deliver his WMD Orton, quick as a snake, struck with an RKO, leaving Show lying stunned in the ring.

The third man in the SummerSlam WWE Championship match, John Cena, took on Daniel Bryan in RAW's main event.  Bryan was once again in a foul mood, as he'd just been informed by AJ that he'd be facing Kane at SummerSlam, and he took control of the match early on after striking Cena with a flying knee from the ring apron.  Bryan worked hard to wear Cena down, very nearly securing the victory with a flying head butt, but as the match wore on Cena began once again to show his tenacity.  But Bryan was able to counter the STF into his own Yes! Lock, and Cena looked close to tapping.  But calling on his legendary reserves of strength Cena was able to power out of the hold and the Attitude Adjustment was delivered to secure the victory for Cena.

Immediately after the bell CM Punk came down to the ring to stand face-to-face with Cena, with his WWE title belt in his hand.  Big Show then emerged, and Cena shoved Punk to one side to physically confront the giant.  Punk sat back and watched with a smile as Cena and Show brawled, and as he did the week before when Cena managed to lift Show for an Attitude Adjustment Punk attacked Cena from behind, leaving both Cena and Show lying in a heap in the ring.

Punk then climbed out of the ring and grabbed a headset, explaining to Jerry Lawler and the fans listening at home that he'd had enough, he wasn't going to kiss any more babies, shake any more hands or kiss any more ass, he was just going to do "what I do best.  And RAW is going to end this week just like it ended last week and the week before, with CM Punk standing tall as WWE Champion."

Punk then returned to the ring, but before he could raise his title high he was met by a huge knockout punch from Big Show.  Show then smashed Cena in the face too, and as RAW went off the air it wasn't Punk, but Big Show who stood in the ring with the WWE Championship held high in his massive hands.

Broadcasting from San Antonio, Texas, the home town hero Shawn Michaels was in attendance, basking once again in the adulation of the fans.  Michaels explained he'd come back to RAW to make a big announcement with respect to the SummerSlam match between his friend Triple H and Brock Lesnar, but before he could continue he was interrupted by Lesnar himself, who was accompanied down to the ring by Paul Heyman.

Heyman and Michaels soon fell to arguing, and Michaels soon gave his opinion on the outcome of the bout.  "On any other day I'd pick Lesnar, but you made a mistake, Heyman, by making it personal.  You shouldn't have brought Triple H's family into it.  So I'm backing Triple H.  And I'm backing him so far that I'm going to be in his corner at SummerSlam!"

"That's great!" replied Heyman, "because now not only will Triple H be destroyed at SummerSlam before his wife Stephanie and his children, but his career will be ended in front of his best friend, the Heart Break Kid!"   Lesnar then took the microphone from his representative and spoke for the first time that evening.  "Shawn, you think Triple H will win because you've never been in the ring with Brock Lesnar.  Not until now..."

Before Lesnar could step forward Triple H, dressed for a fight, charged down to the ring.  Lesnar stood his ground, staring down Triple H before giving a mocking laugh.  "I'll see you at SummerSlam" the big Oklahoman drawled to Triple H, "and Shawn, I'll be seeing you before then."  Lesnar and Heyman then walked away from the ring, smiles on their faces.

In other RAW action, Alberto Del Rio was caught short while giving a mocking speech about Sheamus' lack of class as World Heavyweight Champion, ordered by AJ down to the ring for an immediate match against Christian.  While Del Rio was able to overcome Captain Charisma, forcing him to tap out to the Cross Armbreaker, the expensive Ferrari he and Ricardo Rodriguez were forced to leave backstage was found by Sheamus, who took the classy car out for a joyride around San Antonio, much to Del Rio's consternation.

Ryback also continued his rampage of destruction, his demand to be fed more competition seeing him steamroll over Tyler Reks and Curt Hawkins in a two-on-one handicap match.  The tag team title campaign by Abraham Washington's Prime Time Players, however, continued to come off the rails when the lost a bout against Epico and Primo, with a bit of help from a distraction provided by the WWE Tag Team Champions R-Truth and Kofi Kingston.  Kelly Kelly also made a successful return to RAW, defeating Eve in Divas action.

Dolph Ziggler was booked to take on Alex Riley in singles action, and Ziggler's SummerSlam opponent Chris Jericho came down to commentary to provide his own insights on the match, as well as to shoot a few barbs in Ziggler's direction now and then.  Ziggler, unfortunately, allowed himself to be distracted by Jericho's mocking, turning his back at just the wrong moment to allow Riley to roll him up, securing Riley his first victory on RAW in quite some time.

Damien Sandow also continued his campaign to bring some intelligence and poise to RAW, and again it was Brodus Clay who was Sandow's chosen example.  Once again Sandow brutally attacked Clay before their match had even begun, and once Clay was once again lying in a battered heap Sandow took up a microphone and uttered a gracious "you're welcome" to the booing fans.

RAW results:

• WWE Champion CM Punk def. Rey Mysterio (non-title)
• Alberto Del Rio def. Christian
• Randy Orton vs. Big Show (double count out)
• Ryback def. Tyler Reks & Curt Hawkins
• Primo & Epico def. The Prime Time Players
• Damien Sandow vs. Brodus Clay (non contest)
• Kelly Kelly def. Eve
• Alex Riley def. Dolph Ziggler
• Kane def. Intercontinental Champion The Miz (non-title)
• John Cena def. Daniel Bryan