Time Foretold Randy's Next Challenge; "The Masterpiece" Returns

Much controversy surrounds the Triple Threat Match at Night of Champions: Who was Randy Orton tapping out to? Why didn’t the referee ring the bell to Orton submitting? Shouldn’t Orton have been disqualified for the interference of Legacy?

These answers have and will remain buried through the passing of the pay-per-view. The WWE Universe must now look forward to SummerSlam.

To determine Randy Orton’s opponent for SummerSlam, RAW’s Guest Host, Shaquille O’Neal issued a “Beat the Clock” Challenge.

The five challengers chosen to compete in the tournament were Mark Henry, MVP, Triple H, Jack Swagger, and John Cena.

Mary Henry started the tournament against Carlito. One would assume that this would be a quick 1-2-3, but Carlito kept his distance from the World’s Strongest Man. Yet, speed wasn’t enough to avoid Mark Henry’s World’s Strongest Slam – setting the time to beat 6:49.

The next runner up was MVP. He may not have walked out Night of Champions the United States Champion, but this challenge was an opportunity for a shot at the WWE Title. However, after two years, “The Masterpiece” Chris Masters has returned to the WWE, and set to be MVP’s “Clock Challenge” opponent. MVP’s chances of winning were slim since, Masters’ physical appearance resembles that of a Greek god, and his modified full nelson, The Master Lock, is almost unbreakable. Yet, after several attempts to avoid this deadly lock, Masters managed to lock it in - outside of the ring: causing a double count out.

- Since MVP was counted out, he would not advance in the challenge.

The time to beat still remained 6:49, but with Triple H battling Cody Rhodes, it was almost a guarantee that Triple H would advance – key word, ‘almost.’

Prior to the match backstage, Rhodes and DiBiase jumped Triple H from behind and attacked his leg. With this in mind, Rhodes applied the Figure-Four leg lock but Triple H would not submit. As all the momentum shifted over to the Cerebral Assassin, DiBiase climbed the side of the ring – distracting the Game long enough for time to expire. Time would eventually run out as Triple H went for the cover after the Pedigree. Rhodes and DiBiase stopped Triple H from advancing but at a price. Next week, Triple H has issued a handicapped match: Triple H vs. Rhodes and DiBiase – because sometimes you come across a guy, you never should have messed with.

Not really sure what Orton was thinking, because if they stop anyone else from advancing, he would be facing Mark Henry at SummerSlam for the WWE Title – Henry pinned Orton on his first night on RAW, what would stop him from doing it again?

Jack Swagger, exuding the cockiness of a young Orton, was certain that he would advance because he’s bigger, faster, stronger, and younger than the WWE Champion. His opponent was the high flying Evan Bourne – showcasing a new entrance theme and his new WWE Official T-Shirt [Buy Now]. The WWE Creative team is unsure what to do with Bourne – but pinning Jack Swagger within the time to beat seems like a good start. It may not be certain how Bourne will be used, but after pinning the former ECW Champion – things could only go up for Evan “Air” Bourne.

The final Beat the Clock match was John Cena vs. The Miz. Honestly, why not just give Cena the win? Why sit through five matches when it was obvious that The Miz would lose to Cena yet again? The Miz not only failed to run the clock out, but he submitted to the STF. So come SummerSlam, it will be John Cena facing Randy Orton for the WWE Title. Let’s hope that this is not a repeat of No Way Out ’08 – For those who don’t remember, Orton struck the referee to retain the title through disqualification. It was also considered a great waste of Cena’s Royal Rumble winnings.