Raw Results (7/18/11)

GREEN BAY – It was an 11th hour stay of execution. Arguably the most popular Superstar in WWE had his head on the chopping block, but just before Mr. McMahon could bring down the axe, a returning Superstar shocked The Chairman – and the WWE Universe - and delivered the mother of all pink slips.

Triple H to strip Mr. McMahon of power
Before Rey Mysterio and The Miz could compete in the final round of the WWE Championship Tournament, Mr. McMahon demanded that the ring be cleared – he had important business to conduct. After explaining the tumultuous events that took place the night before at the Money in the Bank pay-per-view, The Chairman ordered former WWE Champion John Cena to the ring.

Mr. McMahon received an unwelcome guest instead. Triple H, not seen on Raw in more than three months, interrupted his famous father-in-law. The Game, a WWE executive and husband of Stephanie McMahon, told The Chairman that his decisions of late have been called into question by WWE board members. He then went on to drop a bombshell on Mr. McMahon – and the WWE Universe. The Chairman of WWE has officially been stripped of his power and “relieved of his duties.”

Rey Mysterio def. R-Truth in a WWE Title Tournament Match
Despite their impressive careers, neither Rey Mysterio nor R-Truth has ever held the WWE Title, which goes a long way in explaining why each fought so doggedly to advance to the final round of the WWE Championship Tournament. In the end, WWE’s Biggest Little Man would prevail over his fellow Money in the Bank Ladder Match participant to advance to the final round. There, he must face The Miz for the WWE Title.

The Miz def. Kofi Kingston in a WWE Title Tournament Match (WATCH |PHOTOS)
In the second round of the WWE Championship Tournament, Kofi Kingston had the final round in his crosshairs, but The Miz proved too difficult a target. With an inherent hunger to recapture the WWE Title, The Awesome One overcame Kingston’s aerial assault through cunning and a jarring Skull Crushing Finale.

Beth Phoenix pinned Rosa Mendes to win a 7-on-7 Divas Tag Team Match (WATCH | PHOTOS)
Seven has always been a lucky number, now it’s pretty sexy, too. In a 7-on-7 Divas Tag Team Match, Divas Champion Kelly Kelly, Eve, Beth Phoenix, Natalya, Gail Kim, Kaitlyn & A.J. teamed up to face off against The Bella Twins, Melina, Rosa Mendes, Alicia Fox, Maryse & Tamina. Although a melee broke out before the end of the match, Beth secured her team’s victory when she Glam Slammed Rosa and pinned her for the three-count.

Rey Mysterio def. Dolph Ziggler in a WWE Title Tournament Match (WATCH | PHOTOS)
Rey Mysterio was this close to snatching the briefcase the night before during his first ever Money in the Bank Ladder Match. Unfortunately for him, Alberto Del Rio yanked off his mask causing the proud luchador to falter. Against Dolph Ziggler, however, The Master of the 619 managed to save face. In the WWE Championship Tournament, Mysterio bested the blond bomber to advance.

Kofi Kingston def. Alberto Del Rio in a WWE Title Tournament Match (WATCH | PHOTOS)
Alberto Del Rio may have hit Kofi Kingston like a piñata during their WWE Championship Tournament Match, but the only thing that poured out was anger and fury. The Mexican Aristocrat, who has a pretty sweet Plan B after winning Raw’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match the night before, failed to advance in the tournament after The Dreadlock Dynamo utilized his athleticism to triumphant effect.

R-Truth def. Jack Swagger in a WWE Title Tournament Match (WATCH | PHOTOS)
Whether it’s "Little Jimmys" or a Big Jack, somebody gonna get got! In the WWE Championship Tournament to determine which Superstar will reign supreme, R-Truth set his wild eyes on the prize and defeated The All-American American to advance.

The Miz def. Alex Riley in a WWE Title Tournament Match (WATCH | PHOTOS)
Who knew the WWE Title had such healing power? Just one night after The Miz suffered what appeared to be a painful knee injury, The Cleveland Screamer brought his A-game for a chance to become the new WWE Title holder. He squared off against Alex Riley in the opening round of the WWE Championship Tournament to determine which Superstar would hold WWE’s most prized possession. In the end, Miz managed to squeak by his former assistant to advance.

Mr. McMahon announced plans to crown new WWE Champion (WATCH | PHOTOS)
Despite the unprecedented events that took place at the Money in the Bank pay-per-view, during which John Cena lost the WWE Championship, Mr. McMahon kicked off the show and appeared determined to chart a course forward.

As a result, The Chairman announced that eight of the top Superstars would compete in a WWE Championship Tournament to determine a new titleholder tonight, starting with The Miz and Alex Riley.