WWE Monday Night RAW Results
Hartford, Connecticut
June 3, 2013
Commentators: Jerry Lawler, JBL and Michael Cole
Report by: David Stephens of Wrestleview.com
The show opens with a video run down of the recent events on Monday Night RAW.
Stephanie McMahon’s music hits and she makes her way down to the ring. She notes that it is good to be back in front of the WWE Universe. Stephanie reminds the audience that HHH had survived a steel cage match with Brock Lesnar only to have to compete again the next night on RAW. Stephanie admits that HHH has been medically cleared to wrestle tonight, but Stephanie is making an executive decision. HHH will not be allowed to compete.
The crowd boos in shocked disbelief. Stephanie says she has made this decision as an executive, mother and wife. Stephanie isn’t going to let HHH’s wellbeing be at stake to Curtis Axel, a man that is beneath him. The match is not going to happen.
Vince McMahon’s music hits and he saunters down to the ring. He asks that the audience not boo his daughter. Vince asks that they have some compassion. His son in law HHH has given everything that he has to the business. The crowd chants for HHH.
Vince claims that he and Stephanie care more about HHH than the fans. Because of that fact, HHH will not be able to compete tonight. The crowd again chants for HHH. Vince asks if they want HHH’s vital organs as well. Vince McMahon claims that WWE is family entertainment; it is not a blood sport.
Vince says that last week Kofi was put through a table and the crowd chanted one more time. They did it over and over. Vince says that there isn’t going to be one more time for HHH. Vince says that Curtis Axel is beneath HHH, and so is the rest of the Universe.
The Shield’s music hits and they start to make their way down to the ring.
Vince appears genuinely surprised.
****Commercial****
The Shield is standing in the middle of the ring and the McMahons are nowhere to be found.
The Shield v. Randy Orton & Team Hell No
Bryan and Ambrose start the match. Bryan knees Ambrose in the gut and sends him flipping over to the mat. Kane gets the tag and dropkicks a seated Ambrose in the face. Kane continues the assault as we are informed that several members of the McMahon family are trending worldwide on Twitter.
Ambrose tags in Rollins. Bryan gets the tag and keeps the advantage for his team over Seth. Kane is brought into the match and drops a couple arm splashes in the corner. Kane hits a sidewalk slam and goes for the cover. No goose.
Kane climbs to the top rope but appears distracted by one of the members of The Shield. Rollins knocks Kane off the turnbuckle. Cover, but Kane kicks out.
****Commercial****
Back from the break Rollins has Kane stretched in the middle of the ring. The Big Man makes his way to his feet but Dean gets the tag and delivers a few blows and even a headbutt to Kane. Ambrose continues with the headbutts and tags in Rollins. They attempt a double suplex but Kane counters. It fails initially but then Kane lays out his competitors. Orton gets the tag and is fired up. Rollins is knocked down and Ambrose is caught in a snap scoop slam. Orton manages to find both men on the apron and delivers a double suspended DDT. Orton drops to the mat and pounds. Before he can hit the RKO, Roman jumps up on the apron. Orton attempts a DDT, but Rollins runs up from behind.
The numbers game proves too much for Orton. Ambrose is now the legal man. A few blows send Orton to the mat. Cover, but Orton kicks out. Ambrose spins behind for a headlock. Orton powers out but his reprieve is halted with a knee to the gut. Cover, but Orton kicks out.
Rollins gets the tag and kicks Orton in the small of the back. He stalks the Apex Predator and delivers some carefully placed stomps. Rollins grabs the ankle of Orton to keep him from reaching the corner. Seth is able to tag in Reigns.
Roman mounts Orton and delivers several punches. Reigns is behind Orton as he applies a full nelson. Randy struggles to his feet and finally escapes. Orton bounces off the ropes but Reigns delivers a strong right hand to the midsection. Ambrose gets the tag.
Dean circles Orton and stomps on his hands. Ambrose even uses the ropes as leverage to apply pressure to Orton’s knee. Ambrose drags Orton back to his corner and holds Orton’s hands back as Roman comes in off the tag. Reigns continues control of the head area. Orton finds life as he lifts Roman high into the air for a side slam.
Reigns is able to tag in Seth, who climbs to the top turnbuckle. Orton hits a dropkick to a leaping Rollins. Bryan gets the hot tag and clears house. Ambrose is now the legal man for his opposition. Bryan spins out of the corner and hits a devastating lariat. Bryan delivers kick after kick to a kneeling Ambrose. Bryan spins around to knock Rollins down on the turnbuckle. He spins back and kicks Ambrose in the jaw. Bryan climbs up the turnbuckle and hits a hurricarana on Rollins that sends him onto Ambrose. Bryan leaps out of the ring with a suicide dive on Reigns. Without pause, Bryan climbs back up the turnbuckle and hits a missile dropkick on Ambrose. Cover, but Ambrose kicks out.
Bryan applies the Yes Lock and is looking for the submission. Reigns and Rollins hit the ring to break it up. Kane comes in to protect his teammate. Kane is overpowered and knocked of the ring. Orton comes into the ring and hits an RKO on Rollins. Reigns is able to knock Orton out of the ring which leaves Ambrose and Bryan. They are the legal men. Ambrose hits a headlock driver and this match is over.
Winners: The Shield
After the match, Daniel Bryan is shown furiously shaking his head. Kane and Orton also appear frustrated. RAW fades to commercial as Bryan continues to shake his head.
****Commercial****
Daniel Bryan is in the locker room with Kane and Randy Orton. Bryan is fired up and is yelling at Orton. Randy says that he has already apologized. Orton wants to beat The Shield just as bad as Daniel. Bryan says that he sees now that Orton thinks that he is the weak link. Bryan is furious. He is now convinced that Kane and Orton don’t respect him and think he is the weak link. Bryan says that he is going to have another match tonight and he is going to beat the respect out of someone else. Maybe then Kane and Orton will respect him.
HHH is shown walking down the hall to the boss’s office. Stephanie and Vince are inside. Stephanie calls him by his muggle name, Paul, and the crowd is perked. Stephanie says that they had to watch him fall apart two weeks ago on RAW. HHH says that he is going to wrestle tonight. Vince isn’t going to let it happen. He says that Curtis is good and he doesn’t want to see HHH get hurt. HHH says he is going to wrestle tonight period. He asks – who is going to stop him? Vince starts to stare him down, but Stephanie turns her stance to support HHH.
The Usos are shown performing their tribal dance on the entrance ramp. Michal Cole teases that we will learn about The Usos new face paint when we come back from the break. Oh boy.
*****Commercial****
The Prime Time Players v. The Usos
Titus takes control of the Uso in the ring and tags in Darren Young. He applies a rear headlock.
Michael Cole presents the big reveal behind the new face paint. The Usos are trying to connect with their heritage and symbolize their rebirth. So there you have it.
Titus gives Uso a bit of his own brand of rebirth as he gets the tag and torques on a rear headlock. We get a Kim Kardasian news update as Cole shares that she is going to have a girl. Thanks Cole.
Titus charges towards the corner but his opponent dodges and Titus crashes into the corner. Young and the other Uso gets the tag. Jimmy delivers a Samoan Drop. He leads the crowd in a chant of “Uso” and then goes into the Rikishi well for a nice ass smothering. Jey gets the tag and leaps from the turnbuckle. The Samoan Splash connects.
Winners: The Usos
Up Next: Big E. Langston takes on Alberto Del Rio.
****Commercial****
Ricardo Rodriguez is brought out first to act as the ring announcer.
Alberto Del Rio w/ Ricardo Rodriguez v. Big E. Langston w/ AJ Lee
Langston backs Rio into the corner and delivers a few blows. Alberto responds with a kick and then clotheslines Langston out of the ring. Langston follows after and delivers a shoulder tackle. Langston grabs Alberto and tosses him into the barricade. Langston tosses Rio back into the ring as AJ adoringly watches on. Langston connects with another shoulder block and goes for the cover. Rio kicks out.
Langston gets behind Alberto to deliver a choke. Rio punches free and then climbs to the second turnbuckle. Langston catches him in midair and delivers a backbreaker followed by two more. Langston goes for the cover, but Rio kicks out. After a bit more back and forth Rio is able to back Langston into the corner. Langston uses his strength to resist an Irish Whip, so Rio kicks him in the skull. Back in the middle of the ring Alberto is able to get off another kick to the head. Cover, but Langston kicks out. Rio pumps up the crowd and goes for the Cross Arm Breaker. Langston squirms around for a bit before being able to get to his feet and lift Rio up and over the top rope. He struggles as he lifts Alberto and ends up getting caught in another arm breaker as Rio uses the ropes for leverage. Del Rio gets him back to the middle of the ring and again goes for the Arm Breaker. The move is locked on but Langston refuses to tap. Rio is able to roll around and trap Langston’s arms for the pin.
Winner: Alberto Del Rio
Langston does not look pleased with the referee’s decision.
****Commercial****
Sheamus v. Cody Rhodes
Damien Sandow is on commentary for this match up. He plugs JBL’s wife’s new book.
Sheamus and Rhodes battle back and forth at the start. Sheamus kicks Rhodes in the gut and sends him onto the apron. Cody dodges the clubbing blows, but Sheamus is not about to give up. He follows Rhodes towards the corner and gets caught by the leg. Rhodes slams it into the ropes.
Back inside the ring Cody attempts a pin. Sheamus kicks out. Rhodes gets behind Sheamus to drop an elbow to the collarbone. Rhodes applies a front headlock. Sheamus fights his way up to his feet. Sheamus lifts Rhodes up into the air and just tosses him away. Rhodes gets back to his feet only to walk into a couple of axe handles. Sheamus hits a high knee and then a running senton. Sheamus climbs up to the top rope. Rhodes gets to his feet as Sheamus flies at him with a battering ram. Cover, but Rhodes kicks out.
Rhodes dodges a Brogue Kick which tangles Sheamus in the ropes. Rhodes kicks him in the skull and goes for the cover. Sheamus kicks out. Rhodes lifts Sheamus up to his feet for Cross Rhodes. Sheamus counters as does Rhodes. Cody climbs up the turnbuckle and leaps for the moonsault. Sheamus rolls out of the way. Cody crashes to the mat. Sheamus capitalizes by lifting him up for white Noise. Sheamus is pumped up by the crowd as he delivers a Brogue Kick. This match is over.
Winner: Sheamus
After the match Sheamus looks to approach Sandow. Damien pleads for him to go. Sheamus extends his hand. Damien slaps it away and says he isn’t going to shake his hand. Sheamus continues so Sandow slaps it away a second time. Sheamus responds by slapping him across the face which sends Sandow spiraling to the floor.
****Commercial****
HHH is shown in the back with Stephanie. He is still flabbergasted that Vince would lecture him about ego. HHH says he doesn’t want his kids to see him beat up his grandfather on national television so he is leaving. Trips tosses his luggage into a waiting limo. He announces that he will be in action against Curtis Axel next week on RAW.
Video Recap shows Ryback tossing Kofi Kingston through a series of tables this past Friday on Smackdown.
JBL notes that Kofi is a new father and didn’t deserve that attack. Cole explains that a pre-existing elbow injury was aggravated during the match and Kofi had surgery this past week and will be out of action
Bryan is walking in the back and kicks over a cart. Ryback appears and tells Bryan that he should calm down. He calls Bryan puny and explains that he has vomit bigger than Bryan. He challenges Bryan to a match tonight. Bryan tells him to keep underestimating him. Ryback says that Bryan isn’t only the weak link, but after tonight he will be the missing link.
Vince McMahon is in an office with Paul Heyman and Curtis Axel. Vince says that Curtis’ match is not going to take place against HHH this week or next. But, Axel will be in action tonight. He is going to face John Cena. Heyman nods. Vince also announces that the match will be no disqualification to avoid a repeat of last week’s encounter.
****Commercial****
Fandango w/ Summer Rae v. The Great Khali w/ Natalya & Hornswoggle
Fandango is swatted away by Khali. The big man backs him into the corner and delivers a chop. Fandango is again backed into the corner and hit with a chop. Fandango starts to fight back but Khali uses his size to keep control and kick away Fandango. Khali is looking for a head vice, so Fandango dances out of the ring. The crowd boos as Fandango makes his way up the entrance ramp.
The Miz appear at the top of the ramp to keep Fandango from escaping.
Wade then sneaks up behind Miz and hits him in the back of the head. Fandango is saved as Wade taunts him by holding up his Title.
It is presumed that Fandango has been counted out of this match.
Winner via Count Out: The Great Khali
****Commercial****
Wade Barrett v. The Miz
The sneak attack has allowed Wade to maintain control for the beginning of the match. Miz is able to pull down on the top rope and send Wade out of the ring. Miz uses the time to catch his breath. As Wade tries to reenter the ring, Miz kicks him in the back of the head. Miz then climbs up the turnbuckle. Wade leaps to his feet to keep Miz from climbing. Wade looks for a knee but only finds turnbuckle. Cover, but Miz kicks out. Miz connects with a Russian Leg Sweep and looks for a Figure Four. Wade counters with Winds of Change. Cover, but Miz kicks out.
Fandango has apparently decided that he is not finished dancing tonight. Fandango and Summer Rae hit the stage for a display. Miz takes advantage and forces Wade to tap out to a Figure Four.
Winner: The Miz
****Commercial****
Jerry Lawler is in the ring as a table is set up for tonight’s contract-signing. He first introduces Y2J, Chris Jericho. The sparkly one makes his entrance.
Out next to represent CM Punk is Paul Heyman.
Both men take a seat at the table. Lawler says that they have each seen the contract and the only thing that is left to do is sign the contract. Heyman says that they could have just signed the contract in the back, but Jericho’s ego wanted it to take place on television. As a result Heyman is obliged to speak.
Jericho cuts him off as he launches into a monologue about Punk’s accomplishments. Jericho pokes fun at Punk’s tattoos and then tells him to sign. Heyman signs and passes the contract to Jericho. Paul asks if Jericho is really ready to fight CM Punk in Chicago. Heyman says that even though there is an arena fool of Jerichoholics in attendance tonight, that won’t be the case in Chicago. There will be a partisan crowd that will boo and jeer Jericho. Punk can do no wrong in Chicago.
Jericho fakes being taken aback and offers some other locations for their match. He suggests Summerslam in Los Angeles or at Madison Square Garden. Heyman says no. Jericho asks if they can have it here tonight. The crowd roars their approval. Heyman says no.
Jericho takes the contract and asks where they should file it now that it is singed. Should it go to Heyman’s lawyer or Jericho’s or at WWE Headquarters? Jericho walks around Heyman and tells him to stand up. He then tells him to unbutton his jacket. Jericho knows exactly where the contract needs to be filed. He places it in the front of Heyman’s pants. He says see you in Chicago and walks out of the ring.
****Commercial****
The Bella Twins & AJ Lee v. The Funkadactyls & Kaitlyn
Kaitlyn and AJ start the match. A quick back and forth brings in a Bella and a ‘dactyl. The dino hits a nice kick, but Nikki counters. Nikki stomps on Naomi’s midsection and then tosses her into the ropes. Brie gets the tag and stomps on Naomi’s arm. She pulls back on the arm as the crowd disappears. Naomi kicks Brie in the skull which wakes up the audience a bit. Kaitlyn gets the tag and then hits a weak looking STO variant. Brie is able to deliver a knee and then looks to tag in AJ. Instead, AJ heads up the ramp. Kaitlyn capitalizes with a spear to end the match.
Winners: The Funkadactyls & Kaitlyn
****Commercial****
Kane is in the locker room with Daniel Bryan. Kane thinks that it is crazy to fight Ryback this week. Bryan has already competed tonight, and he saw what Ryback did to Kofi last week. Kane says that Bryan has one of the biggest hearts and he proves his determination each and every week. Kane says that Bryan doesn’t need to prove anything tonight. Bryan shakes his head and will not listen to reason. He commands Kane to not get involved in his match tonight. Kane is fired up and has had enough. He tells Bryan that he is out of here tonight. Kane tells Bryan to give him a call – when he finds his mind. Because clearly he has lost it.
****Commercial****
Preview airs for the debut of the Wyatt Family.
Daniel Bryan v. Ryback
Ryback makes his entrance in an ambulance, appearing from the rear door.
Bryan starts off with a flurry of kicks. Ryback backs him into the corner. Bryan trips Ryback and kicks him in the head. Bryan delivers a few careful kicks to the back of the thighs. Bryan puts up his knees to block. Ryback uses his strength to take control. Ryback kicks Bryan in the gut and then steps on his face. Bryan trips up Ryback and wrenches back on his leg. Ryback is rolled onto his back out of the half crab. Daniel Bryan sets up for an Indian death lock. Bryan falls on top of Ryback and unloads with punches. Cover, but Ryback kicks out.
Bryan backs Ryback into the corner. Ryback charges at Bryan, so Bryan flips out of the corner. Bryan is clotheslined out of the ring.
****Commercial****
Back from the break Ryback is in control. He stomps on the back and midsection of Bryan. Ryback has Bryan on his back and spreads his legs to kick him in the gut. Ryback drops an elbow. Ryback gets behind Bryan for a rear headlock. Bryan fights back to his feet as the crowd gets behind him. Bryan elbows Ryback multiple times and runs towards the ropes. Ryback uses a clothesline to knock him down to the mat. Bryan appears frustrated.
Ryback circles Bryan and lifts him to his feet. Ryback pushes Bryan into the corner and screams in his face. Ryback tosses Bryan across the ring. Bryan is in the corner and dodges as Ryback charges, which sends Ryback shoulder first into the steel post. Bryan charges at full force across the ring for a dropkick. Bryan follows with another and then a huge dropkick to the face of a seated Ryback. Cover, but Ryback kicks out. Bryan climbs to the top rope and hits a missile dropkick. Bryan climbs back up again and this time Ryback is almost on the other side of the ring. Bryan connects with a huge headbutt. Bryan covers, but Ryback kicks out.
Bryan starts to unload with his kick sequence. Ryback dodges the final kick and instead lifts Bryan up to deliver a devastating Powerbomb. Ryback takes a moment before continuing the attack. Bryan cinches on the Yes Lock. The crowd is roaring as Ryback is held tight in the submission. Ryback claws his way to the bottom rope to break the hold. The crowd boos.
Ryback rolls out of the ring. Bryan leaps out with a suicide dive, but Ryback moves out of the way and tosses Bryan into the announce table. Ryback lifts Bryan up and drills his back into the steel posts. Ryback slides Bryan back into the ring. Instead of going for the finish, Ryback slides out of the ring. He reaches under and finds a table. Ryback grabs the table and sets it up in the ring. Ryback grabs Bryan and lifts him up for a Powerbomb. Ryback sends Bryan into the table which gives Daniel Bryan the win.
Winner via DQ: Daniel Bryan
Ryback does not look he is finished as he starts to search under the ring for another table. As Ryback pulls out the table the tide of the match is about to turn.
John Cena’s music hits and he runs down to make the save. Cena holds up his Title and challenges Ryback to approach.
Instead, Curtis Axel’s music hits and he makes his entrance for his match against Cena. Ryback heads out through the crowd.
****Commercial****
No Disqualification Match
John Cena v. Curtis Axel
Cena squares off with Curtis and backs him into the corner. Heyman grabs the leg of a charging Cena to trip him up. Axel leaps off the apron onto Cena, who had rolled to the outside. Back inside the ring Axel continues the attack and looks for a quick cover. Cena kicks out. Curtis connects with several right hands and then grinds his forearm in the face of Cena. Cena is caught with a backbreaker. Cover, but Cena kicks out. Axel tells Heyman to grab him a chair. Heyman obliges and slides a steel chair into the ring. Heyman smacks his hands in victory. Axel swings with the chair but Cena blocks and grabs the chair. John clams it across the back of Axel causing him to roll out of the ring. Cena tosses Axel over the announce booth. Lawler struggles to keep his headset connected. For some reason the referee begins to count even though this is a no disqualification match. Cena and Axel get back inside. Curtis has been able to regain his ground as he grabs the chair for defense.
Cena dodges one chair shot and they square off again. Curtis swings a second time and misses. Cena dropkicks the chair into the face of Axel. Cover but Axel kicks out. Curtis gets in a bit of offense before a cover of his own. Cena kicks out. Curtis puts Cena against the second rope and forearms him across the face. Axel stomps on Cena before lifting him to his feet. Cena is whipped hard into the corner and crashes to the mat. Cover, but Cena kicks out. Curtis stretches Cena’s face and arm. Curtis releases and steps on Cena’s face.
Cena responds by setting into the moves of doom. Cena connects with a 5 Knuckle Shuffle. A chair has been sandwiched between the turnbuckle which Cena crashes into as Curtis rolls out of the way. Curtis drops to the mat and unloads on the back of Cena’s head. Axel is fired up as he looks to finish off the WWE Champion.
Curtis jumps out of the ring and again grabs a steel chair. Curtis hits Cena in the back and goes for the cover. Cena kicks out. Another chair shot and cover, but again Cena kicks out. Heyman yells for his client to wear Cena out. Another chair shot and cover, but yet again Cena kicks out. Heyman tells Axel to continue the attack. This time Curtis slams the chair first into Cena’s gut and then across his back. As Cena is lying on the mat Axel drills the chair into his midsection. Curtis puts the chair on the ground and hits a swinging neckbreaker or sorts that sends Cena onto the chair. Curtis leaves the chair on the mat and stands over Cena.
Cena is lifted off his feet as Curtis looks for the Perfectplex. Cena counters into an STF. Axel screams as his client may be forced to tap. Curtis tries to climb towards the ropes as Cena holds on. Heyman grabs a computer off of the announce table and hands it to Axel. Curtis uses it to smack Cena in the face.
Axel rolls out of the ring and Cena follow. John is able to grab Axel and lifts him up for an AA. Cena heads towards the table that Ryback had laid against the barricade. Heyman tries to stand in the way. Cena drops Axel and looks to grab Heyman. Instead, Curtis has regained his feet.
Ryback charges in and attacks Cena as Axel slides back into the ring. Ryback lifts up Cena and charges towards the table on the outside. The referee is for reason counting Cena out.
Winner via Count Out: Curtis Axel
The match apparently ends as a result of a count out, even though this is a no disqualification match – which I presumed would mean a competitor can’t be, you know, disqualified.
David Stephens
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