Wrestleview.com reader Adam Marrick sent this live report in.
WWE LIVE
Sunday, August 25th, 2013
Santa Ana Star Center
Rio Rancho, NM
Tony Chimel was on ring announcing duty for Sunday’s matches.
MATCH #1: Prime Time Players (Darren Young & Titus O’Neil) vs. Drew McIntyre & Jinder Mahal
The PTP came out to a decent pop and quickly had the NM crowd behind them as they took on 2/3 of 3MB, who were quick to isolate Titus from his corner and take control of most of the match. Young eventually got the hot tag and nailed Mahal with the Gut Check to pick up the win for his team.
WINNERS: Prime Time Players
MATCH #2: Great Khali vs. Hunico
At one point, Hunico was able to get his giant-sized competitor on the ground but his offense didn’t last long as the match was all Khali. The former World Heavyweight Champion made short work of Hunico and got the pinfall after nailing the Khali Chop.
WINNER: Great Khali
MATCH #3: Kofi Kingston vs. Ryback
The early part of this contest was mostly controlled by Ryback but Kofi was able to get some good momentum and get several near-falls against the Human Wrecking Ball. After being sized up by Kofi for the Trouble in Paradise, Ryback was able to use the referee to his advantage and allow the distraction, immediately hitting Kingston with the Meat Hook to earn the 1-2-3.
WINNER: Ryback
MATCH #4: Divas Champion AJ Lee & Layla vs. Kaitlyn & Natalya
Before this match, fans got to vote through Twitter and text on what type of contest they wanted from the Divas: a dance off or a tag match. Luckily, the latter won. Much like the opening match, AJ & Layla were able to swap tags and wear down Natalya before she tagged in Kaitlyn, eventually leading to the Divas Champion taking the fall after a Spear.
WINNERS: Kaitlyn & Natalya
MATCH #5: Cody Rhodes vs. Damien Sandow
While making his entrance, the Intellectual Savior of the Masses addressed the crowd in Rio Rancho, stating that we should show more respect to the future World Heavyweight Champion. After being interrupted by Rhodes’ entrance, Sandow met him in the entranceway and the two brawled to ring to start the match. Cody attempted to hit Cross Rhodes early in the match, only to have it reversed by his former partner but after wearing him down with the Disaster Kick, the second attempt of his finisher was a success to score the W.
WINNER: Cody Rhodes
MATCH #6: Big E Langston vs. Dolph Ziggler
Earlier on in the night, Langston appeared on the screen and told everybody that Ziggler’s win at SummerSlam was a fluke and he would prove it to the world tonight. Langston was looking to make good on his word, controlling most of the match but Ziggler overcame his former heavy and pinned him following the Zig-Zag.
WINNER: Dolph Ziggler
MATCH #7: World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio vs. Christian
The crowd was definitely split when both competitors made their way to the ring, but after some verbal insults on the mic against each other, the crowd quickly sided with Christian as he got his “ONE MORE MATCH.” This was easily the match of the night and was definitely Pay-Per-View quality. The end came when Del Rio blocked Christian’s offense by throwing the referee in front of him, allowing him to put on the Cross Armbreaker. The ref quickly called for the bell and everyone (including Del Rio) thought that Christian tapped out but Chimel announced that the decision was given to the challenger as a result of Alberto being DQ’d for using the referee as a shield.
WINNER by DQ: Christian
Upset at the referee’s call, Del Rio looked to cause further damage to his challenger but Christian was able to get the advantage and plant the World Heavyweight Champion with the Killswitch.
MATCH #8: CM Punk vs. Intercontinental Champion Curtis Axel (w/Paul Heyman) in a Non-Title No-DQ Match
Heyman accompanied his client to the ring and stated that he was able to get Axel’s IC Title off the line in tonight’s matchup since they originally didn’t agree to the No-DQ stipulation. Punk and Axel brawled throughout the ringside area and a funny spot came when Punk started chasing Heyman around the ring, who was also being chased by Axel. Both kendo sticks and chair shots were exchanged throughout the contest but it was actually a quick roll-up from Punk that scored the victory.
WINNER: CM Punk
Following the match, Punk realized that he was in the ring by himself with his former friend, eventually getting his hands on Heyman but before any damage could be done, Axel broke up the altercation and was met with a GTS for his troubles. Once Heyman & Axel left the ring, Punk thanked everybody for coming out and performed his version of The Worm. Heyman & his client came back out right after but the IC Champion was again met with a kendo shot to send the crowd in Rio Rancho home happy.