WWE Monday Night RAW Results
East Rutherford, New Jersey
April 8, 2013
Commentators: Jerry Lawler, JBL and Michael Cole
Report by: David Stephens of Wrestleview.com
John Cena’s music hits and he makes his way onto the entrance ramp. Before charging down to the ring he takes a moment to tell the ramp camera man that it is opening day. Cena gets into the ring and just laughs at the loud and mixed reaction he is receiving. And it is monstrous to say the least.
Cena says that it should be every Superstar’s dream to be in the main event at Wrestlemania. But the best part is winning and coming out tonight to this very hot crowd. Both the cheers and jeers. Cena stops for a moment and says that he and the audience have known each other for ten years. Cena says that he thinks some fans are upset. Cena says he is too, and it’s because Wrestlemania is over. Isn’t that really why everyone is upset?
Cena postures that the WWE is not like the day after Christmas. Instead, something exciting always seems to happen. For instance, last year Brock Lesnar came back and kicked his ass. Cena says he is pumped up tonight. Cena goes right after the fans that despise him by starting to dance in the ring. A loud “no” breaks out. Cena twists his heel around and says, “What about a heel turn”. The crowd literally groans then laughs as the commentators guffaw.
Cena holds up his Title and says, “The Champ is here”. He is wearing a new shirt tonight that has a belt on the lower portion which strongly resembles a shirt that Cena wore 7 or so years ago. Cena says he isn’t here to drop balloons tonight. Cena holds up the belt and says that he is here to fight tonight. Cena doesn’t care if he faces Dolph Ziggler, Randy Orton or anyone else. He will fight for the belt tonight and kick off the beginning of the wrestling calendar year.
Mark Henry’s music hits and Cena looks a bit startled. The big man is fresh off his victory against Ryback last night at Wrestlemania. Henry gets in the ring and says that the problem with coming out and asking for trouble is that trouble just might find you. A chant breaks out and Cena says that the fans seem to want “Sexual Chocolate”. Henry tells Cena not to pay attention to them. Henry says that with all of this talk he believes that he and Cena need to have some action. The crowd starts a chant for Ryback. Cena points out that first the fans want to have sexual chocolate and then they want some more. Cena says that if Henry wants a fight then he will get it.
Cena v. Henry tonight.
Booker T’s music hits and he walks down the ramp. He says that he appreciates that Cena wants to be a fighting Champion, but he can’t come out here and give away Title matches. Booker says that The Rock deserves his rematch. Cena asks if we are getting “Once in a Lifetime Best Out of Three”. Booker says that the match cannot happen tonight because The Rock is not at the arena tonight. Booker says that if Henry wants a shot, then he will get a Title shot – but only if Henry can beat John Cena.
Henry looks at Cena and says that Cena might be full of jokes but he isn’t laughing. All that the jokes are going to get Cena tonight is an entry into the Hall of Pain. Henry exits the ring and heads towards the back as Cena’s watches from the ring.
The Undertaker will appear on RAW later tonight.
Alberto Del Rio will take on both Jack Swagger & Zeb Colter in a Handicap Match.
****Commercial****
Daniel Bryan w/ Kane v. Big E. Langston w/ Dolph Ziggler & AJ Lee
Langston uses his strength at the start and looks to take control. Bryan seizes his moment and knocks Langston down to the mat. Bryan climbs to the top turnbuckle but Dolph and AJ run distraction to get Bryan knocked down. Kane comes over to grab Dolph by the throat, but Langston tosses Bryan out of the ring and onto Kane. Langston hits his finisher, which none of the commentators care to share the name of so I’m just going to say, “his finisher”. This match is over.
Winner: Big E. Langston
****Commercial****
WWE Intercontinental Championship Match
The Miz v. Wade Barrett
Last night Miz beat Wade to win the Intercontinental Championship. Miz is strong at the start and attempts a quick cover. Wade kicks out. Miz applies a front headlock but Wade is able to get to his feet and back Miz into the corner. Wade lands a couple of blows until the referee backs him up.
Michael Cole just dropped, “Cool move by Miz” after mentioning that he’s learning a bit about the sport of Rugby. JBL comes in with a Kardashian reference and, oh yeah, there is a match going on. Wade drops an elbow to the heart and goes for a pin. Miz kicks out.
“Barrett is at his best when he suffocates people” says JBL right before Cole goes back to Rugby talk. Miz jumps out of the ring for an axe handle on Wade who had rolled out of the ring. Miz climbs to the top rope after both men are back in the ring, but Wade counters the leap.
****Commercial****
Miz is on the outside and Wade is on the apron. Wade charges and drops an elbow from the apron. Miz is rolled back into the ring, but kicks out of Wade’s cover. Miz is whipped into the ropes and connects with an arm lariat. Miz hits a few more kicks and is trying to pump himself up with the crowd’s approval. Miz charges for a splash but Wade is about to counter. Miz tries to drop his neckbreaker/backbreaker combo but hits heads with Wade. The fans voice their disproval of the misstep.
Miz charges and connects with a splash. Miz jumps from the top for an axe handle. Miz attempts a Figure Four but doesn’t have enough of an advantage. Miz and Wade brawl back and forth until Wade attempts a high boot. Miz grabs Wade’s leg and locks on Flair’s signature hold. Wade makes his way to the bottom rope. Miz looks to get Wade up for a Superplex, but Wade blocks. Barrett sets up for the Bull Hammer. Miz is staggered as Wade charges and connects. This match is over.
Winner & NEW Intercontinental Champion: Wade Barrett
****Commercial****
Vickie and Brad are talking about how happy they are with the weekend’s activities. Sheamus comes in and says that he isn’t pleased Show knocked him out last night. He demands a match against Big Show. Brad says that if Sheamus gets his match then he is going to owe Team Brickie a favor. Sheamus says he doesn’t’ care. Vickie announces that Sheamus will have a match tonight.
****Commercial****
Randy Orton is in the back with Booker T and congratulates him on his Hall of Fame induction and ring. He mentions that his dad has one as well. Orton demands that he face Big Show in a match tonight. Orton says he is the one who convinced Sheamus to trust Show. Booker says that Vickie has already placed Show in a match against Sheamus. Orton says that Booker can overrule Vickie – he is a Hall of Famer. Booker ultimately agrees and grants Orton his match.
Zeb Colter and Jack Swagger are out on the ramp. Zeb says that things got much worse last night. Zeb says that he is going to ask the fans for their support. Years ago he volunteered himself for Vietnam War because he loves his country. Zeb shouts that we are on the verge of tyranny. He tells the fans that when the dirty Alberto Del Rio comes out they should give him a loud, “USA” chant.
****Commercial****
2 on 1 Handicap Match
Alberto Del Rio w/ Ricardo Rodriguez v. Jack Swagger & Zeb Colter
Swagger and Del Rio lock up. Alberto lands a few punches and pushes Swagger into the corner. Swagger falls to the ground and Del Rio kicks him in the back. Del Rio knocks Swagger over the top rope to the outside. Del Rio flies out of the ring with a suicide dive. Rio rolls Swagger back inside and climbs to the top rope. Rio connects with a lateral press, but Swagger kicks out. Swagger begins to work the leg of Swagger to prepare it for the Patriot Lock. Swagger pushes Del Rio into the corner and Zeb lands a cheap shot. Swagger again works the leg. Del Rio has Swagger up in the corner but misses his Enziguiri. Swagger locks on the Patriot Lock. Rio escapes and uses the ropes to apply a cross-arm breaker for a full five count.
****Commercial****
Back from the break Swagger is again working Rio’s leg. Alberto kicks free and dodges a shoulder thrust which sends Swagger into the steel post. Rio connects with a few clotheslines, dodges one from Swagger, and hits a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Del Rio kicks Swagger in the temple and goes for the cover. Swagger kicks out. Jack barely gets to his feet as Rio attempts a Cross Arm-Breaker. Swagger counters with a belly-to-belly suplex and then locks on the Patriot Lock. Del Rio flips onto his back and reverses into a Cross Arm Breaker. Swagger is in the middle of the ring and is forced to tap.
Winner: Alberto Del Rio
Del Rio is on the mat and is squirming. He looks to be in pain as Ricardo and the doctors come to his assistance.
Dolph Ziggler’s music hits and he makes his way into the ring as the fans explode. He hands the Money in the Bank Briefcase to the referee. Justin Roberts announces the match.
WWE World Heavyweight Championship Match
Dolph Ziggler w/ Big E. Langston & AJ Lee v. Alberto Del Rio w/ Ricardo Rodriguez
The bell rings and Dolph immediately goes to work on the leg of Alberto Del Rio that was injured in the match. Dolph hits the Fame-Ass-Er. Cover, but Del Rio kicks out. Ziggler is furious and stomps relentlessly on the leg. Ziggler backs up and charges across the ring for a splash. Del Rio gets to his feet and hits an Enziguiri. The fans loudly begin to boo at Rio’s offense. Cover, but Ziggler kicks out.
Both men make their way to their feet. Rio leaps up and locks on the Cross Arm Breaker. Ziggler is able to escape by attacks Rio’s hurt leg. Del Rio gets to his feet and staggers directly into a Zig Zag. This match is over.
Winner & NEW World Heavyweight Champion: Dolph Ziggler
****Commercial****
The Undertaker’s music hits and he slowly walks down to the ring. Taker has a microphone and says that he dedicated last night’s match to Paul Bearer. A man he has the utmost –
The Shield’s music hits and they appear in the crowd. Taker looks absolutely furious. Taker takes off his robe and is ready to fight. Taker is ready to fight, but certainly outnumbered. The Shield is about to enter the ring as pyro explodes from the ringpost. Kane and Daniel Bryan charge down to the ring to make the save. The Shield decides that they don’t want the fight and high tail it into the crowd.
Daniel Bryan stands in the ring between the Brothers of Destruction. Or rather, it’s the Ministry of Hell No. Doesn’t Daniel Bryan know that Satanic cults sacrifice goats?!?
****Commercial****
Dolph Ziggler is in the back with his crew claiming that he deserves his new Title more than anyone in history. Mathews approaches and Ziggler continues his less than humble homage to his victory.
Santino, R-Truth & Zack Ryder v. 3MB
R-Truth starts the match against Heath Slater. Truth does a bit of dancing before punching Slater in the face and tagging in Santino. Santino gets in the ring and starts some dancing of his own but after a slap in the face decides that he should get out of the ring. Ryder gets the tag but is ultimately tossed out of the ring. McIntyre gets the tag and rolls Ryder back inside. Drew hits a high kick and then tosses Ryder into the corner. Slater gets the tag and kicks Ryder a couple of times. Ryder is eventually able to make it to his corner and tags in Santino. Santino hits a couple of arm drags followed by a headbutt. Jinder runs in to make the save so Truth sends him flying to the outside. Santino pulls out the cobra and looks to go for the win. Drew tries to stop Santino, but Santino’s hands flies forward and connects with Slater. The Cobra strikes and this match is over.
Winners: Santino, R-Truth & Zack Ryder
****Commercial****
Sheamus and Randy Orton are arguing in the locker room. Orton wants to take care of Show since he is the one that convinced Sheamus to trust him. Sheamus is having none of this and tells Orton that he will take care of Big Show.
****Commercial****
Video Recap: Big Show on the Wrestlemania Post-Show last night complaining about Orton and Sheamus taking his spotlight
Sheamus is in the ring and tries to call out Vickie to insist that her match still happen. Instead, it is Orton’s music that hits. Orton gets in the ring to tell Sheamus that Big Show is all for Orton tonight. Orton asks the crowd if they want to see him kick The Big Show’s ass. Cole announces that the fans will be voting on the WWE Active app or on Twitter.
****Commercial****
Sheamus and Orton are still in the ring as the show returns from the voting break. Vickie and Booker come out onto the ramp. They say that both men have good standing for a match tonight so they came up with a fair solution. Orton will face Sheamus with the winner going on to face Big Show. So what was the point of the voting then? I’m confused.
Sheamus v. Randy Orton
They lock up and back into a corner. The referee tries to split them up but they remain tangled. The referee has to put his body between the two men. They square off again with Sheamus applying a side headlock. Sheamus hits a shoulder block and then allows Orton to get to his feet. The fans start a random, “Ole” chant. Sheamus and Orton laugh before continuing the match. Orton connects with a punch and an uppercut but is blocked on a hip toss. Cover but Sheamus, but Orton kicks out. Sheamus applies an arm bar to a grounded Orton. Randy gets back on his feet and throws Sheamus on his back to escape. Orton leaps for a knee drop and goes for the cover. Sheamus kicks out.
Orton remains in control as he applies a rear headlock. Sheamus escapes and applies a headlock of his own. The commentators point out that there are a lot of international fans at the show tonight which explains why the audience is hearing chants that they usually hear when the WWE is in London. Orton attacks the leg of Sheamus and then stands on his ankle. The crowd is going crazy but not chanting for anything that has anything to do with the match. The fans start roaring for “JBL” and the camera shows a laughing JBL. The crowd moves towards Jerry and then Cole so the WWE cuts to commercial.
****Commercial****
Back from the break the fans are now chanting for ECW. Possibly because Joey Styles just posted on Twitter that he felt left out since his name hasn’t been chanted. In the middle of the ring to two men begin to slug it out. Sheamus hits an Irish Curse Backbreaker. The fans are now doing the wave. This is fantastic.
Sheamus sets up Orton on the apron and sets in with his clubbing blows. Sheamus suplexes Orton back into the ring. Orton hits a backbreaker which gets no reaction, but the crowd does start a boisterous “Randy Savage” chant. Orton looks like wants to RKO all 16,000 fans in attendance. Orton pushes Sheamus towards the apron and hits the suspended DDT. Sheamus gets back to his feet and hits White Noise. He sets up for the Brogue Kick and charges across the ring. Orton rolls out of the way.
Big Show’s music hits and he walks swiftly down to the ring. Show tosses Sheamus face first into the steel steps. The crowd starts a loud, “thank you Big Show”. Show gets into the ring and moves towards a staggered Orton. Show hits a Knockout Blow as the crowd roars their approval. Show pulls Orton out of the ring and whips him into the barricade on the outside.
Winner: No Contest
Show is stalking Orton outside the ring. Show charges and hits a hard spear on Orton. The impact ripples throughout the venue. Show lifts Orton up and tosses him over the commentary booth. Show tosses a chair up towards the ring but it hits the top rope. Show tosses a second, but it too fails to land in the ring. The crowd begins to turn on the Giant. Show stomps Orton in the head before heading to the back. The crowd is disappointed as they chant for, “One More Chair”.
The tussle may have knocked out some of the commentator gear. Jerry has a head set on and is standing near Orton asking if he is okay. The crowd seems pleased with themselves as they chant, “We Are Awesome”.
****Commercial****
Kofi Kingston v. Fandango
The fans are humming Fandango’s entrance theme as the match gets under way. Fandango kicks Kofi – and Jericho charges down to the ring.
Winner via DQ: Fandango
Jericho leaps on Fandango and then tosses him out of the ring. Jericho tosses him into the barricade and then back into the ring. Jericho continues the attack as the fans cheer him on. Jericho heads to the back as Fandango is left demolished in the ring.
Justin Roberts announces Fandango as the winner. Fandango’s dancer is in the ring with a mic. Fandango uses all of his strength to correct the pronunciation of his name. The fans are on their feet singing Fandango’s entrance theme as RAW goes to commercial.
****Commercial****
Paul Heyman is in the back with Josh Mathews. Josh says last night was a tough night to be a Paul Heyman guy. Paul says Lesnar was knocked out early into his match with HHH, but it still took HHH 23 minutes to beat Lesnar. Heyman says that Lesnar is ready to fight tonight, but his client won’t fight for free. Heyman says that what Josh should be asking about is Punk v. Taker. Heyman says that Punk will address the match himself – next week on RAW.
The competitors make their entrance for the next match.
****Commercial****
Cody Rhodes, Damien Sandow (The Rhodes Scholars) & The Bella Twins v. Brodus Clay, Sweet T (Tons of Funk) & The Funkadactyls
Back from the break the match is already underway. One of the Funkadactyls hits Cody with a hurricarana. Tensai is in the ring and explodes with a bit of offense. Sandow gets the tag and slows things down. Sweet T hits a side slam and tags in Brodus. Clay knocks down Cody then hits Sandow with a headbutt. He follows with a big splash and then a T-Bone Suplex. Cover, but the Bellas make the save. The Funkadactyls soar into the ring to knock out the Bellas. Sandow is working Tensai, but Clay appears behind him. The two big men pancake Sandow and then follow up with stereo splashes. This match is over.
Winners: Tons of Funk & The Funkadactyls
****Commercial****
John Cena v. Mark Henry
If Henry wins this match he will face the winner of Cena/Rock for the Title. Cena dodges under Henry and then does a little Fandango dance. Cena runs into the ropes but Henry pushes him down to the ground. Henry steps on Cena’s face and then lifts him back up. Henry hits Cena with a right hand in the corner while goading him to dance or tell a joke. Henry whips Cena hard into the corner. Cena gets back to his feet and attempts a shoulder block. Henry stays on his feet until Cena dodges a clothesline and hits another shoulder block.
Henry rolls out of the ring so Cena follows after. Henry lifts Cena to his feet and smashes his head into the announce table. The commentators seem genuinely annoyed that they have to get out of their seats once again tonight. Henry lifts Cena up and looks for a World’s Strongest Slam through the table. Cena escapes and attempts to lift up Henry, but Henry lifts up Cena and smashes his back into the steel post. The referee has begun a 10 count. Cena hits Henry and scurries back into the ring just before the count expires.
Winner via Count Out: John Cena
After the match, Mark Henry gets back into the ring. He takes out Cena with a WSS and then lifts up the WWE Title in celebration. A Title which has been adorned with Cena plates in place of the Brahma Bull logos.
Ryback’s music hits and he takes out Henry with a couple of punches and a Spinebuster. Henry rolls out of the ring as Ryback leads the crowd in a Feed Me More chant. Ryback turns his attention to Cena. There is a bit of tension at first, but Ryback helps Cena up to his feet to the crowd’s disproval. Ryback charges at Cena and hits the Meathook. Ryback lifts Cena up on his shoulders and hits Shell-Shocked. The crowd erupts and loudly chants, “Feed Me More” as Ryback holds up the Title as RAW goes off the air.
———-
My thoughts are delivered to the Wrestleview homepage each and every Tuesday. Look for it tomorrow and thanks for reading!
I tried to capture some of the crowd response but if you didn’t catch this RAW live I greatly encourage you to watch a replay. This was one of the rowdiest crowds we’ve seen in quite some time. The Wrestlemania hold-overs took full advantage of an enclosed venue where they could actually chant in unison unlike the open air Met Life stadium. Yes it had its pros and cons, but it was hilarious to watch.
I was at Wrestlemania last night so I’ll have some thoughts rolling out about the event later this week.
David Stephens
Follow me on Twitter! @TheDaveStephens
The Teacher’s Lounge (Sunday)
“The Teacher’s Lounge” is a weekly podcast archived every Saturday on the Wrestleview Radio Network featuring hosts David Stephens and “Mr. V” Anthony Valvo. The show reviews all of the news from the week, tosses out Gold Stars and Detentions, PPV previews and special guests. Past Interviews include: Colt Cabana, Hernandez, Sara Del Rey, CZW Owner DJ Hyde, Shane Douglas & more!
