WWE Monday Night RAW Results
Phoenix, Arizona
August 26, 2013
Commentators: Jerry Lawler, JBL & Michael Cole
Report by: David Stephens of Wrestleview.com
RAW opens with The Shield standing in front of the ring facing the entrance ramp. They stand guard with their Title belts as Triple H’s music hits and he makes his way down to the ring. It is worth noting that Triple H has recently been rocking a new theme song. The shot cuts to the commentators’ booth. JBL, Jerry Lawler and an exhausted looking Michael Cole are on hand to guide the fans through the show.
Triple is in the ring and wants to take the fans back to the dawning of a new era. Triple H shows a video of Summerslam and claims that it brought about the future of the WWE. Daniel Bryan beat Cena clean only to have Randy Orton run down at the end of the match and cash in Money in the Bank to become the new WWE Champion. HHH assisted the former Evolution member by delivering a pedigree that debilitated Daniel Bryan. Triple H then shows video of last Monday’s RAW closing segment. Bryan tried to make his way to the McMahon’s in the ring and fought his way through the Shield guards. However Bryan fell victim to a spear and ultimately an RKO from the Viper, Randy Orton.
Triple H claims that his actions at Summerslam were good for business and were not personal. However Trips does admit that the attack on Bryan last week was in fact personal. Triple H claims that Bryan deserved the attack for attacking his wife and family. Hunter wants to move on from that moment and continue to deal with the situation as a businessman.
Triple H puts over last week’s RAW rating and the activity that it is generating on social media. He claims that it is all-possible because of one man, the new WWE Champion, Randy Orton.
Randy Orton’s music hits and he makes his way down to the ring. Orton triumphantly holds up his belt to gloat before addressing the crowd. As his music fades Orton slings the belt over his shoulder. Triple speaks first and congratulates him on breathing new life into both the company and the Championship. Hunter wants to reward Orton for his accomplishment with a gift. Triple H presents Randy Orton with a new Cadillac Escalade. Orton is elated.
Daniel Bryan’s music hits and he walks out onto the entrance ramp. The Cadillac is sitting on the side of the stage where Alberto Del Rio or JBL would have their vehicles.
Bryan puts over the car and says that it is nicer than his little car. Bryan wants to offer up some thank-yous of his own before Orton grants thank-yous about his car. Bryan thanks everyone in the audience for supporting him. Bryan admits he isn’t the biggest or prettiest but the fans have supported him and it means the world. Bryan is pleased that John Cena picked him for the main event at Summerslam because someone like Triple H would have never given him that opportunity. Bryan also thanks Triple H for ending the game of pretending to do what is best for business. Bryan says that Triple H is just as misguided as Vince McMahon. Bryan mocks the former leather jacket-wearing rebel for becoming a sell out in a suit.
Orton responds by saying that Bryan needs to show them respect. After all Orton is the face of the company. Bryan says that when he gets the chance to fight Orton at Night of Champions he is going to rearrange his face. Bryan will also rearrange Triple H’s plan for the company by winning the Championship.
Triple H mocks Bryan’s dream and even sings a bit of “When You Wish Upon a Star”. Triple H retorts that it matters who you are in this business. Bryan is nothing more than a ‘B’ performer at best. Hunter announces Daniel Bryan versus Seth Rollins later in the evening. He adds that if Bryan can beat Seth Rollins then he will have to face Dean Ambrose. If Bryan can somehow survive that match he will go on to fight Roman Reigns. Bryan will face The Shield in a gauntlet match. Triple H mocks Bryan by saying that he is giving him that gauntlet because he believes in Bryan. It is what is best for business.
-Commercial-
Cody Rhodes v. Fandango w/ Summer Rae
Damien Sandow is on commentary for this match.
They lock up and Rhodes whips Fandango into the ropes and follows with an elbow. Fandango is slammed stomach first to the mat. Rhodes tries to follow up but Fandango dodges.
Fandango’s music hits. The Miz dances out wearing gear similar to Fandango. He dances on the ramp, which allows Rhodes to roll up Fandango for the win.
Winner: Cody Rhodes
After the match Damien runs into the ring to attack Rhodes. Miz runs down to attack Fandango
Brad Maddox appears on the ramp. He drops a few amusing DJ jokes. In the case the fans haven’t realized what is about to happen, Maddox announces a tag team match. He tells the competitors to keep their dancing shoes on because that match starts now.
-Commercial-
The Miz & Cody Rhodes w/ Rosa Mendes v. Fandango & Damien Sandow w/ Summer Rae
The match is already underway as the show comes back from the break. Fandango is working on Rhodes and then Sandow gets the tag. He goes for a cover but Rhodes kicks out. Sandow starts in with a chin lock. Miz is brought in for the save and he goes to work. Sandow tries to trip him up but Miz slips under his legs and goes for a roll up. Fandango looks to be leaving ringside with Summer Rae. Miz takes Sandow into the middle of the ring for a Figure Four. Sandow avoids the hold at first. Rhodes causes a brief distraction, which allows Miz to hit the Skull Crushing Finale for the win.
Winners: The Miz & Cody Rhodes
Fandango is on the top of the ramp with Rae after the match. He has a microphone and then reminds the audience as to his name. He and Summer dance off.
-Commercial-
Christian is in the back being interviewed by Josh Mathews. Christian avoids discussing the new policies of Triple H. He says that he remembers the McMahon-Helmsley and Attitude eras. Orton walks up to confront Christian; they will be in action later tonight. Christian retorts that Triple H likes to play with sledgehammers so he has found his newest tool in Orton.
Paul Heyman is in the back with Curtis Axel. Fans are voting on the stipulation via the WWE App for the match later tonight between Punk and Axel.
-Commercial-
CM Punk v. Curtis Axel w/ Paul Heyman
Jerry Lawler reveals the fan voted stipulation before the match starts. If Punk beats Curtis Axel, then Paul Heyman will have to fight Punk.
Heyman stays up on the entrance ramp to avoid cheap shots from Punk. Axel is planted for a quick cover, but kicks out. Punk tries to hit a GTS but Axel scurries off of his shoulders and slips out of the ring. Punk follows him out of the ring. Axel gets in a shot and rolls back to the inside. He drops and elbow and covers Punk. Punk kicks out. Axel is sent back out of the ring.
-Commercial-
Punk is chopping Axel in the corner. Axel counters a ship and punches Punk in the back of the head. Cover, but Punk kicks out. Axel hits a high dropkick and tries another cover. Once again Punk kicks out. Axel tosses a few punches. Heyman feels a bit more confident and walks towards the ring. Axel is goading Punk on. CM gets back to his feet and sets in with a few kicks. Axel catches one of the kicks and seesaws Punk to the corner. Punk lands on his feet and flies back with a crossbody.
Axel regains his composure and charges towards Punk. He misses and gets caught with a neckbreaker. Punk climbs to the top rope and looks for the Macho Elbow. He leaps and connects. Cover, but Axel manages to kick out. Punk is in complete disbelief. Punk signals for the end and looks for the finish. Curtis blocks the GTS and hits a neckbreaker of his own. Heyman shakes his head as Punk kicks out of the cover. Punk hits the GTS for the win.
Winner: CM Punk
After the match Heyman tries to escape to the back. A couple referees come out and push him towards the ring. Since Punk won the match against Axel, Heyman must now get in the ring and face him. Punk is furious and walks towards Heyman. Paul runs away to the back. A group of four security men push Heyman back out to the ring. Heyman screams to Punk that he is sorry and everything that happened was Lesnar’s idea. Punk gets Heyman in the ring and backs him towards the corner. Axel slides in out of nowhere and low blows Punk. Heyman is able to get to his feet and stand with Axel over the fallen Punk.
Axel has a pair of handcuffs and locks Punk’s hands behind his back. Heyman drops down to Punk’s level and repeatedly slaps him in the face as Axel holds him up. Heyman says that Punk deserves this. Punk gets to his feet and kicks Axel in the head, which sends him out of the ring. Punk is able to get in a few kicks on Heyman, which drops him to the mat. Axel slides back into the ring with a steel chair and takes down Punk. Heyman commands Axel to get something from under the ring. Curtis returns with a kendo stick.
Paul Heyman is handed the kendo stick. Punk is kneeling with his hands still cuffed behind his back. Punk tells Heyman to make it count. Axel holds Punk up against the ropes. Heyman screams that he loved and cared about Punk as he relentlessly beats him across the chest with the foreign object. As a beaten Punk drops to the ground Heyman stands victorious. Curtis Axel sets Punk up against the commentators’ booth and delivers a few chops. Punk drops back down to his knees. Heyman slides out and beats Punk over the back until the stick splinters apart. Heyman screams that he gave Punk his heart, but his heart was broken. Trainers and refs come to the aid of Punk. Heyman leans against the apron and begins to cry. Together Heyman and Axel head to the back as medics attend to Punk.
-Commercial-
Brie Bella w/ Nikki & Eva Marie v. Natalya w/ The Funkadactlys
Jojo was the ring announcer for this match. It quickly breaks down and Brie picks up the win.
Winner: Brie Bella
After the match AJ Lee comes out. She mocks last night’s Total Divas. She says that when she looks in the ring all that she sees is a bunch of expendable and interchangeable women. They aren’t talented enough to be actresses so they had to settle for reality television. AJ says that she has accomplished more in the past year than they have in their entire career. AJ says that she revitalized the Divas division. Those girls won’t even go back and shake her hand. AJ worked her entire life for this spot in the company. They all just wanted their 15 minutes of fame. AJ says that no matter how many expensive high heels they could never lace up her Chuck Taylors. AJ is simply better than them, and that’s reality.
-Commercial-
Ricardo Rodriguez is introduced to bring out Rob Van Dam.
Rob Van Dam w/ Ricardo Rodriguez v. Alberto Del Rio
RVD starts the match with a monkey flip out of the corner. Rio gets to his feet but is placed seated on the top rope. Rob leaps to the top rope and then kicks Rio out of the ring.
-Commercial-
Alberto takes control of the match. RVD is staggered and gets a mushroom stomp delivered to his back. Rio climbs to the top rope. RVD is back on his feet and kicks Rio as he leaps. RVD responds with a near fall. Rob hits a split legged moonsault. Cover, but Rio kicks out. RVD is knocked to the corner. He blocks a punch and then spin kicks Rio. Rob climbs to the top rope, but Rio runs over to knock him to a seated position. Rio follows with an enziguiri. Cover, but RVD kicks out.
Ricardo jumps up on the commentators’ booth and leads the crowd in an RVD chant. Rio is distracted enough to be caught in a roll up.
Winner: Rob Van Dam
As a result of the win RVD will face Alberto Del Rio for the World Championship at Nigh of Champions.
-Commercial-
Josh Mathews is in the back and asks Ryback about his recent bullying routines. Ryback responds by beating up Mathews. Be A Star.
Renee Young is in another backstage area with Heyman and Axel. Heyman says that he feels like a man. A man that put his prodigal son in place. It’s time for Punk to learn that Heyman is the last person that he should ever come up against. Heyman’s eyes are still red from crying over his lost love – CM Punk.
-Commercial-
Randy Orton v. Christian
The match gets started at a slow pace. Orton and Christian exchange holds as control switches back and forth. The crowd is hesitant to get in the match, as it is mostly holds. Christian is sent spiraling out of the ring and crashes hard on the floor.
-Commercial-
Back from the break Orton takes control. He looks for an RKO but Christian is able to counter. Christian sets up for a spear. Christian charges across the ring but Orton leaps over him. Christian spins around and hits the spear from the other side. Cover, but Orton kicks out. Orton gets his wits about him and hits an RKO to put Christian away.
Winner: Randy Orton
After the match Daniel Bryan appears on the Titantron. There is a car behind him. Bryan compliments him on the match. Bryan references the car that Orton was gifted by HHH. Bryan says that it was a pretty car for a pretty man. Bryan ponders that if he beats Orton at the PPV it will make him the new face of the WWE. Bryan takes a step back to reveal that he has spray painted ‘YES’ over the entire car.
-Commercial-
Brad Maddox is in the back at Orton’s car with HHH and Orton. HHH says that he considers the car and the belt his personal property. HHH tells Maddox to go into the locker room and make every Superstar and wrestler stand on the stage to watch the Bryan match(es) tonight. Trips says that anybody who gets involved will be personally fired by HHH.
-Commercial-
Titus O’Neil w/ Primetime Players v. Jack Swagger w/ The Real Americans
On the way to the ring Zeb Colter says that the Primetime Players are acting like fools. Zeb addresses people on welfare. Zeb drops the line that, “if you can’t feed them, don’t breed them”.
Titus and Swagger lock up. They brawl back and forth. The strength of Titus allows him to send Swagger to the mat. Swagger is sent to the corner, but blocks a splash. Young distracts from the outside. Titus capitalizes with a vicious spinebuster.
Winner: Titus O’Neil
After the match Young joins his partner to celebrate the victory.
-Commercial-
Wyatt Family Vignette airs.
Maddox is in his office with an official. Punk walks in and demands a match with Heyman. He demands a match in which Heyman cannot escape. Maddox grants Punk a handicap elimination match against Axel and Heyman at Night of Champions. If Heyman tries to get out of it then Punk will never see him again. Punk tells Maddox that if Heyman tries to get away then we may ever see Maddox again either.
Daniel Bryan and The Shield make their entrances for the gauntlet match. The entire roster is forced to watch from the entrance ramp. Renee Young tries to interview wrestlers for their thoughts, but with the fear of being fired looming no one will criticize or respond.
Daniel Bryan v. Seth Rollins w/ The Shield
Bryan gets Rollins up for a surfboard stretch. Bryan lets him up and hits a running knee to the gut. Bryan follows with uppercuts and then clotheslines Rollins out of the ring. Bryan topples to the outside alongside his foe. The other members of The Shield come up on the sides of Bryan for the intimidation factor. Rollins tosses Bryan into the barricade and ring apron a few times. Rollins rolls Bryan back into the ring and follows for a cover. Bryan kicks out.
Bryan has speed on his side as he gets fired up. He charges around the ring and hits a series of kicks on Rollins. He goes for a spin kick but Rollins rolls to the apron. Bryan tries to catch him but gets met with a jawbreaker on the rope. Bryan grabs Rollins and locks on a half crab. Rollins makes it to the rope for the break. Bryan kicks Rollins out of the ring. Bryan flies to the outside with a suicide dive that sends Seth flying over the commentator’s booth. Bryan stands over his foe as the crowd loudly chants.
-Commercial-
Back from the break Rollins takes control. He goads Bryan and pushes him into the corner. Bryan responds by flying across the ring for a dropkick. Bryan starts to hulk up. Rollins tries to trip up Bryan but is caught in a roll up. They exchange pins. Rollins dodges a clothesline and hits a modified brainbuster. Cover, but Bryan kicks out. Bryan is in the corner and the referee gives him a moment to catch his breath. Bryan is seated on the top turnbuckle. Rollins tries to follow him up to set up a suplex. Bryan blocks and knocks Rollins down so he is rear to the ring. Bryan follows up and sets up for a German Suplex. Bryan connects and Rollins flips over in midair and lands face first! Bryan hits a dropkick and picks up the win. Wow, what a match.
Winner: Daniel Bryan
As soon as the match is over Dean Ambrose jumps into the ring and starts attacking Bryan.
Dean Ambrose v. Daniel Bryan
Bryan immediately applies the Yes Lock. Reigns runs in to make the save. The referee disqualifies Ambrose as a result.
Winner via DQ: Daniel Bryan
This match never gets a chance to start. Bryan applies a Yes Lock for a few moments but it is short-lived. Ambrose aids his teammate. Rollins also rejoins the group for the attack. Reigns hits a devastating spear.
Triple H’s music hits and he walks out onto the ramp with the rest of the Superstars. The attack against Bryan continues in the ring. The Superstars all look on helpless as interfering will cost them their jobs. The Shield hits a triple team Powerbomb on Bryan.
Randy Orton’s music hits and he joins everyone else on the stage. Randy makes his way down to the ring with a wicked smile on his face. The Shield members held Bryan up. Orton grabs Bryan and plants him with an RKO. The light dwindles from the body of Bryan. Orton walks back up the ramp and leaves the arena with Triple H.
David Stephens
Follow me on Twitter! @TheDaveStephens