April 21, 2014

Baltimore, MD

The Yes Movement returns to Monday Night RAW! Daniel Bryan comes down to the ring where his new wife, Brie Bella, is waiting for him. Stephanie McMahon cuts the celebration short as she makes her way to the ring. Steph says she couldn’t resist coming out to congratulate them. She says the WWE wanted to get them a wedding present, but it’s not a traditional wedding present. At Extreme Rules, Daniel Bryan will be defending his WWE World Heavyweight Championship against Kane.

Kane’s pyro goes off, but Stephanie tells Kane that now is not the time. Bella and Bryan slide out of the ring and Kane comes out of the crowd, grabbing Bryan by the throat. Bryan tries to fight him off, but Kane overpowers him. Kane goes after Brie, and Bryan makes the save. Bryan tries a running knee off the apron, but Kane catches him and rams him into the barricade. Kane scoops up Bryan for a Tombstone on the floor! Stephanie keeps trying to tell Kane to stop. Kane sets up Bryan for another Tombstone on the steps. Steph calls out the EMTs to check on Bryan. The EMTs situate Bryan on a stretcher, but Kane comes over and shoves the stretcher over. Kane drags Bryan over to the announce table. Kane continues to ignore Stephanie’s pleas and rolls Bryan onto the table. Kane lifts Bryan up for a third Tombstone onto the table! Stephanie calls Kane a bastard, and Kane finally heads to the back as we head off to commercial.

Back from break, and the EMTs are finally wheeling Daniel Bryan to the back. Stephanie’s standing in the ring with the WWE World Heavyweight Championship belts and asks everyone for a warm round of applause.

Second Round #1 Contender’s Intercontinental Championship Tourney Match:

Bad News Barrett vs. Sheamus

Barrett has some bad news, though it’s not quite as bad as Daniel Bryan’s bad news. The luck of the Irish is running out. This is the day that Sheamus is defeated by Bad News Barrett.

Barrett takes it to Sheamus early on and backs him in the corner. Sheamus fights out and unloads on Barrett in the other corner. Sheamus sends Barrett into the buckle and hits the Rolling Senton. Sheamus climbs to the top, and Barrett’s up for the interception. Sheamus fights Barrett off and sends him down to the floor. Sheamus hits a cross body onto Barrett from the top out to the floor. Sheamus tries the 10 Beats of the Bowery. Barrett fights him off, sends him into the ring post and kicks him off the apron, and we’re off to break.

Back from commercial, and the back and forth continues. Sheamus hits a tilt-a-whirl powerslam. Sheamus starts to build momentum with a pair of forearms and a high running knee. Sheamus finally gets the 10 Beats of the Bowery and heads to the top for a battering ram. Barrett gets an elbow up as Sheamus charges the corner. Sheamus hits the Irish Curse for a 2-count. Sheamus tries for White Noise, but Barrett counters. Barrett tries a Wasteland and Sheamus counters. Sheamus misses wildly on the Brogue Kick, and Barrett hits Winds of Change for a near-fall. Barrett misses the Bull Hammer, and Sheamus hits White Noise for another near-fall. They start to trade big right hands. Sheamus heads for the ropes and tries a cross body that sends both of them out to the floor. Sheamus rolls Barrett inside. Barrett tries to bail out, and Sheamus gives chase. Barrett hits the Bull Hammer as Sheamus tries to climb out through the ropes! Barrett gets the 3-count and will advance to the finals of the tournament.

WINNER: Bad News Barrett

The Wyatts are here, and they come out for a promo. Wyatt says he remembers the first time he was struck with truth. The taste was bitter and it was so intense, but he liked it. It was something real. Free will has become man’s biggest illusion. They promise it to you just in time to take it away again. What have we become? Just a nation full of mindless sheep led by wolves and owned by pigs. He was thinking tonight would be a wonderful night for change. Tonight they have left the power in the people’s hands. Tonight, free will does exist. What fate will they choose for their knight in shining armor? Will they choose the path of less pain for their hero? Or will tonight be the night John Cena finally learns the truth? And the truth is they will stand against Cena. No matter which one it is. No matter if it’s a steel cage or inside his mind. On this night it doesn’t matter which monster has the sharpest teeth or the longest cause because one truth remains the same; the people don’t love him anymore. Every time they cross paths, Wyatt takes more brothers and sisters with him. He’s got the whole world in his hands.

3MB & Hornswoggle vs. Los Matadores & El Torrito

McIntyre and one of the Matadores start this, but the crowd wants Hornswoggle and Torrito, so they tag in. They go nose-to-nose until Hornswoggle slaps Torrito. They start to trade slaps until Hornswoggle sends Torrito into the ropes. Torrito takes down Hornswoggle with a head scissors and a springboard cross body. Hornswoggle rolls to the corner, and Torrito hits the Bronco Buster. Torrito hits a springboard moonsault, and Jinder Mahal comes in for the save. Hornswoggle makes the tag to McIntyre. McIntyre stares down Torrito and prevents a tag. McIntyre misses a big boot, and Torrito gores Slater on the apron. McIntyre lifts Torrito, but Torrito low blows him. The Matadores come in for a triple team as Torrito comes off the top, and Torrito gets the pin on Drew McIntyre.

WINNERS: Los Matadores & El Torrito

Backstage, Evolution is arriving in a limousine. They make their way to the ring following the break, and Triple H says he laughs every time he thinks about it. Imagine what it must be like to tell the world you’re the baddest guys on the planet, and then one day your daddy comes out and spanks you in front of the world. That’s humiliating and that’s humbling, and that’s just the beginning. Orton says sometimes it only takes a single spark to set the world on fire. In this case, it was one careless act by The Shield that brought on and set into motion the gears of their destruction, and that is the reformation of the fiercest and most dominant group ever, Evolution. Batista asks if everyone’s starting to get it. 31 World titles in the ring between the three of them. The Shield has no idea what they’ve gotten themselves into.

The Shield’s music hits, and they make their way through the crowd. Evolution climbs out of the ring and heads back up the ramp to the stage. Dean Ambrose picks up the mic and says he hates to break it to them, but last week wasn’t the first time they’ve been beaten up and it probably won’t be the last. They did a real number on The Shield, well done. Do they look humbled? There’s a reason Triple H hired them to protect him and Orton. They are the meanest, nastiest, dirtiest and most ruthless animals in the industry. Rollins cuts him off to calm him down. Rollins says they have every right to be angry for what Evolution did last week, Evolution and 12 other guys. He says they have every idea of what they got themselves into, they started it. Rollins says they talk about being built for dominance, but Evolution isn’t. At Extreme Rules, they’ll come face-to-face with the Hounds of Justice. When push comes to shove, Orton is looking out for himself. Batista has Hollywood obligations, so he’ll be looking out for Batista. And Triple H always does what’s best for the boss.

At Extreme Rules, they’ll rip Evolution to pieces. And the little reunion they’re so proud to have put together will come to an abrupt halt. When Triple H made the match he put the nail in his own coffin, and The Shield will be the hammer that drives it home. Roman Reigns says they gave them an ultimatum. This week, they’re giving Evolution one. They’re going to beat their asses. They have two options: Be men and try to fight. Or, be creampuffs and cower away and hide. He drops the mic and they head up the ramp. Triple H calls out all the heels on the roster. He says there’s always an option 3. You either adapt or perish, and that is Evolution.

The Usos vs. The Rhodes Brothers

Rybaxel are joining us for commentary. Goldust will start this off with Jimmy Uso. Goldust takes down Uso early on and hits an atomic drop. They trade arm drags. Uso tries to get the crowd into it, and Goldust shoves him. Uso shoves him back and they trade right hands. Goldust takes down Uso with a clothesline and tags in Cody. Cody comes in with a missile dropkick from the top. Jey tags in and Jimmy drops Cody onto the top rope and Jey hangs up on the way down. Uso tries a back suplex, but Cody counters and kicks Uso and tags in Goldust. Uso makes the tag on the other side and they utilize a double team.

Goldust drops down and hits the uppercut. Cody makes a tag as Goldust comes off the ropes. Uso does the same. Goldust takes a back body drop, and Cody tries to roll up Uso, but he’s the illegal man. Uso tries to kick Cody, but Cody catches him and spins him out. Uso kicks Goldust. Cody tries for a Cross Rhodes, but here comes the other Uso with a super kick and The Usos pick up the win.

After the match, Cody gets frustrated and storms up the ramp without his brother. Rybaxel sneak attack The Usos and Ryback takes out one of the Usos with a Shell Shocked.

WINNERS: The Usos

Emma w/ Santino vs. Layla w/ Fandango

Emma and Santino shake hands, and Fandango comes up and trips Santino off the apron. Layla takes advantage of the distraction and starts to take it to Emma. Emma powers out of a submission and tries a dropkick, but Layla hooks the ropes. Layla sends Emma to the ropes. Emma ducks a clothesline and hits one of her own. On the outside, Santino takes out Fandango with the Cobra. Back in the ring, Emma pulls her own version of a Cobra out and takes out Layla with it and gets the pin. Santino comes in and the snakes start to “flirt” with each other.

WINNER: Emma

Backstage, Renee Young is with John Cena. He says tonight his fate is in the hands of the WWE Universe. He’s always respected the fact that the Universe has the right to choose. He says if the Universe votes for him to have to face all 3 members of the Wyatts, that’s what he’s going to do. The crowd starts to chant, “let’s go Cena/Cena sucks.” Cena shakes his head but smiles and says he’s heard the same song every night since Wrestlemania, “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands.” He’s starting to think that maybe he does. At Extreme Rules the steel cage will make sure the odds are even. Tonight the objective is simple: survive. You can try your best to put Cena down, but you should never count him out.

Second Round #1 Contender’s Intercontinental Championship Tourney Match:

Rob Van Dam vs. Cesaro

Paul Heyman introduces himself and says he’s representing Cesaro and doesn’t hesitate to remind everyone that he also represents Brock Lesnar, the man who beat The Undertaker’s Streak.

The match starts, and they tie up. RVD off the ropes, and Cesaro takes him down with a shoulder tackle. Cesaro tries a vertical suplex, but Van Dam counters and lands on his feet. Cesaro scoops up RVD and hits a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker for 2. Cesaro drops an elbow. Cesaro shoots Van Dam to the corner. Van Dam floats out and hits Cesaro with a springboard kick. RVD lands a monkey flip. Cesaro hits Van Dam with a right hand and a suplex. Van Dam drives the shoulder into Cesaro’s gut in the corner. Van Dam springboards backward and tries another tackle and misses, crashing into the corner.

After commercial break, Cesaro has RVD in a reverse chinlock. RVD battles out and tries a sunset flip, and Cesaro stomps RVD. Cesaro lifts RVD from the mat for a gutwrench suplex. Cesaro nails Van Dam with an uppercut and continues assaulting Van Dam in the corner. Cesaro heads to the second for an elbow drop. Cesaro reapplies the chinlock, and RVD battles to his feet again. Cesaro drives a pair of knees into RVD’s gut and tries to ram him into the corner. Van Dam manages to kick Cesaro in the face. Van Dam continues to battle and takes Cesaro down with a clothesline and a thrust kick, setting up Cesaro for Rolling Thunder. Cesaro reverses a whip but runs into an elbow. Van Dam takes out Cesaro from the top and heads to the top. Cesaro hops up and nails RVD with a running uppercut.

Van Dam kicks Cesaro one more time and hits the Split-Legged Moonsault for a 2-count. RVD misses a spinning heel kick and gets hung up in the corner. Cesaro nails a running uppercut in the corner. They trade big right hands. Van Dam blocks a kick and rolls up Cesaro for 2. Cesaro hits a double under hook powerbomb for a near-fall. Cesaro signals for The Swing. Jack Swagger’s music hits and he comes out with Zeb. Van Dam catches Cesaro with a kick, sending Cesaro to the floor.

Swagger and Cesaro stare down, and RVD tries to take out Cesaro from the top rope. Cesaro counters and rolls RVD back inside. Swagger rams Cesaro into the ring post and he’s barely counted out.

WINNER: Rob Van Dam

After the match, Swagger jumps Cesaro, but Cesaro dumps him over the top to the outside, leaving Zeb in the ring with Cesaro. Swagger’s just in time to make the save, but Cesaro swings Swagger instead.

Renee Young catches up with Rob Van Dam. Heyman and Cesaro walk up. Cesaro says he should thank Swagger and Zeb because everybody knows RVD couldn’t beat Cesaro on his own. Heyman says he’s surprised with RVD. The RVD he knew so well wouldn’t take a tainted victory. Heyman says he doesn’t know how RVD’ll sleep tonight. RVD says he’ll sleep just fine. He also tells Cesaro if he wants to make it, he better keep his house, his wallet and his future as far away from Heyman as possible.

Aksana vs. Paige

Paige ducks a clothesline and kicks Aksana. She rips at Aksana’s hair and tosses her across the ring a couple of times. Paige springs off the top rope and rolls up Aksana for 2. Paige knees Aksana in the face several times. Aksana tries to beg off of Paige and catches her off guard. Aksana perches Paige on the top turnbuckle and tosses her off. Aksana snap suplexes Paige and starts kicking her in the ribs. Aksana chokes Paige in the ropes. She slides to the outside and smacks Paige across the face.

Aksana applies a modified camel clutch and drops several elbows. Paige battles to her feet, but Aksana takes her down with an elbow. Aksana hits a sidewalk slam on Paige. Paige starts to mount a comeback and hits several clotheslines. Aksana whips Paige into the corner and connects on a spinebuster. Aksana drops an elbow and whips Paige to the corner again. Paige catches her this time and applies a front facelock and knees Aksana in the face. Paige forces Aksana to tap out to the Scorpion Crosslock.

WINNER: Paige

Alexander Rusev vs. Sin Cara

Cara tries to use his quickness early and chops and kicks Rusev. He tries a springboard cross body, but Rusev catches him and knees him in the ropes before hitting a fall-away slam. Rusev continues the assault. Sin Cara tries a head scissor from the top, but Rusev catches him. Sin Cara tries a roll up, but Rusev gets a shoulder up. Sin Cara hits a springboard handspring elbow. Sin Cara gets sent to the corner and slips through the ropes to kick Rusev in the face. Sin Cara heads to the top for a missile dropkick. Rusev launches Sin Cara with a gutwrench suplex and wins it with a spinning side slam followed by the Camel Clutch.

WINNER: Alexander Rusev

John Cena comes out, and The King gets in the ring to announce which member(s) of The Wyatts Cena will face.All 3 members of The Wyatts were overwhelmingly voted to face Cena.

John Cena vs. The Wyatts

Before the bell rings, all 3 members of The Wyatts slide into the ring and attack Cena. The referee calls for the bell, and Luke Harper will start this off against Cena. Harper makes a quick tag to Erick Rowan, who scoop slams Cena. Rowan rams Cena’s head into the turnbuckle. Cena tries to fight back, but Rowan catches him with a fall-away slam. Bray Wyatt tags in and dances with Cena’s near lifeless body. Wyatt just tosses Cena to the mat and tags in Harper. Cena reverses a whip and splashes Harper in the corner. Cena comes off the ropes, and Harper flattens him with an elbow. Harper continues to attack Cena. Cena manages a belly-to-back suplex. Rowan tags back in and puts the boots to Cena. Rowan hits a pump handle backbreaker. Rowan tags Wyatt back in, and Wyatt teases a running boot but stops and tags back in Harper.

Cena starts to battle and applies the STF. Rowan quickly comes back in and breaks up the hold. Harper tosses Cena out to the floor. Rowan tries to attack Cena on the outside, but Cena fights him off and rams him into the barricade. Harper comes out to the floor and rams Cena into the steel steps, Wyatt looking on from above as we head to commercial.

Back from break, and Cena’s starting to rally again and he dives at Harper, but Harper ducks and Cena falls out to the floor. Harper pulls Cena up to the top rope for a superplex, but Cena starts to fight again. Cena knocks Harper off the turnbuckle and hits a Tornado DDT. Wyatt gets the tag and comes in and slams Cena hard. Wyatt continues to attack Cena. Wyatt rolls to the floor and pummels Cena’s head with right hands with Cena’s head propped against the ring post. Wyatt charges and head butts Cena’s head against the ring post.

Wyatt tags in Rowan. Rowan takes Cena off his feet with a right hand. Rowan crushes Cena’s head between his fists. Cena tries to battle to his feet and does. Cena tries to whip Rowan. Rowan reverses and charges Cena in the corner, but Cena moves and Rowan crashes into the post. Wyatt tags in and splashes Cena in the corner and tosses him to the mat. Wyatt crab walks out of the corner. Cena comes out of nowhere with a running clothesline, and both men are down. Cena takes out Rowan and Harper on the apron. Cena hits a pair of flying shoulder tackles and the spinning side slam. Harper comes back in, and Cena dumps him over the top. Cena hits the 5-Knuckle Shuffle on Wyatt and follows up with the AA. Cena goes for the cover, and Harper and Rowan make the save and the referee finally calls for the bell.

Harper and Rowan continue to assault Cena after the match. They try to help Bray to his feet, but he shoves them off. They pull Cena to his feet, and Wyatt hits Sister Abigail. He holds Cena’s head in his lap and sings. He’s got the whole world in his hands.

Follow Evan on Twitter @byrnside.