June 17, 2013

June 17, 2013

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Justin Roberts opens the show by announcing Ricardo Rodriguez, who introduces the new World Heavyweight Champion, Alberto Del Rio.

Alberto asks everyone how their weekend was? He wants to know why everyone is talking about Man of Steel, when they could be talking about a man of gold; the new World Heavyweight Champion. He mentions his win being controversial but argues that Dolph Ziggler attacked him while he was injured. He put up a fight but the people cheered for Ziggler. He’s not offended. He gets it. The crowd wants Ziggler. Del Rio gave us every thing and we never gave him the respect that he deserved. He’s disrespected the Mexican culture; the Mexican people. All he’s heard is U-S-A. He wants to know why they won’t cheer for him, but they cheer for a pig and a coward in Ziggler.

America is for pigs and cowards. For five months he’s fought for us and gotten nothing. Last night he fought for himself and won the title. He’s going to be the better man in this equation; he’s going to show us why he is the best. He’s going to give us a second chance to show him the respect he deserves. Alberto’s interrupted by “Cult of Personality,” and C.M. Punk makes his way out with Paul Heyman.

Punk asks how they’re doing. He says it feels like it’s been a while. Last time they were in the ring together and Del Rio was holding a title was Survivor Series 2011 and he beat him and went on to hold the WWE title for 434 days. He’s out here because Del Rio said he was the best. There’s only one best in the World, and Del Rio’s looking at him. Punk is out here to challenge Del Rio.

Heyman interrupts him by telling Del Rio his client doesn’t fight for free. Punk tries to stop him, finally does, and asks Heyman what he’s doing. Heyman says they haven’t talked about this. Punk is banged up from last night. Punk says he knows he’s banged up and Dolph deserves the first re-match for the belt, but last night he was stealing the show with Chris Jericho.

Last night Punk proved he was the best in the world and he wants to do it again tonight against Alberto Del Rio. Del Rio says Punk doesn’t want him. Punk asks Ricardo if he wants to fight when Vickie Guerrero and Brad Maddox excuse themselves.

Vickie says Alberto doesn’t get to make the decision, she does. She can’t think of a better way to continue Payback’s momentum by having C.M. Punk take on Alberto Del Rio tonight in the main event of RAW.

Backstage, Heyman is with Punk. Heyman is worried about him. Punk says he needs to make it clear. Last night Heyman got involved and almost cost him the match. He isn’t Brock Lesnar. He isn’t Curtis Axel. He’s not Paul’s client. He doesn’t want him at ringside for his matches. He’ll always be a Paul Heyman guy. Punk leaves and Paul looks upset.

Intercontinental Championship Match:

Curtis Axel © vs. Wade Barrett

Before this match can start, Vickie Guerrero and Brad Maddox excuse themselves again. The rematch is going to have to wait. Barrett’s going to face her big surprise… Christian!

Christian vs. Wade Barrett

Barrett starts off on the attack and whips Christian into the ropes. Christian tries for a cross body that Wade counters. Christian dumps Barrett to the outside, takes to the top rope and hits the cross body.

Back inside the ring, Christian tries for the top again, but Barrett trips him up and keeps him perched on the top rope. Barrett hits the running kick and gets two. Barrett applies a reverse chinlock. Barrett carries Christian to the corner. Christian fights him off, and hits a missile dropkick from the second. Christian hits a flying forearm off the ropes. Barrett charges Christian in the corner again, but runs into a back elbow. Christian hits the tornado DDT off the second rope for 2.

Christian charges, but Barrett counters with a kick to the gut. Barrett sets up Christian for the pump-handle slam, but Christian rolls over. Barrett charges Christian in the corner but crashes into the ring post. Christian hangs Barrett on the top rope and hits the Kill Switch for the 1-2-3.

2-on-1 Handicapped Match:

Team Rhodes Scholars vs. Sheamus

Damien Sandow and Cody Rhodes take it straight to Sheamus, but he manages to gain control. Sheamus snapmares Cody off the second rope. Sandow grabs Sheamus by the foot, and Cody hits the Disaster Kick and they continue to double team Sheamus. Sandow hits the Elbow of Disdain and Cody covers for 2. Sandow holds Sheamus up as Cody slaps him across the face. Sheamus gets to his feet and Cody charges, but Sheamus backdrops him over the top and takes it to Sandow with forearms.

Sheamus hits a high knee and the rolling senton. Cody gets up to the apron and Sheamus catches him with the clubberin’ forearms. Sheamus hits a powerslam on Sandow. Cody gets caught off the second with the White Noise. Sheamus tries for a Brogue Kick on Cody, but Sandow rolls up Sheamus for the win.

Sandow rolls out of the ring and Sheamus nails Cody Rhodes with a Brogue Kick for good measure.

Backstage, Vickie Guerrero and Brad Maddox are with Triple H. Vickie thinks she’s a genius. Triple H agrees, but he wonders what the main event would’ve been if C.M. Punk hadn’t wandered out to confront Del Rio. He wants to know why Christian has been medically cleared for a month, but hasn’t been on RAW. Maddox says RVD’s re-signing was his idea. Triple H recalls it differently. H says The Shield have been running roughshod and Vickie needs to gain control. She needs to make an example out of The Shield. He mentions 3MB being added to the show was also a stroke of genius.

Elsewhere, Daniel Bryan is with Kane, getting ready for his match tonight. Kane wants to talk, but Daniel Bryan is busy. He doesn’t want to hear Kane say he told him so. Bryan thinks Kane thinks he is still the weak link, but he’s going to beat Randy Orton tonight and prove him otherwise. Kane says maybe Team Hell No should give it another shot. Daniel says it’s all about Team DB. Kane says it makes sense, because he’s acting like a DB. Daniel needs to win the WWE championship, so does Kane. Kane wants to know if they’re done? He wishes Bryan good luck and Bryan resumes the argument. Kane walks off.

Randy Orton and Daniel Bryan make their way to the ring where Jerry Lawler is waiting to announce the results of the WWE app. poll. Tonight’s match will be no disqualification.

No Disqualification Match:

Randy Orton vs. Daniel Bryan

They tie-up, and Bryan goes to work on Orton’s arm. Bryan wrestles Orton to the mat and goes after Orton’s leg. Bryan tries for a surfboard and stomps Orton’s knees into the mat. Yes! kicks send Orton to the corner. Orton headbutts his way out and kicks at Bryan in another corner.

Orton hits Bryan with a suplex, using the ropes for leverage. Orton pulls Bryan up by the air, whips him into the ropes and hits him with the Lou Thesz Press, but Bryan counters before the mounted punches into a single-leg crab. More Yes! kicks from Bryan in the corner. Orton rakes Bryan’s eyes and sends Bryan to the outside. Orton follows close and clothesline Bryan on the floor.

Back in the ring, and Orton covers for 2. Orton goes to the reverse chinlock. Bryan gets to his feet, but Orton sends him back to the corner. Orton climbs to the second for mounted-punches and stops at number 7. Orton sends Bryan to opposite corner, but flips over and out. Bryan hits the running clothesline. Orton gets up and falls into the corner, and Bryan capitalizes with running dropkicks.

Orton charges Bryan, but Bryan ducks and pulls the rope down, sending Orton toppling to the outside. Bryan tries for the suicide dive, but Orton side steps and Bryan crashes into the barricade. Orton goes under the ring and pulls out a kendo stick. Orton nails Bryan across the back with the kendo stick. He hits him one more time. He jams the kendo stick into Bryan’s gut. He rolls Bryan back inside and brings the stick with him. He covers, but only gets 2 as we head to commercial break.

Back from commercial, and Orton has Bryan perched on the top turnbuckle. Bryan tries to block a superplex, and does. Bryan hits a missile dropkick from the top, and both men are down. Bryan gets to his feet first and hits more Yes! kicks. Orton ducks one and connects with a T-bone suplex. Bryan counters the second-rope DDT into the No! lock, but Orton counters into a sling-shot that sends Bryan over the top. Bryan tries to skin the cat back in, but Orton kicks him back out to the floor.

The referee and the doctor are out to check on Bryan. Bryan rolls in and they’re going at it, but Orton throws him to the outside again. Orton side suplexes Bryan onto the barricade. The referee stops the match and Randy Orton is announced the winner.

Randy Orton comes out to help Daniel Bryan to his feet, and the doctor follows Bryan to the back.

AJ Lee’s music plays and she comes down with Big E. Langston. She says unfortunately Dolph Ziggler can’t be here because he hasn’t been medically cleared. She says she’s always been the champion, now she just has proof. She made Kaitlyn tap out. She played mind games with Kaitlyn, but she is the hero of this story. She is a woman who knows how to get what she wants, and that’s an example to women everywhere. There isn’t a woman as courageous as she is. If there’s a woman in the locker room that thinks she’s a fraction of the woman she is, she dares them to come out right now. Stephanie McMahon’s music hits and she comes out.

AJ says hi to the boss-lady and asks if she’s going to congratulate her. Stephanie says there was an entire world of Diva’s waiting to come out, but she wanted to do it first. She says AJ has a tremendous story and congratulates her on her win. What she doesn’t understand why she perpetuates a certain stereotype about women and how they are willing to tear each other down. What she did to Kaitlyn was degrading to women. It’s time to start acting like a champion.

AJ says she should be more like Stephanie. Maybe she’ll marry a superstar instead of dating one.

Stephanie cuts her off, saying she expected something more original. Stephanie says no one does crazy like the McMahons. She says AJ may be the champion, but she can take it all away from her, even her job.

Kaitlyn and several other Divas come out. Stephanie grabs the mic from Kaitlyn and says she’ll give her a bye this time because of what she’s been through, but not to ever interrupt her again. Kaitlyn admits AJ played her and broke her. Now it’s her turn and she runs into the ring and takes AJ down, pummeling her. Langston pulls AJ out and keeps them apart, carrying her up the ramp and into the back.

United States Championship Match:

Dean Ambrose © vs. Kane

Kane dominates early, taking Ambrose down with a right hand, a big boot and a powerslam. Kane hits a clothesline in the corner and follows up with a sidewalk slam for 2. Kane takes to the top and hits the clothesline. Here comes Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins. Kane takes out Reigns and grabs Rollins and Ambrose by the throat. Reigns hits Kane with the spear, and The Shield connect with the triple powerbomb.

Mark Henry is backstage in a suit talking with The Prime Time Players and Tamina Snuka. Darren Young looks upset. Titus O’Neil tells him to do his thing, and we’re off to commercial.

Backstage, The Shield run into Vickie and Maddox. Ambrose sarcastically says now there will be severe ramifications. He wonders if she’s going to spank them? She should think before she acts. Vince McMahon walks up and tells them to keep up the good work because they remind him of himself. They thank him and leave. Vince wants Vickie to take care of Kane.

Zeb Colter comes out to tell his fellow Americans to open their eyes. Our very own government is spying on us and lying to us. Everyday there are foreigners sneaking into our country like rats in the street. We are at war. War sometimes calls for unusual alliances. To prove they’re not prejudicial, they’ve chosen to work with a man who embodies the spirit Americans strive to be every day. It’s Antonio Cesaro.

Cesaro says we the people!

Antonio Cesaro vs. William Regal

Cesaro takes down Regal. Regal kips up and tosses Cesaro on his back. Cesaro forces Regal into the corner and lays in punches and kicks. Cesaro nails Regal with a European uppercut. Cesaro lifts Regal from the canvas into the gutwrench suplex. Regal bridges out of the pinfall. Cesaro kicks Regal in the gut and Regal rolls around screaming in pain.

Regal starts to fight back and takes Cesaro down with a right hand. Regal tries for a double-underhook suplex, but Cesaro counters and holds Regal above his head before slamming him. Cesaro applies the headlock and swings Regal around. Cesaro hits the Neutralizer for the win. Colter comes in and hands Cesaro a “Don’t Tread on Me” flag, and they drape it over Regal.

John Cena’s music hits, and he’s on his way to the ring. We share one common interest; we love the WWE. Everyone has their favorite superstars, his are sitting in the arena. They’ve always been honest with him. There’s a group that just doesn’t like him. He admires the honesty. There’s also a group that knows every time he steps into the ring he goes to war for them. He’s speaking to that group. He had a horrible 2012 and he had to ask everyone to hang in. After disappointment after disappointment, and they did. He’s proud to say the champ is here. Skeptics and critics will always be there, but to those that believed he says thank you. Tonight is the night he tells them he feels as good as he’s ever felt and take on any challenge anybody puts in front of him.

Whether you like him or not, his eyes are focused on Money in the Bank. He’s got a message to the one who’s lucky enough to hold the contract. There will be no opportune time to cash-in on him. He will always be ready. The next person to hold the WWE title will earn it, because “our” time is now. The champ is here.

Mark Henry’s music hits. He comes out and lays his boots on the top of the ramp. He takes his time stepping into the ring. He’s all smiles. He tells Cena to put his guard down. He tells John he wants him to stay. He’s got something to tell everyone. Henry’s tearing up. He respects everybody that loves the wrestling business and all the people that work for the company, because he knows how difficult it is. He was a seasoned veteran in 2002 when John Cena came in, doing an awesome job. A big “Thank you, Henry” chant breaks out. He makes a joke about the jacket he’s wearing that is pink-colored. A “Sexual Chocolate” chant breaks out too.

Henry says John’s going to be the greatest champion of all time. He’s here to actively retire from the WWE active roster. A big “one more match” chant breaks out. He thanks the crowd. Cena hands him the WWE title and he holds it up. He hands Cena the title back because it’s something you’ve got to earn. He’s a proud, proud man. He thanks his family. He’s coming home. Cena steps back into the ring and raises Henry’s hand and Henry hits Cena with World’s Strongest Slam! He yells at Cena to tell him he’s got a lot left in the tank!

Backstage, the interview girl whose name I don’t know confronts Mark Henry. He says everyone was convinced. Everyone believed like a bunch of puppets. The WWE title is the only thing he hasn’t held, and he is challenging John Cena for it right now. He’s going to leave one of those boots in Cena’s rear end.

Heath Slater vs. Chris Jericho

Some brief back and forth eventually leads to Slater hitting a calf-kick for 2. Jericho hits an axe handle from the top. Running bulldog from Jericho and he goes the Lionsault, but 3MB is up for the distraction on the ref. McIntyre hits Jericho as he hits the ropes for the Lionsault. Slater stomps away on Jericho. Scoop slam on Jericho. Slater misses a splash from the top and Jericho hits the running bulldog again and connects with the Lionsault. Codebreaker gets the win for Jericho. 3MB runs in after the match, and Jericho takes them out.

Backstage, Paul Heyman is with Curtis Axel when Matt Striker interrupts them. Heyman wants to know why Striker hasn’t asked about the new Intercontinental Champion, Curtis Axel and they leave.

Sin Cara vs. Curtis Axel

The Miz is out for commentary for this one. Axel takes it straight to Sin Cara in the corner. Axel hits Sin Cara with a backbreaker. Sin Cara dropkicks Axel and sends him to the outside. Sin Cara tries for a high-risk move, but Axel slides back in and clotheslines him. Axel hits him with a side suplex for 2. Sin Cara hits a heel kick from the apron and goes to the top for a senton bomb, but Axel moves. Curtis Axel wins with a DDT. Axel stares down Miz, holding up the IC title.

Backstage, Vince McMahon is with Vickie and Maddox. Vince wants to know what they plan to do about John Cena and Mark Henry situation. Vickie says they’ll go one-on-one at Money in the Bank. Stephanie and Triple H come in to air the grievances. Triple H says Vickie needs to start listening to him. Vince tells Vickie she’ll be fine if she listens to him. Stephanie says not to listen to either one of them, implying she should listen to her.

C.M. Punk is backstage and Paul Heyman stops him. Heyman says he understands everything. He says he loves Punk and he’s the best in the World.

Alberto Del Rio vs. C.M. Punk

The bell rings, and C.M. Punk takes it to Alberto Del Rio, chasing him out of the ring. Del Rio tries to get back into the ring, and Punk goes right back to the kicks, sending Del Rio packing again. This time Punk chases after him and brings him back in. Del Rio gets a chance to take control by attacking Punk and laying the boots to him. Superkick from Del Rio gets a quick kickout from Punk.

Del Rio hits a nice suplex for another near-fall. Del Rio backs Punk into the corner, but Punk fights out and attacks with a series of knees to Del Rio’s mid-section. Del Rio turns the tides and puts Punk back in the corner. Del Rio hits the running enzuiguiri in the corner and uses the ropes to work on Punk’s arm.

Punk starts to battle back and tries for the GTS, but Del Rio counters and rolls to the outside again. Punk takes out Del Rio with a suicide dive on the outside. Punk rolls Del Rio back in, but gets distracted by Ricardo on the outside and Del Rio kicks Punk back to the floor as we head to commercial.

Back from break, and Del Rio continues to work over Punk’s arm. Punk tries to fight back now. Punk charges out of the corner, and gets hit with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker that earns Del Rio a two-count. Del Rio goes to the top rope and Punk catches him with a right hand off the top.

Punk catches Del Rio with a heel kick and several right hands. Punk tries for another spinning kick, but Del Rio ducks and hits an armbreaker. Punk slides out to the apron, and Del Rio ties him up in the ropes. Del Rio hits him with kidney shots and the Backstabber off the ropes for 2.

Punk rolls up Del Rio for 2, but Del Rio answers with another superkick for 2. Del Rio tries for the Cross Armbreaker, but Punk counters and shoves Del Rio into the corner. Punk hits the high knee and the GTS, but Del Rio rolls out to the floor as the referee begins the count. Ricardo picks up Del Rio and they’re going to take the countout loss. Dolph Ziggler comes out of nowhere and dives off the stage onto Ricardo and Del Rio. Ziggler is laying into Alberto Del Rio, and the referees are out to separate them. Ziggler chases Del Rio to the back as C.M. Punk is announced the winner.

Brock Lesnar’s music hits and he walks out. Lesnar and Punk stare down in the ring as Lesnar circles Punk. Lesnar has a microphone. Lesnar grabs Punk and nails him with the F-5 without saying a word!

June 16, 2013

Rashad Evans snapped a two fight losing streak with a split decision win over Dan Henderson in the main event of UFC 161 in Winnipeg.

They felt each other out for the first 50 seconds of the fight before they began to engaged. Evans was able to land a combination and got out of the pocket before Henderson could counter. After exchanging strikes for a couple of minutes, Henderson landed the first significant strike as he had Evans on his heels. Evans would be able to recover before Henderson could get a finish.

After the first round was over, Evans corner told him to take the fight to the ground which he did in the opening minute of the second round. Henderson was able to get back to his feet and they grappled against the fence. Each fighter landed a significant punch with each guy landing a right hand and they ended up separating and resetting. Evans began to push forward and landed a right hand. With 30 seconds left in the round, Evans landed a combination and attempted to get the fight to the ground but Henderson stopped the attempt as the round closed out.

As the final round opened, Evans appeared to be the fresher fighter and landed his best combination of the fight in the first minute of the round. At the two minute mark of the round, Evans looked for a single leg takedown but Henderson was able to stop the attempt. While they were clinching against the fence, Evans was able to land a combination which Henderson responded to with his own combination. They continued to strike with each other until the final minute when Evans looked to take the fight to the ground. He was unable to get the fight to the ground and the fight went to the judges.

Two of the three judges scoring the fight gave the fight to Evans (18-3-1) and he gets his first win since the beginning of last year when he defeated Phil Davis. Henderson (29-10) has now lost back to back fights and this defeat likely ends his chance for a shot at a UFC title.

Stipe Miocic upsets Roy Nelson
Stipe Miocic was able to execute his gameplan to score the biggest victory of his career as he defeated Roy Nelson by unanimous decision in the co-main event of UFC 161.

The bout opened with each fighter swinging away and both guys attempted to take the fight to the ground. Miocic continued to circle away from the right hand of Nelson and clinched up with him against the cage. Nelson would break away from the clinch. As the fighters exchanged strikes, Miocic began to land combinations and caused Nelson to attempt a takedown. He stopped the attempt and they continued their boxing fight. Miocic landed a right hand that rocked Nelson and he landed several short strikes against the fence. Nelson would be able to survive the flurry of punches and make it out of the opening round.

As the second round started, Miocic continued to control the fight as he was able to land strikes and get out of danger before Nelson could land a punch. Miocic continued to land his strikes and Nelson appeared to be gassing out. Miocic landed a combination with 30 seconds left in the round and heads into the third round up two rounds.

In the final round, Miocic continued to control the bout and Nelson was unable to land his big right hand. Every time Nelson appeared to be getting his offense going, Miocic was able to break away and reset. Miocic would continue to land his jab and he would go on to win the fight by unanimous decision on the judges scorecards. The lost for Nelson snaps a three fight winning streak and all of his defeats in the UFC have come by unanimous decision.

The complete UFC 161 Results are below:

Rashad Evans def. Dan Henderson via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Stipe Miocic def. Roy Nelson via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Ryan Jimmo def. Igor Pokrajac via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Alexis Davis def. Rosi Sexton via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-27, 29-28)
Shawn Jordan def. Pat Barry via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, :59
Jake Shields def. Tyron Woodley via split decision (27-30, 29-28, 29-28)
James Krause def. Sam Stout via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 3, 4:47
Sean Pierson def. Kenny Robertson def. majority decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-28)
Roland Delorme def. Edwin Figueroa via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Mitch Clarke def. John Maguire via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Yves Jabouin def. Dustin Pague via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

June 11, 2013

June 10, 2013

Richmond, Virginia

Previously on Monday Night RAW… Stephanie and Vince McMahon didn’t want Triple H to compete last week. Tonight, he opens the show against Curtis Axel.

Triple H vs. Curtis Axel

The bell rings, and Triple H kicks Axel back to the corner and unloads. Referee Charles Robinson has to back him off. Triple H hits a vertical suplex for two… Vince McMahon’s music interrupts.

Vince makes his way to the ring as Triple H continues the match. Triple H throws Axel to the outside. Vince grabs a microphone and tells the timekeeper to ring the bell. The crowd boos. Justin Roberts announces Axel wins via disqualification. Vince leaves as Paul Heyman and Axel gloat. Triple H goes to the outside and tells Justin Roberts to announce the match as restarted.

They tie-up and Triple H goes back to the side headlock as Vince makes his way back to ringside. Triple H takes Axel down with a shoulder block. The crowd is giving Vince the business as he asks for the bell run one more time. Justin Roberts announces Curtis Axel as the winner again, this time as a result of a forfeit.

Triple H goes back to Roberts again. Roberts announces the match will resume as a sixty-minute Iron Man match. Triple H rings the bell this time, and here comes Vince again. Vince tells Axel he’s already won twice, and he needs to leave. He does with Heyman in tow. Vince leaves and takes Justin Robert’s mic and the ring bell with him. It looks like they’re going to count this as two more wins for Axel.

Backstage, Triple H is with Stephanie. Triple H says Vince crossed the line. Stephanie is upset. She asks Paul not to hurt him. Vince isn’t getting any younger. Steph asks him to think about yesterday when Vince played with their kids in the pool. Triple H tells Stephanie to go talk to him, because he won’t like what Triple H has to say.

Kane vs. Dean Ambrose

The match is underway without a ring bell. Kane nails Ambrose with a big boot and follows up with a seated dropkick. Kane tosses Ambrose up and into the corner, but Ambrose manages to counter and connect with a shoulder block. Kane catches Ambrose off the ropes and delivers a backbreaker. Kane delivers a knee drop to Ambrose’s lower back. Kane whips Ambrose into the corner hard and hits another backbreaker, this time turning into a submission. Here comes a referee with the ring bell, much to the crowd’s delight.

Ambrose reverses a whip and hits Kane. Ambrose runs off the ropes, but Kane sends Ambrose to the outside. Kane takes it to Ambrose, but Ambrose manages a comeback. He jumps off the steel steps, but Kane catches him with a throat thrust as we head to commercial.

Back from commercial, and Dean Ambrose is in control of the matchup with a modified Dragon Sleeper. Kane powers out, but Ambrose pushes Kane into the ropes and hits a dropkick for two. Ambrose stomps Kane a few times while holding his legs. Ambrose manages to lock in a bow and arrow submission. Ambrose goes to the second rope, but Kane catches him by the throat. Ambrose fights back and tries for a tornado DDT, but Kane tosses him off. Ambrose goes to work on Kane’s knees. Ambrose goes off the ropes, and Kane catches him with a tilt-a-whirl slam for two.

Ambrose tries for a sunset flip, but Kane pulls him up by the throat and tosses him into the corner. Kane whips Ambrose into the opposite corner and charges. Ambrose tries for a big boot, but Kane catches it and slams him face-first. Sidewalk slam from Kane gets a two-count. Kane goes to the top, but Ambrose catches him and tries for a superplex that Kane counters, front-face slamming Ambrose from the top. Kane hits the clothesline off the top. Kane teases a chokeslam, but Ambrose rolls to the floor and here comes Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns for the DQ. They’re attacking Kane and here comes Daniel Bryan and Randy Orton to clean house.

Jerry “The King” Lawler is in the ring to announce the results of the WWE Universe Poll, and Seth Rollins was chosen to face Daniel Bryan later tonight, which means Randy Orton will take on Roman Reigns.

Backstage, Daniel Bryan and Randy Orton are arguing over Randy’s RKO last week on Smackdown. Kane breaks them up and tries to break them up, but they continue arguing. Vickie Guerrero and Brad Maddox interrupt. She announces Daniel Bryan and Randy Orton are getting a Tag Title match at Payback against The Shield. Vickie didn’t forget about Kane, he’ll get a U.S. Title match against Dean Ambrose. Kane says he always liked Vickie and gives her a big hug.

The Miz vs. Cody Rhodes

Wade Barrett is out for commentary. Cody tries for a tie-up, but Miz lays in a some right hands. Miz kicks Cody in the face, and he’s down. Miz hits the running clothesline into the corner. Miz leaps from the top rope, but Cody avoids the contact and clips Miz’s knee. Cody stomps away on The Miz. Cody hits a front-face slam for two. Cody applies the Indian Deathlock on Miz. Cody whips Miz into the corner, Miz tries to counter a charge, but Cody kicks him in the knee.

Miz is down now, and Cody Rhodes continues to work over Miz’s knee. Cody lifts Miz for a kneebreaker, but he rolls over for the counter and applies a Figure Four Leglock and Cody taps out. Wade Barrett jumps from the announce table and into the ring.

Paul Heyman comes out before Miz and Barrett can brawl. He says there will be a Triple Threat match for the Intercontinental title, but obviously it won’t be Fandango competing, but Curtis Axel. Curtis comes out and says the perfect ending to the match this Sunday will be him, the new Intercontinental champion.

A video package highlighting Mark Henry’s Hall of Pain is shown. Mark Henry will return next week.

Backstage, Stephanie McMahon is with Vince, trying to get his attention. She tells him he was embarrassing and he walked all over Triple H. He asks what she meant by her comments earlier. Vince says Triple H made Stephanie cry, but she says it was Vince that made her cry. Vince cares about WWE. So does Steph. She asks if he will talk to Triple H. He wouldn’t like what Vince has to say or how he’d say it.

Chris Jericho makes his way to the ring. Welcome to RAW is Jericho! Over the years he’s wrestled so many greats: Cena, Orton, Austin, Triple H, The Rock, Mysterio, Guerrero, etc., but the man that makes him a better performer night in and night out is C.M. Punk. They both believe they’re the best in the world at what they do. They accept nothing less than the best. At Payback, Punk will get Jericho’s best. After Payback, neither of them will ever be the same… Dolph Ziggler’s music interrupts!

Dolph says Jericho’s talking about the best performers and he thought it was the perfect time to make his triumphant return to RAW. He says the nameplate wasn’t even on the World title before it was almost taken away from him by a concussion. He wasn’t about to sit at home; that’s not Ziggler’s style. It’s obvious no one wanted him to have the title, so he came out and stole the show every single night and earned the title. At Payback, he’s going to prove to the world and Alberto Del Rio he will be outclassed in every way. He’s just getting started.

Jericho interrupts bla bla bla bla. Sunday is a long time away. This is Monday Night RAW. Jericho suggests a tune-up match to shake off Ziggler’s ring rust. Ziggler accepts… against Big E. Langston.

Big E. Langston vs. Chris Jericho

This started during the commercial break, and Big E. is in control, chasing Jericho around ringside. Michael Cole points out that Jericho is limping. Langston covers for two and goes to a submission. Jericho fights to his feet, but Langston clobbers him in the back. Langston whips Jericho to the ropes, but he hooks them. Langston charges, but Jericho dumps him out to the floor. Jericho takes Langston out with a baseball slide. Langston battles back on the outside and throws Jericho into the ring steps.

Back inside, and Langston tries for a cover, but only gets two again. Langston hits a running shoulder tackle in the corner. Langston chokes Jericho in the corner. Irish whip sends Jericho the other corner. Langston charges, but Jericho avoids the contact and rolls up Langston for two. Langston quickly composes himself and levels Jericho and tries for another pin for two.

Jericho chops away at Langston and hits a flying forearm and an enzuiguiri. Running dropkick from Jericho gets two. Langston catches Jericho in mid-air and hits the repeated backbreakers for two. Jericho hits a cross body off the top for a close two-count. Ziggler hops up on the apron for the distraction, and Langston capitalizes with a tackle. Alberto Del Rio runs down and nails Ziggler. Jericho is up and hits the Code Breaker on Big E. for the win.

Sin Cara vs. Antonio Cesaro

Zeb Colter is at ringside for commentary, and he’s got a beef with Sin Cara wearing a mask. Zeb wants to know if it’s an interrogation. Yes, he has a problem with some foreigners. The bell rings and we’re underway as Cesaro takes Sin Cara down and throws him to the outside. Back inside, and Cesaro hip tosses Sin Cara into the top rope, but Cara uses that as leverage for an armdrag. Sin Cara hits a headscissors. Cesaro counters a move and drops Sin Cara onto the top rope uncomfortably.

Cesaro hits a big powerslam for two. Cesaro hits a double-leg stomp for another two-count, and goes back to the reverse chinlock. Sin Cara fights to his feet, but Cesaro takes him down again. Cesaro charges Sin Cara in the corner and misses. Sin Cara catches Cesaro with a very nice headscissor and a float over sunset bomb for a two-count. Sin Cara leaps from the top, but Cesaro catches him with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Cesaro applies a reverse chinlock and swings Sin Cara around. Sin Cara hits a kick and heads to the top floor. Cesaro catches him mid-air and turns it into The Neutralizer for the win.

Backstage, Vickie is eating a Hardee’s burger. Maddox wants one, and Vince interrupts them. McMahon gives her a lesson in manners. Vince wants her to improve the main event for tonight. Maddox suggests bringing the lumberjacks out for the Cena/Ryback faceoff tonight. Vince likes the idea.

Randy Orton vs. Roman Reigns

They tie-up and Reigns gains the early advantage, punching Orton into the corner. Orton kicks his way out and tosses Reigns back into the corner. Standing dropkick from Orton finds its mark for two. Orton Garvin Stomps his way around Reigns’ body and hits a big knee drop for another two-count.

They go to the outside where Orton continues to dismantle Reigns and belly-to-back suplexes Reigns onto the barricade. Back inside, and Orton goes for the cover, but only gets two. Reigns regains momentum, taking it to Orton in the corner. Reigns connects with a big headbutt and continues to keep Orton grounded. Orton hits a Thesz Press and several right hands. Orton backs Reigns into the corner and lands some mounted punches.

Orton whips Reigns into the other corner, but Reigns counters and charges into Orton’s boot. Orton climbs to the second with Roman in tow and Reigns topples Orton over the top to the floor as we head to another commercial break.

Back from commercial, and Reigns has Orton in the ring with a reverse chinlock. Orton fights to his feet and charges Reigns, but Reigns hits him with a snake eyes on the top rope. Reigns hits a clothesline for two and goes back to the submission. Orton powers to his feet again, and hits Reigns with another belly-to-back suplex. Orton starts to Hulk up with clotheslines and the powerslam. Seth Rollins tries to get involved, but Orton chases him off. Reigns sets Orton up for a Samoan Drop that Orton counters into a backbreaker. Reigns rolls out to the apron, setting himself up for the second-rope DDT. Orton connects. Orton’s setting up for the RKO, but Seth Rollins runs in for the save, but Orton catches him. Orton tries for the second-rope DDT on Rollins, but Reigns pulls him down to the floor. Daniel Bryan runs in and hits a suicide dive on The Shield and the bell rings. This match ends in a no contest and we’re set for Daniel Bryan vs. Seth Rollins.

Seth Rollins vs. Daniel Bryan

Rollins takes it to Bryan from the get go. Rollins chases Bryan into the corner, but Bryan’s up, over, and out and hits the clothesline. Yes! kicks from Bryan find their mark on Rollins. Running knee lift flips Rollins over for more Yes! kicks. Bryan tries to lock in a seated abdominal stretch, but has to continuously elbow Rollins to keep him down. Bryan goes for the surfboard instead, but Rollins crawls to the ropes to break it up. Bryan hits Rollins with a dropkick, and he rolls out to the floor.

Bryan hits Rollins on the outside with a baseball slide. Rollins gets to his feet, and Bryan hits him with a running knee. Reigns and Orton look to get involved, but don’t, and Bryan rolls Rollins back inside for two. Bryan applies a front facelock, but Rollins manages to shove Bryan back to the corner. Bryan fights out with right hands, tries for the Irish whip, but Rollins counters into a Flatliner into the turnbuckle.

Rollins hammers away on Bryan on the mat. Seth Rollins tries for his own surfboard and slaps Bryan on the back of the head before rocking back and locking it in. Bryan manages to counter the surfboard and goes back to the Yes! kicks on Rollins’ knee and applying his own surfboard and Rollins manages to fight his way out of it before we head to another commercial.

Back from commercial, and Seth Rollins has Daniel Bryan in a reverse chinlock. Bryan elbows his way out and hits the ropes, but Rollins knees Bryan in the face for two. Rollins elbows and forearms Bryan, snapmares him over and goes back to the submission. They get back to their feet and trade blows, before Bryan gains control. Rollins tries for a heel kick, but Bryan counters into a single-leg crab, but Rollins gets to the ropes to break the hold.

More Yes! kicks in the corner from Bryan. Bryan hits a running drop kick in the corner. Bryan follows up with another. Back in the center of the ring, and Bryan continues to kick at Rollins. Rollins hits a heel kick seemingly out of desperation for another two-count. Rollins hits his own Yes! kicks, but misses one. Rollins tries for a suplex, but Bryan flips out. Rollins catches Bryan and powerbombs him into the corner for another near-fall.  Bryan topples Rollins over the top rope, out to the floor. Bryan tries for the suicide dive, but Rollins has it scouted. Rollins off top, but Bryan avoids the contact. They change rollups and Bryan nails Rollins in the face with a kick. This is tough to keep up with, so bare with me.

Bryan heads to the top again, but Rollins trips him up. Rollins tries for a superplex, but Bryan slips out and trips him up. Bryan hits a belly-to-back superplex, but Rollins countered in mid-air with a cross body. Roman Reigns gets up on the apron to get involved, but Orton trips him up. Bryan rolls up Seth Rollins with an inside cradle for the 1-2-3.

Rollins tries to attack after the match, but Bryan kicks him in the face and Orton hits him with an RKO.

Kaitlyn is in the ring to unveil who her secret admirer is… It’s Big E. Langston! He says he knows it’s unexpected and it’s hard for him after what happened earlier. People only see him as a big, bad tough guy or Dolph’s heavy and that all he cares about is beating people up. But he cares about more than all of that. He cares about Kaitlyn. She’s it for him. They get really close; he dips her back, and… throws her down. AJ Lee’s music hits.

AJ asks Kaitlyn how she’s feeling right now? Worthless? Alone? Broken? That’s how she felt when Kaitlyn abandoned her. She’s spent the last year letting men hurt her. Where was her best friend? Chasing the Diva’s title. She says even shattered glass can cut pretty deep.

Kaitlyn gets up and says AJ’s crazy, but AJ says she’s smart. Kaitlyn can beat her in the ring, but AJ can outsmart Kaitlyn. Kaitlyn is sad, weak, and pitiful; She’s trash. Kaitlyn starts to cry. AJ says Kaitlyn has no one and the people don’t give a damn about her. The only thing she has is the Diva’s title, but come Sunday, she won’t even have that. This Sunday, AJ’s going to get what she’s always wanted; the Diva’s title. She calls Kaitlyn trash. Kaitlyn smacks AJ down, and jumps on her. AJ rolls out and laughs, skipping up the ramp.

Another Wyatt Family vignette is shown. They’re coming.

Damien Sandow vs. R-Truth

Sandow cuts an excellent promo on his way to the ring… again.  They exchange tie-ups before Truth decides to shuck and jive. Sandow takes down Truth and lays in the fists before throwing Truth to the outside and ramming him into the apron. Sandow stomps away on Truth. Sandow drops an elbow on Truth and applies a submission. Truth tries to fight out, but Sandow hits him with a headbutt and the Side Russian Legsweep that leads to the Elbow of Disdain.

Sandow applies a reverse chinlock that Truth fights out of, but Sandow regains composure and goes off the ropes. Truth hits him with a scissor kick and a spinning headscissor. Truth hits a sit-down front-face slam for two. Sandow catches Truth with a chop to the knee and connects with The Silencer for the win.

Sheamus makes his way out. He’s here to congratulate Sandow on a hard-fought victory. Most importantly, he came out because Sandow got his attention last Friday on Smackdown. This Sunday at the Payback Kickoff, Sheamus is going to kick off Sandow’s head.

Backstage, Stephanie asks a hand to go find Vince McMahon and have him meet in their office. She runs into another hand and tells him to tell Triple H that his wife is looking for him and to have him meet her in their office.

The lumberjacks make their way to ringside for the John Cena/Ryback showdown before we head to commercial.

Back from commercial break, and Vince is with Stephanie and Triple H walks in. They start arguing and Stephanie screams to get their attention. She tells them to work it out and leaves. Triple H and Vince keep arguing. Vince says Triple H is better than Curtis Axel. He’s accomplished every thing. He’s an icon. Vince wants more than that. He says Triple H needs to do the right thing every time. It’s bigger than a match with Curtis Axel.

Triple H says he’s not going to apologize. Vince is going to give Triple H the match with Axel next week because he’s the bigger man. Triple H says Vince is right. He doesn’t want the match with Curtis Axel. Vince wants to see the match. They keep arguing and Steph walks back in. She wants a family hug. They hug and slap each other on the back.

Back in the arena, the lumberjacks are surrounding the ring. John Cena’s music hits and he makes his way out. The sirens hit and Ryback makes his way out in the ambulance. Cena tells Ryback face-to-face means Ryback has to get in the ring and face Cena face-to-face. Sunday at Payback, a lumberjack match and the ring will be lined with 30 superstars. Their job will be to make sure Ryback doesn’t do what he’s doing now; stand outside the ring afraid to face him.

Ryback can tear through all 30 of the lumberjacks and Cena and all the people in the crowd. Ryback says he deserves to be the WWE champion. He runs down all the times he’s been screwed out of the title. Ryback says he got too good, too fast. He became a threat to Cena. When the going got tough, Cena left Ryback high and dry. Welcome to the WWE. Cena tells Ryback to shut up. He’s been here a long time and he’s never had an angel watch his back and neither has any made who’s carried the title. Ryback’s genetically gifted, but all he does is bitch and moan about excuses. Cena’s walking into Hell on Sunday, but he’s walking out saying the champ is here!

Ryback says his eyes are wide open. He can see Cena, and he’s full of crap. It ends Sunday when Ryback becomes WWE champion. Cena says payback’s a bitch and tries to dive through the ropes, but the lumberjacks keep him in the ring. Ryback charges the ring and Cena dumps him over the top rope. Everyone gets in the ring and all Hell breaks loose. The lumberjacks separate the two as we go off the air.

 

June 8, 2013

Fabricio Werdum proved that he is one of the top contenders for the UFC heavyweight title on Saturday night in the main event of UFC on FUEL TV 10 as he defeated former interim champion Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira by submission.

The fight opened with Werdum throwing two leg kicks and he took the fight to the ground. He was in the mount position for a moment but Nogueira was able to get him out of the position.

Werdum would be in top position and transitioned into various positions before Nogueira got back to his feet. After Werdum landed a jab, Nogueira clinched him against the fence and Werdum would be able to escape.

Nogueira landed a short punch and began to clinch with Werdum again and landed a couple of body shots. They grappled against the cage and Werdum looked for a single leg takedown. Nogueira stopped the takedown attempt and the fighters clinched against the fence as the bell sounded for the end of the first round.

As the second round opened, Werdum landed two leg kicks but Nogueira continued to come forward. Once again, they would grapple against the fence and the fighters went to the ground. As they were going to the ground, Nogueira went for a guillotine choke but Werdum was able to escape.

He would have side control and then transitioned into half guard. He would pass to get the back of Nogueira and began to look for an armbar submission. After securing the submission, Nogueira verbally submitted to the submission and Werdum gets the victory.

Werdum (17-5-1) has now won three straight fights since coming back to the UFC and is likely one more win away from a title shot.

Leonardo Santos wins The Ultimate Fighter Brazil 2
The final of The Ultimate Fighter Brazil 2 was the co-main event of UFC on FUEL TV 10 and Leonardo Santos won the reality show with a second round submission.

At the beginning of the fight, Santos looked to grapple with his opponent but Macario was looking to keep his distance. Santos was able to get ahold of his opponent against the fence and looked to take the fight to the ground.

Macario was able to break away an have the fight return to the middle of the octagon. The fight would go to the ground but it was Macario who took the fight to the ground. Macario worked his ground strikes as Santos began to look from submissions from his back.

Santos would get back to his feet and the fighters would separate. As the round began to come to a close, the fight went to the ground as Macario looked for a submission. He would not be able to finish his submission and the fight would head into the second round.

As the second round opened, the output from both fighters slowed down and Santos was the more active fighter. Macario would take the fight to the ground and started in top position. Santos would work his way back to his feet and landed a knee before the fighters grappled. As Santos went for a takedown, Macario grabbed the fence and referee Marc Goodard stopped the action and warned Macario about grabbing the fence and told him a point would be taken away the next time he did it.

On the restart, Santos took the fight to the ground and achieved the mount position where he threw his strikes to led to an arm traingle choke submission. Macario attempted to defend the submission attempt, but Santos applied more pressure and Macario tapped out with 17 seconds left in the second round.

Thiago Silva wins for first time since 2009 with KO over Feijao
Thiago Silva won his first fight since 2009 as he defeated former Strikeforce light heavyweight champion Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante by knockout in the first round.

As the fight started, Feijao landed several punches but Silva continued to come forward and looking to land his right hand. The fighters exchanged punches and Feijao landed a spinning back elbow and stunned Silva.

Silva was able to recover from the spinning back elbow and Feijao’s output began to slow down. Silva was able to capitalize on his opponent slowing down and went on the attack.

He landed an uppercut against the fence and landed another strike before the referee came in to stop the fight.

Silva (15-3, 2NC) improves his UFC record to 6-3, 2NC and five of his wins in the UFC have come by knockout with all of those knockouts coming in the first round.

The full UFC on FUEL TV 7 Results are below:

Fabrico Werdum def. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira via verbal submission (armbar) – Round 2, 2:41
Leonardo Santos def. William Macario via submission (arm triangle choke) – Round 2, 4:43
Thiago Silva def. Rafael Cavalcante via KO (strikes) – Round 1, 4:29
Erick Silva def. Jason High via submission (armbar) – Round 1, 1:11
Daniel Sarafian def. Eddie Mendez via submission (arm triangle choke) – Round 1, 2:20
Rony Jason def. Mike Wilkinson via submission (triangle choke) – Round 1, 1:24
Raphael Assuncao def. Vaughan Lee via submission (armbar) – Round 2, 1:51
Felipe Arantes def. Godofredo Pepey via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 3:32
Ildemar Alcantara def. Leandro Silva via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Rodrigo Damm def. Mizuto Hirota via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Caio Magalhaes def. Karlos Vemola via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 2:29
Antonio Braga Neto def. Anthony Smith via submission (knee bar) – Round 1, 1:52

June 3, 2013

June 3, 2013

Hartford, Connecticut

Justin Roberts kicks things off this week by announcing Stephanie McMahon! Stephanie comes out to the ring and says it feels great to be back on RAW. She wishes it could’ve been under better circumstances. Steph runs down Triple H’s last two weeks competing against Brock Lesnar and Curtis Axel and how he couldn’t finish his match with Axel. She says Triple H has been cleared by doctors to compete, but she’s made an executive decision to not allow Triple H to compete. She says Curtis Axel is beneath Triple H. This decision is not about the fans, but Triple H and his family. She asks the crowd not to be selfish and Vince McMahon’s music hits!

Vinnie Mac comes down to the ring and says it looks like the crowd is happy to see him. They pop big and he says he’s happy to see us as well. He asks that tonight they shouldn’t boo his daughter, Stephanie and they boo. She has feelings, too. He says she’s right. His son-in-law Triple H has given everything he possibly can. The crowd chants Triple H. Vince and Steph care more about Triple H than we do; he’s the father of Stephanie’s children and Vince’s grandchildren. Triple H will not compete tonight. What do the fans want? The Triple H chant grows louder. The WWE is family entertainment, not a blood sport.

Vince reminds everyone that Kofi went through a table last week on Smackdown, and the crowd chanted for one more time. Vince says there won’t be one more time for Triple H. Vince says the crowd may be beneath Triple H just like Curtis Axel.

The Shield’s music interrupts the Chairman of WWE, and they make their way down through the crowd as we head to our first commercial of the night

During the break, Stephanie and Vince left as The Shield are ready for their six-man tag match.

The Shield vs. Randy Orton and Team Hell No

Daniel Bryan starts this off with Dean Ambrose. Bryan takes him down with the knee lift and some Yes! kicks before tagging in Kane. Kane hits a dropkick for two. Kane lifts Ambrose up for a powerslam for another two-count. Ambrose manages a tag to Seth Rollins, who tries to take it to Kane, but can’t get the job done as Kane tags Bryan back in for a quick double team.

Another quick tag to Kane, and Kane hits a couple of clotheslines in the corners and the sidewalk slam for two. Kane goes to the top, but gets distracted by Roman Reigns, which allows Rollins to recuperate and dropkick Kane off the top. Rollins tries for a pinfall before we head to commercial again.

Back from break, and Seth Rollins has Kane in a submission. Kane powers up and fights out, but Rollins manages a dropkick that sends Kane back to The Shield’s corner. Dean Ambrose tags in. Ambrose repeatedly hits headbutts before tagging in Rollins and they try for a double suplex, but Kane reverses and makes the hot tag to Randy Orton.

Orton comes in and cleans house on Rollins and Ambrose. Orton hits a double hanging DDT off the second. Roman Reigns tries to get involved and Orton tries to hit him with the DDT, but Rollins kicks Orton clean in the back of the head. Ambrose tags back in. Ambrose continues to ground Orton and hits his elbow drop before trying for another pin, but only gets two. Ambrose goes back to the submission on Orton. Orton tries to fight out, but Ambrose catches him with a knee to the solar plexes and tags Rollins back in.

Rollins continues to ground Orton. Orton tries to make a tag, but Rollins hangs on to Orton’s ankle and manages to tag in Roman Reigns. Reigns slaps on a full nelson. Orton fights to his feet, but Reigns manages to put Orton back down. Orton fights to his feet again, and Reigns sends Orton to the ropes and takes him down with a right hand before tagging Dean Ambrose back in.

Ambrose continues to assault Orton in one of the neutral corners. Roman Reigns tags back in and they continue to ground Randy Orton. Orton hits a side suplex to counter the side headlock, and Roman Reigns manages to tag in Seth Rollins, who goes to the top. Rollins comes off the top and Orton catches him mid air with a dropkick, and makes a hot tag to Daniel Bryan.

Bryan comes in and cleans house with the running clotheslines and the flip out of the corner as Ambrose chases him. Bryan takes out Rollins on the top and hits a hurricanrana and Rollins lands on Ambrose. Bryan prevents Reigns from coming back in, and hits the suicide dive. Ambrose gets hit with a missile dropkick for a very near-fall. Bryan locks in the No! lock on Ambrose and Reigns breaks it up. Kane tries for the double chokeslam, but Rollins kicks Kane in the head and Reigns hits him with the spear. Orton hits an RKO on Rollins. Orton tries for the RKO on Reigns, but he counters by shoving him into Daniel Bryan instead, and Ambrose connects with his finish on Bryan for the win.

Backstage, Orton and Daniel Bryan are arguing over their match. Orton says he wants to beat The Shield as much as Team Hell No, so they should drop it. Bryan says that’s no apology, and Orton clearly thinks Bryan is the weak link. Orton says it wasn’t Bryan’s fault. Bryan thinks they don’t respect him. They do. He’s lost touch with reality. Bryan says he’s going to have another match and beat the respect out of someone else.

Elsewhere, Triple H is arriving. He wants to know where Vince’s office is. It’s down the hall. He wants to know what’s going on. He says he’s wrestling tonight. Steph says he isn’t. Two weeks ago she watched him collapse. He says he’s cleared and he’s wrestling tonight. Vince asks what happened to the Cerebral Assassin, because he isn’t being very cerebral. Vince says Curtis Axel is good. Triple H gets in Vince’s face and says he’s wrestling Curtis Axel. Who’s going to stop him? Vince warns him not to do something he’s going to regret and hands him a stack of papers.

The Usos vs. The Prime Time Players

This match started during the commercial break. Darren Young is in the ring with one of the Usos, before the other Uso tags in. Young shoves Uso to the corner and tags in Titus O’Neil. The crowd likes Titus. O’Neil hits a backbreaker and tosses Uso before tagging back in Darren Young. Young tries to keep the Uso grounded as Uso tries to fight to his feet. Young forces Uso back into the PTP corner and O’Neil tags back in, slamming Uso hard.

Titus slaps on a reverse chinlock and pulls at Uso’s mouth. Uso fights out, but takes a tough clothesline for two. O’Neil goes back to the submission. Titus charges the corner, but Uso moves and O’Neil hits hard. Both guys manage to make tags and Uso hits a Samoan Drop on Darren Young. Uso hits Rikishi’s butt splash in the corner. O’Neil gets involved to break up the pin and saddles the top rope. The other Uso hits a superkick that takes out O’Neil. The Usos win the match with a Headshrinker Splash on Darren Young.

Alberto Del Rio vs. Big E. Langston

This is being promoted as the rubber match between the two. The bell rings, and Langston gains quick control until he ducks his head and Del Rio capitalizes. Big E. ends up on the outside and Del Rio tries for a dropkick through the ropes that Langston avoids. Langston takes Del Rio out on the floor, rolls him back inside and hits a big shoulder block for two. Langston applies a submission, and Del Rio fights out with headbutts. Del Rio goes to the second, but Langston catches him and hits the repeated backbreakers for two.

Langston chokes Del Rio on the bottom rope and kicks him in the gut. Langston continues to take it to Del Rio in the corner and misses a charge. Del Rio starts to kick at Langston and tries an Irish whip that Langston counters. Del Rio tries for the Cross Armbreaker, but Langston counters and Del Rio hits a kick off the ropes. Del Rio gets the Cross Armbreaker on the second try, and Langston rolls through and lifts Del Rio, but Alberto falls over the top rope, using the ropes for leverage but eventually must break the hold.

Alberto Del Rio hits a German Suplex and applies the Cross Armbreaker a third time. Langston tries to roll through again, but Del Rio catches him off guard and has his shoulders pinned to the mat for the 1-2-3. Alberto Del Rio wins the rubber match.

Sheamus vs. Cody Rhodes

Damien Sandow joins us on commentary and apparently has been reading JBL’s wife’s book, which comes out tomorrow. Sheamus gains an early advantage, taking Cody down with a clothesline and a knee drop. They’re both on the apron on either side of the ring post trying to gain an advantage, and Sheamus tries to kick Cody through the ropes. Cody avoids the contact, and takes advantage of Sheamus’ vulnerable knee. Sheamus falls to the floor, and Cody knees Sheamus in the face.

Back inside, and Cody is still in control. Cody gets a two-count off a kick to the face and slaps on a front facelock submission. Sheamus powers out with a flap-jack and hits the battering ram clotheslines and a knee lift. Sheamus hits a running senton and heads for the top rope. Sheamus hits the Battering Ram off the top. Sheamus tries for White Noise, but Cody counters and rolls him up for two. Rhodes tries for Cross Rhodes, but Sheamus counters. Cody’s on the top rope and misses a moonsault. Sheamus connects with White Noise. Sheamus nails Cody with the Brogue Kick for the win.

After the match, Sheamus confronts Damien Sandow at the announce table. Sheamus offers him his hand to shake, but Sandow slaps it away, and Sheamus levels him with a right hand.

Backstage, Triple H and Stephanie are walking. Triple H is pissed. He throws his gear into the trunk of his limo. He tells Steph to tell Vince that next week he’ll be on RAW to wrestle Curtis Axel and leaves.

Elsewhere, Daniel Bryan kicks over some stuff. Ryback comes up and says he better watch what he’s doing. Bryan asks if he’s going to put him through some tables like he did with Kofi. Ryback says he forced Kofi to have surgery last Thursday (whoops). Ryback was sick last year and had bigger throw up than Bryan. He and Bryan are going to have a match tonight, and afterward, he’ll be the missing link.

Also backstage, Paul Heyman and Curtis Axel are with Vince McMahon. Vince compliments Axel’s talent and ability. Vince says it’s too bad the match with Triple H won’t happen tonight or next week. Vince says Curtis Axel will be in action tonight against John Cena in a no disqualification match. Vince wishes Axel good luck before they leave. Vince has a sort of promising look on his face as he watches Axel leave.

Fandango vs. The Great Khali

Fandango dances a bit before getting knocked down by Khali, who also dances. Khali chops Fandango in the corners. Fandango starts to take it to Khali in the corner with punches and kicks. Khali shoves him off and hits an elbow and a big boot that takes Fandango down. Khali goes for the Vice Grip, but Fandango rolls to the outside. Fandango takes Summer Rae and they try to leave. The Miz comes out to stop them, but Wade Barrett comes out and takes out The Miz with a Bull Hammer Elbow. Barrett and Fandango stare down as Barrett holds up the Intercontinental title. I guess this match is over.

Wade Barrett vs. The Miz

Miz takes it to Barrett as the bell rings, but Barrett takes him out. Barrett perches Miz across the top rope in the corner and hits a running kick for two. Barrett uses the top rope to choke Miz. Barrett charges Miz, but Miz ducks and pulls the rope down, sending Barrett to the outside. Barrett tries to climb back in, but Miz hits a running dropkick. Miz slams Barrett into the barricade on the outside and rolls him back in.

Miz tries to go to the top, but Barrett catches him with some rights. Barrett charges the corner and misses Miz with a knee, crashing into the turnbuckle. Miz rolls up Barrett for two. Wade Barrett hits the Winds of Change for two just before Fandango’s music hits again.

Fandango dances at the top of the ramp as Barrett challenges him to come back to the ring. This allows Miz to roll up Barrett into the Figure Four, and Barrett has no choice but to tap out.

Jerry “The King” Lawler is in the ring to oversee the contract signing for Chris Jericho’s match with C.M. Punk at Payback. He brings out Jericho first followed by Paul Heyman, who is without Punk.

Heyman tells Jericho that when he shows up in Chicago to wrestle the best in the world, C.M. Punk, the… Jericho mocks Heyman’s list of Punk’s accolades, but he doesn’t give a damn. All he cares about is beating Punk on June 16. Heyman signs the contract. Heyman asks Jericho, before he signs, if he is truly prepared to face Punk in Chicago, Punk’s hometown. Jericho is going to be booed by a partisan crowd where Punk can do no wrong. Jericho might be the best in the world at what he does, but Punk is the best in the world at what he does; making liars out of those who claim to be the best in the world.

Jericho says Heyman might be right. Maybe we should have the match at Summerslam in Los Angeles. Heyman says no. Jericho suggests Madison Square Garden in New York. Heyman again says no. Jericho gains a cheap pop by asking about Hartford, Connecticut. No. Jericho says they’ll have to have it in Chicago and signs. It doesn’t matter where you’re from. When you act like a jackass, you get treated like a jackass.  Jericho wonders where they should file the contract.

Jericho tells Heyman to stand up. He tells Heyman to unbutton his jacket before he rips it off. Heyman doesn’t. Jericho shoves the contract down Heyman’s pants and leaves.

The Bellas and AJ Lee vs. The Funkadactyls and Kaitlyn

AJ and Kaitlyn will start this off. AJ gets a cheap shot in, before Kaitlyn tries to take control and AJ runs to tag in one of the Bellas. Cameron mean while also tags in and hits a butt buster and a flipping senton for two. Cameron follows up with a dropkick and runs into the ropes, getting hung up. Bella slams Cameron face-first into the mat and starts to work over her arm.

The other Bella tags in and hits a move off the second, and she continues to work on Cameron’s arm. The Bella applies a submission, and Cameron tries to fight out, but Bella puts her back down and goes back to the arm. Cameron fights out of the submission, and hits an arm drag. Bella tries to prevent a tag, but Cameron hits a nice enzuiguiri and tags in Kaitlyn.

Kaitlyn takes it to the Bella and hits an inverted DDT for two. The Bella charges Kaitlyn, but runs into the corner. She takes down Kaitlyn with a knee and tries to make the tag to AJ, but AJ jumps from the apron and leaves. Kaitlyn hits the Bella with a spear for the win.

Backstage, Daniel Bryan is getting ready for his match with Ryback. Kane says it’s a mistake. Kane says he’s never seen anyone with Bryan’s heart, desire, or will to fight. He proves it night after night. Bryan has nothing to prove to anyone. Bryan says Kane is wrong. Bryan doesn’t want Kane anywhere near him tonight. Kane says he’s out of here and to call him when Bryan finds his mind. It’s obvious he lost it.

Michael Cole tells us about the Wyatt Family and introduces a vignette.

Daniel Bryan vs. Ryback

Ryback makes his entrance with the ambulance again. The bell rings, and Bryan takes out Ryback with a running knee, but Ryback slams Bryan into the corner. Bryan slips under Ryback and starts to kick at him. Off the ropes and Bryan gets hit with a big boot. Bryan gets his knees up as Ryback tries to splash him. More Yes! Kicks. Ryback hits a gut wrench suplex and starts stomping Bryan’s face in the corner.

Ryback goes to work on Bryan’s core with knees and forearms. Ryback continues to pound on Bryan. Ryback hits a Thesz Press, but Bryan rolls him up into a single-leg Boston Crab. Ryback manages to kick out of the leglock, but Bryan applies an Indian Deathlock and lays in the right hands while Ryback is locked in. Bryan kicks away at Ryback in the corner. Ryback reverses an Irish whip, charges Bryan, and Bryan flips over and out. Ryback clotheslines Bryan to the outside, and we’re off to commercial.

Back from commercial, and Ryback remains in control and charges Bryan with a shoulder tackle in the corner. Ryback stomps away at Bryan and drags him to the center of the ring. Ryback stomps on Bryan’s gut, and drops an elbow. Ryback applies a reverse chinlock and Bryan tries to fight it. Bryan escapes and goes off the ropes, but Ryback elbows him back down to the mat. Ryback launches Bryan out of the corner.

Ryback charges the corner again, and Bryan moves as Ryback smashes shoulder-first into the ring post. Bryan charges now and hits a running drop kick from behind. Bryan hits a running clothesline that takes Ryback off his feet and hits a running dropkick. Bryan hits a missile dropkick from the top. Bryan hits an impressive Dynamite Headbutt from all the way across the ring. Ryback gets to his knees and Bryan hits the Yes! kicks. He tries for Ryback’s face, but Ryback catches him with a powerbomb. Ryback tries to pick Bryan off the mat for a powerbomb, but Bryan locks in the No! lock. Ryback tries to crawl for the ropes, and finally makes it, breaking the hold.

Ryback rolls to the floor. Bryan goes for a suicide dive, but Ryback swats him away, and Bryan crashes into the announce table. Ryback rolls him back in. Ryback goes under the ring to pull out a table. Ryback goes for the powerbomb through the table and hits it as the referee calls for the disqualification. Ryback goes back to the floor and pulls another table out from under the ring, leaning it up against the barricade.

John Cena’s music hits and he runs down to the ring. He’s yielding the WWE title like a weapon. Ryback climbs back onto the apron. They’re about to go at it when Curtis Axel’s music hits. Axel and Paul Heyman make their way down to the ring. Axel is sporting some more Perfect-looking tights tonight. We head to commercial as the trainers check on Daniel Bryan.

No Disqualification Match:

John Cena vs. Curtis Axel

Cena takes it straight to Axel and goes off the ropes only to have Paul Heyman trip him up. Cena rolls to the outside, and Axel hits a running clothesline off the apron. Back inside, and Axel is taking it to Cena with right hands. Cena starts to fight back, and Axel catches him off the ropes with a backbreaker for two. Axel tells Heyman to get a chair.

Axel tries to hit Cena with the chair, but Cena counters and takes the chair for his own, sending Axel to the outside. Cena gives chase and throws Axel over the announce table. Cena rolls Axel inside as the referee counts. Apparently No DQ matches can have count outs now. Axel nails Cena in the ribs with the chair.

Back on the outside now, and Axel misses Cena with the chair, ringing the ring post. Cena rolls back in, and Axel is staring him down with the chair. He swings and misses again. And a second time, but Cena gets a dropkick in this time, smashing Axel in the face with a chair. Axel kicks out after two. Axel manages to take down Cena before he can really get going. Axel chokes Cena with his boot and the ropes. Axel Irish whips Cena into the corner. Axel applies the submission. Cena makes it to his feet, but Axel takes him out with a knee to the gut.

Axel tries to ram Cena into the chair that’s propped in the corner, but Cena blocks and mounts a comeback with the shoulder tackles and the spinning sideslam. You can’t see me, and the 5 Knuckle Shuffle connects. Cena tries for an AA, but Axel counters. Cena charges Axel in the corner and eats the steel chair propped up in the ropes, rolling to the outside again.

Axel is on top of Cena with a flurry of right hands now. Axel goes back to the outside and grabs the steel chair. Axel brings the chair down hard across the back of John Cena. Curtis Axel tries for a pin, but only gets two. He nails Cena with the chair again, and again and tries for another pin, but still only gets two. Axel hits Cena with another chair shot to the ribs and one to the back. Axel drives the chair into Cena’s ribs. Axel hits a swinging neckbreaker on the chair. Axel tries for the pin, but Cena kicks out again. Axel tries for a Perfect Plex on the chair, but Cena counters into the STF. Heyman throws Axel an iPad that he hits Cena with, breaking the hold and Cena rolls to the outside again.

Cena lifts Axel for the AA on the floor, but Heyman tries to intervene. Heyman is begging Cena not to do it. Cena drops Axel and goes after Heyman. Axel tries to stop Cena from hitting Heyman, but Cena has him scouted. Ryback runs in out of nowhere and drives Cena through a table propped up at ringside. Axel wins by  count out…again as we go off the air.

May 27, 2013

May 27, 2013

Calgary, Alberta

We begin tonight’s RAW with a video package dedicated to the men and women of the United States armed forces; Happy Memorial Day.

John Cena’s music hits inside the arena and the WWE champion is on his way to ringside. John says there seems to be a lot of unrest tonight. Over a week ago there was a Last Man Standing match most remembered for its controversy. Neither man was able to answer the count of ten, so now both men believe they’re entitled to be the champ. The crowd wants Bret. Cena points out that Calgary is the home of “The Hitman” Bret Hart. Bret’s time will come, but there’s a controversy to solve in the mean time.

Cena impersonates Ryback and then says Payback should be deliberate, definitive, and hell. Cena announces Ryback’s Ambulance Match challenge will now be a 3 Stages of Hell match. There have only been three in history. Stage 1 will be a Lumberjack Match. Stage 2 will be a Table’s Match. Stage 3 will be the Ambulance Match.

Ryback’s music hits and he agrees with Cena. Say hello to Beelzebub. Say hello to Lucifer. Say hello to Satan. Say hello to Ryback.

Paul Heyman makes his way out and tells Cena to say hello to a future Hall of Famer and future WWE champion. Last week this man defeated Triple H so decisively we won’t be seeing Triple H anymore; the newest Paul Heyman guy, Curtis Axel. Heyman says his client and he were marveling at Cena. It’s one thing to accept a challenge from Ryback; it’s another to challenge Ryback to a 3 Stages of Hell match. Cena is a fighting champion. Heyman suggests that tonight Cena take on Axel.

Cena says Axel has guts, but to stay away from Paul Heyman because he’s full of crap. Axel says they didn’t ask for Cena’s opinion, they asked if Cena was looking for a fight. Cena accepts the challenge for tonight.

Alberto Del Rio vs. Big E. Langston

Langston takes it straight to Del Rio in the corner. Irish whip but Del Rio connects with a drop kick. Big E. charges and Del Rio pulls the top rope down and he topples out to the floor. Del Rio hits a suicide dive through the ropes. Langston manages to regroup and drops Del Rio face first into the ring steps. Big E. locks in a bear hug. Del Rio fights out of the submission and goes to the second. He leaps from the second and Langston catches him and hits the repeated backbreakers for a two-count.

Langston charges Del Rio in the corner, but Del Rio moves and Langston crashes shoulder-first into the corner. Del Rio hits the Back Stabber. Del Rio hits the super kick and shoots the half for another two-count. Langston comes back with a belly-to-belly suplex. Del Rio fights back with an armbreaker.

AJ Lee is up on the apron and takes the cover off of the turnbuckle. Del Rio has Langston in the Cross Armbreaker out of nowhere, but he manages to counter and lift Del Rio, breaking the hold. Del Rio shoves Langston into the exposed turnbuckle and rolls him up with a schoolboy for the win.

AJ and Langston are in the ring arguing. AJ says she was trying to help him, but he just walks away without Lee.

Backstage, Kane yells at Daniel Bryan to stop with the weak link stuff. Kane says Bryan needs to pull himself together. Bryan says Kane thinks he’s the weak link. Kane doesn’t. Yes! No! Yes! The camera pans to Bret Hart. Hart tells them they’re one of the best partnerships he’s ever seen. Tension destroys partnerships. They’re better than this. Bryan thanks Bret. Bryan asks if anyone thought Bret was the weak link in the Hart Foundation. Hart says Bryan’s one of the toughest superstars in WWE. Bryan is smiling like a child. Kane wonders why Bret has so much clout, but Kane doesn’t. Bryan says because it’s Bret Hart; the best there is, was or ever will be. He is just Kane.

United States Championship Match:

Dean Ambrose © vs. Kofi Kingston

Kofi tries for a couple of rollups and hits a nice arm drag. Ambrose regains momentum and fires away at Kofi in the corner. Kofi battles out and kicks Ambrose to the mat. Kofi misses two Trouble in Paradises and Ambrose rolls to the floor. Kofi tries for a suicide dive, but Ambrose backs off, but Kofi stops before we head to commercial.

Back from commercial, and Ambrose has Kingston in a reverse chinlock in the ring. Kofi gets to his feet and is short-arm clotheslined by Ambrose. Ambrose hits a quick elbow drop for two. Kofi manages a double leg take down and sling shots Ambrose into the corner for another two-count. Kofi starts to rally with chops and a dropkick, but gets caught. Kofi hops up to the top for a cross body for another near-fall.

Kofi tries for a Boom Drop, but Ambrose has it scouted. They trade rollups. Ambrose off the ropes, but gets hit with an SOS for two. Kofi hits a springboard chop from the top and gets another two-count. Ambrose rolls outside and Kofi tries to follow, but Ambrose trips him up on the apron, and he smashes into the ring steps. Ambrose rolls him back in and hits his finish for the 1-2-3.

The Shield celebrate in the ring, but Kane’s pyro hits and Team Hell No make their way to the ring. They’re all brawling inside the ring. Team Hell No clears the ring and it looks like the rematch from Extreme Rules is next.

Tag Team Championship Match:

The Shield © vs. Team Hell No

This match started during commercial break and Seth Rollins is in control of Daniel Bryan. Bryan hits a running knee lift that sets Rollins up for some Yes! kicks. Kane makes the blind tag. Kane catches Rollins trying to counter an Irish whip and connects with a powerslam. Bryan tags back in and they utilize the five-count to hit the Hart Attack, but only get two. Bryan applies the submission onto Rollins. Bryan backs into his own corner so Kane can make the tag. Kane catches Rollins off the second and tries for a chokeslam, but Rollins counters and enzuiguiri kicks Kane in the back of the head.

Roman Reigns manages to tag in and takes it straight to Kane. Rollins tags back in and hits the mounted punches in the corner. Rollins tries for a suplex, but Kane counters and reverses. Reigns makes another tag and goes back to the reverse chinlock. Kane tries to mount a comeback, but Reigns slams Kane for a two-count. Seth Rollins makes another quick tag and goes back to the submission. Kane powers to his feet and Rollins flips out of a side suplex. Kane levels Rollins with a clothesline. Daniel Bryan receives the hot tag and takes it to Rollins. Bryan hits a German suplex and the running drop kick in the corner for a near-fall.

Bryan goes back to the Yes! kicks for two. Bryan goes to the top, but Seth Rollins trips him up. Bryan lands uncomfortably, and Rollins tries the superplex. Bryan counters the superplex and Rollins ends up in the Tree of Woe. Bryan hits a German Superplex, and both men are down as we head to another commercial.

Back from commercial, and Daniel Bryan is in control of Roman Reigns. Reigns chops Bryan off the Irish whip and tags in Seth Rollins. Surprisingly, Rollins goes for the surfboard on Bryan, and he locks it in. Daniel Bryan reverses the submission and escapes, but Rollins is right back on top of Bryan with an elbow drop. Rollins makes the tag to Reigns. Reigns chokes Bryan in the corner. Reigns flattens Bryan with a clothesline and covers for a two-count.

Rollins taunts Bryan, telling him they’re champions. He rams Bryan headfirst into the turnbuckle. Bryan counters a right hand from Rollins, but Rollins catches Bryan with a Flatliner that sends Bryan headfirst into the turnbuckle one more time. Roman Reigns tags back in and carries Bryan to the center of the ring with a waistlock. Bryan hits a running kick out of desperation and both men are down now.  There’s the hot tag and Kane cleans the house on Rollins with clotheslines in the corner and tries for the sidewalk slam. Rollins counters, but Kane eventually gets a back body drop and the sidewalk slam. Reigns breaks up the pin, but Bryan is in to dropkick Reigns to the outside and hits the suicide dive. This is crazy.

Rollins gets nailed with a big boot from Kane. Kane goes to the top and hits the clothesline on Rollins. Bryan is taking it to Reigns on the outside. Kane stops to tell Bryan to get back into the corner, but Bryan goes after Reigns off the apron. Reigns spears Bryan off the apron that turns into a spinebuster as Kane gets hit with Rollins’ knee from the top rope and earns the win for The Shield.

Michael Cole gives us an update on Triple H’s injury status. He suffered some sort of injury (duh) from the results of the sledgehammer shot he took from Brock Lesnar at Extreme Rules and could be cleared this week for action.

The Miz makes his way to the ring. Those who have downloaded the WWE app. can vote on how they want Miz to participate in the following match. He can be a guest ring announcer, commentator or referee. The King announces that The Miz has been selected as a guest referee for the upcoming match with Fandango and Wade Barrett.

Wade Barrett vs. Fandango

The Miz calls for the bell and Barrett and Fandango tie-up. Barrett gets in Miz’s face for not breaking up Fandango’s illegal use of the ropes. Fandango chops Barrett. Barrett starts a comeback run and clotheslines Fandango out of the corner for two. Barrett yells at Miz to make faster counts. Fandango gets tied up in the ropes and Barrett knees him in the face. Barrett’s about to charge in, but Miz gets in the way. Barrett shoves Miz out of the way, and hits a big boot on Fandango. The Miz hits Barrett with a Skull Crushing Finale that allows Fandango to steal the win.

After the match Fandango is dancing with Summer Rae, and Miz kicks him in the face. Sumer Rae falls on top of Fandango and The Miz counts the 3 on him before he leaves.

Backstage, Cena is with Shawn Michaels! Shawn asks if he’s sure he wants to do this. Shawn says he tried to tell Hunter he shouldn’t fight Lesnar just like Cena shouldn’t fight Ryback. He’s the voice of reason, but no one ever listens. Cena says Shawn’s done it before and leaves.

Tons of Funk and The Great Khali vs. 3MB

Earlier tonight 3MB threw some of Natalya’s birthday cake in Hornswoggle’s face, so naturally Natalya and Hornswoggle are out to watch. Khali will start this off with Drew McIntyre. Khali chops McIntyre’s chest in the corner. He does it in the opposite corner. Khali tags in Tensai. Tensai hits the running senton in the corner. McIntyre manages to take Tensai down off the distraction and tags in Jinder Mahal. They hit a double side Russian leg sweep for a two-count. Mahal tags in Heath Slater, but Tensai fights out of their corner. Slater hits a scissor kick for two. Slater dances a bit and Tensai clobbers him before tagging in Brodus Clay. Brodus throws Slater in a T-Bone suplex. Brodus hits a powerslam for two. 3MB is in to break up the count. Everyone’s in the ring fighting now. Khali takes out Slater, and Brodus calls his mama, hitting a splash for the win.

Before the dancing can commence, Brodus says it’s Natalya’s birthday. Brodus says Khali will lead the singing of Happy Birthday. He does and then everyone dances.

Chris Jericho’s Highlight Reel with Special Guest Paul Heyman

Hello Calgary, and welcome to RAW is JERICHO! Jericho brings out Heyman. Jericho says Heyman’s been called many things, unfortunate yet flattering. He’s always had an uncanny knack for aligning himself with tremendous talent. Heyman doesn’t just align himself with that talent; he discovers and develops that talent, including Jericho himself. It was Paul Heyman who discovered Chris Jericho. He gave Jericho is first big break. Jericho says it’s true, but Heyman still owes him money. Jericho says he’s been a fan of Curtis Axel, but he doesn’t want to talk about Axel, he wants to talk about his other client. Heyman interrupts and starts spouting off about Brock Lesnar. Jericho tells Heyman to shut the hell up. Jericho wants to talk about his OTHER client, C.M. Punk.

Jericho tells the monkey to roll the clips from Punk’s last appearance on RAW 6 weeks ago where he walked out on Heyman. Jericho says he noticed that not only Heyman is wearing the same suit now as he was then; he is wearing the same look on his face.

Heyman says he’s glad Jericho brought this up, because it’s his favorite suit and because it’s his honor to be on Jericho’s show, so he wore it. Jericho says he wants answers. Heyman gets upset and defends C.M. Punk and mocks Bret Hart, saying Punk is the best in the world. Jericho still isn’t happy. Heyman says he and his client will make an announcement in the coming weeks. Jericho says Punk can’t sit at home for 6 weeks and claim to be the best in the world. Jericho says hi to CM Punk who is watching at home. Jericho points out that the next pay per view, Payback, is also in Chicago, C.M. Punk’s hometown. Jericho tries to say he’s the best in the world, but Heyman continuously interrupts him. Jericho issues a challenge to C.M. Punk for Payback to prove that he’s the best in the world.

Heyman accepts Jericho’s challenge on behalf of C.M. Punk. They shake hands, and Jericho pulls Heyman to his face. He says to tell Punk that he will never…ever…be the same…again.

Kaitlyn and Natalya vs. The Bella Twins

Kaitlyn starts off with Nikki Bella. Nikki gets Kaitlyn in a waistlock, but Kaitlyn counters and connects with an uppercut. Nikki rolls to the floor and manages to regain control. Nikki uses the ropes to choke Kaitlyn. Bri tags in and takes down Kaitlyn before applying a reverse chinlock. Kaitlyn fights to her feet, but Bri pulls her down by the hair for a two-count. Bri goes back to the reverse chinlock. Bri misses a splash in the corner and Natalya gets the tag, hitting a suplex. Natalya slaps on the Sharpshooter. Nikki comes in and slaps Natalya, but Kaitlyn spears Nikki. Kaitlyn gets dumped to the floor. Kaitlyn goes to spear Nikki, but she ducks and Kaitlyn takes out Natalya. Kaitlyn gets dumped to the floor again and the Bellas get the win. The Bellas sing Happy Birthday to Natalya as she rolls around in pain and cries.

Backstage, Curtis Axel is with Bret Hart. Bret tells him he looks like his dad. Bret tells Curtis his dad put him through some of the hardest matches of his career. Axel asks if Bret saw what he did to Triple H? He did, but he thinks Curtis should dump Heyman. Axel says just because Hart knew his dad, he doesn’t know him.

Randy Orton and Sheamus vs. Team Rhodes Scholars

Randy Orton will kick this off with Cody Rhodes. Orton takes Cody down with a number of shoulder blocks. Cody backs up into the corner to regain his composure, and they tie-up again. Cody backs Orton into the corner, and Orton shoulder blocks Cody again. Orton tags in Sheamus.

Sheamus hits the Battering Ram for two. Cody backs Sheamus into the corner, and tags in Damien Sandow. Sandow takes it to Sheamus before getting caught trying to hip toss him. Sheamus takes Sandow down and gets a two-count. Orton gets the tag and hits the mounted punches in the corner. Orton hits the standing dropkick for another near-fall. Cody tags back in and they utilize the five-count to double team Orton. Irish whip sends Orton to the corner, but he charges out to clothesline Cody. Orton hits a suplex and tags Sheamus back in.

Sheamus hits a knee drop and clubbers Cody in the ring. Sheamus hits a neckbreaker for two. Cody fights back with some rights before tagging Sandow back in, who hits a knee drop of his own. Sheamus catches Sandow off the ropes and hits the rolling senton. Sheamus goes to the top. Cody tries to stop him, but gets knocked off the apron, but it allows time for Sandow to take down Sheamus from the top before we head to commercial.

Back from commercial, and Sheamus is in the middle of kicking out of a pin attempt. Sandow goes back to the reverse chinlock and tags in Cody. Sheamus drags Cody to his corner, but cannot make the tag. Cody brings Sheamus back to the center, keeping the chinlock applied. Sheamus hits the Irish Curse and makes the hot tag to Orton. Orton cleans house on Sandow with clotheslines and a powerslam on Sandow. Powerslam to Cody. Orton hits Sandow with the second rope DDT. Orton teases the RKO, but Cody pulls Sandow to the outside. Orton takes out Cody on the floor and goes after Sandow. Sandow manages to slam Orton into the ring post and roll Orton back in for a two-count. Cody tags in and hits Orton with a front facelock slam for two.

Rhodes Scholars continue making quick tags as Sandow comes in and hits a Side Russian Leg Sweep and the Elbow of Disdain for two. Cody gets another tag and sends Orton to the corner. Orton fights his way out, but gets a big boot. Cody charges out of the corner and Orton throws him with a T-Bone suplex. Orton makes the hot tag to Sheamus. Sheamus cleans house on Cody. Sandow tags in and Sheamus clubbers him on the apron, tied up in the ropes. Sheamus tries to bring in Sandow with White Noise, but Cody hits the Disaster Kick. Sandow covers for two. Orton and Cody fight it out on the floor and Orton sends Cody over the barricade.

Sheamus hits White Noise on Sandow, setting up for the Brogue Kick. Sheamus connects with the kick and gets the 1-2-3 for his team.

John Cena vs. Curtis Axel

Axel hits a side headlock takeover. Cena powers back to his feet and shoots Axel to the ropes. Cena ducks a clothesline, does a leap frog, and then connects on a hip toss. Axel rolls to the floor as we head to commercial.

Back from commercial, and Axel is slamming Cena’s head into the ring apron. He follows up by slamming Cena into the steel steps. Heyman orders Axel into the ring to take the win via count out. Cena makes it in at 9, and Axel unloads on Cena and whips him into the corner. Axel hits a snap suplex for two. Axel slaps on the submission in the center. Cena finally manages to make it to his feet, but Axel is right back on top of him. Cena continues to try to get to his feet, but Axel keeps kicking him down.

Cena ducks a series of clotheslines, and hits the shoulder tackles and the spinning side slam. 5 Knuckle Shuffle connects. Cena tries for the AA, but Axel counters and hits a familiar-looking dropkick. Axel goes to the second and drops a fist. He goes to the second again and misses this time. Cena powerslams Axel for two. Axel catches Cena off guard with a boot, takes him over with a snapmare and kicks Cena in the face for another near-fall. Axel tries for a Perfect Plex, but Cena counters and tries for an STF which Axel counters. Axel hits the Perfect Plex for a very close two-count. Axel misses a splash and Cena clotheslines him.

The ambulance speeds into the arena and Cena jumps out of the ring to see what’s up. Cena approaches the ambulance and opens the door, but no one’s in it. In the meantime, Cena is counted out and Curtis Axel wins. Cena opens the rear doors of the ambulance, and still no one is in it. Ryback comes out of nowhere and takes out Cena. He throws Cena onto the stage and it looks like he’s going to slam Cena through the LED board. Cena moves and Ryback counters an AA, pushing Cena off the stage and Ryback leaves as Justin Roberts announces Curtis Axel as the winner via count out. Paul Heyman holds Axel’s arm in victory as we go off the air.

May 26, 2013

Cain Velasquez was able to make his first successful title defense with a first round TKO victory over Antonio Silva in the main event of UFC 160 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Velasquez opened the fight by immediately looking for a takedown which was unsuccessful. He would look to take the fight to the ground once again and Silva stopped the attempt.

He then landed right hand that dropped Silva and finished the fight with strikes on the ground. The official end of the fight came at the 1:21 mark of the first round.

Junior dos Santos secures title shot with knockout victory
Junior dos Santos knew a win over Mark Hunt would secure him a title shot and he kicked his way to a title shot with a third round knockout victory.

The fight opened with Hunt landing a low kick and Dos Santos fired back with a right hand. Hunt pushed forward and Dos Santos landed a right hand that dropped Hunt.

Dos Santos would go in for the finish but Hunt would survive the flurry of punches from the former champion. He continued to look to land an overhand right but Hunt was able to get away. The continued to exchange throughout the rest of the round with Dos Santos continuing to look for his overhand right.

In the second round, Hunt landed a left hand and Dos Santos followed it up with a right hand. After each fighter landed punches, Dos Santos landed a combination that he went to the body and an overhand right to the face. Hunt continued to come forward and begin to throw leg kicks.

After Hunt landed several punches against the fence, Dos Santos took the fight to the ground with one minute left in the second round. While on the ground, Dos Santos advanced his position to side control and landed short elbows as the round ended.

As the final round opened, both fighters came out swinging for the fences and Hunt connected with several left hands. As the round went on, Hunt appeared to slow down and Dos Santos became more active with punches and kicks.

With 90 seconds left in the fight, Dos Santos landed a left hand that had Hunt step backwards but he did not go in for the finish. With a minute to go, Dos Santos landed a spinning heel kick that dropped Hunt and finished the fight on the ground.

UFC 160 Results:
Cain Velasquez def. Antonio Silva via TKO (strikes) 1:21
Junior dos Santos def. Mark Hunt via KO (spinning heel kick) – Round 3, 4:18
Glover Teixeira def. James Te Huna via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 1, 2:38
TJ Grant def. Gray Maynard via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 2:07
Donald Cerrone def. KJ Noons via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Mike Pyle def. Rick Story via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Dennis Bermudez def. Max Holloway via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Robert Whittaker def. Colton Smith via TKO (strikes) – Round 3, :41
Khabib Nurmagomedov def. Abel Trujillo via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27. 30-27)
Stephen Thompson def. Nah-Shon Burrell via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 29-28)
George Roop def. Brian Bowles via TKO (strikes) – Round 2, 1:43
Jeremy Stephens def. Estevan Payan via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-27)

May 20, 2013

May 20, 2013

Kansas City, MO

RAW starts off this week, and we’re backstage with an ambulance driving into the arena. The door flies open and Ryback climbs out with a microphone. He’s dressed in street gear and climbs onto the roof. He says the decision of his match with John Cena last night was no decision. As far as the record book indicates, there was no real winner. Cena may have walked away with the title, but he didn’t walk away; he was carried.

They cut to a clip of Cena from last night, refusing to leave for the hospital.

Ryback says next time they meet Cena won’t refuse an ambulance. He isn’t out here with an ambulance to look cool because he doesn’t give a damn what anyone thinks anymore; he’s out to propose a rematch against Cena for Payback, an ambulance match. He has nothing in common with the fans. They don’t wake up everyday wanting to be the best. They’re they lost souls of society. They worship John Cena. It’s pathetic. At Payback, he’s going to take everyone to the morgue with John Cena. Ryback rules!

Who will be the newest client of Paul Heyman? We’ll find out later.

The Miz and Chris Jericho vs. Wade Barrett and Fandango

Wade Barrett and Chris Jericho will start this off. Typical back and forth leads to Jericho chopping Barrett and eventually running into a back elbow before Fandango gets a tag. Fandango takes it to Jericho in the corner and Mike Chioda has to pull them apart. Jericho makes a comeback, but runs into a big boot. Fandango makes a blind tag to Wade Barrett before we head to commercial.

Back from commercial, and Barrett is in the ring with Miz. Miz is in the reverse chin lock and powers to his feet. Miz hits a running knee lift and a boot to the face of Barrett. Miz teases the figure-four, but is distracted by Fandango who’s now on the mic, saying his own name. Fandango’s music hits and he and Summer Rae start dancing much to Jericho and Barrett’s chagrin. Barrett is yelling at Fandango as Miz makes the tag to Jericho. Jericho hits an axe handle off the top and follows that up with a running bulldog and the Lion Sault. Jericho hits the Code Breaker and tags in Miz. Miz goes for the figure-four and locks it in for the tap out and the win all while Fandango’s music is still playing.

Miz and Jericho decide they’re going to chase Fandango and he runs off through the crowd, leaving Summer Rae with Jericho at ringside. Jericho offers his hand for a dance and she takes it. They dance and get up close and personal before Jericho bails on Summer Rae and she looks upset.

Vickie Guerrero excuses herself, and she’s decided Jack Swagger will compete in a WWE App. RAW interactive match. Fans can choose between The Great Khali, R-Truth and Randy Orton. I wonder who will win.

Backstage, Daniel Bryan is with Kane. Bryan says it hit him; they are not the tag team champions. Kane says the negativity is not productive. Bryan feels naked without the title, but he isn’t wearing a shirt or pants according to Kane. Bryan asks why Kane has jokes? Kane says he’s confident because they have a rematch against The Shield. If they want a chance, they can’t show weakness. Bryan asks if Kane thinks he’s the weak link of the team. They argue and Kofi Kingston breaks it up. Bryan leaves agitated, and Kofi and Kane look concerned.

Sheamus vs. Titus O’Neil

They exchange tie-ups before Titus ends up on the apron and gets clubbered. Sheamus kicks Titus down the floor. Darren Young tries to get involved, but Sheamus launches him into the barricade. It’s just enough of a distraction for Titus to attack Sheamus and roll him back into the ring.

Titus lifts Sheamus for the fall-away slam, and connects. Sheamus kicks out after one. Titus pushes Sheamus back into the corner before the referee pulls him back. Sheamus gets a chance, but Titus elbows Sheamus back to the mat for another two-count. Titus slaps on the submission as Darren Young looks on. Sheamus powers to his feet, but Titus slams Sheamus back to the mat. Titus O’Neil is looking solid right now and could very easily be a breakout star in the future. Titus slams Sheamus again and goes back to the submission. Sheamus head butts his way out of the submission and hits a pair of big boots.

Sheamus starts to rally with forearms and a running knee. Sheamus goes for White Noise, but Titus counters and shoves Sheamus to the outside. Sheamus hangs Titus over the top rope and tries to come back in, but Darren trips up Sheamus on the way back inside. Titus tries for a powerslam, but Sheamus counters and Titus charges the corner and misses. Sheamus hits White Noise, which sets up Titus for the Brogue Kick. Sheamus connects and gets the 1-2-3.

Paul Heyman makes his way out to announce who his newest client will be. Paul says he understands, when it’s a Paul Heyman guy that exposes our heroes, he is the one who deals with the wrath of everyone’s boos. He wants to know what it feels like to be powerless. Our boos will never change the fact that a true Paul Heyman guy, Brock Lesnar, defeated Triple H at Extreme rules. Triple H will go down in history against Brock Lesnar as a loser. Tonight his client is enjoying the spoils of war while Triple H tucked his tail between his legs and ran back home to mommy. It takes a desperate man to bring a sledgehammer into a steel cage against Lesnar. But now that Lesnar has fulfilled his obligations to WWE, what’s Heyman going to talk about? He says it’s time for something new and different. He wants everyone to DVR this moment and play it back ten years from now. It’s the YouTube moment where people will say history took a left turn. Now’s the time to hit record. The newest Paul Heyman guy is Curt Axel.

Heyman says the crowd has proved him right because it’s the same reaction he told Axel he would receive. The same reaction Lesnar got in 2002 when Heyman introduced him for the first time. The same reaction he himself got in 2006 when he brought in CM Punk. Why isn’t Curt Axel a main event superstar? A legacy sinks you to the bottom of the talent pool. Axel wants to carve out his own niche and make his own legend in WWE. His name is a combination of his father and grandfather, “Mr. Perfect” Curt Henning and Larry “The Axe” Hennig, Curtis Axel. Triple H’s music interrupts the introduction.

Triple H makes his way to the ring. Triple H says Heyman can whip up a batch of Kool-Aid. Axel tries to interrupt, but Triple H says the adults are having a conversation. He also says Heyman can put a spin on last night, but he can’t say Triple H ran off embarrassed. He went to war with Brock Lesnar. Brock Lesnar didn’t just walk away, he limped away from that battle. Triple H says that beating the crap out of Heyman would make him happy.

Curtis Axel stops Triple H again. He says the game has changed. He tells Triple H to talk to him first if he wants to talk to Heyman. Triple H smacks Axel. Triple H says tonight he’s going to kick Axel’s ass, and then Heyman’s.

Alberto Del Rio vs. Big E. Langston

Del Rio takes it right to Langston in the corner. Langston rams the ring post shoulder-first.  Del Rio tries for the Cross Ambreaker early, but Langston manages to power out and lift Del Rio, but Del Rio hangs on. Langston makes it to the ropes and the hold must be broken. Del Rio applies it again with Langston on the floor, but Langston carries Del Rio to the floor and throws him into the ring post. Langston continues the attack on Del Rio on the floor before rolling him back inside for a 1-count.

Langston hits the backbreaker and turns it into a submission before Del Rio counters. Langston continues to maintain control and throws Del Rio into the corner. He charges and misses and Del Rio hits a tornado DDT. Del Rio hits a clothesline and the Backstabber. Del Rio hits Langston with a super kick as he’s trying to get to his feet for another two-count. Del Rio ends up on the outside and Ricardo Rodriguez has to roll him back in. Del Rio hits the enzuiguiri. Del Rio goes for the Cross Ambreaker, but AJ Lee rolls Del Rio’s bucket and towel across the rign to distract the ref. Langston pokes Del Rio in the eye and follows that up with the Big Ending for the 1-2-3.

Layla vs. AJ Lee

AJ attacks Layla with a clothesline and follows it up with a nice neckbreaker. Layla starts to mount some offense, but AJ nails a back elbow. AJ skips around, which allows Layla some time to rest and she hits AJ with a couple of kicks before mocking AJ’s skipping. Layla tries to drag AJ, but she hooks the ropes. Layla charges AJ in the corner and stomps her a few times. AJ applies the Black Widow out of nowhere, and Layla taps out.

Cody Rhodes vs. Zack Ryder

…started in the middle of a commercial break. Cody takes a back elbow from Ryder and a dropkick. Cody rams Ryder shoulder-first into the turnbuckle and stomps away at Ryder. Cody continues to work over Ryder’s arm. Front-face slam from Rhode, and Rhodes goes to the submission, continuing to work over Ryder’s arm. Ryder has a chance with a face buster and hits a dropkick off the second. Ryder unloads on Cody in the corner, showing a really aggressive side and follows that up with a Broski Boot for a two-count. Cody tries for a rollup, but Ryder hooks the ropes. Cody hits the Disaster Kick for the win.

After the match, Ryback’s music hits and he makes his way out to the ring. Ryder is still down and Ryback hits him with the Meathook as he gets to his feet. Ryback snatches him up for a powerbomb. Finish it and Ryback hits the Shell Shocked before throwing him over the top to the floor. Ryback hauls Ryder over his shoulder to the top of the ramp and carries him to the ambulance, still parked at the top of the ramp and throws Ryder in.

The Shield comes down and introduces themselves as the new champions. Last night they brought power back to the titles. Kofi and Team Hell No didn’t believe, but they do now. The Rock didn’t believe. They’re the reason The Rock lost the WWE title at Wrestlemania and had to have surgery. The Undertaker didn’t believe, now the Dead Man’s resting in pieces. Ryback and Cena didn’t believe, etc. Seth Rollins says that justice isn’t blind. This is just the beginning. The ending stays the same. The hounds of justice run this yard. The fire of justice is burning bright, and they are the flames. Believe in The Shield.

The Shield vs. Kofi Kingston and Team Hell No

Kofi will start this against Dean Ambrose. Kofi hits a jumping snapmare after they exchange tie-ups. Kofi tries for a rollup, but only gets two. Kofi hits a monkey flip and an arm drag. Kofi tags in Daniel Bryan as they double team and work on Ambrose’s arm. Bryan hits a knee lift and some Yes! kicks. Seth Rollins gets a tag and Bryan elbow drops his head before applying the surfboard. Some more Yes! Kicks and Kane gets a tag and hits a running drop kick on Rollins. Kane tags in Kofi and Kofi goes to Rollins’ arm with a submission.

Rollins manages an elbow to Kofi’s face before Kofi shows off his athleticism with some leapfrogs and a jumping elbow. Roman Reigns gets the tag and takes it straight to Kofi in The Shield’s corner. Ambrose gets in a cheap shot while the ref’s back is turned and Reigns slams Kofi face-first into the mat before leveling him with a clothesline. Reigns slaps on a modified camel clutch. Reigns continues to wrestle Kofi and tags back in Ambrose. Ambrose continues to punish Kofi with a submission. Ambrose hits a running dropkick for a two-count. Ambrose makes the tag to Rollins.

They take advantage of the five-count for a brief double team and Rollins takes it to Kofi in the neutral corner. Kofi starts to kick his way out and Rollins hits a Flatliner that sends Kofi headfirst into the turnbuckle. Rollins goes for the rest hold in the center of the ring, but the crowd gets behind Kofi as he gets to his feet. Rollins prevents the comeback and scoop slams Kofi. Rollins mocks Kofi’s taunt Kofi has time to hit Rollins with a head scissor and makes the hot tag to Daniel Bryan.

Bryan comes in and nails Rollins with a flying clothesline and a running dropkick in the corner. Bryan goes back to the Yes! kicks and gets a two-count. Bryan goes to the top, looking for a Dynamite headbutt, but Rollins is up to trip Bryan and he makes the tag to Ambrose. Ambrose takes it to Bryan, perched on the top and Bryan counters a superplex, dropping Ambrose on his face. Bryan hits the missile drop kick for a close two-count. Bryan tries for the No! Lock on Ambrose and he gets it, but Ambrose makes it to the ropes, forcing the referee to separate them.

Rollins ends up on the floor and The Shield tries to regroup on the outside as Bryan is joined by his teammates in the ring as we head to commercial break.

Back from commercial, and Kane is in control of Roman Reigns before making a tag to Kofi. Reigns regains some momentum and tags Ambrose back in. Kofi hits the jumping mounted punches in the corner, flips out and nails Ambrose with a European uppercut. Daniel Bryan gets a tag. Bryan locks Ambrose in the Tree of Woe in the corner and takes advantage of more Yes! kicks and a running dropkick. Rollins kicks Bryan from the apron, then gets the tag and hits Bryan with a running powerbomb that sends Bryan into the turnbuckle for two.

Rollins is hammering away on Bryan now. Roman Reigns gets a tag and levels Bryan with a clothesline that I’m pretty sure made JBL jealous. Reigns slaps on a reverse chinlock. Reigns hits a big knee lift for another near-fall before Dean Ambrose tags in. Ambrose takes it to Bryan and pulls him up by the hair. Ambrose hits a side suplex. Bryan tries to fight back with a series of head butts, but Bryan gets caught with a knee to the midsection. Seth Rollins makes his way back into the fray and chokes Bryan in the ropes.

Ambrose tags back in again and they continue to take advantage of the 5-count, double-teaming Bryan. Ambrose continues to taunt Bryan, but Bryan catches Ambrose off guard. Roman Reigns tags in, tries to prevent the hot tag and fails as Kane comes in to clean house. Kane hits the sidewalk slam and goes for the cover, but Ambrose makes the save. Kofi comes in to take out Ambrose. Kofi and Daniel Bryan do a cool-looking double suicide dive to take out Rollins and Ambrose, leaving Kane and Reigns in the ring. Kane hits a DDT on Reigns for a close two. Ambrose counters and reverses Bryan’s snap suplex on the floor as Rollins takes out Kofi using the ring post. Kane hits Reigns with a big boot. Kane catches Ambrose off the top and tries for a chokeslam on Reigns, but Rollins is in with the knee off the top. Reigns hits Kane with the spear for the three-count.

Backstage, Triple H is taping up for his match against Curtis Axel. A trainer comes in to tell Triple H the doctor says he shouldn’t compete tonight. Triple H asks the trainer if he thinks the doctor likes having a job with WWE? Triple H tells the trainer to tell the doc to clear him or find a new job.

Backstage, Kaitlyn and Natalya have a number from Kaitlyn’s secret admirer. Cody Rhodes walks by and mentions his mustache. They snatch his phone from him to confirm he isn’t the admirer. They notice he’s posting pictures of himself on the Internet. Kaitlyn’s glad her admirer isn’t Cody.

Jack Swagger and Zeb Colter make their way to the ring and Jerry Lawler is going to announce Swagger’s opponent. Randy Orton is announced as the winner by a landslide.

Jack Swagger vs. Randy Orton

Tie up and Swagger takes Orton over with a headlock. Back to their feet, and Orton has a headlock on Swagger. They tie up again and Swagger overpowers Orton to the mat with a wristlock. Orton fights back to his feet and begins to take it to Swagger and nails the dropkick. Swagger rolls to the outside, and Orton is right behind him and Orton side suplexes Swagger on the barricade. Back inside, and Swagger tries to outsmart Orton by rolling back outside, but Orton cuts Swagger off at the pass with a clothesline.

Orton climbs to the second and starts hammering on Swagger with rights. Orton hits a snap suplex for two. Swagger kicks at Orton’s leg and ankle. Swagger connects with a shoulder block. Swagger taking it to Orton in the corner and referee Brad Armstrong has to pull him out. Orton gets a chance and hits a Thesz Press and more punches. Orton starts with the Garvin Stomp, but takes a break to check out his leg. Orton shoots Swagger into the ropes, and Swagger takes out Orton’s leg.

Swagger slaps on a leglock on Orton, starting to work on Orton’s ankle. Orton tries to fight out, but Swagger cinches it in tighter. Swagger charges at Orton, but Orton backdrops Swagger over the top to the floor. Orton tries for the hanging DDT off the apron, down to the floor, but Swagger counters and rams Orton into the barricade and into the ring apron. Swagger continues to work on Orton’s ankle and leg.

Back in the ring, and Swagger goes right back to the standing leglock. Orton hammers away on Swagger and breaks the hold. Swagger shoots Orton into the corner, but Orton hits him with a big boot. Orton goes to the top, but Swagger knocks him down and out to the floor as we head to commercial.

Back from commercial, and Orton is trapped in the leglock. Orton manages to kick out and send Swagger into the ring post. Orton drags Swagger to the top and hits the superplex for two. Orton hits an uppercut and some rights. Swagger hits a belly-to-belly suplex almost out of nowhere for two. Swagger tries for the Swagger Bomb, but Orton is up and kicks Swagger in the gut. Orton hits a few clotheslines and a powerslam. Swagger rolls out to the apron, setting himself up for the hanging second rope DDT. Swagger manages to counter it again for another belly-to-belly suplex for another near-fall.

Swagger slaps on the Patriot Lock, but Orton rolls through, sending Swagger to the corner. Orton hits the backbreaker for another two-count. Orton’s going to try the hanging DDT for a third time, and this time he’s got it. Orton tries for the RKO, but Swagger counters and applies the Patriot Lock. Orton tries to counter, but Swagger has him. Orton makes it to the ropes, but Swagger pulls him back to the center. Orton kicks out again, sending Jack Swagger to the outside. Swagger runs back in, Orton ducks a clothesline, and Randy Orton hits the RKO for the win.

Triple H vs. Curtis Axel

This will be Triple H’s first match on RAW in over three years. The bell rings and Axel teases a few tie-ups, but Triple H eventually has enough and shoves Axel back into the corner and takes him down with a clothesline. Triple H throws Curtis over the top, out to the floor. Triple H brings Axel back inside, but Axel is on the attack, kicking Triple H in the corner, hammering and stomping away. Triple H manages to toss Axel back in the corner. Triple H sends Axel into the ropes, ducks a clothesline and Axel hits a dropkick that, I’d say, his father would be proud of.

Triple H charges Axel in the corner, but Axel gets an elbow up, taking Triple H down. Axel is on top of Triple H with several elbows. Axel slaps on a reverse chinlock, grounding Triple H. Triple H fights up to his feet and slams Curtis into the corner. Triple H attacking Curtis with shoulder tackles in the corner, before Mike Chioda breaks it up. Triple H hits his version of the face buster and follows it up with a spine buster. Triple H clotheslines Axel over the top to the floor. Triple H follows him to the floor and slams him headfirst into the ring apron.

Axel finds an opportunity, but ends up on the wrong end of a clothesline. Triple H continuously sells some sort of an injury and he sits down in a chair at ringside. The trainer brings Triple H a bottle of water, and he’s back up to fight… Or is he? He goes to one knee and sits down again. The trainers are checking his eyes with a flashlight, probably for concussion. Triple H tries to get up, but falls again. He tries crawling away from the trainers. He tries to get to his feet. The trainers try to help, but he shoves them off and falls again as RAW goes off the air.

May 19, 2013

Vitor Belfort is always looking for a finish in the first round and he once again achieve a first round stoppage with a TKO win over Luke Rockhold in the main event of UFC on FX 8 in Brazil.

Rockhold missed a head kick at the start of the fight which he slipped but was able to get back to his feet. Rockhold went for a takedown which was unsuccessful and Belfort landed a right hand.

After an exchange of strikes, Belfort landed a spinning head kick which dropped Rockhold and he finished the fight with punches on the ground.

Jacare wins UFC debut by submission:
Former Strikeforce middleweight champion Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza made his UFC debut on Saturday night at UFC on FX 8 and scored his 14th career submission victory with an arm triangle choke win over Chris Camozzi.

The fight opened with Camozzi bringing the fight to Jacare and the fight went to the ground as Jacare was able to get his opponent to the ground.

Jacare started in top position and looked to past to the half guard position. Jacare stood up from the position and then back to the ground where he achieved side control.

He looked for a submission but Camozzi was able to escape for the moment. However, Jacare would transition to another submission attempt and Camozzi tapped out to an arm triangle choke at the 3:37 mark of the opening round.

Jacare (18-3, 1NC) has now won four in a row since losing the Strikeforce title to Luke Rockhold and proved he is one of the best middleweight fighters in the world.

The complete UFC on FX 8 results are below:

UFC on FX 8 Results:
Vitor Belfort def. Luke Rockhold via TKO (strike) – Round 1, 2:32
Ronaldo Souza def. Chris Camozzi via submission (arm triangle choke) – Round 1, 2:32
Rafael dos Anjos def. Evan Dunham via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Rafael Natal def. Joao Zeferino via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Nik Lentz def. Hacran Dias via unanimous decision (28-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Francisco Trinaldo def. Mike Rio via submission (arm triangle choke) – Round 1, 3:08
Gleison Tibau def. John Cholish via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 2, 2:34
Paulo Thiago def. Michel Prazeres via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Yuri Alcantara def. Iliarde Santos via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 2:31
Fabio Maldonado def. Roger Hollett via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-28, 29-27)
John Lineker def. Azamat Gashimov via TKO (strikes) – Round 2, 1:07
Jussier Formiga def. Chris Cariaso via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Lucas Martins def. Jeremy Larsen via KO (punch) – Round 3, :13

May 13, 2013

May 13, 2013

Tulsa, Oklahoma

Jerry “The King” Lawler is in the ring and welcomes us to Monday Night RAW. This Sunday, Chris Jericho will take on Fandango at Extreme Rules. The King shows a clip of Fandango’s win over Jericho at Wrestlemania over a month ago. The King reminds us that Jericho was once on Dancing With the Stars. There’s going to be a dance off tonight on RAW. The King brings out Fandango and Summer Rae and they dance their way out to the ring.

The King then calls out Jericho and his partner, whose name I can’t pronounce, let alone spell. She’s a veteran of Dancing With the Stars and nevertheless looks hot. The King runs down the rules. Each couple has ninety seconds to perform a routine, and the crowd will pick the winner. The King wants us to judge on performance, not popularity.

Fandango interrupts The King by saying he was not defeated a couple of weeks ago by Khali. He wants respect from the crowd in Tulsa. Jericho welcomes us to RAW is Jericho. He says he faced off against The King himself, and was the first Musical Chairs champion and even outsmarted Bob Barker to become the Price is RAW champion in WWE history. So, there’s no doubt he’s going to win the dance off tonight. This Sunday at Extreme Rules, he’s going to create the new sensation to sweep the nation, the I just kicked your jack ass all over this ring. He’s going to dance all over Fandango’s face at Extreme Rules, and Fandango will never… ever be the same again.

The King says there was a coin toss earlier to pick who goes first, and Fandango won apparently. The music starts, and Fandango and Summer Rae go to dance, but Fandango never moves. He grabs a microphone instead, hushing the crowd. Fandango needs silence. The music starts again and now they dance. Summer Rae trips and falls. It looks like she’s injured her ankle. Fandango tells her to stop messing around. Jericho’s girl comes to her aid, but Fandango tells her it has nothing to do with her. One of the trainers comes over to check things out and Fandango goes to leave, but comes back and attacks Jericho once his back is turned. Jericho rolls to the floor. Fandango slams him into the announce table and again into the ring steps. Fandango takes apart some of the dance floor covering the ring apron and smashes Jericho in the face with it.

Fandango gets back into the ring, and Summer Rae hops up and was fine all along.

Ryback vs. Zack Ryder

Zack Ryder is sporting a new outfit tonight and immediately starts to get beat down by Ryback. Ryder tries for a cross body, but gets caught and slammed. Meat Hook clothesline from Ryback leads to the Shell Shocked and the win.

Tons of Funk vs. The Prime Time Players

Darren Young and Tensai will start this off. They trade a few punches and Tensai hits a rolling senton in the corner before Titus O’Neil tags in, taking it to Tensai. Titus misses the charge in the corner and that allows Brodus Clay to tag in. Brodus hits the T-Bone suplex and a splash in the corner. Titus rolls up Brodus for the 1-2-3 off of the distraction from Darren Young. An instant replay shows Darren Young hitting Brodus in the throat with his hair pick.

Matt Striker welcomes Smackdown’s senior advisor, Teddy Long. Striker says WWE.com is reporting that Dolph Ziggler will not be able to compete on Sunday due to a concussion. Teddy says, that’s right, and is about to announce the changes to the match when Jack Swagger and Zeb Colter come out. Then, Big E. Langston and AJ Lee come out. They argue over who should be the champion. AJ says Swagger should be fired for injuring Ziggler. Teddy says Dolph won’t be stripped, but this Sunday the match is now a number one contender’s I-Quit match. Tonight, Teddy says Big E. will take on either Swagger or Alberto Del Rio later tonight. It’s a WWE interactive match.

Kofi Kingston vs. Damien Sandow

Damien Sandow comes down and says he will not be singing tonight, because singing, like the United States champion, is foolish. Kofi’s reign will soon come to an end. You’re welcome.

Kofi tries for a roll up at the sound of the bell, but Sandow kicks out and takes control. He’s assaulting Kofi with knees and connects with the side Russian leg sweep, then follows it up with the Elbow of Disdain for two. Sandow slaps on an abdominal stretch until Kofi reverses it, but Sandow hip tosses out of it. Kofi hits a drop toehold on Sandow that sends him headfirst into the second turnbuckle. Kofi hits a series of flying forearms. Kofi hits the Boom Drop.  He tries for Trouble in Paradise, but misses. Kofi goes off the top and misses Sandow, who hits a swinging neck breaker for two. Sandow tries for a suplex, but Kofi counters and hits Trouble in Paradise for the win.

Back from commercial, and Mark Henry is in the ring with Josh Matthews. Matthews introduces the clip from last week where Henry whipped the hell out of Sheamus with a belt. Henry shows us the clip of him from Smackdown pulling the two tractor-trailer trucks. Matthews asks how the power he displayed last Friday will relay into his match with Sheamus on Sunday. Henry says he’s going to show us. He orders Matthews to put the strap on… And he does! Idiot. Henry shoves Matthews down and drags him around the ring, touching all of the corners. Henry says he’s feeling awfully generous. Why wait until Extreme Rules? He calls out Sheamus. Sheamus’ music hits and he steps out on the ramp.

Sheamus says Henry might be the strongest man in the world, but he’s not the brightest. Henry says Sheamus is doing a lot of talking and not enough walking. Sheamus says Henry thinks he’s brave. Sheamus says Henry talked him into it, and he heads to the ring. Sheamus left a strap of his own under the ring earlier tonight. He runs into the ring and they start whipping each other, but Sheamus gains the upper hand and Henry bails out, leaving Sheamus standing tall.

A recap of Brock Lesnar attacking Vince McMahon back in January is shown.

Antonio Cesaro vs. Randy Orton

The bell rings and after some back and forth, Cesaro head butts Orton in the corner and stomps away. Cesaro sends Orton into the opposite corner and hits a running uppercut for two. Cesaro applies a reverse chin lock. Orton powers to his feet and sends Cesaro into the ropes, and catches him with a T-Bone suplex throw. Orton hits a number of clotheslines and the powerslam. Cesaro rolls out to the apron. Orton sets up for the hanging DDT off the second rope, but Cesaro has it scouted and tries for a roll-up, but only gets two. Both man back to their feet and Orton hits the RKO for the three-count.

Heath Slater vs. The Miz

Slater tries a waistlock, but Miz manages to counter. Slater regains control, but gets a knee lift for his troubles. Miz kicks Slater in the face while sitting up on the mat. Miz gets dumped the apron, over the top, and slides under the rope for the rollup for two. Miz hits the back and neck breakers for two. Jinder Mahal trips Miz off the ropes and Slater kicks Miz in the jaw for a two-count. Slater hammers away on Miz and takes some time to taunt the crowd. Slater hits a nice neckbreaker for another two-count. Slater slaps on the side headlock, but Miz manages to power out and snapmares Slater over. Miz hits a big boot that sets Slater up for the running clothesline in the corner, which Miz connects on. Miz hits an axe handle off the top.  The Miz tries for the Figure Four, but Slater gets to the ropes.

Heath Slater tries his luck from the top rope, but The Miz is up to counter. Jinder Mahal tries to interfere again, but Miz sends him to the floor and then dumps Slater on top of him and Drew McIntyre. Miz takes out Slater’s knee with a dropkick that allows him time to apply the Figure Four leg lock for the tap out and the win.

Another flashback to February, where Vince McMahon challenged Paul Heyman to a fight and Triple H and Brock Lesnar brawled around ringside.

Six Man Elimination Tag Match:

Team Hell No and John Cena vs. The Shield

Dean Ambrose will start this off with Kane. Ambrose tries to lockup with Kane first, but that doesn’t work when Kane shoulder blocks Ambrose and applies a side headlock. Ambrose gets up to his feet and pushes Kane into the corner. Kane counters an attack and tosses Ambrose into the corner and takes him down. Kane makes the tag to Daniel Bryan who comes in with some Yes! kicks.

Bryan goes after Ambrose’s left arm and shoulder, but Ambrose manages to tag in Seth Rollins before Bryan tags in John Cena. Cena takes it to Rollins and hits a bulldog for two. Cena applies a front face lock as we head to commercial.

Back from commercial as Daniel Bryan applies the surfboard on Dean Ambrose, and tags in Kane. Kane hits a dropkick in Ambrose’s face for two. Kane tags Bryan back in who takes it to Ambrose with uppercuts. Ambrose forces Bryan back into The Shield’s corner as Rollins makes the tag. Roman Reigns chokes Bryan while the refs back is turned before he gets tagged in. Reigns slams Bryan’s face into the mat and hits a massive clothesline. Reigns applies a reverse chinlock, but Bryan powers to his feet before Reigns sends him right back to the mat.

Rollins gets the tag and hits a dropkick and tries for a jackknife rollup for two. Rollins goes right back to the rest hold, continuing to isolate Bryan from his corner. Bryan tries to power to his feet, but Rollins puts a stop to it and tags Ambrose back in. Ambrose hits a Mike Rotunda-esque elbow drop and covers for two. Ambrose applies a modified STF. Bryan gets to his feet again, and again Ambrose stops it. Bryan hits a knee lift before making the hot tag to Kane, who takes out Ambrose with a clothesline in the corners and the sidewalk slam. Kane takes out The Shield on the apron and hits a DDT on Ambrose for another two-count.  Kane tries for the top rope, and hits the clothesline on Ambrose. Kane goes for the chokeslam on Ambrose, but Rollins is in to make the save and he pushes them over the top to the floor before taking out Reigns.

Kane’s out on the floor taking on the entire Shield. Referee Mike Chioda is all over Kane, trying to get him back in the ring, but Kane just ignores him. Kane takes the hood off of the announcer’s table and takes out members of The Shield before Justin Roberts announces that Kane has been eliminated by DQ.

Back from commercial, and Dean Ambrose is in control of John Cena. Roman Reigns tags in and takes it to Cena. Reigns tries for a suplex, but Cena reverses. Seth Rollins tags in and goes to the top. Rollins hits a flying knee from the top rope for a near-fall. Rollins continues to take it to Cena and applies a submission, wrapping his legs around Cena’s waist. Cena manages to power up to his feet all the while carrying Rollins on his back. Cena makes it to his corner and tags Bryan in with Rollins on his back!

Bryan comes in taking it to the members of The Shield on the apron, taking them out. Irish whip from Rollins sends Bryan to the corner, but Bryan flips over and out. Suicide dive takes out Reigns on the floor. Bryan hits the missile dropkick on Rollins for two. Yes! kicks from Bryan. Bryan goes for the No-lock, but Rollins counters into an Irish whip that Bryan reverses. Rollins makes the tag to Ambrose and catches Bryan with a dropkick. Ambrose hits his finish to eliminate Daniel Bryan, and it is now three-on-one.

Cena is back in to take on Dean Ambrose. Ambrose tags in Reigns and they have Cena deep within their own corner. Rollins tags in and chokes Cena with his boot. Cena starting to mount a comeback and takes it to Rollins with several shoulder blocks and the spinning sideslam. 5-Knuckle Shuffle nails Rollins. Cena takes out Ambrose and Reigns. Cena hits the AA on Rollins who has never been pinned. Cena eliminates Rollins. Cena has Ambrose up for the AA and Reigns shoves the referee to take out Cena with a spear. Chioda DQ’s Reigns. It is now John Cena vs. Dean Ambrose.

Ambrose crawls over to Cena and goes for a cover, but only gets two. Ambrose taunts Cena, but Cena wraps up Ambrose in the STF before the rest of The Shield runs in. Cena’s going to win this by DQ, but The Shield is relentlessly attacking Cena and they hit the triple powerbomb. The Shield stands tall over Cena.

Cena is down in the ring and Ryback’s music hits as he’s on his way down. Ryback stands over Cena, looking down. He goes to leave, but stops and comes back. Ryback grabs a chair from under the ring. He nails Cena’s injured ankle with the chair.

Another Triple H/Brock Lesnar package is shown from last month’s Wrestlemania where Triple H beat Lesnar in an extreme rules match-up. They’ll be meeting face-to-face later tonight.

Backstage, Matt Striker catches up with Ryback. Ryback says he’s tried playing by the rules, but time and time again he’s been screwed out of the championship. At Extreme Rules everyone’s going to know Ryback rules.

WWE Universe Interactive Match:

Big E. Langston vs. Jack Swagger

They try to lockup, but end up in a standoff. They try again and roll across the ropes, and Swagger gains the upper hand with a side headlock takeover. Swagger tries for a couple of shoulder blocks that don’t seem to faze Langston. Langston takes it to Swagger in the corner and whips him into the opposite side. Langston charges, but misses and Swagger tries for the Patriot Lock. Langston powers out. Swagger hits a belly-to-belly suplex for two before we head to commercial.

Back from commercial, and Langston is dominating Swagger with repeated backbreakers. Langston hits some shoulder blocks in the corner. He tries for one more big one, and Swagger avoids it. Swagger hits the Swagger Bomb for two. Langston regains control and takes Swagger to the top. Langston looking for a superplex and connects, but it only earns him a two-count. The strap comes down, and he tries for the Big Ending, but Swagger slips out the back. Into the ropes, and Swagger takes out Langston’s knee with a chop block. Patriot Lock applied by Swagger now and Big E. makes it to the ropes, breaking the hold.

Swagger charges Big E., but Langston backdrops him out to the floor. Langston launches Swagger into the barricade and charges, but Swagger manages to duck and backdrop Langston over the barricade, out into the crowd. AJ is screaming at Langston to get up, be he can’t make it and is counted out.

Alberto Del Rio is out before Swagger can celebrate, but Swagger manages to counter the attack and hits Del Rio with a belly-to-belly suplex and applies the Patriot Lock. Ricardo tries to break it up and does, but Swagger takes him out. Alberto locks in the Cross Armbreaker and Swagger taps. Big E. comes in to break that up. Del Rio manages to fight off Langston and takes him out with a running enzuiguiri. Swagger tries to take out Del Rio with a gutwrench suplex, but Del Rio counters and clotheslines Swagger over the top to the floor as Del Rio celebrates in the ring with Ricardo Rodriguez.

AJ Lee vs. Natalya

The Bellas and Kaitlyn will be joining us on commentary. Natalya takes down AJ with a wastelock and a snap suplex. Natalya lifts AJ up and rams her into the corner. AJ wraps herself up in the ropes to protect herself. AJ rolls out to the floor and Natalya goes after her, but AJ slaps her across the face. AJ runs away, but Natalya chases her and gets slapped again. Back inside, and Natalya sends AJ out to the floor violently. Natalya lifts AJ’s lifeless body up and rolls her into the ring. Natalya pulls AJ up by the hair and looks like she’s going for a backbreaker, but AJ counters into the Black Widow and Natalya taps out.

Backstage, Matt Striker is with Chris Jericho. Striker asks if Jericho felt foolish earlier when Fandango attacked him. Jericho says it was his fault. He’s been trying to play by other people’s rules. No more dance-offs. No more joking. No more scorecards. He’s a six-time world champion. His name is Chris Jericho. At Extreme Rules, he’s going to teach Fandango how to dance Chris Jericho style.

Back in the arena, and it’s time to play the game! Triple H’s music hits, and he’s on his way down to ringside. Triple H climbs the turnbuckle, does his thing, and the camera pans up to show the steel cage hanging above the ring. The cage lowers as we head to commercial.

Back from commercial, and Triple H is inside the cage with the microphone. He says Brock and he have been at war for a year. They have bled, broken bones, and careers have been on the line and nothing has truly been settled… until Sunday. He learned to be a man in the ring. He learned to fight in the ring. A man once told him that if you want to be good, you have to learn to hate. He learned to hate and he learned to thrive on that hate. Nowhere did he feel more at home than when he was in the ring and when the ring was surrounded by steel; steel that can rip your flesh and break your bones. Triple H calls out Lesnar.

Lesnar’s music hits, and Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman are on their way to ringside now. Heyman has a mic of his own, but Triple H interrupts him. He tells Brock to get his ass in the ring so they can do it. Heyman asks if anyone knows what they’re truly about. They’re about the perverse pleasures in life, like Triple H using the word hate. Heyman says they’re not supposed to use unsophisticated words like “hate.” But they all know that Lesnar and Triple H hate each other. On Sunday, Lesnar is going to teach Triple H the meaning of the word “hate.” Lesnar is a cage-fighting carnivore, and Triple H is the biggest slab of meet in the WWE Universe. Only one man will emerge from the war a winner. Triple H will go down in history as the loser. Lesnar is ready for a fight, but everyone has to wait for Sunday. Lesnar doesn’t fight for free. Lesnar’s music hits, but Triple H tells them to hold on.

Triple H says it just dawned on him. He’s been wondering why Brock won’t face him like a man? Lesnar won’t stand face-to-face with him like a man. Why is that? It has nothing to do with Lesnar. Heyman can’t afford for Lesnar to do it. At Wrestlemania, Triple H did the unthinkable; he knocked Lesnar out and beat him. Triple H says Heyman knows if Lesnar comes down and steps into the cage, and maybe he kicks Lesnar’s ass one more time, that doesn’t bode well for Mr. Heyman as a business man. Triple H says, on Sunday when Lesnar loses, his mystique will go out the window. Triple H knows that Brock believes he is still the baddest man, but Heyman doesn’t think it’s true anymore. Now, he’s talking to Brock. Is he willing to try to prove to the world that he is still the beast? Or, will he wait for Heyman to tell him what to do? Will he prove to the world that he’s Brock Lesnar, the bitch?

Triple H drops the mic, and Lesnar heads toward the cage. All the referees come down to try and get in the middle. Lesnar puts one foot inside the cage. He steps in, and they’re face-to-face. Here we go! They’re trading punches. Lesnar gets Triple H in the corner, but he fights out. Lesnar hits Triple H with a German suplex throw. Heyman shuts the cage door, but Triple H is up and sends Lesnar into the wall of the cage. Triple H is throwing big right hands and throws Lesnar into the door and it collides with Heyman and a few of the refs and the wreckage spills out onto the floor. Triple H is still inside shouting at Lesnar to come back in. Lesnar gets back to his feet. Brock picks up Heyman and they hightail it back up the ramp. Triple H climbs the cage staring down Lesnar and Heyman from the top as we go off the air.