WWE Raw Results – August 12th, 2013
Randy Orton def. Damien Sandow
I would have thought by now with the central part of this storyline being the Money In The Bank briefcase, that it would have been put on the line by now. Looks like this is more of a vehicle to increase Rhodes stock as a face and Sandow’s new, more vicious style that will stab his friends in the back to further his career.
The Great Khali & Natalya def. Big E Langston & AJ Lee
With Kaitlyn and Ziggler on an unstoppable role as of late, what you would hope is that their Summerslam opponents would also be made to look competitive. Unfortunately, they were made to lose to probably the least talented guy within WWE & the most ill-used Diva in the company, twice.
I guess everyone makes mistakes and I hope this doesn’t hamper this young referees career.
Vince McMahon & Brad Maddox Segment
First of all, it seems very unfair that Brad Maddox has to explain his misdemeanors, especially after the performance of the ref in the previous match.
Why does this match need to have a special guest referee? Their worried apparently that Brad Maddox won’t call the match down the middle, well how about every referee on the WWE roster, who are are completely impartial. I really like the McMahon’s but do they they have to get themselves involved in what promises to be a great wrestling match with a stupid stipulation.
Kane def. Titus O’Neil
O’Neil claimed on Twitter the other day that he would be WWE Champion one day. While there’s is every possibility of that still happening, not many top stars start out being a jobber for so long and deserved run with tag titles with PTP didn’t materialise.
Alberto Del Rio def. Kofi Kingston
Kofi Kingston’s return to the ring has been typically uninspiring as he usually is. According to Michael Cole his idea of innovation since he’s been gone has been to get new wrestling attire.
Once again I’m finding it hard to get myself excited for another PPV match involving Del Rio. Whether he’s face or heel its just not worked for me and no matter how hard I try he just bores me. The thing of interest is the way they’re advertising this as if it may very well be Christian’s final Title shot, and may be retiring soon.
MizTV with Cena & Bryan
Cena comes out and spouts his usual vomit inducing rubbish about bring loyal to the WWE universe. He moans about Bryan complaining that he doesn’t get any respect, but by pandering to the fans as usual and kissing their asses all the time he is just doing the same thing as Bryan. He might as well just come to the ring and scream “LOVE ME!”
The Miz likely showed exactly what his role at Summerslam will consist of, appearing occasionally and not actually making impact on the show.
Also, we shouldn’t really get to bothered about who runs this match at Summerslam because Randy Orton is heavily implying that he cash in straight after. I highly doubt he actually will. But why would WWE showcase one of its top faces as being a liar? Hopefully this is the start of Orton’s long overdue heel turn.
Fandango vs. R-Truth
Yet again Fandango was made to look weak by running out in his opponent. No doubt this will lead to an underbilled match at Summerslam, but we all know that the former Johnny Curtis is capable of a lot better than these constant bail outs.
Battle Royal for No.1 Contendership for US Title, Winner Rob Van Dam
No surprises here as the three most heavily advertised competitors in the match managed to make it down to the final three. With Dean Ambrose being a heel it was obvious that Ryback didn’t stand much of a chance here. Given that a Rob Van Dam return doesn’t usually last very long it was no surprise that WWE were going to milk it while they can by giving him a US Title shot.
CM Punk vs. Paul Heyman
Unsurprisingly this match never happened, I know, big shock. Heyman explained that it was all a trap to have he and Lesnar beat up Punk 2-1. Defeating the object by announcing that before the match had started, so it was no surprise that Punk was able to counter the trap by sneaking in the back way and levelling Lesnar with a camera.
CM Punk still wasn’t able to get his hands on Heyman. You’ll have to pay to see that of course, WWE aren’t stupid. After Punk wins then you’ll get to see Heyman get his comeuppance.
Raw 3/6/13 – The Good & The Bad
Good – The Uso’s Win a Match
After a resurgence last year the tag team has suddenly gone off the boil again. Typical of WWE to be high on someone or something and then suddenly lose all interest in it before seeing it through. However, with the sudden reappearance and repackaging of The Uso’s and their victory over The Prime Time Players, who it was also great to see back in tag team action suggests that they may be getting a push. There have been rumours that could even lead to a title shot against Reigns and Rollins.
Bad – Hurry Back Ziggler!
The ‘Show Off’ has only been away for about two weeks now, but in what seems like a way of killing time before he returns we have seen Del Rio vs Langston five times now. There’s nothing that this rivalry is building to and has no reason behind it so it’s hard to emotionally involved when it came down to this rubber match. The only subtle storyline bubbling i the friction between AJ and Big E after he lost last Monday, no doubt the returning Ziggler will come back smooth everything out when he come back.
Good – Pushing the New Generation
Wrestlemania season has been and gone so now have most of the part-timers. So now it’s finally time for the youth to be given a try. This was certainly the cast on Monday as The Uso’s, PTP, Rhodes Scholars, Fandango, Curtis Axel, Wyatt Family Promo, Daniel Bryan. In fact the majority of the entire nights card was full of young talent, more of the same and the WWE will be in a great position going forward.
Bad – Poisoned Chalice?
Now I know these younger talents can’t win every week but the least you can do is not make them look weak. If you are going to push these wrestlers don’t have them run away from useless figures like The Great Khali and only win on technicalities like Axel.
Good – Bryan is on Fire
I am really liking this new agenda of Bryan’s to need to prove himself, not that he needs to. It has given him a new lease of life and an extra edge that has made him even more exciting to watch in the ring. Not just that but he is probably the most reliable and consistent performer on the roster.
I wonder whether this is the beginning of a singles run as the issues between Kane and himself have arisen once again. Whether he will be a heel or face is yet to be seen but seen as he is embracing the ‘Yes’ chants again it could be the latter.
Overall, this was very strong episode of Raw that showcased a lot of the talent that will take this company into a new generation. Maybe I enjoyed this weeks episode so much because the past few weeks shows have been so unmemorable that my standards have dropped.
The New Extreme?
It suddenly dawned on me how unaccustomed I had become to the sight of blood when I embarrassingly said “Oh my God!” when I noticed that Jack Swagger had a little bit of blood coming from his right shoulder.
The reason I was so shocked by this was because only about seven years ago that the sight of Shawn Michaels and Ric Flair wearing the proverbial ‘Crimson Mask’ was so common and expected that you barely even noticed it.
WWE now so rarely uses matches of this nature, especially too such degree on one night that the sight of a table, a chair or a cane has become a novelty again.
The problem is for older fans is that we’ve seen all these weapons being used in far more devastating and sadistic ways thanks to the likes of ECW. So when we see foreign objectors being used in a pretty basic manner that were on Sunday, its hard to take the PPV Extreme Rules seriously when there are no boundaries being pushed .
In fact, we now live with a generation if viewers who have never seen the likes if Tommy Dreamer, Sandman, Sabu or Mick Foley, the likes of which took hardcore wrestling to a whole new level. A generation of which that voted John Cena as the most extreme wrestler ever. They obviously paid no attention to the subject, matter of the poll and just saw it as popularity contest.
British Wrestler Mick McManus Passes Away
Legendary English wrestler Mick McManus died this morning at 1am, he was 93 years old.
Gaining fame in Britain and Europe as one of the most notorious heels of his generation. He regularly fought against the likes of Kendo Nagasaki and Mark Rocco, pushing the boundaries of what was acceptable in professional wrestling. In doing so he garnered the nicknames “The Man You Love to Hate”, and “Rugged South London Tough Guy”.
Frank Rimer, who runs the British Wrestlers Reunion, announced today that McManus had died in the early hours of this morning.
Rimer said: “I am deeply saddened to announce the death of the legend that was Mick McManus, who passed away at 1am this morning.
“Mick never recovered from the loss of his beloved wife Barbara and lost the will the live, despite the loving care of the nurses at the celebrity home for retired actors Brishing House where he lived out his final days.
“Even the arrival of his old friend Lord Richard Attenborough recently, failed to lift his spirits, refusing all food and drink until he quietly slipped into a coma three days ago.
“Mick was without doubt, through his own efforts, the greatest wrestling name that the UK has ever seen or will see again, and even 25 years after his retirement, he retained his aura of stardom until the end”
McManus was a one time British Middleweight Champion, two time British Welterweight Champion and a four time European Middleweight Champion. In 2012, he was inducted into the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame.
WWE Raw Breakdown & Results – April 15th
Randy Orton and Sheamus def. Big Show
Hard to see where exactly this storyline is going, presumably towards a triple threat match at Extreme Rules. Whatever happens at the end of this feud I, and probably Orton himself will hope that it results in his overdue heel turn.
3MB & Brock Lesnar Segment
Just when you thought they may actually be doing something with the genuinely talented 3MB, although it turned out it was just an opportunity to demonstrate just how destructive Brock Lesnar can be after his loss to Triple H. It also seems that this isn’t the end to the feud between him and HHH. This was a little disappointing as we’ve already seen these two fight it out twice, with Lesnar only on another year long contract and will only fight maybe another three times by Wrestlemania 30 it rules out many other exciting opponents he could face.
WWE United States Title Match – Kofi Kingston def. Antonio Cesaro
Considering just how long Cesaro’s title reign had lasted it was a shame that he didn’t get the credit he deserved for giving the Intercontinental title creditability again. I only hope that they have the patience to actually continue with Kingston’s push this time rather than give up after several weeks like his last few pushes.
Team Hell No def. Prime Time Players
No surprises here as Kane and Daniel Bryan pick up a quick win. As much a i like the fact we have another long title reign going on here which increases the importance of the title. I do feel that maybe it is time that this tag team came to an end. Daniel Bryan is better off used as a singles wrestler challenging for either the WHC or WWE title and Kane is betrer off as a sadistic heel.
R-Truth def. Wade Barrett
This one certainly seemed to take everyone by surprise. I had Barrett down for an easy victory seen as they had done nothing with R-Truth since his return from injury. While I have nothing wrong with them pushing R-Truth, if that is what they’re planning on doing. It’s just that they made Barrett look pretty weak, to be beaten so suddenly and quickly. Hopefully, as a Brit he will get his redemption next week in London.
Team Rhodes Scholars def. The Great Khali and Santino Marella
For those who didn’t watch the WWE App, it was revealed that Sandow bet Rhodes that he could take any wrestler and make them a civilized human being by the Summer.The match itself was pretty straightforward and we’ll have to see next week how this story will develop on TV.
Jack Swagger def. Dolph Ziggler
Unless it’s Super Cena this seems to be the case with new villainous champions. They’re depicted as being beatable, vulnerable champions. It happened with Daniel Bryan and CM Punk, and now it’s happening with Ziggler now that he’s already lost as champion to Swagger. I can understand why they’re going down this route, seen as he only won the title by beating an injured champion and isn’t the biggest competitor WWE has ever had.
Despite the fact that Swagger gave Del Rio another Patriot Lock earlier on in the night, it was announced later on that Ziggler would defend his title at Extreme Rules against Swagger and Del Rio. Interesting to note that TEddy Long made this decision by going over Booker T’s head, and going by his reaction later on in the night it seems that Booker’s heel turn maybe on the cards.Something that would be welcome now that ‘Team Brickie’ seem to be neutral, if they actually mange to get on screen at all.
Nikki Bella def. Kaitlyn (Brie got the pin)
Seen as The Bella ‘Twins’ came back back to get that big pay bonus at Wrestlemania, but missed due to time constraints, I imagine they weren’t too happy. So put one of them into the title picture, and knowing WWE they’ll go with the one with bigger boobs. Brie may have got the pin but Niki got the ring-time. The commentators may laugh but Nikki’s boob job has ruined the only unique selling point The Bella’s had. It may help Nikki’s career but blatantly obvious which is which now.
John Cena, Ryback & The Shield Segment
Earlier on we saw Ryback explain his actions last week in a video package which was incredibly similar to the one TNA put together for Bully Ray to explain how he brought in the Aces & 8’s with all the clips from the past year. Although not as good as the TNA video package it was actually very convincing and i believed why Ryback would have a grudge against Cena.
Although it’s hard to see what exactly John Cena had done wrong to deserve an a ‘surprise’ attack from The Shield. I say ‘surprise’ because before The Shield were due to come out we accidentally saw a shot of them preparing a the top of the arena. It did serve a purpose though as we now know that Ryback isn’t just a ambitious competitor but a full blown heel.
WWE Raw Breakdown & Results – April 8, 2013
Big E Langston def. Daniel Bryan
Hopefully this is start of seeing more of Big E competing on Raw. As a monster heel it is always obvious that they are going to be undefeated for a while so the result was never in doubt. They went one further in this match as Bryan only got in one bit of offence with some kicks to demonstrate Langston’s dominance. Bryan saved some face though as he only lost after interference from Dolph Ziggler and AJ.
Wade Barrett def. The Miz for the Intercontinental Title
To most people watching this show probably didn’t even know that Barrett had even lost the title, given that their match at Wrestlemania was bumped down to the pre-show.
As well as the decent back and forth action between the two, I guess it does add to the unpredictability of the IC division as I would have betted everything I had that The Miz would we in before the match started.
Alberto Del Rio def. Jack Swagger & Zeb Colter
Obviously this match was just a set-up for what was about to happen. Swagger spent the majority of the match working on Del Rio’s injured ankle. I don’t know whether this is the last chapter of this feud but it looks like Swagger mat have had the last laugh.
Dolph Ziggler def. Alberto Del Rio for WHC
The moment we had all being waiting for, Ziggler finally cashing in hi us Money in the Bank contract. It was a bit obvious that this was his moment as they focused on Del Rio’s leg injury just long enough for it to be plausible for Ziggler to get up and make his way to the ring.
Great to see them have Del Rio put up some resistance, just enough to make you think he could mess it up. Helps break up the predictability of someone beating an injured man when cashing in and defeating them with no effort at all.
Undertaker segment
Taker’ comes out to dedicate his victory over CM Punk to Paul Bearer. However, he is interrupted by The Shield who surround Undertaker. Luckily, Kane’s pyro goes off and Team Hell No come out to even the odds, and The Shield back off.
Interestingly, one of the commentators says that he’d like to see these six fight. I don’t know whether their serious but it would unusual and unexpected for Undertaker to have more than one match a year.
Santino Marella, R-Truth and Zack Ryder vs. 3MB
Poor 3MB, they can’t ever get a win over another team of jobbers that have been thrown together at random. It doesn’t make any sense because they are three very talented wrestlers that deserve better.
Randy Orton vs Sheamus
This was the match in which the crowd became centre stage and the most entertaining thing on the show. Chants of Mike Chioda, RVD, ECW, JBL, Jerry and even Michael Cole made this one of the most enjoyable especially for die hard wrestling fans.
The match itself just seemed to be going through the motions and went on for far too long. To the the point I point the Big Show was ordered to go out just to end it all. He did so by attacking both participants, especially Orton. The whole segment felt like it was being made up as they went along with little direction.
Fandango def. Kofi Kingston
As the match gets started the fans start to resemble those at a Darts event. Raising their arms in the air and humming Fandango’s theme music.
About a minute into the match their is a massive pop as Jericho rushes to the ring to attack Fandango as revenge for his loss at Mania. He gives him the Walls of Jericho and the Codebreaker, leaving Fandango laying in the ring. As Roberts announces him as thge victor, he corrects him by pronouncing his name correctly. The crowd responds by humming his theme song again. Great scenes, lots of fun.
Team Rhodes Scholars & The Bella’s def. Tons of Funk & The Funkadactyls
I was initially disappointed not to see Damien Sandow and Cody Rhodes not get their opportunity to perform at Wrestlemania, they certainly deserved it. However, if this is what they planned they better off having their focus on more matches on Sunday.
Highlight of the match was hearing the fans continue humming Fandango’s theme music.
John Cena def. Mark Henry by Count Out
There’s some back and forth action before the fight goes outside the ring. Cena whips Henry into the ring post and he fails to get back in the ring before the ten count. We’ve seen Henry get out of far worse situations than this and makes him just seem weak. An abrupt finish that seemed rushed to make up for other segments that may have over-ran.
Luckily, this great episode of Raw didn’t end on a flat note, as Ryback comes out to save Cena from a beat down from Henry. He does so, but then turns on Cena by delivering a shellshock to the Champion. This is a much needed and plausible change of attitude from Ryback as he needs to be more aggressive and selfish to help him actually win the big matches for once.
Does The Rock really care about WWE?
Since leaving the WWE The Rock has appeared in, and been panned by critics in films such as The Tooth Fairy, Be Cool, The Game Plan, Race to Witch Mountain, Doom, the list goes on. Something needed to be done to help his faltering career. Hence a return to wrestling and his millions, and millions of fans seemed like the logical resolution.
It was after his return to WWE at Wrestlemania 27 that his acting took a turn for the better. He has had some success with The Other Guys, Fast Five and G.I. Joe: Retaliation. The last two he has been rewarded with a role in the next movie in each respective franchise. It doesn’t stop there. He has also won the right to play the lucrative role of Hercules in a movie of the same name.
It’s for these reasons that his sudden return to WWE seems more like a PR exercise to win back the fans that he had during his original run in WWE. The very fans who were disgruntled when left the company shortly after his role in The Scorpion King. This in turn will hopefully help his acting career by encouraging them to go to see him in his next movie.
Furthermore, since he has the won the WWE Championship he has very rarely been seen with title on the red carpet. Only in Seoul, Korea has he been pictured with the belt. You would have have thought that had he not been contracted to appear on Raw that week, the least he could have done was to wear a bit of synthetic leather on his shoulder for even a couple of minutes while the paparazzi get their shots.
In one interview I saw him do recently, he responded to a interviewers question by saying “when I was wrestling’. A year ago this would have been okay as a part time wrestler, but now he is WWE Champion this just insulting to WWE and everyone who works for the company. This is the man who is supposed to be representing the company and his response suggested that he is too embarrassed to admit that he associated with WWE.
He has had no trouble in making the premieres of his solo projects, but when he was scheduled to appear on The Today Show to promote Wrestlemania 29, he mysteriously no-showed the event without good reason.
I’m not doubting that The Rock doesn’t enjoy being back in the ring. But the fact that he’s so obsessed with this cheesy idea of a ‘connection’ with the audience he has. Also, the fact he will only compete at PPV’s suggests to me that he views wrestling itself as a chore. Something that has to be do be rather than relishing the opportunity.
Wrestlemania 29 – My Predictions
While I will never fail to get as excited a kid every time Wrestlemania rolls around. Looking at the card I’m struggling to find a match that’s going to throw up any surprise victories.
John Cena def. The Rock
I didn’t really get excited by the prospect of these two facing each other the first time around as they make my blood boil for very different reasons. This time however, it’s blatantly obvious that Cena is going to win. There’s absolutely no way WWE is going to allow its biggest permanent asset to look weak by losing to 40 year old, part-timer, two years in a row.
The Undertaker def. CM Punk
For as long as Mark Calloway wants to continue wrestling his streak is safe. No-one is going to end it, no matter how much younger and on top of their game they are like CM Punk.
Punk even mentioned in an interview recently that he doesn’t think the streak should end. We all know that he likes to do what us best for business, it is unlikely he would have agreed to this match if he thought huge stood a chance of winning. Enhance his reputation and legacy, yes, but not win.
Triple H def. Brock Lesnar
Two things make me convinced that ‘The Grand’ will win this one. Firstly, he lost at Summerslam, so it’s likely he’ll be booked to avenge his loss and the broken arms he’s given him and his friend Shawn Michaels.
Secondly, I find it hard too believe that a man who keeps himself in such good condition would be able to stay away from thge squared circle for very long. So having him lose and then cone back would only cheapen thge stipulation of this match. It would be typical of WWE, but expected.
Alberto Del Rio def. Jack Swagger
Admittedly, this one could go either way. Which despite the undeserved disappointment some people have that this isn’t really Wrestlemania worthy, the unpredictability of it actually makes it one of the more eagerly anticipated matches in my eyes.
I still think they’ll go with a win for Del Rio. Solely based on WWE’s need for a big Mexican star now that Mysterio’s crocked and Sin Cara has been major disappointment. Having said that I do hope Swagger wins, I don’t agree with his views but I’m enjoying the presentation of his character, and I’m interested to see how it would develop.
Ryback def. Mark Henry
Ryback has gone on way too long a losing streak in major matches at PPV’s for them to allow him to lose another at the biggest event of them all. They spent too much time on him to start throwing it all away now.
Also, I hear there are rumours that Henry could be leaving WWE after this event.
The Shield def. Orton, Sheamus & Big Show
This prediction is more in hope I think. It would be waste of time not have The Shield win. I mean why build Orton, Sheamus & Big Show as a team? They’re not going to continue teaming, so have them do the job to the team that will. That’ll be the best way of getting The Shield over.
Also, it’s common knowledge that Orton wants to be a heel again, and with Big Show turning face, there’s an opening for him. I just sense a mix up in the match and defeat will finally push him over the edge.
Fandango def. Chris Jericho
Not many debuts end in defeat. Especially ones with so much build up and I don’t expect to change here. I don’t expect Fandango to win without there being some contentious issue though, just so Jericho can save face with the fans.
The main reason I think Fandango will win is because Jericho has expressed an interest in helping the younger talent develop and get over now he’s 42.
Dolph Ziggler & Big E Langston def. Team Hell No
I believe Team Hell No has run its course. Fan interest seems to be dying down and Daniel Bryan has admitted that he is tired of playing a comedic role in TV.
Team Rhodes Scholars & Bella Twins def. Tons of Funk & Funkadactyls
This is probably the most unpredictable match on the card. However, despite being less talented than Naomi and Cameron, I don’t think The Bella’s came back to lose on the biggest pay say of the year.
Ring Posts 