John Cena To Make WWE Return At Hell In A Cell PPV

   

   
John Cena is set to make his return to WWE in three weeks at the PPV ‘Hell in a Cell.’ The PPV will air October 27, 2013. Cena is making his return after undergoing tricep surgery in late August.
                                                                        

You heard it on #RAW, @WWE Universe. Hell in a Cell vs. @VivaDelRio for the WHC. The Champ is... Back! #EvenStronger
— John Cena (@JohnCena) October 8, 2013

 Cena tore his tricep in July, and relinquished the WWE Championship title to Daniel Bryan at SummerSlam before he under went surgery.

Cena will be facing Alberto Del Rio for the World Heavyweight Championship at the Hell In A Cell PPV.

John Cena Injury [UPDATE]

Injured WWE Superstar John Cena is still working his way back from surgery that he underwent on his left triceps in August, and after expectations arose that the Cenation leader may not return until January's Royal Rumble pay-per-view, it appears as though the WWE is advertising Cena for its tour of the United Kingdom in November.

The advertisements have led to speculation that Cena may be back sooner than previously thought. Cena announced on the Aug. 19 edition of Monday Night RAW the night after SummerSlam, that he required the surgery and it would take four-to-six months to recover from, but reports broke that the realistic timetable for a return to in-ring action seemed to be in January. However, WWE.com has Cena as the only listed performer advertised for the U.K. tour that kicks off in November.

                   

Cena is advertised for several events on the company's website for November overseas, including stops in Germany, Scotland and England. According to WrestleZone.com, a person who bought tickets for the Nov. 17 stop of the tour in Nottingham, England sent word that the Capitol FM arena, which will host a WWE Live Event there, is advertising Alberto Del Rio, Bray Wyatt, a CM Punk handicap match against Paul Heyman and Ryback and a special appearance by John Cena for that particular event.

The WWE always notes that the card is subject to change, but it would make sense for Cena to appear on the tour even if it's in a non-wrestling capacity. Cena could very well serve as a mouthpiece throughout the tour without having to wrestle if he's not medically cleared to do so.

Cena recently discredited rumors that he'd be returning to WWE television in October for the company's Breast Cancer Awareness Month initiative that Cena was rumored to be the mouthpiece for. Cena said he will only return to TV when he can actively wrestle in the squared circle, though some of the WWE shows in the U.K. won't be televised so it could possibly be an exception for him.

Cena has been giving updates on his health since the surgery via his official Twitter account, and noted on Monday that it's hard for him to get through the day without being featured on RAW. Cena has set his sights on returning even stronger than before, but whether or not a return happens in November remains to be seen.

Been going nonstop as of late. Elbow very swollen but #evenstronger someone wonderful @nicoleandbri talked me into a much needed adventure.
— John Cena (@JohnCena) September 20, 2013

A wonderful adventurous much needed few days with @nicoleandbri now back 2 work. Mondays r very tough nowadays but trying 2b #evenstronger
— John Cena (@JohnCena) September 23, 2013

 Cena has vowed not to return until he has a clean bill of health, but with WWE advertising him early for the November events as a way to sell more tickets, it's conceivable that the Cenation leader may make a few appearances without mixing it up in the ring for WWE during their trip to the U.K.

Follow Me on Twitter: Follow @NaveenJCena

WWE Night Of Champions 2013 Results

The sixth annual WWE Night of Champions came to you, live on pay-per-view, from the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, MI. August 18, 2013 is a date that will go down in history as the night that WWE COO Triple H betrayed his values and turned his back on the WWE fans and Superstars, dropping Daniel Bryan with the Pedigree, paving the way for Randy Orton to cash in his Money-in-the-Bank contract with ease and capture the WWE Championship that Daniel Bryan had just won moments earlier from John Cena at SummerSlam, ushering in Orton as the so-called “face of the WWE” and ushering in a dark era in the WWE where Triple H has orchestrated assaults on Daniel Bryan, Big Show, Dolph Ziggler, and Christian, using his ‘personal security’, The Shield, not to mention Triple H’s firing of Cody Rhodes just days before Rhodes’ wedding. One man has shown no fear towards the new regime, however, as Daniel Bryan has butted heads with Triple H, The Shield, and WWE Champion Randy Orton and, at Night of Champions, “The Wildman” will get his shot to cripple the Triple H regime as Daniel Bryan challenges Randy Orton for the WWE Championship. Since being betrayed by his supposed “father figure” Paul Heyman at Money-in-the-Bank, CM Punk has been on a mission to not only get his revenge against Heyman, but to destroy the man he used call his friend and “The Best in the World” has survived Paul Heyman’s beast Brock Lesnar and, at Night of Champions, Punk may finally get what he wants as Punk faces Paul Heyman and the newest “Paul Heyman guy”, Intercontinental Champion Curtis Axel, in a 2-on-1 Handicap Elimination Match. The World Heavyweight Championship would be up for grabs at Night of Champions as Alberto Del Rio defends the gold against a ring veteran who has never held the World Heavyweight Title in “The Whole Damn Show” Rob Van Dam. Ever since speaking out against Triple H after SummerSlam, Dolph Ziggler has been the target of Triple H’s security force, The Shield, but Ziggler would get the chance to deal a major blow to the unstoppable trio as “The Show-Off” challenges The Shield’s Dean Ambrose for the United States Title. The other two members of The Shield, Seth Rollins & Roman Reigns, would also defend their titles at Night of Champions as Rollins & Reigns would defend the WWE Tag Team Titles against the team that would emerge victorious from the Tag Team Turmoil Match on the Night of Champions Kickoff with either The Prime Time Players, 3MB, Tons of Funk, The Real Americans, or Jimmy & Jey Uso getting their shot at the tag titles. Also, after calling out the stars of Total Divas, labeling the Divas as “expendable”, AJ Lee would have to deal with the competitors turned reality stars as AJ defends the Divas Title against Naomi, Natalya, & Brie Bella in a Fatal 4-Way Match.

Match Results

• #1 Contenders Tag Team Turmoil Match: Kickoff Exclusive: The Prime Time Players def. Heath Slater & Drew McIntyre, Tons of Funk, Jimmy & Jey Uso, and The Real Americans to become the #1 Contender for the WWE Tag Team Titles.
• Intercontinental Championship: Curtis Axel (c) def. Kofi Kingston by pin following the Axel Cutter to retain.
• Divas Championship: Fatal 4-Way: AJ Lee (c) def. Naomi, Natalya, & Brie Bella by Natalya submitting to AJ Lee (c)’s Black Widow to retain.
• World Heavyweight Championship: Rob Van Dam def. Alberto Del Rio (c) by DQ after Alberto Del Rio (c) refuses to break the cross armbreaker after Rob Van Dam gets to the bottom rope. As a result, Alberto Del Rio (c) retains.
• The Miz def. Fandango by submission to the Figure-Four Leg Lock.
• 2-on-1 Handicap Elimination Match: No DQ: First Fall: CM Punk def. Curtis Axel by submission to the Anaconda Vise.
• 2-on-1 Handicap Elimination Match: No DQ: Second Fall: Paul Heyman (with Ryback) def. CM Punk by pin after Ryback puts CM Punk through a table.
• United States Championship: Dean Ambrose (c) def. Dolph Ziggler by pin following the Headlock Driver to retain.
• WWE Tag Team Championship: Seth Rollins & Roman Reigns (c) def. The Prime Time Players by Seth Rollins (c) pinning Titus O’Neil following the Spear by Roman Reigns to retain.
• WWE Championship: No Interference: Daniel Bryan def. Randy Orton (c) by pin following the running knee to win the WWE Title.

Detailed Results

Night of Champions kicks off with a man who is very familiar with championships as the thirteen-time World Champion and WWE COO Triple H makes his way to the ring to open the show. Triple H says that he is happy to put his “stamp of approval” on Night of Champions, saying that, to prove that he is not the “villainous” guy that everyone thinks he is, he is making the ruling that there will be no interference in the WWE Championship match. Triple H continues, saying that absolutely no one will interfere in the title match, not The Shield, not Big Show, not anyone. The COO is then interrupted by Paul Heyman & Curtis Axel as Heyman says that he has tried everything in his power to get ahold of Triple H, but he has a serious problem with what Triple H thinks is “best for business”. Triple H comments that Heyman looks “terrible”, commenting that Heyman looks like he has not slept or showered in weeks. Heyman says that Triple H has made an “error in judgment” by putting him, a middle-aged man against a “fighter” that is considered “The Best in the World” in CM Punk. Heyman continues, saying that Punk wants to hurt him so badly that he will never be seen in the WWE again. With a cracking voice, Heyman pleads with the COO to call of the 2-on-1 Handicap Elimination Match against CM Punk. Triple H says that Heyman does not even have to tag into the match if he doesn’t want to, saying that Curtis Axel can handle CM Punk and asking if Heyman believes in the Intercontinental Champion, declaring that the match stays. Heyman is ready to leave, but Curtis Axel takes it upon himself to stand up to the COO, saying that the reason that Triple H has an issue with himself and Paul Heyman is because Axel beat Triple H when Axel debuted back in May. Triple H responds to the disrespect by saying that it is Night of Champions, where every championship in the WWE is supposed to be defended. With that, the COO makes an impromptu match to open the show as Triple H declares that he is going to walk to the back and the first guy that he sees will challenge Curtis Axel for the Intercontinental Title right now!

In an impromptu match made by WWE COO Triple H, the opening match of the night would see Curtis Axel, with Paul Heyman in his corner, defending the Intercontinental Title against the man who holds a non-title win over Axel in Kofi Kingston! In the end, Curtis Axel would narrowly survive with his title intact, kicking out of the S.O.S. and ultimately hitting the Axel Cutter en route to picking up the win and successfully retaining the Intercontinental Title.

Backstage, Divas Champion AJ Lee confronts her ‘troops’, Layla, Aksana, & Alicia Fox, but all three Divas say they are tired of doing the dirty work for AJ Lee, leaving the champion to go it alone in the Fatal 4-Way Match.

The Divas Title was up for grabs at Night of Champions as AJ Lee would defend the title against Natalya, Naomi, & Brie Bella in a Fatal 4-Way Match. At the end of a wild match, it was AJ Lee locking the Black Widow in on Natalya, forcing Natalya to tap out to pick up the win and successfully retain the Divas Title.

Then it was time for the World Heavyweight Championship to be decided as “The Mexican Aristocrat” Alberto Del Rio would defend the World Heavyweight Title against “Mr. Pay-Per-View” Rob Van Dam, with Ricardo Rodriguez in his corner. After both men absolutely exhausted every move in their arsenal, Alberto Del Rio would lock in the cross armbreaker in on Rob Van Dam, but RVD would get to the bottom rope. However, Del Rio would refuse to break the hold before the referee reaches his five-count and the referee had no choice but to call for the disqualification, meaning RVD won the match, but not the World Heavyweight Title. After the match, Alberto Del Rio would deal more damage to RVD, but when Del Rio goes to use a steel chair on RVD, Ricardo Rodriguez gets involved, taking the chair away from his former employer. Van Dam then manages to catch Del Rio with a kick to the jaw and, at the coaxing of Rodriguez, RVD would climb the top rope and, with Ricardo holding the chair in place, RVD would go coast-to-coast, hitting the Van Daminator on the World Heavyweight Champion! As Rob Van Dam & Ricardo Rodriguez celebrate, WWE doctors rush out, helping Alberto Del Rio to the back.

“The Lord of Dance” was in action at Night of Champions as Fandango, with Summer Rae in his corner, would go one-on-one with The Miz. In the end, it was The Miz locking in the Figure-Four Leg Lock, forcing Fandango to tap out to pick up the win.

With the added caveat of the match having no disqualifications, it was then time for the 2-on-1 Handicap Elimination Match as “The Best in the World” CM Punk would face his former “father figure” Paul Heyman & Intercontinental Champion Curtis Axel. The match would get off to an extreme start as both CM Punk and Curtis Axel go to war with kendo sticks and, after a side-Russian leg sweep from Punk to Axel, Punk would dive outside onto an unsuspecting Paul Heyman! Punk would drag Heyman into the ring, but before Punk could do any damage, Axel catches Punk with a low blow, allowing Heyman to escape for the time being. After managing to weaken Punk with kendo stick shots, Curtis Axel would wedge a steel chair in the corner and prop a table up in a different corner, but when Axel goes for a suplex on Punk through the table, the two men would engage in a counter-for-counter battle, ending with Axel hitting Punk with a suplex away from the table. Punk would manage to get back into the match, sending Axel shoulder first into the steel chair in the corner, but Axel would catch Punk with a steel chair shot to the head and it would give Axel the advantage, but Punk would survive the kendo stick shots that would follow, using the stick to his advantage before hitting Axel with the GTS and locking in the Anaconda Vise, forcing the Intercontinental Champion to tap out, eliminating Axel and leaving Heyman all alone with CM Punk!

Paul Heyman would try his best to flee, but CM Punk would give chase through the crowd and right back into the ring where Punk finally gets his hands on Heyman. In his final act of desperation, Heyman tries to hug Punk, but Punk just smiles and jabs Heyman in the gut with a kendo stick. Punk then wears Heyman down with kendo stick shots before producing a pair of handcuffs and handcuffing Heyman’s hands behind his back just like Axel & Heyman did to Punk a few weeks ago. As Heyman screams out for help, Punk would systematically destroy Heyman, crushing Heyman’s leg with the stick before delivering straight, unprotected shots to the mid-section of Heyman. Just when Punk was ready to deal the final blow to the skull of Heyman, Ryback comes out of nowhere, hoisting Punk up and driving him through the table in the corner! Ryback then literally drags Heyman onto the prone body of Punk, allowing Heyman to pin Punk for the win! Ryback then pulls Heyman out of the ring, carrying Heyman to safety as referees and doctors try to tend to CM Punk, who refuses medical attention.

The United States Title was then on the line as The Shield’s Dean Ambrose would defend the United States Title against “The Show-Off” Dolph Ziggler. In the end, it was Dean Ambrose hitting the Headlock Driver on Dolph Ziggler en route to picking up the win to successfully retain the United States Title.

After Dean Ambrose successfully retained his United States Title, Seth Rollins & Roman Reigns would be looking to follow suit as they defend the WWE Tag Team Titles against the winners of the Tag Team Turmoil Match on the Night of Champions Kickoff, The Prime Time Players. In the end, it was a Spear behind the back of the referee by Roman Reigns that would allow Seth Rollins to pin Titus O’Neil to pick up the win and successfully retain the WWE Tag Team Titles.

Then it was time for the main event as the hand-picked WWE Champion and self-proclaimed “face of the WWE” Randy Orton would defend the WWE Championship against the man who was screwed out of the title at SummerSlam, Daniel Bryan, and, as decreed by WWE COO Triple H, there would be no interference in the match. During the match, Randy Orton would go for the RKO, but Daniel Bryan would counter, hitting a dropkick on Orton. However, Orton would inadvertently bump the referee out of the ring and a second referee would come in to call the match. Later on in the match after a near-fall by Daniel Bryan on Randy Orton, the original referee would come back into the ring, assuring the replacement official that he was fine and could continue calling the match, so the second referee would leave the ring and the first referee would take back control of the match. Shortly after this, Daniel Bryan would take advantage in the match, hitting his signature running knee to the face of Randy Orton, pinning Orton and, with what appeared to be a fast-count from the referee, Bryan would defeat Orton to become the new WWE Champion, become the new “face of the WWE”!

WWE RAW Results: September 9, 2013

Redemption Bound?

Six nights before Night of Champions, the 1059th edition of WWE Monday Night RAW came to you, live, from the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. For the first time since September of last year, 2012 WWE Hall of Famer and eleven-time World Champion “The Rated-R Superstar” Edge appears on WWE television as the outspoken and controversial Hall of Famer brings back his infamous talk show to his hometown of Toronto, The Cutting Edge, and his guest would be the #1 Contender for the WWE Title at Night of Champions this Sunday night, Daniel Bryan! After Cody Rhodes failed to defeat WWE Champion Randy Orton last week, the second-generation star was unceremoniously fired by WWE COO Triple H just days before Cody’s wedding. Following the unjust firing, Cody Rhodes brother, Dustin, took to Twitter to express his outrage over his little brother’s dismissal, which led to RAW General Manager Brad Maddox inviting Dustin to come to RAW and go one-on-one with Randy Orton and the proud veteran accepted and so, on RAW, “The Bizarre One” Goldust returns to a WWE ring to compete on RAW for the first time in three years to combat the “face of the WWE”, WWE Champion Randy Orton and, if Goldust manages to defeat the WWE Champion, then Cody Rhodes will get his job back!

Match Results

• Non-Title: Kofi Kingston def. Curtis Axel by DQ after Curtis Axel ignores the referee’s five-count.
• Bray Wyatt (with Luke Harper & Erick Rowan) def. Dolph Ziggler by pin following the Sister Abigail.
• 6-Diva Tag: Naomi, Natalya, & Brie Bella def. Layla, Aksana & Alicia Fox by Alicia Fox tapping to Natalya’s Sharpshooter.
• Non-Title: Alberto Del Rio def. R-Truth by submission to the cross armbreaker.
• Santino Marella def. Antonio Cesaro by pin following a hip toss.
• Damien Sandow (with Fandango & Summer Rae) def. The Miz by roll-up.
• Non-Title: Randy Orton def. Goldust by pin following the RKO. As a result, Cody Rhodes does not get his job back.
• Rob Van Dam def. Ryback by DQ following a low blow on the steel ring post.
• Non-Title: Daniel Bryan def. Dean Ambrose (with Seth Rollins & Roman Reigns) by roll-up.

Detailed Results

In his hometown of Toronto, the crowd erupts as RAW kicks off with 2012 WWE Hall of Famer and eleven-time World Champion “The Rated-R Superstar” Edge as the legend makes his first WWE television appearance in nearly a year to host his controversial talk show, The Cutting Edge! Edge welcomes everyone to The Cutting Edge, saying that the reason he is on RAW is because he was invited by the COO of the WWE, Triple H, who said it would be “good for business”. Edge continues, saying that Triple H thought it would be a good idea for Edge to have a “reunion” with his former tag team partner, the reigning WWE Champion Randy Orton. However, the Hall of Famer says that Orton never has anything interesting to say and he has a problem with Orton becoming Triple H’s “lackey”, so the WWE Champion is not going to be the guest on The Cutting Edge, instead, it is going to be the #1 Contender for the WWE Title at Night of Champions, Daniel Bryan. Daniel Bryan then makes his way to the ring, joining Edge on The Cutting Edge. Daniel Bryan says that there is “satisfaction in the struggle”, saying that, no matter how many times Triple H tries to hold him down, he will beat Randy Orton and he will be the WWE Champion again! Edge says that he sees a little bit of himself in Daniel Bryan, saying that Bryan deserves a “fair shot” to try and beat Randy Orton for the title. The Cutting Edge is then crashed by the originally intended guest as WWE Champion Randy Orton comes out, saying that the only place that cares about Edge is Canada. Orton then says that it is a shame that Edge’s body “failed” him at such a young age, but Edge comments that Orton is supposed to be the “face of the WWE”, but he acts like an entirely different body part. Edge then says that he may have problems with his spine, but at least he has one! Edge continues, saying that, when it comes to picking talent, Triple H “sucks”.

The Hall of Famer is then interrupted by the COO of the WWE, Triple H, who comes out to the stage and stands next to his hand-picked champion, saying that Edge can say whatever he has to say to his face. Edge comments that he can freely speak his mind because he does not work for the WWE, saying that Triple H does not know anything about picking talent, saying that the COO did not think that guys like himself, Chris Jericho, and John Cena could not make it in the WWE, saying that he knows Triple H has a huge nose, but sometimes the COO has to look past it. Triple H says that he procured a large sum of money to allow Edge to appear on RAW to promote the show, Haven. The COO then admits that he was wrong a couple of times over the years in picking talent, saying that both Chris Jericho and John Cena proved him wrong, but he was one guy he was right about when he pegged him as a “failure” and that is Edge! Triple H continues, saying that Edge “never drew a dime” before saying that he is going to give Daniel Bryan the opportunity to prove him wrong when Bryan goes one-on-one with United States Champion Dean Ambrose, saying that, since Ambrose is going to have the other two members of The Shield in his corner, Bryan needs someone in his corner. When the crowd starts an “Edge” chant, Triple H comments that Edge’s days of “fighting like a man” have long since passed, saying that Big Show will be the one to be in the corner of Daniel Bryan. Triple H then says that he is not a “dictator” and Edge responds, saying that he did not have to “marry into success” and he earned his Hall of Fame ring. Triple H says that, since he can’t hurt Edge, maybe he can hurt the ones that Edge loves. With that, The Shield drags out a beaten and barely conscious Christian, who is tossed on the ramp as a concerned Edge rushes to his best friend’s side, calling for help before referees come out to help!

Six nights before he and Paul Heyman face CM Punk in a 2-on-1 Handicap Elimination Match at Night of Champions, Intercontinental Champion Curtis Axel, with Paul Heyman in his corner, would go one-on-one with Kofi Kingston in a non-title rematch from Friday’s SmackDown. During the match, Curtis Axel would get carried away in the corner, repeatedly kneeing Kofi Kingston and ignoring the referee’s five-count, which results in Curtis Axel getting disqualified! Much like on SmackDown, Paul Heyman realizes that, if Axel gets disqualified at Night of Champions, then Heyman will be left all alone with CM Punk. Axel tries to calm his manager, saying that won’t happen this Sunday, but when the Intercontinental Champion tries to use Kofi Kingston to prove his point, Kofi fights back, taking Axel out with Trouble in Paradise!

Backstage, the emotionally torn Big Show is confronted by an old friend, Hall of Famer Booker T. Booker says that, even though they have never seen eye-to-eye, he knows that Big Show is a “professional” and he would have done the exact same thing to Daniel Bryan last week. Booker then says that, when Big Show is in Daniel Bryan’s corner later tonight, the people are going to want Big Show to be a “hero”, but Big Show needs to remember one thing, and that is his family. Booker tells Big Show to not let his “pride” make a mistake that he cannot take back and Big Show tells Booker that pride is about all he has left.

The most haunting and destructive force in the WWE today made an appearance on RAW as the spiritual leader of The Wyatt Family, Bray Wyatt, with his “brothers”, Luke Harper & Erick Rowan, in his corner, would go one-on-one with “The Show-Off” Dolph Ziggler. With some help from Luke Harper & Erick Rowan, Bray Wyatt would take the advantage in the match, putting Dolph Ziggler down with the Sister Abigail en route to picking up the win.

After tweaking his knee getting off of the ring apron earlier in the night, Paul Heyman would make his way to the ring on crutches with Curtis Axel and his personal doctor in tow. Heyman says that he does not believe in the Canadian health care system, so that is why, when he travels to other countries, he brings his personal physician, Dr. Michael Kursenbaum. Heyman continues, saying his personal doctor has confirmed that he either tore his meniscus or his ACL and a proper MRI in the United States will determine his actual injury. Heyman then says that, “regretfully”, he is withdrawing himself from competition this Sunday at Night of Champions! Heyman claims that he was looking forward to teaming with Curtis Axel to put CM Punk out of commission, but now he is going to return to New York to get the medical care he needs, but he will be back. RAW General Manager Brad Maddox then comes to the ring with WWE Physician Dr. Michael Sampson, who says that WWE’s medical staff is more than qualified to perform a medical evaluation on Paul Heyman. The GM then tells Heyman that the only way for Heyman to be officially removed from the match at Night of Champions is to be evaluated by a WWE physician! At Dr. Sampson’s request, Paul Heyman reluctantly sits down and allows Dr. Sampson to test his injured knee as the trained physician twists and pulls Heyman’s leg, checking closely for any abnormalities. After a thorough check, the doctor informs the GM that, despite the injury happening no more than 30 minutes ago, there are no signs of any injury to Heyman’s knee! As an angry Heyman threatens legal action against Brad Maddox and Dr. Michael Sampson, CM Punk interrupts, rushing to the ring with a kendo stick in his hand. This is when Paul Heyman’s knee gets miraculously better as Heyman shoves his personal doctor into a kendo stick shot from Punk as Heyman flees from the ring and escapes through the crowd! After Punk takes Curtis Axel out as well, Punk focuses on Heyman’s personal physician as “The Best in the World” destroys the doctor with countless kendo stick shots, with the final shot being straight to the skull!

Before she defends the Divas Title in a Fatal 4-Way Match against Naomi, Natalya, & Brie Bella at Night of Champions, Divas Champion AJ Lee was a guest on commentary as the team of Layla, Aksana, & Alicia Fox faced Naomi, Natalya, & Brie Bella in a 6-Diva Tag Match. In the end, it was Natalya forcing Alicia Fox to tap out to the Sharpshooter to pick up the win.

Before he defends the World Heavyweight Title against Rob Van Dam at Night of Champions, World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio would face R-Truth in a non-title match. In the end, it was Alberto Del Rio locking in the cross armbreaker on R-Truth, making Truth tap out to pick up the win.

Before he and Jack Swagger join 3MB, Tons of Funk, Jimmy & Jey Uso, and The Prime Time Players in a Tag Team Turmoil Match on the Night of Champions Kickoff to determine the new #1 Contenders for the WWE Tag Team Titles, Antonio Cesaro, with Zeb Colter in his corner, would go one-on-one with the returning Santino Marella. In the end, Santino Marella would pop off a hip toss on Antonio Cesaro, catching Cesaro off-guard to pick up the win.

“Mr. Money-in-the-Bank” was in action on RAW as Damien Sandow went one-on-one with The Miz. During the match, Fandango & Summer Rae would dance out to the stage, distracting Miz long enough for Damien Sandow to catch The Miz with a roll-up to pick up the win.

Backstage, Canada’s own Renee Young interviews the legendary Goldust, who says that it is no secret that he has been the “screw-up” of the Rhodes family, while Cody has chosen to live the “right” way. Goldust says that he has had second and third chances in the WWE and he has screwed them all up, but tonight, Cody Rhodes gets a second chance. Goldust is then interrupted by WWE COO Triple H, who says that Goldust is under a lot of pressure and he really hopes that Goldust does not let his little brother down.

Then it was time for the return of “The Bizarre One” as, for the first time in three years, Goldust would be in action on RAW as the former Intercontinental Champion would go one-on-one with WWE Champion Randy Orton in a non-title match and, if Goldust wins, then Goldust’s younger brother, Cody Rhodes, gets his job back! Throughout the match, Goldust would pull out all the stops, going above and beyond to try and bring his little brother back to the WWE, but Randy Orton would survive, hitting the RKO on Goldust en route to picking up the win and ensuring that Cody Rhodes does not get his job back. After the match, Randy Orton tells Goldust that it looks like Goldust’s “dream” of getting Cody’s job back has been “shattered”, just like Daniel Bryan’s dream of regaining the WWE Title will be shattered at Night of Champions.

Moments after his crushing loss to Randy Orton, Goldust is confronted by the Executive Vice President of Creative Stephanie McMahon, who crushes Goldust even further, saying that Goldust failed to get Cody Rhodes his job back and Goldust let down the entire Rhodes family, asking Goldust what it feels like to be a “loser” like Cody. Stephanie then tells Goldust to go join his brother in the unemployment line before telling Goldust to say hi to his dad, Dusty, for her.

Six nights before he challenges Alberto Del Rio for the World Heavyweight Title at Night of Champions, “Mr. Monday Night” Rob Van Dam, with Ricardo Rodriguez in his corner, would go one-on-one with Ryback. During the match on the outside, Ryback would twice ram RVD crotch-first into the steel ring post, which results in a disqualification. After the match, Ryback would drop RVD in the center of the ring with Shell Shocked.

Backstage, Stephanie McMahon informs Big Show that, if he puts his hands on The Shield in the main event, he will be fired! After receiving this news, Big Show would grab a television, smashing it on the concrete in a fit of rage.

Then it was time for the main event as the #1 Contender for the WWE Title at Night of Champions, Daniel Bryan, with Big Show in his corner, would go one-on-one with United States Champion Dean Ambrose, with Seth Rollins & Roman Reigns in his corner, in a non-title match. During the match, Seth Rollins would distract the referee, but when Roman Reigns goes for the Spear, Daniel Bryan moves out of the way and Reigns collides with the steel steps with a similar fate awaiting Seth Rollins, who misses Daniel Bryan and bounces face-first off of the announce table. However, the distraction would still allow Ambrose to take advantage, but shortly after this, the #1 Contender would surprise the United States Champion, rolling Ambrose up for the win. After the match, Daniel Bryan tosses Dean Ambrose out on top of Reigns & Rollins before Randy Orton makes his way to the ring, but Daniel Bryan dives to the outside, taking down the WWE Champion. However, The Shield quickly jumps on Daniel Bryan and Randy Orton joins in, but the attack is halted when Big Show rounds the ring with a steel chair in hand. Fighting with his emotions, Big Show reluctantly drops the chair and watches as Orton taunts Big Show before planting Daniel Bryan with the RKO in the middle of the ring. Big Show starts to head to the back, but WWE COO Triple H and Executive Vice President Stephanie McMahon come out as the COO orders Big Show to go to the ring and knock Daniel Bryan out! With his job on the line, Big Show makes his way to the ring and with Randy Orton watching, Big Show struggles to do Triple H’s bidding, which results in Randy Orton getting in Big Show’s face, reminding the giant what is at stake. Orton then holds Daniel Bryan for Big Show, screaming at Big Show to “do it”, but Big Show refuses and Orton screams at Big Show that he is the WWE Champion and he has been given the power to tell Big Show what to do. When Orton goes to pick Daniel Bryan back up, however, Bryan rushes at the WWE Champion, putting Orton down with the running knee! Daniel Bryan then celebrates with the WWE Title belt while Big Show walks away with a smile on his face.

WWE RAW Results: September 2, 2013

Unwilling Assailant.

Thirteen nights before Night of Champions, the 1058th edition of WWE Monday Night RAW came to you, live, from the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, IA. Just under two weeks before he defends the WWE Championship against Daniel Bryan at Night of Champions, what will the self-proclaimed “face of the WWE” Randy Orton, as well as WWE COO Triple H, have in store for the #1 Contender for the WWE Title, not to mention Big Show, The Miz, & Dolph Ziggler, who have all spoke out against the regime in recent weeks?

Match Results

• The Miz def. Fandango (with Summer Rae) by submission to the Figure-Four Leg Lock.
• Ryback def. Dolph Ziggler by pin following Shell Shocked.
• The Prime Time Players def. Heath Slater & Jinder Mahal (with Drew McIntyre) by Titus O’Neil pinning Jinder Mahal following the Clash of the Titus.
• Career Threatening Match: Non-Title: Randy Orton def. Cody Rhodes by pin following the RKO. As a result, Cody Rhodes’ career is over.
• #1 Contender’s Triple Threat Match: Naomi, Natalya, & Brie Bella fight to a No Contest after AJ Lee interferes.
• Rob Van Dam def. Damien Sandow by pin following the Five-Star Frog Splash.
• Daniel Bryan def. Big Show by DQ after The Shield attacks Daniel Bryan.

Detailed Results

RAW opens with WWE COO Triple H in the ring and The Shield at their designated spots at ringside as Triple H says that he would like to introduce the “face of the WWE”, the WWE Champion Randy Orton, who makes his way to the ring. Orton says that he will not let the image of the WWE be “tarnished” and anyone who goes against him is going against the entire WWE and they need to be “dealt with”. The WWE Champion then says that, last week, Daniel Bryan defaced the Cadillac Escalade that was gifted to him from Triple H and that is why he “defaced” Daniel Bryan on SmackDown, showing his assault of the #1 Contender as he and The Shield decimated Daniel Bryan before spray-painting the word “no” on the helpless Bryan. Orton says that Daniel Bryan has no chance of beating him for the WWE Title at Night of Champions and Bryan will never amount to anything, saying Bryan should give up his title match at Night of Champions. Triple H says that, as the COO, he has to ensure the best show possible, saying that the fans deserve the “best”. Triple H continues, saying that he also has to have the best interests of the WWE Superstars and Divas in mind and the fans have been encouraging Daniel Bryan’s ego, saying that “popularity” has nothing to do with “business”. The COO cites Doink The Clown as an example, saying that Doink was insanely popular, but Doink never held the WWE Title or any other championship in the WWE. Triple H continues, saying that, much like Doink, Daniel Bryan will never be the WWE Champion, saying that he could bring back the Cruiserweight Title or the European Title and either one of those titles would be better suited for Daniel Bryan.

This brings out the #1 Contender for the WWE Title, Daniel Bryan, saying that he is “thrilled” to be compared to Doink The Clown, but there was never a Doink The Clown chant in 1992. Bryan then says that the only “clowns” that he sees are in the ring right now before addressing Triple H, saying that the COO gave up “being a man” when he cut his hair, put on a suit, and became a “corporate sell-out”. Bryan then tells Randy Orton that Orton gave up being in the WWE Title picture until someone decided to just “hand it” to him, saying that the answer to the question of should he give up his WWE Title shot is the same answer to the question of “is Randy Orton more masculine than Stephanie McMahon?”, to which Bryan and the fans give a resounding “no”. Bryan continues, saying that he loved “every horrible thing” that he had to endure to get to the WWE and Orton will never understand that because the third-generation Superstar has been handed everything, saying that he “knows” that he can defeat Orton for the WWE Title and, not only does Orton know it, but Triple H knows it as well. Bryan then says that Orton may have the genetics of a champion, but Orton does not have the “heart of a champion”. Triple H then cuts Daniel Bryan off, calling Bryan a “grumpy old troll”, saying that the man that Daniel Bryan should be directing his anger toward is Big Show who, despite an “iron-clad contract”, has refused to help Bryan in recent weeks. Triple H then announces that the main event will see Daniel Bryan going one-on-one with “The World’s Largest Athlete” Big Show!

Backstage, WWE COO Triple H and WWE Champion Randy Orton pass Cody Rhodes and Rhodes stops to greet the COO, visibly afraid to say the wrong thing to his boss. Rhodes says that tonight’s main event will be great, as long as nobody gets involved, which leads Triple H to ask why anyone would get involved. Not making any progress with the boss, Rhodes decides to question his former mentor, asking Orton why does not want to defend the title against Daniel Bryan, saying that Orton cannot be “scared” of Bryan. Rhodes then tells Triple H that having Orton face Bryan is what is “best for business” and Triple H takes issue with Rhodes, saying that Rhodes must have a lot on his mind, saying that Rhodes is getting married soon. Triple H then says that, even though Rhodes did not invite neither Triple H or Orton, he is going to give Rhodes an “early wedding present”, revealing that Rhodes will go one-on-one with Orton later tonight. Rhodes thanks Triple H for the huge opportunity and Triple H says that it is a huge opportunity, an opportunity for Rhodes to stay employed! Triple H elaborates, saying that, if Rhodes fails to beat Orton, then he knows that Rhodes will not be around for long.

The opening match of the night would see the culmination of a feud stemming from SummerSlam as The Miz went one-on-one with Fandango, with Summer Rae in his corner. Despite some interference from Summer Rae, The Miz would prevail, forcing Fandango to tap out to the Figure-Four Leg Lock to pick up the win.

Backstage, WWE Hall of Famer Booker T confronts Daniel Bryan, saying that a fight against The McMahon Family is a fight that Daniel Bryan cannot win, advising Bryan to give up his title match against Randy Orton at Night of Champions. Bryan says that it is not about money or even the WWE Title, it is about his life and Booker warns that the power of The McMahon Family travels far from the confines of the arena, advising Bryan to “tread lightly”.

“The Show-Off” was in action on RAW, but Dolph Ziggler would not be told who he would be competing against, but when Ziggler was attacked from behind by The Shield’s Dean Ambrose, Dolph’s opponent seemed apparent. Ambrose would not let the match begin as the United States Champion stomps away at Dolph Ziggler, tossing Ziggler into the steel ring post and telling Dolph to “respect the business”. However, it is then revealed that Ambrose was not even Ziggler’s opponent, it was Ryback! Despite his weakened state, Dolph Ziggler would insist on competing, so the referee reluctantly rings the bell for the match to begin. Ziggler would manage to get a few good shots on Ryback, but, in his injured state, Dolph didn’t stand a chance against the bully as Ryback puts Dolph down with the Shell Shocked en route to picking up the win.

Backstage, RAW General Manager Brad Maddox confronts WWE COO Triple H and his wife, WWE Executive Vice President of Creative Stephanie McMahon, informing them that Big Show has refused to compete against Daniel Bryan in the main event. Triple H starts to say something, but Stephanie halts her husband, saying that she can handle it and, when Maddox tries to direct Stephanie to Big Show’s locker room, Stephanie says that it is not going to be a “private conversation”.

Opting to handle Big Show’s refusal to compete against Daniel Bryan herself, the Executive Vice President of WWE Creative Stephanie McMahon makes her way to the ring. Stephanie says that she grew up backstage and there was one man who helped her and guided her, bringing out “The World’s Largest Athlete” Big Show. After a brief hug, Stephanie tells Big Show that he taught her a long time ago that it is okay to not do something you don’t want to do as long as you’re willing to “pay the price”. Stephanie then says that she is going to just cut to the chase, revealing to the world that Big Show is “broke”, saying that Big Show made some “bad investments”, loaned family members some money, and took a beating in the stock market! Stephanie continues, saying that they both know that Big Show’s iron-clad contract states that, if Big Show does not compete, he does not get paid, saying that Big Show does not have much of a career left in him. Stephanie then says that Big Show does not have any other options, saying that there is not much demand for leading men in movies who are seven feet tall and weigh 500 pounds, asking if Big Show is going to be “the world’s largest gas station attendant”. Stephanie says that Big Show is giving his career up all to avoid one match against Daniel Bryan. Stephanie then gets unnecessarily personal and dark with her former father figure, saying that Big Show’s biggest fear is that, medically speaking, giants do not live as long as “regular people”. Stephanie continues, saying that it is about Big Show’s family and that is why he is going to make the right decision and face Daniel Bryan tonight. Stephanie says that the only person that is “hurting” more than Big Show right now is her, hugging Big Show before she exits the ring.

The Prime Time Players were in action on RAW as Darren Young & Titus O’Neil faced two-thirds of 3MB, Heath Slater & Jinder Mahal, with Drew McIntyre in their corner. In the end, it was Titus O’Neil hitting the Clash of the Titus on Jinder Mahal, picking up the win for The Prime Time Players.

Backstage, Paul Heyman confronts RAW General Manager Brad Maddox, saying that, with the 2-on-1 Handicap Elimination Match that the GM made pitting Heyman and Curtis Axel against CM Punk at Night of Champions, put him in a situation where he is pretty much guaranteed to be on the wrong end of a beating from CM Punk. Heyman asks Maddox if that is what the GM thinks is “best for business”. Triple H then interrupts, asking Maddox to give him a second alone with Heyman and Maddox complies. Triple H then informs Heyman that he is the one who actually approved the 2-on-1 Handicap Elimination Match and Heyman nearly shouts at the COO, but decides to take a calmer approach, asking Triple H why the COO decided to approve the match. Triple H claims that it has nothing to do with their “sorted past”, saying that he has been a “big fan” of Heyman’s for years, saying he liked how Heyman would “weasel” his way out of countless situations. Triple H continues, saying that he cannot see a way that Heyman can weasel out of the match at Night of Champions, saying that CM Punk is likely going to give Heyman the beating that he so richly deserves, saying that, either way, he wins, concluding that is what is “best for business”.

With his career put on the line by WWE COO Triple H, the soon-to-be-married second-generation Superstar Cody Rhodes would go one-on-one with WWE Champion Randy Orton in a non-title match. With his young and promising career on the line, Cody Rhodes would go above and beyond to keep the job that he was born to do, coming within an eyelash of pinning the WWE Champion on several occasions, but one misstep would cost Cody Rhodes everything as, when Rhodes went for the Disaster Kick, Randy Orton would move out of the way. As a result, Rhodes would tweak his knee and “The Viper” would take advantage, kicking the knee to hobble Rhodes before dropping his former protégé with the RKO, pinning Rhodes for the win, abruptly ending the promising young career of Cody Rhodes just days before Cody’s wedding. After the match, Triple H meets Randy Orton on the stage before the WWE Champion heads to the back. The COO tells Cody Rhodes that Rhodes fought like his life was on the line, saying that Rhodes fought with heart and Rhodes has no idea how much he respects Cody. Triple H then says that he needs “winners” in the WWE and that is why he cannot let his “personal feelings” cloud his judgment, saying that he needs to do what is best for everyone in the company. Triple H then deals Cody Rhodes’ sentence out, saying that, with deep regrets, he has no choice but to fire Cody Rhodes. With that, Cody Rhodes exits the ring, fighting tears as he makes the walk to the back for the very last time.

After enduring a savage beating from Paul Heyman & Curtis Axel on last week’s RAW, CM Punk would appear on RAW with kendo stick in hand. Punk says that he has never promised anyone anything before, but he is making a promise right now that there will be no more “empty threats” and no more “talking”, saying that he is having a hard time coming up with what is he is supposed to say next. Punk says that everything that he has wanted them to hear, they have heard and everything that Heyman wants them to believe, they’ve heard. Punk continues, saying that he is dressed to compete, but he is not looking for a match, he is looking for a “fight” and he wants to fight Paul Heyman, saying that, if he has to go through Curtis Axel, he will. Punk then says that he is in a “dark place” right now and he doesn’t blame Axel or Heyman for not wanting to fight him right now. Punk says that he is there to say something to his friends and family and the fans that bought a t-shirt or made a sign to support him, guaranteeing that he is going to go through Curtis Axel and he guarantees that he will get his hands on Paul Heyman. Punk continues, saying that, at Night of Champions, they are going to see a side of CM Punk that they may not like and some people may be very uncomfortable with what he is going to do to Heyman at Night of Champions, vowing that he is going to break Paul Heyman’s face!

Backstage, Big Show confronts Daniel Bryan, saying that he did not want to fight him tonight, but he is under a lot of pressure. Bryan says that what Big Show wants does not matter to him, saying that he has got to do what he has got to do. Big Show says that he is in a “no-win situation”, but Daniel Bryan has no sympathy for the giant, saying that he is going to beat Big Show tonight.

After berating the stars of Total Divas with a brutally honest promo on last week’s RAW, Divas Champion AJ Lee would be a guest on commentary as Natalya, Naomi, with Cameron and Jo-Jo in her corner, and Brie Bella, with Nikki Bella and Eva Marie in her corner, would face-off in a Triple Threat Match with the winner becoming the #1 Contender for the Divas Title. Naomi would hit the Rear View on Natalya, but AJ Lee would rush the ring, breaking up the pin and this sparks a multi-Diva brawl between AJ, Naomi, Natalya, & Brie Bella. The brawl quickly breaks down into a three-on-one attack on the Divas Champion as Natalya, Naomi, & Brie Bella leave AJ Lee beaten down in the ring.

In a rematch from Friday’s SmackDown, the #1 Contender for the World Heavyweight Title at Night of Champions, “Mr. Monday Night” Rob Van Dam, with Ricardo Rodriguez in his corner, would go one-on-one with “Mr. Money-in-the-Bank” Damien Sandow. During the match, World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio would make his way to the stage. In the end, it was Rob Van Dam landing the Five-Star Frog Splash on Damien Sandow, pinning “Mr. Money-in-the-Bank” for the win.

Backstage, Stephanie McMahon informs Naomi, Natalya, & Brie Bella that, at Night of Champions, AJ Lee will defend the Divas Title against all three of them in a Fatal Four-Way Match.

Backstage, the now unemployed Cody Rhodes is being escorted out of the building by security when Josh Mathews asks Rhodes for some parting words. A visibly upset Rhodes says that he should not be surprised, saying that, for over twenty years, the McMahon Family has hated the Rhodes Family. Rhodes says that his father, Dusty Rhodes, had a Hall of Fame career in Florida, lighting up the wrestling scene, but when he arrived in the WWE, he was dressed in polka dots and forced to dance. Rhodes continues, saying that his brother, Dustin Rhodes, was a second-generation stud as “The Natural” and he loved Dustin, but the WWE put him in gold paint as Goldust and he has never been the same. Rhodes then says that he has a wife to provide for and when asked about his wife, Rhodes does not comment as Rhodes leaves the building, crushed and distraught.

In what has become a weekly tradition under the Triple H regime, every available WWE Superstar and Diva is sent out to the stage as the likes of Alberto Del Rio, The Miz, Dolph Ziggler, Rob Van Dam, Ricardo Rodriguez, Ryback, Fandango, Summer Rae, Big E. Langston, R-Truth, Zack Ryder, Tons of Funk, The Prime Time Players, Kofi Kingston, Jimmy & Jey Uso, 3MB, Brad Maddox, Vickie Guerrero, Layla, The Funkadactyls, Jo-Jo, Eva Marie, The Real Americans, Zeb Colter, Damien Sandow, & The Great Khali would be forced to stand on the stage to watch the main event as “The World’s Largest Athlete” Big Show would be forced to go one-on-one with the #1 Contender for the WWE Title, Daniel Bryan. Early on in the match, Big Show would try to reason with Daniel Bryan, but Bryan would insist on fighting the giant, ultimately angering Big Show into fighting back. Later on in the match, Big Show would wind up for the Knockout Punch, but the giant would have second thoughts, deciding to leave the ring.

However, no sooner does Big Show step over the ropes to the ring apron does Triple H make his way to the ring with The Shield in tow, ordering Big Show to get back in the ring and finish the match. Big Show refuses and starts to leave the ring and that is when The Shield enters the ring to attack Daniel Bryan, but Big Show slides back into the ring, ready to help Daniel Bryan. However, Triple H cuts Big Show off at the pass, getting in Big Show’s face and telling Big Show to “do what’s right” for Big Show’s family and what is right for Big Show. Triple H tells Big Show to step back and, with Big Show forced to watch, Triple H instructs The Shield to use the three-man powerbomb on Daniel Bryan, which breaks Big Show down completely as the giant erupts in tears in the corner. However, the humiliation was not over as Triple H orders Big Show to ball up his fist and knock Daniel Bryan and, while Big Show gets close to doing so, Big Show ultimately screams “no”, exiting the ring. Stephanie McMahon then comes out to confront Big Show, telling Big Show to think about his family, saying that she is giving Big Show one last chance. At the behest of Stephanie and, with Triple H & Stephanie watching, Big Show nearly knocks out Triple H, but Stephanie steps in front of Big Show, again telling Big Show to think of his family. Having no alternative, the broken giant does the deed, blasting Daniel Bryan with the Knockout Punch and leaving Bryan knocked out. Big Show then collapses on the second rope in tears as Triple H & Stephanie commend Big Show on doing the “right thing”. As Triple H, Stephanie, Big Show, & The Shield exit the ring and stand on the ramp, WWE Champion Randy Orton heads towards the ring, putting his foot on the chest of an unconscious Daniel Bryan and raising the WWE Title above his head.

WWE SmackDown Results: August 30, 2013

Corporate Humiliation.

The 732nd edition of WWE Friday Night SmackDown came to you from the Thomas & Mack Center at the UNLV in Las Vegas, NV. With his defense of the WWE Title against Daniel Bryan just a couple weeks away at Night of Champions, the WWE Champion would be in action on SmackDown as the self-proclaimed “face of the WWE” Randy Orton goes one-on-one with “The Awesome One” The Miz in a non-title match. Also, after he was defeated by Rob Van Dam on RAW, Alberto Del Rio will be defending the World Heavyweight Title against “The Whole Damn Show” at Night of Champions, but what will the champion have to say about his new #1 Contender, not to mention the man who now serves as RVD’s personal ring announcer, Ricardo Rodriguez?

Match Results

• Non-Title: Randy Orton def. The Miz by pin following the RKO.
• Rob Van Dam def. Damien Sandow by pin following the Five-Star Frog Splash.
• 3-on-1 Handicap Match: The Shield def. Dolph Ziggler by Roman Reigns pinning Dolph Ziggler following the Spear.
• Luke Harper & Erick Rowan def. Tons of Funk by Erick Rowan pinning Tensai following the big splash.
• Daniel Bryan and Ryback fight to a No Contest after Randy Orton enters the ring.

Detailed Results

SmackDown kicks off with Miz TV as The Miz welcomes two of the men who were silenced on RAW over the fear of being fired by WWE COO Triple H, “The Show-Off” Dolph Ziggler and “The World’s Largest Athlete” Big Show. The Miz tells the two men that all three of them joined the majority of the WWE roster in being forced to stand on the stage and watch the decimation of Daniel Bryan at the hands of Randy Orton and The Shield on RAW, not being allowed to help Bryan or face being fired. The Miz then says that this is a “free country” and he thinks it is about time that they let loose with their opinions on how WWE is being managed. Through a bevy of emotions, including fear, regret, disappointment, and anger, Big Show says that not getting involved on RAW was one of the toughest things that he has had to do, quickly giving Dolph Ziggler the floor to speak, but instead of speaking out, Dolph throws it back to Big Show, fearful of his status. The Miz then says that he is “outspoken”, but before Miz can continue, he is interrupted by the boss himself, WWE COO Triple H. Triple H gives The Miz the chance to finish what he had to say, but Miz thinks twice about it, opting to keep quiet. Triple H then asks The Miz why Miz is in his ring gear and Miz comments that you never know when a “fight” is going to break out. The Miz then asks if he can ask the COO a question, but Triple H does not allow The Miz to question him. Triple H then says that what he has been doing is “just business”, but guys like The Miz, Big Show, & Dolph Ziggler want to make it “personal”. Triple H continues, saying that Randy Orton is the “future of the WWE” before taking shots at the three men with him in the ring, saying that Orton is not a guy who “can run his mouth and not back it up”, nor is he “just some guy who just happens to be big” and Orton is “at least big enough”. Triple H then says that Orton being the “face of the WWE” is what is “best for business” and it makes more money for everybody in the company.

The COO continues, saying that The Miz looks at Orton holding the WWE Title and thinks that he used to hold that belt once, but he hasn’t been “anywhere near it since”, saying that he can understand why that would make Miz mad. Triple H then says that since he is a “good guy” who is looking out for everyone’s “best interests”, he is giving The Miz a match with Randy Orton tonight! Triple H then turns his attention to Dolph Ziggler, saying that the last time that Dolph was in the ring with The Shield, he got the crap kicked out of him, so tonight, he is going to give Dolph his shot at revenge when Ziggler goes “one-on-one” with all three members of The Shield in a 3-on-1 Handicap Match! Triple H then calls attention to the man who seems to be the most frustrated, ordering Big Show to come closer, saying that he could nearly see the “smoke” coming out of Big Show’s ears on RAW, saying that it was “frightening”. The COO then says that he is going to do Big Show a “favor” by giving him the night off, saying that Big Show will simply sit next to the announcer’s table during the show and watch what happens in the ring. Triple H then gets in the face of Big Show and says that Big Show will only watch what happens, he will do absolutely nothing about it. With his fists clenched and his face shaking with anger, Big Show has no choice but to bow to the orders of his boss as Big Show exits the ring and reluctantly sits down at ringside. Triple H then tells Dolph Ziggler that he can go to the back and get ready for his 3-on-1 Handicap Match later on in the evening. The COO then informs The Miz that his match is going to take place right now, introducing the hand-picked WWE Champion and self-proclaimed “face of the WWE” Randy Orton, who makes his way to the ring.

With Big Show forced to sit helplessly at ringside per the orders of WWE COO Triple H, the opening match of the night would see the self-proclaimed “face of the WWE” and WWE Champion Randy Orton going one-on-one with The Miz in a non-title match. During the match, The Miz tosses Randy Orton to the outside and this is when Triple H’s personal security force, The Shield, make their way to the ring as United States Champion Dean Ambrose and WWE Tag Team Champions Seth Rollins & Roman Reigns stand at ringside, keeping an eye on the entrance way as the match continues. The Miz would nearly beat the WWE Champion on several different occasions, even locking in the Figure-Four Leg Lock on Randy Orton, nearly making the champion tap out, but in the end, it was an RKO that would secure the victory for the WWE Champion. After the match, Randy Orton would instruct The Shield to do more damage to The Miz and, with Big Show forbidden from doing anything to help, the #1 Contender for the WWE Title, Daniel Bryan, rushes to the ring with steel chair in hand! Daniel Bryan then drives the chair into the mid-section of Randy Orton before waylaying the back of Seth Rollins while Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns narrowly escape their taste of the steel!

Backstage, a beaming Daniel Bryan confronts a seething Vickie Guerrero as the SmackDown General Manager calls Daniel Bryan a “bully” and, in her world, a bully deserves to get bullied. The GM then brings Ryback, who calls his opponent for later on a “shrimp”.

With a World Heavyweight Title match against champion Alberto Del Rio in his sights in two weeks at Night of Champions, “The Whole Damn Show” was in action on SmackDown as Rob Van Dam, with Ricardo Rodriguez in his corner, went one-on-one with “Mr. Money-in-the-Bank” Damien Sandow. In the end, it was Rob Van Dam hitting the Five-Star Frog Splash on Damien Sandow en route to picking up the win. After the match, World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio comes out, saying that the only reason that RVD is the #1 Contender is because of Ricardo Rodriguez, who “betrayed” Del Rio, saying that he is going to make it “rain” all over RVD’s parade come Night of Champions and he will prove that he is the only man worthy of being called the World Heavyweight Champion.

In a rematch from last week’s RAW, “The Show-Off” Dolph Ziggler would be forced to again face all three members of The Shield, Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins, & Roman Reigns, in a 3-on-1 Handicap Match. In the end, it was Roman Reigns leveling Dolph Ziggler with the Spear en route to picking up the win for The Shield. After the match, The Shield would take to taunting Big Show, holding Dolph Ziggler against the ropes and daring Big Show to get involved. The Shield then puts Ziggler down with their three-man powerbomb in the center of the ring, which nearly causes the giant to erupt with anger.

For the first time since learning that they will face CM Punk in a 2-on-1 Handicap Elimination Match at Night of Champions, Paul Heyman & Intercontinental Champion Curtis Axel would speak on the match, as well as their actions on RAW, where, with a kendo stick in hand and CM Punk handcuffed, Paul Heyman would assault and destroy Punk with the kendo stick. Paul Heyman asks the fans what they want from him, asking if they expect him to feel “guilty” for what he did to his “prodigal son” CM Punk on RAW, saying that he is “not sorry” for what he did. Heyman continues, blaming the fans for voting him into a situation where he had to fight Punk, saying that, for 434 consecutive days, he and Punk were the reigning and defending WWE Champion. Heyman says that, every time that Punk has tried to fight him, Punk was left beaten, looking up at the “god” that Heyman is! Heyman continues, saying that, at Night of Champions, he will have to face his beating like a man and the WWE has, more or less, guaranteed that Heyman will get what is coming to him in the 2-on-1 Handicap Elimination Match. Heyman admits that he is “afraid”, but his fear can be CM Punk’s worst enemy, telling everyone to imagine what will happen when he is put in a corner and forced to fight. Heyman then confidently declares that, at Night of Champions, he and Curtis Axel will “own” CM Punk!

The dark, scary, and destructive “brothers” of Bray Wyatt were in action on SmackDown as Luke Harper & Erick Rowan would face Tons of Funk, Tensai & Brodus Clay. In the end, it was Erick Rowan hitting the big splash on Tensai en route to picking up the win. After the match, Harper & Rowan would hold Tensai for Bray Wyatt, allowing the nefarious “eater of worlds” to put Tensai down with the Sister Abigail.

In a match made by SmackDown General Manager Vickie Guerrero, the #1 Contender for the WWE Title at Night of Champions, Daniel Bryan, would face WWE’s resident bully, Ryback. During the match, WWE Champion Randy Orton would make his way to ringside as Daniel Bryan locks in the Yes Lock on Ryback. Before Daniel Bryan can get Ryback to tap out, Randy Orton rushes into the ring and Daniel Bryan relinquishes the hold and locks the WWE Champion into the Yes Lock! However, The Shield would then rush out and aid Orton in attacking Daniel Bryan, but, after having to witness everything that went down the entire night, Big Show finally reached his breaking point as “The World’s Largest Athlete” gets out of his seat and slides into the ring, causing Randy Orton and The Shield to retreat to the opposite corner. Triple H then storms down to the ring, shouting at Big Show to get out of the ring right now. With tears in his eyes and mass amounts of regret, Big Show slowly and reluctantly exits the ring and, with his immense anger and sadness tearing him to shreds on the inside, Big Show does as he is told as Triple H escorts the giant to the staging area before the COO orders Big Show to the back. With Big Show out of sight, Triple H gives the nod to Randy Orton and The Shield to pick up where they left off as The Shield picks Daniel Bryan up, holding the #1 Contender and allowing the WWE Champion to repeatedly blast Bryan in the skull with vicious right hands. Orton then has The Shield use their three-man powerbomb to drive Daniel Bryan down in the center of the ring. Randy Orton then gets a can of spray paint, taunting the fans before spray-painting the word “no” on the torso of Daniel Bryan.

WWE RAW Results: August 26, 2013

All The King’s Men.

The 1057th edition of WWE Monday Night RAW came to you, live, from the U.S. Airways Center in Phoenix, AZ. On his quest to destroy Paul Heyman and everything Heyman stands for and represents, “The Best in the World” CM Punk gladly accepted a challenge to a one-on-one match on RAW from Heyman’s client, Intercontinental Champion Curtis Axel as the third-generation star looks to stand in between Punk and the destruction of his manager and mentor. Also, the WWE Title match for Night of Champions has been confirmed as “The Corporate Champion” Randy Orton will defend the most prestigious title in the WWE against the man he cashed in on and took the title from at SummerSlam, Daniel Bryan. What will happen between the champion and challenger? What will Orton and The McMahon Family have in store for Daniel Bryan?

Match Results

• Cody Rhodes (with The Miz & Rosa Mendes) def. Fandango by roll-up.
• The Miz & Cody Rhodes def. Fandango & Damien Sandow by The Miz pinning Damien Sandow following the Skull Crushing Finale.
• Non-Title: CM Punk def. Curtis Axel by pin following the GTS.
• Brie Bella (with Nikki Bella & Eva Marie) def. Natalya (with The Funkadactyls) by pin following a facebuster.
• Non-Title: Rob Van Dam (with Ricardo Rodriguez) def. Alberto Del Rio by roll-up to earn a title shot at Night of Champions.
• Non-Title: Randy Orton def. Christian by pin following the RKO.
• Titus O’Neil (with Darren Young) def. Jack Swagger (with Zeb Colter & Antonio Cesaro) by pin following a modified chokebomb.
• Gauntlet Match: Match #1: Daniel Bryan def. Seth Rollins (with Dean Ambrose & Roman Reigns) by pin following the running knee.
• Gauntlet Match: Match #2: Daniel Bryan def. Dean Ambrose by DQ after Roman Reigns interferes.
• Gauntlet Match: Match #3: Daniel Bryan and Roman Reigns fight to a No Contest after Dean Ambrose interferes.

Detailed Results

RAW kicks off with United States Champion Dean Ambrose and WWE Tag Team Champions Seth Rollins & Roman Reigns as The Shield stands at ringside, staying at the bottom of the ramp in order to protect the COO of the WWE, Triple H, who makes his way to the ring. After recapping what happened at SummerSlam, Triple H says that what he did to Daniel Bryan was just “business” and there was nothing “personal” about it. Triple H then shows what happened on last week’s RAW, where Triple H invites Daniel Bryan to the ring, only to instruct The Shield to assault Bryan before appearing to let Bryan enter the ring, where Randy Orton immediately puts Bryan down with the RKO. Triple H explains that what happened last week was “personal”, saying that Daniel Bryan is the one who made it personal, saying that Bryan insulted Triple H’s wife, as well as Triple H himself. The COO continues, saying that he is still willing to be a “business man” with Daniel Bryan, but that is up to Daniel Bryan. Triple H then turns his attention to business, touting the ratings for last week’s RAW, saying that “business is booming”. Triple H then claims that the boom is due to the new “face of the WWE” before the COO brings out his hand-picked WWE Champion, Randy Orton, who makes his way to the ring. Triple H then congratulates Randy Orton on “breathing new life” into the WWE and into the WWE Championship, saying that he likes to award people who “excel” and that is why he got Orton a “gift”. The COO continues, saying that he paid for the gift out of his own pocket, bringing out a brand new Cadillac Escalade! The WWE Champion lights up at the sight of his gift, thanking Triple H and saying that the COO realizes that Orton is the only man worthy of being the face of the WWE and the WWE Champion.

Triple H then encourages Randy Orton to go and check out his new ride, but Daniel Bryan interrupts, coming out to the stage and setting his sights on the Cadillac Escalade. Bryan says that the gift is “well-deserved” before he thanks the WWE fans for supporting him, saying that they have no idea how much it means to him. Bryan then again thanks John Cena for allowing him to wrestle for the WWE Title at SummerSlam because Triple H would never have allowed him to be in the main event any other way. Bryan continues, thanking Triple H for ending the “charade” and finally showing his true colors and showing that Triple H’s view of what’s good for business is just as “narrow-minded and misguided” as Vince McMahon’s! Bryan then says that the guy who used to rebel against authority is now a “sellout”. An angry Randy Orton then cuts Daniel Bryan off, saying that Bryan needs to show the COO of the WWE some respect and he needs to show the face of the WWE some respect. Daniel Bryan then declares that he is going to “re-arrange” the face of the WWE, as well as Triple H’s views, because he will be the WWE Champion come Night of Champions! Triple H responds by calling Daniel Bryan “Jiminy Cricket”, saying that, in the “real world”, Daniel Bryan is a “B at best” and Randy Orton is an “A player”. Triple H then says that he is all about “opportunity”, informing Daniel Bryan that he is going to give Bryan the “gift of justice” when Daniel Bryan faces all three members of The Shield, one after the other, in a Gauntlet Match! Triple H then says that he is doing it for Daniel Bryan, saying that he “believes” in Daniel Bryan and he believes that this is what is “best for business”!

With “Mr. Money-in-the-Bank” Damien Sandow a guest on commentary, the opening match of the night would see Cody Rhodes going one-on-one with Fandango, with Summer Rae in his corner. Early on in the match, Fandango’s music would hit and The Miz, dressed like Fandango, comes dancing out with Rosa Mendes! This distraction allows Cody Rhodes to roll Fandango up for the win. After the match, an all-out brawl breaks out as Damien Sandow rushes the ring as he and Fandango beat down Cody Rhodes before The Miz makes the save. RAW General Manager Brad Maddox then comes out, calling an end to the fight and announcing that Cody Rhodes will team with The Miz to face Fandango and Damien Sandow in a tag team match right now.

After a brawl broke out between the four men, an impromptu tag team match would see the team of Cody Rhodes & The Miz, with Rosa Mendes in their corner, face the team of “Mr. Money-in-the-Bank” Damien Sandow & Fandango, with Summer Rae in their corner. During the match, Fandango opts to back out of the match, leaving Damien Sandow to fight for himself. In the end, it was The Miz planting Damien Sandow with the Skull Crushing Finale en route to picking up the win for himself and Cody Rhodes.

In a match requested by Curtis Axel himself, it was then time for “The Best in the World” CM Punk to go one-on-one with Intercontinental Champion Curtis Axel, with Paul Heyman keeping a safe distance by staying on the stage, in a non-title match and, as voted on by the WWE fans, if CM Punk wins, Paul Heyman will be forced to get into the ring with Punk! In the end, it was CM Punk putting Curtis Axel down with the GTS, pinning the Intercontinental Champion for the win, meaning that Paul Heyman must get into the ring with CM Punk!

Not surprisingly, Paul Heyman would try to run to the back, but a couple of referees would stop Heyman. When Punk gets impatient and starts to head towards the stage, Heyman again tries to flee, but security brings Heyman back, giving Heyman to Punk! Punk rolls Heyman into the ring and gets Heyman in the corner of the ring, but before Punk could do any damage, Curtis Axel catches Punk from behind with a low blow. After getting to his feet, Paul Heyman gives Curtis Axel a pair of handcuffs and Axel handcuffs Punk’s hands behind his back, holding Punk while Heyman taunts and even slaps Punk. However, Punk would use his lethal kicks to take down Curtis Axel before knocking Heyman off of his feet, but Axel would again protect his manager, driving a steel chair into the back of Punk. The Intercontinental Champion then grabs a kendo stick and, instead of wailing away on Punk himself, Axel hands the weapon to Paul Heyman, who smacks Punk on the back with the stick. Heyman then has Axel hold Punk in the ropes while Heyman uses the kendo stick to ravage the unprotected mid-section of Punk. Axel then takes Punk to the outside of the ring and decks Punk with a right hand. The insane Paul Heyman then comes to the outside with the broken kendo stick in hand, using the splintered weapon to crush the already broken Punk, shouting at Punk that Punk broke his heart. WWE’s ringside physician and a referee then tend to Punk as Axel and Heyman leave the ringside area.

With Jo-Jo serving as the Guest Ring Announcer, Natalya, with The Funkadactyls in her corner, would face Brie Bella, with Nikki Bella & Eva Marie in her corner. In the end, it was Brie Bella hitting the Bella Buster on Natalya en route to picking up the win. After the match, Divas Champion AJ Lee comes out, saying that Total Divas was crazy last night, feigning enthusiasm about the show. AJ Lee then says that, when she looks at the ring, all she sees is a “bunch of cheap, interchangeable, expendable, useless women”, saying that they had to turn to reality television because they are not “gifted enough to be actresses” and are just not “talented enough to be champions”. AJ continues, saying that she has done more in “one year” than all of them have done collectively in their entire careers! The Divas Champion then says that she has saved the Divas division and she has “shattered glass ceilings”, saying that they cannot look her in the eye because they know that she worked her entire life to get to the WWE and they were just handed “fifteen minutes of fame”. AJ says that she did not get to the WWE because she was “cute” or because she came from a famous family or because she “sucked up to the right people”, she is in the WWE because she is “good” and she earned the Divas Title and they will never be able to lace up her Chuck Taylors! AJ continues, saying that they are all “worthless” and they will never be able to touch her and that is “reality”.

In a non-title match, World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio would go one-on-one with “Mr. Monday Night” Rob Van Dam, with Ricardo Rodriguez in his corner. During the match, Rob Van Dam would find himself in trouble, so Ricardo Rodriguez would get on top of the announce table, starting an “RVD” chant, distracting Alberto Del Rio long enough for RVD to catch Del Rio with a roll-up, pinning the World Heavyweight Champion to earn a shot at the gold at Night of Champions!

In the renewal of an old rivalry, “Captain Charisma” Christian would go one-on-one with the self-proclaimed “face of the WWE”, the new WWE Champion Randy Orton, in a non-title match. During the match, Randy Orton would sneak in a thumb to the eye of Christian behind the back of the referee, allowing the WWE Champion to put “Captain Charisma” down with the RKO en route to picking up the win. After the match, Daniel Bryan would appear on the Tron as Bryan is in front of Orton’s gift from Triple H, the brand new Cadillac Escalade. Bryan calls the vehicle a “pretty car for a pretty man” before Bryan shows his ‘custom paintjob’ of Orton’s Escalade as the #1 Contender took to spray-painting “yes” all over the expensive gift, which enrages the WWE Champion!

Backstage, WWE Champion Randy Orton is with WWE COO Triple H and RAW General Manager Brad Maddox as all three men set their sights on Orton’s damaged Escalade. Triple H tells Brad Maddox that the Escalade was his personal property and he gave it to Randy Orton and he considers the WWE Title his personal property, saying that he allows Orton to hold it. The COO then tells the GM to go and round up the entire locker room and march them out to the stage for the main event, telling Maddox that, if any of the Superstars even think of interfering in the main event, he will personally enjoy firing them!

In the ongoing rivalry between The Prime Time Players and The Real Americans, Titus O’Neil, with Darren Young in his corner, would go one-on-one with Jack Swagger, with Zeb Colter & Antonio Cesaro in his corner. In the end, it was Titus O’Neil hitting a modified chokebomb on Jack Swagger en route to picking up the win.

Backstage, CM Punk barges into the office of RAW General Manager Brad Maddox, demanding a match with Paul Heyman. Maddox gives Punk what he wants, and then some, as the GM makes a match for Night of Champions that will see CM Punk facing both Curtis Axel and Paul Heyman in a 2-on-1 Handicap Elimination Match! Maddox then says that, if Heyman backs out of the match, then Punk will never see Heyman again. Punk agrees, but adds that, if Heyman backs out of the match, no one will ever see Brad Maddox again either!

With every available Superstar standing on the stage, interviewer Renee Young would ask Big Show and Dolph Ziggler for their opinions regarding the main event, but both men would refuse to comment, fearing for their jobs. Renee would then move on to ask The Miz the same question and, while The Miz began to comment, he decided not to finish what he had to say, also fearing for his job.

With Rob Van Dam, Ricardo Rodriguez, Big Show, Mark Henry, Dolph Ziggler, Kofi Kingston, The Great Khali, AJ Lee, Cody Rhodes, Tons of Funk, The Miz, Big E. Langston, Ryback, 3MB, The Prime Time Players, The Real Americans, Damien Sandow, R-Truth, and Alberto Del Rio, among others, standing on the stage as ordered, it was time for the main event as the #1 Contender for the WWE Title at Night of Champions, Daniel Bryan, would be forced to face each member of The Shield, one after another, in a Gauntlet Match. The first leg of the Gauntlet Match would see Daniel Bryan face one-half of the WWE Tag Team Champions, Seth Rollins, with his Shield cohorts in his corner. In an incredible match between the two former ROH stars, it was Daniel Bryan hitting the running knee on Seth Rollins en route to surviving the first leg of the Gauntlet Match.

The second part of the Gauntlet Match was set to be Daniel Bryan facing United States Champion Dean Ambrose and the match would get underway and Daniel Bryan would immediately lock in the Yes Lock on Ambrose, but Roman Reigns would interfere, resulting in the disqualification victory for Bryan. The #1 Contender would then lock his third opponent, Roman Reigns, in the Yes Lock, but Dean Ambrose would break the hold as the entire match breaks down into chaos. The three members of The Shield would then beat down the #1 Contender before Roman Reigns blasts Daniel Bryan with the Spear. With Daniel Bryan down in the ring, WWE COO Triple H walks out to the staging area, cautiously standing in front of the WWE roster, nodding to The Shield, instructing the trio to put Daniel Bryan down with their three-man powerbomb. The Shield complies while the COO gazes at Big Show, Dolph Ziggler, and the rest of the roster, almost daring them to step up and stop the proceedings. WWE Champion Randy Orton then comes out and Triple H pats the “face of the WWE” on the back, letting Orton head to the ring. Then, as The Shield holds Daniel Bryan, Randy Orton drops Daniel Bryan with the RKO while the WWE roster, namely Big Show, struggles to keep themselves from stepping in. Orton then heads back up the ramp as Triple H ‘parts the seas’ to allow himself and his champion to leave.