Honda Center, Anaheim, CA.
By Nisar Khan
ANAHEIM – Daniel Bryan was the unfortunate recipient of the ‘Justice’ after The Shield attacked him during Randy Orton’s WWE Championship Coronation in the SummerSlam fallout LIVE on RAW.
John Cena opened the show in Anaheim, California where he addressed the lively WWE Universe present at the Honda Center. After announcing that he will be taking a hiatus from the WWE for 4 – 6 months due to elbow surgery, he introduced Daniel Bryan, in respect for their epic encounter the previous night at SummerSlam.
Daniel Bryan was unable to get a word in because he was interrupted by Stephanie McMahon – of who’s husband Triple H attacked Daniel Bryan at SummerSlam. Stephanie insulted Daniel Bryan discussing that he may not deserve to be Champion, before justifying Triple H’s actions saying that they were “…best for business.“
The previous WWE Champion was not happy at all, and he threw the microphone out of Stephanie McMahon’s hand. This would evoke her to call security to eject Daniel Bryan from the building, claiming that she will “…not be intimated by any WWE superstar.“
Review: John Cena will be out of action for around half a year, so another superstar will be fully fledged into the spotlight from now on. Even if you dislike John Cena, there’s no doubt that he does need a break, not only the surgery but he has been working for a long time. Stephanie McMahon seemed to bore me at times when she was speaking, but as it progressed it seemed a good start to the show, setting up for what Daniel Bryan will do next.
Daniel Bryan left calmly with security for the time being, but would Daniel Bryan settle for this outcome throughout the night?
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| Daniel Bryan is not in the best of moods having lost his WWE Championship (via WWE.com) |
CODY RHODES VS. DAMIEN SANDOW
In a rematch from SummerSlam, Cody Rhodes and Damien Sandow battled in another great singles match.
There was more entertaining action between Cody Rhodes and Damien Sandow of who demonstrated great chemistry in the ring. Cody Rhodes picked up another win when he got the roll-up pin.
Review: Another great match, it’s great to have Damien Sandow and Cody Rhodes putting on great contests. The future could hold a match for the briefcase, but Sandow’s turmoil should eventually end.
Cody Rhodes makes it two consecutive victories over Damien Sandow. Will the briefcase be thrown amongst this saga?
CM PUNK HAS SOME WORDS FOR HEYMAN
After being ringside to watch his client Brock Lesnar defeat his former friend in an incredible war, Paul Heyman went to the ring and asked to reconcile with CM Punk.
Review: I guess this segment was used just to get the weeks by until we hear from CM Punk or Brock Lesnar. Obviously it is highly unlikely that CM Punk will once again align with Heyman, but it is interesting to see how things unfold next.
The ‘Mad Scientist’ described the Brock Lesnar and CM Punk situation as a metaphorical family affair, with himself as the father and Brock Lesnar as the older brother. Paul Heyman seemed serious in his request, how will CM Punk respond?
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| Paul Heyman told CM Punk that he will guide him back to the WWE Title (via WWE.com) |
THE FUNKADACTYLS VS. AJ LEE & LAYLA
Total Divas’ stars the Funkadactyls faced the newly formed team of AJ Lee and Layla in tag-team Divas action.
The match was quite quick but ended in disarray for AJ Lee & Layla, after Layla was pinned from a roll-up when she was distracted. Just another Total Divas plug…
DOLPH ZIGGLER VS. THE SHIELD
(3-ON-1 HANDICAP MATCH)
The Show-Off Dolph Ziggler had the odds stacked against him as he faced The Shield in a handicap match – made by General Manager Brad Maddox after Ziggler’s comments on Triple H’s actions at SummerSlam.
Dolph Ziggler managed to hold his own for quite a while, engaging in great wrestling action with Rollins, Reigns and Ambrose. But Ziggler would soon find himself isolated by Reigns and the other members as they beat down on Ziggler. Out of nowhere, he nailed Reigns with a drop-kick and a great DDT, but the numbers game would prove too much and Ziggler was distracted before turning around into a HUGE spear, followed by a powerbomb to finish the job.
Justice served … three ways! #RAW #BelieveInTheShield
— The Shield (@TheShieldWWE) August 20, 2013
Review: Great opportunity to watch Dolph Ziggler match up with talents like The Shield. We saw great action that pleased ‘wrestling’ fans. This reinforces The Shield’s danger factor which is a good thing, and Ziggler sold that spear so well! Great to watch.
Dolph Ziggler is dismantled by The Shield but he managed to hold up for a while. The Hounds of Justice strike again, but is this the end of the punishment for Ziggler?
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| The Hounds of Justice brought justice to Ziggler (via WWE.com) |
ALBERTO DEL RIO VS. SIN CARA
World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio stepped into the ring with the high-flying Sin Cara, but the match would be short-lived.
Sin Cara managed to get some offense stringed together after Del Rio unloaded a series of punches, before Del Rio fled. Sin Cara pursued by jumping over the ropes to Del Rio, but he injured his wrist in the process and signaled to the medic.
Del Rio attempted to pursue Sin Cara but the referee refrained him, Alberto Del Rio then talked about his win the previous night before a timely interruption from Ricardo Rodriguez – the man who Del Rio attacked a few weeks ago.
Rodriguez then announced that he was representing a different wrestler, Rob Van Dam. Van Dam entered and went straight for the World Champion, but Del Rio managed to flee.
Review: How many times have we seen Alberto Del Rio vs. Sin Cara? One of the worst matches ever. This time we did not see the same generic stuff due to Sin Cara’s injury – kayfabe or real, most probably kayfabe since Del Rio attempted to attack him. I did not expect Rob Van Dam to join forces with Rodriguez but Rob Van Dam is probably pursuing the titel next?
Rob Van Dam gets the better of Alberto Del Rio on RAW, is he to pursue the World Heavyweight Championship next?
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| Rob Van Dam has now aligned with Ricardo Rodriguez (via WWE.com) |
THE REAL AMERICANS VS. THE PRIME TIME PLAYERS
Zeb Colter delivered a promo prior to The Real American’s match as they engaged in Tag Team action with the Prime Time Players.
It was a strong performance by both teams, with Titus O’Neil exemplifying his raw power, meanwhile the Real Americans had a strong showing also, especially their best move when Cesaro leap-frogged Swagger to land double-feet on Titus O’Neil’s gut.
Darren Young was tagged in with a heap of momentum and he hit Cesaro with a Gut-Buster to give Prime Time Players the win.
Review: Strong tag-team match. These are two promising tag-teams who put on a great performance, and a big win for the Prime Time Players who’s persona changes over the week.
The Prime Time Players knock off The Real Americans? What is next for this tag team?
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| Prime Time Players have been together for over a year but are yet to win Gold (via WWE.com) |
THE BIG SHOW VS. THE SHIELD
(3-ON-1 HANDICAP MATCH)
Brad Maddox chased down The Big Show next, and he booked Big Show in a handicap match with The Shield, of where they will all be in the ring at the same time.
Big Show surprisingly dealt well with the numbers game, quickly eliminating the powerhouse factor by throwing Roman Reigns over the top rope, then dealing with Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins. Reigns was absent following a spear by Big Show until the end of the match, as Big Show continued to beat Rollins and Ambrose. But then they managed to outwit The Big Show by running in the ring then out, catching Big Show off guard then setting up Roman Reigns to Spear The Big Show.
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| Big Show’s first match back in the WWE was marked with a loss (via WWE.com) |
The Shield marked their act of justice with a Triple Powerbomb, before pinning The Big Show. Yet another superstar pays for his comments towards Triple H.
Review: Great theme going a long with the Hounds of Justice and them making the superstars pay for their comments. Good to see The Big Show in great shape and The Shield redeeming themselves as a force to be reckoned with.
The Shield make The Big Show their next victim. Is this Triple H and Brad Maddox’s way of justice?
CM PUNK WANTS TO “FIGHT”
After being defeated by Brock Lesnar in the incredible Best vs. Beast showdown at SummerSlam, CM Punk was not in a good mood and he wanted to fight.
The Straight Edge Savior called out a fan ringside who was booing CM Punk, and was fired up. Then he spoke about Heyman’s request, and he looked like he would apologize, but in fact he did not, he vowed to get his hands on Paul Heyman one day. Then, Paul Heyman told Curtis Axel to wrap his hands and fight.
Following the commercial break, Curtis Axel came down to the ring and CM Punk attacked him promptly, followed by using the chair. But CM Punk’s injuries sustained during the SummerSlam match would open an advantage for Curtis Axel to take control, using the chair on his back. Curtis Axel could have very well broken CM Punk’s leg with the chair, but The Best in the World was able to move out of the way and hit Axel with the chair, before a GTS on to the steps.
Review: Awesome promo by CM Punk, he was just so fired up. There is some serious business going ahead for Heyman and Punk. It would be interesting to hear the thoughts of the fan that Punk called out. This could lead up to Punk vs. Axel at the next PPV.
CM Punk gets a fight with Curtis Axel, but how far will he go to get his hands on Paul Heyman?
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| CM Punk turned down the offer to rejoin alliances with Paul Heyman (via WWE.com) |
BRAY WYATT VS. R-TRUTH
Bray Wyatt made his debut on Monday Night RAW when he faced the very unique R-Truth.
R-Truth’s unorthodox offense gave him an early advantage, but Bray Wyatt managed to easily combat it before finishing R-Truth with the “Sister Abigail”.
Bray Wyatt quickly defeats R-Truth. But what have the Wyatt Family done with Kane?
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| This is R-Truth’s second run-in with the Wyatt Family (via WWE.com) |
THE USOs VS. JINDER MAHAL & HEATH SLATER
There was more tag team action on RAW as 3MB’s Jinder Mahal and Heath Slater battled The Usos.
THE MIZ VS. WADE BARRETT
After The Miz took some action to Barrett and vice versa, Miz was down on the canvas when Fandango came out of nowhere and delivered a leg-drop to The Miz followed by an attack.
How will The Miz react to this attack?
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| The Miz and Fandango have been getting in each other’s way recently (via WWE.com) |
RANDY ORTON’S CHAMPIONSHIP CORONATION
The whole WWE roster was looking on from the stage as Triple H introduced Randy Orton’s WWE Championship celebration.
The Shield were ringside security as Triple H justified his actions saying it was for the future of WWE and that he put his personal feud with Orton aside for WWE’s better future. Then he introduced WWE Champion Randy Orton.
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| Triple H taunts Daniel Bryan to get in the ring (via WWE.com) |
Randy Orton thanked Triple H for the opportunity, and ordered everyone in the arena to do so. Then Triple H asked Daniel Bryan to enter, getting the arena to welcome him chanting YES! YES! YES! and they played his music as Bryan entered from around the stage.
Just as Bryan made his way to the ring, The Shield attacked him and they were about to Powerbomb him until Triple H asked The Shield to let him get in the ring, when he did, he received a lethal RKO.
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| Daniel Bryan and Randy Orton previously fought a few months ago (via WWE.com) |
Review: It had me excited throughout the night although it was not as good as expected. It had the good feel of a big heel force back in the WWE, which is awesome. Although there was not much answered, this really just carried forward to next week.
WWE Champion Randy Orton makes his statement as WWE Champion with a vicious RKO to Daniel Bryan. With The Viper now flanked by the McMahons also, is Randy Orton’s era of dominance in for the long run?
RESULTS
- Cody Rhodes def. Damien Sandow
- The Funkadactyls def. AJ Lee & Layla
- The Shield def. Dolph Ziggler (Handicap match)
- Alberto Del Rio vs. Sin Cara – No Contest
- Prime Time Players def. Real Americans
- The Big Show def. The Shield (Handicap match)
- Bray Wyatt def. R-Truth
- The Usos def. Jinder Mahal & Heath Slater
- The Miz vs. Wade Barrett – No Contest
OVERALL SHOW REVIEW
Quite a disappointing RAW tonight, considering it was after SummerSlam, it was lackluster at times but the ending may have made up for it. Good recurring theme with The Shield bringing justice to the McMahons, and CM Punk’s segment was great too. Some decent matches in a RAW that was good but disappointing as it should have been better for a post-SummerSlam show.
Randy Orton and the McMahons have brought a dark era into the WWE. Meanwhile, CM Punk has an undying quest to get his hands on Paul Heyman. The night after SummerSlam and the new era in WWE has begun.
By Nisar Khan
TheSportMatrix.com
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