RAW LIVE Coverage and Discussion Thread - 1st July, 2013
Vickie Guerrero is in her office and she tells us that we will honor the pinnacle of sports entertainment, the WWE Championship and the World Title. They symbolize the prestige of the company. We will have a special match with Alberto Del Rio facing John Cena and she thanks the McMahons for allowing it.
We are in Sioux City, Iowa and your announcers are John ‘Shouldn’t David Otunga be here’ Layfield, Michael ‘Why aren’t we in Canada for Canada Day’ Cole, and Jerry ‘If you wrestle, he will come’ Lawler.
Daniel Bryan makes his way to the ring and there is a ladder in the ring and the briefcase hangs above the ring. That must mean that we are approaching Money in the Bank.
Daniel says that last week, the burning question on everyone’s mind was finally answered. Is Daniel Bryan the weak link? Daniel says that after making Randy Orton tap out, the answer is NO.
There is a new question. Can Daniel Bryan ride this wave into the Money in the Bank Ladder Match and earn the contract? If only there were a simple three letter word . . . YES.
Daniel says that he wants to be WWE Champion. He wants to follow in the footsteps of the greats, Bruno Sammartino, Hulk Hogan, Steve Austin, The Rock, Daniel Bryan. Two years ago, he won a Money in the Bank match and he cashed in to be the World Champion. It has been far too long. Just because this match is filled with All-Stars, it does not mean that history cannot repeat itself. Daniel says that he will be WWE Champion.
Sheamus interrupts the celebration and he says that people want to be remembered of how Daniel’s title reign ended. Daniel says that nobody wants to hear it and Sheamus reminds us that he won in 18 seconds.
Sheamus says that it has been far too long since he was champion.
Daniel wonders if he calls 1-800-FELLA if Sheamus would Brogue Kick himself.
Sheamus says that he thought trolls were supposed to be grumpy.
Randy Orton comes out, but without any music. He says that people have been arguing about how long it has been since people have been champion and Randy says that he has not been champion for two years. He is not hungry, he is starving and a starving man takes what he needs. He needs the WWE Title. After he wins the contract, he will not hesitate to cash in on the first unsuspecting champion.
Daniel says that we know what he is capable of, but we also know that he made Randy tap out.
Randy lets that one slide but he tells Dan if he disrespects him again, he will drop him where he stands. He is desperate so that means that no one is safe.
Kane has to join the party because he is in the match. Kane agrees with Randy that no one is safe, especially him. No one in the history of WWE has been more ruthless than him, especially when the WWE Championship is involved. He has no problem doing unspeakable acts against his opponents, even his so called friends.
Daniel says that Kane is still angry about what happened on Smackdown, but Kane was unable to beat Randy.
Kane says that he is looking forward to the match at the pay per view because it is every man for themselves. No friends, no partners, only victims.
Christian comes out and he tells them to hold off on their championship celebrations. There is one man who has had more success in ladder matches in the WWE and that is him. He has been gone for a while. Christian says that he is looking for one more match and that will be for the WWE Championship. He might not be the biggest guy in this match. He might not be the strongest guy in this match. He might not be the scariest guy in this match. He might not be the hairiest guy in this match. However, he is the best.
CM Punk comes out and he says that he was not going to do the predictable thing like everyone else and then he heard the magical word . . . best. He respects the hell out of Christian for what he has accomplished in his career. He is the best at the Money in the Bank match. He is the only person who has won it twice. He will become the only person to win it three times.
Punk says that he doesn’t care if they misunderstand him. Nobody can touch him in this ring. He knows how formidable the competition is. Rob Van Dam, is probably watching this somewhere. Rob is fearless and he will do whatever it takes to climb the ladder and grab the briefcase.
Sheamus is one of the toughest SOBs he has been in a match with.
Daniel interrupts and he tells Punk to shut up or he will make him tap out faster than Randy Orton did last week.
Kane protects Daniel from Orton and then Bryan argues with Kane and Orton with an RKO to Kane. Christian leaves the ring and goes to the apron. Punk leaves and then Sheamus follows.
It is time to take a look back at Buddy Rogers and Lou Thesz.
We are back with a Wyatt Family video.
Match Number One: Dean Ambrose, Roman Reigns, and Seth Rollins versus Christian, Jimmy Uso, and Jey Uso in a Did You Miss This on Smackdown Rematch
Rollins wit a kick to Jimmy followed by punches. Jimmy with chops but Rollins with kicks. Jimmy with a back elbow and Jey tags in. Jey with a flying forearm and he gets a near fall. Rollins with a jawbreaker and Ambrose tags in. Ambrose with punches to Jey but Jey with a head butt and Christian tags in and he works on the arm and he connects with an uppercut. Ambrose with a knee.
Christian with a drop toe hold and then he sets for the slingshot but Ambrose is pulled to the floor. The Usos with stereo suicide dives and then Christian with a pescado onto Ambrose and we go to commercial.
We are back and Ambrose chokes Jey and then he tags in Rollins who kicks Jey. Jey with punches but Rollins with a forearm and a kick. Ambrose tags back in and they hit a double suplex and get a near fall. Ambrose with a boot to the abdomen and then he applies a rear chin lock with the legs trapped. Ambrose with a kick and punch. Reigns tags in and he connects with a head butt to the chest and a normal head butt. Jey with uppercuts.
Reigns with a belly-to-back into a uranage and then Ambrose tags in and he mocks Christian. Jey with a super kick and Rollins tags in and he drop kicks Jimmy off the apron. Jey takes care of Rollins and Christian tags in and he punches Seth. Christian with a running forearm and then he goes to the turnbuckles for a missile drop kick and he gets a near fall.
Christian punches Rollins in the corner and then he gives Rollins a back body drop. Christian knocks Reigns off the apron but Ambrose gets to the floor and Rollins with an enzuigiri and Ambrose tags in and he punches Christian. Christian with an inverted DDT for a near fall but Reigns breaks up the cover. Reigns with a Superman punch to Jimmy on the apron. Reigns with a belly-to-belly suplex to Jey and they go to the floor. Christian tries for the Killswitch but Ambrose sends him to the turnbuckles.
Rollins drops Christian on the turnbuckles and Ambrose with a rollup for the three count.
Winners: Dean Ambrose, Roman Reigns, and Seth Rollins
Kane is in the locker room adjusting his neck after the RKO. Daniel apologizes for what happened to Kane. Daniel says that he talked to Vickie and he has something to make up for it. Daniel did not expect to see Randy give Kane an RKO so quickly on Smackdown. Daniel tells Kane that he got him a rematch against Randy Orton.
Kane says that he is happy to hear that and he thanks Daniel. Daniel says that he is special guest referee and then he leaves quickly.
Match Number Two: Dolph Ziggler versus Jinder Mahal (with Heath Slater and Drew McIntyre)
Mahal with a kick and punch but Ziggler holds on to the ropes on an Irish whip and he struts. Ziggler with a drop toe hold and he floats over and slaps Mahal in the head. Ziggler with a side head lock but Mahal escapes. Mahal with a shoulder tackle. Ziggler misses a drop kick when Mahal holds on to the ropes. Mahal with a high knee and he gets a near fall.
Mahal gets another near fall. Mahal with knees to the chest but Ziggler gets his foot up and Mahal goes down. Mahal misses a charge into the corner and Ziggler with a drop kick for a near fall. Zigler with a kick but Mahal with a power slam and he gets a near fall. Mahal tries for the camel clutch but Ziggler escapes and hits the Zig Zag and gets the three count.
Winner: Dolph Ziggler
After the match, Drew and Heath try to be the Shield and surround the ring and corner Ziggler. Ziggler avoids Slater and McIntyre and goes to the floor. He uses the steps to avoids Slater who goes into the steps. Ziggler avoids Mahal and McIntyre and he gives Drew the Zig Zag.
It is time for more former Champions and we see Bruno Sammartino and Harley Race.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Vickie is worried and Brad tells her to stop worrying because nothing has gone wrong so far.
Hunter appears after Vickie talks about the McMahons interrupting her. Hunter says that he thinks that she is doing a great job tonight. She is listening to the WWE Universe. The Kane versus Randy Orton match with Daniel Bryan as guest referee is a great idea.
Vickie says that she is a bit stressed because all of the McMahons are telling her what to do. Hunter tells her to listen to them but then do what he says.
It is time to take a look back at the career of Mark Henry. We see the early days of Mark Henry. He says that he has to carry the weight of being the World’s Strongest Man on his shoulders. He is dangerous, unpredictable, and reckless. Somebody is going to get their ass kicked when they deal with Mark Henry. We hears about the Hall of Pain and we see what he has done to his opponents and the ring itself. This is what Mark do.
Match Number Three: Randy Orton versus Kane with Guest Referee Daniel Bryan
Orton avoids a Kane clothesline and he kicks and punches Kane. Orton with punches in the corner. Kane with an uppercut and Orton goes down. Kane with another punch. Orton with kicks but Kane with a back elbow. Kane with a snap mare and drop kick for a near fall. Kane with a nerve hold.
Orton with elbows and a head butt. Orton with a Thesz Press and punches to Kane. Orton with the Garvin Stomp on Kane followed by a leaping knee drop. Kane with punches and uppercuts followed by a kick and suplex. Kane picks up Orton and sends him back to the mat with an uppercut. Kane with elbow drops. Kane sends Orton into the corner and he chokes him on the top rope. Kane with a kick that sends Orton to the floor.
Bryan starts his count and Kane follows. Kane sends Orton back into the ring but Kane is sent into the corner with a drop toe hold. Orton with punches and a clothesline in the corner. Orton climbs the turnbuckles and he punches Kane. Bryan pulls Orton off Kane and Orton hits Bryan.
Bryan calls for the bell.
Winner: Kane (by disqualification)
The match is restarted and Orton with a drop kick and Bryan holds Orton back as we go to commercial.
Match Number Four: Fandango (with Summer Rae) versus Sheamus
Fandango avoids Sheamus and he dances. Fandango fandances and then he avoids Sheamus again and he dances some more while Summer smiles and claps. Sheamus avoids Fandango and then Sheamus dances. Sheamus with a forearm to the head and then he sends Fandango into the turnbuckles and he punches him. Sheamus with an Irish whip but he runs into a boot. Sheamus with a clothesline. Sheamus with a suplex for a near fall.
Sheamus sends Fandango into the turnbuckles and he punches him. Fandango with a kick and chops. Fandango with a back elbow for a near fall. Fandango with a punch and he tries for a hip toss but Sheamus blocks it and he connects with a short arm clothesline. Sheamus with a running shoulder into the corner followed by a knee lift.
Fandango goes to the floor and then Sheamus sends him into the ringside barrier. Fandango is sent back into the ring but he goes back to the floor. Sheamus grabs Fandango by the hair but Fandango with a kick to the head. Sheamus with a punch to the midsection but Fandango with another kick to the head.
Fandango with kick and elbows to the head. Fandango with a quarter nelson and chin lock. Fandango with a knee and forearm followed by an elbow to the chest and he applies a reverse chin lock. Sheamus sends Fandango into the corner and he punches him. Fandango avoids a short arm clothesline but Sheamus with a double sledge. Sheamus tries for the Cloverleaf but Fandango kicks him away.
Sheamus with ten forearms to Fandango on the apron and then Fandango falls to the floor and he has had enough. The referee makes the ten count.
Winner: Sheamus (by count out)
We are back and Chris Jericho and his jacket join the announce team and he wishes everyone a Happy Canada Day.
Match Number Five: Ryback versus Miz
They lock up and Miz with a kick to the leg. Ryback pushes Miz to the mat and he connects with forearms to the back followed by a waist lock take down and kicks to the head. Ryback picks up Miz and slams his head into the mat. Ryback with boots to the chest followed by a snap mare and kick to the head.
Ryback with back fists to the head but Miz with a kick to the leg and head. Ryback with a shoulder tackle. Ryback chokes Miz with his boot and then he connects with more forearms to the back and then he follows with knees. Ryback chokes Miz in the ropes and he notices that Jericho is at the announce table. Ryback with forearms to the back.
Ryback with forearms to the chest while he has Miz over the apron. Ryback returns to the ring and he punches Miz. Miz with punches but Ryback sends Miz into the turnbuckles. Miz turns the tables and he punches Ryback. Miz with a drop kick to the knee followed by a knee lift and boot to the head.
Miz with the Awesome Clothesline and then he goes up top for a double sledge but Ryback moves. Miz hyperextends the knee and he kicks the hamstring and he tries for the figure four leg lock but Ryback kicks him away. Miz wraps the leg in the ropes and then he kicks the leg. Miz with a drop kick to the thigh.
Ryback demands that the referee stop the match and he does so.
Winner: Miz (by Referee Stoppage)
After the match, Jericho goes into the ring and he gives Ryback a Codebreaker.
We take a look back at former Champions Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair.
We are back and Mark Henry makes his way to the stage and he has something to say. He tells us who he is. He says that he did not become World’s Strongest Man because he won it in a cracker jack box, he did it because he earned it. He was a member of the US Olympic Team in 1992 and 1996. He has been World’s Strongest man since he entered the WWE 17 years ago.
He earned the respect of every Superstar he worked with, but there was jealousy, politics, and there was a lot of backstabbing. There are a lot of ‘accidental’ injuries. All of these years, he has earned it. ‘They’ never gave him a legitimate opportunity to be the WWE Champion. The thousands of miles he traveled, the nights he spent away from his family, the years that he pretended to like the boys.
All the years of doing the right thing for the business, that got him nowhere. He deserves to be the WWE Champion. After the years that he has given to this organization and to the people, he has earned the right to be the WWE Champion. Like he said before, they hang on every word he says because the people are puppets.
At Money in the Bank, now that he finally has his chance, nobody is going to keep him down any more. He will do the right thing. He will do the right thing for him. After he beats John Cena, nobody will be able to deny him. Everyone will say that Mark Henry earned the WWE Championship.
He wants it to sink in. At Money in the Bank, he is going to beat John Cena’s ass.
Brad and Vickie are interrupted by Vince McMahon. Vince says that he is having a blast. Vince reminds Vickie about what he told her about Daniel Bryan last week. Vickie says that he is small and has issues. Vince wants to know if Vickie or Brad are listening to him. Vince says that he loves the main event.
Vickie says that the other family members like the match. Vince says that no one understands that money is being thrown away but that match should be on pay per view. Instead, she gives it away for free. Nobody understands good business.
Vickie apologizes but Vince says that there is a list a mile long of people who were excommunicated or thrown out by him because they would not listen to him. Vince tells them to enjoy the rest of their evening.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Six: CM Punk and Curtis Axel (with Paul Heyman) versus Darren Young and Titus O’Neil
Punk tells Axel to go to the apron but Axel tags himself in and they argue. Meanwhile Young and O’Neil do nothing to take advantage of the situation. Young starts off and they lock up. Punk wants to be tagged in but Axel refuses. Axel punches and kicks Young. Axel with a chop and kick in the corner. Young with an Irish whip but Axel slides into the corner and he responds with a clothesline.
Titus tags in but Axel refuses to tag in Punk. They lock up and Axel with a drop kick. Titus with a clothesline after Axel refuses Punk’s demand to be tagged in. Titus tells Axel to make the tag but he wraps up Axel and unfurls him to the mat. Young tags in and Titus drops Young on Axel with a gourdbuster but Axel kicks out.
Young with a European uppercut and Titus tags back in and he kicks Axel. Titus with an abdominal stretch on Axel. Titus taunts Punk on the apron. Axel with punches but Titus prevents the tag and he slams Axel. Titus with a forearm and he barks. Titus runs into Axel’s knees and both men are down.
Punk and Young tag in and Punk with a springboard cross body followed by a leg lariat. Punk with a neck breaker to Young and then he sets for the running knee into the corner and he connects and he hits a short arm clothesline. Punk goes to the turnbuckles for the elbow drop and he connects. Punk Chong Lis before he signals for the Go To Sleep and he connects. Punk sends O’Neil over the top rope and Axel makes the blind tag and gets the three count.
Winners: CM Punk and Curtis Axel
Punk argues with Paul before leaving the ring.
We take a look at former Champions Steve Austin and Sting.
Match Number Seven: Alicia Fox versus Kaitlyn (with Layla El)
They lock up and Alicia tries for a kick but Kailtyn blocks it and sends her to the mat. Kaitlyn with a shoulder and a jackknife cover for a near fall. Alicia with an Irish whip followed by a drop kick for a near fall. Alicia with another near fall. Alicia runs Kaitlyn into the turnbuckles and then connects with elbows to the head and she hits a Northern Lights suplex for a near fall.
Alicia misses a flip leg drop and Kaitlyn with a spear for the three count.
Winner: Kaitlyn
After the match, AJ Lee and Big E Langston make their way to the stage and she says hello to Kaitlyn. She says that Kaitlyn tried to assassinate her character, but she needs to remember that people who live in glass houses. AJ calls Kaitlyn trash and she knows it and Big E Langston know it and it is time for everyone to know about it. She reminds Kaitlyn about her modeling photos and she brought one.
AJ apologizes because that is something that you cannot unsee. After Kaitlyn loses her rematch at Money in the Bank, this is where Kaitlyn is going to end up.
Vickie and Brad are talking in the office and we have one more McMahon who has not tormented them. Stephanie wants to know what just happened and she yells at Vickie for not dealing with the AJ situation. Stephanie wanted Vickie to announce the Money in the Bank participants but she had to do it.
Vickie says that she is dealing with a lot.
Stephanie says that she understands. Raw is unpredictable but when you get confusing direction from the top, how can you do your job?
Vickie thanks Stephanie for understanding and she talks about being women in a male dominated industry. Vickie calls Hunter and Vince crazy and Stephanie wants to know when they became girlfriends. She is here for business. She does not want her to play off her husband or father.
Stephanie says that we are going to have a job evaluation next week, in the ring. Vickie could be promoted or she could be fired.
Vickie starts to cry like Ryback as we go to commercial.
Damien Sandow says in two weeks, him and his best friend will be in a Money in the Bank ladder match for a World Title contract. They will remain best friends, much to the chagrin of the mouth breathers.
Cody says that they are the last of their kind. To let things get between them, they would be lowering themselves to their level.
Zeb Colter has a rebuttal and he tells America to wake up. While sleeping or watching a reality show, their country was taken from them. Zeb asks everyone if they know that Congress passed a law that affected immigration. Do they know about what is happening with marriage or free speech. It is time that somebody stood up and took a stand. They are not alone. A Real American is Back, Jack Swagger.
They are taking first blood in this revolution. He tells everyone to choose sides. If you are against us, you are doomed to fail.
Match Number Eight: Cody Rhodes (with Damien Sandow) versus Antonio Cesaro (with Zeb Colter)
They lock up and go around the ring. The referee pulls Cody away but Cody with a pie face and Cesaro returns fire. Cesaro with a waist lock and a dead lift side salto and Rhodes retreats to get advice from Sandow. Cody with a waist lock into a side head lock. Cody with a drop down uppercut and a rollup for a near fall.
Cesaro complains to the referee and Cody with a kick to the midsection. Cody avoids a belly-to-back suplex and he tries for a sunset flip but Cesaro with a stomp to the chest. Cody with knees to Cesaro and he tries for a cover but uses the ropes for leverage.
Cesaro with a European uppercut and Rhodes goes to the floor. Cesaro rolls Cody back in and Cody drops Cesaro on the top rope. Cody with a back slide but Cesaro rolls through and hits the Gotch Style Neutralizer for the three count.
Winner: Antonio Cesaro
After the match, Sandow cannot believe what happened to his BFF.
We look at former Champions Triple H and Booker T.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Nine: Alberto Del Rio versus John Cena in a Champion versus Champion . . . Wouldn’t This Mean More if it Got More than an Hour of Advance Notice or Was on PPV Match
They lock up and Del Rio with a side head lock take down. Cena with a hip toss and side head lock take down. Cena with a shoulder tackle and Del Rio with a hip toss and he says that he is the real champion. Cena with a waist lock and he tries to get Del Rio on his shoulders but Del Rio escapes and goes to the floor and up the ramp to regroup.
Del Rio returns to the ring and he kicks Cena in the leg and he stomps on Cena until the referee warns him. Del Rio with a running kick to the back and he gets a near fall. Del Rio tries for a suplex but Cena blocks it and he hits a suplex of his own.
Cena punches Del Rio and he hits a bulldog. Cena misses a shoulder into the corner and he hits the ring post and goes to the floor. Del Rio sends Cena into the ringside barrier before returning to the ring and he hits a double sledge from the turnbuckles for a near fall. Del Rio punches and kicks Cena. Del Rio charges at Cena but Cena moves and Del Rio goes through the ropes to the floor and we go to commercial.
We are back and Del Rio with a reverse chin lock. Cena gets back to his feet and he powers out of the hold but Del Rio with a knee and then he sends Cena to the mat on the back of the head and then he uses his boot to rake the face. Del Rio goes up top but Cena with a drop kick and both men are down.
Cena with a shoulder tackle but Del Rio moves on the second one and Del Rio with a few baseball slides to send Cena to the floor. Cena with two flying shoulder tackles but Del Rio escapes the Blue Thunder Bomb and Del Rio hits a Lungblower and he gets a near fall.
Del Rio tries to float over into the cross arm breaker but Cena counters with the Blue Thunder Bomb and then he hits the Five Knuckle Shuffle and he tries to get Del Rio up for the Attitude Adjustment but Del Rio counters with a German suplex and bridge but he can only get a two count. Del Rio tries for the super kick but Cena blocks it and hits a belly-to-belly for a near fall. Cena goes up top for the Rocker Dropper but Del Rio with an enzuigiri and he gets a near fall. Del Rio misses the step up enzuigiri but Del Rio avoids the STF attempt.
Del Rio with a tilt-a-whirl back breaker for a near fall. Del Rio puts Cena in the tree of woe and Del Rio with a kick. Del Rio tries for a shoulder in the corner but Cena pulls himself up in the tree of woe and Del Rio hits the ring post with his shoulder. Cena with a cross body for a near fall.
Cena tries to get Del Rio up but Del Rio tries for the cross arm breaker. Cena escapes and he applies the STF.
Mark Henry makes his way to the ring because that is what he do and he walks around the ring, forcing Cena to release the hold. Del Rio with a rollup for a near fall. Del Rio with a super kick and he gets another near fall. Dolph Ziggler goes to the ring and he goes up top.
Cena with a counter into the Attitude Adjustment for the three count.
Winner: John Cena
After the match, Mark Henry demands the WWE Title belt and he walks into the ring to stop Cena’s celebration. Cena is ready for a fight as Mark makes his way to the center of the ring. Mark throws the title belt on the mat and he starts to walk out of the ring but he teases attacking Cena. Mark leaves the ring but stays on the apron. He walks down the steps and Cena picks up his title belt. Mark walks away and he signals either that Cena’s time is up or he is the official Clobbering Time Keeper for CM Punk.
We go to credits with the rocking chair in the barn.
