RAW LIVE and Discussion Thread - Feb 25th 2013

[LG]

Tonight's WWE RAW will take place from the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. Confirmed for tonight's show is Vince McMahon vs. Paul Heyman in a fight plus John Cena vs. CM Punk with the winner getting a WWE Title shot against The Rock at WrestleMania 29.

Speculation is that The Undertaker may return to TV tonight after making his in-ring return at a live event over the weekend. Brock Lesnar is confirmed for tonight's show as is Rey Mysterio. Two stars who won't be on RAW tonight are The Rock and Chris Jericho. Advertised locally for tonight is

WWE is focusing on the following points for tonight's show:

* Does Paul Heyman stand a chance against Vince McMahon?

* More fiery fallout for Kane and Daniel Bryan?

* What avenue will Ryback pursue against The Shield this week?

* What will Brad Maddox do as Assistant to the Managing Supervisor Vickie Guerrero?

* Cena vs. Punk: Once more, with feeling

[LG]

My predictions are Taker, Lesnar, and Triple H will all return tonight.

Taker returns to face Punk.

Lesnar and Triple H will return both during Heyman vs McMahon match

I was so right lesnar vs triple h at wm 29! Hell yes!

[LG]

Tonight's WWE RAW opens with a hype video for the Vince McMahon and Paul Heyman fight. The video shifts focus to John Cena, CM Punk and The Rock's WWE Title.

- We're live from Dallas, Texas as Vince McMahon makes his way out to a big pop. Vince is walking but using crutches to make it out. Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler are on commentary as Vince heads to the ring.

Vince says everyone knows he likes to do things in a big way. He says we're getting closer to WrestleMania so we need something big each week. Vince is ready to fight and calls out Paul Heyman, referring to him as an "ultimate fighter." Heyman comes out in some gear and cuts a promo on his way to the ring.

Heyman says he's been waiting for this fight. Heyman says Vince has portrayed him as one of the biggest wimps. Heyman knocks the Dallas Cowboys and gets some heat. Heyman says he's not going to take it easy on Vince. Heyman says he has watched Vince take out every other promoter, including him, and has watched him beat the US Government but tonight, Heyman is coming for all Vince has got. Heyman slowly approaches Vince and has a question for him. Heyman out of nowhere tackles Vince on his crutches. Heyman grabs a crutch and smacks Vince with it in his injured hip when he stands up. Vince gets up with the other crutch and catches a swing from Heyman. Vince hits Heyman with the crutch twice and knocks him down. Brock Lesnar's music hits and out he comes.

Lesnar hits the ring and readies for an attack on Vince. Triple H's music hits and out he comes to the stage, startling Lesnar. The Game approaches the ring as Lesnar readies for a fight. Lesnar exits the ring and meets Triple h on the floor. They go at it and get tangled up. The brawl goes around ringside as the fans pop. HHH tosses Lesnar into the steel post. Lesnar is busted open and bleeding as Triple H sends him into the post again. Triple H charges and sends Lesnar over the barrier and into the timekeeper's area with a clothesline. HHH approaches with a crutch but Lesnar attacks. Lesnar with knees to the face. Lesnar slams HHH on top of the announce table. Lesnar is really busted open and bleeding now. It looked like he hit the ring post very hard. Lesnar brings HHH back in the ring and swings a chair but HHH nails a spinebuster. HHH with a massive chairshot to the back. Lesnar retreats as HHH's music hits. Lesnar is checking the wound on his head. Very intense segment there.

- Still to come tonight, The Rock vs. CM Punk. Also, The Miz will have MizTV with Alberto Del Rio and Jack Swagger. We see Ryback heading to the ring. We go to commercial.

- Back from the commercial and we see footage of the Triple H and Brock Lesnar brawl that just happened. Cole tells fans to Tout their thoughts on what happened.

Ryback vs. Dolph Ziggler

Dolph Ziggler, AJ Lee and Big E Langston are waiting in the ring as Ryback makes his way out.

Ziggler ducks the lock up and shows off some. The go to lock up again and Ziggler goes behind. Ryback counters and slams Ziggler on his face. Ryback slams Ziggler again and stands over him. Another big slam from Ryback. Ziggler fights back and hits a dropkick. 2 count for Ziggler. Ziggler with more kicks and punches. Ryback fights out and drops Ziggler with a shoulder. Ryback catches Ziggler in mid-air and slams him. Ryback takes the fight to the corner now.

Ziggler tries to fight back but Ryback catches him again, slams him in the corner and then on the mat. Ziggler rolls to the floor as we go to commercial.

Back from the break and Ryback has Ziggler in a long standing suplex. Ryback finally slams Ziggler after about a minute of holding him up. Ziggler rolls back to the floor. Ryback goes after him and brings it back in the ring. Ziggler charges with a kick but Ryback throws him back. Big E Langston runs over Ryback on the floor. Langston leans against the fan barrier and shows off some. Ziggler brings Ryback in the ring and covers for a 1 count. Ziggler with a dropkick to the back of the head for another pin attempt. Ziggler counters and nails a big DDT. More back and forth. Ziggler applies the sleeper hold. Ryback breaks it with a jawbreaker. Ryback comes back and slams Ziggler on his face. Another big slam. AJ distracts the referee. Here comes Big E but Ryback knocks him off the apron. Ryback with two more big slams on an attacking Ziggler. Ryback hits Shellshocked for the win.

Winner: Ryback

- We get the trailer for WWE Studios' The Call.

- We go to the ring and out comes CM Punk by himself. Back to commercial.

[LG]

We get the trailer for WWE Studios' The Call.

- We go to the ring and out comes CM Punk by himself. Back to commercial.

Back from the break and CM Punk is in the ring. He says people will witness history tonight. Punk says tonight is not about John Cena or The Rock. Punk says tonight isn't even about WrestleMania. Tonight isn't even about the people. It's not about the WWE Title either. Tonight is about the future, CM Punk. Punk goes no bragging and says he has earned the right to go to WrestleMania. Punk says he is an icon among superstars. Punk says he is immortal, the greatest of all time. A legend, an icon, the best, the greatest. Punk says he is God and drops the mic. The crowd boos him. Punk yells that he's God one more time and exits the ring as his music hits.

- We get the announcement and video for Donald Trump's 2013 Hall of Fame induction.

- Mark Henry and The Great Khali are shown walking to the ring. Back to commercial.

Mark Henry vs. The Great Khali

Back from the break and both men are in the ring. They start going at it. Henry runs into a big boot. Khali unloads with chops in the corner. Khali with more chops to the chest. Khali drops Henry with a big overhead chop. Henry rolls to the floor and Khali follows. Henry makes a comeback and rolls Khali back in the ring. Henry with a splash in the corner. Henry nails the World's Strongest Slam for the win.

Winner: Mark Henry

MiZ TV is next

Stay tuned for live coverage...

[A Blissful Ass]

interesting Raw this week

[LG]

Yes it is. Now that they started off with a bang with Trips and Lesnar, I hope Taker ends the show with a bang

[LG]

We see a clip of The Miz in The Marine 3.

- Out comes The Miz for another episode of MizTV as we go to commercial.

Back from the break and we get a vignette for Fandango. Jack Swagger and Zeb Colter are waiting in the ring with The Miz as World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio comes out with Ricardo Rodriguez. Del Rio looks upset. Miz says we're cutting right to the chase tonight. He introduces everyone. Pops for Ricardo and Del Rio. Miz says Swagger and Zeb have been engulfed in controversy this past week. Zeb says he was looking forward to talking to Glenn Beck but he chickened out. Zeb addresses Del Rio. Zeb says we have a problem in this country - 11 million undocumented workers. Zeb calls them illegals. Zeb brings up amnesty for those 11 million illegals and says real Americans already have a tough time finding work. Zeb says those people sneak across our border to take our jobs and medical services. Zeb says Del Rio's people drain us. Miz wants to hear what Del Rio has to say. Miz asks Del Rio how hard it is to get citizenship in Mexico. Zeb says it takes 10 years to be a citizen of Mexico because of corruption. Zeb brings up the fact that foreigners can't own property in Mexico. Zeb asks what is wrong with Del Rio and his people. Del Rio says not to disrespect his people. Zeb tells Del Rio to listen when he talks.

Zeb says this isn't personal. He says Del Rio encourages his people to sneak across our border in pursuit of the dream. Zeb says the ones that fail conveniently forget to leave our country. Zeb says he won't stand around and let it happen. Zeb says those people are criminals. Del Rio and Zeb argue. Del Rio says his time to talk is over and he needs to shut up. Del Rio says America is the greatest country on Earth because it belongs to everyone. Del Rio says he is just like everyone else. Del Rio says Zeb and Swagger can't come and hide behind the constitution. Del Rio says he doesn't like bullies. He says if they have a problem with him and have the balls to do it, then make them leave now. Del Rio drops the mic and takes off his coat. Swagger takes the mic and says we will see Del Rio at WrestleMania. Swagger yells "we the people" and slams the mic down. Swagger and Zeb leave the ring as Del Rio looks on.

- Still to come, CM Punk vs. John Cena. We see Randy Orton walking to the ring. Back to commercial.

[A Blissful Ass]

Yes it is. Now that they started off with a bang with Trips and Lesnar, I hope Taker ends the show with a bang

i hope so i'm predicting he returns after the match

[LG]

i hope so i'm predicting he returns after the match

If he does, I would have to say then this would be the best RAW of the year so far

[LG]

- Still to come, CM Punk vs. John Cena. We see Randy Orton walking to the ring. Back to commercial.

- Back from the break and we see that during the commercial, Zeb colter accused The Miz of conducting a bias interview. Miz was laid out by Jack Swagger.

Randy Orton vs. Antonio Cesaro

WWE United States Champion Antonio Cesaro is waiting in the ring as Randy Orton comes out. Back and forth to start the match. Orton with a nice throw and a 2 count. More back and forth. The end comes when Cesaro comes off the top and catches a RKO for the win.

Winner: Randy Orton

- Daniel Bryan and Kane are backstage talking about their match with Titus O'Neil and Darren Young tonight. Vickie Guerrero and Brad Maddox come up and already have tension. Bryan will be blindfolded while Kane will have one hand behind his back.

- Back from commercial and Sheamus is out wearing a suit. He talks about the Oscars and has a bone to pick with Hollywood. He shows footage of Dead Man Down. Sheamus shows another clip that has Barrett in the background. Sheamus mocks Barrett's small role in the movie. Out comes the WWE Intercontinental Champion with a mic.

Barrett makes his way to the ring and they have words. Sheamus ducks a clothesline and Barrett avoids a Brogue Kick.

- Still to come, Punk vs. Cena. Also, The Shield will deliver a message. Back to commercial.

Cody Rhodes vs. R-Truth

Cody Rhodes is in the ring and Damien Sandow is on commentary as R-Truth makes his way out for the next match. We see footage from last week where R-Truth returned and saved Kofi Kingston from Sandow. Truth with some dancing and offense early on. Cody turns it around in the corner and drops Truth. Cody wails away and slams Truth on his face.

Cody with a submission now. Truth ends up getting the win and the best of Sandow also.

Winner: R-Truth

- We get another "We The People" video from Swagger and Colter. The Miz vs. Swagger is announced for tonight. Back to commercial.

Stay tuned for live coverage...