The road to Summerslam continues tonight with LIVE results for WWE Raw. Will we see both the WWE Champion John Cena and challenger Daniel Bryan in action tonight? How will the power strugle between the McMahons and the feuding GM's Maddox & Guerrero pan out? And will Dolph Ziggler get any chance of retribution after AJ & Langston's big beatdown from last week? Keep it here to find out...
'Previously on WWE' video package to open WWE Raw from Austin, Texas.
Drumroll, the lights go on and Brad Maddox is in the ring and it looks like he's set up a contract signing. He introduces the champion John Cena. Maddox sort of cuts an interview with him, saying that some people feel that Bryan is an easy target and a weak link. Cena asks if he's so sure about that as Bryan's music hits and he makes his way to the table in the ring. Huge pop for Bryan from the crowd. Bryan is asked why he thought Cena picked him, but Cena says it himself. He says that some of Brad's bosses can't see potential and don't want to give people oppourtunities. Cena says it's about passion, not just strength, look at HBK, Mysterio & Eddie Guerrero. Cena picked him as he earned it and deserved it. But he adds that just because he picked him, it doesn't mean he's going to just give it to him. Cena's already signed the contract and Bryan does so too. Brad cuts him off from speaking and closes the contract signing. Bryan isn't happy with being cut off. So Maddox sets up not just one match but multiple matches for tonight for Bryan to prove himself. Maddox says 'NO!' as to whether he's got a chance s the crowd chants 'YES!' ... OK opening here.
Later tonight, Mark Henry strikes back from The Shield's attack from last week. Up next, however, Sheamus & Alberto Del Rio are walking backstage so it looks as if they'll be in a match next.
Sheamus's music hits and he makes his way to the ring. He's got a very nasty bruise on his leg after landing on the ladder at MITB last week. His opponent, Alberto Del Rio, is out next.
Match 1 - Sheamus vs. Alberto Del Rio
Good opening match here. Alberto gets a roll-up victory.
WINNER - Alberto Del Rio
MizTV tonight, with the Total Divas cast. They'll also be recapping Lesnar's attack on Punk later on too.
WWE Rewind, with Vickie appointed as GM of Smackdown.
Interview now with Booker T and Teddy Long. Booker is shocked at the choice, but Teddy says he was left in charge while Booker was away. Booker says it was a tricep tear and he needed surgery. Teddy closes by saying if he wasn't made GM, then Vince made the right decision, and Teddy leaves. Booker T looks on.
Christian comes out now, he'll be in action after the break.
Back from break and his opponent is brought out, Titus O'Neil, accompanied by Darren Young.
Match 2 - Christian vs. Titus O'Neil (w/Darren Young)
Decent match this time. Christian wins with the Killswitch.
WINNER - Christian
They recap Smackdown with Jericho fighting Curtis Axel and Ryback's attack on Jericho. Ryback being interviewed by Josh Matthews. He says that some people think he enjoys threatening and intimidating people. Ryback says he hates average, and loves taking out the smaller guys, including Josh. Matthews backs out of the camera shot slowly as we cut to break.
Mark Henry's music hits and he makes his way to the ring. He says he's proud of being a Texan and of his performance against Cena last week, but was not proud of The Shield's attack. He then says he won't put the crowd to sleep and says if The Shield wants him, then he's there and ready for them. Shield's music hits and they make their way through the crowd, surrounding the ring. They enter the ring and begin to overpower Henry, only for The Uso's music to hit and they run-in to make the save. Rollins & Ambrose escape the ring and Reigns gets splashed in the corner by Henry. As he's prepping up for the Slam, the guys rescue Reigns and The Shield retreat back into the crowd.
Daniel Bryan backstage prepping for his match and Cena comes in, a little apprehensive as to what Maddox has in store for him. Bryan says that no matter what, tonight is his chance to prove that he belongs here. He says if Cena comes out an any point, Maddox will be proven right.
Back from break and Darren Young is in the ring. He'll be facing Dolph Ziggler. They recap the moment backstage where Big E. Langston kissed AJ Lee on the forehead.
Match 3 - Darren Young vs. Dolph Ziggler
OK match. Ziggler wins with the Zig Zag.
WINNER - Dolph Ziggler
After the match, Big E. Langston runs in and tries to attack Ziggler, only for Ziggler managing to reverse his moves and manage to make the escape from the ring and head to the back.
WWE App news.
Later tonight, recapping Punk being attacked by Lesnar.
MizTV with the Total Divas is up next. Yawn.
Miz TV. They show a clip of Total Divas. Divas are in the ring. Miz brings in Lawler. He introduces himself to the 2 new Divas. Eva Marie says she's making a name for herself. She slaps Lawler. End of segment. Wow. They really are telling people this Total Divas show is crap. (Note to Eva Marie: If you want to make a TRUE name for yourself, you might want to learn how to wrestle well, not just slap men.)
Brad Maddox is backstage and Triple H comes in. Triple H takes exception to Maddox thinking Bryan is overrated. He feels that Bryan is the future of this company. Triple H says that Brad had better be on the right train as one's heading for the future and the other one is heading to a dead end. Triple H leaves and Stephanie enters. She says Brad's been put between a rock and a hard place and thinks she has a resolution for both Triple H and Vince will be happy with.
Recap of The Wyatt Family's actions over the past few weeks.
Fandango is making his way out now with Summer Rae. He'll be in action next.
Back from break and Damien Sandow is on commentary for this match. Fandango's opponent will be Cody Rhodes, and they recap Sandow trying to offer an olive branch of peace, only for Cody to attack him.
Match 4 - Fandango (w/Summer Rae) vs. Cody Rhodes
Decent match. Sandow tried to interfere, but Cody saw him off with a Beautiful disaster to both Sandow & Fandango, followed by a Cross Rhodes for the pinfall.
WINNER - Cody Rhodes
Up next, it's a recap of Punk being attacked by Lesnar last week.
Cult of Personality hits and CM Punk makes his way to the ring. They recap Lesnar's beating. Punk says that Lesnar kept attacking him over and over again, but after all of it, he got up for it all. He's got lots of knocks and injuries, but he's still standing and he can't be kept down. He hypes up Lesnar, the former NCAA, WWE and UFC champion. He's broken Triple H, Undertaker & Cena over the years but he's always been about one thing... fear. Punk, however, says he's isn't afraid of Heyman's monster. He then turns his attention to Heyman. Heyman made the wrong choice and Punk says he'll make him regret it every day. Punk says no matter what Heyman or Lesnar may think, it's his ring. Punk says he's been screwed by him twice now and he'll make sure it won't happen a third time. When monsters are put in his way, he's the guy that slays them. He wants The Best vs. The Beast... Punk vs. Lesnar at Summerslam.
Heyman is 'via satellite' and Punk mentions that he'd better be via satellite or he'll find him in the arena and beat him down. Heyman says Punk is a man who's ran out of options and didn't know when to stay down and asks him whether he's a coward or a fool. Punk says he'll answer it at Summerslam. Heyman says it was they who were WWE Champion for 434 days, Punk's talent and Heyman's strategy. He accepts Punk's challenge but says the Best IS the Beast... BROCK LESNAR!
RVD is backstage... he'll be in action next.
Smackdown this Friday will see RVD take on ADR.
Wade Barrett is in the ring, as RVD's music hits and he comes out for the match.
Match 5 - Wade Barrett vs. Rob Van Dam
Quick match here. RVD hits the Five Star Frogsplash for the win.
WINNER - Rob Van Dam
Daniel Bryan is backstage, he'll be in action next.
Bryan's music hits and Daniel is coming down the ramp ready for his gauntlet match. The Real Americans are out now, with Zeb Coulter cutting a promo on the Texas crowd as well as Daniel Bryan. WEED THE PEOPLE, Swagger. Speaking of, he's Bryan's first opponent.
Match 6 - Daniel Bryan vs. Jack Swagger (w/Zeb Coulter & Antonio Cesaro)
Decent little match. Bryan manages to get Swagger in the Yes lock and makes Swagger tap.
WINNER - Daniel Bryan
Bryan's next opponent will be Antonio Cesaro.
Match 7 - Daniel Bryan vs. Antonio Cesaro (w/Zeb Coulter & Jack Swagger)
Excellent match between these two guys. Bryan gets a roll-up win.
WINNER - Daniel Bryan
Alex Riley backstage saying that Bryan's done good so far. Maddox the says to him to wait until his next opponent. He'll be revealed after the break.
Bryan's next opponent will be... Ryback.
Match 8 - Daniel Bryan vs. Ryback
Decent match here. Ryback gets disqualified after putting Bryan through a table set up on the outside.
WINNER by disqualification - Daniel Bryan
John Cena comes out now to save Bryan from further battles. Ryback heads to the ramp. Cena gets a mic and says Bryan's been through over 30 minutes of fighting. Cena challenges Ryback to a Tables match next week. It's then also announced by the commentary team that Daniel Bryan will be facing Kane next week as well. And this is where Raw heads off the air for this week.
A mixed bag of a show, hopefully next week's recorded show will be a better one. Speaking of, due to next week's show being taped tomorrow night (Tuesday 23rd), I won't be recapping next week LIVE, however I will be posting the results up once Raw has gone off the air next week for those that are avoiding spoilers. Until then... ASHLEY OUT!