After what was a very newsworthy SummerSlam, the WWE needs to have a good follow-up tonight on RAW. They have a lot of momentum going right now, and if they screw it up, they have no one to blame but themselves.
Bryan 3:16?
John Cena came out to start the show. He said last night at SummerSlam, Daniel Bryan earned the WWE Championship. He thanked Bryan for bringing out the best in him. Cena showed the growth on his elbow and said it was fluid as a result of a torn tricep. Cena said he can’t put off his surgery any longer and he is leaving tonight. Cena said he would be gone for the next 4-6 months. Cena then introduced Daniel Bryan.
Before Bryan could speak, Stephanie McMahon came out. She said she was sorry and he did not deserve to get his dream snatched away like that. Steph said Triple H was doing what was best for business. The crowd chanted NO and Bryan said the crowd seemed to disagree with them. Bryan said HHH used to be a rebel. He looked at Stephanie and said when you lay down with trash, you start to stink. Stephanie said she would let it slide. Bryan asked what was she going to do, fire him? Bryan said he wasn’t afraid of going back to wrestle in gyms. Stephanie said Bryan’s anger management issues were getting to him. She said not everyone is WWE Championship material. And while Bryan may not be an A, he’s a solid B+. Bryan said Stephanie is starting to remind him of a word that starts with a B right now. Bryan said he could be WWE Champ and he doesn’t care what she thinks. Bryan slapped the microphone out of Stephane’s hands. Stephanie said Bryan was being unprofessional and she wouldn’t stand for it. She asked security to escort Bryan from the building. Security came out and Bryan was taken out as he chanted NO.
Segment Analysis: I would have preferred to see someone take John Cena out. Now I fear he returns and wins the Rumble. But I liked the exchange between Bryan and Stephanie there. They are setting up Bryan to be a mega star in the absence of Cena. There were some shades of the classic Austin/McMahon exchanges there. I’m interested to see where it leads. Survey Says: 3.5/5
Apparently Cody’s Mustache Was His Kryptonite
Damien Sandow vs Cody Rhodes. Cody started strong with an elbow off the top rope and a face first suplex. Sandow tossed Rhodes over the apron but he landed fine, then hit a missile drop kick. Cody tossed Sandow to the outside then hit a suplex on the floor. Sandow caught Rhodes with a knee then another one outside the ring. Sandow hit a suplex back in the ring. Cody caught Sandow with a shoulder to the gut. But Sandow grabbed Cody and pulled him off the top rope into commercial.
Sandow still had control back from break. Cody tried fighting back but caught a Sandow knee. Sandow hit the Elbow of Disdain for two. Sandow placed Cody on the ropes, but Rhodes knocked him off and hit a moonsault off the top rope. Rhodes came back with a backdrop and a couple clotheslines. Cody hit the Goldust upper cut. Cody went for Cross Rhodes but Sandow countered with a neckbreaker for two. Cody countered with a Disaster Kick. Sandow rolled to the apron the dropped Rhodes on the ropes. Sandow tossed Cody into the corner, but Rhodes came back with a roll up for the win.
Match Analysis: Another solid match between these two. They seem to have some good chemistry in the ring. Cody gets another win. I’m guessing Sandow will get his win at the next PPV. Survey Says: 2.5/5
Backstage, Brad Maddox showed comments made by Dolph Ziggler saying that he never trusted HHH. He made a Dolph Ziggler vs The Shield 3-on-1 handicap match for later tonight.
Paul Heyman was in the ring. He said last night CM Punk was defeated by Brock Lesnar. He said Punk gave Brock all he could handle. Heyman said it was time to end this family feud. He said he’s been more of a father to CM Punk than anyone. Heyman said it was time for forgiveness. Heyman said he forgives Punk. Heyman said Punk is better with him than without him. Heyman said they will accomplish more than they ever have before. He said he still loves Punk and that they will go to the main event of Wrestlemania and together they will be the Best in the World.
Naomi and Cameron beat A.J. and Layla after Naomi rolled up Layla.
Does Dolph Have No Friends?
3-on-1 handicap match. Ziggler and Ambrose started. They briefly grappled then Ambrose tagged in Rollins. Ziggler landed a handful of punches on Rollins in the corner. The ref broke it up and Rollins caught Ziggler with a knee. Reigns came in and nailed Dolph with a clothesline. The Shield gained the upper hand and started working over Ziggler. Dolph countered an Ambrose sleeper hold with a jawbreaker. Reigns came in and took his time so Ziggler nailed him with a dropkick. Ziggler tossed Rollins and Ambrose to the outside. He hit a DDT on Reigns. Ziggler suplexed Rollins to the outside. It looked like Rollins landed awkwardly on his knee. Dolph, however, walked right into a Spear from Reigns to give the Shield the win.
After the match, The Shield hit the Triple Powerbomb on Ziggler.
Match Analysis: That one match did more for Dolph than anything the WWE has done in the past month or so. With Cena and Sheamus gone, Ziggler almost becomes the de facto #3 face. He needs performances like that to get him back in the good graces of the crowd. It was a short match, but it did its job of getting Dolph back over. Even if it was just a tiny bit. Survey Says: 2.5/5
Oh Sin Cara. Really???
Alberto del Rio vs Sin Cara. Del Rio landed some early kicks. But Sin Cara came back with an armdrag takedown. Sin Cara hit a dive to the outside but he apparently injured his left arm. Looked legit. Alberto del Rio cut a promo saying he would be a hero to the Mexican community. Ricardo came out and said Del Rio wasn’t a hero. He said he’s glad that he doesn’t have to represent him anymore. In fact, he is going to represent someone new. And it was Rob Van Dam. RVD attacked Del Rio and went for the Five Star, but Del Rio rolled out of the ring.
Segment Analysis: With no Sheamus on Smackdown, RVD now moves into the top role as challenger for the World Title. He’s over enough for the crowd to make it work. Sin Cara, I think it is time to cut ties. Guy gets injured too much. Survey Says: 2.5/5
Zeb Colter and The Real Americans were in the ring. Zeb cut his usual promo. Out came the Prime Time Players for a match. The Real Americans dominated early. Cesaro hit a gut wrench backdrop for two. Swagger came in and continued to work over Titus. Swagger hit a Swagger Bomb then Cesaro came in and jumped over his shoulders and hit a stomp for two. Titus hit a sit down power bomb and tagged in Young. Young ended up hitting the Gut Check on Cesaro, giving the PTPs a win.
Big Show was interviewed. He said him and Mark Henry were going after The Shield and the Tag Titles. Brad Maddox interruped. He said Show will face The Shield later in a handicap match, with all members allowed in the ring at once. Show asked if Maddox was sure he wanted to do that to the Shield.
Zack Ryder and Justin Gabriel appeared in a Foot Locker spot. Fandango came in and took some shoes from the Foot Locker guy and danced away.
Ryback bullied someone in the locker room. He made said person go into the shower and, put his clothes under a shower and get them wet.
Aren’t The Shield In The Doghouse?
Big Show vs The Shield. Big Show dominated early and threw all three members of the Shield outside the ring. Show then caught Reigns with a Spear of his own. Rollins distracted Show. Ambrose applied a sleeper but Show broke it. Show tossed Rollins out of the ring and went for a chokeslam on Ambrose. Rollins came back in and hit a chop block. Ambrose hit a dropkick then Rollins hit a knee off the top rope. Show hit a Double Suplex on Ambrose and Rollins. Reigns came back in and hit a Spear. The Shield then hit the triple powerbomb on Show to pick up the win.
Segment Analysis: Remember reading that The Shield was in the doghouse? Yeah I don’t see that being the case here. The Shield has looked stronger here than they have in the last few months. Survey Says: 3/5
BOOO That Fat Man!
CM Punk came out. He didn’t know what to say. He then went after some fan for booing him. He dared him to step in the ring and said he wanted to fight. He told the fan he would render him to tears and then to shut up and sit down. Punk said he wants the main event of Wrestlemania and if it is an apology Paul wants, he should come out. Heyman came out with Curtis Axel. Punk said he’s sorry that he didn’t break his arm off and take it home with him. He’s sorry he didn’t break Paul’s face. Punk said it doesn’t matter what Heyman said, he would get his revenge on Heyman and dared him to step in the ring like a man.
Heyman said he was sorry for what was about to happen to Punk. He told Axel to go get ready for a fight. Heyman said if Punk was still in the ring when they got back from commercial, Axel will finish the job Brock Lesnar started. Back from break Axel and Punk started brawling. Axel threw Punk into the barricade. Punk then tossed Axel over the barricade then hit a dive over it. Punk hit Axel with a camera case then the ring bell. In the ring, Punk went for the GTS but Axel escaped and took out Punk’s injured leg. Axel drove the chair into Punk’s leg. Axel but the chair on Punk’s leg and went to jump off the top onto it, but Punk moved. Punk then used the chair on Axel and threw him into the steps. Punk then dropped Axel on the steps as he stared down Heyman.
Segment Analysis: Want to know how someone is over? He can make fun of someone in the audience and still get cheered massively. I never thought I would see the day CM Punk and Daniel Bryan are the top two faces on RAW. I’m guessing Punk and Axel will have a brief program heading into Night of Champions. This also made me believe that Punk will be main eventing Wrestlemania next year. Solid promo from Punk and Axel held his own during the brawl as well. Survey Says: 3.5/5
Bray Wyatt made quick work of R-Truth.
A promo aired for Primo and Epico, who are being repackaged as Los Matadores. Are we back in the early 90s?
The Usos defeated 3MB.
Miz defeated Wade Barret via DQ after Fandango broke up the Figure Four with a leg drop off the top rope. I apologize for now play-by-play on these last couple matches, but they are mid-carders with no direction in short matches.
Oh HHH, You Are So Caring!
Vince McMahon, HHH and Stephanie McMahon were in the ring with the entire roster on the stage and The Shield guarding the ring. Vince praised HHH for seeing the light. HHH said he did what he did to ensure the future of the WWE. HHH said he did it for all of our children. HHH did it so the WWE will still exist for his children’s future. HHH said he considered Bryan to be a friend and he is a very good little technician and he deserved to win last night. But we deserve better than Daniel Bryan as the face of the WWE. We deserve A+. HHH said it hurt him personally to do that to Daniel Bryan. HHH said that he buried his personal feelings with Randy Orton to do what is right for him. HHH said Bryan is selfish. HHH said he checks his ego every time he goes to work. (HAHAHAHAHAHAHA) HHH introduced Randy Orton.
Orton came down to the ring. He hugged Stephanie McMahon. Orton told us he wouldn’t see it coming. Orton said he owed everything to HHH. Orton said everyone should show HHH the respect he deserves. HHH then asked Daniel Bryan to come out and they could settle their issues. Bryan eventually came to the ring. The Shield attacked Bryan and he took all of them out. Bryan started walking to the ring. But he forget about Reigns, who hit Bryan with a spear. The Shield attacked again. HHH told them to stop. He asked Bryan to come into the ring. HHH bad mouthed him the entire time, telling him to show his guts. Orton then caught Bryan with an RKO.
Segment Analysis: With John Cena and Sheamus both out of action, the WWE needed to do a good job of making it clear that Daniel Bryan is the top guy. At this point, it is pretty much Daniel Bryan vs The World. I still think they are setting this up huge for Bryan if they play their cards right. While Bryan isn’t your typical anti-authority figure, he’s the guy the WWE Universe wants to see take out the McMahons. Survey Says: 3/5
OVERALL
That was a mixed bag episode of RAW. I think they did a good job of making it known that Daniel Bryan is the new top guy in John Cena’s absence. This is exactly what they should have done during the Summer of Punk two years ago. Hopefully they do it right now. The Shield has been re-established as a threat as well. The CM Punk/Paul Heyman stuff was well done too. But how long can they hold off on Punk/Lesnar again? Axel is a decent temporary place holder, but what happens after. Everything else was very meh. There were no stand out matches. There was a lot of filler. Overall, the storyline progression for Daniel Bryan worked, but there wasn’t much else to this show. I’m going to give it a 4.
Until Next Time,
Justin C
Follow Me On Twitter @JCWonka
