Please check back and enjoy in the coming days TBM's following posts:
- NCAA & NFL Thurs/Fri best bets.
- WWE - Best of Survivor Series PPVs *The countdown to WWE Survivor Series 2013 begins*
TBM. WRESTLING
TBM WWE RAW RECAP 4.11.13
Kane is now a weapon for The
Authority, The Wyatt Family have set their sights on CM Punk and Daniel Bryan,
Big Show is still banned from WWE....
CM Punk comes out to open the show with a match! The Wyatt Family are out next, we get highlights from the Family's attack on CM Punk last week, leading to this.
Match 1: CM Punk vs Luke Harper
Harper shoves Punk into the corner and rushes him. I miss some stuff, and come back as Punk tries to suicide dive only for Harper to hit him in the face to stop it. Harper rolls Punk in and pins for 1 then goes for a few eights. He lifts Punk then goes bfor a backbreaker. He hits it. Harper steps atop of Punk's head as he looks towards Wyatt who is sitting ringside. Harper down on the ground and he gator rolls Punk with a side headlock. Nice. Punk is able to get out of it. He kicks, another, a roundhouse, but Harper reverses and sends Punk into the corner. Punk in the corner agian, but Punk moves, and sends Harper to the outside!! Punk watches over Harper as Rowan comes from around the ring and we get a commercial break!
We are back ,and Harper is in control. This comes from a Big Boot that we missed. Harper has a chin lock from behind but Punk turns into it and hits the ropes. Harper follows quickly and hits Punk right in the chest. Harper with a hit and a cover for 1...2..NO! Another cover and a 1 count. Harper drops some rights on the head of Punk then pinches the nose. Harper with the gator roll again. Punk is able to get out of it. He hits a high elbow and goes up top! Tornado DDT!! Both men up! They trade blows! Punk with a dropkick! Axe handle! Neckbreaker! Harper is in the corner. Running High Knee from Punk! Punk wants the elbow!! He considers it, but flies over to the outside onto Rowan!!! Harper goes to attack, but Punk hops up on the ropes, springboards, RIGHT into a Big Boot!!
Harper wants a finish...or a hug. He spins, looking for the clothesline, but Punk ducks and rolls up Harper! Pin for 1...2...3!!
Match Result: CM Punk by pin fall.
This is the most we've seen of Harper since he's been on the main roster. He was mighty impressive, coming off as a dangerous brute. The opener gave Punk a taste of revenge, but it wasn't a decisive victory. This leaves their issues unsolved. Punk and Bryan's expected alliance looks official, likely leading to a traditional Survivor Series elimination match.
RATING: **1/4
As expected, Rowan comes in to attack. Harper helps in as Wyatt heads into the ring. Harper and Rowan have Punk on his knees as Bray stares at Punk. Here's Daniel Bryan with a pony tail!! He sends Bray to the outside! Punk has a steel chair! Harper gets sent out of the ring as Punk and Bryan stand in the middle of the ring. Bryan is bandaged up.
Cole speaks about the lawsuit Big Show has on the company, and this leads to a video of Triple H where he says that as of now, The Big Show is banned from the WWE for life.JBL brings up the KO punch that Big Show gave Triple H, and says that Show deserves the ban.
Cole brings up our control, and how we can vote for Randy Orton's opponent tonight; Dolph Ziggler, The Miz, or Big E. Langston. King informs us of a six-man later tonight as The Rhodes and John Cena take on Sandow and The Real Americans.
Paul Heyman joins us via mobile phone. He informs us of his travels to Europe seeking medical treatment due to the attack from his former best friend, CM Punk at HIAC. He lists his many injuries, and says what Punk has done is inexcusable. He demands an apology. Heyman starts to cry and hangs up.
Match 2: Ryback vs The Great Khali
Khali gets Ryback in the corner and hits some slow elbows, then sends him to the adjacent corner and hits a hard chop. Khali grabs the ear of Ryback and hits another chop to the chest. One more for fun! khali sends Ryback in the corner and chokes him up but Ryback escapes and tries to lift him. He opts to send Khali to the corner instead, and runs....right into an elbow then a big boot! But Ryback stays up...until he runs into a chop. Khali with a right hand. Khali misses a chop, and Ryback comes flying back with a hard clothesline and a pin for 1...2...3!!
Match Result: Ryback by pin fall.
So they are keeping him strong...sort of. THE HEAT IS ON!
RATING: *
After the match, Ryback pulls Santino out of the ring. He is about to attack, but Hornswoggle distracts. Ryback claims he still rules and heads up the ramp.
Match 3: Kofi Kingston vs. Alberto Del Rio
Del Rio runs with a kick to th head of Kofi, then pulls Kofi's head from the outside. He chokes him up on the apron as the ref counts. Del Rio heads up top, and flies down with an axe handle. Del Rio grabs Kofi between the ropes and hits some right hands the na kick to the gut of Kofi. Ouch. Del Rio drags Kofi in for a cover. 1....2...NO! Del RIo tells the ref to count faster then lifts Kofi up. GERMAN!! Pin for 1...2.NO! Kofi gets choked up, but is able to break out of it with a rollup. 1...2..NO!! Kofi hits the ropes and runs right into a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker! Pin for 1...2...NO!! Del Rio with a chin lock, but it's short lived. Kofi turns into it, only for Del Rio to hit some headbutts. Kofi in the corner. Del Rio goes for the ENziguri, but Kofi ducks! Kofi up top! He flies off with a crossbody! Pin for 1...2..NO!! So close. Kofi grabs the head, and Del Rio sends him in the corner. He runs right into a double boot from Del Rio. Kofi hops up top! Cross body! Pin for 1...2....NO!! Kofi with some chops to the chest. Dropkick! He misses a kick, and Del Rio kicks Kofi right in the gut! Del Rio runs, but Kofi trips the leg and rolls up for 1...2..NO!!! Kofi wants the SOS. He sets up, but Del Rio reverses into the Cross Arm Breaker!!! Kofi tries to block, but Del Rio locks it in!! Kofi Taps!!
Match Result: Alberto Del Rio by submission.
Good match with some great sequences and reversals. Mostly by Kingston, leading to an energetic finishing sequence. ADR's finisher has grown on me, visually its one of the most legit looking finishers in the E.
RATING: ***
Another video highlighting Triple H and Steph's unlawful attitudes, complete with highlighted terms on the side such as Slander, Defamation, Breach of Contract, etc. while showing clips that coincide with said accusation.
Before King can let us know who won the poll, Orton wants to say something. He questions our empowerment due to us being able to choose his opponent. He wants us to look to our left and right, what do we see? A girlfriend, wife, mother? Right now, those women are fantasizing about him. If it's a boyfriend, husband, or father, then no matter how hard they try, they will never amount to half the man Orton is. As he looks around, he sees jealousy, envy, failure, and he's disgusted by it. He's the face of the WWE, and the only thing we have power over tonight, is who will be the viper's next victim.
And the winner is.....
- Big E. Langston 75%
- Dolph Ziggler 12% BOOOO!
- The Miz 13%
Big win for Langston.
Match 4: Randy Orton vs Big E. Langston
-Commercial Break-
We're back after a break, and Big E has Orton in the corner .He hits some mounted rights then a short clothesline. Orton rolls out but this time, Langston follows and slams his head into the steps. He stalks Orton, but Orton pulls him down, sending his head to the apron. Orton rolls Big E back in the ring then hops up on the apron. Big E is quick to hit a right, though! He hits the ropes, and goes for a shoulder block, but Orton moves!! Big E flies through the ropes to the outside and lands on his shoulder. On the outside, Orton hits a hard clothesline, then rolls Big E back in the ring. Cover for 1...2..NO! Orton with the stomps to various appendages. He then locks in a cravat from above. Big E stands and backs Orton into the corner!! Big E with a shoulder into the gut of the cornered Orton. Big E with a clothesline to Orton! Another! Belly - to - Belly!!! Orton hits the ropes!! BIG SPLASH! Cover for 1....2...NO!!! Orton kicks out!!! Big E grabs Orton, but Orton hits a kick then the backbreaker and a pin for 1...2..NO! Orton sends Big E into the ringpost shoulder first, then sends Big E to the apron for his patent DDT. He hits it!!! Orton hears voices, y'all. He goes for the RKO, but Langston pushes Orton away! A big explosion from Big E knocks Orton down. Big E gets Orton up! Orton floats off RKO!! Pin 1...2....3!
Match Result: WWE Champion Randy Orton by pin.
This may very well have been the coming out party for Big E. He certainly has all the tools to become a main event player. This is the best Langston has looked, the fans were buzzing during his offensive flurries. Orton's excellence is no surprise.
RATING: ***1/4
Match 5: Fandango and Summer Rae vs. Tyson Kidd and Natalya
Kidd and Fandango to start. Fanny with a kick, but Kidd sends him to the ropes. Kidd pushes, but Fandango knocks him down. Some great rope work ends with Fandango flipping and showing Kidd hasn't missed a step. Tag to Summer. Nattie is in. They talk some trash, so Nattie pulls the legs. Fandango distracts, allowing Summer to drop Nattie forward. Summer with a pin for 2. Summer with a scissors lock from behind. Nattie turns around and lifts up Summer. Summer rolls over and pins for 1. Double clothesline from the ladies. Summer needs another dress. Tag to Fandango. He runs towards the corner, and Tyson hits a high kick. Dropkick! Kicks ot the legs! Kick to the face! Whip fro mFandango, Kid bicycle kicks up Fandango, then grabs Fandango by the legs and sends him over the ropes! Hard kick from Tyson!! Kidd calls for the top turnbuckle, but Summer distracts and Fandango trips him up. Fandango up top!! Fandango goes for a leg drop, but Tyson is up and catches him! He wants the Sharpshooter! He locks it in! Nattie is here to send Summer Rae to the outside! Fandango taps!!!Match Result: Tyson Kidd and Natalya by submission
So excited he's back! Good return. WWE has just whisked away the idea that Great Khali and Natalya were an item and now acknowledges Kidd and Natalya's real-life relationship, which means there will be far better mixed-tag matches. Fandango was delightfully over the top, but this match was too short to fully emphasise Kidd's return. After nearly a year without seeing his exciting in-ring style, you would think WWE would have had him do his thing just a bit longer.
RATING: **
Backstage, Renee Young is with Sandow. She wants his thoughts about losing. When he saw himself, he didn't see an intellectual savior, he saw a man willing to do whatever it took to get what he wants and....he's interrupted by a talking mustache, with the Real Americans behind it. He claims that tonight, Sandow will get his revenge along with the help of The Real Americans. They do their We the People routine, and Sandow gets the last word, calling himself our Uncrowned World Champion.
Before the next match, John Cena comes out to talk about boobs. He's got his Cena voice on, so looks like he left his Training Day DVD at home. He says that the pink shirts will be available all year long, with proceeds still going to the cause. He invites some survivors to stand.
Match 6: Cody Rhodes, Goldust and John Cena vs Damien Sandow and The Real Americans
Damien and Cena to start. Kick to Cena, but Cena reverses and sends Sandow into the corner. Bulldog from Cena. Pin for 1. Tag to Cody. Cody is in with a pin after a double team move for 1..NO! Sandow whips Cody into the corner. Sandow runs, and Cody rolls him up for 1...2.NO! Tag to Swagger. Swagger is in, and Cody sends him into the turnbuckle headfirst. Tag to Goldust, whip of Swagger, and Goldy with a dropkick. Goldust with a right hand and a whip, goes for a hip toss, then opts for a kick. Cover for Goldust for 1 as Zeb points out how unfair it is that Cena came back and got a shot automatically, then calls Cena an American in name only. I get back to the match after laughing so hard, and we're with Cesaro and Cena. Lockup!! Cena overpowers and shoves Cesaro away. Cena calls for a test of strength. We get dueling chants. They lock hands and go chest to chest. Cesaro seems to win over, but of course, Cena taps into his reserves and overpowers Cesaro. Cesaro goes down low with a kick, then hits an uppercut. Another in the corner. Whip to Cena is revesered, and Cesaro goes into the corner. He comes out into a suplex from Cena. Pin for 1 right into a cravat from Cena. Tag to Goldy! Goldust is in with a pin for 1. Goldust goes down and hits a right then a cover, getting the first 2 count. Goldust drops a knee then pulls Cesaro into the corner. Tag to Cody. Cody with a front suplex then a pin. Cover for 1...2.NO! Cody works the arm, but Cesaro hits a right then a kick. Tag to Sandow. Shoulder thrusts in the corner. Sandow sends Cody into the corner, but Cody reverses then hits an up and over on Sandow. Cody sends Sandow into the corner shoulder first then tags in Cena. Cena sets up for the AA, but Sandow rolls off to the outside of the ring!We're back, and Cesaro tosses Cena up like nothing for an uppercut. Pin for 1...2..NO!! Cesaro with a tag to Swagger. Swagger is in with a pin for 1...2..No! Swagger bomb! Pin for 1...2.NO! Tag to Sandow. Sandow with some rights in the middle of the ring. He misses one, Cena with a half nelson lift into a neckbreaker. Well check you out, Cena. Swagger prevents a tag with an axehandle. Kneees in the corner from Swagger. Swagger with a front faced headlock. Cena tries to strength himself out of it. He stands. He lifts Swagger and tosses him over, but Swagger grabs the ankle! Patriot Lock! Cena tosses Swagger forward, but Swagger comes back quick with a clothesline and a tag from Cesaro. Swagger pulls Cena towards his corner, and Cesaro drops an elbow then slaps Cena around. Cesaro with an uppercut. Pin from Cesaro for 1...2...NO! Cesaro lifts Cena, but misses a clothesline. Cena with a Hurricanrana. Cesaro, wisely, doesn't let go of Cena's leg! Tag to Sandow. Sandow is in and attacks the left arm! He slams it against the mat, drops a leg, then pins for 1...2..NO! Sandow with an arm lock from behind. He screams at Cena. Cena, with one arm, goes for the AA, but Sandow is abkle to reverse and pin for 1...2..NO!! Sandow is up. He's waiting. Cena turns. Clothesline from Sandow! Sandow up again, he runs, but Cena lifts Sandow up, turns him around and hits a modified powerbomb. Cena is up, and gets the tag to Goldust! Cesaro is in!!Goldust with a clothesline, another, he gets whipped. Stops, uppercut. Inverted Atomic Drop! Kick to the face! Cesaro in the corner! Goldust with 6 punches, then one to Swagger! Whip from Cesaro, but Goldust hits an elbow. Goldust from the top rope with a cross body! Pin for 1...NO! Sandow saves it! Rhodes with a high dropkick to Sandow!! Disaster kick to Swagger!! Cena with the AA on Swagger!! Sandow with the Full Nelson slam to Cena! Cody sends Sandow to the outside!! Cesaro is in the ring, and he has Goldusts legs!! Cesaro with the Swing!!! JBL counts in Spanish for some reason! Cesaro lets go, and Goldust rolls out of the ring quickly. Cesaro heads out to grab him. He sends Goldust into the ring, but Cena is here! Cesaro goes to attack, so Cena tosses him into Colter, then sends Cesaro back in the ring! Goldust grabs! BULLDOG!! Cody hits Sandow with a Moonsault from the top!! Cena is up top, too! He flies into Cesaro!Goldust with the Final Cut on Antonio Cesaro!! 1.....2....3!!!!
Match Result: John Cena, Goldust, and Cody Rhodes by pin fall.
Cena busted out a moveset!! A solid six man with a spectacular ending! The tag team division continues to impress. Fantastic finish.
RATING: ***1/2
After the match, we get Exhibits A-P....again.
The Big Show is walking in the backstage area, shakes some hands, then we head to Trip's office. Vickie barges in and tells him that The Big Show is here. Triple H was clearly frustrated about his lifetime ban only lasting a few days. Stephanie McMahon appears and reveals that the WWE Board of Directors demanded that she and Triple H settle their issues with Big Show to avoid a lawsuit. Vickie Guerrero went to go set up the meeting, but Big Show refused to meet in their office. He wanted to hash this out in the ring.
Match 7: Dolph Ziggler vs. Curtis Axel
Lockup to start! Axel grabs the arm and we get a hammer lock. Dolph turns into it and reverses. Axel with an elbow. He hits a right hand then another. Headlock from Axel. Dolph pushes him towards the rope. Shoulder tackle. Whip to the ropes, Dolph hops over. Dropkick and a pin for 1...NO! Dolph runs and hops on the turnbuckle, but Axel grabs him by the trunks and drops him down. Axel with an elbow drop, then a forearm rub against the head of Dolph. Axel grabs Dolph by the head. Axel sends Dolph to the ropes and hits a dropkick to the returning Dolph. Pin for 1...2..NO! Axel with a modified camel clutch from behind. Dolph is able to get in a seated position, but Axel brings him back down. Dolph stands and jawjacks Axel with his head. Axel runs into the corner, but Dolph moves and sends Axel into the ringpost shoulder first. Dolph with some punches in the corner, followed by a neckbreaker and an elbow then a pin for 1...2.NO! Axel is able to get the upperhand and sets up for a powerbomb. Dolph with the rights, he rolls over then hits the Fameasser! Pin for 1...2..NO! Dolph goes for the Zig Zag, but Axel holds the ropes. He grabs, goes for the neckbreaker, but Dolph with the reversal! ZIG ZAG! Pin! 1...2...3!!!
Match Result: Dolph Ziggler by pin fall.
This short match had potential, but it didn't have enough time to truly get going. Axel looked aggressive, and Ziggler had some impressive counters. WWE announced that he will defend the title on Wednesday's Main Event against Big E. Langston. It certainly feels like the company is moving toward taking the title off Axel.
RATING: **
Backstage, Renee Young wants to talk to Bryan. He's all taped up She wants to know if it's smart for Bryan to be here with the injuries he sustained. He says normally, no, but considering he wanted payback and saw an opportunity, he took it. He says it looks like someone else has an issue with the Wyatt's, too....sounds like Punk, ey?
Backstage, Triple H tells Steph that they should just write a big check. A big enough check will make this all go away. Vickie walks in after a knock, and says Big Show is willing to meet with them, but not in their office. He wants to meet them in the ring. Triple H uses that cerebral assassin mind and says: "He wants witnesses."
-Commercial Break-
Match Result: The Usos by pin fall.
Too quick to mean anything, but the right team won.
RATING: *
Tamina and Nikki to start. Go behind from Nikki, but Tamina backs her into the corner. Tamina runs right into the turnbuckle. Nikki hits the ropes then rolls into a crucifix, but Tamina hoists her up and hits a Samoan Drop. Pin for 1...2..NO! Tamina grabs the hair of Nikki then tags in Aksana. Aksana with some kicks in the corner then tags in AJ. Thank the LORD. AJ with a front face headlock, then a scissors lock on the hips. Nikki lifts AJ and tosses her. Tag from AJ, and she drops an axe on Nikki. Headbutt from Tamina to Nikki. Nikki on the apron, fires back with an elbow then a shoulder, then flies over with a sunset and pins for 1...2..NO!! Tag to Brie! Brie knocks off AJ, dodges Tamina, then hits a dropkick! Another from the top! Pin for 1...2..NO! Brie with a whip, but hits the elbow, then Tamina clotheslines Eva off the apron.Tamina goes up top. She forgets to turn her head, so she Brie moves! Brie stands in the corner, Eva tags herself in and rolls Tamina up! Pin for 1...2...3!!!
Match Result: The Bella Twins and Eva Marie by pin fall.
Tamina looked good when allowed to knock folks around, but this was a hurried mess. There was little flow to the action—just opponents trading moves and charging toward the finish. After Eva's embarrassing debut, WWE had her limited to a single move.Brie has been improving as of late, but fans didn't get to see much of that. Needs more AJ. . RATING: 1/2*
-Commercial Break-
We're back.Triple H and Stephanie McMahon are introduced. They head to the ring, Trips grabs a mic and says "You want to waste everybody's time, and make this all about you again..."
Big Show comes out all smiles. Steph reiterates that this is a settlement, without lawyers, and asks Show what he wants. Show wants a broom, so Steph can hop on for a game of Quidditch. Trips says if he wants to trade sophomoric barbs, he's down, but this is more about money, isn't it? How much does Show need? Show doesn't have probs or money, this is about him being the best and performing for these people. He wants his job back. Triple H tells him he can stick his job straight up his....Steph cuts him off. Steph gives Show his job back. Show does a Yes chant. Show says there is one more little thing. He thinks, to make the world's largest lawsuit go away, he desereves the world's largest bonus. It's not about the money, he's not worried about the money. He wants something he's never had before. He wants to be....THE FACE OF THE WWE. Steph asks if he's looked in the mirror lately, and this time Triple H calms her down.
The music of THE SHIELD hits. Big Show asks Trips if this is some kind of joke and if he realizes what's at stake here as we go to break....awkward.
Triple H apologizes for the interruption. Big Show grabs a mic, despite Triple H offering money he demands that he instead get his job back and get a WWE Championship match against Randy Orton at Survivor Series. Triple H gets in his face, says he's got his job back, and he's lucky for it. He tells Show to get the hell out of his ring or he'll make him bleed. Show wants to know if that's his final answer. Triple H says yes. Big Show says ok, it was nice doing business with him. He is about to leave, but says early tomorrow morning, his attorney will be talking to the Board and he'll own all of this. Triple H wants Show to wait. He gives Show the match at Survivor Series. Show is atop the ramp now. He says he couldn't hear Trips too well. Triple H says it louder, and it's official!
Triple H says since Show is employed again, he's going to place them in a handicap match. So...The Shield and Randy Orton vs The Big Show....NOW.
They surround Show. Show goes after Ambrose, but the other three attack. He's cornered, but tries his best to fight out of it. Reigns flies in with a spear, and we get kicks from all over the place. Seth Rollins rips that swank pink shirt off of Show, looking like a Chihuahua pulling on a washcloth until the others help him. Orton conducts the group for a powerbomb concerto, but Show breaks away and chokeslams Reigns like nothin! He corners Orton, but Rollins and Ambrose attack, until Big Show hits a double suplex!! Show gets ready to attack Orton until....
WTF! Kane comes out in a suit and tie. It's CORPORATE KANE!! Big Show turns to see Kane walking down, maskless, and spiffy. This is distraction enough for The Shield to recuperate and attack. Show is down. Orton is calling for the RKO! HE HITS IT! Orton calls for chairs, and Kane tosses them into the ring. Everyone attacks with Chairs, and we get a DQ finish!
Match Result: The Big Show via DQ.
RATING: *
They attack for a while before Orton yells for them to tug Show out, saying he's going through the table. Show is outside, and Reigns has some steel steps. He bashes Show with them, Ambrose and Seth lift Show atop Reigns shoulders! POWERBOMB into the announce table!! Orton talks sweet nothings in Show's face as everyone else stands around with evil faces.
End Show.
FINAL THOUGHTS
It was nice having a match open Raw. CM Punk was an added bonus, who's creditability with the audience is such that is immediately draws attention to the first act. It a different vibe then the promos which have featured continuously opening up Raw. The promos are effective most of the time, its just good to have mix to keep the audience on there toes I feel. The match itself delivered, whilst further enhancing the current Wyatt Family vs Punk/Bryan saga.
Overall the wrestling was top notch, we got the tedious filler matches but with the current three hour format its to be expected. No major complaints this week, four enjoyable matches with three of those awarded ratings of *** and above. Match of the night - 6 man tag team match. Awesome finish, with Cena performing a couple of uncharacteristic moves. Special mention for Big E. vs Randy Orton.
The main event segment obviously panned out a little different then what WWE thought, that may sound funny but the commercial break was obviously an error. Someone cuing The Shield's music too soon forced them to cut to commercials. Perhaps things would have seemed a little less sloppy if that had not of happened. They got the point across regardless, don't mess with authority. Setting up Randy Orton vs Big Show for Survivor Series and revealing the new corporate Kane! That was a cool moment. After all the years of seeing the Big red monster, THAT i was not expecting it. Its a great creative choice and will allow Kane to hang around in the E for many years to come. Interested to see the corporate Kane in action, and what role he plays.
There are always things that could be fixed, but Raw provided an enjoyable viewing experience this week. The highlight was the wrestling, which is why we watch it....right? No doubting the in-ring action raised the overall rating.
RAW RATING: **3/4
Thanks for reading TBM's WWE Raw Recap.
Please check back and enjoy in the coming days TBM's following posts:
- NCAA & NFL Thurs/Fri best bets.
- WWE - Best of Survivor Series PPVs *The countdown to WWE Survivor Series 2013 begins*
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