Raw: Fallout from Hell in the Cell is very intriguing
MATTHEW ASHER -- SLAM! Wrestling
With the Hell in a Cell PPV complete, it's time to see the fallout from a so-so PPV. Fortunately for fans of wrestling, a lot of interesting directions have already started with just the first show following the PPV.
Tonight Raw comes to us live from Orlando, Florida.
Before the show kicks off we're treated to some still photos, with commentary, recapping the CM Punk Handicap Match and the WWE Championship Match.
The WWE Universe is already in charge of choosing a match stipulation for tonight. Between CM Punk and Ryback the WWE Universe can choose between a Street Fight, Falls Count Anywhere (aren't both of these the same?) or a Tables Match.
We start off introducing the new World Heavyweight Champion… John Cena. Before Cena runs down to the ring he talks to the cameraman quickly mentioning that he's gained a few pounds. Not sure if that because he's the new heavyweight champion, or just a joke since he's been out of commission for a few months.
Naturally there's a mixed reaction. Cena doesn't mind at all, he simply says he knows that the booing means he's back. Cena says of all the skeptics who doubted that he had returned too early, he wants to thank personally. It's the “Icky-shuffling, cowboy hat wearing, Texas blowhard JBL”. It should be noted that as Cena came down to the ring JBL admitted that he was wrong in doubting Cena.
Cena says that to all the WWE fans in Europe who simply thought he would be making a guest appearance, he'll be competing as the Champ once again. John shows off the heavy padding on his left arm and says he still needs to get his arm checked out on occasion, but that's why doctors were invented.
Of course, this isn't the only newly crowned champion, later tonight Randy Orton will have a special celebration as well. This draws a good amount of boos. Cena says he'll quick talking now and simply say he's back and lets Alberto Del Rio know that when he wants his rematch, he'll be ready.
Hallelujah! No, not that Cena is back, but Damien Sandow's music hits and Mr. MITB makes his way to the ring. Sandow says that Cena may have everyone else fooled, but not him. Sandow says he knows it's medically impossible for a tricep to heal as quickly as John Cena claims his did and is simply afraid that Damien will cash in on Cena. The crowd seems to like that idea.
For a second it looks like Sandow is about cash in his briefcase, but pulls it back and says he'll cash it in any night but tonight and then cheap shots Cena, using the briefcase as a weapon, targeting the surgically repaired elbow. Sandow takes Cena out of the ring and continues to work on him, tossing him into the barricade and then into the steel steps. He's not done yet. Sandow puts John's arm on the bottom steel step and proceeds to deliver a one man con-chair-to.
Sandow tells Cena that his time (Damien's) is now and motions for an official. It looks like Cena's about to lose his title to a MITB winner for the third time in his career. Before the match, we go to commercials.
Match 1 - World Heavyweight Championship
Mr. Money in the Bank Damien Sandow vs. WH Champ John Cena
Sandow wasn't joking. The ref motions for the bell to ring and we're underway. Damien's attacks are all focused on Cena's left arm. Sandow is taking Cena to the woodshed for a few minutes before we go to commercials again.
We're back and Cena is finally is fighting back. But every time Cena uses one of his Five Moves of Doom, his left arm continues to get punished. We're told that there's a chance the ringside doctor could stop the match, which would result in a new champion. Cena hits a one-armed AA and Sandow rolls out of the ring. The doctor comes over to check Cena. John wants none of it, even going out of the ring to prevent Damien from being counted out.
Cena goes for a one-handed STF but can't lock it in. Sandow counters and gets a two count. He then tries to lock in the You're Welcome but Cena counters for a long two count. Lots of back and forth for a while. Sandow can't hit a superplex and Cena missed a top-rope dive. Sandow goes for a pile driver but Cena counters into his second AA of the night. Unfortunately for Damien, that's all she wrote as Damien is now just the second MITB winner to unsuccessfully cash in his chance.
Winner by pinfall and STILL WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION…John Cena.
We're treated to a backstage video of The Shield. Dean Ambrose talks about his upcoming US title match against Big E Langston. Unlike Paulrus last week, Dean doesn't insult Big E but does say Big E should be grateful for spending a few minutes in the ring last night with Ambrose. There's a brief moment where it looks like Rollins and Reigns got thrown under the bus when Dean mentions he's the only champion still in The Shield, but it doesn't seem to effect the former tag champs. That match is next, but first ads.
Match 2 - US Championship
Big E Langston vs. US Champ Dean Ambrose w/ Rollins and Reigns
As Big E heads to the ring we can see he has 7 stitches under his right eye (according to Cole) thanks to last night's kickoff match. We're shown some highlights from the match. You can't see it, but we're told that Dean needed 8 stitches under his chin because of the match.
Before the match really starts out, Big E runs to the ropes to build momentum but Reigns pulls the top rope down and Rollins and Reigns start to unload on Big E. The ref has no choice but to call the match. So much for
Winner by DQ…Big E Langston
The Shield rolls Big E into the ring and gets ready for the Triple Powerbomb. Before they can do so, the Usos come in to even the odds. ( I smell an impromptu tag match!) Raw GM Brad Maddox comes to the entrance ramp and says exactly that. #countit That match will begin right now. Apparently “right now” means after another commercial break.
Match 2a - Six-Man Tag Match
Big E & the Usos vs. The Shield
The match actually did start during the commercial break. Ambrose and Rollins and both Usos get tags. Reigns comes in to deliver a flying clothesline but is driven into the ring by a devastating (and I mean that) DDT by Jimmy. Jay and Rollins get the hot tags and Jay goes to town on Rollins.
Ambrose prevents the pinfall but Big E clotheslines him out of the ring. Both Rollins and Jay go for high impact but both are countered. We get a couple of quick, but very nice double team moves including a double superkick by the Usos followed up by a double spear by Rollins. Rollins goes for the pin and that's it.
Winners by pinfall…The Shield
Before we go to commercials, we're told that next HBK will explain his actions from last night's main event.
HBK comes to the ring. He says he owes everyone an explanation, but most importantly to Daniel Bryan. HBK asks Daniel to come to the ring so he can explain himself. We get the Yes! Chants and the Valkyrie music hits.
If looks could kill, HBK would be dead right now as Bryan stares down his trainer. HBK says he didn't mean for it to happen but the crowd starting chanting “You sold out!” HBK says that after seeing Bryan hit Triple H with the running knee, he had to do what he did. According to Shawn, his relationship with Hunter will ALWAYS supersede everything else. Shawn says he doesn't expect Bryan to understand it, but he wants Bryan to accept his apology.
HBK offers his hand and the crowd chants No! Bryan refuses the shake. Shawn tells him that while he started his training 10 years ago, last night he wanted to teach Daniel the final lesson if you're in the WWE. Anyone who remembers Austin 3:16 knows what's coming: Don't Trust Anyone.
HBK demands Bryan shake his hand. Bryan still declines. This gets Shawn really mad. He tells Daniel while he's stuck up for him the past 7 months every time someone thinks Bryan is a B+ wrestler, HBK has said that Daniel is an A+. But now Shawn isn't sure but more importantly, he doesn't care. Shawn says he knows he (HBK) always has been and always will be an A+ player and is offering Daniel the chance to shake his hand on worldwide television.
After a few moments, Bryan succumbs and shakes HBK's hand. But then turns it into the Yes! Lock. Shawn taps and it takes three referees to pull Bryan off Shawn. The crowd chants “You tapped out!” and Bryan leaves without saying a word.
After another commercial break we go backstage to hear Daniel's explanation of his actions. Before he says anything, the place goes black and Bray Wyatt's minions go to work on Bryan including throwing him into a ladder. Bray comes into the picture, picks up Bryan, says “The Devil made me do it” before hitting him with the Sister Abigail into a chain-link door. Bray grabs a large luggage container and rams it into Daniel's head.
The commentators are speechless, trying to figure out why Daniel was targeted.
Match 3 - Six-Man Tag Match
Los Matadores and El Torito vs. 3MB
Really? 3MB against these guys again? We're told it's finally all three members of 3MB in the match, but that's not going to make a difference. We all know how this is going to end.
Winners by pinfall…3MB!
Just kidding! Los Matadores wins of course.
Match 4 - Divas Tag Match
WWE Divas Champ AJ Lee & Tamina Snuka vs. The Bellas
As AJ and Tamina come to the ring, Cole informs us this is episode 1,066 of Monday Night Raw. Good to know. Before the match we're shown a replay of the Wyatt Family's attack on Bryan.
We get a quick close-up of Brie Bella in the ring, looking very concerned. Just curious why she isn't backstage with her fiancé. Just as I ask myself that, Cole says the Authority forced her to compete. Again, good to know.
AJ and Tamina go to work on Brie for a while. Nikki comes in and despite her best efforts, Tamina hits a Samoan Drop on Nikki. Rather than go for the pin, she tags AJ in who locks in the Black Widow. Nikki has no choice and taps out.
Winners via submission…AJ Lee and Tamina Snuka
Kane returns to the ring, and that's next following a break.
Before the match, we're shown the reason for this next match, Kane chokeslamming Miz.
Match 5 - Singles Match
Kane vs. Miz
Miz comes to the ring walking gingerly and he does not look happy. Miz puts up a good effort for a little, but it's déjà vu all over again as Kane hits another chokeslam for the pinfall.
Winner by pinfall…Kane
After the replay, Kane grabs a microphone and demands that Stephanie McMahon come to the ring because he has something to say to her. Stephanie obliges but stays at the top of the entrance ramp. Kane doesn't seem to mind.
He says that she's been on a power trip, has abused her authority, been manipulative and that she has ruined lives. Can't argue with that. However, Kane agrees that in this current age, what she's doing IS best for business. He tells her “The Monster is yours to unleash.” Kane leaves the ring, walks up to Steph, removes his mask and gives it to her and he leaves. This should be interesting.
After the next commercial break we get to see a face I haven't seen in a long time in the WWE. No, it's not whoever you're thinking of, it's David Otunga. It's a WWE.com exclusive, but still. Otunga, falling back on his “lawerying” skills, talks about Big Show's lawsuit against the WWE. Long story short, if Show wins, he may topple the WWE.
CM Punk comes to the ring to address the crowd. Sporting a shiner, Punk says for the first time in three months he slept like a baby. He says that Paul Heyman is history and there's only one thing left for him to deal with: Ryback.
Punk channels his inner Sandow, referring to Ryback as a “knuckle-dragging Neanderthal” who stands no chance against the BITW. Punk says he waiting to hear the results of the voting for the match stipulation. Punk promises he will beat Ryback regardless of the match stipulation. But before that we go to another break.
Following the break we get the results of the poll. Drum roll please…
Match 6 - Street Fight
CM Punk vs. Ryback
It's a quick match, but a good one. Ryback starts off by overpowering Punk. The first foreign object brought into play is a table. But before Ryback can set it up properly, Punk uses a kendo stick to soften up Ryback. The table gets set up and Ryback attempts a superplex onto the table. Punk avoids the superplex, hits Ryback with a kick to the head, causing Ryback to land on the table. Punk heads to the top rope and delivers his Macho Man Elbow Drop. Rather than pin Ryback, Punk locks in the Annaconda Vice, forcing Ryback to tap out.
Winner by submission…CM Punk
Before Punk can celebrate the Wyatt Family music and video hits. The Family takes their time to the ring and Punk waits for them with a kendo stick within arm's reach. Harper and Rowen gang up on Punk. Of course he doesn't stand a chance and actually gets cut above his left eye. As Bray's minions hold up Punk, CM goes for one final attack head butting Bray, but he is quickly put down again. Bray laughs off the attack and hits the Sister Abigail. Bray simply repeats his line about the Devil that he said to Bryan and we go to commercials.
Match 7 - Tag-Team, Non-Title
The Real Americans w/ Zeb Colter vs. Tag Team Champions The Rhodes Boys
As Cody and Goldust make their way to the ring we're taken to the WWE YouTube page to watch a time-lapse video of Dustin Reynolds applying his makeup to turn into Goldust. It's worth checking out if you haven't seen it yet.
During the match the crowd chants “You've still got it” referring to Goldust being able to turn back the clock and wrestle like he did during the Attitude Era. I can't argue with that statement.
Of course, the question is how many rotations the Cesaro Swing will be used on one of the Rhodes boys. The answer is zero because Jack Swagger uses the Patriot Lock on Goldust for the victory.
Winner by submission…The Real Americans
After a commercial break we're shown a recap of the WH match at the beginning of the show. Afterwards out comes the former WH Champion Alberto Del Rio to address the crowd. It's short and to the point. ADR says that Cena stole his title. But now that Cena defeated Sandow, ADR gets his rematch and he's going to target Cena's arm when he gets his rematch.
After ADR leaves we get a pimping of the new WWE 2K14 game (which will be released by the time you read this article) asking the WWE Universe which “WrestleMania Dream Match” they want to see simulated. With 55 percent of the votes, the winner is the Undertaker vs. Goldberg. I never would have guessed that one as the winner in a million years.
It's Salsa Time! Fandango's music hits as Summer Rae will be competing in a singles match after the break.
Match 8 - Divas Single
Summer Rae w/ Fandango vs. Natalya w/ Khali & Hornswaggle
Summer actually impressed me. She uses a lot of submission holds on Nattie throughout the match. After almost getting a pinfall, Fandango goes to the apron to give Summer Rae a kiss but Hornswaggle pulls him off the apron. Fandango tosses Hornswaggle to the ground but Khali knocks Fandango into next week. This causes Summer Rae to take a swipe at Khali, allowing Nattie to lock in the Sharpshooter for the win.
Winner by submission…Natalya
Before the commercial break we're told that Randy Orton's celebration will be next.
When we come back the locker room has emptied and all the Superstars and Divas are on the entrance ramp to honor Orton. Like they've been doing for a while, The Shield is near the ring as the hired goons of the Authority.
Hunter and Stephanie make their way to the ring and The Shield follows them into the ring. Hunter takes the microphone and says that a decade ago Vince McMahon asked Hunter point blank who he thought the future of the WWE would be. After thinking about it, Trips took this person and incorporated him into Evolution, allowing Hunter to mentor him.
Triple H goes on about Orton's own evolution into the A+ player Hunter knew he would turn into. Orton comes to the ring, shakes Trips hand, and hugs both him and Stephanie. Stephanie takes the microphone and tells the Superstars that Orton isn't just their (the Authority) champion, but he also represents what every WWE Superstar should aspire to be and that they should show him the respect he deserves.
Orton, sounding very hoarse, says having the WWE title makes him better than everyone. He goes on but finally the Big Show's music hits and Show charges to the ring. The Shield cuts him off but before they can do any real damage the Usos and Rhodes' take The Shield and toss them to the rest of the Superstars on the entrance ramp.
This allows Big Show a chance at Orton. As Show heads to the ring, Orton, Stephanie and Hunter wisely get out. Show says he knows about the restraining order on him but he's not going to stand by while this happens. He says he doesn't care because he has nothing to lose. Orton hits Show with the belt and goes for another shot but Show hits the Knockout Punch on the Face of the WWE.
Show starts to goad Triple H. It looks like Hunter is about to enter the ring but Stephanie holds him back. Show leaves the ring and finally Hunter comes to the ring and he is livid. Orton finally comes to but is still wobbly as we go off the air.
Can't wait to see how this plays out in the coming weeks!
Matthew Asher is a freelance journalist currently living in Atlanta. At the beginning of the show he was hoping for Team Hell No to reunite to take on the Wyatts at Survivor Series, but now is wondering if we may get the student/sensei match of Bryan vs. HBK. Which would you prefer to have? Email him your thoughts.