10/14 Powell's WWE Raw Live Coverage: Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes and Goldust for the WWE Tag Team Championship, WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels appears, the fallout from Big Show punching out Triple H

By Jason Powell

Dot Net Members will be listening to my WWE Raw audio review later tonight. Be sure to check our podcast section for the 35-minute All Access audio interview that I conducted with TNA star Christopher Daniels on Monday. Join us on the ad-free version of the website by signing up for membership now via the Dot Net Members' Signup Page.

WWE Raw on the USA Network
Aired live from St. Louis, Mo. at Scottrade Center

[Q1] Michael Cole welcomed viewers to WWE Raw. He was joined on commentary by JBL and Jerry Lawler. Ring announcer Justin Roberts introduced WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels, who made his entrance complete with the pyro. The announcers spoke at ringside while Michaels played to the live crowd.

Michaels thanked the fans who voted for him to be the special referee for the Hell in a Cell match. HBK recalled training Daniel Bryan, said he's never liked Randy Orton, yet noted that his best friend is still Triple H. Michaels said he can understand why people are concerned about his connections to everyone.

Michaels said he respects the Hell in a Cell. He said he was in the very first Hell in a Cell match in St. Louis. He said thinking about the match makes him happy he's retired. He guaranteed that two men will enter Hell in a Cell and one man will walk out the new WWE Champion.

Randy Orton's music hit and he walked to the ring as Cole recalled HBK facing Undertaker in the first Hell in a Cell match in 1997. Lawler noted that they were in Orton's hometown. Orton said he had a match with The Miz coming up, so he would make it quick.

Orton said he was born and raised in St. Louis, which drew cheers. Orton said he knows the people of St. Louis better than anyone. "Take it from me when I say that the people of St. Louis aren't all that bright," Orton said. Randy said he sees through HBK in that he knows that no matter how great he once was, Orton will always be better than him and it eats him up inside.

"Oh, snap, we're you talking?" Michael replied before telling Orton he should be worried about Daniel Bryan. Orton said he's going to destroy Bryan in HIAC and Michaels will have to watch and then raise his hand in victory. The fans chanted "No!" at Orton, who told them to shut up. Orton said everyone knows Michaels is no stranger to screwjobs. He said that if HBK screws him over, there would be no coming back for him.

Michaels accused Orton of trying to intimidate him. He said that if Orton tried, he would kick his head off his shoulders. Michaels said that if Orton wasn't down with that, he had two words for him. Orton tried to attack Michaels from behind. HBK went for Sweet Chin Music, but Orton ducked to ringside. The Miz came out and attacked Orton from behind. Referees puled Miz off of Orton heading into the break. [C]

Powell's POV: They did a good job of establishing the friction between Orton and Michaels for Hell in a Cell. However, Randy's jabs that Shawn knows he's better than him don't ring true. And it's not like it's so absurd that it scores heat for Orton. Rather, it just came off flat. The Miz's attack was a nice hook heading into the commercial break.

1. Randy Orton vs. The Miz. The match was joined in progress with Orton getting the better of Miz early on.

[Q2] Orton took Miz to ringside and went for the Hanging DDT, but Miz fought him off and brought the match back inside the ring. Miz hit a double ax handle off the top rope and then set up for the Skull Crushing Finale, but Orton avoided it. Miz caught Orton with a nice kick to the thigh and then set up for the Figure Four.

The Wyatt Family image appeared on the screen and the lights in the building went out. When the lights came back on a few seconds later, Bray Wyatt was seated in his rocking chair on the stage, while Luke Harper and Erick Rowan stood behind him. Orton hit a distracted Miz with the RKO and pinned him...

Randy Orton pinned The Miz in 5:15 of television time.

After the match, Wyatt told Miz that he is the epitome of everything he hates in the world. He mentioned the limelight, diamonds, and fame, and questioned what it will take for Miz to satisfy his obsession with fame. Wyatt told Miz that he doesn't want him to be afraid or to suffer, he is just going to put him down. "Follow the buzzards," Wyatt concluded... [C]

Powell's POV: It may seem odd that Orton would need a distraction to beat Miz, but I think it's actually called for in this case. Orton destroyed Miz in his hometown. A simple loss to Orton here would really hurt him, whereas this gives him an excuse for the loss and perhaps even an exit from his program with Orton. You have to like the way they hid the leg injury that Wyatt is nursing by only showing him seated on the stage.

A graphic touted that the WWE app has been downloaded 8 million times. Meanwhile, the Prowrestling.net App has been downloaded 65 billion times. Okay, not really, but it is available on most platforms. Do a search for Prowrestling.net wherever you get our apps and it should pop right up...

2. Santino Marella vs. Fandango (w/Summer Rae). Fandango went up top early, but Santino cut him off. Later, Santino put on The Cobra sleeve, but Fandango ducked and Santino came face-to-face with Summer Rae on the stage. Fandango rolled up Santino and pinned him...

Fandango defeated Santino Marella in 2:30.

Powell's POV: A forgettable two minutes that didn't really help Fandango nor hurt Santino.

The announcers hyped the WWE Tag Team Championship match for later in the show...

[Q3] [C] Lawler thanked Stone Temple Pilots for the song "Out of Time" serving as the HIAC theme song...

Backstage, Paul Heyman showed Brad Maddox footage of C.M. Punk low-blowing Ryback at Battleground. Heyman said he wanted more than a rematch. He said Punk embarrassed Maddox, so he believes he should get to pick the stipulation. Heyman suggested Punk vs. Ryback and Curtis Axel in a handicap match, saying it was best for business.

Maddox said it didn't seem fair to Punk. Heyman called Punk a cheating weasel. Maddox said he never thought he would hear a walrus refer to Punk as a weasel. Maddox booked Ryback vs. R-Truth, and C.M. Punk vs. Curtis Axel in a Beat The Clock Challenge. Maddox said that if Ryback wins the challenge, he will let Heyman pick the stipulation. However, Punk will get to pick the stipulation if he wins the challenge...

The announcers spoke at ringside about a petition that NXT developmental wrestler Xavier Woods started to bring back Big Show. JBL said Woods should mind his own business and questioned who he is...

Powell's POV: Woods made a name for himself in the TNA X Division while working under the name of Consequences Creed.

Cole set up a John Cena video package that concluded a graphic that noted Cena will return at Hell in a Cell in two weeks. Cole spoke about Cena's title match against Alberto Del Rio...

Powell's POV: A brief video package for Cena that focussed on his love for the industry and made him seem like a man of the people.

Los Matadores and El Torito made their entrance. JBL seemed to be the most excited person in the building as he yelled Ole! along with the entrance them track... [C]

Powell's POV: Just in time for the Monday Night Football game kickoff, it's Los Matadores and El Torito. I mean, who could possibly turn the channel knowing that their latest match with 3MB is coming up?

[Q4] 3. Los Matadores (w/El Torito) vs. Drew McIntyre and Heath Slater (w/Jinder Mahal). Torito swiveled his hips at Slater, then lured him into a dive from Primo or Epico or Fernando or Diego or Nacho Barrera or whatever the hell their names are now. Los Matadores hit their finisher on Slater and pinned him. El Torito joined them in beating up Jinder afterward...

Los Matadores defeated Drew McIntyre and Heath Slater in 4:05.

Powell's POV: So once the inevitable feud between Los Matadores and The Real Americans runs its course, then what?

A video package recapped the Stephanie McMahon and Big Show segment from last week. It was a replay of a segment they replayed 750 times last week. They also showed footage of Show knocking out Triple H at the end of last week's Raw...

Cole said there have been rumors about Triple H's condition all week. He said Triple H and Stephanie would address the situation after the break. "The Authority is here," he said... [C]

An ad for the WWE Main Event television show hyped Dean Ambrose vs. Dolph Ziggler for the United States Championship...

Powell's POV: In case you haven't noticed, Hunter and Steph are now known as The Authority. I would assume that was a dated Main Event ad since we've seen that match before and it's hard to believe they actually planned that far ahead, but I can't remember them actually doing a Main Event ad in months, so I assume it's legit. Of course, WWE has been known to change their Main Event plans without explanation, so I guess we'll find out when the show is taped on Tuesday in Kansas City. By the way, we are looking for correspondents for the Kansas City taping. If you are going to the show and want to help, email me at dotnetjason@gmail.com.

Triple H and Stephanie McMahon headed to the ring holding hands. Stephanie took the mic and said she learned a valuable lesson in that she should never allow her kindness to be mistaken for weakness. She paused to allow the crowd to chant "You Got Knocked Out."

Steph said she and Hunter bailed out Big Show more times than she can remembers, yet they were repaid with disrespect and insubordination. Steph noted that Big Show is fired and that they are selling his house and repossessing anything he owns of value. She said Show will be charged with trespassing and assault.

Steph said there were rumors that Hunter broke his jaw, but she then gushed about what a man Hunter is and how he is now WWE. "Rumors of my demise have been greatly exaggerated," Hunter said. He noted that he has been COO for two years. He said he has put aside his personal and professional needs. He said every man has his breaking point and his was last week when the fans chanted yes as he was lying in the ring unconscious.

Powell's POV: Congrats to Hunter for becoming the first person in history to reach his breaking point while unconscious.

[Q5] Hunter said that after all he has done, he and Steph are apparently the villains. Hunter said that if the fans want him to be the bad guy, then he'll give them the bad guy and something like they have never seen before. He said Show will live in financial ruin, and anyone who even though the word yes should start to pray.

Daniel Bryan's music played and he headed to the ring in a pink version of his Yes! shirt. Bryan did an extended round of Yes! cheerleading on the stage before he was attacked from behind by Alberto Del Rio, who then tagged him with a superkick. Stephanie asked Bryan if he was saying something. "I guess you're finished," she said. "Allow me to introduce you to your opponent, tonight, Alberto Del Rio." Hunter did a mock round of "Yes!" while the fans responded with "No!" chants...

Backstage, Ryback and Paul Heyman were shown walking as Cole set up the Beat The Clock Challenge for after the break... [C]

Powell's POV: Did anyone really think Hunter was going to act like his jaw was broken and not talk for several weeks? I like the idea of Hunter's character accepting that he and Stephanie are villains, as I am hopeful this means they confusing approach they had been taking is finished.

4. Ryback (w/Paul Heyman) vs. R-Truth in a Beat the Clock Challenge match. The bell rang and Truth headed to ringside and smiled as he intentionally wasted time. He fled from Ryback, but Heyman got in his way, allowing Ryback to hit Truth from behind. The announcers acknowledged the Goldberg chants and pimped the Goldberg DVD. Ryback got several two counts.

[Q6] Truth made a comeback and hit a missile dropkick for a two count of his own. In the end, Ryback avoided a scissors kick and put Truth away with Shellshocked...

Ryback defeated R-Truth in a Beat the Clock Challenge match in 5:44.

Powell's POV: I like the way R-Truth headed to ringside to waste time, as it made him look like he was outsmarting the heel. All of the pin attempts he kicked out of also made it seem like he put up a good fight.

The announcers noted that Punk had to beat Curtis Axel in less than 5:44 to win the challenge. They also hyped the tag title match... [C]

Stephanie McMahon walked through the backstage area and approached The Bella Twins. Stephanie forced a hug onto Brie and congratulated her on her engagement. Steph recalled Bryan standing over Triple H when he was knocked out last week. Steph asked if Bryan will be chanting when Brie faces Tamina Snuka. She said A.J. Lee would be at ringside, but Nikki Bella would not be...

Powell's POV: It's a shame that Nikki's relationship with John Cena has been publicized via Total Divas, because it would have been a cool swerve if her character hooked up with Randy Orton.

Tons of Funk and The Funkadactyls performed their entrance. Cole said Tons of Funk would be in action after the break... [C]

Powell's POV: First El Matadores and now Tons of Funk. Did something in the minute-by-minute ratings tell WWE that comedy tag teams are good hooks heading into commercial breaks? If so, God help us all.

5. The Real Americans (w/Zeb Colter) vs. Tons of Funk (w/Cameron, Naomi). A pre-taped promo from Colter was shown. He doesn't like Los Matadores. Shocking.

[Q7] Cesaro performed The Neutralizer on Clay to win the match for his team. Afterward, Cesaro set up for the swing on Clay. Swagger beat up Tensai, so Cesaro performed the move on him instead...

The Real Americans defeated Tons of Funk in 5:45.

Powell's POV: Cameron and Naomi wore purple and gold outfits, which is appropriate since cheering for Tons of Funk is a lost cause just like cheering for the Minnesota Vikings this season. The first Vikings fan to email me some uplifting "don't lose hope" silliness will get a hearty "go f--- yourself" email response.

A video package featured Lilian Garcia, Layla, and Titus O'Neil speaking about losing loved ones to breast cancer...

6. Tamina Snuka (w/A.J. Lee) vs. Brie Bella. Brie received a few cheers and slapped hands as she headed to the ring. Brie was the early aggressor and performed a Thesz Press onto Tamina on the floor. Tamina came back and ran her into the ring and clotheslined her from behind before throwing her back inside the ring.

[Q8] Brie came back with a missile dropkick from the second rope and performed the worst running knee in history, then followed up with a better second effort. Brie went for a Facebuster, but Tamina avoided it and then blasted her with a big boot to get the win.

After the match, Tamina performed a Samoan Drop and a shoulder breaker on Brie, then followed up with a Superfly splash. A.J. followed up with the Black Widow. Nikki Bella came out and the heels backed off... [C]

Tamina defeated Brie Bella in 4:30.

Powell's POV: This is Reason No. 554,897 why my girlfriend and I have never bothered to get married.

Backstage, Stephanie McMahon and Brad Maddox were watching a monitor or something when Daniel Bryan stormed into the room upset over what happened to Brie Bella. Steph told Bryan not to blame her for what happened to Brie, then asked, "Don't you have a fiancee to attend to?"...

Powell's POV: And Reason No. 554,898 why my girl and I have never gotten married is that my response to Steph would have been, "She'll be fine, but what are you doing later?"

7. C.M. Punk vs. Curtis Axel (w/Paul Heyman) in a Beat the Clock Challenge. The time to beat is 5:44.

[Q9] Axel was in control of the match and scored near falls heading into the final minute. Punk caught Axel with a kick and GTS and pinned him with 11 seconds left...

C.M. Punk defeated Curtis Axel in a Beat the Clock Challenge in 5:33.

After the match, Heyman headed to the stage. Punk called for him on the mic and noted that he gets to pick the stipulation for his match at Hell in a Cell. Punk said he learned from Heyman, who is the Mad Scientist of WWE. He said they would have a handicap match with Ryback and Paul Heyman vs. C.M. Punk inside the Hell in a Cell structure...

Powell's POV: I'm surprised they are going with two Hell in a Cell matches. Putting the match inside the structure makes the feud feel a little more intense. It certainly more appealing than the Punk vs. Ryback rematch if nothing else. By the way, the Intercontinental Title somehow means even less than it did at the beginning of the show.

Daniel Bryan made his entrance for his match against Del Rio... [C]

8. Alberto Del Rio vs. Daniel Bryan in a non-title match. Del Rio controlled the early offense. He took a couple of kicks, avoided another, and performed the Backstabber to regain control.

[Q10] [C] Del Rio came up bleeding from the mouth after an offensive flurry from Bryan. Del Rio mocked Bryan's Yes! routine and then charged, only to have Bryan clothesline him. Del Rio caught Bryan with a missile dropkick for a two count at 11:15. The announcers spoke about what The Authority wanted out of this match.

Eric Cartman's POV: Respect my authoritah!

Bryan began his comeback with kicks and caught Del Rio with a running drop kick in the corner. He performed a huracanrana off the ropes for a two count. Bryan performed a suicide dive onto Del Rio, then a missile dropkick for a good near fall.

Randy Orton appeared on the big screen. He said he saw what happened to "your sweet fiancee" and said he was very sorry that happened. He said he was going to check on her to see if she was okay. Orton entered the trainer's room and closed the door. The Bella Twins could be heard screaming. Del RIo rolled up Bryan, but Bryan kicked out. Bryan caught Del Rio with a kick and then left the ring and headed backstage.

Alberto Del Rio defeated Daniel Bryan via count out in 16:25.

Bryan burst into the trainer's room and asked Brie if she was okay. No one cares about Nikki, apparently. Randy Orton attacked Bryan from behind. Orton glared at Brie Bella, then left the room with Bryan lying on the floor. Brie and the trainer checked on Bryan...

Powell's POV: Say what you will about Randy Orton, but I see him as a real gentleman. He could have went after the Bella Twins, but he did not. Sure, he attacked Bryan from behind, but he also did so in the trainer's room where he could receive immediate medical attention. This whole thing is just another example of why office romances don't work. Sure, it's great when you first start sticking it to Susie from accounting, but then Bob from shipping gets jealous and starts stalking her. Eventually, Susie turns out to be a real slut and hooks up with Psycho Bob behind your back, then goes has the nerve to tell every female in the office that you have The Clap. Granted, it's true, but couldn't she just keep that to herself (and Bob)?

[Q11] [C] Backstage, The Shield talked about Bryan being in the trainer's room and said maybe the Rhodes boys will join them. Triple H and Stephanie entered the room. Steph reminded them that the Rhodes boys beat them. Hunter told them the match is now no disqualification. "Finish it," he said. Steph and Hunter made out after The Shield left the room...

Another John Cena video aired. This one featured Cena with daily video updates on his recovery... [C] The announcers gushed over Cena and labeled him an amazing human being. They discussed his World Hvt. Championship match with Alberto Del Rio...

Ring entrances for Goldust and Cody Rhodes were shown... [C]

Michael Cole hyped C.M. Punk making an appearance on Friday's WWE Smackdown television show...

Powell's POV: The Smackdown taping is in Kansas City, not Columbus, as I mistakenly wrote earlier. I don't care where it is or where you are from, we need correspondents. I will curse the unbeaten Kansas City Chiefs if I don't get a correspondent, so keep that in mind KC readers! If you can help (with a report, not the curse) email me at dotnetjason@gmail.com.

9. Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns (w/Dean Ambrose) vs. Cody Rhodes and Goldust in a No DQ match for the WWE Tag Team Championship. The Rhodes Brothers jumped out to a quick start. The crowd was quiet, aside from a few fans chanting for Goldust.

[Q12] Cody was worked over by the tag champs. He made a diving leap to tag in his brother. He came up a little short and it looked awkward, but the ref allowed the tag. Goldust got a near fall, but then he dove at Rollins, missed, and tumbled to ringside heading into the commercial break. [C]

An ad for Smackdown asked what's next for Cody and Goldust...

Powell's POV: Mic time since they never seem to get any on Raw even when they work the main event?

After the break, the champs worked over Goldust in their corner. Cody tagged in and had a flurry on Reigns, who no-sold the uppercut from the mat, but Cody remained in control. Cody caught him with a moonsault, then knocked Rollins off the apron with a kick. Cody, who had a black eye, performed a springboard dropkick on Reigns, but Rollins broke up the pin attempt.

Ambrose interfered in the match and The Shield set up for the Triple Powerbomb on Cody. Goldust entered the ring with a chair and cleaned house until Reigns got the better of him briefly.

[Overrun] At ringside, Rollins powerbombed Rhodes into the barricade at ringside. Back inside the ring, Goldust went on a run and ended up clotheslining everyone to ringside and tumbled to the floor along with Reigns. Goldust fought off Ambrose on the floor, but Reigns got to his feet and speared him into the timekeeper's area. The crowd was rocking at this point.

The fans started to cheer and then Big Show was shown entering through the crowd. Show punched out Rollins and Ambrose on the floor and jawed with Reigns. Cody went for the Beautiful Disaster Kick, but Reigns ducked out of the way and Cody fell to the mat. Big Show reached through the ropes and caught Reigns with a punch. Cody covered Reigns for the win.

Big Show headed back into the crowd and led them in a Yes! chant. Triple H came to the ring and threw a fit while Show smiled in the crowd and Cody and Goldust celebrated on the stage with the tag titles...

Cody Rhodes and Goldust defeated Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns in a No DQ match to win the WWE Tag Team Championship in 19:20.

Powell's POV: As nice as it is to see Cody and Goldust win the tag straps, their win over Rollins and Reigns at Battleground made them look much better. They fought back and forth with The Shield here, but Cody missing his finisher and winning only because of Show's punch didn't exactly make Cody and Goldust look good. Still, the match was entertaining and the live crowd went from quiet early to being really into the action down the stretch.

The tag title change was probably enough to save this show for many viewers. I was bored throughout a good portion of the show and they have yet to sell me on the Hell in a Cell pay-per-view. They did a good job of building up John Cena's return. Meanwhile, it felt like a wasted appearance for Shawn Michaels. His segment with Orton was fine, but I though we should have seen some interaction with him and Triple H, as well as with Daniel Bryan. Perhaps that will come next week on the go-home show. Thanks for watching along with me tonight. Check back on Tuesday for my WWE Raw Hit List.