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8/19 Powell's WWE Raw Live Coverage: SummerSlam fallout with Triple H, Daniel Bryan, Randy Orton, and John Cena, plus C.M. Punk and Paul Heyman, The Wyatt Family and Kane

Posted in: WWE TV Reports, MUST-READ LISTING
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Aug 19, 2013 - 07:00 PM

By Jason Powell

Prowrestling.net Live airs live tonight after Raw at 10:30 p.m. CT. Jason Powell and Chris Shore will take your phone calls during the 90-minute free online radio show. Listen live shortly after Raw concludes at Blogtalkradio.com/prowrestlingdotnet.

WWE Raw on the USA Network
Aired live from Anaheim, California at Honda Center


[Q1] A SummerSlam recap video focussed on C.M. Punk vs. Brock Lesnar, and the WWE Championship situation with Triple H helping Randy Orton beat Daniel Bryan to take the title... Michael Cole, JBL, and Jerry Lawler were on commentary...

John Cena's music played and was all smiles as he walked onto the stage and then headed to the ring. Cena said it was early on the West Coast, but the crowd was still rowdy. He said he agreed with the fans in that he's absolutely disgusted by what happened at the end of the show. The crowd blasted him with "Cena sucks" chants and he thanked them for a warm Anaheim welcome.

Cena recalled saying the next man to wear the WWE Championship would earn it. He said Daniel Bryan earned it. Cena thanked Bryan for bringing out the best in him and reminding him that a WWE star should not be judge based on race, creed, or appearance, they should be judged by their commitment to excellence in the ring.

After holding up his freakish looking elbow, Cena said he was told by the WWE medical staff that the fluid built up was due to a torn triceps. They told him to have surgery and to cancel the SummerSlam match. Cena said he wasn't using the injury as an excuse because he was beaten by a better man.

"I can't put off my surgery any longer, tonight I leave the WWE," Cena said. Some fans cheered and a "Yes!" chant broke out. He told the fans he loved it and would miss it. "Tonight I leave for four to six months to get myself healthy," he added. Cena said before he left, he wanted to introduce a man who earned his respect and earned the right to be called champion. "WWE Universe, tonight I give to you, Daniel Bryan," concluded Cena.

Bryan's music played and he walked to the ring with a serious look on his face and without leading the Yes! chants. Cena handed the mic to Bryan and then left the ring. Before Bryan could speak, Stephanie McMahon's entrance music played. She told Bryan that she was sorry that he had the WWE Championship taken away, but her husband was just doing what is best for business.

Bryan said he expects that from Stephanie and her father, but Triple H was a rebel and a renegade. "But now he's wearing a suit, he's got a corporate haircut, and I guess what they say is true, when you lie down with trash, sooner or later you start to stink," Bryan said. Stephanie said Bryan was clearly upset so she would let that slide.

Bryan mocked her and asked the crowd to cheer for Stephanie for letting it slide. "What are you going to do, fire me?" he asked. Bryan said he would go back to wrestling in armories and selling t-shirts out of cars. He said he's not afraid to be fired, but before he leaves he will give her a reason to fire him.

Stephanie said no one wants to fire Bryan, but his anger management issues are clearly messing with his mind. She said he's very valuable and is the ultimate underdog. "But I need to manage your expectations," she said. "Not everyone can be the face of the company. Not everyone can be championship material." She brought up Bryan's height and weight and said not everyone can be supermodels. She said Bryan has a place. "You might not be an A, but you are a B-plus," she said.

[Q2] "Funny, because you're starting to remind me of a word that starts with a letter B right now," replied Bryan. He said Steph was there to rationalize her husband's behavior, but he doesn't have to accept it. Bryan said he can be WWE Champion and he doesn't care what she thinks. Steph started to offer a suggestion when Bryan knocked the mic out of her hand.

Stephanie grabbed a new mic from ringside and told him sternly to calm down. She said she wouldn't be intimidated "by the likes of you." Stephanie called for security. A group of security guards walked out and she told them to escort Bryan from the building. The live crowd started a live Daniel Bryan chant. Bryan left the ring and looked at the security guards before walking toward the ramp.

Bryan stopped and shot a look at Stephanie, then led a No! chant that the crowd eagerly chanted along with until he walked backstage, then the chant was replaced by booking... [C]

Powell's POV: Cena deserves a ton of credit and respect for working with that softball of fluid on his elbow before heading off to get surgery. Stephanie was very good in his segment. I haven't liked most of her recent work, but I thought she nailed it here. The live crowd loves Bryan and seemed to be hanging on every word. It's cool to see Bryan take a more serious approach now that he's been wronged.

A graphic boasted that SummerSlam was the most socially active show on Sunday night...

1. Cody Rhodes vs. Damien Sandow. No televised ring entrances for either man. Cody caught Sandow with a missile dropkick and then clotheslined him over the top rope. Rhodes followed him to ringside and suplexed him on the floor before rolling him back inside and covering him for a two count. Sandow came back and shoved Rhodes through the ropes to the floor. Sandow maintained control heading into the break. [C]

[Q3] Sandow remained on the offensive after the break, but Cody came back with a moonsault off the top rope. Lawler noted that Mr. Belding of Saved By The Bell fame was seated behind them. Cody set up for CrossRhodes, but Sandow slipped away. Cody came back moments later with a Beautiful Disaster kick. In the end, Rhodes performed a sunset flip off the middle rope and pinned Sandow clean...

Cody Rhodes pinned Damien Sandow in 10:35.

Powell's POV: I figured they were going to even things up with a Sandow win here, but they are obviously telling a story with Rhodes beating Sandow. I really hope it doesn't result in Sandow putting his Money in the Bank contract on the line in a match.

Backstage, a smiling Brad Maddox spoke about wrestlers who spoke out about Triple H. He quoted Dolph Ziggler saying he's never trusted him since he started working in WWE. Maddox said they wanted to give Ziggler a chance to showoff in a three-on-one handicap match against The Shield... [C]

Powell's POV: As someone who didn't like the way the spotlight was put on Triple H rather than Randy Orton and Daniel Bryan last night, it's even tougher to get excited about Hunter's new role when they're resorting to the usual heel authority figure gimmicks on night one.

Justin Roberts introduced Paul Heyman, who was standing in the ring with his left arm in a sling. Heyman said C.M. Punk was defeated Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam. Heyman said he would be the first one to admit that Punk gave Lesnar all he could handle. Heyman questioned where they go from here.

"It's time to end this family feud," Heyman said. "I've been far more of a father figure to C.M. Punk than that man who sired him in Chicago." Heyman referred to "Big Brother Brock" and said it was time for forgiveness. "C.M. Punk, I forgive you," he said. The fans booed. Heyman said that when Punk apologizes to him, he will take him back. "You know far better than anybody else that you are far better with me than against me."

Heyman said he and his "prodigal son" would reach heights even greater than before. "C.M. Punk, I still love you," he said. "And I am willing to put this behind us because, C.M. Punk, I will guide you back to the WWE Championship, I will take you to the main event of WrestleMania, and together, together, together we will be the best in the world." Heyman placed the mic down in the middle of the ring...

Backstage, Cameron and Naomi were goofing around when the Bella Twins showed up and wished them luck and said they hope they are more interesting on Raw than they are on Total Divas... Cole said Randy Orton would receive a championship coronation later in the show...

Powell's POV: Another good promo from Heyman with an unexpected plea to reunite with Punk. Meanwhile, it's hard to take the Bellas and Funkadactyls bickering seriously when I watched them goofing off with a breast implant while watching Total Divas earlier today.

[Q4] [C] 2. A.J. Lee and Layla vs. Cameron and Naomi. Cole said Lee became the first Diva to top one million Twitter followers. Lee and Layla attacked the Funkadactyls before the bell. Lee worked over Naomi and tagged in Layla, who dropkicked Cameron off the ring apron. However, Naomi rolled up Layla and pinned her...

Cameron and Naomi defeated A.J. Lee and Layla in 2:15.

A shot aired of Dolph Ziggler walking backstage. Lawler said Ziggler vs. The Shield was coming up after the break... A Be A Star video aired... [C] Cole set up footage that recapped the opening segment...

Ring entrances for the handicap match took place...

[Q5] 3. The Shield vs. Dolph Ziggler in a handicap match. Ziggler took punishment early, but came back at 5:00 and hit the Fameasser on Roman Reigns. Ziglger cleared the other Shield members from the ring and then DDT'd Reigns and had him pinned, but Seth Rollins returned to break it up. Ziggler cleared Rollins to ringside and he came up holding his knee. Ziggler went for a splash in the corner, but Reigns speared him in mid-air and pinned him. They triple powerbombed Ziggler afterward... [C]

The Shield defeated Dolph Ziggler in a handicap match in 6:15.

Powell's POV: Rollins was able to stand up after the match, but he wasn't putting much weight on his left leg. In fact, he hopped around quite a bit and only contributed one arm to the triple powerbomb. He was able to leave through the crowd with his teammates. The match was certainly more entertaining than most handicap matches.

Ring entrances for the next match took place...

[Q6] 4. World Hvt. Champion Alberto Del Rio vs. Sin Cara in a non-title match. Cole noted that it was Raw episode number 1,056. The announcers acknowledged Del Rio's face and insinuated that it occurred during his SummerSlam match without actually saying it. There were two small Mexican flags on each ring post. Cole said Del Rio wants them there for all of his matches.

Sin Cara performed a suicide dive onto Del Rio at ringside early on. Sin Cara sat up and grabbed at his own left wrist, then called for the referee. Del Rio ended up rolling him back inside the ring while the trainer was tending to him. Del Rio kicked Sin Cara, but then the referee called him off and waved off the match...

Alberto Del Rio defeated Sin Cara in 1:00 due to ref stoppage.

Powell's POV: It was a weird spot, as Sin Cara's hand seemed to make contact with Del Rio's head, yet it also looked injured when he sat up.

After the match, Del Rio cut a promo about being a hero to Hispanic viewers. Ricardo Rodriguez walked onto the stage. He said Del Rio isn't a hero to him, the people, and especially the Latino community. Ricardo said he is very happy that he doesn't have to represent Del Rio anymore. "In fact, I am beyond proud that I represent somebody new," Rodriguez said. He said his new man will stand for people. The crowd suspected Rey Mysterio, but Ricardo introduced Rob Van Dam.

RVD walked out and headed to ringside with Ricardo. RVD entered the ring and attacked by Del Rio, but he quickly fought it off. RVD caught Del Rio with a kick and set up for his finisher, but Del Rio rolled out of the ring. RVD and Ricardo did the thumb point routine together...

Powell's POV: Well, that's an odd and unexpected pairing. I'm not really sure what the connection is or that RVD really needs a cornerman, though he did have Bill Alfonso back in the ECW days. I guess this means they will continue to ignore the RVD and Heyman history that has led to a lot of speculation that RVD would end up feuding with C.M. Punk on Heyman's behalf. Will Ricardo trade in the Mexican bucket he carried around for Del Rio for an RVD bong?

Zeb Colter cut an in-ring promo with Antonio Cesaro and Jack Swagger standing by. He said WWE has made headlines lately and questioned why Cesaro and Swagger aren't getting that attention. He complained about illegal immigrants. He ragged on Anaheim and then had everyone say "We The People" to close it out...

5. The Prime Time Players vs. The Real Americans (w/Zeb Colter). Darren Young started the match for the Players, but Titus tagged in and ended up selling for the heels.

[Q7] Young took the hot tag and performed an impressive overhead throw on Cesaro. Moments later, Young hit his double knee to the gut finisher on Cesaro and then pinned him...

The Prime Time Players defeated The Real Americans in 4:50.

Powell's POV: The broadcast team never referenced Young announcing that he is gay. So for now it appears his character is the same and they're leaving his sexuality out of it. I know I wasn't the only person who was nervous when Colter brought up WWE making headlines to start his promo, but he didn't go there either. Rather, it was just business as usual. By the way, you gotta love the fan who keeps holding up the "Bring Back The Rock" sign as if the thought hasn't crossed Vince McMahon's mind.

Backstage, Renee Young interviewed Big Show and asked him about the possibility of teaming up with Mark Henry to go after the tag titles. Show confirmed the rumors, only to be interrupted by Brad Maddox, who dismissed Young. Maddox said Show made disparaging remarks about Triple H. Show said it's America and referenced freedom of speech. Maddox booked The Shield vs. Show in a handicap match with all three Shield members allowed in the ring at once. Show asked him if he's sure he wants to do that to The Shield... [C]

Powell's POV: Why must every big heel authority figure angle be followed by a slew of handicap matches? I guess we'll get a better idea of how Rollins' leg is doing.

Backstage, Zack Ryder and Justin Gabriel were talking with a Foot Locker worker about a pair of shoes. Fandango's music played. He and Summer Rae showed up and the other wrestlers left. They talked to the FL guy, then danced again...

Powell's POV: Am I the only person who assumed the Foot Locker guy was just another referee? As bad as that was, at least it's not he who shall not be named from Subway.

A video recapped the C.M. Punk vs. Brock Lesnar match, and the WWE Championship matches from SummerSlam...

Backstage, Ryback harrassed a guy in the locker room. He made the wrestler pick up his bag, then took it from him and threw it into the shower. He made the guy open his bag, slapped him, and ordered him to turn on the water. He ordered the guy to get the hell out of his locker room...

Big Show made his entrance...

Powell's POV: I thought Bully Ry was on the verge of recreating the Heidenrape scene for a second there. At least he's moved on from picking on the cooking staff.

[Q8] [C] 6. Big Show vs. The Shield in a handicap match. All three Shield members were allowed in the ring at the same time. Show cleared Roman Reigns to ringside right away. He tossed Ambrose out a short time later, then tossed Rollins over the top as well. Reigns entered the ring again only to eat a spear from Show.

Later, Show had his knee clipped from behind and Rollins followed up with a leap off the top rope and connected with a knee to the head on the way down. Show came back, but Reigns speared him. The Shield performed the triple powerbomb on show and all three men covered him for the win...

The Shield defeated Big Show in a handicap match in 4:30.

Powell's POV: It looks like Rollins is fine since there's no way he would be out there working and doing as much as he did if it was something serious. He did sell it whenever he was tossed to ringside, but he seemed to be moving around pretty well. The handicap matches made Show and Ziggler look strong in defeat while making The Shield look a little soft even though they won both matches.

C.M. Punk's music hit and he limped his way onto the stage. "I can't believe he's even walking," Cole said. Punk limped his way to the ring for a promo to a strong reaction from the live crowd. Punk took the mic and said he doesn't know what to say because he had too much going on upstairs.

[Q9] Punk said Heyman said a lot of things and pushed a lot of buttons. Suddenly, Punk turned his attention to a fan that booed him. He dared the fan to be a man and climb inside the ring so he could render him a toothless shell of a man. Punk told him to be a man or sit down and shut his mouth. The live crowd loved it.

Punk called for Heyman to come out to see him face to face with a tease that he might just get the apology he is looking for. Heyman walked out with Curtis Axel at his side. Punk said the doctor said he wasn't fit to compete, yet he was dressed in his gear and taped up because it's all he knows and it's all he has. He said he lost a fight at SummerSlam, but he's still standing.

Punk said he is sorry, but it's for taking his eyes off Lesnar for a split second so he could seek revenge on Heyman. He said he's sorry he didn't break Heyman's arm off and take it home with him. He said next time he will spit in Heyman's face, rip his arm off, and take it home. Punk said he's going to get his revenge and challenged Heyman to do what "this big fat guy" didn't have the balls to do - fight him like a man.

Heyman said he is the person who should apologize. "I am sorry for what is about to happen to you," Heyman said. He told Axel to go backstage and tape up his hands for a fight. Heyman said he is not the fat guy sitting in the front row, he can be the worst nightmare that Punk has ever seen. Heyman said that if Punk is still in the ring after the commercial, Axel will finish the job that Lesnar started on Punk... [C]

Powell's POV: For those wondering, yes, Dot Net staffer Will Pruett is in the building, but he is not fat, nor is he in the guy that Punk was yelling at. However, the night is young!

After the break, Axel returned with his fists taped and headed to the ring. Punk got the better of Axel and dumped him into the timekeepers area. Punk walked toward Heyman, then turned and performed a running dive onto Axel. Punk picked up the timekeepers bell and swung it at Axel's gut. Punk rolled Axel back inside the ring and looked at Heyman, who was standing in the aisle.

Punk set up for the GTS, but Axel slipped out of it and clipped Punk's leg. Lawler pointed out that there was no referee and Axel could do anything he wanted. Axel wrapped a chair around Punk's bad leg. Heyman yelled that Punk was the prodigal son and broke his heart. Axel went to the ropes, but Punk moved before he could land on him.

[Q10] Punk took the chair and beat Axel with it. At ringside, Punk rammed Axel into the ring steps twice, then performed the GTS onto the steps rather than his knee. Punk and Heyman glared at one another. Punk's music played and Heyman backed up the ramp with Punk watching him every step of the way...

The Wyatt family was hyped for after the break... [C]

Powell's POV: Very good intensity from Punk, though his promo on the fan was about as Be A Star worthy as Ryback beating up cooks and indy wrestlers. This would have packed more of a punch if Axel had been built up properly. He comes off like an undercard lackey despite holding the Intercontinental Title. With Brock working limited dates, Heyman needs more clients. Luke Gallows? Matt Morgan? Brooke Hogan? Okay, maybe not that last one.

7. Bray Wyatt (w/Luke Harper, Erick Rowan) vs. R-Truth. Truth caught Wyatt with a kick early, but Wyatt caught him with a running tackle. "Witness the new face of fear!" Wyatt yelled. He delivered his kiss and finisher for the win a short time later... [C]

Bray Wyatt pinned R-Truth in 1:35.

Powell's POV: Will Pruett was not have been the fat guy who was scolded by Punk for daring to boo him, but he is surely the guy lecturing some poor soul about how he's been involved with stage productions that use better props than WWE uses for Wyatt's entrance. Give 'em hell, Will!

[Q11] A vignette aired fro Los Matadores...

Vince McMahon's POV: The Tito Santana thing didn't work so well, but this is twice as good! Just when you thought it couldn't get worse for Primo and Epico. Carlito must really regret his WWE departure now. Sigh.

8. The Uso Brothers vs. Heath Slater and Jinder Mahal (w/Drew McIntyre). In the end, one of the Uso's tagged his brother and dove onto two 3MB members on the floor, then his brother performed a top rope splash onto Jinder for the win... [C]

The Uso Brothers defeated Heath Slater and Jinder Mahal in 5:25.

Powell's POV: Let the record show that I watched one of the Uso brothers touch the bare breast of a woman earlier today. That must sound really bizarre to those of you who did not watch Total Divas this week. Even so, this is the most memorable moment of their WWE run.

Footage aired of The Miz punching Fandango at SummerSlam...

[Q12] 9. The Miz vs. Wade Barrett. There was a loud "Let's Go Barrett" chant at a point when Miz was starting to make his comeback. Miz threw a couple of kicks to Barrett's inner thigh at one point. He eventually locked in the Figure Four, but Fandango came out and performed a top rope leg drop onto Miz to end the match. Fandango and Summer Rae danced afterward...

The Miz beat Wade Barrett by an apparent DQ in 4:50.

Powell's POV: Cody shaves his mustache and goes on a winning streak. Barrett shaves what was left of his beard and he can't even beat The Miz.

A shot aired of Brad Maddox walking backstage. He approached Stephanie McMahon and told her that the heading of building security informed him that Daniel Bryan was back in the building. Steph thanked him for the update and headed into Mr. McMahon's office... [C]

After the break, most of the WWE wrestlers were standing on the stage with Triple H in front of them. Vince McMahon and Stephanie McMahon stood in the ring, and Vince told the crowd to give it up for Triple H. The Shield were standing at ringside serving as security. Vince congratulated Hunter for seeing the light and gave him a big hug. The fans chanted "you sold out" at Hunter.

Triple H said he did what he did to insure the future of the WWE. He said he did it for all the fans, all the wrestlers standing on the stage, for Vince McMahon, his father, and Vince's grandfather. "I did it for him so this will be here long after he is gone," Hunter said. He added that he did it for his wife and his children so it will exist in their future.

Powell's POV: Wow, who knew WWE was so unstable?

Triple H said he considers Daniel Bryan to be a friend. Hunter referred to Bryan as "one hell of a little technician" and praised him for giving Cena a hell of a match. Hunter questioned the idea of Bryan being WWE Champion and the face of WWE. The fans chanted Yes. "No, no, Hunter said. "You deserve better than that."

[Overrun] Hunter said the fans deserve the complete package. He said the fans deserve A-plus, which is what he gave them. "And Daniel Bryan comes out here and says he has a personal problem with that?" Hunter asked. "That's a sacrifice I'm willing to make." Hunter turned it to him and asked the fans if they think he wanted to do that to Bryan because he overachieved.

Hunter said it hurt him personally to do that to Bryan. Hunter brought up Randy Orton and said there's no love lost between them. Triple H said he buried his personal feelings for what was right for the fans. He said he buried it all to do what was right. He said he doesn't really care about Bryan having a personal problem with what he did. "You saying you had a personal problem with it is just self," he said.

Triple H told Bryan to check his ego at the door just as he does when he does to work. "It's not about me and it's not about what I do, it's about the WWE Universe and you put your personal feelings aside and do what's best for business," he said. Hunter said he would put aside his personal feelings one more time. He introduced Randy Orton as the future, the face of WWE, and the coal that has become the diamond.

Randy Orton's music played and he walked between the wrestlers on the stage and stopped to glare at them for a moment before walking to the ring. Randy entered the ring and shook hands with Vince and Hunter. He offered a handshake to Stephanie, but she gave him a hug instead.

"I told you so," Orton started. "I told you that when I cashed in, you would not see it coming." Um, sure. He noted that he is the apex predator for the tenth time. He said he's not usually one for saying thank you, but he would make an exception. He told Triple H that he owes all of it to him. They shared a quick hug. Orton told the fans they should stand up and show Triple H the respect he deserves.

Hunter said he knew Daniel Bryan was in the building. He asked him to come to the ring and get it all off his chest. "You can come out here and have a good cry," Hunter said. "Whatever it takes so that you can move on with your little career." Hunter told The Shield members that they are intimidating and asked them to move to the side. He said he doesn't want anyone on the stage to touch Bryan.

Hunter led the crowd in a Yes! chant to encourage Bryan to come out and then had his music play. Bryan came out and started to climb onto the ring apron when he was attacked by The Shield. Bryan became the third man of the evening to get the better of The Shield. However, Reigns recovered and speared him on the floor. The other Shield members put the boots to Bryan.

They set up for a triple powerbomb, but Hunter told them to stop. He said Bryan had something to say and invited him into the ring to speak his mind. Bryan struggled to get up and was mocked by Hunter every step of the way. Bryan finally made it into the ring and then ate an RKO from Orton. Triple H, Vince, Orton, and Stephanie all raised their arms in the middle of the ring while standing over Bryan to close the show...

Powell's POV: Hunter played his role well and if you're into the idea of another McMahon family heel run then you're probably very excited about this. I like the way Bryan was cast as the top babyface throughout the evening, but I dread the idea of handicap matches, lopsided stipulations, and all of the usual heel authority figure antics that started tonight. I will have a lot more to say about the show in tonight's Prowrestling.net Live show, which begins minutes after I type this at Blogtalkradio.com/prowrestlingdotnet.

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