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Hello ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to yet another live review of Monday Night RAW! We’re live from the Fedex Forum in Memphis, Tennessee as we gear up for the Hell In A Cell PPV, which will come to us live in just six more days! Will RAW deliver the goods for the “Go home” show? We’re about to find out!
Daniel Bryan vs. Dean Ambrose
Loud “Let’s go Bryan” chants started as Bryan and Ambrose locked up in the middle of the ring. Ambrose delivered some chops in the corner and Bryan returned the favour. Bryan delivered some kicks in the corner and covered the US champion for a 1 count. Bryan locked in a variation of the arm bar for a 2 count. Bryan dropped Ambrose with a dropkick for yet another nearfall. Bryan started working on Ambrose’s arm and twisted his shoulder with a snapmare takedown. Ambrose avoided a dropkick and came down with a shoulder to the chest for a 1 count. Ambrose delivered a clothesline as the crowd started a “Let’s go Bryan” chant. Ambrose delivered a snap suplex for a 2 count, but Bryan countered with a underhook snap suplex of his own! Bryan went for the swandive headbutt, but Ambrose rolled out of the ring. Bryan caught him, but missed the running double knee and Ambrose countered with a clothesline as RAW went to commercial.
Back from commercial and Ambrose locked Bryan in a chinlock. Ambrose delivered a kick to the head of Bryan and delivered a running double stomp for a 2 count! Ambrose locked in a chinlock and then into a surfboard, then countered Bryan’s resilient comeback into a backdrop for a 2 count. Ambrose locked in the head scissors, but Bryan countered it into the inverted surfboard into an abdominal stretch, but Ambrose poked Bryan’s eyes to get out of the predicament. Bryan went to the top rope, but Ambrose crotched him and delivered a superplex from the top rope for a nearfall! Ambrose went back to the chinlock as Bryan began feeding off the fans and countered into a backslide for a 2 count! Both men collided in mid air, and then began trading blows. Bryan got the upper hand and delivered a clothesline, followed by a couple of dropkicks for a 2 count! Bryan tried to go for a tornado DDT, but Ambrose countered with a spine buster for a 2 count! Bryan threw Ambrose outside the ring and came down with a suicide dive! Back in the ring, Bryan delivered a missile dropkick from the top rope and delivered some stiff kicks. Ambrose tried to counter it into a roll up, but Bryan reversed it into the LaBelle lock as Ambrose tapped out after 18 minutes!
Winner: Daniel Bryan
Rating: *** ¾
Analysis: What an awesome way to kick things off on RAW! Bryan and Ambrose are two of the best workers in the business, and they got about 18 minutes, which could only mean one thing – An outstanding match to start things off. Bryan takes this momentum into the Hell In A Cell PPV, and we have to see where Ambrose goes from here.
Back from commercial, and out came CM Punk to a big ovation. The fans started a “CM Punk” chant, as Punk talked about his match this Sunday. Punk said that the cell defines legacies, and said he knows his legacy will be defined when he gets his hands on Heyman. Punk said Ryback can’t save Heyman, and come Sunday, they will be locked inside the cell with the devil himself. Punk said he didn’t care about winning or losing, and said he’d put Ryback to sleep and then take care of Heyman. Punk threatened Heyman, and said he’d rip Heyman apart, and Punk promised that after Sunday, Heyman will know what extreme truly means. He said after the match this Sunday, only he will walk out of the cell on his own.
Analysis: That was an intense promo by Punk, but the crowd wasn’t all that great. This is what can happen with a dead crowd – A good promo looks “okay – ish” because of the lethargic fans. Anyway, Punk put over his match this Sunday and promised to end the feud.
Backstage, Triple H talked to Vickie, and the power couple went into their office to find Shawn Michaels inside. Michaels joked about them not having time for “small people” like him, and asked Triple H if he truly didn’t believe Bryan couldn’t be the face of the company. Triple H said no, but Shawn said that’s what the people used to say about HBK and Triple H more than a decade ago. Shawn said that he had noticed that things have changed, and said he would go have some fun.
Santino came out along with Khali and Hornswoggle dressed as Elvis, or more like The Honkeytonk Man.
Santino (With Khali and Hornswoggle) vs. Heath Slater (With Mahal and McIntyre)
Santino and Slater did a bit of comedy to start things off. Santino did his usual shtick, which drew giggles from the announcers. Slater drilled Santino with some shoulders, but Santino avoided the attack and countered with a headbutt. Santino went for the Cobra, but Slater dodged the attack. Slater came down from top but Santino caught him with the Cobra to pick up the win in just under 3 minutes.
Winner: Santino Marella
Rating: ½*
Post match, Santino egged Lawler to do the “Roundhouse” like Elvis and Jerry obliged.
Analysis: Ugh, do I have to? It was pathetic, but the announcers enjoyed it. I guess it works for people with the IQ of Cole and/or Lawler.
Back from the break, and out came Dolph Ziggler.
Dolph Ziggler vs. Randy Orton
Orton and Ziggler locked up to kick things off, as the crowd chanted for Ziggler. Orton took control with a cheap shot and threw Ziggler outside the ring. He delivered some stiff shots and rolled Ziggler back in the ring for a 2 count. Orton tried to go for the double hook DDT on the outside, but Ziggler drilled Orton into the barricade. Orton countered by throwing Ziggler into the ringpost to gain control of the match. Ziggler made a brief comeback but Orton dropped him with a backbreaker for a 2 count. Orton locked in the chinlock but Ziggler countered with a jawbreaker. Dolph dropped Orton with a swinging neckbreaker for a nearfall.
Winner: Randy Orton
Rating: ** ½
Analysis: That was a decent match that received just under 10 minutes. The ending wasn’t as emphatic as Orton would have liked it, which puts over the fact that Orton can connect with the RKO at any second to pick up the victory.
WWE played the ‘Diary of Cena’, which covered Cena’s road to recovery since his surgery.
Back from commercial, and out came AJ along with Tamina Snuka.
AJ and Tamina vs. The Bella Twins
Tamina started things off with Brie, and threw her around like a rag doll. Nikki came in and the twins drop kicked Tamina to shift the momentum in their favour. Nikki was thrown outside, and Tamina hung her up on the middle rope. Tamina brought Nikki inside the ring and covered her for a nearfall. Tamina locked in an inverted chinlock and delivered a cheapshot to Brie. Tamina hung Nikki on the bottom rope and continued dominating the Bella twins. Tamina threw Nikki and tagged in AJ. AJ covered Nikki for a 2 count. AJ locked in a chinlock but Nikki drove her into the corner. AJ started stomping Nikki in the corner, but Nikki managed to tag in Brie. Brie took AJ down with a couple of clotheslines. AJ tried to counter with an elbow, but Brie dropkicked her for a 2 count. Brie locked in the half Boston out of nowhere, but Tamina interrupted again. Brie hit the faceplant on AJ to pick up the victory for her team just after the 5 minute mark.
Winner (s): The Bella twins
Rating: ½ *
Analysis: That was awkward to watch. Brie has gotten better in the ring, but is still below par as an in – ring competitor.
Backstage, Renee interviewed Heyman. Heyman said Punk will execute Heyman live on PPV, and said Punk dreams about hurting Heyman. Heyman rambled on, and later gained composure, and said he was in control. Heyman said Punk cannot get past Ryback, and hence can’t get his hands on Heyman. Paul said he won’t be locked inside the cell with Punk, but Punk will be locked inside the cell with Heyman.
“I’m not locked inside #HellInACell with @CMPunk … CM Punk is locked in the Cell WITH ME!” – @HeymanHustle #RAW
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) October 22, 2013Luke and Erick (With Bray Wyatt) vs. The Miz and Kofi Kingston
Erick and Miz started things off, and The Miz took it to Erick. Bray distracted Miz which led to Luke decimating The Miz with a big boot for a nearfall. Miz tried to make a comeback, but Luke stopped him in his tracks and hung him over the ropes. Erick came in and dropped Miz with a backbreaker and Luke came back in and locked Miz in a chinlock. Miz delivered a cheap shot to Erick, but Luke dropped him with a slam. Miz fought Luke off and made the hot tag to Kofi. Kofi dropped Luke with leg scissors and a high cross body, and dropped Erick with a Trouble in Paradise, but Luke clobbered Kofi with a clothesline to pick up the victory after 5 minutes.
Winner (s): Luke and Erick
Rating: * ¾
Post match, Luke attacked Kofi, but Miz made the save. Erick dropped Miz, and the duo tied Miz to the ropes as Bray Wyatt made his way into the ring. Bray Wyatt talked about hell and the creator, and asked Miz to follow the buzzards.
Analysis: That was an eerie promo by Bray, and the Wyatt Family is still one of the most interesting things happening in the WWE at the moment. Will this lead to a Bray – Miz match this Sunday? We’ll have to wait and see.
Curtis Axel (With Heyman and Ryback) vs. Big E Langston
Axel tried to take on Big E, but Big E took Axel down until Ryback made the save. Big E tried to fight the duo off, but the numbers game caught on and proved too much for Big E. The match didn’t even start, but the Paul Heyman guys gained the upper hand. Heyman hit Big E with a kendo stick, and Ryback took advantage and drilled Big E with a clothesline. Punk made the save by chasing away Axel and Ryback with a kendo stick. Vickie came out and made it a tag team match.
Punk and Big E Langston vs. Axel and Ryback (With Heyman)
Back from commercial, and Punk tagged in Big E as the duo worked on Axel. Punk came back into the ring and worked on Axel, until Axel tagged in Ryback. Ryback drilled Punk into the corner as Heyman looked on. Ryback delivered a legdrop and covered Punk for a 1 count. Axel came in and started working on Punk. Axel locked in a chinlock as the crowd started a “CM Punk” chant. Axel delivered a few clubby blows, but Punk came back with a crossbody for a nearfall. Axel countered and tagged Ryback in, who delivered a splash on Punk for a 2 count. Ryback delivered a chop and went for a suplex, but Punk reversed it into a roll up for a 2 count. Ryback locked in the reverse bear hug, working on Punk’s abdominal area as Heyman taunted Punk. Punk dropped Ryback and made the hot tag to Big E! Big E took down Axel and Ryback, as Punk took Ryback out of the ring. Big E connected with the Big Ending on Axel and picked up the pinfall victory!
Winner (s): Punk and Big E Langston
Rating: ** ½
Analysis: That was a fun tag match, and Big E’s face turn has been confirmed. There have been plans for a Big E – Ryback feud, but I guess WWE will go ahead with Axel – Big E feud first.
Post match, Punk chased Heyman out of the arena!
Tons of Funk (With Funkadactyles) vs. The Real Americans (With Zeb Coulter)
Tensai and Swagger started things off and Tensai took control over the bout. Tensai dropped Swagger with a monkey flip as the people started a “We the people” chant! Swagger tagged Cesaro in, who worked over Tensai and tagged Swagger back in. Swagger worked on Tensai’s leg in the corner and dropped him with a back drop! Swagger delivered the Swagger bomb and Cesaro came down with a double foot stomp for a 2 count. Cesaro locked in the chinlock but Tensai backdropped him and made the hot tag to Brodus, who dropped Cesaro with a couple of headbutts and an elbow. Cesaro swung Brodus around in the giant swing and tagged in Swagger, who locked Brodus in the ankle lock as Brodus tapped out in 5 minutes.
Winner (s): The Real Americans
Rating: **
Post match, Zeb delivered a promo and took out a bull whip, and ended the segment with “We the people”.
Analysis: Push Antonio Cesaro. He’s way too talented to be involved in pointless matches and feuds that go nowhere. That’s about it.
WWE showed Lawler playing with a Cena doll and aired a video looking back at Cena’s career. Oh for the love of God, bring him back so that we can stop looking at how Cena overcame the odds a million times!
Goldust and Cody made their way out as the guest commentators for the Usos – Shield match.
The Usos vs. Rollins and Reigns to find the number one contenders for the WWE Tag Team championships
Rollins started things off with one of the Usos, as Jimmy took it to Rollins and threw him over the top rope and came down with a top rope plancha for a 2 count. Reigns came in and worked on Jimmy, but Jimmy tagged in his brother who hit a splash in the corner. The Usos worked on Reigns in the corner, but Reigns tagged Rollins in. The Uso missed a crossbody and landed awkwardly on the bottom rope and Rollins covered him for a 2 count. Roman Reigns worked on one of the Usos on the outside and rolled him back in the ring for yet another 2 count. Jimmy tried to fight off Reigns, but a distraction from Rollins allowed Reigns to knock him off the apron and into the announcer’s table as WWE went into commercial.
Back from commercial and The Shield started working on the Usos. Reigns delivered a suplex for a 2 count, and locked him in the chinlock. Reigns went for the Samoan drop, but Jimmy dropped him with a DDT! Rollins came in and dropped Jimmy with a clothesline, and started stomping on Jimmy. Jimmy dumped Rollins onto the outside and caught Reigns with a stiff kick and made the hot tag to his brother. Jimmy took Rollins out over the top rope as his brother tried to go for a splash, but was caught with a huge spear for a 2 count! Reigns caught Uso and delivered a powerslam! Jey hit a superkick on Reigns, but Reigns put his knees up as Jey came down for a splash. Ambrose took a cheap shot on Rhodes which led to all hell breaking loose! The match was ruled as no contest as The Shield tried to take on The Usos and The Rhodes brothers! The Rhodes brothers and Usos gained the upper hand and sent The Shield to the back.
Winner (s): No contest
Rating: *** ½
Analysis: That was a great tag team match, and the post match brawl was outstanding. Although, we don’t have a clear winner, which might lead to a tornado tag team match this Sunday at the Hell In A Cell PPV. Anyway, the crowd was into the whole segment, and the sequence was amazing towards the end.
Time for the contract signing, and out came Triple H and Stephanie, followed by Randy Orton and then Daniel Bryan. Triple H then introduced Shawn Michaels, who came out to a loud ovation from the Memphis crowd. The crowd started a “HBK” chant, and Stephanie asked Orton to speak up first. Orton said Bryan never gave up, but come Sunday, he won’t be getting up. Orton said that he survived against The Undertaker, and defeated Sheamus and Cena inside the Cell, and promised that Bryan’s first match inside the HIAC will be his last. Orton signed on the dotted line, and Bryan took the mic and said he expected nothing less from Orton. Bryan said that Orton needed external help from The Shield and Triple H, and if it weren’t for them, he would be the WWE champion. Bryan said that he could smash in his face, and thanked Orton for pushing him to the limits, and for exposing Triple H and Stephanie for who they really are.
Triple H took the mic and said Bryan was like Jericho, Edge and RVD. Triple H if any of those guys were the face of the company, they would be working for Ted Turner. Bryan challenged Triple H, but Triple H shrugged it off. Triple H said he would only fight a star, and not a B+ player. Triple H said that he wouldn’t waste his time fighting someone like Daniel Bryan. Triple H said Shawn shouldn’t have wasted his time training Daniel Bryan, and Shawn interrupted. Shawn said Bryan was very good, and asked what happened to the guy who was a rebel. Shawn said he didn’t care what Triple H’s position was, and that he only cared about giving the fans a new WWE champion. Orton interrupted and said that Shawn had an agenda against Orton. Triple H said Shawn would do what’s right for business, and Shawn said he would do what’s right for the fans. Shawn asked what Triple H’s deal was, and why he despised Bryan. Shawn asked if Triple H hated Bryan because after all what Triple H did, Bryan weathered the storm and came out on top. Orton took the mic and said come Sunday, he will take Bryan to hell.
Just then, a semi – pick up made its way into the arena, and it was none other than The Big Show! Show asked Orton to turn around, and Bryan delivered the running knee to Orton! Bryan made his way back chanting “Yes” along with the fans as an irate Triple H looked on. The show faded with Big Show and Daniel Bryan leading the fans in a “Yes” chant!
Analysis: That was a fun way to close the show. Although they could’ve done more with the people involved, the cliffhanger ending leaves a lot of possibilities. With The Big Show making his way into the arena once again, he can play a role come Sunday, and with Shawn Michaels telling his best friend that he would do what’s right for the fans, there is a chance of Shawn screwing Daniel Bryan. WWE did a good job in leaving the fans at the edge of their seats, and anything can happen come Sunday.
Over – all rating of the show: *** ½ (Out of 5 stars)
The show fell flat at some points, but with two solid matches, it was a decent “Go home” episode of RAW. There are many possibilities which can unfold at the HIAC PPV, and with new matches added to the Hell In A Cell card, anything can happen come Sunday. That does it for this week’s live review. Join us this Sunday, as we cover the Hell In A Cell PPV and take you through the action.
