WWE Monday Night RAW: Live coverage and results - 26th May, 2014
Hello ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to the live review of this week’s episode of Monday Night RAW! A lot is at stake tonight as the WWE World Heavyweight champion Daniel Bryan might surrender the title to the Authority. We’re live from the Thompson – Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tennessee.
This week’s RAW opened with a graphic about Memorial Day. The show was dedicated to the veterans who lost their lives.
Triple H and Stephanie waited in the ring as the show began. Stephanie cut a promo about people having choices, and Daniel Bryan has a choice to do the right thing and surrender the WWE World Heavyweight championship, as we needed a fighting champion. She then mocked Bryan and said his mind might be strong, but his body is B+. The fans chanted for Bryan and Stephanie encouraged them. Triple H then took the mic and mocked Bryan, and said some people reach to the top but just can’t stay there. He then brought up Evolution as the fans booed. He name dropped The Shield as the fans popped. He then said Evolution wouldn’t let The Shield make out of Payback this Sunday, and plugged in the contract signing later on tonight. Stephanie then called out the General Manager of RAW, Brad Maddox.
The Authority wasn’t pleased with Ambrose and Reigns coming out last week as guest commentators during the Batista – Rollins match last week. Maddox said The Shield forced him, and Stephanie said that they had no choice as the pyros went off, and out came Kane. Maddox pleaded as Kane made his way out, and Triple H dropped Maddox with a right hand. Kane preyed on Maddox, and then delivered a huge chokeslam and a Tombstone piledriver. Stephanie then fired Brad Maddox, and the trio stood over Brad.
Analysis: That was unexpected. What does Maddox have anything to do going ahead with this feud? We’ll have to wait and see, but he might have a hand in the outcome between Evolution and The Shield at WWE Payback.
We looked at the WWE World Heavyweight championship situation, and Bo Dallas’ vignette aired.
Cesaro (With Heyman) vs. RVD
Before the match began, Bad News Barrett made his way out and said he had some bad news. Barrett talked about summer, and how everyone was growing fat. He ripped on the fans some more and we went underway with the bout as BNB joined the commentary team.
RVD and Cesaro started things off as Cesaro dominated in the early going, but RVD came back with a scissors take down, but Cesaro caught him with a big throw and an uppercut. Cesaro went on the offense but RVD dropped him with a thrust kick and knocked Cesaro out of the ring. RVD went for a moonsault, but Cesaro caught him and knocked him down on the barricades. Cesaro threw RVD into the barricade again as WWE went into commercial.
Back from the break and Cesaro was still in control. Cesaro pressed RVD and went for multiple pinning predicaments. RVD made a comeback with a rolling thunder and as he tried to catch Cesaro with a crossbody, Barrett interrupted which enabled Cesaro to take control. More back and forth action and Cesaro caught RVD with a German suplex to pick up the victory.
Winner: Cesaro
Rating: *** ½
After the match, Sheamus attacked Cesaro and laid him out with a Brogue kick!
Analysis: That was once again a solid match between two phenomenal athletes, but WWE focused more on the feuds between RVD and Barrett, and Cesaro and Sheamus. Both IC and US titles will be on the line this Sunday at Payback, which is a rarity. It’ll be interesting to see if Cesaro beats Sheamus for the title come Payback.
Eva Marie vs. Summer Rae
Both the divas went at it before Summer got the upper hand, and dominated the bout. That was until Fandango’s music hit, as he and Layla started dancing on the entrance ramp. They started kissing which upset Summer, and Eva took advantage of it by rolling Summer up to pick up the upset victory.
Winner: Eva Marie
Rating: Dud
Analysis: I understand the rivalry, and I’m not against it. What I’m against is putting Eva Marie in the ring for a match. Anyway, that was a quick match which furthered the rivalry between Summer Rae and Layla.
Backstage, Batista and Orton were having a word with Triple H when The Rhodes brothers walked in and mocked Orton and Batista. Triple H then booked them in a match against Orton and Batista later in the night.