WWE Monday Night RAW: Live results and coverage - 13th January, 2014
Brock Lesnar
Hello ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to yet another edition of Monday Night RAW! We’re live from the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence Rhode Island, and we’re in for a wild ride tonight, as we’re just days away from the Royal Rumble!
The show opened with a video package, focusing on Bray Wyatt and the newest member of The Wyatt Family, Daniel Bryan. Michael Cole then welcomed us as The Usos were already in the ring, and The Wyatt Family made their way to the ring.
The Usos vs. Bray Wyatt and Daniel Bryan
Daniel Bryan started things off with one of the Usos, as Jey took control of Bryan with some rights, but Bryan came back with a knee to the gut. Bryan put Jey down with hard knees and tagged in Bray Wyatt. Wyatt drilled Jey with some more stiff kicks in the corner and tagged Bryan in, as the fans were firmly behind Daniel Bryan. Bryan went right at it as the crowd chanted “No”, as Bryan came down hard on Jey’s neck as the crowd chanted for Daniel Bryan. Bryan tagged Wyatt in, as he came down hard on Jey’s torso! Bray took Jey to the corner and drilled him with some hard rights and tagged in Bryan again. Bryan went at it with some hard kicks, and was ruthless in his attack. Bryan wore Jey down and locked in the upper chin lock, as Jey made a comeback with a huge roundhouse kick on Bryan! Jey finally made the tag to Jimmy, who drilled Bryan with some rights and then a Samoan drop! Jimmy ran Bryan into the corner for the first near fall of the match. Jimmy threw Bray and Bryan out and both the Usos came down with a huge cross body over the top rope! The Usos went to the top rope for a double splash, but Rowan and Harper made the save for the DQ finish.
Winner (s): The Usos
Rating: ** ½
Post match, Harper and Rowan decimated Jey, but a miscommunication led to one of The Usos super kicking Bryan as they bolted to the back. Daniel Bryan then kneeled before Bray, who delivered Sister Abigail to Daniel Bryan, and he was carried to the back.
Analysis: That was an amazing way to kick things off, as the fans loved Daniel Bryan and the action was fast paced. Wyatts had the control over the match for a long time, but the tides soon changed and Harper and Rowan had to interfere to save Bryan and Bray Wyatt. The segment ended with Bray hitting Sister Abigail on Bryan once again, and it will be interesting to see where the Wyatts go from here.
John Cena was in action up next.
WWE showed a graphic about Batista, who will be making his return to the WWE on the 20th of January.
Damien Sandow was already in the ring, ready to face John Cena.
Damien Sandow vs. John Cena
Sandow started on the offensive with a side head lock, as the crowd started the dueling “Let’s go Cena”/”Cena Sucks” chant, as Cena took Sandow down with an arm drag into an arm bar. Cena with the sidehead lock and took Sandow down with a hip toss for a 1 count. Sandow took Cena down with some rights and kicks in the corner, and looked aggressive. Sandow continued with some headbutts as WWE went into commercial.
Back from the break and Sandow was still in control. Sandow missed with a big knee as Cena started his offense, with the shoulder blocks and the five knuckle shuffle. Cena went for the AA but Sandow dropped him with a reverse DDT. Cena went for the STF, but Sandow kicked Cena’s knee and locked in a version of Boston Crab! Cena dropped Sandow on the back of his head for a 2 count! Cena went to the top, but Sandow caught him. Cena came down with a tornado DDT on Sandow for yet another 2 count! Cena went for the AA but Sandow rolled him up for a 2 count! Sandow planted Cena face first for yet another 2 count. Sandow went for a Full Nelson, but Cena threw Sandow with an arm drag and locked him in the STF, but Sandow grabbed the bottom rope! Sandow locked in the crossface, but Cena lifted him up and delivered the AA to pick up the victory after the 12 minute mark!
Winner: John Cena
Rating: ***
Analysis: That was a good TV match between Cena and Sandow, and I loved the second half of the match where they went into a sequence of holds and submission holds. Sandow and Cena came out on the better side after the match, which was the right way to go. Cena impressed with some technical maneuvers, and the ending was amazing as well, as Cena lifted Sandow up after he was locked in the crossface!
WWE plugged in the 6 – man tag team match between Punk with the New Age Outlaws against The Shield.
WWE showed the footage of their announcement last week, regarding the new WWE network.
Backstage, Kane and Brad Maddox talked about Daniel Bryan and the Wyatt Family, and made a match between Bryan/Wyatt against The Usos inside a Steel Cage, with Kane having the key.
Analysis: That was weird. That segment made little to no sense except for the match itself. Why would Kane have the key? I guess we’ll have to wait and find out.
Big Show made his way out next for his match.
Big Show vs. Jack Swagger (With Cesaro and Zeb Colter)
Show manhandled Swagger, throwing him around like a ragdoll to kick things off. Swagger tried to get back into the match, but Show blocked him and speared him! Show delivered the choke slam to Swagger to pick up the victory in just under 2 minutes.
Winner: The Big Show
Rating: *
Post match, Cesaro tried to attack Show, but ran away as Show tried to chase him. Show came back into the ring and tried to attack Zeb, luring Cesaro back and dumped him out of the ring. Show then delivered the big punch to Zeb Colter to end the segment.
Analysis: That was a squash match to show Show’s dominance, leading up to his match against Brock Lesnar. So Show went from a guy in the diaper to a tough guy challenging someone who is considered the legitimate tough guy in the world? Of course.
WWE then showed a video regarding the troops and the Hire Heroes campaign.
On top of the second hour, The New Age Outlaws came out for their match. After doing the introduction like only Road Dogg can, he brought out the best in the world, CM Punk!
CM Punk, New Age Outlaws vs. The Shield
Ambrose and Gunn started things off as Gunn took Ambrose down with a side head lock. Ambrose took Billy to the corner with some rights, but Gunn came back with an elbow. Ambrose tied him down and tagged in Rollins, who took Billy to the corner with some kicks. Bully tried to turn the tables, but ran into a boot in the corner! Billy went for the first pinfall of the match, but Rollins kicked out. Billy tagged in Road Dogg, but Rollins turned the tables and tagged in Ambrose. Ambrose was aggressive against Road Dogg, but RD came back with his vintage punches followed by the knee drop for a 1 count. RD then worked on Ambrose’s neck and tagged in CM Punk! Punk took Ambrose to the cleaners but Ambrose came back with a big boot and tagged in Rollins. Rollins escaped from the GTS and tagged in Reigns, as Punk and Reigns stood face to face. Punk and Reigns exchanged elbows, but Reigns put Punk down with a huge right to the chest of Punk. Punk threw Reigns out and came down with a big suicide dive on Reigns as WWE went to commercial.
Back from the break and Reigns was in control of the bout. After a good back and forth action, Punk tried to make it to his corner to tag Gunn in, but NAO left Punk to fend for himself and made their way to the back! Punk drilled Ambrose with a big boot and tossed Rollins out of the ring, but was caught with a big spear by Reigns to pick up the victory!
Winner (s): The Shield
Rating: ** ¾
Post match, The Shield drilled Punk with the triple power bomb.
Analysis: That was a good match, but NAO turning on Punk doesn’t make much sense. In the past few months, WWE has done some things which don’t make much sense, but I guess we have to wait and see how it unfolds. Reigns pinned Punk yet again, and it’ll be interesting to see what this means for The Shield going forward.
Backstage, The Wyatt Family talked about the steel cage match, and Bray called it a way to find absolution. Daniel Bryan said it would help them in finding the truth.
The Funkadactyles vs. AJ Lee and Tamina
Cameron and Tamina started things off as Tamina missed a standing leg drop. Cameron took Tamina down with a tilt – a – whirl take down, but Tamina caught her on the top rope with a kick to the mid section. Tamina worked on her mid section and then scooped her. Tamina tagged in the Divas champion, who took Cameron down with a neck breaker. AJ applied the sleeper hold on Cameron and turned it into a choke hold. AJ speared Cameron to pick up the victory.
Winner (s): AJ Lee and Tamina
Rating: ½ *
Post match, AJ asked Tamina to attacked Cameron, but Naomi came in to make the save. Naomi dropped Tamina with a big enziguri and a drop kick to send her out of the ring, and dropped AJ with the rear view.
Analysis: That was a typical Divas match. Naomi looked good while making the save, and might be the new #1 contender, which doesn’t speak too well about the Divas division.
Randy Orton was backstage, looking for Triple H and Stephanie McMahon.
We get to find out the first inductee into the 2014 Hall of Fame next!
And there it was, ladies and gentlemen! The very first inductee into the 2014 Hall of Fame! The man they call The Ultimate Warrior!
Backstage, Renee interviewed Paul Heyman, as WWE recapped what happened last week. Heyman called show stupid, and said he might have made his biggest mistake when he challenged Brock Lesnar. Heyman hyped up the bout like only he can, and said Brock would come on top, and then capture the WWE World Heavyweight championship. That was beautiful as always.
Next, the WWE World Heavyweight champion Randy Orton made his way out to the ring.
Randy Orton vs. Kofi Kingston
Orton started aggressively, throwing Kofi out of the ring, and ramming him into the barricade. Orton went for the cover, but Kofi kicked out at 1. Orton took Kofi into the corner and laid into Kofi, but Kofi came back with a boot to Orton’s face. Kofi went on the offense in the corner, but Orton stopped him with a big clothesline for a near fall. Orton kicked Kofi on the back and hung him on top of the rope. Kofi quickly turned the tables by ramming Orton’s head onto the announcer’s desk, but Randy came back into the match by crotching Kofi on the top rope, coming down a superplex. Orton went for the pin, but Kofi kicked out at 2! Orton started working on Kofi’s limbs, as came down with a big knee for yet another near fall. Kofi tried to make a comeback and threw Orton over the top rope, and came down with a big clothesline on the outside as WWE went into commercial.
Back from commercial, and Orton was taking it to Kingston on the outside. Orton brought Kofi back into the ring for a 2 count. Kofi tried to get a window of opportunity by back dropping Randy Orton, and exchanged blows with Orton. Orton threw Kofi outside and rammed him into the steel steps. Orton threw Kofi into the steep steps again and brought him inside the ring. Orton stomped on Kofi’s head for yet another near fall! Orton put Kofi down with a chin lock, but Kofi came back with some jabs but Orton dropped him in his tracks. Orton continued stomping on Kofi’s head and dropped him with an upper cut. Orton went for another upper cut but Kofi slid him for a 2 count. Orton dropped Kofi with another upper cut for a 2 count. Orton with yet another chin lock, slowing down the pace of the match again. Orton missed with a big knee drop, as Kofi delivered a drop kick. Kofi missed with a boom drop as Orton went for the DDT, but Kofi connected with an SOS to pick up the victory!
Winner: Kofi Kingston
Rating: ** ¾
Analysis: I honestly did not see that coming. The match was stretched out, as they needed a filler to cover the time. Orton was in control for the most part of the bout, but Kofi connected with the SOS out of nowhere to pick up the victory.
Post match, Orton snapped and attacked John Cena’s father who was present in the first row. This brought out John Cena as Orton retreated to the back.
Analysis: Feels like you’ve seen this before? Because you have; this honestly feels like going back in time.
Backstage, Cena Sr. was taken to a hospital as John Cena accompanied the medical personnel.
Goldust and Cody Rhodes made their way out next.
Goldust and Cody Rhodes vs. Ryback and Curtis Axel
Goldust and Axel started things off as Goldust took control of the match. Axel tagged in Ryback as Ryback rolled over Goldust. The crowd started a “Goldberg” chant as Goldust tagged in Cody, who came in with a moonsault on Ryback for a 1 count. Axel was tagged in, as he delivered a shot to the back of Goldust’s head. Axel took it to Goldust in the corner and dropped him with a drop kick for a 2 count. Ryback came in and worked over Goldust, wearing him down with a chin lock. Ryback lifted Goldust, bench pressing him and dropped him with a powerslam for a 2 count. Ryback and Axel worked in tandem in their corner, isolating Goldust, but Goldust came back with an elbow. Ryback came in, but Goldust dropped him with yet another elbow and tagged in Cody Rhodes. Cody took Axel down and rolled him up for a 1 count. Cody kicked Axel in the mid section and came down with a springboard drop kick! Cody dropped Ryback on the apron with a Disaster kick, and Goldust knocked him off the apron. Axel tried to take advantage of the distraction, but Cody dropped him with the Cross Rhodes to pick up the victory.
Winner (s): The Rhodes brothers
Rating: ** ½
Analysis: That was a decent tag team match. Ryback and Axel don’t have good chemistry yet, but they get better every time they work with each other. Goldust and Cody were dominant as ever, and it’ll be interesting to see what happens between the Rhodes brothers come Royal Rumble.
Rey Mysterio vs. Alberto Del Rio
Del Rio started on the offensive, taking Mysterio down but Rey hung him over the middle rope for the 619, but ADR quickly escaped to the outside. Rey came down with a Senton on ADR and another one inside the ring, but ADR stopped him. Rey kicked ADR to the head for a 2 count! ADR connected with an arm breaker and started working on Mysterio’s arm. ADR connected with a tilt – a – whirl backbreaker for yet another nearfall! ADR worked on Mysterio but missed with a shoulder block, running into the post! ADR tried to go for the Alabama slam, but Mysterio connected with the 619! Rey went to the top, but ADR crotched him and connected with a kick to the head. ADR locked in the cross arm breaker as Rey Mysterio tapped out after 5 minutes.
Winner: Alberto Del Rio
Rating: **
Post – match, ADR had some more words for Batista, and said he will win the Royal Rumble.
Analysis: That was a decent 5 minute bout between two of the greatest Luchadores. They could’ve done so much more provided they got a decent amount of time, but that didn’t happen. ADR picked up yet another dominating victory, and it’ll be interesting to see what happens between Batista and ADR once Batista returns on next week’s episode.
Backstage, Punk confronted Kane and talked about Triple H hiring his friends to do the dirty deed. Kane said Punk has been added to the Royal Rumble match.
Daniel Bryan and Bray Wyatt vs. The Usos in a Steel Cage match
Kane made his way out to lock the door of the cage. The Usos took Bryan down and double teamed Bray, but Wyatt launched one of the Usos into the steel cage! Bryan and Wyatt worked on each of the Usos as Rowan and Harper watched from the outside. Bryan and one of the Usos climbed onto the structure as WWE went into commercial.
Back from the break and Bray was on top of the cage with one of the Usos. Bray got knocked down and the Uso landed a beautiful corkscrew for a 2 count! The other Uso climbed the cage, but Bryan brought him down, and connected with a series of kicks as the crowd chanted “Yes”. Bryan connected with a dropkick and went to the top, but one of the Usos stopped him. More back and forth action as both the Usos slammed Bryan to the mat from the top as the crowd started a “This is awesome” chant. Bray Wyatt came to Bryan’s rescue and went for Sister Abigail, but the other Uso stopped him with a superkick!
Both the Usos tried to escape and Bryan and Bray were laid out. All the four members started climbing the cage, as Jey pushed Bryan, who in turn fell on the top rope, crotching Bray Wyatt! The Usos escaped, as Jey splashed Rowan on his way down! The Usos picked up the victory and scampered to the back as Bray Wyatt and Daniel Bryan are left inside the cage.
Winner (s): The Usos
Rating: *** ¾
Post – match, Bray asked Bryan to kneel down, and just as Bray went for Sister Abigail, Bryan escaped. Bray asked Bryan to attack, and knelt in front of him, but Bryan didn’t attack Wyatt. Bray Wyatt called Bryan a coward, and went to attack Bryan, but Bryan lashed out with rights and kicks, and dropped Bray Wyatt with multiple dropkicks in the corner. Bryan threw Bray Wyatt at Rowan and Harper as they were climbing the cage, as the crowd exploded with “Yes” and “Daniel Bryan” chants. Bryan stripped out of his clothes into his normal ring attire, as the crowd erupted! Daniel Bryan delivered the double running knee to Bray Wyatt, and ended the segment by sitting on top the cage, joining the crowd in “Yes” chants.
Analysis: I can’t remember the last time any superstar was as over as Daniel Bryan is! No matter how much you try to pull him back, the guy just doesn’t give up! The fans, the Universe – whatever term you use to define the wrestling fans; they love him. This is one of those rare moments when you’re proud to be a wrestling fan! That was an amazing ending to this week’s episode. That was a great match, but the finish made it spectacular!
Over – all rating of the episode: *** ¾ (Out of 5 stars)
That was an amazing show, with some good matches and a great ending! The storylines were the weak link, along with some nonsensical booking which hurt the show. Most of the matches were pretty slow, and the Orton – Kofi match dragged on for far too long, which hurt the over – all quality of the show. Batista returns on next week’s episode, which should make it interesting, but the star of the show was once again Daniel Bryan. That does it for this week’s live review. Join us next week, as we see the fall out of this week’s show.