Raw 9: Austin Defends Title; New Faces Debut

Stone Cold Steve Austin entered the night as WWE Champion, but would he leave Raw with the gold?

Raw started with CM Punk in the ring.  Punk was visibly disappointed at losing his WWE title match against Steve Austin.  He went onto say that the match was a great battle that he ultimately came up just a bit short.  However, he said that he knows what it’ll take to beat the Rattlesnake now that that he’d like a rematch at Extreme Rules.

But then he was reminded that Austin has to face Jack Swagger later tonight for the title.  So, he amended his original statement, telling the WWE fans that he wants to face whoever the Champion is.  He explained that he didn’t think he needed a match to qualify as #1 contender as he was the former champion.  Punk said that he’d wait for the Champion’s decision next week on Raw.

Raw Week 8: Swagger Returns, Team USA Ready

The Shield took on Rhodes Scholars in the first match. This has been a rivalry brewing for the past month. A brutal match but the Shield wouldn’t let the Scholars make any easy tags, wearing the team down. Rollins picked up the victory for his team, pinning Sandow.

Backstage, we see Real Deal in his office where he is interrupted by Jack Swagger and a doctor. Swagger says the doctor has cleared him and that he’d like to make his match with Del Rio official tonight. Real Deal says he wants to see Swagger in the ring first. He tells Swagger to get ready because he’s going to take on R-Truth.

Intercontinental Champion Edge teamed with Chris Jericho to take on Dolph Ziggler and Antonio Cesaro in a bit of a preview for the fatal fourway match at Wrestlemania. Edge and Jericho had the advantage in this uptempo match due to their history, but any teamwork started to crumble when Edge tagged himself in to get a piece of Ziggler. During the end of the match, Jericho hit the Codebreaker on Cesaro and then went for a clothesline on Ziggler, when he hit Edge instead. He chuckled and left the ring as Ziggler hit the superkick on the Intercontinental Champion for the pin and the win.

Swagger was out for his match against R-Truth. Swagger looked healthy as he quickly disposed of R-Truth. Swagger then cut a promo telling Del Rio that he was next for ruining his Wrestlemania title shot. Swagger told fans that he wanted his title shot as soon as possible. Real Deal came out and agreed. He told Swagger that he was impressed with his match tonight and as the Royal Rumble winner, he still deserved his title shot. Real Deal told Swagger that if he defeats Alberto Del Rio at Wrestlemania, he can have his WWE title shot the next night on Raw.

The fourth match of the night was some Diva’s action where Lita teamed with Trish Stratus against Beth Phoenix and AJ. A fairly standard Diva’s tag match with AJ getting the pinfall over Lita.

CM Punk was backstage saying that Austin tried to give him a tough opponent last week but that it would only help him in his match against Austin. He says he’s prepared to go all out to defend his WWE title. Austin walks up, looks at Punk and says “good” and walks away.

Daniel Bryan then took on Kurt Angle as they would be opponents on Sunday in the tag team match. Both competitors were joined at ringside by their tag team partners (Kane and Mark Henry, respectively). A great technical match going back and forth but was ultimately won by Angle after a Bryan mistake lead to the Olympic Slam. As Team Hell No went up the ramp, Team USA motioned that they want the belts.

The main event was Brock Lesnar taking on Alberto Del Rio. Lesnar took his frustrations out on Del Rio, beating him mercilessly until Lesnar went for the F-5 and accidentally knocked out the referee with Del Rio’s leg. This brought out the Big Show who brawled with Lesnar. Del Rio tried to escape the ring, but was met by Jack Swagger, who had other ideas. Lesnar and Show battled into the crowd, as Swagger hit Del Rio with a chair. He went to put the chair around Del Rio’s ankle, when officials came out and broke it up. The original referee was taken to the back as the match was ruled a no contest.

Raw 7: Punk, Austin Warm Up; IC Title Picture Muddled

WWE Champion CM Punk took on Kane, his opponent chosen by Steve Austin.

We kicked off Raw with Real Deal in the ring with CM Punk and Steve Austin.  Real Deal tells both that they get to pick their opponents tonight and as the challenger, Austin would select first.  Austin though of a guy that he’s battled with over the years and would give Punk a tough time.  He selected the Big Red Machine, Kane.  Punk chuckled and said he would select a guy he knows well, Daniel Bryan. Real Deal wished both guys good luck in their matches tonight as he had other matters to take care of and left the ring.

The first match of the night had John Morrison take on R-Truth. A fairly up tempo match with some high flying spots. Morrison picked up the victory after hitting Starship Pain.

Backstage Jack Swagger was in Real Deal’s office saying that he wanted to face Del Rio when he’s cleared. Real Deal explained that it sounded like the doctor would be able to clear him for action next week. He told Swagger that if the doctor cleared him, he’d like to see him in a tune up match. If all goes well, he’d give Swagger a match with Del Rio….at Wrestlemania.

Next we had Rob Van Dam taking on Seth Rollins. Another up tempo match with both guys showing off top rope moves. Rollins ended up superkicking RVD after a failed Van Daminator attempt for the win.

The third match of the night had new Intercontinental Champion Edge taking on Antonio Cesaro in a non-title match. We are shown highlights from last week’s title match where Edge defeated Dolph Ziggler but Cesaro interfered in the celebration. Edge asked for this match after the attack. During the match, Edge was in control as Cesaro rolled out of the ring and went for a chair. Before hitting Edge with it, Chris Jericho came out and clotheslined Cesaro. This brought out Ziggler and the four brawled.

Steve Austin then made his way out to the ring for his match with Daniel Bryan. Austin dominated the match, winning in decisive fashion. Kane helped his friend to the back, despite Bryan’s pleas not to.

The next match was the tag team tournament final between the APA and the newly formed Team USA. The two teams turned the match into a brawl. At one point, the chaos caused the referee to lose track of who the legal men were and while Faarooq was telling the ref that Kurt Angle was not the legal man, Angle snuck up behind him and hit the Olympic Slam for the victory, putting team USA into the tag team title match at Wrestlemania.

The final match of the night was Champion CM Punk taking on Kane. The two traded control throughout with many near falls. Towards the end of the match Daniel Bryan came out to watch his tag team partner. Trying to turn the tide, Bryan went to grab Punk’s leg but it was reversed and he grabbed Kane’s instead. While Kane glared at his partner, he turned right around into a GTS from Punk. That cemented the victory for Punk, as Kane and Bryan argued after the match. Punk celebrated his win while Austin appeared on the stage, watching the WWE champion.

Raw 6: New Champion Crowned, Swagger Returns

The Big Show tried to use size to his advantage in a match against Daniel Bryan on Raw.

Raw kicked off with Stone Cold Steve Austin coming to the ring. Austin told the WWE Universe that while CM Punk earned his respect at the Royal Rumble, he still holds the gold that Austin wants. Austin played up the fact that he battled some of the biggest and best superstars in the Elimination Chamber just to get to this point. He went on to say that the Elimination Chamber prepared him for his upcoming match with Punk.

This brought out Punk, who said that he had nothing more to prove with Austin. He said he had beaten him once already and Austin is already at the front of the line again. Austin said to Punk that the cream always rises and as long as he’s WWE Champion, Austin will always be at the front of the hunt. The two look to trade blows when Commissioner Real Deal comes out.

Real Deal tells the two to save their energy because next week they will pick opponents for each other. Real Deal goes on to say that if either of them interfere in the other’s match that Austin will lose his title shot and Punk will forfeit his title.

Raw 5: Lesnar Upset, Ziggler Retains

Edge battled Chris Jericho on Raw.

We kicked off Raw with the Commissioner coming out to the ring to address the Tag Team Titles situation. He went on to say that after consulting with Smackdown GM Roose, that a four way tag team match will be held at Wrestlemania, therefore guaranteeing a champion crowned. He said that two teams from each show would make the cut, and since Team Hell No won the last two matches, they would be automatically qualified as one team from Raw. He went on to say next week he’d put together a four team tournament to qualify for the second Raw slot.

The first match of the night had Dean Ambrose taking on John Morrison. The two slapped hands as the match begun. Morrison took hold of Ambrose but it was reversed into a DDT. Ambrose got some more offense in and took control of the match after hitting a sideslam. But Morrison battled back, eventually hitting Ambrose with an enziguri, which laid his opponent down.

Morrison climbed to the top rope in an attempt to hit Starship Pain but Ambrose got onto the ropes and suplexed Morrison off of the ropes. A pin attempt later and Ambrose was the victor.

Next up we had Dolph Ziggler defending his Intercontinental Championship against R-Truth. It was a fast paced match as the two traded moves. Ziggler started to gain the upper hand, however after a dropkick. R-Truth staggered to his feet and blocked a strike from Ziggler and hit a clothesline of his own. But Ziggler got up, and got called for the Zig Zag. Truth reversed it and tried to go for a flying forearm, but missed. Ziggler took the opportunity and hit the Zig Zag for the win.

Raw Week 4: Chamber Qualifiers, Payback

A post-match brawl broke out at the end of Raw/

Raw kicked off with the Commissioner coming to the ring, addressing Sunday’s Elimination Chamber pay-per-view. He said that qualifying matches will be held tonight. He also said that the APA will face stiff punishment for their brutal beating of Jack Swagger last week. He said that they would face the Big Show and Mark Henry in a match tonight. He also wanted to know who they were hired by.

The APA came out and said they weren’t allowed to share who paid them, like confidentiality with a lawyer. As for the match, they said that it’s no problem, they’ll just no-show the match and forfeit. Real Deal said he may be able to convince them to show up, by making it a qualifying match for the Chamber. If they can beat Show and Henry, they’ll both be entered into the chamber match. The APA said that works for them, and left.

Real Deal went on to say that before he was rudely interrupted that two other qualifying matches tonight would be Steve Austin against Dolph Ziggler and Kurt Angle against Chris Jericho.

Raw Week 3: Commissioner Upset, Del Rio Continues Streak

With Alberto Del Rio on a hot streak and the number one contender, will he be the next champion?

We kicked off Raw with Michael Cole telling fans that Jack Swagger would be in action in a requested match to test his injured ankle. Edge stood in the ring with a neck brace, explaining to fans that Brock Lesnar’s beating two weeks ago has put him out of action for a while, but he hopes to be cleared to wrestle next week. He said he caught Lesnar on a bad day, in a bad mood. He mentioned that he wants a match with Lesnar at some point down the road.

The first match of the night pitted Alberto Del Rio against Bradshaw. Bradshaw tried to use his strength to his advantage early. Del Rio reversed a clothesline into a German Suplex and followed it up with a slam. Bradshaw hit a DDT and an elbow drop as he took control. Ricardo Rodriguez jumped onto the apron to distract the referee, and Bradshaw went to confront him. As he turned back around, he caught a Del Rio spinning heel kick. Del Rio went for the pin, but only got a two count. Del Rio took advantage to apply the Cross Arm Breaker and Bradshaw gave up.

Raw Week 2: Alliance Formed, Austin Victorious

Have rookies Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins formed an alliance with a WWE vet?

We kicked off Raw with Brock Lesnar heading to the ring and grabbed the mic. He told the fans that his dominant win over Edge showed that he’s the Alpha in the WWE locker room. He goes on to explain that putting Edge out of action was only one step towards gaining the WWE Title. Lesnar continued his rant from last week, saying that since he won’t let his guard down ever again after the Rumble, he’ll be unstoppable and it’s only a matter of time before he gets the gold.

After the promo, Michael Cole noted that both Edge and Rumble winner Jack Swagger won’t be at Raw tonight because of the injuries sustained in their matches last week.

The first match of the night had Antonio Cesaro taking on Dean Ambrose. Ambrose was accompanied to the ring by Seth Rollins. Ambrose controlled the match early but Cesaro started to take advantage after a DDT. Cesaro hit an uppercut which lead to a neckbreaker. Rollins tried to get Ambrose back into it, but Cesaro finished Ambrose off with the Neutralizer. Cesaro got the pin but continued to beat on Ambrose until Rollins climbed into the ring and went after Cesaro. Rollins whipped Cesaro and superkicked him, laying him out. Rollins helped Ambrose to the back as Cesaro was left what was wondering what happened.

Raw Week 1: Lesnar Dominant; Swagger Injured?

Could the APA’s services be required?

Raw opened with Royal Rumble winner Jack Swagger coming to the ring. Swagger had red, white and blue confetti and balloons drop and says that he was a hero to American kids. He talked about his accomplishments as a collegiate wrestler and in the WWE, and now the Royal Rumble has added to that list.

Kurt Angle came out and told Swagger that he is an Olympic American gold medalist and that he should be a hero to kids. They get in each other’s faces as Commissioner Real Deal comes out and tells both men that they “Should instead be preparing for your matches tonight…against each other…right now!”

Both men traded traditional wrestling grapples to show off their backgrounds. Angle got the upper hand until Swagger rolls out of the ring to interrupt the momentum. Swagger started to build his own momentum with a Russian Leg Sweep followed by a suplex. He put Angle into a submission maneuver but Angle gets his foot on the rope.

Royal Rumble 2013 Preview

Could the Rock win the Rumble?

Hardcore Championship: Mankind vs Rob Van Dam
Extreme Rules

Mankind couldn’t let go of the fact that the Hardcore Championship disappeared from circulation. That is why on the Smackdown prior to the Royal Rumble, Mankind walked to the squared-circle with a briefcase in hand. In that briefcase was the old tattered belt that he had hanging on his wall at home. Mankind offered a challenge to anyone in the back, legend or current star, to come out and pry it from his hands. Rob Van Dam answered the call. But before they were going to fight, Smackdown commissioner Roose told the two they would settle it at the Royal Rumble.

Diva Championship: Beth Phoenix vs Trish Stratus

Beth Phoenix, mad that she was forced to drop her belt, went on a tirade talking about how she was disrespected and was the greatest Diva Champion of all time. But she was interrupted by Trish Stratus, who was looking to backup her legacy by charging the ring and attacking Phoenix. Commissioner Real Deal broke up the cat fight, telling the two ladies they will fight for the belt at the Rumble.