WWE Raw TV Results
April 22, 2013 - Episode #1,038
Taped 4/22 in London, England
Aired on USA Network
Report by James Caldwell, PWTorch assistant editor

Third Hour

Back from break, Cole relayed an injury update on The Rock. Cole noted Rock will now require surgery to repair torn tendons in his abdomen. Lawler wished Rock well with his upcoming surgery.

Backstage: Mick Foley told someone off-camera not to question his decision to accept Ryback's confrontation invitation tonight. The camera pulled back to reveal John Cena to boos. Cena said he doesn't have a good feeling about this. Foley said he gets it, but he wants to face Ryback like a man. Cena said he still thinks it's a big mistake. Foley said his career is full of mistakes, and he would like Cena to respect his decision to confront Ryback. Cena accepted, then asked Foley to do him a favor by taking this (a steel chair) with him. Foley smiled.

Announcers: Back to Cole, Lawler, and JBL for a word, then Fandango's music interrupted. The crowd broke out in song, then a different dancer (Summer Rae from NXT Developmental) came out on-stage to dance and pave the way for Fandango. FandangoRae made their way into the ring as the crowd sang along to the tune, then Raw cut to break.

[Commercial Break]

Back from break, Fandango's music was still playing and the crowd was still singing along. WWE cut to footage from two weeks ago on Smackdown when Fandango cost Jericho a match against Dolph Ziggler. Back in the arena, William Regal's music played to a loud reaction from the English crowd. More like shock to see Regal on Raw followed by cheers. Regal strutted out to the ring to loud applause, then the ref called for the bell.

7 -- FANDANGO vs. WILLIAM REGAL

Once the bell sounded, Fandango started dancing and posing. Regal did his own dance, popping the crowd, then delivered forearm strikes to the face. The crowd began doing football chants as Regal pounded on Fandango in the corner. Fandango then kicked Regal low before delivering an STO-like finisher for the pin and the win. The crowd groaned, but then half of the crowd started singing and humming Fandango's theme after the bell sounded.

WINNER: Fandango at 1:40.

[Q11] Post-match, Fandango accepted the mic from Rae and introduced himself as Fahn...dang...oh. The crowd went back to humming and singing before FandangoRae slipped out of the ring. The focus stayed on Fandango up the entrance ramp as the announcers continued to talk him up. Fandango and Rae posed on-stage, then Chris Jericho ran out and blasted Fandango from behind. Jericho then chucked Fandango off the stage to the floor below.

Jericho wasn't done, though, as he took a look at Summer Rae, who inched closer to Jericho. Fandango's music played, then Jericho flashed back to his Dancing with the Stars career to pose with Rae. They dipped as Cole noted Jericho's DWTS background. Jericho then stood tall on-stage as Fandango reached out angrily toward Jericho from the floor.

Up Next: Divas battle royal to determine the new #1 contender. The graphic presented A.J. Lee as the central figure in the match.

[Commercial Break]

This Friday on Smackdown: Alberto Del Rio vs. Jack Swagger in a No DQ match as WWE continues to exhaust Smackdown's top WrestleMania match.

8 -- DIVAS BATTLE ROYAL -- #1 contender match to Divas Title

Divas champion Kaitlyn was on commentary for the match, which included A.J. Lee, Aksana, Layla, Tamina Snuka, and Naomi in the ring. Cole noted that the Bella Twins have been DQ'ed from this battle royal because they cheated to win with Twin Magic last week. Early on, Tamina KO'ed A.J. with a kick to the face, seemingly removing A.J. from the proceedings.

After a few eliminations, Layla and Tamina were seemingly the last ones standing. Layla thought she won after eliminating Tamina, but realized A.J. was still in the match. Layla tried to drag A.J. out of the ring, but A.J. tricked Layla and eliminated her for the win. So, the next Divas Title match will be Kaitlyn vs. A.J. in a battle of best friends turned enemies.

WINNER: A.J. at 3:20 to become #1 contender to the Divas Title.

WWE Studios trailer: "No One Lives" featuring Brodus Clay in a supporting role.

Backstage: Mick Foley was shown hobbling down the hallway with possession of John Cena's steel chair gift.

[Q12] [Commercial Break]

Foley-Ryback Segment

In-ring: Justin Roberts introduced Mick Foley as the first inductee into the 2013 WWE Hall of Fame. Foley then marched to the ring with possession of the chair. WWE played a clip from Foley's HOF induction, then Foley grabbed a mic in the ring. Foley said he did not come here with the intention of getting into a confrontation, yet here he is. Right here in London, England. Foley smiled to himself, then said he's about to enter a confrontation. He said Ryback wants to talk face-to-face, and he's standing right here and he sure has something to say. So, the only thing missing is Ryback. Foley looked toward the entranceramp, but no sign of Ryback.

After a pause, Feed Me More blared and Ryback came out on-stage dressed in a beanie and his tear-away sleeveless t-shirt over his singlet. Ryback marched to the ring, then paced the ring before asking Foley how Cena giving him a chair helps him out. Foley said when Cena first gave him the chair, he felt offended. Because he's Mick Foley. In his day, he took on the biggest, baddest, and best, and he didn't always win, but no matter how bad the punishment was, he always found a way to get back up. But, as he stands here in the ring, it's never been more obvious that his day came and went a long time ago. Truth is if Ryback decided to unleash his best, he'll go down, and probably won't get back up.

But, Foley has some thoughts to share. He asked Ryback to review footage on the screen. The footage was from last Monday when Cena told Ryback to prove he belongs in the WWE Title picture, but Ryback left the ring and allowed Shield to attack Cena. Back in the ring, Ryback said he knows what he did, and he liked it. Foley said if that's the case, what happened? What happened to the guy who took WWE by storm last year. What happened to the man who commanded respect? To the guy who told the world, "Feed me more?"

Ryback replied that Foley better be careful what he wishes for. Foley then went back to Ryback's complaint that he was left laying by Shield and no one helped him. Foley said that happened to him numerous times, but he doesn't remember how many times because he didn't keep track, only kept getting up. Foley, fired up, told Ryback that he will be WWE champion one day, but does he want to be champion by walking away on a challenge by Cena and watching Cena get destroyed by Shield? "You need to wake up!" Foley said. "Shut up, Foley!" Ryback responded.

Ryback paced the ring and said Foley sticks his nose in other peoples's business year after year. He said Foley is full of archaic messages from the past acting like he means something. He asked Foley why he keeps re-living his glory days. "To sell some more DVDs?" Ryback accused. Ryback said he wanted to send a message to Super Cena and he sent it. Ryback said he wanted a WWE Title match, and he got it. Ryback said he wants to be WWE champion, and at Extreme Rules, he will be.

Ryback said if Foley, Super Cena, and "these stupid people" have a problem with it, he doesn't care. Ryback questioned Foley trying to lecture him on being a man, then dressed down Foley, saying he stands there holding a weapon like a "fat, pathetic, lazy bastard." Ryback then asked Foley how standing there holding a chair is going to help him. Foley dropped the mic, told him that he'll show him, and held the chair up. Ryback then got in Foley's face and the two men went face-to-face.

[Q13 -- over-run] John Cena's music played and the WWE champion stormed the ring to help Foley out of the ring and stare down Ryback. Cena removed his clothing to square off with Ryback, but Shield's music interrupted. "Are they back?" Cole asked dejectedly. Before Shield could hit the ring, Cena slipped to the ring apron, leaving Ryback alone in the ring. Cena then hopped off the ring apron and started leaving to the back, leaving Ryback alone in the ring.

Shield's music stopped and Ryback continued to stand alone in the ring as the announcers acted like it's going to be payback for Ryback tonight. Shield then hit the ring and started brawling with Ryback until Cena suddenly stormed the ring with chair in-hand. Cena blasted Shield members with the chair to send them out of the ring, then Cena re-entered the ring to stare down Ryback. Cena decided to toss away the chair, then Cena and Ryback squared off. Ryback glanced away for one second, then Cena suddenly grabbed Ryback and delivered the Attitude Adjustment.

Cena's music played, then Cena stood over Ryback before leaving the ring. WWE replayed Cena AA'ing Ryback before cutting to real-time shots of Cena saluting on-stage and Ryback recovering in the ring. The trademarks flashed and Cena raised his arms in the air to stand tall as Raw closed four minutes past the top of the hour.

And, the see-saw continues between Cena and Ryback leading to their title match at Extreme Rules. The issue is Cena-Ryback doesn't have the feel of a must-see feud that is going to attract more than the usual TV audience or draw on PPV. The feud - especially the Ryback heel turn aspect - feels forced and manufactured, like most WWE programming these days.

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