WWE Raw TV Results
April 29, 2013 - Episode #1,039
Live in Columbus, Ohio
Aired on USA Network
Report by James Caldwell, PWTorch assistant editor

This week's Raw opened with Alberto Del Rio's theme music in the arena. As Del Rio and Ricardo Rodriguez came out, Justin Roberts announced an opening match where the winner gets to pick the stipulation for the World Title match at Extreme Rules, per Smackdown assistant GM Teddy Long. Already in the ring were Zeb Colter and Big E. Langston. So, it's Ricardo vs. Big E. vs. Zeb to determine the World Title stipulation. The referee stalled for a long time before ringing the opening bell.

1 -- BIG E. LANGSTON vs. ZEB COLTER (w/Jack Swagger) vs. RICARDO RODRIGUEZ (w/Alberto Del Rio)

The announce trio of Michael Cole, JBL, and Jerry Lawler questioned the bizarreness of Long's booking as the match started with Big E. dominating Ricardo while Zeb watched from the ring apron. Big E. took too long to put away Ricardo, though, allowing Ricardo to make a brief comeback. Ricardo and Zeb then squared off in the ring as the crowd chanted, "U-S-A." Interesting time for the chant. Big E. then blasted Ricardo out of nowhere before striking him in the gut. Zeb followed with right hands to Ricardo, drawing Big's ire/ Zeb slowly backed away, then fell down and sold a knee injury. "Ooooooh my knee!" Zeb cried out.

Ricardo then tried to smash Big E. from behind with a bucket. That didn't work, so Ricardo chucked it at Big's face for a laugh. Big took a breath, then bodyslammed Ricardo. Suddenly, Del Rio hit the ring and enziguiri kicked Big E. Then, Dolph Ziggler came out of nowhere to dropkick Del Rio, followed by Swagger taking Ziggler out of the ring.

The main players cleared each other, then Colter suddenly tried to cover Ricardo, but A.J. Lee stopped the ref's arm. Cole said it's No DQ in a three-way match, then Ricardo rolled up Zeb from behind for a three count. So, Del Rio gets to pick the stipulation for the World Title match at Extreme Rules.

WINNER: Ricardo at 5:02. To quote one Dwight Howard after last night's Lakers loss, "This is like a nightmare. This is like a bad dream and I couldn't wake up out of it."

Announcers: Cole and Co. plugged tonight's main event of John Cena & Ryback vs. The Shield in a handicap match, then Cole noted Cena got injured on the Nottingham show, which was the Tuesday Raw house show following the TV taping. So, Cena went Wed - Sat. on a bad ankle.

Also still to come, Cena will celebrate World Wish Day. WWE started to go to commercial, but opted to replay the end of the three-way match that opened the show. The Raw music kept playing throughout this, then Cole said Cena will be here live next. Cole then fed to break. What a bizarre first 10 minutes.

[Commercial Break]

Announcers: Back from break, the announcers hyped WWE's Make-a-Wish partnership before going to footage from NBC's "Today Show" of John Cena surprising a boy, Nick, on Monday's Today show. In the video, Cena invited Nick and his family to tonight's Raw.

[Q2] Live from Columbus, Justin Roberts introduced WWE champion John Cena and his guests on-stage. After Cena lined up his guests, Cena said Make-a-Wish grants wishes like this every day, but they need more help from the fans. Cena then made his three Make-a-Wish guests honorary Superstars. The first kid selected The Eliminator as his stage-name, Nick from the Today Show selected Nick the Stitch, and the third kid, Logan, selected Lightning Logan.

Cena celebrated with the kids, then noted each of these kids got one wish, which was to hang out on Raw. He said he senses a good crowd for their wish, but he thinks they can get louder. The crowd obliged, then Cena fired up the crowd some more to let the kids feel what it's like to be part of Raw. Cena thanked the crowd for their help tonight. Surprisingly, WWE showed restraint not running an angle with someone interrupting.

Announcers: Cole gushed about what Cena does for Make-a-Wish, then plugged WWE partnering with MAW going back to 1982.

Backstage: "Expanding" Randy Orton was shown walking down the hallway.

[Commercial Break]

In-ring: Randy Orton was in the ring posing for the crowd as Cody Rhodes waited ringside. Cole gushed about Cena again before the bell sounded for a Legacy Flashback with no advanced hype.

2 -- RANDY ORTON vs. CODY RHODES

As the two wrestlers felt each other, the announcers listed both men's credentials and pedigrees. If this were TNA, Orton and Rhodes would stop the match and randomly tease reforming Legacy. To establish Orton as the dominant force in the match, Orton drove Rhodes into the corner, then called out to him to bring it. Cole noted the Legacy connection before Orton dropkicked Rhodes, then delivered another dropkick. Orton covered Rhodes, who kicked out at one.

Orton continued to attack Rhodes, who had enough of this and fought back. But, Orton responded with a suplex for a nearfall. Meanwhile, the announcers sold being disinterested by cracking mustache jokes from the '40s to the '50s to the '60s. Cole then ended the fun by saying Dusty Rhodes was handcuffed by Sapphire. Lawler perked up, then Cole clarified that Rhodes's career was handcuffed by being paired with Sapphire. In the ring, Orton and Rhodes came to a stalemate leading to break.

[Q3] [Commercial Break]

Back from break, Rhodes kicked Orton in the back of the head, sending Orton flying to the outside. The announcers sold the impact by suggesting Orton had a tooth knocked out. Rhodes then rolled Orton back into the ring and covered him for a nearfall. Rhodes then took a page from his brother, Goldust, drawing references from the announcers. Cody continued to attack, but could not put Orton away. Rhodes then slowly climbed to the top rope, allowing Orton to recover and crotch Rhodes. Orton then climbed up top and delivered a majestic superplex. "Wow!" JBL said. Orton covered, but Rhodes kicked out.

Orton then built momentum with clotheslines into a snap powerslam. Orton then wanted the RKO, but paused to deliver a t-bone suplex that brought the crowd down since it was not recognized. Orton went for a more recognizable second-rope DDT, paused, and drove Rhodes's face into the mat. Orton decided now was the time for the RKO, but Rhodes blocked and countered into Cross Rhodes. Rhodes covered, but Orton escaped just before three.

Rhodes flipped out, demanding a three count to be rendered. JBL told him not to lose it. "Make a name for yourself, son," JBL said, channeling Jim Ross to Jeff Hardy vs. Taker. Rhodes, freaking out, then wanted the Disaster Kick, but took a mid-air RKO from Orton. "Are you kidding me?!" Cole exclaimed. Orton covered for the win.

WINNER: Orton at 16:22. Very good TV match. But, what was the point of it? Perhaps Orton could shed some light after the match... (***1/4)

Post-match: Matt Striker to add some context to the purpose of the match by getting a mid-ring interview with Randy Orton reacting to Big Show's recent attacks against him. Orton said the attacks woke him up, as he's never felt so focused and so...extreme. Meanwhile, Rhodes tried to sneak-attack Orton, but Orton saw it coming and RKO'ed Rhodes again, putting an exclamation mark on his solid night.

Backstage: The Bella Twins were shown talking down about the other Divas. They plugged their role in the new "Total Divas" reality show, then marched down the hallway. Cole said they're in action next.

Smackdown replay: The Shield took out The Undertaker. What's next?

[Q4] [Commercial Break]

Back from break, WWE ran a "sneak-peek" of the new "Total Divas" reality show starring the Bellas, Cameron & Naomi, and Natalya.

3 -- NAOMI (w/Cameron) vs. BRIE BELLA (w/Nikki Bella)

After "exposing the biz," WWE returned to the ring, where The Bellas were standing by, then Cameron & Naomi were introduced to the ring. After brief action, there was a roll-up center ring following Twin Magic. Both teams claimed victory, but the ref awarded it to the Bellas. After some complaining by Cameron, the ref reversed his decision and DQ'ed the Bellas, who then charged the ring to continue the brawl.

WINNER: Naomi via DQ at 1:14.

Up Next: The Shield. Who can stop them?

SECOND HOUR COVERAGE CONTINUES...

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