WWE Raw TV Results
May 20, 2013 - Episode #1,042
Live in Kansas City, Mo.
Aired on USA Network
Report by James Caldwell, PWTorch assistant editor

Paul Heyman Promo

In-ring: Justin Roberts formally introduced Paul Heyman, who marched to the ring to boos. Heyman, showing no ill-effects from being attacked by Triple H during the steel cage last night, marched to the ring and told the crowd to go ahead and get the boos out of their system.

Heyman got down to business, asking the crowd how it feels to be powerless because their boos will never change the result from last night when Brock Lesnar defeated Triple H in a steel cage match at Extreme Rules. Heyman said Triple H will go down in history as a lllllloser. Heyman added that Hunter had to tuck his sledgehammer between his legs and go home to mommy.

But, now that Lesnar has fulfilled his obligations to WWE, the question remains what he's going to talk about now. And, in his opinion, he thinks it's time for something different. Heyman said he's going to create a moment that will be replayed for years on YouTube. He said everyone is here to witness history because now is the time to introduce... the newest Paul Heyman Guy.

The lights went dark, then Michael McGillicutty's face flashed on the Titantron. A remixed Mr. Perfect theme played and out came McGillicutty re-named as Curtis Axel. Curtis hit the ring and embraced Heyman, who acknowledged boos from the crowd. Heyman said it's the same reaction the crowd gave when he introduced Brock Lesnar over ten years ago. Heyman said it's the same reaction the crowd gave him when he presented C.M. Punk on the ECW brand.

Heyman continued that this man has a great pedigree before asking why this man is not a main-event Superstar already. He said it's because here in WWE, a legacy doesn't give you nepotistic opportunities, but an albatross that sinks people to the bottom of the talent roster. Heyman said this man wants to carve out his own niche and make his own legend in WWE. Which is why they have taken his father, Mr. Perfect's name, and his grandfather's nickname to create a new brand: Curtis Axel.

Heyman said the audience must not have been paying attention. "Ladies and gentleman, Curtis...Axel!" More boos. Suddenly, Triple H's music played at the top of the hour.

[Q5 -- Second Hour] Triple H walked out on-stage dressed in street clothes. JBL said he can't believe Hunter is standing after the cage match last night. Hunter, smirking on his way to the ring, eventually entered the ring as the announcers talked up Curtis Axel's background. Once in the ring, Hunter said Heyman can really whip up a batch of Kool-aid. Moments after WWE "re-branded" McGillicutty, Hunter cut him down to size by telling "junior" that the adults are talking.

Hunter then got in Heyman's face and said he's not embarrassed by what happened last night because he went to war with Brock Lesnar. Hunter said Lesnar beat him, just like he beat Lesnar at WrestleMania. Hunter continued that Lesnar limped away from Extreme Rules last night, then said what would make him really happy is to come out here and - solely because he can - beat the crap out of Heyman. Wasn't this the storyline last year when Heyman threatened to sue Hunter and WWE for crossing the line?

Axel then stepped up to Hunter and got in his face to tell Hunter that the game around here has changed. Axel told Hunter to talk to him first, drawing excited laughter from Heyman. Hunter then reached back and slapped Axel, stunning Heyman. Hunter said he changed his mind. First, he's going to have a match tonight...with Axel. Then, he's going to kick Heyman's ass, which popped the crowd. Hunter dropped the mic and left the ring as Axel recovered in the ring. JBL said he's seen this kid "go" in the ring, but Cole said it's a whole different thing to "go" against Triple H.

(Pause for Scott Hall checking in on Twitter: "Congrats to Joe Hennig on getting your break.welcome to the Shizzow...counting on HHH to to lead him to the mountaintop tonight...")

Also still to come: Alberto Del Rio vs. Big E. Langston as Dolph Ziggler remains sidelined. It's next.

[Commercial Break]

In-ring: Ricardo Rodriguez was introduced on-stage to introduce Alberto Del Rio as WWE tried to find fans in the crowd participating in the intro. The #1 contender to the World Title then emerged on-stage playing to the crowd as Lawler said Dolph Ziggler has to be uncomfortable about Del Rio being #1 contender. Cole narrated still-shots of WWE using Instant Replay to reverse the initial decision in favor of Jack Swagger last night, which JBL called a miscarriage of justice. Big E. Langston, along with A.J. Lee, was then introduced as Del Rio's opponent.

3 -- BIG E. LANGSTON (w/A.J. Lee) vs. ALBERTO DEL RIO

As the bell sounded, Cole noted Heyman's new client is trending on Twitter right now. JBL then referenced Heyman managing a very young Steve Austin and very young The Undertaker back in the day. In the ring, Del Rio teased a cross arm-breaker within the first minute, but Big E. powered out of the hold. Del Rio wanted it again on the ring apron, but Big E. pulled Del Rio out of the ring and emphatically swung him into the ringpost.

[Q6] Back in the ring, Langston covered Del Rio for a one count. Del Rio then dazed Big E. by dropping him head-first onto the mat. Del Rio got to his feet and fired off a round of clotheslines before landing a sidekick. Meanwhile, Cole brought up C.M. Punk disappearing after WrestleMania and they haven't heard from him since. Back in the ring, Langston managed to fling Del Rio to the outside to grab a breather.

Del Rio returned to the ring and quickly smashed Langston with a kick to the head. Suddenly, Ricardo's bucket rolled into the ring, distracting Del Rio. Apparently A.J. was the culprit of the bucket-roll. With the ref distracted, Big E. attempted an eye-rake on Del Rio, who sold blindness before Langston hit the Big Ending. It was good for the win.

WINNER: Langston at 4:36. Fine use of Langston to keep the World Title picture fresh before WWE has to make a decision on Ziggler's World Title if Ziggler's health does not improve.

Earlier Tonight: An ambulance sped into the arena and produced Ryback, who vowed to send John Cena in an ambulance to the morgue at Payback.

Still to come tonight: A six-man tag match of The Shield vs. Kane & Bryan & Kofi Kingston. Also, Triple H's first match on Raw in three years against Curtis Axel.

[Commercial Break]

4 -- A.J. LEE vs. LAYLA

Back from break, A.J. was still in the ring following Big E.'s victory. Layla was also in the ring. After WWE recapped A.J. and Divas champ Kaitlyn brawling during Extreme Rules last night, the bell sounded. Less than a minute in, WWE cut to an App Insert Video of the Bellas watching the match backstage. A.J. dominated early, Layla made a comeback, and A.J. responded with the Black Widow, causing Layla to tap out.

WINNER: A.J. Lee via submission at 1:55. Good reinforcement of A.J.'s in-ring abilities ahead of her eventual Divas Title shot against Kaitlyn.

Still to come: Jack Swagger faces either Randy Orton, R-Truth, or Great Khali. Also, Triple H vs. Curtis Axel.

[Q7] [Commercial Break]

5 -- CODY RHODES vs. ZACK RYDER

Suddenly, this match was happening immediately back from break. No bell, so it was joined in-progress. Ryder, who is going for a mid-2000s A.J. Styles look, exchanged offense with Cody Rhodes. WWE cut to an App Insert of Ryback watching this match backstage for an unspecified reason. Actually, it turned into a reason for the announcers to talk about Ryback, Cena, the WWE Title picture, and everything except for the match a la WCW Nitro. In the ring, Ryder wanted Rough Ryder, but Cody blocked, then hit the Disaster Kick for the win.

WINNER: Rhodes at 2:32.

Post-match, Ryback's music played to bring out Ryback looking for a mid-show snack. Rhodes bailed from the ring, leaving Ryder alone in the ring. Ryback circled Ryder, who remained flat on the mat. Ryder started to wake up, so Ryback measured him for a big clothesline. Makes you wonder what Ryder is thinking right about now. Ryback then scooped up Ryder to deliver a big powerbomb. JBL said it's a statement to John Cena. Ryder, who tweeted an encouraging note to Cena earlier in the day, then took Shell-Shock from Ryback.

Ryback's music played, but Ryback wasn't done. Ryback scooped up Ryder and dragged Ryder down the entrance ramp toward the ambulance. On commentary, Lawler said this could be a glimpse into Cena's future. Ryback then shoved Ryder into the ambulance, the siren sounded, and the ambulance backed away from the arena, ending Ryder's night. As the ambulance backed away, WWE replayed Ryback destroying Ryder in the post-match. JBL said history won't write about Zack Ryder, but it will write about Ryback if he becomes WWE champion.

Up Next: Kofi & Kane & Bryan vs. The Shield in six-man tag action.

[Commercial Break]

[Q8] Arena: The Shield's music played to introduce the new champions. The line-up was re-arranged with Dean Ambrose coming out by himself in one section of the arena and Seth Rollins & Roman Reigns coming from another section. The trio met in the ring to display their new gold to the crowd. After their music stopped, they each took a mic. Rollins and Reigns introduced themselves as new tag champs. Ambrose then introduced himself as new U.S. champion.

Ambrose continued that The Shield brought power back to these titles last night. He said Kofi and Kane & Bryan did not believe last night. Who else didn't believe? The Rock. Ambrose claimed they forced Rock to get surgery. Also, Undertaker will never be seen again. How about Ryback? They made Ryback feel so betrayed, so alone that they made him snap. And Cena? Shield forced him to get carted away last night. Ambrose said they're all non-believers and they all went down to the swift arm of justice.

Rollins talked next. He said he's heard it said that justice is blind, but after what they did last night, it's clear that justice can see just fine because they are a cohesive unit. Rollins called them the future, then addressed his teammates that this is just the beginning. Reigns said the ending stays the same because they run this yard. Big emphasis on the line, drawing boos from the crowd. Reigns said they carry the collars to back it up.

Ambrose closed by saying they are the flames, then told the crowd to believe in The Shield, which drew boos after the terrific promo. Just terrific. Suddenly, Kane's pyro shot off to bring out Kane and Daniel Bryan. Kane shot off his pyro in the ring, then Raw cut to break before the six-man tag match.

[Commercial Break]

In-ring: Back from break, Kofi Kingston was in the ring after his entrance occurred during the break.

THIRD HOUR COVERAGE OF SIX-MAN TAG & HUNTER'S TV IN-RING RETURN CONTINUES AT PWTORCH.COM . ...

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