WWE Raw TV Results
May 27, 2013 - Episode #1,043
Live in Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Aired on USA Network
Report by James Caldwell, PWTorch assistant editor

Memorial Day Raw started with a video package dedicating tonight's show to U.S. troops who served their country. A two-minute video package accompanied the message.

Live from Canada, Michael Cole introduced the show. Standing by was John Cena. But first, Cole fed to a video package on last week's Raw. The video showcased Curtis Axel being introduced as Paul Heyman's new client, which led to Triple H slapping Axel. Then, Hunter wrestled against doctor's orders and "suffered a concussion." The voice-over man ominously said they will provide "the latest on Triple H's condition." Also last week, John Cena was "injured" against Ryback at Extreme Rules, then Ryback proposed an Ambulance Match for Payback in June.

Back live in the arena, Cena's music played to mainly boos. Cena excitedly emerged on-stage sarcastically calling this his "favorite place in the world." Cena then stormed the ring as Cole extolled Cena's virtues as it relates to military support.

Once in the ring, Cena waited out boos, then a few fans were heard chanting his name. Cena opened by saying there seems to be a lot of unrest here tonight. Anxiety. Anger. He said he gets why. Over a week ago, there was a Last Man Standing match for this here WWE Title belt most-remembered for its controversy. In full preacher mode, Cena said both men were down for a count of ten, so both men believe they deserve the WWE Title belt. First, there is him - the WWE champion. Then, there is Ryback (boos). And how did Ryback want to solve this controversy? Ryback challenged him to an Ambulance Match at Payback.

Pause for six people chanting, "We Want Bret." It increased a bit, then Cena noted they are in Calgary, home of Bret Hart. Cena said his people want to pay homage to that hero. Cena said that time will come, but they have a controversy to solve.

Cena said he thinks Ryback didn't think things through, then Cena mocked Ryback as a small-minded individual distracted by bright lights. Cena said he's had a week to think about this, then said Payback should be hell. At WWE Payback, Cena said the match will be a Three Stages of Hell match. He said there have only been three of these matches in WWE history. He said it's 2/3 Falls where each fall has a different stipulation. So, Stage 1 is a Lumberjack Match. He then thanked the audience for Stage 2, leading them in a "We Want Tables" chant. They cut to a shot of one fan ignoring the cue from Cena. Cena then excitedly said Stage 2 is a Tables match.

As for Stage 3, it involves Ryback's ambulance. Cena said the third stage is an Ambulance match. Cena said what happens if he wins the first two falls? He said that ambulance driver is going to earn his money because after he wins 2-0, he's driving Ryback straight to the medical facility.

Suddenly, Ryback's music interrupted. "Goldberg" chants as Ryback stood on-stage. Ryback said he agrees with Cena that Payback should be hell. He said he drove Cena through this LED board, not caring what was on the other side. Ryback said he tried taking Cena to hell, then called himself lucifer and satan. "John, say hello to Ryback." In the ring, Cena remained stone-faced, then Ryback turned and sauntered away.

[ JC: So, Cena teased a Hell in a Cell match, then pulled back with a lumberjack, tables, and ambulance match. ]

Suddenly, Paul Heyman interrupted on-stage to address John Cena. Heyman built up Curtis Axel, noting that Axel beat Triple H "so convincingly and decisively" that Hunter will not be seen around here anymore. Axel was then brought out on-stage to stand tall next to Heyman. In the ring, Cena wasn't too impressed. Heyman then noted his client was just watching Cena and they believe Cena is a fighting champion. Which is why he doesn't think Cena will back down from a challenge of his own. Heyman put it in bright lights: WWE champion John Cena vs. future WWE champion Curtis Axel.

[Q2] In the ring, Cena rolled around the name Curtis Axel in his head before offering some advice. "Stay as far away from Paul Heyman as you can," he said. "He is full of more crap than the stables after the (Calgary) Stampede," which popped the crowd. Axel then took the mic and tried to act serious repeating Heyman's desire for a fight. In the ring, Cena said Axel got lucky last week, so they'll see how good Axel is tonight. Cena booked the singles match for tonight, exciting Axel and Heyman.

Announcers: Cole, Jerry Lawler, and JBL reacted to the two-part opening segment, then plugged Chris Jericho hosting the Highlight Reel with Paul Heyman, only, tonight. Jericho plans to grill Heyman on his entire group of clients, according to Cole.

Backstage: Alberto Del Rio, Ricardo Rodriguez, and their bucket were shown walking down the hallway. Del Rio gets another re-match against Big E. Langston next. Apparently avenging last Monday's loss on Main Event wasn't enough.

[Commercial Break]

On-stage: Ricardo Rodriguez introduced Alberto Del Rio to the ring. Cole noted this is the rubber match because Big E. won on Raw, Del Rio won on Main Event, and this is the third match in their mini-series. Big E. Langston was then introduced to the ring flanked by A.J. Lee. As Big E. hit the ring, JBL noted Big E. is starting to think that he should get the next World Title shot. The announcers talked in circles about World champ Dolph Ziggler being off TV recovering from a concussion prior to the bell sounding.

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

Del Rio clotheslined Big E. to the outside in the opening seconds, then delivered a suicide dive on the floor. However, Big E. recovered and dropped Del Rio across the ring steps before rolling him into the ring for a nearfall. WWE then cut to an insert video from Dolph Ziggler on the App. Except, the video was a smaller picture of the match in the ring. Mid-way through Ziggler's audio, they cut to video of Ziggler commenting on Raw from his home.

Back to full-screen, Del Rio sidekicked Big E. for a two count. Langston made another comeback, then dropped the straps, drawing Lawler's attention. Del Rio blocked Del Rio, then A.J. suddenly jumped on the ring apron to remove a top turnbuckle pad. The referee focused on the pad, then Del Rio slapped on a cross arm-breaker center-ring. Big E. broke free, but Langston recoiled into the exposed steel. Del Rio took advantage by pinning Langston.

Post-match, A.J. yelled at Langston, saying she was trying to help him. Langston, frustrated with the loss, walked out of the ring, upsetting A.J. even more. After a replay of the finish, they showed Langston selling frustration on-stage.

WINNER: Del Rio at 4:18. Apparently to keep the Ziggler/A.J./Langston dynamic fresh while Ziggler is off TV, WWE is going to start teasing tension between Langston and A.J. What the end-game is remains to be seen.

Still to come: Shield defends the Tag Titles against Kane & Daniel Bryan in a re-match from Extreme Rules and Kofi Kingston gets another U.S. Title re-match against Dean Ambrose.

[Q3] [Commercial Break]

Locker Room: Kane was standing by. And Daniel Bryan was pacing the locker room. Kane had enough and yelled at Bryan to stop. Kane said the only person who associates Daniel Bryan with the "weak link" is D-Bryan. He said it has nothing to do with his size. Kane told Bryan to focus on them regaining the Tag Titles tonight, which includes Bryan pulling himself together. "Ah ha!" Bryan said, believing that Kane means he's the weak link.

Suddenly, Bret Hart entered the shot, popping the crowd. Hart, with noticeably grayer hair and sporting a teal shirt, said they are better than this. "Wow, thanks, Bret," Bryan said before jumping in front of Kane. Bryan asked Hart if anyone thought he was the weak-link in Hart Foundation. Hart said size has nothing to do with toughness, then he slapped Bryan on the back. Bryan, amazed, watched as Hart walked off. Kane then asked Bryan why he believes Hart and not him when he says the same thing. Bryan said it's because he's Bret Hart - the Best There is, was, and ever will be. "And you, you're just Kane," he said, drawing laughs. Bryan walked off, leaving Kane to seethe.

Announcers: Cole said 30 seconds after Raw goes off the air, they will have Bret Hart Appreciation Night on the WWE App with Jerry Lawler as special host. But, now, time for a title match.

In-ring: Justin Roberts announced a U.S. Title match. The Shield's music played, bringing out the heel trio through the crowd to a strong reaction. Fans slapped Rollins, Reigns, and Ambrose on the shoulder as they walked through the crowd, then U.S. champ Ambrose walked alone down to the ring. As Ambrose made his way into the ring, they recapped events on Smackdown when Ambrose retained the U.S. Title over Kofi Kingston due to Shield's interference. So, Kofi gets another shot tonight.

[Commercial Break]

Back live, WWE randomly replayed Paul Heyman introducing Curtis Axel last week on Raw. Apparently this was to plug John Cena vs. Curtis Axel in the TV main event later tonight.

Back in the ring, Dean Ambrose was standing by before Kofi Kingston was introduced to challenge Ambrose for the U.S. Title.

2 -- U.S. champion DEAN AMBROSE vs. KOFI KINGSTON -- U.S. Title match

Rapid-fire sequence of blocks and counters early on. Ambrose barely ducked a Trouble in Paradise, so he rolled to the outside to catch a breather. Kofi teased a suicide dive, but Ambrose ran up the ramp to avoid, so Kofi held his ground in the ring. Ambrose waited for things to cool off on the outside before Raw cut to break.

[Q4] [Commercial Break]

During the break on the App, WWE plugged the Tag Title match to follow this match. Back live, Ambrose was in control. WWE then cut to an insert video of Ambrose taking control of the match during the break. Back live, Kofi made a comeback, then tried to fire up the crowd. Nearfalls and counters followed, then Kofi executed SOS for a close two count. And, back to the App for Randy Orton and Sheamus reacting to The Shield while watching this match backstage. Sheamus said their loss to Shield at WrestleMania has been eating him up for six weeks.

Back in the ring, Kofi scored another close nearfall. This sent Ambrose to the outside for a breather, but on the floor, Ambrose lured an overly-aggressive Kingston into a head-smash into the ring steps. Back in the ring, Ambrose planted a KO'ed Kofi head-first into the mat for the pin and the win.

WINNER: Ambrose at 8:41 to retain the U.S. Title.

Post-match, Shield members Rollins and Reigns joined Ambrose in the ring to celebrate the victory. Suddenly, Daniel Bryan and Kane stormed the ring to clear Shield from the ring. Cole said the Tag Title match is next.

SECOND HOUR COVERAGE CONTINUES AT PWTORCH.COM . ...

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