WWE Raw TV Results
June 24, 2013 - Episode #1,047
Live in N. Charleston, S.C.
Aired on USA Network
Report by James Caldwell, PWTorch assistant editor

Third Hour Results

7 -- C.M. PUNK vs. DARREN YOUNG (w/Titus O'Neil)

The bell sounded back from break with Punk taking down D-Young to the mat. Lawler said he was thinking about it during the break that if Punk believes Heyman, then maybe they should believe Heyman, too.

[Q10] Punk targeted D-Young's left leg as the crowd sat quietly, still unsure how to handle Punk in a face role. Young then kneed Punk in the gut and began wearing him down. As the action slowed to a crawl, JBL brought up Rafael Nadal getting swept at Wimbledon today, setting up a tennis discussion. Punk broke free of Young with a back drop suplex, then nailed a corner knee for a nearfall.

Punk tried to wake up the crowd climbing to the top rope, but Young cut him off. Punk shook off Young moments later to deliver a clothesline for a two count. Punk sold a knee injury, then called for the GTS. Young broke free, though, and nailed a fallaway gutbuster, exciting Cole. But, Young only got a two count. Punk came back with a roundhouse kick, then slapped on the Vice. Young very quickly tapped out, which prompted Punk to complain to the ref. It's as if Punk wanted Young to sell the move longer, but he tapped out too quickly.

WINNER: Punk via submission at 6:18. Is it Punk, the character, who is supposed to be checked out and disinterested in wrestling, or Phil Brooks? The crowd doesn't know what to do with Punk's character right now and Punk looked the opposite of refreshed in the ring here.

Post-match, Titus hit the ring to attack Punk. The Players put the boots to Punk, then IC champion Curtis Axel randomly came to the ring to no reaction. Axel tackled D-Young and blasted him out of the ring. Meanwhile, Punk roundhouse-kicked Titus out of the ring. Punk and Axel were alone in the ring, then Paul Heyman suddenly re-appeared. Heyman told Punk that it was two-on-one, so he wanted to help Punk. Punk didn't appreciate this, so Heyman said they'll talk about this. Punk just paced the ring without speaking.

GM Office: Vickie Guerrero was on the phone demanding something from Brad Maddox. Stephanie McMahon then made her first appearance of the night asking Vickie why she hasn't announced the WWE Title MITB participants. Vickie said things are too busy, so Steph said she will make the announcement.

Still to come: Orton vs. Bryan in either a Lumberjack match, Street Fight, or Falls Count Anywhere.

DVD plug: WCW goes to war in War Games, which is out tomorrow. (I'll have a DVD review published later this week after watching the DVD a few nights ago.)

[Commercial Break at 10:24]

Back live, the Bella Twins were handing out posters ringside. This led to Cole plugging the "Total Divas" premiere on July 28. Suddenly, Stephanie McMahon's new music played.

MITB match announcement

[Q11] Stephanie walked out on-stage to address the crowd. Steph said it's that time of the year when Superstars battle to win a briefcase at Money in the Bank. She then introduced this year's WWE Title ladder match participants: C.M. Punk (indirectly confirming Punk vs. Lesnar at Summerslam), Daniel Bryan, Sheamus, Randy Orton, Christian, Kane, and, returning to WWE for the first time in four years, Rob Van Dam. Stephanie un-cooly did RVD's thumbs-to-shoulders pose for added effect.

GM Office: Vickie and Brad talked about Stephanie's announcement, then Ryback barged in and demanded another WWE Title shot against John Cena, claiming to be done in by a flimsy ambulance cover. Ryback told Vickie to cancel Cena vs. Mark Henry at MITB, then Chris Jericho walked in and noted he should be in the MITB ladder match. Ryback growled that he just interrupted him and he could eat him alive. Jericho said he would like to see Ryback try, "Mr. Back." Brad tried to add his thoughts, then backed away when he sensed things getting hot. Suddenly, Vickie shouted, "Excuse Me!" Vickie said she is their boss and if they want to fight, then they have a match at MITB. She told them to get out of her office. Ryback told "junior" that he'll see him at the PPV.

Backstage: Mark Henry was shown walking down the hallway dressed in a suit. He speaks next.

[Commercial Break at 10:34]

Locker Room: Paul Heyman was shown trying to calm down C.M. Punk, who said he doesn't need his help. Heyman tried to reason that if two dudes jumped him in the street, he would want help. Punk said he doesn't need Curtis Axel to help him fight anyone. Heyman said under his breath that stubbornness does run deep, prompting Punk to slam his wrist tape against the wall. Heyman said he fixed this by booking a match next week: Prime Time Players against Curtis Axel...and C.M. Punk. Punk shook his head and told Heyman that he's unbelievable. He said he will take the match because it's his fight, but he doesn't need Heyman in his business anymore.

Announcers: Cole and Co. reacted the latest from Punk-Heyman, then hyped Orton vs. Bryan tonight. Cole said the App polls are open to vote on the match type.

Mark Henry Speech

In-ring: Mark Henry's music played to bring out Henry in a suit. Cole started to speak, but was cut off by Justin Roberts. Henry continued marching down the entranceramp before entering the ring as Lawler called him "Paul Henry." Cole noted "MARK Henry" made a mockery of past stars, according to John Cena.

In the ring, Henry smiled to himself and said he made fools of everyone. He said he saw their signs and heard their chants. But, more than anything, he saw people crying. And because of his spectacular performance, he has been nominated for an Academy Award. Henry claimed he's had people like Tarantino, Spielberg, and Tyler Perry reaching out to him, but that's not what he wants.

Henry said he's had people reach out to him upset because he used his friends, family (what?), and other WWE Superstars (what?). He said he's not going to apology (what?) to any of them (what?). Henry said people have been telling him his whole life how he should live. "Mark Henry...you're a big kid...don't hurt the little children." Please. "Mark Henry...you work hard. And you go to the Olympics and win it for America." Please.

Henry said that what's going to happen at Money in the Bank is a no good, dirty, filthy, cheating, Mark Henry is going to show up. Henry interrupted the What's by telling them they're a bunch of puppets dancing and doing what he tells them to do. Henry smiled as he recalled saying, "Honey, I'm coming home." Henry then went for an aside that he knows he's looking good because this ain't no Men's Wearhouse. (An appropriate dig after they forced out Zimmer.) Henry then said he's coming home all right...as WWE champion. Henry smirked and left the ring as his music played.

[Q12] Announcers: Cole fed to the latest vignette on the "disturbing" Wyatt Family.

Up Next: Orton vs. Bryan in the main event with the stipulation decided by the audience.

[Commercial Break at 10:47]

Smackdown plug: Fiesta Del Rio celebrating Alberto Del Rio's World Title win. Not going to address the ratings tanking the last two weeks. How about Sheamus vs. Sandow in a Dublin Street Fight?

In-ring: Jerry Lawler revealed the App voting - 50 percent for Street Fight, 28 percent for FCA, and 22 percent for Lumberjack match. Daniel Bryan was then introduced to the ring for the main event. Randy Orton was out next.

8 -- RANDY ORTON vs. DANIEL BRYAN -- Street Fight

The match started with another brawl, similar to their first match of the night. Bryan then knocked Orton to the floor and wanted a suicide dive, but Orton blocked with a steel chair. That was too close to a chair-shot to the head. Orton in-control heading to break as tonight's Stanley Cup Finals game concluded.

[Commercial Break at 9:53]

Raw returned three minutes before the top of the hour with the fight at the ringside area. During the break, the fight moved to the production stage area. Back live, Orton slingshot Bryan across the top rope before setting up a table in the corner. This gave Bryan time to shake off Orton's attack and make his signature comeback.

[Q13 -- over-run] Bryan smashed Orton with corner "Yes!" kicks. He wanted a flying dropkick, but Orton picked up the chair and tossed it at Bryan's shoulder to cut him off. Orton then wanted a suplex through a table on the outside, but Bryan blocked. Bryan tried to dropkick Orton through the table twice, but Orton absorbed and shook off the table. So, Bryan simply slipped underneath Orton and powerbombed him through the table.

Bryan followed by retrieving a Kendo Stick and bashing Orton's shoulder with stick shots. Bryan then began a rhythmic attack of stick shots and Yes! kicks. Bryan wanted the big roundhouse kick, but Orton blocked and suplexed Bryan through the table propped up in the ring. Bryan sold a shoulder injury again, then Orton covered Bryan for a nearfall.

Bryan and Orton slowly reset before trading bombs, rocking each other. Orton suddenly ended the exchange with a snap dropkick that put Bryan on the mat. Orton then circled the ring getting the crowd involved in the action before setting up Bryan for a superplex. But, Bryan punched Orton down to the mat. Bryan tried a top-rope move, but Orton intercepted with a powerbomb for a nearfall.

Orton followed up with big right hands from the mount position, seemingly trying to KO Bryan, but, suddenly, Bryan countered with a No! Lock. Orton teased tapping out, but he reached the Kendo Stick and popped Bryan in the shoulder over and over again to break the hold. Orton followed with more stick shots to the mid-section, then the back. Orton got the crowd fired up, then wanted a second-rope DDT and connected. Orton then entered That Place and called for the crowd to join him.

Orton wanted the RKO, but Bryan spun around and back-slid Orton for a close two count. Bryan followed with a kick, then kendo stick shots. Bryan tried the No! Lock, wrestled Orton to the mat, and applied it center-ring. But, Orton grabbed the stick again. Orton tried to smack Orton with it, but Bryan intercepted and proceeded to use the kendo stick to increase the pressure on the No! Lock. Orton had no choice but to tap out, giving Bryan a big submission win.

Post-match, Bryan celebrated as Cole declared Bryan having done it. Bryan then knelt down against the ropes and nodded along that he proved he can do it. JBL said Bryan should be proud. Suddenly, Orton was on his feet in the background. Orton, selling a shoulder injury, walked over to Bryan and shook his hand. Bryan acknowledged the shake with eyes locked on Orton, who then slipped out of the ring.

Bryan went back to celebrating with "Yes!" chants as the crowd joined along. Cole said the question is whether Bryan has finally proven to himself that he is no longer the weak link. Cole congratulated Bryan, who was kneeling down in the ring nodding up and down. Cole then signed off 11 minutes past the top of the hour.

WINNER: Bryan via submission at 15:40. A very good TV main event, complete with a strong endorsement for Bryan. Bryan has to be the favorite to win the MITB ladder match at this point. (***1/2)

Final Thoughts: This felt more like a "typical" three-hour Raw - some really good elements, a few elements that didn't click, and a sense that Raw was just too long. Last week's Raw flew by and delivered at a high-rate, but this week's show dragged with a lot of talking segments.

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We welcome your 0-10 score and comments on this show for a "Raw Reax" feature in the Torch Feedback section of PWTorch.com. To contribute your thoughts on Raw, email to pwtorch@gmail.com .

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