WWE Raw TV Results
July 1, 2013 - Episode #1,048
Live in Sioux City, Iowa
Aired on USA Network
Report by James Caldwell (@JCTorch), PWTorch assistant editor

This week's WWE Raw opened with Vickie Guerrero standing by in her office. Standing up and facing the camera, Vickie waited out boos from the live crowd before offering a dramatic intro. She said they will honor both the WWE Title and the World Title, which she said both symbolize WWE's rich history of prestige and greatness. Therefore, she is presenting a special match tonight: WWE champion John Cena vs. World Hvt. champion Alberto Del Rio.

Live in the arena, Michael Cole introduced the show and paused, almost as if he were waiting for pyro that was not coming. Daniel Bryan's music then played to a loud reaction to bring out Bryan. Already in the ring were a MITB briefcase and ladder. Ringside, Cole, Jerry Lawler, and JBL reacted to Bryan and the MITB match in two weeks.

In the ring, Bryan waited out loud "Yes!" chants and soaked in the crowd reaction. He then noted that last week, the burning question on everyone's minds was finally answered: "Is Daniel Bryan the weak link?" The crowd responded: "No! No! No!" Bryan echoed their sentiments after noting he submitted Randy Orton. He then said there's a new question: Can he ride this wave of momentum to the MITB match and win the WWE Title contract? The crowd responded: "Yes! Yes! Yes!" Bryan then thought this over and shouted, "Yes!" over and over.

Bryan said he wants to be WWE champion, following Sammartino, Hulk Hogan (mild reaction, almost groans), Steve Austin (strong reaction), The Rock (equal to Austin), and Daniel Bryan (light "Yes!" chants). Bryan noted he won MITB two years ago and it's been far too long since he's been champion. Bryan vowed to make sure history repeats itself before shouting, "I will be WWE champion!"

Cue up the interruption... from Sheamus. Sheamus asked "Danny Boy" how he's doing before noting they can re-visit how that story ended two years ago. Sheamus reminded Bryan that he beat him for the World Title in 18 seconds, which drew boos. Sheamus said it's been far too long since he's been champion, so he won't let anyone stand in his way.

Bryan replied with a question for Sheamus: if he calls 1-800-Fella, will he Brogue Kick himself in the face? "Yes!" chants from the crowd. Sheamus replied by asking why trolls are always grumpy. This drew boos. Suddenly, Randy Orton interrupted to no music. Orton said they're arguing over how long it's been since they've been champion; well, it's been two years for him. Orton noted he's starving for the title, and a starving man takes what he needs.

Once in the ring, Orton said when he wins MITB, he won't wait to cash in. Bryan replied that he knows that last week, he made Orton tap out. The crowd picked up a light "You Tapped Out" chant that Orton acknowledged. Orton said he'll let that one slide, but if Bryan disrespects him again, he will drop him where he stands. Orton said it's true that he is desperate, which means in two weeks at MITB, no one is safe.

Suddenly, Kane's pyro shot off to bring out Kane without music. Odd to see him coming to the ring without music. Kane said he has no problem committing unspeakable acts on his so-called friends. Of course, he was talking about Bryan. WWE went to a wide-shot of the MITB briefcase hanging above the ring, then Bryan noted Kane couldn't beat Orton, unlike he did last week on Raw.

Kane began addressing the other wrestlers as the crowd filled the silence with a C.M. Punk chant. Kane and Bryan then began arguing until Christian interrupted on-stage. Christian reminded them that when it comes to the ladder match, there's one man who's had the most success: him. Christian said he's been good for a while and now he's looking for one more match. And that will be for the WWE Title.

Now in the ring, Christian said he might not be the biggest, strongest, scariest, or hairiest guy in the match, but he is without a doubt The Best. This drew oohs from the crowd. Suddenly, C.M. Punk interrupted without music. Punk said he made a promise to himself not to do the predictable thing interrupting, but then he heard the word "best." He said he respects Christian and his career, but not only is he the Best in the World, but he's the best in the MITB ladder match, having won it twice. He said he will very soon have won it three times.

Punk said the bottom line is that no one can touch him in this ring. He then shouted out to Rob Van Dam, which got a reaction. Punk said he's sure RVD is watching somewhere and strategizing how to grab the briefcase. Punk then addressed Sheamus before turning to Orton, but Bryan interrupted. He said he's sick of Punk running down each one of them and then saying how much better he is. Bryan said he will make Punk tap out quicker than he did Orton last week. Orton said he warned Bryan, then started to walk toward Bryan, but Kane stepped in front. Bryan shouted that he doesn't need Kane to fight his battles, then Orton spun around Kane and dropped him with an RKO.

[Q2] All six men stood their ground in the ring pausing to see what was going to happen next. Christian then dropped off the ring apron, Punk followed, and Orton's music played. Sheamus bailed, followed by Orton as Bryan checked on Kane. The focus was on Bryan, then Orton.

On commentary, Cole noted RVD is paying close attention to this right now. Cole then re-hyped the WWE Title and World Titles colliding when Cena and Del Rio meet up. Cole said throughout the night, they will look back through great champions in history.

Vignette: Buddy Rogers, representing the WWE Title. Lou Thesz, representing the World Title.

[ JC Reax: Okay, so Cena strongly endorsed the WWE Title last week and WWE is hard-selling both top titles this week. Obviously, WWE wants to draw a rating in the Cena-Del Rio main event tonight, but this seems like a change in philosophy on stressing the importance of the titles. Or, just subliminal advertising for the eventual WWE Network. ]

[Commercial Break at 8:18]

Vignette: The Wyatts are coming. Bray Wyatt is a mystery wrapped in an enigma. "They say we're coming, but we've been here all along," Bray said.

Suddenly, back in the arena, The Shield's music played. Shield came through the crowd and the bell sounded to signal a six-man tag match. Cole noted Shield must still be stinging after what happened on Smackdown when Christian and The Usos topped The Shield. Cole noted it was only the second-time ever that Shield lost a six-man tag.

Christian's music then played to bring out Christian as the first member of the face opposition. The Usos were out next to back-up Christian in a re-match from Smackdown.

Before the bell sounded, Cole announced Shield vs. Usos for the Tag Titles on the MITB PPV pre-show. Meanwhile, on WWE's website, WWE announced Curtis Axel vs. Miz for the IC Title and A.J. vs. Kaitlyn for the Divas Title at the MITB PPV.

1 -- THE SHIELD (U.S. champion DEAN AMBROSE & WWE tag champions SETH ROLLINS & ROMAN REIGNS) vs. CHRISTIAN & THE USOS -- six-man tag match

Christian knocked Ambrose to the floor early on, then The Usos came flying through the ropes with a double splash for the Tag Champs. Christian followed with a splash to Ambrose. Raw cut to break with Rollins selling anger as the faces stood tall in the ring.

[Commercial Break at 8:27. The updated Smackdown TV taping spot for June 25 in Houston has Rio vs. Ziggler in a Street Fight for the World Title...and the return of Rob Van Dam to Smackdown.]

[Q3] Back from break, chaos broke out involving all six wrestlers. Christian hit the Killswitch on Ambrose, but Ambrose shoved off, Rollins smashed Christian from the ring apron, and Ambrose pinned Christian for the win. Afterward, Cole said Ambrose got some revenge and momentum swung back to The Shield two weeks out from MITB. Shield then high-tailed it into the crowd to stand tall while Christian and the Usos sold frustration in the ring.

WINNERS: Shield at 9:35.

Locker Room: Daniel Bryan approached Kane to tell him that he has a make-up for what happened in the ring. Bryan said he just talked to Vickie and got him a re-match tonight against Orton. Kane calmed down and said he's glad to hear that. Bryan started to leave, but then noted he's been named special referee. Bryan quietly walked off, then Kane seethed.

On-stage: Dolph Ziggler was introduced for a random match. No A.J. Lee and no Big E. Langston. And, not much of a reaction from the crowd, which didn't know what to do with this situation. The announcers talked up Ziggler before noting he's in action next.

[Commercial Break at 8:38]

Back from break, 3MB was in the ring and Jinder Mahal was set to face Ziggler. Before the match, though, WWE replayed Ziggler crashing Alberto Del Rio's "fiesta" Friday night on Smackdown. In the process, he injured Ricardo Rodriguez.

2 -- DOLPH ZIGGLER vs. JINDER MAHAL (w/3MB)

Jinder smartly targeted Ziggler's head early on, delivering a big knee to the face. Jinder scored a very close two count, prompting Heath Slater and Drew McIntyre to demand a three count from the referee. Jinder then went back to work on Ziggler as the crowd sat quietly. Then, they picked up a "JBL" chant, which JBL ignored. In the ring, Ziggler made a comeback with a dropkick before the crowd chanted, "Jerry, Jerry." Lawler said he knows it's Canada Day, but they're not in bizzaro-world, right? Actually, WWE hasn't even identified the location of Raw yet. Ziggler then caught Jinder with a Zig-Zag out of nowhere for the pin and the win.

WINNER: Ziggler at 2:25. Benjamin Tucker nailed it live-tweeting Raw: "Can ANYONE tell me why Ziggler hasn't had a true promo since his face turn?" There's no Mission Statement from Ziggler as a babyface for the crowd to get behind. He's very quickly becoming "just another guy," despite challenging for the World Title in two weeks.

[Q4] Post-match, Ziggler was cornered by 3MB, so he decided to pull a John Morrison by dodging each member with athleticism before standing tall on the announce table. Ziggler indicated that it's his time as WWE went to a wide-shot of Ziggler standing on the table.

Vignette: Bruno Sammartino, representing the WWE Title. Harley Race, representing the World Title. Plenty of focus on the NWA World Hvt. Title in the video package.

Still to come: Cena vs. Del Rio, continuing the "championship tradition."

Up Next: A Career Retrospective on Mark Henry.

[Commercial Break at 8:49]

GM Office: Vickie Guerrero and Brad Maddox were shown talking. Vickie mocked the McMahons always telling him what to do, then Triple H interrupted. Hunter told her to keep going making disparaging comments about his family. Hunter then continued that she's doing a great thing tonight by giving the fans what they want, especially the Champ vs. Champ match. Not sure anyone was calling for a Cena vs. Del Rio match. Vickie said that's great, but she keeps hearing other things from the other McMahons. Triple H said he's learned to let them let it all out, then don't do anything they say. Hunter told Vickie to just keep listening to him and she'll be fine.

Career Retrospective: Mark Henry through the years, with the audio being a mix of Henry's recent promos, 1990s Raw commentary from Vince McMahon and Jim Ross, and 2000s/2010s commentary from Michael Cole.

After a pause, Randy Orton's music played to bring out Orton for the top-of-the-second-hour main event. It's up next.

[Commercial Break at 8:56]

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

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