WWE Raw TV Results
July 8, 2013 - Episode #1,049
Live in Baltimore, Md.
Aired on USA Network
Report by James Caldwell (@JCTorch), PWTorch assistant editor

Second Hour Results

Three minutes before the top of the hour, John Cena's music played to a loud reaction to bring out the WWE champion. Cena popped out on-stage fired up and ready for his segment. Cena did his posing in the ring, then addressed the crowd, noting they have a rowdy crowd tonight.

Cena said he's out here because Mark Henry told him earlier in the day that he had something to say to him. "Well, I'm here; we're just missing the World's Strongest Man," Cena said. After Cena looked around the arena, Mark Henry's music played to bring out Henry on-stage. Henry's entire back filled up the camera shot, allowing his "That's What I Do" catchphrase to get TV time on the back of his t-shirt.

[Q5 -- second hour] Henry entered the ring at the top of the hour with Cena selling tension over Henry's arrival. Henry told Cena he has the same look as last week - fear. Henry said he's been hungry for 18 years, prompting Cena to make a Snicker's bar joke. Henry brushed that off, then noted the old Mark Henry might have laughed at that or inflicted some bodily harm. But, he's going to chill on this one.

Henry said Cena might think he knows who The World's Strongest Man is, but he's a new man. Henry said he's known Cena for ten years and he knew who Cena was before Cena even did. He called Cena a puppet just like the "what?'ing" crowd. Henry continued that the WWE Title will validate his career. "If I take that from you, without a shadow of a doubt, I will be a first-ballot Hall of Famer," Henry said. "John, I sold out my own momma to have that. I even sold out my own family."

Cena replied that Henry better win on Sunday. He said he has won and lost this title, but always with respect. He said he looks in Henry's eyes and he sees a desperate man who leveraged his family and lied to the fans for a title. "You better walk out WWE champion this Sunday at Money in the Bank. If you don't, you have lost the respect of everyone and you have gained nothing. 17 years - gone!" he shouted.

Henry chuckled and said he doesn't care what Cena and these people think. Henry said some of these people love you and some of these people hate you. "Welcome to Raw!" Cena quipped. But, Henry noted there are lines not even Cena will cross. Cena interrupted by noting the hot crowd, prompting Henry he better not interrupt him again or else MITB will start right now. Cena then stripped off his t-shirt and dropped the title belt before telling Henry to cross the line and he'll whip his ass. "You want me to cross the line...for free?!" Henry shouted. Henry said he took a 50 percent paycut before, but he's not losing money on this one. Henry told him he'll get him on Sunday.

Henry started to leave, but had second thoughts and removed his t-shirt. Henry started toward Cena, who flinched, prompting Henry to laugh. Henry then shook his head and backed away. Suddenly, Henry charged Cena and smashed Cena in the head. Henry wanted to follow up, but Cena suddenly tried an AA, which Henry blocked by falling on top of Cena's back. Henry offered a catchphrase, then lifted Cena in the air, drawing shrieks from the pro-Cena crowd, and smashed Cena with World's Strongest Slam.

After Henry's exclamation point sank in, Henry slowly picked up the title belt and stood on top of Cena's chest. On commentary, Cole posed the Big Question for Sunday: what does Cena do on Sunday if he can't lift up Henry for the AA? As Henry left the ring, the announcers recapped the physicality involved in the exchange. After a replay of the exchange, refs were shown checking on Cena, who sold immense pain as the segment ended at 9:08.

[ JC's Reax: A bit too much physicality for my taste (a pull-a-part brawl with security/other wrestlers keeping them apart from each other would have been preferred), but they provided a clear picture of what's at-stake on Sunday and posed a Big Question for Cena fans/casual viewers to see answered on Sunday: how does Cena win if he can't use his finisher on Henry? And, Henry is just a master of his craft right now. ]

Backstage: Randy Orton was shown watching the Cena-Henry events on a backstage monitor. Suddenly, Josh Mathews resurfaced to quiz Orton on his match against C.M. Punk tonight. Orton said he doesn't think Punk is the Best in the World and he aims to win the WWE Title MITB match on Sunday. He then vowed to cash in the MITB briefcase on Cena if Cena is able to survive Henry on Sunday.

[Commercial Break at 9:09]

Back from break, The Miz was on commentary for the next match. Miz overly-excited talked himself up, then Chris Jericho's pyro shot off to bring out Jericho. As Jericho entered the ring, WWE replayed Ryback quitting his own match last week. Back in the ring, Jericho sold not being sure what's up with Ryback, who he faces at MITB on Sunday.

[Q6] Curtis Axel's music then played to bring out the IC champion and Paul Heyman, who was wearing sunglasses to cover the "black eye" he suffered on Smackdown. Heyman spoke mid-way down the entrance ramp that he is not here as a martyr for C.M. Punk tonight, but to bask in the glow of perfection provided by the "Intercontinental Hvt. champion, Curtis Axxxxel."

Axel spoke next about Jericho wearing a jacket with Christmas lights on it. Axel sounded like he was about to break into song before noting the glow of the IC Title belt indicates that he has arrived. Axel kept walking toward the ring, then noted he will not let Miz or Jericho stand in the way of...perfection. Cole filled in the blanks that Axel defends the IC Title against Miz on Sunday. Axel's music then played again and abruptly cut off when Axel entered the ring.

3 -- IC champion CURTIS AXEL (w/Paul Heyman) vs. CHRIS JERICHO -- non-title match

Axel clotheslined Jericho to the outside early on, they scrapped on the floor for a bit, and returned to the ring, where Axel delivered a neckbreaker for a nearfall. Axel then stood over Jericho as Raw abruptly cut to break.

[Commercial Break at 9:19]

Back from break, Axel was trying to grind Jericho's mouth into bread crumbs. Axel then tried a second-rope fist drop, but Jericho moved and started to build momentum, freaking out Heyman. Jericho then wanted the Walls of Jericho, but Axel shoved Jericho away. Jericho responded with a Northern Lights Suplex with a bridge for a two count. On commentary, The Miz noted all of the Hall of Famers who have held the IC Title, including Axel's dad, "Mr. Perfect" Curt Hennig.

Axel came back with a swinging neckbreaker, but Jericho kicked out of a pin attempt. Axel tried to follow with a dropkick off the ropes, but Jericho avoided, then hit the Lionsault for a nearfall. Jericho couldn't follow with a Codebreaker, though, and Axel snapped off the Perfectplex for a close two count. Ringside, Heyman freaked out over Jericho escaping the Perfect finisher. Axel freaked out by slapping around Jericho, prompting Lawler to tell Axel to stay focused.

At 10:00, Axel lifted up Jericho for a neckbreaker, but Jericho blocked and slapped on the Walls of Jericho, popping the crowd. But, Axel crawled to the bottom rope for a break. Jericho then shoved Axel off the ring apron into the announce table, drawing a smile from Miz.

On the outside, Axel and Miz stared each other down momentarily, then Miz stood up to give Axel a better look at him. Miz removed his jacket, then tie as the ref counted in the background. Heyman shouted at Axel to get back in the ring, and barely made it back in before ten. Jericho then capitalized with the Codebreaker and quickly pinned Axel for the win.

After the bell, Heyman sold magnificently by standing still with his one good eye popping through his sunglasses to sell disbelief. Meanwhile, Cole stressed this as Axel's first major TV loss, while Miz was feeling good about his chances to beat Axel on Sunday. Heyman then dragged Axel away from ringside to recover before Sunday.

WINNER: Jericho at 11:22.

[Q7] Earlier Tonight: Sheamus and Daniel Bryan went toe-to-toe in a singles battle. WWE replayed Bryan defeating Sheamus, then Cole plugged tonight's main event of Orton vs. Punk in a singles battle. Also still to come: Christian vs. Kane.

[Commercial Break at 9:31]

RVD Vignette: WWE flashed back to September 2003 when RVD and Christian battled in one of the best Raw TV matches of the last decade.

Announcers: Cole, Lawler, and JBL hyped Rob Van Dam's return on Sunday before previewing the World Title MITB ladder match from the Smackdown brand.

Backstage: Josh Mathews brought in Damien Sandow and Cody Rhodes for an interview. Josh asked if they are concerned about their friendship being affected by being in the World Title contract match on Sunday. Damien offered his thoughts, then spoke for Rhodes, selling tension. Suddenly, Zeb Colter interrupted with Antonio Cesaro and Jack Swagger. Zeb said if they don't do something right now about their country, their money will eventually mean nothing. Suddenly, Wade Barrett interrupted and said he will win on Sunday. Zeb said he doesn't understand what language he just spoke.

Suddenly, Fandango interrupted to a reaction from the live crowd. Fandango tried to say his name, but everyone interrupted him after "Fahn." He tried again, so Barrett smashed him in the mouth, which prompted the crowd to laugh at Fandango's tough break. Rhodes Scholars had a good laugh as Fandango sold on the floor, then Swagger and Cesaro got everyone serious again.

[ JC's Reax: The answer to seven mid-card heels randomly thrown together in a MITB ladder match? WWE Comedy. ]

Wyatt Vignette: Inside the plantation home, the invisible "WWE reporter" found something he/she wasn't supposed to find as Luke Harper led the camera down some hallways. The reporter then found Bray Wyatt holding a lantern. Wyatt said he's been waiting and Raw abruptly cut to break.

[Commercial Break at 9:39]

Back from break, Sin Cara was entering the ring. After a pause, Alberto Del Rio's music played to bring out the World Hvt. champion looking minimized without a suspended Ricardo Rodriguez by his side. A graphic focused on Del Rio vs. Dolph Ziggler (with A.J. Lee and Big E. Langston) on Sunday, then WWE replayed footage from Smackdown two weeks ago when Ziggler took out Ricardo for his storyline write-off.

[Q8]

4 -- World Hvt. champion ALBERTO DEL RIO vs. SIN CARA -- non-title match

Once the bell sounded, WWE put on Sin Cara's mood lighting, which put Del Rio in mid-card territory. Kayfabe, isn't Del Rio a big-enough deal as World champ where he can veto the "homefield advantage" for Sin Cara? Del Rio and Sin Cara battled for a bit, then Del Rio broke the silence in the arena by popping Sin Cara with a loud-sounding kick to the head. Del Rio covered Sin Cara for a nearfall, then began working on Cara's head. Another kick to the head, but Cara kicked out of a pin attempt.

Suddenly, Dolph Ziggler's ring music broke the arena silence. Ziggler slowly walked out on-stage and began talking as Del Rio continued to wrestle Cara. Ziggler then warmed up his vocals to give Del Rio a Ricardo-style ring introduction. Ziggler kind of lost the crowd as the Del Rio vs. Cara match continued with the crowd's attention split. Ziggler tried to transition to a serious face promo about getting revenge on Sunday, but it fell flat with the match still going.

Del Rio then left the ring and smashed Ziggler on the entrance ramp. Del Rio beat down Ziggler, who showed no fight. Suddenly, Sin Cara came flying onto Del Rio with a big splash on the outside. Cole noted the ref has lost control of the match as Ziggler backed away up the entrance ramp. Suddenly, Dolph's music played and the match just kind of ended with Del Rio selling disgust with Ziggler ringside.

WINNER: ????? at 5:34. WWE booked Ziggler to have perhaps the worst babyface moment of the year attempting to mock Del Rio's ring intro a la The Miz, then trying a serious babyface promo in the middle of a match, then getting beat down by Del Rio and showing no return fight, and backing up the entrance ramp to avoid Del Rio only after Sin Cara surprised Del Rio with a top-rope move. Nevermind on Ziggler being a good fit in the babyface role, at least not in this program.

Still to come: Vickie Guerrero's job evaluation.

[Commercial Break at 9:51]

Ringside: Super Bowl champion Ray Rice was shown sitting on the front row behind the announcers. After Rice got some camera time, WWE cut to footage from the Cena-Henry confrontation earlier tonight.

THIRD HOUR COVERAGE CONTINUES AT PWTORCH.COM . ...

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