WWE Raw TV Results
July 15, 2013 - Episode #1,050
Live in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Aired on USA Network
Report by James Caldwell (@JCTorch), PWTorch assistant editor

After the Raw intro played, Michael Cole welcomed everyone to Brooklyn. Suddenly, the lights went down and there was a drumroll. On-stage, new Raw GM Brad Maddox emerged to boos. He thanked Brooklyn for the warm reception, then welcomed everyone to his show. Maddox said his first act tonight is booking a MITB re-match - Alberto Del Rio vs. Dolph Ziggler.

Suddenly, John Cena's music interrupted to bring out the WWE champion to loud boos mixed with cheers. As Cena entered the ring, Michael Cole went heavy on praise and adulation for Cena following his victory over Mark Henry last night at MITB. After Cena completed his ring introduction, Cena waited out heavy boos from the New York crowd. Maddox was not amused by this interruption, though.

Cena opened by welcoming everyone to the Mad-dox Era, before noting this is the only time someone else will be more hated than him. Maddox took umbrage, but Cena said he meant no disrespect. Cena said the "jury is still out on" Maddox as a GM, as he will give him a chance. Maddox thanked him, then praised Cena for his strength, determination, and how he treats those less privileged than him.

So, for the first time in WWE history, he is going to let Cena choose his own opponent at Summerslam. Cena was confused by this. Maddox said he's going to bring everyone out and Cena will get to pick his opponent. In the background, the crowd went with loud "Yes!" chants for Daniel Bryan. Cena said Maddox must be stupid because he could pick Dok Hendrix, Dutch Mantell, or even Michael Cole. He could even wrestle one of the Bella Twins, continuing the insider references.

Suddenly, Randy Orton's music played to bring out the WWE Title MITB holder. Cena's mood changed as Orton marched down to the ring with possession of the briefcase. Orton told Maddox not to get too far ahead of himself because there's a chance Cena won't even be champion at Summerslam.

Orton said he's not going to make the same stupid mistake that Cena made last year by announcing ahead of time when he would cash in, but he also believes in being straight-up. Orton said when he cashes in his MITB contract, Cena will never see it coming. Orton let those words linger as he stared down at Cena.

Suddenly, Fandango's music played. Fandango and Summer Rae marched to the ring with purpose, then Orton accused Fandango of interrupting him. Fandango shushed "Raaaaaandy" before noting Orton will not be cashing in his briefcase against Cena, but against him. Fandango said there is only one man who the entire audience wants to see take on Cena. And his name is...breathe it in...feel it...Fahn...Cena echoed...Daaaaan...Cena echoed...Gooooooo...Orton punched Fandango in the face and the brawl was on. Fandango actually got the upper hand and knocked Orton out of the ring. But, Orton jumped back into the ring to attack Fandango and toss him out of the ring.

From ringside, Brad Maddox told them to hang on. He booked the opening match - Orton vs. Fandango - then demanded a ref as Fandango recovered on the outside with Summer Rae. Raw cut to break.

[Commercial Break at 8:12]

[Q2]

1 -- RANDY ORTON vs. FANDANGO (w/Summer Rae)

The match was joined in-progress with Orton putting the boots to Fandango as Cole noted both men are banged up from the MITB matches last night. As the two wrestlers traded control, the crowd picked up a "Summer Rae" chant. The match moved to the floor, then back in the ring, then back to the outside, where Orton smashed Fandango with a hard knock-down clothesline. Orton then suplexed Fandango across the guardrail before checking out the ringside audience.

Back in the ring, Orton covered Fandango for a nearfall. The next chant from the crowd was "Randy Savage," prompting JBL to note this will be an interesting night. Orton put it to Fandango with Ten Punches, but lost control moments later and Fandango knocked him to the outside. Fandango then ran Orton into the ring steps sending Raw to break.

[Commercial Break at 8:20]

Back from break, Fandango was still in control of the action, prompting JBL to note Fandango is for-real and not a flash-in-the-pan. Orton then came back with a t-bone suplex before taking Fandango up-top to deliver a jumping superplex. Both men sold the effects as the crowd seemed to be popping for something happening off-camera.

Orton then made his big comeback with clotheslines and a powerslam. But, Fandango suddenly popped Orton in the head to avoid the RKO teaser. Fandango then slowly climbed to the top turnbuckle, but Orton crotched him. Orton then turned the block into a spike DDT. Orton got the crowd fired up and owned the crowd cheers teasing the RKO, then turned around and dropped Fandango with the RKO. Orton let it sink in, then pinned Fandango for the win.

Post-match, Cole said Orton is dangerous, but now he is even more dangerous with the MITB briefcase in his possession.

WINNER: Orton at 13:02. Strong singles match. Orton is officially back on-track, while Fandango benefited from the exposure and hanging toe-to-toe with Orton.

[Q3] Announcers: Cole, Lawler, and JBL reacted on-camera to events thus far before going back to MITB last night when Dolph Ziggler nearly won the World Title. They showed a still-shot of A.J. Lee popping Del Rio with her Divas Title belt, costing Ziggler the match via DQ.

Backstage: Dolph Ziggler was shown angrily walking down the hallway. A.J. Lee walked up to Ziggler trying to get their relationship back on-track, then she hugged Ziggler, who was not ready to be affectionate. Ziggler said A.J. doesn't understand that it's time for him to move on, which popped the crowd live. "We're done," Ziggler quietly said before removing A.J.'s arms. A.J. sold shock.

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

[Commercial Break at 8:32]

Mark Henry Speech

Back from break, Mark Henry was already in the ring fresh off his WWE Title match loss to John Cena last night at the PPV. As Henry retrieved a mic, Lawler said Cena did the impossible by making Henry tap out last night.

In the ring, Henry said that Cena came as advertised as one of the greatest WWE champions of all-time. Henry said he gave it all he had in the ring last night. "I took John Cena to his limits," Henry continued. "And I came this close." Henry paused for a "You Tapped Out" chant from the crowd. Henry nodded along. "I did tap out," he said. "He'd tap every last one of y'all out, too," which popped the crowd and the announcers.

Henry said he's not out here to apologize for anything that happened last night. He spoke over a "Sexual Chocolate" chant that Cena has the choice of opponent at Summerslam, and he wants to be that guy. Henry said he took Cena to his limits last night and he would do it again.

Suddenly, The Shield's music played, popping the crowd again. Out came The Shield through the crowd as Henry stood his ground in the ring selling annoyance with their presence. The announcers told Henry to get out of the ring, referencing Shield taking out The Undertaker before. Shield eventually surrounded the ring as Henry remained standing in the middle of the ring.

Henry was going nowhere, as he removed his jacket, then went on the attack, but the numbers game caught up to Henry. Henry eventually fought back one by one before Ambrose jumped on his back. This allowed Reigns to come at Henry with a big spear to Henry's exposed mid-section. Shield put the boots to Henry, then set up for the triple powerbomb. "There's no way!" Cole said. But, they got him up in the air and delivered the big triple powerbomb center-ring. "Holy s---" chant from the crowd. Shield's music then played as the trio stood tall in the ring.

[ JC's Reax: And The Shield is back to being a destructive force, although it was odd for a major heel trio to take out the former #1 heel opposite Cena. Overall, though it felt like a temporary write-off for Henry. And an effective one a la Shield taking out Undertaker, which the announcers referenced. ]

Up Next: Del Rio vs. Ziggler in a PPV re-match.

[Commercial Break at 8:42]

[Q4] GM Office: Brad Maddox was on the phone with his mom about his first night on the job. Chris Jericho then walked in dressed for a night out. Jericho mocked Maddox's youthful looks before offering the Triple H "extra medium" shirt joke. Maddox suddenly had a thought. He thinks Jericho can get a shot at the WWE Title by trying to impress John Cena tonight. He suggested Jericho face a former champion like...R-V-D, which popped the crowd. Jericho liked the sound of that. So did the crowd. Jericho said what Maddox is saying is "R-V-D versus Y-2-J tonight on Raw?!" Jericho told him he'll have a great future with decisions like that.

In-ring: World Hvt. champion Alberto Del Rio was introduced to the ring for his re-match against Ziggler. After a pause, Dolph Ziggler was introduced to a loud reaction. Cole noted Ziggler is single again after dumping A.J. earlier in the night.

2 -- World Hvt. champion ALBERTO DEL RIO vs. DOLPH ZIGGLER -- non-title match

The crowd was hot for Ziggler early on, so Ziggler rewarded them with ten consecutive elbow drops to the chest. On commentary, Lawler noted that brings back bad memories for him. (Lawler said on the PWTorch Livecast last month that he attributes Ziggler's elbows to the chest for contributing to his heart attack in September.)

Del Rio took control three minutes in, prompting a "Let's Go Ziggler" chant. Ziggler then avoided a corner attack and clotheslined Del Rio. But, Del Rio quickly back-dropped Ziggler clear over the top rope to the floor. Ziggler sold a knee injury as the ref checked on him leading to a mid-match break.

[Commercial Break at 8:53]

Back from break, Del Rio was controlling the action in the ring. The crowd picked up a pro-Ziggler chant, which Del Rio smirked at. Del Rio then missed with a big kick, but tossed Ziggler into the air. Del Rio wanted to follow with a corner knee smash, but Ziggler launched himself onto Del Rio, spun them around in mid-air, and dropped Del Rio with a DDT. It was only good for a two count, though.

The two men came to their feet at 8:30 trading bombs, but Del Rio won the battle. JBL noted Ziggler doesn't have a lot in the tank tonight. Del Rio taunted Ziggler, then started warming up for the Cross Arm-breaker to boos, but Ziggler countered with a neckbreaker. But, Del Rio kicked out of a pin attempt.

[Q5 -- second hour] At the top of the hour, Ziggler pounded the mat to try to warm himself up, but Del Rio smashed him with a step-up enziguiri for a nearfall. Del Rio again taunted Ziggler, asking him if that's all he's got. Del Rio missed with a corner attack, though, and Dolph answered with a Fameasser. Suddenly, the bell sounded. Ziggler looked over to ringside, where A.J. Lee rang the bell and was glaring into the ring. Dolph yelled at A.J. from inside the ring, then turned around and ate a kick from Del Rio. It was good for the win.

WINNER: Del Rio at 13:03. Del Rio and Ziggler have very good chemistry in the ring now that the roles are aligned with Del Rio as the heel and Ziggler as the face.

Post-match, A.J. Lee stared into the ring as Del Rio celebrated and Ziggler sold being out cold in the ring. Del Rio then left the ring and A.J. entered the ring. A.J. landed a big slap to Ziggler, then kept slapping and punching Dolph while shrieking about Ziggler breaking her heart.

Suddenly, Big E. Langston hit the ring out of nowhere and smashed Ziggler with a power smash, ending their association. A.J. sat down in the corner crying, then Big E. scooped up Ziggler and dropped him with he Big Ending to end Ziggler's night. After finishing off Ziggler, Big E. backed away to let A.J. plant the Kiss of Death on Ziggler. A.J. and Big E. then slowly left the ring to the back as Ziggler recovered.

Still to come: John Cena makes a Summerslam decision.

[Commercial Break at 9:06]

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

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