WWE Raw TV Results
July 29, 2013 - Episode #1,052
Taped 7/23 in Hidalgo, Tex.
Aired on USA Network
Report by James Caldwell (@JCTorch), PWTorch assistant editor

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This week's WWE Raw started with a video package documenting John Cena's decision to pick Daniel Bryan as his opponent for the WWE Title at Summerslam. Unfortunately for D-Bryan, people don't think he deserves the slot. After a recap of Bryan running the gauntlet last week, they showed Mr. McMahon setting up Bryan versus...a friend...Kane tonight on Raw. Plus, Cena vs. Ryback in a tables match tonight.

Inside the unidentified arena, Mr. McMahon's music played to begin the show. McMahon was flanked by Raw GM Brad Maddox. On commentary, Cole noted he is alone with Jerry Lawler tonight on commentary.

In the ring, McMahon growled that they will have some fun tonight. McMahon then handed over the mic to Maddox, who randomly said he would like to apologize for his boneheaded decision to allow Cena to choose his opponent for Summerslam. McMahon then went through the negative adjectives used by Maddox to describe Bryan, including describing a "troll" as a hideous, ugly dwarf. Plus, Brad called Bryan undersized, has psychological problems, and doesn't have the "aura" of a WWE champion. McMahon, sounding forced in his delivery, asked Brad how he really feels.

Before Brad could speak, Bryan's music interrupted to bring out the #1 contender. Bryan hit the ring to loud cheers and said those words came out of the mouth of Brad Maddox, but he believes they were dictated by McMahon. McMahon told Brad to shoo, then told Bryan that he has the audacity to interrupt him. "That is a lack of respect," McMahon said. Bryan said the funny thing is it's a two-way street. Bryan said despite giving everything to WWE for years, McMahon has not given him an ounce of respect.

McMahon spoke over "Yes!" chants asking Bryan if he respects John Cena. Bryan smiled and said he respects Cena as a human being, champion, and that Cena picked him as his opponent at Summerslam. But, what if Cena were lying through his teeth? McMahon claimed that Cena is a master manipulator who didn't mean anything he said picking Bryan. "John Cena is lying to you. John Cena is making you look foolish. Are you a fool?" McMahon asked Bryan. "See, John Cena knows what I know. You can't beat John Cena."

McMahon said Bryan will not even be able to beat Kane tonight because Bryan doesn't have the intangibles or ruthless aggression. He said that's what catapulted Cena to the top. He said Cena doesn't have it anymore, then rhetorically asked Bryan if he can beat Cena. McMahon then said he doesn't want Cena to win at Summerslam because he acts like he owns the joint. But, does he want a half-pint troll to win the WWE Title? "The only way that he sees anyone winning in this is me," McMahon said. McMahon then bent down to get at "Bryan's level" to tell him that what he hopes will happen is they lock up and spontaneously combust. "I'm hoping that I win at Summerslam," McMahon said.

Bryan, having waited out McMahon's speech, said the thing he likes about The Boss is he is always honest with him. "You always tell me what you really think, but in your own words, it doesn't matter what you think," Bryan said. "It matters what theeeeey think." The crowd cheered and Yes!'ed as McMahon sold annoyance. Bryan said it seems like they want a new champion at Summerslam. "And his name is Daniel Bryan," he said. Bryan told McMahon to listen to the fans and take his own advice. Bryan asked the crowd if they want a new WWE champion. (MITB holder Orton teaser?) "Yes!" shouts from the vocal males as McMahon looked around the arena selling concern. Bryan then left the ring shouting, "Yes!" over and over with the crowd as McMahon stood in the ring.

[ JC's Reax: Just a weird McMahon promo. The whole angle is centered on McMahon as the villain as the grumpy old wrestling promoter, but planting seeds of doubt about the character of the top star (Cena) sounded like a bad business decision. ]

Suddenly, The Shield's music played. Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose, and Roman Reigns emerged through the crowd and apparently McMahon bailed during the jump-cut. The trio hit the ringside area as Cole and Lawler talked up their own form of ruthless aggression. Justin Roberts introduced a six-man tag match on the other side of the break.

[Q2] [Commercial Break at 8:15]

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

The early portion of the match built to the big men, Henry and Reigns, coming together for a face-to-face confrontation. Henry got the best of the exchange and set up the Usos to get some offense in. Henry eventually re-entered and went after Ambrose with a big corner splash, but Ambrose moved. Shield tried to double-team Henry, but Henry fought back with a double clothesline to the outside. Henry then pushed Reigns over the top rope, setting up the Usos to double-splash The Shield. Raw cut to break with Henry and the Usos standing tall in the ring.

[Commercial Break at 8:23]

Back from break, The Shield was in control. Despite Raw being pre-taped, WWE had commentary on "Mr. McMahon" trending on Twitter following the opening segment. Actually, "Vince McMahon" is trending right now. As Shield continued to work on the Usos, Cole plugged a "one-time encore" of "Total Divas" airing tonight on USA Network after Raw.

[Q3] Shield continued to control the match before Rollins lost control trash-talking Mark Henry. Henry cleaned house, but did not see a Spear from Reigns coming. Chaos in and out of the ring, then Jimmy Uso tagged in and splashed Ambrose for a close two count. A Samoan Drop wasn't enough, either, so Jimmy climbed to the top turnbuckle for a splash, but Ambrose got his knees up to block. Ambrose followed with his faceplant finisher for the pin and the win.

Post-match, Henry took out his frustrations by knocking around Shield members, clearing Shield to the outside. Shield regrouped on the outside and retreated through the crowd into the arena as Henry angrily stood his ground in the ring.

WINNERS: Shield at 12:20. Solid six-man tag match, followed by Henry standing tall after the match. Fine booking to keep Henry chasing Shield.

Still to come: Cena vs. Ryback in a tables match. WWE then cut to Cole and Lawler on commentary to discuss how "rotten" Ryback is. Cole had footage from earlier today...

Earlier Today: Catering. A room the size of a closet. Normal-looking people standing around collecting their food. Ryback then entered the shot, grabbed a bottle of water, thought he heard someone say something about him, and cornered the man against a wall. "Are you hungry?" Ryback asked him, then destroyed a piece of cake over the man's face. Ryback then pointed to the catering table and said he will put Cena through a table later. Ryback suddenly turned around and chucked the random man through the catering table. Ryback smirked, then walked off. Lawler called it "totally uncalled for" as Raw cut to break.

[Commercial Break at 8:34]

Back from break, Cole & Lawler fed to a long-form video package recapping the Wyatts's introduction on WWE TV over the past few weeks. "Kane, come on home. Follow the buzzards," said Wyatt in the final soundbyte.

Suddenly, Kane returned to WWE TV after being injured by the Wyatts before the MITB PPV. Kane barged into Brad Maddox's office, demanding to know where the Wyatts are. Maddox said he doesn't know where they are, but Kane can send them a message. Brad said Kane can prove he is still a monster and still has the killer instinct by defeating his former tag partner and good friend, Daniel Bryan. The camera zoomed in on Kane selling inner conflict over this assignment.

In-ring: Rob Van Dam was introduced for the next match. As RVD made his entrance, Cole said RVD will "do some dancing" with Fandango next.

[...Q4] [Commercial Break at 8:43. Mid-break, WWE ran a Smackdown plug for RVD appearing on Friday's show.]

[Q4...] Back from break, RVD was shown standing in the ring waiting for Fandango, who was led to the ring by Summer Rae. As FandangoRae made their way to the ring, Cole plugged the new October PPV, Battleground, then discussed RVD's own flexibility to match Fandango's dance moves.

2 -- ROB VAN DAM vs. FANDANGO (w/Summer Rae)

RVD took advantage of some early showboating by back-kicking Fandango in the mouth. Fandango rolled to the outside, so RVD followed up with an aerial attack. Summer Rae yelled at RVD, though, allowing Fandango to gain control of the match back in the ring. Fandango suddenly popped RVD in the mouth with a leaping kick, but airballed a knee drop from the second rope.

RVD made his comeback with trademark offense, then set up Fandango for the Five-Star Frogsplash, but Fandango wisely rolled out of the way to the floor. Summer Rae stood in front of Fandango, then Fandango decided to back away from ringside. Summer helped Fandango to the entrance ramp and RVD secured a count-out victory.

Post-match, Fandango took the mic on-stage, shushed the crowd, and introduced himself as Fahn...dan...goh. His music played as FandangoRae danced on-stage while RVD sold confusion in the ring.

WINNER: RVD via count-out at 4:09. RVD got in his signature offense and picked up a win, while Fandango got his lukewarm heat by walking away from the match and pronouncing his name. Everyone wins, right?

Backstage: A.J. Lee complained to Big E. Langston about letting Kaitlyn act crazy at her expense. A.J. then got happy and said she figured it out. A.J. said E. stands there and watches because he likes watching her do her thing in the ring. A.J. said E. just never knows what she's going to do next, then skipped down the hallway as Big E. sold frustration.

[Commercial Break at 8:55]

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

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