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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Second Hour Raw Results

Back from break two minutes before the top of the hour, Kaitlyn (without Layla by her side) was in the ring ready for Divas action. A.J. Lee's music then brought out the Divas champion flanked by Big E. Langston.

[Q5 -- second hour]

3 -- Divas champion A.J. LEE (w/Big E. Langston) vs. KAITLYN -- non-title match

As the bell sounded, Cole noted a victory for Kaitlyn would help her get a future title shot "down the road." Or, this Friday on Smackdown. A.J. dominated early and often as WWE cut to frequent shots of Big E. watching intently ringside. Kaitlyn then made her comeback and secured a clean pinfall, setting off A.J.

Post-match, after A.J. threw a fit and Big E. tried to console her, Dolph Ziggler interrupted on-stage. Ziggler congratulated A.J. on her loss, then said A.J. can cry on Big E.'s shoulder right now, but Big E. will want to cry on A.J.'s shoulder after he's done with him. In the ring, Big E. shouted at Ziggler to come bring it, so Ziggler marched to the ring as the announcers speculated that the match is actually going to happen. Next.

WINNER: Kaitlyn at 4:55.

Going to break, WWE ran a spot for Week 2 of the Total Divas McMahon Vanity Project airing next Sunday on E!

[Commercial Break at 9:06]

4 -- DOLPH ZIGGLER vs. BIG E. LANGSTON (w/A.J. Lee)

The bell sounded immediately back from break. Ziggler decided to use his speed to avoid Big E.'s power by running in and out of the ring, but Big E. slowed down Dolph with a big power move back in the ring. For supposedly being a grudge match where Dolph wants revenge on Big E., who turned on him, that's a horrible way for a babyface to start a match when he should want to show fight, not run away and get squashed.

Big E. continued to pound away on Ziggler in-between taunts of "Your time is up." As Ziggler continued to take a beating, Cole noted Alberto Del Rio will be allowed to pick his Summerslam opponent Friday night on Smackdown. Ziggler teased a comeback, then side-stepped Big E., who went flying over the top rope to the outside. Suddenly, A.J. jumped in the ring and attacked Ziggler, causing a DQ.

[Q6] Post-match, A.J. tried to pull out Dolph's hair, but Dolph escaped to the outside. "Are you kidding me?!" Ziggler shouted from the outside. In the ring, A.J. cried and sold inner turmoil before Big E. entered the ring to complain about A.J. costing him the match. Ziggler was announced as the winner as A.J. cried crazy tears. Ziggler suddenly re-entered the ring and surprised Langston with a Zig-Zag before quickly leaving the ring. A.J. then got a determined, angered look on her face.

WINNER: Ziggler via DQ at 5:21. Ziggler's character is a complete mess in the face role. On the mic. In the ring. Being a face is like the 15th best thing he does.

Locker Room: John Cena was on the phone. Daniel Bryan then walked in and asked Cena if it's true what McMahon said about Cena lying through his teeth. Cena said Bryan can't be serious since McMahon is a classic promoter who preys on human emotions to sell tickets. Bryan said good or bad, McMahon has always told him the truth. Cena got serious and asked if Bryan is calling him a liar. Bryan didn't answer. Cena walked off. Bryan sold a lack of trust for Cena as Raw cut to break.

[Commercial Break at 9:18]

In-ring: Christian was introduced for the next match as Cole noted that JBL is not at Raw because he is preparing for his next mountain-climbing event in Europe. World champion Alberto Del Rio was then introduced as Christian's opponent; whatever happened to advance-promoting the World Hvt. champion in singles action on Raw?

5 -- World Hvt. champion ALBERTO DEL RIO vs. CHRISTIAN -- non-title match

Del Rio and Christian traded control as the announcers discussed whether Del Rio should pick Christian if Christian beats him. Lawler, the face color commentator, said that if he were in the same position, he doesn't think he would pick someone who just beat him. That's a cowardly position reserved for a heel like Del Rio, but if you're the face, wouldn't you want to a second shot to fight and prove that you're better than the man who just defeated you? The match suddenly moved to the floor, where Del Rio smashed Christian shoulder-first into the ring steps. The announcers sold concern over Christian's arm heading to break.

[Q7] [Commercial Break at 9:30]

Back from break, Del Rio continued to target Christian's injured shoulder, including a leg drop from the second rope. As Del Rio worked on Christian, Cole noted the World champ's Lucha Libre background before joining WWE. Christian suddenly responded with a Tornado DDT, then used one good arm to make a cover for a nearfall.

At 10:00, Del Rio begged off, suckering in Christian, but Christian responded with a sunset flip pin attempt for a nearfall. Del Rio then nailed a clothesline before a portion of the predominantly-Hispanic Laredo crowd chanted, "Mexico." Del Rio acknowledged the chant with a subtle smile, but the announcers no-sold since WWE has not identified the city where Raw is taking place tonight.

At 12:30, Del Rio missed with a corner attack, allowing Christian to set up for the Spear. But, Del Rio rolled to the floor to avoid Christian. Christian tried to follow up, but Del Rio suckered him back into the ring to deliver a sidekick for a nearfall. Del Rio then tried the Cross Arm-breaker, but Christian managed to reverse momentum and quickly pin Del Rio for a three count.

Post-match, Christian jogged out of the ring to recover while selling the effects of the arm injury. In the ring, Del Rio threw a fit after losing to Christian.

WINNER: Christian at 13:45. Basic, hard-working TV match. Fine set-up for what's to follow on Smackdown building to Summerslam.

Raw Last Monday: Daniel Bryan ran the gauntlet, picking up three victories over Jack Swagger (submission), Antonio Cesaro (pinfall), and Ryback (via DQ), respectively. John Cena then saved Ryback from more post-match damage at the hands of Ryback.

Still to come: Cena vs. Ryback in a tables match.

DVD Plug: On the way to break, WWE aired an in-your-face ECW highlight package, including mid-1990s ECW clips showing how Eastern Championship Wrestling became ECW. Very captivating highlight package accentuating the strengths and hiding the weaknesses. The plug was for the new ECW DVD out tomorrow.

[Commercial Break at 9:41]

[Q8] Back from break, Wade Barrett was in the ring doing his thing. Cody Rhodes was then introduced as his opponent. Before the match, Cole introduced a Smackdown video package on Rhodes thefting Damien Sandow's MITB briefcase, hiding it from Damien Sandow, and then tossing the case in the Gulf of Mexico, which Sandow tried to fetch at the end of the show.

6 -- CODY RHODES vs. WADE BARRETT

As the match started, Cole suggested that Sandow's MITB briefcase is still floating around in the Gulf of Mexico. Barrett clotheslined Rhodes over the top rope to the outside while Lawler attempted a long-form joke about learning how to swim that Cole stepped all over. Back in the ring, Barrett dominated as Cole hyped Cody's ongoing duel with JBL on the "JBL & Cole Show."

Rhodes suddenly answered Barrett with a moonsault, but Rhodes sold injuring himself on the way down. Both men came to their feet and traded bombs before Cody delivered a hard running knee to the face for a nearfall. Rhodes then reversed a pumphandle slam into Cross Rhodes for the pin and the win.

Post-match: Damien Sandow suddenly emerged on-stage cursing Cody's name. Sandow said he has already filed a complaint with WWE management about Cody tossing his MITB briefcase in the Gulf of Mexico, then recapped how he tried to enlighten Rhodes, while Cody just wanted to grow a mustache. Sandow said he comes from a family of scholars, while Rhodes comes from a family of...clowns (not plumbers). Sandow said Cody should return to his carny folks.

WINNER: Rhodes at 4:23. Basic house show match setting up another fantastic Sandow heel promo on the mic. They keep trying to build layers for Rhodes to make a valiant, heroic comeback, but there's no substance to what Rhodes stands for in the face role. This is across the board in WWE right now.

Backstage: Kane and D-Bryan were shown on a split screen walking down the hallway. They're at the top of the third hour.

[Commercial Break at 9:55]

[ JC's Reax: So far, a lot of basic, maintenance-level action tonight. It feels like one of those taped Raws where WWE has thrown a lot of wrestling on the show to not give away any hot angles on a taped show. ]

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

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