WWE Raw TV Results
August 5, 2013 - Episode #1,053
Live in Green Basy, Wis.
Aired on USA Network
Report by James Caldwell (@JCTorch), PWTorch assistant editor

Second Hour Raw Results

Back live on Raw two minutes before the top of the hour, the Bella Twins talked about their starring role on "Total Divas." Brie and Nikki took digs at each other, then decided they were both the stars of the show. Eva Marie walked in and the Bellas ran her down before Natalya walked in and slapped Brie. Nikki held her back and said they will handle things their way.

John Cena Promo Response To D-Bryan

[Q5 -- second hour] At the top of the hour, John Cena's music played to bring out the WWE champion to a mix of boos and cheers. Once in the ring, Cena basically said he always has a target on his back, but usually it's from a bad man. This time, it's a fan favorite standing opposite him.

Cena, with a stern tone accompanying his speech, said he's been listening to the crowd and they like Bryan. Cena said he also chose Bryan. He then called some of Bryan's comments ignorant running him down. Cena told Bryan he sounds like The Rock and C.M. Punk, noting that people might not like him or his style, but he doesn't change for anyone. Cena then shouted into the mic that Bryan wants to glorify wrestling in a gym, because that's where Bryan is more comfortable and where he would much rather be. The crowd responded with light "ooohs."

Cena said Bryan is right that if he got fired tomorrow, he would never wrestle another match. Because he would never tarnish WWE or the title. Cena said Bryan keeps looking to his past and glorifying his past, but that's like saying he was the All-Star of the Arena Football League.

Cena shifted the discussion to Bryan saying he can't wrestle. Cena said he wouldn't be 11-time champion if he could not wrestle, then tried to guide the crowd into an anti-Cena chant, but they responded with quietness. Cena said if the people at home can't hear the crowd, they're chanting, "You can't wrestle." As Cena continued, the crowd stopped him with a "boring" chant. Cena showed skills owning the chant by saying it appears the crowd wants to see them wrestle at Summerslam. The crowd cheered, then chanted, "Yes!"

Cena got to the ending that the crowd can pick whoever they want at Summerslam, but the bottom line is his time is now and the Champ is here. Lawler said he didn't think the "vocal minority" could get under Cena's skin as Randy Orton's music suddenly played.

Orton, with MITB briefcase in-hand, marched down to the ring with eyes locked on Cena, who stood his ground in the ring. Orton then entered the ring and said Cena is too busy focused on the target on his back when he should be focused on the target staring him in the face. Orton said he doesn't care who wins at Summerslam because this contract guarantees he will be WWE champion.

Orton said this could happen at Summerslam, the night after Summerslam, or at WrestleMania. Orton held up the briefcase and said the point he's trying to make is "The Champ Is Here." Suddenly, The Shield's music played. Shield came through the crowd and circled the ring as Cena and Orton stood tall in the ring. Suddenly, Daniel Bryan charged the ring dressed to wrestle. Cena backed away as Bryan and Orton paced the ring.

Raw GM Brad Maddox then showed up and called for calmness. Maddox said he has a little idea since no one seems to be getting along tonight. He then booked a six-man tag match in the main event: Shield vs. Orton, Bryan, and Cena. The camera then focused on the babyface trio selling uneasiness in the ring.

[ JC's Reax: Cena seemed to be out of his comfort zone trying to deliver an "edgy" promo on another babyface, leading to a tough promo, but also one of his best saves turning the "boring" chants into getting the crowd fired up for Cena-Bryan at Summerslam. Overall, the Creative for the Cena-Bryan build-up has been inconsistent - WWE seems so focused on "elevating the promotion" and battling "vocal" wrestling fans that they've gotten away from the basic deal of Fan Favorite vs. Fan Favorite, pay to see who comes out on top. In the process, Cena's character is being hurt living in this environment, as the message he is trying to deliver to his fanbase seems to be lost in the fluff. ]

[Commercial Break at 9:11]

[Q6] Back live on Raw, Tons of Funk were dancing in the ring. Suddenly, the "feed cut out" to the Wyatts's intro vignette. Bray Wyatt led his henchmen down to the ring, then sat down on his rocking chair as Luke Harper and Erick Rowan hit the ring.

3 -- WYATTS (LUKE HARPER & ERICK ROWAN w/Bray Wyatt) vs. TONS OF FUNK (TENSAI & BRODYS CLAY)

Harper and Tensai battled center-ring to begin the match. All four men found themselves in the ring moments later as the ref lost control of this ordeal. Rowan then delivered a big splash to Clay for the pin and the win less than 90 seconds into the match.

WINNERS: Wyatts at 1:20. Basic set-up for an apparent Kane vs. Bray match at Summerslam...

Post-match, Bray Wyatt stood up from his rocking chair and entered the ring. Bray readied himself, then scooped up Clay and delivered his spinning facebuster finisher. Bray called for Clay to be dragged to the middle of the ring, then Bray delivered another message to Kane. "Kaaaaaaaane," Bray said. "Follow the buzzards." Bray extended his arms, then the video feed cut out.

Suddenly, Kane's pyro shot off, freaking out Bray and his men in the ring. Kane appeared on the Titantron. He said he does not condemn Bray's intentions, but he sees through Bray's cryptic words. Kane said he enjoys doing what Bray does, but he does what he does for his own personal amusement.

At Summerslam, Kane vowed to make Bray find out why he is the devil's favorite demon. He said no one does the devil's work better than he does. Kane said Bray's family won't be able to save him at Summerslam. "No one will be able to save you from inside a ring of fire," Kane dramatically said. The ring then light up with Kane's pyro, prompting Bray to drop down to the mat and soak up the pyro. Raw suddenly cut to break.

[Commercial Break at 9:22]

Backstage: Back from break, Josh Mathews was smiling for the camera. To his left was C.M. Punk, who was not smiling. Mathews asked Punk about facing Curtis Axel tonight. Punk changed the subject to Axel's father (Mr. Perfect) and Bobby Heenan. Punk said Axel's dad still had a mind of his own when Heenan managed him, but Axel has so much blind loyalty to Paul Heyman that he's going to take a beating tonight. Punk then reminded Heyman of his vow to tear him down. Next, Punk was asked about facing Brock Lesnar at Summerslam. Punk said if Lesnar loses at Summerslam, then Heyman loses everything.

[Q7]

4 -- KAITLYN vs. LAYLA

Back in the arena, Kaitlyn was standing by for singles action. After a replay of Layla turning on Kaitlyn to help A.J. Lee retain the Divas Title on Smackdown, Layla came to the ring. In an inset promo, Layla said she did what she did because she wants attention. She said all eyes need to be on her. In the ring, Kaitlyn blasted Layla to begin the match.

When Layla was in trouble, A.J. Lee suddenly skipped down to the ring. The distraction allowed Layla to pin Kaitlyn, further embarrassing Kaitlyn. After the match, Layla and A.J. skipped away from ringside to taunt Kaitlyn.

WINNER: Layla at 3:03.

Still to come: Dolph Ziggler vs. Big E. Langston.

[Commercial Break at 9:34]

Back from break, the announcers were shown on-camera. They discussed the Sandow-Rhodes events earlier in the night when Cody took Sandow's World Title MITB contract paperwork. So, it's Rhodes vs. Sandow in two Sundays at Summerslam.

Back live, the #1 contender to the World Title, Christian, was in the ring without an entrance. Also already in the ring were 3MB members. Suddenly, the bell sounded for Heath Slater to face Christian.

5 -- CHRISTIAN vs. HEATH SLATER (w/Jinder Mahal and Drew McIntyre)

Christian scored an early nearfall with a missile dropkick, then he punched at Slater's gut before back-dropping him to center-ring. Slater continued to escape pin attempts before shoving Christian into the bottom turnbuckle. Slater was slow to follow up, allowing Christian to smash him with a spear center-ring. Christian scored the pin for the win.

Post-match, Christian left the ring as 3MB threw a fit in the ring. On-stage, Christian did the belt-around-the-waist motion as the announcers discussed Christian building momentum toward Summerslam.

WINNER: Christian at 3:14.

Backstage: C.M. Punk was shown walking down the hallway with his arms folded. Punk faces Curtis Axel next.

This Friday on Smackdown: Del Rio-Christian hype continues.

[Q8] [Commercial Break at 9:45]

WM30 Plug: One of the first vignettes for WM30 in New Orleans focused on a guy trying to hitch-hike to the event. The plug was for travel packages being made available next Monday.

In-ring: Cult of Personality played to bring out C.M. Punk on-stage for singles action. After Punk entered the ring, the lights went down for Curtis Axel's dramatic ring introduction. Axel, flanked by Paul Heyman, bounced onto the stage, but Punk didn't want to wait for Axel, so he charged the entrance ramp. Punk's attack on Axel sent Heyman scurrying, then the brawl continued ringside before entering the ring. Ref Mike Chioda ensured a fair start before calling for the bell.

6 -- C.M. PUNK vs. IC champion CURTIS AXEL -- non-title match

Axel got the upperhand momentarily, but Punk came back with a leg sweep to begin targeting the left knee. Punk followed with a clothesline over the top rope before measuring Axel for a suicide dive through the middle ropes. Cole said Punk is on-fire as Raw cut to break to the sound of a loud "C-M-Punk" chant.

[Commercial Break at 9:53]

Back from break four minutes before the top of the hour, Axel was in control of the match. Axel taunted Punk: "I'm the best in the world! You're nothing!" as Cole described Heyman as a weasel, continuing the Bobby Heenan references tonight. On cue, Heyman slowly walked out on-stage, then slowly walked down to ringside as Axel retained control. Punk spotted Heyman ringside, which fired up Punk to make a comeback.

Punk broke free of Axel, then tried to crawl toward Heyman, who backed away ringside. Axel cut off Punk each time Punk tried to get his hands on Heyman, then Axel smashed Punk with a knock-down clothesline on the outside. Back in the ring, Axel covered Punk for a nearfall.

[Q9 -- third hour] At the top of the hour, Punk made his comeback before climbing to the top turnbuckle. Punk wanted a top-rope move, but Axel popped to his feet and crotched Punk. Axel followed with his running neckbreaker move, but Punk escaped a pin attempt. Axel tried to follow up, but Punk stood up and kicked him near the head. Axel sold major pain, then Punk suddenly grabbed Heyman. Apparently this was good for a DQ, as the bell sounded.

WINNER: No Decision Announced/DQ win for Axel at 10:21.

Post-match, Brock Lesnar's music played immediately after the bell sounded. Lesnar bounced down to the ring to confront Punk, but Axel yanked Punk to the outside. Punk reversed momentum and gave Axel the GTS . Lesnar then tried to attack Punk, setting off a wild brawl ringside. Punk won momentum as Cole shouted, "Punk's in this thing! Lesnar's reeling!" Punk then flew off the announce table to smash Lesnar with a flying attack. "The Beast is down!" Cole shouted. Punk tried to follow up, but Lesnar grappled Punk like a bear, then flipped him overhead with a big overhead suplex.

Lesnar smirked and dragged Punk into the ring to end Punk, but Punk escaped and slammed a chair across Lesnar's back. Heyman realized his predicament as Punk stared him down, but Lesnar blindsided Punk before he could get his hands on Heyman. Lesnar then dropped Punk with an F5 center-ring. Heyman wasn't done, as he demanded that Lesnar hurt Punk. Lesnar followed with chair shots to the back before standing tall over Punk. To close the segment, Lesnar walked out of the ring as Cole emphasized Punk being in this fight before Lesnar used an equalizer to stand tall tonight.

[ JC's Reax: Well-done. For the average viewer to take Punk seriously as a threat to Lesnar, they needed to show Punk at Lesnar's level, physically, complete with Cole emphasizing Punk "in this fight." But, Lesnar still stood tall at the end in a heelish way to keep Lesnar relatively strong and keep building Punk's quest for revenge. ]

[Commercial Break at 10:05]

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

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