WWE Raw TV Results
August 19, 2013 - Episode #1,055
Live in Anaheim, Calif.
Aired on USA Network
Report by James Caldwell (@JCTorch), PWTorch assistant editor

WWE Raw following Summerslam opened with a video package highlighting the top Summerslam matches. First, C.M. Punk vs. Brock Lesnar, specifically Paul Heyman saving Lesnar over and over before Lesnar won. Then, John Cena vs. Daniel Bryan for the WWE Title, specifically Bryan's knee to the head giving him the WWE Title. And then the celebration was cut short when Randy Orton interrupted, special ref Triple H turned on Bryan, and Orton became WWE champion.

Live in the arena, John Cena's music played to begin the show. Loud boos and cheers as Cena bounced out on-stage with a smile on his face. Perhaps not the right tone after what happened at the end of Summerslam. Cena bounced to the ring still smiling, then he hit the ring and surveyed the crowd.

Cena said it's early on the West Coast, but the fans are rowdy tonight. He said he agrees with everyone that he is disgusted by what happened last night at Summerslam. The crowd didn't bite, instead chanting, "Cena Sucks." Cena thanked Anaheim for the welcome before continuing that when he was WWE champion (boos), time and time again he said that the next person who holds the title will earn it. "And Daniel Bryan earned it," he said. This generated loud "Yes!" chants.

Cena said he wants to publicly thank Bryan for bringing out the best in him. Cena took off his cap and said a WWE Superstar should not be judged by race or creed, but what they do in the ring. And Bryan proved himself last night. Cena said he competed hard last night even when he was told not to. Cena held up his messed-up left elbow and said this giant ball of fluid on his elbow was the result of a torn triceps. He said doctors wanted him to get surgery and cancel the title match at Summerslam. Cena said he refused. He clarified he's not using this as an excuse because he was defeated by a better man in a clean fight. "That's all I wanted. I wanted a clean fight," Cena said.

Then, when he was backstage in the trainer's room, someone came in and told him that Triple H just handed the WWE Title to Randy Orton. Cena said he was offended and disgraced. He said he cannot hold off his surgery any longer. "Tonight, I leave the WWE," Cena said, popping the crowd. "Yes!" chants drew a smile from Cena, who said he's going to miss all this.

Cena said he's going to be out 4-6 months. Before he leaves, though, he wants to recognize this man who has earned his respect and all of their respect. "WWE Universe, I give to you...Daniel Bryan," Cena said.

Bryan emerged on-stage to a thunderous reaction and loud "Yes!" chants. Bryan solemnly waved to the crowd as Michael Cole described a heart-breaking evening for Bryan last night. Bryan eventually entered the ring and shook hands with Cena, who handed him the mic and left the ring. After Cena disappeared, Bryan stood center-ring contemplating the situation as the crowd chanted, "Yes!" Next was a loud "Daniel Bryan!" chant.

Before Bryan could speak, though, Stephanie McMahon's music interrupted. Stephanie walked out on-stage with a firm look on her face. Steph entered the ring as Bryan tried to sort out her role in Triple H's screwjob last night. Once in the ring, Stephanie said she's sorry over boos. Steph insincerely said Bryan had such a hard-fought victory last night and he deserves the title after winning clean over Cena. Steph said she hopes Bryan understands that her husband, Triple H (boos), was just doing what was best for business.

"Best for business?" Bryan asked. The crowd chanted, "No!" Bryan said it seems like some people have a disagreement with what's best for business. Bryan said he expects that from Stephanie and her father, but he expected something different from the renegade and rebel, Triple H. But now he's wearing a suit, has a corporate haircut, and when you lie down with trash (pointed to Steph), sooner or later you start to stink. "Yes!" chants from the crowd. Steph rolled her eyes, then continued.

Stephanie calmly said Bryan is clearly upset, so she's going to let that slide. Bryan exclaimed, "Three cheers for Stephanie, she's going to let it slide! Oh, that's great!" He asked what Steph is going to do because he will go back to wrestling in armories because he is not afraid of being fired. "Wait! Before I leave, I am going to get my money's worth," Bryan said. He said he doesn't care of it's her snake husband or Orton because he will really give Stephanie a reason to fire him.

Steph replied that Bryan is all worked up and his Anger Management issues are clearly an issue right now. Stephanie said Bryan is clearly very talented and a fabric of WWE, so she needs to manage Bryan's expectations. She said not everyone can be the Face of WWE and WWE Championship material. Steph looked down at Bryan's size and facial features, then said the audience clearly loves Bryan. "You have a place here," Steph said. "You might not be an A, but a solid B-plus."

Bryan looked down at the mat to contemplate his reply, then said Steph is reminding him of a word that starts with the letter "b" right now. Steph rolled her eyes, then Bryan continued that he knows Stephanie is out here to rationalize Hunter's behavior, but he doesn't have to accept it. Bryan said he doesn't have to just move on and be in the middle of the card because he can be WWE champion. "And I don't care what you think!"

[Q2] Steph began to tell Bryan to calm down, but Bryan slapped the mic out of Stephanie's hand. Stephanie asked for another mic, then re-addressed Bryan that he needs to calm down. "No!" chants. Stephanie said she refused to be intimidated by "the likes of you." She then called for security. Out came indy guys dressed as security. Stephanie told Bryan that this is the result of his actions and he has no one to blame but himself.

Bryan contemplated his move, then walked out of the ring. Half-way up the ramp, Bryan turned around and shouted, "No!" toward Stephanie. Once Bryan left, the crowd booed Stephanie and Raw abruptly cut to break.

[Commercial Break at 8:18]

1 -- CODY RHODES vs. DAMIEN SANDOW

Back from break, Rhodes and Sandow were already in the ring. After a quick recap of Rhodes beating Sandow last night at Summerslam, the PPV re-match began. As the match started, the announcers recapped the opening segment's events with Cena and Bryan-Stephanie. Sandow and Rhodes went back and forth before Raw cut to break 3:30 into the match.

[Commercial Break at 8:26]

[Q3] Back from a long break, the match was still in-progress with Sandow working on a reverse chinlock. Rhodes broke free, but Sandow cut him off and dropped the Elbow of Disdain for a nearfall. On commentary, Jerry Lawler shouted out to Mr. Belding sitting ringside, noting that Sandow tried to correct Mr. Belding's "Saved By The Bell" teaching principles.

Rhodes suddenly busted out a moonsault to knock down Sandow. Rhodes then back-dropped Sandow and teased Cross Rhodes, but Sandow ducked underneath and dropped Rhodes to the mat for a nearfall. Rhodes came back with the Disaster Kick, then Sandow slipped out of the ring to get a breather. Back in the ring, Sandow whipped Rhodes into the corner, but Rhodes floated over him into a sunset flip pin for a three count.

Post-match, the announcers said perhaps Rhodes really should be #1 contender to the World Title after two straight victories over World Title MITB holder Sandow. Rhodes celebrated on his way out as Sandow sold disgust in the ring.

WINNER: Rhodes at 10:31.

Backstage: Raw GM Brad Maddox was standing by. Looking like a corporate puppet, Maddox spoke directly into the camera that after Summerslam last night, the following individuals made the following comments. Included was Dolph Ziggler dogging Triple H. Maddox spoke corporately that he would like to give Ziggler the chance to "show off" tonight in a handicap match against... The Shield. No follow-up yet to Big Show wanting to punch out Triple H in the same set of post-Summerslam interviews.

Backstage: Paul Heyman was shown walking down the hallway with his arm in a sling. Heyman speaks next.

[Commercial Break at 8:34]

Paul Heyman Promo

Back live in the arena, Paul Heyman was standing by with his arm in a sling. Heyman sneered at the booing fans before speaking that last night at Summerslam, C.M. Punk was defeated by Brrrrock Lesssnar. Boos. So, tonight, he is going to give everyone a life lesson. He said that just like all rebellious children, Punk had to fly away from the nest to prove his worth. But, he will be the first one to admit that Punk gave Brock all he could handle.

So, where do they go from now? Heyman said it's time to end this Family Feud. Because he has been far more of a Father Figure than the guy who sired Punk in Chicago. And, after Brother Brock slapped some sense into Punk last night, he has realized that it's time for forgiveness. "C.M. Punk, I forgive you," he said, drawing boos. Heyman told Punk not to listen to the crowd, but to him. Heyman told Punk to simply apologize to him and they will return to their quest to achieve heights even greater than before. "Because C.M. Punk, I still love you," Heyman said. Heyman vowed to guide Punk back to the WWE Title and the Main Event of WrestleMania. "Together, together, together, together, C.M. Punk, WE will be the Best in the World," he said.

Heyman placed the mic on the mat and winced in pain before leaving the ring as Lawler called it a bunch of bull. No interruption from Punk.

Backstage: The Bella Twins kicked Cameron and Naomi's pom-poms before sarcastically wishing them good luck in the ring because they're representing Total Divas. After everyone acted like middle-schoolers, Cameron calmed down Naomi before re-focusing on their upcoming match.

Still to come: Randy Orton's WWE Title Coronation. The graphic showed Triple H joining Orton for the event.

[Commercial Break at 8:43] [...Q4]

[...Q4] Back from break, Tons of Funk's music played to bring out Cameron and Naomi for tag action. Layla's music then played to bring out Layla by herself. Next out was Divas champion A.J. Lee to join Layla.

2 -- CAMERON & NAOMI vs. Divas champion A.J. LEE & LAYLA

Before the bell sounded, JBL pitched a show idea, "Total Announcers." Also before the bell, the heel Divas attacked Cameron and Naomi to try to get an unfair advantage. Referee Marc Harris, who was ref for the botched mixed tag last week, restored order before calling for the bell. A.J. dominated, then Layla tagged in and suddenly got rolled up. Layla freaked out over the loss as Cameron and Naomi celebrated on the way out of the ring.

WINNERS: Cameron & Naomi at 2:17.

Backstage: Dolph Ziggler was shown walking down the hallway trying to sell confidence facing a three-on-one situation up next.

[Commercial Break at 8:53]

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

Alerts: Follow PWTorch staffer's live, real-time tweets during Raw at Twitter.com/PWTorch/torch-staff .

We welcome your 0-10 score and comments on this show for a "Raw Reax" feature in the Torch Feedback section of PWTorch.com. To contribute your thoughts on Raw, email to pwtorch@gmail.com .

We suggest these recent related articles...

CALDWELL'S WWE RAW RESULTS 10/5: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live Raw - Lesnar returns, Cena's Open Challenge, more

CALDWELL'S WWE RAW RESULTS 9/28: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live Raw - John Cena's Open Challenge, Paul Heyman, Reigns vs. Wyatt main event, MizTV, more

CALDWELL'S WWE RAW RESULTS 9/21: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live Raw - Night of Champions fall-out, Cena vs. Rollins U.S. Title re-match, Bizzaro Kane, more