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

Second Hour of Raw Results

Raw returned three minutes before the top of the hour with a look back to "Earlier Tonight" when John Cena announced that he is leaving WWE for 4-6 months to have surgery on his injured triceps. Then, WWE flashed back to Stephanie McMahon's fake apology to Daniel Bryan for Triple H's actions at Summerslam last night.

Back live in the arena, Dolph Ziggler's music played to bring out Ziggler for handicap match action. Ziggler confidently strutted to the ring, drawing questions from Lawler about why he is so confident right now when he's facing a three-on-one situation. Also on commentary, Cole slipped that Triple H is speaking through Maddox, who booked the handicap match.

The Shield's music then played to bring out Dean Ambrose from one side of the arena, then tag champions Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns from the other side of the arena. As Shield assembled in the ring, Ziggler sold concern with this situation. Meanwhile, JBL said Ziggler shouldn't have opened his mouth or he wouldn't be in this position. Cole replied that WWE preaches Freedom of Speech, but only when it fits with management's view.

[Q5 -- second hour]

3 -- DOLPH ZIGGLER vs. THE SHIELD (U.S. champion DEAN AMBROSE & WWE tag champions SETH ROLLINS & ROMAN REIGNS) -- three-on-one handicap match

Ziggler started by taking down Ambrose, who reached the heel corner to tag in Rollins. Ziggler kicked and stomped Rollins, but Rollins responded with a hard dropkick. Reigns then KO'ed Ziggler with a clothesline from the ring apron. On commentary, the announcers debated whether they will have to change their commentary with Triple H asserting himself in this manner as COO. JBL took Hunter's side that he did what he felt was best for business, while Lawler said he thought Stephanie was firmly in D-Bryan's corner before Summerslam. Then, Cole defended D-Bryan that Triple H is the reason why Orton was able to opportunistically cash in MITB to become WWE champion, going against the spirit of the MITB cash-in.

Ziggler made a comeback five minutes in and nearly scored a quick pin to upset The Shield, but Shield's numbers quickly caught up with Ziggler. Ziggler knocked Rollins to the floor, Rollins sold a leg injury, then Ziggler turned around to charge Reigns, but Reigns destroyed him with a mid-air spear, completely flipping Ziggler's momentum. Ziggler took a great bump selling the spear, then Reigns pinned Ziggler for the win.

Post-match, Rollins hobbled into the ring and helped Ambrose and Reigns set up for a triple powerbomb to Ziggler. Shield stood tall over Ziggler as Rollins continued to shake his leg to try to get some feeling back into the limb. No sign of RVD, Big Show, or Mark Henry to go after Shield, who left through the crowd.

WINNERS: Shield at 6:05. Another way to build heat on the heel management reps (Triple H, Stephanie, and Brad Maddox) by placing the sympathetic faces (Bryan, Ziggler) in unfair situations. When the faces "make their comeback," it should be a big deal.

Still to come: Randy Orton's WWE Title Coronation.

[Commercial Break at 9:08]

Coming back from break, WWE ran the "WWE 2K14" video game ad focusing on The Undertaker in the video game.

Back live in the arena, Alberto Del Rio's music played to bring out the World Hvt. champion. No promo. Justin Roberts announced Del Rio for match action as Del Rio flipped his scarf into the crowd. The camera picked up a facial shot of Del Rio's busted-up face, which the announcers attributed to his match against Christian last night (as opposed to his bar fight Saturday night).

Sin Cara was then randomly introduced as Del Rio's opponent. Lawler said they haven't seen him in a while. "We still haven't; he wears a mask," JBL replied.

[Q6]

4 -- World Hvt. champion ALBERTO DEL RIO vs. SIN CARA -- non-title match

The bell sounded. No mood lighting for Cara, but Cole noted Del Rio has requested Mexican flags in the corner for each of his matches going forward. Suddenly, Cara knocked Del Rio to the floor, then tried a flying dive, which he connected with. Sin Cara immediately clutched his wrists and waved to the referee. The ref came over and did the "X" signal, then the ringside doctor came over and checked on Cara. The ref eventually called for the bell, ending the match.

WINNER: Del Rio at 0:52 via ref stoppage.

Post-match: Alberto Del Rio took the mic as Cara was helped away from the ringside area. Del Rio said he is a hero to the Latino community, then Ricardo Rodriguez suddenly interrupted on-stage. Ricardo said he is no hero. Ricardo said he is proud to not have to stand next to Del Rio anymore, but now represents someone new who will stand for the people. "Rob...Van...Dam!" he exclaimed. As the announcers tried to make sense of this, RVD came out on-stage and stood next to Ricardo. JBL accused Ricardo of being a traitor.

RVD marched down to the ring and knocked down Del Rio, who tried to fight back. RVD then teased a Five-Star Frogsplash, but Del Rio bailed from the ring. Del Rio recovered on the stage as RVD reminded Del Rio who he is as Ricardo stood behind him.

Still to come tonight: C.M. Punk responds to Paul Heyman's promo earlier in the show.

[Commercial Break at 9:22]

Back from break, the Real Americans were in the ring with Zeb Colter. Once their music stopped, Colter took the mic and said WWE has been the topic of some headlines across the country lately. Here's a headline: The Real Americans, Jack Swagger and Antonio Cesaro. Colter said they should be celebrated for their courage and conviction because they represent what is pure in this country, unlike the people who live in this cesspool of a town.

Colter said he's kind of embarrassed to live in this country when he goes to an amusement park (Disneyland) and stands in line behind Illegal Immigrants using a debit card that was paid for by his tax dollars. Colter said it's not the Happiest Place on Earth. Colter then asked the crowd to stand to their feet and say along with them: "We The People," which fans joined in with.

Prime Time Players's music then played to bring out Titus O'Neil and Darren Young. Apparently they're in the face role tonight. WWE showed fans dancing in the crowd as the Players hit the ring and Cole noted tag teams in WWE are jockeying for position to get a Tag Title shot.

5 -- REAL AMERICANS (JACK SWAGGER & ANTONIO CESARO w/Zeb Colter) vs. PRIME TIME PLAYERS (TITUS O'NEIL & DARREN YOUNG)

Antonio Cesaro quickly targeted D-Young, who fought back and tagged in Titus. Titus wore down Swagger as the announcers noted the Players's potential needs to translate into victories. Cesaro then tagged in and suplexed Titus for a nearfall. The Real Americans continued to work on Titus as Colter shouted instructions from ringside.

[Q7] Titus finally broke free on Swagger, prompting D-Young to get a rally clap going. Young hot-tagged into the match and clotheslined Cesaro before suplexing him across the ring. Young shouted to the crowd that this is his house, then he delivered a Northern Lights Suplex with a bridge that Swagger broke up. Chaos as all four men entered the ring.

Once the chaos settled down, Young delivered a gutbuster across his knees on Cesaro for the pin and the win. On commentary, the announcers said the Players might finally start to realize their potential. WWE showed Titus and D-Young celebrating in the ring before WWE cut backstage.

WINNERS: Prime Time Players at 4:48.

Backstage: Renee Young brought in Big Show, who was dressed to wrestle. Renee asked Show about potentially pairing with Mark Henry to challenge The Shield for the Tag Titles. Show said that is true, then Brad Maddox interrupted. Maddox shoo'ed Renee, then noted Show recently made some disparaging remarks about Triple H. Show stood by his comments, then Maddox corporately noted that he would like to see Show express himself differently...in a handicap match against The Shield. Maddox told Show that the catch is Shield is allowed to be in the ring at the same time. Show smirked and leaned down to Maddox: "Are you sure you want to do that to The Shield?" The crowd popped as Show confidently walked off.

[Commercial Break at 9:35]

Locker Room: Zack Ryder and Justin Gabriel were standing by with a referee. Rather, a Foot Locker guy. The Foot Locker guy hyped some sort of promotional deal, then Fandango's music interrupted. Fandango and Summer Rae danced into the scene, then Fandango surveyed the sneakers. "But, can I daaance in them?" Fandango asked. The Foot Locker guy approved, then Fandango corrected him on his name. WWE went to a close-up on the Foot Locker products. Was there some sort of hidden message here that Ryder is going to end up selling shoes at Foot Locker?

Summerslam Video: WWE re-aired the opening video from Raw, which documented Brock beating Punk with Heyman's help, Daniel Bryan beating Cena to become WWE champion, and Triple H screwing over Bryan to allow Orton to become WWE champion.

Locker Room: Some independent-looking guys were taping up, then Ryback barged in. Ryback picked out one guy to dress down and reprimand for being in his locker room. Ryback chucked his bag across the locker room, then followed him into the showers. Ryback told the guy to pick up his bag as Ryback stood over him. Ryback then chucked his bag into a shower stall. Ryback demanded the guy open his bag, then turn on the water. "This is all I have," the indy guy noted. Ryback slapped him for talking back, then the guy turned on the water and let his bag be filled with water. After bullying Indy Guy, Ryback shouted in his face to get out. Ryback did his bully laugh to end the skit.

In-ring: Smilin' Big Show was introduced for the next handicap match of the show.

[Q8] [Commercial Break]

Back live, The Shield's music was playing and Foot Locker was on the screen. After WWE ran the promotional spot, the bell sounded to begin the handicap match.

6 -- BIG SHOW vs. THE SHIELD (U.S. champion DEAN AMBROSE & WWE tag champions SETH ROLLINS & ROMAN REIGNS) -- three-on-one Texas Tornado handicap match

Show quickly knocked Reigns out of the ring to the outside. Show then picked apart an "injured" Seth Rollins before chucking Ambrose to the outside. Show continued to work on Rollins before chucking him out of the ring, "re-injuring" Rollins's left knee. Show followed with a big spear to Reigns when Reigns re-entered the ring. Ambrose then dragged Reigns out of the ring and called for a meeting to re-assess the situation.

After the meeting, Shield re-entered the ring, but Show quickly thwarted Ambrose with a backpack slam. Show followed with a punch and headbutt to Rollins before standing on his back. Show had enough of Rollins and chucked him out of the ring. Show then teased a chokeslam on Ambrose, but Rollins clipped Show from behind. Ambrose then built momentum to dropkick Show against the ropes. Rollins followed a leaping knee to the head that finally knocked Show off his feet.

Rollins and Ambrose tried to follow with a double-suplex, but Show blocked and suplexed both men across the ring. Show didn't see Reigns coming, though, as Reigns dropped him with a big spear. Shield regrouped and decided they needed to end it with a big triple powerbomb. The announcers wondered if they could execute it, then Ambrose and Rollins pushed Show into the air onto Reigns, who paused and delivered the big triple bomb. All three Shield members fell on top of Show for the pin and the win.

Post-match, Shield recovered from the effort expended as the announcers talked about Show eating the words he offered about Triple H last night. After a replay of Show taking the big triple bomb for the finish, WWE showed Show clutching his stomach as he recovered from the match. Show slowly rolled onto his back, then slowly rolled out of the ring.

WINNERS: Shield at 4:31. Strong showing for The Shield while continuing to build heat on the "corporate" authority figures. That's pretty much the theme of tonight's maintenance, post-PPV episode.

Up Next: C.M. Punk responds to Paul Heyman.

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

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