WWE Raw TV Results
August 26, 2013 - Episode #1,056
Live in Phoenix, Ariz.
Aired on USA Network
Report by James Caldwell (@JCTorch), PWTorch assistant editor

Second Hour Raw Results

[Q6] Raw returned from break with a look back to Moments Ago when C.M. Punk got Paul Heyman in the ring, but Curtis Axel attached Punk from behind, Punk was handcuffed, Heyman unloaded his hurt feelings on Punk in the form of a physical assault, and Punk was left in a heap ringside.

During the Commercial: Punk was helped away from ringside. WWE showed cuts and scrapes across Punk's back as he limped away from ringside.

In-ring: For the "comedown segment," Total Divas castmember JoJo was in the ring to ring-announce the following match. Out first was Natalya, accompanied by Cameron and Naomi. Brie Bella was then introduced, flanked by Nikki and Eva Marie.

4 -- NATALYA vs. BRIE BELLA

As the bell sounded, Cole talked about the "Total Divas" TV ratings on E! Chaos quickly broke out ringside, causing a distraction for Natalya. This allowed Brie to pin Natalya, getting a victory back over Natalya, who beat her at Summerslam.

WINNER: Brie at 1:39.

Post-match: Divas champion A.J. Lee walked out on-stage. A.J. said she just watched last night's episode of "Total Divas" and it was insane. A.J. recapped the ridiculousness of the show, going for a harsh dig of Natalya's fiancee not being "much of a man." A.J., the heel, got a pop for running down the show, which she paused to let play out. A.J. then looked into the ring and called them a bunch of cheap, interchangeable women. She said they are women who have turned to reality TV because they weren't good-enough to be actresses or champions. As A.J. told this to their faces, the Bellas and Eve shouted, "Say it to our faces."

A.J. continued that she re-defined the Divas division and they are trying to tear down her work. She said they were handed 15 minutes of fame, then said she didn't get here because she was cute or came from a famous wrestling family or sucked...up to the right people, but because she is good. A.J. said they can walk all the red-carpets they want, but they will never be able to lace up her Chuck Taylors. The Bellas continued to chirp off-camera. A.J. called them worthless excuses for women who will never be able to touch her. "And that is reality," A.J. said in conclusion. A.J. skipped, then the Bellas and Eve mocked her skipping. On commentary, JBL said he thinks "crazy just spoke some truth."

[ JC's REAX: Oooh, A.J. is "shooting." What is this, 1997 trying to get people talking about "Total Divas?" A.J. was very passionate in her role delivering the "worked shoot" non-sense to set up storyline developments, and she maintained herself as a heel by cutting down Natalya in a heelish manner by unfairly roping her in with the rest of the crew, but the Divas division is pretty much non-existent at this point for this to lead to a match of note. ]

Backstage: Rob Van Dam was shown warming up for Alberto Del Rio up next.

[Commercial Break at 9:26]

[Q7] Coming back from break, WWE recapped Rob Van Dam beating Alberto Del Rio three weeks ago on Raw, then Del Rio destroyed Ricardo Rodriguez, who has re-surfaced as RVD's mouthpiece.

Back live, Ricardo walked out on-stage dressed in a suit jacket over a t-shirt to introduce "Mr. Monday Night, Rob Van Dam." After RVD entered the ring and posed, Del Rio's music played to bring out the World champion. Back in the ring, RVD unbuttoned his jacket to reveal an RVD t-shirt, taking all of the attention away from Van Dam, showing what WWE management thinks of RVD. On commentary, Cole said Ricardo and RVD hang out because they're "cool dudes" who like "hanging out" together.

5 -- World Hvt. champion ALBERTO DEL RIO vs. ROB VAN DAM (w/Ricardo Rodriguez) -- non-title match

Van Dam quickly kicked Del Rio out of the ring with a thrust kick. Del Rio sold a leg injury as RVD posed in the corner leading to commercial less than one minute in.

[Commercial Break at 9:34]

Back from break, Cole said that Raw GM Brad Maddox has added a stipulation that if RVD wins this match, he gets a World Title "opportunity" at Night of Champions. On cue, RVD delivered Rolling Thunder, but it was only good for a two count. RVD followed with a kick to the face before RVD delivered a split-legged moonsault out of the corner for a nearfall.

RVD wanted a Five-Star Frogsplash as Ricardo danced around like a fan who won a contest ringside, but Del RIo popped to his feet and popped RVD in the mouth. Del Rio then wanted a Cross Arm-breaker, but Ricardo jumped on the announce table and led the crowd in a "Rob Van Dam" chant, which distracted Del Rio. RVD capitalized with a roll-up using his legs for the pin and the win.

WINNER: Van Dam at 8:26 to become #1 contender to the World Title at Night of Champions.

Announcers: Cole, Lawler, and JBL hyped Del Rio vs. RVD at the NOC PPV in three weeks before transitioning to a flashback to John Cena's farewell speech last week on Raw. Cole then focused on Cena's elbow injury, going through a slideshow of photos from Cena's recovery.

Still to come: Daniel Bryan runs The Shield gauntlet.

On the way to break, WWE ran a trailer for the "Best of MSG" DVD release next month.

[Q8] [Commercial Break at 9:45]

Backstage: Josh Mathews was standing by. Mathews then brought in Ryback, who chuckled to himself and called out, "The Big Guy." Mathews asked Ryback about bullying folks as of late. Ryback didn't appreciate this accusation, then grabbed Mathews around the mouth. Ryback palmed Mathews's face, then stood over him. Ryback said he finally found a way to shut up Mathews before shoving him across the ground.

Announcers: Lawler offered the usual line about Ryback not being a model B.A. Star candidate. Cole then transitioned to events from Earlier Tonight when C.M. Punk was handcuffed, then Paul Heyman blasted him with kendo stick shots.

Backstage: Heyman and Curtis Axel were shown walking around in the parking garage. Renee Young then asked them for thoughts on what happened out there. Axel said Punk will never forget what happened to him tonight. Heyman said Punk is like a petulant child who needs to keep getting punished, and punished, and punished. "Honestly, Renee, I feel like a man right now," Heyman said, his eyes dry and red. Heyman said his prodigal son was humiliated and beaten by his own father figure. "And now my prodigal son, C.M. Punk, is going to learn that Paul Heyman is the last person he should come up against," he concluded. Heyman and Axel then entered their rental car and drove off.

In-ring: Back in the arena, Christian was introduced for the next match. Cole said Christian faces the new WWE champion Randy Orton up next.

THIRD 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