WWE Raw TV Results
September 2, 2013 - Episode #1,057
Live in Des Moines, Iowa
Aired on USA Network
Report by James Caldwell (@JCTorch), PWTorch assistant editor

This week's WWE Raw opened with on-air COO Triple H's music playing. Hunter was already in the ring soaking up boos and applause. Ringside, The Shield was standing by guarding the ring. Hunter opened his speech by introducing The Face of WWE and the WWE champion, "The Viper" Randy Orton.

Pause, then Orton's music played to bring out the WWE champion with the title belt slung over his shoulder. On commentary, Michael Cole said it's a Happy Labor Day for Orton, but not so much for Daniel Bryan. Cole said they are live in Des Moines and the talk over the past seven days in the locker room has been what one Superstar said in the locker room is the Reign of Terror. Cole said this Superstar wished to remain anonymous.

Once Orton hit the ring, Hunter backed away to give Orton the spotlight. Orton began his speech that being the Face of WWE, protecting this company is his number one priority. So, if you disrespect him, you disrespect all of WWE. "And you need to be dealt with," Orton said. The crowd responded with "No!" chants. Orton paused, sighed, and continued with a Daniel Bryan name-drop. "Yes!" chants in response.

Orton said that last week on Raw, Bryan defaced his personal property, which drew cheers. Orton said it was an Escalade that Hunter personally gave him, so he had no choice but to deface Daniel Bryan. WWE cut to a replay from the end of Friday's Smackdown when Orton punched out Bryan before Shield delivered a triple powerbomb. Orton then went NWO by spray-painting "No!" on Bryan's chest.

Back live, Orton said he's going to play Bryan's Yes/No game. Should Bryan face him at Night of Champions for the WWE Title? Yes! from the crowd. No! from Orton. Does Bryan even have the slightest chance of defeating him at Night of Champions? Yes! from the crowd. No! from Orton. Will Bryan ever amount to anything here in WWE? Yes! from the crowd. Or, should Bryan give up his chance to fight for the title at the PPV? No! from the crowd. Loud Yes! from Orton.

Hunter took the mic next. He said that as the COO of WWE, he has a few different responsibilities. One is that WWE puts out the best product each and every week. He said that's what the audience deserves, right? Hunter said his other job is to ensure the health and wellbeing of all Superstars and Divas. Lately, he's been worried about the health and wellfare of Bryan, whose ego keeps getting him into bad situations. Hunter said the crowd is not helping is because he looks around here and he sees them standing up, throwing their arms in the air, and chanting, "Yes!" The crowd did accordingly. "And that is a problem," Hunter said. "Because you are causing Daniel Bryan to confuse popularity with what is best for business."

An example. Hunter went back to a few years ago when there was a wrestler named Doink the Clown. Hunter said Doink was wildly popular and everyone loved him, but there is a big reason why he was never WWE champion. Because it would have been bad for business. Hunter said he can come up with other goals for Bryan like if he were to bring back the Cruiserweight Title or European Title because those are good, little goals.

Daniel Bryan's music interrupted to bring out Bryan on-stage. JBL said there's the next CW champion, causing Lawler to say, "Come on." On-stage, Bryan said he is thrilled to be compared to Doink the Clown. But, he's not sure there was a loud Doink chant in 1992 and, quite honestly, the only clowns he sees are the two standing in the ring right now.

Bryan said he understands that Hunter wants him to give up his title shot, just like the time when Hunter gave up being a man when he cut his hair, put on a suit, and became a corporate sell-out. Same with Orton, who just gave up being in the title picture until someone handed it to him. So, should he give up his title shot against Orton? The crowd responded with No! chants. Bryan then posed the question of whether Orton is more masculine than Stephanie McMahon. No! Bryan shouted.

Orton entered Angry Mode that Bryan must not be getting the message with his constant beat downs. Bryan responded that he was told he couldn't get past the independents, he couldn't get to WWE, and he couldn't get to the top of WWE. Bryan said all those things they told him he couldn't do made him the man he is. "I love to fight," Bryan said. "And you will never understand it. Because you were given everything!" Bryan said he knows he can beat Orton for the title. "And, Randy, deep down, you know it, and so do you, Hunter," Bryan said. Otherwise, Hunter would just let them wrestle one-on-one.

[Q2] Bryan said Orton may have the genetics of a champion, but he doesn't have the heart of a champion. He continued that Bryan might walk around like a big dog, but he's nothing more than Hunter's --- Hunter interrupted and called Bryan short, angry, and a troll. Hunter said Bryan shouldn't be angry at them, but one man. This man is 7-foot-tall and 500 pounds, has an iron-clad contract, and stands by with a single tear while Bryan gets beat week after week. Hunter said he's going to let Bryan take out his anger tonight because in tonight's main event, it will be Daniel Bryan one-on-one with Big Show. Hunter's music played as Bryan stood dumbfounded on-stage. Bryan then collected himself and sold determination as Hunter and Orton stood tall in the ring.

Raw last Monday: Paul Heyman whipped and pummeled C.M. Punk. Tonight, Punk speaks.

[Commercial Break at 8:17]

Back on Raw, Hunter and Orton were giggling about what happened in the opening segment as they walked down the hallway. Hunter said Big Show is probably off in the corner crying somewhere. They stopped when Cody Rhodes walked by, continuing Rhodes's streak of appearing in the segment following the show-opening promo. Rhodes shook hands with Hunter, then small-talk turned into Rhodes trying to cut to the issue at-hand, which is Orton should want to defend the WWE Title against Bryan. It's what's best for business, after all. Hunter smirked and said he decides what's best for business.

Hunter continued that Cody's judgment is probably clouded since he's planning for a wedding. (Where did that come from for Cody's character?) Orton and Hunter noted they didn't get invitations, but he did give Cody a little gift. A match against Orton. Cody said that's a great opportunity, to which Hunter dumped a bucket of water on by noting that if Cody doesn't win, he's probably not here much longer. Cody sold concern over his job being on the line.

In-ring: Fandango's music played to bring out Summer Rae, who led out Fandango for the opening match. The Miz was then introduced as Fandango's opponent.

1 -- FANDANGO (w/Summer Rae) vs. THE MIZ

Miz took Fandango to the outside early on and put a beating on him. Summer Rae tried to provide a distraction, but Miz pulled a Chris Jericho by doing a dance number with Summer, surprising her. Back in the ring, Miz continued to work on Fandango. Miz did a thing where he stomped the mat a few times to get the crowd behind him before bouncing off the ropes to big-boot Fandango in the face. Raw cut to break with Miz in control.

[Commercial Break at 8:28]

[Q3} Back from break, Fandango was in control of the action. Cole said they weren't even sure if this match was going to continue on the other side of the break because Fandango suffered a nose injury. Cole said that WWE's ringside doctor put a stop to the bleeding during the break and the match continued. JBL said this shows how tough Fandango is. Miz came back with sort of a toss from the second rope that looked like a Dragon Screw legwhip attempt. Miz couldn't follow up with a figure-four leglock, then Fandango smashed Miz in the corner. But, Fandango sold a leg injury in the process. He tried following up, but Miz seized the "injury" and applied a figure-four for the submission win.

WINNER: Miz via submission at 8:12.

Up Next: A review of Paul Heyman beating down C.M. Punk last week.

On the way to break, WWE ran a spot for the next episode of Total Divas, including JoJo talking about "getting a push."

[Commercial Break at 8:35]

Locker Room: Daniel Bryan was shown warming up for his main event match tonight. Booker T, who doesn't have an actual WWE position in the storylines, then walked in and said he needs to talk to him. Bryan blew him off initially, but Booker said it's serious. He told Bryan that raging against the McMahons is not in his best interest. He said Bryan can have a great career here in WWE and make a ton of money. Booker suggested Bryan give up his title shot. "Tell me you didn't just say that," Bryan responded. He said this isn't about money or the title, but his own life. Booker told Bryan that he could get injured to the point of ending his career, ramifications going beyond this arena. Booker said he's behind Bryan, but Bryan shook his head and walked off.

Announcers: Cole, Lawler, and JBL were shown on-camera reacting to Booker's comments, then Cole transitioned to a replay of last week's Punk-Heyman events when Curt Axel lost to Punk, Punk got his hands on Heyman, Axel took out Punk from behind, and Heyman unleashed a beating on a handcuffed Punk.

Back live in the arena, Dolph Ziggler's music played to bring out Ziggler for singles action. Cole noted that on the App moments ago, Raw GM Brad Maddox booked Ziggler in a match tonight. Against an unknown opponent. JBL decided it was a good idea to quip that he bets it's not Doink the Clown (who died earlier this year). Ziggler posed in the ring leading to break.

[Q4] [Commercial Break at 8:45]

Back live, Ziggler was preparing to find out his opponent is tonight. Suddenly, U.S. champion Dean Ambrose jumped into the ring and jumped Ziggler from behind. Ambrose beat down Ziggler as the referee tried to get Ambrose to back off. Cole noted the bell hasn't sounded yet, so this issn't a match-up. As Ziggler hung in the turnbuckles, Ambrose whispered in Ziggler's ear to respect the business.

Suddenly, Ryback's music played to bring out a cocky Ryback strutting down to the ring in a black and white singlet. Ryback sang his music as the ref checked on Ziggler, who sold being injured. As Ryback received some of the loudest "Goldberg" chants in a while, Ziggler held himself up by the turnbuckle as ref John Cone continued to check on Ziggler. Ziggler demanded the ref call for the bell, but Cone sold not being sure about it. Ziggler called for the bell one more time, so the ref obliged to begin the match.

2 -- DOLPH ZIGGLER vs. RYBACK

Ryback quickly picked apart Ziggler, who sold immense pain. "Is that what you want?" Ryback taunted Ziggler. The vocal males responded with a "You Can't Wrestle" chant toward Ryback, who ignored the crowd before chucking Ziggler head-first into the top turnbuckle. Ryback said this is over, then Ryback warmed up the meathook clothesline, but Ziggler snapped to attention and snapped off a dropkick.

Ziggler fought back with hard corner punches, but Ryback shoved him off into the ropes and delivered a big knockdown clothesline. Ryback declared this over before hoisting Ziggler into the air for Shell Shock. It was good for the win as Cole groaned that this wasn't even a one-on-one fight for Ziggler.

WINNER: Ryback at 3:07.

Executive Office: Stephanie McMahon was shown playing with Triple H's jacket, then Brad Maddox walked in and said there's a situation with Big Show. Maddox said he's refusing to fight Daniel Bryan tonight. Stephanie said she'll handle this. But, not in private, rather, in public. "That's how I roll," Stephanie said with a smirk. Hunter returned her smirk and Stephanie walked off.

Vignette: Los Matadores are coming soon.

[Commercial Break at 8:56]

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

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