WWE Raw TV Results
September 9, 2013 - Episode #1,058
Live in Toronto, Ont., Canada
Aired on USA Network
Report by James Caldwell (@JCTorch), PWTorch assistant editor

Third Hour Raw Results

One minute before the top of the hour, Raw returned with Randy Orton's music playing. The WWE champion slowly walked out on-stage, allowing the announcers to plug Orton vs. Daniel Bryan for the WWE Title at the Night of Champions PPV on Sunday. As Orton entered the ring, Lawler brought up Triple H not looking out for the health and well-being of Christian at the top of the show. JBL said sometimes you have to make an example as a leader.

[Q9 -- third hour] Goldust's music played to a strong reaction to bring out Cody Rhodes's brother trying to "win back" Cody's job. As Goldust made his ring entrance, Cole relayed a tweet from Cody Rhodes that he didn't ask his brother to fight for him, as the McMahon vs. Rhodes problems run deeper than this issue.

7 -- WWE champion RANDY ORTON vs. GOLDUST -- non-title match -- if Goldust wins, Cody Rhodes can get his job back

As the match started, Cole ran down the history of the McMahon vs. Rhodes Family, which essentially turned into JBL running down Crockett/WCW/Turner in response to each of Cole's talking points. Goldust started with a flurry of offense that knocked Orton to the floor, drawing a chant of "You Still Got It." Meanwhile, the announcers continued to play up the idea of Goldust wanting to make up for screwing up in the past.

Orton took control of the match and slowed down the pace, but Goldust avoided Orton's trademark offense. Goldust then dragged Orton to the corner to set up for Shattered Dreams, but Orton slipped out of the ring and rolled to the floor to get a breather as Raw cut to break.

[Commercial Break at 10:08]

Back from break, Orton was in control. Goldust fought back, so Orton rolled to the outside again. On the floor, Goldust ran Orton into the ringpost before rolling him back into the ring. But, Orton caught Goldust on the way back into the ring and ran Goldust shoulder-first into the post. On the floor, Orton punished Goldust before rolling him back into the ring.

In the ring, Orton delivered a move, then clutched his nose/eyes area, selling an injury of some sort. Orton then slowed down the pace and regained his bearings before applying a reverse chinlock. The crowd rallied behind Goldust, who fought to his feet and escaped before mounting a comeback.

[Q10] Goldust put Orton in the corner for Ten Punches and connected. But, Orton came back with the trademark second-rope DDT. Orton proceeded to slowly do "Yes!" chants, mocking Daniel Bryan ahead of their PPV title match on Sunday. Orton then stalked Goldust for an RKO, but Goldust pulled the same move as Cody last week by pushed Orton's neck under his chin and hitting Cross Rhodes for a very close two count, popping the crowd.

And, just like last week, Orton followed right up with an RKO after Goldust was unable to capitalize on Cross Rhodes. Orton pinned Goldust and it was good for the win. On commentary, JBL and Lawler dejectedly said they can't imagine the disappointment for the Rhodes Family right now.

Post-match: Randy Orton took a mic and stood over Goldust. Orton spoke down at Goldie, saying, "Goldust, it looks like your dream of saving your baby brother, Cody's, job has been shattered. Just like Daniel Bryan's job of taking this (WWE Title belt) away from me will be shattered at Night of Champions." Orton's music played to conclude the match segment.

WINNER: Orton at 14:47. Good singles match. Goldust was in good shape, they added in the idea of Goldust fighting for his family to make it more even than a match between the WWE champion and someone who hasn't wrestled on WWE TV in a few years should be, and they kept the McMahon vs. Rhodes Family Feud going. Will it lead to a Dusty vs. Vince match at some point? Or, does Cody just go outlaw by jumping Triple H at some point and making life miserable for Hunter to get his job back?

[Commercial Break at 10:20]

Vignette: Los Matadores are coming to WWE. Coming Soon.

Backstage: Goldust was shown slowly walking down the hallway, his facepaint smeared and tears in his eyes. Stephanie McMahon stopped "Dustin" in the hallway to tell him that he must be disappointed and Cody must be disappointed. Stephanie killed Goldust with kindness about letting himself, his family, and the fans down. Steph asked Goldust how it feels. "How does it feel to be a loser?" Steph asked, now with malice in her voice. Stephanie told Goldust to go join Cody in the unemployment line. Steph then got nice again and told Goldust to tell his dad that she says hi.

Announcers: On-camera, Jerry Lawler wondered what it's like to rub salt in the wound like that. Michael Cole sat dejectedly in his chair while JBL said he's not condoning Stephanie's actions, as he feels sorry for Cody, too.

On-stage: Ricardo Rodriguez walked out to introduce Rob Van Dam. The show must go on for Cole, who snapped back to happy go-lucky announcer plugging RVD's match against Del Rio for the World Title at Night of Champions. RVD is in action next.

[Q11] [Commercial Break at 10:30]

Back live, RVD was in the ring preparing with Ricardo Rodriguez. Ryback was then introduced as RVD's opponent, setting up a battle for airbrushed singlets supremacy. Before the bell sounded, Alberto Del Rio's music played to bring out the World champion, who called RVD a "washed-up loser." Del Rio taunted RVD by saying the only thing people will be chanting after Night of Champions is "A-D-R."

8 -- ROB VAN DAM (w/Ricardo Rodriguez) vs. RYBACK

Ryback quickly dominated the action as the crowd grumbled some "Goldberg" chants. Ryback tried to power RVD to the mat with a powerslam, but RVD escaped and hit Rolling Thunder for a nearfall. RVD followed with a cannonball flip splash from the top rope for another nearfall. RVD continued the attack with a thrust kick from the top rope, but Ryback blocked a Five-Star Frogsplash attempt.

Ryback blasted RVD on the outside before awkwardly crotching him into the post. The ref was so aghast at the events that he called for the bell, DQ'ing Ryback. Ryback had a good laugh, then dragged RVD back into the ring, where he delivered Shell Shock. Despite Ryback losing, he got the TV focus and his music on the way out.

WINNER: RVD via DQ at 3:00. Is WWE going for the ultimate reverse psychology of reinforcing over and over again that RVD has no chance of winning the title on Sunday, only to pull out a big surprise of RVD winning despite zero momentum going into the PPV? Probably not.

Backstage: Stephanie McMahon stopped Big Show in the hallway. Stephanie said she cannot have mass chaos in the main event tonight, then vowed to terminate Show if he touches Shield tonight. But, she'll have a special seat for Big Show to watch the main event. Show, seething, clutched a 1990s TV and destroyed it on the floor. Show walked off as Raw cut to break.

[Commercial Break at 10:41]

Smackdown Plug: Edge is returning to Smackdown this Friday on Syfy. On commentary, Lawler said that is going to be weird after Triple H kicked Edge out of the building tonight.

[Q12] Back live, The Shield's music was playing. Dean Ambrose led the tag champions Seth Rollins & Roman Reigns through the crowd as WWE plugged Shield defending the Tag Titles at Night of Champions against the winners of Tag Team Turmoil match on the PPV pre-show.

After Shield hit the ring, Big Show was introduced. Show dejectedly walked down the entrance ramp with a sad look on his face. Show took a pity victory lap around ringside before complaining about his ringside chair accommodations. Daniel Bryan was then introduced for the TV main event. In the ring, Bryan led the crowd in loud "Yes!" chants before Cole plugged Orton vs. Bryan for the WWE Title on Sunday.

9 -- DANIEL BRYAN vs. U.S. champion DEAN AMBROSE (w/The Shield) -- non-title match

As the match started, the announcers recapped Top Star Triple H admitting to missing on some talent evaluations in the past, including John Cena and Chris Jericho. JBL said Hunter has been right 90-95 percent, though, prompting Lawler to slow down JBL and say it's more times wrong than right. Lawler has (purposefully) taken subtle digs at Hunter on commentary for the past few weeks, setting up a likely confrontation down the road.

In the ring, Bryan ran over Ambrose with a hard clothesline, then climbed to the top rope for a diving headbutt, but Rollins slowly stepped onto the ring apron to cause a distraction. This allowed Ambrose to knock down Bryan hard to the floor. Show made a face, unable to help, as Raw cut to break.

[Commercial Break at 10:52]

Back from break, Ambrose was working on Bryan in the ring. Big Show then stood up and tried to lead the crowd in "Yes!" chants, which was a bit jarring considering Show KO Punched Bryan in the face last week after cowardly giving into the McMahons. Bryan used the cheers, anyways, to rally and apply the Yes! Lock, but Ambrose reached the bottom rope for a rope-break.

Ambrose regained control after Bryan's flurry of offense, but Bryan came right back with a trademark corner basement dropkick. Bryan then took Ambrose to the top turnbuckle, where he delivered an overhead flip suplex for a close two count. Show almost heelishly encouraged Bryan, "Oh, that was so close," from ringside.

[Q13 -- over-run] Bryan fired off a round of kicks to Ambrose, but Ambrose chucked Bryan out of the ring to the floor after ducking a big roundhouse kick. As Bryan recovered, Roman Reigns went for a Spear, but Bryan side-stepped and Reigns ate the ring steps. Bryan avoided Rollins, too, but Ambrose snuck up on Bryan to smash him to the floor right in front of Big Show.

Ambrose rolled Bryan back into the ring and covered, but Bryan kicked out of a pin in-time. Ambrose then taunted Bryan: "Stay down! Stay down!" So, Bryan simply rolled him up with a quick small package for the pin and the win.

WINNER: Bryan at 14:08.

Post-match: Bryan cleared Shield of the ring as Show smiled and did "Yes!" chants ringside. Randy Orton's music then played and Orton charged down to ringside, only to take a suicide dive from Bryan. Bryan landed right hand strikes, but The Shield jumped Bryan. Shield beat down Bryan as Orton led the attack, then Big Show grabbed his chair and walked over to the ringside area to do something, but opted to throw down the chair and hang his head. Shield and Orton rolled Bryan into the ring as Show watched from ringside.

In the ring, Orton pointed to Show before clutching Bryan by the hair and swinging him into an RKO center-ring. Show clenched his jaw to sell anger and frustration before slowly walking away from ringside. In the ring, Orton held up the WWE Title belt as he stood over Bryan.

But, the show wasn't over. Triple H and Stephanie McMahon walked out on-stage and Hunter told Show to put aside his feelings and knock out Bryan again. "Go," Triple H said. Show slowly walked back to the ring like a zombie and slowly entered the ring. Show shook his head as he approached Bryan, who was already KO'ed in the ring.

Show did the thing from last week where Show sold inner conflict about doing this. Orton then spun around Show and told Show that Hunter is the boss, so he better follow orders. Show didn't appreciate Orton's words of encouragement, but Orton offered to help out Show by picking up Bryan. "Do it!" Orton shouted toward Big Show, who opted to turn around and back away into the corner.

Orton tossed Bryan aside, then yelled at Show to turn around. Show shouted back not to tell him what to do, but Orton cut a promo in Show's face that he has Triple H's authority to tell Show what to do.

Orton continued to yell at Show, then he turned around and Bryan popped Orton with a knee to the face out of nowhere. The crowd popped for the surprise ending, then Bryan picked up the title belt and held it in the air over Orton as Show left the ring with a smile on his face. No camera shots of Hunter & Stephanie reacting, as WWE stayed with a final shot of Bryan standing tall over Orton, while the announcers wondered aloud if this could be the scene at Night of Champions. Raw signed off nine minutes past the top of the hour.

FINAL THOUGHTS: Bryan needed to stand tall at the end to give his fans and the PPV-buying customers a ray of hope for Sunday, but WWE continues to treat Bryan (and Orton) like a background player at times. This is part of the trickle-down effect from the over-arching story of the McMahons dominating and emasculating the roster, which has hurt the middle guys (i.e. two hours worth of a three-hour show).

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