WWE Raw TV Results
September 16, 2013 - Episode #1,059
Live in Cleveland, Ohio
Aired on USA Network
Report by James Caldwell (@JCTorch), PWTorch assistant editor

WWE Raw opened with a video package recapping the low (Paul Heyman "pinning" C.M. Punk) and high (Daniel Bryan capturing the WWE Title) last night at Night of Champions.

Live in the arena, Justin Roberts introduced the new WWE champion Daniel Bryan to a very loud reception. Bryan walked out on-stage with his new WWE Title belt and led the crowd in "Yes!" chants before entering the ring with a big smile on his face.

In the ring, Bryan clutched the title belt and held it up for the crowd. The side-panel "logo" on the title belt is "Yes!" written out in block letters on top of each other. Bryan waited out a loud, lengthy "Daniel Bryan" chant before addressing the crowd.

"You guys are awesome," Bryan opened. Bryan said there are a lot of things he would like to say right now, but he thinks what says it best is... Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes!

Suddenly, Triple H's music interrupted. As Hunter marched to the ring with a frown on his face, Michael Cole, Jerry Lawler, and JBL set the stage for Hunter's presence. Hunter angrily took the mic and said he wants to address the 800 pound gorilla in the room - the fast-count in the title match last night. Hunter said Bryan's victory is tainted at this moment. So, he wants to bring out referee Scott Armstrong right now.

Pause for "No!" chants before Armstrong walked out to the ring hanging his head after being called out by the principal. Once Armstrong arrived in the ring, Hunter went to the footage from last night's title match. But, first, he would like to review Armstrong's normal cadence. After a replay of Armstrong's normal count during Bryan vs. Orton last night, Hunter went to the "finish" of the main event. The footage showed Armstrong with a hitch in his arm on the two before the three. Hunter wanted another look as the crowd chanted, "Yes!" for the visual of Bryan winning.

Hunter then went to a side-by-side of the fast-count compared to the normal cadence. Hunter told Scott that it was an incredibly fast count, then asked Armstrong to explain himself. "It was a fast count. I don't know," Armstrong mumbled. "I made a mistake." Hunter told Scott that he is a senior official of WWE. He said that kind of fast-count doesn't just happen. "I made a mistake," Scott answered. Hunter said he's known Scott for 15 years and he's never known Scott to make a mistake like that. And if he ever did anything, he always admitted to it. "Tell me the truth!" Hunter told him.

Scott breathed, then eyeballed Bryan. Armstrong suggested with a nod that he was working with Bryan, who denied it. Armstrong left the ring as Bryan shouted that he had nothing to do with this. Hunter said he cannot believe that Bryan would conspire to win the WWE Title as Bryan adamantly denied the accusation.

Hunter said he is holding the title vacant, not giving it back to Randy Orton. Hunter then told Bryan to give him back the WWE Title as the crowd shouted, "No!" Hunter told Bryan that he has disgraced himself and "Shawn," who Hunter said he thought would have taught him better. Hunter told Bryan to give him back the title or he will take it from him.

Suddenly, Randy Orton's music played. Out came the former WWE champion. Hunter told Orton to calm down because he has this under control. Hunter shouted at his kids that there will not be any fighting because he has this. Hunter told Bryan to be reasonable because he is no longer WWE champion. "The title is held up. There is no champion. I will get to the bottom of this," Hunter said.

[Q2] Bryan surveyed the title belt as the crowd shrieked and told him not to do it. Bryan took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and looked toward the arena, which was hot with a "No!" chant. Bryan then got in Hunter's face and shouted, "No!," so Orton grabbed Bryan and gave him an RKO as Hunter yanked the toy away from his student. Hunter then left the ring with possession of his title belt toy as Orton stood over his fallen classmate. "Randy Sucks!" chant from the crowd as Orton continued to stand over Bryan before Raw faded to commercial.

[Commercial Break at 8:16]

Back live, Triple H and Stephanie McMahon were backstage. Hunter said he can't believe Bryan was the problem all along, not Armstrong. Randy Orton then jumped in and demanded his title belt back. Stephanie shouted in Orton's face that he better get in line because he doesn't deserve the title after losing to Bryan last night, fast-count or not. Stephanie shouted in Orton's face that he better find the sick, maniacal Randy Orton that DDT'ed her after handcuffing Hunter years ago. Stephanie growled that they'll find a new Face of WWE if he can't step it up. Steph stormed off, then Hunter glared at Orton on the way out.

Back in the arena, U.S. champion Dean Ambrose was standing by in the ring. Dolph Ziggler's music then played to bring out the hometown star. Big reaction for Ziggler, who played to the crowd as Cole noted Ziggler can earn a future U.S. Title shot if he wins this re-match from Night of Champions last night.

1 -- U.S. champion DEAN AMBROSE vs. DOLPH ZIGGLER -- non-title match

As the bell sounded, Cole noted that Ziggler admitted on the App that he hasn't won many matches lately, which he blamed on Hunter getting in his head. The crowd was loud with a "Let's Go Ziggler" chant as the announcers debated Bryan and Armstrong allegedly in cahoots on the fast-count last night. Back to the match, where Ambrose sent Ziggler flying over the top rope to the outside. Ziggler in trouble heading to break.

[Commercial Break at 8:24]

Back from break, Ambrose was controlling the action in the ring. Ambrose took Ziggler up top and raked his bake with a dramatic scratch before executing a superplex for a two count.

[Q3] Ziggler fought back with headbutts, but Ambrose cut him off. Ambrose landed some body shots, but Ziggler came back with a big DDT that planted Ambrose face-first into the mat. Ziggler followed with a leaping dropkick into a corner splash. Ziggler followed with ten big punches that fired up the crowd into a running clothesline. Ziggler then looked to the crowd to set up for and deliver ten big elbow drops to the chest - with a shout-out to Jerry Lawler - for a two count.

Ziggler's showing off out of the way, Ambrose came back with punch strikes to the face. Ambrose followed with a stomp to the face for good measure. Ambrose then mocked Ziggler's new signature pose before lifting him up for a potential finisher, but Ziggler flung him away and nailed Zig-Zag for the pin and the win.

Afterward, Ziggler celebrated with the crowd before Justin Roberts announced that Ambrose is still U.S. champion. In the ring, Ambrose sold trying to figure out which city he was in as he received his title belt.

WINNER: Ziggler at 11:53; Ziggler earns a future U.S. Title shot. Good win for Ziggler to get back on track. This was more about Ziggler winning than Ambrose losing, which was good.

Raw GM Office: Big Show was standing by with Raw GM Brad Maddox. Brad tried to make conversation about the McMahons being here "any minute." Show was not impressed. More awkward standing around before Raw cut to break.

[Commercial Break at 8:36]

Raw GM: Stephanie, Triple H, Big Show, and Maddox were now in the office. Brad told Stephanie that Dusty Rhodes is here, then sped off. Stephanie then addressed Show, asking how it felt to be suspended without pay. Steph reminded Show that he is broke, so Show will sit down in this chair and watch the show without getting into trouble. Unless she calls for him.

Announcers: Cole said the McMahons continue to humiliate Big Show. Meanwhile, they've booked Daniel Bryan in a match against Roman Reigns tonight. The announcers then transitioned to a look at the C.M. Punk vs. Paul Heyman business at Night of Champions when Ryback helped Heyman win.

Tonight: Ryback speaks. Did Paul Heyman know that Ryback was going to help him last night? Answers and more later tonight.

In-ring: Fandango's music played to bring out Summer Rae on-stage paving the way for Fandango. FandangoRae slowly danced down to the ring as the announcers tried to make conversation. Cole eventually noted that Fandango is in action next.

[Commercial Break at 8:43]

[Q4] Back on Raw, R-Truth's music played to bring out Truth as Fandango's opponent. Or his dance partner. Cole clarified that it's Fandango vs. Truth before WWE re-replayed the Smackdown Dance-Off on Friday's Smackdown.

2 -- FANDANGO (w/Summer Rae) vs. R-TRUTH

Fandango did a dance move, so Truth danced, then Truth popped Fandango in the mouth. Truth then chucked Fandango over the top rope to the outside as the announcers debated bad judging in boxing and dancing. Eventually, Fandango came off the top rope with his leg drop finisher. It was good for the pin and the win.

WINNER: Fandango at 3:28. A rare victory for Fandango as of late.

Backstage: Dusty Rhodes was shown standing in the hallway surrounded by babyfaces. An awkward-looking conversation involving Natalya & Hornswoggle, the Prime Time Players, and Ricardo Rodriguez ensued as Cole voiced-over that Dusty is up next.

DVD Plug: Triple H's new documentary. Included was footage from his early years.

[Commercial Break at 8:53]

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

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