WWE Raw TV Results
September 30, 2013 - Episode #1,061
Live in Biloxi, Miss.
Aired on USA Network
Report by James Caldwell (@JCTorch), PWTorch assistant editor

The final Raw before the WWE Battleground PPV started with a live crowd shot and Michael Cole introducing the show. Cult of Personality played to a big reaction, which brought out C.M. Punk dressed to wrestle to start the show. As Punk made his way to the ring, Michael Cole plugged WWE's partnership with Susan G. Komen for breast cancer awareness.

Before Punk began his promo, WWE replayed events from last week's Raw, where Paul Heyman watched as his man, Ryback, dismantled C.M. Punk. Back in the arena, Punk waited out a "C-M-Punk" chant before saying there are people in this world who say this show thrives on unpredictability. But, he's okay with predictable sometimes. Like, last week, where he got beat up in his hometown. It was also predictable that he would go after Heyman for opening his big fat, insert adjective, insert adjective mouth. And everyone knew he would get jumped if he tried to attack Heyman.

Punk said that's all okay because he knows how this story ends when he gets his hands on Curtis Axel, gets his hands on Ryback, and when he finally gets his hands on Paul Heyman and realizes there's no one left to save him. He said that could be Sunday at Battleground when he faces Ryback, next Monday on Raw, or right here (pop), right now on USA Network on Raw.

Punk continued that he's been in a fighting mood for months and he won't leave the ring until he gets a fight. He said the history books might say that Heyman pinned him in this ring, but everyone knows that he is going to put Paul Heyman out of his misery.

The *predictable* interruption was provided by Brad Maddox to dead-silence. Brad came out on-stage without music, prompting some good-natured ribbing from Punk. Maddox walked to the ring to address Punk's request for a fight, but it's not good for business. Maddox said Punk knows he's getting Ryback one-on-one at the PPV, but he does have the power to give Punk a match tonight. If he would like one (what?). Punk tried to save Maddox by saying he is looking for an outlet for his aggression.

Suddenly, Big E. Langston's music played to bring out Langston. In the ring, Langston took the mic and asked Punk if he wants aggression. Langston then popped Punk in the head with the mic. Langston dismantled Punk, but Langston missed a shoulder tackle and ate the ringpost. GM Maddox then motioned for a referee to show up and restore order for a match.

[ JC's Reax: Not a strong start to the PPV lead-in show. The promo material was paper-thin and Maddox looked very uncomfortable. Way over-scripted and very unnatural, sounding and feeling like a junior-high play. ]

[Commercial Break at 8:10]

1 -- C.M. PUNK vs. BIG E. LANGSTON

The match was in-progress back from break. On the floor, Langston missed a corner attack and ate the ringpost. Back in the ring, Punk wanted a top-rope cross-body and he connected. Punk then teased the GTS, but Langston easily escaped and followed with a Samoa Joe frontslam out of the corner. Langston followed with a big splash to Punk's back, which resulted in a two count.

[Q2] As Langston slowed the pace, JBL broke down Punk's journey from The Undertaker at WrestleMania to Ryback at Battleground. Punk tried to fight back from his knees before landing a kick to the head from his feet. But, Langston escaped a pin attempt. Langston came back with a clothesline for a nearfall. As Punk made his comeback, Cole randomly inserted a comment about Punk being upset today because his Cubs team fired their manager. Odd timing for that line. Punk then went to the top turnbuckle and delivered a Macho Man elbow to the heart.

Punk called for GTS to end the match, he lifted Langston on his shoulders, and he delivered the GTS. Punk covered for the win. On commentary, Cole said this proves that Punk can get a big guy (Ryback) in the air for GTS to win on Sunday. JBL said he's sure that Heyman is getting Ryback ready for Battleground after watching this.

WINNER: Punk at 5:56. Fine use of Langston to demonstrate Punk's GTS on a big-man ahead of Sunday.

Tonight: Orton vs. Bryan in a Face to Face ahead of their title match at the PPV on Sunday. Also tonight: Rhodes Family returns to hear a "business proposal" from Triple H. The graphic labeled it a "Family Summit" with Hunter & Stephanie on one side and Cody, Dusty, and Goldust on the other side.

[Commercial Break at 8:21]

Back live, Fandango's music played to bring out Summer Rae. Next out was Fandango sporting a pink Fandango logo t-shirt for breast cancer awareness. FandangoRae slowly made their entrance to give the announcers time to hype the BCA program. Kofi Kingston was then introduced as Fandango's opponent.

2 -- FANDANGO (w/Summer Rae) vs. KOFI KINGSTON

Fandango controlled early on with a series of moves strung together to ground Kofi as the crowd sat quietly.

[Q3] Kofi made a comeback, but ate the top turnbuckle to stop his momentum. Fandango wanted a top-rope move, but Kofi moved across the ring, which drew Fandango into the corner. This allowed Kofi to nail him with Trouble in Paradise for the pin and the win.

WINNER: Kingston at 3:01. Uninspired, matching the tone of the show thus far.

Post-match: The Wyatt Family video "interruption" cut off Kingston's celebration. Bray Wyatt noted they're here, then the Wyatts appeared in the arena. Kofi remained in the ring, now with a chair in-hand ready to fight off the Wyatts. On the mic, Bray said he has spent the majority of his life trying to understand why these horrible things happen to him. Bray said he finally understands what he must do. Take out WWE Superstars? Bray said "one by one, they will all fall down." Bray closed: "Follow the buzzards." The video suddenly cut out.

[Commercial Break at 8:34]

Battleground pre-show: Dolph Ziggler vs. Damien Sandow was announced for Sunday.

Backstage: The Bella Twins were shown talking about Brie Bella getting a Divas Title shot at the PPV. Randy Orton then walked in (females popped) and said he heard the "big news" about Brie and "little Daniel" getting engaged. Orton asked when the "big day" is because if they have a wedding after Battleground, Daniel Bryan might not make it down the aisle. Because he won't be able to walk. Because he's going to dismantle him. Because then he won't be able to walk if he dismantles him. The Bellas remained silent as Orton walked off.

Announcers: Cole and Lawler recapped Bryan and Brie getting engaged over the weekend. Full story later in the show.

Backstage: Renee Young was standing by with a "very special guest." It was Paul Heyman, whose remaining hair was super-slicked-back. Renee asked Heyman about C.M. Punk desperate to get his hands on him. Heyman said it's so sad to watch Punk break down in this manner. He said Punk will never be able to intimidate or bully him again because he is a "nobody who became a Paul Heyman Guy. A Paul Heyman Guy who became WWE champion. A WWE champion who forgot what made US! ... us ... the Best in the World."

Renee switched gears to asking if Heyman is trying to set another trap for Punk because Ryback and Axel are hiding off-camera. (The camera did not expose these potentially-hilarious hiding spots.) Heyman laughed off Renee's assertion, then vowed to have a big night planned for Punk tonight. He dared Punk to make a move.

Vignette: Los Matadores debut tonight.

[Commercial Break at 8:42]

[Q4] Back from break, some people were in the ring. It was revealed as 3MB members Jinder Mahal and Heath Slater. Justin Roberts then gave a formal ring introduction for "Fernando and Diego," Los Matadores. The crowd was quiet as the bullfighters came out on-stage and did a choreographed dance routine. A mini wrestler dressed in a bull suit then ran through their capes. The "bull" did some acrobatics in the ring before posing with Los Matadores. After the routine ended, the crowd politely applauded.

3 -- LOS MATADORES (FERNANDO & DIEGO w/mini bull) vs. 3MB (HEATH SLATER & JINDER MAHAL)

The bit for Los Matadores is setting up for a move, pausing for the crowd to shout "Ole!," and then execute the move. Slater cut off Un Matador, but Matador fought back with a head scissors. Matador tagged in the other Matador, who executed some high-flying offense. Los Matadores then entered the ring together, did their side-standing pose, and delivered a double-team sit-out slam for the pin and the win.

Post-match, the camera focused on the bull posing in the ring. Cole described his suit as "mini Giant Gonzalez." The announcers tried to play this up as the greatest thing in Raw history as the trio continued to pose in the ring.

WINNERS: Los Matadores at 4:01. Could you imagine if TNA got their act together and put together a competent show? There is a huge opening for an alternative to WWE after the first hour of this show.

Up Next: The McMahons and Rhodes Families get together for a summit.

[Commercial Break at 8:54]

END OF THE FIRST HOUR. SECOND HOUR COVERAGE CONTINUES AT PWTORCH.COM . ...

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