WWE Raw TV Results
October 14, 2013 - Episode #1,063
Live in St. Louis, Mo.
Aired on USA Network
Report by James Caldwell (@JCTorch), PWTorch assistant editor

WWE Raw opened with a live shot of the arena before Justin Roberts gave the formal ring intro for Shawn Michaels, who bounced out on-stage to begin the show. On commentary, Michael Cole noted HBK is special referee for the WWE Title match at Hell in a Cell in two weeks, then the announcers broke down HBK's record in the Cell. But, he's not wrestling.

Once in the ring, HBK teased the audience with exhaustion after running around the ring. Michaels then thanked everyone for voting for him as special referee before getting down to business. HBK said "many moons ago" he trained an aspiring Superstar named Daniel Bryan. Pause for "Yes!" chants. HBK said he's always liked Bryan, never liked Randy Orton, and his best friend is Triple H, so he understands that people are concerned about where he stands.

Michaels said he respects the two competitors and the Hell in a Cell. How about the WWE Title? Michaels referenced wrestling in the first-ever Cell match in this very building, then guaranteed that one man will walk out the new WWE champion in two weeks. Suddenly, Orton's music interrupted to bring out the hometown star now in a heel role.

As Orton walked out, the crowd was mixed with loud cheers for Orton and boos, playing up the storyline. Orton slowly walked out to the ring as Michaels stood his ground, nervously awaiting Orton's arrival. Once in the ring, Orton stood off to the side to make HBK wait some more.

Orton announced that he has a match with The Miz up next, so he's going to make this quick. Orton said HBK has everyone convinced, but he's going to fill HBK in on a secret that he was born and raised right here in St. Louis. Orton said he knows these people than anyone else, especially Michaels, who continued to frown and look down at the mat.

Orton said he would like to note that the People of St. Louis...aren't all that bright, which drew some boos from those playing along with the heel move. Orton said he sees right through Michaels that he will always be that much better than Michaels. And that fact eats Michaels up inside. No eye contact from Michaels, who then did the, 'Oh snap, you were talking? I wasn't listening" move.

HBK told Orton not to worry about him, but worry about Daniel Bryan. Orton was having nothing of that, as he said he plans to destroy Bryan and make HBK watch while he enjoys every second of it. Orton said he knows that HBK is no stranger to screwjobs, so he better listen up that if he screws him over at Hell in a Cell, there will be no coming back from what he does to him. "ARE WE CLEAR?!" Orton shouted.

HBK said it appears that Orton is trying to intimidate the special referee at Hell in a Cell. Michaels said a lot of people have tried and failed at that, so he just wants to warn him that if he tries anything, he'll kick that head right off your shoulders. HBK turned his back to leave, but Orton spun him around for an RKO, only to have Michaels shove off and tease Sweet Chin Music, but Orton ducked and slipped out of the ring.

As Orton recovered on the outside, The Miz charged ringside and attacked Orton from behind. Refs spilled out to try to separate Miz, who then jumped into the ring wanting to get a piece of Orton, who recovered on the floor.

[ JC's Reax: Good build-up to Michaels vs. Orton for the invisible title belt in two weeks. Wait, that's not the match? Hmm. ]

[Commercial Break at 8:10]

1 -- RANDY ORTON vs. THE MIZ

The match was joined in-progress with Orton recovered and putting a beating on Miz. The announcers recapped the Miz-Orton issue stemming from Orton attacking Miz in front of his parents in Miz's hometown a few weeks ago. Now, they're in Orton's hometown. On the floor, Orton ran over Miz with a knockdown clothesline before pacing the ringside area soaking up the crowd.

[Q2] Back in the ring, Orton covered Miz for a two count. Orton then slowed down the pace with stomps and kicks to keep Miz grounded. Orton needed to inflict more punishment, so he moved Miz to the floor and looked for a guardrail-assisted DDT, but Miz shoved off. Back in the ring, Orton missed with a clothesline and Miz mounted a comeback. Miz then climbed to the top for a left-handed double axe handle blow.

Miz wanted to end it over a smattering of boos, but Orton blocked Skull Crushing Finale. Miz then kicked Orton's leg to set up for the figure-four leglock. But, suddenly, the Wyatt Family vignette interrupted and the lights went out in the arena. Back live, Bray Wyatt was on the stage sitting in his rocking chair while Rowan and Harper stood behind him. Miz then turned around and ate an RKO from Orton, who made the pin for the win.

WINNER: Orton at 5:21. Was it really that important to protect Miz at the expense of one-half of the next PPV main event? Obviously, they didn't want to just have Miz lose like an enhancement talent, but why book the match in the first place? Lukewarm Star vs. Lukewarm Star match-ups do no one any good, which is a throw-back to the 2012 Three-Hour Raw Era when the roster was worn down facing each other in Even Steven matches.

Post-match: Bray Wyatt spoke from his rocking chair that Miz is everything he hates about this world. He asked how much it will take Miz to satisfy this craving he has with fame. Bray said here they were tangled in this moment and he just wants him to not be afraid. "I do not wish to see you suffer. I'm just gonna put you down," Bray said before cackling. "Follow the buzzards," Bray concluded as Miz recovered in the ring. Cut to break.

[Commercial Break at 8:20]

Back live, Fandango and Summer Rae were in the ring. No long, drawn-out ring entrance this week. After Cole plugged WWE's partnership with Susan G. Komen, Santino was introduced to face Fandango in this week's Superstars Brand match.

2 -- SANTINO vs. FANDANGO (w/Summer Rae)

Santino tried to intimidate Fandango with a Cobra hand motion, but Fandango fought back with power offense as the announcers cracked jokes. Santino made a comeback, then prepared to use his sock-puppet Cobra for the win, but Summer hopped on the ring apron, causing Santino to stop short. Fandango then rolled up Santino from behind for the win.

WINNER: Fandango at 2:32. Basic comedy match, but where is this going? Also, odd placement in the middle of the first hour instead of a Q10 buffer segment.

Announcers: Cole plugged a Tag Title match coming tonight: Shield vs. Rhodes Bros.

[Q3] [Commercial Break at 8:29]

GM Office: Paul Heyman was with Brad Maddox. Paul presented video to Maddox about C.M. Punk cheating to beat Ryback at Battleground, wanting Brad to do something about it. Brad didn't get it since Ryback already has his re-match at Hell in a Cell. Paul said he wants much more, then told Brad that he gets to pick the stipulation for the PPV. Paul presented his vision: Punk vs. Ryback and Curtis Axel in a handicap match.

Brad wasn't impressed by the handicap match idea, then said he doesn't think that's very fair. Heyman said Punk is a cheating weasel who doesn't understand the meaning of the word "fair." Maddox then insulted Heyman before suggesting they put Paul's faith in Ryback in Beat the Clock. It's Ryback vs. Truth and Punk vs. Axel. If Ryback beats the clock, then he will let Paul pick the stipulation for Hell in a Cell. But, if Punk beats the clock, then Punk gets to pick the stipulation for HIAC. Paul wasn't too pleased.

Announcers: Cole brought up NXT wrestler Xavier Woods starting an online petition to get Big Show reinstated. Cole laughed as JBL cut a promo on Woods, Show, and everyone else for supporting Show being reinstated. As JBL continued to cut a promo on Xavier, Cole fed to a video package on the "heart and desire" of John Cena to set up Cena's return at HIAC to challenge for the World Title. Cole had the tone of this being the greatest story ever told, which contributes to why many viewers gag on the Cena presentation.

After the video ended, Cole said Cena is returning from injury "months ahead of schedule." Cole then hyped Del Rio vs. Cena for the World Title at HIAC.

In-ring: Los Matadores's music played to bring out Diego and Fernando on-stage. The duo did their choreographed cape-twirl entrance before the camera focused on the space soon to be occupied by El Torito, which drew silence. El Torito ran through the capes a few times before the trio hit the ring. They posed leading to break.

[Commercial Break at 8:41]

[Q4]

3 -- LOS MATADORES vs. 3MB (HEATH SLATER & DREW MCINTYRE w/Jinder Mahal)

Back from break, it was time for another round of 3MB facing the bullfighters, prompting another round of jokes from the announcers. Los Matadores quickly did their choreographed double-team maneuvers, which sent Slater to the outside. El Torito did some gyrations to distract Slater, who then ran into a clothesline.

Back in the ring, 3MB briefly took control of the match as Cole joked about having a recordbook handy to check Los Matadores's winning streak against JBL's claims of there being no winning streak. The discussion then turned to the Texas Longhorns's victory on Saturday, with the tie-in being El Torito being a bull mascot. Back in the ring, Los Matadores made a comeback before setting up for their finishing sequence, complete with posing. A double-team sit-out slam finished off Slater for the win.

Post-match: Jinder Mahal wanted a piece of the action, but Torito "gored" Jinder. Then, Los Matadores finished off Mahal with their combination double-team sit-out slam and Torito coming off the top with a flying crotch splash.

WINNERS: Los Matadores at 4:06.

Announcers: Cole and Co. switched gears to the end of last week's Raw when Big Show knocked out Triple H. But, first, yet another replay of Stephanie McMahon "firing" Big Show in the opening segment last week. Did someone view this as Steph's finest work ever? The video transitioned to a dramatic look at the end of Raw when Big Show returned to Raw and KO'ed an unsuspecting Hunter. Added to the video was post-Raw footage of Steph coming to the ring to check on Hunter.

Up Next: Triple H Answers rumors about his condition. Hunter and Stephanie will be part of the segment. Of note, Cole has heavily labeled the duo as "The Authority" tonight, which is apparently their working title now.

Main Event Plug: U.S. champion Dean Ambrose vs. Dolph Ziggler for the U.S. Title. A Main Event plug on Raw? That was jarring since WWE has not acknowledged Main Event on Raw in months. Someone check PWTorch contributor Michael Cupach for a pulse.

[Commercial Break at 8:53]

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

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