WWE Main Event Results
August 19, 2014
Phoenix, Ariz.
Aired on WWE Network
Report by James Caldwell, PWTorch assistant editor

Michael Cole opened the show from the broadcast position, bumping Tom Phillips from the lead position. But, Byron Saxton was still on Main Event as commentator. Cole and Saxton noted they've never worked together as U.S. champion Sheamus was introduced for the opening match. Curtis Axel was out next to face Sheamus.

1 -- U.S. champion SHEAMUS vs. CURTIS AXEL -- non-title match

Before the bell sounded, a siren sounded to bring out Cesaro dressed in a fashionable European suit. He joined the commentary team, noting the WWE Network is now available in 170 countries, so he thought he would join the announce team to speak to the international audience. Sheamus dominated early on, but Axel landed a kick that sent Sheamus rolling to the floor to gain control. Axel worked on Sheamus back in the ring leading to a break.

[Break]

Axel slapped Sheamus around back from break. Axel pushed Sheamus a little too far, though, as Sheamus no-sold and came to his feet to angrily smash Axel all over the ring. Sheamus connected with a flying elbow from the top turnbuckle, then put Axel on the ring apron for Ten Forearms to the Chest right in front of Cesaro, which Cesaro took exception to. Sheamus then went for the Brogue Kick, Axel ducked too soon, and Sheamus grazed Axel, but Axel sold like it was a full shot. Sheamus scored the pin for the win.

Post-match: Cesaro stood up and grabbed Sheamus's U.S. Title belt. Cesaro looked at the belt, then casually tossed it into the ring. Sheamus caught the title and glared at Cesaro as he walked away.

WINNER: Sheamus at 9:32. Fine to re-establish Sheamus after a cold start to his U.S. Title reign.

Still to come: Big Show vs. Erick Rowan. Michael Cole interrupted with "breaking news" from Triple H.

Video Message: Triple H delivered a message that John Cena submitted a request for his WWE Title re-match earlier in the day. Brock Lesnar accepted. Therefore, it will be Lesnar vs. Cena for the WWE Title at Night of Champions.

Announcers: Back to Cole and Saxton to discuss Cena only waiting two days to decide he wants to face Lesnar again despite the beating he took at Summerslam.

In-ring: The Bella Twins's music played. The crowd initially cheered, but heel Nikki Bella came out. The crowd still remained a bit behind Nikki, especially being announced from Arizona. After a review of Nikki turning on Brie at Summerslam, Main Event cut to break.

[Break]

2 -- NIKKI BELLA vs. EMMA

Back from break, Emma was doing her thing in the ring. The announcers initially focused on the Cena vs. Lesnar re-match announcement, then stopped to acknowledge a light "You Sold Out" chant directed at Nikki. Nikki channeled her frustration with an attack on Emma. Emma tried to come back with a top-rope splash, but Nikki moved and followed up with a torture rack backbreaker. It was good for the pin and the win.

WINNER: Nikki at 3:37. Basic reinforcement of Nikki now in a heel role.

Backstage: Renee Young brought in Mark Henry and Big Show. Renee was nearly squeezed out of the camera shot standing next to the big men. Show talked about facing another big man like Erick Rowan, predicting a big, ugly match. Show joked about busting out some luchador moves, but Henry told him no. KO Punch only. "Just go out there and whoop him so we can go eat," Henry said.

[Break]

Announcers: Cole and Saxton reset the show. Cole then re-introduced Hunter's announcement of Lesnar vs. Cena for the WWE World Title at Night of Champions.

This Monday: John Cena returns to Raw to speak about his match at Summerslam.

In-ring: Heath Slater and Titus O'Neil were in the ring arguing about their pairing before Los Matadores's music played to bring out Diego and Fernando leading the way for El Torito. And, Hornswoggle dressed like a cow, complete with udders.

3 -- TITUS O'NEIL & HEATH SLATER vs. LOS MATADORES (DIEGO & FERNANDO w/El Torito and Hornswoggle)

Los Matadores worked on Slater early on as Cole cracked farm-related jokes. Diego had Slater pinned, but Titus broke up a pin. Fernando then dumped Titus, but Slater dumped Fernando. Back to Slater and Diego trading nearfalls, then Slater nailed an implant DDT for the pin and the win.

Post-match: Torito entered the ring to check on Diego, which drew Slater's attention. Slater wanted a piece of Torito, but CowSwoggle kicked Slater from behind. Slater laughed him off, dropped down to his knees, and found himself double-teamed by the bull and cow, who sent Slater crashing into Titus.

WINNERS: Slater Gator at 4:23. Basic deal giving the heels a win, but erasing it with the heels getting embarrassed.

Suddenly, the Wyatt theme interrupted. On the video screen, Luke Harper talked about Big Show walking amongst the clouds, but he must be saved from his sins. Harper predicted the giant crashing down. From behind his sheep mask, Erick Rowan offered: "Big Show, run."

[Break]

Raw Rebound: Seth Rollins vs. Dean Ambrose, which should have been the top story of this show 22 hours removed from how Raw went off the air with Ambrose "stretchered away" after taking a Curb Stomp into cinder blocks.

Announcers: Cole and Saxton noted Ambrose left Raw and has not been seen since after refusing medical treatment.

Backstage: Renee Young was less chipper than on Raw introducing heel Seth Rollins, asking for an explanation of what he did last night on Raw. Rollins blew off the question by shifting blame to the audience for picking a Falls Count Anywhere match. "They did this to Dean Ambrose," Rollins said. Rollins noted a lot of heroes have fallen on tough times lately, then listed "losers" like John Cena, Chris Jericho, and Jack Swagger.

Swagger heard Rollins talking and stepped up to Rollins, saying he's talking pretty tough without babysitter Kane around. Rollins laughed him off and said he won his match at Summerslam, unlike Swagger, who took a nap for his country. Swagger had enough and put Rollins on notice for a match. Rollins said he'll fight him, but it will be Friday at Smackdown.

In-ring: Big Show was introduced for the main event, accompanied by Mark Henry. The Wyatt interruption then brought out Erick Rowan and Luke Harper for the main event.

[Break]

4 -- BIG SHOW (w/Mark Henry) vs. ERICK ROWAN (w/Luke Harper)

Big Show knocked Rowan over the top rope early on, but Rowan whipped Show into the ringpost when he tried to follow up. Back in the ring, Rowan stomped and kicked Show. But, Show caught Rowan's foot for a big clothesline. Show then opened up Rowan's garbageman suit to chop him across the chest. And, one more time after shushing the crowd. Show tried a running move, but Rowan ducked and speared Show's knee to chop down the giant.

Rowan wore down Show for a few minutes as Henry tried to encourage Show to fight back. Rowan measured Show for a big bodyslam, like last night on Raw, and he connected, but Show kicked out. Moments later, Rowan tried to pick up Show, but Show just pulled out a KO Punch out of nowhere. It wasn't a full blow, but Show limped over to cover Rowan for a three count.

Post-match: Henry entered the ring to help Show to his feet as Harper simply stood still staring into the ring. WWE replayed Show's sudden KO Punch before returning to a shot of Harper still glaring toward Show and Henry as Henry helped Show out of the ring to wrap up Main Event.

WINNER: Show at 6:33. An anti-climatic finish, but it also worked well on a sports-like level of the finish coming out of nowhere rather than neatly building to a finishing sequence.

Overall, WWE treated this week's show like a big deal, which seemed to be the result of being two days removed from Summerslam, a new emphasis on the Network post-international launch, and the logo redesign. WWE will likely lose interest again a few weeks from now, but this show at least felt important.

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