WWE Raw TV Results
April 22, 2013 - Episode #1,038
Taped 4/22 in London, England
Aired on USA Network
Report by James Caldwell, PWTorch assistant editor

First Hour

Raw started with a video package looking back to two weeks ago when The Shield confronted The Undertaker before Kane and Daniel Bryan made the save. Tonight, it's a big six-man tag match. The voice-over announcer said it will be Taker's first match on Raw in three years. The intro video then transitioned to a look at the John Cena vs. Ryback feud over the WWE Title.

Raw went straight to the ring, where Paul Heyman was standing by. Heyman introduced himself to boos, then noted he is here tonight as the advocate for "Brrrrrock Lesssssnar." Heyman said he's sure the buzz in the "global community" over the last week has been Lesnar destroying 3MB last week on Raw. The other buzz is Lesnar calling out Triple H for a match at Extreme Rules, Heyman said. Heyman then fed to a video package highlighting what he was referring to.

Back in the ring, Heyman said it's the moment everyone has been waiting for - the answer from a first-ballot Hall of Famer, Triple H. Unfortunately, though, Heyman claimed Hunter is not here tonight. Responding to boos, Heyman said he feels the same way. He twisted it that he's also been let down by Hunter, then pulled out his phone to read an email from Hunter. The "message" read that Hunter will give his answer next week. "Next week?" Heyman asked. Heyman pretended to have a conversation with Hunter about wanting to shake his hand and say he respects him, but he has again been let down by this coward who lacks the manhood to appear in London.

Suddenly, Triple H's music played and Heyman's eyes bulged out of his head. Hunter emerged on-stage and surveyed an appreciative crowd as Heyman sold shock with a double-take. Hunter, with a black cast on his left wrist, marched to the ring, then smiled into the ring, where Heyman responded with an uncomfortable smile. Hunter then entered the ring and completed his ring introduction and posing.

Once Heyman's music stopped, Heyman said he gets it that he was played. Ha ha. Hunter then got in Heyman's face, twirled Heyman's tie, looked at Heyman's phone, and said he lied in the message. Heyman, having now figured this out, tried to plead with Hunter, who told Heyman to send a message to Brock that he accepts the cage match at Extreme Rules. Hunter then dropped Heyman with a Pedigree to put an exclamation mark on the message to Lesnar. WWE replayed the Pedigree before Hunter slipped out of the ring and marched to the back as Heyman continued to sell unconsciousness in the ring. On commentary, Michael Cole, JBL, and Jerry Lawler had a good time at Heyman's expense. A doctor eventually hit the ring to check on Heyman, who remained face-down on the mat.

Still to come: World champ Dolph Ziggler vs. Chris Jericho tonight on Raw.

[Commercial Break]

[Q2]

Exterior Shot: Hey, Raw is in London. And they have double-deckers.

In-ring: R-Truth's music played to bring out the first match competitor tonight. Truth did his complete ring introduction, engaging the crowd in the "What's Up?" sing-along. Ringside, Michael Cole got too into it, prompting JBL to describe him having the rhythm of a drunk elephant. Antonio Cesaro was then introduced as Truth's opponent. Cesaro yodeled down to the ring, drawing groans from the crowd. Before the match started, WWE replayed Cesaro dropping the U.S. Title to Kingston last week on Raw. Cesaro took a peek at the footage, then angrily locked up with Truth to start the match.

1 -- R-TRUTH vs. ANTONIO CESARO

Cesaro delivered an emphatic European Uppercut to Truth's lower back early on, then short-arm clotheslined Truth. Cesaro followed with stomps to the back before the crowd asserted itself for the first time with an "Ole!, Ole!" chant. Lawler said Cesaro's in the ring and Bizzaro's in the crowd. Truth made a comeback with clotheslines before missing the Axe Kick. But, Truth came back with a face-first suplex for a two count. Truth then kind of slammed Cesaro with an attempted "What's Up?" facebuster. Despite being poorly-executed, it was good for the win. The announcers noted Cesaro is now going the opposite direction.

WINNER: Truth at 2:16. Apparently they're going with a heel losing streak gimmick for Cesaro? Yikes.

Outside: Somewhere, a helicopter was shown touching down in a dirt field. After the announcers questioned who's in the chopper, The Shield were shown arriving in their own helicopter. Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins, and Roman Reigns emerged from the chopper, then jumped in a Range Rover and sped off to the arena.

In-ring: Tons of Funk were introduced for the next match.

[Commercial Break]

In-ring: Tons of Funk completed their ring introduction back from break, then Rhodes Scholars were introduced on-stage. Damien Sandow and Cody Rhodes shook hands on-stage, then WWE cut to a shot of a Sandow Imitator dressed for the occasion in the crowd. Cole noted it's Sandow against Clay in singles action.

2 -- DAMIEN SANDOW (w/Cody Rhodes) vs. BRODUS CLAY (w/Tensai and Cameron & Naomi)

The commentary quickly fell off, as Cole talked about his high-school basketball number of Double Zero. JBL said that was also his scoring average. In the ring, Clay blasted away at Sandow before the crowd began humming Fandango's theme music. That died out quickly, then Sandow set up for and delivered the Elbow of Disdain as the Sandow Imitator followed along facing the hard camera. Sandow followed with a reverse chinlock as the crowd began Woo'ing.

[Q3] Clay responded with fists and smashes to the gut before the crowd briefly chanted JBL's name. Clay then executed a t-bone suplex, drawing Rhodes onto the ring apron. Clay scared him away, but Sandow yanked Clay across the top rope. Sandow then rolled up Clay with a handful of tights for the pin and the win.

WINNER: Sandow at 3:25. Just a TV match. Neither guy has been protected in recent months, so it felt completely irrelevant.

Raw two weeks ago: Dolph Ziggler cashed in his MITB briefcase on Alberto Del Rio to win the World Title. As a result of recent events, Booker T has booked Ziggler vs. Del Rio vs. Jack Swagger for the World Title at Extreme Rules.

Backstage: Dolph Ziggler was shown telling someone off-camera that he/she is beautiful. The camera pulled back by showing Ziggler eyeing the World Title belt. A.J. walked in and asked Ziggler if he's trying to make her jealous. Ziggler then told A.J. to go win a title, then described Divas champ Kaitlyn as a water buffalo. They kissed, then the camera pulled back to reveal Big E. Langston folding his arms, apparently unhappy with this. Ziggler told Big E. to stop creeping because it's their quality time. Big E. stomped off.

Vickie Guerrero and Brad Maddox then interrupted kissing time and told Ziggler that he's facing Chris Jericho tonight. Ziggler shook it off, then Vickie told Ziggler that if Jericho wins tonight, he gets added to the three-way match at Extreme Rules to make it a fatal four-way. Brickie laughed to themselves and walked off, then Ziggler and A.J. sold frustration with Vickie's decision-making.

[Commercial Break]

Announcers: Cole, Lawler, and JBL were shown on-camera setting up footage from last week's Raw when C.M. Punk talked about wanting to beat The Streak at WrestleMania, but he was unsuccessful, so reality set in and he walked away from WWE. Back to Cole and Co., who said they have been trying to reach out to Punk this week, but he won't talk to anyone about his future.

Backstage: The Shield interrupted the broadcast with a handheld video addressing The Undertaker. Ambrose said Taker has been judge, jury, and executioner for 20 years in WWE, but he doesn't know who gave Taker that right. So, they will mete out their own brand of justice. Ambrose said Shield is The Law now-a-days, Seth Rollins said they will own the night, Ambrose said for the first time in Taker's life, he will know what justice tastes like, and Roman Reigns closed by telling everyone to believe in The Shield.

In-ring: Chris Jericho's music played and the arena filled up with bright lights to signal Jericho's return to Raw TV. Justin Roberts introduced Jericho, who marched to the ring to a loud ovation. Cole noted Jericho's current "Fozzy" tour, then noted Jericho has a high-stakes match with the World champ next.

[Q4] [Commercial Break]

Back from break, WWE ran footage from last month when Jericho made Ziggler tap out to the Walls of Jericho, which perhaps gives Jericho an edge tonight. World champ Ziggler was then introduced on-stage along with A.J. Lee and Big E. Langston.

3 -- World Hvt. champion DOLPH ZIGGLER (w/A.J. Lee and Big E. Langston) vs. CHRIS JERICHO -- non-title match -- if Jericho wins, he is added to World Title match at Extreme Rules

Feeling-out process, then Ziggler decided he had enough of Jericho and slipped to the floor for a breather. Ziggler turned his back on the ring to kiss A.J., so Jericho dropkicked Ziggler through the ropes, which sent Ziggler flying into the barricade. Jericho in control heading to break.

[Commercial Break]

Back from break, Ziggler gained control during the break. The crowd tried to get momentum behind a Fandango sing-along, but it died out quickly. Meanwhile, Ziggler continued to work on Jericho in-between taunts.

[Q5 -- second hour] Jericho made his comeback at the top of the hour, then called a spot in plain sight of the camera. Jericho wanted the Walls of Jericho, but Ziggler blocked, so Jericho nailed an enziguiri for a nearfall. A.J., sensing her man in trouble, caused a distraction, allowing Big E. to pop Jericho in the face. The crowd groaned, then Ziggler covered Jericho, but Jericho escaped the pin attempt.

Ziggler followed up with punches to the gut before stalking Jericho for a sleeperhold. Jericho dropped to his knees, but then rose to his feet and broke the sleeper with a backpack slam. The Wave broke out in the crowd, then Ziggler nailed a DDT for a two count. WWE focused on The Wave as the two men rested on the mat.

Jericho then came to his feet and joined in The Wave before attempting the Lionsault, but Ziggler blocked before nailing a Fameasser. Ziggler covered, but Jericho kicked out again. Ziggler climbed to the top rope, but Jericho crotched him before delivering a superplex. It was only good for a two count, though. Another Fandango chant broke out, then Jericho quieted it with The Codebreaker. But, he was slow to make a cover, allowing Ziggler to put his foot on the bottom rope for a rope break.

A.J. again got involved, but Jericho saw Big E.'s involvement coming and dropkicked him off the apron. Jericho then slapped on the Walls of Jericho as he was staring at the videoboard. Suddenly, Fandango's theme music played and the crowd broke out in singing and humming. The slight distraction allowed Ziggler to escape, the music kept playing, and Ziggler nailed the Zig-Zag. The music kept on going as Ziggler pinned Jericho for the win.

WINNER: Ziggler at 16:45. Good TV match. It wasn't their best outing, though, with a lot of slow points. Also, the crowd was too interested in re-heating Raw from two weeks ago, creating an odd atmosphere.

Raw last Monday: Ryback walked away as The Shield took out John Cena. So, at Extreme Rules, it will be John Cena vs. Ryback for the WWE Title.

Backstage: Josh Mathews brought in Mick Foley for a chat. Foley, with chopped hair, plugged his DVD before being asked about the Attitude Era compared to this era. Foley transitioned to a discussion of Ryback, saying he has potential to be one of the greatest stars of all-time, but he will fall short if he continues to blame others for his issues. Foley said he will need to need look in the mirror if he's going to beat Cena at Extreme Rules.

[Commercial Break]

SECOND HOUR COVERAGE CONTINUES...

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