WWE Raw TV Results
September 23, 2013 - Episode #1,060
Live in Chicago, Ill.
Aired on USA Network
Report by James Caldwell (@JCTorch), PWTorch assistant editor

Third Hour WWE Raw Results

Raw returned three minutes before the top of the hour with a replay of Paul Heyman "pinning" C.M. Punk with Ryback's help at Night of Champions.

Exterior: Wrigley Field. Cole said baseball season was over before it started here in Chicago.

C.M. Punk Return Segment

Cult of Personality played to a huge pop, bringing out C.M. Punk dressed in a Chicago Blackhawks jersey. Cole pointed out the jersey selection as Punk walked out on-stage with a smile on his face. Punk, sporting tape over his right knee, hit the ring to a loud "C-M-Punk" chant as Punk soaked up the crowd response. As Punk entered the ring, Cole announced Punk vs. Ryback at Battleground.

[Q9 -- third hour] Punk waited out the loud crowd response before rubbing his forehead and beginning his speech. "Damn you guys, you completely ruined a bad mood," he said. Punk said he hasn't smiled in a week and a day, but he comes out here and can't help himself. He noted Chicago are the NHL champions, but he feels like he let everyone down because he didn't bring the Stanley Cup with him.

Punk said he feels like he's been letting a lot of people down as of late. Punk said he seriously wants to apologize for letting Paul Heyman pin him at Night of Champions. Punk said he's lost plenty of matches and been beat up plenty of times, but this one really bummed him out. Punk said he's thinking that maybe he doesn't know if he can do this anymore. He said he's not sure if he can perform in front of the greatest wrestling crowd in the world anymore. Pause for a "C-M-Punk" chant as Punk rolled up the sleeves on his hockey jersey.

But then he comes out here to a great ovation, he wears the jersey with pride, and he remembers the Hawks being down 3-1 against a very tough Detroit Red Wings team. He said the Hawks didn't feel sorry for themselves. No, they shut their mouths, put their heads down, tied the Series, and then won a Game 7 in overtime. "And that is the Chicago way," Punk said. "Yeah, maybe we lose. Maybe the other city gets the better of us, but we pick ourselves by our bootstraps and go to work the next day."

Punk cursed that he's proud of this sweater and people. He said he's going to come back and "tie the son-of-a-b---- up" and fight. Punk said he wants to fight. He doesn't care if it's Curtis Axel, Ryback, or Paul Heyman. Suddenly, Heyman's voice interrupted. Heyman wheeled himself out on-stage singing "New York, New York," insulting Punk. Heyman tried introducing himself, but his mic cut out.

In the ring, Punk said Heyman is about to catch a big beating from him because they're in Chicago, not in Detroit. And these people will bail him out of jail when he gets his hands on Heyman. On-stage, Heyman sold mock concern as he waited out a Punk chant. Heyman said he doesn't need to be reminded of the building he took in Detroit because he has been in physical therapy since Night of Champions. And he suffered a re-lapse, which has him confined to this motorized wheelchair. However, he takes solace knowing that he beat C.M. Punk.

Heyman said he doesn't want Punk to feel sorry about the loss. "It's geography," he said. "You're from Chicago. The Second City. Second place teams. Second rate citizens. Second class parents. To which you can attest." Heyman added, "The Second Best in the World." Heyman said just to prove his point, he presents Exhibit A. They cut to a still-shot from the PPV eight days ago when Ryback stood over Heyman as he scored a three count on Punk.

Punk paced the ring as Heyman answered "walrus" chants by saying he pinned the biggest shark in the City of Chicago. In the ring, Punk said he's not stupid because he knows how this ends. Punk said when he leaves this ring and makes a move toward Heyman, will his two goons get to him faster than he can get to Heyman? Punk said he just needs two seconds to rip off Heyman's face.

On-stage, Heyman let the words float over him before noting that if Punk does make a move, not only can he beat Punk, but he beat Punk with both hands tied behind his back. "And with that, ladies and gentlemen, I bid you a fair ado." Heyman tried to operate his George Costanza motorized vehicle, but it wouldn't start. So, Punk smiled and left the ring. He got his hands on Heyman for less than a full second, as Ryback and Axel jumped Punk from the stage.

Heyman watched as Ryback and Axel beat down Punk, who fought back momentarily, but Axel cut him off. Heyman covered his face with his hand to deflect any errant blows as the fight continued. On-stage, Punk reversed a whip into the Titantron to send Axel flying into the production area. Punk then went flying off the stage to splash Ryback down below.

On the floor, Punk continued to fight off Heyman's Guys, but Ryback eventually jumped Punk from behind. Ryback then covered Punk's head with the Hawks jersey and chucked him into the side of the Raw set. Ryback slammed Punk onto a production crate, then choked him with his right hand. Ryback then chucked Punk through a production table, ending Punk's night.

Ryback took the mic and said this is what happens to bullies as the crowd chanted, "Goldberg." Heyman smiled and congratulated Ryback on his work as Axel recovered in the background. The crowd chanted Punk's name and a medic checked on Punk as Raw faded to commercial.

[ JC's Reax: Strong segment continuing Punk's quest for revenge on Heyman, while getting heat on Ryback. Refreshing feud on a show that is otherwise centered on heel authority figures emasculating supposedly larger-than-life stars. ]

[Q10] [Commercial Break at 10:15]

Back live, Tons of Funk's music was playing as C.M. Punk continued to sell on the floor. Referees checked on Punk, then WWE replayed the events in the previous segment as Hart music randomly played in the background. WWE continued to replay Punk's beating over the Hart music. Punk eventually made it to his feet before the Bella Twins's music played to bring out the Bellas joined by Eva Marie. WWE cut to a shot of Punk limping away through the production stage to the backstage area. As for the Divas match, suddenly the Bellas and Natalya are friendly. Apparently they bonded over "feuding" on a reality show. A.J. Lee was the last Diva out for the 10-Divas tag match.

5 -- TEAM A.J. LEE vs. TEAM TOTAL DIVAS -- 10-Divas tag match

Brie Bella won the match for her team, vanquishing evil A.J. Tamina Snuka then dragged A.J. away from ringside as the Total Divas celebrated in the ring.

WINNERS: Team Brie at 1:58. Apparently this puts Brie in the Divas Title picture along with Natalya.

Announcers: Cole fed to a plug for WWE's YouTube page, focusing on Randy Orton's best RKOs in 30 seconds.

Backstage: The Shield was standing by with a handheld camera. Dean Ambrose did the speaking, noting they were thrown to the wolves tonight. Or, are they the hounds that chase the wolves and eat them alive? Ambrose said what's important is this match is what's best for business. Seth Rollins spoke that they always make the locker room stand up and take notice, Ambrose said they most importantly always win, and Roman Reigns whispered, "Believe it." The camera swung over to a shot of the group's title belts.

[Commercial Break at 10:25]

Video Package: Daniel Bryan won the WWE Title at Night of Champions, but was stripped of the title the next night on Raw.

[Q11] Daniel Bryan's music played to bring out the former WWE champion to a "Yes!ing" crowd. Bryan entered the ring and posed for the appreciative crowd before Cole relayed the news that it's Bryan vs. Orton for the WWE Title at Battleground in two weeks.

In the ring, Bryan paused for a "Daniel Bryan" chant. Bryan thanked the crowd before noting he has something to talk about. Last week, he was stripped of the WWE Title because he was accused of conspiring with WWE official Scott Armstrong. Bryan described how ludicrous that conversation would be, then noted he might not be the most intelligent human on the planet, but you don't need to fast-count someone when he's already KO'ed.

Bryan said speaking of conspiracies, Hunter and Orton seem to be working together and Hunter gave Scott Armstrong a pretty sweet deal on the way out. Bryan said he doesn't care about what happened at Night of Champions, though, because what's done is done. He said that at Battleground in two weeks, he will take back what is his - the WWE Title. Bryan said it's no fast-counts, no special refs, and no more hiding for Orton. Bryan said when Orton wakes up from the beating he gets, he is going to hear one word etched over and over again in the back of his brain. It's going to haunt him for the rest of his miserable life. And that word will be chanted after he wins at Battleground. "Yes! Yes! Yes!"

Suddenly, The Shield's music interrupted. Cole said Bryan will eventually be joined by his tag partners for the handicap main event, but it appears Shield is looking to take care of business before Bryan's partners arrive. Suddenly, "unemployed" Goldust and Cody Rhodes - in dark street clothes - jumped Shield as they came over the guardrail. Security held back the Rhodes Brothers as the crowd popped for Cody and Goldust - who was wearing his facepaint - hopping the rail for the attack. Security eventually dragged the brothers up the ramp and to the back as Shield recovered on the floor.

[Commercial Break at 10:36]

This Friday on Smackdown: U.S. champion Dean Ambrose vs. Dolph Ziggler for the U.S. Title.

Moments Ago: "Unemployed" Goldust and Cody Rhodes attacked The Shield before security escorted them away from the ringside area. Lawler said they were taken away from the arena, too.

Back in the arena, RVD's music was playing. As Shield regrouped on the outside, a mix of healthy and injured babyfaces were assembled on the ring apron. Quick transition to the main event...

6 -- THE SHIELD (U.S. champion DEAN AMBROSE & WWE tag champions ROMAN REIGNS & SETH ROLLINS) vs. TEAM SUPERSTARS (DANIEL BRYAN & RVD & DOLPH ZIGGLER & R-TRUTH THE USOS & PRIME TIME PLAYERS & JUSTIN GABRIEL & ZACK RYDER & KOFI KINGSTON) -- handicap elimination match

As the match started, Lawler continued to try to to figure out why the McMahons placed Shield in this situation. Ziggler started off the match on the defensive, then hot-tagged an injured RVD. Van Dam couldn't pull off his signature offense with the injuries, so Ambrose eliminated RVD with his facebuster finisher. The babyfaces sold concern as Raw cut to break.

*** RVD eliminated at 2:54 ***

[Q12] [Commercial Break at 10:44]

Back from break, an injured Kofi Kingston was in the ring. Shield worked on Kofi, who sold massive injuries. On commentary, Cole suggested Hunter is trying to transfer the heat on his regime by putting the focus on Shield being in a disadvantageous situation. Kofi eventually succumbed to Ambrose's facebuster finisher for the next elimination.

*** Kingston eliminated at 8:10 ***

Next in was Titus O'Neil, which brought in Roman Reigns for the two big men squaring off center-ring. Reigns took control and drove Titus into the heel corner to wear down the biggest babyface in the match. Titus tried to fight out, but Reigns smashed him with a spear for a pin.

*** Titus eliminated at 9:43 ***

Justin Gabriel was in next. And he took a big spear from Reigns for a pin.

*** Gabriel eliminated at 10:02 ***

Zack Ryder entered next and got in some offense with a missile dropkick. He then warmed up for Broski Boot, but Reigns destroyed him with a spear for a three count.

*** Ryder eliminated at 10:35 ***

Daniel Bryan entered next to give the crowd some hope with "Yes!" kicks as Cole called him the leader of the locker room. Bryan took down all Shield members with dropkicks, then smashed Reigns with a corner dropkick. The Usos were in next and they Superfly-Splashed Reigns. It was good for a three count, popping the crowd. Cole said it's the first time Reigns has been pinned in WWE as Ambrose and Rollins sold shock sending Raw to break.

*** Reigns eliminated at 11:25 ***

[Commercial Break at 10:53]

Back from break, Darren Young was working on Seth Rollins, but Rollins cut him off. Ambrose then tagged in and paintbrushed D-Young before wearing him down. Young fought back with a corner clothesline into a Northern Lights Suplex for a two count. Young tried to follow up, but Rollins blind-tagged into the match and kneed him in the face for a three count.

*** D-Young eliminated at 17:20 ***

Dolph Ziggler entered next and got smashed in the head by Rollins. Ambrose then tagged in and scored a nearfall on a wounded Ziggler. Ambrose drove Ziggler to the corner, but Ziggler smashed him with Zig-Zag. It was good for the three count. JBL said this same outcome would result in a new U.S. champion on Smackdown.

*** Ambrose eliminated at 18:40 ***

[Q13 -- over-run] Rollins was now alone facing Ziggler, Bryan, Truth, and The Usos. Rollins worked on Ziggler as he eyeballed the other babyfaces in their corner. Ziggler broke free, then tagged in Truth, who hit Rollins with a spinning fist smash. He followed with a flapjack for a nearfall. Truth missed with the Lie Detector, though, and took a running head stomp from Rollins for a three count.

*** Truth eliminated at 21:10 ***

After the decision, Bryan assembled the troops around the ring a la The Shield surrounding their foes. JBL said the ref needs to get them in their corners, then Bryan, Ziggler, and The Usos charged the ring to beat down Rollins. The ref tried to restore order, then Ambrose suddenly hit the ring, but he got taken out. Reigns also tried to re-enter, but The Usos superkicked him off the ring apron. Usos then flew over the top rope to take out The Shield.

But, Bryan didn't see Rollins coming from behind with a knee to the back. Rollins then wanted a top-rope move, but Bryan fought him off. Bryan followed with a big diving headbutt, then entered the corner to warm himself up like a crazy man. "Yes!" chants with the arena, then Bryan delivered the running knee smash to the face. Bryan covered Rollins for the win, popping the crowd.

WINNERS: Bryan, Ziggler, and The Usos at 23:10. A necessary outcome to give the audience some "hope" for Bryan heading into a PPV that will struggle for PPV buys. There are just more questions than answers coming out of this deal on what Hunter's "master plan" was for putting Shield in a tough predicament. Is it just a propaganda technique of Hunter "deflecting criticism" on a small thing to cover for a larger thing to make it seem like he's not a bad guy, or is there something else? Overall, there were moments where the babyfaces just seemed like interchangeable, lower-level stars, which is not what Bryan needs to be associated with, but there were also moments where the faces looked credible. They were limited on the magnitude of "victory" they could achieve, though, since they had an 11-on-3 advantage, which doesn't seem like a "noble victory" when they're outmanning the opponents by eight people. There's a lot to unpack here. Bottom line is whether WWE is doing long-term damage to their roster or giving the audience enough hope to see this through on a potential strong comeback.

Post-match: Bryan posed in the ring as JBL said Orton must be wondering what will happen to him at Battleground. Cole said Bryan has emerged as the locker room leader, which Lawler said he better hopes doesn't come back to haunt him. Cole asked aloud if they're looking at the new WWE champion as credits flashed on the screen. Raw signed off with no sign of the McMahons at 11:05 p.m.

Alerts: Follow PWTorch staffer's live, real-time tweets during Raw at Twitter.com/PWTorch/torch-staff .

We welcome your 0-10 score and comments on this show for a "Raw Reax" feature in the Torch Feedback section of PWTorch.com. To contribute your thoughts on Raw, email to pwtorch@gmail.com .

We suggest these recent related articles...

CALDWELL'S WWE RAW RESULTS 10/5: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live Raw - Lesnar returns, Cena's Open Challenge, more

CALDWELL'S WWE RAW RESULTS 9/28: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live Raw - John Cena's Open Challenge, Paul Heyman, Reigns vs. Wyatt main event, MizTV, more

CALDWELL'S WWE RAW RESULTS 9/21: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live Raw - Night of Champions fall-out, Cena vs. Rollins U.S. Title re-match, Bizzaro Kane, more