Fear?
Thirteen nights before Money-in-the-Bank, the 1049th edition of WWE Monday Night RAW came to you, live, from the Gateway Arena at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, IA. Last week, Paul Heyman told CM Punk, to his face, that he had nothing to do with Brock Lesnar attacking CM Punk two weeks ago on RAW and, while reluctant, “The Best in the World” apologized for doubting his “best friend” and, moments later in a match with Darren Young, Punk would find himself facing a two-on-one beat-down from The Prime Time Players, but the newest “Paul Heyman Guy”, Curtis Axel, made the save for CM Punk against Punk’s will. Not only that, but Paul Heyman took it upon himself to talk to RAW Managing Supervisor Vickie Guerrero, making a match pitting the team of CM Punk and Intercontinental Champion Curtis Axel against The Prime Time Players on this week’s RAW! Thirteen nights before they defend their respective titles against Mark Henry and Dolph Ziggler, respectively, at Money-in-the-Bank, the two top champions in the WWE would square off as WWE Champion John Cena would go one-on-one with World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio in a non-title, Champion vs. Champion Match!
Match Results
- 6-Man Tag: The Shield def. Christian and Jimmy & Jey Uso by Dean Ambrose rolling up Christian.
- Dolph Ziggler def. Jinder Mahal by pin following the Zig Zag.
- Special Referee- Daniel Bryan: Kane def. Randy Orton by DQ after Randy Orton shoves Daniel Bryan.
- Special Referee- Daniel Bryan: Kane (with Daniel Bryan) def. Randy Orton by pin following a big boot with a fast count by Daniel Bryan.
- Sheamus def. Fandango by intentional count-out.
- The Miz def. Ryback by requested referee stoppage.
- CM Punk & Curtis Axel def. The Prime Time Players by Curtis Axel pinning Darren Young following the GTS by CM Punk.
- Kaitlyn def. Alicia Fox by pin following the Spear.
- Antonio Cesaro def. Cody Rhodes by pin following the Neutralizer.
- Champion vs. Champion: Non-Title: John Cena (with Dolph Ziggler) def. Alberto Del Rio (with Mark Henry) by pin following the Attitude Adjustment.
Detailed Results
One week after forcing Randy Orton to tap out in a vicious Street Fight, RAW kicks off with one of the seven combatants in the Money-in-the-Bank All-Stars match for a WWE Championship opportunity, Daniel Bryan. With a ladder set up in the ring and a briefcase hanging high above the ring in semblance to Money-in-the-Bank, Daniel Bryan says that the question of being the “weak link” was finally answered last week, proclaiming that his submission defeat of Randy Orton proves that he is not the weak link. Along with the crowd, Daniel Bryan screams “yes” in response to asking himself if he will win the Money-in-the-Bank contract for a guaranteed WWE Title match. Bryan continues, saying that he wants to “follow in the footsteps of the greats”, such as Bruno Sammartino, Hulk Hogan, Stone Cold Steve Austin, and The Rock. Bryan then says that he won Money-in-the-Bank a couple of years ago and ultimately became the World Heavyweight Champion and it has been “far too long”. Bryan continues, saying that, just because the match is filled with all-stars does not mean that history will not repeat itself, vowing that he will be the WWE Champion.
Daniel Bryan is then interrupted by fellow Money-in-the-Bank All-Stars combatant, Sheamus, who reminds Bryan that he defeated him for the World Heavyweight Title in 18 seconds at WrestleMania. Sheamus says that he is not going to let anyone stand in his way of winning at Money-in-the-Bank. Yet another Money-in-the-Bank All-Stars competitor, Randy Orton, then comes out, saying that it has been two long years since he has held a championship and he is not hungry, he is “starving” and he needs to regain the WWE Title. “The Viper” says that he will not make the mistake of giving the champion fair notice like John Cena did last year. Daniel Bryan then reminds Randy Orton that he made Orton tap out last week and Orton says that will let that one slide, but if Bryan insults him again, he will drop him. Orton then says that he is “desperate” and that means that “no one is safe”. The fourth piece of the puzzle then comes to the ring as Kane says that no one in WWE history has been more “ruthless” than him and he has no problem committing “unspeakable acts” against his opponents, even his “so-called friends”. Bryan asks why Kane is looking at him like that before saying that Kane is just upset that Kane could not defeat Orton on SmackDown. This sparks a classic argument between Kane and Bryan, but it is interrupted by the fifth man in Money-in-the-Bank All-Stars, Christian, who says that he is looking for “one more match” and that match will be for the WWE Championship. Christian then says that he may not be the “biggest”, “scariest”, or “hairiest” man in the match, but there is no doubt that he is the “best”.
This brings CM Punk to the ring, who says that he was not going to do the “predictable thing” and come out there, but he heard someone claiming to be the “best”. Punk then says that he is not only the “best in the world”, but he is the best at the Money-in-the-Bank Ladder Match because he is the only man who can say that he won it twice and he will make it three times come Money-in-the-Bank. Punk then says that “no one can touch” him in that ring before addressing the seventh man in the match, Rob Van Dam, saying that he knows that RVD will do whatever it takes to grab the briefcase. Punk then begins to address the other competitors in the match, but Daniel Bryan butts in, saying that he will make Punk tap out like he did Orton last week. Fed up, Orton makes a move toward Bryan, but Kane steps in between the two and Bryan shouts at Kane, saying that he does not need anyone to fight his battles, but “The Viper” takes the opportunity to take Kane down, dropping the monster with the RKO! This leads to a stand-off between the five standing competitors and all the competitors, with the exception of Daniel Bryan and Kane, slowly exit the ring one after another.
After suffering only their second loss in 6-Man Tag action on SmackDown, The Shield, United States Champion Dean Ambrose and WWE Tag Team Champions Seth Rollins & Roman Reigns, would face “Captain Charisma” Christian and Jimmy & Jey Uso in a rematch from SmackDown. In the end, it was Seth Rollins hanging Christian up on the top rope, allowing Dean Ambrose to catch Christian with a roll-up, scoring the victory for The Shield.
Backstage, Daniel Bryan confronts Kane, informing his former tag team partner that he talked to Vickie Guerrero and got Kane a rematch with Randy Orton, but the catch is that Daniel Bryan will be the special referee for the match!
Two weeks before he gets his rematch against Alberto Del Rio for the World Heavyweight Title, Dolph Ziggler was in action on RAW as “The Show-Off” went one-on-one with 3MB member Jinder Mahal, with Heath Slater & Drew McIntyre in his corner. In the end, it was Dolph Ziggler dropping Jinder Mahal with the Zig Zag en route to picking up the win. After the match, Heath Slater & Drew McIntyre would surround Dolph Ziggler, but Dolph would use his quickness to avoid the attack, moving out of the way of an oncoming Heath Slater, who runs into the steel steps. Jinder Mahal then tries to hold Dolph Ziggler for Drew McIntyre, but Dolph escapes Jinder’s grip and McIntyre inadvertently takes Jinder down before Dolph drops McIntyre with the Zig Zag on the arena floor!
Backstage, WWE COO Triple H commends Vickie Guerrero for her work on tonight’s RAW and Vickie admits that she is a little bit stressed out over different members of the McMahon family telling her different things to do. The COO offers some advice for Vickie, saying to listen to what Vince & Stephanie have to say, but then do not do any of what they tell you to do, advising Vickie to just listen to him.
In a rematch from last week’s SmackDown, RAW would feature “The Viper” Randy Orton going one-on-one with “The Big Red Monster” Kane, but this time, Daniel Bryan would serve as the Special Referee for the match. During the match, things would get heated between Randy Orton and Special Referee Daniel Bryan and Orton shoves the official. Bryan then rings the bell for the disqualification, but Kane takes issue with the call, demanding that the match be restarted. Daniel Bryan complies and the match resumes! Later in the match, Randy Orton was poised to strike with the RKO, but Daniel Bryan would step in front of Orton, preventing the RKO and allowing Kane to hit a big boot on “The Viper”. Kane then pins Orton and Daniel Bryan administers a lightning-quick three-count, screwing Orton over! After the match, a furious Kane nearly drops Bryan with the chokeslam, but thinks better of it, storming out of the ring as Orton gets a measure of payback for the screw job, dropping Daniel Bryan with the RKO!
Backstage, CM Punk is with Paul Heyman and Intercontinental Champion Curtis Axel, saying that he trusts Paul Heyman, but he does not trust Curtis Axel. Heyman points out that people used to think that of Punk as well, saying that Punk needs to trust his judgment and his judgment is that Punk can trust Curtis Axel.
Back in action following his concussion last month, “The Dancing Enigma” would be looking to build momentum towards the World Heavyweight Championship Contract Money-in-the-Bank Ladder Match as Fandango, with Summer Rae in his corner, would go one-on-one with “The Celtic Warrior” Sheamus. After taking a shellacking at the hands of Sheamus throughout the match, Fandango would opt to make his exit, taking the count-out loss.
With Chris Jericho a guest on commentary, Jericho’s opponent at Money-in-the-Bank, Ryback, would go one-on-one with The Miz on RAW. Throughout the match, The Miz would work over the supposedly injured leg of Ryback and, after a dropkick to the injured leg, Ryback pleads with the referee to stop the match and the referee complies, awarding the match to The Miz! After the match, Chris Jericho would pick his moment to strike, dropping his Money-in-the-Bank opponent with the Codebreaker!
With his WWE Title match against champion John Cena a couple of weeks away at Money-in-the-Bank, “The World’s Strongest Man” Mark Henry appears on RAW, saying that he has upheld the moniker of “The World’s Strongest Man” throughout his seventeen years in the WWE. Henry continues, saying that he earned the “respect” of every Superstar he has worked with, but on the business side of the WWE, there is a lot of “backstabbing” and “accidental injuries”, but “they” have still not given him a WWE Title opportunity. Henry says that all of the years that he “pretended” to like the boys and all of the years of doing what is “good for the business”, they have gotten him nowhere. Henry continues, saying that he has “earned the right” to be the WWE Champion and, at Money-in-the-Bank, no one is going to keep him down anymore and he will do the “right thing” for himself and, after he defeats John Cena, everyone will look at him and say, “Mark Henry earned that WWE Championship”. Henry then has a message for John Cena, looking into the camera and telling the WWE Champion, “I’m going to beat your ass”!
Backstage, Vickie Guerrero is confronted by WWE Chairman Mr. McMahon, who says that Vickie is not listening to him in regards to Daniel Bryan, but quickly moves on, saying that the main event she has in store for RAW is “awesome”. McMahon admits that it is a great main event, but Vickie is giving the main event away on free television, saying that Vickie nor his family understand the value of money and the right way to do business. The Chairman then threatens both Vickie and Brad Maddox, saying that there is a list a mile long of people who have been fired or literally thrown out of the building because they did not do what he told them to do.
In a match put together against CM Punk’s will by Paul Heyman, “The Best in the World” would team with Intercontinental Champion Curtis Axel, with Paul Heyman in his corner, to face The Prime Time Players, Darren Young & Titus O’Neil. The issues would immediately arise between CM Punk and Curtis Axel as Punk orders Axel to stand on the apron, but before Punk could even take part in the match, Axel would tag himself in. Despite Punk repeatedly telling Axel to tag him in, the cocky Intercontinental Champion would refuse to make the tag. However, when Curtis Axel found himself in dire straits later in the match, the Intercontinental Champion would finally tag CM Punk into the match. Punk would dominate the match from that point, but after Punk hits Darren Young with the GTS, Titus O’Neil would make a run at Punk and Punk would toss Titus over-the-top rope to the outside. However, Punk would get too close to Curtis Axel, who tags himself in, stealing the pinfall from Punk for the win! After the match, an angry CM Punk would refuse to celebrate with Paul Heyman and Curtis Axel, leaving the ring in a huff.
The Divas were in action on RAW as Kaitlyn, with Layla in her corner, would go one-on-one with Alicia Fox. In the end, it was Kaitlyn putting Alicia Fox down with the Spear en route to picking up the win. After the match, Divas Champion AJ Lee and Big E. Langston come out to the stage as AJ says that Kaitlyn should not “throw stones” in a glass house, again calling Kaitlyn “trash”. The Divas Champion then shows a doctored photo of Kaitlyn before her time in the WWE, a photo that shows a house-sized Kaitlyn. AJ then says that, after Money-in-the-Bank, Kaitlyn will be going back to where she came from.
Backstage, WWE Executive Vice President Stephanie McMahon takes issue with Vickie Guerrero not watching her own show, but when the stressed Vickie starts to try to bond with Stephanie McMahon as a woman, Stephanie asks when they became “girlfriends”. Stephanie says that she does not appreciate Vickie making fun of her family before saying that Vickie needs a set direction. Stephanie then announces that, next week on RAW, Vickie will have a public job evaluation, which could either see Vickie getting promoted to the General Manager of RAW or it could result in Vickie getting fired altogether!
Two of the seven participants in the World Heavyweight Championship Contract Money-in-the-Bank Ladder Match were in action on RAW as Cody Rhodes, with Damien Sandow in his corner, would go one-on-one with the Americanized Antonio Cesaro, with Zeb Colter and the returning Jack Swagger in his corner. In the end, it was Antonio Cesaro planting Cody Rhodes with the Neutralizer en route to picking up the win. After the match, Damien Sandow looks at his tag team partner, Cody Rhodes, in disbelief over Rhodes’ loss.
Then it was time for the main event as, thirteen nights before they defend their respective titles at Money-in-the-Bank, WWE Champion John Cena would go one-on-one with World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio in a non-title, Champion vs. Champion Match. During the intense match, John Cena would lock Alberto Del Rio in the STF, but would release the hold once he realizes that Mark Henry had made his way to ringside. The distraction nearly costs the WWE Champion, but Cena manages to kick out of a roll-up and, after a straight kick to the head from Del Rio, Cena kicks out again. Dolph Ziggler then rushes out, climbing the top rope, this distracts Del Rio long enough for Cena to hit the Attitude Adjustment on Del Rio en route to picking up the win. After the match, Mark Henry grabs the WWE Title belt and enters the ring, faking Cena out by acting like he is going to hit Cena with the belt. With a smile on his face, Mark Henry tosses the title belt to the mat and, when Cena goes to pick it up, Henry again fakes Cena out, acting like he is going to kick the champion in the head before finally exiting the ring.
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