Fresh off of Night of Champions, both CM Punk and Daniel Bryan had different bones to pick. Neither one got the opportunity. But at least Bryan got TV time.
For Bryan, all his character wanted was a well-deserved rant. One directed primarily at one Vince McMahon and his corporation. But Triple H told Bryan not to get the celebratory champagne out just yet. Proclaiming referee Scott Armstrong (who was fired later in the night) counted fast in the pin fall that earned Bryan the title at last night’s PPV, it was obvious that Triple H set the whole thing up.
An RKO later and there was officially no WWE Champion. After the encounter, Triple H and Stephanie told Orton they wanted a more ruthless champion. Otherwise they’d find someone else to be the face of the company.
That’s exactly what they got as Orton destroyed the Miz.
As Triple H and Orton, along with The Shield, continue to drive Bryan and the fans batty, this angle is still building. The only question is who else will Triple H get to help his group? An appearance from Dusty Rhodes also added a level of spice to the storyline as well. Perpetuating their bully persona even more when she called The Shield in on the WWE Hall of Famer, Stephanie was in pure ice princess mode this week. It was glorious.
Punk, however, had a different axe to grind. After Ryback interfered and cost him his shot at Paul Heyman, Punk was bound to be pissed. Paul Heyman ultimately got the first shot in this week as he anointed Ryback a new Heyman guy. Punk wasn’t on the show.
Away from those two angles, RAW featured a solid card with enough storyline development to fill out the rest of the roster. Another Wyatt Family vignette and a solid tag team match show the company is trying to develop as much of the roster as they can.
In the words of Diamond Dallas Page, “That’s, a good thing.”
Matches:
WWE United States Champion Dean Ambrose vs. Dolph Ziggler: Both competitors hit their signature offense, but Ambrose was more unexpected with the Dragon Sleeper, Spinebuster and a top rope Butterfly Suplex. Ziggler nearly won with a Backslide, but Ambrose countered and went for his finisher. Ziggler then answered with a counter of his own and hit the Zig-Zag for the win.
Fandango w/Summer Rae vs. R-Truth: This match was all R-Truth, from his strike heavy offense to the Osaka Street Cutter, Truth was solid. But a quick kick to the head and a Guillotine Leg Drop from the top rope earned Fandango the win.
Brie Bella, Naomi and Cameron w/Jojo vs. Layla, Alicia Fox and Oksana: After a few minutes of offense, Brie Bella won with the Facebuster on Oksana.
Damien Sandow vs. Rob Van Dam w/Ricardo Rodriguez: Like your typical RVD match, Sandow got little offense in. It’s doubtful Sandow got in anything legit. After some of his signature offense, RVD won with the Five-Star Frog Splash.
Randy Orton vs. The Miz: Orton went on the offensive early, beating on The Miz in front of his hometown crowd and parents. After a few minutes in the ring, the action went to the outside again and Orton got DQed. Although Miz fought back, Orton got the last laugh with a vicious DDT with an assist from the barricade. After that, Orton finished off the former WWE Champion with a Knee Drop, while The Miz had a steel chair on his head.
Six-Man Tag Elimination: Jack Swagger and Antonio Cesaro w/Zeb Colter vs Jimmy and Jey Uso vs. Tensai and Brodus Clay: Standard, but entertaining tag team fare. Cesaro rolled up Tensai to eliminate Tons of Funk and after both teams pandered to the crowd for a few minutes, The Usos got the advantage with their signature high-flying offense. After Swagger Superplexed Jimmy Uso, Jey Uso got the win with the top rope splash.
Daniel Bryan vs. WWE Tag Team Champion Roman Reigns w/Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins: After both competitors were announced, Orton made it to ringside. Once the match started, Bryan worked on Reigns’ legs with submission maneuvers and kicks. Reigns hung tough though and was able to limit Bryan’s high-flying offense. Although his offense was limited to clotheslines a Samoan Drop for the most part, he sold for Bryan and always had energy. You can’t teach that. With Bryan fighting the entire Shield at some points, the energy was awesome. Bryan was thriving and got Reigns in the Yes Lock, bt Orton interfered to get the match thrown out. Soon enough, Orton was in Bryan’s submission move, but The Shield soon got involved and Bryan, once again was beat down.
Just like he did earlier to the Miz, Orton set up the chair and attempted to lay down the knee drop on Bryan, but the locker room cleared out and had Bryan’s back. An act of protest, the locker room united and ended the show with their leader on their shoulders.
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