You don’t need directions. Just point yourself to the top and go.
– Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson
Actor and Former Professional Wrestler
You don’t need directions. Just point yourself to the top and go.
– Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson
Actor and Former Professional Wrestler
Here’s RAW in case you missed it:
From The North Charleston Coliseum in North Charleston, South Carolina:
Hosted by John “Bradshaw” Layfield (JBL), Michael Cole and WWE Hall of Famer Jerry “The King” Lawler.
HOUR 1:
1. THE OPENING BOUT: Daniel Bryan vs. Randy Orton.
THIS MATCH ENDED IN A DOUBLE DISQUALIFICATION.
IN THE WAKE OF THIS, RAW MANAGING SUPERVISOR VICKIE GUERRERO ORDER A REMATCH TO BE HELD LATER ON IN THE SHOW.
2. TAG TEAM MATCH: Team Rhodes Scholars (Damien Sandow and Cody Rhodes) vs. Sheamus and Randy Orton.
THE WINNERS: SHEAMUS AND RANDY ORTON!!!
3. A DIVAS MATCH: Aksana vs. Kaitlyn with Layla.
THE WINNER: KAITLYN!!!
During the match, WWE Divas Champion A.J. Lee appeared dressed up like Kaitlyn and after the victory, she and Big E Langston reenacted the prank that they played on her.
A new video of Bray Wyatt and his family aired.
4. A NON-TITLE MATCH: Chris Jericho vs. WWE World Heavyweight Champion Alberto del Rio with Ricardo Rodriguez.
THE WINNER VIA DISQUALIFICATION: CHRIS JERICHO!!!
NOTE: Ricardo Rodriguez’s interference caused the disqualification when he atttacked Chris Jericho. After that, Dolph Ziggler attacked Alberto del Rio, and when he and Jericho had a stare down, Jericho used the Code Breaker on Ziggler!!!
This went into the first three minutes of Hour 2.
HOUR 2:
WWE Hall of Famer Jerry “The King” Lawler, alongside RAW Managing Supervisor Vickie Guerrero and Assistant Brad Maddox, unveiled the cover of the new video game WWE2K14. Vickie showed a cover that she suggested, featuring WWE Chief Operating Officer (COO) Triple H (Hunter Hearst Helmsley), his wife WWE Executive Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley and WWE Chairman Vince McMahon. Brad unveiled one featuring WWE Champion John Cena, CM Punk and himself. Lawler then unveiled the real cover, which featured………..THE ROCK!!!
5. RyBack vs. The Great Khali with Natalya Neidhart and Hornswoggle.
THE WINNER: RYBACK!!!
WWE Champion John Cena stated that “The World’s Strongest Man” Mark Henry disgraced his family and himself during last week’s “retirement” speech, and mentioned that if he wants a shot at the WWE Championship, he will have to earn it.
A video promoting Rob Van Dam’s return to WWE at Money In The Bank aired.
6. A TRIPLE THREAT #1 CONTENDER’S TAG TEAM MATCH: Tons of Funk (Tensai and “The Funkasaurus” Brodus Clay) with The Funkadactyls (Naomi and Cameron) vs. The 3MB (Heath Slater, Jinder Mahal and Drew McIntyre) vs. The Usos (Jimmy and Jey).
THE REWARD: The winners will face Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns for the WWE Tag Team Championships.
THE WINNERS, AND #1 CONTENDERS: THE USOS!!!
NOTE: After the match, The Shield (WWE United States Champion Dean Ambrose and WWE Tag Team Champions Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns) appeared as Rollins and Reigns taunted Jimmy and Jey.
Paul Heyman summoned CM Punk to explain why Brock Lesnar appeared after his match last week. Punk told a story about how in 2005, he signed to his first WWE contract by then-Senior Vice President of Talent Relations John Laurinaitis, and how he was sent to then-WWE Developmental Territory Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW). He mentioned that OVW was booked by Heyman at the time, who was sent e-mails every week ordering him to fire Punk. Heyman refused, because he was very high up on Punk, and brought him to the revived Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) in 2006. But Punk wanted to know why Lesnar returned last week and attacked him.
Heyman stated that he didn’t know that Lesnar would show up at all. Heyman hoped that what happened last week wouldn’t ruin their friendship. Punk looked at him and said, “I’m sorry I ever doubted you” and hugged him.
This went into the first eight minutes of Hour 3.
HOUR 3:
7. CM Punk vs. Darren Young with Titus O’Neil.
THE WINNER: CM PUNK!!!
NOTE: After the match, Titus O’Neil jumped into the ring and attacked CM Punk. Darren Young helped as WWE Intercontinental Champion Curtis Axel made the save and he and Punk ran them off. Paul Heyman returned to the ring and it was obvious that he told Curtis to attack.
WWE Executive Stephanie McMahon Helmsley revealed this year’s Money In The Bank Ladder Match participants: CM Punk, Daniel Bryan, Sheamus, Randy Orton, Kane, Christian and the returning Ron Van Dam (RVD).
“The World’s Strongest Man” Mark Henry stated how he used everyone in his speech last week to get what he wanted, and told his wife, “I’m coming home WWE Champion!”.
8. A MAIN EVENT STREET FIGHT: Daniel Bryan vs. Randy Orton.
On the WWE App, the fans and viewers were asked to vote for the following: A Lumberjack Match, A Street Fight or Falls Count Anywhere. The majority chose the Street Fight.
THE WINNER VIA SUBMISSION: DANIEL BRYAN!!!
Match #’s 4 and 8 are the highlight matches of the night!!!!!!!
Chris Jericho, Alberto del Rio, Daniel Bryan and Randy Orton are the wrestlers of the night!!!!!!
ANALYSIS: This was a slightly decent RAW.
Here’s SmackDown! in case you missed it:
From The GIANT Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania:
Hosted by Josh Matthews, Michael Cole and John “Bradshaw” Layfield (JBL).
This week opens with WWE Champion The Rock as he told a story about when he was a teenager, and how he and his parents moved from Nashville, Tennessee to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. He mentioned how he and his friends used to visit Hershey Park (Hershey is one hour away from Bethlehem). He also mentioned how he came up with one of his catchphrases, and while he was telling his story, the former Executive Vice President of Talent Relations/General Manager John “Johnny Ace” Laurinaitis appeared!!! He talked about how he was WWE’s “greatest General Manager”, and how John Cena took it from him. He offered to stand in The Rock’s corner during the WWE Championship match at Wrestlemania.
The Rock responded with a spinebuster, and The People’s Elbow!!!
1. A NON-TITLE MATCH: Chris Jericho vs. WWE Intercontinental Champion Wade Barrett.
THE SPECIAL GUEST COMMENTATOR FOR THIS MATCH: The Miz.
THE WINNER: CHRIS JERICHO!!!
POST-MATCH INTERVIEW: Chris Jericho continued to butcher Fandango’s name until he appeared. Jericho was ready to fight, but Fandango opted to walk away (again).
INTERVIEW: Paul Heyman.
Josh Matthews wanted to know why Paul Heyman felt that Triple H’s (Hunter Hearst Helmsley) career will end after his match with Brock Lesnar at Wrestlemania. He believes that Hunter made big mistakes thinking that he can compete with him and Lesnar, along with blindly agreeing to the match that could end his career. Heyman also stated that Hunter has also ruined his own career in WWE.
2. A BENCH PRESS CHALLENGE: RyBack vs. “The World’s Strongest Man” Mark Henry.
THE NUMBER OF REPS COMPLETED BY MARK HENRY: 53.
When RyBack was about to finish his 54th rep, Mark Henry tried to smash the 95-pound barbell on his neck!!! SmackDown! General Manager Booker T, SmackDown! Senior Advisor Theodore R. “Teddy” Long, WWE Referee Scott Armstrong and the paramedics examined RyBack as he slowly stood up on his own while he was still winded from the attack.
3. A MIXED TAG TEAM MATCH: Dolph Ziggler and A.J. Lee with Big E Langston vs. WWE Tag Team Champion Daniel Bryan and WWE Divas Champion Kaitlyn with WWE Tag Team Champion Kane.
THE WINNERS: DANIEL BRYAN AND KAITLYN!!!
The Shield (Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns) expressed their thoughts about facing Sheamus, Randy Orton and The Big Show at Wrestlemania.
4. The Great Khali with Hornswoggle and Natalya Neidhart vs. “A Real American” Jack Swagger with Zeb Coulter.
BOTH MEN WERE COUNTED OUT.
After the countout, Hornswoggle save The Great Khali from The Patriot Lock by attacking Swagger. Swagger noticed him and he tried to run away, but Zeb Coulter stood in his way. Swagger then threw Hornswoggle head first into a barricade, and then, Ricardo Rodriguez appeared. Swagger and Coulter were stunned by his appearance, until Swagger was attacked from behind by WWE World Heavyweight Champion Alberto del Rio. del Rio had Swagger in the Cross-Arm Breaker as Coulter grabbed his face. Rodriguez hit Coulter on his back with his crutch, and tossed the crutch to del Rio who tried to hit Swagger with it as he continuously dodged it.
INTERVIEW: Sheamus, Randy Orton and The Big Show.
New WWE Correspondent/Former Canadian Television Personality Renee Young (real name Renee Paquette) wondered if all three men had put aside their issues to coexist as one and battle The Shield.
5. A SIX-MAN TAG TEAM MAIN EVENT: Sheamus, Randy Orton and The Big Show vs. Team Rhodes Scholars (Damien Sandow and Cody Rhodes) and WWE United States Champion Antonio Cesaro.
THE WINNERS: SHEAMUS, RANDY ORTON AND THE BIG SHOW!!!
After the match, The Shield appeared, but this time, Sheamus, Randy Orton and The Big Show came to them!!!
Chris Jericho vs. Wade Barrett was the match of the night, and both men are the wrestlers of the night!!!!!!!!
ANALYSIS: The rest of the show was boring, enough said.
Here’s Old School RAW in case you missed it:
From The First Niagara Center (The Former Crossroads Arena/Marine Midland Arena/HSBC Arena) in Buffalo, New York:
Hosted by Michael Cole and WWE Hall of Famer Jerry “The King” Lawler.
Before the show started, The Undertaker appeared!!!!!!
HOUR 1:
CM Punk and Paul Heyman started the show when Punk stated that it’s the fans fault that he is not main eventing Wrestlemania. But, he declared that at Wrestlemania, he will end Undertaker’s streak!!! Randy Orton appeared and stated that Punk never faced Undertaker, and remembered at Wrestlemania 21, he came close to ending the streak. The Big Show arrived and stated that to defeat Undertaker, “You need to be a giant!”. Sheamus arrived and stated that he himself never faced him, and that his Brogue Kick will end it. RAW Managing Supervisor Vickie Guerrero appeared, and placed all four men in a Fatal Four Way Match where the winner will battle Undertaker at Wrestlemania 29!!!
1. A NON-TITLE MATCH: WWE United States Champion Antonio Cesaro vs. RyBack.
THE WINNER: RYBACK!!!
NOTE: After the match, “The World’s Strongest Man” Mark Henry stood in RyBack’s way as he was headed to the locker room. Henry looked at him for awhile, and headed to the ring for his match.
2. “The World’s Strongest Man” Mark Henry vs. Zack Ryder.
THE WINNER: “THE WORLD’S STRONGEST MAN” MARK HENRY!!!
3. Dolph Ziggler with A.J. Lee and Big E Langston vs. The Miz.
Before the start of this match, The Miz welcomed a very special guest: WWE Hall of Famer/Pro-Wrestling Legend “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair!!!!!!
THE WINNER VIA SUBMISSION: THE MIZ!!!
HOUR 2:
A SPECIAL SEGMENT: POINT-COUNTERPOINT with WWE Champion The Rock and John Cena.
John Cena began by telling The Rock that he has succeeded at everything in life, and that the match he had against him at Wrestlemania 28, hurt him. He told Rock that the failure made him stronger, and that Wrestlemania 29 is a chance for him to rewrite history. The Rock told him that the one man he wanted to face was him. He also told him that he has a lot of fire and drive, but not as much as him. He also told Cena that at Wrestlemania, he won’t get redemption. Cena quoted actor/boxing legend “Iron” Mike Tyson when he said “To be the greatest that ever lived, you have to beat everyone living”. He told Rock that at ‘mania, his time is up. The Rock quoted the disgraced cycling legend Lance Armstrong and told Cena, “He was full of crap, and so are you!”.
4. “A Real American” Jack Swagger with Zeb Coulter vs. WWE Hall of Famers/Pro-Wrestling Legends “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan with Sergeant Slaughter and “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes.
This match didn’t get started because Swagger hit Duggan with his 2×4 and used it to hit both Rhodes and Slaughter.
POST-MATCH INTERVIEW: Josh Matthews wanted to know why Swagger brutally assaulted the legends and he stated “What have they ever done for this country?!”. He was attacked from behind by WWE World Heavyweight Champion Alberto del Rio which erupted into a pull-apart brawl.
5. A NON-TITLE TAG TEAM MATCH: The Prime Time Players (Darren Young and Ttitus O’Neil) vs. WWE Tag Team Champions (Team Hell No (Kane and Daniel Bryan).
THE SPECIAL RINGSIDE GUEST FOR THIS MATCH: WWE Hall of Famer/Pro-Wrestling Legend “The Million Dollar Man” Ted Dibiase, Sr.
THE WINNERS: TEAM HELL NO.
NOTE: After the match, Ted Dibiase, Sr. pulled out a $100 bill, placed it in Darren Young’s mouth, and walked away laughing. Daniel Bryan took the $100 bill out of Young’s mouth, and placed it in his outfit (EWWWWWWWWWW).
6. TAG TEAM MATCH: The 3MB (Heath Slater, Jinder Mahal and Drew McIntyre) vs. Tensai and “The Funkasaurus” Brodus Clay with “The Funkadactyls” Naomi and Cameron.
Heath Slater and Drew McIntyre participated in this match.
THE SPECIAL RINGSIDE GUEST FOR THIS MATCH: Pro-Wrestling Legend/Former WWF Intercontinental Champion The Honky Tonk Man.
THE WINNERS: TENSAI AND “THE FUNKASAURUS” BRODUS CLAY!!!
NOTE: After the match, The Honky Tonk Man joined Brodus, Tensai, Naomi and Cameron for their post-match celebration. Heath Slater crashed it, and receieved The Guitar Shot from The Honky Tonk Man!!!
7. Kofi Kingston vs. The Debuting Fandango.
Fandango refused to enter the ring until WWE Ring Announcer Justin Roberts got his name right. Roberts tried, but Fandango tells him, “You’ve got to feel it!”. Roberts tried, but couldn’t and Fandango left (again).
HOUR 3:
Triple H (Hunter Hearst Helmsley) looked back at Summerslam 2012, which was the last time he was in the ring with a microphone. He looked back at that moment when he wondered if he was done as an active wrestler. He also looked back at putting on a suit, cutting his hair and keeping himself busy as WWE Chief Operating Officer (C.O.O.) while his arm recovered. But when the cast came off, he returned to the gym, and he mentioned the eighteen stitches that Brock Lesnar recieved after the brutal assault last week. Hunter stated that he is back, and asked Lesnar, “Are you going to sit there and bleed?”.
The Shield (Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns) sent a video about their thoughts on Wrestlemania, and The Big Show. They stated how this is the time of year where everyone wants to make history, and Ambrose said that “The eye of justice is always watching”.
8. A CHAMPION VS. CHAMPION MATCH: WWE Intercontinental Champion Wade Barrett vs. WWE World Heavyweight Champion Alberto del Rio with Ricardo Rodriguez.
“A Real American” Jack Swagger and Zeb Coulter stood in front of the RAW logo for this match.
THE WINNER VIA SUBMISSION: ALBERTO DEL RIO!!!
NOTE: After the match, Alberto del Rio challenged Swagger to come to the ring. Zeb Coulter blocked his way when Swagger was about to advance.
“A Real American” Jack Swagger and Zeb Coulter sent a video with a disclaimer that was made by WWE.
9. TAG TEAM MATCH: Primo and Epico with Rosa Mendes vs. The New Age Outlaws (Road Dogg and Billy Gunn).
This is The New Age Outlaws first match on WWE TV since February 2000.
THE WINNERS: THE NEW AGE OUTLAWS!!!
A SPECIAL ATTRACTION: WWE Hall of Famer/Pro-Wrestling Legend Mae Young’s 90th Birthday.
WWE Hall of Famer/Pro-Wrestling Legend Mean Gene Okerlund and the entire WWE roster celebrated Mae Young’s 90th birthday, and her accomplishment as the WWE Hall of Fame’s oldest living legend. After the Divas brought her out to sing “Happy Birthday”, the party was crashed by CM Punk and Paul Heyman.
10. A FATAL FOUR WAY MAIN EVENT: CM Punk with Paul Heyman vs. The Big Show vs. Randy Orton vs. Sheamus.
THE REWARD: The winner will face The Undertaker at Wrestlemania 29.
THE WINNER, AND UNDERTAKER’S WRESTLEMANIA OPPONENT: CM PUNK!!!
After the match, The Undertaker re-appeared and stared at CM Punk.
Match #’s 1, 3, 8, 9 and 10 are the highlight matches of the night!!!!!!!!
Antonio Cesaro, RyBack, Dolph Ziggler, The Miz, Primo, Epico, The New Age Outlaws, CM Punk, Randy Orton and Sheamus are the highlight wrestlers of the night!!!!!!!!
Triple H and the legends were the highlights of the night!!!!!!!!!
ANALYSIS: WWE, if you are reading this, PLEASE have Old School RAW every year!!!