6-17-13 Raw results and thoughts

Coverage and thoughts on the June 17, 2013 episode of Raw

   The show starts with Ricardo Rodriguez & he introduces the now 2 time World Champion Alberto Del Rio. Del Rio asks the fans how their weekends were. He says that he’s heard people talking about the man of steel but why talk about that when you have a man of gold. He is the real Superman. Ricardo says he is your new world champion and then he says Del Rio’s name the same way he always does. Some of the fans are saying the way he won the title last night was controversial but so was the night Dolph cashed MITB in on him the night after Mania. That night he gave Dolph a fight but the fans cheered for Dolph. A coward who attacked an injured man. He should be offended & surprised but he’s not. He heard the reaction last night & every other night. He gave the fans everything & the fans never showed him the respect he deserves. Then he fought that ignorant pig Swagger, a guy who disrespected Mexicans & after that all Del Rio heard was USA. The fans don’t cheer for him but they cheer for a pig & a coward. That’s what America is all about, pigs & cowards. He fought for the fans for 5 months & he didn’t get anything. Last night he fought for himself & it got him the world title. He will show everyone why he is the best. He will give the fans a second chance to show him the respect he deserves. Then CM Punk’s music plays & he & Heyman come out. Punk says it feels like it’s been awhile. The last time they were in the ring together is when Punk beat him Survivor Series 2011 for the WWE Title & held it for 434 days. That isn’t why he’s out there. He’s out there because Del Rio said he was the best. Then the fans loudly chant CM Punk. Punk says there’s only 1 best in the world. Punk is out here to challenge Del Rio. Heyman says his clients don’t fight for free. Punk asks Heyman what he’s doing. Heyman says they never talked this over. Plus the title wouldn’t be on the line because Dolph is first in line for a title rematch & Punk’s banged up. Punk says Dolph should get a title match. Then he says that while Del Rio was stealing the world title from Dolph he was stealing the show in his match with Jericho. He again challenges Del Rio to a match tonight. Del Rio tells Punk he doesn’t want to do this. Punk says that he does. Del Rio tells Punk he is the world champion & Punk doesn’t want him. Punk then asks Ricardo if he wants to fight. Then out come Vickie Guerrero & Brad Maddox. Vickie says Del Rio doesn’t get to make that decision, she does. So tonight’s main event will be CM Punk vs. Alberto Del Rio. This was a good segment to start the show. Del Rio cut a good heel promo here. Punk was great with his face turn promo too & Heyman of course was good also.  

Backstage Paul Heyman apologizes to Punk for jumping the gun. Punk says Heyman almost cost him his match last night. Punk doesn’t need Heyman’s help to win matches. He’s not Brock or Curtis. He doesn’t want Paul at ringside tonight or ever again. He’s not Heyman’s client, but he is his friend & will always be a Heyman guy. This was a good backstage segment.

Wade Barrett is in the ring and then Vickie comes out again. She tells Wade that his IC Title rematch will have to wait because right now Wade is facing this man. Cue Christian’s music & he makes his return. That was a nice surprise.

Christian vs. Wade Barrett. Christian gets the pin. This was a solid match.

On the APP the fans can decide if Daniel vs. Orton will be No DQ, No count out or 2 out of 3 falls.

They show another Wyatt family vignette. This gimmick looks creepy cool.

Sheamus vs. Damien Sandow & Cody Rhodes. Sandow & Cody win when Sandow gets the pin. Sheamus was going to Brogue Kick Cody but then Sandow came in & rolled up Sheamus for the win. This was a decent match & I was surprised that they had Sandow & Cody win. Afterwards Sheamus gives Cody a Brogue Kick, reminding us that Cody doesn’t matter.

Backstage Vickie & Brad suck up to HHH. She says booking Punk-Del Rio was genius. HHH agrees. Then he says if Punk hadn’t confronted Del Rio what was going to be tonight’s main event. Then Vickie mentions that she brought back Christian. HHH then mentions that Christian has been cleared for a month & a half. Then HHH mentions RVD. Vickie & Brad both take credit for him being back. HHH says when he was on the phone with RVD Vickie & Brad weren’t. HHH then tells them that if The Shield gets involved in tonight’s show they need to be strong & make an example of The Shield. Then HHH tells Brad that putting 3MB on the show tonight was genius too. This was a mediocre backstage bit.

Then we see Daniel Bryan in the locker room & in comes Kane. Kane wants to talk. Daniel says if Kane came to say I told you so than forget it. Daniel says that Kane’s glad he & Orton didn’t win the tag titles. Tonight Daniel will beat Orton. Kane says maybe they should give Team hell no another shot. Daniel says the only team that matters to him is team DB. The only way he can prove himself if he takes care of this himself. He wants to be WWE Champion. Kane does too & he asks if they’re done as a team. Kane wishes Daniel luck. Daniel asks if Kane is wishing him luck because he thinks he is the weak link. This was good. These 2 really play well off of each other.

Earlier tonight Orton says it’s because of Daniel that they lost last night. Tonight he will show that Daniel is the weak link.

Randy Orton & Daniel Bryan come out for their match. Than Lawler gets the mic & it’s time to find out what stip the fans picked. This match will be no DQ (and no surprise).

Daniel Bryan vs. Randy Orton in a No DQ match. Orton got a Kendo stick out from under the ring, hit Daniel in the back & choked him with it. Later on a Dr. came out to check on Daniel after Orton threw him over the top & kicked him to the floor. Then the referee calls for the bell & Randy Orton wins by referee stoppage. WINNER – RANDY ORTON. Then Orton helps Daniel up & shakes his hand. Daniel then walks up the ramp looking frustrated. This was a good match but I thought the finish was a bit flat. I get that they didn’t wanna have either guy lose, but I wasn’t into the finish. I think if Daniel won it would have been better.

The new Divas Champion AJ Lee & Big E Langston come to the ring. AJ says this is what it feels like to have it all. Ziggy isn’t here because he isn’t cleared but will be back soon to share the spot light with the greatest divas champion ever. She’s always been the champion, but now she has proof. Last night she made Kaitlyn tap. She played mind games with Kaitlyn & crushed her spirit. AJ is a woman who gets what she wants. There’s not a woman anywhere who is as strong, brilliant & courageous as she is. If there is a woman back there who thinks she’s a fraction of the woman AJ is she dare whoever to come out. First no one comes out. AJ says that’s what I thought. Then out comes Stephanie McMahon. AJ asks if Stephanie is her to congratulate her. Stephanie says AJ is a true underdog. She congratulates AJ, but she doesn’t get why AJ is stereotyping that women are trying to tare each other down. What AJ did to Kaitlyn was degrading. It’s time AJ started acting like a champion. AJ says she should be think & acting more like Stephanie. Maybe she should marry a WWE super star. Stephanie says if AJ is so brilliant she would’ve expected something more original. AJ says what she did to Kaitlyn was original, months in the making & a master piece. Stephanie says that she’s a McMahon & no one is crazier than they are. She tells AJ to start acting like a champion. AJ says that Stephanie is disappointed because AJ is here only younger. Stephanie says AJ is Divas Champion but she can take that from her & she won’t have a job anymore. Then out come Kaitlyn & other divas. Kaitlyn says AJ won. Stephanie is giving Kaitlyn a bye but she tells her & the others divas not to interrupt her again. Then Stephanie walks to the back. Kaitlyn then says that AJ got inside her head & humiliated her. AJ played her like a puppet, broke her & now it’s Kaitlyn’s turn Then Kaitlyn gets in the ring & goes after AJ but then Big E drags AJ out of the ring & carries her up the ramp & AJ screams that Kaitlyn will never have the Divas Title ever. This was a mixed bag segment. AJ was really good with her heel promo but I wasn’t into Stephanie coming out & chewing out AJ. Kaitlyn’s promo was solid & I liked that she went after AJ. I also liked that AJ screamed that Kaitlyn will never have the title as Big E carried her up the ramp.

Kane vs. U.S. Champion Dean Ambrose for the Title. Kane wins by DQ when Rollins & Reigns come in. Then Kane grabs Rollins by the throat but Reigns spears him and then they give Kane the triple power bomb. I’m not sure why they had this match. It was too short to be much of anything & the DQ finishes in The Shield’s matches is getting old. Will Daniel, Orton or maybe both guys team up with Kane to face The Shield in a rematch? Hopefully we’ll find out soon what they’re doing.

Backstage Mark Henry is supposedly saying goodbye to the Primetime Players & Tamina Snuka.

Backstage we see The Shield. Then Vickie shows up & tells them she’s their boss. Ambrose asks what she’s gonna do? Have them take a time out. Ambrose then says that maybe Vickie should think about she’s doing before she does it. Vickie then says, “You’re” but then Vince comes in. He says The Shield remind him of himself because they have ruthless aggression. The Shield leaves. Then Vince tells Vickie & Brad he never like that Halloween masked wearing freak Kane. This was a mixed bag segment too. The Shield was good here & Vickie was decent but I don’t get why Vince came in & praised The Shield since they’ve been causing chaos since they arrived. I really hope to God that they don’t have Vince be the guy who brought The Shield in all along. That would really make The Shield look weak.

Time for another Wyatt family vignette. They’re coming.

Out comes Zeb Coulter. He talks about how the Government is spying on us & lying to us. Plus we have people illegally crossing the boarder. We’re at war & that can make for unusual alliances. To prove that Zeb isn’t prejudicial he will work with a guy who has honor, integrity & respect. This guy also speaks five languages. He brings out Antonio Cesaro. Cesaro says we the people. What is this? Now Cesaro is a “Coulter guy” too? I’m beyond tired of the Zeb Coulter character & now they have Cesaro being managed by him. I don’t get this.

William Regal vs. Antonio Cesaro. Cesaro gets the pin. This was a squash. Too bad, these 2 could’ve had a solid match. Then Zeb gives Cesaro a flag that says don’t trend on me on it. Then Cesaro puts it on top of Regal. Then Coulter & Cesaro say the pledge off allegiance. This storyline is beyond old!

John Cena comes to the ring all smiles like usual UGH! For some reason he says today is 1 day away from Tuesday (DUH)! The champ gets the usual mixed reaction but he is still all smiles. Then he says he loves this. Everyone here tonight loves WWE. There are folks out there who have their favorite super stars. Cena favorite is the fans because they have always been honest with him. There’s a group out there that doesn’t like him & he admires that honesty. There’s also a group that knows that every time he steps in the ring he goes to war for him & he’s going to speak to them. Cena had a “horrible” 2012 (Even though EVERYONE knows that he really didn’t) & asked the fans to hang in there. Then he mentions moments like the Royal Rumble & challengers like The Rock (Even though Cena was the challenger there), CM Punk & Ryback. Then he mentions that he beat Ryback & walked out the better man. Now he stands in the ring & proudly says the champ is here. Skeptics & critics will always be there but to those who hung in there he says thank you. Tonight Cena feels like he can handle any challenge. At MITB he will know who his next challenger is. He tells whoever might win the MITB match that if they think they’ll get him while he’s down, they’re wrong. The next person who gets the title will earn it. The champ is here. Then out comes Mark Henry. He’s in his suit but is holding a pair of wrestling boots. Mark says Cena can put his guard down & he shakes Cena’s hand. Henry wants to tell Cena & everyone something. Henry gets all choked up and the fans chant his name. Mark says he respects everybody that loves this business because he knows how hard it is. He was a seasoned veteran in 2002 when Cena came in & Cena’s doing an awesome job. The fans chant thank you Henry. Then they chant sexual chocolate. Then Henry says at the rate Cena’s going he will be the greatest WWE Champion of all time. If Henry has any regrets about his career, he’s been world champion, ECW Champion & the World’s strongest man. He’s had a lot of success but not the success that Cena has. Then Henry says that he is retiring from the active roster. Then the fans chant 1 more match. Henry says this 1 of the better crowds he’s been in front of for the last 5 years. Then Henry holds up the WWE Title & they fans give him a very well deserved round of applause. He then says the WWE Title is something you gotta earn. Henry got a chance to travel the world many times. He stands before everyone a proud man. He’s on the road close to 200 nights a year, and then he tells his wife she’ll see more of him than she wants to. He mentions that his son is a big wrestling fan. Then he mentions his daughter, who cries when he leaves home, he tells her he’s coming home. Then Cena raises Henry’s arm. Then Henry gives Cena the World’s strongest slam (I totally knew that was coming)! Then Henry screams to Cena that he’s got a lot left in the tank. Then Henry picks up the belt & throws it on Cena. Henry then leaves the ring as the fans loudly chant his name. Then Henry is on the stage & says that’s what he does. This was REALLY AWESOME!! Mark Henry is truly amazing both in the ring & on the mic. His hinting at retiring promo & getting all emotional was really well done & then having him give Cena the World’s strongest slam was great! The fans were totally on Henry’s side here! I really was hoping that Mark Henry would be the next guy to challenge Cena for the title & I’m so glad that he is!! I can’t say enough about how tremendous Mark Henry was here!!!

Backstage we see Mark Henry walking. Then Renee Young comes by looking for a comment. Henry says he had everybody fooled. The WWE Title is the only thing that he hasn’t held & he is challenging Cena for it right now. He has 2 boots because he will leave 1 of them in Cena’s rear end. Good short & intense promo. I really hope they put they put the title on him.

Chris Jericho vs. Heath Slater. Jericho gets the pin. This was a short, decent match. Then Jinder & Drew come in but Jericho makes quick work of them too.

Backstage Heyman tells Axel it’s his moment. Then Matt Striker comes in & mentions that Punk doesn’t want Heyman at ringside anymore. Heyman says that he is the best friend of the best in the world & best friends know when to give people space. Then Heyman says that fans should be talking about the IC Champion, a man who was born to be better than perfect. Decent backstage bit.

The Miz is on commentary.

Sin Cara vs. Intercontinental Champion Curtis Axel. Curtis gets the pin. This was a decent match. I really wish they’d do away with Sin Cara’s lighting during his matches though. Then Axel taunts Miz.

Backstage Vince puts over Vickie & Brad. Then he says Mark Henry sucked him in & asks them what they’ll do about the Cena-Henry situation. Vickie says Cena will defend the title against Henry at MITB. Vince says it will happen. Then Stephanie comes in & says this show is a disaster. Then HHH comes in & tells Vickie that he told her to make an example of The Shield. HHH tells Vickie to listen to him. Then Vince tells Vickie to listen to him. Then Vince & HHH leave. Then Stephanie tells Vickie not to listen to either 1 of them. She says that Vickie knows who to listen to. This was terrible! This whole McMahon family soap opera is anything but entertaining! They have Vince praising Vickie & Brad and then they have Stephanie & HHH bash them? This whole thing with the McMahon family being at odds is beyond stupid!

Cut to CM Punk backstage. Heyman comes up to him. Everyone’s trying to stir things up but he won’t let it happen. Heyman thanks Punk & tells him he is the best in the world. Then they hug.

CM Punk vs. World Champion Alberto Del Rio. Punk wins by count out when Del Rio walks out. Then Dolph comes out & beats on Del Rio. Referees attempt pull him off & they all go to the back. The camera goes back to Punk. Then Brock Lesnar’s music hits & he comes out. He walks around the ring as Punk watches. Then Brock gets in the ring & asked for a mic. Brock & Punk have a stare down & then Brock gives Punk the F5. Brock stands at the bottom of the ramp as Punk lies in the ring to end the show. This was really well done too. The match was solid & I knew there wouldn’t be a clean finish. I liked having Dolph attack Del Rio from behind and then chasing him to the back. Brock coming out, having a stare down with Punk & then giving Punk the F5 was a really good way to start the build for their feud. Hopefully we’ll see Punk-Brock at SummerSlam.

This was a really enjoyable show for the most part. I liked the Punk-Del Rio promo at the start of the show. Both guys were good on the mic. The main event match was solid & it made sense not to have a clean finish. I liked that they had Dolph come out & go after Del Rio & Brock coming out and giving Punk an F5 was a good way to start the Punk-Brock “Battle of the Heyman guys” feud. Cena’s promo was ok for Cena & Mark Henry was awesome here. His hinting at retiring promo only to then give Cena the World’s strongest slam was really well booked. The Daniel-Orton match was good too but I didn’t care for the finish. I’m tired of the Zeb Coulter character & now having him manage Cesaro doesn’t really do anything for Cesaro. The Regal-Cesaro match was a squash & that was too bad because these 2 could have easily had a solid match. The whole McMahon family soap opera is beyond terrible. The backstage bit with Vince praising The Shield made no sense & I’m really hoping that Vince isn’t the guy who brought The Shield in to begin with. The Vickie-Brad-HHH-Vince-Stephanie backstage bit was also terrible. I’m not into this whole saga with the McMahon family being at odds & having them tell Vickie & Brad stuff that contradicts each other! AJ’s promo was really well done also. She has been doing a great job as a heel. I wasn’t into Stephanie coming out & repeatedly telling AJ to act like a champion, or getting in Kaitlyn’s face for cutting her off. I did think that Kaitlyn was good here too though. This is the most any program involving the Divas has had any meaning. It was also cool to see Christian back & I thought he & Wade Barrett had a solid match. Sin Cara-Curtis Axel was decent too but I wish they’d do away with Sin Cara’s lighting. I liked the Wyatt family vignettes too & really hope they’re booked well when the debut. Jericho-Slater was a decent but short match. I’m not sure why they had Kane vs. Ambrose here & the DQ finish was predictable. The backstage bit with Kane & Daniel was also good. They both have great chemistry. I’m not sure if they’ll have Kane, Daniel & Orton face The Shield again but we’ll see what they do. I did like that both Kane & Daniel said that they want to be WWE Champion too. Overall I thought this was a good show.