7-1-13 Raw results and thoughts

Coverage and thoughts on the July 1, 2013 episode of Raw

The show starts with Vickie Guerrero saying that tonight they will honor the pinnacle of sports entertainment, both the WWE Title & the World Title. Both titles have so much prestige. She thanks the McMahon family for letting her have WWE Champion John Cena vs. World Champion Alberto Del Rio. Having these champion vs. champion matches all the time

Daniel Bryan comes to the ring. There’s a ladder in the ring. Daniel says last week the question on everyone’s mind was finally answered. Is Daniel Bryan the weak link? The fans chant no. After making Orton tap out the answer is no. But can he ride this wave momentum into the MITB match & win the contract? If only there was some sort of 3 letter word to give a definitive answer. Then he shouts yes. Daniel wants to be WWE Champion. He wants to follow in the foot steps of Bruno, Hogan, Austin, & Rock. 2 years ago he won MITB & successfully cashed in to win the world title & it’s been far too long. Just because this MITB is filled with all stars doesn’t mean history won’t repeat itself. Daniel will be WWE Champion. Out comes Sheamus. He was about to mention how the MITB Daniel story ends. Daniel says no one wants to hear it.. Sheamus mentions winning the title in 18 seconds anyway. It’s been far too long since Sheamus has had a world title around his waist & he won’t let Daniel stand in his way. Daniel asks if he dials 1-800-Fella will Sheamus Brogue Kick himself? Sheamus says he thought that trolls were grumpy & didn’t have a sense of humor. Out comes Orton. He says it’s been close to 2 years since he’s been champion. Orton’s starving & a starving man takes what he needs. He needs the WWE Title. After he wins MITB he won’t hesitate to cash in on the first unsuspecting champion he sees. Daniel says that everyone knows what Orton is capable of, but Daniel also knows that last week he made Orton tap out. Orton’s letting that slide, but if Daniel disrespects him again he will drop him where he stands. Orton is desperate & that means at MITB no one is safe. Out comes Kane. He agrees that no one is safe, especially Orton. No one in WWE history has been more ruthless than Kane. Especially when it involves the WWE Title. He has no problem committing unspeakable acts against his opponents. Even his so called friends. Daniel says that it isn’t his fault that Kane couldn’t beat Orton. Kane says he can’t wait for MITB because it’s every man for himself. No friends or partners, only victims. Then Kane & Daniel argue over which 1 of them will win MITB. Then Christian comes out. When it comes to the ladder match there’s 1 guy that’s had more success than anybody & that’s him. He’s been gone for awhile & has been looking for 1 more match & it will be for the WWE Title. He might not be the biggest or strongest guy in this match or the scariest, or even the hairiest. But he is without a doubt the best. Then Punk comes out. He made a promise to himself that wasn’t gonna come out & do what they’re all doing but then he heard the word “best.” Punk respects what Christian has done. Punk then says that he has won MITB twice & will soon be the guy to say he’s won it 3 times. The fact is no one can touch Punk in this ring. He’d like to think RVD is watching. He mentions that RVD is fearless & will whatever it takes to climb the ladder & grab the case. Sheamus is 1 of the toughest guys Punk has ever faced. Than Daniel cuts Punk off & says he will make Punk tap out faster than he made Orton tap last week. Than Kane & Orton go face to face. Daniel says he doesn’t need anyone to fight for him. Then Orton gives Kane an RKO. Then the other guys all stare at each other waiting to see who will strike next. Then everyone except for Kane & Daniel leaves the ring. This was the predictable, “Everyone in a multi man match comes out & speaks” segment but I thought they all cut good promos.

Then they show video packages on Buddy Rodgers & Lou Thez.

Time for a Wyatt family vignette. They’re coming but they’ve been here all along.

The Shield comes out through the crowed for a 6 man tag. They’ll be facing Christian & The Usos in a rematch from Smackdown. Christian was just in the ring. Why’d they have him go backstage & then have him come back out right away? They could have had him stay in the ring.

Christian & The Usos vs. The Shield. The Shield wins when Ambrose pins Christian. This was a good match. It made sense to have The Shield win here since they lost they lost the first 1 on Smackdown.

Backstage we see Kane. Daniel’s sorry about what happened to Kane in the ring, but he talked to Vickie & he has something to make up for that. Daniel never expected Orton to give Kane an RKO so fast. Kane says Daniel cost him the match with Orton & tells Daniel to stay out of his way. Daniel then tells Kane that he got he got Kane a rematch with Orton tonight. Kane likes that. Then Daniel says that he will be the referee for that match. This was a decent backstage bit.

Dolph Ziggler vs. Jinder Mahal. Dolph gets the pin. This was a decent match but it was no surprise Dolph won. Then Heath & Drew get in the ring. They go after Dolph but Dolph slides out of the ring. Then they go after him on the outside & then Dolph lays them out. Then he poses on the announce table.

They show a video package on Bruno Sammartino & Harley Race.

They’re really making a big deal out of this non title champion vs. champion match. If this was a world title unification match I’d be fine with these video clips on the former champions, but neither belt is being defended!

Backstage Vickie & Brad are backstage. Vickie complains about all the McMahons telling her what to do. In comes HHH. He tells Vickie to continue berating his family. He thinks she’s doing a great job. She’s giving the fans what they want. The champion vs. champion match & the Kane-Orton match. Vickie says she’s stressed out because she’s been getting different advice from every McMahon. HHH tells her to listen to what they all have to say & then to do what he tells her to. This was the predictable, lame, “McMahon family member telling Vickie what to do” bit.

Time for a Mark Henry video package. This was great! I really hope to God they put the title on him!

 Kane vs. Randy Orton with guest referee Daniel Bryan. Kane wins by DQ when Orton shoves Daniel. Kane doesn’t want to win that way though. Daniel restarts the match.

Kane vs. Randy Orton with guest referee Daniel Bryan take 2. Kane gets the pin when Daniel makes a fast count. Kane complains to Daniel about that too. Then Kane & Daniel bicker again. Then Kane grabs Daniel’s throat but after a bit he lets go & walks up the ramp. Then Orton gives Daniel an RKO. This was a solid match & I knew there would be shenanigans here since Daniel was the referee.

Backstage we see Punk, Axel & Heyman. Punk says he will beat both Primetime Players by himself. Heyman doesn’t get the hostility. Punk trusts Heyman but not Axel. Heyman tells Punk to trust Heyman’s best judgment. Good backstage bit.

They show a video package on Bob Backlund & Dusty Rhodes.

Fandango’s music hits. Out comes Summer Ray. Then Fandango makes his return. He will be facing Sheamus.  

Sheamus vs. Fandango. Sheamus wins by count out when Fandango walks out. This was a decent match. I had a feeling there wasn’t gonna be a clean finish here, but having the heel just walk out & getting himself counted out is weak.

Chris Jericho is on commentary.

The Miz vs. Ryback. Miz wins when Ryback tells the referee to stop the match. Yes that’s what happened! Miz worked over Ryback’s “injured” leg & Ryback told the referee to end the match. Then Jericho gets in the ring & gives Ryback a code breaker. This was ok but the finish was stupid.

Time for a video package on Hulk Hogan & Ric Flair.

Mark Henry comes out on the stage. He says he is known as the strongest man in the world. He didn’t get that name out of a cracker jack box. He earned it. When he was in Texas breaking world records, he represented the US in the Olympics in 92 & 96. He has been the World’s strongest man since he came in to WWE 17 years ago. He’s earned the respect of every WWE guy he’s worked with, but in this business there’s a lot of jealousy, politicking, backstabbing & “accidental” injuries. All these years Henry has earned it but they never gave him a legit chance to be WWE Champion. All the nights that Henry traveled & spent away from his family, all those pretending he liked the boys, all the years of doing the right thing for business, it got him nowhere. He deserves to be WWE Champion. After all the years he has given to this organization & the fans he has earned the right to be WWE Champion. The fans hang on every word that he says & they’re just puppets. At MITB now that he finally has his chance no one will keep him down anymore. He will do the right thing for himself. After he beats Cena no one will be able to deny him. Everyone will say that Henry earned the WWE Title. He tells Cena that at MITB he will beat his ass. That’s what he do!

Back to Vickie & Brad. Brad wouldn’t wanna be Cena. In comes Vince. He’s enjoying the show. Then he asks Vickie what he told her about him last week. She says that he’s small & has issues. Vince says Vickie & Brad aren’t listening to him, but he likes the champion vs. champion match. Then he says HHH & Stephanie don’t get that money is being thrown away & that like his family, Vickie & Brad don’t understand business. This match should be on PPV. There’s a list of people who were literally thrown out of the building by him because they wouldn’t listen to him. This was terrible! I don’t get why Vince is admitting on his own program that the champion vs. champion match is being “wasted” on free TV.

CM Punk & Intercontinental Champion Curtis Axel vs. The Primetime Players. Punk & Axel win when Axel pins Young. This was a solid match. Punk gave Young the GTS. Then Titus came in but Punk threw him over the top rope. Then Axel tagged himself in & covered Young. Punk’s not thrilled with this & leaves the ring.

Time for a video package on Steve Austin & Sting.

Kaitlyn vs. Alicia Fox. Kaitlyn gets the pin. This was a short match. Then AJ & Big E come out. AJ says on Smackdown Kaitlyn tried to assassinate her character. She says Kaitlyn’s trash. Then AJ mentions some unsavory modeling pictures she took before she came to WWE. They show a pic on the Tron of Kaitlyn looking fat. AJ wanted to remind Kaitlyn of where she came from. After she loses her rematch at MITB that’s where Kaitlyn will be again.

Back to Vickie & Brad again! In comes Stephanie. Stephanie says Vickie wasn’t watching her own show. If she had she would have taken care of AJ like Stephanie told her too. Then Stephanie complains about having to announce the guys in the MITB match herself. Vickie says she’s stressed out because she, HHH & Vince have been giving her different advice. Stephanie understands. Vickie says it’s hared working In a male dominating environment. Stephanie doesn’t appreciate Vickie mocking Vince or HHH. Next week on Raw there will be a job evaluation publicly in the ring. Vickie could either be Raw GM or she can lose her job. That’s what makes Raw so unpredictable. You never know what will happen next. This was just as terrible as the other 2 segments. I’m WAY PAST TIRED of this crap & I’m really dreading the “Public Evaluation” next week! Why do they always feel the need to have these!?

They show a Rob Van Dam video package. This was well put together. The fans in the arena began chanting RVD.

Damien Sandow & Cody Rhodes come to the ring. Sandow says that in 2 weeks they will both be in the MITB ladder match for a world title contract. They will remain best friends despite this, much to the fans’ chagrin. Cody says no matter how grand the prize is, if they let this become a friend issue they would be lowering themselves to the fan’s level. Damien demands silence & then says you’re welcome.

Then out come Antonio Cesaro & Zeb Coulter. Zeb says while the fans were asleep parts of the country was taken & they didn’t even know it. The institution of marriage as we know it is under attack and so is freedom of speech. Zeb says it’s time somebody stood up & makes a stand. They’re not alone because Jack Swagger is back. Out comes Swagger. Zeb says they’ve come to draw first blood in this revolution. He tells everyone to pick their side wisely. You’re either with him or against him. We the people.

Cody Rhodes vs. Antonio Cesaro. Cesaro gets the pin. This was a decent but short match.

Time for a video package on Triple H & Booker T.

I can’t believe they left Macho Man, Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels, Undertaker, The Rock, Mankind, Vader, Ricky Steamboat & Terry Funk out of these former champions’ videos!

Backstage we see The Bella Twins. Then 2 random chicks show up. They talk about the upcoming Total Divas show. The Bellas say they’re the stars. Then Natalya, Naomi & Cameron come in. The Bellas are carrying all the weight & their not used to that, making reference to Natalya. Natalya says this self promotion from The Bellas is rude. They say everyone needs to be reminded who is in charge of the Divas. It’s not Kaitlyn, AJ & certainly not any of them. This was idiotic!

Time for another Wyatt family vignette. They’re coming next week! That should be good.

WWE Champion John Cena vs. World Champion Alberto Del Rio. Mark Henry came out during the match. The Dolph came out. He jumped to the top rope. That distracted Del Rio & Cena hit the AA for the clean pin. This was a good match but I was surprised they had a clean finish. To me having the WWE Champion cleanly pin the World Champion clearly show which title WWE feels is the superior belt. Then Mark grabs the WWE Title & gets in the ring. He dares Cena to come take it. Then he drops it on the mat & calls Cena weak. Henry smirks at Cena & walks up the ramp. Cena holds up the title in the ring. I’m not sure what happened to Del Rio & Ziggler. They just got pushed aside here. Yep the WWE Title means more than the World Title does.

Then Michael Cole, Jerry Lawler & JBL mention that the Wyatt family is coming next week.

They show a Wyatt family vignette to end the show. That was a pleasantly surprising way to end the show.  

I thought this week’s show was a step backwards from the last 2 weeks. The opening segment was the predictable, “All the guys in the multi man match come out & speak” bit but I thought they all cut good promos about wanting to be WWE Champion. Cena-Del Rio was a good match but having the World Champion cleanly lose a non title match to the WWE Champion shows that World Title is the modern day version of the Intercontinental Title. Henry taunting Cena afterwards was good too but Del Rio & Ziggler just disappeared here. They could’ve done something here with those guys too. I liked the Wyatt family vignettes & liked that they ended the show with 1. I’m hoping WWE gives these guys a good push. I’m beyond tired of Vince, HHH & Stephanie telling Vickie what to do & I’m really dreading the public evaluation next week. I’m guessing the McMahons will disagree on what to do with Vickie & Brad & the whole segment will be completely useless just like this whole angle has been! I wasn’t into Zeb Coulter’s promo either. I’m sick of his character. The Cesaro-Cody match was decent but short. The 6 man tag was good, Punk & Axel vs. The Primetime Players was solid too & they did a good job continuing the tension between Punk & Heyman. I liked that they showed video clips on former champions but it would have made more sense if this was done for a unification title match at WrestleMania. Plus I couldn’t believe that they left out Macho Man & Bret Hart! Kane-Orton was solid & with Daniel as the referee I knew there was going to be controversy. Miz-Ryback was decent but the finish was lame. Kaitlyn-Alicia Fox was short & AJ was decent with her post match promo. The other backstage Divas segment was complete crap! No one is going to watch this new Divas show so why even bother having it? Sheamus-Fandango was decent too but I’m tired of Fandango just walking out on his matches & getting himself counted out. The 6 man tag was good & I also like Mark Henry’s promo. I really hope they give him a run with the title! He has more than earned it! Overall I thought this week’s show was decent but not as good as good as the past 2 weeks.