Following last night's Extreme Rules 2014 pay-per-view, many people have reasons to celebrate and many others will be seeking retribution. A 20-man battle royal has been announced for the United States Championship, possibly as punishment from Evolution for losing to The Shield. We will undoubtedly see the fallout of Bray Wyatt defeating John Cena in their steel cage match as well as Daniel Bryan retaining the WWE World Heavyweight Championship against Kane. It's time to start setting the pace for the next special event, Payback 2014, so tonight's episode of Monday Night Raw should kick things off with a bang.
The show starts out with the 20 man battle royal for the U.S. Championship.
MATCH: 20 Man Battle Royal for U.S. Championship
Big show eliminates Xavier Woods.
Zack Ryder is eliminated.
R Truth is eliminated by Mark Henry
Titus O'Neil is eliminated by Big Show.
Sin Cara is eliminated by Sin Cara.
Damien Sandow is eliminated by Heath Slater
*Commercial Break*
Big Show is brogue kicked by Sheamus and eliminated by everybody
Mark Henry is chokeslammed by Big Show and then eliminated by multiple wrestlers.
Kofi Kingston is eliminated by Dean Ambrose.
Goldust is eliminated by Ryback
Cody RHodes is eliminated by Ryback
Dolph Ziggler is eliminated by Santino
Santino is eliminated by Curtis Axel
Curtis Axel is eliminated by Ambrose.
Ryback is eliminated by Ambrose
Jack Swagger is eliminated by Ambrose.
Ambrose turns around and eats a Brogue kick from Sheamus.
Sheamus eliminates Ambrose for the U.S. Championship
WINNER: Sheamus via Elimination
After the match, Triple H's music hits. He gets on the mic and says that The Shield got lucky at Extreme Rules in their victory over Evolution. He announces a match for the Shield later in the night against The Wyatt Family.
*Commercial Break*
A vignette for Adam Rose plays.
Sheamus is interviewed backstage. He says that since he returned from injury, things haven't gone as he planned. However, he waited for his opportunity and took it. He says if he saw Dean Ambrose, he would tell him "no hard feelings fella".
The commentators recap Daniel Bryan and Kane's match from last night at Extreme Rules.
Daniel Bryan is shown backstage with Brie Bella. Stephanie McMahon shows up and says congratulations on his victory, but adds that all he did last night was anger Kane. She advises him to remain in his locker room until his match so that he remains safe.
*Commercial Break*
MATCH: RVD vs. Cesaro.
Paul Heyman comes out and reminds everyone that his client Brock Lesnar conquered The Streak at WrestleMania. He then introduces Cesaro.
The match starts out with the two exchanging waist locks. RVD takes Cesaro to the mat. Cesaro gets up and drives RVD to the mat with a shoulder block. Cesaro catches RVD off the ropes and hits a big backbreaker for a 2 count. RVD fights back with a kick to the face followed by a kick from the top rope. RVD hits Rolling Thunder and Cesaro rolls out of the ring. Cesaro pulls RVD's neck to the top rope and gets back in the ring. RVD is sent off the ropes but holds on. Cesaro charges at RVD but is sent over the top rope. RVD dives over the top rope onto Cesaro and follows up with a moonsault from the apron. Back in the ring RVD hits a leg drop from the top rope/ Cesaro fights back and slams RVD's head into the turnbuckle. RVD is sent to the mat for a 2 count. Cesaro hits a European uppercut. RVD fights back but is dumped outside with a clothesline.
*Commercial Break*
The show returns with Cesaro in control. RVD fights out, ducks the clothesline and hits the sunset flip for a 2 count. Cesaro performs the Cesaro Stomp for a 2 count. RVD rolls up Cesaro for a 2 count. RVD hits the body scissors roll up for another 2 count. RVD jumps off the middle rope and eats a huge European uppercut for a 2 count. RVD rolls out of the ring. Cesaro hits a running uppercut in the corner when RVD comes back in the ring. Cesaro hits the no leverage gutwrench slam 3 times in a row for the 2 count. Rvd is sent to the corner. He fights out and goes to yhe top rope. Cesaro knocks him down and stomps him in the corner. RVD is tied up in the rope. He kicks Cesaro in the head. Cesaro goes to the outside and beats on RVD's head. The ref counts to 5 and disqualifies Cesaro.
WINNER: RVD via Disqualification
The Wyatt's entrance plays and Bray says "Albany, we're here".
*Commercial Break*
The Wyatt's are in the ring when the show returns. Bray says that Abigail has always told him he was destined to lead and change the world. He says that while "they" always looked down upon him and refer to him as a nobody, they just served to make this day sweeter. Last night, he says, he finally became somebody. He explains that the small child singing at the end of his match with John Cena at Extreme Rules was a personification of Cena's fear. A replay from Extreme Rules plays.
Wyatt says that Cena is right when he says that Bray Wyatt only wants t watch the world burn, the way that a farmer wants to watch his spoiled crop burn. He says that he does this for the children, the downtrodden, and the outcasts. He goes on saying that Cena is now alone and the people will remember him for what he is, a god.
*Commercial Break*
MATCH: Ryback w/Curtis Axel vs. Cody Rhodes w/Goldust
The 2 clock up and Cody Rhodes is driven to the corner. He fights back and slides under Ryback, following up with an uppercut. Ryback is dumped outside the ring. Rhodes tries to leap over Ryback in the corner but is caught by Ryback. Ryback chokes Rhodes on the middle rope and follows up with a big elbow off the ropes. Rhodes is sent to the apron. He goes for the sunset flip but Ryback remains on his feet. He chokes Rhodes with his boot the follows up with a series of suplexes. He hits a huge vertical suplex for a 2 count. Rhodes fights out of the corner. Ryback reverses the Irish whip and sends Rhodes to the corner. Rhodes goes to the mat and Ryback keeps up the aggressive offense. He hits a scoop slam followed by a big splash for the 2 count. Rhodes gets back to the vertical base but is quickly driven to the mat by Ryback. Ryback locks in a headlock. Rhodes tries to fight out but is planted by Ryback. Ryback goes for the falling headbutt off the middle rope but Rhodes moves. Rhodes hits a big clothesline. Ryback goes for a gorilla press but Rhodes fights out for a 2 count. Rhodes hits the distaster kick followed by the slingshot missile dropkick. Rhodes goes to the top rope. Curtis Axel tries to interfer but is stopped by Goldust. Axel drives Goldust into the ring post, distracting Rhodes. Ryback hits the Shellshock from the top rope for the 3 count.
WINNER: RYback via Pinfall
Daniel Bryan and Brie Bella are shown in their dressing room. The lights go out and they leave the room. A glowing Kane mask lights up the room. In the hallway they run into Stephanie who says she'll bring Bryan's car directly into the building to ensure their safety.
*Commercial Break*
Los Matadores come to the ring and say they will have a special Cinco De Mayo celebration in honor of Torito's victory at extreme rules. Torito starts throwing candy to the audience.
3MB comes out and says that you can't have a party without "Tres" MB. 3MB says they came out to offer a truce. Los Matadores say something in Spanish and Jinder Mahal tells him to speak English. Torito offers Hornswoggle a piece of candy but Hornswoggle knocks the candy out of his hand. The two teams start battling. Hornswoggle finds himself alone. Torito puts a sombrero over his eyes and gives him a slam.
*Commercial Break*
Lana comes out and says she is proud to be Russian and that Vladimir Putin is the strongest president in the world. She says that everyone is just pawns in his plan of global domination and that he welcomes with open arms the patriot Edward Snowden. She then introduces Alexander Rusev.
MATCH: Alexander Rusev vs. Kofi Kingston
Kinsgton takes it to Rusev with several kicks. Rusev fights back and sends Kingston to the mat. Rusev drives Kingston to the corner and throws him across the ring. He delivers several blows to Kingston on the mat. Kingston fights back with a big dropkick. Rusev shoves Kingston but he fights back with a crossbody from the top rope. Kingston fights out of the slam and goes to the top rope again. He goes for another crossbody but Rusev catches him out of the air. Rusev slams Kingston and applies the accolade for the submission victory.
WINNER: Alexander Rusev via Submission.
Daniel Bryan and Brie Bella are shown trying to escape from the arena. They get in their car but Stephanie McMahon shows up and says Bryan can't leave until he wrestles tonight.
*Commercial Break*
MATCH: Daniel Bryan w/Brie Bella vs. Alberto Del Rio
The match starts out with the 2 locking up. Del Rio gets Bryan in a headlock and sends him to the mat with a shoulder block. Bryan fights back with a dropkick and drives Del Rio to the corner. He delivers several YES kicks to Del Rio. Del Rio fights back with a vicious kick for a 2 count. Del Rio locks in the headlock. Bryan fights out but gets caught with a back breaker from Del Rio. Del Rio chokes Bryan on the middle rope. He sends Bryan to the corner and delivers several kicks. Bryan fights back and sends Del Rio to the corner. Del Rio fights out but Bryan does the signature back flip over Del Rio and takes him down with a clothesline. Bryan delivers the YES kicks in the middle of the ring. Del Rio ducks the last one and delivers a backstabber to Bryan for a 2 count. Bryan is sent out of the ring and driven into the barricade. Del Rio mocks Bryan as he lays on the floor.
*Commercial Break*
The show returns with Del Rio in control. Bryan gets back to the vertical base and fights out of the headlock. Del Rio reverses a waistlock and delivers a German suplex for a 2 count. Del Rio hits a kick on a cornered Bryan. He follows up with an cross armbreaker over the top rope. The ref breaks it up and Del RIo goes to the top rope, again mocking Bryan. Bryan catches Del Rio with a blow as he comes off the top rope. Bryan goes to work on Del Rio's leg and baseball slides him out of the ring. Outside the ring, Del Rio slams Bryan into the barricade. Back in the ring, Del Rio hits a DDT. He goes to the corner and exposes his knees. Del Rio goes for a kick to the head but Bryan ducks it and hits a kick of his own. The two get to their feet and exchamge blows in the middle of the ring. Del Rio reverses an Irish whip to the corner but Bryan reverses with a drop toehold to the turnbuckle. Del Rio fights back and drives his shoulder into a cornered Bryan. Bryan eats a huge clothesline from Del Rio. Del Rio goes for the superplex from the top rope. Bryan fights out and hits the diving headbutt for the 2 count. Bryan gets to his feet and hits several dropkicks in the corner. Del Rio goes to the outside and Bryan hits the suicide dive. He sends Del Rio back in the ring and goes to the top rope. Del Rio hits the enziguri for the 2 count. Del Rio goes for the cross armbreaker. Bryan reverses and locks in the YES Lock. Del Rio submits.
WINNER: Daniel Bryan via Submission.
Kane's music hits and Bryan and Brie flee to the back. They get in their car and it won't start. Bryan lifts the hood and sees that a wire is unplugged. He plugs it back in but Kane appears in the back seat. Kane goes after Brie in the front seat but is pulled out by Bryan. They exchange blows on top of the car. Bryan is knocked off and gets inside the car. He starts the car and drives forward, knocking Kane off the roof. Bryan stops the car and gets out. Kane sits up and Bryan flees.
*Commercial Break*
A vignette for Adam Rose plays.
Bad News Barrett makes his entrance and says he has some bad news. He says that the slobs in the audience may have been worthy of a champion like Big E, they will need cosmetic surgery to be worthy of him.
MATCH: Big E vs. Bad News Barrett
The match starts out with Big E delivering a take down for a 1 count. Big E delivers a series of backbreakers for a 2 count. The action pours outside and Big E slams Barretts head into the apron. Big E drives his shoulder into Barret against the steel stairs. Barett and Big E battle it out on the apron. Big E tries to drive the shoulder into Barrett but runs into the ringpost. Barett delivers an elbow from the apron and the ref begins the 10 count on Big E. Big E rolls back in the ring and Barrett stomps on him.
*Commercial Break*
The show returns with Bad News Barrett in control. Barrett goes for the kick in the corner but Big E moves. Big E hits a belly to belly suplex. He goes for the big splash but Barrett counters. Big E goes for a slam but Barrett fights out and hits the winds of change. Big E fights back and sends Barrett to the the apron. Big E charges towards Barrett but eats a big knee. Back in the ring Big E ducks the clothesline and again sends Barrett to the apron. Big E hits a spear through the middle rope. He rolls Barrett back in the ring for the 2 count. Barrett goes the corner and tries to fight back. Big E throws Barret over his head twice in a row and goes for the big ending. Barrett fights out with an illegal gauge to the eyes. He hits the Bull Hammer Elbow for the three count.
WINNER: Wade Barrett via Pinfall
It is announced that Cena will be on Main Event tomorrow night.
A replay airs of the 20 man battle royal and Triple H setting up The Shield's match with the Wyatt Family from earlier in the night.
*Commercial Break*
A special Mother's Day message airs from Mr. T.
Zeb Colter and Jack Swagger come to the ring. Colter hold a sign that says Colter's Deportation list. He talks about how much he doesn't like Cinco De Mayo. He then runs through his list. It includes Cesaro, Heyman, Emma, Santino, Paige, Sheamus. He is interrupted by the Adam Rose's party people aka The Exotic Express. Adam Rose's music hits and he dances his way to the ring.
Rose gets on the mic and tells Zeb not to be a lemon, be a rosebud. Swagger attacks Adam Rose but is dumped outside the ring. The Exotic express dances around Zeb and brings the party in the ring.
*Commercial Break*
MATCH: Wyatt Family vs. The Shield
The match starts out with all six men brawling in the ring. Rowan and Ambrose start out as the legal men. Ambrose drives Rowan to the corner. He fights out of a slam and tags in Rollins. ROllins delivers several blows to the head. Rowen reverses and tags in Harper. Rollins fights out of a suplex and tags in Ambrose. They delivers a double suplex. Ambrose hits the elbow drop. Rowans drives him to the corner and Roman Reigns is tagged in. After some offense, Rollins is tagged in. Harper gains the upper hand and delivers a big suplex to Rollins for the 2 count. Wyatt is tagged in and delivers a big right hand followed by a punt to the ribs. Rollins rolls out of the ring but is thrown back in by Wyatt. Rowan is tagged in and sends Rollins to the mat with a headbutt. Rowan drives Rollins to the corner. Rollins fights out with a big boot followed by an enziguri. Ambrose is taged in and delivers a flurry of blows to Harper. Harper fights back with a knee but Ambrose reverses and hits a dropkick. Rowan hits a forearm but AMbrose comes off the ropes and hits a clothesline. Ambrose locks in the figure four. The Wyatts come in to break it up but the Shield also comes in and stares them down.
*Commercial Break*
Luke Harper is in control of Ambrose as the show returns. Ambrose fights back but is sent to the mat by Harper for a 2 count. Wyatt is tagged in. Ambrose's head hangs off the apron and Wyatt kicks him in the head. He covers Ambrose back in the ring for a 2 count. Harper is tagged in and delivers a big right hand. Eric Rowan is tagged in and they double team Ambrose. Ambrose is sent to the corner. Rowan meets a series of big boots and gets dumped outside the ring. Harper tries to interfere and is also dumped outside. Rollins is tagged in and delivers a front flip to the two men outside. Back in the ring he hits a big forearm to Harper in the corner. He then drives Harper's head into the middle turnbuckle. Wyatt tries to interfere but eats a big boot from the apron. Rollins tries to jump off the top rope but is pushed outside by Harper. Harper delivers a suicide dive. He sends Rollins back inside for a 2 count. Wyatt is tagged in and throws Rollins into the corner. He follows up with a big clothesline in the corner for a 2 count. Harper is tagged back in and he knocks Reigns off the apron. Rollins gets back to his feet but eats a kick from Harper. Rowan tries to interfere but is stopped by Ambrose. Ambrose goes to the outside but is thrown into the announce table by Wyatt. Harper gets Rollins onto the top turnbuckle. Rollins fights out and hits a flying knee off the top rope. Wyatt and Reigns are tagged in. Reigns hits a clothesline. He ducks one from Wyatt and drives him to the mat.
Rowan interferes but gets taken out by Reigns. Harper tries to interfere but is sent outside. Rowan and Harper both get back in the ring but are sent outside by Rollins and Ambrose. Rollins and Ambrose deliver a suicide dive and Harper and Rowan are sent over the announce table. Wyatt goes to splash Reigns in the corner but eats a Superman Punch. The Shield sets Bray up for the triple powerbomb but Evolution comes out and distracts them. The Wyatts try to blindside the Shield but Rowan and Harper are sent outside. Rollins dives over the top and takes out Harper, Rowan, and Evolution. Reigns is inside the ring and gets taken out by Bray Wyatt. Wyatt hits the sister Abigail for the 3 count.
WINNER: The Wyatt Family via Pinfall
After the match Evolution jumps the Shield. Reigns fights out of the Pedigree from Triple H but meets an RKO from Orton. Batista gets in the ring and Evolution delivers the triple powerbomb to mock The Shield.
REVIEW
This was a great episode of Raw that in many ways upstaged Extreme Rules last night. The battle royal was pretty good as far as battle royals go. I am glad that Sheamus won because he has been at the top of his game since he came back from injury. Hopefully this title change will inject some much needed life to the U.S. Title picture. However, I wish they would have went a different direction with the U.S. Title. I was hoping to see it become something like the Cruiserweight Title with athletic high flyers competing for the belt. I don't see a discernible difference between the U.S. and Intercontinental Championships, so switching the focus of the title picture would have been an interesting and refreshing move. Anyway, hopefully Sheamus brings some legitimacy back to the belt and actually defends it on a regular basis.
Daniel Bryan and Alberto Del Rio had an awesome match that made Del Rio look like a very formidable heel. Del Rio gets a lot of flack online for being boring and untalented, but when he is in the ring with a top worker like Bryan his true talent really shines. Obviously Bryan wasn't going to lose, but for a while Del Rio had the upper hand and made an upset seem like it may actually happen. I don't know how I feel about the horror movie angle with Kane and Bryan. While I think some of it is cool and spooky, what does it say about your champion when he is always running away from a guy he beat on multiple occasions?
The Wyatts and The Shield put on another awesome match and its just a matter of time before the two teams are engaged in an all out war. I already hear murmurs in the IWC of The Shield vs. The Wyatts being exhausted, but I think they have plenty more encounters left in them. What a lot of wrestling fans in this age of instant gratification don't understand is the concept of the extended feud. A truly classic feud takes months, if not years, to reach a boiling point and isn't something that happens in the four weeks between special events. I can see the Wyatt and Shield angle going on for a very long time and I won't be disappointed if it does.
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