For those who missed the WWE Extreme Rules post-show last night, John Cena refused a trip to the hospital and got up off the stretcher before it was loaded into the ambulance. Cena tore his neck brace off and walked off with the help of a trainer.
WWE is promising medical updates on Cena, Ryback, Triple H and others on tonight’s RAW.
Credit – PWInsider
Several sources report that John Cena’s injury is just a deeply bruised heel, not an Achilles tear as WWE first reported last week.
Word is that Cena will continue to work through the injury.
After Monday’s Raw went off the air, John Cena thanked the Make-A-Wish kids. Cena said that even with a bum ankle, he wasn’t going to take the night off because of them.
Fandango then came out afterwards and did his normal entrance. He asked the crowd “What’s my name?” a few times. The crowd responded, “Fan-Dan-Go,” and he told everyone to drive safe.
Tonight’s WWE RAW opens up from Columbus, Ohio with Michael Cole welcoming us. We go right to the ring and out comes Ricardo Rodriguez and Alberto Del Rio. It’s announced the winner of this match will pick the stipulation for the World Heavyweight Title match at Extreme Rules. Ricardo heads to the ring as Zeb Colter and Big E Langston wait.
Big E Langston vs. Zeb Colter vs. Ricardo Rodriguez
This match was made by Teddy Long, it’s announced.
Langston eyes Zeb and Ricardo, smiling. Zeb goes to the apron, leaving Big E to face off with Ricardo. Big E catches Ricardo and runs over him with a big shoulder. Big E with a big forearm to the chest. Ricardo fights back with a kick and some punches. He tries to run away but Big E grabs him for big slams over his knee. Big E with body shots in the corner now. Big E has words with Zeb. Big E runs and spears Ricardo in the corner. Big E tosses Ricardo across the ring. Ricardo jumps and Big E runs into the ring post. Ricardo with kicks and punches to Big E now. Zeb comes in and gets some shots in on Big E. Ricardo and Zeb double team him. Ricardo reminds him that they’re enemies. Big E runs over Ricardo again as Zeb watches.
Zeb pushes Big E away and beats up Ricardo. Big E backs Zeb up and he falls down, faking a knee injury. Jack Swagger runs in and tends to Zeb. Ricardo with a kick to Big E. Ricardo tosses a trash can onto Big E and it does nothing. Big E lays Ricard out with a big belly to belly suplex. Alberto Del Rio comes in and hits Big E. Dolph Ziggler takes out Del Rio. Swagger sends Ziggler to the floor. Big E sends Swagger to the floor but tumbles out with him. Zeb steals the pin and covers Ricardo but AJ Lee breaks the pin. These are triple threat rules. Ricardo rolls up Zeb for the win.
Winner: Ricardo Rodriguez
- Still to come, Ryback and John Cena are being forced to face The Shield. Cole, Jerry Lawler and JBL talk about Cena’s Achilles injury. They wonder if Cena will be ready to go tonight. Cena will be up next to celebrate World Wish Day.
- We go back to replays of how the triple threat ended. Back to commercial.
- Back from the break and we get a video of John Cena granting a wish on Today earlier this morning. We come back to the arena and out comes Cena with several kids and their parents from Make-A-Wish. Cena talks about World Wish Day and introduces Jacob, Nicholas and Logan. He says their wish was to come watch RAW. Cena encourages fans to visit Wish.org/WWE and help out. Cena says tonight, they’re making these three kids honorary WWE Superstars. Cena introduces the three newest WWE stars. Jacob’s name he chose is The Eliminator, Nick’s name he chose was Nick The Stitch and Logan’s name he chose was Lightning Logan. The crowd cheers and Cena gets them to cheer louder for the three kids. Cena thanks the fans and that’s it.
- We see Randy Orton walking backstage. Back to commercial.
Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton
Back from the break and Randy Orton is finishing up his entrance as Cody Rhodes looks on from ringside.
Orton strikes first and takes Cody down. They lock up again and Cody takes control for a second. Orton fights out but Cody drops him with a shoulder. Back and forth but Orton drops Cody with an elbow. They lock p again and trade holds. Cody works on the arm and takes Orton to the corner. Orton tosses Cody to the floor but he hangs on and comes back in. Cody turns around to a dropkick. Orton taunts Cody and dropkicks him again. Orton with a 1 count. Orton keeps control and works Cody over.
Orton stomps away on Cody. Cody pulls Orton into the turnbuckles and turns it around. Cody works Orton over in the corner now. Orton turns it around and hits a suplex for a 2 count. Orton keeps the attack on Cody and covers for another pin attempt. Cody turns it around and drops Orton with a dropkick for a 2 count. Cody with kicks. Orton comes back with a clothesline. Cody goes to the floor but Orton chases him and hits another. Orton brings it back in the ring but Cody blocks the second rope DDT. Cody comes in but blocks an RKO. Orton stares Cody down as we go to commercial.
Back from the break and Orton has control of Cody on the floor. Orton brings it back in but Cody nails a Disaster Kick. Cody brings Orton back in the ring and covers for a 2 count. Cody with another pin attempt. Cody with stomps now. Cody mounts Orton with right hands and kicks him again. Cody with a knee to the throat. Another 2 count on Orton. Cody with a headlock now. Orton fights to his feet and goes for a backdrop. Cody counters and drops Orton with a big right hand. Cody with another stomp and knee drop for 2. Cody with a boot in the corner now. Orton fights back with rights and a headbutt. Orton runs into a big boot. Cody goes to the top and comes down with an elbow to the head. Cody with a 2 count. Cody goes back to the top but Orton cuts him off. Orton climbs up and nails a superplex. Cody kicks out at 2. More of Orton in control. Orton hits the second rope draping DDT and readies for an RKO. The crowd goes nuts. Cody blocks it and nails Cross Rhodes for a close 2 count. Cody complains about the three count. Cody yells at Orton. Cody goes for a Disaster Kick but jumps into an RKO for the win.
Winner: Randy Orton
- After the match, Matt Striker talks to Orton in the ring. Striker asks if Orton is still haunted by Big Show turning on him at WrestleMania 29. Orton says it fuels him. He’s never been so focused and never felt so extreme. Cody gets up and Orton nails another RKO.
- Brie Bella is stretching when her sister Nikki walks up. They’re not happy about missing the battle royal last week. They were at a red carpet event for the E! network. They walk off together and we go to commercial.
Brie Bella vs. Naomi
Back from the break and The Bella Twins are in the ring. We get a sneak peek at the upcoming Divas show that will air on E! in June. Out next comes Cameron and Naomi without Tensai or Brodus Clay.
Brie and Naomi lock up. Brie sends her to the mat and taunts her. Naomi fights back and hits a Thesz Press. Naomi with right hands and offense off the ropes. Naomi with a dropkick that sends Brie out of the ring. Brie fights her way back in and goes to the top but Naomi cuts her off. The Bellas do the twin switch. Nikki comes in and steals the win by rolling up Naomi.
Winner: Brie Bella
- Cameron complains to the referee after the match. The referee calls The Bellas back to the ring and announces Naomi wins by DQ. The Bellas hit the ring and a brawl breaks out. They end up dumping Naomi out of the ring and beating up Cameron some more.
Winner by DQ: Naomi
- Still to come, The Shield will speak. Back to commercial.
- Back from the break and out comes Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns through the crowd, to the ring. The Shield talks about breaking down the injustices in WWE since they arrived at Survivor Series. Seth Rollins says not one person has been able to stop them. Rollins says they changed WWE history when they stopped Ryback from becoming WWE Champion. We see a still from Survivor Series. We see stills of The Shield taking out The Rock, Big Show, Sheamus and John Cena. Dean Ambrose says they looked immortality in the face and force fed justice to The Undertaker. Reigns tells Taker to rest in peace. We see a video from SmackDown where The Shield beat up Taker.
Ambrose says justice doesn’t care if you’re undefeated at WrestleMania, the WWE Champion or what your name is. Rollins says justice has not forgot about Ryback and John Cena. Rollins goes on but 3MB’s music hits and out comes Heath Slater, Jinder Mahal and Drew McIntyre on the stage. Slater tells them to shut up. Slater says The Shield has unfinished business with 3MB tonight. Drew says they were seconds from teaching Triple H a lesson but The Shield crashed their party. Mahal says now they’re crashing The Shield’s party. 3MB surround the ring and enter. A brawl breaks out. The Shield look to be getting the upperhand. Kane’s pyro goes off and out he comes with Daniel Bryan. They hit the ring but The Shield retreats through the crowd. Kane and Bryan beat up 3MB and clear the ring of them instead. Kane chokeslams Slater while staring at The Shield. Bryan makes the crowd chant yes and The Shield runs off to the back.
- John Cena is backstage getting his foot taped up. Ryback comes in and says Cena can tape it up all he wants but he’s still hurt. Cena says hurt, not injured and he can still go. Cena says he is more effective on one leg than Ryback is two. Ryback says he will take that chance and walks off. Back to commercial.
Dolph Ziggler vs. Kofi Kingston
Cole and Lawler plug Domino’s pizza. Out comes World Heavyweight Champion Dolph Ziggler with AJ Lee and Big E Langston by his side. Out next comes his opponent WWE United States Champion Kofi Kingston.
Lots of back and forth to start the match. Kofi goes for SOS but it’s blocked. More counters and attempts. We go to commercial mid-match.
Back from the break and Ziggler is in control. Kofi fights out of a hold. Ziggler cuts him off. Ziggler taunts Kofi now. Ziggler with a neckbreaker. Ziggler misses a splash in the corner as Kofi moves out of the way. Ziggler goes back to the attack and beats Kofi down in the corner. Kofi fights him off with kicks and punches. Kofi makes a comeback and nails a big dropkick. Kofi hits the Boom Drop. Ziggler blocks Trouble in Paradise but Kofi catches him. Ziggler counters that with a big DDT. Ziggler with a 2 count. More back and forth. Kofi with SOS for a 2 count. Ziggler misses the leg drop and Kofi nails Trouble in Paradise but AJ puts Ziggler’s leg on the bottom rope. Big E helps Ziggler up on the floor but Kofi dives out onto both of them. Kofi brings Ziggler back in and goes to the top. Kofi with a big crossbody for a close 2 count. AJ distracts the referee. Big E gets on the apron but Kofi sends him to the floor. Ziggler rolls Kofi up for 2. Kofi counters with a 2 count. Kofi catches Ziggler again and catapults him into the corner. Kofi misses a big shot from the top rope. Ziggler hits Zig Zag for the win.
Winner: Dolph Ziggler
- After the match, Big E hits two of his finishers on Kofi as Ziggler cheers him on. Back to commercial.
- Back from the break and Team Ziggler is walking backstage. They run into Natalya and Kaitlyn. Kaitlyn and AJ have words about the Divas Title. A crew member brings up a gift and AJ thinks its for her. It’s for Kaitlyn and a matching hat for her bracelet is in the ring. Kaitlyn reads the love letter and now has a secret admirer.
- We get a video for Triple H vs. Brock Lesnar.
- Vickie Guerrero and Brad Maddox are backstage talking. Ryback comes in and says he won’t face The Shield alone again. Vickie says there will be a six-man match now – The Shield vs. Ryback, Kane and Daniel Bryan. Ryback says he’s been there, done that, and doesn’t trust either of them. He shouts no and walks off. Back to commercial.
Jack Swagger vs. Zack Ryder
Back from the break and out comes Jack Swagger with Zeb Colter. Zack Ryder is out next and on his way to the ring, he shows us footage of Zeb in action earlier tonight. Swagger locks up and takes Ryder to the corner to start the match. Swagger with more big knees in the corner.
Swagger nails a big clothesline and keeps control. Ryder makes a comeback but Swagger dumps him on his back for a 2 count. Swagger starts working on Ryder’s leg now. Swagger tosses Ryder across the ring and nails two Swagger Bombs. Swagger taunts Ryder. Swagger goes for another Swagger Bomb but Ryder puts his boots up. Ryder dumps Swagger to the floor and nails a dropkick through the ropes. Ryder brings it back in the ring but Swagger catches him and nails a gutwrench powerbomb. Swagger applies the Patriot Lock for the win.
Winner: Jack Swagger
- After the match, Swagger finally breaks the hold. Swagger lets Zeb taunt Ryder for disrespecting him earlier. Swagger knocks Ryder back with a right hand.
- Mark Henry is carrying a rope to the ring as we go back to commercial.
- During the break, Matt Striker tried getting an interview with Ryback for the WWE App but Ryback was shown walking out of the building.
- We go to the ring and Mark Henry is out with a big rope and a microphone. Henry says he’s here to prove he’s the strongest man in the world. He’s asked Vickie Guerrero for two opponents. Henry says to bring them out. Here comes Tensai first. The referee officiates a tug-of-war and here we go. Henry pulls Tensai over the line and wins the first round. Henry celebrates and out next comes Brodus Clay.
Clay battles Henry in a tug-of-war now. Henry pulls Clay over the middle line and wins the second round. Henry celebrates until the music of Sheamus hits and here comes. Sheamus comes to the stage and taunts Henry. Sheamus says let’s get it on and heads to the ring to battle Henry in a tug-of-war contest. Henry almost gets it but Sheamus lets go of the rope and Henry falls back. Henry gets up pissed off but Sheamus nails a Brogue Kick.
- We see footage from John Cena’s special segment for World Wish Day earlier tonight.
- Brad Maddox and Vickie Guerrero are backstage with Team Hell No. Ryback has left the building. Kane’s upset and ready to battle The Shield no matter what. Vickie says they can have the match and they walk off. Vickie whispers something to Brad and we go back to commercial.
- Back from the break and we get tweets from The Rock about his surgery and the success of Pain & Gain.
- John Cena is getting ready to head out to the ring when Brad Maddox walks in. Cena says he’s not letting Team Hell No face The Shield without a partner. Maddox says Cena is hurt bad. Cena says he’s not but Maddox will be. Cena says he’s fighting tonight and Maddox leaves.
Alberto Del Rio vs. Antonio Cesaro
We go to the ring and out comes Ricardo Rodriguez to begin the introduction for Alberto Del Rio. Antonio Cesaro waits in the ring.
The bell rings and they lock up and break. Another lock up and they go to the mat trading holds. Del Rio with a pin attempt. Cesaro shoves him. Del Rio comes back firing away into the corner. Cesaro suplexes Del Rio. Del Rio comes back with a big kick to the arm. Del Rio focuses on Cesaro’s arm now. Cesaro turns it around and focuses on Del Rio’s arm now. Cesaro with uppercuts now. Del Rio comes back with a hurricanrana. Del Rio with shots to the kidneys now. Del Rio with a backstabber. Del Rio goes for the cross armbreaker but Cesaro blocks it and goes to the floor. We go to commercial.
Back from the break and Cesaro is in control of Del Rio. Cesaro with a stomp and a 2 count. Cesaro with a gutwrench slam for another pin attempt. Cesaro hits a big running uppercut in the corner but Del Rio kicks out at 2. Cesaro with left and right hands before another pin attempt. Cesaro keeps control of Del Rio and keeps him on the mat. Del Rio tries to block a back drop but gets slammed anyway. Cesaro with more big uppercuts. Del Rio with a big kick to the face and a clothesline. Del Rio makes a comeback and nails a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Cesaro rolls Del Rio up for a close 2 count. Del Rio with a suplex for another close 2 count. More back and forth action. Del Rio comes off the top but Cesaro knocks him out of the air with an uppercut. Del Rio still kicks out at 2. Cesaro runs into the ring post. Del Rio with a superkick to the face for a 2 count. More back and forth Cesaro goes for the win but Del Rio counters with the cross armbreaker for the win.
Winner: Alberto Del Rio
- After the match, Del Rio picks a Ladder Match stipulation for the Triple Threat at Extreme Rules.
- Fandango and The Great Khali are headed to the ring for a dance off as we go to commercial.
- Back from the break and out comes Fandango with his dancer Summer Rae. The Great Khali waits in the ring with Natalya and Jerry Lawler is hosting things. Lawler asks Khali about Dancing with the Stars and how Chris Jericho did. Khali says he’s better. Music hits and Khali dances with Natalya. Lawler asks Fandango how Jericho did on DWTS. Fandango says he was clumsy. Fandango and Summer Rae dance next. Lawler refers to her as Summer Rae. The crowd cheers more for Khali and Natalya but it’s very close. Khali and Natalya win the dance contest. Fandango attacks from behind and takes Khali’s knee out. Fandango with a sweep to take Khali to the mat. Fandango goes to the top and nails the big leg drop on Khali.
- Up next is the main event. We see footage from SmackDown where The Undertaker got beat down by The Shield.
John Cena and Team Hell No vs. The Shield
We go to the ring and out comes WWE Champion John Cena for the main event. The WWE Tag Team Champions Kane and Daniel Bryan are out next. We go to commercial.
Back from the break and here comes The Shield. A brawl starts the match before Kane and Dean Ambrose go at it in the ring. Back and forth until Seth Rollins comes in. Kane works him over in the corner. Kane is upset and grabs the referee by the throat. Cena tags in and calms Kane down. Cena goes at it with Ambrose, who just tagged in. Cena’s bad leg buckles and he tags in Daniel Bryan. Bryan unloads on Ambrose with kicks in the corner. Bryan with more offense on Ambrose.
Kane comes back in and keeps control of Ambrose, getting a 2 count. Bryan comes back in with more kicks on Ambrose. Bryan with a surfboard submission now. Kane tags back in for some double teaming and a 2 count. Kane goes to the top but Ambrose moves. Rollins tags in for some double teaming on Kane. Rollins with a 2 count. Rollins works over Kane as we go back to commercial.
Back from the break and Ambrose is in control of Bryan. Bryan fights out but Ambrose knocks him down for a 2 count. Rollins tags in and hits a big kick to the face for a 2 count. Rollins taunts Cena and works Bryan over. Rollins with a submission on Bryan now. Bryan tries to hit all of The Shield but Rollins drops him with another kick for a 2 count. Roman Reigns comes in and keeps control of Bryan now. Bryan fights out but Reigns nails a big Samoan drop for a 2 count. Bryan sends Reigns out to the floor. Bryan tags in Kane as Ambrose comes in. Cena looks upset he wasn’t tagged in. Kane unloads on Ambrose with clotheslines in the corner and a big sideslam. Rollins gets shoved out of the ring by Kane. Kane goes to the top and comes down on Ambrose with a big right hand. Kane tosses Ambrose out of the ring and follows. Kane takes apart the announce table and grabs Ambrose. Kane lets go to fight off Rollins. Ambrose comes back and DDT’s Kane on the floor.
They make it back in the ring. Kane finally nails a chokeslam. Cena finally gets a tag and unloads on Reigns. Cena hits his usual moves and then the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Rollins nails a crossbody on Cena but he rolls through. Cena’s leg goes out as he attempts an Attitude Adjustment and Reigns spears him for the win.
Winners: The Shield
- After the match, Ryback appears on the stage as Cena sells the injury in the ring. The Shield has already left through the crowd. A trainer checks on Cena’s injury as RAW goes off the air.
WWE announced just moments ago on their website that John Cena is still scheduled to team with Ryback against The Shield in a handicap match on tonight’s episode of Raw. Here is an excerpt from their website:
“WWE.com has learned that despite his injury, WWE Champion John Cena will team with Ryback to take on The Shield in a Handicap Match on tonight’s Raw. Can the two rivals work together against the black-clad renegades? Tune in tonight at 8/7 on USA Network.”
As noted over the weekend, Cena is reportedly battling an Achilles injury.
Former WWE Superstar Edge described John Cena as being “stubborn” for not letting an injury slow him down when a follower on Twitter made reference to Cena’s injury.
@CCTChairShots tweeted, “@WWE: BREAKING: @JohnCena injured on European Tour. Details: wwe.me/kuXhh” Achilles put @EdgeRatedR on shelf for a year. #yikes”
Edge replied, “Actually 6 months, not a year. Still sucks though. He’s stubborn, he’ll get through it @CCTChairShots @WWE @JohnCena”
There’s still no word from within WWE on John Cena’s injury but a report from the European tour notes Cena was working with a bruised heel.
Cena’s Achilles injury was believed to happen back on April 21st in Geneva, Switzerland, where he defeated Ryback in a Tables Match.
Cena continued to work the European tour but was put in six-man matches with Kane and Daniel Bryan vs. Ryback, Big E Langston and Dolph Ziggler. The injury is also why Cena was protected at RAW in London and didn’t have to work the dark main event.
According to a post on WrestlingNewsWorld.com, John Cena is suffering from a legitimate injury and it is not part of a storyline. At WWE’s Saturday live event in Lodz, Poland, Cena was extremely limited in the match and worked with his right ankle wrapped. Live reports from fans state that Cena was in obvious pain throughout the match and didn’t do much except for pin Dolph Ziggler to give his team the win.
There’s no current diagnosis or timetable for Cena to be out, but I assume that this will be sorted out by tomorrow night’s RAW.
Below are some photos of Cena at the show, notice the higher sock on his right leg which appears to be covering some type of wrapping:
@johncena #wwelodz twitter.com/Rogalew1Mikola…
— Mikolaj Rogalewicz (@Rogalew1Mikolaj) April 28, 2013
@johncena @wwedanielbryan and KANE twitter.com/Rogalew1Mikola…
— Mikolaj Rogalewicz (@Rogalew1Mikolaj) April 28, 2013
@johncena @wwedanielbryan and KANE twitter.com/Rogalew1Mikola…
— Mikolaj Rogalewicz (@Rogalew1Mikolaj) April 28, 2013
As noted earlier, John Cena suffered an injury to his right Achilles tendon in a match overseas according WWE.com.
Their report was vague and didn’t really mention the extent of the injury or how Cena was hurt but they did however credit the injury to Ryback, which leaves many to believe that this may be something to add heat to their upcoming program.
WWE’s tour ended with a show last night in Lodz, Poland and the crew is on their way back for Raw in Columbus, OH, tomorrow night.
At last night’s event, John Cena & Kane & Daniel Bryan went against Ryback, Dolph Ziggler & Big E Langston, doing the same match they had done the previous nights while on tour. Something worth noting is that the reports from the show didn’t make any reference to anything unusual about the match.
We will keep you posted as more details from the story develop.
Former WWE Champion Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has issued an update on his claim of an abdominal tear injury mid-way through his match with John Cena at WrestleMania.
Johnson wrote on Twitter Wednesday afternoon, “Injury update: Physical therapy starts tomorrow. Hardcore training starts today. Thank U guys for the love. 5 weeks out..#RoadToHercules.”
Johnson had previously indicated on Twitter that he believes he suffered the injury while delivering the Rock Bottom to Cena during the bout. Last Saturday, Johnson revealed that he and his physician had elected to not re-attach tendons to his pelvis as part of the rehabilitation process. “They’ll just scar up,” he noted.
After Monday’s Raw went off the air, John Cena & Team Hell No took on The Shield in the dark match main event. The match ended when Seth Rollins hit Cena with a chair, prompting The Shield to get disqualified.
Following the match, the faces hit their finishers on the Shield to send the crowd home happy.
After Monday’s Raw went off the air, John Cena got on the mic and put over the crowd. Cena then laid the belt out in the ring and said that it was for us. Cena got a massive pop.
Cena said they usually play music to end the show, but tonight, we were the music. He left the ring while the whole crowd sang Fandango’s theme. Fandango’s music hit and the crowd went nuts. The show closed with one final “we are awesome!” chant.
- Tonight’s WWE RAW opens up from a sold out IZOD Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Michael Cole welcomes us and he’s joined by Jerry Lawler and JBL. We see some stills from last night’s WrestleMania 29 pay-per-view.
- We go right to the ring and out comes WWE Champion John Cena wearing his new t-shirt. Cena is met with a very mixed reaction.
Cena cuts one of his usual promos about WrestleMania and stops. He says he’s known the crowd for 10 years now. Some “Cena sucks” chants start up. Cena goes on about the reactions and says he’s feeling good tonight. Cena say she may do some kind of championship dance tonight. Cena teases some lame dance moves. He says how about a little “heel turn” and rotates his heel. The crowd pops and Cena says that’s what he’s talking about. Cena says a champion rose at WrestleMania. He proudly says The Champ Is Here and yells it. The crowd chants “same ol shit.” Cena says this is exactly what he wanted for his WrestleMania main event celebration. Cena says this is his celebration right now. Cena says he’s celebrating the only way he knows how – he’s fighting. Cena says let’s start the Road to WrestleMania off with a match for the WWE Title. Out comes Mark Henry.
Henry asks Cena what’s up. Henry says when you ask for trouble, it finds you. The crowd chants “sexual chocolate” and Cena says they want to have sex with chocolate. Henry says he destroyed Ryback last night at WrestleMania 29. Henry says he and Cena need to have some action. The crowd chants “feed me more” for Ryback. Cena jokes again but introduces himself to Henry. Cena cracks on Henry’s breath and says tonight, he can have a title shot. Booker T’s music hits and out comes the 2013 Hall of Fame General Manager. Booker says he can’t have Cena come out here making title matches. Booker says The Rock is entitled to a rematch. Booker announces Rock is the #1 contender to the WWE Title. Booker says Rock won’t be here tonight because he’s injured. A “bullshit” chant breaks out. Booker says he will give Henry a shot but he has to earn it. If Henry can beat Cena tonight, he will get a shot at a future date. Henry says Cena’s jokes won’t get him anything but entered into the Hall of Pain. Henry tells Cena to bring his A game and walks off.
- Still to come, The Undertaker will be here. Also, Jack Swagger and Zeb Colter will face Alberto Del Rio in a handicap match. We see AJ Lee, Dolph Ziggler and Big E Langston backstage talking. Back to commercial.
Daniel Bryan vs. Big E Langston
Back from the break and out first comes Daniel Bryan. Big E Langston is out next with Dolph Ziggler and AJ Lee. Bryan strikes first and unloads on the corner. Big E powers him off and knocks him out of the air. Big E with a huge spear in the corner. Big E works Bryan over and hits another big spear in the corner. Big E dumps Bryan over his head and to the mat.
Big E goes for more offense but Bryan slides out of a hold and kicks Big E repeatedly. Bryan goes to the top but AJ distracts the referee and Dolph knocks him off the top. Kane comes over and grabs Dolph. Big E tosses Bryan out of the ring onto Kane and they both go down. Big E nails Bryan with The Big Ending for the win.
Winner: Big E Langston
- Josh Mathews is in the crowd with NFL legend Kurt Warner. They talk about his new reality TV show on the USA Network, The Moment. It starts Thursday night at 10pm.
- Still to come, Wade Barrett will get his rematch against The Miz. Back to commercial.
WWE Intercontinental Title Match: Wade Barrett vs. The Miz
Back from the break and Wade Barrett waits in the ring. Out comes new WWE Intercontinental Champion The Miz.
Barrett strikes first and sends Miz to the corner. Barrett works him over but misses in the corner and gets clotheslined. Miz with a big kick to the face and a 1 count. Miz with a suplex and another 1 count. Barrett looks to make a comeback but Miz takes him back to the corner with right hands. Miz with another 2 count. More back and forth action. Miz throws Barrett out to the floor and dropkicks him back. Miz leaps off the apron with a double ax handle shot. Miz tosses Barrett into the fan barrier and brings it back in the ring. Miz goes to the top but Barrett moves when he comes down. Miz dumps Barrett to the apron but gets kicked in the face. Barrett hits a big neckbreaker on the apron. The crowd pops as we go to commercial.
Back from the break and Barrett hits Winds of Change for a 2 count. Barrett sends Miz to the floor then drops a big elbow. Barrett brings it back in for a 2 count. Miz finally makes a comeback and hits a high knee. He drops Barrett with a boot. Mi charges and counters. Miz hits the backbreaker but botches the neckbreaker and they bump heads. The crowd chants “you fucked up.” Miz hits the clothesline in the corner and goes up top for another double ax handle shot. Miz with a 2 count. Miz works on the leg but Barrett blocks the Figure Four. Miz goes back to the knee and nails a DDT for 2. Miz slides out of Wasteland. More back and forth. Miz catches Barrett’s leg and locks in the Figure Four. Barrett makes it to the ropes and the crowd pops.
More back and forth. Barrett goes to the corner. Miz stops him and climbs up for a superplex. Barrett struggles with him and sends Miz back to the mat. Barrett nails the Bullhammer Elbow for the win and the title.
Winner and New WWE Intercontinental Champion: Wade Barrett
- Vickie Guerrero and Brad Maddox are backstage. Sheamus comes in and he’s upset about Big Show. Vickie gives him a match against Show tonight.
- Still to come, Del Rio vs. Zeb and Swagger. Back to commercial.
- We see Booker T walking backstage. Randy Orton approaches him and congratulates him on the Hall of Fame induction. Orton takes a look at Booker’s ring. Orton wants a favor – a match against Big Show. Orton says he talked Sheamus into trusting Show and he was dead wrong. Orton wants to fix that wrong. Orton says if anyone can overrule Vickie’s match, it’s Booker. Booker makes Orton vs. Show for tonight.
Jack Swagger and Zeb Colter vs. Alberto Del Rio
We go to the ring and out comes Jack Swagger and Zeb Colter. Zeb says the country is in worse shape after last night. Zeb asks the fans for their support as he fights for his country tonight. Zeb asks the fans to chant “USA” when Del Rio comes out. They start chanting USA as we go to commercial.
Back from the break and we see what happened with Mark Henry and John Cena earlier tonight. Ricardo Rodriguez comes out and begins the introduction for the World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio. Swagger and Del Rio lock up and go to the corner. Back and forth to start. Del Rio whips Swagger into the corner and kicks him in the back. Swagger ends up outside and Del Rio dives through the ropes and sends him into the announce table. Del Rio with a big stomp on the corner. Fans chant for Del Rio. They want Zeb to come in. Del Rio goes to the top and hits a crossbody for a 2 count. Zeb hits a cheap shot from behind on Del Rio. Swagger takes advantage and takes out Del Rio’s leg. Swagger works on the leg now. Fans chant USA now. Swagger with knees to the head. Zeb with a rake to the face. Del Rio misses the enziguri in the corner. Swagger goes for a slam but it’s countered. Swagger goes for the Patriot Lock but it’s countered. Swagger locks it in. They tangle and Del Rio ends up back on the floor. We go to commercial.
Back from the break and Swagger is still in control of Del Rio. Swagger charges in the corner and hits the ring post. Del Rio with a pair of clotheslines and a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Del Rio goes down on his injured knee. Del Rio with a superkick to the jaw and a 2 count. Swagger counters the armbreaker and slams Del Rio. Swagger with the Patriot Lock. Del Rio breaks it but Swagger re-applies it. Del Rio kicks out and turns it into the cross armbreaker. Swagger taps out to end it.
Winner: Alberto Del Rio
- After the match, Del Rio sells the leg injury. Ricardo and a WWE trainer come in to check on him. Dolph Ziggler’s music hits and out he comes to cash in. Ziggler orders the trainer to move and the referee to start the match.
World Heavyweight Title Match: Dolph Ziggler vs. Alberto Del Rio
The match is announced by Justin Roberts. The bell rings and Ziggler goes right to work beating up on Del Rio’s injured leg. Ziggler hits the big leg drop but Del Rio kicks out right before 3 and the crowd goes nuts. More offense from Ziggler. He misses a splash in the corner as Del Rio moves. Del Rio nails a massive kick to the jaw and they both go down. Del Rio with a 2 count.
Del Rio locks in the cross armbreaker but Ziggler grabs hs hurt leg and breaks the hold. Ziggler nails Zig Zag for the win and the World Title. The crowd goes nuts.
Winner and New World Heavyweight Champion: Dolph Ziggler
- After the match, Ziggler celebrates with AJ and Big E to a huge pop from the crowd.
- Back from the break and the lights go out, the gongs start up. The Undertaker makes his way out to the ring.
Taker hits the ring and the crowd starts chanting his name. Taker says he dedicated his win at WrestleMania 29 to the memory of Paul Bearer. Taker is interrupted by Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns. Their music hits and they appear in the crowd.
The Shield surround the ring and get on the apron. All of a sudden Kane’s pyro rocks the ring and knocks the Shield off the apron. Out comes Kane and Daniel Bryan to stand alongside Taker. The Shield backs off and exit through the crowd as Taker, Kane and Bryan stare them down from the ring.
- Still to come, Cena vs. Henry. Back to commercial.
- Back from the break and we see how Dolph Ziggler won the World Heavyweight Title earlier.
- Josh Mathews is backstage with Ziggler and friends. Ziggler says he’s been too good for too damn long and the crowd pops. Ziggler says it’s the day after but this is his WrestleMania moment. Ziggler says he’s going to shine his title up and show it off because it’s been too long.
Santino Marella, R-Truth and Zack Ryder vs. 3MB
We go to the ring and all six men are in the ring. Truth and Slater start things off. Truth gets the upperhand and tags in Santino. Santino dances some and Slater rocks him. Ryder tags in and goes at it with Jinder Mahal. Ryder with a faceplant but Jinder tosses him to the apron. Ryder gets knocked to the floor. Drew slams him into the apron and throws him back in the ring. Drew with a big kick and a tag to Slater for some double teaming in the corner.
Drew comes back in but Ryder hits a neckbreaker. Santino comes in and goes for the Cobra but Drew grabs his arm. Santino breaks free and hits Slater with the Cobra for the win.
Winners: Santino Marella, R-Truth and Zack Ryder
- We get a video package with highlights from WrestleMania 29 Week in New York and New Jersey.
- Sheamus and Randy Orton are backstage arguing. Sheamus says he’s got this and walks off. Back to commercial.
- We see footage from the WrestleMania post-show where Big Show talked about how he’s all for himself now.
Sheamus vs. Big Show
We go to the ring and out comes Sheamus. Sheamus takes the mic and asks the fans who wants to see him kick Big Show’s arse tonight. Sheamus tells Vickie to come out and sort things. Randy Orton comes out instead. Orton says while Sheamus is practically begging for support… they have words away from the microphone. Orton says Big Show is his tonight. Orton tells Sheamus to listen and asks the fans who wants to see him kick Big Show’s ass. The crowd pops. Cole tells fans to tweet #WWEOrton or #WWESheamus to determine Show’s opponent for tonight. We go back to commercial.
Back from the break and Orton gets the win with 77% of the vote. Vickie comes out with Booker T. They announce Sheamus vs. Orton for tonight. The winner will face Big Show.
Randy Orton vs. Sheamus
They lock up and go to the corner. Sheamus finally drops Orton with a shoulder. Back and forth action now. Orton drops Sheamus with a back elbow. Orton misses a knee drop and Sheamus drops a knee on him. Sheamus with a 2 count. Sheamus works on the arm now. The match is pretty slow paced. A “boring” chant breaks out. More back and forth action. A huge “RVD” chant breaks out. Orton starts to stomp on Sheamus.
Fans chant for JBL next and get him to crack a smile. They seem to not be paying attention to the match. They chant for Lawler next and Cole, believe it or not. Orton dropkicks Sheamus as we go to commercial.
Back from the break and they’re finally going at it. Sheamus with the Irish Curse backbreaker for a 2 count. The crowd is doing a wave now. Sheamus with a pair of double ax handle shots and a shoulder thrust in the corner. Sheamus hits the high knee and sends Orton to the apron. Orton fights him off but Sheamus hits the series of forearm shots to the chest. Sheamus suplexes Orton in. Orton blocks White Noise and hits a backbreaker. The crowd chants for Randy Savage now. Orton with a pair of clotheslines and a powerslam. Orton with an overhead throw. Orton takes Sheamus to the apron and hits the second rope draping DDT. Orton drops down for the RKO but Sheamus blocks it. Sheamus goes for White Noise and nails it. Sheamus readies for the Brogue Kick but Orton moves. Sheamus gets hung up and falls out of the ring. Big Show’s music hits and out he comes to the ring. Show grabs Sheamus outside of the ring and throws him into the ring post. Show comes in the ring to face Orton. A “thank you Big Show” chant breaks out. Show lays Orton out with a big knockout punch and the crowd pops. Show drags Orton to the floor and sends him flying into the fan barrier. Orton gets up but Show nails a big spear in front of the announcers table. A “we are awesome” chant breaks out. Show sends Orton flying over the announcers table. Show tries to toss two announcer chairs into the ring but neither make it. Show stomps on Orton.
The crowd chants for Show to try one more chair but he ignores them. We go to replays as Show makes his way up the ramp and to the back. An official checks on Orton who is down behind the announcers table.
- Still to come, Cena vs. Henry. Back to commercial.
- We see what happened earlier between The Shield, The Undertaker, Kane and Daniel Bryan.
Fandango vs. Kofi Kingston
We go to the ring and out comes Fandango with one of his dancers. Out next comes Kofi Kingston.
The crowd is actually humming Fandango’s theme. Just a few minutes into the match, Chris Jericho runs out and attacks Fandango from behind. Jericho unloads on Fandango and hits him with chops. Jericho sends Fandango flying out of the ring. Jericho tosses him into the fan barrier and over into the timekeeper’s area. Jericho throws a chair and hits Fandango with more chops. Fandango goes face first into the announce table and then the steel steps. Jericho knocks JBL’s hat off his head. Jericho brings Fandango back in the ring and keeps up the attack. Jericho locks in the Walls of Jericho and Fandango starts tapping but Jericho won’t break the hold. A referee comes in and tries to break the hold. Out comes another referee but they can’t break it. Jericho finally breaks it and plays to the crowd. Fandango gets up but Jericho hits a Codebreaker. Jericho exits the ring and we go to replays. Fandango’s dancer comes in to check on him and he’s announced the winner.
Winner by DQ: Fandango
- His dancer hands him a mic after the match and he’s barely able to say his name but does. The crowd gives him a pop and his music plays. The crowd hums his theme again.
- We see a recap of some of John Cena’s media appearances during WrestleMania Week. Still to come, Cena vs. Henry.
- Josh Mathews is backstage with Paul Heyman. The crowd pops for Heyman. Mathews says last night was a bad night for Heyman guys. Heyman says Brock Lesnar was knocked out cold 90 seconds into the match last night but it still took Triple H 30 minutes to survive. Heyman points out Shawn Michaels getting his face smashed in by Lesnar and Triple H’s arm being hurt. Heyman says Lesnar is ready for a fight tonight. Heyman says he doesn’t let his client fight for free. Heyman brings up Undertaker vs. CM Punk. Heyman says Punk will tell everyone how he feels on next week’s RAW.
The Bella Twins, Cody Rhodes and Damien Sandow vs. Brodus Clay, Tensai, Cameron and Naomi
We go to the ring and out comes The Bella Twins, Cody Rhodes and Damien Sandow for the nixed WrestleMania 29 match. Out next comes Tensai, Brodus Clay, Cameron and Naomi.
Back from the break and the match is already in progress. Naomi hits the Rear View on one of The Bellas. Cody tags in but before someone else can come in, she takes him down with a hurricanrana. Tensai comes in and unloads on Cody. Tensai with a big splash but Cody nails him with a Disaster Kick. Sandow comes in to take control. The Bellas hit a double butt bump to the head on Tensai. Sandow hits the Elbow of Disdain for a 2 count.
Tensai turns it around and tags in Clay. Clay runs over Sandow and splashes him in the corner. clay with a t-bone suplex for a 2 count as Bellas break the pin. Cameron and Naomi come in to take them out. Tensai comes in and goes at it with Sandow. They splash each other with Sandow in the middle. They hit a double splash on the mat and Clay covers for the win.
Winners: Tensai, Brodus Clay, Cameron and Naomi
Mark Henry vs. John Cena
Back from a break and out comes Mark Henry for tonight’s main event. If he wins this match, he earns a future WWE Title shot. Out next comes WWE Champion John Cena.
They go at it to start the match. Henry knocks Cena off his feet and stomps him. Henry steps on Cena’s head as the referee warns him. Henry taunts Cena and works him over. Henry whips Cena hard into the opposite corner and he goes down. Henry misses a splash as Cena rolls out of the way. Cena comes back and knocks Henry off his feet with a shoulder. Henry goes to the floor and Cena follows. Henry slams Cena’s head into the announce table. Henry takes the table apart and continues the attack, sending Cena into the ring post. Cena comes back and sends Henry into the ring post. Cena makes it in before the 10 count but Henry doesn’t. Unexpected finish.
Winner by Count Out: John Cena
- After the match, Henry comes in the ring and runs over Cena. Henry drops him with a World’s Strongest Slam. Henry holds up the WWE Title and gets some cheers. Ryback’s music hits and out he comes to a pop. Ryback hits the ring and they trade shots. Ryback with the big clothesline. Ryback with a spinebuster that sends him out of the ring. Ryback gets the fans to chant “feed me more.” Ryback turns his attention to Cena and the crowd pops. Ryback extends his hand to help Cena up and the fans boo. Ryback stares at Cena and shakes his head. Cena hits the corner to pose as the fans boo. Ryback gets the fans to chant again. Ryback drops Cena with a Meathook clothesline and the crowd pops. Ryback nails Shellshocked as the crowd cheers. Ryback tells Cena “up yours” and poses with the WWE Title. The crowd chants “feed me more” as RAW goes off the air.
Joe Roderick from Grand Slam Sports interviewed WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross. Here are some highlights from the interview.
His first thought over learning the weather for Wrestlemania weekend: “My initial thought was to pack a jacket. That hasn’t changed. I looked at the long-term weather, and it looks like we’re going to get a break in the end. It’s going to be chilly, but it’s not going to be raining. It’s not going to be snowing. It’s going to be an adventure, which is great for fans like me. The stadium is great. [It's a] beautiful stadium. It’s going to be the home of the Superbowl next year. I’m excited about it. I think it’ll be a unique opportunity for those attending. Apparently the weather hasn’t driven anyone away because it’s sold out.”
If the wrestlers have expressed concern over the weather: “I think that they’re so engaged and wrapped up in the process that that probably won’t be discussed until Sunday. It’s game time. You go play and have fun, and entertain the audience. No one’s expressed any serious concerns. I can tell you that wrestlers have a different problem wrestling in the hot sun because the canvas gets so hot; you don’t want to lay on it long. Which is not the goal anyway, quite frankly. I think we’ll be alright. I think everybody will be good.”
Looking back from his 20th anniversary with WWE, if he thought Wrestlemania would be the spectacle it is today:“No. It’s just become an amazing attraction. It’s the one wrestling event that displeased fans will buy on pay per view one time a year. This is the one event that some people will invest in because its got the best of everything. It’s just amazing what we’ve been able to build with that brand. My first on, as you said 20 years ago, 1993, was outdoors in the sunshine at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas. It’s been quite the maturation of going through stadiums. I think that’s where we’ll end Wrestlemania, will be permanently in a stadium somewhere until death do us part.”
If it’ll work having the same main event two years in a row:“I think so. It did affect the ticket sales. We’ll see how it affects the pay per view buys. I think that the most recent estimate is 1.3 million pay per view buys, globally for the event. I don’t think it’s going to hurt. Long time fans remember return matches and there’s a story there with Rock and Cena. It’s been well told for over a year. Cena’s looking for, in his own words, retribution. So, I don’t think it’s going to affect the show at all. I think it’s going to be just fine. You got two major stars and Rock’s bring a lot of movie fans to the pay per view table that may not be big time WWE fans, but they’re fans of his movies. I’m intrigued by it. It’s going to be very interesting. The challenge is, fans will follow everything that precedes them. They have to entertain an audience and reengage an audience that’s been sitting in those seats for approximately four hours. They have their work cut out for them to close the show on Sunday.”
The Rock’s energy and work ethic: “It’s amazing, isn’t it? I follow him on Twitter, and he’s up at four o clock working out. And he’s on his crazy diets. He’s a machine. I signed him back in the nineties and I was amazed by his athleticism, but the most important quality he had was his work ethic and his drive. He just was hell bent on being something special. At that time it was to be the biggest star the wrestling business had ever seen. And then he got the opportunity to be in the film business, and he had the number one movie in the world this past weekend, the GI Joe movie. He’s extraordinary. He’s just has a work ethic that’s otherworldly, that’s the best way I can put it. He’s just a different breed of cat.”
If it seems Cena has been teasing a heel turn: “It seems that way. Last night, I was going into the show thinking that Rock won last year, so Cena will automatically win this year to even their big match rivalry at one apiece. But after last night, I’m not so sure that’s going to happen. I was intrigued that Cena’s promo was a little bit edgy. I thought, is that just the character, the persona, being what it’s cast to be, or is it the human being processing what I said earlier? We have to follow everything. We have to close the show. It’s game day for us. So I don’t know. It’s provocative to me because I try to stay away from all the creative stuff. I don’t want to know what’s going to happen. I don’t have any desire to know the end of the movie. I want to see it unfold. So, I’m somewhat intrigued by the whole process, especially after last night’s RAW.”
How many times a day he’s asked on Twitter if Cena’s going to turn heel: “I can’t count [laughter]. I have a lot of standard questions on Twitter. It’s quite the adventure. The Twitterverse is a very unique world we live in, social media wise. That’s certainly one of the most prominent ones [questions]. What I don’t understand is this. You already have half the audience who boo him. They’re the same ones that want him to be a bad guy. But they’re already booing him. What do you want? You want him to be a bad guy so now what? You can cheer him? I don’t get it sometimes. It’s a confounding conundrum, to say the least, the demographic of WWE and their male fan base that like to boo John Cena. An old promoter told me one time, “As long as there’s a rear end every 18 inches, it doesn’t matter.” They’re a ticket buyer, and they’ve paid there way in so it doesn’t matter.”
The way Paul Bearer’s death has been used in the buildup to Undertaker vs. Punk: “I thought the end to the program last night was very controversial. People that are really into the inner workings of the business, by and large, loved it. Those that are casual fans and still believe that pro wrestling is real, and the man on the moon, the moon walk was fake, they didn’t like it. I can tell you from knowing Bill Moody, aka Paul Bearer, for 20 years, that he is in heaven loving it. He would have loved it because it’s keeping his character, his persona, in a prominent role going into the biggest event of the year; in what arguably could be the Undertaker’s last match. I don’t know how many more Wrestlemania’s the Undertaker believes he has in him. I think it’s safe to say that he has wrestled more main events at Wrestlemania than the Undertaker has left. I thought it was controversial, but it seems like controversy, in this day and time, is profitable more often than not.”
What kind of shape the Undertaker is currently in: “Well, he’s in great shape, as good as it can be. He’s just like an old baseball pitcher that used to throw heat, and now his throw’s chilling. The bottom line is he still gets people out and he still is able to help you get a “W.” I think that’s where we are with the Undertaker. His body is worn and he’s had tears and surgeries. Still mentally tough, physically tough, and still dedicated to his profession. I know that he’s never going to compromise his body of work to have one more payday. So I know we’ll see him have a great match on Sunday against CM Punk, who’s another phenomenal performer. But he works through the pain. Not many guys I know would do what he’s doing right now, but he loves it that much. It’s not a need for cash. It’s not a need for he needs one more payday. He’s got all the money he needs. He loves what he does, and as long as he can keep the quality of his work up he’s going to continue to do it.”
If there is a match on the card that he thinks can steal the show, despite not being a main event: “This kid Fandango is a lightening rod. People either hate him, which is kind of ironic again because he’s cast as a villain, so you’re supposed to hate him, but then some will overanalyze that and say well yeah, but it’s the wrong kind of hate. It’s the go away hate. But they haven’t seen the kid build a bill yet. I have, down in our training area, very gifted young athlete. He’s kind of a Gorgeous George like character. I remember reading Lou Thesz’s book, called Hooker, ironically enough, and Lou was never real high on Gorgeous George’s persona, but Lou respected Gorgeous George as a real wrestler. I think the fans just haven’t got a chance to see Fandango yet and I can tell you that Chris Jericho will do all he can to steal the show. I’ve kind of had my eye on that match for those reasons. I think it may be a sleeper.”
Chris Jericho: “He’s very very skilled, very talented in a lot of areas. Hell, he almost won Dancing With The Stars. He’s got a rock band. He’s got a television show on Syfy. The guy’s multi-talented. He’s very passionate about being good. Not average, not okay, but being really good, and I think he’ll push Fandango, whose real name is Johnny Curtis, to the max on Sunday. It should be a lot of fun.”
Bruno Sammartino: “I tell ya, if all the guys in the Hall of Fame were sitting at a table, they would all leave the head of the table vacant until Bruno got there. He dominated a wrestling territory, and the fans in St. Louis can identify with Sam Muchnick’s amazing run as a promoter there, week after week, month after month, year after year, and Bruno was the champion for one run for eight years. So his act in the market in New York City was amazing. He sold out Madison Square Garden 188 times, and he sold it out again this Saturday. A fitting honor, and I never thought it would happen. I’m very very happily surprised that it is.”
If there is a particular speech he is looking forward to hearing this Saturday: “Oh man. That whole world changes once you get up there. I had a speech written for 2007, and I completely went off script and just talked from my heart, and I think a lot of will do that. I think Mick Foley will give a very impassioned speech because he was an overachieving, average high school athlete, who grew up in Long Island. His dad was an athletic director. Mick used to hitch hike to the Garden from Long Island, which is not easy, and go to the wrestling shows there. I think Mick’s will be very very entertaining. I think Bruno’s will be very poignant, because when you hear Bruno’s story of hiding out in the mountains as a kid, hiding from the Nazis, and all these things as his challenges growing up and almost dying, all the crimes that were perpetrated on his family and his village in Italy, World War II. I think it’s going to be very poignant. The Bruno chants will be loud and long on Saturday night, without question.”
If he’ll be involved at Wrestlemania on Sunday: “Well, I don’t know. I’m not being evasive. I don’t have an assignment as of right now. I’m kind of like the Mad Hungarian, Al Hrabosky. I’m in the bullpen, going through my crazy mannerisms, and I’m ready to come in and get somebody out if you need it. If I’m needed, I’m there. If not, I’ll enjoy the view from wherever I am. I’m not being evasive. I’m not being cute. I don’t know. I’m always ready to roll if they need me, and last year I got an assignment sort of late. Thanks to Vince McMahon I was called out of the pen to call the Undertaker and Triple H match. I’m hoping something along those lines happens again. If so, then I’ll have a blast.”
- Tonight’s WWE RAW kicks off with a video package for the top WrestleMania 29 matches. WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels will be here tonight for the Brock Lesnar vs. Triple H hype.
- We go to the ring and Michael Cole welcomes us to a sold out RAW from Washington, DC. Out comes John Cena to a very mixed reaction.
JBL is on commentary with Cole and Jerry Lawler tonight. Cena gets ready to speak but the crowd won’t let him. Cena says he stands in a house divided. Cena says it’s no secret he and The Rock don’t like each other. Cena says he respects The Rock for the global star he is and says he’s worthy of being called WWE Champion. Cena says the childish games are over this year because it’s much bigger – Rock is the defending WWE Champion. Cena says you name it, Rock has conquered it. Cena says tonight, he won’t waste his breath talking about Dwayne’s Johnson. The crowd boos. Cena says he believes Rock is the greatest WWE Champion of all time. Cena says The Great One will fall and the crowd boos. Cena says Rock’s time is up and his time is now. More boos. Cena says at WrestleMania, the WWE Universe will… the crowd interrupts with “Cena sucks” chants. Cena goes on and says the WWE Universe may see a moment they didn’t think was possible. Cena goes on about dealing with the loss from last year and having to watch Rock debut his own title belt. Cena says the mighty Rock will experience failure at WrestleMania. Cena says he has no intentions of replacing the new title belt. He wants to hold it as a symbol… a big “boring” chant breaks out and Cena stops. As a symbol that he’s not only Rock’s equal, but he’s better. Cena yells that the champ is here, drops the mic and the crowd boos some more.
- The announcers hype Cena vs. Rock. Big Show, Randy Orton and Sheamus are shown walking backstage as we go to commercial.
Heath Slater, Jinder Mahal and Drew McIntyre vs. Randy Orton, Big Show and Sheamus
Back from the commercial and 3MB are in the ring. Randy Orton, Big Show and Sheamus are out next and make their way tot he ring together.
Orton starts things off with Slater and starts some offense. Drew and Sheamus go at it next after tagging in. Sheamus catches Drew in a big powerslam. They turn it around and Jinder comes in. 3MB keep Sheamus in their corner and get some cheap shots in. Slater comes in but Sheamus makes a comeback. Sheamus hits the Irish Curse backbreakewr and tags in Show. Show runs over Jinder and everyone gets involved. The faces get the win.
Winners: Orton, Big Show and Sheamus
- After the match, The Shield appears in the crowd and there’s a six-man staredown. Dean Ambrose congratulates them on their victory. Ambrose says they will leave them laying on their backs at WrestleMania. Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns speak next. Reigns says the whole world will believe in The Shield after WrestleMania.
- Still to come, Shawn Michaels will speak about Triple H’s career being on the line. Also, we will see footage of Jack Swagger and Zeb Colter from earlier. Back to commercial.
- Back from the break and we see footage of Jack Swagger and Zeb Colter out in Washington, DC earlier today. They both speak and Swagger talks about winning the World Heavyweight Title from Alberto Del Rio. Swagger welcomes us to his America.
- Matt Striker is backstage with World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio. Del Rio cuts a promo on Zeb and Swagger. Apparently it will be Colter vs. Del Rio tonight.
Daniel Bryan vs. Dolph Ziggler
We go to the ring and out comes the WWE Tag Team Champions Daniel Bryan and Kane. We go to commercial.
Back from the break and Dolph Ziggler is out with Big E Langston and AJ Lee. Ziggler and Bryan lock up to start the match. Ziggler works on Bryan’s arm and they trade holds. Bryan catapults Ziggler into the corner and hits him with kicks to the chest. Bryan backs Ziggler into the corner with kicks. Ziggler looks to make a comeback but Bryan clotheslines him. Bryan goes for the No Lock but Ziggler breaks it. Bryan with more kicks. Bryan goes for a submission and works on the leg. Ziggler turns it around with a neckbreaker. Ziggler dropkicks Bryan in the back and covers for 2.
Bryan counters in the corner and ties Ziggler up in the ropes. Bryan breaks it and comes face to face with Big E on the floor. Bryan comes back in and Ziggler hits the leg drop for a 2 count. We go to commercial.
Back from the break and Ziggler has the big headlock stand on Bryan. Bryan eventually fights up and out. Ziggler runs into boots in the corner and goes down. Bryan with more kicks now. Ziggler misses a big shot in the corner and gets caught with more kicks. He ducks the last one and tries to roll Bryan up. Bryan with a big kick to the head. Bryan goes to the top but misses the headbutt. Ziggler goes for a sleeper hold but Bryan fights out. Bryana applies a sleeper of his own but Ziggler falls back and breaks it. They trade pin attempts and then collide hard in mid-air with cross bodies. AJ starts skipping around Kane. Kane turns around and Big E runs over him like it’s nothing. Bryan nails Big E through the ropes. Ziggler takes advantage and rolls Bryan up for the win.
Winner: Dolph Ziggler
- After the match, Big E gets in the ring and runs over Bryan. Big E hits his finisher on Bryan. Ziggler gets in Bryan’s face but here comes Kane with right hands for everyone. Kane grabs Big E’s throat for a chokeslam. Big E breaks Kane’s grip and lays him out with his finisher. Ziggler and Big E pose with the Tag Team Title while AJ stands between them.
- Still to come, The Undertaker will eviscerate CM Punk. Also, Shawn Michaels will speak. Back to commercial.
- Back from the break and out comes WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels.
HBK says we can’t have WrestleMania without Mr. WrestleMania. He loves this time of year. HBK runs down some of the WrestleMania matches. He says that’s not why he’s here – he’s particularly interested in Brock Lesnar vs. Triple H. HBK mentions his arm being broken by Lesnar. He says he really got concerned when Triple H’s career was put on the line. He says he has some very serious doubts and concerns. Out comes Triple H to another big pop.
HHH says he knows what he’s doing and he thought they already talked about this. He says it’s the same situation HBK was in. HBK says their situations couldn’t be more different. HBK says in his career match, he respected the other man and it went both ways. HBK says Brock Lesnar respects no one. HBK says Lesnar does this for money and to hurt people. HBK says he’s realized he doesn’t care for this job as much as Triple H does. It’s his life. HHH put his life on the line, not just his career. HHH says HBK won’t be able to talk him out of it. Shawn says that’s not why he’s here. HBK says he came here to tell Triple H he better kick Brock Lesnar’s ass at WrestleMania. HBK says he’s going to be in Triple H’s corner at WrestleMania. Brock Lesnar’s music interrupts and out he comes with Paul Heyman.
Heyman says Lesnar has two words for them but it’s probably not the two they were looking for. Heyman says Lesnar is going to beat Triple H into retirement on Sunday. Heyman talks about everyone that Triple H will disappoint when he loses. He says Triple H is probably used to disappointing his wife anyway. Heyman asks HBK if he really wants to be that close to Lesnar on Sunday. HBK takes his shirt off and readies for a fight. Heyman says Triple H should have just walked away. Now he won’t bee able to walk away when Lesnar is done with him. Heyman says Triple H will have to crawl away with his tail between his legs. Heyman continues insulting Triple H and putting Lesnar over. Heyman says Triple H is committing professional suicide. Lesnar’s music hits and they back to the back as Triple H and HBK look on.
- Still to come, WWE Champion The Rock. Back to commercial.
- Back from the break and we see a clip from John Cena’s promo earlier tonight. The Rock will be here later tonight. We also see footage of The Shield speaking to Randy Orton, Sheamus and Big Show.
- The Miz vs. Wade Barrett is announced for the WrestleMania pre-show.
Wade Barrett vs. Zack Ryder
WWE Intercontinental Champion Wade Barrett comes to the ring as The Miz is on commentary. Out next comes Zack Ryder.
Barrett strikes first and beats Ryder down. Barrett with a suplex and a 2 count. Ryder slams his face in the mat and sends Barrett out to the floor. Ryder with a dropkick through the ropes. Ryder comes out and brings Barrett back in. Ryder goes up top but Barrett cuts him off with right hands. Barrett with a high knee to the gut and a 2 count. Barrett keeps control and has words with Miz on the floor. Barrett comes back in and Ryder makes a comeback. Ryder nails the Broski Boot for a 2 count. Barrett turns it around and nails the big elbow for the win.
Winner: Wade Barrett
- Brad Maddox and Vickie Guerrero are backstage when Santino Marella walks in. He says he just saw Vince McMahon storm out of the building to his limousine. Santino says he was yelling upset about Vickie and Brad. Santino says Vince usually fires people when he’s mad. Santino comes back in and tells them it was an April Fools’ joke. Vickie tells Santino to get in the ring because he has a match up next.
- Still to come tonight, The Undertaker will eviscerate CM Punk. Back to commercial.
Santino Marella vs. Mark Henry
Back from the break and Santino Marella is power walking in the ring. Out comes his opponent Mark Henry.
Santino jokes around and kicks Henry in the leg. Santino with another kick an a kick to the head. Henry gets upset and grabs Santino by his gear. Santino tells him to stop and threatens to bring the Cobra out. He does and Henry runs him over. Henry with a World’s Strongest Slam for the quick win.
Winner: Mark Henry
- After the match, Ryback comes out to the ring. Henry takes the mic and says Ryback has no right to come threaten him. Henry reminds him they have a no-contact clause until WrestleMania. Henry says only one thing is going to happen tonight, and that’s him smiling. Henry goes to leave the ring. Ryback picks up Santino and uses his body to knock Henry to the floor. Ryback presses Santino high in the air and throws him out onto Henry on the floor. Ryback never touched Henry so he didn’t violate the clause. The crowd chants “feed me more” as Henry gets upset.
- Jack Swagger is backstage giving Zeb Colter a pep talk. Back to commercial.
- Back from the break and they plug Vince McMahon’s Twitter. Still to come, Undertaker will eviscerate CM Punk.
- Matt Striker is backstage with Punk and the urn. Striker asks if Punk feels he’s disrespecting Paul Bearer’s memory. Punk says the better question is does he give a damn. Punk says he’s going to do something nobody else has been able to do at WrestleMania. Punk says Taker is more worried about Paul Bearer’s streak of waking up every morning and that’s now over. Punk goes on and says he will do whatever he has to do to end The Streak. Punk promises that every time someone thinks about WrestleMania, they’re going to think about CM Punk. Punk kisses the urn.
Zeb Colter vs. Alberto Del Rio
We go to the ring and out comes Zeb Colter with Jack Swagger. Zeb warms up and gets ready to fight as we go to commercial.
Back from the commercial and here comes Ricardo Rodriguez on crutches. He introduces the World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio. Ricardo comes back down to ringside after Del Rio told him not to earlier. The bell rings and here we go. Del Rio taunts Zeb. Zeb swings and doesn’t come close. Swagger stalks Ricardo at ringside. Zeb grabs Ricardo’s crutch and threatens Del Rio with it. Swagger drops Ricardo on the floor. Del Rio kicks Swagger through the ropes. Del Rio comes back in and Zeb attacks him with the crutch for the DQ.
Winner by DQ: Alberto Del Rio
- After the bell, Del Rio grabs the crutch and takes it from Zeb. Swagger attacks from behind and takes Del Rio’s knee out. Swagger beats Del Rio with the crutch. Zeb also gets some shots in as they take turns. Swagger yells at Del Rio while Zeb continues with the crutch shots. Officials check on Del Rio as he tries to get up and we see the marks on his back. We go to replays.
- We see a clip again from John Cena’s promo at the beginning of RAW. Still to come, WWE Champion The Rock will be here. Back to commercial.
- Back from the break and out comes WWE Champion The Rock to a big pop.
Rock finally gets a chance to speak and talks about his connection with the fans. He says it’s the only reason why he’s standing here now. Rock says Sunday isn’t about redemption, it’s about the will of The People. Rock says he’s going to curb stomp John Cena’s ass all over WrestleMania. The fans chant Rocky some more. Rock says the will of The People is bigger than Cena can imagine. Rock tells a story about him being President of the United States. Rock talks about hitting the Rock Bottom last week and Cena’s time isn’t now, it’s never. Rock says it isn’t about redemption and damn sure isn’t about passing the torch.
Rock says Cena isn’t just facing The Rock on Sunday, he’s facing the millions and millions and millions. Rock says he lives for that connection with the fans. Rock says Cena can’t deny the will of The People and he can’t beat The Rock.
The fans chant Rocky some more. Rock ends the promo and poses for the fans as his music plays.
- Chris Jericho is backstage walking. We go to commercial.
Chris Jericho vs. Antonio Cesaro
Back from the break and out comes Chris Jericho. WWE United States Champion Antonio Cesaro waits in the ring. Lots of back and forth in the first part of the match. Cesaro drops Jericho with a chop and keeps him on the mat with a submission. Jericho fights out. More back and forth. Cesaro goes to the top but gets tripped by Jericho. Jericho climbs up and hits a bunch of right hands and a hurricanrana to the mat. 2 count for Jericho. Fandango’s music hits and out comes his dancer first. Jericho watches them as we go back to commercial.
Back from the break and Cesaro has Jericho down on the mat after Jericho was distracted by Fandango during the commercial. Fandango was scoring Jericho’s moves with scorecards on the stage. Jericho rolls Cesaro up for a 2 count now. Cesaro with a chest stomp and a 2 count. Cesaro drops Jericho again for another 2 count. Jericho ends up out on the floor again. Cesaro tosses him into the barrier and back in the ring for a 2 count. More back and forth. Cesaro runs into a boot and a shoulder. Jericho with another shoulder. Cesaro tosses Jericho to the apron but he goes to the top and comes crashing down. Jericho with the bulldog. Jericho with a Lionsault. He goes for the Walls of Jericho but it’s blocked. Cesaro counters into a gutwrench for a 2 count. Jericho goes back to the top and nails a crossbody for 2. More back and forth. Jericho goes for the Walls and gets it locked. Cesaro taps for the win.
Winner: Chris Jericho
- As soon as the bell hits, Fandango runs in and attacks Jericho. Fandango beats him down. A “you can’t wrestle” chant breaks out. Fandango goes to the top and hits the big leg drop on Jericho. Fandango yells at Jericho and gets in his face. Fandango goes back to the top and hits another leg drop, this time to the back of the head. Fandango grabs a mic and says his name as officials usher him out of the ring.
- Still to come, Undertaker will eviscerate CM Punk. Back to commercial.
- We see some fan Touts predicting John Cena vs. The Rock.
Cameron and Naomi vs. The Bella Twins
We go to the ring and out comes Cameron, Naomi, Brodus Clay and Tensai. We go to commercial.
Back from the break and out comes The Bella Twins with Cody Rhodes and Damien Sandow. Naomi starts things out with one of the Bellas. They lock up and Naomi hits a dropkick. Naomi with a butt bump and a head scissors takedown. Naomi gets dropped over the top rope and The Bellas turn it around in their corner. Naomi fights to her feet but the Bellas tag in and throw her face first into the turnbuckles. Brie comes in now and keeps control of Naomi. Brie with a 2 count. Naomi tries to fight back but gets slammed to the mat. Another 2 count. Brie works on the arm of Naomi now. Cameron finally gets the tag and goes at it with one of the Bellas. Cameron with a head scissors and a split leg drop. Cameron with a DDT for 2 as the other Bella break it up. There’s chaos at ringside. Cameron hits a crossbody but Nikki reverses the pin for the win.
Winners: The Bella Twins
- Up next, The Undertaker will eviscerate CM Punk. Back to commercial.
- Back from commercial and The Undertaker makes his grand entrance.
Taker says Punk’s historic title reign lasted well over 400 days but the pain coming to him at WrestleMania will last an eternity. Taker says it was Punk who made this personal. For that, he will suffer. Taker says defeating Punk at WrestleMania is no longer good enough. The disrespect Punk has shown Paul Bearer will cost Punk the ultimate price. Taker says Punk may be right, The Streak may come to an end on Sunday because of his current state of mind. Taker says if it does, Punk will never live to talk about it. The lights go low and out come druids with torches, catching Taker off-guard.
