Tonight’s WWE SmackDown tapings take place from the PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. Confirmed for tonight’s show is The Highlight Reel with Chris Jericho and Ryback.
Set for tonight’s Main Event tapings is a match between Randy Orton and Antonio Cesaro. Advertised locally is Sheamus and Orton vs. Big Show and Mark Henry.
via PWTorch:
WWE Smackdown TV taping report
April 30, 2013
Detroit, Mich.
Report by Ron Roberts, PWTorch reader
Ryback came out to a decent pop and cut a promo about John Cena being hurt. He said the Law of Nature dictates that only the strong survive, and the crowd answered with an annoying “What?” chant.
(1) Ryback beat WWE tag champion Daniel Bryan with Shell Shock. Ryback looked quite awkward in the ring with someone at Bryan’s skill level.
(2) Fandango beat Zack Ryder. Huge pop for Fandango’s entrance, and jobber entrance for Ryder. Zero heat during the match.
A video aired of Kaitlyn receiving another gift from her secret admirer. She saw Natalya and Great Khali, who gave her love advice. Quite funny.
(3) Alberto Del Rio & Ricardo Rodriguez beat World Hvt. champion Dolph Ziggler & Big E. Langston and Jack Swagger & Zeb Colter in a triple-threat tag match. Not sure how this will look on TV, but it started out as Ricardo vs. Colter, then Swagger interfered, so Teddy Long ordered a tag match. Del Rio was then about to pin Swagger when Big E. interfered from commentary. So, Long ordered a triple threat tag match, which ended with Del Rio submitting Ziggler with the cross arm-breaker.
The Shield cut a promo backstage revealing an attack on Daniel Bryan.
(4) Randy Orton beat Damien Sandow with the RKO. Orton easily had the biggest pop of the evening.
Big Show then came out and called out Orton, saying his ego prevents him from being a team-player. Show said that at Extreme Rules, there will be nothing funny about what he does to him, suggesting a singles match.
Mark Henry beat Sheamus in an Arm Wrestling Challenge. Sheamus asked for another chance, so they locked up and Sheamus punched Henry, then hit the Brogue Kick. So, who is the heel in this feud?
(5) Dean Ambrose beat WWE tag champion Kane clean in the main event. Very physical match.
TV then ended with Shield holding the Tag Titles over a prone Kane.
After Smackdown ended, they went to a bonus dark match.
Dark Match: Sheamus & Randy Orton beat Marl Henry & Big Show. Henry took the Brogue Kick and RKO for the loss.
Credit – PWInsider
There has been a lot of head-scratching over the way Antonio Cesaro has been booked lately, from a series of losses to dropping the United States Title after previously being booked strong.
It’s said that Cesaro has not done anything to be in WWE’s doghouse and isn’t considered to be. Cesaro’s booking was explained by a source as just the way WWE creative and production changes from week to week these days. WWE officials really are going back and forth from week to week on who they want to push and who they don’t want to push.
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 SmackDown spoilers from today’s tapings in London, England:
Jack Swagger b Alberto Del Rio in a wild no DQ match. Crowd was hot for the match with Swagger winning with the doctor bomb.
Layla b Aksana
The Shield did an interview talking about winning on Raw and Dean Ambrose said he was going to beat Undertaker.
Fandango b Justin Gabriel. Fandango was very over here. Legdrop off the top finisher
Big Show b Sheamus via knockout punch after distraction from Mark Henry. The crowd turned on the match with boring chants
Wade Barrett b William Regal
Mark Henry b Randy Orton via DQ when Sheamus ran in and gave Henry a Brogue kick. Orton laid out Henry after the match with an RKO.
Undertaker b Dean Ambrose with a choke slam and gogoplata submission. Very good match. After the match The Shield beat down Undertaker three-on-one, including Roman Reigns spearing him through the barricade and then leaving him laying after the triple team power bomb.
WWE taped the following matches for tonight’s SmackDown:
* Santino Marella vs. Fandango
* Kofi Kingston vs. Wade Barrett
* Jack Swagger vs. Alberto Del Rio
* Hornswoggle, Natalya and The Great Khali vs. Primo, Epico and Rosa Mendes
* Mark Henry and Big Show vs. Sheamus and Randy Orton
Tonight’s WWE RAW opens up with a look back at last week when John Cena faced Mark Henry and was later attacked by Ryback. Tonight, Ryback will reveal the reason he attacked Cena. We see stills from WrestleMania 29 and tonight, CM Punk will return to address his loss to The Undertaker.
- We’re live from the Bi Lo Center in Greenville, South Carolina as Randy Orton makes his way out. Michael Cole welcomes us to a sold out RAW.
Randy Orton and Sheamus vs. Big Show
Orton makes his way out and next is Sheamus. They head to the ring together. Their opponent Big Show is out next.
Sheamus starts out for his team and they go back and forth. Show stops shots from Sheamus with a big slam to the mat. Show cuts Sheamus off again with an elbow. Sheamus fights in off the apron and hits a bunch of forearm shots to the chest. Sheamus ducks a knockout punch and drops Show over the top rope. Sheamus with a battering ram for a 2 count. Show catches a Brogue Kick and sends Sheamus flying over the top rope. Sheamus comes back in but Show headbutts him. Show with several big chops to the chest. Show with a big elbow drop for a 2 count as Orton breaks the pin. Sheamus tries to make another comeback but Show stops him and keeps control.
Show goes to the corner for a big splash but Sheamus puts him on his shoulders and drops Show back to the mat. Orton comes in and unloads but Show backs him into the corner. Orton fights out and hits a clothesline. Orton with a big dropkick to send Show to the mat. Orton hits a top rope draping DDT on Big Show. Orton calls for a RKO but Show blocks it. Show goes for a chokeslam but Sheamus nails a Brogue Kick. Orton hits a RKO for the win.
Winners: Randy Orton and Sheamus
- We get a look at Friday’s SmackDown where The Shield beatdown 3MB in front of Triple H. Josh Mathews is backstage with 3MB. They call out The Shield and head to the ring. We go to commercial.
- Back from the break and 3MB is in the ring talking about what happened on SmackDown. Drew McIntyre demands they come out and apologize. The crowd chants “you suck” at 3MB. Brock Lesnar’s music hits and out he comes without Paul Heyman. Lesnar sends Heath Slater flying out of the ring and goes at it with Jinder Mahal and Drew McIntyre. Jinder catches a big throw and Drew gets laid out with F5. Slater teases getting back in the ring but goes back to the floor. Before he can run away, Lesnar is right on top of him with a huge clothesline. Lesnar hits Slater with a F5 on top of the barrier. Lesnar lifts Slater and hits another nasty looking F5 on top of the barrier. Heyman is out now pleading with Lesnar to stop. The crowd chants “one more time” and Lesnar smiles at them. Lesnar backs off and enters the ring with Heyman.
Heyman says he warned us last week that Lesnar was ready for a fight with Triple H. Heyman says Triple H did what nobody else in the world could do – he knocked out Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania. Heyman says this makes Triple H a warrior, a fighter, a man of admiration. Heyman says he would shake Triple H’s hand and tell him he respects him for what happened at WrestleMania, if he were tonight. The fans start chanting for Triple H. Heyman says Lesnar doesn’t feel the same way. Heyman says they are now 1-1 and there can only be one dominant alpha-male in WWE. Heyman mentions the Extreme Rules pay-per-view and challenges Triple H to a steel cage match. Heyman accepts the challenge for Triple H and we go to replays.
- Still to come, Ryback will explain why he attacked John Cena. Kofi Kingston and Antonio Cesaro are headed to the ring as we go to commercial.
WWE United States Title Match: Kofi Kingston vs. Antonio Cesaro
Back from the break and out comes Kofi Kingston. WWE United States Champion Antonio Cesaro is out next and yodels the whole way to the ring. Kofi goes for a quick roll up but Cesaro kicks out. Cesaro with a shoulder and a 2 count. More back and forth. Cesaro with a big clothesline in the corner. Cesaro keeps control and keeps Kofi on the mat. Kofi comes back with chops and a dropkick. Kofi with a big right hand and the Boom Drop. Cesaro ducks Trouble in Paradise and hits a big upppercut in mid-air. Cesaro with a 2 count.
Back from the break and Cesaro is still in control of Kofi. Cesaro with a big clothesline. Cesaro taunts Kofi and kicks him around. Kofi catches him with a SOS attempt but Cesaro fights off and hits another big uppercut for a 2 count. More back and forth. Kofi nails SOS but Cesaro breaks the pin. Kofi nails Trouble in Paradise but it knocks Cesaro out of the ring. Kofi brings Cesaro back in and covers him for 2. Kofi goes to the top but Cesaro catches a crossbody and turns it into a backbreaker for 2. Cesaro misses in the corner and gets kicked. Kofi springboards in but Cesaro catches him. Kofi slides out and rolls Cesaro up for 2. Cesaro misses a stomp and Kofi rolls him up again for 2. Cesaro with a roll up for 2. Kofi nails Trouble in Paradise for the win and the title.
Winner and New WWE United States Champion: Kofi Kingston
- Back from a commercial and we see footage from last week of Dolph Ziggler cashing in to become the new World Heavyweight Champion. WWE shows the whole match from when Ziggler came out to when he won. Ziggler, AJ Lee and Big E Langston are headed to the ring as we go back to another commercial.
- Back from a commercial and out comes World Heavyweight Champion Dolph Ziggler with AJ Lee and Big E Langston. Ziggler get boo’d when talking about cashing in last week. He says it was the single greatest moment in RAW history. Ziggler says there has never been a world champion as charismatic and athletic as he is. He’s just too good. Ziggler doesn’t care if the fans boo him. He says he shows off because he’s better than everyone else and backs it up every night.
Ziggler goes on but is interrupted by Alberto Del Rio and Ricardo Rodriguez. Both of them are selling leg injuries as they head to the ring. Del Rio says he wants his rematch tonight on RAW. Ziggler laughs it off but out comes Vickie Guerrero. Vickie starts the match right now and brings a referee out.
World Heavyweight Title Match: Alberto Del Rio vs. Dolph Ziggler
Del Rio is limping around but the match is starting. Jack Swagger’s music hits and out he comes before anything can happen. Zeb Colter says Ziggler wouldn’t be champion without Swagger. Zeb says Ziggler doesn’t deserve to be champion and Del Rio doesn’t deserve another shot. Swagger enters the ring but Del Rio attacks and sends him to the floor. Big E gets in between Del Rio and Ziggler. Swagger pulls Del Rio down and slams his leg into the ring post repeatedly. Swagger beats up Del Rio on the floor now. Swagger applies the Patriot Lock on the floor. Officials finally break Swagger off Del Rio.
- We see Kane and Daniel Bryan walking backstage. Back to commercial.
- Back from the break and we see what just happened to Alberto Del Rio. We see doctors backstage tending to Del Rio.
Darren Young and Titus O’Neil vs. Kane and Daniel Bryan
We go to the ring and Darren Young waits with Titus O’Neil. Out next come the WWE Tag Team Champions Kane and Daniel Bryan for a non-title match.
It’s announced Undertaker and Team Hell No will face The Shield on next week’s RAW from England. Back and forth to start the match. They go on and Kane sends Titus to the floor. Bryan leaps off the apron and takes out Titus on the floor. Kane and Young go at it. Kane nails a chokeslam and tags in Bryan. Bryan comes off the top with a headbutt for the win.
Winners: Team Hell No
- Back from a break and we see a video of Ryback taped earlier. Ryback says there’s only one way to go – him up and John Cena down. Ryback says Cena must be wondering why. Ryback said he had no choice after everything he’s been through. Ryback says he found himself staring up from the bottom of the ladder again and that wasn’t going to happen. Ryback talks about Cena bring a friend to him last year and even giving him his title shot when injured. Ryback says he isn’t a sidekick. If Cena is Super Man, say hello to kryptonite. Ryback asks Cena where he was when he was attacked by The Shield and robbed of the WWE Title. Ryback says Cena got lucky at the Royal Rumble when he eliminated him to get the WrestleMania spot. Ryback says he is the biggest threat to Cena’s title reign, ever. Back to commercial.
- Back from the break and we see footage of Brock Lesnar destroying 3MB before Paul Heyman issued a challenge to Triple H for a steel cage match at Extreme Rules.
R-Truth vs. Wade Barrett
R-Truth waits in the ring as WWE Intercontinental Champion Wade Barrett makes his way out for a non-title match.
Back and forth to start the match. Barrett takes control after a cheap shot in the corner. Barrett drops an elbow for a 2 count. Barrett with offense in the corner and another 2 count. Truth counters Winds of Change with a roll up. Truth makes a comeback now. Truth runs into a big boot but ducks a clothesline. Truth with another comeback now. Barrett ducks the scissors kick and takes out Truth’s leg. Truth counters a slam and drops Barrett face first for the non-title win out of nowhere.
Winner: R-Truth
- Vickie Guerrero and Brad Maddox are backstage talking about Del Rio not being able to compete. Teddy Long walks in and proposes Swagger vs. Ziggler for tonight. Teddy says he spoke to Swagger and gave him some extra incentive. Teddy says Booker T doesn’t know about this.
- Still to come, Fandango will be on RAW. Back to commercial.
The Great Khali and Santino Marella vs. Cody Rhodes and Damien Sandow
Back from the break and out comes The Great Khali with Natalya and Hornswoggle. Santino Marella is out next. Out next comes the team of Cody Rhodes and Damien Sandow, who cut a promo on the way to the ring.
Khali and Sandow start things out. Khali strikes first and hits a big chop in the corner. Cody tags in. Santino also comes in and does some comedy. Cody goes to work on him and beats him down. Cody tags in Sandow for some double teaming. Cody comes back in to keep the attack on Santino up. Santino eventually hits Cobra on Sandow. Hornswoggle hits a mini Cobra on Cody while on the floor. Cody grabs Hornswoggle but Khali makes the save. Sandow rolls up Santino from behind for the win.
Winners: Cody Rhodes and Damien Sandow
- Back from the break and Jerry Lawler is in the ring. He talks about Fandango’s successful WrestleMania debut and how the world has been Fandangoing this past week. Lawler shows us a video with highlights from this past week. Lawler introduces Fandango and out he comes dancing with one of his dancers. He gets a quiet reaction compared to last week.
Fandango interrupts Lawler and takes the mic. Fandango asks Lawler how his hips are doing and if he can move them. Lawler goes back to commentary. Fandango asks the crowd who wants to go Fandangoing with him and gets a decent reaction. Fandango tries to get the crowd hype. Fandango wants the fans to pronounce his name correctly before they all start Fandangoing. Parts of the crowd try to get his theme going but it’s nowhere close to last week. Fandango says it’s obvious the fans can’t pronounce his name correctly. He says they can all go Fandango themselves. His music hits and that’s it.
- Matt Striker is backstage with John Cena. Cena say she’s not hard to find. He’s going to go in the ring later tonight so Ryback can find him. Cena wants to meet Ryback face to face.
Jack Swagger vs. Dolph Ziggler
We go to the ring and out comes Jack Swagger with Zeb Colter. We go to commercial.
Back from the break and out comes Dolph Ziggler, AJ Lee and Big E Langston for a non-title match. Back and forth to start the match. They have words and Ziggler slaps Swagger. Ziggler retreats to the floor and Swagger chases him back in the ring. Ziggler beats Swagger down as he comes back in the ring. Swagger fights back and hits Ziggler with knees int he corner. Swagger with more knees in the corner.
Ziggler makes a comeback but Swagger goes for the Patriot Act. Ziggler makes it to the ropes and breaks the hold. More back and forth. Swagger sits Ziggler on top of the ropes and clotheslines him out of the ring. We go to commercial.
Back from the break and Swagger is still in control. Ziggler with a roll up for 2. Swagger with a belly to belly suplex for another pin attempt. More back and forth. Ziggler nails a big DDT for 2. More back and forth before Swagger gets the surprise non-title win.
Winner: Jack Swagger
- After the match, Swagger and Colter are standing on the stage when Del Rio attacks Swagger from behind. He throws him into the set and superkicks him off the stage. Del Rio uses the stage to apply a cross armbreaker. Officials come out and break the hold as Zeb yells at Ricardo. Del Rio taunts Ziggler, who is still in the ring.
- Still to come, John Cena will confront Ryback. Back to commercial. We see CM Punk walking to the ring as we go to commercial.
- Matt Striker is backstage with Sheamus but before the interview can begin, Mark Henry appears and spears Sheamus through part of the set.
- We go to the ring and out comes CM Punk with Paul Heyman.
Punk says he couldn’t enjoy his historic title reign because he was always looking around the corner to what’s next. Punk says he wanted the next challenge and found that challenge in The Rock. Punk says he still wanted more and wanted to know what the next hurdle in his career was. Punk says he’s never satisfied, he always wants bigger and more. Punk says he next looked at The Streak. He says he pushed The Undertaker to the limit. Fans chant for The Undertaker. Dueling chants for Punk start up next as Punk just stands there. Punk hugs Heyman and hands him the mic. Punk walks out and Heyman looks shocked.
- Back from a commercial and Booker T is backstage talking with Teddy Long about the World Title situation. Booker makes Ziggler vs. Swagger vs. Del Rio but doesn’t say when it will happen.
Nikki Bella vs. Kaitlyn
We go to the ring and WWE Divas Champion Kaitlyn waits as The Bella Twins come down. Nikki is wrestling while Brie cheers her on from ringside. Lots of back and forth in the match. Nikki takes control and puts a knee in Kaitlyn’s back. Nikki with pin attempts and more offense.
Kaitlyn tries to fight back but Nikki keeps control. Nikki slams her head into the mat. Kaitlyn fights up with Nikki on her back and rams her into the corner. Kaitlyn with clotheslines now. Kaitlyn hits a shoulder tackle and a clothesline in the corner. Nikki kicks her knee out and covers for another 2 count. Kaitlyn comes back with a big knee to the gut. The Bellas do the twin switch and Brie gets the pin on Kaitlyn.
Winner: Nikki Bella
- Ryback is headed to the ring as we go back to commercial.
- Back from the break and out comes WWE Champion John Cena. He cuts a promo and calls out Ryback to the ring.
Ryback hits the ring and they have words. Cena says Ryback proved what kind of man he was last week. Cena says Ryback sat and waited for his back to be turned. Cena says Ryback’s highlight reel of excuses earlier tonight was boring. Cena understands what Ryback did last week but doesn’t like how he did it. Cena goes on and takes off his hat and shirt for a fight. Cena tells Ryback to make a move and earn a championship. They come face to face. Ryback leaves the ring and starts walking up the ramp as the crowd boos. The Shield’s music hits and they appear in the crowd.
Ryback watches The Shield from the ramp as Cena watches from the ring. The crowd chants for Cena as The Shield surrounds the ring. They attack Cena as Ryback looks on from the ramp. Cena tries to fight them off but gets beatdown. They turn their attention to Ryback but he walks to the top of the stage. Ryback looks back at the ring as The Shield hit the triple powerbomb on Cena. RAW goes off the air after Ryback walks to the back.
Here’s Ryback’s latest tweet after attacking John Cena on Monday’s RAW:
“We all want more we need more. My actions will feed my needs. At our core we all crave more. Lost souls will fall to my power. #RybackRules”
Randy Orton tweeted the following about the crowd on last Monday’s RAW:
“Just watched back some of Raw from last Monday night. That crowd was insane! Never experienced anything like it before. Glad I was there.”
As noted, the post-WrestleMania 29 WWE RAW on April 8th did a 3.43 cable rating with 4.61 million viewers. In comparison, last year’s post-WrestleMania RAW did a 3.43 cable rating with 5.02 million viewers. The difference this year was 1.35 viewers per home, very low by WWE standards, compared to 1.48 viewers per home last year.
In the segment breakdown, the show started big with John Cena and Mark Henry at a 3.74 quarter rating. Big E Langston vs. Daniel Bryan lost 461,000 viewers. Wade Barrett vs. The Miz lost another 222,000 viewers. Backstage segments with Randy Orton and Sheamus gained 92,000 viewers. Alberto Del Rio vs. Jack Swagger and Zeb Colter in the 9pm timeslot gained 151,000 viewers for a 3.42 quarter rating.
Dolph Ziggler winning the World Heavyweight Title and The Undertaker, The Shield, Kane and Daniel Bryan segment gained 460,000 viewers for a 3.76 quarter rating – the show high point. Zack Ryder, Santino Marella and R-Truth vs. 3MB plus a WrestleMania week recap video lost 329,000 viewers. Backstage stuff with Orton, Sheamus and Big Show plus Sheamus and Orton coming to the ring lost 110,000 viewers. Orton vs. Sheamus with the crowd going crazy gained 329,000 viewers in the 10pm timeslot for a 3.58 quarter rating.
Show beating down Orton and Sheamus lost 70,000 viewers. Fandango vs. Kofi Kingston with Chris Jericho attacking lost 207,000 viewers. Tensai, Brodus Clay, Cameron and Naomi vs. The Bella Twins, Cody Rhodes and Damien Sandow lost 665,000 viewers – one of the worst performing segments in a while. Mark Henry vs. John Cena in the main event, plus the Ryback attack, gained 887,000 viewers for a 3.54 overrun rating – strong numbers to end RAW.
WWE taped this week’s WWE Smackdown Tuesday night from the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. Below are full results including live news and notes:
The crowd seems to be slightly different from Monday night’s Raw. A Fandango theme song chant was a fail early on.
Lots of Ric Flair “Wooos” are warming up the crowd.
A recap of WrestleMania is shown, and there are a lot of boos for Cena.
Dark Match:
* Justin Gabriel defeated Curt Hawkins with the 450 splash.
WWE SmackDown
A highlight video of Triple H getting medical attention after WrestleMania was shown right before SmackDown started. They showed a graphic that he will be here tonight, making the crowd go nuts.
The show starts with Big E Langston doing his best Ricardo Rodriguez impersonation. He introduces the new World Heavyweight Champion, Dolph Ziggler, who makes his way to the ring with AJ Lee and to a huge pop. Ziggler cuts a promo and is doing his best to be a heel.
Jack Swagger and Zeb Colter interrupt Ziggler. Zeb says that Swagger wants a title shot. They leave and Ziggler continues acting cocky when Alberto Del Rio comes out limping wanting a title shot too.
Chris Jericho then comes out. The crowd is starting to turn on Ziggler. Jericho tells Ziggler that his first opponent World Heavyweight Champion is Chris Jericho and that match is tonight.
* Team Hell No defeated The Prime Time Players pretty easily in a short match. Daniel Bryan won the match for his team with the No Lock. After the match, The Shield come on the screen and cut a promo saying that they won’t back down again and that they can strike at any time.
* WWE Intercontinental Champion Wade Barrett defeated Santino Marella. Santino got a little offense in this match and countered the Bullhammer to hit his Santino splash. Barrett quickly capitalized to hit the Bullhammer for the victory.
Backstage segment with Sheamus, Booker T, Teddy Long and Randy Orton. Booker T announced a handicap match with Sheamus and Randy Orton facing The Big Show tonight.
* The Bella Twins and Tamina Snuka defeated The Funkadactyls and WWE Divas Champion Kaitlyn.
There have been lots of failed attempts for chants of Fandango’s theme song from the crowd. Seems like the crowd isn’t like the crowd from Monday’s Raw.
Triple H comes out and makes his way to the ring. He talks about his war at WrestleMania with Brock Lesnar. 3MB then come out and interrupt him trying to steal The Game’s thunder. The Shield’s music hits and 3MB try to go after Triple H. The Shield takes out 3MB and they circle around Triple H. Kane’s music hits and Team Hell No make their way out and the Shield retreats. Triple H then hit a pedigree on Heath Slater and clears 3MB from the ring with Kane and Daniel Bryan.
In what is likely a dark segment, Team Hell No try to “hug it out” with. Triple H says that he doesn’t want to hug Bryan and pokes fun at him for being vegan, but says he has history with Kane. Triple H tells Bryan to eat a piece of meat instead of vegetables because he is edgy. He says he has no problem hugging Kane and that he gets along with Kane. He brings up their weird history and Katie Vick and says they were young and needed money.
Vince McMahon then comes out and HHH says if anyone needs a hug, it’s Vince. Vince then leaves after teasing he would go through with it.
Bryan apologizes and tells HHH to hug Kane. H jokes that he wished the Shield come back out and finish him off. Triple H then hugged Kane and Bryan joined in. After, Triple H said that he felt violated. Crowd loved the segment, lots of laughs during it.
Lilian Garcia announces the main event will see John Cena and Team Hell No vs. The Shield, in what is likely the dark match main event.
Big Show is seen arguing with Booker T, and says that Booker is biased for putting him in a handicap match. Booker tells him his match is next.
* Randy Orton makes his way to the ring and has his ribs tapped up to sell the Big Show’s attack on RAW. Sheamus came out next, followed by The Big Show. Orton starts the match with some punches, before Big Show hit a side walk slam. Show works on Orton’s ribs. Small “RVD” chants started through the crowd. Show fails to splash Orton off the top rope and Orton tags Sheamus in, who begins to unload his offense until Show countered with a spear. Show went after Orton, who hit an RKO out of nowhere. Sheamus followed up with a Brogue kick on Show, which knocked him out of the ring. Show then simply walked to the back and got counted out.
* US Champion Antonio Cesaro vs. Kofi Kingston in a non-title match. Back and forth match. Kofi hits Trouble in Paradise to beat Cesaro.
Fandango comes out with half of the crowd singing his theme music.
* Dolph Ziggler vs. Chris Jericho with Fandango at ringside is in progress. They go several minutes in a good back and forth match. Fandango distracts the referee while Big E Langston lays out Jericho. Ziggler takes advantage and rolls up Jericho for the win. Jericho tried to get revenge on Ziggler and lays out Big E after the match. Fandango taunts Jericho, allowing Ziggler to hit a Zig Zag from behind. Fandango hit a big top rope leg drop as the crowd sang his theme song.
Tonight’s WWE SmackDown tapings will take place from the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The theme for tonight will be John Cena’s homecoming. Cena, Triple H, Chris Jericho and Sin Cara are among the Superstars advertised for tonight. Advertised locally is The Shield vs. Ryback, Randy Orton and Sheamus.
John Cena invited some of the Boston Red Sox to tonight’s WWE SmackDown tapings where he will have a homecoming celebration. Cena also teased that Boston natives and actors Mark Wahlberg and Ben Affleck may be there.
Bookmark this page and refresh as needed for updated match results from WrestleMania 29!
WrestleMania Pre-Show
Intercontinental Championship Match
WrestleMania
Six Man Tag Match
Singles Match
Tag Team Championship Match
Singles Match
World Heavyweight Championship Match
The Streak On The Line
No Holds Barred Match with Triple H’s Career At Stake
Twice In a Lifetime WWE Championship Match
The following column is from our partner Ray at WrestlingRambles.com. You can follow him on Twitter @RayTheRambler.
WrestleMania 29 is upon us and as you may know, some of us aren’t into it this year. However for the amount of people not interested, there is at least 10 wrestling fans more whom are! So without further do, here are 29 things YOU want to see happen at WrestleMania 29.
Some very creative tweets and some not-so creative. I think Randy Orton turning heel and forming an alliance with The Shield is an epic way to end their match. It’s a cool swerve and the match needs something like that. The Shield have something cool going here and having this happen can only make them stronger. John Cena turning heel is a popular scenario. I doubt it is going to happen just yet. WWE gave him a bit of ‘edge’ in his promos the past few weeks but that doesn’t mean they’re setting him up to turn his back on his beloved fans. I don’t see HBK turning on Triple H. I have said it would be an EPIC moment and it would be. But as of this writing, I can’t see HBK wrestling again. Batista returning? YES. This needs to happen. Will it happen at WrestleMania? Hopefully but I doubt it. If he does, it’ll most probably be a Raw show. Batista in charge of The Shield, that would be an insanely epic moment and would indeed be a wild storyline the WWE needs.
What do I want to see happen? I want The Undertaker and CM Punk to have an epic 25 minute match. Have Undertaker win, BUT, at the end Taker picks up Punk from the mat and bows his head. A sign of RESPECT (What CM Punk has been looking for). Then, Punk leaves the ring, Taker gets a standing ovation. Punk, in return, gives back RESPECT. Something he hasn’t done (kayfabe wise) in a long time.
Thanks for reading wrestling fans. This will be my final column until after WrestleMania. A lot of opinions have been shared in this column and I want to thank everyone who participated. Please give me your opinion below. I will be happy to have a discussion with you on any topic.
I will not be ordering WrestleMania this year. Want to know why? Then read HERE.
Follow me on Twitter https://twitter.com/RayTheRambler and Wrestling Rambles https://twitter.com/WrestlinRambles and of course my website http://wrestlingrambles.com/. Keep checking WrestleChat everyday!
- Rey Mysterio and Randy Orton participated in a Make-A-Wish signing at Maggiano’s restaurant in Little Italy on Friday:
- WWE Studios’ No One Lives featuring Brodus Clay will be released in select cities on May 10th.
- There have been a lot of complaints about the set up of this year’s WrestleMania Axxess events. Fan reports from Thursday and Friday show that many fans have waited in long lines without getting the autographs they wanted.
The Undertaker is advertised for the dark main event for the April 23rd SmackDown tapings in London. He will be teaming with Randy Orton and Sheamus to face The Shield.
