Raw
Washington, D.C.
April 1, 2013
results thanks to wrestleview.com
There are 6 days until Wrestlemania 29!
Cena’s music hits and there is a monstrous roar of boos. He makes his way down
to the ring and draws a comparison to the split reaction of his character with
the split Houses of Congress. Cena takes a moment to put over The Rock as
Champion. He says that last year he would have questioned Rock’s passion and
drive and Rock would have made personal attacks against Cena. However, Cena says
that the time for such shenanigans is over. Rock made good on his word and
currently holds the WWE Championship. Cena puts Rock over further by calling him
the greatest WWE Champion of all time. Cena proclaims that at Wrestlemania the
Great One will fall. Rock’s time is up, and Cena’s time is now. The diatribe
continues as Cena vows to dominate Rock at ‘mania. Cena is not pleased that Rock
debuted a new Title and ended the era of Cena. At Wrestlemania Rock will
experience failure. Cena says that every time the WWE is mentioned Rock will
have to be reminded that the belt designed for him is being defended by Cena.
The crowd starts a “boring” chant causing Cena to pause. Cena says that he is
not just The Rock’s equal, he is better than The Rock. When ‘mania is over, ‘the
Champ is here’.
****Commercial****
3MB v. Big Show, Randy Orton & Sheamus
Orton and Slater start the match. Slater is whipped hard into the corner and
then Orton hits a vertical suplex. Sheamus gets the tag and springs into the
ring with a battering ram. Slater is whipped hard into the corner again and does
manage to sneak in a couple of kicks and tags in McIntyre. Sheamus pummels Drew
and slams him to the mat with a powerslam. Drew jumps from the second rope and
connects with a dropkick. Mahal gets the tag and attempts a cover. Sheamus kicks
out. Sheamus is backed into the corner and 3MB begins their onslaught. Slater
gets the tag but is hit with an Irish Curse Backbreaker. Mahal gets the tag as
does Big Show. Show flies around the ring and hits a strong shoulder tackle.
Slater runs into the ring but gets caught in a chokeslam position. Drew leaps
into the ring but Show catches him as well. Orton hits the RKO on Slater,
Sheamus Brogue Kicks Drew and Show picks up the pinfall victory.
Winners: Show, Orton & Sheamus
After the match The Shield’s music hits. They make their way down towards the
ring from the crowd. They stop halfway down the stairs and it’s revealed that
Dean Ambrose has a microphone. Dean puts over their match Sunday and claims the
outcome is a foregone conclusion. Rollins and Reigns join in with their own
homilies.
The Shield will battle Orton, Sheamus & Show at Wrestlemania.
****Commercial****
Video: Swagger & Colter cut a promo on Alberto in front of the US Capital
building
Matt Striker is in the back with Alberto Del Rio. He asks for his take on the
video that just played. Rio says that Swagger has the right to say whatever he
wants, but if Rio doesn’t like what Swagger is saying than he is going to take
him out. Rio doesn’t know why Colter would challenge him to a match tonight, but
he is going to knock the mustache off his face.
****Commercial****
Daniel Bryan w/ Kane v. Dolph Ziggler w/ Big E. Langston & AJ Lee
Ziggler twists the arm of Bryan and applies pressure. Bryan escapes and applies
a side headlock. Ziggler runs the ropes and jumps into the air but Bryan catches
him and tosses him into the turnbuckle. Bryan unloads with a series of kicks in
the corner until the referee forces him to back away. Ziggler whips Bryan
towards the corner, but Bryan flips out and follows up with a clothesline. Bryan
looks for a submission but Ziggler grabs the ropes. Bryan grabs the leg of
Ziggler and applies a double leg submission. Ziggler escapes and hits a
dropkick. Cover, but Bryan kicks out. Dolph charges at Bryan, but Bryan traps
him in the ropes and applies a modified Tarantula. Ziggler responds with a
Fame-Ass-Er and a cover. Bryan kicks out.
****Commercial****
Back from the break the competitors are exchanging kicks. Ziggler leaps at
Bryan, but Bryan moves out of the way and kicks him repeatedly in the chest.
Bryan kicks Ziggler square in the jaw and then takes to the top rope. Bryan
leaps for the headbutt, but Ziggler moves out of the way. Ziggler locks on a
Sleeper, but Bryan is able to break free. Bryan cinches on a Sleeper of his own.
Dolph falls backwards to break the hold. Ziggler hits a jackknife cover, but
Bryan kicks out. Both men run the ropes and crash to the middle of the ring as
both of their crossbodys hit at the same time. AJ runs over to Kane and begins
to tease him. Langston bulldozes Kane when he turns around. Ziggler covers Bryan
and narrowly picks up the win.
Winner: Dolph Ziggler
Back inside the ring Langston hits his finisher on Bryan. Kane charges into the
ring and punches Ziggler. Langston is caught in position for a chokeslam but he
powers out and lifts Kane up onto his shoulders. Langston hits his signature
drop and then celebrates in the ring with Dolph and AJ.
Langston & Ziggler will take on Bryan & Kane for the Tag Team Titles at
Wrestlemania.
****Commercial****
Shawn Michaels’ music hits and he makes his way down to the ring. HBK says that
you can’t have Wrestlemania without Mr. Wrestlemania. He loves this time of
year. There are some great matches to look forward to this year. HBK says that
when he heard HHH put his career on the line he started to have some doubts and
questions about Hunter.
HHH’s music hits and he makes his way out to the entrance ramp. Water bottle in
hand he takes a swig before walking towards the ring. HHH says that before they
talk about this too much, he knows what he is doing. HBK says that he doesn’t
know what he is doing. Shawn says that Hunter thinks their situations are
similar, but they couldn’t be more different. HBK says when his career was on
the line it was against someone who he respected, and who respected him in
return. That is not the case for HHH. Lesnar fights for money and because he
loves creating havoc. HBK tells HHH that at Wrestlemania he better kick Lesnar’s
ass. Shawn tells HHH that he will be in his corner on Sunday. HBK says that if
you’re not done with that we’ve got two words –
Lesnar’s music hits and he walks out onto the ramp with Heyman. Paul has a mic
and is trying to keep Lesnar from going down to the ring. Heyman says that
Lesnar has two words for HBK and HHH but it’s not the two words they were
thinking of. Heyman says that whether HHH likes it or not, Brock is going to
beat him into retirement on Sunday. HHH is going to have to learn to live with
that disappointment. Heyman continues to goad the men in the ring. Heyman says
that HHH should have walked away from this match, but now he won’t be able to
walk away when Lesnar is finished. HHH will crawl away with his tail between his
legs. Hunter will disappoint the entire WWE Universe. Lesnar has caused HHH to
commit professional suicide.
Lesnar will face HHH in a No Holds Barred match at Wrestlemania.
****Commercial****
Stop the presses – Zack Ryder just got a televised entrance.
Wade Barrett v. Zack Ryder
Wade kicks Ryder in the gut a few times and then lifts him to his feet. Wade
hits a vertical suplex and goes for a cover, Ryder kicks out. Zack gets in a bit
of offense which includes a baseball slide. Ryder rolls Wade into the ring and
then climbs to the top rope. Wade knocks him down and punches him repeatedly in
the back. Ryder is caught with a knee to the gut and then covered. Ryder kicks
out. Wade drops a standing elbow. Wade mouths off at The Miz who has joined in
on commentary for this match. Wade drops another elbow and then knees Ryder a
few more times. Wade pump kicks Ryder and sends him out of the ring. Ryder
responds with a bit of offense including a few flying forearms. Ryder sets up
Wade in the corner and connects with the Broskie Boot. Cover, but Wade kicks
out. Wade pushes Ryder into the corner and then pulls him into the ring. Wade
delivers the Full Hammer Elbow and this match is over.
Winner: Wade Barrett
Santino walks into Vickie’s office as she is talking to Brad Maddox. Santino
says that he saw Vince get out of limo and he sounded very mad at Vickie and
Brad. Santino says when Vince gets fired up like that it’s usually because
someone is going to be fired. Santino looks to walk away but then walks back in
and says April Fools. Santino laughs to himself until Vickie and Brad decide
that he is about to have a match.
****Commercial****
Santino v. Mark Henry
Santino knows that he is outmatched and tries to figure a way to take down
Henry. Santino grabs for the cobra but Henry hits him and then lifts Santino up
for the World’s Strongest Slam. This match is over.
Winner: Mark Henry
Ryback’s music hits and he walks down to the ring. Henry has a microphone and
tells Ryback to hold on. He says that he knows Ryback is mad about the bench
press record, but that doesn’t give him the right to come down to the ring and
threaten him. Henry says that they have a no contact clause until Wrestlemania.
They both want to attack each other, but tonight all they can do is smile. Henry
flashes his pearly whites and then looks to leave the ring. Ryback lifts up
Santino and uses his body to push Henry out of the ring. Ryback then lifts
Santino up overhead and tosses him at Henry. Ryback is laughing and says he
didn’t touch Henry.
Ryback will face Mark Henry at Wrestlemania.
****Commercial****
Matt Striker is in the back with an urn wielding CM Punk. He asks Punk if he
feels he is disrespecting the memory of Paul Bearer. Punk says that he doesn’t
care; all he wants to do is get under the skin of Taker. Punk says that the
difference between himself and Taker’s other opponents is that Punk is willing
to do whatever it takes to beat Taker. Punk says that he doesn’t care what he
has to do to beat Taker at ‘mania. Punk promises that after this ‘mania when
people think about Wrestlemania they will be thinking about CM Punk.
Zeb Colter w/ Jack Swagger v. Alberto Del Rio w/ Ricardo Rodriguez
Rio eggs on Zeb and even holds his hands behind his back. Swagger is stalking
the injured Ricardo on the outside. Zeb grabs one of Rio’s crutches. Swagger
leaps at Ricardo and drops him to the ground. Rio tries to make the save, but
Colter hits him with a crutch.
Winner via DQ: Jack Swagger
Del Rio is grounded for a few moments, but then is able to grab the crutch. Just
before Rio can attack Swagger comes into the ring with Ricardo’s other crutch
and he joins in with Zeb as they beat on the Mexican star.
****Commercial****
The Rock’s music hits and he soaks in 4 minutes of the crowd before finally
speaking in the ring. Rock says that the connection between the People’s Champ
and the People is the only reason why he is standing in the ring right now. Rock
says that this Sunday isn’t about redemption; it’s about the will of the People.
Rock teases a run for the Presidency. Maybe we’ll go from President Barack to
President The Rock. He’ll start his inauguration speech with the words, “Finally
The Rock has come back to Washington D.C.”.
Rock says Cena is saying the same things he was a year ago but last week Rock
planted Cena with a Rock Bottom. Rock says that when he pins Cena on Sunday it
will prove that Cena’s time isn’t now, it’s never. Rock is not going to pass the
torch to Cena. This Sunday Cena is not just facing The Rock and the fans in
attendance; he is facing the will of the millions. Rock lives for that
connection and this Sunday at Wrestlemania Cena will not be able to defy the
will of the People, and he will not be able to beat The Rock. If you smell what
The Rock is cooking.
****Commercial****
Chris Jericho v. Antonio Cesaro
They lock up and Chris is pushed back towards the corner. Cesaro gives him a
shrug and Jericho responds in like. Cesaro tries a leg scissors but Chris
quickly escapes. Cesaro goes to a side headlock. Cover, but Jericho kicks out.
Cesaro is whipped into the ropes and hit with a dropkick. Jericho hits a
vertical suplex and goes for the cover. Cesaro kicks out. Jericho escapes a
headlock but is head-butted by Cesaro. He climbs to the top rope, but Jericho
shakes the rope and knocks him to a seated position. Chris unloads with a ten
count punch and then hits a Frankensteiner. Cover, but Cesaro kicks out.
Fandango’s music hits and his curtain has been lowered. His female dancer comes
out first and then they begin dancing. Jericho is distracted as the show cuts to
commercial.
****Commercial****
Back from the break the commentators point out that Fandango is holding up
numbers to grade the moves that Jericho is delivering. Jericho charges at Cesaro
in the corner but Cesaro moves out of the way and Jericho crashes to the
outside. Cesaro hits a beautiful swinging power slam. He yodels for a moment and
then splashes Jericho. Chris responds with a couple of shoulder tackles and then
climbs to the top rope. Jericho hits an axe handle and follows with a bulldog.
Jericho scores the move a 4. Jericho hits the Lionsault and looks for the Walls
of Jericho. Cesaro uses his strength to flip Jericho over with a Gutwrench
Powerbomb. Jericho knocks down Cesaro and then hits Fandango with a baseball
slide as he has made his way close to the ring. Jericho has Cesaro in the middle
of the ring and locks on the Walls of Jericho.
Winner: Chris Jericho
As soon as the match is over Fandango charges into the ring to attack Jericho.
Fandango takes a moment to pose as the fans chant, “You Can’t Wrestle”. Fandango
climbs to the top rope and hits a leg drop before posing again. He grabs the
head of Jericho and yells at him to say his name. Fandango is all fired up as
the referee pulls him away. Fandango climbs to the top rope and hits another leg
drop. Fandango stands over Jericho and then says his name, in case anyone
watching didn’t know how to pronounce it.
****Commercial****
Funkadactyls w/ Brodus Clay & Sweet T v. The Bella Twins w/ The Rhodes Scholars
Naomi and one of the Bellas start the match off. Naomi hits the rear view but
Bella takes control. The best part of this match is the commentary. Cole and JBL
have a moment where they stop recapping and start laughing after Lawler drops a
corny Bill Clinton joke. The snickering continues through the rest of this rough
match. As Cameron and the other Bella brawl in the ring a fight breaks out on
the outside between everyone at ringside. Cameron is rolled up and this match is
over.
Winners: The Bella Twins
The Bella Twins & The Rhodes Scholars take on Ton of Funk & The Funkadactyls at
Wrestlemania.
****Commercial****
The Undertaker’s music hits and he makes his way down to the ring. He says that
Punk decided to make this personal, so Punk is going to suffer. Taker says that
beating Punk is not good enough. The disrespect that he showed Paul Bearer will
bring Punk much pain. Taker says that the streak may end on Sunday but Punk will
never live to talk about it.
The lights dim and druids make their way out onto the entrance ramp carrying
torches. Taker seems surprised by their appearance. The arena is silent as
chanting plays over the PA system. Taker watches on as the druids line up on the
ramp. A man appears dressed as Paul Bearer and says, “ohh yes”. Taker exits the
ring and walks up to the impersonator. Taker is furious and throws blows at the
druids. Punk is dressed as one and attacks Taker from behind. The fake Bearer –
perhaps Paul Heyman – tosses Punk the urn. Punk hits Taker over the back of the
head with the urn numerous times. Punk says that it’s over. Taker will be 20-1.
Punk puts his feet across Taker’s neck and then hits him with the urn a few more
times. Punk unscrews the top of the urn and pours the ashes out and into his
hand. Punk then throws the ashes at the face of The Undertaker.
CM Punk will face The Undertaker this Sunday at Wrestlemania with the streak on
the line.