Raw

Lafayette, Louisiana
February 18, 2013
results thanks to wrestleview.com

John Cena’s music hits to kick off the show. He comes down to the ring and concurs with the crowd that the season of WrestleMania is officially upon us. The Universe now knows the World Heavyweight Championship match will be Alberto Del Rio. They also know that John Cena will face The Rock for the WWE Championship.

CM Punk comes down to the ring and is not pleased with the outcome of last night’s match. He says that Rock beat him fair and square – if you ignore the fact that Punk had him pinned for an 18 count and that Rock hit an official. Punk claims that Rock v. Cena is a déjà vu because Cena can’t win the big one. Punk also points out that he has never lost to Cena.

Cena asks what it is that Punk wants. Punk replies that he wants Cena to just finally walk away. Cena looks to leave, but turns back and says ‘no’. Cena says that despite the excuses and the bs, he knows that there is a good person inside Punk. But, Cena isn’t going to give up his golden ticket.

Cena proposes a match. I Cena wins Punk has to go the hell away. If Punk wins a match right here, right now, then Cena will give him his WrestleMania shot. Cena gives him his word. Punk confers with Heyman and says that because he’s been screwed so many times and shouldn’t even be in this petition, it will be on his terms. Punk says that they’ll have their match next week and walks up the ramp. Cena makes it official. He says that next week he’ll put Punk to rest and then go on and beat The Rock at WrestleMania. Cena will soon be shouting ‘Da Champ iz Here’ on a daily basis once again.

****Commercial****

Sheamus is being interviewed by Matt Striker in the back. He pauses as he sees Ryback roaming back and forth. Sheamus insults Ryback’s intelligence. They shove each other and look to spar. Chris Jericho walks up from behind and pushes them apart. He suggests that they should fight The Shield with him tonight. They agree as Jericho exits to seek Vickie’s permission.

Mark Henry v. Sin Cara

Poor Sin Cara. Henry pushes him into the corner and shoves him around. Cara is flattened and Henry steps across his chest. Henry whips Cara into the corner and follows with a splash. Cara attempts a kick of offense, but Henry picks him up and connects with a running powerslam. Henry then hits a World’s Strongest Slam to end this bout.

Winner via World’s Strongest Slam: Mark Henry

After the match Henry lifts Cara up for another Slam. Khali’s music hits and he makes his way down to the ring. Henry slides out and walks away whilst dancing to mock Khali’s character.

****Commercial****

No Disqualification Non-Title Match
Antonio Cesaro v. The Miz

Miz charges right at Cesaro. He first knocks him down and then out of the ring. Miz runs off the apron to the outside with an axe handle. Cesaro responds by tossing Miz into the barricade. He then picks Miz up onto his shoulders and runs Miz shoulder first into the steel post. Cesaro tosses him back inside. Cesaro grabs a kendo stick and puts some chairs in the ring. Cesaro gets inside and hits Miz with the cane. Cover, but Miz kicks out.

Cesaro opens a chair and pulls Miz’s arm through it for a stretch. Cesaro releases, removes the chair and reapplies the hold. Miz breaks free and looks for a backbreaker, but Cesaro tosses him into the corner. A chair had been placed between the ropes. Cesaro charges, but Miz counters with a kick. Cesaro is pushed at the chair in the corner. Cesaro is caught by a drop toe hold and lands practically throat first onto another standing chair. Miz applies the Figure Four and Cesaro taps out.

Winner: The Miz

Cole cuts us to a video package of Zeb Colter and Jack Swagger. There is a ‘Don’t Tread on Me’ flag in the backroom. Zeb cuts a promo on immigration. He disparages those who cross the country’s border and suck money out of the American system by playing on the nation’s hospitality

****Commercial****

Bryan is talking to Kane in the back. They vow to not get involved in each other’s match tonight. Kane tells Bryan to keep his word because he doesn’t like snakes. Orton appears at the snake mention. Kane attempts to threaten him, but Orton counters by saying he is no longer intimidated by a guy that has been going around giving hugs for the past few months. Orton calls him Barney, to the amusement of Bryan.

Heyman is in the back with Vickie Guerrero. She tells him that she has an announcement that will change his life, but he must wait until she gets into the ring later tonight.

****Commercial****

Dolph Ziggler w/ Big E. Langston & AJ v. Alberto Del Rio w/ Ricardo Rodriguez

Ziggler goes right at Rio and pounds him down to the mat. Rio gets his senses back and kicks Dolph. Ziggler, who had been standing on the apron, crashes to the outside as his skull collapses.

****Commercial****

Rio is down as Ziggler chokes his throat against the bottom rope. Ziggler releases and applies a submission. Del Rio escapes the choke only to be covered for a pin. Rio kicks out. Ziggler climbs to the top rope. Rio gets to his feet and pushes the ropes to trip up Ziggler. Rio kicks Ziggler in the back and then suplexes him belly to back style. Ziggler gets to his feet and charges at Rio only to be met with a couple of clotheslines and a tilt a whirl backbreaker. Rio pumps himself up in the corner and kicks Ziggler hard. Cover, but Ziggler kicks out.

Rio lifts Ziggler to his feet, but Ziggler takes control with a neckbreaker. Ziggler is whipped into the corner. Rio punches him repeatedly from behind. Rio hits a Backstabber out of the corner and goes for a cover. Dolph grabs the ropes for the break.

Langston jumps up onto the apron for a distraction. Rio knocks him off and then spins quickly to avoid the sneak attack from Dolph. Ziggler is caught in the cross arm breaker and this match is over.

Winner: Alberto Del Rio

After the match, Langston gets into the ring and plants Rio with his finisher. Ziggler senses an opportunity and grabs his Money in the Bank case. Before the match can start Ricardo grabs the case and runs up the ramp. Langston is charging after him like a man possessed. Ricardo drops the case while running. AJ runs up the ramp to get it. By the time the case is back in Dolph’s hands Rio has gotten to his feet and kicks Dolph to ensure the shenanigans come to a close for the evening.

****Commercial****

Wade Barrett is in the ring and says that while everyone knows that he is a great Superstar, he is also about to become a great movie star. He says the Barrett Barrage is about to concur Hollywood. He plays a trailer of is upcoming film, “Dead Man Down”.

Sheamus appears on the Titantron to interrupt. He says that Wade does not have a starring role, it is in fact Sheamus’ good friend Colin Ferrell. Sheamus says he is out of time and has to go. Wade is furious that Sheamus ruined his moment.

As Brodus Clay and Tensai make their way to the ring, their dance is interrupted by the music of Primo & Epico. Tensai is wearing one of Clay’s hats.

Brodus Clay, Tensai and Naomi v. Primo, Epico and Rosa Mendes

The Divas start off the match. Naomi quickly takes the advantage and then tags in Tensai. Primo comes into the ring but immediately gets flattened. Epico is knocked off the apron. Clay enters the ring and assists Tensai with a Double Splash. This match is quickly over.

Winners: Clay, Tensai & Naomi

Wrestlemania XXX will officially take place at the Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana

****Commercial****

Jack Swagger is in the ring with Zeb Colter. The ring has been decorated to look like a State of the Union address. Swagger says that his win at the Chamber was a win for the country. Swagger introduces Zeb who will give the State of the Union.

Colter cuts a promo about freedom of speech. Zeb says that the State of the Union is poor. He again shares his views about the tragedy of illegal immigration. Zeb says it is a big problem that needs to be fixed. That’s what a real American would do. Zeb claims that the match between Swagger and Del Rio is really a fight for the country. Zeb says that Swagger is going to complete two goals at Wrestlemania: win the Title, and restore America to her previous glory.

Daniel Bryan v. Jack Swagger w/ Zeb Colter

They exchange blows at the start. Bryan kicks out the legs of Swagger and attempts a pin. Swagger kicks out. Swagger gets back to his feet and kicks Bryan out of the ring. Swagger follows after and tosses Bryan into the barricade. Jack slides Bryan back into the ring and kicks at his injured midsection. Swagger tosses Bryan halfway across the ring and then charges for a knee. Swagger covers, but Bryan kicks out. Swagger pulls back on Bryan’s arms to apply pressure. Swagger releases and then bounces from the second rope for a Swagger Bomb. Bryan puts up a boot to stop the charging Swagger. Bryan then flips out of the corner and hits a running forearm. Swagger charges, but flies out of the ring. Bryan knocks Swagger out of the ring and then flies out after with a suicide dive!

Swagger is back in the ring as Bryan comes off the ropes with a huge missile dropkick. Cover, but Swagger kicks out. Bryan kicks Swagger in the chest as the crowd comes alive. Swagger catches Bryan and slams him straight down to the mat. Bryan counters a cover with a Yes Lock. Swagger makes it to a rope break.

Swagger dodges a charge and then attacks the knee of Bryan. Swagger is stalking and hits a vicious chop block. Swagger stands over his decimated foe and cinches on a Patriot Lock. This match is over.

Winners via Patriot Lock: Jack Swagger & America

****Commercial****

Vickie Guerrero is in the ring with Paul Heyman to make her big announcement. Vickie announces that she is hiring an assistant to help with her RAW duties. Brad Maddox walks out onto the ramp and says his promotion is a result of his hard work in exposing the connection between Heyman and The Shield. Maddox and Vickie argue about where he is her assistant or the assistant manager. Heyman says he doesn’t care and goes to leave.

Vince appears on the Titantron and Heyman says he looks fantastic. Vince tells Heyman to close his mouth because when it is open he is lying. Vince says he doesn’t have a heart, but he shows a clip of Heyman saying that he’d do anything if Vince agreed to take away Rock’s Champion advantage on last night’s show. Vince says he could fire Heyman right now. Heyman says he had nothing to do with Lesnar’s attack, but Vince doesn’t care. Vince says that next week on RAW he is going to hobble down to the ring and fight Heyman.

****Commercial****

The Shield v. Ryback, Sheamus & Chris Jericho

Rollins and Ryback start the match. Ryback backs him into a corner and thrusts his shoulder into Seth’s gut repeatedly. Jericho tags himself in as they calm down Ryback. Ambrose gets the tag but is met with a vertical suplex. Ambrose whips Jericho into the corner, but Jericho blocks and then delivers a dropkick. Jericho hits an elbow, but Ambrose follows with a knee to the gut. Jericho hits a crossbody and then tags in Sheamus.

Reigns gets the tag as well. Sheamus stares him down in the middle of the ring. Sheamus locks him up and then pounds relentlessly in the corner. Reigns is able to reverse, but Sheamus is still on the offensive. Reigns kicks Sheamus under the chin but then gets knocked to the ground. Sheamus is running around like a mad man until he lifts Reigns up on his shoulder for White Noise. Sheamus signals for the end. The rest of the Shield tries to come to the rescue, but Sheamus and company ensure that they all fall to the outside.

****Commercial****

Back from the break Roman is in control of Sheamus in the ring. Rollins gets the tag and quickly hits a few dropkicks. Cover, but Sheamus kicks out. Rollins backs Sheamus into the corner and connects with a few boots. Roman gets the tag but is kicked back by Sheamus. The Irishman responds with a clothesline. Ryback gets the hot tag and hits a back body drop followed by a spinebuster on Rollins. The crowd is pumped up as Ryback connects with the Meathook. Ryback is looking for the finish, but Ambrose jumps up onto the apron to distract the referee. Roman spears Ryback sparing Rollins. Cover, but Ryback kicks out. Rollins is able to trip the big man up and kicks him repeatedly. Ambrose gets the tag and is hit with a neckbreaker from Ryback. Cover, but Ryback kicks out.

Roman is tagged back into the match up and charges hard at Ryback. Ryback dodges causing Roman to crash into the turnbuckle. Jericho gets the hot tag and hits a few shoulder blocks. Jericho kicks Rollins off the apron and then hits Ambrose with a bulldog. Jericho hits a Lionsault and goes for the cover. Ambrose kicks out. Ambrose attempts a quick roll up, but Jericho kicks out. Jericho then kicks Ambrose in the jaw. Jericho turns Ambrose over and locks on the Walls of Jericho. Roman tries to make the save, but Sheamus fights him to the outside. Rollins flies off the top rope to make the save. Ambrose covers Jericho and this match is over.

Winners: The Shield

****Commercial****

Sandow makes his way down to the ring as Kofi has already entered for their match. Sandow goes on a rant about the presidents and insists that his family has served as advisors to multiple Presidents. Sandow immediately charges at Kofi before the referee can ring the bell. Sandow tosses Kofi shoulder first into the steel post.

R-Truth’s music hits and he runs down to make. Truth finishes with a spinning leg drop and then clotheslines Sandow out of the ring. Truth helps Kofi back up to his feet.

****Commercial****

Kane v. Randy Orton

They exchange blows but then re-square off. Orton goes after the arm of Kane which appears to be sore. Kane whips Orton into the corner but walks into a boot. Orton gets behind Kane and punches him repeatedly in the collarbone.

****Commercial****

Back from the break Orton has Kane trapped in a side headlock. Orton escapes and then pushes Kane back into the corner. Orton delivers a ten count punch and then stomps on the body of Kane. Getting back to his feet, Kane punches Orton in the jaw. Orton responds by fighting back and hit his signature snap scoop slam. Kane gets back to his feet and delivers a sidewalk slam. Cover, but Orton kicks out.

Kane tries to climb up the ropes, but Orton knocks him down. Kane tosses Orton into the ropes and then looks for the chokeslam. Bryan walks down to the ring which distracts Kane. Orton seizes the moment and hits a RKO. This match is over.

Winner via RKO: Randy Orton

****Commercial****

The University of Lafayette Marching Band is on the entrance ramp and plays along as The Rock comes down to the ring. The WWE Champion picks up a microphone with the Title slung over his shoulder. There is a table set up with a cloth draped over an object. Rock launches into his promo and says that finally The Rock has come back to Lafayette.

Rock holds up his Title and says that 8 years ago the belt was unveiled by John Cena. But, Rock counters that the WWE Title should never look like a toy, and it should never, ever, spin. Rock hands the belt to a ringside worker and tells him to make sure it ends up in the Hall of Fame. Rock walks towards the table as he says that when you see the WWE Title it should inspire you. It should be worthy of being worn around the waists of all the great Champions.

The new Title is revealed. The front is a large WWE Title. The two plates on either side carry the Brahma Bull Logo. It’s uncomplicated and set on deep black leather. It’s adorned with glittery gems and is fitting for The Rock’s run.

Rock says that he still doesn’t know who he will be facing at Wrestlemania. It will either be CM Punk or John Cena. Rock says that between those two men, there is one man he wants to face.

Cena’s music hits and he walks out onto the ramp and down to the ring. Before he can make it halfway, Punk runs up from behind with the old Title and takes out Rock. He tosses it to the ground after flattening Cena. Punk points to the new Title and says that he wants that one. Rock starts to pump himself up in the ring as Punk turns and heads away.