WWE: RAW Review for 19th August

The Shield defeated Dolph Ziggler

The Shield

Ziggler was put into this match by the now power hungry Triple H, because of Ziggler going against what Triple H did last Sunday. It was basically a lion – hearted superstar trying to take down three others, but succumbing to the numbers game in the end. This was to put over Triple H as a heel.

Ziggler was impressive, but that was all there was to it. The ending was amazing though, as Reigns speared Ziggler in mid-air as Ziggler went for a splash. During the bout, Rollins hit the floor hard, and was walking gingerly. Hopefully he didn’t hurt himself. Post-match, the trio delivered a triple powerbomb to Ziggler with Rollins still favouring his leg.

Rating: ¾ *

Alberto Del Rio defeated Sin Cara via referee stoppage

Looks like Cara might have injured himself (again). He went for the suicide dive on ADR, but quickly motioned to the ref, who immediately held up the “cross” sign for medical attention. Post-match, ADR cut a promo, saying he was the true leader for the Mexicans and the Spanish people around the world. This brought Ricardo out, who said he had found a new “friend”, and it was Rob Van Dam! The Anaheim crowd roared as RVD made his way to the ring, but ADR escaped before RVD could connect with the frogsplash.

Rating: Dud

Prime Time Players defeated The Real Americans (With Zeb Colter)

I guess a lot of people saw this coming. Not because PTP deserved the victory, but because WWE would look to “push” Darren Young because of all the attention he’s been getting. That’s just my opinion, anyway; it was a 6 minute bout that saw PTP controlling the bout, and Young finished it off with a huge knee to the gut of Cesaro to pick up the victory.

Rating: **

Backstage, Renee was interviewing Big Show when Maddox showed up. He told Show that Triple H heard about him not approving of the SummerSlam screwjob, and put him in a handicap match against The Shield. Should we mention that Shield powerbombed Vince McMahon not too long ago? Still too soon? Okay.

Another backstage segment to promote Foot Locker. I’ll just skip that.

Local independent wrestlers were shown changing backstage, and Ryback appeared, shooing two of them away. He then bullied the third guy and took him into the shower along with his changing bag, and made him stand under the shower with it. I guess Be A Star people don’t watch RAW too often.

The Shield defeated The Big Show

This was the same as the case with Ziggler, but since Show was much bigger, all three guys were allowed in the ring at the same time. Show held his own, but the numbers game caught up and Reigns speared Show, and they delivered the triple powerbomb to pick up the victory. Rollins looked fine after the initial injury scare, so that was good.

Rating: **

Time for CM Punk’s response. He came down and said he wasn’t cleared to wrestle. Some guy (maybe a plant) heckled Punk, so he bashed him verbally. That was fun to watch! He then asked Heyman to come out so that he could apologize to his face. Heyman came out along with Axel, and Punk said he was sorry he didn’t hurt Heyman, and didn’t tear his arm out. He said he was sorry that he didn’t spit on Heyman, and take his hand home with him. Heyman then asked Axel to tape his fists, because Punk would be in for a fight against Curtis Axel.

Axel then came out with Heyman as Punk waited in the ring. Axel and Punk went at it, brawling all around the ring side area. Punk threw Axel over the barricade and launched himself onto him. Punk then hit Axel with the time keeper’s bell, and brought Axel inside the ring.

Punk went for the GTS, but Axel slithered out and went after Punk’s knee and ankle. Axel tried to break Punk’s ankle while Heyman told Punk that he broke his heart. Punk countered and laid some hard chair shots on Axel and threw him into the ring steps. Punk finished Axel off with a GTS on the steel steps as Heyman bolted to the back.

That was a great 10 minute slugfest, and the crowd loved it. Punk will now likely get into a program with Axel till Lesnar returns. That was a good segment to further the Punk – Heyman storyline.