The following are the results of the April 8th, 2013, post WrestleMania edition of WWE RAW. The event was held in The IZOD Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Michael Cole, Jerry “The King” Lawler and JBL are the commentary team for the night.
In Ring Segment
New WWE Champion John Cena kicks off WWE RAW tonight, sporting a new t-shirt, “The Champ Is Here.” While we wait to hear from Cena, Michael Cole confirms that The Rock suffered an injury to his abdominal muscles during the match last night, and will not be on RAW tonight. Cena says that tonight is his championship celebration, and he wants to defend his belt. He doesn’t know who the #1 contender is, he mentions Dolph Ziggler, Randy Orton and CM Punk, but Mark Henry’s music hits and he makes his way to the ring. Henry tells Cena that he won last night too, and he destroyed Ryback. Cena tries to make this championship match, but Booker T makes his way out. He tells Cena that The Rock is entitled to a rematch for the title, and that Cena can’t make his match against Henry for the WWE title. However, Booker T tells Henry that if he beats Cena tonight, than he will get the chance to face Cena for the title in the future. On a side note, the crowd during this opening segment was very vocal and energetic. They heavily booed Cena, and chanted “Boring” throughout his promo. Also, “Sexual Chocolate” and “Feed Me More” chants were clearly heard when Henry was speaking.
Singles Match
Big E. Langston (w/Dolph Ziggler and AJ) defeated Daniel Bryan (w/Kane) by pin fall with the Big Ending in his RAW in ring debut.
In Crowd Interview Segment
Josh Matthews interviews former Super Bowl MVP winning QB Kurt Warner, who is promoting his new show “The Moment” which premiers this Thursday.
Intercontinental Championship Match
Wade Barrett defeated The Miz by pin fall with the Bull Hammer, and wins back the IC Championship.
Backstage Segment
Sheamus enters the office of Vickie Guerrero and Brad Maddox and demands a match against The Big Show after what happened last night at ‘Mania. Maddox tells him that if they do this, then Sheamus will “owe them something.” Sheamus doesn’t care, and is given the match later tonight.
After the break, Booker T is walking in the hall when he is stopped by Randy Orton. He congratulates Booker on his HOF induction over the weekend, and then tells him he needs a favor. He wants a match against The Big Show tonight, but Booker tells him that Vickie Guerrero has already made a match between Sheamus and Big Show. Orton tells him that he’s a HOFer, and he can override Vickie. Booker makes the match between Orton and Big Show.
Zeb Colter and Jack Swagger make their way to the ring for their 2-on-1 handicap match against Alberto Del Rio. Colter tells the crowd again that the country is in bad shape because of people like Del Rio. He tells the crowd to chant “USA” when Del Rio comes out to the ring.
2-On-1 Handicap Match
Alberto Del Rio (w/Riccardo Rodriguez) defeated Jack Swagger and Zeb Colter by submission with the Cross Arm Breaker on Swagger. After the match, Del Rio is attended to by the medical staff for a knee and ankle injury he suffered during the match when Swagger applied the Patriot Act. All of a sudden, Dolph Ziggler’s music hits, and the crowd erupts! He makes his way to the ring with brief case in hand. Ziggler is cashing in his Money In The Bank contract for the World Heavyweight Championship!
World Heavyweight Championship Match
Dolph Ziggler (w/AJ and Big E. Langston) defeated Alberto Del Rio (w/Riccardo Rodriguez) by pin fall with the Zig Zag. Ziggler becomes the New World Heavyweight Champion, and celebrates in the ring with AJ and Langston, and the crowd is absolutely loving it.
In Ring Segment
The Undertaker makes his way to the ring, like only The Phenom can. He says that last night he dedicated his match to the late Paul Bearer, but the music of The Shield hits, and they make their way through the crowd. The Shield surround the ring, and The Undertaker is gearing up for a fight. Just as The Shield get up to the apron, fire comes out of the ring posts, and Kane’s music hits! Kane and Daniel Bryan run toward the ring and stand with The Undertaker to even up the odds; The Shield decide to regroup and leave through the crowd. JBL says that the night isn’t over yet, and we probably haven’t seen the last of The Shield.
Backstage Segment
Josh Matthews interviews the new World Champion Dolph Ziggler. He says it’s about damn time, and tonight is his WrestleMania moment! He’s going to shine his new belt and show it off. The Ziggler era has begun.
6-Man Tag Team Match
Zack Ryder, Santino Marella and R-Truth defeated 3MB by pin fall with the Cobra on Heath Slater.
Video Segment
A recap of WrestleMania week in New York is shown, including footage of AXXESS and the Hurricane Sandy Relief Charity Auction.
Backstage Segment
Sheamus and Randy Orton are shown arguing over who will face The Big Show tonight. Sheamus storms out of the room saying “I got this.”
A highlight of the WrestleMania Post-Show is shown of Renee Young interviewing The Big Show, and asking why he turned on Randy Orton and Sheamus. He says that there’s only one thing that is important to The Big Show, and that is The Big Show.
In Ring Segment
Sheamus goes to the ring and asks the crowd if they want to see him “kick the Big Show’s arse tonight?” He calls out Vickie Guerrero, but Randy Orton’s music plays instead. He tells Sheamus that The Big Show is his tonight, and he asks the crowd the same thing. This leads to a WWE Active poll, where the fans will choose who faces The Big Show tonight. After the break, the poll results are shown, and Randy Orton won with 73% of the votes.
Both Vickie Guerrero and Booker T come out to announce that they have come up with a fair solution. Tonight it will be Sheamus against Randy Orton, and the winner will face The Big Show.
Singles Match
Sheamus and Randy Orton is declared a no contest. The Big Show came down to the ring during the end of the match. He threw Sheamus into the ring post, and hit Orton with a KO punch. He then drags Orton to the outside where he is thrown into the guard rails, and then speared by the announce table. Both wrestlers are laid out by The Big Show. The crowd all night has been entertaining, but especially during this one. There were numerous chants from RVD, ECW, JBL, Jerry, Michael Cole, Thank You Big Show, Randy Savage, and even a We Are Awesome chant referring to themselves! Really good stuff by the crowd.
Singles Match
Fandango defeated Kofi Kingston by disqualification when Chris Jericho came out of no where to attack Fandango. Jericho punishes Fandango, and gets some revenge over his loss at WrestleMania the night before.
Video Segment
Highlights of John Cena making the media rounds today from “Good Morning America,” to “Live With Kelly And Michael” and the NBC sports show “The Crossover” with Michelle Beadle.
WWE.com exclusive video is shown of Triple H after WrestleMania getting x-rays on his hand.
Backstage Segment
Josh Matthew interviews Paul Heyman, who says that his client Brock Lesnar is ready for a fight tonight, unlike Triple H or Shawn Michaels. He also says that CM Punk will answer any questions regarding The Undertaker… next week on RAW.
8-Person Tag Team Match
(Originally Scheduled For WrestleMania)
Brodus Clay, Tensai, Cameron and Naomi defeated Rhodes Scholars and The Bella Twins by pin fall with a double splash on Damien Sandow.
Singles Match
(For An Opportunity At The WWE Championship)
John Cena defeated Mark Henry by count out. After the match, Henry continued to attack Cena in the ring, and posed with the WWE title, until Ryback made his way to the ring for the save. Ryback attacks Henry, hits him with a spine buster, and Henry exits the ring. Ryback goes over to John Cena who is in the corner of the ring trying to get to his feet. He extends his hand out and helps Cena up to the center of the ring. Ryback starts the crowd up with “Feed Me More” chants, and then turns around and clotheslines Cena! Ryback picks him up for the Shell Shock, marches around the ring and slams Cena to the mat. RAW ends with Ryback holding up the WWE championship, and Cena laid out on the mat.
