1/14 Raw Box Score

Match Times: 42:33 bell-to-bell (64:14 last week). Longest Match - 16:25 (Cena vs. Ziggler cage match).

Title Implications: Kaitlyn beat Divas champion Eve to capture the Divas Title; Eve "quit" WWE.

Streaks (carried over from 2012): Kaitlyn - 7 match winning streak, Cena - 7 match winning streak, Punk - 4 match winning streak, Eve - 4 match losing streak to end WWE run.

Streaks Continued: Sheamus - ended 9 match winning streak, Orton and Clay - ended 7 match winning streaks, 3MB - snapped 9 match losing streaks.

Show Results: (1) IC champion Wade Barrett beat Randy Orton in a non-title match. ... (2) WWE tag champion Kane beat Damien Sandow. ... (3) Kaitlyn beat Divas champion Eve to capture the Divas Title. ... (4) WWE champion C.M. Punk (w/Paul Heyman) beat Brodus Clay via submission in a non-title match. ... (5) 3MB (Heath Slater & Jinder Mahal & Drew McInytre) beat Sheamus in a handicap over-the-top-rope battle royal. ... (6) WWE tag champion Daniel Bryan beat Cody Rhodes via submission. ... (7) John Cena beat Dolph Ziggler (w/A.J. Lee and Big E. Langston) in a steel cage match.

***

WWE Raw TV results
January 14, 2013
Houston, Tex. at Toyota Center
Report by James Caldwell, PWTorch assistant editor

Live coverage tonight from inside the building, which is completely sold-out. It's the first Raw TV in Houston since the night after WrestleMania 25 in 2009 due to Houston typically hosting Smackdown tapings. After the previous Smackdown taping drew about 10,000 before Summerslam, WWE brought Raw to Houston.

Inside the building, a cage is set up over the ring. So are MizTV's logo and Brodus's disco ball.

Superstars SPOILERS

Tony Dawson and Matt Striker are on commentary tonight.

(1) Kofi Kingston beat Michael McGillicutty at 9:01. Mike avoided Trouble in Paradise throughout the match, but Kofi finally nailed it for the win.

(2) Zack Ryder beat JTG at 3:08 with Rough Ryder.

After Superstars, Lilian Garcia sang the National Anthem, WWE showed the ending of Del Rio winning the World Title on Smackdown, and the announce trio of JBL, Cole, and Lawler was introduced.

Raw TV LIVE RESULTS

Vince McMahon opened the 20th Anniversary of Raw. After talking up himself, McMahon booked Cena vs. Ziggler in a cage, then Big Show interrupted to boos. Show wanted his World Title back and demanded Del Rio be stripped of the title. Del Rio interrupted to a tepid reaction. It got better once he came out, but audience was not sold on him yet as a face. Del Rio addressed that with some witticisms in English and Spanish. WWE quickly ignored Show's request for the title to be vacated, as Del Rio said he will give Show his title re-match tonight, but Show said he'll only fight at the Rumble PPV. Ricardo then threw confetti on Show, and Del Rio cleared Show with a kick to the head. McMahon signed off endorsing Del Rio.

(1) IC champ Wade Barrett beat Randy Orton at 10:28 in a non-title match. Barrett won with the Bullhammer after blocking an RKO. Surprising clean win for Wade. After the match, Orton booked it backstage off-camera. Randy needs something to sink his teeth into, which they kind of delivered later in the show.

First 2013 Hall of Fame announcement tonight. Big-gio. Big-gio.

Clear Wireless commercial aired in-between segments.

Backstage, Eve was told by Smackdown GM Booker T that Kaitlyn gets the Divas Title if Eve gets counted out tonight. Eve slapped Teddy Long to express her thoughts.

D-Bryan and Kane plotted to lie to Dr. Shelby about the progress of their Anger Management therapy. Damien Sandow and Cody Rhodes were brought in to test the tag champs, Shelby took offense to a Dr. Phil reference from Sandow, and a fight broke out. Bryan, Kane, and Shelby stood tall. This bit got over with the live crowd - goofy humor to keep the variety show flowing.

(2) Kane beat Damien Sandow at 2:01. Sandow dominated before Kane hit the chokeslam for a clean win. Heels 1, Faces 1.

End First Hour, which felt uneventful for a milestone show. Two hours to go. And it's starting with Mick Foley in-person as first HOF inductee. Cheap pop referencing Houston, then a staff member yelled at someone to get out of the aisle. That could only mean one thing. Shield's music hit and Ambrose and Rollins walked down the aisle toward the ring. Reigns joined them from another aisle to chase off Foley. Ryback made the save, then Orton, then Sheamus to finally clear Shield. Ryback's music played to a strong reaction before Josh Mathews hustled down to the ring to interview Ryback. An upset Ryback accused Shield and Punk for collusion. He vowed to give to Shield what they have taken from him. "Feed Me Shield!" he chanted.

During the break, Lilian Garcia picked out signs in the crowd. Lots of "Cookie Puss" signs.

Strong hometown reaction for Kaitlyn challenging for the Divas Title. Eve, announced from Denver, sets up an AFC Divisional Playoffs consolation match.

(3) Kaitlyn beat Eve at 5:26 to capture the Divas Title. Two good nearfalls early on kept the crowd invested. Eve did the honors on the way out, setting off an emotional celebration for Kaitlyn.

Backstage, Josh brought in Brodus Clay, who responded to Punk name-dropping him on Raw last week. Brodus said he shucks and jives because he was born to and he'll make Punk his punk tonight.

Brodus was then introduced to the ring before Punk came out with Paul Heyman. Since it's a PPV male-heavy crowd tonight, strong applause for Punk while the kids booed him. Not a "top guy" reaction, though. No hype for this match didn't help.

(4) WWE champion C.M. Punk beat Brodus Clay via submission at 3:42 Brodus controlled early on, then Punk slowed things down and got the males behind him. The kids responded with a slow clap for Clay. But, Punk responded with a top-rope elbow and the Vice for a tap-out. Punk then mockingly danced.

Punk took the mic after the match as Heyman got him heel heat standing behind him. Punk cockily talked up his victory to boos and applause, then his title reign, and claimed he will beat Rock the Rumble. The boos and applause grew louder as Punk wrapped up his declaration.

This felt like the end of Act 1 half-way through the marathon three-hour Raw. Lots of folks headed to the concessions as WWE ran more DVD and App-type commercials during the TV break.

Foley was on the phone backstage in front of the Visiting Locker Room. Rock interrupted to a big initial reaction. Foley did Rock's "Finally" bit, which set up Rock saying he's Finally returned to Houston. Vickie Guerrero interrupted and told them to shut up. It's her show. She said WWE, like baseball, should let no one in the HOF if Foley is inducted, then asked Rock if he has anything to say. Nope. Foley, stunned, asked what's up with Rock not cutting down Vickie. Rock said there's a time and a place. He said no one remembers him Rock-Bottoming Foley last year, then told him to stay tuned for the Rock Concert.

(5) 3MB beat Sheamus at 3:15 in an over the top rope handicap match. Mahal, then Mac were eliminated. After a struggle, they proceeded to yank Sheamus off the apron to allow Slater to win, rendering the battle royal format a joke. Sheamus got the last word after the match with Brogue Kicks.

Backstage, Cena talked to Mathews. Cena rattled off a list of former WWE stars, then paused to note Braden Walker (Chris Harris) never appeared on Raw. He added that he took a bowel movement the size of Papa Shango, then plugged his cage match against Ziggler. He noted he will do like WWF ten years ago and get him the F out. Typical Cena promo that was all over the place before trying to get serious.

Miz came out on-stage and announced a WWE Hall of Famer on Miz TV tonight. How about a hint? Wooo! Miz strutted around like Ric Flair going to break. The first sign of Miz's Fantasy Camp tonight...

End of Hour Two.

Miz TV with Ric Flair was slotted at the top of the third hour. The focus was on catchphrases, which led to a video on the history of Raw catchphrases, concluding with "Stone Cold" Steve Austin. Miz asked Flair to do his, but Flair said he can't go off the PG script since he has four ex-wives and needs a job. Antonio Cesaro interrupted and said they represent Americans - a washed-up reality star and massive over-spending. Cesaro noted the four fingers of the Horsemen now stand for Flair's ex-wives. Cesaro said he will be the bigger man and walk away from fighting Miz, but Flair chopped him. More chops, then SCF from Miz. Flair offered Miz a chance to continue his fantasy camp slapping on the figure-four as Flair watched, then Flair dropped an elbow on his suit jacket, popping the crowd. Basic deal trying to get over Miz as a face.

Next up was Rhodes vs. Bryan. Cody combed his mustache throughout the pre-match commercial.

(6) Daniel Bryan beat Cody Rhodes via submission at 1:16. Cody cockily posed with his arm in the air, so Bryan yanked his arm down for the No! Lock to secure a tap-out.

Backstage: Eve quit WWE. This was a "WWE App" segment.

WWE ran an ad for Cesaro vs. Orton on Main Event.

The cage was lowered at 9:24 p.m. As it was lowered, the crowd picked up a loud dueling chant for and against Cena.

Friday on Smackdown: Del Rio hosts a World Title fiesta.

Backstage, A.J. and Big E. introduced wedding clips from past Raws. A.J. said dumping Bryan and becoming Raw GM was the best moment of her life, but Cena took it all away. Dolph Ziggler then consoled A.J. and squeaked about stealing the show tonight.

Before the steel cage match, Jim Ross was introduced to join commentary on the main event.

Ziggler and Co. came out first, then Cena was introduced to a loud mixed reaction. Cena paused ringside to rub elbows with WWE regulars ZZ Top and drop off his shirt and cap on the front row before entering the cage.

(7) John Cena beat Dolph Ziggler in a cage at 16:25. Lots of escape teases early on while the crowd loudly duel-chanted. Cena was over the cage, but Big E. grabbed his foot to block his escape. More nearfalls got the kids on the edge of their seats as their hero fought off Ziggler. Cena entered Super Cena mode avoiding defeat as the crowd grew louder in favor of either man. A.J. then flipped out as Super Cena grew stronger. Then, she decided to climb the cage. This set up a distraction with Big entering the cage, but Dolph accidentally popped Big with the MITB briefcase. Cena immediately nailed the AA on Ziggler and pinned him as A.J. sat stunned on top of the cage. All in a day's work for Cena, who headed to the back with a big smile on his face. Is this the end of the feud? Sure felt like it unless WWE wants to trot out Ziggler to play punching bag to Cena again.

WWE returns to Houston on Thursday, July 25 for Smackdown TV.

End of Hour Three.

Rock Concert in the over-run.

Rock opened up by goofing on his Rocky Maivia gimmick from early Raw days. Time to sing. First was a goof on Paul Heyman and his penis. After recognizing ZZ Top ringside, Rock asked the women how they're doing tonight. He then asked Vickie to come on out for a song. She very reluctantly walked out on-stage to laughs. Vickie sold this beautifully before Rock hit the punchline, embarrassing her. After more embarrassment, Vickie sneered and vowed revenge on Rock before exiting.

Time to get serious with Rock ready to kick some ass tonight. Rock called out WWE champion C.M. Punk to talk man to man. After a pause, Punk and Heyman strolled out on-stage. Rock shared a serious and comical fact in response to Punk's "facts" earlier in the show, and told Punk that he has 13 days left as WWE champ. After Rock challenged Punk to come fight, Punk charged the ring and Rock met him ringside. The fight was on, drawing out referees to separate them. Agents then spilled out, including Finlay and Double A. They eventually got Rock and Punk away from each other and Raw went off air 14 minutes past the hour.

After Raw went off air, the ring was cleared as Rock and Punk walked away from each other. Punk then took the mic and told him to just bring it. Another fight broke out, then Rock finished him with Rock Bottom in the ring to a pop. Rock's music played to end the show. On the way out, Punk sold a knee injury before refs helped him up. Punk then waved everyone off, tried to find his balance, and comically tipped over like a tree in the woods, landing stomach-first on the ground. The refs helped up again, then Punk sold not knowing where he was, before refs finally helped him to the back.



OVERALL THOUGHTS: Law of diminishing returns on the "milestone" shows. Raw 1,000 delivered just about everyone returning, Slammys Raw delivered Flair and Triple H, and there just weren't people left for 20th Anniv. unless Stone Cold or Undertaker were going to make home-state returns. The live event experience was solid, and the crowd was invested for the important items, but this was a less-than-stellar thumbs-in-the-middle show. It just didn't feel monumental or important-enough to carry any weight beyond Monday night.

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