WWE SummerSlam Results – August 18, 2013 – Cena vs. Bryan

Event: WWE SummerSlam Pay-Per-View
Airdate: Sunday, August 18th, 2013 (Pay-Per-View)
Location: The STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, CA.

WWE SummerSlam Pre-Show:

We’re live from the Staples Center in Los Angeles as Josh Mathews welcomes us to the SummerSlam Kickoff pre-show. Fans are still filing into the arena as Mathews hypes tonight’s card. Mathews is joined by Booker T, Shawn Michaels and Vickie Guerrero. HBK says not much brings him out of his house in Texas but SummerSlam in LA does it.

HBK is most looking forward to Daniel Bryan vs. John Cena. Booker is looking forward to Kane vs. Bray Wyatt the most. Vickie is looking forward to Christian vs. Alberto Del Rio. HBK talks about how Bray has an uphill battle and says we will find out what he’s made of. Mathews talks about Rob Van Dam vs. Dean Ambrose for the United States Title and we see how RVD earned the shot. The panelists talk about The Shield and Rob Van Dam returning to WWE.

– We go back to the social media command center with Renee Young. She wants fans to send in their tweets, touts and everything else.

– We get a video for CM Punk vs. Brock Lesnar.

– Mathews goes live to Paul Heyman, who is backstage. Heyman talks about the match and compares it to David vs. Goliath. Heyman announces the match will now be under no DQ rules and both men have agreed to it.

– We go to Tony Dawson who was interviewing fans from overseas outside of the arena.

– They air a promo for Total Divas.

– The panelists talk about tonight’s Brie Bella vs. Natalya match. We get a video for AJ Lee and Big E Langston vs. Kaitlyn and Dolph Ziggler.

– More from Renee Young in the social media command center.

– We get a promo for Daniel Bryan vs. John Cena. HBK says Bryan has what it takes to become WWE Champion. He says he respects Cena but he’s bias, he’s rooting for Bryan. Booker says it’s perfect timing for Bryan to step in and become WWE Champion. HBK says if it’s not tonight, Bryan’s time will come. Vickie says she doesn’t trust Triple H when it comes to being special referee.

– We get another Doritos Jacked promo before going back out to Tony Dawson interviewing fans outside of the arena.

– We go to ringside where Michael Cole, JBL and Jerry Lawler are getting ready. We’re just under 30 minutes away as the announcers hype tonight’s card.

WWE United States Title Match
Rob Van Dam vs. Dean Ambrose

We go to the ring and out comes WWE United States Champion Dean Ambrose. Out next comes Rob Van Dam as fans are still finding their seats.

They lock up and go at it. Ambrose drops RVD first and the fans boo. Ambrose acts cocky and mocks RVD. More boos from the fans. They lock up again and Ambrose takes RVD to the mat. They trade holds and RVD drops Ambrose with a shoulder and then a big kick. RVD does the shoulder point in Ambrose’s face and the fans chant along with him. More back and forth. RVD with a big clothesline and another takedown into a headlock.

Ambrose takes RVD to the corner but he turns it around. RVD with forearm shots. RVD runs into a big knee in the corner and goes down. Ambrose takes his time and covers for a 2 count. Ambrose with a neckbreaker and another pin attempt. Ambrose keeps RVD on the mat as the fans chant for him. Ambrose with a double dropkick to the chest and more trash talking. 2 count by Ambrose. RVD comes back with a pair of clotheslines and a super kick. RVD with a crossbody for 2. Back and forth in the corner. RVD slams Ambrose and goes for the split legged moonsault but Ambrose gets his knees up. Ambrose with a clothesline and a 2 count.

RVD comes back with more offense and goes to the top for the frogsplash. The Shield music hits and here comes Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns through the crowd. Ambrose rolls out to the floor. Mark Henry’s music hits and here he comes to join RVD. Big Show’s music hits next and here he comes. We cut to a WWE 2K14 promo.

The match is back on as Show and Henry are outside of the ring as well as Rollins and Reigns. Ambrose with a 2 count. Ambrose with another hold, keeping RVD grounded. RVD gets tossed to the floor. Show and Henry make sure Rollins and Reigns leave RVD alone. Ambrose comes out but RVD counters with a suplex on the floor. RVD drops Ambrose on top of the barrier and goes to the apron. RVD does the shoulder point and hits a big kick from the apron to Ambrose on the barrier. RVD brings Ambrose back in and goes to the top with a senton for a close 2 count. Reigns pulls RVD’s leg as he runs the ropes. Ambrose tries to attack from behind but RVD pins him with a unique pin for a 2 count. Ambrose with a big spinebuster for 2. Ambrose with more offense. He goes to the top and comes crashing down but RVD moves. RVD goes for the frogsplash but goes to kick Rollins on the apron instead. Ambrose rolls RVD up from behind for a close 2 count. Ambrose runs into an elbow in the corner. RVD with more offense and Rolling Thunder. RVD nails the frogsplash but Reigns spears him for the DQ.

Winner by DQ: Rob Van Dam

– After the match, Show and Henry hit the ring but The Shield escapes through the crowd.

– The panelists talk about the match. HBK says RVD isn’t done and has his eye on the United States Title. Vickie is leaving the panel to go get ready for tonight.

– We go back to Renee Young at the social media command center.

– We see construction crews and members of the Los Angeles Fire Department setting up for the Ring of Fire match. We get a promo for Kane vs. Bray Wyatt.

WWE SummerSlam Opener:

The show opens with the Miz making his way out to the entrance ramp with a mic in hand. Miz welcomes the crowd to SummerSlam and says he promises to make it the most must-see SummerSlam ever. He hypes Punk vs. Lesnar and Bryan vs. Cena. Miz says we’re going to kick things off, but he’s interrupted by Fandango. Miz says ‘really’ a couple of times while Fandango dances around him, then says welcome to SummerSlam once more before we head into a video package hyping tonight’s show.

The pyro hits and Michael Cole welcomes us to the show for the third time. Out to sing the National Anthem is JoJo from the cast of Total Divas.

Ring Of Fire Match
Kane vs. Bray Wyatt

After introductions all around, we’re finally ready for the first match, and it’s going to be the Ring of Fire match. Kane is out first to a nice pop from the crowd. Bray Wyatt is out next and he’s got Harper and Rowan backing him up in their creepy entrance into the arena.

Wyatt sits in his rocking chair and smiles before blowing out his lantern. He’s getting ready and laughing the whole time. Wyatt climbs into the ring and the bell rings, prompting flames to shoot up around the ring.

Kane backs Wyatt into the corner and pounds away before taking him around the ring and smashing his head into the turnbuckle. Kane delivers a clothesline and the flames shoot up. Harper and Rowan tease interfering and the flames shoot up again. Wyatt catches Kane with a big kick, and a huge head butt. Wyatt tries for a suplex but Kane reverses it. Kane catches Wyatt with a chop to the throat, then snap mares him over. Kane tries for a low kick, but misses. Bray misses a kick and almost goes face first into the flames. Kane misses a charge in the corner and Wyatt follows up with a splash. Wyatt hits a huge running forearm to knock Kane down.

Wyatt mounts Kane and wails away with right hands before kicking at him. Wyatt scream at Kane and kicks at his chest. Kane catches Wyatt around the throat, but Wyatt fights out. Wyatt runs into a big boot and Kane sends him into the corner, following with a quick splash, then another. Kane hits a sidewalk slam. Kane teases a chokeslam, but runs into a back elbow. Wyatt knocks Kane to the mat and calls for Harper and Rowan to help. Harper grabs a kendo stick and tries to toss it in, but it catches fire. Rowan tries to put the flames out with an extinguisher, but it doesn’t work. In the ring, Kane grabs Wyatt around the throat and hits a chokeslam.

Kane reaches down to grab Wyatt again, and he delivers a second chokeslam. Rowan and Harper are going nuts. Kane signals for the tombstone, but Harper and Rowan find a huge fire blanket to smother the flames. They make their way into the ring and begin a beat down on Kane. Harper takes Kane to the mat and Rowan hits a huge splash. They drag Wyatt to his knees and hold Kane up for him. Wyatt grabs Kane, gives him a kiss on the forehead, and hits a crazy spinning DDT-like maneuver. Wyatt pins Kane and gets the three count.

Winner: Bray Wyatt

Following the match Harper and Rowan drag Kane from the ring and place him on a set of ring steps in front of Wyatt who’s sitting in his rocking chair. Harper and Rowan grab the top of the steps, and Wyatt tells Kane that he’s made his bed before Rowan and Harper bring the steps down on Kane’s head. Bray lights the lantern, and the lights go out as the Wyatt Family make their way to the back.

The Wyatt’s pick Kane up and take him to the back along with them.

– Josh Matthews is up in the stands with Booker T, Shawn Michaels, and Vickie Guerrero. Matthews asks Booker his opinions on the opening match. Booker says it was disturbing and the Wyatt Family has flipped the script. Michaels calls it an impressive debut, but says it was a little uncomfortable for his tastes. Vickie says it’s not how she would run her show, but whatever to Brad Maddox.

– Paul Heyman gets a bit of promo time where he compares Punk/Lesnar to David vs. Goliath. He says Lesnar will take CM Punk out and Punk will never be seen again. Heyman says both men have agreed to his suggestion that tonight’s match be ‘no disqualification’. Heyman says the only biblical thing about tonight is that Punk will be pushed into martyrdom by Brock Lesnar.

Damien Sandow vs. Cody Rhodes

Damien Sandow is the first man to the ring, and of course he’s got a mic. He talks about literary pairings like Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, and to dumb it down, Batman and Robin. Both groups had something in common where there was a leader, and a lackey. Rhodes was Sandow’s sidekick, and tonight he sends him back from whence he came, to his family of carnival folk. He says Rhodes Scholar could have been a great team, but tonight he sends him to the destiny he was set for with his father, dumb and dumber.

Rhodes is out next and he’s mustache-less, getting a little pop from the crowd on his way to the ring.

The bell rings and Sandow backs Rhodes into the corner. They trade position a couple of times before Cody hits a huge right, sends Sandow across the ring, and hits a huge back body drop. Cody comes up with a big front suplex for two. Sandow sends Rhodes out to the apron and sweeps his leg out from under him, sending him to the floor. Sandow follows and backs Cody into the ring apron hard before bringing things back into the ring. Sandow beats on Cody’s back before hitting a big suplex. Sandow drives a couple of knees into Cody’s spine before pulling back on Rhodes’ arms.

Rhodes comes back and tries for Cross Rhodes, but Sandow puts him down to the mat with a Russian leg sweep, then drops the elbow of disdain for two. Sandow continues to work over the back, locking in a modified sharpshooter. Rhodes spins out of it and kicks Sandow away, but Sandow comes up with a vicious clothesline and smears Cody’s face into the mat. Sandow heads to the middle rope, but Cody stops him with a punch to the gut. Rhodes pulls Sandow out with a muscle buster and rolls into the cover for two.

Rhodes hits Sandow with a big clothesline, then a back elbow. Rhodes hits a big right hand, then drops to the mat and hits Sandow with another. Rhodes goes to the apron and hits a big elbow to the top of Sandow’s head before hitting a nice springboard dropkick. Rhodes hangs Sandow up on the ropes and kicks him in the ribs. Rhodes misses the beautiful disaster kick and Sandow is able to hit a spinning neckbreaker for two. Rhodes rolls Sandow up for two, then hits the beautiful disaster kick for another near fall.

Sandow sends Rhodes shoulder first into the ring post, then rolls him up for two. Rhodes connects with Cross Rhodes and he pins Sandow for the three count.

Winner: Cody Rhodes

– We get a really nice video package that’s a bit of a career retrospective for Christian. It seems a bit odd though, almost like something that would be played when you know someone will be retiring soon.

World Heavyweight Championship
Alberto Del Rio (c) vs. Christian

Christian is out to the ring first, and he gets a good reaction out of the fans in attendance. JBL and Cole speculate as to whether or not this might be Christian’s last opportunity for a World Championship. Alberto Del Rio is out next, and Del Rio gets a tiny bit of heat as he walks to the ring, sporting a shiner that he got from Christian on Smackdown.

The bell rings and we get a lockup straightaway. Del Rio backs Christian into the corner and breaks clean. Del Rio kicks at the back of Christian’s leg and hits a couple of big right hands to the side of Christian’s head. Del Rio locks in a headlock and Christian fights it off, but falls to a shoulder block. Christian slaps Del Rio, then tosses him over the top and to the outside. Christian goes for a baseball slide and misses. He chases Del Rio around the ring and drops the back of his neck across the top rope. Christian tries for a double stomp from the top, but misses. Del Rio goes to the top but Christian stops him. Christian tries for a top rope hurricanrana, but Del Rio drops down and hits Christian with an enzugiri to the back of the head. Christian drops into the tree of woe, and Del Rio kicks at Christian’s chest and arm. Del Rio takes Christian to the outside, wraps his arm up, and tosses him backward into the barricade.

Back in the ring, Del Rio gets a two count, then locks in an arm bar. Christian fights to his feet, and slaps Del Rio again before kicking him in the chest. Christian gets pancaked to the mat, and Del Rio kicks the arm again. Del Rio wraps Christian’s arm around the ring rope and yanks away. Del Rio gets another near fall. Del Rio hits a dropkick to the back of Christian’s arm, then continues the assault while Christian’s wrapped up in the ropes. Del Rio charges and leaps at Christian, but Christian moves and Del Rio sails through the ropes and lands on the floor. Christian heads to the top rope and leaps to the outside, coming down on top of Del Rio.

Both men make it back into the ring, and Del Rio wrenches Christian’s arm then stomps at his shoulder. Del Rio slaps Christian then heads to the middle rope, he leaps out into Christian’s outstretched feet, hitting them face first. Christian hits a right hand, then hits a dropkick from the middle rope. Christian mounts Del Rio in the corner and hits him with a series of punches. Christian heads to the top and avoids an enzugiri, then hits a giant crossbody for two.

Del Rio almost hits a back suplex, but Christian lands on his feet. Christian tries for the killswitch but can’t hit it. Christian goes up in the corner and Del Rio brings him down with a backstabber for two. Del Rio hits Christian with a stiff kick to the back, but Christian comes back with a roll up for two. Del Rio connects with the enzugiri in the corner, but it’s only enough for a two count. Del Rio rips at Christian’s face, then heads to the middle rope and tries for a senton. Christian moves and heads up to the middle rope. He hits a leaping European uppercut, but ends up backed into the corner for a series of shoulders to the gut. Del Rio seats Christian on the top rope. Christian fights back and goes for a sunset bomb, but Del Rio punches him to avoid it. Christian hits a dropkick in the corner and hits Del Rio with a hurricanrana from the middle rope for two.

Christian tries for the spear, but Del Rio counters with a dropkick to the face. Del Rio pins Christian for two. Del Rio tries for the cross armbreaker, but Christian hits a drop toe hold into the ropes then slaps him. Del Rio puts Christian down but he’s still not able to keep him down for three. Del Rio drops his knee pad and goes for a running knee, but Christian counters with a roll up. Christian hits a spear with his injured arm, and Del Rio traps him in the cross arm breaker. Christian is dropped to the mat, and he’s forced to tap out.

Winner and STILL World Heavyweight Champion: Alberto Del Rio

An interviewer is in the ring, and she asks Alberto if he’s proud of his victory. He says it’s a great night because he’s still our champion, and he’s representing Latinos. The Mexican people need someone to look up to, a hero. They need someone to tell them everything is going to be just fine, and they have one already, and his name is none other than Alberto Del Rio. Del Rio tosses down the mic and smiles while holding his title high.

– We get a recap of some of the action from Axxess earlier today, specifically Maria Menunous’ (sp?) match earlier today.

Backstage:

This leads to a backstage segment where Maria explains that this match came about because of a war of the words started on Twitter. The interview is interrupted by Fandango, but Miz and Maria cut in, doing a dance of their own, leaving Fandango and Summer Rae looking not too happy.

Natalya (w/Cameron & Naomi) vs. Brie Bella (w/Eva Marie & Nikki Bella)

The bell rings and we get a lock up. Brie pulls Natalya back by the hair, then locks on a headlock. Natalya pushes her off, and tries for a hip toss, but it’s blocked. Brie calls her a loser and slaps her. We get a couple of slaps back and forth, then Natalya takes Brie down to the mat. Brie makes it to the ropes and heads to the outside. Natalya follows and brings things back into the ring. Nikki pulls Natalya down from the ring apron and it allows a distraction for Brie to hit her with a baseball slide to the back of the head.

Things go back into the ring and the crowd absolutely doesn’t care about this match as Brie hits a couple of big leg drops. Brie traps Natalya in a submission, but Natalya fights up to her feet and out of the hold. Brie buries her shoulder in Natalya’s midsection, then drives her face into the mat. Another modified chinlock from Brie ends in a stunner from Natalya, then a quick clothesline. Natalya steps over into the sharpshooter, but Brie reverses, sending Natalya crashing into the corner. Nikkie and Eva Marie get involved, prompting the Funkadactyls to attack. Brie goes right back to the modified chinlock, and Natalya stands up and shoulders her. Brie rolls up Natalya for two, then hits her with a giant running kick to the chest, then another. Natalya responds with an Alabama Slam and a sharpshooter, getting the tap out win.

Winner: Natalya

Earlier Today:

We get footage from earlier today where Ryback is shown in catering. He says the food sucks and the soup is cold. Ryback is told it’s supposed to be cold, it’s gazpacho. Ryback says he knew that. He stares down the food server, and tells him to take it away. Ryback says he doesn’t like cold soup, and tells him to take it away. Ryback pours the soup down his collar, and says he’s like a three year old. He picks up the soup urn and dumps it over the servers head, and says ‘feed me moron’.

– We get a video package hyping the next match, dubbed ‘the best vs. the beast’. The package focuses on the relationship between CM Punk and Paul Heyman, and the betrayal by Heyman that led to this match.

No DQ Match
Brock Lesnar vs. CM Punk

Brock Lesnar is the first man to make his way to the ring, and of course he’s got his manage extraordinaire Paul Heyman along with him. CM Punk is out next, and he’s pretty clearly the fan favorite in this one.

The bell rings and Punk charges right into Lesnar. Lesnar backs Punk right into the corner and buries his shoulder in Punk’s stomach. Punk responds with a couple of forearms, but Lesnar is right back at it with the shoulders. Lesnar stomps away at Punk repeatedly before picking him up in the corner and choking him. Punk hits a couple of rights a kicks at Lesnar. Lesnar catches Punk’s leg, kicks him, then tosses him across the ring. Lesnar slams Punk into the corner and stomps away at him before choking him with his boot.

Punk comes back with a high kick, then a couple of huge, stiff knees to the face that send Lesnar out of the ring. Punk hits the ropes and goes for the suicide dive, wiping Lesnar out on the floor. Punk goes for the ring steps, grabbing the top two, but Lesnar runs into the steps and knocks Punk back. Lesnar picks Punk up and hits him with a knee to the gut before shouldering him. Punk drops back and pushes Lesnar into the ring post. Punk scrambles to the top rope and hits a double axe handle smash to the floor.

Punk wipes Lesnar out on the floor and begins stalking Heyman, but Lesnar attacks from behind. Lesnar stomps at Punk’s head and ribs. Lesnar hits a giant hip toss into the Spanish announcer’s table. Lesnar slings Punk onto the other announcer’s table, then slams part of it down on Punk’s back, and jumps on it. Lesnar hits a sick belly to belly suplex on the floor, sending Punk flying. Lesnar sends Punk back into the ring and follows. Punk goes right for the legs of Lesnar, kicking away, but Lesnar comes up with a huge clothesline.

Lesnar takes Punk into the corner and goes back into the shoulders into Punk’s midsection. Lesnar clamps on a bear hug, but Punk won’t give up. Punk hits Lesnar with elbows to the face, forcing him to break the hold, but Punk runs right into a huge knee to the gut. Heyman is yelling at Punk to stay down. Lesnar buries his knee in Punk’s side, then leans into it. Lesnar picks Punk up and clamps him in another bear hug. More elbows to the face break the hold again, and this time Punk hits a huge kick to Lesnar’s chest. Punk heads to the top rope and leaps off, but he’s caught, and Lesnar hits a giant fall away slam.

Lesnar picks Punk up and drops him with a big backbreaker before slamming him to the mat. Lesnar goes for a pin but Punk kicks out. Lesnar traps Punk in a rear chin lock, but Punk fights up to his feet. Punk fights his way out of the hold by biting Lesnar’s ear. Punk kicks Leadnar in the midsection and legs before hitting him with a series of forearms. Punk heads to the top and hits a flying knee from the top, dropping Lesnar into the corner. Punk backs up and waits for Lesnar to stand, hitting the running knee in the corner. Punk backs up and hits another running knee, but a third attempt and he’s caught. Punk drops down and hits a kick to the side of Lesnar’s head. Punk heads to the top and drops the elbow, but it’s only good enough for two.

Punk calls for the GTS. He shoulders Brock, but Brock drops down and shoulders Punk. Punk drops down and hits another wicked kick to the side of the head. Punk shoulders Brock and drops him into the GTS, but Lesnar counters, catching Punk in the kimura. Lesnar drops to the mat and wrenches away, but Punk is able to counter into an arm bar, then a triangle choke. Lesnar stands, then powerbombs Punk to the mat, but Punk doesn’t break the hold!

Lesnar picks Punk up again, and Punk drives elbows into the top of Lesnar’s head. Lesnar hits a running powerbomb out of the corner and both men are down after an amazing sequence. Lesnar covers Punk for two. Lesnar picks Punk up and suplexes him over, hanging on and hitting a second, then third. Lesnar pins Punk for another two count. Lesnar heads to the outside and grabs a steel chair. Punk heads to the top and leaps to the outside, coming down on top of the chair and Lesnar.

Punk grabs the chair and tattoos Lesnar with a shot across the back, then another. Back in the ring, Punk winds up, but Lesnar blocks it, and kicks Punk in the gut. Lesnar winds up and Punk hits a low blow. Punk picks up the chair and heads to the apron. Punk goes to the top rope, and Heyman looks distraught. Punk stands on the top and drops the chair across the face of Lesnar. Punk pins Lesnar, but only gets two.

Punk grabs the chair and hits Lesnar across the back again, and again. Lesnar screams in pain. Punk winds up, but Heyman grabs the chair and pulls it to the outside. Punk grabs Heyman’s tie, and Lesnar shoulders Punk. Punk grabs Heyman’s tie and won’t let go. Punk drops down and connects with the GTS. Punk goes for the pin and he gets a two count but it’s broken up by Heyman. Punk smiles and chases Heyman from the ring. Back in the ring, Lesnar shoulders Punk for the F-5, but Punk counters into a huge DDT for another near fall. Punk clamps on the anaconda vice, and the crowd is going nuts. Heyman comes in with a chair but Punk stands on it and stops Heyman cold.

Punk decks Heyman, laying him out, then he puts the anaconda vice on Heyman. Brock is up and he whacks Punk with the chair so hard I’m sure Heyman felt it. Brock hits Punk with the chair again, and again. Lesnar picks Punk up to his feet and shoulders him. Lesnar connects with the F-5, planting Punk’s face on the chair. Lesnar pins Punk and gets the three count.

Winner: Brock Lesnar

Heyman and Lesnar make their way to the back slowly, while Punk writhes on the mat. That was easily Lesnar’s best match since coming back. Punk stands, using the ropes to help him to his feet. The fans start up a CM Punk chant, giving him a standing ovation on his way to the back.

– We get a recap where a fan gets the chance to trade in their house show tickets for tickets and a trip to SummerSlam, if they take a splash from Mark Henry. The fan is shown being prepped for the challenge, and walked out to the ring. Henry drops on the fan with the splash, and the fan gets some VIP seats, sitting in front of the announcer’s table for the next match.

Mixed Tag Team Match
Dolph Ziggler & Kaitlyn vs. Big E Langston & AJ Lee

The bell rings and it looks like Ziggler and Big E are going to kick things off. Ziggler catches Big E with a dropkick for a two count. Big E responds with a giant belly to belly suplex. Big E drops on Ziggler with a giant splash for a two count of his own. Big E clamps on an abdominal stretch, pounding on Ziggler’s midsection. Big E breaks the hold and lets AJ slap Ziggler. Ziggler hits a big dropkick and AJ and Kaitlyn tag in. Kaitlyn takes AJ into the corner and hits a big clothesline before following up with a backbreaker. AJ hits a nice spinning kick to drop Kaitlyn for a two count.

AJ takes Kaitlyn into the corner and snap mares her out, trapping her in a rear chin lock. Kaitlyn fights to her feet and out of the hold, but runs into a back elbow from AJ. AJ hits Kaitlyn with a neckbreaker, then drops her with another. AJ prances around before picking Kaitlyn up. Kaitlyn tries to fight back, but AJ clamps on the sleeper hold, forcing Kaitlyn down to the mat. Kaitlyn backs AJ into the corner, and AJ kicks her to the mat. AJ hits Kaitlyn with a kick to the gut, but runs right into a big shoulder tackle. Ziggler and Big E tag in and Dolph is right on Big E, hitting a splash, neckbreaker, and series of elbows.

Ziggler tries for the rocker dropper, but Big E counters into a gutwrench backbreaker, but Kaitlyn breaks up the pin. AJ catches Kaitlyn with a flying knee to the face. Big E tosses Ziggler into the corner and hits a big spear, but misses a second one, going shoulder first into the ring post. Ziggler hits the ropes and AJ grabs his foot, but Kaitlyn hits the spear. Langston wipes Ziggler out for another two count. Langston shoulders Ziggler, but Ziggler drops down and hits the Zig Zag for the three count.

Winners: Dolph Ziggler and Kaitlyn

– Miz is backstage and he talks about the Ring of Fire match, ‘the best vs. the beast’, but again he’s interrupted by Fandango. Miz decks Fandango, and walks off.

– Josh Matthews asks everyone their opinions on the main event. Shawn Michaels picks Daniel Bryan. Booker asks if Cena is still hungry. Vickie picks Bryan as well. Shawn thanks Lesnar and Punk, and Booker says not to forget about Del Rio and Christian.

– This leads into a video package where we get a recap of how this match came about, with Cena picking Daniel Bryan as his opponent for SummerSlam, and the events of the next few weeks.

WWE Championship
Special Guest Referee: Triple H
John Cena (c) vs. Daniel Bryan

The first man out to the ring is the special guest referee for the match, Triple H. Hunter gets a nice little pop from the crowd on his way into the arena. Daniel Bryan is the first competitor to the ring, and he gets an amazing reaction out of the fans in attendance, some of whom are even wearing fake beards. The Champ is here, and John Cena gets his famous mixed reaction with a ton of boos here tonight.

After formal ring introductions we’re ready to begin.

The bell rings and Cena and Bryan begin circling each other. We get a lock up and Bryan works on Cena’s arm. Cena rolls through and catches Bryan in a headlock. Bryan fights out of it and takes Cena to the mat. We get a test of strength, and Cena takes Bryan down to the mat for a pin. Bryan kicks out and bridges up. Cena jumps on Bryan’s legs, but Bryan won’t break the bridge. Cena jumps on again, but Bryan counters with a monkey flip. Cena rolls to the outside and speaks with the ringside doctor. Cena traps Bryan in another headlock, and takes him over to his back. Bryan pushes Cena off, and jumps up, but Cena catches him. Cena pins Bryan, but Bryan bridges up and backslides Cena for a two count. Bryan hits a dragon screw to take Cena over.

Bryan stands on Cena’s knees and tries for the Mexican surfboard, but Cena fights out. Bryan shoulders Cena and Bryan is able to grab the ropes and go to the apron. Cena hits Bryan to send him crashing to the announcer’s table on the floor. Cena heads on and tries to whip Bryan into the stairs, but Bryan reverses it. Bryan gets Cena on the steps and tries for a suplex off the steps to the floor, but Cena reverses.

Cena pins Bryan for a two count. Cena blasts Bryan with a big right hand, then another. He punches away at him in the corner before sending him across the ring hard. Cena rears back and kicks Bryan in the chest. Cena lays Bryan out with a sit-out powerbomb, good for another two count. Cena grounds Bryan with a rear chin lock. Bryan is able to fight up to his feet and out of the hold, backing Cena into the corner and blasting him with a series of kicks to the chest. Cena comes back with a knee to the gut. Bryan backflips over Cena, then hits him with a big flying clothesline.

Bryan hits Cena with a series of kicks to the chest, but misses one to the head. Cena hits a couple of shoulder tackles, then drops Bryan with the belly to back suplex. Cena goes for the five knuckle shuffle, but Bryan counters with a kick. Bryan is able to keep Cena at bay for a bit, but he’s dropped with another belly to back suplex, then the five knuckle shuffle. Cena shoulders Bryan for the AA, but Bryan lands on his feet and knocks Cena to the mat. Bryan heads to the top and hits a shotgun missile dropkick for two.

Bryan kicks at Cena’s shoulder, knocking him down to the mat. Bryan calls for Cena to get up before kicking him again. Bryan yanks Cena’s arm, dropping Cena’s elbow over his shoulder. Bryan yells at Cena to get up, then repeatedly kicks him back down. Bryan goes for the arm again, but Cena rolls through, almost into the STF. Bryan counters, trapping Cena in an STF of his own. Bryan pulls back hard. Cena almost gets to the ropes, but Bryan pulls Cena back, stands him up and hits a belly to back suplex for two. Bryan hits a German suplex for another two count. Bryan holds on, but Cena breaks his grip. Bryan drops Cena to the mat and clamps on the yes lock.

Cena powers out of the hold and stands up, but Bryan traps him in a guillotine choke. Bryan drops Cena back down to the mat. Cena stands up while still in the hold, and charges into the corner, smashing Bryan into the turnbuckles a couple of times. Bryan won’t break it. Cena finally does break the hold by almost suplexing Bryan into the corner. Cena shoulders Bryan out of nowhere and hits the AA, but Bryan kicks out!

Cena heads up to the top rope, but Bryan stops him. Cena pushes him away, but Bryan comes right back. Cena pushes him away a second time, and Bryan comes in with a giant running kick. Bryan superplexes Cena off the top, but holds on with his legs to the ropes. Bryan stands on the top and hits the flying head butt. Bryan pins Cena but only gets two. Cena rolls to the outside.

Bryan goes for the suicide dive, but Cena leaps up and catches him with his shoulder. Cena heads to the top rope and hits the top rope rocker dropper which is good for two. Cena picks Bryan up and seats him on the top turnbuckle. Cena goes for an AA from the middle rope, but Bryan fights back with a series of elbows to the side of Cena’s head. Bryan tries for a top rope hurricanrana, but Cena holds on, jumps to the mat, and clamps on the STF. Bryan refuses to quit. Bryan pops out of the hold and traps Cena in the yes lock.

Cena makes it into the ropes to force a break. Hunter asks for the doc to check on Cena, but he says he’s fine. Bryan hits two rapid fire dropkicks in the corner, but Cena comes up with a giant clothesline when Bryan attempts a third. Cena and Bryan trade rights, then kicks, then more rights. Bryan hits a flying forearm while Cena goes for a flying shoulderblock and both men are down.

Both men stand slowly, leaning on each other. Cena slaps Bryan, and Bryan responds with one of his own. Bryan and Cena trade slaps, and Bryan gets the upper hand with a series of kicks. Cena kind of catches a backflipping Bryan, then shoulders him. Bryan counters into a DDT. Bryan stands, and heads to the top rope. Bryan leaps, but Cena catches him. Cena shoulders Bryan, but Bryan counters into a small package. Bryan catches Cena with a huge kick to the side of the head. Bryan hits Cena with a giant running knee to the face, and he gets the three count.

Winner and NEW WWE Champion: Daniel Bryan

Bryan stands with his belt in his hand while the crowd goes nuts. Cena turns Bryan around and has a couple of words with him before sticking out his hand for a handshake. Cena shakes Hunters hand as well before making his way out of the ring. Bryan has the whole crowd chanting ‘yes!’ as Hunter raises his arm in victory.

Confetti drops from the ceiling for Bryan. Bryan drops down and thanks his mom and dad for believing in him, and the pyro goes off in the background. This is truly one of the great WWE moments that will go down in history… Until it’s interrupted by Randy Orton’s music.

Orton holds up the briefcase, then brings it back down to his side. Bryan is telling him to bring it on, but Orton turns around and walks to the back instead. He stops halfway up the ramp while the fans are chanting ‘yes!’, and stares down Bryan. Hunter hits Bryan with a pedigree out of nowhere and Orton marches back to the ring. Orton hands in his briefcase and we’ve got a match.

Orton just pins Bryan for three, and this one is over.

Winner and NEW WWE Champion: Randy Orton

Orton and Triple H pose to end the show.