This Week In WWE TV – September 3-9, 2012

This week: It’s the hug heard around the world. I mean come on. What else is there to talk about here? Go on. Admit it. You enjoyed it. You tweeted #WWEHUG, you sat back and watched it unfold and deep down you’re ‘shipping’ for Daniel Bryan and Kane. It’s okay. You’re not the only one. Embrace it. Plus, some other less meaningful stuff, like banned Brogue Kicks, AJ’s breakdown, Heyman guys and “The Wademaker”.

RAW

– There was no Lawler. They showed why, with Punk and Lawler fighting backstage before the show. Punk ended up getting the best of it before being dragged away by officials.

– Sheamus came out and started to address Alberto Del Rio, but was quickly interrupted by CM Punk. Huge reaction since they were in Chicago. Punk said this was his hometown so people related to him, not Sheamus. He claimed Lawler attacked him from behind. He said there was only one King in Chicago and if you come at the king, you’d best not miss. Punk said John Cena was a white knight for saving Lawler last week from what he deserved. He said anyone who disrespected him turned their back on the WWE Universe, not the other way around. Sheamus interrupted. That went down well. He pointed out he was the World Champion and Punk interrupting him was the same disrespect he accused The Rock of. Sheamus invited him to the ring. Punk said Sheamus as World Champion was, at best, the second best in the world and he was right behind him in the pecking order. AJ came out and booked Cena versus Alberto and Punk versus Sheamus.

– Dolph Ziggler d. Randy Orton in 10:11. Some support for Ziggler in Chicago. Orton was largely on top at the start. A whip into the barricade gave Ziggler the advantage. Orton eventually caught Ziggler with a superplex and made his big comeback. Both came out with big moves, before Ziggler countered the RKO. Orton then tried a roll up, but Ziggler reversed and pinned Orton with the tights. A hot crowd helped this.

– After the match, The Miz came out and joined Cole on commentary for the rest of the show.

– They showed Bryan and Kane (and Harold) at the anger management class, week 2. Harold switched seats to get away from Kane this week. Bryan presented his anger collage. It was just the words YES and NO. He got mad and ripped up the collage. Kane’s collage was blank. Kane asked Dr. Shelby if he wanted to see how he felt inside and magically set a trash can on fire. Bryan didn’t seem phased by this and called him a teacher’s pet.

– Rey Mysterio and Sin Cara d. Cody Rhodes and Tensai (Sin Cara pinned Cody) in 5:00. Tensai and Cody cut off Sin Cara. Rey ran wild on Cody, before giving Tensai the 619. Sin Cara followed up with a missile dropkick to get rid of him. A 619 then set up a senton from Sin Cara for the win.

– At the anger management class, Dr. Shelby had everyone in the “circle of trust”. He tried to do the thing where one person falls backwards and the other catches them. Bryan fell backwards and Kane actually caught him. This was a beautiful moment. Dr. Shelby had them catch Harold next. They both let him plummet to the ground. Bryan and Kane had an apparent moment of mutual understanding, while Harold laid prone on the floor.

– Sheamus came out for his match with Punk, but Punk appeared not dressed to wrestle. Punk said everybody understood that he was nothing less than a main event wrestler. He also said it was Labor Day and most people took a day off, so they’d respect that he was doing the same thing. And then he left. Not just the ring either, he blew off AJ, got in a car and drove off. Striker asked AJ what she was going to do. AJ didn’t know who he was, but said she’d find Sheamus an opponent.

– Sheamus d. Jack Swagger by submission in 2:43. Alberto came out, thankfully not to wrestle Sheamus (again) but to watch from ringside. Sheamus won fairly comfortably with a texas cloverleaf. Afterwards Alberto attacked, but Sheamus fought him and Ricardo off and hit White Noise on Alberto, before Ricardo took the Brogue Kick to spare Alberto.

– Eve Torres d. Kaitlyn in 3:12. Layla did commentary. Her and Miz bickered a lot. Kaitlyn seemed to get injured and Eve actually let her recover. She then beat her with a rolling neckbreaker, but checked on Kaitlyn after the match and even shook hands with Layla.

– Backstage AJ ran up to Swagger, who said he was taking some extended time off. He said he was better than this. AJ was upset because Brock, Jericho and Punk had already left her but Swagger didn’t care.

– In the anger management class, Bryan and Kane were invited to say something having apparently passed. Bryan said he realised now he had an anger problem, but now it was behind him. He offered to give Kane a rematch any time he wants. Kane said he’d do his best not to eviscerate him. Bryan took exception to this and they squared up to each other. Harold tried to calm them down and they both told him to shut up, so he and everybody else quickly left. Dr. Shelby couldn’t reason with them and started freaking out at them before storming off. All of these segments this week and last were great. Back in the arena, Cole announced the fate of Bryan and Kane was the Raw Active vote. The choices were a singles match, to become a tag team or to “hug it out”.

– Striker tried to get an update on Ricardo. Alberto had Otunga with him, who said his “client” had no comment.

– Ryback d. Jinder Mahal in 2:15. Ryback beat Jinder decisively. Crowd are very schizophrenic with Ryback, he is gradually getting over and the crowd are into the Feed Me More, but they’ll still chant Goldberg at him.

– Striker asked AJ what she was planning to do about things falling apart. AJ made Cena versus Alberto falls count anywhere.

– Bryan, to a ton of YES chants, and Kane came out for the result of their poll. Thankfully, #WWEHUG won with 55%. Both seemed reluctant. There was a referee to precide over this hug. And chants of “hug it out”. Kane and Bryan teased the hug a few times but couldn’t bring themselves to go through with it. The crowd were totally into this. Bryan gave Kane a chest bump, which officially did not count. Eventually Bryan hugged Kane, but Kane didn’t reciprocate, which made Bryan mad and lead to chants of “hug him back”. They finally got it together and hugged and yes it was beautiful. They then shook hands, only for some aggressive back slapping to lead into shoving and then an all out fight. Kane used a chair on Bryan and gave him a Chokeslam. He then put the chair around Bryan’s neck, but referees prevented him from doing any more. Bryan hit Kane with the chair and then escaped. These two need to be dysfunctional tag team champions, like, now.

– WWE United States Championship: Antonio Cesaro (c) d. Santino Marella in 2:06. Cesaro did an inset promo saying “success” in five languages. Santino went for the Cobra early but Aksana tried a distraction, so he put it away and tried an unsleeved Cobra. This has no effect and Cesaro cut him off. He prevented Santino getting the Cobra until, when he eventually did, he jumped Santino and won with the Neutraliser.

– Zack Ryder d. Heath Slater in 3:02. Slater took over briefly with a cheapshot. Ryder made a comeback and got the win with the Ruff Ryder on the second attempt.

– Vickie interrupted Zack’s celebration to complain about AJ. She did the Clint Eastwood interviewing an empty chair skit. Why they didn’t do that with Truth and Little Jimmy instead, I have no idea. Anyway, AJ came out. She said the board of directors had spoken to her and they told her she couldn’t put her hands on anyone again. She apologised to the board. Vickie demanded an apology be directed at her. Crowd wanted AJ to slap Vickie, but she apologised. Vickie then slapped her a couple of times and left. AJ broke down after Vickie skipped off laughing.

– Falls Count Anywhere: Alberto Del Rio d. John Cena in 13:18. Otunga promised legal action against Sheamus via Tout before the match. Strong mixed chants for Cena. After Cena made his big comeback and Alberto avoided the AA, the match spilled outside. Cena tried an AA through the announce table but was sent into the post. Eventually Cena (after high fiving a fan dressed as the Macho Man) tried an AA off the steps, but Del Rio countered and back suplexed Cena off the steps through the table for a two count. Alberto berated Cena and the crowd, before Cena countered the cross armbreaker into the STF. Alberto escaped with a microphone shot. Both men fought up the ramp and backstage. Cena gave Del Rio an AA on some production cases, but Punk appeared and laid him out with a roundhouse kick. Punk then put Alberto on top for the pin.

– After the match, Punk gave Cena a ‘GTS’ on the hood of his car. He said the word respect to Cena before getting in the car and driving off. And as the car drove off, Paul Heyman’s head leant out, looking out of the window at Cena.

NXT

– Richie Steamboat d. Kassius Ohno by DQ in 2:40. This stemmed from last week. Richie gave as good as he got from Ohno, until a thumb to the eye, which Ohno claimed was accidental. But when Ohno went to the eyes a second time, the referee called for the bell. Ohno attacked Steamboat afterwards and KOed him with an elbow to the back of the head. Ricky Steamboat joined referees in checking on Richie and raged at the referees for letting it happen.

– Paige d. Audrey Marie in 2:44. Regal had to correct Saxton on the pronounciation of Norwich. The match started with wrestling but soon broke down into a fight. Paige won with a cradle DDT. Crowd were pro Paige.

– Briley tried to talk to Ricky Steamboat, who ran into Ohno. Ohno tried to introduce himself like nothing had happened. He mocked Ricky for his son’s lack of potential. Ricky shoved Ohno and referees separated them. Ohno mockingly asked what Ricky was going to do, armdrag him?

– Leo Kruger d. Percy Watson in 2:56. A few weeks ago, they changed Kruger’s gimmick, from wealthy arrogant South African to what we saw here. They’re now claiming he came back from South Africa a “changed man”. So he’s some sort of poacher now I guess. Whatever he is, he won here with a face first neckbreaker.

– Brodus Clay d. Ryan Collins in 0:49. Squash for Brodus, winning with the big splash. Some children got to dance with Brodus after the match.

– The Ascension d. The Usos (Cameron pinned Jey) in 8:25. Match started off hot after The Ascension’s attack last week. The Ascension isolated Jimmy for quite a while, before he finally managed to tag. Jey fought off both and Jimmy hit a dive on Conor. But Cameron crotched Jey and got the victory with a running jawbreaker.

– JR brought out Seth Rollins for an interview. Rollins said he’d been called a born loser before and he used that as motivation against Jinder Mahal. JR pointed out he’d gone from being the hunter to the hunted and asked if he was prepared. Rollins said he was a fighting champion and anyone who earned a shot, he’d stand and fight them. He said sooner or later everyone gets Blacked Out. This was about as simple and as old school of an interview as you’ll see.

SUPERSTARS

– Antonio Cesaro d. Justin Gabriel in 7:49. Cesaro said he was exceptional in five languages. Cesaro was able to out wrestle Gabriel enough to have the upper hand. Crowd chanted USA, which is always fun when no Americans are competing. Gabriel eventually managed to fight back. But a pop-up uppercut lead to the Neutraliser for the pin. Good showcase for Cesaro.

– Layla d. Natalya in 4:18. Natalya had her problems early with Layla, who had a good time at her expense. Natalya focused on Layla’s ribs, but a thrust kick from Layla won her the match.

– Damien Sandow d. Alex Riley in 4:12. Sandow begged everyone’s indulgence before the match, calling himself our unwilling hero. Crowd were behind Riley. Sandow stalled a bit, before taking control. Riley built some momentum late, but Sandow hung Riley across the rope and finished off Riley with the cross arm neckbreaker.

– Kofi Kingston and R-Truth d. Primo and Epico (Kofi pinned Epico) in 7:31. Primo started the match by kicking Little Jimmy, which set off Truth. The champions had things going their way until Truth was thrown to the floor by Epico. Kofi ran wild, before things broke down, leading to Truth booting Epico with the referee distracted by Rosa and Kofi winning with Trouble In Paradise. Fun little match.

SMACKDOWN

– Alberto and Otunga lead Ricardo, in a neck brace, out of Booker T’s office at the start of the show. The three then came out to the ring. Alberto said in the past few weeks, he’d beaten Orton, Kane and Cena. But he wasn’t happy, because if it were down to skills and brains he’d beat Sheamus, but Sheamus had an advantage. He said the Brogue Kick should be banned. He said Ricardo could have permanent physical and “moral” damage. Alberto said the cross armbreaker was artistic like poetry, but the Brogue Kick was a criminal act. Otunga presented a montage of Sheamus giving people the Brogue Kick. He said they were demanding compensation and justice. Booker interrupted. He said since Otunga didn’t want to keep things confidential, he’d ask the fans what they thought about banning the Brogue Kick. Lots of nos, so Booker said it was still legal.

– Rey Mysterio and Sin Cara d. The Miz and Cody Rhodes (Rey pinned Miz) in 7:09. Rey and Sin Cara worked as a team early. Miz saved Cody from a 619, leading to Rey getting blind sighted. Sin Cara made a comeback on Cody, before being cut off. Rey then made a comeback on Miz, before Cody accidentally kicked Miz. Sin Cara took him out and Rey won with a 619 and a splash.

– Backstage, Bryan ran into Hornswoggle, who wanted a hug. They settled for a handshake, but Hornswoggle stomped his foot and ran off, causing Bryan to try not to freak out.

– Otunga complained to Booker. He threatened legal action and asked if Booker would change his mind. Booker said he’d think about it. He said that wasn’t good enough and told him to meet him in the trainers room.

– Zack Ryder d. Daniel Bryan by DQ in 2:59. Bryan did his best to keep his calm. When Ryder set up for the Ruff Ryder, Bryan begged off and wanted a hug. Which was a trick, as Bryan put Ryder in the NO Lock for the victory. But Bryan put Ryder in the hold again after the match, causing the referee to reverse the decision and disqualify Bryan. Bryan then had a tantrum to a ton of YES chants.

– Sandow interrupted before the match, complaining that he needed proper time to assess his opponents before matches, which is why he walked out on his match with Sheamus last week. And he assured us he was not a coward, he was intelligent. He complained about social media, until Orton interrupted him. He said he was here to fight and challenged him. Sandow wasn’t pleased. Ziggler then showed up before the match to do commentary.

– Randy Orton d. Damien Sandow by count out in 6:26. Sandow kept bailing to the floor when things weren’t going his way. Ziggler distracted and Sandow rammed Orton into the post. He considered leaving, but with Orton hurt decided to stay and fight. Orton fought back and set for the RKO, but Sandow ran away again. Orton attacked Ziggler afterwards. Sandow ran back out trying to attack Orton from behind, but took an RKO for his trouble, as Dolph escaped.

– Otunga showed Booker x-rays of the damage Ricardo suffered. Booker told him he’d think about it. He also told him he’d have a match tonight with Sheamus.

– Triple Threat #1 Contenders Match: Primetime Players d. The Usos and Primo and Epico in 4:23. Kofi and Truth did commentary. One man from each team was in the ring. Primo gave Young a Backstabber quickly but neither opponent could pin him. In the end Jimmy ran wild and backdropped Epico out onto Primo and Titus. But after Jimmy hit a dive, Primo crotched Jey. Young gave Primo a double knee gutbuster and Jey hit the splash, but Young threw him outside and stole the pin.

– Kaitlyn spoke to Teddy backstage. Vickie and Ziggler showed up, with Ziggler demanding another match with Orton. Teddy said he’d advise Booker to make the match at Night Of Champions.

– Wade Barrett d. Yoshi Tatsu in 1:50. Barrett came out punching. He dominated and won with a ripchord elbow. Wade said taking part in meaningless matches didn’t interest him and if he wasn’t going to be in the title picture straight away, he’d make things more interesting.

– Sheamus d. David Otunga by submission in 4:59. Del Rio watched from ringside. Otunga did okay for a while, before Sheamus inevitably took over. As he went for the Brogue Kick though, Booker came out and said after thinking about it, he was banning the Brogue Kick. Seems like inopportune timing. Del Rio was very happy with this. But Sheamus beat Otunga with his new texas cloverleaf instead.