DISCUSS!The 'Big' twist
Well, nobody really saw that coming, did they? The WWE Universe knew something drastic was needed to course-correct WWE Battleground after The Rhodes Family defied “The Authority’s†expectations and defeated The Shield, but nobody thought that Big Show would flat out stop Randy Orton from re-capturing the vacant WWE Title. When Show knocked out Daniel Bryan and Raw GM Brad Maddox, who was charged with keeping things going smoothly, sent out fired referee Scott Armstrong to make the three-count, the fix appeared to be in against Bryan. But when the giant suddenly KO’ed Orton and Armstrong in a seeming act of rebellion to bring the bout to a No Contest, it appeared the power balance had been challenged. But what will the fallout be?
The Rhodes go on
No smoke and mirrors necessary: Cody Rhodes & Goldust brought the WWE Universe (and locker room) to its feet by defeating The Shield in a blockbuster Tag Team Match (Bionic Elbow!) that would see the brothers reinstated if they won or their father, WWE Hall of Famer Dusty Rhodes, fired if they lost. With “The American Dream’s†sons now back in the WWE fold, though, what challenges will “The Authority†cook up for their newest employees?
Hardcore blues
Alberto Del Rio proved his mettle as World Heavyweight Champion in a big way by defeating Rob Van Dam in Mr. Pay Per View’s own stomping grounds of a Battleground Rules Hardcore Match. The Essence of Excellence seemed outmatched at first, but the champ’s patience paid off and after RVD became a victim of his own momentum, not even the interference of Ricardo Rodriguez could take the title away from Del Rio. With the title safe in his clutches, who will step forward to challenge the champion?
Down goes “The Big Guyâ€!
But more importantly, down goes Paul Heyman, who found his own massive intellect one-upped by that of his former protégé CM Punk in a one-on-one tilt against Ryback at WWE Battleground. While Punk continues his quest to get his hands on Heyman, though, will “The Big Guy†be looking for revenge against Punk or the man who cost him his match with Punk, Paul Heyman himself?
Once more, with feeling
The WWE Universe already knows Big Show will likely have to answer for his actions at WWE Battleground, but with the future of the WWE Title still undecided, here comes the other part of the fallout: What happens next with Daniel Bryan and Randy Orton? It seems unlikely two new contenders will be named for the supreme prize, so what will “The Authority†think up to decide the title’s destiny once and for all? With Hell in a Cell only a few weeks away, the possibilities are both tantalizing and endless; tune into Raw tonight at 8/7 CT on USA Network to find out!