Monday's episode of WWE Raw from Columbus, Ohio saw the Shield dominate, more movement on the world title front and more.
In triple threat action, Ricardo Rodriguez, Alberto Del Rio's personal ring announcer, picked up a surprising win over Zeb Coulter and Big E Langston after chaos erupted on the outside with AJ Lee and Jack Swagger.
Randy Orton picked up a win against Cody Rhodes with the RKO, after which he vowed to get even with Big Show for turning on him and Sheamus at WrestleMania 29. Then he RKO'ed Rhodes again for good measure.
While Brie Bella used Twin Magic, switching places with her twin sister Nikki, to steal a victory from Naomi, the referee awarded the match to Naomi after the Bella Twins' trickery was revealed by Naomi's tag partner Cameron. The twins ended up beating down on both Naomi and Cameron after the match, setting up a feud between the two groups down the road.
The Shield-- Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns--hit the ring to cut a promo about the "injustices' that the group has stopped since they arrived on the scene at Survivor Series, only to be interrupted by rival trio 3MB. The six men brawled, and the Shield were beating down on their rivals when Kane and Daniel Bryan hit the ring and chased them out of the ring.
WWE Champion John Cena and Ryback were seen backstage, with tension between the two slated Extreme Rules opponents before they were scheduled to meet The Shield in action later in the night.
World Heavyweight Champion Dolph Ziggler defeated Cody Rhodes. Backstage, AJ Lee and WWE Divas Champion Kaitlyn exchanged some words about the Divas title, which AJ is the No.1 contender for. Kaitlyn receives a present from a secret admirer, setting up another romantic angle for Kaitlyn similar to the one she came off recently with Cody Rhodes.
Jack Swagger defeated Zach Ryder via the Patriot Lock submission.
Mark Henry came out with a rope to issue a tug-of-war strongman challenge, and bested Tensai and Brodus Clay before Sheamus came out, engaged in a tug-of-war with Henry, but let go of the rope and hit a massive Brogue Kick on his rival. These two are on a collision course that likely ends at Extreme Rules.
Alberto Del Rio defeated Antonio Cesaro via the Cross Armbreaker submission, and announced that he had chosen to fight Ziggler and Swagger for the world title at Extreme Rules in a ladder match.
Fandango and Khali engaged in a dancing contest that ended with Fandango attacking Khali and nailing his top rope leg drop finisher on him.
And in the Main Event, The Shield defeated Team Hell No and John Cena after Reigns speared Cena for the pin. Ryback appeared on stage and glared at Cena as he was tended to while Raw went off the air.
In other news, it looks like CM Punk might be out longer than most people anticipate. PWInsider.com reports that Punk has been taken off all event listings through SummerSlam as he takes time to rest his knees and heal nagging injuries, including those he suffered during his WrestleMania 29 bout against the Undertaker.
With Punk's extended absence, while it puts the WWE in a bind, especially with the severity of Cena's recent Achilles injury unknown. However, it puts Punk in a favorable situation where he can rest and heal and can expect a large push upon his return, which could be in the late summer or possibly in the fall.
Punk has been seen at several UFC events and baseball games in the last few weeks and is expected to be in L.A. this week to attend the premiere of "Iron Man 3."
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