March 15, 2013
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Report by: Mike Tedesco
"Then. Now. Forever." The WWE video leads us into the show.
Sheamus' music hits as Michael Cole reminds us that we are 23 nights away from WrestleMania. Cole welcomes us to the show alongside Josh Mathews and Brad Maddox. Maddox will be the fill-in commentator until John "Bradshaw" Layfield returns.
Sheamus and Randy Orton vs. Team Rhodes Scholars
Before the match begins, Sandow asks for silence. He says what happened on last Monday's RAW was nothing short of a professional and managerial abomination. Not only was their sure fire victory over the New Age Outlaws taken from them, as well as their post-match endeavor with the Bella Twins, they were put into a match they were not physically or mentally prepared for against the two vulgarians in the ring. He goes to tell a story about his Uncle Minnow Sandow, but Rhodes takes the microphone. Rhodes says they don't deserve a story. They ruined their dates and night, so it's their turn to ruin it for them.
Cody Rhodes will start out against Sheamus. Sheamus executes a headlock takeover. Rhodes gets to his feet and whips him off, but Sheamus shoulder blocks him down. Rhodes quickly comes back with some kicks and punches, but Sheamus comes back by reversing a whip to the corner. Sheamus catches him as he tries to slingshot over, but Rhodes slides out of the powerslam attempt. Sandow is tagged in, and Sheamus blocks his kick. Sheamus pushes him down and drops an elbow. Sheamus puts him in the corner and punches until the referee backs him up. Sandow gains the advantage by kicking and punching him down in the corner. Sheamus reverses a whip to the opposite corner and nails him with a running shoulder to the midsection. Sheamus hits a knee lift and a pair of Irish hammers. Sheamus goes for White Noise, but Sandow elbows out. Sandow charges, but Sheamus sends him to the apron. Sheamus ties him up in the ropes and clubs away at the chest. Rhodes tries to blindside him, but Sheamus elbows him off the apron. Sandow capitalizes on the slight distraction by snapping him off the top rope and dragging him outside. Sheamus fights Sandow off, but Rhodes stuns him with a Disaster Kick off the commentary table.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Sheamus fighting Rhodes off. Rhodes quickly comes back with a dropkick for a two count. Rhodes clubs away at his back before tagging in Sandow. Sandow punches and head-butts him down before leaving the ring to elbow him across the throat. Sheamus comes back with some head-butts. Rhodes is quickly tagged in, and he cuts Sheamus off before he can tag in Randy Orton. Rhodes stomps him before wrenching the arm. Sandow is tagged back in, and they both cut Sheamus off again before he can tag. Sheamus fights up, but Sandow punches him to the corner. The referee gets in Sandow's face, telling him to back up. Sandow continues to punch away at Sheamus. Sandow backs up and charges into Sheamus' boots. Sheamus pulls himself up to the top rope and jumps off with a flying shoulder block.
Orton and Rhodes are tagged in. Orton hits a pair of clotheslines, ducks one, and hits a powerslam. Orton takes him down with a T-bone suplex before hitting a hanging DDT. Sandow attacks him from behind, but Sheamus quickly takes him down with a Brogue Kick. Orton stalks Rhodes before dropping him with an RKO for the win!
Winners by Pinfall: Sheamus and Randy Orton
Match Rating: * 3/4
The Shield's music hits, and they appear on the titantron. Dean Ambrose says they can relax. They don't have to be afraid, but Seth Rollins contends that they just may have to be. Roman Reigns then says they don't need to fear anything tonight. Ambrose says the ring that Orton and Sheamus are standing in belongs to them. If they don't believe that, they can ask the Big Show. They served justice to him on Monday night, just like they've done to every major force in this industry.
Rollins says that brings up an interesting point. They've taken John Cena and The Rock, the WWE Champion, multiple times. They've flattened them in the center of the ring, but those two criminals continue to take from them. They are the main event of WrestleMania, and somehow The Shield doesn't even have a match on the show. That is the greatest injustice he's ever heard. Ambrose says they'll serve that injustice themselves. He tells them to find any partner they want, as long as it’s the right one. Orton says he's in, and Sheamus says he'll see them at WrestleMania. Rollins says the Showcase of the Immortals will become the Showcase of Justice. Ambrose says they'll believe at WrestleMania. Reigns finishes off with, "Believe in The Shield!"
Chris Jericho will take on Jack Swagger in tonight's main event. We'll also see Ryback and Mark Henry lock horns later tonight.
A Fandango vignette airs. He will make his debut match tonight.
-Commercial Break-
They show footage of Brock Lesnar destroying the New Age Outlaws. Paul Heyman then spoke for Lesnar. Heyman says they'll accept Triple H's challenge at WrestleMania as long as he accepts Lesnar's match stipulation. They won't announce the stipulation until Triple H signs the contract. Triple H will respond next week on RAW.
Randy Orton and Sheamus are talking backstage when Big Show walks up to them. Big Show says they could use a tag team partner. He says he doesn't trust either of them, but in lieu of recent events, that's what he's saying. They need a tag team partner who is brutal and vicious. Their partner should be a bulldozer and an ultimate destroyer. Orton says they couldn't agree with him more. Big Show says they won't regret it. Sheamus says he's right, because they've picked this man: Ryback. Ryback walks up and stares at Big Show until he goes away.
Ryback will face Mark Henry later tonight.
-Commercial Break-
Tamina Snuka and Aksana vs. Kaitlyn and Layla
Tamina will start... (Continues on next page)
Reporter's Link:
PHOTO: BROCK LESNAR & THE UNDERBACKSTAGE **BOTH** DONE WITH WWE!!!