Monday Night Raw Results 4/15: The show kicked off with WWE Superstars giving tribute to late The Ultimate Warrior, who passed away recently. Ten bells were tolled, a moment of silence was observed, and with every Superstar donning Warrior's colors and his theme music blaring throughout the arena, a final farewell was bid.
Rob Van Dam def. Alberto Del Rio to advance in the Intercontinental Championship No. 1 Contender's Tournament
Rob Van Dam has been demolishing his opponents since his return to the WWE. As a previous World Heavyweight Champ, he is slowly climbing his way up and is currently eyeing the Intercontinental Championship.
It was not easy for The Whole Dam Show from then on out; Del Rio kicked him in the gut moments after Rolling Thunder put The Essence of Excellence on his heels, and clocked the former WWE Champion with an enziguiri moments before a potential Five-Star Frog Splash could end the night. He wasn't so lucky a few moments later, though, when Van Dam showed a rare burst of outright aggression by sweeping Del Rio off the turnbuckle and swooping down with a mat-shaking Five-Star Frog Splash for the pinfall victory.
Rybaxel def. Cody Rhodes & Goldust
It's funny what a little unlimited energy can get you: Despite having been the odd men out in the WWE Tag Team Title picture, Ryback & Curtis Axel cemented themselves as major players in the race for the twin titles by knocking off the beloved Brotherhood in a big-time upset on Raw when "the prince" sprang off the ropes for the Disaster Kick, Ryback struck with a Meathook Clothesline that put Cody flat on his back.
Divas Champion Paige def. Alicia Fox
New Divas Champ Paige proved that she belongs to the big leagues. Although it didn't look good for Paige after Miss Fox hit the newcomer with one, two, three Tilt-a-Whirl backbreakers, but the champ countered with a trio of clotheslines to soften Alicia up for her signature Scorpion Crosslock submission.
Batista & Randy Orton def. WWE Tag Team Champions The Usos via Disqualification
When COO triple H Requested for an alliance between him, Batista, and Randy Orton, the two refused the offer; and it proved to be a wrong decision for the two.
Tonight they faced the Usos, who are on fire and took the fight to them but Batista was able to rally his team into the advantage and thanks to The Viper, an attempted interference from Jimmy Uso was nullified. When the fight spilled over the ropes it seemed like last week's events would repeat themselves, but this time it was Orton & Batista who felt the pain of an unexpected pummeling when The Shield stormed out from the folds of the WWE Universe to send them scurrying.
Cesaro def. Mark Henry to advance in the Intercontinental Championship No. 1 Contender's Tournament
It was a fight between heavyweights as the World's Strongest Man and the "pound-for-pound" strongest Superstar collided in the ring.
The World's Strongest Man initially had his fun toying with his Heyman-supported opponent, Cesaro, but a flurry of European uppercuts put the big man out on his feet. With fresh legs and the benefit of a clear head, Cesaro writhed free of The World's Strongest Slam and Neutralized Henry (!) to put his title hopes to rest.
Alexander Rusev def. Xavier Woods
Rusev destroyed Woods quickly and when The former U.S. Champion R-Truth attempted to get revenge against Rusev and was similarly crushed in short order when Lana, Rusev's ambassador, commanded her client to destroy him as well.
Sheamus def. Jack Swagger to advance in the Intercontinental Champion No. 1 Contender's Tournament
Despite a timely distraction from Zeb Colter that stopped the Ten Beats of the Bodhrán, the Irishman staged a late-game rally and battled through a wicked Patriot Lock to put Swagger away with a Brogue Kick that sent him walking on one foot towards the tournament semifinals.
Big Show vs. Damien Sandow never happened
Damien Sandow keep running his mouth and as a result, the giant former World Champion went for action over words, blasting the scholar with the KO Punch without so much as a word.
Fandango & Layla def. Santino Marella & Emma
Call it "How Fandango Got His Groove Back." The dancing devil traded Summer Rae for Layla as a companion last week and has been two-stepping all over the opposition ever since. His winning ways continued on Raw thanks in no small part to the former Divas Champion. Yet again Fandango evaded The Cobra by tagging in his better half, and yet again Emma got off to a strong start with the Dil-Emma. The ending, unfortunately, went the other way from last week, as Layla swooped Emma off the turnbuckle and pinned the NXT veteran for the win.
Bad News Barrett def. Dolph Ziggler to advance in the Intercontinental Championship No. 1 Contender's Tournament
It was a fierce fight between Bad News and The Showoff as Barrett went to his plethora of moves with Wasteland and the Winds of Change, but Dolph answered with a Famouser and a top-rope facebuster. The Showoff couldn't connect with the Zig Zag, though, and after a failed roll-up, Bad News Barrett delivered bad news to The Showoff with Bad News, proclaiming himself the next Intercontinental Champion moments after the bell rang.
The Shield vs. Alberto Del Rio, Jack Swagger, Bad News Barrett, Alexander Rusev, Fandango, Rybaxel, Titus O'Neil & 3MB went to a No Contest
Given The Shield's continuing defiance of the corporate power, The Authority arranged an 11-on-3 Handicap Tag Team Match and assembled a host of Superstars to face The Hounds of Justice in in Raw's main event. No one expected who will get the job done.
Rollins found himself the victim of a plus-sized numbers game from the super team, battered by Slater, McIntyre, O'Neil, Rusev & Ryback in quick order. Reigns came to the rescue by Spearing "The Big Guy" outside the ring; the subsequent melee ended both the bout and, seemingly, The Shield's chances of leaving Birmingham upright. But the exclamation point came in the form of Triple H, Batista & Randy Orton - reunited as Evolution - who administered RKOs, Batista Bombs and one final Pedigree to the overpowered Hounds of Justice.
