Raw results: Daniel Bryan runs the gauntlet and "The Best" baits "The Beast"

Daniel Bryan and WWE Champion John Cena signed their SummerSlam contract

AUSTIN, Texas – No punches were thrown and no furniture was overturned, but even the most civil contract signing in recent WWE memory didn’t unfold without its fair share of controversy. Daniel Bryan seemingly had no ill will towards WWE Champion John Cena when they came out to put pen to paper. However, Raw GM Brad Maddox, who stood ceremony over the whole thing, wasn’t about to let the submission master walk away cleanly.

Photos: Bryan confronts the haters

With minimal regard to his own bodily safety, Maddox first gave voice to the concerns of “some” that Bryan was an insufficient challenge for Cena at the summer classic before Bryan himself arrived to put those worries to rest. Yet, even a glowing endorsement from Cena himself didn't stop Maddox from organizing a particularly grueling gauntlet for the former World Heavyweight Champion: A back-to-back-to-back series of matches that would either show the WWE Universe what Bryan was made of … or expose him for the weak link that "some" apparently believed him to be.

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CM Punk vs. Brock Lesnar

When CM Punk steps into the ring to fight Paul Heyman client Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam, he will face a Superstar who, in Punk’s words, is “a monster."

Against The Anomaly, The Straight Edge Superstar will have a near 50-pound weight disadvantage, as well as a reach disadvantage, never mind an obvious shortcoming in the strength department. Depending on how well he recovers from Lesnar’s savage attack on the July 15 edition of Raw — an incident that resulted in whiplash and strained knee and ankle ligaments for Punk — The Voice of the Voiceless may well be competing at less-than-peak form against an athletic abnormality who wrestles a part-time schedule.

But one factor that will not work against Punk when he arrives at Los Angeles’ STAPLES Center is fear. The Straight Edge Superstar concedes that Lesnar is every bit The Beast Incarnate that Heyman makes him out to be, but according to Punk, beasts like Lesnar exist for only one reason: to be slayed.

Enter Brock's world of hurt | Watch the rise of CM Punk

Punk has vowed to remove any obstacle between himself and the man who double-crossed him, Heyman. Motivated not only by the sting of betrayal, but also the uncomfortably personal remarks spouted by WWE’s extreme strategist, The Best in the World will likely need every ounce of fearlessness if he hopes to topple the biggest obstacle of them all in Lesnar.

The scene on July 15’s Raw did little to instill confidence in Punk supporters. Made to look like a courageous but overwhelmed civilian by The Anomaly, The Straight Edge Superstar displayed plenty of heart in the encounter, repeatedly pulling himself up by the bootstraps and reengaging in battle. Yet, when the dust settled, Lesnar appeared to have won the dust-up handily.

Punk insists the results will be different at SummerSlam. As unforgiving as Lesnar has proven to be, The Best in the World may be even more unrelenting. The Beast took the first several rounds of battle with relative ease, but with the war set to culminate at SummerSlam — inside the domain where Punk feels most at home, the squared circle — Lesnar’s victory is far from a fait accompli.

See photos of the July 15 beatdown | Heyman betrays Punk in All-Stars Match

Adding in the deeply personal overtones of the Heyman-Punk rivalry, there is reason to believe the fearless and untiring Straight Edge Superstar will stop at nothing to gain the win. Whether or not The Beast Incarnate can actually be slayed, however, might be a different story altogether.

Find out what happens when The Best takes on The Beast at SummerSlam, live on pay-per-view on Sunday, Aug. 18.

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Raw Five-Point Preview: July 22, 2013

With a new Raw GM in place and two first-time Money in the Bank winners holding championship contracts, there’s an aura of uncertainty in WWE that hasn’t been felt in some time. As the road to SummerSlam heats up, what will unfold on tonight's Raw? Here are five reasons to tune in at 8/7 CT on USA Network.

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SmackDown Results: Orton pinned World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio; Vickie Guerrero and RVD returned!

Vickie Guerrero was rehired as SmackDown General Manager

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – As the cloud of a new Guerrero regime returned to the blue brand, SmackDown turned up the heat with an incredible night of whirlwind action with its sights set on SummerSlam.

While returning SmackDown General Manager Booker T and his Senior Advisor Theodore Long both looked to the WWE Universe to settle the question of who should run the blue brand moving forward, WWE Chairman Mr. McMahon had other plans.

Photos: Check out the look on Booker T and Teddy Long's faces when Vickie got named GM

Aiming to impress the head of WWE, Teddy made a huge Intercontinental Title Match, pitting titleholder Curtis Axel against Chris Jericho! Booker, in turn, put World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio in the main event against Randy Orton! Then, in a surprise effort to steal the job for himself, the new General Manager of Raw, Brad Maddox, emerged to announce the return of RVD to SmackDown for the first time in 8 years! 

Despite their efforts, Mr. McMahon made the shocking announcement that the new permanent GM of SmackDown would be none other than the recenty fired GM of Raw Vickie Guerrero! The ecstatic Queen Diva was “back with power!”

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SummerSlam names an ‘awesome’ host

The Biggest Party of the Summer only deserves a truly awesome party host, and now it’s got one.

As announced this week at San Diego Comic-Con International 2013, The Miz has been named the official host of this year’s SummerSlam, which takes place at Los Angeles’ STAPLES Center on Sunday, Aug. 18. As the host of WWE’s most must-see talk show, “Miz TV,” The Awesome One is no stranger to being the master of ceremonies, and now he takes his talents to pay-per-view.

Find out what the former WWE Champion has in store for the WWE Universe when the 26th annual SummerSlam — featuring WWE Champion John Cena vs. Daniel Bryan — airs live on pay-per-view Aug. 18, starting at 8 ET/5 PT.

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GIFs of the Week: July 15-19, 2013

Welcome to the week's best, funniest, most absurd moments ... all brought to you in convenient, easily digestible two-second GIFs. Don't miss all the hard-hitting, animated action from Raw, SmackDown and beyond.

Chris Jericho plants (or is that, stands up) RVD with a ridiculous DDT on Raw.

Van Dam turns the tide with a boot to Jericho's face.

Rolling Thunder!

RVD's feeling froggy as he finishes off Y2J in a five-star match.

And, finally, courtesy of Doritos Jacked, Daniel Bryan screams at a bold fan.

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An illustrated history of wrestling comic books

Muscular, spandex-clad men flying through the air as they tangle with foes in a battle of good versus evil. What’s the first picture that pops in your head when you read that sentence: A comic book brawl or a match between two WWE Superstars?

It doesn’t necessarily have to be one or the other. At various points throughout sports-entertainment history, Superstars have been the focus of some of the most unique books to ever be printed. These comics took some of the most popular Superstars ever (and Virgil) and put them in the types of adventures more often associated with Batman or The Avengers.

Check out selections from the Superstar-studded comic books | WWE at Comic-Con

Have you ever wanted to see Kevin Nash as a vigilante in the year 2023? Or The Undertaker fighting demons for control of Hell? How about the Ultimate Warrior on an intergalactic adventure of self-discovery? If any of those sound interesting, check out some of these wild comics.

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The history of John Cena and Daniel Bryan

One is a big, beef-eating strongman from Massachusetts who’s goofy and gritty in equal measure, with a personality as clean-cut as his Dudley Do-Right jawline. The other is an undersized, hairy, vegan grappler from Aberdeen, Wa., whose face is as scraggly as a Wild Thing and who mainly communicates in one-word responses at earsplitting volume. And in just four weeks at SummerSlam, John Cena and Daniel Bryan are going to beat the hell out of each other with the WWE Championship at stake.

It’s a main-event matchup the WWE Universe has dreamt of, but never thought it would see: the big-hearted standard-bearer battling the ferocious underdog who, as he’s happy to tell you, was never entirely sure he’d make it to the dance in the first place. The career trajectories of John Cena and Daniel Bryan are so different they seem to have come from different planets, but ironically, the two SummerSlam combatants have been orbiting each other for ten years.

Before Cena and Bryan meet for all the marbles at the summer classic, step back and walk the long, strange path that led them here.

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Jericho tweets farewell message to WWE Universe

Just days after Chris Jericho's epic showdown with Rob Van Dam on Raw, the nine-time Intercontinental Champion revealed on Twitter that he is taking a break from WWE.

The Ayatollah of Rock and Rolla is scheduled to compete this Friday on SmackDown (8/7 CT on Syfy). Will it be Jericho’s final match in WWE, or will he return to action when the time is right?

With Y2J’s history of making surprise entrances, we certainly aren’t counting him out yet!

Jericho recalls his 1999 debut on Raw | Jericho's Superstar profile

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WWE Main Event results: Seizing opportunities

PROVIDENCE, RI – The WWE Universe bore witness to a competitive night on WWE Main Event that ultimately ended in an unexpected and frightening fashion!

Christian def. Fandango

Christian and Fandango put everything on the line at WWE Money in the Bank in an effort to secure an opportunity for the WWE Championship and World Heavyweight Championships, respectively. The following night on Raw, both Superstars squared off against the Money in the Bank winners in singles competition. Fandango was narrowly defeated by WWE Championship contract Money in the Bank winner Randy Orton, while Christian defeated World Heavyweight Championship contract  Money in the Bank winner Damien Sandow.

WWE MAIN EVENT PHOTOS | WATCH CHRISTIAN TANGO WITH FANDANGO

Both ring warriors were poised to compete at the top of their games, with Christian looking to continue his impressive momentum since his return, and Fandango seeking yet another victory against an experienced veteran.

Confident, the dancing Superstar spent a great deal of time strutting and taunting his foe early on, enraging Captain Charisma. The former World Heavyweight Champion’s offense was relentless, but with Summer Rae screaming words of encouragement, Fandango used his fleet-footed agility to stay competitive.

With the match going in his favor, Fandango sustained his dance-inspired taunts, rather than continuing to mount offensive strikes on his opponent. As Christian battled back into the contest, the WWE Universe erupted as both Superstars countered nearly every high-impact maneuver executed by the other. With the match deteriorating into a classic struggle of experience against youth, once Fandango remarkably blocked the Spear, it seemed as though he would secure the win. However, Captain Charisma once again countered and pinned Fandango. 

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Randy Orton injured during SmackDown taping

At Tuesday night’s SmackDown television taping, Mr. Money in the Bank Randy Orton was injured during his match against World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio. 

 

According to WWE medical personnel, the nine-time World Champion suffered a cervical strain and cervical neuropraxia.

Though his official medical status is still undetermined, being the competitor that he is, Orton tweeted the WWE Universe to let them know that he’s fine.

Check back with WWE.com for details as they become available.

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Our 5 favorite Money in the Bank moments

Money in the Bank featured a multitude of surprises and memorable moments in a city where Ladder Matches have always been welcome, Philadelphia.

The feedback from the WWE Universe has been reverberating globally about the event that will shape the fate of the WWE landscape for possibly the next year. There’s no telling where or when the two Money in the Bank Ladder Match winners will cash in their contracts, or if they will become the next WWE and World Champions, respectively.

SummerSlam is around the corner, but before we commence to the biggest event of the summer, let’s take a look at our five favorite moments from Money in the Bank.

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Mattel and WWE set to dominate Comic-Con International 2013

This week, the most powerful forces in entertainment converge in San Diego for Comic-Con International, the summer’s biggest pop culture extravaganza. At the center of it all, WWE Superstars will rub elbows, capes and claws with the uniquely costumed characters roaming the show floor, and WWE.com will be there to bring the fun to you. 

Kicking off on Thursday, WWE and Mattel team up at SDCC to bring you insider access into the future of Mattel’s incredible lineup of WWE toys, including never-before-seen glimpses at some ring warriors’ first-ever action figures.

Following an exciting panel and discussion with Dolph Ziggler, Mattel toymakers and special host The Miz, the festivities continue all week long at the Mattel booth (#3209). There, the WWE Universe will have the chance to get up close and personal with their favorite Superstars, explore intricate action figure exhibits and get a firsthand look at how Mattel translates WWE’s explosive action from the ring to your toy shelf.

While supplies last, SDCC attendees will be able to get their hands on an exclusive free WWE Rumbler of The Miz decked out in Comic-Con gear. With the real charismatic Clevelander in attendance, will the San Diego Convention Center be able to contain all the awesome?

Relive WWE’s past Comic-Con events | More WWE from Mattel

WWE.com and WWE’s social media team will be bringing you the latest coverage from the show floor. Check back all this week for updates!

SCHEDULE

THURSDAY, JULY 18

1 p.m. – 2 p.m., Room 25ABC – Mattel and WWE: Bring on the Action! 

On this very special edition of “Miz TV,” The Awesome One joins Dolph Ziggler and the masterminds behind Mattel’s hottest WWE action figures to discuss what lies ahead for the expansive line.

3 p.m. – 4 p.m., Booth 3209 – The Miz and Dolph Ziggler autograph session

Stop by the booth at 9:30 a.m. to get tickets!

FRIDAY, JULY 19

11 a.m. – 12 p.m., Booth 3209 – Mick Foley, Daniel Bryan and Rey Mysterio autograph session

Stop by the booth at 9:30 a.m. to get tickets!

SATURDAY, JULY 20

11 a.m. – 12 p.m., Booth 3209 – Sheamus and Ryback autograph session

Stop by the booth at 9:30 a.m. to get tickets!

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Home Run Derby winner Yoenis Céspedes receives WWE Championship

Oakland Athletics outfielder Yoenis Céspedes got more than just a trophy when he won the 2013 Home Run Derby: He also won a WWE Championship.

To clarify, Céspedes didn’t drop an Attitude Adjustment on Big Papi in centerfield to win his first WWE Title. No, the home run king doubled up on hardware when Baltimore Orioles outfielder Adam Jones presented him with the championship after the Derby – the very same title Jones himself received earlier this month as a gift from WWE.

Watch: Jones receives his title | Céspedes becomes champion

Jones’ plans to bequeath the title onto the Derby winner had been known for some time – although like all WWE Champions worth their salt, he hadn’t planned to give it up without a fight.

“I’m not giving it away,” Jones told CBSSports.com. “I might hit the winner with it. I’ll have a Hardcore Match, just provide a referee.”

History of the Hardcore Title | Most ludicrous Hardcore Title Matches

Jones specifically made mention of his teammate Chris Davis in the initial challenge, but happily for everyone involved, the transition was much more peaceful. Congratulations to Yoenis Céspedes, Home Run Derby winner and WWE Champion. Long may he reign.

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Print your own SummerSlam poster

The Biggest Party of the Summer is coming up fast, and there's no better way to celebrate it than bydownloading and printing your very own copy of this year's poster art. Featuring Daniel Bryan, CM Punk, The Bellas and other Superstars and Divas seeking thrills on a roller coaster, the SummerSlam 2013 artwork undeniably evokes feelings of summer fun. Hang it up in your room or your office, and get psyched up for the 26th Annual edition when it airs live on pay-per-view Aug. 18!

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CM Punk injured by Brock Lesnar on Raw

CM Punk demanded an explanation from Paul Heyman on Raw, but what he got instead was a slew of injuries at the hands of Brock Lesnar.

Moments after The Straight Edge Superstar vowed retribution against Heyman for betraying him at Money in the Bank, the mad scientist summoned Lesnar to tear Punk to pieces. The Anomaly rammed Punk into the steel ring post, tossed him into the ringside barrier and capped off his assault with an F-5 onto the announce table, and according to WWE medical officials, the damage to Punk was severe.

Photos of the betrayal | Heyman hits the road

In what sounds more like an injury report from a car crash than a fistfight, medical officials have told WWE.com that Punk suffered whiplash and strained ligaments in his left knee and right ankle. Punk’s ribs are also bruised, potentially broken, as a result of the attack.

Watch: Punk confronts Heyman | Brock responds

One thing that remained unbroken was the former WWE Champion’s spirit, as Punk managed to make it to his feet following Lesnar’s rampage. But whether his body matches the strength of his heart in a seemingly inevitable confrontation remains to be seen. Stay with WWE.com for more on Punk’s condition.

Photos of Lesnar's attack

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Raw results: Cena chooses his destiny, RVD takes flight and Lesnar returns to punish Punk

Brad Maddox addressed the WWE Universe

BROOKLYN, N.Y. – In the outer boroughs of the concrete jungle, a new, young lion has emerged to rule the roost of Monday Night Raw. And his name is Brad Maddox.

The freshly minted General Manager strolled into the County of Kings with all the pomp and circumstance of a conquering general, and as fate would have it, Maddox was only moments into his maiden show before a blockbuster opportunity fell into his lap.

Photos: Maddox holds court in King's County

An appearance by WWE Champion John Cena led Maddox to declare that The Champ would be allowed to pick his own challenger for SummerSlam. Of course, the sudden appearance of Money in the Bank contract holder Randy Orton threatened to derail that proclamation before it even took hold, but it was an intrusion by Fandango that drove The Viper to the breaking point. 'Bows were thrown and a fight broke out, but thanks to a quick ruling by the Maddox – check out the big brain on Brad – the dancing fiend was made to face The Apex Predator himself in the first bout of the night.

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WWE Champion John Cena vs. Daniel Bryan

Given the opportunity by Raw General Manager Brad Maddox to name his challenger at SummerSlam, WWE Champion John Cena could have taken the easy way out. Instead, he did just the opposite, choosing as his opponent a Superstar who many consider the top performer of 2013, Daniel Bryan.

In naming the submission specialist as his No. 1 contender, Cena showed no small amount of respect for Bryan and the WWE Universe. Before making his decision, Cena polled the WWE Universe on the July 15 edition of Raw, taking their opinion into consideration. Few can deny that Cena chose wisely, as the WWE Universe chanted "Yes!" along with Bryan.

Tenacious, versatile and double-tough, Bryan is equipped with a sophisticated grappling acumen and enough athleticism to give any foe — regardless of the size or strength disparity — a tall challenge. Moreover, a slew of brave performances in recent months, punctuated with a submission victory over Randy Orton, have firmly endeared Bryan to the WWE Universe, which now embraces the bearded warrior with a gusto that rivals the adulation that the Cenation pays its commander-in-chief.

Although their paths have intersected before, Cena and Bryan’s journeys to the main event of SummerSlam are far from similar. The Champ has stood atop WWE almost since the day he arrived more than 11 years ago, using his power-based offense to accumulate 13 World Title reigns. Bryan, a one-time World Heavyweight Champion, has never held the WWE Title, and has toiled in relative obscurity for more than a decade, honing his craft in places as far away as Japan and venues as modest as high school gyms. These experiences all have served to make him arguably the most technically gifted competitor today, a fighter who relies on technique over might.

Despite their considerable differences — stylistically, aesthetically and otherwise — Cena and Bryan are bonded by a mutual desire to be the absolute best, and in WWE, only one title signifies that: the WWE Championship.

Daniel Bryan will have his moment in the sun when the 26th Annual SummerSlam takes over the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, but will WWE’s “Yes!” man have what it takes to displace the always-gutsy Cena, who seems more determined than ever to keep possession of the championship gold? Find out when the action airs live on pay-per-view Sunday, Aug. 18, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

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