WWE Raw results and live blog for July 22: The Punisher

WWE Monday Night Raw comes waltzing back into our lives tonight (July 22, 2013) from the Frank Erwin Events Center in Austin, Texas, featuring all the latest build to the upcoming SummerSlam pay-per-view (PPV) scheduled for next month at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.

Come right back here at 8 p.m. ET when the Raw live blog kicks off once the show starts on USA. It will be below this line here.

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WWE RAW RESULTS AND LIVE BLOG FOR JULY 22

Rex here. Let's mark out with our snark out.

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Contract signing for the WWE Championship match. Things started off with Brad Maddox and John Cena. Maddox laid out every possible criticism there could be about Daniel Bryan being the champ- small, unstable, etc. Bryan comes out and Cena proceeded to put him over in a big way. He called Bryan one of the greatest talents in the world and the most deserving of the title shot.

Maddox tried to prevent Bryan from getting a word in edgewise. Bryan interupted and was upset at Maddox trying to take this moment away from him. Maddox announced that Bryan will be in multiple matches tonight. YES! YES! YES!

Cena and Bryan signed the contract.

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Alberto Del Rio vs Sheamus

In a pretty solid match, Alberto Del Rio defeated Sheamus.

The story throughout the match was that Sheamus' leg was still injured from his participation in Money in the Bank. Sheamus was in control for a large chunk of the match and sold his leg well. After putting out a Del Rio rally, Sheamus was going for the White Noise but the leg collapse underneath him and Del Rio got the roll up for the win.

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Renee Young with Booker T and Teddy Long. They get into it with each other over Vickie Guerrero being put in charge over at Smackdown.

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Christian vs Titus O'Neill

Titus was in the early control the match as he rag dolled Christian around the ring. Christian's selling was top notch in there and made Titus look a lot better than he is. Christian makes his comeback late in the match by using his speed advantage to take out Titus with the Killswitch for the win.

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Josh Matthews with Ryback. Ryback says that he hates average and prefers the rules of the jungle.

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Mark Henry with the mic. He is a proud Texan and proud of his effort against John Cena. He wasn't proud of the beatdown at the hands of the Shield last night and is ready for round two.

The Shield answers Henry's challenge and surround the ring. They swarm Henry but he can't keep them at bay for long. In the corner, the Shield is stomping Henry down as the Usos come to make the save.

Henry is able to recover as the Usos try to beat down Reigns. Henry is able to clear the ring with the help of the Usos. Henry with a splash to Reigns in the corner and then Ambrose/Rollins grab Reigns and make the save.

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Bryan and Cena in the back. Cena says he is worried because Maddox doesn't seem to be making the calls. Bryan says he can handle it on his own. Cena says he wants Bryan to make it to Summer Slam in one piece. Bryan says that Cena better not interfere in whatever happens tonight.

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Dolph Ziggler vs Darren Young

Dolph Ziggler seized victory in a short but fun match. Young maintained the early control, but Ziggler was able to outmaneuver him to take control for the second half. Just as Young seemed to be gaining momentum, Ziggler hit the Zig Zag for the win.

After the match, Big E hit the ring (w/ AJ in tow) to try and beat down Ziggler. Ziggler was able to use his speed to avoid the assault and counter with a dropkick that sent Big E to the outside. Ziggler than bailed to the back.

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The Miz with MizTV. He gives us a preview of Total Divas and has the cast out there with him. Miz quickly brings Lawler into things. Lawler quickly introduces himself to the new divas. One of them, Eva Marie says she doesn't like the way that Lawler is looking at her and just slaps him.

The segment then quickly ends.

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HHH in the back with Brad Maddox. He calls out Maddox for the things he said earlier and states that it was Vince McMahon who put those words in Brad's mouth. HHH calls him the future of the business and says he didn't over turn his decisions because he knows Bryan can overcome it all.

As HHH leaves, Stephanie comes in and she has some ideas for Maddox.

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WYATT FAMILY RECAP THAT IS AMAZING.

I can get behind recaps like this.

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Fandango vs Cody Rhodes

Sandow is on commentary for the match.

The action between Rhodes and Fandango was good (as to be expected from those to) but the focus of the match was on the Rhodes-Sandow feud. The finish of the match involved Sandow getting to the apron for interference and Rhodes countering it by kicking the briefcase into Fandango.

Props to Fandango for saving Rhodes from potentially disastrous injury on a shorted moonsault from Rhodes.

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CM Punk on the mic. He goes through the patching up they had to do to him last week after Lesnar's assault. He says that even though Lesnar is a genetic freak and a monster, he is not afraid of Lesnar.

"This is my ring!"

Punk calls for the Best vs the Beast at Summer Slam.

Heyman makes an appearance on the titantron and Punk threatens him. Heyman insults Texans without them seeming to realize it.

Heyman drops "stay down" hmm.......

Heyman accepts Punk's challenge for Summer Slam.

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Wade Barrett vs RVD

Rob Van Dam won in a largely unspectacular match when he hits the Five Star Frog Splash leap. Most notable thing to occur was that RVD busted Barrett open at some point.

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Colter out with Cesaro and Swagger. He attacks Texans well for being Texans and he calls the title shot Bryan is receiving a handout.

Daniel Bryan vs Jack Swagger

Swagger seemed to be on his way to victory in a short and stiff match when Bryan was able to hit the Yes! Lock for victory as Swagger goes for the Swagger Bomb.

Daniel Bryan vs Antonio Cesaro

YES! YES! YES!

Cesaro had the early control and hit a huge Swiss Death on Bryan. After some more of the best slams in wrestling, Bryan was able to wrestle control away from Cesaro. A series of kicks and holds gives Bryan the advantage until Colter distracts the ref and Swagger gets a cheap shot in.

Bryan and Cesaro in an absolute dog fight now. They are trading suplexes and slams left and right. Bryan with a series of kicks and Cesaro fights back with a series of uppercuts and a huge lariat. Cesaro attempted the neutralizer but Bryan countered. Indian Deathlock from Bryan as he hits a series of forearms. The match sadly comes to an end with Bryan winning by roll up.

Daniel Bryan vs The Ryback

In a very solid match, Daniel Bryan wins by DQ after The Ryback puts him through a table. Bryan looked great throughout the match. After the match, Cena comes down to make the save. After chasing Ryback away he challenges him to a tables match for next week.

Vince comes up to Maddox in the back and has Maddox make a match for next week involving Bryan vs Kane.

Things cut back to the ring and Bryan stands tall in the ring as the crowd showers him with praise.