« Screen Captures · Digitals »
WWE champion Sheamus came out to the ring near the top of the hour. Cole said the medics are still working on Henry and they showed Henry being taken away from ringside by refs and medics. Sheamus waited for things to settle down, then he began a promo talking about his path of destruction since coming to WWE. He said for the people who think Orton is going to take his title away from him at Summerslam, watch this video.
They rolled a video package on Sheamus taking folks out since he joined WWE. They cut back to the arena to show Sheamus watching the video with a smile, then filled the screen with the video again. Sheamus smiled after they showed him taking out Triple H and vowing to do the same to Orton at Summerslam. Back in the ring, Sheamus said he’s ended careers in the ring and right now, he wants to call out Randy Orton. Sheamus wasn’t done, but Orton’s music interrupted to bring him out.
Orton circled around the ring as Sheamus smiled at him. Orton said he has something to say to him. He said he knows Sheamus is capable of hurting people, but he thinks Sheamus is full of it. Orton said Sheamus had an opportunity to prove he should be taken seriously last week, but he blew his opportunity. Sheamus interrupted by saying everyone takes him seriously. Orton paused for an “R-K-O” chant, then mocked Sheamus for his videos and speeches. He said Sheamus has never beaten him…and he never will. “You’re wrong!” he shouted. Sheamus name-dropped Hunter and Cena as guys he’s beaten. “I’m not Triple H and I’m certainly not John Cena,” Orton said, emphasizing the latter part. Sheamus reminded him he’s not the WWE champion either.
Sheamus said once he beats Orton at Summerslam, Orton will go back to the back of the line. He vowed to make sure Orton never gets another title shot after Summerslam while he’s champ. Orton vowed to beat him at Summerslam – notice he didn’t say “win the title.” Orton told Sheamus to do something about it with his threats. They paused and stared off nose-to-nose.
Suddenly, the MacBook interrupted and Cole went to the podium to read an email from the GM. Cole read that Sheamus’s title matches have been marred by interference, so if anyone interferes in the title match, that person will be suspended indefinitely. Cole said the GM agrees with Sheamus that if Orton loses at Summerslam, he goes back to the end of the line. The GM also agrees with Orton. The GM told Sheamus to prove he’s not scared by doing something about it right now.
Sheamus pretended to square off against Orton as the hard camera began to shake. He then backed off with a smile before teasing a right hand punch. Orton didn’t flinch, then he attacked Sheamus from behind. Orton got in a few blows before Sheamus nailed him with a big double axehandle smash to the head. Sheamus backed off to the corner and got fired up. He attempted a bicycle kick, but Orton ducked and nailed a fallaway backbreaker smash. Orton then stared down at Sheamus, who was selling on the mat. Orton slowly began to back up, then the crowd recognized what he was going for. Orton teased the Big Punt, but stopped mid-kick. Sheamus snapped to attention and had the look of death on his face as Orton suggested he could have ended things right there.
Orton rolled to the outside, then grabbed the title and held it up. Cole and Lawler said Orton sent a message that he can win the title whenever he wants. Cole said Orton is focused and ready for Summerslam. Orton smiled, tossed the belt back to Sheamus, then walked off as Sheamus continued to sell in the ring. PYB (3) talk time: 10:45. Strong segment, with a bit too much touching right before a PPV title match, but with the babyface challenger looking very strong to give the audience the impression their Summerslam PPV order will include a top babyface winning the WWE Title. They’re still setting this up for Orton to win via DQ, but Sheamus retaining the title.
