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Csonka’s WWE Raw Review 6.20.16
Image Credit: WWE
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MONDAY NIGHT RAW 6.20.16
OFFICIAL RESULTS
– Sami Zayn defeated Kevin Owens @ 8:57 via pin [***]
– Enzo and Cass defeated The Vaudevillains @ 2:55 via pin [NR]
– John Cena defeated Karl Anderson @ 2:30 via DQ [NR]
– Baron Corbin defeated Zack Ryder @ 3:00 via pin [NR]
– WWE Women’s Title Match: Champion Charlotte defeated Paige @ 8:25 via pin [**¾]
– Non-Title Match: US Champion Rusev vs. Titus O’Neil never started [NR]
– #1 Contender’s Match: Seth Rollins vs. Roman Reigns went to a double count out @ 17:35 [***½]
– Dean Ambrose arrived at the arena today, in a cab, and almost left the WWE title in the backseat.
The Lads From The Shield Argue Over The WWE Title: Ambrose soaked in the cheers, told some jokes about Vegas, talked about celebrating with the Cleveland Cavaliers and then winning the MITB and the WWE Title. For Ambrose it boiled down to his hard work paying off, and Seth Rollins being in the wrong place at the wrong time. He worked for the last two years to get the title, and it is the only reason that he kept picking himself up and fighting so hard. Roman Reigns then made his way to the ring, noting that last night wasn’t his night because t was Ambrose’s night. He was happy for Ambrose, no matter what the crowd says, but wanted to know how good it felt to cash in on Seth. Ambrose said, “I would have cashed in on you too.” Reigns wanted his rematch, which brought out pissed off Rollins who had enough of this shit. The crowd was roasting Reigns here, and it flustered him. I wish that they would just pull the trigger and let him be a cocky asshole, because when he does that he acts and responds so much better; it happens every time. When he tries to pander and be Jokey McFace, it never plays right. Shane McMahon arrived; Stephanie isn’t here tonight so everyone’s balls are safe for the evening. Shane booked Reigns vs. Rollins in a #1 contender’s match. This was the usual solid way to kick off the show, playing off the PPV finish and setting the night’s main event.
Sami Zayn vs. Kevin Owens: One would hope that this is a no contest/double DQ situation so that they can build to a PPV match, otherwise it feels rushed. I mean, at least shoot an angle with them brawling backstage over their issues and that they again got in each other’s may at MITB. They brawled right away, going to the floor and Owens selling being hurt from last night’s match. Zayn was getting some run until Owens caught him and slammed him to the barricade and post. He took the heat as they went to a commercial break. Post break, Owens controlled for a bit but Zayn got his knees up on the senton and made his comeback, hitting a plancha to the floor. Zayn was rolling until he ran into the superkick, and Owens covered for the near fall. Zayn escaped the modified package piledriver and hit the capture suplex. Owens hit another superkick, but Zayn countered the pop up powerbomb into a cradle for the win. That was a good, quality sprint with great intensity from these guys, who can so this sort of thing with little effort due to all of their time working together. Post match Owens attacked, because he’s a sore loser. Zayn fought back and a plethora of referees arrived to separate them. They are destined to do this forever after all.
– After the break, they continued to have an awesome brawl backstage and had to be separated by about 20 people. I can see a stipulation match at Battleground, and them being separated in the draft.
#PeoplePower?! What is @JohnLaurinaitis doing LIVE on #RAW?! pic.twitter.com/eiBxXkDQ0R
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) June 21, 2016
– BIG JOHNNY IS HERE! His suit is amazing. He hyped the draft and brand extension, and Shane interrupted. Big Johnny wants to run Smackdown, but Shane said that would never happen. Shane claims that he will run Smackdown, so Big Johnny wants to run Raw. Shane then escorted him away.
– Enzo and Cass arrived, and he and Enzo danced and admired each other’s shoe game. They did their usual deal, and made fun of Big Johnny.
Enzo and Cass vs. The Vaudevillains: The Vaudevillains worked over Enzo for the opening, Cass got the hot tag, ran wild, and then they hit the rocket launcher and won. That was short and pretty definitive. It was basically what it needed to be to keep Enzo and Cass in the tag title hunt, and to give them momentum after the PPV.
AJ Styles Talks: Styles says he should be happy, he thought about the match with Cena for years and it became a reality. The dream match happened, but guys that are more than brothers to him tainted it. He beat Cena, but it didn’t happen as it should have. Doc and Karl had no business in his business, so he wants a public apology f they are to continue on together. Doc and Karl made their way out, looking confused. Styles said that they have been through a lot together; he had Cena where he wanted him and didn’t need their help. Styles said Cena now has an excuse for losing, so he needs an apology. Styles was hilarious here, “come on guys, turn that frown upside down.” They apologized, and Styles then wanted Cena to come out so that they could apologize to him. Cena arrived, and said he didn’t want an apology, and that Styles broke his word. Doc and Karl apologized, to Cena. Cena didn’t buy it, and said Styles had to win by any means necessary. Cena and Styles both claimed the other wasn’t as good as they claimed, and Cena said he could respect the win, because that’s what a champion is made of. Cena then said Styles didn’t have any balls or his word. Styles said the Club gave Cena an excuse, and will now do him a favor. Cena can choose any of the Club for a fight tonight. Cena wanted Styles, but Styles said any one but him. Styles said they cost him the match, had the Stone Cold podcast to prepare for an already beat Cena. Cena knows no matter who he chooses, he knows all three will be involved. Karl will take the match, and Styles said that Cena would be proven wrong, and that Karl will do it all on his own. Styles then dropped in another plug for the Stone Cold podcast. This was another good segment from Styles and Cena; Styles being a smug asshole and asking for the apology was fun and completely disingenuous.
John Cena vs. Karl Anderson: Cena took control right away, but was constantly distracted looking for Styles and Gallows to run in. Cena hit the five-knuckle shuffle and AA, and Styles and Gallows ran in for the DQ. They beat down Cena, Styles barked out orders as Cena ate the magic killer. Styles hit the clash and the Club stood tall. I wasn’t a big fan of Cena running through Anderson with such ease (I mean, he basically hit all of his shit in under three-minutes with no fight back), but the beat down was good stuff, and also proved Cena right.
– JoJo interviewed Seth Rollins, who said he proved he was back and that he was the when he defeated Reigns at MITB. Reigns also proved that he never deserved to be champion. He also said that Ambrose proved he was a thief. He will beat Reigns and Ambrose and prove that he’s the best member of The Shield
– Renee Young interviewed Becky Lynch about Natalya’s betrayal. Lynch gladly said that she’s the last wrestler in the women’s division with any honor and integrity, but that she’s had enough. Natalya attacked from behind, and laid out Lynch.
Baron Corbin vs. Zack Ryder: Corbin worked his slow offense, they went to the floor where Ryder hit a dropkick off the apron. Back in he hit the elbro drop for a near fall. Corbin fought back, took out Ryder with the lariat and the end of days for the pin. It was what it needed to be, a short match where Corbin wins and largely dominates to maintain momentum. He just need a program that the people can care about.
– We get a video of WWE going to China.
– We get a video package, hyping the return of the Wyatts.
– Paige tried to cut a promo, but was interrupted by Charlotte and Dana. Charlotte says the loss last week was a fluke, and that she rose when PCB split, while Paige sunk. Paige said that she’d win tonight.
WWE Women’s Title Match: Champion Charlotte w/Dana Brooke vs. Paige: They actually played up that Paige beat Charlotte last week (as well as a previous non-title victory), which surprised me. They worked back and forth, with Paige being rather aggressive. Dana pulled Charlotte to the floor to try and save her, Paige got pissed but it allowed Charlotte to attack and we went to the break. Post break Charlotte worked the rolling head scissors, Paige then escaped and they did a series of near falls and counters. Paige laid in some kicks, and then hit the running knee strike for a near fall. Paige hit the sack of shit slam, tried to set Charlotte up top and they traded strikes. Charlotte sent Paige to the mat, and then connected with the moonsault for a near fall. They then tried for crucifixes, and then Paige countered the figure four into a roll up for 2. Paige hit Ram-Paige, and Dana pulled Charlotte’s foot on the ropes. This caused Paige to be distracted, Charlotte hit natural selection to retain. Overall a pretty good match, with a hiccup or two and the same finish we’ve come to expect from Charlotte matches. Post match Charlotte and Dana beat down Paige, and then Sasha Banks finally made her return to Raw. Dana went to attack her and got instantly taken out. Sasha hit the backstabber, and celebrated with the title after she and Paige cleared out Charlotte and Dana. It looks like a tag match before or at Battleground between these four. Maybe even a six-women with Becky and Natalya tossed in at some point.
– Roman Reigns promised to be the guy that beats Seth Rollins tonight.
Run…: The Wyatts are here as Bray, Rowan and Strowman make their way to the ring. Bray got welcome back chants, and asked if the fans missed him. Bray said they had been locked away, and now they are back and stronger than they had ever been. NEW DAY then interrupted. They said that Bray talked too much and that Rowan had a big old booty. Woods was mesmerized by Bray and started to walk towards him until Kofi and Big E snapped him out of it. Bray claimed that their future would be “New, Day falls.” He then told them to run. That… came off oddly. It almost felt as if I was watching an edited version, as it seemingly jumped around like there were pieces missing (likely they were short on time) and then it ended. This came off as a very odd first chapter to what I can only assume to be a new feud.
– We get another Darren Young segment with Bob Backlund. Is this going anywhere?
– Lana and Rusev will be on ESPN tomorrow.
– Lana introduced US Champion Rusev. We then went backstage, where Titus was granted a rematch against Rusev. Titus is angry that Rusev disrespected him and his kids last night.
US Champion Rusev vs. Titus O’Neil: They brawled as the bell never rang. It spilled to the floor, where O’Neil got posted, but he fired right back and tossed Rusev to the barricade. O’Neil sent Rusev over the barricade and Rusev powdered through the crowd. Good intensity from O’Neil here, but I have no desire to see a rematch. This feud must continue.
– They hype the July 19th draft.
– We get a video of Miz and Maryse from the set of The Marine 5: Yes There’s Another. Miz ran down someone that brought him the wrong lunch, because he eats quail. They fired him, and then said the rest of the crew were doing a great job.
– In Shane’s office, he meets with Chris Jericho. Jericho says Shane has it out for him, and says he should be the #1 contender for Ambrose’s title. Shane says he’s a loser, and Jericho says wins and losses don’t matter. Jericho hopes he gets drafted to the show that he’s not in charge of. Shane claims to be running both shows, and Jericho will have to deal with him a lot.
– Dean Ambrose makes his way to the ring to join commentary.
– Seth Rollins will be on Smackdown this week.
#1 Contender’s Match: Seth Rollins vs. Roman Reigns: Reigns controlled from the opening bell, as they spilled to the floor and Reigns started to take apart the Spanish announce table. Rollins retreated to the ring, and hit a blockbuster to take control back from Reigns. Ambrose hasn’t shut up on commentary, and is taking away at times from the match. Rollins still in control of things, staring down Ambrose at times as he keeps Reigns grounded. Reigns sent to the floor, Rollins missed the flying knee and Reigns took him out with a big boot as we went to commercial. Post break, Rollins was back in control and working a sleeper. Reigns escaped and peppered Rollins with forearm strikes. They went into a back and froth battle of strikes, Reigns hit a clothesline and then the repeated clotheslines in the corner. Rollins then sent Reigns to the floor and hit the suicide dive, rolled him back in and followed with forearm strikes. Reigns the got a roll up into the one arm sit out powerbomb for a near fall. Rollins countered the Superman punch, Reigns countered the pedigree and then Reigns hit the Superman punch for a near fall. Reigns went for the spear, Rollins hit a boot and then an enziguri. That led to the jumping knee strike and superkick for a near fall. Rollins up top now, high fly flow MISSES as Reigns rolls to the floor. Reigns fired back with the drive by kick, and then cleared off the Spanish announce table. He and Rollins battled onto the table and Rollins escaped the powerbomb attempt and clipped out the knee of Reigns. They teased the double count out, and then Reigns speared Rollins over the table. And that led to the double count out. Shane McMahon arrived, and said we needed a #1 contender. Ambrose said that he’d fight them both in the same night. Shane liked it, and booked a triple threat for Battleground. Ambrose posed with the title in front of both guys, talked trash and then hit dirty deeds on Reigns and Rollins to stand tall. I really liked the match, Reigns and Rollins work well together and I felt that they delivered a hell of a TV main event with some great intensity at times. You knew that the finish was coming, but they did a nice job to get there. I also liked Ambrose not only willing to take on both guys in the triple threat, but also the fact that he laid them both out to close the show. On one hand I am a bit disappointed that they are doing the big triple threat at Battleground, but with the draft coming, they had to make the call to do it now.
– End scene.
– Thanks for reading.
“Byyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyye Felicia!”
