Raw Review 07/01/2019

Tonight what will the Roman Reigns have to say after The Undertaker came out and saved him in his match against Shane McMahon and Drew Mcintyre and now will tag with Reigns to take on McMahon and Mcintyre at Extreme Rules? Plus, who will come out on top when Braun Strowman and Bobby Lashley meet in a Falls Count Anywhere Match? Nikki Cross has stuck by Alexa Bliss’s side as of late but what will she have to say when she comes face to face with Bliss on A Moment of Bliss? After attacking Kofi Kingston last week on Raw, will Samoa Joe be looking to make a statement at the champs expense again? Finally, what will Baron Corbin and Lacey Evans do to get in the heads of Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch ahead of their huge Mixed Tag Team Match at Extreme Rules?

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Raw comes to us from the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.

 Raw kicks off with us being welcomed by Michael Cole, Renee Young, and Corey Graves.

Match 1: Braun Strowman vs Bobby Lashley: 
Falls Count Anywhere Match 
Strowman goes right after Lashley. Lashley uses his quickness to fend off Strowman and hits him with a spear. Strowman goes to the outside but Lashley comes out to meet him. Strowman hits him with a shoulder tackle and then hits a senton. Strowman goes for the cover but Lashley kicks out. Lashley fights back and throws Strowman off the ring post and then takes him down in the time keeper’s area. Lashley goes for the cover but Strowman kicks out. Lashley stays on Strowman and sends him into the crowd. Lashley follows him and continues to beat on Strowman. Strowman tries to fight back with big right hands but Lashley fights it off and starts the attack with a steel chair. Lashley goes for the cover but Strowman kicks out at two. Lashley continues to beat down Strowman delivering big blows to his back. He hits him with a right but Strowman turns the tables throwing Lashley to the floor. Strowman then runs at Lashley and runs him over with a shoulder tackle. Strowman goes for the cover but Lashley kicks out again. Strowman drives Lashley into the steel barricade and then tosses him onto the stage. Strowman meets him up there but Lashley fights back with big rights hands to Strowman. Lashley then suplexes Strowman on the stage. Lashley goes for the cover but again Strowman kicks out at two. Lashley taunts Strowman but Strowman spears Lashley through the screens and they then fall into the electrical equipment. The equipment explodes for a good thirty seconds and the screens go black, as Corey Graves said “holy shit”. Both men are down and EMT’s have come to check on them. We get a side view of the stage as Lashley and Strowman are being tended to.
Winner: No Contest 
My Opinion:
Wow, so that ending was insane! I couldn’t believe the number of explosions going on after these two crashed through the screens. Lashley and Strowman went at it right from the start and this is a great way to end it. This got the show off to an electric start literally and this is the unexpected chaos we want to see. I hope both guys are okay but they made an impact tonight so thank you to them! I loved that so much and if we can see more unexpected chaos like that then we are onto something really good. The raw emotion from Corey Graves was amazing too. What a start to the night!

Backstage/ Announcer Table Segment:
Michale Cole informs us Lashley and Strowman are still being tended to and are being transported to a local medical facility. We see Lashley being loaded into an ambulance before taking another look at the ending of the match. They then show Strowman being placed on a stretcher and taken out. Corey Graves says there were powerlines everywhere and there was a smell of something burning back there. Strowman now has been placed in an ambulance as well. Cole says WWE does everything it can to ensure the safety of the superstars but every so often something will happen where they can’t handle the situation.

Match 2: The Viking Raiders vs The New Day (Big E & Xavier Woods) 
Erik goes right after Big E with big shots t the back but Big E fights back and takes him down near the apron. Big E hits a big splash and goes for the cover but Erik kicks out. Erik fights back and tags in Ivar. they double team Big E and Ivar then goes to work. He hits him with big knee strikes and then continues pounding on him. Big E lifts Ivar but Erik tags in and helps Ivar. they get Big E down in the corner and Erik then drives Ivar into Big E. Erik goes for the cover but Big E kicks out. Erik continues hammering on him but Big E creates separation with a belly to belly. On the outside, Samoa Joe pulls Woods off the apron and he puts him in the coquina clutch. Kofi comes out and goes at it with Joe. Joe gets him down and Ivar comes over to attack Kofi as well as Raw goes to break.
Winners: Big E & Xavier Woods: Via DQ 

Match 3: The New Day vs The Viking Raiders & Samoa Joe: 6 Man Tag Match 
Kofi hits Ivar with big kicks to start. He hits him in the corner and after a scuffle, he is able to hit a big dropkick. After a failed pin Woods come in and stays on Ivar. He hits an elbow and goes for the cover but Ivar kicks out. Joe provides a distraction and it allows Ivar to land a huge kick. Joe tags in and hits Woods with a right hand. Woods fights back with forearms but Joe knocks him down with a big elbow. Joe then hammers on him with headbutts. Ivar gets the tag and then tags Erik. they double team Woods and Erik then goes after his arm. Woods is able to create separation and land big chops. Erik catches him and throws Woods. Ivar comes in and again the Viking Raiders double team Woods. Joe tags in and lands a huge senton. Joe goes for the cover but Woods kicks out. Joe takes a cheap shot on Big E and it allows Woods to fight back. Joe floors him with a big chop. Erik tags in and continues to beat down Woods. Joe comes in again and hits Woods with rights in the corner. Woods is able to hit him with a boot and then take him down with a dropkick. Kofi gets the tag and so does Ivar. Kofi is able to hit him with strikes and then hit a dropkick. Kofi flies but gets caught. Kofi fights off and lands another kick. Ivar fights him off and tags Erik. Kofi takes him down and hits the boom drop. Kofi fights Joe off the apron but he gets up quickly and tags in. Erik takes down Kofi but Big E comes in to clean house. Woods then helps out and hits a dropkick on Erik. Ivar launches himself and takes out Woods. Kofi hits Ivar with trouble in paradise. Joe comes from behind and locks in the coquina clutch. The ref calls for the bell as Kofi passes out.
Winners: The Viking Raiders & Samoa Joe 
My Opinion:
Samoa Joe made another statement tonight making Kofi pass out. This is Kofi’s biggest challenge to date and Joe is showing just how dangerous he is. I don’t know how Kofi will combat the coquina clutch but he is gonna have to figure out something very soon. The Viking Raiders also did very well tonight facing a very credible team of The New Day. Overall though the team of Joe and The Viking Raiders was just too much, that’s a lot of power coming at you and in the end, Joe took care of business. In a couple of weeks if he locks in that hold he very well could be WWE Champion.

Backstage Segment:
Drake Maverick brings his wife to Raw even though he told her they were going to the beach for their honeymoon. His wife gets mad and he tries to play it off. His wife tells him it’s either her or the 24/7 Championship. Maverick says, of course, he chooses her and the two hug. R-Truth comes behind them and says don’t mind him he is a sucker for romance.

Backstage Segment:
Styles comes up to Gallows and Anderson and tells them last week they were looking good but still lost. Anderson says did you see how good they are. Anderson tells Styles he didn’t do the best last week either. Gallows tells him he almost got beat by the new kid on the block. Anderson tells him he didn’t look so hot. Gallows says it looks like you’re next in line for a title shot but we don’t think you’ll win it. Anderson tells him he can have his hot Asian wife if he wins. Styles says Ricochet is one of the best he’s been in the ring with but he’ll remember the thing about the hot Asian wife.

No Way Jose vs Cesaro 
R-Truth comes out and as part of No Way Jose’s conga line. R-Truth taunts Drake Maverick who is in the front row and dances with his wife before Truth is run out of ringside by superstars from the back. Back in the ring, Cesaro knocks Jose to the floor. He then hits him with a neutralizer before the match can even begin.

Backstage Segment:
Charly welcomes the NXT Tag Champions the Streets Profits. They tell Charly she is missing some flavor. They then introduce themselves and say the Street Profits are on Raw. They say they want to bring swag to Raw and even though they have the titles they want the smoke.

Backstage Segment:
Drew Mcintyre and Shane McMahon head to the ring to address The Undertaker.

*** Strowman and Lashey are at the medical facility being evaluated and an update will come later.

Backstage Segment:
Miz says as WWE superstars they put their bodies on the line every week and no one wishes what happened to Braun and Bobby on anybody. They then look at SmackDown last week when Miz was beaten down. Miz is asked if he is one hundred percent going into tonight. Miz says it’s not how he feels but what he does. He tells that tonight Shane will have to find a replacement for Elias and he will make him go back to playing for change in the subway. He says as for the best in the world he hears The Undertaker may be here tonight.

In Ring Segment: Shane McMahon & Drew Mcintyre 
Shane says he has been inundated of worrying about Strowman and Lashley and says he does have other responsibilities than being out here and gracing everyone with his presence. He then goes back to last week and says they had the perfect set up for the demises of Roman Reigns. He says Roman had to be shaking in his boots and knew he had no chance to beat them. He then shows last weeks beat down on Reigns. Mcintyre says the footage speaks for itself and says Roman knows what they will do at Extreme Rules. Shane then brings up Undertaker and tells him they have gone to battle and they will do it again soon. He says last Monday they were surprised but at Extreme Rules, there will be no surprises and they will put the Big Dog and The Phenom in the ground. Mcintyre tells how Undertaker is the greatest and he has struck fear in everyone for generation after generation but he doesn’t fear him and he doesn’t give a damn about The Undertaker. He says he and Shane heard a rumor going around and he came dress to fight. He then calls him out and says they want to be face to face to tell him at Extreme Rules they will exterminate the legacy of The Undertaker. There is then rumbles and the lights go out. A lighting strike then hits the ring. The Undertaker’s music hits and here comes Taker! Shane and Mcintyre then go into the crowd as Taker enters the ring.
Undertaker says Reigns never asked him for his help because that’s not who he is. He tells them if they need answers to why he will explain who he is. He says he is and has been the reaper of wayward souls for a long time and he is here to collect their souls. He tells Shane he had a respect a little for awhile because he gave him everything he had at Hell In A Cell at WrestleMania. He tells Shane he fell victim to his own greed and ego. He says Shane may be the best in this world but where he is sending him to they will be nothing more than a couple of lost souls suffering the torture of death and it will be for all of eternity. He tells them they will never Rest In Peace.
My Opinion:
Mcintyre and Shane sure did seem to have a lot of confidence before Taker showed up ut after that they ran and their fear was easily seen. It seems Mcintyre has a lot of confidence but Shane knows what it’s like to be taken to the limit by Taker and add Roman Reigns to the mix it’s going to be grueling for them. Taker had some chilling words and you can expect that after his SSD match he is coming back to prove a point.

Backstage Segment:
Corbin says an extreme rules match benefits him and Evans. He says they aren’t afraid of crossing lines and they know Rollins can take anything. He asks why Rollins will risk it all for his latest thing. Evans says Becky fought her life to make her dreams a reality. She says the man has become a movement and she has now put all her faith in Rollins. She says Rollins won’t be able to take his eyes off of her when she beats Natalya and he will quickly realize he should’ve never put his faith or trust in The Man.

Match 4: Lacey Evans w/ Baron Corbin vs Natalya 
Natalya and Evans lock up and Natalya backs her to the ropes. Natalya then knocks her to the floor and meets her out there. Evans hits her and sends her back into the ring. Evans goes for the cover but Natalya kicks out. Evans hammers on Natalya in the corner and has to be backed out. Evans stomps on her and then hits her with a modified bronco buster. Evans tries another cover but still can’t get the win. Evans uses the ropes to wear down Natalya and then hits her with a kick. Evans hits an elbow and goes for the cover but again Natalya kicks out. Evans locks in a chin lock but Natalya is able to throw her off. Evans hits a neck-breaker and goes for the cover again but still can’t put her away. Natalya trips her up and then hammers with big right hands in the corner. Corbin distracts her but Natalya fights off Evans and counters with a pin. Evans kicks out. Natalya hits a discus clotheslines and then hits a slap. Natalya plants Evans and tries to come off the ropes but Corbin gets invovled. Evans hits the Women’s Right and gets the 1 2 3 on the cover.
Winner: Lacey Evans 
My Opinion: 
Evans and Corbin seem to be gelling very well since becoming a team last week. Evans looked really good in this match besides needing help to win. Overall though she has what it takes and if her and Corbin stay on the same page like this they have a good shot of getting the job done at Extreme Rules. Corbin and Evans have the same style of doing whatever it takes to win and that could be dangerous for Rollins and Lynch.

Backstage Segment:
Charly asks Ricochet about losing last week and Styles not feeling he is up to his level. Ricochet says it’s okay if Styles feels that way but it was one of the biggest accomplishments of his career. He says if he had another chance he could probably beat him. Charly asks if he made any mistakes. Ricochet says he went back and watched the match but then is interrupted by Gallows and Anderson. Gallows and Anderson tell Ricochet the only mistake was Styles didn’t put him down in three minutes. They say the real Styles had him beat from the beginning. They tell Ricochet he needs to be put in his place. He says if it’s a match they want they can have one. They tell him he isn’t in trouble with them but he might be with someone else.

Backstage Segment:
Gallows and Anderson lie and tell Styles Ricochet said he could beat him in his sleep. They also tell him Ricochet said he would defend his title against Styles. Styles says he might have a talk with him. Gallows questions this and tell him you’re going to talk to some kid. Anderson asks where the Styles from Japan is who would slap Ricochet across the face and accept his challenge. Styles then approaches Ricochet and says please tell me you weren’t running your mouth. He tells him he is taking the title tonight. Ricochet says he accepts. Styles then slaps him and Ricochet slaps him back.

Match 5: The Miz vs Elias: 2 Out Of Three Falls
Miz goes right after Elias before the match starts and attacks him. Miz takes him to the outside and continues punishing him. Miz brings him into the ring and the match starts. Miz quickly hits a Skull Crushing Finale and gets the 1 2 3 and the first fall on the cover. Miz goes after Elias but Elias goes to the outside. Miz meets him and drives him into the barricade. Back in the ring, Elias hits him with a knee but Miz takes him out at the knee. Elias tries a cover but Miz kicks out. Elias is able to pull Miz into the ring and hits him with Drift Away. Elias gets the 1 2 3 on the cover and picks up a fall as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, the third fall is underway and Miz is able to hit Elias with big right hands. Elias fights back and hits a powerbomb. Elias goes for the cover Miz kicks out. Elias gets Miz in the corner and hits him with a big kick before raining down fist. Elias hits Miz with a big high elbow and Miz goes down. Elias tries another cover but still can’t put him away. Elias then goes to a chin lock. Miz tries to fight out but Elias keeps it wrenched in. Miz breaks the hold but Elias hits him with a high uppercut and another to follow. Miz lands a backslide and cover Elias but he kicks out. The two then trade strikes before Miz hits him with big chops. Elias comes back planting him face first on the mat but Miz kicks out of the cover. Elias tries a knee strike but Miz moves and Elias connects with the ring post. Miz gets him in the middle of the ring and Miz locks in the Figure Four. Elias taps out and Miz wins.
Winner: The Miz 
My Opinion:
This was a huge win for The Miz and he showed a very aggressive side which he needs to get on top. He has beaten down a lot lately but Miz has what it takes to get huge victories like this. Elias did very well too but again one mistake and it’s over. Elias is still learning but Miz is a veteran and once the mistake was made the match was all but over. This is a match I’d love to see again as I think both men brought out the best in each other.

Backstage Segment:
Charly welcomes Lynch and Rollins. Rollins first wishes Braun and Bobby a speedy recovery. Charly then congratulates them on their victories at Stomping Grounds and then asks if their decision last week was impulsive. Rollins says he wasn’t impulsive. Lynch jokes and says him no never. Rollins then goes over the match and Lynch tells him she wouldn’t advise him to lose the title. Rollins says same. Lynch says she sleeps with her title. Rollins says she does. Rollins tells Lynch if she listened to him from time to time things would be, he then says okay maybe I just got lucky. Lynch tells him he did get lucky. Maria comes up and tells them they are not the first couple of WWE. She tells Lynch you may have beaten Ronda Rousey but let’s see you push an 8-pound baby out. She then tells Rollins he doesn’t impress her either. She tells him he only has the title because he hasn’t faced her husband. She then says how about tonight me and my bitch take on you and yours. Lynch tells them they will slap the heads off of both you dopes. Rollins tells them they messed up.

Match 6: Seth Rollins & Becky Lynch vs Mike & Maria Kanellis 
Rollins and Mike lock up and Rollins takes him down to the mat. Rollins hits him with a kick and Mike takes a breather. Rollins again takes him down and continues to stay on the offensive. Mike hits him with a right and then kicks him in the gut over and over in the corner. Rollins comes back with a forearm and then hits a buckle bomb. Rollins brings Mike to the corner and forces Maria in. Maria runs instead of getting in the ring. She grabs a mic and tells Mike he was supposed to protect her. She says you said you could mop the floor with Seth but you can’t even mop the floor at home. She then tells Mike he disgusts her. Lynch goes after her but Maria stops her and tells her she is pregnant. Mike questions this and asks how could you be pregnant. Maria tells him I don’t know because I don’t think you’re man enough to get me pregnant. Lynch then grabs Mike and puts him in the Disarmher. Mike taps out.
*** After the match Maria tells him she can’t believe he is the father of her children. She tells him he is a disappointment and says the only man her tonight was Becky so maybe next time she’ll ask Becky to impregnate her.
Winners: Seth Rollins & Becky Lynch 
My Opinion:
Well, that was an odd match and after match segment. I didn’t see the need for all the talking nor do I see how this will benefit Mike or Maria. It just looked bad and sounded bad and it didn’t and won’t sit well with a lot of people. I guess the better outcome of all that was Lynch and Rollins showed they can get the job done together and it was a good little tune up to get a feel for teaming ahead of Extreme Rules.

Backstage Segment:
Heyman comes up to Charly and says it has been a weird night for Seth Rollins and a bad night for Kofi Kingston so maybe tonight is the perfect night for Brock Lesnar to cash in. He tells he might be here tonight and might not. Streets Profits come up and joke with Heyman. Heyman says I don’t have time for this. They then joke around with Charly and say they have extended their welcome.

Backstage Segment:
Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross make their way to the stage for A Moment of Bliss.

A Moment of Bliss:
Alexa sends her thoughts to Braun Strowman and Bobby Lashley. She then says her guest tonight won her a rematch for the SmackDown Live title and is her best friend, she then welcomes Nikki Cross. Bliss then shows last week when Cross beat Bayley. Bliss tells her what an achievement. Cross says it wouldn’t have been possible without her. She tells Bliss she was the first one to believe in her and give her a chance and for that, she will always be thankful. Bliss says this is all about giving credit to her and this is her moment of bliss. Out comes Carmella.
Carmella asks Cross why Alexa is getting a title match when Cross one. Bliss asks her why she is so desperate for the attention. Carmella asks Bliss why she isn’t giving Cross the title match. She tells Carmella she is just Truth’s sidekick. Carmella tells her to come down to the ring and she will show her a sidekick. Carmella heads down and so does Bliss and Cross.

Match 7: Alexa Bliss w/ Nikki Cross vs Carmella 
Carmella Rolls up Bliss and gets the 1 2 3.
Winner: Carmella 

Match 8: Carmella vs Nikki Cross w/ Alexa Bliss 
Cross attacks Carmella and is able to take her down. She gets on her back but Carmella is able to back her into the corner. Carmella continues to fight but Cross is able to get Carmella wrapped up in the apron and hammer on her. Cross tries a cover but Carmella kicks out. Cross tries another cover but still can’t put her away. Carmella fights back and takes down Cross. Carmella hits her with a modified boot and then hits a bronco buster. Carmella tries the cover but Cross kicks out. Cross goes to the apron and hits Carmella with a shoulder to the gut and then a big boot. Cross tries to fly but has to roll through. Cross stays on her and hits a swinging neck breaker. Cross gets the 1 2 3 on the cover.
Winner: Nikki Cross 
My Opinion:
Well, it seems that Bliss is using Cross to her benefit but this isn’t the first time we’ve seen people do this and Bliss is being smart. If you can get a title shot and have someone else fight the battles then you do it. Bliss is going to stay fresh and come Extreme Rules be ready to go. Cross is proving she can get the job done with another huge win. Bliss may have lost very quickly but since she has Cross by her side that makes her so much more dangerous. Unless Bayley or someone else can get Cross away from Bliss it seems she could be on her way to winning the title.

Backstage Segment:
Cross is asked about how she feels about the WWE Universe wanting her to face Bayley instead of Alexa. Bliss chimes in and says no comment.

Backstage Segment:
Maverick tells his wife their honeymoon is going to be great. He apologizes for the 24/7 title stuff. His wife says thank you and says she is going to freshen up. Superstars run by and then R-Truth pops up. Maverick tells him he is done with this and just wants to go on his honeymoon. Truth tells him to have a good time. Maverick then hits him from behind with his suitcase and calls for the ref. Maverick pins Truth and wins the 24/7 title. Maverick tells his wife this is going to be great now we can do it in style and do it 24/7.

Match 9: Ricochet (c) vs AJ Styles: United States Championship Match 
Ricochet and Styles trade moves and go at it to begin. Ricochet tries a cover but Styles kicks out. Styles works him in the corner but Ricochet knocks him down as he flies from the top. Styles catches him and tries a cover but Ricochet kicks out. Styles gets him in the corner and lands big kicks to the champ. Ricochet is able to get his boots up and push down Styles. He then sends him to the outside. Ricochet flies over the ropes and takes him down. Ricochet brings him back into the ring. Ricochet flies off the ropes but has to roll through. Styles hits him with a big right hand and hits the Phenomenal Forearm. Styles goes for the cover and gets the 1 2 3 but Ricochet’s foot was under the bottom rope. Another ref then comes out and tells the match referee what happened as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, the match has been restarted. Gallows and Anderson are ringside as well. Ricochet is able to get to Styles early with a chop and a big right. Styles fights back and knocks him down. Ricochet is able to land an enziguri and then a corkscrew suplex. Ricochet goes for the cover but Styles kicks out. Ricochet sends Styles to the outside and Styles hits the apron hard. Ricochet flies over the ropes but has to land on his feet as Styles moves. Styles then flies over the ropes and takes out Ricochet. Styles spikes Ricochet with a brainbuster and goes for the cover but Ricochet kicks out. Styles stays on Ricochet and hits him with the rack bomb. Styles goes for the cover but Ricochet kicks out. On the top rope, Ricochet fights off Styles. Ricochet comes down and works Styles to the mat. Ricochet locks in the cover and gets the 1 2 3 on the cover.
*** after the match Styles shakes Ricochet’s hand. Gallows and Anderson mock Styles handshake as they get on the apron. Styles turns around and hits Ricochet with a big right hand. He then stomps on Ricochet. Gallows and Anderson come in and hit Ricochet with the magic killer. Styles, Gallows, and Anderson then taunt Ricochet. From the second rope Styles hits Ricochet with the Styles Clash. The Club then give a two sweet. Styles then hammers on ricochet with right hands. Anderson then comes and does the same. The Club stands tall over Ricochet.
Winner: Ricochet: Still United States Champion
My Opinion:
This was a good match between these two but I wish Styles and Ricochet could do this on a PPV so they have more time and could just flow together more. Ricochet was able to knock off Styles and retain the title but the bigger thing to come out of this is the true return of The Club. It looks like Styles and The Good Brother’s are back again and taking over. This is what should’ve happened when they first came into the company so hopefully, they do it right this time. Styles and Gallows and Anderson could all be on their way to big things if they stick together and handle business like this. For Ricochet he is down but he has to get up and keep fighting.

Final Thoughts:
I did enjoy this Raw, first off the start to the show was insane. Strowman and Lashley took one for the team so to speak and they made an impact. That was epic and it’s a spark that WWE needed. Hopefully, they’ll be okay but a huge thank you to them. I liked the tag team match with Viking Raiders teaming with Samoa Joe to take on The New Day. Viking raider’s proved how destructive they can be and how good they are in the ring but more importantly, Joe made another big statement. By making Kofi pass out he showed how dangerous he is and how quick he could become WWE Champion. I also thought Miz and Elias put on a great match and both men brought out the best in each other. There was a lot of backstage segments but I felt like they all made sense and the show had a good flow to it. The main event was a good one and again given more time you know Styles and Ricochet will put on a classic. Ricochet won but like I said the bigger picture is The Club is back in full force. When working as a unit these guys are capable of anything and I hope they stick together and we can finally see a good run for The Club in WWE. Overall it was a decent show and I can’t wait to see things continue to change for the better on Monday Night’s. SmackDown should be a good one as well and the tides are shifting in WWE so I can’t wait to see what comes next!
Overall Rating: 7.5/10