Raw Review 06/01/2020

RAW REVIEW 06/01/2020

Tonight will be a busy night for the “Monday Night Messiah” Seth Rollins as he will take on Aleister Black in a 1 on 1 Match and host Rey Mysterio’s Retirement Ceremony. Can Rollins pick up a big win against Black? Plus, what does he have planned for Mysterio? Also, we will see Champion vs Champion as Charlotte Flair takes on Asuka. Can the NXT Women’s Champion defeat Asuka once again and prove she has her number or will the Raw Women’s Champion Asuka show-up the Queen? Finally, who will the new United States Champion Apollo Crews choose to defend his title against?

Raw comes to us from the WWE Performance Center.

Raw kicks off with us being introduced by Tom Phillips, Byron Saxton, and Samoa Joe.

In-Ring Segment: Rey Mysterio Retirement Ceremony:
Hosted By Seth Rollins w/ Murphy & Austin Theory
Rollins says tonight is a huge night on Raw with a lot of things going on. He says he will have a match with Aleister Black in a few moments. He says that Black seems to be confused about things regarding Rey Mysterio and it has left him no choice but to enlighten him, himself. He then tells Rey Mysterio will be on Raw later but he doesn’t think Rey will be able to announce his retirement so he will do it for him. He says Rey is to humble and modest to come to the ring and call himself a legend so it is his duty to acknowledge him as a hero for his sacrifice for the greater good of Monday Night Raw. he says this is a moment that will live in time forever and reiterates that Rey Mysterio was chosen for as a sacrifice for the greater good for Monday Night Raw. he says if that is not a legend he doesn’t know what is.
He tells how Rey transcended borders and continues that he is a legend. He says Rey sacrificed himself so he could be the man to lead Raw into the future. He says to honor Rey’s career he has made a video package. He then says let’s take a moment and enjoy the legend that is Rey Mysterio. The video highlights many of the incredible things Mysterio has done in his WWE career. It then finishes with Rollins’ “sacrifice” of Mysterio. Rollins then says what an amazing career for Rey Mysterio, he then says Rey is a first-ballot Hall Of Famer and when the time comes it will be his honor to induct Rey into the Hall Of Fame. Here comes Aleister Black. Black makes a b-line to the ring and attacks Rollins as Raw goes to break.
My Opinion:
Rollins continues to have his delusion thoughts about what he did to Rey Mysterio. Although he definitely banged up Mysterio, I think Rey will be back and avenge what Seth did. Then again Seth seems so confident in what he did it makes you wonder if he has a trick up his sleeve. Each week we continue to see this slow build of Rollins as he loses his mind more and more. I ultimately just want to know what is this greater plan of Seth Rollins and when will it fully come to fruition.

Match 1: Seth Rollins w/ Murphy & Austin Theory vs Aleister Black
As Raw returns, the match begins between these two. Black lands a quick shot to the leg and toys with Rollins early. Blck locks up with Rollins and lands another kick to the leg. He hammers away on Rollins and backs him into the corner. Black is backed off but stays on Rollins taking him to the mat as he leaves the corner. Black stays on the offense and Rollins has to go to the outside to regroup. Rollins now brings Black to the outside but Black is able to land a kick. Back in the ring, Rollins takes control with a big dropkick. Rollins then rakes at the face of Black. Rollins gets him in the corner and hits a big knee strike. He then lands a snap suplex and covers but Black kicks out. Black gets to a vertical base and tries to fight back with a big right hand. Rollins stays in control. Black now fights out of the corner but Rollins stops his momentum with a big knee.
Rollins then is able to knock him to the mat. Rollins now uses the ropes to choke Black. Rollins toys with him with a knee to the face. Black stands up and hits him with strikes. Rollins gets back in control and sends him to the outside. Rollins then flies through the ropes and drives him into the barricade. Back in the ring, Rollins brings Black to his feet and throws him into the corner. Black gets back in control with a kick to the chest. Black misses on the knee but stays with it and lands another huge kick. This doesn’t last long as Rollins sends Black to the ring face-first. Humberto Carrillo comes out with a steel chair to back off Murphy and Theory as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Black stomps on Black in the corner. As Black gets up Rollins continues to hammer on him. Black comes back with a series of right hands. Black stops a dropkick attempt. He then tries to lift Rollins but he is met with an elbow. Rollins is now hit, Rollins though comes right back with a sling blade. He covers but Black kicks out. Rollin sheets Black in the corner and runs at him hitting him with another knee strike. Rollins goes to the apron and looks for a knee strike off the ropes but he misses. Black comes back knocking Rollins down and then hitting him with a sliding knee strike. Black hits the moonsault from the middle rope. He covers but Rollins kicks out. Rollins backs Black into the corner and breaks the grip. Black comes back with a quick cover but Rollins kicks out. Rollins tries a cover but Black kicks out. Black now hits a suplex and uses that to get a cover but Rollins again kicks out. Rollins fights off Black with an enziguri. He then hits a kick followed by the Falcon Arrow. He covers and Black kicks out. Rollins now goes up top and looks for the frog splash. He flies but Black is able to counter it. Black goes to the apron to meet Rollins. Rollins tries to fight him off but Black keeps coming at him. Rollins hits him in the knee and Black comes back sending him into the ring post. Black then flies off the ring post and hits a moonsault on the floor as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Rollins knocks Black off the top rope. Rollins tries the frog splash again and this time he connects. He covers but Black is able to kick out. Rollins now looks for the stomp but he misses on the attempt. Black then is able to work the armbar. Rollins tries to fight his way out and does. Rollins now hits a big powerbomb on Black. Rollins goes to the apron and tries the knee again but as he is in midair he is met with a knee from Black! Black sets for Black Mass but as he does Murphy and Theory get on the apron. Carrillo pulls them off but he is attacked by Theory and Murphy. Rollins tris to steal one but Black fights him off. Black works a cover and gets the 1 2 3 on the cover.
***As the match ends Theory and Murphy attack Black. Carrillo tries to help Black but Rollins joins the fray and it’s 3 on 1. Murphy and Theory hold Black and make him watch Rollins deliver the stomp to Carrillo. Black calls him a coward and Rollins tells him he warned him what would happen if he got in his way. He then asks Black if he wants to be a hero. He says this is what happens when you want to be a hero and he hits Black with the stomp.
Winner: Aleister Black
My Opinion:
I give a lot of credit to Black for staying in this one and fighting to the end to get that well-earned victory. Black wasn’t looking his best tonight as Rollins really had his way with him. I was impressed Rollins was able to keep that slow of a pace throughout the match and he was really impressed with his control of Black. That is something that has made Rollins so dangerous in the past is that he really knows how to work his opponents and prey on their weaknesses. Black though, showed he is here for the long fight and stuck it out showing his heart and determination. I’m sure these two will meet again and if that happens Rollins better look to put him away earlier instead of toying with him so much. Rollins and his disciples seem to be in firm control of this rivalry and there is no doubt once again Black and Carrillo need more numbers just like Kevin Owens once did.

Backstage Segment: Angel Garza & Zelina Vega
Charly welcomes Garza and Vega. she says before we get to the question let’s look at your controversial victory over Kevin Owens last week. Vega defends Garza and says Owens agreed to this match. Garza takes over the interview and says in love and war anything is far. Vega says the win was triumphant, telling that Garza saw what he wanted and took it. Garza says he doesn’t want something as badly as he does. Garza then gives Charly a rose but Vega takes it and rips it up.

*** Shawn Michaels is here to address the Randy Orton and Edge match, next!

Shawn Michaels:
HBK says take about high bar and pressure on these two. He says coming from someone who has had a few great wrestling matches, he then misses his ladder match with Razor Ramon, his match with Bret Hart, and his matches with The Undertaker. He goes back to the Edge and Orton match and says he thinks they can deliver. He then says he thinks Edge will come out on top. He says time, wisdom, knowledge, and fate give Edge the edge.

Backstage Segment: MVP & Lana
Lana asks MVP who he thinks he is. She then reminds him that Bobby is her husband and not his bff. He tells Lana that unlike her he has actual work to do and has to go get ready for his match with Drew McIntyre. He then tells her he doesn’t have time for her drama. She then tells MVP he is using Bobby to revive his washed-up career. MVP says that would make two of them. Lana slaps him and walks away.

In-Ring Segment: Apollo Crews
Kayla Braxton welcomes the new United States Champion, Apollo Crews! Kayla congratulates him and then asks what his first week of being champion has been like. He says it’s been so good, he says that overall it feels so good to champion. She then asks who he has picked for his opponent tonight. He goes on to tell that this superstar is very deserving and names Kevin Owens as his opponent.

Owens makes his way to the ring. He congratulates Crews and then says he appreciates the offer he gave him. He says he is not one to turn down title opportunities because it’s been too long since he has had one but he feels that after what happened last week between him and Angel Garza he feels this is coming out of pity. Crews says this is all about respect. Owens says Angel Garza is going to get what’s coming to him soon enough. He says though he feels bad about it. Crews says what is there to feel bad about, you deserve it. Owens says he knows he deserves it after the blood, sweat, and tears he has put into this place over the last 5 years. He says he feels bad though that Crews first title reign is going to be a real short one.

Match 2: Apollo Crews (c) vs Kevin Owens:
United States Championship Match
The match begins and the two lock up. Owens gets around on him but Crews fights him off and catches him with a dropkick as Owens comes off the ropes. Owens gets up and works a headlock. Owens fights back and knocks Crews to the mat. Crews is sent to the outside and bounces off the apron hard. Owens looks to fly to the outside but Crews moves out of the way. Owens makes his way out there and Crews fires away at him. Owens fights back and hits the senton. Back in the ring, Owens goes to the top and hits the senton again. He covers but Crews kicks out. Owens stays on the offensive but accidentally kicks Crews in the groin. The ref checks on Crews and Crews agrees to keep going. Crews fires away with a right hand. Owens fights back and the two fall to the floor as they continue their fight as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Owens and Crews are back in the ring and trade blows. Crews fires away with forearms but Owens slows him down with a headbutt. Crews stays in it and hits a powerslam. He covers but Owens kicks out. Crews looks for the Olympic slam but Owens escapes. Owens hits the superkick and covers but Crews kicks out. Owens now hits a moonsault and tries another cover but Crews kicks out again. Owens picks up Crews and looks for the pop-up powerbomb. Crews avoids it and hits the enziguri. Crews tries to put Owens away a few times but fails even after a beautiful standing moonsault. Crews now hits a splash in the corner. He hits another one but Owens stays strong. Owens avoids him in the corner and hits another superkick. Owens goes up top and looks for the seton but Crews gets his knees up. Garza and Andre now come to the ring and attack both Owens and Crews. The two stand tall as Raw goes to break.
Winner: No Contest
My Opinion:
It’s a shame this match ended in disqualification because it was an awesome match between these two. I loved how hard-hitting this one was and they both showed how much the U.S. title means to them. This is the most passion I’ve seen for this title in a while and I hope we continue to see matches like this for the championship. I’m not sure who would have come out on top of that as both seemed to have each other pretty well scouted. I’d love to see them face off again because you have to imagine it’d be even more hard-hitting given the new knowledge they have on each other after facing off tonight. For Andrade and Garza it seems they just wanted this spotlight. Their power and group blew up quickly and now they need to find a way back to the top. Owens and crews though are hard hitters and are not the two to mess with.

Match 3: Andrade & Angel Garza w/ Zelina Vega vs Apollo Crews & Kevin Owens
Crews hammers away on Andrade as Raw returns. Crews taunts Garza but this allows Andrade to attack him from behind. Andrade stays on him and brings him to the corner. Garza tags in and hits Crews with big knee strikes. Garza catches him in the air and goes back to work after ripping off his pants. Andrade tags back in and hits Crews before taunting Owens. Andrade stomps on him. He then hits a big knee off the ropes. Andrade hits him with an elbow. He keeps him on the mat and tags Garza. Garza hits a big kick. He covers but Crews kicks out. Garza now works the arm of Crews. He brings him to his feet and looks for the Wing Clipper but Crews fights him off.
Owens tags in and so does Andrade. Garza lands a cheap shot and this allows Andrade to tee off on Owens. Andrade now goes after the banged-up left knee of Owens. He locks in the single-leg Boston crab and wrenches on Owens. Owens is able to fight out. Andrade stays on him and slows him down from making a tag. Owens lands an atomic drop. He then hits a clothesline followed by a senton. Garza provides a distraction and stops Owens in his tracks. Owens is able to tag Crews though. Crews comes in and is able to get in control with an Olympic slam. Garza then takes out the knee of Owens on the outside. Crews takes care of Garza. He then hits the powerbomb on Andrade and gets the 1 2 3 on the cover.
Winners: Apollo Crews & Kevin Owens
My Opinion:
A tough loss for Garza and Andrade, they came out and attacked Owens and Crews and then lost to them in this match. Andrade and Garza are showing they are definitely not on the same page right now and they must fix that if they are going to run Raw again. It’s amazing how they were clicking so well not too long ago and now they can’t get it together. I think they need to find their focus again because it seems lost. When you see Crews and Owens you see two people who want to fight and want to win. They might now fight dirty but when you fight them straight up they’re always in the fight. I think both Garza and Andrade can get back to the top but it’s going to take them working together as a unit and being up to win face to face.

Backstage Segment:
Kayla welcomes Asuka and asks her about her match with Charlotte Flair and Kairi Sane’s match with Nia. Asuka says she will take care of Nia at Backlash. Kayla then asks Asuka about Charlotte saying she can’t beat her. Asuka proclaims that the Empress doesn’t bow down to anyone.

The Street Profits & The Viking Raiders
We get a review of all the competitions these two have had. We then go to tonight’s contest which is bowling. Erik tells them that at the end of today the challenge is going to be 2 to 2. They start the game and Erik rolls a strike. Ivar then knocks down 8 pins. Ford then goes but rolls a gutter ball. Dawkins then does the same. Ivar goes and knocks down 9 pins. The teams then share a drink with each other which turns out to be goat’s milk. Dawkins spits this out. The Street Profits continue to go bad with Ford even dropping a ball on Dawkins’s foot.
The Raiders continue to destroy them. Ivar goes to the back and pulls out two Turkey legs. They are then kicked out of the back. The owner then says they are lucky they are not getting kicked out this time because Ivar is cute. She then tells Erik he isn’t. Ford and Dawkins then say they want the smoke. They get the smoke effects with laser lights. The Street Profits then ball out dominating the game. Erik then throws Ivar down the alley and Ivar throws the ball at the pins getting a strike. The Viking Raiders win and it’s tied up 2 to 2.
My Opinion:
These teams make the best of these segments and while they’re entertaining at times I still don’t feel this is what they should be doing. If the two tops teams are doing this then it makes the whole tag division look weak and silly. It really shouldn’t be that way as Raw’s tag division was heating up so well. I was getting excited with the new teams that were coming to Raw and looked like a change for the better but of course, it wasn’t. With the “score” now 2 to 2, I think it’s time these two teams get back in the ring. I know The Street Profits bring the energy and are such an entertaining team but it doesn’t make sense for what were the vicious Viking Raiders to be doing this. They should be out in the ring tearing it up again. For both team’s sake, I hope this changes soon.

Backstage Segment: Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross & The IIconics (Peyton Royce & Billie Kay)
Bliss and Cross argue with the IIconics ahead of Cross and Kay facing off, next!

Match 4: Nikki Cross w/ Alexa Bliss vs Billie Kay w/ Peyton Royce
As Raw returns, Cross and Kay start the match. They push each other and Cross gets the early advantage taking her down on the mat. Cross bounces Kay off the turnbuckles and stays on the offensive. Cross hits a dropkick and covers Kay but she kicks out. Kay comes back with a big kick to the face. She covers but Cross is able to kick out. Kay gets Cross in the corner. She then kicks her repeatedly. Kay takes down Cross and tries to put her away again but Cross kicks out. Cross comes back after Kay yells at Bliss. Cross hits her with right hands but Kay quickly gets in control and takes her down.
Kay now goes to a chin lock. Cross tries to fight back but Kay keeps her on the mat. Cross hits her with elbows to the gut. Kay stays on her and works a backbreaker. Kay now hits an elbow. She covers Cross but Cross kicks out. Kay taints Cross and this fires Cross up. Cross fights back and is able to take her down to the mat. Cross hits the splash in the corner. She then hits the bulldog. Cross goes to the apron and hits a shoulder to the midsection. She then hits a kick. She goes up top looking for the cross body but she crashes and burns. Kay hits a sit-out uranage. She covers and gets the 1 2 3.
Winner: Billie Kay
My Opinion:
What an impressive win by Billie Kay. This may have been one of the best matches I’ve seen from her and if this is the aggression she is going to bring to the ring now I’m here for it. Kay was very impressive being able to neutralize Cross as she did. She constantly stayed on the offensive and really it didn’t seem like Cross could find her footing. If Kay keeps this up there is no doubt she and Royce could win the tag titles back. I can’t wait to see where this goes and I’m glad the Women’s Tag Team Championships are back in the spotlight where they should be!

Backstage Segment: Drew McIntyre
Charly asks Drew if the looming threat for Bobby Lashley worries him in his match against MVP tonight. He says he loves challenges. He says that since winning the title he has defeated 7 superstars and if MVP wants to be number 8 that is fine by him. He says if Lashley wants to get in the ring he can get a Claymore too. He says if anyone in the back, up the street, or in America wants to get in the ring with him they can get a Claymore too.

Rey Mysterio:
Tom Phillips starts by asking Rey about his eye and when he can return to the ring. Rey says his eye is still recovering and he doesn’t know when or if he can return. He says it’s all about how fast he recovers. He says if an infection sets in that could be the end of his career. Joe asks him if he is here to retire tonight? Rey says he doesn’t know and doesn’t know if it is up to him anymore. He says he doesn’t even know if he can get back in the ring again. Joe then asks about Rollins’ retirement ceremony. Rey says Rollins carries a lot of negativity. He tells that Rollins made the decision to try and blind him.
Rey’s son comes in and says Rollins isn’t a Messiah and he is barely a human being. He says someone from this family needs to do something about it. Rey tells him to chill. He then thanks everyone for their support and sympathy. He then says damn Seth Rollins for what he put his family through. He says they had to watch the man who provides and protects, bleed and suffer. He says he is a man of forgiveness but he will never forgive Seth Rollins for what he did. He again says damn Seth Rollins. Dominick then says Seth Rollins is a man of scripture, an eye for an eye.
My Opinion:
I really hope Rey can make it back to the ring and defend his honor the way he should. I’m Rey will be back and will get his hands on Rollins but I’m sure Rollins won’t make it easy for him. This is obviously going to be a developing story and now we have Rey’s son involved. It’ll be interesting to see where that twist goes as this could become an all-out war on Raw. I can’t wait to see what Rollins has to say in response as I’m sure he will have some strong words on this!

In-Ring Segment: Nia Jax
Nia says she did not start this. She tells that she has been repeatedly attacked by Asuka and Karir, a classic 2 on 1 advantage. She says they are not who they say they are and it’s all smoke and mirrors just like Asuka’s championship. She says Asuka was gifted the Raw Women’s Championship because of hormones. She says Becky got all pregnant and felt bad so she gifted the title to Asuka. She says she somehow is the villain here but she is the victim and she will expose Asuka at Backlash for the charlatan that she is.

24/7 Championship:
Gronk works on his TikTok dance at his house. He has someone there to help him who turns out to be a ref. R-Truth jumps up after pretending to be a gardener. He then pins Gronk to win the championship back.

Match 5: Nia Jax vs Kairi Sane
Sane starts out laying into Jax with big strikes. Jax knocks her down and taunts her. Sane fights back but Jax continues to overpower her. Jax lifts her but Sane gets on the back of her and looks for the sleeper which she locks in. Jax drops to a knee. Sane gets off of her and hammers on her again. She then lands big kicks to Jax. Sane goes up top but Jax gets up and hits her with a headbutt. Jax lifts her and looks for a slam but Sane turns it into a DDT. Sane covers but Jax powers out. Sane then hits her with a big knee strike. Sane goes up top but Jax rolls to the outside. Sane looks for the baseball slide but she is caught and bounced off the apron. Jax then throws Sane face-first into the steps. She brings her in the ring and hits her with a leg drop. She covers and gets the 1 2 3.
*** After the match, Asuka comes out to the ring and stares down Jax. Jax backs away and gets out of the ring.
Winner: Nia Jax
My Opinion:
Kairi gave it her best effort but she was clearly outmatched. Nia has so much power that there isn’t much Kairi could do to her. Nia proved a point tonight that she is ready for her opportunity at Backlash. I’m not counting Asuka out of this one though. She has been able to get to Jax in the past and now she has seen Jax so much in the ring that she knows what to expect. Nia played mind games with her tonight by backing out of the ring but I think when push comes to shove this match will be a lot closer than it’s expected to be.

Randy Orton:
Orton says the past few months, he has been at home and caught up on the Undertaker’s Last Ride, Chronicle, Ride Along, and other shows. He says everyone had one constant and that’s that Ric Flair is the best to ever do it. He says he agrees but last week Ric Flair said Randy Orton is the best to ever lace up a pair of boots. He then says Edge has agreed to this. He says two weeks ago Edge said about him that he was handed everything and he has been complacent and does this for a paycheck. He says Edge is right but it eats him up that he could half-ass it and still be the best. He says all he had to do was be Randy Orton and get in that ring and be the best. He says at Backlash he will prove he is better. He says he set the bait and Edge bit and now his storybook ending will be re-written by the three most destructive letters in Sports Entertainment, RKO.
My Opinion:
Orton was very to the point in this, there is no doubt he is one of the best ever in the ring, and even to this day he still is. He continues to grind it out and be one of the constants still in WWE. I think at Backlash he just wants to show he is better just because he can. This seems to be personal for Edge but Orton it’s no more than crushing someone’s hopes and dreams like he always has. These two have high expectations to live up to but if there are two people I would pick to live up to them, Edge and Orton would be on that list.

In-Ring Segment: Charlotte Flair
Charlotte tells how she will defend her title at NXT: In Your House in a Triple Threat Match. She says the aspiring WWE Superstars her tonight should want to be like Io or Rhea. Charlotte says she is rooting for them because ehse wants them to be like Io and Rhea so they can stand up to the throne and she can make them bow down. She says she knows someone who has a history of bowing down and that’s the Raw Women’s Champion Asuka. She then goes over how Asuka has won the Royal Rumble, had her undefeated streak and is a Grand Slam Champion. She says it seems like the Empress wants to be like the Queen. Here comes Asuka for their match!

Match 6: Charlotte Flair vs Asuka
Asuka is able to get around on Flair after the two lock up. Asuka is able to take her down but Flair fights out. The two come to a standoff after Asuka hits her with a quick shot. Flair hits a kick to the midsection. Flair gets her in the continue and continues on the offensive. Flair hits her in the back and continues to wear her down. Asuka throws her in the corner now but then misses on the hip attack. Flair then hits her with a right hand and attacks her knee. Flair now uses the ropes to work the knee more. Flair keeps on the attack now working a submission hold focusing on the knee. Asuka tries to fight out but this allows Flair to go for a cover. Asuka kicks out. Flair keeps grinding the knee of Asuka. Asuka tries to build momentum but Flair doesn’t give her much. Asuka hits her with an elbow but Flair comes right back beating her down in the corner. Flair now toys with her telling her she’s beaten her every time. Asuka comes back with big forearm strikes. She looks for a back fist but Flair hits her at the knee. Asuka fights back and hits a high kick to take down Flair. Asuka now hits the hip attack. She gets around on Flair and hits the German suplex. Asuka follows up with the Shining Wizard. She goes for the cover but Flair kicks out. Asuka misses a dropkick off the top. Asuka stays with it though and looks to lock in the Asuka Lock. Asuka turns it into a triangle choke. Flair fights back and is able to fight out and turn it into the Boston crab. Asuka fights back after a failed pin attempt and works a kneebar. Flair fights out and is able to turn it into a German suplex. Asuka comes back and lands a kick to the midsection. Asuka goes back to the arm and works the armbar. Asuka now goes to the triangle. Flair lifts Asuka and slams her down to the mat. She covers but Asuka is able to kick out. Flair now drags her to the middle of the ring. Asuka fights back and works to the ropes. Flair comes back with a boot to the face. Asuka’s music then hits and she comes Nia Jax wearing one of Asuka’s masks and mocking her. Jax runs down the ramp and runs her over. She then throws the mask on her.
Winner: No Contest
My Opinion:
What a match between these two, they both know each other so well and they went back and forth in there. I loved that they didn’t even need to go to the floor until the end and were able to just create magic in the ring. That seems to be a lost art at times but I’m glad to see it with these two. Flair and Asuka are two of the best in WWE and it shows every time they step in the ring. These two facing off is a match I could watch time and time again but it is clear after Asuka got attacked there are other things on their minds. Jax took a cheap shot which she really didn’t need to do. At least she didn’t attack her from behind though. Her message is clear but we will see if this fires up Asuka more and gets her mentally more ready for Backlash.

Backstage Segment: Lana
Charly introduces Lana and says how some say her relationship with MVP is a bit pretentious. She then shows the clip from earlier tonight. Charly then reiterates that Bobby has requested she doesn’t come to ringside because her beauty distracts him. She then asks her if she thinks it was Bobby’s idea of MVP’s idea. She says she is certain it wasn’t her Bobby’s idea. She then says Bobby said not to come out to the ring during his match but he said nothing about MVP’s match.

Match 7: Drew McIntyre vs MVP w/ Bobby Lashley
***Before the match begins Bobby Lashley makes his way to the ring to be by the side of MVP. then before the match gets underway officially Lana comes out to ringside as well.
McIntyre throws MVP into the corner and hammers away on him. MVP fights back but McIntyre beats him down again. McIntyre hits him with a chop and stays in control. MVP is able to throw him into the corner. He looks for a hip toss but McIntyre stops him and hits him with a clothesline. He then hits a Glasgow Kiss and sends him out of the ring. McIntyre meets him out there but off the distraction it allows MVP to send McIntyre into the ring post. Back in the ring. MVP goes for the cover but McIntrye kicks out. McIntyre fights back and takes down MVP. McIntyre then goes up and hits MVP right between the eyes. McIntyre looks for the Claymore but Lashley pulls MVP out of the ring. McIntyre then flies over the ropes and takes down both Lashley and MVP. McIntyre looks for the Claymore again and this time he connects. He covers and gets the 1 2 3.
***After the match, Bobby Lashley puts McIntyre into the full nelson. He has the move locked in as Raw goes off the air.
Winner: Drew McIntyre
My Opinion:
Another brutal and dominating performance from Drew McIntyre. He once again went out, manhandled, and put the match away quickly. Although Lashley got the better of him after the match by sneaking up on him I think this will only upset McIntyre. McIntyre is on another level right now and he is as locked in as I’ve seen someone in quite some time. Lashley gets one tonight but you can bet this won’t settle well with McIntyre and he will seek retribution against Lashley.

Final Thoughts:
First, I really enjoyed the match between Rollins and Black. Rollins was very impressive in the way he controlled this match and was able to dominate Black for a lot of it. Black though showed his heart and desire to win and that is a trait you can’t teach and is what could get Black to the top of Raw someday. I also enjoyed the continued story between Rollins and Rey Mysterio. Mysterio was fired up and for good reason. I hope he comes back soon and after what Dominick said it doesn’t look like Rey will come alone so this should get good! I loved the match between Owens and Crews. Those two laid it all on the line and although it ended prematurely they left a lasting impression and I’d love to see it again. I was very impressed with Billie Kay as well. She dominated Nikki Cross for most of their match and she looked like a star tonight. I wasn’t a big fan of the tag team bowling though.
I still think these teams need to be back in the ring and the Raw Tag Team Division needs to get back to wrestling instead of making them be funny. I loved the words from Randy Orton tonight. Edge vs Orton is a match I’m highly excited for and I have no doubt they are going to tear it up. After hearing Edge and now Orton they are clearly fighting for different things but both things give them enough reason to go in there and give one heck of a match. I loved the match between Asuka and Charlotte. They killed it as always and put on another great match. I hope to see these two lock up more in the future. Finally, McIntyre dominated once again and he seems ready to beat up Bobby Lashley at Backlash. Lashley gets one up on McIntyre but it doesn’t seem like it’ll do much in the grand scheme of things. Overall it was a good night on Raw! As always, stay safe and healthy, and enjoy SmackDown, and NXT!
Overall Rating: 6/10