Raw Review 06/19/2017

Tonight The “Big Dog” Roman Reigns returns to make a huge announcement regarding this year’s SummerSlam. What exactly will Roman have in store for The WWE Universe as he will kick off the show? After his epic showdown with Brock Lesnar last week, does Samoa Joe have The Beast’s number? Also Bayley has slowly slipped away from being the top Women’s Superstar on Raw, can she turn things around and get back in the Raw Women’s Championship picture? The Hardy’s took Sheamus and Cesaro to the limit last week in their Championship rematch. After the match came to a draw will The Hardy’s get one more shot, or is another tag team inline for the opportunity? Seth Rollins and Bray Wyatt stood face to face last week in an epic exchange of words. Can The Kingslayer stand up to a “god”? Lastly we search for answers in two storylines, who attacked Enzo and Big Cass and who is out to get Kurt Angle? All this and more on Monday Night Raw!!!!

Raw is live tonight from the Ford Center in Evansville, IN.

Raw kicks off with us being welcomed to the show by Michael Cole, Corey Graves & Booker T.

In Ring Segment: Roman Reigns
Roman says some of you all may not like this, some of you all may love this. He states he can not be beaten one on one. He tells the crowd to ask Wyatt, Balor, Rollins, and Strowman. He then says he main evented his third WrestleMania in a row and retired The Undertaker. Roman says he respects him, and Taker respects him because he beat him. Roman says after Great Balls of Fire he doesn’t care who wins because at SummerSlam he is the #1 Contender because this is his yard and he makes the rules around here. Out comes Samoa Joe
Joe says he couldn’t help but notice that Roman seems to have forgotten his name. Joe states he was offended at first, but noticed that Roman had to tell the world who he’s beaten, but he’s never beaten him. Joe reintroduces himself to Roman and says he is the true #1 Contender and the next Universal Champion. Roman says he agrees with what Heyman says “You’ll never be Samoa Joe to me, you’ll always be just Joe.” Joe headbutts Roman out of the ring and he goes after Roman on the outside. He drives Roman into the barricade and bounces him off of the ring. He throws Roman back in the ring and tries for the Coquina Clutch, but Roman fights out of it and hits him with a Superman Punch.
My Opinion:
I think Roman is great and I respect how much work he puts in, but I don’t like the declaring things. I think half of the fun of the hype to SummerSlam was seeing who was gonna step up and get the shot at the title. I was really hoping Braun would come out and these two would go at it to see who is the man. Joe coming out wasn’t bad though because it really sells the fact that Joe will stand up to anyone and fears no one. It creates an interesting concept in how both men think they are the top of the Raw brand.

Match 1: The Hardy Boyz vs The Club ( Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson)
Matt and Anderson lock up. Matt gains control and wrenches the arm of Anderson. Jeff gets the tag and he and Matt double team Anderson. Jeff backs Anderson into the corner and drives his shoulder into his gut. Matt gets the tag and once again they double team Anderson. Matt goes for a cover, but Anderson kicks out. Anderson gets in control and tags Gallows. Matt fights back and tags Jeff. Jeff and Matt hit Poetry in Motion on Gallows. Jeff hits a splash, but can’t put away Gallows. Gallows throws Jeff in the corner and lands a big boot. Anderson gets the tag and grounds Jeff. Anderson throws Jeff into Gallows. Jeff goes to the top, but is pushed off by Anderson as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns Anderson drives a series of knees into Jeff’s face followed by a double stomp. Anderson works Jeff’s arm and prevents him from making a tag. Jeff is thrown in the corner, but moves out of the way of a running Anderson. Jeff takes out Gallows and tries for the tag, but Anderson grabs his leg. Jeff creates space, but gallows gets the tag and knocks Matt off the apron. Gallows hits a splash and tags Anderson. Jeff is able to break away and go to the top taking out both men on the flight. Matt gets the tag and takes out Gallows. Matt turns to Anderson and tees off with rights. He uses the turnbuckles to drive Anderson’s face into. Matt hits a boot to the face and an elbow to the side of the back of the neck. Matt hits the side effect, but Gallows breaks up the tag. Gallows takes out Jeff on the outside and Anderson takes it to Matt in the ring. Gallows lands a right on Matt and Anderson follows with a clothesline. The Club hits the boot of doom and Gallows goes for the tag, but Matt kicks out. Jeff takes out Anderson. Matt hits the twist of fate and Jeff hits the Swanton. Jeff pins Gallows for the win.
Winners: The Hardy Boyz
My Opinion:
I really enjoyed the match. Even though Gallows and Anderson havn’t been in the spotlight lately, let’s not forget at one point these were two of the best tag teams in the world. I think there’s no doubt people want to see Matt and Jeff as champions. I think one thing that could be awesome is if Jeff and Matt win the titles back before SummerSlam and then have Gallows and Anderson say they deserve a shot. Then at SummerSlam put the Hardy’s versus The Club versus Sheamus and Cesaro in a ladder match or TLC match like the old Hardy days.

Backstage Segment:
“Alright Mr. DeMille I’m ready for my close up.” Sunset Boulevard 1950. Goldust says there’s the beautiful side with paved roads and dreams, but asks about the other side, where dreams are shattered like a piece of broken glass. He states he’s been there, but has pieced himself back together. He says he will be flying into the City of Angels on wings of gold. He invites R-Truth to the debut of his latest motion picture Shattered Truth next week. He tells that you’ll never forget the name of Goldust and states The Golden Age is back.
*** Elias Sampson sits in the ring and tries to play a song, but the crowd doesn’t allow it. He keeps trying, but is interrupted by Finn Balor. Balor makes his entrance and the two have a standoff. Sampson decides it’s best to leave and exits the ring as Balor prepares for him match next.

Match 2: Bo Dallas vs Finn Balor
Before the match Dallas goes right after Balor. Dallas hits an elbow taking Balor to the mat.
Dallas backs Balor into the corner and hammers away. Balor out of the corner is taken down by a clothesline from Dallas. Dallas goes to the outside and hammers on Balor’s neck. Dallas pulls Balor out of the ring and drives Balor into the barricade. He follows up with a knee to the face. Dallas brings Balor into the ring and tries for a pin, but it’s not enough. Balor is able to get space with an overhead kick. Balor hits a shot to the kidney and stomps on Dallas. Dallas is thrown to the outside and Balor takes him out with a huge kick. Balor drives Dallas into barricade. He brings him around the ring and does it again and again. Balor brings him in the ring and hits a sling blade. He dropkicks Dallas and heads to the top and hits the Coup De Grace. He picks up the win on the cover.
Winner: Finn Balor
My Opinion:
I loved the aggression from Balor. Dallas is irrelevant and didn’t deserve the way he was put over like that in the early going. I think the whole match should’ve just been Balor being aggressive and Dallas getting nothing in to the extent that he did. My point to it is Balor is a top guy and should be treated as such. They wouldn’t let Dallas get even a swing in on someone like Reigns or Joe, so don’t do it to Balor. Balor could be the face of the company if they believed in him and ran with it.

Backstage Segment:
Corey Graves approaches Angle and says it’s too bad you didn’t have a good Father’s Day. Graves says he is here to help. Enzo and Cass come in, Angle asks Enzo why he would send a tweet like that to Conor Mcgregor. Cass tells Angle to get things under control before one of them get hurt and get hurt badly. Enzo says all signs point to The Revival. Cass says he thinks it is Big Show. Angle promises by the end of the night they will know who did it.

In Ring Segment: Seth Rollins
Rollins says today was an awesome today. He tells he grew up playing video games and no one was cooler than the guy on the game. He tells that he had the honor today to join that group as he is on the cover of 2k18. Rollins says he was given an offer and accepted and bought in. He states he got everything from money to titles. Rollins tells he had all of that stuff, but he couldn’t look himself in the mirror. He tells that the WWE Universe that they gave him a second chance and states that this is our cover. He tells that the tagline for this year is Be Like No One. He says we have all made mistakes, but it doesn’t define who we are today, tomorrow, or in the future. Wyatt cuts in.
Wyatt says here Rollins goes again contradicting himself. He says Rollins states he has become his own man, but he waves the corporate banner. He tells that Rollins is still conforming, but now it’s to what the people want him to be. He tells Rollins that deep down he is not an honest man. Rollins tells Wyatt he is right because he is not that man, he is the man. He tells Wyatt that he thinks he knows everything about everybody, but life doesn’t work that way. Rollins says he has had an exciting couple years, but the people who know him know he was more excited when he got to stand face to face with a “god”. Rollins says in his mind Wyatt is just a coward. Wyatt says he warned Rollins and now it is time to make a sacrifice. Wyatt says now I’m here. Out comes Wyatt.
Wyatt comes to the ring and Rollins flies out of the ring and lands on Wyatt. Rollins walks off as Wyatt lays on the floor.
My Opinion:
I loved Wyatt versus Rollins. I think these two work perfect because both men fight to out talk the other. I love how Rollins talks down Wyatt and Wyatt keeps firing back. Tonight was perfect, Rollins took a dive and that was it. I love the building tension and if they keep going this way when they collide it will be epic. Rollins and Wyatt have the ability to create something special and I can’t wait. This honestly may be my favorite feud going on right now and if they take to social media and stuff like that they really can hype this thing up.

Backstage Segment:
Charly asks Balor what’s next. Balor says it is important to look forward and all he sees is the Universal Title and him doing everything to win it back. Balor is asked for his predictions for tonight. He says he knows Joe well and if he locks in the Coquina Clutch it’s lights out. He goes on to Roman, but is attacked by Elias Sampson. Elias knocks him to the floor and tells him to never upstage him again.

Match 3: Akira Tozawa vs TJP
*** Before the match Titus comes out and says they can’t have a match like this without the proper hype and brand and more importantly the proper man. Titus presents the match and introduces the competitors.
Tozawa gets Tj in a side headlock. Tj is able to reverse into one of his own. Tozawa is able to get a roll up, but Tj gets out. Tj is able to choke Tozawa with his legs, but Tozawa gets out. Tozawa is able to use speed to send Tj to the apron. Tj goes to the top and flips over Tozawa. Tozawa is able to catch him with a kick. Out comes Neville.
As Raw returns Tj slams Tozawa and flips back in the ring with a senton. He twist the head of Tozawa, but Tozawa fights out. Tj is able to land an elbow to the neck, but Tozawa lands a shot. Tj takes down Tozawa and flips up taunting. Tj kicks Tozawa and goes back to his neck. Tozawa tries for a suplex, but is caught with an elbow. Tozawa bounces back with a running boot. Tozawa goes to the top, but Tj rolls out. Tozawa hits him with dive on the outside. Tj and Tozawa make it back in the ring. Tj is able to send Tozawa into the turnbuckle and follow up with a gut buster. Tozawa is able to land a side head kick and follow it with a gut wrench. Up to the top goes Tozawa and he hits a senton bomb that puts away TJP.
*** After the match Titus tells the crowd to give it up for Tozawa. Titus tells that tonight he and Apollo are facing the tag champs. He says it is going to be a celebration and tells Tozawa once he signs with him he will get money and titles. Neville cuts in and tells Titus to watch his tongue. Neville states to Tozawa to watch where he treads because he will be annihilated. Titus says he doesn’t see a proud king, he sees a scared little boy. Titus tells Neville that he will be annihilated by the power of Tozawa.
Winner: Akira Tozawa
My Opinion:
Not a bad match between the two. I think these are two guys who put the Cruiserweights in the bright lights and make people want to watch. I just wish they would do away with a the stupid storylines and allow them to wrestle. The Cruiserweight Classic was epic and it was because of the wrestling. If they allowed them to do what they are capable of then this would take off. Right now I think they are at a stand still and people don’t really care.

Backstage Segment:
Truth tells Goldust that accepts the invitation. He says to get ready because he is gonna smash those light. He’s gonna send him crashing back down to earth. No movie, just the hand of truth and next week he is gonna get got.

Backstage Segment:
Axle greets Dallas and tells him to pick himself up. Miz interrupts and tells Dallas he hasn’t been looking so hot. He tells them that on Raw they are just bit players. Axle tells Miz to be careful what he says. Miz asks them to join him and become his entourage and he will make them stars they deserve to be.

Backstage Segment:
Charly asks Joe how he’s preparing tonight. Joe says she should be asking how Roman is preparing for him. Joe says it is real simple, Roman needs to realize who he is dealing. Joe tells that Roman needs to remember to be careful what you ask for because he is going to lock up Brock in the Coquina Clutch and he is not letting go of that or the championship. He says Roman better put respect on his name every time he says it because he is Samoa Joe.

Match 4: Roman Reigns vs Samoa Joe
The men lock up and Joe backs Reigns into the corner. Reigns gets a side headlock. The two sound off at each other. Reigns and Joe exchange rights. Reigns keeps coming with them, but Joe hits him with a knee and a forearm. Reigns is able to hit a shoulder tackle and Joe goes to the outside to regroup. Joe gets back in and hits Reigns with an elbow to the jaw and rapid fire right hands. Reigns hits him with a right of his own and a forearm of his own. Joe is backed into the corner. Reigns tries to throw Joe in the corner, but Joe reverses. Reigns now goes to the outside to regroup. Joe and Reigns brawl until Joe hits a hedbutt. Joe throws Reigns to the mat and asks him what’s my name. Joe chops Reigns, but Reigns hits a samoan drop. Reigns looks for the drive by, but Joe backs out of the ring. Joe catches Reigns in the mid-section and drives Reigns into the post. Joe hits a running senton as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns Joe chops the back of Reigns. Joe hits a big elbow, but it doesn’t put away Reigns. Joe kicks Reigns and is able to lock in a chinlock. Joe knees Reigns in the gut and hits a hedbutt sending Reigns to the mat. Joe looks for the senton, but Reigns rolls out of the way. Joe misses in the corner and is hit with a punch. Reigns connects with a boot and gets a 2 on the pin attempt. Reigns hits a series of clotheslines in the corner. Reigns hits a big clothesline off the ropes sending Joe to the mat. Reigns looks for the Superman Punch, but Joe retreats to the outside. Reigns goes to the outside and this time hits the drive by. Joe catches Reigns and hits a boot followed by a senton. Joe hits high knees, but Reigns is able to counter. Reigns hits the Superman Punch, but Joe kicks out. Joe catches Reigns with a knee. Joe hits a uranage, but Reigns won’t stay down. Joe looks for the Coquina Clutch, but Reigns fights out. Reigns spears Joe and goes for the cover. Joe puts his foot on the ropes to break the count. On the titantron we are shown an ambulance and out of it is Braun Strowman!!! Joe takes advantage of the distraction and locks in the Coquina Clutch. Reigns fades and Joe wins.
*** Braun comes to the ring and tells Roman that he is not finished with him. Braun throws Roman to the mat. Braun says he will see Roman at Great Balls Of Fire in an Ambulance Match
Winner: Samoa Joe
My Opinion:
The match started off slow, but they brought it together. These men can battle and they showed that. I loved braun coming back. Braun adds a whole new element and I want to see him and Reigns have another match. Plus with Braun back we can see him versus Brock or Joe. Reigns was getting a little too cocky for me and I want Braun to put him in his place. This will be an epic showdown and finally we will get a good interesting gimmick match.

In Ring Segment: Miz TV
Miz welcomes his guest tonight Maryse and says he owes her an enormous apology. Miz tries to kiss her, but she turns away. Miz says he was wrong to destroy the clock and wrong to of knocked her off the apron. He tells her that he knows sorry is not good enough and so he got her a gift. She opens it and it’s the grandfather clock she got him. Miz says he made it perfect just like her and just like them. He pleads to her that Ambrose is trying to come between them and take what they have which is the Intercontinental Championship. Miz says he loves her and apologizes again. He tells her that he will never put her in harm’s way. Out comes Ambrose.
Ambrose comes in the ring and cause Maryse to spill her wine. Miz charges him and misses and knocks over the grandfather clock. Maryse slaps Miz and leaves the ring. Ambrose sends Miz to the outside. The two bears assault Ambrose. The bears are Axle and Dallas. They hold Ambrose and Miz kicks him. Miz hits the skull crushing finale.
My Opinion:
I think the storyline has just been a drag out boring thing in order to get them to the next ppv. I hope that when they clash again they have a great match because this isn’t really representing the IC title properly. Ambrose and Miz work well together, but I don’t think this is what people want. I fell these two need to go separate ways and Ambrose needs to get back to being a top guy. Eventually though I see Roman winning the IC title and coming back in 2018 looking for the Universal Championship as the one title that has eluded him.

Match 5: Sheamus & Cesaro vs Titus O’Neil & Apollo Crews
Cesaro lands a nice shoulder tackle to Crews. Crews is able to land a dropkick . Cesaro sends Crews in the corner and lands an uppercut. Sheamus gets the tag and he hits a rolling senton. He lands big blows to Crews chest. Crews fights to a vertical base, but is backed in the corner. Cesaro gets the tag and two stomp on Crews. Cesaro knocks down Crews, but can’t get the win on the pin. Sheamus gets the tag again. Sheamus quickly tags Cesaro. Crews lands an enziguri and tags Titus. Titus throws Cesaro. Titus lands a splash and follows with a big boot. Sheamus is able to hang up Titus on the ropes. Titus slams Sheamus and Crews comes in. Crews hits a standing moonsault and Cesaro has to break up the pin. Cesaro hits Crews with an uppercut. Cesaro gets the tag and the two double team Crews as Cesaro goes on to pick up the win.
Winners: Sheamus & Cesaro
My Opinion:
I think Crews and Titus always show that they can hang. They are both very impressive, but in the end there was really no point to the match. The commentary was annoying and the match wasn’t much better. Sheamus and Cesaro just don’t feel like a real heel tag team. I wish they didn’t joke around in there and they just went to destroy. The match could have been a lot better if it was faster paced.

Match 6: Sasha Banks vs Nia Jax
Nia is in control of Sasha as Raw returns. Sasha is able to hit Nia with a shot and side step her in the corner. Sasha is able to hit double knees. At the announcer’s table Emma hits Alexa and chases her down to the ring. The two get in the ring and Alexa stands behind Nia. Emma tries to kick Alexa, but Nia is kicked instead. Emma is sent to the floor. Sasha comes in and is taken out. Alexa and Emma stomp on her. Mickie and Dana come and get involved. Nia comes back in and takes the women out. Out comes Bayley. Bayley takes it to the women. Nia backs Bayley in the corner and Mickie and Dana try to go after her. Bayley kicks Nia and Nia is driven out of the ring.
Winner: Nia Jax Via DQ
My Opinion:
I love all the women getting involved again. I really think they need to just throw them all out there and let them go at it. I think this would give people less time to debate who’s gonna win and create the element of surprise. With Great balls Of Fire already shaping up to epic, this would add to it. Then you can clear out the carnage from the match and actually have a good heated rivalry that will continue until SummerSlam

In Ring Segment: Kurt Angle
Angle tells how Enzo and Cass have been attacked for that past month. He says he will not let Raw go on like this and have the wrestlers get injured. Cass says when they find out who’s been doing this they will find them and prove that they are SAWFT. Angle says he’s been talking to suspects all night long. He then brings out The Revival. Angle then brings out Big Show. Angle tells Show that Cass stated when he got hit it felt like a very very powerful punch to the back of the head. Show tells Angle that he knows them. Show tells Enzo and Cass that they are both sawft and if he wanted to go after them he would just do it and punch them in the face. He then questions Kurt for accusing him of this and tells Angle that he doesn’t need to be on his show anymore. Cass tells Show that they don’t need him on here. Dawson says they are innocent and their is nothing left for them prove. Angle says that is true. Corey gets on the mic and says Cass claims he had a lump the size of a baseball. He says the medical team doesn’t recall treating Cass. He then questions Cass for competing when not getting medically cleared. Corey says he know what happened last week. Corey shows footage of last week where Cass is looking around backstage and is staging the setup of him being “taken out”. Corey then says Big Cass attacked Enzo. Cass say you’re damn right. He tells Enzo that he just runs his mouth every single minute of the day. Cass says there has been so many times he wanted to slap him and knock him out himself. He tells Enzo that he felt bad for him that no one likes him and he put up with his crap every single day until finally he snapped. Cass says it felt damn good when he attacked him from behind. Cass says he would’ve snapped his neck like a twig and watched him suffer for all the crap he had to put up with all those years. He tells that he cooled things down when it got hot because he wanted to see if Enzo could figure it out. He tells Enzo that he is deadweight that is holding him back form his potential. He says Enzo is the reason he has never been a champion. He states he is a star and where the money is. Cass states that he and Enzo are through. Cass then hits Enzo with a boot.
My Opinion:
Awesome. I love this heel turn so much. I feel like deep down the things Cass said is really how he feels. No doubt he has been held back by Enzo. With Cass on his own the possibilities are endless. I wonder what will happen to Enzo though because I can’t see him lasting on his own. I mean during the tag run he was always getting it taken to him and Cass made the save. Definitely a good twist and great writing. Can’t wait to see what happens.

Final Thoughts:
This Raw had ups and downs for sure. First I hated how the Women got no time. I don’t get how they can preach a Women’s Revolution and then go back to giving them no time at all. I also didn’t like how Balor was dominated in the early going of his match against Bo Dallas. I think Balor deserves more respect and should be treated like the top guy he is. Joe and Reigns did well although the match was slow to begin. Braun coming back was a breath of fresh air and I think the time he was away was perfect because the crowd loved it. One good thing they did was not over sell the Cruiserweights tonight. I think everyone can be happy with that one match. Cass turning heel was also perfect. He sold it well with his talking at the end. He really made it feel like it was coming from his heart. I hope that they run with Cass and he can finally get a title. This wasn’t my favorite Raw, but at the same time you have to play it safe and get through the weeks until the big time things happen.
Overall Rating: 6.5/10