RAW Review – 06/20/2016

Hey everybody, its The Wrestling Classic here. Due to personal circumstances Kareem (@homeofwwe) won’t be able to commit to the weekly Raw Review for the Summer. Therefore, while I’m looking for a new Raw Review writer, I’ll personally do my best to fill that void. My format may be different from Kareem’s and may adapt over the next couple of weeks. Dig It?

It’s the night after the shocking Money in the Bank PPV that was full of surprises. If you didn’t watch it, you can read all about it in my MITB Review here on thewrestlingclassic.com.

1. Opening Segment
Raw kicks off as we see the new WWE World Champion Dean Ambrose arrive to the arena in a cab and almost forgetting the title in the cab, but luckily grabbed it before it drove off.
Dean Ambrose than comes out to the ring to a huge ovation, with the crowd chanting “you deserve it” chants once Ambrose got into the ring.  Ambrose cuts a promo of his night in Las Vegas mentioning he won the Money in the Bank briefcase, all these other events that happened throughout his night including almost getting bit by a dog before mentioning he cashed in on Seth Rollins.
This brings out Roman Reigns who tries to congratulate Ambrose and tells him it wasnt his night but Ambrose’s. When Reigns asked him how it felt to cash in on Rollins, Ambrose mentions he would have cashed in on Roman too. Before things escalated Rollins came out as expected and all three Shield members were in the ring arguing who Ambrose should defend his title against next.
This brings out Shane McMahon who books Rollins vs Reigns against each other again, where the winner gets Ambrose at the next PPV.
My Thoughts:
I really enjoyed this segment and I feel like it was a great way to open show considering how MITB went off the air. Ambrose deserved the reaction he got from the crowd. I was glad the crowd was alive as that always makes the show better. When I mean they were alive, they even chanted “you can’t wrestle” to Roman Reigns. I feel like things have gotten better on Raw ever since Rollins returned. I don’t know what it is about him for me, but his return just makes things interesting again. I’m still super stoked that Shane is back as well and still mark out every time his music hits. Its nice having neutral Authority figure after so long. I kind of predicted that rematch of Reigns and Rollins on Raw for number one contendership and I am glad I did. I didn’t find anything wrong with this opening segment.

2. Sami Zayn vs. Kevin Owens
In yet another impressive match between these two former friends and now bitter rivals, Sami Zayn gets the win after reversing the pop up power bomb into a roll up. After the match Owens attacks Sami Zayn and the brawl continues after the commercial break backstage until its broken up by WWE officials.
My Thoughts:
From the independents, to NXT and now the main roster, Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens continue to fight each other. The whole “being destined to fight forever” quote, isn’t just quote to sell the feud, its true. I enjoyed the match, as these two never disappoint. If I’m correct, Zayn and Owens are tied 1-1 for wins against each other on the main roster. I expect them to face each other at Battleground, to break the tie. However, I think the only way to separate the two from each other to take a break in this rivalry is that they’ll be drafted on to separate brands. I don’t see any other way that these two would stop being a pain in the ass to one another.

3. The Draft date is announced
The date for the draft has be confirmed for July 19th on Smackdown, which is the day Smackdown goes live on Tuesdays. This is followed by Johnny Ace coming out, in full “People Power” mode stating his claim to wanting to be the GM of Smackdown. This brings Shane back out who tells Johnny Ace no way and that he will be running Smackdown. Johnny then tries saying he’ll run Raw, until they are cut out by Enzo & Cass’s music.
My Thoughts:
I think it was a safe and smart move to have the draft on the live Tuesday night debut of Smackdown, this way making sure people will be tuning in. It was great seeing Step Papa Bella, Johnny Ace. I wonder if any other former GM’s may show up. I’m crossing my fingers for Bischoff. I really liked the interaction between Shane McMahon and Enzo Amore as well. It was one of my favourite moments of the show.

4. Enzo and Big Cass vs The Vaudevillains 
This was a fun tag match considering the two teams involved. However, it followed the typical tag team match formula. Gotcha and English worked on Enzo, making sure he couldn’t get Cass in. Once Cass did get the hot tag, he cleaned house and eventually Cass and Enzo pick up the win after a rocket launcher.
My Thoughts:
It was your usual tag team match using the common formula. However, the four guys are charismatic enough to add their own flavour to it. The tag division is stacked right now, but I still wonder why Enzo & Cass or the Vaude Villains didnt win the tag titles last night if the New Day are moving on feuding with another three man team? (more on that later) It could have really given a reason for these two teams to continue this feud.

5. John Cena vs. AJ Styles & The Club/John Cena vs. Karl Anderson
AJ Styles came out to address the crowd about his match with Cena the night before.Styles says he isn’t happy even though he should be. The dream match was tainted because Gallows and Anderson interfered. Styles says he wants Gallows and Anderson to come out to apologize to him for messing up the match. Gallows and Anderson say they were just trying to help Styles says they gave Cena an excuse. Anderson apologizes and so does Gallows. Styles asks for Cena to come out and accept his apology for what happened last night. Cena comes out and isn’t in his usual mood.
Cena says he doesn’t want an apology and they had a contract that said AJ Styles vs. John Cena. Gallows says Styles had no idea they were gonna get involved last night and Gallows and Anderson apologize to Cena. Cena says Styles desperately needed a win and he got what he needed. Clearly Styles is trying to cover up that he isn’t as good as he says he is. Styles says Cena is using Gallows and Anderson as an excuse because Cena isn’t as good as he says he is. Cena says he respects a win, but Styles isn’t a man of his word. Cena asks for a match, but Styles says nope he has too much going on and he has already beaten Cena. Styles serves up either Gallows or Anderson for Cena to fight. They settle on Anderson facing Cena one-on-one.
Coming back from the break the match is already in progress. Cena makes quick work of Anderson and quickly hit him with a AA. This brings Styles and Gallows back out to the ring causing a DQ. The three Club members attack Cena after the bell. Anderson and Gallows hit the Magic Killer on Cena and it was followed by a Styles Clash from AJ.
My Thoughts:
The promo work between Styles and Cena has been amazing thus far. I really wish they allowed Anderson and Cena to have a competitive match, because Anderson is a hell of talent and way better than a quick squash match to keep things going. I still hope this leads to a Team Cena vs. The Club at Battleground before the eventual Cena/Styles rematch at Summerslam.

6. Becky Lynch & Natalya Drama
Backstage, Becky is saying she is tired of being attacked. Natalya attacks her from behind. Natalya stands over Becky and says for the first time in her life she is going to start taking care of herself.
My Thoughts:
This segment was quick but effective. Becky did fine on the mic and Natalya finally showing her frustrations is intriguing. I still need to see more of where this is going before having an actual opinion on it. As of right now I’m enjoying it and looking forward to these two former ECCW alumni to wrestle each other.

7. Baron Corbin vs. Zack Ryder
Baron Corbin defeats Zack Ryder with an End of Days.
My Thoughts:
Its great to see Ryder’s Wrestlemania moment was nothing more than a stint to be unpredictable and to give Ryder a Wrestlemania moment, since he’s back to jobbing. Corbin is looking strong as he should.

8. Charlotte (C) vs. Paige for the Women’s Title/Sasha Banks Returns
In a back and fourth match when Paige seemed to have the match and the Womens Title won, Dana Brooke pulls Charlotte’s leg under the rope. This breaks the pin and it causes Paige to get up to accuse Dana which led to Charlotte hitting the Natural Selection to retain her championship.
As Charlotte and Dana celebrate, Sasha Banks music hits. Dana tries running at Sasha but gets laid out with right hand. Sasha hits Charlotte with the Bank Statement until Dana can save Charlotte getting her out of the ring. Sasha poses with the Women’s Title as Paige stands tall in the ring with her and Charlotte and Brooke look on.
My Thoughts:
The match was the normal Charlotte sneakily getting  the win, with the help of interference. I COULDN’T BE MORE HAPPY, that The Boss Sasha Banks made her return to Raw to confront Charlotte. I was hoping we would get Sasha/Charlotte at Summerslam but we’ll see how they choose to do it. Maybe a tag match for Battleground? I marked out a lot when I heard Sasha’s music and I couldn’t be more excited for whatever is in store for Charlotte/Sasha.

9. The Wyatt Family Returns
The Wyatt Family returns minus Harper and Bray talks about how the Wyatt Family is stronger than they ever have been. This for some odd reason brings out the New Day to confront the Wyatts.The New Day interrupts and tells Wyatt that he has been talking way to long and needs to cut it. Wyatt starts to laugh and asks New Day if they realize what they have just done. He has seen New Day’s future and that the future, New Day falls. In the background, Braun Strowman and Erik Rowen clap along.
My Thoughts:
Its great to see the Wyatt family back on TV ever since they got written off due to Bray getting injured. I do miss Harper though. I can’t help to question what the New Day would want from the Wyatt’s. Also, before Bray’s injury, I was pretty sure the Wyatts turned into babyface’s yet now they seem like the heels against mega babyface’s The New Day.  I’ts intriguing because I have no idea how this makes sense, but its intriguing to see how the Wyatt’s react to The New Day and their antics. Also, who do The New Day put their titles against? Streams & Rowen? What about Bray?

10.  Titus O Neil vs Rusev w/ Lana
This never ended up being a proper match, yet more of brawl that ended with Rusev beating up Titus at ringside. Then Rusev left not wanting anything to do with Titus.
My Thoughts:
I don’t know where they are going with this feud but I’m looking forward to see where it does go. I hope to have a rematch in a more competitive match.

11, Chris Jericho/Shane McMahon Backstage
Jericho enters Shane’s office complaining that he knows Shane doesn’t like him and has it out for him. Jericho thinks he should be the number one contender for the WWE title. Jericho says he would rather work for 10 Stephanie McMahons than with Shane O’ Mac. We even got Jericho getting in the final words with a “stupid idiot”.
My Thoughts:
This was a fun little segment getting Jericho on TV, as well as promoting the upcoming draft. I hate how it seems like any heel is a suitable opponent for Shane down the road. I love heel Jericho right now. He’s truly a gift to wrestling, drink it in man.

12. Seth Rollins vs. Roman Reigns for the number one contender spot
to face Dean Ambrose at Battleground.
Dean Ambrose is on commentary at ringside during the match. Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins have great in ring chemistry with each other. The two of them are fighting with everything they got, causing near falls and high risk moves. The back and fourth between the two has them fighting at ringside. Reigns clears the Spanish announce table. Reigns spears Rollins over the Spanish announce table. Both Reigns and Rollins were counted out. Therefore there is no winner and new contender for Ambrose’s title.
Shane McMahon comes out, in my mind to restart the match but Ambrose gets in the ring and says he’ll fight both of them during the same night. Shane says he will do him one better and that there will be a triple threat match at Battleground for the WWE title. Ambrose gets in Reigns face and says something. Reigns tries to grab Ambrose by the shoulder, but Ambrose drops him with dirty deeds.
My Thoughts:
I enjoyed the match a lot, but wish we had a clear cut winner and not both guys being counted out. Thats only because I was hoping they would hold off The Shield triple threat match until Summerslam, instead of having it at a minor PPV such as Battleground. To agree with someones point made in the comment section on one of my IG posts, I think they’re trying to make these other PPV’s seem must watch. I also agree they must have big plans for Summerslam to throw this big match away a month before. It was such a Ballsy Lunatic move by Ambrose to agree to to defend his new World Title against both guys during the same night. Ambrose as champion is a Lone Wolf, which is evident with his attitude towards Reigns on this episode. Anyone else catch Michael Cole calling the “Dirty Deeds”, the Pedigree? Everyone makes mistakes, even Jim Ross did, but its just funny to catch.

Overall Thoughts
This was a really good and fun episode of Raw. Most episodes of Raw the night after a PPV tend to be must watch TV. Yeah guys such as Sheamus, Apollo Crews, Cesaro, Del Rio and so on were missing from this episode of Raw, but thats a perfect example why the brand extension will benefit the wrestlers who aren’t getting TV time for sure weekly. Shane McMahon was solely in charge tonight, which was cool to envision what it would be like if Shane was solely running Raw. Both the Wyatts and Sasha Banks made their returns to television on this edition of Raw. The whole Shield drama over the WWE World Title is making great TV, since all three of these guys have great chemistry with each other. Plus many more great segments and matches for this weeks Raw.
If you missed this weeks episode of Raw, I’d check it out, as it was really fun episode. If a 3 hour Raw seems to fly by, that means it was a good episode, because those 3 hours can feel really long sometimes when it is not a great episode.
Final TWC Rating – 8/10