Raw Review – 06/27/2016

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?

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It is week two of Dean Ambrose as the WWE World Heavyweight Champion. I know many people including myself noticed, that throughout this show that Ambrose was referred to as the WWE Champion. Thus creating speculation that the WWE is planning to have two World Title’s again for the brand extension. Also, it’s the first Raw since finding out Roman Reigns will be suspended for 30 days, making it that he’ll be back right in time for Battleground. I also was curious if we were getting Shane running Raw tonight, Stephanie running Raw or both of them. Sasha Banks returned last week to attack Charlotte, what happens next? Bray Wyatt and the Wyatt Family returned and were confronted by The New Day, what now? Where do storylines for wrestlers such as Owens, Jericho, Zayn after this edition of MONDAY NIGHT RAW?

1. Opening Segment
Raw kicks off with The Man himself, Seth Rollins. Rollins comes out almost immediately putting the focus on Roman Reigns’s suspension and poking fun at Reigns apology tweet. Rollins talks about how Reigns suspension makes him look bad. Rollins is pulling for the triple threat match to be changed to a one on one between Ambrose and himself. Ambrose comes out to huge ovation and goes back and fourth with Rollins until AJ Styles music hits. Styles comes out to interject himself into the title picture, suggesting they drop Roman from the match and they add him. Out comes John Cena and he also tries to interject himself in the title picture and proposes a Fatal 5 Way match. In the end Stephanie McMahon comes out and announces that tonight Styles will face Ambrose and Cena will face Rollins and if Styles or Cena win their respective match, they’ll be put into the championship match.
My Thoughts:
First things first, it looks like tonights Raw is Stephanie running the show. I enjoyed this opening segment a lot. I’m glad WWE acknowledged Roman Reigns suspension and didn’t just have Reigns off TV for weeks with barley any explanation on air. Rollins was the perfect person to bring it up as well, as his character is to be a scumbag. Regardless, what people want to say about Ambrose being champion, he is still getting large ovations from the live crowds, which is a good sign. I also love how Ambrose is a fighting champion, willing to defend his title against all comers.
I marked out a bit when AJ Styles came out, because I was not expecting it but briefly forgot that he was in a feud with Cena. I like John Cena, and Ive found myself liking Cena a lot more in the past couple of years than I have his whole 14 year career and its because he hasn’t been involved in the WWE title picture. John Cena in the WWE Title picture stresses me out. Overall, it was a great opening segment and set up two main events for the night. Creative did a good job clearing up the fact that Roman Reigns will still be in the match at Battleground even though he is suspended.

2. Sasha Banks & Paige def. Charlotte & Dana Brooke
Last week, Sasha Banks returned after Charlotte defeated Paige in a Womens Title match, to confront Charlotte and once again set her eyes on the top prize in the Womens division. On Smackdown, Sasha came for Charlotte again but instead got Dana Brooke in the Bank Statement to close the segment. Tonight, it was announced that Banks and Paige would team up to take on Charlotte and Dana. The babyface’s had control at first and then after the break the heels worked for the heat dominating Paige. It wasn’t until a hot tag to Sasha that the babyface’s regained control and got the win following a Bank Statement on Brooke.
My Thoughts:
I couldn’t have been happier that Sasha returned last week as she has to be my favourite Women’s wrestler in the world today. Therefore, I tend to be bias and enjoy anything the Boss does on TV. I truly missed her on Raw during the period they had her off TV. It’s almost as if the office consider Sasha a draw since they keep her off TV rather than having her wrestle random matches or doing nothing when they got nothing for her. On that note, its basically what they’re doing for Paige right now. Paige has nothing going on and no direction, therefore she’s involved in this feud. I wish the Women’s Division had another title or something for the division to chase after. Its hard having so many talented women on the roster and only one title and usually only two female storylines at a time if we’re lucky. *inserts idea for Women’s tag titles again*.
I figure there will be a rematch for this tag match at Battleground before we get Charlotte vs Sasha at Summerslam. I love heel Charlotte as she has been absolutely been killing it. People dont like her and whether its because the role she’s playing or people just don’t like her, its working for her benefit because she’s getting that heel reaction. This match got a lot of time and I enjoyed it but it followed your normal tag team formula. It was good and it worked, but nothing too special here besides seeing three of the top divas performing their craft and Dana Brooke was there too.

3. Titus O’ Neil def. Rusev
Lana was in the ring, looking fine as hell and she introduces her fiancé and United States Champion Rusev. The match started as a wrestling match and then it turned more into a brawl. Rusev tried leaving but was charged by Titus. Titus tossed Rusev in the timekeepers area and made it to the ring before Rusev to pick up the count out victory.
My Thoughts:
Im not huge on count-out victories, however if it is to progress this storyline between the two to lead to either a No DQ or a match where if Rusev gets DQ’d or counted out the title still changes hands, than I dig it. I like that Rusev is back on the top of the mountain as the dominate Bulgarian Brute but I’m still trying to buy Titus as a legitimate threat. I don’t feel like they build Titus enough to earn that spot before getting the shot. This was good for their feud, but honestly really forgettable. Lana though…damn.

4. Backstage Segment: Stephanie, Kane, Miz & Maryse
Stephanie and Corporate Kane are backstage again, as Kane is still pitching his case to run Smackdown. Stephanie again says she will be running Smackdown. This was followed by The Miz and Maryse making their Raw return after being gone for a few weeks to film the Marine here in my hometown of Vancouver.Miz notes that after being away for the last 30 days he would expect better treatment. Kane interrupts and lets Miz know that there is a clause that says he must defend the Intercontinental title once every 30 days or he will have to relinquish it. Stephanie says that’s a great idea. Miz will defend the IC title against a surprise opponent.
My Thoughts:
It was good they decided to pull out the rule book they coincidently forget about often when guys like Rock and Brock hold the WWE title, where the champions must defend their championship at least once in a 30 day time period. A lot of people were speculating that Miz’s challenger would be debuting NXT star or a returning Neville. However, for some odd reason I immediately predicted it would be Kane under the mask again.

5. Seth Rollins def. John Cena
In the first of two main events that could alter the Battleground main event. As expected, this was a solid back and fourth match. There were some near falls after finishers but it was not over done. Cena looked to have this match in the bag, with Rollins in the STF until AJ Styles and the Club started walking down the ramp. Styles had Cena distracted long enough for Seth Rollins to recuperate and hit Cena with the pedigree for the win.
My Thoughts:
If there was one match to watch on this episode of Raw, this would be it. Rollins vs. Cena never disappoints, and if you’re aware of that then you know what I am talking about. I already went into this knowing that Cena and Styles weren’t going to be included in the Battleground main event and exactly what I predicted with Styles or The Club causing Cena to lose the match is exactly what happened. Solid match with a predictable outcome but definitely worth watching.

6. Enzo & Cass def. Mitch Walding & Carlos Conti/Social Outcasts return
Enzo & Cass make quick work of two local jobbers. This was a total throwback to the Golden Era of wrestling with top tier talent defeating local jobbers and jabronis. It was followed with the Social Outcast’s returning after being away to film the Marine for weeks. The Social Outcasts and Enzo and Cass get into verbal argument about being hard. Slater runs into the ring and gets taken out by a big boot and Curtis Axel and Dallas decide to not even try right now.
My Thoughts:
I loved the throwback with two top guys just defeating local jobbers. The last time I remember the use of local jobbers on television was during Ryback’s winning streak. Its great to see the Social Outcasts back and the whole sexual inneundo about being “hard” was quite funny. The tandem of Enzo and Cass is one of the most over acts in professional wrestling today, and working with the Social Outcasts can only hopefully elevate the Social Outcasts.

7. Summer Rae vs. Becky Lynch/Becky Lynch and Natalya Drama
Summer Rae made her entrance. Natalya was on commentary for this match and she had words about her current turn and against her ex friend Becky Lynch. Becky Lynch made her way down to the ring and immediately attacked Natalya, causing the match to end in a no contest.
My Thoughts:
I’m going to start off by saying, on June 23rd, in a DM conversation with Natalya on Instagram, I suggested to her that since she turned heel she should reference Owen Hart’s “Enough is enough, and its time for a change” in tribute to him during a promo. Natalya responded thanking me for the other stuff I said and expressed her joy in getting to play a heel. On Raw, she used that Owen quote that I suggested when responding to one of Cole’s questions and I marked the fuck out. I messaged her after and she replied saying “it worked out well.”, therefore I’m taking full credit for that line and consider that my first taste of creative writing for the WWE. Thank you Natalya, you’ve always been so kind to me. LOL
Now getting back to the segment, I am really glad that there are two Womens feuds going on right now. I’m also glad that the secondary feud includes two of my favourite women wrestlers Becky Lynch and Natalya. I like seeing this more aggressive side of Becky. My friend mentioned how its funny how Seth and Dean can just stand next to each other in the ring with no issues, yet Becky can’t even be in the same premises of Nattie without wanting to get revenge. It really make the feud feel a lot more personal. This segment was only there progress the feud between Nattie and Becky, my only negative point of view on this segment was that we never got to see Summer wrestle.

8. Chris Jericho hosts The Highlight Reel with Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn
Jericho says Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens have been ruining their careers and lives battling each other. Jericho calls both Owens and Zayn to the ring. Jericho notes that Owens and Zayn used to be best friends. Jericho tries to stir the pot. Zayn says this needs to end. He wants to end it at Battleground. Owens is silent. Zayn says this is the real Kevin Owens. The real Kevin Owens is a coward. Zayn yells at Owens to be real for once in his life and admit the reason he stabbed Zayn in the back is because he resented him. Owens tells Zayn that what he did to him was the right move for his career. Owens blames Zayn for ruining their friendship. Owens says Zayn should have been happy for him when he won the NXT title, even though it was at Zayn’s expense. Jericho goes on and on about how he is better than Owens and Zayn. Jericho tells them both to drink in the gift of Jericho. Zayn and Owens both super kick Jericho.
My Thoughts:
This Highlight Reel played as the perfect platform to set the tie breaker match at Battleground between Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens. It’s almost hard watching Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens do anything without expecting to see the other at some point. Therefore, I think this will be their last match until both guys get drafted to different shows. I do think we’ll see them feud again somewhere down the road but they have to be separated from each other for sometime, so they can both focus on their own careers without having to worry about each other.
Jericho just stirred the pot during this segment and ended it with classic comedic Jericho style. I love Jericho, and I do hope he does have something to do at Battleground, as of right now from what I know, it doesn’t look like there is a role for him yet. If they don’t have him in a feud with anyone by Battleground, I can see him hosting a Highlight Reel at Battleground with the McMahon’s to give the final details about the brand extension.

9. Kane def. The Miz 
As I predicted, Demon Kane was Miz’s opponent for the IC Title open challenge. The match ended when Maryse appeared to have injured her ankle falling off the apron. Miz tended to his wife and carried her backstage, leading to Kane winning the match by count out. It was later revealed Maryse actually wasnt hurt but acting to get Miz away clean with his Intercontinental title.
My Thoughts:
This was whatever. It was great to see Kane back in the ring after a long absence and the IC title being defenced, yet I found this to be pretty lazy booking. If this was to ignite a feud between Kane and The Miz for the IC title, thats fine with me but Maryse faking an injury was obvious and I would have preferred a more competitive match before that angle took place. I don’t know, there was something about this segment that didnt sit well with me. To be honest, it might have been better if it was Neville returning.

10. Cesaro & Apollo Crews def. Sheamus & Del Rio
This was a tag match to take two currents feuds and combine them in a tag match. There was still tension between former League of Nations members Sheamus and Del Rio. In the end that tension caused Del Rio to hit Sheamus with an enzaguri before leaving Sheamus to fend for himself. Ultimately, Sheamus loses after being pinned once again by Apollo Crews.
My Thoughts:
The match was good for what it was, as all four guys are super talented but I just wasnt too into the match. At this point thought, I think that had to do with Raw being three hours and possibly having ADD. I don’t know what this match was trying to achieve? Does Sheamus continue feuding with Apollo, or is he feuding with Del Rio now? This would all have made sense if Cesaro had beaten Miz before Miz left to film the Marine. At least we could have expected these four to face each other in some capacity for the IC title. It seemed like four guys with no direction and no depth in their previous storylines just wrestling each other.

11. New Day/Wyatt Family segment
The New Day cut a promo on the titantron dressed as the Wyatts and then make their way down to the ring dressed in parody outfits to mock the Wyatt Family. They conduct an in ring roast of the Wyatt family. They talk about how the Wyatts are always promoting negativity and that the worst thing about the Wyatts is their hygiene. Kingston and Big E make various jokes about how the Wyatts smell and about the way they dress. Woods says they should probably wrap it up. The Wyatts make their way out to the ramp.Bray Wyatt screams that it’s a new day, yes it is. As Wyatt speaks a loud “New Day rocks” chant breaks out. Wyatt says this is a cruel world- it’s not all about happiness and rainbows. Wyatt asks Woods if he agrees with Kingston and Big E. Wyatt says Woods can trust him and confide in him. Woods looks extremely shaken. Wyatt says in the end, “New Day falls.”
My Thoughts:
Last week, I strongly questioned this rivalry. This week it intrigues me more. The whole idea of Xavier being shaken up and possessed by the enigma that is Bray Wyatt is great. Its great television that makes you want to see what happens next. This also has the potential to allow us to see Woods in a light we havent seen him in before. With the correct writing, it could actually make Woods more of a star in a serious role than people could ever have expected. I know that in my opinion, the WWE has no intentions to break up The New Day. They’re so over and such a cash cow for the company as a group, it wouldn’t make any business sense. As a creative writer, who disregards the business side of the company, I think it could be really intriguing to follow Woods internal battle. The battle Woods has within himself contradicting his beliefs and morals which causes tension between the most over team in the company, The New Day. I also want Bray to succeed at one of his missions for once too.

12. Dean Ambrose def. AJ Styles
Seth Rollins is out there for commentary for this match and thats always enjoyable. This is the first time we’ve see  Ambrose vs. AJ Styles ever to my knowledge. I’m almost 99% sure they never wrestled each other on the independents either. The match was a solid back and fourth match and super competitive. Rollins was strongly pulling for Ambrose to win to his dismay as he didn’t want anyone else in the way of him reclaiming his WWE Title. The Club comes out as it seemed like Ambrose was gaining momentum for the win. This brings out Cena who fights off the Club members. This distracts Styles long enough for Ambrose to hit the Dirty Deeds on Styles for the win. Following the match, the heels stand tall after The Club attacks Cena and Rollins attacks Ambrose from behind leaving him laying after a pedigree.
My Thoughts:
The match was fun for what it was, however once again the outcome was very predictable. I was happy with the fact the heels stood tall in the end. I’m really hoping in the upcoming weeks, Cena finds some guys to even the odds for him against the Club. However, I can’t stress how much disappoint I’ll feel if it is the Uso’s. I dig the Uso’s but we’ve been there and done that. Word had it Orton was supposed to return aiding Cena, we’ll still have to wait and see. I still think Battleground should still have some sort of War Games like match where its Team Cena vs. The Club.
As for Rollins and Ambrose, this is a tough time for them because the two of them have to carry their feud during Reigns suspension. It’s not that I don’t think they can do it, but they have to do it while still making Reigns seem relevant because he’s included in the match. This week they went by addressing his suspension and going off the suspense that the match could change, but where do they go now?

Overall Thoughts
I enjoyed Raw, I really did but this was one of those episodes where by the third hour I started losing concentration. I hope that after the brand split, the WWE may consider having Raw go back to two hours. I know they would lose some advertising revenue. However, with half the roster being featured on the other show, there would be way too much time to fill with half the talent, so I don’t see why they wouldn’t consider it. I assume the USA Network and the other television networks have a lot to play with that decision too. Anyway, was this Raw mind blowing, nope. However, was it bad, nope. It was just a another Raw that helped create new and progress storylines, as well as address the Roman Reigns suspension. If you missed this Raw, you can still live happy just catching the clips on YouTube and stuff. I would recommend watching Rollins vs. Cena if anything. I know I’ll always remember this Raw as the episode where Natalya used one of my ideas during a promo on Raw. Thats groundbreaking for me as person who dreams to work for the WWE one day in the creative department. Thank you Natalya, you’re the best.
Final TWC Rating – 6/10
Last Weeks RAW TWC Rating – 8/10