Raw Review 07/22/2019

Tonight we witness an epic night with the Raw Reunion Special featuring over 30 Legends and SuperStars of the past!!! Plus, Seth Rollins has won the right to try to regain the Universal Championship by challenging Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam, but how will Rollins prepare for another encounter with The Beast? Becky Lynch found out last week she will defend the Raw Women’s Championship against Natalya at SummerSlam, but what will Lynch have to say about her opponent as she appears on A Moment of Bliss? Finally, what can Ricochet do to overcome the numbers game and the attacks he has suffered at the hands of The Club?

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Raw comes to us from the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida.

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

In Ring Segment: Jonh Cena 
Cena asks the crowd all he had to do was be apart of the Raw reunion and then you’d be nice to me? He says it’s great to be here and tells how Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, DX,  and Stone Cold Steve Austin will be here. He says he could not miss this and this is his home, always has been and always will be. He says he knows he isn’t around as much anymore but this is his heart and his family and he’s just as excited to be standing here today as he was on day one. Out comes The Usos.
The Usos hype up Cena and then says what would make this Raw Reunion more lit would be for Cena and The Usos to drop some rhymes right now. Cena walks away and they say they came to see the Dr. They who this is and say that’s John Cena the cat that left us for the movie biz. He says respect for calling me out but no way I’m getting bested, y’all look like your mug shots, how was it getting arrested. The Usos shot out the county they got arrested and says that’s the doctor. Cena tells the crowd to make some noise. Cena then says he has to bounce. The Usos sats don’t go we’re bringing out our father Rikishi. Here comes Rikishi.
Rikishi says he knows John Cena is the man but tonight he can’t let him leave fast and furious without busting a move. They then line up to dance but here comes The Revival. Then coming out with them is D’Von Dudley. My Opinion:
This was an awesome way to start off the show! The crowd was hot and they got into it fast. This was a very fun interaction and definitely a memorable moment. Cena is and always will be the man and it’s awesome to see him. Rikishi is a living legend who really was a huge part of WWE for so long. Plus, you can’t go wrong with D’Von although I don’t think people expected him to be with The Revival but it worked!

Backstage Segment:
Hogan tells Jimmy Hart this is home town and he feels he could beat someone up. He tells him to take his pick. Jimmy Hart says it’s going to be great, baby.

Match 1: The Usos w/ Rikishi vs The Revival w/ D’Von Dudley 
*** Before the match Booker T joins the commentary team.
Dawson is able to land a headlock early and a shoulder tackle to follow. Dawson and Wilder then fall victim to back body drops. The Usos land a double team and then try a cover but Dawson kicks out. Wilder gets hit on the apron after a distraction but Dawson is able to hit a slam. Wilder then gets the tag and The Revival now land a double team. Dawson comes back in and stays in control. Dawson is able to hit a series of elbows and keeps the pressure on. Dawson then taunts Rikishi. Wilder gets the tag and once again they work with more double team. Wilder is knocked down but after a distraction from Dawson Wilder is able to keep control sending Jey to the floor. Dawson tags in and again they continue with the double team. Dawson hits a back elbow and tags Wilder. Wilder keeps the pressure on Jey and works a chin lock. Jey fights back and finally tags Jimmy. Jimmy takes it to the also newly tagged Wilder. Wilder is hit with a Samoan Drop. Jimmy hits a kick and then lands a crossbody on Dawson. Wilder turns it into a pin but Jimmy kicks out. Jimmy takes Wilder down. Dawson makes a blind tag and he and Wilder hit a jumping uppercut on Jimmy. Jey breaks the tag. D’Von comes over to Jey but Rikishi comes over to back him up. Dawson turns around and is hit with a superkick, Wilder is then hit with one. Dawson is hit with a splash and The Usos get the 1 2 3.
Winners: The Usos
My Opinion:
This is a huge win for The Usos and even more special with their dad Rikishi in their corner. Booker T talked about how The Usos could be on their way to being 10-time champs and this is very true. Tonight they just put themselves back in the hunt to regain the titles and I can’t wait to see what comes next for them. The Revival had a good showing but the tag champs allowed the moment to catch up with them. I’m sure they’ll get back on track quickly.

Backstage Segment:
Alicia Fox takes to Dana Brooke and Kaitlyn about how tall her hat is gonna be for SummerSlam. Torrie Wilson then comes up and tells Alicia she looks amazing. Santino Marella comes up and tells them they look amazing. They then ask about his sister and he says she is under the weather. Santino is then asked about his little thing and he goes what little thing, oh The Cobra. He then brings out The Cobra and tells Fox and Wilson he likes them. Drew Mcintyre walks up to them and says legends. He then shakes his head and walks away.

Backstage Segment: 
Charly introduces R-Truth and Carmella. She says he has had an interesting week as champion and then plays his highlights from Comic-Con. Truth says if he had known that penguins were second cousins to chickens he would’ve gotten a different bird. Drake Mavericks wife then comes up and tells Truth he ruined her wedding and marriage. Maverick comes out of nowhere and pins Truth winning the title. He tells his wife he will get the car and for her to get the bags. The Godfather then comes up to Charly and says it’s time for everyone to climb aboard the ho train, they then dance together.

 Drew Mcintyre vs Cedric Alexander 
Before the match can begin Mcintyre meets Alexander on the outside and hits him with a boot. Mcintyre goes after him but misses and bounces off the steps. Alexander hits him and then hits a moonsault off the second rope. Mcintyre comes back and throws him into the ring post. Mcintyre then drives him into the barricade before slamming Alexander off the apron.
My Opinion:
Mcintyre made his point tonight and in his eyes, he definitely got some revenge. Alexander tried ton fight it off but Mcintyre is just too much and has to feel embarrassed about last week. Mcintyre is one of those guys who I really want to succeed so I’m glad he got his edge back tonight and I hope they don’t fall off the tracks with him because he is really really good.

Backstage Segment:
The Viking Raiders are in action next!

Backstage Segment:
Drake Maverick grabs his stuff but then opens his suitcase to find it full of worms. The Boogeyman then appears. Maverick then trips and falls. Pat Patterson comes up and pins Maverick winning the belt.

Match 2: The Viking Raiders vs Curt Hawkins & Zack Ryder 
*** Christian joins the commentary team and Lillian Garcia is here doing the ring announcing.
Ryder and Hawkins go right after The Viking Raiders. They take down Ivar with a dropkick but Erik fights back. Ryder is able to regain control and tags, Hawkins. Hawkins tries a cover but can’t get the three. Hawkins and Ryder then double team but Erik comes back. Ivar comes in and plants Ryder. Ivar pounds on Ryder and then tags Erik. The Viking Raiders double team Ryder and Erik then goes for the cover but can’t get the three. Erik hits Ryder and he and Ryder are in control double-teaming Hawkins. Ivar then takes out Hawkins on the outside. Back in the ring, they hit The Viking Experience on Hawkins and get the 1 2 3 on the cover.
Winners: The Viking Raiders 
My Opinion:
This was another huge win for The Viking Raiders beating the former Raw tag team champions. I think they were stunned early on but once they got it going there was no hope for Ryder and Hawkins. I’m glad they are now facing talent on the roster and are showing what they can do again. They are on the fast track to the titles if they are used correctly. Also, it was great to hear Lillian doing the introductions and having Christian on commentary!

Backstage Segment:
Mike talks to Eve Torres and Maria asks what she is doing. Eve says she thought she could give advice with the parenting. Eric Bishoff says if that doesn’t work out you could come to SmackDown. Maria tells him he was supposed to put lotion on her belly so she didn’t get stretch marks and can keep her modeling career because she is the breadwinner of the family. Ron Simmons comes up and uses Jimmy Hart’s megaphone to do his signature, Damn!

Backstage Segment:
Styles tells Anderson and Gallows they have a celebration tonight. The original and official and the only club that matters. They say this isn’t about the legends or the guys trying to make a name at the OC’s expense. Styles says he is going to beat Seth Rollins tonight and if he gets up they need to make a statement. He says then, now, and forever The OC.

Backstage Segment:
Pat Patterson is down and calls Gerald Briscoe a stooge after Briscoe pinned him and won the 24/7 title. Briscoe then comes up to Kelly Kelly and shares a moment before Kelly knocks him down and pins him to win the 24/7 title herself.

In Ring Segment: Samoa Joe 
Joe says he came here tonight to point out a vile atrocity in WWE. He tells that come together for the Raw Reunion and celebrate the longest episodic running television show. He says we shouldn’t be celebrating because these shows are a plague. He says these shows allow fans to indulge are their ridiculous addiction to nostalgia. He says tonight you could have seen him in the ring doing what he does best but no tonight you got The Usos out here with their daddy spitting limbrics at John Cena. He says it is embarrassing and he is surprised they weren’t pandering to the crowd more. Out comes Roman Reigns.
Reigns tells Joe if he has something to say about his family then say it. Joe says he doesn’t have something to say about his family, he already said something about his family. Reigns says well you’re from the same island, you know what happens next. Joe says he does and tries a cheap shot but Reigns backs him into the corner and hits him with right hands. Joe then rakes his eyes and drives him into the ring post. Joe goes to the outside and drives him into the barricade. Joe then drives him into the barricade once more. Joe then hammers on him with right hands before bringing him back into the ring. Joe hits him with more rights and then lands a huge headbutt that sends Reigns to the outside. Joe meets him out there and mocks Reigns before bringing him into the ring. Reigns is able to land a Superman Punch sending Joe to the floor. Joe asks Reigns if he wnats to do this with him the right way and then asks the people if they wanna see this tonight. He says I’m not doing a damn thing for these people. Reigns then calls out Joe. Joe tells him if he wants his match then his ass has got it.
My Opinion:
I liked the direction Joe went with this and turned what is a historic night and turned it into his own gain. He has some points and definitely drew a reaction. The crowd seemed to love Reigns out there tonight which is always a plus and you can’t go wrong with Joe and Reigns going at it.

Match 3: Samoa Joe vs Roman Reigns 
Reigns hammers on Joe with right hands and drives him into the corner. He sends him into the other corner but Joe moves and Reigns runs into the ring post. Joe gets in control and stomps on Reigns. Joe hits Reigns and lands a snap mare. He then wrenches on the neck of Reigns. Reigns is able to fight out and hit him with a right. Reigns comes off the ropes and is floored by Joe. Joe then pounds on Reigns as he struggles to his feet. Joe goes back to the neck of Reigns keeping him grounded. Reigns makes it to his feet and hits him with a headbutt. Joe comes back and sends Reigns to the floor. Joe then flies to the outside to take him out. Back in the ring, Joe taunts Reigns before hitting him again. Joe delivers a chop and then once again sends Reigns to the outside. Joe goes to run to the outside but misses as Reigns moves. Reigns then hits a drive-by. In the ring, Reigns takes down Joe. He then hits him with a series of clotheslines in the corner. Reigns hits a kick sending Joe to the mat. Joe comes back and lands a kick followed by a senton. Joe goes for the cover but Reigns kicks out. Joe locks in the Coquina Clutch but Reigns brings it to the ropes sending Joe to the outside. Reigns hits a spear and gets the 1 2 3 on the cover.
Winner: Roman Reigns
My Opinion:
A hard-fought victory for Reigns as Joe came at him hard. Reigns stayed the course and it looked like Joe just took to long with somethings. Joe had the opportunities to put this away but he seemed more set on making an example out of Reigns which doesn’t work because he always comes back when you give him time to breathe. This is a huge win for Reigns as he continues to try to get back into the title picture, for Joe things haven’t gone his way as of late and we’ll see if he gets it back on track.

In Ring Segment: Miz TV w/ Seth Rollins 
Miz starts off with promoting his show Miz and Mrs. He then introduces the #1 Contender for the Universal Championship, Seth Rollins. Miz tells Rollins he has a rollercoaster of a week and then goes over how Rollins won a battle royal last week to win his #1 Contender’s spot. He then shows a video package of how Rollins lost the title and got here tonight. Miz asks Rollins what’s so funny. Rollins says you called the biggest match of my life a predicament. He says I get it it’s Brock Lesnar. He then kind of makes fun of Lesnar and says most people fear that. He says most people would kill to be him but he doesn’t want to be Brock Lesnar, and then calls Lesnar a Seth Rollins wanna be. Paul Heyman comes on the screen and questions Rollins. He tells Rollins not to bitch about Lesnar cashing in the MITB because he did at it WrestleMania 31. He says it took Lesnar four years to return the favor because he is a Seth Rollins wannabe. He tells Heyman if he wnats to talk the talk for Lesnar then he better be ready to walk the walk for him. Seth Rollins says he better run or he is gonna stomp his head into the stage. Heyman then runs. Rollins says Lesnar is not a conquerer or a beast, he is a man and any man can lose. He says at SummerSlam he will face Lesnar with the Universal Championship on the line and Lesnar will lose. He says he doesn’t get ready for the biggest match of his life resting, he does it with facing the best of the best so tonight he is facing AJ Styles. He tells the crowd it is time to ignite the flame and burn it down.
My Opinion:
Rollins had some strong words tonight and even though he has beaten Lesnar before this might be getting him in a situation he doesn’t want to be in. poking The Beast is never a good idea so I hope Rollins is ready to back it all up. There is no doubt this should be a great match but Lesnar has the title back and knows the mistakes he made last time so it’s going to take everything for Rollins to beat him a second time. I’m very interested to see how this continues to develop.

Backstage Segment:
Charly says with all the legends here let’s get their opinions on who will win the Universal Championship match. Sami Zayn comes up to Charly and says this is the problem with the show with you trying to get the opinion of legends. He tells says they aren’t legends and happened to be there at the time. He tells Charly to tell them to go home. Mysterio tells him to respect the ones who paved the road. Zayn says he will pave the road right through him. Angle comes up and tells them when he was GM they settled the problems in the ring. Mysterio says it sounds good.

Backstage Segment:
Kelly Kelly comes up to Candice Michelle and tells her she is the new 24/7 champion. Melina and Naomi are also there. Candice takes down Kelly Kelly and pins her to win the title. Alundra Blaze comes up behind her and chokes her out to win the title.

Match 4: Sami Zayn vs Rey Mysterio 
*** Johnathan Coachman joins the commentary team.
Zayn works the arm of Mysterio but Mysterio is able to work out. Zayn stays on him but Mysterio comes back with a huge kick. Zayn sends him to the apron. Zayn then knocks him off the top rope and stomps on him. Zayn tries a cover but Mysterio kicks out. Zayn hits Mysterio with a right hand that knocks him to the floor. Zayn then goes to a chin lock. Mysterio is sent into the corner but comes back with a kick. Zayn hits the blue thunder bomb but it isn’t enough to put Mysterio away. Mysterio is able to counter Zayn and send him to the mat dropping him on his neck. Mysterio lands a kick to the hamstring and then gets him into position for the 619. Zayn moves out of the way and goes to the floor. Zayn goes to walk away but here comes RVD! Next out is SGT. Slaughter! Then Hurricane! Finally, Kurt Angle! Then come down the ramp and forces Zayn back into the ring. Mysterio sets him up for the 619 once again and this time hits it. Mysterio pays homage to RVD and hits a frog splash. Mysterio pins Zayn and gets the 1 2 3.
Winner: Rey Mysterio
My Opinion: 
Big win for Mysterio to get him on the right track after returning from injury. It was so awesome to see all those legends come up to help get Zayn back in the ring, especially RVD! Zayn will for sure have something to say about this but honestly, this is a match I’d love to see again but Zayn is a very great high flyer just like Mysterio.

Backstage Segment:
A limo pulls up in the back and out comes Ric Flair!

Backstage Segment:
The Street Profits are backstage again and Dawkins asks Ford why he is putting eye drops in and he says he was just chilling with RVD. he then says Mark Henry was there putting moves on Kelly Kelly and then Flair was there too but they had to bounce because Boogeyman showed up. He then gets a call from The Godfather.

On Stage Segment:
Alundra Blayze comes out and grabs a trash can from under the announce desk and says she said she wasn’t gonna be the champion for long. Ted Dibiasi then comes out and says I’ll buy the title because everyone has a price for The Million Dollar Man. he pulls out a wad of cash and Blayze hands over the title making The Million Dollar Man the new 24/7 Champion.

Match 5: AJ Styles w/ The OC (Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson) vs Seth Rollins 
*** Before the match Jerry “The King” Lawler joins the commentary team.
Rollins works a side headlock and maintains control after being pushed off the ropes. Styles finally breaks the hold but is hit with a shoulder tackle. Styles goes to the outside to regroup. Styles lands a kick and takes down Rollins. Styles bounces Rollins off the top turnbuckle. Rollins fights back and hits Styles with a series of chops. Rollins works a cover but can’t get a 3. Rollins lands a huge forearm and Styles is rocked. Styles then pounds on him in the corner. Styles sends him to the apron but Rollins is able to hang him up. Anderson runs interference and it allows Styles to bounce Rollins to the floor. The OC stalk Rollins but out comes DX as Raw goes to break!
As Raw returns, Rollins goes after Styles but Styles is able to fight him off. Styles sends Rollins off of him but Rollins lands on his feet. Rollins hits a sling blade and gets in control. Rollins lands a blockbuster and follows with a superkick. Rollins looks for The Stomp but The OC gets invovled. Dx then comes in to stop them. Styles tells DX they are just like them too. They then offer a two sweet. Dx then tells them to suck it and DX and Rollins then clean house sending them all the floor. The OC all then grab chairs and storm the apron. Out comes Road Dogg, X Pac, Scott Hall, and Kevin Nash. Road Dogg does his shtick and says with DX and the clique his advice is to get to stepping and get to stepping quick. Road Dogg then hands the mic to Seth Rollins to do the honors. He says hey OC if you’re not down with that then we have two words for you!
Winner: Seth Rollins: Via DQ
My Opinion:
This was a very competitive match between these two and you would expect nothing less. Of course, it didn’t end clean but the more important story was getting to see Dx and The Clique. The nostalgia of all of that was amazing and I loved it! Having Rollins getting to do the honors was also a very nice touch. It was great seeing all of those guys again!

Backstage Segment:
Mark Henry and Mick Foley talk backstage. Foley is live, next!

Backstage Segment:
Ted DiBiase laughs and says I got it as he holds the 24/7 title. He gets in his limo and but there is the sound of a lot of commotion. Drake Maverick steps out with the title and tells his wife he’s got it. He is then chased by a group of Superstars.

In Ring Segment: Mick Foley 
Foley says we are 3 weeks away from SummerSlam but tonight we are celebrating Raw reunion. He tells how he was here 2 months ago debuting the 24/7 title. Drake Maverick and the superstars then run through the ring. Foley says he is gonna get his hands on the title before the night is over. He says he has had some of the best nights of his life on this program and shows him winning the WWF Championship. The lights then go out and in the ring is Bray Wyatt. He then goes after Mick Foley with the mandible claw. The lights then go out again and Wyatt has Foley down.
My Opinion:
This Bray Wyatt character is quite awesome and tonight was a really good showing for him. He put down the master of the mind games and to be able to be put over by
Mick Foley is huge for Wyatt. I hope they continue to have him do these in-ring things and save him for matches on the PPV’s to make it more special at least for now. He is darker than ever before and I can’t wait to keep watching him develop.

A Moment of Bliss: Becky Lynch
Bliss says after what we just saw we could all use A Moment of Bliss. She then introduces her best friend Nikki Cross. Cross then introduces The Raw Women’s Champion Becky Lynch. Blis goes over how Lynch will defend the title against Natalya in her home country of Canada. Out comes Natalya.
Bliss asks Natalya what she’s doing out here. Natalya says if Becky has something to say she can say it to her face. Bliss says there seems like there is still some tension. Bliss then shows their war of words from last week. Bliss says wow you sure let Becky get under your skin. Natalya tells Lynch how they have had a similar journey and it blows her mind she has shown her such little respect. Becky tells how Natalya tried to kick her legs out from under her and tells how Nattie offered to help Ronda Rousey train to beat her. Lynch tells her she is going to embarrass her in her home country. The two then go at it and have to be separated.
My Opinion:
I like this a lot with the tensions continuing to rise between these two. I love the aggression Nattie is showing, it’s something she is gonna need if she is going to beat Lynch. For Becky, she needs to remember this isn’t an upstart SuperStar and this is a veteran of the game who comes form wrestling royalty. To me, it seems like Natalya knows exactly what she is fighting for and Lynch seems like she is overlooking and expecting to just win like it’ll be an easy task.

Backstage Segment:
Charly asks Natalya if she thought this would become so personal so quickly. Natalya says Becky made this personal and tries to say she built this division when actually this division was built off the backs of women like her. Natalya says she is going to give Becky an ass whooping and take the championship.

Backstage Segment:
Drake Maverick goes to leave but Truth comes from behind and pins him to win the title. He then gets in the limo with Drake’s wife and the limo drives away. Maverick sits there distraught.

Match 6: Braun Strowman Randy Rowe
***Before the match Braun says don’t blink this isn’t going to last long.
Strowman starts with throwing Rowe not once but twice. He then hits him with a big boot. Strowman picks him up and slams him to the mat. Strowman goes for the cover and gets the 1 2 3.
Winner: Braun Strowman 
My Opinion:
Well, Braun didn’t lie this was a very quick victory and Randy didn’t stand a chance. After all, Braun has been through this was a good thing for him. This reminded everyone how dominant he is and how quickly he can put someone away. He has a long way back to the top but he is reminding everyone why he is The Monster Among Men.

A Toast to Monday Night Raw:
Ric Flair makes his entrance and then behind him is all the legends from Raw’s past. Hulk Hogan then comes out and says it’s so awesome to celebrate the Raw Reunion with all his friends and Hulkamaniac’s. He says some of his greatest moments were here in Tampa. He says for the Hulkamaniac’s that said their prayers and ate their vitamins he has to thank them a million times over. He then asks whatcha gonna do when Hulk Hogan and the Raw Reunion run wild on you, Brotha! Afterward here comes Stone Cold Steve Austin!
Austin tells the crowd to give him a Hell Yeah! Austin says it’s good to be back here in Tampa, he says he remembers coming out her back in the day paying dues and being with his brother’s and sisters. Austin says everyone on that stage has either bleed, sweat, cried, and ran down the road. He says they are all family and all the fans are family. He says he is thankful he got to come out here and celebrate this Raw reunion. He tells how he hung out with Hulk Hogan tonight and then last night he drank every beer in the bar listening to Ric Flair stories. He says it’s all about the brotherhood and sisterhood and it’s all about the family reunion. He tells them to all come down to the ring and drink a cold one. He says he wnats to give a toast to everyone here. He tells that with Stone Cold on Monday Night Raw it’s gonna be a damn good time. He poses a toast and says that’s the bottom line because Stone Cold said so. Austin then tells a Gerry Briscoe story. He tells how he was nervous coming out her but Coach told him to just be himself. He thanks everyone once again as Raw goes off the air.
My Opinion:
That was the perfect ending to this historic night. Stone Cold closed the show exactly how you’d want a Raw Reunion to be closed. All of these SuperStars in that ring have paved the way and gave unforgettable moments. It remnidns you why you love this stuff so much when you see all the charcters that captured your imagination before. I loved tonight and I can’t wait for the next one!

Final Thoughts:
Wow, this was an awesome night and like a lot of people I’m a sucker for the nostalgia. It was so cool seeing all the legends back and seeing them have fun. It was aweosme with some surprises such as RVD! Getting to see them all do their thing once more are moments you never forget as fans. The 24/7 Championship segments were very entertaining tonight and that title remains one of the huge highlights of WWE right now. I thought The Usos picked up a huge victory tonight and puts them back in tag team title contention, with their dad by their side it was even sweeter to watch. Styles and Rollins put on a great match and it even though The OC didn’t make the statement they wanted to you can’t go wrong with being stopped by DXand The Clique. I love the war of words with Natalya and Becky Lynch. I truly think they will out on a clinic at SummerSlam and the more they go at it on the mic, the more and more this is gonna be a huge pay off. Another thing I was also very happy about was Rey Mysterio picked up a huge victory over Sami Zayn. I’m glad to see him back on track and I hope he keeps up the winning ways. Bray Wyatt struck again and this time on Mick Foley. I’m loving this character and I can’t wait to see what he does next. Hopefully he will have a match at SummerSlam and see what the new Bray Wyatt is all about. Finally, the ending segment tonight was just amazing with the likes of Flair, Hogan, Austin, and all the legends on the stage. A huge thank you to all of them, tonight was one of those nights you remember why you loved this stuff so much and I can’t wait for the next Reunion. Cheers WWE, and the WWE Universe!!!
Overall Rating: 8/10