Raw Review – 07/04/2016

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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I started watching this episode of Raw a bit late this week because I decided to quickly squeeze in the gym before it started. The opening segment and the match card were ruined for me by social media and seeing that there was a 16 man tag match booked for the show, I already knew this episode of Raw was going to be a throw away Holiday episode. Similar to that Christmas episode where the spent most of the time on an angle where Cena vowed revenge on Del Rio for running over Santa…or something like that. I assume since it was Independence Day in the United States, they figured most people wouldn’t be watching, but spending time with their families, I don’t know. There was apart of me not wanting to write this review, and just finish my TWC Report, but I’m gonna give a quick review and recap anyway.

1. Opening Segment
Raw kicks off with a huge backstage Independence Day cookout with all of the WWE Superstars sitting at tables eating Hot Dogs and Burgers. The Vaudevillains tried to do a spoken word piece, but someone throws a piece a cake at them. The Miz and Maryse walk in and say that this is not the time for a food fight and this holiday is not going to get ruined like Thanksgiving in the WWE always does. Someone throws a chocolate cake at Miz. A huge food fight breaks out. The segment ends with Owens a lone after avoiding the food fight and eating a hot dog. However, someone still throws a cake in Owens face and he loses his shit.
My Thoughts:
This segment got a lot of backlash and hate, however I enjoyed it. For fans that grew up with the 80s WWF, have no right to hate segments like this, since it was commonplace during that Era. Its not like we’re going to get segments like this every week, it was a way for the WWE to show they’re a family who also enjoyed Independence Day. Even if we did, the beloved Attitude Era had way worse backstage segments than this at times. It just is what is. It was great seeing the wrestlers in full gimmicks in a segment like this. Zayn trying to get rid of the beans, Owens hiding under the table, Jericho being Jericho and everything else was just great. It was a fun segment and on Raw that

2. Rusev w/ Lana (C) def. Titus O’ Neil to retain the United States Title
In another quick back and fourth match, Rusev beats Titus O Neil to retain his United States Title.
My Thoughts:
Titus came out dressed up in his most patriotic Apollo Creed inspired gear, almost making it feel like this could actually be Titus’s time to win his first singles title. An American winning the US Title on America’s birthday? It’s almost the perfect story, but unfortunately that wasn’t the case and I am glad it wasn’t. I never found Titus being that big of a threat to the title in the first place and that is only because I think they need to build him up a bit more. Rusev needs to continue being a dominant force, so when someone does take the belt off him, it a rub for them. The last time Rusev was built to be dominant as US Champion he lost the belt to Cena who didn’t really need a rub.

3. Enzo & Cass def. The Social Outcasts
The Social Outcasts come out dressed as Revolutionaries, and out come Enzo and Cass. Enzo names all the US Presidents. In a quick match Enzo and Cass get the win with the Rocket Launcher.
My Thoughts:
It was a fun segment with a quick match to follow. Enzo and Cass remain over and The Social Outcasts keep on Bo-lieving.

4. Charlotte/Sasha Banks Segment
Charlotte and Dana Brooke are in the ring. Charlotte talks about everyone being jealous of her. Charlotte says that Sasha Banks is trying to placate the fans that are screaming we want Sasha. Banks walks out and says that Charlotte may be champ but she will never be her. Sasha goes on to say that if it wasn’t for Ric Flair, she would be champ. Charlotte says for the last year she has been champ. She should be called the legit boss. Banks tells Charlotte what a real boss is. Banks tells Charlotte that as of right now, Charlotte’s reign is over. Brooke tries to attack Banks, but Banks floors her with an elbow. Banks locks in the Banks statement but Brooke pulls Charlotte out of the ring.
My Thoughts:
I am huge fan of both women and have been waiting for this match since Wrestlemania. If anything this Raw did do its part in progressing the feuds that are already in place. I like how it feels like these two are taking real shots at each other. Charlotte is doing great as a massive heel and I still don’t see the purpose of Dana, and I hope she doesn’t play a factor in their match at Battleground. If she does I hope she’s banned from ringside if there is a Summerslam rematch. I’m looking forward to these two tearing down the house the way I know they can.

5. Dean Ambrose def. The Miz
It was a champion vs champion match, with the Intercontinental Champion the Miz taking on the WWE World Champion Dean Ambrose. It was a pretty competitive match, that ended with Dean Ambrose reversing a Skull Crushing Finale into a Dirty Deeds. Following the match Seth Rollins started making his way down to the ring for his match, and Ambrose passes him by on the ramp way to head to the back after. The two of them stop and have a quick moment before Ambrose continues to the back and Rollins towards the ring. Ambrose turns around and runs back into the ring. Rollins squares up, but Ambrose rolled out to the announcers table and sits down to do commentary for Rollins match.
My Thoughts:
It was actually a pretty good match but nothing too spectacular, but good nonetheless. It was nice having the little Ambrose/Rollins moment, but it makes it very easy to forget that Roman is a part of this match. I still think they should have gone with Rollins vs Ambrose for Battleground, and the Triple Threat at Summerslam. The fact that they don’t, makes me believe they have big plans for Summerslam, that they want to stick with.

6. Seth Rollins def. Dolph Ziggler
Rollins wins after hitting the pedigree in very competitive match with Ambrose on commentary.After the match, Rollins stands on the announce table and says Roman Reigns should not be in the triple threat match at Battleground. Ambrose stands on the opposite announce table. Rollins tells Ambrose he is going to take back his title. Ambrose tells Rollins he can have the title right now. Ambrose tosses the title at Rollins and hits dirty deeds on the announcers table.
My Thoughts:
Once again, Rollins shows why he is the best wrestler on the roster today and why his presence on Raw since his return has elevated the show. Rollins is the total package and hasn’t lost a step since returning from his injury. Ziggler is the perfect opponent to make anyone look good and to put on a great match, and thats exactly what he did here. It makes me wonder whats next for Ziggler and is it going to be anything we’re gonna care about? I loved how Rollins cut that promo after the match protesting for the Battleground match to be changed into a singles match, keeping Roman relevant in this feud. I am also glad the Champion was left standing.

7. Vickie Guerrero & Team USA
EXC– USE ME! Vickie Guerrero returns to make her argument on why she should be chosen to be the COO of Smackdown once the brand extension takes place. Vickie gets escorted out by security against her own will. They pass Ziggler, and Vickie tries to get Ziggler to tell the security that she was invited but Ziggler claims he’s never seen her before.
Big Show gives a pep talk to Team USA in a very patriotic form.
My Thoughts:
It was great seeing Vickie, but where is Eric Bischoff? Better yet, if we’re bringing back GM’s wouldn’t this have been the perfect holiday to bring back former Smackdown GM and American Olympic Gold Medalist Kurt Angle for a cameo. It would have had the wrestling world buzzing even if it was a one off appearance.
The Team USA segment was what it was. I still think Team International Alliance looks like the stronger team, but it is America’s birthday.

8. The Golden Truth def. The VaudeVillans
In a quick filler match where Golden Truth pick up the victory after hitting their finish. Breezedango watched from ringside.
My Thoughts:
Although this was just filler stuff and to progress the lower card feud between the Golden Truth and Breezedango it all bothered me. I wish they used some local jobbers rather than the Vaude Villains.

9. John Cena adresses The Club
John Cena hits the ring to address The Club. Cena says we are going to have some excitement tonight. Cena said AJ Styles brought out the best him. In the end, he knew that it wouldn’t be just a match against AJ Styles. If the Club wants some, they can come get some. Styles and The Club come out on the ramp. Styles says that the WWE. No matter how hard Cena tries to bury him, The Club will save him. They learned last week that no matter what they do, no one will come out to save Cena. Every week, they are going to come and beat them up.
Styles in the Club talk about beating up Cena on every holiday. Styles and The Club attack Cena. Enzo and Big Cass run in to make the save. Cena, Enzo, and Big Cass clear the ring
My Thoughts:
Cena’s promo was basically the same one we’ve heard the last couple of weeks about how he thought it was Cena vs. Styles but knew it would end up being Cena vs. The Club. It was not until The Club came out that the whole segment picked up. I actually enjoyed the whole #BeatUpJohnCena running joke that started trending on social media afterwards. I actually found it quite humours, whereas sawf Cena fans got offended by it. I also bet everyone went to google Karl Anderson’s wife after mentioning that she was hot. Anyway speaking of being Sawft, Enzo and Cass were the ones to come save Cena. I hope this doesn’t derail their momentum with their fans. Yeah, its an honour to work a program with biggest face of the company but at the same time, did they really need to? I’m just glad it wasnt the Uso’s again since we saw that during the Styles/Reigns feud. A six man match was booked for Battleground between these guys. My opinion is to, shove them in Elimination Chamber or a Cell and lets have ourselves a War Games match at Battleground. I can dream, can’t I?

10. Becky Lynch def. Summer Rae
In a match that was supposed to take place a week earlier, before Becky decided to attack Natalya instead, Becky Lynch defeats Summer Rae with a dis-arm-bar.
My Thoughts:
The match wasn’t bad, and I’m glad they let it happen this time. I know most negative fans will remember this match for the few botched moves such as the suplex Summer tried hitting on Becky, but if you look past that the match was pretty good. Remember folks, it takes two to tango, if their was a mistake there is a 50% chance it was both their fault and 50% it could be one of the competitors fault, but if you’ve never stepped in  a wrestling ring to put on a match, who are we to talk?

11. New Day/Wyatt Family segment
The New Day comes out and poke more fun at the Wyatts, claiming they need some Booty-O’s. The Wyatts appear on the ‘tron and tell New Day that they want them to come to their compound so they can teach them a lesson. Kingston and Big E say they will come there and spread positivity all over that place. Woods tells them that he doesn’t understand how Kingston and Big E don’t realize how Bray Wyatt is trouble to their group and that he is luring them into a trap. Woods claims he will not sit here and let them fall into his trap. Woods leaves the ring, with Kingston and E very confused left in the ring.
My Thoughts:
Intriguing and compelling, thats all I have to say about this segment. Could the WWE really break up their cash cow tandem of the New Day? or is this the New Day playing the ultimate troll mind game against the Wyatts? There is only on thing we can do to find out and thats wait.

12. Team USA (Big Show, Kane, The Dudleys, Apollo Crews, Mark Henry, Jack Swagger & Zack Ryder) def. Team International Alliance (Kevin Owens, Chris Jericho, The Lucha Dragons, Sami Zayn, Alberto Del Rio, Sheamus & Cesaro)
It was a long multi man tag match, and this isn’t Smackdown. Team USA stand tall when Zack Ryder and Big Show are the sole survivors of Team USA, when Ryder getting the final fall eliminating Sheamus with the Rough Ryder. A lot of the other eliminations were from DQ’s, internal team drama and so on.
My Thoughts:
Meh. I guess for a throwaway show it was fun however it was very predictable. I guess the WWE’s way of making it not predictable was having Ryder be the one to pick up the win for Team USA. It was interesting seeing heel and faces having to be on the same team for Team International Alliance. I forget to mention the backstage segment Team International had which was really clever and funny compared to the Team USA one. I think it just bothers me that Team International was way more stacked in younger and top tier talent and took a loss to Team USA just because of the holiday. However, this match was pretty pointless in the first place but good for his holiday show.

Final Thoughts
This edition of Raw was decent Raw at best. I didn’t expect much when the card got spoiled for me and it wasn’t much after all. There were some segments that progressed feuds but nothing too groundbreaking. If you missed this Raw, you didn’t miss much, and you could most likely see all the most important parts with clips on YouTube or social media. Check out the Cena/Club segment. Check out the Sasha/Charlotte segment. Check out the New Day/Wyatt Family segment. Also, if you’re a 80s/90s wrestling fan, check out the food fight. Otherwise I think next week, things will pick right back up, but it was what it was for this weeks Raw. Now that I am done writing this Raw review, I got to go #beatupJohnCena.
Final TWC Rating – 4/10
Last Weeks RAW TWC Rating – 6/10