WWE Raw Live Coverage & Discussion Thread - 20th June 2016

[A Blissful Ass]

Venue: Talking Stick Resort Arena
City: Phoenix, AZ

Announcers: JBL Michael Cole & Byron Saxton

The Ambrose Era Begins

[Kemo]

– Tonight’s WWE RAW opens up with a taxi arriving to the arena earlier in the day. Dean Ambrose gets out and heads to the arena but stops as he forgot the WWE World Heavyweight Title belt. The new champion heads into the building as we go to the opening video.

– Michael Cole welcomes us. He’s joined by Byron Saxton and JBL. We go to the ring and out comes new WWE World Heavyweight Champion Dean Ambrose.

Ambrose hits the ring as we see stills of how he won the title at Money In the Bank last night. The music finally stops and Ambrose takes it all in. Fans chant “you deserve it” now. Ambrose talks about how he had a wild night in Las Vegas last night. He brings up Seth Rollins and says he was just the right guy at the right place at the wrong time. Ambrose goes on and says it was all worth it because hard times are no more. He’s interrupted by the music and out comes Roman Reigns to mostly boos.

Reigns says last night wasn’t his night because it was Dean’s. He congratulates Ambrose and says he’s happy for him. Reigns asks how good it felt to cash in on Seth. Ambrose says he would’ve cashed in on Reigns too. The “you can’t wrestle” chants start up. Reigns tells all the men chanting that to relax, take a sip of their beer and shut up. Reigns asks Ambrose is he’s a fighting champ. Seth Rollins interrupts next and here he comes upset.

They all have words and it looks like we’re about to get a fight until Shane McMahon comes out to the stage to a pop. He congratulates Ambrose on both wins last night. Shane says we should have Reigns vs. Rollins to determine a new #1 contender. Shane says Stephanie isn’t here tonight and he’s running the show. Reigns vs. Rollins will take place tonight. The former Shield members face off in the ring before Rollins leaves first.

– Still to come, Paige gets a WWE Women’s Title shot. Also, Sami Zayn vs. Kevin Owens to end the feud. Back to commercial.

[Kemo]

Sami Zayn vs. Kevin Owens

Owens quickly bailed to the outside after an Irish whip. Zayn followed and hit a clothesline out on the floor and rolled him back in. Owens rolled back out the other side, but Zayn followed again and hit a moonsault off the barricade. Owens tried to leave through the crowd, but Zayn have chase and tossed him back into the ringside area. Owens caught Zayn jumping at him, and rammed him into the barricade and then threw him into the post. He then tossed Sami in the ring for a cover and got a two count. He then taunted the crowd.

Owens applied a chinlock as footage was shown from the break where Owens dominated Zayn with power offense. Zayn fired back up with a clothesline that sent Owens out to the floor, and followed up with a tope con hilo that the crowd woke up for. Zayn tried to climb up top, but Owens met him there and told him that he hated him. Sami fought him off and leap frogged him, only to turn around into a superkick. Owens covered and got a near fall.

Owens picked up Zayn in position for a package piledriver, but Zayn fought out and hit what looked like a backdrop driver. Zayn hit hit for another superkick and went for another pop up powerbomb, but Zayn reversed into a rollup and got the surprise win.

Winner: Sami Zayn

After the match, Owens assaulted Zayn on the ramp as he celebrated, and it degraded into a brawl that needed to be pulled apart by referees. The announce team then plugged the match between Reigns and Rollins for the number one contendership in the main event.

Backstage, the brawl continued between Owens and Zayn until trainers and refs had to break them up again. WWE plugged the draft again, and then Big Johnny Laurinitis made his entrance wearing a red suit, blue tie and white shoes. He told the crowd to look him up on the WWE Network, and the draft very briefly before being interrupted by Shane McMahon. He asked Johnny what he was doing, and Johnny replied that he was making his pitch to run Smackdown following the brand extension.

Shane apologized to the crowd and said he would be the one to run Smackdown, because he represents the new era, the fans, and change. Enzo and Cass made their entrance and Shane pretended to be bros with them. They did their promo shtick. Enzo said that just a second ago he heard Johnny Laryngitis spew pure manure into the microphone. He then said if he had a dime for every time Johnny Laryngitis opened his mouth and something relevant came out, he’d have zero dimes. Cass said Big Johnny may have been a Dynamic Dude back in the day, but in the new era he was SAWFT. They will face the Vaudevillians next…

[Kemo]

Enzo & Cass vs. The Vaudevillians

English and Enzo started the match, with Enzo taking some abuse early. Gotch and English made some quick tags and hit double team olde tyme punches and generally cut off the ring. Enzo avoided a charging Gotch and send English off the apron to the floor, and then made a tag to Cass. He entered and cleaned up, hitting a bit boot to Gotch that sent him to the floor, and an Empire Elbow to English. Enzo tagged back in and hit the “Bada Boom Shaka Laka” Rocket Launcher for the win.

Winners: Enzo & Cass

AJ Styles was shown backstage, and would address the WWE Universe next...

Back from commercial break, Kevin Love was shown celebrating the Cavs NBA Championship wearing a Stone Cold Steve Austin Shirt and pouring beer on himself. AJ Styles made his ring entrance, and the Stone Cold Podcast was plugged for later tonight. Still photos were shown of AJ Styles’ controversial victory at Money in the Bank.

AJ Styles makes his way to the ring.

AJ told the crowd that they sounded pretty happy, as an “AJ Styles” chant broke out. He said he wished he could say that he’s happy, because he had envisioned the match the way he wanted it to happen in his head for years. He went on to say that his dream match with John Cena was tainted by two men who were supposed to be more than brothers to him. He said out loud that “AJ Styles beat John Cena” to a big reaction, but he said it didn’t go down the way it should have. Styles said that if The Club is to continue, he needs them to come down and give him a public apology right now.

Eventually, they made their way down to the ring. AJ told them that he didn’t need their help, and that they had given John Cena an excuse. Anderson said they were trying to help, but AJ said he had signed on the dotted line and dragged his name through the mud. AJ then asked them both to look him into the eyes to apologize. They were clearly treating this whole thing as a joke. Both Gallows and Anderson gave tongue in cheek apologies to Styles, and then AJ said they had one more apology to make to John Cena. Styles asked Cena to come out, and he obliged.

Cena stayed on the ramp and said he doesn’t need an apology. Cena said they had a contract and he broke it. Gallows said that AJ had no idea they were going to come out, and then apologized to Cena. Anderson said AJ had signed a contract, but they didn’t, and they took advantage of it, so he was sorry. Cena saw through it, of course, and said AJ is using his club as an excuse because he’s not a good as he says he is.

AJ said that Cena was using the two of them as an excuse because he’s not a good as he says he is. Cena then chimed in and said that he respects winning, but second to that he respects a man who sticks to his word. He then said sometimes all you have are your balls and your word, and last night AJ proved he didn’t have either one of them. AJ said last night Gallows and Anderson did Cena a favor by giving him an excuse. He said Cena can face any member of The Club that he wants….Cena interrupted and said he wanted Styles right now.

AJ said he didn’t let him finish, it’s any member except him. Gallows and Anderson got involved, and AJ had already beaten him anyways. Cena said it didn’t matter which one he faced, because it was always going to be one on three whenever they realized that he would knock any one of their teeth down their throat in a fair fight. Styles said he was dead wrong, and that Karl Anderson would knock his teeth down his throat and prove he wasn’t as good as he thought he was. AJ then plugged his appearance on the Stone Cold Podcast on the WWE Network after Raw.

Karl Anderson vs. John Cena

Back from the break and the match is underway. Cena strikes and whips Anderson hard into the corner. AJ Styles and Luke Gallows are not at ringside but Cena keeps looking around for them. Cena with a suplex. Cena with a clothesline and another slam as he keeps control.
Cena hit a prototype suplex and a You Can’t See Me, followed by an Attitude Adjustment. When Cena went for the cover, Gallows and Anderson gave Cena a beating and caused a DQ.

Winner: John Cena

After the match, Gallows and Anderson hit a Magic Killer, followed by a Styles Clash from AJ. The announce team then recapped the major events from Money in the Bank with some still photos. These were repeats from results and photos shown earlier in the show. A video was then shown of the highlights from the opening segment with the main event between Reigns and Rollins being booked for later tonight.

Backstage, Seth Rollins was interviewed by Jojo. She asked him about his match later tonight. Rollins said he wanted to talk about last night first, and he said that last night proved that he was the best and that Roman Reigns never deserved it. He then said that Dean Ambrose was a snake and a thief when he snuck up from behind him and stole his championship. Rollins said later tonight he would prove he was better than Roman Reigns and earn another chance to take back what’s his.

[Kemo]

Becky Lynch was interviewed backstage by Renee Young, and was asked about Natalya. She said she’s done making excuses for people. She said if she’s the last person in the division with an ounce of integrity or sportsmanship, then she’s better off than the rest of them. She said he’s taking the knife out of her back, and no more second chances or apologies. At that point, Natalya burst in from out of frame and knocked down Becky. She then tossed Becky into a nearby equipment crate and said from now on she’s taking care of herself for the first time in years. In the arena, Baron Corbin made his entrance. Zack Ryder was already in the ring.

Baron Corbin vs. Zack Ryder

We go to the ring and out comes Baron Corbin as Zack Ryder looks on.

Corbin takes control of the match after suckering Ryder in. Ryder fights Corbin back into the corner but misses the Broski Boot as Corbin rolls to the floor. Ryder with a missile dropkick off the apron. Ryder brings it back in the ring for the big Elbro Drop but Corbin kicks out at 2. Corbin slides out and comes right back in with a big clothesline for a 2 count. More back and forth. Ryder gets knocked out of the air and hit with End of Days for the win.

Winner: Baron Corbin

After the match, Corbin stands tall over Ryder.

Footage was shown of WWE signing an agreement with PPTV in China for their streaming PPV agreement, followed by the signing of Bin Wang to a WWE Contract

Still to come, Paige gets her title shot. Back to commercial.

Back from the break, a video package aired for Bray Wyatt, that seemed to be a cut of various Wyatt video packages from days gone by with a creepy voiceover. Footage was shown last week of Paige getting a non-title win over Charlotte last week on Raw. Paige was interviewed backstage by Renee Young, and was asked why she thinks she’s had so much success lately against Charlotte. Renee kept looking behind Paige while she tried to talk, and eventually the camera panned to Dana Brooke and Charlotte chuckling in the background with Charlotte looking at her phone.

Paige walked up and told Charlotte that the championship would look lovely around her waist. Charlotte said last week was a fluke and Dana’s fault, and that after tonight she would sink back down to the bottom of the division like the titanic. Paige replied and reminded Charlotte that the ring is her house, and after she wins tonight Charlotte’s world would start falling apart.

[Kemo]

:wwewomens:

WWE Women’s Title Match: Paige vs. Charlotte

We go to the ring and out comes Paige to a pop. WWE Women’s Champion Charlotte is out next with Dana Brooke.

Lilian does formal ring introductions before the match.

Charlotte attempted a roll up straight away and got a near fall. Paige hit a shoulder block and exclaimed that it was her house, and the crowd fired up. She hit rapid fire knees in the corner that looked terrible even at a favorable camera angle. The action spilled outside as Dana Brooke got involved, and Charlotte leveled Paige at ringside. Dana and Charlotte posed and taunted a downed Paige.

Charlotte was in control as the show returned, but it didn’t last. Paige hit several kicks and covered for a near fall. She then followed up with a fallaway slam and shouted to fire up the crowd. Paige then placed Charlotte on the top turnbuckle for a superplex, but Charlotte reversed and dropped Paige face first. Charlotte followed up with a very well executed Moonsault for a near fall. They both traded crucifix pins for two counts, followed by Paige rolling up Charlotte for a near fall.

Paige fired back with a kick and then looked to have the match won with Rampaige, but Dana Brooke interfered and managed to screw things up in the process. She was supposed to place Charlotte’s foot on the ropes but ended holding her foot under the rope for the ref to see. She then gets thrown out, and during the distraction Charlotte hit natural selection and got the win to retain her championship.

Winner: Charlotte

After the bell, Dana comes back to attack Paige with Charlotte. They stand tall until Sasha Banks’ music hits to a pop. She motions around her waist to Charlotte. Dana charges on the ramp but Sasha levels her. She goes in the ring. Charlotte tries to leave but catches a Banks Statement. Sasha raises the title but Dana attacks from behind. Paige attacks Dana. Paige and Sasha stand tall now with Sasha holding the title in the air. Sasha’s music hits as the two teams taunt each other.

Roman Reigns is backstage with JoJo and he’s confident going into the main event.

We cut to The Wyatt Family backstage. Bray Wyatt says they’re here. Back to commercial.

The Wyatt Family made their entrance to a strong ovation and the fireflies. Bray Wyatt led Erick Rowan and Braun Strowman to the ring. Once the music stopped playing, there was a loud “welcome back” chant. “Did y’all miss me?” Wyatt asked. He said they have been locked away and punished, but they never forgot what they stand for. Wyatt said the family is as strong as they have ever been.

New Day interrupted Wyatt’s promo. They said Bray takes too long and he needs to cut it. New Day took a knee on the stage. They said Erick Rowan has “a big ol’ booty.” Kofi Kingston said they bring the power of positivity and that’s how they have remained tag champions. The crowd had to fill in the line because Xavier Woods was staring blankly at the ring. Kofi nudged Woods out of his trance and then he said the line and went right back to it. Wyatt said New Day’s future is “New Day falls.” Strowman clapped his hands. The Wyatt video flashed to end the segment.

[Kemo]

The latest Darren Young and Bob Backlund segment aired. Backlund told Young not to take advice from anyone, then explained that he gives orders and made him start doing high knees workout.

Lana introduced Rusev. The broadcast team hyped that Rusev and Lana will be on the ESPNews segment on Tuesday night. Backstage, Renee Young interviewed Titus O’Neil, who was upset about Rusev disrespecting him and his children at MITB. “Don’t you ever disrespect me or my family,” O’Neil yelled. In the ring, Rusev barked that he doesn’t care about O’Neil’s family. Titus made his entrance for the non-title match…

They ended up fighting in the ring and then quickly went to ringside. Cole emphasized that this wasn’t a match, it was a fight. Rusev ran Titus into the ring post, then Titus shoved Rusev into the barricade a couple times. Titus barked at Rusev about disrespecting him and his family. Titus clotheslined Rusev over the barricade. Rusev opted to walk out.

Cole hyped Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins for the main event and reminded viewers that the winner will challenge Dean Ambrose at Battleground… An NXT commercial aired and focused on Finn Balor and Shinsuke Nakamura.

An ad hyped the WWE Draft and Smackdown moving to Tuesdays on July 19. JBL said he hopes that Byron Saxton will be drafted by Waffle House. Cole explained that there are podiums for Raw and Smackdown on the stage. He said that’s where the respective general managers will make their draft picks…

The Miz and Maryse checked in with a Facebook video recorded on the set of the latest Marine movie. An assistant tried to give Miz food, but Miz threw a fit because it wasn’t quail. Maryse fired the man and the crew was shown sitting quietly. Miz barked at them to go back to work…

Shane McMahon entered a room where Chris Jericho was waiting. Jericho said Shane has had it out for him for 16 years. He said he deserves to be No. 1 contender to Dean Ambrose. Shane pointed out some of Jericho’s recent losses. Jericho said Shane is allowing a barbarian to be his champion, then complained about the thumbtacks. Jericho called Shane a stupid idiot. Shane said that if he calls him an idiot again, those tacks will seem like a walk in the park. Jericho said he prays that the show he gets drafted to is the one that Shane is not in charge of. Shane once again claimed that he would be running both shows…

Dean Ambrose made his entrance while Cole clarified that Ambrose earned the championship despite what Jericho said about Shane letting him be champion. Cole announced that Ambrose would be seated next to JBL and would be on commentary for the main event.

[Kemo]

Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins to become No. 1 contender to the WWE World Heavyweight Championship

Ambrose said you don’t get a WWE Championship win and then go sit in a mansion somewhere unlike LeBron James. Ambrose was asked when he knew he was cashing in. Ambrose said he told everyone he was going to do it beforehand so he doesn’t know why everyone is so surprised.

Reigns and Rollins fought to ringside. Reigns slammed the head of Rollins off the Spanish broadcast table. Reigns took the top off the table, but then they returned to the ring. Ambrose said he doesn’t care whether Reigns or Rollins wins and said he would face them both. Ambrose stood up as he watched the match and said he was getting pumped to face one of his “former brothers” and they were going to try to take the title he worked two years to earn. At 5:30, Reigns caught Rollins with a boot to the face at ringside heading into the break.

Rollins and Reigns traded punches in mid-ring with the fans cheering after each Rollins punch and booing when Reigns would throw one. Reigns powerbombed Rollins for a good near fall. A short time later, Rollins performed a springboard move off the middle rope into a Superman Punch for another two count.

Reigns went to the corner and charged for a spear. Rollins caught Reigns a kick. Reigns quickly tossed Rollins over the top rope. Rollins hung on and caught Reigns a high knee and a kick for a two count. At 14:45, Reigns performed a Drive By Kick. Reigns placed Rollins on the Spanish broadcast table and went for a powerbomb, but Rollins slipped underneath him and then clipped his knee. Rollins caught Reigns with an enzuigiri.

Rollins returned to the ring at nine. Reigns pulled him to the floor without returning to the ring. Cole said the ref’s count restarted because Rollins broke it. Moments later, both men ended up being counted out.

Roman Reigns fought Seth Rollins to a double count-out

[Overrun]

Shane McMahon came out and said that’s not how things would end. He said they need a number one contender at Battleground. Ambrose stood in the ring and told Shane he would fight both men on the same night. Shane said he could fight them on the same night at the same time, then announced Ambrose vs. Reigns vs. Rollins in a Triple Threat as the WWE Battleground main event.

After Shane headed backstage, Ambrose held up his title belt in front of Reigns. He walked away. Reigns spun Ambrose around, but Ambrose dropped him with Dirty Deeds. Rollins sat in the opposite corner as Ambrose left the ring. Rollins stood up and went after Reigns, but Ambrose returned and gave him Dirty Deeds while JBL said WWE has a champion who is unstable. Cole hyped the Stone Cold Podcast with AJ Styles.