WWE Raw Live Coverage & Discussion Thread - 27th June 2016

[Kemo]

Venue: Amalie Arena
City: Tampa, Florida

Announcers: JBL Michael Cole & Byron Saxton

[Kemo]

– Tonight’s WWE RAW opens up from Tampa with Seth Rollins coming to the ring. Lilian Garcia makes the introduction as we see the SmackDown and RAW Draft podiums on the stage. Michael Cole welcomes us and he’s joined by JBL and Byron Saxton. They hype Battleground.

Rollins says we will all get the dream match we’ve always wanted at Battleground, with the former members of The Shield. Rollins brings up the suspended Roman Reigns and says he’s not supposed to talk about him. Rollins talks about Reigns making “a mistake” and shows the Twitter statement Reigns made. Some fans boo. Rollins breaks Reigns’ statement down and mocks every line. Rollins says he owns Reigns and has always owned him. Rollins says Reigns doesn’t deserve a second chance or forgiveness. Rollins says Reigns doesn’t deserve a spot at Battleground and he wants a one-on-one match. The music hits and out comes WWE World Heavyweight Champion Dean Ambrose.

Ambrose says Reigns made a mistake, we all have. He says being friends with Rollins was a mistake. Ambrose isn’t worried about any of it, he’s still looking forward to the Triple Threat match at Battleground and it’s still on, as far as he’s concerned. The music hits and out comes AJ Styles to a big pop. AJ says there should be a Triple Threat at Battleground but it should be Ambrose vs. Rollins vs. Styles. Some fans pop. Styles brags about beating John Cena in a dream match. He says all will be right with the world if he replaces Reigns in the match. Ambrose says Reigns is still in the match. AJ proposes a Fatal 4 Way. The music hits again and out comes John Cena to a big mixed reaction.

Cena wonders if Ambrose will face the franchise. Cena mentions his first match was 14 years ago and today is his WWE birthday. They argue about a one-on-one match and out comes Stephanie McMahon. She says what happened to Reigns is an absolute embarrassment but what may be worse is Ambrose standing there as champion. She’s not just embarrassed, she’s mortified. She wonders what to do and mentions her brother Shane McMahon is not here again tonight. He’s on vacation. Stephanie will have to take matters into her own hands but that’s ok, she’s fine with that. She likes the idea of Styles and Cena joining the match but that has to be earned. She announces Cena vs. Rollins for tonight, and Styles vs. Ambrose in a non-title match. If AJ and Cena win their matches, they will be added to the WWE World Heavyweight Title Match at Battleground. She wishes everyone good luck, except Ambrose.

– Still to come, The Highlight Reel with Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens. We see Dana Brooke, WWE Women’s Champion Charlotte, Sasha Banks and Paige. We get the Brock Lesnar WWE 2K17 cover trailer before going to commercial.

[Kemo]

Paige and Sasha Banks vs. Dana Brooke and WWE Women’s Champion Charlotte

Back from the break and out comes Paige. Sasha Banks is out next to a pop as we get a look at her new Muscle & Fitness Hers shoot. Dana Brooke is out next with WWE Women’s Champion Charlotte as we get a look at the Spanish announce team at ringside.

Sasha starts off with Charlotte but Dana immediately comes in. Sasha takes Dana to the corner and works her over. Sasha ends up fighting off Charlotte and Dana. She sends them both to the floor for a breather as we go to commercial.

Back from the break and Charlotte is in control of Paige. Dana gets in some cheap shots. Paige finally fights them off but can’t get the tag. She nails Charlotte and gets the tag. Sasha unloads on Dana, who comes in. Sasha hits the knees int he corner but Dana kicks out at 2. Paige ends up flooring Charlotte on the floor. Sasha taunts Charlotte as she’s down. The end comes when Sasha makes Dana tap out to the Banks Statement.

Winners: Sasha Banks and Paige

– After the match, we get replays as the two teams talk trash from the stage and the ring.

– Cole welcomes viewers in China, who are watching live for the first time on PPTV.

– Still to come, Titus O’Neil vs. Rusev. Back to commercial.

Rusev vs. Titus O’Neil

Back from the break and Lana is in the ring to introduce WWE United States Champion Rusev for this non-title match. Titus O’Neil is out next and immediately attacks before the bell and sends Rusev to the corner after unloading. They separate and start the match. Titus unloads again and hits a big powerslam for a 2 count. Rusev comes back with a huge shot and mounts Titus with big blows. Rusev stands tall and fans boo. Rusev keeps control and wears Titus down as he tries to get to his feet. Rusev levels Titus with a dropkick and talks trash as fans boo.

Titus finally makes a comeback and hits a shoulder, then a clothesline. Rusev avoids a big boot and retreats to the floor. Fans boo as he grabs his title. Titus runs around the ring and they both collide at ringside with clotheslines. The referee counts. Titus ends up sending Rusev through the barrier. He makes it back in the ring and Rusev is counted out for the non-title loss.

Winner by Count Out: Titus O’Neil

– After the match, Rusev clutches his title as Titus is all smiles in the ring.

– Still to come, Ambrose vs. Styles. Back to commercial.

– Back from the break and they plug John Cena hosting the ESPY Awards.

[Kemo]

Seth Rollins vs. John Cena

We go to the ring and out comes Seth Rollins. John Cena is out next.

If Cena wins this one, he gets put into the WWE World Heavyweight Title match at Battleground. They start off slow and go at it as the crowd gets involved with dueling chants. Rollins ends up hitting a dropkick for a 2 count early on. Cena comes back with a dropkick of his own. Cena tries to keep control but runs into an elbow. Rollins with another 2 count. Rollins keeps Cena grounded now.

Cena comes back with shoulders and the big slam but Rollins sends him to the floor and mocks him. Cena is on the floor as we go back to commercial.

Cena went for an Attitude Adjustment off the second rope, but Rollins slipped away and performed a Buckle Bomb. Cena avoided a Rollins frogsplash. Cena went to the ropes, but Rollins caught him and suplexed him, then performed the Falcon’s Arrow for two. Rollins showed frustration.

Rollins set up for a Pedigree. Cena avoided it and catapulted him into the ropes. Rollins leapt off with a cross body, but Cena rolled through and performed an AA. Cena covered Rollins, who put his foot on the bottom rope to break the pin. Cena went for the move again. Rollins landed on his feet, kicked Cena, and went for the Pedigree, but Cena countered into the STF. Rollins nearly reached the ropes, but Cena pulled Cena to mid-ring.

AJ Styles, Luke Gallows, and Karl Anderson made their entrance. Styles climbed onto the apron. Cena went after him and Styles dropped to ringside. Rollins took advantage of the distraction and hit the Pedigree and then pinned Cena. The Club laughed at ringside…

Winner: Seth Rollins

Cole hyped Ambrose vs. Styles for later in the show…

[Kemo]

Enzo Amore and Big Cass vs. Carlos Cocci and Mitch Rolde

- Enzo Amore said they were riding a wave that will carry them straight to the top. The wave was the people. Amore told the fans to do the wave while the match was going on. Amore pinned Reynolds after the Rocket Launcher.

Winners: Enzo & Cass

- Social Outcasts came out. Bo Dallas said there was only word to describe Social Outcasts "HARD." Heath Slater said they were fresh off the set of Marine 5. Curtis Axel told Enzo and Cass to get out of the ring. Cass wondered which one of the three was the hardest. Dallas wanted to get in the ring to show them who was really the hardest. Cass knocke Slater off the apron with a big boot. Dallas and Axel backed off as Cass told them they were SAWFT.

- Life Lessons with Bob Backlund featured Backlund reviewing Darren Young's goals. Young said he wanted to be a singles champion and headline WrestleMania. Backlund said he was a tag team champion with Pedro Morales and said his era was called the Bob Backlund era. He said he wants to make Darren Young great again.

- There was a highlight package showing The Big Show, Kalisto, Cesaro, Banks, Becky Lynch and various other stars training with Special Olympics athletes. Those athletes came out on the ramp with Show and Renee Young handling emcee duties.

Becky Lynch vs. Summer Rae

Natalya is on commentary for this one. Cole asks her why she attacked Becky Lynch twice, and Natalya says "enough is enough and it's time for a change." She said she jumped Lynch at Money in the Bank because she was in the wrong place at the wrong time. She was tired of being a nice person because that only gets you stepped on. Lynch came out for a match with Summer Rae, but before it could start, Lynch went after Natalya, who tried to walk off. Lynch jumped on her again and had to be pulled off by the referee. Natalya went to the back and they forgot about the match.

Winner: No Contest

- Former Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston was shown at ringside.

- The Highlight Reel with Chris Jericho had Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn as guests. Jericho brought up Ambrose putting 69 thumbtacks in his back at Money in the Bank. They had a long staredown. Jericho brought up that Zayn was the best man at Owens' wedding, which must have made it hard when Owens stabbed Zayn in the back. Zayn said he wanted to end the program with Owens because it was limiting their careers. He brought up various times where they cost each other chances for championships in the past four months. Zayn wanted to put an end to the feud at Battleground.

Owens stood silent. Zayn said this was the real Kevin Owens, a coward who hides behind lies. Just like the lie he's been telling for two years about why Owens stabbed him in the back. Zayn wanted Owens to tell the truth, that it drove Owens nuts that Zayn was signed by the WWE first. He told Owens to grow a set, who prompted a small chant. Owens finally said that he's told Zayn the truth many times. He turned on Zayn because it was the right thing for his career. He said Zayn ruined their friendship because everything they've done since they've met was done to get to the WWE. Owens said he was happy for Zayn when he got to the WWE. He said Zayn was mad when he won the NXT championship, which proves he was always a better friend to Zayn than Zayn was to him. But that doesn't matter now. Owens said he would fight Zayn at Battleground.

Jericho put that announcement over and said Owens was right, Zayn was a terrible friend and a terrible example of what it takes to make it in the WWE. Jericho said Owens is still trying to follow his lead, but Zayn hasn't figured out it doesn't matter what the fans think. Jericho said he wanted to slap Zayn in the face over it, but he was going to let Owens do it. Jericho said announcing the match on the Highlight Reel puts the match on a higher level, so they were both welcome. Jericho offered to give both men "The Gift of Jericho, Drink it in, Man." Owens and Zayn both kicked Jericho in the face. Owens and Zayn glared at each other as Owens walked off.

[Kemo]

WWE Intercontinental Title Match: The Miz vs. Kane

Back from the break and out comes Maryse with WWE Intercontinental Champion The Miz. They wait for his surprise opponent and out comes Demon Kane as the pyro goes off. We get formal ring introductions from Lilian. The bell rings and Kane nails a right hand, going to work and taking control. Miz fights back and makes a comeback.

Kane turns it back around and hits the sideslam for a 2 count. Kane with a long suplex and a low dropkick for another 2 count. Miz fights back and comes off the top but Kane connects with a right hand. Kane goes for a chokeslam but Maryse gets on the apron for a distraction. This leads to Miz checking on her as she fakes an injury. Miz helps her to her feet and to the back as the referee counts him out. He retains the title.

Winner by Count Out: Kane

– After the count out, Kane looks on as Miz carries his wife to the back.

– Still to come, Sheamus and Alberto Del Rio vs. Cesaro and Apollo Crews. Back to commercial.

– Back from the break and The Miz is still tending to Maryse backstage. She reveals that she was just acting and wasn’t injured. Miz calls it the most amazing Emmy-deserving performance he’s seen.

Sheamus and Alberto Del Rio vs. Apollo Crews and Cesaro

We go to the ring and out comes Cesaro followed by Apollo Crews. Sheamus and Alberto Del Rio are out separately. Crews starts off with Del Rio and Cesaro comes in early to keep control.

Cesaro with the Uppercut Train on Del Rio. Sheamus comes in to stop a Swing. Del Rio takes control with an enizguri and then a DDT for a 2 count. Sheamus comes back in off a tag and works Cesaro over to heat. Sheamus with the Irish Curse backbreaker for a 2 count. More back and forth. Del Rio ends up turning on his partner with a slap to the face and an enziguri, then leaving him. Del Rio watches from the ramp as Crews hits the sitdown powerbomb on Sheamus for the win.

Winners: Cesaro and Apollo Crews

– After the match, Crews and Cesaro celebrate as Del Rio looks on from the ramp.

– JoJo is backstage with Dean Ambrose to hype tonight’s main event. He’s interrupted by Stephanie McMahon, who is appalled at him being the face of her company. She says if AJ wins tonight, she’s one step closer to ending this nightmare. She walks off and Ambrose says she likes him deep down. Back to commercial.

[Kemo]

Dean Ambrose vs. AJ Styles

Back from the break and Seth Rollins is on commentary as WWE World Heavyweight Champion Dean Ambrose makes his way out for this non-title match. AJ Styles is out next and he’s by himself. If he wins, he gets put into the main event at Battleground.

We come back from a break after several minutes of back and forth. Styles has Ambrose grounded. Ambrose was knocked to the floor during the break. AJ nails a dropkick and talks some trash now.

Styles keeps Ambrose grounded again. Styles fights Ambrose into the corner and beats him down. AJ fights off another comeback and works on the arm. Ambrose finally drops AJ over the top and stuns him. Ambrose unloads and gets a close 2 count with a backslide. Ambrose with another counter and a jackknife cover. AJ counters and plants Ambrose on his face for a 2 count. AJ goes to the top but Ambrose crotches him. Ambrose with a super double underhook. Ambrose has the bulldog blocked. Styles with the powerbomb for a close 2 count.

The Phenomenal Forearm and Dirty Deeds are both blocked. More back and forth. Ambrose sells a leg injury. AJ locks him in the Calf Crusher as Ambrose crawls for the rope. The hold is broken as Ambrose makes it to the bottom rope. Styles lands hard on the floor and Ambrose follows up wit a big dive. He brings it back in and comes off the top but AJ rolls through for a close 2 count. AJ with a pele kick. Ambrose with the bounce back clothesline. Gallows and Anderson come down to the ring now. Ambrose turns his attention to them but turns around to a brainbuster from AJ for a close 2 count.

Cena comes down to fight Gallows and Anderson at ringside, allowing Ambrose to hit Dirty Deeds on Styles for the win.

Winner: Dean Ambrose

– After the match, Ambrose celebrates as Cena gets on the apron. Gallows and Anderson pull Cena off. Rollins comes in and nails a Pedigree on Ambrose. Gallows and Anderson beat Cena up the stage but he fights back. AJ joins in and they beat Cena down on the stage. Gallows and Anderson hit Magic Killer on the stage. The Club stands over Cena and talks trash. We go back to the ring and Rollins hits another Pedigree on Ambrose. Rollins grabs the title, raises it and puts a boot on Ambrose as fans boo. Rollins stands tall in the ring as The Club stands tall on the stage. RAW goes off the air with Rollins talking trash to Ambrose.