WWE Monday Night RAW - Live coverage and results - June 23, 2014
Hello ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to our live coverage and analysis of Monday Night RAW! We’re live from the Verizon Center in Washington D.C, as we get ready to head towards our next PPV, the Money In The Bank.
The show kicked off with Stephanie McMahon coming down to the ring to loud jeers. She talked about Vickie Guerrero not being able to do her job properly for just one week, and said she will face the consequences. Vickie came out and said that it was Roman Reigns fault, and that he mixed something in her coffee. Vickie talked about how it won’t happen again, and Stephanie told her it won’t. She brought up Eddie Guerrero’s name, and said that the McMahons took pity on her. Vickie told Stephanie that she would even beg, and Stephanie asked her to. As Vickie went down on her knees, Stephanie called her a cockroach and said she was pathetic.
Stephanie then laid down a challenge for Vickie, and said she had the option of either accepting the challenge to remain as the GM of Smackdown! or resigning from the company. Vickie said that she wasn’t a competitor, and Stephanie knocked on her. Stephanie then announced that her opponent will be none other than Stephanie herself. Vickie then said there was one other family in wrestling that was more respected than the McMahons, and that it was the Guerreros. She then said Eddie had taught her how to lie, cheat and steal, and went on to accept Stephanie’s proposal as the crowd started a big “Yes” chant.
Analysis: There have been rumors about Vickie ending her run with the WWE this week, and this might lead to Vickie leaving the company later on the show. She had a good run with the organization, but it’s time she moves away from the WWE and work on other projects. It was a decent way to open the show, and wasn’t stretched, which was the right way to go.
WWE announced an Intercontinental championship match between Wade Barrett and Dolph Ziggler later on the show.
Bray Wyatt, Cesaro, Orton and Del Rio were then advertised to take on Sheamus, Cena and Roman Reigns in the main event of the show in a 4 on 3 handicap match.
Luke Harper (With Rowan) vs. Jimmy Uso (With Jey)
The Usos made their way out first, followed by Harper and Rowan to their new theme music. Harper started things off with a dropkick and worked over Jimmy in the early going. Jimmy caught Luke with a spinning heel kick, but Harper came back with a huge kick of his own for a nearfall. Harper then connected with a huge clothesline to pick up the victory.
Winner: Luke Harper
Rating: ¼ *
Post match, Jey Uso challenged Rowan to a match.
Erick Rowan vs. Jey Uso
Back from commercial, and Rowan caught Jey with a fall – away slam for a nearfall. Rowan worked on Jey a bit more before Jimmy caught Harper with a splash outside. Jey followed suit and connected with a superfly splash to pick up the victory.
Winner: Jey Uso
Rating: ½ *
Post match, Jimmy took Harper down on the outside, but Rowan stopped Jimmy in the ring as Rowan joined him. Harper connected with a big boot and threw Jey into the steel steps. Harper and Rowan posed in the ring with the tag team titles.
Analysis: That was an interesting way to promote the WWE Tag Team championship match at the Money in the Bank PPV. Both the matches didn’t go past the 3 minute mark, which is a mistake. Anyway, each man from either team picked up a victory, but Harper and Rowan stood tall in the end, which points to The Usos retaining the title this Sunday.
Bray Wyatt then appeared on the tron and congratulated Harper and Rowan. He then cut a promo about winning the Money in the Bank ladder match for the WWE World Heavyweight championship, and said that they will walk out of the PPV with the gold.
WWE announced that Daniel Bryan will be on the MiTB PPV to comment about Stephanie and Triple H stripping him off the gold.
WWE then showed a vignette of Lana and Rusev touring Washington D.C, as Lana once again knocked on the United States, and showed pictures of Moscow and talked about Russia being better. She told the fans to bow down and embrace Vladimir Putin. She then put Rusev over, as he said his usual bit.
Paige then made her way out to join the commentary team for the next bout.
Naomi (With Cameron) vs. Alicia Fox
Naomi rolled her up as Cameron said Naomi wasn’t a threat to Paige. Naomi brought Fox down with a flipping clothesline as Fox got out of the ring. Cameron mouthed off on Paige and Naomi as Fox bounced Naomi’s head on the apron. Fox brought Naomi down with a backbreaker for a nearfall. Fox worked over Naomi and brought her down with a Northernlights suplex for a nearfall. Fox showed off and dumped Naomi on the outside. Naomi planted Alicia out of nowhere to pick up the victory.
Winner: Naomi
Rating: *
Analysis: That match was bizarre to say the least, with Cameron blabbering for the entire match and WWE focusing on commentary more than the match.
Post match, Paige congratulated Naomi and shook her hand.
Sheamus was seen backstage with Roman Reigns, as Sheamus tried to hype the main event. Sheamus and Reigns taunted each other, and Roman walked away after saying he believes in Roman Reigns.
Titus O’Neil vs. Bo Dallas
Before the match, Bo cut a promo about Titus falling off his horse time and again, and asked him to Bo – lieve. Bo started off with a dropkick, but Titus caught him for multiple backbreakers and threw him down. Titus laid into Bo Dallas in the corner and Bo Dallas connected with the running Bo – dog out of nowhere to pick up the victory.
Winner: Bo Dallas
Rating: ¼ *
Post match, Bo Dallas told Titus not to stop Bo – lieving.
Analysis: That was a 2 minute bout and a short promo. I can’t deny the fact that Bo Dallas is growing on me.
Triple H made his way out and knocked on Washington. He then announced a traditional MiTB contract match for the PPV along with the ladder match for the WWE World Heavyweight title. He talked more about the PPV and put over the second ladder match. He then announced the remaining participants for the ladder match, and announced the likes of Kofi Kingston, Jack Swagger, Dolph Ziggler, RVD and Bad News Barrett in the ladder match. He then put Seth Rollins over and called him the future of the business as Seth made his way out.
WWE replayed Seth’s betrayal as the crowd started a “You sold out” chant. Seth mocked the fans.
Rollins says he took The Shield as high as they could go and then dropped the dead weight. Rollins goes on until RVD interrupts on the stage.
RVD doesn't feel like Rollins or Triple H take him seriously. Rollins says he takes RVD seriously but would take him more serious if this was 2005. RVD says that's when Rollins was asking his mom to stay up late to watch RVD on Monday nights. RVD takes a shot at Triple H and fans chant his name. RVD wants a shot at Rollins right now. Triple H calls for a referee and we've got the match.
Rob Van Dam vs. Seth Rollins
Back and forth until RVD takes control early on. They end up on the floor and we take a commercial break.
Back from the break and Rollins nails some suplexes for a 2 count. More offense from Rollins. Rollins hits a big clothesline out of the corner and a 2 count. Rollins keeps RVD on the mat now. RVD makes a comeback with clotheslines and a thrust kick. Rollins blocks Rolling Thunder, but RVD drops him with a kick. RVD nails Rolling Thunder. Rollins knocks RVD to the apron but RVD counters and nails a tornado DDT. RVD goes up but misses the Five Star Frogsplash. Rollins mounts RVD with right hands to the face. Rollins power bombs RVD back into the corner and nails the curb stomps. RVD goes for the pin, but Dean Ambrose runs in for the disqualification.
Winner by DQ: Seth Rollins
Rating: **
After the bell, Ambrose keeps unloading on Rollins. They fight out of the ring and officials pull Ambrose away. Ambrose comes back for more, leaping over the announce table and tackling Rollins again. Rollins runs off to the stage and Ambrose taunts him from the ring. Fans pop as Ambrose takes the mic.
He says if he's not put into the Money In the Bank match, he's still going to show up in Boston, bash Rollins' face, take the briefcase and screw up the pay-per-view. Ambrose says he's coming to Money In the Bank.
Triple H and Rollins engage in a conversation backstage. Rollins says he wants Ambrose in the Ladder match. Triple H reminds him that if he screws up, all of the blame will be on him. So Ambrose is included in the match.
Dolph Ziggler vs. Bad News Barrett
Barrett enters first and says he’s got some bad news for Ziggler whose last week win was a fluke. We return from the commercial and Ziggler enters the ring. The match starts and Barrett in on the offensive straight away. He corners Ziggler on the ropes but Ziggler fights back with punches and a kick to the face. Barrett comes back with a Clothesline and sends Ziggler to the floor. Ziggler tries to comeback and hits a Zig Zag out of nowhere. Ziggler fights off a Power bomb but Barrett hits the Wasteland for a 2-count. Finally, Barrett hits the Bullhammer in mid-air to pick up a victory.
Winner: Bad News Barrett
Rating: ***
Randy Orton interrupts Vickie Guerrero backstage in her interview with Renee Young before the match with Stephanie McMahon. Orton says it would be a lie if he would say it was nice knowing her.
Vickie Guerrero vs Stephanie McMahon
Vickie Guerrero comes out to her late husband Eddie Guerrero’s music. Stephanie comes out and says that the match isn’t in the ring, but it will be in a pool of waste and slop beside the stage. The first one to land in the pool will be the loser of this match. Rosa Mendes, Layla and Alicia Fox come out as Stephanie’s reinforcements as she asks them to get Vickie. Vickie manages to put Rosa and Alicia into the pool. Vickie tosses Fox into the mud. She goes to celebrate but Stephanie shoves her from behind. Stephanie chants ‘YES’ and fires Vickie.
Winner: Stephanie McMahon
Rating: **
Stephanie sings ‘goodbye’ as fans boo her. Vickie rubs all her slop on Stephanie and tosses her face first into the pool. Eddie’s music hits as Vickie signs off with the classic Eddie taunt.
Analysis: Was an entertaining way to write off Vickie. Nothing memorable except we got to remember the late great Eddie Guerrero through his wife.
Jack Swagger vs Kofi Kingston
Back and forth action. Swagger hits an early Swagger Bomb, but Kofi kicks out. Finally, Kofi taps out to the Patriot Lock.
Winner: Jack Swagger
Rating: *1/2
- Paige vs. Naomi is announced for Money In the Bank.
- Renee is backstage when Alberto Del Rio interrupts her. He says he's going to become the new champion on Sunday. Cesaro and Paul Heyman appear and they have words with Del Rio.
Big E vs. Damien Sandow
Back from the break and Damien Sandow is int he ring dressed as Abraham Lincoln. He cuts a promo and Big E is out next. Sandow will be wrestling in his Abe attire.
Sandow actually gets some offense in but Big E runs over him coming out of the corner and nails the Big Ending for an easy win.
Winner: Big E
Rating: *
After the match, Big E cuts a "preacher style" promo about Rusev until he's interrupted by Lana coming out on the stage. This leads to Rusev attacking from behind. Rusev beats Big E down and applies The Accolade. Fans chant USA and Rusev finally breaks the hold. Fans boo as Rusev poses and Lana looks on from the stage.
Back from the break and Renee Young interviews John Cena backstage. RAW is experiencing some major sound issues at this point.
John Cena, Sheamus and Roman Reigns vs. Bray Wyatt, Cesaro, Alberto Del Rio and Randy Orton
We go to the ring and out first comes John Cena. WWE United States Champion Sheamus is out next. Roman Reigns makes his way through the crowd next to a big pop. The Wyatt Family graphic hits next and out comes Bray Wyatt. Cesaro is out next followed by Alberto Del Rio and Randy Orton. We go to commercial.
Back from the break and Cena and Orton start the match going at it. Cena and Del Rio also go at it but Del Rio tags Cesaro in. Cesaro locks up with Cena as Heyman looks on from ringside. Cesaro with a backbreaker out of mid-air for a pin attempt. Wyatt tags in and beats Cena down in the corner. Wyatt keeps control and hits the big back splash on Cena as we go to commercial.
Back from the break and Del Rio has control of Cena. Cesaro tags himself in and they have words. Cesaro keeps Cena down. Cesaro goes for the Cesaro Swing but locks in a Boston Crab instead. Cena tries to turn it into a STF but Cesaro kicks him off. Cena blocks a Neutralizer with a big back body drop. Reigns finally comes in and unloads on his opponents. Reigns sends Orton into the announce table and runs around for the apron dropkick on Del Rio. Cesaro eats a Superman punch, as does Orton off the apron. Del Rio nails a Backstabber on Reigns for 2. Bray tags in and Del Rio doesn't like it. Bray unloads on Reigns and covers for 2.
Bray stomps away on Reigns. Cesaro tags himself in and hits the big gutwrench slam for a 2 count. Orton comes back in and keeps Reigns down. Orton with a suplex for another 2 count. Del Rio comes back in for more of the same on Reigns. Wyatt comes in but Reigns nails a big punch out of nowhere. Sheamus and Cesaro tag in. Sheamus unloads on Cesaro, throwing him into Del Rio on the apron. Sheamus with the forearms to the chest on Cesaro now. Cesaro slides out of the rolling senton. More back and forth. Sheamus with a big tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Orton drops Sheamus with a backbreaker. Cena blocks a RKO and nails the Attitude Adjustment on Orton. Del Rio kicks Cena. Cena blocks the cross armbreaker and hits an AA on Del Rio. Cesaro drops Cena with an uppercut. Sheamus drops Cesaro with a Brogue Kick for the win.
Winners: Sheamus, Roman Reigns and John Cena
Rating: ****
Analysis: That was a good back and forth action between some of the most solid workers in the company, but the way Cesaro lost the match would plant some doubts regarding his win at the Money in the Bank ladder match. Roman looked great, and Cena came out looking strong as the faces fended off the heels.
After the match, Kane's pyro hits and out he comes. He grabs Reigns at ringside and throws him into the barrier. Del Rio drops Sheamus. Kane comes in the ring and lays out Del Rio before chokeslamming Sheamus. Kane drops Cena and chokeslams Del Rio. Kane chokeslams Cena now. Triple H's music hits and out he comes. He joins Randy Orton on the stage. Triple H announces Kane as the 8th member of the match at Money In the Bank. Kane's music hits again but Reigns recovers and lays him out with a spear as RAW goes off the air.
Over – all rating of the show: *** (Out of 5 stars)
That was a weak go – home show of RAW, which has been the case for quite a while. It has some interesting storylines and segments, which saved the show. Kane will be the 8th man in the MiTB ladder match, and Daniel Bryan will speak for the first time since being stripped off the title on the PPV. Anyway, that does it for this week’s review. Join us this Sunday as we cover the Money in the Bank PPV.