Raw Recaps

WWE Raw 6/6

We’re live from Oklahoma City and the show opens with Dean Ambrose making his way to the ring and the other Money in the Bank contestants already in the ring on ladders. Ok; we’re having ladder promos. KO killed it early with his WWE Network plug and homage to old factions, who he promised to give title shots once he’s champ. Jericho quickly reminds everyone who’s original idea created MITB, but it’s also pointed out that he has never won it. Dean is only here to fight. A brawl broke out and then it happened; Teddy Long is back, and he’s pandering, campaigning to reclaim the title of GM of Smackdown. Stephanie appears puzzled as to how he got in the building; then she took an age old page out of Booking for Dummies and made 1 on 1 matches with each of the competitors. But aren’t there usually seven participants in Money in the Bank?

Cesaro vs. Jericho

This was probably the match of the night, and it was first. The chemistry between these two led to a Cesaro swing transition into a pin by Jericho, a springboard uppercut into a Codebreaker, a superplex of Jericho with him being outside the ring, and a Neutralizer/pin/Lion tamer/Cesaro spin/Sharpshooter transition for the win. I nominate it for the next Best Matches of Raw DVD.

AJ Styles and John Cena are officially booked on the strength of that three man beatdown last week. Following the break, we get Seth’s side of the table in the title match. The video package wasn’t a good idea if the goal is to get Roman over. It played heavily on the fact that he had to sit on the sideline and watch the title that he never lost be passed to Reigns eventually. How can you boo him after that?

Lana in that red introducing Rusev, the True American Hero vs. Jack Swagger with Titus on commentary

Anytime that Titus is on commentary, he has something for Byron, and he’s never ready. Titus seems to be here to rep for the Black American heroes though. Not long into the match Swagger is pushed into Titus before being counted out. This brings Titus into the fray leaving Rusev to escape the flurry of kicks and punches from the Real American and Real Black American.

Cena comes down to sell his match and his disappointment with Styles. Amazingly this went over better than it did when Roman did the same thing even though Styles was denying his association with Anderson and Gallows at the time. The trio interrupts Cena’s segment, and I’m sure Cena screwed up when he addressed them as the Bullet Club. Whoever wrote AJ’s spill used the same old talking points about Cena’s abilities and hype. We’ve seen it from CM Punk and the like and some not so much the like, the Rock. Cena responds like he always does by admitting he is who they say he is and even clowns his selection of wrestling attire. AJ breaks the kayfabe when he discusses bringing the Club so he doesn’t get buried (When has that ever been a good idea? Now we can bury 3 instead of one.) Fed up, the Club decides to “surround” Cena in the ring. First, we know that 3 people cannot surround a four sided structure; we’ve seen two other factions do it. Secondly, why would you leave the ramp side open? Oh the New Day is coming; that’s why. Well this will be settled in the main event when we will have yet another six-man tag main event.

Vaudevillians vs. Enzo & Cass

Enzo comes out dropping them Ali lines to lead off their introduction just the way they were wrote for him. Near the end of the match, English proclaims that Enzo is going for the ride again and does it. Cass gets fed up as a result resulting in him getting DQ’d. Let’s hope this push of Cass as an unstoppable force doesn’t bury Enzo in the process because it’s looking like they were brought up as a package only to get him over as a singles competitor.

Teddy is still backstage pandering much to Stephanie’s surprise. He pitched an idea for the Tag Team division. Steph took it for her own booking a Fatal 4-way Tag Match for at MITB.

Zayn vs. Del Rio

Del Rio nailed Zayn with the kick that put Cena down; he kicked out. The match ended pretty quickly after Del Rio pulled off his second attempt at a Double stomp. Not much excitement here.

A backstage run in with KO and Dean follows the match teasing there meeting. They rehash their history until KO’s tells of his concern for Dean’s sanity. And then, Roman’s story aka bathroom break.

Dean vs. KO

The bell rings; they go back and forth. The action went ringside quickly. It wouldn’t be an Owens match if he didn’t take the mic. The Six-star frog splash from the apron was a bonus, but it was Dirty Deeds to seal the win. For some reason, it was decided that Dean should attempt to climb the ladder only to be stopped by a recovered KO.

Wasn’t that the same Darren Young clip from Smackdown? It’s time for the Women’s segment. Apparently these four ladies are the only one active; none of them are in action so this is what you got. Charlotte talks up her greatness with Dana Brooke at her side. Nattie and Becky remind Dana of Charlotte’s treacherous history with partners in an effort to turn her. I don’t remember much else after that because I was accessing Dana’s attire for the evening. Hey Dana! The Thirst is real.

Come to Puerto Rico; the Shining Star of the Caribbean. In case you haven’t booked your tickets.

Breeze vs. R-Truth

This match had so many questions that won’t be answered. What is aero gigantic? What’s the purpose of these teams? Why did this end in a disqualification? How did Teddy come back again? Who didn’t know he was going to try to restart the match?

Much respect to Muhammed Ali, but give us a Black champ. Can we do that?

The Club vs. New Day

Xavier kicked it off with a nice run only to catch the beat down with his team all before the bell. He was beaten so bad that he was sent back to the locker room. Big E ate a Pele kick and a big boot ringside. Back in the ring, the Club uses quick tags to work him in the corner. Following the breakdown, Kofi caught a Phenomenal Forearm and was pinned. What’s a show ending without a John Cena ring clearing run in?

We have one more Raw to sell the PPV, and with the fresh feuds, I hope the MITB matches are the beginnings of a Summer Slam payoff at best. Still there were many superstars missing from this show.

Contributed by Tony A.