WWE Monday Night RAW: Live coverage and results - 16th June, 2014

WWE Raw results

This week’s RAW kicked off with all the superstars standing at the entrance area, while Stephanie and Triple H made their way down to the ring. Stephanie cut a promo about WWE needing a WWE World Heavyweight champion, and said someone from the assembled superstars will be the new face of the company. She then took a dig at Daniel Bryan, saying that the fans were treated to a B+ champion, as the crowd started a “Yes” chant. She then proceeded to take a dig at the fans, as Triple H took the microphone. He ripped on Daniel Bryan and said that he had no heart. Triple H called Bryan selfish, and blamed him for not relinquishing the title. Triple H then looked at the superstars who assembled on the entrance area and said the next WWE World Heavyweight champion is probably among them. Stephanie then announced a Battle Royal for the spot in the WWE World Heavyweight championship ladder match at the Money in the Bank PPV.

Triple H then said some superstars won’t be participating in the Battle Royal. He said those superstars failed to evolve with time. He named Dean Ambrose, Roman Reigns and John Cena as the three superstars who won’t be participating in the Battle Royal. Triple H then mocked Cena for helping everyone, and said he could earn the spot by competing in a stretcher match against Kane later on the show. Triple H and Stephanie smirked as an ambulance came out and two EMTs brought out a stretcher as Kane’s music played. John Cena looked ready for a fight.

Analysis: My only complaint is the necessity for the WWE to drag on the segments, to fill up the 3 hour gap. There have been a lot of mixed emotions with Cena teaming up with The Shield, and Cena has one more opportunity to get his hands on the WWE World Heavyweight championship. With the declining ratings and WWE’s recent financial debacle, you needn’t be surprised if WWE changes direction and makes Cena the champion once again.

Kevin Hart the comedian is scheduled to appear later on the show.

Dolph Ziggler vs. Seth Rollins

Ziggler came out first to a decent ovation, as WWE showed the 2014 Special Olympics logo. Rollins followed next as the crowd booed him. Both men locked up in the middle of the ring and exchanged holds. Ziggler dropped Rollins with a shoulder block and Rollins countered by laying boots into Ziggler. Ziggler came back with a hip toss for the first nearfall of the match. The crowd started a “You sold out” chant as Rollins went to the floor. Back in the ring, Ziggler dropped Rollins with a dropkick, and Rollins retaliated by Irish whipping Dolph hard into the corner as WWE went into commercial.

Back from the break and Ziggler was on the floor. Rollins went for the suicide dive but Ziggler stopped him with a big right. After more back and forth action, Rollins blocked a neckbreaker and connected with an enziguri. Ziggler then connected with a DDT for a nearfall. Rollins then tried to counter a fame – asser attempt, but Ziggler put him down for another nearfall. Ziggler locked in the sleeper hold but Rollins broke free. Ziggler dropped Rollins with a fame – asser for a nearfall. The end saw Rollins delivering the curb stomp, but before he could pin him, Ambrose came out and attacked Rollins.

Winner by DQ: Seth Rollins

Rating: *** ¼

Post – match, Ambrose unloaded on Rollins till Rollins escaped. Ambrose cut a promo putting Rollins down, and asked him to come back. Triple H then appeared on the tron and told Dean that he had some bad news, which was the cue for Bad News Barrett to come out.

Analysis: That was a decent match between two phenomenal athletes, and it looks like Ziggler is still in the doghouse, which is a shame. Rollins and Ambrose will likely have a match at the Money in The Bank PPV, but I would’ve rather seen them in the championship match.

Dean Ambrose vs. Bad News Barrett

Ambrose was in his street gear as BNB came out for the match. Ambrose unloaded on BNB and worked over BNB in the corner. BNB came back with a neckbreaker for a nearfall. BNB dropped an elbow and worked over Ambrose. Ambrose fought to his feet and dropkicked BNB. BNB tried to make a comeback with some knees, but Ambrose unloaded on BNB in the corner. Ambrose then clotheslined BNB out of the ring and took BNB out with a dive. Barrett turned the tables and worked on Dean’s arm as WWE went into commercial.

Back from the break and BNB was still in control of the bout. Barrett rammed Dean into the ring post and brought him inside the ring for a 2 count. BNB continued working over Dean as he tried to fight ack with one arm. Dean with a shoulder block and a tornado DDT for a nearfall. Ambrose continued to work over BNB but ran into the Winds of Change. BNB went for the Wasteland but Ambrose slid out of the hold and rolled BNB up for a 2 count. Ambrose drilled BNB with a clothesline, but Seth Rollins appeared on the announcer’s table. Rollins got on the apron but Dean knocked him down. He then threw Barrett out and leapt on both of them as the crowd went wild.

Rollins escaped through the crowd and Dean chased him. BNB made it back into the ring before the referee could count both of them out, and won the bout via count out.

Winner by count out: Bad News Barrett

Rating: *** ½

Post match, Dean came back into the ring and attacked BNB. He then dropped Bad News with the Dirty Deeds as the fans popped. Dean then left to his new theme music.

Analysis: Two matches and both of them aren’t clean finishes. The booking has been mediocre, and this is just another example. Anyways, the feud between the former partners will be amazing, and it looks like The Shield has finally disbanded, with Ambrose and Reigns going their separate ways.

Backstage, Roman Reigns caught up with Vickie and tried to suck up to her. Then he told her that soon she might have to kiss The Authority’s ass. Roman then slipped something into the coffee as Vickie hurried with it for The Authority.

Bray Wyatt vs. Sheamus

The Wyatt Family came down to the ring and cut a promo, as Bray Wyatt talked about power and its influence. He then talked about Harper and Rowan beating The Usos at the Money in the Bank PPV. Bray then talked about winning the WWE World Heavyweight championship at the PPV, as Sheamus made his way down to the ring.

Sheamus talked about beating Bray Wyatt, and hit the ring as Harper and Rowan went down to ringside. The match saw good back and forth action with Bray Wyatt controlling the first half of the match. Sheamus made a comeback with a huge powerslam. Harper and Rowan tried to get involved, but The Usos came down to make the save. The Usos leapt onto Harper and Rowan on the outside, as Sheamus and The Usos stood tall in the ring.

Winner: No contest

Rating: ** ½

Analysis: That was a fun match which had the crowd going. Bray Wyatt should be booked as a stronger, unbeatable monster, but the WWE management has once again dropped the ball with a promising talent. Anyway, this sets up the match between The Usos and Harper/Rowan well for the WWE Tag Team championships.

Backstage, Vickie handed over the coffee to Stephanie and Triple H. Triple H spilled his coffee over Vickie, and they sent her away.

Stephanie then talked to Renee Young backstage, as Renee asked Stephanie about the Battle Royal. Stephanie was still drinking her coffee, and hurriedly went away after wishing the participants well. Heyman then appeared and said Cesaro will win the Money in the Bank ladder match for the WWE World Heavyweight championship.

Heath Slater vs. Rusev

Lana came out first and once again plugged in Vladimir Putin and Mother Russia’s superiority over the US. She then showed a graphic of Mount Rushmore, with the faces of Putin, Rusev, Stalin and Gorbachev. Slater was waiting in the ring, and he urged Rusev to fight. Rusev connected with a superkick and the Camel Clutch to win the bout.

Winner: Rusev

Rating: Dud

Analysis: It’s sad to see Slater alone now, but that’s how it goes in the WWE. Yet another squash victory for Rusev.

Backstage, Triple H was checking on his wife, who was puking. Vickie came inside, and Stephanie puked all over her. Triple H then put Vickie in control as he and Stephanie were headed back home. Vickie threw a fit after the couple left.

Roman Reigns then knocked on Vickie’s door, as she was still covered in puke. Reigns asked Vickie to stand up for herself and put him in the Battle Royal to earn a spot in the MiTB ladder match for the WWE World Heavyweight championship. Vickie then agreed and slammed the door shut.

Backstage, Kevin Hart plugged in his upcoming movie, and was met by Adam Rose and the Rosebuds. He asked Kevin to be a rosebud and not a lemon, and went away singing his theme. Kevin then ended the segment by walking away while humming Rose’s theme.

Fandango and Layla vs. Summer Rae and Adam Rose

Kevin Hart was on commentary, as Summer Rae went after Layla and both of them went up the ramp. Rose took advantage of the distraction and hit the Party Foul on Fandango to pick up the victory.

Winner (s): Adam Rose and Summer Rae

Rating: ½ *

Post match, Kevin Hart partied with Rose, as they both dived onto the Rosebuds and crowd surfed their way back, as JBL threw a fit.

Battle Royal for a spot in the MiTB ladder match for the WWE World Heavyweight championship.

All the superstars started the Battle Royal off and everyone ganged up and eliminated Damien Sandow, who was wearing LeBron James’ jersey. After the dust settled, it was down to Roman Reigns and Rusev. Reigns connected with the Superman punch to send Rusev out of the ring.

Winner and qualifier: Roman Reigns

Analysis: We could see this from a mile, but it’ll make for an interesting PPV.

Backstage, Cena cut a promo about the upcoming stretcher match and the Money in the Bank ladder match for the WWE World Heavyweight championship.

Paige vs. Cameron

Cameron made her way out first along with Naomi, followed by Paige. The match was made after an altercation on the WWE app. Paige made short work of Cameron and locked her in the PTO infront of Naomi as Cameron tapped out.

Winner: Paige

Rating: ½ *

RybAxel vs. Goldust and Stardust

Goldust’s partner was none other than his brother painted like him. The brothers unloaded on RybAxel as Cody connected with a springboard elbow as the crowd chanted for him. Cody connected with the Blockbuster on Axel out of the corner to pick up the victory.

Winner (s): Goldust and Stardust

Rating: ½ *

Analysis: That was a weird turn of events. Just when you thought it would be the beginning of the feud between the brothers, Cody found an unlikely solution, giving the brothers a victory. It’ll be interesting to see where they go from here.

Kane vs. John Cena in a stretcher match

The main event saw Cena taking on Kane with the stipulation that if Cena won the bout, he will earn the opportunity to be in the Money in the Bank ladder match for the WWE World Heavyweight championship. Cena in his usual way defied the odds as it looked like he was going to win the match, but Rollins and Orton attacked him from nowhere. Orton decked Cena with an RKO as Rollins and Orton laid into Cena.

Ambrose made the save and launched himself into Rollins and Orton. Kane came from behind and chokeslammed Ambrose. Cena recovered in the meantime and decked Kane with the steel steps. He put Kane on the stretcher and when Kane tried to fight out of it, he nailed an AA on the stretcher and pushed it past the line to win the match.

Winner: John Cena

Rating: ** ¼

Analysis: That was a predictable ending. John Cena once again has the opportunity to become the champion at the next PPV, and one has to believe that Cena has a great chance, as the WWE management looks to get behind Cena to salvage the ratings and the financial losses.

Post match, Cena celebrated as RAW went off – air.

Over – all rating of the show: ** ½ (Out of 5 stars)

The shows have been far from impressive, and this show was no different. Although there were some bright spots, the show was predictable and felt like a filler. Anyway, with Reigns and Cena in the MiTB ladder match along with Bray Wyatt and Cesaro, the match surely looks to be interesting. That does it for this week’s review. Hope you’ve enjoyed the show.