Sports
WWE Raw Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from June 22
0 of 11Credit: WWE.comChampionships were up for grabs, Ric Flair presented Randy Orton as the “Greatest Wrestler Ever,” and Edge gave the WWE Universe an update on his future in the sport in a blockbuster episode of WWE Raw.Already announced for the show:Raw Women’s Championship match: Asuka vs. Charlotte FlairRaw Tag Team Championship match: The…
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- Raw Women's Championship match: Asuka vs. Charlotte Flair
- Raw Tag Team Championship match: The Street Profits vs. The Viking Raiders
- 24/7 Championship match: R-Truth vs. Akira Tozawa
- Women's Tag Team Championship match: The IIconics vs. Sasha Banks and Bayley
Credit: WWE.com
Championships were up for grabs, Ric Flair presented Randy Orton as the “Greatest Wrestler Ever,” and Edge gave the WWE Universe an update on his future in the sport in a blockbuster episode of WWE Raw.
Already announced for the show:
With the return of Rey Mysterio, undoubtedly to confront Seth Rollins, the show promised fireworks.
What went down, were any new champions crowned and what bombshell did Edge drop on his fans, friends and family?
Find out now with this recap of the June 22 episode.
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Credit: WWE.com
On a night dedicated to championship gold, WWE champion Drew McIntyre kicked off this week's Raw.
Before he could make much of a point, Dolph Ziggler interrupted. The newest addition to the Raw roster, by way of the AJ Styles trade with SmackDown, expressed happiness over McIntyre's title reign and then claimed the Scot owes him.
The Showoff took credit for McIntyre's redemption story and demanded a WWE Championship match.
McIntyre called Ziggler an entitled jackass and then asked if he really wants a title match at Extreme Rules on July 19 knowing what he is capable of. When The Showoff confirmed, the titleholder accepted the challenge and made it official.
Grade
A
Analysis
Kudos to the creative team for taking two guys with history, exploiting it and setting up a sensible pay-per-view match.
It will be interesting to see if management puts the amount of effort into rebuilding Ziggler's star as it did Bobby Lashley's, making him a credible threat to McIntyre.
While no one really believes The Showoff will end McIntyre's reign, the match will likely be a good one and yet another reminder of how badly WWE has botched Ziggler's potential over the years.
For McIntyre, it represents another opportunity to have a fantastic bout and further enhance what has already been a strong run of championship encounters in his first opportunity to carry the company on his shoulders.
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Credit: WWE.com
Nia Jax sought to stage a sit-down strike, furious over being “screwed” out of the Raw Women's Championship twice in the last week.
Before she could get to her point, 24/7 champion R-Truth made his way to the ring. He accused her of being Akira Tozawa in disguise before taking off when the real Tozawa and his legion of ninjas appeared.
Charlotte Flair interrupted next and denounced Jax's claims that she is where she is because of her father. An exchange of insults gave way to a pull-apart brawl that ended with The Queen selling her left arm, perhaps as a precursor of things to come.
Grade
C-
Analysis
This was…messy.
If the goal was to set up an excuse for Flair losing later in the night, why not just have Jax interfere like most assumed she would anyway?
Sure, it's a change of pace, but this is the one situation where that old booking trope would have worked just fine.
Throw in the Truth-Tozawa nonsense that plagued it early, and this segment was mostly unnecessary and existed only to eat up some television time.
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Credit: WWE.com
After weeks of high jinks and pretapes, the Raw Tag Team Championships were finally at stake as The Street Profits defended against The Viking Raiders in a battle of the top two tag teams on the red brand.
However, the match followed an interesting backstage exchange that culminated with cameras catching Zelina Vega watching in the shadows.
Erik and Ivar rolled early, building considerable momentum as they bowled over Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford heading into the first commercial break of the evening.
Coming out of the interval, the champions seized control, delivering the challengers' own move against them and nearly scoring a three-count off The Viking Experience.
A big back elbow from Ivar downed Ford, who recovered and answered with an enzuigiri. Erik dropped both champions, but Ivar missed with a big splash from the top rope.
Dawkins wiped out Erik with a spear, and Ford uncorked a frog splash for the win and successful title defense over their rivals.
A sign of respect between the teams followed until Andrade and Angel Garza hit the ring and attacked the conquering champions. Erik and Ivar returned for the save.
Result
The Street Profits defeated The Viking Raiders
Grade
C
Analysis
The match itself was hurt significantly by the commercial break. There was an explosive start and, when the show returned, an action-packed final stretch. Unfortunately, there was not enough in between to warrant a higher grade.
It just wasn't the epic encounter you would expect given the weeks (and weeks…and weeks) of build.
With that said, it was still a fun sprint of a bout that saw the right team go over in what was, hopefully, the last time these two teams will do business for a bit.
The introduction of Andrade and Garza as the next challengers is a perfect booking choice. Those impending matches will likely rule all and help rebuild a tag team division that became a bit too dependent on the Profits and Raiders.
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Credit: WWE.com
With her left arm heavily taped after the incident earlier in the show with Nia Jax, Charlotte Flair made her way to the squared circle for her title opportunity against Raw women's champion Asuka.
The Empress of Tomorrow wasted little time targeting the injured joint, withstanding the strike-heavy offense of her opponent and driving Flair shoulder-first into the mat. A hard right hand slowed Asuka, but she hung The Queen's arm up on the rope, sending her to the sanctuary of the floor.
A hard-hitting back-and-forth gave way to Flair sending the champion face-first into the middle turnbuckle and to the floor ahead of the commercial break.
Back from the timeout, Asuka applied an armbar, but Flair fought her way to the ropes and forced the break.
The Empress countered the Figure-Four into a pin attempt and then transitioned right into a modified triangle. Flair powered out with a powerbomb, but the titleholder held on and applied the Asuka Lock.
The Queen tried to fight but had no choice but to tap as The Empress avenged years of disappointment and frustration with her win.
Result
Asuka defeated Flair
Grade
B
Analysis
Asuka and Flair are the two best wrestlers in the women's division, and their in-ring chemistry is wicked. Every time they share the ring, they threaten to steal the show. That was almost certainly the case here as they had a badass match full of transitions, counters and reversals en route to The Empress' successful title defense.
A match of this magnitude, with a finish that saw Asuka finally get one over on Flair clean in the center of the ring, needed to be saved for a major pay-per-view like SummerSlam. As it was, it was still a good one, although a commercial right in the middle prevented an “A” rating.
A post-match interview by Charly Caruso with Nia Jax insinuated The Irresistible Force is not through with Flair, suggesting The Queen may provide just enough of a distraction to keep Jax away from Asuka for the time being.
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Credit: WWE.com
In a prerecorded promo, Edge updated the WWE Universe on his future in the business.
He said Orton had awakened a side of him that doesn't care what he has to do to get where he wants. Citing not being able to pick up his children on Father's Day and the vicious assault The Viper dealt his lifelong friend, Christian, he vowed to put away the “PG Superstar” who had been happy just to be back doing what he loved.
“You've woken up The Rated-R Superstar.”
Charly Caruso interviewed Orton, who was still digesting Edge's words. “What do I do when I'm backed into a corner? I strike. Sometimes blindly and wildly,” he said. “I survive. It's Mother Nature.”
He said Edge and Christian will live long, happy, healthy lives, “as long as they do it far, far, far away from me.”
Grade
A
Analysis
This was some extraordinary promo work from both guys.
Edge was seething as he relived the heartache and suffering dealt to him, his friend and his loved ones at the hands of Orton. Reintroducing The Rated-R Superstar is the next logical progression for the Hall of Famer.
We know about the magical comeback and the desire to get back in the ring. Now, it's time for him to remind fans why he was once one of the most cerebral and dangerous wrestlers of his generation.
Equally great was Orton, who simply warned of an impending strike whenever he is on the defensive. His promo was shorter but still every bit as good.
The question is whether the Superstars can keep fans invested all the way through Edge's recovery so we can get to the payoff and finally bring this program to an end.
If the promos continue at that level, the answer will be a resounding “yes.”
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Credit: WWE.com
A week after 24/7 champion R-Truth was instrumental in Bobby Lashley losing out on the WWE Championship, The All Mighty hit the ring and wiped out a bunch of ninjas before laying Truth out in the center of the ring.
Satisfied, both Lashley and MVP exited the arena, leaving Akira Tozawa to slide in from underneath the ring to score the pin and title.
Result
Tozawa defeated Truth
Grade
C-
Analysis
It's a shame Tozawa finds most television time as a comedic act, but he has been 24/7 champion before, with some entertaining results, so that may be a silver lining here.
Truth is a consummate entertainer who can usually enhance any segment just by being in it.
With that said, a rivalry between him and Lashley is such an enormous step down for The All Mighty that it will not be long before fans forget that he just main-evented a pay-per-view.
Might the program elevate one of the great performers in Truth? Sure, but it feels almost certain to go the other way as far as diminishing the star of Lashley, thus rendering the feud a bad idea on the surface.
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Credit: WWE.com
Last week, Natalya and Lana commiserated following a rough night for each. This week, The Ravishing Russian accompanied The Queen of Harts for her match with Liv Morgan.
Despite a game effort from Morgan, who had the third-generation star reeling early, Natalya fought back and applied the Sharpshooter for the submission win.
Nattie embraced Lana at ringside, their bond apparently strong and ready to influence the women's division sooner rather than later.
Result
Natalya defeated Morgan
Grade
D
Analysis
There was nothing to this.
There was no time for Natalya or Morgan to star in the ring, and there was little explanation behind Lana's sudden partnership with The Queen of Harts.
This would have been the perfect time to insert a promo over Nattie's entrance, just something quick to establish their friendship or business relationship. Instead, it just happened, with the expectation almost assuredly being that fans will just accept it.
That is prime lazy storytelling.
Hopefully, things improve from here because this hardly feels like the story to be wasting Morgan's potential on otherwise.
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Ric Flair made his way to the ring to present Randy Orton as the “Greatest Wrestler Ever,” but he also issued a warning to Nia Jax over her attack on Charlotte, claiming his daughter will be back for revenge.
The Nature Boy then put Orton over as the greatest star in WWE history. The Viper warned not to confuse nostalgia with legacy, equating his attacks on Edge and Christian as nostalgic. He said the fire he feels in the pit of his stomach is simply him establishing his legacy.
Orton said he is getting pleasure out of being The Legend Killer again, just in time for Big Show to interrupt the proceedings.
“I'm not going to let you glorify everything Randy Orton did,” he said, before vowing revenge for Edge and Christian. He said Orton is a parasite who latches on to everyone around him and said he and Flair will feel the wrath of a pissed-off giant.
Orton complimented Big Show before referring to him as a legend and then suggested it would be a shame for him to suffer the same fate as Edge and Christian.
The Viper finished with a warning, telling Big Show what happens from here is on him.
Grade
A
Analysis
Is the idea of Orton vs. Big Show in 2020 appealing? Hell, no. Is this the best Orton we've ever seen? Hell, yes.
The Viper has hit a stride we have not seen from him since 2011. Not only is his ring work superb, but his mic work is also better. He is more focused and thought-provoking than ever before.
His attention to detail and devotion to the little things have elevated him to a level everyone thought he could achieve but many gave up on over the years. He has always had the potential, but the effort was often called into question.
The effort is there now, and if you don't believe it, watch the promo above and appreciate the fact that he made a Big Show segment interesting even 21 years after the giant's debut.
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Credit: WWE.com
The workhorses of WWE returned to Raw Monday night as Bayley and Sasha Banks defended their Women's Tag Team Championships against The IIconics.
A hot start to the match for Billie Kay saw her drop Banks with Shades of Kay for a near-fall, only for the champions to answer back. Heading into the commercial, though, The IIconics seized control and worked over Bayley.
The SmackDown women's champion momentarily turned the tide coming out of the break, but Peyton Royce was able to down her with a fisherman's suplex for a near-fall that The Legit Boss broke up.
Bayley tagged Banks in, and despite some late-match miscommunication, The Boss managed to tap out Royce and ensure the successful title defense.
After the bout, Banks admitted jealousy over Bayley's two titles and expressed her desire for a championship match. She teased the match with her partner, only to announce she was officially challenging Asuka for a match at Extreme Rules.
This brought out The Empress of Tomorrow, who accepted before the tag champions laid her out.
Result
Banks and Bayley defeated The IIconics
Grade
C
Analysis
The match itself, like so many of the other title bouts on this show, was hurt significantly by the timing of the commercial break. Most of the bout happened during the timeout, and the result was a match of no substance.
Banks teasing the showdown with Bayley was a nice bit of foreshadowing, particularly after the ill-timed miscommunication spots, while her match with Asuka is likely to be all sorts of awesome.
That was enough to rescue the entire segment from a subpar grade.
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Credit: WWE.com
MVP welcomed United States champion Apollo Crews to “The VIP Lounge” and continued his attempt to make the titleholder his latest client.
When the champion resisted, MVP provided a distraction that allowed Shelton Benjamin to attack from behind, signaling the beginning of their rematch from last week.
After the break, Crews attempted to fight back against his more experienced opponent, only to be cut off with a nasty kick to the face. Benjamin again seized control until Crews answered and put him away with the sit-out powerbomb.
Crews confronted MVP on the ramp and fell victim to an assault at the hands of Bobby Lashley, who applied the full nelson and left the champ lying.
Result
Crews defeated Benjamin
Grade
C
Analysis
Another match, another disjointing commercial break.
The match between Crews and Benjamin was never really the focus of this segment. This was about the ever-growing schism between Crews and MVP and the consequences that await the champion as a result.
The promo work from MVP was superb, as he put over his own success as U.S. champion and then laid down the gauntlet for Crews. He carried the segment, as he typically does, and continued to prove his worth in this role.
Crews is a more formidable feud for Lashley than R-Truth, as was teased earlier in the show, but it still feels like a step down, if only because The All Mighty appears poised to put the U.S. champion over when it still feels like he has mileage in the tank in the main event scene.
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Credit: WWE.com
Rey Mysterio returned to Raw Monday night, accompanied by his son, Dominik. He mentioned both pride and anger in his child for defending the family name a week ago before insisting on finishing things with Seth Rollins on his own.
Dominik said he wasn't going anywhere and that this is what a family looks like.
The Monday Night Messiah arrived on the scene and teased taking out both father and son with the help of Murphy and Austin Theory. That is, until Humberto Carrillo and Aleister Black returned, fighting the heels off and standing tall alongside Mysterio and Dominik to close out the show.
Grade
B
Analysis
This was simple yet mostly effective. For a moment, it actually felt like Rollins was going to pierce the eye of Dominik to escalate things with Mysterio. That would have been a red-hot angle and may be yet to come.
If there was one problem, it was the disappointing use of Black.
His aura is essentially shot, but he has become just another guy thanks to booking that has been wildly inconsistent from the moment he was called up to the main roster.
In a perfect world, this would be a star-making program for him. Instead, he was a chair-wielding sidekick for Mysterio, a role that he is certainly above.
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