Posted on 6/17/125 by Bob Magee
Show Recap —
Gunther (holding the world title belt and wearing a smile),
Bayley, Stephanie Vaquer, and Jey Uso were shown arriving
earlier today.
Corey Graves is filling in for Pat McAfee alongside Michael
Cole on commentary. Graves said he couldn’t be more excited
to be on Raw.
Liv Morgan and Iyo Sky segment
Liv Morgan and Dominik Mysterio entered holding their
respective belts. Liv welcomed us to Monday Night Morgan and
wanted to hear some noise for the most gorgeous man in WWE,
Dominik Mysterio. The fans booed, but they didn’t boo over
his promo like they used to. Dom said tonight wasn’t about
him and turned things back over to Morgan.
Morgan said Nikki Bella learned the hard way that this
division was about her, and now Nikki was sitting hurt at
home. Morgan mocked Iyo Sky’s comment that Bella paved the
way for them. Morgan said nobody paved the way for her. She
was a four-time tag team champion and the greatest women’s
tag champion ever. Now, she demanded the rematch she never
got for the world title.
Just as Morgan was about to call her out, Sky interrupted.
The crowd chanted for Iyo. She told Morgan to do everyone a
favour and shut her mouth. She said Morgan disrespected her
and disrespected Nikki. Sky was ready to fight her, but
Morgan only wanted to do it for the title.
Morgan accused Sky of being scared and invited her to just
hand over the belt. Sky told Morgan she had to earn a shot.
Morgan couldn’t just steal it the way she stole Dirty Dom.
Dom said Sky should give Morgan whatever she wanted, just
like he did.
They again suggested that Sky hand over the belt, so she
did, but then dropkicked Morgan out of the ring. She also
kicked Dom, and he left with Morgan.
********
Stephanie Vaquer entered ahead of a commercial break. Chad
Gable cut a promo on Ivy Nile’s behalf during a break (while
also taking a shot at the Green Bay Packers). He returned to
the back for the match.
Backstage, Morgan told Rodriguez to win her match, then they
would take care of Sky and Kairi Sane. (It was difficult to
hear Morgan, but the closed caption helped.)
Queen of the Ring first round fatal four-way: Stephanie
Vaquer vs. Asuka vs. Ivy Nile vs. Women’s Tag Team Champion
Raquel Rodriguez
Asuka entered to her singles theme. She had full face paint
and wore mostly black gear along with a knee brace. The
crowd chanted, “Welcome back.”
Asuka and Vaquer had a very brief exchange that was
interrupted by the heels. Rodriguez powerbombed Asuka into
Vaquer and Nile, which led to break 80 seconds into the
match. (Nothing else has happened since the previous
commercial break.)
The crowd was quiet through the break until they returned
and Vaquer did Devil’s Kiss to Nile. Rodriguez blocked a
Devil’s Kiss, but Vaquer managed to do it to her on the
apron. (The crowd counted along instead of yelling like
Booker T.)
Vaquer blocked an Asuka lock, and Nile kicked her in the
face. Nile gave Asuka a German suplex for two. This led to
the match’s second commercial break—just eight minutes into
it.
As they returned from break, Rodriguez hoisted both Nile and
Vaquer on her shoulders, which was impressive, and Asuka
knocked everyone down with a flying dropkick. Asuka handed
out kicks, but her pinfall attempt on Nile was interrupted
by Vaquer.
Vaquer invited Asuka to her feet so they could go at it
again. Asuka no-sold Vaquer’s strikes, so Vaquer responded
with repeated headbutts and a vertical suplex. Vaquer hit a
facebuster, but Nile broke up the cover. Nile gave Asuka a
uranage, but Vaquer broke up her cover.
Rodriguez booted Vaquer and gave her a Tejana Bomb. You
could tell she was about to get yanked out of the ring
because of how she made the cover. Rhea Ripley pulled
Rodriguez out and gave her a Rip-tide on the floor.
Asuka followed with a running hip attack on Rodriguez for
the pinfall win.
Asuka faces Alexa Bliss on SmackDown in the semi-finals.
(Cole reminded us that Asuka and Bliss were once tag
champions.) The crowd was up and down during the match, but
popped big for the closing sequence.
(I thought Vaquer might’ve won this one, but they probably
don’t want to pin her in the tournament, so Asuka advances.
Also, Asuka pinning Rodriguez can set up a future tag title
match with Sane.)
— After the match, Asuka told Cathy Kelley that she would
become Queen of the Ring.
Match result: Asuka defeated Raquel Rodriguez, Ivy Nile and
Stephanie Vaquer to advance in Queen of the Ring (15:49)
********
There was a Gunther/Jey Uso video package. Gunther is up
next.
New Day cut a normal heel promo during the break.
********
Morgan approached Rodriguez in the Judgment Day locker room
and wanted them to go somewhere. I’m not sure what she
actually said, but Rodriguez wasn’t up for whatever it was
because she wasn’t cleared by medical after just wrestling.
Morgan left to deal with it alone.
There was another disagreement between Dom and Finn Bálor,
where Bálor brushed it off. The crowd repeatedly yelled,
“What?” throughout the segment because it was hard to hear.
Bálor told Rodriguez not to worry about Morgan, and he left
with Roxanne Perez.
********
Gunther and Goldberg segment
Gunther entered and received a big fireworks display as he
held up the World title.
Gunther said he was man enough to admit that Jey Uso was the
better man at WrestleMania. Jey was better than him—for one
night. But on every other night, Gunther was untouchable.
(The crowd booed as he spoke.)
Gunther heard the rumours about what was next for him. Some
fans chanted for Goldberg. Gunther said it wasn’t Goldberg,
because he already cussed out Goldberg in front of his
family.
Gunther spoke about Seth Rollins. He heard Rollins say the
champion would be a target, so he told Rollins he was right
there.
Goldberg entered. He wore a “Goldberg’s Last Ride” t-shirt.
The fans chanted for him, and he thanked them.
Goldberg told Gunther not to worry because tonight was his
night. Goldberg congratulated him on winning the title.
Goldberg got in his face and recalled what happened between
them last time. Gunther started something with him and his
family in Atlanta, so Goldberg wanted to end it in Atlanta.
At Saturday Night’s Main event on July 12th, “You’re mine
because you’re next!”
Gunther was perturbed and left the ring.
(Goldberg was good enough here, but this title match isn’t
the most exciting direction.)
This title match was made official after a break.
********
AJ Styles vs. JD McDonagh (w/ Intercontinental Champion
Dominik Mysterio)
This match was sponsored by an app.
Dom helped McDonagh get a rope break as Styles held a calf
crusher, so Styles chased Dom around the ring. When Styles
got to the timekeeper’s area, McDonagh flew over the
barricade to wipe him out. It was a cool-looking spot and
got a good reaction.
Styles fought back after a break, but McDonagh cut him off
with a headbutt and brainbuster for two. Styles knocked
McDonagh off the ropes but was distracted by Dom, who hopped
onto the apron in front of the referee.
McDonagh tried to use the distraction, but Styles hit him
with a Styles Clash anyway for the pinfall win.
— Dom tried attacking Styles after the match, but Styles
fought him off until Bálor pulled him to safety. Styles held
up Dom’s IC title belt. Judgment Day tried swarming Styles,
but Styles bailed with the belt.
Match result: AJ Styles defeated JD McDonagh (10:34)
********
Maxxine Dupri and Natalya gave Sheamus words of
encouragement backstage. They want him to take care of
Rusev. Akira Tozawa fired up and told Sheamus to kick his
ass.
Bayley walked through the back. She’s up next. (Grayson
Waller and Austin Theory argued as they hung out with New
Day nearby.)
Packers player Evan Williams was at ringside.
********
Bayley and Becky Lynch segment
Bayley entered. She missed the fans and was happy to be
back. She waited as she heard some fans trying to sing, but
it didn’t pick up. The fans instead chanted, “Let’s go,
Bayley.”
Bayley revelled in every opportunity she had to perform for
the fans because it’s what she was born for. She put her
heart and soul into it every single night. Two months ago,
she was stripped and robbed of a WrestleMania match and an
opportunity to go after the tag titles. That division was
near and dear to her heart.
She didn’t just perform for WrestleMania, though. She would
do it any night and would do it on nights like this one. If
Becky Lynch thought she broke her by costing her
WrestleMania, she was wrong. It healed her and made her
stronger.
Bayley said Lynch was always two steps ahead of her on the
ladder, and she admitted that it did eat at her. But Bayley
planned on climbing the ladder, knocking Lynch down and
taking everything from her.
Lynch entered wearing Chicago Bears gear. (A rival team of
the Packers, and Seth Rollins’ favourite team.) The fans
chanted, “Bears still suck.”
Lynch said she and Bayley were the same. They were never
meant to be on top of the division. But Bayley accepted
playing second fiddle, while Lynch didn’t. Bayley would much
rather have friends over her legacy. Lynch would rather have
her legacy over some fake-ass friends.
Bayley said she’s built her own legacy and is a future Hall
of Famer, that’s why she didn’t mind bringing others in the
locker room along with her. Lynch said she used to fight for
the people, but they stopped fighting for her, so she
stopped fighting for them.
Lynch said the fans also stopped fighting for Bayley. Nobody
gave a damn about Bayley when Lynch repaced her at Mania.
Bayley called her an insecure idiot. Lynch was so worried
about how the fans would react to her return that she took
out Bayley so her return could be a big surprise. She
followed that by taking out Lyra Valkyria as well. (Lynch
noted the fans cheered that, too.)
Bayley wondered if Lynch forgot what it was like to fight
for opportunities, or if her head was too far up her ass.
Lynch smiled and said she didn’t remember what that was
like. She wondered if Bayley remembered what gold felt like.
Bayley challenged her to a match. Lynch was ok with that—but
not in Green Bay and not for the title. Lynch said, “See you
in Columbus.” Lynch tried a cheap shot, but Bayley avoided
it and knocked Lynch down. Lynch bailed with her title.
********
Kelley interviewed Jey Uso backstage. Jey had his eyes set
on a rematch with Gunther, and he was fine going through
King of the Ring to get it. Yeet.
********
Styles returned the Intercontinental title to Nick Aldis.
(Aldis was filling in for the vacationing Adam Pearce, which
they did not explain.) Aldis informed Styles he was getting
an IC title match against Dom at Night of Champions.
Bayley approached Aldis next, and he put her in an IC title
match against Lynch next week. Bayley was happy. (I guess
Aldis has full control.)
Valkyria approached Bayley. Bayley apologized for not
returning her texts and calls over the past few months.
Valkyria was annoyed but understood that Bayley was simply
doing what was best for her. Valkyria said she would do what
was best for her, too.
********
Kairi Sane vs. Women’s Tag Team Champion Liv Morgan
The match was stopped due to an injury. The first spot of
the match was Sane going for a takedown, and Morgan came up
injured. She rolled out of the ring, and officials checked
on her as she grabbed her arm/shoulder.
They showed a bunch of replays, and it wouldn’t have looked
like much if you didn’t know Morgan was hurt. She appeared
to land hard on her right arm/elbow, and the reaction on her
face said it all.
During a break, they announced Morgan couldn’t continue, and
Sane was declared the winner. Sane celebrated.
Match result: Kairi Sane defeated Liv Morgan via injury
stoppage
Cole announced that Morgan suffered a dislocated shoulder.
********
There was a John Cena/CM Punk video package. They didn’t shy
away from Cena’s hypocrite line.
********
Sami Zayn did an interview backstage until he was
interrupted by Karrion Kross. Kross thought Zayn was insane
for doing the same thing over and over, expecting a
different result. (That’s not the definition of insanity.)
Kross said Randy Orton would beat Zayn, go on to win his
15th title, and Zayn would stay at zero.
Zayn called Kross a coward for lurking in the shadows. Zayn
wondered if Kross had the courage to back up his words. Zayn
has talked a big game, lost and had the courage to pick
himself up and go back out there again. Kross couldn’t say
the same.
Zayn was tired of hearing from Kross. Zayn’s focus was KOTR,
but the second that was done, he would get Pearce to put
them in a match. Kross said it was about time.
********
Next week on Raw in Columbus, OH:
Becky Lynch vs. Bayley for the Women’s Intercontinental
title
Queen of the Ring semi-final match: Jade Cargill vs. Roxanne
Perez
King of the Ring semi-final match: Cody Rhodes vs. Jey Uso
********
King of the Ring first round fatal four-way: Jey Uso vs.
Rusev vs. Sheamus vs. Bronson Reed (w/ Paul Heyman)
They went to break 90 seconds in after Jey hit Rusev with a
suicide dive. Jey’s ribs were taped, and Reed targeted his
midsection during the break. Jey handed out superkicks to
everyone after the break. Rusev didn’t go down, so Jey tried
another, but Rusev clotheslined him.
Reed tossed Sheamus over the barricade, but Sheamus emerged
to give him ten (or twenty) beats of the Bodhrán. Jey
superkicked Sheamus and went for a running hip attack on
Reed, but Rusev knocked down Jey again.
Rusev and Sheamus finally went at it in the ring. They each
hit big moves before exchanging right hands until Reed
squished them in the corner. Reed also gave Jey a world’s
strongest slam ahead of another break.
Jey and Sheamus went back and forth until Sheamus hit a
backbreaker. The crowd cheered as Sheamus got big Bronson on
his shoulders to hit a White Noise, but Rusev broke up the
cover. Rusev slammed Sheamus onto Reed.
Jey handed out superkicks again, but Rusev blocked a
superkick and applied the Accolade. Sheamus flew in with a
knee strike, but Reed broke up the cover with a senton. Reed
followed with a Tsunami on Sheamus, but Jey broke up the
cover.
Jey speared Reed, but surprise, surprise: there was
interference. Bron Breakker shoved Jey off the top rope, so
Sami Zayn ran in and posted Breakker. Zayn went for a
Helluva Kick, but Breakker grabbed him by the throat and
tossed him over the announce table. Penta flew in and wiped
out Breakker with a dive.
Reed hit Jey with a DVD, but there was more interference.
This time, LA Knight shoved Reed off the top. Jey speared
Reed again and consecutive Uso splashes for the pinfall win.
Jey Uso advances to face Cody Rhodes on Raw next week.
— Seth Rollins marched down to go after Jey, but he stopped
as Cody Rhodes’ music hit. Rhodes entered to a huge reaction
to face off with Rollins. They stared each other down until
Rollins left the ring.
Rhodes and Jey faced off before shaking hands.
Match result: Jey Uso defeated Bronson Reed, Sheamus and
Rusev to advance in King of the Ring (17:24)
(This was a fun match, but with tons of interference. You’ll
often wonder where the hell all the good guys are when the
heel group is running roughshod, so at least we got a
satisfying ending here.)