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8 Takeaways From WWE RAW (6/18)

Rousey Bliss RAW

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Robert Lentini

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The June 18th, 2018 episode of WWE RAW aired live from the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, MI. It was the first episode of RAW following WWE Money in the Bank 2018. During the show, The B-Team cut a promo on RAW Tag Team Champions Bray Wyatt and Matt Hardy. You can check that out in the video below.

Here are 8 takeaways from this week’s show:

Ronda Rousey Was Suspended For Beating Up Everyone

This week’s episode of RAW kicked off with GM Kurt Angle in the ring with the RAW Women’s Championship and the MITB briefcase set up on a table. Angle welcomed new RAW Women’s Champion Alexa down to the ring. Bliss won the women’s MITB Ladder Match and cashed in later on during the night.

Bliss raised the title in the ring as Kurt Angle announced that Nia Jax has demanded her rematch against Bliss at Extreme Rules. Angle noted that Jax was currently in physical therapy in Alabama. Alexa thanked the crowd for the opportunity to rub it all of their faces.

Alexa called Nia Jax and Ronda Rousey bullies and added that she shocked the world last night. Bliss stated that everything will be about her going forward because she is the only woman that actually matters. Bliss referred to herself as the goddess and raised the title.

Ronda Rousey interrupted and marched down to the ring. RAW GM Kurt Angle stood in front of Rousey and prevented her from getting to Bliss. The crowd chanted “let them fight!” as Bliss bragged about beating up Ronda with the MITB briefcase.

Alexa said that Rousey doesn’t understand the difference between WWE and UFC and that what she did last night was perfectly legal. Bliss bragged about ruining Ronda’s moment last night because she was just seconds away from beating Nia Jax. Bliss bragged about all the media coverage she got last night and accused Rousey of being jealous.

Bliss then called Rousey irrelevant and called Ronda an overhyped rookie. Rousey attacked Bliss and Angle tried to drag her away. Ronda wasn’t having it and planted Angle with a Judo Throw. Rousey beat the hell out Bliss with the briefcase and then started hitting Angle with the case.

WWE officials then rushed to the ring and Rousey beat the hell out of them too. Rousey then lifted Bliss onto her shoulders and slammed her through the table. Ronda exited the ring as the commentators said that Ronda will have to face repercussions for her actions. Angle started shouting at Ronda at the top of the entrance ramp but Rousey ignored him and walked away. Ronda and Angle then had a conversation backstage. Angle told Rousey that she was suspended for 30 days and told her to leave.

Ronda was then briefly interviewed backstage by Renee Young. Rousey warned Alexa Bliss that she was coming for her after her 30-day suspension was over.

Opinion: This was very entertaining and the crowd absolutely loved it. However, it is a bit of a bummer that Rousey won’t be around for 30 days because she has all the momentum in the world right now. I don’t have any interest in another match between Nia Jax and Alexa Bliss, which has already been announced for Extreme Rules next month.

Dolph Ziggler Is The New Intercontinental Champion

Seth Rollins came down to the ring and issued an open challenge for his Intercontinental Championship. Dolph Ziggler answered the call and McIntyre accompanied him to the ring. Dolph went for the Zig Zag right away but Rollins blocked it. Seth then went for the Curb Stomp but Ziggler dodged it and rolled out of the ring as RAW went to a commercial break.

When RAW returned, Ziggler was in control after connecting with a Dropkick that sent Seth to the outside of the ring. The action returned to the ring and Ziggler applied a Chin Lock. Rollins broke the hold with a Jawbreaker and then catapulted Ziggler face-first into the ring post.

Rollins followed it up with a Slingblade and then launched Dolph out of the ring. Seth then connected with a Suicide Dive that knocked Ziggler into the barricade. Back in the ring, Rollins connected with a forearm to the face for a two count as RAW went to a commercial break.

When RAW returned, Seth connected with a knee to the face for another near fall. Ziggler dodged the Curb Stomp again and planted Seth with the Fameasser for a two count. Dolph went for the Superkick but Rollins hit a Superkick of his own and Ziggler collapsed to his knees. Rollins then delivered another Superkick to Dolph’s face for a two count.

Rollins made his way to the top rope and went for a Frog Splash but Dolph rolled out of the way. Ziggler then climbed to the top rope but Seth caught him with a punch to the face. Rollins headbutted Ziggler and then joined Dolph on the top rope. Dolph fought Seth off and Rollins fell to the mat.

Seth hopped back up on the turnbuckle but Ziggler knocked him back down with a headbutt. Dolph went for a Crossbody but Rollins caught him and planted Ziggler with a Buckle Bomb. Drew McIntyre hopped up on the ring apron to distract Rollins. Seth and Dolph then traded roll-up attempts. Ziggler rolled up Rollins again and grabbed his tights for leverage for the pinfall victory. Dolph Ziggler is the new Intercontinental Champion.

After the match, McIntyre attacked Rollins from behind and mockingly shouted: “burn it down!”. Ziggler and McIntyre then hit Rollins with the Zig Zag/ Claymore. Renee Young interviewed Ziggler and McIntyre backstage. They said that the IC Title was the first of many titles to come.

Opinion: This was quite random. I thought Rollins was a great Intercontinental Champion and he put on a great match with Elias last night at WWE Money in the Bank. I was looking forward to seeing that feud continue and another match between the two. The match itself was just as great. Ziggler and Rollins are both excellent performers and put on a very entertaining match tonight. I just don’t understand why it was time for Rollins to drop the title. Hopefully, it will all make sense over the next few weeks.

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Owens Failed To Befriend Braun Strowman

Braun Strowman came down to the ring with the MITB briefcase that he won last night in the men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match. Strowman stated that winning the MITB contract was his greatest accomplishment so far.

Strowman said that all Brock Lesnar has to do is show his face for him to cash in the contract and become the new Universal Champion. Braun said that the Beast is going to get these hands.

Kevin Owens interrupted and limped his way to the entrance ramp. Strowman through Owens through a table next to the entrance ramp last night at WWE Money in the Bank. Strowman stated that he was surprised to see Owens out here after he threw him off a 20-foot ladder last night.

Owens said that he probably shouldn’t be out here and it hurts to just breath. Owens stated that he wanted to be the first guy in the locker room to congratulate Strowman and told Braun that he deserved it. He said that he knew Braun would win that contract and that is why he went around to try and talk to all of his opponents to work together to eliminate him last night.

Owens told Strowman to be smart about this and that he needs to have a strategy when it comes to Brock Lesnar. Kevin stated that he and Strowman are more alike than he thinks and suggested that he could watch Braun’s back. Owens asked Braun who he can count on around here and pointed out that Strowman had to go in the crowd and pick out a 10-year old kid for a partner at WrestleMania.

Kevin said that his best friend, Sami Zayn, was injured last night in his match against Bobby Lashley. Owens suggested that they use each other going forward and that Owens will get a title shot in the future. Owens asked to shake Braun’s hand and Strowman obliged. Owens went to walk away but Braun wouldn’t let go. Strowman tried to Powerslam Owens but Kevin was able to get away.

Jinder Mahal Has Found Inner Peace

Jinder Mahal came down to the entrance ramp with Sunil Singh. Sunil was in a neck brace due to getting Speared by Roman Reigns last night at Money in the Bank. Jinder stated that Roman won the match last night but he has won the battle for self improvement. Jinder called Reigns bitter and said that he is a spiritual being that is committed to change. He added that he has found tranquility and then had a match with Chad Gable.

Mahal attacked Gable right when the match started. Jinder planted Gable with a Neckbreaker and followed it up with a knee to the face. Gable battled back with a German Suplex and then an Arm Bar on the ropes. Gable followed it up with a Moonsault off the top rope for a two count. Jinder connected with a boot to the face and then the Khallas for the pinfall victory.

Sasha Banks & Bayley Are Not Friends Anymore

Bayley and Sasha Banks had a conversation backstage and seemed to finally put their differences aside. They will be battling the Riott Squad tonight on RAW. On last week’s episode, the Riott Squad beatdown Bayley and spray painted the letter “R” on her stomach.

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Bayley and Sarah Logan started off the match. Bayley had the match under control but Banks decided to tag herself in. Banks connected with an elbow to the face and then Bayley tagged herself back in. Bayley knocked down Logan and punched her in the face a few times. Bayley then threw Logan out of the ring and Banks leveled Liv Morgan with a Clothesline as RAW went to a commercial break.

Logan was in control of the match when RAW returned. Logan knocked Banks off the ring apron and slammed Bayley to the canvas. Liv Morgan tagged in and Banks once again tagged herself into the match. Sasha connected with a Dropkick and then Double Knees off the second rope. Morgan battled back and went for a cover but Bayley broke it up.

Bayley battled with Sarah Logan on the outside as Banks was looking for a tag. Logan hopped up on the ring apron and distracted the referee. Bayley tried to run in the ring to help but the referee prevented her. While the referee’s back was turned, Logan punched Banks in the face. Morgan then rolled up Sasha from behind for the pinfall victory.

After the match, Banks shoved Bayley and the two started arguing. Sasha then shoved Bayley down and left the ring. Bayley looked angry as the segment concluded.

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Bayley confronted Banks backstage and a brawl broke out. Banks won the fight and left Bayley laying on the ground backstage.

Later on the show, Bayley once again tried to confront Sasha Banks. Sasha was getting into her car when Bayley shouted that she wasn’t done with her. Banks responded by telling Bayley that she was done with her and that they are not friends anymore. Banks drove away and Bayley whipped a water bottle at her car.

Opinion: I find it difficult to care about this feud at all now. They’ve already brawled before and then the feud fizzled out. It could have been something special if it were done right leading into WrestleMania 34 and they actually had a match. The only way I would have been interested now was if Bayley turned heel and attacked Sasha Banks during the tag match tonight. That would have at least been something different.

Lashley Upstaged Reigns

RAW GM Kurt Angle came down to the ring and stated that Stephanie McMahon has just informed him of when Brock Lesnar will be defending the Universal Championship next. Roman Reigns immediately interrupted and said that he should be the one to face Brock Lesnar because he defeated Brock Lesnar at the Greatest Royal Rumble. Roman claimed that he was the uncrowned Universal Champion and told Angle that he would be a full-time champion that defends the title every Monday night.

Bobby Lashley interrupted and came down to the ring. Lashley said that he has been trying to get his hands on Brock Lesnar for a long time and claimed that he could defeat him. Lashley added that he could also beat Roman Reigns. RAW GM Kurt Angle interrupted and said that the Superstar will be facing Brock Lesnar next will be the winner of a “multi-person match” at Extreme Rules. Angle announced that Lashley and Roman Reigns will be in that match and the remaining Superstars will be announced at a future date.

The Revival joined the party and challenged Reigns and Lashley to a match. Roman said that he will take Wilder & Dawson to school and added that if “Bob” over here pays attention he might learn something too.

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Reigns demanded to start off the match by beating down Scott Dawson. Lashley tagged in and planted Dash Wilder to the canvas. Lashley then stared at Roman Reigns in the corner and Reigns nodded his head in approval. Dawson pulled Reigns off the apron and Roman chased after him.

Dawson got Lashley in Headlock in the middle of the ring. Lashley broke the hold and planted Dawson with a Belly to Belly Suplex. Roman tagged in and hit Wilder with a Clothesline. Reigns then beatdown The Revival in the corner with ten Clotheslines in a row. Reigns booted Dash in the face and then hit a Leg Drop on Dawson while he was draped across the ropes.

Reigns hit Dawson with a Superman Punch and then delivered one to Wilder. Reigns geared up in the corner for the Spear but Lashley tagged himself in. Lashley then Speared Dash Wilder for the pinfall victory. Lashley smirked at Reigns before exiting the ring.

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Opinion: A feud between Lashley and Reigns sounds like a nightmare. I still get caught up on how badly The Revival is being wasted on RAW. I’m a fan of tag team wrestling and RAW’s division is a total bore. There is an awesome team on the roster and they were just used as a prop for an angle between Lashley and Reigns.

Elias Wants A Shot At Lesnar & Rollins Wants A Rematch Next Week

Elias came down to the ring with long majestic hair and performed a song. Elias sang that Rollins cheated at Money in the Bank because he knows that he cannot defeat him. Elias also poked fun at Rollins losing his title tonight. Elias then sang that he wanted to be in the match at Extreme Rules to earn a shot at Brock Lesnar for the Universal Championship.

Seth Rollins was interviewed backstage about losing the Intercontinental Championship earlier tonight. Rollins said that there were no excuses for what happened tonight and that he will invoke his rematch clause next week.

Constable Corbin Pinned Finn Balor

Finn Balor & Braun Strowman faced Kevin Owens & Baron Corbin in the main event of this week’s RAW. This match came to fruition when Balor told RAW GM Kurt Angle that he would do anything to get in the mystery match at Extreme Rules to become #1 contender. Constable Corbin and Kevin Owens started making fun of Balor for having to relinquish the Universal Championship the day after he won it due to injury. Braun Strowman showed up and stood up for Balor and suggested that they have a tag match tonight.

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Corbin wrestled in his business attire and started off the match by beating Balor down in the corner of the ring. Strowman tagged in and shoved Corbin to the corner and flexed in his face. Strowman charged at Owens in the corner and Owens hopped to the floor outside the ring. Corbin capitalized and attacked Strowman from behind. Corbin then mocked Strowman’s pose and got Clotheslined for his troubles. Finn tagged in and Strowman threw Balor onto Corbin and Owens outside the ring as RAW went to a commercial break.

Kevin Owens connected with a Senton to Balor as RAW returned from the break. Owens then applied a Chin Lock on Finn in the middle of the ring. Balor battled to his feet for a moment but Owens was able to drag him back down to the canvas. Corbin tagged in and threw Balor out of the ring. Back in the ring, Corbin connected with Deep Six for a two count.

Strowman got into the ring and rolled Balor to the corner of the ring and tagged himself in. Braun clubbed Corbin across the chest and went for the cover but Owens got into the ring to try and break it up. Braun noticed Owens and started walking towards him. Owens got out of the ring and Strowman started chasing him. Corbin was waiting on the apron and he leveled Strowman with a Clothesline.

Corbin brought Strowman back into the ring and went for the cover but Braun kicked out at two. Strowman got back up and charged at Corbin in the corner of the ring. Corbin got out of the way and Strowman crashed into the ring post. Balor tagged himself in and hit Corbin with a Double Stomp to the chest.

Strowman sprinted at Owens outside the ring and hit him with a shoulder tackle that sent them both through the barricade and into the timekeeper’s area. Back in the ring, Balor Dropkicked Corbin in the corner and then made his way to the top rope. Corbin tripped him up and then connected with End of Days for the pinfall victory.

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Opinion: The main event was solid. I’m sure a lot of people will be pissed about Balor getting pinned by Corbin while he was wrestling in dress clothes. Finn has looked weak routinely on RAW so I’m used to it at this point. This week’s RAW was a mixed bag. The first hour was very good and then the show fell off the rails after that.

What did you think of the show? Let us know in the comments below.

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