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8 Takeaways From WWE RAW (6/25)

Bayley Sasha Banks RAW

Written by

Robert Lentini

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The June 25th, 2018 episode of WWE aired live from the Valley View Casino Center in San Diego, CA. Here are 8 takeaways from this week’s show:

The Multi-Man Match At Extreme Rules Is “Off The Table” 

RAW GM Kurt Angle and Constable Corbin kicked off this week’s show in the middle of the ring. Corbin demanded to be announced as “Stephanie McMahon’s personally appointed Constable of RAW”. Angle brought up Paul Heyman starting rumors on social media about Lesnar’s standing in WWE but was quickly interrupted by Roman Reigns.

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Reigns came down to the ring and said that he was just interested in what Kurt Angle had to say. Bobby Lashley interrupted and came down to the ring as well. Lashley said that he deserved to hear what Angle had to say just as much as Reigns. Lashley added that Roman has had three years to beat Brock and he has proven that he cannot. Lashley stated that it is time for Roman Reigns to just move on and the crowd chanted “yes!”.

Roman brought up Lashley being in the main event of WrestleMania ten years ago and then quitting WWE. Reigns called Lashley “Bob” and pointed out that Lashley hasn’t done anything in WWE lately. Roman boasted about being in the main event fo WrestleMania four years in a row.

Lashley said that he is the only one that has legit tools to beat Brock Lesnar. RAW GM Kurt Angle interrupted and said that there was a snag in the contract discussions and that there will not be a multi-man match at Extreme Rules.

Lashley pointed out that Brock Lesnar is tired of seeing Roman’s face just like all these people are. He added that Brock would come back if he had a real challenge. Roman challenged Lashley to a match at Extreme Rules and Angle said that he would take it under advisement. The Revival came down to the entrance ramp and challenged Reigns & Lashley to another match. Constable Corbin grabbed the microphone and made the match official.

The Revival Defeated Reigns & Lashley

For the second week in a row, The Revival faced Lashley & Reigns in a tag match. Lashley and Reigns started off the match in control and Clotheslined Dash and Dawson out of the ring. Roman and Lashley argued over who gets to start off the match.

Reigns and Dawson started the match and Roman headbutted Dawson. Lashley tagged in and continued to argue with Roman. Wilder knocked Roman out of the ring and Dawson bounced Lashley’s face into the turnbuckle.

Dawson decked Lashley with a Clothesline and Wilder tagged in. Wilder beatdown Lashley for a minute and then Dawson got back in the match. Dawson got Lashley in a Headlock in the middle of the ring. Lashley quickly got back up but Wilder tagged in and sent him back to the canvas. Lashley once again battled back and planted Wilder face-first to the mat.

Roman tagged in and leveled Dawson with a Clothesline. Reigns booted Dawson in the face and then knocked Wilder off the ring apron. Reigns connected with a Drive-By on Dash and Dawson as RAW went to a commercial break.

When RAW returned, The Revival was in control and Reigns was trapped in the ring. Dawson taunted Lashley and then stomped on Roman’s hand. Wilder tagged in and continued to beatdown Roman Reigns in the corner of the ring.

Reigns finally battled back and planted Dawson with a Samoan Drop. Lashley and Wilder tagged in at the same time. Lashley came into the ring fired up and planted Dawson and Wilder with Belly to Belly Suplexes. Lashley lifted up Wilder and planted him with a Suplex.

Lashley geared up in the corner of the ring but Reigns tagged himself in. Roman connected with a Superman Punch and then geared up in the corner. Lashley tried to tag himself in but Reigns saw it coming and started arguing with him. Roman threw Dawson into Lashley on the apron and then delivered a Spear to Dawson.

Wilder snuck up behind Roman and rolled up Reigns for the pinfall victory. After the match, Lashley told Reigns that he should of let him finish the match and left the ring.

The B-Team Can’t Lose

Matt Hardy faced Curtis Axel tonight on RAW. Bo Dallas and Bray Wyatt were ringside for the match. Before the match, Axel and Bo Dallas once imitated the RAW Tag Team Champions in a pre-taped promo.

Hardy started off the match in control and sent Axel to the corner. Matt perched Axel up on the top rope and hit him with a few punches. Hardy went for a Superplex but Matt slipped and Axel landed on him with a Crossbody for the pinfall victory. Axel and Dallas then celebrated before getting back into the ring.

Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt gave them a standing ovation before the B-Team continued their celebration on the entrance ramp. Wyatt & Hardy will defend their RAW Tag Team Championships against The B-Team at Extreme Rules.

The Authors Of Pain Returned

The Authors of Pain were shown walking backstage. They shoved a member of the backstage crew and continued making their way towards the ring. Titus O’Neil, Apollo Crews, and Dana Brooke showed up and told them to stop.

Titus said that the backstage crew works very hard to put on the best RAW possible and to show them some respect. AOP said “thanks for the advice but no thanks” and then walked away.

AOP battled “Rich & Rex Gibson” tonight on RAW. Akam and Rezar won the match with ease after hitting the Last Chapter. AOP continued to beat down the jobbers after the match until Titus and Apollo came down to the ring. Akam and Rezar retreated and left the ring.

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Natalya Tapped Out Alexa Bliss

RAW Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss was accompanied to the ring by Mickie James. Mickie asked the crowd to give it up for the one and only goddess of WWE and the three-time RAW Women’s Champion, Alexa Bliss.

Bliss thanked Mickie and called her such a good friend. Mickie called Ronda Rousey an angry maniac. Bliss pointed out that her anger is why she is suspended from RAW for 30 days.

Alexa called Rousey an entitled brat and claimed that Ronda still doesn’t know the rules in WWE. Mickie James said that Alexa’s cash-in will go down as one of the greatest MITB cash-ins of all times. Bliss complained about having to defend her title against Nia Jax at Extreme Rules before poking fun at her for still being in physical rehab following her match with Rousey at WWE Money in the Bank.

Bliss referred to herself as a hero and the crowd booed. Alexa scolded the crowd and bragged about defeating 7 other women in the Ladder Match and then cashing in on the same night. The crowd started to chant “you suck!” and Bliss called them rude.

Natalya interrupted and told Alexa that the countdown is on. Natalya stated that Bliss has 23 days before Ronda Rousey comes back to deal with her. Bliss faked being afraid and said that she was so impressed that Natalya can count backward from 30. Bliss poked fun at Natalya for posting every moment on social media. Natalya said that she talked to RAW GM Kurt Angle and that they have a match tonight. Nia Jax then joined Natalya and they made their way to the ring.

When RAW returned from a break, Alexa Bliss was in control of the match. Natalya battled back and planted Bliss with a Body Slam. Bliss ducked under a Clothesline and connected with a standing Moonsault for a two count.

Alexa stomped on Natalya’s back and then bounced her head off the canvas a few times for another near fall. Natalya connected with a snap Suplex and then was distracted by Mickie James. Bliss tried to capitalize with a roll-up but Natalya kicked out. Nia Jax tripped up Bliss while the referee was distracted and then Natalya applied the Sharpshooter for the submission victory.

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Bayley Finally Attacked Sasha Banks

RAW GM Kurt Angle told Bayley backstage that her and Sasha Banks were too valuable to RAW and that they needed to get on the same page. He then put them in a 6-woman tag match alongside Ember Moon against the Riott Squad. Sasha Banks and Bayley didn’t want anything to do with the match but Kurt Angle insisted on making it happen for some reason.

Later on RAW, Jinder Mahal and Sunil Singh were shown having their photo taken backstage. The Riott Squad interrupted and Ruby asked for the camera. She took a few pictures before slamming the camera into the ground. The now peaceful and tranquil Jinder Mahal smiled and the Riott Squad angrily marched to the ring.

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Ruby Riott, Sarah Logan & Liv Morgan then battled Sasha Banks, Bayley & Ember Moon. Bayley and Sasha Banks turned their back on each other before the match as they waited for Ember Moon to join them. Moon tried to get them on the same page as Bayley and Banks sulked their way into the ring.

Bayley, Moon, and Banks took turns beating down Sarah Logan to start off the match. Liv Morgan tagged in and was knocked face-first to the mat by Moon. Morgan rolled out of the ring and Bayley and Banks took out Logan and Riott in the ring. Moon then hit a Suicide Dive onto Riott and Morgan as RAW went to a break.

When Raw returned, Riott was in control and had Ember Moon trapped in the corner of the ring. Ruby shoved Bayly off the apron and then taunted Sasha Banks. Sasha got into the ring and that allowed Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan to attack Moon while the referee was distracted.

Moon was able to tag in Sasha Banks and she hit Riott with Double Knees in the corner. Logan hopped up on the ring apron and distracted Banks. Riott planted Sasha and went for the cover but Bayley broke it up. Liv Morgan planted Ember with a Hurricanrana outside the ring. Back in the ring, Ruby rolled up Banks for the pinfall victory.

After the match, Bayley attacked Sasha Banks and the crowd chanted “yes!”. Bayley then stomped on Banks in the corner and continued to attack her. Bayley then launched Sasha’s face into the second turnbuckle and then got out of the ring.

Bayley then ripped Banks off the apron and threw her to the floor as the crowd chanted “we want tables”. Bayley launched Banks into the steel steps a couple of times and then stood over while shouting “that’s for everything you’ve done to me!”.

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RAW GM Kurt Angle and Bayley had a conversation backstage following the attack. Angle said that Bayley must not care about the women’s revolution and that she had to go to counseling next or that she would be fired.

Opinion: It took far too long for this to happen but at least it finally did. I have no idea why Kurt Angle is all of the sudden so invested in Bayley and Sasha Banks remaining friends that he is forcing Bayley to go to counseling.

Braun Strowman Flipped Over Kevin Owens’ Car

Braun Strowman suggested to RAW GM Kurt Angle that he team up with Kevin Owens tonight to face Finn Balor and Constable Corbin. Owens didn’t want to team with Strowman and confronted Angle backstage about the match. Angle told Owens that the match was still on.

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Corbin and Balor argued about who will start off the match. Corbin and Owens then locked up and Owens applied a Headlock. Corbin broke free and leveled Owens with a shoulder tackle. Balor tagged in and Corbin immediately tagged himself back in. Owens booted Corbin in the ribs and then rolled to the corner and slapped Strowman in the chest.

Braun entered the ring and Balor had a smile on his face on the apron as Strowman walked towards Corbin. Baron threw Corbin to the corner and then flexed in his face. Strowman knocked Corbin to the mat with a punch to the face and then shouted at Owens to get in the ring before tagging him in.

Owens and Balor locked up in the middle of the ring. Owens sent Balor to the corner and stomped him down to the canvas. Owens applied a Chin Lock in the middle of the ring but Balor quickly battled to his feet. Owens sent Finn back to the corner and then knocked Corbin off the apron.

Strowman and Owens started working together as Braun hit Balor with a Splash and Owens hit Corbin with a Cannonball at the same time in opposite corners. RAW went to a commercial break with Owens and Strowman seemingly on the same page.

When RAW returned, Balor had Owens trapped in the corner of the ring. Balor dropped an elbow on Owens and went for the cover but Strowman broke it up. Corbin tagged in and sent Owens to the corner. Owens connected with an elbow to the face and then leaped across the ring to tag in Strowman.

Braun hit Corbin with a Splash in the corner and went for another one but Corbin got his boot up. Corbin tagged Balor in and Strowman knocked them both to the floor outside the ring. Braun got out of the ring and leveled them both with shoulder tackles. Strowman asked Owens to do the same thing and tagged him in.  Owens hit Balor with a shoulder tackle but ran into a Clothesline from Corbin.

Strowman launched Corbin into the barricade and then charged at him again. Corbin got out of the way and Strowman ran into the ring post. Back in the ring, Balor planted Owens with a Slingblade but Baron tagged himself in once again. Balor booted Corbin in the face and then Corbin dragged him out of the ring. Corbin and Balor then battled up the entrance ramp and were counted out.

Owens and Strowman posed in the ring for a moment. Owens extended his hand and Braun stared at him. Strowman started walking towards him and Owens sprinted up the entrance ramp. Owens shouted that they did great and asked Braun what his problem was. Strowman then chased Owens backstage. Owens hid in a locker room and Strowman walked by it while trying to find him.

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After a commercial break, Owens was shown leaving the room with his suitcase. Owens exited the arena and asked the valet for his keys. Braun Strowman then arrived with Owens’ keys and tossed them to him. Strowman then pointed Owens to his car which was flipped over. Braun then chuckled and made his way back inside the arena.

Dolph Ziggler Is Still The Intercontinental Champion

Dolph Ziggler defeated Seth Rollins last week to capture the Intercontinental Championship. Rollins invoked his rematch clause tonight on RAW. Seth started off the match with a Dropkick and Dolph quickly rolled out of the ring to regroup. Dolph returned to the ring but Rollins quickly brought him back to the canvas.

Ziggler battled to his feet and shoved Rollins towards the ropes as Drew McIntyre looked on from ringside. Dolph slammed Seth’s face into the top turnbuckle and then beat him down in the corner. Dolph connected with an elbow for a one count. Dolph applied a Headlock but dragged Seth to the canvas.

Seth escaped and connected with a Dropkick that knocked Ziggler out of the ring. Seth followed him out there and McIntyre got in his face. Dolph tried to use the distraction to his advantage and attack Rollins but Seth was ready. Rollins launched Ziggler into the barricade and then had a staredown with McIntyre as RAW went to a commercial break.

When RAW returned, the action had returned to the ring and Ziggler was targeting Seth Rollins’ knee. Ziggler went back to the Headlock in the middle of the ring as the crowd got behind Rollins. Seth battled to his feet and connected with some jabs to Dolph’s midsection to break the hold. Rollins then launched Ziggler into the turnbuckle and Dolph collapsed to the canvas.

Rollins charged at Ziggler in the corner but Dolph connected with a Back Body Drop that sent Rollins crashing to the floor outside the ring. Back in the ring, Ziggler went for a cover but Seth kicked out at two. Dolph locked in the Sleeper Hold but Rollins was able to break free. Seth and Dolph then both went for a Crossbody at the same time and both Superstars crashed into each other.

Seth connected with a Slingblade and then Clotheslined Dolph out of the ring. Seth was about to go for a Suicide Dive but McIntylre hit Rollins in the back as he bounced off the ropes. Ziggler then hit Rollins with a Clothesline and the referee threw McIntyre out. McIntyre argued with the referee as Seth had Ziggler in a roll-up. Rollins got pissed off and threw Ziggler out of the ring.

Rollins then hit both McIntyre and Ziggler with a Suicide Dive and threw Dolph back into the ring. Seth climbed to the top rope but Dolph got back up and crotched Seth on the turnbuckle. Ziggler went for the cover but Rollins kicked out at two as RAW went to a commercial break.

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When RAW returned, Seth connected with the Ripcord Knee and went for the cover but Dolph was able to get his foot on the bottom rope to break it up. Ziggler battled back and planted Rollins with an insane DDT on the ring apron. Rollins fell to the floor outside the ring and the referee started his count. Seth somehow was able to get back in the ring at 9 and the match continued.

Ziggler stomped on the mat and went for a Superkick but Rollins caught him and connected with a Buckle Bomb. Seth then connected with a Superkick to Dolph’s face for a two count. Rollins made his way up to the top rope but Ziggler got up and joined him up there. Seth connected with a headbutt that knocked Dolph to the canvas. Rollins connected with a Frog Splash and went for the cover but Dolph kicked out at the last moment.

The crowd chanted “burn it down” as Rollins geared up for the Curb Stomp. Dolph dodged it and tried to roll-up Seth but Rollins kicked out. Dolph launched Rollins into the steel ring post and followed it up with a Zig Zag for another two count.

Ziggler perched Seth up on the top turnbuckle and then joined him up there. Dolph went for a Superplex but Rollins was able to block it. Rollins connected with a Superplex of his own and followed it up with a Falcon Arrow. Seth went for the cover but Drew McIntyre dragged the referee out of the ring and punched him in the face. McIntyre then attacked Rollins and the match ended in a DQ.

Roman Reigns’ music hit and Reigns hit Ziggler with a Spear on the entrance ramp. Roman then hit McIntyre with a Superman Punch. Ziggler and McIntyre then retreated as Reigns and Rollins stood tall in the ring.

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Opinion: Rollins and Ziggler had a great match to close this week’s RAW. The ending was expected, as this storyline will likely last at least until Extreme Rules. I’m wondering how many feuds Roman Reigns needs to be in on RAW. He’s still pissed off at Brock Lesnar, he’s arguing with Lashley and now he is rescuing Seth Rollins from McIntyre & Ziggler.

What did you think of this week’s episode of RAW? Let us know in the comments below.

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