WWE RAW aired from the Performance Center in Orlando. New United States Champion Apollo Crews defended the title tonight and RAW Women’s Champion Asuka squared off against NXT Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair. Seth Rollins hosted Rey Mysterio’s “Retirement Ceremony” on this week’s show as well.
In addition to the takeaways below, Rob Gronkowski was filming a dance for Tik Tok in Foxborough, MA. R-Truth came up behind him and rolled Gronk up to win the 24/7 Championship.
RAW Results (6/1):
- Aleister Black def. Seth Rollins
- Apollo Crews & Kevin Owens def. Andrade & Angel Garza
- Billie Kay def. Nikki Cross
- Nia Jax def. Kairi Sane
- R-Truth def. Rob Gronkowski to become the new 24/7 Champion
- Charlotte Flair def. Asuka via countout
- Drew McIntyre def. MVP
Here are 5 takeaways from this week’s show:
Aleister Black Defeated Seth Rollins In A Great Match
Rollins, Murphy, and Theory came down to the ring to begin this week’s RAW. Seth said it his duty as a leader to appreciate Rey Mysterio and that he was chosen as a sacrifice to the greater good of Monday Night RAW. Rollins referred to Rey as a generous man that presented himself in Seth’s darkest hour so that he could properly lead Money Night RAW. Rollins then presented a video package to honor Mysterio that featured Seth shoving Rey’s eyes into the steel steps.
Seth stated that Rey is a first ballot Hall of Famer and it would be his honor to induct him into the HOF. Aleister Black rushed the ring and kicked Seth in the face. Black then battled Rollins in a singles match as Murphy & Theory were ringside.
Match Recap: Aleister Black beat Rollins down in the corner and Seth rolled out of the ring to regroup. Back in the ring, Rollins hit a Dropkick as Black was distracted with Murphy and Theory. Seth followed it up with a Suplex for a two count. Rollins sent Black out of the ring and leveled him with a Suicide Dive. Murphy and Theory surrounded Black but Humberto Carrillo rushed down the entrance ramp as RAW went to a break.
When RAW returned, Black hit Rollins with a knee to the face and followed it up with a springboard Moonsault for a two count. Aleister hit a German Suplex and went for the cover but Rollins kicked out at the last moment. Seth battled back with the Falcon Arrow for another near fall. Rollins went for a Frog Splash but Aleister got his knees up.
Black booted Seth into the ring post and Rollins tumbled out of the ring. Aleister hit another Moonsault outside the ring as RAW went to a commercial break. When RAW returned, Rollins hit the Frog Splash and went for the cover but Black was able to kick out at two.
Seth connected with a Powerbomb but Black quickly battled back with a running knee to the face. Aleister set up for Black Mass but Murphy and Theory hopped on the apron. Humberto tripped them up but Murphy and Theory wound up beating Carrillo down. Black then rolled up Seth Rollins for the pinfall victory.
After the match, Rollins, Theory, and Murphy attacked Carrillo and Black. Murphy and Theory held up Aleister and forced him to watch Seth deliver the Stomp to Carrillo. Seth hit Aleister with the Stomp before posing in the ring.
Opinion: Aleister Black and Rollins put on a great match tonight. Aleister Black picked up a big win but Rollins was the one standing tall after the match. I hope they continue to add to Rollins’ group of disciples and make it a dominant heel faction that everyone has to deal with on RAW.
The US Title Match Ended In A DQ
Apollo Crews defended his United Championship against an opponent of his choosing tonight on RAW. Crews announced that he wanted to defend the title against Kevin Owens. Kevin came down to the ring and congratulated Apollo on winning the title. Owens said he is not one to turn down title opportunities but he feels like this is coming out of pity because of what happened last week with Angel Garza. Crews said this wasn’t coming from pity and was all about respect. Owens stated that he feels bad but Apollo’s first title reign is going to be a real short one.
Match Recap: Owens dominated early and hit a Senton off the top rope for a near fall. Crews and Owens then traded punches to the face outside the ring as RAW went to a break. When RAW returned, Owens went for a Pop-Up Powerbomb but Crews countered with an Enziguri. Crews hit Owens with an Olympic Slam and followed it up with a Moonsault but Owens kicked out at two. Owens battled back and went for another Senton but Crews got his knees up. Angel Garza and Andrade rushed the ring and attacked Crews and Owens as RAW went to a break.
Predictably, this then turned into a tag match when RAW returned. Andrade and Garza isolated Apollo in the corner of the ring. Crews battled back and planted Andrade with a Powerbomb for the victory.
Opinion: A title match with an actual finish would have been nice. Instead, we got a title match to fill time and then a tag match that hardly anyone had interest in.
Rey Mysterio & Dominik Addressed Seth Rollins
The RAW announce team interviewed Rey Mysterio via satellite. Rey said his eye is still recovering and he has no idea when he can come back. Mysterio added that if an infection sets in his career is over.
Rey said that Rollins carries a lot of negativity with him for someone that claims to be a messiah. Dominik showed up and stated that Seth was barely a human being. Dominik said something needs to be done and someone from this family needs to do it.
Mysterio thanked everyone for reaching out and for their concerns. Rey scolded Rollins for everything he put his family through and he will never forgive him for that. Dominik stared into the camera as Rey walked away. Dominik said “an eye for an eye” to close the segment.
Nia Jax Sent A Message To Asuka
NXT Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair cut a promo tonight and said that she wants some of the trainees in the crowd to be the next Rhea Ripley or Io Shirai so the can bow down to her. Asuka interrupted and made her way to the ring.
Match Recap: Asuka went for the Asuka Lock early but Flair escaped. Charlotte beat Asuka down in the corner while boasting about all her victories over the RAW Women’s Champion in the past. Charlotte then focused her attack on Asuka’s knee as RAW went to a break.
Charlotte was still in control when RAW returned and continued to go to work on Asuka’s left knee. Asuka went for roll-up but Flair kicked out and connected with a chop block on Asuka’s knee. Asuka battled back and connected with a German Suplex. Asuka followed it up with a Shining Wizard for a near fall.
Asuka applied an Arm Bar and transitioned into a Triangle submission. Flair countered into a Boston Crab in the center of the ring. Asuka countered into a cover for a near fall. Asuka locked in a Knee Bar but Charlotte powered to her feet and planted her with an impressive German Suplex.
Asuka once again applied an Arm Bar in the middle of the ring. Flair once again showed off her strength and hit Asuka with a Powerbomb for a two count. Charlotte hit a big boot that knocked Asuka out of the ring. Nia Jax came down to the entrance ramp with Asuka’s music playing and danced around. Asuka got counted out and Nia Jax leveled Asuka with a shoulder tackle. Asuka will defend her RAW Women’s Championship against Nia Jax a week from Sunday at WWE Backlash.
Lashley Got McIntyre In The Full Nelson
Drew McIntyre battled MVP in the main event of this week’s RAW. Earlier on the show, Lana approached MVP backstage and claimed he was just aligning himself with Bobby Lashley to revive his washed up career. MVP said that wasn’t true and claimed that Lana was doing the same. Lana smirked and then slapped MVP in the face.
Later on RAW, Lana was interviewed backstage by Kayla Braxton. Kayla asked if it was Lashley’s idea to keep her away from ringside during his matches or he was just following MVP’s suggestions. Lana thought it was MVP’s idea before saying that nothing was ever said to her about going to the ring for MVP’s matches. She then left and walked away to end the interview.
Match Recap: Bobby Lashley marched down to the ring before the match to a smattering of boos by the PC trainees standing behind plexiglass. Just before the bell rang, Lana strutted down the entrance ramp as Lashley had a confused look on his face.
McIntyre shoved MVP to the corner and beat him down. MVP got in a punch before McIntyre lit him up with a chop to the chest. Drew leveled MVP with a Clothesline and followed it up with the Glasgow Kiss.
Lashley distracted the WWE Champion and MVP capitalized with a big boot for a one count. Drew hit a couple Clotheslines and made his way to the top rope. McIntyre hit a Flying Clothesline before gearing up for the Claymore. Bobby dragged MVP out of the ring and McIntyre took them both out with a massive flip. Back in the ring, McIntyre hit the Claymore for the pinfall victory. After the match, Bobby Lashley locked in the Full Nelson on McIntyre to end the show.
Opinion: The bickering between Lana and MVP does nothing for me at all. It overshadows Lashley and seems obvious that the battle for who is going to manage him going forward will wind up costing him the match at Backlash. I thought the first hour of the show was great with Rollins & Aleister Black stealing the show. It sure looks like Dominik is going to seek revenge for his father against Rollins and that is definitely a compelling storyline.
The rest of this week’s RAW left a lot to be desired. I’m bored of the comedy skits between Viking Raiders and Street Profits. I’d rather see incredibly talented tag teams wrestle instead of compete in goofy golf, basketball, axe throwing, and bowling segments. Flair and Asuka were on their way to having a great match but it was cut short due to Nia’s interference.