The June 8th edition of WWE RAW aired from the Performance Center in Orlando. It was the final episode of RAW before WWE Backlash this Sunday night. Edge joined Christian for an episode of The Peep Show and Asuka battled Charlotte Flair in the main event.
RAW Results (6/8)
- Charlotte & Asuka def. The IIconics, Sasha Banks & Bayley
- Humberto Carrillo & Aleister Black def. Murphy & Austin Theory
- Andrade def. Kevin Owens & Angel Garza to earn a shot at US Title
- Lashley & MVP def. Viking Raiders
- Charlotte def. Asuka
Here are 6 takeaways from this week’s show:
Charlotte Attacked Asuka
Asuka was set to face Charlotte Flair tonight but Sasha Banks and Bayley interrupted. Bayley told the booing crowd that they should be thanking her for bringing star quality to RAW. Sasha and Bayley bragged about winning the Women’s Tag Team Championships before Asuka cut them off.
The IIconics then interrupted and said that everyone wants to see them face Bliss & Cross, Sasha Banks & Bayley in a Triple Threat Match at Backlash. Bayley and Banks attacked Flair and Asuka. Asuka and Charlotte battled back and sent them out of the ring. This then led to a Triple Threat match between the three teams. It was announced that Flair and Asuka will still compete against each other later tonight.
Match Recap: The IIconics and the Women’s Tag Team Champions battled to start the match off. Kay and Royce isolated Bayley and took turns beating her down. Charlotte forced a tag and stomped on Bayley. The fans started a “we want Asuka!” chant and Flair got pissed off.
Asuka tagged in and hit the Hip Attack on Bayley that sent her flying off the ring apron. Asuka beat Banks down as RAW went to a break. When RAW returned, The IIconics were in control and had Asuka isolated in the corner. Charlotte tagged in and regained control of the match. Asuka tagged herself in and Charlotte got pissed off again. Charlotte quickly tagged herself back in and told Asuka to watch how it is done. Flair made her way to the top rope but Asuka tagged back in and applied the Asuka Lock on Billie Kay for the submission victory.
After the match, Charlotte and Asuka had a staredown in the middle of the ring. Asuka raised the title in Charlotte’s face and Flair responded with a Clothesline. Charlotte then raised the RAW Women’s Championship while saying that Asuka has never defeated her.
Rollins Invited Mysterio & Dominik To RAW Next Week
Seth Rollins came down to the announce table and asked Byron Saxton to give him his headset. Rollins stated that he didn’t want to miss the satellite interview with Rey Mysterio.
Mysterio said that he saw his doctor and that things were looking good but the possibility for further damage to his eye is there. Rey added that he didn’t know when he was going to compete but then delivered a warning to Seth.
Rey warned Seth that he was going to pay for what he put his family through and that he is going to kick his ass. Rollins claimed that Rey was spreading misinformation and that he gave Mysterio the chance to walk away as a legend.
Seth invited Rey and Dominik to come to RAW next week so that he can prove that Mysterio’s sacrifice was for the greater good. Mysterio stated that Rollins only wants him at RAW next week because he is not cleared. Rollins said that wasn’t true but his explanation was cut short by a kick from Aleister Black out of nowhere. Aleister Black and Humberto Carrillo then defeated Murphy and Austin Theory in a Tag Team match.
After the match, Rey Mysterio’s music hit but Rollins came down the entrance ramp his a mask on. Theory and Murphy then attacked Black and Carrillo from behind. Murphy leveled Humberto with a knee to the face and then Rollins hit Black with the Stomp.
Christian Motivated Edge
Christian returned to RAW for an episode of the Peep Show. Christian invited Edge down to the ring ahead of the “Greatest Wrestling Match Ever” against Randy Orton this Sunday at Backlash.
Christian claimed that it looked like Edge was running on fumes, which prompted a “you still got it!” chant from the crowd. He then insulted Edge some more by saying Edge couldn’t even have the greatest wrestling match ever in his prime.
Edge noted that he hasn’t been in a traditional wrestling match for 9 years and now it is being labeled as the greatest ever. Christian claimed that Edge was making excuses and brought up his late mother. Christian said that she was there for all his big matches and will be there for this one even if Edge thinks she is not.
Edge got up and started Christian down. Christian smiled and said that was what he was looking for. Christian added that he believes in Edge and that he can defeat Randy Orton in the greatest wrestling match ever at Backlash.
Randy Orton interrupted from the jumbotron and told them both to shut up. Orton vowed to embarrass Edge at Backlash and send him back to his wife & daughters. Randy claimed that the redemption of Edge was over at Backlash. Edge stated that it is not and walked backstage.
Opinion: Christian was phenomenal during this promo. Orton & Edge had amazing promos leading up to their underwhelming WrestleMania match. I hope this one delivers at Backlash. The “Greatest Wrestling Match Ever” tagline is putting a hell of a lot of pressure on Edge and Orton.
Andrade Will Face Apollo Crews At Backlash For The US Title
Anrade, Kevin Owens, and Angel Garza battled in a Triple Threat match tonight to determine the #1 contender for the United States Championship. Before the match, Crews said he was excited to defend the title against the winner at Backlash.
Match Recap: Owens got some revenge and attacked Garza and Andrade during their entrance. Owens was fired up in the ring and shouted “bring it on!” as RAW went to a break.
When RAW returned, Garza and Andrade beat Owens down but didn’t seem to be on the same page as Zelina Vega was ringside. Angel ripped off his pants to reveal his tights and continued to beat Owens down with Andrade.
Andrade hit a Suplex and went for the cover but Garza broke it up. The two started shoving each other and Zelina tried to get in between them but they accidentally knocked her down. They stop fighting with each other and check on Vega as RAW went to another break.
Zelina Vega was helped to the back by WWE medical staff during the break. Owens lifted up Andrade and hit Garza with a Senton while Andrade was on his back. Owens hit a Frog Splash but Andrade kicked out. Andrade hit Owens with a Dropkick and then started trading punches with Garza.
Angel Garza went for the Wing Clipper but Owens countered into a Stunner. Andrade then hit Owens with a Dropkick and pinned Garza for the victory. Andrade will face Apollo Crews for the United States Championship at Backlash.
McIntyre Sent A Message To Lashley Heading Into Backlash
MVP hosted another edition of the VIP Lounge tonight. MVP said his guest had the most devastating move in WWE and introduced Bobby Lashley. Drew McIntyre immediately interrupted and continued to raise the WWE Championship around in the ring as MVP tried to talk.
McIntyre joked that MVP must have been talking about him and his Claymore Kick. MVP said he was talking about Lashley and the Full Nelson. Drew claimed that he was still feeling the Full Nelson from last week but MVP has taken several Claymores as of late. MVP stated that this was part of his business plan and that Lashley will win the WWE Championship at Backlash.
Drew set up for the Claymore but Lashley got in the ring. McIntyre hit MVP with a Glasgow Kiss before Viking Raiders interrupted. Lashley & MVP then defeated Viking Raiders after Lashley locked in the Full Nelson on Erik. McIntyre & Street Profits looked on from ringside during the match. After the match, McIntyre hit Lashley with the Claymore as he had the Full Nelson locked in on Ivar. Lashley got knocked out of the ring but landed on his feet after the Claymore. McIntyre shouted that it is going to be a war at Backlash to end the segment.
Nia Jax Helped Charlotte Defeat Asuka
Women’s Tag Team Champions Bayley & Sasha Banks joined commentary for the Asuka versus Charlotte match.
Match Recap: Charlotte controlled the action early and slammed Asuka into the ring apron. Flair continued to beat Asuka down and mocked the crowd for booing her. Asuka battled back and hit the Hip Attack against the barricade. Charlotte slammed Asuka into the plexiglass before the action returned to the ring. The IIConics attacked Banks and Bayley from behind and slammed Bayley on the announce table as RAW went to a break.
When RAW returned, Bayley, Banks, and The IIconics were banned from ringside. Asuka hit Flair with a Hip Attack and went for an Arm Bar but Charlotte unloaded several elbows to Asuka’s face. Charlotte followed it up with a Headlock in the middle of the ring as the crowd got behind Asuka.
Asuka broke free but Charlotte knocked her back down with a knee to the face. Asuka battled back with a Dropkick off the second rope. Charlotte went for a boot to the face but Asuka avoided it and hit a German Suplex.
The RAW Women’s Champion hit another Hip Attack that knocked Flair out of the ring. Charlotte hit a Moonsault off the barricade and then slammed Asuka’s left knee onto the ring post a few times.
Charlotte connected with a big boot and went for the cover but Asuka kicked out at two. Flair went for the Figure Four but Asuka blocked it. Charlotte then went for the Spear but Asuka countered with a knee to the face. Charlotte connected with the Spear and went for the cover but Asuka kicked out at two. Nia Jax came down to the ring for the distraction and Charlotte capitalized with a big kick to the face for the pinfall victory. It looked like Asuka kicked out right as the referee’s hand hit the canvas. After the match, Nia Jax planted Asuka with a Samoan Drop to end the show.
Opinion: Charlotte and Asuka had a terrific match tonight. I know Nia Jax had to interfere to hype the RAW Women’s Championship match at Backlash, but it sucked that we didn’t get a proper finish to a 30 minute match. I don’t have any interest in Nia Jax vs. Asuka at Backlash. I just hope they keep the belt on Asuka and as far away as possible from Nia Jax. Overall, this week’s RAW was a decent show. There wasn’t much that happened tonight that got me excited for Backlash this weekend.