Raw was live from the Resch Centre on 5/30/16 in Green Bay, WI
Up late this week because I was out of town on business. Nevertheless, I certainly want fans of the Scrum Sports to enjoy the recap as Raw, while a slow show this week, had some crucial moments and several decent bouts to compliment one great turn!
Raw starts with a Memorial day tribute with President Reagan clips and words and well wishes in honor of the troops from WWE superstars, divas and personalities.
Here comes the money! Shane McMahon is out and Stephanie McMahon joins him for the announcement that on July 19th, Smackdown will be live on Tuesday Nights on the USA network. The New Day Are out to add to the situation and they talk about the fact that social media has been abuzz with the possibility of a brand extension and draft. Kofi puts over Shane’s Air Jordans. Kofi says he’s new era, Big E. says that Kofi’s been there over a decade and Xavier says that he watched Kofi in middle school. Stephanie dodges a question about where The New Day will end up on the forthcoming draft and they troll her with it. Wow. Big E. says “HOLD THE DOOR” and Kofi says “too soon” and they call the McMahons monsters for even thinking about breaking up The New Day. There was then a dance segment featuring Shane and Stephanie. Shane had the rhythym of a Vince McMahon world champion. Stephanie was about the handle her business when the Vaudevillians interrupted and made their way out to the ring. Tag team action to follow after the commercial break.
Non-Title Tag Team Match:
The New Day (c) vs. The Vaudevillians
Big E. and Kofi getting after it for the champs. Back and forth action in the early going with a Unicorn stampede relatively early in the contest. English seizes the upper hand and Gotch keeps the pressure on. The New Day with a comeback, but before another commercial break, Kofi is dumped over the top rope with a beautiful clothesline as the Vaudevillians stay in control of things. The New Day seize the upperhand and then Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows come out to ringside and put the boots to The New Day. Big E. eventually falls prey to a Magic Killer. If this is setting up a tag team title match, then please, take my money. That will surely be a great piece of work. Not a bad start to Raw, furthering that program.
Winners: The New Day (Via Disqualification)
Backstage, after a commercial, Renee Young catches up with Gallows and Anderson. They say, even without AJ Styles, they are putting the tag team division on notice. They also say that the tag division will never they’ve arrived and in fact, they are only getting started.
They show a clip last week of Sheamus attacking Apollo Crews. Apollo is shown doing pushups and he comes face to face with a returning Big Show. They have words, Big Show gives Apollo some positive advice and he puts him over. He tells Apollo that Sheamus is a bully fighting for his spot and that he picked on Apollo because he thinks Crews is going to back down.
Back to ringside, and we’ve got the introduction of “Golden Truth”. R-Truth does a remix of “What’s Up” to fit this new tag team situation and apparently, they are going to be on commentary for the tag team affair that will follow another commercial break.
Tag Team Match:
The Usos vs. Tyler Breeze and Fandango
The Usos make their entrance first to a mixed reaction thanks to their association with the world champion, Roman Reigns. Breeze-ango make their way out next with the tradition mash-up of WWE entrance themes that they like so much. It’s a “lite” reaction sadly. There is a pre-match promo that was recorded, where Breeze calls them the “Ewww-sos”, which was great. The bell sounds and the action is underway. The Usos are in control with right hands and superkicks. Fandango takes charges and he’s on one of the Usos with grounded right hands. Breeze tries to cut off Jey Uso on the outside, but he eats a superkick and the distraction is enough for Jimmy Uso to pin Fandango following a crucifix. The Usos celebrate as Breeze-ango and Golden Truth mix it up at ringside and the brawl is short-lived with Golden Truth handling their business.
Winners: The Usos
Post-match clips shown of Seth Rollins return at Extreme Rules and the attack on Roman Reigns. We are told that following a commercial, we’ll hear from the world champion and he’ll talk about that attack.
Following the commercial, the music hits and Roman Reigns comes out to a mixed reaction. Eventually, the boos take precedence, but Lillian Garcia introduces the champion nevertheless as he readies himself to speak, mic in hand. He comes out and says, two years ago Seth Rollins broke up the Shield. Asks how Seth can call himself “The Man” when he runs constantly from “The Guy”. He get the line again for the umpteenth time and he says that if Seth thinks he’s the man, he should come on out and prove it. The music of the Architect hits and Seth Rollins is out to a mixed reaction as well, predominently headlined by cheers. He prepares to head down the ramp, but he eventually decides to keep the waiting game going. He heads back up the ramp and gets a mic. He prepares to speak, waiting for several moments before simply dropping the mic and moving back down the ramp. He plays with Roman as the crowd chants “boring” as the standoff continues before Rollins waves the whole thing aside and he heads back up the ramp, grabbing the mic again. It is dropped once more and he simply throws his hands up and leaves. The crowd did NOT like that at all. Thinking the segment is over, Reigns music hits, but Rollins sprints down the ramp once more, stopping short for one last troll job. Roman holds up the title and that’s that.
Promo for a six man tag team match tonight as Kevin Owens/Chris Jericho/Alberto Del Rio will face Sami Zayn/Dean Ambrose/Cesaro. That’ll be a sensational match.
The #hatch promo they’ve been teasing for several weeks simply seems to be a teaser for the WWE 2k17 release. Shockingly, the promo features GOLDBERG, who is going to be a playable character in the game! Wow! If you’re a fan of that franchise, that certainly will be something to enjoy. Wasn’t sure where those tweets and social media promos were leading, but was holding out hope for a cameo from a member of the LOST cast. We continue with the commercials.
We’re back with the “Ravishing Russian” Lana standing in the ring. She asks that we place our hands on our hearts and we welcome a true “American Hero”, the US Champ and the “Bulgarian Brute” himself, Rusev! Rusev makes his way out to the ringside area. “WOO WOO WOO” and Zack Ryder is out to a good reaction who, with comments with a pre-recorded sgement, tells us that he’ll pull off a miracle by beating Rusev in a non-title affair.
Non-Title Match:
Rusev (c) vs. Zack Ryder
Early dominance by Rusev with a plethora of suplexes and offensive maneuvers. Rusev hits a splash in the corner and he grounds Ryder with a headlock application as the “Let’s Go Ryder” chants break out. Ryder counters out and he dropkicks Rusev in the back from the corner turnbuckle. Forearm shots follow and a Broski boot meets its mark, but a kickout at one is all he receives. Ryder looks for the Rough Ryder, but he is countered into the Accolade. He bends Ryder back and we’ve got a submission and a very decisive non-title victory by the US Champion.
Winner: Rusev (Via Submission)
After the match, Rusev takes a mic and says that Zack Ryder is entitled just like every other American. He says he is a true American hero and then he calls us cheese gobblers before the whistle blows and TITUS O’NEIL comes out and he lays stake to a future opportunity at the US Title. There is a confrontation and his music plays as they head to commercial following a promise to show us the events of last week that occurred between Charlotte and her father, the “Nature Boy” Ric Flair.
A promo from the Shooting Stars after the commercial. They say fans are clamoring for the Stars, but they instead invite us to Puerto Rico to check out the sights, sounds and offerings of La Isla Del Encanto.
Footage of the events that occurred last week with Charlotte/Ric Flair as promised. The segments features comments from several WWE superstars including Dean Ambrose, Dolph Ziggler, Summer Rae and others.
Backstage from earlier, Stephanie McMahon runs into Charlotte and calls her a brat and that she’s a disgrace to the women’s title. Steph calls her a waste of talent. A clip is shown of a forthcoming match that will occur between Dana Brooke and Natalya presented by “Warcraft”.
After another commercial, the fans come unglued as the music of Enzo Amore and Big Cass hits and they are out onto the ramp with their grand schtick. Enzo is a bonafide G and a certified stud. Big Cass is seven feet tall and you can’t teach that. They reference Green Bay as Enzo gets frantic. He says they should keep things G like a Packers helmet. Cass tells us he’s serving size sixteen boot sandwiches with all the fixins’ and then he proceeds to name off a multitude of cheeses as the crowd chants “how u doin”. He even references FROMUNDA cheese. That was brilliant. He calls Big Cass “The Don Parmesan” and they tell the Dudleys it’s time for them to eat their pie. Only one word for the Dudleys, S-A-W-F-T!
Tag Team Match:
The Dudley Boyz vs. Enzo Amore and Big Cass
Wow, we are getting this PPV quality match for free tonight. Bubba and Big Cass start things off and things progress through the first commercial with Enzo and Cass firmly in control. Enzo with a light workload early, and quite frankly smart, as this is his first match back since returning from the injury. Back from the break and Devon has Enzo grounded with a headlock following Enzo being crotched on the ropes during the break. Bubba tagged in, and he drops the elbow and gets a two count for his efforts. Enzo tries for the tag several times, but Bubba keeps things in the Dudleys favor as Devon eventually takes over and he nails a suplex. Bubba in and he taunts Big Cass, but he eats a dropkick from Enzo for his troubles. Big Cass in and he’s a house of fire. Cass with a big splash, a scoop slam and an elbow. Dudleys take charge and they hit a tag team neckbreaker and it seems that they’ve gotten the three count but it was two and just a late kickout from Big Cass. Cass back in charge and a tag to Enzo sets up a Rocket Launcher onto Devon and we’ve got a three count and a big victory for the duo!
Winners: Enzo Amore and Big Cass
Backstage segment with Dean Ambrose, Cesaro and Sami Zayn. Dean Ambrose says Jericho and Owens can’t be trusted because they’re Canadian and Sami, as a proud Canadian, takes offense. Ambrose says that explains so much. Sami stands there confused. That was actually pretty funny. Clip of John Cena and he returns NEXT!
Doo doo doo doo! Here comes JOHN CENA! “John Cena Sucks” chant and some boos, but folks seem genuinely glad to see him. I know I’m pleased to have the veteran’s return. He takes the mic while wearing his controversial “PBR” style shirt and he says some positive words for America and for the troops. Very cool actually. He speaks about freedom and liberty and says that you can dress how you want, listen to your music and be yourself. Freedom lets him plant his two feet and say he is back on Monday Night Raw. Talks about new faces being on Raw and it’s just a matter of time before they move up and he moves out. He says that it doesn’t matter who it is, he will not go quietly into the night. He says the future must go through him. AJ STYLES music hits and out comes “The Phenomenal One”. Crowd is going absolutely bonkers for this one. Split crowd with “AJ Styles” and “Let’s Go Cena” chants. The crowd won’t even let them talk. Very cool to see respect for the veterans.
“John Cena, I have been waiting for this moment for a LONG time.” -AJ Styles
Cena agrees. Styles says that Cena has gotten kind of a bad rep. Styles doesn’t understand because he understand that he busts his tail. Cena arrives early and stays late and does great work outside the company. Styles respects Cena’s hard work and he just wanted to be the first to come out and say welcome back. Styles extends his hand to Cena and they meet for the clasp as Gallows and Anderson’s music hits. Luke says they might have agreed to go their own way, but he says AJ decided to “suck up” to John Cena. Anderson agrees and says they aren’t there to kiss rear end, they are there to kick out. He says AJ, that’s yours included. They move on the ring, but Styles lines up with Styles and the trio put the boots to Cena. It’s the Ultimate swerve! “Bullet Club” chants break out and the crowd is going bananas. Styles, Gallows and Anderson are rabid and they lay a good ole’ fashioned whoopin’ on Cena and the crowd is torn. Had this been planned since day one? AJ says he is AJ Styles and he IS the New Era. This has to be seen. They worked Cena over heavily. Every time Cena got up, Styles charged the ring and put him back down. The Club actually had to pull Styles off at the end. Styles says he is doing the world a favor. Wow. What a program.
After a commercial, highlights of the attack that occurred beforehand and Natalya is shown in the ring ready for action. Dana Brooke’s music hits and she’s out onto the ramp. The women’s champion follows suit, her music playing, and the ladies head to ringside for Dana’s match.
Singles Match:
Dana Brooke (w/ Charlotte) vs. Natalya
Very short match actually. In deference to time, it makes sense. Dana Brooke gets the win with a Michinoku driver and the ladies put the boots to Nattie before Becky Lynch makes her way out for the save to a nice reaction. The crowd is still clamoring for Sasha Banks, who I believe is still recovering from the concussion protocol.
Winner: Dana Brooke
Backstage segment with Dolph Ziggler and Jojo. Footage is shown of his feud with Baron Corbin. Tonight they are set for a “technical wrestling match”. Ziggler hypes the match and his background. Dolph Ziggler makes a reference to his multitude of maneuvers. He actually pulls a page from Jericho’s WCW playbook and lists his 1005 holds including the “Nemenator” which was glorious because that was his debut finisher way back when.
After a commercial, Baron Corbin is shown in the ring with his music playing. Dolph Ziggler’s music hits and the bell sounds as Lillian Garcia makes the introductions for the technical wrestling match.
Technical Wrestling Match:
Dolph Ziggler vs. Baron Corbin
The match barely gets underway and Dolph Ziggler kicks Corbin below the belt. He is promptly disqualified. Ziggler takes a mic, walking past Corbins’ Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royale trophy and he announced Corbin as the loser of the match despite the match result.
Winner: Baron Corbin (Via Disqualification)
Backstage, the lovely Maryse presents to us “The sexiest man alive”, her husband, the IC Champ, The Miz. Via facebook, The Miz promotes his new WWE flick, Marine 5: Battleground. He calls the IC Champ his “baby” and says that he needs to get a little rest because tomorrow is the first day of shooting. He says he’ll be out there every week because he’s the Miz, and he’s awesome.
Roars, screams and arguing between Chris Jericho, Alberto Del Rio and Kevin Owens. Great exchange between the three. ADR tells them to stop acting like little kids and that the other two should follow his lead. Jericho says “gracias” for the history lesson, but Jericho invented the match itself, which is true, quite frankly. Actual continuity! Jericho continues on and Del Rio says “No Mas” in reference to him talking. That, like the similar segment earlier, was gold. The six man tag main event is after the commercial.
Six Man Tag Team Match:
Kevin Owens, Chris Jericho and Alberto Del Rio vs. Sami Zayn, Cesaro and Dean Ambrose
They highlight a Charlotte vs. Becky Lynch match for Smackdown as well as comments from “The Club”. It’s so beautiful to be able to type that out. All six men make their entrances for the main event starting with Dean Ambrose as we prepare for the main event. Cesaro gets the crowd into it early with the uppercut train on ADR. He hits a somersault splash on Kevin Owens from the apron before teasing the Big Swing on ADR. ADR turns the tides and he gets a kick to the midsection. Backbreaker by Del Rio and a tag brings in Jericho with lights up Cesaro with Flair chops. The faces try to get into the action but that allows KO and ADR to double team Cesaro in the corner. “Stupid Idiot” chant by the crowd. That’s gold. Surely Jericho appreciates that. KO gets tagged in and he works over Cesaro with boots. ADR back in. Step up inzaguri by ADR and a beauty. Cover and a kickout to follow. Cesaro able to get a breather following a beautiful delayed suplex showcasing that incredible strength and athleticism. Zayn tagged in and he nails a shot to the gut. Clotheslines to follow and he clears Jericho from the apron with a running strike. High crossbody off the top by Zayn onto ADR and a kickout. KO saves a pinfall attempt as Dean Ambrose is in and a house of fire as the heels seem to be imploding. The faces takes charge and clear the ring before a commercial break. After the break. KO has a headlock on Zayn, who tries to fight back and momentarily succeeds before KO ends that. KO with a standing kick to the upper back of Sami Zayn as ADR is tagged back in and he works over Zayn. Zayn draped in the tree of woe as ADR hits a kick before grounding him with a headlock. Chris eventually makes his way in and he takes control with a series of strong offensive maneuvers. Zayn FINALLY counters with a brilliant Blue Thunder Bomb and it allows him to make the tag to Dean Ambrose. Ambrose in and he goes to work with a series of takedowns. Jericho eventually heads up top and gets a boot to the abdomen and he barely escapes a Dirty Deeds. Jericho attempts a lionsault but the knees are up and Ambrose in firm control. Ambrose up top and he hits the elbow on Jericho for a two count. Ambrose off the ropes but into a codebreaker. KO tags himself in for the pinfall, but Ambrose kicks out at two. Cesaro takes both Jericho and KO out and Jericho eats the Big Swing. ADR breaks that up and eats a Helluva kick from Zayn. Ambrose hits the Dirty Deeds on Kevin Owens and that’s all she wrote. Three count and a victory! That’s it for Raw!
Winners: Sami Zayn, Cesaro and Dean Ambrose.
