WWE Raw – July 1, 2019 (Review)

Here’s something I wish I could say more often: Raw was exciting this week. Not to be confused with the more elusive “good” – it didn’t quite rise to that lofty standard – the red brand’s offering nevertheless brought something to the table that has been  sorely lacking for many weeks: excitement.

With the revelation this past week that Paul Heyman would be taking over creative operations on Monday nights (with Eric Bischoff doing the same for SmackDown), the question on everyone’s minds was: “What will he do to spice up the show?” Because surely the madcap mind of Heyman, born from the insanity of ECW and honed during the Ruthless Aggression of mid-2000s WWE, would have a few tricks up his sleeve.

And we wouldn’t have to wait long to learn that he most certainly did. The opening segment to this week’s Raw was one of the best in recent memory. Without delving too deeply into precisely what it entailed, it was invigorating to see Raw’s first half-hour bring back some of the energy and unpredictability of wrestling past.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BzZ6R4lBg5L/

Gone were the customary, lengthy duelling promos to kick off Monday nights, replaced by thirty minutes of pure insanity, violence and spectacle. This is what we’ve needed. It’s what we’ve craved. But could the rest of the show live up to the hot start? Only time would tell.

Oh, and of course, happy Canada Day! On with the review.

 

The Best of Raw

“Holy s—“

Who knew that after all the dud openings to Raw in recent weeks, all the show needed was a falls count anywhere match between Bobby Lashley and Braun Strowman.

This was one of the most incredible Monday night moments this year! Of course, not the match itself. That was little more than a couple of big, sweaty men rolling around, occasionally lying on top of the other for a two-count. The pair brawled in the ring, around the ring and eventually up the ramp. It’s what they did when they got there that was so visually staggering. Bobby stood up against the LED boarding at the top of the entrance ramp, inviting Strowman to drive his shoulder into his opponent, causing both men to crash through the LED boarding.

And then the entire world imploded.

.@BraunStrowman and @fightbobby just destroyed each other. #RAW #FallsCountAnywhere pic.twitter.com/wbXuE0ER2w

— WWE (@WWE) July 2, 2019

Or at the very least a lot of pyro went off. First, there was a sizeable explosion as the two giants smashed through the barrier. Then, with both men prone in the cable-riddled cavity that exists behind the staging area, about a dozen smaller explosions went off in sequence all around them. The entire spectacle was so stunning that not even Corey Graves could stop himself from swearing on live TV.

I can’t remember a more exciting start to Raw in quite some time. And the time devoted to calling in medics to check on the competitors, and ambulances to transport them to “local medical facilities” added a sense of legitimacy to all the drama. In short, it was excellent!

Matrimonial Challenges

A very conflicted Drake Maverick brought his wife to Raw this week. Did you know that they haven’t consummated their marriage yet? Because Renee Young will needlessly bring it up on commentary, in case you didn’t.

It's either @1ReneeMichelle or the #247Championship for @WWEMaverick. #RAW pic.twitter.com/I9dfw1hUQM

— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) July 2, 2019

Drake’s wife, coincidentally also named Renee – we’ll call her ‘Less Frustrating Renee’ for the sake of clarity – was less than amused with her husband’s obsession with the 24/7 Title. ‘Less Frustrating Renee’ told Maverick that his singular focus on the title was unhealthy and damaging on their relationship. She demanded that he make a decision: it’s either her, or the 24/7 Gold. Things weren’t looking good for ‘Less Frustrating Renee’.

Throughout the night, R-Truth would appear to taunt Maverick with the title he so desperately wanted. He popped up as Drake embraced his wife. He was a part of No Way Jose’s conga line and had a cheeky dance with ‘Less Frustrating Renee’ at ringside.

Towards the close of the show, Maverick’s resolve was put to the ultimate test as R-Truth, who was fleeing the usual throng of pursuers, came face-to-face with the General Manager of 205 Live. In the moment of truth, Maverick chose the 24/7 Championship, pinning R-Truth before eloping with the love of his life… and his new bride.

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Ends Justifying the Means

I couldn’t possibly bother to explain how we got this rematch (although I attempted to on the next page), but AJ Styles took on Ricochet in Raw’s main event. And the latter’s United States Championship was on the line.

I said after last week’s encounter that I could gladly watch another match between AJ Styles and Ricochet. And I was not left disappointed, as Styles and Ricochet ably demonstrated that good wrestling can overcome even the most tenuous of builds.

On a night disturbingly bereft of wrestling, the two stars put on a neat little spectacle. Sadly however, it was blighted by the kind of silly shenanigans that WWE too often relies upon.

We seem to have some confusion.@KingRicochet's foot APPEARED to be under the bottom rope during that pin by @AJStylesOrg following the #PhenomenalForearm! #RAW pic.twitter.com/eyQZHbQK1I

— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) July 2, 2019

Rather than having a simple, straight-forward wrestling match, the result became contentious when AJ pinned Ricochet, only for replays to show that ‘The One and Only’s foot had clearly moved below the bottom rope. And so, the match was restarted. Because if there’s one thing we know about wrestling, it’s that screwy finishes are never allowed to stand – and that every controversial finish is subject to video replay and possible restart. Some of the time it happens all the time.

On the second go around, Ricochet won with a surprise rollup. Then AJ Styles, with a little encouragement (and assistance) from Anderson & Gallows, mercilessly beat up Ricochet. Presumably ushering in the return of ‘The Club’.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BzZhMh_Bxmf/

While this was good, it could’ve potentially been great had all the surrounding nonsense been scrapped – and had the match been reserved for pay-per-view. The Good Brothers are such non-entities at the moment that their presence adds virtually nothing. AJ’s sudden heel turn was so unprompted as to feel largely unmerited. And by the time this pair meet on a larger stage, we will already have seen the match several times on Raw.

Despite my misgivings though, it was a solid way to end the night. And I still look forward to watching a proper, decent length match between Styles and Ricochet.

 

The Worst of Raw

The Viking Supporting Experience

Big E & Xavier Woods took on The Viking Raiders in a match that I thought could possibly be used as a device to elevate the latter duo. Instead, it transpired that all four men were really just a device to further the feud between Kofi Kingston and Samoa Joe. For a championship that doesn’t even belong on this brand. Wild Card Rule!

This became clear just a few minutes into the match, when Samoa Joe snatched Xavier Woods off the apron and locked in the Coquina Clutch. This brought Kingston galloping down to save his pal.

#WWEChampion @TrueKofi is here to even the odds, and we have absolute pandemonium, ladies and gentlemen. #RAW pic.twitter.com/jFiYFjhIwc

— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) July 2, 2019

Aside from the obvious disappointment of not having the Viking Raiders secure a valuable win over big-time competition, I’m also fairly tired of seeing Xavier Woods used as a ‘mate in distress’ in feuds involving Kofi Kingston. He was attacked by Kevin Owens to start the year. He got clobbering again by Dolph Ziggler just a few weeks ago. At this point he’d just be safer donning a cheap wig and hanging out with R-Truth backstage.

But, this was all just a convoluted way to set up a six-man tag match between The New Day and The Viking Raiders & Samoa Joe, which Samoa Joe won by choking out the WWE Champion two weeks ahead of their encounter at Extreme Rules. So I guess he’s not winning that one then…

Bullet Club is Fine

Elsewhere, The Good Brothers hassled AJ Styles for almost losing to Ricochet. I assume they were getting their own back for the various criticisms that AJ has fired at them of late. Except this made virtually no sense because 1) Ricochet is the United States Champion, and 2) AJ beat him. So why exactly should he feel embarrassed?

It’s not like he lost to James Ellsworth or anything. Well, not recently at least.

"The @AJStylesOrg I know would walk up to @KingRicochet, accept the challenge, and slap him across the face!" – @KarlAndersonWWE #RAW pic.twitter.com/R5HVGCjRLJ

— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) July 2, 2019

Later in the evening, Gallows & Anderson cornered Ricochet following an interview with Charley Caruso. They told the U.S. Champion that AJ Styles could’ve beaten him in three minutes flat had he really tried. Ricochet invited the ‘Phenomenal One’ to try, and the Good Brothers went scurrying back to Styles to tell him that Ricochet thinks he’s better than him. They were really just stirring the pot in the most uninteresting, juvenile way possible.

Eventually an agitated AJ hunted down Ricochet and challenged him for his championship, which Ricochet quickly accepted… and they slapped one another.

CHALLENGE ACCEPTED.

It sounds like @KingRicochet will defend his #USTitle against @AJStylesOrg TONIGHT on #RAW! pic.twitter.com/n7uwKZVFGK

— WWE (@WWE) July 2, 2019

This story was abysmal.

Shock NXT Call-Up?

The NXT Tag Team champions showed up, seemingly to goof around and have fun backstage. You might expect a promising young act to be showcased in a match or, if they’re heels, a merciless beat-down of a top star.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BzZR_tIBex5/

But apparently WWE thinks that appearing in a few meaningless skits is enough to get someone over. I can’t wait to see the Street Profits mixing it up with The Viking Raiders on Main Event in six months time.

The Day that Time Stood Still

Shane and Drew McIntyre came out to recap their feud with Roman Reigns and address the so-called “Undertaker Situation”. They ranted, they threatened, they played video packages. Eventually they got around to calling out Roman’s new friend, the Undertaker. I could almost feel my beard grow during this agonisingly long segment.

"Come #ExtremeRules, there will be no surprises, because we're gonna put #TheBigDog and #ThePhenom in the ground." – @shanemcmahon #RAW pic.twitter.com/67EkBac8Om

— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) July 2, 2019

Things got even slower as the Undertaker made his very deliberate entrance. As the geriatric legend made his way to the ring, I couldn’t help but wonder whether this pedestrian pace was an effort to generate a sense of foreboding or simply down to ‘Taker’s two replaced hips. Either way, it took way too long.

Once he made it to the ring though, things went from pedestrian to pedantic. The question on many minds after last week was why ‘The Deadman’ would interject himself in the Shane / Roman feud. Last night, The Undertaker explained that he had been “the Reaper of Wayward Souls for a long time and he was here to collect”.

It's simple: The #Undertaker is back to COLLECT the SOULS of @shanemcmahon and @DMcIntyreWWE. #RAW pic.twitter.com/zQmlZoh27S

— WWE (@WWE) July 2, 2019

It was a neat line that meant nothing. He then went on to explain that Shane had fallen victim to his own arrogance and that, while he may the best in this world, something… something… I honestly couldn’t bear to listen any longer after yet another wrestler suggested that SHANE MCMAHON might be the best professional wrestler in the world! For the love of God, people!

A Couple of Couples

Did you know that Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch are dating? But will their personal relationship affect their professional one? The drama is almost palpable.

This was the theme of a backstage conversation between Seth and Becky’s challengers at Extreme Rules, Baron Corbin and Lacey Evans. The pair claimed that they were the superior duo and would walk away from the pay-per-view in two weeks holding both championships. Lacey even went so far as to say that she’d make Seth regret becoming the Man’s man. Ohhh… snap!

UP NEXT: The #SassySouthernBelle @LaceyEvansWWE squares off against The #QueenOfHarts @NatbyNature! #RAW pic.twitter.com/bqLZMTffEx

— WWE (@WWE) July 2, 2019

We then cut back to ringside to see The Undertaker still making his exit from the arena. Can we please get this man a mobility scooter?

More 2-out-of-3 Falls Action

Elias and The Miz again met in a 2-out-of-3 falls match, much as they did last week.

This was fine, but it feels like we’ve seen dozens of these types of matches since Vince’s declaration that wrestling should no longer take place during commercial breaks. So instead we had the constant reminder on commentary that Raw will cut to commercial after the second fall (which happened about two minutes after the starting bell rang).

So why not just merge the first two falls into a decent length one fall match, instead of relying on this gimmicky nonsense? By making every encounter a 2-out-of-3 contest, it effectively means that Miz and Elias have wrestled each other six times in as many days. That’s way too many and conditions the audience to not care about anything that happens until the final fall.

EVERYBODY "WOOOOO!"@mikethemiz makes @IAmEliasWWE TAP OUT to the #Figure4️⃣ to earn the 2️⃣-1️⃣ VICTORY on #RAW! pic.twitter.com/rZTJ1eBwsO

— WWE (@WWE) July 2, 2019

In case you were wondering, Miz made Elias tap with the Figure-4 to claim victory. Which now takes the total tally between the pair to one victory apiece. Meaning that we can presumably expect a deciding 2-out-of-3 falls match again on SmackDown tonight?

The Wild Kanellisi

Charley Caruso held a microphone while Seth and Becky canoodled, play-fighting and otherwise rabble-rousing. It was nauseating. Every week that this brutal on-screen couple is featured, Becky’s character dies a little more.

You know who's not impressed by @WWERollins & @BeckyLynchWWE?@MariaLKanellis & @RealMikeBennett! #RAW pic.twitter.com/dfSnW61SiW

— WWE (@WWE) July 2, 2019

Thankfully, before we were forced to endure any more of their disgusting love, Mike and Maria Kanellis showed up! A few tense words later and a mixed tag match was arranged, pitting Rollins and Lynch against the Kanellises.

This is where things got… hella weird.

Seth beat up Mike, prompting Maria to grab a microphone and publicly chastise her husband. As Becky bounded around to tackle Mrs Kanellis, Maria shrieked that she was pregnant! Although she didn’t think that Mike could be the father because he wasn’t man enough to impregnate her. In fact, the only person man enough was ‘The Man’, Becky Lynch.

Wow. Welcome to the bottom of the pit, Mike Kanellis. Glad you signed that five-year deal. Have you met Jinder Mahal?

A Moment of Mind-Numbing, Infuriating Garbage

Alexa Bliss opened a Moment of Bliss by encouraging the audience to spare a thought for Bobby Lashley and Braun Strowman. Is she a heel?

She then introduced her BFF, Nikki Cross, as her guest this week. Alexa recapped Cross’s victory over Bayley last week, which secured Bliss another shot at Bayley’s SmackDown Women’s Title. This brought out Carmella, who attempted to opened Cross’s eyes to the manipulation she’s suffering at the hands of Bliss, by… manipulating Cross herself? Is Carmella the heel?

Safe to say @NikkiCrossWWE is excited to be on A #MomentOfBliss… #RAW pic.twitter.com/VeVSIgrIXu

— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) July 2, 2019

Regardless, a few horrendous lines of dialogue were exchanged between Bliss and Carmella, leading to a match between the two. Which Carmella won in four seconds. Boy, I sure can’t wait for that championship match between Bliss and Bayley now!

Agonisingly, the segment didn’t end there though. As Raw returned from commercial break, we learned that another match had been booked between Carmella and Nikki Cross. After a short contest, Cross won. And literally no one in the arena reacted. This storyline couldn’t possibly get any worse.

Or so I thought. A short while later, Sarah Schreiber caught up with a celebrating Bliss and Cross, and told them that Bayley supposedly wants to face Cross instead of Bliss at Extreme Rules. Okay, this storyline just got worse.

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Overall Rating for the Show (From best to worst: RawSome, Cor, AvRAWge, Poor and Rawful)

While not necessarily a great show last night, Raw was at a bare minimum certainly eventful. On Paul Heyman’s first night in charge of the red brand, it felt as if the safety wheels had been removed and the writing staff was given the freedom to stretch their creative legs for a bit.

And stretch they did. Street Profits had a quasi-debut on the main roster, The Undertaker answered Shane McMahon’s call-out, AJ Styles turned heel, and Maria Kanellis is pregnant… and Becky Lynch might be the father!

Damnnnnn Maria 😳😍 @MariaLKanellis

— LIV Morgan (@YaOnlyLivvOnce) July 2, 2019

Look beyond the sheer zaniness of last night’s Raw however and the cracks begin to show. The entire show, and the main event scene in particular, revolved around relationships – be it Kofi saving his friend from an attack, the Good Brothers corrupting AJ Styles, Cross usurping her mentor, Drake Maverick forsaking his marriage, Becky and Seth ratifying their romance with their professional lives, and the Kanellises hitting the rocks over an unborn child.

It was wild. The issue is sadly though, that with few exceptions, none of those relationships are very interesting. And in some instances they can be downright damaging for those involved. Becky and Seth in particular feel like each week they’re slipping further down a rabbit hole leading to nowhere. Just a short time ago they were ‘Beast Slayer’ and ‘The Man’… now they’re the foil to a soap opera-style Kanellis pregnancy reveal. With only Baron Corbin and Lacey Evans on the horizon.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BzTfu50Hti5/

That sort of contrived drama has a place and a time. That place is the 24/7 Title scene, and the time is around five minutes at the end of the show’s first hour. Other than that, Raw would be best served showcasing some of its wrestling… and perhaps more insane opening segments like the one last night.

Overall, although the future is noticeably brighter, Raw this week remained a low AvRAWge / high Poor.

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• review
• RAW
• paul heyman
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