It’s time for a wrestling admission I haven’t made since last week’s Raw: I was wrong.
I was wrong to doubt Randy Orton and Edge. I was wrong to belittle, to malign, to mock. Was it the greatest wrestling match ever? Of course not. But their match at Backlash was pretty darn great (even with the laughable crowd noises being piped in) and far exceeded my expectations. Randy worked harder than he has in about a decade. The emotion felt visceral and narratively consistent. And even at 45 minutes, the action never dragged – not for a second.
Now, my oversized ego won’t allow me to make such an embarrassing confession without compensating with a little “I told you so”. And so, to piece my shattered confidence back together, I remind you that Backlash was an absolute train wreck apart from the main event. Just as I predicted it would be!
Asuka was railroaded into a disastrous result in her first real title defence. What should have been a routine victory was instead compromised (apparently through last-minute changes) into a senseless double count-out that served nobody. Bobby Lashley was done no favours by his wife’s interference in the WWE Title match. And whatever that Street Profits / Viking Raiders abomination was… well, it involved a literal trash octopus. So I’m barely prepared to acknowledge that even existed.
All of this is to say that Raw had some toys to fix – as well as reason to celebrate. For the first time in months, I was actually excited to find out what lay in store for Randy Orton. Especially given Edge’s untimely injury. So, to find out how the show got back on course, let’s get to the review.
The Best of Raw
The Greatest Wrestler Ever
After Sunday’s events, Randy Orton reminded us that he had won the Greatest Wrestling Match Ever – an event which made him, by extension, the Greatest Wrestler Ever. And he didn’t need a Championship to prove it. By defeating Edge, Randy had returned to his ‘Legend Killer’ days.
He laughed off Edge’s injury and vowed to see him again in nine years time. This triggered the entrance of Christian, who stood up for his friend, promising that he would be back sooner than expected.
Orton countered that Christian’s appearance had nothing to do with the ‘Rated R Superstar’ and was instead about the Canadian’s selfish desire for “one more match” – a lovely callback to the pair’s feud over the World Heavyweight Title almost a decade ago. The added historical layer lent some real weight to proceedings and provided some neat continuity for long-time fans.
Does @Christian4Peeps want ONE … MORE … MATCH bad enough to face @RandyOrton in an #UnsanctionedMatch TONIGHT?! #WWERaw pic.twitter.com/1QOcHQ1ywO
— WWE (@WWE) June 16, 2020
Knowing that Christian was not medically cleared to compete, Orton offered him the opportunity for an “unsanctioned match”. The offer expired by the end of Raw though, which created an awesome show-long arc. The prospect of Christian’s first match in over six years, after a series of concussions forced him into premature retirement, was more than enough to hold interest.
It’s also a welcome decision to not have Orton jump immediately into the WWE Championship fray. He’s always done his best work when given a dense, personal story to work with. And Christian fulfils that much better than Drew McIntyre at this stage.
Dominik is Part of the Problem
Seth Rollins’ promo was preceded by a video package recapping his feud with Rey Mysterio. Apparently it’s canon now that Seth was in a catatonic state when he attacked Mysterio because of the loss he suffered to Drew McIntyre the night before. It had nothing to do with Becky Lynch’s pregnancy announcement. At least we finally have an explanation, I suppose.
He revealed that Rey had not taken him up on his offer to appear on Raw, but that he’d received word that Dominik was in the arena. Rey popped up on the titantron and Seth informed him that Austin Theory and Murphy were on the hunt for the junior Mysterio. He would try to make him see the light and recruit him into his flock. But if Dominik refused to be a part of the solution, then he was part of the problem.
HE'S FOUND YOU, @WWERollins!#WWERaw @35_Dominik pic.twitter.com/XqeJqoHsKC
— WWE (@WWE) June 16, 2020
While Rey pleaded for the safety of his son, Dominik appeared from out of nowhere to blindside Seth. With Theory and Murphy sprinting to their leader’s aid, Dominik showed some impressive agility to evade their grasp and escape through the crowd.
I still have no idea what Seth is talking about when he refers to these vague notions of “sacrifice”, “greater good” or “solution”. I just wish his motives were a little clearer. But the feud with Dominik is fresh and exciting. And based off of this display, it appears the young Mysterio could well prove skilful enough to cause Rollins some problems.
‘R-Truth Two Belts’
After running into R-Truth and Drew McIntyre backstage, MVP and Bobby Lashley challenged the pair to a “Winner Take All’ match with both the WWE Title and 24/7 Championship on the line.
Drew was a bit reticent given the possibility of losing his Title without being pinned, but R-Truth hastily accepted. He was excited by the proposition of becoming ‘R-Truth Two Belts’, clearly misunderstanding the stipulation. He’s the best.
? WEEEEEEEEE ARE THE CHAMPIONS, WEEEEEEEEEEEE ARE THE CHAMPIONS ?#WWERaw @RonKillings @DMcIntyreWWE pic.twitter.com/v2TrWxc95g
— WWE (@WWE) June 16, 2020
The match itself was also fairly enjoyable, premised on McIntyre’s concern that Truth may cost him his WWE Championship. But after a fun few minutes, McIntyre hit MVP with the Claymore, tagged in his partner and R-Truth scored the pinfall.
Christian’s Conundrum
Throughout the night, Christian agonised over whether to accept Randy Orton’s challenge. He made a phone call, consulted with Big Show and ultimately – when pressed by Charley Caruso – announced that he would be fighting Randy.
I wish this had been drawn out a little longer, rather than dropped halfway through the second hour. And also that his announcement had been made in a more dynamic way than in an interview with Caruso. But I guess that’s what makes her such an ace reporter – she gets all the big scoops.
Ric Flair tried to talk Christian out of certain injury. I have no idea why a 70-year-old man with recent health concerns would be allowed into the building during a pandemic, but it’s WWE. So I guess that’s my answer.
The ‘Nature Boy’ assured him that his wife and the locker room wouldn’t hold it against him if he simply walked away. But Christian was resolute – he couldn’t let Orton get away with everything he did to Edge.
The Snake Poisons a Legend
When Randy Orton made his entrance for the night’s main event with just four minutes left in the broadcast, it was clear that something shady was going to go down. It was equally noticeable that, while commentary kept putting over that Christian wasn’t cleared to compete, they never specifically told the viewer why. Apparently “concussions” are taboo.
As the match was about to get underway, Ric Flair came down to make his final pitch to save Christian. The Canadian wasn’t to be swayed however, and faced Orton.
"I finished the last chapter of @EdgeRatedR's redemption. I don't want to finish the last chapter of yours … but I HAD TO."#WWERaw @RandyOrton pic.twitter.com/SvMobnO8ON
— WWE (@WWE) June 16, 2020
Then the inevitable happened. Flair cracked Christian right in the maple leafs in an act of vile deception. With Christian unable to defend himself, Orton punted him straight in the head (accompanied by a well-timed thigh slap).
He picked up the pin and yelled at an unconscious Christian that everything that happened – to him and to Edge – was Christian’s fault. Orton didn’t want to do it.
This was a familiar refrain from Randy and not altogether interesting in itself. But I am intrigued to understand Flair’s role in all of this. Is he now aligned with the ‘Viper’? And will we see more of him going forward?
The Worst of Raw
The Breakup and Reformation of the Vegaboys
Is there a worse faction in all of wrestling than the Vegaboys? Several months ago, Zelina Vega assembled the immensely talented trio of Andrade, Angel Garza and Austin Theory. All they’ve done since then however is lose, bicker amongst themselves and shed members.
This week Angel Garza was set to continue his rivalry with Kevin Owens. Seconds into the bout, Andrade marched out. He got into a bit of a verbal with Garza and Vega angrily announced that she was done with them before leaving ringside. The two lads looked confused, as if their disfunction hadn’t already resulted in Zelina getting clobbered twice in recent weeks.
Hey, @AndradeCienWWE & @AngelGarzaWwe …
You've gone and made @Zelina_VegaWWE ????? #WWERaw pic.twitter.com/piLN6oVaGD
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) June 16, 2020
The match rolled on, Andrade distracted Garza accidentally and Kevin Owens hit the Stunner to win. Then, because nothing brings people together quite like a loss, Zelina returned to the ring and tried to unify her gormless troops.
This faction is such a monumental waste of talent. They couldn’t win a Battle Royal with 15 Blue Meanies. What made it worse was that Garza’s music played the trio up the ramp. Losers shouldn’t get their music played just because they’re leaving the ring!
A Breakup Everyone Saw Coming
MVP blamed Lana for costing Bobby Lashley the WWE Championship at Backlash. Lana pointed the finger right back at MVP, calling him cancer to her and Bobby’s relationship. She had gotten divorced for Bobby. She had become a brunette for him! Huh?
After some more bickering, Lashley eventually got fed up. He said Lana had used him – she retorted that Lashley wasn’t famous enough to be used.
"I WANT A DIVORCE."@fightbobby ? @LanaWWE#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/8mA1aB3xqj
— WWE (@WWE) June 16, 2020
This was all unremarkable nonsense that finally ended with Bobby demanding a divorce, while the NXT audience chanted “Jerry Springer”. In 2020. For goodness sake!
Then Tom Phillips had the audacity to claim he didn’t see this coming. Raw has been forcing this split for weeks, but the brand’s lead commentator “didn’t see it coming“. Get off it.
Big Ninja Meets Big Show
If there was one aspect from Backlash I hoped would be relegated to the Vault of Terrible Ideas, it was the awful, horrendous, disgusting segment featuring the Street Profits and Viking Raiders. But alas, it wasn’t to be so.
What exactly is going through @Erik_WWE's mind? #WWERaw pic.twitter.com/dKL2G9L01k
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) June 16, 2020
Both teams were backstage when they were confronted by Akira Tozawa, who’s just a straight-up ninja now. This blatant racial stereotype just has no place in modern times, especially in today’s climate. Tozawa was backed up by the “Big Ninja” (who is admittedly massive).
Without any words being exchanged, it was somehow understood that the troupe of ninjas would face the Viking Raiders and Street Profits in eight-man action. The unmasked team dispatched of the ninjas in about 20 seconds.
Then it got immeasurably worse. Actually no, not immeasurably – about seven feet and 500 pounds worse.
How do you combat a BIG NINJA?
With a BIG SHOW, of course!#WWERaw @WWETheBigShow pic.twitter.com/c9xlGDU8UF
— WWE (@WWE) June 16, 2020
The Big Ninja squared off in the middle of the ring and Big Show emerged FOR ABSOLUTELY NO LOGICAL REASON! Alongside the Street Profits and Viking Raiders, he took out the Big Ninja. Later in the night, Big Show suggested that the two teams settle the score in a wrestling match next week on Raw. What a novel idea.
It’s clear that this storyline is being written by a group of nine-year-olds hopped up on half-gallon drums of Skittles.
A Halfhearted Challenge
The IIconics have a unique talk-to-wrestle ratio unlike other Raw talents. In that I want them to talk significantly more than they wrestle.
This week they did zero talking prior to their match against Natalya and Liv Morgan – who I didn’t even realise were a team now. When did that happen?!
Liv had the visual pin but the official was distracted. Seconds later, the IIconics pinned Morgan. After the match, Billie Kay and Peyton Royce finally took to the mic. They knew Bayley and Sasha Banks were in the building and demanded a shot at the Women’s Tag Team Titles. But the champs didn’t come out, so the IIconics just shrugged and said they’d arrange the match for next week instead.
Oh, they mean business.
The #IIconics @BillieKayWWE & @PeytonRoyceWWE want @SashaBanksWWE & @itsBayleyWWE for the @WWE #WomensTagTitles NEXT WEEK on #WWERaw! pic.twitter.com/Wo7QbEzMF3
— WWE (@WWE) June 16, 2020
What an absolute load of nonsense. I have no idea why Liv needed the visual pin when you’re trying to establish the other team as title contenders. I don’t know why a title match would be teased so halfheartedly, when it could’ve just been set up for next week without making the challengers look like total goofs. There were just so many easily avoidable mistakes here. Not least of which is that Liv Morgan’s push seems to have evaporated.
Nattie Finds a Friend
Backstage, Natalya berated Liv for unknown reasons. Did I miss the part where Liv was responsible for their loss?
Morgan stormed off in a huff, leaving Nattie to rush through a few lines to no-one in particular, claiming that she built the division but got no respect. Lana popped up from a bunch of crates behind her, commiserating with Nattie’s plight. Natalya said she knew how Lana felt.
Common bonds?#WWERaw @NatbyNature @LanaWWE pic.twitter.com/yoMkrzqwdx
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) June 16, 2020
Is Natalya a heel now? Is Lana a babyface? This was all very strange.
Charlotte Has a Plan
Ric Flair was hanging out with Charlotte backstage, desperately wanting to know what was next on the agenda for his daughter. He knew that there must be someone getting under the ‘Queen’s skin.
The WOOER becomes the WOOEE.#WWERaw @MsCharlotteWWE @RicFlairNatrBoy pic.twitter.com/ddauBn2f6x
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) June 16, 2020
Charlotte simply “Whoo-ed” and told her dad she does what she wants. They shared a knowing smile. Does anyone working for Raw ever ask themselves what purpose these sorts of segments serve?
Crews Sails Solo
Apollo Crews had a nothing US Title defence against Shelton Benjamin, which he won easily. Also, his entrance theme now starts with a massive cry of “APOLLO!”. He’s the Jason Derulo of wrestling.
Prior to the match, MVP had attempted to recruit Crews, but was quickly turned down. His proposition would be a lot more enticing if he had a proven record of winning. But it’s a lot less interesting when his only client, Lashley, just gets beaten up by McIntyre every week.
So Good, They Tried It Twice
It was unclear why WWE had decided to have Asuka and Nia Jax go to a double count-out on Sunday. But that reason was soon revealed – it was so that they could repeat the match on Raw! You see, it makes perfect sense.
Thankfully, this encounter was significantly better… if not more decisive. Asuka frantically chopped down Jax, but got caught with a Samoan Drop. Her leg was under the rope through, so the match continued.
Ummmmmmm, WHAT is @NiaJaxWWE thinking?! #WWERaw pic.twitter.com/Cf1RD8nRWl
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) June 16, 2020
Jax was enraged that she hadn’t been able to pick up the win, so shoved the official. John Cone was about to call for the disqualification when Asuka rolled up the challenger. The referee sprinted back into position and, with a clear quick-count, called the match in Asuka’s favour.
So it seems that Jax has a semi-legitimate gripe, although not entirely, because she was about to be disqualified when the screwy pin occurred. Regardless, I imagine this feud is set to continue.
One Match to Rule Them All
Bayley and Sasha Banks made a surprise appearance after leaving the IIconics’ challenge earlier in the night unanswered. They were there to ensure victory over Shotzi Blackheart and Tegan Nox on NXT midweek, when they were interrupted by the Aussies.
The IIconics demanded to know whether Bayley and Banks accept their challenge for a title match next week. After some jabs were exchanged, Kay slapped Banks and Bayley angrily accepted on behalf of the Champions. Banks looked upset that Bayley had jumped the gun, furthering tensions between the pair.
Did The #IIconics @BillieKayWWE & @PeytonRoyceWWE just get their wish for a @WWE #WomensTagTitles match? #WWERaw pic.twitter.com/Jy4ru160Lx
— WWE (@WWE) June 16, 2020
So we’re on for a title match between Banks & Bayley and The IIconics on Raw next week. I guess the match against Blackheart and Nox is a foregone conclusion then.
Overall Rating for the Show (From best to worst: RAWsome, Cor, AvRAWge, Poor and RAWful)
Coming out of Backlash, it felt like Raw had a thousand things it needed to address. That frantic feeling wasn’t aided by the decision to also create a hundred further issues that didn’t exist previously.
Issues like the Big Show’s unexpected and entirely pointless appearance. Or whatever Natalya’s latest identity crisis is.
Make no mistake, there was some good this week. Christian’s agonising return to the ring and Drew McIntyre’s continued dominance chief among them. But they were just obscured by so much unnecessary distraction. It’s sad that Raw couldn’t be more disciplined. The lack of focus brought it down to an AvRAWge this week.
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