WWE Raw – June 8, 2020 (Review)

You know when you see something oddly familiar, yet weirdly out of place? I swear this has something to do with Raw.

Like a billboard for How I Met Your Mother in the centre of Moscow. Or your awkward cousin who you haven’t seen since they ate too much spaghetti at the family gathering ten years ago and threw up in the park bushes, only to find out now that they’re a catalogue model for a high-end retailer. How the hell did that happen, Tom?

Anyway, that’s how I feel about Raw (see, told you this was related). Ever since the global pandemic caused us to lose crowds, Monday nights feel like a pale imitation of its former self. Which in turn felt like a pale imitation of its glory days at the turn of the century. Kind of like the New Democrats in the Canadian election. Political slam!

The final #WWERaw before #WWEBacklash is 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

🔴 @The305MVP hosts @fightbobby in the #VIPLounge

🔴 The #StreetProfits vs. The #VikingRaiders in a DECATHLON

🔴 @Christian4Peeps hosts @EdgeRatedR on #ThePeepShow pic.twitter.com/SNHkrVm5zY

— WWE (@WWE) June 9, 2020

It’s all felt a little unimaginative, like we’re just trying to get through this as painlessly as possible until the crowds are allowed to return. And that’s sad because even without the ambient noise, WWE stars have proven to be capable of sculpting entertainment from very little. All you need to do is watch their Youtube or Twitch channels to see how charismatic and funny they can be.

But the way to do that isn’t through overly long matches that mean shocking little in the larger scheme of things. It’s through shorter, meaningful, action-packed contests and a series of inventive skits. It’s like the old saying goes: “Long match put fans in a sour patch. Short skit, worth every bit.”

And so this week’s Raw preview provided reason for optimism. With only one match and five non-wrestling segments promised, perhaps there would be a slightly better flow to this week’s programming. One without long, tiresome matches to bog it down. But, as always, the proof was in the pudding. On that note, let’s get to the review.

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The Best of Raw

Christian Finds Out Where His Peeps Are At

Prior to the long-awaited return of the Peep Show, Randy Orton indicated to Charly Caruso that he may crash Edge’s planned interview. Although apparently his suggestion was too subtle for Caruso, who had no idea what Randy was talking about, so he was forced to repeat it in more definitive terms. Christ almighty, this company.

Most of my annoyance was eradicated though when Christian’s music hit. What a theme! Then Edge entered, the two friends embraced and the world felt alright for the first time in months.

"If @EdgeRatedR isn't going to show up at #WWEBacklash, then step through these ropes, and go home right now!" – @Christian4Peeps #WWERaw pic.twitter.com/KDH6nLIIRD

— WWE (@WWE) June 9, 2020

Christian, however, wasn’t in the mood to entertain this “greatest wrestling match ever” malarky. He thought Edge was running on fumes and questioned whether he could’ve pulled off the best ever match even in his prime. All fair points, despite the gasps coming from the NXT stars at ringside.

He demanded to know where Edge’s belief was. How the doubt had crept in. When Edge came back, it was never going to be enough to just run through his greatest hits and flash the odd smile. He needed to show the resolve he possessed over a decade ago, to believe that he was still the best.

Randy appeared on the screen to announce that at Backlash he would bring Edge’s run to an end and send him back to his wife, broken and beaten. Edge set his jaw, locked eyes with the ‘Viper’ and proclaimed: “No, you won’t.” This was all awesome. Man, I’ve missed Christian.

The ‘Empress’ and The ‘Queen’ Take the Reigns

I’m conflicted about how to feel about the main event. On the one hand, the match between Charlotte and Asuka was naturally incredible. It always is, they’re phenomenal. But on the other hand, it’s becoming increasingly evident that the only things capable of surviving the looming apocalypse are single-celled organisms, cockroaches and the ‘Queen’. Likely still racking up title wins over what’s left of our crumbling society.

Charlotte has permeated Monday, Wednesday and Friday nights like the ‘2-for-1 seafood special’ at Dave’s Grill downtown. I’ll admit that’s a very local reference, but you get the point. She’s always there and leaves you feeling a bit ill.

I-I-C-O-N-I-C.

@BillieKayWWE & @PeytonRoyceWWE just laid out @SashaBanksWWE & @itsBayleyWWE during #CharlottevsAsuka! #WWERaw pic.twitter.com/GpOotAqd6e

— WWE (@WWE) June 9, 2020

 

The quality of this encounter too was undermined by Raw’s tendency to overbook these things. Bayley and Sasha Banks joined commentary at ringside for no reason other than it meant the cameras were there to catch them getting blindsided by The IIconics. Why are these programs overlapping so clumsily?

Banks, Bayley and The IIconics were all banished from ringside during the break, making their initial presence all the more pointless in relation to the actual match playing out in the ring. Speaking of which, Charlotte and Asuka remain a cut above the rest on Raw. If it weren’t for their supreme quality, I would’ve given up on this entire segment ages ago.

It was a smooth back-and-forth, brimming with hard-hitting moments which quickly changed the course of the contest. But I couldn’t shake the fear that Nia would get involved, much as she did last week.

Don't try to spoil this party, @NiaJaxWWE!#WWERaw #CharlottevsAsuka @WWEAsuka pic.twitter.com/72K0IOuiI3

— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) June 9, 2020

And wouldn’t you know it, after 15 great minutes, Nia sprinted out. The ‘Irresistible Force’ distracted Asuka, allowing Charlotte to land a massive kick for the three-count. Except it wasn’t a three-count because Asuka clearly got her shoulder up at two. It appeared to be a mistake however, as neither the commentators nor the replay drew attention to it. Then, after the bell, Nia delivered a Samoan Drop to her Backlash opponent.

Even despite the dismal conclusion, I have to appreciate the quality of the match. At least it had a finish this time (kinda).

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The Worst of Raw

So Much For Promises

I mentioned in the introduction that there was only one match that had been promoted in the lead-up to Raw. That, of course, was a rematch of last week’s underwhelming encounter between Asuka and Charlotte.

Now, did I want to see that match again? No. But did I expect WWE to stick to its promised rundown? Well, also no. They never do. But that doesn’t mean it’s not disappointing when they so blatantly have no idea what’s going on.

LET'S DO THIS.

We have ourselves a #TripleThreat Tag Team Match lined up here on #WWERaw pitting @MsCharlotteWWE & @WWEAsuka against @itsBayleyWWE & @SashaBanksWWE and #TheIIconics @BillieKayWWE & @PeytonRoyceWWE! pic.twitter.com/Lry0dHo9TY

— WWE (@WWE) June 9, 2020

So, after an opening segment in which we stuck to the usual formula of one act interrupting the last, the advertised singles match was augmented by the addition of a tag team triple threat. Bayley and Sasha Banks vs. Asuka and Charlotte vs. The IIconics. This, of course, to build to the tag team triple threat at Backlash which features two of these three teams. And Asuka and Charlotte were also involved for some reason.

After an admittedly fun, chaotic contest, Asuka cleared house and submitted Billie Kay. Apparently no one bothered to consider the optics of having the most dysfunctional, stitched-together duo defeat the current tag champions and one of the top contenders. These tag belts really are such a joke.

After the bell, Charlotte attacked Asuka and held the Raw Women’s Title aloft, immediately placing her in championship contention, definitively proving that it’s possible to lose upwards in WWE. This company, man.

The Messiah of ‘Meh’

Rey Mysterio was due for another video interview, updating fans on his injured eye. Spoiler, it’s still the same as last week.

But this time the interview was hijacked by Seth Rollins, who invited Mysterio to Raw next week so that he could prove to Rey that his sacrifice was for the greater good. I still have absolutely no idea what Rollins is talking about. I’ve appreciated all the biblical references, but sometimes they can get a little cryptic when forced. It would be helpful if Seth could give the slightest indication of what “greater good” Mysterio is serving by sitting on his couch at home.

DIDN'T SEE THAT COMING!#WWERaw @WWEAleister @WWERollins pic.twitter.com/4w2XnSeRru

— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) June 9, 2020

Then, as if to prove that nothing tied together, Aleister Black appeared from nowhere to tackle Rollins. After the break, Black and Carrillo took on Murphy and Austin Theory with Seth Rollins nowhere to be found. WHAT?

As it was last week, the tag between these four men was outstanding. And, also much like last week, Black pinned one of Seth’s disciples – this week it was Murphy. But before they could celebrate the victory, the babyfaces were distracted by Rey Mysterio’s entrance music.

THAT'S not @reymysterio … right?#WWERaw @WWERollins pic.twitter.com/WYeuEgzyOd

— WWE (@WWE) June 9, 2020

However, out walked Seth Rollins in a Mysterio mask. As little effort went into this misdirection, it was nevertheless enough for Murphy and Theory to get the jump on Black and Carrillo. They beat them up and Seth stomped Black’s cranium into the canvass. All of this felt very much like a re-run of last week. I didn’t like it then either.

The Tag Team Decathlon

The Viking Raiders and Street Profits continued their outside-the-ring rivalry with the much anticipated decathlon this week. Except it wasn’t your usual, Olympic sanctioned decathlon. The Street Profits selected the traditional athletic exploits, while the Viking Raiders proposed utter nonsense. There was turkey leg eating contests, sword fighting and dance contests.

Let the DECATHLON begin!#WWERaw @MontezFordWWE @AngeloDawkins @Erik_WWE @Ivar_WWE pic.twitter.com/9QP6xXhl5L

— WWE (@WWE) June 9, 2020

This decathlon was decidedly better than the bowling last week, although still nowhere near what can be classified as “good”. It just took far too long to complete and featured too many repeated jokes that were played out weeks ago.

I did enjoy Ivar bursting through every hurdle and Montez Ford’s comedic leap during the pole-vault event. But it wasn’t enough to carry an overlong segment, at the end of which the scores were level at 5-5. So I suppose we’re getting more of this next week or perhaps just skipping to a match on Sunday.

Stuck on Repeat

Kevin Owens, Andrade and Angel Garza competed in a triple threat, with a shot at Apollo Crews on the line. It didn’t take long for the two heels to turn on one another though and when Zelina Vega attempted to be the voice of reason, they accidentally knocked her over. And we cut to commercial break. It feels like every week Zelina Vega takes a tumble and we cut to commercials.

https://twitter.com/WWEUniverse/status/1270166864069525504

Compounding the deja vu nature of it all was that, once again, this angle didn’t lead to anything. Vega was helped to the back and the match went on for another 10 minutes.

The exchanges were impressive, but hampered by all of the surrounding rubbish. Eventually KO hit Garza with a Stunner, only for Andrade to kick Owens and claim the pin for himself. So Andrade moves on to face Apollo Crews at Backlash, in a match we’ve already seen twice in the last month.

Too Important to be a VIP

Drew McIntyre appeared on the VIP Lounge to further stoke the flames of his pending clash with Bobby Lashley at Backlash. Didn’t we have this EXACT setup two weeks ago on SmackDown?

#WWEChampion @DMcIntyreWWE's guide to the combined World Championship wins for @fightbobby and @The305MVP:#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/m00Xcnic1k

— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) June 9, 2020

McIntyre spoke about the devastation of the Claymore, MVP countered by hyping up the effects of Lashley’s Full Nelson. It appeared that the WWE Champion was about to demonstrate the power of the Claymore on MVP but Lashley snuck up behind him. Before things got out of hand, the Viking Raiders (soon followed by the Street Profits) ran down in advance of their match against Lashley and MVP.

Drew again demonstrated the cool swagger of the company’s top star, but this segment failed to do anything to advance the title feud. It all just too closely resembled the exact same segment we saw a couple of weeks ago.

After the break, we got an eminently boring matchup between the Viking Raiders and MVP & Lashley. The camera cut to Lana watching intently backstage – she did nothing. The Street Profits were sitting ringside cheering on the Viking Raiders – they did nothing. Drew McIntyre was also ringside, casting a watchful eye at Lashley – he did nothing.

How do you break @fightbobby's Full Nelson?

Simple. Claymore.#WWERaw @DMcIntyreWWE pic.twitter.com/irGcClW0Z7

— WWE (@WWE) June 9, 2020

Ultimately, Lashley locked in the Full Nelson on Erik for the win. He then did the same to Ivar and it took the combined might of the Street Profits and McIntyre to get him to release it. So, once again, an established tag team working their way into title contention is sacrificed to an unproven duo with no designs on the tag belts. Everyone loses.

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

I started this review by mentioning the familiar and how it can grow stale. It appears that Raw didn’t share that opinion as virtually everything on the show was either something we’d seen before or built to a future match we’d already seen before.

Drew McIntyre appeared in the VIP Lounge much as he had done a couple of weeks ago. Asuka clashed with Charlotte in a rematch of last week’s encounter. Nia interrupted, just as she had done on that occasion. Aleister Black and Humberto Carrillo had another match with Seth Rollins’ cronies. Andrade is set to take on Apollo Crews… again.

#WWEBacklash will indeed be the GREATEST show this Sunday.

❌ @EdgeRatedR vs. @RandyOrton

❌ #WWEChampion @DMcIntyreWWE vs. @fightbobby

❌ #UniversalChampion @BraunStrowman vs. @mikethemiz & @TheRealMorrison

❌ #TripleThreat Match for WWE #WomensTagTitles pic.twitter.com/tMQ9PHwUwI

— WWE Network (@WWENetwork) June 9, 2020

We had seen all of these permutations previously, albeit that they produced good-to-great results the first time around. That sort of ‘reheated dinner’ approach simply doesn’t cut it in a world of diminishing returns. Viewers want things to feel fresh – for programs to feel like they’re progressing – instead of being served the same stale angles every week. Raw was particularly guilty of that this week, in a show that can be considered no better than Poor.

Share your thoughts on Raw with us on Twitter and visit Wrestletalk to always stay up-to-date on all the latest wrestling news.

• June 8 2020
• review
• RAW
• wwe

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