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WWE RAW Recap: Lesnar and Joe can’t save Raw from tumbling downhill

Published

6 years ago

June 13, 2017

The Big Takeaway:

WWE went up against Game 5 of the NBA Finals and knowing full well that Raw was going to take a huge hit in the ratings, WWE threw in the white towel after the opening segment between Brock Lesnar and Samoa Joe. The main event ended in a draw and neither Roman Reigns or Finn Balor appeared on the show.

WWE Monday Night Raw Results:

WWE showed a recap of last week’s big angle when Joe trapped Paul Heyman in the Coquina Clutch.

In-Ring: Brock Lesnar, Samoa Joe and Paul Heyman

Lesnar and Heyman came out to open the show. Heyman cut a promo on Joe, calling him a punk and admitting that it felt painful being locked in the Coquina Clutch. But then said that Joe isn’t man enough to put the Coquina Clutch on Lesnar. Joe came out and squared off with Lesnar. They both brawled back-and-forth until Kurt Angle came out and ordered security guards to break it up but that didn’t work. Angle ordered the Raw roster to come out as about 16 WWE superstars held Joe and Lesnar away from each other.

A good opening segment as WWE continues to make Joe look strong heading into his championship match at Great Balls of Fire.

Elias Samson was in the ring as he asked the fans “Who wants to walk with Elias?” Samson then stung his guitar and sang a song as the WWE Universe booed loudly.

Elias Samson def. Dean Ambrose

Dean Ambrose delivered a running clothsline, followed it up with a Fisherman’s suplex and a suicide dive to the floor. The match continued as Samson teased a superplex from the top turnbuckle but Ambrose countered with headbutts as the Miz and Maryse ran down. Miz caused a distraction as Samson went for the schoolboy but Ambrose kicked out. Ambrose delivered a rebound clothsline to Samson and then chased Miz around the floor. Ambrose threw the Miz into the barricade. Ambrose and Maryse were yelling at each other as the referee was in the ring counting. Ambrose just made it back into the ring as Samson delivered a double knees to the back and a swinging neckbreaker for the win.

A fine match as Samson has been good since getting called up. (Raw is holding steady at this point)

Backstage: Goldust Promo

Goldust cut another old-school promo saying that R-Truth claimed that they were friends and brothers. But Goldust said R-Truth never understood him and the Golden Age was back.

Backstage: Kurt Angle, The Miz & Maryse

Angle was furious at the Miz for ruining the match. Miz said Ambrose was lucky that’s all that happened to him as Maryse was still upset over what happened to the Grandfather clock. Miz wanted Ambrose suspended or fired but Angle said he was going to do nothing about it.

Backstage: Noam Dar, Cedric Alexander & (Alica Fox via Face Time)

Dar and Fox had a conversation backstage via Face Time as Alexander walked in. Alexander said this was the last time he’s wrestling Dar and doesn’t want to deal with Fox again.

This was lame. (Raw has hit a bump on the road)

Cedric Alexander def. Noam Dar

Dar came down to the ring and was still arguing with Fox on the phone. Alexander won with the Lumbar Check as Fox was still arguing on the phone.

(Raw is beginning to tumble down a hill)

Roman Reigns Video Package:

Roman Reigns will announce his big SummerSlam plans next week. WWE also aired a Finn Balor video package during the show.

Bray Wyatt appeared on the titantron and cut a short spooky promo. Then blew out his lantern and said “He’s here”

In-Ring: Bray Wyatt & Seth Rollins

After cutting a short spooky promo, Wyatt came out and cut a longer spooky promo. Wyatt said who dares speaks blasphemy of his name will be punished like Seth Rollins who came out. Rollins questioned why Wyatt would cost him a match because he called Wyatt a few name? Rollins and Wyatt continued to cut a promo on each other until Wyatt’s titantron played and he vanished. Wyatt then appeared on the screen told Rollins to face his fears and run.

Rollins is one of the best wrestlers in the WWE and should pull out a good match against Wyatt but having said that this segment dragged.

Backstage: Charly Caruso interviewed Matt and Jeff Hardy

Matt said that Sheamus and Cesaro are the toughest team that have faced and Jeff said they would break the bar tonight.

Apollo Crews (w/Titus O’Neil) def. Kalisto

Akira Tozawa sat in the front row as he was a guest of O’Neil who’s trying expand the Titus Brand internationally. Crews pinned Kalisto with a spinout power bomb. After the match O’Neil took a selfie with Crews and Tozawa. Crews had a nice smile but Tozawa didn’t know what to make of this.

Remember when Kalisto defeated Braun Strowman in a Dumpster Match on the Raw before WWE Payback? Yeah.. Still questioning why that happened?

Backstage: The Miz, Maryse, Heath Slather & Rhyno

Rhyno and Slater were eating crackers backstage when the Miz and Maryse approached them. Miz wanted Slater to join his entourage. Slater said he always wanted to become Intercontinental Champion. Miz said to join him and one day he will receive a title shot. Rhyno said Slater already has a partner and for Miz to find a partner for his match tonight.

In-Ring: Alexa Bliss, Nia Jax, Sasha Banks, Emma, Mickie James & Dana Brooke

Bliss came out and said she defeated Bayley at Extreme Rules and Jax the following night on Raw. Jax came out and said Bliss promised her a chance at the Raw Women’s title. Bliss said that Brooke and James ruined the match. Brooke and James came out and cut a promo on Bliss. Emma returned and got a good reaction. Emma said she’s here to take her place on top of the division. Banks came out as the WWE Universe chanted her name. Banks cut a promo and then attacked Bliss which led to a match.

Sasha Banks, Mickie James & Dana Brooke def. Emma, Nia Jax and Raw Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss via Submission

Banks threw Emma into Jax and attempted to tag in Bliss who stepped off the apron and walked to the back. James delivered a Thesz Press Plancha to Jax on the floor. Emma went for the schoolgirl cradle but Banks countered and applied a Bank Statement as Emma tapped out.

Backstage: Corey Graves interviewed Bayley

Bayley said the Kendo Stick on a Pole match at Extreme Rules was meant to hurt the opponent but she’s never been in a situation like that. Bayley said she wants to be the best and her goal is to go into WrestleMania next year as the Raw Women’s Champion. Bayley hugged Graves to end the interview. Graves looked liked he wanted nothing to do with the hug.

Heath Slater & Rhyno def. The Miz and a bear

The Miz mystery partner was the bear from last week’s skit. The bear came down to the ring in a tricycle. (Cole and Graves made bear jokes throughout the match) The bear made the tag. Slater tried to unmask the bear but the bear slapped Slater twice and applied a bear hug. Rhyno made the save. The bear tagged in Miz. Miz attacked the bear, threw him into the barricade and unmasked the bear (it was some dude) Rhyno threw Miz into the ring. The bear reappeared with mask back on and entered the ring and delivered a Double Arm DDT to Slater. The bear took off the mask as Ambrose was in disguise. Miz accidentally bumped into Maryse who walked to the back as Ambrose delivered the Dirty Deeds to the Miz. Ambrose pulled Slater onto Miz and got the win.

After the match, Ambrose put the bear’s head on the 7x WWE Intercontinental Champion The Miz head. This was beyond lame. (Raw has reached the bottom of the hill.)

Neville attacks Rich Swann

Swann danced his way to the ring but was jumped from behind by Neville and then applied the “Ring of Saturn” Neville then cut a promo saying he defeated Austin Aries, TJP and Rich Swann. Then cut a promo on Tozawa who’s next in line for a shot at the Cruiserweight title.

Charly Caruso interviewed Sheamus and Cesaro

Cesaro said they’ve been reading up on the Hardy Boys and held up a Hardy Boys book from 2003 called “Exist 2 Inspire.” Sheamus said the Hardy Boyz were going to Exist 2 Retire.

Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows def. Enzo Amore & Big Cass

Big Cass was once again taken out backstage as The Revival were looming around in the background. Enzo said he would find a tag partner but Cass insisted on wrestling. Enzo didn’t like the idea. Anderson and Gallows were in the ring making jokes and laughing. Cass started the match as Booker T on commentary mentioned that this wasn’t a smart move on Enzo’s part. Cass was on the floor selling his injury after he tagged in Enzo. Anderson and Gallows took control, delivered the Magic Killer and got the win.

After the match Anderson and Gallows attempted another Magic Killer but Big Show made the save. Show helped Enzo up as Cass looked upset as he stood on the apron and looked on.

R-Truth Promo:

R-Truth cut a promo saying it wasn’t cool when Goldust jumped him. R-Truth said he’s mad and not going to take it anymore.

Backstage: Big Show and Enzo Amore

Enzo thanked Big Show for the help but asked if he took out Cass. Show said he helped Enzo two weeks in a row. Enzo asked again. Big Show said there’s only one word to describe Cass and spelt of “SAWFT” and just walked off.

Backstage: Mike Rome interviewed Samoa Joe

Joe said that Lesnar is playing into his hands and at Great Balls of Fire he will take the Universal Champion when he locks on the Coquina Clutch.

2-out-of-3 Falls for the Raw Tag Team Championship: Cesaro & Sheamus vs. The Hardy Boyz ended in a draw

Hardys took control early on as Jeff delivered the Poetry in Motion. Jeff went for the Twist of Fate but Sheamus tossed Jeff into the turnbuckle and kicked him off the ropes for the first fall.

The action continued as Matt delivered a spinning tornado DDT off the middle rope for a near fall but Cesaro kicked out. Matt delivered a Side Effect to Sheamus on the ring apron and a Twist of Fate to Cesaro for the pin to even up the match.

The heels took control and got the advantage on Matt as Sheamus delivered a stiff knee for a near fall. Cesaro went for the Gotch Neutralizer but Matt escaped. Cesaro quickly transitioned into a Sharp Shooter but Matt got to the rope. Jeff got the hot tag and attacked the heels. After some good back-and-forth action, Sheamus ran into the ring post as Jeff delivered a Swanton Bomb but Cesaro made the save. The action split to the floor as the both teams were counted out. WWE Universe booed the finish as Jeff delivered a plancha to both Sheamus and Cesaro on the floor as Raw.