June 20, 2016
Episode 1204
(aired live)
#RAW
City: Phoenix, AZ
Venue: Talking Stick Resort Arena
Commentary: Michael Cole, JBL, Byron Saxton
Spanish Commentary: Marcelo Rodriguez, Carlos Cabrera
Ring Announcer: Lilian Garcia
Outside the Arena
Dean Ambrose is dropped of by a taxi and nearly leaves his World Heavyweight Title belt in the car.
Intro Video
“The Night Remix” by CFO$/KromestatiK
Ring Area
Dean Ambrose heads to the ring as the new champ. He recounts the many events of his long night in Las Vegas. He also talks about all of his hard work paying off and the end of his hard times. Reigns then heads to the ring.
Reigns congratulates Ambrose on his win. Ambrose tells Reigns that he would have cashed in on him too if he had won. Reigns asks Ambrose if he’s a fighting champ when Rollins interrupts. Rollins is not happy.
Rollins tells Reigns that he beat him fair and square so Reigns can get to the back of the line. Ambrose smiles as Rollins and Reigns argue. Shane McMahon then steps out onto the stage.
Shane congratulates Ambrose on his win. He then says there should be a match between Reigns and Rollins to determine the next contender. Rollins tells Shane that he can’t make that decision on his own, but Shane says Stephanie isn’t at RAW, so yes, he can. The match happens tonight.
** Realistically, Rollins should get the first rematch, but this is okay too. I expect a triple threat at some point. Probably Summer Slam. **
Match 1
Sami Zayn vs Kevin Owens
(referee: Darrick Moore)
Result: Sami Zayn wins via pinfall with a victory roll
Time: 5:19 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
Good match. Both guys looked like they were wrestling hurt (Owens noticeably limping to ring). Owens avoided Zayn early by repeatedly rolling out of the ring until finally catching Zayn when he chased. It was then a nice back and forth with both guys taking control of the match at different times. This match was supposed to end their feud (as stated by the commentators), but it seems to have really started their trajectory to a big feud without the involvement of anyone else.
Backstage
Zayn and Owens continue their brawl in the back. Officials (including Fit Finlay and Road Dogg) finally break them up.
Ring Area
John Laurinaitis walks out onto the stage and stands behind a SmackDown podium. He announces that there will be a brand extension draft on the first live SmackDown. Shane comes out and tells Laurintaitis that he will never run SmackDown. Shane will do it. John says that’s okay, he’ll run RAW instead. He then runs away.
Match 2
Enzo Amore & Big Cass vs The Vaudevillains
(referee: John Cone)
Result: Enzo Amore pins Aiden English after a rocket launcher
Time: 2:52
Match Thoughts
Pretty good match. It was short, and though it wasn’t necessarily one-sided, the winners never seemed to be in question. Enzo got beat up for a while, Big Cass got tagged in, then it was quickly over. Not a great sign for the future of The Vaudevillains.
Ring Area
AJ Styles heads to the ring. He talks about his win over Cena being tainted by Gallows and Anderson. He tells then to come to the ring to apologize to him. They come out an both apologize. Styles then tells them that they have to apologize to Cena as well. Cena comes out and tells AJ that he broke the contract. Gallows and Anderson say he didn’t break it, they did. And they apologize to him.
Cena doesn’t buy any of it and tells AJ he’s not as good as he says he is. Styles responds by saying Cena is using Gallows and Anderson as an excuse because he’s not as good as he says he is. Cena then says Styles has no balls (and no word). Styles then offers Cena the choice to face any member of The Club tonight, besides himself. Cena wonders if any of it matters, he’ll be facing three guys anyway. Styles says he’s wrong, Anderson will face him one on one.
Match 3
Karl Anderson vs John Cena
(referee: Mike Chioda)
Result: John Cena wins via DQ when AJ Styles attacks
Time: 2:24
Match Thoughts
Not really much of a match. Cena kept staring at the stage while occasionally slamming Anderson. He gives Anderson the Attitude Adjustment, prompting the rest of The Club to attack.
Backstage
Jojo welcomes Seth Rollins. Rollins talks about proving things, specifically, proving that he is the best and that Reigns never deserved to be champ. He also says Ambrose proved that he is a thief. Rollins is fine with being forced to prove himself again.
Backstage
Renee Young welcomes Becky Lynch. Becky is upset about Natalya turning on her as well. She feels cursed. She’s done trying to figure out girls. Natalya then attacks her from behind.
Match 4
Zack Ryder vs Baron Corbin
(referee: Darrick Moore)
Result: Baron Corbin wins via pinfall after End of Days
Time: 3:04
Match Thoughts
Okay match. Ryder had a little offense, but it was yet another showcase for Corbin.
Video
WWE in China and the signing of Wang Bin, the first Chinese signing for WWE.
Video
The Wyatt Family is coming back.
Backstage
Renee Young welcomes Paige. Paige gets distracted by Charlotte and Dana Brooke. Dana confuses a boat for a tree.
Match 5
Women’s Title Match
Paige vs Charlotte (Women’s Champ) w/ Dana Brooke
(referee: Rod Zapata)
#WomensTitle
Result: Charlotte wins via pinfall after Natural Selection
Time: 5:22 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
Good match, despite some awkwardness at the end from Dana Brooke. Paige looked like she had something to prove and seemed especially pumped up for the match.
Ring Area
After the match, Sasha Banks returns and heads to the ring. She takes out Dana Brooke with one strike and ends up holding the Women’s Title belt in the air.
Backstage
Jojo asks Reigns about last night, but Reigns just says he’s going to beat Rollins tonight.
Ring Area
The Wyatt Family (Bray, Rowan, and Strowman) return. They have been locked away, punished, but they’re back. They area also quickly interrupted by New Day. They think Bray needs to “cut it.” They also think Rowan has a big booty. They think the Wyatts need to focus on the power of positivity. Woods seems mesmerized. Bray just laughs.
Life Lessons with Coach Backlund
Darren Young has been reading. Backlund likes that, but he doesn’t like advice.
Ring Area
Lana announces Rusev to the ring for a match.
Backstage
Renee Young welcomes Titus O’Neil. He has asked for and received a one on one match with Rusev. He wants to teach Rusev some respect for him and his family.
Ring Area
Titus comes out for a match with Rusev, but they start brawling before the bell. After a pretty one-sided beating from Titus, Rusev escapes through the crowd.
Video Promo
From Facebook and the set of The Marine 5, The Miz and Maryse want quail for lunch.
Backstage
Chris Jericho is waiting for Shane McMahon in his office. He knows Shane has it out for him. He’s upset that Shane is allowing a barbarian to be the champ and calls him a stupid idiot.
Match 6
World Heavyweight Title Number One Contender Match
Seth Rollins vs Roman Reigns
(referee: Ryan Tran; guest commentary: Dean Ambrose)
#ReignsvsRollins
Result: The match ends in a double count out
Time: 13:55 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
Really good match. Maybe not as good as Money in the Bank, but is was pretty close. The ending didn’t really hurt it, because it was kind of expected. At least for me.
Ring Area
After the match, Shane McMahon comes out and says there has to be an opponent for Ambrose. Ambrose gets in the ring and says he’ll face both of them. Shane agrees and makes a triple threat match for Battleground. Ambrose then hits Dirty Deeds on Reigns, followed by one for Rollins.
Show Impressions
Not a bad show. It was entertaining even though the wrestling didn’t always seem to be the first thing on the writers’ minds. I like the triple threat title match announcement, even though it was completely expected. It’ll be good. I also like that the Women’s division is getting a bit more interesting with more than one thing going on at a time.
Match of the Night
Seth Rollins vs Roman Reigns
Most of the other matches were fairly short and were mostly there as a start to a new direction for various feuds. This match felt important and was quite good.