WWE RAW
Episode 1360
#RAW
Original Air Date: June 17, 2019
Event Date: June 17, 2019
(aired live)
City: Los Angeles, CA
Venue: Staples Center
Commentary: Michael Cole, Corey Graves, Renee Young
Ring Announcer: Mike Rome
Ring Area
In the ring, Elias says he would rather be anywhere other than Los Angeles, but he was invited to be here by Baron Corbin. Elias reveals that he’s wearing a referee shirt and says that Corbin has picked him to referee the Universal Title match this Sunday. Seth Rollins appears behind Elias and hits him with a chair.
After hitting Elias a few more times, Rollins says he is done playing games. He knows Corbin gets to choose the referee for their upcoming match, but he warns anyone who would side with Corbin that a steel chair awaits them. Rollins leaves the ring.
The Miz makes his way to the ring for the first match of the night. As Miz enters the ring, Elias is shakily getting to his feet. The Miz decides to hit Elias with the Skull Crushing Finale.
Bobby Lashley comes out next for tonight’s first match, and he spears Elias when he gets to the ring. Cesaro comes out next, and he spins Elias. Up next is Ricochet, and he hits Elias with a Code Breaker. Strowman is last, and he powerslams Elias.
Match 1
Fatal Five Way Elimination US Title Number One Contender Match
The Miz vs Bobby Lashley vs Cesaro vs Ricochet vs Braun Strowman
(referee: John Cone; at ringside: Samoa Joe)
Result: Ricochet wins
1. Strowman pins Cesaro after powerslamming Lashley onto Cesaro (1:18)
2. Strowman pins Lashley after a powerslam (2:20)
3. Ricochet pins Strowman with the help of Cesaro and Lashley after a diving 630 senton (4:22)
4. Ricochet pins The Miz after a diving 630 senton (10:47)*
Time: 10:47 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
Good match. The first part of the match was completely dominated by Strowman. He was so dominant that it caused him to be a target of revenge. I liked how the match progressed in that way. The latter half of the match was a nice one on one match between the two surviving competitors. This was fun, and I enjoyed the result.
Ring Area
After the match, Samoa Joe runs in and attacks the winner. Joe loses control of the brief brawl and ends up on his back at ringside while the new number one contender celebrates.
Backstage
The planet’s champions, Daniel Bryan and Rowan, have arrived on RAW.
Backstage
The Man Becky Lynch has also arrived at the venue.
Ring Area
Becky Lynch heads to the ring. Lynch talks about how Lacey Evans talks about currying favor backstage, so Lynch says she’s going to do the fans a favor and kick Lacey’s ass all around the ring. Evans comes out and saunters towards the ring.
Evans says Lynch doesn’t understand her. Lynch says she understands that Evans talks as slow as she possibly can. Evans giggles. She also says that Hollywood should make a movie about her. She talks about being a marine and says she is what the women’s division deserves. Lynch knows Evans’ history, and that just confuses her more. If Evans was a marine, then why does she attack people from behind?
Evans finally makes it to the ring. As Evans steps through the ropes, Lynch attacks. Lynch suplexes Evans across the ring. Then Lynch steals Evans’ hat and walks up to the stage.
Backstage
The Revival enters Shane McMahon’s “private VIP lounge.” Shane and Drew McIntyre are there, and they celebrate with some champagne.
Backstage
Charly Caruso welcomes Baron Corbin and asks him if he has a new choice to be referee for his match. Corbin says he has a lot of choices and already has someone in mind. He’ll reveal who later tonight. Seth Rollins appears and smashes Corbin in the back with a chair.
Backstage
The Viking Raiders prepare for battle in a red hallway.
Ring Area
The SmackDown Tag Champs, Daniel Bryan and Rowan, come out to the stage. Bryan says “this place sucks.” He’s referring both to RAW and to Los Angeles. LA is the smog capital of America, and it’s filled with ignorant and impotent people. But the planet’s champs are here to enlighten and excite the people. Bryan will do that by beating the Universal Champion. He will prove that he is better than the entire RAW locker room.
As Bryan finishes, the Viking Raiders come out to the stage. They stare at the SmackDown tag champs for a few seconds before heading to the ring.
Match 2
Russ & Randy Taylor vs Viking Raiders
(referee: Darrick Moore)
Result: Ivar pins Russ Taylor after the Viking Experience
Time: 0:34
Match Thoughts
A big squash.
Ring Area
For some reason, R-Truth and Carmella are wearing disguises while sitting in the front row. The camera stops on them, and a group of guys comes running out seconds later. No Way Jose, Cedric Alexander, Drake Maverick, Curt Hawkins, Zack Ryder, and Robert Roode chase R-Truth under the ring. They end up pulling Titus O’Neil out from underneath the ring. In the confusion, R-Truth and Carmella run away. The mob follows behind them.
Backstage
Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn discuss some questions with Baron Corbin prior to the Sami & Kevin Show.
Backstage
Heath Slater enters Shane McMahon’s VIP lounge. The sound doesn’t work at first, but we can eventually hear that Slater is asking Shane for a raise. Shane is impressed with Slater’s request, but he says “no.” Shane also allows Slater to walk away from his private party. Shane then sends Drew McIntyre out after Slater.
Just outside the VIP lounge, McIntyre tells Slater that he hates seeing him like this. McIntyre pulls out some money, but he drops it. As Slater bends down to pick it up, McIntyre attacks. McIntyre slams Slater’s head into the wall until Shane and The Revival get him to stop. Then they all head back into the VIP lounge while Slater is apparently unconscious.
Ring Area
Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn are in the ring for the Sami & Kevin Show. They welcome Baron Corbin who heads to the ring.
Sami Zayn tells Baron Corbin that the Sami & Kevin Show is a safe work space unlike every other part of WWE. Sami and Zayn both withdraw themselves from eligibility to become Corbin’s referee in light of the recent attacks on people who have been considered. Corbin then introduces the person he has chosen: EC3.
EC3 come out to the stage and almost immediately gets attacks by Rollins. Rollins repeatedly hits EC3 with a chair, then he leaves. Corbin is furious. How could Rollins take this opportunity away from another up and coming superstar?
As Corbin stands there incredulous, New Day comes out to the stage. Zayn says New Day aren’t wild cards, so they need to leave the building. Kofi says he can go wherever he wants since he’s WWE Champ, and he’ll bring Woods and Big E with him. Owens says Kingston won’t be champ for much longer. If Ziggler doesn’t take the title, Owens will take it next time they face each other. Kingston isn’t worried.
Corbin tells New Day to leave, so New Day takes that as a challenge. They just need a referee to make a match official. Woods and Big E pick up EC3 (who is still unconscious). They ask EC3 if he’s okay. Kofi plays ventriloquist and has EC3 say that he’s fine. EC3 also sanctions a six man tag match. New Day celebrates with EC3.
Backstage
In the medical room, AJ Styles is being attended to. Anderson and Gallows walk in wearing doctor coats. Styles talks about Anderson and Gallows’ past successes, but he says they’ve gotten comfortable. When’s the last time Anderson and Gallows won a match or were even on TV? It’s time they got serious. Anderson tells Styles that if he wants to see them get serious, then watch their match against The Usos later tonight.
Match 3
Two out of Three Falls Six Man Tag Match
Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn & Baron Corbin vs Xavier Woods & Big E & Kofi Kingston (WWE Champ)
(referee: Rod Zapata)
Result: New Day wins 2 falls to 0
1. Xavier Woods pins Sami Zayn with a schoolboy (3:34)
2. Kofi Kingston pins Baron Corbin after Trouble in Paradise (9:13)*
Time: 9:13 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
This was fun. There was some drama at the end which led to shenanigans, but it was well done. The shenanigans furthered the story that nobody likes Corbin and nobody wants to be on his side.
Backstage
Alexa Bliss gives Nikki Cross a present: a women’s tag title match. Alexa says tonight is about Nikki, and she will do everything she can to ensure that Nikki leaves RAW tonight as champ.
Backstage
Paul Heyman fixes his tie.
Ring Area
In the ring, Paul Heyman says he isn’t comfortable being out in the ring with Seth Rollins running around attacking people all night. But Heyman isn’t a threat to Rollins. Heyman says he will not be the referee in the Universal Title match this Sunday, nor does he want to be.
Heyman insults the local basketball team as a way to insult Seth Rollins. He also says that Rollins is going to be vulnerable during and after his match tonight. Maybe Brock Lesnar is here tonight, but maybe not. Maybe he’ll be in the building on Sunday, or next Monday. Heyman doesn’t know. The fans don’t know. Most importantly, Seth Rollins doesn’t know.
Backstage
Baron Corbin tells Eric Young that being referee could be a big opportunity for him. Young thanks Corbin, and Corbin walks away. Young quickly encounters Rollins. Young says he’s going to turn down Corbin’s offer. Rollins says he knows Young wouldn’t do anything to compromise their friendship. Rollins starts to walk away, but then he attacks Young from behind with a chair.
Backstage
The Usos issue a warning to every tag team, including Anderson and Gallows. RAW is on lockdown.
Match 4
The Usos vs Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson
(referee: Dan Engler; watching in the back: AJ Styles)
Result: Jimmy Uso pins Luke Gallows after a superkick
Time: 2:41
Match Thoughts
This was very short. It was fine, but it was more of a story segment than a real match. This was to show how Anderson and Gallows need to change the way they do business if they’re going to start winning matches.
Backstage
The party continues in Shane’s VIP lounge.
Backstage
Roman Reigns stares at the floor as he walks.
Video
From Twitter, Hulk Hogan says the women’s world cup team are all Hulkamaniacs.
Ring Area
Roman Reigns heads to the ring. He says he wants to entertain the people of Los Angeles by “whooping someone’s ass.” Reigns invites Shane to be a man and face him alone tonight.
Shane McMahon appears on the tron and has Mike Rome introduce him. Shane says Reigns shouldn’t be embarrassed about losing to the best in the world. He declines Reigns’ invitation though. Shane says Reigns should be more worried about McIntyre right now. McIntyre says the only reason he’s not beating up Reigns right now is because Shane doesn’t want him to. This Sunday though, McIntyre will assault Reigns until it becomes very, very uncomfortable.
Reigns leaves through the crowd as McIntyre continues to talk.
Backstage
Reigns approaches Shane’s VIP lounge. Reigns quickly dispatches The Revival in the hallway. Reigns enters the VIP lounge and attacks. Reigns slams McIntyre through the buffet table in the lounge. Shane runs, and Reigns chases him.
Ring Area
Shane makes it to ringside where Reigns leaps over the barricade. Reigns beats Shane up at ringside and in the ring. Reigns hits Shane with a Superman punch. Reigns tells Shane to crawl to the back and tell McIntyre that he’s going to whoop his ass on Sunday.
Backstage
Bayley is hanging out with Natalya and Naomi. Charly Caruso walks up and asks Bayley about the accusations being made about her. Bayley doesn’t know what Charly is talking about, so she informs Bayley that there’s a rumor that Bayley refused to take a photo with a fan because the fan was wearing a Nikki Cross t-shirt. Bayley says this is probably coming from Alexa Bliss. Natalya and Naomi have doubts.
Ring Area
The IIconics head to the ring for a match. As they walk, they talk about how excited they are to be in Los Angeles. They just wonder if there weren’t any better challengers for their tag titles than Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross. They then insult the local basketball team.
Match 5
Women’s Tag Team Title Match
Nikki Cross & Alexa Bliss vs The IIconics (Women’s Tag Champs)
(referee: Shawn Bennett; at ringside: Bayley)
Result: Billie Kay pins Nikki Cross with a schoolboy
Time: 3:30
Match Thoughts
This was fine. It was short and full of shenanigans to further the story of Alexa getting Nikki to dislike Bayley. I like everyone involved, this just wasn’t about a wrestling match.
Backstage
Alexa Bliss apologizes to Nikki Cross, but Nikki is mad at Bayley. Nikki says Bayley crushed her dreams tonight, and Nikki wants to see Alexa crush Bayley’s dreams at Stomping Grounds. Nikki wants to be in Alexa’s corner on Sunday.
Video
In this week’s Firefly Fun House, Bray Wyatt does some gardening. Wyatt also says that he knows what it feels like to not belong. He knows what it’s like to be different. That’s why he built the Firefly Fun House, so we could all be together. Wyatt and his friends want us to join him. Follow the leader, and let him in.
Backstage
Charly Caruso asks Daniel Bryan if he’s ready to step into the ring with an ultra-violent Seth Rollins. Bryan wants to know why no one has thought to take the chair out of Rollins’ hands. Bryan also says that Rollins has never beaten Daniel Bryan, and he never will.
Backstage
Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch cross paths. Lynch admires Rollins’ chair.
Match 6
Daniel Bryan w/ Rowan (SD Tag Champs) vs Seth Rollins (Universal Champ)
(referee: John Cone)
Result: Seth Rollins wins via DQ when Rowan slams Rollins onto the ring apron
Time: 1:12
Match Thoughts
This match barely started before Rowan got involved and caused a DQ.
Ring Area
Bryan and Rowan attack Rollins after the match. New Day runs down to the ring to help Rollins. Then Owens, Zayn, and The Revival run to the ring to join the brawl. The Usos come out next. Referees eventually come out to separate everyone. It’s then announced that the match will be restarted with no one allowed at ringside.
Match 7
Daniel Bryan (SD Tag Champ) vs Seth Rollins (Universal Champ)
(referee: John Cone)
Result: Seth Rollins wins via pinfall after a curb stomp
Time: 8:08 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
Good match. I was afraid the show was just going to end with a big brawl for no reason, but I’m glad Rollins and Bryan actually got to have a match. The action was good, as one would expect from these two.
Ring Area
After the match, Seth Rollins walks up to the stage. As he turns around to face the crowd, Baron Corbin appears and hits Rollins with a chair from behind. Corbin repeatedly hits Rollins with the chair and rolls him into the ring. In the ring, Corbin hits Rollins with End of Days.
Show Impressions
Tag team wrestling seemed to take a step forward tonight, so I liked that about the show. I actually liked about half of tonight’s matches. They all could have been longer, but the matches that went for more than a few minutes were all entertaining.
Match of the Night
Fatal Five Way Match
I liked the main event as well, but I think I had more fun with the fatal five way match.
Official Results: https://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2019-06-17