WWE visited the Resch Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin, for Raw tonight. The show featured King and Queen of the Ring Tournament matches. Gunther got his first and major opponent after winning the World Heavyweight Championship. Asuka returned on the show as well as we take a look at WWE RAW Results June 16.
Welcome to Monday Night Morgan
The show opened with Liv Morgan and Dominik Mysterio. Morgan, one-half of the women’s tag team champions, called Dom the greatest Intercontinental Champion of all time. The crowd booed Mysterio. Dom said that tonight was all about Morgan. Liv said that she wanted to talk about respect. She said that the women’s division is hers and Nikki Bella learned it the hard way on Raw last week.
Liv was not happy about Iyo Sky who praised Bella last week. She said that Nikki didn’t pave the way for her, she did it herself. Morgan ran through her achievements and demanded respect and a rematch for the Women’s World Championship. Iyo Sky came down to the ring and told Morgan to shut up. Sky yelled something in Japanese and told Liv that she was right there for a fight.
Morgan said that she had beaten Sky more than anyone else in this division and she could just hand her the title. Sky told her to earn the title, not steal it just like she stole Dom. Liv tried to use a cheap shot in the end, but Sky dropkicked her and landed a kick on Mysterio. Iyo celebrated as Dom and Liv escaped.
Grades: B
Analysis: It was a fun and unique way to kick off Monday Night Raw. Liv Morgan is solely in a feud with both Iyo Sky and Nikki Bella. Sky has done barely anything since her tremendous win at WrestleMania 41 Sunday. Bella wasn’t on the show tonight. Morgan has become a veteran of the division in the past year or so.
Asuka vs Ivy Nile vs Stephanie Vaquer vs Raquel Rodriguez – Queen of the Ring Tournament
Asuka’s back after a year. Vaquer and Asuka double-superkicked Rodriguez. Asuka and Stephanie then locked up and traded pinfalls for one count. Raquel launched Vaquer with a powerbomb onto Nile and Asuka. Vaquer delivered a snap suplex on Nile followed by Eat Defeat to Rodriguez. Vaquer followed it up with a running Meteora in the corner. Stephanie was fired up as she hit Asuka with a dragon screw and Nile with a back suplex. Nile became the victim of the Devil’s Kiss.
Raquel powered up Vaquer, but Vaquer pulled her to the apron and delivered the Devil’s Kiss. Vaquer followed it up with a crossbody block to the outside. Asuka took out Vaquer and attempted Asuka Lock, but Stephanie escaped. Asuka delivered a hip attack on Rodriguez in the corner. Nila caught Asuka and delivered a bridging German Suplex for a two-count. We witnessed a Tower of Doom spot with Nile and Vaquer on Raquel’s shoulders as Asuka landed a missile dropkick.
Asuka delivered kicks and knee strikes to her opponents. Asuka and Vaquer picked up pace and Vaquer delivered a Vertical Suplex and a dropkick. Vaquer followed it up with a double underhook gutbuster for a near fall as Nile saved the match. Rodriguez hit Tejana Bomb on Vaquer. Rhea Ripley pulled Raquel out of the ring and hit a Riptide on the floor. She sent Rodriguez back in the ring where Asuka delivered the Empress Impact for the win.
Winner: Asuka
Grades: B-
Analysis: It was a solid fatal 4-way battle from the women’s division. Asuka’s back with a huge win. Stephanie Vaquer showed great performance throughout the match. Rhea Ripley is back and her first target is Raquel Rodriguez. Asuka is headed to the semifinals, and she’ll battle Alexa Bliss on SmackDown!
The Judgment Day Clubhouse
Judgment Day members were discussing in the clubhouse. Liv Morgan told Raquel that they had to settle the score with Iyo Sky and Kairi Sane. Rodriguez wasn’t medically cleared and Liv walked off to handle it herself. Dom wasn’t happy with AJ Styles, and he told JD McDonagh to take care of him. Finn Balor wanted to go with JD, but Mysterio told him to stay in the back. Balor praised Raquel and told Roxanne Perez that he had an idea for her.
Goldberg is back!
The newest World Heavyweight Champion Gunther made his entrance. Gunther raised the title in the center of the ring as the pyros went off. Gunther admitted that Jey Uso was the better man at WrestleMania. However, he said that he is untouchable every other night. The crowd chanted Goldberg’s name. Gunther said that he taught Goldberg a lesson in front of his family. Gunther turned attention to Seth Rollins and told him that he was right there in the ring.
Goldberg made his comeback to a thunderous crowd pop. WWE Hall of Famer congratulated Gunther on winning back the World Heavyweight Championship and said that he’s proud of him. Goldberg said that he would end up in Atlanta which Gunther started in the same place a few months ago. He challenged Gunther to a match on July 12th Saturday Night’s Main Event. Goldberg told Gunther, “You are next” as the Ring General was in disbelief.
Grades: B+
Analysis: It looked good to see Goldberg back on WWE TV. Gunther is a perfect opponent for his retirement match happening on Saturday Night’s Main Event. The Ring General cut a decent little promo before the arrival of Goldberg.
AJ Styles vs JD Mcdonagh
Dominik Mysterio joined the ringside area for his stablemate. Styles dominated in the early go and landed a sunset flip. McDonagh delivered a head-scissor takeover. AJ applied the Calf Crusher, but JD rolled out of the ring to recover. A slight involvement by Dom allowed McDonagh to deliver a flying clothesline. Styles fought back with his traditional strike combo followed by a basement forearm.
AJ delivered the Ushigoroshi for a near fall. McDonagh soon replied with the brainbuster for a two-count. In the end, Mysterio tried to interrupt but that didn’t stop Styles from landing Styles Clash for the victory. After the match, Dom tried to attack AJ, but Styles countered with an overhead kick. The Phenomenal One went for a Phenomenal Forearm, but Finn Balor arrived at the right time to save Mysterio. AJ posed with the title.
Winner: AJ Styles
Grades: B
Analysis: It was a fine match. AJ Styles is slowly gaining back momentum. The program between AJ Styles and Dominik Mysterio involving the Intercontinental Championship will be fun to watch.
Bayley confronted Becky Lynch
Bayley entered the ring and cut a passionate promo about her love for professional wrestling and for the women’s division. She mentioned that Becky made her miss a WrestleMania match. Bayley called out Lynch. The women’s IC Champion arrived in the ring. Lynch said that Bayley cared about a group of friends. Lynch only cares about leaving a legacy behind and not about fake friends.
Lynch said that she fought for the people too, but they stopped fighting for her. Bayley said that Becky was scared so she attacked her and Lyra for attention. Bayley challenged her to a match. Lynch gave her the match but not for the title. Lynch attempted to attack Bayley who sent the champion out of the ring.
Grades: C
Analysis: It was an average promo segment. Becky Lynch vs Bayley is a dream feud, but they need to up the ante. This character of Lynch is good.
Backstage
AJ Styles demanded his match against Dominik Mysterio and Nick Aldis gave him the match at Night of Champions. Bayley demanded her match as well which was given to her for the next week. Lyra pointed at chasing Bayley when she wins the women’s IC Title next week.
Liv Morgan vs Kairi Sane
The match began and Kairi quickly delivered a dragon screw. Liv Morgan was in pain as she rolled out of the ring. The doctors checked on Morgan. The referee called off the match and Sane was declared the winner. Michael Cole announced that Liv had dislocated her shoulder. This is unfortunate news for the women’s tag team champion. We wish her a speedy recovery. The simplest of moves can be deadly in a WWE ring.
Backstage
Sami Zayn was talking about his King of the Ring semifinal opponent Randy Orton. Karrion Kross appeared, and the crowd cheered. Before Kross could say much, Zayn said that he’d face a man who’s a 14-time world champ and will go on to get 15th while Zayn stays at zero. Sami said that Kross talks the same every time but has no courage to back it up in the ring. Zayn challenged him to a match to end it once and for all.
Jey Uso vs Sheamus vs Bronson Reed vs Rusev – King of the Ring Tournament
Time for the main event! It was a fatal 4-way for a spot in the semifinal of the King of the Ring tournament. The match began and Reed targeted Sheamus. Bronson sent Sheamus into the ring post and barricade. Rusev whipped Reed into the steel steps. Uso landed a suicide dive onto Rusev at ringside. After the break, Uso landed multiple superkicks to Sheamus and Rusev and an enzuigiri to Reed. Rusev laid out Jey with a clothesline.
Sheamus delivered 20 Beats of Bodhran to Reed at ringside. Rusev and Sheamus traded heavy blows in the ring. Rusev landed a spin kick, but Sheamus responded with a tilt-a-whirl powerslam. Reed joined the action and crushed both Sheamus and Rusev before hitting the World’s Strongest Slam on Jey Uso. Sheamus delivered an Irish Curse Backbreaker to Uso and a White Noise to Reed for a near fall.
Rusev applied the Accolade to Uso who barely reached the bottom rope. Sheamus delivered Knee Caps to both Rusev and Reed and delivered a Brogue Kick to Rusev. Sheamus attempted to pin Rusev, but Reed intervened with a senton splash. Reed landed a Tsunami on Sheamus. Uso saved the match this time and hit a spear on Reed. Uso climbed to the top where Bron Breakker pushed him down.
Sami Zayn ran down to take care of Breakker. Zayn wasn’t enough and Breakker threw him over the commentary desk. Penta launched himself with a somersault senton onto Breakker. Reed delivered a Death Valley Driver to Jey and climbed to the top. LA Knight arrived and pushed Reed down.
Uso backed up to his feet and landed a superkick and a spear to Reed. Jey followed it up with a pair of Uso Splash for the win. After the match, Seth Rollins came down the ramp. He visioned to attack Uso, but Cody Rhodes made the save. Rollins left as Cody and Jey shook hands in the ring to close out the show.
Winner: Jey Uso
Grades: B+
Analysis: It was a fun action-packed main event match. Full of interruptions, the match became dramatic soon. Jey Uso has lost the World Heavyweight Championship but he’s on his way back to the gold with a win here. Uso and Cody will battle in the King of the Ring tournament’s semifinal next week.
Overall, it is another good episode of Monday Night Raw. The King and Queen of the Ring matches have definitely raised the match qualities on weekly shows. What are your thoughts on WWE RAW Results June 16?
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