Raw Recap: July 1, 2019
A.K.A. The One That Felt Different
Paul Heyman has been named the Executive Director of Raw, so what changes are in store? We’re two weeks out from Extreme Rules and a lot of the top feuds seem set. Kofi Kingston will have to contend with a dangerous Samoa Joe tonight. Seth Rollins & Becky Lynch’s relationship will probably still be a focal point. The big question though is will anything change? Will it feel different with Heyman’s leadership? Let’s find out together.
Results:
- Braun Strowman & Bobby Lashley in a Falls Count Anywhere match goes to a no decision
- Samoa Joe & The Viking Raiders def. The New Day
- Cesaro & No Way Jose’s match never happens when Cesaro attacks Jose before the bell
- Lacey Evans def. Natalya
- Miz def. Elias 2-1 in a 2-out-of-3 Falls Match
- Becky Lynch & Seth Rollins def. Maria & Mike Kanellis
- Carmella def. Alexa Bliss
- Nikki Cross def. Carmella
- Drake Maverick def. R-Truth to win the 24/7 Championship
- Ricochet def. A.J. Styles to retain the United States Championship
Match of the Night: Ricochet def. A.J. Styles to retain the United States Championship
In just a few short interactions, this feud has become must see. Before their match, Styles & Ricochet were both fired up by Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows. It lead to a confrontation where the two slapped the absolute taste out of each other’s mouths.
CHALLENGE ACCEPTED.
It sounds like @KingRicochet will defend his #USTitle against @AJStylesOrg TONIGHT on #RAW! pic.twitter.com/n7uwKZVFGK
— WWE (@WWE) July 2, 2019
The match had a false ending, where Ricochet had his foot under the ropes. On the restart he won, and that infuriated Styles enough to reunite the Club. Styles, Gallows, and Anderson are all back, are all heels, and are about to run roughshod over Monday nights.
WHAT ARE YOU DOING, @AJStylesOrg?! #RAW pic.twitter.com/VcFCkf544h
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) July 2, 2019
Three Thoughts:
Work? Shoot? Awesome.
To say Raw got off to a hot start would be a gross understatement. Strowman and Lashley kicked the show off with a Falls Count Anywhere match. The final moment of the match had both men crash through an LED screen at the entrance way. The explosion lead to both men being sent to the hospital.
The presentation of the angle really blurred the line between work and shoot. Throughout the night, wrestlers kept wishing Lashley & Strowman speedy recoveries. WWE kept an extended shot of the backstage area while the two were being tended to. Corey Graves even hopped off of commentary to go help out.
With presenting it this way, WWE made the show feel different. It felt authentic, genuine, even raw. It got fans very excited about the new direction of the show.
Raw Has Become Profit-able
One of the most exciting parts of the show was the debut of Street Profits. Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins debuted in a pair of backstage interviews during the show. One of which included them annoying Paul Heyman mercilessly.
The Street Profits are a shot in the arm of the tag division on Mondays. With them, the Revival, the Usos, the Club and the Viking Raiders, the tag scene is hot once again. How long they keep the NXT tag straps though is the next big question mark.
Mike & Maria Implode
Not all of the new angles were hits. Mike & Maria Kanellis had a mixed tag match against Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch. In it, Maria said she was pregnant and then said Mike wasn’t man enough to get her pregnant. She also had emasculated him before the match in an interview. This segment was just weird overall. Such a strange thing to see from one of the most publicly affectionate couples WWE has in its ranks. No writing can do the segment justice, so check it out below.
Well. Things are escalating quickly in the #TagTeamMatch between @BeckyLynchWWE & @WWERollins and @MariaLKanellis & @RealMikeBennett. #Raw pic.twitter.com/bgQ31SaC95
— WWE (@WWE) July 2, 2019
https://twitter.com/WWEUniverse/status/1145877672926466050
Grade: B+
The show definitely started out hot and had some unique aspects. People will be quick to give Paul Heyman all of the credit, but we will have to wait and see if it is consistently a different product. The heel turn for Styles is great, and the dynamic between Bliss and Cross continues to be enticing. Some of the show felt meh, especially the Lynch-Rollins and McMahon stuff. Overall though, a well-done show.
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One More Thing:
Undertaker appeared on the show. He gave his reason for helping Roman Reigns to Shane McMahon and Drew McIntyre. The reason summed up: Reigns didn’t want my help, I just want to harvest your souls. Is it corny? Yeah, a little. However, Undertaker is just going to do Undertaker things.
– Evan Gomes is the Managing Editor of Pro Wrestling for Full Press Coverage. Like and follow on Follow @EvanGomes_ Follow @FPC_Wrestling and Facebook.
