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KELLER’S WWE RAW REPORT
JUNE 11, 2018
LITTLE ROCK, ARK.
AIRED LIVE ON USA NETWORK
Announcers: Michael Cole, Corey Graves, Jonathan Coachman
POST-SHOW PODCAST ALERT: After Raw ends tonight, tune in within five minutes for the Wade Keller Pro Wrestling Post-show live stream as Zack Heydorn joins Keller and takes your calls (347-215-8558) and answers your emails (wadekellerpodcast@pwtorch.com) about tonight’s episode. Tune in for the live stream HERE or download later by searching “Wade Keller” in Apple Podcasts or Stitcher or other popular podcast apps on iPhone & Android.
[HOUR ONE]
-The ring was filled with ladders with Sasha Banks, Kevin Owens, Ember Moon, Natalya, Alexa Bliss, Bobby Roode, Braun Strowman, and Finn Balor. Owens might have received counseling this week as he didn’t look nearly as scared to be up there this week as he was last week.
Kurt Angle walked out to his music and began talking about the opportunities at stake in the Money in the Bank matches. He was soon interrupted by Baron Corbin, who shaved what was left of his hair. Coach said Corbin “visited my barber.” Corbin said he represents Stephanie McMahon and he is there to ensure Raw runs smoothly, so don’t mind him. Angle said there is nothing he’d like more than to have the Money in the Bank briefcases come back to Raw next Monday.
The women on the ladders began bickering. Sasha quizzed Bliss on whether she’s really injured. Natalya talked about being ready for MITB so she can cash in against her friend Ronda Rousey after she becomes WWE Raw Women’s Champion. Sasha called everyone “sweetheart.” Owens interrupted and said he wants to talk about something important. He said he had a serious question about Braun being taller than everyone and whether the briefcase will be raised higher. Angle said the briefcase will hang the same for everyone. Owens says that’s blatant favoritism. Owens complimented Corbin on his new haircut. Braun said he’s going to beat up Owens. Owens didn’t like the threat. Braun said it’s a promise. He said he’ll win MITB and then cash in on Brock Lesnar.
Bliss screeched to get everyone to stop arguing. “Y’all sounded like Real Housewives of WWE,” she said in a line that the writer imagined getting a lot more laughs than it got, I suspect. They began arguing again so Braun yelled and told them “Enough!” He said this Sunday somebody is going to “get these hands.” His music played as the segment ended.
(Keller’s Analysis: The visual was creative, yet demeaning for the wrestlers. I’m not a fan of wrestlers looking like they’re directed to stand in a single-file line for a segment, much less dutifully climb ladders and pose for the start of a show promoting a WWE event. It just makes the wrestlers seem like, well, dutiful employees doing what they’re told in a staged situation, and I think it benefits to WWE to reduce that aspect of the presentation. The fact that fans think, “They’re just employees who do what they’re told to promote The Brand” undercuts their effectiveness, especially acts like Braun, Owens, and even Bliss. There are ways to set this up that feel more improvised and natural. And that’s just the set-up I’m talking about. The bickering and screeching and insults were all pretty lame.) [c]
(1) ALEXA BLISS vs. NATALYA vs. SASHA BANKS vs. EMBER MOON
Cole said this match is “every women for herself,” just like it will be on Sunday. Bliss pretended to have an injury early and rolled out of the ring. She backed into Natalya, who threw her hard into the ringside barricade. Sasha fought off Natalya’s attempt at a Sharpshooter a minute later. Moon entered and battled Sasha next. Sasha then climbed to the top rope, but flipped off of it onto Natalya below. The camera didn’t catch everything, but Sasha’s reaction made it seem like it didn’t go right. Ember then dove onto Sasha at ringside, driving her very hard into the barricade. Bliss then charged at Moon and knocked her down hard and made the cover on Sasha in the ring for a two count. They cut to a break. [c]
They replayed Sasha’s flip onto Natalya, where it appeared just her foot caught Natalya on the drop. Then they replayed Moon’s dive into Sasha, and Sasha bumped hard backwards, but a big surface area of her back hit the barricade, which was what you want. In the ring, Bliss worked over Natalya’s taped knee. After a few more minutes of action, with all the women down, they went to a split screen and showed a promo for the Rousey vs. Nia Jax title match. Then back in the ring, they set up spot off the top rope ending with Natalya powerbombing all three to the mat. She sold her knee afterward. Bliss then did a twisting splash, but Sasha lifted her knees. Everyone was down again, so they cut to another break. [c]
Sasha put Bliss in the Bank Statement after a back stabber. As Bliss appeared ready to tap, Natalya broke it up. Natalya gave both a basement dropkick, but again grabbed her sore knee. Coach worried about the condition of her knee on Sunday. Natalya applied a sharpshooter mid-ring on Sasha seconds later. Moon broke it up with a kick to Natalya from behind. Moon then climbed to the top rope and dove off with the Eclipse on Natalya. Bliss tried to throw Moon out of the ring, but Moon reversed Bliss out of the ring instead. Some fans chanted “This is awesome!” for a few seconds. Natalya rolled up Bliss from behind and twisted into a Sharpshooter. Bliss tapped.
WINNER: Natalya in 21:00.
-The announcers hyped that MITB would be Rousey’s first televised singles match. They acknowledged the one hour earlier start time and hyped the “free for new subscribers” offer.
-Backstage, Balor was tying his boots when Owens walked in. Owens offered Balor some black olives. “It’s symbolic like an olive branch.” He said he thinks Balor is into “healthy gluten-free crap” like that. Balor just wanted to know what he wanted. Owens said, “We need to have a plan for our match” because the women’s match was just too chaotic. Balor didn’t think they would work together. Owens said they are both former Universal Champions and neither of them got the rematch they deserved for that title. He asked Balor to imagine what happens if Braun cashes in and wins the Universal Title. He said he might win it forever. Owens said maybe they can work together to take Braun out of the MITB match tonight. “It doesn’t have to be every man for himself,” he said. “Maybe tonight should be every man against monster. Think about that. Enjoy the olives.”
-Graves plugged Roman Reigns vs. Jinder Mahal was coming up tonight. Coach plugged the Rousey-Jax “Face to Face” segment. He said he’d be moderating it. [c]
(2) BREEZANGO (Tyler Breeze & Fandango) vs. DOLPH ZIGGLER & DREW MCINTYRE
Coach said Breezango “are hard not to like.” Graves said it’s not hard for him not to like them. The announcers talked about Breeze now sporting a beard. Coach said his word of the hour is “confidence.” Drew caught Breeze mid-air and powerbombed him onto the back of Fandango. Then they finished them with their Zig-Zag/Claymore combo. Cole said their elimination from last week’s tag team battle royal was “a fluke.”
WINNERS: Fandango in 3:00.
-In a post-match promo Ziggler said their loss last week in the battle royal was a fluke, so get over it. Drew pointed at Breeze and Fandango as “Exhibit A and Exhibit B.” Ziggler said their alliance isn’t just hype. He asked every tag team “watching and drooling” that they’re taking over. Drew said they are there to “literally save this bloody division by taking every other team out.”
(Keller’s Analysis: Ziggler yells too much on promos. Have I mentioned that? HAVE I MENTIONED THAT!!!!!?)
-Roman appeared backstage. Fans booed. Charly Caruso asked Roman if he’s surprised Jinder challenged him to a match just five days before they’re supposed to wrestle at MITB. Reigns said he’s not surprised because Jinder “is an idiot.” Reigns said it’s Jinder’s fault “he’ll never have the opportunity to cash in the contract.” (Did Jinder stop Reigns from competing for it in 2019?) He said he’s ready to go out and have fun issuing the receipt for payment in full. “Jinder has earned this ass whooping.” [c]
-They showed a Paul Heyman tweet congratulating Brock Lesnar for being the longest reigning WWE champion for the last 30 years at 435 days. Graves said he’s seen chatter on social media that some aren’t happy at the frequency of Lesnar’s defenses. He said Lesnar is a prize fighter and Heyman is a promotional genius and they’re in WWE to get paid and hold the title as long as they want.
(Keller’s Analysis: Why would WWE even draw attention to Lesnar’s infrequent title defenses? And if you’re going to acknowledge it, why attribute it to social media instead of Reigns, who has made an issue of Lesnar’s infrequent appearances?)
-Jinder Mahal and Sunil Singh came out. Jinder said he challenged Reigns tonight to prove a point. He said the winds are changing and he can feel it in his bones. He said at Money in the Bank, he sees Reigns suffering, out of breath, and unable to keep up with him. He said he will deliver Khallas after Khallas. Reigns then came out just in time for the start of the second hour.
POST-SHOW PODCAST ALERT: After Raw ends tonight, tune in within five minutes for the Wade Keller Pro Wrestling Post-show live stream as Zack Heydorn joins Keller and takes your calls (347-215-8558) and answers your emails (wadekellerpodcast@pwtorch.com) about tonight’s episode. Tune in for the live stream HERE or download later by searching “Wade Keller” in Apple Podcasts or Stitcher or other popular podcast apps on iPhone & Android.
[HOUR TWO]
-When Reigns entered the ring, Jinder told him that his own failures are starting to cloud his judgment. Reigns signaled he’s just yapping. Reigns asked if he thought he was going to face him tonight. Jinder said when he made the challenge, he didn’t say the match was against him. He said his opponent tonight is another great Indian who is fearless and stands shoulders above all competition. He then revealed his opponent is “the great (pause to imply it’s Great Khali) Sunil Singh.” No one was more surprised than Sunil.
(Keller’s Analysis: This is a bit of a bait-and-switch by WWE, in as much as people were eager to see Jinder wrestle. Viewers know WWE management plans this.)
(3) SUNIL SINGH (w/Jinder Mahal) vs. ROMAN REIGNS
Reigns knocked Jinder off the ring apron after Jinder gave Sunil a pep talk. Reigns then gave Sunil a Superman Punch that showed a ton of light. Reigns shook the top rope and received boos and high-pitched squeals. Reigns then let out his big yell and speared Sunil for the win.
WINNER: Reigns in under 1:00.
-Two beats of Reigns’s music played, and then Jinder attacked him and the music stopped. He delivered a Khallas mid-ring and then left the ring, dragging Sunil with him.
-The announcers hyped the men’s Fatal Four-way later and the Rousey-Jax “Face to Face” segment. [c]
(4) THE B-TEAM (Curtis Axel & Bo Dallas) vs. RHYNO & HEATH SLATER
Coach said, likely sarcastically, how “the social media community they love so much” are eagerly awaiting his Word of the Hour. He revealed it to be “potential.” (I sure hope Coach is in on the joke how stupid the word of the hour gimmick is). Axel pinned Slater in a short match after Axel ducked a Slater kick and then Rhyno & Axel delivered a double-team neckbreaker. Graves said his word of the hour is “undefeated.”
WINNERS: B-Team in 1:00.
-Bray Wyatt and Matt Hardy appeared on the big screen and applauded their undefeated record. Matt said it’s marvelous. Then they snarled, “We’re here!” The lights briefly went out and when they came back on, Matt and Bray were on the stage. Matt called them “obsolete mules.” He told the B-Team that they are all-knowing and omniscient. Bray said they are surrounded by the awoken and fireflies. Bray said they bought the ticket and will have to take the ride. Matt said, “The game is afoot, you obnoxious ants. And when this is finished, we will eat you and delete you!”
(Keller’s Analysis: So was that a heel turn by Matt and Bray? I think the B-Team are beloved by fans, and Matt and Bray were kind of asses about it and mean in their delivery.)
-They went to the announcers on camera who transitioned to discussing the Seth Rollins-Elias feud. A recap aired of Elias knocking Seth off the announce desk stage with a guitar shot and then getting a pin on Seth last weak in the tag match.
-Backstage Elias said he isn’t used to performing in front of a bunch of Arkansas hillbillies. Fans laughed. [c]
-A WWE Network Fact said that footage from more than ten different wrestling promotions (as opposed to more than ten same wrestling promotions, I suppose) is available on the network “including WWE, WCW, ECW, AWA, GWF, Mid-South, Smoky Mountain, Mid-Atlantic, and WCCW!” They had the logos of the companies on the left side the screen.
(Keller’s Analysis: The order they listed them in is slightly interesting, assuming much thought was put into it, and it’s always a rare treat to see the word “wrestling” on a WWE program.)
-Elias sat mid-ring and told fans they are seeing a once-in-a-lifetime performer and his last appearance before becoming Intercontinental Champion. The fans chanted “Walk With Elias!” then gasped when he sang that Seth is a “disgrace to Monday Night Raw” and he wouldn’t be surprised if he was “born in this toilet of Little Rock, Arkansas.” He said he’d squeal like a pig for the whole world to hear, walking with Elias is the only thing he should fear. He said “Seth ‘Freakin’ Rollins isn’t cool” and he does Crossfit so that makes him a tool. He then showed off his guitar with the IC Title belt painted on it. He said next week he will play his greatest song yet, and he will have this guitar across his chest and the IC Title belt around his waist. Out came Seth. Coach asked if Elias just said it’s “a custom acoustic and electric.” Graves said it’s a real thing. Coach said, “Oh.”
Seth came out to his music and went after Elias, backdropping him out of the ring. Elias hit his back against the ring apron. Seth asked Elias when he’s going to get some guts and stop being such a coward. He said he smashed him with his guitar two weeks ago. He said he’s not hard to find because he’s in the same spot every Monday Night. “I’m begging for a fight, man, and all you had to do was ask.” He said he really wants to like Elias and he could be a hit-maker. He then noticed the guitar resting in the corner of the ring. He studied and contemplated it. Fans chanted “Yes!” Elias looked concerned. “Let’s save it for Sunday!” he shouted.
Seth suggested they have a bidding auction. He told Elias since the guitar was a gift from John Mayer, the guitar must be special to him. He carefully set it down and admired the craftsmanship. Then he teased stomping on it. Elias begged him not to. Fans again chanted “Yes!” Seth said he knows a song with three words, but it only works when he taps his foot on the mat. He asked the fans so help him. Fans chanted “Burn it down!” Seth milked the moment, then stomped the guitar. Elias winced. Seth smiled as his music played.
-Backstage Bobby Roode was smiling admiringly at his reflection. Owens walked in and made a pitch to Roode to work together, reminding him of what Braun did to him last week. Owens said he wants what’s best for everyone. “We know you can’t beat Braun by yourself,” he said. Roode took offense, but KO said neither can Balor “or any of us.” He said they should all work together. He told Roode that he can realize he is right and they work together or else he can go it alone and lose.
-Bayley made her ring entrance.
-Backstage Riott Squad were shown being rowdy on their way to the entrance, tossing stuff around and pounding on the wall. [c]
(5) BAYLEY vs. RUBY RIOTT (w/Liv Morgan, Sarah Logan)
Graves wondered where Bayley’s BFF Sasha is. He said she should be out there watching Bayley’s back. Morgan and Logan interfered against Bayley early. Graves complimented Riot’s DIY approach to her career and life. Riott rolled to ringside to regroup with Logan and Morgan. Bayley charged at ringside and tried to sidekick Riott under the bottom rope over the ring apron, but she came up short. The announcers noted she didn’t have enough momentum. That was sloppy. They cut to a break after Bayley back suplexed Riott on the mat at ringside. [c]
They went to a split-screen and ran an ad for the men’s Money in the Bank match. Bayley tried to escape a Riott armbar. Cole said Bayley has made a career with her heart. She was favoring her right arm as she climbed to the top rope. She went for a flying elbow, but Riott moved and then made the cover. Bayley kicked out. After a distraction, Riott threw Bayley into the ringpost right-shoulder-first and then gave her the Riott Kick for the win. The Riott Squad triple-teamed Bayley afterward and drew a “R” on her with black lipstick.
WINNER: Riott in 12:00.
(Keller’s Analysis: This was pretty sloppy at times.)
-They showed a grumpy looking Rousey backstage. Natalya told her not to take her eyes off of Nia Jax “because she’s capable of anything.” They hugged and Rousey thanked her for looking out for her. Coach said it started as a friendly rivalry and “now it’s about tension and intensity.” [c]
-A Smackdown commercial asked what will happen just days before MITB.
POST-SHOW PODCAST ALERT: After Raw ends tonight, tune in within five minutes for the Wade Keller Pro Wrestling Post-show live stream as Zack Heydorn joins Keller and takes your calls (347-215-8558) and answers your emails (wadekellerpodcast@pwtorch.com) about tonight’s episode. Tune in for the live stream HERE or download later by searching “Wade Keller” in Apple Podcasts or Stitcher or other popular podcast apps on iPhone & Android.
[HOUR THREE]
-Coach stood mid-ring and introduced Rousey first. Then Jax. Coach asked Nia what she has to say about those who say a good-natured rivalry is filled with tension and anger. She said she’s not surprised because she and Ronda are intense athletes. She said she purposefully pushed Rousey’s buttons the last few weeks to see how she’d react. She said Ronda is beautiful and talented and has a huge following and a stellar reputation – Ronda looked smitten with the compliments – she is still very new in WWE. Ronda sighed. Nia pointed out the rules are very different in Strikeforce and UFC, such as headbutts, slaps, strikes to the spine, hair pulling, knee strikes to the ground, and 12-6 elbows. (When did hair pulling become legal?) Nia said that throws people off their gameplans.
Rousey said she doesn’t have gamelans, she improvises, and she’ll improvise her arm off. Rousey said she is confident, but she’s earned the right to be confident. Jax said her one match was very impressive, but it was “a tag match against a businesswoman who competes part time.” She said she’s never had a singles match, much less a championship match. She said she’s been in WWE years “grinding” and she’s not Stephanie McMahon, she’s the Raw Women’s Champion. She said if Rousey wants to take her arm, instead Nia said she’s taking Rousey’s reputation. “After Sunday, they’re going to call me the Toughest Woman on the Planet.” Nia said she challenged her because she knows she can beat her, “and at the end of the day, you’re just not ready.” Rousey laughed and stood up. She asked, “Not ready?”
Rousey said people said she wasn’t ready to make the Olympic team at just age 17, but she did. She said people said she wasn’t ready to challenge for the Strikeforce Title after only four fights, but she won. And everyone said she wasn’t ready to headline, but she broke attendance and PPV records. She said people told her she wasn’t ready to be UFC Champion, and now she’s going into the Hall of Fame. I am Ronda Rousey and I was born ready. She yanked off her jacket and walked toward Jax. Jax stood up and held up her Raw Women’s Title. She took a swing at Rousey, but Rousey caught her arm. Jax head-butted her down. Graves said, “That’s not legal in UFC, but it’s perfectly legal here in WWE.” Rousey then took Jax down and tried to lock on her armbar. Jax tried to block it. Jax lifted Rousey and slammed her down. Rousey then extended the arm and Jax tapped and rolled out of the ring. Cole asked, “Could that be a harbinger of things to come on Sunday.” Rousey looked at Jax from the ring as her music played. Graves said now they know Rousey can apply her signature armbar “and that changes everything.” Cole wondered what that does psychologically to the champion and challenger headed into the weekend.
(Keller’s Analysis: That was a lot to give away in the end with Jax tapping out. I’m not sure of the strategy, but maybe it’ll be more clear once we see the match play out Sunday. It’d have been better if the armbar looked better when Jax tapped. Rousey was better here with her facial reactions, but she’s still very limited in what she can emote. Jax is okay here. No great, but okay. She makes her case the best she can that there are advantages for her in a WWE environment, although this angle tended to unravel them.)
-They showed Curt Hawkins backstage looking stressed out. Then No Way Jose danced by with his Conga Line. Cole said there’s a great article on Hawkins on ESPN.com.
-A commercial aired for “The Hardys: Woken” streaming Sunday after MITB.
-Cole plugged Stephanie McMahon on “Undercover Boss” on Friday in disguise.
(6) NO WAY JOSE vs. CURT HAWKINS
The Conga Line this week featured a man wearing a chicken on his head. Another was in a skirt and suspenders. Hawkins never came out when his music played. After two tries, the ref called for the bell. As he counted toward ten along with the fans, Hawkins rolled NWJ up from behind for a near fall. It was only good for a two count. No Way Jose came right back with his finisher for the win. Hawkins was disguised in the Conga Line.
WINNER: No Way Jose in under 1:00.
-Backstage Balor was smiling when he walked past Roode. He asked if Owens talked to him, too. Roode said yes. He asked if he trusts him. Roode said no, but maybe they work with him and keep an eye on him. Balor said he’ll keep one eye on Owens and one eye on him. Roode nodded. (Who’s watching Braun?!?) [c]
-A video feature aired on The Special Olympics.
-An obstacle course was set up by Sami Zayn for Bobby Lashley. Cole called this a strange rivalry so far. Renee Young asked Sami on the stage why he set up the obstacle course for Lashley. Sami said last week all he did was ask if he Bobby was really in the Army. Sami said he was booed and people bombarded him with proof, but he can’t verify their legitimacy. He said Lashley can prove he was in the Army only by doing the Army obstacle course faster than he can. Sami explained the challenges including flipping a giant tire. Then monkey bars and a rope climb, and more. Sami said Green Berets do this course in two minutes, but he did it in about 90 seconds earlier despite having an injured arm. He said he’ll beat that time competing with Lashley and with the fans cheering him on. Boos. He said he’d dedicate his win to the country with the greatest military force in the world, Canada. Fans didn’t react much. Sgt. Slaughter was on the graphic on the big screen over the entrance.
Lashley walked out. Cole said you can’t blame Bobby if he’s at the end of his rope with Sami. Coach asked if that was a pun. Cole said no. Renee asked Lashley what he thinks. Lashley said he’s going to beat him in the obstacle course and then he’ll “beat his butt” on Sunday. A coin toss would determine who started. Renee flipped a coin, it supposedly came up heads, so Bobby had to go first. Fans chanted “Bobby!” Sami told them to shut up. Lashley ran through it in 42 seconds. It was pretty impressive, actually. He climbed the rope without using his feet or legs. Sami then attacked Lashley from behind. Cole said it appears he had no interest in competing in this. Fans chanted “You suck!” Sami kicked Lashley. Graves said Lashley is an elite athlete, but he was outsmarted tonight. Cole said Lashley gets Sami in a match on Sunday at MITB
(Keller’s Analysis: This was better than the other stuff they’ve done. It showed off Lashley’s athletic strength and speed, which was impressive, and Sami was the sneaky despicable heel who fans might want to see get beat up on Sunday. Like most of Sami’s segment’s recently, his talking was a bit of a patience-tester, though.)
-Owens gave Balor and Roode a pep talk and talked strategy. Balor asked Owens what makes him think they agreed to anything. In walked Braun who said he has a great idea. He told them to all team up on him. He laughed and let out a loud yell, then walked away. [c]
-Everyone got full ring entrances. The announcers hyped the MITB line-up.
(7) BRAUN STROWMAN vs. KEVIN OWENS vs. BOBBY ROODE vs. FINN BALOR
Braun dominated early and they cut to an early break. [c]
After the break, all three of Braun’s opponents charged at him from three sides and got him trapped in a corner. When Braun fought back, they regrouped at ringside. Braun went after them, but all three attacked him. He tossed them off of him. Owens tried to run, but Braun chased him down. He head-butted him on the stage. Eventually all three went after Braun with a ladder. Owens set up a ladder and climbed it. Owens wasn’t scared this week. He leaped off of it and frog splashed Braun on the announce desk. They cut to another break as Braun and KO sold the impact. [c]
Roode and Balor battled as Strowman and Owens were selling the impact of the table splash.
[OVERRUN]
They went split screen to show the MITB commercial. Cole said what’s at stake is that the winner can cash in against the champion of their respective brand any time over the next year. So that seems to rule out someone crossing over to the other brand at a dual-brand PPV. Balor went to the top rope, but Owens returned and knocked him off the top rope. Roode set up a superplex on Balor, but Owens ran up and powerbombed them down, just as Natalya did in the prior Fatal Four-way.
They showed Strowman standing and making his way back toward the ring, clutching his ribs. He knocked over Roode and Balor in the aisle as they charged at him, then went after KO. Owens tried to run away through the crowd, but Strowman caught him and dragged him back to ringside. He gave him a hard forearm to the chest. Strowman gave shoulder tackles to all three opponents at ringside, one after another. The first wasn’t really caught on camera, but the third aimed at Owens led to another great Owens flip-bump. Balor landed a double stomp on the back of Strowman, but Strowman stood up and tackled Balor to the mat. Strowman kept clutching his ribs and then lifted Balor. Owens superkicked him. Roode took out Strowman’s legs. Owens superkicked Strowman in the neck. Roode set up a DDT, but Owens rolled him up from behind for a near fall. Roode then gave Owens a spinebuster. Balor then side slammed Roode and gave a Slingblade to Strowman. Balor gave Storwman a running dropkick in the corner and then a top rope Coup de Grace for a near fall, broken up by Roode. Roode then threw Balor into the ringpost and played up his Glorious DDT. He hit it and made the cover. Owens broke up the pin attempt and threw Roode out of the ring. Then he landed his frog splash for a believable near fall. Graves wondered how Strowman survived it. Fans chanted “This is awesome!” Owens went to the floor and looked under the ring. He pulled out a small ladder. Owens tried to use it, but Strowman blocked it and then gave a running powerslam to Owens on the ladder for the three count. Graves said he’s going to call his bookie to see if he can change his bet from Samoa Joe to Braun.
WINNER: Strowman in 26:00.
(Keller’s Analysis: Really good match. They really told the story well, with the hype leading up to it and the dominance by Braun early and then the good reason for him to be out of it for a while and then the believable near falls with a strong ending. Nicely done.)
POST-SHOW PODCAST ALERT: After Raw ends tonight, tune in within five minutes for the Wade Keller Pro Wrestling Post-show live stream as Zack Heydorn joins Keller and takes your calls (347-215-8558) and answers your emails (wadekellerpodcast@pwtorch.com) about tonight’s episode. Tune in for the live stream HERE or download later by searching “Wade Keller” in Apple Podcasts or Stitcher or other popular podcast apps on iPhone & Android.
NOW CHECK OUT LAST WEEK’S REPORT: 6/4 WWE RAW RESULTS: Keller’s report with more Money in the Bank developments, Nia Jax vs. Natalya, Balor vs. Owens, Strowman vs. Roode, Tag Team Battle Royal
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