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WWE RAW TV REPORT
JULY 1, 2024
BOSTON, MASS. AT TD GARDEN
AIRED LIVE ON USA
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves
Ring Announcer: Samantha Irvin
Attendance: WrestleTix reported earlier today that 11,190 tickets had been distributed; arena is set up for 12,214
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[HOUR ONE]
-After “Then, Now, Together, Forever” narrated by Paul Levesque, they cut to a aerial scenes of Boston, Mass. as Michael Cole introduced the show. They showed three wrestlers on a divided screen – Drew McIntyre, Ilja Dragunov, and Sheamus. Sheamus got out of a Cyber Truck.
-They cut to the concourse with enthusiastic fans yelling and cheering at the camera. Jey Uso emerged from the crowd and then made his way through the crowd to the ring.
-They cut to Michael Cole and Corey Graves who sent best wishes to Pat McAfee’s family without specifying why. (His father-in-law died unexpected last week.) Graves said he wouldn’t defile himself by Yeeting and waving his arms.
-Jey entered the ring and welcomed everyone to Monday Night Raw. He said he’s snatching the Money in the Bank contract and listed the others in the match and said “not them.” He was interrupted by Chad Gable’s music. Gable called the booing fans “idiots” and said “yeet” isn’t even a word. Fans drowned his words with a “You suck!” chant.
As Gable entered the ring, Jey asked what he was doing there. He said, “Didn’t the Wyatts get you already?” Gable said he’s not scared, but Jey should be. Gable said his family left him, so they should be after Jey, “the man who abandoned his family.” He said what Gable’s family did is what he did – “getting out from under a manipulative scumbag.” Gable attacked Jey. Jey made a comeback and punched and superkicked Gable. He climbed to the top rope, but Gable rolled out of the ring.
The lights went dark and Gable was shown looking around nervously. The crowd chanted “Holy shit” (which was bleeped). The ring filled with smoke. Gable turned and witnessed a hazy silhouette. He staggered away, only to come across another hazy silhouette. Nikki Cross showed up at ringside and placed something on the desk, which had someone facedown on the announce desk in front of Graves and Cole. They cut to a break. [c]
-They went to Cole and Graves at ringside. Graves was nervous and asked if he has to be worried. Cole unboxed another VHS tape and said they’ll take a look at that later.
(Keller’s Analysis: Another instance of hooking viewers interested in these videos, plus explaining why their videos are being aired. It doesn’t explain who cooperated in setting up the fog machines and playing their theme music or how they keep getting past security after the massacre against not just Gable, but other backstage workers.)
(1) XAVIER WOODS (w/Kofi Kingston) vs. KARRION KROSS (w/Scarlett, Paul Ellering, Authors of Pain)
Cole noted that Kross has been pitching Xavier pursue a singles title for the first time. Graves said Xavier should go for it because he’s always been a third wheel in the New Day. Cole noted that Kross asked Xavier if he wants to be “Shawn or Marty.” Graves explained the reference to The Rockers and how Shawn Michaels went on to big singles success and Marty Jannetty didn’t. The bell rang 21 minutes into the hour. A minute in, Kross powerbombed Xavier into the ringpost and then (seemingly recklessly let him drop onto the back of his neck, which caused Graves to gasp). They cut to an early break. [c]
Kross continued the beating after the break. He got lackadaisical and Xavier small packaged him for a three count. Cole called it a shocker and said Kross was stunned. Kingston entered the ring and gloated down at Kross who absorbed the shock of his loss.
WINNER: Woods in 7:00.
-AOP attacked Xavier and Kofi from behind as Paul Ellering cheered them on. Kofi fought back and went for a running dive, but Kross nailed him before his leap with a Kross Hammer. AOP then threw Xavier into the barricade at ringside. Kross went after Kingston’s arm. Scarlett smiled as she approached Xavier and Kross. This went on a while with no help from the back. Kross eventually just released Kingston. Cole said, “The damage has been done.”
(Keller’s Analysis: I still don’t know if this is just to add a backstory to New Day vs. AOP or more. It seems like a lot of trouble and time spent to just go there, though, so I expect a twist of some kind along the way.)
-Cole and Graves commented over clips of last week’s developments with Liv Morgan and Dominik Mysterio and their associates leading to Finn Balor & J.D. McDonagh winning the WWE Tag Team Titles.
-Backstage, Damien Priest told Dom that hopefully after tonight, he’s done with his dad once and for all. Priest asked if Dom has talked with Ripley. Dom said he has and she’s good and everyone is good. Priest said he just talked to Ripley. Dom gulped. Priest said she’s pissed. Dom said he’s going to take care of things. Priest said he always says that, but for once he should do what he says he’s going to do. Dom said the whole Liv thing isn’t his fault. He muttered, “You’re starting to sound like my dad.” Priest asked what he said.
They walked into the clubhouse and Liv was cheering on Carlito, Balor, and McDonagh playing a videogame. Liv smiled and said she was just leaving for her match. Priest told Balor that Liv can’t be in their clubhouse. Balor said she helped them regain the tag titles, and he said Priest is the real issue. He brought up what he said to Seth about Judgment Day needing him more than he needs them. Priest said he spoke the truth because he’s the world champion. He said Balor & McDonagh are in that category now because they’re champions again. Priest said he knows he can beat Seth at Money in the Bank. Balor said as his brother, he always has his back and he always tells him the truth. He said since he won the world title, he’s changed.
(Keller’s Analysis: Another good Judgment Day segment with a lot of moving parts. That was a long segment without a cut, so impressive that everyone played their role well.) [c]
-A video tribute aired on Sika, Roman Reigns’s father who died last week.
-Cathy Kelley asked if Zelina Vega has considered Dom’s offer to help in her match against Liv Morgan later. Zelina said she’s not interested in chasing Dirty D. She said she’s more interested in chasing the Women’s World Championship.
-Zelina made her entrance. [c]
-They replayed what happened earlier with Chad Gable and the Wyatt Sicks.
-A clip aired of Liv Morgan throwing out the first pitch at a Boston Red Sox game at Fenway Park the previous night.
(2) LIV MORGAN vs. ZELINA VEGA – Women’s World Title match
They did formal ring introductions. Liv showed off her t-shirt that said, “Liv is always on top.” She also continued to default to laughing for no reason. The bell rang 51 minutes into the hour. Dom strolled out early in the match. Zelina took over with a Meteora off the ring apron to the floor. Liv then yelled at Dom. Rey Mysterio walked out, which got a big pop. They cut to a break at 3:00. [c]
Liv landed a suplex and then danced like Eddie Guerrero at ringside. Liv then applied a Prism Lock on Zelina. “That’s Rhea’s submission!” exclaimed Cole. Graves said she said she was going to take everything from Rhea including her boyfriend. Graves said Dom is more like Eddie’s former partner, “Love Machine” Art Barr.
[HOUR TWO]
Vega made a comeback with a kick and then a top rope moonsault for a two count. Rey cheered on Zelina. Fans chanted “Shave your mustache!” at Dom. Zelina delivered a top rope sunset bomb. Liv rolled to the floor. Graves called it brilliant. Zelina went after her at ringside, but Liv fought back and took over.
Dom and Rey argued at ringside. Rey shoved Dom. Liv slidekicked Rey. Zelina landed a 619 on Liv as she laughed at Rey. She landed a DDT and scored a dramatic near fall. Dom slid a chair into the ring, ostensibly to help Zelina. Zelina threw the chair at Dom’s head and knocked him to the floor. Liv then caught Zelina with Oblivion for the win.
WINNER: Morgan in 12:00 to retain the Women’s World Title.
-Kelley interviewed Liv on the stage. She asked how her Revenge Tour is going. She said it is well and she dedicated it to the “the most gorgeous man in WWE, my daddy Dominik.” She waved at him and smiled, then turned and left the stage.
-A sponsored video package aired with fresh comments from Drew McIntyre gloating about what he’ll do to Seth Rollins at Money in the Bank and what he did to C.M. Punk.
-They showed Seth walking backstage. In the background, Zoey Stark was having an intense conversation with Sonya Deville when Shayna Baszler pulled her away.
-Cole plugged the new documentary on the road to WrestleMania, celebrating The Rock generously listening to the fans when they rejected him and deciding to endorse a change of course. It showed Paul Levesque on a jet with the WrestleMania plans on paper at his table. He talked about the change of plans. [c]
-Seth made his entrance. He talked about Boston’s pro sports success, which endeared him to the audience, especially when he got to the Celtics. He said he needs a championship, too, and he must regain the World Title on Saturday. He said he’ll take the title from Priest and take Priest from The Judgment Day. Finn Balor interrupted.
He said he’s in a bad mood because everything is changing around there. He said what it means to be in The Judgment Day is changing and Priest is changing, and he blames Seth. He said Priest is his own man and he’s making his own decisions. He said he’s just jealous of Priest for having something he couldn’t get, the World Hvt. Title. He told Balor if he wanted to step in the ring, he would knock his teeth down his throat.
Seth said it looks like a trap. Priest entered the ring just as Balor did, but Priest turned to Balor and said this is his business and no one else’s. “This is about you and me,” he said. “Just you and me.” He said Seth’s days are numbered. Balor watched as Seth and Priest exchanged words. Seth called him for to fight right there. Balor came up behind Seth. Seth punched him, but when Seth turned back to Priest, Balor jumped Seth. Priest pried Balor off of him. Seth superkicked both of them with a superkick. He gave Balor a stomp. Priest then gave Seth a South of Heaven chokeslam. Priest left with Balor and put his around on his shoulder. Balor had some heated words about what happened.
(Keller’s Analysis: I’m enjoying the slow burn break-up of The Judgment Day.)
-They went to Cole and Graves at ringside. Cole brought up the “gentlemen’s agreement” about Priest having to leave The Judgmet\nt Day if he lost, while Seth can’t get another title shot against Priest if Priest wins. Cole hyped a fast food sponsor with cups with The Outsiders, The Brothers of Destruction, The Dudleys, and The Hart Foundation on them. Cole then threw to a vignette on Ludwig Kaiser.
-Kaiser talked about suffering broken ribs last week at the hands of Sheamus. He called him a coward. He said he was only meant to be one chapter in his rise, but he’s going to make it his goal to come back and embarrass him and humiliate him and end him once and for all.
(Keller’s Analysis: Another strong delivery from Kaiser.)
-Dakota Kai made her entrance. [c]
-Cole and Graves hyped next week’s events including Smackdown, Money in the Bank, and NXT Heat Wave.
-Priest told Balor backstage he needs to take care of Seth on his own his way at Money in the Bank. Balor said, “Yep.” He was selling an injured jaw.
(3) DAKOTA KAI vs. IVY NILE vs. ZOEY STARK – Money in the Bank Qualifier
The bell rang 33 minutes into the hour. Stark scored a two count on Kai after a dropkick off the top rope. They cut to an early break. [c]
Back from the break, Nile landed a leaping bulldog off the top turnbuckle on both opponents. Nile gave a German suplex to both opponents at once and scored a near fall on Stark afterward. Kai broke up a cover by Stark a minute later. They continued to score near falls on each other, with the third person breaking up the covers. Kairi Sane ran out and distracted Nile. Cole noted the (ridiculous) rule that there are no DQs in Triple Threat matches. Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn went after her at ringside. Stark then landed Z360 on Kai for the win.
WINNER: Stark in 9:00 to advance to the Money in the Bank match.
-The Wyatt Sicks’ new video aired (43 minute into the hour). Bo Dallas asked how much longer they’re going to keep doing this. He looked lost. “What are we even doing here?” he asked Uncle Howdy. Howdy asked if he honestly believes he brought him to life. Bo said, “I was destined to do this.” Howdy asked if he thinks he’s special. Bo said special implies that others are not. He said they’re the ones who everyone abandoned. “We made them notice us,” he said. Howdy said, “There you are.”
Bo said they weren’t chosen, just willing. “Clay in the hands of the potter,” he said. He said they’ve become a family. Howdy smiled. Bo said: “False profits, berating, belittling their family for their own gain. It’s disgusting. They must pay for their sins.” Howdy asked if that’s his responsibility. Bo said he is the voice of the reckoning. The video started to merge their voices and switched their places in the interview exchange and then merged them briefly before Howdy disappeared. Bo said he made them beautiful and set them free. Howdy showed up and then Bo disappeared. “There you are,” said Bo.
(Keller’s Analysis: There’s a lot to process there, and it should make more sense over time. For what they’re attempting, it was well done, and Bo is shining with believable acting there) [c]
-Gable approached Otis at a cafeteria. He made a case to Otis that while he’s been critical of him and calling him hurtful names, and he knows he hates him, he needs him because of the Wyatt Sicks. Otis said he doesn’t hate him, but it’s not his problem. Gable said they could go after Maxxine or Tozawa or Otis next. He told Otis he’ll have his back because he’s his number one guy. Maxxine and Tozawa walked up to them. Gable said things are great and left.
-Cole said, “Please don’t fall for it, Otis.”
(4) REY MYSTERIO vs. DOMINIK MYSTERIO
Rey Mysteiro made his ring entrance first. The bell rang 54 minutes into the hour. Rey took it to Dom early and they cut to a break at 1:00. [c]
Dom was in control after the break.
[HOUR THREE]
Rey fought back and leaped off the top rope with a senton at 7:00. Liv came to ringside. Rey set up Dom for a 619, but Liv pulled him to safety at ringside. Fans booed. “What a woman!” said Graves. Rey kicked Dom onto Liv, landing in a suggestive position. Rey pulled Dom off of Liv. Dom kicked Rey in the chin as he re-entered. He followed with a suplex for a near fall. Zelina ran out and tackled Liv. Dom dropkicked a distracted Rey and landed a 619 and then climbed to the top rope. Liv ran onto the ring apron to stop Zelina from approaching Dom. When Liv yanked Zelina off the ring apron, that knocked Dom off balance and Dom crotched the top turnbuckle. Rey then landed a 619 on Dom as he slouched in the corner. Rey then landed a Drop the Dime for the win.
WINNER: Rey 11:00.
(Keller’s Analysis: Fun match that the crowd ate up.)
-Liv pleaded with Dom for forgiveness. He wasn’t happy.
-A vignette aired with Sheamus speaking about Ilja Dragunov and Drew McIntyre. He talked about his match tonight.
-As Sami Zayn made his entrance, Cole plugged tickets going on sale for “Sami Zayn & Friends” show in Toronto taking place Money in the Bank weekend. [c]
-A photo was shown of Shinsuke Nakamura at UFC over the weekend.
-Sami waved to the fans as he stood on the ringside steps and his music faded. Cole plugged his Intercontinental Title defense against Bron Breakker at Money in the Bank. Sami said it feels great to be back in Boston as IC Champion. He said he hears the chatter and it seems like everyone is saying Breakker would plow right through him. He vowed to beat Breakker. He was interrupted by Breakker’s music. Fans booed as his music faded and he entered the ring.
He said Sami earned his respect because everyone else in the back turns away from him scared, but Sami is willing to face him. He said it showed Sami has guts, but also has no idea what he’s in for. He said he’s going to break him and decimate him and become IC Champion. Sami asked if he knows how many people have said similar things. He said it’s happened 1,000 times and he’s always put himself back together. He said unlike the guys he’s plowed through, he gets back up every time. He told Breakker to try his very best, but if he has to tell him who he is, it tells him that he hasn’t done his homework. “Maybe you aren’t as smart as you think you are,” he said. “And maybe you’re not as good as you think you are.”
Breakker nodded and turned to leave, but then turned and charged suddenly at Sami and speared him hard to the mat. Cole said Sami could hardly breathe. When Sami rolled to the floor, Breakker charged back at him, but Sami moved so Breakker crashed into the ringside steps. In the ring, Sami gave Breakker an exploder suplex into the corner. Breakker brushed it off and speared Sami as he went for a Helluva Kick.
(Keller’s Analysis: Really good, straight-forward segment. The characters are established, the fans care about the title, and the two wrestlers talked about their history and their determination. Just paint by numbers basics, but it works.) [c]
-A graphic touted that the Bloodline Acknowledgement Ceremony from Friday’s Smackdown has over 60 million views, the most since WrestleMania for any WWE segment.
-Kelley interviewed Damage CTRL. She asked Dakota about not securing a place in the MITB match and if that affects Iyo Sky’s prep for Saturday. Dakota said Sky is still winning the match. She said she’s sick of people getting in their business. Lyra Valkyria came up to them and vowed to win. A big brawl broke out and Adam Pearce and other officials tried to separate them.
-Cole threw to a video package on The Bloodline segment.
-Graves said as polarizing as Paul Heyman can be, he’s a manager, not a competitor, and they’d do their best to keep everyone up to date, but he has a feeling they won’t be seeing Heyman for a long, long time. Cole hyped the MITB Kickoff Show on Friday afternoon. They hyped MITB as an aerial shot aired of Toronto.
-A vignette aired with Ilja Dragunov speaking about the main event. He said it’s his time to breath the air of the new level. (Good line.)
-Drew made his entrance. [c]
(5) DREW MCINTYRE vs. ILJA DRAGUNOV vs. SHEMAUS – Money in the Bank Qualifier
Cole said Drew handed him the bracelet he took from C.M. Punk before the match. Dragunov made his entrance next. The bell rang 40 minutes into the hour. Sheamus went on the attack on Dragunov at ringside. Drew tossed Sheamus over the ringside barricade. Dragunov threw Drew into the ringpost and then kicked him. Sheamus stood behind Drew and then pounded his chest over and over with forearms. They cut to a break at 3:00. [c]
Back from the break, all three were back in the ring battling. Cole touted a crowd of 14,778. Dragunov rallied and took Drew down and then leaped off the ring apron to Sheamus with his H-Bomb fistdrop. He followed up with a top rope senton onto Drew. He then landed an H-Bomb on Drew for a two count. Sheamus yanked Dragunov to ringside and threw him into the ringside barricade. They cut to another break at 11:00. [c]
Dragunov superplexed both Sheamus and Drew after the break. Drew cut off his momentum with a headbutt, but Dragunov landed Torpedo Moscow to block a Claymore. He climbed to the top rope and leaped off, but Sheamus landed a Brogue Kick mid-air for a near fall. Sheamus pounded the mat in frustration. Sheamus hit another Brogue Kick and made the cover, but Drew yanked Dragunov out of the ring. Drew entered and faced off with Sheamus mid-ring. They exchanged strikes. Sheamus landed forearms to the chest over the top rope and went for a Brogue, but Drew ducked and schoolboyed him for a two count. Drew then hit a Claymore for the win.
WINNER: McIntyre in 18:00 to advance to the Money in the Bank match.
-Kelley interviewed Drew in the ring. He yanked the mic away and said he vowed to win the war and he did. He said he’s going to leave Toronto as World Hvt. Champion. He kissed the Punk bracelet and posed in the corner as the show ended.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO OUR POST-SHOW PODCAST
JOIN US LIVE ON YOUTUBE TONIGHT FOR THE VIDEO-FORMAT OF OUR LIVE POST-SHOWS…
On the episode, Wade Keller will be joined by Kelly Wells from PWTorch to review Raw LIVE along with VIP member video caller, viewer emails, and chat room interactions. Join us and let us know your thoughts on Raw during the show.
Email our post-show at wadekellerpodcast@gmail.com with your comments and questions about Raw. We’ll read your emails live during the post-show.
Subscribe to all of our free podcasts by searching “wade keller” and “pwtorch” in your podcast app of choice including Spotify and Apple Podcasts and most other iOS and Android apps.
PWTorch VIP members and Patreon supporters can join us a video callers on the live show. Check out our Patreon page and Wade’s PWTorch VIP Raw report for the link.
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