‘WWE Raw’ Review (June 27th 2022)
Welcome to this week’s review of WWE Raw, the company’s flagship show which this week sees John Cena return for a special 20th Anniversary celebration. Let’s get into the review.
Match #1: Last Chance Battle Royal Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier – Winner: Riddle
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Starting off the 20th Anniversary Celebration of John Cena with a bang, a cavalcade of Superstars competed in a Last Chance Battle Royal with a spot in the Money in the Bank Ladder Match on the line. With names like Rey Mysterio, Dominik Mysterio, Shinsuke Nakamura, AJ Styles, The Miz, Veer Mahaan and Riddle in the 20-man field, the action was thick and fast, and the eliminations were quick and swift. Ricochet, ever the versatile competitor, used his surroundings to his advantage, leaping onto a ladder placed at ringside and using said ladder to deliver a magnificent hurricanrana to T-BAR, eliminating the him from the match. The Miz appeared to have injured his knee late into the match, but it was all a ruse, as he eliminated The Phenomenal One to narrow the field to himself and Riddle. The Original Bro hit an RKO out of nowhere on the apron to The A-Lister, eliminating The Miz and earning a spot in the coveted match.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #2: Montez Ford def. Jey Uso
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Ahead of their Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship match at WWE Money in the Bank, Montez Ford and Jey Uso put on a show for the WWE Universe. Ford started the match off hot, even sticking it to The Usos by throwing up his index finger to indicate The Street Profits are the ones, not The Usos. With everything bigger in Texas, Ford picked up the win by hitting a huge top-rope splash, nearly hitting his head on the Money in the Bank briefcase strung up in the air. Could we be looking at the next Undisputed Tag Team Champions?
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #3: AJ Styles def. The Miz (Count-Out)
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
After once again decking The Miz, WWE Official Adam Pearce sanctioned this matchup, with the two former WWE Champions colliding for the first time on Raw since 2016. In a back-and-forth match, Styles brought out his arsenal, but Miz was quick to respond with his underhanded tactics. Styles’ onslaught set up a Phenomenal Forearm, but The A-Lister opted to walk out of the ring and the match, gifting The Phenomenal One a count-out victory.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #4: Liv Morgan def. Alexa Bliss
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Liv Morgan and Alexa Bliss, both competitors in the Money in the Bank Ladder Match, faced each other for the first time ever. The two had been friendly as of late, as they earned a tag team victory to secure their spot in the high-stakes match. Fellow entrant in the match Asuka also made her presence known, providing astute commentary for the back-and-forth affair. Just when The Goddess was about to wrap up the match, Morgan reversed a DDT attempt, pinning Bliss and picking up the win heading into WWE Money in the Bank.
My Score: 1.5 out of 5
Match #5: 2-on-1 Handicap Match – Bobby Lashley def. Otis & Chad Gable
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
After beating Alpha Academy and Theory in a Gauntlet match last week, there was no rest for the weary this week for The All Mighty as he faced Otis and Chad Gable in a Handicap Match. To make matters worse for The All Mighty, United States Champion Theory was the Special Guest Enforcer, providing openings for Otis and Gable to take advantage of the numbers game. Alpha Academy had things under control, but they were no match for the might of Lashley, who plowed through them like bowling pins. Lashley cinched in the Hurt Lock on Gable and picked up the victory, giving himself the impetus going into his match with Theory at WWE Money in the Bank.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #6: Six-Woman Elimination Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier – Winner: Becky Lynch
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Becky Lynch had to go through Doudrop, Nikki A.S.H.,Tamina, Xia Li and Shayna Baszler to earn her way to the Money in the Bank Ladder Match. Big Time Becks lived up to her moniker, eliminating the majority of the matchup’s participants, getting rid of Li and Nikki A.S.H. with a Manhandle Slam and the Dis-arm-her, respectively. Doudrop had a great showing as well, eliminating Baszler and Tamina with her impressive power. Lynch secured the victory, pinning Doudrop after a Super Manhandle Slam, finally ending her losing streak.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Final Verdict: 2/5
This entire episode screamed desperation. The return of John Cena following the loss of Roman Reigns and Randy Orton, felt less like a celebration of the WWE superstar and more like a “here’s a big name on our show, please love us! Watch this week’s show… Please! And nothing else on the card was up to anything like even an AVERAGE episode of Raw. I hate to be THAT guy but after watching AEW’s Forbidden Door pay-per-view there’s zero way this week’s show stood any chance!
