By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
WWE Raw (Episode 1,570)
Live from Savannah, Georgia at EnMarket Arena
Aired June 26, 2023 on USA Network
[Hour One] Raw opened with a recap focused on the Dominik Mysterio and Cody Rhodes feud…
Ring announcer Samantha Irvin introduced Dominik Mysterio and Rhea Ripley, who were standing inside the ring. The fans booed loudly. Dom acted frustrated when he couldn’t deliver the welcome to Raw line. Ripley said Cody is a wannabe and a loser. Ripley said Cody’s momentum has been falling down and added that Dom would end it at Money in the Bank.
Cody Rhodes made his entrance dressed in a suit and still had the cast on his left hand. The broadcast team of Kevin Patrick and Corey Graves checked in as Cody headed to the ring. Dom stood on the apron while Ripley remained in the ring and glared at Rhodes. A loud “Cody” chant broke out.
Cody said he thought he knew what Dom was trying to do. Cody delivered the welcome to Raw line instead. Ripley said that while Cody could try to bully her Dom-Dom all he likes, Dom is a very dangerous man. Dom tried to speak and then whispered to Ripley, who told Cody that Dom said he would show him how dangerous he is at MITB.
Cody quoted The Cat in the Hat and said he did it because Dom is a scared little boy. Dom and Ripley made their exit. Cody said Damian Priest wasn’t running from him because they would meet for the first time ever. Cody said he would give Dom a free shot.
Dom headed back to the apron, then dropped off again. “On my time,” Dom said while backing toward the stage with Ripley. Cody said that Dom’s cheap shots were effective, but now he would be stepping into a different body of water. Cody said he wants Dom to show him something. Cody said he wanted Dom to show him that he’s half the man his father is or whether he’s just Mami’s little boy…
Powell’s POV: The usual fun with the live crowds booing the hell out of Dom. I’m really looking forward to Cody vs. Dom at MITB. I wonder if they’ll put one final dose of heat on Dom by having him sneak in another cheap shot on Cody during or after his match with Priest.
Highlights aired from last week of Bronson Reed getting the better of Shinsuke Nakamura and Ricochet… Nakamura made his entrance for a match against Ricochet heading into the first commercial break… [C] Ricochet made his entrance…
1. Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Ricochet. Bronson Reed sat next to the broadcast team dressed in a suit and watched match. Nakamura and Ricochet ended up throwing simultaneous kicks on the apron, causing them to fall to the floor. Reed stood up and applauded while assuring the referee that he wasn’t doing anything. Ricochet and Nakamura both took shots at Reed, who eventually climbed onto the apron. The referee ejected Reed from ringside. [C]
Ricochet performed a standing shooting star press for a near fall. Nakamura came back and went for his finisher, but Ricochet avoided it and responded with the Recoil for another near fall. Ricochet went up top and was cut off by Nakamura. Ricochet put Nakamura down with a standing Sliced Bread. Ricochet went up top and executed a shooting star press and got the three count…
Ricochet defeated Shinsuke Nakamura in 10:50.
Powell’s POV: A good television match. It felt like a bit of an upset to see Ricochet beat Nakamura. That said, getting wins on the MITB go-home show doesn’t seem to bode well for MITB entrants.
Footage aired from earlier in the day of Matt Riddle telling Byron Saxton that he would challenge Gunther for the Intercontinental Title at MITB…
Saxton interviewed Riddle on the backstage ring set and asked if challenging Gunther was a good idea given his ankle injury. Riddle said his ankle is good enough. Ludwig Kaiser showed up and said Riddle got exactly what he deserved after what he did to Giovanni Vinci.
Kaiser asked Riddle what made him think he was skilled enough to compete for the title. Riddle said he used his skills to beat Kaiser, who said that would never happen again. Riddle hit Kaiser and went for an ambar. Gunther showed up and hit Riddle from behind. Kaiser held Riddle down while Gunther accepted the challenge and then kicked Riddle’s bad leg… [C]
Dom and Ripley approached Adam Pearce in his office. Dom said he was embarrassed by Cody and he wanted a match against someone of his own caliber. Dom said he had someone in mind. Ripley whispered to him. When Pearce asked who he had in mind as an opponent, Ripley said they would get back to him…
A Money in the Bank numbers video package aired… Ronda Rousey made her entrance along with Shayna Baszler… [C]
Powell’s POV: I’m a big fan of the numbers video packages and this was no exception. I did laugh when the narrator of the video included a plug for the start time for Saturday’s show. No one can accuse WWE of not driving home the early start time.
Footage aired of Liv Morgan’s return on Smackdown, which set her and Rodriguez up with a shot at the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles at MITB… Rodriguez and Morgan made their entrance…
2. Ronda Rousey (w/Shayna Baszler) vs. Raquel Rodriguez (w/Liv Morgan). Rodriguez performed an early suplex. Rousey came back with an armbar over the ropes. Rousey hoisted up Rodriguez, who slipped away and then knocked Rousey down with a shoulder block.
Rousey came right back with an ankle lock. Rodriguez escaped the hold. Rousey went for an armbar, but Rodriguez powered her up and slammed her to break it. Rodriguez followed up with a fallaway slam. Rodriguez went for her corkscrew dive from the ropes, but Baszler moved Rousey out of her path. Morgan attacked Baszler. Meanwhile, Rousey rolled Rodriguez into a pin and got the three count…
Ronda Rousey defeated Raquel Rodriguez in 2:20.
Powell’s POV: Remember when it felt like a major happening when Rousey appeared on a WWE television show? She’s working matches on television fairly regularly and it just doesn’t mean what it should. This match with Rodriguez was fine, but I can’t say that it made me more interested in the tag title match.
A Finn Balor video aired. He said Seth Rollins wants the guy who beat him seven years ago. Balor said that guy is dead. Balor said “this guy” is much worse. Balor listed the injuries that he suffered during the match seven years ago and said he still beat Rollins.
Balor said he was forced to relinquish the championship. He said that’s not where their problems lie. Balor recalled Rollins walking out and laughing at him when he was at his lowest point. Balor said he would never forget that. Balor said Rollins made him bitter. Balor said he would take back everything that Rollins took from him…
Seth Rollins was shown walking through the backstage area with a smile on his face… [C] Patrick hyped WWE Payback while a graphic listed the September event and noted that tickets were still on sale…
World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins made his entrance.
[Hour Two] Rollins stood in the ring while the fans chanted his song. Rollins pointed out NXT Champion Carmelo Hayes, who was seated in the front row. Rollins said he doesn’t do this often, but Hayes had his back last week so he thanked him. Rollins told Hayes to take out Bum Ass (Baron) Corbin in their NXT Title match on Tuesday.
Rollins turned the focus to his match with Balor. He recalled questioning which Balor would show up at MITB. Rollins also recalled Balor attacking him last week after his NXT match. Rollins said he’s still standing. He said he’s tired of talking and told Balor to come out and finish the job.
The crowd chanted the Rollins’ entrance theme when Balor didn’t come out. Rollins said Balor wouldn’t come out. He said Balor is the smartest and most dangerous he’s ever been. Rollins said Balor has surrounded himself with all the right people and he’s tricked himself into believing that it’s his destiny is to take everything from him that he took from Balor seven years ago.
Rollins said he’s not one hundred percent now and would not be on Saturday. “But as good as Finn Balor is, there’s one thing that he has not accounted for and that’s me,” Rollins said. He said that when it’s just the two of them in the ring, the best version of Balor is not as good as the best version of Rollins.
Rollins started to deliver his “visionary” line when he spotted Balor entering the ring with a chair. Rollins cleared Balor to ringside and then followed and worked him over in front of the broadcast table. Balor ran Rollins’ ribs first into the ring steps and then into the barricade. Balor kicked Rollins’ ribs a couple of times.
Balor grabbed a chair from the timekeepers area. Hayes reached over the barricade and took the chair from Balor, who then glared at him. Rollins, who had a little blood on his face, clotheslined Balor into the timekeepers area. Rollins got the chair and went after Balor, who scurried into the crowd…
Powell’s POV: I give the creative forces a lot of credit. I wasn’t the least bit interested in Rollins vs. Balor aside from a match quality standpoint when the started the build to their MITB match. They have done a very good job of putting heat on Balor by having him get the better of Rollins repeatedly. The involvement of Hayes is a nice touch. It’s giving the NXT Champion good exposure and I assume we’ll get a Hayes vs. Balor title match at some point.
Highlights aired of Tommaso Ciampa returning and beating up The Miz last week…
Footage aired from earlier in the day of Saxton interviewing Ciampa, who said he never heard from Miz the entire time he was recovering from his injury. He questioned why he was wearing a green vest and playing second fiddle to Miz. Ciampa said he would create his opportunities this time around…
The Miz was shown walking backstage while Patrick hyped his match with Ciampa… An ad for Smackdown listed previously advertised matches and segments for the London taping… [C]
The broadcast team recapped the previous angle and announced Hayes vs. Balor for later in the show. Graves said that’s why wrestlers always travel with their gear…
Tommaso Ciampa made his entrance. The Miz ran out behind him and attacked him. Miz ran Ciampa into the ring several times and then slammed his knee against the apron while a “tiny balls” chant broke out. Miz suplexed Ciampa against the barricade and then threw punches until a referee pulled him off. The Miz followed up by putting Ciampa down with a Skull Crushing Finale on the floor. Miz barked that Ciampa wanted his opportunity and got it…
Gunther and Kaiser spoke backstage and noted that Gunther vs. Riddle for the Intercontinental Title is official for MITB. Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn showed up. Kaiser told them to keep walking. Owens said Kaiser does the same thing to them weekly and said they had a reason for interrupting them. Zayn mentioned what they did to Riddle.
Kaiser warned Zayn to be careful or he would meet the same fate that Owens did when he was beaten by Gunther. Zayn said it took three of them to beat Owens. Zayn said he wanted to face Gunther one-on-one. Gunther said Zayn wanted to ride on his coattails and told him to be his guest…
Powell’s POV: Hayes vs. Balor? Gunther vs. Zayn? Things are picking up.
Dominik Mysterio and Rhea Ripley made their entrance. A graphic and Patrick questioned who Dom would face after the break… [C] Patrick plugged Undertaker and Mick Foley discussing the 25th anniversary of their legendary Hell in a Cell match in a video that is available on YouTube… Akira Tozawa made his entrance as Dom’s opponent…
3. Dominik Mysterio (w/Rhea Ripley) vs. Akira Tozawa. Dom put Tozawa down and put the boots to him. Tozawa came back and performed an early huracanrana followed by a shining wizard. Ripley showed concern at ringside. Tozawa sent Dom to ringside and then hit him with a suicide dive.
Tozawa tossed Dom back inside the ring and then became distracted by Ripley. Tozawa went to the ropes. Dom threw Tozawa to the mat and then hit him with a frog splash before pinning him…
Dominik Mysterio beat Akira Tozawa in 1:50.
Powell’s POV: It was fun while it lasted. They played it right with Tozawa getting the better of Dom briefly, only to have Dom get the win following a Ripley distraction.
A Viking Raiders video aired. Valhalla said the gods have not spoken to her in weeks. She said that in order to hear them again, they must do terrible things. Erik said they must hurt Alpha Academy…
Trish Stratus and Zoey Stark made their entrance for the women’s MITB summit… [C]
Becky Lynch’s entrance was televised. Bayley, Zelina Vega, Iyo Sky, and segment host Graves had already joined Stratus and Stark inside the ring. Bayley spoke about her and Sky, who said may the best woman win.
Vega, who had a flip flop in her hand, said she was tired of Bayley dismissing the rest of them. Vega sang Lynch’s praises, yet noted that Lynch had never won MITB. She also said Stratus had never been in a MITB match. Vega said she and Santos Escobar would win MITB for the LWO. Bayley and Vega bickered.
Stratus told them to calm down and said she saw a bunch of little girls. She said she’s a woman and called herself the greatest to ever do this. She said she’s never been in an MITB match, but winning is what she does. Stratus turned her attention to Lynch.
Stratus said she couldn’t call Lynch a girl or a woman “because you’re The Man or whatever.” She questioned whether Lynch would be man enough to thank her once it’s all said and done. Lynch punched Stratus and then a big brawl broke out. Bayley and Sky teamed up on Lynch. Vega hit Sky with her flip flop and then cleared Bayley from the ring. Sky cleared Vega.
Sky performed an Asai moonsault onto the women at ringside. Lynch grabbed one of the two ladders that were set up inside the ring. Lynch climbed the ladder, kissed the women’s MITB briefcase, and unhooked it. Lynch’s music played as she stood on the ladder and held up the briefcase…
Powell’s POV: A pretty basic segment that simply spotlighted the players involved in the match. A wrestler standing tall on a ladder on the go-home show is typically another sign that they won’t actually win MITB. That said, I can’t rule out that the creative forces are well aware of the past tells and are using them to throw fans off the scent. That said, winning MITB doesn’t do nearly as much for Lynch as it would for one of the other entrants.
Cathy Kelley interviewed NXT Champion Carmelo Hayes on the backstage ring set and asked what was going through his head before his first Raw match. Hayes said he was invited by Rollins and said it was an honor to be on Raw. Hayes said he would take care of Seth’s problem by taking out Balor. Hayes said that if he has to go out in a blaze of glory against Baron Corbin on NXT then that’s what he’ll do. He said you have to take shots in order to make shots and he won’t miss tonight…
Gunther made his entrance along with Ludwig Kaiser… [C] An ad for Tuesday’s NXT Gold Rush night two spotlighted Hayes vs. Corbin for the NXT Title, and Tiffany Stratton vs. Thea Hail for the NXT Women’s Title…
Becky Lynch was shown walking backstage when she crossed paths with Rhea Ripley, who said she better hope that she doesn’t win the briefcase. Ripley said that if Lynch even thought about cashing in on her, it would be the last thing she did in WWE. Lynch said she defended the title in every town in the main event, whereas Ripley has become a main event side piece. Lynch said she doesn’t need the title, it needs her…
Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens made his entrance…
4. Intercontinental Champion Gunther (w/Ludwig Kaiser) vs. Sami Zayn in a non-title match. Kevin Owens sat in on commentary. Owens said he has not come around on Riddle. He said it’s nice when he comes out to help him and Zayn, but they are different people with different interests. Owens said Riddle has a chance against Gunther if the numbers advantage doesn’t get to him. Owens yelled that Kaiser is a henchman.
Giovanni Vinci walked out on crutches, which distracted Zayn. Gunther put Zayn down with a suplex while Kaiser greeted Vinci at ringside. [C] Gunther dominated Zayn coming out of the break. Gunther barked at Owens, who stood up and asked him what he was looking at. Gunther wound up to chop Zayn, who cut him off with a kick. Gunther blocked a tornado DDT and then blasted Zayn with a chop.
[Hour Three] Gunther went to the middle rope for a superplex. Zayn fired off punches to Gunther’s back and then took him down with a sunset bomb for a near fall. Zayn hit Gunther with clotheslines and was unable to take him off his feet until he performed a springboard version.
Zayn went for a Blue Thunder Bomb, but Gunther countered into a sleeper. Zayn got back to his feet and hit the Blue Thunder Bomb for a near fall. Moments later, Zayn went up top and dove at Gunther, who chopped him in midair and covered him for a near fall.
Gunther stood up and dropped a knee on Zayn’s head, then went up top and splashed him, which led to another near fall. Kaiser climbed onto the apron. Owens took him out. Gunther booted Owens. Zayn performed a suicide dive onto Gunther. Back in the ring, Zayn performed an exploder suplex.
Zayn set up for his finisher, but he was distracted by Kaiser standing on the apron while barking at the referee. Vinci hit Zayn with a crutch. Gunther powerbombed Zayn and pinned him.
Intercontinental Champion Gunther defeated Sami Zayn in 12:00 in a non-title match.
After the match, Gunther and Kaiser posed in the ring while Vinci stayed on the floor. Owens jumped the heel duo from behind, but they quickly outnumbered him. Matt Riddle limped out with his ankle wrapped and blasted Vinci with a knee strike. Riddle picked up Vinci’s crutch and hit his leg with it. Riddle brought the crutch inside the ring and chased off Gunther. Owens took out Kaiser with a Stunner. The babyface trio stood tall while Imperium sold at ringside…
A Carmelo Hayes video package aired… Finn Balor made his entrance for his match with Hayes… [C]
Powell’s POV: A hot match with Zayn selling Gunther’s strong offense before storming back with a great comeback. I assume that Vinci is cleared given that he got involved physically, so we’re likely going to get a six-man tag match soon.
Coach Chad Gable was with Otis and Maxxine Dupri. They spoke about the Viking Raiders and Valhalla. Gable told them to ask their viking gods to come say things to their faces for once…
Poor Balor was shown standing in the ring before the broadcast team recapped Rhea Ripley’s attack on Natalya from last week. Backstage, Natalya was interviewed by Cathy Kelley on the interview set. Natalya said she’s been fighting a battle in her head. She said she’s shaken, but she’s still standing. Natalya said she wanted Ripley to bring her title and face her one-on-one next week. Natalya said no one can defeat what she’s accomplished in the company.
Carmelo Hayes made his entrance and received a good reaction. Graves hyped Hayes vs. Corbin for Tuesday’s NXT…
5. NXT Champion Carmelo Hayes vs. Finn Balor in a non-title match. Graves said it was a questionable decision for Hayes to put himself in peril a night before a title defense. Balor was in offensive control until Hayes caught him with a nice dropkick. Hayes followed up with the Fade Away. Balor went to ringside. Hayes performed a pescado heading into a break. [C]
Balor was back on the offensive coming out of the break. Hayes quickly battled back and performed a springboard clothesline that led to a two count. Balor returned fire by turning Hayes inside out with a clothesline. Balor followed up with a sling blade.
Balor set up for a shotgun dropkick, but Hayes cut him off. Hayes performed a springboard into a DDT for a two count. Balor regained control with a gutbuster and then performed a dropkick in the corner. Balor went up top and hit his Coup De Grace finisher and scored the pin…
Finn Balor defeated NXT Champion Carmelo Hayes in 9:50 in a non-title match.
Powell’s POV: Balor had to go over given that he’s challenging for the World Heavyweight Championship on Saturday. Hayes made a good first impression by looking good in defeat. I assume they will eventually run this back in NXT and have Hayes get his win back in a title defense.
Cody Rhodes was interviewed by Cathy Kelley in the backstage area. Cody had his dog Pharaoh with him. Kelley asked Cody for a comment on Damian Priest or Dominik Mysterio. Cody said Priest will walk into MITB with bruises to his ego. He said Dom wouldn’t have the other members of Judgment Day at MITB. Cody said he would find out what “Dirty Dom” has…
Patrick hyped a Bloodline segment recap video… [C]
Powell’s POV: They haven’t done much of anything to build up the television main event. Cody has barely mentioned Priest, and Priest has yet to speak. I guess they are banking on the appeal of Cody as the hook to keep viewers watching.
The Bloodline/Usos video aired… The broadcast team ran through the MITB lineup… Cody Rhodes made his entrance for the main event… [C] Damian Priest made his entrance while the broadcast team plugged Raw being in Baltimore next week…
6. Cody Rhodes vs. Damian Priest. Priest put Cody down with a shoulder block to start. Cody tried to return the favor, but Priest bounced off the ropes and knocked Cody down with another shoulder block. Cody came back with a punch from his back and a dropkick.
Rhodes was in control when Dominik Mysterio and Rhea Ripley headed to ringside. Priest took Cody down and set up to slam his knee in the post, but Cody used his legs to pull Priest into the post instead. Cody followed up with a suicide dive. Cody walked toward Dom and asked “What?” while Dom ducked behind Ripley. Back in the ring, Priest put Cody down with a Flatliner. [C]
Priest turned Rhodes inside out with a clothesline. Priest went up top. Cody followed and tossed Priest back to the ring. Cody put Priest down with a powerslam and seemed a bit woozy when he stood up. Cody hit the Disaster Kick. Cody hit the Bionic Elbow for a two count.
Cody went for a figure four, but Priest kicked away. Priest put Cody down with a headlock driver and covered him for a two count. Cody regrouped and hit the Pedigree, but Priest rolled to the floor to avoid being pinned. Cody climbed up top. Priest returned to the ring and then Cody jumped over him and turned around before eating a kick. Priest covered Cody for a two count.
Rhodes caught Priest with a super kick. Cody went for a Disaster Kick, but Dom grabbed his foot to block it while Ripley distracted the referee. Priest capitalized with his South of Heaven finisher, but Cody kicked out of the pin attempt. Priest hoisted up Cody, who slipped away and then shoved Priest into Dom, who was on the apron. Cody hit the Cody Cutter and followed up with CrossRhodes for the win.
Cody Rhodes defeated Damian Priest in 13:35.
Cody celebrated his win afterward. Dom ran in and hit him from behind and then quickly fled to ringside with Ripley and Priest. Cody seethed in the ring while Dom told him that he would see him at MITB. A Raw Talk graphic listed Ricochet, Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez, and The Miz as the guests…
Powell’s POV: A solid main event and one more cheap shot from Dom afterward. Overall, an entertaining show. Rousey vs. Rodriguez was the only advertised match, but they came through with a nice lineup of matches, particularly with the fairly loaded third hour. The hype for MITB was consistent even if there wasn’t a truly memorable go-home segment. I will have more to say about Raw in my weekly same night audio review for Dot Net Members (including our Patreon patrons). Let me know what you thought of the show by grading it below.
Shake Shack Kimura really has lost about 10 steps these days. He was in quicksand compared to Ricochet.
The greatest moron is loose. Who left the basement door open?
Just remember the dirt sheets were saying Vince’s fingerprints were all over this show and it’s been great. Lol
They’ve been saying that about Vince for months and the product is mostly on the upswing.
Tony Khan in a rage over the WWE debut of AEW legend Pharaoh
I’m just thankful Pharaoh got away from Khan. I wonder what kind of nda he had to sign?
Raquel Rodriguez has the look — but damn, she’s running out there on 88% speed. She’s a quarter step behind her dance partner at all times… except when she tries too hard to catch up, and ends up telegraphing the next contact.
I want to like her. But her actual in-ring performance kills the suspension of disbelief.
Raquel also isn’t as strong as she looks, so her power moves seem like more of a struggle than they should be. Maybe turning her heel and having her lead the matches will work better for her timing.
Did Samantha Irvin just accidentally say Bayley was representing Judgement Day?