By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
WWE Raw (Episode 1,620)
Toledo, Ohio at Huntington Center
Aired live June 10, 2024 on USA Network
[Hour One] The show opened with a shot of applauding fans and then inside the venue while Michael Cole checked in on commentary. Shots aired of Bron Breakker, Illja Dragunov, Damage CTRL, and Lyra Valkyria. Cole was joined by Pat McAfee on commentary…
Drew McIntyre made his entrance and was introduced by ring announcer Samantha Irvin. McIntyre asked who is ready for a new World Heavyweight Champion. He said he knows that the rest of Judgment Day is behind Damian Priest every single time. McIntyre said he doesn’t give a damn and then he was interrupted.
World Heavyweight Champion Damian Priest made his entrance and was accompanied by Finn Balor and JD McDonagh. Once in the ring, Priest said McIntyre has his shot at Clash at the Castle and he’s still making excuses. He recalled McIntyre stating that Priest made it personal. Priest questioned if he made it personal by beating McIntyre at his own game.
Priest said McIntyre made it personal by suggesting that he needs Judgment Day to be champion. There were loud “What?” chants, which Priest ignored. Priest said he was heading into McIntyre’s territory in front of his people and would still put him down. Priest said that as much as he loves his crew, he doesn’t need Judgment Day or anyone else to be champion. “I’m champ because I’m Damian Priest,” he said.
McIntyre said it’s the same speech and he doesn’t give a damn what Priest has to say. McIntyre said the only chance Priest has is the idiots he was accompanied by. Priest told him to stop. Priest suggested that McIntyre face Finn Balor on Raw with the stipulation being that Judgment Day would banned from ringside if McIntyre wins. Conversely, if Balor wins, Judgment Day gets “the honor and privilege” to be at ringside to watch Priest beat McIntyre in McIntyre’s hometown.
McIntyre suggested that Priest was digging his own grave. McIntyre said he would be the World Heavyweight Champion by this time next week. McIntyre called for his music play and left the ring. McIntyre stopped near the stage and looked back at Priest. “You screwed up,” McIntyre said…
Cole and McAfee set up footage of last week’s segments involving Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan and Dominik Mysterio…
Inside the Judgment Day clubhouse, Morgan laughed when Dom entered the room and said no repeatedly. Morgan said she knows that Dom is supposed to hate her right now, but she would really like to see him again. Dom said he didn’t want anything to do with her. Morgan said a gorgeous man like Dom shouldn’t be with a woman who makes him call her Mami, he should be with a woman who isn’t afraid to call him daddy. Morgan left her hotel key before exiting the area…
“Damage CTRL” Iyo Sky, Kairi Sane, and Dakota Kai made their entrance heading into a commercial break… [C]
Powell’s POV: The opening segment was fairly basic, yet it included the hook that McIntyre has a chance to have Judgment Day banned from ringside if he can beat Balor. Of course, the widespread speculation is that CM Punk will interfere, so it doesn’t eliminate that possibility. Morgan tempting Dom continues to be good fun and I’m curious to see where that goes tonight.
Cole set up footage of Damian Priest and Zelina Vega appearing at the National Puerto Rican Day parade in New York…
Rey Mysterio, Dragon Lee, Braun Strowman, and Zelina Vega were shown talking backstage while Cole hyped that the men would face Dominik Mysterio, JD McDonagh, and Carlito later in the show…
Lyra Valkyria made her entrance while Iyo Sky was shown sitting crosslegged on the top rope. Footage was shown of Sky attacking Valkyria in the backstage area during last week’s Raw…
1. Lyra Valkyria vs. Iyo Sky (w/Kairi Sane, Dakota Kai). Cole noted that Valkyria beat three members of Damage CTRL to make it to the finals of the Queen of the Ring tournament. Valkyria caught Sky in a submission hold and then transitioned into a pin for a two count. Valkyria kicked Sky, who went to ringside. Sky avoided a move through the ropes and then hit Valkyria with an Asai moonsault. [C]
Sky landed on her feet when Valkyria avoided her moonsault finisher. Valkyria used the same move she used to beat Sky in the tournament, but she only got a two count. A short time later, Valkyria hit her Night Wing finsiher and had the pin, but Kai broke up the pin while the referee was shielded. Valkyria ran the ropes and took out Kai and Sane with a kick through the ropes.
Valkyria went up top and was cut off by Sky, who hit a meteora in the corner. Sky went for another moonsault, but Valkyria put her knees up. Valkyria performed a tornado DDT and then hoisted up Sky for her finisher, but Sky pulled her hair and hooked her into a crucifix pin and got the three count…
Iyo Sky defeated Lyra Valkyria in 10:30.
After the match, Sane and Kai attacked Valkyria from behind while Sky watched from ringside. Once Sane and Kai went to ringside, Sky entered the ring and attacked Valkyria. Kayden Carter and Katana Chance ran out to help Valkyria, causing the Damage CTRL trio to head to ringside…
Powell’s POV: A nice match with Sky getting the win, while the broadcast team played up the idea that Valkyria would have won had it not been for Kai’s interference. Once can only assume that this will lead to a six-woman tag match soon.
Dominik Mysterio was shown seated in the Judgment Clubhouse while the image of Rhea Ripley on a wall poster was included in the shot. Finn Balor, JD McDonagh, and Carlito entered the room and asked if Dom was okay. Dom said he told Morgan to leave him alone, but she left her hotel room key. “That’s cool,” Carlito said… [C]
WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill were shown walking backstage…
Cole narrated highlights of last week’s segment involving Sami Zayn and Alpha Academy…
Backstage, The Miz was looking for R-Truth and asked Sami Zayn if he’d seen him. Miz was stressed out and said “not good things” happen when Truth is left on his own. Miz headed off in search of Truth.
Zayn found Maxxine Dupri and Akira Tozawa. Zayn said he was sorry that they were caught in the middle of what’s been happening with him and Chad Gable. Zayn told them they don’t have to take it. Otis showed up. Zayn said there wasn’t much left to say and he’d see Otis in the ring.
Otis stopped Zayn and said he lost it and wanted to explain. Zayn said he didn’t need to because he went through what he did with The Bloodline. Zayn asked Otis why he puts up with it. Otis spoke about how Gable has been there for him and said he’s nothing without him. Zayn said that’s not true and he hopes Otis realizes how special he is and how special he can be. An “Otis” chant broke out…
Damian Priest entered the clubhouse and mentioned that Dom wasn’t with them during the opening segment and brought up the hotel room key. Balor said Morgan was just trying to plant seeds and distract them. Balor said no one had touched the hotel room card, which Priest pointed out was no longer on the table…
Powell’s POV: The missing hotel keycard is a fun development.
Rey Mysterio, Dragon Lee, and Zelina Vega made their entrance for the six-man tag match… [C] A video package recapped NXT Battleground…
A Ludwig Kaiser video aired. He said he’s well aware that people think he’s Gunther’s mouthpiece. He said he didn’t beat Sheamus by talking last week. Kaiser said he would not be taken lightly. Kaiser said he belongs at the top and anyone who dares to step in his way will be eliminated. Kaiser said the rise of the tiger has begun and soon fans will call him Mr. Money in the Bank…
Braun Strowman made his entrance, and then the entrance Dominik Mysterio, JD McDonagh, and Carlito followed…
2. Braun Strowman, Rey Mysterio, Dragon Lee (w/Zelina Vega) vs. Dominik Mysterio, JD McDonagh, and Carlito. Dom had his left elbow wrapped. The crowd popped when Rey tagged in before Dom made his exit. Cole mistakenly thought Rey was Lee, but he corrected himself.
A short time later, Rey and Lee sent Dom and McDonagh to the floor. Rey performed a dive onto both men, but htey caught him. lee went for a baseball slide, but they raised Rey in the air and then slammed him into Lee. [C]
[Hour Two] Rey was isolated by the heel trio and eventually caught Dom with an enzuigiri and then tossed McDonagh to the floor. Rey was just about to tag Strowman, but Dom and McDonagh pulled Strowman off the apron while Carlito went after Rey.
Rey avoided Carlito charging him in the corner and hit the ring post casing before he tumbled to the floor. McDonagh tagged in and was planted with a DDT. Rey, who had a bloody lip, made the hot tag to Lee, who worked over Carlito. Lee went up top and was cut off by Carlito, who was tied up in a tree of woe after Lee stuffed his superplex attempt. Lee hit Carlito with a double stop and covered him, but McDonagh broke up the pin.
Liv Morgan showed up on the apron. Dom went to the floor and told Morgan she wasn’t supposed to be there. Vega dropkicked Morgan, who then fell on top of Dom in a suggestive position. Vega went after Morgan and they fought on the floor.
Strowman finally took a hot tag and mowed over all three opponents with shoulder blocks on the floor. Strowman tossed Carlito inside the ring and hit him with a running powerslam. Lee tagged in and climbed onto the shoulders of Strowman and then jumped off to splash Carlito and pin him…
Braun Strowman, Rey Mysterio, Dragon Lee defeated Dominik Mysterio, JD McDonagh, and Carlito in 13:55.
Powell’s POV: More fun with Liv and Dom. The crowd was invested in the match. Carlito has been a fun addition to the Judgment Day saga even though he’s not officially with the group.
Cole and McAfee spoke at ringside. Cole said Priest was going to blow his stack over what happened with Morgan…
A video package spotlighted Ilja Dragunov, who said Bron Breakker is the golden child. Dragunov said he would make Breakker suffer. Dragunov said the only escape would be when he’s done breaking Strowman…
Backstage, Ricochet told Dragunov that he knows what he’s capable of and knew he would show Breakker what he’s all about. Dragunov said he would slay the monster rather than letting the monster slay the dragon. Dragunov said he and Ricochet could have another round once he was finished with Breakker. Ricochet said Dragunov read his mind and said he would have his back…
Sami Zayn was shown walking backstage while Cole hyped his match with Otis for after the break…
An ad for Smackdown hyped the show taking place in Glasgow. The ad hyped Cody Rhodes and AJ Styles appearing one night before their I Quit match, and Kevin Owens vs. Solo Sikoa… [C]
Cole hyped the Clash at the Castle Kickoff event for Friday morning at 10CT/11ET and said it would stream on Peacock and WWE’s social media platforms…
Backstage, Iyo Sky was stressed out while Dakota Kai and Kairi Sane stood behind her. Kai asked what happened out there. Sky said she took care of it. Sky screamed and then yelled something about Damage CTRL…
Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn made his entrance and delivered a promo in the ring. Zayn told the fans chanting his name that they are very nice to him and he thanked him for it. Zayn said he needed that because it’s been a messed up couple of weeks.
Zayn spoke of defending his title against Chad Gable at Clash at the Castle. Zayn said it started extremely personal and now he doesn’t know what to call it. Zayn said he would defeat Gable and put an end to all of it once and for all. Zayn said there was no more dealing with the abusive, manipulative psychopath. Zayn said it was time to go back to work as the Intercontinental Champion.
Chad Gable made his entrance with Otis, Maxxine Durpri, and Akira Tozawa walking behind him. Gable said it was typical of Zayn to attempt to tear down what he’s built while making himself the sympathetic figure in someone else’s story. Gable said the Alpha Academy trusts their master and his methods.
Gable told Zayn to wait to see how happy the others would be once he takes the title on Saturday. Zayn asked if Gable is out of his mind. He told him to look at his pledges and see whether they looked happy. Zayn asked them all if they re happy. Zayn said Gable doesn’t care about them and whether they are happy, but the people do.
Zayn said the crew would not be happy until they leave Gable once and for all. Gable said Zayn doesn’t understand that they are a family. Gable said the trio would be with him on Saturday, but he was unleashing his version of Otis on Zayn tonight. Gable said it would be the most brutal and ruthless version of Otis that Zayn has ever seen… [C]
3. Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn vs. Otis in a non-title match. Otis splashed Zayn early. Gable told him to do it again and Otis obliged. Gable told him to do it a third time. When Otis was slow to comply, Gable stood on the apron and told him to stick with the plan. Zayn blasted Otis with a Helluva Kick and got the win.
Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn beat Otis in 1:30 in a non-title match.
After the match, Gable attacked Zayn while Durpi and Tozawa checked on Otis. Gable ordered Dupri and Tozawa to leave the ring. Gable held up Zayn and told Otis to hit him. Otis didn’t take the command. Gable told Otis they spoke about this and then slapped Otis twice. Otis started to fire up and then ran toward Gable, who moved. Otis clotheslined Zayn in the corner and then powerslammed him.
Gable put his hand on the shoulder of Otis, who spun around toward Gable and ripped off his own t-shirt. Gable cowered in the corner while Otis teased punching him. Otis decided not to hit Gable and instead left the ring while Gable when from begging to smiling…
Powell’s POV: More of the same, which isn’t a bad thing in this case because they continue to build to Otis finally snapping on Gable.
The Miz continued his search for R-Truth. Miz spotted Sonya Deville speaking with Natalya. Deville pointed Miz in the direction of Truth, who emerged from a nearby room. Truth said they had a title match against The APA later in the show according to a fortune teller.
Scarlett showed up and told Truth that it was a pleasure reading his fortune. Scarlett handed Miz the death tarot card and said AOP looks forward to seeing them in the ring tonight…
WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill made their entrance… [C]
Cole announced that WWE Champion Cody Rhodes will appear on Tuesday’s NXT television show. Cole congratulated Kelani Jordan for becoming the first NXT Women’s North American Champion while footage of her ladder match win was shown…
A video package recapped Jey Uso’s promo from last week’s Raw…
Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark made their entrance. Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviewed Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn. Fyre spoke about competing in their home country on Saturday, Dawn said tonight was just as taste of what will happen on Saturday when they win the tag titles.
Fyre and Dawn made their entrance. Cole noted that Baszler competed in an NXT Underground match on Sunday and questioned whether it would be an issue in this match. He noted that Lola Vice knocked out Baszler and also did damage to her knee…
4. Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark vs. Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn. Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill were seated at ringside. Dawn went right for Baszler’s injured knee to start the match. Baszler sold her knee at ringside while Stark was double teamed. Fyre went for a pin, but Baszler pulled her off from the floor and then tagged in.
Baszler went after Fyre’s left arm and eventually did her stomp move to her elbow. Fyre kicked Baszler, who responded with a knee strike. Baszler sold her knee and then put Fyre in a Kirifuda Clutch and got the win…
Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark beat Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn in 2:30.
Powell’s POV: Just when it looked like Fyre and Dawn could not be colder heading into the PLE, this match came along. I’m sure the Scottish fans will still give them a big reaction for their homecoming, but I have no idea why tonight’s match was booked, let alone with a clean finish.
A brief Bron Breakker video aired and then he made his entrance to his shitty generic entrance theme… [C] The broadcast team acknowledged a tweet from former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III, who wrote that Breakker is the next big thing… Ilja Dragunov made his entrance…
5. Bron Breakker vs. Ilja Dragunov. Cole noted that Breakker and Dragunov had a “storied rivalry” in NXT and said they are two of the three men who have beaten Gunther since he arrived in WWE. Dragunov got some early offense, but Breakker shoved him aggressively into the middle rope. Dragunov rolled to the floor. [C]
Cole noted that the show was sold out. He added that Breakker dominated the offense during the break. Breaker powerslammed Dragunov and got a two count.
[Hour Three] Dragunov came back with three clotheslines that did not knock Breakker off his feet. Dragunov ran the ropes and then ran into a knee strike. Dragunov clotheslined Breakker off his feet and both men were down briefly.
Dragunov slammed Breakker and then went to the middle rope and dropped a knee on him. Dragunov did his symphony conductor bit and then executed a pair of German suplexes. Dragunov held on for a third and was able to power up Breakker and execute the move.
Breakker performed a backbody drop and then pressed Dragunov, who slipped away and threw a kick. Dragunov hoisted up Breakker and performed a suplex into the corner. Dragunov rolled to the opposite corner and then hit a Coast to Coast dropkick.
Dragunov went up top again and hit a senton splash that led to a near fall. Dragunov tried to power up Breakker, who stuffed it. Dragunov ran the ropes and then ate a Steiner Line clothesline. Breakker charged Dragunov, who caught him with a knee and then hit the H-Bomb. The quiet crowd finally pepped up and chanted “this is awesome.”
Both men ended up at ringside. Dragunov threw a kick at Breakker, who tumbled over the broadcast table. Dragunov got Breakker on top of the table, but Breakker picked him up and dumped him face first on the edge of the table.
Breakker broke the referee’s count, then picked up Dragunov and dumped him on top of the barricade. Breakker powered up Dragunov and ran his back into the ring post. Breakker rolled Dragunov back inside the ring and followed.
Dragunov threw punches at Breakker, who then backed into the ropes and speared Dragunov, who rolled out of the ring to avoid being pinned. Breakker followed to the floor and then charged and speared Dragunov. Breakker returned to the ring. Dragunov beat the count. Breakker ran the ropes and speared him again and then got the three count.
Bron Breakker defeated Ilja Dragunov in 16:00.
After the match, Breakker teased leaving and then looked back at Dragunov, who was down at ringside. Breakker charged toward Dragunov, but Ricochet appeared and dove off the barricade to clothesline Breakker. Ricochet followed up with a kick that sent Breakker over the barricade…
Powell’s POV: A good match. The live crowd appreciated the match based on the “this is awesome” chant, but they were pretty quiet otherwise. Dragunov hasn’t quite clicked with the main roster crowds yet. Even so, I’m surprised that his performance in this match didn’t rally the crowd behind him. The post match angle left me suspecting that Breakker will destroy Ricochet, who reportedly gave notice to the company recently.
Inside the Judgment Day clubhouse, Priest said they had to fix what happened in the ring earlier. He brought up the missing keycard, which Dom pulled out and said he didn’t know how it got there. Priest told Dom that he had to put his foot down with Morgan. They all put their fists together, and Priest invited Carlito to take part. Meanwhile, Balor grabbed the keycard and put it in his pocket…
The Miz and R-Truth made their entrance… [C] Cole hyped the Clash at the Castle events and noted that the pre-show will be two hours in length (good lord)…
Backstage, Sheamus told Drew McIntyre that they haven’t seen eye-to-eye lately, but he encouraged him to take the title on Saturday. Sheamus mentioned Ludwig Kaiser entering Money in the Bank and said he wants to do the same. McIntyre told him to give him a heads up if he cashes in on him. Sheamus said it would be just like old times with a banger…
Cathy Kelley interviewed The Final Testament in the Gorilla Position. Karrion Kross said he hoped Xavier Woods will realize that he belongs with them after AOP win the tag team titles. Scarlett told Woods that he can’t trust Kofi Kingston. The faction made their entrance…
6. The Miz and R-Truth vs. “AOP” Akam and Rezar (w/Karrion Kross, Scarlett, Paul Ellering) for the World Tag Team Titles. Samantha Irvin delivered in-ring introductions for the title match. Miz was hit with a clothesline during the opening minute. [C]
Miz and Truth set up for a double team move. Scarlett distracted the referee while Kross tripped Miz and Truth. Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods ran out and attacked Kross. Truth hit Akam with one of the tag team title belts. Akam no-sold it, but Miz rolled up Akam and got the three count…
The Miz and R-Truth beat “AOP” Akam and Rezar in 6:00 to retain the World Tag Team Titles.
Powell’s POV: Meh. I was hoping that this would be the end of Awesome Truth’s tag team title reign. Watching the New Day duo dance like fools afterward didn’t help matters.
Backstage, Ricochet was helping Ilja Dragunov when Bron Breakker showed up and speared Dragunov. Breakker and Ricochet fought into the parking lot in front of a WWE truck that had Hulk Hogan and Jimmy Hart on the side. Breakker ran Ricochet into the side of the truck. Breakker powerslammed Ricochet through the windshield of a car…
Powell’s POV: My God, Jimmy Hart is even on the same truck as Hulk Hogan. Anyway, Nord the Barbarian must be proud of Breakker.
The broadcast team recapped the Breakker and Ricochet angle and they also showed Samantha Irvin’s reaction to her boyfriend being destroyed. The cameras cut backstage where Irvin was standing next to Ricochet, who gave a thumbs up while on a stretcher before being loaded into an ambulance (potentially bound for Jacksonville). Irvin joined Ricochet inside the ambulance…
Cole said Adam Pearce was not at the show, but someone needed to do something about Breakker…
Drew McIntyre made his entrance. Pat McAfee said he would step up for Irvin. McAfee stood on the broadcast table and introduced McIntyre as the handsome bastard from Scotland… [C]
Cole hyped Cody Rhodes appearing on NXT and then ran through the lineup for Clash at the Castle… Finn Balor made his entrance alone. McAfee said, “Oh, I gotta do that.” Cole told him his job wasn’t done yet. McAfee announced Balor as representing “bum-ass Judgment Day” and said he has zero percent body fat on a 225-pound frame. Cole told McAfee he has to exercise his vocal cords…
7. Drew McIntyre vs. Finn Balor. If McIntyre wins, Judgment Day is banned from ringside during the World Heavyweight Championship match at Clash at the Castle. McIntyre jumped out to a quick start. McIntyre hoisted up Balor on his shoulders at ringside, but Balor slipped away and shoved McIntyre into the ring post casing. Balor targeted the right arm of McIntyre.
McIntyre battled back at ringside and performed a belly-to-belly suplex that sent Balor onto and then over the broadcast table. [C] Late in the match, McIntyre played to the crowd and was cheered before he went for a Claymore that Balor stuffed with a sling blade clothesline.
Balor hit a couple of shotgun dropkicks on McIntyre and then went up top for his finisher. McIntyre got up and headbutted Balor, then superplexed him and covered him for a two count. McIntyre hit the Future Shock DDT and set up for his finisher.
World Heavyweight Champion Damian Priest walked out and climbed onto the apron. Carlito and JD McDonagh showed up and were taken out by McIntyre. Balor rolled up McIntyre for a two count. Balor hit another sling blade and a shotgun dropkick. McIntyre avoided the Coup de Grace and then hit a Claymore Kick and scored the pin.
Drew McIntyre defeated Finn Balor in 13:00 (Judgment Day is banned from ringside during the World Heavyweight Championship match at Clash at the Castle).
McAfee announced McIntyre as the winner. Priest entered the ring and jawed with McIntyre while holding up his title belt to close the show…
Powell’s POV: A bit of an awkward main event with two heels facing one another. Overall, a pretty good show that played to a tough crowd. I can’t blame the crowd for their main event reaction, but they were a quiet bunch throughout the night. I will be back later tonight with my weekly same night audio review for Dot Net Members (including our Patreon patrons). Let me know what you thought of Raw by grading this episode in our post show poll.
“I’m sure the Scottish fans will still give them a big reaction for their homecoming, but I have no idea why tonight’s match was booked, let alone with a clean finish.” THey didn’t tell the story they should have re: Fyre and Dawn interfering last week; which should have pissed off Shayna and Zoey so they’d hit pierce up and demand revenge… small fail, creative
The Unholy Union claimed on Raw Talk that their loss was because they didn’t give their all. They were saving it for their home fans in Scotland. Weak excuse as that undermines the concept of “momentum”. So the attempted rescue failed in my book. Unless they go for a title change that doesn’t involve the champions in the result which would make even less sense!
If a tree falls in the woods…
Kidding aside, thanks for the update.
Breakker’s new music sounds like a 90s midcarder from WCW..
Holy Toledo that was a quit crowd!
Chris Jericho probably stole the hotel hey