GIVING IT TO YOU RAW…What Happened Last Night (June 15th, 2015)

We’re in Fallout territory now, Enthusiasts as we see the aftermath of the events of Money in the Bank. To be honest, Money in the Bank was my favorite PPV so far. I might even like it more than this year’s Wrestlemania.  The matches were compelling and fun yet, newbie friendly.  I introduced a few compatriots and they were thoroughly entertained and so kudos WWE!  You appear to be finding your way…finally.

To begin, we find ourselves in Cleveland, Ohio and Seth Rollins having retained the Heavyweight Title, Rollins is decidedly smug as he struts down the ramp, beloved belt on his shoulder.  If you haven’t noticed, he’s kind of a big deal.  Good people of Cleveland, I don’t think you know just how awesome I am.  Well, just let me tell you that given my superb performance, it’s pretty much official.  And in my efforts to be my best, I just want to thank those who helped me be the best that I could be. Rollins pulls out a list. *Ahem* Yes, I would like to thank myself and then there’s myself, my other good pal, myself who’s always seen me through thick and thin.  And I can’t forget, myself always been there for myself.  Yup, pretty awesome as documented.  He goes on to take a jab at Lebron James, ‘cause they’re in Cleveland and with Cincinnati not too far away, well that’s just perfect set-up for a Mr. Dean Ambrose to make an appearance.  And when he does arrive, he minces no words.  He goes straight to brawl mode and they have a nice dance around the ring.  Rollins, new and improved, doesn’t exactly run away but he holds his own for the fight but Ambrose does get him to scurry away and so Ambrose grabs a “steel” chair and takes a seat in the middle of the ring.  He takes a mic.  I’m not leaving until Seth comes back, says Ambrose and he makes himself nice and comfortable.  He does this through a commercial break even and We the Audience start to wonder where the WWE are going with this until Sheamus makes his entrance.   He too is feeling fairly smug, having won Money in the Bank.  Oh, I’m sorry you couldn’t quite go the distance last night.  Well, we all can’t be winners but I, just happen to be. Can’t help but feel a little proud of myself and so, why don’t I come in there and celebrate?  And this will be the first match of the night.

As openings go, it was fun.  Rollins is becoming increasingly obnoxious and I thought his brazen pats on his back amusing.  Yet, Ambrose bringing the noise and just wailing on Rollins definitely got the blood going and my interest up.  Not a bad way to start.

Sheamus and Ambrose have themselves an earnest throwdown.  Both seem intent on punishing each other. Ambrose doesn’t let a bum knee stop him and Sheamus, enjoying heel-itude, goes for it.  He tosses Ambrose around any chance he gets and Ambrose does anything he can to lay a hit.  There aren’t many near-falls in this match just good ol’fashioned beating of ass.  Sheamus looks like he’s going to take it early but we all know that Ambrose is a fighter.   He battles back, even finagles his way out of a Cloverleaf hold.  He manages to roll Sheamus up but Sheamus kicks out. Undeterred, Ambrose attempts Dirty Deeds but Sheamus rolls out the ring.  Can’t you see I was only fooling, he says as he takes himself and the Money in the Bank briefcase back up the ramp.  Yet, it’s a feisty Randy Orton who greets him.  Yup, Orton’s feeling frisky and he looks to Sheamus to work it off in true Orton fashion. Sheamus gets DDT’d off the top rope, RKO’d, all that was missing was the Powerslam.  Needless to say, Orton’s statement is made.

Next up, we have some camp with R-Truth pretending be “kang” with a bedsheet and plunger serving as his royal robe and scepter and a crown from Burger King to complete his ensemble.  He actually appears to believe he should be on Commentary.  Yet, the announcers quickly direct him back to the ring.  Where a constantly surly “King” Barrett makes his entrance.  Barrett, still peeved from their last meeting is merciless on R-Truth.  He basically just beats R-Truth down.  Sublimation is definitely in full effect.  R-Truth, takes it well though.  He simply covers up and waits for Barrett to tire himself out.  Barrett sets up for the Bull Hammer and R-Truth takes the opportunity to roll him and the surprise move gets him the win.  Well, Barrett just goes off.  He wails on R-Truth, tears up his Burger King crown and takes the mic.  Oi! All you wankers better understand one thing!  I won the bloody King of the Ring and you will respect me!  All hail King Barrett!  And the boos rain down.

The next match is great with Kevin Owens vs. Dolph Ziggler.  Owens has had a solid start and Ziggler continues to bring it day in and out.  As I’ve been saying, Owens’ style ain’t pretty but it is effective.  He wears “Scrappy McScrapperton” down.  He drops forearms on him. Drops all his fatback on him and even attempts a Cannonball that Ziggler intercepts with a nice Super Kick.  Yet, this Owens, being as thick as he is, it takes a few tries to knock him down.  Ziggler works up some momentum to land a Famouser and a ZigZag but Ziggler tends to bounce off Owens as if he’s The Blob.  Ziggler doesn’t stop trying to put a dent in Owens but Owens ends up putting a dent in Ziggler with his Pop-up Powerbomb.

After that, Dad (Kane) has a match against Randy Orton.  It’s nothing too special so I won’t go into much detail.  Dad manhandles Orton as he tends to do with his opponents and The Viper does his best to “vipe” but Sheamus soon comes out and dishes out a Brogue Kick.   Dad says thank you and Chokeslams Orton on the mat.  Yet, it’s what happens backstage that’s the most interesting.  Rollins continues to rub everyone the wrong way and he goes so far as to mention Dad’s real family well, that’s the line.  And this time Dad gets really mad.  He bites Rollins’ head off.  If he ever even speaks about his family ever again, they won’t recognize him when he’s done. It’s always nice to see the old Dad back (^_~)

To follow, we have The Big Show up against The Miz and for a Big Show match, it wasn’t all that bad.  Ryback sits in on Commentary to add some interest for his current feud with Big Show.  They appear to be devising better ways to orchestrate his matches.  There’s no particular beef to speak of between these 2 but Big Show’s mean at the moment so he bullies The Miz around and we don’t really mind.  At one point, Big Show feigns a leg injury and as the referee and The Miz come in to see what the problem is, Big Show grabs The Miz and pushes him up against a turnbuckle and deals him huge slaps to the chest.  He tosses The Miz out of the ring and up against the announce table where he deals more chest slaps and then he hoists The Miz up and tosses him into Ryback.  I thought Ryback’s quip of Big Show getting Miz all over him was quite cheeky.  Yet, as Ryback and Big Show get into a shouting match The Miz sneaks back into the ring and the referee calls the match in The Miz’s favor on countout.  The win in hand, The Miz cheeses it to the ramp and a livid Big Show stares him down from the ring.  We all know he can’t catch him.  But Ryback is ready to go.  He strips off his workout shirt and barrels in hungry and Big Show is just not in the mood.

We then get into some promo territory.  I usually like to stick to the action in my blog but these promos appear very pertinent to the drama being planned.   First up is a stressed-looking Roman Reigns.  Bray Wyatt is starting shit again and now it’s getting personal.  Not only does he interfere with a potential Money in the Bank win, he’s now teasing at taking some sort of shot at his daughter.  He doesn’t want to waste time talking, he wants Wyatt out there and he wants him out there now!  Wyatt, of course, obliges in his backwoods way and gives us a lengthy speech of how Reigns may need a lesson.  He’s proud, maybe a little too proud.  Maybe he expects a little too much to be just given to him.  Well, the best is never just given.  Wyatt will haunt Mr. Reigns so when it comes time to destroy him…there will be nothing left.  I like this plot point because it sets the scene for carnage.  With a character like Reigns, going after the family in any way, shape or form is equal to suicide so this should be fun.  Elsewhere, the Divas are rallied together by an impassioned Paige.  She wants the Divas to take the bull by the horns and stand-up to The Bella Twins who seem to feel that they have carte blanche and do whatever they want.  The Divas should realize they are not the hottest shit around just ‘cause they fuck John Cena and Daniel Bryan.  The Divas need to be a united front. Well, the Divas hear her out but aren’t persuaded.  Paige has already deemed herself unreliable why should they trust her? Paige’s basic response?  The Bellas suck.  Well, the Divas already know that and they take their leave.  Nevertheless, Paige decides to have a 2-on-1 Handicap Match with the Bella Twins and they combine their powers to shut Paige down…again.  Also, another event of note is that a “talent” by the name of Machine Gun Kelly performed and afterwards Kevin Owens, to congratulate him, applauds and then powerbombs him through some sort of box.  I found that quite amusing.

Moving along, we have some Tag Team action with The New Day facing off against the Prime Time Players & Neville.  Big props to Neville for taking on being the “odd man out”, he certainly held his own and the action was great.  I wasn’t expecting such a fun match.  The point of note is that Kofi Kingston sports bandaging around his ribs.  According to the announce team, Kingston’s beating that he took during the Money in the Bank match left him battered and bruised yet, he manages to land some solid kicks in the exchange.  This match was fast paced but well-timed and executed smoothly.  Titus O’Neil is quite impressive with his easy handling of Xavier Woods at one point, tossing him aside as if a half-filled duffel bag. Yet, as you could assume it’s our spry little Neville, though he gets to jump around and play during the match, he’s the one who seals the deal with a Red Arrow at the end.

To end the evening, we don’t so much have a main event as an announcement.  First of all, Stephanie McMahon would just like to apologize for the uncouth behavior of Kevin Owens.  That is not the sort of thing the WWE stands for and he will be disciplined.   We all have to understand that ensuring the safety of guests and patrons alike is of the utmost importance because that is best for business.  And that’s not just a tagline.  That is a true blue philosophy that the WWE carries, worldwide.   So just know that we mean to ensure that what is certainly best for business, happens.  That being said, Triple H chimes in.  We would like to speak a little about what we do best, wrestling entertainment.  Seth!  Why don’t you come out here?  Seth Rollins, still proud of himself despite being trounced earlier, obliges and joins Stephanie and Triple H in the ring.  Now Seth, it’s hard to know someone’s character at first glance.  We all know you’ve worked hard to get here.  Some people may have questioned your moves to get here but no one can say you didn’t do the work.  Yet, now that you’re here Seth we have to get a gauge of your true character. When the pressure’s high do you break or do you solidify, like a diamond?   We’re going to see if you really have what it takes to be Authority elite.   Just then, Brock Lesnar’s music hits and he saunters out with good ol’Paul Heyman.  Rollins nearly faints.  Look who’s off suspension everybody.  Well, this summer’s looking to be mighty fine.

See You Thursday,

-Nicole Alexis (^_~)