WWE Raw Results: Winners, Live Grades, Reaction and Highlights From June 24
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The wrestling world watched in awe last Monday as The Wyatt Sicks made their jaw-dropping debut, creating havoc and delivering on their promise of a massacre to close out WWE Raw.
After a SmackDown that featured increased security measures, what did the group have in store for the Superstars of WWE on Monday night?
Find out with this recap of a show featuring the latest Money in the Bank qualifiers, women's tag team action and the unstoppable Bron Breakker's latest in-ring exploits.
Match Card
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- Money in the Bank ladder match qualifier: Braun Strowman vs. Chad Gable vs. Bronson Reed
- Money in the Bank ladder match qualifier: Lyra Valkyria vs. Kairi Sane vs. Shayna Baszler
- Bron Breakker vs. Ludwig Kaiser
- Kofi Kingston vs. Karrion Kross
- Non-title match: Kayden Carter and Katana Chance vs. Isla Dawn and Alba Fyre
Announced in advance for Monday's show:
Drew McIntyre Kicks Off Raw
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- Cole revealed at the top of the show that Pat McAfee was not there and that he would be joined on commentary by one-half of the world tag team champions, The Miz.
- "As far as I'm concerned, if you're chanting his name, you're dead to me," McIntyre said of the WWE fans who continued to call out Punk's name despite him costing the Scot the World Heavyweight Championship at Clash at the Castle.
- "I have your dog. I have your wife. I have your family in my corner now," McIntyre said referencing the bracelet with Punk's wife and dog's names on it.
- Backstage, Chad Gable arrived to the arena and refused attention from WWE cameras, surrounding himself with security as he entered the arena, just one week after being the most prominent victim of the Wyatt Sicks.
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On the heels of a brutal beatdown that left CM Punk bloodied in his hometown of Chicago, Drew McIntyre interrupted Michael Cole's show opening and wasted little time discussing his actions from Friday.
He reveled in beating Punk down and denounced the fans who still chant for the fallen Best in the World before revealing he will enter the Money in the Bank ladder match.
The Scot showed the bracelet he took from Punk's wrist Friday, with the names of "AJ" and "Larry" on it, and vowed to win the briefcase with his rival's family by his side.
This was a great promo from a fiery McIntyre, who spoke with conviction. He believed everything he said because there is a modicum of truth in it. The best heels believe they are in the right and The Scottish Warrior certainly does.
His entry in Money in the Bank is ironic given he has twice lost world titles to a cash-in. It provides one more opportunity for Punk to interject himself in the proceedings and set up a SummerSlam showdown.
Grade
A
Top Moments and Takeaways
Bron Breakker vs. Ludwig Kaiser
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- Backstage, Cathy Kelley said she will continue to get an update from Gable on his health ahead of his Money in the Bank ladder match qualifier.
- Breakker pulled off the picture-perfect super Frankensteiner from the top rope to an enormous reaction from fans at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
- Backstage, Damian Priest told Dominik Mysterio to end things with Liv Morgan immediately before getting Finn Balor, JD McDonagh and Carlito to do something about Braun Strowman, who has dominated them in recent weeks.
Credit: WWE
One week after turning Ludwig Kaiser inside out with a Spear, Bron Breakker looked to obliterate the German for a second consecutive week as they met in singles competition.
Kaiser impressed, doing more damage to the former NXT champion than expected.
Breakker fought back with his awe-inspiring offense, but it was Kaiser who controlled late. As he set off to run around the ringside area and slam Breakker's head into the ring steps, Sheamus rocked him, drawing the disqualification and repaying Kaiser for his interference a week ago.
Breakker cut off a powerbomb by The Celtic Warrior with a Spear and stood tall to end the segment.
The interference made sense based on what we witnessed a week ago between Sheamus and Kaiser, while Breakker continued to see his win-loss record hampered by the vendetta of two others.
Breakker was a babyface here and if the commentary was any indication, that is the direction his character is heading in.
Result
Kaiser defeated Breakker via disqualification
Grade
B
Top Moments and Takeaways
Money in the Bank Qualifier: Lyra Valkyria vs. Kairi Sane vs. Shayna Baszler
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- Backstage, Breakker expressed his frustration with Raw general manager Adam Pearce, only for Sami Zayn to appear. The intercontinental champion told the second-generation star to name the time and place. He did: July 6 at Money in the Bank. Pearce made the match official.
- Baszler and Sane rekindled their rivalry here, with The Queen of Spades avoiding the In-Sane Elbow and applying her Karifuda Clutch, only for Valkyria to break up the submission.
- Backstage, McIntyre demanded to be put into the Money in the Bank match, only for Pearce to inform him that he doesn't think he deserves it, further infuriating The Scottish Warrior.
Credit: WWE
Lyra Valkyria continued her successful early main roster run with a victory over Kairi Sane and Shayna Baszler Monday night, cashing her ticket to the Money in the Bank ladder match on July 6 in Toronto.
To do so, she had to overcome two women who know each other extremely well, dating back to their epic rivalry over the NXT Women's Championship.
Alert and aware, The Valkyrie took advantage of Sane's trademark elbow drop to Baszler and then delivered Nightwing for the win.
The outcome continued Valkyria's run while Sane's loss is sure to incite anger in Iyo Sky, who continues to insist that Damage CTRL must change.
The chemistry was great, the action was even better and the right competitor went over. You cannot ask for much more than that out a Triple Threat format that is becoming somewhat stale with all of these qualifying matches.
Result
Valkyria defeated Sane and Baszler
Grade
B+
Top Moments and Takeaways
Liv Morgan Promo
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- Morgan's star shines brighter every week. She is more confident than ever in front of the camera, and it shows.
- A "sloppy seconds" chant from the fans in Indianapolis echoed Vega's sentiments from earlier in the segment.
- Backstage, Pearce reiterated to Kelley that Gable is cleared to compete but refused to speak on his mental state.
- The WWE production team delivered another banger with a video centered on Seth Rollins' return a week ago.
WWE/Getty Images
Women's world champion Liv Morgan hit the ring and again looked to win over Dominik Mysterio, promising to follow up the gifts she has already given "Daddy Dom" with one more in front of the entire WWE Universe.
Zelina Vega interrupted and challenged Morgan to a match for the title Monday night. Morgan refused, instead looking toward next week before Mysterio made his presence felt.
The crowd's jeers toward Mysterio kept him from voicing his reasons for being there before a tussle between Morgan and Vega ensued. Rey Mysterio interrupted and tried to stop Morgan, only to be shoved to the mat by his son.
The segment ended with Morgan following closely behind Dominik as he stomped off to the back.
This segment continued the storyline between Morgan and Dominik as the latter comes closer and closer to breaking under the constant advances of the women's champion.
It also set up Vega as the next challenger, presumably for next week's show but possibly Money in the Bank.
Either way, it is a great spot for the underrated Vega to find herself in and with the added element of the Mysterio family feud, her match against Morgan could be a lot of fun.
Grade
B+
Top Moments and Takeaways
Money in the Bank Qualifier: Braun Strowman vs. Chad Gable vs. Bronson Reed
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- Backstage, Morgan attempted to convince R-Truth to give JD McDonagh and Finn Balor a shot at the WWE World Tag Team Championship. The Miz hopped up from the commentary position and rushed to the back to prevent it from happening.
- "Chad Gable cannot be killed!" the Olympian exclaimed moments before technical issues affected his graphics around the ring, suggesting he may not be out of danger regarding the Wyatt Sicks.
- Gable's raw power when hoisting monsters like Strowman and Reed off their feet is nothing short of amazing. He fends off death one week and is a super-athlete the next. Got that zombie strength.
- Backstage, Gable tried to convince his former Alpha Academy teammates to reunite with him. That failed, but he turned around to find the Creed Brothers and Ivy Nile.
Credit: WWE.com
WWE: Where the Dead Wrestle.
Chad Gable survived the brutal assault by the Wyatt Sicks stable a week ago and after concerns about his ability to compete this week, he not only took to the squared circle but he also defeated Braun Strowman and Bronson Reed to earn a spot in the men's Money in the Bank ladder match.
The victory came with an assist from The Judgment Day, which continued its ongoing rivalry with Strowman by taking him out of the equation and allowing Gable to pick up the pieces of Reed for the win.
The triumph was short-lived, though, as the lights dimmed and the singular piano note of The Wyatt Sicks played. The artist formerly known as Nikki Cross terrified Gable out of the ring before delivering a box to Michael Cole at ringside.
After the break, Cole revealed a VHS labeled, "Play me."
Result
Gable defeated Reed and Strowman
Grade
B+
Top Moments and Takeaways
Katana Chance and Kayden Carter vs. Isla Dawn and Alba Fyre
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- The champs survived a Keg Stand from their prospective champions, a moment that spelled the end for the babyfaces' hopes of victory.
- Backstage, Priest encountered Morgan leaving the Judgment Day lair. Instead of finding Mysterio inside, it was Balor as the teases of nefarious plans between the former universal champion and the women's world champion continued.
Credit: WWE
WWE women's tag team champions Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn made their first appearance since winning the title in their home country of Scotland, battling Kayden Carter and Katana Chance in a non-title match.
Dawn and Fyre absorbed everything their high-energy opponents threw at them and earned the win.
The celebration was non-existent, though, as Damage CTRL's Kairi Sane, Dakota Kai and Iyo Sky attacked the titleholders, setting up the next championship program.
Considering the lack of established women's tag teams, going back to Damage CTRL is hardly a bad idea. If nothing else, it provides the division with a fresh matchup, something it could desperately use.
Result
Fyre and Dawn defeated Chance and Carter
Grade
C
Top Moments and Takeaways
Seth Rollins Interrupts Damian Priest
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- Ever since Roman Reigns mocked Rollins with his now-infamous "big pop" line, the reaction for The Visionary continues to get louder and more passionate.
- "I don't believe in that confidence. I think it's a lot of false bravado," Rollins said of Priest's perceived confidence.
- "I don't appreciate being one-upped," Rollins said about Priest challenging him to a match at Money in the Bank.
WWE/Getty Images
World heavyweight champion Damian Priest hit the ring for a promo to discuss his match with Seth Rollins at Money in the Bank.
He claimed The Visionary would never get the title back as long as he was champion.
Rollins fired back, claiming Priest would not be champion without The Judgment Day and CM Punk.
The segment reached its crescendo with Rollins offering Priest an ultimatum: If the champion retains, the challenger will never get a shot at the world title again. If Rollins wins, though, Priest has to leave The Judgment Day.
The Archer of Infamy said: "The Judgment Day...they need me a hell of a lot more than Damian Priest needs them." He accepted the stipulation, only for Gunther to make his way to the ring.
The Ring General said he could not wait to see their match but it was all for naught because the better of them is the lesser when battling him at SummerSlam.
Rollins vs. Priest suddenly has greater meaning following Gunther's return, reminding both the fans and competitors that the drama between them is for nothing because whoever survives their clash in Toronto earns the right to lose to him in Cleveland on August 3.
A quality segment that highlighted the three key players in the world title picture moving forward.
Grade
B+
Top Moments and Takeaways
The Wyatt Sicks Video
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Credit: WWE
Cole threw to the video that had been delivered to him earlier in the night.
In it, Uncle Howdy interviewed Bo Dallas, asking him how he felt about the loss of Bray Wyatt, to which the former NXT champion said it was like losing the most important thing in his life.
Dallas said: "We made them remember." A smiling Howdy responded: "Yes we did."
The video ended with a wide shot of Dallas and Howdy sitting across from each other, but it was obvious they were one in the same, which was accomplished with split screen.
This was interesting in that it introduced Dallas, who played both the interviewee and Howdy himself. Where that is going is the question.
That is exactly what WWE had to accomplish Monday night, and it did so effectively.
Grade: A
Kofi Kingston vs. Karrion Kross
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- Cole repeatedly put over the idea that Kingston jumped Woods to accept the match with Kross, hinting at the potential intensification of the issues within The New Day.
Credit: WWE.com
Neither Kofi Kingston nor Karrion Kross was accompanied to the squared circle for their match Monday, the next chapter in the latter's manipulation of Xavier Woods.
As Kingston rolled late in the match, Paul Ellering appeared on the video screen and asked if it was worth it before cameras caught the Authors of Pain assaulting Woods.
Kross capitalized on the distraction and delivered the Final Prayer for the win.
This did little to advance the ongoing storyline, outside of the idea that Kingston had a chance to rescue his New Day teammate but didn't. The match wasn't particularly memorable, either, with the commercial break interrupting its flow.
The story has been a solid one, but the creative team has done such a lousy job of convincing fans to believe in Kross and Co. that it all rings hollow, resulting in silent crowds that should be buying into the heels' attempts to manipulate Woods and break up The New Day.
Result
Kross defeated Kingston
Grade
C
Top Moments and Takeaways
World Tag Team Championship: Awesome Truth vs. The Judgment Day
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- Morgan made her way to ringside before the night's final commercial break, confirming that she would be heavily involved in the finish.
- "Klingon-like skull of JD McDonagh" may be the best call of the year by Cole. His weekly disdain for the Irishman is hilarious.
- Strowman neutralized Mysterio and Carlito, leaving the challengers to go it alone.
WWE/Getty Images
The manipulative Morgan paid dividends for The Judgment Day, interfering in the closing moments of this week's main event and assisting Finn Balor and JD McDonagh in defeating Awesome Truth to claim the WWE World Tag Team Championship.
The match was nothing we haven't seen out of this crop of competitors before, with the added element of Morgan as the creative team continued its portrayal of her as a legitimate star on Raw.
The heels earning the victory makes sense, as no matter how entertaining they may have been, the tag team champions were not as prominently featured as their counterparts in this match.
There is more to get out of Balor and McDonagh as champions at this point. Throw in some teases of ongoing shenanigans between Morgan and Balor, and the idea she helped them win championship gold makes more sense.
Result
Balor and McDonagh defeated Awesome Truth to win the titles
Grade
C+
Top Moments and Takeaways
Overall Grade
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Raw is red-hot, thanks to compelling stories, fresh new characters and a sense of urgency entering Money in the Bank.
Love her or not, Liv Morgan is a legitimate star and has done a ton to further the Judgment Day story and inevitable breakup.
When she ultimately chooses Balor, whatever arena is watching will explode as it is becoming more and more obvious that she has something going on with the former NXT and Universal champion.
The latest development in the Wyatt Sicks story, with Bo Dallas being interviewed by Uncle Howdy, made for extraordinary television and created more questions than it answered.
The Triple Threat qualifiers were both solid, with the right people going over, and the hype to that show continued to build at an appropriate pace.
Everything continues to feel meaningful and the result is a three-hour show that is infinitely easier to sit through than this time last year.
Overall Grade: B
