Raw is back in the land of the Rock N’ Roll Hall Of Fame, and tonight, there is sure to be plenty of “rockin'” in Cleveland as we “roll” towards Money In The Bank! (Okay, I’m sorry for the cheesiness, but that was too easy to pass up and type for an intro!)

Five wrestlers have qualified for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship Money In The Bank Ladder Match at the Pay-Per-View; who will be placed in next?

Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns have promised severe vengeance on their former “brother,” Seth Rollins, and his new friends Triple H and Randy Orton. However, Rollins and Triple H got the upper hand on Smackdown last week, so will that continue, or does The Shield gain a measure of revenge?

Can Divas Champion Paige please be more prominently (and dominantly) featured, as well as move on to a better feud than with Alicia Fox? The division should’ve really changed when Paige came aboard to the main roster, but instead they’ve pushed Fox more, and basically buried the fan-favorite Brit. This needs to change, starting tonight!

Erik Rowan and The Usos are brewing to a Tag-Team Championship showdown; will that match be made for Money In The Bank?

All this and much more, so read on!

Monday Night Raw TV Report for June 16th, 2014 – “____________ and _______________ are Money In The Bank”

Introduction Segment: Welcoming and Arena Promo

Michael Cole welcomes us to Raw, where the roster is standing on stage. He tells us that The Authority will have an announcement tonight. And out they come! Triple H and Stephanie McMahon walk to the ring, passing a smiling Seth Rollins.

Stephanie panders to the fans and wrestlers, while both she and “The Game” recounts what it means to be WWE World Heavyweight Champion. As has been the theme for the last 10 months, they both rip on Daniel Bryan, saying he “has no heart” and is not a “fighting champion” because of his injury.

They move on to speculate who is going to be the next competitor in the WWE World Heavyweight Championship Money In The Bank Ladder match. Stephanie announces that the roster standing on stage will be put into a Battle Royal, and they will get the spot at Money In The Bank; well all except for John Cena, Roman Reigns, and Dean Ambrose, as HHH says they have “yet to evolve.”

Instead, Triple H books Cena to face Kane in a Stretcher Match, which was the original plan for M.I.T.B. before Bryan was determined unable to wrestle. If Cena wins, he then can be in the M.I.T.B. Ladder bout. The ambulance backs up beside the stage, where paramedics wheel the stretcher to ringside.

Later tonight, Raw Guest Star comedian Kevin Hart will make an appearance, and United States Champion Sheamus will face Bray Wyatt. Up next, Seth Rollins will take on “The Show Off” Dolph Ziggler!

Commercials.

Match #1: Single – “The Show Off” Dolph Ziggler VS. Seth Rollins

Lockup and waistlock by Rollins, which is turned around into a hammerlock and standing side headlock from Dolph. He hits Rollins with a shoulder block, and the two face off again. Rollins kicks and punches Ziggler repeatedly. Dolph comes back, sending Rollins to the outside, who hops back in the ring and brings Dolph down with a side headlock takedown. Ziggler leap-frogs Rollins and hits a high dropkick, but is whipped hard into the turnbuckle.

Ads.

Seth still in control, pulling at Dolph jaw with a grounding rear chinlock. Dolph counters with a jawbreaker, but Rollins pulls the ropes down, sending Dolph tumbling to the floor. Rollins goes for a suicide dive, but Dolph counters with a punch. Rollins comes back with an Enziguri and goes for the Curb Stomp, but Ziggler moves.

Dolph tries a Fameasser, but Rollins catches him in a powerbomb position. Ziggler wiggles around and flips over with a sunset-flip powerbomb! 1 – 2 – Rollins kicks out! Dolph manages to drive him down with the Fameasser and covers, but only gets two! Rollins misses a springboard moonsault, but holds Dolph in another powerbomb position and rockets him against the turnbuckle!

Seth viciously punches Dolph, then gives him another turnbuckle powerbomb. He plants Ziggler with the Curb Stomp, but before he can fully cover, Dean Ambrose slides in and pounds away!

Winner via Disqualification: Seth Rollins

Post-match, Ambrose continues to beat on Rollins, but Seth escapes. Ambrose takes the microphone and challenges Rollins to a match, but Triple H interjects on the Titantron, giving Dean some “bad news.” Instead of Rollins, he will take on Intercontinental Champion Wade Barrett, next!

Commercials.

Match #2: Single – Dean Ambrose VS. Intercontinental Champion Bad News Barrett (Non-Title)

Ambrose is in full domination, punching away and giving Barrett a suplex. Wade comes back with a swinging neckbreaker and grounding reverse chinlock. Dean fires back with wild punches off a Lou Thesz press. He pushes Barrett to the outside, then springboards himself with a plancha!

Dean rams Bad News’ head off the steel steps, then attempts a Tornado DDT in the corner, but is clotheslined to the floor. Ambrose appears to be hurt, with his left shoulder landing hard on the apron. He tries to climb in the ring, but Wade punches him back down. He runs at Ambrose and smacks his shoulder with a kick, then continues to work it over.

Ads.

Dean is still on the outside, being dominated by Wade. He runs Ambrose’s left shoulder into the ring apron, then back into the ring. During the commercial, Barrett had whipped Ambrose shoulder-first into the ring post.

Dean begins another comeback, giving him a spot-on driving Tornado DDT! 1 – 2 – Bad News kicks out! Ambrose runs at Barrett, but is caught in the Winds Of Change spinning-slam, but manages to kick out at two!

The I.C. Champion tries for Wasteland, but Dean reverses into a Crucifix pin for a near-fall! Suddenly, Seth Rollins appears on the announce table again, distracting Dean. Ambrose chucks Barrett to the floor, and gives both him and Rollins a suicide dive! Ambrose gives chase to Rollins in the crowd, thereby getting counted-out!

Winner via Count-Out: Intercontinental Champion Bad News Barrett

Post-match, Ambrose comes back and drives Barrett down with the “Dirty Deeds” front bulldog-DDT!

Segment #2: Backstage Promo

Roman Reigns is chatting with Smackdown General Manager Vickie Guerrero. He is sweet-talking her into putting him into the Battle Royal and trying to convince her to make her own decisions. She puts down the coffee she is carrying for Triple H and Stephanie, to get sugar, and Reigns appears to put another additive in the drinks.

Commercials.

Segment #3: Arena Promo

The ring is decked out with a ladder as the WWE World Heavyweight Championship hangs above it. The lights dim and The Wyatt Family saunters to the squared circle.

Bray talks about the power everyone wants. He calls it “the downfall of all mankind as we know it.” Wyatt discriminates between the powerful man and the “weak man.” Bray declares he wants the power, and says that the WWE World Heavyweight Championship is the “power” that he should have.

Bray moves onto his “brothers,” Luke and Erik. He proclaims that they will also take the power from The Usos, by defeating Jimmy and Jey and becoming the new Tag-Team Champions. Bray looks up again, “hanging above this ladder is my ‘absolution.’ Hanging above this ladder is my ‘glory.’ Hanging above this ladder is the ‘change’ you’ve all been praying for.” Bray concludes that once he has the title, he will have “the whole world in his hands.”

United States Champion Sheamus interrupts and basically threatens to “shove my whole boot down your throat!” // “It’s time to fight, fella!”

Match #3: Single – Bray Wyatt (with Wyatt Family members Erik Rowan and Luke Harper) VS. United States Champion Sheamus (Non-Title)

Sheamus gets a quick advantage, then both slug it out for a bit. Sheamus headbutts Bray in the corner, but Bray punches back. Sheamus gives Wyatt a hard short-arm clothesline and then kicks him in the chest. Bray tries a suplex, but Sheamus reverses it into one of his own and brings down the Wyatt Family leader with a neckbreaker.

Sheamus hits an axe-handle as Bray ran off the ropes, then a second-rope forearm smash! Sheamus shoves Bray to the floor, but Rowan and Harper surround him. Tag-Team Champions The Usos suddenly charge out to back him up!

Ads.

Wyatt now in control, wearing Sheamus down with a grounding reverse chinlock. He goes for the senton splash, but Sheamus gets his knees up! He battles back with punches and axe-handles, but misses a running knee and instead gets nailed with an elbow-smash by Bray! He goes to slam Sheamus, but the big Irishman elbows out, and hooks up Bray for the “10 Beats Of The Bowron.” Sheamus picks up Bray for White Noise, but Wyatt gets out of it.

Bray runs off the ropes but is tilt-a-whirl slammed, and Sheamus gears up for a potential Brogue Kick. Harper and Rowan cause a dq by clutching Sheamus!

Winner via Disqualification: United States Champion Sheamus

Post-match, this turns into a six-man brawl, complete with ladder. Sheamus sets up the steel structure against the ropes, where The Usos follow up with a double-plancha, by running up the steps of the ladder! Sheamus hurls the ladder onto Rowan and Harper, then stare down The Wyatt Family with smiles on their faces.

Segment #4: Office Promo

Triple H and Stephanie McMahon are discussing when Vickie Guerrero walks in. Triple H doesn’t realize it and backs into her, spilling one coffee. “The Game” berates her for being careless, but Stephanie keeps hers and starts to drink.

Commercials.

Segment #5: Backstage Promo

Rene Young is with Stephanie McMahon, who is still sucking away on her coffee. Rene asks McMahon who she thinks will win the Battle Royal. She has trouble getting her opinion out, and suddenly runs off.

Paul Heyman walks in and takes over the interview. He puts himself and the other wrestlers in the Money In The Bank Ladder match. Heyman then talks about both his clients, Brock Lesnar and Cesaro. He reminds us yet again that Lesnar defeated The Undertaker and ‘Taker’s streak at WrestleMania, which was not a prediction, but a spoiler, just like Cesaro winning the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at M.I.T.B.; “that’s not a prediction, that’s a spoiler,” he informs Young right in her ear.

Match #4: Single – Heath Slater VS. “The Super Athlete” Alexander Rusev (with “The Ravishing Russian,” Lana)

Prior to the bout, Lana orders the fans to “shut-up and listen!” She calls America “a nation founded by ‘weaklings.’” Lana compares America to Russia, specifically the Russian President, Vladimir Putin. She depicts a doctored photo of Mount Rushmore, in which the Founding Fathers have been replaced by Putin, two other Russian men, and Rusev.

Alexander takes the mike declares himself “The Super Athlete.” Slater takes umbrage and fires up the fans with a response, calling himself the “American Rockstar.” Unfortunately, when the bell rings, he doesn’t last long as Rusev destroys him with a leaping kick and forcing him to tap-out to The Accolade Camel Clutch.

Winner via Submission: “The Super Athlete” Alexander Rusev (with “The Ravishing Russian” Lana)

Segment #6: Office Promo

Triple H is standing by a bathroom door, where Stephanie is heard puking her guts out. Vickie walks in and HHH yells at her again. She checks on Steph, who heaves right at her. Guerrero is covered in vomit. Triple H takes Stephanie to the doctor, leaving Vickie in charge.

Ads.

Segment #7: Office Promo

Roman Reigns knocks on Vickie Guerrero’s door, who walks out still drenched in puke. Reigns finally encourages her to place him in the Battle Royale.

Segment #8: Backstage Promo

“Think Like A Man Two” star Kevin Hart is with Rene Young. He begins to plug his new movie, when Adam Rose and his Posse walk by. He wants Hart to “be a Rosebud.”

Commercials.

Match #5: Mixed Tag-Team – Fandango and Layla VS. Adam Rose and Summer Rae

(Note: Kevin Hart is on commentary, and he adds nothing!) This is a short bout, which ends with Adam Rose planting Fandango with the front-face DDT (“Party Foul”) after Summer chases Layla to the back.

Winners via Pinfall: Adam Rose and Summer Rae

Up next, it’s the Battle Royal!

Ads.

Match #6: Battle Royal to Qualify for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship Money In The Bank Ladder Match – Los Matadores (Fernando and Diego) VS. “The Super Athlete” Alexander Rusev VS. Big E. VS. Ryback VS. Xavier Woods VS. Damien “Lebron James” Sandow VS. Santino Marella VS. Rob Van Dam VS. “The Inspirational” Bo Dallas VS. Sin Cara VS. “The Real American” Jack Swagger VS. “The Show Off” Dolph Ziggler VS. Titus O’Neil VS. Kofi Kingston VS. Fandango VS. Curtis Axel VS. Intercontinental Champion Bad News Barrett VS. Roman Reigns

Following a commercial break, it comes down to Ryback, Axel, Big E., R.V.D., Rusev, Reigns, Dallas, Ziggler, Barrett, and Fandango. Ryback now eliminates Ziggler. He and Axel work over Roman. They try double-team, but Reigns comes back, hitting the Superman Punch on Rusev, double-spearing Axel and Ryback, then tossing Fandango to the floor! He does the same to both Ryback and Axel, but eats a leaping calf-kick by Alexander!

As Rob Van Dam goes to monkey-flip Barrett from the corner, Bo Dallas sneaks up and pushes him out. He goes to shake the hand of Bad News, but Barrett chucks him over. Bo hangs on and crawls back in. Reigns spears Dallas, then chucks him over the ropes.

It’s down to Rusev and Reigns! The fans feel it, and both behemoths start to punch it out. Rusev fires back with an impressive spinning-wheel kick. He splashes Roman a couple times in the corner, but Roman follows up with a clothesline. Roman places Alexander on the apron and nails the Superman punch to eliminate him and earn a spot in the M.I.T.B. Ladder Match.

Winner and Qualified for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship Money In The Bank Ladder Match: Roman Reigns

Segment #9: Backstage Promo

John Cena is with Rene Young, and he promises to help The Authority as they wanted, but then also win the stretcher match and move on to Money In The Bank.

Commercials.

Match #7: Single – Cameron (with Funkadactyls partner Naomi) VS. Divas Champion Paige (Non-Title)

Paige vicious right away, repeatedly kneeing and elbowing Cameron. She runs around the ring, chasing Cameron, who shakes her hand then kicks Paige. Cameron shows her vicious side now, slapping and kicking the Divas Champ. Paige reverses a suplex into her own, then gets aggressive again. She clotheslines Cameron a couple times, then locks her in “Paige’s Tap-Out,” the Modified Deathlock for the tap-out.

Winner via Submission: Divas Champion Paige

Footage from Payback, where The Rhodes Brothers lost and split-up is aired.

Segment #10: Locker Room Promo

Byron Saxon gets a word with Goldust on his new partner, and of course, ‘The Bizarre One” does not reveal who it is, but is quite pleased with his brother’s choice.

Ads.

Match #8: Tag-Team – Rybaxel (Ryback and Curtis Axel) VS. Goldust and ???

Goldust brings out his new partner, Stardust. (Who appears to be Cody Rhodes dressed in Goldust’s attired/makeup, and the commentator’s acknowledge that fact). Stardust all over Rybaxel right away, quickly taking this one after a flipping-corner-cutter!

Winners via Pinfall: Goldust and Stardust

Segment #11: Video Promo

WWE’s superb work with the Special Olympics is recapped. (Kudos to them for getting involved in an excellent cause like this!)

Commercials.

It is announced that Roman Reigns will face Alberto Del Rio this week on Smackdown.

Match #9: Stretcher (Single) to Qualify for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship Money In The Bank Ladder Match – John Cena VS. Kane

Cena begins aggressively, kicking and punching away. Kane whips Cena hard into the corner, then gives him an uppercut. On the outside, Kane does the same, then drags him to the stretcher. He begins to push down the side, but Cena kicks off and rams the stretcher into Kane’s gut twice.

Kane counters and hurls Cena into the steel steps and ring post. Cena counters and bulldogs Kane’s head on the steps, then shoves him stomach-first into the barricade. Kane attempts to drive Cena up the ramp on the stretcher, but Cena crawls away.

Ads.

Kane still in control, and now wields a chair. Kane swings and whacks Cena in the stomach and back. He places the chair in the corner, but Cena reverses a whip and chucks Kane shoulder-first into the chair. Cena ascends the top rope, but is caught with a chokeslam as he soared off!

“The Big Red Machine” collects the steel steps and goes into the ring. He measures, but Cena dropkicks Kane, sending his face into the steps! Cena picks up Kane, going for the Attitude Adjustment, but Kane gets out of it and DDT’s John on the steps! “The Devil’s Favorite Demon” pulls Cena towards the ramp and stretcher. He puts Cena onto the stretcher and starts to wheel him. Cena wakes up and rolls off, then punches back. He runs Kane head-first into the steel ring post, but is whipped hard again into the corner of the barricade!

Kane begins to tear apart the announce table, but he turns around into Cena, who drives him through the table with an Attitude Adjustment! Cena picks up Kane in a fireman’s carry position and walks him toward the ramp. For added effect, Cena slows down a bit, and drops Kane just before the stretcher.

He tries again, but Seth Rollins and Randy Orton come out from the back and attack. Orton R.K.O.’s Cena, and Rollins goes to nail him with a chair. Dean Ambrose also charges out and takes out Seth! Kane follows up with a chokeslam to Dean, but is knocked out when Cena tosses the steel steps his way on the outside.

Cena picks up the dead-weighted Kane and places him on the stretcher. He signals to the finish line and starts the trip again. Just before he crosses the line, Kane sits up and clutches him by the throat. Cena hops out of the chokeslam and A.A.’s Kane onto the stretcher, then pushes the final few inches to get the hard-fought victory!

Winner and Qualified for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship Money In The Bank Ladder Match: John Cena

Cena celebrates on the stage as the announcers put him and PPV match over to close Raw.

End Of Raw.

Reporter’s Rumblings – By Moe Tapp

This was a fantastic Raw! Much better than last week, and really rolled-along/built Money In The Bank. I feel this should’ve been the “go-home” show before the Pay-Per-View. Onto the critiques:

Excellence: Opening Promo – felt it kicked off Raw right and had that “big-hype” feel to the night. Loved the idea of the Battle Royal (even though it was pretty darn predictable who was going to win)

Most of the actual in-ring action. A lot of the matches tonight were well-played-out and entertaining/physical. I particularly enjoyed Rollins/Ziggler, Barrett/Ambrose, Sheamus/Wyatt, the Battle Royal, and Kane/Cena.

Divas Champion Paige was placed in a better spot this week, and also produced a decent bout with a Diva (Cameron) she has not faced before. So, wish on her came true!

As always, Bray is gold on the mike and tonight was no different. I would really like him and Harper/Rowan to walk away with the gold, for a new direction in the Championship pictures for summer; but unfortunately, I don’t see that happening. They’re too invested in Reigns/Ambrose/Bryan VS. Orton/Triple H/Rollins, and that is probably going to be the main feud for July/August.

Very intrigued by Cody Rhodes’ new persona. If this puts them back on the main Tag-Team winning side, and another run with the Titles, I’m all for it!

Funny enough, the first three matches all ended with either a DQ or count-out; I am OK with this, since it helps continue the feud for the wrestlers in those matches (Rollins/Ambrose/Barrett/Sheamus/Wyatt)

Bogus: Kevin Hart – he added nothing to the show. The mixed-tag match really could’ve been saved for (maybe) Smackdown, but for sure Main Event.

Poor Heath Slater – the man does have a decent amount of charisma and great wrestling ability; I’d like to see him get a good push instead of squashed week-after-week. They should’ve saved Rusev for JUST the Battle Royal and not have him decimate Slater.

As much as I liked their match, I actually would’ve liked to see another person other than John Cena in the M.I.T.B. Ladder match. I really hope they don’t have him or Orton win the Title (again!), but unfortunately, it is looking that way until Bryan is able to wrestle again.

All-in-all, a great edition of Raw. Like I wrote above, this really could’ve been the “go-home” show and left us satisfied until Money In The Bank! I do wonder how they are going to top tonight to leave us suspenseful next week until the Pay-Per-View?

Until then, as always, Be Excellent Wrestling-Online Readers and Wrestling Fans!