I am truly excited for tonight’s Raw, as once again, I have managed to avoid all results from Money In The Bank so I could be truly surprised. (Hopefully, depending on who won!)

With at least one new champion (WWE World Heavyweight), who else managed to capture new titles last night? Or did the champions themselves retain?

What did Daniel Bryan have to say on the Pre-Show, regarding his future?

Even though Vickie Guerrero has now left WWE, will Stephanie McMahon still retaliate for getting dumped in a mud-pit last week?

And, what feuds will be unveiled for the next few months, as we roll into summer?

All this and much more, so read on!

Monday Night Raw TV Report for June 30th, 2014 – “Battle Lines Drawn”

Introduction Segment: Video Recap

A montage of the WWE World Heavyweight Championship Ladder Match begins, which also showed The Authority looking on at ringside. Reigns completely dominated until Kane chokeslammed him off the ladder. It looked as if Orton was going to get it, but John Cena gave both Kane and Randy an A.A., then ascended the ladder and collected the titles.

Segment #2: Arena Promo

The Authority kicks off Raw, seemingly happy. Stephanie takes the microphone first, and celebrates the Money In The Bank Pay-Per-View. She lets us know that Daniel Bryan’s recovery will be longer than expect, but also that Seth Rollins is now “Mr. Money In The Bank,” and has the opportunity to cash in anytime over the next year for a WWE World Heavyweight Championship title shot.

Triple H talks about the WWE World Heavyweight Championship Ladder Match and brings out the new WWE World Heavyweight Champion, John Cena. The Champ is back and right away, he tells Daniel Bryan that he will get his deserved title match when he returns.

Stephanie then reveals that Cena will be the poster-boy for the new WWE 2K15 video game. Cena seems that he doesn’t know what to make of this, and is inquiring why The Authority is all of a sudden being so nice. He displays a picture from M.I.T.B. on the Titan Tron of Stephanie & Triple H displeased with his big win. Stephanie proclaims that look is their concern for Randy Orton, but Cena is not buying it. He and Triple H get into a verbal debate, then Cena goes against The Authority and wants to do things the hard way. Triple H is actually happy John chose this, because he now books a Fatal-4-Way for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, with Cena defending against Kane, Randy Orton, and Roman Reigns at the next Pay-Per-View! Later tonight, Cena will tag with Roman to face Randy Orton and Kane! Cena takes a couple of verbal jousts at Stephanie’s mud-pit misfortunes and walks away, until Triple H announces “there’s always a ‘Plan B’” if he gets through Battleground. Seth Rollins walks out behind Cena to continue the intimidation.

Also later tonight, United States Champion Sheamus and Tag-Team Champions The Usos will take on the entire Wyatt Family in a Six-Man Tag, and Seth Rollins will be wrestling following the break!

Commercials.

Match #1: “Mr. Money In The Bank” Seth Rollins VS. Rob Van Dam

Seth gets Rob in a side headlock, but is monkey-flipped over off the ropes. Rollins goes to the outside for a break while R.V.D measures. Van Dam slugs away but is tripped up, however kicks Rollins to the outside again. Rollins tries to catch Van Dam by the leg, but Rob counters with an Enziguri, then rams his shoulders into Rollins’ back in the corner.

Van Dam hooks on an Abdominal Stretch and turns it into a roll-up for two, before Rollins breaks it using the ropes. On the outside, Rollins rips at Van Dam’s nose going into the break.

Ads.

Seth still dominating, sending Van Dam off the ropes and rolls through into a Single-Leg Boston Crab! Van Dam crawls to the ropes for a break, but Seth drags him to the middle, until R.V.D. twists him around with his legs. Van Dam almost takes this with a leg-scissors roll-up, then nails for Rolling Thunder! 1 – 2 – Seth kicks out! He sets up Rollins facedown in the corner, then comes down on him with a split-legged moonsault off the top rope! 1 – 2 – Seth still kicks out!

Rollins starts to make a comeback, going for a turnbuckle powerbomb, but Van Dam reverses into a Hurricanrana! Van Dam ascends the top rope again and signals for the Five-Star Frogsplash! Rollins avoids it to the outside, but Van Dam turns around and soars off with a body-splash! Back in the ring, Rollins hooks Rob’s leg through the ropes and twists around. This sets up the Curb Stomp, which Seth hits and gets the hard-fought victory!

Winner via Pinfall: “Mr. Money In The Bank” Seth Rollins

Post-match, Rene Young is in the ring, and Seth berates her for not announcing him correctly. He takes a (maybe not-so) subtle cheap-shot at Dolph Ziggler, saying “it’s not arrogance if you can back it up.” Before he can continue further, Dean Ambrose appears on the Titan Tron. He informs Rollins that he really has the upper-hand, as every time Rollins goes to deposit it, Dean will be right there and waiting.

Commercials.

Segment #3: Arena Promo

“The Ravishing Russian” Lana and “The Superior Athlete” Alexander Rusev are out. She calls Big E., who he faced at M.IT.B., a “failure.” She calls America liars, because they teach their children “it’s not about winning or losing, it’s about participating.” Lana praises the Russian President, Vladimir Putin. The then challenges a new person to wrestle Rusev, and of course, fail! Rusev talks in his language, then says in English, “Rusev crush!”

Suddenly, Jack Swagger and Zeb Colter walk down the aisle, getting in the ring. Colter is not happy with Lana and Rusev ripping America. He threatens that “The Real American,” Jack Swagger will be the one to finish Rusev. Lana gets in between and backs Alexander off. He just about leaves, then charges but Swagger catches him with a couple armdrags. (Impressively helped by Rusev flipping himself). Rusev exits and is furious at being shown-up.

Up next is the Six-Man Tag!

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Match #2: Six-Man Tag-Team – United States Champion Sheamus and Tag-Team Champions The Usos (Jey an Jimmy) VS. The Wyatt Family (Bray Wyatt, Luke Harper, and Erick Rowan) (Non-Title)

Rowan and Jey begin, with Jey punching and slapping Rowan. Both Usos double-kick and clothesline Erick to the floor!

Commercials.

Rowan is now in control over Jimmy with a grounding headlock. He tags in Bray, who runs and splashes Jimmy the corner. Harper now in and slaps Jimmy’s chest hard. Jimmy manages to boot Luke a couple times, then take him down with a top-rope twirling dive. He gets the hot-tag to Sheamus, who is all over Rowan and knocks Harper off the apron! He delivers “10 Beats Of The Bowron” to Rowan, then flies off the top rope to both Harper and Rowan with a double-clothesline! Bray manages to get Sheamus’ attention, allowing Rowan to clothesline Sheamus over the ropes. Luke is tagged in and delivers a hard-boot to Sheamus’ head!

Harper switches with Bray who senton-splashes Sheamus on the canvas, then he pounds away with fists on the back of Sheamus’ head. Erick is back in and splashes the United States Champion for a two-count. The Wyatts are in firm domination over Sheamus, knocking Sheamus to the floor. Bray leads the fans in a song of “He’s Got The Whole World In His Hands,” then Harper continues to control the Irishman.

Sheamus manages the second hot-tag to Jey, who flies all over Luke! He hits a spin-kick, then a stiff superkick, but Rowan breaks up the cover. Sheamus nails the Brogue Kick to Rowan, as an Uso rockets over the ropes! Bray takes out Sheamus, and Harper hits a vicious clothesline on Jey for the 1 – 2 – 3!

Winners via Pinfall: The Wyatt Family (Bray Wyatt, Luke Harper, and Erik Rowan)

Segment #4: Backstage Promo

Nikki Bella is interviewed by announcer Tom, who wonders her thoughts on Brie being escorted out of the arena at M.I.T.B. Stephanie interjects and taunts Nikki a bit while booking her in a 2-On-1 match, versus The Funkadactyls.

Commercials.

Segment #5: Arena Promo

Justin Roberts announces “The Inspirational” Bo Dallas. He comes out and asks us to give a minute of silence for Intercontinental Champion Wade Barrett and Daniel Bryan, who cannot wrestle right now due to injury. After what seemed to be more than sixty-seconds, Bo gets up from bended knee and calls himself “the inspiration for Daniel Bryan.” A video of his promo with Daniel Bryan from the M.IT.B. pre-show airs, and he tells us to “Bo-lieve!”

Match #3: 2-On-1 – Nikki Bella VS. The Funkadactyls (Naomi and Cameron)

Nikki and Cameron start out, with Nikki dominating for the first bit. Cameron tags in Naomi, who gives Nikki a high-kick and top-rope crossbody! Naomi plants Nikki easily with a split-legged clothesline to take this!

Winners via Pinfall: The Funkadactyls (Naomi and Cameron)

Post-match, Naomi and Cameron have a disagreement and Cameron exits without Naomi.

Up next, the severity of Bad News Barrett’s shoulder injury and the Intercontinental Championship will be revealed.

Ads.

Footage of I.C. Champion Wade Barrett’s separated shoulder injury from Smackdown is shown, then it is announced he will be out of action for months, so the Intercontinental Championship is vacant until Battleground, where a new champion will be determined in a Battle Royal.

Segment #6: Arena Promo

Paul Heyman is out on the stage and proud of his client, “The King Of Swing” Cesaro, who he declares will be the next Intercontinental Champion at Battleground. He walks out and prepares for his next bout.

Match #4: Single – “The King Of Swing” Cesaro (with Paul Heyman) VS. Kofi Kingston

Both trade traditional wrestling rolls around the ring until Cesaro capitalizes with a gutwrench suplex. Kofi comes back a bit later with a plancha over the ropes, but Cesaro catches the next one and turns it into a gut-breaker! Cesaro punches Kingston swiftly in the corner, and flips him over with a Butterfly Suplex. Kofi tries to punch is way back, but Cesaro scoop-slams him, then clenches his legs. He signals for the Cesaro Swing, but doesn’t pander to the fans after all. Cesaro grapples Kofi with a grounding rear chinlock, but Kofi fights back and almost gets this bout with a Hurricanrana pin combo! Cesaro delivers a stiff uppercut for the break.

Commercials.

All of a sudden, Kofi’s music is playing and apparently, he has won!

Winner via Pinfall: Kofi Kingston,

Post-match, Cesaro completely destroys Kingston on the outside. He hurls him into the steel steps and over the announce table. Cesaro takes Kingston into the Timekeeper’s area, then brings him back to the ring, where rams his chest repeatedly against the ring post. Referees finally break up the melee. It is shown that Kofi reversed a Neutralizer into a sunset-flip roll-up to defeat Cesaro.

Segment #7: Backstage Promo

Santino is wondering why no one, not even Emma, came to his party. (An outside picnic area is setup.) Of course, this brings in Adam Rose, who along with his Posse, brings the new Twisted Ice Tea for the cheap-product-placement-plug.

Commercials.

Segment #8: Arena Promo

The Boss is back! Maybe! While Mr. McMahon’s music plays, it is not him that walks out, but Damien Sandow donned in attire and a wig similar to his hairstyle. He actually does a pretty good voice-impression of Vinnie Mac while putting over Hulk Hogan, Triple H, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, and …. Damien Sandow! Sandow declares himself an entrant into the Intercontinental Championship Battle Royal at Battleground. Stephanie appears on the Titan Tron and is none to pleased, to say the least, with Damien’s impersonation of her father. She orders him to face another I.C. Battle Royal competitor, now!

Match #5: Single – “Mr. McMahon” Damien Sandow VS. The Great Khali

One quick Overhead Chop and this one is over!

Winner via Pinfall: The Great Khali

Up next, a former WWE Champion and “cross-platinum” superstar returns!

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Segment #9: Arena Promo

Justin Roberts welcomes back the former WWE Champion and “cross-platinum” superstar …. The Miz! He walks out with a new attitude and look, resembling more of a movie star. He says he has returned because of the people; however not in the vein we want/think. While people in Hollywood appreciate him, the WWE Universe has not, despite all his accolades, which included main-eventing WrestleMania as the WWE Champion. He wants all the fans to appreciate him and is not going to leave until done so.

Suddenly, pyro explodes and familiar music blares the speakers. “Break the walls down!” Chris Jericho is back! “Y2J” parades the adoration of everyone, except for The Miz. He grills Jericho on why he is back, but “The Ayatollah Of Rock N’ Rollah” just plants him with the Codebreaker!

Jericho is thrilled to be back and wants to utter his famous words, “Welcome to Raw is …” The lights go out and The Wyatt Family are standing in the ring! (Crowd chants “this is awesome!”) The trio decimate Jericho, with Bray driving him face first via Sister Abigail. Bray kneels over him and yells “follow the buzzards!”

Commercials.

Match #6: Single – Fandango (with Layla) VS. “The Show Off” Dolph Ziggler

Fandango aggressive early, throwing Ziggler into the ring post, and flapjack for two! Dolph elbows and kicks Fandango back, then leaps on him in the corner for quick punches. He drives Fandango down with a neckbreaker and an elbow, then Summer Rai suddenly shows up. She plants a big smooch on Dolph, to Fandango’s dismay. “The Show Off” returns it with a full-on make-out session, then finishes this contest with the Zig-Zag!

Winner via Pinfall: “The Show Off” Dolph Ziggler

Ads.

Match #7: Tag-Team – Rybaxel (Ryback and Curtis Axel) VS. Goldust and Stardust

Ryback immediately pushes Stardust off the apron while Axel kicks away on Goldust in the corner. Goldust comes back with a reverse atomic drop. Ryback in and controls over Goldust, giving him a duplex and ripping at his nose. Ryback chops in the corner, then catches Goldust off a crossbody into a fall-away slam. He measures Goldust for the Meathook Clothesline, but Goldust counters with a spinebuster. Stardust now in and all over Curtis. He nails a springboard clothesline on Ryback, and a flatliner on Axel for the 1 – 2 – 3!

Winners via Pinfall: Goldust and Stardust

Commercials.

Segment #9: Arena Promo

Divas Champion Paige is out and insists that she has proven she is hear to stay, despite her critics. This brings out the Diva who has not been seen in almost three months, A.J. Lee! She skips out to a huge pop, and puts over Paige for defeating her. She wants to congratulate her, but Paige does not fall for it, as she did it herself to A.J. on April 7th. She claims that the fans don’t want Paige to defend her title tonight, but the fans disagree, chanting “yes, yes, yes.” A.J. polls the fans and they want it. Paige agrees, and referee Mike Chioda enters. It is on!

Match #8: Single for the Divas Championship – Paige (Champion) VS. A.J. Lee (Challenger)

A.J. takes it to Paige right off the bat with leaping punches, but Paige becomes harsh. She pushes A.J. to the canvas and yells “this is my house now!” Paige misses a move and A.J. catches her in an inside cradle and take the title!

Winner via Pinfall and NEW Divas Champion: A.J. Lee

Up next, Roman Reigns and WWE World Heavyweight Champion John Cena will face Kane and Randy Orton!

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It is announced that United States Champion Sheamus will have a special 4th Of July Challenge this week on Smackdown!

Match #9: Tag-Team – Kane and “The Viper” Randy Orton VS. WWE World Heavyweight Champion John Cena and Roman Reigns (Non-Title)

Orton and Cena square off first, with Randy controlling with a standing side headlock. Cena takes down Orton, then stares at and tags in Reigns. Orton backs down and switches with Kane. The two monsters trade punches, with Reigns getting the upper by chucking Kane out of the ring.

Commercials.

Randy now dominating over Reigns with a grounding rear chinlock. He slams his head back against the mat, then drops a high knee. 1 – 2 – Reigns kicks out. Reigns comes off an Irish Whip with a jumping clothesline. He sets up Randy against the ropes, but Kane blocks him from doing the leaping front-dropkick. He slams Kane against the barricade, and Randy takes advantage. Kane is in now and takes charge. Roman clotheslines Kane down, but cannot get to Cena, as Orton comes in and stomps away.

Kane back in, but gets booted out of the corner. He tries a chokeslam but Reigns slaps him and flips him over with a Samoan Drop! He tags in Cena, who is all over Orton with his usual moves. He drops the Five-Knuckle Shuffle fist drop, but can’t give the A.A. as Orton wiggles out and tags Kane. Cena takes down Kane with a spin-out backdrop, but Orton slides in and R.K.O’s Cena! Reigns in and hits the Superman Punch on Kane, but Randy grabs him and they battle back to the stage and beyond. Kane smashes Cena with the steel steps, causing the DQ!

Winners via Disqualification: WWE World Heavyweight Champion John Cena and Roman Reigns

Post-match, Kane continues to punish the WWE World Heavyweight Champion, tombstoning Cena; the fans chant “one more time!” Referee Charles Robinson and a WWE personnel check on John.

Suddenly, Seth Rollins’ music plays and he marches out with the Money In The Bank briefcase! He wants to cash it in, but Dean Ambrose runs out and brawls with him through the crowd to backstage. Triple H is unhappy, and Kane goes to whack Cena with a chair. Reigns charges back out and spears Kane! He and Triple H stare down each other intently to the fans’ delight, closing the show.

End Of Raw.

Reporter’s Rumblings – By Moe Tapp

This was a pretty great Raw coming off an expected Pay-Per-View, complete with a couple of surprises! And it already setup Battleground, which is nice too! Onto the analysis:

Excellence: Loved how they already booked the main event for the next Pay-Per-View; sets up the next few weeks of feuds nicely. (although, part of it doesn’t make sense, so more on that in bogus) Matches between Van Dam/Rollins, the Six-Man, Goldust & Stardust/Rybaxel.

Damien Sandow does an almost spot-on imitation of Mr. McMahon. That was pretty cool! Always loving Bo Dallas, and even if it is a one-off match with Bryan when he comes back, it will be a great wrestling match between the two!

The returns of The Miz, Chris Jericho (especially), and A.J. Lee. Was not expecting any of those at the start of the night, and only thought of A.J. when Paige was on her own cutting the promo. Love the new feud between Chris Jericho and Bray Wyatt; that verbal back-and-forth is going to be SUPERB! Liking the new Miz persona, and I really hope they put him over again as a strong heel.

Bogus: I’m happy that A.J.’s back, but it never really feels like she lost the title and/or was gone for that amount of time. No offense to Paige, she’s great. But they really didn’t have her dominate much like they should’ve. Paige should’ve been built much more, and then this comeback and “surprise” win (touché) for A.J. would’ve had more meaning.

Poor Wade Barrett; as my Dad said, just as he gets rolling again, he’s out with a severe injury. Much like Miz, I hope they continue his push when he returns.

Kofi winning during commercial was really, really stupid! It was just weird, and really bad.

As mentioned above, part of the Battleground main-event puzzles me; if Triple H hates Roman Reigns so much, why give him another opportunity at the WWE World Heavyweight Championship? That doesn’t follow continuity very well.

All in all, a great Raw, and I’m really looking forward to next week’s, when they’re in my home-country of Canada. Particularly, Montreal, which is very, very famous for very, very obvious wrestling-related reasons! Until then, Be Excellent Wrestling-Online Readers and Wrestling Fans!