SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)…
WWE RAW TV REPORT
JUNE 3, 2024
HERSHEY, PA. AT GIANT CENTER
AIRED LIVE ON USA
Commentators: Michael Cole, Pat McAfee
Ring Announcer: Samantha Irvin
Attendance: WrestleTix reported earlier today that 8,816 tickets had been distributed; arena is set up for 8,966
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On the episode, Wade Keller will be joined by Darrin Lilly from PWTorch to review Raw LIVE. Join us and let us know your thoughts on Raw during the show.
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[HOUR ONE]
-They opened with a camera walking through fans chanting “Yeet!” in a luxury box or concourse area. Then they showed Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill arriving, Bron Breakker arriving, and The Judgment Day arriving.
-A video package aired on the Liv Morgan vs. Becky Lynch at King & Queen of the Ring last weekend including Dominik Mysterio ostensibly inadvertently helping Liv Morgan win followed by last week’s rematch in a cage where Liv retained her title, again with Dom helping. That included Liv pasting a passionate kiss on Dom’s face afterward.
-Liv made her entrance. “This outta be good!” said Cole. Cole asked Pat McAfee if Liv is a master-manipulator or love-struck siren? Liv welcomed everyone to “The Liv Morgan Revenge Tour.” She said they say that revenge is never as sweet as you think it’s going to be when you finally get it, “but not for me.” She then did that laugh thing. She said with glee that she took out Rhea Ripley. She said she then became their new Women’s World Champion. Fans booed. She said she then sent Becky into early retirement. More boos. She said the cherry on top of it all was kissing Dom. She said the video received over 40 million views in less than 24 hours. She was interrupted by Dom’s music.
Dom walked out, left arm still in a sling. As he began to speak, booing got louder. He tried to talk several times, but paused for boos and then yelled, “Let me speak!” He finally said that when Rhea returns, she’s going to kill her. Liv said she’ll kill him, too. Liv said she knows Dom came to ringside not to help Rhea, but so he could be closer to her. “When are you going to stop lying to yourself,” she said as she moved into Dom’s personal space. She said she meant what she said when she said she wants to take everything from Ripley. “And that includes you,” she said. She ran her hand down his chest. That got a rise out of the crowd.
Finn Balor barged into the ring and said that’s enough. He said Dom nor anyone else in Judgment Day wants anything to do with her. Liv said she’ll go for now, but she’s not so sure Dom isn’t into the attention she’s giving him. She walked over and ran her hand through Dom’s hair. He smiled slightly, then pulled away. Cole asked, “Oh boy, Dom, you’re in deep deep trouble. Was that a little smile I saw on the face of Dominik?”
(Keller’s Analysis: I’m enjoying this storyline. They’re handling it well so far, with Dom resisting, but coming across as potentially interested.)
-They went to Cole and Pat McAfee at ringside who reacted. Cole said Liv is seducing Dom as Rhea is at home recovering from injury.
-A clip aired of the interaction between Sheamus and Ludwig Kaiser last week including Kaiser jumping Sheamus backstage.
-Jackie Redmond interviewed Sheamus who called Ludwig a Ken doll who was a mere spokesman for Gunther. He said he has stood in the ring with the best of the best, and there’s only one way to gain his respect. “And that’s putting on banger after banger after…” He trailed off and fans picked up the chant.
-Sheamus made his ring entrance. Kaiser charged at him from behind and chop-blocked his leg. Officials and referees pried Kaiser off of Sheamus. [c]
(1) SHEAMUS vs. LUDWIG KAISER
The bell rang 17 minutes into the hour. Cole said during the break, the ref checked to be sure Sheamus was okay to wrestle. Kaiser worked over Sheamus’ knee in the corner and then spit on him. Fans “ooooh’d.” Kaiser charged at Sheamus at ringside and dropkicked his leg into the ringside steps. They cut to a break at 3:30. [c]
When Kaiser tried to land forearms against Sheamus’s chest leaning over the ropes, Sheamus blocked it and then clothesline Kaiser. When Kaiser tried to yank off Sheamus’s kneepad a minute later, the ref pulled Kaiser away. The ref kneeled down and told a wincing Sheamus he could call off the match if he wanted. The ref was about to when Sheamus grabbed him and told him not to. “Is that all you got!?” he asked. Kaiser went after Sheamus in the corner. “Come on, you bitch!” yelled Sheamus. (Reset the Bitch-o-Meter. We’re hoping this year at some point there will be six weeks of WWE or AEW TV that doesn’t include someone calling someone else “bitch” since it’s so overused.)
Sheamus surprised Kaiser with a sudden knee. Both were down and slow to get up. Cole said Sheamus has a chance. Sheamus pounded his chest and went for a Brogue Kick, but his knee gave out. Sheamus threw Kaiser over the top rope and then bashed his chest as the crowd counted along to 13 before Kaiser collapsed. Sheamus lifted Kaiser onto his shoulders and set up a White Noise off the second rope, but Kaiser slipped free. Kaiser then kicked Sheamus’s leg and covered him for a three count. Cole said Sheamus just had nothing left. He said it was one of the biggest wins of Kaiser’s career. McAfee said Kaiser’s strategy was sound from the beginning.
WINNER: Kaiser in 14:00.
(Keller’s Analsysis: Good match. Certainly primarily built around Sheamus’s injured knee. Too bad the announcers took away some of the heel for Kaiser by failing to condemn his pre-match attack on Sheamus’s knee, but they opted instead to frame it as a meaningful and big win for him over an established veteran like Sheamus.)
-Backstage, Dom told Balor and J.D. McDonagh that he didn’t do anything.. Balor said that’s the problem. He told Dom that he’s playing with fire and he’s going to get burned. Damien Priest asked if Rhea thinks it’s been taken care of. Dom said he’s giving her space, “but everything is fine.” Priest said he hopes it works out. He suggested they settle some scores tonight and remind everyone that they run Raw.
-Dragon Lee made his ring entrance. [c]
-Backstage, a trainer was taping Ricochet’s ribs when in walked Ilja Dragunov. He said people like them need to live uncomfortably close to the limit. He told Ricochet to be cautious. Ricochet said they are wired differently and Bron Breakker has forgotten that. He said he’s going to smack the fake tan off of Breakker. Dragunov wished him luck.
-They went to Dragon Lee in the ring. Cole threw to a video package on him with highlights of his matches with him narrating in Spanish. He said he’ll be a legend. He vowed to “set the world on fire.”
(2) DRAGON LEE vs. FINN BALOR (w/J.D. McDonagh)
The bell rang 42 minutes into the hour. Cole said it’s the first time ever they’ve wrestled. At 2:00 Lee dove through the ropes and tackled Balor. They replayed it in slo-mo as they cut to a break. [c]
At 7:00, McDonagh stood on the ring apron and yelled. Lee knocked him off the ring apron. Carlito then knocked Lee off the top rope. Lee crotched the top turnbuckle. Balor set up a superplex. Lee knocked him down and then leaped onto Carlito at ringside. He punched away at Carlito. When he returned to the ring, Balor landed a running dropkick and then a Coup de Grace for the win. Carlito raised Balor’s arm in the ring after the match.
WINNER: Balor in 8:00.
-As Balor and Carlito stomped away at Lee, Braun Strowman walked out to his music, accompanied by Rey Mysterio. Strowman cleared the ring. Then he chased Carlito who leaped over the barricade.
-They showed Sami Zayn walking backstage. [c]
-They showed a drone shot of Glasgow, Scotland. Cole plugged a Clash at the Castle Kickoff Show next Friday morning.
-Priest said he thought the Strowman situation would’ve been dealt with, but assured McDonagh it was okay. Priest told Carlito to go tell G.M. Adam Pearce he wants a match with Strowman. Carlito wasn’t excited about that. Priest, Balor, and McDonagh left. R-Truth walked in and told Carlito his time with The Judgment Day were the best days of his life. Miz walked in and took exception. He said they are tag champs so these are the best days of his life. Truth told Miz he’s obsessed with The Judgment Day and it’s starting to get weird. Miz yelled, “Are you kidding me?!”
[HOUR TWO]
-Sami Zayn made his ring entrance. He said it was great to be back in Pennsylvania since the last time he was there, he won the IC Title. He proposed Chad Gable to come to the ring alone and face him so they could put an end to it all. Gable’s music played immediately. A mopey Otis, Akira Tozawa, and Maxxine Dupree walked out. Maxxine said Gable ordered them to deliver a message. Sami said they don’t have to do that. Maxxine read a statement saying that Sami can’t turn his students against him and then took digs against her, Otis, and Tozawa. Gable message asked for an IC Title match. Sami said if that’s what it takes to end it, he’ll defend it against him at the Clash.
Sami then told they deserve better than how Gable treats them. “Chad Gable doesn’t get to decide what you are worth,” he said. “You need to set yourself free from Chad Gable once and for all. Gable attacked Sami from behind. Gable suplexed Sami as Otis watched. It seemed Otis thought of intervening. McAfee said he’s watched documentaries on cults and he knows it’s hard to break free from them. Gable slapped Otis and said, “I don’t know what it’s going to take to get through to you.” Tozawa pushed Gable aside but didn’t make eye contact. Gable shoved him a few times. Tozawa didn’t retaliate.
Maxxine then stepped in. Gable told her to get on her knees and beg forgiveness. She did. Gable then ordered all three to “get out of my ring.” Otis had enough and stepped in Gable’s face. Fans roared with cheers and then chanted, “Otis! Otis!” Sami attacked Gable. Gable threw Sami into Otis, Tozawa, and Maxxine. Tozwawa and Maxxine fell to the mat. Gable told Otis it was Sami. Otis powerslammed Sami. Fans booed. He showed possible regret and then left. He helped Tozawa and Maxxine up as Gable celebrated over Sami in the ring. Cole called Gable an “out of control narcissist.” Fans chanted, “You suck!”
-They cut to Pearce watching backstage. He said he’d break Sami in half. He then congratulated Pearce for putting him in the ring with real competition. Pearce said the only reason he has a match is because Ricochet asked for it. Breakker brought up Pearce not including him in the King of the Ring tournament and said he’ll keep paying for that.
-Ricochet made his ring entrance. Cole said this is the perfect example of more guts than brains. [c]
-Gable came up to Maxxine, Tozawa, and Otis. He enthusiastically praised Maxxine for faking an injury to get Sami’s sympathy. She said she’s really hurt. He told Otis he’s so proud of him and said he’s always been his no. 1 guy. He kissed him and said they’re going accomplish their goal at the Clash and win “my Intercontinental Championship.”
-A clip aired of Breakker spearing Dragunov backstage and then spearing Ricochet in the ring.
(3) RICOCHET vs. BRON BREAKKER
The bell rang 19 minutes into the hour. Ricochet slapped a laughing Breakker at the bell. Cole said he was slapping some respect into him. Ricochet sold his taped ribs early. Breakker clotheslined Breakker and then dropped him over the ringside barricade. They cut to a break at 2:00. [c]
Ricochet rallied and landed a springboard moonsault for a two count at 5:00. He followed with a top rope 450 attempt, but Breakker moved. Ricochet kicked a charging Ricochet. Ricochet countered with a Recoil for a two count. Breakker ran to the top rope and took Ricochet down with a Frankensteiner. He followed with a spear for the win. Cole said they’d need a spatula to get Ricochet off the mat.
WINNER: Breakker in 8:00.
-After the match, when Breakker lifted stairs above his head, WWE officials and Dragunov ran out to protect Ricochet.
(Keller’s Analysis: They doing a good job amplifying Breakker’s strengths. It’s a challenge to prevent fans from cheering from someone so intense and dominant, but I think so far they are.)
-Rey told Lee backstage that he would’ve had Balor if not for Carlito. He said he will deliver a message to Priest later that The Judgment Day don’t run Raw. Zelina Vega cheered for the pep talk. [c]
-McAfee commented on a slo-mo view of Dom smiling after Liv rubbed her hand through his hair. “Mami’s gonna be pissed!” said McAfee.
-Remond interviewed Kiana James. She said she’s taking her time getting acclimated and she thanked Pearce for giving her guidance. She said beating Natalya is a “perfect first step on my rise to the top.” She said she’ll prove she is the top 1 percent.
(4) NATALYA vs. KIANA JAMES
James walked out with a designer white purse. Cole said she has a degree in business and was going to be an entrepreneur, but she opted to go to WWE instead. The bell rang 38 minutes into the hour. Cole said people have described James as smug. After some back and forth action, Natalya set up a Sharpshooter. James avoided it and then landed her 401K finisher for the win.
WINNER: James in 3:00.
-Cathy Kelley interviewed New Day backstage. They talked about how long they’ve been successful. Kross walked in as they were chanting “New… Day Rocks!” He said the power of positivity is dead. Kofi Kingston said Karrion’s guys are going to find out they still hit with power. Kofi marched off. Kross told Xavier that after tonight, he won’t have to follow Kofi around anymore. “Trust me,” he said. [c]
-Sonya Deville ased Natalya if she wanted to talk. Natalya said, “Enough is enough and it’s time for a change.” Sonya excused herself to talk with Zoey Stark and Shayna Baszler. Stark said she doesn’t care what Sonya have to say. She said they’ll show Jade & Belair who the real top team in WWE is. Sonya said the more respect they demand from everyone else, the less they get. Baszler asked her to leave them along.
(5) CARLITO vs. BRUN STROWMAN
Strowman was in the ring. Carlito made his entrance. The bell rang 48 minutes into the hour. Braun fended off early Carlito offense, fended off McDonagh Balor running to the ring apron, and then blocked a Carlito back stabber. He followed with a face-first plant for the win.
WINNER: Strowman in 2:00.
-Balor and McDonagh attacked Strowman afterward, but he shoved them off and then clotheslined them both. Dominik prevented Strowman from chokeslamming Carlito, though. Dom swung a chair at Strowman, but Strowman swatted it away and then backed him up the rap. Liv ran out and stopped Strowman from getting too close. Balor, McDonagh, and Carlito attacked Strowman. Strowman and McDonagh rentered the ring. McDonagh bashed Strowman with a chair over and over. Balor and Carlito held Strowman down for repeated shots with the chair to Strowman’s knee. Dom and Liv then stood close. Liv moved closer. Dom backed away. Balor stepped between them. Dom shrugged as Liv retreated up the ramp.
-They showed Jade and Belair backstage. [c]
-Belair’s music faded and fans cheered them in the ring. Belair and Jade talked about wanting to be defending champions on Smackdown and Raw. Jade called Stark and Baszler to say what they have to say to their face. They came to the ring. They exchanged some words. Jade said they could fight now. Pearce walked out and said it sounds like they want the match. He asked the fans. They cheered. He called for a ref as Pearce said the match will take place with the Women’s Tag Team Titles on the line.
(6) JADE CARGILL & BIANCA BELAIR vs. SHAYNA BASZLER & ZOEY STARK
The bell rang 2 minutes into the hour. Jade and Belair suplexed both opponents at 4:00 and struck a pose mid-ring. They cut to a break. [c]
Belair pounded away at Stark in the corner and then landed a running handspring moonsault. Baszler broke up the cover. Stark made a comeback with a kick to the face, then tagged in Belair. Baszler landed a running knee and scored a two count. Jade yanked Baszler to the floor and threw her into the ringside steps. Baszler side-stepped a charging Belair. Stark rolled up Belair for a sudden two count. Belair came back with a KOD. Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn attacked Belair. Cole said there won’t be a decision in this because of Fyre and Dawn.
WINNERS: No contest in 9:00.
(Keller’s Analysis: Dawn & Fyre were lurking in the background during Belair & Cargill’s backstage interview. There are too many non-finishes on Raw and Smackdown these days.)
-Kelley interviewed Priest who said as much as he respects Rey’s no-quit approach, he’s finishing him off tonight. When she brought up Liv, Priest said, “Enough with that Liv stuff.” Drew McIntyre walked up to Priest who said life will be good in two weeks. He told Priest this is as high in the industry as Priest will get, so live it up. He said if he wants to make it personal,now it’s personal. “We’ll be seeing you real soon.” Priest said under his breath, “He’s got issues.” [c]
-Jey Uso made his way down the arena steps. He talked about the Bloodline civil war. He said he lost his family in all that and it was tough for him. He said since coming to Raw, he isn’t just anyone’s right hand man. He said he can be Main Event Jey Uso now. He thanked fans for “yeeting” with him on his own journey. Fans chanted “Yeet!” He said he’s going to be in the Money in the Bank match and snatch the briefcase.
(Keller’s Analysis: Fans are going to be behind that quest. It’s intriguing if he were to win.)
-Kelley interviewed Lyra Valkyria. She asked about how Becky Lynch is coping with everything after last week. She said Becky is disappointed, but she’ll come back around and be better for it all. She said Liv won’t be Women’s World Champion for long. Kelley asked how she’ll move forward without Becky. She said she’s shown she can stand on her own two feet. She said her next goal is Money in the Bank. Iyo Sky attacked her and threw around ringside into stuff.
-They went to Cole and McAfee. Cole said Sky is still upset that Valkyria beat her in the Queen of the Ring tournament.
-New Day’s ring entrance began. [c]
(7) THE NEW DAY (Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods) vs. AUTHORS OF PAIN (Akam & Rezar w/Karrion Kross, Scarlett)
During the AOP ring entrance, Cole noted that Xavier Woods has never reached the success that Kofi has in his career with a WWE Title and IC Title reign. He said Xavier has never held a singles title. McAfee said maybe he’s a team player. The bell rang 31 minutes into the hour. At 2:00, Xavier fought back and crawled toward Kofi, but Rezar stopped him. Scarlett got the ring apron and distracted the ref. Kofi went face-to-face with Kross at ringside, so he wasn’t available when Xavier lunged to him for a tag. AOP then finished Kofi with their Rush finisher.
WINNERS: AOP in 2:30.
-Redmond caught up Fyre & Dawn as they were about to leave. She asked why they attacked the tag champs. They said they aren’t getting the opportunities other teams are getting. They said they won’t wait around for chance, but will take them instead. [c]
(8) REY MYSTERIO vs. DAMIAN PRIEST
The bell rang 44 minutes into the hour. They cut to a very early break. [c]
Fans chanted 619 during a Rey comeback at 9:00. Priest caught Rey mid-air and then nailed him with a running clothesline for a near fall. Priest set up a Razor’s Edge from off the top rope, but Rey slipped free. Rey then stood over Priest and took him to the mat with a leaping leg scissors. He then delivered a 619 followed by a quick Drop the Dime splash for a near fall. Carlito stood on the ring apron. Lee yanked him down and then landed a flying forearm. He pounded at Carlito, but then McDonagh and Balor jumped hin. Rey landed a corkscrew plancha onto the crowd below. Back in the ring, Priest landed South of Heaven for the three count.
WINNER: Priest in 12:00.
-McIntyre attacked Priest from behind afterward. He delivered a Future Shock. Drew picked up Priest’s belt as Cole said he only held it for about five minutes at WrestleMania. Drew fended off other Judgment Day members intervening. He went back to Priest, then cleared the announce desk. Priest recovered and chokeslammed Drew onto the table, which collapsed.
JOIN US LIVE ON YOUTUBE TONIGHT FOR THE VIDEO-FORMAT OF OUR LIVE POST-SHOWS…
On the episode, Wade Keller will be joined by Darrin Lilly from PWTorch to review Raw LIVE. Join us and let us know your thoughts on Raw during the show.
Email our post-show at wadekellerpodcast@gmail.com with your comments and questions about Raw. We’ll read your emails live during the post-show.
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