WEEKLY OVERVIEW – WWE (thru 6/6): Top stories of week, major show lineups, live event results, schedule of live events, noteworthy social media posts, more

By Zach Graham, PWTorch Contributor

Former champion reportedly returning to WWE

SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)...

The following is the latest in a new series of weekly in-depth articles exclusive to PWTorch which will help put in perspective major wrestling promotions with a weekly overview, looking at news and roster developments, results, future line-ups, social media activity, key interviews, plus a timely commentary at the end. We will be featuring similar features on other promotions each week and each will be updated weekly.


•Top Stories of the Week

  • Mickie James injured her ACL at the house show in Waco, Texas this weekend. James took to Instagram Live Wednesday afternoon to say she had an MRI which confirmed the ACL injury. She didn’t not know if she would require surgery or how long she will be out, but did say “it’s gonna be awhile” when talking about how long she will be out of action.
  • Rey Mysterio officially relinquished the United States Championship on Raw this week, but instead of the title being vacant, he surrendered it to Samoa Joe, who’s now United States Champion again.

•WWE Weekly Event Results

WWE Live Event – Smackdown Roster (Waco, Texas) 6/1/19

(1) The IIconics (c) beat Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville and Kairi Sane & Asuka to retain the Women’s Tag Team Championships
(2) Aleister Black defeated Jinder Mahal
(3) Heavy Machinery vs. The B-Team ends in a No Contest after R-Truth interfered while escaping Matt Hardy, Apollo Crews, and Buddy Murphy. Truth finally escapes after Lars Sullivan comes down and takes out Hardy, Crews, & Murphy
(4) Carmella defeated Mickie James after the match was stopped due to a possible Mickie James injury
(5) Ali beat Andrade (w/ Zelina Vega)
(6) Charlotte defeated Ember Moon
(7) Roman Reigns beat Drew McIntyre (w/ Elias)

SOURCE

WWE Live Event – Smackdown Roster (College Station, Texas) 6/2/19

(1) The IIconics (c) beat Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville and Kairi Sane & Asuka to retain the Women’s Tag Team Championships
(2) Aleister Black defeated Jinder Mahal
(3) Heavy Machinery vs. The B-Team ends in a No Contest after R-Truth interfered while being chased by people for the 24/7 Championship
(4) Carmella defeated Zelina Vega
(5) Ali beat Andrade
(6) Charlotte defeated Ember Moon
(7) Roman Reigns beat Elias after Drew McIntyre interfered

SOURCE

WWE Live Event – Smackdown Roster (Corpus Christi, Texas) 6/3/19

Event cancelled by WWE due to a “scheduling conflict.” No reschedule date was provided by WWE.

SOURCE

If you attend a live event, please send results to pwtorch@pwtorch.com. Thanks!


•WWE TV Match Results

Monday Night Raw TV Results 5/20/19

(1) Drew McIntyre & The Revival (w/ Shane McMahon) beat Roman Reigns & The Usos
(2) Charlotte vs. Lacey Evans ends in a No Contest when Becky attacked them both
(3) Nikki Cross (w/ Alexa Bliss) defeated Peyton Royce (w/ Billie Kaye)
(4) Ricochet beat Cesaro

24/7 Championship Update

    • R-Truth keeps the title

Smackdown Live TV Results 5/21/19

(1) Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods beat Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn
(2) Alexa Bliss beat Carmella & Charlotte in a Triple Threat match to become No. 1 Contender for the Smackdown Women’s Championship

24/7 Championship Update

    • Elias beat R-Truth to win the 24/7 Championship in a Lumberjack Match
    • R-Truth pinned Elias to win back the 24/7 Championship underneath the ring while the Lumberjacks all fought in the ring

205 Live Results (Aired on WWE Network) 5/21/19

(1) Drew Gulak beat Akira Tozawa
(2) Oney Lorcan defeated Ariya Daivari

WWE Main Event (Aired on Hulu and WWE Network) 5/23/19

(1) Natalya & Dana Brooke beat Tamina & Sarah Logan
(2) EC3 defeated No Way Jose

SOURCE


•Upcoming Lineups for Stadium/PPV Events

WWE Super Showdown on June 7 from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

  • Seth Rollins (c) vs. Baron Corbin for the Universal Championship
  • Kofi Kingston (c) vs. Dolph Ziggler for the WWE Championship
  • “The Demon” Finn Balor (c) vs. Andrade for the Intercontinental Championship
  • Goldberg vs. The Undertaker
  • Triple H vs. Randy Orton
  • 50-Man Battle Royal
  • Roman Reigns vs. Shane McMahon
  • Braun Strowman vs. Bobby Lashley
  • Lars Sullivan vs. Lucha House Party in a Three-on-One Handicap match
  • 50-Man Battle Royal
  • Kickoff Show: The Usos vs. The Revival

WWE Stomping Grounds on June 23 from Tacoma, Wash.

  • Bayley (c) vs. Alexa Bliss for the Smackdown Women’s Championship
  • Roman Reigns vs. Drew McIntyre

•Upcoming Events

Fri. 6/7/19 WWE Super Showdown, King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Sun. 6/9/19 WWE Live Event – Raw Roster, Save Mart Center, Fresno, Calif.
Sun. 6/9/19 WWE Live Event – Smackdown Roster, Stockton Arena, Stockton, Calif.
Mon. 6/10/19 WWE Raw, SAP Center, San Jose, Calif.
Mon. 6/10/19 WWE Live Event – Smackdown Roster, Reno-Sparks Convention Center, Reno, Nev.
Tue. 6/11/19 WWE Smackdown, Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, Calif.
Fri. 6/14/19 WWE Live Event – Raw Roster, Bell MTS Place, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Sat. 6/15/19 WWE Live Event – Smackdown Roster, Pepsi Center, Denver, Colo.
Sat. 6/15/19 WWE Live Event – Raw Roster, Honda Center, Anaheim, Calif.
Sun. 6/16/19 WWE Live Event – Smackdown Roster, Maverik Center, Salt Lake City, Utah
Sun. 6/16/19 WWE Live Event, Raw Roster, Pechanga Arena, San Diego, Calif.
Mon. 6/17/19 WWE Raw, Staples Center, Los Angeles, Calif.
Mon. 6/17/19 WWE Live Event – Smackdown Roster, Palm Springs Convention Center, Palm Springs, Calif.
Tue. 6/18/19 WWE Smackdown, Citizens Business Bank Arena, Ontario, Calif.
Fri. 6/21/19 WWE Live Event – Raw Roster, Adams Center, Missoula, Mont.
Sat. 6/22/19 WWE Live Event – Raw Roster, Spokane Arena, Spokane, Wash.
Sun. 6/23/19 WWE Stomping Grounds, Tacoma Dome, Tacoma, Wash.
Mon. 6/24/19 WWE Raw, Angel of the Winds Arena, Everett, Wash.
Mon. 6/24/19 WWE Live Event – Smackdown Roster, Toyota Center, Kennewick, Wash.
Tue. 6/25/19 WWE Smackdown, Moda Center, Portland, Ore.
Thur. 6/27/19 WWE Live Event – Raw Roster, Singapore Indoor Stadium, Singapore
Fri. 6/28/19 WWE Live Event – Raw Roster, Ryogoku Arena, Tokyo, Japan
Sat. 6/29/19 WWE Live Event – Smackdown Roster, Mississippi St. Fair Coliseum, Jackson, Miss
Sat. 6/29/19 WWE Live Event – Raw Roster, Ryogoku Arena, Tokyo, Japan
Sun. 6/30/19 WWE Live Event – Smackdown Roster, Monroe Civic Center, Monroe, La.
Mon. 7/1/19 WWE Raw, American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas
Tue. 7/2/19 WWE Smackdown, AT&T Center, San Antonio, Texas
Sat. 7/6/19 WWE Live Event – Raw Roster, Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.
Sat. 7/6/19 WWE Live Event – Smackdown Roster, Adirondack Bank Center, Utica, N.Y.
Sun. 7/7/19 WWE Live Event – Raw Roster, Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza, Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
Sun. 7/7/19 WWE Live Event – Smackdown Roster, Floyd L. Maines Veterans Memorial Arena, Binghamton, N.Y.
Mon. 7/8/19 WWE Raw, Prudential Center, Newark , N.J.
Mon. 7/8/19 WWE Live Event – Smackdown Roster, Cool Insuring Arena, Glens Falls, N.Y.
Tue. 7/9/19 WWE Smackdown, SNHU Arena, Manchester, N.H.
Fri. 7/12/19 WWE Live Event – Raw Roster, Augusta Civic Center, Augusta, Maine
Sat. 7/13/19 WWE Live Event – Smackdown Roster, VSU Multipurpose Center, Petersburg, Va.
Sat. 7/13/19 WWE Live Event – Raw Roster, Massmutual Center, Springfield, Mass.
Sun. 7/14/19 WWE Extreme Rules, Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, Pa.
Mon. 7/15/19 WWE Raw, NYCB Live, Home of the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Uniondale, N.Y.
Mon. 7/15/19 WWE Live Event – Smackdown Roster, The Majed J. Nesheiwat Convention Center, Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
Tue. 7/16/19 WWE Smackdown, DCU Center, Worcester, Mass.
Fri. 7/19/19 WWE Live Event – Raw Roster, Santander Arena, Reading, Pa.
Sat. 7/20/19 WWE Live Event – Smackdown Roster, Columbus Civic Center, Columbus, Ga.
Sat. 7/20/19 WWE Live Event – Raw Roster, Wildwoods Convention Center, Wildwood, N.J.
Sun. 7/21/19 WWE Live Event – Smackdown Roster, Pensacola Bay Center, Pensacola, Fla.
Sun. 7/21/19 WWE Live Event – Raw Roster, Amway Center, Orlando, Fla.
Mon. 7/22/19 WWE Raw, Amalie Arena, Tampa, Fla.
Mon. 7/22/19 WWE Live Event – Smackdown Roster, Hertz Arena, Fort Meyers, Fla.
Tue. 7/23/19 WWE Smackdown, American Airlines Arena, Miami, Fla.


•Latest TV Highlights

Monday Night Raw

  • Brock Lesnar’s highly teased and heavily promoted MITB Briefcase cash in didn’t happen on Raw this week as advertised. Instead, Brock told Paul Heyman he plans on cashing it in this Friday in Saudi Arabia. At the end of the second hour of Raw, Seth was standing in the ring after a commercial break. He said when he became champion he knew everyone would be gunning for him, but that’s not what’s happening with Lesnar. Brock’s music played, but he didn’t appear. Seth got frustrated and addressed Lesnar through the camera saying he used to be one of the most feared men on Earth but he’s just a shell of that now. Baron Corbin came out telling Seth he needs to focus on him, not Brock. Corbin bragged about retiring Kurt Angle and Seth eventually hit him with the microphone. Brock’s music played again which distracted Seth long enough for Corbin to hit him with the End of Days. Brock then came out and Lesnar entered the ring with a chair in hand. He hit Seth with a low blow and then hit him with the chair a couple of times before continuing the attack by hitting him with suplexes and F5s. As the assault continued, Heyman urged Brock to just cash in already. Brock looked at Heyman and just said “Friday. Friday. Friday.” Seth was then tended to by medics and was shown in the back getting into an ambulance where a concerned Becky Lynch was there to check on him. She climbed into the ambulance with the paramedics and they left the arena.
  • Triple H and Randy Orton both came out to hype their match in Saudi Arabia this Friday. Triple H said they’re out there to hype a fight, but there’s not much they can say to each other that hasn’t been said previously. Triple H finished his speech by telling Randy to not let the suit fool him because he’s “going to Jedda to kick your ass.” Orton responded by saying he wanted Triple H to understand that he’s not Batista, he’s the Legend Killer and he’ll be glad to beat him and add another notch to his belt. He said he always predicted Randy would become a diamond in the business. He said a lot of people have tried to put him down, though, and Randy is not the one to do it now before he went to leave. Orton stopped him and asked Triple H to do him a favor which was to “retrieve his balls from Stephanie’s purse.” Triple H responded by talking about what a burden it is to carry them around because they’re so big. He finished his promo by getting in Randy’s face and saying he wouldn’t know about that because he’s never had any.
  • Undertaker made a very late appearance on Raw to promote his match with Goldberg in Saudi Arabia. He said he doesn’t want the family man smiling with wife and kids on Friday, he wants the iconic version of Goldberg. “I promise you this, if you bring anything less, our first match will be your last.” He said when the reaper beckons, Goldberg should answer his call. Undertaker finished by saying “Goldberg, you’re next” before immediately being cut off the air because Raw was past their deadline.

Smackdown Live

  • Alexa Bliss (a Raw roster member) won a match tonight to become number one contender for Bayley’s Smackdown Women’s Championship and they will meet at Stomping Grounds in a few weeks. Bliss appeared on Smackdown to host her talk show A Moment of Bliss. She heeled on Smackdown calling Raw the A-show (even though she was a face on Raw) before introducing Bayley. Eventually Bayley got frustrated with Alexa and slapped the coffee out of her hand. Carmella came out to throw her name into consideration for a title shot, then Charlotte came out to do the same. Charlotte said she talked to Shane McMahon and Alexa, Carmella, and herself would be competing in a Triple Threat later to determine the number one contender. Alexa would pin Carmella after Mandy and Sonya Deville interfered allowing Alexa to opportunity to score the pin.
  • Goldberg appeared in the final segment on Smackdown to hype his match with the Undertaker on Friday in Saudi Arabia. He said he’s been waiting his whole career for an opportunity like this. He said he wouldn’t let the family man happy version of Goldberg anywhere near Undertaker. “You’re going to get that ass-kicking Goldberg that you asked for. Friday night, once and for all, we will all find out who the better man is. Because Undertaker, you’re next to rest in peace.” When he finished, the Undertaker’s signature bell sounded and the lights went out. Goldberg stared at the stage, but Undertaker appeared behind him. Goldberg turned around to face him and after ten seconds, the bell sounded again, the lights went back out and when they came back on the Undertaker was gone.

•Listen to the latest Wade Keller Pro Wrestling Post-Show – Smackdown Post-Show

In this edition of the Wade Keller Hotline, PWTorch editor Wade Keller gives a full show rundown and analysis including Undertaker-Goldberg face-off, Kofi Kingston-Dolph Ziggler, Shane McMahon-Roman Reigns, the 24/7 Title change under the ring, Alexa Bliss, and much more.

-On Tune In Radio HERE
-On Apple Podcasts HERE
-Or search “Wade Keller” on your podcast app of choice


•WWE Social Media Highlights

Jinder Mahal found R-Truth and Carmella on a golf course and managed to win the 24/7 Championship… for a few seconds, before R-Truth pinned Mahal to win it right back and escaped with Carmella on a golf cart. Here is the video WWE uploaded:

Impossibly, WWE had a camera set up and ready for Elias to climb under the ring on Smackdown and for R-Truth to pin him for the 24/7 Championship. Thank goodness it was facing the right direction too!

Becky Lynch has been relatively quiet on Twitter this week. Without an announced challenger for Stomping Grounds (and since she can’t wrestle in Saudi Arabia), she doesn’t really have a target on Twitter to go after.

Excellent Question!

Good for you, Sami. Absolutely love the timing of launching the fundraiser too.


•Closing Commentary

– I know I wrote quickly about John Moxley’s interview on Chris Jericho’s podcast last week, so I’d be foolish to not also recommend Wade Keller’s interview with Moxley that was released over the weekend that acted as a follow-up to the Jericho interview. It’s two and a half hours of incredible content! The best part is it’s not a repetition of topics covered with Jericho; it’s a follow-up interview, so I’d recommend listening to the Jericho podcast first as some of the questions Wade asks are follow-ups and it’s presumed people already listened to the Jericho podcast.

– So, I know the brand split is all but dead at this point, but I’m still baffled that we’re having another title challenger from the opposite show! Last PPV it was the Usos fighting for the Smackdown Tag Team Championships while on the Raw roster; now we have Alexa Bliss challenging for the Smackdown Women’s Championship while listed as a member of Raw. Why are we bothering with acting like there’s even a brand split? The Wildcard Rule was stupid to begin with, and consistently there are WAY more than four wrestlers appearing from the other brand. I don’t understand why Alexa is getting a title shot on Smackdown. Does Smackdown not have any capable women? I know they’re holding off on the Charlotte/Bayley feud, which I understand, but no other woman is capable of feuding with Bayley in a one-off PPV match or short term feud? If we remove Charlotte, The IIconics (since they’re tag team champions), and Mickie James (who’s now injured, unfortunately), there are nine other women that Bayley could fight on the current Smackdown roster. Asuka, Carmella, Ember Moon, Kairi Sane, Lana, Liv Morgan, Mandy Rose, Sonya Deville, and Zelina Vega are all Smackdown wrestlers, yet Alexa is getting the title shot. Liv Morgan can’t even get on television! She hasn’t been seen since The Shield special when she made her final appearance with the Riott Squad. Since they let Alexa win a Triple Threat match, it isn’t like she had much credibility in doing so, so she could’ve easily been replaced by any of the current Smackdown women. Heaven forbid they build up an actual title contender since all they do is throw together matches like this to determine the next challenger, but since they did, it’s just as believable that Zelina Vega could get a fluke win, right? That’s what Triple Threat matches allow you to do – have someone get a fluke win who may not usually be able to.

Is there anyone who thinks Alexa will actually beat Bayley? If Alexa wins, does she become a member of Smackdown? Is that temporary or permanent? Does Bayley get moved back to Raw to fill Alexa’s spot since Alexa just took Bayley’s spot on Smackdown? Why is it that the Wildcard Rule has twice given a “visiting” wrestler or tag team entry into a number one contender’s match? These are the types of details that people want to know that WWE doesn’t bother to explain or even think about. I just don’t understand why details don’t matter to this company. It’s infuriating, and a real turn-off to me and a lot of others. There are some Mondays when I reach a boiling point and I just shut it off before the first hour is over because I don’t want my intelligence continually insulted, but I eventually go back and try to watch the entire show. I’d be more than happy to let small things go if they were at least trying to fill in those logic gaps, but they don’t care to the point it’s almost a glaring middle finger to the audience. If you’re going to allow wrestlers to cross back and forth and get title shots for championships that, quite frankly they shouldn’t get, then you need to explain the repercussions of them winning and how it impacts the alleged roster split.


NOW CHECK OUT OTHER WEEKLY OVERVIEWS HERE.

OR JUMP TO LAST WEEK’S WWE OVERVIEW: WEEKLY OVERVIEW – WWE (thru 5/30): Top stories of week, major show lineups, live event results, schedule of live events, noteworthy social media posts, more

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