{"id":99443,"date":"2020-06-22T13:47:55","date_gmt":"2020-06-22T18:47:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/?p=99443"},"modified":"2020-06-22T13:47:55","modified_gmt":"2020-06-22T18:47:55","slug":"wwe-raw-primer-6-22-empress-defends-against-the-queen-iiconic-challenge-to-bayley-sasha-profits-defend-against-the-raiders-truth-defends-against-tozawa-rey-returns-flair-to-crown-the-viper","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2020\/06\/22\/wwe-raw-primer-6-22-empress-defends-against-the-queen-iiconic-challenge-to-bayley-sasha-profits-defend-against-the-raiders-truth-defends-against-tozawa-rey-returns-flair-to-crown-the-viper\/","title":{"rendered":"WWE RAW PRIMER 6\/22: Empress Defends Against the Queen, IIconic Challenge to Bayley &#038; Sasha, Profits Defend Against the Raiders, Truth Defends Against Tozawa, Rey Returns, Flair to Crown the Viper \u201cThe Greatest\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"pwtor-747727098\" class=\"pwtor-before-content pwtor-entity-placement\"><hr \/><b>SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)... <\/b>\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/widget.spreaker.com\/player?show_id=3076978&theme=light&playlist=false&playlist-continuous=false&autoplay=false&live-autoplay=false&chapters-image=true&episode_image_position=right&hide-logo=false&hide-likes=false&hide-comments=false&hide-sharing=false&hide-download=true\" width=\"100%\" height=\"140px\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe>\r\n<hr \/><\/div><h3>WWE MONDAY NIGHT RAW PRIMER<br \/>\nORLANDO, FLA. AT THE PERFORMANCE CENTER<br \/>\nJUNE 22, 2020<br \/>\nAIRS ON USA NETWORK, 8:00 p.m. EDT<br \/>\nBY FRANK PETEANI (@FrankPeteani), PWTORCH SPECIALIST<\/h3>\n<p><em>Announcers: Tom Phillips, Byron Saxton, Samoa Joe<\/em><\/p>\n<h3>Top 10 Moments from Last Week\u2019s Show<\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Top 10 Raw moments: WWE Top 10, June 15, 2020\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/nkyBAMe3B1Q?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>Overview and Items Advertised by WWE<\/h3>\n<p>We have \u201cChampionship Monday\u201d tonight on Raw as four titles will be on the line. Here\u2019s the video hyping tonight\u2019s show you may or may not have seen during the commercial break on Smackdown:<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Asuka, Bayley &amp; Sasha Banks and more set for Championship Monday on Raw\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/lMoYa11Lweg?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>Here\u2019s a list of what\u2019s advertised for tonight:<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Asuka defends against the Queen<\/li>\n<li>The IIconics challenge Bayley &amp; Sasha Banks for the WWE Women\u2019s Tag Team Championship<\/li>\n<li>R-Truth defends the 24\/7 Championship against Akira Tozawa (and his ninjas)<\/li>\n<li>The Street Profits defend Raw Tag Team Championship against the Viking Raiders<\/li>\n<li>Rey Mysterio returns to Raw<\/li>\n<li>Ric Flair to crown Randy Orton the \u201cgreatest wrestler ever\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Raw Women\u2019s Championship: Asuka (champ) vs. Charlotte Flair<\/h3>\n<p>We\u2019ve been here before, and we come back to it once again. Asuka and Charlotte Flair have a long history that I\u2019ve documented in previous primers. The latest chapter in their story came two weeks ago, when they oddly teamed together to defeat Smackdown Tag Team Champions Bayley &amp; Sasha Banks and the IIconics (Billie Kay &amp; Peyton Royce). Later that night, Charlotte defeated Asuka in a non-title match because of Asuka being distracted by her Backlash opponent Nia Jax.<\/p>\n<p>Speaking of Nia, Asuka successfully defended against Nia last week, but WWE is \u201creviewing Nia and referee John Cone\u2019s actions.\u201d Nia got physical with Cone and as he was about to disqualify her, Asuka rolled her up and Cone decided to give a fast three-count. Here\u2019s Cone in a WWE exclusive:<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"John Cone responds to accusations of fast count: Raw Exclusive, June 15, 2020\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/iTrlJXRp5Dk?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Back to Asuka and Charlotte, tonight another chapter unfolds in their story only this time the Raw Women\u2019s Championship is on the line. The last time Asuka defended a single\u2019s title against Charlotte was pre-WrestleMania 35 where Charlotte defeated her for the Smackdown title.<\/p>\n<p><em>Frank\u2019s Analysis: I\u2019m not against these matches being on TV, but WWE is wearing this match out to the point where it\u2019s old hat. Charlotte vs. Asuka is a special match and should be reserved for a time where it\u2019s had a proper build whether that be on Raw or a PPV. It shouldn\u2019t be done every two weeks. Announcing it on social media and in a commercial isn\u2019t much. That said, I\u2019m going to guess we\u2019re leading to a triple threat match at Extreme Rules involving Nia. I don\u2019t know where Shayna Baszler is but if she\u2019s lurking, she could get involved as well. (Fatal four-way at SummerSlam anyone?)<\/em><\/p>\n<h3>Women\u2019s Tag Team Championship: Smackdown Women\u2019s Champion Bayley &amp; Sasha Banks (champs) vs. the IIconics (Billie Kay &amp; Peyton Royce)<\/h3>\n<p>Last week, the IIconics defeated Natalya &amp; Liv Morgan (who were WrestleMania opponents just two months ago) in about two minutes. Following the match, they issued a challenge to Bayley &amp; Sasha Banks for the Women\u2019s Tag Team Championship. Later in the evening, Bayley &amp; Sasha came out and celebrated that is was Bayley\u2019s birthday. The IIconics made their way out and reminded Bayley &amp; Sasha that they beat them at WrestleMania last year for the titles. They got more into it and after Peyton slapped Sasha, Bayley accepted the challenge. Sasha was none too pleased.<\/p>\n<p>They retained their titles against Tegan Nox &amp; Shotzi Blackheart this past Wednesday on NXT. On Smackdown, Bayley essentially volunteered Sasha for a single\u2019s match against Nikki Cross which Sasha won. Tonight, they defend their titles against the IIconics straight-up. The last time the IIconics had a championship match was at Backlash in a triple threat, which involved former champions Alexa Bliss &amp; Nikki Cross.<\/p><div id=\"pwtor-3798315844\" class=\"pwtor-content pwtor-entity-placement\"><div align=\"center\" data-freestar-ad=\"__336x280 __336x280\" id=\"pwtorchcom_test_300x250\">\r\n  <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n    freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x250\", slotId: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x250\" });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p>Frank\u2019s Analysis: We continue down the path of Bayley volunteering Sasha for matches and them not being on the same page, especially with Bayley accepting the challenge for this match tonight. They shouldn\u2019t drag the break-up out much longer as people are just going to get frustrated. For me, their up-and-down two years ago was annoying. As far as tonight, I don\u2019t have a strong feeling, but the IIconics winning the titles wouldn\u2019t surprise me. I\u2019ve actually liked their presentation since they came back.<\/p>\n<h3>Raw Tag Team Championship: The Street Profits (champs) vs. the Viking Raiders<\/h3>\n<p>Raw Tag Team Champions the Street Profits (Montez Ford &amp; Angelo Dawkins) and the Viking Raiders (Erik &amp; Ivar) have engaged in various competitions including basketball, bowling, a decathlon, an axe throwing competition, golf, and whatever the heck they did at Backlash. It\u2019s been a battle of anything you can do, I can do better. Last week they joined forced to face Akira Tozawa\u2019s ninjas and beat them in about two minutes. After the match, Tozawa wanted to continue the festivities with the ninjas when the Big Show made his return. Show and the \u201cViking Profits\u201d fended off Tozawa and the ninjas.<\/p>\n<p>Later as they were all chatting backstage, Show recommended the Profits and Raiders have an actual match for the Raw Tag Team Championship. That happens tonight. The two teams have had a match before, on May 4. If you so desire, check out the YouTube highlights of the match:<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"The Street Profits vs. The Viking Raiders: Raw, May 4, 2020\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/eyLSMt2rkIw?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><em>Frank\u2019s Analysis: There\u2019s so much to unpack from Big Show arriving, to Tozawa\u2019s involvement in this now suddenly, to the comradery-like feud between the Profits and the Raiders. I get there\u2019s an entertainment aspect to wrestling but sometimes it\u2019s so hard to figure out the goal of what they\u2019re trying to accomplish. I guess they\u2019re just trying to have a different type of feud here where the teams get along and respect each other, but I don\u2019t really get that from what we\u2019ve seen. It\u2019s not like they\u2019ve had a string of matches to establish that it\u2019s even a strong rivalry. I suppose Tozawa and the ninjas will get involved, which is just stupid. (My hands are thrown up)<\/em><\/p>\n<h3>24\/7 Championship: R-Truth (champ) vs. Akira Tozawa<\/h3>\n<p>Last week, 24\/7 Champion R-Truth and WWE Champion Drew McIntyre defeated Bobby Lashley &amp; MVP. Only Drew\u2019s title was on the line in the match, much to his dismay when Truth broke the news to him in a backstage segment after he spoke to the \u201cpowers that be.\u201d Tonight, Truth puts his 24\/7 Championship on the line against former champion Akira Tozawa.<\/p>\n<p><em>Frank\u2019s Analysis: This was another situation that contains too much to unpack and too much to think about. I would not agree to put my championship on the line if I could lose it because of my tag team partner getting pinned. That said, it\u2019s a shame Tozawa must be presented like this. He\u2019s a good wrestler and capable of having good matches with sensible booking. It\u2019s sports entertainment thought folks!<\/em><\/p>\n<h3>Rey Mysterio Returns to Raw<\/h3>\n<p>Last week, Rey Mysterio once again appeared via video and spoke to Seth Rollins while he was in the ring. He said his son Dominic made his way to Raw before Rey could stop him. Seth said he didn\u2019t want to harm Dominic, but rather help him. He wanted him to join his group, which includes Murphy and Austin Theory. Rey said no way, and Dominic eventually appeared from behind and went after Seth. Theory and Murphy appeared from behind, but Dominic managed to escape. I must have missed this tweet from Rey last week, but here\u2019s what he put up prior to Dominic showing up:<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">There comes a day as parents, we no longer make decisions for our children, they make decisions for themselves.<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/WWERollins?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@WWERollins<\/a>, this is between me and you. Don\u2019t bring my son into this. He\u2019s reacting from anger to defend his father. One day, you\u2019ll know what I mean. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/udb8jBjNWa\">pic.twitter.com\/udb8jBjNWa<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; \u265bRey Mysterio\u2754 (@reymysterio) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/reymysterio\/status\/1272630419905810434?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">June 15, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Rey will \u201cbe on Raw\u201d to confront Seth. Whether or not that\u2019s in person or via video again is not clear.<\/p><div id=\"pwtor-800452526\" class=\"pwtor-content-1 pwtor-entity-placement\"><!-- Tag ID: pwtorchcom_test_300x600 -->\r\n<div align=\"center\" data-freestar-ad=\"__336x280 __300x600\" id=\"pwtorchcom_test_300x600\">\r\n  <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n    freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x600\", slotId: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x600\" });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p><em>Frank\u2019s Analysis: I know everyone thinks Dominic is turning on his father, and I think that\u2019s highly likely at some point, but part of me thinks it may not happen. It seems too obvious, and I also just don\u2019t see the benefit of it. I\u2019m willing to play along if it happens, which again, I think is still a possibility.<\/em><\/p>\n<h3>Ric Flair to Crown Randy Orton the Greatest Wrestler Ever<\/h3>\n<p>Last week, Edge\u2019s long-time best friend Christian arrived to confront Randy Orton who had beaten Edge in what WWE dubbed as the \u201cGreatest Wrestling Match Ever.\u201d (Calling things the \u201cgreatest\u201d this or that is going to be a joke now, right?) That said, this was at the outset of Raw, where Orton challenged Christian to an unsanctioned match. Orton knew Christian couldn\u2019t be medically cleared, but figured an unsanctioned match was the way around that. Christian accepted later in a backstage interview with Charly Caruso. WWE Hall of Famer and Orton\u2019s former Evolution partner Ric Flair appeared backstage to talk Christian out of the match, but he would have not of it referring to Orton calling him a coward if he doesn\u2019t accept.<\/p>\n<p>The match was set for the main event. Before it got started, Flair made his way out. He told Christian he had spoken to Edge, and he didn\u2019t have to do this. Next thing you know, Flair gives Christian a low blow. Orton then punt kicked Christian in the head (like it was 2010) and pinned him. He then taunted him after the match saying he didn\u2019t want to do this, but this is his livelihood. He showed remorse and told the medical people to look out for Christian as he was stretchered away. Here\u2019s what happened after Raw went off the air:<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Christian receives medical attention after Orton\u2019s attack: WWE Network Exclusive, June 15, 2020\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/InRmjZhneEI?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Tonight, Ric Flair arrives again to crown Orton the \u201cgreatest wrestler ever.\u201d (Here we go with the \u201cgreatest\u201d stuff every two minutes)<\/p>\n<p><em>Frank\u2019s Analysis: Ric Flair is still the dirtiest player in the game, right? If Christian is working on coming back, it\u2019d be cool to see him try to get revenge on Orton. If that doesn\u2019t happen, this at least gives them another reason to have an Orton-Edge match down the line when Edge is ready to come back.<\/em><\/p>\n<h3>Other Match Results and News Items from Last Week<\/h3>\n<p>Kevin Owens defeated Angel Garza. Out of concern for the COVID-19 situation where a Performance Center talent tested positive, Owens decided not to attend the Raw tapings Wednesday, where they were recording tonight and next week\u2019s show.<br \/>\nApollo Crews defeated Shelton Benjamin to retain his U.S. Championship. Prior to the match, MVP offered his services to Apollo.<br \/>\nBobby Lashley told his wife Lana that he wanted a divorce. Later, Lana approached Natalya after she tore into Liv Morgan following their loss to the IIconics. They appeared to understand each other after Natalya said she \u201cbuilt this division.\u201d Lana said she should have been married to the WWE Champion. Remember when Liv Morgan \u201couted\u201d Lana at her and Bobby\u2019s wedding? Anyone?<\/p>\n<h3>Final Thoughts<\/h3>\n<p>There was a lot to unpack on Raw last week. Some things didn\u2019t make sense, such as why WWE management would allow Christian to wrestle a match if he weren\u2019t medically cleared. I understand it was part of the story, but at least have somebody in management push back on him to say we won\u2019t allow it, and he can make his case. The whole \u201cunsanctioned\u201d thing is stupid to me. Why would Drew McIntyre have to put his WWE Championship on the line in a tag team match with R-Truth as his partner? Why would Natalya team up with Liv Morgan when almost two years ago, the Riott Squad tried to humiliate her after her father\u2019s death? I\u2019m not looking all that much forward to future shows under the guise of Bruce Pritchard, but maybe we\u2019ll be pleasantly surprised.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><em>Follow Frank on Twitter @FrankPeteani. Questions and discussion are welcome! Thank you for reading.<\/em><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>CATCH UP&#8230;<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2020\/06\/15\/heydorns-wwe-raw-report-6-15-alt-perspective-coverage-of-the-live-show-in-a-crowd-free-environment-including-backlash-fallout-asuka-vs-jax-for-the-raw-womens-championship-a-ric-flair-appearanc\/\">HEYDORN\u2019S WWE RAW REPORT 6\/15: Alt Perspective coverage of the live show in a crowd free environment including Backlash fallout, Asuka vs. Jax for the Raw Women\u2019s Championship, a Ric Flair appearance, and more<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"pwtor-end-article-groups pwtor-entity-placement\" id=\"pwtor-869357396\"><div id=\"pwtor-4271961598\"><div align=\"center\" data-freestar-ad=\"__336x280\" id=\"pwtorchcom_medrec_3\">\r\n  <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n    freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: \"pwtorchcom_medrec_3\", slotId: \"pwtorchcom_medrec_3\" });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\nTHANK YOU FOR VISITING<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div class=\"mh-excerpt\"><p>WWE MONDAY NIGHT RAW PRIMER ORLANDO, FLA. AT THE PERFORMANCE CENTER JUNE 22, 2020 AIRS ON USA NETWORK, 8:00 p.m. EDT BY FRANK PETEANI (@FrankPeteani), PWTORCH SPECIALIST Announcers: Tom Phillips, Byron Saxton, Samoa Joe Top <a class=\"mh-excerpt-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2020\/06\/22\/wwe-raw-primer-6-22-empress-defends-against-the-queen-iiconic-challenge-to-bayley-sasha-profits-defend-against-the-raiders-truth-defends-against-tozawa-rey-returns-flair-to-crown-the-viper\/\" title=\"WWE RAW PRIMER 6\/22: Empress Defends Against the Queen, IIconic Challenge to Bayley &#038; Sasha, Profits Defend Against the Raiders, Truth Defends Against Tozawa, Rey Returns, Flair to Crown the Viper \u201cThe Greatest\u201d\">[&#8230;]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":99450,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"episode_type":"","audio_file":"","podmotor_file_id":"","podmotor_episode_id":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","filesize_raw":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","itunes_episode_number":"","itunes_title":"","itunes_season_number":"","itunes_episode_type":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,52,4354,27,5893,3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-99443","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-prowrestlingnews","category-opnionandanalysis","category-raw-primer","category-specialists","category-tvprimers","category-news_wwe"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/post\/2020\/06\/Screen-Shot-2020-06-22-at-1.40.53-PM.png","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/99443","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=99443"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/99443\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":99451,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/99443\/revisions\/99451"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/99450"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=99443"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=99443"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=99443"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}