With a lack of titles being won in the current sports landscape, WWE is rolling out “Championship Monday.” At least four titles will be defended this evening in the Performance Center. After weeks of build up, challenging each other in anything but wrestling, the Street Profits will defend their RAW tag team belts against the Viking Raiders. Asuka defends her belt from Charlotte, while Bayley and Sasha Banks bring their tag team titles back to Monday night. Finally, R Truth has a scheduled defense of his 24/7 title; don’t be surprised if we see several unscheduled defense, though.
WWE Champion, Drew McIntyre kicks off the show. He doesn’t get to say much before getting interrupted by Dolph Ziggler, who has been traded to RAW along with Bobby Roode. Ziggler tries to take credit for Drew being WWE champion and he wants what he is owed. A WWE title match. McIntyre points out that without him, Ziggler has been losing a lot. The champ tells Dolph that the world doesn’t owe him anything, but he does need an opponent for Extreme Rules. McIntyre makes sure that this is what Ziggler wants and then confirms the match.
Nia Jax takes a seat in the middle of the ring. She isn’t happy about Charlotte getting a title match with Asuka, tonight, after she was cheated at Backlash and last week. R Truth interrupts her, which probably isn’t the best idea. He’s ready for his match against Akira Towzawa, but he suspects Jax is Tozawa in disguise. The real Tozawa pops up behind the announce team as four ninjas chase Truth out of the ring.
Jax is not going to leave the ring. Charlotte Flair walks down the ramp, explaining to Nia that she squandered her opportunities and that Ric Flair is now in her shadow. Nia claims that she is built to take the Queen’s crown. Charlotte unloads on Jax and the two brawl. Flair connects with a big boot as several WWE officials try to separate them. During the scrums, Charlotte appears to hurt her arm.
Despite having to compete for the RAW tag team titles, tonight, the Street Profits and Viking Raiders remain committed to their friendship. Zelina Vega watches both teams walk off; she’s up to something.
The Street Profits (champions) vs. The Viking Raiders (challengers) – Monday Night RAW Tag Team Championship Match
Dawkins and Ivar face off to start, crashing into each other. Angelo misses on a drop kick. Erik knocks Ford off the apron and then slams Ivar onto Dawkins. Coming out of an early commercial, Ivar has an arm bar locked in. Ford leaps over a charging Ivar, tagging in Dawkins. A bulldog takes down Erik and Ford gets the quick. The Profits hit the Viking Experience on Erik. Ivar breaks the pin and tosses Dawkins out of the ring.
A right hand sends Ford to the mat and Ivar follows up with a back elbow. Ford connects with an enzuigiri, but Ivar is able to responds with a big boot. Dawkins and Erik tag in. The two teams try to one up each other with dodging cartwheels. The Profits get stacked up and power bombed by Erik; Ivar misses on the frog splash, though. Dawkins hits the Cash Out as Ford goes to the top. Dawkins cuts of Erik. Ford hits the frog splash on Ivar, covering to get the three count.
Winners…and still RAW Tag Team Champions…via pinfall: The Street Profits
After the bell, the two team embrace and show respect for one another. The Viking Raiders head to the back; this allows Andrade and Angel Garza a chance to attack the champs. Ivar and Erik run back to the ring to chase them off.
Seth Rollins has a message for Rey Mysterio; soon all will be revealed. (After the commercials.)
Rollins is still backstage to deliver his message. He didn’t choose to be the Monday Night Messiah, as Rey didn’t choose to be a sacrifice. Seth accepted his role; while Rey has been defiant. Now, Rey has gotten his son involved and what ever happens is on him. Nothing can stop the greater good that is coming.
Charly Caruso catches up with Charlotte coming out of the trainer’s room with a taped up shoulder. Flair won’t postpone the match, saying she is just fine. Caruso turns her microphone to Zelina Vega, Andrade and Angel Garza, wanting to know why they attacked the Street Profits. Garza flirts with her, until Vega steps in. She puts the WWE on notice that they are a united front; coming for the RAW tag team titles.
Asuka (champion) vs. Charlotte Flair (challenger) – Monday Night RAW Women’s Title Match
At the start of the match, the two lock up in the middle of the ring. A shoulder block sends Asuka to the mat; she follows with a kick to the champ’s face. She isolates Asuka in the corner, stomping away at her. Nia Jax watches from the back.
Asuka drives Flair into the mat, by yanking down on her arm. Flair dodges the hip attack; connecting with a massive right. The champ hangs Flair up on the top rope; the Queen retreats to the floor. Flair dodges a drop kick from apron. She answers with a kick to the face.
Back in the ring, Flair locks in a figure four around Asuka’s head. The champ breaks free, but is still down. Asuka dodges a moonsault; Flair lands on her feet and smashes the champ into the middle turnbuckle face first. Charlotte tosses her to the floor as we go to commercial.
After the break, Flair chops away at Asuka in the corner. Asuka dodge a charge, countering with a German suplex. Unfortunately, it’s not enough to get pin. Asuka sends Flair shoulder first into the turnbuckle and locks in an arm bar. Charlotte is able to get to the ropes and break the hold. Asuka is taken down with a chop block and Flair follows with a spear. Asuka is able to break the pin by getting to the ropes. The champ locks in an arm bar on the injured arm, but Flair is able to power bomb the champ. Asuka doesn’t give up or let go and applies the Asuka Lock. Charlotte Flair taps out.
Winner…and still RAW Women’s Champion…via submission: Asuka
Nia tells Charly that it would a real shame if someone kicked the Queen while she was down.
Edge is in a ring, not the ring, but a ring somewhere, sitting in the corner. He’s disappointing that he didn’t see the low blow from Orton coming. Now, Orton has awoken something in him after punting Christian. Orton is going to have to deal with the Rated R Superstar.
In response, Randy Orton tells Charly Caruso that he will do what ever he needs to do to survive. The Viper then walks off to meet with the Nature Boy, Ric Flair.
Charly Caruso tries to get an interview with Charlotte Flair, bit is interrupted by an attacking Nia Jax. She slams Flair in the ring post of a practice ring. Jax goes on the mock the Queen after the beating.
R Truth (champion) vs. Akira Tozawa (challenger) w/ ninjas – 24/7 Championship match
Truth enters the ring, sizing up the hedge of ninjas at ringside. Before the bell can even ring, Bobby Lashley runs down. He takes out the ninjas as Tozawa cuts bait and runs. He locks in the Full Nelson on R Truth and drops him in the middle of the ring. After Lashley heads out, Tozawa crawls out from under the ring. He quickly pins R Truth; getting the three count.
Winner …and new 24/7 Champion…via pinfall: Akira Tozawa
Sarah Schreiber tries to give a medical update on Charlotte Flair, but the report is over taken by Natalya, who makes it all about herself.
Liv Morgan vs. Natalya w/Lana
Looks like Nattie has a new BFF, as Lana joins her corner. Liv runs into a shoulder block and then a discuss clothesline. Morgan sends Nattie spilling to the floor with a head scissors. Lana distracts Liv, allowing Natalya to sweep the leg. She locks in the Sharp Shooter, forcing Liv to tap out.
Winner via submission: Natalya
Lana is super excited for her new bestie’s win.
Charly Caruso catches the Big Show backstage, asking him if he ever thought he would be fighting off ninjas. All Show wanted to do is visit with some friends, but when the opportunity arises to punch some ninjas you take it. Show isn’t here for fun tonight, though. One angry giant is heading to the ring.
WWE Hall of Famer, Ric Flair, is in the ring to honor Randy Orton, but first he has a warning for Nia Jax. She is going to be in trouble when his daughter, Charlotte, is healthy.
Flair introduces Orton to the ring, extolling his accomplishments, especially how he injured Edge and Christian. Flair calls him the most dominate performer in the WWE. Orton is happy for Ric to call him the greatest performer in the WWE. Orton goes on to explain the difference between nostalgia and legacy. In the span of two days, Orton cemented his legacy of the “Legend Killer”.
The Big Show has heard enough; he isn’t going to let them glorify what Orton did to his friends. He calls Orton a parasite, latching on to people that make him better. Orton lacks the discipline to do it himself. Show threatens to break every bone in Orton’s body.
The Viper calls Big Show a future Hall of Famer and a … legend. Orton tells him it would be a shame if he suffered the same fate as Edge and Christian, because he is focused and motivated. Randy tosses the microphone and walks out with Flair.
Sasha Banks and Bayley (champions) vs The IIconics (challengers) – WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship Match
Billie Kay fires off at the bell with a big kick to Sasha Banks, who kicks out of the pin. Bayley pulls Peyton Royce out of the ring after making tag, slamming her into the announce desk. Kay is double teamed by champs. Royce jumps back to the apron, getting a measure of revenge, kneeing Bayley in the face.
After a commercial break, Billie fights off Bayley in the corner as Royce tags her self in. She hits a fisherman’s suplex and bridges into a pin. Banks saves the match by breaking the pin. The champs double team Peyton, slamming her into the mat. Sasha can’t get the pin, however. Paying homage to Eddie Guerrero, Sasha looks for the Three Amigo. Royce blocks the final suplex, shoving Banks into her partner; Bayley hits the floor hard. Banks fights off Billie Kay, locking in the Banks Statement on Royce, who has no other choice than to tap out.
Winners…and still Women’s Tag Team Champions…via submission: Sasha Banks and Bayley
After the match, Bayley brags about the win, but Sasha admits she is a little jealous of Bayley’s two belts. Banks straight up asks for a title match, by challenging Asuka for a championship match. Ask and you shall receive. The RAW women’s champion makes her way to the ring, telling Sasha she isn’t the boss of her and accepts. Bayley blind sides Asuka. Banks uses the backstabber to set up the Banks Statement. The two leave Asuka laying in the ring.
Sarah Schreiber wants to know if Lashley was sending a message to the locker room by attack R Truth. Lashley says he should be WWE champion. MVP then reaches out to Apollo Crews again, wanting the United States champion to join him.
Elsewhere backstage, Ruby Riott tries to catch up with her former friend Liv Morgan, who wants nothing to do with her. Liv has had a rough couple of weeks and doesn’t need Riott making her feel worse.
MVP’s V*I*P Lounge
MVP welcomes his Apollo Crews, hoping he will soon be a client. He wants to help Apollo navigate his future. Crews cuts him off, telling him he has gotten to where he is on his own, turning him down, again. MVP wants to make him the greatest United State Champion; he doesn’t need to defend the title every week. Crews doesn’t want the title or MVP change who he is. MVP tried to do this the nice way twice; the third time he won’t be so nice. The United States title needs to come home to him.
Shelton Benjamin hits the ring, but MVP wants a moment. It was all a distraction, as Benjamin attacks from behind. Crews is blasted int the ring post. MVP taunts Apollo.
Apollo Crews (champion) vs. Shelton Benjamin (challenger) – United States Championship Match
Nothing like coming back from commercials with the match in progress. Benjamin focuses on the shoulder that was injured before the break. Crews drop kicks Benji to the mat, but has the standing moonsault blocked. Shelton locks in a arm bar, but Crews counters into a pin. Benjamin kicks out. Crews clotheslines Benjamin, sending both men tumbling to the floor. The champ slams Benjamin into the ring post.
Crews rolls Shelton back into the ring, following with an enzuigiri. Apollo finishes Benjamin off with the toss power bomb; covering to get the win.
Winner…and still United States Champion…via pinfall: Apollo Crews
MVP applauds on the ramp; he tries to raise Crew’s arm, but the champ wants no part of him. Bobby Lashley jumps him, locking in the full nelson. He tosses Crews into barrier, leaving him laying.
Rey Mysterio and Dominic are ready to show the Monday Night Messiah how they roll. In the ring, Rey talks about the fear of not being able to get a hold of one’s child. Dom scared Rey last week when he found out what his son was planning on doing. Rey is proud that Dominic got himself out of the three on one situation, but he is also upset with his son for taking that risk. Mysterio accepts the fact that Rollins tried to blind him. Last week, Dom fought for his dad, so this week Rey will fight; he needs to do this himself. Dominic won’t let his dad fight alone, calling out Seth Rollins.
The Monday Night Messiah appears on stage by himself. Seth says they are putting him in a difficult position; does he slaughter a father in front of his son or does he make Rey watch as he sacrifices his boy. Rollins decides to let fate decide and walks down the ramp. Seth drops to his knees as Murphy and Austin Theory walk out behind him.
The Mysterios are saved as Aleister Black and Humberto Carrillo attack the disciples from behind. They wipe out Murphy and Theory, leaving Rollins all alone. Rey connects with a 619, send Seth to the floor. Rey and Dominic try to gauge out Seth’s eye, only to have Murphy and Theory save him. Rollins grabs Dominic, threatening to blind him like he did to Rey. The Monday Night Messiah retreats when Carrillo runs him off with a chair. The Mysterios hold the ring as the show goes off the air.
Monday Night RAW - 6/22/2020
WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Championship Monday featured four title matches, but not the WWE title. Even though only one belt changed hands, both tag team matches are worth checking out. The Viking Profits continue to entertain, even while facing each other for the belts.