This was the first RAW since news of Roman Reigns suspension came out last Tuesday and it was always going to be the hot topic. Would WWE acknowledge it or just sweep it under the rug? You can always see the last one happening but thankfully WWE chose to mention it and they did it in the right way as well. In terms of my two cents on this Roman situation, I think they should take him out of the match at Battleground completely. It sets a bad precedent all round that someone can come back from a drug suspension, no matter what they did, and be afforded a title opportunity in the few days after. People backstage likely won't be too pleased and this is just more reasons for fans to boo the already faltering Roman Reigns brand.
Of course we're going to start here. Seth Rollins opened RAW and eventually started talking about Roman Reigns. Rollins mocked Roman's situation in a way that was likely supposed to garner heat but instead produced cheers. Dean Ambrose interrupted him and was promptly followed by AJ Styles who suggested he should either take Roman's place in the match or be added to it. John Cena then comes out and suggests the same thing for himself. Stephanie McMahon then announces Rollins vs. Cena and Ambrose vs. Styles for later in the night. If Cena and Styles won their matches then they would be put into the match.
While these matches were very good, they served little purpose. Seth Rollins vs. John Cena was good, not as good as their previous encounters but still good. Eventually The Club cost Cena the match which meant the result of the later match was very predictable. AJ Styles vs. Dean Ambrose was arguably the better match. AJ pulled out some awesome spots including an Argentine Powerbomb and a Brainbuster but eventually the inevitable outcome happened and Cena cost AJ the match.
Sami Zayn vs. Kevin Owens has the potential to be one the best rivalries in WWE history. Not only do the two men have a good foundation to build on but they have so much chemistry in the ring. This segment was arguably the standout part of RAW last night. Zayn played the babyface but was filled with fire while Kevin Owens played the silent heel. Jericho being their kind of hampered things but it also added to his character, the egotist who has to have everything be about him. In the end Sami Zayn vs. Kevin Owens was set for Battleground.
Stephanie called the Roman Reigns situation an embarassment, but not as much as Dean Ambrose as champion. Really? I mean there is a point where things just become silly and this crossed it.
Sasha Banks is back! And she's winning! Many happy faces!
Rusev lost by count out. Forgive me for seeming old fashioned but surely Champions shouldn't be losing like that.
Enzo and Cass vs. Social Outcasts? No thank you.
How convinient that Natalya decided to do guest commentary.
Cesaro and Apollo vs. Sheamus and Del Rio had lumped together tag match written all over it.
AJ Styles hasn't had a bad match since joining WWE six months ago. If WWE do bring another World title into play, AJ Styles simply has to be rewarded for his work with a run.
Breakdown, analysis, review and talking points from WWE RAW in Tampa Bay, FL, on June 27 2016.