Raw Five-Point Preview: June 23, 2014

Raw Five-Point Preview: June 23, 2014

Money in the Bank is just days away, with the WWE Universe anxiously anticipating the crowning of a new WWE World Heavyweight Champion and a new “Mr. Money in the Bank,” both of which will be decided in hellacious Ladder Matches this Sunday night.

Before WWE’s ring warriors prepare to scale the heights and grasp at destiny, they’ll bring the fight to Washington, D.C., for Monday Night Raw, where the remaining participants in the Money in the Bank Contract Ladder Match will be announced.

Also, as announced during the Raw Pre-Show, Stephanie McMahon will kick off Raw by addressing Vickie Guerrero and, presumably, her actions last week. As we wait to hear what Stephanie has to say to the SmackDown General Manager, WWE.com has five thoughts on what we can expect from this week’s exciting edition of Raw.

Who’s in the ‘Money’?

Money in the Bank Contract Ladder Match officially added

WWE COO Triple H discusses Stephanie McMahon's recent illness, Roman Reigns' Raw Battle Royal victory and what we can expect from the Money in the Bank Contract Match on June 29.

As confirmed by WWE COO Triple H in last Wednesday’s exclusive interview on WWE.com, this Sunday we will witness a traditional Money in the Bank Contract Ladder Match, offering Superstars an opportunity for a WWE World Heavyweight Championship Match at the time and place of their choosing. Thus far, the sole participant confirmed for this bout is Authority ally Seth Rollins — a suspicious choice indeed.

View photos of every Money in the Bank Ladder Match competitor ever

Yet, The Game added that unlike the WWE World Heavyweight Championship Ladder Match at Money in the Bank, Superstars will not need to compete in qualifying matches to earn a spot in this bout. As such, Rollins isn’t receiving any preferential treatment from The Authority. With virtually the entire roster eligible for this career-changing bout, who will join the Shield turncoat in this chaotic confrontation? We’ll find out on Raw.

Repercussions for Reigns

Roman reigns supreme: WWE.com Exclusive, June 16, 2014

Roman Reigns comments on winning the Battle Royal and earning a spot in the WWE World Heavyweight Championship Money in the Bank Ladder Match.

It’s pretty safe to say that Vickie Guerrero won’t be doing any java runs for WWE management anytime soon. Last week on Raw, after Roman Reigns seemingly tampered with The Authority’s iced coffee, Stephanie McMahon became incredibly ill and blew venti-sized chunks all over the SmackDown General Manager. With Triple H and Stephanie being forced to leave the arena as a result, Reigns was able to convince a bile-soaked Vickie to place him in the night’s WWE World Heavyweight Championship Qualifying Battle Royal. The juggernaut entered, he dominated and he won.

Watch Roman Reigns’ huge Battle Royal victory

Even though The Authority wanted Reigns nowhere near the vacant WWE World Heavyweight Championship, the powerhouse now joins United States Champion Sheamus, Cesaro, Alberto Del Rio, Bray Wyatt, Randy Orton and John Cena in the historic Ladder Match. With Triple H saying this issue will be “dealt with” on Raw, will Reigns be punished for maneuvering his way into the WWE World Heavyweight Title picture? Also, will Vickie face consequences for the unfortunate coffee incident that started it all? 

Paint and gain

Goldust & Stardust vs. Ryback & Curtis Axel: Raw, June 16, 2014

Goldust teams with a new partner in Stardust against RybAxel.

There’s giving yourself a “new coat of paint” and then there’s the utter transformation Cody Rhodes underwent to become Stardust, the intergalactic Superstar who shares Goldust’s flair for the dramatic. Stardust debuted alongside The Bizarre One last week on Raw, earning the bewildering tandem a decisive victory over Ryback & Curtis Axel.

View exclusive photos of Stardust

Rhodes had been determined to seek out the ideal partner for Goldust, and it seems as though he succeeded in his own unusual way by introducing Stardust to the world. How will this face-painted pair continue to turn heads this week? 

Girls, bye

Funk is off the roll: WWE.com Exclusive, June 16, 2014

Cameron reflects on her less than steller night on Raw.

What the funk? Displaying a new attitude as of late, Cameron has made clear her intentions to ensnare Paige’s Divas Championship, blatantly disrespecting The Diva of Tomorrow in an effort to get herself on the titleholder’s radar.

After slapping Paige across the face during an exclusive interview on the WWE App, Cameron lost to the British technician on last week’s Raw — a defeat that sparked a heated discussion between The Funkadactyls after the match. The following night on WWE Main Event, exclusively on WWE Network, Naomi scored a huge non-title victory over Paige, and when Cameron decided to put her hands on the Divas Champion yet again after the match, Paige retaliated and brawled with the “Total Divas” star.

As Paige laid into Cameron — who was arguably getting what she had coming — Naomi simply looked on and refused to assist her longtime friend and tag team partner. With tensions continuing to mount between Naomi & Cameron as they both pursue the Divas Championship, are we witnessing the gradual extinction of The Funkadactyls?

Will Ambrose make Rollins pay?

Raw Five-Point Preview: June 23, 2014

If Dean Ambrose won’t rest until he’s gotten even with Seth Rollins, The Lunatic Fringe has had plenty of sleepless nights lately. On SmackDown, Rollins’ provocation from ringside cost Ambrose a match against Kane, and a brutal Curb Stomp from the Shield turncoat left the scorned Superstar dazed after the match.

Ambrose’s new entrance video |  Rollins’ new entrance video

Ambrose has had a weekend to mull over all of the ways he’s going to make Rollins suffer, and we don’t even want to imagine the horrors that are running through Ambrose’s mind right now. Whatever happens between these former “brothers” this week on Raw, it won’t be pretty.

Don’t miss Raw this Monday at 8/7 CT on USA Network, and be sure to tune in to WWE Network for Raw Pre-Show at 7:30 ET and Backstage Pass immediately following the show!

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