WWE RAW Results (06/17/2024): Drew McIntyre quits, Seth Rollins returns, Uncle Howdy terrorizes

Patrik Walker

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WWE RAW Results (06/17/2024): Drew McIntyre quits, Seth Rollins returns, Uncle Howdy terrorizes image

There’s no place on Earth you’d rather be than glued to a screen for WWE RAW after a PLE (Premium Live Event), and when said PLE was as incendiary as “Clash at the Castle” was in Scotland on Saturday, June 15, it only makes sense that the flagship show would either carry the momentum forward or flat-out take it to the next level.

On Monday night, it did the latter. 

Just ask Seth “Freaking Rollins”, but more on that in a moment. 

What would Drew McIntyre do after being robbed of the WWE Heavyweight Championship by C.M. Punk in the match against Damian Priest, in his home city, no less, and only 48 hours after going absolutely ballistic? 

And what of Chad Gable after losing his rematch to WWE Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn in part due to Gable’s continued focus on trying to force Otis and the rest of the Alpha Academy to join him in his heel turn — mostly unsuccessfully??

With so much fallout from “Clash at the Castle”, and with eyes on what WWE Women's Champion Liv Morgan might do next to try and woo "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio, let’s get right into the lightning storm that was the June 17 episode of WWE RAW. 

Quitting Time?!

Maniac mode. That’s what Drew McIntyre escalated to in Glasgow, Scotland after being robbed of the title by C.M. Punk, assaulting officials as he tried desperately to both find Punk and to figure out who was in on the perceived deception. 

On Monday, he was the opposite. He was an emotionally broken man who made sure A.J. Styles wasn’t the only one uttering two very infamous words. 

“Screw this company,” he said. “I quit.”

WHAT?!

It’s impossible to know if this is an impeccable work by McIntyre or if he’s indeed breaking kayfabe, something Punk himself has done in the past (e.g., Pipe Bomb), or if the Scotsman is serious — though you should keep in mind he just recently re-signed with WWE. 

After all, the last person to use frustration as a ploy to exit was Jey Uso, and he found his way from SmackDown to RAW now long thereafter with a revamped trajectory. 

Seems convincing in the moment though, with Adam Pierce and even Triple H trying to talk McIntyre off of the cliff before being shrugged off, and McIntyre also used Triple H's post-PLE press conference against him in noting the praise that was showered upon Punk in regards to his behavior since returning to the WWE. 

Time is dying to tell us how this will all end for McIntyre. 

Did Punk land the death blow? Or is McIntyre baiting him with an eye on Summerslam??

MORE MORE MORE.

‘Freaking’ Awesome 

Just when you were ready to see the four-seam fastball from WWE, they throw a knuckle curve that had us all frozen in the batter’s box. That curveball came by way of Seth “Freaking” Rollins, making his return to WWE after an injury sidelined him following one of the best Wrestlemania performances in history — when Rollins suffered a torn meniscus in his already surgically-repaired knee, along with his continued back issues.

Rollins was the inaugural WWE Heavyweight Champion on Monday Night RAW before it was taken off of him by Drew McIntyre that fateful night in Philadelphia, who then lost it to Damian Priest following a cash-in of the Money in the Bank briefcase.

It was the explosion needed to launch McIntyre’s feud with C.M. Punk, as it was the first time Punk cost McIntyre the title (and to Priest, no less), but Rollins declared on Monday that he wants his title back and he’s eyeing MITB as a means of getting it (a former MITB winner himself); and possibly from Priest.

These interwoven storylines have more levels than a Mega Man game.

Priest made sure he appeared to interrupt Rollins’ promo by stating he wanted to cash in against Rollins (yet he never did) and that it’s no longer “Monday Night Rollins”, but instead it’s “All Rise for El Campeon”, drawing a scoff from Rollins.

“What kind of champion do you want to be?” asked Rollins, daring Priest to “grow a pair” and not be a “footnote of The Judgment Day”. 

Ouch. 

Sidebar: Could there be any more of an arrow aimed at Priest eventually splitting from TJD?? 

That’s for down the road, however, because he remains in the faction for now, and Rollins’ words clearly hit him in the netherparts because Priest said the hell with an MITB briefcase for Rollins — challenging him outright to a match at the PLE in early July. 

The answer was a resounding yes, and you can expect a ton of fireworks on 4th of July weekend in Toronto. 

Breakk Dancing 

Fresh off of the heels of hospitalizing Ricochet in what can only be described as one of the most brutal send-offs you’ll witness, Bron Breakker remains bloodthirsty and vengeful from his omission in the 2024 King of the Ring tournament, and he’s not aiming low in his goals at WWE.

Enter Sami Zayn, who successfully defended his WWE Intercontinental Championship against Chad Gable and is now seemingly over trying to play superhero for Otis, Maxxine and Akira Tazawa — appearing on Monday night to say as much. 

Zayn wants to move on from the Alpha Academy and identify a new challenger and it took precisely zero minutes for one to step forward: 

Bron Breakker. 

Fantastic. 

After some throwaway matches on his WWE RAW resume, Breakker brutalized both Ricochet and Ilja Dragnunov in outstanding matches that also pushed him to the limit, but nothing yet that compares to what Zayn can do in the ring. But before you get too hyped about Breakker pulling up on Zayn, maybe get just as hyped for who came out next to challenge him: 

Sheamus. 

Oh, I am definitely here for a banger. 

“I will do anything to get my hands on that, whether it’s over your cold, dead hands or not — I’m coming after it,” said Sheamus.

Breakker wasn’t impressed.

“We all know what happens when you get in my way and, right now, you’re in my way and I’ll kick your ass, too,” Breakker said. 

The Celtic Warrior then taught the rookie a lesson in mic work en route to Zayn telling the two to “fight it out” for the right to face him, and so that match was made in Corpus Christi.

Chad Gable vs. Braun Strowman

Result: Strowman wins clean (pinfall)

Reaction: Gable has still not yet felt the supposed wrath of Otis, escaping another round of abuse and even using Otis as a shield against Zayn, but he’s also now failed five times at landing the WWE Intercontinental Championship, so his request to WWE RAW general manager Adam Pierce for another rematch with Zayn was promptly denied.

Gable was told to get to the “back of the line” and, surprisingly, he accepted that fate before then requesting a match on Monday that was worthy of a former Olympian.

Well, the Monster Among Men qualifies, if you ask me.

Strowman took to putting hands on Gable while intermittently yelling out to Otis, Maxxine and Akira Tazawa that they “don’t have to put up” with Gable’s “crap”, but if Zayn wasn’t successful after weeks of trying, Strowman wasn’t likely to have better luck. 

Gable eventually tried to use Tazawa as a shield to stop Strowman’s runaway train maneuver outside of the ring before having Tazawa tossed like a bag of oranges into his chest. It was short work for Strowman after that, putting Gable down with a finesseful version of the Power Slam for the three-count pinfall. 

It admittedly felt odd to see Gable ended so effortlessly after all of the buildup he’s enjoyed as a heel lately, and it’s possible this match was really more about getting Strowman back to a solid middle card status. He’s already entangled in multiple feuds, and you can add this one as well, because bullies suck. 

As for the Alpha Academy, we’re one step closer to the detonation, with Otis shoving Gable after a slap to Tazawa and a humiliation of Maxxine.

Later in the evening, it finally landed, but with a thud.

Otis packed up the Academy’s gear and when accosted by Gable, he simply said “we’re done”, as Gable suddenly softened in a very face-like glimpse before realizing it was really over for his faction — then promising he’d win MITB and “become WWE World Champion”.

Having waited weeks for Otis to rain down hell upon Gable’s head as the payoff, we were all instead treated to what basically amounted to a solemn “Dear John” letter. 

And that’s not OK. 

This was like smelling Thanksgiving dinner being prepared for hours, only to be tossed a Pop Tart.

Women’s Triple Threat Qualifying Match - 

Zelina Vega vs. Iyo Sky vs. Kiana James

Result: Sky wins clean (pinfall)

Reaction: Iyo Sky has been on a rampage as of late, to the point where she’s yelling at Damage CTRL that “something has to change” even after winning her last match. The proclamation left a look of bewilderment on the face of both Dakota Kai and Kairi Sane, as they try to figure out how to save the faction from imploding entirely. 

Meanwhile, Sky wasted no time taking out her anger or Vega and James with a chance to qualify for “Money in the Bank” in Toronto. 

Her rage led to Vega and James doubling up on her for a moment before wisely turning their attention to each other as well, and this match served as a great opportunity for for James to continue her ramp-up after being drafted from NXT to RAW — her June 3 debut ending in a defeat of future Hall of Famer Natalya. 

Vega put on a show as well, and it was much needed as she’s recently fallen to the background of LWO before regaining some attention for her attack on Liv Morgan one week ago. The feisty Boricua looked damn good in her performance against James and Sky, putting all of her skill and savvy on display. 

She even toyed with Sky on occasion, showing her confidence is still … Sky … high.

A 619 to the legs of Sky (who was atop the turnbuckle) brought the former champion down to Earth for a Code Red finisher than would’ve done the job if not for that meddling James, or at least that’s how a Scooby Doo criminal would’ve viewed it. 

Vega had control of the match until that point, and lost all control of both it and herself when Morgan walked to ringside to playfully taunt her while wearing the very same purple cow vest that Dominik said he couldn’t find earlier in the episode. 

Morgan is so deliciously diabolical. 

Sky would take full advantage of the situation by drop kicking Vega out of relevance and finishing James with an Over The Moonsault for the pinfall victory.

Careful though, Liv. 

You might’ve just helped one of the most qualified women capable of taking that belt off of you in the near future. 

Dragon Lee vs. Carlito

Result: Carlito wins due to interference (pinfall)

Reaction: At the outset, this was the one match you could label as filler for the night, because while it continues the rivalry between LWO and Carlito/The Judgment Day, it wasn’t exactly anything that would get you riled up to watch — the abilities of Lee notwithstanding.

Lee has plenty of reason to try and end the Apple Eater, considering Carlito launched a sneak attack on him (caught on camera) due to jealousy of Rey Mysterio’s decision to select Lee over Carlito in a headline match. 

Carlito has since defected and run to TJD for protection, because of course. 

It was what happened outside of the ring that stole the show here, though. With Dominik Mysterio and J.D. McDonough ringside opposite Rey Mysterio, it was Liv Morgan again strolling down the ramp to dig her claws into Dom, wearing the aforementioned vest, but the affection was short-Liv’d. 

Selina Vega attacked Morgan from behind, tossing more gasoline on the budding rivalry that began on social media following Vega’s comments about Morgan’s seduction of Dom. 

There go those interwoven storylines again.

Lee would suffer a Backstabber at the hands of Carlito amidst the chaos that also saw McDonough pull on Lee’s leg to set him up for the finisher and, three slaps of the mat later, the match was over.

But Morgan versus Vega is far from over.

Dakota Kai, Kairi Sane vs. Katana Chance, Kayden Carter

Result: Carter, Chance win clean (pinfall)

Reaction: I’ll make this one as short and unfulfilling as the match itself. This is one that WWE could’ve rightfully scheduled for any other RAW and it probably would’ve been worth more to fans, but putting it right after McIntyre’s bombshell and before what was to come later in the episode feels like a letdown for four talented ladies. 

In any event, Lyra Valkyria made an appearance to help distract Kai and Sane before the After Party was delivered to seal the victory. Chance and Carter won with a three-count after a fairly short match that was likely also up against time with so much being packed into this week’s episode. 

The biggest takeaway here is that Iyo Sky, who won her qualifier on Monday, now has another reason to feel she’s being held back by Damage CTRL. 

"Damage CTRL has to change, or I will change things myself," said Sky, right on cue after the match.

Sheamus vs. Bron Breakker

Result: Breakker wins by disqualification 

Reaction: I do rather enjoy how Breakker’s matches are getting progressively tougher for him. He’s now gone from throwaway opponents to two classics against Dragunov and an elite clash against Ricochet (both in-ring and on the hood of a car), and now he’s tasked with downing a determined future Hall of Famer. 

It was the rookie sensation getting the best of things early on with raw power, speed and athleticism, but Sheamus has seen it all before, and he’s never been an easy out. He’d recover to get his licks in as Zayn watched quietly from ringside to see who would get the best of whom in the matchup. 

Things spilled out of the ring to right in front of Zayn, but avoiding a double countout was Sheamus, who tossed Breakker back into the ring, but that didn’t last long.

He’d toss Sheamus out of the ring and then leap out of it after him, exploding into both Sheamus and the broadcaster’s table. 

But, and stick with me on this: Sheamus is not an easy out.

Back to his feet, he was able to get back into the ring with Breakker and completely shifted momentum back in his favor with some power moves of his own. 

Things got a bit weird for a moment thereafter, considering the issue with the ropes in Scotland that nearly broke Damian Priest’s leg, as Breakker went for the FrankenSTEINer from the top rope — a move he pulled off successfully in a previous match — before slipping on Brett’s rope and both he and Sheamus simply tumbled backward onto the mat. 

Um, OK. Moving on…

Sheamus nearly finished Breakker with a White Noise after the botch, to no avail. Breakker gathered his wits and went for a spear but the running knee nearly knocked his teeth all the way back to Atlanta. A kickout by Breakker kept this one going, but the rookie was made to suffer the 10 Beats of the Bodhran and had a chance to end Breakker but guess who…?

Ludwig Kaiser.

The interference led to a disqualification and a win by Breakker, but that wasn’t enough, because it’s never enough for the Dog, who went on to speak Sheamus outside of the ring as Kaiser escaped into the audience. 

Breakker gets his title shot against Zayn, and the Sheamus/Kaiser feud takes a massive step toward becoming a PLE match but, first, Kaiser is gonna need to have his intestines checked to make sure they’re all still in his body and not splattered all over Corpus Christi.

Kaiser was a victim of the most vicious spear I’ve seen in my entire life, and this is not an exaggeration; and you’ve got to see it for yourself to believe it. Kaiser’s great grandkids felt this from the year 2060.

As for Kaiser versus Sheamus at “Money in the Bank” goes?

Give us what we want, Hunter. 

And that includes Breakker against Zayn, pronto. 

Men’s Triple Threat Qualifying Match - 

Jey Uso vs. Rey Mysterio vs. Finn Balor

Result: Uso wins clean (pinfall)

Reaction: Balor is doing what he can to focus on the task at-hand and not the fact Morgan was being unzipped by Dom backstage to get her out of his vest, an exchange broken up by Damian Priest.

He needed every ounce of focus against Rey Mysterio and Jey Uso, and with a chance to compete for the “Money in the Bank” briefcase on the line. Having confirmed to Priest that he would use the briefcase to cash in on Cody Rhodes and not Priest, the plan was in place for TJD, only they didn’t exactly get approval from Uso.

This match was as great as you’d imagine it would have been when seeing who was involved, and neither of the three greats left anything to chance — giving their all in the three-way bout. 

At a certain point, Mysterio was passing out 619s like free peppermints at the doctor’s office, but his attempt at a Frog Splash was interrupted by his own son, Dominik, before McDonough and Carlito jumped him outside of the ring, knowing there is no disqualification in a triple threat match. 

Strowman took care of that business though,and Mysterio found his way back into the ring but he became Balor’s victim at that point — a Coup De Grace finishing off Mysterio.

But when Balor went for the pinfall, he took his eyes off of Uso, who splashed from the top rope onto Balor’s back and the pinned him on top of Mysterio before getting emotional over what he’d just achieved.

He’s in position now to take the briefcase and maybe, just maybe, a singles title for the first time in his otherwise great career. 

It was a match worthy of closing out RAW after a PLE, only it didn't. 

There was one more trick up Triple H's sleeve, even if it's one we all saw coming. 

Howdy, Folks

In the middle of Uso’s celebration, it happened.

The lights went black. The fireflies came out all over Corpus Christ. The ominous piano keys struck their chords as a door flew open amidst smoke and a lone lantern that immediately went dark. A distorted figured crawled out of the pitch and up to a very familiar lantern before pointing to the open threshold that silently warned of violence.

The camera took the audience backstage and through a horror scene that featured downed bodies, including a bloodied and unconscious Chad Gable, and members of the Wyatt Six in their usually terrifying masks.

And suddenly there he was: Uncle Howdy in all of his dark splendor, leading the faction out of the backstage area and into the midst of fireflies, uttering only two words, but they were the very words that once and often sent chills down the spine of every opponent of the late, great Bray Wyatt.

“We’re here,” said Howdy aka Bo Dallas.

And then he blew out the lantern, doing Wyatt’s legacy so much justice that if it brought a tear to your eye, just know you weren’t alone. 

R.I.P. Bray. We miss you.

Howdy, you’re up. Carry the torch accordingly.

Or rather, the lantern. 

Patrik Walker

Patrik Walker Photo

Patrik [No C] Walker is an accredited, award-winning journalist and podcaster who has worked to become one of the most respected and recognizable forces covering the Dallas Cowboys. Having never lost his lifelong passion for the wrestling, the one-of-a-kind analyst is using his talents to complete a journey that began as a rambunctious kid wearing a championship belt fashioned from cardboard and aluminum foil, to the ranks of covering an industry that's had his heart pinned to the mat for decades now. Follow him on Twitter/X: VoiceOfTheStar.