WWE Raw: 10 Things You Might Have Missed (June 27)
Was Cesaro hinting towards Raw draft pick?
The continued absence of Roman Reigns from WWE television will realistically hamper build towards the triple threat headliner at Battleground. Reigns won't be around to hype it, meaning it's up to Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins to make magic and convince fans before the pay-per-view.
Realising the lack of that third superpower to help build towards the match, WWE decided to tinker with things on Monday Night Raw and involve both AJ Styles and John Cena in the situation. The result was a pair of entertaining singles bouts, ones that helped further the feud between both of those men but also provide a distraction from the lack of The Big Dog.
In the midst of all the drama, Seth Rollins made a very salient point as Ambrose battled Styles in Raw's main event. It was the kind of throwaway comment that will fly under the radar for most, but it was also 100% accurate and honest. That's not something commonly associated with WWE's top heels.
Elsewhere, those with open ears would have heard details on two specific WWE anniversaries, and some subtle references (both to pop culture and the upcoming WWE Draft) were thrown in for good measure throughout the show.
Let's look at 10 nuances you may have missed from the latest episode of Raw...
10. Natalya Quoting Owen Hart
Having been babyface for so long, it'd be logical to assume that Natalya is relishing the idea of playing heel in WWE. Turning on Becky Lynch at Money In The Bank, she then battered her former on-screen pal the next night on Raw. This week, Natalya added a little depth to her villainous character.
It's a shame that she didn't look dominant, but Becky Lynch also has to remain strong during this feud too. Her match with Summer Rae didn't even get started as she attacked Natalya (who was set to provide guest commentary) before even entering the ring.
As Michael Cole, JBL and Byron Saxton welcomed Natalya, they quizzed the turncoat female on her recent actions. Right before Lynch made her entrance, Natalya directly quoted her uncle Owen Hart, telling Cole that "enough is enough and it's time for a change".
Of course, that was Owen's battle cry for years in the old WWF of the mid-90s. This was a nice, subtle nod from Natalya to a deceased family member, and made for a sweet touch.