PWInsider reported Friday afternoon that Ezekiel is no longer listed internally on WWE’s roster. The character has instead been replaced by Elias.
Ezekiel has not been seen on television since August. He was attacked by Kevin Owens and stretchered out after being powerbombed on the apron. WWE later gave an update saying that Ezekiel would be out for a long time.
After being absent from WWE television for months, Elias returned to WWE TV after WrestleMania 38, shaving his beard and wearing new ring gear. He claimed that he was Ezekiel, the younger brother of Elias. Owens became upset and spent the next several months attempting to prove that Elias and Ezekiel were one in the same. Shortly before Vince McMahon resigned from WWE in July, the character started to bring up another brother, Elrod.
Once Triple H was named head of WWE creative following McMahon’s resignation, the character was phased out, losing to Omos on an episode of Main Event before being attacked by Owens on Raw.
Despite being advertised, Kevin Owens vs. Ezekiel didn’t take place on Raw last night.
Commentator Jimmy Smith said during last night’s show that Owens vs. Ezekiel had to be rescheduled. It was supposed to be a Money in the Bank qualifying match.
WWE didn’t say when the rescheduled Owens vs. Ezekiel match would be taking place. Ezekiel still appeared on Raw, but Owens wasn’t on the show.
Dave Meltzer reported on Wrestling Observer Radio that Owens wasn’t able to wrestle last night, but — whatever the situation was — it was nothing serious.
“No Kevin Owens [on Raw]. Whatever the situation is, is minor. But he was not on the show, which is why the Ezekiel match did not happen as originally scheduled, which was, I guess, that was going to be for the last spot in Money in the Bank? There’s still one spot left,” Meltzer said.
“I did not check if Kevin Owens would be ready by Friday. I just know that he was not ready tonight, but it’s nothing serious is what I was told. Perhaps he could be ready by Friday and they could do that match.”
Money in the Bank is being held in Las Vegas this Saturday. Seth Rollins, Drew McIntyre, Sheamus, Omos, Sami Zayn, and Riddle have qualified for the men’s Money in the Bank ladder match. There’s still one open spot remaining.
On Twitter last night, Owens offered a storyline explanation for missing Raw, writing that he didn’t want to go to the show because it was in Texas: “I didn’t want to go to Texas so I didn’t go. Leave me alone.”
It appears that a new men’s Money in the Bank ladder match participant will be confirmed on tonight’s episode of Raw.
Kevin Owens is set to face Ezekiel (or his older brother Elias or younger brother Elrod) on Raw tonight. On Twitter this morning, WWE indicated that it will now be a Money in the Bank qualifying match.
“TONIGHT: @FightOwensFight will get his chance to qualify for the Men’s #MITB Ladder Match! His opponent could be either Ezekiel, Elias or Elrod (the younger brother of @IAmNotEliasWWE). Will we be meeting a new member of the family? #WWERaw”
TONIGHT: @FightOwensFight will get his chance to qualify for the Men's #MITB Ladder Match!
His opponent could be either Ezekiel, Elias or Elrod (the younger brother of @IAmNotEliasWWE).
Seth Rollins, Drew McIntyre, Omos, Sheamus, and Sami Zayn have already qualified for the men’s Money in the Bank ladder match. The MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas is hosting Money in the Bank this Saturday (July 2).
On WWE television, Owens has been attempting to prove that Ezekiel and Elias are the same person ever since Ezekiel started appearing on Raw this April. Following Elias’ return to Raw last week, Owens challenged Ezekiel, Elias, or “their even younger brother that we haven’t met yet” Elrod to face him on tonight’s show. Ezekiel accepted Owens’ challenge.
Tonight’s Raw will also feature John Cena’s return to WWE TV. Cena is returning to celebrate the 20th anniversary of his WWE debut.
One match has been announced for the June 27 WWE Raw episode.
Kevin Owens will face Ezekiel in a singles match on next week’s Raw.
After a backstage vignette on this week’s episode where Ezekiel was seen speaking to his brother Elias, Elias held a concert in the ring. Owens interrupted the concert, but was then interrupted himself by a promo by Ezekiel appearing on the video wall. Elias then hit Owens with a guitar.
Later in the show in a backstage promo, Owens challenged Ezekiel, Elias, or their yet to be introduced younger brother Elrod, to a match next week. Ezekiel then appeared and accepted the challenge.
The Elrod mention appeared to be a throwaway comedy line in a promo by Owens, but Elrod was included on a graphic promoting the match for next week’s episode.
Date: June 20, 2022 Location: Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, NE
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Show Recap —
There was a memorial graphic for Tim White (1954 – 2022). RIP.
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The announcers mentioned that Riddle’s quest to win the championship wasn’t over because he faces Omos in a Money in the Bank qualifier tonight.
Opening segment
Bianca Belair entered. She announced that Rhea Ripley would not be cleared in time for MITB so, unfortunately, that match wasn’t happening yet. Belair looked forward to every challenge and looked forward to facing Rhea Ripley eventually.
Belair announced a fatal five-way match tonight between Alexa Bliss, Liv Morgan, Carmella, Asuka, and Becky Lynch with the winner earning a title shot at MITB.
Lynch interrupted. She complained about recent events before stating that she would the match tonight and get her title shot.
Asuka interrupted. She mocked Lynch for crying again and called her a big-time baby. Lynch said Asuka should spend less time making Simpsons memes and more time worrying about her because it was Asuka’s shoulders down on the mat each of the last two times they’ve wrestled.
Morgan interrupted. She noted that she already qualified for MITB, unlike Lynch, but was willing to trade that for a title match against Belair.
Carmella interrupted. She said Morgan didn’t belong in the match because she’s never been a champion.
Bliss interrupted. She said Carmella has never accomplished anything on her own and threatened to beat her face right now.
Belair was (finally) tired of all the talk and suggested they start the match now.
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There was a John Cena video package. He returns next week.
Fatal 5-way match: Carmella defeated Liv Morgan, Asuka, Becky Lynch and Alexa Bliss (12:28)
Carmella won and will face Belair for the title at MITB. The match started slow but was good once they returned from the commercial break.
Byron Saxton mentioned that Carmella’s mask was gone. Corey Graves said he took out an expensive insurance policy for her.
Bliss and Morgan worked together briefly before shaking hands and facing off. And by facing off I mean they rolled around the ring trading cradles. They went to a commercial after Carmella pushed Morgan off the top rope to the outside into everyone else.
After the break, Carmella brought Lynch down from the top with a hurricanrana and Lynch landed right on top of Morgan but Asuka broke up Carmella’s cover. Asuka put Carmella in the Asuka Lock but Bliss broke it up.
Asuka tried the Asuka Lock on Lynch but Morgan brought her down with a missile dropkick. Lynch did the Man-handle slam but Bliss broke it up with a Twisted Bliss and her cover was broken up by both Morgan and Carmella. The crowd chanted “this is awesome.”
Asuka wiped out Bliss with a kick to the head but Lynch chucked Asuka from the ring. Lynch blocked an Oblivion and hit a Man-handle slam but Asuka yanked her out of the ring. Asuka kicked her in the head too but Bliss knocked out Asuka. Bliss tried Twisted Bliss but Morgan got her knees up.
Carmella dropped Morgan with a superkick for the pinfall win.
— After the match, Lynch marched to the back and ranted at Adam Pearce. She was still complaining after a break. Pearce said she was originally scheduled to face Asuka tonight in a qualifier so he decided to make that match again. Lynch was happy to hear it until she was informed that it was happening tonight.
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Vince McMahon entered. The crowd cheered. He called John Cena the greatest of all time and plugged his return. He left.
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There was a recap of Roman Reigns retaining his title over Riddle and Brock Lesnar’s return.
Riddle entered. He mentioned that the Bloodline may have ended Randy Orton’s career and he made a promise to himself that he would get revenge. He came close on Friday but Roman was Roman in the end and he came up short. Riddle let the fans down, let down himself, and he let down Randy.
Riddle wasn’t finished yet and wanted to win MITB so he could cash in on Roman and end his reign of terror. Riddle mentioned the other MITB competitors but specifically focused on Seth Rollins. He wasn’t happy that Rollins attacked his boy Cody Rhodes with a sledgehammer and planned on hitting him with a ladder in response.
MVP and Omos interrupted. MVP wondered what kind of stuff Riddle was on if he thought he was winning tonight. Riddle said he would get high — when his hand was raised high in victory and he moves on to win MITB.
[SECOND HOUR]
Money in the Bank qualifying match: Omos (w/MVP) defeated Riddle (3:54)
Riddle had tape around his midsection. Omos had him in a long bearhug but Riddle fought back with a knee strike and floating bro. Riddle tried an RKO but Omos blocked it and hit a tree slam for the pinfall win.
Omos gave him another tree slam after the match.
— Seth Rollins entered. He decked Riddle and chucked him from the ring. He said he didn’t share airspace with losers and called Riddle the ultimate loser for losing his buddy, losing to Reigns, and losing his shot at MITB. He said it didn’t matter who else was in MITB anyway because he was the only man on the planet who had Reigns’ number.
Riddle attacked Rollins as he did his catchphrase but Rollins knocked him down and gave him a curb stomp.
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Theory segment
Theory stood on the platform from last week’s pose-down. He tried to get through his promo while also telling the crowd to shut up about five different times. He dismissed Cena’s return because Cena’s time was up and his time was now.
Theory decided to do a pose-down for us again. Lashley appeared from behind and the crowd cheered. Theory assumed they were cheering for him. He took a selfie but upon opening his camera phone he realized that Lashley was behind him.
Lashley sprayed him in the face with baby oil (or water) and speared him off the platform. Lashley demanded a US title match.
— After a break, Theory told Kevin Patrick that he spoke to Pearce and they made a match: Lashley must win a gauntlet match tonight against three opponents of his choosing to earn a US title shot.
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The Usos said Reigns would smash Lesnar just like he smashed Riddle. They planned on smashing the Street Profits at MITB.
The Street Profits entered. Montez Ford said the only thing better than money in the bank was gold around their waists. Angelo Dawkins was ready to beat up Jey Uso right now.
Angelo Dawkins (w/Montez Ford) defeated Jey Uso (w/Jimmy Uso) (7:20)
Dawkins got a nearfall with a Silencer but Jey came back with a superkick. Jey went to the top for a splash but Dawkins caught him and hit a sit-out spinebuster for the pinfall win. (Graves noted that Jimmy had his back to the ring because he was so confident that Jey would win.)
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Ezekiel met with Elias in the back. They sat on opposite ends of the couch. (There was also a complicated painting in the background which I assume was meant to make this split-screen look more convincing.)
Ezekiel wondered if Elias was looking forward to playing in Nebraska considering some of the things he’s said about it in the past. Elias called himself a changed man. The crowd sang along when they said “walk with Elias.”
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Elias concert
Elias said his catchphrase and the crowd sang along again. Elias was happy to hear it. He was about to perform but Kevin Owens marched out. Owens said nobody wanted to see this and nobody was buying that video they just showed. Owens knew it had to be special effects. After all, he just saw a movie with dinosaurs and a T-Rex flying a helicopter.
Ezekiel appeared on the screen to prove once more that they were different people. Owens was annoyed and Elias sang “Kevin Owens is a liar.” Owens was pissed so he chucked the guitar from the ring. Elias nailed him with a knee strike and smashed a guitar over his back.
— Owens was accosted by Patrick in the back. Patrick asked if he was convinced yet. Owens said they must have pre-taped the Ezekiel tron video and he must have worn a fake beard. Owens challenged Elias or Ezekiel or whoever to a match next week. Ezekiel showed up (no beard) and accepted the match. Owens freaked out.
[THIRD HOUR]
They played the Cena video for a third time.
Bobby Lashley won a gauntlet match over Chad Gable, Otis and Theory
Bobby Lashley defeated Chad Gable (w/Otis) (5:48)
Lashley was completely dominating and hit a delayed vertical suplex but Gable countered a spear with a drop toe hold and applied an ankle lock. Lashley was in the ankle lock for a long time before pushing off Gable. Gable actually knocked Lashley down with a shoulder tackle before hitting a moonsault for two.
Lashley hit an overhead suplex, blocked a roll-up and applied the Hurt Lock for the submission win.
Otis immediately attacked Lashley after the match.
Bobby Lashley defeated Otis (w/Chad Gable) via disqualification (8:29)
Otis continued to toss Lashley around ringside and could have won by count-out but he broke up the count. Otis splashed Lashley on the outside which led to break. Otis remained in control until he missed a Vader Bomb and Lashley followed with a flatliner. Lashley avoided a corner charge and hit a spear. He had it won but Gable broke up the cover for the DQ.
After the match, Gable gave Lashley a German suplex and Otis splashed him.
Non-title: Bobby Lashley defeated US Champion Theory (1-2 minutes)
Theory tried to take advantage and went for the ATL but Lashley used a nice counter into a cradle for the pinfall win.
Lashley will face Theory for the US title at MITB. The crowd liked Lashley.
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Belair told Sarah Schreiber that she was ready for Ripley so she was ready for Carmella. Carmella decked her from behind.
(Belair popped to her feet after Carmella left but just stood there because Carmella was out of the frame even though she was probably only ten feet away.)
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Miz TV with guest AJ Styles
Miz was trying to egg on Styles by recapping recent events but Styles wasn’t playing along. Miz took a shot at Nebraska students so Styles let him know this was Cornhusker country. The crowd loudly chanted for their team. Styles also mentioned Miz’s popcorn-sized balls and Miz said we were not making this a thing. Styles asked the crowd if this was a thing and the crowd cheered.
Styles blamed himself for not qualifying for MITB. He’s been through adversity before but that’s how he became phenomenal. When he gets disrespected, he doesn’t run his mouth like Miz.
Styles punched Miz but Ciampa suddenly decked Styles from behind.
AJ Styles defeated Ciampa (4:30)
They had a competitive match that Styles won clean with the Phenomenal forearm.
After the match, Miz tried to attack from behind but Styles dodged and hit a Styles Clash.
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Patrick interviewed Veer Mahaan on the stage. Patrick asked about his decisive win over Rey Mysterio last week. Mahaan said he would not stop until there was nothing left. He loves carnage. “Fear Veer.”
(In the past, they’ve had Mahaan try to sound like a ‘monster’ but here he seemed to speak in something closer to his regular voice.)
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Money in the Bank qualifying match: Asuka defeated Becky Lynch (12:08)
Asuka pinned Lynch clean to qualify for MITB.
Lynch attacked Asuka during her entrance but that just pissed her off and she tackled Lynch when the bell rang. Asuka hit a codebreaker for two but Lynch knocked her off the top rope and she fell to the outside. (As Asuka lay there motionless two seconds after getting knocked down, the ref yelled at her to get back in the ring — “Let’s go! Inside!”)
Lynch missed a leg drop after a break and Asuka followed with a sliding kick, strikes and a cradle for two. Asuka followed with more strikes, a German suplex and a running hip attack for two. They traded submissions until Lynch drove Asuka face-first into the turnbuckle for two. Asuka came back with a missile dropkick for two.
Lynch tried something off the apron but Asuka caught her with a knee strike. They both just barely got back in the ring before a ten count.
They traded counters and rollups until Asuka kicked Lynch in the head for the pinfall win.
The return of Elias, along with a Money in the Bank qualifying match is set for next week’s Raw in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Becky Lynch will face Asuka for a qualifying spot in the women’s Money in the Bank ladder match, which will take place on July 2 in Las Vegas. Elias will also be making a return to Raw next week to hold a concert.
On tonight’s Raw, Lynch destroyed her scheduled opponent, Dana Brooke, saying Brooke could keep the 24/7 Championship. Lynch promised to win the Money in the Bank match and went to attack Brooke again when Asuka came out for the save. The two have continued to feud in the weeks since WrestleMania Backlash, where the two lost a three-way match for the Raw Women’s Championship to champion Bianca Belair.
Also on tonight’s show, Ezekiel defeated Kevin Owens by count out after Owens threw a fit outside of the ring, yelling at the announcers that Elias and Ezekiel were the same person. After the match, Ezekiel said he had contacted Elias and he would be coming to Raw next week. Owens wasn’t happy and called Ezekiel a liar.
Kevin Owens vs. Ezekiel in a Hell in a Cell rematch has been announced for next week’s WWE Raw.
The match was set up in a promo segment on this week’s episode. Following an Ezekiel win over Otis, Ezekiel issued the challenge to Owens for next week. Owens said that he would only agree to the match if Ezekiel admitted that he was Elias.
Ezekiel said that he was Elias, and Owens agreed to the match. Ezekiel then told Owens that he had lied just to get the rematch, and he was not Elias, then hit Owens with a flying knee strike.
Owens defeated Ezekiel with a stunner in a singles match at Hell in a Cell on June 5 in Rosemont, Illinois.
Next week’s Raw takes place at the INTRUST Bank Arena in Wichita, Kansas on Monday, June 13.
Two new matches have been added to WWE Hell in a Cell on June 5.
Ezekiel will face Kevin Owens, and Omos & MVP will face Bobby Lashley in a handicap match following the events of tonight’s Raw.
Lashley issued a challenge to MVP on tonight’s show, saying that whoever won their match would get to name the stipulation for Hell in a Cell. MVP agreed to the match, which took place later. MVP ended up winning the match by countout after Omos attempted to attack Lashley, who got the better of Omos but was still counted out.
It was later announced on Raw Talk that MVP has chosen a handicap match as the stipulation for the Hell in the Cell bout.
Ezekiel wrestled Chad Gable on tonight’s show, with Owens being sent to the back after he attempted to interfere. The distraction allowed Ezekiel to roll up Gable for the victory, escaping through the crowd before Owens, Gable, or Otis could get to him. Owens then said he wanted a match at Hell in a Cell in Chicago, with Ezekiel accepting.
Here is the current card for Hell in a Cell, which takes place on June 5:
Cody Rhodes vs. Seth Rollins in a Hell in a Cell match
Bianca Belair vs. Asuka vs. Becky Lynch for the Raw Women’s Championship
Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Mike Sempervive is back with tons to talk about including the RAW after WrestleMania, Cody, Bron Breakker winning the title back, EZEKIEL, ROH PPV numbers, THE GREAT FUCKING O-KHAN and tons more. A fun show as always so check it out~!
Elias returned to WWE TV tonight on Raw, though he claimed that he’s actually his younger brother.
As Kevin Owens talked about his loss to ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin at WrestleMania 38, Elias came out with a new look, no longer sporting a beard and wearing wrestling trunks. Elias told Owens that he was not Elias, but Elias’s younger brother, Ezekiel. Owens was confused and didn’t believe him. After Ezekiel made comments about Owens’ loss, Owens left.
Elias has not been on television since last July, when he lost to the since-released Jaxson Ryker. He had been feuding with Ryker after the two lost a Raw Tag Team Championship match to AJ Styles and Omos. In vignettes that aired the following month, Elias was shown destroying his guitar, signifying the end of that incarnation of the character. However, he remained off television until tonight.
Having been on the main roster since 2017, Elias had mainly used a gimmick where he would play the guitar during segments and prior to matches. He is a former WWE 24/7 Champion.
