RAW Review - August 26 2019
The King of the Ring tournament continues! We had two more First Round Matches on this show along with the in ring return of Sasha Banks! A Tag Team Turmoil was announced as well to determine the #1 contenders for the RAW Tag Team Championships, while we've yet to determine a #1 contender for the Universal Championship. I wonder who that would be? Let's recap the show!
Show opened with a promo by Sasha Banks as she explains her actions over the past couple of weeks since her return. She heels it up by saying how unfair it was for Becky Lynch to main event Wrestlemania, while she competed in a "meaningless" tag match. She looked for an opportunity to come back and she targeted Natayla as the perfect chance. Natayla heard enough of this and sprints to the ring then starts brawling with Sasha at ringside. Officials come to break it up and this sparked a little more interest into their match later on in the night.
Show opened with a promo by Sasha Banks as she explains her actions over the past couple of weeks since her return. She heels it up by saying how unfair it was for Becky Lynch to main event Wrestlemania, while she competed in a "meaningless" tag match. She looked for an opportunity to come back and she targeted Natayla as the perfect chance. Natayla heard enough of this and sprints to the ring then starts brawling with Sasha at ringside. Officials come to break it up and this sparked a little more interest into their match later on in the night.
Drew McIntyre Vs. Ricochet (King Of The Ring; Round 1)
Really good match! Fans were into it throughout the whole thing and the size difference between these two guys made this very interesting to watch. McIntyre was the favorite to win here, including myself as I picked for him to win, but Ricochet pulled out all the stops in order to prove everyone wrong. McIntyre had Ricochet beat as he was gonna nail him with the Claymore Kick, but Ricochet countered it into the Recoil. He then hits the 630 Splash and picks up the unexpected win! Like I said this was a very good match and the outcome was indeed shocking because McIntyre was the clear favorite, but that's now not the case. Ricochet advances to the Quarterfinals.
Backstage, we see RAW Tag Champs Seth Rollins and Braun Strowman being interviewed. Seth talks about the Tag Team Turmoil coming up in the night, implying that they're ready for any challengers. As he then starts talking about the Universal Championship, Seth notices Braun staring at his title on his shoulder. Seth asks Braun if they're on the same page for their upcoming tag title match at Clash of Champions, then follows it up by asking him if he is challenging him for the Universal Championship as well. Braun agrees that they're on the same page, but then agrees to challenge him for the Universal title. Seth states that he backs down from no challenge, and accepts Braun's challenge for his title. Seth Rollins will indeed defend the Universal Championship against Braun Strowman at Clash of Champions, whether they retain the tag titles or not!
Backstage, we see RAW Tag Champs Seth Rollins and Braun Strowman being interviewed. Seth talks about the Tag Team Turmoil coming up in the night, implying that they're ready for any challengers. As he then starts talking about the Universal Championship, Seth notices Braun staring at his title on his shoulder. Seth asks Braun if they're on the same page for their upcoming tag title match at Clash of Champions, then follows it up by asking him if he is challenging him for the Universal Championship as well. Braun agrees that they're on the same page, but then agrees to challenge him for the Universal title. Seth states that he backs down from no challenge, and accepts Braun's challenge for his title. Seth Rollins will indeed defend the Universal Championship against Braun Strowman at Clash of Champions, whether they retain the tag titles or not!
The Miz Vs. Baron Corbin (King Of The Ring; Round 1)
This wasn't as good as the McIntyre/Ricochet match, but it was a fine match. The crowd was behind Miz throughout the match and I must say that was well deserved because Miz did well here. There was a few times where Miz almost had the match won, especially after hitting the Skull Crushing Finale for a very near fall. Miz ran the ropes for an attack attempt but gets caught in the End of Days by Corbin and he picks up the win, advancing into the Quarterfinals!
Bayley Vs. Nikki Cross
Basic match here as Nikki Cross had Bayley under control for most of it until the tables were turned by Bayley. The Smackdown Women's Champ fought back then ends Cross with a Diving Elbow Drop for the win.
8 Tag Team Turmoil (No.1 Contenders For The RAW Tag Team Championships)
The Viking Raiders first eliminates The B Team with the Viking Experience. Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson were next and they battled the Raiders but for so long that both teams were DISQUALIFIED and eliminated. Next were the teams of Lucha House Party vs Robert Roode and Dolph Ziggler. Robert Roode and Dolph Ziggler?? They battled for a bit til Gran Metalik does a springboard leap but Ziggler Superkicks him in the back of the head for the elimination. The Revival were next and they have a good back and forth action against Roode and Ziggler. Roode hits the Glorious DDT on Scott Dawson and pins him for the elimination! Zack Ryder and Curt Hawkins were next and this didn't last long as Ziggler Superkicked Ryder for the elimination! Roode and Ziggler were on a surprising roll at this point! Heavy Machinery were next and this was the best bout of the turmoil as they put up a hell of a fight against Roode and Ziggler. Otis hits the Caterpillar Elbow Drop on Ziggler and then sets up Roode for the Compactor. Tucker prepares to do his part of the move but gets intercepted by a Superkick from Ziggler then he nails Otis with the Zig Zag on TOP on Tucker! Roode then nails the Glorious DDT on Tucker and picks up the win for his team! Robert Roode and Dolph Ziggler are the new #1 contenders for the RAW Tag Team Championships!
Cesaro Vs. Cedric Alexander
Good match between these guys. Cesaro continues to show his deliveries in the ring while Cedric continues to show why he is one of RAW's brightest stars on the roster. Cesaro targeted Cedric's left leg throughout the match, basically trying to slow him down as he heads to the Quarterfinals next week. Cesaro applies the Ankle Lock at one point but Cedric slips out of ring by having Cesaro fall through the ropes to the outside. Once he rolls back in, Cedric nails Cesaro with the Lumbar Check for the win!
Sasha Banks Vs. Natalya
This was a brawl as the two women go right at each other as soon as the bell rang. Sasha mainly had the upper hand throughout the match as she tossed Natayla all over ringside then inside the ring. Natayla showed some offense though as she even hit Sasha with a wicked German Suplex that bent her in half! Natayla went for the Sharpshooter but Sasha countered it into the Bank Statement. Before Natayla could reach the ropes, Sasha trapped her right arm then took her injured left arm and wrapped it around her neck for a more painful Bank Statement for the submission win! Afterwards, Sasha applies the Bank Statement again as Natayla screams in pain. Sasha's new attitude is really working for her! Glad we're seeing The Boss again.
AJ Styles (C) Vs. Braun Strowman (United States Championship)
This was an okay match in my opinion. Not great, but not bad either. Braun, being the big man that he is, manhandled Styles early on in the match. AJ found a way to bring Strowman down for a while, gaining the upper hand. Strowman then attempted to run at AJ near a corner but AJ ducked and Strowman goes shoulder first into the ring post. The referee checks on him from the apron but Styles knocked Braun to the ref, sending him flying by the barricade. AJ takes this time to low blow Braun then grabs a chair, but becomes unsuccessful in hitting him as Braun nails him with the Running Powerslam. The referee's still down and then the O.C. runs out to beat down Braun for a little. They prepare to use the chair but again Braun fights back and takes out Anderson and Gallows. Braun finally grabs the chair while AJ gets up, but AJ notices the referee getting up as well. AJ then decides to pull an Eddie Guerrero tactic but falling back down and pretending to be knocked out, while Braun still has the chair in his hands. The referee sees this and starts arguing with Strowman, claiming that he HEARD Braun use the chair on AJ, so he DQs him and AJ retains the US title! Braun of course was pissed off by this so he lays out all three members of the O.C. with the chair, standing tall at the end of it all!
Show Rating: 8.2/10
Show Rating: 8.2/10
