WWE RAW Review - August 5th
The final RAW before Summerslam! Crazy to believe how fast we've gotten to this point, but hopefully this show will get fans at least a little bit more exciting heading into this Sunday's event. Let's just cut the chatter and get straight into the review!
Show began with a ten bell salute to honor the victims of the horrific tragedies that occurred in both El Paso, TX and Dayton, OH. I want to take this time to say Rest in Peace to all of the victims and my condolences goes out to the families and friends of the victims.
As the show officially kicked off, we see Samoa Joe standing on the announce table, yelling at the commentators. Joe was pissed because he was apparently accused of trying to take out Roman in the forklift accident last week on Smackdown. He clearly states that he was innocent and he could've taken out Roman on his own if he wanted to. Becky Lynch interrupts by coming out to the ring for the first match of the night.
Show began with a ten bell salute to honor the victims of the horrific tragedies that occurred in both El Paso, TX and Dayton, OH. I want to take this time to say Rest in Peace to all of the victims and my condolences goes out to the families and friends of the victims.
As the show officially kicked off, we see Samoa Joe standing on the announce table, yelling at the commentators. Joe was pissed because he was apparently accused of trying to take out Roman in the forklift accident last week on Smackdown. He clearly states that he was innocent and he could've taken out Roman on his own if he wanted to. Becky Lynch interrupts by coming out to the ring for the first match of the night.
Becky Lynch & Charlotte Flair Vs. Natalya & Trish Stratus
This was basically a 2 on1 Handicap Match as Trish NEVER got involved. Becky and Natayla had a preview of their now confirmed Submission Match for Summerslam as Natayla applied an Armbar to Becky then Becky attempted her own version of the Sharpshooter, but Natayla got out of it. Charlotte comes in and basically wrestles Natayla for the rest of the match. Becky made a hard tag to Charlotte, who didn't appreciate that at all, so Charlotte decided to clock her in the back of her head and abandons her. Natayla took this opportunity to apply the Sharpshooter but Becky made it to the ropes. Natayla refused to let go of the hold so the referee stops the match and disqualifies Natayla. Trish comes in to calm Natayla down but Natayla gets off Becky and shoves Trish in the heat of the moment! This was done to heat up the rivalry between Becky and Natayla, so Trish being there was absolutely pointless especially that she and Charlotte didn't come face to face at all during the match.
Andrade Vs. Rey Mysterio
Another great match between these two! The chemistry these guys have is amazing. Almost identical to the chemistry Rey had with Eddie Guerrero, just almost. So many unique spots in this match but the one that stood out the most happened during a commercial break. Andrade was outside of the ring where Rey slides under the bottom rope and hits a Sunset Flip to Andrade to the barricade! Match continues with lots of near falls then Rey hits a 619 but misses the Splash. Zelina Vega, while the referee was distracted, stuns Rey then Andrade hits the Hammerlock DDT for the win! Great match like I said.
Next we see Mike Kanellis and 24/7 Champion Maria Kanellis at the doctor's office as Maria prepares to get an ultrasound check up done. Mike helps her along the process by laying her down on the doctor's table, kissing and comforting her. Turns out this specific doctor was a referee as the ref counted the pin on Mike's back, therefore Mike became the new 24/7 Champion! Mike runs out of the room and celebrates as we see one of the patients in the waiting lobby undisguised themselves and turned out to be R-Truth! Truth, who looked like the character Sheneneh from the classic TV sitcom Martin, rolls up Mike and gets the pin to once again become the new 24/7 Champion! Carmella undisguised herself as well and the two of them bailed.
Next we have the arrival of Paul Heyman and the Universal Champion Brock Lesnar. Heyman talks about the brutal beatdown Lesnar gave Rollins last week, and that Lesnar will finish the job this Sunday at Summerslam. He then states that Rollins was in the building and that turned out to be true because Rollins showed up with chair in hand. He limps to the ring as he could barley walk after the beatdown, but he didn't want to back down from Lesnar. Soon as he got in the ring, Lesnar immediately beats him down yet again. Brock uses the chair multiple times and lays down a couple of F5s to leave Rollins laying again. After a commercial break, Rollins grabs a microphone and basically states that he will definitely beat Lesnar this Sunday. Rollins then refused help from the EMTs and walked away on his own.
Next we see Mike Kanellis and 24/7 Champion Maria Kanellis at the doctor's office as Maria prepares to get an ultrasound check up done. Mike helps her along the process by laying her down on the doctor's table, kissing and comforting her. Turns out this specific doctor was a referee as the ref counted the pin on Mike's back, therefore Mike became the new 24/7 Champion! Mike runs out of the room and celebrates as we see one of the patients in the waiting lobby undisguised themselves and turned out to be R-Truth! Truth, who looked like the character Sheneneh from the classic TV sitcom Martin, rolls up Mike and gets the pin to once again become the new 24/7 Champion! Carmella undisguised herself as well and the two of them bailed.
Next we have the arrival of Paul Heyman and the Universal Champion Brock Lesnar. Heyman talks about the brutal beatdown Lesnar gave Rollins last week, and that Lesnar will finish the job this Sunday at Summerslam. He then states that Rollins was in the building and that turned out to be true because Rollins showed up with chair in hand. He limps to the ring as he could barley walk after the beatdown, but he didn't want to back down from Lesnar. Soon as he got in the ring, Lesnar immediately beats him down yet again. Brock uses the chair multiple times and lays down a couple of F5s to leave Rollins laying again. After a commercial break, Rollins grabs a microphone and basically states that he will definitely beat Lesnar this Sunday. Rollins then refused help from the EMTs and walked away on his own.
The Viking Raiders Vs. Local Competitors
Another squash match for the Raiders here. They nail the Viking Experience for the win, continuing to look dominant each and every week.
Next we have a video tribute to one of the most legendary and well respected wrestlers on the planet, Harley Race. Harley, who passed away recently at age 76, had a legendary career in the wrestling business and has indeed gone down as one of the all time greats. As for the tribute itself, it was simply great. R.I.P Harley Race
Next we have a video tribute to one of the most legendary and well respected wrestlers on the planet, Harley Race. Harley, who passed away recently at age 76, had a legendary career in the wrestling business and has indeed gone down as one of the all time greats. As for the tribute itself, it was simply great. R.I.P Harley Race
Drew McIntyre Vs. Cedric Alexander (Special Guest Referee: Kurt Angle)
This match never got started as Drew attacked Cedric as he was making his way to the ring. Cedric fought back for a bit, even running off the barricade to nail a Tornado DDT. Kurt's in the ring looking confused when suddenly the lights shut off section by section. The Fiend, Bray Wyatt appears and applies the Mandible Claw to Kurt Angle!! Bray continues to look terrifying as he prepares to bring the same fate to Finn Balor this Sunday.
The New Day Vs. The O.C
This match barley takes place as AJ Styles gets involved and the match was immediately called off. Ricochet comes out to make the save as expected, leading to a 6 Man Tag Match. Yay.
The New Day & Ricochet Vs. The O.C
Standard tag match here with all action. Ricochet and New Day had control for most of the match, especially Ricochet with his effortless agility. Xavier was the legal man where he gets taken out by the Magic Killer and Gallows pins him to pick up the win for his team.
Samoa Joe comes back out to the ring to demand an apology from Roman Reigns for the false accusation of the forklift accident. He's told be someone who's part of the ring crew that Roman was arriving, so Joe took this opportunity to go to the parking lot to confront him face to face. As Joe enters the parking lot, Roman Reigns finally pulls up and the two argue for a little. Suddenly, Roman hops back in his car as another car comes from off camera and collides with Roman's car! Joe looked stunned as he thought Roman was possibly killed or some sort. He actually takes this time to help Roman by calling for medics while making sure Roman stays down for medical help. I didn't see this as a face turn, but more of a situation where Joe had to put his differences with Reigns aside for this one time occurence.
Samoa Joe comes back out to the ring to demand an apology from Roman Reigns for the false accusation of the forklift accident. He's told be someone who's part of the ring crew that Roman was arriving, so Joe took this opportunity to go to the parking lot to confront him face to face. As Joe enters the parking lot, Roman Reigns finally pulls up and the two argue for a little. Suddenly, Roman hops back in his car as another car comes from off camera and collides with Roman's car! Joe looked stunned as he thought Roman was possibly killed or some sort. He actually takes this time to help Roman by calling for medics while making sure Roman stays down for medical help. I didn't see this as a face turn, but more of a situation where Joe had to put his differences with Reigns aside for this one time occurence.
The IIconics (C) Vs. Sonya Deville & Mandy Rose Vs. Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross Vs. The Kabuki Warriors (WWE Women Tag Team Championships)
The IIconics were shockingly eliminated first as Mandy pinned Billie Kay, guaranteeing new tag champs! Mandy and Sonya were eliminated next as Asuka makes Mandy tap from the Asuka Lock. This was when the match picked up as fans were itching to see Asuka and Kairi become new tag champs and so was I. Kairi almost hit the Insane Elbow on Alexa but Nikki pushed her off. Asuka gets taken out by Nikki at ringside and Alexa hits Kairi with a wicked elbow shot. She then nails the Twisted Bliss to pick up the win for her team! Alexa and Nikki became the new Women's Tag Team Champions and you know what, I'm just glad they got those titles off of the IIconics. One things for sure though, I won't get my hopes up for anything involving title defenses going forward. If we go months without meaningful title defenses then it's whatever.
Lastly, we have a contract signing for the match between Dolph Ziggler vs The Miz at Summerslam. Shawn Michaels was present for this as well as he stood by Miz's side. Miz and Ziggler bicker back and forth while signing on the dotted line, making their match official. There was one problem though, Ziggler didn't look over the contract clearly as Miz stated that he wasn't gonna be his opponent this Sunday. Ziggler gets in HBK's face but unfortunately Michaels wasn't his opponent either. We already knew what was about to happen next as once HBK confirmed he wasn't Ziggler's opponent, Goldberg arrives!! He storms to the ring as Ziggler bails and Goldberg tells him simply one thing, "You're next!" Ziggler flips his shit then suddenly turns around into a Sweet Chin Music by HBK to close out the show!
There was some cool moments on this show, but overall this was an underwhelming go home show to the supposed biggest party of the summer. Hopefully the show this Sunday will make up for the tamed buildup.
Show Rating: 7.3/10
Lastly, we have a contract signing for the match between Dolph Ziggler vs The Miz at Summerslam. Shawn Michaels was present for this as well as he stood by Miz's side. Miz and Ziggler bicker back and forth while signing on the dotted line, making their match official. There was one problem though, Ziggler didn't look over the contract clearly as Miz stated that he wasn't gonna be his opponent this Sunday. Ziggler gets in HBK's face but unfortunately Michaels wasn't his opponent either. We already knew what was about to happen next as once HBK confirmed he wasn't Ziggler's opponent, Goldberg arrives!! He storms to the ring as Ziggler bails and Goldberg tells him simply one thing, "You're next!" Ziggler flips his shit then suddenly turns around into a Sweet Chin Music by HBK to close out the show!
There was some cool moments on this show, but overall this was an underwhelming go home show to the supposed biggest party of the summer. Hopefully the show this Sunday will make up for the tamed buildup.
Show Rating: 7.3/10
