Written by: Kevin Berge (All Images Courtesy of: WWE.com)
SummerSlam: call it the biggest party of the summer or just the summer version of WrestleMania. It's clearly WWE's second biggest priority each year. The event is chalk full of the top talent in the company and expected once more to be a huge event coming in at four hours just for the main card.
Before that event though, WWE had just two stops to build the excitement. The truth is that WWE has been atrocious with its go-home shows lately, an event that used to be easy quality TV. Because there are so many moving parts and matches to hype, WWE has consistently failed to simply build excitement.
Right now, I can't name one match for SummerSlam that has had a memorable spot it was defined by. Every match has played out the same way, making the contest it is building to an inevitable conclusion rather than anticipated event. But enough rambling, let's get onto this week's Raw.
Previous Monday Night Raw Review
Before that event though, WWE had just two stops to build the excitement. The truth is that WWE has been atrocious with its go-home shows lately, an event that used to be easy quality TV. Because there are so many moving parts and matches to hype, WWE has consistently failed to simply build excitement.
Right now, I can't name one match for SummerSlam that has had a memorable spot it was defined by. Every match has played out the same way, making the contest it is building to an inevitable conclusion rather than anticipated event. But enough rambling, let's get onto this week's Raw.
Previous Monday Night Raw Review
"I'd never trust you... unless we were to get suddenly attacked for no reason by Cesaro and Sheamus. Then I would have to trust you."
Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins Finally Get on the Same Page and Get a Tag Team Championship Match For It
Overview: Dean Ambrose called out Seth Rollins to figure out why he wouldn't fist bump him last week. The two argued until they began brawling before Sheamus and Cesaro interfered to assault both, setting off both men to work together and fight off the tag team champions. Finally, they met fists, and Kurt Angle announced the two teams would meet for the titles at SummerSlam.
Analysis: While I would have preferred they waited for the meeting of fists at SummerSlam, this was otherwise perfect. Ambrose and Rollins were on the top of their game on the mic, and they added one more layer of heat between these two before they settled their differences to take on the champs.
Analysis: While I would have preferred they waited for the meeting of fists at SummerSlam, this was otherwise perfect. Ambrose and Rollins were on the top of their game on the mic, and they added one more layer of heat between these two before they settled their differences to take on the champs.
Sasha Banks def. Nia Jax to Become the New No. 1 Contender to the Raw Women's Championship and Meet Alexa Bliss at SummerSlam
Overview: As Banks found ways to get Jax off her game, Jax had to boot Banks off her in the corner but fell into the Bank Statement with Jax getting to her feet only to take a tilt-a-whirl DDT into another Bank Statement for the submission.
Highlights:
Analysis: This went as expected with Banks replacing Bayley, but the match was really good, the best from the pair so far. They got good time and pulled out their best creative moves to balance a David vs. Goliath clash through two commercial breaks. This came off as a main event bout, and it was a shame it was featured so early without more build up.
Highlights:
- Banks kicked Jax off her on the apron then jumped at Jax into a headscissors only to be caught and swung into the barricade.
- Banks turned an electric chair drop into a standing Bank Statement only to have it turned into a Samoan drop.
- Banks tried to fight off Jax with double axe handles to the chest then slipped in for a roll up only to have Jax kick out quickly then miss an elbow drop.
- Banks nearly turned a superplex into a sunset flip then back kicked the leg of Jax followed by a quick double knee drop in the corner.
Analysis: This went as expected with Banks replacing Bayley, but the match was really good, the best from the pair so far. They got good time and pulled out their best creative moves to balance a David vs. Goliath clash through two commercial breaks. This came off as a main event bout, and it was a shame it was featured so early without more build up.
Oh, pair the two guys with actual musical talent together. I see how it is, WWE. So stereotypical.
Elias Takes Exception to R-Truth
Overview: Elias was frustrated by R-Truth interrupting his performance and assaulted him before he entered the ring. Elias beat down on Truth then hit him with the Drift Away.
Analysis: It says a lot about WWE's direction with Elias that they paired him with Truth. Even though he is an accomplished veteran, Truth has done almost nothing in WWE, considering too insignificant for his feud with Goldust to get time even at Great Balls of Fire. Now he's going to play enhancement talent for Truth for a few Raws.
Analysis: It says a lot about WWE's direction with Elias that they paired him with Truth. Even though he is an accomplished veteran, Truth has done almost nothing in WWE, considering too insignificant for his feud with Goldust to get time even at Great Balls of Fire. Now he's going to play enhancement talent for Truth for a few Raws.
Big Cass Injures Big Show with the Help of Gallows and Anderson
Overview: Big Cass spoke down to the crowd and about Enzo Amore while standing next to the shark cage. Enzo came out to mock Cass before bringing out Big Show. Show was assaulted from behind by Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson as he entered the ring. With their help, Show's hand was slammed in the cage door with Cass stomping on it for extra emphasis.
Analysis: Cass got huge heat, and, once he had found an opening to speak, cut a strong promo without Enzo to play off. It was perhaps the most impressive showing of Cass's potential to date, coming off like a star with the confidence and popularity to make an impact soon. Gallows and Anderson felt like an odd fit but could be solid mercenaries for hire if they stay in that role rather than just becoming Cass's henchmen.
Analysis: Cass got huge heat, and, once he had found an opening to speak, cut a strong promo without Enzo to play off. It was perhaps the most impressive showing of Cass's potential to date, coming off like a star with the confidence and popularity to make an impact soon. Gallows and Anderson felt like an odd fit but could be solid mercenaries for hire if they stay in that role rather than just becoming Cass's henchmen.
Akira Tozawa is Cruiserweight Champion. Titus O'Neil is so proud. And Apollo Crews is also there.
Akira Tozawa def. Neville to Become the New WWE Cruiserweight Champion
Overview: This back-and-forth bout showed Akira Tozawa was ready for Neville and fully healthy this time. He went after Neville throughout and always countered the champion before his best shots could connect. Tozawa dodged the Red Arrow then hit a diving senton on Neville for the victory. He and Titus Worldwide celebrated with the championship.
Highlights:
Analysis: I cannot express how stupid this moment was. Neville has been revitalizing the cruiserweight division for months and giving it meaning. Why would you waste that build-up on a sudden match on Raw rather than waiting until SummerSlam? I like Tozawa's potential and didn't mind him winning the title but why tonight?
Highlights:
- Tozawa nearly took the win with a suicide dive.
- Neville caught Tozawa with a superplex then went for a series of kicks only for Tozawa to catch Neville with a enzuigiri.
- Neville got up in time to evade a diving senton then went after the formerly bad shoulder and caught him in the Rings of Saturn with Tozawa quickly turning it into a roll up to save himself.
Analysis: I cannot express how stupid this moment was. Neville has been revitalizing the cruiserweight division for months and giving it meaning. Why would you waste that build-up on a sudden match on Raw rather than waiting until SummerSlam? I like Tozawa's potential and didn't mind him winning the title but why tonight?
Bray Wyatt def. Finn Balor
Overview: Finn Balor kept Bray Wyatt on edge throughout the match, but Wyatt refused to let him rest a moment. Wyatt caught Balor on the top rope and hit him with Sister Abigail. Afterward, he dumped a red liquid all over Balor, laughing at his pain.
Highlights:
Analysis: This match was fine but did not stand out too strongly. The two have solid chemistry but did not try to do anything too impressive. They were probably waiting for SummerSlam which is what WWE should have done here. The post-match "not blood" painting seemed to be Wyatt calling out the Demon, mocking him, so their next encounter should be more supernatural.
Highlights:
- Wyatt hit Balor with a tilt-a-whirl gutbuster.
- Balor knocked Wyatt off the turbuckle with an enzuigiri but was pushed off into a sudden running crossbody.
- Wyatt's uranage was blocked followed by a Slingblade, but Balor's corner dropkick was thrown away with Wyatt then hitting a standing senton.
- Wyatt went for Sister Abigail but had it turned into a standing double foot stomp then was dropkicked into the barricade.
Analysis: This match was fine but did not stand out too strongly. The two have solid chemistry but did not try to do anything too impressive. They were probably waiting for SummerSlam which is what WWE should have done here. The post-match "not blood" painting seemed to be Wyatt calling out the Demon, mocking him, so their next encounter should be more supernatural.
It's too bad Emma had to be a part of the Paige generation of the Women's Revolution. She'd be a champion by now if she was a Horsewoman.
Mickie James def. Emma
Overview: This match was dominated by Emma throughout who pulled out a variety of moves to punish Mickie James, but Mickie refused to stay down. As Emma's frustration built up, she lost track of herself, allowing Mickie to connect with a Mick Kick for the win.
Highlights:
Analysis: It is rare these days to see a match this bad, completely devoid of chemistry, but Mickie was moving in slow motion with Emma unable to transition her from move to move. It may primarily be on Mickie, but this was a disaster that did Emma no favors.
Highlights:
- Emma hit Mickie with a double underhook suplex then whipped her into the corner only to take a boot to the face.
- Emma tripped Mickie off the turnbuckle then went for repeated covers in frustration.
Analysis: It is rare these days to see a match this bad, completely devoid of chemistry, but Mickie was moving in slow motion with Emma unable to transition her from move to move. It may primarily be on Mickie, but this was a disaster that did Emma no favors.
Jason Jordan and The Hardy Boyz def. The Miz and The Miztourage
Overview: Jason Jordan easily threw The Miz around, dominating the Intercontinental Champion, until The Miztourage decided to interrupt and attack Jordan, causing a disqualification. The Hardy Boyz then decided to even the odds, setting up an impromptu six-man tag. After Jordan cleared out Miz and Axel, Matt hit Twist of Fate on Bo followed by Jeff's Swanton Bomb.
Highlights:
Analysis: This was an overlong match that felt like the show dragging to a halt. No one in this match was working at 100%, and it was tough to watch. The Hardys getting involved just added more to the randomness here with it hard to say if this was supposed to actually set up Jordan vs. Miz for SummerSlam or just fill time.
Highlights:
- Matt hit Bo with an implant DDT then wrenched his arm to set up a double team face plant and running leg drop/splash combo with Jeff.
- Jordan missed a running tackle in the corner when Axel pulled Miz out of the way.
- Axel missed a diving elbow on Jordan allowing the hot tag to Matt who slammed Axel's head repeatedly into the turnbuckles followed by a running bulldog.
- Matt caught Miz mid-running dropkick with a clothesline then got the tag to Jeff who hit Bo with an inverted atomic drop into a double leg drop.
- Jeff caught Bo with a Twist of Fate with Axel breaking up the cover before Jordan cleared the ring including hitting his pop-up neckbreaker on Miz.
Analysis: This was an overlong match that felt like the show dragging to a halt. No one in this match was working at 100%, and it was tough to watch. The Hardys getting involved just added more to the randomness here with it hard to say if this was supposed to actually set up Jordan vs. Miz for SummerSlam or just fill time.
Rest in Peace poor security guards. You were just doing your job.
The Whole Locker Room Is Needed to Keep These Four Apart
Overview: Angle watched from ringside with the ring surrounded by security as Paul Heyman and Brock Lesnar came out to hype up The Beast's greatness. Once Heyman was done, Samoa Joe was out next to make clear he doesn't fear Lesnar. After Braun Strowman came out to brag about his Last Man Standing win, he was interrupted by Roman Reigns who went right after Joe then Strowman.
Reigns took a running powerslam before security got involved to break up Strowman and Lesnar. When they destroyed security, the locker room tried to stop them and still couldn't stop Lesnar from jumping on Strowman but then managed to calm the storm.
Analysis: This got over the feeling of chaos and mayhem that will soon be upon us with this triple threat even if it was somewhat awkward the way it was presented. The locker room somewhat holding Lesnar and Strowman back at the end made for a weird-looking finish. Still, it was enough to hype Raw's biggest and most interesting match.
Reigns took a running powerslam before security got involved to break up Strowman and Lesnar. When they destroyed security, the locker room tried to stop them and still couldn't stop Lesnar from jumping on Strowman but then managed to calm the storm.
Analysis: This got over the feeling of chaos and mayhem that will soon be upon us with this triple threat even if it was somewhat awkward the way it was presented. The locker room somewhat holding Lesnar and Strowman back at the end made for a weird-looking finish. Still, it was enough to hype Raw's biggest and most interesting match.
Final Notes: The Hardy Boyz talked to Kurt Angle about their unfortunate lost match with the injury to Scott Dawson before The Miz interrupted and demanded he be respected. Angle announced Axel vs. Jordan which Miz overwrote, saying he would face Jordan again which Angle was pleased about.
Wyatt and Balor brawled in the back and could not be stopped by officials until Angle intervened and declared the two would fight tonight before SummerSlam. Emma complained about all the praise for Banks' win tonight to Mickie only to have Mickie shut her up and challenged her to a match.
Show was told by officials that early signs were that he had broken his hand, but Show refused to listen to anyone even Enzo, telling him he would make Cass pay at SummerSlam. Balor got a rematch from Angle, promising to bring the Demon this time.
Conclusion: This was certainly a SummerSlam preview. In fact, it felt like WWE was already trying to begin SummerSlam with so many matches on this show being ones originally set for SummerSlam. Despite this, not much of this Raw built up the excitement for the WWE show.
I have no idea what WWE was thinking here. The matches throughout certainly could have been better, but the booking was the major culprit that made sure this event was a miss just before WWE's second-biggest show of the year.
I am still looking forward to what we will get at SummerSlam, but the long lethargic feel of this Raw may be a sign of what is coming at SummerSlam which is set to be six hours long despite hastily putting together many of the contests for the show.
Wyatt and Balor brawled in the back and could not be stopped by officials until Angle intervened and declared the two would fight tonight before SummerSlam. Emma complained about all the praise for Banks' win tonight to Mickie only to have Mickie shut her up and challenged her to a match.
Show was told by officials that early signs were that he had broken his hand, but Show refused to listen to anyone even Enzo, telling him he would make Cass pay at SummerSlam. Balor got a rematch from Angle, promising to bring the Demon this time.
Conclusion: This was certainly a SummerSlam preview. In fact, it felt like WWE was already trying to begin SummerSlam with so many matches on this show being ones originally set for SummerSlam. Despite this, not much of this Raw built up the excitement for the WWE show.
I have no idea what WWE was thinking here. The matches throughout certainly could have been better, but the booking was the major culprit that made sure this event was a miss just before WWE's second-biggest show of the year.
I am still looking forward to what we will get at SummerSlam, but the long lethargic feel of this Raw may be a sign of what is coming at SummerSlam which is set to be six hours long despite hastily putting together many of the contests for the show.