Written by: Kevin Berge (All Images Courtesy of: WWE.com)
I was not a fan of Great Balls of Fire. In fact, I may have lost my mind trying to get through that show. Filled with interesting matchups and talented performers, it showcased the fundamental issues with WWE today, namely the company's fear of clean victories.
Still the show set up serious talking points and got people interested in what is next. Are we on the verge of a Roman Reigns heel turn or his official arrest for attempted vehicular manslaughter? Who will be next to step up to Brock Lesnar if it isn't Samoa Joe again? Are we set for another month of The Miz vs. Dean Ambrose? Important questions.
Still the show set up serious talking points and got people interested in what is next. Are we on the verge of a Roman Reigns heel turn or his official arrest for attempted vehicular manslaughter? Who will be next to step up to Brock Lesnar if it isn't Samoa Joe again? Are we set for another month of The Miz vs. Dean Ambrose? Important questions.
Nobody told me Enzo evolved! When was that episode?
Big Show Reminds Big Cass Who The Largest Athlete in WWE Is
Overview: Big Cass came out to gloat over his destruction of Enzo Amore, saying he was now going to take over WWE because he was the biggest man in wrestling. Thsi brought out Big Show who headbutt Cass and began beating down Cass. He kneed him repeatedly in the corner with Cass rolling to safety before anything more.
Analysis: Here I was thinking Show might be leaving. Instead he's back at it with Cass which could have used a brief explanation from Show before he assaulted Cass. The feud could be fine, but it is unlikely Show will be able to have the great matches with Cass like he did with Strowman that solidified him as a top giant.
Analysis: Here I was thinking Show might be leaving. Instead he's back at it with Cass which could have used a brief explanation from Show before he assaulted Cass. The feud could be fine, but it is unlikely Show will be able to have the great matches with Cass like he did with Strowman that solidified him as a top giant.
Balor deserves every pain he endures for ruining a perfectly written musical number.
Finn Balor def. Elias Samson
Overview: After once more interrupting Elias Samson's song, Finn Balor took the fight to Samson before the heel grounded him, injuring his elbow. Despite fighting with one arm, Balor managed to hit signature moves into the Coup De Grace for the win.
Highlights:
Analysis: This was a solid match that would have been a good opener for Great Balls of Fire. It was a shame that they got relegated to Raw and that the match finished like every other Balor squash with the sequence of all his signature moves. This feud may have been shuffled off to the side which just shows poor foresight with this rivalry.
Highlights:
- Samson locked in a full nelson with Balor slipping through into a roll up.
- Samson caught the apron soccer kick and tripped him face-first into the apron.
- Balor made it to the ropes to break a fujiwara armbar then tripped Samson for a standing double foot stomp.
- The two traded forearms before Balor caught him with an overhead kick into a Slingblade to set up the corner dropkick.
Analysis: This was a solid match that would have been a good opener for Great Balls of Fire. It was a shame that they got relegated to Raw and that the match finished like every other Balor squash with the sequence of all his signature moves. This feud may have been shuffled off to the side which just shows poor foresight with this rivalry.
I would make a Broken gimmick reference, but The Hardy Boyz used them all up in the first minute.
Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson def. The Hardy Boyz
Overview: The Hardy Boyz talked about how many wondered if they were growing old because of their loss to Sheamus and Cesaro which brought out Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson to make fun of them. While The Hardys admitted they were banged, they accepted a match with the duo.
Jeff Hardy was too slow to save the pin after Matt Hardy took the Magic Killer, giving the heels the win. Afterward, The Revival made their official return statement by picking the bones, attacking both Hardys with an assisted diving knee on Matt and the Shatter Machine on Jeff.
Highlights:
Analysis: It was a mistake to have The Hardys wrestle again so soon at their age, but this was a great story for them. Gallows and Anderson got a big win that looked dominant, obviously with the added story of The Hardys being worn down (a situation in which they'd have lost in the past). Revival's return was perfect and set up a compelling tag team story.
Jeff Hardy was too slow to save the pin after Matt Hardy took the Magic Killer, giving the heels the win. Afterward, The Revival made their official return statement by picking the bones, attacking both Hardys with an assisted diving knee on Matt and the Shatter Machine on Jeff.
Highlights:
- The Hardys whipped Anderson into the corner followed by a double suplex then caught Gallows with another whip in Poetry in Motion.
- Gallows and Anderson hit the Boot of Doom on Matt with Jeff breaking up the pin.
- Matt hit the Side Effect into a diving elbow, but Anderson reversed his attempt to hit the Twist of Fate with Gallows then kicking Matt in the back to set up a running single-leg dropkick from Anderson.
Analysis: It was a mistake to have The Hardys wrestle again so soon at their age, but this was a great story for them. Gallows and Anderson got a big win that looked dominant, obviously with the added story of The Hardys being worn down (a situation in which they'd have lost in the past). Revival's return was perfect and set up a compelling tag team story.
Maryse wishes she could pull off the one glove, bandana look like Bo Dallas. Scratch that, everyone wishes that.
Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins Crash The Mizzies
Overview: The Miz presented The Mizzies where he gave out special awards to Bo Dallas, Curtis Axel, Maryse, and himself. He talked up his win over Dean Ambrose until Ambrose came out and immediately attacked Miz only to get mauled by The Miztourage. Seth Rollins evened the odds and helped clear the ring.
Analysis: This segment went a bit long, but Miz talking is never a bad segment. It was odd to see Rollins get involved for little reason beyond a vague insult and setting him up as Miz's next challenger. Given the options, this may just have been required as there's no way anyone could sit through another Miz vs. Ambrose match.
Analysis: This segment went a bit long, but Miz talking is never a bad segment. It was odd to see Rollins get involved for little reason beyond a vague insult and setting him up as Miz's next challenger. Given the options, this may just have been required as there's no way anyone could sit through another Miz vs. Ambrose match.
Somehow this is the most heated rivalry on Raw, and we all know it's a shoot.
Sasha Banks and Bayley def. Alexa Bliss and Nia Jax
Overview: Sasha Banks and Alexa Bliss started the match and kept brawling after both tagged out. While the heels found a way to isolate Bayley, Banks managed to make the crucial save which set up Bayley to reverse a DDT into a roll up for the win.
Highlights:
Analysis: This was a good TV tag match with the stories involved on full display. It was surprising but welcome for Bayley to sneak the pin, likely putting Bayley back into the title picture going into SummerSlam. Right now, the scene is a bit muddled with multiple good challengers.
Highlights:
- After a distraction from Banks, Bayley grounded Jax with a diving elbow to the back of the neck.
- Banks tripped Bliss to set up Bayley to hit a running bulldog.
- Bayley hit a series of running hip strikes in the corner on Jax but was then lifted over the ropes onto the apron before hitting Jax with stunner on the ropes.
- Bliss distracted Bayley, taking a diving axe handle, to allow Jax to knock her into the corner with a body avalanche.
- Banks barely saved the pin off the Twisted Bliss with Jax then going after Banks only to miss a low shoulder, running into the barricade.
Analysis: This was a good TV tag match with the stories involved on full display. It was surprising but welcome for Bayley to sneak the pin, likely putting Bayley back into the title picture going into SummerSlam. Right now, the scene is a bit muddled with multiple good challengers.
Poor Goldust, having to waste his youth on old timers like R-Truth.
Goldust def. R-Truth
Overview: R-Truth brought the fight to Goldust early on and hit his best shots but was overwhelmed by Goldust who brutalized him. The Bizarre One managed to survive Truth's flurry, sent him shoulder-first into the post, then hit the Final Cut for the definitive victory.
Highlights:
Analysis: This match was sadly slow moving with a dead crowd. After a great build-up, even with the match never expected to be quality, this should have gotten a PPV spot. Why spend a month-plus on building this angle just for a throwaway match on Raw? At least Goldust can move on to younger competition.
Highlights:
- Goldust escapes the punches in the corner and tripped him with an attack on the back of his knee.
- Goldust quelled Truth's rally with a spinebuster.
- Truth fought out of the punches in the corner with a running powerbomb.
- Truth caught Goldust with a corkscrew flying elbow but missed the scissors kick with Goldust chopping Truth down at the knee.
- Truth managed to land the scissors kick but only for a nearfall.
Analysis: This match was sadly slow moving with a dead crowd. After a great build-up, even with the match never expected to be quality, this should have gotten a PPV spot. Why spend a month-plus on building this angle just for a throwaway match on Raw? At least Goldust can move on to younger competition.
Isn't Kurt Angle so cute trying to play GM and control his locker room?
Kurt Angle Decides on Who Will Face Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam
Overview: Kurt Angle made clear he was not sure when Braun Strowman would return as he refused medical attention then he turned to his Universal Champion Brock Lesnar. Paul Heyman was not interested in speaking to Angle, but Roman Reigns interrupted and walked into the ring to face Lesnar.
Heyman seemed to like the idea of Lesnar vs. Reigns, but Lesnar did not believe Reigns was worthy. Samoa Joe interrupted and made clear he was ready for round two. The two argued with Heyman desperately avoiding a Joe rematch before Angle set up Joe vs. Reigns for the number one contendership next week.
Analysis: This was basically a huge selling segment for Joe. Lesnar took a step back as he approached the ring. Heyman tried to avoid his client battling Joe again. The segment even made Reigns sound like the easy way out in comparison. It was great, and hopefully next week either Joe wins or Strowman interferes to set up a fatal 4-way at SummerSlam.
Heyman seemed to like the idea of Lesnar vs. Reigns, but Lesnar did not believe Reigns was worthy. Samoa Joe interrupted and made clear he was ready for round two. The two argued with Heyman desperately avoiding a Joe rematch before Angle set up Joe vs. Reigns for the number one contendership next week.
Analysis: This was basically a huge selling segment for Joe. Lesnar took a step back as he approached the ring. Heyman tried to avoid his client battling Joe again. The segment even made Reigns sound like the easy way out in comparison. It was great, and hopefully next week either Joe wins or Strowman interferes to set up a fatal 4-way at SummerSlam.
This isn't fair or legal. Great Balls of Fire was last night, Tozawa.
Akira Tozawa and Cedric Alexander def. Neville and Noam Dar
Overview: Akira Tozawa was isolated thanks to dirty tactics from both Noam Dar and Neville until Tozawa managed to get the hot tag to Cedric Alexander who rolled through Neville. With Neville in Tozawa's position from last night, crotched on the ropes, Tozawa kicked the top rope and hit a diving senton for the win.
Highlights:
Analysis: This match told its story well enough, but Neville felt like a shadow of his usual self, not fiery and arrogant. Beyond the finish, not much happened in this match. It was interesting to see some action between Alexander and Neville though that sold the potential of an exciting feud down the line.
Highlights:
- Alexander hit a drop toe hold on Dar into a Tozawa dropkick to the face.
- Tozawa hit Neville with a headscissors takedown into a low shoot kick then standing senton.
- Tozawa took out Dar on the apron with a boot followed by a shining wizard to Neville to set up the hot tag to Alexander.
- Alexander took out Neville with a springboard handstand roundhouse then was tripped on the top rope by Neville only to crotch Neville on the ropes.
Analysis: This match told its story well enough, but Neville felt like a shadow of his usual self, not fiery and arrogant. Beyond the finish, not much happened in this match. It was interesting to see some action between Alexander and Neville though that sold the potential of an exciting feud down the line.
What world is this? Bray Wyatt dominated a feud?
Bray Wyatt def. Seth Rollins
Overview: Early on, Seth Rollins aggressively targeted the fingers of Bray Wyatt's right hand, bending and stomping on them. While Rollins' new strategy had Wyatt off balance, a few chance shots at the eye of Rollins allowed Wyatt to hit Sister Abigail for the win.
Afterward, The Miztourage surrounded Rollins and beat him down before Ambrose saved him, repeatedly striking Miz with a steel chair as Rollins looked on unsure how to react.
Highlights:
Analysis: While the match these two had at Great Balls of Fire was fine, this was much better. Rollins came in angry and focused, assaulting the hand of Wyatt, while Wyatt constantly found openings to strike. It felt like a true battle of angry rivals. As Rollins seems to be moving on from Wyatt, it was cool to see Wyatt end a feud 2-0.
Afterward, The Miztourage surrounded Rollins and beat him down before Ambrose saved him, repeatedly striking Miz with a steel chair as Rollins looked on unsure how to react.
Highlights:
- Rollins caught a cheap shot from Wyatt and went off on him with forearms in the corner only to get caught and take a flurry of forearms from Wyatt, managing to finally push him off and hit a superkick.
- Rollins fought off a Sister Abigail then was caught mid-suicide dive only to send Wyatt into the steel post.
- Wyatt caught Rollins off a springboard into a uranage.
- Wyatt planted Rollins with a DDT as Rollins tried to throw right hands.
- Rollins missed a dive then took a kick to the face with the two trading shots into a Rollins enzuigiri.
- Rollins connected with a superkick to the gut then stomp to the hand and Slingblade with Wyatt escaping into a suicide dive then springboard clothesline.
- Rollins escaped a top rope threat from Wyatt then hit a Falcon Arrow.
- Wyatt elbowed out of the Kingslayer right into the eye then headbutt the eye as well, leaving Rollins stumbling blind.
Analysis: While the match these two had at Great Balls of Fire was fine, this was much better. Rollins came in angry and focused, assaulting the hand of Wyatt, while Wyatt constantly found openings to strike. It felt like a true battle of angry rivals. As Rollins seems to be moving on from Wyatt, it was cool to see Wyatt end a feud 2-0.
Here I was thinking Heath Slater and Rhyno had Dean Ambrose's back. Oh, I forgot. Slater's still wrestling Curt Hawkins.
Final Notes: Ambrose confronted Rollins backstage, wondering why he got involved in Ambrose's fight with Miz and telling his former friend to stay out of his business. Goldust made clear in a Shatter Dreams Production promo that he was beginning production of his sequel, Shattered Truth Part 2.
After the latest text sent to him and Corey Graves, Angle made clear he would have to go public next week and worried how everyone would see him. After the main event, Angle was shown backstage telling someone to come to Raw and address the situation with him.
Before the main event, Rollins was interviewed, making clear he wanted to shut up Miz earlier and would shut up Wyatt soon which caused Wyatt to interrupt and make clear he would make Rollins suffer.
Conclusion: Straightforward and effective, this was a quality Raw. Nothing on it truly made a lasting impression, but there was really good wrestling and some strong segments to build future angles. The main event sealed it with a strong final 30 minutes of promos, wrestling, and story building.
Next week should be a bigger show in the sense that more angles will take a clear direction, but this was a night of steady story. It was largely the opposite of last night with the faces mostly coming out victorious with little silly shenanigans along the way.
The build to SummerSlam is clearly already begun, and it comes off as WWE bringing in the big guns. What is next is hard to predict, but it is exciting. I only hope that the build doesn't outshine the PPV.
After the latest text sent to him and Corey Graves, Angle made clear he would have to go public next week and worried how everyone would see him. After the main event, Angle was shown backstage telling someone to come to Raw and address the situation with him.
Before the main event, Rollins was interviewed, making clear he wanted to shut up Miz earlier and would shut up Wyatt soon which caused Wyatt to interrupt and make clear he would make Rollins suffer.
Conclusion: Straightforward and effective, this was a quality Raw. Nothing on it truly made a lasting impression, but there was really good wrestling and some strong segments to build future angles. The main event sealed it with a strong final 30 minutes of promos, wrestling, and story building.
Next week should be a bigger show in the sense that more angles will take a clear direction, but this was a night of steady story. It was largely the opposite of last night with the faces mostly coming out victorious with little silly shenanigans along the way.
The build to SummerSlam is clearly already begun, and it comes off as WWE bringing in the big guns. What is next is hard to predict, but it is exciting. I only hope that the build doesn't outshine the PPV.