Written by: Kevin Berge (All Images Courtesy of: WWE.com)
The sooner we escape July, the better. The PPVs have been painful, and the shows have been a drag despite having strong moments. This week had some promise particular with so many matches announced ahead of time.
Bayley vs. Sasha Banks for the number one contendership was certain to be great with good time. Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins were set to wrestle together for the first time in years. There was even a somewhat promising final bout between Finn Balor and Elias Samson. It was all about WWE getting out of its own way.
Previous Monday Night Raw Review
Bayley vs. Sasha Banks for the number one contendership was certain to be great with good time. Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins were set to wrestle together for the first time in years. There was even a somewhat promising final bout between Finn Balor and Elias Samson. It was all about WWE getting out of its own way.
Previous Monday Night Raw Review
Glad that Kurt Angle has gotten better at his GM role since losing all distractions.
Kurt Angle Announces Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns vs. Samoa Joe vs. Braun Strowman
Overview: Kurt Angle came out to talk up the events of last week, first announcing Jason Jordan would have his first match on Raw tonight. He then turned to the Universal Championship which brought out Braun Strowman then Samoa Joe followed by Roman Reigns before Angle announced they were all competing in a Fatal 4-Way at SummerSlam.
While Joe was frustrated by the announcement, words quickly ceased as the two began brawling. The whole locker room spilled out to try and clear out the three men, but Strowman took out everyone and then hit a running powerslam on Reigns.
Analysis: This was maybe a bit long, but it did what it needed to, building the hype for a pure brawl of a SummerSlam main event. While it has been clear for weeks this was the end goal for the Universal Championship match, it is nonetheless exciting with four men known for causing destruction stepping into the same ring. Hopefully the four will leave only carnage in their wake at the end of the match.
While Joe was frustrated by the announcement, words quickly ceased as the two began brawling. The whole locker room spilled out to try and clear out the three men, but Strowman took out everyone and then hit a running powerslam on Reigns.
Analysis: This was maybe a bit long, but it did what it needed to, building the hype for a pure brawl of a SummerSlam main event. While it has been clear for weeks this was the end goal for the Universal Championship match, it is nonetheless exciting with four men known for causing destruction stepping into the same ring. Hopefully the four will leave only carnage in their wake at the end of the match.
Elias Samson def. Finn Balor
Overview: Elias Samson found a target early with the injured shoulder of Finn Balor, whipping his arm into the post and trying to use weapons to further injure the limb. When Balor got angrily rolling, Samson had no answer anymore and took the Coup De Grace. Bray Wyatt appeared and hit Sister Abigail on Balor to allow Samson to get the pinfall as Wyatt watched upside down, smiling.
Highlights:
Analysis: This was a solid match though did not have too many big moments. Just as the action was getting interesting, Balor just rolled over Samson with aggression to establish he was clearly the bigger star. Luckily, Samson did get the win which gives him something to brag about going forward and potential momentum while Balor goes onto a feud with Wyatt that's been a long time coming.
Highlights:
- Balor went for a steel chair shot but was kicked in the knee and took a chair shot to the shoulder that sent him to the floor.
- Balor reverse a whip from Samson, sending him into a chair in the corner.
- Balor caught Samson with an overhead kick then caught Samson in the apron and stomped on him repeatedly before Samson slipped out to take a soccer kick off the apron into a dropkick into the barricade.
- Balor struck Samson with steel chair shots repeatedly into a corner dropkick.
Analysis: This was a solid match though did not have too many big moments. Just as the action was getting interesting, Balor just rolled over Samson with aggression to establish he was clearly the bigger star. Luckily, Samson did get the win which gives him something to brag about going forward and potential momentum while Balor goes onto a feud with Wyatt that's been a long time coming.
"Yeah, just try to kill him, Cass. No, really threaten to kill him. How dare he get in your way to greatness." - Vince McMahon to Big Cass.
Big Cass def. Enzo Amore
Overview: Enzo Amore put up his best fight in this match, but he was completely outmatched once more. Big Cass steamrolled Enzo and seemed to be frustrated that Enzo wouldn't just sit down and take it. He won with a big boot then tried to do more with Big Show coming out with the save only to take repeated big boots from Cass after Cass threw Enzo into him.
Highlights:
Analysis: This was another statement of Cass's dominance. He wiped out Enzo in an extended squash before turning to Show and taking him out as well. Repeatedly WWE has done a fantastic job selling Cass as an unstoppable force. Hopefully, when Cass fights Show, it doesn't hurt that momentum at all.
Highlights:
- Enzo jumped onto the back of Cass but was quickly pushed off with his dropkick then swatted away.
- Cass repeatedly dropped elbows on Cass then snap kicked him in the chest.
- Enzo tried to fight back with punches but was smothered in the corner by strikes.
Analysis: This was another statement of Cass's dominance. He wiped out Enzo in an extended squash before turning to Show and taking him out as well. Repeatedly WWE has done a fantastic job selling Cass as an unstoppable force. Hopefully, when Cass fights Show, it doesn't hurt that momentum at all.
Nia Jax def. Emma
Overview: Emma attempted to target the knee of Nia Jax, but she was quickly overwhelmed as Jax threw her around and splashed her in the corners of the ring. Jax finished up the match with a running somersault senton for the win.
Analysis: I hate to see Emma repeatedly given so little each week, but this did allow everyone to see Jax is getting better and better as WWE also seems to waste her. It was a shock to see Jax hitting a running somersault senton at her size, showing off her growing athleticism.
Analysis: I hate to see Emma repeatedly given so little each week, but this did allow everyone to see Jax is getting better and better as WWE also seems to waste her. It was a shock to see Jax hitting a running somersault senton at her size, showing off her growing athleticism.
Remember when Titus had another client? Neither do I.
Akira Tozawa Turns His Back on Titus O'Neil and Demands Ariya Daivari Only to Be Attacked From Behind
Overview: Akira Tozawa was asked about demanding a match with Ariya Daivari in an interview backstage only for Titus O'Neil to respond by saying the match was cancelled for Tozawa's safety. He walked to the ring and pushed away Titus before Neville came out to mock him.
Tozawa attacked Neville and hit him with a diving senton, but Daivari then appeared and assaulted Tozawa from behind. He then turned to Neville, hitting him with a hammerlock into a short-arm clothesline.
Analysis: The cruiserweight division is growing interesting because of Tozawa's story. His need to fight is making him likable while Daivari continually leaving him in worse shape shows Daivari's brutality. It is making for a compelling setup with characters who have been somewhat underutilized lately.
Tozawa attacked Neville and hit him with a diving senton, but Daivari then appeared and assaulted Tozawa from behind. He then turned to Neville, hitting him with a hammerlock into a short-arm clothesline.
Analysis: The cruiserweight division is growing interesting because of Tozawa's story. His need to fight is making him likable while Daivari continually leaving him in worse shape shows Daivari's brutality. It is making for a compelling setup with characters who have been somewhat underutilized lately.
Bayley def. Sasha Banks to Become the New Number One Contender to the Raw Women's Championship
Overview: Alexa Bliss came out to watch from commentary as this match began, reveling in Bayley and Sasha Banks hurting one another. Sasha knocked Bayley off the top rope and finally connected with a frog splash with Bayley managing to reverse the pinfall for the win. Afterward, Bliss taunted Bayley by raising the championship in front of her.
Highlights:
Analysis: I have no idea why this wasn't the main event. These two wrestled like they were the main event, putting on a show reminiscent of their past clashes, though abbreviated. The story of Bayley and Sasha continues to escalate hopefully building to an explosion going into WrestleMania. Moreover, I'm just glad Bayley has returned to prominence after a poor month of booking that almost killed her status.
Highlights:
- Sasha sent Bayley tumbling off the top rope to the floor.
- Bayley bounced the face of Sasha off the top turnbuckle then hit her with a running elevated cutter with Sasha hanging on the ropes.
- Sasha sent Bayley into the corner with double knees then immediately transitioned into a backstabber to set up the Bank Statement with Bayley turning it into a pinfall before powering to her feet and throwing Sasha off.
- Sasha blocked the Bayley-to-Belly with the two trading slaps followed by a strikefest before Sasha sent her face-first into the bottom turnbuckle and double kneed her into the turnbuckle.
- Bayley dodged a dive and hit a running knee but walked into a shining wizard.
Analysis: I have no idea why this wasn't the main event. These two wrestled like they were the main event, putting on a show reminiscent of their past clashes, though abbreviated. The story of Bayley and Sasha continues to escalate hopefully building to an explosion going into WrestleMania. Moreover, I'm just glad Bayley has returned to prominence after a poor month of booking that almost killed her status.
The way they are talking about Jason, you'd think he wasn't doing anything before last week. Well, that isn't entirely inaccurate.
Jason Jordan def. Curt Hawkins
Overview: Curt Hawkins took a cheap shot at Jason Jordan before the match which killed the smile on Jordan's face. He threw Hawkins around and continued to be further aggravated by Hawkins' taunting. After Jordan pulled down the straps, he speared Hawkins in the corner then hit a belly-to-back pop-up neckbreaker for the win.
Analysis: This was a strong first showing in a new role with Jordan in hot tag mode from the start. His new finisher has potential (though it is surprising they moved away from him using the Olympic Slam and Ankle Lock as he did before), and that aggressive style does well in matching Kurt Angle's own style. I have high hopes for Jordan going forward though the next step is to see him in long, competitive singles matches.
Analysis: This was a strong first showing in a new role with Jordan in hot tag mode from the start. His new finisher has potential (though it is surprising they moved away from him using the Olympic Slam and Ankle Lock as he did before), and that aggressive style does well in matching Kurt Angle's own style. I have high hopes for Jordan going forward though the next step is to see him in long, competitive singles matches.
The Revival def. Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson
Overview: The Revival made clear they were the best tag team in WWE before Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson interrupted and said they did all The Revival have done before they did it.
Revival used their classic tactics to isolate and dominate their larger opponents but were only able to steal a win with the Shatter Machine after The Hardy Boyz walked out, distracting Gallows and Anderson. Afterward, Jeff and Matt Hardy stormed the ring and took out The Revival to remind them that they were still far from done.
Highlights:
Analysis: How poor is the balance in the tag team division right now? This was Gallows and Anderson's (perhaps temporary) face turn, a quick compliment to the crowd. The match that came of it was good if too short with Gallows especially quality in the explosive face monster role. I have no idea where Cesaro and Sheamus fit in to all this with The Hardy Boyz still more central to the division than them.
Revival used their classic tactics to isolate and dominate their larger opponents but were only able to steal a win with the Shatter Machine after The Hardy Boyz walked out, distracting Gallows and Anderson. Afterward, Jeff and Matt Hardy stormed the ring and took out The Revival to remind them that they were still far from done.
Highlights:
- Gallows back body dropped both Revival members then, with Anderson, clotheslined them to the floor.
- Dawson caught Anderson near the ropes with a clothesline, but Anderson caught Dash off the tag with a
- Gallows hit Dawson with a big boot then a running splash then another big boot with Dash blocking the Boot of Doom.
Analysis: How poor is the balance in the tag team division right now? This was Gallows and Anderson's (perhaps temporary) face turn, a quick compliment to the crowd. The match that came of it was good if too short with Gallows especially quality in the explosive face monster role. I have no idea where Cesaro and Sheamus fit in to all this with The Hardy Boyz still more central to the division than them.
Wow, what a mark.
Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins def. The Miz and Miztourage
Overview: The Miz and The Miztourage isolated Seth Rollins for a long stretch of this match and were not ready for Dean Ambrose's flurry. Rollins saved Ambrose from a second Skull Crushing Finale with a springboard knee to set up a Dirty Deeds for the win. Afterward, Ambrose celebrated, hugging Rollins but refusing to fist pound Rollins.
Highlights:
Analysis: This was a solid match though did not do much for the rivalry. It seemed Miz was made to look bad just to continue selling the growing friendship returning between Rollins and Ambrose. Unless this is all to set up Rollins and Ambrose vs. Cesaro and Sheamus (somewhat teased with a quick flash backstage of the tag champs watching backstage), this was not the greatest segment for this feud.
It is possible that WWE is planning to move some stories around by having Ambrose and Rollins fight for the tag gold while Jordan goes after the Intercontinental Championship, allowing Rollins to return to feuding with Miz later with Ambrose moving on.
Highlights:
- Rollins bodyslammed Axel then hit a running knee drop.
- Rollins caught Miz with the Slingblade but ran into a jawbreaker.
- Ambrose hit a dropkick into Rollins' single leg dropkick to Axel then clotheslined Dallas together out of the ring before sending Miz reeling outside.
- Miz hit a backbreaker into a neckbreaker on Rollins then tagged in Axel to hit a rolling neck snap.
- Rollins finally got the hot tag to Ambrose after a reverse STO then Ambrose hit a swinging neckbreaker on Axel then running bulldog on Dallas and slingshot plancha on Miz followed by a rebound clothesline and diving elbow on Dallas.
- Ambrose saved himself from a double team by hitting a back body drop on Dallas then went for Dirty Deeds on Axel only to take a sudden Skull Crushing Finale with Rollins saving the pinfall.
- Rollins and Ambrose took out The Miztourage with a double suicide dive.
Analysis: This was a solid match though did not do much for the rivalry. It seemed Miz was made to look bad just to continue selling the growing friendship returning between Rollins and Ambrose. Unless this is all to set up Rollins and Ambrose vs. Cesaro and Sheamus (somewhat teased with a quick flash backstage of the tag champs watching backstage), this was not the greatest segment for this feud.
It is possible that WWE is planning to move some stories around by having Ambrose and Rollins fight for the tag gold while Jordan goes after the Intercontinental Championship, allowing Rollins to return to feuding with Miz later with Ambrose moving on.
Final Notes: Emma interrupted Angle talking about seeing his son compete on Raw for the first time, trying to get a chance even saying she might go after his son. He responded by booking her against Jax. Jordan spoke before his match, saying he was nervous but also focused because he wanted to prove himself to Angle.
In an interview, Bliss laughed about Bayley and Sasha's friendship being torn apart by their match. Sasha almost lost it later in anger about Bliss's word, talking to Bayley, seeming to complete disregard the threat of Bayley in the match. Hawkins promised to ruin Jordan's Raw debut in an interview.
Rollins found Ambrose in the locker room and tried to get him pumped up, but The Lunatic was not interested in speaking to a man he did not trust. The Miz gave a pep talk to The Miztourage, saying they were the far more cohesive unit while Rollins was trying to revive a dead stable.
Conclusion: This was a fine show but felt a bit out of order. No segments were bad, but there was a lot of backstage filler with too much padding, killing the pacing of the show. When it was on, the show was hot, showing off many potential excellent matches for SummerSlam.
When it was not, it just felt like WWE was spinning its wheels for future angles to spice up the central rivalries. This show will be largely forgotten in a few weeks despite multiple matches with potential major implications which is a shame.
As a step past Battleground, it was a good show. As a set-up for SummerSlam, WWE's number two show of the year, it was hit-and-miss. The next stage for Raw is to have a few segments that sell this as one of the biggest times of the year rather than just riding off solid stories.
In an interview, Bliss laughed about Bayley and Sasha's friendship being torn apart by their match. Sasha almost lost it later in anger about Bliss's word, talking to Bayley, seeming to complete disregard the threat of Bayley in the match. Hawkins promised to ruin Jordan's Raw debut in an interview.
Rollins found Ambrose in the locker room and tried to get him pumped up, but The Lunatic was not interested in speaking to a man he did not trust. The Miz gave a pep talk to The Miztourage, saying they were the far more cohesive unit while Rollins was trying to revive a dead stable.
Conclusion: This was a fine show but felt a bit out of order. No segments were bad, but there was a lot of backstage filler with too much padding, killing the pacing of the show. When it was on, the show was hot, showing off many potential excellent matches for SummerSlam.
When it was not, it just felt like WWE was spinning its wheels for future angles to spice up the central rivalries. This show will be largely forgotten in a few weeks despite multiple matches with potential major implications which is a shame.
As a step past Battleground, it was a good show. As a set-up for SummerSlam, WWE's number two show of the year, it was hit-and-miss. The next stage for Raw is to have a few segments that sell this as one of the biggest times of the year rather than just riding off solid stories.