Raw Review (17/07/2017)

A huge reveal of the suspense surrounding Kurt Angle's cryptic texts, a farther tease into a Shield Reunion, Finn Balor's next opponent, the #1 contender for Universal title- this week's Raw had a huge pillion riding in the form of initiating Summerslam matches. Let's take a look at how it fared.

Credits: WWE.com

Results:

• Bayley defeated Alexa Bliss(C)- Non-Title Match
• Mustafa Ali and Gentleman Jack Gallagher defeated Brian Kendrick and Drew Gulak
• Finn Balor defeated Elias Samson (Disqualification)
• Ariya Daivari defeated Akira Tozawa (Forfeit)
• The Revival defeated The Hardy Boyz
• Roman Reigns and Samoa Joe went into a No Contest.

Dean Ambrose Talks: 

Following a video package showcasing the suspense leading up to Kurt Angle's big reveal tonight, Dean Ambrose opens the show. He picks up where things left off last week by calling out The Miz and his Miztourage, saying that he wants to burst his Hollywood bubble. Out comes Seth Rollins to address the fact that Dean has been all over the place with his lunacy and that he needed a plan. Dean retorts that he is not for plans as they are more suited for Rollins, asking him to piss off while he would deal with them on his own. Rollins refers to Ambrose as 'Brother' before Ambrose cuts him off to say that they were 'Brothers' in the Shield and reminds him of what Rollins had done. Rollins apologizes and states that that was something he will have to live with every single day of his life and gives Ambrose a shot at revenge by turning his back. Ambrose hesitantly picks up the steel chair but tosses it to the floor as Bo, Axel and The Miz arrive, beating the former brothers up with steel chairs. Miz finally hits Rollins with a Skull-Crushing-Finale on the chair. 

Personally, the segment is going in the right direction with Miz feuding with Rollins bringing in a breather. WWE Creative further go on to tease a big Shield reunion which they had started last week. A feud with Miz seems the perfect juice into Rollins' career right now. A semi-Shield reunion can be expected by Summerslam, leading into a complete one before Wrestlemania.

Credits: catch-news.com

Non-Title Match- Alexa Bliss(C) vs. Bayley:

WWE continue the build up to a multi-woman title match at Summerslam with Bayley and Alexa Bliss going at it this week. Nia Jax and Sasha Banks, as usual, come to the aid of their respective friends. Expect a lot more of these four women to feature in match-ups in coming weeks. 

Both the wrestlers went on for a bit, exchanging momentum, before Nia came to distract Bayley, causing Sasha Banks to come to her aid. Finally, Bayley pins the champ to pick up the win.

The talking point of this match, however, was the aggression shown by Bayley, possibly turning her into a real threat for the match at Summerslam. Bayley vs. Banks for #1 Contender announced for next week.

Credits: solowrestling.com

Mustafa Ali and Jack Gallagher vs Brian Kendrick and Drew Gulak:

I swear I had to look up the names to mention them correctly in the review. That is how irrelevant this division has become.

Both teams go at it following Kendrick talking on the mic. Whatever they're trying to do here, it's just pointless. Other than Ali hitting an Imploding-450 and picking up the win, there's really nothing to look into over here.

WWE even skipped the purple rope for this match, promoting nothing but Vince's disgust of the division airing on Raw. 

Enzo Amore Returns: Enzo Amore picks up from where he left two weeks back. He talks about how Cass never believed in their team even when Enzo gave it all he had. He goes on to say that he knows how to finish a fight and that even if he is beat down 9 times, he will get up 10. That is what he did, and will continue. He also mocked Cass for folding when he faced Big Show (a man his size) while he beat Enzo down at Great Balls of Fire. Out comes Cass to beat some sense into Enzo, following which Enzo quickly clears the ring and rushes to sit in with the audience announcing Cass' match with Big Show. 

Credits: WWE.com

Big Cass vs. Big Show:

The match never begins as Cass attacks Big Show as he enters. Both the giants fight with Show having the earlier dominance. Cass, however, picks it up in the middle and beats Show down. He throws Show into the ring and beats him down further, as Enzo enters, only to be welcomed by a Big Boot from his former brother. Cass leaves the ring after busting Show's nose open.

A good segment that intensified Cass' heel persona. The audience doesn't like him at all. This feud needed more juice going into Summerslam, and Cass dominating Show made the real deal here.

Credits: WWE,com

Finn Balor vs. Elias Samson:

Balor dominated early on in the match before Samson got back momentum. Samson worked clinically on Balor, before Balor hit a desperate Pele-Kick and then picked up pace. Samson again got back momentum with a powerbomb before Balor dominated the proceedings again, only to be smashed with Samson's guitar, resulting in a DQ.

The match didn't have enough life in it with these two going on for weeks now. Balor was busted open. We finally get to see Bray Wyatt back with his sermons and now targeting Balor for a match at Summerslam. Balor desperately needs a legitimate competition.

Credits: avclub.com

Akira Tozawa vs. Ariya Daivari:

This match was an outright disappointment. The two cruiserweights traded shots before Tozawa was reeling as Daivari dominated. To top it all, Titus O'Niel  called off the match "to save Tozawa".

Titus and Tozawa looked promising, but with the proceedings this week, it is highly doubtful how far WWE is planning to book Tozawa as a strong contender.

Credits: WWE.com

Kurt's Big Reveal:

Kurt comes out clean about being a distraction in the proceeding for quite sometime and finally reveals the truth. He states that a certain action in the past has changed his life completely and now that it has come into the forefront, his family and WWE are suppostive in him revealing it to the world. He goes on to say that he had a girlfriend in college, with whom he had a baby boy. He had no clue about it till lately. He goes on to say that the baby had been put up for adoption and that he had been raised with great values and rejected all offers to become a WWE superstar, carving his own name. He praises the boy, who became a great athlete and completed college and finally welcomed him to the Raw roster. It was none other than Jason Jordan. Hugging it out, they have a great moment.

Disappointing to realize that Kurt won't be in action in 2017. WWE lost a a great chance to pitch him against Triple H at Summerslam, however, you never know how that might play out before Wrestlemania 34. WWE loves to break apart applauded tag teams and they did just that with American Alpha. Now that Jason Jordan is on Raw and Chad Gable on Smackdown Live!, it will be interesting to see how WWE book their individual careers.

Credits: WWE.com

The Revival vs. The Hardy Boyz:

The Hardyz started the brawl by attacking The Revival when they entered. This led to a proper match being proceeded with, as the Hardyz dominated from the get-go. Anderson and Gallows watched slyly from backstage as Hardyz maintained their control over The Revival. A continuous to and fro keeps moving, as both teams exchange blows and switch momentum. Jeff Hardy looks to close in with Poetry-in-Motion followed by a Swanton Bomb, which is cut off by Dash, further allowing Dawson to roll him over and pin him by holding onto Jeff's tights.

The Revival have been booked properly here, taking the heat that comes with being heels. The Hardyz will, however, resume their feud for the Championships after a solitary break, probably making room for their 'Broken' gimmick.

Credits: WWE.com

Roman Reigns vs. Samoa Joe (#1 Contender's Match for the Universal Championship):

The two Samoan powerhouses have grown to have unimaginable chemistry between them! Both superstars go back and forth as the segment turns into a showcase of power. Joe and Reigns are evenly matched with each of them dominating the other for considerable amount of time. Moments pass by, gauging the supremacy of the feud that these two bring to the table. However, things don't really go as smooth as expected. Braun Strowman appears and dismantles both powerhouses piece by piece. For a moment, bot Joe and Reigns, team up to beat Braun down as Joe held him in the clutch while Roman pulled off a Superman Punch. Yet, that wasn't enough to put down the Monster Among Men. After literally destroying both superstars, Braun leaves, leaving the match to be a no contest.

Personally, it is really pleasing to see WWE resort to brutal means to elevate its main-event stars. Roman is being booked strongly (as usual), however, Joe and Strowman too are proving their mettle on the big-stage. This was an expected outcome, given the looming Monster on the sidelines. WWE are undoubtedly heading towards a Fatal-4-Way for the Universal Championship at Summerslam, with Brock Lesnar defending against Roman Reigns, Samoa Joe and Braun Strowman. Whether they really pursue the idea of a Strowman vs. Lesnar main-event would be enticing to ponder upon.

Credits: trome.pe

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