WWE Raw Review (25/07/2017)

Picking up from their below-par offering at yesterday's Smackdown Live-exclusive PPV, Battleground, WWE seemed to have hit the nail on the head with Raw this week. In what seemingly has become a regularity, WWE Raw continues to awe the WWE Universe with amazing storylines and brawls that carry a heavy reminder of the bygone golden eras! Let's have a look at the proceedings.

Credits: wrestlingnewssource.com

Results:

• Elias Samson defeats Finn Balor in a No Disqualification match.
• Big Cass defeats Enzo Amore.
• Nia Jax defeats Emma.
• #1 Contender's Match for Women's Title: Bayley defeats Sasha Banks.
• Jason Jordan defeats Curt Hawkins.
• The Revival defeat Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows.
• Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins defeat The Miz, Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel.

Kurt Angle-Braun Strowman-Samoa Joe-Roman Reigns

Kurt Angle made a quick work of addressing Jason Jordan's reveal as his son and was happy to put him up for a match tonight. He then subtly made a transition into the ongoing battle for the Universal Championship. Just as he was about to announce the resolve to the current scenario, Braun Strowman interrupted him. He came out following last week's interruption of the #1 Contender's Match, which immediately led to Samoa Joe and Roman Reigns to enter into the fold. Roman stood across his recent opponents as they took the ring. All the 3 superstars made clear about why they should get the opportunity to face Brock Lesnar at Summerslam for the title. Angle went the usual way of declaring a Fatal-4-way for the Universal Championship at Summerslam. This led to all the 3 behemoths feuding with each other as it was complete mayhem. Braun Strowman brutalized the security as the entire locker room had to rush out to break them up. But their shear power provided for too much to handle as they could only hold onto Joe, while the Monster Among Men laid waste to The Big Dog with a vicious powerslam.

This was the most explosive kick-off to Raw in the recent weeks. WWE Raw has reinvented itself and are reaping all the dividends. The explosive start set the tone for an explosive night to come, and if the match-up at Summerslam is anything to go by, expect nothing but shear destruction to be raised at The Biggest Party of The Summer. 

Credits: depor.com

No Disqualification Match: Finn Balor vs. Elias Samson

Finn Balor has finally come into his element here. He unleashed his mean-streak on Samson, and how! Taped on the left shoulder due to last week's hammering with a guitar, Balor was quick to get a steel chair into the match, however, Samson got hold of it as he beat Balor down. Samson assumed control of the match as he kept targeting Balor's taped shoulder. A momentary outburst led to Balor taking control of the match as he trapped Samson between the apron and beat him down, added to it a vicious kick from the top of the ring. Balor then reintroduced another steel chair and beat the daylights out of Samson as he cruised towards pinning his opponent with a Coup de Grace. Right after hitting his famed move, the lights went off and The Eater of Worlds was seen to hold Balor, hitting him with a Sister Abigail, ultimately costing him the match as Bray looked on in his creepy way. 

A great start to building up the rivalry between Bray Wyatt and Finn Balor, who are scheduled to battle at Summerslam. This could be the opportunity that leads to the return of The Demon King on TV. Finn Balor was unforgiving against Samson, and it was a sight that was long due! Bray Wyatt will again use his gimmick to allow Balor to shine, but that will go on for some time now. This will probably lead to Balor finally getting his crack at the Universal Title.

Credits: WWE.com

Enzo Amore vs. Big Cass

The usual Enzo opening scene took place while Cass came out to one of the strangest themes that has ever been used. Enzo looked to make a point with his quick-work, however, Big Cass was way too dominant to be pulled one upon. Enzo's initial fight was easily evaded and he was then introduced by the unforgiving pounding that has welcomed him every time after Sawft broke up. The match ended quickly and Cass went back to beating Enzo down again, probably the cue for Big Show to come out. Enzo was held hostage as the Big Show was suckered in to the ring, only to be beat down by Cass. In what could have been a better sell, even the camera caught Big Show asking Big Cass to kick him in his gut. WWE, please try and ask wrestlers not to talk when they are being beaten down! It destroys the whole concept of a wrestler dominating a giant. 

WWE are really not going anywhere with this feud. Enzo is very much over as a babyface, way too much actually. Cass is nowhere to be sold as a solid heel. Beating Enzo down, suckering in Big Show to beat him down, doesn't really make a solid heel. WWE should learn from the path they've taken with Braun Strowman. He is legitimately the biggest heel on the roster right now!

Credits: directwrestling.com

Nia Jax vs. Emma

If you guys are bored of watching squash matches with a proper ball, switch on to Raw to watch Nia Jax practice every week. She is literally being treated the way Ryback was. Emma came, got obliterated and Nia Jax left. 

This was nothing but just cementing Nia Jax's domination in the division. Jax has grown as a wrestler, and it was evident by the way she gave no room for Emma to breathe. Her athletic senton was probably the best take-away from this match. I guess, WWE wanted to show it off and that is exactly what Emma was made an example of.

Credits: worldsitenews.com

Cruiserweight Segment

We are introduced to Akira Tozawa and Titus O'Niel talking backstage about last week's procedding between the Japanese and Ariya Daivari. Titus tried to cancel and talk Tozawa out of participating in the match, but the furious Japanese wanted to prove a point. He called Daivari out, only to welcome Neville, the champion. A brawl broke out between the two, and later on we see Ariya Daivari make an entrance and ambush both superstars to lay claim to the gold held by Neville. 

Good start bringing in another superstar into the title picture, possibly leading to a Summerslam Triple-Threat match. Finally, the cruiserwieght division has gone in for a change in the picture, and what better than an unexpected name in the fold?

Credits: WWE.com

#1 Contender's Match for the Women's Title: Sasha Banks vs. Bayley

Sasha and Bayley entered the ring, followed by Women's Champion, Alexa Bliss making her way towards the announce table to call the match. The best friends went to-and-fro for quite some time as the match was very evenly balanced. Bayley struck Banks with a running knee as Banks answered with a Shining Wizard. Both wrestles wobbled while getting up and fought each other towards the ropes. The crowd popped as this was one of the best bouts we have seen in Women's Wrestling so far. Sasha had a bit more of the control as she beat Bayley down after both of them slapped each other. This led to Sasha Banks paying tribute to the Late Eddie Guerrero, as she hit Bayley with a Frog Splash from the top rope. In what seemed to be Sasha's match for the taking, Bayley rolled her over to score the pin. Bayley will face Alexa Bliss for the title at Summerslam, as both women stared each other down in the middle of the ring.

WWE continues to tease The Boss' heel turn, and it will happen in the lead up to Summerslam. You never know, we might even get a Triple Threat Match for the Women's title. Effective story-telling and great booking led to one of the best segments of the year so far for the Women's division.

Credits: topsy.one

Jason Jordan vs. Curt Hawkins

Why on earth would Kurt Angle want his "Son" to make a debut against Curt Hawkins? This was nothing but a savage beat down by the athletically-gifted superstar. A big spear, a Kurt Angle demo and a side-suplex-turned-neckbreaker sealed the deal for Jordan's first win as a singles wrestler.

I terribly believe that Chad Gable deserved the push. He has a lot of talent and the charisma, which his former partner is yet to discover. Let's hope that we can possibly get something out of this push.

Credits: wweconechilelatam.wordpress.com

The Revival vs. Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows

The Good Brothers took on The Revival after a very short introductory promo, where The Revival were referred to as 'Nerds'. Yeah, at times, PG Era really sucks.

Dash and Dawson made quick work of the former Tag Champs as they successfully isolated Anderson to exhibit a beat down. Gallows entered after an exciting tag, but he too was dominated by the agility that The Revival put on. Their teamwork was top-class tonight. Dawson had beat Gallows down, following which, The Hardy Boyz entered the ramp. Distracted by the former champs, The Revival were pushed out of the ring by Gallows and Anderson, only to be pinned by The Revival. This led to Matt and Jeff coming in and beating up the teams, as we saw a beautiful Poetry in Motion by Jeff on The Revival.

Does anyone else hint another multi-man championship match at Summerslam? I surely do.

Credits: 411mania.com

2-on-3 Handicap Match: Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose vs. The Miz, Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel

A mini-Shield reunion took place as Rollins and Ambrose faced The Miz and his Miztourage at the main event. The heels were all over Seth Rollins from the beginning of the match. The amount of punishment he took just cements the fact that Seth is one of the toughest and most resilient wrestlers on the roster. Seth's babyface turn has till now been lukewarm, but tonight, he has established it completely. 

A slow-paced match was immediately turned on its head as Seth Rollins tagged in Ambrose. He brought momentum that was infectious and the entire arena had adrenaline oozing out of their throats. In a quick mix-up, Bo Dallas charged in on Ambrose, only to be dragged outside the ring through his own momentum as he hit the bottom rope on his way out. This laid the foundation for the former brothers to execute a double suicide dive onto the heels. A small package and a Skull-crushing Finale were easily countered by Ambrose and a with a little help from a diving Seth Rollins set up a Dirty Deeds on The Miz for Ambrose to pick up the victory for his team.

After the match, Seth Rollins held his hand out in their signature Shield gesture, but Ambrose left him hanging even after hugging him multiple times in excitement.

WWE Creative is going the right way by not allowing the immediate joining of forces between the former Shield members. Ambrose leaving Seth hanging only upped the suspense for the next few weeks to come in the lead up to Summerslam. Miz will host Jason Jordan for MizTV next week, which leads to speculations of a IC title feud. Where that leaves Ambrose and Rollins is to be seen.

Credits: solowrestling.com

Like what you read?

Subscribe to stay updated!