WWE Raw (14/08/2017): Review

Continuing the build-up to the Biggest Party of The Summer, Raw's go-home show, emanating from Boston, was nothing short of stunning. With PPV teases and huge match-ups already in place, we were treated to a spectacle of the first Big-4 PPV, masquerading as a TV show. What went down last night? Where does Summerslam stand with all the match-ups from the red brand? Let's have a look.

Results:

• #1 Contender's Match: Sasha Banks defeated Nia Jax.
• R-Truth vs. Elias ended in a No-Contest.
• Cruiserweight Championship: Akira Tozawa defeats Neville (C).
• Bray Wyatt defeated Finn Balor.
• Mickie James defeated Emma.
• The Hardy Boyz and Jason Jordan defeated The Miz and The Miztourage.

The Fist Bump (Finally!)

Raw was kicked-off by Dena Ambrose, addressing his issues and the recent proceeding between him and his former Shield brother, Seth Rollins. Both Rollins and Ambrose tried their best to address the elephant in the room. They tried to understand why they wanted to reunite, individually cross-questioning each other. Laying rest to claims, each tried to nail the fist bump only to be unsuccessful at each attempt. Frustrated, they traded blows that ended up outside the ring. Seizing the opportunity, Raw tag champs, Sheamus and Cesaro, came out to punish them individually. When the former brothers worked as one on being attacked, they floored the tag champs and send them running back. Eventually, they nailed the Fist Bump to a huge ovation from the audience.

It was great to see that WWE tried a different route to reconcile the former brothers, given the huge popularity both of them enjoy. Anything less would've just been another obvious storyline involvement. This seemed as organic as it could be. All of a sudden, the Raw Tag Championships have become a spot of envy due to the high caliber match set up for Summerslam. This is going to be huge and is surely going to put the entire division, on both brands, on a notice.

Credits: skysports.com

#1 Contender's Match: Sasha Banks vs. Nia Jax

Qualifying from individual Triple Threat, two of arguably the biggest stars in the Women's divison squared off for a shot at the Women's Title at Summerslam. 'Bosstown' homegirl Sasha Banks was clearly the favorite to win this match and she did, eventually. Nia Jax made for a compelling opponent as her shear power and size allowed her to dominate Sasha early on in the match. Escaping a match-costing suplex, Sasha countered with a double knees to the heart of Jax, in a start to her gaining momentum. A Bank Statement and a DDT later, Jax was held back into the Bank Statement again, only this time to tap out to The Legit Boss. A stare-down followed between Banks and the champ, Bliss as the crowd erupted to one of the best segments of the night.

The chemistry these two share is electric. They have a tendency to bring out the best in each other, on each and every occasion. Another rivalry having the same chemistry is that of Bliss and Banks, and that just adds a whole lot of juice into their championship match at Summerslam. Expect nothing less than awe to be attracted by these two exceptional performers at Summerslam.

Credits: pinterest.com

R-Truth vs. Elias

There's nothing really to review here, given the filler status of this match. Samson sings, R-Truth interrupts by rapping his way in, Samson demolished R-Truth before the match starts, ending in a No-Contest. 

Another classical case of WWE Creative killing the momentum of a young star.

Credits: WWE.com

Big Cass removes Show's WMD

Big Cass opened the segment only to be cut off by the audience, proving the intense heat of his heel persona going over. Cass made claims that Enzo needs Show to protect him from all the heat he has been receiving off late. This brought out Enzo and Show, who were ambushed by Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson. Knocking the sense out of Enzo with a boot, Cass dug in to beat up show along with The Club. Using a belt and the Shark Cage, Cass and The Club made sure to rob Big Show of his Knockout Punch at Summerslam, tilting the odds in his favor.

A huge improvement in the stale story-line, this segment brings out Cass' dominance as a heel. Being true to his character, he made sure the odds were in his favor as he took away Show's biggest asset. Involving The Club here is truly relegating them, however, this may be used to build up a faction in the long run to seal Cass' character.

Credits: wrestlinginc.com

Cruiserweight Championship Match: Akira Tozawa vs. Neville (C)

A hotly contested match led to WWE finding success in Akira Tozawa's championship win. Neville looked to hand out another upset, but Tozawa was in no mood to lose. Even after being dominated early on in the match, Tozawa fought back and matches toe-to-toe with Neville. A huge suplex led to both cruiserweights reeling with pain as Titus looked to get the audience in his confidence. A failed Red Arrow left "The King of Cruiserweights" shocked and allowed Tozawa to nail a flying Senton from the top rope, picking up the win as well as the title.

In what may look like a premature booking by WWE Creative, this did tweak the storyline a bit. Their rivalry was becoming highly repetitive, and though Tozawa is no Austin Aries, he has similar charisma to carry off a win and the title. Technically, both wrestlers outshone their previous matches, only to add intrigue to their final match-up at Summerslam.

Credits: f4wonline.com

Bray Wyatt vs.Finn Balor

Another PPV match being brought onto TV, Bray Wyatt dominated the entire match, only to be handed with frustration via Balor's reluctancy to give in. Balor fought back with a flurry of offences, including a Sling Blade. Gaining momentum, Balor looked to reply to Wyatt's mindgames, but looked as if he was set to lose the match as he failed to convert any of his double stomps into a Coup de Grace. Wyatt grabbed the opportunity and nailed Balor with a Sister Abigail to win the match. Post-match, the lights went off, only to come back on to observe Balor seated in the corner, while Wyatt held a bucket full of red liquid (to be considered as blood). He drenched Balor in it as the segment closed out to Balor reeling in the substance.

The booking is good, storyline is good, but is falling short of expectations. WWE had the best opportunity to bring back Balor's Demon King into the fold, but evidently they are not willing to go that way. Probably, they would want to hold on to it much longer so that it only comes out on special occasions (read: Wrestlemania). With no probable tease, let's hope there is some sort of concrete update of the Demon King being awakened for the PPV.

Credits: skysports.com

Mickie James vs. Emma

Another filler, Emma looks to continue her losing streak due to her highly opinionated Twitter handle. A sloppy match from the beginning, there was really no spark here. A longer advertisement would've better suited the show. Either way, several failed attempts to pin Mickie allowed for a huge Mick Kick to pin Emma.

Emma is a talented woman. She has the credibility to get over as a heel. This, however, doesn't really help. With the way WWE is proceeding, this looks like a set up for Emma to finally snap and run down the roster. Even as comical as it sounds with the locker boasting of wrestlers like Nia Jax, it may not be surprise.

Credits: WWE.com

The Hardy Boyz and Jason Jordan vs. The Miz and The Miztourage

A classic performance allowing for the crowd to get involved, Jordan, Matt and Jeff teamed up to beat down the heels. Miz and his gang worked on Matt for a major part of the match, as Matt took a lot of punishment. A hot tag allowed for Jeff to run through the entire heel team as Jordan joined in to toss his opponents around. A Twist of Fate and Swanton later, the Hardyz picked up the win for their team.

The heel faction being a top midcard draw should be better than this. Being handed such easy defeats by babyface teams does not look good for them. Jordan was the focus here ,along with The Hardyz, as he looks to win the IC Title from Miz at Summerslam. Adding the Hardy Boyz into the feud may be to even out the playfield at the PPV.

Credits: WWE.com

Preview of the War

Paul Heyman opened the segment with a re-iteration of his disappointment at Brock being targeted to lose his title at Summerslam due to this Fatal-4-Way arrangement by Kurt Angle. Samoa Joe interrupted Heyman, and was followed by Strowman and finally Roman Reigns. Reigns wasted no time and went after Joe right away, due to Joe's interference last week in the huge Last Man Standing Match. Strowman, however, answered with a huge powerslam, leaving him in the ring with The Beast Incarnate. In what was an all out tease for a war, the audience were shocked at the first sight of these two behemoths together. Security was called down by Kurt Angle, only to be demolished by both the monsters as they looked to brawl. However, that was cleverly stopped as the entire locker came out to separate the superstars. 

Clear indication of the fact that WWE sees huge money in a Lesnar-Strowman feud was made evident at their staredown. Joe is being killed of his momentum, but this could just be a way of him being the proverbial surprise package to win the title at Summerslam. Come Sunday, this match is going to tear apart every bar set.

Credits: indianexpress.com

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