RAW Report: Kurt Angle’s Mystery is Revealed

The Big Takeaway

Kurt Angle’s mystery is finally revealed as Jason Jordan is his son. Braun Strowman returned and took out both Roman Reigns and Samoa Joe as the main event ended in a no contest.

WWE Monday Night Raw Recap

Dean Ambrose Opens Raw

Dean Ambrose came out and called the Miz and his Miztourage out. Seth Rollins came out and told Ambrose to calm down and come up with a better plan. Both Ambrose and Rollins brought up bad blood from the past about the Shield breaking up. Rollins had his back turned and told Ambrose to attack him with the steel chair. Ambrose didn’t attack his former partner, but instead tossed the chair to the floor. The Miz came out with his Miztourage and cut a heel promo on both Ambrose and Rollins. Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel surrounded the ring and then attacked Rollins with a steel chair. The Miz delivered a Skull Crushing Finale to Rollins and then attacked Ambrose on the floor.

Bayley def. Raw Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss — Non-Title Match

Nia Jax made her way down to the ring as Alexa Bliss worked on the arm of Bayley. Bayley battled back and delivered an elbow drop from the middle rope. Jax stood in Bayley’s way as Bliss delivered a cheapshot to Bayley. Sasha Banks ran out and attacked Jax. Meanwhile, back inside the ring  Bayley delivered a Bayley-to-Bayley to Bliss and got the win.

Michael Cole was about to throw to a clip from the ESPY Awards but Corey Graves received a text and left.

WWE showed highlights of the ESPY Awards, including John Cena with Jarrius “JJ” Robertson. Stephanie McMahon was shown receiving the Stuart Scott ENSPIRE Award from Ronda Rousey.

Backstage: Corey Graves & Kurt Angle

Angle was having second thoughts and wondering if he should tell the WWE Universe his secret? Graves explained that we are living in the world of social media and his secret will come out eventually. Angle said he will spill the beans tonight.

Backstage: The Titus Brand

Titus O’Neil was giving a pep talk to Apollo Crews and Akira Tozawa. Ariya Daiwari walked in and said Tozawa should be ashamed because he wants a rematch for the Cruiserweight title.

Jack Gallagher & Mustafa Ali def. Brian Kendrick & Drew Gulak

Really short match as Gallagher delivered a big headbutt to Brian Kendrick and Mustafa Ali followed it up with the inverted 450 splash and got the win.

Enzo Amore Promo

Enzo Amore came out and cut another promo on Big Cass. Amore then and showed footage of Big Show attacking Cass. Cass made his way down to the ring as Enzo bailed and ran into the crowd. Big Show came out and attacked Cass. Cass battled back and drove Big Show into the ring post. Cass then attacked Big Show’s ribs and then laid Enzo out with a big boot.

Backstage: Charly Caruso interviewed Roman Reigns

Caruso brought up that Joe defeated Reigns twice. Reigns said the stakes are much higher and will defeat Joe.

Backstage: Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins & Kurt Angle

Ambrose and Rollins were arguing back-and-forth as Angle entered the locker room. Rollins was about to leave but Angle made a tag team match for next week. Ambrose asked for a match against Miz and his Miztourage. Angle said yes.

Elias Sampson was in the ring and asked the crowd “Who wants to walk with Elias?” as the WWE Universe chanted “We want Balor” Sampson said he wants Balor and will get him soon enough.

Finn Balor def. Elias Sampson by Disqualification

Highlights included Sampson delivering a sit-out power bomb for a near fall. Balor recovered by delivering a baseball slide, a mule kick and a missile dropkick into the barricade. Sampson got intentionally disqualified after he smashed a guitar over Balor’s head. Balor was bleeding from the back of his head as the WWE Universe booed Sampson.

• Bray Wyatt appeared on the Titantron and cut a spooky promo on Balor. I like this program because we can see “Demon” Balor vs. Wyatt at SummerSlam 

Backstage: Bayley, Sasha Banks & Kurt Angle

Bayley and Banks walked into Angle’s office and explained that they both wanted to face Bliss for the Raw Women’s Title. Angle said next week Banks will face Bayley and the winner will face Bliss for the Raw Women’s Title at SummerSlam

Backstage: Charly Caruso interviewed The Revival

Dawson said they didn’t care about the Hardys but after tonight they would remember the Revival.

Before the match, WWE showed a graphic highlighting Yazdani as an Olympic gold medalist from the 2016 Summer games who captured the 74 kilogram championship

Ariya Daivari def. Akira Tozawa via corner stoppage

Tozawa had his shoulder taped up selling his injury from 205 Live. Daivari worked on Tozawa’s shoulder throughout the match. O’Neil stepped on the apron and told the referee to stop the match. Tozawa was upset at O’Neil and said he isn’t a quitter.

Kurt Angle Mystery is Revealed

Angle came out and apologized for being a distraction over the past couple of months. He said his family and the WWE supported his decision. Angle said when he was in college at Clarion University, he dated a young lady for a while. Then they stopped dating. Angle said he didn’t know till recently that she gave birth to a son. Angle said his son learned American Values and was brought up by two loving parents.

Angle then introduced the newest member of the Raw roster, Jason Jordan. Angle was in tears as Jordan came out and embraced Angle. The crowd had a mild reaction and weren’t buying this storyline.

• Jordan is great and nice to see he’s getting a push. But after week’s of build up the revelation was lame. 

The Revival def. The Hardy Boyz

The Revival got the heat on Matt and worked over his legs throughout the match. Matt delivered a backdrop to Wilder and made the hot tag to Jeff. Jeff delivered a Whisper in the Wind to Dawson and then delivered the Twist of Fate stunner. Jeff attempted a Swanton Bomb but Wilder crotched him on the top turnbuckle. Dawson rolled up Jeff and got the win.

Backstage: Charly Caruso interviewed Samoa Joe

Joe said he proved that he isn’t afraid of Lesnar and will beat Reigns for a third time.

WWE honoured Special Olympian Norris Peterson, who was at ringside.

Backstage: Akira Tozawa & Titus O’Neil

O’Neil said he stopped the match because Tozawa needs to think about next week, month and year. Tozawa said he will face Daivari on 205 Live. O’Neil was upset.

WWE announced that next week Balor will face Sampson in a no-DQ match.

Roman Reigns vs. Samoa Joe — Ended in a No-Contest

The crowd was really hot for this match and had lots of duelling chants. Highlights included Reigns delivered a Yakuza kick to Joe. Reigns was about to deliver the Superman punch but Joe rolled to the floor. Reigns attempted a Drive By but Joe countered by delivering a uranage on the ring apron. Reigns was woozy but recovered a delivered a big clothsline to Joe who was running at full speed. The closing sequence of the match involved Reigns escaping a uranage attempt and delivering a Superman punch for a two count.

Post match

Reigns looked stunned as Strowman marched down the ramp no-selling his injuries after “The Big Dog” rammed an ambulance into an semi-trailer just eight days ago at Great Balls of Fire. Strowman laid out Joe with a short-arm clothsline and then threw Reigns in the ring from the floor. Joe applied a Coquina Clutch from the middle rope as Reigns followed it up with a Superman punch that brought Strowman down to one knee.

Reigns went for another Superman punch but Strowman countered with a powerslam. Strowman then delivered back-to-back running powerslams to Joe and Reigns. A bunch of security guards came out as Strowman grabbed Reigns and delivered another running powerslam. Strowman then posed as Joe and Reigns were selling their injuries.

Overall:

It was a fine episode of Raw but the reveal of Angle’s announcement was a disappointment but let’s see where the storyline leads. I liked how WWE is building up programs for SummerSlam as you can see where some of the matches are heading.

image Credit – WWE