RAW Report: Reigns stands tall as SummerSlam approaches

The Big Takeaway

WWE Universal Champion Brock Lesnar made an appearance on Raw along with his advocate Paul Heyman. Heyman said if Lesnar loses the Universal Title at SummerSlam he will quit the WWE. Roman Reigns defeated Braun Strowman and Samoa Joe in a really good triple threat match. Other than that, Raw was pretty forgettable.

Kurt Angle Opened The Show

Angle came out and received a huge reaction is his hometown and announced matches for tonight’s show. Angle mentioned that today marked the 21 anniversary of him winning an Olympic Gold Medal. Lesnar came our and received a pretty big action. Paul Heyman cut a promo and put over all of Lesnar’s Summerslam opponents. Heyman said if Lesnar loses the Universal Title he will leave the WWE. But said at the end of the night Lesnar will retain the Universal Title.

• A good opening segment. The added stipulation was good as everyone continues to speculate if Lesnar is heading back to the UFC.

Matt & Jeff Hardy def. Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson

The Revival were on commentary as Anderson and Gallows took control early on. Matt got the hot tag and ran wild. Gallows delivered a kick to the back of Matt’s head as Anderson connected with a flying knee. Anderson and Gallows went for the Magic Killer but Jeff broke it up. Finish came with Matt delivering the Twist of Fate and Jeff followed up with the Swanton Bomb and pinned Gallows.

Post-Match

The Revival were jawing with The Hardys on the stage as a brawl broke out. Both Matt and Jeff delivered a Twist of Fate to Scott Dawson on the stage. Anderson and Dash Wilder were tossed off the stage. Jeff then delivered a Poetry in Motion to both Anderson and Wilder.

• The post-match was done well and we could see a triple-threat tag team match at SummerSlam. 

Backstage: Renee Young Interviewed Dean Ambrose

They showed highlights of Ambrose teaming with Rollins to defeat Miz, and his Miztourage from last week. Ambrose said they worked well together. Rollins walked in and said it felt good to team with Ambrose again. Ambrose said he still doesn’t trust Rollins and doesn’t want to get burned again.

Backstage: Seth Rollins, Cesaro & Sheamus

Rollins was wandering backstage and walked up to Cesaro and Sheamus. They were making lame jokes about Rollins being alone. Rollins then challenged either Cesaro or Sheamus to a match. Sheamus accepted the match.

Akira Tozawa, Cedrick Alexander & Rich Swann def. TJP, Ariya Daivari & Tony Nese

Story of the match was Daivair working on Tozawa’s injured shoulder as O’Neil wanted him quit. The highlight of the match was both Alexander and Swann delivering top rope plancha to both Daivari and Nese. Finish came with Swann delivering a spinning head kick and Tozawa followed up with a top rope Senton for the win.

MizTV with Jason Jordan

Miz came out with Maryse and his Miztourage and welcomed the WWE Universe to MizTV. Miz wanted to Jordan thoughts on getting booed? Jordan said Miz should know because he receives plenty of boos. Miz then offered Jordan to be part of his Miztourage but he passed. Miz then made fun Angle. Segment ended with Jordan delivering an overhead belly-to-belly suplex to both Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel.

• The Miz was terrific and carried this segment. Jordan was fine and got a good reaction from the crowd.

WWE aired pre-tape promos from Joe, Reigns and Strowman.

Seth Rollins def. Sheamus

A good back-and-forth match as highlights included Sheamus delivering a senton from the middle rope. Rollins came back with a enzugri and followed it up with a suicide dive. Cesaro tried to interfere but Rollins cut him off with a double axehandle smash. Finish came with Sheamus going for the White Noise but Rollins countered with a sunset flip and pinned him.

Post-Match

Cesaro and Sheamus double teamed Rollins after the match as the WWE Universe was chanting for Amrbose who didn’t come out. Cesaro and Sheamus gave Rollins a spiked White Noise. Ambrose came out and was also laid out by the heels. Cesaro delivered a Gotch Neutralizer and Sheamus followed it up with a Brogue kick.

• The post-match attack was good and will likely lead to a Tag Team Championship match at SummerSlam. This could end up leading to a possible Ambrose heel turn.

Finn Balor attacked Bray Wyatt

Bray Wyatt came out and cut a long spooky promo on Finn Balor. The lights went out as Balor’s music played. Wyatt looked towards the entrance, but Balor appeared in the ring. Balor delivered an overhead kick and then followed it up with a baseball side. Balor then delivered a missile dropkick which sent Wyatt into the crowd. Balor then did his signature pose.

• This feud will lead to an appearance from Demon Balor at SummerSlam. 

Triple-Threat Match: Roman Reigns def. Samoa Joe & Braun Strowman

Highlights included Reigns landing a Superman punch to Joe on the floor. Strowman threw steel steps into the ring as Reigns tried to whip Joe into them. Joe recovered and applied the Coquina Clutch on Joe, but Strowman returned and bulldozed both his opponents. Strowman then delivered a running powerslam to Joe. Strowman tried to use the steel steps but Reigns delivered a Superman punch. Reigns then attacked Strowman with the steel steps. Finish came with Reigns delivering a spear to Joe for the win.

• This was a really good match as everyone looked great.

Backstage: Enzo Amore and Big Show

Enzo apologized for dragging Big Show into this miss. Big Show said he will teach Big Cass some respect.

Elias def. Kalisto

Elias was in the ring and asked the crowd “Who wants to walk with Elias?” Elias then cut a heel promo on the crowd. Elias defeated Kalisto after delivering a swinging neck breaker (which is now called Drift Away)

Charly Caruso interviewed Raw Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss

Bliss didn’t mind that Bayley won the number one contender’s match last week, so she can beat her again at SummerSlam. Bliss said Banks was on a promotional tour and couldn’t help Bayley in her match against Nia Jax.

Backstage: Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins

Rollins thanked Ambrose for coming to his aid. Ambrose said he didn’t come to his aid and said Mr. Architect put him in a position that if he didn’t come out there, then he would come off as a bad guy. Ambrose basically said he didn’t trust Rollins and then walked away. Rollins looked gloomy.

Bayley def. Nia Jax via Countout

Jax took control and pounced on Bayley’s right shoulder throughout the match. Bayley battled back after Jax took a bump on the floor after missing a charge. Bliss came out from the crowd, but Bayley attacked her too. Jax knocked down Bayley and went to check on Bliss. Jax went for another charge but ran into the steel steps. Bayley rolled back into the ring and won by countout.

• Bliss tried to attack Bayley after the match, but Bayley bailed as she was selling her shoulder injury.

Enzo came out, cut a short promo and then introduced Big Show.

Big Cass def. Big Show by Disqualification

Big Show took control in the early part of the match. Cass made a comeback by clipping the knee of Big Show. Cass delivered a big boot, but Enzo jumped on Cass’ back as the referee called for the DQ.

Cass yanked Amore off and then delivered a big boot. Cass went after Show but took a knockout punch in the process. Big Show then helped Enzo to the back. (Crowd didn’t care about this at all)

Overall

Apart from the opening segment and the triple-threat match, this episode of Raw really dragged.

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Image Credit – WWE