By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
WWE Raw (Episode 1,628)
Baltimore, Maryland at CFG Bank Arena
Aired live August 5, 2024 on Syfy Network
[Hour One] Raw opened with a SummerSlam video package… Footage aired of Dominik Mysterio and Liv Morgan, and then Damian Priest walking backstage, plus Bron Breakker and Drew McIntyre were shown arriving separately at the building. McIntyre kissed the bracelet that he stole from CM Punk… Michael Cole and Pat McAfee were on commentary, and Samantha Irvin was the ring announcer…
Ludwig Kaiser stood in the ring with a spotlight on him and introduced new World Heavyweight Champion Gunther, who made his entrance dressed in a suit. Cole said there was a sold out crowd of 11,832 in attendance. Cole noted that Gunther held the NXT UK Championship for 880 days and the Intercontinental Championship for 666 days.
Gunther hugged Kaiser once he was in the ring. Gunther held up his title belt and then pyro shot off on the stage. Gunther introduced himself and touted being the longest reigning Intercontinental Champion and the King of the Ring. “And now I am your World Heavyweight Champion,” Gunther boasted.
Gunther said a new legacy begins. He said the title and the company have deserved so much more for a very long time. He said that if you thought his Intercontinental Title reign was historic, wait until you see what he does as world champion. Gunther boasted that he’s better than the other wrestlers. He said nothing can catch him off guard and said he is greatness personified.
Randy Orton’s entrance music interrupted Gunther. “No way,” Cole said as Orton walked slowly toward the ring. Gunther conceded that Orton showing up surprised him. Orton said he’s the only reason that Gunther is holding the championship.
Orton said Gunther got his title shot because he beat him at King of the Ring, then questioned whether Gunther actually beat him. Orton said even Triple H knows that his shoulders were not on the mat when he was pinned. Orton said he respects that the referee’s decision is final, but even Triple H knows and said there would be a rematch.
Orton said he was calling in that rematch. Orton said he’s the only man who can match Gunther inside the ring as a technician. Orton said the fans deserve a modern day Ric Flair vs. Ricky Steamboat. Orton said he knows he can fill one of those roles, then questioned whether Gunther could.
Orton said Gunther considers himself a living legend. “My brother, I made a career out of killing legends,” Orton said. He boasted that hew would do the same at Bash in Berlin and walk out as the new World Heavyweight Champion. A “Randy” chant broke out.
Gunther said everything Orton said is true. Gunther said not beating Orton clean at King of the Ring left a stain on his record. Gunther said that if the voices in Orton’s head were telling Orton that he could win, his voices were wrong. An “RKO” chant broke out.
Gunther accepted the challenge and offered a handshake, which Orton accepted. Gunther pulled him in close and the camera mic picked up Gunther saying that nothing catches him out of nowhere. Orton said it’s good to know and he wants Gunther to see it coming. Orton left the ring while Cole played up the possibility of Orton becoming a 15-time world champion…
Powell’s POV: I wasn’t thinking of Orton as a potential first challenger, but there’s good storyline logic. Orton is technically a Smackdown wrestler, but the way he lost at MITB makes it fair that he crosses over and gets his rematch.
Cole hyped a look back at the return of Roman Reigns at SummerSlam for later in the show. He also hyped the in-ring debut of the Wyatt Sicks…
Sheamus was interviewed by Jackie Redmond on the Gorilla Position set. Sheamus spoke about facing Ludwig Kaiser and referred to him as a human Ken doll. Sheamus asked the Baltimore crowd if they were ready for a banger and then made his entrance.
Ludwig Kaiser was still at ringside and went after Sheamus. The duo brawled at ringside and then the referee called for the bell once they were both inside the ring…
1. Sheamus vs. Ludwig Kaiser. Cole identified the referee as Eddie Orengo. Sheamus performed an early rolling senton. Sheamus went to the ropes, but Kaiser rolled to ringside and told the referee he was injured. The referee motioned for help and then held Sheamus back.
Kaiser shot up and attacked Sheamus, revealing that his injury was a ruse. Kaiser got a running start and then dropkicked Sheamus, who was seated next to the ring steps. Sheamus beat the referee’s count at nine. Kaiser put the boots to him.
Kaiser had Sheamus on the apron and went for Ten Beats. Sheamus broke it up and clotheslined Kaiser. A “Let’s go, Sheamus” chant broke out. A graphic touted Raw returning to USA Network next week while Kaiser regained control and taunted Sheamus.
Sheamus rallied and hit White Noise for a near fall. Sheamus applied the cloverleaf, which Kaiser broke by grabbing the bottom rope. Kaiser clotheslined Sheamus over the top rope and then hit him with a clothesline before covering him for a two count.
Sheamus took control and hit Kaiser with Ten Beats while the crowd counted along. Sheamus went up top and hit Kaiser with a clothesline on the floor.
Pete Dunne showed up and tried to hit Sheamus with the shillelagh, but Sheamus avoided it. Sheamus got the better of Dunne and headed back to the ring where he hit with a step-up enzuigiri by Kaiser for a near fall. Sheamus came back with the Brogue Kick and scored the pin…
Sheamus defeated Ludwig Kaiser in 11:20.
Powell’s POV: A good back and forth battle. Sheamus got the win, but Kaiser continues to look like a wrestler on the rise.
A graphic boasted that Roman Reigns’ return resulted in over 100 million social media views, making it the biggest SummerSlam social media moment to date…
A video package aired on Bray Wyatt and The Wyatt Sicks… A brief SummerSlam video package recapped Finn Balor turning on Damian Priest…
Damian Priest walked quickly to the ring and called for Finn Balor to come out and take a beating like a man. Priest spoke about how he was on his own until the Judgment Day. He said he realized that his family got bigger and played to the fans by telling Balor to say hello to his new family (the fans cheered).
Priest said he’s not just upset about losing the championship. He said Balor made him feel like he disappointed his family and he can’t let that stand. Priest said that when Balor is suffering, he should know that he’s the reason for the pain. Priest called for Balor to come out so the beatings could begin.
Finn Balor appeared on the big screen and told Priest that he brought this all on himself. Balor said Priest betrayed Judgment Day. Balor said they were all supposed to have each other’s backs and there were no leaders, but that changed once Priest became champion.
Balor said he nearly became champion a year ago and Priest told him it was time to man up. Balor said he waited a full year and he screwed Priest and his whole family. Balor said Priest is street trash and he wouldn’t fight him, but JD McDonagh would. Balor said he would wait until Priest feels comfortable and has almost forgotten about him, and then he’ll be there to stab him in the back again and again.
Balor said it won’t just be him. “We all will,” Balor said while McDonagh, Dominik Mysterio, Liv Morgan, and Carlito joined him. Priest got upset in the ring and then headed backstage. McAfee assumed that Balor and his crew are the new Judgment Day…
McAfee used his telestrator over footage of Triple H spitting water with him at the SummerSlam kickoff rally. McAfee then had fun while footage aired of Michael Cole doing a poor water spit bit with Triple H…
Adam Pearce was on the phone backstage when Bronson Reed showed up. Reed said he beat Sheamus last week and was upset about Sheamus having a match. Pearce spoke about Sheamus and Ludwig Kaiser. Reed said Pearce always has an excuse and if he wants to get to the top then he’ll need to take matters into his own hands…
2. Lyra Valkyria vs. Shayna Baszler (w/Zoey Stark, Sonya Deville). Both entrances were televised. Valkyria performed a nice gut-wrench into a sit-out powerbomb for a two count. Valkyria went up top. Stark climbed onto the apron and was kicked down by Valkyria. Moments later, Valkyria kicked Deville through the ropes.
Baszler put Valkyria in a submission hold that she escaped. Valkyria hit the Night Wing and had the pin, but Stark ran in and attacked her for the DQ.
Lyra Valkyria beat Shayna Baszler by disqualification in 2:40.
After the match, “Damage CTRL” Iyo Sky, Kairi Sane, and Dakota Kai ran out and cleared Baszler, Stark, and Deville from the ring…
A Final Testament pre-tape aired. Karrion Kross spoke about how AOP would put an end to New Day. Kross said New Day stood the test of time, but all good things must come to an end. Kross said it didn’t have to be this way for Xavier Woods, who was too afraid to become his own man. Kross said he gave Woods opportunity after opportunity, then added “certainly more opportunities than I’ve been given”…
CM Punk was shown walking backstage and Cole said he would appear after the break… [C]
Powell’s POV: Valkyria was on the verge of winning before the interference, so it was a good outing for her. Meanwhile, this crowd seemed to recognize Damage CTRL as the babyfaces after last week’s crowd seemed confused.
Additional SummerSlam highlights aired…
Ivy Nile was talking with Julius Creed and Brutus Creed. She dismissed them once Maxxine Durpi showed up. Dupri wasn’t happy about the Creeds.
[Hour Two] Chad Gable showed up and told Nile that Dupri brings nothing of value. Gable said Dupri, Otis, and Akira Tozawa could keep the Alpha Academy name because he has a new crew. Gable told Nile that she doesn’t need Dupri…
CM Punk made his entrance and signed an autograph and greeted fans on his way to the ring. Cole said Punk’s in-ring work at SummerSlam silenced most of the critics, but Punk let his emotions get the best of him.
Punk assumed people were wondering why he was smiling and happy. Punk said he would address that in a minute, but first he gave a shout-out to Belal Muhammad for winning the UFC Welterweight Championship.
Punk said he was happy because he hadn’t been to Baltimore in years. He said getting there was no guarantee. He said some fans love him because when he gets knocked down, he gets back up. He said some people in the company hate him because he doesn’t stay down.
Punk said the night wasn’t guaranteed because of the injury he suffered at the Royal Rumble. Punk said he was told the injury would sideline him for nine months, but he was able to come back in five months.
Punk put over McIntyre’s size and called him a tough son of a bitch. Punk took issue with McIntyre “telling lies about me to make him feel better about himself.” Punk said he’s happy because he’s back and SummerSlam was just the start.
Punk said his road to WrestleMania started at SummerSlam. He asked where he would be if he stayed down when he lost a match or a championship. Punk said his summer didn’t start the way he wanted, but it’s still summer and the fans in Baltimore deserve less talking and more Punk fighting. Punk called for round two.
Seth Rollins’ entrance music interrupted Punk, who show frustration. Rollins came out wearing a black leather jacket and said he was also in a good mood. “After ten long years, it’s time for me to put you in the dirt.” Rollins went to enter the ring, but Punk stood near the corner. Rollins asked if he was going to let him in. Punk said he wasn’t the one who dressed like a cowboy, but he’d be his huckleberry.
Drew McIntyre spoke from the crowd before Rollins and Punk could get physical. McIntyre said Punk proved that he still has it, but he’s no longer the best in the world. “I am,” McIntyre declared. Punk and Rollins continued to stare at one another.
McIntyre said he knew how to get their attention. McIntyre held up Punk’s bracelet and mentioned his wife and dog. Punk left the ring, hopped the barricade, and went after McIntyre.
Bronson Reed entered the ring and attacked Rollins, who quickly battled back. Reed put Rollins down with a Death Valley Driver and two running sentons. Reed hit Rollins with two Tsunami splashes. Referees and producers ran out.
Reed left the ring, but then returned and hit a third Tsunami splash. Reed went up top and performed a fourth Tsunami, then rushed back up top and hit a fifth Tsunami. Reed went back to the ropes and pounded his chest before performing a sixth Tsunami. Rollins coughed up blood in the ring. Reed went up top again, but Rollins was rolled away…
An ad for Smackdown hyped the return of Roman Reigns… [C]
Powell’s POV: I love it. It’s great to see Reed finally involved in something meaningful. This felt like it was a lot more than an attack to set up Rollins getting quick revenge by winning a television match. I’ll be surprised if this doesn’t lead to a PLE match between the two.
The broadcast team recapped Bronson Reed attacking Seth Rollins…
Backstage, Jackie Redmond asked Adam Pearce for an update on Rollins. Pearce said Rollins would be going to the hospital and the training staff was concerned about internal bleeding.
CM Punk stormed into the area in search of Drew McIntyre. Pearce told Punk that he walked McIntyre out of the building. Pearce told Punk that McIntyre was gone and told him to relax…
The Final Testament was in the ring while AOP was introduced. New Day made their entrance…
3. “New Day” Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods vs. “AOP” Akam and Rezar (w/Karrion Kross, Scarlett, Paul Ellering). Kingston and Woods wore Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles gear for a merchandise crossover deal. Akam put Kingston down with a spinebuster. Rezar tagged in going into a split-screen break. [C]
Kingston did a trust fall dive from the top rope that was going to miss Akam by a mile, but fortunately Akam reached out and did his best to catch him. Kross got involved briefly.
Odyssey Jones came out and ran Kross into the ring apron. Cole acted unfamiliar with Jones initially and then identified him. Jones tossed Kross over the barricade. In the ring, Woods caught a distracted Rezar in an inside cradle and got the three count.
“New Day” Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods beat “AOP” Akam and Rezar in 6:55.
After the match, Jones broke up a post match attack by AOP. Jones picked up both AOP members with each arm and slammed them both to the mat. Kross returned to the ring, but Jones put him down as well. Kingston and Woods returned to the ring to celebrate with Jones…
Powell’s POV: Nothing says we’re mad as hell and not going to take it anymore quite like dressing up in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles gear. Worse yet, nothing says badass monster heel tag team quite like losing to two happy go lucky dudes dressed up like cartoon characters. Good lord. I suppose we should be thankful that WWE doesn’t have a merchandise deal with the Smurfs. It was a good debut for Jones, but here’s hoping that they don’t have a plus-sized Nina Turtles outfit waiting for him.
A JD McDonagh video package aired. McDonagh said Damian Priest never wanted him in Judgment Day because he’s the only person that Finn Balor would listen to ahead of Priest. McDonagh said now he’s in Judgment Day and is a tag team champion while Priest has nothing…
Austin Theory and Grayson Waller made their entrance… [C]
A shot aired of Vancouver while Cole hyped WWE Survivor Series: WarGames coming to the city…
Backstage, Jones told Kingston that he was honored to help out New Day. Kingston introduced Jones to Woods. Jones told Woods that Kingston said they needed help against Final Testament. Woods looked a little off, but then Akira Tozawa, Otis, and Maxxine Dupri showed up and Woods joined in while Tozawa did his dance…
Highlights aired from SummerSlam of Jelly Roll chokeslamming Austin Theory, followed by Jelly Roll, The Miz, and R-Truth doing a “15-Knuckle Shuffle” on Theory…
The Miz and R-Truth made their entrance and sang their song on the way to the ring. Cole recalled Truth thinking that Waller and Theory were the Rock-n-Roll Express…
4. The Miz and R-Truth vs. Grayson Waller and Austin Theory. Truth jumped out of a fast start by getting the better of both opponents. Miz and Truth performed a double dropkick (the Rock-n-Roll Express’s finisher) heading into a split screen break. [C]
Miz went to the ropes while Truth tagged himself in. Miz hit a crossbody block on Theory and was surprised when the referee didn’t count. Truth hoisted up Waller and swung in a way that caused Waller’s legs to hit Miz, who tumbled to ringside. Theory hit A-Town Down on Truth and scored the pin.
Grayson Waller and Austin Theory beat The Miz and R-Truth in 7:35.
After the match, Miz helped Truth up and then shook his hand and hugged him…
Powell’s POV: I assume the Awesome Truth split is coming soon given the way they fell apart at the end.
A Damian Priest promo package aired. Priest said he never wanted JD McDonagh in Judgment Day and only Finn Balor did. Priest said it amazes him that someone with a giant skull has such a tiny brain. Priest said Balor sent McDonagh to take the first bullet. Priest said he hoped that McDonagh confessed to his sins on Sunday because he planned to send his “big-headed ass straight to hell”…
JD McDonagh made his entrance… [C] Cole officially announced Gunther vs. Randy Orton for the World Heavyweight Championship for WWE Bash in Berlin on Saturday, August 31…
New Intercontinental Champion Bron Breakker was interviewed by Cathy Kelley in the backstage area. Breakker said all the wrestlers in WWE like to talk about their title reigns and how long they lasted. Breakker said it’s taken him less than three years since he arrived in NXT to win the Intercontinental Title.
Breakker said he still considers himself the hunter. Breakker said he feels sorry for whatever idiot thinks he can take the title away from him. Breakker said the championship was born to be on his shoulder. Breakker showed off the side plate with his name on it. Breakker said there’s not a man on the planet who can take his name off his title…
Powell’s POV: Well, no man can remove the name plate without the proper screwdriver.
Damian Priest made his entrance and played to both sides of the arena on the stage before heading to the ring…
5. Damian Priest vs. JD McDonagh (w/Carlito). Priest put McDonagh down with an early big boot and then yelled, which got a rise out of the crowd. Cole wondered if Carlito was now a full member of Judgment Day. McDonagh avoided a corner splash and then went on the offensive.
[Hour Three] Priest came back and cleared McDonagh from the ring. Priest went to the floor and chased Carlito to the other side of the ring. Priest picked up McDonagh, who slipped away and ran him into the ring post. McDonagh hit Priest with a suicide dive going into a PIP break. [C]
Priest went for a chokeslam, but McDonagh flipped and landed on his feet. McDonagh headbutted Priest and then hit a nice top rope moonsault for a near fall. Priest came back and threw kicks and then dropped McDonagh with a forearm.
Priest fired up in the corner and then hit a leaping elbow on McDonagh in the opposite corner. Priest hit the Broken Arrow. McDonagh went to the floor. Priest joined him and shoved him over the broadcast table. Priest tossed McDonagh back inside the ring and turned him inside out with a clothesline. Priest knocked Carlito off the apron. Priest set up for his finisher, but Finn Balor entered the ring and hit him from behind for the DQ.
Damian Priest beat JD McDonagh by DQ in 10:20.
After the match, Priest regrouped and shot a death stare at Balor. Dominik Mysterio and Liv Morgan came out. The male members of Judgment Day ganged up Priest, who took out Dom, McDonagh, and Carlito. Balor tried to run away, but Priest caught him. Priest set up Balor for his finisher, but Morgan pulled Balor down. Dom hit Priest from behind.
Rhea Ripley’s entrance music played and she ran to the ring. Dom hopped the barricade in the timekeepers area. Morgan tried to do the same, but Ripley caught her and roughed her up at ringside. Ripley set up to put Morgan through the broadcast table, but Dom pulled Morgan away.
Ripley entered the ring and went face-to-face with McDonagh. Ripley headbutted McDonagh and then Priest hit his South of Heaven chokeslam on McDonagh. Carlito pulled McDonagh to ringside. Priest hugged Ripley and raised her hand…
Powell’s POV: A good match and a very well received post match angle. I was surprised to see McDonagh get so much offense on Priest’s revenge night, but it all worked out in the end. The crowd was really hot for Ripley running out to help Priest. As big as the next Ripley vs. Morgan or a mixed tag match match will be, imagine how off the charts huge a spectacle match between Ripley and Dom would be.
The broadcast team set up a video package that recapped the return of Roman Reigns at SummerSlam during Cody Rhodes vs. Solo Sikoa in a Bloodline Rules match for the WWE Championship… Cole hyped Reigns returning on Friday’s Smackdown…
“Damage CTRL” Iyo Sky, Kairi Sane, and Dakota Kai were shown walking backstage ahead of Kai’s scheduled match with Sonya Deville. Deville, Shayna Baszler, and Zoey Stark attacked the trio. Kai clutched her leg at the end. Cole wondered how they could have a match… [C]
An ad for Raw returning to USA Network aired…
Sonya Deville made her entrance with Shayna Baszler, and Zoey Stark. Deville got a mic and said she didn’t think they would see Dakota Kai in the ring. Deville said it was so sad and assumed that Kai was “a little under the weather.”
Damage CTRL’s entrance theme played and then Iyo Sky and Kairi Sane came out. A graphic listed Iyo Sky, who was introduced by Samantha Irvin as Deville’s opponent…
6. Sonya Deville (w/Shayna Baszler, Zoey Stark) vs. Iyo Sky (w/Kairi Sane). The match spilled over to ringside where Sky fought off Baszler and Stark before Deville ran her into the ring steps. [C]
Sky got the better of Deville and then hit a missile dropikick for a two count. Deville came back and hit a running knee for a two count of her own. Sky rolled over Deville and hit a standing double stomp. Sky hit double knees in the corner and went for the pin, but Stark put Deville’s foot over the bottom rope.
Sane hit a spinning back fist on Stark and then Sky kicked Baszler through the ropes. Deville tried to hit her finisher on a distracted Sky, but Sky tossed Deville to ringside.
Sky and Sane both went up top at the same time. Sky performed a moonsault on Deville and Baszler while Sky took out Stark with an Insane Elbow. Sky put Deville back inside the ring and hit her with an Over the Moonsault before scoring the clean pin…
Iyo Sky beat Sonya Deville in 9:05.
Powell’s POV: The broadcast team keeps touting this as the two teams fighting over control of Raw when it really comes off as two mid-card factions fighting just to fight.
Backstage, Ilja Dragunov sang the praises of Sami Zayn, who thanked him and said he would make a fine champion himself. Jey Uso showed up after Dragunov left and said it was a tough night for Zayn at SummerSlam. Jey spoke about Zayn being able to pick himself up by getting his rematch and regaining the title. Zayn fired up and said he spoke with Adam Pearce and he’ll get his rematch next week. Jey said that Zayn would be a double champion once he wins the Intercontinental Title and then they finish things with Judgment Day…
Cole and McAfee spoke at ringside. Cole said Seth Rollins was undergoing various testing and the doctors were concerned about internal bleeding. Cole set up the latest Wyatt Sicks video and said it focused on a man who thinks he’s Huskus the Pig…
The latest Wyatt Sicks video aired. Joe Gacy had his back to the camera while Uncle Howdy said they kept him locked away. Howdy said they would make them all pay for their sins. Gacy yelled once his face was shown…
Powell’s POV: The Wyatt Sicks videos clearly peaked with Uncle Howdy and Erick Rowan. The three that followed have been quick and mostly forgettable.
Chad Gable, Julius Creed, and Brutus Creed walked backstage. Gable spoke about having a new family and said they would take care of the freak show. Gable dubbed his new group “American Made” and then they made their entrance for the main event… [C]
The following matches were announced for next week’s Raw in Austin, Texas: Bron Breakker vs. Sami Zayn in a best of three falls match for the Intercontinental Title, and Iyo Sky and Kairi Sane vs. Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark for a shot at the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles…
The Wyatt Sicks entrance played out. It started with a lantern on a rocking chair on the stage. The single piano key music turned into Bray Wyatt’s entrance theme. Uncle Howdy carried the lantern while walking with Erick Rowan, Joe Gacy, Dexter Lumis, and Nikki Cross. They stopped near ringside. Cross sat down, Howdy turned off the lantern, and then the other three rushed the ring and quickly cleared the ring.
7. Erick Rowan, Joe Gacy, and Dexter Lumis (w/Uncle Howdy, Nikki Cross) vs. Chad Gable, Julius Creed, and Brutus Creed. Howdy took a seat on the rocking chair. A “this is awesome” chant broke out before the opening bell. Lumis had dreadlocks. Gacy wore shorts and a sleeveless shirt. Gacy had some white makeup had black around his eyes.
Gacy and Lumis performed a double neckbreaker on Brutus, who held the back of his head. The referee checked on Brutus, which allowed Gable to pull Lumis’s hair. Gable and the Creeds surrounded Lumis. Rowan and Gacy ended up entering the ring and all six men brawled. The Wyatts Sicks cleared the ring heading into a PIP break. [C]
Rowan paid tribute to Luke Harper/Brodie Lee by standing on the apron and yelling, “Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.” Rowan had Gable beat, but the Creeds broke up the pin. Gable suplexed Rowan and got a two count. A “you suck” chant broke out.
Gable looked fearful when he looked at Lumis and Gacy, who were at ringside. The Creeds approached Lumis and Gacy from behind. Lumus and Gacy performed stereo uranage slams onto the broadcast table.
Rowan grabbed Gable by the head with a claw and then picked him up and slammed him to the mat. Gacy tagged in and then tagged in Lumis. Gacy powerbombed Lumis onto Gable. Lumis went up top and jumped off. Rowan shoved Lumis in mid-air while he splashed Gable and then got the three count.
Erick Rowan, Joe Gacy, and Dexter Lumis defeated Chad Gable, Julius Creed, and Brutus Creed in 11:00.
Cole said he could guarantee that Bray Wyatt was looking down and was proud of what he saw. Highlights from the match aired. Cole listed Nikki Cross as “Abby the Witch” after Rowan, Gacy, and Lumis by name. Howdy entered the ring and the Wyatts all posed around the lantern. “We’re here,” Howdy yelled before laughing. The crowd cheered and then Wyatt symbol images flashed on the screen to end the show…
Powell’s POV: A good in-ring debut for the Wyatt Sicks. Everyone involved worked hard and worked at a fast pace. Overall, this was a really strong show coming out of SummerSlam and they did a nice job of setting the table for the upcoming programs. I will have more to say about Raw later tonight with my weekly same night audio review for Dot Net Members (including our Patreon patrons). Let me know what you thought of Raw by grading the show below.
If Valkyria can match her in ring style a bit more to the theme song, she’d going to get over.
Speaking of over, Bronson Reed just took a huge splash forward.
Bronson Reed is boring.
He wasn’t boring tonight.
Definitely wasnt. Sheesh. Giving me Yokozuna/Hulk Hogan vibes. I love it
1/2 way thru this show has a “night after WM” feel. I really like it (too bad it’s wasted on SYFY)
Sign of the night behind the commentators – Dom is a dirty little HAMSTER! Kids! You gotta love em!
It would have taken on a whole new meaning had it been Richard Gere holding up a “dirty gerbil” sign. Gotta love urban legends.
What is this hospital they speak of??? I hope they take him to the local medical facility
The whole Rhea/Dom thing has the potential to be really cringe-worthy. Just imagine if the genders were reversed. Would people be excited to see a man beat up his ex-girlfriend for cheating on him? Domestic violence from either sex is not something that should be cheered even if it is just staged. I’m not trying to be a Debbie Downer here, but there are some subjects that should be avoided.
It’s wrestling. Not Domestic Violence.
None of this is like that Beaver Cleavage angle (or let’s not forget about how the sainted Randy Savage used to manhandle Elizabeth – his ACTUAL WIFE).
This is just a revenge angle and while I don’t often like intergender matches Rhea is in her own category and it doesn’t seem uneven (at least to me)
I know it is not real, buddy. I am not a child. I am just saying there are somethings that should not even have the perception of happening. Maybe it just strikes a nerve with me or something. But it bothers me.
The difference is that Savage was correctly viewed as the villain when doing it. He was not cheered for manhandling his wife. Rhea will be cheered heavily when she finally gets her hands on Dom. It may end up as a great angle, but as I said it has the POTENTIAL for being cringe-worthy. At least it does with this viewer.
You know what. Sorry. My remark came across as unintentionally snarky
If DV is a sensitive topic for you I respect that. For me I don’t like any angles that focus on race or religion. So I understand more than I came across
WWE intergender matches have been done before and will happen again. Maybe I’m naive, but I trust modern day WWE to do it right. It could be a huge attraction match with the right build.
And I hope you are correct and they just don’t sink to the lowest common denominator. That has also unfortunately been something that WWE has done before.
I’m pleasantly surprised to see the Sicks showing us some cohesive tag offense and not just punchy-punchy kicky-kicky brawling potato shots.
I would rather see a Survivor Series match than a War Games one. The whole concept was overthought, and having two rings in the arena all night is distracting.
It’s just a boring match, always has been. They need to Darby Allen stunts to make it interesting.
Yes…they should do more things like the other company that’s losing viewership and continual lower attendance
I’ll take the good War Games matches, that had no weapons and just dudes with long term grudges beating each other up over a 90 pound weakling doing stupid stunts during a supposed fight.
The Bronson Reed attack on Rollins brought back memories of the Benoit attack on Rikishi. It’s good to have a King Kong Bundy, Jerry Blackwell, Yokozuna, or Earthquake type; not all heavyset wrestlers can make that work. I would think though that after the fourth splash or so that many of the guys in the ring would have thought to roll Rollins away from the landing zone.
Jim Ross used to refer to those special big guys as having another gear. One Man Gang and Big Bubba had it as well. Blackwell doing dropkicks as a younger guy was always visually impressive.
If you don’t have either the mic work or the quickness/agility in the ring to make your size come across as even more devastating, then you’re either going to flop or it’s going to take great booking to get you over at all.