WWE Raw results (8/31): Moore’s live review of Roman Reigns’ appearance, Penta vs. Rey Fenix for a shot at the World Heavyweight Championship, Raquel Rodriguez vs. Sol Ruca for the Women’s IC Title

By John Moore, ProWrestling.net Staffer (@liljohnm)

WWE Raw (Episode 1,736)
Taped August 28, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio at the Rocket Arena
Streamed August 31, 2026, on Netflix

The show started with a shot in the parking lot. A random SUV spun the block in the lot. Royce Keys, Bronco Nima, and Lucien Price got out of the car and beat down Jimmy Uso and Jey Uso. One of the Usos was bleeding. Jacob Fatu showed up with a lead pipe. Keys, Nima, and Price drove off with Jacob looking pissed…

The show cut to Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett checked in on commentary. Mark Nash was the ring announcer. Cathy Kelley was the backstage interviewer…

Entrances for the opening match took place with picture-and-picture updates of Jimmy and Jey Uso getting checked on by the referees and medics. Mark Nash handled the in ring championship match introductions…

Before the bell could ring, Jacob Fatu took a mic and called Keys and OTM and bunch of bitch asses. He then yelled that he was going to go to war with them bitches due to what they did to his family. Jacob then started tossing around barricades and equipment at ringside. Eventually they rang the bell…

John’s Thoughts: Really fun en media res opening to shake up the format of the show to keep the viewer glued to the TV. So far it’s a fun first two weeks of this new Royce Keys-Out The Mud faction. I really loved them spinning the block on the Usos as it immediately made them a threat. The face-heel alignments are still a bit weird, but what it looks like is that they’re in the process of pushing OG Bloodline to a babyface alignment (what’s odd is where does that leave LA Knight and Solo Sikoa?). By the way, Jason Powell and I traded coverage this week as I can’t cover NXT tomorrow, so Jason has got you covered there.

1. Raquel Rodriguez vs. Sol Ruca for the WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship. Sol started the match by blocking Irish Whips with handstands. She also hit Raquel with a Fosbury Flop at ringside. Raquel slowed down the action with a Pounce and methodical offense. Sol hit Raquel with a springboard crossbody for a nearfall. Sol stretched Raquel with a modified Tarantula. Raquel dodged a kick off Triangle Moonsault from Sol and hit Sol with a cross body block heading into break.[c]

Sol gave Raquel alternating strikes followed by running axe handles. Sol hit Raquel with double boots to the back, followed by a Missile Dropkick. Sol got a two count after a PK. Raquel deadlifted Sol by the head into fireman carry on the apron. Sol slipped out of the hold and then dumped Rodriguez to ringside with an impressive Sunset Flip. Roxanne Perez ran out to help Rodriguez. Sol hit both Rodriguez and Perez with a Corkscrew Plancha.

Liv Morgan ran out to distract the referee. Sol was about to go for the Sol Snatcher, but she was stopped by crackhead lookin’ Lyra Valkyria. This allowed Rodriguez to hit Sol with the Tejana Bomb for the victory.

Raquel Rodriguez defeated Sol Ruca via pinfall in 6:13 of on-air time to retain the WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship.

Lyra Valkyria was chuckling at ringside, and yes she looks like she’s on crack…

John’s Thoughts: A good match while it lasted. Even though Sol had a rough first month or two on the main roster, she’s elevated her game back to where she was on NXT and is putting on more consistently smooth matches on a weekly basis alongside her immense athletic ability. Her length and innovation has me thinking she’s the female version of Kofi Kingston. I’m looking forward to Sol’s feud with Lyra. For one, Lyra’s one of the best workers in the company. I also hope we get to see more of crackhead Lyra on TV. Lyra never really connected for years with that generic crazy bird lady persona. This crackhead look is kinda funny and it seems like she’s having fun playing the character.

A hype package aired to hype up the Pentagon Jr. vs. Rey Fenix tournament final match. Because WWE owns AAA, they had tons of Penta and Fenix’s footage from their career in Mexico. The match was dubbed “Brother vs. Brother”….

Arrival shots of Rey Fenix and Penta were shown…

Wade and Joe checked in on commentary where they ran through a replay of the crime scene Royce Keys and Out The Mud caused…

Chad Gable was shown walking backstage…[c]

WWE Intercontinental Champion Chad Gable made his entrance for a promo segment (he did not awkwardly clap like a seal). He said he loves the energy in the arena. He said he wanted to feel that he’s made it to his goal, but he doesn’t feel that way. He said he realized that the real work starts now. He said now is time to define his legacy and define how he wants to be remembered by the fans. Gable said he started carving that legacy against Lucha legend Rey Mysterio.

Gable talked about his work in AAA as Grande Americano really meant a lot to him. He said he wouldn’t be Intercontinental Champion if it were not for the Mexican people. He said he didn’t want to go to Mexico unless he could repay them. Gable said he can go back because Raw is coming back to Mexico for the first time in 15 years and Gable will defend his title in Mexico City. Gable said he’s going to introduce one person who deserves a chance to go after that title, Dragon Lee.

Dragon Lee made his entrance. Gable said Dragon’s match against Fenix last week was awe inspiring and he has all the respect for Dragon. Dragon said he also has respect for Gable. Gable noted that Adam Pearce allowed him to pick his opponent at Mexico City. “All Ego” Ethan Page made his entrance to cut off Chad. Page said Gable’s out there as a fighting champion giving away free title shots to undeserving luchadores.

Page said that Gable should pick a stronger opponent than Dragon, which is Ethan Page. Gable said Page is on that long list of deserving contenders for his belt. Gable joked that Page isn’t on the top and he’s right below the Honky Tonk Man on that list. Page said that joke wasn’t disrespectful because Honky Tonk Man is one of the longest reigning IC champs of all time. Page said that Gable needs to stop being a charity case or else he’ll just be a paper champion.

Dragon tried to cut in and Page called him a little man trying to cut in while adults are speaking. Dragon yelled at Page and said that Page has a big mouth. Dragon said if Page wants to prove himself they should have a match in Cleveland right now. Gable cut in and said that sounds like a good match. Gable said as long as it’s okay with Adam Pearce, the winner will get a chance to wrestle Gable in Mexico…[c]

2. “All Ego” Ethan Page vs. Dragon Lee for a Intercontinental Championship title shot in Mexico City. Page dominated the match early on with methodical offense. Dragon tripped up Ethan and hit him with a Slingshot Wrecking Ball kick. Dragon hit Page with a Hesitation Dropkick for a nearfall. Dragon hit Page with a Flip Dive at ringside. The show cut to commercial.[c]

Dragon had the advantage back from break, but Page turned the tide by tripping Dragon on the apron had hitting him with a backbreaker. Page got a few nearfalls on Dragon. Dragon and Page traded right hands. Page blocked one of Dragon’s holds, but Dragon came back with German Suplexes and right hands. Dragon hit Page with a Tornado DDT for a two count.

Page blocked a huracanrana. Dragon sent Page to ringside with a knee lift. Dragon hit Page with an impressive Huracanrana from the ring to ringside to send Page into the announce table. Page blocked a Suicide Dive with an axe handle strike. Page tossed Dragon into Chad Gable. Gable chased Page which caught the attention of the referee. The distraction by Gable allowed Page to expose the top turnbuckle. Page sent Dragon into the exposed buckle.

The referee didn’t count Page’s pin because he saw the exposed turnbuckle and put two and two together. Gable and Page started to yell at each other. The distraction allowed Dragon Lee to slip in and hit Ethan Page with Operation Dragon (Destino) for the victory.

Dragon Lee defeated Ethan Page via pinfall in 8:48 of on-air time. 

John’s Thoughts: You had to assume that the luchador was going over given that WWE wants to stack their Mexico cards with Lucha talent to appeal to the market. That said, Ethan Page wouldn’t be a bad person to showcase in Mexico given how good he’s been in recent memory working in AAA. This match was a bit clunky at points, but they did recover by the end of it with some fun spots. Ethan is an absolute professional and can make any situation work out. I did get a chuckle in the end in a positive way with the referee not being a blind idiot for once. I like it when you can subvert expectations now and then.

Joe Tessitore hyped up WWE’s multi year partnership with Australia to hold PLE’s there over the next few years…

Joe and Wade checked in on commentary and ran through highlights of the LA Knight and Solo Sikoa vs. Bloodline feud from two weeks ago…

Roman Reigns got out of an SUV in the parking lot and met up with Jacob Fatu. Jacob gave Roman a run down over Royce Keys’s crew mugging Jimmy and Jey Uso earlier. Jacob noted that Royce is on another level now. Jacob noted that he’s seen this version of Royce before and that’s when they were both younger (Jacob and Royce both grew up in the Bay Area. So did Jimmy and Jey). Roman cut in and asserted that Royce is Jacob’s problem and he needs to handle it himself. Roman said he has his own problems he needs to take care of…

WWE World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns made his entrance to the arena…[c]

Back from break, Roman had a mic for a promo segment. Roman took his time to soak in various chants from the crowd. Of course, he also asked Cleveland to acknowledge him. Roman said being the one true champ, the only champ that matters, and the tribal chief is a burden. Roman said he should be focused on either Rey Fenix or Penta. He said he should be showing them respect because they’ve earned a title shot, unlike others who bitch and moan all the time about not getting opportunities.

He said that brings him to Solo Sikoa. Roman said he gave Solo an opportunity to earn respect and glory, but he threw all that away for “LA Knight” (which Roman said in a mocking tone). Roman said Knight may remind Solo of The Rock, but he’s not family. On queue, LA Knight made his entrance. Knight mentioned that he has a lot going on after getting jumped by Royce Keys’s crew last week. Knight said Roman is out here pulling out old material where people mock how Knight is seen as a Rock clone.

Knight said Roman looks scared and OTC means “One Tremendous Coward”. Knight said he understands, because the last time Knight and Roman were in the ring, Knight planted him on his big balbus head. Knight said that Roman didn’t even show up last week, probably nursing injuries and rethinking life decisions. Knight said while Roman is doing that thinking, he’s thinking about Knight. Knight said once you’re with the horse, you need to take the ride, and that ride starts right now.

Knight confronted Roman in the ring. The big screen then turned on to show a bloodied Solo Sikoa laid out backstage. Medics and producers were checking on Solo. Jacob Fatu was calmly standing by in the corner. Once LA Knight made his way backstage, Shane Helms, Jamie Noble, and Adam Pearce had to keep Knight and Fatu apart. Roman Reigns showed up and laid out Knight with a Superman Punch. Roman told Fatu to take care of Royce while he keeps Knight under control…

John’s Thoughts: One of the weirdest aspects of this new bloodline saga is how they’re framing Roman. As a fan in the crowd it’s fun to play into the morally grey character given they like to chant, but as a viewer it’s frustrating not knowing how the writers want me to invest in this character one way or another. What helps mitigate that issue is LA Knights extreme aura, and Knight is someone the fans should have no problem investing in. Roman and the Uso’s alignment aside, I do like the new aspect of the Bloodline fighting a multi-front war. I also like how Roman’s dividing up the responsibility by having Royce handle the problem with is old travel mate (Royce Keys and Jacob Fatu used to also wrestle together at every show for the All Pro Wrestling promotion in SF. Same promotion Cody Rhodes wrestled for right after he left WWE).

A vignette was shown of a sexy lady in a bikini walking through the water on a shore. The camera wouldn’t cut up to her face. The vignette then cut away to the same woman doing strikes and jujitsu in an MMA gym, with her face out of focus. A date flashed on the screen saying “9.14” in a Vice City color scheme. It’s clearly Lola Vice (Former Bellator fighter Valerie Loureda)…

AAA Mega Champion Dominik Mysterio made his entrance with JD McDonagh with him. Highlights aired of Je’von Evans vs. Big Cass from last week, where Dom and JD jumped Je’von after the match. Cutting back to today, Dom jumped Je’von before the bell. Thankfully, the referee decided to not reward Dom for the jump start (random competent referees this week?). The bell rang once the referee got the ok from Evans…

3. Dominik Mysterio (w/JD McDonagh) vs. Je’von Evans. Evans dominated early on with his agility and length. A distraction by JD allowed Dom to trip up Je’von and work on Je’von with methodical offense. Je’von dumped Dom to ringside and hit him with a top rope clearing dive heading into break.[c]

Dom was dominating the match back from break with methodical offense and JD getting cheap shots in. Dom kept mocking Je’von and calling himself king. This fired up Je’von who rallied with hands and boots. Je’von hit Dom with a jumping spin kick and Slingshot Clothesline. Dom rolled to JD for a time out. Jevon punched JD and dumped Dom into the time keeper area. Evans ran around the ring for extra speed, but JD took him out with a clothesline to prompt the DQ.

Je’von Evans defeated Dominik Mysterio via apparent DQ in 4:25 of on-air time.  

Dom and JD put the boots to Evans after the match. Say his Name and he appears! I believe in Joe Hendry! Clap Clap! Joe Hendry ran out and cleared the heels from the ring. GM Adam Pearce marched out and yelled that he’s tired off all this Judgement Day crap. Pearce ordered the ref to ring the damn bell and restart the match as a tag team match…

4. “The Judgment Day” Dominik Mysterio and JD McDonagh vs. Je’von Evans and Joe Hendry. Joe and Je’von gave Dom and JD hands at ringside. This time, Je’von was able to run around the ring and hit Dom and JD with a dive into the timekeepers area.[c]

Joe hit JD with his signature delayed suplex. Jevon tagged in and also gave JD a suplex. Dom blind tagged in, which allowed him to blindside Je’von and get the advantage. Judgment Day cut the ring in half on Je’von. Je’von got a window of opportunity with a Springboard Whisper of the Wind. Hendry tagged in and gave both opponents single Fallaway Slams followed by a Double Fallaway slam. Joe hit both opponents with a Senton Plancha.

Joe hit Dom with a discus lariat. JD caught Joe with a headbutt while he was distracted with Dom. This allowed Dom to hit Hendry with a Frog Splash for the win.

Dominik Mysterio and JD McDonagh defeated Joe Hendry and Je’von Evans via pinfall in 6:10 of on-air time. 

John’s Thoughts: Are they going to make JD’s huge ass head a part of his character, where it gives him extra strength for headbutts? I’d kinda be all for that (and no offense to JD too as I also have a huge head). Anyways, I’m happy they gave Dom the dominant win all things considered. I was afraid Dom was about to be the butt of the joke again coming out of Danhausen’s orbit and into Joe Hendry’s goofy orbit. They can always clown on him in following weeks, so he’s not out of the woods yet. I wish they would treat Dom seriously in WWE like they do in AAA. I wouldn’t mind if they merge the WWE and AAA factions that Dom has to make him the Ric Flair in a Mexican horseman faction. Keep he and JD together, but add Omos and Dorian Roldan to the act to complete the horseman configuration.

Highlights aired from a few weeks ago, where Becky Lynch and Stephanie Vaquer formed an alliance to take down Judgement Day…

Cathy Kelley tried to interview Becky Lynch, but Stephanie Vaquer pulled her aside and asked her why she helped her? Becky said she respects that Vaquer tried to fight three people by herself and Becky would rather wrestle a honorable wrestler in Stephanie for the title. Stephanie said gracias, but she doesn’t need help. Becky said “por favor” and that Stephanie should be honored to team up with someone who’s called one of the best female wrestlers of all time. Becky said she at least hopes to get the first title shot after Stephanie wins. Stephanie said she doesn’t need becky. Steph said the title doesn’t need Becky, it needs Stephanie…

Rey Fenix dapped up with Rey Mysterio backstage…[c]

An ad aired for Oba Femi vs. Bron Breakker at Sunday Night’s Main Event…

Cathy Kelley interviewed Paul Heyman and asked him for a prediction or spoiler for the Oba vs. Bron match. Paul said he’s not giving either. He said this match is being promoted as “the future of WWE”. Paul said the winner continues on like nothing happened, but the loser will have more weight put on him.

Paul said he has all the respect for Oba Femi due to what Oba did to his client Brock Lesnar. Paul said Bron is the hardest working and hardest hitting athlete in WWE. Paul talked about how much extra effort Bron puts in the gym compared to everyone else. He said he has no prediction or spoiler because your guess is as good as mine…

John’s Thoughts: Good promo from Paul as usual, but even better with how Paul is framing the Oba vs. Bron clash. Paul’s spoiler powers being stumped adds a lot to the build as it keeps Bron elevated to Oba’s level.

Joe and Wade ran through some advertised matches for Sunday Night’s Main Event…

The whole Judgment Day faction were hanging out backstage, celebrating Dom and JD’s recent win. Roxanne Perez reinforced that she has Liv Morgan’s back in her upcoming title match. Liv said she’s going to win and prove she’s the greatest women’s champion of all time, again…

Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett checked in and recapped the crime scene mugging to open up the show, where Royce Keys, Bronco Nima, and Lucien Price spun the block on the Usos in the parking lot and left them bloodied with their car thrashed. They then cut to Solo Sikoa laid out and bloodied later in the night. Cutting back to the commentary team, Joe Tessitore noted that the three brothers Jimmy, Jey, and Solo have all been taken to a “local medical facility” to get checked on for multiple injuries…

Pentagon Jr. made his cool pinwheel pyro entrance…[c]

Liv Morgan vs. Stephanie Vaquer for the women’s World Championship and  Money in the Bank Qualifying matches were hyped for next week…

AAA Cruiserweight Champion Rey Fenix made their entrance…

5. Rey Fenix vs. Penta for a title shot at the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Fenix and Penta shared a respectful dap-up to start the match. Both men then traded chest slaps and trip ups. Penta and Fenix had a respectful staredown. Fenix hit Penta with his signature tightrope huracanrana. Penta blocked a Lethal Injection with a dropkick and followed up with a flip dive to ringside.[c]

Penta was dominating the match with methodical offense back from break. Fenix hit Penta with an impressive tightrope PK and followed up with a Corkscrew Plancha at ringside. Penta hit Fenix with a staggered Superkick. Fenix came back with a Lethal Injection. Penta hit Fenix with a spin kick and springboard Sling Blade.

Fenix took out Penta with two Savate Kicks to give himself a moment of respite to recover. Penta dumped Fenix to ringside with a superkick. Penta got a two count after a cross kick. Penta hit Fenix with a Tilt a Whirl backbreaker.[c]

Pentagon hit Fenix with a Backstabber for a nearfall. Fenix hit Penta with a Gamengiri and hit him with a nice looking high angle Moonsault. Penta reversed Fenix with a nice looking Pop Up Power Bomb for a nearfall. Fenix staggered Penta on the top rope with a palm uppercut. Both brothers brawled to the top rope. Fenix blocked a Super Canadian Destroyer by landing on his feet. Penta reversed a Black Fire Driver into a Penta Driver for a great nearfall.

Penta cleared the announce table. Penta gave Fenix a Penta Driver through the announce desk. Fenix kicked out at two in the ring. Penta set up Fenix for The Sacrifice and hit him with it. Fenix yelled at Penta to Finish Him. Fenix baited Penta and hit him with a nice Rolling Dragonrana for a really great nearfall. Penta immediately came back with a quick Mexican Destroyer for the victory.

Penta defeated Rey Fenix via pinfall in 12:14 of on-air time to earn a shot at the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.  

Penta cradled his brother in his arms after the match and helped Fenix to his feet. Penta then got the pyro treatment for himself. After the pyro was done, WWE World Champion Roman Reigns made his entrance. Roman and Penta faced off in the ring with Roman holding his title up high. Penta did his signature Cero Miedo pose while Roman did his signature “one” pose to close the show…

John’s Thoughts: I’ve always let it be known that I hate the Lucha Bros as a tag team due to them dumbing down their styles when together, but I absolutely adore them as singles wresters as both men are two of the greatest luchadores of the last few decades with their awesome hybrid styles. Penta always bring more of a methodical approach, while Fenix bring high flying and striking. The potential is always off the roof when you put them against each other and this was no exception. This was a fun TV main event.

I had a feeling Penta would win given he’s a bigger box office draw at this point, but I wouldn’t have minded Fenix winning either as he’s been on quite the roll now that WWE’s turned him loose on all four of their brands. I also think that Fenix can have a show stealer match against Roman down the road given how Fenix thrives in matches against powerhouse opponents (Some of Fenix’s best matches that I’ve witnessed in person have been against the powerhouse El Mesias/Judas Mesias). I say this as a complement to both men here, but they only gave us 40% of what they are capable of with a nice turnup by the end of the match.

I’ve actually spoken to Fenix about this back in 2016 and he’s always been clamoring for a real personal feud against his brother. He’s brought up how bookers always throw them in the ring together for spectacle matches, but never put them in a storyline against each other. That was back in 2016, and US companies haven’t taken advantage of this money storyline up to 2026. I really hope that WWE doesn’t flub this up, and it can be a good feud to plant in the WrestleMania card. With that, I would hope both men get up to 100% and make things person.

Let Penta be violent and an asshole heel (a tough task because he’s so charismatic, but I’ve seen him pull it off before). Let Fenix be that charismatic underdog to fight from behind. Fenix has that Jeff Hardy like aura, and can be the perfect catalyst for that program. Overall, very well structured taped show. I wish we didn’t get commercials edited out for the main event, but thankfully they gave the Lucha Bros two segments to show off their stuff. I really like the en media res opening to change things up, making Royce Keys and OTM look like an absolute threat. I’m liking Roman’s approach of tasking Jacob Fatu to deal with his dirty Oakland Bay Area laundry. Also, I’m extremely happy OTM got the callup because they’ve been snakebitten with injuries during their whole NXT run. They’ve survived many WWE release days and I’m happy they got the callup as they have a great look and ability to them.