Reviews

The John Report: The WWE Raw Deal 08/01/22 Review

By John Canton • Published 1st August 2022
wwe raw deal aug 1

This week’s WWE Raw was the follow-up to SummerSlam with The Usos defending the Tag Team Titles against The Mysterios, Seth Rollins in action, Bayley making her Raw return and more.

This was the first Raw after a fun SummerSlam event on Saturday night. I also want to thank everybody reading this for helping us at TJRWrestling have our best month ever in July in terms of page views. We are putting out a lot of content in terms of reviews, columns and news and you keep coming back for more. I want to thank our awesome team for their contributions, but also want to thank you, the reader, for supporting us. We’ve grown a lot in the last year especially. I’m really happy about it while also more excited about the WWE product with Triple H running the creative team because it does feel fresh after so many years of Vince McMahon in charge. I’m excited about the future.

This is the Raw Deal for episode #1523 of Monday Night Raw. It’s taking place at Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Follow me on Twitter @johnreport. Let’s get to it.

The show began with a shot of the Houston crowd looking ready to go. The Raw commentary team was Jimmy Smith, Corey Graves and Byron Saxton as usual.

Let’s Hear from Becky Lynch

Becky Lynch made her entrance wearing all black with her right arm in a sling due to a shoulder injury. Lynch did not have any elaborate headgear like she has worn over the last year. They showed a replay of video of Bianca Belair beating Lynch at SummerSlam in a competitive. Post match, Lynch sook Belair’s hand and they hugged. They were also confronted by Bayley, Dakota Kai and IO SKY (Io Shirai), which was just a staredown. The hug between Belair and Lynch turned Lynch back into babyface mode after one year of being a heel.

Lynch welcomes us to the Big Time. Lynch said she always gives it her all and in the past she talked about hitting rock bottom. Lynch said that at SummerSlam, she finally remember who the hell she is. Lynch talked about how it’s not the fancy clothes or the constant need for validation. Lynch said it’s about the determination, persistence, relentless and owning every mistake she has ever made. Lynch said it’s about the pursuit of being better today than she was yesterday. Lynch talked about how when she separated her shoulder at SummerSlam, she can either give up or give it everything that she had, so she fought through 20 of the most painful minutes of her career. Lynch said it wasn’t as painful as the realization that she was separated from reality. Lynch talked about how it wasn’t for herself, but so that they can create the best women’s division we’ve ever had for the women who work their asses off every single week. Lynch said when the referee counted to three, she knew that her best just wasn’t good enough on that night. Lynch said she was not defined by one match or one title because she defines the match and the title. Lynch said that she won’t be defined by any man because she defines the man. Lynch talked about how it’s a new comeback story that starts now. Lynch also gave credit and thanks to the woman that has pushed her every week for the last year, the woman that pushes her to be the B-E-S-T that she can be. Lynch called for Bianca Belair to come out there.

Analysis: That was a good babyface promo. It’s also smart to turn her face because they have some new heels, so that helps. The fans have always been ready for Lynch to turn back into face mode. We reported on TJRWrestling about how it was Triple H’s decision to turn Becky face while Vince McMahon was reluctant to do that in the past. I think it was right call to turn Becky face now.

Bianca Belair made her entrance as the Raw Women’s Champion with the fans cheering her along with some “EST” chants. Belair said that Lynch didn’t just define “The Man” but Lynch is “The Man.” They shook hands and hugged. Lynch told Belair to hold it down with Lynch saying she will see her soon. The fans chanted for Becky.

Belair was left alone in the ring for a promo saying she has nothing but respect for Lynch. Belair said she has not forgotten about Lynch smacking her in the face, but she has never wanted to be handed everything. Belair said that Lynch made her work for it. Belair said that she hook hands with Lynch after SummerSlam because there’s mutual respect there and that means something. Belair spoke about how she has learned so much of her, but she will not be caught slipping and that’s why she is standing there as your Raw Women’s Champion. Belair talked about how she stays ready for whoever is next.

They cut to a camera in the backstage area with Becky Lynch getting attacked by Bayley, Dakota Kai and IYO SKY. Belair ran to the back. Bayley and her friends put a chair on Lynch’s right arm against the floor while attacking her with the chair. They showed the medical team and referees checking on Lynch while Belair was also there.

Analysis: Cheap heat for Bayley’s crew. They did not attack at SummerSlam, but here they are in the opening of Raw doing a cheap attack and that’s only going to help them get booed more by the crowd. It’s also going to help Becky when she gets back from the shoulder injury while seeking revenge of those three women that attacked her. A separated shoulder should keep Becky out for a few weeks at least, but she can come back it from it as long as she avoids surgery for it.

Here’s a tweet from WWE saying Lynch is out for “several months.” That sucks.

The Raw commentary team plugged what’s coming up. They showed images from SummerSlam.

There was a video about the United States Championship that was narrated by John Bradshaw Layfield, who was a former US Champion. They showed images of former US Champions going back to the NWA/WCW days to the WWE era when the title returned in the mid 2000s and has been around ever since then. It ended with a shot of the current US Champion Bobby Lashley.

AJ Styles made his entrance. I should add here that the first hour of Raw was commercial free. It was mentioned by Jimmy Smith. Mustafa Ali was up next and The Miz was last for this triple threat match. They showed highlights of Logan Paul beating The Miz at SummerSlam with Paul impressing a lot of people.

A video was shown featuring Logan Paul saying he loved performing at SummerSlam, he thinks he may have found his calling his life and he called WWE execs to talk about it. Paul said he’s got a multi-year multi-event deal while saying he doesn’t know what’s next, but he’ll see us soon.

AJ Styles vs. Mustafa Ali vs. The Miz

The winner of this match will face the winner of another triple threat match on Raw. The winner of that singles match will get US Title match.

Ali with a headscissors on Styles. Miz (with taped ribs) was on the floor, so Styles kicked him. Styles tried a move on Ali, but Miz pulled Styles out of the ring and sent him into the commentary table. Ali hit a suicide dive onto Miz on the floor. Back in the ring, Miz sent Ali face first into the turnbuckle. Styles worked over Miz with chops and then Miz slammed Styles into the middle turnbuckle. Miz worked over Styles with some chops, which Miz doesn’t do that often and then Miz hit a corner clothesline that he does all the time. Styles came back with a punch to the face, then Miz sent Styles into the turnbuckle and Styles set up Miz on the top rope. Miz knocked down Styles, so Ali went after Miz on the top turnbuckle. Styles with a belly to back slam on Ali, Miz with a boot to Styles and a DDT on Ali for two. Miz worked over Styles with kicks to the chest, Styles hit a jumping enziguri kick and Ali got into a slugfest with Styles. There were some hard strikes by Styles that knocked Ali down. Ali hit a running kick on Miz. Ali with a kick to the head, Miz got a hold of him and Miz got back up, so Styles hit a reverse DDT while Ali hit a neckbreaker on Styles. Ali got two counts on both guys. Ali went up top, he jumped off with a 450 Splash, landed on his feet because Miz moved and Styles hit a slam onto his knee. Styles hit a Pele Kick on Miz to knock him out of the ring. Miz tripped up Styles on the apron, then Styles sent Miz ribs-first into the commentary table. Ali jumped off the ropes leading to a Tornado DDT on the floor on Styles! Wow. That was incredible. Ali sent Miz into the ring, but Miz was ready for him with a Skull Crushing Finale near the ropes. Miz was too hurt to cover right away. Miz crawled to Ali with a cover, but Ali got his right shoulder up at two. Ali shoved Miz away leading to a superkick that knocked Miz down. Ali went up top, he jumped onto Miz with a 450 Splash, but Styles was right there to give Ali a Styles Clash onto Miz! Amazing. Styles covered Ali for the pinfall win after about nine minutes.

Winner by pinfall: AJ Styles

Analysis: ***1/4 It was an entertaining triple threat match with Styles coming up with the innovative Styles Clash on Ali onto Miz for the pinfall win. I liked how creative that was because you don’t see that kind of thing every day. Ali hit his finisher, but Styles was right there to hit his finisher for the win. Miz did a nice job of selling the ribs injury throughout the match.

There was a replay of Bayley’s group attacking Becky Lynch in the backstage area.

Becky Lynch was shown talking to a WWE Medical guy that could have been an indy wrestler. Adam Pearce was there too. Lynch asked for ice.

Bayley, Dakota Kai and IYO SKY were interviewed by Sarah Schreiber. Bayley said that this is not about Becky or Bianca. It’s about them and you’ll see what they mean soon enough.

The Usos walked into the picture, so Sarah asked them about their title match against The Mysterios. The Usos talked about how they were confident while saying they beat The Street Profits (again), Roman beat Brock (again) and they’ll beat The Mysterios (again) because they are the two’s while The Usos are The Ones.

Let’s Hear from Seth “Freakin” Rollins

Seth “Freakin” Rollins made his entrance for a promo that would turn into a match. They showed some highlights of Rollins attacking Riddle last week on Raw and Seth’s attack on Riddle at SummerSlam as well.

Seth welcomed us to “Monday Night Rollins.” Rollins said it’s a night of celebration because we don’t have to see or hear that idiot, the original bro named Riddle. Rollins said that Riddle did took a lot of guts, but there’s a thin line between gutsy and stupid. Seth said that Riddle wants to be like his big bro Randy, so now Riddle is on the shelf with a career threatening injury like Randy. Rollins said now he can turn his attention to Roman Reigns and the Undisputed WWE Title.

The Street Profits duo of Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins. Rollins said he knew they were boys with Riddle while Rollins said he didn’t want to share air space with the biggest losers in WWE. Rollins laughed about how he’s lost count how many times they’ve lost to The Usos and suggested they break up. Dawkins pointed out that they became Rollins to become Raw Tag Team Championship. Ford also mentioned that this guy (Rollins) failed to beat Cody Rhodes when Cody only had one boobie…due to a torn pectoral muscle. Rollins said if they came out there for a fight, but it’s not fair to have a fight. Rollins talked about how they can do this if it was just one them. The Street Profits were going to play Rock, Paper, Scissors, but Montez Ford grabbed the referee and ran into the ring. That led to the start of the match.

Seth “Freakin” Rollins vs. Montez Ford

Ford clotheslined Rollins out of the ring. Ford followed Rollins out of the ring, sent him into the barricade and back in the ring with a kick by Ford. Rollins left the ring again, Ford followed him there leading to a back body drop on the floor. Back in the ring, Rollins suplexed Ford across the top rope. They were on the floor again with Rollins slamming Ford ribs first into the ring post. Ford barely got back in the ring to beat the ten count. They exchanged chops in the ring, Rollins hit a couple of knees to the ribs and Rollins hit a gutbuster into the knee for two. Rollins hit a belly to back suplex. Ford was on the apron, he kicked Rollins in the head to stagger him a bit. Ford went up top and hit a cross body block on a standing Rollins for a two count. Ford hit a back fist to the face followed by a clothesline, kick to the gut and an enziguri kick. Ford hit his own belly to back suplex. Ford with a standing moonsault for two. Ford ran off the ropes with a blockbuster neckbreaker for a two count. Rollins came back with a kick to the head followed by a superkick while Ford was kneeling and that got a two count. Rollins with a rolling elbow, he wanted a Buckle Bomb, but Ford got out of it and hit a Tornado DDT off the ropes. Ford went up top, Rollins tripped him up there and Rollins hit a Buckle Bomb followed by a Falcon Arrow for two. Rollins went up top, he jumped off with a Frog Splash, but Ford moved. Ford went up top and he jumped off with his on Frog Splash only for Rollins to get the knees up to block. Rollins hit The Stomp for the pinfall win after 11 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Seth “Freakin” Rollins

Analysis: ***1/2 That was really good. A competitive match with Ford getting a chance to showcase his singles skills. I thought the action was good, but I was a bit surprised that the crowd wasn’t into it more. They did get into it for some nearfalls towards the end of the match. Sometimes it’s hard to get into it when it’s a cold match like this without a story. Anyway, from a performance standpoint I thought it was an entertaining matchup with Rollins selling well for Ford, who was impressive as usual and it’s a preview of what Ford can be as a singles wrestler.

Post match, the announcers put over Ford’s impressive performance. Rollins teased doing The Stomp to Ford again, but Angelo Dawkins made the save for his partner, so Rollins left.

Analysis: Perhaps they will do Rollins vs. Dawkins next week. I know Ford is the member of the Street Profits that people are high on, but Dawkins is a talented guy too.

A video package aired showing highlights of the memorable Roman Reigns-Brock Lesnar Last Man Standing Match that saw Reigns retain the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion. A tractor was used by Lesnar, but Reigns was able to overcome with help from The Usos. Reigns is still the champion.

The announcers talked about Clash at the Castle on September 3 with Reigns defending the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship against Drew McIntyre. That’s a huge match. I think it should be a title change too.

Asuka vs. Alexa Bliss

Bliss got a rollup on Asuka for a two count followed by a dropkick. Asuka ran over Bliss with a shoulder tackle. Bliss with some punches and knee strikes for a two count. Bliss with knees to the ribs, then Asuka avoided the knees and Asuka hit a running kick while Bliss got her hand up to block it. Asuka with a German Suplex, then a running hip attack in the corner and a rising knee by Asuka. Asuka hit a dropkick off the ropes, but Bayley, Dakota Kai and Iyo Sky attacked. It only went three minutes.

Match Result: No Contest

Analysis: *1/2 It was okay for the time given, but it never got going and it was really just a way to have Bayley’s group get heat by interfering.

Bayley and her crew beat up Asuka and Bliss easily. Bayley with a running knee on Bliss while Kai hit a running kick in the corner. Sky went up top for a move, but Bianca Belair ran to the ring for the save. Belair did a quick promo saying she wants a match against one of them tonight. It looked like Io Sky accepted the match.

Analysis: That should set up a six-woman tag at some point, but doing a singles match this week is fine as well.

A commercial aired for Clash at the Castle on Saturday, September 3. It’s going to be awesome.

(Commercial)

A recap was shown of what happened before the break. It’s official for later on Raw: Bianca Belair vs. IYO SKY.

Dolph Ziggler entered first followed by Ciampa and Chad Gable. Gable did a promo about how his brain was bigger than Texas. Gable made a reference to the Houston Astros cheating (that was 2017 when they won the World Series) and the fans booed.

Dolph Ziggler vs. Ciampa vs. Chad Gable

The winner faces AJ Styles later in the show for a shot at the US Title.

Ziggler with a dropkick on Gable. Ciampa attacked Ziggler in the corner, but then Gable got involved with a forearm to the back. Ciampa and Gable hit a double back elbow on Ziggler. There was more double team attempted, but Ziggler fought out of it and Ciampa sent Ziggler into the turnbuckle. Gable locked Ciampa’s arms into a slam. Gable stomped on Ciampa’s back to send him in to the mat. Ziggler hit a Fameasser on Gable for a two count. That led to a break.

(Commercial)

Gable was in control of Ziggler with an Ankle Lock and Ciampa joined in by applying a Crossface to Ziggler at the same time. Ziggler rolled through on Gable for a two count. Ciampa hit a running leg drop to the back of the head of Gable for a two count. Ciampa drove his knee to the back of Ziggler’s leg against the ropes. Ciampa gave Ziggler the Air Raid Crash off the middle rope (White Noise when Sheamus does it) and Gable broke up the pin with a headbutt. That was timed well by Gable. Ciampa rocked Gable with a forearm, then Gable hit a rolling German Suplex on Ciampa while Ziggler hit a Zig Zag on Gable for just two. Ziggler gave Gable a back body drop over the top to the floor. Ciampa and Ziggler each got pin attempts grabbing the tights. Ziggler with a superkick on Ciampa, Gable tried to steal the pin, but the pin was broken up. Ciampa with a knee on Ziggler off the apron to the floor. Ciampa with a knee on Gable. Ciampa with a Fairytale Ending on Gable for the pinfall win. It went 11 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Ciampa

Analysis: ***1/4 A good match by three talented veterans. Since Ziggler only became babyface (without really turning in the first place) a few weeks ago, it was hard for the crowd to get into it. Gable worked on Ziggler’s ankle a lot, so Ziggler sold the left leg injury throughout the match. Ciampa getting the win was good to see, but maybe not that surprising since we know he was one of Triple H’s favorites in NXT so now we see Ciampa getting a big win on Raw. I’m all for it. He’s a talented guy.

Ciampa’s win means he faces AJ Styles later on Raw.

A video package aired showing the history between The Judgment Day and The Mysterios leading to their SummerSlam match. At SummerSlam, Rey & Dominik won the No DQ tag team match against Damian Priest & Finn Balor because Edge made his return to get revenge against J-Day. The Mysterios got the win because of Edge’s interference.

Edge was up next.

(Commercial)

A commercial aired for an A&E Biography on Sunday featuring Lex Luger. Most of the Biography shows have been about Hall of Famers, but he is still not in.

Let’s Hear from Edge

Edge made his entrance to a big pop. He entered to his classic “Metalingus” theme song. Big pop for the Hall of Famer, who is back in babyface after a heel run earlier this year. Edge thanked Houston for the ovation because for the last few months, he was a bit of an asshole. Edge said now we get what we want. Edge said he formed The Judgment Day to try to pass on his wisdom with Damian Priest and Rhea Ripley, but then they thought they learned all there was to learn from him. Edge said they were wrong. Edge admitted he didn’t see it coming, they put him on the shelf for a couple of months, but at SummerSlam you saw him come out of the hell that he created. Edge shouted out Finn, Damian and Rhea with this message: “I am going to end Judgment Day.” Edge’s music played to end it.

Analysis: I thought there might be an interruption, but there wasn’t one.

The Mysterios were interviewed in the locker room by Kevin Patrick. Rey said that The Judgment Day were in their rearview mirror. Rey talked about how he was a former tag team champion with Edge and they are so close like family. Rey said tonight it’s about defeating The Usos to become the Raw Tag Team Champions.

The matchup between Bianca Belair and IYO SKY is up next.

A commercial aired for Smackdown hyping up Drew McIntyre as the new number one contender ready for his match against Roman Reigns. That was it. No specific match was announced.

(Commercial)

They showed some clips of WWE tryouts over the last week.

The trio of Bayley, Dakota Kai and IYO SKY were interviewed by Sarah Schreiber. Bayley said that these idiots needed her role model, so she got two women that have waited too long for this moment. Kai said she knows how to play the game. Bayley said that pretty soon they’ll be in full control and Sky said she’ll see Bianca out there.

IYO SKY made her entrance. She has the same music she had in NXT even though she is no longer named Io Shirai. Bianca Belair got a good ovation as the Raw Women’s Champion for this non-title match.

Bianca Belair vs. IYO SKY

I’ll capitalize Sky’s name while listing the match, but for the play-by-play I’ll just put Sky for her. Belair drove Sky into the turnbuckle with shoulder tackles. Belair did a backflip off the ropes followed by a dropkick. Sky knocked Belair off the apron to the floor. Sky hit an Asai moonsault off the ropes onto a standing Belair on the floor.

(Commercial)

Belair was on offense with a body slam, forearms and a dropkick. Sky countered a Belair move by sending Belair into the ropes. Sky with a double knee attack in the corner. Sky hit a Russian legsweep for a two count. Sky jumped off the ropes, Belair caught her and hit a fallaway slam. Belair hooked the arms into a slam. Belair bounced off the ropes with a handspring moonsault for a two count. Belair with a body slam. Belair climbed the ropes, but that’s when Bayley and Kai showed up. Sky with a forearm while Belair was on the ropes and Sky hit a hurricanrana off the top for a two count. Belair tried a suplex, Sky countered it into a cradle for two and then Belair came back with a delayed vertical suplex. Belair went for the KOD, Sky landed on her feet and Belair hit a forearm. They were on the apron, Sky with an elbow to knock Belair down and Sky jumped on Belair, who caught Sky. Belair swung Sky around and sent her into the barricade. Bayley sat with Kai on the apron, so Asuka and Alexa Bliss arrived to support Belair. That led to a break.

(Commercial)

The match returned with Belair hitting a release superplex off the top followed by a standing moonsault. Sky went for an enziguri kick, Belair moved and Sky came back with a move stomping on Belair’s ribs. Sky with the running double knees onto Belair in the corner. Belair came back with a spinebuster. Belair bounced off the ropes for a moonsault again, but this time Sky got her knees up. Belair with a forearm, Sky with a referee distraction and Bayley tripped up Belair. When Sky tried pinning using the ropes, Bliss pushed Sky’s foot off the ropes. That led to Belair and Kai fighting Asuka and Bliss, so the referee called for the bell. It went 17 minutes.

Match Result: No Contest (Double DQ?)

Analysis: ***1/2 It was a pretty good match that got a lot of time since they went three segments in length. Belair was impressive as usual since she makes everything look easy. Sky hung in there the whole way, she countered a lot of moves and showed how athletic she is. By not having a finish, it does set up a rematch in the future although the more obvious next match is the six-woman tag.

The six women got into a brawl. That led to officials and referees going to the ring to break it up. Belair’s music played to end this.

Analysis: It should lead to a six-woman tag team match next week as I mentioned earlier.

The Miz was shown talking to Ciampa while Kevin Patrick interviewed Miz mentioning that Miz lost to Logan Paul. Miz complained about how AJ Styles blindsided Ciampa to help Logan Paul get the win. Miz said tonight is about Ciampa. Ciampa said that Styles will realize he chose the wrong side by supporting a social media influencer that made a mockery of their home. Miz said that he will help Ciampa become the next elite WWE superstar and the next United States Champion.

It’s AJ Styles vs. Ciampa after a break.

(Commercial)

Booker T was a guest on commentary since he’s a Houston native.

Ciampa was already in the ring for his second match of the night. AJ Styles made his entrance as replays were shown of his win earlier in the show.

AJ Styles vs. Ciampa (w/The Miz)

The winner gets to challenge Bobby Lashley for the United States Title. Ciampa hit a running shoulder tackle to knock Styles down with Styles selling a left shoulder injury. Styles hit two backbreakers in a row while selling the left shoulder again. Ciampa escaped a move and sent Styles sliding so that he went left shoulder-first into the ring post. Ciampa hit a rising knee for two. Styles went for a Pele Kick, Ciampa avoided it and Styles managed to come back with a backbreaker followed by a flatliner. Ciampa ran the ropes leading to Styles hitting a dropkick. Ciampa was on the floor, so Styles did a slingshot attack over the top with a forearm on Ciampa on the floor.

(Commercial)

Styles got some momentum going sending Ciampa into the turnbuckle and then he hit a sitout slam that sent Ciampa into the mat. Ciampa made a comeback with a knee to the face followed by a leaping leg drop to the back of the head. Ciampa went for a running knee, Styles got out of it and Ciampa blocked a Styles Clash attempt. Styles with a boot to the face followed by a suplex into the turnbuckle. Styles with a forearm to the head, then he went for the springboard attack that’s the Phenomenal Forearm, but Ciampa hit a jumping knee (with the loud leg slap) that got a two count. Ciampa hit a Powerbomb into the double knees for another two count. Styles was set up on the top turnbuckle, Ciampa hit him with some strikes and Styles was staggered. Styles countered a move off the turnbuckle and Styles hit a Styles Clash near the ropes. Miz put Ciampa’s right foot on the bottom rope, so it was only a two count because the referee saw the foot on the rope. Styles left the ring and knocked Miz over the barricade. Ciampa sent Styles into the ring post and Ciampa sent Styles over the barricade. Styles barely got back into the ring before the ten count because The Miz grabbed his leg. When Styles got in the ring, Ciampa hit him with a knee to the face. Ciampa hit a Fairytale Ending on Styles for the pinfall win after 16 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Ciampa

Analysis: ***3/4 This was a great match with Styles selling everything really well, especially the shoulder. The Miz did an excellent job as the guy outside the ring and then Ciampa showed that he belonged in the conversation with some of the best wrestlers in WWE. Ciampa is always going to have a fun match if you give him time and that’s what they got here. There was a lot of great counter wrestling in this match between two talented veterans. As I said, The Miz was perfect in his role because it played a factor in the finish since he prevented Styles from going in the ring right away, so Ciampa recovered and put Styles away.

Ciampa celebrated the win. Next week on Raw: Bobby Lashley defends the US Title against Ciampa.

Bobby Lashley was interviewed by Kevin Patrick. Lashley said that Ciampa proved he’s a brawler that’s tough and hungry. Lashley said he’ll anybody, anywhere and any time. Lashley added that he humbled Theory and he has no problem putting Ciampa in the Hurt Lock.

The Tag Team Title Match was next.

(Commercial)

Rey and Dominik Mysterio made their entrance for this title opportunity. The Usos were up next as the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions. It’s been 379 days since they won the SD Tag Team Titles last year.

Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships: The Usos (Jimmy & Jey Uso) vs. Rey & Dominik Mysterio

The match started with about 20 minutes left in Raw. Rey started with Jey, who sent Rey out of the ring, but Rey landed on the floor in a spot where he could get back to his feet. Rey sent both Usos out of the ring so Dominik jumped off the top with a cross body block on both Usos.

(Commercial)

Jimmy was in the ring with Rey with Jimmy doing a hard whip into the corner leading to Rey taking that bump sternum first into the turnbuckle. Rey knocked Jimmy down, Jey tagged in and prevented Rey from tagging out leading to Jey hitting a backbreaker. Jey hit a running hip attack on Rey against the turnbuckle for a two count. Rey avoided a charging Jimmy, who hit the turnbuckle hard. Dominik got the tag with forearm smashes and neckbreakers on both Usos for a two count. Dominik sent Jimmy face first into the mat and then Jimmy was against the ropes. Dominik wanted a 619, but Jimmy went to the floor, so Dominik stopped himself. Dominik jumped over the top on both Usos, they caught Dominik and smashed Dominik against the ring post. That led to a break.

(Commercial)

Jimmy was against Dominik by the turnbuckle, which led to Dominik jumping off the turnbuckle and hitting a DDT. Rey got the hot tag on Jey with a hurricanrana and a jumping kick to the head. Rey went for a seated senton attack. Rey went for a springboard move, but Jey hit him with a superkick for two. Rey countered a 1D attempt with a headscissors, then a kick into the ropes and Dominik tagged in for a double 619 on Jimmy. Dominik went up top and hit a Frog Splash on Jimmy for two, but Jey made the save at the last possible moment. Jey pulled Rey out of the ring leading to a superkick. Dominik with a suicide dive onto Jey on the floor. Dominik up top, but Jimmy stopped that with a punch to the face. Jimmy set up Dominik on the top rope for a superplex, Dominik punched his way out of it and Dominik punched him down. Dominik hit a dropkick. Jey made the tag with Dominik not seeing it, so when Dominik bounced off the ropes, The Usos hit the 1D for the pinfall win after 16 minutes.

Winners by pinfall: The Usos (Jimmy & Jey Uso)

Analysis: ***1/2 It was the typical great tag team match for The Usos as they managed to isolate Dominik for the finish and get the double team move for the win. I like how it was built with the faces having a face in peril a few times in the match before Rey got the hot tag and nearly got the win. When Dominik tagged back in, I figured he was the one that would be beaten. That’s what happened for the finish. I enjoyed the match with The Usos continuing their winning ways. Who can beat them? It’s hard to say right now since they are booked so strong all the time.

Post match, The Judgment Day’s Finn Balor, Damian Priest and Rhea Ripley attacked Rey & Dominik Mysterio. Ripley did a leg scissors to Dominik while Balor & Priest went after Rey. Edge made the save by clotheslining Priest out of the ring. Edge hit a lifting DDT on Balor. Edge went for a Spear, but Ripley shoved Dominik in front of Balor and Edge hit a Spear on Dominik instead of Balor. They showed the replay where it was clear that Ripley shoved Dominik in the way of that Spear by Edge. Balor went running into the crowd, so Edge followed him.

Analysis: Edge accidentally hitting the Spear on Dominik should be something they follow up on next week. Rey can be mad about it and maybe not trust Edge while Edge could say it was an accident. Perhaps they will use it to turn Dominik heel on his dad. I don’t know where it’s going, but it’s interesting anyway.

They showed Dominik in the ring selling the rib injury while Rey checked on his son. That was the end of the show.

Three Stars of the Show

  1. Ciampa
  2. AJ Styles
  3. Bianca Belair/IYO SKY

The Scoreboard

7.75 out of 10

Last week: 7.25

Final Thoughts

I thought it was a very good show from top to bottom with some quality in-ring action all night long. They didn’t have any short matches or any comedy matches like with the 24/7 involved. I also like that there were a lot of fresher matches instead of the same things we see all the time. I was surprised by two non-finishes in matches, but those were involving the women’s division with Bayley and friends causing problems. They got a lot of heat for the cheap attack while Becky is clearly a face even though WWE said she’s out for “several months.” They also did a nice job of establishing Bayley, Dakota Kai and IYO SKY as a heel group that will be tough to beat. Bianca Belair’s match with Sky was great even with the non-finish.

There were a lot of matches that I liked ranging from the Ciampa/Styles match that was probably the best on the show while Montez Ford got to show a lot against Seth Rollins. The tag team title main event between The Usos and Street Profits was great as well. Everything was given time and there wasn’t much in terms of comedy. Ciampa was well known for being one of the top NXT guys ever with Triple H booking him, so now Ciampa is picking up wins against top guys on Raw and it sure looks like Ciampa belongs on this show.

If you were hoping for Sasha Banks & Naomi, they did not appear. I don’t know when or if they will come back, but I think it’s smart to keep some surprises waiting to happen for Smackdown or next week.

The next WWE Premium Live Event is Clash at the Castle in Cardiff, Wales on Saturday, September 3rd. Here’s what we know so far.

* Last Man Standing Match for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship: Roman Reigns (c) vs. Drew McIntyre

That’s it for now.

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Check out the WWE PPV Review archive right here. You can contact me using any of the methods below. Go Toronto Blue Jays. Be safe and smart out there.

Thanks for reading.

John Canton

Email: mrjohncanton@gmail.com

Twitter: @johnreport