Reviews

The John Report: WWE Raw Deal 07/29/24 Review

By John Canton • Published 29th July 2024
WWE Raw Deal July 29

It’s WWE Raw featuring Seth Rollins talking about his refereeing to CM Punk and Drew McIntyre while Gunther is in action against Finn Balor and Sheamus faces Bronson Reed.

This is the final Raw before SummerSlam takes place this Saturday in Cleveland. For those of you in the US, Raw (and NXT) is on Syfy this week and next week due to the Summer Olympics coverage on USA Network.

This is the Raw Deal for episode #1627 of Monday Night Raw. It’s taking place at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. Follow me on Twitter/X @johnreport. Let’s get to it.

There were some arrivals shown earlier in the day including GUNTHER, Finn Balor with JD McDonagh, the trio of Otis, Akira Tozawa & Maxxine Dupri, and Chad Gable with The Creed Brothers.

The commentary team was Michael Cole and Pat McAfee as usual.

Seth “Freakin” Rollins delivers Referee Instructions to CM Punk and Drew McIntyre

Seth “Freakin” Rollins got a big ovation from the crowd as he walked out wearing a unique referee shirt, black leather pants and some heelish zebra shoes. Rollins welcomed us to the show while the fans sang his song and Rollins went over his nicknames as usual. Rollins said he was here to lay out some rules and regulations for the Punk-McIntyre match. Rollins said “let’s bring out these two morons” and here comes CM Punk.

CM Punk got a huge ovation as he greeted some fans by the entrance area as Cole said there were over 13,000 fans in attendance for Raw. It was noted by Cole that SummerSlam will be Punk’s first singles match in WWE in ten and a half years. He did have two with Dominik Mysterio last December, but they were not televised matches.

Drew McIntyre was up next with the fans booing him as usual. Cole mentioned Drew bringing up things from CM Punk’s past on social media, which is a reference to Drew posting a photo with AEW’s Jack Perry. Cole didn’t mention Perry of course, but referencing the post is interesting at least. Drew took his time getting into the ring.

Rollins said that Drew and Punk are not allowed to lay a finger on one another or the match for SummerSlam is off. Rollins said that comes from Raw GM Adam Pearce. Rollins told them if they lay a finger on Rollins tonight then the match is off. Punk rolled out of the ring, so Drew told him not to be a coward and get back in the ring. Punk said he’s worried about what he’s going to do. Punk said he’ll just be over there by the commentary table.

Rollins said that Punk likes to think he can call the shots and think he’s in control. Rollins said that he volunteered to be the referee because these two guys scared off the referees. Rollins told both guys that he wants to see them fight. Rollins shouted about how Drew wants the fight, the fans want the fight and Rollins told Punk to get back into the ring. Punk got back into the ring.

Drew told Rollins that they don’t like eachother, but it’s just a professional rivalry. Drew said they just want what’s best for the future of WWE. Drew told Rollins that Punk is a cancer and he’s Corporate Man Punk. Drew said that Punk goes to NXT to poison the NXT kids’ minds. Drew called Punk the real enemy. Rollins said that Drew said a lot of things wrong in his life, but Drew was right that if somebody hates Punk as much as Drew then it’s Rollins. Seth told Drew he hated him just like Punk did.

Rollins said their match at SummerSlam will be a violent masterpiece. Rollins said there’s only one rule and one regulation. Rollins told them to listen to everything he had to say. Rollins said he’s the boss and he’s the law. Rollins said he may count pins and he may tell somebody to tap out. Rollins said that there might not be any countouts in the match. Rollins told them that disqualifications are the referee’s discretion. Rollins said if they get out of line then he will put their head in the dirt.

Punk told Rollins that he hopes he referees way better than he dresses. Punk said that Rollins is a liar saying he’ll call it down the middle. Punk told Rollins that he didn’t want his help at all while claiming he never needed it or wanted it.

Drew told Punk to worry about him since he screwed Drew over and over again. Drew told Punk that he hates him and can’t stand him. Drew said that Punk is like some Charles Manson who poisoned the fans that chant Punk’s name. Drew said he can’t go to a supermarket without people shouting at him. Drew said that he took out Punk for seven months in the Royal Rumble and he wasn’t even trying. Drew trashed Punk for screwing him at WrestleMania and in Scotland. Drew told Punk when the bell rings, he’s going to violently assault him and he’ll break his jaw. Drew told Rollins that he’ll have to stop the match because Drew won’t stop until Punk’s heart stops. Drew said that he’s going to get paid so much money to do something that he would do for free.

Punk said for ten years, they chant his name and the fans sing his song. Punk said that the two of them get to breathe in the air around him. Punk said that the best thing to happen to Drew’s career and also the worst thing. Punk told Drew that for how big he is, he is stupid and he dumbs himself out of position. Punk told Drew that Drew is his own worst enemy. Punk said that he’s not as big and not as fast, but he’s got heart and he’s got the people chanting his name. Punk showed the AJ/Larry bracelet that he stole from Punk. Drew and Punk went face to face with Drew telling Punk to take the bracelet from him. Drew and Punk had a staredown as Punk’s music played to end it.

Analysis: There wasn’t much in the way of rules and regulations mentioned by Seth Rollins. He might do countouts and disqualifications, but it sounds to me like it’s going to be a wild brawl with weapons legal. I thought Drew and Punk did a good job of making their points as usual. This is arguably the most anticipated match at SummerSlam, so I think there’s a lot of excitement about it. I’m eager to see it too.

The Judgment Day was shown in their clubhouse. It was Finn Balor, JD McDonagh, Dominik Mysterio and Rhea Ripley with Carlito. The clubhouse was ruined. The clubhouse was ruined from how it usually looks. Ripley said that Liv Morgan likely did it and she’ll make Liv pay at SummerSlam.

The team of Otis and Akira Tozawa with Maxxine Dupri entered for tag team action.

(Commercial)

The Judgment Day was shown in the clubhouse again. Damian Priest walked in saying let me guess, it was probably Liv Morgan. Dominik said they think so. Priest told Finn Balor he wanted to be in his corner tonight. Balor said he can handle it alone. Dominik Mysterio suggested that Carlito handles Sami Zayn, so Carlito went to go talk to Raw GM Adam Pearce.

The Creed Brothers – Julius & Brutus Creed (w/Chad Gable) vs. Otis & Akira Tozawa (w/Maxxine Dupri)

The Creeds are now heels with Gable. Otis started the match and was knocked down early, but Otis came back with a running body attack to knock both guys down. Tozawa tagged in as Otis tossed Tozawa onto Julius. Tozawa jumped onto Julius, who hit a suplex and Julius slammed Brutus onto Tozawa. Brutus sent Tozawa to the apron, Tozawa hit a missile dropkick and Tozawa hit a suicide dive onto Brutus on the floor. Tozawa went up top, but Julius pulled his brother out of the ring. Brutus clotheslined Tozawa as the show went to break.

(Commercial)

Tozawa broke free from Brutus and Otis got the hot tag as the fans came alive for the big guy Otis, who knocked down legal man Julius with a clothesline. Otis hit a clothesline to the back. Otis sent Julius shoulder first into the ring post. Otis caught Julius leading to a front slam. Otis did a Caterpillar leading to an elbow drop. Otis went to the turnbuckle, but Brutus stopped that and Otis gave Brutus a back body drop. Otis punched Gable off the apron to the floor. The Creeds both went on the turnbuckle for a double back suplex for the pinfall win. Tozawa was down in the corner a few feet away and didn’t even attempt a save so I guess he was supposed to be tired. It went about eight minutes.

Winners by pinfall: The Creed Brothers – Julius & Brutus Creed

Analysis: **1/2 A solid match with some fun moments while Otis was on offense because the fans love him. Otis is so over, but he’s never going to get pushed that much when he has Tozawa as a partner because Tozawa rarely wins. The Creeds are talented guys and I like seeing them with Gable. The finish was a bit flat, but it was a way to beat Otis with a big move off the turnbuckle.

After the match, Gable put the Ankle Lock on Otis. Dupri jumped on Gable’s back and the fans popped for that. Gable admonished Dupri, so Dupri slapped Gable and that’s when the lights slowly went out. Tozawa, Dupri and Otis got out of there.

It was Wyatt Sicks time as Chad Gable and The Creed Brothers waited in the ring while smoke filled the darkened arena. Three dudes in costumes went down to the ring to confront Chad’s group. It was Erick Rowan, Joe Gacy and Dexter Lumis. They took off their masks to reveal their faces. Nikki Cross jumped off the top with a cross body block. Gacy and Lumis each hit uranage slams. Gacy gave Lumis a Powerbomb onto the Creeds. Rowan hit a running cross body block to knock down the Creed boys. Cross was holding a lantern in the ring. Gable was backing away in the aisle, but that’s where Uncle Howdy aka Bo Dallas was. When Gable saw Howdy, he ran away to the back. Howdy laughed about it.

Analysis: It was nice to see the faces of Rowan, Gacy and Lumis after all this time. The announcers didn’t mention their names, but that’s obviously who they are. The fans were into this big time. I think it should lead to a six-man tag team match. We found out later that it’s coming next week.

(Commercial)

There was a replay of what happened before the break. Cole referred to Nikki Cross as Sister Abigail, so that’s what WWE is calling her now.

The Judgment Day was talking backstage. Carlito said he got Dominik Mysterio a match against Sami Zayn. Dominik said that Carlito was supposed to face Zayn, but then they told Carlito to handle Jey Uso alone. Carlito begrudgingly agreed to it.

Sheamus vs. Bronson Reed

Reed sent Sheamus into the turnbuckle, Sheamus avoided a charging Reed and then Reed slowed it down with a couple of chops. Sheamus punched Reed in the body a few times. Sheamus kicked Reed in the gut followed by a running clothesline that sent Reed over the top to the floor. Sheamus went up top and jumped off the top with a clothesline on Reed on the floor. Reed came back with a Samoan Drop onto the hood of the commentary table. Ouch.

(Commercial)

Sheamus nailed Reed with an uppercut, but Reed came back with a clothesline. Sheamus nailed Reed with forearm shots to the chest followed by a running knee for a two count. Sheamus used the double boots to knock Reed down. Sheamus jumped off the top with a clothesline attempt, Reed moved and Reed hit a Death Valley Driver for two. Reed went up top, Sheamus met him with punches and Sheamus lifted up Reed leading to White Noise off the middle turnbuckle for two. The fans thought that was it. The fans popped big for that move as they should because it was great. Sheamus hit the ten beats forearms to the chest with the fans counting along and Sheamus hit about 16 forearms to the chest. The referee was checking on Reed tied up in the ropes, so Pete Dunne showed up to hit Sheamus with a shillelagh to the head. Reed might have saw it while the referee didn’t see it. Reed went up top and hit a Tsunami splash for the pinfall win after about ten minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Bronson Reed

Analysis: ***1/4 A good match between two hard hitters. It felt like a fight from the moment the bell rang, which always makes a match more fun to watch. The finish was cheap because of Dunne showing up as he continues his heel turn against his former mentor Sheamus. The weapon shot with the shillelagh looks great. Reed picks up the big win while Sheamus will likely have a showdown with Dunne soon.

After the match, Pete Dunne was sitting beside the ring apron and shrugged his shoulders like he tends to do.

A replay was shown of Gunther and World Heavyweight Champion Damian Priest getting into a fight last week on Raw. The fans have gotten behind Priest in this rivalry.

Damian Priest was shown backstage where he talked about Gunther. Priest said that Gunther was handed everything growing up. Priest said that Gunther doesn’t have the World Title. Priest said that he’s a Puerto Rican badass while calling Gunther an asshole. Priest said that he’s going to rob Gunther of the idea that he can take the World Title from Priest. Priest said he fought for everything he has and he’s willing to die for everything he has. Priest said welcome to my neighbourhood, general.

Analysis: A quick promo from Priest delivering a message about how he’s a prideful guy who is proud of where he comes from. They have done a nice job of making Priest a face going into the match with Gunther at SummerSlam.

Jey Uso made his entrance to a huge pop as the fans did the arm swinging with him as usual. Cole and McAfee had “Yeet” foam hands with them. Jey is in action after a break.

This Friday on Smackdown: Logan Paul has a homecoming in Cleveland, #DIY defends the WWE Tag Team Titles against Tama Tonga & Jacob Fatu, Isla Dawn & Alba Fyre defend the Women’s Tag Team Titles against Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill and WWE Champion Cody Rhodes goes face to face with Solo Sikoa.

(Commercial)

The SummerSlam Countdown show on Saturday starts at 4 p.m. ET meaning it’s three hours before SummerSlam starts. Three hours? That’s a long pre-show.

Bron Breakker was featured in a video package claiming he didn’t take Sami Zayn seriously at Money in the Bank since Sami is a comedian. Bron said that it was a rookie mistake by him. Bron said that Sami has accepted the fact that he’s going to lose at SummerSlam because Zayn is preparing for a life after WWE. Bron said that while Sami tells jokes for his preparation, Bron has been at the gym training like a dog. Bron said that at SummerSlam, the joke is on Zayn and the Intercontinental Championship will be on Bron.

Carlito vs. Jey Uso

Carlito charged for a clothesline, Jey avoided it and Jey hit a superkick for a two count. After Carlito left the ring, Jey ran the ropes and Jey hit a suicide dive on the floor. Back in the ring, Jey punched Carlito a few times. Carlito got a hold of Jey and sent Jey’s right shoulder into the ring post. Carlito hit a spinning neckbreaker off the ropes as the show went to break.

(Commercial)

Jey charged at Carlito, who caught him and Carlito hit a spinning slam off the shoulders. Carlito charged, Jey avoided that and Carlito hit the turnbuckle. Jey worked over Carlito with punches along with a step up enziguri kick to the head. Jey with a jumping kick. Jey jumped off the top, Carlito avoided that and Carlito hit a spinebuster for two. Carlito grabbed his apple from ringside and took some bites from the apple. Jey got a rollup for two. Jey ran the ropes and hit a Spear while Carlito spit up some apple. Jey covered for the pinfall win after about seven minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Jey Uso

Analysis: **1/2 A simple match to give Jey Uso a decisive win. Carlito did get some offense and a couple of nearfalls, but he’s not being pushed that much while Jey is a main event level guy.

Zelina Vega was interviewed by Jackie Redmond backstage. Vega bashed Team Forehead aka Sonya, Shayna & Zoey. Vega said that she’s a threat and they know that. The trio of Sonya, Shayna & Zoey confronted Vega backstage, so it turned into a fight. They asked Vega where her help was. Stark held Vega’s right arm against a door and Baszler kicked the injured right arm. Right after the attack, WWE officials went over there to stop it.

Analysis: It’s nice to see a storyline involving women who aren’t in a title picture. You don’t see that very often, so it’s good to see it happening lately on Raw. I enjoy Vega’s promos. She’s one of the better talkers in the women’s division.

(Commercial)

Zelina Vega was shown getting her right arm checked on by a trainer (indy wrestler) while her friends Kayden Carter, Katana Chance & Lyra Valkyria checked on Vega.

The Miz was interviewed by Cathy Kelley saying that he was going to host SummerSlam in his hometown of Cleveland. R-Truth walked in saying he thought Miz was saying that In Your House was coming back. Truth said that he’ll bring the ice since Miz is the host. Cathy and Miz mentioned hors d’oeuvres so a frustrated Miz agreed to bring some.

Analysis: It’s nice of WWE to involve The Miz in SummerSlam since it’s in his hometown of Cleveland. Hosting is unnecessary, but Miz is good at hyping up the crowd.

There were images and videos shown of the three Japan shows from this past weekend.

Karrion Kross (w/Scarlett, Akam, Rezar & Paul Ellering) vs. Xavier Woods

Prior to the match, Karrion Kross said he heard that Kofi Kingston re-aggravated his shoulder injury on the Japan tour. Kross said that Kofi is just angry because the attention is on Woods. Kross ripped on Minnesota for being a hellhole. Kross wanted Woods to join the Final Testament tonight and said that the Power of Positivity was always one big lie. Kross told Woods that Kofi should have retired when he lost the WWE Title in six seconds.

Woods punched Kross and clotheslined Kross out of the ring. Woods hit a running kick to knock Kross down on the floor. They went to break one minute into the match.

(Commercial)

Kross was in control with a forearm smash followed by an overhead release suplex for two. More shots of Scarlett at ringside is a good thing. Just saying. Kross told Woods he’s the worst King of the Ring this company has ever had. Woods came back with punches and Woods ran the ropes leading to a forearm smash. Woods rolled up Kross for two and Akam did a cheap shot punch while the referee was looking at Scarlett. Kross with a lift, Woods broke free and Woods dove onto Akam on the floor. Woods sent Rezar into the ring post. Woods kicked Kross to knock him down. Woods jumped off the top rope, Kross avoided that and Kross hit the Final Prayer spinning slam into the mat. Kross covered for the pinfall win after eight minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Karrion Kross

Analysis: **1/4 It was okay for a shorter match to continue the storyline of Karrion Kross playing mind games with Xavier Woods. Kross got some help from his allies at ringside, which is not a surprise considering all the people that were on the floor. I’m not sure where the story is going because I doubt that The New Day is going to be broken up for The Final Testament group.

There was a clip shown of Triple H greeting WWE Hall of Famer Jesse Ventura earlier in the day. Jesse is a former Governor of Minnesota as well.

Sami Zayn, the Intercontinental Champion, was interviewed by Jackie Redmond. Zayn said that he did a comedy show before their match at Money in the Bank and he still beat Bron Breakker. Zayn said that Bron is taking every opportunity to jump Bron in the ring every week. Zayn said it’s fine because he understands it. Zayn said it’s not about teaching a guy about respect. Zayn said it’s about beating his ass at SummerSlam. Zayn said now he’s going to handle his business with Dominik Mysterio of The Judgment Day. The camera followed Zayn as he entered the arena for his match.

(Commercial)

Liv Morgan was shown backstage by the production trucks talking by a fire about how Dominik Mysterio broke her heart. Liv threw Dominik merchandise as well as pictures of her and Dominik together into a fire. Liv said that at SummerSlam, she’ll complete the Liv Morgan Revenge Tour when she beats Rhea Ripley. Morgan said that she’s going to stand in the ring with her arm raised when she hears those three words: “Women’s World Champion. Watch me.”

Analysis: I think Liv Morgan is going to retain at SummerSlam against Rhea Ripley. Whether Liv retains because of Dominik turning on Ripley, I don’t know. I think maybe Dominik will “accidentally” help Morgan get the win.

Sami Zayn vs. Dominik Mysterio

This was not for Sami Zayn’s Intercontinental Title. Zayn worked over Dom with punches, so Dom bailed to the floor. Back in the ring, Zayn launched Dom over the top to the floor. Zayn hit a springboard moonsault onto Dom’s shoulders on the floor as the show went to break.

(Commercial)

Dom was in control with kicks along with a chinlock. After Zayn broke free, Dom put him down with a Tornado DDT for two. Zayn did a leapfrog over a charging Dom followed by a clothesline. Zayn jumped off the turnbuckle with a double axhandle smash. Dom blocked a move leading to the Three Amigos suplexes. Dom went up top and jumped off the top, but Zayn moved. Zayn gave Dom an Exploder Suplex into the turnbuckle. Carlito and JD McDonagh showed up to distract Zayn, so Dom got a rollup for two. Zayn gave Dominik a back body drop. Zayn knocked Carlito and JD down. Dominik charged, but Zayn hit him with a clothesline followed by a Blue Thunder Bomb for two because Carlito and JD attacked Zayn for the DQ finish. It went about eight minutes.

Winner by disqualification: Sami Zayn

Analysis: **3/4 I thought that Zayn would win the match and then J-Day would attack after. Instead, they went for the DQ finish to set up what happened after the match. I think Zayn and Dominik work well together. They match up evenly in terms of their style.

After the match, Jey Uso made the save. Jey sent Carlito out of the ring and Jey hit a Spear on JD. Jey dumped Dom out of the ring. Jey hit a suicide dive onto the three J-Day guys on the floor. That’s when Bron Breakker attacked Zayn from behind with punches. Bron ran the ropes, but Zayn was back up with a boot to the head. Zayn gave Bron an Exploder Suplex into the turnbuckle. Zayn charged, but Bron retreated. Bron went back into the ring, so Zayn kicked Bron to knock him out of the ring. Zayn stood tall.

Analysis: Nice save by Jey Uso for his buddy Sami Zayn. Bron Breakker attacking Sami Zayn was just like he did the last two weeks, but this time around it was Zayn was ready for it. I think Bron will beat Zayn at SummerSlam to become the Intercontinental Champion.

There was a “therapy session” video featuring Dexter Lumis. They asked what should he do when the buzzards start circling. He shouted: “Run!” That was it.

Chad Gable and The Creed Brothers were shown talking to Raw GM Adam Pearce. Gable said that he knows the Wyatt Sicks members Erick Rowan, Joe Gacy & Dexter Lumis. Pearce said he knows since they are under contract. Gable challenged the Wyatt Sicks trio to a six-man tag team match for next week and Pearce said it’s on. Gable was happy about it.

Analysis: That means the Wyatt Sicks trio are debuting next week on Raw. That’s cool with me.

The trio of Lyra Valkyria, Kayden Carter & Katana Chance entered for tag team action.

(Commercial)

The Pat McAfee Show pack is available for WWE 2K24 this week. Pat talked about himself in the video game while showing a replay of video game Pat punting a football into Dominik Mysterio’s head.

Rhea Ripley did a backstage promo saying Liv Morgan is living a fantasy. Rhea said that at SummerSlam, Liv’s revenge tour comes to an end. Rhea spoke about how Liv took three months of Ripley’s career by hurting her, but she took her championship and tried to manipulate Rhea’s family and her Latino Heat. Ripley said that at SummerSlam, it’s time for Rhea to get her revenge.

Analysis: Nice promo by Ripley as usual.

Sonya Deville, Shayna Baszler & Zoey Stark vs. Lyra Valkyria, Kayden Carter & Katana Chance

The trio of Deville, Baszler & Stark made quick tags against Lyra leading to Stark hitting a missile dropkick. Lyra sent Stark into the turnbuckle followed by Carter and Chance each getting some kicks/knees after making quick tags. Lyra kicked Stark to knock her down on the floor.

(Commercial)

Deville worked over Lyra with punches to the ribs. Lyra broke free to bring in Carter, who was on fire with kicks and punches for Baszler. Carter rolled through against Baszler followed by a superkick to the head. Baszler hit a springboard leg drop for two. Baszler avoided a Carter attack and Baszler kicked Carter. Stark tagged, Carter hit a headscissors and Chanse tagged in with double knees, but Lyra tagged in leading to a sitout Powerbomb for two because Baszler and Deville broke up the pin. Carter and Chance cleared the ring. Chance got the tag and went up top, but Deville saved Stark from a double team move. Chance rolled up Stark for two. Stark hit a knee to the face. Stark hit the Z360 knee for the pinfall win after about nine minutes.

Winners by pinfall: Sonya Deville, Shayna Baszler & Zoey Stark

Analysis: **1/2 It was just an average match. They all worked hard, but the crowd didn’t care much at all. It was a good crowd most of the night too. They barely reacted to this match. I get it because none of these women are pushed that much. However, I do like WWE giving these women consistent TV time and trying to give them a storyline that might work. Anyway, the heel side getting the win was expected. Stark’s Z360 move looks cool.

Damage CTRL’s IYO SKY, Dakota Kai & Kairi Sane went down to the ring to fight with Deville, Baszler & Stark. The Damage CTRL trio cleared the ring easily. Sky went up top and hit a moonsault on the three women on the floor. Damage CTRL posed in the ring together.

Analysis: A heel stable taking out a heel stable. The fans barely reacted to it. I don’t blame them because it’s a confusing situation.

GUNTHER did a promo in the empty arena earlier in the day. Gunther called Damian Priest an emotional wannabe that abuses this great business as a cure for his childhood trauma. Gunther said that Finn Balor is a guy that he used to look up to. Gunther said that Balor was destined for greater things, but then he chose to be associated with Judgment Day and he became street trash like them. Gunther said that he’ll never forgive Priest for using this great sport to cover up for his pathetic existence. Gunther said at SummerSlam we’ll remember the day that the Ring General saved this great sport and the World Heavyweight Championship.

Analysis: I think Gunther should win the World Title at SummerSlam. It’s time. However, I have picked against Priest before and got it wrong, so I don’t know for sure.

(Commercial)

Damage CTRL’s Dakota Kai, Iyo Sky and Kairi Sane were interviewed by Cathy Kelley. Kai said that the only reason they’ve been running the place is because Damage CTRL was gone. Kai challenged Sonya to a match for next week.

There was a rundown of the SummerSlam lineup for this Saturday in Cleveland. Jelly Roll will perform a song while The Miz is the host.

* CM Punk vs. Drew McIntyre (Seth “Freakin Rollins is the special guest referee)

* Women’s World Championship: Liv Morgan (c) vs. Rhea Ripley

* United States Championship: Logan Paul (c) vs. LA Knight

* WWE Women’s Championship: Bayley (c) vs. Nia Jax

* Intercontinental Championship: Sami Zayn (c) vs. Bron Breakker

* Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Solo Sikoa

* World Heavyweight Championship: Damian Priest (c) vs. GUNTHER

It’s seven matches and all of them are singles matches.

The Judgment Day were shown hanging out in their clubhouse. Finn Balor said that they all got in this mess together. Balor said let’s wait until after SummerSlam to get out of this mess. Rhea Ripley said if Balor needs any help with Gunther tonight, they are there for him. Balor said that Ripley and Priest are going at it alone at SummerSlam, so Balor said he’ll go at it alone tonight. Priest said he knows Balor can handle him. Balor said he’ll soften up Gunther so Priest can finish the job at SummerSlam. Balor left for his match.

GUNTHER made his entrance for the main event.

(Commercial)

Next week on Raw in Baltimore:

* Chad Gable & The Creed Brothers – Julius & Brutus Creed vs. The Wyatt Sicks – Erick Rowan, Dexter Lumis & Joe Gacy

* Sonya Deville vs. Dakota Kai

Finn Balor, who is one half of the World Tag Team Champions, made his entrance for the main event.

GUNTHER vs. Finn Balor

A matchup between two heels and two of the best European wrestlers of this era. Balor nailed Gunther with three hard chops that had no effect, so Gunther hit Balor with a hard chop to knock him down. Gunther went for a Powerbomb, Balor got out of it and hit a dropkick. Balor stomped on Gunther. After Balor celebrated that, Gunther hit a boot to the face. That led to a break.

(Commercial)

Gunther was in full control with a body slam. Gunther knocked down Balor with a chop followed by a high-angle belly to back suplex for two. Gunther applied the Boston Crab submission in the middle of the ring until Balor grabbed the bottom rope to break the hold. Gunther set up Balor on the top rope in a seated position, which led to Gunther chopping Balor in the back. Gunther went for a suplex off the ropes, but Balor was able to turn it around with a cross body block. Balor countered a move leading to a reverse DDT with an elbow drop for two. Balor charged right into Gunther’s arms for a chinlock, but Balor broke free. Gunther went for a Powerbomb and Balor countered it with a DDT. Gunther came back with a clothesline on a running Balor for a two count. They exchanged strikes, Gunther wanted a Powerbomb and Balor avoided it. Balor hit a Slingblade neckbreaker. Balor countered a sleeper by rolling through and stomping on the chest. Balor did another double foot stomp to Gunther’s chest. Balor did double foot stomp to Gunther’s back. Balor dropkicked Gunther into the top turnbuckle. Balor went up top, he jumped off the top and Gunther avoided it. Gunther applied a sleeper hold. Gunther hit a Powerbomb along with a stacked pin for two. Gunther applied a sleeper hold on the mat with a body scissors around the waist. Balor passed out from the hold so the referee called for the bell. It went 13 minutes.

Winner by submission: GUNTHER

Analysis: ***1/2 A very good match with Gunther getting the win as he should since he’s in a World Title match at SummerSlam, so it’s smart to book him strongly. Balor put up a fight, nearly came close to winning a few times and then Gunther was able to put him away. Gunther’s matches may not be the most exciting to watch at times, but I think by the end of his matches, the fans react strongly to what he’s doing out there. It would be nice to see this match again down the road.

After the match, Gunther applied the sleeper hold on Balor again. Damian Priest made the save, so Gunther let go. Priest fought with Gunther at ringside. Priest punched Gunther in the mouth and Priest sent Gunther onto the announce table. Priest punched Gunther repeatedly. They kept on fighting on the floor. The show ended there.

Analysis: It was about one minute of brawling right at the end of the show. I liked it because it shows Priest won’t back down against Gunther and makes us care more about their World Title match at SummerSlam.

===

Three Stars of the Show

  1. Gunther
  2. Seth Rollins, CM Punk and Drew McIntyre
  3. Finn Balor

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The Scoreboard

7.25 out of 10

Last week: 8

2024 Average: 7.59

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Final Thoughts on WWE Raw

It was a solid episode of Raw, but I wouldn’t call it great like last week’s show. Since SummerSlam’s lineup was already set and nothing was added to it, there was more of the same in terms of building the matches for the show. I liked the promos from Drew McIntyre, CM Punk and referee Seth Rollins even though the Drew-Punk feud was already set. They didn’t say anything that made me more or less excited about their match because it was already a big deal.

The matches were okay. I think the Gunther-Balor match was easily the best with Gunther getting the clean win. The other matches all seemed to be around the same 8 to 10 minute range most of the way. Some cheap finishes in there. I thought they could have done more with the Rhea Ripley-Liv Morgan story. Each woman did backstage promos and that was pretty much it. I liked that the Wyatt Sicks guys were shown without their masks and it set up Rowan, Lumis & Gacy against Gable & The Creeds next week. That was well done.

I’m ready for SummerSlam at this point. Bring it on.

The next WWE PLE is SummerSlam in Cleveland on Saturday, August 3rd. Here’s the lineup.

* Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Solo Sikoa

* CM Punk vs. Drew McIntyre (Seth “Freakin Rollins is the special guest referee)

* World Heavyweight Championship: Damian Priest (c) vs. GUNTHER

* Women’s World Championship: Liv Morgan (c) vs. Rhea Ripley

* WWE Women’s Championship: Bayley (c) vs. Nia Jax

* United States Championship: Logan Paul (c) vs. LA Knight

* Intercontinental Championship: Sami Zayn (c) vs. Bron Breakker

You can watch WWE SummerSlam, streaming live on Saturday, August 3, at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT on Peacock in the United States and on WWE Network everywhere else.

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Thanks for reading. Please check out my reviews of every WWE PPV ever listed in order. Go Los Angeles Rams. My contact info is below.

John Canton

Email mrjohncanton@gmail.com

Twitter/X @johnreport