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8 Takeaways From WWE RAW (7/23)

by Robert Lentini

The July 23rd, 2018 episode of WWE RAW aired live from the US Bank Arena in Cincinnati, OH. In addition to the takeaways below, Mickie James defeated Natalya tonight and Mojo Rawley demolished Tyler Breeze once again.  Here are 8 takeaways from this week’s show:

The First Women’s WWE PPV Will Air On October 28th

This week’s episode of RAW kicked off with Vince McMahon in the middle of the ring as the locker room was on the entrance ramp. Vince introduced Triple H and Stephanie McMahon down to the ring for a historic announcement.

Stephanie and Triple H had a brief exchange with RAW GM Kurt Angle on the entrance ramp before getting into the ring with Vince. Triple H thanked the Superstars and said that nights like tonight happen because of all of them. Triple H stated that a bond is formed when you get in a WWE right and put your trust in someone else’s hands and that bond has never been stronger than it is today.

Triple H asked all the female Superstars to step forward on the stage. He added that the men behind them and the WWE Universe supports them and the crowd cheered. Triple H got choked up a bit and congratulated them for stealing the show again and again. Stephanie said these moments don’t just happen because of opportunity, they happened because all of the crowd deem it important.

Stephanie brought up the #GiveDivasAChance hashtag and how it led to all of this. Stephanie then announced that on October 28th, over 50 women will participate in an event called Evolution and it will be the first-ever women’s PPV. The RAW Women’s Championship, SmackDown Women’s Championship and NXT Women’s Championship will be defended at the event. The finals of the Mae Young Classic will also air during the show.

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The B-Team Retained The Titles

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The B-Team defended their RAW Tag Team Championships against Bray Wyatt and Matt Hardy tonight on RAW. Bray Wyatt and Bo Dallas started off the match. Wyatt threw Bo into the corner and then leveled him with a Clothesline as RAW went to a commercial break.

When RAW returned, Bo Dallas was in control and had Bray in a Chin Lock. Bray broke the hold and once again leveled Bo Dallas with a Clothesline. Matt Hardy leaned over the ropes and tagged in as Axel tagged in at the same time.

Hardy went right after Axel and connected with a shoulder tackle. Matt bounced Axel’s face off of every turnbuckle and then hit a Clothesline in the corner. Hardy followed it up with the Side Effect for a two count.

Matt connected with Twist of Fate and went for the cover but Bo Dallas broke it up. Bray then shoved Bray into Matt Hardy and Axel rolled Hardy up for the pinfall victory. After the match, Matt and Bray applauded Axel and Dallas. Hardy and Wyatt then attacked The B-Team and posed in the ring.

Opinion: RAW’s tag division is a total bore and needs something drastic to happen to make it interesting once again.

Bayley & Sasha Banks Are Friends Again

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Bayley and Sasha Banks were interviewed backstage. Bayley and Banks claimed that they were on the same page and were teaming up again tonight.

Banks and Bayley faced a couple of local competitors tonight on RAW. Bayley and Banks took turns beating one of them down in the corner. Sasha quickly locked in the Bank Statement for the submission victory.

Banks and Bayley raised each other’s hand in the middle of the ring after the match and shared a hug.

Braun Strowman’s MITB Contract Will Be On The Line At SummerSlam

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Elias came down to the entrance ramp to talk about his debut album that was released earlier today. He was immediately interrupted by Strowman and Braun marched his way to the ring holding the MITB briefcase.

Strowman brought up Roman Reigns and Lashley facing each other tonight in a #1 contender’s match. Braun said that it doesn’t matter if it is Roman Reigns, Bobby Lashley or Brock Lesnar because sooner or later a monster is going to come calling.

Braun raised the MITB briefcase and asked the WWE Universe if they wanted him to be the new Universal Champion. The crowd cheered but then Kevin Owens interrupted and came down to the entrance ramp.

Owens said that his son suggested that he befriend Strowman and that Braun crushed his dream the same time he crushed his spine at Extreme Rules. Owens stated that his kids are now scared because they see the pain on his face with every step he takes.

Owens stated that Strowman tried to take everything away from him and vowed to take everything away from Braun. Owens shouted that he won the Steel Cage Match at Extreme Rules and said that Strowman’s problems have only just begun.

Constable Corbin joined the party and called Strowman’s actions “morally reprehensible” at Extreme Rules. Corbin added that he found someone that can teach Strowman how to control his temper and Jinder Mahal came out from backstage.

Mahal and Sunil Singh got in the ring with Strowman as the crowd booed. Jinder wanted to help Braun find his calm and nirvana. Mahal announced that Stephanie McMahon and Constable Corbin have personally appointed Jinder in assisting in Braun’s journey to find inner peace.

Strowman stated that he has a mantra of his own and instructed Sunil to come towards him. Braun handed Sunil the microphone and asked everyone to close their eyes. Strowman asked everyone to repeat “get these hands!” and the crowd chanted along.

Strowman then booted Mahal in the face and grabbed Sunil as he tried to escape. Strowman then planted Sunil with a Running Powerslam as Jinder retreated up the entrance ramp.

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Later on RAW, Kevin Owens and Corbin caught up with Stephanie McMahon and Kurt Angle backstage. Owens said that he wanted to face Strowman at SummerSlam under one condition. If Owens wins, he gets Braun’s MITB contract. Angle said that was absurd but Stephanie liked the idea and made the match official for SummerSlam.

Titus Worldwide Confronted The Authors of Pain

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AOP came down to the ring and said they wanted to face anyone but Titus Worldwide. Titus Worldwide interrupted and came down to the entrance ramp.

Titus said that Akam and Rezar are young and have a lot to learn. Crews said that Titus has taught him a lot and that AOP needs to show him some respect.

AOP said that Titus should just retire and a brawl broke out. Titus and Crews got the upper hand and Clotheslined AOP out of the ring to end the segment.

Seth Rollins Will Get Another Shot At The IC Title At SummerSlam

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Finn Balor battled Drew McIntyre tonight on RAW. Intercontinental Champion Dolph Ziggler was ringside for the match. Balor started off the match in control and Dropkicked McIntyre out of the ring. Balor then flipped onto him and flexed on the entrance ramp as RAW went to a commercial break.

Balor connected with a DDT for a two count when RAW returned. Finn followed it up with a couple of chops in the corner and then a boot to the side of Drew’s head. Balor hit McIntyre with the Slingblade and then Dropkicked him into the turnbuckle. Finn made his way to the top rope for the Coup de Grace but Ziggler interfered and shoved Balor the canvas.

The referee called for the bell as Ziggler continued the attack. Seth Rollins sprinted down to the ring for the save and Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre retreated. RAW GM Kurt Angle came down to the entrance ramp and announced that the match will be restarted as a tag match.

Rollins and Balor sprinted up the entrance ramp to attack Ziggler and McIntyre. The action returned to the ring and Balor Clotheslined Ziggler to the outside. Finn and Seth teamed up on McIntyre and Clotheslined McIntyre out of the ring. Ziggler and Rollins then started off the match in the middle of the ring.

Rollins dropped Dolph with an Arm Drag for a two count. Rollins hit Ziggler with a couple of chops and then threw him out of the ring. Seth connected with a Crossbody off the ring apron as RAW went to another commercial break.

Balor and Ziggler were in the right when RAW returned from the break. McIntyre quickly tagged in and isolated Balor int he corner of the ring. McIntyre brought Finn to the outside and dropped him throat-first across the barricade.

Ziggler tagged in and walked right into an overhead kick from Balor. Seth pleaded for the tag in the corner as Balor slowly made his way back up. McIntyre tagged in and prevented Balor from tagging in Rollins for a moment.

Balor escaped and tagged in Seth Rollins. Seth knocked McIntyre out of the ring and followed it up with a Suicide Dive. Rollins then launched Ziggler into the barricade and then hit McIntyre with a Clothesline in the ring. Rollins climbed up to the second rope and connected with a Blockbuster on McIntyre for a near fall.

Seth knocked Ziggler off the apron and then hit McIntyre with a Superkick. Rollins went for the cover but Dolph broke it up at the last second. Balor hit Ziggler with a Slingblade but Dolph shrugged it off and hit Finn with a Superkick to the face. McIntyre showed off his strength and slammed Rollins face-first to the canvas for a two count.

Ziggler tagged in and Rollins immediately knocked Drew McIntyre out of the ring. Seth then quickly hit the Stomp on Ziggler for the pinfall victory.

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Later on RAW, Seth Rollins was interviewed backstage and announced that RAW GM Kurt Angle gave him a match against Dolph Ziggler at SummerSlam for the Intercontinental Championship.

Ember Moon Got Back On Track With A Victory Over Liv Morgan

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Ember Moon faced Liv Morgan tonight on RAW. Moon controlled the match early and Morgan escaped out of the ring to regroup. Moon ran after her but Morgan once again escaped back into the ring.

Ember caught her once again and booted her in the midsection. Moon went for a Springboard Crossbody but Morgan was able to get out of the way. Morgan then connected with a kick to Ember’s face for a two count.

Morgan stayed on the attack and bounced Moon’s head off the canvas a couple of times before slamming her down by her hair for another two count. Liv locked in a Headlock in the middle of the ring and taunted Ember while doing so.

Moon battled to her feet and broke the hold with a Jawbreaker. Ember then rolled up Liv but Morgan was able to kick out at one. Ember slammed Morgan face-first to the mat and went for the cover but Morgan once again was able to kick out.

Ember made her way to the top rope but Morgan caught her up there. Liv joined Ember on the top rope and set up for a Superplex. Moon blocked it and dropped Morgan face-first for the canvas. Moon then hit Morgan with the Eclipse off the top rope for the pinfall victory.

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Roman Reigns Will Face Brock Lesnar At WWE SummerSlam

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After being interrupted all night during RAW, Elias finally got a chance to perform a song from his debut album. Elias gave a shoutout to the band O.A.R. that was sitting in the front row and then referred to himself as the biggest musical act on the planet. Elias strummed his guitar and started to perform a song from his album. He stopped and said that he wasn’t feeling the vibe from Cincinnati tonight.

Elias then said that the crowd was the grossest collection of humans that he has ever seen in his life. Lashley interrupted and made his way down to the ring. Reigns and Lashley battled in the main event of RAW. The winner of the match would face Brock Lesnar at WWE SummerSlam for the Universal Championship.

Reigns started off the match in control and Clotheslined Lashley out of the ring. Roman followed him out there and bounced Bobby’s head off the barricade. The action returned to the ring and Lashley connected with a Clothesline that knocked Roman out of the ring this time.

Roman punched Lashley in the face on the apron and then went for a Drive-By. Lashley caught Reigns in midair and planted him with a Belly to Belly Suplex on the floor outside the ring as RAW went to a commercial break.

When RAW returned, Reigns and Lashley connected with a Clothesline at the same time and both Superstars fell to the canvas. Both Superstars got up and traded shots. Lashley got the upper-hand with a Clothesline and followed it up with a Belly to Belly Throw that sent Reigns flying across the ring.

Lashley drove his shoulder into Roman’s midsection in the corner of the ring. Reigns lifted Lashley onto his shoulders but Lashley was able to escape to the ring apron. Reigns ran towards him but Bobby ready and hit Roman with a Clothesline.

Roman battled back and hit a Leg Drop for a two count. Roman geared up in the corner and went for the Superman Punch but Lashley caught him in a Full Nelson. Roman backed Lashley to the corner and broke free with a few elbows to Bobby’s face.

Lashley charged at Reigns but Roman got out of the way and Lashley slammed into the ring post. Lashley connected with a Powerslam out of nowhere and went for the cover but Roman kicked out at two.

Lashley set up for the Spear in the corner of the ring and waited for Roman to get to his feet. Lashley went for a Spear but Reigns countered into a knee to Bobby’s face for a two count. Reigns followed it up with a Superman Punch for another near fall.

Lashley connected with a Spear and went for the cover but Reigns somehow was able to kick out at the last second. Lashley set up for a Spear once again but Reigns hit a Superman Punch out of nowhere. Reigns went for the Spear but Lashley blocked it with a knee to the face. Roman bounced off the ropes and connected with the Spear for the pinfall victory. Roman Reigns will now battle Brock Lesnar once again at SummerSlam for the Universal Championship. Reigns and Lashley shook hands after the match.

Opinion: Lashley and Reigns had a much better match at Extreme Rules. Everyone expected Reigns to win tonight and challenge Brock Lesnar for the Universal Championship. I find it impossible to get excited about another Reigns and Lesnar match. The only positive is that if Reigns wins, the Universal Championship will be on RAW every week.

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What did you think of this week’s episode of RAW? Let us know in the comments below.

Robert Lentinihttp://www.mankymedia.com
Writer from Boston, MA.

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