WWE News

WWE RAW recap & reaction (7/3)

Amish Patel
By Amish Patel
5
78

Enzo Amore cut a promo to kick off this week’s episode of RAW. Enzo discussed his upcoming match with Big Cass at Great Balls of Fire. During the promo, Enzo once again took a shot at Conor McGregor. Enzo claimed that Cass is nothing but a “7 foot catchphrase that he wrote”. Enzo stated that he and Cass were brothers but that is over now.

 


 

Big Cass is then interviewed backstage. Cass claimed that Enzo will no longer be able to walk the walk because after Sunday he won’t be able to walk at all. Enzo then attacked Big Cass from behind and beat him down. Security eventually was able to separate Enzo and Cass.

Reaction: Enzo cut another great promo here. I don’t see any other outcome besides Cass absolutely destroying Enzo at Great Balls of Fire.

Sasha Banks & Bayley vs Alexa Bliss & Nia Jax

Nia dominated Bayley to start off the match. Sasha was tagged in and she was able to knock Nia out of the ring. Nia then knocked Bayley off the ring apron and threw her into the barricade outside the ring as RAW went to a commercial break.

When RAW returned, Banks was isolated in the ring and Bliss was beating her down. Nia was tagged in and connected with a Backbreaker for a two count. Jax then locked in the Bear Hug. Banks was able to get out of it but Nia launched her into the turnbuckle. Bliss was tagged in and Banks dropped her with a running knee. Sasha then knocked Nia off the ring apron and applied the Bank Statement to Bliss for the victory.

Winners: Sasha Banks & Bayley

Reaction: Sasha Banks pretty much defeated Bliss and Jax on her own tonight. Bayley was useless in this match and WWE has seemingly completely given up on her. Banks has all the momentum in the world heading into her RAW Women’s Championship match at Great Balls of Fire this Sunday.

RAW GM Kurt Angle was shown backstage on his phone. Braun Strowman showed up and asked Angle if Reigns was going to be able to compete in their match at Great Balls of Fire. Angle said that he has heard that Reigns will be ready for the match and Strowman didn’t believe him. Strowman demanded competition and Angle claimed that he doesn’t know if anyone backstage wants to fight Strowman this close to a PPV. Strowman stated that he will be heading to the ring later and that Angle better find an opponent for him.

Noam Dar vs Cedric Alexander 

Alicia Fox accompanied Dar to the ring and she was wearing a neck brace. The match started and Fox was trash-talking Alexander right away. It didn’t matter at all, as Alexander won this match very quickly with a Lumbar Check. After the match, Fox ripped off her neck brace and threw a fit.

Winner: Cedric Alexander

Reaction: Have these matches helped Noam Dar or Cedric Alexander at all? Have three minute Cruiserweight matches inspired any of you to tune into 205 Live every week? Has anyone become a Noam Dar fan because of his “relationship” with Alicia Fox? I don’t understand why these useless matches are happening on a weekly basis. It is simply not accomplishing anything. Fox, Dar and Alexander are all way more talented than they are allowed to show on RAW and 205 Live every week.

Miz TV

Miz started off the episode by saying that Lonzo Ball will be the biggest flop in NBA history. Miz then turned his attention to Dean Ambrose. The Miz claimed that Ambrose was supposed to be the next Roddy Piper but has completely folded under the pressure. The Miz then called Ambrose a joke and Dean Ambrose interrupted.

Ambrose demanded his Intercontinental Championship rematch tonight. Heath Slater then joined the party and said that he was the last person to pin The Miz and that he wants a shot at the title. Slater stated that he has been in WWE for 8 years and has never gotten any shots at singles titles. Slater brought up his kids and claimed that he needed this opportunity for them. Ambrose told Slater that he loved him, but said that he has to get in the back of the line like everyone else.

Miz spoke up and told both Ambrose and Slater to shut up. The Miz informed Ambrose that he will get his rematch whenever The Miz feels like it. The Miz then mocked the crowd and Heath Slater. The Miz stated that Slater won’t be getting his shot at the title tonight because he has a July 4th party to attend.

RAW GM Kurt Angle then came down to the entrance ramp. Angle stated that he is the one that decides when The Miz competes. Miz agreed to defend his Intercontinental Championship on Sunday at the Great Balls of Fire PPV. Angle then booked a title match between The Miz and Dean Ambrose at the PPV. Angle then announced that The Miz would defend his title against Heath Slater tonight.

Intercontinental Championship Match: The Miz (c) vs Heath Slater

Rhyno, Curtis Axel, Bo Dallas and Maryse are all ringside for this match. The Miz is not in his wrestling gear and was completely unprepared for this match. Slater controlled the match early and continually knocked Miz to the mat. RAW went to a commercial break with Slater in control.

When RAW returned, Miz had captured control of the match. The Miz has comically split his pants. Miz connected with a DDT for a two count. Axel hopped up on the ring apron to try and distract the referee but Rhyno dragged him down. Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel then started to beatdown Rhyno ringside. Slater was distracted by this and The Miz capitalized and hit the Skull Crushing Finale for the victory.

After the match, Miz, Dallas and Axel started to attack Heath Slater. Dean Ambrose came down to the ring and almost connected with the Dirty Deeds on The Miz. Dallas and Axel then beatdown Ambrose as The Miz watched. Miz then planted Ambrose with the Skull Crushing Finale. Maryse and Miz then shared a kiss as the segment ended.

Winner & Still Intercontinental Champion: The Miz

Reaction: Miz TV and the title match were pretty entertaining. I am done with the feud between Ambrose and The Miz though. I hope it is finally over after their match at Great Balls of Fire. I’d prefer that the Intercontinental Championship stay with The Miz, rather than Ambrose capturing it on Sunday. I think Ambrose needs to reinvent himself or go away for a bit. I’ve completely lost interest in his character and don’t feel like sitting through another boring Ambrose title reign.

Goldust was shown sitting in a director’s chair in the middle of the ring. Goldust thanked all of “the little people”, in reference to his fans in the crowd. Goldust then called R-Truth naive and jealous. Goldust then presented The Shattered Truth film, which was just him attacking R-Truth. R-Truth then showed up behind Goldust after the film ended and beat him down.

Kurt Angle was once again shown on his phone backstage. Cesaro and Sheamus show up and Angle informed them that he has made their RAW Tag Team Championship match against The Hardys at Great Balls of Fire a 30-minute Iron Man match. Sheamus said that was the best decision Angle has made since returning to WWE. Cesaro said that he wanted a rematch against Finn Balor. Angle then took a phone call and told Cesaro to be careful what he wished for.

Seth Rollins vs Curt Hawkins

Rollins defeated Hawkins with a knee to the face in a matter of seconds. After the match, Rollins cuts a promo on Bray Wyatt and their match this Sunday at Great Balls of Fire. Rollins once again called Wyatt a coward during the promo.

Winner: Seth Rollins

Samoa Joe and Brock Lesnar were interviewed by Michael Cole. Cole conducted the interview from the announce table as Lesnar and Joe were in separate rooms backstage. Joe immediately interrupts Cole and started arguing with Lesnar. Brock claimed that he was going to win the match on Sunday and that Joe will get nothing. Lesnar called Joe a coward for attack him from behind last week. Joe laughed and said that it was humorous that Lesnar claimed to not fear him as they were being separated tonight. Lesnar stated that they were being separated for Joe’s own safety. Joe winds up taking off his microphone and goes looking for Lesnar backstage. Joe finds the room where Lesnar and Heyman are. Joe was flipping out as security dragged him away.

Reaction: I was already completely sold on this match. This was just an alright segment as nothing really happened. I will say that I like how Joe isn’t backing down from Lesnar. I’m not expecting Joe to defeat Lesnar at Great Balls of Fire. I just think if it is a competitive match and lasts a decent amount of time, it will substantially increase Joe’s popularity. He has already made himself a lot of new fans during this feud.

Neville vs Mustafa Ali

This match started out back and forth. Ali planted Neville with an impressive Tornado DDT for a two count. Ali set up for the inverted 450 Splash but Neville got to his feet and shoved Ali off the turnbuckle. Neville took control and beatdown Ali for several minutes. Corey Graves stated that the referee should call the match because Ali doesn’t seem to be able to defend himself. Ali then finally fought back but Neville planted him with a Clothesline. Neville then applied the Rings of Saturn and Ali quickly submitted.

Winner: Neville

Bray Wyatt cut a promo from the desert. Wyatt claimed that “his fire has been burning out of control since he came to RAW”. Wyatt also said that he has reduced The Beast to a “mere mortal”. Wyatt stated that he was everywhere and that he is a god. Wyatt claimed that Rollins will not go blind on Sunday but for the first time Rollins will see and it will burn.

Reaction: I do not care about this match at all. I honestly completely forgot it was on the card. WWE seems to put a lot of effort into Wyatt’s promos and seem to completely neglect everything else about his character.

Finn Balor vs Cesaro

The Hardys joined commentary for this match. The match started out back and forth and eventually Elias Samson came down to the ring. Samson tripped up Balor and The Hardys stormed the ring. Chaos broke out and everyone started brawling outside the ring. Balor got Cesaro back in the ring and connected with the Coupe de Grace for the victory.

Winner: Finn Balor

Braun Strowman came down to the ring and cut a promo. An ambulance backed in next to the stage as Strowman bragged about his attack on Roman Reigns last week on RAW. Braun stated that Reigns isn’t at RAW tonight, but he still wants competition. Strowman demanded that RAW GM Kurt Angle send him out an opponent right now.

Apollo Crews vs Braun Strowman

Crews got in some offense early, but eventually just got his ass kicked. Crews went for a standing Moonsault but Strowman got his feet up and booted him across the ring. Strowman then connected with two Running Powerslams for the victory.

After the match, Strowman beatdown Crews some more and Titus O’Neil started shouting at Strowman. Braun challenged him to get in the ring and O’Neil did. Strowman then Clotheslined Titus and turned his attention back to Crews. Strowman brought Crews over the to the ambulance next to the stage and put Crews in the back of it.

Strowman slammed on the back of the ambulance several times but it didn’t drive away. Strowman became confused by this and went to the front of the ambulance. Strowman opened the driver’s side door and Reigns popped out and punched Braun in the face. Roman and Braun traded punches for a bit and Reigns got the upper-hand. Reigns then connected with a Spear that sent the two Superstars off the stage and through a table next to the stage. A replay was shown and RAW went off the air with Strowman already back to his feet as Reigns sat in disbelief on the stage.

Reaction: RAW was decent tonight. I will say that I am really looking forward to Sunday’s PPV. There are now four matches I’m legitimately interested in. I simply cannot wait for the Universal Championship match between Samoa Joe and Brock Lesnar. I am also looking forward to the RAW Women’s Championship match between Alexa Bliss and Sasha Banks. I think the build to the ambulance match between Strowman and Reigns has been awesome. I think that match might wind up stealing the show at Great Balls of Fire. Now that it is a 30 minute Iron Man match, I’m also now much more excited for the RAW Tag Team Championship match this Sunday. I feel like WWE needs to hit this PPV out of the park on Sunday. There weekly programming has mediocre for some time now and they could use a great show to get fans energized again.

What did you think of this week’s RAW? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Previous article
Matt Hardy close to acquiring the Broken gimmick?
Next article
Tomasso Ciampa to be out of action till early 2018
Amish Patel
Amish Patelhttp://www.wrestling-edge.com

Related Articles

Latest Articles

Load more

Videos

Load more

PrivacyAboutContactAdvertisingHave a News Tip?

Copyright © 2023 BWB Media Inc.