Tonight’s episode of RAW holds serious promise. Brock Lesnar appears on RAW for the first time since the Greatest Royal Rumble. Ronda Rousey has had her suspension lifted. But most importantly, Hulk Hogan has been spotted in Miami, fuelling speculation he will be appearing on RAW this evening.
Riding the coattails of last week’s announcement of Evolution, the first all-women’s PPV in WWE history, RAW continues to build towards SummerSlam. Will they continue to fail, or finally add some excitement and anticipation to their flagship summer show?
Last Week’s RAW
- Stephanie McMahon announces all Women’s PPV
- RAW Tag Team Champions The B-Team def. The Deleters of Worlds
- Sasha Banks and Bayley def. local competition
- Mickie James def. Natalya
- Mojo Rawley def. Tyler Breeze
- Finn Balor and Seth Rollins def. Drew McIntyre and WWE Intercontinental Champion Dolph Ziggler
- Ember Moon def. Liv Morgan
- Roman Reigns def. Bobby Lashley - Reigns becomes #1 Contender for Universal Championship
This Week’s RAW
Months of bitching and moaning have finally summoned the Beast Incarnate back to Monday Night Programming. For the first time since the Greatest Royal Rumble, the flagship champion of the flagship show will show up on RAW. Why? To confront the guy who has tried, and failed, to challenge him for championship on 4 other occassions.
And it’s awesome.
The commitment of WWE to the old adage “If at first you don’t succeed” commands respect. For years, they have tried and failed to garner goodwill from the WWE Universe to their new franchise player, Roman Reigns. They have taken every conceivable path towards goodwill; moving from focusing on Lesnar’s limited schedule to Reigns’ apparently being oppressed by management. Each re-ignition of their rivalry has been less and less interesting, with their match quality trending downwards as well. It seems unlikely they will ever get this to work. But, tune in tonight and see where it goes.
Following suit on the returns list is fellow UFC alumni Ronda Rousey, and I hope she looks a bit less a psycho this time. With her eyes undoubtedly on RAW Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss, the incumbent may have to take the next two weeks off. Maybe she’ll pull a Gregg Allman and shoot herself in the foot. Not a bad play if you ask me. Count on a Rousey/Mickie James match tonight.
Two square matchups have been announced for tonight. Seth Rollins will take on Drew McIntyre, while Constable Corbin will face off against Finn Balor. Yahoo!
Champion’s Corner
Last week, WWE Intercontinental Champion Dolph Ziggler learned whom he would be defending his title against at Summerslam. Unsurprisingly, Seth Rollins was granted another chance, following his unfortunate loss at Extreme Rules. Rumours have flown, however, that changes to the Intercontinental Championship match are inbound, leaving this one up in the air. WrestleVotes revealed through their source that changes are imminent.
Only one man could feasibly fit into the match: Finn Balor. Since WrestleMania, he has come up just short each time he has challenged for the title. Now, with Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows on Smackdown, Balor is alone. Balor is helpless. But what Balor lacks in comrades, he more than makes up for with the raging spirit that dwells within him.
RAW Tag Team Champions The B-Team have warded off both challenges from former champs The Deleter of Worlds. After an upsetting loss last week, Hardy and Wyatt let loose their frustrations on Axel and Dallas, incurring some shameful headshakes and unkind words from the audience in the proccess. Count on one more match between these two. Maybe at SummerSlam? Only one way to find out.
That’s it from me. But what about you? Let me know on Twitter (@hlovemillionair) or in the comments below. Thanks for reading, and see you next week!
Last 5:
- BREAKING: Meiko Satomura Confirmed for MYC
- Evolution: Reactions from Women in the World of Wrestling
- BREAKING: Toni Storm Confirmed for MYC
- Smackdown Live Preview: July 24
- Over the Top Rope: Feat. Colton Kelly
