Raw Review 07/31/2017

Samoa Joe, Roman Reigns, and Braun Strowman will all do battle tonight in an epic Triple Threat. What will happen as three of the four men from the Universal Championship Match at SummerSlam do battle? Plus we will hear Jason Jordan speak as he joins Miz on Miz TV. Will Jordan use this as an opportunity to get thrown in the mix for the Intercontinental Championship? Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins worked well together last week despite Ambrose’s early animosity towards the situation, are we seeing the form of a reunion from the duo? The rivalry between Bray Wyatt and Finn Balor has heated up as of late, what is next in the saga of these two superstars?

Raw is live tonight from the PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA.

Raw kicks off with us being welcomed to the show by Michael Cole, Corey Graves & Booker T.

In Ring Segment: Kurt Angle
Kurt welcomes his hometown crowd. He guarantees an incredible show tonight. He announces Big Show will face Big Cass tonight and hypes Jason Jordan on Miz TV, as well as the main event tonight. Kurt then tells that today is the 21st anniversary of his gold medal win. He thanks the crowd and says he wouldn’t be here without them. Out comes Brock Lesnar.
Heyman tells Kurt that he knows what he is doing. He says that Kurt has to take the Universal Championship off of Lesnar. Heyman then questions Angle’s decision on the main event of SummerSlam. Heyman then questions Angle’s choices in the challengers for the match. Heyman says he respects what he is doing. Heyman tells Kurt that he sees the three men teaming up against Lesnar and then fighting out to see who will be the new champion. Heyman then claims that Kurt is making Lesnar pay the ultimate price. Heyman tells Kurt that if Lesnar loses at SummerSlam Lesnar is leaving WWE and so is he. Heyman tells Kurt that Lesnar will not lose. Heyman says the ending of SummerSlam will be Lesnar being announced as still the Universal Champion.
My Opinion:
This wasn’t bad, but I expected a little more. I felt Heyman was a little short and didn’t have the best direction with the promo. I think what really is gonna bring the hype is seeing the build up between the challengers and then the big selling point being what will happen when Lesnar is involved. I feel like the promo should have shown more confidence towards Lesnar and I didn’t like how Heyman bounced from doubt in the match to having full confidence in Lesnar, the promo should have just been one way.

Match 1: The Hardy Boyz vs
The Club (Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson)
Matt and Anderson start the match. Matt gains the advantage early with a side headlock. Anderson backs him to the ropes, but is hit with a shoulder tackle. Matt goes to the mat to applies the move again. Anderson works to a vertical base and is able to slam Matt. Matt gets back on the offensive and tags Jeff. Jeff and Matt double team Anderson and Matt is legal again. Matt works Anderson’s arm and tags Jeff. more double team from The Hardy’s and Gallows tries to break it up, but is hit with Poetry in Motion as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns Gallows hammers away on Jeff. Gallows tries for a pin, but Jeff kicks out. Jeff hits the Twist of Fate on Gallows. Gallows makes the tag and Jeff is stopped. Anderson tries a splash in the corner, but Jeff moves out of the way and tags Matt. Matt takes it to Anderson and hits a running bulldog. Matt flies from the second rope and drops an elbow. Matt follows up with a side effect, but only gets a two count. Matt misses of the Twist of Fate. Anderson hits a big dropkick. Gallows comes in off the tag. Jeff breaks up the double team, but is hit with an uppercut. Matt is then taken out by a boot. Matt gets to his feet and is able to sidestep Gallows and hit the Twist of Fate. Jeff gets the tag and hits the Swanton Bomb for the win.
*** After the match The Club, The Hardy’s, and The Revival all do battle on top of the stage. The Hardy’s stand tall.
Winners: The Hardy Boyz
My Opinion:
Not a bad match. I like how The Hardy’s were put over and looked like the team we want to see. The Hardy’s standing tall at the end shows that there is still confidence in them to be the team. I think the best thing for the tag division is the teams battling to one up each other. This gives us more of a story and brings out more in each team. It’s hard to tell what team will be next in line for a title shot, but I still would like to see all these teams in one match for the title, like the match at WrestleMania.

Backstage Segment:
Renee welcomes Dean Ambrose. She asks if he and Seth are getting back together. Dean says he felt pretty good out there with Seth. Seth comes in and says last week was special and it felt like old times. Dean tells Seth that he doesn’t trust him and as much as everyone wants it he’s not getting burned by Seth again.

Backstage Segment:
Cesaro tells Seth that he wishes he and Sheamus could relate to him and Dean, but he can’t. Sheamus says they couldn’t stand each other and now they are the best. Cesaro and Sheamus grill Seth for his past actions and tell him that he’s all alone now. Cesaro and Sheamus poke fun at Sheamus and Seth tells them that if they want a fight then let’s fight. Sheamus tells Rollins that he will fight and tells him that when he’s in a hole he should stop digging.

Match 2: Akira Tozawa & Rich Swann & Cedric Alexander vs
TJP & Ariya Daivari & Tony Nese
Nese and Cedric start the match. Nese showboats and gets the early advantage. Cedric is able to get away and flip Nese. Daivari gets the tag and Cedric takes it to him. Swann gets the tag and uses his athleticism to stay atop of Daivari. Tozawa comes in hot. He kicks Daivari and hits a standing senton. Daivari comes back and throws the injured shoulder of Tozawa to the mat. Titus checks on Tozawa as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns Daivari continues to attack the shoulder of Daivari. Tozawa tries to fight out and is able to land a big kick. Swann and TJP get the tags. Swann quickly takes the advantage. He tries for a pin, but Nese breaks it up. Cedric and Swann both fly to take out Nese and TJP. Tozawa then flies to take out Daivari. Nese is taken off the apron by Cedric. TJ grabs Swann, but Swann reverses. Tozawa gets the tag and goes to the top. He hits the senton and picks up the win for his team.
Winners: Akira Tozawa & Rich Swann & Cedric Alexander
My Opinion:
A pretty good match between these teams. I really love how Tozawa fighting through injury. This really makes you fell for him and makes everything he does that much more special. I think all six of these men are very talented and some just haven’t got the opportunity they deserve. Every time I watch the Cruiserweight matches I feel bad because some of these guys would be better off outside of WWE. I think WWE is failing these talents. They’re not getting to reach their full potential and the division is holding these guys down from ever being anything. One thing I think that would be better is if some of these guys got the opportunity to face guys outside of the division, or have the division not matter about the weight and make the division more about wrestling style and ability.

In Ring Segment: Miz TV: Jason Jordan
Miz starts by saying he hates the city and welcomes everyone to Miz TV. He states nothing has people buzzing more than the Kurt Angle and Jason Jordan situation. He then welcomes Jason Jordan.
Miz asks Jordan how he’s felt the past few weeks. He says that it’s been emotional and is then cut off. Miz then asks how he feels getting boo’d. Jordan says they gonna cheer and boo, but asks Miz how it feels and says he is the expert. Miz tells Jordan that he is going places and offers him a proposition asking to let him guide his career and join the Miztourage. Jordan declines the offer. Miz questions Jordan’s decision and tells him to understand that when you main event WrestleMania you’re bigger than everyone. Jordan tells him that it’s a tempting offer, but he is still gonna pass. Miz then brings Kurt into this and says Jordan can get handed everything. Jordan says he isn’t handed anything and will earn all of it. Miz tells him that this place will chew you up and spit you out. Jordan says it might, but he would rather that than be associated with Miz. Miz questions again and pokes at Kurt for his failures of the past. Jordan tells Miz that he can anything he wants about him, but if he says anything else about Kurt he’s gonna make him regret it. Jordan suplexes Miz into the Miztourage and exits the ring.
My Opinion:
I have to give it to Miz, he really can hype anything and make any story interesting. I think if anything is gonna get Jordan over it will be feuding with The Miz. Jordan can be the great hero and let Miz be the great heel that he is. I see Jordan being Intercontinental Champion in the future and the way to that is Miz. if anyone can sell this story line of Jordan and Angle it’s Miz.

Match 3: Sheamus vs Seth Rollins
Sheamus backs Rollins in the corner early. Rollins is able to get on the offensive, but Sheamus halts that quickly. Sheamus catches Rollins, but Rollins fights out and gets a side headlock. Rollins hits Sheamus with a dropkick and takes a cheap shot while Sheamus is caught on the ropes. Sheamus hits him in the eye with an elbow to back him off. Rollins is able to send Sheamus to the floor. Cesaro creates a distraction and Sheamus takes advantage. He pulls Rollins to the outside and throws him into the barricade as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns Rollins and Sheamus battle on the ropes. Sheamus is able to hit a rolling senton from the second rope, but Rollins kicks out of the pin. Rollins is able to counter Sheamus and tries to fly, but is caught and hit with the Irish Curse back breaker. Sheamus hits Rollins with a shoulder in the corner. From the top Sheamus misses and Rollins sends him face first into the turnbuckle. Rollins hits him with rights, but is caught with a right form Sheamus. Rollins sends him to the outside with an enzuigiri and hits a suicide dive. In the ring again Rollins is able to hit the sling blade and goes to the top. Rollins takes out Cesaro and Sheamus tries to take advantage. Rollins rolls up Sheamus for the win.
*** After the match Rollins is attacked by Sheamus and Cesaro. Ambrose comes out to save Rollins. The team gangs up on Ambrose. Both men are taken out by Sheamus and Cesaro.
Winner: Seth Rollins
My Opinion:
This was a really good match first of all. Seth is so impressive and equally is Sheamus. I’m always impressed by how quickly Sheamus can move. I also love how Rollins makes every match feel important. I liked what they did after the match. The hesitation with Ambrose coming out was perfect. With both men being taken out you can now see them wanting revenge and more than likely with face the tag champs in the coming weeks. I would love for the story to turn out with Rollins and Ambrose being tag champs.

In Ring Segment: Bray Wyatt
Bray says there is no escape. Wyatt states no mortal man can escape the darkness and that’s just the way it is. He calls the crowd pitiful and says they hide behind their sins, but he sees. He tells that he is everywhere, especially when everyone wants to call themselves part of the Balor Club. He says Balor is an ordinary man that everyone wants to live through. Wyatt says he sees Balor as a shell of a man that never was and he exists off of borrowed time. He claims Balor speaks with false arrogance. Wyatt asks how it felt when he attacked Balor last week and turned him into a heap of broken promises. Wyatt says when he knocks you down you’re not getting up. He says their is no escape. The Demon King music plays and Balor appears in the ring. Balor catches Wyatt with an overhead kick. Balor then hits a baseball slide. He goes to the outside and sends Wyatt over the barricade and into the WWE Universe.
My Opinion:
Wyatt was very powerful with his words tonight. I think this whole rivalry is awesome and these two are gonna kill it. The tease of The Demon King was perfect. I loved how cool Balor was and how he was able to get one over on Wyatt. It feels like they are building this like they did Wyatt and Rollins.The difference here is I think Balor bringing the Demon King back would be huge and I think the match will be better. I feel that there were other plans with Seth and the rivalry couldn’t really sink in and felt forced at times. With Balor they can play it out and really get the most out of the story. This could also lead to a bigger picture for Balor finding that inner Demon and getting back in the title picture.

Match 4: Samoa Joe vs Roman Reigns vs Braun Strowman
Braun goes after Joe right away. Reigns hits Braun with a right. Braun battles back quickly and gets both men in a corner. He is able to lay waste to both of them sending them to the outside as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns Joe kicks Braun. Roman and Joe send Braun to the outside. The two men battle. Reigns hits Joe with a clothesline. Joe comes back and is able to work the arm of Reigns. Braun gets back in the mix and throws Joe into the barricade. Reigns comes back and hits Braun with a right hand. Braun and Reigns now fight out in the crowd. Braun lands a big right and throws Reigns back into ringside. Joe looks for the Coquina Clutch on Braun. Joe lets go and is hit with a right form Reigns. Joe is able to reverse Reigns and send him into the barricade. Joe then lands a big kick. Reigns is sent back in the ring. Joe tries to enter, but Reigns meets him with a kick. Reigns battles him off with elbows and backs him in the corner. Reigns hammers away with clotheslines and follows up with a big kick. Reigns looks for the Superman Punch, but Joe rolls out of the ring. Reigns goes to the outside and connects with a Superman Punch. Reigns focuses on Braun, but misses with a spear. Braun sends Joe to the floor with a clothesline and throws Reigns into the steeps. Braun runs around the ring and hits Joe with a hip check. Braun goes back to Reigns and literally throws him back in the ring. Braun then introduces steel steps. Joe catches Braun and goes back in the ring to hit Reigns with a senton. Joe places the steeps in the corner. Reigns reverse Joe and looks for the Samoan Drop, but he is then countered. Joe gets the Coquina Clutch, but is stopped by Braun. Braun hits a running power slam and Reigns has to break it up. Braun brings Reigns to the corner and shakes him. Braun grabs the steeps, but Reigns hits him with a Superman Punch. Reigns uses the steeps to send Braun out of the ring. Reigns hits Joe with a spear and picks up the win.
Winner: Roman Reigns
My Opinion:
An incredible match between these men. I like Reigns winning, he now shows that this is his yard and Joe and Braun have to go to new lengths to be the guy. No doubt when Lesnar is added to the mix it’s going to be insane. The match was very fast paced and these guys used the rules to their advantage. I enjoyed the fighting on the outside and the use of the steeps. I think at SummerSlam this has the potential to be one of the most hard hitting matches we’ve seen in a long time. I think no matter who walks out as Champion it will be well deserved. For once we have a situation where we really have no idea what could happen.

Backstage Segment:
Enzo comes up to Big Show and apologizes to him for getting him involved. Enzo says it means a lot that Show has his back. Show says he likes that Enzo keeps it real and tells him this is a battle he doesn’t mind fighting.

Match 5: Kalisto vs Elias
Elias backs Kalisto in the corner and taunts him. Elias tries to lock up, but Kalisto gets a side headlock. Kalisto is able to take down Elias, but he works back to a vertical base. Kalisto lands a big kick, but Elias uses his power to send Kalisto to the outside as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns Elias is in control. He drives his knee into the spine of Kalisto and continues the chin lock. Kalisto is able to drop Elias, but Elias catches him with a boot. Elias backs him in the corner and stomps away. Elias hits a big back breaker, but only gets a two count. Elias picks up another near fall. He works the back of Kalisto and lets him fall to the mat. Kalisto catches him with a back kick. Kalisto hits a seated senton and an enziguri on Elias. Elias hits a huge neck breaker and picks up the win.
Winner: Elias
My Opinion:
Obviously not the most exciting match, but both men showed some good things tonight. Kalisto is a great wrestler, but he never gets to really show it. Tonight his kicks were on point and he really made you believe he had a chance. Elias is very powerful, but I feel like they are holding him back. He seems like another NXT case where they just don’t know what to do with him. I miss the days when every match had meaning even if it meant them being considered for a title shot and nothing more. Now it just feels like fans give up on a match before it starts and there’s no more making yourself a star, people now make that decision for Kalisto. A guy like Kalisto is one that I wish was on something like Lucha Underground and could show his skills.

Backstage Segment:
Alexa says she was ecstatic that Bayley won last week and says she didn’t want to face Sasha again. Alexa states that she didn’t think Sasha would lose. She mocks Sasha and then says no one will be here to bail out Bayley against Nia Jax.

Backstage Segment:
Rollins thanks Ambrose for coming out and helping him tonight. Ambrose says he didn’t come to help. Rollins questions this and Ambrose says he had to or he’d look like a jerk. He tells Rollins not to do this again and says Rollins wouldn’t do the same for him.

Match 6: Bayley vs Nia Jax
Bayley tries to go after Nia, but Nia doesn’t budge. Bayley is able to slip away from Nia and blocks Nia. Nia comes back and hits her with a headbutt. Bayley punches Nia, but gets caught and slammed. Bayley is bounced off the mat and sent to the floor as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns Bayley continues to fight. She comes from behind and drives Nia into the corner. Bayley is caught again and slammed face first into the mat. Bayley gets back in the ring and Nia throws her into the turnbuckle. Bayley still tries to fight, but Nia doesn’t give. Bayley hammers away with all she has. Nia misses and elbow and Bayley hits a bulldog. Nia is sent to the apron by a dropkick. Bayley hits a running knee and sends her to the floor. Bayley flies and takes out Nia. Alexa tries to get involved, but is stopped by Bayley. Nia sends Bayley into the barricade and checks on Alexa. Bayley sends Nia into the steps and gets a count out victory over Nia.
Winner: Bayley
My Opinion:
A pretty good match. Bayley battled and I loved the way that she did. This title match will be an uphill battle for her, but Bayley is a fighter. I liked that she got to use her smarts and she didn’t stay to fight after the match. I really hope Bayley wins at SummerSlam. Although I would love to see Nia turn on Alexa and have those two feud.

Backstage Segment:
Cass questions how Show and Enzo can teach him respect when they don’t respect themselves. He says Show is a miscreant and claims that at the end of the night you will see what respect looks like.

Match 7: Big Cass vs Big Show
Big Show grabs Cass before the bell and starts teeing off. The match begins and Cass comes at Show. Show backs him in the corner and lands a big chop. Show throws Cass in the corner, but is met with an elbow. Show is unfazed and throws Cass out of the ring. Show lifts Cass to the apron, but Cass hangs him on the top rope. Show hits him with a shoulder tackle as he enters the ring. Show then slams him and gets a two count on the pin. Show looks for the choke slam, but Cass fight him off and takes him out. Cass works the leg of Show. Show uses his good leg to power his way out of the submission. Cass hits Show with a big boot. Cass goes to the second rope and flies, but is chopped out of the sky. Show hits a series of clotheslines and a splash, but Cass connects with a huge boot. Enzo gets involved and causes a DQ. Cass quickly takes care of him. Show gets up and hits him with a KO punch.
Winner: Big Cass: Via DQ
My Opinion:
First off I have to say Corey Graves is a savage, I loved him referencing Enzo’s club issues from last week. I really liked how Cass was able to get over on Show in this match. I don’t think this should have been the main event though. I think the match could’ve had more action and the ending was kinda annoying. That ending made me like Enzo even less. I am not a fan of Enzo and I think Cass needs to get away from him before he will ever be a star.

Final Thoughts:
I enjoyed tonight for the most part. The triple threat match was incredible. Those guys took it to each other and when you think that Brock Lesnar still has to be added to the mix it makes you wonder how far they will go at SummerSlam. The first comments made tonight by Heyman could have been better, but the point was made that Lesnar has no doubt in himself. Miz was on tonight as well. He really helped sell the Jordan and Angle story line and I think this would be a perfect feud for Jordan. I think if they want Jordan to be a star than just give it to him and run with it. I liked tonight how Bayley had to battle, her and Alexa is a true heel vs face and Bayley needs to have that struggle before she can have a great rise. Although I will says they should have had more to do with the Women tonight. It’s dumb that they get no time especially with the Mae Young Classic coming up and how much they pushed them. The main event tonight wasn’t the best. Cass really can be great on his own, but with what they’re doing now it’s gonna be tough for him to be a star. With Enzo around he can’t be taken as seriously as he should. I hope he will get away from Enzo and he can get some good singles matches under his belt. Truly though Enzo and Cass are running what they have going with all their backstage drama. Tonight had a lot of questionable things, but overall this is what you’d expect from Raw. I remember this time last year how hot everything was and now it seems dead. After thinking about things there are to many things revealed on the internet so there is no surprise, the fans don’t give things a chance and the matches lose steam before they even start, and there is to much paying it safe.
Overall Rating: 6.8/10