Raw Review 07/23/2018

As we continue to move closer to SummerSlam who will become the #1 Contender for the Universal Championship, will it be Bobby Lashley or Roman Reigns as the two go one on one tonight? Plus what will Stephanie McMahon have in store for the WWE Universe as she is scheduled to make a historic announcement? Also, The B Team has been on a role for a while now even capturing the Raw Tag Team Championships in the process but will their luck run out as they have to defend against Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt in their championship rematch? As seen last week Ronda Rousey violated her suspension and showed up on Raw but was granted a title shot at SummerSlam, will Rousey do the same tonight or will she honor her final days of suspension? Finally, what will happen as Finn Balor and Drew Mcintyre meet one on one?

Raw comes to us tonight from the US Bank Arena in Cincinnati, Ohio

Raw kicks off with us being welcomed by Michael Cole, Corey Graves, and The Coach

In Ring Segment: Mr. McMahon & Stephanie McMahon & Triple H
McMahon welcomes everyone to Raw and then welcomes Triple H and Stephanie. Stephanie says it’s a rare thing to be able to create history and make moments and memories some of us will remember for the rest of our lives. Triple H then acknowledges the superstars across WWE both past and present. He says nights like tonight happen because of all of them. He says their dedication and sacrifice make all of this possible. He says they don’t do it alone it’s a giant team. He says they have an ultimate bond when you step in the ring and put your trust in someone else’s hands. He then asks all the woman to step forward on the stage. He says the men that stand behind on you truly support you. He says you already know how much the WWE Universe supports you. He says they have supported you through everything, right through every single main event they have worked so hard to earn. He says they are so proud of them. Stephanie says these moments don’t just happen because of opportunity or because someone deems it important. She says it’s them who deem it important and make it apart of what they love. She says because of the universe 30-second matches became main events and because of them, divas became superstars they were born to be. She says with their platform they have shown women can be anything they want to be. She says on October 28th over 50 women will participate in an event called Evolution which will be the first-ever Women’s PPV event.
My Opinion:
Wow! What a major announcement that was, this is a long time coming and it is so deserved. The women have truly become superstars and presented us with matches and moments we will never forget. I can’t wait to see this historic event as I know like always they will kill it. This was an awesome way to kick off the night!

Backstage Segment:
Axel tells Dallas that the women’s event is gonna be amazing. Axel and Dallas talk each other up and Axel tells him B stands for brother. Dallas says let’s go show them B stands for best.

Match 1: The B Team (Curtis Axel & Bo Dallas) (c) vs Bray Wyatt & Matt Hardy
Raw Tag Team Championship Match
Dallas and Hardy start the match. The two lock up and Dallas backs him into the corner. Wyatt tags in and knocks Dallas down with a huge shoulder tackle. Wyatt hammers on Dallas and brings him to the mat. Axel gets involved as Wyatt tries Sister Abigail. Dallas and Axel back out of the ring as Hardy and Wyatt stand tall as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Axel snaps the neck of Wyatt and tries a cover but he kicks out. Axel backs him in the corner and hammers on him. Dallas tags and in and after a knee he tries a cover but Wyatt kicks out. Wyatt fights back and lays out Dallas. Hardy gets the tag and so does Axel. Hardy hits him with quick shots and then hits a clothesline. Hardy then bounces Axel off the turnbuckles. Hardy hits the side effect but still can’t put Axel away. Hardy hits the twist of fate but Dallas breaks up the pin. Dallas throws Wyatt down and he hits Axel and it’s turned into a pin. Axel pins Hardy 1 2 3. Hardy and Wyatt then lay out the B Team after the match.
Winners: The B Team (Curtis Axel & Bo Dallas):
Still Raw Tag Team Champions
My Opinion:
The B Team pulls off another huge win but this wasn’t exactly the match I wanted. I like the B Team but I don’t know how long this run will last. I feel like by SummerSlam they have to lose the titles. Hardy and Wyatt aren’t exactly the biggest tag team we’ve ever seen but I feel like it’d be better to have them as champions going into the event. From the looks of it though this rivalry isn’t over yet.

Backstage Segment:
Balor asks Gable what he’s doing in his gear. Gable says he always stays ready. They then talk about the historic announcement and talk about how awesome it is. Gable then asks Balor if that his bag over there. Corbin has set up a new locker room for Balor which is a kids playhouse. Balor laughs it off.

Backstage Segment:
Charly asks if Sasha and Bayley are ready to overcome their differences. Bayley says they realize it’s their differences that make them so strong. Sasha talks about how they are more ready than ever after Stephanie’s announcement. Bayley says it was nice to hear how her best friend actually felt last week. Sasha says she knows she feels the same way. Bayley says let’s go take over the world.

Match 2: Sasha Banks & Bayley vs Samantha & Karen
Bayley comes with quick offence and hits a big elbow in the corner. Banks comes in and continues the attack. Banks has to battle out of the corner but she does. Banks and Bayley work a double team in the corner. Banks locks in the Bank’s Statement and gets the victory for her and Bayley.
Winners: Bayley & Sasha Banks
My Opinion:
Bayley and Banks worked well as a team together tonight and made quick work of their opponents. I’m glad these two are back on the same page but we will have to see how long it lasts. Hopefully, they can make it work because they are a powerful team when they’re on the same page.

In Ring Segment: Braun Strowman
Braun says it seems like the WWE Universe is talking about two things tonight, first the all women’s PPV. he says he wants to take a second to congratulate them especially Alexa Bliss. He then says secondly it’s about Roman Reigns and Bobby Lashley. He tells how tonight they go one on one for the opportunity to face Brock Lesnar. He says it doesn’t matter who it is because sooner or later a monster is gonna come calling. He then asks the WWE Universe how he would look as the new Universal Champion. Out comes Kevin Owens.
Owens says after what you did to me how can you come out here like nothing happened. He says when he tried to befriend him it was out of the kindness of his heart. He says he also did it because of his son. He tells Braun that he crushed his sons dreams the same time he crushed his spine at Extreme Rules. He says his kids use to think he was indestructible but they’re scared because they see the pain he’s in. He says Braun tried to take everything away from him and now he’s gonna take everything away from him. Braun tells him to hobble down here and try. Owens says he won at Extreme Rules and he won but Braun’s problems have only just begun. Out comes Baron Corbin.
Corbin says Stephanie has empowered him to handle this situation. Corbin tells Braun what he did was morally reprehensible. Corbin says he thinks he can help him and he thinks he found someone just for him who can help him control his temper. Out comes Jinder Mahal.
Mahal says he senses a storm of anger brewing within. He tells Braun to help me help you. He says he has personally be appointed to assist him in his journey of finding inner peace. Mahal then gives Braun an exercise to try. Braun tells him this isn’t working and he appreciates the help but he has a mantra of his own. He brings Singh over and tells him to close his eyes and tells Mahal to close his eyes. Braun tells them to get these hands. Braun hits Mahal with a huge boot and then throws Singh into Mahal. Braun then lifts Singh and slams him.
My Opinion:
It’ll be interesting to see what Owens has in store for Strowman going forward. Hopefully, he has a plan because he’s probably not winning in a fight. Braun once again shows destruction follows him. There’s no doubt that when he cashes in he’s gonna take the title unless Owens gets involved but I feel like Braun is definitely meant to be champion at some point.

Match 3: Natalya vs Mickie James w/ Alexa Bliss
Natalya works James to the mat and works a chin lock. Natalya then is able to land a big kick to the back of James. Bliss gets involved and it allows James to take advantage. James works Natalya and works her neck on the mat. James tries a cover but Natalya kicks out. James goes back to a half nelson but Natalya is able to fight out. Natalya lands a leg sweep and drops James. Natalya then hits a snap suplex and follows with driving James into the corner. Natalya hits an electric chair and both women are down. Natalya works the neck of James and then hits a basement dropkick but James kicks out. Natalya goes to the outside and takes out Bliss with a clothesline. Natalya gets back in the ring and James hits her with the Mick kick and gets the 1 2 3 on the cover.
Winner: Mickie James
My Opinion:
James picked up a big victory tonight of course with some help from Bliss. Natalya was in control but took her eye off the match and ultimately it cost her. You know Natalya wanted to get this win especially since Ronda still is suspended. One thing’s for sure the odds will be evened next week when Rousey comes back to Raw. I feel like Bliss is gonna need more than Mickie James to escape Rousey.

Backstage Segment:
Charly aks Reigns what will make tonight different when he faces Lashley. He says tonight is a night of first and he’s gonna beat him. He says if you look at his resume you will see he is a workhorse and the most decorated superstar of this generation. He says he will beat him and go to SummerSlam. He says he doesn’t care what anyone says, he’s going to SummerSlam and taking the Universal Championship and he’s gonna whoop Brock Lesnar’s ass.

In Ring Segment:
AOP says give us anyone except Titus WorldWide we’re done with them. Titus says there is no question they’re legit but they’re also two of the youngest and have a lot to learn. AOP questions how Titus can help us. Crews tells that when he linked up with Titus he learned quickly why he was named father of the year. He tells them to show him respect and that he’s been in the WWE a long time. Crews says he knows stuff and if they had half the class Titus does they’d be champions. AOP says Titus can walk away and retire. Titus says sometimes you have to teach people a lesson.
My Opinion:
Titus and Apollo showed a lot of fight tonight and it’s a big statement for them to take it to AOP like that. I think they got the better of them but still, in a tag match, I don’t think they can beat AOP. I really wanna see AOP in the title picture and doing bigger things than this. Not that Titus WorldWide isn’t good but I feel like AOP has so much more to offer.

Backstage Segment:
Angle tells Stephanie he was worried when he heard she was coming. Angle says he is proud to be GM after that announcement. Corbin brings over Owens and asks how she wants to handle this. Steph asks if he’s okay. Owens says he’s not. Corbin tells the anger management thing didn’t work. Owens says what he did was wrong and could’ve ended his career. Owens says he wants to face Braun again at SummerSlam and if he wins he gets the Money In The Bank contract regardless of how he wins. Stephanie tells him he’s got his match.

Match 4: Mojo Rawley vs Tyler Breeze
Breeze lands a huge dropkick to start. Mojo comes back with a huge tackle and sends Breeze flying. Mojo works a half nelson and keeps Breeze grounded on the mat. Breeze is able to connect with a big kick but then gets caught. Mojo sends Breeze flying into the corner. Breeze tries a roll-up but Mojo kicks out. Mojo lands a huge sit-down Alabama slam and gets the 1 2 3 on the cover.
Winner: Mojo Rawley
My Opinion:
Rawley is on a roll as of late and picks up another big win. Rawley was off of tv for a while so it’s gonna interesting to see what they do with him now that he’s on every week. I hope this won’t all be for nothing and eventually there will be a pay off to all of this. It looks like now Roode will be working with him and for Rawley, that’ll be great as Roode is a good opponent to learn from.

Match 5: Finn Balor vs Drew Mcintyre w/ Dolph Ziggler
Balor hits Mcintyre with huge rights but Mcintyre quickly takes him down. Mcintyre lands a big chop on Balor. Balor hits a dropkick and sends Mcintyre to the floor. Balor flies over the ropes and takes out Mcintyre as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Mcintyre works the arm of Balor. Mcintyre then sends him into the corner hard sending Balor to the mat. Mcintyre then hits a huge suplex but it’s not enough to get the win. Mcintyre goes back to working the arm but Balor continues to try to fight out. Balor is able to land a big forearm. Balor fights him off and hit a spinning DDT but Balor can’t get the three on the pin. Balor hits him with big chops in the corner. Balor is able to catch him with an enziguri and then comes off the top with a sling blade. Balor goes back to the top but Ziggler gets involved and the ref calls for the bell. Ziggler and Mcintyre then team up on Balor. Out comes Seth Rollins. Rollins hammers away with rights and lefts and Mcintyre and Ziggler are sent out of the ring. Out comes Kurt Angle. Angle restarts the match as a tag team match.
Winner: Finn Balor: Via DQ
My Opinion:
This was an awesome match that unfortunately ended too soon but at least we’re getting a big tag match out of this. Balor put up a good fight I’d say even better than a lot of superstars have against Mcintyre. I hope we see this again sometime cause I think there’s a lot they can do.

Match 6: Seth Rollins & Finn Balor vs Dolph Ziggler & Drew Mcintyre
Rollins and Balor bring them back into the ring. Ziggler is sent to the outside and then they team up on Mcintyre. Mcintyre is then sent to the floor. Ziggler backs Rollins but he fights him off. Rollins takes down Ziggler but can’t get the three on the cover. Ziggler lands a big kick and backs Rollins into the corner. Rollins is able to block him and hits Ziggler with huge chops. Rollins flies through the ropes and takes out Ziggler on the floor as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Balor hits with a chop. Ziggler fights back but Balor is able to hit him with a basement dropkick. Mcintyre gets the tag and hammers on Balor. Mcintyre works his arm and scraps his hand across Balor’s face. Mcintyre then wipes Balor into the corner. On the outside, Mcintyre drops Balor onto the barricade. Ziggler comes back in but Balor takes control with a big kick. Mcintyre tags in and Balor can’t get the tag. Rollins finally does get the tag and he flies to the outside driving Ziggler and Mcintyre into the barricade. He then throws Ziggler into the barricade. Rollins hits a big clothesline off the top rope on Mcintyre. Rollins tries a cover but he kicks out. Rollins hits a big kick to Mcintyre but Ziggler interferes. Rollins hits a roll-up but he kicks out. Rollins lands another kick but Ziggler breaks up the cover. Balor comes in to help. Rollins hits Ziggler but Mcintyre takes over. Mcintyre slams Rollins face first and goes for the cover but can’t get the three. Mcintyre lifts Rollins but Rollins fights off and sends Mcintyre to the floor. Rollins hits Ziggler with the stomp and gets the three on the cover.
Winners: Seth Rollins and Finn Balor
My Opinion:
This was a great tag match, I loved how back and forth it was but also how Seth Rollins really shined. I was super excited Rollins beat Ziggler cause that means there’s hope that rivalry isn’t over and I’d love to see one more epic showdown between the two at SummerSlam. Either way, this was an awesome match and I’d love to see it again as these four really bring out the best in each other.

Backstage Segment:
Charly asks Lashley what’s going through his mind. Lashley says he came back for matches like this. He tells how Reigns failed against Lesnar and he’s gonna fail tonight again. Lashley says when Brock comes next week he’s gonna look in his face and tell him he’s the man he’s gonna face at SummerSlam. He says there is no sleep till Brooklyn.

Match 7: Liv Morgan vs Ember Moon
Moon lands a huge dropkick to start the match. Moon then lands a fallaway slam and continues the attack. Moon lands a big kick but then misses on the crossbody. Liv takes control but can’t get the cover on the pin. Moon continues to fight and finally is able to slam Liv face first on the mat. Moon goes to the top but Liv knocks her down. Liv tries a suplex but Moon blocks. Moon then drops Liv face first. Moon hits the eclipse and gets the 1 2 3.
Winner: Ember Moon
My Opinion:
Glad Ember got back on track after a loss last week that really didn’t need to happen. Ember is awesome and with so many big things coming for the women I see her as one of the top superstars to lead the charge. Morgan gave it her all but Moon is just too good and when she hits the eclipse it’s over.

Backstage Segment:
Mike Rome asks Rollins about his meeting with Kurt Angle. He says it’s been a great night and says Angle gave him a match for SummerSlam. Rollins then tells he will face Ziggler for the Intercontinental Championship and says it’s time to burn it down in Brooklyn one more time.

Match 8: Roman Reigns vs Bobby Lashley:
Winner Faces Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam
Lashley and Reigns lock up and Reigns backs him in the corner. Lashley backs him up and the two stay locked up. Reigns hits him with two big rights. Reigns then hits a huge clothesline but can’t get the three on the cover. Lashley hits a big kick and follows with a clothesline of his own. Lashley then sends Reigns to the outside. Lashley catches Reigns and slams him as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Lashey slams Reigns. Lashley goes for the cover but can’t get the three. Lashley works the back of Reigns and stretches his arms. Lashley continues to work the arm of Reigns. Reigns fights him off but then both men go down after a big collision. Lashley hits Reigns with a big clothesline and then gets Reigns in the corner. Lashley then drives his shoulder into Reigns twice. Reigns lifts Lashley but he hangs on. Reigns hits him with a big right. From the apron Lashley is able to hit a big clothesline. Reigns comes back and sends Lashley to the outside. Reigns hits a leg drop but Lashley kicks out of the cover. Reigns looks for the Superman Punch but Lashley catches him and gets him in a full nelson. Lashley wraps the arm of Reigns and wrenches on his neck. Reigns turns it into a cover but Lashey kicks out. Lashley then goes shoulder first into the ring post. Reigns hits him with big clotheslines in the corner. Lashley hits a big slam and goes for the cover but Reigns kicks out. Lashley looks for a spear but Reigns comes out of the corner and takes him out. Reigns hits the Superman Punch but Lashley kicks out. Reigns gets caught on the outside but Reigns fights him off. Lashley then throws Reigns into the ring. Lashley hits him with a spear but can’t get the three on the pin. Reigns hits the Superman Punch again. Reigns goes for the spear but it’s countered. Reigns finally does hit the spear and goes for the cover. Reigns gets the 1 2 3.
Winner: Roman Reigns: #1 Contender for the Universal Championship
My Opinion:
Wow, what a main event! Lashley and Reigns gave it everything they had tonight and either one could have won. Reigns ultimately pulled off the victory and now has another shot at the Universal Championship. After everything we’ve seen with Reigns and him constantly trying to get back to the top spot I hope this is finally the time he goes and wins the big match.

Final Thoughts:
I loved tonight’s Raw, it started with a major announcement which was awesome. I’m so happy the women are gonna get their own PPV, they deserve it after all they’ve done. With the moments they’ve been given I have no doubt this event will be epic. I loved the match between Rollins, Balor, Ziggler, and Mcintyre. This was a very hard hitting battle and I’m so happy Rollins will have another shot at the Intercontinental Championship. I think Ziggler and Rollins can steal the show at SummerSlam like they did at Extreme Rules. Tonight’s main event was a perfect way to end the night. Lashley and Reigns gave it their all and ultimately Reigns was just one step better. I hope Reigns will finally go and pull off the big victory and bring the Universal Championship back to Raw where it belongs. Next week’s Raw is gonna be huge from the return of Ronda Rousey to Reigns and Lesnar meeting face to face. One thing’s for sure SummerSlam is shaping up to be good and the Raw’s leading up should be more and more exciting as we get closer.
Overall Rating: 7/10