Raw Review 07/17/2017

Tonight what will Kurt Angle have in store for the WWE Universe as he exposes his controversy to the world. Plus Roman Reigns and Samoa Joe will do battle once again to determine the #1 Contender for the Universal Championship. Last week The Revival attacked The Hardy Boyz, is Team Extreme up for the task against their new enemies? Big Show came and stood up to Big Cass last week. Will Show try and put Cass in his place tonight or will Cass show he’s the new guy in town? Bayley has gained a lot of momentum as of late, is she getting back in the title picture? Raw will kick off this week with Dean Ambrose. What will be The Lunatic Fringe’s next move?

Raw is live tonight from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN

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

In Ring Segment: Dean Ambrose
Dean claims he is bent out of shape because of The Miz. He says he has a really bad idea and invites The Miz and The Miztourage out to the ring to pick up from last week. They don’t come out and Dean asks if miz doesn’t have enough backup. He tells him to bring out whoever he wants. Out comes Seth Rollins.
Rollins asks Ambrose why he’s picking a fight he can’t win on his own. He questions Ambrose for fighting his battles last week. Rollins tells him that he appreciates his toughness, but thinks he needs to come up with a better plan. Ambrose says he doesn’t have plans and goes where he pleases. He tells Rollins everything is not about him and this is his battle. Rollins tells that Miz brought him into this and asks Ambrose if he will be in his way of by his side. Ambrose tells Rollins they aren’t brothers. Ambrose says he doesn’t know Rollins. Rollins says that was over three years ago and he’s sorry. Rollins says he lives with that everyday, but he remembers him and Ambrose tearing each other apart and Ambrose beating him for the WWE Championship. He asks Ambrose what it will take for him to move on. Ambrose tells Rollins he sees his lips moving, but he doesn’t hear anything. Rollins says he will let his actions speak for him and tells Ambrose to hit him with a chair. Ambrose throws the chair out of the ring. Out comes The Miz.
Miz makes fun of Rollins and Ambrose and tells Rollins that it’s a waste of time. He tells Rollins that it is a major no no to burn a bridge in this business. Miz then says that he owns Ambrose. Miz says Ambrose is predictable and tells he prepared a welcoming party for them. Miz says that he may not be an architect and he and The Miztourage arm with chairs. The three tee off on Rollins and Ambrose with steel chairs. Dallas pounds on Rollins. Miz hits the skull crushing finale on Rollins on the chair. Miz hits Ambrose one more time for good measure.
My Opinion:
I don’t mind this rivalry, but I do think it takes away from the Intercontinental Championship. Hopefully this will turn into a triple threat situation and they will do something with the title. I don’t really like the attitude they’re giving to Ambrose. I think they would have been better off to have a little reunion and give people what they want. It seems to drawn out the way they are doing it right now. I feel like they’ve been on the same thing for months and the story isn’t progressing well.

Backstage Segment:
Charly tries to ask Miz a question and Miz says she can’t get a word telling that Rollins and Ambrose got enough.

Match 1: Bayley vs Alexa Bliss
Alexa slaps Bayley to start. Bayley drives Alexa into the corner. Alexa comes back and hammers away on Bayley. Bayley fights back and knocks Alexa to the mat sending her to the apron. Out comes Nia Jax as Raw goes to break.
As Raw Returns Alexa drives her knee in Bayley’s back. Bayley tries to fight out and Alexa works her arm. Bayley works to her feet, but is sent back to the mat. Alexa goes for the cover, but Bayley kicks out. Alexa continues to work the left arm of Bayley. Alexa drives bayley’s face into the mat. Bayley fights back and sends Alexa face first. Bayley hangs up Alexa and hits hard with forearms. Bayley is able to hit a high elbow. Alexa goes back to the bad arm, but is caught by Bayley. Bayley hits an elbow and follows with a big suplex. Bayley hits an elbow again and Alexa rolls to the outside. Bayley goes to the outside and alexa hits a cheap shot. Sasha Banks comes out of nowhere to even the odds. Bayley rolls up Alexa, but Alexa kicks out. Bayley hits the Bayley to Belly and picks up the win.
Winner: Bayley
My Opinion:
Huge win for Bayley. I am so glad to see her working her way back up. They really screwed her for a little bit there, but it looks like Bayley may be back in the title picture. I really hope Bayley and Sasha will go at it eventually. Those two could have a great rivalry. Right now though it’s smart to at least keep those four relevant. It keeps all four at the top and then they can do many different things with it.

Backstage Segment:
Kurt tells Corey he is having seconds thoughts and asks if he should keep this to himself. Corey tells him this is going to get out and he needs to report it himself, he tells Kurt to go tell everyone his truth and he has nothing to be ashamed of. Kurt thanks Corey and says your friendship means so much to both of us.

Backstage Segment:
Titus tells Apollo and Tozawa they need to pick this thing up. He goes over the things they’ve done the past couple weeks and tells them not to worry. He tries to hype them up and is interrupted by Divari. Divari puts Tozawa down for his actions and tells him that if he has any honor he will meet him in the ring.

Match 2: Drew Gulak & Brian Kendrick vs Mustafa Ali & Jack Gallagher
Kendrick and Gallagher start the match. Kendrick right away tags Gulak. Gulak backs Gallagher to the ropes. Gallagher is able to land a double leg take down and works the legs of Gulak. Gulake takes a cheap shot off the distraction. Gulak stomps on the chest of Gallagher and follows with a huge chop. Gallagher is able to send Gulak flying, but Kendrick gets the tag. Kendrick is hit with a headbutt and Ali gets the tag. Ali flies from the top rope hits the inverted 450 splash and is able to put away Kendrick.
Winners: Mustafa Ali & Jack Gallagher
My Opinion:
I didn’t mind the match. I think it went fast and it did help in advancing their story lines. I think matches like this give people a taste and leaves them wanting more. At least with this match there was a purpose and it wasn’t just a time filler. Cruiserweight action isn’t my favorite right now, but I do like what Gulak is doing with the no fly zone, as I hope that will inadvertently lead to more high flying as that’s more of what people want to see. I think the Cruiserweights are hurting because they made them no different than anyone else and it’s hard to follow the stories if you don’t watch 205 Live. At least with having them wrestle their style people will want to watch for the excitement regardless of the story.

In Ring Segment: Enzo Amore
Enzo says there is no one who can create a reaction on a mic like he can. He states that if he said it he owns it. Enzo says sometimes his losses out way his assets. He tells that you will win some and lose some, but you always have to fight for what you believe in. Enzo says he believes Cass believed in them as a team at one point, but he may have believed it more. Enzo says he wanted them to win as a team and tells Cass that him being 7 foot tall didn’t win them any championships. Enzo says that it does hurt when Cass threw him over his head to the floor, but he got back up and made Cass finish the fight. Enzo shows Cass getting taken out by Big Show last week and says that Cass couldn’t even look him in the eyes. He says Cass folded like a lawn chair when things got tough. He starts to call Cass Sawft, but out he comes.
Cass tells Corey that if it wasn’t for him none of this would’ve happened. Cass tells that Enzo didn’t learn his lesson and he’s gonna beat some sense into him. Enzo taunts him and rolls out of the ring. Enzo goes into the crowd and says he’s gonna watch Cass get beat. Out comes Big show.
Cass tries to attack Show right away. Show fights him off and takes it to Cass. he throws him in the barricade, but cass turns it around and drives him into the barricade. Cass throws hands and gets Show reeling. Show battles back and throws Cass into the ring apron. Cass is able to drive Show into the ring post and does it a second time. Cass throws him in the ring and kicks him. Cass hammers away with rights and lefts. More shots to the body from Cass. Enzo tries to run in, but Cass hits him with a big boot.
My Opinion:
I really liked Enzo tonight. I thought he made a lot of sense and it was very entertaining. No doubt Enzo can talk and he’s way better than Cass is at talking. On the other hand Cass was awesome as well in attacking Show. I think this helps in putting cass over. He stands tall and looks exactly how they want him to. Cass needs to go over and Show and I think it helps him in becoming one of the top guys. With rumors of a lot of heat on Enzo and Cass it will be interesting to see if they will keep getting a push or if the storyline will die out.

Backstage Segment:
Roman tells Charly that when the stakes are high he performs. He says he is the guy that is gonna beat Joe and after it is onto Lesnar and he will beat him as well because this is his yard.

Backstage Segment:
Rollins tells Ambrose he has business of his own. Ambrose says he could’ve handle it by himself. Angle comes in and tells them that next week they can face two members of The Miztourage. Ambrose asks why not all three. Angle agrees with the request.

Match 3: Elias Sampson vs Finn Balor
Sampson backs Balor in the corner. Balor fights out and works Sampson to his knees. Balor works his arm, but Sampson fights out and tosses Balor. Sampson kicks Balor and hammers on him in the corner. Sampson drives Balor onto the apron and continues the attack. Sampson executes with a vicious strike and locks in a full nelson. Balor works to his feet and fights out. He catches Sampson with an overhead kick. Balor knocks Sampson down repeatedly and hits with a dropkick. Balor hits a nice four punch combination. Sampson is able to catch him in the corner, but Balor battles back. Sampson power bombs Balor and gets a two count on the pin. Sampson then hits a back breaker, but it is still not enough. Balor catches him with an enziguri. Balor hits Sampson with a running kick on the apron. Sampson is then driven into the barricade. Sampson grabs his guitar and flattens Balor with it.
*** After the match Wyatt comes on the titan-tron and tells Balor he bets he didn’t expect that. He tells Balor that real people hurt and that he has feelings like real people do. He states he lives for the look of pain and suffering. Wyatt says he feels the need to put Balor in agony. He states that he feels a need to punish Balor. Wyatt says he is not a myth, he is real and the eye of the storm.
Winner: Finn Balor: Via DQ
My Opinion:
These two again had a pretty good match. I really liked the ending because that’s the kind of things that will help Elias become a great heel like they want. I think Finn working with Elias helps put him on the map and people will remember who he is. He and Balor really work well together and if Elias was more popular I think people would be more into it. Finally though we will see Balor and Wyatt. I really hope that this will bring back the Demon King. Balor has done good getting Elias over, but it’s time for Balor to get back in the hunt. Facing Wyatt will do wonders for him and if he brings out the Demon King I think Balor will go right back to the being one of the crowd favorites.

Backstage Segment:
Kurt says he is ready to do this. Bayley and Sasha come in and says they are having a disagreement of who should face Alexa. Bayley tells Sasha that she beat her by count out. Sasha says she deserve it way more. Kurt says he is not going to decide. He tells them they will face next week to see who will face Alexa at SummerSlam.

Backstage Segment:
Charly asks The Revival why they attacked The Hardy’s last week. They say we did it because they are The Hardy Boyz. They tell they will beat them tonight and The Hardy’s will show them the respect they deserve. They tell that tonight The Hardy’s will care about The Revival.

Match 4: Akira Tozawa vs Davari
Tozawa opens with strikes to Davari. Tozawa is able to land a huge kick. He tries for a senton, but gets caught. Davari works the shoulder of Tozawa. He continues to focus on the shoulder. Tozawa battles back, but is caught by a knee to the mid-section. He ‘s then thrown into the turnbuckle. Davari goes for the pin, but gets a two count. Tozawa fights back and lands a huge suplex. Davari pulls on the arm of Tozawa and gets a two count again on the pin. Titus gets on the apron and demands the match be stopped.
Winner: Davari
My Opinion:
This match showed one thing that is very difficult with the Cruiserweights which is we see on Raw Tozawa getting a push and being the #1 contender and then out of nowhere someone like Davari dominates him and it leaves people wondering why because they don’t really know much about him. I truly think the story lines for the Cruiserweights is lacking and the division still being around is shocking to me.

In Ring Segment: Kurt Angle
Kurt states he is a little nervous. He apologizes to The Universe for being a distraction the past couple of months. He says he found out that an action from his past has a serious consequence. He says he was afraid of change because he thought it would hurt his family, but they are supportive of this as well as the WWE is. He says when he was in college he dated a young lady and they stopped dating. He says he found out she gave birth 9 months after their last date to a baby boy. He says he was unaware if this and the boy was put up for adoption. He says the boy was a three sport athlete in high school. He says he went to college to wrestle. He says this boy pursued his dream of becoming a WWE superstar. Kurt says they are gonna settle things right now and introduces the newest member of Raw his son Jason Jordan.
My Opinion:
All of that for that. I just don’t get it. Why do they waste all that time on that and then have it get less time than the Cruiserweights did. They really couldn’t have come up with something better than this? I was hoping for a really good story, I am just not a fan of these kind of story lines. They could have done something very interesting and the thing is they had so much time to accomplish this. I am really glad they didn’t end the show like this. I was hoping it would’ve been something with Stephanie and had it set up a match.

Match 5: The Hardy Boyz vs The Revival (Dash Wilder & Scott Dawson)
Matt starts off going after Dawson. He backs him in the corner, but Dawson is able to counter. Matt comes back with a right hand and backs Dawson in the corner. Jeff gets the tag and the two double team Dawson. Jeff bounces him off the turnbuckle and is able to take him down. Matt gets the tag and the two again double team Dawson. Matt lands a hip toss and works a side headlock on the mat. Dawson tags Wilder. Wilder backs Matt in the corner and hits a nice body shot. Dawson comes back and continues the assault. Matt fights back and bounces Dawson off the turnbuckles. Matt lands a big clothesline in the corner and finishes it with a bulldog. Jeff gets the tag and again more double team both dropping an elbow. They then double team Wilder. The Hardy’s stand tall as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns Matt tries to fend off The Revival. Dawson gets the tag and works the knee of Matt. Dawson drops elbows on the knee of Matt. Wilder tags in the two double team Matt. Jeff comes in, but it distracts the ref and The Revival double team Matt. Dawson bends the knee of Matt. Matt fights out with a kick, but Wilder gets the tag and they keep the attack on Matt going. Wilder knocks Matt down and stomps on his knee. Dawson gets the tag and keeps on the knee. Matt battles back and is able to create space. Matt looks for a backslide and gets a two count. Wilder gets the tag and knocks Matt back down. Dawson comes back and prevents the tag. Matt is able to send Dawson to the floor. Wilder comes in and tries to stop Matt, but Matt hits a backdrop and Jeff comes in. Jeff hits an inverted atomic drop and follows with a drop kick. Jeff lands a splash from the second rope, but gets a two count. Wilder takes out Matt. The Revival look for a double team, but they are countered. Jeff hits the twist of fate, but the pin is broken up. Jeff hits poetry in motion. Jeff gets knocked off the top and Dawson rolls him up for the 1 2 3.
Winners: The Revival (Dash Wilder & Scott Dawson)
My Opinion:
I think there was way too much focus on targeting Matt’s leg. They spent so much time on it that and I think it took away from the excitement of the match. The ending wasn’t the best either. I hate when they do screwy finishes like that because it feels like you get jipped. I will says these teams definitely could have a great match. This one wasn’t bad, but it felt like there wasn’t enough back and forth and it was to focused on dominance for an extended period of time.

Backstage Segment:
Charly asks Joe if he has an worries about facing Roman. Joe says he showed that he doesn’t fear Lesnar, and Roman’s perception is skewed. Joe says he is more than an obstacle and he will roll through Roman. Joe says tonight a third time will be a charm.

Backstage Segment:
Titus tells Tozawa that he needs to understand why he stopped the match. Tozawa says he never quits. Titus says he knows he’s mad, but he doesn’t want him injured and out. Tozawa says he wants a match with Davari tomorrow night.

Match 6: Roman Reigns vs Samoa Joe:
#1 Contender’s Match for The Universal Championship
Joe and Reigns lock up. Reigns gets a side headlock. Joe throws him off the ropes, but neither budge. Joe slaps Reigns and Reigns comes off the ropes to take him down. Joe goes to the outside and is caught by a right hand trying to get back in the ring. Joe goes to the apron again and gets hit once more by a right as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns Joe crushes Reigns in the corner, he follows up with a huge kick. Joe goes for the cover, but Reigns kicks out. Joe toys with Reigns and fires away with Reigns in the corner. Joe strikes Reigns and keeps him teetering. Reigns quickly gets Joe in a cover, but it is not enough. Joe catches him with an elbow and gets a near fall. Joe pounds on Reigns shoulder and wrenches on his neck. Joe lands a snap suplex and goes for the cover, but Reigns kicks out. Joe continues to wrench on Reigns. Reigns fights out with strikes. He hits a series of clotheslines. Reigns hits a huge flying clothesline and gets a near fall on the pin. Reigns hits a series of clotheslines in the corner. Reigns sends Joe to the mat. Joe rolls out of the ring avoiding Reigns. Reigns comes to the outside, but is taken out by Joe. Reigns gets back up and takes out Joe with a clothesline as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns Reigns is able to hit a big Samoan Drop. Reigns gets caught by Joe and is taken down with a boot. Joe follows up with a running senton and gets a two count on the pin. Reigns keeps battling, but Joe fights him down with elbows. Reigns finally fights out and hits the Superman Punch. Joe kicks out of the pin. Out comes Braun Strowman.
Strowman throws Joe to the outside. He tries to get in the ring, but is taken down by Reigns. Reigns goes to the outside and Braun takes control. Braun throws Reigns in the ring and he and Joe go at it. Braun takes Joe down with a clothesline. Braun grabs Roman and shoves him. He lands a big splash in the corner and hammers on Reigns with right hands. Reigns and Joe work together to take out Braun. Joe locks in the Coquina and Reigns hits a Superman Punch. Braun gets back up and hits a spine buster on Reigns. Braun then picks up and slams Joe. Braun slams Reigns as well. Braun comes back in the ring to slam Reigns once more.
Winner: No Winner
My Opinion:
Joe and Reigns had a great match up. I really am not to disappointed by this ending. There is a lot of time to get #1 Contender so for now I like this. I think Braun is slowly, but very surely becoming a top if not the top guy. I am such a big fan of Braun and what he is doing. I think the fans were really into it and Braun proved to be so dominate. It was very awesome to see Joe and Braun go at it and to see Reigns and Joe work together. Not a bad way to end the night. To be honest I would love to see Braun vs Lesnar.

Final Thoughts:
This wasn’t a bad Raw, but definitely not the best. First I really don’t like how the Angle story turned out. I just don’t think it’s very believable and after having so long to come up with something i would’ve thought it would’ve been bigger and better. I don’t see the story really working and I think if they didn’t want Kurt wrestling yet then they should’ve waited and done a story line that would have set him up for a match. Now American Alpha is done? I just don’t get how this story will help out anyone. I liked what they did with Big Cass tonight, he needs to be put over like that and I think going over on Show can really help him. The Cruiserweights didn’t really do anything significant tonight. I loved Bayley going over. I think her and Sasha will do awesome next week, although heading into SummerSlam I wouldn’t mind a triple threat match. The main event was awesome as well. Joe and Reigns work so well together and always put on great matches. Tonight really put Braun over and I think he is at that top level. I personally loved seeing Braun and Joe go at it and I would love to see Braun and Lesnar. Tonight overall felt odd. There were so many backstage segments and I think the matches had a little too slow of a pace. It felt like everything was a little over emphasized tonight, but sometimes that is what happens when points need to get across. They have sent themselves up for an interesting show next week so hopefully it will be good. Over the next couple weeks things will get better and better. Last summer turned out awesome so I’m not worried just yet about the direction everything is heading.
Overall Rating: 7/10