Raw Review 08/17/2020

RAW REVIEW 08/17/2020

Tonight is the Go-Home Edition of Monday Night as SummerSlam is this Sunday!!! First, what will happen when HBK Shawn Michaels returns and confronts Randy Orton for Orton’s attack on Ric Flair? Speaking of returns, will we see Rey Mysterio return to Raw to confront Seth Rollins after Rollins and Murphy hit Dominik with a kendo stick 30 times? Plus, how will Mickie James fare when she steps back in the ring and takes on Natalya? All this and more as we build towards the SummerSlam “You’ll Never See It Coming”!!!

Raw comes to us from the WWE Performance Center.

Raw kicks off with us being introduced by Tom Phillips, Byron Saxton, and Samoa Joe. Phillips then apologies for the technical difficulties as Raw came on the air and attributes them to Retribution.

In-Ring Segment: Drew McIntyre
McIntyre says that what Randy Orton did last week was completely unforgivable. He says Randy Orton brutalized Ric Flair, a legend, an icon, and a 71-year-old man. McIntyre says how Ric was Orton’s mentor for 20 years, he brings up how Flair poured his heart out and calls Orton pure evil. McIntyre tells Orton at SummerSlam he isn’t facing an old man, he is facing a 6’ 5” Scottish fire breathing weapon. McIntyre brings up Orton’s matches with Mick Foley and tells Orton that he won’t have any weapons with him. McIntyre then says he is a damn weapon. We then cut to the back and see Retribution taking over the production truck. We can’t clearly make out what McIntyre is saying anymore. Retribution continues to take over the truck as the screen goes black and we go to commercial.
My Opinion:
I’m really excited for what’s to come with this Orton and McIntyre match. I know Drew has done some really good working since becoming champion but I think this more than anytime before is his chance to tell a truly great story. He and Orton can have that brutal match that also makes you feel every kind of emotion. SummerSlam and this match is where I look for McIntyre to become the guy. I don’t think this is make or break for him but I do think this match will tell a lot about Drew. He has the chance of a lifetime and there’s no way he will disappoint. This could be one of the hardest hitting matches of the year in WWE! As far as Retribution goes I’m excited to see what they continue to do next, I just hope the reveal is a big one!

Backstage Segment: Drew McIntyre & Seth Rollins
A number of superstars talk about Retribution. Drew comes up to them and Titus asks him if Ric is going to be okay. Drew says he is going to be okay but says Randy Orton won’t be at SummerSlam. He then brings up Retribution and says they might not get to SummerSlam if they keep this up. He then asks them to ban together and stop out Retribution. Seth Rollins tells Drew he sees what he is trying to do but the Raw locker room already has a Messiah. Drew then tells Seth he has been a leader for the past 5 years. Rollins tells how he teaches people lessons just like he taught Drew and most recently Dominik. Rollins is then told that Rey Mysterio will be here. Rollins says there is no way after what he did to his eye. Drew then asks if he is scared. Rollins says he isn’t, then brings up how Drew couldn’t even save Ric from Randy last week. Drew then tells Rollins he will drop him where he stands right now. Rollins walks away and Titus holds back Drew telling him he’s not worth it.

In-Ring Segment: The Hurt Business (MVP & Shelton Benjamin & Bobby Lashley)
MVP says while Drew McIntyre is in the back making a buddy system, the Hurt Business is out here and open for business. MVP says while the rest of the roster is hand wringing what Retribution will do next, the Hurt Business is calling them out. He then says they are the tough ones, not Retribution who is hiding in the shadows. MVP then says think about who this benefits most, Retribution will lead you to Apollo Crews. He says he thinks Apollo thought of this while he was at home. MVP says Retribution showed up about the same time he faced Apollo Crews for the United States Championship. He says Retribution was a ploy so Apollo could steal his United States Championship. Here comes Apollo Crews.
Crews tells MVP it’s low to blame him for being behind Retribution. MVP tells Crews that him running around with his masked friends is low. Crews then brings up how MVP can’t beat him without help and neither could Shelton Benjamin. MVP says that Apollo’s career has been so hot and cold. He then says Apollo fears losing the title because he knows when he does it is back to catering. Crews says that is right and that’s why he didn’t take his offer of joining the Hurt Business. MVP says this is about business. Crews tells him if this about Business then how about he takes on Shelton Benjamin and if he wins then Benjamin and Lashley will be banned from ringside for his match against MVP.

Match 1: Apollo Crews vs. Shelton Benjamin w/ The Hurt Business (MVP & Bobby Lashley)
The match is underway as Raw returns. Crews gets the early advantage but Benjamin fights back. Crees looks to get back into this one with his powerbomb but Benjamin counters and drops Crews. Benjamin covers but Crews kicks out. Benjamin now gets distracted by R-Truth, Tozawa, and his ninja’s. Benjamin takes out one of the ninja’s. This now allows Crews to roll him up and get the 1 2 3.
Lashley then attacks Crews. Ricochet, Mustafa Ali, and Cedric Alexander come out to help Crews. They take care of MVP and Benjamin but it takes two of them to fight off Lashley. On the outside, Benjamin now pins R-Truth to win back his 24/7 championship. MVP then tells Apollo to find wo idiots stupid enough to team up with him and face them later in a 6 man tag match.
Winner: Apollo Crews:
Lashley & Benjamin Will Be Banned From Ringside At SummerSlam
My Opinion:
This wasn’t the best showing for Crews especially ahead of a title defense. Benjamin looked in control of that whole match and it took Crews a distraction to get a win. This obviously changes the match this Sunday and now makes it so it will be an even playing field but Crews isn’t looking so good going into this.

Backstage Segment: Angel Garza & Demi Burnett
Angel talks to Demi Burnett. Ivar comes up and asks Demi to be his plus one to Raw Underground. Angel doesn’t like this and tells him he will take him out in their match, next.

Match 2: Ivar w/ Erik vs Angel Garza w/ Andrade & Zelina Vega
Garza tries to get the advantage early as he stays behind Ivar. Garza uses the beard to then take Ivar down to the mat. Garza now works the neck of Ivar and keeps him on the mat. Ivar gets the advantage and lands an exploder suplex. Ivar then runs him down and knocks him back over. Ivar now lands a big slam and then takes down Garza off the ropes. Ivar stays on the offensive and tries to put him away but Garza stays in this one. Ivar now gets him up top but Garza does his best to fend him off. Garza now is able to get away. Ivar comes back and knocks him to the floor. Ivar now looks to fly to the outside but Vega gets in the way to stop him. Ivar goes to the outside now and sends Garza into the ring and then the barricade. Now back in the ring, Garza catches Ivar as he steps through the ropes. Garza now hits him with a kick to the face. He covers and gets the 1 2 3.
After the match, Dawkins and Demi come on the screen. Demi congratulates him on the win. Demi then says she can’t wait to watch his match this Sunday. Dawkins then jokes and says he put in a good word for Ivar but not so much for Garza as he then brings up Charly Caruso. Vega then comes up to Samoa Joe and asks him what video Dawkins is going to show. Joe says thanks to WWE’s upped security he saw a video that he found interesting and showed Dawkins the video because he thought he’d be interested and he’s sure Vega would be too.
Winner: Angel Garza
My Opinion:
I really didn’t like the ending of this one. I think
Garza and great but there is no way he should be beating a monster like Ivar with a kick to the face. I don’t think this was a smart match for Ivar but the Viking Raiders have already been misused so much that it can’t get much worse. For Garza, this looks like a great win for him and will help build momentum on Sunday. If he has that dangerous of a kick this should be an easy title win you’d think.

Backstage Segment: Angelo Dawkins & Demi Burnett
Dawkins then asks Demi for her number. Angel then comes up and tells her to delete the number. Dawkins says he just wanted her number to send her the video. Vega and Andrade now come up and Vega tries to stop Dawkins. Dawkins asks for the video to be shown now. It shows Vega poisoning Montez Ford’s drink. Charly then asks her if she is responsible. Vega says that footage doesn’t show anything. Vega then blames Charly and says she did it because Angel moved on to Demi. Dawkins then tells them they will get what they’re owed because his brother wants the smoke. Ford then comes out of nowhere and he and Dawkins attack Garza and Andrade.

Match 3: Mickie James vs Natalya w/ Lana
Lana provides a distraction as the match begins and it allows Natalya to get on the offensive. Natalya stays on James and beats her down. James tries to come back but Natalya gets back on the offensive. Finally, James works away from her and hits a shoulder tackle. Natalya counters a DDT and now both women go down at the same time.
Rollins and Murphy now come down to ringside and asks Joe how he knows Rey Mysterio is going to be here tonight. He keeps questioning Joe and asks how he knows for sure. Rollins says there is no way Rey is here. Jo then asks him why he’s asking if he is sure.
This match continues and James is sent to the floor. Rollins keeps asking Joe how he knows. James can’t get up from the floor and is counted out. Lana then comes over and taunts James and James takes her out. Rollins then grabs a mic and says if Rey and Dominik have the audacity to spit in his face and show up on his show then it will be the last mistake they make and they won’t make it to SummerSlam.
Winner: Natalya
My Opinion:
I feel really bad for Mickie James after that one. We haven’t seen her in a while and now she comes back, loses, and half of her match we didn’t even see. This was just not a great way to book this and it was a shame to see especially when there was so much talent in that ring. I really hope matches like this don’t happen again because these women deserve more respect than that especially for a returning SuperStar like Mickie. This was very disappointing.

In-Ring Segment: Sasha Banks & Bayley
Banks says when you are the hardest working SuperStars in WWE and have all the old that’s enough to break anybody. She says going to Raw, NXT, and SmackDown they need a break. She then says how they now both have to face Asuka at SummerSlam. Bayley then says they can’t wait for SummerSlam. Bayley says she will face Asuka so Sasha can tap her out and beat her without breaking a sweat. Banks says life is good and no one can beat them. Bayley then brings up how they will defend their WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships. They then joke about all the teams they could beat. Shayna Baszler then comes out and says no matter what happens at SummerSlam whoever it is who has the Raw Women’s title, she has next. Asuka then comes out. Asuka tells Shayna she has to fight with her before she fights against her. Baszler agrees and she and Asuka hit the ring and send Bayley and Sasha to the floor.

Match 4: Asuka & Shayna Baszler vs Bayley & Sasha Banks
Asuka gets caught up in the wrong corner and this allows Banks to hammer on her. Bayley comes in and works a chin lock on Asuka. Bayley stays on her. Banks comes in and continues to beat on her. From the crowd we see Nia Jax come out. Baszler and Jax now fight in the crowd. Asuka fights back and sends Bayley and Banks to the floor as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Bayley stays on Asuka and brings her to the corner. Banks tags in and takes Asuka down to the mat. She covers but Asuka kicks out. Banks and Bayley then taunt Asuka. Banks hits Asuka on the back of the neck. Asuka tries to fight back but Banks stays in control. Banks brings her to the corner and now Bayley tags in. Bayley takes down Asuka and covers but again Asuka stays in this one. Asuka hits Bayley in the stomach. Bayley gets back on the offensive and beats down to the mat. Banks tags in and she tries to put Asuka away but she kicks out. Bayley is back in and she now drops Asuka but Asuka won’t stay down on the cover.
Bayley goes up top and flies but Asuka gets her feet up and she drops Bayley. Asuka covers but Bayley kicks out. Asuka hits Bayley with the spinning back fist. Banks has tagged in though and she gets the Banks Statement locked in. Baszler finally returns and breaks the hold. Banks is fought off by Asuka. Baszler comes in and hits Banks with vicious elbows. She then hits a step-up knee before hitting a sliding knee. Baszler misses on the elbow stomp and Banks works a cover. Baszler kicks out. Baszler grabs Bayley but Banks hits the backstabber. Bayley hits the Bayley to Belly and covers but Baszler kicks out. Basler grabs Bayley and takes her down. She now locks in the submission but Banks breaks it up. Asuka now grabs Banks and puts her in the Asuka lock. Baszler now works the Kirifuda Clutch again and taps out Bayley.
Winners: Asuka & Shayna Baszler
My Opinion:
It seemed again Banks and Bayley got too overconfident in this one and that is not the attitude they need to have this close to defending all of their titles. I’m not sure if Asuka can really win both titles this Sunday but it does seem she will be set up to win one of them. It should be interesting and should give us two awesome matches on Sunday. I also would love to see Asuka and Shayna go at it. Tonight really helped Shayna as well, she looked more powerful than ever and seems ready for her big opportunity.

Backstage Segment: Apollo Crews & Cedric Alexander & Ricochet & Mustafa Ali
Crews thanks Ali, Alexander, and Ricochet for having his back. They tell him they always have his back. Crews says he knows and that’s why he accepted the challenge. He then says he picks Ali and Ricochet so Cedric can rest. Randy Orton walks up after they walk away and seems to be thinking about something as Raw goes to break.

Backstage Segment: Drew McIntyre & Shawn Michaels
HBK walks about to Drew and asks “rough night champ”? HBK tells
Drew that he understands how he feels but Randy will use this against him if he lets him. He tells him to get refocused and get ready for SummerSlam. Drew talks about all the guys Randy has taken out and tells Shawn he feels like he has let him down. Shawn hypes up Drew. He reminds him of exactly who he is and tells him how great he has been. Hbk then tells Drew to give him his space when he goes out there tonight because he needs to handle this with Randy.

Backstage Segment: The IIconics (Billie Kay & Peyton Royce) & Ruby Riott & Liv Morgan
Billie Kay says Peyton will be taking her spot in their match tonight against Ruby. Peyton seems reluctant but agrees. They then pick at Liv but Ruby stands up for her. We then see Shayna Baszler sitting and talking with Marina Shafir and Jessamyn Duke.

Match 5: Peyton Royce w/ Billie Kay vs Ruby Riott & Liv Morgan
Ruby goes right after Royce. She hits a standing STO and takes her down to the mat. Royce is able to kick her off but Riott comes back and sends Royce off the apron and onto the floor. Riott goes to the floor and grabs Royce continuing the beatdown. Royce turns it around and now sends Riott into the barricade. Back in the ring, Royce lands a big knee to the face. She covers but Riott is able to kick out. Royce stays in control and hits Riott with big forearms in the corner. Riott fights back and now takes control, sending Royce into the barricade. Riott now hits Royce with a huge kick. Riott then comes off the apron and hits Royce with a crossbody on the floor. Kay now yells at Riott. Liv stands up for her. Royce then sends Riott into Liv. Royce brings Riott in the ring and hits her with the Deja Vu. She covers and gets the 1 2 3.
Winner: Peyton Royce
My Opinion:
That was a very smart move by Peyton at the end of this match and I’m always impressed with how Billie and Peyton are always on the same page. It’s really nice to see them use some psychology and get wins this way as I think it’s a lost art at times. For Ruby, she had a great showing in this one. Ruby seems to be wrestling with much more confidence now. Hopefully, the Riott Squad stays together and maybe they could be next to fight for the Women’s Tag Team championships.

Backstage Segment: Shane McMahon
Shane comes up to the bodyguard and tells him it’s almost 10 O’Clock you know what that means. The bodyguard says yes sir, Raw Underground. He opens the door for Shane and he heads in as Raw Underground is next!

Raw Underground:
As we return from commercial we see Erik for the Viking Raiders tearing it up in the ring. He takes control of his opponent and absolutely lays him out. Ivar then comes in and celebrates. Shane then asks Dolph to rate Erik’s performance. Dolph says 4/10 at best. Shane says he would rate it higher as it was impressive. Erik then calls out Ziggler. The two start and Ziggler shoots the half. He controls the leg of Erik but Erik maintains his balance. Dolph now works a headlock but Erik is able to pick him up and slam him. Erik now hits him with knees and fists. Dolph fights back and works a sleeper hold. He then works a thumb to the eye and takes Erik down and Ziggler wins. Ivar then gets in the ring and sends Dolph flying into the crowd of people.

In-Ring Segment: Rey & Dominik Mysterio
Rey says there is one word to explain how he has felt since Extreme Rules and that is pain. He says it was pain at first for what Seth did to his eye but even worse pain for what Seth did to Dominik. He then tells how he had to watch his own get crucified by Seth and Murphy as they beat him down with a kendo stick. Rey says it made him feel a rage he has never felt anymore. He says he needed to take the beating himself so Dominik didn’t have to suffer. Rey says he isn’t fully recovered and he may never be but there is no doctor on this earth that will stop him from protecting his son.
Rey then tells Seth he won’t repeat what he did to Dominik because at SummerSlam he will be in his corner watching him kick Seth’s ass in a street fight. Dominik then tells Rey he knows what he signed up for when he signed the contract to be a WWE Superstar. He says he knows what he has to do to protect this family and he will be ready. Rey says he loves him and admires his determination to defend the family. He says he knows Dominik will do just that at SummerSlam. He then says if Rollins does anything tonight he will be the one not making it to SummerSlam.
Rollins comes on the screen and tells Rey he is putting his son in danger 6 days away from SummerSlam because this is about Rey and Rey is selfish. Rollins tells Rey he could have prevented this and he doesn’t understand why he keeps putting himself in harm’s way. He tells Rey he could have accepted the greater good but instead, he got hurt and so did his son. Rollins tells Rey it is the Mysterio name and legacy that will be the sacrifice.
Rey then tells Rollins to come back up his words. Rollins tells him just remember you asked for his, now don’t move an inch. Here comes Rollins and Murphy. Rey and Dominik then get out of the ring. Rollins tells him to come and get what he asked for. Dominik grabs two kendo sticks and hits Rollins and Murphy from behind as they are distracted. Dominik takes them down. They send Murphy out of the ring and now attack Rollins. Rollins is able to get away and so does Murphy.
My Opinion:
That was a good build for this match! I loved Rey and Dominik getting some revenge and sending a message to Seth and Murphy. I really think this is the perfect opportunity for Dominik on Sunday and I love that Rey will be at ringside. This now leaves it up to the imagination of what will happen. Maybe Seth does take them out, maybe Dominik gets the heroic win, or maybe Dominik joins Seth! This is SummerSlam you’ll never see it coming so it should be quite the night!!!

Backstage Segment: MVP & Cedric Alexander
MVP comes up to Cedric and Cedric asks him what he wants. MVP says he has been there as a young man navigating through WWE sitting in the back when you should be in the ring. Cedric says Apollo is looking out for his best interest. MVP says he could be looking out for him or he thought he was the weakest link. He then tells Cedric it must be hard being partners with a guy who calls himself the one and only. MVP tells him his offer still stands and to think it over while he’s in catering.

Raw Underground:
Riddick Moss and Arturo Ruas are back. Moss gets beaten down badly at first. Ruas stays in control and seems to be frustrating Moss who can’t find his footing. Moss is able to get up and finally fight back. Moss works a heel hock and keeps the hold on. The two roll to the ground. They continue to fight until Shane breaks it up. He then asks who is next as we head back down to ringside.

Match 6: Apollo Crews & Ricochet & Mustafa Ali vs The Hurt Business (MVP & Shelton Benjamin & Bobby Lashley):
Elimination Tag Team Match
Benjamin starts with Ali and hits him in the corner. Ali comes back now and works a takedown. He now works the arm of Benjamin. Ali brings him to the corner and tags Ricochet. Ricochet now works on the arm of Benjamin. Ricochet now hits a big enziguri. He covers but Benjamin kicks out. Benjamin hits now, fights back and tags Lashley. Ali now gets run over by Lashley. Lashley then takes out Ricochet and Crews. Lashley hits the dominator. He covers and gets the 1 2 3 to eliminate Ali. Ricochet comes in hot but Lashley stops him and drives him down to the mat. Benjamin tags in and hits paydirt. He covers and gets the 1 2 3. Ricochet is now eliminated. Benjamin now goes after Crews as he gets in the ring. Crews fights back and sends Benjamin into the turnbuckle. Crews then hits the toss powerbomb. He covers and gets the 1 2 3 eliminating Benjamin. On the outside, Cedric Alexander comes out of nowhere and pins Benjamin to win the 24/7 Championship as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, MVP takes it to Crews in the corner. Crews tries to fight back but MVP stays on him. Crews is then dropped in the corner. MVP picks him up and heaves him in the corner now. MVP then throws him to the floor. MVP meets him out there and bounces him off the ring. MVP now covers but Crews kicks out. Lashley tags in and hits Crews with big right hands. He then drives his boot into the face of Crews. MVP is now in and he hits Crews with a big boot. MVP covers but can’t get the three. MVP throws Crews into the corner again. He now misses on the boot. Crews hits the toss powerbomb and eliminates MVP on the pin. Lashley now comes in and goes right after Crews. Crews fights back and takes down Lashley. He hits him with a kick and stays on him. A standing moonsault and a cover but it is not enough to put away Lashley. Lashley Fights back and hits Crews with a spear. He covers and gets the 1 2 3. Lashley, MVP, and Benjamin now celebrate in the ring.
Winners: The Hurt Business (MVP & Shelton Benjamin & Bobby Lashley)
My Opinion:
Bobby Lashley shined as always, he never fails to amaze me but I really loved what I saw from Apollo. As I’ve said I feel like Crews has never been better and he is showing how dominant he can be in the ring. He really took to Lashley which was impressive and he got two eliminations on his own. Crews can hold his own and I hope he and MVP get more than a couple of minutes this Sunday and get to show what they can do. Their last match wasn’t their best so I expect them to show up and show out this Sunday!

Backstage Segment: Shane McMahon & Shayna Baszler & Jessamyn Duke & Marina Shafir
Shane talks with Shayna, Marina, and Jessamyn about Raw Underground.

Match 7: Cedric Alexander vs Akira Tozawa: 24/7 Championship Match
Alexander locks up with Tozawa and no works his arm. Alexander stays on him and works a big dropkick. We are shown MVP watching from the back. Tozawa now calls for a ninja but Alexander knocks the ninja right down. Tozawa fights back and takes down Alexander. He goes up top and flies but Alexander moves. Alexander hits the neuralizer and then the Lumbar Check. He covers and gets the 1 2 3. From behind Benjamin hits paydirt. He covers and gets the 1 2 3. He is now 24/7 Champion.
Winner: Cedric Alexander wins but after Shelton Benjamin pinned him and is now 24/7 Champion
My Opinion:
I really hope we see more from Cedric Alexander soon. He has a ton of potential and looks like a star but they just need to let him do more. Although this match and then losing the title didn’t help you can still see that he has the it factor. I hope he will join MVP soon and show exactly what he can do. I’d love to see Cedric taking on Apollo at some point.

Raw Underground:
Marina is very impressive in her debut. She takes down her opponent and easily works a submission to get the win. Nia Jax then takes out Marina and then Jessamyn. Baszler gets in there and challenges Nia but Nia heads for higher ground.
My Opinion:
This wasn’t too bad this week but not as exciting as it was in the beginning. I’m not sure what it was but it just didn’t hit like before. There is still a ton of potential and given some tweaks like longer matches it could be much better. I like who saw in here though this week and if these guys and girls keep fighting here it could be special. It needs something to help spice it up though, whatever that may be.

Match 8: Montez Ford w/ Angelo Dawkins vs Andrade w/ Angel Garza & Zelina Vega
Ford lays in on Andrade with big right hands. Andrade comes back with a kick. Ford then meets him with a dropkick. Over the ropes, Ford flies and takes down Andrade on the floor. Ford goes up top but he is then knocked down by Andrade. Andrade hits him with a chop and meets him up there. Andrade now looks for a suplex and hits it. He covers but Ford kicks out. Andrade now works a chin lock as he keeps Ford on the mat. Ford fights back and works his way back up before being knocked down. Ford fights back and works a big clothesline. He then drops Andrade. A standing moonsault and a cover but Andrade kicks out. Andrade fights back and knocks down Ford. he goes up top but ford catches him with hurricanranna. Vega tries to get involved but Bianca Belair comes out and slams him to the ground. Ford takes advantage of the distraction and rolls up Andrade for the 1 2 3.
Winner: Montez Ford
My Opinion:
This was a huge win for Montez and wow did he shine in this one. I really love the fast-paced offense he can bring and it’s amazing to see his athleticism. Andrade tried his best to take this to the ground but Ford just wouldn’t stay down. With the amount of athletic ability that will be in the ring this Sunday this tag match is going to be off the charts. It won’t be the classic tag team ground and pound but it will be fast-paced and exciting. I can’t wait to see what they do!

Backstage Segment: Shawn Michaels
Members of the Raw roster shake hands and hug HBK as he heads to the ring to confront Randy Orton, next!

In-Ring Segment: Shawn Michaels
HBK says he wishes he was here on a more exciting note but first he wants everyone to take a look at something. He then shows the video of Flair telling Orton about his 31 days in the hospital and wanting to tell everyone how much he loved them and how he just wants to be a part of Randy’s life. HBK says that was the toughest 31 days of Ric’s life and for all that knew him. He talks about how much Ric loved performing in this ring. He says there are so many like himself, HHH, Batista, Edge, Christian, Big Show, and Drew McIntyre who wouldn’t be here without Ric. HBK then tells Randy this includes him. He says Randy had Ric mentoring him but he felt he was owed it and didn’t appreciate it. He then assures Orton that at SummerSlam he doesn’t know it will be from a Sweet Chin Music or a Claymore but he promises at SummerSlam Randy will see it coming.
Orton comes out of nowhere and RKO’s HBK. he then hits HBK with a punt kick. McIntyre comes to his rescue. Orton then tries to blindside McIntyre but McIntyre grabs him and takes him to the outside. He then hammers on Orton and sends him into the barricade. He stays on him and lays him out by the announce desk. McIntyre now goes back in to check on HBK. Orton now comes from behind and hits McIntyre with the RKO. Orton stands tall as Raw goes off the air.
My Opinion:
Some very moving words from HBK but of course, Orton ruined this. This was no surprise as you knew Orton would be waiting for his chance to strike. This further shows how evil Randy could be but I do think Drew should have known better and been here when it happened. Drew did get his shots in but so did Randy. As I said this has become very personal for a lot of people. Many people want to see Drew win but Randy also looks better than he has in a long time. It should be interesting to see how it plays out because right now it could go either way.

Final Thoughts:
This wasn’t the best or the worst night of Raw, I think it falls somewhere in between. I do think we are on the verge of some better days ahead but right now it was about getting to SummerSlam and we will see what happens after that. I’m excited about this WWE Thunderdome though and that should make things feel much much better. Getting into the night, I like the build for Rollins and Dominik. As I said it was nice to see Rey and Dominik get their shots back but we are left wondering what exactly will happen when Dominik steps in the ring. I do think one way or another it will be a debut to remember. Raw Underground was okay this week but I do think it can be much much better. They have a lot of good talent in there but they need to make it mean more and make these matches longer.
I liked the continued speculation of Retribution. I think it’s a cool group and I’m excited to see what they do next. I really hope they continue to be built up well and have that good reveal. We got a lot of build towards the United States Championship so I really hope that match gets enough time this Sunday to warrant the build. Finally, McIntyre and Orton got even more personal tonight. McIntyre seems like the people’s favorite but when you think about this match either man could win this. Truthfully, when you break down this SummerSlam there is so much that is 50/50. I really don’t know what to expect but I hope we get a show to remember! As always I hope everyone stays safe and healthy this week! Enjoy NXT, SmackDown, NXT TakeOver, and SummerSlam!!!
Overall Rating: 4/10