In Memory of Harley Race
WWE video gave us an awesome tribute to the late, great Harley Race.
Samoa Joe Takes the Stand and Roman Reigns is Attacked Again
Following the opening segment, Samoa Joe stood on the announcing table to defend himself against coming accusations toward him for what had happened to Roman Reigns. He confronted Cole and Graves about claiming he was behind the “accident.”
“I just did a poll myself and 80% of the WWE Universe are idiots.”
A recap of the accident vindicated Samoa Joe, and he promised to stay there until Reigns arrived and demand an apology.
To start the final hour of the show, Samoa Joe headed to the ring after hearing Reigns was in the building.
When Reigns didn’t come out, Joe slid out of the ring and sent a chair into the ring. He then took a seat center ring, claiming Raw was shut down until Reigns came down to apologize to him.
After learning Reigns was in the parking lot, Joe headed out to find him.
Reigns got out of his car and the two jawed back and forth before Reigns dove back in and another car hit his, then drove off.
Joe told Reigns to stay down and called for someone to get a medic out there. Other arrived, including Triple H.
The Miz TV: Contract Signing
After a brief introduction, the Miz introduced Shawn Michaels and “the pariah of WWE” Dolph Ziggler.
Ziggler went on his usual tirade, claiming he carried the WWE for the last decade before signing the contract.
The Miz then pointed out how Ziggler was the problem and he couldn’t wait to get his hands on him next Monday on Raw. “You look a bit confused, Dolph. See, you didn’t read the fine print of that contract.”
Classic bait and switch as Ziggler signed to face someone else at SummerSlam.
When Ziggler looked at him, Michaels, said, “Well, Dolph, it’s not me.”
Rumors were right, Bill Goldberg will face Dolph Ziggler at SummerSlam.
Goldberg signed the contract to cheers and chants of his name.
“Dolph Ziggler! Guess what, son? You’re next.”
As Ziggler was leaving, Michaels hit him with Sweet Chin Music as he turned, repaying him from two weeks ago.
Honestly, it should be Michaels and Ziggler at SummerSlam. Bringing Goldberg back is lazy and reeks of a makeup for his mishaps at Super Showdown.
The Rest of Raw
Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair beat Trish Stratus and Natalya by disqualification
After Lynch and Natalya exchanged submissions attempts, Flair tagged herself in and proceeded to abuse Natalya while trash talking and taunting Stratus.
Lynch blind tagged herself in and Flair hit her from behind before walking out.
Natalya used the diversion to slap a sharpshooter on Lynch. Lynch managed to reach the ropes, but Natalya refused to release her and was disqualified. Natalya then pulled her back into the center of the ring, forcing Stratus to come in and pull Natalya off Lynch.
Stratus then tried to help Lynch, but Lynch waved her off.
Nice to see Trish Stratus did something beside stand on the apron.
Later in the show, Lynch and Natalya exchanged live promos, saying how they’d each with their submission match at SummerSlam.
Andrade beat Rey Mysterio by pinfll
A largely one-sided match was dominated by Mysterio aside from a few flourishes by Andrade before the pace picked up in the final minutes as counters and near pinfalls were exchanged by both.
Vega hit Mysterio with a cheap shot when the referee wasn’t looking, and Andrade hit with a Cien Almas for the win.
24/7 Sham, er Championship
A recap of last week’s champion, Maria Kanellis, concluded with her in her OBGYN’s office with her husband from earlier in the day. She informed him his job was to defend her and her championship so she can go to SummerSlam.
In the examination room, Maria continued her berating of Mike to prove to her that he could protect her 24/7 championship.
24/7 Championship: Mike Kanellis beat Maria Kanellis (c) by pinfall
To show his support, Mike hugged Maria when she laid back, and the doctor (a referee in disguise) counted three on his back. He then took the title and ran off.
Way to grow a set, Mike.
24/7 Championship: R-Truth beat Mike Kanellis (c) by pinfall
Out in the waiting room, Mike is confronted by R-Truth dressed as an old woman and Carmella dressed as the husband.
Truth: “You got something that belongs to me.” He grabbed his midsection. “Uh oh, Mikey, my water broke!”
Truth then pulled a baby doll out from under his dress and tossed it in the air. When Mikey grabbed it, Truth rolled him up and the referee appeared to count the pinfall.
Everything is now right with the 24/7 Championship Universe.
Brock Lesner’s In the House!
Paul Heyman ran off a few questions like “Wasn’t Seth Rollins supposed to burn Suplex City to the ground?” After he was done, footage from last week’s assault by Lesner was played for us to enjoy or boo at as our hearts desired.
“I dropped to my knees last week and begged an unmerciful beast to show any semblance of mercy on Seth Freaking Rollins, because I knew in my heart what WWE needs is a new hero. And then tonight, after the beating that Seth Rollins suffered last week at the hands of my client — a beating that I will candidly admit to you was borderline criminal, I just found out some inside information moments ago that, ladies and gentlemen, Seth Rollins is here in Pittsburgh tonight.” (cue half-hearted cheers)
“It proved to me that Seth Rollins has more balls than he does brains.”
And Rollins’ music started and Rollins limped out with a steel chair in hand after a moment.
Once he was in the ring, Rollins charged Lesner, but Lesner kicked him in the ribs, then hit him with the chair a couple of times.
After throwing Rollins into the turnbuckle a few times, Lesner ended it with an F-5 and left Rollins in the ring. Curious enough, the fans were quiet. Not even any boos.
Rollins then gave a heart-felt speech as he sat on the mat about whether this was worth it or not. He eventually answered, “For me the answer is yes.”
He promised to be at SummerSlam and he guaranteed he’d beat Lesner.
Again, hardly any crowd cheers. This is why Lesner is and should remain the champion. The crowd should’ve been cheering and urging Rollins on, instead they remained mostly silent during his babyface appeal.
Kurt Angle the Referee
As if to rub salt in Rollins’ wounds, Kurt Angle was introduced backstage as a special guest referee for Drew McIntyre and Cedric Alexander’s match and he received a far greater pop than Rollins. The Street Profits arrived to celebrate with him before McIntyre reminded Angle that he made him tap out.
The Viking Raiders beat Jay Alexander and Eric Abraham by pinfall
The Viking Raiders won against local enhancement talent for the millionth time following a Viking Experience.
Drew McIntyre and Cedric Alexander with Kurt Angle as Guest Referee ended in no contest
McIntyre started it out assaulting Alexander on the way to the ring and mauled him outside the ring before the match started.
After Alexander fought back and hit McIntyre with a tornado DDT on the ramp, the lights went out and the Fiend slapped the mandible claw on Angle.
Anti-climatic at best. Wish it hadn’t been so easy to predict this.
The New Day beat The OC by disqualification
The match barely started when AJ Styles took out Big E then attacked Xavier Woods.
A gang style beatdown commenced until Ricochet ran out to help and knocked Style out of the ring with a dropkick.
6 Man Tag Match: The OC beat The New Day and Ricochet by pinfall
In what was one of the better matches of the night, following Styles’ interference, Gallows and Anderson hit the Dream Killer on Woods for the pin.
Women’s Tag Team Championship Fatal 4-way Elimination match: Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross beat The Kabuki Warriors, The Iiconics (c), and Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville to win the championship
First Elimination: After starting out fast, Mandy Rose hit Billie Kay with a knee for the pin.
Second Elimination: Following a intricate series of tag ins, Asuka slapped the Asuka lock on Mandy Rose for the submission.
Final Elimination: After a heated exchange where Bliss and Cross showed some tremendous teamwork, Bliss hit Sane with a Twisted Bliss for the pin.
Final Thoughts
After several showing that kept us entertained, this Raw was more in line with teasing legends than showcasing them and plodded along. They did do a great job at teasing Samoa Joe as being behind the attacks on Roman Reigns, only to show he’s innocent. The culprit will most likely be unmasked on Smackdown so the match for SummerSlam can officially be added, but don’t count out Samoa Joe also wanting it after facing ridicule the last week.
