RAW Review 7/13/15
RAW emanated from Atlanta, Georgia on the go-home show heading in to Battleground this Sunday. Here is a review for the live show.
Opening Segment
RAW opens by showcasing the demolition that Lesnar caused to J&J’s Cadillac. After a riveting, five minute promo for the Lesnar/Rollins match on Sunday by Paul Heyman, Kane and Rollins head to the stage. Kane tells Heyman that there will be a contract signing later tonight, and “his client” must not spoil the signing.
Quote of the segment: “I can take you to suplex city tonight, bitch.” Lesnar to Rollins.
Ryback & Randy Orton vs. Sheamus & Big Show
I have to be honest, even though Cole tried to sell this match as high quality entertainment, It seems like the same old hogwash we’ve been seeing in recent memory on RAW. The Miz is on commentary, again. Why is he involved in this feud? It makes no sense. I’ve seen enough of Orton and Sheamus, too. So, my hopes are not high for this match. On a side note, I really like Sheamus’ new music and entrance. Nothing spectacular here, Big Show chases The Miz out of the Arena, leaving Sheamus to fight against Orton and Ryback alone. Orton hits an RKO on Sheamus. Ryback then splashes off the top rope, and pins Sheamus. The curse of the Money in the Bank suitcase continues…
Quote of the segment: “ You’re not a tough guy, you’re a mouth. A mouth no one wants to see.”
Rollins and Kane segment
Rollins questions Kane’s motives on the contract signing later in the night. He says it’s not intelligent to provoke Lesnar, and Kane says if Rollins keeps his attitude up, it won’t be good for “one of us”, I’m only assuming he means Rollins.
Dean Ambrose vs. Bray Wyatt
Reigns sneak attacks Wyatt during his entrance. It was actually a pretty cool moment. At this point, I wouldn’t be opposed to having Reigns carry the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. The man has been paying his dues for the past six months. He made a feud with The Big Show interesting. That is difficult, just ask The Miz and Ryback. He’s a future champion, it’s only a matter of when.
The Bellas segment (RAW’s HIGHLIGHT MOMENT)
I’ve been calling for the NXT women to be called up, it’s been completely transparent. Nikki will hold on to the Divas champion until she breaks AJ Lee’s longest championship reign. But, she’s boring. Stephanie McMahon interrupts Nikki Bella’s promo. This may get interesting. It’s time for a change in the Divas division, right now. Go Steph! She introduces Paige first, she keeps talking of a revolution. Is this where we get Charlotte and Sasha? Becky Lynch makes her debut on RAW coming in to support Paige. The Woo’s begin… Here comes Charlotte. Sweet. This is the best Divas segment in recent history. Charlotte, Becky and Paige stand tall against #TeamBella. Finally, something interesting. I still don’t think Nikki will be losing the Divas title anytime soon. Tamina and Naomi now enter the fracus. Sasha Banks also joins the debut train. This is awesome chant starts in the crowd as all the women break down in to a brawl. The Bellas already look outclassed in this brawl. The segment ends with all the NXT women putting destructive submissions on #TeamBella. Women’s wrestling in WWE has arrived people, enjoy it.
Quote of the segment: “Let me be clear, I own WWE.” Stephanie McMahon to Nikki Bella.
The New Day
Xavier Woods starts with a promo, talking of all of Atlanta’s shortcomings. It was awesome, The New Day are good heels. They’re obnoxious, and that gets people to boo them. Remember, it’s their job for you to hate them. PTP comes out to challenge The New Day, joined by Mark Henry. Henry’s a face now? He has had just as much heel/face turns as Big Show, nobody jumps on that criticism train. Mark Henry hits the World’s Strongest Slam for the victory. My how the tag divison has fallen.
King Barrett vs. King What’s Up
What’s the endgame here? Is Barrett going to put up his namesake in a match eventually? If not, why should I care about these two putting on mediocre matches with eachother? This feud has gone on about two months too long. Slow match, with little happening. It’s so sad to see these two like this. Truth can be a massively effective heel, as shown in 2012 with The Miz, and Barrett can hold his own with the elite. Anyway, Truth hits the Lie Detector and wins, thus saving the WWE Universe from boredom. He dresses up like a king and walks away from the ring.
Cena’s US Open Challenge
This has become my favorite part of RAW since WrestleMania. Who is taking Cena up on his challenge this week? It’s Rusev, with Summer. Is Ziggler injured, or is it kayfabe? I haven’t seen any reports of an injury. Owens comes down and challenges for the US Title also. He tells Cena that after he beats him tonight, he can have his rematch on Sunday. After a short, yet entertaining verbal spat with Rusev, Cesaro enters the fray. Owens, Cesaro and Rusev begin brawling. Cesaro stands tall. This all heads to a triple threat between Cesaro, Owens and Rusev. This IS the future, wake up. Whomever wins this match will be challenging Cena in the US Open Challenge tonight. There was a pretty sweet double german suplex spot during the match. The Swiss Superman, Cesaro, has been and will continue to be one of my all-time favorites. Cesaro could be “the man” at any company not named WWE. Why he can’t be “the man” in WWE is thanks to one man, Vince McMahon. Owens walks away, effectively making this a singles match between Cesaro and Rusev. Rusev wins the match, and earns a United States championship match tonight. Rusev looks spent, and now he has Cena for the United States Championship. The triple threat match could’ve held weight on a PPV. That was a great match. After about eight minutes of quality brawling, Rusev locks in the Accolade, but Owens comes in and pop-up powerbombs Rusev. This causes a disqualification, Owens is my favorite heel since Triple H during the McMahon-Helmsley Era, with Kurt Angle’s egotistical WWE championship reign a close second. Good matches, great segment.
“Take that flag and stick it up your Chernobyl.” Owens to Rusev
Rollins and Kane backstage II
Rollins asks if everything is set up, Kane tells him everything is in order. Rollins says if it doesn’t play out the right way, it’s on him.
Tough Enough Segment
The Tough Enough contestants are on the stage, Lita comes out and cuts a promo about the show. It’s an official introduction of the contestants. My favorite for the women is Sara Lee, conversely my favorite for the men is Tanner.
Stardust segment
He’s still Stardust, so much for a decent push. The promo is actually really good. He apparently has a problem with “The Man that Gravity Forgot” moniker that Neville has adopted. WWE pushes this as a “comic book” matchup. Lame, I’m not twelve… The crowd seriously dislikes this character. They’re silent, it’s spectacularly disappointing to see him this way. Now a Cody chant starts up. Neville comes up to shake his hand, and Stardust takes a cheap shot. Stardust and Neville actually have pretty good chemistry in the ring, Stardust wins with a rollup and hand full of tights. This could be a decent feud, if they continue it.
“Don’t shake a man’s hand after the bell’s already rung.” JBL on commentary.
Lesnar and Rollins WWE World Heavyweight Championship Contract Signing.
Rollins states how he hates seeing the footage of the Cadillac being destroyed on repeat. He reminds Lesnar of how damaging he can be, then he proceeds to show the dismantling of Brock that happened three weeks ago. Rollins states he isn’t afraid of Brock Lesnar. It’s a good promo, Rollins is the man. Personally, I love him as champion. Brock comes in, no words spoken, and finds a seat. Make no mistake, there is a swerve coming on Sunday, but from where? Is it Sheamus cashing in on Brock? Rollins? If the rumors are true Rollins is slated to face The Game at SummerSlam, but not for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. All the posters for SummerSlam are showcasing Reigns and Lesnar, for the first time in recent memory, I can’t call where this match goes. Does WWE dare put the title on Brock again, a part time champion? Personally, I think Paul Heyman turns, joins the Authority and helps Rollins retain. After a promo from Heyman on how badly Rollins will get his ass beat on Sunday, Rollins and Lesnar sign the contract. Immediately after signing, Rollins attempts to reach under the table, and is stopped by Heyman calling him out about reaching for something. Lesnar flips the table over, aggressively, and finds an axe handle secured to the bottom of the tabletop. Lesnar moves the table in the ring like a child playing with a Tonka Truck. He sets the weapon on the table, almost daring Rollins to grab it. Rollins does, and Lesnar clotheslines Rollins with the table, there’s no other call for that. Lesnar attacks Rollins and Kane. Kane eventually gains control, and Rollins jumps in with the axe handle. Rollins and Kane continue the beat down, Brock turns the tables and F5's Kane on the arena floor. Rollins runs away, and Kane is left to The Beast. Brock crushes Kane’s ankle with the steel steps, Kane sells as if it’s broken. Lesnar holds the WWE title in the ring. All of Rollins’ backup is gone as Battleground approaches. Rollins jumps back in the ring an cuts a promo against Lesnar. Rollins berates an injured Kane as he gets medical attention for his ankle. He stomps Kane’s ankle and walks away. He’s alienated everyone, I’m telling you, Heyman’s his guy.
“I will tear that stupid sword tattoo off your chest!” Rollins to Lesnar
Post 7/13/15 RAW Power Rankings
- The Divas Division
- Brock Lesnar
- Kevin Owens
- John Cena
- Seth Rollins
Vigilante Rating 1–10 for RAW
I give this weeks show an 8–10, the highlight from tonight’s show is no doubt the Divas division. They set it on fire tonight. Way to go WWE.
