Mitchell’s WWE Monday Night Raw Report! (7/10/17)
Witness the aftermath of the inaugural Great Balls of Fire Pay-Per-View!

All images courtesy of the WWE’s official website and Twitter
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Finn Balor VS Elias Samson; Balor wins.
- The Hardy Boyz VS The Club; The Club wins.
- Sasha Banks & Bayley VS Alexa Bliss & Nia Jax; Sasha & Bayley win.
- R-Truth VS Goldust; Goldust wins.
- Cedric Alexander & Akira Tozawa w/ Titus O’Neil VS Neville & Noam Dar w/ Alicia Fox; Alexander & Tozawa win.
- Seth Rollins VS Bray Wyatt; Wyatt wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
While Braun Strowman won the match, Roman Reigns was out for blood. The Big Dog had the Monster Among Men in the back of that ambulance and rammed it into a production trailer! The Monster survived, and walked off on his own power. What will be the consequences of such a diabolical act?
Big Cass is 7 foot tall, and he’s in Houston!

The Human Skyscraper and Queen’s Finest betrayed his best friend, beat him down and won at Great Balls of Fire. “How You Doin?” The fans boo the “Cass Hole” as he brags about feeling “spectacular.” For those who didn’t see, Cass took out “five years of frustration” on The Certified G and then throwing him over the top rope and out of the ring like trash. That’s not even the best part, the rest happened backstage where Enzo needed to be helped to the back. The fans still call him a “Cass Hole” but Cass tells the Raw Locker Room to be wary. From the bottom to the top — and yes, the very top, Lesnar — that’s what happens when you mess with Cass. And for all those who didn’t support him in the past, don’t ever get on his bandwagon, no matter how obvious it is that Cass is the future. And for those who doubted him, and still do today, he vows to be the Universal Champion. He’ll hold that title up high, and then shove it down the fans’ throats! Cass will be champion, main event Wrestlemania, have his face around the world and will represent the WWE. Why? Because nobody can touch him! Nobody is on Cass’ level! Nobody can look him eye to eye! Nobody is BIGGER than Cass! Bigger? How about the Big Show! The World’s Largest Athlete comes down to the ring, and that nickname means he is bigger.
The Giant and the Skyscraper stare each other down in the ring, the fans are all behind Show. Cass steps to Show, trash talks, Show headbutts him! It’s a big fight now! Cass pushes Show around, Show gets Cass to the ground, Show rolls Cass around and gives body shots. Show has Cass cornered, kicking and driving knees into Cass with the crowd fired up behind him. Cass gets out of the ring before the Knockout Punch can come, seems Cass isn’t ready to fight someone his own size yet.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, Elias Samson.”

The Drifter needs the fans of Houston to keep cellphones down and hold applause until after he is finished. He wrote this song for Finn: “Finn Balor’s not the savior, he’s just a man. He tried to upstage me, but he didn’t understand. Tonight I knock him off his pedestal, leave him lying, too. Not a single man was ever the same, after I got through. Houston we have a problem, and here it is-” Interrupted!
Finn Balor VS Elias Samson!

The leader of the Balor Club raised the ire of the Drifter, the Drifter ambushed him back, now we finally get to see them 1v1 to settle their problems. The two tie up, Samson lifts and slams Balor, then dares him to “upstage” him again. The two tie up again, Balor slips out of the scoop and puts on a headlock. Samson tries to power out but can’t, tries again and succeeds, back elbow stiffs Balor. Samson whips but is reversed, sunset flip rolled through into a dropkick. Balor picks Samson up but is powered to a corner, Samson rams a shoulder, whips Balor corner to corner, Balor slips to the apron and swing kicks Samson down. Balor goes up, Samson slips out of the ring. He won’t let Balor get him that quickly, so we go to commercials.
We return and see Samson is in control of Balor as he gives a sharp chop in a corner and a snap suplex in the center. TWO, and Samson puts Balor in a seated Full Nelson. The fans rally for Balor, Balor gets to his feet, he breaks out and rolls Samson, TWO. Back to the full nelson, Balor fires elbows to get out, Samson puts Balor in the corner. Balor boots out, elbows Samson down and starts to rally. Samson gets to a corner after the dropkick, running chop then corner to corner for another chop. Corner to corner, Samson boots and hops up, swing kick tumbles Samson to the ground. Balor builds speed, dropkick rocks Samson, then from the apron, Samson blocks the Penalty Kick and trips Balor up to fall on that bad shoulder! Samson drops elbows on that bad shoulder, Fujiwara armbar to wrench it. Balor crawls to ropes and gets the break, Samson holds on for extra time before letting go. Samson keeps on that arm, but Balor trips and double stomps Samson down. Fans rally for Balor, Balor throws a hand but misses in the corner, Samson unloads strikes. The ref backs Samson off, Samson comes back and Balor fires back. Samson yanks the bad arm, deep roll up with tights, TWO! Samson doesn’t slow down, he wrenches Balor to the mat, TWO again. Samson keeps on the arm, Balor fires up and throws a forearm. Samson throws one back, PELE from Balor! Balor takes aim, slingblade! Blasting dropkick sends Samson to the corner. Balor goes top rope, Coup de Grace!

Balor wins, silencing the Drifter! The Hardys come out and celebrate with their new pal, but now it’s time for them to take the ring!
Team Extreme lost the amazing IronMen tag 4–3 after 30 grueling minutes.

They know the other teams of Raw think that “the nostalgia pop has passed” and that the Hardys are not just obsolete (huge fan pop). Matt decided they were going to make a proclamation: they’re not going anywhere. They’ve only just begun to make magic in the WWE Universe! However, The Club comes out to take credit for those rumors about the Hardys being done. The thing is, the Hardys aren’t the Hardys of old. They’re just old. So the “Good Brothers” tell the “nerds” to get out. The Club are magic killers and they own the ring. Well, sore, bruised and broken as the Hardys are, they’re up for a fight!
The Hardy Boyz VS The Club!
The Machine Gun and Director of Chaos came out to talk trash, now they’re gonna try and prove the Hardys no longer have it. Anderson and Matt start, Anderson gets Matt to a corner but Matt punches his way out. Anderson powers out of a headlock but gets run over by a shoulder. Tag to Jeff, double whip into the buckles then double back suplex drives Anderson tot he mat. Tag to Gallows, double whip and then Poetry in Motion!

The Club regroups on the outside, we go to commercials.
We return, “Brother Nero” has taken the ring but is clobbered by Gallows. Gallows whips Jeff to the Club’s corner, tag to Anderson, Boot o’ Doom!

Matt breaks the pin, saving the match. Anderson drags Jeff up, jawbreaker hits! Tag to Matt, and he rallies on Anderson with “DELETE DELETE DELETE” forearms, headbutts and buckle bumps! Clothesline hits, bulldog denied, Side Effect instead! Matt hits Gallows as he comes in, hops up to the second rope, flying elbow to the head. Matt wants the Twist, Anderson denies, cheap shot from Gallows! Shotgun knee then tag, The Club gets Matt up for the Magic Killer! Jeff is too slow, the Club wins!
And then The Revival comes out! And they attack the Hardys like rabid animals! The #TopGuys give Matt a flying knee to the face, and then Jeff suffers the Shatter Machine! Dash & Dawson are back in a big way, have they truly BROKEN the Hardys?
Tonight is not just another edition of Miz TV, it’s The Mizzies!
Yes, the most must-see WWE talk show is now also the most must-see award show. Who cares about all those other award shows? This is the only credible show to award WWE superstars. The First Mizzie: Best Supporting Actor. And the Mizzie goes to… A first! A tie! Both Bo Dallas and Curt Axel of the Miztourage win the award!

“You deserve it!” the fans tell them. Bo thanks the Miz for seeing the potential in him and changing not only his career but his life. Together, they can change the world. Axel says The Miz has done so much for them, and now they look and feel like a million bucks. Now they’re gonna make a million bucks. Multi-generational and underutilized talents right here, now they’re winners! Behind every great man is a beautiful, gorgeous, sexy woman, for the next Mizzie is for Leading Lady. The winner is… pfft, we know it’s Maryse! She’s moved to tears. The two of them thank the other and tell the other they love them before a big hug and kiss. Lastly, the Mizzie for not only most outstanding performance or best looks, this is for Greatest Man in the WWE. The winner is… drum roll… Dean Ambrose? Just Kidding! It’s The MIZ!
When Miz speaks, he speaks the truth! He made the Intercontinental Championship great again, he defended and retained that title against the Lunatic Fringe. Tozawa, the Hardys, Seth Rollins, they all said they’d do something but they all failed! Miz says the truth, and the truth is what Miz says. Ambrose tried and failed, despite being the toughest man Miz has ever known, maybe even in all of the WWE. But if Ambrose is the toughest yet Miz won, what does that make him? Ambrose comes out to tell him with force!

The Miztourage pulls Ambrose off of Miz, 3v1 ends up 3v2 as Rollins comes out!

The Architect uses the table to take Axel and Bo out of the ring, Miz and his team retreat! Rollins isn’t done with Bray Wyatt, either, he’ll have a rematch later on tonight.
Afterward, Dean Ambrose confronts Seth Rollins. Ambrose doesn’t trust Rollins, this little “Shield reunion” isn’t happening. Stay out of Ambrose’s business, and he’ll stay out of yours. Ambrose storms off, how well can the Lunatic fare against the Miztourage?
Sasha Banks & Bayley VS Alexa Bliss & Nia Jax!

The Boss got cheated out of the Raw Women’s Championship when The Goddess decided to walk out on their match. Now she brings in her Huggable best buddy to once again face the champ and her “best pal” that is the Brutal Beauty as a rematch from last week’s Raw. Sasha and Alexa start, but Alexa hurries to ropes for safety. Cheap elbow and a slap, tag to Nia. Nia grins at Sasha and shoves her back, so Bayley tags in. Sasha rushes Alexa, Bayley and Nia fight, Alexa runs around and Sasha keeps chase. Thesz Press but Nia drags Sasha off the champ. Bayley chopblocks Nia, Sasha gives Nia a knee to the head, Bayley with the flying elbow to the neck. Nia slips out of the ring, Boss and Bayley in control as we go to commercials.
Upon returning, Sasha gives Alexa quick stomps in the corner and then double knees. Cover, TWO, Sasha keeps her cool as she drags Alexa over to tag Bayley. Whip, trip and bulldog to the champ, TWO, Bayley misses stopping Bliss and Nia tags in. Bayley gets running but her forearms do nothing. Nia scoops Bayley up, Bayley slips out, dropkick to the leg. Nia staggers, Bayley gives her an elbow in the corner, then another. The third gets Bayley put on the apron, she kicks back, hotshot! Nia staggers again, Bayley hops up but has to punch Alexa away, Nia rams Bayley into the buckles. Nia drags Bayley up, throws her back into buckles, then drags her up again to whip her across the way. Nia squashes Bayley then throws her again, Nia just stands over Bayley. Nia wraps her in a cobra clutch but Bayley stomps on toes and throws elbows. Nia shoves Bayley to her corner, tag to Alexa. They taunt Sasha before giving an assisted whip slap to Bayley. Alexa chokes Bayley on the ropes, both Goddess and Beauty shout at the ref that they know about the 5 count. Alexa covers, TWO, Alexa pulls on that ponytail. Alexa brings Bayley over, tag to Nia, Nia mocks Bayley, Bayley fires back, headbutt stops her cold. Cobra clutch returns to ragdoll Bayley around, the fans rally and she fights out, only to be caught and carried all the way back. Tag to Alexa, cheap shot at Sasha so that Nia can crush Bayley behind the referee’s back. Cheap shot again drops Sasha down, Alexa goes up and takes aim at Bayley. Twisted Bliss moonsault hits! Sasha breaks the pin just in time! Nia throws Ssaha all the way out of the ring, then takes aim, only to miss her body check! Roll up on Alexa, Bayley snags the win for her team! Alexa is beside herself! Is it only a matter of time before The Goddess loses her belt?

Goldust returns with another Shattered Dreams Production. The Golden Director says R-Truth is not made for the spotlight. Even though Truth tried to ruin the premiere, the Shattered Truth was “the biggest hit of the summer.” So naturally, Goldust will give the audience what they want: an encore. The sequel normally isn’t better than the original, but we know Goldust isn’t normal. Please enjoy the Shattered Truth 2, coming soon.
R-Truth VS Goldust!
Truth has been wanting this proper fight since that very first attack of betrayal, but Goldust presented him with the original Shattered Truth in between. Can the sequel go Truth’s way this time? Not with that cheap shot tos tart. Goldust keeps on Truth, but Truth turns it around and fires off forearms. Corner to corner whip and big splash, belly2belly suplex but Goldust gets out of the cover. Truth knows the uppercut is coming so he drops down and uppercuts Goldust first. Truth gets Goldust in a corner for punches, Goldust slips out and trips him up. Jumping stomp brings Truth down, Goldust stalks Truth on the mat. Goldust mockingly pets Truth’s head before raining down right hands. Goldust puts Truth in a corner, gives a couple chops, Truth fires back with right hands. Goldust goes low, snapmare and elbow drop, barely a two count. A chinlock is applied, the fans rally for Truth. Truth gets up and fights out, haymaker rocks Goldust but not enough, spinebuster! Truth gets a ropebreak, Goldust gets angry with the ref. Goldust stalks Truth to a corner now, deep breath and punches a la classic Goldust. But a falling powerbomb from Truth evens the score. Both men are down, the fans build to a rally. Truth and Goldust get up, right hand from Truth and he starts to rally. Flying spinning elbow, “What’s up!?” Truth misses the scissors kick, Goldust chopblocks out a leg. Goldust goes after a leg, stretching it and dropping knees, but Truth pushes him all the way out of the ring with hsi good leg. Goldust returns, jumping heel kick, scissors kick! TWO! Truth gets Goldust up, suplex but Goldust slips out, kicks the leg and throws Truth to a post. He drags Truth out, Cross Rhodes suplex, Goldust wins! The Golden Age is back, how far can the Shattered Dreams franchise go?
Raw General Manager, Kurt Angle, comes out to the ring.

At the inaugural Great Balls of Fire PPV — which was a huge success — things still got “out of hand.” Namely, the Ambulance Match and how Strowman did not accept medical treatment. Who knows when he’ll return, but the show must go on. That said, Angle introduces the man who is still WWE Universal Champion, The Beast, Brock Lesnar!

Houston becomes Suplex City as Lesnar and his Advocate, Paul Heyman, head down to the ring. Angle recalls his epic match against Lesnar for the WWE Championship, and what amazes Angle now is that Lesnar just keeps getting better. Angle thought for a moment Samoa Joe had him, but in the end he didn’t. Angle shakes Lesnar’s hand in congratulations, and Heyman enjoys being in the ring with both these living legends. To business, Angle has ideas for a Summerslam Universal Championship match. To be blunt, Heyman did not expect a live staff meeting and “brain storming.” Angle may be getting used to his GM and dealing with his own “personal problems”, but they’ll be taking their leave. However, Roman Reigns comes out. Sore as he is from that Ambulance Match, the Big Dog sees a Beast in his Yard.
Angle keeps things from getting physical and lets Heyman know they’re not done talking. Roman has a “lot of nerve” coming out here tonight after what he did at GBOF. Oh? Roman is in the ring with Angle, Lesnar and “the father of hardcore” Heyman and yet Roman went too far. The Attitude Era was way more extreme. That was then, this is now. Then do this now: thank Roman, because Angle couldn’t handle Strowman, and Lesnar’s never around to. Oooh…! Angle and Heyman keep the peace again. Roman says Raw owes him one, and by that he means Lesnar at Summerslam. Heyman likes that, but Lesnar speaks up. “You gotta be kidding me.” Roman deserves a shot? More like Roman doesn’t deserve shit. Roman is as close to the title as he’ll ever be. That’s when Samoa Joe comes out! The Destroyer sees everyone is living in “a wonderful fantasy land”. Joe is bringing things back to reality. Reality is, Lesnar kicked Joe’s ass. Oh don’t worry, Lesnar, you’ll be going to sleep soon enough. Joe knows Lesnar knows that he “escaped”.

And as for Roman, Roman’s never beaten Joe, either. Heyman speaks up to set it straight: The Big Dog took at the Undertaker, is a legit claim from the “Samoan trophy case.” The excommunicated Samoan getting F5'd, will NEVER see another shot at Lesnar again! See that? Heyman’s fear is proof enough! Lesnar and Joe get literally face to face as they bark at each other, Angle must again keep the peace. Joe says Heyman is protecting Lesnar from Joe, because he knows that Joe is the man. Look at him while he’s talking to you! Joe has Lesnar’s number. Roman wonders, Joe has Lesnar’s number? Sure fooled him. Real mouthy for a man who lost to Strowman. Well where’s Braun?
Angle shouts to keep everyone down. All of them had grueling matches last night, so next week: Joe VS Roman, #1 contender’s match for Summerslam. And if anyone fights right now, no shots. Rest up, look forward to Summerslam. Now go. The fans want a fight, the superstars want a fight, but Angle reminds them that the title match is what matters. The tension calms down, but it will turn right up again next week. Who will win the right to challenge the Beast?

Corey Graves must again hurry off to address the mysterious texts. Just what is it that has him and Angle so worried? They can’t let it get out, but maybe it’s best they go public. He might lose his family over this, let alone his career. He could be saying good-bye to everything at the same time. No, people love and respect him too much. Corey has all the confidence in the world this will be just fine. Angle isn’t so sure. What will be revealed next week?
Cedric Alexander & Akira Tozawa w/ Titus O’Neil VS Neville & Noam Dar w/ Alicia Fox!

The Stamina Monster lost his Cruiserweight Championship through Neville’s newest nefarious tactic, and wants a rematch. Meanwhile, the Carolina Kid is 24 hours away from an I Quit match with the Scottish Supernova, tonight is all about gaining a bit of momentum before then. We start with Alexander and Dar, Dar just wants everyone to keep calm, especially Alicia. Titus tells them both time is money, so get going. Dar rushes in with a kick, Alexander blocks it, sharp back elbow in return! Dar is dazed, Alicia is concerned, Alexander is smiling as he gives Dar a forearm and a European Uppercut. Alexander whips Dar, Dar stops himself and slips out to regroup with his Foxy Lady. Titus can’t believe this. Alexander goes out, Foxy shields Dar. Another stiff forearm from Alexander, tag to Tozawa. Double whip, drop toehold and dropkick, TWO. Tozawa keeps on Dar with stomps in a corner, “HAH! HAH! HAH!” Tozawa clubs Dar, brings him out for an arm wrench, Dar kicks the leg. Tag to Neville, headscissors to the King of the Cruiserweights, followed by a Penalty Kick and screaming back senton. More battle shouts, but Neville throws Tozawa into buckles. Neville puts Tozawa in his corner, Dar gets cheap shots, and then Neville gets one, too. The King and the Supernova are in control as we go to commercials.
We return to Neville stretching Tozawa with an armlock, Titus gets the fans going again. Tozawa fights out of the arm wrench with forearms, reaches for Alexander, but Neville whips him so HELLUVA KICK to Dar! Roll up rolled through, Shining Wizard! Tozawa crawls as the fans rally for him, Neville stops Tozawa by grabbing a foot. Tozawa still makes the tag, springboard clothesline to Neville!

Alexander gets reversed on the whip, handspring goes up and over Neville, but he just tries again and hits the enziguri! Alexander has the champ down, goes up top, but Dar comes in and he has to be kicked away. Neville takes advantage, tripping Alexander up. Neville climbs up to join Alexander, Alexander resists as they stand on the top rope. They fight, Neville gets the ropes, flashback to what he did to Tozawa! Alexander grins, tag to Tozawa. Alexander keeps Dar away by DIVING! Tozawa gets his payback by “HAH! HAH! HAH!” kicking the rope! Tozawa goes up now, Super Back Senton!

Tozawa wins for the team! Can Titus Worldwide get the Cruiserweight Championship? And who will say “I Quit” on 205 Live?

Backstage interview with Seth Rollins. He helped out Ambrose against the Miztourage, but he should have his eye on the match up next. Yes, nice pun, his eye hurts, thanks for reminding him. Correction: he wasn’t helping Ambrose, he was shutting up the Miz. As for Bray Wyatt, one eye does nothing. Bray is a fraud and a coward, and he’s going to keep proving that.
Bray Wyatt has a response. “The finest parts of Seth Rollins are now a part of me now.” Rollins can’t change who he is, can’t go back in time and erase what you’ve done. How dare Rollins take his eyes off the Eater of Worlds and defy him. Bray is everywhere and everything, Rollins’ fate is a toy to him. But go ahead, fight back. Rollins will never deny Bray again, his sins will make him burn. Rollins, “I’m here.”
Seth Rollins VS Bray Wyatt!

The two circle, Rollins very wary of that bad eye. They swipe at each other, tie up, and Bray powers Rollins to a corner. He lets him out cleanly, declaring he is a wrestling god. The two tie up again, Rollins manages to turn it around and put Bray in a corner, a less than clean break but Rollins saw the cheap shot coming. Rollins fires off strikes in a corner, the ref backs him down, Bray kicks back and puts Rollins in a corner for furious strikes of his own. Bray rushes in, SUPERKICK from Rollins, TWO. Bray slips out of the ring, Rollins pursues, Bray returns in the ring, they go running and body check tackle knocks Rollins down.

Rollins kicks out, Bray goes to the corner for his spider walk lean. He grabs Rollins but Rollins fights out of the Sister Abigail. Rollins throws bray out, speeds up, and DIVES, but Bray defends against it. Bray rushes at Rollins but misses and hits post instead. Now Rollins stalks Bray on the outside, he goes after those very fingers that poked his eye and slams them against the barrier. Back into the ring, Rollins takes that hand and stomps it! Bray tries to fight Rollins off but Rollins takes that hand again and stretches those fingers out. Bray takes shelter at the ropes, Rollins grinds a boot into Bray’s head. Rollins throws Bray out, follows him out, throws hands before throwing Bray’s hand at the steel steps. Rollins gets Bray in the ring, takes aim, springboard flying knee- urinagi slam!

The Face of Fear stays back as his hand still pains him, we go to commercials.
We return to see Bray stretch Rollins and the fans doing the wave. Rollins endures, Bray stomps him out and puts on a chinlock now. Rollins fights out, Bray gives him a knee and throws him to ropes, dropkick knocks Bray down. The fans rally for Rollins as he reverses a whip by pulling on Bray’s hair. Bray punches back and whips Rollins corner to corner hard, then squashing him with a full body attack. TWO, and Bray works to stay focused. Bray clubs Rollins, fans start cheering. Rollins fires back, pushing Bray back, but a big DDT plants the Architect in the mat. TWO, back to a chinlock. Fans rally for Rollins, Rollins fires up and fights out, but Bray gives him a knee and then forearms in the corner. Bray sits Rollins on the top rope, rocks him with a headbutt, then climbs up to join him. They brawl on the top rope, Rollins getting the advantage. Elbow to the bad hand, Bray falls right down. Rollins gets up, jumps up and over, Bray kicks Rollins, Rollins kicks back. Uppercut from Bray, Pele from Rollins! Both men down, Rollins fires up with the crowd. Rollins takes aim at Bray, Bray swings but Rollins swings back, firing off right hands, a mule kick, a stomp to the hand and then a slingblade! The fans cheer him own as Bray gets out of the ring, Rollins DIVES and hits! Rollins gets Bray up and back in the ring, Rollins takes aim from a corner again, springboard clothesline, TWO! Rollins gets up as Bray crawls to a corner. Rollins takes aim, runs in and hits a forearm. He runs back, runs in, another forearm. Third time, Bray follows, gets a boot and the blockbuster! TWO, and Rollins is exasperated. The fans declare “This is awesome!” as Rollins goes to the top rope. Bray trips him up, wants the draping jawbreaker, Rollins turns it into a tornado Falcon’s Arrow! TWO, and now Rollins is feeling the wear and tear. Rollins closes in on Bray, is denied the spin-out, Sister Abigail denied, roll up, TWO. Mule kick! Kings- headbutt! And to the bad eye! Rollins swings half-blindly as Bray closes in, Sister Abigail!

Bray wins, again!

And then pulls his infamous disappearing act. Meanwhile, the Miz and his Miztourage return! These three surround the ring, and with one good eye, Rollins can see them on the apron. The attack begins, and it’s 3v1! They beat Rollins down, and to our surprise, Ambrose comes in and uses a chair to chase Bo and Axel out and then smack away on Miz himself!

Bo and Axel save the Miz, Ambrose is all fired up as the Hollywood A-listers run away. Is it as Rollins said earlier? Was Ambrose only doing this to get back at The Miz? Or is Ambrose just in denial that he’s helping out an old friend?

Kurt Angle gets a call, and asks that this other person come to Raw to share in the public revelation. The whole world will learn from both Angle and this other person, “and what happens happens.” Who was the person on the phone? What is the secret? How will the world react?
My Thoughts:
Great Balls of Fire was a surprisingly good PPV, and tonight’s post-PPV Raw was also good. It built upon pretty much every plot point from GBF and has even given us some new ones. First, since Cass can’t keep beating down Enzo, it’s time to see if he can move up to the Giant. Big Show being the big veteran of WWE, this will be great for Cass to prove what he says, and use Big Show to catapult himself to singles title contention, but perhaps not the Universal Championship yet. As we see in the segment involving Angle, Heyman and (as far as booking goes) three of the biggest and baddest men on Raw, we’re approaching a possible rematch of some kind, unless there are heavy shenanigans that result in The Beast taking on more than one man.
The Raw Tag Team division is also getting filled up again, as The Club and The Revival return, the former to win a match against the battered and (not quite) broken Hardys, the latter to come out and beat them down even harder. I said this last night, but I’m kinda hoping all these teams get a shot at the titles come Summerslam in order to make things interesting. Same goes for the Women’s Division, as Bayley gets a clean roll-up win on the champ. Bayley seems content to let Sasha be first up for a title match, but anything can change with lots of rumors about Bayley floating around out there. A 1v1 rematch of Bliss VS Banks is just fine by me, but I’d expect a Bayley or Nia Jax attack as compensation. Then there seems to be stuff floating around the Intercontinental Championship, as The Miz keeps irritating the Lunatic and now picks a fight with the Architect. We’ve had Ambrose VS Miz quite a lot lately so freshening this feud up by throwing Rollins in there somewhere really works. There’s also the question of what Bray does after winning twice within 24 hours against Rollins, and Goldust now that he’s back to being a singles man who shows no sign of aging. A major IC title match could be a lot of fun for Summerslam, it always seems to be the belt that has these kinds of matches, so why not Raw do their take on it for the biggest PPV of the Summer?
My Score: 8/10

