This week, WWE has the hard task of following a huge SummerSlam weekend. Raw, SmackDown, and 205 Live were featured at the “biggest party of the summer,” while NXT hosted its TakeOver special in Brooklyn for the third consecutive year. Let’s look at what WWE has planned this week to build up to the next big events.
Monday Night Raw (8.21.17)
Thanks to WWE.com, we already know some of what to expect on Monday Night Raw tonight. It was leaked by the Barclay’s Center before SummerSlam, but it is officially announced that Brock Lesnar will be appearing on Raw tonight after a successful Universal Championship title defense against Samoa Joe, Roman Reigns, and Braun Strowman. The question (with the answer definitely not being Goldberg) is: Who is next to try and slay the beast?
There is also a match confirmed for tonight between Enzo Amore and Big Cass, because apparently, they can’t move on from this story. The two former partners will be battling in a “Brooklyn Street Fight,” which is just like a normal Street Fight, except that it is taking place in Brooklyn, NY.
The rest of Raw just had questions to answer and moments to follow up on. Sasha Banks and Neville won the Raw Women’s Championship and Cruiserweight Championship, respectively (as well as the UpUpDownDown Rocket League Championship together), so rematches are definitely in the works for Alexa Bliss and Akira Tozawa. The Intercontinental Championship wasn’t defended at SummerSlam at all, so maybe The Miz will have a new challenger that is probably Jason Jordan. Tonight’s episode should also follow up on Finn Balor’s win over Bray Wyatt and the new Raw Tag Team Champions, Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose.
In the rumor department, there is word circulating that John Cena might be moving to Raw for a while since he is being advertised as a free agent.
SmackDown Live (8.22.17)
Pretty much every show this week is in the same boat as Raw, just starting the build to the next Pay-Per-View, which in SmackDown Live’s case, is Hell in a Cell. Surprisingly, Jinder Mahal successfully retained the WWE Championship against Shinsuke Nakamura, so we should learn what is next for both men. We also have new SmackDown Tag Team Champions (The Usos) and a new SmackDown Women’s Champion (Natalya), who should be on the lookout for Ms. Money in the Bank, Carmella.
In other events, Randy Orton defeated Rusev in ten seconds, so hopefully, Rusev will get a redeeming feud after that match and the antecedent Flag Match with John Cena at Battleground. There also won’t be any Fashion Files this week, since Breezango was advertised to return next week.
205 Live (8.22.17)
The Era of Tozawa lasted for six days, so at least he was able to celebrate on 205 Live last week. Now that the King of the Cruiserweights, Neville, is back on top of the Cruiserweight Division, will he have a new challenger? This might be answered on Raw, but if not, 205 Live should give us some direction for the new champion. Also, The Brian Kendrick will be facing Gentleman Jack Gallagher in a Gentleman’s Duel, if Gallagher accepts the challenge.
WWE NXT (8.23.17)
After months of no title changes, NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn III saw two (technically three) champions lose their gold. SAnitY used psychological warfare and great tag team wrestling to capture the NXT Tag Team Championships from the undefeated Authors of Pain. In the main event, Drew McIntyre defeated Bobby Roode to capture the NXT Championship. All of the new champions were attacked by Bobby Fish and Kyle O’Reilly, while McIntyre was also assaulted by the debuting Adam Cole.
However, none of that will be followed up on this week. NXT is notorious for taping its post-TakeOver episode right before TakeOver begins, so this should feature the undercard and possible appearances from former WWE United Kingdom Tyler Bate, Trent Seven, and the current WWE United Kingdom Champion, Pete Dunne.
