This week, Monday Night Raw gives its last ditch effort to get the WWE Universe excited for SummerSlam. We find out who will face Alexa Bliss for the Raw Women’s Championship, Finn Balor takes on Bray Wyatt tonight, and Neville defends the Cruiserweight Championship against Akira Tozawa.
Opening Segment
Before we get a glimpse of the arena, Monday Night Raw kicks off with a great video package detailing the relationship between Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose over the past few weeks. Rollins has tried to regain Ambrose’s trust, but the Lunatic Fringe didn’t budge because of how Rollins betrayed the Shield years ago. Last week, Ambrose seemed to give in to Rollins, but The Architect was the one to turn away.
This leads to Ambrose calling Rollins down to the ring to decide this once and for all. Rollins goes for the first bump, Ambrose refuses. Ambrose then goes for the fist bump, Rollins refuse. Out of frustration from both men, they start brawling all over the ring. While both men are laid down from fighting each other, Sheamus and Cesaro rush down to pick up the pieces.
Throughout the assault, Ambrose and Rollins work together and send the Raw Tag Team Champions reeling. After leaving the fans on the edges of their seats over and over, they fist bump and symbolize the reunion of ⅔ of The Shield. Kurt Angle then makes a huge announcement: Sheamus & Cesaro will defend the Raw Tag Team Championships against Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins this Sunday at SummerSlam.
Nia Jax vs. Sasha Banks – #1 Contender’s Match (Raw Women’s Championship)
A few weeks ago, Bayley defeated Sasha Banks to become the #1 Contender for Alexa Bliss’ Raw Women’s Championship, with a title match lined up for SummerSlam. Bayley would end up injuring her shoulder in a match against Nia Jax and last week, two Triple Threat Matches were put together to find a new challenger. Sasha Banks won her match against Emma and Alicia Fox, while Nia Jax defeated Mickie James and Dana Brooke.
Jax dominates for most of the match, but Banks uses innovative offense and ring awareness to get the best of Jax, forcing her to tap out to the Bank Statement in the center of the ring. Winner, and NEW #1 Contender: Sasha Banks
Backstage Segment
Kurt Angle is backstage in his office talking to the Hardy Boyz about SummerSlam when he is interrupted by The Miz. Miz will face Jason Jordan later tonight instead of the originally planned Curtis Axel and when Miz goes to continue his conversation, a referee interrupts to tell Angle that there is a problem with Finn Balor and Bray Wyatt.
After the commercial break, referees and agents are seen holding Balor and Wyatt apart so they don’t destroy each other. Angle finds them and decides that instead of having their match at SummerSlam, they will face each other tonight.
In-ring Segment
Elias Samson (who still has his last name according to Michael Cole) is performing a song for Boston, MA when he is interrupted by R-Truth, who raps during his entrance to the ring. Once Truth gets to the apron, Samson attacks him and lays him out in the middle of the ring.
Big Cass then comes down to the ring to address his match against Big Show. during that match, Enzo Amore will be suspended above the ring in a shark cage, so the cage makes an appearance in the middle of the ring. Amore and Show interrupt Cass and look to attack him, but Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson help Cass out. After laying ‘Zo out outside the ring, they attack Big Show’s hand with the door of the shark cage.
Neville (c) vs. Akira Tozawa (w/Titus O’Neil) – WWE Cruiserweight Championship
Like Finn Balor vs. Bray Wyatt, this match was originally planned for SummerSlam, but WWE realized that it already had 13 matches planned for the insanely long show. Thanks to underhanded tactics, Neville retained the Cruiserweight Championship against Neville the last time they squared off. Akira Tozawa spent the last month preparing for his next opportunity with an injured shoulder, but now that his shoulder is healed, he is as ready as ever for this title match.
Neville attempts the Red Arrow, but Tozawa rolls out of the way. Tozawa takes advantage of Neville’s placement and climbs to the top rope for the Senton Bomb. He goes for the cover and becomes the only person to dethrone the King of the Cruiserweights since Neville captured the gold in January. This is a huge win for Tozawa and Titus Worldwide. Winner, and NEW WWE Cruiserweight Champion: Akira Tozawa
Backstage Segment
Big Show is being evaluated by the medical staff and he appears to have a broken hand. Regardless, Show still wants to go ahead with his match against Big Cass in six days.
Finn Balor vs. Bray Wyatt
There is no clear reason why Bray Wyatt chose Finn Balor as a target since the Eater of Worlds says a lot without saying anything at all. Balor has yet to back down from Wyatt and this was supposed to happen at SummerSlam, but instead, the first-ever Universal Champion (Balor) goes up against the former WWE Champion (Wyatt).
Balor looks for the Coup de Grace, but Wyatt sweeps his legs out from under him. Wyatt then hits Balor with the Sister Abigail, picking up the surprise victory. Winner: Bray Wyatt
In an interview with Charly Caruso after this segment, Balor announces that he will still face Wyatt at SummerSlam. While Wyatt likes to point out personal demons, Balor says that he has some demons of his own. This is a reference to his Demon persona, which hasn’t been seen since last year’s SummerSlam.
Mickie James vs. Emma
Emma was in the locker room earlier tonight complaining about her loss to Sasha Banks last week and James was tired of hearing of it, so she challenged her to a match.
James barely hits Emma with the Mick Kick and picks up the win for what feels like the first time since she arrived at Raw. Winner: Mickie James
The Miz (w/Maryse & The Miztourage) vs. Jason Jordan
A few weeks ago, Jason Jordan was on MizTV and refused the offer to join the Miztourage. The MIz has felt disrespected by Kurt Angle’s newfound son and demanded a match against the former SmackDown Tag Team Champion.
Despite the numbers game, Jordan seems to have the match in the bag. That is, until Curtis Axel and Bo Dallas attack him from behind. To prevent further assault, the Hardy Boyz (of all people) save Jordan and send the Miztourage packing. Winner (via disqualification): Jason Jordan
The Miz, Curtis Axel, & Bo Dallas vs. The Hardy Boyz & Jason Jordan
What would an angle involving six Superstars be without a six-man tag team match? I don’t know, but it definitely wouldn’t be on WWE TV. If you have watched WWE for at least a month, you probably saw this coming.
While Jason Jordan provides interference, The Hardy Boyz do the usual Twist of Fate/Swanton Bomb combo for the win. Winners: The Hardy Boyz & Jason Jordan
Closing Segment
Before Raw heads off the air for the night, WWE has to promote SummerSlam’s main event, where Brock Lesnar will defend the Universal Championship against Braun Strowman, Samoa Joe, and Roman Reigns. The segment starts with Paul Heyman cutting what could be his last Raw promo, then the three challengers enter the ring and everybody brawls. Strowman and Lesnar are the last two left in the ring and the show fades to black as the Superstars pull them apart.
