With SummerSlam just a couple weeks away, Raw has to fire on all cylinders. This week’s episode features the continuation of the Seth Rollins/Dean Ambrose story, two Triple Threat Matches to help determine Alexa Bliss’ SummerSlam opponent, and Braun Strowman vs. Roman Reigns in a Last Man Standing Match.
MizTV
The show kicks off with MizTV already set up and ready to go. The Miz threatens to prevent Raw from starting until Jason Jordan comes down to the ring. Last week, Jordan got the better of Miz and the Miztourage in a physical altercation, and the host of the “most must-see” talk show is tired of getting punked on his own show.
Kurt Angle shows up to tell Miz that Jordan will not be on the show tonight, but instead, he will face Curtis Axel of the Miztourage later tonight. Angle managed to secure a guest that “meets and exceeds” MizTV standards. The guest? The Universal Champion, Brock Lesnar.
The Miz essentially lays out all of Paul Heyman’s complaints with the Fatal Four-Way Championship match, and when Miz is done, Brock Lesnar destroys all of them (except Maryse, of course).
Seth Rollins vs. Sheamus (w/Cesaro)
Last week, Seth Rollins challenged Sheamus to a fight after the Raw Tag Team Champions poked fun at him. Rollins would get assaulted after the match thanks to the help of Cesaro. This week, Rollins wants another chance to take them down.
Cesaro keeps distracting Rollins, keeping the Architect from attacking Sheamus. The Celtic Warrior then rolls Rollins up and steals the win. Right after his loss, Rollins tries to hit both of them with the suicide dive, but the champs immediately use the numbers game to their advantage. Winner: Sheamus
Jason Jordan vs. Curtis Axel Some Guy
Because of Brock Lesnar’s rampage on MizTV, the medical staff will not clear Curtis Axel to compete in this match. Kurt Angle scoured the backstage area to find a local Canadian wrestler and gives him the opportunity of a lifetime. Since Raw is in Toronto tonight, the crowd cheers for him instead of Jordan.
Jordan just throws this guy around for a bit before finishing him off with a neckbreaker. Winner: Jason Jordan
In-ring Segment
Earlier today, it was revealed that Bayley suffered a separated shoulder after her physical match against Nia Jax last match. She addresses the fans and thanks those that have wished her well, but for some reason, the crowd just boos her the whole time. When Charly Caruso asks who she thinks is going to face Alexa Bliss at SummerSlam, she chooses her best friend, Sasha Banks.
Sasha Banks vs. Alicia Fox vs. Emma – #1 Contender’s Qualifying Match
Since Bayley is injured, Bliss needs a new opponent to challenge her for the Raw Women’s Championship. This is the first of two triple threat matches, with the winners of each match facing each other in a #1 Contender’s match next week.
Emma looks to prevent Sasha Banks from making Alicia Fox tap out to the Bank Statement, but Banks ends up putting Emma in the submission move instead, forcing her to submit. Banks will face the winner of the other triple threat match next week. Winner (via submission): Sasha Banks
Enzo Amore & Big Show vs. Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson
After taking care of Big Cass last week, Big Show comes down to the ring with Enzo Amore to call the younger 7-foot tall giant “sawft.” Before they finish insulting Cass, Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson interrupt for some reason and a match starts.
Big Cass strolls down to the ring and distracts Big Show, giving Gallows the opportunity to knock him off of the apron. Enzo tries to go at it solo, but he is kicked in the face by Karl Anderson and pinned for a loss. Right after the match, Big Cass picks the pieces of his former friend. He chases Amore around the ring only to get hit with another WMD from the Big Show. Winners: Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson
Cesaro (w/Sheamus) vs. Dean Ambrose
Since Sheamus faced Seth Rollins earlier tonight, it only makes sense for Cesaro to face Dean Ambrose.
Sheamus tries the distraction trick that Cesaro used with Rollins earlier, but Ambrose isn’t fooled. Ambrose actually gets the roll-up on Cesaro to win the match. The Raw Tag Team Champions start attacking Ambrose, but Seth Rollins saves his former Shield brother in an attempt to regain his trust. Winner: Dean Ambrose
Ambrose sticks out his fist in a symbol of friendship, but this time, it’s Rollins who walks away. This is presumably because Ambrose didn’t help him out earlier tonight.
Ariya Daivari vs. Akira Tozawa
On 205 Live last week, Akira Tozawa defeated Ariya Daivari to become Neville’s Cruiserweight Championship challenger at SummerSlam. As Neville noted in a backstage segment, Daivari is now a man with nothing left to lose, so the #1 Contender could end up reinjuring his shoulder.
Tozawa is even more dominant with a health shoulder and to no surprise, he puts Daivari away with the Senton Bomb. Winner: Akira Tozawa
Mickie James vs. Dana Brooke vs. Nia Jax – #1 Contender’s Qualifying Match
This match is to determine who will face Sasha Banks next week for a Women’s Championship match opportunity. Looking at the participants, it seems like there is only one way this match could go.
After tossing Mickie James out of the ring, Nia Jax squashes Dana Brooke with a leg drop to confirm the predictable result. Winner: Nia Jax
Announcement
At SummerSlam, Big Cass will face Big Show with Enzo Amore suspended above the ring in a shark cage. This shark cage seems to be a yearly thing now.
Braun Strowman vs. Roman Reigns – Last Man Standing Match
Last Man Standing Matches are brutal, so this is fitting for the rivalry between Braun Strowman and Roman Reigns. Both of these men (along with Samoa Joe) will challenge Brock Lesnar for the Universal Championship at SummerSlam. The only way to win a Last Man Standing Match is to incapacitate your opponent enough so he doesn’t get up by the referee’s count of ten.
Reigns spears Strowman near the entrance ramp and both men are down for the count. Reigns is barely able to use the guard rail to get himself up when Samoa Joe sneaks behind him from the crowd and locks him in the Coquina Clutch. After forcing Reigns to pass out, Strowman gets up at the count of eight and picks up the assisted victory. Winner: Braun Strowman
