In the lead-up to Saturday Night's Main Event and SummerSlam, WWE Raw delivered an engaging episode from the American Airlines Arena in Dallas. The show was a strategic build-up to the upcoming events, with a focus on key matches and storylines. Here's a deep dive into the highlights and lowlights of the night, with a heavy dose of personal commentary and analysis.
The Main Event: Seth Rollins vs. Roman Reigns
The contract signing between Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns was a pivotal moment in the lead-up to their World Heavyweight Championship match. Rollins, the ultimate instigator, relished in the fans' serenade drowning out the 'OTC' chants. In my opinion, this dynamic is a refreshing change from the usual mind games, and it adds an extra layer of excitement to their rivalry. Rollins' fiery and pissed-off persona is a great look for the challenger, especially entering a match that few expect him to win. However, the segment felt a bit long-winded, and the question remains: can Rollins manage to stay focused and not let the mind games affect him in the middle of their upcoming match?
The No. 1 Contender's Gauntlet Match
Chad Gable was crowned the next challenger for Penta's Intercontinental Championship, outlasting six other superstars. The match was a showcase of talent, with Je'Von Evans standing out as the most impressive performer. Evans worked three different styles of matches and built a strong rapport with the audience. In my opinion, Evans is a star in the making, and his connection with the audience will inevitably force management's hand. The gauntlet match was a strong effort by WWE, blending different ongoing stories and highlighting a talented Raw midcard.
The Vision Promo
The Vision Promo was a star-making moment for Maxxine Dupri, who was the centerpiece of The Vision. However, it felt jarring to see the rest of the faction take a back seat, considering the star power involved. Bron Breakker, in particular, felt less important than ever, and this is an indictment on the part of the creative team. The segment was a good effort, but it raises a deeper question: can The Vision be a sustainable storyline, or is it just a temporary distraction?
Bayley Called Out Lyra Valkyria
Bayley's call-out of Lyra Valkyria was a well-executed segment, with Valkyria delivering some deep cuts. The segment showcased Valkyria's improved mic skills and Bayley's rediscovering her edge. In my opinion, this was a great bit of character work, and it adds an extra layer of intrigue to their ongoing feud. The short, succinct, and focused segment ended with Valkyria standing tall, and it was a quality moment in the women's division.
Overall Grade
The show did a great job of building to the SummerSlam matches, with some quality heat spots and a few physical encounters. However, it was not perfect, and everything meant something and built to something else. For a show that is likely to get outperformed in the ratings by the MLB All-Star Home Run Derby, this was a good outing from a company that still needs to find a way to convince fans to travel to Minneapolis for SummerSlam on August 1 and 2.
In conclusion, WWE Raw delivered an engaging episode, with a focus on key matches and storylines. The show was a strategic build-up to the upcoming events, and it showcased the talent and creativity of the WWE creative team. However, there are still questions to be answered, and the company needs to find a way to convince fans to travel to Minneapolis for SummerSlam. From my perspective, the show was a good effort, but it is not perfect, and there is still room for improvement.
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