Welcome back to the latest edition of our weekly WWE RAW hits and misses series.
This week’s episode emanated from the Canadian Tire Center in Ottawa. Matches advertised for the show included Jey Uso versus Chad Gable as well as mixed tag team action featuring Dominik Mysterio, Liv Morgan, Rey Mysterio, and Zelina Vega.
Here’s what went down on the July 8, 2024, episode of Monday Night RAW.
Hit – Opening segment featuring Seth Rollins & CM Punk
CM Punk kicked off RAW after costing Drew McIntyre his Money in the Bank briefcase cash-in in Toronto. Punk called out Adam Pearce so he could ask him to lift McIntyre’s suspension. Seth Rollins showed up instead. The two men went back and forth until Rollins promised Punk he’d make sure he won’t get his hands on McIntyre ever again.
A great way to kickoff RAW by having Punk and Rollins talk smack to each other inside the ring. Punk congratulating Cena on his retirement was sweet. The part where he mentioned his and Rollins family to explain his excuse for attacking McIntyre was great. Rollins is great on the mic when he lets it all out.
Miss – Chad Gable vs. Jey Uso
Gable and Jey picked up from where they left off last Monday. Both men were battered from their chaotic ladder match this past Saturday. A couple of exchanges before Sister Abigail distracted Gable long enough for Jey to pick up the win.
I wanted this match to go longer. Gable’s selling is on another level. The way he bounces to let hit opponents hit him with a crossbody is just brilliant. Both men are capable of giving better matches but tonight wasn’t one of them.
Hit – Sheamus & Bronson Reed collide on WWE RAW
Bronson Reed interrupted Sheamus during his interview with Jackie Redmond. Reed picked up the win against Tyler Bate later during the show. He went for second Tsunami but the Big White arrived to make the save for his former tag team partner. Sheamus tried to hug Dunne but he pushed him away and left the ring.
This feud has potential, I’m excited for it to happen on WWE RAW. Sheamus and Reed exchanged some stiff strikes. I presume Dunne blames Sheamus for abandoning him and Ridge Holland that’s why he refused to acknowledge his help. This looks great from a storyline point of view. At least, there’s consistency to it.
Miss – Six-man tag team match on WWE RAW
Braun Strowman tagged with Awesome Truth to take on The Judgment Day. The Monster Among Men had the match under control until he got way too distracted. Balor took advantage of the situation to hit Truth with a Coup de Grace for the win.
A mediocre six-man affair with Strowman as the biggest star (literally). I don’t know when Awesome Truth versus Judgment Day is going to end because I’m tired of both teams going back and forth with each other almost every week.
Hit – Rhea Ripley returns
Dominik Mysterio and Liv Morgan defeated Rey Mysterio and Zelina Vega in the main event. They were about to kiss when Rhea Ripley showed up to confront the pair. Liv ran out of the ring while Dom stood in utter shock. The show ended with Dom and Rhea standing face-to-face.
Mami is back, and she’s pissed. WWE brilliantly set up Ripley’s written with the numerous teases throughout the show. This has been one of the most consistently entertaining storylines for the last couple of months. Let’s see where things go next between the trio.
Honorable Mentions
- Bo Dallas finally appeared in flesh on WWE RAW. Bo’s appearance came shortly after WWE aired a really spooky vignette of the Wyatt Sicks. I’ve a feeling we will soon be getting a bad update on Adam Pearce’s status on RAW next week because of his meeting with Bo/ Howdy.
- WWE ran an angle between Liv and Dom before their mixed tag team main event. Both were caught in a comprising position by The Judgment Day. The way Finn and McDonagh popped their heads was hilarious. Carlito dropping sexual innuendos at the most inappropriate-inappropriate time is why I think he fits right in with this storyline.
- Seth Rollins and Damian Priest threw their gentleman’s agreement out of the window. I don’t get it. What was the point of the whole “Rollins cannot challenge for the title as long as Priest is champion” stipulation when it was going to be scrapped on the RAW following Money in the Bank?
- Ilja Dragunov and Bron Breakker had the match of the night in my opinion. Dragunov is different. Every match he’s in feels like a battle. The Czar has great chemistry with Breakker, who shouldn’t have lost clean to Sami Zayn at Money in the Bank. Last night’s angle may lead to another triple threat title defense for Zayn.
- Sonya Deville finally aligned with Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark on WWE RAW. The trio jumped Damage CTRL after their short but good tag team match against Lyra, Carter and Chance. This feud could be good.
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