WWE Raw Results: Highlights, Analysis, and Grades for July 3

Source: WWE.com

Finn Balor vs. Cesaro (w/ Sheamus)

Result: Finn Balor defeated Cesaro via pinfall

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

You know what would have made this match better? If it actually had everyone’s focus at the announce table. But hey, building to a pay per view in less than a week means that the only thing that matters is the pay per view matchups. So the Hardyz are out for commentary to talk strategy while Cesaro and Balor do their thing.

The frustrating part of all of it is that it is so easy to avoid falling into that trap. There’s plenty of opportunity during matches to focus commentary toward something other than the match itself. Example: Cesaro has Balor in a headlock – then you let Matt talk about how WONDERFUL it is to compete in an Iron Man match. Balor escapes and starts chopping in the corners – have Matt stop taking and let Corey/Cole/Booker if absolutely necessary call the action.

But for the majority of the match, I heard things like “Finn Balor is my daughter’s favorite wrestler, so it was great to team with him!” and “My tooth is finally almost better, but wow I’ve been to the dentist a lot!” from Jeff instead. Makes perfect sense.

Like I said, Cesaro and Balor were doing some great things in the ring. Cesaro caught Balor in mid-air for a scoop slam, but seamlessly transitioned it into a vertical suplex. I know Balor is a smaller competitor, but that’s still a full grown adult being thrown around like a Wrestling Buddy.

The finish was nothing but chaos (I GUESS IT WAS BRAY WYATT’S DOING, HUH), but it was the good kind of chaos. Elias Samson continued his feud with Balor by distracting him – once the guys in the sound truck turned his guitar on. The Hardy Boyz left the announce table to even the odds, and everyone started wailing on everyone.

Thankfully, there was no DQ involved since none of the nonparticipants actually attacked Balor or Cesaro in view of the official. So everyone policed the situation themselves, Balor hit the Coup de Grace, and everyone goes home happy.