WWE Raw Results: Highlights, Analysis, and Grades for July 17

Akira Tozawa vs. Ariya Daivari

Result: Ariya Daivari defeated Akira Tozawa via referee stoppage

Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars

Pretty sure there was more psychology in this match than in most of the cruiserweight contests of late. I mean, it was no “love triangle” psychology, but there was a clear, easy-to-follow story in this match.

Tozawa has a weak shoulder. It happened last week when he was “folded into origami,” in the words of Titus O’Neil. Daivari is a seasoned veteran – he knows how to focus an attack. So he immediately goes to work on the shoulder. Simple.

But Tozawa is a warrior. He has no quit in him. Even though he can’t really move his arm, he still takes the fight to Daivari. The side suplex – instead of a German, as is his signature – looked painful to execute, because he literally did it with his one good arm.

How about the arm slowing him down? Tozawa has a beautiful senton in his repertoire of moves, but the bad arm made him take too long getting to the top rope. He had to jump down and roll away from a charging Daivari – and hurt the shoulder more.

Not a fan of Titus throwing in the towel, but I get it. Now there’s friction within Titus Worldwide. Tozawa doesn’t trust Titus, but clearly, O’Neil had Tozawa’s best interests at heart. He explained as much backstage later in the night. It’ll be interesting to see where this is going.