WWE Raw Results: Highlights, Analysis, and Grades for August 7

Raw, Source: WWE.com

Braun Strowman took on Roman Reigns in a Last Man Standing match this week on Raw, continuing the build to WWE SummerSlam.

Previously on WWE Raw, tensions reached the boiling point. Paul Heyman and Brock Lesnar stopped by to drop a bombshell announcement. If The Beast Incarnate is unsuccessful in defending the Universal Championship at SummerSlam, he’s gone. Brock will head back to UFC to face Jon Jones home and retire from WWE.

Of course, Lesnar’s three opponents at SummerSlam may be willing to pack his bags for him. In a co-main event, Roman Reigns defeated Samoa Joe and Braun Strowman (because of course he did). With SummerSlam creeping up on us, all four competitors can use all the momentum they can get.

This week, two of those four competitors were in action against each other. Fresh off last week’s victory, Reigns faced his long-time nemesis Strowman. This time, though, it was a Last Man Standing match. Who managed to outlast his rival?

In other news, the Raw Women’s Championship match at SummerSlam was tossed a curveball. Alexa Bliss was scheduled to defend her title against Bayley, but the Huggable One suffered an injury last week. What is Bayley’s status heading into the biggest show of the summer? (Spoiler: News broke before Raw that Bayley would be forced to miss SummerSlam due to a separated shoulder.)

More wwe: Power Ranking Every SummerSlam

Please continue reading for all the results and highlights from WWE Raw for August 7.

We Interrupt Your Regularly Scheduled Raw for This Special Episode of MizTV

Poor Miz. He tries to hijack the opening to Raw by calling out Jason Jordan, who disrespected him last week. Seems perfectly reasonable in a petty sort of way, right?

But instead of Jordan, we get his proud papa Kurt Angle. The GM announces that his baby boy will take on Curtis Axel later, so he won’t be a guest on Miz TV. So far, so good, I guess. Things are moving along.

Then, the bombshell. Angle tells Miz that he’s got a guest that will “exceed the standards” of Miz TV. And out comes Brock Lesnar, with Paul Heyman in tow. That makes this the Paintball episode of Miz TV, because it doesn’t get much better than this.

To his credit, The Miz doesn’t let the presence of Lesnar phase him. It’s a very exposition-heavy promo from the Intercontinental Champion, but it’s okay. It’s okay, because the entire time Miz is spewing his dialogue, you just know he’s seconds away from eating a couple of German suplexes, or an F5.

Or both.

After Paul Heyman nearly takes things a bit past the PG range by discussing “role play,” we learn that Lesnar is going to use Miz and the Miztourage as stand-ins for Reigns, Joe, and Strowman. (Side note: I haven’t stopped laughing since I pictured Axel screaming “I’m not finished with you!”) And not only does Miz get a ticket to Suplex City and an F5, Axel and Dallas join him.

Seth Rollins vs. Sheamus (w/ Cesaro)

Result: Sheamus defeated Seth Rollins via pinfall

Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars

First things first: Seth Rollins got lyrics for his theme! Well, three words, but still! I guess after all this time, someone finally realized that a multi-second dead spot in an entrance theme is dumb. (Screaming “BURN IT DOOOOOOOOOWN” is also dumb, but a slight improvement, nonetheless.)

As for the action itself, it was pretty standard fare for both guys. Obviously, we’re building to a Raw Tag Team Championship match at SummerSlam, even though Dean Ambrose wants nothing to do with Rollins.

Things got a little stiff in the latter part of this one. I could have sworn Sheamus went in hard with the knee to the face after Rollins hit his first superkick. And Rollins followed it up with a harder than usual enzuigiri, so all’s fair, I guess.

And you know what? I actually liked the ending and the post-match stuff. I still think distraction finishes are lame (why wouldn’t you just allow the distracting competitor to hit you and get your opponent DQed?), but the lack of a save from Ambrose was brilliant. I’m not exactly digging this whole Moonlighting “will they, won’t they” thing with the former Shield. But it is what it is.

Also getting bonus points: Cesaro and Sheamus expecting the save instead of blindly continuing their assault. Ambrose jumped them last week, and literally billions of two on one beatings have resulted in someone saving a friend – why wouldn’t they expect someone to even the odds? It adds that sense of realism to the entertainment, which is super important.

Jason Jordan vs. Jean-Pierre Goulet

Result: Jason Jordan defeated Jean Pierre Goulet via pinfall

Rating: 1.5 out of 5 stars

Wow. Just, wow.

To recap: Jason Jordan was supposed to take on Curtis Axel. The Axe-Man, however, was apparently broken when Brock Lesnar made his appearance on Miz TV earlier in the evening. Kurt Angle was quite appropriately stunned to learn that Axel wasn’t cleared to compete after literally taking two moves of offense.

Needing a replacement, Angle walks down the hall. Literally two feet away from Axel and the trainer, he finds a guy who has never had a match in WWE before. This guy is dressed in full ring gear. Knee pads and all. His name is Jean-Pierre Goulet (because Canada) (even though Toronto isn’t in Quebec) and this is his big shot to be the next James Ellsworth.

Shockingly, the crowd is 100% in Goulet’s corner. Sure, they were chanting “Let’s go jobber,” but maybe they were just saying “Jean-Pierre” really fast. Hans Moleman knows what I’m talking about.

Sadly for Goulet, it’s not enough. Jordan, despite not having the crowd pulling for him, is a suplex machine (are we sure Angle is his dad, and not Taz?). A quick match ends after Jordan’s elevated neckbreaker, and we mercifully move along. Au revoir, Jean-Pierre.

Bayley Addresses Her Injury

You know how you know Bayley’s really hurt? No side pony. That’s like

Anyway, Bayley is hurt, and WWE announced it earlier in the day, but are still treating it like it’s happening in real time on Raw. Charly Caruso tries to give her a chance to speak, but the Toronto crowd is firmly against Bayley. Like, shockingly against. Bayley herself was flustered, and I can’t say I blame her – I wouldn’t have expected that in a million years.

We learn that Bayley’s spot is being filled via a quasi tournament. After two triple threat matches tonight, the winners will face each other next week – and that winner will face Alexa Bliss at SummerSlam.

Sasha Banks vs. Alicia Fox vs. Emma

Result: Sasha Banks defeated Alica Fox and Emma via submission over Emma

Rating: 1.5 out of 5 stars

The first triple threat match takes place as soon as Bayley vacates the ring and announces that she hopes Sasha Banks takes her place. It gets to a one on one match pretty quickly after Emma took Sasha out with a wheelbarrow spinebuster on the apron. It was vicious and awesome and probably the best part of this very sloppy match.

For whatever reason, this one just never clicked. Alicia seemingly can’t be pinned, since her shoulders are literally never on the mat – someone teach her to just stay still once in a while. Emma also seemed very spazzy tonight.

Even a seldom-seen apron spot (not to mention Sasha’s incredible shining wizard to get back into the match) couldn’t save this mess. Too many false finishes in too short a time also hurt this match.

Braun Is Terrifying

I don’t know what’s scarier: the words coming out of Braun’s mouth, or the creepy, vacant stare at something off screen. WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT, MAN?

Enzo Amore & Big Show vs. Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson

Result: Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson defeated Enzo Amore & Big Show via pinfall

Rating:1.5 out of 5 stars

Pandering Enzo was out in full force tonight. Talking about Drake, the CN Tower – what’s the matter, couldn’t figure out how to squeeze in a Raptors reference? No Joey Bats? To make it worse, apparently Austin Powers is a hot topic again. I don’t get it – especially since Big Show looks literally exactly the same, too.

The match is essentially just a prelude to Big Cass beating up Enzo – yet again – before he gets knocked out by Big Show – yet again. As a matter of fact, the match is so unimportant that Michael Cole can’t even be bothered to know who the legal man is at the end. Gallows made a tag to Anderson clear as day before going for the Magic Killer, how did he miss that?

https://twitter.com/WWE/status/894731156041515008

But after Gallows and Anderson “steal” a victory, Cass follows up his distraction of Big Show with a big boot to Show’s skull. I guess it’s the battle of boots and fists here. Enzo briefly makes the save of his new seven foot friend, but it doesn’t last.

One would think that by now, Enzo and Cass would have finished things. Cass has beaten Enzo twice, Enzo has a new buddy in Big Show – why are we still doing the same old dance? Is there room on the SummerSlam card for one final match between the two?

But, hey, The Club got a somewhat legit victory tonight!

Mind Games

Oh, Finn. Sweet, sweet Finn. Did no one tell you what happens when you try to top Bray Wyatt in psychological warfare? You’ll probably end up burning someone’s house down.

Balor comes down to the ring to declare his superiority in the world of mind games. I can see where he’s coming from to a certain extent, but I’ll get to that in a minute. He issues a challenge to Wyatt – whatever you want to start, I’ll finish. Good stuff so far, if a bit typical.

This is apparently the signal for Wyatt to teleport into the ring – but surprise! Finn saw it coming and moved to the turnbuckle. Way to go, Balor – you’ve watched literally any one of a thousand Bray Wyatt segments. A short brawl ensues, with Balor getting the upper hand. When he goes for the corner dropkick, Wyatt teleports back out of the ring, seemingly surprising Balor. On the big screen, Wyatt says some spooky stuff, like always.

In a mind games battle, Balor can certainly hold his own. But here’s the problem – since his return from injury, he’s just been a regular guy. Cool as heck, but a regular dude. If we’re doing a mind games thing, Balor absolutely needs to be the Demon (or Demon King, if that’s still a thing).

If Wyatt vs. Balor happens at SummerSlam, it’s the perfect time to reintroduce the WWE Universe to The Demon. Get him painted up, let it be really crazy, and have some fun with it. But if Wyatt/Balor is a cult leader vs. a dude in a leather jacket, no one on the planet will believe in the mind games war.

Dean Ambrose vs. Cesaro (w/ Sheamus)

Result: Dean Ambrose defeated Cesaro via pinfall

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

After not saving Seth Rollins and being called a jerk earlier in the night, Ambrose was determined to go it alone in his match against Cesaro. For the most part, it wasn’t a great idea. Two on one is never advisable.

And of course, a well-timed distraction by Sheamus is able to turn the tide in Cesaro’s favor. It works mainly because Ambrose is wacky, and has difficulty focusing on one thing at a time. Even when Ambrose started to make a comeback, Cesaro was firmly in control for much of the match.

That comeback, though, started with a superplex that took Cesaro off the ringpost. Not the turnbuckle, but the actual post itself. Why Cesaro was on the post is irrelevant – though the teased suplex to the outside would have been classified attempted murder, I would think.

When all was said and done with the match, it was a great showcase for the insane stuff Cesaro is capable of doing in the ring. Uppercuts from every angle, ridiculous strength (multiple deadlift gut wrench bombs is inhuman), and so on. Ambrose is a good base for all that because he is basically made of rubber.

After Ambrose steals the victory (avoiding the trap Rollins fell to earlier), he gets attacked by both tag champs. Despite being told to stay away, Rollins made the save. Ambrose was appreciative, and offered a Shield fist bump to Rollins – echoing Rollins doing the same two weeks ago. This time, though, Rollins refused and left the ring, meaning the dance continues for at least another week.

Titus Worldwide

Neville seems to have a bit of a problem with Titus Worldwide. Probably because it’s literally just Dragon Gate in WWE. (In all seriousness, a real Tozawa/Neville match is going to be insane, provided it gets the time it deserves.)

Ariya Daivari vs. Akira Tozawa (w/ Titus O’Neil)

Result: Akira Tozawa defeated Ariya Daivai via pinfall

Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

I want to start things off by saying how insane it is that Titus O’Neil – the same guy who thought “Make it a win” was a great promo – has reinvented himself as manager extraordinaire. He is possibly the most charismatic guy in WWE, yet can barely put together a sentence without narrowly avoiding train wrecks of speech. That he’s become a mouthpiece for Apollo Crews and Tozawa – arguably enhancing their characters for the better – is astounding.

Without Titus on commentary, this match would ultimately be forgettable, though. There wasn’t a whole lot to it – outside of Tozawa’s suicide dive and big senton at the end, it was pretty boring, to be honest. But with all the mention of the magical hyperbaric chamber healing Tozawa’s shoulder, any drama got sucked out of the contest.

It wasn’t like Daivari was really attacking the shoulder – despite what Booker T would have you believe. But constantly hearing how much money Titus spent to heal his prized competitor, you get taken out of the match. It becomes a series of meaningless moves building up to the big finish, and nothing more.

Roman Reigns

Boy, Roman sure does like bringing up how he retired the Undertaker. Part of me feels like all the references are building up to Reigns losing at SummerSlam via gong distraction. But the rest of me thinks Taker is done, and there’s no way WWE would dare tarnish his legacy by doing something stupid like use his music for a distraction when he doesn’t show up.

Mickie James vs. Dana Brooke vs. Nia Jax

Result: Nia Jax defeated Mickie James and Dana Brooke via pinfall on Dana Brooke

Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

I feel like at this point, WWE is just running with the “Nia Jax is unsafe and will hurt someone badly” theme. Whether her fault or not, she is responsible for separating Bayley’s shoulder. She also got called out online for botching a spot with Charlotte Flair back in April, with Flair fortunately escaping serious injury.

So how to deal with that perception? By literally having her look like she’s going to murder two opponents tonight. At no point in this match did it appear that Nia was out to do anything other than hurt Mickie and Dana. It was very tough to watch at times.

Look at how she literally just threw Mickie across the ring, or into Dana. How about the way she just steamrolled both women? Or the angrier than usual leg drop at the finish? It’s almost like there’s a new Nia Jax in WWE.

And, as terrifying to watch as it may have been, it may be an improvement.

For the first time, Nia doesn’t look like she’s too nice to be the monster character she’s meant to portray. She seems absolutely ruthless. I don’t know exactly what clicked (maybe taking Bayley out was morbidly the best thing that could have happened to Nia), but I hope it sticks.

In addition, the most obvious matchup to determine a new challenger for the Raw Women’s Championship is official. Next week Sasha Banks takes on Nia Jax – winner heads to SummerSlam and a title match against Alexa Bliss.

Goldust

From the sound of this promo, it sounds like Goldust is transitioning into a non-wrestling role. If so, it’ll be a sad day, because he’s pretty much always been great in the ring. But giving someone else a rub would be the classy thing to do, and Goldust has always seemed to be a standup guy.

SummerSlam Match Announcement

Someone tell Kurt that Shark Week is over! No more shark cages, please!

Braun Strowman vs. Roman Reigns; Last Man Standing Match

Result: Braun Strowman defeated Roman Reigns

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Just when you think Braun Strowman can’t do anything crazier than what he’s already done, here he comes literally tossing office furniture around the arena.

Let’s be real here: there are very few competitors who have the kind of in-ring chemistry that Reigns and Strowman have. Just about every time these two step into the ring with each other, it’s a better than average match. And by now, they’ve pretty much had every kind of match possible, so there’s been no shortage of battles between the two. It’s way too early to call it this generation’s Flair-Steamboat, but it’s at very least a step above Ziggler-Kingston.

For a Last Man Standing match, this wasn’t bad, even if the finish was a little wonky. Lots of weapons factored into the action – ring steps, tables, the aforementioned desk chair. It seemed that nothing was going to keep either man down, and that’s the best way to build up this type of match.

But the interference by Samoa Joe – totally obvious due to the SummerSlam match coming up, plus Roman’s words before the match – was a double edged sword. Sure, it gives you an easy out for the match, since Reigns got to look strong in defeat. But Strowman was down on the ground for quite a while, and if the referee hadn’t stopped counting, he would have lost about three times. It’s a minor quibble, though, since the overall match was of a high quality.

Next: 25 Greatest WWE Entrance Themes of All Time

What did you think of this week’s episode of WWE Raw?