WWE Raw Results: Highlights, Analysis, and Grades for August 14

Nia Jax vs. Sasha Banks

Result: Sasha Banks defeated Nia Jax via submission

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Of course, this match came about after a pair of triple threat matches last week. Those triple threat matches were necessitated by Bayley’s injury, which forced her out of her championship match at SummerSlam. With the winner facing Alexa Bliss for the Raw Women’s Championship, the champ took in all of the action from a lifeguard chair. Oh, sorry, from a “throne.”

Continuing the theme from last week, Nia looks like her new gimmick is “literally try to murder your opponent all the time.” She bulldozed Sasha as soon as the bell rang to kick things off – earning bonus points for doing the Boss taunt. And later, when Sasha went for a hurricanrana from the apron, Nia just caught her and swung her into the barricade.

Regardless of how much Nia looks like she’s trying to maim an opponent, she’s incredibly strong. The way she countered the standing camel clutch type hold from Sasha into a Samoan drop was mighty impressive. But pure strength isn’t always enough, as Sasha not only kicked out of the leg drop, but managed to use her quickness to avoid much major damage.

The closing sequence was great. Sasha showed that she is one of the smartest competitors in WWE – submission finisher not locked in enough? Lull your opponent into a false sense of security, and when she gets to the ropes you just reverse the hold. I loved it. Since Nia wasn’t worn down enough, she was able to reverse, but Sasha countered the reversal into a DDT, and locked the Banks Statement in again – on the original side – and picked up the victory.

Kurt Makes a Miz-Take

Angle attempts to discuss SummerSlam with the Hardy Boyz, but is interrupted by The Miztourage. The Miz himself makes it known that last week’s match between Jason Jordan and Curtis Axel – planned for tonight – wouldn’t happen, and Miz would take Jordan on himself. Before much more could be said, Angle was pulled away to deal with an issue between Finn Balor and Bray Wyatt – much to Miz’s chagrin.

Turns out the big issue was just Balor and Wyatt brawling backstage. (The officials couldn’t handle this one without the GM?) Since both men were unwilling to wait until SummerSlam, Angle proclaimed SummerSlam would come early, and the match would happen tonight.

Huh? Weird.