WWE Raw Results: Highlights, Analysis, and Grades for August 21
By Bryan Heaton
The Miz (w/ Maryse, Bo Dallas, & Curtis Axel) & Samoa Joe vs. John Cena & Roman Reigns
Result: John Cena & Roman Reigns defeated The Miz & Samoa Joe via pinfall
Rating: 3.0 out of 5 stars
At 10:53 p.m. EDT, Roman Reigns was just finishing his entrance. He was the fourth person in this match to be introduced, so all that was left was to ring the bell. Instead, as he climbed through the ropes, USA/WWE had to get in one more ad break. So an entire segment was just four ring entrances, no in-ring action. Guess the overrun is going long tonight.
THE BEACH BALL LIVES!!!!! #RAW @JohnCena @SamoaJoe @WWERomanReigns @mikethemiz pic.twitter.com/b6WYxpdHL9
— WWE (@WWE) August 22, 2017
When the match finally started, the WWE production team tried the “if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em” tactic of filming and acknowledging the beach balls in the crowd. Ugh, what a mistake. The only reason the beach balls were in the building is because Cesaro ripped one apart at SummerSlam. It was a great visual, but the average modern fan wants to be involved – whether for good or bad. It’s why we have Brock Lesnar Guy, Frank The Clown, and Sign Guy.
Somewhere in the fiasco of beach balls, commercials, and waves was a main event tag team match. The Miz made no effort to hide his displeasure with the crowd, but he and Joe worked pretty well together. Reigns and Joe did a great job of selling the effects of the SummerSlam main event, adding consequence to everything that happens in a WWE ring. Even guys that strong shouldn’t be able to shake off such brutal punishment.
How is @JohnCena faring on #RAW for the first time in over a year? He and @WWERomanReigns are trying to defeat @mikethemiz & @SamoaJoe! pic.twitter.com/61KFT2sIfa
— WWE (@WWE) August 22, 2017
A near perfect ending sequence closed the show out. Samoa Joe interrupted Cena’s Five Knuckle Shuffle with a Coquina Clutch. Reigns went for a Superman Punch to break it up, but hit Cena instead. Joe then tossed Reigns but couldn’t inflict more punishment. Miz tried to take advantage, but ate an AA and a pin to end things.
Now there’s (more) tension between Reigns and Cena, and a No Mercy match is likely in the works. Miz is in the main event where he belongs, and Joe can just continue being a major source of destruction wherever needed.
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What did you think about this week’s episode of WWE Raw?