WWE Raw: Results, Highlights, and Grades for July 16, 2018

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Authors of Pain (Akam & Rezar) vs. Titus Worldwide (Titus O’Neil & Apollo Crews)

Result: Authors of Pain defeated Titus Worldwide via pinfall

Rating: 1.75 out of 5 stars

One has to wonder if this match is just a continuation of the quasi-rivalry the teams have been in, or if it’s Titus O’Neil’s punishment for being anti-Hulk Hogan in the wake of the Hulkster’s return. It’s probably the former, but I’m a conspiracy theorist sometimes.

Still, the punishment Titus took in the very early stages of the match seemed a bit excessive. And the fact that it was his only involvement in the match is a little suspect, too. Maybe there’s something to professional wrestling being a weird, political ecosystem. Even in 2018, with one of the company’s most notable social ambassadors standing against a guy who can’t stop making racist comments.

The Authors of Pain are continuing to roll now that they’re back on TV regularly. They continue to impress, and it should just be a matter of time before they’re challenging for the Raw Tag Team Championships. I kind of figured they were being primed to be next in line after the B-Team finished challenging the Deleters of Worlds, but now that Dallas and Axel won the titles it looks like The Revival will get first dibs.

But good things come to those who wait. And if we have to wait a bit before getting the Authors of Pain in truly meaningful matches, then we wait.