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

WWE Raw dealt with Brock Lesnar and the Universal Championship this week. Photo Source: WWE.com

Kurt Angle had an ultimatum for Brock Lesnar at Extreme Rules: show up and defend the Universal Championship, or be stripped of the title. Will The Beast Incarnate appear on WWE Raw to address the situation?

Previously on WWE Raw, Roman Reigns and Bobby Lashley fought each other — and the entire roster. Alexa Bliss found her kendo stick. Kevin Owens ate a sandwich in Kurt Angle’s office. And Drew McIntyre may or may not have had relations with a sheep.

This week on Raw, you’d think everyone would be focused on the fallout from Extreme Rules. And while that’s mostly the case, the big story is about Brock Lesnar, a guy who wasn’t even at Extreme Rules. General Manager Kurt Angle delivered an ultimatum to Lesnar during the pay per view: agree to actually defend the Universal Championship, or the title will be stripped away from him. Will Lesnar show up on Raw?

As far as the rest of Extreme Rules, there’s new Raw Tag Team Champions: The B-Team. Yes, somehow, Curtis Axel and Bo Dallas did the unthinkable and defeated Bray Wyatt and Matt Hardy. The celebration lasted throughout the night, but what’s in store for the “best” team moving forward?

During the Extreme Rules Raw Women’s Championship match, Ronda Rousey hopped the guardrail to attack Alexa Bliss. Thanks to Mickie James, though, Bliss retained the title against Nia Jax. Rousey’s suspension from Raw continues until Wednesday, but could she receive an extension on her punishment for her actions?

Finishing out the main attractions from WWE Raw on Extreme Rules, Bobby Lashley pulled off a surprise win over Roman Reigns, and Kevin Owens defeated Braun Strowman in a steel cage match via a murder attempt (it was pretty wild). And Finn Bálor outsmarted Constable Baron Corbin to earn a W. Are any of those stories actually finished?

Related Story: WWE Raw: 5 Predictions for July 16, 2018

WWE Raw kicks off at 8 p.m. ET on the USA Network. Be sure to follow along here with our live review!

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Beast With The Least

Not wasting any time getting into the meat of Raw this week, GM Kurt Angle strips Brock Lesnar of the Universal Championship within the first 90 seconds of the broadcast. OR DOES HE? Because Paul Heyman interrupts the proclamation before it becomes official, I guess.

It’s been a hot second since Heyman was around, and even though there’s nothing ground-breaking in his appearances anymore, he’s still a breath of fresh air. With the exception of Samoa Joe, and maybe Kevin Owens, there isn’t a single performer in WWE who is capable of being mentioned in the same breath as Paul Heyman when it comes to promo ability.

To really get an idea of how good Heyman is, compare him to what we got from Angle in the same segment. Angle is perfectly serviceable, which is like A-plus work from him lately. But Heyman weaves a tale like no other, like when he justifies Brock’s absence and unwillingness to defend the Universal Championship.

And honestly, Heyman/Lesnar have a logical reason for their position. It’s not a good reason, but it makes sense — Brock allegedly wants to represent the WWE when he becomes UFC Champion again. But Angle wisely sticks to his guns (maybe fearing retribution from Constable Corbin/Stephanie McMahon if he doesn’t?) and browbeats Heyman into accepting a title match on Lesnar’s behalf for SummerSlam.

And then the parade of challengers strolled down to the ring. First Bobby Lashley, then Drew McIntyre (!), Seth Rollins, Elias (!!), Finn Bálor, and — of course — Roman Reigns. Rather than a six-pack challenge, Kurt announces two triple threat matches for tonight. The two winners will face each other next week for the right to challenge Brock Lesnar.

Meanwhile, I’m over here hoping for two triple DQs so it can be a Seventh Heaven Match at SummerSlam, and Elias can pin Bálor to become Universal Champion. A guy can dream, can’t he?

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Drew McIntyre vs. Finn Bálor vs. Roman Reigns

Result: Roman Reigns pinned Finn Bálor to win the match

Rating: 3.75 out of 5 stars

Prior to the match, Constable Corbin questions Kurt Angle as to why he made a perfectly logical decision. It’s like Angle is a reformed drug dealer, and Corbin is his PO wondering why he became a school custodian instead of a sanitation worker. Let the man have his win, Baron!

Of course, Corbin is mad because he didn’t get one of the six spots. Maybe someone should tell Big Banter that you get booked by wandering into the ring near the authority figure, not by complaining backstage. The whole “But you lost!” thing would be a perfect argument from Angle, had Rollins and Reigns not lost at Extreme Rules, too. But Shield Bros, I guess.

And predictably, this match owned. Drew McIntyre by far did the most to impress, at least to those still unaware of just how good he was between his WWE stints. He looked like a billion bucks, and that topé to Reigns outside the ring shouldn’t be possible. The announcers kept putting him over as a future Universal Champion, and that prophecy should be realized on August 19.

Bálor also looked really good, as he continues to be the first superstar to earn a rematch for the Universal Championship after losing it. The stuff with the chair was excellent, as was the story of Finn’s frustration at not getting a rematch. The extra edge to Finn’s persona as the Universal Championship is within grasp is great storytelling.

But besides the expected Finn/Corbin stuff, the most obvious possible outcome was a Reigns win here and a Lashley win later to set up an Extreme Rules rematch won by Reigns.

Although the callback to Bálor’s second-ever match on WWE Raw in 2016 led you to believe he would once again score a pinfall over The Big Dog, Reigns managed to survive and move on to next week.

Just like everyone expected. But it was a great match, and that’s the most important thing here.

Kurt Has an Epiphany

After realizing “friendship counseling” went horribly wrong, Kurt Angle books Sasha Banks and Bayley into a tag match against Dana Brooke and Alicia Fox. And if they can’t co-exist, one will be traded to SmackDown.

Bye Bayley, it’s been nice knowing you.

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Has He Lost His Mind?

Let’s check off the boxes from Ziggler’s by the numbers promo here. Cheesy pun? Check. Pop culture reference? Check. Bragging about his performance? Three for three. It’s frustrating, too, because Ziggler is actually pretty good on the mic. He wouldn’t be a stand-up comedian in his free time if he couldn’t talk, right? To be watered down to such basic nonsense stinks.

As Dolph puts himself over — not mentioning the awful crowd from Extreme Rules — he’s interrupted by Bobby Roode, who admits being on the sidelines at the pay per view sucked. But Roode, not willing to give Ziggler all the credit without mentioning Drew McIntyre’s involvement, calls the Intercontinental Champion out for a title shot.

Ziggler agrees to a fight — but not for the title. Roode is furious, but the match gets underway…

Dolph Ziggler vs. Bobby Roode

Result: Dolph Ziggler defeated Bobby Roode via pinfall

Rating: 2.75 out of 5 stars

… and despite looking like it’s going to be over quickly, we get an actual match out of the confrontation for a few minutes. The trouble is, after such an outstanding triple threat match, no one in the crowd wanted to see it.

Another thing working against the match is Roode’s ineptitude of late. He has done precisely squat in the past month or so. And after the way the Pittsburgh crowd treated Dolph Ziggler and the Intercontinental Championship at Extreme Rules, Buffalo just sat on their hands instead. There was nothing super compelling about the match, which was a dud on SmackDown about six months ago.

And for this match to come about the way it did, you would have thought Roode would win the non-title match by some flukey thing to “earn” a title shot. Thankfully, that finish didn’t happen — but instead, Roode looks like an idiot for issuing a challenge he couldn’t back up more than Dolph looks like a fighting champion (to me, at least).

Maybe this will be the impetus for a much-needed character change for Roode, but as is, it was just poorly thought out.

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Tyler Breeze vs. Mojo Rawley

Result: Mojo Rawley defeated Tyler Breeze via pinfall

Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars

Before the match, Rawley encountered Bobby Roode backstage, which probably shows what Roode’s next few weeks will look like. It’s honestly not a bad program to run. Mojo is on a roll and is better every week. The change of pace for Roode — less of a “spotlight” kind of rivalry — may help to rehab his character.

https://twitter.com/WWEUniverse/status/1019030016900775936

Something else great to see: Tyler Breeze doing some singles work. Honestly, seeing Breeze do anything on Raw is a welcome sight. But with Fandango recovering from shoulder surgery, Breezy getting something to do is nice.

And Breeze was probably the perfect opponent for Rawley, because he bumped his rear end off for Mojo. The size difference really benefits Rawley, because he looks monstrous next to the lithe Breeze. Similarly, Breeze is small enough to make Mojo’s offense look like a Mack truck hitting a soda can.

With Breeze bouncing ten feet off a shoulder tackle, and possibly ending up concussed after that brutal Alabama Slam — and Bobby Roode in the wings as a new rival — Mojo Rawley looks like he’s in line for big things. And you know what? Why not? Fans always complain it’s always the same old same old in WWE; let’s get some fresh meat in big spots.

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Alicia Fox & Dana Brooke vs. Bayley & Sasha Banks

Result: Double count-out? Double disqualification? Who knows?

Rating: 2.0 out of 5 stars

I’m embarrassed to say this, but I really have no words left for this Sasha Banks and Bayley situation. I’m all for a slow burn, but at some point it’s either s**t or get off the pot. And you know I’m angry if I’m using asterisks over here.

The whole thing is jacked up. Kurt Angle is proud of the fact that “on Raw we settle our differences in the ring,” but he sends these two to friendship counseling. Predictably, that blows up in his face.

Bayley flat out tells him, “dude, we really tried, but it’s done,” and Angle tries to be the hero. Now he decides to have them settle things in the ring — but as partners, even though that’s literally the exact situation from their most recent blow-up.

To add fuel to the fire, Angle says if the pair can’t get along, one will be traded to SmackDown. So what happens? They coexist for the duration of the tag match, but as soon as the bell rings Sasha bolts.

There was some development here: Sasha actually had Bayley’s back, and saved her from a blindside beat down. She damn near killed Dana Brooke in the process, but apparently there was too much wrestling and the match was thrown out. Or there was a double count-out. I really have no idea what the decision was there, which isn’t great.

After the match, Sasha’s promo about loving Bayley was damn good. Much better than the match, at least. I still don’t know how they’re getting out of this corner they’re kind of painted into, but I think the sooner it happens now, the better.

Braun Strowman is a Sociopath

At this point, I feel almost uncomfortable cheering for Braun. He’s literally an attempted murderer, you know?

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The B-Team (Bo Dallas & Curtis Axel) vs. The Ascension (Konnor & Viktor)

Result: The B-Team defeated The Ascension via pinfall

Rating: 1.5 out of 5 stars

It’s a little surprising to see The B-Team up and at ’em today. Their celebration at Extreme Rules seemed to go on into the wee hours of the morning, so they must have cracked open a few Red Bulls at some point in the night.

Of course, getting a match against The Ascension in 2018 isn’t something you need to be at your most alert for. Poor Konnor and Viktor have fallen so far — wait a minute, Fall of Man. They got hit with their own finishing maneuver, didn’t they? It all makes sense now!

The match is short, at least the part that actually happened on camera. Allegedly, the match started in the commercial break with The Ascension taking command. But 24 hours after becoming Tag Team Champions, you knew Dallas and Axel would make the comeback and retain.

During and after the match, we got to see the next two teams to get championship matches, one would assume. The Revival were once again watching the action unfold backstage, scouting for their inevitable future title match. But up first is the former champs — Bray Wyatt and Matt Hardy — who are cashing in their rematch next week on WWE Raw. Not sure why there isn’t going to be an Ultimate Deletion or something, but at least some new blood will be added to the title picture soon enough.

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There is No Ronda, Only Zuul

Seriously, if you’re not getting some serious Ghostbusters vibes from the overall combo of Rousey’s hair, makeup, and demeanor, well, then you’re not the Key Master.

But it’s a pretty simple segment, something a fourth grader could write (where’s Nicholas?). Sometimes, the most obvious course of action is actually the right one. Alexa Bliss spends her promo time talking about how great she is, how smart she is, and how much better than the rest of the women’s division she is.

When she says she’s beaten everyone in the locker room, she’s technically right. And that’s the best kind of right to be. The fans point out Alexa has never beaten Ronda Rousey, and The Goddess fires back that “she’s not in the locker room.” Brilliant.

That brings Ronda out through the crowd, looking like she’s about to sic the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man on Mickie James and Alexa. (Quick side note: Alexa trying to turn tail and run, complete with a “Good night, get home safe!” was perfect.) Instead, Rousey cuts off their exit, and the ensuing attack earns a suspension extension.

Constable Corbin not being able to find his phone was amazing, mainly because he sold it so well that I legit thought he messed up the segment and didn’t remember which pocket his phone was in. And it becomes official that Alexa will face Rousey at SummerSlam for the Raw Women’s Championship.

Boy, can’t wait for Stephanie McMahon to come back for this feud!

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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.

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Ember Moon vs. Sarah Logan (w/ Liv Morgan)

Result: Sarah Logan defeated Ember Moon via pinfall

Rating: 1.5 out of 5 stars

After two weeks where Ember Moon defeated Liv Morgan, this week it’s Sarah Logan’s turn to be a Viking warrior who’s skilled at swordfighting and puts snakes in her hair.

If that didn’t make sense to you, congratulations: You were able to tune out the god awful commentary during this match. You know, there’s no better time to check your email than in the middle of a live television broadcast for which your job is to provide play-by-play.

But instead of actually focusing on the match, Michael Cole had his email open and ignored his colleagues. Corey Graves couldn’t stop bringing up Viking culture (he did drop a reference to Yngwie Malmsteen, which is pretty cool, but it doesn’t forgive the rest). And Coach literally said, “I have no idea what the hell you two are talking about.” Bonus points for honesty, so Coach gets a D-.

The match isn’t quite as crisp as any of the matches between Moon and Morgan, which isn’t something I ever thought I’d write. The apparent “regression” of Ember’s ring awareness in this match hurt it for me — she’s been able to avoid the interference from the outside in two victories over Morgan, but when up against Logan, Ember gets caught with the simplest of distractions?

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Can I Listen to Elias’s Album on Tidal?

Before we get to the main event of this week’s episode of WWE Raw, we bring you these words from our sponsor:

Hey folks, Elias here. Do you get depressed when you think of Raw‘s booking on a weekly basis? Haha, me too, friend. That’s why whenever I get down, I bust out my old Victrola turntable, put on some “Walk With Elias,” and let the smooth sounds of my voice drift through the air to soothe the soul. Pick up your copy next Monday, July 23!

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• It’s time for Adam Cole and MJF to drop the ROH tag team titles
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• Trish Stratus on WWE NXT would help elevate that women’s division
• Randy Orton signs with SmackDown to go after The Bloodline

And we’re back! Seriously, if WWE would just record that script to promote Elias’s album, it would sell like hotcakes. Not that he needs the help, but as a musician myself, I figure I’ll do my part to help.

Perhaps the best part of the entire performance is Elias paying close attention to continuity and past events. He knows that Bob Lashley is a terrible promo, so he responds accordingly. And Elias’s history with Seth Rollins is well documented, as well as their battles over the Intercontinental Championship earlier this summer.

Remember, Elias is 100 percent correct when he says Seth Rollins cheated to retain the title at Money in the Bank. Rollins had a handful of tights when he scored the pinfall, and if we want to get technical it’s all been downhill for Rollins since then. He lost the IC Title the next night, and has failed — twice — at regaining it. So preach, Elias.

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Elias vs. Seth Rollins vs. Bobby Lashley

Result: Bobby Lashley pinned Elias to win the match

Rating: 3.0 out of 5 stars

In the most predictable of outcomes, Bobby Lashley fulfilled the prophecy foretold a mere three hours ago. Again, the obvious result of the two triple threat matches had to be Lashley facing Reigns in an Extreme Rules rematch, because it’s lazy storytelling. Knowing that the likely plan has always been Reigns vs. Lesnar, the loss at ER is the perfect obstacle for The Big Dog.

Now, because Lashley won his qualifier, Reigns can overcome said loss and prove that he’s got the mettle necessary to go toe to toe with Brock. It works much better than “Reigns wins everything so the crowd constantly turns on him because he’s never dealt with adversity and always gets his way.”

Not that it’s going to work — the crowd will still be awful at SummerSlam. But maybe there’s enough anti-Brock sentiment to work in Reigns’s favor.

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As far as the main event this week, I don’t think it was quite as good as the first triple threat match. The outcomes of both matches were too predictable, but this one was more so because of the first match. And as much as I love Elias and Rollins, Lashley just doesn;t do anything for me. He’s blown up 30 seconds into a match, and his moveset is the same as a default character in WWE 2K games. Nothing appealing for me.

That’s not to say the match was bad. Rollins himself earned probably 2.75 out of the 3 stars I handed out for this one. He’s slumping a bit (in terms of wins and losses, at least) at the moment, but he’s still killing it in the ring.

And Elias is steadily becoming one of the most reliable performers in the entire company. He’s not at the point where he should be carrying a match himself, but he can definitely keep up with almost anyone he’s in the ring with.

So next week’s main event is set, and we all know how it’s going to end, right? Right. See you next week.

Next: Brock Lesnar Announced for Raw After SummerSlam

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