WWE Raw: Results, Highlights, and Grades for July 23, 2018

Photo Source: WWE.com via Twitter

Mickie James (w/ Alexa Bliss) vs. Natalya

Result: Mickie James defeated Natalya via pinfall

Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars

First things first, Mickie James consistently has the best ring gear on WWE Raw, and I will fight anyone who disagrees. Although, I will say the only reason I know that her gear tonight is *checks notes* Super Saiyan (?) is because New Day did it first. Still, though, the gear rules.

On to the match, and man did it seem stiff. From the rough elbow Mickie delivered literally in the first sequence all the way up to the big kick that finished it, Nattie took a beating here. She dished it out, too, though — just ask Alexa Bliss at ringside after that discus lariat. Yeesh.

It wasn’t the world’s greatest match, but you know what it actually had? Crowd engagement. The fans weren’t overly loud, but for a five minutes-ish match, there’s not much chance to get to top of your lungs loud. But there was definitely some rhythmic clapping during the “comeback” part of the match, which is more than some people get.

Overall, it was a solid match if unspectacular. And that’s okay.

Roman Speaks Out

Here’s what I love about Roman Reigns: The crowd doesn’t really hate him, just the idea of him. When the ESPN Humanitarian thingy video ended, the crowd was politely applauding, and that video was basically a Roman promo on behalf of WWE.

Then Charly Caruso introduces Reigns, and the boos are deafening. Okay, sure, whatever, make up your minds. And by the end of his (really, really good) promo, the fans cheered Roman because he said he would whoop Brock Lesnar’s butt.

GOOD LORD, PEOPLE, PICK A REACTION ALREADY.