WWE Raw: Results, Highlights, and Grades for August 20, 2018

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Dean Ambrose (w/ Seth Rollins) vs. Dolph Ziggler (w/ Drew McIntyre)

Result: Dean Ambrose defeated Dolph Ziggler via pinfall

Rating: 3.0 out of 5 stars

This was the first match back for Dean Ambrose in eight months, and he looked like a totally different superstar early on. We’ve commented at length about his updated look — Dean’s swole, yo — but we didn’t know if he would have a different in-ring style. Ambrose seemed to have more of a focus on power, so the answer, at least for tonight, is yes.

Maybe it’s just me, but I wouldn’t mind if Ambrose developed kind of like a chameleon style, where Dean adapts to his opponent every time out. Did you see him engage in some mat wrestling with Kent State Hall of Fame Amateur Wrestler Dolph Ziggler there? Why not continue that? Put him in the ring with Kane, and watch him try to start pyro from the posts. Let him go against Ronda Rousey, and he’ll start doing judo throws. I’d buy that.

But this was a pretty solid match that picked up at the end. The big story is Dean’s reliance on power, but with just one match back we don’t know if that will be a permanent change. The finishing sequence was rad, with a pop-up Dirty Deeds amid Seth flying around to take out Drew McIntyre. (Kudos to Rollins for not inadvertently causing a DQ, too.)

It’s great to have Dean back, and I’m glad there’s still no dissension between him and Seth. They need to run together for a little while, maybe reunite (again) with The Big Dog before going their separate ways. And MAJOR bonus points to McIntyre for being a tough guy and daring Rollins to hit him, and not pulling anything funny and just getting hit for his troubles.