WWE Raw Results, Highlights, and Grades: NXT is the main event
WWE Raw headed to Long Island, NY with an appearance by Brock Lesnar and the furtherance of the NXT invasion that began on SmackDown.
WWE Raw descended upon Long Island, NY for a night that threatened the continuation of SmackDown’s epic NXT invasion. The show also promised further fallout from WWE Crown Jewel, where Seth Rollins lost the Universal Championship to SmackDown’s “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt.
The much-loved NXT invasion on SmackDown was in part due to WWE Crown Jewel, as over 175 personnel, superstars included, were stuck in Saudi Arabia much longer than anticipated. That influx of NXT talent carried SmackDown to a solid ratings boost, and WWE seemed to hint it wasn’t over before the opening video of WWE Raw even aired.
As soon as things came on the air, we saw a line of several black SUVs drive up to the arena. Triple H emerged from the front vehicle, walking back to the second before leaning towards the glass and talking to someone through the window. Without revealing any other passengers, Triple H walked away and towards the arena as the opening video package for WWE Raw began to play.
Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman call out Rey Mysterio
First up, we got to hear from Paul Heyman as WWE Champion Brock Lesnar loomed behind him. Heyman first explained how Brock Lesnar was even there, emphasizing that Brock Lesnar is special and WWE can’t fire him because of his contract. He also clarified that only Lesnar has this power, and no one else could simply quit a show to end up on the other brand.
After establishing that reasoning, Heyman talked about Brock Lesnar’s dominant title defense against Cain Velasquez at WWE Crown Jewel. He quickly moved on to Rey Mysterio, calling out the legend for not being “man enough” to defend his son Dominick. Paul Heyman then explicitly threatened the entire arena, declaring that Brock Lesnar would go after the fans themselves if he couldn’t get his hands on Rey Mysterio.
Lesnar’s music hit, and the hunt began. They headed backstage, where Lesnar attacked someone at a table as he screamed about Rey Mysterio. After a commercial break, Lesnar continued his hunt by yanking someone out of a car near the parking lot only to discover it wasn’t Rey Mysterio. They reluctantly walk off, and we get to switch over to the first in-ring action of the night.
Grade: A, This was a really fun way to open Raw. They effectively explained Lesnar’s move from SmackDown and furthered his budding rivalry with Rey Mysterio. Great work by Heyman on the mic, of course.