-That’s the Rhea Ripley we needed to see right out of the gate. On various Brass Ring Media shows, I’ve ranted and raved about the importance of Ripley maintaining her dominant persona and personality — even in the midst of essentially being cheated on — and she did with the show opening promo this week. Rhea looked in control, confident, and dangerous. The exact right tone for her as she steams toward being a top three babyface in WWE.
Two peas in a pod
-Just as Dominik Mysterio has always been synonymous with Ripley’s rise in WWE, he was there beside her this week and helping her look like a million bucks. Totally different context, yes, but the same rule applied. Pathetic Dom was out in full force and he sold being shunned by Ripley like a disappointed puppy. It greatly enhanced the feeling that Rhea is in full control. More great work from a very dynamic tandem of performers.
-We’re on for Liv Morgan vs. Rhea Ripley at Summerslam. Morgan found a way to walk a fine line of being a scared heel, but a confident champion at the same time. Each week she keeps finding her voice.
-Look, Bronson Reed can viciously attack as many people as he wants after matches, but if he keeps on losing nobody is going to take him seriously. If WWE wants him to be effective in any role, he’s got to reestablish credibility. The losing very much hurts his act.
Main event hype
-WWE did a nice job of hyping the main event throughout the show. Sami Zayn and Ilja Dragunov are both babyfaces, but there was time taken to show interaction between the two ahead of the match. Same with Bron Breakker. They tried to throw the crowd off the scent in having Breakker leave the arena, but it didn’t seem like anyone bought it.
-Ouch. Zelina Vega squashed by Sonya Deville in a minute? I mean, it works as an attempt to make Deville, sure. The problem is, I don’t think the audience views her as dominant as WWE is trying to make her look. They have a long way to go.
Summerslam needed this
-Now, that’s how you build a Summerslam title match. Damian Priest and Gunther needed to shine in their segment together this week and they did. The goal was to draw a line in the sand — Gunther the bad guy on one side and Priest the good guy on the other. WWE wanted fans to hear this promo and see themselves in Priest. It was the most outright babyface presentation we’ve seen for Priest yet. He looked comfortable in the role. Same with his backstage interactions with Dom and Judgement Day throughout the show. He’s looser and the audience can feel that. As for Gunther, he was wonderful as always. His work as a heel enhanced Priest.
-Well, Braun Strowman’s knees almost evaporated when he ran knee first into the ringside barrier. It’s hard to watch. Beating Strowman isn’t what it used to be, but it was still a signal to fans that Priest is a guy to get behind and believe in.
-Same analysis here as it was for Sonya Deville. Shayna Baszler & Zoey Stark got a nice win, but are still undefined in the eyes of fans. WWE has to address that. Still, an “A” for effort in terms of the company working to build teams in the women’s tag division.
Can you blame him?
-Drew McIntyre makes a lot of good points, doesn’t he? That’s a problem in this storyline with CM Punk. Couple things on this. First, it doesn’t seem like WWE knows whether or not Punk will be cleared for Summerslam yet. If they did, why not announce the match? Second, Adam Pearce very much should avoid talking about a Punk vs. Drew match as “special.” It’s a blood fight. That’s what you’re selling. Calling it special admits it’s all a show. Third, McIntyre continues to amaze out there. His authenticity is an attractive trait and resonates with the crowd in a way that makes them care.
-This week’s Wyatt Sicks video was the best yet. That was the best work of Erick Rowan’s career and it did a nice job of showcasing the man behind the scary mask. Revealing the Wyatt Sicks characters as people and not monsters is a key element in them fitting in the typical WWE narrative structure. Thumbs way up on this.
-”I’m not yours, your mine.” That’s a quote that should define the Rhea/Dom relationship for the next couple weeks. Does Liv step in? Does Dom get frustrated as the beta in his relationship with Ripley? All of that and more is on the table to explore as they build to Ripley vs. Morgan at Summerslam.
Wyatt Sicks staying power
-WWE’s first attempt to put Uncle Howdy and the Wyatt Sicks into a pro wrestling scenario was always going to be fascinating. There were hits and misses with it along the way with Bray Wyatt. We got that first attempt this week and they passed the test. Chad Gable beating up Bo Dallas as he laughed away was a good touch in defining the Dallas character. The other Wyatt Sicks members making the save as Gable and The Creed Brothers ran away was standard pro wrestling. Nothing too magical and more human because you’ve seen behind the mask with Rowan. It’s a work in progress, but this segment was compelling and promising for the group’s staying power and relevance. The crowd ate it up, too.
-Zayn vs. Dragunov was a fine main event while it lasted. Bron Breakker’s inevitable involvement loomed over everything. When Breakker did interfere he looked good. The audience seems to be reacting positively to him, rather than as the antagonist opposite Zayn. Zayn can help pivot that, but it’s something to pay attention to if you’re WWE.
What did you think of this week’s episode of WWE Raw? Let us know in the comments!
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