-A strange segment to start the show with The Vision, but lately it’s always been strange with The Vision. These guys love saying heelish things, but acting like total good guys. Between the Bron Breakker barks and the Seth Rollins song, this week was as strong of a positive babyface reaction that any other babyface gets in WWE. Too bad, so sad, Jey Uso. Jey tried to hold it together as a fired up babyface, but none of it landed all that well because the crowd wasn’t into seeing Rollins and his gang get theirs. Jey having the kids in the audience say “yeet” to start his promo was a fun addition to the Jey Uso schtick.
One silly premise
-Iyo Sky vs. Raquel Rodriguez was pretty good for what it was. Sky hits base hits every single time she steps up to the plate these days. The angle at the end with Rhea Ripley running out for the save is a clear way to eventually position Iyo Sky and Ripley against The Kabuki Warriors down the road. As for that storyline, Sky did in fact tell them to not interfere, but surely they knew she meant during the match and not a rogue attack, right? This is all built on a silly premise. Worst of all, both Ripley and Sky — as top acts on the show — end up tucked away rather than in prominent positions each week.
-Most WWE fans can write out exactly how the whole fatal four-way world championship feud is going to go with the babyfaces. CM Punk had a point and said they should band together against Rollins until the big match at Clash at Paris. That’s the story I guess? Why can’t the three babyfaces just talk about winning the title rather than bicker like children? All three come off as unlikable.
-Penta vs. Xavier Woods was fine, but not exactly needed for the show this week. Penta looks good out there, but also totally fine just doing his thing at this exact spot in the show. Has a ceiling right now.
How valuable does WWE think AAA is?
-Dragon Lee and Mr. Iguana got a nice little showcase for AAA this week, but they lost to Judgment Day. It’s going to be hard to get people to seriously watch AAA if the WWE guys are always winning. Same thing with Vikingo. He got some shine, but then was left laying. This booking only works if Vikingo beats Dom at the next AAA event in September and at this point, I highly doubt that happens.
-I liked the Bayley vignette once again this week. Some overt creative production bothers me and some of it files itself away in my brain as show business. The voices being heard in Bayley’s head felt like the latter. The goal was to show a Bayley that was losing her mind and the video did a nice job doing that. The announce team sold it well too.
-Was expecting more from the Becky Lynch vs. Natalya match. Not only was it short, but it didn’t contain much energy or enthusiasm from Lynch, Nattie, or the crowd. Nikki Bella’s return got a big pop, so I guess WWE has invested the right way for the Clash in Paris PLE in terms of a Lynch title defense.
Baby Uso
-Pretty cool announcement and promo from Naomi this week. She handled her pregnancy announcement as much in character as she could and it came across great. She was likable and the moment stood out. Plus, she already setup her return if and when she decides to have one. Well done and pretty much all on the shoulders of her to make it work. Thumbs up.
-A wild main event. And it had a finish! The Extreme Rules stipulation was fun being the show was in Philadelphia. The babyfaces putting their differences aside and aligning to fight off The Vision was a fun end to the show. They don’t need to “coexist,” but they need to be reasonable. Punk, Knight, Jey, and Roman Reigns all were that by the end of Raw.
Reigns vs. Reed
-With Roman Reigns returning and targeting Bronson Reed like he did, it looks like we’re on the path to Reigns vs. Reed at Clash in Paris. Thumbs up on that move.
What did you think of this week’s episode of WWE Raw? Let us know in the comments!
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