In the lead-up to Saturday Night's Main Event and SummerSlam, WWE Raw delivered an enthralling episode from the American Airlines Arena in Dallas. The show was a masterclass in building anticipation, with a lineup that included a contract signing between Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins, the appearance of Brock Lesnar, and a No. 1 Contender's Gauntlet match for the Intercontinental Championship. The atmosphere was electric, with the fans in Dallas overwhelmingly in favor of Oba Femi, chanting his name and booing The Beast Incarnate, Brock Lesnar.
One of the most intriguing aspects of the night was the obsession angle between Lesnar and Femi. Heyman's promo was a clever twist, revealing Lesnar's hidden desire for Femi, which added a layer of complexity to their rivalry. Femi's mic work was exceptional, as he delivered a fiery promo that had the fans roaring. His explanation for giving up his world title opportunity to face Lesnar at SummerSlam was a bold move, and while it may not have been perfect, it was a refreshing change of pace for the King of the Ring.
The women's division also delivered a strong segment, with Iyo Sky defeating Roxanne Perez in a competitive match. Sky's injury story leading up to SummerSlam adds an intriguing layer to her character, and the post-match beatdown by Raquel Rodriguez and Liv Morgan further heated up the feud. The addition of Sol Ruca to the mix may not be the most appealing option, but it provides a solid foundation for the second tier of Raw's women's division.
The Vision Promo was a highlight of the night, with Maxxine Dupri delivering a star-making performance as the centerpiece of The Vision. Her alliance with Austin Theory and Bron Breakker added a layer of intrigue to the segment, and the interruption by Otis and Akira Tozawa provided a chaotic and entertaining moment. However, Breakker's diminished role in the storyline is a concern, as he feels like a minor character in his own love triangle.
Royce Keys vs. Jimmy Uso was a solid match, with Keys mounting a comeback and Jacob Fatu interfering. The post-match activities, including LA Knight's intervention and the announcement of a six-man tag match at SummerSlam, elevated the segment. Keys' increased exposure and Sikoa's natural charisma make him a potential star, and his babyface run could be a huge success if he can showcase his personality.
Bayley's call-out of Lyra Valkyria was a well-executed segment, with Valkyria delivering a strong promo and Bayley rediscovering her edge. The interaction between the two was intense and focused, with Bayley reminding the WWE Universe of her accomplishments. Valkyria's recent performances on the mic have been impressive, and this segment was no different.
The No. 1 Contender's Gauntlet match was a showcase for the talented midcarders on Raw. Je'Von Evans stood out with his gutsy performance, overcoming The Judgment Day and nearly defeating Rusev. His iron man run in the Royal Rumble and this gauntlet bout have solidified his status as a workhorse for WWE. Chad Gable's win was the big news, setting up a highly anticipated match with Penta at SummerSlam. The match blended different ongoing stories and highlighted the talent of the midcarders.
The contract signing between Rollins and Reigns was a fine segment, with the champion playing mind games and causing Rollins to snap. The rivalry between the two is a classic, and Rollins' instigator role is always entertaining. However, the segment felt long-winded, and the question remains whether Rollins can manage to stay focused and not allow the mind games to affect him in their upcoming match.
Overall, WWE Raw delivered a strong episode that built anticipation for the upcoming events at SummerSlam. The show had a great balance of heat spots, physical encounters, and character development. While there were some minor concerns, such as Breakker's diminished role and the addition of Ruca to the women's division, the overall effort was impressive. The gauntlet match, in particular, showcased the talent of the midcarders and set the stage for some exciting matches at SummerSlam. As for the overall grade, it's a solid B+, with some standout segments and a strong build-up to the main event.
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