'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAGAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAwf/2gAIAQEAAAAAjCf/xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAE/9oACAECEAAAAFf/xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAE/9oACAEDEAAAAEf/xAAgEAACAQMEAwAAAAAAAAAAAAABAwIABBIFESMyJTGR/9oACAEBAAE/ANJsLWdjBbrZc7mT182RG0chuMfVPGvlzPLt7Hq6YHyv/8QAGhEAAQUBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQACAxESUf/aAAgBAgEBPwCU5Da4v//EABcRAQEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEDAAL/2gAIAQMBAT8AnPlUd//Z'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The build-up to this week's episode of Monday Night Raw was dominated by the news that Stephanie McMahon was set to make a historic announcement. We are now less than a month away from SummerSlam and the card is already beginning to take shape.
Sportskeeda is the one-stop destination for latest WWE rumors and wrestling news
Despite being stuck in the middle of the build-up for SummerSlam, this week's Raw was still a hotly anticipated one, with The Raw Tag Team Championships and the chance to face Brock Lesnar for the Universal Championship both on the line.
The added pressure could be the reason why there were a number of botches on this week's show once again.
#5 That 'historic' announcement
RAW opened with Vince McMahon already in the ring and the entire WWE roster on the stage before Stephanie McMahon and Triple H then made their way to the ring to make a "historic announcement."
Stephanie didn't have a great night since she seemingly slipped in her shoes on the way to the ring before she then stumbled over her words as she made one of the biggest announcements in the company's history regarding the first ever all-women's Pay-per-view in October.
This was then followed by Michael Cole tripping over his words as he announced that the pay-per-view that would be known as Evolution would include all three brands of Women and the Mae Young Classic final.
#4 Natalya's oversell
Natalya took on Mickie James this week on Raw and the former Divas Champion was able to control most of the match despite Women's Champion Alexa Bliss supporting James at ringside.
Natalya looked like she was going to win the match before James was able to turn this around and unleashed a powerful kick that sent Natalya through the bottom rope and to the outside of the ring. Luckily, Nattie was able to hold on and pick herself up quick enough to then deliver a shoulder to James, but this just made it all the more obvious that she wasn't supposed to fall out of the ring.
The commentators also alluded to a spot in the match where Mickie James looked as though she was trying to tag in Alexa Bliss despite it being a singles match. It is unknown if Mickie was trying to tag Alexa in, but she was reaching for the Women's Champion and asking for her help.
#3 Kurt Angle strikes again
Kurt Angle is a legend between the ropes, but ever since he was made the General Manager of Monday Night Raw back in 2017, the former World Champion has proved that promos are not his strong suit.
Angle seemed to show improvement with his promos in recent weeks alongside Ronda Rousey, but this week when he was addressing Stephanie McMahon and pleading his case to remain the General Manager over the next few months, he once again slipped up and tripped over his words.
#2 Rezar decides to make up his own vocabulary
The Authors of Pain were given the honour of cutting a promo this week on Raw as Titus O'Neil attempted to recruit the former NXT Tag Team Champions as part of Titus Worldwide. It didn't go as well as Akam and Rezar would have hoped since he asked O'Neil what he could "learn us" rather than "teach us."
O'Neil laughed at this at ringside before he then went on to fall over his words as he opened up about that famous botch at The Greatest Royal Rumble back in April. It was a night to forget for both teams since AOP were then thrown out of the ring by Titus Worldwide and this could now lead to an interesting storyline heading into SummerSlam.
#1 Can you really take back a title you never won?
Roman Reigns spoke out ahead of his match against Bobby Lashley this week on Raw, where he was able to express the fact that despite all of the negativity from the WWE Universe in recent months, the former World Champion is more determined than ever to defeat Lashley and go on to main event SummerSlam against Brock Lesnar.
Reigns mentioned that he was the most decorated star of the current generation and it appears that this went to his head since he then claimed that he would make it to SummerSlam and he would take back his Universal Championship, a title that he has never actually won. Can you really take back a title that you have never held?
Send us news tips at [email protected]
