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With the build towards SummerSlam 2019 continuing across both the main brands, RAW this week was again focused on the bigger picture. The result of this was more segments involving the mic and attacks rather than in-ring matches which would help strengthen the storylines heading into SummerSlam.
While that was the case, WWE made a couple of very interesting bookings this week on RAW which now makes things even more unpredictable for the Biggest Party of the Summer. From the return of a couple of legends to the appearance of The Fiend, there were a number of things WWE got just right on RAW this week.
In this article, we will look at four things that were done just right, and how they could have an impact going forward.
#4 Use of the Mandible Claw
Looks like the creatives are getting the hang of building massive feuds without using the mic much once again.
This week on RAW, there was a match scheduled between Drew McIntyre and Cedric Alexander with Kurt Angle named the special guest referee. However, McIntyre and Alexander never got to the ring.
The two battled around the ring and displayed their mutual hate which was not just restricted to the ring anymore. Alexander’s grit and McIntyre’s power were on exhibition in perfect proportions which has now built-up towards the biggest mid-card showdown we could have asked for.
While the action was going on outside the ring, the lights went out and Bray Wyatt appeared as he appeared to choke the Olympic Gold Medalist with the use of the Mandible Claw.
This added to the list of Wyatt’s victims, as he had attacked Mick Foley not long ago. The segment perfectly set up a future big match between McIntyre and Cedric, while now it’s clear that no one is safe from The Fiend.
#3 New Tag Team Champions
The Women’s Tag Team Championships had become afterthoughts since The IIconics became champions. Fans were expecting that WWE would book a match for the titles at SummerSlam and take the titles off the Australian duo to make things a bit more interesting.
Instead, a fatal four-way between The IIconics, Kabuki Warriors, Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross, and Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville was set for this week with the championships on the line. While the Kabuki Warriors seemed to be the favorites, WWE surprised everyone by handing the titles to the relatively newer team of Bliss and Cross.
This seems to be a good move as the Kabuki Warriors have not had much screen time yet and WWE needs to fix that problem first. Bliss is perfect on the mic while Cross is really good in the ring, and their combination could help elevate the value of the championship belts in the coming weeks.
#2 Samoa Joe, the good guy
Samoa Joe was being himself once again on RAW this week as he stood on the announcer's table and berated the commentators for assuming that he had anything to do with the attack on Roman Reigns on SmackDown last week.
While the segment seemed to be extremely puzzling at first, it turned into something much better going ahead. After calling Reigns out a few times, The Samoan Submission specialist headed backstage to find Reign getting out of his car, only for a car to run straight into the Big Dog's car and drive off.
This visibly injured The Big Dog, and instead of taking advantage of the situation, Joe actually seemed concerned for the man he was berating a few minutes back as he called for medical help.
Not only did this segment momentarily clear Joe’s name in the case of Reigns’ attacker, but this also brought about a new side of Joe which we’ve never seen in WWE before. If WWE plans to turn him face soon, this seems to be the perfect start.
#1 El Idolo vs The Master of the 619
RAW has been lacking top-level matches for some time now, and the creatives have been so busy in building storylines for SummerSlam through mic work and attacks, they’ve forgotten to book some good matches.
While we weren’t expecting things to change much this week on RAW, the creatives decided to throw in a treat for the fans as they booked a match between Andrade and Rey Mysterio.
The match wasn’t just fun, it was also fast-paced and extremely good to watch. Both men can put on perfect performances if they have the right opponent, and they proved to be the right opponents for each other once again.
Andrade winning the match was the right decision, and now the superstar should seriously get into a feud for a mid-card or top-level championship in the coming months and win his first main roster title.
