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WWE RAW put up a decent go-home show before SummerSlam 2021. The show featured great matches, exciting promos, and hilarious segments. However, the Red brand also had its fair share of drawbacks on its latest episode, including weak performances and questionable booking decisions.
Here, we look at the biggest hits and flops from WWE RAW this week. So, without further ado, let’s begin.
#6 Hit on WWE RAW: RK-Bro reunite in a feud against AJ Styles and Omos
There is no denying that RK-Bro is the best thing on WWE RAW today. Last Monday, Randy Orton returned on the Red brand after seven weeks and refused to be a part of RK-Bro. He even subjected Riddle to a devastating RKO to make his point. This week, Orton intended to assert the same argument, but the night had other plans.
Randy Orton kickstarted the show this week and argued that he doesn’t need anyone watching his back. We have to mention the impeccable timing of the production, who played Riddle’s intro right when Orton was talking about the three most destructive letters in pro wrestling, and it sounded – “R-K-(BROOOOO!)”.
The Original Bro then tried to convince Orton to remain a part of RK-Bro before they were interrupted by WWE RAW Tag Team Champions, AJ Styles, and Omos. They engaged in a war of words that led to a singles match between Styles and Riddle. They faced each other in an epic in-ring bout that deservedly fetched the “This is Awesome!” chants.
The match was a well-balanced encounter between both superstars, and they relied on jaw-dropping maneuvers to deliver an engaging match. Styles eventually picked up a victory, but Riddle earned equal credit on WWE RAW despite losing. Later in the show, Randy Orton stepped inside the ring to face Omos. The latter used his brute strength to dominate The Viper for most of their match.
However, an overly emotional Styles interfered in the match, leading to Orton’s victory via disqualification. Following that, The Phenomenal One laid out a vicious attack on Randy Orton that prompted Riddle to run to his bro’s defense. He took out both Styles and Omos, forcing them to leave the squared circle while Orton looked at Riddle’s loyalty in awe.
Soon after that, Randy Orton hugged Riddle and confirmed that RKBro is finally back on the Red brand. They also challenged AJ Styles and Omos for the WWE RAW Tag Team Champions at SummerSlam 2021, and the match was made official later in the episode.
Will fan-favorite RK-Bro win the tag team titles at the upcoming pay-per-view? They have swiftly established themselves as the most entertaining performers on the show, and it is evident that they have a compelling future.
#5 Flop on WWE RAW: Jeff Hardy loses in a squash match
This week on WWE RAW, Jeff Hardy faced Karrion Kross in singles action once again. The NXT Champion attacked The Charismatic Enigma backstage right before the match. Hardy struggled to reach the squared circle while battling the aftermath of an unexpected beatdown.
However, he still had a great start to the match as he unloaded hard-hitting blows in quick succession to gain control over the bout.
But this is where it gets tricky. Despite a strong start, Jeff Hardy quickly fell prey to Karrion Kross’s submission, the latter’s only attack in the match. Kross forced Hardy to tap out and won the match in less than a minute. The creative team might have intended to book Kross as a dominant figure but was a squash match necessary?
Upon revisiting their encounter on WWE RAW this week, it is evident that Jeff Hardy and Karion Kross could have had an entertaining match if they were allowed a little more time inside the ring. Their battle started on a great note, but it ended too quickly to be dubbed impactful for either of them.
Suppose the company is insistent on bringing Karrion Kross on the Red brand every week. In that case, the least they can do is avoid booking both him and his opponent in promising matches with ridiculously underwhelming finishes. It is undoubtedly doing more harm than good at this point.
#4 Hit on WWE RAW: The Miz gets caught up in his lies
Last week on WWE RAW, former world champion The Miz’s lies were exposed when he got up from his wheelchair and ran backstage to escape Damian Priest. It also left his tag team partner and best friend, John Morrison, in shock, who felt cheated. This week, Johnny Drip Drip introduced the fans to “Moist TV” and invited The A-Lister as his first guest.
Morrison was clearly upset with The Miz for lying about his injury, which eventually led to the latter’s match with Priest on WWE RAW. He refused to help his partner during the match, and The Archer of Infamy earned a victory after an engaging battle. The writers were subtle in teasing a potential turn, and all superstars deserve credit for a fantastic story-telling during this segment on the show.
The Miz betrayed Morrison during their previous run as a tag team, but things could go the other way this time. A backstage segment after the match showed that both best friends sorted out their differences, but did John Morrison really mean it when he said “water under the bridge?”
The segment also saw The New Day hilariously promoting their merchandise in the background. Can we see both tag teams engage in an intense feud on the Red brand?
While The Miz was facing Damian Priest, Sheamus was seated at the commentary desk. The United States Champion was not impressed with Priest’s victory and insisted that he will retain his title when the two superstars face each other at SummerSlam 2021.
#3 Flop on WWE RAW: Missed opportunity with Mace and Mansoor
Mansoor faced Mace on WWE RAW this week. Both superstars were impressive during the match as they played to their respective strengths. The only problem with this booking was its duration. Both Mace and Mansoor were performing well inside the ring, but the match came to a hasty end just when the crowd started enjoying the same.
Mace looked good at the start of the match as he slammed Mansoor all around the ring. He was convincing as a powerhouse, and the latter was excellent at selling the blows. He tried to gain momentum a couple of times but barely got enough time to showcase his skills. In the match’s closing moments, Mustafa Ali’s sneaky interference allowed Mansoor to escape with a win.
This feud has a lot of potential, but it won’t account for an appealing narration if all four superstars are forced to be a part of lazy writing. They are evidently trying to make this storyline as entertaining as it can get, but we can’t really blame the superstars for losing fan interest if they are barely put in the spotlight on WWE RAW.
Hopefully, the creative team will invest more in this tag team feud as it can help build new title challengers and elevate the entire division simultaneously.
#2 Hit on WWE RAW: Drew McIntyre shines before SummerSlam 2021
Drew McIntyre is undoubtedly one of WWE RAW’s biggest assets. More often than not, we see debates about the best performer during the ThunderDome Era circle around Roman Reigns or Bayley. But The Scottish Warrior deserves an equal, if not more, credit for carrying the Red brand when LED screens surrounded the squared circle.
McIntyre may not be in the WWE Championship picture anymore, but he is equally intense in his non-title feud with Jinder Mahal. This week, he faced Veer and Shanky in a two-on-one tag team match. He picked up a dominant victory despite the odds and sent a huge message to Mahal ahead of their upcoming match at SummerSlam 2021.
From in-ring action to captivating promos, everything in this segment was perfect. McIntyre and Mahal share a long history, and both superstars have taken it upon themselves to help narrate a good storyline. Their efforts are visible on screen, and it would be a mistake to overlook this feud simply because there is no gold involved.
#1 Flop on WWE RAW: Nia Jax
This week on WWE RAW, Rhea Ripley faced Women’s Champion Nikki A.S.H. in a singles match. Both superstars delivered a good match that eventually ended with Ripley picking up a massive win over the champion. Following her loss, Nikki attacked Charlotte Flair, who was at the commentary table, and soon after, The Nightmare joined the cause.
This led to a tag team match later in the night, which saw Nikki A.S.H and Rhea Ripley team up to take on Charlotte Flair and Nia Jax. Unfortunately, The Irresistible Force was the weakest performer in this match. Despite a handful of new moves, Jax repeated what she often does on WWE RAW – appear stiff and no-sell her opponents.
Understandably, the writers want to show her as a powerful superstar. But it ends up taking a huge toll on her opponent’s credibility. Jax barely moved despite being punched repeatedly by Nikki, and it made the champion look weak, especially since the latter was pinned earlier on the show.
The match ended with Flair picking up a victory for her team. She now has momentum on her side ahead of the triple-threat title match against Rhea Ripley and Nikki A.S.H. at SummerSlam 2021. Will the reigning WWE RAW Women’s Champion redeem herself at the upcoming pay-per-view?
Check out this week's edition of Sportskeeda Wrestling's Legion of RAW in the video embedded above.
Teddy Long snaps when Swerve Strickland's race is brought up HERE
