WWE: Superstar Ratings for July 22nd RAW

This week’s show opened with a contract signing between John Cena and Daniel Bryan for their WWE championship match at SummerSlam.

The new General Manager of RAW, Brad Maddox put Daniel Bryan through a series of tests to see if Bryan was deserving of the title match, and announced that Bryan would take part in a gauntlet match later in the show.

With the Austin, Texas crowd expecting a good show, there were five superstars who delivered. In this article, I take a look at those top five superstars from the show and give them my ratings (out of 5).

5. Sheamus

Sheamus

Sheamus is one of the few superstars who don’t have a direction in the WWE. After being involved in some low profile feuds, the Celtic Warrior finds himself in the middle of nowhere going into SummerSlam.

This week, he faced the World Heavyweight champion, Alberto Del Rio, and put on a solid TV match which saw Alberto defeating the Great White. Where will Sheamus go from here? We can expect a Sheamus-Alberto Del Rio feud going into SummerSlam, as neither of the two have any plans set in stone.

Rating: **½

4. Alberto Del Rio

Alberto Del Rio

The World Heavyweight champion defeated Sheamus this week, putting on a solid TV match in the process. After beating Dolph Ziggler at the Money in the Bank PPV, Alberto Del Rio doesn’t have an opponent going into SummerSlam for the title.

One can also expect the return of Ricardo going into SummerSlam, as his suspension period is almost over. Who will step up as Del Rio’s next opponent for SummerSlam? We have to wait and see which direction WWE takes for Del Rio and the World Heavyweight championship.

Rating: ***

3. CM Punk/Paul Heyman

You just cannot keep Punk and Heyman out of the spotlight, as these two delivered yet another amazing segment. Punk came out, selling Lesnar’s attack last week, and called Heyman out.

Heyman responded via satellite and called Punk a sell out for turning on him and siding with the fans. Paul Heyman then told Punk that his client and best friend Brock Lesnar was the real best in the world.

Punk then challenged Brock Lesnar for a match at SummerSlam, in a “The best vs The beast” match. Heyman ended the segment saying the beast was the best, and accepted Punk’s challenge on behalf of Brock Lesnar.

With the much anticipated bout now confirmed for SummerSlam, we can only wait and see how things unfold between the two camps.

Rating: ***½

2. Antonio Cesaro

Antonio Cesaro

Antonio is one of the best workers in the industry, and he had the opportunity to prove himself to the WWE Universe this week as he took on Daniel Bryan.

Cesaro and Bryan delivered the match of the night, putting on an outstanding match which went for nearly 20 minutes.

Although Bryan managed to pull off a victory, Cesaro impressed one and all with his in-ring skills and his charisma. Cesaro deserves a push into the main event scene, and we can only hope that this performance will force the management to put Cesaro in the World title picture.

Rating: ****

1. Daniel Bryan

Daniel Bryan

Every week is almost a repeat, but this time, the whole show played around Daniel Bryan.

Bryan was involved in the contract signing segment to open the show, and was then involved in a gauntlet match towards the end of the show, where he performed thrice and wrestled for over 40 minutes.

He also put on yet another outstanding match along with Antonio Cesaro, and ended the night in the middle of the ring as the fans chanted ‘Yes’, showing their support.

With Daniel Bryan being the hottest star in the company, it was wise on WWE’s part to make him the nucleus of the show.

Rating: ****½