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A loaded episode of WWE RAW kicked off this week just in time for WWE SummerSlam which is scheduled to be held this coming Sunday. The show was immediately taken over by RETRIBUTION, who once again played with the production team and equipment to make things difficult for all the performers involved.
Similar to SmackDown last week, we saw some power struggles backstage as Seth Rollins and WWE Champion Drew McIntyre both tried to show that they are the locker room leaders.
Additionally, RAW Underground hosted several new faces who looked to make immediate impacts. United States Champion Apollo Crews and his friends had a few run-ins with MVP and his crew who tried to dismantle the babyfaces.
The women of RAW also entertained the fans with a few big matches. The fans finally also got confirmation that Zelina Vega was the Superstar who poisoned Montez Ford of The Street Profits a few weeks ago.
In this article, we will look at the five things WWE RAW got right just in time for WWE SummerSlam.
#5 WWE RAW Underground
For the first time, we saw two former Champions of WWE RAW compete against one another on RAW Underground. Dolph Ziggler taunted Erik of The Viking Raiders after he put away other challengers, which led to a match between the two men.
Ziggler once again cheated his way to victory but unleashed the wrath of Ivar of The Viking Raiders onto himself.
Later in the show, Riddick Moss continued to impress which helped him as his run as the 24/7 Champion had been quite average. Arturo Ruas also made an impact to show the WWE Universe that a new and diverse Superstar was ready to take over WWE RAW soon.
The biggest surprise was the arrival of Marina Shafir and Jessamyn Duke to the RAW Underground ring. The two women seemed like they are out to make an impression, much as their partner Shayna Baszler already has.
However, Nia Jax took out both women before deciding to run away once Baszler stepped in to face The Irresistible Force.
While RAW Underground is still in its developmental phase, it’s allowing several underused or new Superstars a chance to get some television time and make an impression. It was good to see the two NXT Superstars make their RAW Underground debut this week, while Ross and Arturo impressed once again.
#4 Peyton Royce gets another big victory on WWE RAW
Billie Kay was booked to take on Ruby Riott this week on WWE RAW, but she claimed that her shoulder was sore and therefore her tag team partner Peyton Royce would take her place. Royce had already defeated Liv Morgan on last week's RAW, and this was a good chance for her to pick up another win.
While Riott tried to take the early advantage in the match, Royce continued to use her heelish tactics to stay on top whenever possible. Royce managed to hit a big knee to the head of Riott that helped her gain control.
She shoved Riott into Morgan who was at ringside and then hit the Deja Vu to pick up another big singles victory to help build The IIconics' momentum further.
Reports have already suggested that Vince McMahon is currently high on Royce, and the Australian Superstar seems to be impressing the WWE Universe with her performances at the right time.
Two big victories over the course of two weeks could help her get across as a big singles star in the coming weeks, and she could end up getting a push from the Chairman of the Board.
#3 The Mysterios take out The Messiah of WWE RAW
Rey and Dominik Mysterio took the saying “revenge is a dish best served cold” seriously this week, as the father and son duo decided to bond over a few Kendo sticks strikes on WWE RAW.
The Mysterios arrived to the ring and the legend emotionally spoke about his son’s match against Seth Rollins at WWE SummerSlam. Rey Mysterio was extremely unhappy with the punishment his son endured on last week’s RAW and claimed that seeing his son suffer was worse than what he went through at Extreme Rules.
Rey clarified that he will be in Dominik’s corner on Sunday so he could see his son defeat The Messiah of Monday Night RAW. Rollins and Murphy appeared on the big screen and talked down to the legend as Rollins blamed him for putting his son in danger.
The heels then made their way to the ring with a plan in mind, but Dominik came in with a plan of his own and attacked them from behind with Kendo sticks.
The father-son duo kept hitting Rollins with the Kendo stick to take their revenge and to send a clear-cut message to The Messiah.
This was a good segment that allowed Rey to reappear just in time for Dominik’s big match. While it’s unfortunate that he won’t be teaming up with his son for this one, it will be interesting to see how he helps his son out in his debut match at WWE SummerSlam.
#2 Asuka and Shayna Baszler set aside their differences to roll over The Golden Role Models on WWE RAW
Bayley and Sasha Banks came out early on WWE RAW to talk about how both women will defeat Asuka in the SmackDown Women’s Championship and RAW Women’s Championship matches at WWE SummerSlam.
Shayna Baszler came out to shut the duo and told them that no matter who wins on Sunday, she would get the next shot at the title.
Baszler and Asuka then teamed up to surprise the WWE Universe, as the two most dominating women in WWE went to work on the heels of RAW and SmackDown.
Nia Jax provided the distraction and also attacked Baszler which led to officials coming out. Asuka fought against the two heels in the ring and tried to stay in the match for as long as possible.
Banks got Asuka locked into the Banks Statement, but The Queen of Spades made the save. Baszler then ended up locking Bayley in the Kirifuda Clutch to make her tap out and send a message to the current champion.
While Asuka has two big chances at hand now, Baszler making the current SmackDown Women’s Champion tap out allows her to push for a title opportunity. It will be great to see if Asuka and Baszler will team up again to challenge The Golden Role Models for WWE Payback or not.
#1 Randy Orton leaves WWE RAW with the upper hand before SummerSlam
Shawn Michaels was the biggest announced guest on this week’s WWE RAW, and the legend got a chance to close out the show. HBK wanted to speak about Randy Orton’s heinous actions that have taken out several legends, including Ric Flair.
Michaels put Flair over and told the WWE Universe that Orton did not appreciate what it was like to have Flair as a mentor.
This brought out The Viper, who appeared to hit him with an RKO and then followed it up with a Punt Kick to knock him out. WWE Champion Drew McIntyre was late to the party once again, but he arrived to chase away Orton.
After McIntyre was able to hit Orton with a few moves outside the ring, he went to check on Michaels. The most villainous man on RAW saw another opportunity and hit McIntyre with an RKO to close out the show.
This was a great segment that once again puts Orton over before the big match at SummerSlam. The way The Viper is progressing at the moment, it feels like RAW will have a new Champion on its next episode. McIntyre hasn’t been able to do much to Orton, while the villain of RAW has been able to take out whoever he wants, whenever he’s liked.
How did Ric Flair spend $1500 at a pizza place? More details here
