WWE: Top Superstar ratings for 8th July RAW

With the go-home RAW now in the history books, we look forward to the Money in the Bank PPV this Sunday. This week’s RAW had a couple of solid TV matches, along with some major angles being played out. Although the Punk-Heyman storyline wasn’t extended, that will likely happen at the Money in the Bank PPV.

This week, six of the seven RAW Money in the Bank ladder match participants were scheduled to face each other. Let us now take a look at the top superstars from this week’s episode of Monday Night RAW.

5. Sheamus

Sheamus took on Daniel Bryan in the first bout of the night, and they both received about 15 minutes of air time, which can only be a good thing. Both of these performers put yet another solid TV match as the Baltimore crowd was firmly behind Daniel Bryan. As Sheamus went for a Cloverleaf submission, Bryan reversed it into an inside cradle to pick up the victory.

Post match, Bryan and Sheamus shook hands, and Sheamus had nothing to do for the rest of the night. It was a good night for the Celtic Warrior, as he now heads into the Money in the Bank PPV to earn himself a shot at the WWE title.

Rating: ** ½

4. Chris Jericho

Chris Jericho faced Curtis Axel this week yet again, and this time, Jericho defeated Curtis Axel clean. Yes, Axel lost his very first match, and there is no reason why he should have. Although there can never be a guy better than Jericho to lose to, I don’t see a reason why Axel was booked to lose to a guy who’ll be jobbing to Ryback this Sunday.

I am one of the biggest fans of Chris Jericho, but this makes no sense to me. Anyway, Jericho looked as impressive as always, and picked up the victory after 12 minutes of action. Jericho will be leaving the WWE soon to tour with his band ‘Fozzy’, so expect Ryback to decimate Jericho and put him out indefinitely.

Rating: ** ¾

3. Randy Orton

After RKO’ing both the members of Team Hell No last week, Randy Orton was involved in a singles match this week against the Second City Saint, CM Punk in the main event of the night. After a solid back and forth match, Randy Orton attempted an RKO, but it was reversed into a GTS by Punk for the pin and the win.

It is still unclear where Orton is going from here, but the reports of him turning heel have fizzled out. One hopes Orton turns heel soon, as his character is stale and isn’t interesting anymore.

Rating: ***

2. CM Punk

CM Punk had yet another good night on RAW, as he took on the Apex Predator in the main event of RAW. CM Punk and Randy Orton put on a solid TV match that went for about 15 minutes, and ended when Punk pinned Orton clean for the victory.

Post match, both the performers were attacked by Daniel Bryan. Although the Punk-Heyman storyline didn’t continue this week, expect it to escalate in one form or the other come Sunday.

Rating: *** ½

1. Daniel Bryan

Is it a surprise that Bryan is once again the star of the show? There is no keeping him down, as he has been on a roll for over a month now. Daniel Bryan is easily the most entertaining performer at the moment, and always puts on the match of the night with any given opponent. With his hot streak and the way he closed things off on RAW, one would pick him as a favorite going into Sunday’s PPV.

Bryan first defeated the Great White to kick off RAW, and at the end of the night, attacked both Punk and Orton and climbed the ladder to retrieve the RAW Money in the Bank briefcase which was hung on top. Bryan deserves to win the briefcase more than anyone else, and it will be interesting to see what transpires this Sunday at the PPV.

Rating: *** ¾