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Listen, WWE SummerSlam 2020 is guaranteed to be a pretty interesting experience with the Thunderdome and everything, but the WWE RAW before SummerSlam did not disappoint either. It was not the perfect show by any means, but the RAW before SummerSlam certainly had its moments.
So what did RAW do right before heading into SummerSlam and what were the missteps that WWE took on the biggest show of the summer? It's time to talk about the good and the bad, the positives and the negatives from a show that has gotten the whole world talking at this point in time.
Share your thoughts about the latest episode of WWE RAW and even your excitement level for SummerSlam in the comments section below. Has WWE done a good job with SummerSlam?
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#1 Best: Suspended WWE Superstar Nia Jax returns on the RAW before SummerSlam and makes another appearance later
It was only a few weeks ago that Nia Jax was suspended by WWE, but she returned, not once but twice on the episode of WWE RAW before SummerSlam 2020 to renew hostilities with Shayna Baszler. And what made it even more interesting was the fact that Nia Jax would show up on RAW Underground and tease a big fight with Shayna Baszler in that 'MMA-style' environment before making a hasty retreat.
What was especially great about the episode of RAW before SummerSlam 2020 is how WWE maintained a thread through the course of this week's episode, telling an enthralling story that played out in several parts through the course of the night. Also, Marina Shafir's debut on RAW happened on RAW Underground which was the best possible environment for this WWE NXT star, who caused quite the buzz heading into SummerSlam 2020.
#1 Worst: Seth Rollins overshadows Mickie James' big WWE return match in the RAW before SummerSlam
The RAW Women's division is comprised of both WWE veterans and women who are chomping at the bit to make their mark as SummerSlam draws nearer, and Natalya and Mickie James are from the former category. Both of them have left their mark on the business and on WWE, and while one understands that going into SummerSlam, neither is really a woman in the thick of things, both deserve their few minutes in the spotlight.
And yet it was Seth Rollins who strode out on the WWE RAW before SummerSlam and exchanged heated words with Samoa Joe during the course of the match, who seems to have assumed the role of the 'insider' with all of the scoops at the moment. There is no issue at all with Samoa Joe assuming this role on WWE RAW but one has to wonder what the harm would have been, had Natalya and Mickie James been given the spotlight for a few minutes.
#2 Best: Heading into WWE SummerSlam 2020, Samoa Joe unleashes scandalous RAW footage of Zelina Vega poisoning Montez Ford
Can we give kudos to the exceptional acting performance by Zelina Vega and even Angel Garza on the episode of RAW before SummerSlam 2020 where the two WWE Superstars seemed very bothered indeed that their ploy to poison Montez Ford had been caught on camera and showcased to the world thanks to Samoa Joe, the master of scoops? Even though this segment was extremely silly, we are wrestling fans because we like silly things, don't we? WWE told an entertaining and to a great extent, a funny story on the RAW before SummerSlam, and it worked.
Samoa Joe is great in the role of the WWE RAW insider, something he could be very good at after SummerSlam 2020.
One wonders why he wasn't cast as the hacker, considering what a natural he is at this role. Oh well, we have to make do with this interesting new thread that WWE started this week on the RAW before SummerSlam.
#2 Worst: Was the fact that WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels got punted on the RAW before SummerSlam a surprise to anyone?
When you wait for 3 hours for a segment heading into SummerSlam, arguably the second-biggest pay-per-view event of the year, you have the highest of expectations from the main event segment of WWE RAW. Unfortunately, even if Seth Rollins had blinded Rey Mysterio in both eyes, he would have been able to predict how the main event segment on RAW before SummerSlam would unfold. WWE tends to get a bit too predictable at times, and especially when there are so many options for entertainment beyond the world of wrestling, the company cannot afford to be this obvious!
Shawn Michaels cut a good promo on RAW and built up the WWE SummerSlam match perfectly but we all knew that would be the case.
In any case, the good news is that the Drew McIntyre vs. Randy Orton feud is coming along nicely and their match at WWE SummerSlam 2020 should be quite the contest.
#3 Best/Worst: Everything that Retribution did in the final episode of WWE RAW before SummerSlam 2020
It was extremely funny that all the chaos that Retribution caused in the WWE production truck lasted for all of one commercial break on the final episode of RAW before SummerSlam 2020. Everything would return to normal soon after and Retribution would not be seen or heard from through the course of the night on WWE RAW and one has to wonder what their next step will be when SummerSlam comes around.
It was great to have the final RAW before SummerSlam 2020 open with the chaos with the initial graphics being compromised thanks to these vandals in the back. However, somehow, Retribution has always seemed a lot more lethal on WWE SmackDown as compared to RAW and this was certainly evident in this week's episode.
Yes, SummerSlam is this weekend but we have a treat lined up for you during the week as well, as Road Warrior Animal will take your questions and answering them live on our Facebook page.
