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This week's SummerSlam Go Home Edition of RAW wasn't short on drama and all that unfolded will undoubtedly move the RAW storyline forward to wrestling's biggest summer spectacular. From the epic return of Dean Ambrose & the Lunatic Fringe, to Paul Heyman's stinging betrayal of Roman Reigns, SummerSlam was heated up well past its boiling point.
There was also history made on tonight's episode. Renee Young became the first female commentator to ever announce a full episode of WWE television, a monumental feat that coincides with WWE's Women's Evolution.
Through teary eyes and with aching hearts, the wrestling world said goodbye to one of the most iconic wrestlers in tag team history: Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart, who passed away unexpectedly today at the age of 63.
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Not to be outdone, there was also one of the most epic bad hair days in wrestling history.
Join us as we break down the very best, worst, and downright ugliest moments in this week's episode of WWE RAW.
The Good - Renee Young Makes History
Renee Young celebrated a monumental first for women in wrestling. She became the first female commentator to announce an entire episode weekly episodic WWE television and, of course, the first female to announce a full episode of RAW. Although the feat is long overdue, Young's place in wrestling history cannot be overstated.
Renee Young took her place with other female performers in the Women's Evolution and proved that anything the men can do, the women can do just as well, even better.
While Young wasn't spectacular on Monday, she didn't need to be. She just needed to show that she belonged and could do the job as well as any of her male counterparts. She exceeded expectations in the face of great adversity. As Young explained later on in the show, Natalya Neidhart is one of her best friends and the passing of Natalya's father Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart undoubtedly affected Young on a deeply personal level. Still, was proved professional, if not heroic, in carrying out her destiny among the great females in wrestling history.
Will this be the first of many appearances on commentary by Young? One can only hope. She was an instant upgrade over RAW regular Jonathan Coachman, who frequently seems lost on commentary. With an all women's pay-per-view on the horizon and weekly RAW episodes desperately in need of new blood and a shakeup, Young may once again find herself on the commentary team sooner rather than later.
The Good - WWE Says Goodbye To The Anvil
While there was no ten bell salute, the WWE wasted no time in giving Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart a touching send off. Ronda Rousey, who lost her own father at a young age, opened the show visibly distraught. With tears in her eyes Rousey gave her own profound tribute to both Natalya Neidhart and her late father,
"Any loss is heartbreaking; but, to lose a father - our fathers are our pillar of faith in a hostile world. They are our reassurance that everything is going to be OK. When that reassurance is ripped away, we have to face the fact that our fathers have been raising us to be the pillar of faith our families need when they are gone. Stay strong Natalya Neidhart. We all love you."
Later in the show, the WWE aired a touching video tribute to Neidhart showing clips from his career as a gifted shot putter, an NFL player, a young wrestler in Stampede Wrestling, and a tag team legend in the WWE. Most importantly, Neidhart was depicted as a family man who shared a deep meaningful relationship with the daughter who followed in his wrestling footsteps: Natalya. In the video clip aired on RAW, Natalya kissed her proud father on the cheek and said,
"I love you Daddy."
The Good - "Unless"
In an interview with Renee Young, Paul Heyman testified that Roman Reigns has no chance in his SummerSlam match against Brock Lesnar. Then came the one word that turned professional wrestling on its head,
"Unless..."
Heyman then excused himself only to show up later on in the evening to confront Roman Reigns. Heyman offered his services to Reigns; but, Reigns denied his overtures, instead referring to Heyman as a drowning shark. Then things became deeply personal.
Heyman told Reigns that he had learned a lot from Reigns' father and uncle, the Wild Samoans. Heyman then passed on a teaching so profound it could only be uttered in Samoan. When it hit Roman's ears, Reigns was instantly taken aback. Heyman told Reigns to consider his offer and to give him an answer on Sunday at SummerSlam. Reigns looked at the contract; but, as he was perusing the devil's document, Heyman sprayed Reigns in the eyes with mace. Reigns, blind and defenseless, was then attacked by Brock Lesnar.
"Unless..."
Unless things aren't as they seem. In the segment, Reigns admitted that the only reason Lesnar defeated him at The Greatest Royal Rumble was because of Paul Heyman. Heyman concurred. The end result of their meeting may not look good; but, Heyman was able to make Reigns a legitimate offer and place a contract in his hands. The WWE Universe shouldn't discount the possibility of a future partnership between the two.
Reigns knows now more so than ever how effective Heyman's advocacy skills are for Lesnar. Even though it seems like betrayal the question remains. Will Reigns take Paul Heyman up on his offer? The WWE Universe will have to wait until SummerSlam to find out.
The Good - The Lunatic Fringe Returns to the Asylum
After tearing his bicep and later undergoing surgery, Dean Ambrose has been missing in action. For eight months, there have been endless rumors disseminated throughout the internet over when and how Ambrose would make his inevitable return. Those rumors were put to rest tonight on RAW.
Rollins was said to have been late due to some travel issues. Just when it looked like Rollins would be unable to sign the contract for his upcoming Intercontinental Championship match against Dolph Ziggler, he showed up in dramatic fashion. Rollins, much to the dismay of Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre, announced that he would be executing a provision in his contract that allowed for him to have a Superstar of his choosing in his corner at SummerSlam. That's when Rollins announced the return of his SHIELD partner Dean Ambrose.
As the Greensboro, North Carolina crowd roared in aproval the two SHIELD brethren made their way to the ring resoundingly annihilating both Ziggler and McIntyre. When Ambrose once again hit the Dirty Deeds, all seemed right in the wrestling world. The inmate had finally returned to take over the asylum.
The Bad - Alicia Fox
Just when things seem to be going well for Alicia Fox, the magic carpet was pulled from underneath her and in an instant, all was lost. Fox received a huge opportunity last week when she was chosen to face Ronda Rousey in Rousey's first ever RAW singles match and performed well in the bout, even selling masterfully in a losing effort.
This week Fox is back to being a sidekick, an also ran, which is where her career has been stuck for quite some time. If she isn't a mysterious third Bella, Fox is carrying water for Noam Dar, and now she is Alexa Bliss' new sidekick.
To make matters worse, Fox's ring wardrobe is laughable. She is decked out in a green leaf headdress that confounds RAW viewers. Is she a WWE Superstar or the love child of Poison Ivy and Carmen Miranda?
In astounding fashion, Fox terribly botched the finish of the opening Alexa Bliss/Ember Moon match. She was supposed to break Moon's pinfall; but, came to the ring late and failed to touch either competitor. This led to an embarrassing moment where Moon was forced to break her own pin.
The Ugly - The Bad Hair Day of All Bad Hair Days
As a follicly challenged writer, I often refrain from poking fun at other people's hair; but, like the rest of the Internet, I won't be able to help myself tonight. Something happens to Dolph Ziggler's mane when it comes out of its pony tail or when it isn't wet. The water keeps it tame and under wraps where it can do no harm. Perhaps he is the anti gremlin. Don't let the mane dry or he will come out after midnight as downright Trumpian.
Ziggler's RAW hair was mesmerizing, somewhere between Brad Pitt in Interview with the Vampire and Ernie McCracken in Kingpin.
Perhaps it was an homage to Triple H.
Perhaps it was a tribute to iconic rock singer Meatloaf.
It didn't look real; but, it was. It must have been, right? Or like many spectacles to good to be true it could have been an illusion or simply a symptom of mass hallucination, something we all suffer from after watching countless hours of filler content on RAW.
Should Dolph Ziggler change his new hairstyle? Absolutely not. It is a profound work of art. Like Boy in the movie Little Monsters it's ugly, downright hideous in fact; but, it's the perfect look for a heel like Ziggler and the new style is definitely a cut above the rest or perhaps deserving of arrest. Where are the Fashion Police when we really need them?
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