Can Scrap Daddy make it official?

Adam Pearce is welcoming Drew McIntyre back to Raw, in hopes of resolving the Scottish Terminator’s issues with CM Punk. Will all go well? Or will it all go to hell?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Sheamus VS Bronson Reed; Sheamus wins.
• Zelina Vega VS Sonya Deville w/ Shayna Baszler & Zoey Stark; Sonya wins.
• Damian Priest VS Braun Strowman; Priest wins.
• Kayden Carter & Katana Chance w/ Lyra Valkyria VS Shayna Baszler & Zoey Stark w/ Sonya Deville; Shayna & Zoey win.
• Jey Uso VS Dominik Mysterio; Jey wins.
• WWE Intercontinental Championship: Sami Zayn VS Ilja Dragunov; Dragunov wins by disqualification, Sami retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

Rhea Ripley is here!

That is to say, Mami’s home~! Dayton, Ohio fires up as we follow her into gorilla and onto the stage. Rhea goes to the ring, gets a mic, and smiles as the fans chant for “MAMI! MAMI!” Rhea tells Monday Night Raw, “Mami’s home.” The fans cheer that, and Rhea says it has been exactly three months since she’s last been here. And that is all because of one person. The fans boo, knowing just who that is: Liv Morgan. Rhea says she has seen Liv running around with something of hers, and no, it’s not Dominik Mysterio. Rhea will handle that later. But Liv’s been walking around with something Rhea never lost: The WWE Women’s World Championship.

Liv thinks she took Rhea out? But no, she just pissed Rhea off. What Rhea wants Liv to do is walk out here to be in front of Rhea, so Rhea can rip you apart! But instead of Liv, it’s Dirty Dom that walks out! And he even has a black rose in hand! Dom wants to talk to Mami but the fans boo. Dom still goes to the ring, and now he asks “Mamacita” to listen. The fans boo more so he tells them to shut up! Dom steps into the ring, but Rhea won’t even look at him. But then Liv is on the tron! She says hi, and wants to apologize for her voice. She had a very long weekend in Mexico, and well, she’s quite the screamer.

But Rhea, is your shoulder okay? Liv wasn’t sure when they’d ever see her again. Liv’s shoulder is fine, even with carrying the title. Liv tells Rhea that by now, Rhea knows Liv meant it when she said she wanted to take everything from Rhea. That includes Dom, but Liv does have to admit that at first, she didn’t see what Rhea saw in him. Liv was doing this just to hurt Rhea. But then… Liv got to spend time with Dom, got to look into his eyes, to kiss him, and… It all became very, very real to her. More real than what Dom & Rhea have ever had. And since Rhea’s been gone, Liv’s had Dom all to herself. So while Mami might be home, Liv is finally on top.

The fans are torn and Dom still tries to apologize. The fans boo, he tells them to stop, but Rhea tells Liv that the thing is… She knew Liv would be too scared to come face her. Because Liv knows that when she gets in Rhea’s ring, the revenge tour ends. And Rhea has waited three months for this, she thinks she can wait a little longer. That is why Rhea puts out this challenge. SUMMERSLAM: Rhea VS Liv for RHEA’S Women’s World Championship! The fans love that! Liv says she always knew the endgame was that match. So she won’t run. But she does think Rhea should know, this is not the same Liv that Rhea knew.

And just like Liv helped Dom finally beat his deadbeat dad, something Rhea couldn’t do, Liv will finally beat Rhea, too. Challenge accepted. Oh, and Daddy Dom~… Liv hopes to see you there, too. Bye~! Dom says it’s not like that. The fans cheer for Rhea as she paces. Rhea tells Liv that she knows Liv is still listening, so she’ll say this loud and clear: “SummerSlam, I not only end your revenge tour. I not only end your title reign. I’m gonna end your career. Watch me.” Rhea blows a kiss back to Liv, will her brutality be on a whole new level?

Dom and Rhea return backstage.

He keeps trying to explain but she keeps tuning him out. Dom follows her back to the clubhouse, and when she steps inside, there are a LOT of black roses. The hell is this? He’s just trying to make it up to her. She slams the door in his face! Dom sighs, turns around, and there’s Damian Priest. Priest asks if everything’s good. Dom thinks so, but probably not. Rhea opens the door to THROW the flowers at him, and even hands him a silver donkey to him. AKA he just got his ass handed to him. This is going to be a bit more complicated than Dom thought, and Priest tries not to laugh. Did Dom ruin the one good thing he had going?

Sheamus VS Bronson Reed!

The Celtic Warrior warned the Colossal Aussie not to push his luck, but then Bronson tried to bully the Bruiserweight last week. Sheamus made the save for Pete Dunne, but will he be able to even the score? Or will he be washed away by the Tsunami?

Raw returns and Bronson makes his entrance. The bell rings and the forearms start flying! The fans rally up as Sheamus gets the edge. Sheamus whips, Bronson reverses then runs in, but into a BOOT! Sheamus keeps moving and he RAMS Bronson! Bronson stays up, Sheamus runs but Bronson CLOBBERS him! Bronson paces while Sheamus rises, and then Bronson snapmares Sheamus down. Bronson runs to SENTON! Sheamus rises, Bronson is on him but Sheamus fires body shots and UPPERCUTS! Sheamus mule kicks, front kicks, then fireman’s carries! But Bronson is too big! Bronson CLUBS Sheamus, then HEADBUTTS him!

Sheamus goes to a corner, Bronson CHOPS him! Bronson fires more forearms but Sheamus hits back! Bronson ROCKS Sheamus, Sheamus ROCKS Bronson! Sheamus fires more shots, then runs to CLOBBER Bronson outta the ring! Bronson staggers back up, Sheamus KNEES him in the ropes! Sheamus has Bronson on ropes, the fans fire up, but Bronson HEADBUTTS and fires hands! The fans boo but Bronson snapmares Sheamus out to the floor! Sheamus stands, into a FLYING SHOULDER TACKLE! Then Bronson TOSSES Sheamus over the desk! Sheamus is down and Bronson leaves him behind to refresh the ring count.

Bronson goes back to Sheamus but Sheamus SMACKS him off the desk! Sheamus climbs up to give Bronson BEATS OF THE BODHRAIN! Sheamus goes all the way to TEN, lets off to hug Pat McAfee, and the fans fire up as Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Bronson rains down fists in a corner! But Sheamus just eggs Bronson on! Sheamus then fires haymakers in return, and short arm LARIATS! Bronson stays up, so Sheamus LARIATS again! And again! Bronson drops to a knee, but he just growls. Bronson shakes his head, Sheamus LARIATS him down! The fans fire up and Sheamus rises again. Sheamus fireman’s carries, and he manages to lift that 330 pounder! WHITE NOISE! Cover, TWO!! Bronson survives but Sheamus goes to a corner. Sheamus climbs up, but Bronson rises. Sheamus leaps, Bronson dodges. Sheamus comes back but into a pop-up, SITOUT BOMB!! Cover, TWO!!

The fans fire up as Sheamus survives but Bronson drags him over. Bronson puts Sheamus in the drop zone, then goes up top! COLOSSAL MOONSAULT FLOPS! Bronson stands, into the KNEE CAP! Cover, Sheamus wins!

Winner: Sheamus, by pinfall

The Fella got a fight here to be sure! Will this help him make his way up towards a championship match? Wait, Bronson rises and he is aiming at Sheamus! But then in runs Pete Dunne with a GAMANGIRI! Down goes Bronson, and Sheamus is thankful. Sheamus wants to shake hands, but Dunne leaves him hanging. Dunne goes to leave, but then he CLOBBERS Sheamus from behind! Dunne evened things with Sheamus in more ways than one, and he just shrugs. But then Bronson goes up top! TSUNAMI!! Auszilla still takes his frustrations out, but will there be more scores to settle now?

Judgment Day hangs out in the clubhouse.

Well, everyone but Dom. Rhea is happy to be back and she appreciates Priest keeping things together. He has a lot on his plate tonight. There’s the face to face with Gunther, but also a 1v1 match with Braun Strowman! Does he need help out there? No, no, Gunther will just tell Priest what’s what with SummerSlam, and Braun should’ve been handled a long time ago. Rhea respects that. But question: Why is Carlito here? Oh, right, long story there. Dom walks in and asks if he can just talk with Rhea. Priest says say less. Like, literally. Priest moves aside and Dom says he knows he screwed up but he’s been trying to reach her all week. Please hear him out.

Rhea is picking petals off the rose while she smirks. All week, huh? What about the last three MONTHS? Or was he too busy playing around with his little girlfriend? Rhea throws what’s left of the flower at him then storms off. Carlito steps in and says, “She’s mad, huh?” Dom just stares at Carlito, but he’s not wrong. So what can Dom do, if anything, to make this right?

Ilja Dragunov talks with Sami Zayn backstage.

The Mad Dragon just wants to say he appreciates this title opportunity. This is not why he helped out last week against Bron Breakker. Sami knows, Ilja doesn’t need to say anything about it. This isn’t because Ilja helped, Sami asked for this match. Sami has been watching Ilja for awhile now, and Ilja is good. Better than good. Ilja is special. When Sami watches Ilja, it reminds him a little of himself. He sees Ilja in that fight, deep in it, he gets all messed up and red, it is ugly. Because that’s how it looks to fight for his life, and that is what you’re supposed to do! You’re supposed to fight like your life depends on it.

That is the kind of person Sami wants to face in that ring. That is the kind of person who deserves a chance at this title. Ilja has his chance, but one thing. Tonight, Ilja better bring his absolute best. Ilja says Sami better do the same. The two have an understanding, but who will walk away from this one as THE Intercontinental Champion?

Gunther speaks.

“It was never my dream to be here. Dreams are a waste of time. But when I arrived in WWE, that’s all I saw: Everybody chasing some dream, wanting to be like the heroes they grew up watching. No originality. Titles were insignificant. WWE needed to witness true dominance. I put the burden on my shoulders, as champion. It was easy to wipe the mat with challengers and shatter the dreams of so many as I swept through NXT UK and NXT. Not because of their lack of skill, but because of their reliance on emotions. When I realized I outgrew NXT, I came to SmackDown with the vision of saving one of the most illustrious prizes in this sport’s history, the Intercontinental Championship.

“And with ease, I took my prize. And within two years, I became the greatest and longest reigning Intercontinental Champion of all time. For two years, the very best in WWE lined up and said they would beat me, they would humble me, and they would take everything from me. And for two years, every single one of them fell at the hands of Der Ring General. And when my record breaking came to an end, I returned for a new prize: The King of the Ring. Taken by Gunther with ease. Wherever I look in WWE, I still saw mediocrity. I still saw a sickening lack of prestige. A pinnacle that should be so much more.

“At SummerSlam, the prestige of the WWE World Heavyweight Championship will change forever.” Gunther issues this promise, but what more will he have to say when he and Priest are face to face later tonight?

Backstage interview with Zelina Vega.

Jackie Redmond is with La Muneca and says the WEW Universe is going crazy over the return of Rhea Ripley. But what is Zelina’s perspective on her chase for the title? Zelina has no love for Liv or Rhea. When that love triangle gets sorted out, best believe she’ll be at the front of the line. Because we know that if not for Dom, Zelina would be Women’s World Champion right now. But then in steps Sonya Deville and her new pals, Shayna Baszler & Zoey Stark. And Sonya finds it funny that Zelina thinks she’s the front of the line with these three here. The line doesn’t go through Liv or Rhea anymore, it goes through them.

Zelina couldn’t hear anything past Sonya’s big forehead. But the scare tactics the three stooges are doing doesn’t do anything for Zelina. Nothing will stand in her way of that title. Not Liv, not Dom and his mustache, not Shayna and her mustache, or Sonya’s big forehead. If they wanna do this tonight, let’s do this tonight. Sonya says see you out there. Will Zelina prove she IS the front of the line? Or will Sonya put Zelina on the sidelines to get that much closer to the championship?

Zelina Vega VS Sonya Deville w/ Shayna Baszler & Zoey Stark!

Raw returns and Sonya makes her entrance, The Queen of Spades & Hunter by her side. The bell rings and the fans rally, The two tie up, Sonya fires knee after knee then puts Zelina in a corner. Sonya brushes herself off, takes a swing, but Zelina dodges to fire hands! Sonya blocks a whip to whip Zelina, but Zelina goes up and over, only to get caught! Sonya smirks but Zelina swings through to DDT! The fans fire up and Zelina SHOTGUNS Sonya to ropes! Zelina dials it up, 619! Zoey distracts the ref, Shayna YANKS Zelina down! Shayna bends Zelina’s arm, then BOOTS it! The fans boo but Sonya drags Zelina up! DEVILLE’S ADVOCATE! Cover, Sonya wins!

Winner: Sonya Deville, by pinfall

And now the trio mugs Zelina for having attitude! But here come Lyra Valkyria & KC Squared! The Morrigan and the party girls were on the other end of a beating last week, they won’t let another person suffer! Sonya, Shayna & Zoey stand down, but will these hunters soon become the hunted?

Dom finds Priest backstage.

Dom asks why Priest didn’t warn him about Mami last week. Warn him? Priest was telling Dom but Dom was fooling around with Liv. Priest gave Dom advice, so it’s not Priest’s fault that Dom has been lying about stuff. Jey Uso walks in. Is it true? Is it true? What’s true? That Mami is single ‘n’ ready to mingle! Jey is tryin’ ta hoooooller~! Well… Maybe! Go for it! YEET! Dom says hey man, no yeet! And keep the “guepas” to yourself, Priest! Jey tells Dom that if he does see Mami, tell her Jey said hi~! YEET. Jey leaves, Priest says Dom’s been to prison. Dom can’t let people talk to him like that! Go show Jey who Mami belongs to.

Y-yeah! Dom’s gonna go take care of business right now. Dom hurries off and Priest chuckles. Is Priest just setting Dom up to fail now? As for Priest himself, he heads to gorilla for that face to face with Gunther. Will El Campeon have a response to Der King of the Ring?

Adam Pearce talks with referees.

He wants the officials to be on their guard. There is the meeting with Drew McIntyre tonight, the refs will be there, so- Chad Gable interrupts. Gable says he has figured it out! He has cracked the code! Uncle Howdy is none other than… Bo Dallas! Pearce says yeah, obviously. But Gable knows Pearce had a meeting with Bo last week, so Gable wants the details, and to know what disciplinary actions are being taken! Pearce says that was a private conversation, that is privileged information. Oh, that’s nice. But BO and his crew have been after Gable for weeks! What is Pearce going to do about it?

Pearce tells Gable that Bo will be here tonight. If Gable wants to have a conversation, go talk with him. Gable says that’s just great. Gable has to handle everything all on his own like always. Pearce just victim blames Gable! Gable is gonna call Bo out and handle things Gable’s way. Gable storms off, Pearce sighs and shakes his head. Is Gable literally asking for trouble?

Damian Priest heads to the ring.

The fans fire up as El Campeon makes his way out, world championship in hand. Priest steps inside, gets a mic, and says, “Dayton, Ohio! ALL RISE for El Campeon!” The fans cheer, and Priest says he is out here for a match with Braun Strowman, but he also wants this face-to-face right now! So Gunther, get on out here! The music plays, and Der Ring General makes his way out to the ring now. Gunther gets himself a mic as he stands in the ring with Priest. Gunther smiles and says, “Ladies and gentlemen, the World Heavyweight Champion.” The fans cheer, and Gunther says, “Look at you. Still so confident. Still carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders.”

Week to week, Priest carries Monday Night Raw and still lives out the childhood dream of being World Heavyweight Champion. Honestly, good for him. While Gunther was away, he paid close attention to Priest. His honest assessment, he will share with Priest now. Priest is not living up to expectations. Priest’s reign has been… Nothing! No prestige, no contributions. But Gunther understands. They are not cut from the same cloth. Gunther is here in good spirits, he wants to do Priest a favor. Gunther will lift that weight off Priest’s shoulders and spare him the embarrassment of losing at SummerSlam.

Priest can just hand Gunther the title now, and they can both move on. Priest says he wishes it was SummerSlam right now, so he could knock that stupid smirk off Gunther’s face. We heard that video, Gunther saying this was never his dream. Well, while Gunther was handed everything in Europe, Priest was literally fighting for his life on the streets. He fought for 20 YEARS just to get here, let alone be world champion. So hey, if this isn’t Gunther’s dream and he’s just here for paychecks, then they don’t need Gunther here. Priest knows Gunther is good, but who gives a damn? Priest EARNED this, and Gunther is the last person taking the title from him.

Gunther nods and says he recognizes Priest’s hardships. Gunther won’t question the street credibility. But let’s be honest: Being on the street is a choice. C’mon! Don’t blame Gunther that Priest’s parents taught him that he is not worth it to provide a good life. Gunther’s parents gave him everything. His greatness was recognized his whole life. So while Priest was fighting for his life, Gunther got calls from the WWE begging him to show up here! And the reason they were was to avoid the people like Priest to get in a position where they could be world champion. And once again, it will be on Gunther! Who if not Gunther that takes on the challenge, the responsibility, to restore the honor and prestige of this great sport and that World Heavyweight Championship?

There is one thing Gunther doesn’t understand, though. Why aren’t there more people who love Priest to death? He’s just like them! Whatever he achieves in life, he was and always will be street trash. The fans boo and Priest scowls. Trash, huh? For somebody who seems to have so much clarity, it is crazy that Gunther can’t see what’s coming right at him. Gunther doesn’t even see why he lost at WrestleMania. It is the same reason he’ll lose at SummerSlam: he has no heart! He doesn’t know what it is to fight for everything he has! Gunther, at SummerSlam, Priest will remain El Campeon. And for the first time in Gunther’s life, he’ll fight from the bottom because he has nothing.

And then, maybe, the world finds out if Gunther is something more than just a boring, conceited, privileged. scumbag. The champion and challenger get in each other’s faces, they start shoving, but here comes BRAUN! Gunther grins as now Priest has to worry about #OneBigSOB! Will the Monster of All Monsters prove he’s more than just a problem for El Campeon? Or will Priest show that heart and fighting spirit he’ll use to shut down Gunther?

Jey Uso talks with Adam Pearce.

Jey and Pearce are chuckling over Dom getting a big head, but hey, if Jey’s up to it, the match can be made. Jey shakes Pearce’s hand, YEET. Jey heads out but in steps Bron Breakker. Bron asks Pearce what he’s doing. He’s giving Ilja a title match? What business is that of Bron’s? Well, Sami Zayn and that title are his business. But he lost at Money in the Bank! Sami then comes with Pearce with respect, something Bron can learn from, and Sami asked for a match. What does Bron have to say about that? Bron says he doesn’t care about respect. But congrats, Pearce made a match that Bron will now go destroy.

Oh really? Well Pearce knew he’d say that, so he won’t get to. There’s one hot head on the shelf as it is, Bron doesn’t need to go joining McIntyre on suspension. Pearce has security come in and Bron says fine, he knows the way out. Bron leaves, but Pearce still has his guys watch Bron. Will the Big Bad Booty Nephew just have to wait his turn when it comes to the Intercontinental Championship?

Damian Priest VS Braun Strowman!

Raw returns and the bell rings. The two circle and the fans rally up. The two tie up, and Braun SHOVES Priest to a corner. Braun flexes, the fans cheer, but Priest frowns. Priest and Braun reset, approach, and Priest KICKS a leg. Braun walks that off, grabs at Priest, but Priest dodges to KICK again. Braun is getting annoyed, and he manages to corner Priest. Priest slips away to KICK and KICK and fires off forearms. Priest whips but Braun blocks! Braun reels Pries tin, Priest dodges to ROUNDHOUSE! Braun staggers, Priest runs corner to corner, and he leaps, into Braun’s arms! Priest fights free and fires forearms!

Braun snarls, but Priest KICKS, KICKS and KICKS! ROLLING- NO, Braun grabs Priest with both hands! Braun TOSSES Priest across the way! Priest stagger sup, Braun PUPERCUTS him! The fans rally up as Braun HEADBUTTS, then whips corner to corner. Priest bounces off buckles and Braun runs him over! Braun LARIATS Priest up and out! The fans fire up and Braun gets on the tracks! The Strowman Express gets moving, but Priest sends him into the barriers! Braun goes up and over barriers into the timekeeper’s area and he’s clutching his leg! Priest snarls, but this fight isn’t over, even though Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Braun is in the ring, but Priest KICKS him in the leg! Braun hobbles up to both feet, but Priest ROCKS him with a forearm! Braun wobbles, Priest ROCKS him again. Priest winds up and runs in, but Braun LARITS! And LARIATS again! Braun manages to run up to SPLASH in a corner, and he CLUBS Priest in the chest! Cover, TWO! Priest is still in this but Braun slaps his bad leg into moving. The fans rally up, both men rise, and Braun waits on Priest. Priest stands, Braun clamps onto his neck! Priest grabs Braun’s neck! The two fight for control, and Braun powers Priest’s hand away!

Braun lifts but Priest slips free to KICK the bad leg! Braun crawls, sits up, but into a BUZZSAW! Priest winds up to SPIN KICK! Braun still rises, so Priest SPIN KICKS again! Priest runs, but Braun scoops him! But the bad leg gives out! Braun goes to a corner, Priest runs in to ELBOW Braun in the back! Braun hobbles, Priest clamps on, SOUTH OF HEAVEN!! Cover, Priest wins!

Winner: Damian Priest, by pinfall

The Punisher brings down the Monster of All Monsters, and yet Gunther saunters his way back out here. The two stare down, Priest dares Gunther to do something. Gunther steps back inside, to SLAP Priest! Priest DECKS Gunther! Priest stomps away, fires off hands in a corner, but Gunther shoves back to CHOP! Priest runs up to LARIAT! Gunther bails out but Priest wants more! Gunther is upset, but is he seeing just what Priest is talking about? Or will all that heart only get Priest hurt?

The (former) Alpha Academy talks backstage.

Maxxine Dupri tells Akira Tozawa & Otis that she talked with “him,” and said that since he’s their friend, they can do something for him. But then in steps Gable. He says it sounds like they came around! Great to hear! Now then, with all that behind them, they can get to business. What? Tozawa isn’t sure what Gable’s talking about. Gable says it is simple: he’s figured out that Uncle Howdy is Bo Dallas. Well, yeah, everyone knew that. Y-yeah, cuz Gable’s been telling everyone. But the plan for tonight is, Gable is calling Bo out, and he’ll have his crew by his side! Right? Just like Maxxine was saying!

Oh, uh, sorry, no, Maxxine wasn’t talking about Gable. In steps Xavier Woods. He is the friend they were talking about. With no Kofi Kingston around, the Academy wants to help Woods against The Final Testament. Aw hecc yeah! They all high-five and Gable gets mad! They’ll help Gable and not Woods? Are they serious? Yes. Very serious. Gable storms off, Woods says something is wrong with that guy. But hey, Final Testament took Kofi out, so next week, Woods & The Academy will make them pay! Everyone is on the same page here, but will they be able to cancel the apocalypse? Or will Kross & The Authors of Pain just make the Academy collateral damage?

Kayden Carter & Katana Chance w/ Lyra Valkyria VS Shayna Baszler & Zoey Stark w/ Sonya Deville!

We saw KC Squared thwart The Queen of Spades & Hunter from hurting Zelina Vega, and now they’ll have it out in a match of their own! Will Dayton be partying with Kayden & Katana tonight? Or will Shayna & Zoey be a couple of buzzkills?

Raw returns and Shayna & Zoey make their entrance, with Sonya backing them up. The teams sort out and Sonya starts against Kayden. They circle, tie up, and Shayna puts Kayden in a corner. The ref counts, Shayna lets off, but then she sucker punches Kayden! The fans boo but Shayna says this is too easy. But then Kayden spins and SLAPS Shayna! Shayna swings, misses, and Kayden wheelbarrows. Shayna stops that, stops the arm-drag, and then isolates the arm! But Kayden rolls free to trip Shayna up! Kayden KICKS Shayna, tags Katana, then they kick, kick and mule kick! Shayna blocks one, but then Kayden SUPERKICKS!

Zoey protests but then DOUBLE SUPERKICKS take Shayna down! Cover, TWO! Katana brings Shayna up, Shayna shoves her back. Katana returns to RAN- NO, Shayna stops that! Shayna pops Katana up, Zoey tags in, but Katana victory rolls. Zoey SUPERKICKS Katana down! Cover, TWO! Zoey clamps onto Katana with a cravat and grinds her down. Raw goes picture in picture to plug Twisters, in theaters this Friday, and Katana fights up. Raw returns to single picture as Katana fires body shots, but Zoey scoops. Katana slips free, ducks ‘n’ dodges to tilt-o-whirl, but Zoey stops that! Zoey brings Katana up, fireman’s carries, but Katana arm-drags free!

Katana runs corner to corner, Zoey shoves her away! Katana comes back again, Zoey pops her up but Kayden is there to send Katana back in. Katana goes up and up and CROSSBODIES! Zoey rolls through! Zoey swings, but Katana arm-drags again! And she DROPKICKS Zoey to the corner! Tag to Kayden and she sets up, MONKEY FLIP CANNONBALL COMBO! The fans cheer, Kayden covers, TWO! Kayden drags Zoey up, TOSSES her out, and Zoey staggers up. Shayna runs in, Kayden TOSSES her, too! Tag to Katana and she goes up, to SUPER KEG STAND onto both Zoey & Shayna! Dayton fires up while Raw goes to break!

Raw returns and Shayna keeps Kayden from Katana to fireman’s carry. Kayden shifts around, sunset flips, but avoids a stomp! She trips Shayna to then BASEMENT KICK her! Sonya is upset but Lyra and the fans rally up. Shayna and Kayden crawl, hot tag to Zoey! Zoey drags Kayden back, but Kayden hops up! Kayden reaches, but Zoey YANKS her back. Zoey goes for the legs again but Kayden BOOTS her! Hot tag to Katana! Katana trips Zoey, BULLDOGS her, then runs to tilt-o-whirl and RANA! The fans fire up and Katana fires off in the corner! Katana fires up, runs corner to corner, A-LIST LARIAT!

Katana pushes Zoey down to ROLLING AX KICK! Cover, TWO! Sonya is stressed as Katana drags Zoey up. Zoey snapmares free to KNEE her down! Tag to Shayna and Shayna goes corner to corner, to KNEE Katana, too! Cover, TWO! Sonya is upset with the ref but Shayna drags Katana up. Shayna underhooks to BUTTERFLY SUPLEX into an ARMBAR! Katana clasps hands, stacks Shayna, stomps away on her, and is free! Katana fires up to STANDING MOONSAULT KNEE DROP! Shayna sputters while Katana tags Kayden. Kayden sets up, Katana runs up, WHEELBARROW SUPLEX SPLASH! Cover, TWO!

Shayna survives but Kayden drags her over. Tag back to Katana and Katana goes up another corner. But Sonya gets on the apron! So Lyra YANKS Sonya down! Zoey BOOTS Lyra! Kayden KNEES Zoey and drags her out, for Katana to DOUBLE STOMP! Shayna DECKS Kayden! Katana trips Shayna to jackknife bridge, TWO! Zoey tags in, Shayna grabs Katana by her hair! Zoey with the MISSILE DROPKCIK! Then the ALLEY-OOF!! Cover, Shayna & Zoey win!

Winners: Shayna Baszler & Zoey Stark, by pinfall

Sonya nods and celebrates with her team. Will this trio be the ones taking control of Monday Night Raw?

The Judgment Day talk in the clubhouse.

JD McDonagh says there’s flower petals everywhere. But Finn Balor says forget about that. They wanna address the elephant in the room. They admit, Liv did help them get the WWE World Tag Team Championships, so- Rhea says yeah, yeah. No worries there. Liv played her games, it didn’t work. In the end, the tag titles are back where they belong. And now Rhea will get her title back where it belongs. Finn & JD agree, and Dom walks in. He says Jey was talking out of line, so Dom got a match made. Dom will teach Jey a lesson that nobody talks about Mami like that. What? What is he doing?

Is Dom stupid? Why is he picking a fight with Jey? Uh, well, Dom could cancel it then. No, that’d make Dom a coward. Okay, well, Dom just wants to show everyone that she is still Dom’s Mami and that she belongs to him. Uh oh, that wasn’t how to say it. Rhea storms out, and the guys can’t help but chuckle. Carlito says not cool. Dom just can’t win, can he? But can he at least not be embarrassed taking on Main Event Jey?

Drew McIntyre walks in backstage.

And he’s… smiling? Is that a good thing or a bad thing? Guess we’ll find out during his meeting with Adam Pearce, after the break it.

Raw returns, and Adam Pearce is in the ring.

“Ladies and gentlemen, please join me at this time in welcoming The Scottish Warrior, Drew McIntyre!” The fans are torn as McIntyre makes his way out to the ring. The fans chant “CM PUNK!” at McIntyre but Pearce says he allowed McIntyre to be here but they won’t waste any time. Pearce thinks we are on the verge of something special with McIntyre, and that CM Punk VS Drew McIntyre can be special. Pearce wants the match, and he’s pretty sure the fans want it. And Pearce knows that Punk is at home like Pearce requested so Punk can get medically cleared for this match. So the only question is: How bad does McIntyre want this match?

McIntyre says he wants this more than anything in the world. Pearce says that’s good. So let’s leave emotion and pettiness and irrational, unprofessional behavior behind… Look at him when he’s talking to you. But if McIntyre can do all that, Pearce is ready to do business. McIntyre says he is ready to do business, too. Pearce was doing what he had to, and that was suspend McIntyre for what he did. McIntyre had to sit at home and watch Punk talking, knowing McIntyre should’ve been there. That is on McIntyre. McIntyre wants this match more than anything, and Punk surely wants this more than anything.

But it is not their opinions that matter. The only opinions that matter are those of the WWE Universe. The fans cheer that! So let’s double check. Is everyone ready for McIntyre VS Punk at SummerSlam? The fans cheer even louder! Well, they also chant “CM PUNK! CM PUNK!” McIntyre says they’re ready. Pearce has the power, so make it official. Pearce would love nothing more. But there is one more thing Pearce needs McIntyre to do. Anything! Oh, anything? Then the refs from that MITB incident step into the ring. Pearce knows what happened that night as uncalled for. The refs did not deserve what happened.

So all McIntyre has to do is apologize to these two men for what he did. McIntyre takes a breath. Why would he apologize? Pearce says the refs put their bodies on the line every time they step into the ring, so they deserve respect. All McIntyre has to do is- McIntyre says this is embarrassing. Yeah, Pearce did what he had to do, so let’s let bygones be bygones, water under the bridge. Pearce says he isn’t being unreasonable. These refs got hurt. McIntyre just has to look them in the eye, acknowledge what happened, and apologize. Nothing more. McIntyre mulls it over a moment, and he steps forward while fans chant, “Say You’re Sorry!”

McIntyre looks at the refs, then the crowd. McIntyre swallows and says, “No.” Why should he apologize when all any ref has ever done is screw him over?! And PEARCE! This has all happened under Pearce’s watch! McIntyre lost at WrestleMania, at Clash at the Castle, and MITB! All under Pearce’s watch! Is Pearce grabbing Punk from behind? Sending referees after him? NO! That’s just McIntyre! Pearce deserved that elbow. PEARCE should be the one apologizing! So many fans chant Punk’s name after what he’s done to McIntyre, and they should be apologizing! SETH ROLLINS thinks he can skip the line to get at Punk first!?

McIntyre would never accept an apology from Punk, he wants Punk’s head on a SPIKE. Pearce tells McIntyre to stop. If he won’t accept and own what he did, then Pearce will! McIntyre is STILL suspended! McIntyre slowly turns around and glares at Pearce. McIntyre steps forward, a ref moves in, but that ref goes flying! And then the other! McIntyre shouts at Pearce, but here comes Rollins! The fans fire up as The Visionary runs into the ring, and he fires hands on McIntyre! Rollins dodges to SUPERKICK! Then CURB- NO, McIntyre bails out before then! Rollins throws off the leather jacket and dares McIntyre to get back in here!

Security shows up to escort McIntyre out of here while fans sing “WHOA~ OHH~ OHHH~!” McIntyre fumes but he warns everyone that he’s not done. McIntyre storms off, but will he ever get over things? Will he ever get over himself?

The Wyatt Sick6 hijacked the Pat McAfee Show… again!

Pat was just talking with MLB experts when the lights flickered, and Sister Abigail dropped off a package. Another week, another VHS! That VHS has been brought here to Raw, so time to see this week’s message.

It’s Erick Rowan! Uncle Howdy/Bo Dallas asks, “How have you been?” Rowan won’t lie, the last few years have been… very hard. Rowan used to have a family. They were unstoppable. Inseparable. They always had each other’s backs. And then one day, it just went poof, and the whole world changed. Rowan is emotional already as he says, “I lost a brother. The person in this world who believed in me more than anybody else, just gone.” It knocked him on his ass. “But in those situations, you get up, and you wipe the dust off you, and you just keep moving. Because that’s what you gotta do. Life goes on.”

But just when Rowan thought he had everything going… Another brother… Rowan starts to cry here as he says that brother was gone, too. No more family, no more will to go on, nothing. Rowan fell down a well and couldn’t get out. He didn’t want to get out. Why would he? He was catatonic, numb to the world. Who was gonna miss him, huh? He’s “Just Rowan.” But then how did that make him feel? A sheep mask is handed to him. Rowan remembers those times. It gives him hope. When he was at his lowest, and “he” reached out to him, Rowan accepted that hand. Rowan knew he needed help. So he got up, had a purpose in life, and a purpose to help those like him.

This sheep mask reminds him of that beacon of hope. Rowan is Ramblin’ Rabbit! “We’re gonna take our broken hearts, and make some beautiful art.” The piano plays and the tape stops there. Will Rowan “help” others in the darkness?

Jey Uso VS Dominik Mysterio!

Main Event Jey just wanted to “holler” at Rhea, and Dommy got upset. But did Dom not just stick his foot in his mouth but really step in it tonight? Or can he somehow, someway, make it up to Mami?

Raw returns and Jey makes his entrance. The fans bounce with Jey, as do Pat and Cole with their new foam YEET hands! But then Dom SUCKER PUNCHES Jey! The fans boo as Dom stomps away on Jey! The ref reprimands, backs Dom off, and Jey stands up. The bell rings, Dom runs up but Jey ROCKS him in return! “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Jey whips, but Dom reveres and DROPKICKS! Dom says, “That’s MY Mami!” Dom rains down fists on Jey while saying to never talk about HIS Mami like that! The fans boo but Dom soaks up that heat. Dom drags Jey up, ROCKS him, and has Jey on ropes. Dom CHOKES Jey, the ref counts, and Dom lets off.

Jey sputters, Dom stalks him, and then Dom stomps Jey. Dom keeps going on about “She’s MY Mami!” Dom RAMS Jey into the corner, RAMS him again, then lets off. Dom says NO YEET, then snapmares Jey into a chinlock. Dom fires clubbing crossface forearms, and says Mami belongs to him! The fans rally for Jey as he endures and fights up. Jey fires body shots, but Dom kicks low! Dom snap suplexes, Uno Amigo! Dom drags Jey up, Dos Amigos! Dom rises up again, gives some Latino Heat, THREE AMIGOS! Cover, TWO! The fans rally but Dom snarls as he waits on Jey. Jey rises, but Dom DROPKICKS him onto ropes!

Dom dials it up, 619 misses as Jey ducks! Jey then DUMPS Dom out, and the fans fire up as Jey builds speed! Jey DIVES into a haymaker! Dom takes Jey down and then brings him around, to POST him! Jey falls and Dom flexes while Dayton boos, and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns and Dom has Jey down, for a slingshot SENTON! Cover, TWO! Dom is annoyed and he drags Jey up. The fans rally for Jey but Dom gives more Latino Heat. But Jey slips out of the suplex to ROCK Dom! And again, and again! “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Jey pops, locks ‘n’ puts some stank on the “YEET!” Then he mule kicks, throws the shirt off and UPPERCUTS! Dom staggers up, blocks a kick, but not the DRAGON WHIP! The fans fire up again and Jey says “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Jey runs in to HIP ATTACK! Jey drags Dom into a drop zone, goes up the corner, but wait, LIV is here! Liv drags Dom to safety!

The fans boo and Dom says leave him alone, Liv! Stop making this worse! But then Jey WRECKS Dom with a dropkick, and Dom falls right onto Liv! Just like a few weeks ago! Liv is happy, and she flips things around to be on top! Even Jey can’t take his eyes off this! But here comes RHEA! Liv freaks out and runs away! Rhea is again mad with Dom but she’s more focused on Liv. Liv gets into the crowd and goes up the bleachers! Dom tries to apologize but Rhea tells Dom to just finish this fight. Dom hurries into the ring, but Jey SPEARS him down! Then Jey puts Dom in the drop zone, goes up top, and USO SPLASHES! Cover, Jey wins!

Winner: Jey Uso, by pinfall

Rhea rolls her eyes in disappointment. Jey waves to Mami and says call him. Rhea just leaves, not even waiting for Dom. Will Dom keep on losing what he had with Rhea? Will Jey win his way towards a championship opportunity?

Dom returns backstage.

He is obviously sore from losing, but the Priest walks over. Priest tells Dom that that was rough. Speaking of which… Rhea steps back in. Rhea tells “Dom Dom” that she doesn’t belong to anyone. She is not Dom’s. Dom is hers. Rhea gives Dom a rose, so maybe Dom still has something good. But will he be able to keep it with Liv still coming around?

Chad Gable heads to the ring!

“Master” Gable mistakenly thinks he figured out the Wyatt Sick6 puzzle, but Bo Dallas showed himself to be Uncle Howdy. And even after feeling first hand how dangerous the Wyatts have become, he wants to call Bo/Uncle Howdy out? Will Gable only get himself hurt all over again? We find out, after the break.

Raw returns and the fans chant “You Suck! You Suck!” Gable says, “Ladies and gentlemen, in yet another display of my seemingly endless intellect, I have solved what will go down as the greatest mystery, well, ever in the WWE. I’m here to announce the true identity of Uncle Howdy is none other than Bo Dallas!” The fans boo but Gable knows, they were surely thinking of anyone but Bo. But Bo, after everything you and those FREAKS have put Gable through over the past month, Gable is calling you out! Get in this ring so they can settle this problem. And don’t make him wait. Gable does wait a little longer and he shouts for Bo to show up.

And so Bo shows up! The fans cheer as Bo walks out, no music, no pomp and circumstance, but then he’s BLINDSIDED by Julius & Brutus Creed! The Creed Brothers throw Bo around, this was all a set up by Gable! Brutus POUNCES Bo into barriers! The fans boo but Julius drags Bo up, to POST him! Bo writhes, the fans boo more, but the Creeds feed Bo to Gable. Gable looms over Bo, the Creeds join him, and Gable raises their hands in victory. But Bo… is laughing? Gable is confused as to why, but he KICKS Bo in the side! The Creeds drag Bo up and Gable throws off his jacket. Gable rolls up his sleeves so he can fire forearms!

The fans boo but Bo still laughs it off! Gable ROCKS Bo with a haymaker! But Bo laughs through the pain! Gable tells the Creeds to stand Bo up. They mug Bo, then fireman’s carry for the KNEE DEATH VALLEY COMBO! The fans boo while Gable stands over Bo. Bo still manages a smile, even as Gable waistlocks and GERMAN SUPLEXES Bo away! Bo flounders into a corner, Gable says problem handled. The fans boo more as Gable’s new team stands tall. Wait, is Bo still laughing? Bo says “Yeah yeah yeah yeah~” like another Wyatt Family member we’ve lost. Gable asks what’s so funny! Bo says, “There you are.” Gable is freaked out, but Bo sees the truth.

And then the lights start turning off! The fans tell Gable he messed up now! The fireflies come out, and the piano starts playing…! Gable & The Creeds are on guard as the fog starts rolling in. From the stage is that familiar eerie light. And from that light, out steps Sister Abigail, Ramblin’ Rabbit, Mercy the Buzzard & Huskus the Pig boy. Abigail has the lantern, and she leads the way. The fans are losing their minds as the Wyatt Sick6 approach the ring. They get up on the apron, Gable cowers behind the Creeds, then Gable gets out of the ring! Julius & Brutus are surprised, but then they follow Gable.

Bo rises up from the corner, to kneel at the center of the ring. The fans cheer as his family stands with him. Bo laughs and then looks to the skies. They’re here, but what will they do next?

WWE Intercontinental Championship: Sami Zayn VS Ilja Dragunov!

The Great Liberator told The Mad Dragon that he earned this championship match with his passion and fury. But will Sami be able to survive that passion and fury when facing it head-on? Or will we soon have an #UNBESIEGBAR Intercontinental Champion?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who can truly fight like their lives depends on it!

The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, go around, and Dragunov waistlocks. Sami wrenches free, Dragunov wrenches in return. Sami rolls, wrenches again, and then cording holds. Dragunov goes to a corner, the ref calls the break, and Sami lets off, to CHOP! Dragunov scowls but Sami eggs him on. Dragunov runs up, they tie up, and Sami waistlocks. Dragunov headlocks, Sami fights around and ends up in a corner. The ref calls the break, so Dragunov lets off, to CHOP! Dragunov returns the favor and eggs Sami on now. Sami nods and resets with Dragunov. They start firing forearms back and forth and the fans fire up!

Dragunov ROCKS Sami, ROCKS him again, then DECKS him! Sami gest up, Dragunov runs in but Sami TOSSES Dragunov out. Sami goes to the apron, mule kicks, then ARABIAN PRESS SAULTS! Down goes Dragunov and the fans fire up with Sami! The champion stands tall and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns and Sami UPPERCUTS Dragunov. Dragunov stumbles to a corner, the fans rally, and Sami stands Dragunov up. Sami CHOPS, but Dragunov fires boxing elbows. Sami kicks low, whips, but Dragunov tiger feints, CONSTANTINE SPECIAL! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Sami rises, but Dragunov follows. Dragunov CHOPS in the corner! And CHOPS again! Sami sits down, Dragunov goes side to side, BOOT WASH! Dragunov drags Sami up, reels him in, but Sami slips out of the bomb to fire off forearms! Sami whips, Dragunov reverses but Sami goes up and over! Dragunov turns around into a LARIAT from Sami!

The fans fire up and Sami brings Dragunov up. Dragunov headlocks to fight the Blue Thunder, so Sami CLUBS him! Sami tries again, but Dragunov fights with elbows! The fans rally, Dragunov KNEES Sami low. Sami still swings, but Dragunov dodges to CONSTANTINE- NO, Sami gets under to BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Dragunov just raises that shoulder up in time and Sami can’t believe it! The fans rally, Sami drags Dragunov up, but Dragunov BOOTS him! And BOOTS again! And BOOTS again! Sami staggers, Dragunov waistlocks to GERMAN SUPLEX! Sami tumbles, Dragunov rises!

Dragunov runs up but Sami BOOTS him! Dragunov roars and returns, into a clinch! CORNER EXPLODER! The fans fire up as Sami goes corner to corner. Sami runs in, but into a BOOT from Dragunov! Dragunov covers, TWO!! Sami survives that counter but Dragunov drags him back up. Dragunov reels Sami in, to POWERBOMB! Dragunov powers up and the fans fire up, for the H-BOMB FOREARM into a BOOT! Sami crawls to cover, TWO!! Dragunov survives and the fans fire up again. Sami rises, Dayton rallies, and Sami fires a forearm. Dragunov springs up to ENZIGIRI! Dragunov runs to KNEE Sami, and Sami tumbles out of the ring!

Dragunov goes to the apron, powers up, and H-BOMB FOREARMS to the floor!! Sami sputters and the fans fire up while the ref starts the ring count. Dragunov drags Sami up and in, hurries up a corner, and fans duel as he takes aim! COAST2COAST! Dragunov roars as he rises again! SUPER SENTON onto knees! Ghost pin, TWO!! Dragunov escapes that trap and Sami is in disbelief. Sami storms over to drag Dragunov up at the ropes. Sami fires hands, but Dragunov HEADBUTTS back! Sami staggers, only to return with a HELLUVA KICK! Dragunov falls to the floor and fans fire up again! The ring count starts, but Sami goes out after Dragunov.

“This is Awesome!” as Sami drags Dragunov up. But here comes Bron! He storms down the ramp, picks up speed, and he runs in to SPEAR Dragunov!!

Winner: Ilja Dragunov, by disqualification (Sami retains the title)

The fans are torn between booing and barking, but Sami fires hands on Bron! Sami SMACKS Bron off the desk again and again, puts Bron in the ring, only for Bron to catch him! OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Bron rips up his shirt, throws it to the fans, and then builds speed to SPEAR Sami down!! Bron smirks, having done what he told Pearce. Bron destroyed this main event, what must be done to put an end to this rebellion?

My Thoughts:

A great episode of Raw here with so much good story. For one, Drew McIntyre being just as petty as CM Punk was an interesting detail. But him losing his mind with rage again was a good way to bring Rollins out here, and I feel like my idea for a Triple Threat is coming true. Then after a great match between Sheamus VS Bronson, Dunne making the save only to turn on Sheamus was pretty wild. Tyler Bate is out with injury for the rest of the year so I suppose Dunne going Heel on his own wouldn’t be so out of the question. Though at the same time, Dunne would have to voice his reasons for doing this, so maybe he’ll be more of a Tweener?

Good stuff in the Women’s Division, but I feel kinda bad for Zelina being fed to Sonya so easily. It did technically set up the tag match for tonight, which was more solid as a match. Sonya’s trio sweeping gets them going, and while we can get a Six Woman Tag of Lyra & KC Squared VS Sonya, Shayna & Zoey, I’m sure Damage CTRL returns to make for an even bigger Six Woman Tag at some point. Plus there’s #TheBig3, Jade, Bianca & Naomi on SmackDown, and the potential of Blair Davenport joining Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn. Getting faction warfare in the RawDown Women’s Division could be a lot of fun.

Great stuff with the Judgment Day being the throughline on the night. Rhea VS Liv being made for SummerSlam was a given, but we got great stuff with Dom struggling to make this right. Dom being possessive of Rhea against Jey, Liv getting involved, and Dom still losing to Jey was all great stuff. Though, I’m a touch disappointed that Rhea essentially forgave Dom with the reminder that “she owns him.” I thought this would’ve gone at least one more week, but hey, there’s only two weeks until SummerSlam so why waste time? I still feel like Finn & JD are the members that side with Liv in a plot twist where Liv retains the title.

Thinking about it, though, Priest didn’t really help Dom by giving him that phrasing of “Rhea belongs to Dom.” Really good promo video from Gunther, and really good promo between Priest and Gunther in the ring, but I’m a little surprised we’re doing this as a clash of economic classes. Gunther acting superior because this is business and competition, not a dream, works for me, but then him talking down to Priest as “street trash” just doesn’t fit anything Gunther’s been about. Yes, he talks about prestige and honor, and I suppose that is to stem from how someone behaves and how someone behaves has to do with upbringing, but it just seemed odd.

Really good stuff in the Intercontinental Championship story. Sami and Dragunov had a good promo before having an awesome main event, but yeah of course Bron was going to get in there and “ruin” that. That itself could be a Triple Threat, Sami VS Dragunov VS Bron for the Intercontinental Championship, for SummerSlam. Now, I fully expect Pearce to want to punish Bron but I think Sami and Dragunov will each say give them this match so they can all settle this at once. Though, that’d make for what? Six championship matches? Priest VS Gunther, Cody VS Solo, Bayley VS Nia, Rhea VS Liv, and you know we’ll be getting LA Knight VS Logan Paul for the US title.

The HHH Era has been all about PLEs with less matches, more quality, but at the same time, they’ve gotten through PLEs in under three hours, so they have room for more. Plus, this is SummerSlam, “The Biggest Party of the Summer.” I heard they’ll have Jellyroll performing live now, but even then, six matches and all of them being major title stories, that’s just fine for SummerSlam, they can give us that and we’ll all be fine. I just don’t want there to be this talk of “Well now we need Raw and SmackDown exclusive PLEs so we can have time for more.” That’s too much to me. But that subject can be an opinion article on its own somewhere.

Great stuff in the Wyatt Sick6 story. For one, incorporating Pat McAfee’s show again was a nice touch. And hearing from Erick Rowan, that was a powerful promo. And with it, this now becomes not just a tribute to Bray, but also to Luke Harper/Brodie Lee. Gable had good interactions with Pearce and his former “Academy.” Also nice plug that Woods, Otis & Tozawa will face Kross & AOP, that’ll be a fun match. I actually really liked that Gable arrogantly thought he figured something out when it was revealed to us already. Julius & Brutus joining Gable in beating down Bo was a good detail, as was Bo laughing the whole time. And that detail writes itself: the physical pain was nothing compared to the loss of his brother. And also, there’s our Six Man Tag, it’s just a question of which three from the Wyatt Sick6.

My Score: 8.8/10