RAW REVIEW 8/5/2024

- Kelvin Kately, Senior Editor

Monday Night Raw was an absolute must see episode after what many are calling the greatest SummerSlam of all time! So many questions came out of that PLE that needed answers. What will become of Dom and Liv? What is the fallout of CM Punk vs Drew McIntyre? What is next for the new World Heavyweight Champion, Gunther? Is The Judgement Day even a thing anymore? There is a lot to look forward to! How much would we get? Baltimore is serving as the backdrop to tonight’s story! Let’s dive in!

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The World Heavyweight General

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We open with the brand new world heavyweight champion, Gunther! He comes out to a Shower of “you deserve it chants”! He says that if you thought what he did with the intercontinental championship was special, just wait until you see what he does with the world heavyweight championship. He says that nothing catches him off guard, nothing surprises him, and he is ready for anything and everything. Outcomes Randy Orton, to which Gunther says hilariously caught him off guard. Randy Orton says that Gunther is heavyweight champion because of him, but did he really beat him? He says that HHH knows it, and has set up a match between him and Gunther at Bash in Berlin! With that, our main event for Bash in Berlin set! Great segment!!

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Ludwig Kaiser vs Sheamus 

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Sheamus, in a backstage segment, says that he and Ludwig are about to have a banger! He did not lie one bit! These two were in an extremely physical matchup that served as a great opener. The crowd was engaged and loud from the beginning to the end of this match. A Pete Dunne run-in almost cost Sheamus the match but he was able to secure the pin. Very solid opener. Ludwig Kaiser is on my radar. Gunther is the champion right now, but we could very well be looking at the man who could dethrone him.

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Wyatt Sicks Package

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They aired an incredible package on the debut of the Wyatt Family, ahead of the Wyatt Sicks in-ring debut. The original Family debuted in Baltimore, so it is fitting that we get the debut of a new era in the Wyatt Family in the same city.

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Damien Priest is PISSED!!! 

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Damien Priest is marching to the ring with the purpose to call out Finn Balor. Finn doesn’t show, and Damien calls him a coward and says Finn knows his story and he knows what The Judgement Day meant to him. But now his family is bigger. He points out the WWE Universe as his new family. He says that taking the title away from him felt like he let his family down. FInn appears on the screen and says Damien changed, and points out that Damien could have helped him when he was chasing the title. But he didn’t, so Finn screwed him and his family. Finn says he will wait until the time is right and then he will stab him in the back. Him and his family. The screen then pans to a new version of The Judgement Day with Carlito, J.D. McDonough, Dom and Liv Morgan!

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Lyra Valkyria vs Shayna Baszler 

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A battle between two former NXT Women’s champions gets underway with Baszler in control, targeting the arm of Lyra. Lyra starts gaining control, and as soon as she does, Zoe and Sonya intervene. Out comes DMG CNTRL for the save! I don’t know what they are going for with the ladies. But, if this leads to something, it may be great! A lot of good athletes in both groups of women! We really need some follow up from them.

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CM Punk Addresses the Crowd 

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Loud chants being out CM Punk, who is smiling! He shouts out UFC Welterweight champ, Belal Muhammad and say s that he wants a round 2 of Drew McIntyre. Out comes Seth, dressed as Hangman Page and my spidey senses perked up REAL quick! We almost get our fisticuffs but then out comes Drew who taunts Punk. Ladies and gents, this is why we are here! Punk runs after Drew and then out comes Bronson Reed with a surprise attack. He completely demolishes Seth, while I completely lose my mind. FINALLY.... FINALLY, Bronson Reed has found his footing. Please... build on this. It HAS to go up from here. It was surprising, it was brutal and it was awesome! YES!

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The New Day vs AOP

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I gotta say that Raw has done a phenomenal job setting up the angles tonight. Bronson Reed’s surprise attack was set up before he shocked all and now we have Xavier Woods in this match who the Final Testament mentioned earlier in the night. I’m on high alert now. But the New Day pull off the win courtesy of the Odyssey Jones appearance. Looks like New Day is one man stronger... literally. The guy picked up both AOP members at the same time! In the backstage segment that followed the match, Woods didn’t look too happy. Something to keep an eye on.

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A-Town Down Under vs The Awesome Truth 

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More SS fallout and we get right to the action. Miz and Truth go on the offensive and put A-Town Down Under on their heels. I’ve gotta say that this Raw has flown by at this point. The first hour being commercial free really gives me a reason to buy the high Netflix tier. Back to the action, Miz and Truth controlled the majority of this match until a slip up allows A-Town Down under to hit their finish and get the pin.

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Priest Backstage Segment

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Priest says only Finn wanted JD in the Judgment Day. He says he hopes JD confessed his sins because he is sending him straight to hell. I gotta say, this pissed off Priest needs to stay around. I like this guy!

Damien Priest vs J.D. McDonough

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Before the match we get a quick Bron Breakker promo. And he is talking that talk. It took him three years to get the Intercontinental Champion. He is not the hunted. He is the hunter. Great stuff! Also, Damien Priest needs new music. Something that matches the badass-ry. Priest comes out on fire, absolutely putting the beats to McDonough. J.D. manages to turn the tables a bit, but Priest regains control and Priest has the aura now, folks. He’s got it. But before he can put it away, The entire Judgment Day is out! Priest clears the ring until its just him and Finn! Dom hops back in and hit a low blow! He and Liv jump Priest and Mami hits the ring! They try to scatter, but she catches Liv! She throws her into the post and J.D. tries to save, but Rhea headbutts him and Priest then hits him with a South of Heaven!! Another great piece of action!!!

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Sonya Deville vs Iyo Sky

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Sonya, Shayna and Zoey all jumped DMG CNTRL before what was supposed to be a one on one with Dakota Kai. So we end up getting Iyo Sky. Solid match between the ladies. I feel like DMG CNTRL taking the new approach is starting to come around. I think the direction of having Iyo in this match was a great way to establish that. We may have to let this one simmer some more. But, I can see where they are trying to go. If you read my earlier notes on the Shayna match, they actually set this up pretty well.

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Bring it Home Howdy 

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Its main event time! We get a new name vs a new version of a family we have missed. American Made makes their way out to new music! I dig it. But the anticipation is at fever pitch for the Wyatt Six. Out they come!! The fireflies fill the arena. As soon as their music hits I get goosebumps. I have tears. Beyond that, they move as a unit. Like the original Wyatt Family. This is beautiful to see. American Made showed some fight too. What I love about it is everybody stuck close to their character in resemblance and even in the way they moved around. They put effort into this and I absolutely love it. The match did what it was supposed to. It perfectly showcased the strength of the Wyatt Sicks. Great ending to a very good Monday Night Raw!!