The John Report: The WWE Raw Deal 08/02/21 Review (Last TJR Review on This Website)

Welcome to the WWE Raw Deal review for this week. I'm going to share most of what I wrote in my Smackdown reviewTJRWrestling.net where all my writing can be found. I started the site as a blog in 2009, it's evolved a lot since then and I want to be exclusive there in order for it to keep growing. I have nothing against Rajah, who I have known from a distance for decades now. We are still friends. I will continue writing as much as usual with reviews of WWE Raw, Smackdown, NXT, AEW Dynamite (soon AEW Rampage as well), plus retro PPV reviews, retro content in general, Q&As, lists, blogs in general and so on. For those of you that only read my stuff on here, I thank you and I hope you can make TJRWrestling a daily stop for you as well. Please keep supporting Rajah because I will too, but I just won't be posting my written content on here anymore. I honestly have no idea how many people read my content here or how many won't come over to TJRWrestling. I just feel like it's the best thing for me to do to grow TJRWrestling. If you want to get in touch with me about it, you can check out my contact info at the bottom of this review. Thank you so much for the support.


This is the Raw Deal for episode #1471 of Monday Night Raw. It's taking place at the Allstate Arena in Chicago, Illinois. Follow me on Twitter @johnreport. Please visit TJRWrestling.net daily for our regular updates on the wrestling business featuring WWE news coverage, insightful columns from our team along with reviews about wrestling’s past (including my reviews of every WWE PPV ever listed in order) and present. Let’s roll.

Raw began with a shot of the Allstate Arena in Chicago, which was sold out.
Let’s Hear from Bobby Lashley and MVP
The All Mighty WWE Champion Bobby Lashley made his entrance in a suit with his buddy Montel Vontavious Porter joining him. The champ got a superstar reaction with some pyro going off in the ring as well. The Raw announce team was Jimmy Smith, Corey Graves and Byron Saxton as usual.
MVP welcomed Chicago back to Monday Night Raw. MVP said he knows everybody is excited to see Goldberg, but before he comes out there, Lashley has asked MVP to address a few things. MVP said that Goldberg appeared on Raw to challenge Lashley, but Lashley has not responded to that challenge. MVP said that Goldberg is a legend that is still capable of destroying any man. MVP said that that’s the problem because Goldberg didn’t challenge any man, he challenged the All Mighty. MVP said that Lashley was an unstoppable monster. The fans chanted “Goldberg” at MVP. MVP said that if Lashley accepts Goldberg’s challenge then it might be Goldberg’s final match. MVP asked if Goldberg wants to be remembered as a champion or as a casualty.
Bill Goldberg made his entrance to a big reaction as the fans chanted “Goldberg” for him for the WWE Hall of Famer. Goldberg was in great shape as usual. Goldberg’s son was at ringside, so Goldberg gave him a hug.
Goldberg said if anybody should be worried about losing something it’s Lashley losing the WWE Championship.  Goldberg told MVP he’s scared and Lashley looks scares. Goldberg says he knows what Lashley is thinking, he’s a gladiator and there were “Goldberg” chants. Goldberg said that high-level athletes question themselves and a gladiator shows weakness. Goldberg said that the first time Lashley saw Goldberg walking down the ramp, he thought Goldberg was the next victim. I heard some “We Want Wyatt” chants. Goldberg said that the Chicago fans can smell fear a mile away, so Lashley will either crap his pants or he’s scared out of his mind. Goldberg said it doesn’t matter if he’s 35, 45, or 105 because Goldberg will always be Goldberg. Goldberg said that he lives by the spear and Lashley will die from it. That’s why he is Goldberg and because he’s Goldberg, at SummerSlam, he told: “You’re next.” Goldberg left.

Analysis: The promo from Goldberg was okay. Goldberg hit on the main points well and spoke with intensity, but I don’t think the crowd cared about it as much as WWE thinks. I'm not that interested in Lashley vs. Goldberg at SummerSlam, but it should be a short match with Lashley getting the win, so that result is fine with me.
After Goldberg left, Lashley taunted Goldberg’s son (who is a teenager now) at ringside. Then Lashley went into the ring. MVP trashed Goldberg's son some more, so then Goldberg went back out there and hit a Spear on MVP. The fans popped for that part as Goldberg left with his son.
Analysis: Good way to end the segment with Goldberg hitting a Spear to get a huge reaction.
Drew McIntyre is in a handicap match up next.
(Commercial)
Jinder Mahal and friends were already in the ring. Drew McIntyre was up next to a big pop. Drew is very popular with the fans, which is good.

Drew McIntyre vs. Veer & Shanky (w/Jinder Mahal)
Veer & Shanky worked together to send Drew shoulder-first into the ring post. Shanky with a clothesline. Veer missed an elbow drop, McIntyre was fired up and hit two clotheslines along with a back elbow. Drew delivered an overhead throw across the ring followed by a neckbreaker. Drew did a neckbreaker, he punched Shanky and a hit spinebuster. McIntyre set up in the corner, but Shanky held his foot and Jinder slid in for the DQ. It went three minutes.
Winner by disqualification: Drew McIntyre
Analysis: *1/4 The cheap attack was the obvious way that this was going to end.
Post match, Mahal delivered some chair shots to the ribs of McIntyre. The heel trio looked like they had the advantage, but then Drew left the ring and brought in a sword. McIntyre swung the sword at Jinder with the chair, so the chair was knocked down. McIntyre gave Veer a headbutt to knock him out of the ring. McIntyre threatened to hit the big guy Shanky with the sword, but then the big guy left the ring.
Analysis: It should set up the SummerSlam match between McIntyre and Jinder Mahal. That should be a Drew win.
They showed Mahal and friends leaving the building.
Nia Jax did a promo saying if you are shocked by what you just saw, just wait for what she does to Rhea Ripley.
(Commercial)

Drew McIntyre was interviewed backstage by Kevin Patrick. Drew said that Jinder Mahal will get to pick the hospital, the graveyard or the sword. Drew said that Jinder has known him for ten years, so he knows it’s not a threat, it’s a promise.
Nia Jax (w/Shayna Baszler) vs. Rhea Ripley
Jax drove Ripley into the turnbuckle, Ripley came back with a kick and headbutt, but that had no effect. Jax with a headbutt and a whip that sent Ripley shoulder first into the turnbuckle. Jax with a running hip attack that sent Ripley into the ring post. Ripley with a kick to the back. Jax with an elbow and another whip into the turnbuckle. Jax charged while on the apron, but this time Ripley moved so Jax hit the post. Ripley tried to jump on Jax on the floor, Jax moved and Ripley hit Baszler. Jax gave Ripley a Samoan Drop into the barricade leading to a break.
(Commercial)

The match returned with Jax still in control, Ripley did a clothesline that had no effect and then Ripley did an impressive headscissors. Jax sent Ripley to the apron, Ripley with a kick and Ripley hit a missile dropkick off the top for two. Jax with a punch to the ribs and back. Jax went for a splash on Ripley, but Ripley moved and then Jax with a clothesline. Jax was bleeding around her left eye. Jax ran the ropes and hit a leg drop. Ripley teased going for a Riptide, Baszler with a distraction, Jax was a bit slow to charge there, but then she did and Ripley did the ROLLUP OF DEATH~! on Jax for the pinfall win after about nine minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Rhea Ripley
Analysis: ** It was a decent match with Jax on offense for most of it while Ripley got strong reactions for some of the moves she was able to pull off throughout the match. Jax was decent in her role as the power wrestler although the finish wasn’t great. It was just a way to give Ripley a win to give her more momentum going into her title match at SummerSlam.

Post match, Jax and Baszler argued about what happened. Baszler left the ring, so there was no fight there. Ripley went back into the ring, kicked Jax and hit a Riptide on Jax. Ripley got a nice pop for that.
Analysis: I don’t really care about a feud between Baszler & Jax, but they have been together a long time, so I can understand if there’s a rivalry.
They showed replays of Mustafa Ali & Mansoor beating Mace & T-Bar last week. That will lead to a rematch this week.
(Commercial)

Mansoor and Mustafa Ali got a pretty good reaction especially because Ali was in his hometown.
Mace & T-Bar vs. Mansoor & Mustafa Ali
The heels were dominant early as they focused on Mansoor in the ring and T-Bar knocked Ali off the apron. T-Bar hit a springboard elbow off the top on Mansoor for two. Ali got the tag to a good pop with kicks and a rolling neckbreaker. Ali and Mansoor each hit dives at the same time on opposite sides of the ring. Mace drove Ali back first into the apron, Mace kicked Mansoor down and then Ali hit a spike DDT off the ropes on T-Bar. Mansoor got the tag, T-Bar kicked Mansoor into the ropes to knock Ali off the top rope and T-Bar tripped up Mansoor on the top rope. T-Bar hit a spinning kick to the chest of Mansoor for the pinfall win after about three minutes.
Winners by pinfall: Mace & T-Bar
Analysis: *1/2 It’s classic 50/50 booking striking again because Ali/Mansoor won last week, so now Mace & T-Bar got the win back. The Ali/Mansoor team lost because they were going for a big move off the top, but the heels were ready for it and that led to Ali being tripped up on the ropes. T-Bar’s kick to Mansoor looked okay, but it wasn’t a strong finish to the match.
Post match, Mace & T-Bar went into the ring to try to attack Ali and Mansoor, so Ali shoved Mansoor out of the ring. Mace & T-Bar hit the High Justice double team move on Ali.
Analysis: That shows that Ali showed compassion towards Mansoor by pushing him out of the ring to save him.
They showed a replay of last week when Charlotte Flair beat Nikki A.S.H. and then Charlotte attacked Nikki after the match.
Nikki A.S.H. was shown warming up backstage for her match coming up soon.
(Commercial)

Charlotte Flair made her entrance in some shiny attire along with some high heels, so she’s out there to talk instead of wrestle. It’s top of hour two promo time.
Let’s Hear from Charlotte Flair
Charlotte said that a few days ago she read about how Simone Biles didn’t want to compete in some events in the Olympics and said that she read it was because of mental health reasons. Charlotte reminded us that she beat Rhea Ripley two weeks ago and when the fans were chanting for Becky Lynch, Charlotte said that Becky isn’t there while she is the one that sold out the Allstate Arena. Charlotte complained about how Nikki A.S.H. stole the Raw Women’s Championship from her. Charlotte said she was going to have her own nervous breakdown because she is the 11-time Women’s Champion that is the most decorated woman in the history of business. Charlotte left the ring saying that cashing in Money in the Bank is the most cowardly way to win a title in this business. Charlotte tossed in a kendo stick, broom and steel chair while noting she has been cashed in on with Money in the Bank three times. Charlotte said it is cashing in on her hard work. Charlotte bragged about beating Nikki A.S.H. last week and then Charlotte punched her in the face. Charlotte said that Nikki is a martyr that will sacrifice her in a No Holds Barred match with no countouts, no disqualifications and there is no hiding from Charlotte. That led to Nikki A.S.H. showing up from behind and Nikki hit Charlotte in the back with a chair. Charlotte left the ring to put an end to that. The fans popped for Nikki in the ring.
Analysis: It was a solid five-minute promo from Charlotte Flair similar to what she says most weeks. Nikki showing up drew a nice pop, so that's good to see. If Charlotte's promo was 45 seconds in a backstage segment it would have been better, but Raw is three hours and they have time to kill.
They showed a replay of last week’s Raw when Alexa Bliss distracted Eva Marie in a tag team match, so Tamina hit a superkick on Eva for the pinfall win.
Eva Marie & Doudrop were interviewed by Kevin Patrick, who asked about Natalya’s injury. Eva complained about Alexa Bliss and her evil little doll. Eva thought the “Lilly-Lution” was gross. Eva said that last week, Natalya paid the price for stepping in front of the Eva-lution and now it is Tamina’s turn. Eva Marie and Doudrop entered for a match.
Thank you to Eva Marie for sending me this wonderful tweet earlier on Monday. All I had to do was sarcastically agree with her first tweet. It’s that easy.

(Commercial)
Tamina made her entrance alone as a Women’s Tag Team Champion without Natalya. The update on Natalya is she had surgery on her right ankle and hopes to be back soon. I believe that Natalya will be back in a few weeks rather than a more long-term thing.
Tamina vs. Doudrop (w/Eva Marie)
Tamina with a shoulder tackle, clothesline and a running splash against the turnbuckle. Eva with a distraction on the apron, so Doudrop sent Tamina into the ring post. Doudrop with an elbow drop. Doudrop with a senton splash on Tamina for two. Doudrop hooked the arm for a submission, Tamina fought back and Tamina stomped on the chest to knock Doudrop down. Tamina and Doudrop exchanged punches, Tamina ran the ropes, Tamina with a cross body block and a corner splash. Doudrop went for a cross body block, Tamina moved and Tamina picked up Doudrop with a Samoan Drop for the pinfall win after four minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Tamina
Analysis: *1/2 They worked hard, but the crowd was dead for a lot of the match. A clean win for Tamina with the Samoan Drop, so it’s the second straight week with Tamina picking up a win against this team.
Post match, Eva Marie was talking with Doudrop and I guess Eva was upset about the loss. Alexa Bliss appeared on the video screen with Lilly the evil doll with Bliss saying: “And the loser of this match is…Eva Marie.” Bliss laughed. That was it.
They showed a replay of last week when Damian Priest beat Sheamus in a non-title match.
Damian Priest was backstage with Riddle going up to him while on a scooter. Riddle did one of his stories talking about how he had another scooter after Omos broke the scooter last week. Riddle did his usual talking about Randy Orton and then congratulated Priest on his win last week. Riddle mentioned Priest is on Miz TV later with Priest saying he wasn’t worried about being on Miz TV later since Priest has dealt with those guys before.
John Morrison entered with The Miz, who is still in a wheelchair.
(Commercial)

Miz TV
The Miz and John Morrison were in the ring welcoming us to Miz TV. Damian Priest made his entrance to a decent reaction from the crowd. Priest was in his wrestling gear and so was Morrison, so it was pretty obvious what was coming.
Miz and Morrison did their schtick with Miz saying that Priest is the man responsible for putting Miz in a wheelchair (the terrible zombie match). Miz and Morrison claimed Priest was a cheater for ripping off Sheamus’ mask last week. Priest said that they were out of their minds. The fans were chanting “CM Punk” until it was muted or just stopped. Priest wondered if anybody actually knew what was wrong with Miz’s knee and he wondered if Miz was ever going to wrestle again. Priest asked if it was a knee injury or something between his legs. Miz claimed he’s been in this business 16 years and told Priest he gets in one match with him and he’s hurt. Priest dared Miz to do something. Morrison said that Priest is that one day kids will grow up dreaming that they were half as cool as Miz & Morrison. Priest called Morrison “Johnny Sidekick” and then said that Miz is a loudmouth jackass that is using his best friend. Priest said that he wanted to officially challenge Sheamus, but they have pissed him off so he wants to fight Morrison right now. Morrison tried to spray water on Priest, but Priest blocked it. Priest avoided an attack from Morrison and Priest tossed Morrison out of the ring. Priest used the numerous drip sticks that Miz had and sprayed water on him repeatedly. That led to a match after the break.
Analysis: This was decent although it was also predictable. As I noted by mentioning the gear of Priest and Morrison, it was obvious this was going to lead to a match, so they took about five minutes to get there. Priest handles himself well on the microphone with solid promos. Miz and Morrison are ridiculous, but they are pretty good in that role.
(Commercial)

Damian Priest vs. John Morrison (w/The Miz)
Priest kicked Morrison down by the turnbuckle, then priest with a running back elbow and a jumping kick. Priest with a springboard leg lariat for two. Morrison with a kick and knee combo for a two count. Morrison grounded Priest holding back his arms and Priest broke free with knee strikes. Priest with forearms along with a clothesline. Priest up top, Miz sprayed water and Morrison hit him with a forearm. Morrison with a Samoan Drop over the top rope into the ring. Something like that. Priest stopped a Morrison move off the ropes and Morrison countered a Chokeslam into a pin attempt for two. Morrison with a knee along with a Shooting Star Press for two. Morrison went for a springboard attack and Priest countered it into a slam. Priest with the South of Heaven slam that is like a sitout Chokeslam and that was enough to win. It went about four minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Damian Priest
Analysis: ** A short match to give Priest some more positive momentum after he pinned Sheamus last week. Sadly, Morrison is mostly a comedy guy and loses matches like this often.
Post match, Sheamus, the US Champion, went into the ring and he attacked Priest. Ricochet made the save with a dropkick on Sheamus. Priest sent Morrison out of the ring. This set up a tag team match.
(Commercial)

Ricochet & Damian Priest vs. John Morrison & Sheamus (w/The Miz)
Ricochet hit an impressive moonsault off the ropes on Sheamus early on. The heels took over as Morrison sent Ricochet into the steel steps. Sheamus was back in with a backbreaker on Ricochet. There was a jumping kick by Ricochet to Sheamus and a German Suplex to Morrison. Priest tagged in, he knocked Sheamus down on the apron and Priest hit a slam off the shoulders into a backbreaker. Priest hit South of Heaven on Morrison for two, Sheamus made the save and Priest kicked Sheamus into the ropes. Priest with a clothesline that sent Sheamus out of the ring. Ricochet with a moonsault off the turnbuckle onto Sheamus on the floor. Priest hit The Reckoning neckbreaker on Morrison for the pinfall win after about four minutes.
Winners by pinfall: Ricochet & Damian Priest
Analysis: ** Two wins in a row for Priest with Morrison getting pinned again. Ricochet had some cool moves. Sheamus had little to no impact at all in this match. I would have liked to see more interaction with Priest/Sheamus there.
A replay was shown from earlier in the night when Bill Goldberg challenged Bobby Lashley to a match at SummerSlam. After MVP told Goldberg’s son that Goldberg was done, Goldberg hit MVP with a Spear in the aisle.
Bobby Lashley and MVP were up next as we approach the start of hour three.
(Commercial)

Bobby Lashley and MVP were backstage with Sarah Schreiber asking Lashley how he’ll respond to Goldberg’s challenge. Lashley accepted the SummerSlam challenge from Goldberg, so the WWE Title match is on.
Analysis: I predict a Lashley win in under five minutes. I think it’s going to be the shortest match at SummerSlam too.
Omos was interviewed by Kevin Patrick, who mentioned last week Omos destroyed Riddle’s scooter. Omos said it was Riddle’s scooter first and Riddle’s spine is next. No AJ Styles this week.
Omos vs. Riddle
Riddle with some running forearms to start, but then Omos caught Riddle by the throat and shoved him over the top to the floor. Omos tossed Riddle over the barricade at ringside. Riddle barely got back in before the ten count. Omos with a headbutt and then he ran into Riddle on the apron with Riddle bumping to the floor. Riddle was back in again with two jumping knees to the face and Riddle hit a springboard knee strike. Omos didn’t go down, so he hit a running clothesline. Omos with a lifting tree slam for a three count after three minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Omos
Analysis: *1/4 A dominant win by Omos. I figured Omos would get a significant push as he continued to get better in the ring. This sucked for Riddle, who got a big pop for his entrance. I assume the plan is Riddle/Orton vs. Styles/Omos at SummerSlam, but they didn’t do much in terms of building up Riddle. Maybe Orton is back next week.
Alexa Bliss was shown on her playground with Lilly the evil doll. Doudrop hit Bliss from behind and kicked her while she was down. Eva Marie showed up and said Lilly is disgusting. Eva reminded us that this was Eva-lution. After the girls left, they showed Lilly getting back up and laughing.
Analysis: It’s pretty silly. I’m not sure where the feud is going, but I hope they have some decent matches at least. I have my doubts about it.
Karrion Kross, the NXT Champion, was up next with his “fall and pray” song. I miss Scarlett joining him. Kross faces Keith Lee up next.
(Commercial)

There was a pre-match promo from Kross saying that Keith Lee will fall and pray. Keith Lee entered as the opponent. Kross beat Lee last week. Lee has lost two weeks in a row.
Karrion Kross vs. Keith Lee
They did a tight lock up going into the turnbuckle, Lee got a hold of Kross and Kross hit elbow strikes. Kross with two shoulder tackles. Kross sent a charging Lee to the apron, so then Lee came back with a leap slingshot leap over the top onto Kross with a cross body block. Kross came back with an Exploder Suplex near the turnbuckle. They left the ring with Kross giving Lee an overheard suplex into the steel steps. That led to a break.
(Commercial)

Kross was still in control with a running clothesline along with more strikes. Kross bounced off the ropes with another clothesline for two. Kross charged, Lee with a back elbow to stop and Lee hit a boot to the face. Lee with strikes, then a headbutt and Lee hit a hard double chop to the chest. Lee fired up, he ran the ropes and ran over Kross with a shoulder tackle. The crowd came alive to support Lee. Kross fought out of a Spirit Bomb attempt, then Lee blocked a suplex and Kross hit a forearm to the back of the head. Kross applied the Kross Jacket submission, but Lee fought out of that and broke the hold. Lee flipped Kross over and Lee hit a Spirit Bomb for the pinfall win after nine minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Keith Lee
Analysis: **3/4 This was pretty good for the time given with each man hitting some big moves during the match. Lee needed the win, but I don’t like Kross losing either. The 50/50 booking philosophy strikes again because Kross won last week, so now Lee got the win back and it should lead to a third match. If it was up to me, these guys wouldn't have wrestled the last two weeks because I think both of them could use victories instead of trading wins. Have Lee beat Elias or something like that.

Rhea Ripley was interviewed by Kevin Patrick talking about how Charlotte Flair & Nikki A.S.H. have a No Holds Barred match. Ripley said that no matter what happens tonight, she is the one that will walk out of SummerSlam as the Raw Women’s Champion.
Reggie, who no longer uses the name Reginald, made his entrance as the 24/7 Champion.
(Commercial)

24/7 Championship: Reggie vs. Akira Tozawa
Reggie did his usual spots where he avoided the offense of his opponent with some backflips and other moves. Tozawa charged, Reggie moved and Tozawa hit his face on the bottom rope. Reggie ran the ropes leading to a leap over Tozawa. That led to Tozawa saying he was doing “ninja power” and Reggie hit some back elbow move. Reggie hit a running flip onto a seated Tozawa for the pinfall win. It went two minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Reggie
Analysis: * The athleticism shown by Reggie is impressive. I just don’t find it that interesting to watch. This title is boring, so that hurts it a lot too.
Nikki A.S.H. was interviewed backstage by Kevin Patrick. Nikki said that last week Charlotte beat her, but Nikki has the confidence that she can beat her. Nikki said that if you believe in yourself you can be “almost a superhero” so I guess I could be John A.S.H. then? No thanks.
Nikki A.S.H. made her entrance as the Raw Women’s Champion. There wasn’t much of a reaction to her initially, but it was decent.
(Commercial)

Charlotte Flair made her entrance for the main event. Women’s matches have main evented Raw three weeks in a row with Flair facing Nikki two weeks in a row and Ripley a week before that.
No Holds Barred Match: Charlotte Flair vs. Nikki A.S.H.
The action spilled to the floor quickly. Charlette cleared off the announce table and then Nikki came back by sending Charlotte into the ring post. Charlotte also brought out a table before that. Charlotte hit an overhead suplex on the floor. Charlotte charged at Nikki, who was standing in front of a barricade and they collapsed there. That led to a break.
(Commercial)

The match continued with a table set up against the turnbuckle. The fans chanted for tables as Charlotte battled Nikki against the ropes. Nikki went for a cross body block, Charlotte moved and then Charlotte hit running boot to the face. Charlotte with a running kick again and she picked up Nikki. Charlotte went for a chair, so Nikki came back with a dropkick. Nikki jumped off the apron with a DDT on the floor. Charlotte caught Nikki going off the barricade and then  Charlotte gave Nikki a Powerbomb through the announce table. The fans popped big for that. Charlotte carried Nikki back into the ring. Charlotte put her foot on the chest of Cross and Nikki kicked out. Charlotte charged at Nikki, so Becky moved and Charlotte went running through the table. That got a two count from Nikki. The fans chanted for the women with a “this is awesome chant” and Nikki was soaking in the cheers. Nikki hit a draping neckbreaker off the ropes and pinned Charlotte to get the win after 15 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Nikki A.S.H.
Analysis: ***1/4 This was fine with the crowd popping for Nikki's offense and they really liked when Charlotte went through a table. For a match that was billed a No Hold Barred Match, they really didn't use a lot of weapons. It just didn't feel like a big win tome. The result was a clean win to give Nikki a win back after last week as a reminder that 50/50 booking strikes again.
Nikki A.S.H. celebrated with the Raw Women’s Championship some more. That was the end of the show.

Three Stars of the Show
1. Nikki A.S.H.
2. Charlotte Flair
3. Damian Priest

The Scoreboard
5 out of 10
Last week: 5.5
2021 Average: 5.90

Final Thoughts
This was just an average show. I think they repeat matches too often and do far too many 50/50 booking scenarios where somebody wins one week and then the other person gets the win back next week. They literally did it three times on this show with Charlotte/Nikki, Kross/Lee and the Mace/T-Bar feud with Mansoor/Ali. Does the creative team really think this is the best way to book this show when you do the same sort of booking scenarios three times? It just feels like lazy booking to me. Raw is lacking excitement right now. The Lashley/Goldberg segment was fine and Goldberg hitting MVP with a Spear sends a message, I guess. I just think we all assume Lashley wins in five minutes or less at SummerSlam and we're probably right. It's not that intriguing.
On a positive note, it was a sold out show in Chicago and the fans were loud (some chants for Bray Wyatt and CM Punk too), but WWE just didn't give them a very good or memorable show this week.
The next WWE pay-per-view is SummerSlam on Saturday, August 21. Here’s the official lineup so far.


WWE Universal Championship: Roman Reigns (c) vs. John Cena
WWE Championship: Bobby Lashley (c) vs. Goldberg
Raw Women’s Championship: Nikki A.S.H. (c) vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Rhea Ripley
You can watch SummerSlam on Saturday, Aug. 21, streaming at 8 ET/5 PT exclusively on Peacock in the United States and WWE Network everywhere else.
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John Canton
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