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WWE Raw opened this week with Rhea Ripley entering the ring. In case you missed it, she returned last week and confronted Dominik Mysterio in the ring alongside Liv Morgan. This week, however, she seemed focused on the championship she was forced to vacate due to injury (which Liv Morgan now holds). She called Liv to the ring, only for Dominik to appear. Dominik came out with a rose, but Rhea wanted nothing to do with it. That’s when Liv appeared on the Jumbotron. Rhea challenged Liv to a match at SummerSlam for the Women’s World Championship. Rhea ended the segment by saying she would not only end Liv Morgan’s title reign but also end her career. We will have to wait to find out the future of Dominik Mysterio.
MAMI wants her match at #SummerSlam! 👀 pic.twitter.com/HIiS3laZXB
— WWE (@WWE) July 16, 2024
The first match of the night saw Sheamus take on Bronson Reed. No tie-up to start this one; they went straight to blows. It didn’t take long for the fight to spill to the outside, where both men utilized the announcer’s table. The pace was a little slow, but both men were very stiff and snug. Sheamus rolled out of the way of a humongous moonsault and hit a big knee to secure the pinfall. After the match, Pete Dunne attacked Sheamus. A storyline that started last week showed Pete Dunne upset with Sheamus for ending their faction, The Brawling Brutes.
They're DUNNE…#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/vQRhyNR72I
— WWE (@WWE) July 16, 2024
The next match was between Sonya Deville and Zelina Vega. This was a very short match, in which Shayna Baszler helped Sonya win.
😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱 pic.twitter.com/o7GtzYh0va
— WWE (@WWE) July 16, 2024
Damian Priest and Gunther would do a face-to-face promo in hype of their upcoming title match. Gunther would open by stating that Damian has been a bad champion and offer to spare him the embarrassment of losing at SummerSlam and take the title off his shoulder. Walter would also claim he will restore the prestige of the championship, calling Priest “street trash.” Priest would retort, claiming Gunther doesn’t have the heart to beat him.
"Maybe we find out after #SummerSlam if you're something more than just a boring, conceited privileged SCUMBAG."#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/UTRbCl4VmJ
— WWE (@WWE) July 16, 2024
Damian Priest would then have a match against Braun Strowman. Priest, not often the smaller man, would use his speed advantage to use counter kicks early on. It was clear he was focused on chopping down the tree-like legs of Strowman. Strowman would get some offense in here and there, but Priest was largely in control. Priest would win after hitting the South of Heaven Chokeslam. The match itself was rather short and uninteresting. Gunther came to the ring following the match and went face to face with Priest. There were no cheap shots, but the two landed heavy blows on each other.
What a HUGE win for the champ on #WWERaw! pic.twitter.com/VuPwVXlvJF
— WWE (@WWE) July 16, 2024
Kayden Carter and Katana Chance would take on Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark in a tag team match. Carter and Chance pulled off a unique high spot to take the show into commercial. Sonya Deville would try to interfere in the match, but Lyra Valkyria was ringside to aid Carter and Chance. However, it would prove to be enough of a distraction for Baszler and Stark to regain control and win the match.
Katana Chance and Kayden Carter always pull off the most innovative moves in every match they compete in. 👏👏
The Moonsault Double Knees from Chance on Shayna Baszler looked STIFF.#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/sbzeNmq8Ab
— PW Chronicle (@_PWChronicle) July 16, 2024
GM Adam Pearce would bring Drew McIntyre to the ring to discuss McIntyre’s suspension. Pearce would say that Punk versus McIntyre has the potential to be special. McIntyre would claim to want the match more than anything in the world. The GM would say that if McIntyre can be more professional, he is ready to do business. Pearce would have one request before granting the match. He would ask McIntyre to apologize to the two referees he hurt previously. McIntyre would be very hesitant, saying that Pearce was just trying to embarrass him. After some thought, he would decide not to apologize, claiming that referees just cost him constantly. This would cause Pearce not to lift the suspension. McIntyre would push the referees down and get in the face of the General Manager. Seth Rollins would come to the rescue to end the segment.
He's becoming really McIntyred of all of this…#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/0tJyVGDn6z
— WWE (@WWE) July 16, 2024
The next segment showed what was on another VHS tape, this time delivered to the Pat McAfee show. It showed Eric Rowan talking about how he used to have a family, and then the whole world changed when he lost both Bray Wyatt and Luke Harper. He became emotional talking about the dark hole he fell into during this loss.
💜💜📼 pic.twitter.com/3iAFxX16ch
— WWE (@WWE) July 16, 2024
Dominik Mysterio would have his request granted and would take on Jey Uso. Jey is showing interest in Rhea Ripley, and Dominik is looking to put Jey in his place. Mysterio would attack Uso while he was still doing his entrance. Mysterio seemed more aggressive than usual and had control early on. Jey would gain control after a while, only for Liv Morgan to pull him out of the way of a frog splash. He would end up with Liv on top of him on the floor. Rhea Ripley would make an appearance, and Liv Morgan made a quick getaway. Dominik would get back in the ring only to get hit with a spear and a frog splash, losing the match.
LIV wants DOM 😳
JEY wants MAMI 🤙#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/EGQf6UUZNk— WWE (@WWE) July 16, 2024
Chad Gable would come to the ring to call out Bo Dallas. The Wyatt Sicks had attacked Gable during their debut and had been constantly appearing during Gable’s matches. Bo would make his way down when The Creed Brothers would jump him from behind. This was a surprising heel turn for The Creed Brothers and an interesting union. The Creed’s would then hold Bo while Gable gave him a beating. Despite the beating, Bo was laughing the whole time. The arena would go black, the smoke would roll in, and the ominous music would hit. The remaining Wyatt Sicks would climb onto the apron, and all three men were quick to run away.
RUN. pic.twitter.com/bIVgWc9OPH
— WWE (@WWE) July 16, 2024
The main event of Raw this week was for the WWE Intercontinental Championship, with Sami Zayn defending against Ilya Dragunov. It was a very physical match with great reversals from both wrestlers. Sami managed to reverse an H-Bomb with a boot up, and both men ended up lying exhausted in the ring. Dragunov gained control, booting Sami to the floor and hitting an H-Bomb from the apron. He then hit a coast-to-coast and attempted a senton from the top, but Zayn got his knees up and countered with a Helluva Kick, forcing Dragunov to the outside. At this point, Bron Breakker appeared and ruined the match by spearing Dragunov. Sami and Bron then got into it, with Bron eventually hitting a spear on Sami. Raw ended with Bron celebrating over Sami Zayn.
DIDN'T SECURITY ESCORT HIM FROM THE ARENA?! 😲#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/Z5OEDERQ0p
— WWE (@WWE) July 16, 2024
Howe Fresh (of The Wrasslin Corner on The Real Fresh Channel)
for Greenville Sports Media
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