WWE Raw opened this week with Rhea Ripley entering the ring to address the recent issues with Liv Morgan, Dominik Mysterio, and The Judgment Day. She told Dominik that he came up a little short (if you catch my drift) and Liv that she can’t run from her forever. Liv and Dom appeared in the nosebleeds with a microphone. Dominik told Rhea that he left her because he deserves to be treated like a man and that she tried to change him (when he could get a word in over the loud boos). This segment did get a little long-winded without much new substance. Damian Priest appeared behind Dominik and the two brawled into the concession area. Liv and Rhea joined the fray before Dominik and Priest made their way to the ring. Carlito saved Dominik from a chokeslam to end the segment.
"Dirty" Dom finally explains why he betrayed his MAMI at SummerSlam!#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/mcyxLnhOQe
— WWE (@WWE) August 13, 2024
After the commercial break, we would see Damian Priest versus Carlito. Priest was largely dominant outside of a couple of brief moments. Priest would secure the pinfall before being jumped by The “New” Judgment Day. Rhea would come to his aid, and the two were somehow able to fight them all off. Liv & Rhea, Finn & Damian, the sagas continue.
TERROR TWINS vs. THE JUDGMENT DAY#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/HN46TuNM5D
— WWE (@WWE) August 13, 2024
Bo Dallas would feature in another video segment talking about the emotional in-ring debut of The Wyatt Sicks last week.
watch this 📼 pic.twitter.com/oFfmvXe2ED
— WWE (@WWE) August 13, 2024
Next, we would see Odyssey Jones make his Raw in-ring debut. This was another typical debut against someone already in the ring. Jones would show off his power before winning the squash match. The Final Testament would appear after the match and tell Xavier Woods that Odyssey Jones is a replacement for him in the New Day. New Day would challenge them to a six-man tag match.
Well well well…#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/4AZCxbzPZq
— WWE (@WWE) August 13, 2024
Otis and Tazawa would take on The Creed Brothers in their ongoing storyline with Chad Gable in a tornado tag match. The Creed Brothers would be in control early on, but they seemed to lack intensity that night. Otis and Tazawa would fight back, as babyfaces do. Neither team seemed to want to land anything believable; it was very soft. During the match, Ivy Nile would attack Maxxine Dupri at ringside, which distracted Alpha Academy. The Creed Brothers would take advantage and win the match.
THE BETRAYAL!#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/xsMk7TTMPQ
— WWE (@WWE) August 13, 2024
The WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn, would come down to watch the next match. It was the number one contenders’ match for their titles between Damage CTRL and Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark. This match had a good pace and smooth back-and-forth. Even the suplexes were nice and crisp. During a fight on the outside, Alba Fyre received a kick intended for someone else. Shortly after, it would seem Iyo had the match won before Isla Dawn broke up the pinfall, and the referee was forced to throw out the match. Will this lead to a three-way match for the titles?
Which team won the match? NEITHER! 😬#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/nYeIrDEepo
— WWE (@WWE) August 13, 2024
Randy Orton would come to the ring to discuss his World Heavyweight Championship match against Gunther, upcoming at Bash in Berlin. He didn’t get far before being interrupted by the current champion, Gunther. Gunther wouldn’t get a word out before Randy stated his intention to take his title and send him to SmackDown. Gunther would tell him he has wasted more talent than anyone and that in Gunther’s era, there is no room for Randy Orton. Orton would go on to remind Gunther who he is by listing many of his accomplishments. Gunther would retort by saying he will get the worst beating of his career and he will never be able to be champion again. Gunther then made things personal by calling Randy a screw-up, just like his father and grandfather. Orton dropped his mic and the two got face-to-face when Drew McIntyre decided to make an appearance. Drew would not utter a word before Orton would hit an RKO on the distracted Gunther. CM Punk then stormed toward Drew McIntyre, but the two would have a back-and-forth brawl. Drew would get the worst of it, however, running away after many whips from a belt.
HE'S HERE!!!#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/jZxhAKVjPC
— WWE (@WWE) August 13, 2024
The next segment would see Pete Dunne brutally attacking Sheamus backstage. Will these two settle their beef in Berlin?
he's dunne.
but he's not DONE!#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/nJsgn1sC8c— WWE (@WWE) August 13, 2024
The Miz would have the task of facing Bronson Reed, who last week attacked Seth Rollins with six consecutive Tsunamis. The Miz would come out strong and have some early momentum, but this was very brief before Bronson Reed simply overpowered him. Reed would go to hit a Tsunami after the match to The Miz, who was saved by R-Truth, who took the splash. Reed would hit numerous continued Tsunamis before officials rolled Truth out of harm’s way. Reed would just make his way to the other corner where he could hit Truth with two more Tsunamis.
BRONSON DID IT AGAIN! AND AGAIN! AND AGAIN! AND AGAIN!#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/M3MnJOdUT9
— WWE (@WWE) August 13, 2024
The main event of Raw would see a 2-out-of-3 falls match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship between Bron Breakker and Sami Zayn. Breakker was very dominant early in the first fall, even taking the time to badmouth Sami while he was down. Sami would hit a surprise Helluva Kick to catch Breakker off guard and win the first fall. Early in the next fall, Sami Zayn would attempt a moonsault, only to be caught mid-air by Bron. Bron would follow up by sprinting and throwing Sami about 6 feet past the first barricade into a second barricade. Zayn was up one fall but had certainly taken the most damage at this point. Bron followed up with a top-rope Frankensteiner and two spears to pick up the second fall. Sami Zayn would take a beating during the third fall but would hit a top-rope sunset flip powerbomb, but Breakker kicked out. It would appear Zayn had the match won again off another great reversal, with a Helluva-like kick in the middle of the ring, Breakker somehow kicking out again. Zayn would go for a top-rope move but received a spear mid-air to ultimately lose the match. It was a great match considering the time limit.
BRON BREAKKER – 2
SAMI ZAYN – 1#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/557YwPSFrF— WWE (@WWE) August 13, 2024
That wraps up WWE Raw for this week. Stay tuned to Greenville Sports Media for more of my regular wrestling articles.
Howe Fresh (of The Wrasslin Corner on The Real Fresh Channel)
for Greenville Sports Media
and check out my weekly opinionated live podcast “The Wrasslin Corner” only on The Real Fresh Channel & DaFanboys