WWE Raw opened this week with Gunther in the ring for a promo segment. He doubled down on his words against Damian Priest last week and claimed he would restore prestige to the World Heavyweight Championship. Damian Priest came to the ring and immediately swung at Gunther. Security tried to separate them, but they were brawling into the first commercial break. After the break, the fight broke down even further backstage. WWE personnel eventually split them up.
They were in fact, NOT, finished with each other.#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/2UPjF8VhYB
— WWE (@WWE) July 23, 2024
Next, we would have a number one contender’s match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship. Ilja Dragunov would take on Bron Breakker. A very stiff match where both men looked great. After a couple of amazing false finishes, both ways the crowd was as loud as could be. Bron would hit a spear on the outside, after which the referee said he could not continue.
ZAYN. BREAKKER.
ROUND 2SUMMERSLAM pic.twitter.com/Az7JKeOOmU
— WWE (@WWE) July 23, 2024
The next match was between Lyra Valkyria and Sonya Deville. The match itself was average, with a couple of decent false finishes. Sonya Deville won cleanly, despite both women having company at ringside.
Sonya Deville (w/Zoey Stark & Shayna Baszler) def. Lyra Valkyria (w/Katana Chance & Kayden Carter)#WWE #WWERaw pic.twitter.com/dV5eMMN2ek
— WWE Universe (@allwweuniverse) July 23, 2024
CM Punk would make his return, declaring that he is cleared and seeking the blood of Drew McIntyre. McIntyre would come out with a microphone in hand, saying he doesn’t feel like fighting tonight while waving the bracelet he stole (with his family’s name on it). Security would keep Punk away until Adam Pearce would announce their match for SummerSlam. At this point, Seth Rollins would make an appearance to announce he will be the special guest referee.
BREAKING: CM Punk gets @DMcIntyreWWE one-on-one at #SummerSlam … with special guest referee @WWERollins! pic.twitter.com/2Fic2zoKFL
— WWE (@WWE) July 23, 2024
Xavier Woods, Otis, and Tizawa would take on The Final Testament in a six-man tag match. The crowd was very lively tonight, especially for the babyface team of this match. Karrion Kross would hit a few impressive power moves before pinning Xavier Woods. Chad Gable and his newly formed faction with The Creed Brothers would come to address his former faction and losing team. Gable would tell them they clearly need to come back and join him once again. When Otis refused, The Creed Brothers would attack. During the attack, the lights would go out, and The Wyatt Six’s music would hit. Most of the members would appear on the entrance ramp. This distracted everyone, and Uncle Howdy would hit the Sister Abigail finisher on Chad Gable to end the segment.
Speechless. pic.twitter.com/HyRBX98gQM
— WWE (@WWE) July 23, 2024
Bronson Reed and Pete Dunne were scheduled to be the next match. Before the match could even start, Sheamus blindsided Dunne with a huge knee. Sheamus continued to take both men out, clearly seeking revenge for the blindside from Pete Dunne last week. With no match to be had, Sheamus stood in the ring with his music playing to end the segment.
SHEAMUS ATTACKS PETE DUNNE BEFORE THE MATCH STARTS.
This triple threat match would be a banger 🔥#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/RjoMTy22Kj
— TribaI Wrestling (@TribalMegastar) July 23, 2024
Rhea Ripley shoved Dominik Mysterio to the ring and yelled for Liv Morgan, saying, “If you want him, come and get him.” Liv was in the rafters and said Dominik wouldn’t want a girl who looks like Rhea and is more interested in her. Dominik told Liv he hates her and that she ruined his life. Liv left in tears, and Dominik received a loving lick and kiss from Rhea.
— WWE (@WWE) July 23, 2024
Zelina Vega versus Zoey Stark was next. Stark focused on the arm they had injured just last week (a work). Shayna Baszler pulled Zelina’s leg when the referee wasn’t looking. Lyra Valkyria, Katana Chance, and Kayden Carter came in to swing the numbers advantage. Zelina did not let it go to waste and secured the pinfall.
Everything's coming up ZELINA!#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/tvJJuiuDI9
— WWE (@WWE) July 23, 2024
Jey Uso & Sami Zayn would take on the Tag Team Champions from The Judgment Day. Judgment Day would do a good job early singling out Sami Zayn, who did get some great offense in but was stuck in the ring for some time. Sami would eventually get the hot tag, and the crowd couldn’t wait to cheer. Jey would take advantage, taking out both men leading to a false finish. The Judgment Day would then use the numbers advantage, with Carlito distracting the referee so Dominik could get hands-on. This led to another false finish. Jey and Sami would fight back to ultimately win via pinfall. After the match, Bron Breakker would blindside Sami Zayn with a spear to end the episode.
SURPRISE! 😲#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/oSEmuDe7PY
— WWE (@WWE) July 23, 2024
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