In the lead-up to Saturday Night's Main Event and SummerSlam, WWE Raw delivered a compelling show from the American Airlines Arena in Dallas. The episode was a masterclass in building anticipation, with a focus on the key matches and storylines that will shape the upcoming events. Here's a deep dive into the highlights and my personal take on the night's action.
The Main Event: Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins
What makes this particular match so intriguing is the dynamic between the two competitors. Rollins, the ultimate instigator, thrives on the energy of the crowd, and his ability to rattle Reigns is a key element of their rivalry. In my opinion, this match is a showcase for Rollins' cunning and charisma, and his ability to get under Reigns' skin is a testament to his skill as a wrestler and a performer. The fact that Rollins has consistently beaten Reigns in the past adds an extra layer of complexity to the story, and it will be fascinating to see how Reigns responds to this challenge.
The No. 1 Contender's Gauntlet Match
This was a high-stakes bout that showcased the depth of talent on the Raw roster. Je'Von Evans stood out as the star of the show, working three different styles of matches and building a rapport with the audience. In my view, Evans is a star in the making, and his connection with the crowd will inevitably force management's hand. The gauntlet match was a great way to build to the SummerSlam matches, with some quality heat spots and a few physical encounters. It was a strong effort by WWE, and it will be interesting to see how the company builds on this momentum in the lead-up to the pay-per-view event.
The Vision Promo
This segment was a star-making moment for Maxxine Dupri as the centerpiece of The Vision. However, it also highlighted the lack of importance given to Bron Breakker, who has never felt less significant in his main roster run. In my perspective, this is an indictment on the part of the creative team, and it will be interesting to see how they navigate this love triangle storyline in the coming weeks. The segment was well-executed, but it did raise questions about the future of Breakker and the direction of The Vision.
Bayley vs. Lyra Valkyria
This was a short, succinct, and well-executed segment that showcased Bayley's edge and Lyra Valkyria's promos. In my opinion, Valkyria has clearly worked on her mic skills over the last 12 months, and her recent performances have been great. Bayley, on the other hand, rediscovered her edge and reminded the WWE Universe of who she is. The segment was a great bit of character work, and it will be interesting to see how the two women's storylines develop in the coming weeks.
Overall Grade
This was another strong effort by WWE, with a focus on building anticipation for the upcoming events. The show did a great job of showcasing the talent on the roster and providing quality heat spots and physical encounters. While it may not have been perfect, everything meant something and built to something else. For a show that is likely to get outperformed in the ratings by the MLB All-Star Home Run Derby, this was a good outing from a company that still needs to find a way to convince fans to travel to Minneapolis for SummerSlam on August 1 and 2.
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