The latest WWE Raw episode featured a tribute to Hulk Hogan alongside intense in-ring action and dramatic confrontations, but it was Jey Uso’s faltering promo that stood out for the wrong reasons. The show aired the night following Hogan’s death, balancing homage with high-stakes storylines and marked by standout performances, especially from C.M. Punk, signaling a hopeful build-up to SummerSlam.
Mixed Reactions to WWE’s Hulk Hogan Tribute
WWE devoted part of its week’s programming to honoring Hulk Hogan, yet the tribute drew some criticism for its placement. While a considerable homage was given on SmackDown, some fans and commentators felt that revisiting the tribute on Raw was excessive given Hogan’s controversial legacy. The tension surrounding Hogan’s personal history and public criticisms made the repeated tributes feel misplaced for some viewers.
Uneven Start Marred by Jey Uso’s Weak Promo
The Raw opening segment began with Paul Heyman, who performed strongly in his usual role, but controversy arose during his interaction, which touched on his Jewish heritage and felt uncomfortable to some audiences. More notably, Jey Uso struggled to deliver a confident promo, stumbling and mumbling his lines in a highly anticipated comeback moment. Uso’s struggle on the mic stood out since he has historically displayed better verbal skills, making the opening feel shaky.
Engaging Tag Action Builds Momentum Toward SummerSlam
The tag team competition, particularly Styles & The Kabuki Warriors versus Judgment Day, was praised for its energy and relevance heading into SummerSlam. The match helped maintain The Kabuki Warriors’ presence on Raw while furthering the feud between AJ Styles and Dominic Mysterio over the Intercontinental Championship. Styles secured the victory, foreshadowing a likely loss at the SummerSlam pay-per-view, but his performance was engaging and well-received.
Lyra Valkyria’s Character Development Falters in Promo
Lyra Valkyria’s segment highlighted ongoing challenges in establishing her character beyond her in-ring skills. Despite being a competent wrestler, Valkyria’s mic work failed to connect, earning silence from the audience as she awkwardly described her “big shoes” intended to be used against Becky Lynch. The moment became visibly uncomfortable, with Valkyria mistakenly saying “two weeks” instead of “next week,” amplifying the segment’s struggles until the physical encounter with Lynch improved the scene’s energy.
Extended Eight-Woman Tag Match Showcases Women’s Division Talent
A significant eight-woman tag team match received generous time allocation, a stark contrast to the brevity of such matches during the Divas Era. Over 15 minutes, each participant demonstrated their wrestling abilities, blending star power with technical skill. Fan favorites among the babyfaces drew loud reactions, while heel World Champion Naomi continued to impress. Stephanie Vaquer emerged as a standout star, positioned as a future leader within the women’s division, potentially eclipsing established figures like Iyo Sky, Rhea Ripley, Charlotte, and Becky Lynch.
Judgment Day Defends Tag Titles but New Rivalries Emerge
The Tag Team Championship battle between Judgment Day and the Latino World Order (LWO) delivered an entertaining showcase of aerial agility and teamwork. Challengers Cruz Del Toro and Joaquin Wilde pushed the champions JD McDonagh and Finn Balor, though ultimately fell short. Post-match developments introduced the “El Grande Americano” storyline, with both a second and third iteration of the character appearing, intensifying the factional disputes and adding depth to ongoing narratives.
C.M. Punk Rekindles Fire in Rivalry with Gunther
The clash between World Champion Gunther and C.M. Punk showed marked improvement compared to previous encounters. Responding to critiques of his earlier, more muted promo, Punk delivered a stronger, passionate performance that injected fresh intensity into their rivalry. Gunther similarly maintained credibility as champion, making their ongoing feud a highlight and building enthusiasm for Punk’s hopeful chance at the title at SummerSlam.
Raw’s Main Event Ends with Chaotic Confrontation and Roman Reigns’ Surprise
The headliner featuring Jey Uso and Bronson Reed was short and underwhelming, concluding after seven minutes due to interference by Bron Breakker, which resulted in a disqualification. However, the ensuing post-match brawl elevated the energy significantly. Roman Reigns appeared unexpectedly to rescue Uso, creating a tense moment as the heel duo still gained an advantage without a traditional numbers edge. The physical assault, capped by Reed stealing Reigns’ shoes and Breakker’s aggressive declaration of dominance, set a charged tone ahead of SummerSlam, promising further chapters in these rivalries.
“He was much more passionate this week, and brought it against Gunther in a more compelling way.” —Wade Keller, Pro Wrestling Analyst
“Breakker was great in yelling about owning WWE during the beat down.” —Wade Keller, Pro Wrestling Analyst
Overall, while Raw showcased important developments and several compelling matches, Jey Uso’s faltering promo introduced a sense of uncertainty amid the excitement. The show’s blend of tribute, rivalry, and rising stars highlights WWE’s continuing efforts to build toward SummerSlam, but also underscores the importance of strong performances in critical moments. Fans will be watching closely to see how these storylines evolve in the coming weeks.
