The first episode of WWE RAW in July set an intense tone for the forthcoming packed weekend of wrestling, spotlighting the ongoing rivalry between Jey Uso and Bronson Reed. The show featured several high-stakes bouts and confrontations, with Seth Rollins and his associates Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed showcasing their control over opponents. As Breakker and Reed were slated to face Sami Zayn and Jey Uso respectively, Rollins engaged in a hard-fought main event match against Penta. The night was punctuated by heated exchanges and physical battles, all building momentum toward Summerslam and other significant events.
Amidst the action, a surprise interruption disrupted Rollins and his group’s plans, while a contentious encounter unfolded among Becky Lynch, Bayley, and Lyra Valkyria. Additionally, Goldberg confronted Gunther ahead of their anticipated clash at Saturday Night’s Main Event, further fueling the excitement for the weekend’s marquee matches. Overall, RAW delivered a promising preview of the storylines and rivalries set to take center stage.
Bron Breakker’s Ruthless Assault on Sami Zayn Continues
Last week, Sami Zayn suffered a brutal backstage attack by Karrion Kross before an important tag match against Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed. Despite the assault, Sami competed but was ultimately defeated after being speared multiple times by Breakker. This week’s RAW opened with a promo featuring Breakker, Reed, Paul Heyman, and Seth Rollins where Breakker expressed his deep disdain for Sami, declaring that the night marked the end of Sami’s tenure.
Sami faced another violent attack from Kross during his entrance, but he still chose to compete against Breakker. The match was dominated by Breakker’s displays of power, including a mid-air spear and a running spear outside the ring, followed by another spear inside the ring to secure the victory. Backstage, Heyman informed the group that Sami would be sidelined indefinitely, eliciting laughter from the stable.
This squash-style match effectively reinforced Breakker’s image as a relentless force while deepening the ongoing conflict involving Sami and Kross. Although Sami was announced as out, it is likely he will return in time for a rematch with Kross at Summerslam. Breakker’s takeover of the mic, interrupting Heyman and Rollins, highlighted his growing confidence and hinted at a possible rift within the stable. This segment successfully raised Breakker’s profile as a major player in <a href="https://cynicaltimes.org/category/wrestling-news/wwe/”>WWE’s main event scene.
Becky Lynch, Bayley, and Lyra Valkyria Ignite Rivalry Ahead of Evolution
Two weeks prior, Lyra Valkyria’s interference during Becky Lynch’s Women’s Intercontinental Title defense against Bayley caused a disqualification, sparking tension among the trio. The following week, Bayley and Lyra competed for a number one contender spot, resulting in a double pin draw. Consequently, a Triple Threat match involving all three was scheduled for the Evolution event.
This week on RAW, the three women engaged in a fiery promo segment. Lyra challenged Bayley’s loyalty and desire for the title, accusing her of abandoning friendships for championships, while Bayley responded by criticizing Lyra and accusing Becky of disrespect. The confrontation erupted into a brawl, with Lyra dropkicking Bayley through the ropes and executing a series of moves culminating with her raising Becky’s hand and tossing the championship belt toward her, insisting it would be the last time Becky held the title.
The segment showcased strong chemistry between the three performers and heightened the anticipation for their match at Evolution. Despite the brief buildup, this feud has been one of the most consistent and engaging storylines since WrestleMania, elevating the Women’s Intercontinental Title to a position of prestige on RAW. The intensity shared among Becky, Bayley, and Lyra suggests this rivalry will extend beyond Sunday’s event, promising more electrifying moments ahead.
Jey Uso and Bronson Reed Escalate Their Rivalry with Physicality
Three weeks ago, Jey Uso advanced in the King of the Ring tournament by defeating Bronson Reed with back-to-back Uso Splashes. In last week’s episode, Jey intervened to protect Sami Zayn, assaulting Bron Breakker and throwing a chair at Reed’s head. Their heated animosity culminated in a match this week.
Prior to the match, Reed delivered a promo accusing Jey of disrespect and vowed to teach him a lesson with his signature Tsunami move. In the contest, Jey delivered a Suicide Dive that sent Reed crashing over the announcer’s table. Despite a near finish, Reed retaliated by throwing a chair at Jey, causing a disqualification. Post-match chaos ensued as Reed landed two consecutive Tsunamis on Jey before officials and Adam Pearce intervened.
This encounter further cemented Reed’s dominance and amplified the intensity between him and Jey. The ruthless chair attack served as retribution for the previous week’s offense, setting the stage for a consequential rematch, likely at Summerslam or on an upcoming episode of RAW. Given Paul Heyman’s earlier reference to Roman Reigns during the show, it is plausible that Reigns may return to aid Jey against Reed and Breakker, potentially leading to a high-profile Summerslam attraction featuring the four competitors.
Gunther and Goldberg’s Confrontation Sets the Stage for a Climactic Battle
Gunther reclaimed the World Heavyweight Championship on the June 9 RAW, only to be challenged by Goldberg, who cited a past insult at Bad Blood in Atlanta as motivation for their upcoming bout. The Saturday Night’s Main Event match was made official and billed as Goldberg’s retirement fight.
This week’s segment saw Gunther taunting Goldberg for having made no verbal rebuttal, suggesting that fear was the cause. Goldberg made a sudden arrival, silencing Gunther by slapping the microphone from his hand and knocking him down with a right hand. While Goldberg aimed for a spear, Gunther escaped the ring, avoiding the attack.
Though the segment was brief, Goldberg’s presence provided an impactful final appearance before the match, eliciting a huge crowd reaction. The combination of the Atlanta setting and the bout’s significance as Goldberg’s farewell lends the event a special aura. However, it is anticipated that Gunther will retain the title quickly, allowing Goldberg to conclude his farewell on a respectful note rather than with a title victory, which would conflict with recent storyline logic and Gunther’s dominant status in WWE’s prime.
Seth Rollins and Penta Deliver a Main Event Filled with Drama and Skill
Following Penta’s recent defeat by Bron Breakker, Seth Rollins engaged in a tense rivalry culminating in a one-on-one match this week. Rollins, who is scheduled to face L.A. Knight on Saturday with potential Summerslam title implications, demonstrated impressive in-ring abilities. Both competitors exchanged a variety of high-impact moves, including a Gut Buster and Frog Splash from Rollins, and Penta responding with a top-rope hurricanrana and the Penta Driver.
The contest reached a climax as Rollins used underhanded tactics, including a low blow while the referee’s attention was elsewhere, to gain the upper hand and secure the win with a Curb Stomp. After the match, as Breakker and Reed approached to inflict further damage, L.A. Knight appeared, attacking Rollins and providing a dramatic cliffhanger for their upcoming confrontation.
This main event was widely regarded as the best match of the night, solidifying Penta’s rapid rise since his Raw debut half a year ago. The interference by Knight sets the stage for a continued feud that, alongside recent tensions involving Gunther and CM Punk, may culminate in a multi-person title match at Summerslam. The interplay among these wrestlers promises a compelling storyline with multiple intertwining narratives.
Additional Highlights from WWE RAW: Tag Team Tensions and Emerging Stories
Roxanne Perez faced Kairi Sane in a singles match with Raquel Rodriguez at her side. After Kairi performed a top-rope crossbody outside the ring, Perez capitalized but was soon pinned after Kairi reversed her Pop Rocks move into a backslide. Post-match, Kairi was attacked by Perez and Raquel until Asuka intervened, leading to a dramatic reunion with Kairi. The alliance has been confirmed to compete in a Fatal Four Way for the Women’s Tag Team Titles at Evolution alongside Raquel & Perez, Charlotte & Alexa Bliss, and Sol Ruca & Zaria.
This segment primarily served to highlight the reformation of the former Kabuki Warriors, a team that historically performed well together. Despite their recent reunion, Raquel and Perez are predicted to retain the tag titles, furthering Perez’s arc within Judgment Day as she asserts dominance in Liv Morgan’s absence. This storyline is expected to develop as Perez continues to cement her role.
In another match, El Grande Americano took on Dragon Lee. Despite Dragon Lee’s offensive maneuvers, Americano secured the victory by exploiting a distraction to hit Lee with a running headbutt using concealed metal in his mask. This contest furthers Americano’s ongoing storyline, filling the gap left by Chad Gable’s injury. Dragon Lee continues to demonstrate his value as enhancement talent while Ludwig Kaiser assumes this masked role, maintaining regular television exposure despite limited appearances elsewhere.
