During the August 3, 2020 episode of WWE Raw at the Orlando Performance Center, intense confrontations unfolded, highlighting Nia Jax’s challenge to <a href="https://cynicaltimes.org/category/wrestling-news/wwe/”>WWE authority following her suspension. The episode featured a mix of title defenses, heated rivalries, and new concepts debuting amidst ongoing backstage tension. Nia Jax WWE Raw 2020 delivered high-stakes drama with conflicts escalating toward the upcoming Summerslam event.
The show opened with technical difficulties causing the lights to flicker, adding to the charged atmosphere. Apollo Crews retained the U.S. Title against MVP in a hard-fought match, setting the competitive tone early. Backstage segments revealed increasing friction between wrestlers and officials, especially after Nia Jax confronted WWE official Pat Buck, leading to her suspension. This episode also introduced Shane McMahon’s new Raw Underground, an underground fighting-style setup that shook the Raw landscape.
U.S. Championship Battle Between Apollo Crews and MVP Sets Stage
Apollo Crews and MVP headlined the first match with Crews defending his U.S. Championship. Despite interference from MVP’s allies Shelton Benjamin and Bobby Lashley, Crews countered effectively and secured a decisive victory with a released sitout powerbomb after twelve minutes. MVP insisted on a rematch at Summerslam, despite losing his imposter U.S. Title belt, reflecting their bitter competition.
Post-match, Crews expressed frustration over the distractions caused by Lashley and the unusual circumstances, noting how his children questioned his championship status. MVP’s demands for a rematch highlighted his simmering resentment, insisting the flickering lights created an unfair environment.
Backstage Tensions Mount With Women’s Division and Authority Figures
Bayley and Sasha Banks flaunted their titles backstage and dismissed questions about their Summerslam plans, exuding arrogance. Their confidence was interrupted by Asuka and Shayna Baszler, who challenged their dominance and provoked a heated exchange culminating in Baszler punching Sasha Banks and asserting her hunger for a title shot. The segment set a clear rivalry intensifying the Raw Women’s Championship scene.
Nia Jax confronted WWE authority in a dramatic in-ring segment. She appeared remorseful initially but quickly turned defiant, offering WWE official Pat Buck a match instead of an apology. After Buck declared her suspended indefinitely without pay, Jax violently attacked him, headbutting and kicking him, openly disputing his authority and inciting boos and mixed audience reactions. This act cemented Jax’s rebellion against WWE management and escalated her storyline dramatically.
Ko Show Highlights Reconciliation Attempts Amidst Rivalries
Kevin Owens hosted the KO Show, featuring Ruby Riott as his guest. Riott opened up emotionally about her struggles and the fractured relationship with Liv Morgan, who surprised Riott by appearing live. Riott apologized for past behaviors and sought to rebuild the Riott Squad’s unity. Their heartfelt reunion was interrupted by the IIconics, who mocked them and challenged them to an impromptu tag match. Owens, Riott, and Morgan overcame the IIconics, with Liv Morgan pinning Billie Kay, signaling a renewed partnership and deeper character developments in the women’s tag division.
24/7 Title Chaos and Shelton Benjamin’s Continued Pursuit
The 24/7 Title match featured chaotic action with Shelton Benjamin, Akira Tozawa, and R-Truth competing under typical rapid-fire rules. Tozawa emerged victorious by pinning R-Truth after a flurry of moves, including a high-risk senton off the top rope. The title’s unpredictable nature was underscored by ongoing backstage sabotage theories and the introduction of masked ninjas, adding mystery to the belt’s status.
Introduction of Raw Underground: Shane McMahon Changes the Show’s Format
Shane McMahon debuted Raw Underground, a no-rope fighting ring where wrestlers battled in an intense, Fight Club-inspired environment. The segment featured brutal exchanges and physical dominance displays, where Shane actively supervised and promoted a new, raw style of combat to excite viewers. Throughout the night, MVP, Lashley, and Shelton Benjamin asserted their dominance by invading this underground setting and overpowering local fighters, hinting at a wider takeover storyline and further disruptions.
Drew McIntyre and Randy Orton’s Rivalry Deepens With Personal Attacks
Drew McIntyre addressed his rivalry with Randy Orton, reflecting on their past and professional motivations. McIntyre criticized Orton for being handed opportunities while he earned his position through hardship, including being fired for mistakes. Orton responded by emphasizing his value and repeated his claim as “the chosen one,” leading to a piercing exchange filled with personal insults and challenges for Summerslam. Their intense verbal confrontation heightened anticipation for their impending championship clash.
Raw Tag Team and Singles Matches Spotlighted Key Feuds
The Street Profits entertained fans as they prepared to defend their Raw Tag Team Titles against Angel Garza and Andrade. In their matches, Garza defeated Angelo Dawkins after exploiting Dawkins’ partner <a href="https://cynicaltimes.org/tag/montez-ford/”>Montez Ford’s mysterious health collapse during the subsequent bout. Ford’s unsettling condition, suspected to involve poisoning, left the second match ruled no contest. This suspicious episode fueled backstage drama, with Zelina Vega’s behavior raising doubts and prompting <a href="https://cynicaltimes.org/tag/bianca-belair/”>Bianca Belair to confront her aggressively, escalating tensions before Summerslam.
Women’s Division Chaos Culminates in No Contest Result
The intense showdown between Shayna Baszler and Sasha Banks ended without a decisive winner after Asuka interfered by attacking Bayley at ringside, causing the referee to stop the match. Afterward, Asuka challenged Sasha Banks to a Summerslam match, while Baszler promised to support her only to betray her after the title bout, indicating shifting alliances and rivalries within the division.
Seth Rollins and Dominic Mysterio’s Heated Feud Escalates
Dominic Mysterio confronted Seth Rollins backstage, vowing to accept a Summerslam challenge after defending his father’s honor following a brutal attack by Rollins. In the ring, Seth addressed the Raw broadcast team with veiled threats and called for a new voice for the show, leading to an attempted attack on announcer Tom Phillips. Samoa Joe intervened to protect Phillips, and Dominic ambushed Rollins and his ally Murphy with a kendo stick, igniting further hostilities and promising an explosive Summerslam encounter.
Summary of Night’s Impact and Future Directions
The August 3, 2020 WWE Raw episode highlighted growing unrest across multiple storylines, from title defenses and personal rivalries to backstage power struggles and new concepts like Raw Underground. Nia Jax’s defiant response to her suspension marked a pivotal point, suggesting further rebellion against WWE management. The continued build-up to Summerslam featured key matchups, deepening tensions between Drew McIntyre and Randy Orton, as well as escalating battles among women’s champions and factions.
The debuts and disruptions witnessed during Raw present an unpredictable future for WWE’s landscape, with backstage sabotage rumors, evolving alliances, and intense competition setting the stage for a highly charged Summerslam event. With several unresolved conflicts and new formats in play, the ensuing weeks promise to intensify existing feuds and introduce unexpected developments impacting WWE Raw’s trajectory.
