The August 18 WWE RAW episode began with a segment intended to feature Seth Rollins and The Vision, but it failed to reinvent Rollins’ stale persona. Despite introducing a manager and two associates, Rollins continued using his outdated entrance music, which feels mismatched with his heel role. The character itself remains unconvincing, more a man in eccentric attire than a compelling villain. Additionally, repeated references to ECW by Paul Heyman did little to engage fans, reminding viewers of a brand that ceased operations over two decades ago. Notably, the segment set the stage for an extreme rules main event designed to prevent disqualifications, though this also implied legal but disruptive run-ins rather than the typical illicit interference.
Iyo Sky and Raquel Rodriguez Deliver a Strong Match
The contest between Iyo Sky and Raquel Rodriguez stood out as an enjoyable and cleanly finished bout. Sky managed to counteract interference attempts by Roxanne Perez, Rodriguez’s ally, showcasing resilience and skill. Following the bout, a compelling post-match moment occurred when Rhea Ripley intervened to rescue Sky from a two-on-one assault, effectively enhancing the storyline and adding depth to the women’s rivalry.
Storyline Execution Falters in Sky–Asuka Conflict
The narrative involving Iyo Sky and Asuka presented a promising premise but faltered due to weak acting and unconvincing delivery. Rhea Ripley’s decision to intervene alone, despite having former Damage CTRL teammates Asuka and Kairi Sane nearby, sparked tension. This caused a visible rift among the four women, leading to a heated argument. Unfortunately, the confrontation, particularly Sky’s erratic outbursts, came across as uncomfortable and undermined the emotional impact expected from the storyline.
High-Caliber Match Between Penta and Xavier Woods Impresses
Penta El Zero Miedo’s bout with Xavier Woods received praise for its quality. Despite the New Day members Kofi Kingston and Grayson Waller standing at ringside, Penta secured a hard-fought victory, demonstrating his tenacity. This encounter mirrored Sky’s earlier defense against interference, suggesting the ongoing wrestling narratives thrive on competitors overcoming odds. The question remains whether New Day will eventually overpower Penta, pushing him to seek allyship in future contests.
Becky Lynch vs. Natalya Falls Short as Title Contest
Becky Lynch defended the Intercontinental Title against Natalya in a match seen as underwhelming and lacking credibility. Natalya’s role as a challenger seemed questionable given her limited recent exposure and absence of winning momentum on <a href="https://cynicaltimes.org/category/wrestling-news/wwe/”>WWE television. While both Lynch and Natalya performed competently, the match felt like filler, overshadowed by an uninspired post-match moment involving Nikki Bella, another challenger with minimal standing. This segment did little to elevate Natalya’s title contendership.
Naomi’s Pregnancy Announcement and In-Ring Performance Shine
Naomi’s personal announcement of her pregnancy was overshadowed by Stephanie McMahon’s involvement, which prematurely revealed the news during a podcast segment. Despite this, Naomi earned appreciation for her committed heel performance in the ring, notably ejecting Adam Pearce and taunting female competitors. The crowd’s reaction, including chants like “you deserve it” and “baby Uso,” added to the moment’s significance. Looking ahead, Stephanie Vaquer appears likely to become the next title contender unless WWE opts to switch one heel for another.
Jey Uso vs. Bron Breakker Provides Memorable Extreme Rules Action
The extreme rules match between Jey Uso and Bron Breakker delivered an exciting and physically intense contest. Breakker’s spot, crashing over the top rope onto a shopping cart full of weapons, was especially notable and expected to be remembered. The match featured anticipated involvement from Reed, Rollins, L.A. Knight, and C.M. Punk, yet Roman Reigns’ unexpected appearance added a compelling twist. With Uso positioned as one of three challengers for Rollins’ World Championship, the victory was logical. Overall, the segment served as a thrilling conclusion to the episode, establishing major storylines heading into the next pay-per-view event featuring Roman Reigns versus Bron Breakker.
Episode’s Context and Future Expectations
The WWE RAW 8/18 Hits Misses episode mixed solid in-ring action with storytelling missteps. While matches featuring Iyo Sky, Penta, and Jey Uso delivered excitement and drama, the opening segment and certain character interactions failed to engage fully. The unfolding rivalries around the World and Intercontinental Championships suggest continuing narrative development, especially with Roman Reigns’ looming match against Bron Breakker. Naomi’s pregnancy announcement adds a real-life element impacting future booking decisions in the women’s division. Fans can anticipate forthcoming episodes to focus on championship battles and the evolution of characters like Seth Rollins and Natalya as WWE builds toward its next major event.
