This week’s WWE Raw broadcast from Brooklyn saw several key storylines develop following the high-profile Summerslam event. Seth Rollins, newly crowned World Heavyweight Champion after cashing in Money in the Bank on C.M. Punk, kicked off the show alongside his faction, The Vision. Despite his initial refusal to face L.A. Knight—a contender who recently defeated him—General Manager Adam Pearce made the title match official, banning Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed from ringside and placing Rollins in a challenging first title defense. This episode featured intense matches and confrontations including Sheamus vs. Rusev, tag team championship rematches, and heated promos, advancing multiple feuds as they head toward the Clash in Paris event.
Sheamus and Rusev’s Rivalry Intensifies with Wild Ringside Brawl
The long-running feud between Sheamus and Rusev continued to escalate this week. After Rusev won a controversial match at the end of June by using the exposed turnbuckle, the two traded victories and illegal tactics in subsequent encounters. Their match earlier this month saw Rusev’s attempted deception with a shillelagh backfire and Sheamus securing the win with a Brogue Kick. Tensions boiled over last week when Rusev attacked Sheamus post-match, trapping him in the Accolade until officials intervened, setting the stage for their rematch this week.
During this week’s bout, Rusev charged at Sheamus outside the ring but was slammed onto the announce table. Following a back drop over the barricade, Rusev countered by striking Sheamus with his own Ten Beats of the Bodhran, only for Sheamus to reverse the move moments later. Both men were counted out as officials struggled to restore order, but the chaos spilled throughout ringside and continued backstage. Their ongoing brawl also disrupted Sami Zayn’s promo, resulting in a new singles match between Rusev and Zayn announced for next week.
The count-out finish was a deliberate choice to prolong this heated rivalry, allowing the physical aggression between the two to remain at the forefront. Their backstage brawl recalled the intensity of the Brock Lesnar and Undertaker feud of 2015, signaling the brutal style these two bring to WWE. While Clash in Paris appears a likely battleground for their final showdown, upcoming Raw events overseas could also serve as the stage for another chapter. This feud has revitalized Rusev’s presence in WWE, displaying both competitors’ capacity for compelling, hard-hitting matches. Despite its strength, the storyline is expected to conclude by Labor Day. Grade: B
Women’s Tag Team Championship Rematch: Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss Defend Titles
Following their title win at Summerslam, Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss began their reign by immediately accepting a challenge from former champions Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez. After interrupting the champions’ celebration, Raquel vowed to reclaim the belts on the spot, prompting GM Adam Pearce to sanction the match despite its short notice.
The match was action-packed from the outset. Alexa Bliss attempted an aggressive Cannon Ball onto Raquel outside the ring, only for Raquel to counter by slamming her into the barricade. Charlotte took over after Bliss tagged in, executing a Cross Body on both challengers and following up with a simultaneous Moonsault. However, Raquel kicked out of the pin. Roxanne Perez briefly distracted the champions by pulling Alexa off the apron, which led to a momentary reversal with Perez tossing Charlotte from the ring. Alexa capitalized by thwarting a Suicide Dive attempt and finishing it with Sister Abigail, securing their title defense.
This encounter elevated the quality beyond their Summerslam bout, with the primary narrative development being the swift title change to Charlotte and Alexa, an alliance that has shown strong chemistry. This feud marks a significant resurgence for Charlotte, arguably her most engaging storyline since her 2018-19 rivalry with Becky Lynch. The competitive tension between Raquel and Perez hints at future discord, setting up potential singles pursuits, particularly for Raquel, who has recently distinguished herself in matches. The tag team remains promising, suggesting that despite their loss, this rivalry will continue to evolve. Grade: B
Intercontinental Championship Drama: Dominik Mysterio vs. Dragon Lee
Dominik Mysterio followed his Summerslam title defense against A.J. Styles with a confrontation backstage, challenging Dragon Lee to a match after questioning the L.W.O.’s presence in his hallway. Earlier, Mysterio used underhanded tactics to retain the Intercontinental Championship against Styles, highlighting his heel persona’s cunning.
This week’s match was competitive and physically demanding. Mysterio maintained control early but Dragon Lee mounted a strong comeback, delivering a kick from the apron and executing a top-rope stomp after Mysterio’s Superplex attempt. Interference from multiple versions of El Grande Americano, reminiscent of Doink the Clown’s classic trickery, created further chaos. Mysterio ultimately sidelined Lee using his boot, securing another victory amidst distractions.
The El Grande Americano’s multiple personas stretch this storyline into a unique direction, though it risks confusion. Nevertheless, this creative choice distinguishes the narrative and offers potential for further development. For Dominik, this period represents his strongest run with Judgment Day, earning notable crowd support that could foreshadow a babyface turn by WrestleMania season. His ongoing feud with Styles remains compelling enough to continue unfolding. Grade: B-
Becky Lynch and Nikki Bella Ignite a New Heated Rivalry
At Summerslam, Becky Lynch successfully retained her Women’s Intercontinental Championship against Lyra Valkyria after a chaotic brawl involving Bayley. This week, Becky flaunted her win until interrupted by Nikki Bella, who criticized Becky’s inability to elevate the women’s division properly and accused her of dishonesty, drawing parallels to her own experience with John Cena. Becky fired back by claiming superiority alongside her husband, calling theirs the greatest wrestling couple ever.
The verbal exchange escalated when Nikki challenged Becky for the title, only to be sucker-punched by the reigning champion. This segment showcased Becky’s commanding mic skills and set the tone for a highly anticipated feud, effectively filling the void left by the stalled Liv Morgan storyline due to injury. The authenticity and intensity between Becky and Nikki promise this to be one of Raw’s most compelling storylines in the near term.
With the upcoming Clash in Paris approaching, a title match between these two is expected. Becky’s recent title retention thus gains added significance, as it suggests there is still considerable narrative depth to explore in her reign. Nikki’s involvement brings a fresh dynamic, and Becky’s emphatic promos demonstrate her unique ability to captivate audiences as a heel while maintaining widespread fan support. Grade: B+
Chaos Reigns: Seth Rollins and The Vision Face Challenges in Title Defense
On the July 12 Saturday Night’s Main Event, Seth Rollins appeared injured before being defeated by L.A. Knight. The injury was later revealed as a ploy to cash in Money in the Bank on C.M. Punk after Punk’s Summerslam title win. At Raw, Rollins, alongside The Vision faction comprising Paul Heyman, Bron Breakker, and Bronson Reed, opened the show, disrupted by Knight pressing for a title shot. Although Rollins refused, GM Adam Pearce overruled him and made the defense official, banning Breakker and Reed from ringside.
In the main event, Rollins nearly finished Knight with a Curb Stomp on the concrete floor until Punk emerged to attack Rollins, causing a disqualification. The ensuing chaos escalated when Breakker and Reed intervened, with Breakker immediately spearing Punk. L.A. Knight joined the fracas before Roman Reigns arrived, delivering a Superman Punch to Reed and throwing Breakker into steps. Rollins evaded a confrontation with Reigns, but Reigns took down Breakker and Reed single-handedly until Rollins struck him with a Curb Stomp. The segment culminated with Rollins and Reed holding Reigns up for Breakker and Reed to assault him with Spears and Tsunami splashes, with Reed once again removing Reigns’ sneakers to close the show.
This storyline reinvigorated the previously stagnant Rollins-Punk feud, with Rollins’ unexpected title win serving as a surprising catalyst. Despite a non-finish in the main event, the extended post-match violence compensated with significant narrative momentum. Roman Reigns endured a brutal assault that may reflect plans to write him off television temporarily, particularly given his recent return weeks ago. This buildup suggests a potential six-man tag team confrontation at Clash in Paris or a triple threat match for the title involving Rollins, Punk, and Knight. Currently, the latter scenario appears more probable. Grade: A
Emerging Rivalries: Penta vs. Grayson Waller and New Day’s Heel Turn
In a match punctuated by commentary interference from New Day, Penta battled Grayson Waller in a competitive encounter featuring fast-paced strikes and counters. Penta secured the victory by countering Waller’s back drop into a Mexican Destroyer. Following the match, New Day confronted Penta and taunted him until he retaliated, using their own gear against them and launching an aerial attack onto Kofi and Xavier outside the ring.
This marked Penta’s first Raw victory in two months and signaled the continuation of his rivalry with Waller and New Day’s newly adopted heel mannerisms. Although New Day’s shift to antagonists has been met with mixed reactions, the ongoing interactions among the three remain engaging. This storyline is expected to develop further, potentially rejuvenating New Day’s presence on Raw. Grade: B-
