the results of WWE RAW auguest 13th,2018
The Raw brand had one last opportunity to leave an impression on the WWE Universe just six days from SummerSlam in Brooklyn, New York, and it kicked things off with "Rowdy" Ronda Rousey.
From there, the top rivalries took center stage, with the final hype for their matches unfolding over the course of the three-hour broadcast.
With tag titles on the line and a contract signing between Seth Rollins and intercontinental champion Dolph Ziggler on tap, find out what happened as Raw hit the USA Network airwaves Monday night.
Ronda Rousey Kicks Off Raw
Finn Balor and Braun Strowman vs. Jinder Mahal and Kevin Owens
Owens and Mahal singled out the smaller Balor, rightly isolating him from his larger, more furious opponent and working him over for the majority of the bout.
A hot tag to Strowman gave way to a babyface comeback that saw him bounce both The Prizefighter and Modern Day Maharaja around the squared circle.
After a suicide dive had the babyfaces rolling, Mahal and Owens again seized control by working over Balor.
Strowman tagged back in and delivered his trademark powerslam to Mahal for the win.
Result
Balor and Strowman defeated Mahal and Owens
Grade
B
Analysis
WWE does these types of tag team matches really well. Their talent is almost programmed not to have a bad tag match featuring primarily singles competitors and this was no exception.
It did a solid enough job of spotlighting Balor, Strowman and Owens ahead of their SummerSlam matches, and Mahal was obviously there to take the pin.
It's surprising when one remembers just one year ago how significant a role Mahal played in the build to the summertime spectacular.
Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman Outsmart Roman Reigns
Roman Reigns cut a familiar promo about his upcoming match with Brock Lesnar for the Universal Championship but was interrupted by Paul Heyman, who made his way to the ring and immediately sought to endear himself to The Big Dog.
Heyman laid it on thick, even speaking Samoan, surprising Reigns as he attempted to align himself with the No. 1 contender.
Heyman gave Reigns an agreement of sorts he had drawn up and gave him a week to look it over. With The Big Dog distracted, the manipulative manager sprayed him in the eyes, blinding him. From there, The Beast Incarnate's music played and Lesnar made his way to the squared circle.
Heyman watched from ringside, a smile on his face, as Lesnar drove his knees into Reigns. A chokeout followed. From there, the champion marched back into the squared circle and flattened his SummerSlam opponent with an F-5 to close out the final hype for their championship clash Sunday.
Grade
A
Analysis
Heyman is so good at what he does that his performance here single-handedly elevated the segment's grade.
Utterly manipulative, he played the family card to lure Reigns into a sense of security before pulling the rug out from under him and giving way to a beating at the hands of wrestling's most dangerous man.
The reaction to the teased partnership is interesting in that it almost feels as though WWE was testing the waters, trying to see exactly how the WWE Universe would view such a union. The reaction was favorable, so do not be surprised to see Reigns and Heyman pull the wool over the eyes of the WWE faithful and reveal a union that alters the company for good.
Or Reigns wins straight up in the biggest foregone conclusion of the year.
Sasha Banks vs. Ruby Riott
Ruby Riott returned to the squared circle after months on the sidelines, watching as her teammates Sarah Logan and Liv Morgan engaged Sasha Banks and Bayley in a rivalry, and squared off with The Boss in singles competition.
Riott seized control of the match after sandwiching Banks' hand in the ring steps and savagely attacking it. Targeting the injured body part, she kept The Boss grounded.
That is until Banks launched herself through the ring ropes and wiped out Morgan and Logan at ringside.
With Bayley counteracting interference by Morgan, Banks fell prey to the momentary distraction and Riott scored a rollup win.
Result
Riott defeated Banks
Grade
B-
Analysis
It was nice to see Riott back and victorious, but the finish was so lazy and predictable that her win is essentially meaningless.
We know The Riott Squad are heels and they cheat. We have known that for the last year. Would it have killed WWE Creative to book Riott to go over Banks clean and establish herself as a legitimate threat in the women's division?
The answer? No.
Especially against someone as routinely protected as Banks.
Intercontinental Championship Contract Signing
With questions surrounding Seth Rollins' travel difficulties, Raw general manager Kurt Angle took to the squared circle for the contract signing for Sunday's Intercontinental Championship match between The Architect and champion Dolph Ziggler.
Ziggler and McIntyre interrupted the proceedings and launched into a heated promo in which he compared Rollins' current run to his, even saying the fans care now but they won't, as he discovered when they stopped supporting him while he stole the show.
Crediting McIntyre with inspiring him as a wrestler, he was prepared to accept the victory over Rollins via forfeit until the No. 1 contender arrived. He said it was not his travel plans that had kept him away but, rather, the man who will be in his corner at SummerSlam.
With that, Dean Ambrose made his much-anticipated return, joining Rollins in clearing the ring and standing tall to close out the show.
Grade
A
Analysis
As much attention will be given to Ambrose's return, this segment should be remembered for Ziggler's promo.
Have we heard promos similar to it from The Showoff before? Sure, but the intensity and conviction with which he spoke elevated this beyond all of them. A great segment of television and a quality promo from one of the hardest working performers in the industry.
Which brings us to Ambrose, whose change in appearance may have thrown some fans off.
The long hair is gone. He's more jacked than he has ever been before. There was a seriousness and intensity that painted his face. He looked more mature and dangerous than before.
All of that adds up to an intriguing element to Sunday's match.
A great segment to close the show.
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