It’s less than three weeks until SummerSlam as we kick off Monday Night RAW in Miami. The first thing we see after last week’s recap is Brock Lesnar backstage with Paul Heyman. Roman Reigns is the first to come out to the ring. He gets a warmer than usual welcome from the Miami crowd, which he acknowledges. Roman gives some props to Bobby Lashley, and then turns to talking smack about Brock.
In the middle of this, Paul Heyman comes out to defend Brock Lesnar. Heyman does the same schtick of saying how Brock will defend his title at SummerSlam. Roman calls Brock to come out, but Heyman says Brock will come out if and when he feels like it. The confrontation ends with Roman saying he’s going to send Brock back the UFC as “Roman Reigns’ bitch.” This gets a great reaction from the crowd. Honestly these segments are getting repetitive and I am ready for it to be over, at least there are only two more episodes of RAW until SummerSlam.
After this segment we see Brock backstage reading an issue of the “Backwoodsman” which is legitimately funny. Heyman asks Brock if he’s going to defend himself after what Roman said, but Brock states he doesn’t watch the show at home, why would he watch it here. I don’t know if Brock is playing a character but the “I don’t give a…” version of Brock Lesnar is actually kind of compelling, it just feels so transparent that it’s almost enjoyable. Heyman tries to show Brock what Roman said but Brock throws Heyman’s phone and goes back to his magazine, I hope it’s a good read.
The first match of the evening if Finn Balor vs. The Constable Baron Corbin. Corbin’s gimmick is really weird, he’s way to cheery juxtaposed to his incredibly edgy introduction. Also, I still haven’t wrapped my head around Baron Corbin being Stephanie’s enforcer, he just yells at Kurt Angle and then starts his own feuds, it’s a very weird in-between. The match starts out fine but nothing exceptional, as far as the matches between these go it’s more of the same. Corbin puts a lot of holds on Finn, throws him out of the ring, and then beats on Finn. Finn fights back but takes a bigger beating from Corbin. Finn is on the ropes for most of the match. The match is long and goes for three full segments.
It actually gets compelling near the end, if only because the endurance between these two is commendable. The two start trading finishers and heavy hits but neither can get the pin. Finally, Baron Corbin lands an end of days on Finn Balor. The match was good, the most intriguing part was the length, fortunately both did a good amount of work during that time, which helped the quality of the match. Afterwards, Corbin goes back and gives Finn an additional beating just for good measure.
Backstage Kurt confronts Paul Heyman and tells him that Brock Lesnar is contractually obligated to show up in the ring tonight. He tells Paul that if Brock doesn’t show up in the ring, he’ll terminate Paul Heyman’s contract.
After the commercial, RAW recaps the Evolution announcement for last week. Following the recap, we see Alicia Fox getting ready for her match against Natalya. Alexa Bliss comes to assure her that she’ll keep an eye on Ronda Rousey who will be in Natalya’s corner.
Natalya comes out for her match accompanied by Ronda Rousey who is fresh off her suspension. Alexa Bliss comes out first before Alicia Fox, which is interesting, as the match between Natalya and Alicia gets ready to kick off. Natalya takes control early, but Alicia takes control of the match and starts gloating. The pace of the match is pretty slow. I’ve never liked Alicia Fox’s gimmick or her work so this match is a miss for me. Natalya is good but the match mostly features Alicia so it takes away from the match. Alicia Fox is able to get the pin and wins the match.
After the match Ronda goes after Alexa Bliss, gets her in the ring, and tries to put her in the arm bar, Alicia comes in and backs up Alexa Bliss. Ronda is able to slam Fox and get Bliss out of the ring, but Fox is able to get out quickly and stop Ronda before she can take out Alexa Bliss. Alicia and Alexa leave the ring together as Ronda looks on. I like what they are doing with Ronda, if she can be a world beater and take out anyone who annoys her, this can be a fun dynamic.
Backstage, we see Paul Heyman trying to convince Brock Lesnar to go out to the ring. This time Brock is reading an issue of American Frontiersman, he’s also reading it back to front, which is also hilarious. Brock says he doesn’t care what anyone thinks and he’s going to do what he wants. Paul Heyman leaves defeated, but not before Brock sends him off to get him a steak.
After the break, Kurt confronts Ronda backstage, Ronda says that she wants a fight and can’t wait until SummerSlam. Kurt gives her a match against Alicia Fox next week, an announcement that tonight’s crowd did not appreciate at all.
Elias is on stage, he gets some pretty good cheap heat by making fun of both Pitbull and The Rock in Miami. Bobby Lashley comes out to interrupt Elias for a second week in a row. Bobby tells Elias that he’s actually a fan, and Elias offers to do a duet with Bobby Lashley.
Elias starts by doing a lovely rendition of “Rockin’ Robin,” and Bobby actually joins in. Spoiler alert: Bobby Lashley is a terrible singer. In the middle of Bobby’s singing, Elias stops and attacks Bobby from behind. Bobby manages to gain his composure and counters Elias’ attacks, throwing him out of the ring. The Elias stuff has been really good, I don’t know if him feuding with Bobby Lashley is the right thing to do, but so far I’ve been a fan of Elias for a while, so we’ll see how this goes.
Kevin Owens tries to convince Baron Corbin backstage to help with the situation regarding him and Braun Strowman. Kevin is worried that Braun will cash in his money in the bank briefcase before Kevin can even challenge him for it. Baron tells Kevin to worry about Braun and that there’s nothing he can do.
The next match is between Braun Strowman and Jinder Mahal. Near the beginning of the match Kevin Owens comes out and physically takes Braun’s contract. Braun gets his contract but then proceeds to chase Kevin backstage; the bell goes off as Jinder Mahal wins by count out. Braun is livid as he goes back to the ring but has no one to take his rage out on, as everyone has fled. Braun better keep this contract, I’ll be mad if Kevin winds up with it after SummerSlam. I like what Braun is doing and I don’t want it to get derailed.
Backstage, Baron Corbin hands Kurt a phone with Stephanie on the other end of the line. We only get bits of the conversation, but it looks like there might be some changes to the SummerSlam card.
After the commercial, Mojo Rawley is in the locker room trying to hype(!) the other wrestlers up. Bobby Roode comes out telling everyone to cheer up. Mojo mocks Bobby, which leads Bobby to start beating up Mojo backstage which leads to a locker room brawl.
Titus Worldwide comes out next for a match between Apollo Crews and Akam accompanied by Rezar. I loved the Authors of Pain in NXT. I understand it takes some time for new talent to get pushed up to the top but I can’t wait for the Authors of Pain to become tag team champions. Akam gets in quick on Crews, I’m always shocked how quick Akam is despite how big he is. Apollo his able to get some throws in on Akam, and after two pin attempts actually pins Akam. I did not see this one coming, it was a quick, surprising match, with some good work throughout.
Drew McIntyre, accompanied by Dolph Ziggler, and Seth Rollins are up next. It’s eerie how similar these two look, Seth just looks like a smaller version of Drew. The match starts off great, with Drew and Seth both doing high impact throws and slams. Mid way through the match Drew gets Seth on the top rope and gets a back drop on Rollins, but Rollins is able to break free. Rollins manages to get the stomp on McIntyre but before he can get the pin Ziggler interrupts the match which disqualifies McIntyre.
Backstage Kurt confronts Roman to let him know that Stephanie instructed Kurt to remove Roman from the building in order to let Brock come into the ring. Roman tries to reason with Kurt but eventually officers come too escort Roman out. Roman gets a good hit on Baron Corbin before he’s escorted out.
The B Team comes out to the ring next and cut an interesting promo. They are elated at their current championship run “They are dreaming and never want to wake up.” This bit is fun for now but, like the Miztourage, I wonder how long before it gets old. In the middle of the promo it cuts into the Bray Wyatt interruption and the Deleters of Worlds are in the ring with them. Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt go into their usual nonsense about how the order of the universe is not right, and the gods are upset with the current order blah blah blah. All the Deleters of Worlds do is make me miss the Hardy Brothers even more.
The Revival come out and say that they should be the rightful tag team champions, after being Roman Reigns and Bobby Lashley. The feud ends with the Deleters of Worlds beating up the Revival and the B Team getting out of the way. This clash cues up a match between the Revival and Bray Wyatt and Matt Hardy. Cue the CM Punk chants and Rusev Day chants. The crowd is in no way into the match, I can’t blame them, there’s no story here and everything seems so manufactured. The Revival Wins the match getting a pin on Wyatt.
It wasn’t a great match, but I suppose it sets up a storyline for the Revival to go up against the B Team but right now all I want is Braun Strowman to get Nicholas and take those titles back.
Seth gives an interview backstage, in the middle of this Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre start ambushing Rollins and attacking him, leaving Seth hurt at the end of the interview.
The next match is the Riott Squad (Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan) vs. Bayley and Sasha Banks. Bayley and Sasha come out with matching outfits and it’s quite cute. It’s a very good match, with Bayley getting the Bayley to belly on Liv Morgan. Sasha and Bayley worked well together with both of them getting to feature each of their talents during the match. Liv and Sarah work well with Bayley and Sasha, the match moved quickly but had a lot of high spots off the top rope and outside the ring.
Paul Heyman is backstage imploring Brock Lesnar to go out to the ring. Heyman tells Lesnar how Kurt will fire him if Brock doesn’t go out. He asks Lesnar as a friend to go out to the ring. Brock grabs Heyman aggressively and tells him that they aren’t friends, Heyman works for Brock and that’s how it is. He sends out Heyman to the ring and tells him to do his job. This is an interesting turn for Brock, it’s nice to see him have some sort of character. If Brock Lesnar is going to be billed at the beast, then he should at least act the part. It’s ultimately nice to see that Brock is starting to live up to his moniker.
Kurt Angle comes out accompanied by Baron Corbin, Kurt demands that Brock Lesnar come out. Paul Heyman comes out more defeated than we’ve ever seen him. He does his spiel about being the advocate for Brock Lesnar, (the reigning, defending, Universal Champion etc.) but does so under incredibly muted tones. He slowly makes his way to the ring as the crowd starts chanting “nah, nah, nah, hey, hey, goodbye.” Paul Heyman tells Kurt Angle that Brock isn’t coming out, Kurt flips out on Paul Heyman and calls Brock Lesnar “the worst Universal Champion” of all time (which isn’t hard considering there have been so few).
Shockingly, Paul Heyman agrees with Kurt, and tells Kurt that he tried to remold Brock Lesnar, remold him in the image of Kurt Angle. Kurt calls out Paul and tells him he’s full of it, Paul tries to get out the coming retribution but doesn’t seem to sway Kurt Angle. Kurt fires Paul Heyman, as Paul starts literally groveling at Kurt Angle’s feet. Finally we here the music, and Brock Lesnar comes out. Brock confronts Kurt Angle and asks if he has a problem with him, Kurt says nothing but then Brock Lesnar F5s him after a few seconds. Baron Corbin steps out of the ring as Paul Heyman stands there with Lesnar. Brock then turns on Heyman and chokes him to the ground. Brock Lesnar then leaves the ring as the episode ends.
I’m surprised that Brock is getting a character right before his impending departure after SummerSlam, unless there’s something else to this and we’ll be seeing more of Brock Lesnar in the future. Overall, it was a fine episode, nothing new developed for SummerSlam but the card looks more or less set. We’ll see what happens in the two remaining episodes before SummerSlam.
