Welcome to the Raw Review for August 14, 2017. For both this and Smackdown, I will go over what the big talking points were, pick the match of the night, and look ahead to the next show.
Talking Points
Finally
Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins, once brothers now looking at each other across a divide of mistrust and the past. Ambrose called his former Shield partner to the ring to finally settle what has been happening the past few weeks. What followed was a masterpiece of storytelling, with each man not willing to forgive, but also not to forget. They went at each other, physically and emotionally. Only the entrance of of Sheamus and Cesaro could finally bring them together. A match against the tag team champions at Summerslam was booked, but the image of both men, fists touching, is what will stay in fan’s minds for weeks to come
Book of Wyatt
It seemed like Summerslam had come early, as Finn Balor and Bray Wyatt moved up their scheduled match one week. This was a hard hitting affair, with the quickness of Balor contesting nicely with Wyatt’s strength. It what could be considered a major upset, Wyatt won cleanly in the ring after Sister Abigail. Post match, a bucket of blood appeared in Wyatt’s hands and Balor was showered like Carrie. This turned out to be a huge mistake as Wyatt will still have his match at Summerslam, but against The Demon King.
New Champion
Akira Tozawa and Neville had a fantastic match, another one that was moved up from Summerslam. The story was that Tozawa had healed his shoulder and took it right to the King of the Cruiserweights. Nevillie resorted to trying to out wrestle Tozawa, but it seemed that everything came up short. In the end, A swanton bomb was enough to gain Tozawa the belt. Their rematch will happen at Summerslam, but they put on what would have been considered the match of the night, if not for our eventually winner.
Match of the Night
Sasha Banks vs. Nia Jax (#1 Contenders Match) ( Banks wins by tapout)
Sasha Banks was in her hometown of Boston. She wanted to avenge her friend by defeating Alexa Bliss. The only thing standing in her way was Nia Jax. The next fifteen minutes was probably the best match we have seen from the women of Raw. Highlights included Jax swinging Banks in the barricade, Banks jumping on a standing Jax to continue her assault, Jax Samoa Dropping Banks twice, and Banks countering another drop with a DDT into the Banks statement. Here’s hoping that Bliss can match this intensity on Sunday.
Conclusion
A great show to sell Sumerslam. This is the kind of show that you wished you could have seen in person instead of on TV. The table has been set for some great matches at the Pay-Per-View. We will have to see if Smackdown can match this electrifying show. On a personal note, thoughts and prayers to Ric Flair and his family.