The August 19th, 2019 episode of WWE RAW aired live from the Xcel Energy Center in St Paul, MN. In addition to the takeaways below, Rey Mysterio was about to retire during the show but was interrupted by his son. Dominick told his father not to retire and asked him to team up with him.
Here are 8 takeaways from this week’s show:
Roman Reigns Defeated Dolph Ziggler
Jerry “The King” Lawler joined commentary for this week’s episode. Roman Reigns faced Dolph Ziggler to start off the show. Ziggler told Roman that he is glad that he is okay but just wondered why Reigns gets all this attention for things almost happening to him.
Ziggler stated that he got Speared by Goldberg by three times and proceeded to go on another “it should be me” rant. Dolph hit Reigns with a Superkick out of nowhere as the crowd chanted “you still suck!”. Ziggler planted Reigns with a Zig Zag outside the ring as RAW went to a commercial break.
When RAW returned, Ziggler was still in control and the crowd was still booing. Roman battled back and launched Ziggler to the outside. Back in the ring, Roman hit a Clothesline and tried to fire up the crowd. The audience responded and chanted as Reigns hit nine shots in the corner and then a big boot.
Reigns went for the Superman Punch but Dolph got out of the way and hit a DDT for a two count. Ziggler connected with another Zig Zag for a near fall. Dolph mocked Shawn Michaels and then went for Sweet Chin Music but Roman dodged it. Reigns hit a Superman Punch and went for the cover but Dolph kicked out at two.
Roman once again fired up the crowd and went for a Spear but Ziggler countered into a Fameasser for another near fall. Ziggler started taunting Roman and Reigns responded with a Spear for the pinfall victory.
I’ve reached the point where I instantly lose interest once Dolph Ziggler is on the screen. He is the highest-paid jobber in the world. There wasn’t any reason for this match to happen. Roman Reigns has a big segment tomorrow night with Daniel Bryan and Rowan on SmackDown, in which he’s trying to figure out who basically tried to murder him twice. It seems odd that he would get distracted with a Twitter beef in the middle of that storyline.
The Fiend Attacked Jerry Lawler
Becky Lynch cut a backstage promo and brought up Banks running away from WWE four months ago. Lynch took credit for Banks’ popularity and vowed to give Sasha something to go run home and cry about.
Sasha Banks was set to join Jerry Lawler for an episode of The King’s Court to discuss her attack on Natalya and RAW Women’s Champion Becky Lynch last week. Lawler spoke about the King of the Ring Tournament and was about to introduce Banks when the lights in the arena went out. The Fiend appeared behind Lawler and locked in the Mandible Claw on Lawler. Wyatt then posed in the ring before the lights went out again. WWE officials checked on Jerry on the entrance ramp as the crowd chanted “yowie wowie!”.
Seth Rollins Saved Braun Strowman
AJ Styles defended the United States Championship against Braun Strowman to begin the 2nd hour of this week’s RAW. Gallows and Anderson accompanied AJ to the ring for the match.
Styles slapped Strowman in the face and went for a chop block but Braun didn’t budge. Braun knocked Styles out of the ring and chased him around. AJ rolled back into the ring and attacked Strowman while he was on the apron.
Strowman went for a Chokeslam but AJ escaped and connected with a couple of kicks. Strowman hit Styles with a Back Body Drop and went for a Splash but AJ countered with a kick. Styles went for the Phenomenal Forearm but Braun swatted him out of the air. Gallows attacked Strowman from behind and the match ended in a DQ.
The O.C. beat Strowman down for a couple of minutes before Seth Rollins made the save. Rollins rushed the ring and knocked The O.C. to the outside. Rollins told Strowman that they were even and shook his hand. Strowman didn’t let go and had a brief staredown with Seth to conclude the segment.
Seth Rollins caught up to Braun Strowman backstage and told him that if it were up to him, Braun would get the first shot at the Universal Championship. Seth suggested that they team up tonight and face Gallows and Anderson for the RAW Tag Team Championships.
Samoa Joe Advanced In The King Of The Ring Tournament
Samoa Joe faced Cesaro in the first round of the King of the Ring Tournament. Cesaro absolutely leveled Joe with an uppercut to the face to start off the match. Samoa Joe battled back and sent Cesaro over the barricade and into the crowd as RAW went to a commercial break.
When RAW returned, Joe was still in control and connected with a Clothesline. Joe went for a Senton but Cesaro got out of the way. Cesaro hit an uppercut and made his way to the top rope. Cesaro hit Joe with a Crossbody for a near fall.
Joe planted Cesaro with a Uranage and followed it up with a Senton for a two count. Cesaro somehow was able to get Joe in the swing and then transitioned into a Sharpshooter. Joe broke free and applied the Coquina Clutch in the middle of the ring for the submission victory.
The Revival & Randy Orton Brutally Attacked New Day
New Day faced The Revival once again on tonight but Randy Orton interfered and hit him Big E an RKO. WWE Champion Kofi Kingston rushed down to the ring to try and make the save but Orton connected with an RKO. Orton went for another one but Woods attacked Orton from behind.
The Revival lifted Woods in the air and Orton planted Xavier with an RKO. Dawson held Woods knee up as Wilder climbed to the middle rope. Orton brought Kofi over and forced him to watch as Wilder stomped on Woods’ knee. Orton, Wilder, and Dawson posed in the ring as Kofi checked on Woods.
I’m all for a stable with Orton and The Revival. I’m also glad that this match didn’t last long because I feel like The Revival face New Day every other week.
Sasha Banks Attacked Natalya Again
Sasha Banks was interviewed by Michael Cole and boasted about her blue hair being all over social media. Banks said that she looks good and feels even better.
Cole said that nobody was talking about her blue hair, they are talking about her attacks on Natalya and Becky Lynch last week. Cole then asked Banks to explain why she decided to come back and attack Natalya on last week’s episode of RAW.
Sasha smirked and leaned towards the camera. Banks simply said “you’re welcome” before leaving.
Natalya was later interviewed backstage but was attacked by Banks once again. Sasha told Natalya to go to hell and to tell her father that she said hi when she gets there.
Cedric Alexander Advanced In The King Of The Ring Tournament
Sami Zayn battled Cedric Alexander in the first round of the King of the Ring tournament. Zayn controlled the match early and applied a Headlock in the middle of the ring.
Cedric Alexander broke free and sent Sami to the outside. Alexander connected with a Suicide Dive and brought Zayn back into the ring. Alexander hit the Lumbar Check to advance in the King of the Ring Tournament.
Sami Zayn is being wasted on RAW. When he is even on the card, his matches aren’t given enough time. Alexander and Zayn could have put on a solid match tonight and Alexander would have looked better for it. Instead, we get a completely forgettable match that lasted two minutes.
Rollins & Strowman Are The New RAW Tag Team Champions
Strowman and Rollins had another conversation backstage. Rollins caught Strowman staring at the Universal Championship and told them that he needs to focus on the RAW Tag Team Championships tonight. Seth suggested that Strowman follow his lead tonight so that they could win. Strowman told Rollins that he was focused and that Seth needs to follow his lead tonight.
Gallows and Anderson defended their RAW Tag Team Championships against Strowman and Rollins in the main event of this week’s RAW. Gallows and Anderson started off in control and isolated Rollins in the corner. Seth battled back with a few chops to Anderson’s chest and then a Clothesline.
The O.C. controlled the next several minutes and trapped Rollins in the ring. Strowman started trash talking with Styles outside the ring and Gallows capitalized by shoving him into the ring post. Rollins took out Gallows and planted Anderson with the Falcon Arrow for a two count.
Gallows and Anderson beat Rollins down again as Strowman was still down. Strowman got up and leveled AJ with a shoulder tackle and then tagged in. Braun hit Anderson with a shoulder tackle and followed it up with a Splash in the corner. Strowman hit Anderson with the Running Powerslam as Rollins hit Styles with The Stomp. Braun covered Anderson for the victory and Strowman & Rollins are the new RAW Tag Team Champions.
I absolutely hated this. Once again, tag team championships are being used to set up an eventual feud for a singles championship. Why did The O.C. need to drop the RAW Tag Team Championships if this is just going to lead to Rollins versus Strowman for the Universal Championship? It seemed like the majority of people on social media were somehow shocked by this. I don’t understand how that could be possible, it has been obvious for years that WWE doesn’t care about tag team wrestling, male or female. Tonight was yet another example of that. Overall, this week’s episode of RAW was terrible. The only positive was Vic Joseph on commentary for the last two hours.
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