SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)...
ROMAN TURNS THE CORNER…
Recap: The show began with Kurt Angle and Baron Corbin in the ring. Angle negatively compared Brock Lesnar to Ronda Rousey, stating that Lesnar shows up for work. Angle confirmed that because Brock Lesnar did come down to the ring last week, Paul Heyman was in fact still employed.
Roman Reigns then interrupted. Reigns said he wasn’t surprised at how last week turned out, as “if you kick out the big dog, who will protect the yard?” He also criticized Baron Corbin for fleeing Brock Lesnar last week.
Angle reassured Reigns that the match at SummerSlam would take place, and said he hoped Reigns would kick Lesnar’s ass. Corbin chastised Angle for being unprofessional.
Reigns proceeded to call Corbin a coward. Corbin reminded Angle that Stephanie McMahon is really the one in charge, and that Kurt Angle just sets matches. Angle agreed that he sets matches, and set one between Baron Corbin and Roman Reigns, to begin immediately.
The match began with a sucker punch by Corbin. At one point, Corbin attempted to bail on the match and walk up the ramp. Finn Balor appeared however, and forced him back down into the ring. While he was distracted by Balor, Roman Reigns hit Corbin with the Superman Punch and spear for the win.
After the match, Finn Balor hit a shotgun dropkick to Corbin followed by the Coup de Grâce.
Later in the show, WWE showed pretaped interviews with Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman. The one with Reigns was uneventful. Heyman appeared in his interview looking haggard, unshaven, and red-eyed. He spoke as if he were a ghost. He looked very upset at his rift with Brock Lesnar, and related that Lesnar refuses to speak with him. He said that he had considered Lesnar a friend, and even considered their friends to be kids with each other.
Evaluation: The fans cheered Roman during the opening promo and during the match. It appears that Roman may have really turned the corner and gotten enough support as a face to make SummerSlam better than the total disaster we all had predicted.
While the interview package with Roman wasn’t bad, there is something to the George Constanza philosophy of leaving on a high note, so I would’ve left it out. It added nothing to the success of the opening segment and could be perceived as trying too hard.
The interview package with Paul Heyman was very well done and added to the idea of Lesnar as a heartless monster.
Forecast: It’s looking increasingly likely that there won’t be a wholesale rejection of the Universal Title match at SummerSlam. Being in Brooklyn, it’s still unlikely that Roman will get a fully positive reaction. His reaction may end up being just good enough to avoid embarrassment.
It appears Finn Balor will be fighting Baron Corbin at SummerSlam.
SETH CAN’T BEAT THE ODDS…
Recap: Backstage, Seth Rollins spoke to Kurt Angle regarding his troubles in having to deal with Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre concurrently. Angle told Seth he could choose a tag partner for a tag match against his two foes, and Seth was pleased.
Despite Tyler Breeze’s desire to be Seth’s partner, Roman Reigns informed Seth he had his back.
Later in the show, Kurt reluctantly informed Roman Reigns that Stephanie McMahon had banned him from being Seth’s partner in order to protect the SummerSlam main event. Baron Corbin stated that the match would now be a handicap match. Roman took a shot at Corbin’s ribs (damaged from his earlier spear) before leaving.
Seth put up a valiant effort, but was eventually bested in his handicap match.
Evaluation: The match was good for a handicap match. Putting Seth in the handicap situation helped with the underdog babyface role he’ll play when facing double-team cheating at SummerSlam.
Forecast: Dolph Ziggler will likely retain, and the title will somehow factor into the storyline that splits Ziggler from McIntyre.
RONDA DEBUTS…
Recap: The main event segment began with Charly Caruso interviewing Alicia Fox and Alexa Bliss. It was mostly uneventful; Alicia acted bizarrely as usual and Alexa dismissed Charly early on. Alexa then went on to praise Alicia’s accomplishments over her long career.
Ronda Rousey then entered. The match began with Alicia hopping in and out of the ring, and Alexa on the apron trying to distract Ronda. Natalya quickly pulled Alexa from the apron and Ronda had the advantage for the rest of the very short match, making Alicia tap to the armbar.
Alexa attacked Ronda after the match, but Ronda quickly whipped her out of the ring. Ronda celebrated with Natalya.
Evaluation: This was fine. It wasn’t much of a match, but rather just Ronda quickly doing some moves, so we still aren’t really clued in on how Ronda will look in a “real” singles match.
Forecast: If WWE feels Ronda is ready to handle singles matches weekly (or near weekly), I would predict she will win the title. If not, she may lose and pursue Alexa longer. Either way, I see Ronda entering the Evolution PPV as champion for the PR.
NOW CHECK OUT LAST WEEK’S COLUMN: TOP 3 DEVELOPMENTS – RAW 7/30: The Worst Universal Champion of all Time, Ronda Rousey Returns, AOP Looks Weak
“Evaluation: The fans cheered Roman during the opening promo and during the match. It appears that Roman may have really turned the corner and gotten enough support as a face to make SummerSlam better than the total disaster we all had predicted.”
I thought so too, strictly from TV, assuming WWE isn’t sweetening the crowd noise. But don’t tell that to Wade. He doesn’t see it. Read the Raw report.