SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)...
WWE RAW TV REPORT
AUGUST 26, 2024
PROVIDENCE, R.I. AT AMICA MUTUAL PAVILLION
AIRED LIVE ON USA
Commentators: Michael Cole, Pat McAfee
Ring Announcer: Samantha Irvin
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO OUR POST-SHOW PODCAST
JOIN US LIVE ON YOUTUBE TONIGHT FOR THE VIDEO-FORMAT OF OUR LIVE POST-SHOWS…
On the episode, Wade Keller will be joined by Javier Machado to review Raw LIVE along with VIP member video caller, viewer emails, and chat room interactions plus often an on-site correspondent. Join us and let us know your thoughts on Raw during the show.
Email our post-show at wadekellerpodcast@gmail.com with your comments and questions about Raw. We’ll read your emails live during the post-show.
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[HOUR ONE]
-They opened with a graphic acknowledging the death of Sid Eudy. They listed his nickname as “Sycho Sid,” although I think he was best known as Sid Vicious, but that was pre-WWF.
-Michael Cole introduced the show as an aerial view was shown of Providence, R.I. Then they showed Bron Breakker arriving earlier outside the arena with a dog on a leash. They also showed American Made led by Chad Gable. Then showed Braun Strowman and Bronson Reed arriving earlier separately.
-The Judgment Day’s music played. Liv Morgan, Dominik Mysterio, Finn Balor, J.D. McDonagh, and Carlito all made their way to the ring. A clip aired of their beatdown of Damien Priest and Rhea Riplehy last week. McDonagh said that beating was “a long time coming.” Balor agreed and said they got what they deserved. He said that’s a preview of what will happen at Bash at Berlin. Liv said, “Daddy Dom and I will always be on top.” She then did her laugh.
Dom held the mic and fans erupted in boos, although maybe slightly subdued from its peak earlier in the year. Dom insisted he’s going to win the Intercontinental Title contendership tournament.
Rey Mysterio led the LWO to the ring. “At least when you were with Rhea, at least one of you had a set,” Rey told Dom. “And it sure wasn’t you.” He said someone has to put him in his place. Dom laughed and said he already beat him and then he disappeared for weeks. Rey said Dom has always been a jackass, but he’s an even bigger one now that he’s hanging out with Liv. Rey dared Dom to hit him “because I’d love to slap that stupid mustache off your face.” Dom said he’d like to see him try. McDonagh took a swing at Rey, but Rey blocked it and punched away at him. A brawl broke out. Dragon Lee landed a running flip dive over the top rope onto Judgment Day at ringside as they cut to a break. [c]
(1) THE JUDGMENT DAY (Finn Balor & Dominik Mysterio & J.D. McDonagh & Carlito) vs. LWO (Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee & Joaquin Wilde & Cruz Del Toro)
Everyone took turns in the ring in rapid-fire action for several minutes. Del Toro and Lee launched Wilde off the middle rope with a long-distance dive onto a crowd in the aisle at 5:00. [c]
Back from the break, Carlito had Wilde down. Dom tagged in and landed a slingshot senton. Then McDonagh quickly tagged in and slingshot himself onto Wilde leading to a two count. Rey got a hot-tag at 10:00. Rey landed a sunset bomb off the top rope on Dom for a near fall, with Carlito and McDonagh making the save.
All four LWO members criss-crossed and landed running dives. The aerial view of the spot was great. Fans chanted, “Holy shit!” Back in the ring, Rey set up a 619 and then landed it right in front of Liv. He leaped off the top rope, but Liv pulled Dom out of his path. Dom then pinned Rey with a Magistral Cradle.
WINNERS: Judgment Day in about 15:00.
-After the match, Judgment Day attacked the LWO, focusing on Rey on the announce desk. Ripley’s music played and she came out with Damien Priest. Ripley chased Liv into the crowd and dragged her back to ringside and into the ringpost. Dom tried to run, but ran into Ripley mid-ring. Priest clotheslined Dom as Liv and Rhea got into a fight. Priest clotheslined Carlito and McDonagh, then yelled down at Balor, Dom, and Liv. Ripley and Priest gave a Rip Ride and South of Heaven to McDonagh and Carlito in the ring as Cole plugged the mixed tag match scheduled for Bash in Berlin this Saturday afternoon (U.S. time).
-Cole and Graves plugged the upcoming matches in the IC Title contendership tournament which will lead to a Fatal Four-way.
-Jackie Redmond interviewed Miz backstage. He said things haven’t gone his way, but he can overcome that in this tournament and match a record number of title reigns. Bronson Reed walked in and told Miz that he went after him because he took out R-Truth, and R-Truth came after him because he took out Seth Rollins, and now he’s gotten Braun Strowman involved. He said once he maims Strowman, he will be coming back for Miz. He gave a sinister chuckle and left as Miz stared at him.
-Iyo Sky and Kairi Sane made their entrance. [c]
-Backstage, Xavier Woods was warming up when Kofi Kingston walked in and hugged him. They chatted about their IC Tournament matches. Kofi said the best thing about them is that if they have an issue, they talk it out like grown-ups, a rarity in pro wrestling. Xavier agreed that they’re emotionally mature grown men. He said Kofi explained that he tagged Odyssey Jones because he was closer and that made sense when he saw the footage. Kofi said they have two chances to bring the IC Title to the New Day. They swiveled their hips to warm up further.
-Cathy Kelley interviewed Pure Fusion Collective. She asked what their impact has been on Raw so far. Deville said Dakota Kai might never walk again. Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark talked about what they’ve done to Zelina Vega, Kayden Carter, and Katana Chance. Baszler said they’re adding Kairi and Sky to the list.
(2) KAIRI SANE & IYO SKY vs. SHAYNA BASZLER & ZOEY STARK (w/Sonya Deville)
The bell rang 44 minutes into the hour. They cut to a very early break. [c]
Kairi hot-tagged in after the break. Baszler took over and put Kairi in an anklelock. Stark then landed a springboard dropkick for a two count. Zelina attacked Deville at ringside. Kairi and Sky leaped off the same top turnbuckle at the same time with Kairi landing an elbowdrop on Stark for the win as Kairi landed a moonsault on Baszler at ringside.
WINNERS: Kairi & Sky in 8:00.
-They went to Cole and Graves at ringside. Cole touted the in-ring debut of Uncle Howdy later.
-A vignette aired with Bo Dallas, sans his Uncle Howdy costume, who said they nearly stepped on a serpent but they won’t make that mistake again. He said the false prophet continues to reveal himself to the world, masquerading as a loving shepherd while marching his lambs into the mouths of wolves. He spoke of a bond forged in the tears of the innocent not being a family. “It’s blasphemy,” he said. He said Chad Gable refuses to remove the scales from his eyes and his arrogance is like a beast risen from the sea. He said they must cut off the head so the blood of the damned washes away the sins of the wicked. He said he accepted his challenge and invitation. “This isn’t a reckoning, it’s a purge,” he said.
-Graves hyped the Uncle Howdy vs. Chad Gable match.
-They showed a smiling Drew McIntyre strutting backstage. [c]
[HOUR TWO]
-As Drew made his entrance, Cole explained the rules of the strap match at Bash in Berlin. A “C.M. Punk” chant started, then faded. Drew said it’s great to be alive in Providence on a Monday night, mocking Punk’s opening line. Some fans cheered. Drew said he knows Punk’s predictable routine. He said Punk goes on to talk about himself for five minutes and then talk about how red-hot attendance has been. He pointed out Punk had nothing to do with attendance. He said he then tells a sentimental story of a little kid traveling far to “worship your lord and savior, C.M. Punk.” He sat cross-legged mid-ring and asked, “Do I have your attention now?”
He said he wasn’t trying to be cute, but rather was just telling the truth. He said Punk is scared of him. He said fans keep chanting his name, which prompted another “C.M. Punk!” chant. He asked fans if they know what an enabler is. He said when they chant his name, he makes dumb decisions driven by ego. He said every time he lashes Punk with the strap, it’ll be on their conscience. He said fans have to live with the scars he gives Punk. He said they have chosen nostalgia over the warrior who has always been there for them “during the darkest times.” He said he still forgives them because they know not what they do.
He looked at the bracelet on his wrist said it’s a “50 cent piece of trash” that causes so much emotional hurt to Punk. He said it’s ironic that the weapon he chose to attach to his wrist is going to cause so much physical hurt. Punk’s music interrupted Drew. Graves said Drew “looked ready to throw down.” Punk attacked Drew from behind. Punk whipped him and then threw him onto the announce desk and whipped him and punched him some more. Security ran out to separate them. Punk attacked the security guys and threw them out of the ring. Graves said he hopes they get hazard pay. Punk stood on the second rope and looked at Drew, who had retreated into the crowd.
-They cut to Cole and Graves who said this feud as is personal as anything they’ve been a part of. Graves said this fight isn’t about paychecks, but rather about pure disdain.
-A vignette aired with Strowman talking about facing Reed later. He said he’s going to find out why they call him the monster of all monsters.
-They cut to Jey Uso in the concourse surrounded by cheering fans. The camera followed him to the ring. Graves awkwardly joined in the Jey dance. Cole, of all people, said he needed more rhythm. [c]
(3) JEY USO vs. XAVIER WOODS vs. KARRION KROSS – Intercontental Title contender tournament match
Kross’s ring entrance aired followed by Xavier’s. The bell rang 17 minutes into the hour. Kofi went after Kross at the start. Then Jey went after Kross, stomping away at him in the corner. Then they looked at each other and turned and both stomped away at Kross. Jey rolled up Kofi from behind seconds later. Graves said it’s every man for himself. Graves asked Cole if he thinks Xavier will actually be happy for Kofi if he wins the IC Title. Cole asked Graves to imagine if Kofi and Xavier advance to the final match. Graves said he dreams of it. Kofi leaped off the top turnbuckle with a leap onto Kross and Jey at ringside at 2:00. They cut to a break. [c]
Everyone took turns on offense for brief stretches. Kross applied a cloverleaf submission mid-ring. Kofi countered into a small package for a two count. Kross knocked Kofi to the floor. Jey speared Kross and then landed a top rope frog splash for the win.
WINNER: Jey in 8:00.
(Keller’s Analysis: I’m not shocked Jey advanced, but it seemed like they were building to Xavier and Kofi in the four-way final.)
-Graves was doing the Jey dance. Cole said he was terrible. Graves said it’s the first time he’s truly enjoyed himself. (Sad.)
-A soundbite aired with Gunther who was already in Europe. He said Saturday will be remembered as the day Randy Orton finally met his match.
-They showed Orton walking backstage. [c]
-Orton made his entrance. Cole plugged his pre-taped interview that will air on the Bash in Berlin pre-show where Orton addresses his newfound love for the approval of WWE fans. Orton soaked up a “Randy!” chant. Orton said for the entirety of his career he listened to the voices in his head, but now he’s listening to the fans’ voices instead. He said hearing fans sing to his song means the world to him, “even if it took you 15 years.”
He said he’s won many titles, but the one that means the most is the World Hvt. Title, and that’s because he was the youngest wrestler to have his name engraved on that belt. He said he had the honor to unify the two world titles they had at that time ten years ago. He said he retired the World Hvt. Title with his name engraved on that title. He said a year ago, that title was reborn, but he was at home recovering from spinal surgery and he didn’t know if he’d ever wrestle again. He said a new title means a new legacy. Fans chanted “You deserve it!”
He said he’ll be in new territory in Berlin and he’ll be facing a living legend in Europe. He said he’ll be facing a man whose head is shoved so far up his own ass, he doesn’t even realize that he’ll be facing the most decorated, successful, dangerous wrestler that the industry has seen in the last 20 years.
He said he signed his first WWE contract when he was 19 years old. He said fans have watched him get humbled time after time and learn from his mistakes until he had to step out from behind the shadows and earn every ounce of respect that comes with his name.
He said he and Gunther might share in common being egotistical pricks, but he was humbled while Gunther has never experienced that. He said on Saturday, that’s what he intends to do. He said the match could’ve just been about the title, but Gunther had to bring his family and his demons into it. He said he beat those demons and they were more difficult to beat than Gunther.
-Strowman made his entrance. [c]
-A soundbite aired with Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn talking about Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill. They said all the attention Belair & Cargill get doesn’t help them once the bell rings.
(4) BRAUN STROWMAN vs. “BIG” BRONSON REED
As Reed made his entrance, Cole talked about what Reed has done to Seth Rollins, R-Truth, and Miz. The bell rang 52 minutes into the hour. Cole noted both have won the Andre the Giant Battle Royal in the past. Strowman landed a dropkick as Reed charged at him at the start. Strowman landed a leaping crossbody mid-ring at 1:00. Graves said these aren’t the lumbering big men of past eras. Reed landed a leaping crossbody off the second rope. Reed took a running leap through the ropes and elbowed Strowman across the side of his head at ringside. Cole called it incredible as they cut to a break. [c]
Back from the break, Reed DDT’d Strowman. Strowman tossed Reed off the top rope. Reed snapped Strowman’s neck over the top rope after an eye poke. He began to retreat up the aisle. Strowman chased him down. Reed threw Strowman into the video wall. They brawled backstage.
[HOUR THREE]
Security tried to get them to stop. Strowman tossed three of them violently to the side and then the brawl went into the parking lot. They brawled over to a car where Braun slammed Reed onto the hood. (It’s almost always the oldest car in the lot.) Strowman knocked Reed onto a hood and then Reed slid off of the hood and landed on his back and shoulders on the pavement. They brawled onto crates. Reed hit him with a pipe. Reed leaped off of a wall with a splash onto Strowman. The roof caved in a bit and there were sparks. Adam Pearce ran to the scene and frantically called for help as they cut to a break.
WINNER: No contest in a fight that lasted around 13 minutes total. [c]
-They showed a replay of the incident. Cole and Graves commented on what happened. Cole noted that Reed walked away from the scene. Strowman was shown being tended to and he looked battered and beaten up.
(5) PETE DUNNE vs. XAVIER WOODS vs. THE MIZ – Intercontental Title contender tournament match
The bell rang 10 minutes into the hour. They cut to an early break after a flurry by Dunne. [c]
Xavier was attacking Dunne with rapid-fire offense after the break. Miz re-entered and went after Xavier. Eventually, Xavier leaped off the top rope with a flying elbowdrop for a near fall. Dunne yanked the ref out of the ring by his boots as he was counting. Dunne then gave Miz a Bitter End for the three count.
WINNER: Dunne in 11:00.
-Redmond interviewed Breakker backstage and asked about Jey and Dunne advancing. Breakker said, “Bravo, great work by both guys.” The tone was patronizing. He told Jey he better watch his mouth because there’s never been a member of his family who beat up a member of his, and he won’t be the first. He said whoever wins the tournament will find out the worst is yet to come.
-A vignette aired with Gable working out with his crew and responding to what Dallas said earlier about him being a false prophet. He said he’d show everyone he’s just an ordinary guy whereas he, Gable, is an Olympian and a genius and a master who will lead Ivy Nile and the Creeds to greatness. [c]
-A promo video aired with Priest and Ripley talking about facing Dom and Liv at the Bash in Berlin.
-Cole and Graves hyped the Bash in Berlin line-up. Then they threw to a video package on Sid’s death.
-Cole hyped next week’s triple threat tournament matches: Reed vs. Sheamus vs. Ludwig Kaiser and Ilja Dragunov vs. Dragon Lee vs. Dom. Also, Zelina vs. Baszler.
(6) CHAD GABLE vs. UNCLE HOWDY
Gable made his ring entrance. Then the Wyatt Sicks made their entrance. Howdy wrestled in his mask and wig. Cole talked about him being the younger brother of Bray Wyatt and he’s now assembled a new group of lost souls. The bell rang 45 minutes into the hour. Howdy tossed Gable around. They cut to a break at 3:00 with Gable regrouping at ringside. [c]
Gable eventually made a comeback and slammed Howdy on the announce desk. As the ref counted, Cole told Gable to “take the win and get the hell out of there.” Howdy beat the count. Gable continued his attack. Fans chanted “Uncle Howdy” as Gable suplexed Howdy over and over. Howdy made a comeback. Cole said, “It’s been a strange, mystic night.” Graves said the mind games play to the benefit of Howdy because he’s trying to beat him physically but also decode him mentally.
Gable came back with an anklelock mid-ring. When Howdy powered out, Gable bumped into the ref. Howdy applied a Mandible Claw. The Creeds yanked Howdy out of the ring and threw him into the barricade. The rest of the Wyatt Sicks joined in the fight. Ivy Nile leaped onto the back of Rowan, who carried him on his back as he continued to beat on the Creeds. Gable threw Howdy back into the ring. He went for a top rope moonsault, but Howdy moved and then gave him Sister Abigail for the win.
WINNER: Howdy in 14:00.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO OUR POST-SHOW PODCAST
JOIN US LIVE ON YOUTUBE TONIGHT FOR THE VIDEO-FORMAT OF OUR LIVE POST-SHOWS…
On the episode, Wade Keller will be joined by Javier Machado to review Raw LIVE along with VIP member video caller, viewer emails, and chat room interactions plus often an on-site correspondent. Join us and let us know your thoughts on Raw during the show.
Email our post-show at wadekellerpodcast@gmail.com with your comments and questions about Raw. We’ll read your emails live during the post-show.
Subscribe to all of our free podcasts by searching “wade keller” and “pwtorch” in your podcast app of choice including Spotify and Apple Podcasts and most other iOS and Android apps.
JOIN US LIVE AFTER RAW: CLICK HERE
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