The Street Profits (C) vs. Andrade and Angel Garza – RAW Tag Team Championships
So this feud has been kind of weird because there has just been so much going on. So first, you tease Garza and Andrade potentially splitting when they cost each other matches. Then that story is somehow parlayed into a storyline where Zelina Vega spikes Montez Ford’s drink? Um, ok?
It’s all over the place because the two teams themselves haven’t exactly feuded with each other. Plus, The Street Profits have already defeated Andrade and Angel Garza in tag team action, so I fail to see how that put them in position to get tag team title shots, but I guess considering the pitiful state of the RAW tag team division, it’s par for the course.
The Street Profits haven’t really feuded with anyone outside of The Viking Raiders, and that feud was remembered for all the wrong reasons. I’ll go with Andrade and Garza to switch things up a bit.
Winners: Andrade and Angel Garza
Apollo Crews (C) vs. MVP – United States Championship
I’ve enjoyed MVP’s character work and he hasn’t looked all that bad in the ring. But one questions why it’s MVP getting the title match here and not, say, Bobby Lashley. In addition to that, Crews pinned MVP in the elimination tag match on Monday and Lashley beat him. So MVP getting the title match here is kind of confusing, but whatever. Between the fact that MVP has already defeated Crews in singles competition and Crews’ run as United States Champion hasn’t exactly gotten off the ground yet, I think he’s due for a win here. And I think that’s what will happen.
Winner: Apollo Crews
Sonya Deville vs. Mandy Rose – No Disqualification, Loser Leaves WWE
So first and foremost, I’m thankful that Sonya Deville is okay after her little ordeal that took place this week. For those who don’t know, a crazy stalker was apprehended by her house and she fortunately came away unscathed. Now, originally this match was supposed to be a Hair vs. Hair match. So my question would be was the match stipulation changed because of this incident to give Sonya time off?
I don’t want to speculate, but I found the timing to be very interesting. Anyways, Sonya has gorwn incredibly as a performer and she really showed her acting chops in this feud. From her passionate promos to her character work, she’s played her role really well, even if the feud itself is cliche for a former tag team. I have Mandy winning, just because it seems that Sonya has had the upper hand more in this feud. Plus, what would poor Otis do without her sweet peach?
Winner: Mandy Rose
Seth Rollins vs. Dominik Mysterio – Street Fight
Dominik Mysterio’s journey in WWE comes full circle 15 years after we first saw him having his custody being battled at Summerslam in 2005 with Rey Mysterio and Eddie Guererro. Say what you will about Seth Rollins and his infatuation with gouging people’s eyes out, but I’ve been impressed with Rollins’ character work and how deeply invested he is into his character. And while I don’t know what Dominik will bring to the table, what I do know is that he does have a certain kind of grit, especially for taking that beating from Seth and Murphy. He can certainly take a bump, that’s for sure.
This match is kind of a toss-up for me. The Street Fight stipulation could protect Seth in a loss because Rey can interfere on his son’s behalf and both can get their revenge on Seth simultaneously and jump him. Kind of like with Brock Lesnar at Survivor Series last year. I can definitely see Dominik getting an upset win, but for now, I’ll say Seth gets the win for now, and perhaps the Mysterio family can get their revenge at the Payback PPV the following week.
Winner: Seth Rollins
Sasha Banks (C) vs. Asuka – RAW Women’s Championship
Bayley (C) vs. Asuka – SmackDown Women’s Championship
So, one of three things can happen. Either Asuka walks out of Summerslam with both titles, one title, or nothing at all. What’s the most likely scenario? I say the middle. The seeds of discord have been planted between Sasha and Bayley, and they are definitely going to feud over one of the titles. The question is which. From SmackDown, we know that Bayley will have to defend her championship first, which means Asuka has a greater chance of getting her hands on that title as opposed to Sasha Banks.
Now, what we also don’t know is if Asuka will be fighting both Bayley and Sasha consecutively or if Asuka is going to be afforded a break. I think that’s a factor that should also be considered. In the end, Asuka is a RAW superstar. I know she can technically go to SmackDown if she wins that title but I don’t see it happening, especially since the RAW women’s division right now is kind of barren. So, I’ll say that Asuka will defeat Sasha Banks and regain that title, but loses to Bayley after Sasha helps her.
Winner: Asuka wins RAW Women’s Title, Loses SmackDown Title
Braun Strowman (C) vs. The Fiend – Universal Championship (Falls Count Anywhere)
I’m just going to say right now, this is an awful feud, primarily because Braun’s acting skills are just lousy. His promos basically sound like he’s not trying to hide the fact taht he’s reading off a teleprompter. Plus, the character work is about as generic as it gets. He’s just so hollow. Beyond being a big man with big muscles, he’s just a brute who sounds like your stereotypical comic book muscular bad guy.
Meanwhile, The Fiend has cooled off considerably from his run in the fall last year. Nothing is unique, fun or original about him these days. Then again, I guess that’s the case of Bray’s career. He’s hot for a few months, but then everyone gets used to him quickly and forget about him. The most interesting part of this feud by far has been Alexa Bliss, and I’m confident that she will play a factor in the outcome of tomorrow’s battle.
The story with The Fiend that WWE seems to be going with is that unless your name is Daniel Bryan, The Fiend “changes” you. I have a feeling this match will go just like how Crown Jewel last year went. It was a Falls Count Anywhere match with Seth Rollins, for the same title (only it was red), and Rollins turned heel not too long afterwards. Braun has already turned if the new haircut wasn’t evidence enough. Eventually, Braun’s anger will probably overwhelm him into making a mistake and The Fiend will take back the title.
Winner: The Fiend
Drew McIntyre (C) vs. Randy Orton – WWE Championship
So Randy Orton is probably doing some of the best character work of his career right now and Drew McIntyre has been booked as a strong WWE Champion, so of course we face quite the conundrum of who will emerge from this bout victorious. Drew McIntyre has seen Ric Flair and Shawn Micahels punted on his watch and Drew told Shawn it felt like he let him down. Meanwhile, Orton has been a menacing force and seems to be one of the only superstars to come out on top of everything he’s involved since Backlash.
Picking the winner of this match is tough, because on one the one hand, you don’t want to make all the work Orton’s done to emerge as basically the top heel in the company right now result in a loss and stall his momentum. At the same time, a decisive victory for Drew would basically validate his run as champion so far. He’s been good in victory against the likes of Ziggler and Lashley, but he’s basically been undergoing the same path as Kofi last year, and a win here could be what he needs. I believe that Orton is going to enter September as WWE Champion, but I think on this night, Drew will win. Perhaps Orton gets his win at Payback.
Winner: Drew McIntyre
