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BARBATTI’S WWE RAW REPORT
AUGUST 17, 2020
ORLANDO, FLA. AT PERFORMANCE CENTER
AIRED ON USA NETWORK
Announcers: Tom Phillips, Byron Saxton, Samoa Joe
[HOUR ONE]
-The Then, Now, Forever opening aired with technical glitches followed by the Raw opening. Tom Phillips kicked off the show in the Performance Center and apologized for the “technical difficulties”. Phillips then mentioned tonight will feature Dominik Mysterio and Seth Rollins feud update, Asuka and Shayna Baszler vs. Bayley and Sasha Banks and the return of Shawn Micheals tonight.
-Drew McIntyre entered the Performance Center. As McIntyre entered the ring, a recap video of last week’s angle with Randy Orton and Ric Flair aired. Back in the ring, McIntrye said that what Randy Orton did last week to Ric Flair was unforgivable.
He said at Summerslam Randy Orton isn’t facing an old man, he’s facing a pissed off, fire breathing dragon. More technical glitches occurred with camera cutaways and a recap video of Seth Rollins and Dominik Mysterio briefly airing. Retribution was then shown destroying the production truck and forcing the producers to cut to commercial. [c]
-A recap of what happened before the break was shown.
-Backstage Drew McIntyre was shown backstage with some of the roster discussing what happened. McIntyre told the group to band together to take on Retribution but was interrupted by Seth Rollins clapping his hands. Rollins said that the locker room already has a leader in him. He then said he taught McIntyre how to be a champion but the video froze again as Ricochet and Cedric Alexander mocked Rollins. McIntyre accused Rollins of being scared. Buddy Murphy tried stepping up to McIntyre but the group was seperated and Rollins and Murphy walked away.
-Shelton Benjamin, Bobby Lashely, and MVP entered the ring. MVP took the microphone and called out Retribution and said the “The Hurt Business is open for business”. He said while the rest of the roster is scared of Retribution, The Hurt Business is calling them out. MVP said he’s learned in his life to always follow the money. If you follow the trail, it will find you to Apollo Crews. He said it’s not a coincidence that Retribution debuted just around the time that MVP faced Apollo Crews for the United States Championship. Crews then made his entrance. He said for MVP to insinuate that he is to blame for Retribution is low. MVP said before Crews won the United States Championship his career had more stops and starts than a “raggedy old car”. Crews challenged Shelton Benjamin to a match tonight and if Crews wins both Benjamin and Lashley will be banned from ringside at Summerslam. MVP sent Benjamin and Lashley out to Crews who avoided them and jumped in the ring. [c]
(1) APOLLO CREWS vs. SHELTON BENJAMIN (w/MVP & Bobby Lashley)
Match joined in progress with Crews and Benjamin exchanging blows before Benjamin took control. After trading control, R-Truth, Akira Tozawa, and the ninjas interrupted the match by running through, giving Crews the surprise advantage to roll up Benjamin for the pin.
WINNER: Crews via pinfall.
As The Hurt Business attacked Crews, Mustafa Ali, Ricochet and Cedric Alexander came out to even the odds. The Hurt Business retreated.
R-Truth returned to ringside and was taken out by Hurt Business allowing Benjamin to pin him for the 24/7 championship.
MVP then challenged Crews to pick two partners for an elimination six man tag match later.
-Backstage Angel Garza was shown flirting with a contestant from The Bachelor but was interrupted by Ivar of The Viking Raiders holding a turkey leg. Ivar accused Garaza of poisoning Montez Ford last week. Garza threw down Ivar’s turkey leg, but Ivar was quickly passed another one which he presented to The Bachelor contestant. [c]
(Barbati Analysis: An absolutely chaotic opening 30 minutes with the antics of Retribution taking center stage. The glitches are too slick and produced to really appear manipulated by an outlaw group and the shot backstage of the roster getting fired up just didn’t resonate as authentic in any way.)
-We returned with Phillips recapping the press of the Thunderdome annoucement.
-Back at ringside, both Angel Garza and Ivar are in the ring.
(1) ANGEL GARZA (w/Andrade & Zelina Vega) vs. IVAR (w/Erik)
Garza took early control as Demi from The Bachelor was shown backstage being flirted with by Angelo Dawkins. Ivar changed the control with clotheslines and splashes. Garza reversed a top rope attempt but Ivar knocked Garza outside and was prevented by Zelina on a splash outside. Garza was able to regain momentum back in the ring and hit a dropkick for the pin.
WINNER: Angel Garza via pinfall.
-Demi and Dawkins appeared backstage taunting Garza about the tag team match at Summerslam and Charly Caruso. Dawkins said he has seen a video and learned a lot about Garza and people he runs with. Garza ran backstage to prevent. Zelina and Andrade confronted Samoa Joe at the announce booth as he said that he saw a video that shows how far people will go when they think no one is watching. Vega and Andrade slowly walked away. [c]
(Barbati Analysis: The obvious insinuation here is that the video shows Garza and company poisoning Ford last week. This all just seems to be moving along at such a messy pace. I can’t, for the life of me, see any value that Demi is adding to this storyline.)
-They return to ringside with Phillips recapping the Dominik and Rollins storyline and said that there is a rumor that Rey Mysterio is here tonight and then show shirtless pictures of Dominik with deep red scars from last week’s attack.
-Garza, Vega and Andrade reached Dawkins and Demi backstage and tried taking the video from Dawkins. Charly Caruso then entered and Dawkins called for the video to be shown. A surveillance video was shown of Zelina appearing to put something into Ford’s red solo cup. Vega said the video doesn’t show anything and then blamed Charly Caruso. Ford ran into the scene and fight broke out and Vega, Andrade and Garza ran away.
-They return to ringside with Natalya and Mickie James in the ring.
(2) NATALYA (w/ Lana) vs. MICKIE JAMES
Quick back and forth action to kick off the match before both took each other out. Seth Rollins and Murphy then entered the ringside area. Rollins confronted Joe at the annouce booth demanding to know how Joe knows that Rey Mysterio is here tonight. Mickie James dominated Natalya in the ring, but was distracted by Lana as Natalya knocked James off the top rope onto the outside. Mickie struggled to recover and return to the ring, losing via countout.
WINNER: Natalya via countout.
-Rollins took the mic and said that if Rey or Dominik are here tonight it will be the biggest mistake they could ever make and they wouldn’t make it to Summerslam. [c]
(Barbati Analysis: Any semblance of order or sanity seems to just be thrown out of the window tonight. None of the matches appear to matter in the least and interruptions are now happening at a breakneck pace. There is no way this is sustainable for viewers to have any level of investment.)
[HOUR TWO]
-Sasha Banks and Bayley entered the Performance Center. The graphics for the Raw and Smackdown Women’s Championship matches was shown along with the announcement that Banks and Bayley will have to defend their tag team championships at Payback. Banks and Bayley each grabbed the microphone and said they can’t wait for Summerslam because they finally have a night off. They called Asuka the “Empress of Stupidity” and all they need to figure out is who is going to defeat Asuka first. Bayley volunteered to face Asuka first so Banks can beat Asuka next without even breaking a sweat. Bayley said they’ll next go to successfully defend their tag team championships at Payback and all they need to know is who they will be beating.
Shayna Baszler interrupted and said that whatever happens at Summerslam, whoever has the Raw women’s championship she will face next. Asuka then entered with a microphone in hand and taunted Banks and Bayley in Japanese. She then told Baszler that she has to fight with her before she fights against her. Baszler and Asuka dove inside the ring as Banks and Bayley retreated to the outside.
(4) ASUKA & SHAYNA BASZLER vs. SASHA BANKS & BAYLEY
Asuka and Bayley started the match off with Bayley cornering Asuka as Bayley and Banks exchanged strikes. Banks knocked Baszler off of ringside but Asuka turned the momentum. Nia Jax then attacked Baszler through the protective shield on the outside. Officials came down to separate Jax and Baszler but they began fighting at ringside. Asuka hit Banks and Bayley with a double hip attack knocking them to the outside. [c]
The match returned with Bayley having Asuka in a headlock. Bayley and Asuka then exchanged kicks. Banks reentered the ring and mocked Asuka for not having a partner as Baszler no longer appeared in the ringside area. Bayley and Banks exchanged tags, double-teaming Asuka for multiple two-counts. Bayley went for a top rope elbow but was blocked by Asuka and reversed into a two-count of her own. Banks entered the ring and put Asuka in Banks Statement and Baszler returned to the ring breaking it up. Asuka tagged in Baszler who took control with knee strikes to Banks. Banks and Bayley double teamed Baszler to reverse the momentum with a backstabber and Bayley-To-Belly, but only enough for a two count. Asuka returned to the match enabling Baszler to catch Bayley in the Kairi Fuad clutch for the tap out win. [c]
WINNERS: Asuka & Baszler via tap out.
(Barbati Analysis: More chaos with Jax interfering.. For such an intimate arena, there sure are a lot of people coming-and-going unnoticed. Good women’s tag match though to put Asuka in jeopardy before Summerslam. There has been no mention of Raw Underground so far, which is right within expectation of how long most thought that angle would last.)
-Back at ringside, Phillips says that Rey Mysterio is here tonight to confront Seth Rollins on everything he has done. A recap of last week’s contract signing and attack afterwards was shown.
-Backstage Apollo Crews told Mustafi Ali and Ricochet they would be his partners tonight. Cedric Alexander took exception but said he’d help out next time. As they walked out of the frame, Randy Orton entered looking contemplative. [c]
-Drew McIntyre was shown backstage and is greeted by Shawn Michaels. Michaels said he knows how much Ric Flair means to him, but he needs to be focused on Randy Orton. He said he’s worked too hard and traveled too much to give up now. McIntyre said Orton’s been running roughshod and he doesn’t want to let anyone down. Michaels gave McIntyre a pep talk and reminded him that he is the man that beat Brock Lesnar and has earned the spot that he’s in. Michaels then said he’s going to go out to confront Randy Orton and asked McIntyre to give him his space.
-Ruby Riott and Liv Morgan were backstage. The IIconics then interrupted mocking them. Peyton Royce called Morgan trash. Riott and Morgan left to ringside, but the IIconics were distracted by Shayna Baszler talking to Marina Sharif and Jessamyn Duke. [c]
-We return to ringside as Phillips recapped the chaos caused by Retribution over the past few weeks.
(5) PEYTON ROYCE (w/Billie Kay) vs. RUBY RIOTT (w/Liv Morgan)
Royce and Riott were joined in the ring. Quick pace to begin. The match spilled outside early with Riott and Royce exchanging whips into the barrier. Royce continued control in the ring with a knee to the face and an extended leg choke in the corner. Riott reversed in the corner with elbows and kicks. Riott splashed Royce on the outside but was taunted by Kay. Royce then pushed Morgan into a distracted Riott causing a shift in control leading Royce to pin Riott. There seemed to confusion and tension between Riott and Morgan as the IIconics celebrated.
WINNER: Peyton Royce via pinfall.
-Raw Underground’s door was shown. Shane McMahon approached the bodyguard and said “it’s almost 9 o’clock” and indicated its almost time for Raw Underground. The time is 9:48. [c]
(Barbati’s Analysis: Well, I stand corrected, but you have to think that the placement of this week’s Raw Underground is not where it was intended to be. The show is just treading water at this point with extended video packages and basically replays of last week’s matches to fill time. The most interesting element so far has been the hint of Baszler, Sharif and Duke backstage. Hopefully a compelling scene in Raw Underground will introduce them in a strong way.)
-Raw Underground returned with Erik from The Viking Raiders dominating an unknown competitor. Shane McMahon interviewed Dolph Ziggler at the side of the ring asking him how Erik did. Ziggler said he did okay and Erik challenged Ziggler immediately. A match between the two took place immediately. After back and forth strikes and holds, Ziggler put his thumb in Erik’s eye and won the fight. Ivor then threw Ziggler out of the ring onto the watchers.
-Rey Mysterio and Dominik entered the Performance Center. Rey had a covering on his right eye and Dominik favored his rib area as he stepped into the ring. Rey took the microphone and said there is one word to describe how he’s felt since The Horror Show at Extreme Rules and that is pain. First it was the pain of his eye and now it is Seth Rollins’ treatment of Dominik. Rey continued saying that watching the attack from last week made him feel rage and said that while he is not fully recovered from the eye injury and he may not ever fully recover, but there is no doctor on this earth that can stop him from protecting his son. Rey said Rollins won’t be able to duplicate what he did to Dominik because Rey will be in his son’s corner at Summerslam. Dominik said he appreciates it but he knew what he signed up for and he will be ready. Rey said is a proud father and he admires his son’s will and determination and if Rollins tries anything tonight, he won’t make it to Summerslam.
Rollins and Murphy appeared on the screen backstage. Rollins said Rey is putting his son in harm’s way for his own gain and this could have all been prevented if Rey accepted his role in the greater good. Rollins said it’s the Mysterio name and legacy that will be the ultimate sacrifice for the greater good. Mysterio challenged Rollins to come out now to back up his words. Rollins laughed it off and reminded Rey that he asked for this and said don’t move an inch. Rollins and Murphy stepped out of the scene, and Rollins’ music hit as they entered the ringside area.
Rey and Dominik exited the ring as Rollins and Murphy stepped into the ring. Dominik grabbed kendo sticks and the Myserio’s beat Rollins and Murphy over and over with the sticks before Rollins and Murphy ran from the ringside area. Rollins looked on in pain clutching his arm from the ramp.
-Cedric Alexander was shown sitting backstage and was joined by MVP telling he’s been where Cedric is but never at the hand of his friends. MVP continued to stir the pot between Cendric and Apollo’s chosen partners. MVP told him to think it over. [c]
(Barbati Analysis: It is ironic that the storyline involved an eye-removal is providing a level of stability on this show. In the midst of the ridiculousness that has permeated every element of tonight’s show, seeing Rey giving an impassioned speech felt necessary and more than welcome. I am looking forward to the Dominik and Rollins match mostly because I’m curious as to what direction the feud takes.)
-Shane welcomes us back to Raw Underground with Riddick Moss and another competitor viciously beating and choking each other and spilling their fight out of the ring into the crowd of watchers to no clear winner.
-Mustafa Ali, Ricochet and Apollo Crews were in the ring with The Hurt Business coming to ringside.
(6) APOLLO CREWS & RICOCHET & MUSTAFA ALI vs. BOBBY LASHLEY & SHELTON BENJAMIN & MVP
Benjamin and Ali start off the match with exchanges and arm drags before Ricochet and Ali take turns tagging in. Lashley tags in and dominated at entry and eliminated Mustafa Ali. Benjamin tags in and quickly pins Ricochet with the Gold Standard. Crews is now left alone to face the entire Hurt Business. Crews soon hits a toss powerbomb on Benjamin for a pinfall elimination. Cedric Alexander then appeared out of nowhere and surprise pinned Benjamin at ringside for the 24/7 championship. [c]
We return to action with MVP clubbing Crews in the corner as Lashley looks on. MVP tossed Crews to the outside and brought him back in for a two count before tagging in Lashley and MVP took turns beating down Crews before Crews reversed MVP into a toss powerbomb for a pinfall elimination. Lashley quickly entered the ring started to maul Crews. Crews fought back with drop kicks and a standing moonsault. Lashley hit a running spear and pinned Crews for the win.
WINNERS: Bobby Lashley, Shelton Benjamin and MVP via pinfall.
The Hurt Business celebrated in the ring and taunted Crews in the ring.
-The announce team introduced the entire Summerslam card.
-Shane was shown backstage with Baszler, Sharif and Duke talking. [c]
(Barbati Analysis: A shameful showcase for some of the most talented wrestlers on the entire roster who also happen to be men of color. You’d think that WWE would be wanting to spotlight these individuals right now, but clearly, the level of tone deafness is at a ridiculous high or it is just flat-out intentional. How exactly does this match result lead anyone to want to see Crews vs. MVP at Summerslam? Simply put, it doesn’t)
(7) AKIRA TOZAWA vs. CEDRIC ALEXANDER – 24/7 Title Match
Alexander made quick work out of Tozawa and pinned with the Lumbar Check.
WINNER: Cendric Alexander via pinfall to retain the 24/7 championship .
Shelton Benjamin then surprise attacked Alexander from behind and pinned him.
WINNER: Shelton Benjamin via pinfall to win the 24/7 championship.
-Next week it was announced that Ivar will face Dolph Ziggler in Raw Underground.
-We are back at Raw Underground with Marina Shafir dominating an unknown competitor and making her tap. Nia Jax then attacked Shafir from behind and Shayna Baszler jumped in the ring to confront her, but Jax retreated as Duke and Shafir entered the ring. Shane then said Raw Underground will return next week. [c]
-Andrade, Zelina and Angel Garza were in the ring as Street Profits made their full entrance.
(7) ANDRADE (w/Zelina Vega & Angel Garza) vs. MONTEZ FORD (w/Angelo Dawkins)
Ford hit Andrade with a flurry of punches and a flying senton to the outside barely grazing Andrade. Andrade regained control but Ford was exploding with aggression including a running top rope hurricanrana. Zelina distracted the referee but was attacked by Bianca Belair. The distraction of the fight caused Andrade to be rolled up by Ford for a surprise pin.
WINNER: Montez Ford via pinfall.
-Shawn Michaels was shown backstage greeting Titus O’Neil, Humberto Carrillo and R-Truth as he makes his way to ringside. [c]
-Shawn Michaels made his traditional entrance in the Performance Center sporting an NXT hat and a full beard. Shawn said he wished he was here for a more exciting reason but first directed everyone to the screen. A recap video of last week’s angle with Ric Flair and Randy Orton played again of Flair recapping his health issues and saying he wants to be a part of Randy Orton’s life. Michaels said that Flair more than anybody loved performing in the ring for the WWE Universe, and without Flair there would be no Michaels, Triple H, Batista, Drew McIntyre and others. He said Orton would be on that list too, but he doesn’t have the same level of gratitude for Flair that the others do. Michaels said at Summerslam Orton will get his justice either with Sweet Chin Music or a Claymore. Out of nowhere, Randy Orton RKO’d Michaels and punt kicked him. Drew McIntyre ran out to save Michaels but Orton retreated out into the crowd area. McIntyre checked on Michaels and called for help. Michaels struggled to stand, and Orton tried attacking McIntyre from behind but McIntyre spotted him. They brawled through the ringside area. McIntyre returned to check on Michaels in the ring. Orton returned again for an RKO on McIntyre. Orton then slithered out of the ring and slowly walked up the ramp to close the show. [End of show]
FINAL THOUGHTS: A full-blown mess of a show that was only anchored by the traditionally structured programs of the Mysterio Family vs. Seth Rollins and Orton-McIntyre. Raw Underground was treated much more as an afterthought and what happened to The Hurt Business running it? Ratings may be on a slight upward trend since the Retribution angle began, but this might be the show that stops that right in its tracks.
Was this the first time Shayna was in a tag match?