The main event emanating live from Green Bay, WI was perfect. I don’t use that word often because it’s the internet and, well, one person’s opinion is another person’s stake to the heart. We got three meaty men in Sheamus, Rusev, and Bronson Reed. We got an injured former champ in Jey Uso looking for redemption after losing his championship last week. And all this with Seth Rollins, Bron Breakker, and LA Knight looming over the evening’s preceding. Oh, and it’s for a crown that will grant the person wearing said jewelry a match with the champion of their choosing at SummerSlam.
Did I get all that right?
Much like the women’s match that set off the show, the men’s version got a lot of business done with tons of emotional investment. We got a dose of Sheamus and Rusev built around the theme of chaos. It was physical anytime these two stepped to each other. Since they’re obviously each other’s next dance opponent. If this is any indication, I fully expect these two to destroy whatever city they’re in, block by block, brick by brick.
Bronson went in with marching orders. After LA Knight made sure Bron didn’t make it to the next round, further putting a monkey wrench in Seth’s plans, it was imperative that Bronson not let history repeat itself. The Wiseman played the apron while holding that green briefcase tighter than a parent holding their newborn. He shouted orders, as per usual, and Bronson certainly made his presence known as the match evolved into more violence.
Then there’s Jey. With his ribs still taped up and a rematch with GUNTHER on his mind, the former champ fought like a man trying to survive. They put him in great jeopardy throughout the match, but none more so than when Rusev slapped him in the Accolade in the middle of the ring. I mean, he leaned back harder than Fat Joe and Remy Ma.
But he fought for the ropes and got lucky when Sheamus broke up the hold. Regardless of his luck, the spot showed the same grit that he displayed during his match with GUNTHER. Remember, the man never gave up; he passed out. I wouldn’t be surprised if Jey’s ability to withstand pain or simply never give in becomes a part of his story going forward.
The match really got fun when Sami Zayn and Bron showed up. Bron pushed Jey off the top rope, and Sami had his friend’s back. After Bron wiped out Sami, guess who appeared? If you said Penta, you clearly watched the show. If you said Bret Hart, you clearly wish you were watching another show and you have an axe to grind with Goldberg.
Penta took out Bron, LA Knight appeared out of nowhere and took out Bronson. That left Jey and Bronson all by their lonesome, which lead to this moment once all the dust settled:
Just compelling stuff all the way around. Jey vs. Cody Rhodes? Drama. Cody and Seth? Remarkably, still drama. Penta wants some of Bron? Drama. All of it just worked and was laid out intelligently.
Fantastic ending to a very satisfying Raw.
B-Sides
Return to Scaramanga’s Fun House
The rumors were anything but greatly exaggerated. Goldberg vs. GUNTHER is a thing for July’s Saturday Night’s Main Event.
There wasn’t much story behind it at the moment other than William wanting some revenge for GUNTHER talking trash to that man’s family at last year’s Bad Blood a few days before Halloween. Props to GUNTHER for looking shook when Goldberg got in his face and made the challenge.
Now, the critiques, because you know there’s a critique. I’m not going to be too hard on it yet because it’s still in its infancy. However, I’m just not into watching Goldberg in 2025. No disrespect to the man; what he did in 1998 was incredible. The man became a huge star in this business-ah due to hardwork, great booking, and a fantastic look. I’m not getting into how safe he is or his ring work. I will say that his name doesn’t ring the same amount of bells it once did. Maybe not even half the amount. I’m sure GUNTHER will give him as best a match he can given the circumstances.
The World Heavyweight champ is nothing if not a pro. He’ll carry the WCW legend to a satisfactory last match that hopefully Goldberg will be proud of. Especially since he’ll do it in front of his family.
I just don’t care.
Hopefully that changes. July 12 is less than a month away and a lot can happen even in such a short amount of time. As always, I’ll give the territory enough space to cook, even if I don’t think they’re working with the right ingredients.
Album Cuts
- Liv Morgan is at the center of a few storylines: Nikki Bella’s return, the passive aggressiveness with Roxanne Perez, and she’s one half of the Women’s Tag Team champions. The main reason she was in even in this match this week was to further her beef with IYO SKY and make a case for another shot at the Women’s Heavyweight championship. So it’s really not only unfortunate but heartbreaking that she got injured in Green Bay. At the start of her match with Kairi Sane, Liv suffered a dislocated shoulder simply bracing herself during a standard takedown. Best wishes to Liv.
- Asuka is back and has a crown in her sights. WWE did a few things tonight during this very impressive opening Fatal 4 Way Queen of the Ring qualifier. First? Tease Stephanie Vaquer vs. Asuka multiple times. This immediately brandished Stephanie’s growing rep and gave a taste of what’s to come. Neither lady truly go the upper hand in any exchange because either Ivy Nile or Raquel Rodriguez interfered. They also further cemented Raquel vs. Rhea Ripley. Rhea got her revenge for Raquel keeping her away from a coronation ceremony last week, and beat her up outside the ring after yanking her out of it. She then fed her back to the wolves just in time for Asuka to pin her with her Empress Impact. I love the name but the move looks a lot like Naomi’s Rear View. Either way, big win for Asuka, Stephanie and Ivy escaped a pin, while Raquel’s pin came with some extra story.
- Oh, and Stephanie hit Devil’s Kiss on an apron after two blocked attempts. You got to give the people what they want. And props to Corey for not even trying to imitate Booker T.
- Becky Lynch and Bayley is officially happening next week. And it’s for the Women’s Intercontinental championship. Not music to Becky’s ears after she explicitly stated during her promo that she’d give Bayley a non-title match. But Nick Aldis believed Becky owed Bayley a title shot after stealing one from her at WrestleMania. I like that logic.
- Bayley and Becky’s promo session felt real and passionate. Both women played into their history as friends, with Bayley clearly standing in as the voice of the fans and the underrated athlete standing right on the cusp of more, despite the fact she’s already a legend. Becky was the condescending conquerer with no respect for anyone or anything except winning. After their back and forth, Lyra Valkyria told Bayley if the Role Model wins next week, she’s coming for her under the guise of looking out for herself, just like Bayley did when she challenged Becky.
- The Judgment Day saga continues. And by saga, I mean their soap operatic disarray. AJ wants the Intercontinental championship. Dirty Dom, the champ, scheduled a match between AJ and JD McDonagh. He wanted AJ softened up, but of course that didn’t work. Why would it? AJ needed the win to put Dom in more jeopardy than he’s already in, while setting up the stakes for AJ taking on a crew while he rolls dolo. After AJ got his W, Finn Balor came out to make it one vs. three. AJ easily outsmarted them and ran off with Dirty Dom’s belt. At Night of Champions, it’s on: AJ Styles vs. Dirty Dom for the thing Dom loves the most. And no, not Liv.
- Xavier Woods dressed like Silky Johnson was everything to me! (“Bombed out, and depleted”) I cackled and saluted him simultaneously.
The only real down note on this episode is Liv’s injury. Wishing her all the best and a speedy recovery. Outside of that, this week’s show clicked from start to finish. I still have issues with Night of Champions but they’re creating a fantastic show because of course they are.
What say you, Cagesiders? Does Jey defeat Cody or is Cody’s time now?
