Raw 08.01.2024

Whoo-hoo! The RadiantGame Team is now in our city- Portland, Oregon! Tonight's lineup promises to be thrilling with Cody taking on Shinsuke in a street fight, the women's tag team champions defending their titles, and nearly every member of Judgment Day featuring in the matches. I'm buzzing with excitement, so let's dive right in!

The chosen One faced Best in the World

The show kicks off with Drew McIntyre, and let me tell you, he's still fired up after that loss to Seth Rollins. He's out here, pouring his heart out, talking about his dreams of headlining WrestleMania. Then comes CM Punk, and boy, McIntyre doesn't hold back. He's laying into Punk, saying he was never the leader he claimed to be, especially when McIntyre was just starting out. And you know what? He's got a point. Punk's ego and selfishness were always there, lurking beneath the surface. But Punk, that sly grin on his face, he fires back. He's not backing down. He's confident he'll outlast everyone at the Royal Rumble, and he's got his sights set on tossing McIntyre out last. Can you believe the audacity? These two going at it like this, it's pure entertainment. And let me tell you, I'm itching to see who else throws their hat in the ring for the Rumble after this showdown.

Raw 08.01.2024: Drew mocking Punk.

Balor could not make the job done

I couldn't figure out why Ciampa was up against Finn tonight. Maybe it's hinting at a future showdown between DIY and The Judgment Day. As I watched the match unfold, it seemed like Finn was rushing and making sloppy mistakes, giving Ciampa the advantage. It looked like Balor was relying too much on Damian's assistance. At one point, Finn nearly lost after a botched Coup De Grace attempt. Johnny and Tommaso saw their opportunity, targeting Priest first before Gargano grabbed Finn's ankle, allowing Ciampa to roll him up for the win. Not a good sign for the tag team champions, as a formidable challenger seems to be on the horizon.

Raw 08.01.2024: Failed attempt of Coup De Grace

Ludwig avenges his fallen ally

With Vinci out due to injury and Ludwig left to fend for himself while the General is on vacation, tensions between Kaiser and Giovanni have been mounting. It's clear that Ludwig is seeking vengeance for his fallen ally, and this match was the perfect opportunity for him to unleash his pent-up frustration. The bout quickly became intensely personal, with Kaiser targeting Kofi intentionally and aggressively. Although both competitors ended up getting counted out, it didn't stop the brutality. Kaiser seized the moment, utilizing a commentary chair to incapacitate Kofi before slamming him into a steel ladder with a devastating running dropkick. The thirst for revenge seemed to be quenched, but the consequences for Kofi appear severe, and his absence from the ring may be prolonged as a result.

Raw 08.01.2024: Gravity forgets about Kofi.

Nia Jax and her great plans for Royal Rumble

After K.O. Becky, Nia becomes very confident, and I can understand why. Not many superstars have defeated The Man, so now Jax considers herself a major threat to Rhea's title. To ensure this, she adds herself to the Royal Rumble. Ripley couldn't stay silent in the face of this challenge. With a determined glint in her eyes, the champion confronts Jax in the ring, reminding her of their past encounter when Jax tossed her over the third rope in last year's Royal Rumble. Ripley advises Jax not to compare herself to Lynch, emphasizing their differences. She suggests that Jax set her sights on the SmackDown title instead. Despite acknowledging Ripley's prowess, Jax remains resolute, citing her dominant return to the ring where she manhandled Ripley and executed the Anihilator without any resistance. With unwavering confidence, Jax leaves no doubt as to her intentions, proclaiming her victory in the Royal Rumble and her subsequent challenge for Ripley's title at WrestleMania.

Raw 08.01.2024: Mommi always on top.

Carter and Chance knocked out Green and Niven

I don't see any possibility for the former champions to reclaim their titles. Let's face it – they held the titles only because the women's tag team division lacked strong teams last month. But Katana and Kayden are the real deal. They're a true team, and there's no doubt they'll dominate this division for a long time. There was a moment of brilliance for Chelsea and Piper when Niven crushed Katana in the corner with a cannonball. It's hard to believe Katana survived that collision. Piper could have capitalized and possibly pinned her after that, but she opted to go for her Rope Bomb. Chelsea's presence at ringside was puzzling, and her attempt to assist Piper from the apron was rather absurd. However, in a stroke of genius, Kayden intervened just in time, pulling Katana out of harm's way. As Katana dodged the attack, she instinctively grabbed Green's leg, causing her to trip and fall. The misstep led to Niven falling from the ropes onto her tag team partner, resulting in chaos and ultimately, Katana seizing the opportunity to pin Chelsea. It was a remarkable victory for the champions, but it's clear that the former champions won't last much longer unless they find another strategy for success. Frankly, separating them might be their best bet.Raw 08.01.2024: Worst day in Chelsea's life after losing tag team titles.

R-Truth still love Judgment Day

In a both touching and comical display, Truth regaled us with the tale of his induction into Judgment Day. Their saga began in a maternity hospital, where a young Truth made a solemn vow to a doctor that he would one day join the ranks of Judgment Day. What followed was a montage of memorable Judgment Day moments, accompanied by Truth's remarkable skill in photoshopping his face into every scene, creating the illusion that he had been a part of Judgment Day all along. With his knockout blow, Truth effectively ousted himself from the group, restoring the authenticity of Judgment Day. "And this is my message to every superstar on the roster – Judgment Day is a place filled with love, life, and laughter." The segment left me both chuckling and intrigued. Truth is truly a mad genius. I'm curious to see how the remaining members of Judgment Day will respond to this video.

Judgment Day backstage reaction

Some participants were outraged by the video, while Damian took it in stride and acknowledged its humor. However, now is not the time for laughter. The tag team titles are under attack from DIY, Nia Jax is threatening Rhea's championship reign, and JD, alongside Dominic, have been struggling to secure victories lately. Damian himself is dealing with issues after Drew's interference cost him his opportunity to cash in the Money in the Bank contract. Everyone has their own business to attend to. Tonight, McDonagh needs to take out Miz and settle his score

Massive balls are too massive for JD

JD and Dominic made their entrance together, accompanied by R-Truth, who was there to cheer up his friends. Miz put on a solid performance in the match, utilizing his classic moveset and even paying tribute to Daniel Bryan with a series of Yes Kicks, which the crowd counted along with enthusiastically. However, Rey Mysterio's interference disrupted the match several times, giving McDonagh brief moments to regroup. Unfortunately for him, it wasn't enough, and Miz eventually locked in his Figure Four Leg Lock followed by the Skull Crushing Finale for the win. Miz's versatility as a wrestler, able to seamlessly transition between being a hero and a villain, adds an intriguing dynamic to his character. R-Truth briefly celebrated with his former tag team partner before chasing after JD and Dominic, leaving us wondering how this story will unfold but undoubtedly keeping us on the edge of our seats.

Raw 08.01.2024: JD could not handle with Mr.Huge Balls. 

Seth Rollins and his Wrestlemania plans

It's time for us to hear what the Champion has to say after his victory over Drew last week. Seth is in high spirits and has grand plans for WrestleMania. Throughout his career, Rollins has had many memorable moments on the show: from cashing in the Money in the Bank contract to winning titles and delivering unforgettable matches. However, one thing he's never done at WrestleMania is enter as a champion and defend his title on the grandest stage of them all. The key now is to find a worthy opponent for that momentous occasion.

Raw 08.01.2024: Seth finds a new challenger for his title.

As the crowd chants for CM Punk, Seth dismisses the idea, stating that Punk will only face him in his dreams. But there's already someone who has been waiting for this opportunity for seven years. Enter Jinder Mahal, who appears to confront Seth and accuses him of ignorance, even going as far as to insult him. Mahal poses a question: why has Rollins never given him the opportunity to fight for the gold? Seth responds with a challenge, inviting Jinder to prove himself right then and there. However, Mahal, not one to underestimate his opponent, attacks from behind and nearly delivers a Colossus to the champion. Seth fights back, forcing Jinder to retreat.

Raw 08.01.2024: Jinder manages to escape Stomp.

It seems likely that we'll see this title match happen next week, as Rollins is a fighting champion who will never turn down the opportunity to defend his title. The only exception, for now, seems to be CM Punk.

Collison of Otis and Ivar

It was only a matter of time before Ivar found himself facing formidable opponents. With Reed in the past, Otis now stands in his way after the Viking destroyed Akira last week. However, it's clear that Otis isn't in the best shape at the moment. While he managed to execute several moves, including the Cutterpillar, one spinning heel kick turned the tide in Ivar's favor. Ultimately, Ivar sealed the match with a Doom moonsault, securing an easy victory for the Viking.

Raw 08.01.2024: Doomsault on poor Ivar. Look at Maxxine face. 

Jey Uso finds Big obstacle

Backstage, Uso gave an interview about his plans for the year ahead, confidently promising to become a champion eventually. However, his declaration was interrupted by the imposing presence of Bronson Reed, who warned Uso not to stand in his way.

Shinsuke Nakamura and little part of Cody Rhodes in a Street Fight match

The match felt like it was scripted from the get-go. With Cody, a top babyface expected to wrap up his storyline with strong fan support, losing to a relatively unknown Japanese wrestler was simply out of the question. Right from the start, it seemed clear that Cody's initial offense would be thwarted by Shinsuke, who methodically devised new ways to inflict damage on Rhodes throughout the 15 to 20-minute match—a classic Nightmare strategy, if you ask me.

Raw 08.01.2024: Flying ninja with nunchucks.

However, despite Nakamura's commendable performance and creative weapon usage, including nunchucks, red mist, chairs, and tables, it was evident that Cody's resilience bordered on the superhuman. His wrestling style, characterized by seemingly ineffective old-school moves and a remarkable ability to shrug off damage akin to John Cena's prime years, only added to the frustration.

Raw 08.01.2024: Cody goes through the table but still doesn't give up.

Even when Shinsuke delivered a punishing double knee strike through the table, Cody miraculously survived—a feat that defied belief. The match's conclusion felt more like a circus act than a legitimate wrestling contest. Cody's execution of the Pedigree and his timely sidestep of the Kinshasa, causing Shinsuke to crash through the table and allowing Cody to hit the Crossroads for the victory, felt contrived and unsatisfying.

Raw 08.01.2024: The Crossroads is approaching!

Indeed, witnessing Nakamura succumb to Rhodes after just a handful of moves and a single finisher left me with a bitter taste, reminiscent of the frustrating dominance of Roman Reigns during the years spanning from 2012 to 2019—a period that many fans, including myself, found difficult to endure. Overall, the main event left me deeply disappointed, failing to foster any newfound affection for Cody.

Ranking and Opinion

Another Raw episode has come and gone, leaving me with a whirlwind of emotions. On one hand, the ongoing storyline with Judgment Day and R-Truth continues to captivate my interest, especially with Ludwig making a bold statement by targeting Kofi and Seth finding a new challenger for his title defense. These developments promise some intriguing twists and turns ahead.

However, it's the main event featuring Cody that has left me feeling deeply frustrated. While Shinsuke delivered an impressive performance, the outcome of the match only adds to my disappointment. I've never been a fan of this push for Cody, and it seems like many other fans share my sentiment. The overwhelming support for Cody among the fans only amplifies my concerns about where this storyline is headed. Could we be witnessing Cody's path to victory in the Royal Rumble once again? It's a prospect that leaves me feeling disheartened.

Given the mixed bag of emotions evoked by this episode, I can't help but rate it a 5 out of 10, with the main event being the primary factor dragging down the overall enjoyment. Stay safe, and don't miss out on what's to come!