Raw Review & Recap 1st of August 2022
Live from Houston Texas
Becky Lynch kicks off Raw and arrives with her arm in a sling after her battle with Bianca Belair. She addresses the injury suffered in the match and how she has found herself in the match. Becky goes on to address how far the women’s division has come and how Bianca deserved the spotlight now.
Bianca Belair thanks Becky for the added respect they have for each other. After Becky leaves, the camera goes to the back showing Bayley, Dakota Kai and Iyo Sky attacking Becky Lynch.
Match 1 – AJ Styles v The Miz v Mustafa Ali
This is the first qualification match to become the number one contender for the United States Championship. The match is telling the story of how Mustafa Ali hasn’t always had these opportunities. Miz is struggling with rib injuries after his battle at Summerslam and AJ Styles is trying to get back to a title picture.
The finish of the match sees Ali hit the 450 splash on The Miz, only to role straight into a Style’s Clash, giving AJ the win.
Winner – AJ Styles
AJ Styles will go on to face the winner of the Dolph Ziggler, Ciampa and Chad Gable which happens later in the show.
A recap of the earlier attack on Becky Lynch and medical treatment. Bayley promises more statements from the three later. Also, The Usos promise to beat The Mysterios once again, as The Bloodline does.
Seth Rollins arrives for a promo next. Seth steps into the typical heel promo, saying how he put Riddle on the shelf, like Randy Orton. Rollins is setting his sights on Roman Reigns only to be interrupted by the Streets Profits. Seth unleashes on the Profits, calling them losers, in a solid exchange. This continues to tease the Profits split with Montez Ford jumping at a one-on-one with Rollins.
Match 2 – Seth Rollins vs Montez Ford
The match tells the story of Montez Ford not being used to singles matches, as Rollins takes control of the match, working on his ribs. Ford will have a flurry of attacks speeding the match-up, with a host of near falls. The match is a lot closer than Seth would have liked, but after countering a Frog Splash with knees, he hits the stomp for the win.
Winner – Seth Rollins
Dawkins saves Montez from another stomp from a twisted Seth Rollins wanting to make a final statement.
Match 3 – Alexa Bliss vs Asuka
The match is built on Alexa wanting to get back into the title picture only the Empress of Tomorrow is still wanting to get involved. Bayley, Dakota Kai and Iyo Sky interrupt the laying out the pair, continuing their statement on the women’s division. Binaca Belair with the save, challenging one of them to a match. Bianca Belair vs Iyo Sky is set up for later in the night.
Match 4 – Dolph Ziggler vs Chad Gable vs Ciampa
The second qualification match for the number one contender match for United States Championship. Two men that have rarely been given a single title match shot on the main roster.
This is a match where it is hard to pick a winner, Chad Gable using his relentless ankle lock takes control. A nice spot with a near fall from a German Suplex turned into a Zig Zag. In another fast-paced finish, Ciampa wins with the Fairy Tale Ending on Chad Gable.
Winner – Ciampa
A recap of the Judgement Day saga and Edge’s big return at Summerslam.
Edge addresses his motivation to create Judgement Day, and how he wanted to help new talent rise. He admits he was being an asshole and how he was shocked by the turn on him. Edge wants to finish Judgement Day, his own creation.
Match 5 – Bianca Belair v Iyo Sky
After Bayley, Dakota Kai and Iyo Sky’s attack on Becky Lynch, Alexa Bliss and Asuka. Bianca wants to put them in their place. Bayley addresses her return and wants to fix the women’s division with two talents that waited too long for their chances.
In what is Iyo Sky’s first ever match on Monday Night Raw, we are left to see how the genius of the sky will deal with the EST of the women’s division. On commentary, the team address Iyo Sky’s success in NXT and Dakota Kai’s career in NXT, something that often gets overlooked on the main roster.
It doesn’t take long before Bayley and Dakota Kai make their presence known at ringside, enough to let Iyo Sky take control of the match. Asuka and Alexa Bliss even up the numbers at ringside.
The match breaks down into a brawl between the six women, with officials needing to break the six up.
The Miz is preparing Ciampa for the number one contender match against AJ Styles.
Match 6 – AJ Styles vs Ciampa
This is a match of dreams after the amazing work the pair have done throughout their careers. In a back-and-forth match, the two bring out all their big moves, counter after counter. This includes a massive knee to reverse the Phenomenal Forearm. The Miz gets involved in placing Ciampa’s leg on the bottom rope after a Styles Clash. Distracting AJ Styles and letting Ciampa hit the Fairy Tale Ending.
Winner – Ciampa (New Number One Contender for the United States Championship).
Match 7 – Unified Tag Team Championship Match – The Usos © vs The Mysterios
This is a rematch of the match that started the reign of The Usos. The match is everything you would expect from the amazing workers, with Dominik getting isolated, and taking the 1D for the Usos to retain.
Winners – The Usos
Post-match Judgement day attacks the Mysterios, with Edge coming to the rescue of the Mysterios once again. Accidently spearing Dominik after Rhea Ripley in a collision course.
Overall, the show is starting to push new stars, Ciampa getting two wins in one night is huge, and a US Title Match next week. The Judgement Day Mysterios and Edge got another layer to it. Bayley, Dakota Kai and Iyo Sky make the women’s division feel fresh, getting multiply segments through the show.