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This may be the unpopular opinion, but I can’t help but agree with Charlotte Flair.
After her promotion in the ring to start the show, interrupting Nikki ASH who had beautiful things to say about being the new champion and … always … almost a superhero (we will come back to my feelings there above in a moment!), Flair has said what a lot of people who aren’t into this gadget are saying. The character of Nikki ASH does not have the star power to carry this division.
That doesn’t mean she couldn’t! I really think his superhero gimmick can be something great. But I am confused about the messaging here. The messaging that essentially defines this character.
Nikki ASH is a character born out of insecurity, and wearing the superhero outfit with the butterfly emblem and cape gives her the confidence to almost be a superhero. She said in her opening promo that she was afraid to fail, and now she is no longer afraid. And she said if you believe in yourself you can overcome and almost become a superhero.
This is where I get confused. Because this promo comes from the top female champion of the brand. So without a championship, I can totally see someone being almost a superhero.
But … you’re still almost a super hero even with a championship ? It doesn’t make a lot of sense to me. Almost a superhero makes sense when you’re trying to achieve something. When you reach it, “almost” is no longer appropriate.
They’re kind of in a corner now with that because what are they going to do, call her Nikki SH?
The reason I said I didn’t see the power of the star is because, by mentioning her outfit and the butterfly (which her line about a makeover in the division was awesome about), it sparked some boos from the crowd. And it proves that Nikki didn’t need this character to be champion. She has been loved for years. It was my concern for the character at first. Let’s see how it goes Slam summer.
So Flair whimpered and complained about losing the title, and Rhea Ripley came out to silence her. Both women claimed they had the right to fight Nikki at Slam summer, and Adam Pearce and Sonya Deville have said there will be a triple threat at pay-per-view.
They also did Flair vs. Nikki for this show because Flair kept whining and Nikki agreed to her request for a match.
This match was not good. Flair barely sold for Nikki and Flair won, with Nikki challenging her to a rematch next week.
None of this makes sense. And her promo before getting beat up makes me feel justified for what I said above. “Almost” a superhero doesn’t work when you’re the top female champion on Raw. Nikki’s promo was bad. I like him but this character doesn’t work.
Most of what goes on Raw is actually not working right now. So let’s move on to the rest. For a complete overview of Raw, check out Claire Elizabeth’s live blog!
The Hurt Business meeting we didn’t want.
What was supposed to be a Goldberg response turned into a Hurt Business Triple Threat.
MVP got the sports benchmark for the crowd to boo.
He asked Bobby Lashley if Goldberg was actually next, to which Lashley replied that he was not responding to Goldberg’s challenge.
Suddenly Cedric Alexander interrupted him and said he was excommunicated because Lashley knew he was better than him. Shelton Benjamin interrupted him to say that Alexander’s voice is terrible and that he knows the Hurt Business is dead.
Basically, they were both there to do what Flair and Ripley did before, but Lashley just decided he would take both men at the same time now.
Lashley threw Alexander in the ring post and it looked mean. Alexander and Benjamin decided to team up to take out Lashley, then went for a double pin, which Lashley immediately kicked out.
And then Lashley crushed them, stacked them, and pinned them. Poor Cedric and Shelton.
Oddly enough, Lashley did the Jackhammer to send a message to Goldberg, but I’m much more interested in a Roman Reigns vs.Bobby Lashley match.
Goldberg didn’t even bother to introduce himself.
The rest
Damian Priest defeated Sheamus
Priest is another guy like Nikki ASH who should have more star power than they currently have. As I keep reminding you (and now WWE is too!), He was in a tag team match with BAD RABBIT and won. And was then left to his own devices and to continue to fight the people who lost against him to WrestlingMania. And then he was away from television for weeks. Totally how you capitalize on the momentum of BAD RABBIT. People… BAD RABBIT! Either way, Priest and Sheamus hoss got into a fight and Sheamus’ face cover fell. The priest strangled Sheamus after making him walk the top rope for a count of two. What I thought was a Brogue Kicked but it was a high knee almost knocked Sheamus down, but Priest won with the Reckoning. Yes, I would like Priest to be the next United States Champion please!
AJ Styles and Omos defeated the Viking Raiders
The Raiders were smart in this one, isolating Styles and trying to take Omos off his feet. However, they always forget that Omos is not coming down. He charges, screams, throws powerbombs, and makes stunning facial expressions. Ivar stepped out of the way with a phenomenal forearm. It was cool. The Raiders ran into a 450 springboard, not Styles’ usual finisher, but I don’t always like going to the finisher to finish games. Who could be next for these guys now?
John Morrison defeated Riddle
I absolutely love that Byron Saxton squirts with the Dripstick every week. It’s so awesome, and wow, reading that out loud doesn’t sound PG. It’s still good. Elsewhere on WWE programming, there is talk of the missionary position. Miz made Riddle squirt with the Dripstick, and Riddle kicked him so hard that Miz fell backwards. When they got back from the commercial, Styles and Omos appeared. Omos broke his scooter to distract him and Morrison pinned Riddle. Styles then gave Riddle a Styles Clash. No Randy Orton to come and help his partner. And now we know who’s next!
Mustafa Ali and Mansoor defeated MACE and T-BAR
Ah the old RETRIBUTION get together. I really appreciate the dynamic between Ali and Mansoor. Ali is so involved in making sure Mansoor doesn’t fall into the same trap he did, and Mansoor tries to get Ali to like him. Mansoor was stunned after seeing Ali’s DDT tornado at the T-BAR outside. (Tornado DDT-BAR is a great name, WWE. You can use it for free.) Mansoor gave Ali a hug after he won and Ali just looked at him like what are you doing, bro? It’s good.
Karrion Kross defeats Keith Lee
They gave Kross the decency of a commercial break this time, but they didn’t decide to give Lee the decency. Lee losing here was sad because I really like him very much, and I don’t give a fuck about Kross. So Lee is back on a losing streak after being inactive for months, the first time to prepare Lashley for Goldberg, and the second time for just… reasons. Boo.
Drew McIntyre defeated Veer by disqualification
Jinder Mahal called in his lawyer and said he would sue if McIntyre didn’t apologize. You know what happened. McIntyre Claymored Veer as he held a chair and the bell rang. I’ll let Claire give you the result here – “Veer should win by disqualification as a result of this, but Drew is announced as the winner because none of that matters and WWE changes the rules on the spot. of head.” And then McIntyre threw the lawyer in the ring and Claymore killed him. Mmm’ok then.
Natalya and Tamina defeated Eva Marieeeeeee and DouDrop
Interestingly, Marie started the match but Natalya continued and she ran over the ropes and tagged DouDrop. At one point, it seemed like when DouDrop attempted a pin, Natalya had some sort of injury to her leg, so Tamina was tagged. Marie tagged when she thought she would pin Tamina. Then the Lilly-Lution video package distracted her and she was super kicked and pinned. Okay, I burst out laughing at this video package. I don’t know yet if it was because it was good or bad.
Reginald defeats R-Truth
Hell, Reggie is athletic like crazy.
The extra
It’s Lilly-Lution
This new segment therefore began on Smack down last week, and decided to bring it to Raw. Maybe we will continue like this!
Lilly-Lution and Miz squirting Saxton with the Dripstick were the funniest moments of the show. I have to give anyone who deserves credit for this little video package. I burst out laughing and thought you all must see it. Maybe I turn a corner on this? WWE is probably going to make me regret enjoying it next week.
Rating: D +
What have been your thoughts, Cagesiders?
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