Raw Cliff Notes 8-31-20

The Viper

Orton informs us that there will be a tourney to determine the number one contender for the WWE Championship. Classic heel move to talk only about his triumphs and not his defeats. Keith Lee interrupts and Dolph attacks him, leading into their match.

Dolph vs Keith Lee

You know Vince is testing just how good you are when he puts you in a match with Dolph. If Dolph can’t make you look good then you ain’t gonna look good. Keith Lee wins the match as expected. Lee moves on in the tourney.

Interview with an Empress

Asuka has a run in with the new Women’s Tag Team Champions backstage before her interview. Asuka is interrupted by Mickie James and challenged by the veteran. Mickie James vs Asuka would be great but Mickie isn’t a strong enough opponent right now. Natalya and Lana interrupt to put in their two cents and Lana is squashed by Mickie.

Kevin Owens vs Orton

The Viper paid a visit to Aleister Black, leading to Black taking out KO before his match with Orton. Genius for Orton to make sure he was fresh for another match by cheating to get past his first opponent. Randy Orton has become much more like HHH than anyone gives h credit for. Orton advances.

6 man tag 

Cedrick Alexander & Viking Raiders vs The Hurt Business

The Hurt Business clowns Apollo for losing his US title in the VIP Lounge before their match with Apollo and friends. The match is pretty good as you would expect, Cedrick rolls up MVP and MVP applauds him for the win, stopping Lashley and Benjamin from stomping him out after the match. Backstage, Cedrick was left laying and found by his companions.

IIconics vs Riott Squad

Winning team gets a title shot, the other team has to split

Crazy stipulation for a tag match on a normal Monday Night RAW. Knew it, commentary was so heavy handed with everything that there was no way that IIconics were going to win. Don’t know why they broke up but I do know that Riot Squad doesn’t deserve a title shot.

Seth vs Dominik

Due to injury, Dominik Mysterio may be in a WWE title match? It’s a SummerSlam rematch

Seth dismisses his disciple. Hell of a match, Dominik nearly won as Seth stomps Dominik one more time on his way out. Another match where Dominik looked great, he looks better each and every match, I was actually thinking he might win. Seth is moving on.

Tornado tag

Street Profits scouting report was funny, bringing comedy as well as athleticism to RAW as an act. We don’t see many tornado tags in WWE, a much needed change of pace if you ask me. The match is good but the lights flicker. Ford goes for the pin on Andrade but Retribution stomp them out and Garza leaves with his girl! Even Zelina Vega threw some hands.

Raw Underground

1. Titus O’ Neil is in the middle of smashing someone when we join the Underground. Riddick Moss then steps in and is losing until he kicks Titus in the nuts to win with a knockout punch.

2. Apollo vs Shelton Benjamin devolved into a beat down for Apollo and friends courtesy of the Hurt Business.

3. Jessamyn Duke debut and Shafir beats up Tits McGee

4. Peyton Royce throws Billie Kaye to the wolves and she’s knockouted by the Horsewomen.

Triple threat

The heels work together to take care of Lee, that is until Lee took care of both of the heels. Vince put Keith Lee in a match with all of his aces in one night, he really wants Lee to look like a biiiig star right away. Orton pins Seth and Lee is protected, great way to wrap it all up.

Honorable mentions

1. Mickie James needs a music upgrade.

Final take

A very concise episode of RAW. Everything is moving along well in each story. Asuka has a new opponent so does Nia and Shayna. Plenty of story left to be told, let’s see if RAW can keep cranking out hits.

#DominikMysterio #Asuka #IIconics #KeithLee #RandyOrton #MickieJames #Raw