Rhodes Reigns, Lynch Falls as Raw Delivers a Rollercoaster
This week’s “go-home” episode of “WWE Raw” from Columbus, Ohio, set the stage for the King and Queen of the Ring tournaments. The night featured high stakes and surprising outcomes, with the Road to Night of Champions heating up.
King and Queen of the Ring Finals Set
The women’s side of the bracket saw Jade Cargill defeat Roxanne Perez, earning her a shot at the crown against Asuka. The main event showcased Cody Rhodes besting Jey Uso in a thrilling match.
The Rhodes–Uso clash delivered impressive spots, especially from Uso. Rhodes ultimately won, executing his Cross Rhodes. This victory sets up a highly anticipated match against Randy Orton, as the rivalry has been brewing.
Unexpected Turns and Frustrating Finishes
Lyra Valkyria disrupted the Women’s Intercontinental title defense between champion Becky Lynch and Bayley, resulting in a disqualification. This interference overshadowed what was an otherwise stellar match.
The opening match featured Bron Breakker versus Penta. Breakker secured the victory after a counter to Penta‘s springboard attack, resulting in a clean pin. This match had epic action.
Missing Pieces and Missed Opportunities
Women’s World Champion Iyo Sky was notably absent following Liv Morgan‘s injury. The show also lacked Stephanie Vaquer. It is clear the company is still adjusting storylines because of the injury.
Strong Moments and Key Announcements
Michael Cole‘s pre-recorded interview with Goldberg was a highlight. They discussed his upcoming match with Gunther, with the “I’m going to beat the [expletive] out of Gunther” line eliciting cheers.
Sheamus and Rusev had a heated backstage exchange, with Sheamus calling Rusev “the most embarrassing member” of their old stable. In addition, Karrion Kross and Sami Zayn are set to compete at Night of Champions. Kross boasted about Orton‘s victory, which led to Zayn punching him.
Raquel Rodriguez gained the upper hand over Rhea Ripley with some help from Perez. It seems the Morgan injury might lead to the best booking in Rodriguez‘s career. The pair will have a match soon.
Stagnant Waters and Disappointments
Seth Rollins opened the show with a promo. However, with Breakker and Bronson Reed, they feel like they’ve fallen into stagnant waters with the Money in the Bank briefcase in Rollins‘ possession.
General manager Adam Pearce announced that the Intercontinental title match between champion Dominick Mysterio and AJ Styles at Night of Champions is off. Pearce stated Mysterio is injured. The wrestling world is constantly evolving, with injuries like this causing a significant shift in match plans.
The outcomes of these matches will set the stage for the upcoming Night of Champions, and fans eagerly anticipate the event.