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Welcome to Wrestling Inc.’s weekly recap of "WWE RAW." This episode introduced Intercontinental title matches for SummerSlam and focused on team dynamics, particularly involving the LWO’s tag title opportunities. In this review, I’ll cover various significant moments from the show, which leaned heavily into tag-team storylines, making it an engrossing yet mixed episode of "WWE RAW."
This week featured notable matches like Sheamus vs. Rusev, Karrion Kross vs. Sami Zayn, and an engaging promo between Gunther and CM Punk. If you missed any of these moments, our "RAW" results page has you covered. However, for those eager to know which segments the WINC staff either loved or disliked, here are three highlights and three lowlights from the July 21, 2025 episode!
Dislike: WWE Abruptly Breaks Up A-Town Down
I wasn’t particularly invested in Grayson Waller and Austin Theory’s tag team, but WWE’s decision to split them was puzzling. During a brief backstage segment with Waller and The New Day, Waller claimed Theory was injured and sought to join their quest for the tag team championship.
For starters, I haven’t seen any reliable reports confirming Theory’s injury. With all the speculation surrounding injuries in the main event scene, I hope WWE doesn’t make this a habit. The breakup felt rushed, especially as Waller’s interactions with The New Day were only recently aired, leaving many fans confused. WWE had previously teased their pairing, only to dissolve them quickly without meaningful buildup. This inconsistent storytelling is frustrating, especially for fans like me who appreciate coherent tag team dynamics.
Love: LWO Triumphs
On a brighter note, Joaquin Wilde and Cruz Del Toro’s victory in a three-way tag match to become the new No. 1 contenders for the World Tag Team Title was a well-received moment. It’s nice to see WWE giving Wilde and Del Toro the spotlight they deserve, as many fans have long recognized their potential.
The decision to have them win set the stage for fresh competition in the tag division, which desperately needs new stories. While opinions may vary on The New Day’s heel turn, many believe it’s time for a change, and LWO’s victory was a breath of fresh air, making their future matches something to look forward to.
Dislike: Bayley Teams Up With Lyla After Last Week’s Loss
Last week, Laila Valkyria narrowly defeated Bayley, earning a shot at the Intercontinental Championship. However, Bayley’s sudden pairing with Valkyria for a tag title shot felt disjointed and unearned.
The match utilized the typical "Can they coexist?" trope, which fell flat as they struggled to work together. Numerous instances of interference marred their performance. This questionable booking diminishes the women’s tag team division, revealing a critical need for better storytelling and character development.
Love: AJ Styles’ Comedic Moments
AJ Styles brought some levity to the proceedings with his comedic interactions aimed at Intercontinental champion Dominic Mysterio. While WWE has tested comedic elements in the past, Styles managed to keep the humor fresh without undermining the serious tones heading into SummerSlam.
His playful antics created a lighter atmosphere, adding depth to the match buildup, without overstaying their welcome. These humorous exchanges effectively kept fans engaged while acknowledging the imminent stakes of the SummerSlam showdown.
Dislike: Main Event Undermined by Interference
In the matchup between Iyo Sky and Stephanie Vaquer, both talented women deserved a clean finish. Instead, outside interference overshadowed their wrestling skills, detracting from the match’s overall impact.
WWE has repeated this script too often, diluting both the narrative and the matches’ integrity. Such underhanded tactics clutter the storytelling, making it frustrating to watch and diminishing the significance of their rivalry.
Love: Roman’s Rule
In the main event, Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman delivered a captivating segment highlighting the betrayal within their faction. This pivotal moment was expertly executed, emphasizing the shifting dynamics within the Bloodline, and laid the groundwork for future storytelling.
Reigns’ character development as a face was particularly interesting, showcasing a more complex personality compared to previous iterations. This evolution will likely pique fan interest and create engaging narratives in the coming weeks.
Fan Take: This highlights the ongoing evolution of WWE’s storytelling and the wrestling industry’s shift toward more dynamic character arcs. For fans, this not only shapes how rivalries unfold but also impacts their overall investment in the product moving forward.
