WWE RAW - Best and Worst - CM Punk is cleared but there's a twist; ex-Bloodline members reunite; Dirty Dom destroys Liv Morgan
WWE RAW tonight was fantastic. A lot happened on the show, with some huge developments heading into SummerSlam. The buildup to the premium live event has gotten better over time, and this episode got us excited.
As we will see, Judgment Day was heavily featured. Meanwhile, CM Punk has been cleared, although there is a separate issue with his current storyline. The action was great, too, with strong performances from Ilja Dragunov and Xavier Woods.
Anyway, let's quickly get into the biggest positives and negatives from tonight's episode of WWE RAW.
#3. Best: We're feeling Ucey tonight
WWE RAW ended on a high note, as Jey Uso and Sami Zayn reunited in tag team action. The former Bloodline members defeated Finn Balor and JD McDonagh in an incredible main event after Zayn saved Uso from a Judgment Day attack backstage.
From their entrance together to their in-ring chemistry, the babyfaces were on fire here. So, Sami Zayn and Jey Uso might have a pending shot at the World Tag Team Titles. However, the Intercontinental Champion does have to tackle Bron Breakker at SummerSlam.
It remains to be seen if Zayn and Uso will become a more regular team going forward. If WWE RAW was a test, they passed with flying colors.
#2. Worst: Punk is finally cleared, but Adam Pearce has a twist
The wait is over. CM Punk is finally allowed to wrestle again!
The Best in the World announced the good news on WWE RAW, following which his match with Drew McIntyre was made official for SummerSlam. Adam Pearce then revealed his big twist, introducing Seth Rollins as the special guest referee. Neither competitor was particularly happy about it.
This may have upped the drama, with The Visionary having issues with both Punk and McIntyre. However, the focus now won't be on their in-ring work at SummerSlam, at least in the biggest parts of the match.
Rollins may prove to be too much of a distraction after being inserted into this rivalry that has been building for months on WWE RAW.
#2. Best: Uncle Howdy saves Otis on WWE RAW
This might be the weirdest combination of babyfaces to be a part of the same segment, but it felt right seeing Uncle Howdy save Otis on WWE RAW. Chad Gable offered his ex-students to join him and The Creed Brothers again to fight The Wyatt Sicks.
Naturally, Otis rejected Master Gable and attacked his new allies before the numbers game caught up to him and Akira Tozawa. This eventually led to the lights going out before things could get worse, as Uncle Howdy laid out Chad Gable with Sister Abigail.
The Wyatt Sicks being babyfaces and targeting corrupt tyrants is an interesting direction. So far, it has worked pretty well. However, one can only hope Gable and The Creeds still have momentum after they are finished with Uncle Howdy and his crew.
#1. Worst: 50/50 booking never works
It may not have been totally clean, but Zelina Vega's win over Zoey Stark on WWE RAW was ill-advised. Stark's new faction with Shayna Baszler and Sonya Deville needs all the momentum it can get right now. This includes winning every match they have, at least for a few weeks.
Deville defeated Lyra Valkyria earlier on the show, but Stark should have won. All is not lost, though, with the trio getting a chance to redeem themselves in six-woman tag team action next weekend. However, a 50/50 booking wouldn't get them over at all.
#1. Best: Dirty Dom's decision
We end just the way we started: with The Judgment Day. Every story involving the group tonight was well-told, from Jey Uso and Sami Zayn reuniting to Damian Priest brawling with Gunther. However, the drama between Dominik Mysterio and Rhea Ripley may have been the most interesting thing from WWE RAW.
It seems like Dirty Dom has finally made his choice. The Judgment Day member was clear in picking Mami over Liv Morgan, who tried her hardest to get Mysterio on her side. The Women's World Champion dressed her best, too. However, she ended up in tears after Dominik tore into her during his promo. It was absolutely brutal.
Ripley then kissed him on the cheek before licking him. A bold choice, but one that has taken the internet by storm. It remains to be seen if Dominik Mysterio was telling the truth on WWE RAW. He might very well betray his Mami at SummerSlam and side with Morgan.
If this is a ruse, though, Dirty Dom and Liv played their parts on WWE RAW to perfection. Rhea Ripley needs to keep her eyes and ears peeled now to avoid the ultimate betrayal at The Biggest Event of the Summer.