WWE Raw advertised Uncle Howdy’s in-ring debut as he faced Chad Gable, Intercontinental Championship No. 1 Contender Tournament action, Damage CTRL vs. the Pure Fusion Collective and a Meat Match between Bronson Reed and Braun Strowman.
Last week’s broadcast of WWE Raw garnered 1.641 million viewers.
WWE Raw Results On August 26, 2024
- The Judgment Day def. LWO
- Damage CTRL def. Pure Fusion Collective
- Jey Uso def. Karrion Kross And Kofi Kingston | IC Title Tourney
- Bronson Reed vs. Braun Strowman ends in a No Contest
- Pete Dunne def. The Miz and Xavier Woods | IC Title Tourney
- Uncle Howdy def. Chad Gable
WWE Raw Ratings
- August 19, 2024 | 1.641 million
- August 12, 2024 | 1.890 million
- August 5, 2024 | 1.724 million
- July 29, 2024 | 1.412 million
- July 22, 2024 | 1.793 million
WWE Raw Ticket Sales
- WWE Raw Venue: Amica Mutual Pavillion (Providence, R.I.)
- WWE Raw Tickets Distributed: 9,068
- WWE Raw Tickets Available: 271
MORE FROMFORBES ADVISOR
The Judgment Day Def. LWO
Dominik Mysterio was once again booed out of the building as he reiterated that Liv Morgan does things for him that Rhea Ripley never did. He didn’t go into detail, and I don’t think he was talking about chicken nuggets. Dominik later mentioned Liv helping him defeat his father for the first time.
Rey Mysterio shamed his son for dating a güera (white woman), and it flew over most people’s heads in Providence because they didn’t speak Spanish.
To keep congruent with storytelling, Liv once again interfered and helped Dominik beat Rey yet again with a rollup.
Dominik was a bout to jump on Rey through a table, but ponce he hear Rhea Ripley’s music, he froze for an eternity. After allowing The Terror Twins to catch up to him and oust the Judgment Day, Dom and Liv ultimately ran scared.
Judgment Day vs. LWO Grade: B-
Damage CTRL Def. Pure Fusion Collective
The PFC cut a promo backstage about all the women who are sitting at home injured because of them.
Damage CTRL prevailed in a match that stunted Pure Fusion Collective more than their nickname did.
Mired in a 50/50 feud with no tag team title shot in sight for either team, both Damage CTRL and Pure Fusion Collective are in need of a spark.
Damage CTRL vs. Pure Fusion Collective Grade: C+
CM Punk Brawls With Drew McIntyre
Drew McIntyre continued to troll CM Punk by using his opening catchphrase. Surprisingly, there was no reference to All In or the Brawl In.
McIntyre continued to use Punk’s friendship bracelet to taunt his foe. McIntyre said the bracelet was emotionally destroy him, but the leather strap would physically destroy him. Drew remains in his bag.
McIntyre prided himself on telling the truth as he criticized CM Punk for always attacking him from behind. As McIntyre continued to steal Punk’s shtick, including sitting Indian style, Punk attacked McIntyre from behind with a strap. Just like Drew said.
CM Punk and Drew McIntyre Grade: B+
Jey Uso Def. Karrion Kross And Kofi Kingston
WWE has done a great job with this New Day angle ever since I released a video on my YouTube channel “Pro Wrestling Bits” criticizing Triple H for his struggles in booking Black talent. Coincidence?
Backstage, Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston were wearing the same style of outfit but different colors. Ominously, Woods was wearing black.
Jey Uso’s entrance meant Corey Graves and Michael Cole had to pick up the slack for Pat McAfee and do twice the yeeting.
Cole teased the idea of Woods and Kingston meeting in the Intercontinental Championship Fatal 4-Way. Graves said he dreamed of it.
Kofi Kingston accidentally hit fellow babyface with a Trouble in Paradise, leading to Kross taking control of the match with a power bomb on Kingston followed by a Vegas Cloverleaf. But back came Jey Uso to break up Kross’ offense and beat him with a Spear and an Uso Splash.
Jey Uso vs. Karrion Kross and Kofi Kingston Grade: B
Randy Orton Appears Live
Randy Orton autographed a sign as Michael Cole talked up Orton embracing WWE fans in his winter years. Orton even opened by saying, despite listening to the voices in his head for most of his career, the voices he listens to these days are the fans.
This was a good sentimental promo from Orton, and fans were into it early, but it went on way too long. As good as Orton is as a character and on the mic, he’s not known as a Hall of Fame orator.
Orton ended his long promo with the words “RKO” and there was no interruption or drama.
Randy Orton Promo Grade: B-
Bronson Reed And Braun Strowman Ends In No Contest
There was a lot of high-flying and athleticism early, including a cross body by Bronson Reed followed by a suicide dive to the outside.
When Raw came back from break, fans began buzzing the minute Reed started climbing to the to prope for a Tsunami. Strowman yeeted him from the top rope but fans popped for that as well.
Reed tried to leave the ring, but Strowman chased him down with a clothesline from behind. Cole said the match had become an afterthought. The two were outside of the ring for well over 10 seconds but no call was made. The brawl spilled to the back as Reed attacked Strowman with a trash can before trying to leave again.
The fight continued toward the parking lot as Reed literally threw security guards at Braun Strowman. This felt like a Godzilla movie. Especially when Strowman choke-slammed Reed on the hood of a car. Reed laid Strowman out with a pipe, then he flattened Strowman with a Tsunami onto a car. “Holy s—t” chants ensued.
Bronson Reed vs. Braun Strowman Grade: B
Pete Dunne Def. Xavier Woods And The Miz
Woods, dressed in black, did the Sycho Sid fist bumps on his way to the ring.
The story of this match was each combatant trying to steal a pinfall form the other. Surprisingly, it was Pete Dunne who ultimately stole a pinfall from Xavier Woods, beating The Miz with a Bitter End.
Based on recent booking, I didn’t see a way any three of these would advance to an Intercontinental Championship match against Braun Strowman.
Xavier Woods vs. Pete Dunne and The Miz Grade: C+
Uncle Howdy Def. Chad Gable
Both Chad Gable and Uncle Howdy had great vignettes before this match. Fans chanted “Uncle Howdy” after the bell rang.
Howdy began by dancing with his opponent, similar to how his brother used to.
It’s a nice touch that the commentators are not trying to insult the viewer’s intelligence. They referred to Uncle Howdy as “Bo Dallas,” but as if a different spirit had inherited his body.
Ivy Nile interfered, distracting Howdy, which led to an ankle lock as Howdy grabbed the ropes. Following a ref bump, Howdy turned the tables with a Mandible Claw, but Howdy was mauled by The Creeds. Howdy laughed at The Creeds as The Wyatt Sicks evened the odds.
Howdy and Gable rushed to the finish as Howdy hit the Sister Abigail for the win.
