WWE Raw Results and Review: Brock Lesnar Accepts Cody Rhodes' Challenge for SummerSlam

Welcome to Don't Say The F Word Podcast's live coverage and recap of WWE Raw on July 17, broadcasting from the electric city of Atlanta, Georgia. This week's episode set the stage for the upcoming SummerSlam, and the excitement was palpable among the fans.

In addition to the thrilling matches and explosive moments, we'll be using our original **Rating System for Pro Wrestling Matches** to provide a more comprehensive and nuanced review of the action. This scoring system allows us to evaluate specific aspects of each match, giving you a deeper insight into our opinions.

**The Beast Confronts His Nightmare**

Kicking off the show, the Atlanta crowd warmly welcomed their hometown hero, Cody Rhodes. He immediately called out Brock Lesnar, but The Beast made him wait. When Lesnar finally appeared, chaos erupted, with The American Nightmare taking a brutal chair shot. Despite the assault, Rhodes challenged Lesnar for a match at SummerSlam, and The Beast accepted.

**Action:** 4 | **Storytelling:** 4 | **Atmosphere:** 5 | **Innovation:** 2 | **Overall Enjoyment:** 4 | **Overall Rating:** 19/25

**Grade: B+**

**Notable Moments and Observations**

- Rhodes' music being cut short due to the crowd's excitement added to the electric atmosphere.

- The stoic reaction of Rhodes' mother, familiar with the wrestling world, added a unique touch.

**Riddle vs. Gunther**

Matt Riddle faced Gunther in a Money in the Bank rematch, but this time without any interference from Ludwig Kaiser and Giovanni Vinci. The match showcased hard-hitting action and impressive counter-attacks.

**Action:** 4 | **Storytelling:** 3 | **Atmosphere:** 3 | **Innovation:** 3 | **Overall Enjoyment:** 4 | **Overall Rating:** 17/25

**Winner: Gunther**

**Grade: B+**

**Notable Moments and Observations**

- Corey Graves' humorous comment on Riddle's CGI animals added a light-hearted moment.

- The match effectively distinguished itself from their previous encounter.

**Women's Tag Team Title Match: Morgan and Rodriguez vs. Deville and Green**

Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez defended their women's tag team titles against Sonya Deville and Chelsea Green. A surprising title change occurred, enhancing the match's intensity.

**Action:** 3 | **Storytelling:** 3 | **Atmosphere:** 4 | **Innovation:** 2 | **Overall Enjoyment:** 3 | **Overall Rating:** 15/25

**Winners: Sonya Deville and Chelsea Green**

**Grade: B-**

**Notable Moments and Observations**

- The distinct crowd reactions to each member of Judgment Day added depth to their personas.

- Samantha Irvin's charismatic delivery of Chelsea Green's name during her entrance added to the fun.

**Alpha Academy vs. The Viking Raiders (Viking Rules Match)**

Alpha Academy and The Viking Raiders clashed in a chaotic Viking Rules match, showcasing WWE's unique style.

**Action:** 4 | **Storytelling:** 3 | **Atmosphere:** 4 | **Innovation:** 3 | **Overall Enjoyment:** 4 | **Overall Rating:** 18/25

**Winners: The Viking Raiders**

**Grade: B+**

**Notable Moments and Observations**

- Maxxine Dupri's figurehead-like pose added a comedic touch.

- The addition of Titus O'Neil on commentary felt somewhat out of place.

**Baszler vs. Cross, Miz TV**

Shayna Baszler quickly defeated Nikki Cross with the Kirifuda Clutch. Ronda Rousey's taunting from the crowd set the stage for a SummerSlam showdown between Baszler and Rousey.

Miz TV followed, with Becky Lynch as a special guest. The segment led to a confrontation with Trish Stratus, resulting in a match being set up between Stratus and Lynch, contingent on Lynch defeating Zoey Stark first.

**Grade: Incomplete (Baszler vs. Cross); C (Miz TV)**

**Notable Moments and Observations**

- Rousey's promo showcased some compelling lines.

- The Miz's fearful reaction to Lynch was comedic gold.

**Nakamura vs. Reed**

Bronson Reed faced off against Shinsuke Nakamura in a competitive match that saw Reed come out on top via disqualification. The finish left the match feeling like filler content.

**Action:** 3 | **Storytelling:** 2 | **Atmosphere:** 3 | **Innovation:** 2 | **Overall Enjoyment:** 3 | **Overall Rating:** 13/25

**Winner: Bronson Reed by DQ**

**Grade: B-**

**Notable Moments and Observations**

- Reed's mocking of Nakamura added a humorous touch.

- The match showcased Nakamura's varied kicking styles.

The additionof "Big" to BronsonReed seems like a VinceMcMahon idea as it's very lazy and i hate it, much like i hate the lack of creativityin AEW with calling the former W. Morrissey Big Bill it's almost as if they think the audience can't see the size of people or something.

**Zayn and Owens vs. Judgment Day**

In the main event, Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens defended their tag team titles against members of Judgment Day, Damian Priest, and Dominik Mysterio. Rollins' ambush on Finn Balor before the match began left Judgment Day down a man.

**Action:** 4 | **Storytelling:** 4 | **Atmosphere:** 4 | **Innovation:** 3 | **Overall Enjoyment:** 4 | **Overall Rating:** 19/25

**Winners: Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens**

**Grade: B**

**Notable Moments and Observations**

- Rollins' comically fast run to attack Balor added to the drama.

- Rhea Ripley's character development as part of Judgment Day was enjoyable to witness.

**Final Thoughts**

This week's WWE Raw delivered a strong episode, powered by the vibrant Atlanta crowd. With the shock title change and Lesnar's acceptance of Rhodes' challenge for SummerSlam, the anticipation for the PPV is palpable.

Our original **Rating System for Pro Wrestling Matches** allowed us to dive deeper into the action, storytelling, atmosphere, innovation, and overall enjoyment of each match. It's a versatile tool that helps us compare and appreciate different aspects of pro wrestling.

Join us next time for more exclusive coverage and analysis of WWE Raw and beyond, as we continue to explore the world of sports entertainment on Don't Say The F Word Podcast.