Rhea Ripley returned on WWE Raw in Canada.
WWE Raw after Money in the Bank was preceded by rumors of Rhea Ripley’s return ahead of SummerSlam. With Liv Morgan and Dominik Mysterio teaming up in the main event, Monday night in Ottawa, Ontario Canada seemed like the perfect place.
During a backstage segment, Damian Priest answered a phone call, asking “where you at?” All signs pointed to the caller being Ripley herself, and that’s exactly what happened when Ripley returned in the main event to confront Liv Morgan. WWE SummerSlam is just around the corner, and one of its biggest matches seems to be pitting Ripley against Morgan with Dom’s allegiance still strongly in question.
WWE Raw advertised the return of CM Punk, who opened up the show with a faceoff with Seth Rollins. Raw also advertised a juicy main event of Rey Mysterio and Zelina Vega vs. Liv Morgan and Dominik Mysterio.
Last week’s broadcast of WWE Raw garnered 1.878 million viewers.
WWE Raw Results On July 8, 2024
- Jey Uso def. Chad Gable
- Bronson Reed def. Pete Dunne
- The Judgment Day def. Braun Strowman and The Awesome Truth
- Ilja Dragunov def. Bron Breakker by Disqualification
- Damage CTRL def. Kayden Carter, Katana Chance and Lyra Valkyria
- Liv Morgan and Dominik Mysterio vs. Zelina Vega and Rey Mysterio
WWE Raw Ratings
- July 1, 2024 | 1.878 million
- June 24, 2024 | 1.814 million
- June 17, 2024 | 1.747 million
- June 10, 2024 | 1.609 million
- June 3, 2024 | 1.679 million
WWE Raw Ticket Sales
- WWE Raw Venue: Canadian Tire Centre (Ottawa, ON)
- WWE Raw Tickets Distributed: 8,432
- WWE Raw Tickets Available: 219
WWE Raw Winners And Grades
CM Punk And Seth Rollins Face Off
Though fans chanted for CM Punk, the reception was a bit frosty, possibly because Canada is Kenny Omega territory. Though Winnipeg is almost literally a day away from Ottawa.
CM Punk jumped on commentary as Seth Rollins made his way to the ring. What ensued was a solid exchange between Punk and Rollins that was awkward at times.
Punk begrudgingly apologized to Rollins, but their tensions are far from finished.
Backstage, Seth Rollins told Damian Priest that on Saturday he was very lucky (especially after forgetting to kick out), but also very good. Damian Priest told Rollins that he was going to throw the Gentlemen’s Agreement out the window. If Rollins wants a shot, he should just name the place.
Opening Segment Grade: B
Jey Uso Def. Chad Gable
Chad Gable was selling his ribs from last night’s Money in the Bank match as they were heavily taped. Still, Gable went for a flying headbutt, landing right on his ribs.
Gable was distracted by an appearance from The Wyatt Sicks. This opened the door for a Spear from Jey Uso and the win. After the win, Uso said deuces and bolted from the ring the way Dave Meltzer runs from debating his peers on Twitter.
After another great video package, where Bo Dallas/Uncle Howdy teased the arrival of The Wyatt Sicks, Chad Gable continued to assume they were coming for him. I think it’s becoming obvious that The Wyatt Sicks are coming for Jey Uso, as Jey has been in every segment they’ve appeared in.
Backstage, Bo Dallas appeared in Adam Pearce’s office.
Jey Uso vs. Chad Gable Grade: B
Bronson Reed Def. Pete Dunne
Bronson went face-to-face with Reed earlier on during a backstage segment. Sheamus challenge Reed to a match, but Reed declined because he was facing Sheamus’ old Brawling Brutes stablemate Pete Dunne. Remember that?
Michael Cole announced Pete Dunne’s tag team partner Tyler Bate will be out of action, which does not bode well for Dunne’s singles career on a crowded Raw roster.
Dunne suffered a loss after an impressive Tsunami from Reed. Ever the storytellers, Pete Dunne shoved Sheamus when The Celtic Warrior went to celebrate with him. Michael Cole talked up the story of Sheamus leaving The Brawling Brutes out to dry.
Bronson Reed vs. Pete Dunne Grade: B
Sami Zayn Confronts Bron Breakker
Sami Zayn was interrupted by Bron Breakker, who remained silent for an extended period of time. Bron Breakker also seems to have new theme music. Sadly, it’s still mid.
Breakker made it seem as if he was about to congratulate Sami Zayn for his win, only to spear Sami mid-sentence. Breakker then hit a 360 Spear on Zayn for good measure.
Breakker was confronted by Ilja Dragunov, and Breakker clapped back by sarcastically saying “I’m so scared!”
Sami Zayn and Bron Breakker Segment: A-
The Judgment Day Def. Braun Strowman And The Awesome Truth
The Judgment Day attacked The Awesome Truth in the middle of their entrance music, which I considered a favor to Canada.
Finn Balor won this match with a Coup de Grace on R-Truth. Backstage, The Judgment Day walked in on Liv Morgan stretching Dominik Mysterio in a suggestive position. This led to the line of the night when Priest told Mysterio “it’s not that hard” to stay away from Liv Morgan. Carlito quipped: “It looks pretty hard to me...”
Priest once again teased the arrival of Rhea Ripley before the segment ended.
Judgment Day vs. Awesome Truth and Braun Strowman Grade: B-
Ilja Dragunov Def. Bron Breakker By DQ
Fans were not very much into this match early, but Ilja Dragunov’s intensity willed them into chanting “this is awesome!”
At the peak of a war, Bron Breakker yeeted an office chair into Dragunov’s face causing a disqualification.
Sami Zayn hit the ring, and during a brawl between Dragunov, Breakker and Zayn, Breakker overpowered both as Michael Cole talked him up.
Ilja Dragunov vs. Bron Breakker Grade: B
Damage CTRL Def. Katana Chance, Kayden Carter and Lyra Valkyria
Prior to this match, there was a promo by Damage CTRL once again reiterating that Damage CTRL had to change.
This was essentially a spotfest, and though the crowd wasn’t very into it, the women worked hard and Kayden Carter did a good job getting them fired up.
After an entertaining series of dives, Damage CTRL won with an Over the Moonsault. Damage CTRL was then jumped by Zoey Stark, Shayna Baszler and a returning Sonya Deville. Deville returned backstage weeks ago in a soft opening, but this was her official grand opening.
It’s weird that Damage CTRL’s storyline was that it needs to change, and the payoff (for now) was reintroducing Sonya Deville to attack them.
During a backstage promo from Zoey, Shayna and Sonya, the Creed Brothers could be seen speaking with Chad Gable.
Damage CTRL vs. Chance, Carter and Valkyria: B-
Rhea Ripley Returns
WWE announced Drew McIntyre will return from suspension next week on Raw.
Fey Mysterio hit a low dropkick on Dom, causing him to land face first into Liv’s...pelvic region.
There were “we want Mami” chants toward the end of this match as fans could sense Rhea Ripley’s return.
Liv distracted the referee, opening the door for Dominik Mysterio to win the match with a Frog Splash on Rey Mysterio. Morgan jumped into Dom’s arms, and just as the two were about to kiss, out came Rhea Ripley. Wisely, Liv ran for her damn life. Dom wanted a hug, but Mami didn’t.
