Monday Night Raw - August 24, 2026
Preview
Today’s Monday Night Raw is more of a Monday evening or afternoon show, with the start time at 6p eastern. They’re doing a double taping tonight with SmackDown being taped directly after; and then another double taping on Friday with next weeks Raw and SmackDown being taped together so that the wrestlers and crew can have a bit of a break with the Labor Day holiday coming up in the US, along with WWE traveling to Mexico the week after that.
As for the card, so far we have announced-
The Oba and Bron contract signing for Sunday (not Saturday) Night’s Main Event. They’ve been doing a good job of keeping these two separated to help build the anticipation of them stepping in the ring, and hopefully that continues. For those who remember when the Shield and Wyatt’s squared off, it took weeks of them teasing before they started brawling and the place was on fire when they finally began to fight. I expect the same thing here.
Stephanie Vaquer versus Roxanne Perez - I expect this to lead to normal shenanigans with either Liv or Raquel (or let’s face it, both) getting involved. This will lead to Becky coming out and some further combo of Judgement Day versus Becky and Stephanie next week.
Penta versus LA Parka - Penta continues to be my pick to take on Roman in Mexico, so I fully expect him to take this match. It’s said that WWE has wanted their next Rey Mysterio for years (honestly, at least farther back than the last 10); and they have him now in Penta. His strong push is going to continue.
Rey Fenix versus Dragon Lee - And on the other end of the bracket, Rey Fenix is likely to take the win versus Dragon Lee for a brother versus brother match with the #1 contendership on the line. I fully expect both men to show out and put on the match of the night.
Main Show
As we kick off the show, Cass and Je’Von is announced for tonight. I fully expected this to be on the card for Sunday Night’s Main Event. I won’t be surprised this doesn’t have a clean finish so they can run it back then. As of right now, they have nothing but Oba and Bron for it. Also, for the proposed tag match above, I forgot about Sunday Nights Main Event (yes even after immediately mentioning it). So let’s look to that event for a Stephanie and Becky tagging against the Judgement Day matchup.
Apparently we’re also getting the blowback from last weeks Solo beatdown of the Bloodline tonight. Should be an interesting segment for sure.
In-Ring Segment: LA Knight
It’s Knight time this evening, as LA Knight kicks off the show! Knight is complaining about not being a luchador, and thus not being eligible for the tournament to face Roman. But while Roman has his entire family gunning for him (pew pew, my additional not his), Knight has Solo watching his. The Uso’s come out as Knight and Solo pew-pew each other. I know a lot of people aren’t a fan of Jey but he was a great face. Don’t think so? Look back at the reactions he was getting week in and week out. Now he’s a generic henchman for Roman. We’re getting Knight and Solo versus the Uso’s after the Uso’s really don’t say much. The Uso’s are one of the greatest tag teams of all time. And right now they’re being used back in the same spot they were in a few years back. I really hope that this is a short lived turn and they immediately realize that Roman is gaslighting and just using them to run D for him. They should be doing so much more.
As we cut to Corey and Cole at ringside, Graves says that all Roman can do is watch tonight. So I suppose he’s not there and this is the extent of what we’ll be seeing in terms of last weeks fallout. But also, why is Corey wearing a black suit? It just looks wrong on him.
Promo Package - We get a recap of the quarterfinal matches in the #1 Contender’s Tournament. Going to be a couple of great matches tonight.
Match 1: Stephanie Vaquer versus Roxanne Perez
A couple of weird spots during the match. I’m not even sure if I would qualify it as “sloppy”. Just an entire sequence that felt very off. And what’s worse is it looked like the sequence went just how it was supposed to. Outside of some work at the Performance Center and wherever else she may be able to train; this is Stephanie’s first match since April. So I can understand if there’s a bit of rust, it’ll get worked off in time.
I suppose the crowd forgot Stephanie a bit. Instead of the normal Booker T “AH AH AH” for the Devil’s Kiss, they instead counted it?
What bothers me is calling moves when they’re not the move. Roxanne’s “Shining Wizard” looked more like a kneeling ghetto blaster. So just call it that. It makes the workers look more diverse in their move-set as opposed to needing to hit a checklist of moves every week.
As completely expected, Liv interferes which brings out Becky. This allows Stephanie to hit.. what was her move? SVB? Looked killer on Roxanne. although again they call it a knee to face move when it’s more sternum which I feel works even better as it literally takes the air out of you.
After the match, Liv tries to rush the ring and Becky takes her out. Becky gets in the ring, her and Stephanie give each other a glance, end segment.
Winner: Stephanie Vaquer via pinfall following an SVB.
Backstage - Je’Von jumps Dominik and JD McDonough backstage, after the pair approaches Rey about being a bad dad. Honestly, a bit weird. They were just talking and Je’Von takes them out. Ok whatever, show that fire, kid.
Match 2: Dragon Lee versus Rey Fenix — #1 Contender Semifinal Match
I feel like many of these lucha matches haven’t lived up to what the two competitors were capable of. Even the Dr Wagner III match last week felt less like a showcase of what he can do, and just.. a match that happened.
This match though is fun so far. These two men are getting time to perform, and being allowed to actually hit their moves. Lee’s cannonball through the ropes is one of the most insane things I’ve seen. So simple, yet something I’ve never seen someone do before. This match is awesome, and the crowd knows they’re being treated tonight by seeing this. While Fenix got the win, we all win for getting a match like this for free.
The two get a standing ovation from the crowd as Fenix lifts Dragon Lee on his shoulders.
Winner: Rey Fenix via pinfall followed the Mexican Muscle Buster
Promo: We get a video package for, I suppose, Lola Vice. Looks like she’s moving to Raw and will show up on 9/14.
In-Ring Segment: Oba Femi and Bron Breakker Contract Signing
We get an awesome shot of the arena for Oba’s entrance with his shadow casting all over part of it. It really makes him look larger than life. Not that beating Brock at ‘Mania and SummerSlam didn’t.
Bron comes out wearing a t-shirt that has his face split with that of a.. pit bull, maybe? Better than his shirt that said “woof” or whatever it was a few months back. Meanwhile Oba doesn’t normally wear his own gear. And it makes him look so much cooler. I get rocking your own wear to sell it to the fans - but some people, not doing it just elevates their look.
Bron asks Oba what he’s done to be crowned the future. Says that squashing people, winning King of the Ring, and beating Brock doesn’t equate to championships.
Says the guy who didn’t win his tag belt and was handed it after Logan Paul was injured. Yes, Bron is a former IC Champion, but that was years ago now and hasn’t won singles gold since. And yes, Bron won the belt back with Theory - but the point stands that it’s just a dumb narrative to put on Oba.
“You’re gonna be a sorry… wrestler.. in the middle of this ring.” “You’re going to spend the rest of your career living in mine.”
I’m sorry, but Bron still isn’t particularly good on the mic. He really needs some help.
As expected, a contract signing can’t happen in WWE without a fight. They just can’t help themselves to keep two guys separated and let the intrigue of them two build. At least the right guy - Theory - went through the table instead of either Bron or Oba.
The segment ends and we don’t hear what Oba says because his mic is cut out.
Backstage Segment: We go to the back and Jacob is arguing with the Uso’s. And we don’t hear the beginning of this either because the mic is continuing to not work. When it does work, he justifies his lack of intervention last week by saying that Roman told him to step down. And Jey grabs his black ulafala and tells Jacob that his assignment for tonight is to.. stand down.
Match 3: Je’Von Evans versus Big Cass
Cass has no Enzo and middling entrance music. Honestly the music isn’t terrible but it’s instantly forgettable. Cass is wrestling in black jeans and Timbs which just blows my mind. It just seems so uncomfortable. Cole talks about how Cass says that he pulled himself up on his own after hitting rock bottom. So I guess that confirms WWE has no interesting in bringing Enzo in, otherwise the play is to allude to him by saying that there was only one person there to help him along his way.
I’ve been noticing a lot of guys wrestling in their wedding band, Cass the most recent, and it really scares me. Evans showing some real fire during this match and it’s really work more than him just smiling and talking about being bouncy. I have nothing against that, but I’m liking this fiery side of him.
Surprisingly, we get clean finish. After Cass leaves the ring, Dominik and JD jump Evan’s in the ring. Guess it’s more likely that this is where the Sunday Night’s Main Event match moves.
Winner: Big Cass via pinfall after a big boot
Backstage Segment: Sol Ruca is being interviewed backstage. She says she’s going to win her women’s IC title back. Guess Iyo has a new best friend as she celebrates with Sol about her win last week. Lyra showing here the most character she’s shown so far. I’ve not been a fan of her. At all. But this was actually good. Trying to be sneaky to get herself a title shot. She was actually funny how she was trying to connive Sol. I also still think Bayley is coming back. WWE doesn’t like bringing people up if they don’t need to - but they keep mentioning Bayley by name.
Match 4: Penta versus LA Parka - #1 Contender’s Semifinal Match
This match wasn’t nearly as good at the other one. Penta pretty much dominated it. As expected, Penta takes the win which leads to Fenix and Penta facing off next week for Penta, I mean the winner, to face Roman in Mexico. Fenix comes out meet Penta on the match. They dap over the fact that they should put on another incredible match next week. It’s what these two do best.
Winner: Penta via pinfall off a Mexican Destroyer
Backstage Segment: Solo again tells Knight how much he appreciates him. Knight calls Solo out for becoming a softie. Tells him as long as Solo doesn’t regret this, they can ride this to the top. Does that mean Solo and Knight are going to start focusing on tag belts? I really hope not, this should be a pairing of convenience, not a full on pairing for them to go after the tag belts. Knight has been calling out Roman for months, it would be silly for him to divert. And likewise with Solo, he’s always paired up, most recently with the MFT’s, and it would be nice to see him in a midcard title program for a bit.
Backstage Segment: Ethan Page approaches Gable in the back. Gable tells Page that Page just talked his way out of a title match. I was hoping this would lead to an Ethan title match, but it appears not.
Confirmed for next week: Sol vs Raquel for the Women’s IC title; Penta v Fenix in the finals to face Roman in Mexico; Roman Reigns Returns.
Backstage Segment: Stephanie Vaquer is told she’ll be taking on Liv Morgan in 2 weeks for the Women’s Championship. I thought Sunday Night’s Main Event is this weekend but maybe not? I expected something for the ladies leading up to it. Just looked and it’s September 6th, so a couple weeks out actually. Maybe next week? I can’t imagine it being a 3 match card, including Baron Corbin versus Lil Yachty.
Match 5: Solo Sikoa and LA Knight versus The Uso’s
Is this the first time Solo has moved to green in his color scheme? I primarily remember him in red as the secondary color. Also keep in mind I don’t watch SmackDown so he may have been moving different colors in. But it seems like the MFT’s are black and red, same as Bloodline, and now that he’s away from both he’s swapped his color pallet to differentiate himself from either group.
As a commercial side-note — the Men’s Warehouse commercial at the wedding.. did they really get rid of “What table are you sitting at?” That was the entire payoff to the joke with the commercial and they got rid of it!? Is nothing sacred!?
We’re back to in-ring action and it’s a pretty standard match. Nothing amazing. Basically the Uso’s working over Solo, building sympathy for his hot tag when he brings Knight into the ring. Building to the hot tag is something WWE does well with their tag matches, and this was no exception. Jey asks Roman if he’s “watching this shit” without a beep.
OTM (Out the Mud) appears to be called up, showing up with Keys as they take out everyone. I was wondering recently, I didn’t even know OTM was still in NXT. I thought they were quietly let go. I don’t really understand why Keys is heel now but sure. We’ll get a half-assed explanation next week. Nope, we’re getting it now and it’s a simple “You guys didn’t help me.” Yeah whatever.
The show ends with Keys and OTM leaving everyone laid out (the mud. ha, get it?)
Final Thoughts
Overall an average at best Raw. It really feels like right now they’re just spinning their wheels waiting for Money in the Bank season to start up in October. They’re not doing much to progress stories and letting the action happen instead.
So Roman’s return will be on a taped Raw, as next weeks Raw will be filmed this Friday. I suppose that’s to get people to tune in when they can find spoilers. Maybe his entire appearance is backstage so nothing spills beforehand.
I really hope that next week Jey and Jimmy start yelling at Jacob asking where he was while they’re getting beat down when he reminds them that they told him to stay in the back. It’s what I expect, I just hope they actually go that route.
There is no reason Penta and Rey Fenix shouldn’t have a 5-star match next week. Fenix is the AAA Cruiserweight champion, so if you let them show out, it’s instantly pointing people to AAA as a “You should definitely be watching our other show, this is just a normal match over there”.
Raw in two weeks is after Sunday Night’s Main Event, so unless they have some sort of angle next week, maybe we don’t get anything with Becky and Stephanie for it; which would really surprise me. They have an opportunity for their normal “Can they co-exist” storylines and it would be a big shock to me if they don’t follow through with it.
No Maxxine on this show. Theory let Kam have her back for the night. That’s nice of him.
I’m actually interested in what they’re doing with Heyman right now. I thought for sure that he was aligned with Bron and setting up Oba. Bron shoving the folio in Heyman’s chest before attacking Oba.. perfect time for Heyman to flash a smirk that it was all a setup. But instead he has a disgusted look on his face while he leaves the ring. Very interested to see where they go. Brock leveraged Heyman because he wasn’t a strong promo. They can do the same with Bron and have Heyman do the heavy lifting on the mic while Breakker just destroys people in the ring. Because regardless of what I say about his mic work, his spear is still top of the line.
Still no Seth since SummerSlam. I’m expecting we don’t get him back until they decide to start qualifying matches for Money in the Bank.
It’s nice to see Dominik doing absolutely anything again. Je’Von is a hot babyface, so letting Dominik get some heat off him is needed right now after doing pretty much nothing for months.
Where the hell is Joe Hendry? The Street Profits? Otis? They were all in programs and just vanished. I know the Street Profits lost the tag belts, and that Bianca had her baby boy. They could have run an injury angle on Tez and still use Dawkins. They can do a bunch of pre-tapes with them. Something. Instead they outright disappeared. Again. And somehow, some way, WWE wonders why their tag division doesn’t ever get hot. It’s difficult, pointless even, to get invested in tag wrestling or any of the teams when they’re shelved for months at a time.
And then on top of all that - ESPN is raising the price of their premium sub. So unless you get that free with a TV service, you’ll be spending an extra $2 a month or $20 a year. I’ve mentioned it before WWE gets more expensive each year to consume, between raising rates and them spreading their content across so many platforms. It’s still cheaper than the old $60 a month PPV, but for instance with no PPV in September, if you only follow WWE over other sports, you’re paying for no content for a month, which just further raises your cost of being a fan.
Overall, again, pretty average night - at best. Last weeks was much better because of the ending. One of my complaints with WWE for years has been how the show ends “clean”. A match, a segment that ties things up. Gone are the days of the Attitude Era where the show ends on a note that makes you say “Wow, I gotta tune in next week to see what happens next!” They’ve done well with it as of late, but I’m not sure I expect that to last past the short term.
What are your thoughts on tonights Raw? How excited are you to see OTM on the main roster with Keys as.. whatever he is now?