WWE Raw Results: Winners, News And Notes On August 24, 2020

WWE Raw featured an abysmal debut by Keith Lee, Asuka defending her Raw Women’s Championship in a Lumberjack rematch against Sasha Banks, and three punts from Randy Orton to Drew McIntyre.

The main event segment saw RETRIBUTION strike yet again, this time targeting Rey and Dominik Mysterio.

Last week’s broadcast of Raw garnered 1.643 million viewers.

WWE Raw Ratings—Last Five Weeks

• August 17, 2020—1.643 million viewers
• August 10, 2020—1.722 million viewers
• August 3, 2020—1.715 million viewers
• July 27, 2020—1.617 million viewers
• July 20, 2020—1.628 million viewers

WWE Raw—Key Competition

• NBA Playoff Slate
• MLB Regular Season Slate

Pro Wrestling Bits—Why a Heel Roman Reigns Should Lead RETRIBUTION

WWE Raw Total YouTube Viewership Last Monday

12,714,159 views (Down from 15,671,457)

• Most-Viewed: Rey and Dominik Mysterio Fight off Seth Rollins. and Murphy (3,453,028 views) 
• Least-Viewed: Riddick Moss and Arturo Ruas Team up for a Raw Underground Brawl (163,326 views)
• Median Viewership: 391,932

WWE Raw Results: Monday, August 24, 2020

Opening Segment Featuring Drew McIntyre and Randy Orton

Drew McIntyre wasn’t shy about gloating about his victory over Randy Orton, at one point implying he’s the greatest wrestler ever, which was unbecoming of a top babyface.

WWE booked Shawn Michaels to semi-recover from a punt last week, so to show how strong Drew McIntyre is, they had him walk away from two of them.

Shayna Baszler def. Bayley by DQ

Nia Jax came out to watch this match and Shayna Baszler sold it like Nia had been added to this match.

It’s hard to watch Sasha Banks having to carry just three belts.

If ever there was a time for WWE to use Nia Jax’s relationship with The Rock for storyline purposes, they could really use it to explain why she’s able to walk in and out of suspensions simply by apologizing.

Shayna Baszler and Nia Jax have the potential to be one of the best frenemies of 2020, and there will be a lot of competition in that race.

Aleister Black Turns Heel on The K.O. Show

The second Aleister Black walked out with a sling over his eye, all I could think to myself was “this due better turn heel or his career is over.”

Aleister Black with a patch over his eye makes him look more like a heel, but WWE doesn’t need to begin establishing a pattern where its wrestlers have to learn how to work a match with half their eyesight gone.

Akira Tozawa def. Shelton Benjamin, Cedric Alexander and R-Truth

Seeing these four 24/7 Contenders compete for the WWE 24/7 Championship felt like a game of felt like a game of “one of these things is not like the other,” but I could argue that all of them are above becoming a 24/7 champion.

R-Truth running for his life from Shelton Benjamin was funny enough to save this segment.

Keith Lee Interrupts Randy Orton

For obvious reasons, Samoa Joe took exception to Keith Lee has new theme music now, and it’s nowhere near as good as his self-performed version.

Keith Lee didn’t just call Drew McIntyre his friend because they’re both babyfaces, there is a measure of storyline continuity here after Drew McIntyre and Keith Lee got together for a sparring session recently.

Montez Ford def. Angel Garza

I’m sure Demi Burnett is a nice person but any time she comes anywhere near a WWE storyline it falls apart due, in part, to how WWE uses her as a ditzy object of affection.

Charly Caruso only has herself to blame for being romantically linked to a lothario.

Bianca Belair, Ruby Riott and Liv Morgan def. Zelina Vega and The IIconics

This match was just more crowd-pleasing footage for Bianca Belair’s highlight reel.

WWE is dragging its feet with The Riott Squad, whom I though was going to receive the tag team title shot against Sasha Banks and Bayley.

Bobby Lashley vs. Apollo Crews—Arm Wrestling Match

Apollo Crews def. Lashley—Arm Wrestling Match Feat. Mark Henry

Mark Henry did no favors to Cedric Alexander by matter-of-factly referring to him as “kind of entertaining.”

Apollo Crews segments over the past month typically end with him either getting beat up by The Hurt Business or slipping through the cracks to get away from them.

Mickie James Crashes her “Hall of Fame” Ceremony

Lana and Natalya’s act could cultivate a younger viewership solely based on how big of a deal they are on TikTok.

WWE seems like it does at least one angle based on Mickie James’ age every year since she turned 35.

Bobby Lashley def. Unnamed Competitor—WWE Raw Underground

Bobby Lashley going from fake arm wrestling to fake shoot-fighting was quite the combat sports resume for a night.

Dolph Ziggler trying to wrestle Bobby Lashley looked like a child play-fighting with his dad.

Randy Orton def. Keith Lee by Disqualification

I despise Keith Lee’s new gear and theme music. Good thing the name Keith Lee is already pretty generic or they’d prolly change that too.

WWE’ “big plans” for Keith Lee include:

• Change his theme music where he rapped the lyrics
• Change his ring gear to make him look like an NFL Cheerleader
• Have him lose by DQ to Randy Orton while Randy was firmly in control.
• Make the segment about Drew.

Drew McIntyre went on to take a third kick to the skull. As of this writing, he did not walk that one off.

Asuka def. Sasha Banks—Lumberjack Match

Bayley was just trying her best but every time she takes a breath the announcers question her and Sasha Banks’ friendship.

WWE seems like it’s trying to force this breakup by scheduling Sasha Banks in a title rematch 24 hours after a hellacious match against Asuka, and just six days before The Golden Role Models have to defend the Women’s Tag Team Championships against Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler.

Bobby Lashley def. Cedric Alexander—Raw Underground

I wouldn’t have a problem with Raw Underground taking on a “King of the Mountain” format where one man just keeps fighting until he loses. Bobby Lashley is a strong candidate.

WWE Raw Underground didn’t feature appearances by Riddick Moss, Arturo Ruas or Dabba Kato. It’s like Raw Underground celebrated Vince McMahon’s birthday by putting new stars on ice and looking to the past.

RETRIBUTION Attacks Rey and Dominik Mysterio (vs. Seth Rollins and Murphy)

Seth Rollins looking on impressed while RETRIBUTION destroyed the Mysterios will lead to a lot of speculation that he is involved. It would fit his whole cult leader vibe perfectly.

My gut feeling told me this was the spot where Dominik would finally turn on Rey Mysterio. Then RETRIBUTION showed up.

At some point, Rey Mysterio just needs to let Dominik learn how to take a beating by himself.