10 Things You Missed From Last Night's WWE Raw (July 9)

8. Roman Squashes NXT

roman reigns nxt
WWE.com

Though hindered by a basic, repetitive move-set, Roman Reigns is a tremendous athlete. It's a shame he doesn't get to show it more often, but it was on full display last night, as the rampaging 'Big Dog' burst across the ring, ran back, and leaped over the top rope with a 265lb tope to Bobby Lashley and his army of goons.

A great visual, but one with hidden meaning. Among the group were two former NXT Champions in Bobby Roode and Finn Bálor, who held the gold for 496 days between them. The Authors Of Pain are former NXT Tag Team Champions. No Way José, The Ascension, Apollo Crews, and several others passed through WWE's developmental systems.

Roman Reigns literally squashed NXT last night. This was likely a coincidence rather than a sly piece of imagery from WWE's increasingly blunt writing team, but it acts as an effective metaphor for Reigns' place in the hierarchy, as the company persist in promoting him as 'The Guy.'

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.