2 Ups & 6 Downs From WWE Raw (20 Jul - Results & Review)

4. IC Title Build Gets Weak Before SummerSlam

Chad Gable and Penta beat Rusev and Ethan Page in a decent scrap, but the big story is that nothing of note really happened other than their win. Penta hit a Mexican Destroyer on Page as Gable tapped Rusev out in his ankle lock. Then, Chad just handed Penta the Intercontinental Title and they celebrated. OK then? Where’s the intrigue for this IC Title bout?

This was house show-esque, which doesn’t cut it on Raw when we’re so close to a major PLE.

Listen, it's clear to anyone who has been paying attention that Gable is trying to atone for past sins as El Grande Americano, but where's the gusto to this tale? It doesn't feel impactful enough thus far to fit snugly on a top show like SummerSlam, and therein lies the problem. Sure, Chad vs. Penta will be a banger match on either night in early August, but a little more thought should be put into layering these stories so they land with a thump when it counts.

Right now, Gable and Penta are just plain ol' buddies who are about to have a glorified exhibition match for the latter's hard-won title. That's pretty weak, man. Even Chad atoning for the Americano transgressions has cooled off in recent weeks when that was the entire point of his Raw comeback in the first place. Hmm, some of the storytelling emphasis in this company has vanished, eh?

Top PLEs like SummerSlam need hot issues begging to be settled. That sells tickets. Instead, the IC Title situation is a friendly between 2 pals. Things better heat up during next week's 'go home'.