5 Biggest Winners & Losers From WWE Raw (8 Aug)

1. Winners: Brock Lesnar & Randy Orton

Brock Lesnar vs. Randy Orton was the first match to be announced for this year’s SummerSlam, and it got off to the rockiest of starts. Brock’s two failed USADA drug tests dealt a potentially momentum-ruining blow to what should be one of WWE’s biggest matches of the years, but WWE have recovered in tremendous fashion.

Lesnar’s contract might prevent him from sanctions and suspensions, but the company have been smart by not having Orton lean too heavily on the tests for offence. There was the “enhancement” line at Battleground, sure, but aside from that, nothing’s been mentioned of Brock’s transgressions. Instead, Orton vs. Lesnar has been promoted as a competitor, personal rivalry that’s seen each man invade the other’s home brand in a successful attempt at recovering any lost interest.

This week’s contribution was masterful. WWE can’t violate the Brand Split’s sanctity by having Orton appear on Raw every single week, so they found a different way to promote the feud: a sit down interview, and a video package.

WWE are streaks ahead of the competition in this department. Their big budget videos are always slick, professional and dramatic, and this was no different. Delving all the way back into each man’s time in developmental, the segment dived deeply into their relationship, and painted Lesnar as a cold, callous destroyer out for Orton’s blood.

Interest in Lesnar vs. Orton has never been higher, and WWE have done great work to overcome a cold start and make this a rivalry worth caring about again.