5 Ups & 6 Downs From WWE Raw (22 July - Results & Review)

2. A Bit Too Far

The Liv Morgan/Rhea Ripley/Dominik Mysterio feud has largely been a success in terms of stoking interest in a title match without even focusing on in-ring action. Simply through trashy soap opera television, WWE has managed to make a women’s title match one of the hottest items on the SummerSlam card.

But Monday night’s over-sexualization of Liv Morgan went a step too far. It doesn’t help that WWE is the kind of company that probably shouldn’t be entering into this foray, especially with the culture that’s been described in court documents in an active sexual misconduct case.

Morgan evoked behavior and characterization that WWE seemingly left behind with the women’s evolution in recent years, focusing on the talent as gifted performers and not sexual creatures. There’s a tasteful way to present sexuality in wrestling, but this wasn’t it.

It’s a shame this comes right before SummerSlam, because it’s a step backward with just one week left to “go home.” Hopefully, this will be a blip and they will right the ship.