7 Ups & 5 Downs For WWE Raw (14 July - Results & Review)

2. Naomi Cooks Her Doubters

Show-opening promos automatically garner a skeptical, raised eyebrow, a “go on, prove yourself worthwhile” out of the gate.

Thankfully, Naomi and her raspy voice did just that Monday night. Fresh off cashing in her Money in the Bank briefcase, Naomi shut down the fans chanting, “You deserve it!” and pointed out that she was one step ahead of everyone who thought she was going to cash in on Tiffany Stratton.

Naomi blasted her former tag partners Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill, saying they never wanted her to succeed. They were happy to have her along as a friend, partner, third wheel, and flunky… as long as they had the upper hand. “Who got the upper hand now, b*tches?”

The new Women’s World Champion had a warning for the rest of the “raggedy heffers” in the Raw locker room as well, which then gave way to Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky staking their claim to the first shot at the title. (Minor deduction for Naomi with her “I don’t know what you just said” to Iyo, a dig tinged with racism (even if unintentional) that the Alabama fans lapped up with laughter.)

This also is a rare occasion where a triple threat makes a great deal of sense, with Naomi interrupting a tremendous match between Ripley and Sky at Evolution, so both women deserved a shot at the title. Why not run back the last 30 seconds of Sunday’s main event in a full-length match?