7 Ups & 6 Downs From WWE RAW (Jul 27)

by Andy H Murray

1. The Actual Match

Sasha Banks Asuka
WWE.com

Absolutely screw the finish, but Sasha Banks and Asuka were having a ripper of a match prior to it.

These are two of the best wrestlers in the world right now regardless of gender. Each should be a fixture on your Wrestler of the Year ballot and that they were able to craft RAW magic should be of no surprise, given how great their Extreme Rules clash was before its own nonsense conclusion.

Banks is on fire at the moment, peppering her bouts with nasty little touches like snapping Asuka's leg down against the ropes and biting fingers for leverage on submissions. Much of this bout was her setting traps for 'The Empress of Tomorrow' to walk into, with Samoa Joe putting her counter-wrestling over, and she was true to her character as well. Sasha looked for ways out when the going got tough but found none. Asuka kept dragging her back into a heated struggle in which both competitors were made to work for every inch, particularly in the leg work sequences. A real joy to watch at times.

A pay-per-view rematch with no extra bullsh*t would be much appreciated.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. 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.