Another week means more WWE Network additions are here! Like every week, we had several items added to the video on demand library, while we also had some original content. But was it enough?
It should be noted that there were a few more uploads aside from what you will see below. As always, we had both NXT and Superstars, which were reviewed elsewhere on the site. Additionally, we reviewed the latest Cruiserweight Classic. We’ve also seen the NWA drop continue! Beyond that, we had NXT Takeover and Summerslam, both of which were reviewed, and the first five episodes of Holy Foley dropped. But what else was added? And how was it? Let’s take a look:
RAW Pre-Show
The RAW Pre-Show featured the usual panel. Scott Stanford works great as a host, while the other three all have value to some degree. Jerry Lawler, Booker T, and Lita all being Hall of Famers obviously lends credibility to whatever they discuss, which works for a program like this. This week also had the bonus of a Skype interview with the WWE United States Champion Rusev and his wife Lana.
Solid episode, this week, but naturally the main stories are what makes these shows more or less interesting. And with Summerslam fallout, Finn Balor’s injury and title vacancy, and the Dudleys’ leaving WWE, the episode certainly wasn’t short on hot topics to discuss. I know RAW is long as it is, but the Pre-Show is a worth having on in the background at the very least.
WWE Ride Along
The most recent episode of WWE Ride Along featured two different cars, as usual. The first, and the major draw of the episode, featured Enzo Amore and Big Cass. The second features Bubba Ray and D-Von, the Dudleys. With the Dudleys reportedly leaving the company, their role here may be even more important. Of course, we’ll see how that turns out.
For those unaware, WWE Ride Along features two cars with Superstars in each, as they travel from a show to the next town. They show those in the car discussing their careers, answering fan questions, or doing whatever else while on the road. The Dudleys, in this episode, answer fan questions while Enzo reminisces.
Legends with JBL
The latest Legends with JBL is here! The series continues to be great, too. Sure, this episode might not have had a ton of information that a big Sting fan wouldn’t already know, but for more casual fans or for those who just enjoy hearing the Icon speak, this is definitely going to be enjoyable. Unfortunately, it is fairly short coming in under 45 minutes.
Oh, and for those wondering, TNA is mentioned and discussed to a degree, although it was more in passing and far from a detailed discussion on the topic. But at least they didn’t outright ignore that he spent time there, unlike with Booker T, for example. This was really good, as Legends always is, so definitely check it out.
Smackdown Pre-Show
The Smackdown Pre-Show had a guest too this week, meaning both the RAW Pre-Show and the Smackdown Pre-Show had interviews. Pretty cool. The guest was WWE Champion Dean Ambrose, who discussed his match with Dolph Ziggler and his future plans on the blue brand. Additionally, he put over the need for a Women’s Championship on Smackdown, and well, he was in luck.
The panel was the usual team of WWE Hall of Famers Jerry Lawler, Booker T, and Lita along with Scott Stanford. And while they don’t have the chemistry that Stanford, Otunga, and Graves had, they are finding more chemistry as time goes on. Plus naturally, the insight comes off as more valuable coming from such successful acts.
WWE Talking Smack
Wow, talk about a controversial and buzzworthy episode of Talking Smack. Social media has been buzzing since this episode, and for good reason. The promo The Miz cut on Daniel Bryan was as or more intense and real as any promo the company has has produced in years. The fire he had was incredible, and it leaves a lot of questions for fans to ponder going forward.
Beyond that, Talking Smack is just really good. Talent being unscripted offers more realism and for everything they say to feel sincere. And that makes for a more enjoyable program. Beyond the Miz, this week also had The Usos and Nikki Bella as guests whom joined Renee Young and Daniel Bryan. Watch this.
Superstar Ink
This edition of Superstars Ink clocks in at over five minutes in length. The guest is now new WWE Women’s Champion, Charlotte. In this video, she goes over some of her tattoos, including the ones most important to her, which are the ones dedicated to her brother Reid, who passed away. A lot of her interviews are the same, with her discussing her brother, so I won’t say you’ll get much new out of this, but for Charlotte fans it is still a potentially enjoyable interview.
This Week In WWE
The latest edition of This Week In WWE was all about Summerslam. When this aired, Summerslam was just one day away so the entire focus was on the biggest party of the summer. Naturally, it covered the major feuds going into that event. In particular, this means it covered Brock Lesnar and Randy Orton, along with both the WWE and Universal Championship matches. This kind of show will never be must see, but it has a purpose.
Main Event
The latest episode of Main Event on the WWE Network is the 201st episode of the series. It aired on August 2nd of this year. For those unaware, with Main Event being a Smackdown-brand only show now, the matches have cut back from 3-4 an episode to just two. That means a lot more recap to skip. Still, the show has some quality talent.
Match List
Jey Uso vs. Tyler Breeze
The Hype Bros (Zack Ryder and Mojo Rawley) vs. The Ascension (Konnor and Viktor)
RAW
The 1208th episode of RAW is now on the WWE Network. It aired on July 18th of this year. This episode was the last before WWE Battleground and the WWE Draft. The big hook was the RAW and Smackdown General Managers both being named, along with a WWE Championship match between Seth Rollins and Dena Ambrose. As always, this RAW was added a month after it aired.
Match List
Sami Zayn and Cesaro vs. Kevin Owens and Chris Jericho
Darren Young (with Bob Backlund) vs. Alberto Del Rio
The Club (AJ Styles, Karl Anderson, and Luke Gallows) and The Wyatt Family (Bray Wyatt, Erick Rowan, and Braun Strowman) vs. John Cena, Enzo Amore, Big Cass, and The New Day (Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods, and Big E)
Charlotte and Dana Brooke vs. Becky Lynch and Sasha Banks
Dolph Ziggler and Zack Ryder vs. Sheamus and Rusev (with Lana)
WWE Championship: Dean Ambrose vs. Seth Rollins
Smackdown
The WWE Draft is finally available! It was the 883rd episode of Smackdown and was the first billed as Smackdown Live. This episode aired on July 19th of this year and along with the WWE Draft, it also featured a WWE Championship rematch from RAW. This is obviously a must see episode and is even worth re-watching if you enjoy drafts.
Match List
John Cena (with Enzo Amore and Big Cass) vs. Luke Gallows (with The Club, AJ Styles and Karl Anderson)
Darren Young (with Bob Backlund) and Zack Ryder vs. The Miz (with Maryse) and Rusev (with Lana)
Bray Wyatt (with the Wyatt Family, Erick Rowan and Braun Strowman) vs. Xavier Woods (with The New Day, Big E and Kofi Kingston)
2 on 1 Handicap: Sasha Banks vs. Charlotte and Dana Brooke
Cesaro vs. Chris Jericho
WWE Championship: Seth Rollins vs. Dean Ambrose
Closing Thoughts
Another really solid week with a ton of uploads. The next edition of this article, however, will be smaller with less original content scheduled for the next week. Still, with all of the Holy Foley episodes and Summerslam Week, a lot of content is being caught up on. Let me know in the comments section what you watched out of the content above, and what would you recommend?
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