Monday Night Raw’s final stop before the Clash at the Castle Premium Live Event, and final stop in general with SmackDown already taped, sees the company arrive at Pittsburgh’s PPG Paints Arena. What does WWE Raw have planned ahead of Clash at the Castle? Originally named the CONSOL Energy Center and opening its doors in 2011, the arena housed a noted event for modern times in the form of 2014’s Royal Rumble. This event saw Bray Wyatt defeat Daniel Bryan in the opening, of all things; it also saw Cody Rhodes and Goldust lose the WWE Tag Team titles to none other than The New Age Outlaws.
It saw Randy Orton vs John Cena, the last time the two would face off for a world championship but not their last match. And of course, Batista winning the Royal Rumble after a Daniel Bryan no-show, Rey Mysterio being mercilessly booed at #30, and what would be CM Punk’s last appearance in WWE after an early part of the Rumble was focused on him before he was rather unceremoniously eliminated and chokeslammed through a table by Kane. Also, Roman Reigns broke Kane’s record for most eliminations in a single Rumble Match, up to that point at least.
WWE Raw, Clash at the Castle Go-Home Preview
What could happen when WWE Hall of Famer @RealKurtAngle returns home to Pittsburgh tomorrow night on #WWERaw? pic.twitter.com/sgRBXP9NJF
— WWE (@WWE) August 28, 2022
Pittsburgh’s Own Olympic Gold Medalist
There is another pattern that has developed under Triple H’s WWE involving the use of WWE Hall Of Famers. If WWE makes a stop at a town where one happens to reside, it seems WWE will promote them. We saw it with Trish Stratus in Toronto; now we see it with Kurt Angle. It’s certainly much better than previous uses of these greats which, in the years prior, was to have them on TV so heels could berate them for being old. How dare they. Such nerve.
The Olympic Gold Medalist and first TNA + WWE Triple Crown winner stops by. Much like Stratus last week, we aren’t quite sure what for. However, it will likely see him interact with current roster members in some capacity. Maybe we’ll finally see him and true unrecognized son Chad Gable interact. Or maybe we should just shush that idea.
Bobby Lashley vs The Miz
A separate article has already been written here regarding this match (check it out here), however, we continue to see the string of well-promoted title defenses for Bobby Lashley since Triple H took over creative. The All Mighty now faces The A-Lister, The Miz, who is familiar with the U.S. title. However, we’ve seen Lashley already topple other experienced wrestlers like Ciampa and AJ Styles, so this seems to be more a case of how good performance can Lashley give than anything else.
However, as it’s already been said, it continues the pattern of treating the United States and Intercontinental Championships as meaningful titles that are defended on a near-weekly basis either on TV or PLE’s. Lashley of WWE Raw may not have a defense slated yet for Clash at the Castle like his blue-brand equivalent Gunther, but he has already gotten 4 title defenses since SummerSlam.
THE FINALS ARE SET!#IYOSKY & @ImKingKota vs. @RaquelWWE & @WWE_Aliyah for the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship THIS MONDAY on #WWERaw! #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/9Epko585cl
— WWE (@WWE) August 27, 2022
Women’s Tag Team Title Finals
The WWE Women’s Tag Team titles were already on very shaky grounds to begin with. However, injuries created some more setbacks for the titles. Nonetheless, we reached the finals of the tournament as Damage CTRL’s IYO SKY and Dakota Kai face off against the tandem of Raquel Rodriguez and Aliyah to crown new Women’s Tag Team Champions.
I don’t think it’s much of a mystery who will win. The real question is if, by some miracle change, the latest Triple H surprise might reveal itself or themselves right after, as we await to see what will come of Sasha Banks and Naomi. Will they return to WWE, truly? If there was a good moment for it, it would be to face off these champions that won the gold without beating them.
We Still Get Face to Face’s
At least it’s not the only thing slated for the show. We have one of WWE’s favorites: The face to face. This week, it’s between Seth “I really wish Trips nixes the Freakin” Rollins and Riddle. With their match at Clash at the Castle only days away, WWE managed to reach the final stretch for this match after doing everything they can to keep it as fresh as possible. That really should be commended.
What will happen when @SuperKingofBros and @WWERollins meet face-to-face tomorrow night on #WWERaw just days before #WWECastle? pic.twitter.com/jCamhXzQ95
— WWE (@WWE) August 28, 2022
Visit’s, Returns, and More!
The Triple H wave of returns saw none other than Johnny Gargano return last week as good old “Rebel Heart” theme blasted out of nowhere and signaled the return of the man once known as ‘NXT’s heart & soul’. What’s his first step in the main roster? There is a load of potential ideas for him now. Fresh matches, a DIY reunion with Ciampa, and more come to mind.
Also, the Unified Tag Team Champions, The Usos, will visit Raw alongside Sami Zayn. This saga from Friday seems to continue here tonight on Monday Night Raw. All that and so much more on this 3-hour program. Let’s see what’s in store.
Stay tuned to the Last Word on Pro Wrestling for more on this and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. You can always count on LWOPW to be on top of the major news in the wrestling world, as well as to provide you with analysis, previews, videos, interviews, and editorials on the wrestling world. You can check out an almost unlimited array of WWE content on the WWE Network and Peacock.
