Last night’s WWE RAW from Detroit’s Little Caesars Arena offered a mix of thrilling moments and frustrating missteps as WWE rolled into the final live show before SummerSlam 2025. The July 28 episode aimed to build momentum for the biggest party of the summer, but while some segments delivered electrifying energy and storyline progression, others fell flat with fans and critics alike.

According to WWE.com and insider reports from Fightful and PW Torch, here are the three things fans loved—and the three things they hated—about WWE RAW on July 28, 2025.

3 Things We Loved on WWE RAW 7/28/25

1. Rhea Ripley and Allies Showcase Strength in 8-Woman Tag Match

One of the night’s highlights was the 8-woman tag match featuring Rhea Ripley, IYO SKY, Stephanie Vaquer, and Nikki Bella facing off against Chelsea Green, Piper Niven, Alba Fyre, and Naomi. The crowd was electric as Vaquer’s hot tag revitalized her team, culminating in her hitting the powerful SVB finisher on Chelsea Green for the pinfall victory. This win elevated the dynamic between Ripley and SKY, who shared their heated SummerSlam build backstage, with Ripley vowing to finally overcome SKY in their upcoming pay-per-view clash[1][3].

2. Judgment Day’s Faction Solidarity Despite Setbacks

Even after suffering losses earlier in the night, The Judgment Day faction showed resilience. Leader Finn Bálor delivered a motivating locker-room pep talk, reminding the group (including JD McDonagh and Dominik Mysterio) that they remain dominant champions with all the gold and greater unity than ever. The subtle humor of McDonagh gifting Mysterio a Nintendo Switch—and teasing Liv Morgan’s absence with nods to their shared gaming hobby—added an engaging layer to their backstage segments. WWE fans appreciated this blend of character work and storytelling building toward tag team title defense next week[1][3].

3. Paul Heyman’s Emotional Segment With Jey Uso Ahead of Main Event

Paul Heyman brought a heartfelt edge to the proceedings with a powerful promo addressing Jey Uso as the “main event” before their match against Bronson Reed. Heyman’s nuanced delivery emphasized family themes, making it clear that Jey’s allegiance and internal conflict within the Bloodline storyline remain a focal point heading into SummerSlam. The segment added emotional weight to the card and boosted anticipation for their main event encounter, which ended in a disqualification, keeping the rivalry simmering[2][3].

3 Things We Hated on WWE RAW 7/28/25

1. Overbooked Finish to Jey Uso vs. Bronson Reed

While the match between Jey Uso and Bronson Reed promised physical intensity, the disqualification ending left many fans dissatisfied. The finish felt like a momentum-killer given the buildup, detracting from the wrestlers’ in-ring performances. Wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer noted this overbooking dampened the excitement for their SummerSlam showdown and suggested a cleaner finish could have better showcased both athletes’ strengths[2][3].

2. Underwhelming Tribute and Lack of Focus on Hulk Hogan Legacy

Though the show opened with a ten-bell salute honoring WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan, many viewers felt the tribute was brief and lacked the impactful storytelling or highlight reel deserving of such a WWE legend. WrestlingInsider and Wrestling Headlines pointed out that the segment’s low-key execution missed an opportunity to engage nostalgic fans ahead of SummerSlam weekend[1][2].

3. El Grande Americano’s Misguided Interference Backfires

A backstage storyline involving El Grande Americano (Ludwig Kaiser) attempting to assist American Made against the Latino World Order (LWO) turned sour when his help was rejected, ultimately costing them their match. The angle felt forced and disrupted the LWO’s momentum, frustrating fans who desired clear narrative direction. Sources close to WWE creative told Fightful that this miscalculation strained the American Made characters and muddled the faction rivalries heading into the weekend’s big events[1][4].

Additional Noteworthy Moments

• World Tag Team Championship Tease: Finn Bálor and JD McDonagh vs. Joaquin Wilde and Cruz Del Toro served as a solid lead-in to their upcoming title match, tightening tension inside the tag division[1][3].

• Backstage Celebration with a Hint of Rivalry: Ripley’s backstage celebration with Nikki Bella, Vaquer, and SKY punctuated the unity among top women wrestlers, but Ripley’s pointed comments toward SKY made it clear their SummerSlam clash will be a show-stealer[3].

• WWE 2K25 Gaming References: The Judgment Day backstage segment, including talk of WWE 2K25 gameplay, added a relevant pop culture touch that made the characters feel more relatable and modern[1].

Insider Perspective from WWE Backstage

According to a WWE insider familiar with RAW’s booking, “The July 28 show was always meant as a springboard to SummerSlam. While some segments hit exactly as planned—especially Ripley vs. SKY—it’s clear the creative team is still fine-tuning how much they want to push certain angles, like the Bloodline tension. The usage of video games and lighter backstage moments shows WWE’s effort to balance intense rivalries with character depth.” The source added that “El Grande Americano’s storyline had noble intentions but will need refinement to regain fan interest post-SummerSlam”[3].

WWE RAW on July 28, 2025, delivered a mixed bag for fans gearing up for SummerSlam. The energetic tag matches, faction drama, and emotional promos were tempered by creative inconsistencies and some stale finishes. As the WWE universe sets its sights on Saturday’s marquee pay-per-view, last night’s show laid some solid groundwork but also highlighted areas where WWE must step up to fully capitalize on its top storylines.

For more detailed analysis and live updates, follow WWE.com and listen to the latest episodes of The Hoots Podcast and Wrestling Inc’s coverage to stay ahead of all SummerSlam developments.

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