WWE in Danger of Losing Momentum at SummerSlam, Why CM Punk Must Lose, More Raw Takes

It's SummerSlam week, and the July 29 edition of WWE Raw was the final stop for many of the company's top names before heading to Cleveland on Saturday night.

Finn Bálor faced Gunther in a great first-time main event. The Ring General put away The Prince with a sleeper hold and faced a confident Damian Priest once more before they meet at Cleveland Browns Stadium.

Guest referee Seth Rollins set the rules of engagement for CM Punk and Drew McIntyre, warning that he would take liberties if either man disobeyed his orders.

Liv Morgan and Rhea Ripley delivered final messages to one another ahead of their personal grudge clash for the Women's World Championship.

Chad Gable and The Creed Brothers faced the full wrath of The Wyatt Sicks, who unveiled their faces from underneath the masks. Uncle Howdy also gave a personal account on Dexter Lumis' evolution.

With high hype built for SummerSlam, this week's Raw set distinct promises for the weekend's premium live event.

Pressure Mounting For WWE to Deliver Great SummerSlam

WrestleMania 40 was a major statement by WWE. The Triple H era officially began with a two-night show that will not be forgotten, capped by an incredible match between Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns.

Since then, the company has delivered quality shows but hardly met that same level of hype. As WWE's second-largest show of the year, SummerSlam was supposed to present the next chapter of this new era.

The honeymoon period is nearly over for The Game and his creative team. This event needs to prove WWE can utilize its roster to deliver big moments beyond the hype of Rhodes, Reigns and The Rock.

On paper, the SummerSlam card is not the most exciting, but WWE has done solid work elevating the match hype.

Saturday's show must deliver by maximizing the build and fully highlighting the talent. It will come down to strong booking and great performances in matches like Rhea Ripley vs. Liv Morgan, Damian Priest vs. Gunther, and CM Punk vs. Drew McIntyre.

Drew McIntyre Must Beat CM Punk in Return Match

Since Drew McIntyre initially injured CM Punk at the Royal Rumble in January, The Best in the World has embarrassed the Scot repeatedly.

Punk cost McIntyre the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania in April and then at Clash at the Castle in Scotland two months later.

Finally, The Best in the World ruined the Scot's Money in the Bank cash-in, allowing him to hand over the briefcase before ensuring he did not win the title.

Beyond The Scottish Warrior brutally attacking Punk in Chicago following the incident in Scotland, McIntyre has been on the defensive for a long time in this feud.

Now that Punk is healthy, though, things are back on an even playing field. And it's time to give McIntyre the momentum. He must defeat Punk in their grudge match at SummerSlam.

The Best in the World will get his win back, and he will likely get the definitive victory of the rivalry.

However, the only immediate way forward is for McIntyre to stand tall on Saturday night.

Wyatt Sicks Role is Dexter Lumis' 1st Real Opportunity to Succeed

Dexter Lumis is an interesting case in WWE. He signed with the company in 2019, already 35 years old with a decade of independent wrestling experience under his belt.

He wasn't the type of wrestler who could outperform in his peers in the ring, but he did have an aura that allowed him to play the moody character; a role that has defined his career.

Whether Lumis was a dangerous grappler or moody comedy act, he made the most of his time in NXT without seriously contending for championship gold.

His wedding with Indi Hartwell on September 14, 2021 was one of NXT's most memorable moments in that time. However, nothing much was done afterward until he was released on April 29, 2022.

He was hired back quickly after Triple H took firm control of WWE's talent management, returning on August 8, 2022. However, he lost a ton of momentum in that time.

Lumis barely made it onto our screens throughout 2023 and turned 40 in January this year. It would have been easy to write him off as a likely release from WWE.

Instead, he has joined the Wyatt Sicks and built himself back up with a new look that enhances his menacing charisma.

This angle may be about Uncle Howdy/Bo Dallas and Erick Rowan first and foremost, but Lumis, Nikki Cross and Joe Gacy can rise as well with the right presentation.

This angle has not missed yet, and Lumis feels perfectly suited to make the most of this opportunity. The Wyatt Sicks will become his legacy as a wrestler and can redefine his career.

WWE Must Revisit Gunther vs. Finn Bálor on a Bigger Stage

On a night of limited build and forgettable action, Gunther vs. Finn Bálor was the long-awaited reprieve, a stellar battle of greats to end this week's Raw.

The Prince mentioned on the What's the Story? podcast on July 5 that one of his dream matches was against The Ring General.

Weeks later, Bálor got his first crack at Gunther, and he did not miss. It was a brutal, sensational battle that felt like the first act of a complete drama.

While the King of the Ring won definitively, the Irishman has far more he can give to a rematch on a bigger stage.

If Gunther does win the World Heavyweight Championship at SummerSlam, Bálor should challenge him soon thereafter, maybe even as early as Bash in Berlin on August 31.

This is the beginning of a rivalry that can put Bálor back on the map and would add some excitement to Raw's championship picture.