The Birth of a New Era in WWE, Time to Break Up a Legendary Duo, More Raw Takes

Bron Breakker vs. Sami Zayn main evented an energetic episode of Monday Night Raw on August 12.

The Intercontinental champion caught Sami Zayn with Spear after Spear to defeat the veteran and definitively showcase his dominance as champion. He emerged as a new true main event act.

CM Punk continued to haunt Drew McIntyre, attacking him with a belt when The Scottish Warrior tried to interrupt a showdown between Gunther and Randy Orton.

Ivy Nile showed her true colors, attacking Maxxine Dupri to help The Creed Brothers defeat Otis and Akira Tozawa in a wild tornado tag team match.

Odyssey Jones won his debut match on Raw while standing by New Day in the ongoing rivalry with The Final Testament.

Along with continued Judgment Day drama, the red brand continued to move forward toward big fights.

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Main Event Saw Birth of a New Era on Raw

Few men are better at putting over their rivals than Sami Zayn, but Bron Breakker certainly kept up with the veteran in an action-packed main event 2-Out-Of-3 Falls battle.

The intercontinental champion worked a wild pace that was perfect for the main event spotlight, allowing Breakker to declare a new era in WWE featuring him.

This should only be the beginning as the 26-year-old finds his way on the main roster. While it was a rocky start, he found his home as a physically dominant performer who will push even the fastest wrestlers.

The Intercontinental Championship may not always find a spot on premium live event cards, but it should be frequently defended in Raw main events with serious opponents.

Especially as The Judgment Day loses some grip on Raw and Seth Rollins likely takes an extended break due to injury, Breakker is rising up the ranks of Monday night's hottest acts.

He will continue to deliver when given the opportunity. Monday's title match indicated that he not only deserves more of those opportunities but will also get them.

It's Finally Time to Break Up The New Day

The New Day vs. The Final Testament is not working. Karrion Kross is cutting solid promos routed in a truth playing out on television, but he lacks serious credibility.

Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods will always be made men with The New Day, but the group has never meant less in WWE.

As it looks increasingly unlikely for Big E to ever return, the stories that the group can tell together have dwindled. Woods is the one man who still needs a spotlight, though.

This angle has set up Odyssey Jones as a possible new member of The New Day, which does not seem to include Woods. Kross has put it in his head that the newcomer is meant to replace him.

This could lead to a day that was never suppose to come: Woods turning on Kingston and finding his own path up the roster, outside of his friend's shadow.

If the turn does not happen, this overlong rivalry will mean nothing and Woods will continue to stand in the shadow of the former WWE champion.

WWE Provides Ivy Nile With 1 Last Chance at Stardom With Heel Turn

Ivy Nile has finally chosen her side. She attacked her supposed friend and tag team partner Maxxine Dupri to protect The Creed Brothers.

At every stage, Nile has always backed Julius and Brutus Creed. It is not a surprise that he is ready to join American Made with Chad Gable.

While it was far from a surprise, it was a welcome move to give the 32-year-old a necessary spotlight.

However, she still needs to make the most of this opportunity. The Creeds could win the World Tag Team Championships tomorrow without a question asked.

Nile does not have that credibility, though. She is still finding herself in the ring. She will outshine Dupri inside the squared circle, but can she compete at the level of Liv Morgan or Rhea Ripley consistently?

She will need to show that she can if she is going to stand next to three of the biggest rising heels on Raw for the long term.

CM Punk vs. Drew McIntyre Feud Deserves Hell in a Cell at Bad Blood

CM Punk has made clear that he will do everything in his power to make sure Drew McIntyre is never world champion again.

This week, the Scot tried to get involved with Gunther and Randy Orton. Instead, The Best in the World struck and battered him with a belt.

These two men cannot stop hurting each other, and no simple match will be enough to put an end to the rivalry. It has to come inside Hell in a Cell.

The first match between Punk and McIntyre was too constrained by its setting to get violent enough. Hell in a Cell is the ultimate stipulation to encourage violence.

While Bad Blood is not until October 5, that is when the match must happen. Bash in Berlin on August 31 is already building a stacked card that does not need this contest.

Announce the match in the next few weeks for Bad Blood and then force the two men to stay civil until it is time. This can allow them to ramp up the anticipation for a contest that puts a definitive end to 2024's best rivalry.