WWE Raw Winners, Live Grades, Reaction and Highlights From Aug. 10

WWE returned to the historic Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia for Monday's Raw, headlined by the first match in the tournament to crown Roman Reigns' next World Heavyweight Championship challenger.

Who emerged victoriously, one step closer to challenging for the top prize on the flagship show on the September 14 show from Mexico City?

Find out with this recap of the August 10 Netflix broadcast, including grades and analysis for major segments and matches.

Lineup

Kevin Sebatis/WWE via Getty Images

Announced in advance of Monday's show were:

• Appearance from Stephanie Vaquer
• Appearance from Becky Lynch
• Sol Ruca and a partner of her choosing vs. Roxanne Perez and Raquel Rodriguez
• World Heavyweight Championship No. 1 Contender's Tournament Match: Penta vs. Laredo Kid
• Akira Tozawa vs. Austin Theory

Solo Sikoa and Jey Uso Set Up Monday's Main Event

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Last Time in Action: Solo Sikoa, LA Knight, and Royce Keys defeated The Bloodline (SummerSlam, August 1)

Solo Sikoa and Jey Uso will clash in a high-stakes main event following the opening segment of Monday's Raw.

Sikoa flashed more of the personality that has endeared him to fans of late before addressing Jacob Fatu's attack on Royce Keys last week. Uso cut him off and once again demanded that his younger sibling fall in line with The Bloodline.

Instead, Sikoa renounced the faction, asking Uso how well that worked out for him since he went from winning the Royal Rumble and beating Gunther for the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 41, only to be back in the role of lackey.

Uso issued a challenge for a match tonight with the following stipulation: if he wins, Sikoa joins The Bloodline.

Sikoa accepted, under one condition: if he wins, The Bloodline leaves him alone.

A short, sweet segment that set up a meaningful main event and allowed Sikoa to continue expressing himself on the mic. This worked and was evidence of the positives of The Bloodline story, which is that it can continue to evolve even when Roman Reigns is not omnipresent.

Grade

B+

Top Takeaways

• Uso delivering his "warning shot" catchphrase, only for Sikoa to mock it by asking "is everyone back there good?" made for great stuff.
• Backstage, Fatu accused Uso of running his own play and disregarding The Bloodline's orders, setting up potential friction between The OTC and his Right Hand Man in future weeks. Especially if Sikoa wins tonight.

Penta vs. Laredo Kid

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Last Time In Action: Penta and Chad Gable defeated The Judgment Day (Raw, August 3); Laredo Kid and La Hiedra defeated Lola Vice and Mr. Iguana (AAA, July 27)

Two elite luchadors took to the ring for the right to advance in the tournament to decide who will challenge Roman Reigns for the World Heavyweight Championship on September 14 in Mexico City, as Penta battled Laredo Kid in the night's opening contest.

What was an excellent match on paper did not disappoint, with both men showcasing their athleticism and wowing the fans in Norfolk. The masked men tested each other's wills, culminating with Kid wiping out and Penta taking advantage, delivering the Mexican Destroyer for the pinfall victory.

A great showing for Kid in his first major exposure on WWE TV, and Penta's typical excellence helped kick off the show's in-ring portion with a bang. The former Intercontinental champion should be considered the frontrunner to win the tournament and challenge Reigns.

Result

Penta defeated Laredo Kid

Grade

A

Top Takeaways

• If the other matches in this tournament are afforded the same amount of time, AAA may be the most over product in WWE by the time the Fall arrives.
• This was a breakout performance from Laredo Kid, who may have lost, but left a lasting impression against one of the best in-ring competitors in the company.