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This week’s episode of Raw emanates from the Enmarket Arena in Savannah Georgia.
In Ring Segment:
Rhea Ripley and Dominik Mysterio are in the ring. Dominik tries to speak to the crowd, but as per usual, they boo him out of the building. He tries a few more times to speak, the crowds boos getting louder each time. Rhea takes the mic and says that she can take it from here. Rhea says that Cody Rhodes is a loser, and he is losing momentum. She says that at Money in the Bank, Dom-Dom will end him.
Cody’s music hits and he makes his way down to the ring. Dominik gets onto the ring apron, standing behind Rhea who stays in the ring with Cody. Cody says that he knows what Dominik was trying to say “Savannah, Georgia… Welcome to Monday Night Raw.” Dominik is furious at this as that was supposed to be his line. Rhea tells Cody that he can bully her Dom-Dom all he likes, but Dominik is a very dangerous man. Dominik attempts to speak again, but again he is booed loudly. Dominik then whispers in Rhea’s ear, she attempts to relay Dominiks message, but she gets booed by the crowd as well. Rhea says that Dominik will prove how dangerous he is at Money in the Bank.
Cody says that Dominik has hit a few cheap shots that were dangerous and effective. He tells Dominik to be who he is and say how he feels. Those who mind, don’t matter, and those who matter, don’t mind. Cody tells Dominik that “Cat in the Hat'' said that, and it’s a children’s book. Cody says he is quoting from it, because that is what Dominik is, a scared little boy. Dominik gets off the apron and Rhea joins him. They begin to walk off to very loud boos from the crowd. Cody says that Damian Priest isn’t running from him, as they are facing each other for the first time tonight. Cody shouts for Dominik to come back, he will even give Domink a free shot. Dominik turns around and heads back towards the ring. Dominik gets on the ring apron and looks at Cody. Dominik then jumps down, wags his finger at Cody and goes back up the ramp with Rhea.
Cody says he sees Dominik walking away and leaving. He says that Dominik’s cheap shots have been effective and dangerous, but at Money in the Bank, Dominik is stepping into an entirely different body of water. Cody wants to see something from Dominik, he wants to know if Dominik is half the man that his father is or if he is just Mami’s little boy.
Match 1: Ricochet vs Shinsuke Nakamura
Nakamura points at the Money in the Bank briefcase hanging above the ring. They exchange strikes, with Nakamura coming out on top. Nakamura puts Ricochet in the corner and digs his foot into Ricochet’s neck. Nakamura drops a knee for a two-count. Nakamura wrenches the arm and knees Ricochet in the midsection. Nakamura blocks a kick and elbows Ricochet. Ricochet avoids a big boot and goes for a handspring head-scissor takeover, but Nakamura holds him up and kicks him. Nakamura misses a kick, and Ricochet connects with an axe kick. Ricochet picks Nakamura up, Nakamura slides off and applies a sleeper hold but Ricochet pulls him off. Nakamura charges, but Ricochet pulls the top rope down to get him out of the ring. Nakamura doesn’t exactly clear the ropes and awkwardly gets stuck. They eventually work to the apron and take each other out with stereo big boots. They fall to ringside at the feet of Bronson Reed. Reed derisively claps for them.
Nakamura and Ricochet get up and exchange punches. Nakamura takes Ricochet down and stares at Reed. Nakamura blocks a kick from Ricochet and swings him to Reed. Ricochet hits Reed with an enzuigiri. Nakamura follows up with a big boot on Reed before putting Ricochet in the ring. Nakamura sizes Ricochet up, but Ricochet elbows him back. Ricochet ducks a clothesline and hits Reed with a baseball slide. Nakamura then hits another baseball slide on Reed before he gets in the ring. The referee holds Reed off and ejects him from ringside. Reed is irate and knocks over the steel ring steps as we head into the break.
Back from the break, we see Nakamura elbowing away at Ricochet’s skull. Nakamura pulls Ricochet up to his feet and goes for a suplex, but Ricochet slides through. Nakamura quickly stuns him with an enzuigiri. Nakamura charges at Ricochet, who is in the corner, but Ricochet knocks him back. Ricochet hits a big boot from the apron and hits a springboard clothesline.
They both get to their feet and exchange strikes. Ricochet takes Nakamura down with a handspring back elbow followed by a standing shooting star press for a near fall. Ricochet goes for a springboard moonsault off the second rope, but Nakamura gets the knees up. Nakamura hits a front suplex and viciously knees Ricochet in the ribs a few times. Nakamura stomps the ribs, pulls him to his feet, and hits another knee. Nakamura turns him inside out with a back suplex into an exploder. Ricochet somehow avoids the Kinshasa and hits a Recoil for a near fall. Ricochet sets Nakamura up and gets to the top rope while holding his ribs in pain. Nakamura kicks him in the head and lays him across the top turnbuckle. Nakamura hits a running knee to the ribs and sizes him up. Ricochet hits a backflip dropkick and soon after hits a standing Sliced Bread #2. Ricochet goes to the top rope, points at the Money in the Bank briefcase, and connects with a picture-perfect shooting star press for the win.
A brilliant starting match. It was good to see that there was minimal interference from Reed. These men are definitely some of the workhorses of the roster. I’m enjoying the feud that all three of these men are having. Grade B-
After the match, Ricochet points at the Money in the Bank briefcase. Nakamura is sitting in the corner, scowling, shouting that this isn’t over.
Backstage Interview:
Byron Saxton is interviewing Matt Riddle. Saxton asks Riddle if it was a wise decision to challenge Gunther after what Imperium did to his leg. Ludwig Kaiser appears. He is not happy that Riddle is challenging Gunther. He says that last week, they issued a measure of revenge against Riddle after what he did to Giovanni Vinci. Riddle says that he beat Kaiser last week, Kaiser says that will never happen again. Riddle then attacks Kaiser and applies a Kimura but he is blindsided by a big boot from Gunther. Kaiser then holds Riddle down. Gunther tells Riddle that his challenge is accepted. Gunther then stomps on Riddle’s injured ankle.
Backstage Segment:
We are in Adam Pearce’s office. He is on the phone as Dominik Mysterio and Rhea Ripley walk in. Dominik says he was embarrassed by Cody Rhodes earlier tonight and he wants to have a match to let out his aggression. Pearce tells him that is a good idea. Dominik says that he has an idea of who it should be. Rhea whispers in Dominik’s ear. Dominik will let him know, and Dominik and Rhea walk away.
Match 2: Ronda Rousey w/Shayna Baszler vs Raquel Rodriguez w/Liv Morgan
The bell rings, and they lock up, but Rodriguez immediately shoves Rousey down. Rousey avoids a big boot and kicks her. Rousey goes for a judo throw, but Rodriguez won’t leave her feet. Rousey applies a guillotine, but Rodriguez powers out with a vertical suplex. Rousey avoids an avalanche in the corner and applies an armbar while hanging over the top rope. Rousey lifts Rodriguez, but Rodriguez slides off and shoulder tackles her down. Rodriguez lifts Rousey and charges, but Rousey slides off. Rousey takes Rodriguez down and applies an ankle lock. Rodriguez turns over and kicks Rousey away. Rousey goes for her trademark armbar takedown, but Rodriguez holds her up and hits a slam. Rodriguez avalanches Rousey in the corner and hits a fallaway slam. Rodriguez goes for a slingshot elbow drop, but Baszler rolls Rousey out of the way. Liv Morgan tackles Baszler at ringside and punches away at her. In the ring, Rousey takes Rodriguez down and pins her down for the victory.
A very rushed match. It really feels like the women’s tag team division is an afterthought. Nothing much really to say about a match that is over in less than 3 minutes. It reminds me of the days when we had the “give divas a chance” movement. Grade D
Video Promo:
Bálor says Seth Rollins has been looking for the guy that beat him 7 years ago. That guy’s gone. He’s dead. This guy is much worse. Rollins told him that Bálor got bitter while he got better. Bálor says they need to go back in time. At SummerSlam 2016, Rollins ripped Bálor’s shoulder up, but he still beat Rollins. Bálor could hardly raise his arm to lift the title as he became the first Universal Champion for 22 hours. He was forced to relinquish the championship. That’s not where the problem lies. At his lowest point, Rollins walked out and laughed at him. Rollins rubbed salt in the open wounds. That’s something he’ll never forget. Bálor didn’t get bitter. Rollins made him that way. That bitterness is all he has, while Rollins has it all. The people worship the ground Rollins walks on. They love his ridiculous outfit and his stupid song. None of that matters to him. All that matters is vengeance and the World Heavyweight Championship. At Money in the Bank, after seven long years and all Rollins took away from him, he’s taking it all back. Bálor will become the new World Heavyweight Champion. That will be a bitter, bitter pill for Rollins to swallow.
In Ring Segment:
Seth Rollins makes his way to the ring, the crowd singing along to his entrance theme. Rollins stands in the ring and just listens to the crowd. Rollins then welcomes the crowd to Monday Night Rollins. Rollins then points out NXT Champion Carmello Hayes at ringside, this breaks out an NXT chant from the crowd. Rollins says that he doesn’t normally do this, but because Carmello had his back on Tuesday, he thanks him. He says they have got a lot of things in common other than being the two “fliest” dudes in the room. They are both fighting champions. Rollins then tells Hayes to kick Baron Corbin’s ass on Tuesday.
As for Rollins, this Saturday afternoon live in London, England, he goes one-on-one against Finn Bálor. A couple of weeks ago, he posed the question: which Finn Bálor was going to show up at Money in the Bank? Last week, he got his answer in spades. Bálor jumped him not once, but he followed him to NXT to try to turn his ribs to dust.
Rollins says he’s still standing. Money in the Bank is this Saturday. Rollins is tired of talking, so he challenges Bálor to come out here to finish this right now. Bálor doesn’t answer the challenge.
The crowd begins to sing as they await the arrival of The Prince. Bálor never shows. Rollins shakes his head. Rollins says Bálor isn’t coming out here right now. The crowd boos. Rollins says he has to hand it to Finn: he is the smartest and most dangerous he’s ever been. Bálor has surrounded himself with the right people. Bálor will hide in the back and trick himself into believing he’s going to get revenge for what happened seven and a half years ago. Is Rollins 100%? No. Will he be 100% this Saturday at Money in the Bank? No. As good as Finn Bálor is, there’s one thing that he has not accounted for, and that’s Rollins. Rollins promises that when it’s just him and Bálor when the bell rings, the best version of Finn Bálor is not as good as the best version of Seth “Freakin” Rollins. That is a bitter pill that Bálor will have to swallow. Rollins is a visionary. Rollins is a revolutionary. He is…
Finn Bálor runs into the ring with a steel chair, but Rollins kicks him and takes him down. Bálor quickly catches him with a shot to the injured ribs and grabs the chair. Rollins tackles him into the corner and dumps him over the top rope. Rollins punches away at him at ringside, but Bálor sends him ribs-first into the steel steps. Bálor then sends him ribs-first into the commentary table. Bálor kicks him in the ribs and grabs a steel chair from the timekeeper’s area, but Carmelo Hayes pulls it away. Rollins clotheslines Bálor over the barricade into the timekeeper’s area. Bálor quickly runs away. Rollins is bleeding from under his left eye.
Backstage Interview:
Bryon Saxton is interviewing Tommaso Ciampa. Ciampa says that people are probably wondering why he attacked the Miz. He says that while he was out for nine months rehabbing from hip surgery, Miz never reached out to him. For nine months, he hasn’t heard from “Mr Tiny Balls”. He says that people warned him about Miz, they said he was a user and a manipulator. He says that this injury was a blessing in disguise. 275 days is a long time for a guy to be left alone with his thoughts. He says that it gives clarity. He wonders why he was wearing lime green and playing second fiddle to Miz. He says that this time around, he will create his own opportunities.
Match 3: Tommaso Ciampa vs The Miz
As Tommaso Ciampa makes his entrance, The Miz attacks him from behind on the ramp. Miz sends him into the barricade twice before whipping him into the LED apron. Miz slings Ciampa’s ankle into the LED apron twice before kicking him in the head. Miz hits a suplex into the barricade, with Ciampa’s ankles connecting hard. Miz mocks Ciampa’s pat on the back taunt before punching away at him again. Miz looks at Ciampa and hits a Skull Crushing Finale on the floor. Miz says if Ciampa wanted an opportunity, then he’s giving him one. Miz walks off.
A non match, but a good way to keep the rivalry going. If I’m honest, I was very confused about the team of Ciampa and Miz. So this is a good way to kind of wrap that story up.
Backstage Segment:
Gunther and Ludwig Kaiser are backstage, talking about Matt Riddle. Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens appear. Imperium is not happy that they are being interrupted for no reason. Zayn says that Imperium has done that to them for weeks. Owens says that he doesn’t understand why they are mad at Imperium since he doesn’t care about Riddle. Zayn says that Riddle is their friend and they care. Owens then shouts at Imperium on behalf of Riddle. Kaiser says that Gunther beat Owens, but Zayn says that it took 3 of them. Zayn says that they need to even out the numbers game and challenges Gunther to a match tonight. Gunther agrees, Owens and Zayn walk away.
Match 4: Dominik Mysterio w/Rhea Ripley vs Akira Tozawa
Mysterio immediately beats Tozawa down and stomps away at him. Mysterio taunts the crowd, and they loudly boo him. Mysterio punches Tozawa, but Tozawa begins to fight back. Mysterio quickly knees him in the midsection and slams him down. Tozawa reverses a whip and hits a hurricanrana. Tozawa connects with a shining wizard. Rhea Ripley looks nervous at ringside. Tozawa goes to the top rope and hits a flying back elbow. Mysterio rolls out of the ring to recover. Tozawa hits the ropes and sends himself like a missile for an incredible suicide dive. Tozawa gets Mysterio in the ring, but he’s soon distracted by Rhea Ripley. Tozawa heads to the top rope, but Mysterio knocks him down to the canvas. Mysterio goes to the top rope and crushes Tozawa with a Frog Splash for the win.
Another very quick match. It adds to Dominik’s character to have interference help him win the match. A decent Frog Splash from Dominik. Nothing much else to say on this one. Grade D+
Backstage Segment:
The Viking Raider and Valhalla are backstage. They say that their God’s haven't spoken to them in weeks and it will take hurting Alpha Academy in order for them to hear from their Gods. Valhalla proclaims that it will be beautiful.
In Ring Segment:
Ladders are set up in the ring. Trish Stratus, Zoey Stark, Zelina Vega, Bayley, and IYO SKY are already in the ring. Becky Lynch makes her entrance. Corey Graves starts his introduction to explain the Money in the Bank, but Bayley cuts him off. She says everyone knows how it works. They’re not idiots… Well, the people of Savannah are. Bayley already won this match, so she’s taking this over. Sky says, “May the best woman win.” Zelina Vega says she’s tired of Damage CTRL dismissing the other competitors. They have Becky Lynch, someone who Vega respects. Lynch has done it all, except win the Money in the Bank Ladder Match. Vega says we have Zoey, the groupie, and Trish Stratus, a legend that’s never been in a ladder match. Stratus has no idea what that takes. Whether they like it or not, they have Vega, the future Mrs. Money in the Bank.
Bayley laughs, but Vega shouts back at her. Vega says she’ll prove them all wrong when she and Santos Escobar climb the ladder and bring the briefcases home to the LWO. Bayley says Vega is an idiot. They start shouting. Zoey Stark tells them to calm down. Stratus says what she sees are a bunch of little girls. Stratus says it’s clear to her why the people needed her to save the Women’s Division. Stratus is not a little girl. She’s a woman and the best to ever do this. This is her first Ladder Match, but winning is what she does. When she makes history on Saturday and wins Money in the Bank, they can all thank her for letting them be part of such a historic moment. As for Lynch, Stratus says she can’t call Lynch a little girl or a woman because she’s The Man or whatever, but when it’s all said and done, will she be man enough to say, “Thank you, Trish.”
Becky Lynch walks up to Stratus and punches her. A big brawl breaks out with all the competitors. Stratus and Stark concentrate on Lynch, while Damage CTRL attacks Vega. Lynch gets Stratus and Stark out of the ring. The ring is soon cleared, and Sky hits the competitors with a springboard moonsault to the floor. Lynch is in the ring and climbs the ladder to retrieve the Money in the Bank briefcase.
Backstage Interview:
Cathy Kelly is interviewing Carmello Hayes. Hayes says that Seth Rollins invited him here. He says that Rollins is someone he aspires to be like. Hayes says that he is going to take care of the Balor problem. He says that if he has to go out in a blaze of glory and still go out and handle his business on NXT against Baron Corbin, then that's fine. He says you have to take shots to make shots. He says that tonight, he won’t miss.
Backstage Segment:
Becky Lynch is walking backstage as she sees Rhea Ripley. Rhea says that Lynch better hope that she doesn’t win the Money in the Bank briefcase, because if she does, and tries to cash in on Rhea, it will be the last thing she does. Lynch says, that when she was the champion, the title was defended in every town in the main event. She says that Rhea is a main event side piece. Lynch says that the title needs her and she wants to see Rhea squirm.
Match 5: Gunther vs Sami Zayn
The men circle the ring as the bell sounds. Gunther hits a headlock takeover and cinches it in. Zayn gets to his feet and tries to whip him off, but Gunther holds on and hits another takeover. Zayn fights up and whips him off, but Gunther quickly shoulder tackles him down. Gunther goes back to the headlock takeover. Gunther tightens his grip on the side headlock. Zayn fights up and whips Gunther off. Zayn drops down and hits an arm drag. Gunther quickly gets up and knees Zayn back to the corner. Gunther hits Zayn with an uppercut. Zayn ducks a chop and punches away at Gunther. Gunther reverses a whip to the opposite corner, but Zayn elbows him back. Zayn bounces Gunther off the top turnbuckle and climbs to the second rope. Gunther blocks the punches. Giovanni Vinci comes out to the stage on crutches. Gunther shoves Zayn off. Zayn goes for a springboard manoeuvre, but Gunther catches him and hits a German Suplex as we go to a break.
We come back from the break to see Zayn fighting back with chops, but Gunther swats him down with a single chop to the chest. Gunther slowly approaches Zayn and uppercuts him down into the corner. Gunther backs up and charges, but Zayn catches him with an exploder suplex attempt. Gunther fights it and bends Zayn back before viciously chopping him down. Gunther chops him a few times in the corner. Zayn boots Gunther and kicks him in the head a few times. Zayn is on the second rope and tries for a tornado DDT, but Gunther fights it and chops the chest. Gunther climbs to the middle rope and goes for a superplex, but Zayn fights it with some right hands. Zayn clubs away at Gunther and hits a sunset flip powerbomb for a near fall.
Zayn pulls himself up and attacks Gunther. Gunther responds with some stiff attacks, but Zayn shakes it off. Zayn hits a pair of clotheslines that don’t take Gunther down. Zayn springboards over Gunther and finally takes him down with a clothesline. Zayn tries for a Blue Thunder Bomb, but Gunther gets out and applies a rear naked choke. Zayn fights up and counters out with a Blue Thunder Bomb. Zayn goes for the cover and Gunther barely kicks out at 2.
Zayn goes to the top rope and leaps off, but Gunther chops him out of midair. Gunther picks up a near fall. Gunther is shocked and drops a knee. Gunther goes to the top rope and hits a flying splash for another near fall. Ludwig Kaiser jumps up to the apron, so Owens gets on and attacks him. Owens beats up Kaiser at ringside, but Gunther quickly boots him down. Zayn takes Gunther out with a somersault senton and gets Gunther back in the ring. Zayn hits Gunther with an exploder suplex in the corner. Zayn goes to the corner to set up for a Helluva Kick. Kaiser distracts the referee, and Vinci hits Zayn in the throat with his crutch. Gunther quickly hits Zayn with a Powerbomb for the win.
A brilliant match. Gunther is definitely showing himself as one of the stand out stars of the WWE. He consistently delivers great matches and he doesn't always squash his opponents. Zayn with a great showing as well. Neither man looked weak in this match. Grade B+
Backstage Segment:
Alpha Academy is backstage exercising. Chad Gable says that the Viking Raiders are savages and idiots for doubting his coaching abilities. Maxxine says that she has taken it to Valhalla twice. Gable then asks Otis for the plan, Otis says the plan is “pure carnage”.
Backstage Interview:
Cathy Kelly is interviewing Natalya. She asks about Natalya’s emotions following the vicious attack from Rhea Ripley last week. Natalya says that she signed up for this for life, and Rhea is a part of that. She says the biggest battle right now is in her head. She says that the fear of losing is not as great as the fear of giving up. She says she has been broken down but she is still standing. She then tells Rhea to bring her title, and face her woman-to-woman next week.
Match 6: Finn Balor vs Carmello Hayes
Bálor quickly tackles Hayes and punches away at him. Bálor gets to his feet and stomps away at Hayes. Bálor chops the chest and shoulders the midsection in the corner. Bálor punches Hayes and hits a snapmare before hitting a club to the back of the neck. Bálor applies a chin lock, but Hayes fights up. Hayes whips him off, does a leapfrog, and ducks a clothesline. Hayes hits a dropkick. Hayes puts Bálor on the ropes and hits the Fade Away. Bálor rolls out of the ring to recover, so Hayes hits him with a plancha. Hayes gets in the ring and poses as we go to the break.
We come back from the break to see Bálor shouldering away at Hayes in the corner. Bálor whips him to the opposite corner and hits a running chop. Bálor sends Hayes to the opposite corner and hits another running chop. Bálor tries a third time, but Hayes elbows him back. Hayes goes for a springboard cross-body block, but Bálor moves. Hayes fights back and hits a jawbreaker followed by a clothesline. Bálor reverses a whip, but Hayes ducks a clothesline and hits a springboard twisting clothesline for a near fall.
Hayes clotheslines Bálor in the corner and hits the ropes. Bálor comes back by turning Hayes inside out with a clothesline. Bálor stomps away at Hayes. Hayes slowly gets up, but Bálor puts him right back down with a Sling Blade. Bálor sets up for a Woo Dropkick, but Hayes superkicks him. Hayes hits a springboard diving DDT for a near fall. Hayes gets on the top rope and jumps, but Bálor moves. Bálor lifts Hayes, but Hayes slides off and rolls him up for a two-count. Bálor blocks a kick and hits a gutbuster. Bálor hits a Woo Dropkick. Bálor climbs to the top rope and comes off with a Coup de Grâce for the win.
This was a strange one. Obviously, you don’t want Balor looking weak going into his championship match at Money in the Bank, but why did that have to be at the expense of Carmello Hayes? He is the NXT champion who has a championship match on NXT tomorrow. I personally would have still had this match, but with a different opponent for Balor. That way, he can look strong and keep his momentum going into Money in the Bank. The action itself was good. Grade C.
Backstage Interview:
Cathy Kelly is interviewing Cody Rhodes. He is with his dog Pharoah. Cathy asks Cody about Damian Priest. Cod says that he hopes that one day he doesn't have to talk about Judgement Day. Cody says that Priest is walking into Money in the Bank with bruises on his body and to his ego. As for Dominik, Cody wishes he could be in the crowd to boo him. At Money in the Bank, Dominik wont have Priest, Balor or Rhea. We will see what he has.
Main Event: Cody Rhodes vs Damian Priest
The men lock up and tussle for position. Priest soon hooks a side headlock. Cody whips him off, but Priest shoulder tackles him down. Cody gets to his feet and Priest taunts Cody. Cody applies a waistlock before going to a side headlock. Priest whips him off, so Cody hits a shoulder tackle that knocks him into the ropes. Priest rebounds with a shoulder tackle. Priest hits the ropes, but Cody attempts a backslide. Cody fights it, drops down, and hits an uppercut. Cody hits the ropes, but Priest hits a back elbow. Cody responds with a dropkick. Cody grabs the arm and hits a snapper. Cody gets Priest in the corner, but Priest fights out and punches him. Priest gets Cody in the corner and punches him down. Priest sends Cody to the opposite corner and hits an avalanche. Priest sets up for a suplex, but Cody counters with a delayed vertical front suplex.
Dominik Mysterio and Rhea Ripley make their way to ringside. Priest takes Cody down and drags him to the ring post. Cody pulls him into the ring post and hits a suicide dive. Cody gets Priest in the ring and turns to Dominik Mysterio. Dominik quickly retreats and hides behind Rhea. Cody gets in the ring, and Priest hits a flatliner as we go to the break.
We come back from the final break of the evening to see Priest fight Cody off and hit a Broken Arrow for a two-count. Rhea and Dominik pace at ringside. Priest applies a surfboard stretch, but Cody fights up and head-butts out. Cody hits the ropes, but Priest takes him out with a flapjack. Priest hits the ropes and turns Cody inside out with a clothesline for a near fall. Priest goes to the top rope, but Cody scales the ropes and hits an arm drag off the top rope.
Cody punches Priest. Priest responds with a kick. They go back and forth with Cody coming out on top and hitting some jabs like “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes used to. Cody hits a snap powerslam after Priest mounts a brief comeback. Cody waits for Priest to get up and hits a Disaster Kick. Cody jabs away at Priest and hits his father’s Bionic Elbow for a near fall. Cody sets up for a Figure Four Leglock, but Priest kicks him away. Priest avoids an avalanche and plants him with a headlock driver for a near fall.
Priest fights out of a Cross Rhodes attempt, so Cody connects with a Pedigree. Cody crawls over to Priest, but Priest rolls out of the ring. Cody goes to the top rope and jumps over Priest as he gets in the ring. Priest hits a big superkick for a near fall. Priest chops Cody and charges at him, but Cody superkicks him. Rhea distracts the referee, and Dominik thwarts a Cody Cutter attempt. Priest hits Cody with South of Heaven for a near fall. Rhea and Dominik flip out in frustration at ringside. Dominik gets on the apron and yells. Cody gets out of a Crucifix Powerbomb attempt and sends Priest into Dominik. Cody hits Priest with a Cody Cutter. Cody follows up with Cross Rhodes for the win.
A good main event match. Cody was the obvious winner in this one, but it didn't hurt Damian to take the loss here. Hopefully Priest will continue to have decent matches and get a good push. There is also the possibility of a Priest face turn coming up soon. Grade B
After the match, Cody is celebrating his win and he is attacked from behind by Dominik. Dominik tells Cody that he will see him at Money in the Bank. Cody is left looking angry as Raw goes off the air.
Overall, not a bad episode. I was probably expecting more with it being the final Raw before Money in the Bank PLE. Again, there is still far too much filler for my liking. I have clearly omitted the filler material from my review as we don’t need yet another run down of the filler. Raw definitely does need to go back down to 2 hours to avoid this situation. SmackDown doesn’t suffer being a 2 hour show, so maybe Raw should be the same.
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