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This week’s Raw comes to us from the CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore Maryland.
We will see the fallout from Money in the Bank. Damian Priest and IYO Sky won their respective MitB matches. Seth Rollins retained his World Heavyweight Championship, Cody Rhodes defeated Dominik Mysterio and so much more. Let's get into the action.
A tribute graphic airs, honouring Darren ‘Droz’ Drozdov. RIP Droz.
In Ring Segment:
Seth Rollins comes out to the ring, with the crowd singing his theme. He gets into the ring and welcomes everyone to the show. He begins to talk about what happened at Money in the Bank. He mentioned Jey Uso pinning Roman Reigns and IYO Sky winning the Women’s Money in the Bank. He then mentions Damian Priest winning the Men’s Money in the Bank match and he also mentions that he beat Finn Balor by the skin of his teeth to remain the World Heavyweight Champion.
Cody Rhodes’ music hits and he comes to the ring. Both men are now face to face. Then, Brock Lesnar’s music hits! Cody takes off his jacket and runs out of the ring towards Lesnar. Lesnar and Cody are now fighting on the ramp. Lesnar hits Cody with knees to the face and he throws Cody back into the ring. Seth exits the ring and Brock enters. Brock goes for the F5 on Cody, but Cody is able to land on his feet and he hits Brock with the Cody Cutter. Lesnar rolls out of the ring and Cody’s music begins to play. Lesnar is making his way back up the ramp and pointing at Cody, whilst Cody stands in the ring.
After we return from the break, Seth is back in the ring.He is laughing and says that was a crazy way to kick off the show, but it's now back to business. Seth says that he is looking forward to seeing who is next in line. The Judgement Day’s music hits.
Out comes Damian Priest, Dominik Mysterio and Rhea Ripley. Rhea says that’s enough about Seth, they all know that everyone is here to see The Judgement Day take over. Seth questions this, saying “everyone”, as they don’t even have everyone in their own group out here. He goes on to ask where Finn is. Rhea says that Finn is fine, he isn’t here tonight but that is none of Seth’s concern.
Priest tells Seth to not concern himself with Judgement Day’s business. Seth needs to concern himself with the Money in the Bank briefcase. Priest says he knows that Seth knows how that works. Priest says that if he decides to cash in on Seth’s championship, then it could be at SummerSlam, Survivor Series, Royal Rumble or even tonight! He says that after he beats Shinsuke Nakamura tonight, he will go from being Senor Money in the Bank to El Campeon Mundial.
Seth says that sounds all well and good, but the problem is, to cash in you need the champion to be out and in the ring, yet he isn't scheduled for a match tonight and he was going to party in Baltimore. Priest tells Seth that before everyone starts having a sing along, he will make sure that Seth is useless. He says that Seth is someone who likes a fight. The crowd begins to chant as Priest tells the crows that he hopes they have the same energy after Seth gets beaten by the person next to him later tonight. Rhea says that she already has a match tonight, but Dom is ready for a fight. Dominik begins to speak but he is booed incredibly loudly by the crowd as usual. Rhea then says that Dominik wants to fight Seth tonight. Seth says that as someone who has won Money in the Bank, this sounds like a trap but he would love to slap the moustache off Dominik’s face, but he will let the fans decide on that. The crowd cheers. Seth laughs, says that he will see them later tonight. He drops the microphone and dances his way out of the ring.
Match 1: Damian Priest w/Rhea Ripley & Dominik Mysterio vs Shinsuke Nakamura
The bell rings and the match begins. A test of strength begins the match, which is won by Priest and he follows up with shoulder tackles to Nakamura. Nakamura tries to fight back with an elbow to the face but Priest gets him with an arm bar. Priest throws Nakamura to the ropes but Nakamura hits him with a knee to the body followed by a drop kick.
Nakamura with right hands and kicks on Priest in the corner. Nakamura runs to the ropes but Priest with a strong left hand knocks him down. Priest goes for the cover but Nakamura kicks out. Priest with a right hand and he throws Nakamura in the corner and stomps on him.
Priest lifts Nakamura up and he goes for a vertical suplex but Nakamura lands on his feet. Priest with a right hand and Nakamura in the corner. Priest goes for a splash but Nakamura moves out of the way. A right hand by Nakamura as he places Priest horizontally on the top rope. Nakamura hits him with a flying knee to the body and Priest falls to the outside. Nakamura heads to the outside and he tries to lift Priest up but Priest reverses it and he throws Nakamura onto the barricade.
We come back from the break to both men exchanging right hands and kicks in the middle of the ring. Nakamura with a reverse Russian leg sweep as he trips Priest down. Priest gets back up but Nakamura sits him on the second rope and he hits him with a release German suplex. Nakamura with a flying kick to the face. Nakamura goes for the cover but Priest kicks out. Nakamura climbs the second rope and jumps, going for a kick but Priest hits him with a right hand. Priest grabs Nakamura but Nakamura reverses it into a roll up but Priest kicks out. Nakamura goes for an arm bar but Priest reverses it and he gets to his feet. Priest hits Nakamura with a spinning kick. Priest goes for the cover but Nakamura kicks out.
Priest goes for the Razor’s Edge but Nakamura reverses it into a cover and Priest kicks out. Nakamura with a kick to the head. He goes for the cover but again Priest kicks out. Nakamura climbs the second rope as Priest gets to his feet. Nakamura hits Priest with a flying kick. Nakamura goes for the Kinshasa but Priest ducks and he gets Nakamura to his feet. Priest hits him with a big clothesline. Priest with the South of Heaven, he goes for the cover and gets the pin.
A good match to start the show. It’s nice to see a Money in the Bank winner looking strong as the past few years, they haven’t had the winners looking strong. I’m looking forward to Priest becoming a main event star as he definitely deserves it. Grade B
In Ring Segment:
Ronda Rousey’s music hits and she comes out to the ring. She gets the microphone but before she can speak, Shayna Baszler’s music hits and she comes out. Shayna says that she is confident that she speaks for everyone here when she says they are tired of hearing Ronda try to speak on a microphone. Ronda says that Shayna owes her an explanation. Shayna calls Ronda narcissistic and says that she is the only reason why Ronda is standing in a WWE ring. Shayna says that she owes Ronda nothing, but she does owe an apology to everyone for being the one to bring Ronda into this business.
Ronda tells Shayna that she should have spoken up before costing them their titles. Shayna says that she doesn’t recall Ronda setting up rings, trying to get into the business. Shayna says that she paid her dues to get here. She says that Ronda just walked in through the back door straight into a WrestleMania match.
Shayna says that she loves this business and Ronda has ruined that for her. Shayna says that she owes Ronda the reality that there is someone around here (and that is her), who can finally shut Ronda up. Shayna throws the microphone and stands on the ring apron. Ronda kicks Shayna down and then hits her with a clothesline. Ronda then throws Shayna back into the ring and goes for the Kirifuda Clutch, but Shayna is able to flip her over and puts her in the ankle lock. Ronda is able to escape, but Shayna hits her in the face with a knee. Shayna’s music plays and she walks to the back.
Backstage Segment:
Maxxine Dupri has Otis in a headlock. Chad Gable blows his whistle and tells her that was great and asks if she is ready for her first match. Maxxine says that she is more than ready and she is sick and tired of the Viking Raiders underestimating her and Gable’s coaching abilities. Gable says that he is a 5 star man, a 5 star man and an Olympian. Tonight, they are going to slap the Viking Raiders in the face.
Match 2: Number 1 Contenders Tag Team Turmoil Match - Sonya Deville & Chelsea Green vs Emma & Nikki Cross vs Kayden Carter & Katana Chance vs Indi Hartwell & Candice LaRae vs Dana Brooke & Tegan Nox.
The bell rings and the match gets underway. Hartwell starts the match with Sonya and hits her with a back breaker. Candice LeRae is tagged in and they double team Sonya. In comes Chelsea but she is thrown to the outside of the ring. LeRae goes for a springboard moon sault on Sonya but Sonya moves out of the way. Chelsea is tagged in and LeRae is hit with a flying knee. Chelsea goes for the cover and gets the pin.
Indi Hartwell & Candice LaRae are eliminated.
Nikki Cross and Emma are next in the match. Cross with right hands onto Green. Emma is tagged in as Cross leaves the ring to check up on LeRae who is eliminated. Emma with a kick to the face followed by a snap suplex. She goes for the cover but Chelsea kicks out. Emma throws Chelsea across the ring and she hits her with a splash in the corner. Emma goes for the cover but Sonya breaks it up. Emma knocks Sonya off the ring apron. Chelsea with a forearm to the face followed by a Russian leg sweep.
Emma wants to go for the tag but Cross is on the outside crying about LeRae getting eliminated. Sonya is tagged in as Green hits Emma with the Unprettyher. Sonya hits her with a flying knee. She goes for the cover and gets the pin.
Emma & Nikki Cross are eliminated.
Tegan Nox and Dana Brooke are next in the match. Nox with right hands and an uppercut. Dana Brooke is tagged in and they double team Chelsea and Chelsea falls to the outside of the ring. Dana and Nox hit Sonya and Chelsea with double baseball slides.
We come back from the break and Tegan Nox and Dana Brooke are eliminated.
Kayden and Katana are next in the match. Sonya and Kayden are in the ring. Kayden with right hands and Chance is tagged in. They double team Sonya. Chance goes for the cover but Sonya kicks out. Chance grabs Sonya but Sonya trips Chance up. Green is tagged in and they double team Chance with a vertical suplex. Green goes for the cover but Chance kicks out. Chelsea throws Chance to the ropes but Chance with a kick to the face. Carter is tagged in. A right hand by Carter as she throws Green into the corner but Green is running towards the turnbuckle, Green hits Chance with an elbow knocking her off the turnbuckle.
Chelsea gets Carter in the ring corner and Chance gets back on the ring apron and tags herself in. Green is standing on top of Carter in the turnbuckle, hitting her with right hands. Chance climbs the top rope and hits Green with a hurricanrana off the top rope. She goes for the cover but Sonya breaks it up. Chance gets on the top rope, Sonya knocks her off top rope and to the outside of the ring. Carter knocks Sonya down off the ring apron and Green hits Carter with the Unprettyher. She goes for the cover and gets the pin.
Chelsea Green & Sonya Deville are the number 1 contenders for the Women’s Tag Team titles.
An OK match, I’m a little surprised that Cater and Chance didn't win this one. This match did highlight to me though how very shallow the women’s tag division is because we basically had a fully established team in Carter and Chance, a kind of established team in Sonya and Chelsea, a team that has pretty much only just reformed in Indi and Candice and then just thrown together teams. If the WWE wants to be serious about this tag team division, they need to take the time to develop teams and not just randomly throw them together for the sake of it. I’m interested to see if Sonya and Chelsea have a competitive match with the champions. Grade C-
In Ring Segment:
Becky Lynch comes out to the ring. Lynch says that she did not win the Money in the Bank match, but she can move on from that. It seems, however, that she cannot move on from the thorn in her side that is Trish Stratus. Becky says that she cannot think of a better time or place to end this than right here. Becky calls out Trish.
Trish comes out with Zoey Stark and she is wearing a protective face mask. Trish tells the crowd that even with the face mask, she is still prettier than each and every one of them, and that they need a mask like hers to hide their ugliness. She says that she would love to indulge in Becky’s request, but unfortunately she is not medically cleared thanks to Becky breaking her face.
Becky tells Trish to send her little lap dog Zoey to fight instead. Trish asks if Becky is sure after seeing her dominate in the Money in the Bank match. Becky then tells Trish that Zoey is better than her broke ass. Trish says that no one is better than her, including Becky. She says that maybe one day Zoey might be better than her, but presently no one is better, because she is the greatest of all time.
Becky says that she remembers that Trish could not beat her on her own, that Zoey appeared from under the ring and hit her with the Z360, helping Trish get the win. So, it seems that Trish isn’t the greatest of all time, but she is. Becky says if Zoey wants to get better, she will have to go through her, because everyone knows that Trish won’t be sticking around. She is only here to get some glory, rub up with her and promote her own little TV show and then she will leave.
Becky then asks Zoey what will happen after that. Will Trish take Zoey back to Canada and have Zoey answer the phone in her Yoga studio. Becky then asks Trish why she is even back. Trish says that she is the face of the women’s division, the division she built. Trish says that Becky hated it when they walked together backstage and everyone would thank Trish. She says that the irony isn’t lost on her that Becky tried to break the face of the actual face of the women’s division, and now Zoey will break Becky’s face.
Trish and Zoey begin to walk towards the ring, but Trish stops and says that she has just remembered she has a medical appointment and they have to leave the city. She tells Becky to leave her calendar open for Zoey as they head to the back.
Interview Segment:
Jackie Redmond is standing on the stage and she introduces Cody Rhodes. Out comes Cody. Jackie then asks Cody about his altercation with Brock Lesnar earlier today. Cody tells the crowd that tonight is Jackie’s first night on Raw and asks the crowd to say “Hi Jackie”. The crowd complies.
Cody says that he is a man of his word. He said that after Night of Champions he would be waiting for Lesnar. He says that they are not done yet. He says that Lesnar broke his arm, so he busted Lesnar’s face. He says that there is no way that they can continue to coexist on Raw. Cody says that he wants another shot at Lesnar. He says that he will fight Lesnar any night and he will fight him every night.
Match 3: 6 Person Tag Team Match - Alpha Academy vs Viking Raiders
The bell rings and the match gets underway. Gable and Erik start the match. Gable with a roll up but Erik kicks out. Erik quickly gets back up and Gable with a head lock. He throws Erik to the ropes and Erik hits him with a forearm to the face. A chin lock by Erik but Gable gets out of it and makes the tag to Otis. A clothesline by Otis and in comes Ivar but Otis hits him with a power slam. Otis with a splash onto Erik in the corner and Erik falls to the mat. Otis rips his shirt off and hits him with the caterpillar.
Back from the break we see Otis with a double clothesline onto the Viking Raiders in the middle of the ring. Gable is tagged in and right hands followed by an uppercut onto Ivar. Gable to the ropes and he hits Ivar with a swinging neck breaker. Erik gets in the ring and an exploder suplex by Gable in the middle of the ring. Gable climbs the second rope but Ivar hits him with right hands. Ivar climbs the second rope as both men fight on the ropes. Gable with a bulldog off the second rope. Gable clotheslines Ivar to the outside of the ring. Gable climbs the top rope and hits Ivar with a head butt. He goes for the cover but Erik breaks it up.
Gable throws Erik to the outside and Ivar with a clothesline. Maxxine and Valhalla are tagged in. Maxxine with a hip toss followed by a snap suplex. Maxxine with a splash in the corner and Valhalla falls onto the mat. She looks at Otis and he tells her to do the caterpillar. Maxxine goes for the caterpillar but Valhalla hits her with a knee to the face. The Viking Raiders beat up on Otis on the outside of the ring. Gable with a moonsault off the top rope onto the outside on the Viking Raiders.
In the ring, Valhalla throws Maxxine to the corner. Valhalla runs towards her but Maxxine jumps over her and gets her in the roll up and gets the pin.
Not a terrible match! To say this was Maxxine’s first match on Raw it wasn’t the worst. It’s fun to see that it isn't hidden that Alpha Academy is training Maxxine. Hopefully they keep her on a pace like she is on and don’t try to push her too far, too soon. That way, she can continue to learn and possibly become decent in the ring. Grade C
Backstage Interview:
Jackie is backstage with Ricochet. Ricochet tells Jackie that a lot of people thought that Logan Paul didn’t belong in the Money in the Bank match. Ricochet says that Logan can hang, but he doesn’t respect Logan after he got into his face after the match. It clearly wasn’t Logan’s night. Ricochet challenges Logan Paul to a face to face, next week on Raw.
Match 4: Women’s World Championship Match - Rhea Ripley vs Natalya
As Rhea is walking down to the ring, Natalya attacks her from behind. Natalya throws her into the barricade and stomps on her. Right hands by Natalya and she throws Rhea into the ring steps. Natalya throws Rhea into the ring as the referee breaks it up.
The referee checks on Rhea in the corner and he calls for the bell to start the match. Natalya with right hands in the corner. Natalya drops Rhea and goes for the sharpshooter but Rhea grabs the ropes and rolls to the outside of the ring. Natalya goes to the outside and Rhea, with a right hand, knocks her down.
Rhea throws Natalya onto the announce table and she slams her face first several times on the table. Rhea throws Natalya into the ring and Natalya hits her with a German suplex. Right hands by Natalya as she goes for a body slam but Rhea lands on her feet and a right hand by Rhea onto Natalya. Rhea with a right hand to the back of Natalya. Another right hand to the lower back by Rhea. She goes for another right hand but Natalya counters with right hands of her own. She gets Rhea in the corner. Natalya runs towards Rhea but Rhea hits her with a headbutt. She goes for the cover but Natalya kicks out. Rhea attacks Natalya’s lower back. Rhea with a kick, knocking Natalya down. Rhea grabs Natalya and slams her face first into the top turnbuckle. She places Natalya on the top rope. Rhea climbs the second rope but Natalya hits her with a headbutt, knocking her down. Natalya with a cross body off the top rope and both women are down.
Both women are back on their feet and right hands by Natalya but Rhea with a knee to the face. Rhea with a dropkick and she goes for the cover but Natalya kicks out.
Back from the break we see a spinning kick by Rhea that knocks Natalya down. Rhea goes for the Riptide but Natalya reverses it into a hurricanrana. Natalya with a big lariat to Rhea. She goes for the cover but Rhea kicks out. She slams Rhea into the turnbuckle. Natalya runs towards Rhea but Rhea with a double kick. She climbs the top rope and lands a missile drop kick onto Natalya. She goes for the cover but Natalya kicks out. Rhea with a kick to the head and she gets the Prison Lock onto Natalya in the middle of the ring. Natalya rolls out of it and slams Rhea into the turnbuckle.
Natalya goes for the sharpshooter but Rhea trips Natalya face first into the turnbuckle. Rhea stomps on Natalya and she climbs the top rope. Rhea goes for a frog splash but Natalya gets a boot up. Rhea runs towards Natalya and goes for a spear but Natalya moves out of the way and Rhea hits the ring post shoulder first. Natalya with a running powerslam followed by a sharpshooter in the middle of the ring. Rhea drags herself to the ropes and reaches the bottom rope. The referee breaks it up and Rhea rolls to the outside. Natalya to the ropes and goes for a baseball slide but Rhea moves out of the way. Rhea gets back in the ring. As Natalya is getting back in the ring, Rhea hits her with a kick and a headbutt. Rhea with the Riptide. She goes for the cover and gets the pin.
A much better match than their last couple of encounters. It was nice to see Natalya get offence in the match. Natalya is a good worker and she deserves to have the matches to show it. If anything, this match made both women look better rather than having just squash matches. Grade B
After the match, Rhea attempts to keep attacking Natalya, but Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez run to the ring to make the save.
Backstage Segment:
Rhea is walking backstage and she is stopped by IYO Sky who is holding the MitB briefcase. Rhea tells IYO to try it and it will be the biggest mistake of her life. Dominik and Damian Priest find Rhea. Rhea tells them that if Liv & Raquel get into her business again, they will regret it. Dominik says just like Seth Rollins will regret getting into the ring with him.
Match 5: Matt Riddle vs Giovanni Vinci w/Imperium
The bell rings and the match is underway. Both men exchange right hands and Vinci with a springboard crossbody off the second rope. Vinci attacks Riddle’s left foot and he follows that with a moonsault off the second rope. He goes for the cover but Riddle kicks out. Vinci goes for an ankle lock but Riddle reverses it into a cover and gets the pin.
A very quick match and not a great one. This was just another way to keep the Riddle/Imperium feud going but it definitely could have been done better. Not a fan of this one. Grade D.
After the match, Ludwig Kaiser attacks Riddle. Drew McIntyre’s music hits. Kaiser runs towards the ramp and Drew hits him with a big boot. Drew then hits Vinci with the Glasgow Kiss and Riddle follows that up with a knee to the face of Vinci. Drew stares down Gunther who is still standing on the outside of the ring. Drew then hits Vinci with the Claymore. Gunther then gets on the ring apron and he comes face to face with Drew.
Backstage Segment:
Riddle is thanking Drew for having his back tonight. Bryon Saxton comes to interview Drew, Drew tells Bryon that he is back. Riddle says now that Drew is back, they can team up next week to take on Imperium. Drew says that’s next week, tonight they can go out and have some fun.
Main Event: Dominik Mysterio w/Rhea Ripley & Damian Priest vs Seth Rollins
The bell rings and the match is underway. Seth with a headlock takedown and the fans chant “Dom you suck”. Dominik with a head scissor and he gets out of it. Dominik with a headlock takedown. Seth gets out of it and Seth runs to the ropes and knocks Dominik down with a shoulder tackle. Seth with right hands and he throws Dominik to the outside of the ring. Seth about to run to the ropes but Rhea gets on the ring apron. Dominik runs towards Seth but Seth throws him to the outside. Seth on the ring apron and he lands a flying knee, knocking Dominik down.
Back from the break, we see Seth with the three amigos suplexes. Seth climbs the top rope as Rhea gets on the ring apron and distracts the referee. Damian gets on the ring apron and with the referee distracted, he pushes Seth off the top rope. Dominik with a frog splash off the top rope. Dominik climbs the top rope and hits Seth with another frog splash. Dominik stomps on Seth and climbs the top rope for a third time. Dominik goes for a frog splash but Seth gets his knees up.
Dominik gets to his feet and Seth with kicks and a clothesline knocking Dominik down. Dominik in the corner and a running elbow by Seth onto Dominik. He lands three elbows and follows that up with a back breaker. Seth to the ropes and a kick to the face. Seth kicks Dominik and goes for the pedigree but Damian gets on the ring apron. Seth knocks him down. Dominik gets up and Seth clotheslines him to the outside of the ring. Seth with a suicide dive onto Dominik and Damian. Seth throws Dominik back into the ring. Seth with a rolling elbow followed by a forearm to the back of Dominik’s neck. Seth goes for the stomp but Priest gets in the ring and hits Seth with the South of Heaven. Seth wins by disqualification.
A decent match, a nice way to end this one. Dominik isn’t a threat to Seth, but with Rhea and Priest by his side, he is more of a threat as they can do the damage. By having it end in a DQ rather than Dominik taking another pinfall helps to not have Dominik’s character go stale with losses. Grade C
After the match, Priest hits Seth with right hands. He then throws Seth to the outside and into the commentary table. He then throws Seth into the barricade. He then lifts Seth up and slams him face first into the commentary table.
Priest then clears the table and attempts a Razor’s Edge but Seth is able to land on his feet. Seth hits Priest with a superkick. Dominik then hits Seth from behind with the MitB briefcase. Dominik then throws Seth into the ring steps and the crowd chant “Dom, you suck.” Dominik then gives Priest the briefcase and tells him to cash it in. Priest looks around and then gets on the ring apron. Seth stands up and Finn attacks him from behind causing Seth to bump into Priest, knocking him off the ring apron. Finn gets onto the ring apron and he and Priest begin arguing. Dominik attempts to play peacemaker between the two as Seth rolls out of the ring. Dominik goes after Seth, but Seth hits him with the Pedigree.
Priest and Finn continue to argue on the outside of the ring as Rhea attempts to break it up. Seth’s music plays as Raw goes off the air.
This was actually one of the better episodes of Raw. Yes there was still a lot of filler but that is always to be expected in a 3 hour show - again, I omitted most of the filler portions as there was no point talking about them. If Raw keeps going in this way, it will actually be better to watch. The road to SummerSlam has begun and it seems like we could probably guess what a few of the matches are going to be already.
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