Written by: Kevin Berge (All Images Courtesy of: WWE.com)
Money in the Bank changed the dynamic of Raw significantly. Both Money in the Bank briefcases were captured by a Raw Superstar with Alexa Bliss actually cashing in the same night. Ronda Rousey also made a huge impact by proving her worth to the roster.
In many ways, the big show proved that WWE still can put on a real spectacle. Usually, this type of momentum should easily carry over. If you're already on a roll, how can you fail? Fans are invested in the stories. You just have to keep telling those stories.
Unfortunately, the usual is not what WWE is all about. They laugh at the idea that this product can ever be consistent.
Money in the Bank Review
In many ways, the big show proved that WWE still can put on a real spectacle. Usually, this type of momentum should easily carry over. If you're already on a roll, how can you fail? Fans are invested in the stories. You just have to keep telling those stories.
Unfortunately, the usual is not what WWE is all about. They laugh at the idea that this product can ever be consistent.
Money in the Bank Review
Before you can get to Alexa Bliss, Ronda, you have to face Kurt Angle because Angle really wants to wrestle again. Just humor him for a couple minutes.
Ronda Rousey Gets Suspended in Berserk Attack
Overview: Bliss came out to general manager Kurt Angle's introduction to be presented the Raw Women's Championship. As Bliss gloated and Angle announced Bliss vs. Nia Jax for the title at Extreme Rules, Ronda Rousey came out and attacked Bliss as well as Angle.
After Rousey was forced backstage, Angle announced that he was suspending Rousey for 30 days. Renee Young interviewed her on her way out with Rousey promising she would back for Bliss after her suspension.
Analysis: This was a great way to keep up a hot story. Rousey didn't talk much and sold her frustration. While she clearly hasn't learned how to make briefcase shots look painful, that was a minor issue for a top segment that did the right thing by getting Rousey out of the way for Jax and keeping her feud with Bliss relevant.
After Rousey was forced backstage, Angle announced that he was suspending Rousey for 30 days. Renee Young interviewed her on her way out with Rousey promising she would back for Bliss after her suspension.
Analysis: This was a great way to keep up a hot story. Rousey didn't talk much and sold her frustration. While she clearly hasn't learned how to make briefcase shots look painful, that was a minor issue for a top segment that did the right thing by getting Rousey out of the way for Jax and keeping her feud with Bliss relevant.
Dolph Ziggler def. Seth Rollins to Win the WWE Intercontinental Championship
Overview: Seth Rollins came out happy and ready for a challenge, issuing an open challenge that Dolph Ziggler answered. Drew McIntyre played a crucial role in distracting Rollins so that Ziggler could reverse a pinfall by Rollins into his own pinfall with a handful of tights to win.
Ziggler and McIntyre gloated over the win in an interview backstage right afterward, making clear they backed up their words with success.
Highlights:
Analysis: This was a great way to push the tempo of the night. Rollins and Ziggler had a great match together with a result that makes this match much more important than expected. While Rollins will likely regain the title sooner rather than later, this was a smart way to keep Rollins' stories engaging, adding two great heels to his main rivals.
Ziggler and McIntyre gloated over the win in an interview backstage right afterward, making clear they backed up their words with success.
Highlights:
- Ziggler went for the Zig Zag immediately with Rollins fighting out for a Stomp attempt that sent Ziggler rolling outside to avoid the move.
- Ziggler caught Rollins jumping off the apron with a dropkick.
- Rollins caught a dropkick from Ziggler and launched him into the top turnbuckle.
- Rollins took down Ziggler with a Slingblade then clotheslined Ziggler to the floor to set up a suicide dive.
- Rollins planted Ziggler with the Ripcord Knee then set up the Stomp with a superkick to the gut, but Ziggler then dodged the Stomp and hit a Famouser.
- Ziggler called for the superkick but ran into Rollins' superkick followed by a second low superkick.
- Ziggler dodged the frog splash then blocked two superplex attempts only to be caught mid-air for a buckle bomb.
Analysis: This was a great way to push the tempo of the night. Rollins and Ziggler had a great match together with a result that makes this match much more important than expected. While Rollins will likely regain the title sooner rather than later, this was a smart way to keep Rollins' stories engaging, adding two great heels to his main rivals.
Even the referee is confused why Bobby Roode thinks this victory matters.
Bobby Roode def. Curt Hawkins
Overview: Curt Hawkins went for a quick baseball slide only to then run into a spinebuster. Roode then continued Hawkins' losing streak after a Glorious DDT.
Analysis: They should have been doing this before, but it is smart to use Hawkins weekly. They can just keep the story moving right now. It's a shame Rollins lost the title tonight because the next stage would be interesting if Hawkins had answered Rollins' open challenge.
Analysis: They should have been doing this before, but it is smart to use Hawkins weekly. They can just keep the story moving right now. It's a shame Rollins lost the title tonight because the next stage would be interesting if Hawkins had answered Rollins' open challenge.
Braun Strowman Refuses Kevin Owens' Offer of Friendship
Overview: Mr. Monster in the Bank Braun Strowman promised to cash in the moment Brock Lesnar showed his face again. Kevin Owens interrupted to congratulate The Monster Among Men before offering to have Strowman's back now that he has a target on his back. The two shook hands, but Strowman then sent KO running up the ramp.
Analysis: I don't know what the point of all this is. It is probably just a way to keep Strowman occupied until Lesnar appears, but why do we need to keep Strowman preoccupied? Just get your champion to appear already. The wait for Strowman to defeat Lesnar is going to be excruciating.
Analysis: I don't know what the point of all this is. It is probably just a way to keep Strowman occupied until Lesnar appears, but why do we need to keep Strowman preoccupied? Just get your champion to appear already. The wait for Strowman to defeat Lesnar is going to be excruciating.
If Bray Wyatt got injured, they could put Bo Dallas in that getup, and no one would be the wiser.
Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt def. Heath Slater and Rhyno
Overview: The B-Team distracted Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt before their match with a parody video where Curtis Axel played the role of Matt and Bo Dallas played Wyatt. While Heath Slater and Rhyno looked go to start, the champions regrouped and hit the Kiss of Deletion on Slater for the win.
Highlights:
Analysis: The only part of this that really made an impact was The B-Team's promo which was fun. This feud is running on fumes despite all the entertaining talent involved. I don't know if these teams can delay all the way to Extreme Rules and keep people's interest here.
Highlights:
- Rhyno fought off a Twist of Fate then Rhyno & Slater tandem back elbowed Matt.
- Matt fought to the hot tag with a Side Effect on Slater.
- Slater booted Wyatt off him, but he then ran into a clothesline.
Analysis: The only part of this that really made an impact was The B-Team's promo which was fun. This feud is running on fumes despite all the entertaining talent involved. I don't know if these teams can delay all the way to Extreme Rules and keep people's interest here.
Jinder Mahal def. Chad Gable
Overview: A surprisingly happy Jinder Mahal talked about feeling the winds of change. Chad Gable came out vicious and aggressive here, looking to catch Mahal off guard. However, it did not work as The Modern Day Maharaja caught Gable with The Khallas.
Highlights:
Analysis: On the plus side, it looks like Roman Reigns vs. Mahal is already over. I don't know what to make of Mahal's apparent change of attitude though. It almost felt like he was returning to his earlier "man of peace" gimmick that he had as a jobber. Shame Gable can't get as many character changes as Mahal to potentially stand out.
Highlights:
- Gable trapped Mahal in the ropes with an armbar then planted Mahal with a running double forearm smash then a dropkick into a moonsault.
Analysis: On the plus side, it looks like Roman Reigns vs. Mahal is already over. I don't know what to make of Mahal's apparent change of attitude though. It almost felt like he was returning to his earlier "man of peace" gimmick that he had as a jobber. Shame Gable can't get as many character changes as Mahal to potentially stand out.
Sarah Logan finally got some character development: she painted something around her eye.
The Riott Squad's Sarah Logan and Liv Morgan def. Sasha Banks and Bayley
Overview: Sasha Banks and Bayley struggled together as Bayley tried to protect an injured Banks who wanted to fight. When Bayley came in to try and stop Sarah Logan, the distraction allowed Logan to cheap shot Bank and Liv Morgan to roll her up for three. Afterward, Banks shoved Bayley to the mat in frustration.
Highlights:
Analysis: Maybe we will finally see Banks turn heel now. Probably not though. It's all just a frustrating endless loop with no payoff. At least the conflict between Bayley and Banks is actually giving The Riott Squad some wins for once.
Highlights:
- Bayley hit Morgan with a cutter over the second rope then a running headscissors takedown to the floor.
- Banks hit Morgan with a dropkick and corner double knee strike into a diving double knee drop.
- Morgan caught Banks with an enzugiri then whipped her back-first into the corner to set up a jumping stomp that she missed.
Analysis: Maybe we will finally see Banks turn heel now. Probably not though. It's all just a frustrating endless loop with no payoff. At least the conflict between Bayley and Banks is actually giving The Riott Squad some wins for once.
Roman Reigns and Bobby Lashley def. The Revival
Overview: Angle had an announcement to make about the next time Lesnar will defend the Universal Championship which was interrupted by Reigns. Bobby Lashley then interrupted and told Reigns he was done watching Reigns fail against Lesnar.
The Revival broke up the tension to challenge both men to earn recognition. This match did not go well for Dash Wilder or Scott Dawson with Reigns running over both men before Lashley stole the tag and hit a Spear for the win.
Analysis: At first, it looked like WWE was setting up Reigns vs. Lashley which would be fun but fans would not care. However, it seems the bigger plan is another Extreme Rules multi-man match to determine a No. 1 contender. I don't understand this booking given Strowman made clear he wants Lesnar as soon as possible.
The Revival broke up the tension to challenge both men to earn recognition. This match did not go well for Dash Wilder or Scott Dawson with Reigns running over both men before Lashley stole the tag and hit a Spear for the win.
Analysis: At first, it looked like WWE was setting up Reigns vs. Lashley which would be fun but fans would not care. However, it seems the bigger plan is another Extreme Rules multi-man match to determine a No. 1 contender. I don't understand this booking given Strowman made clear he wants Lesnar as soon as possible.
Commentary would like it to be remembered that, while Mojo has all the athletic tools and can out-talk much of the roster, he's nothing because he can't get booked to win matches.
Mojo Rawley def. No Way Jose
Overview: No Way Jose frustrated Mojo Rawley to start, but Mojo caught Jose with a chop block. This allowed him to hit the running forearm smash in the corner then the Hyper Drive. Afterward, he was interviewed and made clear he is now set on staying focused.
Highlights:
Analysis: This was presented as if Jose would run over Mojo. The opposite was true which is the right decision. Unfortunately, wins like this just are not enough to change the direction of Mojo. He has to have real rivals that he can run down, and commentary must stop talking him down.
Highlights:
- Jose leapfrogged Mojo then sent him to the floor for a baseball slide.
- Jose hit Mojo with a clothesline then a fallaway slam.
Analysis: This was presented as if Jose would run over Mojo. The opposite was true which is the right decision. Unfortunately, wins like this just are not enough to change the direction of Mojo. He has to have real rivals that he can run down, and commentary must stop talking him down.
Baron Corbin and Kevin Owens def. Braun Strowman and Finn Balor
Overview: Elias mocked Rollins for his loss earlier in the night before asking for a spot in the Extreme Rules multi-man match. Owens tried to avoid contact as much as possible in the tag match that followed. The heels did their best to isolate Finn Balor until Strowman forced his way into the match.
However, after Strowman took out KO by running them both into the timekeeper's area, Baron Corbin tripped Balor as he went for the Coup De Grace then hit the End of Days to win.
Highlights:
Analysis: I don't know why this was the main event, but it accomplished a surprising goal of making Corbin look like a main-event act for the first time in almost a year. He looked like he could hold his own against Strowman, and he took down Balor in clean fashion. This likely just means he'll be added to the multi-man match at ER.
However, after Strowman took out KO by running them both into the timekeeper's area, Baron Corbin tripped Balor as he went for the Coup De Grace then hit the End of Days to win.
Highlights:
- Corbin taunted Strowman only to take a big boot then get clotheslined outside with Strowman throwing Balor onto KO and Corbin outside.
- KO tripped Balor on a suicide dive attempt then threw him into the barricade before a running senton.
- Owens hit Balor with a backbreaker then tagged in Corbin to throw out Balor and run him into the barricade multiple times.
- Corbin stopped Balor mid-air with a snap right hand then hit the Deep Six.
- Corbin stopped Strowman's running shoulder block with a diving clothesline off the apron.
Analysis: I don't know why this was the main event, but it accomplished a surprising goal of making Corbin look like a main-event act for the first time in almost a year. He looked like he could hold his own against Strowman, and he took down Balor in clean fashion. This likely just means he'll be added to the multi-man match at ER.
It's like looking in a mirror for Seth Rollins except the reflection is bigger, stronger, and cooler.
Backstage Notes: Bayley convinced Banks to stop worrying over her loss at Money in the Bank, and the two agreed to start fresh to take down the Riott Squad tonight. The Riott Squad vandalized the backstage area before their match. Banks and Bayley fought backstage with The Boss leaving Bayley lying.
Corbin told off Angle again backstage before handing him a phone with Stephanie McMahon currently on the line. Stephanie then gave him a second big announcement to make later in the night. Another video was shown to celebrate the Special Olympics focusing on a different athlete that Big Show was interviewing.
Balor tried to get a spot in the Extreme Rules No. 1 contender match with KO and Corbin telling him off before Strowman backed up Balor. Bayley tried to get Banks to talk to her after their brawl in the parking lot, but Banks just drove away. Rollins was interviewed about his loss and refused to make excuses before invoking his rematch.
Conclusion: This show started off white hot, feeling like a real Raw for the first time in months. There were stakes. Drama was high. Storylines were quickly advancing with surprise results. Then the show just stopped, losing all momentum with an endless series of short segments and backstage interviews.
The pacing was bland. The matches no longer meant anything. It was as if two different people booked each half of this show or one guy just stopped caring after the two-hour mark. I was falling asleep just trying to follow the show in the home stretch.
Raw should be rolling right now with so much talent and potential storytelling. Money in the Bank proved the talent involved can put on a good show at any time. However, this show just could not sustain the full three hours. It was hard to watch.
Corbin told off Angle again backstage before handing him a phone with Stephanie McMahon currently on the line. Stephanie then gave him a second big announcement to make later in the night. Another video was shown to celebrate the Special Olympics focusing on a different athlete that Big Show was interviewing.
Balor tried to get a spot in the Extreme Rules No. 1 contender match with KO and Corbin telling him off before Strowman backed up Balor. Bayley tried to get Banks to talk to her after their brawl in the parking lot, but Banks just drove away. Rollins was interviewed about his loss and refused to make excuses before invoking his rematch.
Conclusion: This show started off white hot, feeling like a real Raw for the first time in months. There were stakes. Drama was high. Storylines were quickly advancing with surprise results. Then the show just stopped, losing all momentum with an endless series of short segments and backstage interviews.
The pacing was bland. The matches no longer meant anything. It was as if two different people booked each half of this show or one guy just stopped caring after the two-hour mark. I was falling asleep just trying to follow the show in the home stretch.
Raw should be rolling right now with so much talent and potential storytelling. Money in the Bank proved the talent involved can put on a good show at any time. However, this show just could not sustain the full three hours. It was hard to watch.
