Written by: Kevin Berge (All Images Courtesy of: WWE.com)
WWE has traveled across the pond for this week on the road to Money in the Bank which means a lot of quality wrestling. For the first time in months, the company is focusing so heavily on the in-ring content that most of the big matches have been announced ahead of time.
Seth Rollins vs. Kevin Owens for the Intercontinental Championship, Alexa Bliss vs. Bayley vs. Mickie James for a spot in the women's ladder match, and Bobby Roode vs. Baron Corbin vs. No Way Jose for the spot in the men's ladder match were all announced ahead of time.
Even with the likelihood WWE will not do anything major overseas for fear of time delay leading to spoilers, this was a show to look forward to just because of the expected quality of matches.
Last Week's Monday Night Raw Review
Seth Rollins vs. Kevin Owens for the Intercontinental Championship, Alexa Bliss vs. Bayley vs. Mickie James for a spot in the women's ladder match, and Bobby Roode vs. Baron Corbin vs. No Way Jose for the spot in the men's ladder match were all announced ahead of time.
Even with the likelihood WWE will not do anything major overseas for fear of time delay leading to spoilers, this was a show to look forward to just because of the expected quality of matches.
Last Week's Monday Night Raw Review
Aw, poor Roman, management won't let him further attack an injured man.
Roman Reigns' Challenge to Jinder Mahal is Ignored
Overview: Roman Reigns called out Jinder Mahal for his attack last week. Instead, General Manager Kurt Angle arrived to make clear Mahal was going to have a qualifier later for Money in the Bank while Reigns could no longer qualify. Reigns took his revenge into his own hands, brawling with Mahal all the way to the stage.
Analysis: Was it really necessary to start tonight with a Reigns and Angle promo? There was so much wrestling to get to tonight, and this was basically an elongated backstage segment. This was WWE further failing to sell Reigns' issues with management, and it just started the show off slow.
Analysis: Was it really necessary to start tonight with a Reigns and Angle promo? There was so much wrestling to get to tonight, and this was basically an elongated backstage segment. This was WWE further failing to sell Reigns' issues with management, and it just started the show off slow.
Seth Rollins def. Kevin Owens to Retain the WWE Intercontinental Championship
Overview: Kevin Owens took over the action early, but Seth Rollins refused to stay down. In the end, Rollins caught KO returning to the ring with The Stomp to retain his WWE Intercontinental Championship.
Highlights:
Analysis: While the sequences in this match were strong, I never got excited watching this contest. Maybe it's just due to where Owens is in his career, but I couldn't bring myself to believe KO was a threat. It was a solid match but not nearly the match the two should have had.
Highlights:
- KO went for an apron powerbomb, but Rollins fought it off with the two battling onto the apron with Rollins hitting a Falcon Arrow on the apron.
- Rollins threw Owens outside for back-to-back suicide dives.
- Rollins planted KO with a blockbuster then went for the Ripcord Knee only to have Owens reverse into a DDT.
- Rollins blocked a powerbomb then missed the Curb Stomp with KO hitting a superkick into a Rollins enzuigiri into a KO clothesline.
- KO ducked the Stomp but still ran into a low-angle superkick and Knee nearfall.
- Owens got the knees up to block the frog splash then went for his own frog splash with Rollins blocking him on the top rope only to take a swinging fisherman buster.
Analysis: While the sequences in this match were strong, I never got excited watching this contest. Maybe it's just due to where Owens is in his career, but I couldn't bring myself to believe KO was a threat. It was a solid match but not nearly the match the two should have had.
It's a big spot and all, Roode, but all you did was pin No Way Jose. Calm down.
Bobby Roode def. Baron Corbin and No Way Jose to Qualify for the Men's Money in the Bank Ladder Match
Overview: Baron Corbin immediately knocked No Way Jose outside and threw him into the steel steps, but he only seemed to aggravate Dominican star. Roode ended up sidestepping Corbin to send him to the floor then reversed fireman's carry slam into a Glorious DDT to win.
Highlights:
Analysis: This was fairly bland as Jose was meant to be the explosive babyface here without the varied move set for the task. Roode and Corbin carried most of the match in fairly bland fashion. Roode winning here was the only result that made sense though he might be the least likely man to emerge victorious in the ladder match.
Highlights:
- Corbin pushed Roode off him during a swinging neckbreaker, but Roode fought to the top rope to hit a blockbuster.
- Jose planted Corbin with a Thesz press and diving crossbody.
- Roode caught Jose with a spinebuster then Corbin broke up the pin to set up Roode on the top rope from which Roode hit Jose with a diving clothesline.
- Corbin took out Roode with a running clothesline off the apron then connected with a chokeslam backbreaker on Jose.
- Corbin went for a chokeslam backbreaker on Roode, but Roode rolled through only to run right into the Deep Six.
Analysis: This was fairly bland as Jose was meant to be the explosive babyface here without the varied move set for the task. Roode and Corbin carried most of the match in fairly bland fashion. Roode winning here was the only result that made sense though he might be the least likely man to emerge victorious in the ladder match.
The B-Team def. Breezango
Overview: Wearing homemade B-Team merchandise, Curtis Axel and Bo Dallas looked strong as a team against the more experience Tyler Breeze and Fandango. After Dallas managed to take out Breeze outside, Axel dodged Fandango's leg drop then the two hit an elevated neckbreaker for the win. Afterward, they celebrated in an interview.
Highlights:
Analysis: This was an oddly booked match with Axel and Dallas selling a clean and fairly dominant victory as a fluky comedy win. That said, it is nice to see they might get somewhere without The Miz even if it was at the expense of Breezango, who got no momentum from their win against The Bar.
Highlights:
- Dallas threw Breeze into Axel to connect with a DDT.
- Fandango hit an inverted atomic drop on Dallas to set him up as a launching pad for a tornado DDT on Axel.
Analysis: This was an oddly booked match with Axel and Dallas selling a clean and fairly dominant victory as a fluky comedy win. That said, it is nice to see they might get somewhere without The Miz even if it was at the expense of Breezango, who got no momentum from their win against The Bar.
Sasha Banks continues to show she could probably beat The Riott Squad 3 on 1.
Ember Moon, Natalya, and Sasha Banks def. The Riott Squad
Overview: The Riott Squad quickly were thrown off by the athleticism of Ember Moon and Sasha Banks early in this match, losing the ring. Eventually, the heels took over with Natalya taking control off the hot tag. Ruby Riott and Sarah Logan were taken out outside before Natalya made Liv Morgan tap to the Sharpshooter.
Highlights:
Analysis: It was funny to hear Michael Cole talk about how important wins and losses are in WWE tonight when it is clear how little WWE puts into those results. The Riott Squad continue to be sold as a threat, but they can't even win six-woman tag matches against makeshift teams. They even had Natalya be the hot tag against them.
Highlights:
- Moon hit a leg sweep on Logan to set up a running double knee drop from Banks.
- Riott took out Banks with a clothesline then threw Banks into Morgan before Morgan hit a diving facebuster.
- Natalya caught Morgan with the low-angle dropkick and discus clotheline.
Analysis: It was funny to hear Michael Cole talk about how important wins and losses are in WWE tonight when it is clear how little WWE puts into those results. The Riott Squad continue to be sold as a threat, but they can't even win six-woman tag matches against makeshift teams. They even had Natalya be the hot tag against them.
Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt def. The Revival
Overview: The Revival looked out of sorts until they managed to isolate the left knee of Matt Hardy. The assault was enough to slow down the match, but it would not stop him entirely from tagging in Bray Wyatt who steamrolled to set up the Kiss of Deletion for the win.
Highlights:
Analysis: Maybe they'll eventually get their shot, but it's just not fun to watch The Revival anymore. WWE is booking them as generic heel jobbers, killing any momentum they once had. I don't understand it especially on a limited Raw tag team roster. At least they looked vaguely competitive here.
Highlights:
- Matt hit a headbutt/side slam combination on Dawson.
- Wilder set up Matt in the tree of woe with both pounding on Matt's knees.
- Matt got separation with a Side Effect on Wilder to tag in Wyatt for the hot tag who planted Dawson with a uranage.
Analysis: Maybe they'll eventually get their shot, but it's just not fun to watch The Revival anymore. WWE is booking them as generic heel jobbers, killing any momentum they once had. I don't understand it especially on a limited Raw tag team roster. At least they looked vaguely competitive here.
Nothing is more of a heel move than showing you are far-sighted.
Sami Zayn Promises to Expose Bobby Lashley Next Week
Overview: Sami Zayn quickly went into a frustrated tirade on the vertigo he suffered at the hands of Bobby Lashley. He called out Lashley as getting exclusive treatment while going back over his interview last week. In the end, he announced that he would expose Lashley next week, inviting his sisters to appear.
Analysis: This can't go well. It already isn't go well. As fun as Zayn is on the mic, the script of this segment was bizarre, comedic at best. Lashley vs. Zayn should be a solid match when it happens, but it is never a good idea to build a feud especially this early around a wrestler's family.
Analysis: This can't go well. It already isn't go well. As fun as Zayn is on the mic, the script of this segment was bizarre, comedic at best. Lashley vs. Zayn should be a solid match when it happens, but it is never a good idea to build a feud especially this early around a wrestler's family.
Alexa Bliss def. Bayley and Mickie James to Qualify for the Women's Money in the Bank Ladder Match
Overview: Alexa Bliss and Mickie James turned this match into a handicap match from the start. The alliance worked well enough even as the two argued often with Mickie distracting Bayley enough for Bliss to hit a hard forearm then DDT for the win.
Highlights:
Analysis: This was the most memorable match of the night with the storytelling on point even with the action fairly basic. Bayley was booked well here to protect her while keeping her out of the ladder match with Banks. She was dominant when she had the chance to be, but she barely had a chance here.
Highlights:
- Bayley got to her feet in a headlock, but Bliss tripped her with Bayley responding by booting Bliss in the face then fighting free.
- Mickie tried to roll up Bliss from behind, but Bayley got them working together again only to take a diving crossbody and double hanging stunner.
- Bliss planted Bayley with a sunset flip powerbomb that Mickie broke with a superkick to Bliss.
- Bayley splashed both heels in the corner but then missed a dive, barely reversing a sunset flip into a pin quickly followed by a Bayley-to-Belly with Mickie breaking it up and trying to get the pin herself.
Analysis: This was the most memorable match of the night with the storytelling on point even with the action fairly basic. Bayley was booked well here to protect her while keeping her out of the ladder match with Banks. She was dominant when she had the chance to be, but she barely had a chance here.
Before he left, McIntyre was a failing rockstar. Now he's a giant.
Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre def. Braun Strowman and Finn Balor
Overview: Drew McIntyre continually teased Braun Strowman on the apron while he and Dolph Ziggler dominated Finn Balor. Strowman and McIntyre ended up crashing into the Greatest Royal Rumble trophy with Ziggler using the distraction to trip Balor off the top rope to take the win.
Highlights:
Analysis: This was a pretty impressive way to build McIntyre and Ziggler, calling out and managing to defeat the imposing team of Balor and Strowman. It is easy now to see this team as a contender for the tag team titles, and I would hope the plan is for them to take the championships off the Woken Ones eventually.
Highlights:
- Much to Balor's chagrin, Strowman dumped Balor on top of Ziggler.
- Balor dodged a running corner elbow from McIntyre then got the hot tag to Strowman who hit a sledgehammer on Ziggler before going into the post.
- Balor caught Ziggler with a step-up enzuigiri on the top rope into a spinning headlock elbow drop before the Slingblade and corner dropkick.
Analysis: This was a pretty impressive way to build McIntyre and Ziggler, calling out and managing to defeat the imposing team of Balor and Strowman. It is easy now to see this team as a contender for the tag team titles, and I would hope the plan is for them to take the championships off the Woken Ones eventually.
Kevin Owens def. Bobby Lashley and Elias to Qualify for the Men's Money in the Bank Ladder Match
Overview: Bobby Lashley used his superior strength to take out both Kevin Owens and Elias who were forced to work together. Elias ended up attempting a mid-match concert that KO broke up. Zayn interfered to break up Lashley's pin off The Dominator then took him out to allow Owens to hit Elias with a frog splash for the win.
Highlights:
Analysis: This was a fun main event where the three men kept the action moving throughout. KO's win here was inevitable with the second chance, but it makes Raw's side of this ladder match less interesting. The line-up is fairly standard while SmackDown already has a wild card in Rusev.
Highlights:
- Lashley threw Elias and KO into opposite side of the barricade before Owens grabbed the leg of Lashley to allow Elias to hit him with a forearm.
- Lashley clotheslined and tackled KO in the corner before catching KO off the ropes with a spinebuster only to take a sudden jumping knee.
- Elias hit Owens with a jumping knee before Lashley threw him around the ring only to connect with a mule kick then dodge a cannonball to set up a diving elbow.
- KO saved Elias from a delayed vertical, but Lashley planted both with a suplex.
- Lashley planted Elias with a fireman's carry press slam then hit The Dominator.
Analysis: This was a fun main event where the three men kept the action moving throughout. KO's win here was inevitable with the second chance, but it makes Raw's side of this ladder match less interesting. The line-up is fairly standard while SmackDown already has a wild card in Rusev.
KO just worked 30 minutes over 2 matches, and no one really cared.
Backstage Notes: A video was shown of women's champion Nia Jax challenging Ronda Rousey for Money in the Bank. Dallas and Axel ask Angle for the Raw Tag Team Championships shot but were given a different tag team match instead to prove themselves with a new name: The B-Team.
KO asked Angle for a rematch against Rollins but was denied. Mahal was attended to by officials, clearly injured. Despite Angle giving Reigns the rest of the night off, he appeared to Spear Mahal through a door before the main event. McIntyre and Ziggler cut a selfie promo on how Balor and Strowman took short cuts to the top.
Conclusion: The booking this week on Raw spoiled a solid night of steady in-ring work. Several new stories started on the wrong foot with everything feeling underwritten or thought out. If Reigns and Mahal were a more interesting pair, their feud would have been the highlight of the night.
It's just an issue of Raw lacking standout personalities. The night was dominated by Zayn and Owens who have long been fairly bland heels despite their obvious talent. On the nights that Rollins isn't absolutely stealing the show, Raw is going to feel low on excitement.
I will take shows like this over most of the recent Raws, but this still lacked the power and excitement needed especially given the card for the night.
KO asked Angle for a rematch against Rollins but was denied. Mahal was attended to by officials, clearly injured. Despite Angle giving Reigns the rest of the night off, he appeared to Spear Mahal through a door before the main event. McIntyre and Ziggler cut a selfie promo on how Balor and Strowman took short cuts to the top.
Conclusion: The booking this week on Raw spoiled a solid night of steady in-ring work. Several new stories started on the wrong foot with everything feeling underwritten or thought out. If Reigns and Mahal were a more interesting pair, their feud would have been the highlight of the night.
It's just an issue of Raw lacking standout personalities. The night was dominated by Zayn and Owens who have long been fairly bland heels despite their obvious talent. On the nights that Rollins isn't absolutely stealing the show, Raw is going to feel low on excitement.
I will take shows like this over most of the recent Raws, but this still lacked the power and excitement needed especially given the card for the night.
