Written by: Kevin Berge (All Images Courtesy of: WWE.com)
It never ends. WWE is on every week, and that can sometimes be too much to take. After an abysmal pay-per-view, Monday Night Raw will hopefully just move right on to Money in the Bank which is luckily many weeks away.
As much as I am still exhausted with this current sleight of WWE shows, I do really like MITB in general especially when there's enough time to build with legitimate qualifying matches. Raw is rarely better than when so many of the matches actually matter.
WWE Backlash 2018 Review
As much as I am still exhausted with this current sleight of WWE shows, I do really like MITB in general especially when there's enough time to build with legitimate qualifying matches. Raw is rarely better than when so many of the matches actually matter.
WWE Backlash 2018 Review
Well, at least for a moment KO looked dangerous.
Braun Strowman def. Kevin Owens to Qualify for the Men's Money in the Bank Ladder Match
Overview: General Manager Kurt Angle announced a men's and women's Money in the Bank ladder match with qualifiers starting tonight. This brought out Braun Strowman then Kevin Owens looking for a spot with Angle announcing that they would face each other for a spot.
After a series of running shoulder blocks, Strowman hit a running powerslam on KO for the win.
Highlights:
Analysis: I was worried this match would be a drag, but KO and Strowman finally got time to have a complete match. For the first time in a while, Owens looked good without resorting to long headlocks, showing some solid chemistry between these two that was invisible before. Strowman had to win here unless he was to face Brock Lesnar at MITB.
After a series of running shoulder blocks, Strowman hit a running powerslam on KO for the win.
Highlights:
- Strowman hit a jumping stomp on KO then Irish whipped him into the corner.
- KO stopped Strowman's momentum with a boot but was then punched off the top rope to the floor.
- Owens jumped into the crowd to avoid a running shoulder block, but Strowman goozled him with KO turning it into a DDT.
- KO dodged Strowman and sent him into the post, nearly getting a count out.
- Owens planted KO with a chokeslam then went for a running powerslam, but KO went after his knees until he feel to his knees to set up low kicks and a senton.
- Strowman stopped a cannonball and goozled Strowman to set up a big boot, but Owens dodged a charging Strowman, hit a superkick, and landed on a frog splash.
- KO hit Strowman with a superkick and went for a pump-up, but he couldn't get him up with Strowman answering with a clothesline, body avalanche, then two running shoulder blocks outside.
Analysis: I was worried this match would be a drag, but KO and Strowman finally got time to have a complete match. For the first time in a while, Owens looked good without resorting to long headlocks, showing some solid chemistry between these two that was invisible before. Strowman had to win here unless he was to face Brock Lesnar at MITB.
Baron Corbin and The Revival def. Titus Worldwide and No Way Jose
Overview: Baron Corbin clicked quickly with his partners, The Revival, and it was too much for Titus Worldwide and No Way Jose. With Jose distracted by Scott Dawson who he hit with the Fastball Punch, Corbin ran in and connected with End of Days for the win.
Highlights:
Analysis: Corbin and The Revival are a good pair that WWE could consider revisiting. It was nice to see it worked out well for all three with Corbin avenging his loss and Revival looking like tag team specialists for once. Surprisingly, this story didn't have silly moments this week, just solid quick action.
Highlights:
- Titus slammed Dash Wilder to the mat to set up Crews for a jumping knee drop.
- Crews hit Wilder with a standing moonsault but was then pulled to the apron by Dawson to take forearms from Dawson and Corbin.
- Jose caught Dawson with a leaping corner splash then a rolling senton.
Analysis: Corbin and The Revival are a good pair that WWE could consider revisiting. It was nice to see it worked out well for all three with Corbin avenging his loss and Revival looking like tag team specialists for once. Surprisingly, this story didn't have silly moments this week, just solid quick action.
And still it's impossible to say what Ember Moon's character is.
Ember Moon def. Ruby Riott and Sasha Banks to Qualify for the Women's Money in the Bank Ladder Match
Overview: Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan continuously helped Ruby Riott stay in this match until they got directly involved to save Riott from a pinfall from Sasha Banks. Bayley came out to help Banks, but Ember Moon recovered enough to hit the Eclipse on Riott whose head rebounded into Banks to take her out, allowing Moon to take the win.
Highlights:
Analysis: This was another quality match early in the night, the best women's match since WrestleMania. All three went all out and kept the tempo high even if the three relied a bit too much on making this a series of one-on-one clashes. Riott is looking stronger with each performance, and Moon continues to rise quickly.
Highlights:
- Riott caught Bank out of the corner with a snap kick then smashed Bank into the turnbuckle with a headscissors driver.
- A distraction from Logan allowed Riott to hit Moon with a side slam.
- Riott hit Moon and Banks with a simultaneous facebuster and DDT.
- Banks got back into the action with dropkicks to Riott but then ran into a springboard crossbody and float-over double underhook suplex.
- Banks dived into the Riott Squad then Moon took out Riott with a suicide dive.
- Banks stopped Riott from hitting the Riott Kick and caught her on the apron with a step-up knee then a headscissors driver.
- Riott used the ropes to block a backstabber then hit a low superkick.
Analysis: This was another quality match early in the night, the best women's match since WrestleMania. All three went all out and kept the tempo high even if the three relied a bit too much on making this a series of one-on-one clashes. Riott is looking stronger with each performance, and Moon continues to rise quickly.
Jinder Mahal def. Chad Gable
Overview: Chad Gable nearly took the win again over Jinder Mahal with a roll up, but it was not enough for three. Mahal then hit a side kick to the gut into the Khallas for the win. Afterward, Sunil Singh goaded Gable into pushing him off, setting off Mahal who beat down Gable further.
Highlights:
Analysis: This was a bit more one-sided than it should have been given the first match's result, but it was solid enough. Gable and Mahal went to their best moves to keep the pacing moving, and neither man tried to do too much. This was about re-establishing Mahal as a threat, and it worked for that.
Highlights:
- Mahal knocked Gable off the apron with a shoulder tackle then bounced Gable's face off the apron repeatedly.
- Gable trapped Mahal over the ropes with an armbar then followed up with a moonsault only to then run into a high knee.
Analysis: This was a bit more one-sided than it should have been given the first match's result, but it was solid enough. Gable and Mahal went to their best moves to keep the pacing moving, and neither man tried to do too much. This was about re-establishing Mahal as a threat, and it worked for that.
So close to a 3MB reunion tonight.
Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre def. Heath Slater and Rhyno
Overview: An angry Drew McIntyre showed no mercy once he got into this match, running over Heath Slater with vicious precision. He took out Rhyno on the apron before tagging in Ziggler for the Claymore/Zig Zag combination for the win.
Highlights:
Analysis: Once again, Ziggler and McIntyre are a highlight of Raw simply because their attitude and aggression in the ring does feel like it is a step above many on the Raw roster. The way McIntyre so completely commits to his disdain for everyone across from him makes you believe he wants to hurt them.
Highlights:
- Rhyno extended the arm of Ziggler for a diving axe handle from Slater with Slater then planting Ziggler with a running forearm.
- McIntyre caught Slater out of the corner with a single-leg dropkick then trapped Slater on the ropes for a hanging superkick from Ziggler.
Analysis: Once again, Ziggler and McIntyre are a highlight of Raw simply because their attitude and aggression in the ring does feel like it is a step above many on the Raw roster. The way McIntyre so completely commits to his disdain for everyone across from him makes you believe he wants to hurt them.
Bobby Roode def. Elias
Overview: Bobby Roode once more ruined Elias's song to get his match with Elias started quicker. An aggressive Elias looked dominant again over Roode, but he got too focused on trash talk, eventually catching Elias suddenly by reversing a Drift Away into a Glorious DDT. Roode was interview after and hoped for a MITB shot.
Highlights:
Analysis: This was the best these two have been so far, but it was still a bit simplistic. It is obvious that Elias's moveset will always keep him down in longer matches. This win felt surprisingly final with Roode turning right to Money in the Bank afterward, and I wouldn't mind avoiding further matches between these two.
Highlights:
- Roode planted Elias with a diving double axe handle then went for a Glorious DDT with his kick blocked, forcing him to switch to an enzuigiri.
- Elias locked Roode in a crossface with Roode turning it into a pinning combination.
- Roode took down Elias with a spinebuster then clothelined Elias in the corner to set up a bulldog Elias turned into a backbreaker.
- Elias hit a powerbomb then set up Roode again to go throat-first into the corner steel, but Roode escaped back into the ring.
Analysis: This was the best these two have been so far, but it was still a bit simplistic. It is obvious that Elias's moveset will always keep him down in longer matches. This win felt surprisingly final with Roode turning right to Money in the Bank afterward, and I wouldn't mind avoiding further matches between these two.
At this point, I'm starting to think Seth Rollins could get anything over. Shame he's just not as built to be a star as Reigns....
Seth Rollins def. Mojo Rawley to Retain the WWE Intercontinental Championship
Overview: Seth Rollins came out and gave props to The Miz for pushing him to his limit before announcing he would fight for the Intercontinental Championship every chance he got. He issued an open challenge that Mojo Rawley answered, promising to make the most of this opportunity. Mojo fought hard but fell to The Stomp for the win.
Highlights:
Analysis: An open challenge has been proven to be the best way to get over a face champion, and Rollins is perfect for that spot. He should put on quality performances against the entire field. Mojo got a solid rub here by coming off as a real threat, and it hopefully means he'll do more soon.
Highlights:
- Rollins planted Mojo with a pair of suicide dives.
- Rollins stopped a running Mojo with a boot followed by a blockbuster.
- Mojo dodged a springboard clothesline then planted Rollins with a spinebuster.
- Rollins caught Mojo rising with a low-angle superkick then hit a superkick to the gut to set up The Stomp that Mojo reversed into the Hyper Drive.
- Mojo knocked down Rollins with a running shoulder block then went for the corner running forearm smash that Rollins reversed into a superkick.
Analysis: An open challenge has been proven to be the best way to get over a face champion, and Rollins is perfect for that spot. He should put on quality performances against the entire field. Mojo got a solid rub here by coming off as a real threat, and it hopefully means he'll do more soon.
Curtis Axel and Bo Dallas def. Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt
Overview: Curtis Axel and Bo Dallas decided they are now officially not The Miztourage before this match. The newly unnamed team was no match for the Deleters of Worlds with Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt hitting a tandem Sister Abigail on Axel for the win.
Highlights:
Analysis: This team has already turned tame again with multiple weeks of nothing despite holding the Raw Tag Team Championships. This pairing has been awkwardly developed so far, and it is getting to the point that WWE needs to do something big soon with them before it is just a midcard tag team pairing.
Highlights:
- Matt planted Dallas with a Side Effect and tagged in Wyatt for a running crossbody on Axel and called for the Sister Abigail with Dallas distracting him only to have Axel dive into a uranage.
Analysis: This team has already turned tame again with multiple weeks of nothing despite holding the Raw Tag Team Championships. This pairing has been awkwardly developed so far, and it is getting to the point that WWE needs to do something big soon with them before it is just a midcard tag team pairing.
Nothing will convince fans to care about Reigns matches more than pairing him with Mahal.
Finn Balor def. Sami Zayn and Roman Reigns to Qualify for the Men's Money in the Bank Ladder Match
Overview: Finn Balor and Sami Zayn teamed up early on to try and eliminate Roman Reigns from this match, but they couldn't take advantage of their time alone. Reigns returned and set up Balor for a Spear only to be tripped by Mahal into a Helluva Kick which allowed Balor to dropkick and Coup De Grace Zayn for the win.
Highlights:
Analysis: This was a solid triple threat, but it felt a bit like Zayn and Balor were holding back with much of the focus on them. It was as if they were waiting for Reigns to be the explosive one which he was when he returned to the action. This had the right result, but I cannot understand WWE pairing Mahal and Reigns at this point for The Big Dog.
Highlights:
- Zayn and Balor attacked Reigns together, brawling into the crowd with Zayn Helluva Kicking Reigns into the tech area followed by a Coup De Grace.
- Zayn connected with a Blue Thunder Bomb on Balor with Balor responding with an overhead kick.
- Balor went for a dropkick on Zayn outside, but Zayn caught him running with a right hand only to meet Reigns diving over the barricade followed by a Drive By.
- Zayn escaped the Coup De Grace and caught Balor with a Coup De Grace.
- Reigns dodged the Coup De Grace then hit a Superman Punch on Balor.
Analysis: This was a solid triple threat, but it felt a bit like Zayn and Balor were holding back with much of the focus on them. It was as if they were waiting for Reigns to be the explosive one which he was when he returned to the action. This had the right result, but I cannot understand WWE pairing Mahal and Reigns at this point for The Big Dog.
Backstage Notes: Reigns was interviewed about his match tonight, making clear he would do anything to get his Universal Championship back. Bayley, Breezango, Alexa Bliss, Ascension, Natalya, and Corbin cut selfie promos about the potential of winning the Money in the Bank ladder match.
Goldust and Mahal both asked Angle in his office about potential opportunities in Money in the Bank. Moon was interviewed after her win, promising she would soon win the ladder match. Later, Mahal tried to get added to the main event after his win, interrupting Zack Ryder asking for an opportunity, but Angle denied his request.
An in-depth interview was shown for Bobby Lashley who talked about his colorful childhood while a video package highlighted his career to get back to WWE.
Conclusion: The refocus of tonight's show was a nice relief from recent weeks. Everything on this show had a clear focus on Money in the Bank with talented either trying to qualify or impress Angle so that they could get a chance to qualify in the future.
There were a few outstanding matches tonight (Moon/Banks/Riott, Strowman/KO) as well as a bunch of solid ones with no long promo segments after the opener. The right wrestlers have won so far, and the focus is clear. There's no unnecessary drama. It's pure sports competition right now as limited spots fill quickly for Money in the Bank.
I would hope this continues for weeks to come with wrestlers getting even more desperate as the limited spots fill. This was a great Raw that could be a sign of things to come for a one-off in the midst of a bad stretch of WWE programming.
Goldust and Mahal both asked Angle in his office about potential opportunities in Money in the Bank. Moon was interviewed after her win, promising she would soon win the ladder match. Later, Mahal tried to get added to the main event after his win, interrupting Zack Ryder asking for an opportunity, but Angle denied his request.
An in-depth interview was shown for Bobby Lashley who talked about his colorful childhood while a video package highlighted his career to get back to WWE.
Conclusion: The refocus of tonight's show was a nice relief from recent weeks. Everything on this show had a clear focus on Money in the Bank with talented either trying to qualify or impress Angle so that they could get a chance to qualify in the future.
There were a few outstanding matches tonight (Moon/Banks/Riott, Strowman/KO) as well as a bunch of solid ones with no long promo segments after the opener. The right wrestlers have won so far, and the focus is clear. There's no unnecessary drama. It's pure sports competition right now as limited spots fill quickly for Money in the Bank.
I would hope this continues for weeks to come with wrestlers getting even more desperate as the limited spots fill. This was a great Raw that could be a sign of things to come for a one-off in the midst of a bad stretch of WWE programming.
