WWE Monday Night Raw was live last night in Albany, New York. Money in the Bank is heading into being a must see event June 17.
Raw kicks off with Raw General Manager Kurt Angle as he announces that Ronda Rousey is in the building for the contract signing between her and Nia Jax for their match at Money in the Bank for the Raw Women’s Championship.
Before he could continue, Raw Commissioner Stephanie McMahon returns for the first time since the night after WrestleMania when Ronda Rousey broke her arm. She announces that she is going to guide Kurt into making better decisions and try to make Raw best for business.
She began by talking about the Roman Reigns situation with him getting multiple opportunities until Roman comes out to interrupt about how his opportunities are continuously sabotaged with bad officiating or interruptions from Jinder Mahal.
Out comes Kevin Owens, who got his opportunity in the Money in the Bank ladder match by Roman taking out Jinder last week. Kevin explains that he uses his opportunities to the fullest.
Stephanie makes the match for right then and there, Roman Reigns versus Kevin Owens.
Kevin Owens v Roman Reigns
Before the match could really build and heat up, Jinder comes out and attacks Roman. Kevin and Jinder beat down Roman until Seth Rollins came out for the save, creating a tag team match right then and there.
Kevin Owens and Jinder Mahal v Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins
In a really exciting tag team match, Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins got the better of Kevin and Jinder for the win. Seth hit “The Stomp” on Kevin Owens, continuing his momentum of this year so far.
After the match, as Seth and Roman were on top of the stage celebrating their victory until Jinder attacked them from behind with a steel chair. Continuously hitting Roman on the back until officials came out to break it up.
It was then announced for Money in the Bank that it will be Roman Reigns versus Jinder Mahal.
The next segment was well, arguably the worst segment of the year so far. Sami Zayn lived up to his promise from last week to bring Bobby Lashley’s “sisters” to Raw. However, the people who were supposed to be Bobby’s “sisters” were men cross-dressing as women. They were playing off of Bobby’s interview a few weeks ago.
Bobby came out and played along, joking around with them. However, it did not last long until Bobby beat down all three men and threw men out with ease. Sami reluctantly got out the ring and ran.
This segment had the crowd with lack of interest and was almost cringeworthy. Not only with the cross-dressing men but the lack of chemistry between Sami and Bobby that left the fans almost bored.
Alexa Bliss v Ember Moon
Each being qualified for the Women’s Money in the Bank already, faced off in an exciting match. After Alexa’s partner Mickie James got barred from ringside after trying to interfere in the match, Ember hit a massive “Eclipse” for the win giving her more momentum heading towards Money in the Bank.
No Way Jose v Baron Corbin
In a pretty quick match, Baron hit the “End of Days” for the win of No Way Jose. This does not really help either guy, especially Baron. Baron a year ago won the Money in the Bank. Since his failed cash in last August has not progressed, either from bad booking or no motivation to move up.
The B-Team (Bo Dallas & Curtis Axel) v Breezango (Tyler Breeze and Fandango
Since getting their new team name and a new t-shirt, “The B-Team” is undefeated picking up yet another win over Breezango. Since the reformation of this team last week, this has been one of the most entertaining parts of Raw.
The contract signing between Ronda Rousey and Nia Jax for their match at Money in the Bank for the Raw Women’s Championship was one of the more confusing contract signings. Stephanie put herself as the moderator for the signing. However, she more instigated the two.
Stephanie tried to say that Ronda would never be able to put the armbar on Nia because of the size difference. However, Stephanie also said that Nia is a lazy competitor in the ring and that is the reason why it took so long for Nia to win the Raw Women’s Championship.
The two had a faceoff with Ronda stating that she will not only take Nia’s title, also taking her arm with her.
Dolph Ziggler v Chad Gable
Building off their confrontation from earlier tonight. Both men put on a good matchup, showing off their amateur skills form their amateur backgrounds. Dolph picked up the win with a massive headbutt.
After the match, Dolph ’s tag partner, Drew McIntyre came in and with Dolph beat down Chad.
Natalya v Sarah Logan v Liv Morgan v Dana Brooke (Women’s Money in the Bank qualifying match)
Natalya and Dana had to almost team up against two members of the Riott Squad. Each woman showed potential for qualifying for the Women’s Money in the Bank.
As Sarah showed dominance, Natalya hit her discus clothesline and then her “Sharpshooter” for the submission victory getting her spot in the Women’s Money in the Bank. After the match Natalya made a statement that she will win the briefcase and will be the future Raw Women’s Championship.
However, she seemed to hype more her friend, Ronda Rousey and her match more than her own match.
Bobby Roode v Elias
This is the fourth time in a little over the month, Elias faces Bobby Roode. Elias hit his “Drift Away” for the win. Nothing really progressed in this contest however there is a really confusing idea with this result.
Bobby is supposed to be gaining momentum for the Men’s Money in the Bank ladder match since he qualified last week. However, with this loss, how does that draw for him in his match at Money in the Bank.
Braun Strowman v Finn Balor
Braun comes out running over Elias on the stage. This match really showed the dynamic of Braun as a competitor.
Braun dominated the first part of this matchup, however the speed and agility of Finn played a huge roll in Braun trying to balance this matchup
Braun however was too much for Finn catching him in the air and hitting a Powerslam for the win and a close to Raw.
David Jacobus
Intern