WWE Monday Night Raw was live last night in Little Rock, Arkansas. The road to Money in the Bank is drawing near. With Money in the Bank this Sunday, the eight superstars from Raw competing in the two Money in the Bank ladder match have one last opportunity to make a statement heading into Sunday.
Raw kicks off with the eight participants in the two Money in the Bank ladder matches standing on ladders in the ring. Outcomes General Manager Kurt Angle and the Constable Baron Corbin, who is sporting a new look with a freshly shaven head.
Kurt wishes the best of luck to the competitors, but Corbin declares that both of the briefcases had better come back to Monday Night Raw or Commissioner Stephanie McMahon will not be pleased.
Each of the competitors trash talk each other not only fueling Money in the Bank ladder match, but tonights fatal four way matches involving the four men and four women in the ladder matches Sunday.
Alexa Bliss v. Ember Moon v. Natalya v. Sasha Banks
This competitive match showed what all four women will bring to the Women’s Money in the Bank ladder match. Each one of these women have legit chances to leave Chicago with the briefcase.
Each woman in the matchup came close to winning, only to come up short. However, Natalya was able to capitalize on Alexa’s mistake by putting Alexa in the Sharpshooter for the submission victory. Natalya still showed her injury to her knee. How will that play into trying to climb the ladder Sunday?
Dolph Ziggler & Drew McIntyre v. The Fashion Police (Fandango & Tyler Breeze)
In a quick matchup, Drew and Dolph beat the Fashion Police with the Claymore-Zig-Zag tag team finisher. After the match, they put the Raw tag team division on notice.
The problem is with their quick elimination last week, the statement is not really convincing. With the tag team scene on Raw not really having an identity, this statement has no steam behind it.
Roman Reigns v. Sunil Singh
In an attempt to swerve the crowd, the announced matchup was supposed to be Roman Reigns versus Jinder Mahal. However, Jinder stated that he never said he would face him, but The Great… Sunil Singh.
Roman would eventually come out and quickly beat Sunil with the Spear. After the match, Jinder came from behind and hit the Kalas standing tall over Roman.
The B-Team (Curtis Axel & Bo Dallas) v. Heath Slater & Rhyno
In another quick match up, The B-Team continues to stay undefeated and continue to build momentum towards their Raw Tag Team Championship match Sunday at Money in the Bank.
After the match, The Tag Team Champions, Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt, cryptically put fear into the B-Team with their ramblings and words.
Elias Promo on Seth Rollins
Elias comes out stating that he will leave Money in the Bank Sunday with the Intercontinental Championship. Elias even showed his custom guitar made by artist John Meyer.
Outcomes Seth Rollins who was not looking to talk. He came to fight but Elias runs away. Seth is tired of Elias’s running, but sees Elias has left the custom guitar in the ring. Which leads to Seth stomping the guitar, sending a strong message to Elias before their match Sunday.
Ruby Riott v. Bayley
The Riott Squad finally shows an identity. Backstage before their match, they wreak havoc and chaos. Finally using their numbers game to their advantage.
The numbers game became too much for Bayley as she lost to Ruby Riott with the Riott kick. After the match, the Riott Squad humiliated by smearing a marker over Bayley. The Riott Squad is finally showed an identity rather than just being three women grouped together.
Nia Jax & Ronda Rousey Face to Face
Ahead of their match Sunday, Nia Jax and Ronda Rousey have their final face to face to send their last message to each other. Each threw verbal jabs towards each other which led to the face to face.
Ronda attempted to hit the Armbar on Nia, but Nia shows this is not an MMA ring, this is a wrestling ring by hitting her with a headbutt. Ronda was able to finally hit the armbar on Nia and make her submit.
Can Ronda do that again with the Raw Women’s Championship on the line?
No Way Jose v. Curt Hawkins
Curt Hawkins is trying everything to end his 200 consecutive loss streak. This week, he disguised himself as a member of Jose’s conga line. His plan though failed and was knocked out by an elbow by Jose. The streak is now at 201 consecutive losses for Curt Hawkins.
Sami Zayn Challenges Bobby Lashley to an Obstacle Course
Sami continues to question Bobby’s legitimacy to the United States Army. So, he set up a military-style obstacle course for Bobby to truly show his legitimacy. Bobby went prove Sami wrong by quickly completing the course, even showing off throughout.
However, Sami got the last laugh attacking Bobby and hitting a Helluva kick knocking out Bobby. These segments over the last few weeks have dragged on for too long and hopefully the feud concludes on Sunday.
Finn Balor v. Bobby Roode v. Kevin Owens v. Braun Strowman
In a fantastic matchup between these four competitors, each man had to send their message to the competitors of SmackDown eyeing the Money in the Bank briefcases. This match was full of big moments and good storytelling. During the night, Kevin plotted with Bobby and Finn to try to take out the “Monster” Braun Strowman.
They did so when they were able to lay out Braun on the announce table on top of the stage and Kevin hit a massive Frog Splash from atop of a ladder onto Braun. While the three men now tried to fight each other Braun stirred on top of the stage and gingerly walked back down to the ring.
Braun would be able to beat down all three opponents chasing them all over the arena. Each man tried to get an advantage on Braun but to no avail. Braun would then capitalize hitting a power slam on Kevin Owens for the pin and the win.
Who in the world is going to stop Braun from winning the Men’s Money in the Bank ladder match Sunday?
All of the questions will be answered Sunday at the Money in the Bank event only on the WWE Network. Money in the Bank is live in Chicago, Illinois starting at 7 p.m. eastern.
David Jacobus
Intern