WWE Monday Night Raw was live last night in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Off the heels of a massive Money in the Bank pay per view, what does the “Monster in the Bank,” Braun Strowman have in store after winning the Men’s Money in the Bank ladder match last night.  

   Also, how does Nia Jax and Ronda Rousey react after the New Raw Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss cashed in her newly won Money in the Bank briefcase and won the Raw Women’s Championship?

   Raw kicked off with General Manager Kurt Angle who introduces not only the winner of the Women’s Money in the Bank but also now the new Raw Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss.

   She states that she did what she did because she deserves the spotlight. She is the Goddess of the women’s division. Alexa wants to continue remembering last night before Kurt announces former Raw Women’s Champion Nia Jax will invoke her rematch clause at Extreme Rules.

   Before Alexa can continue, outcomes Ronda Rousey who storms the ring ready to destroy anything in her path to get to Alexa. However, Alexa uses Kurt as a guard and continues to gloat at Ronda’s expense.

   Ronda hears enough, clearing Kurt out of her way and attacks Alexa with the Money in the Bank briefcase. She would then attack Kurt and officials leading to putting Alexa through a table and storming to the back.

   Backstage, Kurt states that Ronda is now suspended for 30 days for her actions in the ring. Ronda tells the world when the 30 days are up, Alexa is her target whether she is champion or not.

Seth Rollins v. Dolph Ziggler (Intercontinental Championship)

   Seth Rollins after a successful title defense last night against Elias reopens the Intercontinental Championship open challenge. Answering is Dolph Ziggler, a former multiple time Intercontinental Champion.

   This highly contested matchup between arguably two of the more athletic superstars on the roster stole the show. This match shows how much the Intercontinental Championship means to both of these competitors.

   In the turning point of the matchup, Dolph’s partner, Drew McIntyre causes a distraction on Seth, however it nearly costed Dolph the match. However, that small distraction lead to Dolph leading to a rollup and a handful of tights to upset and steal the Intercontinental Championship.

   After the match Seth seemed really dejected that he lost the title he strived for. He was then attacked by the two men and left in the ring with nothing.

   During a backstage interview later in the night, Seth showed emotion in his voice after losing the Intercontinental Championship. However, he stated that he is invoking his rematch clause for next week.

Bobby Roode v. Curt Hawkins

   The ongoing losing streak of Curt Hawkins will continue after tonight. Bobby Roode now notches himself into the streak, hitting the Glorious DDT for the win. The streak is now at 204.

Braun Strowman puts Universal Champion Brock Lesnar on Notice

   Mr. Money, I mean  Mr. Monster in the Bank Braun Strowman with briefcase in tow comes to the ring and celebrates his win last night in the Men’s Money in the Bank ladder match. He state all the accomplishments he has had in just this year alone.  All Brock Lesnar has to show up and the championship will belong to Braun Strowman.

   He continues until he is interrupted by Kevin Owens. Kevin is showing his injuries from the massive fall from a 20 ft. ladder by the hands of Braun Strowman. He prophesied that Braun needs to strategize what Braun does with the Money in the Bank briefcase.

   Braun ignores what he says and tried to hit a massive powerslam until Kevin was able to squirm and high-tails it backstage.

The Woken Warriors (Bray Wyatt & Matt Hardy) v. Heath Slater & Rhyno

   Before the match begins, The B-Team (Bo Dallas & Curtis Axel) parody The Woken Warriors to show they are not afraid of The Woken Warriors and will do anything to win the Raw Tag Team Championships. On a side note, Bo Dallas parodying his real life brother Bray Wyatt is comedy gold.

   The match began with Slater & Rhyno attacking the Woken Warriors from behind attempting to gain an advantage  on the Tag Team champions. However, it was to no avail as the Warriors were able to pick up the win, keeping up their momentum towards their upcoming title defense.

Jinder Mahal v. Chad Gable

   In another short matchup, Jinder was able to hit the Kalas for the pin and the win. Jinder states that even though he lost at Money in the Bank, he has found inner peace with his opportunity to face Roman.

Sasha Banks & Bayley v. The Riott Squad (Liv Morgan & Sarah Logan)

   The ongoing saga between Sasha Banks and Bayley. Are they friends or are they not? After tonight, the answer is clear. Last week Bayley was humiliated by the Riott Squad and Bayley needs to find someone to take it to them. So, she finds her friend Sasha Banks who feels dejected after not winning the Raw Women’s Championship. However, she teams with Bayley to help her against the Riott Squad.

   This matchup was a strong performance from both teams. However, with the ongoing drama between the friends kept them being on the same page. Ultimately costing them the matchup.

   After the match, Sasha would shove Bayley to the mat. Which led to to a brawl backstage between the two. The friendship is over between the two hopefully. This feud is not seeming to make sense because of the on again off again friendship between the two ladies.

Kurt Angle Announces Extreme Rules Main Event

   Kurt Angle announces that at Extreme Rules, there will be a multi-man match that will determine the next challenger to Brock Lesnar and the Universal Championship.

   Outcomes Roman Reigns and Bobby Lashley who state that they are the ones deserving of facing Lesnar. Then, out came The Revival who state that they are tired of superstars handed opportunities and those who have to work to get theirs never get theirs.

The Revival (Scott Dawson & Dash Wilder) v. Roman Reigns & Bobby Lashley

   In a competitive match between these two teams, Bobby and Roman tried to one up each other to show who really is the better competitor to face Lesnar.

   Roman tried to close the match but Bobby tagged himself him and speared Dawson. A move Roman usually does to end his matches. Are tensions rising between these two?

No Way Jose v. Mojo Rawley

   In another short matchup within the night, Mojo was able to pick up the win. After the contest, he stated that he is no longer hype, except more focused. Focused on trying to raise through the ranks of WWE.

Elias Send Message to Brock Lesnar

   After coming up short at Money in the Bank, Elias puts his eyes on a bigger prize. With the announcement earlier in the evening, Elias sings why he deserves to be apart of the multi-man match at Extreme Rules.

Kevin Owens & Baron Corbin v. Braun Strowman & Finn Balor

   Backstage, Finn told Kurt that he wants in the multi-man match at Extreme Rules. Baron and Kevin both tell Finn that he has to earn his shot. Until Braun came to help Finn leading to a tag team match in the main event.

   In an impressive match, especially from Baron and Braun. Baron who is wrestling in his business get up, was able to capitalize on the Finn mistake and hit the End of Days for the win.

   This episode was a really decent show with good storylines and possibility of big things to come at Extreme Rules and towards SummerSlam.

David Jacobus
Intern