On the heels of WWE Backlash, the Raw brand wasted little time setting its sights on the June 17 Money in the Bank pay-per-view.
Three qualifying matches took place, featuring some of the brand’s most prominent competitors.
Braun Strowman and Finn Balor cashed their tickets to the monumental pay-per-view, while the challenge of a new foe confronted Roman Reigns in the form of former WWE champion Jinder Mahal.
Ember Moon made her presence felt, advancing to the event, while the rivalry between Sasha Banks, Bayley and The Riott Squad heated up.
Seth Rollins stole the show (again), and Bobby Roode and Elias brought their rivalry to a head.
What else went down Monday night?
Find out now with this recap of the USA Network broadcast.
Kurt Angle Opens Raw
Raw general manager Kurt Angle kicked off the show and touted WWE’s nonstop schedule before turning his attention to Money in the Bank.
He announced Raw and SmackDown will each have their own men and women’s Money in the Bank ladder matches.
Braun Strowman eventually interrupted his opening promo, entering the arena to a huge pop, followed by chants of “get these hands.”
Strowman told a story of knocking a tree down as a kid, to which Angle responded by saying if anyone deserves a spot in the Money in the Bank ladder match, it is The Monster Among Men.
Kevin Owens interrupted the proceedings and took exception, saying it is him who deserves to be in the match. He called himself the MVP of Raw and even claimed to respect the rules. He pointed out the illegal man was pinned in the tag team match at Backlash and said it is him that is on a roll, not Strowman.
The verbal confrontation ended with the announcement of Strowman vs. Owens to start the show.
Grade
C
Analysis
These opening segments are so tiresome at this point it is a wonder WWE management has not figured out a new or fresh way to present the opening of the show.
The “interrupted opening promo leading to a match” is so dated and predictable, it is amazing people even bother tuning in.
At least it should set up a strong match.
Money in the Bank Qualifier: Braun Strowman vs. Kevin Owens
Strowman dominated the competition early, tossing Owens around the squared circle.
A tornado DDT from the guardrail by KO led to him momentarily seizing control of the match. A missed blind charge into the corner added to Owens’ control.
Strowman answered with a chokeslam, but the big man could not put his opponent down. A frog splash from Owens earned him a two-count and had The Prizefighter surging.
Unfortunately, his momentum was short-lived, as Strowman bowled over him on two separate occasions at ringside. Owens tried to roll out of harm’s way once more, but Strowman bulldozed him one more time, wiping him out.
The powerslam ended Owens’ misery and advanced Strowman to the upcoming Raw Money in the Bank match.
Result
Strowman defeated Owens
Grade
B+
Analysis
After weeks of watching Strowman work one-sided squash matches, it was nice to see him back in a hotly contested bout. Even nicer? The fact that Owens was presented as a very real threat to The Monster Among Men’s win streak.
It has been so long since fans have been reminded of how good Owens is when he isn’t bickering with authority figures that it was refreshing to see the former universal champion hang with a legitimate main eventer.
Hopefully, this is the start of many good things back on Raw for Owens.
And the jumping-off point for Strowman’s Money in the Bank run.
No Way Jose and Titus Worldwide vs. The Revival and Baron Corbin
The war between Baron Corbin and No Way Jose bled over into Six-Man Tag Team action Monday night, as The Lone Wolf teamed with The Revival to battle Jose and Titus Worldwide.
Apollo Crews found himself on the receiving end of a punishing, targeted attack by Corbin, Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder.
A hot tag to Jose began the babyface comeback.
As the action broke down, Corbin received a blind tag. Jose took out Dawson but turned right into the End of Days from Corbin, who picked up the win for the heels.
Result
Corbin and The Revival defeated No Way Jose and Titus Worldwide
Grade
C+
Analysis
This is the strangest collection of talent in one ring in quite a while.
With that said, it was an entertaining little six-man tag while it lasted. All six Superstars are alumni of NXT, and their chemistry was strong enough.
Corbin picking up the win was essential if he is to thrive whenever his push ignites.
Everyone else, like it or not, has a definite limit on their success at this point in their runs.
Money in the Bank Qualifier: Sasha Banks vs. Ember Moon vs. Ruby Riott
Just 24 hours after defeating Bayley, Ruby Riott battled Sasha Banks and Ember Moon in a Triple Threat Money in the Bank qualifier.
The action was fast and furious to start before Riott seized control, laying in a few kicks to Moon and Banks. The former NXT star known as The Shenom nearly scored a pinfall victory over Riott but could not put her opponent away.
Riott and Moon paired off while Banks recovered on the floor.
With Sarah Logan and Liv Morgan watching from ringside, Riott controlled the match, outwrestling both of her opponents.
As the action progressed, The Legit Boss exploded back into the match, wiping out Morgan and Logan at ringside. Moon took the fight to Riott, drawing a dramatic near-fall as chants of “yes!” broke out.
Late, Riott delivered a headscissors from the top rope. Banks countered into a roll-up, but Logan and Morgan legally broke up the pin. Bayley hit the ring, making the save for her friend.
Back in the squared circle, Banks and Riott were momentarily distracted, allowing Moon to scale the ropes and come off with an Eclipse to Riott. Three seconds later, and she had cashed her ticket to Money in the Bank.
Result
Moon defeated Riott and Banks
Grade
B+
Analysis
This was a fun, high-energy match that gave Moon a huge win while furthering the ongoing rivalry between Bayley, Banks and The Riott Squad.
This time, the rivalry between the two teams cost both of them an opportunity to earn a championship match at any time they please. That is a huge…
