Welcome to Fightful.com's live coverage & discussion for tonight's episode of WWE Raw.
We'll be bringing you full, match by match coverage of every bout on the card and you can watch along with us, sending in your feedback on our Disqus boards below!
Following Raw, remember to tune into the post-show podcast too. Link:
- We begin this week's show with The Miz, briefly recapping his altercation with Shane McMahon from last week's SmackDown. He then introduced us to this "international edition" of Miz TV, next transitioning to Money in the Bank and citing his own history with the briefcase. A brief mention of McMahon followed and then an introduction of tonight's guest: Roman Reigns. 'The Big Dog' said that while Elias is "very talented," he's still not done anything in WWE. Moreover, Reigns is "bringing the big fight" this Sunday. Miz says that they've got a lot in common, suggesting a Hollywood team-up until Reigns asked for "the new Miz" and questioned where he's at.
This led to a reminder of Miz's save on last week's RAW, with the man himself admitting that only Shane allowed him to realize that this is a matter of earning respect. McMahon hasn't earned anything though and on Sunday, his silver spoon will meet a steel cage. That brought out Shane, reminding Miz who's boss and informing him that Miz TV is now over. At this point, Elias and Lashley jumped both from behind, leaving them laying and departing right away. As they greeted Shane on the ramp though, McMahon booked a tag match for up next!
The Miz and Roman Reigns vs. Bobby Lashley and Elias
Elias and Miz got this one underway, with the latter flurrying early until Elias chopped him to the mat. Miz fired back, landing a sharp knee to the stomach and then a neckbreaker as well. That brought in Reigns but Elias bailed in response and eventually tagged in Lashley. He was soon greeted by an uppercut from Reigns and a Samoan Drop before long as well. Roman and Miz then combined, stringing offense together and taking control until a cheap-shot cut them off.
With Miz now isolated, Elias went to work, even walking the ropes and hitting an impressive Meteora for 2. Lashley followed suit, hitting a vertical suplex for a near-fall of his own. The pair continued to dominate proceeding from there, cornering Miz until a DDT finally reset things. However, before he could make the tag, Shane yanked Reigns from the apron and caused a DQ finish, launching him into the steps.
Winners via Disqualification: The Miz and Roman Reigns
Post-match, all three men continued to batter Miz, landing an onslaught of strikes until Reigns used a big dive to wipe out all involved. However, the numbers game then put him in trouble too, forcing Miz to use a steel chair to make the save. That allowed Reigns to flurry himself, landing two Superman Punches to clear the ring.
- We then moved to a lengthy video package previewing Seth Rollins vs. AJ Styles. This detailed the journey both men have taken to this point as well as their conflict in recent weeks.
- A Braun Strowman/Sami Zayn recap followed that as we then transitioned to Braun backstage. Strowman says he has no regrets as tonight's about the men's Money in the Bank briefcase. Strowman cited his victory last year before promising another as he was asked to see Shane McMahon in his office.
- That's exactly where Sami Zayn is, stating his case as Braun walked in. In the end, Zayn challenged Strowman to a Falls Count Anywhere Match for tonight.. Shane booked the match, with the winner going on to Money in the Bank.
Mojo Rawley vs. Apollo Crews
Acting as one of our wildcard appearances tonight, Apollo Crews went to work right away but soon suffered some kind of injury. His knee gave out and Mojo swiftly seized, tackling Crews and then landing a violent elbow in the corner. Alabama Slam followed and that was all she wrote.
Winner: Mojo Rawley
- Elsewhere, Alexa Bliss spoke to someone on the phone about her lost luggage. Nikki Cross then arrived, calmly asking if everything is okay. Bliss admitted to being nervous about the situation but Cross suggested that she seek a replacement. Alexa didn't bother, subbing Cross in almost immediately.
- Time for the double-contract signing next. Cole is our host here and asked Lynch about the difficulty of her upcoming task. Becky conceded that both are bigger, stronger and more athletic but she simply doesn't care about the beating she has to take. Instead, she's going to make Evans regret ever challenging 'The Man.' If she doesn't believe her, ask Flair. Charlotte responded by saying that Lynch is now in a situation she just can't win in. Evans agreed and questioned Becky's attire but Lynch cut her off, reminding both of the pressure on their shoulders.
Flair says that Becky has built a reputation she can't live up to, promising that it's all about to come crashing down. Lacey says that the classless fans deserve a real champion, finally restoring class to the RAW Women's Championship. With the contracts signed, a brawl then commenced. After having the upper hand on both, Lynch fell victim to the numbers game, being powerbombed through a table by Evans and Flair as over Becky's body, they rose their respective titles in center ring.
Baron Corbin vs. Ricochet
Pre-match, Corbin demanded his introduction while on the other hand, Ricochet promised to risk everything he can in a pre-match promo. Once the bell rung, a strike exchange got this one underway, with Ricochet's speed gaining him a major advantage until Corbin clotheslined him off his feet. Back from the break and he remained in control, slamming Ricochet face first on the mat and dominating things before a Ricochet rally. This included an explosive dropkick and escalated, with Ricochet next landing a springboard crossbody for 2.
He avoided the Chokeslam Backbreaker too, attempting a quick roll-up but running into Deep Six instead. Ricochet kicked out nonetheless, next responding with a sharp DDT for a near-fall of his own. He then began to think 630 Splash but Corbin avoided, heading up top only to be hurricanrana'd off the top rope. Corbin beat the count and turned the tide as well, incredibly catching End of Days for the sudden finish.
Winner: Baron Corbin
Post-match, Corbin retrieved a ladder and climbed it in center ring until Ricochet pushed him off, ending the symbolism and standing tall as Baron bailed.
- That was followed by a recap of Samoa Joe's interaction with Dominic on last week's RAW. Mysterio then demanded that people say things to his face in future. Cesaro interrupted, asking Rey why his son was even there. He then suggested that Dominic isn't even Mysterio's son, citing his resemblance to Joe as a brawl commenced until the pair was separated.
- Another video package came next, this one spotlighting Roman Reigns' ascension as well as his recent battle with Leukemia and subsequent comeback.
- Elsewhere, AJ Styles stopped for an interview. Styles says that this was Rollins' show until he showed up, promising that the chip on his shoulder remains. This Sunday, he walks in the challenger and walks out champion.
Naomi vs. Dana Brooke vs. Natalya vs. Nikki Cross
In a pre-taped promo, Naomi said that this Sunday is what she needs, outshining her competition with the glow. Brooke called this the validation of her hard-work, saying she deserves to win while Natalya cited her experience. Finally, Bliss reminded us her 2018 win before joining the commentary team live.
Meanwhile in-ring, chaos ensued, with quick pin attempts all round until Cross clubbed Natalya on the outside. Naomi soon followed them there too, dispatching Brooke and landing an impressive dive to floor all involved. Back from the break and Natalya halted Brooke's apparent momentum, landing an elbow to the spine and applying Romero Special. Naomi broke the hold though, landing a bulldog before kicking Natalya in the head as well. With Brooke's help, Natalya fired back, landing some tandem offense as Cross cleared the ring.
She looked for a submission on Naomi but the former champion broke free, landing Rear Views all round and hitting Split Legged Moonsault on Natalya too. Brooke broke the fall, next retrieving a ladder and setting it up at ringside. Cross, Natalya and Naomi brawled in the meantime as Dana began to climb, eventually hitting a crossbody off the top to take out all three. Natalya soon cut her off though, focusing on Cross only to fall victim to a sudden Spinning Neckbreaker for the finish.
Winner: Nikki Cross
Post-match, Cross and Bliss set up a ladder and after climbing herself, Nikki was stopped, watching on as Alexa took down the briefcase instead.
- Backstage, Sami Zayn dismissed the tweets telling him that he has no chance. He says that being right is better than being strong, promising to find a way to beat Braun Strowman tonight.
Rey Mysterio vs. Cesaro
Pre-match, Joe spoke in a pre-taped promo, claiming that Rey crossed the line by even bringing Dominic to WWE. Joe says that he hopes to see Dominic there on Sunday too.
To the match now as Rey flurried with flashiness early until a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker cut him off. The fight then spilled to the floor, with Mysterio landing a sublime counter to send Cesaro into the barricade. Cesaro responded with a reversal of his own though, violently swinging Rey around on the outside. Both men then brawled on the apron, with Mysterio using evasive before a sudden European Uppercut stopped him in his tracks. Cesaro then elevated Rey with one arm, brilliantly suplexing him off the middle rope for 2.
Back from the break and Mysterio once again turned the tide, escaping the swing and scoring a crisp DDT too. The seated senton followed and Rey continued to build momentum until Cesaro caught 619 and took Mysterio for the swing. Suddenly Rey was the one positioned for 619 and Cesaro couldn't resist, failing at his own attempt and eating a sunset-bomb for 2. He then jumped directly into a European Uppercut though, still firing back until finally landing 619 as well as a Frogsplash for the win.
Winner: Rey Mysterio
- Elsewhere, The Revival dismissed The Usos' recent antics, promising that their embarrassment ends now and challenging them to prove their tag team supremacy.
- Firefly Fun House next as Bray promised a secret. He said that it's almost time for him to show the world what he's really been working on. Wyatt said that while there's still a lot of darkness in his soul, he's learned how to harness and control it. This transitioned to rather ominous footage of Wyatt sporting a clown mask of sorts as the questions continue to build.
- Off to a Seth Rollins interview after that. He says that AJ has shown his true colors, and this one is now about more than respect. Rollins then pointed to his only other singles match with Styles, citing it's importance and promising that on Sunday, he'll prove this is his industry now as he makes AJ finally look up to him instead.
Falls Count Anywhere
Winner Enters Money in the Bank
Braun Strowman vs. Sami Zayn
Zayn immediately looked for safety early but ate a clothesline for his troubles. A corner splash followed and then two running shoulder tackles on the outside too. In response, Sami bailed through the crowd, running up the arena's stand as Strowman followed him there, landing strikes until a beer in his face gave Sami some space. Zayn then used a trash can, going to work but being thrown around regardless. Corbin then intervened, jumping Braun with multiple trash cans and shattering them on Strowman's back. He then slammed him through a table but Braun kicked out in no time anyway.
Strowman then briefly overcome the numbers game, dispatching Zayn and throwing Corbin into a merchandise stand as well. Back from the break and Braun was now chasing Sami back to ringside. Zayn halted his hunt though, using a steel chair as the fight led up to the ramp. Strowman's plan suddenly changed, targeting the set's ladders as Zayn retreated backstage. Braun soon chased him down though, launching Sami around until Drew McIntyre emerged out of nowhere. He landed Glasgow Kiss and DDT'd Strowman onto the chair as well.
However, Braun still kicked out and used an ice chest to remove Drew too. Suddenly Zayn was back on the ramp and Strowman right there with him, returning his focus to the ladders and unsurprisingly using one as a weapon. He then began to stack the ladders on Zayn, burying his foe until Corbin returned. Suddenly Drew and Baron were both attacking Braun at once, flooring their rival and suplexing him through a ladder. Mcintyre then landed Claymore and with that, Zayn had finally scored the win.
Winner: Sami Zayn
Post-match, Braun returned to his feet and Corbin threw Zayn back out in response. Strowman seized, chokeslamming Sami through the announce table.
Thanks for following along folks and now be sure to check out our post-show podcast as well.