This week’s episode of RAW was taped in the O2 Arena in London, England earlier today. It was the final episode of RAW before WWE Money in the Bank this Sunday. In addition to the takeaways below, Bray Wyatt revealed his epic new look during this week’s episode of Firefly Fun House. You can check that out in the video below.
Here are 5 takeaways from this week’s episode of WWE RAW:
The Miz & Roman Reigns Stood Tall
Roman Reigns was a guest on Miz TV tonight on RAW. Reigns began to talk about his match against Elias this Sunday at Money in the Bank, but the crowd interrupted him and started singing “walk with Elias”.
Reigns joked that Elias hasn’t accomplished anything in WWE and is a glorified karaoke singer. The Miz started being annoying and Reigns said that he came to talk to the new Miz, the one that chases Shane McMahon around the arena with a steel chair.
The Miz said that after 13 years, he has started to earn the respect of the fans and his peers. He added that Shane McMahon was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, but this Sunday we will see what happens “when a silver spoon meets a steel cage”.
Miz guaranteed that Shane McMahon was going to go down than Vince did to a Superman Punch from Roman Reigns. SmackDown Commissioner Shane McMahon interrupted to a chorus of boos from the crowd.
Shane claimed he was out here to announce that this episode of Miz TV was over as Lashley and Elias snuck into the ring. Lashley and Elias took out Miz and Reigns and retreated up the entrance ramp. Shane then announced a tag match and demanded that a referee come down to the ring.
Lashley and Elias controlled the majority of the match by isolating The Miz in the ring. The Miz finally was about to tag Reigns but Shane ripped Reigns off the ring apron and launched him into the steel steps to end the match in a DQ. Shane, Lashley, and Elias took turns beating down The Miz for a bit.
Roman Reigns leaped onto everyone and posed for the crowd. Elias, Shane, and Lashley then beat Reigns down in the ring. The Miz brought in a steel chair and hit Lashley and Elias with it as Shane escaped out of the ring. Reigns hit Lashley and Elias with a Superman Punch as Shane retreated up the entrance ramp.
Is it a mandate for almost every show to start off with a promo that leads to a tag team match? I cannot decide if WWE is simply out of ideas or just incredibly lazy. If you missed this show, you’ve literally seen this segment a thousand times with different characters on RAW or SmackDown.
Nikki Cross Picked Up A Victory
Alexa Bliss’ luggage was lost and her ring gear was in it. A much calmer than usual Nikki Cross approached her backstage and suggested that Bliss go to the McMahons and see if they can find her a suitable replacement. Bliss simply said that Nikki can replace her in the match and walked away as Nikki had a menacing grin on her face.
Dana Brooke, Natalya, Naomi, and Nikki Cross battled in a Fatal 4-Way. Alexa Bliss joined commentary for the match. Naomi controlled the match early and flipped onto everyone outside the ring as RAW went to a break. When RAW returned, Naomi connected with a Rear View on Cross and then Natalya.
Naomi Body Slammed Dana Brooke on Natalya and then made her way up to the top rope. Brooke got out of the way and Naomi hit Natalya with a Moonsault. Dana launched Naomi out of the ring and then brought out a ladder from under the ring.
Cross hit Natalya with a Spear outside the ring as Dana climbed the ladder. Dana launched herself off the top off the ladder and took out everyone with a Crossbody. Back in the ring, Nikki Cross hit Natalya with the spinning Neckbreaker for the pinfall victory. After the match, Nikki set up the ladder in the ring as Bliss thanked her. Alexa climbed to the top of the ladder and grabbed the briefcase and posed with it in the ring.
This seemed like a pretty blatant way to protect Alexa Bliss from taking bumps, while simultaneously advertising her for a match leading up to the show. I’m not going to complain about not having to watch Alexa wrestle, I’m just not interested in Nikki Cross being Bliss’ new best friend/eventual enemy on RAW every week.
Charlotte & Evans Powerbombed Lynch Through A Table
Becky Lynch had a contract signing for both of her title matches this Sunday at WWE Money in the Bank. Becky will be defending the RAW Women’s Championship against Lacey Evans and the SmackDown Women’s Championship against Charlotte Flair.
Michael Cole moderated the contract signing and asked Becky if she realized how difficult it is going to be to defend both titles this Sunday. The crowd loudly chanted “Becky two belts!” and Lynch said that it was great to be back in London.
Lynch joked that Charlotte and Lacey looked like twins. Flair claimed that Lynch will never learn and she still has the same big mouth that got her in trouble in the first place. Evans complimented Flair on her attire and said that Becky looked like she was showing up to a fight in a barn.
Becky mocked Evans because she has never even had a contract signing and noted that Charlotte isn’t living up to the hype even though the McMahons have thrown everything behind her. Becky signed both contracts as the crowd once again chanted “Becky two belts!”.
Charlotte claimed that Becky cannot live up her reputation and all it is going to come crashing down. Flair cackled into the microphone and said that not even the two titles can hide Becky’s insecurities. Charlotte added that Becky is going to bow down to the Queen and signed the contract.
Evans said that the WWE Universe deserves a legitimate lady as champion and called the crowd classless. Becky dared Lacey to punch her in the face but Evans signed the contract instead. A brawl then broke out and Evans charged at Lynch. Becky threw Lacey out of the ring and went to Powerbomb Charlotte through the table but Evans broke it up.
Becky locked in the Dis-Arm-Her on Evans but Flair connected with a big boot. Evans and Flair then Powerbombed Lynch through the table and posed in the ring with the RAW and SmackDown Women’s Championships.
Mysterio & Cesaro Stole The Show
Cesaro had a confrontation with Rey Mysterio backstage. Cesaro was pissed off about Mysterio bringing his son to work and poked fun at Rey being small. A brawl then broke out and it led to a match in the third hour of RAW.
The action quickly spilled to the outside and Cesaro hit the Swing and launched Mysterio into the barricade a couple of times. Back in the ring, Rey went for a roll-up but Cesaro broke free. Cesaro went for the Swing again but Rey countered into a DDT.
Mysterio rolled to the corner and then connected with a Senton. Rey went for a cover but Cesaro kicked out at two. Mysterio went for the 619 but Cesaro caught him and countered into the Swing in the middle of the ring.
Cesaro waited for Rey to get up and hit him with an uppercut. Cesaro went for the 619 on Mysterio but Rey got out of the way. Mysterio hit a beautiful Sunset Flip Powerbomb for another near fall.
Rey climbed to the top rope and went for a Splash but Cesaro hit him with an uppercut out of nowhere for a two count. Cesaro went for the Neutralizer but Mysterio countered into a Hurricanrana that sent Cesaro to the ropes. Mysterio followed that up with the 619 and then a Splash for the pinfall victory.
Rey Mysterio will battle Samoa Joe for the United States Championship this Sunday night at WWE Money in the Bank 2019.
Sami Zayn Will Replace Braun Strowman In The MITB Ladder Match
Sami Zayn complained to Shane McMahon about Braun Strowman throwing him in a dumpster last week. Shane called Braun and Sami into his office and Zayn suggested that Braun face him in a Falls Count Anywhere Match tonight. If Sami won the match, he would replace Strowman in the men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match.
Strowman dominated the beginning of the match and chased Sami through the crowd. Zayn launched a beer in Strowman’s eyes and then scampered backstage. Strowman caught up to him and bashed his head off of a support beam several times.
Baron Corbin attacked Strowman from behind and beat the hell out of him with a trash can. Zayn went for the cover but Strowman kicked out at two. Corbin slammed Braun through a merchandise table and Sami went for another cover but Strowman once again kicked out. Strowman got pissed off and launched Corbin into a wall as RAW went to a commercial break.
When RAW returned, Braun and Sami were once again battling in the crowd. Strowman launched Zayn over the barricade and onto the entrance ramp. Zayn retreated backstage and tried to run away from Strowman.
Drew McIntyre then attacked Strowman backstage and hit him with a DDT onto a steel chair. Sami went for the cover but once again Braun kicked out at two. Strowman slammed McIntyre into a monitor and then bashed him in the face with a cooler.
Sami tried to get away again and Strowman once again chased after him. Braun caught Zayn on the entrance ramp and booted him in the face. McIntyre and Corbin once again attacked Strowman and Drew hit him with a ladder. Corbin and McIntyre then Suplexed Strowman through a ladder but somehow Strowman got back up.
McIntyre then hit Strowman with a Claymore Kick and Sami pinned him for the victory. Sami Zayn will now replace Strowman in the men’s MITB Ladder Match. After the match, Braun Strowman Chokeslammed Sami Zayn through a table to close the show.
This week’s episode of RAW had a few solid matches throughout the three hours. Ricochet and Baron Corbin put on a very solid match, Cesaro vs. Mysterio was great, and the main event was entertaining. I’ve got to believe Strowman will interfere into the Ladder Match, given the fact that Zayn, Corbin, and Lashley screwed him out of his spot in the match. Last week’s episode of RAW was an absolute train wreck. There were some bad moments tonight, but WWE managed to recover and put on a decent RAW go-home show for Money in the Bank.
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