SEScoops

10 Takeaways From WWE RAW (5/7)

finn balor raw

Written by

Robert Lentini

in

,

The May 7th, 2018 episode of WWE RAW aired live from the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. The show featured qualifying matches for WWE Money in the Bank in six weeks. Here are 10 takeaways from this week’s episode of RAW:

Braun Strowman Qualified For The Men’s MITB Ladder Match

Photo Credit: @WWE on Twitter

RAW GM Kurt Angle kicked off this week’s RAW and came down to the ring. Angle brought up the upcoming Money in the Bank PPV. Kurt announced that there will be two MITB Ladder Matches, one for the men and for the women on both RAW and SmackDown. He added that there will be two qualifying matches tonight for MITB. Ember Moon, Ruby Riott and Sasha Banks will battle in a Triple Threat Match. The second qualifying match will be Roman Reigns, Finn Balor and Sami Zayn.

Braun Strowman’s music hit and the Monster Among Men marched down to the ring. Strowman grabbed a mic as the crowd chanted “get these hands!”. Strowman told a story about knocking down a tree with all the neighborhood kids in it when he was young because they didn’t let him in the treehouse. Angle noted that Strowman does deserve an opportunity at MITB, but was quickly interrupted by Kevin Owens.

Owens claimed that he deserved to be in the Ladder Match because he is RAW’s MVP. He said that he anchors RAW’s highest rated segments and that he respects the rules, unlike Strowman. Owens stated that last night’s decision should be reversed because the wrong Superstar was pinned. Owens added that last night’s decision should be reversed and that he should be placed in the MITB Ladder Match.

Angle said that Braun Strowman will have a qualifying match for MITB. Angle bitched about not being placed in the match and claimed that Stephanie McMahon is watching. Owens stated that it would be smart of Angle to announce that he is the first RAW Superstar to be in the MITB Ladder Match. Angle came up with a better idea and announced that Kevin Owens will face Braun Strowman in a MITB qualifying match right now.

Braun Strowman beatdown Kevin Owens to start off the match and whipped him into the turnbuckle. Braun connected with a right hand that sent Owens tumbling to the floor outside the ring. Braun got out of the ring and grabbed Owens by the throat as he tried to escape over the barricade. Owens countered with a Tornado DDT off the barricade and then rolled in the ring so that the referee would start counting.

Strowman got into the ring to beat the count and Owens put his head in his hands out of frustration. Strowman decked Owens with a Clothesline and then charged at Kevin in the corner. Owens rolled out of the way and Strowman crashed into the ring post and fell to the floor outside the ring. Braun beat the count once again and got back into the ring as RAW went to a commercial break.

When RAW returned, Strowman was in control and he planted Owens with a Chokeslam. Owens battled back and booted Strowman in the face. Owens followed it up with a Senton for a one count. Braun got back up and hit a big boot. Owens responded with a Superkick and then a Frog Splash for a two count. Owens went for the Pop-Up Powerbomb, but Strowman blocked it and connected with another Clothesline.

KO rolled out of the ring but got absolutely leveled with a ridiculous shoulder tackle. Strowman jogged around the ring and hit another shoulder tackle on Owens. Strowman then hit a third one that turned Owens inside out. Back in the ring, Strowman planted Owens with a Running Powerslam for the pinfall victory. Braun Strowman has now qualified for the Money in the Bank Ladder Match.

Opinion: If anyone deserves to be in the MITB Ladder Match, it is Braun Strowman. The guy is completely over with the crowd and seems to be the most popular Superstar on RAW every week.

Baron Corbin & The Revival Picked Up A Victory

Photo Credit: @WWE on Twitter

No Way Jose, Titus O’Neil & Apollo Crews battled Baron Corbin and The Revival tonight on RAW. Titus and Dash Wilder started off the match. Titus threw Dash to the corner and chopped him across the chest. Apollo Crews tagged in and continued the beatdown of Wilder. Dash drove Apollo to the corner and Dawson tagged in. Apollo connected with a Dropkick and followed it up with a standing Moonsault.

Corbin tagged in and brought Crews outside the ring. Corbin threw Apollo into the barricade and then bounced his head off the ring apron. Dawson got back in and punched Apollo in the face. Dawson followed it up with a Belly to Back Suplex for a two count. Dawson locked Apollo in an Abdominal Stretch in the middle of the ring.

Crews broke free and Corbin tagged in. Baron threw Crews to the turnbuckle and then kneed Apollo in the midsection. Baron sprinted across the ring and knocked Titus off the ring apron. Crews booted Corbin in the face and both Superstars fell to the canvas. No Way Jose and Dawson tagged in. Jose beat the hell out out of both members of The Revival and then knocked Corbin off the ring apron. Corbin tagged in and planted No Way Jose with the End of Days for the pinfall victory.

Ember Moon Qualified For The Women’s MITB Ladder Match

Photo Credit: @WWEUniverse on Twitter

Sasha Banks, Ruby Riott and Ember Moon battled in a Triple Threat Match to qualify for the women’s MITB Ladder Match. Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan accompanied Ruby Riott down to the ring.

Riott booted Banks and Moon in the midsection to start off the match. Sasha and Ember whipped Riott to the mat and then Ruby rolled out of the ring. Ember went for a roll-up but Banks kicked out at two and got right up and punched Moon in the face. Ruby dragged Banks out of the ring and got back into the ring to kick Moon in the face for a two count.

Ruby beatdown Ember in the corner, but Sasha turned her around and booted her in the midsection. Riott battled back and smashed Banks’ face into the second rope. Moon went for a roll-up on Riott but Ruby was able to kick out at two. Moon slammed Riott face-first into the canvas for another two count.

Sarah Logan distracted Moon for a second and Riott capitalized and slammed Moon to the mat. Riott then booted Sasha Banks off the apron to the floor and then turned her attention back to Ember Moon. Riott decked Ember with an elbow to the face and went for the cover, but Sasha Banks dove back into the ring to break up the pinfall. Riott planted Ember Moon with a DDT and Banks with a Suplex at the same time. She tried to pin them both but Banks and Moon were able to kick out.

Ruby once again booted Banks out of the ring and then leveled Moon with a Clothesline for a two count. Riott slowed things down and applied a submission hold in the middle of the ring. Ember tried to escape, but Riott hit another Clothesline for two. Riott applied a Chin Lock and dragged Moon back to the canvas.

Moon battled to her feet and broke the hold with a Jawbreaker. Banks got back in the ring and connected with a Dropkick to Riott. Moon hit a springboard Crossbody for a two count. Moon hit Ruby with a Suplex and then delivered one to Sasha Banks. Moon Dropkicked Ruby off the ring apron, but turned around into Double Knees from Banks. Sasha flipped onto Logan and Morgan out of the ring. Riott then booted Banks in the face, but was knocked back to the floor by a Suicide Dive from Ember Moon.

Ember brought Riott back into the ring and started climbing up the turnbuckle. Sarah Logan ripped Moon down to the floor as the referee wasn’t paying attention. Banks slammed Riott’s face into the middle turnbuckle. Riott got right back up and hit a forearm to the face. Riott and Banks battled on the turnbuckle. Riott connected with a Hurricanrana off the top rope, but Banks rolled through for a pinfall. The Riott Squad leaped into the ring and started beating down Banks.

Bayley’s music hit and Bayley came down to the ring to save Banks. Logan and Morgan beat her down and turned their attention back to Banks. Bayley attacked them from behind and Banks returned to the ring. Ember Moon then leaped off the top rope and connected with a double Eclipse to Banks and Riott. Banks tumbled out of the ring as Moon pinned Ruby Riott to win the match. Ember Moon is the first Superstar to qualify for the women’s MITB Ladder Match.

https://twitter.com/totaldivaseps/status/993658845548380160

Opinion: This was a very good match. Moon was great in NXT and I’m hoping that she has a ton of success on the main roster.

Bobby Lashley Is A Family Man

Photo Credit: @WWE on Twitter

Renee Young sat down with Bobby Lashley for an interview. Before the interview, WWE aired a video package of Lashley’s accomplishments throughout his life and how he made it to WWE.

Renee asked who Bobby Lashley was a man. Lashley stated that he is extremely blessed because he has a great family and that is all he was about. Photos of Lashley’s sisters were shown as Bobby spoke about his sister Kathy chasing him around with a broom growing up. Lashley said that his sister Jessica used to carry around a white towel that she got from her grandmother. She took the towel to school one day and bully took the towel. Lashley took the towel and shoved it down the bully’s throat.

Lashley brought up his sister Francis and how she would always carry around her father’s military helmet. Lashley played a prank on her and hid the helmet. Lashley pointed to a scar on his face and that serves as a reminder to never mess with his sister Francis. Lashley then looked in the camera and told each of his sisters that he loved them to end the interview.

Opinion: It will be interesting to see how WWE uses Bobby Lashley going forward. He has just been floating around on the RAW roster since his return, competing in meaningless tag matches with Braun Strowman. Lashley is a freak athlete and a supremely talented performer. I just think that he is boring when it comes to promos and interviews. This interview was designed to get the WWE Universe to care about Lashley and to get to know him a little better. I wasn’t a big fan of Lashley in his first stint with WWE, hopefully this run winds up different.

Jinder Mahal Demolished Chad Gable

Photo Credit: @WWE on Twitter

Jinder Mahal faced Chad Gable tonight on RAW. Earlier during the show, Mahal complained about not being in the MITB Ladder Match to RAW GM Kurt Angle. Kurt said that if Mahal impressed tonight, he will consider giving him an opportunity to get in the Ladder Match.

Gable started off the match in control and applied a Facelock to Jinder in the middle of the ring. Jinder broke free and knocked Gable out of the ring. Mahal bounced Gable’s face off the ring apron a couple of times before the action returned to the ring.

Mahal locked Gable in a Bear Hug in the center of the ring. Chad escaped with a couple uppercuts, but Mahal launched him into the turnbuckle. Mahal then locked in the Abdominal Stretch. Gable broke free and locked in an Arm Bar while draped across the ropes. Gable broke the hold before the five count and connected with a Moonsault off the top rope for a two count.

Jinder got right back up and decked Gable with a knee to the face. Gable rolled up Mahal for another two count. Jinder connected with a big boot and then posed in the ring. Mahal planted Gable with the Khallas for the easy pinfall victory.

After the match, Mahal attacked Gable and slammed him chest-first into the turnbuckle. Mahal then dropped Gable on the top rope and booted him out of the ring. Mahal shouted “are you watching, Kurt?” and then posed in the ring.

Mahal confronted Angle backstage after the match and demanded that he batted to the Triple Threat Match later tonight. Angle declined and Mahal stormed off. Zack Ryder was there during the segment and said that he wanted to be the hometown hero and qualify for the MITB Ladder Match. Angle never gave Ryder an answer during the segment.

McIntyre & Ziggler Dominated Once Again

Photo Credit: @WWE on Twitter

Dolph Ziggler & Drew McIntyre faced Heath Slater and Rhyno tonight on RAW. Ziggler and Rhyno started off the match. Rhyno decked him with a Clothesline and then tagged in Slater. Heath climbed to the top rope and connected with an elbow. Slater continued the beatdown with a forearm to the face as the crowd chanted “he’s got kids!”.

McIntyre tagged in and Slater went right at him with a couple of punches to the face. Drew shrugged them off and booted Slater in the face. McIntyre had an intense look in his eyes as he stared at Slater. Ziggler tagged himself in as McIntyre held up Slater on the ropes. Ziggler connected with a Superkick to Slater and then McIntyre headbutted Rhyno off the ring apron.

McIntyre then tagged in and teamed up with Dolph for a Zig Zag/Claymore to Slater. Drew McIntyre then pinned Heath Slater for the victory.

https://twitter.com/totaldivaseps/status/993668455449718784

Opinion: I am really enjoying the team of Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre. The Zig Zag/Claymore is an awesome looking finisher. I’ve been complaining about RAW’s tag division for some time and this team is exactly what it needs.

Bobby Roode Defeated Elias

Photo Credit: @WWE on Twitter

Bobby Roode faced Elias again tonight on RAW. Roode and a bunch of other Superstars interrupted Elias’ performance last night at WWE Backlash. Roode planted Elias with a Glorious DDT and danced his way up the entrance ramp last night.

Elias strummed his guitar in the ring and asked the crowd if they wanted to walk with Elias. Elias stated that WWE stands for Walk With Elias and the entire crowd chanted along. He then complained about being interrupted last night and called Roode a “glorious fraud”. Elias vowed to rip apart Roode’s vocal chords if he interrupted him again and added that he was going to go on and win the MITB Ladder Match.

The entire crowd chanted “Rusev Day!” and Elias told them to shut their mouths. Elias then performed a song that poked fun at Bobby Roode. Bobby interrupted and made his way down to the ring for the match.

Roode started off the match in control and connected with a couple jabs. Roode followed it up with a running forearm to the face and then made his way to the top rope. Roode hit a flying Clothesline and then posed in the ring. Bobby geared up for the Glorious DDT, but Elias blocked it. Roode connected with an Enziguri that knocked Elias out of the ring as RAW went to a commercial break.

When RAW returned, Elias was back in control and beatdown Roode in the corner. Elias tossed Roode across the ring for a two count. Elias applied a Crossface in the middle of the ring. Roode escaped and traded punches with Elias. Roode got the upper-hand and chopped Elias to the corner. Elias battled back and threw Roode into the turnbuckle.

Roode connected with a Spinebuster for a two count. Elias responded with a Backbreaker for another two count. Elias got frustrated and started stomping on Roode’s head. Elias planted Roode with a Powerbomb for another two count. Elias couldn’t believe that Roode kicked out and shouted at the referee.

Elias tried to slam Roode into the ring post like last week, but Roode was able to block it and brought Elias back into the ring. Elias went for a Suplex but Roode countered into the Glorious DDT for the pinfall victory.

After the match, Bobby Roode was interviewed in the ring. Roode said that he wanted a qualifying match for the MITB Ladder Match. Bobby claimed that beating Elias was great, but winning the MITB Ladder Match will be absolutely glorious.

Opinion: I never thought that I would be this bored with Bobby Roode on the main roster. He was an excellent heel in NXT, but I cannot stand his character on the main roster. He has so much more to offer and I don’t understand why WWE has him cast as the most boring face possible. He needs to be pissing people off by doing whatever it takes to win. I don’t have any interest in watching Roode eke out a victory over Elias. The crowd didn’t seem to care about Roode’s victory tonight either.

Seth Rollins Retained The Intercontinental Championship

Photo Credit: @WWE on Twitter

Intercontinental Champion Seth Rollins came down to the ring and said that The Miz took him to the limit last night. Rollins raised the title and said that he stood here proudly as your IC Champion. The crowd chanted “you deserve it!” and Seth thanked them. Rollins stated that the one thing he learned from The Miz is what kind of champion not to be.

Seth stated that he wanted to be a fighting champion. Rollins claimed that MITB is not his focus right now, his focus was making the IC Title “the title” on Monday Night RAW. Seth issued an open challenge to any Superstar in the back to fight for the Intercontinental Championship.

Mojo Rawley came down to the entrance ramp and said that this was the RAW debut that he deserves. Rawley said that he knocks people down when opportunity comes knocking. The crowd chanted “we want Ryder!” and Mojo bragged about knocking down Zack Ryder. Rawley said that he was going to take that IC Title off of Rollins and then go on to win the MITB Ladder Match. Mojo added that from here on out, this is Monday Night Rawley.

Rollins connected with a Dropkick and followed it up with a chop to start off the match. Seth threw Mojo out of the ring and connected with a basement Dropkick. Rawley battled back and hit a massive shoulder tackle that sent Rollins flying into the barricade as RAW went to a break.

When RAW returned, Mojo slammed Seth to the canvas for a two count. Rollins battled back and slammed Mojo’s head into the second turnbuckle. Rollins connected with a boot to the face and then Clothesline Rawley out of the ring. Seth followed it up with a Suicide Dive and then hit a second one immediately after.

Back in the ring, Rollins hit a boot to the face and then a Blockbuster off the second rope for a two count. Mojo hit a Spinebuster for a two count. Rollins battled back with a Superkick and went for the cover, but Mojo kicked out at two and Seth couldn’t believe it. Seth went for the Curb Stomp, but Mojo was ready and planted Rollins face-first for a two count.

Mojo shouted at the referee out of frustration and then leveled Rollins with a shoulder tackle. Mojo went for another one, but Rollins caught him with a boot to the face. Seth followed it up with the Curb Stomp for the pinfall victory. Seth Rollins is still the Intercontinental Champion.

Hardy & Wyatt Deleted Axel & Dallas

Photo Credit: @WWE on Twitter

RAW Tag Team Champions Bray Wyatt & Matt Hardy battled Curtis Axel & The Miztourage tonight on RAW. Before the match, Axel and Dallas cut a backstage promo and said that they were no longer supporting actors. They are now leading men.

Wyatt and Axel started off the match. Bray leveled Axel with a shoulder tackle and tagged in Matt Hardy. Axel battled back and drove Hardy to the corner. Bo tagged in and planted Hardy with a DDT for a two count. Hardy connected with a Side Effect as Bray pleaded for tag.

Axel and Wyatt tagged in and Bray beat him down in the corner. Wyatt bounced off the ropes and leveled Axel. Bray booted Bo off the ring apron and then planted Axel with a Uranage. Hardy tagged in and teamed up with Bray for a double Sister Abigail to Curtis Axel for the pinfall victory.

https://twitter.com/totaldivaseps/status/993682958065291266

https://twitter.com/totaldivaseps/status/993683807860613120

Finn Balor Qualified For The Men’s MITB Ladder Match

Photo Credit: @WWE on Twitter

Roman Reigns, Finn Balor and Sami Zayn battled in a Triple Threat Match to qualify for the MITB Ladder Match in the main event of this week’s RAW. Earlier in the show, Sami Zayn asked Kevin Owens if he had his back tonight. Owens reluctantly said that he did. Reigns was also interviewed earlier during the show and claimed that he should be the Universal Champion. Reigns vowed to overcome the haters once again and win the MITB Ladder Match. Finn Balor said that he is looking forward to overcoming the odds in a brief video during the show.

Sami Zayn taunted Balor and Reigns to start off the match. Reigns connected with a massive right hand that sent Sami flying out of the ring. Roman and Balor locked up and Reigns quickly took control. Roman connected with a headbutt, but Finn battled back with a Dropkick. Roman punched Balor in the face and then knocked Zayn out of the ring again as RAW went to a commercial break.

When RAW returned, Balor hit Reigns with a Dropkick. Sami went for a roll-up but Finn kicked out at two. Reigns knocked Sami on his ass and then threw Balor to the corner of the ring. Roman unloaded a series of Clotheslines to Balor in the corner and then booted Sami out of the ring. The crowd chanted “same old sh*t!” as Roman smirked.

Balor and Zayn got up on the apron on opposite side of Reigns. They both went after him and beat him down as the crowd erupted. The entire crowd then chanted “yes!” as Sami and Finn stomped on Reigns. Roman got back up and then they Clotheslined him to the floor outside as the crowd popped.

Balor and Zayn then continued the beatdown through the crowd. The Big Dog battled back and the crowd booed. Sami connected with a Helluva Kick and Reigns fell into the tech area. Finn hopped up on the barricade and delivered a Coup de Grace to Reigns. Sami then attacked Finn and threw him back over the barricade and towards the ring.

Back in the ring, Sami connected with Blue Thunder Bomb to Balor for a two count. Balor hit Zayn with an overhead kick and both Superstars fell to the canvas. Balor chopped Sami in the corner and then dropped an elbow across his chest for another two count. Sami slung Balor out of the ring and Finn grabbed his knee in pain. Zayn ran towards Balor and Finn planted him with a Slingblade. Balor then ran into a boot to the face from Zayn.

Sami started stomping on Balor in the corner as the crowd booed because Reigns got up. Roman leaped over the barricade and decked Sami with a Clothesline. Roman bounced Sami’s head off the ring post and then hit him with a Drive By. Balor then shoved Reigns from behind into the steel steps.

Balor booted Sami in the face and then made his way up to the top rope. Sami dodged the Coup de Grace and hit an Exploder Suplex to Balor in the corner. Zayn went for the Helluva Kick, but Reigns got back into the ring and hit a Superman Punch. Balor countered the Spear from Reigns into a Slingblade. Roman dodged the Coup de Grace and hit a Superman Punch on Balor.

Jinder Mahal tripped Reigns from behind. Zayn connected with a Helluva Kick to Reigns. Finn then Dropkicked Zayn into the turnbuckle and followed it up with the Coup de Grace for the pinfall victory. RAW went off the air with Balor celebrating as Reigns stared at a smiling Jinder Mahal in the crowd.

Opinion: Balor absolutely deserves to be a part of the MITB Ladder Match. I’m sure we will see some more bickering between Zayn and Owens in the weeks to come. Owens didn’t show up to help out Sami Zayn tonight and he wound up eating the pinfall. As for Reigns, I’m just going to assume that he will wind up facing Brock Lesnar at Money in the Bank for the Universal Championship. Either that, or Mahal will face Reigns next week to qualify for the MITB Ladder Match. Time will tell, but at least RAW ended on a good note after last night’s disastrous PPV.

What did you think of tonight’s episode of RAW? Let us know in the comments below.

Comments

7 responses to “10 Takeaways From WWE RAW (5/7)”

More posts