The 29th May WWE Monday Night Raw episode was live from Albany, New York. It was a fallout episode to WWE Night of Champions. The new World Heavyweight Champion was on the show. Proceedings for Money in the Bank began. There was a fatal 4-way match for Women’s Tag Titles. AJ Styles and Seth Rollins are both in action and much more.
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Seth Rollins kicks off
Raw opened with the new WWE World Heavyweight Champion, Seth “Freakin” Rollins. Seth entered like his old Shield days. As always, the crowd sang his theme song for a long time before he said anything. He was talking about how he is again proud of being the World champion. Next, AJ Styles came out, and it was basically him praising Rollins. Then Judgment Day came out and bragged about their achievements. It all was done to set up a match for the show’s main event.
Grade: B-
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Analysis
It was a wise move to kick off things with Seth Rollins. He declared the show once again as Monday Night Rollins. It was a decent promo segment. One notable thing was AJ’s involvement. Nothing was said about the WWE Draft, and Styles came out on Raw.
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The Miz vs. Ricochet
The Miz and Ricochet battled it to secure a spot in the Money in the Bank match. It was a good back-and-forth action. Ricochet was brilliant, as always. The Miz reminded everyone that he could deliver suitable matches if you put him in the ring with credible opponents. Ricochet hit a moonsault from the apron. The A-Lister used a springboard crossbody only to keep Ricochet down for a two-count. The Miz even used a hurricanrana, surprisingly. The One and Only Ricochet came out victorious with a shooting star press.
Winner: Ricochet
Grade: B+
Analysis
It is wise to have guys like Ricochet in the MITB Ladder match. He is a high flyer and will surely make the ladder game better. On the other hand, The Miz needs a decent opponent, as he’s been the laughingstock for the previous few months.
Becky Lynch and Trish Stratus’s segment
Trish Stratus talked about her victory above Becky Lynch at WWE Night of Champions. Alongside her was the woman who helped her beat Lynch, i.e., Zoey Stark. Becky interrupted them and challenged Trish to a match. She took out Stark on the ramp and attacked Stratus in the ring. Zoey recovered and saved Trish. Then, they took advantage of the numbers game and assaulted The Man. In the end, they also put a “Thank You Trish” shirt on Lynch.
Grade: C-
Analysis
Becky and Trish’s feud has continued with a new Zoey Stark factor. It is a decent feud in the women’s division. Especially it will be beneficial for Stark to share the ring with two veterans.
Indus Sher Dominance continues
Jinder Mahal came out with Veer and Sanga for a tag team match against two jobbers. But, unfortunately, it was a squash match, and both Veer and Sanga annihilated their opponents.
Winners: Indus Sher
Grade: D
Analysis
One good thing is that WWE continuously gives TV time to Indus Sher. They have the potential to elevate the tag team division. Let’s see how much we must wait until WWE inserts them into a bitter and credible feud.
Imperium vs. Alpha Academy
Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens entered the arena after a break. They shortly talked about their victory above Roman Reigns and Solo Sikoa this past Saturday at Night of Champions. They were soon interrupted by Imperium and then Alpha Academy. There was a fun exchange between Owens and Gable on the mic. It was all done to set a match between Alpha Academy and Imperium. Zayn and Owens joined the commentary team. It was a good wrestling match. During the game, Valhalla appeared at ringside to attack Maxxine. Kaiser used the distraction well to his advantage. In the end, Gable was pinned, and Imperium won.
Winners: Imperium
Grade: B+
Analysis
WWE will be booking a feud between Imperium, Kevin Owens, and Sami Zayn. It is good to have Owens and Zayn moving on from The Bloodline and feuding with new teams for the Undisputed Tag Titles. On the other hand, Alpha Academy will be going against Viking Raiders.
Women’s Fatal 4-Way (Tag Titles)
Next up was the fatal 4-way tag team match for the vacated Women’s Tag Team Championships. It was Raquel and Shotzi, Ronda and Baszler, Bayley and Iyo Sky, and Chelsea and Sonya Deville. Chelsea and Raquel started things off. It was an average match. Shotzi’s suicide dive through the middle rope through Raquel’s legs always looks incredible. Shayna used her devastating elbow stomps. Bayley used an elbow drop on Ronda, which was excellently performed. In the end, when Shotzi went for a senton from the top, Ronda Rousey caught her in an armbar to get the win.
Winners: Ronda Rousey and Shayna Baszler
Analysis
Fans couldn’t care less about Women’s Tag Titles. The same can be said for Ronda Rousey. You cannot believe that the one biggest women star in combat sports is doing all this right now. WWE needs to consider this soon and get Baszler and Rousey a better booking to enhance their women’s division further.
JD McDonagh vs. Dolph Ziggler
This match was booked to portray McDonagh as a dangerous guy. Soon in the game, both stars went outside the ring, where JD continued attacking Ziggler with steel steps to end the match with a count-out.
Winner: Double Count-out
Analysis
McDonagh is reportedly joining the Judgment Day soon. WWE is just waiting for the perfect moment, and till then, WWE is trying entirely to make WWE Universe aware of the new NXT Call-Up. On the other hand, Ziggler is yet again here to put over another young talent.
Cody Rhodes Segment
Cody Rhodes came out with an arm sling. He talked about how he didn’t tap out at WWE NOC. He challenged Lesnar to face him once again.
Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Bronson Reed
Shinsuke Nakamura and Bronson Reed faced off in a MITB qualifier. It was a good match. These two have good chemistry in the ring. Nakamura was victorious in the end and scored a spot in the MITB Ladder match.
Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura
Grade: B-
Seth Rollins and AJ Styles vs. Judgment Day
Seth Rollins and AJ Styles faced Finn Balor and Damian Priest of Judgment Day in the main event. As usual, Rhea Ripley and Dominik were at ringside. It was an excellent match, as expected from these top superstars. Every superstar involved had an opportunity to shine. Dom and Ripley came up with few interruptions, as expected. In the end, Rollins picked up the victory with a stomp.
Winners: Seth Rollins and AJ Styles
Grade: B+
Analysis
It was an excellent way to have the new World Heavyweight Champion in action. However, there was a little hint about Rollins’ first challenger for the title.
