The June 26th episode of Monday Night Raw aired live from Savannah, Georgia. It was the go-home edition of WWE Raw for Money in the Bank happening this weekend. The show featured build-to-the-top matches in the upcoming premium live event. Let’s talk about everything that happened in this weekly episode of WWE Raw.
Dominik Mysterio Kicks off
The show started with a video package hyping Dominik and Cody’s match. In the ring, we saw Dominik and Rhea Ripley. The crowd heavily booed Dominik, and he was unable to talk. Mami talked on his behalf. She claimed that Dom would end Cody at MITB. Cody showed up to the joy of fans in attendance. He insulted Dom as he was standing behind Mami. In the end, we saw Dominik refusing to get physical and walking away.
Grade: B
Analysis:-
It was a good segment as an opener. Fans belove Cody and Dominik get a lot of heat. This feud is brilliant for Cody to be separated from Brock for some time. On the other hand, Dom is in the limelight by working with one of the company’s biggest stars.
Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Ricochet
Nakamura and Ricochet battled as Bronson Reed was watching from ringside. These two were having some issues, and they came to settle them in the ring. Nakamura dominated early on in the match. The two took out each other on the apron and fell near Reed, who clapped and laughed. Shin and Ricochet took out Reed and continued their bout in the ring. Reed angrily tried to interfere in the match but was stopped by the referee. It was a good back-and-forth action that ended with Ricochet winning after he hit a picture-perfect shooting star press.
Winner: Ricochet
Grade: C+
Analysis:-
WWE is building a 3-way feud between Nakamura, Ricochet and Bronson Reed. We may see Reed attacking Shin and Ricochet to cost them the Money in the Bank ladder match. It is a decent feud.
Gunther accepts the Challenge
A video package featuring Matt Riddle challenging Gunther for the Intercontinental Championship aired. As Riddle is getting interviewed backstage, he gets interrupted and attacked by Gunther and Ludwig Kaiser. Gunther accepts Riddle’s Challenge.
Ronda Rousey vs. Raquel Rodriguez
Ronda Rousey and Shayna Baszler unified the Women’s Tag Titles, and Raquel Rodriguez and the returning Liv Morgan challenged them. In the buildup to that match, we saw Rousey going one-on-one against Raquel. Ronda went for the attack early on, only to be suplexed by Rodriguez. Baszler tried to interrupt but was laid out by Morgan on the ringside. Ronda pinned Raquel to get the win.
Winner: Ronda Rousey
Grade: C-
Analysis:-
It was a short match with fans not much interested. Let’s see if WWE books Rousey and Baszler properly to make the Women’s Tag Titles more relevant and prestigious.
Seth Rollins and Finn Balor brawl
A recorded promo of Finn Balor was shown, which was great. He talked about history 7 years ago when an injured Balor defeated Seth Rollins. He says he is much worse now. Then we saw The Visionary World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins come out from the arena. He says he is not 100%, but he is still better than Finn. He also mentioned the NXT Champion Carmelo Hayes, who was at ringside. He called out Finn, but he did not show up. Instead, Balor again tried a sneak attack with the chair from behind, but Rollins was ready this time. Both superstars brawled out of the ring. Hayes protects Rollins from Balor’s steel chair attack. Balor then ran away.
Grade: B+
Analysis:-
This feud is very interesting now, with much animosity between Balor and Rollins. Balor is a credible opponent for Rollins’ first premium live event title defence. Featuring Carmelo Hayes on the main roster is a brilliant move for his future and the future of the NXT brand.
Tommaso Ciampa Attacked
Tommaso Ciampa returned from an injury on the last episode of Monday Night Raw. This week, he was scheduled to face The Miz. However, Miz attacked him during the entrance and hit a Skull Crushing Finale.
Dominik Mysterio vs Akira Tozawa
Dominik hand-picked Tozawa as his opponent. Dom was dominant early on in the match. Tozawa fought back with a hurricanrana and knocked Dominik out of the ring. A slight distraction from Ripley allowed Dominik to hit the splash and win the pinfall.
Winner: Dominik Mysterio
Grade: C
Women’s MITB summit
Corey Graves hosted a summit with all six Women’s MITB ladder match competitors. Each superstar got their chance on the mic. In the end, it turned into an all-out brawl. Becky got the upper hand and unhooked the briefcase to deliver a strong message.
Grade: C
Analysis:-
It was a good segment to hype up the Women’s MITB ladder match. In the end, Becky posing with the briefcase probably means she is not winning it in London.
Gunther vs. Sami Zayn
Imperium’s backstage attack on Riddle led to a fight between Sami Zayn and Gunther. Giovanni Vinci came out on crutches. Gunther was impressive from the beginning. Zayn fought back and delivered a devastating Blue Thunderbomb. Kevin Owens sidelined Ludwig Kaiser at the ringside. Vinci used his crutches to attack Sami when the referee was distracted. This allowed Gunther to hit a powerbomb for victory. Riddle came out in the end to make the save.
Winner: Gunther
Grade: B+
Analysis:-
WWE needs to involve Zayn and Owens in a top feud soon. They do not have as much hype as during the road to WrestleMania. A serious feud for the Undisputed Tag Titles is needed.
Finn Balor vs Carmelo Hayes
Finn Balor against Carmelo Hayes was set up after the altercation early on in the show. The Judgment Day leader kept Hayes down in the beginning. Carmelo returned with a leg drop called The Fade Away. An insane clothesline from The Prince turned the NXT Champion inside out. It was an entertaining match. Reverse Springboard DDT from Melo looked awesome. Balor got the clean pin on Hayes after hitting Coup de Grace.
Winner: Finn Balor
Grade: B+
Analysis:-
Surprisingly, there was no distraction either by Seth Rollins or The Judgment Day. It is a major point, as Hayes has to defend his Title against Corbin on NXT, and a clean loss is unsuitable. On the other hand, this is an important and major victory for Finn Balor, who looks more dangerous than ever heading into his match against Seth Rollins for the World Heavyweight Championship.
Cody Rhodes vs Damian Priest
Cody Rhodes faced Damian Priest before his match against Dominik at Money in the Bank. Ripley and Dom were at ringside, and their slight distractions helped Priest in the offence. The match picked pace in the end. Dom’s interruptions and Priest’s South of Heaven were insufficient to keep Rhodes down for a pinfall. In the end, Cody scored a huge win when he hit Cross Rhodes.
Winner: Cody Rhodes
Grade: B
Analysis:-
It was a good main-event match. Damian Priest looks incredible every time. Cody now has momentum in the future.
