Welcome to Ringside News’ coverage of Monday Night Raw!
Tonight’s show is set to continue the rivalry between Sami Zayn and Bobby Lashley. Last week, Zayn said he had invited Lashley’s sisters to Raw after Bobby talked about them in his sit-down interview. Zayn said Bobby’s sisters will tell a very different story about his life and upbringing. These stories usually end up being cringe-worthy, like AJ Styles’ affair in TNA, or the Alexa Bliss/Bayley segment from last year. Hopefully this one doesn’t fall into that territory.
Seth Rollins will continue his open challenge on tonight’s Raw, as he looks for a new opponent. Last week, Rollins defeated Kevin Owens, and the week before that it was Mojo Rawley, so who will step-up tonight? Will it be someone from Raw? SmackDown? NXT? Hopefully it’s an exciting challenger that gives us a match of the night and continues Rollins’ momentum.
Also on tonight’s show, Nia Jax readies to face Ronda Rousey at Money In The Bank, and speaking of which, we will also get more qualifications for the ladder match tonight. Get ready for another episode of Raw, download the Ringside News app and enjoy the show!
Monday Night Raw opens with the General Manager, Kurt Angle, making his way to the ring.
Angle welcomes us to the show, then says that Ronda Rousey will be here for a contract signing, and the fans sound excited to see Rowdy. Angle says he will preside over that signing. He continues, we’ll also have a Women’s Fatal 4-Way Money in the Bank Qualifying Match…
Stephanie McMahon’s music hits, and she’s making her first appearance since the night after WrestleMania. McMahon says she talked to Angle many times. After what happened at WrestleMania, she holds no hard feelings. She’s a leader and a businessperson. She’ll always do what’s best for business. The crowd chants, “You tapped out.” She admits that she did, but she’s forgiven everything. Angle is here as a leader, but with her continued guidance, he could be at the top. Angle has been doing a great job since WrestleMania. She says she wants to see that growth continue. She says that sometimes Angle lets his emotions get in the way, and so she will be the one who is presiding over the contract signing for the RAW Women’s Championship match between Ronda and Nia Jax. Angle admits he could take more guidance. McMahon says his favours to Roman Reigns must end tonight. Just then, The Big Dog interrupts Stephanie.
Reigns comes to the ring to a chorous of boos. He says if Stephanie is going to say something about him, say it to him. McMahon doesn’t understand the aggression. Reigns was the big dog and the leader, but if he continues to let his Samoan temper get the best of him, he’ll have to look for another line of work. That gets a nice reaction. Reigns warns her to watch her tone when talking to him. If not, he’ll take his Samoan temper backstage and destroy all her favourite superstars. McMahon says she doesn’t play favourites. She does what’s best for business. She is a leader that manages multiple revenue streams. Favourites are beneath her. Reigns wants to talk about her favourite revenue stream, Brock Lesnar. McMahon says she’s taken his concerns to her father and have taken it under advisement. Reigns tells her to cut the corporate BS and tell him the truth. He continues that Stephanie doesn’t want him anywhere near the Universal Championship or the Money in the Bank contract. McMahon says the truth is he lost his qualifying match. Reigns can take that up with Jinder Mahal. Reigns smirks and says he already did.
Kevin Owens’ music hits, and he makes his way to the ring, talking on the way. Owens says he feels in debt to Reigns. After he speared Mahal through the wall, he replaced him, stepped up and grabbed the brass ring, meaning he is the final RAW entrant into the Money in the Bank match. Kevin Owens winning the Money in the Bank contract is best for business. After last week, he wants to let Reigns know how people feel about him. Owens says he actually really likes Roman Reigns. Owens gets in the ring and says Reigns needs to hear this. Owens tells the crowd to chant something smart: “Thank you Roman!” Owens tries to start the chant, but the crowd boos and refuses. Owens says he tried. As much as he likes Reigns, he has to say McMahon is right that she doesn’t play favourites. Owens is living proof of that. Owens has had well documented issues with her brother and father, but that didn’t stop her from positioning him as the cornerstone of her roster. McMahon knows talent when she sees it. Owens puts his arm on her shoulder, and she gives him a cold stare, then tells him never to do it again. McMahon says she’s going to do what the fans want and so she makes a match between Owens and Roman Reigns. And that match happens right now!
Later tonight, we get the contract signing between Nia Jax and Ronda Rousey, as well as Sami Zayn with Bobby Lashley’s sisters.
*Commercial Break*
Roman Reigns Vs. Kevin Owens
We return to the match in progress. Reigns has Owens in the corner, holding him there with strength until the referee separates them. Owens applies a waistlock, but Reigns gets out. Owens quickly goes to the ropes to keep Reigns back. Owens hooks a side headlock and holds it on, but Reigns soon powers out and applies a side headlock. Owens whips him off, but Reigns floors him with a shoulder block that turns him inside out. Owens immediately gets out of the ring to recover and the announcers talk about this new attitude of Roman’s – which is only truly visible if you squint.
Owens gets back in the ring and goes for a right hand, but Reigns blocks it and floors him with an uppercut. Reigns puts him in the corner and punches away at him. Owens tries to chop back, but Reigns doesn’t sell it. Owens forearms Reigns, but he shakes it off before doing the ten punches in the corner. Owens shoves him off, but Reigns quickly takes him down with another uppercut. Owens begs him off in the corner. Reigns head-butts him before whipping him to the corner. Reigns charges into a boot. Owens goes to the second rope, but Reigns uppercuts him off the ropes to the floor.
Reigns slowly leaves the ring, where Owens chops him, however Reigns doesn’t sell it and the announcers say that was a bad idea by KO. Reigns punches him down and sends him back into the ring. Reigns gets in the ring, and Owens quickly bails out. Reigns slowly leaves the ring again and goes for a Drive By on the apron, but Owens moves. Owens superkicks him on the apron and Roman collapses on the outside. We go to the break with Owens back in charge and catching his breath.
*Commercial Break*
We return to see Roman and KO battling on the top rope. Reigns looks for a superplex, but Owens fights it before knocking him down to the mat. Owens goes to the canvas and elbows Reigns back. Reigns quickly comes back with a pair of clotheslines followed by a jumping clothesline. Reigns clubs him in the corner ten times before hitting the ropes. Owens avoids a big boot and connects with a DDT for a near fall.
Owens cannot believe it. Owens sends him into the ropes, but Reigns holds on and boots him. Owens forearms him and hits the ropes, but Reigns hits a Samoan Drop for a two count. Reigns slowly walks around the ring and goes for a Superman Punch, but Owens counters into a roll-up for a two count. Owens immediately superkicks him and charges into a Superman Punch. Reigns picks up a two count. Reigns starts shaking the ropes, but the crowd boos him. Reigns tries for a Spear, but Owens gets out of the ring. Reigns follows him out and Spears him on the floor. Reigns stands up, when suddenly Jinder Mahal attacks him from behind!
Winner Via Disqualification: Roman Reigns
Mahal’s continues to assault Reigns at ringside. Mahal tosses him into the barricade before he gets him in the ring and stomps Romans head. Mahal and Owens double-team Reigns in the ring for a minute, until Seth Rollins runs down to make the save. Big pop. Rollins clears the ring of Owens, Mahal, and Sunil Singh before we go to commercial. I smell a tag team main event.
*Commercial Break*
Seth Rollins & Roman Reigns Vs. Jinder Mahal & Kevin Owens
Clearly I was wrong because the match is in progress as we return, with Jinder and Rollins in the ring. Rollins chops away at Mahal before hitting the ropes, but Mahal shoulder blocks him down. Mahal hits the ropes, but Rollins dropkicks him down. Mahal leaves the ring, but Rollins catches him with a plancha over the top.
Rollins gets Mahal back in the ring and chops the chest again. Reigns tags in – to the dismay of the fans – and whips Rollins into Mahal for a forearm. Rollins then sends Mahal into Reigns for a back elbow. Reigns punches away at him and drops him with a back elbow. Mahal quickly tags in Owens, and he takes Reigns down before stomping at the head. Mahal tags back in and stomps at him before applying a head and arm lock. Reigns fights up, but Owens tags in and applies a chin lock. Reigns fights out and sends him into the ropes, but he lowers his head and eats a kick. Reigns then hits a desperation clothesline. Mahal tags in, but Reigns sends him out of the ring. Reigns goes for a tag, but Mahal pulls Rollins off the apron and sends him into the barricade. Owens knocks Reigns into the corner and hits a cannonball for a two count. The bad guys are in charge as we head to another break.
*Commercial Break*
We come back from the break to see Mahal power Reigns to the corner, and Owens tags in. Owens stomps Reigns down in the corner before the referee backs him up. Owens talks some trash and punches Reigns back. Owens talks a little trash to Rollins. Reigns punches Owens back, but Owens hits a drop-toe-hold and lands some crossfaces. Owens kicks Roman in the ribs for a two count. Owens then goes back to the chin lock and holds it in the centre of the ring. Reigns fights up and goes for a Samoan Drop, but he can’t get him up. Reigns then catches KO with a big boot. Rollins and Mahal are tagged in. Rollins hits a springboard clothesline before knocking Owens off the apron.
Back inside the ring, Rollins takes him down before clotheslining him over the top rope. Rollins hits the ropes, but Owens grabs the ankles. Rollins knocks him back and knocks Mahal off the apron. Rollins hits a suicide dive on Owens, gets in the ring, and then hits a suicide dive on Mahal. Rollins gets in the ring and boots Mahal back before hitting blockbuster for a two count. Rollins stomps the mat, and Sunil Singh distracts him. Mahal hits a fireman’s carry gut-buster for a near fall.
Mahal goes for the Khallas, but Rollins hits an enzuigiri. Owens tags in, and Rollins hits a reverse STO. Owens soon comes back with a gut-buster. Owens hits a Vader Bomb elbow drop, but Reigns breaks up the pin. Reigns punches Mahal and hits a Samoan Drop. Singh distracts Reigns, and Owens superkicks him. Owens gets out of a Ripcord Knee and tries for a Pop-up Powerbomb, but Rollins gets out. Rollins superkicks him and goes for the Stomp, but Owens moves. Rollins tries again and connects with the Stomp for the win.
Winners: Seth Rollins & Roman Reigns
Reigns and Rollins retreat up the ramp after the match. Rollins poses on the ramp, only for Mahal to reappear and crack Rollins in the back with a steel chair. He hits Roman as well and then proceeds to beat both men down with the chair. Referees come out to help but don’t do a great job. Eventually Mahal leaves, and we watch Rollins and Reigns recuperate. Not sure what WWE expects to get out of this Reigns/Jinder feud, it feels like the kind of rivalry that brings both guys down, rather than building one up.
The commentators replay some highlights of Bobby Lashley discussing his childhood, particularly his three sisters. Sami Zayn will interview Bobby’s sisters, after the break!
*Commercial Break*
We return to the announcement that Jinder Mahal will face Roman Reigns at Money In The Bank.
Sami Zayn makes his way to the ring, dancing like a maniac. He says two weeks ago we saw the wonderful interview between Lashley and Renee Young but we know it wasn’t totally accurate. So he introduces Lashley’s three sisters…
Three black men in drag make their way to the ring – to which Corey Graves says Lashley’s father was in the army, so perhaps he got around with some manly gals. I sense this is going to be a painful segment.
Zayn asks the one sister why she hit him with a broom. “Cathy” said that Lashley used to bully her, so she took the broom and swatted him away. Zayn interviews “Frances,” who is carrying a helmet. Frances is the one with the mustache. Frances used the helmet to hit Lashley so he’d stop hitting her on the head. “Jessica” says she carried a towel because he’d make her cry. The crowd is turning on this. The fake sisters talk trash about Lashley for some time but honestly, it’s such drivel that it isn’t worth typing.
Bobby Lashley’s music hits, and he comes out to no reaction smiling and pumping his fists. Lashley comes out and high fives the fans at ringside in an attempt to get them reengaged. Lashley addresses his “sisters” smiling. Lashley picks on them a bit before saying Frances has what every woman wants – a big, hairy moustache.
Zayn threatens Lashley and says he’s a piece of garbage. That’s what Lashley’s family thinks of him. Lashley stops smiling and looks at Zayn. Lashley grabs him, but the sisters grab him. Zayn and the sisters attack him before the sisters hold him up. Zayn gets a cheap shot in, but Lashley fights out and takes them all out. Lashley takes Frances, puts the helmet on him, and clubs the head. Lashley attacks Cathy and throws him over the top rope. Lashley then takes out Jessica and whips his rear end with the towel. Lashley then hits a spinebuster. Lashley puts the broom between Cathy’s legs and uses it to launch him over the top rope. Zayn retreats up the ramp. That was every bit as painful as we feared. Holy crap, it just had Vince written all over it.
We see a clip of Nia Jax challenging Ronda Rousey to the title match at Money In The Bank, which Ronda says she doesn’t deserve, however Nia pushes her to accept. Out comes Ember Moon for a match against Alexa Bliss.
*Commercial Break*
We return to see Renee Young interview Alexa Bliss backstage. Renee asks if Alexa is confident she can beat Ember, considering she was part of the tag match that lost to Ember in her debut. Alexa reminds us that Ancient Rome was sacked the Visigoths, but it wasn’t because they were superior, it was because they had the element of surprise. She likens that to her losing to Ember, which won’t be the case tonight.
Ember Moon Vs. Alexa Bliss W/Mickie james
The bell rings and Bliss takes Moon down right away. She stands on her back and jumps a few times while grinning like a Cheshire cat. Ember attempts to kip-up but Alexa kicks her mid-way. They take the fight outside the ring and Alexa slams Ember into the barricade, hurting her shoulder, with Mickie James watching on.
*Commercial Break*
We return to see Bliss still controlling the match. She focuses on the arm she hurt with knee drops to the elbow. Moon begins to make a comeback with a backbreaker. The War Goddess dropkicks Alexa to the apron.
Mickie gets caught about to attack Ember and the ref throws her out, the fans enjoyed that. Moon lays her out with a right hand before Alexa rolls her up for a two count. Ember hits the Eclipse for the pin and the win – not much love for Alexa.
Winner: Ember Moon
We see Stephanie McMahon backstage and in walk Finn Balor and Braun Strowman. Finn says they’re looking for Kurt but she says he was nice enough to give them the office for tonight. She offers them fruit, which Finn turns down but Braun grabs an apple. Finn says they want a rematch against Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre, but Stephanie says they’re not a team, and in fact they’ll be competing at Money In The Bank. She then says Braun probably blames Finn for their lost last week, so how about they can have a match tonight. They agree and then Braun crushes the apple in his hand and says he likes competition. Finn looks terrified.
No Way Jose congo’s his way to the ring as we head to a break.
*Commercial Break*
Baron Corbin Vs. No Way Jose
The bell rings and Jose unloads on Corbin. Jose blocks a shot and takes out Corbin on the floor. Corbin turns it around and leaps off the apron to take Jose down on the floor. Corbin stomps away on the floor now. Corbin brings it back into the ring and sends Jose into the ring post. Corbin presses Jose’s head into the post with his boot. Corbin with a 2 count.
Corbin keeps Jose grounded in the middle of the ring now. Jose tries to fight up but Corbin brings him back down. Jose tries to rally as he fights back. Corbin shuts him back down. Jose counters and sends Corbin shoulder-first into the ring post this time. More back and forth now. Jose with a big boot and more offense. Jose scoops Corbin on his shoulder and drops him face-first. Corbin kicks out at 2. Jose waits for Corbin to get up as he winds up for the knockout punch. Corbin counters but Jose rolls him up for a 2 count. Corbin gets right up and catches Jose in a Deep Six. Corbin waits a second and nails End of Days for the pin.
Winner: Baron Corbin
We see Kurt Angle backstage, seemingly taking selfies…or looking for signal. Chad Gable approaches him and says he was looking for him. Angle says he would like to have replaced Jinder with Gable in that MITB qualifier. Up walks Dolph and Drew. McIntyre says last week they beat two of Raw’s top Superstars and they’d like to do it again but clearly that’s above Angle’s pay grade. Dolph takes a shot at Gable, who squares-up to him. Angle separates them and says they will have a match tonight.
The B-Team make their way to the ring for a match. Is it just me or this a particularly bad episode of Raw?
*Commercial Break*
The B-Team Vs BReezango
Breeze starts off with Axel and they trade holds. Axel with a quick pin attempt. Breeze with a quick pin attempt on Axel next. Axel regroups with Dallas on the floor. He comes back in and tags Axel in. Breeze drops Bo on his face and covers for a two count.
Fandango tags in and comes off the top with a elbow while Breeze holds Bo. The B-Team ends up double teaming Fandango after Axel tags in. Dallas is tagged back in but Dango takes him down. Fandango dances over a fallen Dallas, who then rolls him up and gets the win!
Winner: The b-team
After the match, Axel and Dallas go wild with the celebration as their music hits. They celebrate hard up the ramp and go to the announce table. Axel crawls all over the announce table while Dallas brags and high-fives Graves, then hugs him. The celebration continues back down to ringside and then back up the ramp. They’re going to get over, mark my words.
*Commercial Break*
We return and Stephanie McMahon is in the ring for the contract signing. She says the world was shocked at the recent challenge heard around the world. She hypes Ronda Rousey vs. RAW Women’s Champion Nia Jax for Money In the Bank and introduces the champion first. Out comes Jax with the title.
Stephanie gives some props to Jax and says she has boldly chosen her next opponent. Stephanie introduces Rousey next and out she comes. Rousey taunts Stephanie, asking how her arm is. Stephanie asks if they’d like to have a seat. Stephanie says her arm is great and thanks Rousey for asking. Rousey and Jax take their seats. Stephanie asks Rousey how it feels to leapfrog the entire division, women Rousey has said that are more deserving than her. Rousey knows what Stephanie is trying to do but Jax challenged her. Stephanie wonders why Jax issued the challenge and says Nia is trying to make a name for herself at Ronda’s expense. She gives Rousey props for her WrestleMania 34 debut but reminds everyone that she hasn’t had a singles match yet. She goes on about the size and strength difference. Stephanie says Nia is hoping she will beat Rousey, sending her on her way out of WWE because she doesn’t like losing, and then she will be the baddest woman on the planet, not Rousey.
Stephanie also taunts Nia, asking why it took so long to beat Bliss. Stephanie asks Nia if she’s lazy. This goes on and Ronda declares that she won’t be able to get out of the armbar. Jax says she’s tired of hearing that lazy stuff, she’s been hearing it her whole life. Jax declares that she will beat Ronda at Money In the Bank. Jax signs the contract and stands up. Ronda signs next. Ronda approaches Jax and says she’s happy the truth came out. Ronda extends her hand for a shake and Jax shakes. Ronda says she is going to take the title, still holding Jax’s hand. Stephanie looks on. Rousey says she’s also going to take Jax’s arm. They step a little closer and face off as Ronda’s music hits.
Up next, Dolph Ziggler Vs. Chad Gable.
*Commercial Break*
We return and out comes Dolph Ziggler with his partner.
Chad Gable vs. Dolph Ziggler W/Drew McIntyre
Back from the break and the match is underway as Dolph Ziggler goes at it with Chad Gable. Drew McIntyre looks on from ringside. Gable takes Ziggler to school early on but Ziggler turns it around and connects with a dropkick. Ziggler works Gable over and keeps him grounded in the middle of the ring now. Ziggler drops Gable again for a 2 count.
Ziggler keeps Gable down on the mat with his legs wrapped around. They get back to their feet and Gable tries to fight out. Gable takes Ziggler down and rolls him for a 2 count. Gable with another 2 count with a bridge. Ziggler gets up and goes right for the knee. Ziggler gets fired up but Gable counters. Ziggler blocks a German suplex and hits a neckbreaker. Ziggler runs into an elbow in the corner. Gable avoids a superkick and rolls Ziggler up for another close 2 count.
Gable sends Ziggler face first into the turnbuckles and catches him in a German suplex for a close 2 count. Ziggler ends up suckering Gable into a headbutt and superkicking him for the pin.
Winner: Dolph Ziggler
After the match, Ziggler stands tall as his music hits. McIntyre enters the ring and takes his jacket off. Drew grabs Gable and levels him with a Claymore kick. McIntyre and Ziggler stand tall as we go to replays. Shame that match didn’t get more time, those two could produce fire.
Still to come, Natalya vs. Dana Brooke vs. Liv Morgan vs. Sarah Logan in a MITB qualifier. Back to commercial.
*Commercial Break*
We return and out comes Ruby Riott, accompanying Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan. Natalya is out next, with Dana Brooke already in the ring.
Fatal 4-Way Match
Dana Brooke Vs. Natalya Vs. Liv Morgan Vs. Sarah Logan
The bell rings and Liv attacks Natalya while Logan beats down Dana. Liv drops Natalya out of the corner while Logan works on Dana in the other corner. Liv goes to the top but Natalya rocks her. Liv comes off the top and covers Natalya for a 2 count. Logan sends Dana to the apron but Dana fights back. Logan levels Dana. Natalya goes after Logan and nails a snap suplex for a 2 count. Liv comes at Natalya from behind and screams at her. Liv misses in the corner. Natalya slingshots her off the top to the mat. Natalya with more offense and the basement dropkick to Liv for a 2 count.
Logan floors Natalya out of nowhere for a 2 count as Dana breaks the pin. Dana with a clothesline on Logan. Liv with an enziguri on Dana. Dana rolls to the floor for a breather. Liv is alone in the ring with Logan now. They stare each other down and look up at the briefcases. They laugh together before going to double team Natalya. Liv talks trash and strikes Natalya while Logan holds her back. They switch roles now as Logan drops Natalya with a forearm. Dana ends up pulling Liv to the floor and dropping her hard. Natalya goes at it with Logan in the ring onw. Natalya with the side Russian leg sweep and takes her down.
Natalya goes for the Sharpshooter but Ruby provides the distraction. This allows Logan to level Natalya for a 2 count. Dana comes in but Sarah takes her out by sending her into the ring post. Logan turns around to the discus clothesline from Natalya. Natalya applies the Sharpshooter in the centre of the ring and Logan taps out!
Winner: Natalya
After the match, Natalya is interviewed by Charly Caruso. She says her experience is her greatest asset but she’s also best friends with Ronda Rousey, her training partner. She says that after MITB, Ronda will be the Women’s Champion, and she will be Miss Money In The Bank.
Up next, Bobby Roode Vs. Elias, again.
*Commercial Break*
We return to see Elias in the ring with his guitar, ready to walk. He starts to insult Bobby and the city but he gets interrupted.
Bobby Roode Vs. Elias
The bell rings as Roode tells the referee he’s good to go. Roode unloads on Elias to start. Roode keeps control and sends Elias flying over the top rope with a stiff clothesline as fans pop. Roode stands tall as we go to commercial.
*Commercial Break*
Back from the break and Elias floors Roode with a clothesline. Elias with more offense and a 2 count. Elias drops Roode again for another close pin attempt. Elias keeps Roode grounded now but Roode fights up. Elias takes him right back to the mat and keeps him there. Roode fights up and out but Elias delivers a knee to the gut. Roode looks to build more momentum now. Elias blocks a neckbreaker but Roode counters that. Roode catches Elias in a big Spinebuster for a close 2 count.
Roode calls for the Glorious DDT now as fans pop. Elias counters and backdrops him for a 2 count. Elias with a knee to the gut. Elias runs into boots in the corner. Roode misses the Blockbuster and may have tweaked his knee as he sells. Roode with a swinging neckbreaker. Roode goes to the top but he’s moving slower than usual. Elias crotches Roode on the top. Elias brings Roode to the mat and nails the Drift Away for the pin and the win.
Winner: Elias
After the match, Elias stands tall as we go to replays. Elias leaves with his guitar as Roode recovers. Braun Strowman’s music hits as Elias makes his way to the stage. Braun comes running out and absolutely steamrolls Elias with a big shoulder. Braun heads to the ring for the main event as we go back to commercial. Unless this main event is special, I believe this has been one of the worst Raw’s in recent memory.
*Commercial Break*
Finn Balor Vs. Braun Strowman
The bell rings and they both smile at each other. They meet and go at it, trading shots. Balor tries to bring Strowman down to the mat but Braun overpowers and clubs him in the back. Braun puts Balor back down with a big headbutt. Strowman stalks Balor and whips him hard into the corner. Balor smacks the turnbuckles and goes down. Braun screams out and we get a replay. Braun talks some trash, saying Balor is the reason they lost last week. Braun with another headbutt. Balor finally takes the knee out but Braun is still hobbling around. Braun floors Balor for a pin attempt. Braun tries to shake the left knee pain off as Balor recovers. Braun punts Balor through the ropes to the floor.
Braun follows to the floor and launches Balor back into the ring. Braun steps back into the ring over the top rope and points up at the briefcases, talking more trash to Balor. Braun with a big shot to the gut. Braun continues the assault on Balor while yelling out. Braun charges in the corner but Balor gets his boots up, and again. Braun charges again but Balor moves and he hits the turnbuckles. Balor with a kick to the face and more strikes. Braun just takes the chop, then drops Balor with a headbutt.
Braun with more offense until Balor sends him over the top to the floor. Braun catches Balor in mid-kick from the apron and drops him on his face. Braun comes back into the ring and clubs Balor to the mat. Braun asks Balor if he’s had enough. Braun picks Balor up and says he’s done playing with him. Balor delivers a shot but Braun just knocks him to the mat. Balor rolls to the floor. Braun runs around the ring but Balor meets him with a Slingblade on the floor. Braun goes down and Balor returns to the ring. Balor runs around the ring now and dropkicks Braun over the barrier into the crowd.
Balor rests against the barrier but Braun grabs him from behind. Balor fights Braun off and kicks him in the neck, dropping him at ringside. Balor breaks the count. Balor leaps off the apron with a stomp to the back of the neck on the floor. Balor jumps off the barrier and nails a Coup de Grace on the floor. Balor returns tot he ring as the referee counts on Braun. Braun barely makes it back in before the 10 count. More back and fort now. Braun misses in the corner when charging. Balor dropkicks his head into the buckles. Balor goes to the top for Coup de Grace but Braun grabs him by his throat. Balor slides out and runs the ropes but Braun catches him in a powerslam. Braun drops his straps and scoops Balor for the running powerslam and the pin.
Winner: Braun Strowman
After the match, Braun stands tall as his music hits. We go to replays. The referee checks on Balor but Strowman grabs him and takes him to the corner, standing him up against the turnbuckles in an apparent show of respect. Braun looks up at the briefcase and yells out. Braun looks at Balor in the corner before making his exit.
That’s it for this week’s Raw. Let us know what you thought in the comments and be sure to come back tomorrow night for SmackDown Live.
