Welcome To Ringside News’ coverage of the last Monday Night Raw before Money In The Bank 2018!
Tonight’s show is to feature a main event between Roman Reigns and Jinder Mahal. It’s odd that this match is happening tonight, a mere six days before it features on the upcoming PPV. If WWE thinks giving a away a match with Reigns and Jinder on Raw will attract viewers, they really don’t understand their audience. Regardless, I don’t expect this match to have a clean finish whatsoever, because they need to save something for MITB. Expect interference or a Jinder walk-out.
Elsewhere on tonight’s Raw, we’re set for two Fatal 4-Way matches; one with the ladies and one with the gents. The former features Sasha Banks, Ember Moon, Natalya, and Alexa Bliss, while the latter pits Finn Balor, Braun Strowman, Bobby Roode and Kevin Owens against each other. It’s no secret that Raw has been quite poor these past few weeks and months, but at least we’re nearing the PPV and, presumably, a point in which there will be a shake-up with rivalries and the current formula.
Also on the show, Ronda Rousey and Nia Jax meet face-to-face one more time, and Baron Corbin continues in his new role as “Constable” of Raw. Remember to download the free Ringside News and Ringside Talk apps, and enjoy the show!
Monday Night Raw from Little Rock Arkansas with eight ladders in the ring, with the four men and four women who will be representing Team Raw at Money In The Bank, standing atop them. Finn Balor, Bobby Roode, Kevin Owens, Braun Strowman, Ember Moon, Sasha Banks, Natalya and Alexa Bliss are the combatants.
Kurt Angle comes out to interrupt the awkward ladder poses. Angle welcomes us to Raw and reminds everyone that Money In The Bank is this Sunday and says the match itself is the most gruelling in WWE. He also reminds us of the reward for winning the match but then he is interrupted by The Constable of Monday Night Raw, Baron Corbin, who’s all dressed up and with a shaved head. Corbin says he is here to ensure that Raw runs smoothly, on behalf of Stephanie McMahon. Angle says he’d love to see both of those contracts above the ring return to Raw. Corbin says that if those contracts don’t come back to Raw, Stephanie won’t be happy and he stares at Angle threateningly.
Alexa Bliss says that even though she’s in pain, she will fight to bring the briefcase back to Raw. Sasha Banks interrupts her and asks what exactly is hurting, to which Bliss says her shoulder but Banks reminds her that she limped away from their match last week. Ember Moon chimes in and threatens Alexa and they start bickering until Kurt Angle stops them and asks Natalya if she is fit to compete after last week. Nattie says she is and she’s also excited to see her friend Ronda Rousey win the Women’s Championship. The women argue again until Kevin Owens interrupts them and says the real issue here tonight is that Braun Strowman is so much taller than everyone else that it’s unfair, so they need to raise the briefcase higher when he is climbing. Roode asks Owens if he wants the briefcase lowered when he’s climbing and KO says that’s a great idea. Strowman promises to hurt Owens on Sunday and then the eight of them descend into arguing that ends with Strowman saying someone will “get these hands” on Sunday night. Strowman’s music plays and we head to the first break.
After the break, the ladies in the ring will compete in a Fatal 4-Way. What a weird opening.
*Commercial Break*
We return from the break and, oddly enough, three of the ladies are still in the ring but Alexa Bliss’ music hits and she makes her entrance.
Fatal 4-Way Match
Alexa Bliss Vs. Sasha Banks Vs. Ember Moon Vs. Natalya
The bell rings with all four women staring up at the briefcases. Alexa attacks Nattie’s taped leg, then throws Sasha into Ember Moon, before tossing Nattie from the ring. Moon takes the fight to Alexa then, hitting a Fallaway Slam. Bliss retreats to the corner where Sasha returns and backs into her. Alexa slides from the ring and runs right into Natalya, who grabs her and throws her into the barricade.
Natalya gets into the ring and has a staredown with Sasha and Ember. They circle each other before Banks and Nattie look for a double-team hip toss on Moon, but she lands on her feet. Moon takes them both down. Moon and Banks trade pin attempts before Natalya gets involved. Banks flips Nattie, but Natalya rolls through and hits a discus clothesline on Moon to get her out of the ring. It’s now only Natalya and Banks in the ring.
Banks kicks her and hits a snapmare before hitting a double knee to the face for a two count. Natalya gets to her feet and takes Sasha down with an arm bar. Banks fights up and backs her to the corner. Natalya tries for a Sharpshooter, but Banks blocks it before kicking her out of the ring. Moon gets in the ring and rolls Banks up for a two count. Banks gets the better of her and goes to the top rope before launching herself to the floor on Natalya – pretty much missing all of the landing. Moon then hits a mad suicide dive on Banks, almost crushing Sasha against the barricade. Moon gets her in the ring, and Bliss blindsides her with a forearm. Bliss gets in the ring and covers Banks for a near fall.
*Commercial Break*
We come back from the break to see Bliss working over Natalya’s injured leg, with Banks still out on the floor. Bliss hits a dragon screw before knocking Moon off the apron. Bliss continues to work over the leg. Banks eventually comes in and clotheslines Bliss twice before hitting a dropkick. Banks gets put on the apron, but she knees Bliss and hits a slingshot double knee for a two count. Moon comes in and hits a springboard cross-body on Bliss and Banks – great movement from Bliss to get under it. Moon hits an enzuigiri on Banks before connecting with a tornado suplex and goes for the pin but Bliss breaks it up.
Moon shoulders Bliss in the corner, but Bliss gets the better of her and hits a code red. Banks breaks it up with a double knee for a two count. Banks and Moon put Bliss on the top rope. Natalya tries for a tower of doom, but Bliss holds onto the top rope. Bliss goes for Twisted Bliss, but Banks gets her knees up and both women are down in the ring as we head to the break. This match continues and it is awesome.
*Commercial Break*
We come back from the break to see Banks apply the Bank Statement to Bliss. Natalya comes in and steps on Banks before hitting a double dropkick. Natalya gets Bliss out of the ring and goes for a Sharpshooter on Banks. Natalya locks it in, but Moon kicks her in the back of the head. Moon takes Natalya down and goes to the top rope for the Eclipse. Bliss tries to throw Moon out of the ring, but they engage in an awkward kerfuffle and eventually Bliss pulls Moon out of the ring and throws her into the steps. Bliss runs into the ring and covers Natalya, but Banks breaks it up. Banks tries for a Bank Statement on Bliss, but Bliss sends her shoulder-first into the ring post. Natalya takes Bliss down and applies a Sharpshooter for the win.
Winner: Natalya
The announcers explain that Money In The Bank will be starting at 7PM EST, an hour earlier than usual. They run down the card for the show.
We see Finn Balor lacing his boots backstage when Kevin Owens walks-in. Owens offers Balor a bowl of olives – an olive branch – to which Balor turns him down. Owens says they need to come up with a plan for their Fatal 4-Way tonight; he pleads his case for why they should team-up. He reminds Balor that they’re both former Universal Champions and neither of them got a rematch. Owens says that if Strowman wins the briefcase and cashes it in successfully, he may hold the Universal Championship forever. He reminds Finn that he cannot beat Braun but says he could, although it would be “very taxing”. Balor tells him to cut to the chase and KO says they all stand a better chance if Braun doesn’t make it to Money In The Bank, so maybe it should be men vs. monster tonight. Balor looks like he’s considering it as Owens walks-off.
Later tonight, Ronda Rousey meets Nia Jax one more time.
*Commercial Break*
Tyler Breeze and Fandango make their way to the ring for some tag team action as we return from the break.
The Fashion police Vs. Dolph Ziggler & Drew McIntyre
Dolph Ziggler starts against Tyler Breeze. Ziggler attacks him and rakes his face on the ropes. Ziggler taunts Fandango and drops an elbow on Breeze. Drew McIntyre tags in and rips Breeze’s shirt off before chopping him down to the mat. McIntyre stomps him down and tags Ziggler back in.
After a period of beating from Ziggler, Breeze makes the hot tag to Fandango and McIntyre is greeted with crickets. McIntyre manhandles Fandango before being punched back. Ziggler distracts Fandango on the top rope, so McIntyre crotches him up there. McIntyre then hits Breeze with a scary powerbomb onto Fandango. Ziggler tags in and superkicks Breeze. They then hit a double-team Zig-Zag/Claymore for the win.
Winners: Dolph Ziggler & Drew McIntyre
After the match, Dolph Ziggler grabs a microphone. He says that last week, there was a Tag Team Battle Royal, and their loss was a fluke, but they’ve already put it behind them. Drew says Breezango is the proof of them being over it. Ziggler says some had the guts to question this alliance. Bad move. Unlike everything else in the back, they aren’t just hype. Ziggler tells the Tag Team Division that this is their future. McIntyre says they’re here to save the Tag Team Division by taking the teams out.
Romn Reigns is backstage with Charly Caruso. She asks if he’s surprised Jinder Mahal challenged him six days away from Money in the Bank. Reigns says Mahal is an idiot that cost him a shot at the Money in the Bank contract. Everything that’s coming Mahal’s way isn’t free. Mahal earned this ass whoopin’. It’s time to deliver the receipt, paid in full. This match is next!
*Commercial Break*
We return and see an infographic of Brock Lesnar’s new record for longest title reign of the modern era – eclipsing CM Punk’s reign.
Jinder Mahal and Sunil Singh make their way to the ring. Jinder grabs a microphone and the fans boo. He says he challenged Reigns to this match tonight to prove a point: he’s not as big as he thinks he is. He says of course Roman is a multi-time Champion and he’s main evented WrestleMania, but the winds are shifting. He says he can see Reigns suffering, sucking air, unable to keep up with the Modern Day Maharaja. He predicts his victory over Reigns and The Big Dog has heard enough.
Reigns makes his way to the ring. Mahal says he can see Reigns is ready to fight him. Mahal did cost him the Money in the Bank match and another chance at Brock Lesnar. Mahal says when he made the challenge, he didn’t say Reigns would face him. Mahal builds it up like it’s going to be The Great Khali before saying it’ll be Sunil Singh. Singh looks surprised and scared.
Sunil Singh Vs. Roman Reigns
Mahal gets Singh pumped up before the match begins but out of nowhere Reigns punches Mahal off the apron, and Singh realizes he’s in trouble. Reigns grabs him and smiles before hitting a Superman Punch. Reigns sets up in the corner and spears Singh for the super-quick win.
Winner: Roman Reigns
Mahal immediately attacks Reigns from behind and hits the Khallas. Mahal then pulls the injured Singh out of the ring and they retreat up the ramp.
Later tonight, we’ll have a second Fatal 4-Way match, as well as Ronda Rousey and Nia Jax in the ring.
*Commercial Break*
We return from the break and out come The B-Team. We see replays of their big Battle Royal win from last week.
The B-Team Vs. Slater & Rhyno
Heath Slater starts against Curtis Axel, taking him down. Axel rights back, but Slater hits a running forearm before knocking Bo Dallas off the apron. Axel tackles Slater to the corner and tags in Dallas. Dallas takes him down for a two count. Dallas drops some knees for another two count. The B-Team knock Rhyno off the apron and hit Slater with their back suplex neckbreaker double-team for the win.
Winners: THE B-TEAM
The B-Team celebrate before The Deleters of Worlds cut in, clapping for them. Matt Hardy says this jovial jamboree that these two mendacious monkeys are partaking in is wonderful, deserving a standing ovation. No one in the arena claps. Wyatt then says, “We’re here.” The lights go out. When they come back on, The Deleters of Worlds are on the stage. Hardy says, “Well done, you obsolete mules.” Hardy warns them that they are omniscient and all-knowing. Wyatt says they are surrounded by the woken fireflies. They are watching The B-Team. They bought their ticket and will have to take the ride. Hardy says they will eat and delete them. The B-Team looks confused.
A replay is shown of Elias knocking Seth Rollins off the table two weeks ago. Elias will be out after the break.
*Commercial Break*
Elias is in the ring and says this is the finest moment for this crowd. They’re seeing him in his final moments before becoming Intercontinental Champion. This Sunday, Seth Rollins will find out that WWE stands for “Walk With Elias.” A light “Burn it down” chant picks up. Elias tells them to silence their cell phones and shut their mouths. Elias sings about how Rollins has the worst nicknames on earth while doing crossfit makes him a tool. Elias finishes his song – in a rare break from tradition – and says he has something for the crowd. Elias then grabs a guitar that has the Intercontinental Championship painted on it. Elias says John Mayer gave him that guitar. Elias won’t bless them with another performance tonight, but next week he’ll play his best song yet with this guitar and the Intercontinental Championship around his waist.
Seth Rollins comes out to a huge reception – happy to see him finally reach this level. Rollins isn’t wasting time though, and he charges to the ring. Elias stomps him, but Rollins gets the better of him and knocks him out of the ring. Rollins grabs a mic and tells Elias to stop being a coward. Two weeks ago, he blindsided him to make a name for himself. Rollins says he’s not that hard to find. In fact, he’s in the same spot every Monday night. If Elias wanted a fight, all he had to do was ask. Rollins really wants to like Elias. Elias has a cool thing going with the spotlight and the guitars. Rollins then looks at the brand new guitar Elias showed, given to him by John Mayer. Elias starts to beg him off and tell him to save it for Sunday. Rollins picks up the guitar and says this is a really nice guitar. Rollins pretends to go to bid it off, but he then lays it in the center of the ring. Rollins pretends like he’s going to stomp it, and Elias freaks out. A “YES” chant picks up. Rollins says he can’t play an instrument, but he does know a song that happens when he taps his foot on the mat. The crowd chants, “Burn it down.” Rollins then hits the ropes and hits the curb stomp on the guitar. Elias looks furious. Rollins then dances around the ring with the broken guitar and the crowd cheer.
Backstage, Bobby Roode is admiring himself in a mirror. Kevin Owens walks up to him and says watching Seth Rollins stomp the guitar reminds him of Braun Strowman snapping that ladder in two last week. None of them can beat Strowman. Strowman winning the Money in the Bank contract spells disaster for them. Tonight, they should all work together. Owens says he can realize that or go it alone and end up like the ladder from last week. Owens says it’s his call and walks off.
Bayley’s music hits, and she makes her way to the ring. The Riott Squad is shown backstage, being bullies to WWE staff.
*Commercial Break*
We return and out comes Bayley and The Riott Squad for a match. Ruby, along with Seth Rollins and arguably now Ember Moon are the biggest takeaways from WWE’s recent run of poor shows, IMO.
Bayley Vs. Ruby Riott
Riott blindsides Bayley and kicks her before hitting her with some forearms. Riott puts Bayley in the corner and is really slowing the pace with some more forearms. Bayley boots her back and takes her down with some right hands. Riott quickly puts her in the corner and punches. Riott takes her down and has a whip reversed.
Riott kicks Bayley in the face, but Bayley comes back with a Thesz Press and some punches for a two count. Bayley whips her and hits a bulldog. Bayley comes off the second rope with a spinning elbow. Riott quickly gets out of the ring and regroups with The Riott Squad. The Hugger goes outside and tries to dive through the corner of the ring to hit a baseball slide, but she gets a bad jump and no momentum but Riott sells it anyway. That was a bad spot. Bayley then gives her a back suplex on the floor as we head to a break.
*Commercial Break*
We come back from the break to see Riott controlling Bayley. Bayley fights up and knees her. Bayley sidesteps her, but Riott soon pulls her face-first into the turnbuckle for a two count. Bayley fights up with Riott on her back and tries to back her into the corner, but misses. Bayley elbows her in the corner and hits a running knee.
Bayley lands a nice diving elbow drop, but Ruby kicks out. Bayley rolls Riott up for a two count. They trade pins before Bayley knees her in the head. Liv Morgan gets on the apron, and Sarah Logan tries for a distraction. Bayley is sent into the ring post shoulder-first before Riott hits the Riott Kick for the win.
Winner: Ruby Riott
After the match, Sarah Logan and Liv Morgan come into the ring and hold Bayley up while Ruby paints Bayley’s face and stomach with black lipstick. That was a poor match, Bayley has been off-game for a while now. It’s hard to remember the last great Bayley match.
Ronda Rousey is shown backstage, Natalya walks-up and they hug. Natalya tells her to be careful because Nia Jax is trying to prove a point. Rousey thanks her. She’ll meet Nia Jax in the ring face-to-face, next.
*Commercial Break*
Ronda Rousey makes her way to the ring and WWE shows Ronda being announced for the UFC Hall Of Fame, with Tweets from Superstars and media outlets. Ronda takes a seat in the ring and The Coach introduces the Women’s Champion, Nia Jax.
Coach asks about this friendly rivalry being filled with tension. Jax says they’re both competitive athletes. When it comes to who is better, it gets intense. Jax admits that she pushed Rousey’s buttons. She’s beautiful and has a stellar reputation, but she’s still very new in the WWE. Rousey’s success came from elsewhere, like Strikeforce and the UFC. There’s things you can’t do in UFC that you can do in WWE, like head-butts, strikes to the spine, and 12-6 elbows. Jax will show her on Sunday. Rousey says she doesn’t game plan – she improvises. On Sunday, she’ll improvise her arm off. Coach says she’s confident for someone that has had one match. Rousey says she’s earned that confidence. Jax says she’s been here for years grinding. Rousey wants to take her arm, but Jax will take her reputation. Jax challenged her because she knows she’ll beat her. Rousey just isn’t ready.
Rousey stands up and says everyone said she wouldn’t make the Olympic team at 17, but she did. They said she couldn’t challenge for the Strikeforce Title after four fights, but she did and won. They said she couldn’t main event her own card, but she broke records. A lot of people said she couldn’t be UFC Champion, but she’s going into the Hall of Fame. Rousey yells, “I am Ronda Rousey, and I was born ready!” They go face-to-face and the crowd fires-up. Jax goes to hit her, but Rousey blocks it. Jax then head-butts her down. Jax teases her for a few before Rousey goes for an arm bar. Jax tries to fight it, but Rousey keeps trying and gets Jax to tap out. Rousey then walks off smiling. A good segment from both women but particularly great mic work from Nia.
Out Fatal 4-Way main event is still to come. We see Curt Hawkins standing backstage, and No Way Jose dances past with his entourage.
*Commercial Break*
Jose comes to the ring but Hawkins’ music plays and he doesn’t appear. His music plays again but still no sign of him…
No Way Jose Vs. Curt Hawkins
Hawkins, dressed as one of Jose’s dancers, slides in and rolls him up for a near fall. Jose then hits a Knockout Punch to continue the great losing streak.
Winner: No Way Jose
We see Finn Balor walking backstage. He runs into Bobby Roode and they talk about Kevin Owens’ plan. Balor says he doesn’t trust Owens but maybe it’s better the devil you know than the monster among men. Roode says they should go with KO’s plan but keep an eye on him, to which Balor says he’ll keep an eye on Owens, and the other on Roode.
We see staff bringing down plywood and such for a physical test that Sami Zayn has planned for Bobby Lashley. We get a commercial for the Special Olympics before heading to the break.
*Commercial Break*
We return from the break and out comes Sami Zayn is typical extravagant fashion.
Renee Young introduces Sami Zayn. She asks why he challenged Bobby Lashley to an obstacle course. Zayn asked a simple question if Lashley was really in the Army. Zayn says he got booed loudly (he didn’t). Since he can’t verify the legitimacy, he challenged him to an obstacle course. If Lashley can beat him in the obstacle course, he’ll believe him. They’ll do a tire flip, a low crawl, a wall vault, monkey bars (or horizontal ladder), and a rope climb. Zayn will dedicate his victory to the country with the real greatest military force on earth, Canada.
Bobby Lashley comes and Renee asks him about the challenge. Lashley says everyone is tired of Zayn’s mouth. Lashley will beat him at this obstacle course and he’ll beat his “butt” this weekend. Renee performs a coin toss to see who goes first and Lashley is the loser. They have a timer on the big screen with a picture of Sergeant Slaughter, which gets a cheer. Lashley runs the course with ease: finishing in 43 seconds. As soon as he climbs down the rope however, Zayn attacks him from behind and hits a Helluva Kick. Referees run down to pull Zayn off. Zayn walks off jauntingly and laughs. Lashley struggles to his feet. These two will meet on Sunday and I think we can all predict a bad night for Sami.
Kevin Owens, Bobby Roode, and Finn Balor are talking backstage. Braun Strowman comes up to them and suggests they all team up on him. Strowman laughs and then scares them with a scream before walking off.
*Commercial Break*
We get entrances for all four men in the match.
Fatal 4-Way Match
Bobby Roode vs. Finn Balor vs. Kevin Owens vs. Braun Strowman
The bell rings, and Strowamn gets the better of them all, including throwing Roode across the ring and clubbing Balor down. Strowman head-butts Owens and sends him into the ropes, but Owens gets out of the ring. Strowman is firmly in control of all four as we head to the break!
*Commercial Break*
We come back from the break to see Roode, Owens, and Balor getting on the apron around Strowman. They get in and triple-team Strowman. They have him in the corner and stomp away at him. Strowman makes a comeback and follows them outside. They try to attack, but he explodes out of the group. Owens tries to run to the back, but Strowman chases him.
Braun sends Owens flying on the stage. Strowman head-butts him, then big boots Balor, and punches Roode down. Strowman sends Owens into the LED stage screens, which glitch-out, and clears off the commentary table. Strowman scoops up Owens, but Roode hits Strowman with a ladder. Balor and Roode hit Strowman with the ladder and lay him on the table. Owens sets up a ladder and tells Balor and Roode to hold it. Owens goes to the top of the ladder and leaps onto Strowman with a frog splash through the table! Wow!
*Commercial Break*
We come back from the break to see Roode applying an arm bar to Balor. Strowman and Owens are still down near the commentary table. Replays are shown of the impressive frog splash. Roode continues to work on the arm. Balor fights up from an arm bar, but Roode quickly yanks the arm. Roode elbows him, but Balor takes him down with an overhead kick. A picture-in-picture commercial is shown for Nia Jax vs. Ronda Rousey. Back in the ring, Balor takes Roode down with a Sling Blade and a double stomp to the midsection. Balor chops the chest and sends him to the corner, but Roode boots him. Roode goes to the top rope, but Balor knocks him off to the floor. Balor charges, but Roode forearms him. Roode comes off the second rope with a blockbuster for a near fall. Balor comes back with a second Sling Blade and a dropkick into the corner. Balor goes to the top rope, but Owens knocks him off. Balor then knocks Owens off the top rope. Balor goes to the top, but Roode crotches him up there. Roode goes for a superplex, but Owens comes in and does the Tower of Doom.
We cut over to the announce table, where Braun Strowman gets to his feet to a big reception. Owens looks terrified in the corner. Strowman hobbles down the ramp and clobbers Balor with a forearm before big booting Roode down. Strowman then angrily looks at Owens. Strowman gets in the ring, and Owens gets out. Owens runs through the crowd, but Strowman chases. Owens slips, and Strowman drags him to ringside to club him down. Strowman then runs around the ring shoulder blocking Balor, Roode, and then turning Owens inside out on the floor!
Strowman avalanches Owens and Roode in the corner. Balor quickly attacks him and comes off the top rope with a double stomp to the back of the head. Balor charges, but Strowman shoulder blocks him down. Strowman scoops up Balor, but Owens superkicks him. Roode chop blocks him, and Owens superkicks him. Owens then rolls Roode up for a near fall. Roode hits a spinebuster, and Balor hits a falling elbow drop. Balor then hits Strowman with a Sling Blade. Balor dropkicks Strowman into the corner, goes up top, hits the Coup de Grace on Strowman, but Roode breaks it up. Roode sends Balor spine-first into the ring post. Roode hits a Glorious DDT on Strowman, but Owens breaks it up and sends Roode out of the ring. Owens goes to the top rope and hits a frog splash on Strowman for a near fall! Owens can’t believe it, he’s fighting Jason Vorhees.
Owens leaves the ring and grabs a ladder from under the ring. Owens hits him in the ribs, but Strowman stays on his feet. Owens hits him again, but Strowman just gets angrier. Strowman blocks a third and grabs him by the throat for a chokeslam. Strowman lays down the ladder in the middle of the ring. Strowman hits a Running Powerslam onto the ladder for the win!
Winner: Braun STROWMAN
The announcers talk-up Strowman’s potential to win the MITB ladder match this Sunday. Strowman poses to end the show.
That’s it for tonight’s Raw. Let us know what you thought of the show and come back tomorrow for SmackDown Live, then again on Saturday for NXT TakeOver!
