Welcome to Ringside News’ coverage of Monday Night Raw for the first time in July!
Last week, Bayley turned on Sasha Banks and beat the holy hell out of her. I’d be a lot more bullish about this if this turn hasn’t already happened multiple times. Sasha turned on Bayley at Elimination Chamber, and before that it has happened on at least one occasion where they threw down. I’m reluctant to suggest this is the time when they’ve finally pulled the trigger on this feud, especially because tonight the two will be going to counselling. This, of course, will remind folks of Daniel Bryan and Kane, particularly because Team Hell No just reunited on SmackDown Live, but I’ll be pleasantly surprised if it’s anywhere near that entertaining. There’s a chance their counselling will work and Bayley and Banks will be fine once again for a couple of months until they fight again.
On last week’s show, Kurt Angle announced a u-turn, in which Roman Reigns and Bobby Lashley wouldn’t compete in a multi-man match at Extreme Rules to figure out a number one contender to Brock Lesnar. Instead, the unlikely duo teamed-up once again to face The Revival. Well guess what, instead of something fresh and enticing, you’re getting the exact same match again tonight! With any luck, this will go the exact same way as last week and Dash and Dawson will win. That’s the only way for this to be interesting.
Also on last week’s show, Seth Rollins fought Dolph Ziggler to regain the Intercontinental Championship. The two had a barn-burner of a match that ended with Ziggler getting the win. After the match, Ziggler and McIntyre beat Rollins in the ring until big daddy doggy doo came out and helped Rollins. Does this indicate a future tag match? We know it won’t be tonight because that would make too much sense and instead we get the thrillogy of The Revival Vs. The Real Deal and The Big Dog. Anyway, it seems unlikely that Seth simply moves-on, so I suspect he’ll get a match against Drew McIntyre tonight.
All that and (hopefully) so much more on tonight’s Raw. Remember to download the Ringside Talk app and follow us on Instagram and, as always, enjoy the show!
Monday Night Raw opens with a strange recap of last week’s show, equipped with voice-over.
We go live to the arena and out comes Roman Reigns to boos. Roman gets to the ring and says they’re talented but he never thought he would say he lost to The Revival. And he doesn’t want to make excuses…but he did have the worst tag partner ever. He says Bob was a terrible partner, and he doesn’t want to team with Bob, he wants to fight him. Roman says Bob has a massive ego. He says 10 years ago Bob thought he was the guy but he couldn’t handle the road, well it’s no different now because he is the guy. He says Angle doens’t want them to fight at Extreme Rules, well that’s fine because he thinks they should do it right now.
Dolph Ziggler, flanked by Drew McIntyre comes out and talks on the way to the ring. Ziggler laughs at Roman calling Bobby an egomaniac. He says Roman calls the ring his yard, and acts like everything has to go through him. McIntyre says Roman has to stick his nose everywhere, places it doesn’t belong, like playing the hero against Seth Rollins last week. They get into the ring and Ziggler says if Roman wants everything to go through him, that’s fine by them. McIntyre starts talking but Roman cuts to the point and uppercuts him. Roman and Drew brawl and Ziggler joins in. They beat Roman down until Seth Rollins comes out to make the save. Rollins helps Reigns clear the ring as we head to the break.
*Commercial Break*
Backstage we see Reigns and Rollins walking and they find GM Kurt Angle. They tell him they want Dolph and Drew in a match, to which Angle says he will schedule the match for next week. Roman says not next week, tonight. Angle says if they want the match tonight, they got it…but Roman still has to face The Revival with Bobby Lashley.
Matt Hardy makes his way to the ring for a match – Bray Wyatt isn’t with Hardy tonight because he was in a car crash earlier this weekend. Curtis Axel is shown on the giant screen acting like Matt Hardy again. The lights go out and Bo Dallas dressed up as Bray Wyatt joins him, he tells Matt he must face the ferocious B team all by himself. Dallas starts singing he’s got the whole world in his hands as Curtis Axel brings up a globe of the world.
Matt Hardy Vs. Curtis Axel W/ Bo Dallas
The bell rings and both men lock up. Hardy applies a headlock but Axel reverses it into an arm bar. Hardy sends Axel to the ropes and lands an elbow to the face, which earns a two count already.
A right hand by Hardy, then he sends Axel to the ropes but gets knocks down with a shoulder tackle. Axel throws hardy into the turnbuckle as he slowly stomps on him. Axel sends him to the ropes, Matt goes for the Twist of Fate but Axel pushes him off and rolls to the outside of the ring.
*Commercial Break*
We return to see Axel in charge as he stomps on Matt. Curtis hits a nice backbreaker but Hardy kicks-out, so Axel hits a rolling neck snap for another near fall. The action tumbles to the apron, where Hardy hits a Side Effect. Axels gets back into the ring and Hardy takes control.
Hardy slams Axel’s head into all three turnbuckles as he build up a head of steam. Hardy gets a few near falls with different moves before signaling for his finisher. Dallas gets on the apron to provide a distraction so Axel can drop Hardy’s face across the top turnbuckle. He hits a neckbreaker and gets the 123!
Winners: Curtis Axel
Dallas joins Axel in the ring for their standard over-the-top celebration – which continues all the way up the ramp.
*Commercial Break*
We return to see Rollins and Reigns backstage, with Rollins announcing that he will be in a 30-minute Iron Man match with Ziggler at Extreme Rules. Bobby Lashley walks in and Seth asks Roman if he’s got it and Roman says yes as Seth walks away. Lashley tells Roman he’s a heat magnet. A trouble starter. And that aside from his “brother” Seth, no one likes him. And he doesn’t like him. He tells him to check his huge ego at the door and focus on tonight. Roman tells him to shut up. He will start the match and finish the match. All he has to do is stand on the apron and flash that fake smile. Lashley says he has to focus or he will hold him responsible. Roman asks if that’s a threat. Lashley says it is and walks away.
We get highlights of last week’s Raw from when Bayley attacked Sasha Banks airs and when Kurt Angle told her she has to go to counselling or she’s fired. We see her first therapy session. Bayley is seen sitting down at the counselor’s office while Sasha walks in and they realise they have an appointment at the same time with the same doctor. They start arguing. Their doctor turns out to be none other than Dr. Shelby! Shelby, who helped Kane and Daniel Bryan become besties, comes out and says he will help them with their counselling together and to follow him into what he likes to call The Friend Zone (his office).
Back live on Raw, Titus O’Neil and Apollo Crews with Dana Brooke come out, they will have match with the Author’s of Pain next!
*Commercial Break*
Titus Worldwide W/ Dana Brooke Vs. Author’s Of Pain
Titus starts off with Rezar. They lock-up, shoot off, and a shoulder tackle by Titus sends Rezar into the corner. Crews tags himself in, a split occurring?, and hits a big splash on Rezar. The big man then pushes Crews to the opposite corner and Akam tags himself in. He beats on Crews but eventually Apollo fights back and a hits a dropkick to take Akam down. He tags Rezar in, who goes after Crews right away. He throws Apollo from one corner to the other.
Rezar slams Crews and goes for the cover but Apollo grabs the bottom rope. He throws Crews into the corner and tags Akam back in. They double team Crews until Titus comes in. They throw Titus shoulder first into the ring post. Crews goes to the outside and gets a big side slam by Akam. They hit The Last Chapter on Crews for the easy win.
Winners: Author’s of Pain
Backstage, Seth asks Roman if he’s ready for tonight and Roman says yes. Up next is Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins vs. Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre. Whoo, we’re getting a lot of Roman Reigns tonight aren’t we?
*Commercial Break*
We come back and see a clip of Kevin Owens arriving at the arena, late. Owens parks his car by the garage door and a valet tells him he can’t park there. Owens ignores him, then the guy asks for his keys, and Owens says “no chance”. Owens then walks inside, tentatively, and puts his hood up. Terrified of a repeat of last week.
Seth Rollins makes his way to the ring, followed by Roman Reigns. The heels are out second – I really hate Dolph’s music, why not just have no music like Ciampa?
Seth Rollins & Roman Reigns Vs. Dolph Ziggler & Drew McIntyre
Ziggler and Rollins start the match with a lock up. Rollins takes Dolph down with a waistlock. They trade counters and holds on the mat before getting to their feet and waiting for a crowd response. The Showoff counters a hip toss with a roll-up for two. Seth hits a jumping kick to send Ziggler to his corner. McIntyre tags in and locks up with Rollins. After a brief exchange, Roman tags himself in to take on the Scot. The crowd are a little excited for this.
They lock up and engage in a power struggle. McIntyre backs Reigns to the corner and unloads with rights and lefts. Roman turns the tables and hits a series of punches. McIntyre avoids a Samoan drop and hits a forearm to the head. Ziggler gets the tag and nails a superkick for a two count. They keep Reigns cornered for a long time until Rollins gets a tag and goes on a rampage. He drills McIntyre with a suicide dive before hitting Ziggler with a frog splash for a close two count. He slingshots Dolph out of the ring, then takes to the top rope, readies himself, then hits a huge crossbody to the men below as we head to the break.
*Commercial Break*
Back from commercial, Seth and Ziggler are in the ring. Seth goes to tag Roman in but Ziggler catches him with the Famouser. Ziggler tags Drew in. Drew stomps on Seth’s hand. Drew starts choking Seth. Seth fights back. Both men exchange chops. Seth throws Drew to the outside and goes to tag Roman in but Drew trips Roman off the apron. In comes Drew who throws Seth into the corner. Both he and Ziggler double team Seth while the referee is distracted by an angry Roman.
Ziggler is tagged back in as Seth rolls to the outside. Dolph follows him and he goes to throw Seth onto the barricade but Seth reverses it. Seth gets in the ring, Ziggler barely gets the tag in on Drew. A super kick by Seth takes Drew out. Seth goes to tag Roman but out of nowhere, The Revival appear and start attacking Roman! All four men beat on Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins.
Winners Via Disqualification: Roman Reigns & Seth Rollins
After the match, The Revival continue the beatdown on Reigns and Rollins, and hit the Shatter Machine on Reigns.
A clip from last week’s Raw airs when Kevin Owens was outside the arena and tried to leave but Braun Strowman had Kevin’s keys and ultimately had flipped Kevin’s car over. Kevin Owens is with Kurt Angle backstage. Owens tells Kurt he has to do something about Strowman. Angle says here on Raw they settle things in the ring and it sounds like he wants a match. Kevin says no, no match. He’s sending people to therapy, send Braun to therapy. Do something. Angle says there’s only one way to settle it. He will be facing Braun Strowman tonight.
Baron Corbin makes his way to the ring as we head to a break.
*Commercial Break*
Back live on Raw, Corbin is in the ring. As constable of Raw, Corbin says he is here to help. It doesn’t matter who you are or what you do, everyone needs help to get to their full potential. He says Stephanie McMahon appointed him constable in order to help Kurt Angle become a better general manager and help the superstars backstage reach their full potential. But there’s always someone who refuses help. He shows a clip of last Monday’s Raw where Finn Balor attacked Corbin and how their fight broke out. He says Finn’s behavior was innapropriate and unprofessional. He says he is inviting Finn Balor out here to offer him an apology.
Finn Balor’s music hits and he has a microphone in hand. Corbin thanks Finn for coming out. All he has to do is say sorry, admit he was wrong and how he would never do it again. Finn gets in the ring. Corbin says he apologizes first. He forgets how he is bigger, stronger and tougher that he is bigger than Finn and he’s sorry about that. Finn says okay, he is sorry. He is sorry about his comments last week about his vest got him fired from TGI Friday’s. Corbin says he gets it, he is still angry that he pinned him two weeks ago. He says he will be the bigger man, obviously, and give him another chance to say he is sorry.
Balor says he is right, he deserves an apology. An apology from whoever gave him that haircut. Corbin tells him to listen. He is trying to help him out. It is hard out there for guys like him. He doesn’t get opportunities like him or get paid like him. Stephanie McMahon picked him for a reason to be the Constable of Monday Night Raw. He tells him to apologize. Finn Balor tells him he is sorry. But he stopped deserving anyone’s respect the day he became Stephanie McMahon’s stooge. Baron hits him with a right hand. He sends Balor to the ropes but a sling blade from Balor takes Corbin out and to the outside. Balor gets on the top rope but Corbin gets up and leaves. Oh, that was a weird segment, Corbin was actually better than Balor on the mic.
Backstage Elias is playing the guitar and in come Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan – Ruby Riott is injured. Morgan asks him if he is performing tonight, he asks “for these fans? Not a chance”. But for them, he has something in mind. Sarah Logan and Liv Morgan start destroying things backstage. Liv thanks him for the music while smiling. The announcer say they may have struck a chord with Elias…what?
*Commercial Break*
Ember Moon makes her entrance, as does Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan.
Ember Moon vs. Liv Morgan W/ Sarah Logan
The bell rings and they lock up. They exchange a series of reversals before separating. A right hand by Liv followed by a side head lock take down. Ember gets out of it as she flies off the second rope into a cross body. Live rolls out of the ring to regroup as we take to the break.
*Commercial Break*
Back from commercial, Liv is in control of the match inside the ring with a full nelson. Ember gets out of it and reverses it into an ankle lock but Liv gets out of it by flipper Ember into the ropes. A step up enziguri by Liv onto Ember. She goes for the cover but a two count as Ember kicks out.
A right hand by Liv and both men exchange blows until Liv takes Moon down. Back up, Ember throws Morgan face first into the turnbuckle and she took a nice bump. She climbs to the top rope and hits The Eclipse for the win!
Winner: Ember Moon
We cut to another clip of Sasha and Bayley’s therapy session. The doctor looks frustrated, and he asks them to pretend to be each other. He say they have to stand in each others shoes. Sasha ties her hair like Bayley and puts on a silly voice, saying she loves hugs and she deserves to be Champion because she got lots of autographs as a kid. Bayley then pretends to be Sasha, with the Legit Boss rings, and says she stabs people in the back and her neighbours cousin might be Snoop Dogg. Sasha gets to her feet and they argue until Shelby screams. To be continued…
The Revival make their way to the ring for the tag match with Roman and Lashley.
*Commercial Break*
We return from the break and Roman is halfway to the ring, showing absolutely no signs of hurting from his two previous beatdowns tonight. Lashley is out second.
Roman Reigns & Bobby Lashley Vs. The Revival
The bell rings and Dawson and Reigns start things off. Roman with a headlock on Dawson but Scott gets out of it. He goes after Roman’s injured ribs following their attack on him earlier. Roman with a right hand as Dawson goes to the outside.
Lashley is asking Roman to tag him in but Reigns keeps saying no. Scott back in the ring as Roman is distracted by Dash. Scott attacks Roman who tags Dash in. They start double teaming Roman. Dash tags Scott in and he keeps attacking Roman’s ribs. Roman tries to fight back but a clothesline as Wilder is tagged in. He goes for the cover but the big dog kicks out. Lashley is getting frustrated on the apron.
Dawson is tagged back in and goes right for the ribs. Roman starts to fights back with right hands. Reigns sends Scott chest first into the turnbuckle. Dash is tagged in and starts beating on both men. Lashley gets in the ring and a spine buster on Scott and he throws Dash to the outside. Lashley cleans house and asks Roman to tag him in. Reigns still refusing. Reigns goes for the spear but The Revival double team Roman as the referee rings the bell.
Winners VIA DISQUALIFICATION: Roman Reigns & bobby lashley
Bobby Lashley walks away from the ring. Back in the ring, Roman is still getting double teamed as Dash hits a frog splash on him. Nothing about Reigns is a babyface.
Backstage, Owens is with Kurt Angle. KO tells Kurt to cancel the match tonight, saying he has tickets to another Shania Twain concert. Angle says no, the match is staying on. Angle tells him there is no way he is getting out of this match. Owens storms off.
*Commercial Break*
We return and see half a dozen replays of what happened before the break. Kurt Angle is backstage on his phone, in walks Roman. Reigns says he wants the match at Extreme Rules, and Angle says fine, they have it. Roman nods and says he will lay Lashley out. I don’t see how Reigns can act like Bobby left him high and dry but hey, that’s the non-egomaniacal Big Dog.
No Way Jose is in the ring when we come back, and out comes Mojo Rawley again. Rawley grabs the microphone and says he sacrificed everything to have the opportunity to place his boots in his ring. And what does Jose do with his opportunity? He dances. And Rawley is supposed to give him a rematch because he dances? No way, Jose. He drops the mic and Jose goes to attack him but Mojo ducks him and hits him. He slides out of the ring and attacks members of the Conga line – tossing him over the steel steps like a rag doll. Then Rawley runs and hits him with a overly-hard pounce into the barricade. No Way Jose rolls to the outside and the two men brawl. Mojo gets the upper hand and slams No Way Jose onto the ring apron. Mojo talks some trash and leaves.
We see a lengthy video package of Alexa Bliss winning the Money In The Bank briefcase, then cashing in later than night against Nia Jax. It then shows Ronda Rousey’s attack on Alexa and subsequent suspension. We see Ronda backstage with Renee Young, having a sit-down interview. Rousey says she might be suspended but she won’t be come Extreme Rules.
We return to the arena and the Women’s Championship, Alexa Bliss comes to the ring with Mickie James.
*Commercial Break*
We return from the break and out comes Nia Jax. Jax says at Backlash when she squashed her like the insect that she is, she thought she was behind her forever. But she was wrong: one Money in the Bank cash in later, they are back where they started. But this needs to end. And at Extreme Rules with Ronda at ring side, it will end. Backstage she spoke to Kurt Angle and he told her that at Extreme Rules, their match will be an Extreme Rules match.
As for tonight, she tells Mickie she brought Alexa with her but Jax brought back up of her own. Natalya’s music comes out and both women walk down to the ring.
Mickie James W/ Alexa Bliss Vs. Nia Jax W/Natalya
The bell rings and Nia pushes Mickie down. Mickie gets up and tries to fight back but Jax with a head but takes her down. James back up but Jax pushes her into the corner. She throws James from one corner to the other. James rolls onto the ring apron and to the outside.
Jax follows her and James tries to slide back in but Jax catches her. She puts Mickie on her shoulders but Alexa grabs Mickie’s leg and pulls her off. All four ladies face off.
*Commercial Break*
Back from commercial and Mickie baseball slides Nia who is on the outside. James works on Jax’s knees. She slides back in the ring. Nia Jax gets back in the ring and Mickie keeps working on Nia’s knees. Nia tosses Mickie into the corner but Mickie kicks her off. Mickie James continues to kick Nia on her knees and drop kicks her onto her knees. James slams Nia’s leg on the bottom rope. Mickie gets Nia in a leg lock but Jax tries to get out of it and does. Jax with a leg scissors across Mickie’s waist. James catches the bottom rope to force the break.
Nia with a headbutt to James that floors her. And a clothesline. Nia building momentum. She throws Mickie into the corner but Mickie with a big boot onto Nia. Jax lifts Mickie up and a sit down power bomb. Alexa distracts the referee and Natalya takes out Alexa. Jax lifts James and lands the Samoan drop for the win.
Winner: Nia Jax
Backstage, Kevin Owens is with Jinder Mahal. Mahal instructs him to breathe, and KO tells him he is breathing in and out but it’s not working. They are interrupted by Charlie and she tells him he looks a little shaken up. Owens says he’s not shaken up, she just surprised him by sneaking up on him. He says he is glad he is facing Braun Strowman, he is thrilled. Why would he be shaken up? Because Braun likes to use him like his own personal crash test dummy? Owens says he has fought him before and now he knows his every move. He says he will get in the ring and show the world how you destroy a monster.
*Commercial Break*
Backstage, Renee Young is with Bobby Lashley. He says Roman called him an ego maniac but he was the one who told him to stay away from their match. As for Extreme Rules, he can’t wait for it.
Out comes Kevin Owens, followed by Braun Strowman, Mister Money In The Bank. Owens looks petrified.
Kevin Owens vs. Braun Strowman
The bell rings and right away Strowman pushes Kevin down as Owens rolls to the outside of the ring. Kevin starts running away to the back. The referee counts to 10 and Kevin Owens is counted out. Welp.
Winner: Braun Strowman
Bruan starts running to the back after him but KO is waiting backstage. He runs through the exit door and tries to get into his car but his car is locked. He hides in a porta-potty outside. Braun comes to the outside of the arena and starts yelling, asking where Kevin Owens is. He passes by the porta-potty and stops, like a horror movie. He smells something and looks at the portable toilet. He knocks on there and asks if anybody is in there while changing his voice – hilairous. Kevin Owens answers and says “yes, go away.”
Strowman uses duct tape and starts wrapping it around the toilet. Strowman reminds KO that he told him he would find him. He grabs the ropes attached to the toilet and drags it into the arena and back onto the stage. He takes a big run-up, like a bull, and hits the porta-potty off the stage onto the ground below. He hit the thing very hard. We see referees run up and open the door. Strowman is watching from the stage as Owens rolls out from the toilet, covered in the blue liquid they use to keep it from smelling. Braun walks back to the stage and poses to end the show.
That’s it for this week’s Raw. Let us know what you thought of the show and come back tomorrow night for SmackDown Live!
