Welcome to Monday Night Raw for the final time…in April 2019.
Tonight’s show will see Alexa Bliss (inexplicably) reveal the participants for the Men and Women’s Money In The Bank matches. Well, on the Raw side at least. It’s hard to say who will be chosen but my guesses are Drew McIntyre, Baron Corbin, Ricochet, and The Miz. Although it wouldn’t be surprising to see Bobby Lashley, Sami Zayn, or Samoa Joe in there. As for the women’s match, I’m guessing Dana Brooke, Naomi, and Ruby Riott.
Elsewhere on tonight’s Raw, we get the first proper build towards Seth Rollins Vs. AJ Styles for the Universal Championship. This feud is a little surprising because it either results in AJ’s stock being hurt by losing, or Seth dropping the title quickly. Especially considering it’s two babyfaces. A first opponent for Seth should probably have been someone like Lashley or Corbin, but at least these two should produce awesome matches.
And then there’s Bray Wyatt. Last week we saw Bray Wyatt return to Raw in the first ever Firefly Fun House segment. Bray was re-introduced as a creepy Mister Rogers type and it was glorious. I, like most others, shrinked away from the screen as soon as it came on and had no idea what to think. But by the end I was hooked. The more it sinks in the more it seems like a stroke of absolute genius. It remains to be seen where it goes from here and if WWE even stick with it, but fingers crossed it redeems Wyatt.
And that’s the preview for tonight’s Raw. Let us know what you’re excited to see by downloading the Ringside News app and following us on Instagram. Enjoy the show!
Monday Night Raw
Raw opens with Alexa Bliss making her way out to the ring. She gets cheered by the fans before welcoming us to A Moment of Bliss. She reminds us that Money In The Bank is just under three weeks away.
This year’s event will once again feature two ladder matches consisting of eight men and eight women. She introduces the first Superstar participating in the men’s match:
Braun, the winner of last year’s match, comes to the ring. The second participant is Ricochet, while the third and fourth are Drew McIntyre and Baron Corbin. The former Raw General Manager walks to the ring, listing off his accomplishments. He reminds us that he has won the briefcase before, but Ricochet reminds him he failed at cashing in. McIntyre says that’s true, and Corbin lost to AJ Styles last week. He’s sick of outside forces costing him the big time. Ricochet tries to interrupt but McIntyre tells him to leave the business talk to the grown-ups. McIntyre accuses Corbin of stealing his opportunities and tells him he will drop him.
Strowman tells them both to shut up and says none of them have what it takes to stop him. Nothing will stop the monster in the bank. He says it’s time for a little preview, so why don’t they have a tag match right now. All four men ready for a fight as we head to the break.
*Commercial Break*
Braun Strowman & Ricochet Vs. Baron Corbin & Drew McIntyre
The bell rings and Corbin jumps Strowman, knocking him into Ricochet. Strowman soon shoves him over the top rope. Corbin quickly gets in the ring, but Strowman grabs him. Corbin fights out, but Strowman clotheslines him over the top rope.
Ricochet tags in and kicks Corbin from the apron. He runs along the apron and springboards off the ring post with a moonsault. Ricochet gets him in the ring and hits a springboard clothesline to Corbin. Drew McIntyre tags in, and they lock up. McIntyre throws him to the corner, but Ricochet gets out and punches him. Ricochet hits the ropes, but McIntyre catches him and goes for a suplex. Ricochet gets out and hits the ropes, but McIntyre chops him hard upon return. Ricochet punches Drew, but the Scottish psychopath elbows him down.
Corbin tags in and chokes Ricochet against the ropes, slowing the pace. Corbin knees away at him before applying a chin lock. Ricochet fights up and punches Baron before being sent into the ropes. Ricochet flips over him before catching him with a head-scissor takeover. Ricochet kips up and dropkicks him down. Ricochet knocks McIntyre off the apron. Ricochet goes for a springboard on Corbin but gets hit in mid-air like a brick wall.
*Commercial Break*
We come back from the break to see Corbin standing over Ricochet. Corbin elbows him in the chest a few moments. During the commercial break, McIntyre hit Ricochet with a massive back body drop. Corbin stomps Ricochet before taunting Strowman. Corbin sends Ricochet to the corner, but he runs into a boot. Ricochet then goes for a dropkick but McIntyre sidesteps it before throwing him out of the ring.
McIntyre goes for a sneak attack, but Strowman comes to Ricochet to cut him off. Corbin tries to attack Strowman from behind, but it doesn’t hurt him. Strowman chases Corbin around the ring but McIntyre takes him out with a huge Claymore Kick. Corbin gets Ricochet in the ring and picks up a two count. Corbin punches Ricochet in the corner before bouncing him off the top turnbuckle. McIntyre tags in and chops Ricochet down for a two count. McIntyre applies a modified arm bar and digs his forearm into Ricochet’s face. Ricochet fights up, but McIntyre takes him down with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker for a two count. Corbin tags in and sends Ricochet to the corner. Ricochet responds with an enzuigiri, then hits a rolling dropkick.
Strowman and McIntyre are tagged in. Strowman hits two running shoulder blocks before avalanching him in the corner. Strowman clubs him in the chest to take him down before trying another avalanche, but he hits the ring post shoulder-first when McIntyre moves. Ricochet quickly tags in, and he attacks McIntyre.
McIntyre then hits him with a Glasgow Kiss. Corbin blind tags in on McIntyre and goes for Ricochet, but Ricochet gets away and tags in Strowman. McIntyre attacks Corbin from behind. Strowman tags Ricochet in before hitting Corbin with a Running Powerslam. Ricochet follows up with a shooting star press on Corbin for the win.
Winners: Braun Strowman & Ricochet
The Uso’s come to the ring full of piss and vinegar and their music stops but they look confused. Their music begins again and they try to get the fans singing along as they head to the break.
*Commercial Break*
The good brothers make their way to the ring after the break, and cut a terrible promo about beating The Uso’s.
The Uso’s Vs. Gallows & Anderson
Jey Uso starts against Karl Anderson. They lock up, and Jey takes him down. Jimmy tags in and takes out Anderson. Anderson fights back and tags in Luke Gallows. Gallows punches Jimmy down, but Jimmy comes back with an uppercut. Jimmy avoids a big boot from Gallows, then pulls the top rope down to sucker the good brother out of the ring.
Jimmy looks for a jumps over the ropes, but Gallows punches him before. Gallows then throws him throat first into the middle ropes. Gallows takes Jimmy him down with a big boot for a near fall. Gallows then knocks Jimmy out of the ring. Gallows goes outside and sends him into the barricade as we head to the break.
*Commercial Break*
We’re back and Gallows has Jimmy in a headlock. He makes the tag to Anderson and he hits Uce with a knee to the head. Anderson applies a chin lock but Jimmy hits a jawbreaker to escape. Anderson fires back with a back elbow for a two count. Gallows tags in, and they hit a back suplex/neckbreaker combo for a two count. Jimmy connects with an enzuigiri to create some space.
Jey and Anderson tag in. Jey hits a pair of clotheslines before kicking Anderson and giving him an uppercut. Jey catches him with a Samoan Drop before hitting a running hip attack in the corner for a near fall. Jey goes for an avalanche, but Anderson moves. Karl catches Jey with a spinebuster for a near fall. Gallows tags in, and they look for the Magic Killer but Jimmy runs in and hits a superkick to Anderson. Jey then superkicks Gallows. Jimmy tags in, and they hit Gallows with stereo superkick. Jey then hits Anderson with a plancha. Jimmy follows up with a top rope splash on Gallows for the win.
Winners: The Uso’s
After the match The Uso’s show us a video of them backstage earlier today, in which they spy on The Revival shaving each other. They make fun of them but then Dash and Dawson come out onto the stage. Dawson says he and Dash are men and that means he has some body hair and considering his size, it’s scientifically impossible for him to reach his back. So he has no shame in asking his best friend of 20+ years for a little help. They call The Uso’s sick freaks and say they’re done with them for now, because they have a match later tonight.
Still to come, Rey Mysterio Vs. Samoa Joe, as well as Seth Rollins and AJ Styles’ contract signing. The Miz makes his way to the ring for MizTV.
We’re back live and The Miz is in the ring. He welcomes everyone to the show and says he’s excited to be on Raw because of the new challenges ahead of him. Speaking of which, his guest is a big new challenge: Bobby Lashley.
The All-Mighty is by himself tonight. Lashley says he’ll only answer questions he feels like answering, and refers to himself in the third person. Miz says Lashley is one of the most athletically gifted superstars to ever enter a WWE ring. Some people think Lashley has yet to put it all together. Lashley says he’s been back in WWE for a year and is already a two-time Intercontinental Champion. What has Miz done. Miz removes his sunglasses and starts listing off his accomplishments. If you read off his list of accolades, we’d be here for a long time. Nobody is questioning Miz’ potential. He’s an overachiever. Have you seen his wife? Miz did all that without a shred of Lashley’s athletic ability.
Lashley says he’d like to talk about what he didn’t do at WrestleMania. Shane McMahon put a whooping on Miz and his father. Miz had an opportunity at payback and screwed it up. No wonder Miz’ father thinks he’s worthless. Miz attacks Lashley and punches him to the corner. Lashley forces him to the corner and shoulders him. Miz fights out and knocks him out of the ring. Miz throws the chairs from the ring at Lashley and they share a staredown.
*Commercial Break*
The Miz Vs. Bobby Lashley
We return to see Lashley holding Miz in a rear chin lock. The Miz fights up Lashley hits Miz with a delayed vertical suplex. Miz quickly boots Lashley back and kicks away at him in the corner. Miz hits a running double knee in the corner twice.
Shane McMahon’s music hits and he dances around the stage. Miz quickly knocks Lashley out of the ring and catches him with a baseball slide. Miz stares at McMahon before getting Lashley in the ring. McMahon tries to distract him, but Miz hits Lashley with a snap DDT for a near fall. Miz stares at McMahon before hitting his IT Kicks to Lashley. McMahon gets on the apron and a picture of Miz’ father is shown on the titantron. Miz chases after McMahon again, but he gets away. Lashley then spears the distracted Miz for the win.
Winner: Bobby Lashley
McMahon waits for Miz to get up before kicking him in the ribs. McMahon punches him, and Miz takes him down. Lashley gets in the ring and pulls Miz off. Lashley then hits a big spinebuster on Miz. McMahon punches and kicks away at Miz and talks some trash. McMahon makes Miz look at a picture of his father before taking him out with a triangle choke. McMahon then releases the hold. McMahon says it’s too bad that Miz is unconscious, but he should remember that McMahon is the best in the world. McMahon then leaves.
*Commercial Break*
The Viking Raiders makes their way to the ring but before they get inside they’re jumped by Lucha House Party. They get hit with two suicide dives to the outside before getting back in and waiting for the match to begin.
Lucha House Party Vs. The Viking Raiders
Kalisto starts against Ivar and takes him down – with Metallik as his partner and Dorado on the outside. After a flip, Gran Metallik tags in, and Ivar takes him out with a cartwheel clothesline. Erik tags in, and he applies a submission.
Ivar tags in and they go for a double-team suplex, but Metallik gets out. Kalisto tags in, but Erik slams him down. They then sandwich Metallik in the corner. They follow up with The Viking Experience on Kalisto for the win.
Winners: The Viking Raiders
After the match ends, Lince Dorado attacks both Erik and Ivar but he quickly gets smashed. They shove each other a few times before leaving.
*Commercial Break*
We’re back with Alexa Bliss for another Moment. She says it’s time to announce the women for the Money In The Bank match. The first woman is Natalya and she comes out and takes a seat. Nattie thanks Alexa for the introduction but Alexa tells her we have more announcements. The next two women are Naomi and Dana Brooke. The three of them start bickering and Alexa tells them to calm down because there’s another woman who needs to be announced, another woman who deserves the spotlight. And so the final competitor in that match is…her. She tells them all to leave and gloats, but Naomi challenges her to a match.
We get our second episode of Firefly Fun House. Bray is seen painting and welcomes us to his show. He says he loves to paint and it’s a way for him to express himself. He says no-one can hurt you when you express yourself. A rabbit puppet appears beside him and asks to see his work. He turns it around and it’s a house burning down in the woods. The witch puppet appears and Bray tells the rabbit to scram. The witch says she warned him about the woods and Bray says he knows, that’s all in the past, and he’s been forgiven. She tells him to leave her alone so she can get her beauty sleep. Bray returns to the rabbit and he calls the witch a sociopath, which the rabbit says is the word of the day. Bray agrees and says goodbye.
Up next, Alexa Bliss Vs. Naomi.
*Commercial Break*
Alexa Bliss Vs. Naomi
We return and Alexa is tying her shoelaces. Naomi tries to roll her up but Alexa kicks out and goes back to tying the lace. Naomi kicks her leg, then runs her into the turnbuckles. Naomi knocks Alexa down and hits a split-legged senton.
Alexa fires back and knocks Naomi down before tying her laces again.She kicks Naomi in the corner before applying a rear chin lock. Naomi responds with switch kicks but Alexa shrugs them off and tips her over. Alexa remains in control of the pace and applies another chinlock. Naomi fights up but Alexa slams her back down by the hair.
Naomi takes Alexa down with a jawbreaker and tries to move her but Bliss’ shoes come off. Bliss takes Naomi down and argues with the referee about her shoes. Bliss turns around and gets clocked with the Rear View from Naomi. Naomi follows up with a split-legged moonsault for the win.
Winner: Naomi
Charly Caruso meets Rey Mysterio and his son backstage. Mysterio says it’s tough living in a land of giants, but you keep getting up. And that’s what he’s going to to do tonight against Samoa Joe.
Becky Lynch makes her way to the ring to address her two opponents at Money In The Bank.
*Commercial Break*
Lynch is in the ring when we return and she’s joined Charly Caruso. The fans chant her name as Charly asks why she has accepted two matches for Money In The Bank.
Lynch says there’s nothing impulsive about what she’s doing, she can either fight or give the titles up. Charly says her odds are not good, to which Lynch says she clearly does not care about odds. She says nobody thought she could main event WrestleMania, and many though Rousey was unbeatable, until she beat her. She says Charlotte held the division hostage for too long and now that she’s Champion she’s happy to take on all comers. She says Charlotte has talent but she still has her number. And as for Lacey Evans, she might not know when her sneak attacks are coming but she wants her to know her beating is coming at Money In The Bank. We see video of Evans punching her last week, then Lynch calls her out.
Lacey Evans comes out and says it’s just like a man to want what he can’t have. She says she’s not one to lose her manners but she warned Lynch to not let her emotions get the better of her. Lynch didn’t listen, so she’s done talking.
Evans charges and Lynch meets her at ringside, and they get into a brawl. Referees run down to break it up. Lynch breaks free and goes after Evans. Producers run down to help, and they finally separate them. They once again break free and brawl before being broken up for the last time. The crowd chants, “Let them fight!” but Evans saunters to the back.
Still to come, AJ Styles and Seth Rollins in a contract signing. After the break, the Tag Team Champions will face The Revival.
*Commercial Break*
We see a video of WWE working with disabled kids through Make-A-Wish.
The Revival Vs. Hawkins & Ryder
Curt Hawkins starts against Dash Wilder. Wilder takes him down, but Hawkins kips up before hitting a dropkick for a one count. Zack Ryder tags in and hits Wilder with a baseball slide.
Dawson tags in and attacks Ryder before hitting a back suplex. A “Shave your back” chant picks up and Scott isn’t a fan. Dawson drops a knee for a two count. Wilder tags in and chops Ryder. Dawson tags in and drops an elbow on Ryder. Dawson applies a chin lock before kicking away at Ryder. Wilder attacks Ryder while the referee is distracted with Hawkins and Dawson.
Wilder tags in and hits a leg drop for a two count. Wilder applies an overhead wristlock, but Ryder gets out with a neckbreaker. Ryder soon counters a roll-up into a backslide for the upset victory.
Winners: Hawkins & Ryder
The Miz is interviewed backstage and asked about what happened with Shane earlier. He says he and Shane battled all over the MetLife Stadium at WrestleMania, so he proposes a steel cage match for Money In The Bank.
*Commercial Break*
We’re back live and the one and only Sami Zayn is in the ring. He says his time away wasn’t just great because he visited lots of beautiful places, but because he learned lots of things, like psychology. And that helps him learn about people, such as the people in the arena. He throws up a screen saying “psychological entitlement” and says it perfectly describes the fans. He says for years fans have been told the customer is always right and that’s just wrong. He could go on and on about why that’s wrong but there’s no point because nobody in Kentucky would understand. He says the basic tenet is that they want what they want and if they don’t get it they throw tantrums. He tells a story about how last week a soulless father got his son to ask him for an autograph at 4 in the morning at an airport. Naturally he said no. He says that didn’t make him feel good. Because that kid, at his young age, has been taught he is owed something. He says he doesn’t owe that kid something, nor any of these fans. Three shoulder surgeries and 17 years of 5 star matches is pretty good. From here on out, they’ll get whatever Zayn gives them. That is the new dynamic of this relationship. People have been telling him to quit WWE if he doesn’t like it. Zayn says quitting WWE would be amazing. It would be amazing, but what would be even more amazing is coming out here week after week and holding the crowd accountable for their actions. Zayn wants to be the critic of the critics. They’ve been drunk with power. It’s high time that Sami Zayn takes the power back. Zayn dances around before leaving.
Samoa Joe makes his way to the ring for his match against Rey Mysterio.
*Commercial Break*
Samoa Joe is in the ring when we return. He says he watched the segment with Rey Mysterio and his son, Dominic. Joe says Mysterio’s son’s body language shows that he is ashamed of his father. Mysterio should have bought his son a mask to hide his shame. Joe is furious that Mysterio prevented him from winning the match last week. Joe should be signing the contract later tonight. Mysterio is going to get a beating worse than WrestleMania tonight.
Samoa Joe Vs. Rey Mysterio
Joe floors Mysterio right off the bat with a boot. He punches away at him, but Mysterio punches back, but Joe knees him before throwing him out of the ring. Joe teases a suicide dive, but Mysterio avoids it. Mysterio then hits a seated senton off the apron. Mysterio goes for a splash on the floor, but Joe gets the knees up.
*Commercial Break*
We return and Joe is still in charge of Mysterio. Rey gets caught with a scoop powerslam, then Joe applies a neck vice. Mysterio fights out and Joe goes for a senton splash, but Mysterio rolls out of the way. Mysterio hits a seated senton and dropkicks the knee. Joe catches Rey, but he counters into a tornado DDT for a near fall.
Mysterio hits a head-scissor into the top turnbuckle before hitting a 619 to the ribs. Mysterio hits a flying hurricanrana to put Joe into position. Mysterio goes for a 619, but Joe counters into a Coquina Clutch attempt. Mysterio drops down and kicks him in the face. Mysterio charges, but Joe hits a uranage. Joe goes for another uranage, but Mysterio counters into a roll-up right next to the ropes for the win.
Winner: Rey Mysterio
After the break will be the main event contract signing.
*Commercial Break*
We’re back and Michael Cole is in the ring with a table and chairs. He invites AJ Styles to the ring, followed by the Universal Champion.
They sit at the table and Cole asks Styles what winning the Universal Championship would mean to him as he continues to build his legacy in WWE. Styles says that’s the whole reason he came to RAW. Smackdown Live was good to him for two years. The craziest fans are on RAW – what a bad line. As for Seth Rollins, Styles has always liked him. Rollins is a good guy, but he’s got something he wants. Styles wants the Universal Championship. They both know when you want something bad enough, you’ll do some unexpected things to get it. Styles says winners find a way, and Rollins is a winner. Rollins is the Universal Champion. He asks how many times has it been said that Rollins could be the next AJ Styles? Styles says the hard truth is Rollins will never be “The Phenomenal” AJ Styles.
Rollins says Styles is correct. There is only one AJ Styles. Rollins says he never wanted to be the next AJ Styles. Rollins always wanted to be the first Seth Rollins. Things are different here. This is not the house that AJ Styles built. This is Monday Night Rollins. What Styles did on SmackDown was phenomenal, but he’ll have to be better than phenomenal to take the title from him at Money in the Bank.
Styles knows what Rollins did to get the title. At what cost was that to Rollins? Styles asks Rollins how he’s holding up. A light “Burn it down” chant picks up. Styles says they’ll burn it down, but he’ll build it back up. Styles asks Rollins how he’s doing since his brotherhood isn’t here to keep him going. Rollins went through hell at WrestleMania, but Styles doesn’t think he has much left. As for him, Styles says he’s ready to go. Styles will be the bulldog nipping at Rollins’ heels. At Money in the Bank, he’ll sink his teeth in and not let go until he’s standing over him as the new Universal Champion. Styles then signs the contract.
Rollins says they have a lot of things in common, but there’s a lot of differences. Styles likes to build things up while he likes to burn it down. Their stories may be similar, but one thing separates them. Rollins says he beat Brock Lesnar, which is why he’s holding the title and Styles is trying to take it from him. Rollins beat Lesnar at his best at WrestleMania, and he’ll be at his best at Money in the Bank when he beats Styles.
Rollins then signs the contract and stands face-to-face with Styles. AJ grabs the belt and hands it to Rollins. Rollins holds the title up. A “shave his back” chant picks up again – an indication of how cringe-worthy this whole segment has been. Styles then attacks Rollins and punches him down. Rollins fights back and knocks Styles out of the ring. Rollins connects with a big suicide dive and gets in the ring talking trash. Styles gets on the apron, knocks him back, and hits a Phenomenal Forearm through the table!
That’s it for tonight’s Raw. Let us know what you thought and be sure to come back tomorrow for more news and results. Until then, safe travels!
