By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
WWE Raw on the USA Network
Taped on May 13, 2019 in London, England at O2 Arena
[Hour One] Michael Cole noted that they were in London and welcomed viewers to the show. Cole was joined on commentary by Corey Graves and Renee Young, and Mike Rome was the ring announcer…
The Miz headed to the ring for the Miz TV segment. The broadcast team recapped Miz attacking Shane McMahon on last week’s Smackdown. Miz introduced Roman Reigns as one of the four wild card wrestlers allowed to appear on this episode despite being a Smackdown wrestler.
Roman Reigns was introduced by The Miz. Reigns received a favorable reaction from the live crowd. Once the music stopped playing, there were some boos along with the cheers. Miz asked Reigns what they can expect from him during his match with Elias at Money in the Bank. Reigns said Elias is young, strong, charismatic, and talented. The live crowd sang their Elias song.
Reigns said that if you need a karaoke performer or a wedding singer then you walk with Elias. Reigns said Elias hasn’t done anything since coming to WWE. Miz proposed teaming up with Reigns for a buddy cop. Reigns said he wanted to talk with the guy who came out last week swinging a chair. Footage aired of Miz attacking Shane with a chair on last week’s Raw. Miz responded by cutting a promo on how Shane will have nowhere to run on Sunday when they meet in a cage match.
Shane McMahon made his entrance. Shane reminded Miz that he’s still his boss. He said that as his boss, he was telling him that Miz TV was over. Suddenly, Bobby Lashley and Elias attacked Reigns and Miz in the ring, then joined Shane on the stage. Shane booked Reigns and Miz vs. Lashley and Elias for after the break… [C]
Powell’s POV: Miz delivered a solid promo regarding his match with Shane, whereas Reigns always seems to play it cool rather than show real fire when selling his matches. In this case, he was scripted to tear down Elias rather than position him as a threat, so he didn’t really sell me on their match in any way.
1. Roman Reigns and The Miz vs. Bobby Lashley and Elias (w/Shane McMahon). The Miz ended up throwing his kicks at both opponents while they were on their knees. Lashley came back with help from illegal man Elias going into a break. [C]
Elias did an Undertaker old school walk of the top rope before performing a meteora onto Miz. Elias covered Miz, but Reigns ran in and broke up the pin. A short time later, Miz was about to make a hot tag when Shane pulled Reigns off the apron for the DQ.
Roman Reigns and The Miz beat Bobby Lashley and Elias by DQ in 11:10.
After the match, Shane joined Lashley and Elias in working over the babyface duo. The heels isolated Miz at ringside, then Reigns performed a big dive over the top rope onto all four men. Eventually, the heel trio used their numbers advantage to get the better of Reigns. Miz returned to the ring with a chair and hit Lashley and Elias, then Reigns threw Superman Punches at them while Shane backpedaled his way to the stage…
The broadcast team hyped Braun Strowman vs. Drew McIntyre, and the contract signing involving Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair, and Lacey Evans…
Seth Rollins was shown talking with a man backstage. Cole hyped a special look at the Rollins vs. AJ Styles match… [C]
Powell’s POV: An entertaining tag match that wisely put some heat on the heels going into the pay-per-view. WWE has done a much better job of building up Miz vs. Shane than they have the Reigns vs. Elias match.
After touting that the show was being held in London, Cole set up the video package on the Rollins vs. Styles match… The video showed footage of Rollins as a kid and during his NXT days along with more modern footage. They played up how Rollins and Styles were brought together by destiny and torn apart by having the same goal… Cole hyped that Rollins and Styles would be featured in exclusive interviews during Raw…
Footage aired of Braun Strowman placing Sami Zayn in a dumpster that was then emptied into a trash truck on Raw last week…
Strowman was walking backstage when Charly Caruso approached him with a mic. She said Zayn could have been seriously injured and questioned if he had any regrets. Shockingly, Strowman didn’t seem to have any regrets, and spoke about winning the MITB ladder match for the second year in a row. A man showed up and told Strowman that Shane McMahon wanted to see him in his office… [C]
Sami Zayn told Shane McMahon that Strowman put him in a dumpster because the fans only cheer him when he does things like that. Strowman showed up. Zayn claimed that Shane was going to make things right by giving him Strowman’s spot in the MITB ladder match. Shane said he couldn’t just give him his spot. Zayn said he would face Strowman in a falls count anywhere match. Shane noted that Strowman was supposed to face McIntyre, then booked the match. Strowman told Zayn that he would eat him alive. Zayn went from being full of bravado to suddenly seeming very concerned…
2. Mojo Rawley vs. Apollo Crews. Rawley wore face paint around his eyes similar to what he wore in his backstage vignettes. Rawley also debuted new gear. Crews sold a knee injury just 30 seconds into the match. Rawley clipped the bad knee, then laughed maniacally at him. Rawley got the pin a short time later…
Mojo Rawley defeated Apollo Crews in 1:15.
Powell’s POV: So the idea appears to be that Rawley is frustrated to the point that he’s deranged. It’s odd that they ran those vignettes on and off for so long, took another break, and then had him work his first Raw match using the new persona without any recent build.
Alexa Bliss was shown talking on the phone and complaining about a Z-list actress having a baby. It turns out she was on the phone with the airlines and vented about her gear being lost. Nikki Cross showed up and calmly asked her if everything is okay. Bliss said she doesn’t know how she grew up “over here.” Bliss thanked her for asking and said she could use someone to talk to.
Cross said she’s been on Raw for four weeks and didn’t think anyone even knew she was there. Cross told her she could talk to her. Bliss went off about her luggage being lost. Cross said she could tell the McMahons and maybe they could find a replacement. Bliss asked Cross to replace her. Cross agreed and smiled…
Becky Lynch was shown walking backstage. Cole said the double contract signing was coming up next… [C]
Powell’s POV: Cross was essentially normal here. There were no signs of her using the crazed persona that got over so well in NXT. We’ll see where it goes.
Michael Cole stood in the ring where a table and three chairs were set up for the double contract signing. Lacey Evans made her entrance followed by Charlotte Flair.
[Hour Two] Becky Lynch made her entrance and sat on the opposite side of the table from the heels. Cole asked her if she realized how grueling it will be when she defends both belts on Sunday. The fans chanted “Becky Two Belts” for Lynch, who told them it was nice to be back in London.
Lynch said her opponents are bigger, stronger, and more athletic than she is. She said it’s not that she doesn’t know how big of a beating she will take it’s that she does not care. Flair said Lynch put herself in a place where she can’t win. Evans praised Flair for wearing the proper attire and then told Lynch that it’s a contract signing, not a barn fight.
Lynch said one of her opponents will be under pressure to win her first title match while the other will be under pressure trying to win her millionth title match. Lynch signed the contracts. Flair spoke about making Lynch bow down to the queen, then signed her contract.
Evans said WWE deserves a proper lady to set the proper example as champion. She said Lynch could pretend to swing around something she doesn’t have, but she will go down at he hands of two ladies on Sunday. Evans signed her contract. Charlotte told Evans to show Lynch the Woman’s Right. Evans said she didn’t want to get her dress dirty. Lynch threatened to knock the blonde off both women.
Flair and Evans ended up fighting with Lynch and got the better of it due to their numbers advantage. Flair and Evans powerbombed Lynch through the table. Evans held up the Raw Women’s Championship belt while Flair held up the Smackdown Women’s Championship belt…
Cole hyped Natalya vs. Naomi vs. Dana Brooke vs. Nikki Cross in a four-way, Strowman vs. Zayn in the Falls Count Anywhere match for a spot in the MITB ladder match, and Bray Wyatt’s Firefly Fun House… [C]
Powell’s POV: A solid segment aside from it feeling like Flair and Lynch have run out of things to say to one another. It’s interesting that the broadcast team isn’t playing up the idea of Lynch potentially being forced to defend her title three times due to the MITB ladder match taking place on the same show.
3. Ricochet vs. Baron Corbin. Corbin was out first and made Mike Rome read through a long list of his accomplishments. A Ricochet pre-taped promo aired. He compared winning MITB to winning the lottery, but said he was taking his fate into his own hands during the match. Ricochet got off to a fast start, but Corbin turned him inside out with a clothesline heading into a break. [C]
Late in the match, Ricochet performed a huracanrana from the ropes and followed up with a standing shooting star press that led to a near fall. Corbin came right back with End of Days and scored the clean pin.
Baron Corbin pinned Ricochet in 9:35.
After the match, Corbin set up a ladder in the middle of the ring and climbed it toward the two MITB briefcases that were hanging above the ring. Ricochet pushed the ladder over…
Powell’s POV: A solid match with a head scratching outcome. Are they trolling fans by giving their beloved Corbin a win over an internet darling? Are they having Ricochet lose here with the intention of giving the MITB contract on Sunday? Either way, Ricochet should be presented as a rising star, not a guy who loses throwaway television matches to Robert Roode and Corbin.
Cole set up footage of Samoa Joe confronting Dominick Mysterio on Raw last week… Mysterio was interviewed in his locker room by Caruso. He said Joe talks a lot, but he crossed the line by targeting his son. Cesaro showed up and asked if Rey was really going to talk about Joe when he wasn’t there. Cesaro also asked when it became take your kid to work day, then said Dominick looks more like Joe than Mysterio. This led a backstage fight that was quickly broken up by a couple of referees…
AJ Styles was shown next to Sarah Schrieber on the interview set… [C] Cole once again touted that Raw was in London, then set up a video package on Roman Reigns…
Powell’s POV: This was the same video package they aired on Smackdown last week. It’s a well produced video and all, but it sure would be nice if they gave this type of attention to someone who actually needs it.
Styles was interviewed by Schrieber and said he was trying to hit Baron Corbin with the Phenomenal Forearm but hit Seth Rollins accidentally. He said it was Monday Night Rollins until he showed up. Styles said he will walk out of MITB as WWE Universal Champion…
Naomi made her entrance for the women’s four-way match… [C] A Naomi pre-tape aired. She said the competition needs to be ready to be outshined by the glow. The remainder of the entrances took place. A Brooke pre-tape aired. She said she deserves to win MITB. Graves took issue with that statement on commentary. Natalya was out next and she spoke about having the most experience in her pre-tape. Nikki Cross entered to her Sanity theme and seemed to be back in her crazed persona despite the earlier promo. A Bliss pre-tape aired. She boasted about winning MITB and cashing in successfully last year. She said history will repeat itself on Sunday…
4. Naomi vs. Dana Brooke vs. Natalya vs. Nikki Cross in a four-way. Cole was suspicious of Bliss claiming she lost her luggage. Bliss made her entrance and joined the broadcast team on commentary. Bliss claimed someone is plotting against her because she had issues with her shoes last week and her luggage was lost this week. Naomi performed a dive onto her opponents heading into an early break. [C]
Naomi caught Natalya with an enzuigiri and covered her, but Cross broke up the pin. Bliss took credit for giving Cross a great opportunity. Brooke set up a ladder at ringside and climbed to the top of if while her opponents fought at ringside. Brooke dove onto the three women, then stood up and yelled about belonging here. Back in the ring, Cross performed a neckbreaker on Natalya and pinned her clean.
Nikki Cross defeated Naomi, Dana Brooke, and Natalya in 9:25 in a four-way match.
[Hour Three] After the match, Cross and Bliss set up a ladder in the ring. Cross was going to climb it, but Bliss stopped her. Bliss climbed the ladder and pulled down the MITB briefcase…
Powell’s POV: A nice win for Cross, though it was strange considering that she’s not actually in the MITB ladder match at this point. I’m still not sure why she was so normal backstage and then back in crazed mode for her match, but perhaps they have something different in mind for her on Raw. It looks like she’ll be feuding with Bliss at some point, which could be fun, especially if they take their time and build to it.
Zayn was looking at his phone backstage. He said he doesn’t even know why he pays attention to social media. He said there were a bunch of critics who said he didn’t stand a chance against Strowman. Zayn said he fights for a cause. He said it’s better to be right and fight for what’s right than it is to be big and strong…
Rey Mysterio made his entrance for a match against Cesaro… [C] A Samoa Joe pre-taped promo aired. Joe said he heard that Mysterio felt that he crossed a line. Joe said Mysterio is the one who brought Dominick to WWE, and now someone has to teach him how to be a man. Joe said he hopes he sees Dominick on Sunday. Cesaro made his entrance…
5. Rey Mysterio vs. Cesaro. Mysterio went up top, but Cesaro cut him off with an uppercut. Cesaro pulled up Mysterio from the apron and held him up with one arm before superplexing him for a two count. [C]
Cesaro performed the swing on Mysterio, waited for him to stand up, and gave him an uppercut that left Mysterio leaning against the ropes. Cesaro went for a 619, but it didn’t work out for him. Mysterio performed a sunset bomb for a two count. Mysterio went up top and leapt into an uppercut, which led to a Cesaro near fall. Cesaro set up for his finisher, but Mysterio avoided it and ended up hitting a 619. Mysterio followed up with a frogsplash for the win…
Rey Mysterio pinned Cesaro in 10:40.
Powell’s POV: An entertaining television match. I’d really like to see creative get behind Cesaro, but he continues to be featured as more of a good hand than a guy they have plans for. What a shame.
The broadcast team set up a recap of WWE management, er, the Usos humiliating The Revival with back shaving two weeks ago and last week’s Ucey Hot silliness…
The Revival checked in from their locker room. Dash Wilder said Scott Dawson needed him and he was there for him during his time of need. Dawson said the ball is in the court of the Usos. He said they could continue to be skid mark on the underpants of society or they could find out who the best tag team on the planet is. Dawson said the embarrassment of The Revival stops now…
Seth Rollins was shown talking with Sarah Schrieber on the interview set, and Cole hyped the Bray Wyatt segment… An ad for NXT showcased Kushida for Wednesday’s show… [C]
The latest Firefly Fun House segment with Bray Wyatt aired. Wyatt said he had a secret. He said it was time to show the world what he’s really been up to, but he needs the help from all of his fireflies. Wyatt said there’s still a lot of darkness in his noggin, but he’s learned how to harness and control it. He asked if people want to see his secret. There were all sorts of images that flashed on the screen, then Wyatt was shown in a different outfit wearing an evil looking mask…
Powell’s POV: Bray’s secret is that he has been preparing to front a Slipknot tribute band?
The broadcast team recapped Becky Lynch being attacked by Charlotte Flair and Lacey Evans. Graves said the woman who draws the second match with Lynch on Sunday will have a big advantage…
Schrieber interviewed Rollins, who said his match with AJ Styles is personal. Rollins said he actually had one singles match against Styles at a small independent event. Footage aired from an NWA No Limits match they had in 2006. Rollins said the match meant a lot to him because it was the first time that his friends and family believed in him. Rollins said he looked up to Styles. Rollins said Sunday will be a statement match for him and will be about proving something to himself, the WWE Universe, and Styles. He said it’s about proving that he is the backbone of Raw. Rollins said that when the dust settles, Styles will be the one looking up to him…
Braun Strowman made his entrance for the main event… [C] Rollins hyped Ali vs. Andrade vs. Randy Orton vs. Finn Balor in a four-way for Smackdown… Sami Zayn made his entrance. He took a Strowman sign from a fan and wiped his feet on it…
6. Braun Strowman vs. Sami Zayn in a falls count anywhere match for a spot in the MITB ladder match. The live crowd sang the Ole song in a tribute to the El Generico persona that Sami used prior to his WWE run. Strowman dominated early. Zayn hopped the barricade and tried to run away up the lower level steps, but Strowman caught him. Strowman continued to dominate as they made their way into the concourse area.
Baron Corbin showed up and attacked Strowman and put him through a merchandise table. Zayn covered Strowman, who kicked out. [C] Storowman and Zayn fought inside the arena in front of fans, then ended up backstage where Drew McIntyre attacked Strowman. Back in the arena, McIntyre and Corbin both worked over Strowman and suplexed him onto a ladder that was leaning against a barricade. McIntyre blasted Strowman with a Claymore Kick, then Corbin dragged Zayn over and all three heels piled onto Strowman while the referee made the count.
Sami Zayn defeated Braun Strowman in 14:40 to take Strowman’s spot in the MITB ladder match.
Afterward, Strowman got back to his feet and chased after Zayn and caught him on the broadcast team’s platform. Strowman chokeslammed Zayn through the broadcast table, then played to the crowd. Cole said Zayn could be the first MITB ladder match entrant to be carried to the ring on a stretcher. Cole hyped MITB and WWE Network to close the show…
Powell’s POV: The broadcast team framed the interference as McIntyre and Corbin working to take Strowman out of the MITB match to help their own chances in the match. I’m fine with Strowman being out simply because it eliminates him from contention. Plus, Zayn is a good addition and a candidate to win give that he strikes me as a really good heel MITB briefcase holder.
Overall, this show was easier to watch than the two previous shows. WWE hasn’t really sold me on Money in the Bank being must see, but they gave decent hype to the Raw side of the MITB matches and card. Dot Net Members will hear my audio review of this show later tonight. Join me for live coverage of WWE MITB on Sunday night, and members will hear the audio review that Jake Barnett and I will co-host afterward.
Check below for the latest Pro Wrestling Boom Podcast with Jason Powell and guest Justin Credible discussing his sobriety, what triggered his PTSD, filming the Credible documentary, returning to the ring, his thoughts on WWE, AEW, the NWA Crockett Cup, and more.
At least they have someone good to give the MITB briefcase to
Yeah…Baron Corbin!
Alexa winning MiTB for the women, and Sami for the men, would definitely be the most entertaining outcomes. That’s how I’ll be rooting.
Cross and Alexa could in theory be fun, unfortunately it looks like they are going the well-travelled route of having the babyface look like a moron for not realising she is being manipulated. She is supposed to be crazy, not stupid.
Also – I loved that Firefly Funhouse! Just not sure where it goes from here…
Decent show but I think they have made it clear who is winning the Men’s MITB with Zayn replacing Strowman.