The Judgement Day VS AJ Styles and Rey Mysterio
Monday Night Raw kicked off with the Judgement Day. They four of them cut a promo before Finn Balor said that he will force Edge to say, “I Quit”. Also, Dominik talked to the camera and told his father that he hates him. AJ Styles and Rey Mysterio then came out to take on Finn Balor and Damian Priest in a tag team match. The match was pretty solid, all four men played their part in it. Dominik Mysterio continued to try and get his father to hit him before Rhea Ripley attacked him whilst the referee was distracted. Finn Balor took advantage and connected with the Coup De Grace onto AJ Styles to get the win. After the match, AJ Styles shoved Rey Mysterio in anger before the Judgement Day attacked him from behind. Overall, the Judgement Day got themselves another important victory.
Grade: B-
The Bloodline, Bobby Lashley VS Mustafa Ali
Bobby Lashley was talking about his aims to defend his United States Championship against different and more hungry competitors then he has faced. Then, Mustafa Ali challenged him and he annoyed Bobby so much, Lashley accepted it. The Bloodline were then backstage, and Jimmy Uso was laughing his head off after something that Sami Zayn said. Jey Uso wasn’t happy about this before they came face to face with the Street Profits. Montez Ford was shown with a boot before Angelo Dawkins challenged Solo Sikoa to a match later tonight. Then, the United States Championship was on the line as Bobby Lashley took on Mustafa Ali. This match told an excellent story, Bobby Lashley showcased his power and really destroyed Ali but, Mustafa wouldn’t quit. Ali hit a 450 Splash onto the champions arm, but it wasn’t enough as Lashley was still too powerful. Ali even slapped the All Mighty which made him very mad, and he pretty much destroyed him from that point on. After connecting with the spear, Lashley locked in the hurt lock to retain his title. The storytelling of Ali was excellent, his determination to never give up was great and him refusing to tap out made it all even better. A good job all round.
Grade: A (due to the storytelling)
Seth Rollins and Matt Riddle, Candice Le Rae VS Dakota Kai
After the United States Championship match, Seth Rollins stomped both Bobby Lashley and Mustafa Ali. Seth Rollins talked about how he is going to beat Matt Riddle in the fight pit before a video aired showcasing how the fight pit worked. Then, Matt Riddle came out and the two cut an excellent promo. Rollins brought up Riddle’s kids before Matthew joked about his wife having more success than him. This was all brilliant. I’m really looking forward to their match on Saturday.
Grade: B
The Miz was on the phone talking to Maryse about how he is going to have a massive birthday celebration next week. Dexter Lumis was standing behind him in the closet, a message for what was going to happen later on tonight. Also, shouldn’t it be called Mizday, that would work better. Anyway, Candice LeRae was in the ring ready to take on Dakota Kai. This match was solid, the two went through an ad break but, it wasn’t as good as it could have been. Due to the numbers advantage, Dakota Kai was able to get the victory. Kai should win given she is ½ of the Women’s tag team champions but, Candice losing already is a shame.
Grade: C
Otis VS Johnny Gargano, Braun Strowman VS Chad Gable
Johnny Gargano was walking backstage, and he walked past Dexter Lumis chocking out the Miz. He then turned around and Dexter was nowhere to be seen. In the Miz’s hand, there was a picture of Lumis and The Miz with a birthday cake, a symbol to next week’s show. Gargano laughed and said, “Oh Dexter”. I thought this was brilliant! After this, Bayley announced that she would go out to the ring alone for the contract signing. A video aired showing the history between Chad Gable and Braun Strowman. I thought this was actually pretty good.
It was then time for Otis to take on Johnny Gargano. This was a solid match; Gargano used his quickness whilst Otis showcased his power. Mr. MITB Austin Theory was on commentary, and he was pretty fun. As Gargano was on the apron, Austin Theory hit him with the briefcase whilst the referee’s back was turned meaning that Otis hit his big powerslam to get the win. Even though shenanigans sort of protect Gargano, Johnny shouldn’t be losing this early on into his run. Not the greatest night for the wrestling’s.
Grade: B-
When we came back from the ad break. We were straight into Chad Gable VS Braun Strowman. This was pretty decent, Strowman has looked really sharp in the ring since his return whilst Chad continues to show that he deserves a singles title one day. Also, at one point in the match, Master Gable hit a ridiculous suplex onto Strowman which showcased the Olympians incredible power, but it wasn’t enough as Strowman hit the powerbomb to get the win. Another week, another good performance from Strowman.
Grade: B-
Bianca Belair and Bayley sign the contract
Bobby Lashley was in the trainer's room whilst being interviewed by Kevin Patrick. Lashley said he would put the United States Championship on the line next week and finish Seth Rollins for good. It was then time for the contract signing between Bianca Belair and Bayley. This was actually pretty good, particularly from Bayley’s side. The Role Model said she was in the same position as Bianca Belair. They cheered for her, they made signs for her and kids put their hair in a ponytail to be like her. However, at some point is goes away. This was really good as it made you feel like it still really bothers Bayley. The two signed the contract before Damage Control were seen beating up Asuka and Alexa Bliss. Alexa then looked down the camera and challenged IYO SKY to a match. That would take place in the main event.
Grade: B
Angelo Dawkins VS Solo Sikoa, backstage segments
Solo Sikoa was then ready to take on Angelo Dawkins in singles action. You can clearly tell the improvements that Angelo has made whilst watching him as he went on to have another good showing. The Bloodline interfered a bit on the outside, but the biggest moment came when Solo had the match won but the referee was distracted by the bickering between the Honorary Uce and the right-hand man. It continued to the point that even Jimmy Uso had to get in-between them before Dawkins did a crazy dive onto all three of them. This cost him though as when he got back in the ring, he was met by a big kick before Sikoa hit the spinning Solo to get the win. A solid match that continues to showcase why Sikoa can be the face of the Bloodline once Roman Reigns has gone.
Grade: B-
Austin Theory was then backstage, and he was talking with the Alpha Academy. Theory then says that he isn’t finished with Johnny Gargano yet. The two will face each other on next week’s episode. Edge then cut a promo in the style he used to do. He sits in a ring on his own and looks down the camera. He talked about his family, Rey Mysterio and the Judgement Day. He then told Finn he was going to make him say “I Quit”. A pretty decent promo overall.
Alexa Bliss VS IYO SKY
It was main event time on this week’s edition of Monday Night Raw as Alexa Bliss took on IYO SKY. The match was pretty alright but that isn’t much of a surprise given how talented both competitors are. Bayley and Belair got into a little brawl on the outside, but Dakota Kai’s involvement was too much for the EST to handle as she got thrown into the steel steps. Back in the ring, Bliss was hitting some of her trademark manoeuvres but after IYO hit the air-raid crash, the Genius of the Sky went to the top rope and hit the over the moonsault to get the win. A great win for the former NXT Women’s Champion. After the match, Damage CTRL beat their rivals down including Asuka who attempted to make the save. Bayley then picked up the Raw Women’s Championship, climbed up the ladder and held it up high. That probably means she isn’t winning on Sunday. Overall, a solid main event.
Grade: B-
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