Last week’s RAW was unsuprisingly mediocre. Good in-ring work doesn’t compensate for garbage storytelling.
No doubt remains heading into Money in the Bank - this will be predicated on in-ring action, not storyline payoff. Weird for a wrestling show, right? Haha. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the forthcoming RAW.
Last Week’s RAW
- Braun Strowman def. Finn Balor
- Jinder Mahal def. Intercontinental Champion Seth Rollins via DQ - Rollins retains title
- Nia Jax def. local jobber
- RAW Tag Team Champions The Deleter of Worlds def. The Ascension
- Kevin Owens def. Bob Roode
- Drew McIntyre def. Chad Gable
- Sasha Banks def. Ruby Riott, Bayley, Mickie James, Sarah Logan, Dana Brooke, and Liv Morgan in Gauntlet Match - Banks qualifies for MITB
This Week’s Preview
Few things arouse the IWC as much as a return. Whether a legend or a popular undercard act, seeing someone you haven’t seen in a while is always heartwarming.
For weeks, Chad Gable has faced off against Drew McIntyre and Dolph Ziggler, falling prey to post-match beatdowns and underhanded tactics. Nobody has his back - but a rumoured return has the wrestling community (most notably fellow WinColumn author Parker Love) very excited. It seems logical that someone would have Gable’s safety in mind - perhaps a former tag partner in Jason Jordan. Sidelined earlier in the year with an admittedly worrying nerve injury, Jordan has reportedly been cleared to return to action. An evening of odds against The Show could lead to bigger and brighter things for the former American Alpha, perhaps even a tag team title opportunity.
With titles in mind, two former Universal Champions will be facing off tonight. Finn Balor and Kevin Owens are no strangers to eachother. A storied rivalry in NXT and more recent turmoil has lead to this match. Owens’ antics on guest commentary “pissed off” Balor, and rightfully so. With both men involved in the forthcoming Money in the Bank ladder match, any psychological edge over your opponents may be of benefit - and not only for Balor and Owens. The two other male competitors hailing from raw, Bobby Roode and Braun Strowman will be facing off as well. Do I have to write about this? It’s a foregone conclusion.
Roman Reigns is scheduled to be back on WWE programming this week, after a week long hiatus. He is still facing Jinder Mahal at Money in the Bank, and I still don’t give a shit.
Champion’s Corner
After being brutally bitch slapped by Elias on Monday, Intercontinental Champion Seth Rollins has a match against the Drifter at Money in the Bank. Realistically, there are much worse matches. Elias has yet to have a true coming out party, and if it should be against anyone, it is Rollins. This should be a fantastic match! Whether or not this continues through the coming months, it’s a satisfactory feud. Am I the only guy that wants Elias to cover Lola? That would be tight.
Not much has changed with RAW Tag Team Champions The Deleter of Worlds. A quick win over The Ascension last week did little to change the landscape of the tag team division. It looks as if a match against the B-Team is the best bet.
Raw Women’s Champion Nia Jax has had an interesting month. Frustration over losing her shine to a newcomer in Ronda Rousey seems to have reduced her glowing aura of body positivity, and rightfully so. Making quick work of a local talent last week and demonstrating her ability to escape Rousey’s infamous armbar exhibited her apparent frustration. Hey, you can’t blame her. I’d be pissed off too. Jax’s upcoming title defense promises to be her most challenging yet, but she has to get through Rousey’s apparent best friend, Natalya tonight - she herself being a formidable opponent. Gotta wonder what’s going to go down!
WWE Universal Champion Brock Lesnar hasn’t appeared since The Greatest Royal Rumble.
That’s it for this article; but what are your thoughts? Let us know. See you next week.
