In my opinion, Monday Night Raw failed to replicate the same level of storyline progression seen in the previous week's episode. While it was logical that WWE would continue with the storyline between Brock and Cody, it felt peculiar to witness Aj Styles, a Smackdown star, make an appearance. Moreover, there was a small decrease in quality to the matches, with only the main event managing to deliver the excitement expected. The money in the bank qualifiers lacked compelling narratives, and the outcome of the women's tag four-way match was predictably foreseeable. However, I must commend the show's overall structure, which remained solid, and the crowd, who were genuinely enthusiastic.
Days removed from Night of Champions, WWE Monday Night Raw is the first stop on the road to Money In The Bank. Ricochet Vs The Miz and Bronson Reed Vs Shinsuke Nakamura look to qualify for the money in the bank. What does Trish Stratus have to say after enlisting Zoey Stark’s help to beat becky Lynch? And What does Cody Rhodes have to say about Brock Lesnar making him pass out?
GREAT Seth Rollins Championship Celebration:
Seth walks down the stairs through the crowd similar to the shield days as he is announced as the new champion. Albany serenades the new champion as he gets a large amount of streamers. Seth puts himself over as he is the champion that wants to be here and is ready for a fight. Rollins allows the crowd to sing his song before Aj Styles’ theme hits as he comes out. Aj says he couldn’t resist coming to Monday Night Raw to congratulate Seth Rollins. Telling Seth that he earned the right to become the champion. Seth offers and Aj accepts as they engage in a respectful handshake.
The Judgment Day comes out as Finn reveals this respect-fest is making him sick. Ripley talks about Seth losing his title as she hints at it being her Dom Dom. The crowd erupt in boos as Rhea said it. Seth and Styles burst out laughing together. Seth Rollins accepts a challenge on behalf of him and Aj as the main event of Raw will be the Judgment Day Vs Seth and Styles.
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.75 Stars
GOOD The Miz Vs Ricochet – Men’s MITB Qualifier:
Miz decided to work a similar style, hitting a hurricanrana and a springboard crossbody on Ricochet. Getting a lungblower rolled into a DDT as Miz was saying in control. Ricochet gets a standing sliced bread and a shooting star press for the victory. They did not show a lot of this match and it looked like a squash match.
Results: Ricochet by Pinfall via Shooting Star Press
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.00 Stars
GOOD Trish Stratus and Zoey Stark Promo:
Gosh I hate what chants…. Trish claims that Zoey Stark wanted to help, not that Trish needed it. Zoey Stark thanks Trish for being Trish. Trish points out the bruise on her jawline as she threatens Becky. Becky comes out and looks to challenge Trish to a match as they both were in their gear. Lynch brings the brawl to the Trish and Zoey duo as the numbers game is too much. Stratus and Stark put a thank you trish shirt on Becky. Good promo overall aside from the “what” chants.
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.00 Stars
SQUASH Indus Sher Vs ??? and Javier Bernal:
Indus Sher dominated the match. Nothing much else to say.
Results: Indus Sher by Pinfall via Side walk slam and diving leg drop.
GREAT Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn Promo:
Kevin Owens is clearly wearing a We The Ones shirt. Sami Zayn is serenaded with his theme as they enter to the ring together. Zayn says Roman deserved everything he got at night of champions. Kevin is worked up when imperium come out and say that Gunther’s win was more impressive. Ludwig tries to say the titles will look better on their waist. Kevin is still fired up about Vinci not talking as they start a baldy chant. Gable gives Ludwig a massive SHOOSH as they come out and confirm Maxxine Dupri as a member of the alpha academy. Sami and Kevin encourage Chad to give the “Ah THANK YOUUUUUU” as they pop for it themselves with Kevin saying your welcome. It was just comedy with how Kevin and Sami looked and felt bloodline free.
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.75 Stars
SQUASH Imperium, Giovanni Vinci and Ludwig Kaiser with Vs Alpha Academy, Otis and Chad Gable with Maxxine Dupri:
During the match, Valhalla came out and went after Maxxine. Maxxine gets a kick to her before running away to the match. This distracts Chad Gable with Imperium taking control. Otis gets the hot tag as Imperium takes control of Gable. They hit a double team to win. Kevin and Sami are so good at commentary.
Results: Imperium by Pinfall via Imperium Bomb.
GOOD Chelsea Green and Sonya Deville Vs Shotzi and Raquel Rodriguez Vs Damage CTRL, Iyo Sky and Bayley Vs Ronda Rousey and Shayna Baszler:
Some good stuff where the crowd was almost wanting anyone but Ronda Rousey to win. Bayley got a great elbow drop to break up Ronda’s submission. There was a spot where Chelsea failed to get a tag from anyone while in the ring with Raquel. The finish was fine with Ronda countering Shotzi’s senton with an armbar for the win.
Results: Ronda Rousey and Shayna Baszler by Submission via Ronda catching a diving Shotzi into an armbar.
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.00 Stars
UNRATED Dolph Ziggler Vs JD McDonagh:
JD McDonagh takes out of the ring and beats down Ziggler. Using the steel steps to lay him out.
Results: No Contest
GREAT Cody Rhodes Promo:
Cody Rhodes announces that he is having an open challenge to Brock Lesnar. Anywhere anytime and he wants to fight him. Cody says that Brock Lesnar is not man enough to tap him out while saying Brock is scared of Cody Rhodes.
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.75 Stars
ABOVE AVERAGE Bronson Reed Vs Shinsuke Nakamaura – Men’s MITB Qualifier: Summary
Bronson uniquely reversed the sliding German suplex before Nakamura stopped Reed from leaving the apron to hit the shoulder block. Reed superkicks Shinsuke to counter a diving Knee. Shinsuke dodges the tsunami before hitting a number of knee strikes. Bronson breaks the count to get back in the ring but gets hit with the kinshasa.
Results: Shinsuke Nakamura by Pinfall via Kinshasa
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 2.75 Stars
GREAT AJ Styles and Seth Rollins vs Damian Priest and Finn Balor Of The Judgment Day, with Rhea Ripley and Dominik Mysterio: Click Here for a highlight!
Overall this was just a fun main event. We saw Seth Rollins recreate the Shawn Michaels and Melina spot. A lot of the Seth and Rhea interactions in the match were entertaining. There was good stuff from everyone. Damian dodged a phenomenal forearm and got the razors edge. Seth broke the pin with a stomp before getting the tag and hitting another one.
Results: Aj Styles and Seth Rollins by Pinfall via Seth Rollins’ Stomp On Priest
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.75 Stars
Overall…
In my opinion, Monday Night Raw failed to replicate the same level of storyline progression seen in the previous week’s episode. While it was logical that WWE would continue with the storyline between Brock and Cody, it felt peculiar to witness Aj Styles, a Smackdown star, make an appearance. Moreover, there was a small decrease in quality to the matches, with only the main event managing to deliver the excitement expected. The money in the bank qualifiers lacked compelling narratives, and the outcome of the women’s tag four-way match was predictably foreseeable. However, I must commend the show’s overall structure, which remained solid, and the crowd, who were genuinely enthusiastic.
Matches: 0.25/1 Stars
Show Structure: 0.75/1 Stars
Atmosphere…: 0.75/1 Stars
Storytelling: 0.50/1 Stars
Production/Theme: 0.75/1 Stars
Overall Rating. 3.00/5 Stars
Photo Credit: WWE – May 29 2023
For inquiries about the rating criteria check out the article announcing the new system here:
