Winners, Live Grades, Reaction, Highlights After Money in the Bank

On the heels of an explosive Money in the Bank premium live event that saw the intensification of the rivalry between CM Punk and Drew McIntyre, another (tainted but) successful world title defense by Damian Priest, and a major upset in the form of intercontinental champion Sami Zayn over Bron Brekker, WWE Raw hit the USA Network airwaves with its sights set on SummerSlam.

Ahead of the August 3 extravaganza, who built momentum and which Superstars found themselves needing a boost on the road to Cleveland?

Find out with this recap of the July 8 show, featuring a big mixed tag team match and a one-on-one showdown between Jey Uso and Chad Gable.

Announced in advance of Monday’s show:

• Jey Uso vs. Chad Gable
• Rey Mysterio and Zelina Vega vs. Dominik Mysterio and Liv Morgan
• Braun Strowman and The Awesome Truth vs. The Judgment Day
• Lyra Valkyria, Kayden Carter, and Katana Chance vs. Damage CTRL

Actions have consequences.

From the moment Drew McIntyre injured CM Punk at the Royal Rumble, the Straight Edge Superstar vowed that The Scottish Warrior would not be champion as long as he could help it.

It is that vengeance that fueled him Saturday at Money in the Bank, when he screwed McIntyre out of the World Heavyweight Championship and ruined his cash-in attempt. It is that vengeance that moved him to ask Adam Pearce to end his rival’s suspension so that he could get his hands on him again.

Punk found himself interrupted mid-promo, though, by Seth “Freakin” Rollins, who took exception to his interference in Saturday’s title match. As a result of his attack on McIntyre, Damian Priest retained the World Heavyweight Championship over Rollins and the Money in the Bank winner, meaning The Visionary can no longer challenge for the top prize on Raw as long as The Archer of Infamy remains champion.

Rollins echoed Punk’s “actions have consequences” line and warned Punk to keep his eyes open because he will put the Chicagoan back on the shelf.

This was a strong opening promo segment that recapped Punk’s busy Saturday while also reintroducing the intense dislike between the top two babyfaces on Monday nights. Punk and Rollins were once slated to square off at WrestleMania and while that match did not happen, and McIntyre is on Punk’s slate first, their inevitable match-up may very well be the most anticipated of any show.

Grade

A

Top Moments and Takeaways

• “The ratings took a dip because Drew McIntyre was on television,” Punk said.
• “There are consequences to your actions. CM Punk is the consequences to your stupid actions.”
• “I’m above you and I’m not just talking about the heels,” Rollins said to Punk, referencing his own obnoxious attire.

Jey Uso scored a victory over Chad Gable Monday, delivering a massive spear to the injured midsection of the 2012 Olympian to put him down for the three-count.

It came amid the familiar darkening of the arena as The Wyatt Sicks made their presence felt once more.

After the referee’s decision, Abby the Witch (Nikki Cross) emerged from under the ring and scared Gable off before delivering another video tape, this time to a hesitant Pat McAfee.

Backstage, Jackie Redmond interviewed Sheamus after The Celtic Warrior celebrated 15 years with WWE. Bronson Reed interrupted and, after ducking a challenge for a match, told the former world champion to watch what he does to Pete Dunne.

Uso and Gable were understandably feeling it following the Money in the Bank match Saturday and that, added to a commercial break that ate up much of the match’s run time, it never really reached its fullest potential.

That it felt secondary to the Wyatt Sicks appearance did not help matters.

Result

Uso pinned Gable

Grade

C+

Top Moments and Takeaways

• “I’ve been terrified through the TV, if I’m being honest,” McAfee said of watching The Wyatt Sicks from home.
• The Wyatt Sicks continue to interrupt Gable matches but have done nothing physically to him. It is all part of the mind games, but what exactly is the group trying to accomplish with the former Olympian at this point?
• “You gonna get this?” McAfee asked Cole, motioning toward the box like a proper brave soul.

Bronson Reed earned a quality victory Monday night, overcoming the focused attack of Pete Dunne on his left arm to down the Bruiserweight and pin him after a bone-rattling Tsunami.

The match was a fun, competitive bout that put over the gutsy resiliency of Dunne and the ability to absorb punishment and inflict it on the opposition of Reed.

After the match, Sheamus hit the ring, looking to confront Reed after their backstage confrontation moments earlier. After clearing the ring of the big man, The Celtic Warrior attempted to celebrate with Dunne, who wanted nothing to do with his former on-screen mentor.

The stuff with the babyfaces is interesting and bears watching in the coming weeks.

As for Reed, it was nice to see him actually win a match after spending months heating up, only to lose. Hopefully, this is a change of pace for the big man, but it is difficult to imagine him getting the best of Sheamus in a rivalry.

Result

Reed defeated Dunne

Grade

B

Top Moments and Takeaways

• Cole revealed on commentary that Tyler Bate was hurt in a tag team match on NXT last week and will be out of action for some time.
• Dunne has unreal chemistry with just about every other wrestler on the roster. He is quite capable of having a great match with any of them and this was no exception.
• The tease of tension between Sheamus and Dunne dating back to their days in The Brawling Brutes is an interesting development and should make for some intriguing television in the coming weeks.

Backstage, Rollins interrupted a gathering of The Judgment Day and asked to speak to world heavyweight champion Damian Priest.

After a little back and forth, Rollins admitted that The Archer of Infamy was damn good at Money in the Bank but warned him that he would have to be better against Gunther at SummerSlam.

Priest ultimately told The Visionary to throw the gentlemen’s agreement out the window because when he is done with Gunther, he will happily go to war with Rollins once again.

A phone call to a smiley Priest ended the segment.

Back in the arena, intercontinental champion Sami Zayn hit the ring for a promo.

He denounced the idea that he is the underdog. He is a champion, he said.

Breakker interrupted, feigned sincerity, and speared the ever-loving hell out of the champion. WWE officials hit the ring and attempted to separate the heel from the situation but the second-generation star eventually sprinted around the ring and delivered a spear.

Ilja Dragunov appeared and checked on Zayn to close the segment.

Any chance of the former No. 1 contender learning anything from his loss appears to be near zero. Instead, he looks poised to make Zayn wish he had never scored that upset win. He also appears to be on a collision course with Dragunov for a match, potentially tonight.

Grade

C+

Top Moments and Takeaways

• Priest answering his phone, smiling, and asking “where you at?” suggests we may see a familiar face later in the night? Could Mami be incoming?
• “I have earned a certain level of respect in this ring and it is a respect Bron Breakker did not bring with him to Toronto,” Zayn said.
• Dragunov vs. Breakker as soon as tonight? Sign this writer up. 

The Judgment Day continued its winning ways Monday as world tag team champions Finn Bálor and JD McDonagh, and Carlito, defeated Braun Strowman and The Awesome Truth’s R-Truth and The Miz.

The match was a fun six-man tag, the likes of which WWE excels in, that saw the heels outsmart the babyfaces en route to Bálor delivering the Coup de Grace to Miz.

Creatively, there was little to nothing about this that had any major impact on ongoing storylines.

It was simply a good match that saw the right team go over as The Judgment Day continues roll, enjoying the best and most fruitful run of its existence.

Result

The Judgment Day def. Strowman and The Awesome Truth

Grade

C+

Top Moments and Takeaways

• Truth and Miz paid homage to John Cena on the heels of his retirement announcement, delivering stereo Attitude Adustments to Bálor and McDonagh at the opening bell.
• Truth joined Strowman during his run around the ring and laid out McDonagh.
• Backstage, Pearce told Punk to stay home so he can talk to McIntyre next week. “Go home, pet Larry, and let me deal with Drew,” he said.

The latest from the Wyatt Sicks saw Bo Dallas once again conversing with Uncle Howdy in an internal dialogue videotaped for the entire world to see.

At the end of the back-and-forth, Dallas uttered an ominous, “then sick is what we will be.”

Couple the excellent video, as short as it may have been, with a clearly tormented Dallas sitting and waiting for Raw general manager, this was excellent stuff that continues to gradually progress the Wyatt storyline.

Gable still appears to be the target of the group, with a match as soon as SummerSlam potentially waiting for him and any member of the dangerous “family.” If that is the case, a showdown with fellow NXT export Dallas feels like the right call.

That fans continue to wait and see where this is all going suggests that both the performer and the company have convinced fans to go along on the ride with them.

Grade

A

Top Moments and Takeaways

• “I took those that no one wanted. The disposed, the discarded…I gave them a purpose,” Dallas said.
• “There’s been loss. Too much, but grief is the price you pay for love.”
• “Do you think we are sick?” Dallas asked. “Yes I do,” Howdy responded. “Then sick is what we’ll be.” 
• Backstage, Gable approached Pearce and demanded more action from him in regard to The Wyatt Sicks. Pearce entered his office, where Dallas sat waiting for the general manager.

The rivalry between Bron Breakker and Ilja Dragunov wrote its latest chapter as the two rekindled their vendetta in a one-on-one showdown.

A hard-hitting, incredibly physical match saw The Mad Dragon nearly knock off Breakker and deal him his second, consecutive defeat in as many matches.

Instead, the second-generation star halted Dragunov’s momentum by throwing an office chair at him, drawing a disqualification. After the bell, he attempted to beat down the Russian-born competitor but Sami Zayn made the save.

Still hobbled by the spear from earlier in the night, the IC champion left himself open and Breakker pounced, pulling him from the ring, throwing him into the ring post, and sending him crashing over the announce table.

This accomplished two things: it kept the Breakker-Zayn rivalry alive but it also provided yet another non-finish between Breakker and Dragunov, giving neither man the definitive upper-hand. Instead, it left the outcome unsettled so that WWE Creative can revisit that program later down the line.

Result

Dragunov def. Breakker via disqualification

Grade

B+

Top Moments and Takeaways

• McAfee referred to Breakker as a “brick s**t house” and said at 9:51 on the east coast, it was the most appropriate answer.
• Dragunov answered Breakker’s hard rights and lefts with a series of spinning back chops, including one to the knees. 
• Dragunov delivered a big powerbomb and followed with the senton for a two count in a fun series.
• The babyface appeared to have a nasty gash on his leg, which indirectly put over how intensely physical the contest had been. 

Lyra Valkyria’s rivalry with Damage CTRL wrote its latest chapter Monday as the former NXT women’s champion partnered with former women’s tag team champions Katana Chance and Kayden Carter to battle Iyo Sky, Kairi Sane, and Dakota Kai.

An action-packed six-woman tag team match broke down late and featured both teams throwing everything they had at the other. The babyfaces appeared to have the win in hand after a Keg Stand from Chance and Carter to Kai but Sky broke up the pin.

From there, Damage CTRL rolled en route to Sky delivering her Over the Moonsault to Carter for the win.

After the match, the trio of Zoey Stark, Shayna Baszler, and Sonya Deville beat down Damage CTRL and stood tall to close out the segment, sending a message that there is a new dominant trio in the women’s division.

We had seen hints and teases of a new union between Stark, Baszler, and Deville in backstage segments and in the background if other vignettes. Monday marked the first actual appearance of them as a united front.

If nothing else, it should make for some fun trios, tag team, and individual match-ups in the coming weeks and months.

Result

Damage CTRL defeated Valkyria, Chance, and Carter

Grade

B

Top Moments and Takeaways

• Karrion Kross sent an ominous message to Xavier Woods, telling him John Cena knew when his time was up but The New Day has yet to do so.
• Sky delivered a nice missile dropkick to break up the pin. While subtle, it continued to hammer home the idea that The Goddess of the Sky is the driving force of Damage CTRL, having to once again save her partners from defeat.
• Sane almost had a nasty fall on the arena floor as Sky launched her into the air, only for her foot to clip the top rope.
• “You cost me everything, Iyo!” Stark told Sky before kicking her square in the face, referencing the big Michinoku Driver from the top of one ladder, onto another at Money in the Bank.

Dominik Mysterio finally defeated his father, the legendary Rey, in the main event of Monday night but he had little time to celebrate.

Moments after he and Liv Morgan defeated Rey and Zelina Vega, Rhea Ripley returned, cutting off an intimate celebration.

Morgan baled through the crowd, wanting no part of the vengeful Ripley, while Dom stood meekly in the center of the ring, in awe and concerned about The Eradicator’s unexpected return.

The stunning return of Ripley capped off a fun main event that saw some creative offense from the babyfaces and equally enjoyable spots from the heels. It was not a classic match, but the fans bought into everything en route to the heels narrowly eaking out a victory.

Ripley is going to collect her pound of flesh from Morgan eventually but the equally as significant question is what her return means for her on-screen relationship with Mysterio and what she brings to a Judgment Day faction that has not been as united as it had been under her leadership.

The only negative? The timing was off, leaving Ripley’s return to be rushed more than it should have been.

Result

Dominik and Morgan def. Rey and Vega

Grade

B+

Top Moments and Takeaways

• Backstage, Isla Dawn and Alba Fyre interrupted Stark, Baszler, and Sonya Deville, teasing an upcoming women’s tag team title feud. In the background, Chad Gable could be seen discussing business with the Creed Brothers and Ivy Nile.
• Gunther cut a pre-taped promo about his upcoming world title match at SummerSlam. “I enjoy making people miserable,” he said in a banger of a line.
• “It’s only appropriate, with all the stretching that was going on earlier tonight, that we are in the Nutter Center next week,” Cole said, calling back to the vignette earlier in which Morgan stretched out Mysterio, only to be caught by the rest of Judgment Day.
• Rey tripped his son up, sending him head-first into the nether regions of Morgan, who was seated in the corner, in a fun spot right out of the 2000s. 
• Rey tried for 619 but Dom caught him. Vega answered with a 619 of her own, catching the heel in the midsection. She added one to Morgan, who responded by sending her into the ring post.

Triple H and Co. wasted little time following up Money in the Bank by progressing existing rivalries, introducing new stories, and delivering a huge angle at the close of the show with the return of Ripley.

Building momentum after a premium live event, when interest in the product is higher than normal, is always of the utmost importance and the Chief Content Officer has proven adept at that.

The show was not the runaway success that some have been, with a few matches or segments that did not hit quite as hard as they should have, but there was far more good than bad here, particularly in terms of the CM Punk-Seth Rollins segment, all things Judgment Day, the great video package featuring Gunther, and the teased tension between Sheamus and Dunne.

This was a thumbs-up show and it will be interesting to see what directions some of the top stories take next week.

Grade: B