Hello, readers! This is Prince Osborne, a member of SmarkDown in Discord and YouTube and I’m here to expand my take on pro wrestling with the help of this blog. Tonight, we’re set for a high-stakes show of Monday Night Raw. Lest cut to the chase!
The footage of last week was shown as Nikki A.S.H. cashed in her Money In The Bank contract to defeat Charlotte Flair for the Raw Women’s Championship.
Nikki A.S.H. ushers in as Raw Women’s Champion
Nikki has the mic welcomes everyone to the show as she follows it up by stating that she is happy to be Raw Women’s Champion. “You Deserve It” chants emanate from the crowd. She said that she failed every time when she tried her best to reach for the stars. Then, she had a change in herself which is the “superhero” gimmick which boosted her confidence level. In the middle of what was slated to be a C+ motivational speech, Charlotte Flair interrupted the scene. Charlotte starts the promo stating that Nikki is such a disgrace of being the Raw Women’s Champion and follows it up with her recent interviews. Most of them doesn’t believe that happened as Charlotte said that she’s here to add the star power this division needs. “You Suck” chants rise from the crowd and Charlotte shuts the crowd down again. At a certain point, Charlotte blames the crowd for the “injustice” happened to her whenever a cash-in happens as Rhea Ripley enters the fray. The crowd is so over for Rhea! Rhea states that they’re all jealous of Charlotte eventhough she had the title for one single day. She stated even further as she should be the one to challenge Nikki at SummerSlam. But, Nikki politely rejects the challenge from both women as she expects fresh faces to challenge her. Out comes Adam Pearce and Sonya Deville to make a Triple Threat Match for the Raw Women’s Championship at SummerSlam. Charlotte says that this decision is ridiculous as she challenges Nikki for a match tonight! Nikki accepts! It’s official! All the three women brawl with Nikki standing tall. An okay-ish predictable segment. Grade: B-
We were cut to the commercials by an upcoming match between Damian Priest and the United States Champion, Sheamus.
United States Championship Contender’s Match: Damian Priest vs Sheamus
Damian Priest def. Sheamus @ 6:35 by pinfall after hitting the Reckoning neckbreaker. A hard hitting match, to be frank and they did what they had to do with the short time given. Priest entering the United States Championship picture is really interesting and I have my money on him dethroning Sheamus at SummerSlam. Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars
Coming up next, a rematch from Money in The Bank as AJ Styles and Omos defend the Raw Tag Team Championships against The Viking Raiders!
Tag Team Match for the Raw Tag Team Championships: AJ Styles & Omos (C) vs The Viking Raiders (Ivar & Erik)
AJ Styles & Omos def. The Viking Raiders @6:04 by pinfall after Styles pinned Erik by hitting the 450 Splash. Another solid match in the books of Styles & Omos as this rivalry gets heated up even more which wasn’t expected by most. Rating: 2.25 out of 5 stars
Up next, Drew McIntyre addresses his actions from last week where he laid out one of Jinder Mahal’s proteges, Shanky with 32 chilling chair strikes!
Before the scheduled match between McIntyre and Veer, Jinder requests the former to apologize for what he did to Shanky. But, Drew neglects it and fires up the crowd by shutting Jinder and his crew down with “Drew’s gonna kill you” chants.
Singles Match: Drew McIntyre vs Veer w/Jinder Mahal
Drew McIntyre def. Veer @3:48 by disqualification after he hits a Claymore Kick onto the chair laid on Veer’s head. I can’t really rate this match in terms of quality as this felt more of an angle heading towards SummerSlam for Drew vs Jinder. Rating: 0.5 out of 5 stars
Post-match, Drew McIntyre knocks the newly appointed “attorney” of Jinder with a claymore! What a “surprise” it was.
Up next, another championship contender’s match for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships as Eva Marie and Doudrop face the champions, Tamina and Natalya.
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships Contender’s Match: Tamina & Natalya vs Eva Marie & Doudrop
Tamina & Natalya def. Eva Marie & Doudrop @3:12 by pinfall after Tamina hits a superkick on a distracted Eva. Another match that really can’t be rated for any reasons because I really hate this rivalry between Eva and Alexa. Rating: DUD
Up next, a rematch straight from NXT TakeOver: XXX as Keith Lee faces the current NXT Champion who had a disappointing debut last week, Karrion Kross.
Singles Match: Keith Lee vs Karrion Kross
Karrion Kross def. Keith Lee @5:16 by submission by locking in the Kross Jacket. A decent back-and-forth match with a result that is much needed on one side but on the other contrary, Keith Lee should be protected at all costs. After a debut that should not be remembered, Kross bounced back with a big win. Rating: 1.75 out of 5 stars
Up next, the underbuilt pairing of Mustafa Ali and Mansoor will face MACE and T-Bar in a tag team match.
Tag Team Match: Mustafa Ali & Mansoor vs MACE & T-Bar
Mustafa Ali & Mansoor def. MACE & T-Bar @3:09 by pinfall after Mansoor rolled up MACE for the pin. More of an angle to hype up the pairing of Ali and Mansoor who are really talented. Rating: N/R
Up next, the almighty WWE Champion Bobby Lashley will respond to the challenge laid out by the WWE Hall of Famer Goldberg last week.
Bobby Lashley responds to Goldberg’s SummerSlam challenge
MVP calls back what happened last week and awaits for the champ’s answer. Lashley said that he doesn’t want to dignify the challenge by a response. Out comes Cedric Alexander who says that he is desperate of a challenge and Shelton Benjamin comes out to step up. Lashley simply orders both of them to step up.
Two on One Handicap Match: Bobby Lashley w/MVP vs Shelton Benjamin & Cedric Alexander
Bobby Lashley def. Cedric Alexander & Shelton Benjamin @2:40 by pinfall after he hits the Dominator on Alexander. A powerful squash for the WWE Champion and an impromptu reunion of The Hurt Business. Rating: N/R
Backstage, AJ Styles is having a conversation with The Miz & John Morrison secretly. Don’t know what’s that for. But, up, next, Riddle goes toe-to-toe against John Morrison.
Singles Match: Riddle vs John Morrison w/The Miz
John Morrison def. Riddle @6:21 by pinfall after Morrison hit Riddle with a Starship Pain. Another solid match which had its slippery moments here and there but the tag team angle improved so well as Styles ad Omos have their new challengers possibly set in RK-Bro. Rating: 2.25 out of 5 stars
Up next, the 24/7 Championship will be on the line as Reginald will defend it against R-Truth.
Singles Match for the 24/7 Championship: Reginald (C) vs R-Truth
Reginald def. R-Truth @1:26 by pinfall after a front flip splash. An entertaining angle for Reginald. Rating: N/R
Backstage, Charlotte is being interviewed as she is poised to prove that the “superhero” in Nikki is a fluke.
Raw Women’s Championship Contender’s Match: Nikki A.S.H. vs Charlotte Flair
Charlotte Flair def. Nikki A.S.H. @8:31 by pinfall after she reversed a crossbody splash and pinned her. A decent main event. Charlotte winning was easily predictable and the title picture is so mediocre. Rating: 2.25 out of 5 stars
Post match, Nikki challenges Charlotte to a rematch next week as Charlotte accepts. Then, Charlotte attacks her and stands tall!
Overall Match Rating: 1.25 out of 5 stars
Overall Show Rating: 3.5 out of 10 points
This show started really well with two solid matches and it just went into the deepwaters of irrelevancy and annoying repetitions. Priest vs Sheamus stands out as the Match of the Night for me.
What do you think, people? Was the show felt the same as myself or do you feel something different? Share your opinions in the feedback section right below. I’ll see you all tomorrow for NXT on Syfy Network. See you all and enjoy wrestling!