Raw Review 06/11/2018

Tonight is the Go-Home Edition of Monday Night Raw before this Sunday’s Money In The Bank PPV! In Store is two epic Fatal-Four Way Matches, first for the men we have Kevin Owens vs Braun Strowman vs Bobby Roode vs Finn Balor. For the women, it will be Alexa Bliss vs Natalya vs Ember Moon vs Sasha Banks. Also, Ronda Rousey and Nia Jax will meet face to face before their epic Clash this Sunday! Last week we saw Baron Corbin become the new constable for Raw but how will he fit in his new role? Finally will Roman Reigns accept Jinder Mahal’s challenge to a match tonight?

Raw comes to us tonight from the Verizon Arena in North Little Rock, Arkansas.

Raw kicks off with us being welcomed by Michael Cole, Corey Graves, and The Coach

In Ring Segment: Kurt Angle w/ The Money In The Bank Contests
Angle reminds that this Sunday is Money In The Bank and tells that there will be 4 superstars from Raw and Smackdown. He says the match will test you physically and mentally but the outcome will be worth it because you will get a Championship opportunity. Outcomes Baron Corbin.
Corbin says as the new constable he represents Stephanie McMahon and he is here to make sure Raw runs smoothly. Angle says as the manager he wants both contracts to come back to Raw. Corbin says and if they don’t she won’t be to happy. Bliss jumps in and says she will grab the contract. Banks then asks Bliss what exactly is injured on her? Bliss claims her shoulder. Angle asks if Natalya will be able to compete this Sunday even though she’s cleared. Natalya says she will be fine and she will cash in on her friend and who will be the new champion Ronda Rousey. Banks says she will be cashing in. Owens jumps in and says the briefcase should be higher for Braun and lower for him. Roode questions this. Owens tells Corbin he’s likes his new haircut and he needs to do something about this. Braun tells him he’ll take him on right now and he’s gonna take the contract and cash in on Brock Lesnar. Bliss screams and says they are all sounding like the real housewives of WWE. Bliss then says her Mixed-Match Challenge partner Braun Strowman is gonna win. Banks says she thinks it will be Balor. Balor says he would pick Sasha as well. Braun screams and says he this Sunday somebody will get these hands!
My Opinion:
This was an awesome way to start off Raw. it really brought the importance of this Sunday and I liked the banter back and forth. I think every Raw superstar has a great chance to win this Sunday but the SmackDown superstars will definitely be ready. One thing I am interested in is to see how Braun will fit into the match. We haven’t really seen him in this type of environment and honestly the most capable of winning based on experience in these matches would have to be Kevin Owens. The Fatal-Four Way Matches tonight will be crucial as one of the women and one of the men of Raw will have an edge over the other three going into Sunday.

Match 1: Alexa Bliss vs. Sasha Banks vs. Natalya vs. Ember Moon
Bliss goes after Banks and then hits Moon with a big shot. She then tosses Natalya out of the ring. Moon is able to catch Bliss and she hits a big fallaway slam. Bliss rolls out of the ring after grabbing her hamstring. Natalya grabs her on the outside and drives her into the barricade. Moon gets a side headlock on Natalya but is pushed off. Moon comes back and hits Natalya but Banks brings her to the mat. Banks and Moon trade covers but neither get a three. Natalya and Banks then trade covers but again neither can get the three. Natalya hits Moon with a huge shot and sends her out of the ring. Banks goes after Natalya and works her arm. Natalya fights back and brings Banks to the mat and works her arm. Banks works to her feet and hits Natalya in the corner. Banks tries a bulldog but Natalya counters. Banks avoids a kick but then Natalya overpowers her. Natalya looks for the sharpshooter but is pushed out of the ring. Moon tries a cover but Banks kicks out. Moon and Banks trade shots. Banks goes to and takes out Natalya flying from the top rope. Moon then hits a suicide dive taking out Banks. Banks is rolled into the ring but Bliss hits Moon with a huge forearm on the outside. Bliss tries a cover but Banks kicks out as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Bliss twist the leg of Natalya Moon gets in the ring but Bliss hits her with a huge right sending her back to the outside. Bliss then goes back to the leg to Natalya. Natalya tries to stand but Bliss hits her leg and sends her back to the mat. Bliss then uses the ropes to put pressure on the leg. Natalya lands a counter into a pin but Bliss kicks out. Bliss lands a huge kick to the leg of Natalya but her comes Banks. Banks takedown Bliss and lands a huge kick. Sasha lands a big knee and then hits double knees in the corner. Banks tries a cover but Bliss kicks out. Moon comes back in the ring and hits a double crossbody on Banks and Bliss. Moon then hits a step-up enziguri on Banks. Moon hits a huge suplex but Banks kicks out of the cover. Moon then lands big shoulder shots to the gut of Bliss in the corner. Bliss tries a pin but Banks hits a meteora to break the pin. Banks and Moon team up and bring Bliss to the top rope. Natalya gets back in the match and slams Banks and Moon as Bliss hangs on. Bliss hits Twisted Bliss but Banks gets her knees up. Everyone is down as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Bliss hits a backbreaker on Banks. Banks counters her and hits the backstabber into the Banks Statement. Natalya breaks up the submission. Natalya then hits a basement dropkick on both Banks and Bliss. Natalya then locks Banks in the sharpshooter. Moon comes from behind with a huge kick to break the hold. Moon the catches Natalya with a big elbow in the corner. Moon goes to the top rope and hits the Eclipse. Bliss grabs her and doesn’t let go. Bliss then pulls Moon to the outside and throws her into the steps. Bliss tries a cover but Banks breaks it up. Bliss catches Banks and then is able to throw her into the ring post. Natalya comes to and locks the sharpshooter on Bliss. Bliss taps out.
Winner: Natalya
My Opinion:
What a match! All four women showed how much they wanted to win this and they were hard-hitting tonight. Natalya pushed through the pain and picked up a huge victory. I was very impressed by all four women tonight and honestly, it was anyone’s match. For Natalya, she showed she wants this and for her own mental state, she proved to herself that no injury will keep her from competing and getting big wins. Going into this Sunday she just gave herself huge momentum!

Backstage Segment:
Owens offers Balor olives and says it’s a symbol of being friendly. Balor asks what he wants. Owens says the women’s match was chaotic and we can’t have that in our match. Balor questions him. Owens says they are competitors and are both former Universal Champions and they never got their re-matches. He tells Balor that if Braun wins he could hold the title forever and he tells Balor he can’t beat him and he probably could but it’s gonna be taxing. Balor asks his point. Owens says what if he doesn’t make to Money In The Bank. He says he and Balor and Roode should work together and tonight it should be every man versus monster.

Match 2: Breezango (Tyler Breeze & Fandango) vs Dolph Ziggler & Drew Mcintyre
Ziggler goes right after Breeze. He brings Breeze to the corner and then down to the mat. Ziggler grabs Breeze and scraps his head across the ropes. Ziggler hits Breeze with big shots and hits a huge standing elbow drop. Mcintyre gets the tag and goes after Breeze. He then hits him with a huge chop knocking him to the mat. Ziggler gets the tag and taunts Fandango. Ziggler pushes Breeze down but Breeze comes back with a step up enzugiri. Fandango and Mcintyre get the tags, Fandango takes it to Mcintyre but Mcintyre takes control. Fandango lands a big kick but Ziggler then knocks him off the top rope. Mcintyre slams Breeze and tags Ziggler. Ziggler hits a huge superkick. Ziggler and Mcintyre then hit the Zig Zag and the Claymore. Zigler goes for the cover on Fandango and gets the 1 2 3.
*** Ziggler says last week there was tag team battle royal that was a fluke. He says it’s behind them and get over it. Mcintyre says this is the proof and uses Breeze and Fandango as exhibit a and b. Ziggler tells them this is the tag team and tells the teams in the back to take a good look. Ziggler says the show starts and ends her and they are the future. Mcintyre says they are here to save the division so get going or get out.
Winners: Dolph Ziggler & Drew Mcintyre
My Opinion:
Ziggler and Mcintyre continue to be so impressive as a team. They’re in ring work together is amazing and they really work very well together. Also, on the mic, I really believe in what they say. As a team, they could really run with them and they’d be great leaders of the division. I still question why they didn’t win last week as they seem right now to be the beat on Raw and they’re not even the champs yet.

Backstage Segment:
Charly asks Reigns if he’s surprised Mahal challenged him to a match just 6 days before Money In The Bank. He says no he’s an idiot. He says he’s not in the Money In The Bank match because of Mahal and he can’t cash in and take the title from Lesnar. He tells Mahal has asked for this and he is gonna get it paid in full.

Match 3: Sunil Singh w/ Jinder Mahal vs Roman Reigns
***Before the match Mahal says he challenged Reigns to prove a point that he is not as unstoppable as he says he is. He says the winds are changing and he can see what you can not. He says at Money In The Bank he sees Reigns struggling and defeated. He says he sees his arm raised as Reigns lays there defeated and exposed. Mahal tells Reigns that his anger is clouding his judgment. He tells Reigns that he thought he was gonna face him tonight but not his opponent is gonna be another Indian, The Great Sunil Singh
As the match begins Reigns takes out Mahal. He then hits Singh with a Superman Punch. Reigns then hits him with a spear. Reigns gets the 1 2 3. Mahal comes from behind and hits Reigns with the Khallas.
Winner: Roman Reigns
My Opinion:
I liked the mind games with Mahal tonight. I think everyone knew they wouldn’t have Mahal and Reigns face right before their PPV match and so this was a good way to go. Reigns obviously made quick work but the more important part of the match is the fact Mahal got one over on Reigns. This may add fuel to the fire but it also lets Reigns know that Mahal is ready and this Sunday he better watch out.

Match 4: The B – Team (Bo Dallas & Curtis Axel) vs Heath Slater & Rhyno
Slater hits Axel with big right hands and is able to knock him down to the mat. Axel lands big kicks but Slater is able to knock him down again. Axel gets back into the match and tags Dallas. They double team Slater and Dallas tries a cover but Slater kicks out. Dallas stomps on him and tries a cover again but Slater kicks out. Dallas then takes out Rhyno. Slater pushes Dallas into the corner but Axel tags in. Axel lands a right hand and he and Dallas land a double neck breaker. Axel goes for the cover and gets the 1 2 3.
*** Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt come on the titantron and clap for them. Hardy tells them what they are doing is wonderful, it’s delightful, it’s marvelous. Wyatt then says we’re here. Hardy says well done and it appears you are trying to prove yourself as worthy suiters to the championships. Hardy says they are all knowing. Wyatt says look around you are surrounded by the woken and the fireflies. He says they are always watching them and what they feel on the inside is fear. Wyatt says they bought the ticket and now they have to take the ride. Hardy says when this is finished they will eat them and delete them.
Winners: The B – Team (Bo Dallas & Curtis Axel)
My Opinion:
Another big win for the B – Team. Axel and Dallas really have been doing well and I liked the way they work in the ring together. I think they’re fit to be a team but not sure if they’re fit to be the champions. Either way, I’m happy they are getting their opportunity finally but it does seem Hardy and Wyatt are ready for them whenever they get their title opportunity.

Backstage Segment:
Elias says he will do his best but it’s gonna be hard to perform in front of a bunch of Arkansas hillbillies.

In Ring Segment: Elias
Elias says this is the final time you will see him without the Intercontinental Championship. He says that at Money In The Bank Seth Rollins will find out what the whole world knows that is WWE stands for Walk With Elias. Elias sing his song dissing Rollins and then brings a guitar he says was given to him by John Mayer. He says next week he will play his greatest song ever and he will have this guitar across his chest and the Intercontinental Championship around his waist. Outcomes Seth Rollins. Rollins goes right after him but Elias stops him. Rollins fights back and sends him over the ropes. Rollins ask him why he keeps running and says why did you hit me with the guitar to make a name for yourself? He tells Elias he is in the same spot every Monday and he knows where to find him all he had to do was ask. He tells Elias he really wants to like him and says Elias has it all. Rollins then grabs the John Mayer guitar and says this is really nice. He says he would hate for this to go to waste. He says this would be great for a charity auction here in Little Rock. Rollins says no he can’t do that and lays down the guitar. Rollins then threatens to stomp it. Rollins then stomps his foot and the crowd chants Burn It Down. Rollins then does smash the guitar with the stomp.
My Opinion:
Rollins and Elias really have a good rivalry brewing. Elias is doing well in coming after Rollins and doing it in his own unique way. Rollins has a lot of fight in him and even though this isn’t his hottest rivalry ever he’s making the most of it. Some people probably haven’t enjoyed their in-ring segments but I believe this Sunday they will put on a great match especially with the Intercontinental Championship on the line.

Backstage Segment:
Owens tells Roode that seeing Seth smash through the custom guitar liked that reminded him of last week when Braun smashed the ladder. Roode asks what he wants, Owens says none of them could beat him and they need to stop it before they have a chance. He tells Roode they need to work together tonight or he can go at it alone and end up like the ladder last week.

Match 5: Bayley vs Ruby Riott
Riott stands with a big forearm and hard kicks to follow. Riott takes it to Bayley and slams her head on the mat. Riott gets her in the corner and uses her hair to bend Bayley over the ropes. Riott lands more big kicks in the corner. Bayley counters with a boot to the face and then takes down Riott and hits hard with big right hands. Bayley then reverses her in the corner and continues to hammer with rights. Riott fights back but Bayley again takes her down and hammers with rights. Bayley goes for a cover but Riott kicks out. Bayley gets Riott in the corner and she bounces out. Bayley uses the ropes as momentum to hit the bulldog. Bayley goes after Riott on the outside. She lands a big side suplex as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Riott works the arm of Bayley. Bayley fights back and lands a huge knee. Riott is able to grab Bayley with her legs and sends her into the middle turnbuckle. Riott then goes back to the arm of Bayley and works her wrist. Riott continues work on the arm and drives her knee in her back for leverage. Bayley tries to fight back but Riott goes to a chokehold. Bayley lifts her on her back and drives her into the turnbuckles but Riott hangs on. Bayley is able to roll her off and side-steps her in the corner. Bayley lands a huge high knee in the corner and goes to the top rope. Riott is able to roll out of the way of the elbow. Riott goes for the cover but Bayley kicks out. Bayley rolls her up but Riott kicks out. Bayley tries another cover but Riott kicks out. Riott tries a pin of her own but Bayley kicks out. The Riott Squad provides the distraction and Bayley is sent into the ring post. Riott goes for the cover and gets the 1 2 3.
*** After the match The Riott Squad draws on Bayley.
Winner: Ruby Riott
My Opinion:
Big win for Ruby, I really like The Riott Squad and even though they aren’t in the big picture right now I’m glad they’re being used and getting wins. Ruby is so good in the ring and she is very aggressive. Bayley put her heart into the match but the numbers caught up. I can see Ruby being champ in the future especially with Morgan and Logan on her side.

Backstage Segment:
Natalya tells Ronda to not take her eyes off on Nia. she says she wants her to be careful and ready.

In Ring Segment: Ronda Rousey & Nia Jax
Coach says this Sunday it will Nia Jax vs Ronda Rousey but before we get there the two will face off. First out Rowdy Ronda Rousey. Next Nia Jax.
Coach ask them about their rivalry. Nia says walking the red carpet is one thing but they are competitors. She says she has pushed Ronda’s buttons the past few weeks. She says Ronda is very talented but she is still new here in the UFC. Nia then list things you can do in WWE that you can’t do in the UFC like headbutts, hair pulling, and strikes to the spine. Ronda says she doesn’t gameplan she improvise and she is going to improvise her arm off. Coach reminds her she has only had one match in WWE. Ronda says she has earned the right to be confident. Nia says her match was impressive but it was a tag match and she is not Stephanie McMahon she is Nia Jax. Nia says if she wants to take my arm I’ll take her reputation because when she’s done they will call her the baddest woman on the planet. She says she challenged Rousey cause she knows she will beat her and at the end of the day she is not ready. Rousey says everyone told her she wasn’t ready to make the Olympic team at 17 but she did and that she wasn’t ready to fight for the Strike Force title after 4 fights but she won. She says she was told she wasn’t ready to headline a PPV but she broke the record for UFC PPV and everyone told her she wasn’t ready to be UFC champion and now she is going into the Hall of Fame. Rousey says she is Ronda Rousey and is born ready. Rousey grabs Nia’s arm but Nia headbutts her. Rousey then looks for the armbar but Nia blocks. Ni tries to fight and picks up Rousey but she wrestlers her back down. Nia taps to Rousey.
My Opinion:
Nia has a lot of talk but Ronda isn’t about that she is about action and she proved that. I’m not sure if Ronda will win in her first singles match but if she doesn’t I don’t think she is gonna lose cleanly. Rousey will be champion in the near future and if it is Sunday I believe she is ready. Rousey has proved to be good in the ring and it’ll be interesting to see how she works a full match. Nia definitely has the experience advantage but Rousey isn’t afraid and she is gonna fight this Sunday!

Backstage Segment:
Curt Hawkins prepares for his match against No Way Jose

Match 6: Curt Hawkins vs No Way Jose
The ref rings the bell as Hawkins hasn’t shown up and starts the count. Hawkins comes in as a member of the conga line and tries a roll up but Jose kicks out. Jose then hits Hawkins with a big punch and gets the 1 2 3 on the pin.
Winner: Curt Hawkins
My Opinion:
There’s not much to say about this match. Hawkins continues to lose but that’s his gimmick now. As for Jose it sucks to see him not be used in a big way, I feel like he’s becoming one of the NXT guys that just gets forgotten about but hopefully, at some point, he’ll get worked into bigger matches.

Backstage Segment:
Balor asks Roode if Owens talked to him too. Roode says yeah. Balor asks if he trusts him. Roode says no. Balor asks what’s the smarter play. Roode says they should follow through but keep one eye on Owens. Balor says okay and I’ll keep one eye on you.

In Ring Segment: Sami Zayn
Renee asks Zayn why he challenged Lashley to this obstacle course. Zayn says all he did was ask a simple question if Lashley was in the Army. he says people sent him proof but he can’t prove these claims. Zayn says the only way he can prove it is if he can do this course faster than he can. Renee asks how this works. Zayn says you have to do the tire first that weighs 200 pounds. He then says you have to crawl and then you have the wall jump. Then you have the monkey bars and then the rope climb where you have to climb up and ring the bell to end the time. Zayn says in the Army they do this in 2 minutes. He tells that today he did it in a minute and a half. He says when he does beat Lashley he will dedicate his victory to Canada. Renee then welcomes Bobby Lashley.
Renee asks his reaction to this course. Lashley says everyone is tired of Zayn’s mouth and he is gonna beat him in this obstacle course and then beat him this weekend. Lashley goes first and completes it in 47 seconds. Zayn then comes from behind and attacks Lashley. Zayn then hits the Helluva kick.
My Opinion:
Zayn has done well in building up this rivalry with Lashley. Lashley is the man of action and this Sunday he will take it to Zayn. Throughout this build up Zayn runs from Lashley but when forced to go one on one I don’t think he’ gonna be able to beat him. Lashley is focused and I hope once past Zayn he’ll be able to get bigger matches and opportunities.

Backstage Segment:
Owens tells Balor to go after his legs and tells Roode to go after his arms while he goes all around. Balor asks what makes him think if they have agreed. Owens says he’s made a lot of good points. Strowman interrupts and says he has a great idea why don’t they all team up against him.

Match 7: Kevin Owens vs Finn Balor vs Braun Strowman vs Bobby Roode
Strowman goes right after Owens. Roode and Balor try to help but Strowman takes them out. He then takes out Owens and then throws Roode and Balor to follow. Strowman hits Balor with a big shot and turns to Owens but he ducks out of the ring as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, the three go after Strowman. They get him in the corner and stomp on him. Each take a turn in shopping Strowman and Owens adds with shoulders to the gut. Owens then lands a big clothesline in the corner. Strowman fights himself out of the corner and hits a side slam on Balor. Owens hits Strowman and Strowman yells at him making Owens drop to the outside. Strowman goes to the outside but it gives the three men the chance to go after him again. The all pound on him but Strowman pushes them all off. Owens tries to go to the back but Strowman pulls him back out onto the stage. Strowman hits big headbutt and then a big right to Roode. Owens is then bounced off the screens. Strowman then slams a ladder on the stage. Strowman clears the announcers table and then grabs Owens. Roode grabs a ladder and hits Strowman in the ribs. Balor joins in to help. Roode and Balor double team him and get him on the announce table. Owens grabs a ladder and tells them to hold it. Owens goes to the top and lands a huge frog splash putting Owens through the table as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Roode works the arm of Balor in the ring. Balor works to his feet and tries to fight out. Balor does but Roode hits him with an elbow. Balor comes back with an overhead kick. Balor moves out of the way in the corner and Roode hits the turnbuckles hard. Balor lands a chop and then takes Roode to the mat. Balor hits the double stomp. Balor lands another chop in the corner but Roode hits him with double boots. Roode is sent to the outside but he gets back into it quickly. Roode hits a blockbuster but Balor kicks out of the pin attempt. Balor tries an inside cradle but Roode kicks out. Balor hits the sling blade and then drives Roode into the corner. Balor goes up top but Owens gets back in the match and knocks him down. Owens goes up top but Balor knocks him to the floor. Balor goes back up but Roode knocks him down. Roode meets him up there and tries a suplex but Balor holds on. Owens gets in the ring and powerbombs both men. Strowman makes his way back to ringside and takes down Balor and Roode. Owens runs away from him. Strowman grabs him in the crowd and drags him back in the ring. Strowman hits him with a big shot and sends Owens to the floor. Strowman hits a shoulder tackle and two more to follow taking out all three men. Strowman lifts Owens but he gets saved. Strowman then sandwiches Owens and Roode in the corner. Balor lands a stomp taking Strowman to one knee. Strowman gets back up and lands a big tackle to Balor. Strowman slams Balor but Roode and Owens take it to Strowman. Roode plants Owens. Balor gets back into it and is able to hit the sling blade on Strowman. Balor hits the Coupe de, Grace on Strowman but Roode breaks up the cover. Balor is then sent into the ring post. Roode hits the Glorious DDT on Strowman but Owens breaks up the cover and sends Roode to the floor. Owens goes to the top and hits the frog splash but Strowman kicks out of the pin attempt. Owens grabs a ladder and hits Strowman in the ribs. Strowman catches him on his third attempt and then hits a chokeslam on Owens. Strowman drops the ladder and slams Owens on the ladder. Strowman gets the 1 2 3 on the cover.
Winner: Braun Strowman
My Opinion:
Wow, that is an awesome way to end the night! Strowman just took everything all three of those men had and still came out with the win. Strowman truly is a monster and he just clearly made himself the favorite to win this Sunday. All 7 men will have to team up if they have any shot to win, otherwise, Strowman will steamroll all of them. One thing’s for sure Strowman has to be the most entertaining guy to watch right now because he is a freak of nature. I give it to Owens for taking all the risks and for Balor and Roode they tried their best as well but nothing stops Braun Strowman!!!

Final Thoughts:
I really enjoyed tonight’s Raw! First the women tore the house down in their opening match. They fought so hard and it really was anyone’s match. Natalya cam away with the huge victory and proved that even if she is injured she can still go and she is a big threat this Sunday. I think Jinder Mahal did well tonight in getting one over on Reigns. Reigns will come out hot Sunday but Mahal was able to show that he can strike anytime and Reigns better watch out if Mahal can catch him. I liked Rollins and Elias’s segment tonight, I’m ready for these two to be done talking and get to the action because I think they will be on a great show! Ronda Rousey was awesome tonight making Nia tap out. Rousey is about action and this Sunday she has a great shot to win the title and if it isn’t Sunday then it will be sometime soon I’m sure. Also, Sami Zayn got one over on Bobby Lashley but I don’t know how smart of move that was. Zayn gained a little mental advantage for himself but in the big picture it just fires Lashley up even more. Finally, the men closed the show on a great note! Braun Strowman was stopped but never finished and of course he came through and got the big victory. Three men took their best shots including a big risk by Owens and still he wouldn’t stay down. If any of the 7 men have a shot this Sunday they better take him out first cause right now it’s Braun Strowman’s match to lose. One thing’s for sure I can not wait for this Sunday!!!
Overall Rating: 7/10