Raw Review 05/13/2019

Tonight is the Go-Home Edition of Monday Night Raw before this Sunday’s Money In The Bank PPV. Tonight, what will happen when Becky Lynch steps in the ring with both Lacey Evans and Charlotte Flair for a double contract signing? Also, this week Roman Reigns comes back to Raw from SmackDown to be on Miz TV, what will Reigns have to say ahead of his match with Elias. Plus, which Raw Women’s MITB competitor will gain momentum as all four women face off in a Fatal Four Way? Finally, will Seth Rollins or AJ Styles gain last-minute momentum heading into their huge Universal Championship Match?

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Raw comes to us from the 02 Arena in London, England.

Raw kicks off with us being welcomed by Michael Cole, Renee Young, and Corey Graves

In Ring Segment: Miz TV w/ Roman Reigns
Miz welcomes everyone to Miz TV and says this s the international edition. He tells how MITB is this Sunday and gives the implications of winning MITB and tells how winning brought his career to new heights. Miz says he can’t talk about MITB without talking about his opponent the man who thinks he is the Best In The World Shane McMahon. He tells how this Sunday they will be locked in a steel cage. He then introduces his guest Roman Reigns.
Miz welcomes Reigns and asks what we can expect from him in his match with Elias this Sunday. Reigns says Elias is young and strong and very talented. Reigns tells that Elias though hasn’t done anything since being in the WWE. Reigns says this Sunday he is bringing the big fight. Miz then tells Reigns they should do a comedy act together. Reigns says he came here to talk to the new Miz and asks Miz if he forgot about him. Reigns then calls for a video from last week of Miz coming out and chasing Shane McMahon out of the arena. Miz asks the crowd if that is The Miz they all want to talk to. Miz tells Reigns they have never been on the same page or on the same page with the WWE Universe but Shane made him see it’s all about earning respect. He says Shane hasn’t earned anything. He tells he knows how to win and when he brings a fight he brings a fight. He tells how Shane attacked his father and ran from him but this Sunday he will be locked in a Steel Cage. He tells Sahne he will regret it and he will go down faster than his father to a Superman Punch. Out comes Shane McMahon.
Shane says it is flattering they are out here talking about him but they need to remember he is the boss. Shane then says Miz TV is now over. Reigns and Miz are then attacked by Elias and Lashley. Shane then tells them to stay in the ring because they now have a match against Lashley and Elias and that match will start next.
My Opinion:
I like starting Raw off like this, it gets things going and starts it with a lot of excitement. I don’t think anyone needs to see anymore talking for build ups for Sunday, I think now it’s just about getting in there and getting it done so to make this tag match it’s awesome and brings us the action we want. I also liked how calm Shane was, he is really good as a heel boss and I dig what he is doing.

Match 1: Roman Reigns & The Miz vs Elias & Bobby Lashley
Elias and Miz start the match and Elias quickly gets back in control. Elias stays on Miz and hits him with stiff rights. Miz sends him off the ropes and sends him to the mat. Miz then is able to hit a neck-breaker and goes for the cover but Elias kicks out. Miz works the arm of Elias and tags Reigns. Reigns comes in and Elias drops to the outside. Elias tags in Lashley and comes in to lock up with Reigns. He backs him into the corner but then shows off and Reigns hits him with a right. Lashley hits a shoulder tackle and goes for the cover but Reigns kicks out. Reigns gets him in the corner and hammers on him. Reigns drops him to the mat and goes for the cover but Lashley kicks out. Miz tags in and hits Lashley with a clothesline in the corner. He and Reigns then work together and takes down Elias and Lashley. Miz then hits him both with the IT Kicks. Lashley is able to catch Miz but Miz lands on his feet after breaking away and is able to hit a kick. Lashley drops Miz face first and goes for the cover but Miz kicks out as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Elias tries a cover but Miz kicks out. Elias then bounces Miz off the turnbuckle and then throws him into the other corner. Elias goes to the top and goes old school walking the ropes to then hit a Meteora. Elias goes for the cover but Reigns breaks it up. Lashley gets the tag and crushes Miz in the corner with his shoulder. Lashley lifts Miz and then slams him to the mat. Lashley hammers on Miz as he is on the mat. Elias gets the tag and kicks Miz. Elias hits him with a chop and then a right hand in the corner. Miz fights out of the corner and tries a tag but it’s stopped. Miz stays in it and is able to hit a DDT. Lashley gets the tag and stops Miz from making the tag. Miz is able to sidestep him in the corner and Lashley crashes into the post. Miz looks for the tag but Shane pulls Reigns off the apron and attacks him. The ref calls for the bell.
*** After the match the three men then jump Miz and throw him to the outside. They meet Miz out there and Lashley drives him into the apron. Reigns gets back into the ring and jumps over the ropes laying everyone out. Reigns and Shane then fight in the ring. Elias comes in to help and so does Lashley. Miz comes in and evens the odds with a chair. Reigns then hits Elias and then Lashley with a Superman Punch.
Winners: Roman Reigns & The Miz: Via DQ
My Opinion:
This was a good way to end that match. No one looked too much better than their opponents for Sunday and this is important because when there is no title on the line you got to sell the match as which man is better and that question remains so they did a good job. I think Miz and Reigns standing tall and defending themselves was a good decision as well. Reigns and Miz looked fired up and it gives them that edge heading into Sunday and makes you wonder what Elias and McMahon will do to be ready for their respective matches.

Backstage Segment:
Charly asks Braun if he regrets what he did to Sami Zayn. he says he only regrets the garbage truck didn’t turn him into a cube. He then brings up MITB and how he won last year. Braun is then told Shane McMahon wants to see him in his office.

Backstage Segment:
Zayn tells Shane the toxic nature of the WWE fans are making superstars act recklessly. Braun comes in and asks if Zayn is why he got called to the principles office. Zayn says he is getting Brauns spot. Shane says he can’t just do that. Zayn says he will fight for it. Shane asks if this what they want because Braun is supposed to face Drew Mcintyre. Zayn says he can find something else for him. McMahon makes the match so if Zayn beats Strowman he is in the MITB. Braun tells Zayn he is gonna eat him alive. Shane tells Zayn good luck.

Match 2: Mojo Rawley vs Apollo Crews
Crews gets around on Rawley and hammers on him in the corner. Cres uses his quickness to get away from Rawley but goes down as he appears to hurt his knee. Rawley goes right after Crews knee and then hits him with a right hand in the corner. Rawley plants Crews and gets the 1 2 3.
Winner: Mojo Rawley
My Opinion:
It seems for a while they have been trying to repackage Mojo but it just doesn’t seem to work. I mean last week he didn’t even appear on tv for his segment and other than that he’s been on Main Event so it’s doing nothing for him. If anything WWE should push Crews who has all the in-ring talent in the world. This just seems like a waste of time and effort into something that just has never caught on with the crowd.

Backstage Segment:
Bliss is on the phone talking about how her gear has not arrived here tonight. Nikki Cross comes up and asks if everything is okay. Bliss thanks here for coming and asking. Nikki says she feels like no knows she is here. Cross tells Alexa she can talk to here. Bliss then complains and says she doesn’t wanna go out there and get laughed out. Nikki tells her she could find a replacement for her. Bliss asks her if she would do that for her. Nikki asks what. Bliss says take her spot. Cross is reluctant but agrees.

In Ring Segment: Double Contract Signing
Michael Cole tells how Becky Lynch will defend the Raw and SmackDown Women’s title on the same night against two different opponents. He says tonight we will sign the contracts to make it official. Cole then introduces the first challenger Lacey Evans. He then introduces Charlotte Flair. Cole then tells how only one person has defeated Ronda Rousey, he then gives all her nicknames and finally introduces Becky Lynch. Cole asks Lynch if she realizes how grueling it is gonna be this Sunday when she defends both championships. Lynch says it’s so nice to be back in London. She says that a good question, she says that it’s not about how muhc of a beating she is gonna take but instead that she just doesn’t care. She tells Evans she is gonna have to back up what she says and she is gonna question why she ever came looking for The Man and tells her to ask her twin. Flair says Lynch just runs her mouth and still has to take digs even though she has all she wants. Evans then makes fun of how she dresses. Lynch tells Evans she hasn’t even done one of these. Lynch tells Flair she hasn’t been delivering and it seems she is really gonna have to bring this one home. She says at MITB one of them can’t afford to lose their first title match and the other can’t afford to lose their millionth and tells she isn’t the only one under pressure. Flair tells Lynch even though she got all she wanted it wasn’t enough. Flair tells her she can’t live up to her reputation and says it will all come crashing down. She tells Lynch she’ll have to hide her stubborn cry when she bows down to the Queen. Evans says the WWE Universe deserves a lady to show them how to be a real champion. She says she needs to clean up the nasty and clean up the Raw Women’s championship. Lynch tells them she will slap the blonde off of both of them. She then attacks Evans and then Flair. Evans comes in and attacks Lynch. Lynch takes it to her but then Charlotte helps out. Evans and Flair then put Lynch through a table.
My Opinion:
I get why the contract signing ended like it did because they want it to feel like Becky is fighting uphill but that’s not how I would’ve like to have seen it been done. I think for Lynch she hasn’t looked as dominant as she should since her huge win at Mania and tonight would’ve been the chance to make her look very strong still. To help still sell The Man I would have had her lay out both Evans and Charlotte showing that she can do it. I think it’s traditional to knock the babyface down to build them up but the fans are so behind her that I think the crowd would’ve have loved it if she took them both out and it would’ve only sold The Man more to have her standing over both women with the titles.

Match 3: Baron Corbin vs Ricochet
Corbin lands a hip check on Ricochet and sends him to the apron. Ricochet fights back in and uses his quickness to fight off Corbin and hit a dropkick. Corbin gets him in the corner and lands a big shot. Ricochet fights back in the other corner. Ricochet continues to fight and is able to land a huge cross body. Ricochet continues to use his quickness and is able to hit a moonsault off the apron. As the two get back in the ring Corbin regains control with a huge clothesline as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Corbin slams Ricochet and goe for the cover but Ricochet kicks out. Corbin stomps on Ricochet and then taunts him. Corbin gets bounced off the ropes. Ricochet fights and hits Corbin with a right. Ricochet lands a kick in the corner and follows with a dropkick. Ricochet hits him with a shoulder in the corner and uses the turnbuckle to take out Corbin. Ricochet and Corbin trade moves before Corbin hits Deep 6. A cover from Corbin but Ricochet kicks out. Ricochet fights off Corbin and plants him with a DDT. Ricochet goes for another cover but once again Corbin kicks out. Ricochet goes to the top and looks to fly. Corbin is able to move out of the way and hit him with a boot. Corbin though gets hit with a slap and Ricochet hits him with rights. Ricochet is able to land a hurricanrana from the top and follow with a standing shooting star. Ricochet goes for the cover but Corbin kicks out. Out of nowhere, Corbin hits End Of Days. Corbin goes for the cover and gets the 1 2 3.
*** After the match Corbin grabs a ladder and then climbs it going for the briefcase. Ricochet gets up and pushes him off the ladder.
Winner: Baron Corbin
My Opinion:
Corbin wins tonight and gains momentum heading into Sunday. Ricochet took some back by pushing him off the ladder and making somewhat of a statement. Corbin may not be liked by the fans but this guy is getting the job done and doing it in big fashion. Corbin has the talent in the ring and the fans really dislike him so he is doing good as a heel. I truly like Corbin and I hope Sunday he puts on a good showing. Whether the fans like it or not he is a key player and it shows with wins like this.

Backstage Segment:
Charly asks Rey how he felt after Joe talked to his son last week. Rey says he crossed the line. He says if Joe or anyone else has something to say they can say it to his face. Cesaro comes in and says is he really gonna talk   Joe when he isn’t here. He then asks when this turned into bringing your kid to work day. Rey says his son has been training. Cesaro then asks if Dominick is even Rey’s son. The two then go at it and Rey tells him not to mess with family.

Backstage Segment:
Styles is asked about his methods he’s used against Rollins. Styles says people question everything. He says that forearm last week was for Corbin. He says this is Rollins show until he showed up. He says he came here with a chip and he still has it and that chip got him a shot at the Universal Championship. He proclaims he is walking in the challenger and walking out the champion.

Match 4: Nikki Cross vs Natalya vs Dana Brooke vs Naomi
Natalya and Cross face off as Naomi and Brooke go at it. The four women then all collide. Brooke controls the ring and tosses cross to the floor after Natalya had been tossed out. Naomi drops Brooke and then is hit by Natalya. Cross then takes it to Natalya who gets caught in the ring apron. Naomi flies to the outside and takes out the three women as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Brooke is hit in the back by Natalya. Natalya hen works a submission on Brooke. Cross then goes up top but is pushed off by Naomi. Cross comes back in the fold but Naomi throws her out. Brooke and Natalya then work together to slam Naomi. Cross comes in and takes down Brooke. She goes to pin Naomi but she kicks out. Naomi takes control and is able to slam Brooke onto Natalya. She hits a split leg moonsault and pins Natla but Brooke breaks it up. Brooke brings out a ladder and sets it up. Natalya takes out Brooke but she is then taken down by a spear from Cross. Brooke climbs the ladder and flies off the ladder to take out all three of the women on the floor. Natalya gets up and throws Brooke into the barricade. Cross is brought back into the ring but she akes it to Natalya and hits a neck-breaker. Cross goes for the cover and gets the 1 2 3.
Winner: Nikki Cross
My Opinion:
Wow, talk about taking advantage of an opportunity. Cross wasn’t even supposed to be in this match and yet she walks in, goes back to the Cross of old and walks away the winner. For Cross, I hope they are gonna start running with her. She is a really good performer and I think the more chances they give her the more she will shine. I have always liked Cross but since coming to the main roster she hasn’t been used right so let’s see if this is the start to a push for her.
*** After the match Cross helps Bliss set up the ladder in the ring and Bliss grabs the briefcase and holds it up.

Backstage Segment:
Zayn says the haters on social media show classic projecting telling him he is gonna lose because they all lose. He says Braun is part of their toxic fantasy. He says what is better than being big and strong is being right. He says in his Falls Count Anywhere match he will figure out a way to win and be in the MITB match.

Match 5: Rey Mysterio vs Cesaro
Cesaro lifts Mysterio and slams him. Mysterio fights back and is able to hit Cesaro with a dropkick to the knees. Mysterio hits a hurricanrana and sends Cesaro to the mat. Cesaro works Mysterio and tries a cover but he kicks out. Mysterio takes it to him and is able to send him into the barricade on the outside. Mysterio slides under the bottom rope and tries a sunset flip but he gets caught. He then whips Mysterio into the barricade. Cesaro goes for the cover but Mysterio kicks out. Cesaro grabs Mysterio and looks for a suplex on the outside but Mysterio counters on the apron and is able to sidestep. Cesaro crashes into the post and rolls into the ring. Mysterio goes to the top but is knocked down. Mysterio is then pulled back up by Cesaro and he hits a one arm suplex. Cesaro goes for the cover but Mysterio kicks out as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Mysterio fights off Cesaro but Cesaro hits a roll threw. Mysterio reverses the swing and hits a DDT. Mysterio flies off the ropes and hits a seated senton. He wrestles him down and hits an inside cradle but Cesaro kicks out. Mysterio hits him with a right and is able to set him up for the 619. Cesaro catches him and this time hits the swing. Cesaro hits him with an uppercut and Mysterio hits the ropes. Cesaro gets tangled in the ropes and Mysterio hits a kick. Mysterio flips Cesaro and goes for the cover but Cesaro kicks out. Mysterio tries to fly but Cesaro hits him with an uppercut. Cesaro goes for the cover but he kicks out. Cesaro grabs Mysterio but Mysterio counters and throws him on the ropes. He hits the 619 and then the splash. Mysterio goes for the cover and gets the 1 2 3.
Winner: Rey Mysterio
My Opinion:
This is a big win for Mysterio tonight ahead of his U.S. Title match. Cesaro is no joke so for Mysterio to pick up this win it gives him a lot of momentum. I think Samoa Joe can look at this and know Mysterio can get the job done so at MITB his best bet will be to put it away early. Mysterio seems to be lost in the fold since returning so hopefully he can continue to pick up wins, win the title and have one last run as a top guy of WWE before all is said and done.

Backstage Segment:
The Revival asks about The Usos tapping them in the locker room. They then bring up the ucey hot incident. The Revival tells them the embarrassment stops right now.

*** Firefly Fun House

Backstage Segment:
Rollins says he gave Styles the benefit of the doubt and he showed his true colors. He says this is personal now. He tells he and Styles faced 15 years ago and it meant the world because this is when hs family knew this was real. Rollins says this Sunday is gonna be about proving something to himself, to the WWE Universe, and to AJ Styles. He wants to prove this is his industry, and his show. He tells that 15 years ago he looked up to AJ Styles but this Sunday Aj will be looking up at him.

Match 6: Sami Zayn vs Braun Strowman: Falls Count Anywhere Match:
If Zayn wins he is in MITB
Strowman quickly takes it to Zayn crushing him in the corner after Zayn tried to run away. Zayn has to go the outside and again he crushes Zayn. He runs around the ring and picks up speed to knocks him to the floor. Zayn then goes into the crowd and Braun chases him. Braun catches him on the stairs and hits him with a right. Zayn then throws a drink in the face of Strowman and continues to run. Zayn grabs a trash can and hits Strowman. Strowman grabs him and throws him into a pillar over and over. Braun goes for the cover but Zayn kicks out. Braun hits Zayn with a right and knocks him down. Corbin comes from behind and hammers on Strowman with a trash can. Zayn goes for the cover but Strowman kicks out. Corbin then hits Strowman again. He then puts him through a merchandise table. Zayn goes for the cover but Strowman kicks out. Strowman fights off Zayn and then throws Corbin into a wall that sends Corbin crashing to the floor with clothing racks falling on top of him as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Strowman chases Zayn back into the crowd. Zayn hits strowman and stays on him. Zayn grabs a chair and tries to hit Strowman but strowman catches it. Strowman throws him over the barricade toward the stage. Strowman grabs a ladder and throws it down as Zayn retreats. Zan throws things in Strowman’s way to stop him. Strowman comes from behind and hits him. He then throws him into the garage door of the arena. Mcintyre comes out of nowhere and hits Strowman. He then hits him with a DDT on the steel chair. Zayn goes for the cover but Strowman kicks out. Strowman throws Mcintyre into a tv monitor and then hits him with a cooler. Zayn crawls back away. Strowman throws Zayn back onto the stage and then hits him with a double axehandle. He hits Zayn with a boot and then uses a ladder to beat down Zayn. Strowman throws the ladders on Zayn and buried him. Corbin and Mcintyre then show up again and beat down Strowman. Mcintyre hits him with a ladder and then sets another ladder up on the guardrail. Strowman continues to fight but Mcintyre and Corbin send him through a ladder. Mcintyre then hits him with a Claymore. Zayn is dragged into the cover by Corbin. Zayn gets the 1 2 3 on the cover.
*** After the match Corbin throws Zayn back out onto the stage. Strowman then grabs him and puts him through the announce table.
Winner: Sami Zayn: Replaces Strowman in MITB
My Opinion:
This is a huge win for Zayn and even though it is a last minute decision I think it’s a good call. Zayn is really doing well with his spot right now and if there’s one guy on the Raw side of MITB that was lacking it was Strowman. I think Strowman came out of this looking strong after sending Zayn through the announce table but if he had gone into MITB and didn’t dominate like last year it could have hurt him. Hopefully, Strowman will find his way back to the top someday but as for Zayn this is a huge opportunity and I hope he runs with it.

Final Thoughts:
Tonight wasn’t the best Raw, I think there was a lot of confusing things that happened and it just didn’t hit like I think it should’ve. Even though I like having Sami Zayn in the MITB match it’s just one of those things that it’s right before the PPV and this could’ve been done like last week or earlier to help build. Plus, to not have AJ Styles or Rollins appear in the ring and just do interviews even though they are the Universal Title Match is just bad. We have seen interviews over and over and they should’ve been out there and sold the match better. Instead, Miz and Reigns matches get bigger bookings and a bigger feel and they aren’t even for the titles. There was just a lot of things that seemed backward to me and I thought they could’ve done better especially since we haven’t seen a Go-Home show since Mania. I get that this was tapped so there wasn’t a big point to have a huge show since a lot of fans can just know what happens ahead of time but still, it feels like they aren’t doing big enough things for a company trying to make big changes.
Overall Rating: 5/10