WWE is in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada tonight for the Money in the Bank fallout episode of Raw.
For the first time ever, Liv Morgan & Dominik Mysterio will team up as they take on Rey Mysterio & Zelina Vega in a mixed tag team match. After accidentally costing him a win last week, Morgan will attempt to ramp up her seduction by helping Dominik defeat his father tonight.
Morgan retained her Women’s World Championship against Vega last Monday after botched interference by Dominik, who has supposedly been trying to make things right with Rhea Ripley by attempting to get Morgan to lose the title.
Judgment Day’s Finn Balor & JD McDonagh will team with Carlito tonight against Braun Strowman, The Miz & R-Truth. There’s also a six-woman tag match set with Lyra Valkyria, Kayden Carter & Katana Chance taking on Damage CTRL’s IYO SKY, Kairi Sane & Dakota Kai.
Plus, Jey Uso vs. Chad Gable will take place tonight. Join us for live coverage starting at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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Pat McAfee returned to commentary as the show emanated from the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, Ontario Canada.
– CM Punk kicks off the show, addresses a suspended Drew McIntyre
Punk professed his well-wishes to the soon-to-retire John Cena before going on a tirade regarding McIntyre. While patting himself on the back, Punk pointed out McIntyre’s faults and why he had been getting in his way. Seth Rollins came out to confront Punk instead.
Rollins beckoned Punk back into the ring, accusing Punk of getting into his business when he cost Rollins the match at Money in the Bank. Punk apologized to Rollins, admitting his rage got in the way before saying he “isn’t that sorry.” Rollins poked at Punk, commenting that he gaslights everyone and thinks the world revolves around him. Rollins concluded by threatening to snap Punk’s arm once he is cleared.
– Dominik Mysterio pleaded with Adam Pearce to call him off of the Liv Morgan tag match, Morgan appealed to Mysterio
Jey Uso defeated Chad Gable
With his torso taped up, Gable immediately administered his skills to Uso with suplexes and holds. Throughout picture-in-picture, Gable remained largely in control, with spirited defenses from Uso sprinkled in between.
Uso briefly fought out of Gable’s fingers only for Gable to ensnare him via an Ankle Lock. The Wyatt Six sound effects sounded as the arena darkened. Uso speared Gable for the win and gave a goodbye Yeet to the crowd.
The match was fine. Gable showed his range and power, and looked strong in defeat as anyone traumatized by the Wyatt Six would be understandably distracted. Uso’s star power was on full display and had to take advantage of the situation.
– Post-Match
Chad Gable woke up in the mist when Sister Abigail (Nikki Cross) scared him away and delivered yet another VHS tape to Michael Cole and Pat McAfee at commentary. The segment ended with an Abigail jumpscare.
– Sheamus backstage interview
The Celtic Warrior discussed his aspirations and competition when Bronson Reed came into frame, telling Sheamus he’s waiting if he defeated Sheamus’s old friend Pete Dunne. Commentary would later state that Dunne’s tag team partner Tyler Bate was out of action due to injury.
Bronson Reed defeated Pete Dunne
Reed immediately flattened Dunne, but he rebounded quickly, capped off with a floating moonsault to the floor outside. After a commercial break, Dunne fought out of another control segment by Reed. After some finger joint manipulation, the large Reed powerbombed Dunne onto the mat, following a brief struggle on the top turnbuckle with Dunne targeting the fingers again. Reed won with a finished Tsunami Splash, and was ready to use another one before Sheamus came to Dunne’s aid.
Sheamus tried to embrace Dunne, but he refused, still bitter about the dissolution of The Brawling Brutes.
This was a fine outing by Reed, and Dunne’s finger snapping spots put him at an advantage. The match suffered from a commercial break that took up most of its time, but otherwise a decent TV match. I’m interested in the sewn seeds between Dunne and Sheamus.
– Seth Rollins and Damian Priest backstage segment
Rollins approached Judgement Day, seeking one-on-one counsel with Priest, and acknowledged that the World Heavyweight Champion stuck to his word. Priest retorted, stating that he’d be willing to throw out the gentlemen’s agreement from before Money in the Bank since Rollins was unfairly costed. He then answered the phone to an unknown caller.
– Sami Zayn in-ring promo
Proudly touting his successful title victory at Money in the Bank, Zayn professed that he was no longer an underdog and deserved respect. Bron Breakker, fresh off his loss to Zayn, admits his defeat and that he would accept not receiving a rematch. Then he speared Zayn until officials came out, and then he speared him again. Ilja Dragunov appeared, quickly rushing to Zayn’s side.
– Ilja Dragunov demanded Adam Pearce give him a match against Bron Breakker
Judgement Day (Finn Balor, JD McDonagh, & Carlito) defeated Awesome Truth & Brawn Strowman
Former tag champs R-Truth and Miz were attacked during their prolonged entrance. JD McDonagh was promptly chased out by Braun Strowman, charging like a bull seeing red. During picture-in-picture, Carlito gloated as McDonagh and Balor assaulted the legal Miz. Strowman came in for the hot tag, dismantling McDonagh without mercy. Attempting a chokeslam on Balor, Strowman was interrupted by Carlito & McDonagh but he laid them flat. Strowman and R-Truth proceeded to run a train all across Judgement Day.
McDonagh evened the odds by enticing Strowman, who proceeded to chase him out of the ring. Balor took advantage of this with a Coup de Grâce for the win as Strowman was too late in returning to the ring.
Not that I was a big fan to begin with, but I hope the Awesome Truth push slows down if not outright stopped with all the tag teams Raw can feature.
– Adam Pearce asked CM Punk backstage to stay away from July 15’s episode of Monday Night Raw, Punk obliged in the hopes of resting and getting cleared
– Liv Morgan and Dominik Mysterio are caught in an awkward predicament by Judgement Day
Morgan sought to alleviate Mysterio’s tension and massage him into a position that bordered on non-PG territory. Judgement Day laughed and yelled at Mysterio, who repeated he’d take care of it. Damian Priest said he’d let Mysterio learn the consequences of his actions on his own.
– Bo Dallas VHS promo
This VHS recording detailed the motivations and pain of each member of The Wyatt Six (Erik Rowan, Nikki Cross, Joe Gacey, and Dexter Lumis). Uncle Howdy and Dallas agree that the team are “sick”.
– Adam Pearce backstage segment
Pearce was approached by an angry Chad Gable, pleading that as General Manager, Pearce needed to do something about The Wyatt Six. Pearce opened the door to his office to find Bo Dallas sitting in a chair. He then closed the door.
– Damage CTRL claimed the team needed to go through a change
Ilja Dragunov defeated Bron Breakker via DQ
Breakker began this match in control of a spiteful Dragunov who matched his intensity. After a commercial break, Dragunov was in dire straits. The pair traded blows, with Dragunov’s resilience and Breakker’s tenacity on full display. Powerbombing Breakker from the top rope and following it with a senton, Dragunov nearly had the match won. He got some nice air from that senton.
Breakker tried a Gorilla Press + Knees-to-midsection that didn’t pay off, but neither did Dragunov’s top-rope maneuvers. A sprinting Breakker sought to spear Dragunov but was met with a knee instead. The match ended after Breakker threw a chair at Dragunov, disqualifying him.
Sami Zayn entered the fray to prevent a post-match beatdown but Breakker decimated both men.
Each time I see Dragunov and Breakker go at it, they improve upon the match before. The intensity from both men is palpable each time they step into the ring. I see this post-match leading to a triple-threat match for the Intercontinental Championship down the line.
– Damian Priest vignette
A confident Priest celebrated his successes and challenged Gunther to show up and take advantage of his King of the Ring win opportunity for the World Heavyweight Championship.
– The Final Testament backstage vignette
Karrion Kross reiterates his intentions to draw Xavier Woods out of New Day, while addressing John Cena’s impending retirement.
Damage CTRL (Iyo Sky, Kairi Sane, & Dakota Kai) defeated Lyra Valkyria, Kayden Carter, & Katana Chance
Frenzy ensued after the bell with each team picking a partner to lock up with. Sane kept Carter at pace, and tagged in Kai. Valkyria, Carter, & Chance solidified their offense with a synchronized kick through the ropes. Damage CTRL regained momentum as they delivered a united front onto Chance. After a Sliding Elbow, the legal Sane sought pinfall in repetition to no avail.
Sky served as the hot tag, striking with agility and precision to Chance until Valkyria leveled her with her dynamic powerhouse style. All six women engaged in a double suplex that flattened Damage CTRL with a resounding thud. Carter & Chance nearly ended the match with their Keg Stand finisher. Sky launched Sane through the air onto Valkyria and Chance while Kai and Sane dragged Carter to the middle of the ring. Punctuating the match with her moonsault, Sky ended the match.
Post-match, Zoey Stark, Shayna Baszler, & Sonya Deville laid out Damage CTRL, closing the scene and standing tall.
In a perfect world, Carter and Chance would be thriving in tag team action without being set pieces for someone else. They worked well in tandem with Valkyria. Sane in particular shone more than she has for a while since her WWE return.
– Rey Mysterio & Zelina Vega backstage interview, promised to stop Dominik Mysterio & Liv Morgan
– Shayna Baszler, Zoey Stark, & Sonya Deville explain why Deville joined them, Isla Dawn & Alba Fyre taunt them
– Gunther promo vignette
The Ring General walked down memory lane, detailing his past accomplishments and proclaiming the sport was too sacred for lesser wrestlers following their dream. Gunther acknowledged his upcoming match with Damian Priest at SummerSlam.
Liv Morgan & Dominik Mysterio defeated Rey Mysterio & Zelina Vega
It was on-sight for Vega onto Morgan, so much so that she quickly had to tag in Dominik, and Rey for Vega. Rey quickly outpaced Dominik, and it certainly didn’t help that Rey included Vega. Morgan was again no match for Vega, but Dominik stood in Vega’s way and Rey took advantage with no hesitation. Morgan sacrificed herself for Dominik, pushing him to absorb Vega’s flying knees herself.
Running circles around his son, Rey lined up his 619 finisher, but Morgan tripped him up, leading to Dominik to gain control for the first time in the match. The uneasy chemistry between Dominik and Morgan built throughout the match. Contrasted to the hard-hitting style of Vega and Rey, Dominik and Morgan were underhanded and rotten in their approach.
In a callback to Eddy Guerrero vs Rey Misterio at Halloween Havoc 1997, Dominik tore at Rey’s mask and spammed his elbows across his father’s face. Finally gaining a moment of respite, Rey tagged in Vega who again was too fiery for Morgan, leaving little opening for the Women’s World Champion. Now, it was Morgan’s turn to gain control for the first time as she used Eddie Guerrero’s Three Amigos finisher to no success. Tagging in Rey, the masked veteran kept Dominik in his paces. Vega and Rey teamed up with each employing a 619 on Dominik, but Morgan quelled this and slammed Vega into the ring post. Throwing a chair into the ring to distract the ref, she gave a cheap shot to Rey and Dominik followed up with a Frog Splash for the win.
Post-match, Dominik hugged Morgan in excitement but quickly realized his mistake. Morgan responded in kind by jumping into Dominik’s arms as she dropped them to the mat and held him there for an uncomfortable amount of time. She would leave in a hurry though, as Rhea Ripley made her surprise return and she did not look too happy to see Dominik. In fact, she chastised him and stormed off in fury.
This mixed-tag team match actually had a fun pace to it despite the comedic soap opera angle. Rey’s a legend and Zelina’s a very fine worker. Couple that with Dominik’s heat magnet status and Liv’s star power, and this was an energetic bout with big spots. It dragged her and there, but there were important wheels turning that brought it to its conclusion and the awkwardness of Rhea finally catching Dominik in the act.
Overall the show was good. It could have had more than five matches, however, and preferably without The Awesome Truth. The Wyatt Six angle seems to be heading somewhere but they could possibly come up with alternative means for VHS tapes to reach the production truck each week, and I’m glad to see there may be an actual follow-up with Sheamus and the rest of his Brawling Brutes. I’m looking forward to Ilja Dragunov, Bron Breakker, and Sami Zayn to inevitably clash. Rhea Ripley’s return solidified how sorely missed she was.
