Raw opens with General Manager Kurt Angle’s making his way to the ring. There are ladders on the stage, meaning Money in the Bank is en route.
Angle welcomes the crowd to RAW. Angle reminds us that he has been part of the WWE family for almost 20 years. The one thing that separates this company from any other form of entertainment is they never stop. They’ve gone from WrestleMania to the Superstar Shakeup, to the Greatest Royal Rumble, and the dual-branded Backlash. Now we’re on to Money in the Bank. There will be two Money in the Bank matches for the men and women, compiling both brands – so four men from Raw and four from SmackDown for their respective match and the same for the women. These matches will be great. On RAW, they settle it in the ring. There will be two Money in the Bank Qualifying matches. The first will be a triple threat with Ember Moon, Ruby Riott, and Sasha Banks. The other triple threat match will have Roman Reigns, Finn Balor, and Sami Zayn.
Braun Strowman’s music hits, and he comes out to a big reaction – the fans chant, “Get these hands.” Strowman asks Angle if he ever told him about the time he was a kid and all the boys in the neighborhood wanted to build a treehouse. They did all the work and they never asked him for help. When they were done, all he heard about was the handshake you needed to get up there. You know what he did? Angle asks if he destroyed the treehouse. To which Strowman says he waited until they were all in the treehouse and took the whole damn tree down. Corny story that tried to evoke old Steve Austin tales. Angle says Strowman has been on a roll and deserves to be in the match but he’s interrupted…
Kevin Owens’ music hits, and he comes out to the stage. Owens and Zayn were beaten by Strowman and Bobby Lashley last night. Owens says if anyone deserves to be in the ladder match, it’s him. Owens has only been on RAW a few weeks, but he’s the RAW MVP. Owens anchors all the top segments and people chant his name. Owens respects the rules. Last night at Backlash, the wrong man was pinned at Backlash. Last night’s decision should be reversed. They should be declared the winners, meaning Strowman loses and isn’t on a roll. The only thing Strowman deserves is to be put into a giant corner to reflect on being a very bad monster. Angle says he can’t just put Owens in the Money in the Bank ladder match. Angle was about to say Strowman is in a Money in the Bank Qualifying Match. Owens says he deserves that match. Strowman says the only thing Owens deserves is to “get these hands”. Owens backs away and says the first RAW superstar to enter the Money in the Bank Ladder Match is Kevin Owens. Owens reminds Angle that Stephanie McMahon is watching. Angle says he’s decided to put Strowman in a qualifying match against Owens… and that match starts right now! Owens is furious but Strowman smiles at him.
With that we go to commerical. Table For 3 returns to the Network tonight.
*Commercial Break*
Money In The Bank Qualifying Match
Kevin Owens Vs. Braun Strowman
As soon as the bell rings, Strowman makes a beeline for Owens, who runs away from him, but the big man ends up shoving Owens right into the ref. Strowman eventually gets his hands on Owens and delivers a few forearms to the back.
The Monster Among Men knocks Owens off the top turnbuckle with a hard right hand to send him crashing to the floor. Owens ends up hitting a tornado DDT on the floor to take Braun down. Strowman beats a countout twice before we head to a break.
*Commercial Break*
We return to see Braun drop Owens with a chokeslam. KO attacks his legs to take him down for a quick two count. Strowman pops up to his feet and nails him with a boot to the face. Owens avoids a corner splash and sticks him with a superkick. He connects with a frog splash for a near fall.
Owens bails from the ring to recoup but Braun goes out after him and bowls him over. Braun then runs a lap around the ring and hits Owens again. Braun keeps knocking Kevin off his feet every time he tries to get to his feet and into the ring. Strowman takes him back insdide and hits the powerslam to get the win
Winner: Braun Strowman
Braun is now officially in the Money In The Bank match! As Coach says, “I don’t know who else is in the match, but he’s my favourite.” Owens retreats up the ramp while Braun poses
Later tonight, a Triple Threat Qualifying Match between Sami Zayn, Finn Balor and Roman Reigns. And a women’s Triple Threat also, between Ruby Riott, Sasha Banks, and Ember Moon.
*Commercial Break*
Roman Reigns is interviewed backstage by Mike Rome. Rome asks what is his mindset going into his match tonight? Reigns says he’s the uncrowned Universal Champion. WWE management doesn’t agree and he is sick of it. Reigns can’t control the backstage politics. When he’s in the ring, that’s where he silences the haters. Just ask Paul Heyman, Brock Lesnar, and Samoa Joe. Reigns wouldn’t want to be Sami Zayn or Finn Balor. He’s pissed off, which means he’ll dominate and win. Reigns is going to take back what’s his: the Universal Championship. Oh boy.
We get a phone promo from Bayley, who says she can’t wait to hug the briefcase.
We see Breezango backstage in their office, and Fandango says they’ve been briefed on a new case… the briefcase. However they’re not sure how to get it.
Kurt Angle is backstage with Goldust. Goldust says he’s only ever met one man he didn’t want to fight — Million Dollar Baby, 2004. Angle asks what that means. Goldust says he wants to be in the Money in the Bank Ladder Match. It’s his quest for the ultimate gold. Jinder Mahal walks in and asks why he’s not in the triple threat. More importantly, why is Roman Reigns? Reigns has received many opportunities while he has received none. Angle says he hasn’t won a match since being on RAW. Angle says if he can have a good showing against Chad Gable, he’ll consider Money in the Bank. Goldust is in the background laughing.
No Way Jose dances his way to the ring along with Titus Worldwide. They’ll take on Baron Corbin and The Revival, next.
*Commercial Break*
No Way Jose, Titus O’Neil & Apollo Crews Vs. Baron Corbin & The Revival
Titus O’Neil starts against Dash Wilder. O’Neil puts him in the corner and chops the chest. Apollo Crews tags in and runs shoulder first into Wilder before O’Neil slams him down. Crews wrenches the arm, but Scott Dawson tags in. Crews dropkicks The Revival down and hits a standing moonsault. The Revival soon takes him down, and Corbin joins in on beating him up.
Corbin then pulls him out of the ring and sends him into the barricade. Corbin puts him back in the ring and stares at No Way Jose. Corbin clotheslines Crews down and tags Dawson in. Dawson kicks and punches Crews to the corner and hits a back suplex. Dawson drops a leg for a two count. Dawson then applies an abdominal stretch. Crews gets out, but Corbin tags in and elbows Crews. Crews fights back, but Corbin knocks him down. Corbin then knocks O’Neil off the apron. Crews quickly dropkicks Corbin down.
Dawson and Jose tag in. Jose forearms him twice and Dawson down. Jose clears the ring and avalanches Dawson in the corner. Jose hits a rolling fireman’s carry, but Wilder breaks it up. O’Neil shoves Wilder to the corner, but he quickly boots him down. Crews gets Wilder out of the ring. Corbin climbs up on the apron and pulls the top rope down to send Crews flying of the ring. Jose hits Dawson with a Knockout Punch, but he doesn’t realize Corbin blind tagged in. Corbin hits Jose with the End of Days for the win.
Winners: Baron Corbin & The Revival
Coming up next, Ember Moon will take on Ruby Riott and Sasha Banks in a Money in the Bank Qualifying Match.
*Commercial Break*
