Monday Night Raw
Date: October 26, 2026
Location: Save Mart Center, Fresno, California
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Corey Graves

We’re getting closer to Crown Jewel and the card is starting to come together. Raw is still going to need a big main event of its own and we might be finding that out this week. That’s in addition to 946 continuing to terrorize the show and Roman Reigns getting their attention. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Here is Adam Pearce to announce that Stephanie Vaquer is not medically cleared to compete…so Becky Lynch gets a title shot at Liv Morgan instead. The fans approve but are cut off by Sami Zayn. He’s been brought all the way out here to do promotional content and doesn’t even have an appearance on the show? Zayn mocks Roman Reigns for not being here before having Pearce leave.

Zayn talks about how you can be a Wrestlemania main eventer and a World Champion and still be overlooked. There have been all kinds of people coming after him but he keeps coming out clean. The Bloodline was never as good as it was when he was around and this show is on Netflix because of him. Sure he could brag about that but he won’t. Maybe it’s time that the people here acknowledge him, which earns an OTC chant.

Zayn thinks Reigns is overlooking him for the sake of OTC but Reigns isn’t alone. There have been all kinds of people looking past him, including JE’VON EVANS. Cue Evans, who says everyone is gunning for him because of that title. Zayn doesn’t owe Evans anything and they will never be on the same level. Evans isn’t impressed and is ready to go to Crown Jewel if Zayn doesn’t want to. Cue Pearce to say Evens can have a title match right now.

Smackdown World Title: Sami Zayn vs. Je’Von Evans

Evans is challenging. They fight over a lockup to start with Evans taking him down for a standing moonsault. Back up and Zayn hits a quick clothesline for two before stomping away in the corner. Evans is able to send him outside for a big over the top dive but Zayn knocks him off the top and onto the apron.

We take a break and come back with Zayn yelling at the referee but Evans fires off some right hands. A spinning kick to the head knocks Zayn down but he’s able to exploder Evans into the corner. The Helluva Kick misses though and Evans hits a heck of a frog splash for two. Zayn bails outside and here is Penta, with the briefcase and a referee, allowing Evans to hit something like a running sliced Bread for two. Cue Bron Breakker to cut Penta off though and it’s another exploder and the Helluva Kick to retain the title at 13:21.

Rating: C+. This was more a backdrop for the stuff that happened at the end, which isn’t a bad idea. Zayn continues to be a vulnerable champion before getting to the Crown Jewel Title match, which still doesn’t feel interesting. Evans could have been just about anyone here, though it’s a good sign that he’s getting this kind of a spot.

Post match Zayn leaves and Breakker goes after Evans, with Penta’s save being cut off by Bronson Reed. Evans and Penta are absolutely wrecked.

We look back at the Bloodline vs. 946 last week.

We look at Chelsea Green beating Roxanne Perez and Tiffany Stratton almost cashing in on Liv Morgan.

Judgment Day is ready to go, though Morgan is mad at Adam Pearce for putting her in a title match tonight.

Video on Bayley vs. Lyra Valkyria.

Adam Pearce checks on Je’Von Evans and Penta, who want a Tag Team Title shot at Crown Jewel. Done.

Bayley vs. Lyra Valkyria

No DQ. Bayley jumps her to start fast and throws in all of the weapons. Valkyria uses the delay to jump her though and sends her over a table. Bayley is able to get in a whip into the steps and then sends her crashing through an open chair. A charge off of the barricade takes too long though and Valkyria takes her down, followed by a ram into the steps. Setting up the table takes too long AGAIN and Bayley suicide dives Valkyria through the table as we take a break.

We come back with Valkyria knocking her down with a kendo stick but getting flipped off the top. That means Bayley can use the stick as well as her belt to whip Valkyria before wedging a chair in the corner. Valkyria is sent into the chair and it’s time for…a broom. With that all cleaned up, Bayley sets up another table on the floor but a top rope elbow only hits chair. Naturally Valkyria loads up two chairs and tries a moonsault, which only hits a chair, likely coming close to breaking her ribs in the process.

Bayley throws in and sets up some more chairs, which Valkyria uses as a base for the Nightwing. They go outside, where Bayley gets in a Bayley To Belly but Valkyria grabs her foot to avoid a trashcan shot. Valkyria dives into a powerbomb onto the trashcan and the top rope elbow puts her through another table. Back in and a kendo stick crossface makes Valkyria give up at 17:43.

Rating: B. It was a hard hitting fight and the kind of street fight that felt like it was built on hatred. I’m a bit surprised to see Bayley win clean and go over so strong, but at least it should wrap up the feud. I have no idea where Valkyria goes from this, but she doesn’t seem to have the brightest future at the moment.

Iyo Sky is ready for Raquel Rodriguez.

Royce Keys challenges Solo Sikoa for Brooklyn.

Iyo Sky vs. Raquel Rodriguez

Non-title. Rodriguez picks her up and throws her around to start but gets caught in a quick choke. A big kick to the head puts Rodriguez on the floor and a high crossbody off the apron takes her down again. Back in and Rodriguez knocks her off the top for a crash to the floor and we take a break.

We come back with Sky slipping off of Rodriguez’s shoulder for a quickly broken choke. Sky snaps the arm over the top rope and gets two off a DDT. Sky’s double stomp sets up a missed Over The Moonsault so Rodriguez powers her out of the corner. Back up and Sky gets in a missile dropkick into a running Meteora in the corner. Another Over The Moonsault hits raised knees but the Tejana Bomb is reversed into a victory roll to give Sky the pin at 10:33.

Rating: B-. I’m still not wild on a champion getting pinned clean most of the time and that’s what we got here. Sky is definitely more successful and a bigger name, but there is something annoying about seeing Rodriguez lose like this. Odds are it sets up a Crown Jewel title match, which probably helps set up WarGames, because it’s late October.

Post match Roxanne Perez runs in to beat Sky down.

Solo Sikoa, with the Bloodline, is down to face Royce Keys. So if Roman Reigns wasn’t here tonight, were they just chilling somewhere in gear and with their big car?

Dragon Lee/Chad Gable vs. Big Cass/Ethan Page

Gable spins out of a wristlock to start and takes Page down. Cass comes in to knock Lee over so Lee dives underneath both villains. It’s back to Gable for a top rope clothesline to Page before sending Cass outside. Lee is backdropped over the top onto both of them and we take a break.

We come back with Cass splashing Gable in the corner and putting him down with a clothesline. Gable knocks Page out of the corner though and gets a cross armbreaker on Cass over the ropes. The swinging Boss Man Slam is countered into a release German suplex and it’s Lee coming back in for a suicide dive to Page. A rather spinning DDT plants Cass but Page gives Gable an EgoPlex on the floor. That leaves lee to roll Cass up for two and superkick both of them. Cass kicks Lee in the face though and it’s an EgoPlex to give Page the pin at 9:21.

Rating: C+. Honestly, there are worse ideas than having Cass as Page’s muscle. Cass isn’t going anywhere on his own so putting him in a bodyguard role feels almost like his destiny. It’s something that has worked before and it can work again if done right. The match itself was fine, with Page all but guaranteed an Intercontinental Title shot at Crown Jewel.

Video on Becky Lynch vs. Liv Morgan.

The Vision isn’t worried about Penta/Je’Von Evans, because they’ve been invited to unlimited SPEAR/TSUNAMI.

John Cena will be here next week, likely to talk about his weird tournament.

Raw Women’s Title: Becky Lynch vs. Liv Morgan

Morgan is defending and has to escape an early Manhandle Slam attempt. Some armdrags set up an armbar on Morgan but she’s out in a hurry. Oblivion is broken up though and Lynch sends her to the apron for a running shot off the apron. We take a break and come back with Morgan grabbing a half crab in the ropes.

With that broken up, Morgan takes too long loading up Three Amigos and gets suplexed for her efforts. Lynch sends her into the corner for a running clothesline and the Bexploder. The middle rope legdrop gives Lynch two but Morgan catches her on top. A middle rope Russian legsweep only gets two and we take another break.

We come back again with Lynch catching her on top for a change and a superplex gets two. It’s time to go back to the floor, with Lynch loading up the announcers’ table. The Manhandle Slam plants Morgan onto the table but she’s fine enough to sunset bomb Lynch over the steps. They both beat the count back inside and slug it out, with Morgan hitting a quick Oblivion for two.

The Manhandle Slam gets two more but Lynch misses a charge into the post. The Disarm-Her goes on so here is Judgment Day for a distraction and the save. Rodriguez boots Perez in the face and the distraction…doesn’t let Oblivion connect. Another Manhandle Slam connects and Judgment Day runs in for the DQ at 18:04.

Rating: B. The ending was about all they could have done as Lynch beating Morgan certainly felt like a real option. It’s nice to see the two of them getting the chance to do something like this but this felt like another step towards WarGames. That’s only so interesting, but at least Judgment Day is a unit who fits well in that kind of a match.

Post match Chelsea Green runs in for the failed save attempt so here is Iyo Sky for the real thing. Green hits an Unpretty-Her on Morgan and here is Tiffany Stratton with the briefcase. Dominik Mysterio cuts it off just in time though and Tessitore is ticked to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. This show did feel important, but dang I had forgotten how annoying it is to have the rather contrived WarGames builds taking place at the same time. Just suddenly people are running in from different shows and getting into teams. That never feels right and it isn’t again here. Other than that, I did like the action throughout the show and the stories were moved forward, but dang Crown Jewel’s big matches still feel totally flat. Good building show, but the stuff it’s building towards isn’t very interesting.

Results
Sami Zayn b. Je’Von Evans – Helluva Kick
Bayley b. Lyra Valkyria – Kendo stick crossface
Iyo Sky b. Raquel Rodriguez – Victory roll
Ethan Page/Big Cass b. Chad Gable/Dragon Lee – EgoPlex to Lee
Becky Lynch b. Liv Morgan via DQ when Judgment Day interfered

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

Monday Night Raw
Date: October 19, 2026
Location: Pechanga Arena, San Diego, California
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett

It’s a big show as Roman Reigns is back, likely to help deal with the even bigger 946. Last week saw Carmelo Hayes join the team, giving them a new weapon to use in their war against everyone. In addition, we’re coming up on Crown Jewel so it’s time to pretend that the big matches on that show matter in the slightest. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

We open with a long recap of last week’s big six man, with 946 taking out the Usos and Solo Sikoa thanks to the introduction of Carmelo Hayes.

Roman Reigns arrives and is handed his belt. Sami Zayn arrives, carrying his belt, and Reigns isn’t pleased.

Here is Zayn to get things going. He hears some haters in the crowd but asks how many are here to ride or die with him…and here is Reigns to interrupt. They have a bit of a moment talking about what it means to be champion and the pressures that come from it but we pause for ACKNOWLEDGE ME.

Zayn says this is like old times and nothing has changed. Reigns thinks it’s interesting that Zayn is on his show and Reigns has an opportunity for him. The most important title that Zayn has ever had is Honorary Uce. So are they here to discuss the titles or the 946? Is Zayn here out of love or to serve the Bloodline? The fans show off their memories by calling this UCEY and Zayn praises his time in the Bloodline.

The thing is though, now he’s the head of his own table and the Undisputed WWE Champion. Reigns: “That’s a title. This is the title.” Zayn asks why the title that he’s currently holding was THE title for 1400+ days and thinks maybe it’s the arrogance of the person holding it. Reigns says that title hasn’t meant s*** since Wrestlemania XL and THIS is the title now.

Zayn gets serious and calls the title one in a billion, because he’s the only one holding it. What bothers Zayn is that Reigns isn’t treating him like a threat for Crown Jewel. Reigns says he’s sweating Zayn, who might not even be champion by the time they get to Crown Jewel. As Reigns goes to leave, here is Penta for the big staredown with both champions.

Bron Breakker vs. Penta

Breakker powers him around to start and gives him a big running clothesline. A spinning headscissors gets Penta out of trouble and he kicks away at the leg. That’s enough to send Breakker outside, where he….kind of catches a dive, but falls down while trying. Breakker is fine enough to drop Penta onto the announcers’ table and we take a break.

We come back with Breakker knocking Penta down again. Penta comes up with some running shots, including a clothesline, before going back to the legs. Breakker catches him on top though and the running Frankensteiner gets two. The Super Spear is countered with a superkick though and the Penta Driver gives Penta two of his own.

Cue the Vision for a distraction but Penta fires off the superkicks, only to get speared out of the air….for two, with the fans being WAY into the kickout. Austin Theory goes for the briefcase but Je’Von Evans runs in to take it away and clock Breakker. The Mexican Destroyer gives Penta the pin at 11:55.

Rating: B+. The kickout on that spear was excellent and actually got me on the false finish. What matters the most here was having Penta get the pin here, as you need to do that if he’s getting built towards the title. As usual, Penta can have an exciting match with anyone, including Breakker, who needs to do something with the Tag Team Titles already. I keep forgetting the team even holds the things.

We look back at Judgment Day cheating Chelsea Green out of a match last week.

Roman Reigns goes to leave and is asked about having everyone come after him from so many directions. Sami Zayn turned him down but it’s time to go back to the drawing board. And he leaves.

Chelsea Green/Iyo Sky vs. Judgment Day

Sky works on Perez’s arm to start so Perez cartwheels away and gets in a slap. Green comes in to help take Sky down but Rodriguez runs Green over without much trouble. It’s quickly back to Sky for a running crossbody but Rodriguez gets away from the Bullet Train. Sky is sent hard into the barricade and we take a break. We come back with Sky slugging away at Perez, who kicks her in the head.

Rodriguez misses a running boot and gets kicked in the head as Perez is sent outside. Sky FINALLY dives for the tag but Green is pulled to the floor (that was a terrible sequence, as there were multiple times where Sky could have easily tagged and just didn’t for no logical reason). Back up and the tag brings in Green to take over on Perez but Liv Morgan crotches Green on top. Sky is up for the save and Green dives onto Judgment Day, leaving Sky to hurricanrana Rodriguez for the pin at 12:10.

Rating: C+. The match was fine, but it reminded me just how annoying the Crown Jewel stuff has to be. It’s going to see a pair of champions facing off with one of them losing for a prize that everyone has been firmly established as worthless. That’s all we’re going to hear about for the next few weeks and good night I do not care, much like WWE, about what they’re fighting over.

946 says they didn’t miss last week.

JD McDonagh vs. Joe Hendry

Dominik Mysterio is here with McDonagh and they’re fighting because of a fake Funko Pop. Hendry comes out with the walking Funko Pop and a guitar so McDonagh jumps him before the bell. They get inside where Hendry knocks him into the corner for the right hands. McDonagh fights out and throws the boxed Funko Pop at the human Funko Pop, the latter of whom eats up Mysterio on the floor. Hendry hits a big dive to take both of them down and we take a break.

We come back with Hendry fighting out of a chinlock and dropping backwards for the escape. The fall away slam sends McDonagh flying but Hendry’s back is banged up. Hendry sends him head first into the post and gets two off a DDT. The Funko Pop cuts off Mysterio’s interference and Hendry grabs the guitar, which McDonagh takes away. McDonagh destroys the Funko Pop with the guitar and gets clotheslined by Hendry back inside. Mysterio holds McDonagh away from the ropes though and the jumping headbutt finishes Hendry at 9:20.

Rating: F. This is one of the dumbest feuds I have seen in wrestling for a long time and it’s making me actively hate this show. Hendry and McDonagh both deserve better than what feels like an idea designed to entertain Vince McMahon. Get rid of whomever came up with this stupid idea and make the show a better place.

Earlier today, Lyra Valkyria thought Bayley was following her and accidentally hit Lola Vice. A match was made.

Lyra Valkyria vs. Lola Vice

Vice tries to wrestle her down to start but gets reversed into a rocking horse of all things. With that broken up, Vice hits a spinebuster and starts slugging away. Back up and Valkyria chokes her in the ropes and they head outside, where Valkyria gets in a nasty backbreaker. We take a break and come back with Vice getting out of trouble, including ducking an enziguri.

Vice kicks her down for two and trade some rollups for two each. Nightwing is reversed into a rear naked choke, which is broken up rather quickly. They head outside where Valkyria gets in a shot of her own but Bayley pops out from underneath the ring to grab Valkyria’s foot. Vice gets in a running seated senton off the apron and the spinning backfist finishes Valkyria at 10:53.

Rating: C+. This was all about waiting for Bayley to pop up to do something, which she finally did at the last second. Valkyria being all crazy about Bayley is working well enough, though I’d take anything after that Funko nonsense. Vice got the win here, though there’s only so much to gain when the focus was on Bayley vs. Valkyria.

Post match Valkyria goes after Bayley, who sends her into the timekeeper’s area to send Valkyria running. Bayley says she wants to finish this once and for all next week in a No DQ match.

We look at the Agents Of Shadow or whatever this nonsense is called series.

Stephanie Vaquer is told to stay off her ankle for another week so Becky Lynch comes in to mock her. Lynch tells Adam Pearce she should get the first shot at Liv Morgan. Pearce tries to calm things down and suggests they can fight each other later.

Intercontinental Title: Rey Mysterio vs. Dragon Lee vs. Chad Gable

Gable is defending and is knocked outside rather quickly, leaving Lee and Mysterio to forearm it out. Lee knocks him down in the corner and cuts off Gable on the way back inside. Gable is back up to German suplex both of them at once and we take a break. We come back with Gable slipping out of a powerbomb but getting caught in a Styles Clash attempt.

Mysterio breaks that up with a springboard crossbody and Lee is knocked outside. The ankle lock is broken up as Lee comes back in and gets his ankle locked as well. Mysterio sends Gable outside but gets knocked down again. Lee comes back in and Gable takes him down by the leg. Back up and Lee snaps off a running hurricanrana to the floor but Mysterio hits both of them with a dive as we take another break.

We come back again with Lee hitting his top rope double stomp to Mysterio’s back and getting his feet up to block Gable’s moonsault. Mysterio sends both of them into the ropes, where Gable blocks the 619. Lee cuts Gable off and powerbombs Mysterio for two and then does the same thing to Gable for two more. Mysterio is back up with a pair of 619s and the frog splash hits Lee, with Gable diving in for the save. Lee is sent outside, leaving Gable to sunset flip Mysterio to retain at 15:49.

Rating: B. I did like the match and they were all working hard, which is far from a surprise, but my goodness I am sick of triple threats. Just seeing the match announced as one took away so much of the interest and that’s a bad thing. Do Gable vs. Mysterio in Mysterio’s hometown and let them do their thing without Lee being involved. You know, as has been done forever in wrestling.

Post match Ethan Page runs in to lay Gable out. Then he does it again.

The Usos arrive and come to the ring with weapons in hand. Post break they get right to the point in calling out 946, who come into the arena. Royce Keys says no one is safe but here is Solo Sikoa from the crowd to take him out. The brawl is on but Carmelo Hayes saves Keys from the Samoan Spike. The Usos and Sikoa are laid out and Keys says he’s coming for Roman Reigns…who is here to join the festivities.

We get the big staredown and the brawl is on, with 946 being easily dispatched. The spear drops Nima and 946 runs off to end the show. This was the best thing on the card as WarGames awaits these guys, which should be more than good enough. Reigns alone just makes it feel more important, though I’m not sure if the 946 lineup is enough to be a threat to the Bloodline/Sikoa.

Overall Rating: C. The main event segment helped this show a good bit but my goodness there were a lot of things on here that dragged it down. The Crown Jewel stuff does nothing for me, just like it didn’t when it was called The Battle For Brand Supremacy for all those years.

Throw in the run away leader for worst angle of the year with the Funko stuff and I was miserable for a good chunk of this show. The opener, which was very good, was forgotten rather quickly for the sake of stupid and I could not stand way too much this week. Unfortunately the focus is going to be in the same place for a few weeks and that’s not going to make the next month or so very easy.

Results
Penta b. Bron Breakker – Mexican Destroyer
Iyo Sky/Chelsea Green b. Judgment Day – Hurricanrana to Rodriguez
JD McDonagh b. Joe Hendry – Jumping headbutt
Lola Vice b. Lyra Valkyria – Spinning backfist
Chad Gable b. Dragon Lee and Rey Mysterio – Sunset flip to Mysterio

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

Monday Night Raw
Date: October 12, 2026
Location: Brookshire Grocery Arena, Bossier City, Louisiana
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Corey Graves

We’re done with Money In The Bank and that means the briefcases have been won. Penta and Tiffany Stratton picked up said briefcases and in theory only Penta will be a factor around here. Stranger things have happened though and now it’s time to get ready for Crown Jewel, which is at least scheduled for Saudi Arabia in a few weeks. Let’s get to it.

Here is Money In The Bank if you need a recap.

Long Money In The Bank recap.

Here is Penta to get things going. Penta thanks everyone from the fans to his opponents in Money In The Bank. For twenty years, he has fought for everything and he did it again at Money In The Bank. The briefcase means everything to him because it gives him the power to become World Champion whenever he wants.

This brings out Je’Von Evans, with his arm in a sling and a bad limp, to interrupt. Evans says he’s banged up but he wasn’t missing an episode of Raw. Penta deserves the briefcase more than anyone but here is Bron Breakker to spear the rather injured Evans and run off. There wasn’t much here, but Breakker as the lurking monster force is a good role for him.

Big Cass vs. Rey Mysterio

Mysterio charges into a knee to start so he hits Cass in the face and runs to the floor. The chase is on and Mysterio hides underneath the ring, allowing him to snap off a hurricanrana from the apron. Cass is right back to send him into the barricade and then over the top as we take a break.

We come back with Mysterio kneeing his way out of a suplex but getting knocked right back down for two. Cass sits him on top but gets kicked away, setting up a top rope seated senton. A low bridge sends Cass outside and a 619 connects on the floor. There’s a tornado DDT to plant Cass again and Mysterio gets in a 619 to the ankle. The regular version is cut off with an elbow to the face and some hard rams into the corner. The referee checks on Mysterio and here is Dragon Lee for a distraction. Now the 619 into a victory roll finishes for Mysterio at 10:06.

Rating: B-. It’s really hard to imagine Cass being able to turn this around at this point as the magic seems to have worn off. Granted that doesn’t take much as there was only so much magic in the first place, but Cass just feels like someone brought out there to lose to everyone now. You would think there might be something else for him to do but apparently not this time.

We recap the chaos of 946.

946 suggests more violence tonight.

Adam Pearce assigns the referee to the Usos/Solo Sikoa vs. 946 tonight, saying that the rules are a bit looser and the referee needs to count a fall and get out of there. Works for him.

Here is Judgment Day for a chat, with Liv Morgan bragging about getting the Women’s Title back. She’s ready to become the two time Crown Jewel Champion but here is Smackdown Women’s Champion Chelsea Green for a chat. Morgan calls her a placeholder champion but Green says she’s used to being underestimated. She’s not going to be called a placeholder by Dominik Mysterio’s placeholder girlfriend. Roxanne Perez isn’t standing for this and we’ll do it next.

Chelsea Green vs. Roxanne Perez

Non-title and we’re joined in progress with the two of them fighting over a lockup on the floor. They get inside with Green’s majistral cradle getting two and a shoulder putting Perez down again. Back up and Perez sends her into the corner for a running elbow but Green is right back with a shot of her own. A missile dropkick sends Perez to the floor and we take a break.

We come back with Green fighting out of a Russian legsweep and getting two off a Rough Ryder. They seem to mistime Perez’s basement Downward Spiral but Perez is back with a quick rollup for two instead in a nice save. The Unprettier is countered so Liv Morgan offers a distraction but Green is fine enough to dive onto Perez and Raquel Rodriguez. Morgan is sent over the announcers’ table, though the distraction lets Perez hit Pop Rox for the pin at 10:27 shown.

Rating: C+. Pretty nice effort here, with the big story being that Green was in over her head with the numbers advantage. That’s not something that is going to hurt her, but good night I do not look forward to nearly a month of acting like the Crown Jewel Title means anything whatsoever. It was dumb when it was just for Brand Supremacy and it’s worse for a belt they don’t get to wear.

Post match Green slaps Morgan and is promptly beaten down by Judgment Day.

Solo Sikoa comes in to see the Usos, who says to run the play they call tonight. Sikoa isn’t impressed and says they need to follow his lead. Jimmy has to play peacemaker and says they need to stay together tonight.

And now, Money In The Bank highlights in other languages.

Here is Oba Femi for a chat. Femi talks about how he had been promised a bunch of Tsunamis but he wound up seeing some lovely blue skies. Now it’s time for everyone to bend the knee but here is Paul Heyman to interrupt. He saw Femi kick out of the Tsunami, which has never been done before. Heyman was amazed when Femi took out Brock Lesnar, which brings him to his point. Femi cuts him off to say he’s an Oba Femi Guy and walks off, not interested in the likely sales pitch.

Lyra Valkyria interrupts Adam Pearce and Iyo Sky, saying she wants to face Bayley again because Bayley is always following her. Bayley is right over there! Pearce: “She works here.” A frustrated Valkyria leaves when Roxanne Perez and Raquel Rodriguez come in, with Perez wanting a title shot at Chelsea Green. Rodriguez doesn’t think much of Sky, who thinks she has a new challenger.

LA Knight is disappointed in the loss at Money In The Bank when Solo Sikoa interrupts. Knight seems to be displeased with Sikoa working with the Usos but he says it isn’t like that. Sikoa asks if they’re good, with Knight saying they are but maybe not meaning it.

Intercontinental Title: Chad Gable vs. Rey Fenix

Only Gable’s title is on the line. Fenix takes him to the mat to start but misses a sliding dropkick. Back up and a running hurricanrana sends Gable into the ropes but he’s right back with the ankle lock. That’s broken up very quickly so Gable heads to the floor, with Fenix backflipping into an anklescissors into the apron. A great looking moonsault hits Gable and we take an early break.

We come back with Fenix diving into a northern lights suplex for two and the top rope moonsault gives Gable the same. The ankle lock goes on again but Fenix is right back with some kicks to the ribs. A big kick to the head staggers Gable but he counters a rolling something into an Angle Slam. Fenix heads outside and manages to get in the running kick from the apron, followed by a dropkick off of said apron to rock Gable again. Gable is fine enough to suplex him into the barricade but Fenix’s rolling cutter gets two back inside.

We take another break and come back again with Gable getting up to roll some German suplexes. Gable goes up and gets caught with a running uppercut, which sets up a super hurricanrana. Now the rope walk kick can set up the frog splash to give Fenix two and they both need a breather.

Gable escapes the Mexican MuscleBuster and grabs the ankle lock, which is reversed into one from Fenix. That’s reversed into one from Gable, with Fenix getting over to the rope for the break. Back up and Gable sends him into the corner but gets crotched on top. The Mexican MuscleBuster is countered again into another ankle lock, with Fenix tapping at 18:36.

Rating: B+. Gable is in the mode of being the guy who is sent out there for one awesome match after another and it worked again rather well here. Granted it helps to be out there with Fenix, who is one of the most exciting stars that you’re going to see no matter what. This was designed to be a great match and they did just that, which was pretty great to see.

Post match respect is shown again.

We look at the rather awful looking secret agent show coming out later this month.

Stephanie Vaquer limps out of the trainer’s room on crutches but Becky Lynch comes in to mock her for losing. Vaquer doesn’t respect her anymore and they are ready for a fight when the ankle is healed.

Here’s what’s coming on various shows.

Rey Fenix is interrupted by Ethan Page, who says it’s clear that Fenix can’t beat Chad Gable. We need to move on, which is advanced by Page jumping Fenix. Gable runs in for the save.

946 vs. Usos/Solo Sikoa

946 comes through the crowd to no music for a more outsider feeling. Jaida Parker is here with 946. We get the big standoff on the apron and the bell rings to start the brawl in a hurry. 946 knocks all of them down to start without much trouble but Sikoa throws an announcers’ chair at Keys’ head. Most of them go to the floor and it’s Jimmy with a big corkscrew dive to the pile as we take a break.

We come back with Nima getting in a top rope stomp to a standing Jimmy, who is sent outside. Back in and Keys hammers on Jimmy in the corner but a jumping enziguri gives Jimmy a breather. Keys is right there to cut off the tag attempt though and Jey has to break up something like a double Angle Slam. The diving tag brings in Sikoa to make the fired up comeback, including a Samoan drop to Keys. Spinning Solo gets two but Parker pulls the referee outside.

The referee is thrown over the barricade and everything breaks down, with Sikoa being sent into the post. OTM and the Usos brawl into the crowd but Jey is up to dive off the balcony to take them down. Parker is up with a dive of her own and we cut back to ringside, where Sikoa Samoan drops Keys through the announcers’ table.

A Superfly Splash hits Keys and the Samoan Spike is loaded up…but someone comes in to hit Sikoa in the ribs with a crowbar. The USB puts Sikoa down and the returning Usos are cut off just as fast. More crowbar shots leave the Usos and Sikoa laying them out to end the show. We’ll say the match was thrown out at around 15:00 or so but that’s not exactly the point.

Rating: B. Well this was all about the big moment at the end of course, but it was interesting to see Parker get in that dive of her own. She’s a bit more than just a woman who hangs out with the team and can do something of her own. At the same time, this was a good, hard hitting match but it’s clear that someone is going to have to deal with 946. Likely in Houston at WarGames. 946 is feeling more and more like a big deal and I can absolutely go for more of Hayes, who has been stuck sitting around for way too long.

Overall Rating: B. The last two matches definitely boosted this show up, even if there was only so much going on in the first half. Penta is Mr. Money In The Bank but there was pretty much nothing about him, or anyone else in the opening segment, after that was over. The good thing is that 946 is looking like a much bigger deal and I’m curious to see where they go. Solid stuff here, if nothing else due to the lack of a triple threat match for a change.

Results
Rey Mysterio b. Big Cass – Victory roll
Roxanne Perez b. Chelsea Green – Pop Rox
Chad Gable b. Rey Fenix – Ankle lock
946 vs. Usos/Solo Sikoa went to a no contest

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

Money In The Bank 2026
Date: October 10, 2026
Location: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, Louisiana
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves

It’s one of the bigger shows of the year and in this case it involves a bunch of ladders. Naturally the show is built around the namesake ladder matches but we also have Roman Reigns defending the Raw World Title and a triple threat for the Raw Women’s Title. This is one of the shows where things can change in a hurry so let’s get to it.

The opening video looks at how important the briefcase can be to someone’s career.

Raw World Title: LA Knight vs. Roman Reigns

Reigns is defending and they walk around a bit to start. Knight gets in some nice middle fingers and knocks Reigns outside, where Reigns wants a breather. Back in and Reigns knocks him down before grinding away on a headlock. That’s broken up and Knight gets in a clothesline and hammers away in the corner, which has Reigns ticked off. Now Reigns gets in his own corner clotheslines and a big boot but Knight jabs his way out of trouble.

They head outside where Reigns is sent into various things but Reigns throws him into the announcers’ table. Knight’s head is cut a bit and they head back inside where Reigns keeps up the slow beating. Back up and a powerslam drops Reigns for the spelling elbow, allowing Knight to stomp away in the corner. That just earns Knight a Superman Punch for two but the spear hits the post.

The top rope superplex drops Reigns and Knight is up with a Burning Hammer for two more. The BFT is countered but Knight takes him down with an inverted DDT, setting up the top rope jumping…well nothing as Reigns moves. Reigns’ release Rock Bottom gets two and they head outside, where Knight has to avoid going through the announcers’ table. Back in and Reigns drops him again but the spear is countered into a jumping BFT for a rather close two.

Knight loads up his own spear but charges into the most obvious spear in years for two more. Back up and Knight hits his own spear for two, with Reigns bailing out to the floor. Knight avoids the spear though and Reigns crashes through the barricade. A powerbomb (on the second attempt) puts Reigns through the announcers’ table and now the jumping top rope elbow connects for two. Back up and Reigns hits a Superman Punch, setting up the spear to retain at 26:31.

Rating: B+. The crowd was white hot and they managed to turn it into an entertaining match with some drama despite Knight not feeling like a huge threat to take the title. That’s hard to do and they pulled it off here, with Reigns continuing to bring the big fight atmosphere like no one else. I’m not sure where Knight goes from here though and that’s a problem, but 946 will likely be coming after Reigns to give him something else to do.

Post match 946 pops up in the crowd and the Bloodline and Solo Sikoa appears behind them to start the brawl. They fight into a bar and then the concourse, with a cameraman picking up the camera and running to get a shot in a nice touch. The brawl heads outside, with 946 getting into a car and driving away.

Women’s Money In The Bank

Tiffany Stratton, Sol Ruca, Lash Legend, Roxanne Perez, Lola Vice, Jacy Jayne

Everyone gets together to go after Legend, who fights off and drags a ladder and Perez inside. The ladder is sat up on the floor and Stratton tries a big flip dive, with the back of her head slamming onto the floor. The fans clearly know that didn’t work and quiet down so much that commentary has to acknowledge it. Jayne loads up a ladder but Stratton is up for the save.

Vice is in with a bunch of kicks and hip attacks but Perez grabs a mini ladder to take out various women. Legend hits a pump kick to drive the mini ladder into Perez but Ruca missile dropkicks a big ladder into Legend. Perez seesaws a ladder into Ruca’s face and then Lionsaults onto Ruca onto Legend onto the ladder. Ruca and Stratton go up top but get shoved down, leaving Ruca hanging above the ring.

Another ladder is bridged into the standing ladder, with Legend chokeslamming Perez and Stratton onto the bridge. Another bridged ladder is crushed at ringside, leaving Jayne to go up. Vice goes up to choke her and they crash down onto another bridged ladder and fall to the floor. that leaves Stratton and Perez to slug it out inside with Perez getting the better of things. Ruca cuts her off and hits a Sol Snatcher off of the ladder. Legend is in for another save though and powerbombs Ruca onto a bridged ladder in the corner. Stratton cuts Legend off and hits her with the briefcase to win the case at 15:37.

Rating: B-. I’m not sure what to think of this one, but it was the usual carnage with everyone flying all over the place and crashing into things. I wasn’t expecting Stratton to win but at least she has a ready made story with Chelsea Green. It worked well enough but they overdid the bridged ladder stuff and it was only so good. Ruca’s Sol Snatcher off of the ladder was awesome at least.

Bronson Reed vs. Oba Femi

Paul Heyman is watching in the back. Reed knocks him into the corner to start but a clothesline just annoys Femi. A big shoulder drops Reed but he gets a foot up in the corner. Femi is right back with a toss suplex and Reed is already on the floor. That doesn’t work for Femi, who goes after him for a slugout on the apron. A belly to back suplex drops Femi onto the apron though and he comes up with a bad arm.

Reed is right there with the suicide dive and the backsplash gets two back inside. Something like a Cannonball to the back gives Reed two more and he wins a slugout. Another backsplash looks to set up the Tsunami, with Femi rolling away. Femi gets knocked down again and now the Tsunami can launch, only to miss completely. Femi is back up with the running uppercuts in the corner.

Cue the Vision for a distraction, allowing Reed to get the brass knuckles. The big right hand doesn’t even drop Femi so Reed has to hit him again, setting up the Tsunami for two. Reed’s moonsault misses so Femi hits another running elbow. Austin Theory is dispatched and Reed gets tossed, setting up the Fall From Grace for the pin on Reed at 11:40.

Rating: B. This was another good one, with the two of them beating the daylights out of each other. It didn’t quite get to the high point I was expecting but Femi kicked out of the monster finish and overcame the odds. That’s the entire point of the match and it went well, which is all you can want here. Good stuff.

Raw Women’s Title: Stephanie Vaquer vs. Becky Lynch vs. Liv Morgan

Vaquer is defending and Morgan is sent outside to start. Back in and Vaquer gives Morgan a belly to back suplex, setting up the Devil’s Kiss. Lynch breaks that up and Vaquer cuts off Oblivion before hitting a big dive onto the two of them. Morgan is able to powerbomb Lynch onto the apron but and Vaquer is whipped into the steps. Back in and Morgan grabs Three Amigos before tying Lynch in the Tree Of Woe.

The stomping ensues, only for Vaquer to get one off a rollup. The Devil’s Kiss has Morgan in trouble and the SVB puts her down again. Lynch is back up with a Bexploder to Vaquer and a suplex to Morgan. The double DDT drops Morgan and Vaquer and it’s time to grab a table. Morgan gets double suplexed on the floor and it’s time for the other two to set up a table. That takes too long so they go back inside, where a Tower Of Doom (I think) is broken up.

Morgan can’t half crab Vaquer, who pulls Morgan into the same thing. Lynch grabs a Disarm-Her on Morgan at the same time but both holds are broken up. Lynch and Vaquer kick it out until Morgan gets two off a rollup. Vaquer knocks Lynch outside for a running knee into the steps and the Vaquer Inferno gets two on Morgan, with Lynch pulling the referee. Back in and Lynch is knocked off the top and onto the table at ringside, leaving Morgan to hit Oblivion for the pin at 15:37.

Rating: C+. They had a bunch of spots and hard hitting stuff in here, but it felt kind of all over the place. Morgan getting the title back is a bit of a surprise as she feels like she’s had the thing forever, but that’s certainly a big moment. Vaquer got her big moment in Chile, so hopefully we get to Lynch vs. Vaquer one on one sooner than later, as that has the potential. Not a bad match at all, but it didn’t really click.

Men’s Money In The Bank Ladder Match

CM Punk, Bron Breakker, Trick Williams, Je’Von Evans, Kevin Owens, Penta

They stare at each other to start and then start hitting each other in the face. Williams tries a double flapjack but Penta….I think tries to take it like a backdrop and takes a nasty crash. Lil Yachty helps Williams with a ladder but Punk is right there with a suicide dive. Another ladder is loaded up but Penta is right there with a running flip dive. That means the ladder is brought inside but Punk (who might have taken a ladder to the face) comes in to cut Penta off.

Punk’s bulldog to Owens is dropped onto the ladder and here is Penta for the slingshot dropkicks in the corner. Breakker suplexes Punk and Penta at once, with Owens making a save. Punk goes for the ladder until Owens cuts him off by ramming Punk’s knee into the ladder. Breakker throws them outside and takes his time going up, allowing Penta to get back in. That earns Penta a knee to the chest and Breakker gets a running start on the floor to drive Williams into the ladder (that didn’t look great).

Owens pulls Breakker down and it’s time for the hockey fight with Punk. A bunch of people wind up in the timekeeper’s area and instead of climbing into the empty rung, Evans tries a dive onto them. That’s broken up with a spear into the barricade and referees have to check on Evans. Back in and Punk Russian legsweeps Breakker off the ladder for a nasty landing. Evans is being loaded onto a stretcher as Punk’s leg is tied up in the ladder.

Owens drops a ladder onto Punk’s arm to tie him up even more as Evans is carried out. Punk is dropped on another ladder but Penta is up to take Owens out, as well as go after Williams. We cut to the back where Evans is put in the ambulance, with both GM’s watching. Punk is back up, only to get caught with a Penta Driver. Breakker gives Penta a gorilla press gutbuster but Lil Yachty is there to cut Breakker off.

It’s a Stunner to Williams and another to Yachty so Owens goes up, with Punk knocking him down. Penta cuts Punk off but gets taken down with a GTS. Owens cuts Punk off and gets knocked down as well, leaving Breakker to start spearing various people. That includes a double spear to send Owens and Punk through the barricade…and here is the ambulance coming into the arena and down the aisle, naturally with Evans driving. He pops out to jump Breakker as I try to figure out why so many wrestlers are good at commandeering ambulances.

Evans takes out almost everyone else and takes multiple minutes to set up a gigantic ladder (it almost touches the briefcase) but Breakker is back up. Breakker’s Super Spear is cut off and Evans goes up, with the ladder nowhere near the briefcase. Instead Breakker shoves him off the top and through the for some reason wooden roof of the ambulance. Penta is back up and bridged a ladder into the big one, setting up a Mexican Destroyer to Breakker onto the ladder. Penta climbs and wins the briefcase at 31:54.

Rating: B-. Well that was….lengthy. There were far too many spots in here that had me shaking my head at how ridiculous they looked, with the ambulance spot being as contrived of a spot as I can remember (or it was just a big commercial for that new Slambulance thing). Penta winning is a good pick as he’s red hot right now, so keeping him in the title picture is smart. I certainly didn’t hate this, but it was too long and had too many of the ladder match tropes that I can’t stand to see.

Overall Rating: B. This show started off rather good with the opener and then didn’t really have anything to follow it up. The problem with Money In The Bank is the same as it has always been: you’re not really getting anything here, but rather setting up for something later on. What we got here was good, but only the opener really stood out and it hit a pretty firm ceiling. Overall I’ll take it, though it’s definitely not worth going out of your way to see.

Results
Roman Reigns b. LA Knight – Spear
Tiffany Stratton won the Women’s Money In The Bank Ladder Match
Oba Femi b. Bronson Reed – Fall From Grace
Liv Morgan b. Stephanie Vaquer and Becky Lynch – Oblivion to Vaquer
Penta won the Men’s Money In The Bank Ladder Match

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

Monday Night Raw
Date: September 28, 2026
Location: Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett

We’re coming up on Money In The Bank and the question this week is what 946 is going to do this time. The trio has been going kind of nuts around here, with Solo Sikoa being kidnapped last week. It’s going to take a special force to take them out and that should make for some interesting developments. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

In Memory Of Neville. I still can’t get my head around that one.

Opening recap.

We look at a special clip from last week, with Solo Sikoa being kidnapped and then left to walk away with a bag over his head.

Here is the Bloodline to get things going. They recap 946 coming after them, with Jimmy Uso saying that attacking and kidnapping their little brother was too far because that’s their blood. Jacob Fatu says that he’s been telling his brothers that it’s not tonight because the first move isn’t the best move. Now this is on him because it was his fault. Tonight though, it’s time to go to war and dog walk 946.

A car arrives in the back and the Bloodline goes after it without the door opening. We cut to the back where the door is opened, with an attendant saying that Adam Pearce is expecting them. The Bloodline shows up and takes him out…but it’s NXT’s Jaida Parker, who is hear to see Pearce. Jey Uso and Parker have a bit of a staredown in a wink wink moment.

Penta runs into Je’Von Evans in the back but Judgment Day interrupts. Dominik Mysterio says Penta stole his Money In The Bank spot and asks if he even cares that Solo Sikoa was kidnapped. Evans points out that JD McDonagh has a big head and the match is teased for later.

Lola Vice vs. Roxanne Perez

Vice knocks her down to start and grabs a headlock takeover, which is broken up as soon as they hit the mat. Perez’s headlock works a bit better but she has to fight out of a cross armbreaker attempt. Vice knocks her outside so Perez tries to leave, only to be sent back inside. A choke has Perez in trouble and she flips backwards for two but can’t break free. Instead they roll outside, where Perez has to ram her into the steps for the break. A northern lips suplex onto the arm has Vice in trouble and we take a break.

We come back with Vice kicking her down into the corner and hitting the running hip attack. Perez is back up with a running elbow to the back and a crossface, which is kicked away from the ropes so Vice can grab a triangle choke. With that broken up, Perez kicks her in the ribs but walks into a great looking spinning backfist (that came out of nowhere and Perez went down like she ran into a boulder) for the pin at 10:23.

Rating: B. The ending alone bumped this up a bit as Vice’s spinning backfist looked perfect. Other than that, this was the kind of win that helps make Vice feel like she belongs around here and that’s still being established. We’re still waiting for her first real feud, but at least she’s off to a good start.

Post match Vice dances but Raquel Rodriguez runs in to boot her in the face. Sol Ruca runs in for the save with a springboard dropkick but Perez breaks up the Sol Snatcher. That means Rodriguez can hit the Tejana Bomb to Ruca and Pop Rox to Vice. I’d think that covers the first real feud part.

Dragon Lee, with Rey Mysterio, is ready to face Big Cass tonight. He promises the fire but Cass comes in to say he’s putting the fire out. Mysterio holds Lee back.

946 has released a video, saying they knew what the Bloodline was going to do and promising that no one is safe tonight.

Here is Oba Femi for a chat. He says he’s not here for combat (though that can change) but he has to do things the right way. Over the last few weeks, he has been having issues with the Vision. It is no secret that things have changed since Bronson Reed came back. Reed wasn’t around when Femi won the King Of The Ring or beat Brock Lesnar so he doesn’t understand that Femi is the captain now.

Femi has a contract to face Reed at Money In The Bank, which is approved by Adam Pearce. He has already signed and is ready to do this the right way, which is how a wise man taught him to do it (the fans are interested in that). Femi wants and receives Reed out here on his own right now. Cue Reed, who says that he’s wrecked Femi twice and he’ll do it again. There’s the signature and Reed goes to leave, with Femi saying Reed has guts for sealing his own fate. I’ll take this over a formal contract signing but this could have been announced without the segment in general.

Earlier today, Iyo Sky was talking to Adam Pearce about an opportunity but Lyra Valkyria came up to ask why she’s having to ask what is next for her. The women get in an argument so Pearce puts them in a match. Sky: “She has issues.”

Dragon Lee vs. Big Cass

Lee jumps him on the way into the ring and the bell sounds with Cass in trouble on the floor. They get inside with Cass hitting a heck of a big boot to cut Lee off just as fast. Cass knocks him over the corner and out to the floor, where a chokeslam drops Lee onto the apron. We take a break and come back with Cass still in control and planting Lee down for two.

The kickout has Cass annoyed and it’s off to a crossface chickenwing. Lee fights out and kicks away, with some running dropkicks connecting in the corner. Cass misses a running big boot and gets hurricanranaed to the floor, with a camera being taken out. A great looking suicide dive hits Cass and Lee pulls him into something like an octopus. That’s broken up as well and Lee rolls into a DDT to plant Cass again. A running elbow to the head gives Lee two and he reverses a chokeslam into a flipping rollup for the pin at 12:15.

Rating: B-. This got rolling with a hot crowd carrying it again, as the story of the match was hardly anything brilliant. You can see Cass falling down the mountain as he is now just a good look and a heck of a big boot. As long as this doesn’t lead to Enzo Amore returning to suck the life out of everything he touches, I’m fine.

Jacob Fatu thinks 946 is going to try to split the Bloodline up so they have to stick together. The Usos are in, though Jey wasn’t thrilled at first.

Stephanie Vaquer is ready to defend her Women’s Title. Next week, it’s Liv Morgan vs. Becky Lynch and the winner gets a title shot at Money In The Bank.

LA Knight talks about how he became a star the second he got here. Then he got a title shot against Roman Reigns and Jimmy Uso cost him the match. People like Reigns held him down for three years but now Knight is here again to do what he should have done a long time ago. As usual, Knight knows how to make anything sound serious and that he believes everything he’s saying. You can’t teach that kind of thing and it’s great to watch.

Iyo Sky vs. Lyra Valkyria

Feeling out process to start with Valkyria taking her down and working on the arm. Sky is right back to take the leg out and hit a running basement dropkick. Valkyria tries a monkey flip, with Sky landing on her feet. Valkyria’s rocking horse is broken up and Sky dropkicks her her out to the floor. Sky gets up on the barricade (with the fans helping her) and hits a high crossbody. Back up and Sky gets caught in the ropes, with Valkyria dropkicking her down and mocking the crazy pose as we take a break.

We come back with Sky armdragging her into a flapjack. A springboard missile dropkick looks to set up the Bullet Train, which is cut off with a superkick. Valkyria powerbombs her for two but Nightwing is countered into a double stomp. Sky kicks her in the face again and a butterfly powerbomb gives Sky two more. Valkyria gets in a catapult into the ropes and they go to the apron, with Valkyria hitting a fisherman’s buster.

Sky avoids an Asai moonsault though and Valkyria kicks the post by mistake. Now the Bullet Train can connect in the corner but Over The Moonsault is countered. Cue Bayley (with a BEN armband to honor Pac) to stand on the announcers’ table for a distraction, allowing Sky to dropkick her out of the air. Over The Moonsault finishes Valkyria at 14:11.

Rating: B. This was a couple of things at once, with Sky getting to show just how good she is again, which is always worth a watch, and Valkyria vs. Bayley continuing. That’s going to lead to a big showdown in the near future and I’m curious to see how it goes. Another good match here as the show is on a roll tonight.

LA Knight comes in to see the Bloodline, who blame him for Solo Sikoa being kidnapped last wee. Knight doesn’t seem to agree and says he’ll be waiting for Roman Reigns next week.

AAA Cruiserweight Champion Rey Fenix gets to defend his title across all brands so he wants to defend it on Raw. Chad Gable comes in to say he’s happy to have him here but Ethan Page comes in to mock the whole thing. Fenix tells him to shut up and a match is made for next week.

Money In The Bank rundown.

Judgment Day vs. Penta/Je’Von Evans

Judgment Day jumps them to start fast with Penta and Evans being sent outside. Mysterio hits a dive to the floor and we take a break. We come back with Penta getting to come in and clean house, including a slingshot dropkick to McDonagh in the corner. A springboard tornado DDT plants Mysterio and it’s back to Evans to hammer away in the corner. Penta sends both of them to the floor for a big running flip dive, which has Evans impressed.

We take a break and come back with Mysterio pulling at Penta’s mask. The 619 connects but Penta shrugs it off (not a great look there) so they can trade superkicks and clotheslines for a double down. Evans is back in to hit the Red Dot to McDonagh (that looked great) and then gets a heck of a dive to crush Mysterio in the timekeeper’s area.

Back in and a springboard dive gets two on McDonagh but the OG Cutter misses. A superkick nails McDonagh but another OG Cutter hits Penta by mistake. The headbutt sends Evans into Mysterio’s 619 for a rather near fall. Cue Joe Hendry with the McDonagh Funko Pop, which has McDonagh going up the aisle. Mysterio misses a frog splash and Penta superkicks McDonagh into Evans’ big dive. The Mexican Destroyer finishes Mysterio at 17:00.

Rating: B. You take out the latest WWE “OK WE GET THE JOKE!” with the Funko Pop and this is that much better of a match. They were going nuts out there with the action and it made for a heck of a main event. Mysterio and McDonagh work well together, but Evans stole the show here with that big sequence he had near the end. It made him look like a superhero and that’s where he shines best. Heck of a match, with a better performance from Evans. Just stop with the Funko Pop deal already.

Post match here is Bron Breakker to take Penta and Evans out.

Becky Lynch is ready for her #1 contenders match against Liv Morgan, who comes in to interrupt. Morgan talks about how she’s been cheated so much and deserves the title shot. Lynch says then Morgan should have no trouble beating her.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

946 arrives and they have their tickets in hand. Security is taken out and here is the Bloodline to join things. The big brawl is on with the Usos taking over on OTM but they come back to send the Usos into the post. Fatu is taken out as well and seems to have hurt his knee. OTM and the Usos brawl into the crowd, where a bunch of fans are taken out. Jey is dragged to the back where Jimmy joins them but we cut back to Keys unloading on Fatu with a chair.

Some superkicks get Fatu out of trouble though and he hits the running Umaga Attack in the corner. The chair is wrapped around Key’s neck but he slides to the floor before it can get crushed. Fatu is fine with getting in some chair shots on the run and we cut to the back where the other four are still being sent into various things. Fatu and Keys join them with Keys trying to escape in his car.

Fatu charges at the car but Keys opens the door to cut him off. Then a car runs Fatu over (or more than likely the stunt double given the amount of camera cuts)….and it’s Jaida Parker driving. Now one might think something is up as she was driven to the arena and is now leaving in a different car and indeed, Parker says no one is safe and leaves with Keys (“All gas, no brakes!”) to end the show. The Bloodline is going to need someone to help them deal with Parker, who is new at this and might need to proceed with caution.

Overall Rating: B+. The action here was good throughout the card and I like the angle at the end, which could help make 946 into a bigger story. They’ve been terrorizing the show for weeks now and it’s starting to work, but with Reigns back next week, things could go badly for them. In addition to that, this was a very good show with a red hot crowd making it even better. Solid show here and it should get bigger next week.

Results
Lola Vice b. Roxanne Perez – Spinning backfist
Dragon Lee b. Big Cass – Rollup
Iyo Sky b. Lyra Valkyria – Over The Moonsault
Penta/Je’Von Evans b. Judgment Day – Mexican Destroyer to Mysterio

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

Monday Night Raw
Date: September 21, 2026
Location: Frost Bank Center, San Antonio, Texas
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett

We’re back stateside and that means it’s time to keep getting ready for Money In The Bank. We’ll be having some qualifying matches, but we’ll also have to deal with LA Knight getting the World Title shot against Roman Reigns. You didn’t hear about that one? Well it was announced after last week’s Raw went off the air. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

We open with a recap of Penta vs. Roman Reigns in their instant classic last week. We also see LA Knight coming out to lay Reigns out after the show, with the Money In The Bank title match being announced, oddly by Reigns, who wanted revenge.

Penta and LA Knight have a quick staredown in the back but everything seems to be ok.

Here is Penta to get things going and he gets quite the pyro. Penta talks about how big last week was for everyone, including himself and his family. Roman Reigns was the better man that night and Penta respects him, but this isn’t over. He wants another shot to win the title but here is Judgment Day to interrupt.

They don’t know why Penta is talking about the title when he lost last week. Dominik Mysterio is going to win Money In The Bank and become the champion while Penta is just a luchador. Dominik says he is the King Of The Luchadors but Penta says the only king is Dominik’s father. The brawl is on and Penta fights back with a double high crossbody to send the villains bailing.

Jacob Fatu yells at the Usos about how they keep screwing up with 946 (Royce Keys and OTM). Solo Sikoa comes in with a literal white flag and says they need to work together against OTM. That’s only happening if Sikoa acknowledges the Bloodline, which Sikoa says isn’t happening and leaves. Fatu says that was a big mistake….by the Usos.

Women’s Money In The Bank Qualifying Match: Iyo Sky vs. La Catalina vs. Roxanne Perez

Catalina’s AAA Reina de Reinas title isn’t on the line. Perez chases both of them outside to start before it’s Perez going back inside to get double dropkicked right back to the floor. Catalina spins Sky around for two and Perez is back in for some rollups of her own. They get up for a three way standoff and Perez knocks Sky outside again. The suicide dive is cut off by Sky’s forearm and Sky follows with an Asai moonsault. Catalina dives onto both of them and we take a break.

We come back with Perez grabbing a DDT and Russian legsweep at the same time for two each. Catalina is back up with a high crossbody for two and some running hip attacks in the corner. Sky is sent outside and a forearm to the back gives Perez two. Back up and Sky goes up top, where Catalina shoves her onto the post. Perez gets up top with them and throws Catalina down, leaving Sky to get caught with a super hurricanrana.

Catalina knees Perez down though and everyone needs a breather. They all get up and strike it out until Catalina Gory Bombs Perez for two. Sky is back in with a double missile dropkick and the running knees hit them both in the corner. Over The Moonsault only hits Catalina though, allowing Perez to Pop Rox Sky for the win at 14:02.

Rating: B. The ending was a nice sequence but it was another example of a triple threat match where one of them stayed down for awhile while the other two did their thing. It’s a problem with having this many triple threat matches because it always comes up. Perez going over is fine, even if pinning Sky is something of a surprise.

LA Knight makes sure Solo Sikoa isn’t joining the Bloodline again and they agree to both win at Money In The Bank. Sikoa just better not cash in on him.

Here is LA Knight for a chat. He gives Roman Reigns and Penta props after last week’s classic, but now he has his shot against Reigns at Money In The Bank. It’s been three years since they’ve fought one on one because Knight has been kept out of the plans. The problem is Knight is the plants.

Knight will acknowledge that Reigns won a great one last week and he did it himself. It’s easy to acknowledge Reigns’ greatness, but the people have kept staying behind Knight the whole time. The problem is the fans don’t believe it’s going to happen and Knight doesn’t blame you after losing the big one so many times.

Maybe no one believes that he can win, but what interests Knight is how many times Reigns has done things with no Bloodline. Knight: “Good for you. Yippy skippy.” The reality is Reigns has never been able to beat him one on one and Knight has done everything on his own. At Money In The Bank, he’ll acknowledge Reigns acknowledging him as the new champion. This was a fired up Knight, though I’m still not sure I can imagine him winning.

Je’Von Evans is ready to win Money In The Bank. The Vision comes in to threaten him, with Bron Breakker saying the briefcase belongs to him. Evans is ready with the challenge and slaps Breakker before running away. Breakker doesn’t follow, saying it’s time to use his head first.

Je’Von Evans vs. Bron Breakker

Breakker starts fast and hammers away in the corner, followed by some knees in the corner. Back up and Evans fights up for an uppercut in the corner and the suicide dive. They both wind up outside with Breakker being sent into the announcers’ table. Breakker’s charge misses and he crashes into the time keeper’s area. Evans follows with a big dive to take Breakker down again and we take a break.

We come back with Breakker snapping off the super Frankensteiner but the spear is blocked with a perfectly times superkick. They both get up and Evans hits a springboard crossbody but has to counter a gorilla press into a DDT. A running Sliced Bread gets two but Maxxine Dupri offers a distraction, allowing Austin Theory to get in a cheap shot. A spinning Boss Man Slam gives Breakker two but he misses a charge into the post. Evans hits a pair of big dives to the floor (one for Bronson Reed, one for Breakker). The OG Cutter is loaded up but Theory breaks it up for the DQ at 12:02.

Rating: B-. This was a case where I liked the result, as Evans was making me think he was about to win and the last thing I wanted to see was him getting speared in half for the pin. This leaves the door open for a rematch down the line and I could go for seeing them running it back, as the next generation gets another chance to show what they can do. Good match here with a better result.

Post match the beatdown is on but Oba Femi runs in for the save and wrecks the entire team, including some rather loud chair shots. That’s not enough though as Femi picks up Evans and launches him onto the team, with the Vision only kind of catching Evans.

Mark Henry is here.

946 is in a car and says no one is safe.

We look at Joe Hendry doing a live performance earlier, with some fans joining in to sing about JD McDonagh as a Funko Pop, and yes there is a life McDonagh Pop there.

Here is Judgment Day for a chat. McDonagh is sick of all the insults from Joe Hendry and they have to end because his family is being hurt. Liv Morgan brags about all of the success the team has had, including attacking El Grande Americano. Morgan wants her rematch for the Women’s Title right now because what happened to her was unfair.

Instead here is Becky Lynch to interrupt in the crowd, saying she’s disappointed of everyone there, including Jordan Devlin McDonagh. They’ve known each other for years and Lynch has CALLED HIS MOM. Mama McDonagh is sick of seeing her son like this and being around such losers. Lynch says Morgan must be disappointed as well, because she found out what happened when she actually defended her title.

They better not be disappointed in Referee Rebecca though, because she might be the greatest referee of all time. Cue Stephanie Vaquer, who says she’s the champion around here. Morgan can have her rematch to show that the win in Chile wasn’t a fluke. Lynch isn’t happy so Vaquer says she’ll talk to Adam Pearce about it. We’re getting another triple threat out of this but I’m trying to get over the idea of Lynch calling McDonagh’s mom. Lynch was acting like her old self here and that is awesome to see again.

Lyra Valkyria talks about everything she had to do to get away from Bayley and then tried to win Money In The Bank. Bayley cost her, so now it’s time to make Bayley wish that their last match was their last match. Valkyria’s transformation in recent months is remarkable.

Bayley vs. Lyra Valkyria

Bayley jumps her on the floor before the bell and the beating is on, with Sky in fast trouble. They go inside for the opening bell and Sky is sent outside again. The dive is cut off so Bayley grabs a belly to back suplex. Bayley gets flipped into the corner though and comes up holding her knee. That’s enough for Valkyria to hit a top rope Fameasser for two but Bayley is able to knock her off the top. The top rope elbow gets two and Bayley drops a string of elbows as we take a break.

We come back with Valkyria planting her down for two and knocking Bayley into the corner. Back up and a quick Bayley To Belly gets two on Valkyria, who can’t hit the Last Breath. The Rose Plant is blocked as well and they fight out to the floor. Valkyria is thrown over the announcers’ table and Bayley tries a piledriver, which is broken up. Back in and Bayley is so livid that she gets sent throat first into the rope. Valkyria grabs a rollup with tights for the pin at 11:45.

Rating: B-. You know this isn’t over and that’s not a bad thing, as there seems to be a lot left in the tank here. Bayley getting cheated out of the win after beating the fire out of Valkyria for a good while is a good example of Valkyria looking crazy but still coming off as smart. I’m liking her prospects as this is already working better than what she was doing before.

Chad Gable congratulates Dragon Lee on a great match last week and is willing to run it back anytime. Lee seems to appreciate that but Ethan Page comes in to interrupt. Page says maybe Gable should get a mask of his own because he’s clearly hiding. Gable points out that Page keeps getting chances but losing, so go show him something. Until then, stay away from the title.

Here is Adam Pearce with a contract. He brings out the officially signed Lola Vice, who is happy to come out and greet the fans. She talks about her mother introducing her to dance while her father introduced her to martial arts. Now she’s ready to knock out whoever she needs to in order to win Money In The Bank. This brings out Roxanne Perez, who says no one care about the signing. The fight is nearly on, with Vice just barely missing the spinning backfist.

Paul Heyman is shown watching Vice in the back when Bron Breakker comes up. Heyman says Oba Femi is still breathing and that’s bad for the Vision. Breakker says he’s still breathing too and that’s bad for everyone. Heyman: “Everyone?” Breakker: “Everyone.” Heyman isn’t sure what to think about that one.

Money In The Bank Qualifying Match: Solo Sikoa vs. Dragon Lee vs. Dominik Mysterio

Hold on though as 946 has attacked Solo Sikoa and throw him in the back of their car and drive off with him. Jacob Fatu and the Usos show up but the car drives away. Fatu blames the Usos for this as LA Knight shows up to hear what happened. We take a break and come back with Dominik Mysterio trying to get a bye to Money In The Bank but Adam Pearce sends him to the ring. So it seems we’re having a singles match…but hang on. Here is Adam Pearce to say this is still a triple threat match.

Money In The Bank Qualifying Match: Dragon Lee vs. Dominik Mysterio vs. Penta

Yeah this works. Mysterio gets double stomped down and Lee backdrops him out to the floor. A quick armdrag sends Penta into the corner but Mysterio pulls Lee outside. That means Penta can hit a big running flip dive and we take a break. We come back with Lee striking away at Penta out of the corner and hitting the big running flip dive to the floor.

Back in and a sitout powerbomb gives Lee two on Mysterio, who is able to catch Lee on top. Lee is right back up with the top rope double stomp but Penta takes Lee out to leave everyone down. Mysterio is back up with a trio of slingshot hilos to Penta until Lee cuts Mysterio off with a superkick (I’m guessing Lee wasn’t there in time so Mysterio had to keep doing it).

Lee gets sent to the floor but pops right back up with a slingshot hurricanrana to take Penta out on the floor. Mysterio hits a heck of a 619 to a running Lee, leaving Penta to come back in for the three way chop off. Lee is knocked down and a Penta Driver gets two on Mysterio to leave everyone down again. Lee forearms Mysterio down and hits Operation Dragon for two, with Penta diving in for the save.

Penta and Lee slug it out until Penta’s superkick only earns himself a poisonrana. Mysterio’s quick from splash hits raised knees and Lee Styles Clashes Mysterio for two with Penta making another save. Penta drops Lee on the apron and gets 619ed, setting up a frog splash for a heck of a near fall. The frustrated Mysterio pulls a turnbuckle pad off but Penta sends him into the steel instead. The springboard Mexican Destroyer gives Penta the win at 18:55.

Rating: B+. After last week, it made sense to put Penta in the match and have him win. He doesn’t have to win Money In The Bank, but what matters is he’s still in the picture here. That’s what the fans wanted to see here and it came after a heck of a match. These three know how to do the exciting style and it worked rather well.

Overall Rating: B. They weren’t going to be able to top what they did last week but we did get a very good show, with the fans still being all about Penta. The ladder matches are looking strong and I’m not sure which way they’re going. Raw is actually on something of a roll right now and I could go for seeing how they follow it up. Granted that doesn’t mean it’s going to go well, but they do at least have the momentum at the moment.

Results
Roxanne Perez b. Iyo Sky and La Catalina – Pop Rox to Sky
Je’Von Evans b. Bron Breakker via DQ when Austin Theory interfered
Lyra Valkyria b. Bayley – Rollup with tights
Penta b. Dominik Mysterio and Dragon Lee – Springboard Mexican Destroyer to Mysterio

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

Monday Night Raw
Date: September 7, 2026
Location: Legacy Arena, Birmingham, Alabama
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett

We’re past Sunday Night’s Main Event and that means we are on the way to Crown Jewel in about a month. First though, there are some big shows coming up in Mexico City, including with Roman Reigns defending the Raw World Title against Penta next week. Before we get there, the Usos are going to need to go after Royce Keys and OTM. Let’s get to it.

Here is Sunday Night’s Main Event if you need a recap.

The Usos arrive and they have some pipes.

We recap Bronson Reed returning at Sunday Night’s Main Event.

Here is the Vision, in full force once again, to get things going. Bron Breakker says they run WWE and Oba Femi isn’t medically cleared so he isn’t coming out here. Breakker thanks Bronson Reed for helping take Femi out and Reed says Femi ran into someone who didn’t recognize the crown. Yeah Femi is a force of nature but he ran into the TSUNAMI. But like four of them! Logan Paul and Austin Theory are ready to go after more gold, including the Money In The Bank briefcases (which aren’t gold). Akira Tozawa interrupts and Theory is ready to fight him but it won’t be against Tozawa. Someone is back.

Otis vs. Austin Theory

Otis throws him around to start but gets his throat snapped across the top rope. Theory hammers away but Otis sends him flying with a suplex. Back up and Theory knocks him into a front facelock so Otis powers up without much effort. They go outside where Otis runs him over and we take a break. We come back with Otis hitting some clothesline and faceplanting Theory down. That’s enough for Reed to come in for the DQ at 7:05.

Rating: C. Ok now can we move on from the Vision beating these guys up? We get the point now and there is nothing left to do with the Academy doing the same thing. At least they didn’t spend too much time on this and Otis, who does have something, can move on to anything else.

Post match the big beatdown is on, with a Super Spear hitting Otis. That leaves Akira Tozawa all alone and naturally he’s wrecked as well. Cue Oba Femi, who doesn’t want to hear from Petey Williams about not being medically cleared, to go after the Vision. Theory’s chair shots have no effect but a spear to the bad ribs cuts Femi off. Two more Tsunamis crush Femi, though he still tries to get up. Another spear drops Femi again.

Royce Keys talks about how he and his family aren’t leaving anyone safe. They’re from the streets and this is real life.

The Usos come up to Jacob Fatu and say they’re calling out Keys and company. Fatu doesn’t think it’s a good idea because this is what they want the Bloodline to do. The Usos actually listen, though Jimmy doesn’t seem sure.

Becky Lynch comes up to Stephanie Vaquer and offers help against the Judgment Day in exchange for the first title shot. Vaquer turns her down and Lynch isn’t happy.

A comedian named Matt Matthews is here but Miz and Kit Wilson interrupt. Miz isn’t happy and mocks Alabama, with Wilson labeling Matthews as TOXIC. Matthews is surprised that Miz is still employed so Miz pulls him over the barricade. The beating is on, even with Matthews getting in a headscissors. The Skull Crushing Finale leaves Matthews laying. Can we stop with the “celebrities”?

Money In The Bank Qualifying Match: Bron Breakker vs. Ethan Page vs. Rey Mysterio

During the break, Breakker speared Miz, Wilson and Matthews. Mysterio tries jumping on Breakker’s back while Page slugs away and it goes rather poorly, with Breakker knocking both of them down. Breakker’s superplex attempt to Mysterio is broken up but he escapes an electric chair to suplex Page.

Mysterio headscissors Breakker shoulder first into the post but he’s able to break up a 619. Page is sent outside for the diving clothesline onto the announcers’ table but Mysterio gets in the seated senton. We take a break and come back with Breakker pulling himself to the apron, so Page throws Mysterio into him.

Breakker misses a charge into the steps and Mysterio is up with a springboard headscissors into a sitout bulldog for two. Now the 619 connects but Mysterio has to cut Breakker off again. Page catches Mysterio on top with a fireman’s carry but Breakker is back up with the super Frankensteiner. The Super Spear finishes Mysterio to sent Breakker to Money In The Bank at 11:56.

Rating: B-. This was a good story with Breakker being the unstoppable monster who could only be slowed down. After everything that happened earlier, it would have been insane for Breakker to not move forward and he feels like a legitimate threat to win the ladder match. At the same time, Page is rather good at what he does and Mysterio should not be able to do that in his 50s, but he still makes it look easy.

LA Knight tells Adam Pearce he wants the winner of Penta vs. Roman Reigns. Pearce insists that his word is good, but Knight isn’t convinced. Solo Sikoa comes in to suggest he doesn’t trust Knight, who insists that his word is good.

Penta knows that it seems impossible for him to beat Roman Reigns, but they’re in front of his people in his city, with an entire country behind him.

Lola Vice is here next week. This time we even see her face and the graphic says “Everybody’s Got A Vice.”

Money In The Bank Qualifying Match: Sol Ruca vs. Maxxine Dupri vs. Lyra Valkyria

Ruca is knocked to the floor to start but comes back in with a double clothesline. Valkyria is sent into the buckle (with her eyes bugging out as she knows the pain is coming) and Ruca knocks Dupri down as well. Back up and Dupri takes over on Ruca for a kind of step up legdrop, which doesn’t seem to connect properly. Valkyria suplexes Dupri onto Ruca and we take a break.

We come back with Ruca cleaning house and sending both of them into the corners. A double missile dropkick connects, though her nip up lands on Dupri in a misstep you don’t often see. Valkyria is back up and sends Dupri outside for a dropkick through the ropes, only to get rolled up by Ruca.

A tornado DDT drops Ruca again but Dupri is back in to reverse DDT Valkyria, which makes her DDT Ruca. Back up and Ruca shoulderbreakers Valkyria (which doesn’t go smoothly either) but gets crotched up top. Valkyria hits Nightwing on Dupri….but Bayley is back to break up the pin. Valkyria panics and it’s a Sol Snatcher to give Ruca the pin at 11:13.

Rating: C+. There was a lot here, as the athleticism was very good, but it felt like they were on different pages at times, or at least not realizing where the other two were at any time. That’s something they all need to improve on, but the bigger story here is Bayley. She’s officially back and that should get rid of the AEW rumors. Bayley finishing things up with Valkyria is a good thing, and the return felt like a huge deal, partially due to Valkyria looking terrified.

Post match Bayley beats on Valkyria again but can’t put her through the announcers’ table as Valkyria escapes.

OTM and Royce Keys are in the parking lot and seem rather cocky.

The Usos are ready to go fight but Jacob Fatu calms them down again.

We get a Joe Hendry video on….JD McDonagh’s rather large head. We even meet McDonagh’s father: a giant Funko Pop.

JD McDonagh vs. Joe Hendry

Dominik Mysterio is here too. McDonagh kicks at the knee to start and gets in a slingshot double stomp. Hendry is stomped down in the corner and misses a discus lariat, allowing McDonagh to forearm him in the back. The fall away slam gives Hendry a breather but McDonagh headbutts him down. Cue Je’Von Evans with a Funko Pop head (he can barely stand up) to knock Mysterio and McDonagh misses the moonsault. The Sound Effect finishes for Hendry at 3:38.

Rating: D. Maybe Hendry can go be a milkman or something, as I’m not sure if this WWE thing is going to work for him. The fans still seem interested in him, but this is about all he’s got going on at the moment. Hendry definitely has talent and more charisma than he can handle, but if you’re just seen as a comedy guy, you’re only going to get so far and that is becoming more and more clear every week. Also, Mysterio is ready to headline TripleMania in six days and this is what he’s doing here?

Video on Liv Morgan vs. Stephanie Vaquer.

Morgan runs into Becky Lynch and mocks her for not being popular, just like her husband. Morgan insists that she’s the best ever and Lynch…stands there. Then she gets annoyed after Morgan leaves.

The Vision comes up to see Paul Heyman and brags about their success. Heyman hugs Bronson Reed and says he’s impressed. Bron Breakker comes in to say Oba Femi is finished and the Vision is in charge. Heyman asks if Femi is still breathing, gives an exasperated sigh, and leaves.

Women’s Title: Liv Morgan vs. Stephanie Vaquer

Vaquer is challenging and they’re quickly on the floor with Vaquer sending her into the apron. Back in and a headscissors spins into a rollup for two on Morgan, who is sent into the buckle a few times. A dive off the apron puts Morgan down again and we take a break. We come back with Vaquer fighting out of a chinlock but getting knocked down again. Vaquer fires back up and hits some forearms into a powerslam.

An Eye Of The Hurricane connects for two, with the kickout leaving her frustrated. Back up and Morgan is sent into the corner for the dragon screw legwhip, setting up the Devil’s Kiss. Morgan sends her to the apron, where Vaquer gets in a jumping knee for two. They go over to the announcers’ table, where Vaquer gets in another Devil’s Kiss.

Back in and Morgan reverses a hurricanrana out of the corner into a powerbomb for two and they’re both down again. Vaquer is able to catch her up top with a superplex and now the SVB can get two. Morgan is right back up with a middle rope Codebreaker but the Oblivion is cut off with a superkick.

The double underhook Codebreaker drops Morgan but here is Judgment Day to break up the Inferno. The referee isn’t fooled this time though and ejects Raquel Rodriguez, who is knocked down by an invading Becky Lynch. Roxanne Perez throws the title in so Lynch chases her off, leaving Morgan to get in the belt shot. Oblivion retains the title at 17:48.

Rating: B. This was a good match and the ending is intriguing as Vaquer can probably blame Lynch for the loss. It didn’t feel like the match where Morgan lost the title, but that is likely coming soon as Morgan could use something new. It did feel like a main event level match though and that’s the best thing you can have for this spot.

Big Cass is glad to be back and hurting people.

The Usos go to the ring without Jacob Fatu as they’re tired of waiting. And then Fatu joins them anyway. Post break, the Usos and Fatu call out OTM and Royce Keys, but they’re still in the parking lot, having beaten up security. Then they use various crowbars to break the windows of the SUV. Gasoline is poured inside and Keys lights it on fire, saying no one is safe. The fans chant for the OTC as the car blows up a bit to end the show. That’s certainly a thing that happened, as Keys and OTM successfully destroyed something that didn’t belong to the Bloodline. I’m not sure why that makes me dislike them, but it did in fact happen.

Overall Rating: C. This wasn’t their best show and you could very much tell it was a holiday edition. The Vision stuff was good, but some of the stuff like the Funko head and the kind of nothing ending segment felt like the old Vince McMahon days. There were good parts here, but you could absolutely tell they were taking the week off here for the most part. I had also forgotten how dull I find Money In The Bank qualifying season, as the constant triple threats to get people into a big ladder match for a title win that might not come until next year makes for a long month. Not a good show, but it had some good parts.

Results
Otis b. Austin Theory via DQ when Bronson Reed interfered
Bron Breakker b. Rey Mysterio and Ethan Page – Super Spear to Mysterio
Sol Ruca b. Lyra Valkyria and Maxxine Dupri – Sol Snatcher to Valkyria
Joe Hendry b. JD McDonagh – Sound Effect
Liv Morgan b. Stephanie Vaquer – Oblivion

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

Monday Night Raw
Date: August 31, 2026
Location: Rocket Arena, Cleveland, Ohio
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett

We’re taped this week and in this case we have a heck of a main event. The tournament to crown a new #1 contender to Roman Reigns wraps up this week with a battle between brothers Rey Fenix and Penta. Other than that, Royce Keys and OTM are officially a thing and that isn’t going to go well around here. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

OTM and Royce Keys pull up in the back and wreck the Usos with pipes and smash them onto their car. The Usos are busted open (I’m assuming that’s what the censoring is for) but Jacob Fatu runs up to chase the other three off.

Women’s Intercontinental Title: Sol Ruca vs. Raquel Rodriguez

Rodriguez, with Liv Morgan and Roxanne Perez, is defending as we keep going to a split screen to look at the bleeding Usos being tended to (the shattered window of their car is ignored). Wait hang on as we have the Big Match Intros but here is Jacob Fatu to call out Royce Keys and OTM. Fatu threatens violence but his mic is cut and Adam Pearce and the agents come in to get rid of Fatu.

With Fatu leaving through the crowd, we’re officially ready to go with Rodriguez going after the arm. Ruca flips away from a spin of the arm and clotheslines Rodriguez to the floor. The running flip dive takes Rodriguez down again but she runs Ruca over back inside. Ruca’s springboard spinning crossbody gets two but she misses the middle rope crossbody to the floor. Rodriguez runs her over again and we take a break.

We come back with Ruca hitting a running forearm against the ropes, followed by a Backstabber with her feet. They go to the apron with Rodriguez grabbing her by the head, only to get caught with a sunset bomb. The rest of Judgment Day try to get involved so Ruca hits a springboard corkscrew dive. Back in and Ruca loads up the Sol Snatcher but Lyra Valkyria runs in to break it up, allowing Rodriguez to hit the Tejana Bomb to retain at 9:13.

Rating: C+. Ruca trying to overcome the odds and getting caught in the end was a good way to go as Ruca can go after Valkyria while Rodriguez gets another opponent. The best thing about Ruca is that she is starting to feel like she belongs around here and is over her early yips. That should help carry her a long way and her star power and athleticism can get her the rest of the way.

Valkyria’s “who me?” look is rather amusing.

Video on Rey Fenix and Penta, who dominated AAA together and are now getting the biggest chance of their career.

We look back at the opening attack on the Usos.

Here is Chad Gable for a chat. Gable says he loves the energy around here and he thought that winning the Intercontinental Title was the big goal. Now though, he realizes that the real work begins and he would not be here without the Mexican people. He wants to thank them and that’s why when Raw returns to Mexico in two weeks, he’ll be defending the title.

Last week someone had a career making performance in the #1 contenders tournament and it has earned, which brings out Dragon Lee. Gable seems ready to make the announcement but Ethan Page interrupts, saying he gets what is going on around here. Page says he should get a title shot, with Gable saying that Page is on the list of challengers. Right under Honky Tonk Man.

Page tells him to stop being a charity case or he’ll become a paper champion. Lee cuts him off and Page says the adults are talking. That gets Page some yelling from Lee, who tells Page to prove that he’s the better man. Gable likes that idea and says let’s make this for the title shot in Mexico City (Page: “I’m in.”).

Ethan Page vs. Dragon Lee

For the Intercontinental Title shot in Mexico City. Lee kicks away to start fast but Page is back up with a powerslam. A heck of a big boot drops Lee again but he’s able to knock Page into the corner for the running dropkick. The big running flip dive connects for Lee and we take a break.

We come back with Page being thrown over the top and out to the floor. That’s fine with Page, who grabs a double underhook swinging backbreaker for two back inside. Lee’s tornado DDT gets the same and he knees Page to the floor for a running hurricanrana. The big running flip dive is cut off with a shot from Page though and he throws Lee into Gable. That’s enough for Page to take a turnbuckle pad off and avoid a charge to send Lee into the steel. The referee sees it though and won’t count the pin, meaning Operation Dragon can finish Page at 11:45.

Rating: B-. Page is a good choice for someone to put Lee over and set up the title match. It’s nice to have Lee win a match rather than getting the title shot coming off of a loss. Lee continues to look awesome and seeing him bust out that flip dive in Mexico is going to be great. Page needs something to do and hopefully that happens soon, as he’s a good hand as a heel.

We look back at Solo Sikoa turning on the Bloodline two weeks ago.

Roman Reigns arrives and finds Jacob Fatu, asking him about the twins. Fatu fills him in about the attack and is assigned to take out Royce Keys. Reigns will handle the rest, which includes going to the arena. In the ring, Reigns says everyone wants what he has and he should be dealing with Penta or Rey Fenix. Instead, everyone has complaints to make and that brings him to Solo Sikoa. Reigns gave him the chance to give Reigns what he earned but Sikoa picked LA Knight. He gets it: Knight reminds Sikoa of the Rock but HE’S NOT IN THE FAMILY.

Let’s talk about Knight, who is right here in person. Knight says Reigns is just reusing material from three years ago and putting things in Knight’s way. He didn’t realize that OTC stood for One Tremendous Coward and it’s time to do this one on one. Knight gets in the ring but we see Sikoa down in the back, and Fatu standing near him. Adam Pearce and company check on Sikoa (and someone else who is down that we can’t see) as Knight comes in to yell at Fatu. They’re held apart and Reigns Superman Punches Knight before telling Fatu that Fatu can handle Royce Keys while Reigns will handle Knight.

Video on Lola Vice (again unnamed but obvious) on the beach and in the gym. She’s here September 14.

Dominik Mysterio vs. Je’Von Evans

Mysterio’s AAA Mega Title isn’t on the line and JD McDonagh is here with him. This is fallout from Judgment Day jumping Evans after his loss to Big Cass last week. Mysterio jumps him before the bell but gets caught in a springboard hurricanrana. McDonagh offers a distraction though and Mysterio gets in an elbow to the face to take over. Evans isn’t having that and sends him outside for a big dive as we take a break.

We come back with Mysterio choking on the ropes, with McDonagh getting in a shot to the face. Back up and Evans kicks him into the corner and a heck of a springboard high crossbody sends Mysterio outside. Evans starts running around the ring but gets cut off by McDonagh for the DQ at 7:25.

Rating: C+. Evans is such an athletic marvel and it’s great to see him getting a chance to show that off. He can fly like few others these days and has some size to make it feel even more unique. The ending was a bit annoying but Mysterio has lost enough lately and you want him strong going into TripleMania.

Post match the beatdown is on but Joe Hendry runs in for the save. A livid Adam Pearce comes out to restart this as a tag match because he’s sick of Judgment Day.

Joe Hendry/Je’Von Evans vs. Judgment Day

The bell rings and Evans gets a running start to dive over the barricade and take the villains out. We take a break and come back with Hendry giving McDonagh a rather delayed vertical suplex for two. Mysterio gets in a cheap shot on Evans and McDonagh rakes the face in the corner.

Evans is fine enough to go up top for a spinning moonsault, because of course that’s something you can do. Hendry comes in to clean house, including a double fall away slam. McDonagh cuts him off with the big headbutt though and the frog splash gives Mysterio the pin at 9:11.

Rating: C. This was only so interesting but dang it’s hard to see what is happening to Hendry. He just feels like he has nothing to do and is only there for the sake of losing matches like this one. I get that he might not be the biggest star in the world but he was popular and should be able to do something more than this. Mysterio and McDonagh work well enough together but they’re not really the story here, as Hendry looks like nothing and Evans was getting beaten up for a lot of the match.

We look at Stephanie Vaquer teaming up with Becky Lynch to go after the Judgment Day.

Vaquer interrupts Lynch and they seem to respect each other, though Vaquer says she doesn’t owe Lynch anything. Lynch says if Vaquer wins the title from Liv Morgan, she’s first in line. Vaquer says that Lynch doesn’t deserve the title but it deserves her. This was rather tense.

Video on Oba Femi vs. Bron Breakker.

Paul Heyman is asked about the match and says that it’s a match both men have to win and neither can afford to lose (the exact words he used to hype up Austin vs. Rock at Wrestlemania XVII). He knows what Femi did to Brock Lesnar but he knows what Breakker does in the gym and the work he puts in. No predictions or spoilers, because we’ll find out this Sunday.

Sunday Night’s Main Event rundown.

Judgment Day celebrates their good night and Roxanne Perez says she has Liv Morgan’s back against Becky Lynch.

We recap the Usos and Solo Sikoa being attacked.

#1 Contenders Tournament Finals: Penta vs. Rey Fenix

For a shot at Roman Reigns in Mexico City in two weeks and Fenix’s AAA Cruiserweight Title isn’t on the line. They shake hands to start and Penta kicks away but gets rolled up for a fast two. Fenix snaps off a hurricanrana but Penta sends him to the floor for the big running flip dive. We take a break and come back with Fenix sending him into the corner for some kicks to the head. A corkscrew dive to the floor takes Penta down again and a handspring cutter does it again back inside. Penta kicks him in the face to cut things off and a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker gets two.

We take another break and come back again with Penta knocking him down for two more. The Mexican Destroyer on the apron is blocked though and Fenix hits a moonsault press for two. Penta flips him into the air for a heck of a powerbomb and another near fall. Fenix cuts Penta off on top so Penta tries a super sunset bomb, with Fenix landing on his feet. The Mexican MuscleBuster is countered into a Penta Driver for two and they’re both down again.

With nothing in the ring working, it’s time to head to the announcers’ table, with Penta grabbing another Penta Driver for the big crash. Somehow that’s only good for two so Penta Sacrifices Fenix’s arm (Wade Barrett cringes) but Fenix snaps off a running hurricanrana for two. That leaves Penta to pop back up though and the Mexican Destroyer gives Penta the pin at 19:11.

Rating: A-. Yeah this was great, with the two of them beating the fire out of each other for a big prize. There is something about watching Fenix in the ring where you get the feeling that he is just leaving everything he has in the ring and it was on full display here. Penta winning was pretty much the only realistic result here, but they put in a heck of a match on the way there. Outstanding main event.

Respect is shown post match. Roman Reigns comes out for the staredown to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. The main event was more than great but the rest of the show was more about setting things up for the future. That included a lot of focus on the Mexico City show, which makes sense as next week is going to be taking place on Labor Day and might not be the biggest draw. Not a must see show, but the main event is definitely worth a look.

Results
Raquel Rodriguez b. Sol Ruca – Tejana Bomb
Dragon Lee b. Ethan Page – Operation Dragon
Je’Von Evans b. Dominik Mysterio via DQ when JD McDonagh interfered
Judgment Day b. Je’Von Evans/Joe Hendry – Frog splash to Hendry
Penta b. Rey Fenix – Mexican Destroyer

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

Monday Night Raw
Date: August 24, 2026
Location: Canadian Tire Center, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves

We’re in Canada for an earlier than usual show, which is going to have a lot of fallout. The big story coming out of last week’s show was Solo Sikoa rejecting the order to rejoin the Bloodline and instead siding with LA Knight. That isn’t going to go well for either of them and the Bloodline is going to have a response. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

We open with a recap of last week’s Sikoa/Knight/Bloodline issues.

Here is Knight for a chat. He’s in the capital of Canada so he wants to talk about a coward with a capital C. It’s no secret that he wants the World Title and Roman Reigns told Knight to win a tournament that he can’t even enter. Knight knows that he’s going to have to deal with a lot of the family and there is already one man with him. That would be Solo Sikoa, who pops up in the crowd. Sikoa thanks Knight for having his back last week and who could have seen this coming just a year ago?

Knight says Sikoa has gotten a warning shot but here are the Usos to interrupt. They don’t like what Sikoa did and issue him another warning shot, with Sikoa doing the Matrix bullet time. The Usos don’t care for that either and the challenge for the tag match is issued for tonight. Sikoa: “You got my back?” Knight: “YEAH! You got my back?” Sikoa: “PEW!” Not exactly shocking stuff here but Sikoa is incredibly entertaining at the moment.

We recap the #1 contenders tournament.

Stephanie Vaquer vs. Roxanne Perez

The other women of the Judgment Day are here with Perez. Vaquer knocks her away to start and works on the arm. Back up and they trade rollups for two each until Vaquer ties her up again. A Judgment Day distraction lets Perez knock her outside though and it’s a whip into the barricade as we take a break. We come back with Vaquer in trouble and Liv Morgan yelling from ringside (Morgan: “I’m better than you! And I’m prettier than you!”) until Vaquer makes the comeback.

Some clotheslines set up the Devil’s Kiss (it’s still over) and Perez tries to go to the floor. That earns her a pull back inside but the referee has to fix the ring skirt, allowing Perez to go to the eyes. A Shining Wizard gives Perez two so it’s off to the crossface but Vaquer is up with the SVB. Morgan cuts her off on top though and that’s enough to bring out Becky Lynch. Vaquer cuts Rodriguez off and seems to thank Lynch before going back inside. Perez misses a moonsault and it’s a double underhook facebuster to give Vaquer the pin at 13:14.

Rating: B-. There was a lot going on here but Lynch and Vaquer as the female version of Sikoa and Knight going after the big stable with the title as the ultimate goal is working. Vaquer feels like she belongs at this level and if that can continue, they should be in for something good in the upcoming weeks.

Post match Vaquer thanks Lynch, who seems to say that Vaquer owes her two.

We look at Big Cass beating up Je’Von Evans.

The Judgment Day seems to threaten Rey Mysterio, with Evans running in for the save. Rey is rather appreciative.

#1 Contenders Tournament Semifinals: Dragon Lee vs. Rey Fenix

Fenix’s AAA Cruiserweight Title isn’t on the line. They trade flips to start until Lee sends him into the corner for the running dropkick. Fenix is right back with a kick to the head into a high crossbody for two as Lee bails out to the floor. A big moonsaults takes Lee down again but he snaps off a German suplex back inside. That means the big running flip dive can take Fenix out on the floor as we take a break.

We come back with Lee fighting out of trouble and loading Fenix into the Tree Of Woe for the big double stomp. Fenix is sent outside for a crazy running flip dive onto the announcers’ table (that looked great). Back in and a tornado DDT drops Fenix for two but he’s back up with a brainbuster (with commentary calling it together for extra emphasis). The Mexican MuscleBuster is reversed into a Styles Clash to give Lee two more but Fenix is right back with a rolling cutter. Now the Mexican MuscleBuster can give Fenix the pin at 13:31.

Rating: B+. Take two young, talented high fliers and let them go nuts for awhile. It’s worked before and it worked again here, which is great to see. Fenix going forward against Penta (because it’s going to be Penta) is the right call as it adds a personal touch to the finals. Lee held up his end here though as that flip dive was awesome. Outstandingly entertaining match here and I had a great time with it.

Lola Vice (not named but pretty clear) is coming on September 14.

Here are Paul Heyman and Adam Pearce for the Oba Femi/Bron Breakker contract signing. Breakker sits down and pauses before signing. He asks what Femi has done to be seen as the future around here. Yeah he squashed a bunch of people and beat Brock Lesnar. That doesn’t sound like a championship.

Eight months ago, Breakker had this place in the palm of his hand, but then he got hurt. He took himself out, because no one around here could take him out, including Femi. Then Femi took Breakker’s spot and is doing everything he was doing. Femi: “Bron, you are an angry orange man.” Breakker underestimates him, but if Breakker had debuted in 2002 or 2015, he would have been the big dog against John Cena. But it’s 2026 and Breakker has to run against Oba Femi. Now Femi is going to show Breakker what is coming for him, which seems to have Breakker thinking twice.

Breakker says he’s going to make Femi fight in the deep waters and it’s going to leave Femi as a sorry wrestler in the middle of the ring who can’t compete. Breakker signs and asks if Femi wants to do the same. He asks if Femi’s daddy should do it for him. Breakker: “Yeah sign it Paul.” Heyman: “Don’t do this.”

Heyman isn’t happy and Breakker grabs him by the jacket, which is enough for a cheap shot on Femi. That’s enough for Heyman to vamoose as Femi is back up. Cue Austin Theory from behind and Breakker….can’t hit the Super Spear. Instead Breakker gets clotheslined to the floor and Theory is put through the table. With Breakker on the floor, Femi signs as well to make the match official. Femi sounded so natural on the mic while Breakker sounded shaky.

The Usos, with their black necklaces, are ready to run the play but mock Jacob Fatu for not being on their level.

Big Cass vs. Je’Von Evans

Evans pounds away to start but gets cut off without much trouble. He’s back up to knock Cass outside and tries a dive, which Cass pulls out of the air. Cass beats on him on the floor and grabs a spinning Boss Man Slam back inside as we take a break. We come back with Evans hammering away and hitting a big dive over the barricade and into the timekeeper’s area. Evans: “I’m about to whip your a**!” More right hands have Cass in trouble and the spinning kick connects inside. The OG Cutter is loaded up but Cass cuts him off, with a big boot finishing Evans at 8:48.

Rating: B-. They kept this simple, with Evans wanting revenge and firing off everything he could until he caught with too much power. That’s an idea that has worked forever in wrestling and it worked again here too. I’m not sure what the endgame is with Cass at the moment, but every week that he’s here on his own is one week without Enzo and that means it’s a good week.

Post match Judgment Day jumps Evans, with Dominik Mysterio hitting a frog splash.

Sol Ruca is ready for the Judgment Day when Iyo Sky comes in for some giggling hugs. Lyra Valkyria comes in and says she’s their friend too. She wants Ruca’s match against Raquel Rodriguez but Ruca turns her down. Valkyria is not happy and this probably won’t end well.

#1 Contenders Tournament Semifinals: Penta vs. La Parka

Penta starts fast and sends him to the floor for the big dive. Parka fights right back and hits a moonsault but dives into a superkick back inside. The backstabber has Parka in more trouble and we take a break. We come back with Penta fighting back and cutting Parka off again. The super Spanish Fly cuts Parka off again but walking into a powerslam. Penta is right back to knock him into the corner for a handstand dropkick. Parka is right back with a tornado DDT and they go to the top, with Parka grabbing a super Spanish Fly. Penta shrugs that off and the springboard Mexican Destroyer connects to give Penta the pin at 9:54.

Rating: B. Yeah it was fun and the high spots worked, but this whole tournament has been little more than a countdown to Penta winning (they’ve all but announced him as winning in AAA). Parka is someone who can get some attention and the fans know who he is so putting him out there was fine. This was all about Penta though and that’s all it should have been.

Post match Penta and Rey Fenix have a staredown.

LA Knight and Solo Sikoa affirm their friendship before the main event.

Ethan Page interrupts Chad Gable and suggests he should be Intercontinental Champion. Gable points out that Page cost himself the title shot in the gauntlet match.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

We recap Stephanie Vaquer vs. Roxanne Perez.

Vaquer is told that she gets a title shot in two weeks and even though she didn’t need it, she thanks Becky Lynch for her help. She’s coming for the title in two weeks and is ready to destroy Judgment Day.

Usos vs. LA Knight/Solo Sikoa

Jimmy gets sent into the corner to start and Sikoa is right there with a running Umaga Attack and the early near fall. The Usos are back up to knock Sikoa outside for the double superkick though and we take a break. We come back with Sikoa fighting his way out of trouble but getting caught by Jey’s jumping enziguri. Jey cuts off another comeback attempt but the running Umaga Attack takes too long, allowing Sikoa to get in a clothesline.

Knight and Jimmy both come in, with the former firing off the left hands. Everything breaks down and Jey’s suicide dive is cut off. A superkick isn’t cut off though and Jey talks about Roman Reigns, only for Royce Keys to tackle Jey and Sikoa through the barricade. Cue NXT’s OTM (Bronco Nima/Lucien Price, a powerhouse team) to jump the Usos, as well as Knight. We’ll say the match is thrown out at about 9:30.

Rating: C+. Uh, yeah I’m not sure on this one, as OTM was hardly a big time team in NXT and then here they are. I can go with Keys getting some help and that’s a good thing, but dang this feels out of nowhere. Hopefully it winds up working as I like OTM, but this whole story just took a rather weird step.

Post match the beating continues, with Keys using the steps to beat on a bunch of people, including Sikoa and Knight. Jimmy is put through the announcers’ table and the new team poses to end the show. The fans weren’t exactly thrilled here and I get it, as OTM is just such a random pick for this spot.

Overall Rating: B. The tournament itself isn’t interesting as it feels like a long path to an obvious result, but dang the action worked rather well this week. It’s been good enough to make up for the lack of drama, with Fenix vs. Lee being a show stealer. I’m really not sure where the big main event angle is going, but the bigger issue is that I’m not sure I care. Other than the women’s stuff, there wasn’t much story development here that got my interest, but the wrestling more than pushed this one higher.

Results
Stephanie Vaquer b. Roxanne Perez – Double underhook facebuster
Rey Fenix b. Dragon Lee – Mexican MuscleBuster
Big Cass b. Je’Von Evans – Big boot
Penta b. La Parka – Springboard Mexican Destroyer
Usos vs. LA Knight/Solo Sikoa went to a no contest when OTM and Royce Keys interfered

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

Monday Night Raw
Date: August 17, 2026
Location: KeyBank Center, Buffalo, New York
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves

We’re on the way to Saturday Night’s Main Event and the big story here is Solo Sikoa being forced to come back to the Bloodline after losing to Jey Uso last week. Other than that, we have a tournament going on to determine who challenges Roman Reigns on Raw in Mexico City in a few weeks. Reigns is at least here tonight so let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Here is Stephanie Vaquer to get things going. She gets right to the point of calling out Liv Morgan for a fight so here are all three women of the Judgment Day. Morgan mocks Becky Lynch being worried about Morgan mocking the women who came before her. Why should Morgan care about any of them?

Morgan brings up the beatings she has given to Vaquer, who wants to fight anyway. Judgment Day gets in the ring and lays her out but Vaquer sends Roxanne Perez and Raquel Rodriguez to the floor. A superkick hits Morgan but the other two are back in to jump Vaquer again. Cue Becky Lynch for the save until she gets in a shoving match with Vaquer. That lets Morgan post Lynch and Vaquer is laid out again. They’ll need a third but a six woman tag could go well for Saturday Night’s Main Event.

The Bloodline arrives, including a rather reluctant Solo Sikoa. They run into LA Knight, who isn’t happy but they keep walking anyway because Roman Reigns is waiting.

Je’Von Evans vs. JD McDonagh

This is an impromptu match that was set up during the break. Evans knocks him outside to start but Dominik Mysterio trips Evans so McDonagh can stomp away. That earns McDonagh another trip to the floor, with Evans clotheslining him into the timekeeper’s area. The big running dive sends McDonagh into a wheeled chair for a huge crash. Mysterio offers another distraction though and McDonagh wraps the knee around the post as we take a break.

We come back with Evans fighting up again and hitting a spinning kick to the back. McDonagh gets in a headbutt into the brainbuster for two and can’t believe the kickout. Evans loads up….something from the inside to the announcers’ table but settles for avoiding a moonsault instead. The OG Cutter gives Evans the pin at 9:17.

Rating: B-. I’m not sure what Evans was teasing to the table near the end but thankfully he went with something that worked a lot better instead. Evans continues to be one of the easiest people in the world to get behind and it worked again here. Nice job here, though it feels like a countdown to the next Big Cass beating.

Post match indeed here is Big Cass to lay Evans out again. Cass goes to leave but Evans says no no no. He asks if that’s all Cass has so Cass lumbers back to the ring, where Evans gets in a dive. Evans hammers away until Mysterio posts him,

We recap the lucha tournament, with Rey Fenix and El Fiscal (the Prosecutor) ready for their first round match.

#1 Contenders Tournament First Round: Rey Fenix vs. El Fiscal

Fenix’s AAA Cruiserweight Title isn’t on the line. They run the ropes to start with Fenix getting the better of things off a dropkick. Fiscal is right back with a spinning rather high crossbody and they both go up top. That means some headbutts can knock Fiscal down for a really big springboard dive as we take a break. We come back with Fiscal hitting a discus lariat but not being able to get in his spinning Tombstone. Fenix sends him into the corner though and comes out with the Mexican MuscleBuster for the pin at 9:03.

Rating: C+. This was completely fine with both guys getting to do their high flying. Fenix is a rather talented started who can make almost anything work, including the flying around like this. Fenix winning makes sense, as it wouldn’t stun me to see him vs. Penta in the finals. Fiscal is a good star in his own right, but he’s not on the same star power level as Fenix.

Roxanne Perez still wants the Women’s Title when Becky Lynch comes in. Perez tells her to stay away, but Lynch says she’s always here when Perez is going for the title, which she seems to be doing next week.

Lyra Valkyria can’t believe she’s not getting anything after taking Bayley out. It’s all about Sol Ruca, who can’t do anything impressive because Valkyria could do all of them. Ruca isn’t just surfing part her, and then she’s getting her title back.

Sol Ruca vs. Lyra Valkyria

Valkyria grabs a headlock and headscissors on the mat to start, with Ruca headstanding her way out. Some cranks on the arm have Ruca down but she’s able to knock Valkyria outside. The moonsault connects but Valkyria knocks her back down again. A springboard is broken up back inside and we take a break.

We come back with Ruca fighting out of trouble again and hitting a knee out of the corner. The middle rope dropkick connects with Valkyria for two and they’re both down again. Back up and Valkyria cuts her off with a nasty neckbreaker across the rope, setting up the top rope ax kick for two. Ruca gets backbreakered out of the corner but manages to escape Nightwing. A tornado DDT sets up the Sol Snatcher for the pin on Valkyria at 10:48.

Rating: B-. I’m more than a bit surprised that Valkyria lost here, as she seemed to be being built up for something bigger down the line. At the same time, Ruca getting a win is a good thing as she could easily be rebuilt back into title contention. If nothing else, it feels like a matter of time before she’s in the main title picture and a clean win, with the Sol Snatcher looking smoother and smoother, is a good start.

The Usos come up to Jacob Fatu, with Jey bragging about beating Solo Sikoa when Fatu couldn’t.

Austin Theory and Maxxine Dupri are rather happy with how badly the Alpha Academy has been destroyed. Bron Breakker is asked about Oba Femi and says anything he has to say to Femi, he’ll say to his face.

And with that, Breakker comes to the ring and immediately calls Femi out. Instead he gets Bron Breakker, who says he knows what is wise and unwise. One thing that is wise is to find out who is the future of WWE. Breakker: “How about you tell me Paul?” This brings out Femi, who says that Brock Lesnar was the future, but even he knew who the future is now. That would be Femi himself, and if Breakker has a problem with that, do something about it.

Breakker is ready to go but Heyman says if Breakker takes a step towards Femi, he takes a permanent step away from Heyman. This is a publicly traded company and you don’t just have this kind of a fight for free. We promote this match to be the biggest it can possibly be, which is why Heyman has already gotten it signed for Sunday Night’s Main Event. Breakker goes to leave and Heyman gives Femi a friendly handshake (which Femi accepts), leaving Breakker not sure what’s going on. Heyman: “That’s good business!” That handshake is interesting as you never know what Heyman has going on.

Dragon Lee is ready for El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr.

El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. is ready to win to honor his family.

#1 Contenders Tournament: Dragon Lee vs. El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr.

Lee grabs a headlock to start and grinds away until Wagner sends him into the corner. That earns Lee a hard chop into a running forearm and the Death Valley Driver. Some tilt-a-whirl backbreakers have Lee in trouble and the big flip dive off the apron takes him out again. Back in and Lee charges into a superkick for two and we take a break.

We come back with Lee hitting his own superkick and a tornado DDT to send Wagner outside. The big running flip dive connects for Lee and they trade some rather loud chops back inside. Lee sends him into the corner for the Tree Of Woe double stomp so Wagner plants him back down. A frog splash gives Wagner two more but the Wagner Driver is broken up. Operation Dragon gives Lee the pin at 11:05.

Rating: B-. This got better as it went, though I still don’t quite get the appeal of Wagner. He’s a bigger guy than a lot of the people in AAA but he’s just kind of there for the most part. Lee isn’t exactly a top star, but he is someone who has been presented as a much bigger deal. His match with Fenix next week should go rather well too.

Intercontinental Title: Rey Mysterio vs. Chad Gable

Gable is defending and Mysterio takes him down to start fast and Gable seems to think twice about things. Mysterio sends him into the corner for the right hands and manages to launch him into the post. The running hurricanrana off the apron drops Gable again and we…don’t take a break, but we do get a big DiGiorno ad on the screen for a bit. Mysterio goes back in but gets suplexed out of the air, allowing Mysterio to go after the leg.

With that broken up, Gable goes with an upside down Gory Stretch until Mysterio powers out. Gable’s charge hits the post but he’s fine enough to hit a cliffhanger DDT. The Swan Dive (Cole: “For the retention!”) gets two so Mysterio is right back with a diving DDT for the same. They go up top again with Mysterio trying a super hurricanrana but getting reversed into a super spinning Angle Slam for two in a heck of a false finish.

Mysterio tries a 619, which is reversed into an ankle lock, which is countered with a roll into the corner. The 619 hits in the corner and a regular version connects, with the fans going absolutely nuts. The top rope splash hits knees though and the ankle lock is on again. That’s reversed into a cradle but Gable reverses into one of his own to retain at 13:19.

Rating: B+. This started off slowly but they were absolutely rocking by the end. They had me actually wondering if the title change was happening but it was a huge win for Gable, who won clean. Awesome match here and one of the best back and forth showcases I’ve seen on Raw in a good while.

Here are Roman Reigns and Jacob Fatu for the Solo Sikoa presentation. Cue the rather enthusiastic Usos and Sikoa looking like he’s ready to walk to the gallows. Reigns says it was about three years ago when Reigns beat him on the premiere on Netflix and we go into a package of Sikoa mocking Reigns and the Bloodline for years.

Back in the arena, Reigns takes off Sikoa’s sunglasses and stomps on them, before asking why Sikoa isn’t begging Reigns for forgiveness. Fatu then superkicks and Tongan Death Grips Sikoa, with Reigns shouting ENOUGH to break it up. Reigns says Sikoa needs to lay there for a bit because he has something else to do. He praises the Usos for their success and calls them made men, and if you disrespect them, you disrespect him. The Usos get some special black flower necklaces before Reigns goes back to Sikoa.

Cue LA Knight to clear the Usos but but Reigns and Fatu take him down. Reigns tells Sikoa to finish him but Sikoa Samoan Spikes Reigns instead to blow the roof off the place. Knight and Sikoa clear out the Usos (again) as Fatu just stands back and watches. Reigns is back up and tries a Superman Punch but gets caught in a BFT.

Sikoa and Knight fist bump as Fatu again just stands there (remember Reigns told him to leave Knight alone) to wrap everything up. While I’m not wild on the stipulation from last week just being ignored, it’s the kind of thing that has to happen as Knight is basically the top opponent to the Bloodline. He needs some help, and Sikoa fits that rather well.

Overall Rating: B+. The main event angle and match both worked very well and you had more than enough good going on in the midcard to keep up the pace. We’re pretty clearly moving towards Penta getting the title shot against Reigns in Mexico City, followed by the big showdown with Knight in…sometime after that. This did a rather nice job of getting us closer to those shows though, along with the Women’s Title picture getting that much better. Strong show here, with Sunday Night coming up soon.

Results
Je’Von Evans b. JD McDonagh – OG Cutter
Rey Fenix b. El Fiscal – Mexican MuscleBuster
Sol Ruca b. Lyra Valkyria – Sol Snatcher
Dragon Lee b. El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. – Operation Dragon
Chad Gable b. Rey Mysterio – Rollup

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6