Let’s say, just for the sake of argument, that there are six of the top women’s wrestlers on Raw all competing for the Money in the Bank briefcase this weekend. Then let’s imagine what might happen if all of them are in the ring together just five days away from their big opportunity.
Well imagine no more, because that’s exactly what’s going to happen on WWE Raw tonight from Savannah. All six women’s MITB competitors will have a summit, which we can only assume is a pun on the fact that they must climb a ladder to emerge victorious in London.
There are two teams of two within the group of six. Trish Stratus has new protégé Zoey Stark with her. Damage CTRL, when they aren’t bickering, has both Bayley and IYO SKY.
That leaves Becky Lynch and Zelina Vega as lone wolves. But seeing as both are fan favorites at the moment, might they find that an alliance, even if it’s temporary, might be just the ticket to survive this impending lion’s den?
Another star who could also use some people to watch his back from time to time is Cody Rhodes. The American Nightmare has stumbled into an unexpected feud with Dominik Mysterio, who of course, he should be able to handle with little trouble. The problem is that Dom is part of The Judgment Day, a group who has no problem turning the numbers game to its advantage. Will Rhodes find himself outnumbered when he addresses the younger Mysterio tonight?
There’s also an intriguing match between Ronda Rousey and Raquel Rodriguez, as well as a check on the well being of World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins. Sounds like a pretty decent three hours in store, and we’ll be chronicling everything that happens.
WWE Raw results from Savannah:
Dominik Mysterio tries to welcome the fans to Raw, which is hard when they are booing you out of the arena, and even Rhea Ripley has trouble getting her insults on Cody Rhodes in.
Speaking of the American Nightmare, he shows up dressed to impress as always and shows Dom how it’s done. Rhodes also quotes The Cat in the Hat to make a point that Dominik is a “scared little boy. Cody tries to goad Dom into a physical confrontation, and says he’ll find out Saturday if he’s just “mami’s little boy.”
Ricochet def. Shinsuke Nakamura by pinfall
Bronson Reed watches this on from ringside, talking to himself and clapping sarcastically when they battle to the floor nearby. Nakamura and Ricochet end up teaming for a moment to kick Reed a few times, and Bronson eventually gets ejected by the ref for trying to climb in the ring.
Without having to have their heads on swivels to look for Reed, the two men settle things among themselves, with Ricochet sealing the deal with a Shooting Star Press.
Earlier today, Matt Riddle challenged Gunther to an Intercontinental Championship match at Money in the Bank. While being asked about it by Byron Saxton, Riddle is insulted by Ludwig Kaiser, who ends up helping Gunther stomp on Matt’s ankle again. Oh, and Gunther accepts the challenge.
Dom and Rhea stop by Adam Pearce and demand a match for Dominik, but they tell AP they’ll get back to him on who they want as an opponent.
A video package runs through some cool Money in the Bank stats.
Ronda Rousey def. Raquel Rodriguez by pinfall
Liv Morgan was in the corner of Rodriguez but it ended up not mattering. Momentum for Rousey ahead of the tag team title match this weekend, one supposes.
A pre-recorded promo has Finn Balor saying he’s not the man who beat Seth Rollins seven years ago — he’s much more dangerous. He’s also motivated by Rollins laughing at him when he had to relinquish his title due to injury back then. “You made me bitter.”
Seth Rollins leads his usual singalong as he heads to the ring. He quickly points out NXT Champion Carmelo Hayes in the crowd and thanks Hayes for having his back. “Please, whoop up on that bum ass Corbin.”
Rollins says that despite Balor’s attempts to “turn my ribs to dust,” he’s still standing, and invites Finn to come out and try to finish the job right now. He eventually tries another sneak attack with a steel chair, but Rollins is ready for him this time.
As they battle to the outside, Balor tries again to use a chair but gets it snatched by Hayes, and Finn ends up fleeing into the crowd.
Tommaso Ciampa asserts again that he hasn’t heard “one peep from Mr. Tiny Balls” while he was out for months rehabbing. Ciampa says his time on the shelf gave him clarity and made him question why he was following The Miz. “This time around, I create my own opportunities.”
Tommaso Ciampa vs. The Miz doesn’t happen.
Miz comes sprinting down the ramp and attacks Ciampa, focusing on the left leg. Ciampa also gets suplexed into the barricade before the referee pulls The Miz off of him … for a second. Skull-Crushing finale on the floor and that’s it. No match tonight.
Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn interrupt Imperium backstage, and after Sami assures KO they are indeed there to support Riddle, Zayn ends up challenging Gunther to a match. He’s cool with that.
Dominik Mysterio def. Akira Tozawa by pinfall
Ripley looks nervous as Tozawa gets in a ton of early offense. But she manages to distract Akira when it matters most, and Mysterio wins this short match with a frog splash.
Valhalla and the Viking Raiders say that to hear the gods again, they need to do terrible things to Alpha Academy. As one does.
Corey Graves hosts the Money in the Bank women’s summit, but is quickly interrupted by Bayley, who reminds everyone she’s the only one to already win one of these matches. Zelina Vega is tired of Damage CTRL being so dismissive and is ready to prove everyone who is overlooking her wrong.
Trish Stratus thinks they’re all little girls and understands why WWE needed her to save the women’s division. Everyone can say thank you to her when she wins. After Stratus starts in on Becky Lynch, things erupt into fisticuffs, with IYO SKY taking out everyone but Becky with a moonsault.
Lynch climbs a ladder in the ring and takes a briefcase, giving people a potential preview of Saturday.
Hayes says it’s an honor to be on Raw by invitation of Rollins, and he won’t miss when he takes his shot at Balor tonight.
Ripley bumps into Lynch backstage and warns her that if she wins MITB, it will be the last thing she ever does. Becky shoots back that she wants the briefcase just to make Rhea squirm.
Gunther def. Sami Zayn by pinfall
Owens joins Graves and KP on commentary for this one. Zayn is able to get in some good offense, including a Blue Thunder Bomb for a near fall. He also proves resilient, kicking out after a top rope splash right before Owens and Ludwig Kaiser start scrapping.
Just when it appears Zayn has it rolling, Giovanni Vinci (remember him?) hits Sami with his crutch, and Gunther powerbombs Zayn for the pin.
After the bell, both Owens and Riddle join the fight, and Kaiser ends up eating a Stunner.
Natalya says the biggest battle she’s facing is not in the ring but in her own head. She says she’s shaken but still standing, and challenges Ripley to ring her championship next week to face her again.
Finn Balor def. Carmelo Hayes by pinfall
Hayes gets a chance to show off some of his offense, but you know how this is going to go. Eventually, Balor gets in a gutbuster/shotgun dropkick combo, and that sets up the figurative and literal Coup de Grace.
Rhodes says he’s anxious for the day we’re not talking about The Judgment Day all the time, and he looks forward to seeing if Dominik has skills other than getting under people’s skin.
A SmackDown video package replays the most recent Bloodline events, setting up the Bloodline Civil War tag team match at Money in the Bank.
Cody Rhodes def. Damian Priest by pinfall
The problem for Rhodes, as we said before, is that he’s not just fighting Priest. Sure enough, a few minutes in, Mysterio and Ripley come down to ringside. Their arrival shifts the momentum immediately to their teammate.
Dominik is able to provide some hands on assistance with the ref distracted, but Rhodes kicks out even after the South of Heaven. A Cody Cutter sets up Cross Rhodes, and that’s it for Priest.
Alas, Dom gets in one last cheap shot right before the show ends.
