Quality of Matches
In this section, we only focus on what happens bell-to-bell, and only on the quality of the matches, while trying not to account for the quantity, because that just wouldn’t be fair.
Raw
Finn Bálor defeated Braun Strowman via Disqualification
This was a repeat of last week’s main event, which actually earned ‘Match of the Show’, but unfortunately it wasn’t as good this time around. Strowman dominated for a large portion of the match before Bálor launched a comeback. The Irishman landed a Coup de Grâce on the ‘Monster Among Men’, but instead of going for the pin, opted to try for another. However, Kevin Owens, who was a guest commentator for this bout, attacked Bálor thus handing him the DQ win.
Jinder Mahal defeated Seth Rollins (c) via Disqualification – WWE Intercontinental Championship
This was a really good match. Even when Mahal was on top, a quick pace was maintained. There was a lot of back-and-forth with both men getting in equal offense. Sunil Singh tried to interfere but ended up getting ejected from ringside. This distraction allowed Mahal to strike the ‘Kingslayer’ with a steel chair for a near-fall. Singh made his way back into the fray. but was Buckle-Bombed into the ‘Modern Day Maharaja’. The consistent interference was enough to irritate Rollins enough to attack Mahal with a steel chair, thus ending the match, but also ensuring Rollins retained his WWE Intercontinental Championship. A very good match, possibly Mahal’s best in WWE so far.
The Deleter of Worlds (Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt) defeated The Ascension (Konnor and Viktor) – Tag Team Match
As per usual a match involving the WWE Raw Tag Team Champions was ruined by Michael Cole being a massive pillock. Anyway, the Ascension dominated the ‘Woken’ one until Wyatt came in off the ‘hot tag’. The Deleter won with a Kiss of Deletion.
Kevin Owens defeated Bobby Roode
As has become a bit of a consistent feature of Roode’s matches, this one was slightly monotonous. Owens tried to leave, but then remembered Braun Strowman was backstage – we’ll get to why that put him off in a few moments. Anyway, Roode went for a roll-up, but ‘KO’ managed to shift his weight and pick up the win. This was probably the weakest match of the night.
Drew McIntyre defeated Chad Gable
McIntyre dominated early on, but a Spin Kick on the outside from the 2012 Olympian shifted the momentum. This didn’t last long though, as the Scot caught Gable following a Crossbody attempt off the apron, and launched him into the ring post. Back in the ring, McIntyre landed the Claymore for a decisive win. Gable managed enough offense for this not to be a ‘squash’.
Sasha Banks wins Seven-Woman Gauntlet Match – Money in the Bank Qualifier
We’ll go through this one round-by-round. It shouldn’t take too long.
Bayley defeated Liv Morgan – Round One
Bayley hit the Bayley-to-Belly in about two seconds for the win.
Bayley defeated Sarah Logan – Round Two
This one wasn’t as quick but was still over after a couple of minutes after the ‘Hugger’ landed another Bayley-to-Belly.
Ruby Riott defeated Bayley – Round Three
This one barely got started either, after a couple of minutes Riott landed a Riott Kick to eliminate Bayley.
Ruby Riott defeated Dana Brooke – Round Four
Brooke managed a tiny bit of offense, but another quick one. Riott Kick for the win.
Ruby Riott defeated Mickie James – Round Five
James was the “hometown hero” in Virginia, but a Mickie-DT was reversed into a roll-up and the leader of the Riott Squad advanced to the final round.
Sasha Banks defeated Ruby Riott – Round Six – Final Round
In the most competitive round of the match, (not that that says much), Banks tried for multiple quick pinfalls early on, until Riott took control and slowed the pace down. The ‘Boss’ hit an impressive Powerbomb off the middle rope and transitioned straight into a Bank Statement. However, the rest of the Riott Squad returned in an attempt to distract Banks. It didn’t pay dividends though, as a second Bank Statement sealed the win and Sasha Banks stamped her ticket into the women’s Money in the Bank Ladder match.
Match of the Show
This week’s ‘Match of the Show’ for Raw goes to the WWE Intercontinental Championship match between Seth Rollins and Jinder Mahal. I said last week that if anyone could get a decent match out of Mahal, it would be Rollins, and the ‘Architect’ proved me absolutely correct. It does take “two to tango”, as they say, so props to Mahal too.
SmackDown Live
Shinsuke Nakamura defeated Tye Dillinger
Dillinger managed more offense than I thought he would in this one, considering Nakamura is challenging for the WWE Championship and, well, he’s Tye Dillinger. Nonetheless, it made the match better than just being a ‘squash’. The ‘King of Strong Style’ tried for the 10-count every time the ‘Perfect 10’ was down. The third time, Nakamura got to the count of nine, before Dillinger rose to say “10” himself, and mock the Japanese’s “COME OOONNNN!” taunt. Before too long though, Nakamura struck Dillinger with a knee from the top-rope, followed up by a Kinshasa for the win.
The New Day (Big E, Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods) defeated The Miz and The Bar (Cesaro and Sheamus) – Six-Man Tag Team Match
New Day started this one on top before some heel tactics allowed The Miz and the Bar to gain the upper hand. Kingston was worked over for a short while, before he countered a Skull-Crushing Finale into an S.O.S., allowing Xavier Woods to make the ‘hot tag’. There were a shed-load of near-falls from both teams, and Kofi Kingston proved that he genuinely is Spiderman, by climbing up everything in sight and jumping off it like a lunatic. The bodies flying everywhere allowed Big E to land a Big Ending on The Miz and pick up the win for his team. This was a great match.
Asuka defeated Mandy Rose
After Sonya Deville attacked Asuka during her entrance, Rose dominated this one early on. However, it wasn’t long before ‘God’s Greatest Creation’ was locked in the Asuka Lock, and the ‘Empress of Tomorrow’ builds momentum towards Money in the Bank.
Samoa Joe defeated Daniel Bryan and Big Cass – Triple Threat Money in the Bank Qualifier
Bryan and Joe started this one working in tandem in an attempt to eliminate Cass from the equation. That didn’t last long though, and following a brief exchange between the two, Cass went into full “Operation Kill Bryan” mode. ‘Queen’s Finest’ slowed the pace down working over the ‘”Yes!” Man’ before a resurgence from Bryan allowed him to land a Running Knee, but Joe broke up the pinfall. The ‘Samoan Submission Machine’ then locked Bryan in the Coquina Clutch, Bryan faded, and Joe is the final man in the men’s Money in the Bank Ladder match.
Match of the Show
SmackDown Live‘s match of the show goes to the six-man tag team match between New Day, and The Miz and the Bar. It had a quick pace throughout, even when the heels were on top, no-one came out of it looking particularly weak, and the right team won.
The Verdict
I was satisfied by pretty much every match on Raw, and while the six-man tag match last night on the blue brand was very good, I feel the rest of SmackDown‘s matches fell a little short.
‘Quality of Matches’ Winner – Raw
6 years ago by Liam Winnard
Trending
- WWE Star Removed From Roster
- WWE Legend ‘In Talks Again’ With Company Following Vince McMahon’s Departure
- Former WWE Stars’ AEW Debut Announced
- Wrestling Themed Horror Movie Starring Top AEW Star To Release Later This Year
- Logan Paul Reached Out To Released WWE Star Following Release
- Triple H Shares Unseen Incredible Fan Reaction To Recent Championship Victory
- Released WWE Star Says He Was Told He ‘Would Always Have A Job’ A Week Before Release
- Real-Life WWE Couple Announces Pregnancy
- WWE Star Shares Photo Training With The Rock Prior To WrestleMania 40
- WWE Star Reacts To ‘Injured’ Tony Khan’s NFL Draft Appearance
mailing list