-Drew McIntyre praises the fans and talks us through his win over Big Show last week. Continues the trend from Smackdown of taking shots at part time champs of the past before being interrupted by Andrade and Zelina Vega. The two discuss their NXT past where Andrade beat and injured Drew, and set up a main event for tonight. Drew looks good, very charismatic.
- Asuka vs Ruby Riott is our first match, Asuka carrying the company over the last month, she's been on everything (including main event!). She's a good choice to have as a constant presence as she's so entertaining and so animated. She gives it her all here in a hard-hitting, strong opener with Riott, both women settling into back and forth action after Asuka dominates early. She gets the win with an Asuka lock in an impressive enough 10 minutes. Enjoyed it.
Asuka moves on in the Money in the Bank tournament. Should probably win it let's be honest.
- Speaking of potential MITB winners, Aleister Black is up next against no entrance, squash in waiting Oney Lorcan. Commentators sandbag match early on as they talk about Drew McIntyre and MITB, ignoring the 'action'. The NXT star Oney surprisingly gets some offense in, largely in control in a mixed martial arts style contest before Black comes back into it. The two impress with quick strikes and submission holds until the Black Mass wins it for Alesiter. Pleasantly surprised, could have watched a bit more to be honest. Different to see an MMA style match, a nice change.
- Becky Lynch promo now and it's a little better than recent weeks, not cringing as much as usual. She's more composed and passionate as she bigs up her title reign, declares her recent more comedic antics as a ploy to offset Shayna Bazler and turns her attention to MITB, stating whoever wins will be unsuccessful against her. Not bad, hopefully getting the old badass Becky back.
- Another MITB qualifier, Shayna Bazler vs Sarah Logan. Bazler brutally batters Logan and stomps on her arm in a nasty, realistic looking spot and the ref stops the match as Logan cries in agony. Quick, awesome segment which makes Bazler look like the absolute machine she should, possibly breaking Logan's arm, still furious after losing to Becky at Mania. Great booking, loved it.
- Akira Tozawa vs Austin Theory are up to try and continue the hot start we'd had to Raw this week. Nice to say that for a change let's be frank! The match is quite slow with a few miscues, Tozawa gets a little offense in at the end before a TKO wins it for Austin. Zelina Vega, who's done a nice job as a heel on commentary, has the members of her makeshift stable (Angel Garza and Andrade) join Austin attacking Tozawa. Very average, forgettable.
- Angel Garza is back again, taking on Tehuti Miles from NXT, squashing him with a wing clipper.
It's ok having these young guys come to Raw from NXT but when they're just fodder for Raw mid-carders it really doesn't do much for the stars of the yellow brand. At least take them a bit more seriously please. Nothing match
- Yet another MITB qualifier with Kari Sane vs Nia Jax. Jax squashes her and wins with an Annihilator. She's being built up, Sane was fodder. Nothing really to see here but Annihilator looked pretty good.
- Charlotte Flair tells us how she beat 'The Next Big Thing' in Rhea Ripley, also quipping how Vince chose her to 'save' Wrestlemania last year by including her in the main event, and how Ripley chose her to face this year. Aka everyone wants and bows down to the Queen. She's beat everyone and will beat Io Shirai in NXT in their upcoming match. Basic promo, the Queen rules. Enough said.
- Bobby Lashley vs No Way Jose. Lashley tells Lana to 'shut up' after she screams instructions to him continuously (to be fair he has a point, it's annoying). Lashers wins quickly with a spear. Dissension teased further with him and Lana. Next.
- Viking Raiders vs Ricochet/Cedric Alexander. OK, high paced tag. Great athleticism by Ricochet/Alexander, they bump all over for the Raiders. Ricochet should be doing more. Alexander takes the pin as the big, dirty Vikings move on. Never in doubt.
- Main event - Drew McIntyre and Andrade. Raw champion vs US champion. The US champ smartly plays off their history by going after the bicep he injured back in NXT. Does it work? No. McIntyre takes down Andrade with the Claymore Kick despite outside interference from Zelina Vega's crew.
Almost immediately Seth Rollins, who had teased a surprise throughout the night in backstage promos, attacks Drew, Curb Stomps him twice and stares at the Raw title as the show ends.
3 Count (3 Points of Interest?)
1. Asuka/Riott - Hard-hitting opener
2. Shayna Bazler breaking Sarah Logan's arm - looked nasty
3. Aleister Black and Oney Lochan - Nice MMA style clash
Ring The Bell (Show Recommendation?)
Show of two halves. First half was as good a Raw as I've seen in a while, Second half wasn't...forgettable. If you're itching for some Monday night WWE action, check out the first half then skip the rest. Just try not to have nightmares about that 'arm break'....
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