WWE Monday Night Raw (July 1st) Rundown

Monday was the FINAL Raw before MIB on Saturday and it was something else. Sadly, we had a lot happen yesterday and needed to take a step back before making my rundown.. So we will have a back to back rundown today and tomorrow. We've got a lot to un-pack, so let's get it!

We started off hot and heavy with Jey Uso opening the show. As he made his way to the ring, you can see fans gathering and having a blast. But not long into Jey's promo we have none other than Chad Gable interrupt. Immediately, my husband and I said "oh snap.. here we go". As the two exchanged words, it seemed that Chad was trying to push the attention on Jey.. for using the fireflies. I thought that part was too funny. In the end, it didn't work too well for Chad. This is because the lights went down, and it started to get spooky. Chad did his best to escape through the crowd, but was teased throughout the area with the shadows of the Wyatt Sick. Thankfully, he was able to escape unharmed but that didn't stop Nikki Cross from presenting another box with another video inside. I loved this overall, and felt it added a lot to what could be next for Chad. Also, are we teasing a feud between Jey and Chad? Because I would be ALL FOR IT.

-Xavier Woods vs Karrion Kross

While I will admit, this feud has been going on for a while.. and building pretty good.. it just isn't my cup of tea. I love them both, I just can't put my finger on it. The match itself was very good, I did enjoy that. I feel it could be the changes with Kross at the start.. I do notice that the crowd/fans aren't really reacting to Kross well.. could this be to the multiple changes that were made at the start of his big brand move? In a shocking turn of events Xavier did take the win! However.. it didn't end there. After the match was a brutal beat down of Woods and Kofi.. leaving to wonder how this will end. 

We see the Judgement Day in turmoil once again. DP caught Dom in another lie. Apparently DP has talked to Rhea, and she is pissed. But.. I thought Dom said she was cool? Hmm.. Next we see Liv Morgan in their dressing room. Didn't DP say he didn't want this happening anymore? I feel the tension building more and more each week.

Women's World Championship: Liv Morgan (c) vs Zelina Vega

While I am not a huge fan of this whole thing with Liv and Dom.. this match was wonderful. The match itself was pretty good, and not something that I expected. I think it's very apparent that Zelina is no longer seen as a joke, and IS championship material. Over the last few years, we've seen such great improvement and hope to see her with some gold sooner than later. However, we know how this match ends. Dom did get involved, resulting in Liv getting the win to retain her title. Before that, we also saw Rey come in as well to try his best to help Zelina. I felt this pushed the heat for his match with Dom later in the show. 

I swear, when Rhea comes back.. it's going to be INSANE. I'm so here for it. 

Next up: Seth Rollins

I love me a good Seth promo. This match between DP has me so hype I cannot stand myself. Seriously, I can't help but think we are going to get a shock of a title change. However, during this promo Seth laid out everything that was at stake and how he felt about it. The music hit, and out comes Finn. It wasn't too long before DP was right behind him. I have seen this on Twitter before and can see it now.. there seems to be a bit of a power struggle between Finn and DP. Could we really be seeing a turn? Could we see Finn cost DP at MIB? We also have the fact that if Seth loses, he wouldn't be able to go for that title. Against my better judgement, I cannot determine how this will end. At the end of this segment, we see Seth be laid out by both DP and Finn.

MIB Qualifier: Zoey Stark vs Dakota Kai vs Ivy Nile

I didn't care for this match. I thought that Dakota might be winning since Iyo is already in the match as well. However that was not the case. Isla and Alba ended up attacking Kairi Sane (who was already at ringside) which caused a distraction that let Zoey to get the pin on Dakota. I did see where a lot of people were pretty upset about this, seeing that Dakota has been see on her stream recently about wanting a chance badly. I do feel that Zoey has been pushed a lot more, and could for sure see the want for DK to have her time to shine. 

VHS Tape #2: 

Has anyone else just been extremely blown away from the Wyatt Sicks presentation? I am LOVING this and enjoy being able to see this unfold. There has been a couple of comments recently about it not being good anymore due to the picture being posted after the reveal a couple of weeks ago. Let's just be real, kayfabe is dead. They are people just like us, and I don't think it was meant bad in anyway. Regardless, it didn't ruin it for me. If that simply ruins it for you, then that is your problem. 

 During the tape we mention Taylor saying "false prophets that are belittling their family for their own gain". I can FOR SURE see this being Chad and the Alpha Academy, but what about Dom or even the new Bloodline (Solo). Only time will tell with this one, and I am also wondering if this will be something only Taylor (Howdy) will go after? Or will there be multiple stories within each character? In the end, the storytelling for this has been blowing me away. It's something that I can't wait for each and every week. Anyone else notice the glowing door as the promo got more intense? Hmm.. is that something we should watch for?

Rey Mysterio vs Dominik Mysterio

We've been here before and still... isn't my favorite story line. I will say.. Dom has really improved over time, and feel that he really is getting there. I do love that they are continue this story of Dom and Rey and it makes you wonder if things really will get back to normal for them. There was a good bit of involvement in this match from outside parties such as Liv and Vega. We kind of knew this was going to happen, seeing that it was reversed in the match earlier. Rey delivered the West Coast Pop for the win. 

Sami Zayn (Bron Breakker)

I am very much ready for this match on Saturday. I feel this match has been building beautifully even at a shorter time frame. Sami and Bron came face to face before words were exchanged. This didn't last too long until Sami was hit with two spears via Bron. This could be the end of Sami as champ, but is it? It almost makes it too obvious that Bron would win.. but would we really be seeing someone who was just called up become champ? Again, another match I can't predict. 

MIB Qualifier: Sheamus vs Ilja Dragunov vs Drew McIntyre

Come on now.. did we really think that Drew wasn't going to be in MIB? I saw a lot of Twitter of "Punk is gonna come out and cost him so he can't go to MIB"... nope. It would be even WORSE if Punk cost Drew while he was in the match for the MIB case. I would say if Drew won.. and then tried to cash in, butttttt I have this feeling that it would be way too much. I think after everything, that would be a major waste of a MIB, right? I am starting to agree with some on twitter saying maybe AJ will be costing Drew? Could we see it? Maybe so. 

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Overall: 7.7/10

I think this was a perfect way to send Raw to MIB. There was a lot of tense moments as last minute matches were for the MIB match, and it showed. I think there is a new sense of "what if" and "what could" moments. Now we have one more stop of Friday Night Smackdown to set the tone for Saturday. 

What are your predictions?

MIB Mens: Jey Uso
MIB Womens: Tiffy

Tonight... we have Wednesday Night Dynamite! They are live from Chicago, IL and things are gonna be crazy. I'll have everything posted tomorrow afternoon! 

xoxo,
Chels