On a tense night at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Apollo Crews challenges Andrade for United States Championship in a much-anticipated main event, following aggressive confrontations earlier in the show that escalated tensions between rival wrestlers. The Raw episode, aired without a live audience, showcased high drama and shifting alliances as superstars pushed toward Money in the Bank, raising the stakes for all involved.
Opening Moments Set the Tone for a Night of Conflict
The show started with Tom Phillips, Samoa Joe, and Byron Saxton at the commentary desk, previewing major upcoming segments and matches. MVP, standing in the VIP Lounge surrounded by ladders, highlighted the looming Money in the Bank ladder match, emphasizing its risk and reward. He invited Rey Mysterio, Aleister Black, and Apollo Crews to the ring, aiming to dissect what winning MITB would mean for each competitor. Before the focus could shift to Crews, Zelina Vega arrived with Andrade, Angel Garza, and Austin Theory, asserting their claim as the future of Raw and mocking the legitimacy of Mysterio, Black, and Crews as contenders.
Vega demanded her team replace the other trio in the MITB match, provoking an immediate brawl. Mysterio, Black, and Crews fought back, clearing the ring and demonstrating their unity against Vega’s group. This confrontation set the stage for the six-man tag team match that followed, driving home the underlying tensions between the two factions.
Six-Man Tag Showcases Rivalries and Momentum
The ensuing Six-Man Tag Match featured Aleister Black, Rey Mysterio, and Apollo Crews taking on Andrade, Angel Garza, and Austin Theory. Black opened against Garza, displaying a technical exchange that set an intense pace. After several submissions and counters, Crews showcased his strength with a delayed vertical suplex on Theory. Teamwork between Mysterio’s signature attacks and Black’s high-risk moves built momentum for the babyfaces.
After a series of dynamic tags and near falls, a rapid exchange between Theory and Crews allowed Apollo to counter Andrade’s finish into his signature spinning powerbomb. Crews pinned Andrade, delivering a strong victory for the team of Mysterio, Black, and himself and making a powerful statement ahead of the MITB ladder match.
Backstage, Andrade blamed his teammates for the loss, insisting that none of the victors could defeat him in singles action. Apollo Crews confronted Andrade, reminding him of his earlier win and escalating their rivalry. When Andrade dismissed Crews’ claim to a title opportunity, Crews retaliated physically. Vega intervened, confirming a United States Championship match between Andrade and Apollo Crews for later that night, setting up the main event.
Mid-Show Matches Build Further Tension and Storylines
The women’s division entered the spotlight next, with Asuka, Nia Jax, and Shayna Baszler set for a confrontation. Asuka’s passionate speech in Japanese was swiftly interrupted when Baszler attacked her outside the ring. Nia Jax then targeted both opponents, using a ladder and asserting her dominance before the match officially began. The segment ended in chaos, with all three competitors laid out and Jax standing tall, raising questions about who will impose their will in the MITB match.
Bobby Lashley faced Denzel Dejournette in a decisive bout, instructed by Lana to fight without her ringside presence due to her being a distraction. Lashley quickly dominated, finishing Dejournette with a spear. Lashley’s commanding win hinted at his ambitions for larger challenges, despite lingering questions regarding his momentum and alignment with Lana.
Liv Morgan and Ruby Riott reignited their rivalry, exchanging offense until Morgan countered Riott’s aggression into a successful pin. In a post-match interview, Morgan reflected on her ongoing journey in WWE but admitted to still searching for her true identity as a competitor, signaling internal conflict and possible future storylines. Backstage, Nia Jax dismissed interviewer Charly Caruso’s concerns, insisting no one—including Asuka and Baszler—could oppose her actions.
Tag Team Division and Returning Superstars Make Their Presence Known
The Viking Raiders challenged the Street Profits, arguing that, despite their rivals’ championship status, only a win over the Raiders would establish them as true champions. This promo set up a future encounter between the two teams, with both sides expressing their determination to prove themselves. Jinder Mahal returned to action, overwhelming Akira Tozawa with dominant offense and securing victory with the Khallas, reestablishing himself as a force in the singles division and hinting at new rivalries ahead.
During a later backstage moment, Angel Garza and Charly Caruso shared a flirtatious exchange after Vega rebuffed Caruso’s questions, offering a personal touch to ongoing interactions within Vega’s group.
Apollo Crews Earns Title Opportunity and Battles Andrade
Anticipation for the main event built throughout the night as Andrade made his entrance with Zelina Vega. Apollo Crews, still riding momentum from his earlier victory, approached with determination. The United States Championship was on the line in a physical contest marked by aggressive exchanges and high-impact moves. Andrade attempted to control the match with technical holds and targeted strikes, but Crews answered with his powerhouse offense, including a standing shooting star press and multiple slams.
The tide turned as both men battled on the top rope, with Crews landing a headbutt to knock Andrade off. Unfortunately, when Crews tried to capitalize, he landed awkwardly on his knee—the same one injured earlier in the match. The referee intervened as Crews was unable to continue, awarding the win to Andrade by stoppage. The abrupt ending underscored the risks Apollo took in challenging for the title and highlighted Andrade’s cunning as a champion determined to retain his title by any means necessary. Crews, visibly frustrated and in pain, left the ring on crutches and avoided comments, his disappointment clear to the audience.
Other Storylines and the Road Toward Money in the Bank
The show continued to highlight other ongoing narratives. The McIntyre-Rollins rivalry escalated with a contract signing for their WWE Championship match, where Drew McIntyre called out Seth Rollins’s hypocrisy and vowed to prevent Rollins from taking his title. The Viking Raiders, after challenging the Street Profits, remained a focus in the tag division, while Ricochet and Alexander’s tag team development was also noted. Triple H’s legacy was acknowledged throughout the broadcast with a countdown of his top moments, including his time with DX and victories over legends like the Rock and the formation of Evolution.
Other elements such as the new WWE video game announcement, a squash victory for Lashley, and a return for Jerry Lawler to the ring as a contract-signing moderator filled out the episode, contributing to the overall sense of urgency and unpredictability building toward the upcoming pay-per-view.
Impact of the Episode and What Lies Ahead
The night proved pivotal for several key players. Apollo Crews’s challenge for the United States Championship marked a turning point in his career, revealing both his hunger and the physical toll of his pursuit. For Andrade, surviving a tenacious adversary only by referee intervention reinforced his champion’s credibility but marked him as vulnerable to future challenges. Tensions among Vega’s group and their rivals, as well as mounting storylines in the women’s and tag divisions, promise further confrontations in the coming weeks.
As the WWE landscape adjusts with no live crowd but high stakes, superstars like Seth Rollins, Drew McIntyre, and Andrade must contend with motivated challengers and developing alliances. With Money in the Bank approaching, the pursuit of championship gold—and the risks superstars are willing to take—remain at the heart of WWE Monday Night Raw’s ongoing drama.
