This week’s WWE RAW, positioned as the last major build-up before the Money in the Bank event, featured dramatic developments, with Jey Uso‘s role in WWE RAW feuds and storylines influencing the main event narrative. From chaotic qualifying matches to rising tensions among stables, the evolving storylines promise consequences for the big show and beyond.
Money in the Bank Qualifying Matches Push Rivalries Forward
As Money in the Bank approaches, both men’s and women’s ladder matches saw their final contender spots filled during this week’s RAW. For the men’s division, A.J. Styles, C.M. Punk, and El Grande Americano battled in a high-stakes qualifier. Meanwhile, the women’s field wrapped up with a showdown involving Stephanie Vaquer, Liv Morgan, and Ivy Nile, a match notable for its aggressive pace and dramatic finish.
The main event, featuring the men’s qualifier, highlighted the growing animosity between Seth Rollins and C.M. Punk. The outcome not only secured the last spot for the ladder match but also intensified feuds that are expected to spill into Money in the Bank itself. The women’s division, for its part, demonstrated renewed strength, with up-and-coming superstars clashing alongside established names to create a vibrant, competitive field.
Stephanie Vaquer’s Debut Victory Alters the Women’s Money in the Bank Field
Over three weeks, five women’s qualifying matches determined most of the Money in the Bank roster. Smackdown contributed Alexa Bliss, Giulia, and Naomi, while Roxanne Perez and Rhea Ripley advanced from RAW. Ultimately, Stephanie Vaquer made her official main roster debut as announced by Adam Pearce, entering the final qualifying match against Liv Morgan and Ivy Nile.
The match developed at a fast and physical pace, featuring a standout moment when Ivy Nile delivered a German Suplex to both competitors simultaneously. Further into the contest, Ivy Powerbomed Vaquer from the second rope during Vaquer’s Superplex of Liv Morgan, though Vaquer managed to stay resilient by kicking out of the subsequent pin. Liv nearly secured a win after connecting with a Codebreaker and her ObLIVion finisher, but Ivy threw her from the ring, only to have Vaquer capitalize moments later. After a final flurry, Vaquer landed her SVB signature move on Ivy Nile, seizing the last position in the ladder match lineup.
With Vaquer’s rapid rise since her NXT debut last year—culminating in this crucial RAW win—she is now considered a favorite to win the briefcase, alongside Roxanne Perez and Naomi. The carefully curated mix of veterans and fresh talent gives this year’s contest a dynamic character, with backstage moments teasing confrontations like a potential face-off between Vaquer and Rhea Ripley. This influx of new faces into major storylines further demonstrates the growing depth of WWE’s women’s division.
Final Showdown Set Between Lyra Valkyria and Becky Lynch
Tensions between Lyra Valkyria, the reigning women’s Intercontinental Champion, and Becky Lynch reached a fever pitch ahead of their Money in the Bank title match. Their feud reignited when Valkyria interfered in Lynch’s qualifying match weeks ago, setting up a title rematch with personal stipulations. Becky Lynch challenged Lyra to never seek another title shot if she lost, while adding the demand that, should Lyra win, she must publicly acknowledge Becky in the ring.
This week, Lyra delivered an impassioned in-ring segment, interrupted again by Becky Lynch. Lyra accused Becky of trying to hold her back, yet claimed it only strengthened her resolve. She vowed to decisively defeat Becky at Money in the Bank and protect the prestige of her title. Becky retorted that Lyra’s outlook had been corrupted, emphasizing that the emotional price of defeat would far outweigh any physical harm. Becky then refused to fight Lyra in Tulsa, Oklahoma, prompting Lyra to attack and escalate their rivalry into a brawl that required officials’ intervention.
The narrative showcases Lyra’s quick ascendancy and Becky’s pivotal role in elevating new stars. With the feud being a consistent highlight on RAW, the high-stakes stipulations and personal animosity have heightened audience anticipation for the outcome, suggesting the rivalry may continue even post-event, potentially involving returning stars such as Bayley.
Jey Uso and Sami Zayn Join Forces Against Rollins’ Stable
Saturday Night’s Main Event saw Bronson Reed return following a six-month absence, aligning with Seth Rollins, Bron Breakker, and Paul Heyman’s emerging stable. The group has made a habit of interfering in key matches, including a recent Money in the Bank qualifier involving Sami Zayn, from which he was denied victory following outside attacks. Jey Uso, the current World Heavyweight Champion, has repeatedly intervened to assist fellow faces like Sami Zayn, setting the stage for continued conflict.
This week, Jey Uso and Sami Zayn teamed in tag action against Breakker and Reed. The match showcased explosive offense and risky dives, but concluded in a disqualification after Rollins struck Jey Uso with a Curb Stomp. Post-match, Breakker and Reed targeted Sami until C.M. Punk arrived wielding a chair, breaking up the onslaught and confronting Rollins. Rollins assured Breakker that their plan regarding Punk was still in motion, laying groundwork for further hostilities.
The tag match marked another installment in a series of contests characterized by inconclusive finishes, often resolved through post-match assaults by Rollins’ stable. While these outcomes maintain narrative momentum, they have drawn critique for a perceived lack of finality. The introduction of new members and ongoing storylines suggest the group will see further evolution, with Jey Uso’s continued involvement contributing significantly to RAW’s overarching themes.
Rising Tensions in the Women’s Tag Team Division
The women’s tag team scene experienced fresh intrigue with Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez, and Kairi Sane at the center of an increasingly tangled rivalry. Finn Balor recently welcomed Roxanne Perez as the newest member of Judgment Day, fueling tension between the factions. Liv Morgan’s return from injury put her directly in conflict with Kairi Sane in a match marred by outside interference and distraction, leading to a loss for Liv. Backstage, Liv blamed Raquel Rodriguez for the defeat, planting doubt in their partnership.
This week, while Raquel faced Kairi Sane solo, Liv accompanied her to the ring, hoping to prevent further missteps. The match saw Kairi launch a comeback, executing her Insane Elbow for the win after outside distractions involving Women’s World Champion Iyo Sky disrupted the contest. After the result, speculation intensified regarding Kairi potentially challenging for the women’s tag titles alongside Iyo Sky or a returning Asuka, hinting at evolving alliances. The persistent miscommunications between Liv and Raquel now suggest they may soon lose their championship belts or split as a team, with Finn Balor’s machinations providing a catalyst for the discord.
C.M. Punk Denied as Last Money in the Bank Spot Secured
The last men’s Money in the Bank qualifying match featured C.M. Punk, A.J. Styles, and El Grande Americano, following three weeks of grueling contests across both RAW and Smackdown. Smackdown had already advanced Solo Sikoa, LA Knight, and Andrade, while Penta recently joined the field after a hard-fought win over Chad Gable and Dragon Lee. Seth Rollins, in turn, qualified by beating Sami Zayn and Finn Balor, only to be attacked by Punk post-match, further intensifying their rivalry.
The RAW main event saw Punk poised for victory after hitting the GTS on Americano. However, outside interference from Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed derailed his chances as they assaulted Punk. Sami Zayn and Jey Uso arrived to intervene, creating chaos that culminated in A.J. Styles launching himself over the ropes onto all combatants. The finish came as Americano, using what appeared to be a concealed weapon in his mask, delivered a head-butt to Styles, earning the final ladder match slot. Rollins then stormed the ring, delivering Curb Stomps to Punk, Sami, and Jey Uso—who, after being Speared by Breakker, was subjected to back-to-back Tsunamis from Reed, leaving Rollins’s stable standing tall as the show closed.
This match, while exciting, surprised many by keeping Punk out of the Money in the Bank match, signaling WWE’s intention to continue his feud with Rollins outside the ladder contest. El Grande Americano’s ongoing story with Penta appears ready to unfold in the ladder match, while the post-match attack on Jey Uso fuels speculation about his condition ahead of both his tag match and a title defense against Gunther. The consequences of his willingness to aid allies, a factor highlighted in dialogue with Gunther the previous week, cast doubt on Uso’s prospects heading into the next set of major events. The groundwork has also been laid for a potential Jey Uso-Seth Rollins showdown at Summerslam, aligning their respective storylines for an eventual high-stakes clash.
Judgment Day Expands Its Influence in the Tag Division
The War Raiders sought redemption following their unsuccessful pursuit of the World Tag Team Titles, squaring off against Judgment Day’s Finn Balor and J.D. McDonagh with The New Day commentating ringside. Early on, Ivar teased throwing McDonagh at the New Day, causing sufficient chaos for the referee to eject the commentary team from ringside. As the match progressed, Roxanne Perez, now part of Judgment Day, interjected to distract Ivar and the official, allowing J.D. to exploit the distraction and Finn Balor to hit his Coup De Grace finisher for the victory.
This clash underscored the impact of Perez’s recent inclusion in Judgment Day, adding new dynamics to both her team and the broader tag division. As Finn Balor’s stated intention was to destabilize rivals like Liv Morgan and Dominik, fans can expect this developing rivalry to lead to mixed tag matches and further storyline complexity. Judgment Day’s evolving profile, fueled by strategic additions, is positioning them as a major force in current RAW narratives.
The Road to Money in the Bank and Beyond
This episode of RAW solidified the key players set to dominate not only Money in the Bank but the summer’s most vital WWE storylines. Jey Uso’s role in WWE RAW feuds and storylines, especially through his interventions and rivalries with Rollins’ stable, continues to influence multiple divisions. The growing prominence of stables, the resurgence of the women’s division with headline-making new stars, and the open question of which alliances will endure or fracture are all shaping WWE’s immediate future. What unfolds at Money in the Bank will directly impact scheme and status across the roster, with marquee feuds and simmering grudges ready to reach new heights on the next stop of WWE’s summer calendar.
