Shayna Baszler confronts Asuka and Nia Jax in WWE Raw MITB segment, setting the stage for a volatile women’s Money in the Bank ladder match just days before the high-stakes event. Taped at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, this episode spotlighted rising tension among key competitors and unfolded a series of dramatic confrontations that will carry crucial impact into Sunday’s pay-per-view.
Raw Kicks Off With Anticipation for Money in the Bank
On a night charged with anticipation, Tom Phillips, Byron Saxton, and Samoa Joe welcomed viewers to WWE Raw. With Money in the Bank scheduled for the upcoming Sunday, the show began by underscoring the significance of the event and previewed a match pitting Murphy against WWE Champion Drew McIntyre. The focus quickly shifted to the women’s side of the upcoming ladder match, promising more intensity and unpredictability than ever before.
MVP Hosts Women’s MITB Contenders Amid Building Tension
MVP returned to host the VIP Lounge, inviting the women representing Raw in the Money in the Bank match: Shayna Baszler, Asuka, and Nia Jax. Recalling chaos from the previous week’s men’s segment, he showed a recap of the recent brawl between Baszler, Asuka, and Jax. MVP described the upcoming contest as the most unique Money in the Bank match WWE has ever staged. Nia Jax confidently touted her dominance in the ring, declaring her intent to overpower her opponents. Asuka followed with a passionate, energetic response in Japanese, displaying her unpredictable spirit. Shayna Baszler, displaying characteristic composure, dismissed her rivals’ theatrics, turning to Asuka and focusing on the actions that set her apart from other competitors. The atmosphere escalated when Baszler and Asuka stood face-to-face, then united to topple Jax from her chair, sending her crashing backwards. MVP intervened to cool tempers, saying,
“Let’s save it for the fight, ladies.”
-MVP, Host
Spotlight Returns to the Men’s Division and MITB Gauntlet
Announcers responded to the explosive women’s segment and turned their attention to developments in the men’s division. Clips from the prior week showed Apollo Crews suffering a knee injury, resulting in the Last Chance Gauntlet match to determine his replacement for MITB. Bobby Lashley surged, defeating Titus O’Neil, Akira Tozawa, and Shelton Benjamin in rapid succession. Humberto Carrillo seized opportunity when Lashley was disqualified for excessive aggression.
After Lashley’s exit, Angel Garza and Humberto Carrillo, cousins, clashed in a high-energy encounter, with Carrillo managing a quick pin for victory. Austin Theory was up next but fell to Carrillo’s sudden counter. When A.J. Styles made a surprise return, Phillips exclaimed,
“A.J. Styles is back on Raw!”
-Tom Phillips, Announcer. Styles overpowered Carrillo to clinch the gauntlet, advancing to the upcoming MITB ladder match.
Styles justified his comeback by stating,
“There’s no rules in a Bone Yard match. No results at all. That was then, and this is now.”
-A.J. Styles, WWE Superstar. He promised aggression at Money in the Bank and warned outlasting rivals would cement his legacy. The phrase
“the risk is worth the reward,”
repeatedly echoed by the crew and competitors, became a mantra for the episode’s relentless pace and emotional resonance.
Seth Rollins Sets Sights on WWE Championship
Seth Rollins, in an in-ring interview with Charly Caruso, turned his focus to his title match against Drew McIntyre. He expressed confidence in Murphy but asserted his own destiny as WWE Champion was inevitable. Rollins declared,
“I am trying to save Drew McIntyre,”
-Seth Rollins, Wrestler, adding with emphasis,
“And that is the absolute truth.”
-Seth Rollins, Wrestler.
Backstage, Murphy addressed his alliance with Rollins and his own ambitions, revealing,
“He needed me, and I needed him,”
-Murphy, WWE Wrestler. Murphy also insisted,
“or maybe one day I will be better.”
-Murphy, WWE Wrestler. Both segments intensively built the anticipation for their confrontation with McIntyre later in the night.
Emerging Teams and Rivalries Add To Night’s Unpredictability
The episode highlighted the arrival of Brandon Vink and Shane Thorne, who benefitted from MVP’s guidance and secured a win over Ricochet and Cedric Alexander. The commentary team discussed the difficulties in establishing new teams amid recent booking challenges, adding a layer of realism about the state of Raw’s tag division. Another segment revisited classic Money in the Bank moments—such as Brock Lesnar dancing with the MITB briefcase and Bayley’s dramatic cash-in victory—creating historical framing for the upcoming pay-per-view.
Street Profits and Viking Raiders Continue Their Rivalry
The Street Profits, Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins, entered with energy, reminiscing about their start at the WWE Performance Center and addressing their ongoing pursuit of the Viking Raiders. The Viking Raiders entered determined, and the match unfolded with both teams trading stretches of dominance. Ford’s theatrics, Dawkins’ power, and Ivar’s athleticism all shone in this competitive 16-minute contest. In the closing moments, the Viking Raiders secured victory, punctuating their superiority and igniting further questions about who will have the final say in their rivalry. Afterward, Erik commented their intent was not just success but dominance, suggesting the raid would continue. Ivar added that while they liked the Profits, they simply regarded themselves as the better team.
Spotlight on Prominent Superstars and Women’s Division
Interviews and vignettes shifted focus back to individuals contending for spots and prestige. Aleister Black, responding to Styles’s threats, warned,
“pray that I don’t get back up because I will climb that ladder and I will take that Money in the Bank contract. And when that happens, you’ll wish you were buried deeper than just six feet.”
-Aleister Black, WWE Superstar.
Rey Mysterio explained the high-risk nature of this year’s ladder match, saying,
“One bad decision, one wrong move, and that’s all I wrote. This is by far the riskiest match of my career.”
-Rey Mysterio, WWE Superstar. Emphasizing the stakes, he reminded viewers of the limited opportunities left in his career and how the Money in the Bank briefcase could mean one final shot at greatness.
Charlotte Flair stood mid-ring to assert her relentless drive and willingness to compete on both Raw and NXT, anticipating her match with Io Shirai. Confronted by Liv Morgan, an underdog determined to rise, Charlotte recounted her background, referencing her lineage and work ethic. Morgan challenged Charlotte to a match, in which she managed moments of offense but ultimately fell to Flair’s Figure-Eight submission. The contest, though a loss for Morgan, raised her profile and showed Flair embracing a more heelish, dominant style.
Venue Preview and Upcoming Showdowns
The broadcast highlighted the distinctive setup for this year’s Money in the Bank match by showcasing the WWE corporate headquarters, including the lobby, elevators, cafeteria, and the unique staircase leading to the roof where the briefcases will hang. This visual journey reinforced the unpredictable and unprecedented nature of this year’s MITB contests, intensifying anticipation for Sunday’s event.
Drew McIntyre’s Title Reign Challenged by Murphy and Rollins
In the night’s main event, Drew McIntyre defended his status against Murphy with Seth Rollins observing from the ramp. Murphy targeted McIntyre with aggressive strikes, but the champion demonstrated resilience and countered with power offense, keeping an eye on Rollins’s every move. After absorbing Murphy’s best attempts, McIntyre landed the decisive Claymore for a quick victory.
Seth Rollins attempted a post-match ambush but was repelled by McIntyre’s sudden retort, ending with Rollins retreating and the stage set for their looming WWE Championship showdown. The tension between McIntyre, Rollins, and Murphy remained unresolved, hinting at potentially explosive developments on pay-per-view night.
The Road to an Unpredictable Money in the Bank
This episode of WWE Raw, marked by overwhelming emotional tension and competitive zeal, advanced the storylines for both men’s and women’s Money in the Bank ladder matches. Shayna Baszler confronts Asuka and Nia Jax in WWE Raw MITB segment highlighted the animosity and unpredictability ahead, while the episode showcased the fierce determination of Drew McIntyre, Seth Rollins, A.J. Styles, and other prominent superstars. Returning to the Performance Center roots, the show reflected on the profound risks taken by all contenders for a shot at championship glory, setting a dramatic tone for Money in the Bank and the uncertain consequences that await the victors of its unparalleled challenges.
