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Add FightsATW on GoogleMoney in the Bank’s fight week officially launched with this evening’s ‘go-home’ edition of WWE Monday Night RAW emanating from the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri. Legends and Hall of Famers, both current and future, have competed in MITB ladder matches, but this year’s men’s MITB feels special. That is because four of the six competitors represent the brightest elements of WWE‘s future, with Penta, Bron Breakker, Trick Williams, and Je’Von Evans all competing for a title shot.
The field is now full after all the triple threat qualifiers wrapped up last week, so the hope is that we get a full segment with all six MITB competitors to promote the match—including CM Punk and Kevin Owens.
LA KNIGHT
Roman didn’t wait until the end of the show to confront his latest challenger; he brought an intensity to the start of WWE RAW that was meant to excite the audience in a ‘go-home’ episode. Reigns not only delivered a promo that cut to Knight’s insecurities, but he also brought an enthusiasm that had the St. Louis crowd on their feet.
Reigns attempted to end the segment after being acknowledged by the live audience, but Knight did not let things end on the champ’s terms. He said Roman is “manufactured,” then used the term “industry plant”—a term loaded with innuendo in today’s entertainment climate—to describe the ‘rocket’ put on the back of Roman throughout his career.
BLOODLINE PROBLEMS… OTC SOLUTIONS
Roman Reigns hasn’t been seen on TV for weeks, but he was more than ready to b***h out both USOS for their inability to handle the 946 (it was easy to forget, but this segment reminded many that Solo is still just abducted with zero follow-up). Roman then questioned why Jey and Jimmy were taking ‘orders’ from Jacob Fatu despite their rank within The Bloodline—it was also easy to forget Roman made them ‘Generals’ and gifted them solid black Ula Falas.
THE BLOODLINE & SOLO VS 946 BOOKED FOR NEXT WEEK!
The brief backstage segment ended with Roman declaring that he would take care of things himself, like Thanos grabbing the ‘gauntlet’ in a Marvel post-credit scene. When we returned to the storyline after the women’s tag match, Roman returned with GM Pearce to inform us that there would be a match next week pitting The Bloodline against 946.
Jey and Jimmy celebrated, assuming the ‘band was back together’ by teaming with Roman, but Roman acknowledged someone else had taken his place as Solo entered the frame. The crowd popped, but the look on The USOs’ faces made it clear they’d been swerved—perhaps ‘Generals’ in The Bloodline aren’t privy to top OTC intelligence reports.
MITB TEASER: PENTA & JE’VON EVANS VS THE VISION (Breakker & Theory)
Evans caught the ire of The Vision several weeks ago, but Breakker’s frustration has driven the faction’s motivation to share the spotlight with the upstarts he believes leapfrogged him as the alpha of the new class. The action started before the bell rang, and Penta mistimed a kick meant for Breakker; instead, the Luchador wrapped his ankle around the corner post.
Evans was the star of this match in every way; he was impressive in the ring as usual, and he put on a full performance. The match’s climax had Maxxine Dupri on the apron distracting the ref so that Austin Theory could use the brass knucks on Evans. But Evans got hold of the ‘knucks’ and struck Theory with a slick right hand behind the ref’s back—breaking the 4th wall with a cheeky smile and wink to the camera.
OBA SHOWS UP BIG ON MIC
In the post-match angle, Bronson Reed came out to put a beatdown on both Penta and Evans. Reed hit a Tsunami on Penta before Oba Femi ran out for the ‘save.’ The numbers game meant Oba had to put in work to gain control, and he eventually did, punishing The Vision into retreat.
Oba picked up the mic and delivered another incredible promo filled with passion, telling Reed he would ‘take him to deep waters’ and “drown” the nearly 300lb monster. Then, Oba dropped the banger line that everyone else around the ring had a ‘ladder to climb’ at MITB, while Reed had a “mountain to climb.”
Oba promised to make Reed pay for the seven months he spent on the ‘injured reserves’ list before allowing Haymon to keep his mind and The Vision to keep his body because “his a**” belongs to Oba. Wow… just wow!
The final segment involving the Oba-Reed promotion showed Heyman giving The Vision member a piece of advice in a classic ‘crash out’ from the former ‘Wiseman.’ Basically, Heyman just repeatedly yelled ‘Tsunami,’ but it was awesome the way he did it. The crowd ate it up as Heyman painted a ‘do or die’ situation for Reed on Saturday night (this is how you orchestrate a go-home angle that offers one last piece of hype heading into the match)
THE JUDGEMENT DAY’s BIG NIGHT… AND BIG HEAD(s)
The night started well enough for The Judgment Day, successful in tag action in a match meant to tease this weekend’s MITB women’s ladder match. Perez picked up the pinfall over Sol Ruca, and her exchanges with Sol and Lola Vice continue to tease future ‘bangers’ involving these young upstarts.
It was another successful tag win for TJD when Dom Mysterio and JD McDonaugh defeated Rey Mysterio Jr.—he is a FREAK performer still capable of putting on a show with the young guns—and Dragon Lee, thanks to timely outside interference from Big Cas (big mad after losing to Lee last week).
Morgan VS Lynch- #1 Contender for Vaquer
Everything was building toward Judgment Day, and they collectively had momentum as Liv headed into her match against Becky Lynch. Liv blames Lynch for her title loss to Vaquer, so tonight was meant to kill two birds with one stone: settle their rivalry while also deciding ‘who’s next.’
It was a thrilling match with both women trading blows, but the climax came when Raquel tried to interfere. Vaquer kept things squared as the ref tossed Raquel out. With Vaquer on the apron yelling at Liv, Becky tried to capitalize but inadvertently hit Stephanie.
Vaquer ran in and caused the DQ, but she called out GM Pearce to book a triple-threat world title match at MITB, with her opponents being both Liv and Becky.
OTHER TIDBITS
– REY FENIX V ETHAN PAGE—Non-Title Match
Triple A’s cruiserweight champion Rey Fenix took on Ethan Page in a match that was booked last week. Page has been campaigning for an IC title match against Chad Gable, but Fenix stepped up to challenge the loudmouth heel.
The match was very good and competitive, as Rey took control of the offense early in the match, only for Page to regain the offense, but it was not enough to beat the champ. Rey took the win.
– REMINDER: The Tyson doc is debuting on Netflix a week from Tuesday (Oct. 13t
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