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Add FightsATW on GoogleWWE Monday Night RAW started on a somber note tonight as the WWE acknowledged the sudden passing of Benjamin Satterley, known as “Neville” in WWE (he wrestled his last match as PAC this weekend, the character he has portrayed for nearly a decade). Fans of the British phenom have poured their thoughts and prayers onto socials while wrestlers shared experiences that solidified his reputation as a pure-hearted individual.
The show was at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin—home of the NL Central Champions, the Brewers—as Money in the Bank looms.
THE MISSED PLAY… THE SOLO MOVE
The Bloodline kicked off the show tonight after Solo was abducted to close the show last week, and Jacob Fatu was very emotional as he recapped the last several weeks of ‘plays.’ He acknowledged that he has urged restraint as the ‘first move’ played out, but they made a mistake choosing tonight to be the aggressors.
The big stage screen showed Fatu, Jey, and Jimmy running to the back as a silver SUV pulled up to the building. The Bloodline was ready to attack like a pack of rabid wolves, but out of the vehicle popped Jaida Parker—typically a good mistake to make. Parker had arrived at the building for a meeting with GM Pearce, and she made that clear when Jey Uso prodded her for info.
Perhaps not so coincidentally, rumors have circulated since before the Summer that Jey Uso and Jaida Parker were dating, so it initially felt like potential foreshadowing—maybe hinting at the first female Bloodline member?
We caught up with The Bloodline later in the backstage area, and that is when Jacob downloaded The USOs with ‘the play.’ Fatu warned that the 946 faction would attempt to separate them, so they needed to “stick together” no matter what. It felt a little unnatural seeing Fatu play the role of the optimistic hype-man.
THE MAIN EVENT SEGMENT played out like an unscheduled and unwanted finish to the show, but the cameras followed along with every move that led to the ring at the center of the Fiserv Forum. Royce Keys and crew walked into the arena with tickets in hand, but the flock of WWE officials failed to keep them from jumping the guard.
After the 946 took care of the WWE ‘black shirts,’ The Bloodline came out (with music), and all hell broke loose. The action was maybe a little too chaotic as the truck missed two big spots that nearly overlapped, proving how tough it is to make a structured segment look chaotic.
The Bloodline failed to stick to “the play,” and Fatu was separated from his family while beating down on Keys in the most violent exchanges. Keys attempted to take off in the same silver SVU that Parker arrived in, and though Fatu managed to stop Keys for a moment, a black 4-door vehicle struck Fatu in a violent spot that left him bloodied.
Out of the black car stepped Parker, and she rushed to Fatu in panic, initially selling it as an accident, but it was no accident as she sidled up with Royce and revealed she is a member of 946.
OBA FEMI ALL BUSINESS AND CONTRACTS
Oba returned last week to get his initial revenge on The Vision as a collective, but tonight, he had a contract in his hand as he made his way out with a full entrance. Oba demanded a singles match with Bronson Reed, claiming he learned to separate the business of fighting from ‘The Fight Business’—alluding to the idea that it was Paul Heyman who taught him this lesson.
Reed eventually made his way out and signed the contract, claiming that Heyman had sent him to put Oba out of commission. Oba was brilliant on the mic, utilizing his strong voice and calm demeanor to make Reed’s destruction seem assured. He warned Reed that Heyman was playing games, which led The Vision member to seal his fate in ink.
PENTA & JE’VON EVANS vs. THE JUDGMENT DAY (DOM & JD)—Tag Team Match
The tag match was made after a backstage altercation between both parties escalated into “Funko Pop” jokes at JD’s expense. Dom is still showing signs of jealousy towards Penta, and commentary leaned into the dissent when they acknowledged that the luchador was in his ‘main event era.’
The match was relatively slow at first, but when Penta and Dom were positioned to face off, they did not disappoint. The offensive sequences were flawless, a sign of the chemistry Penta and Dom built over the last year of working together. Evans had his own time to shine, catching JD McDonaugh in the head with a soccer kick.
Evans took full control of the match, and the crowd was on their feet, but The Judgment Day survived long enough to turn the tide. In the climax, JD managed to move out of the way quickly enough that Evans hit Penta with a huge cutter—the second incident of friendly fire.
The match could have ended there, and it should have, by contrast to the actual ending, but Joe Hendry came out with a guitar in hand, playing the “JD is a Funko-Pop” anthem. JD was distracted long enough for Penta to reverse course on Dom for the pinfall victory.
It was a terrific MITB showcase segment as Bron Breakker made a surprise appearance to hit Penta with a spear. However, the match was too good for the gimmick ending that teases a far less attractive program between Joe Henrdy and JD McDonaugh.
OTHER TIDBITS
– Stephanie Vaquer announced there will be a #1 contenders match next week on RAW between Liv Morgan and Becky Lynch.
– Lola Vice and Roxxane Perez put on a terrific match in the TV opener as their two styles meshed so well together. Vice was victorious in the match, but “Big Mami Cool” came out to put a beatdown on Vice. This turned into a full MITB preview as Sol Ruca came down to attack Raquel, hitting a springboard missile dropkick before The Judgment Day regained control.
– Dragon Lee has been one of the best performers in WWE since the start of the year, consistently producing the best TV matches over the last several months. He took on one of his biggest tests of the year as he attempted to pull a ‘banger’ out of Big Cas. Lee picked up the win after a reversal allowed for a stack-up pinfall for the underdog.
– Lyra Valkyria and Iyo Sky faced off in singles action, but Bayley made her presence felt in this one. Sporting a black band with the name “Ben” on it in memory of PAC/Neville, Bayley simply stood atop the commentary desk, and the distraction was enough for Sky to pick up the win.
– WWE and Bleacher Report announced a deal that will make the outlet WWE’s home for exclusive post-show reporting and highlights.
– The Milwaukee Bucks and Milwaukee Brewers were in the house—the Brewers finished the season with the franchise win record (103).
– Rey Fenix challenged Ethan Page after Page continued to lobby for an IC title match against Chad Gable. Fenix acknowledged that Page is NOT a ‘cruiserweight’ (traditionally 205lbs or under), but Page believes beating a champion in a non-title match will help serve his track toward an IC title match.
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