Last night at Extreme Rules, every champion except for Kalisto kept their title. Also, Dean Ambrose, Baron Corbin, Karl Anderson, and Luke Gallows all picked up victories in their respective non-title matches. The biggest moment of the night (other than Jericho getting slammed on thumbtacks) was Seth Rolllins returning after the main event to hit a Pedigree on Roman Reigns. With Rollins back at the start of the road to Money in the Bank, how will tonight’s episode of Monday Night Raw shape the following month?
Opening Segment
Seth Rollins makes his first appearance on Monday Night Raw since vacating the WWE World Heavyweight Championship on November 4, 2015 due to a knee injury. While insulting the crowd to cement his heel status, he says that he is back to reclaim the title that he never lost. After setting his target, Roman Reigns (the target) comes into the ring, and Seth Rollins immediately leaves the ring. Before Rollins retreats, Shane McMahon shuffles his way down to the ring.
McMahon announces that at Money in the Bank, Roman Reigns will defend the WWE World Heavyweight Championship against Seth Rollins.
Sheamus vs. Sami Zayn (Money in the Bank Qualifier)
Sheamus, a former Money in the Bank briefcase holder, takes on Sami Zayn, one of the “New Era” Superstars, to decide who enters the Money in the Bank match. This is the first of several qualifying matches tonight, and the winners will be one step closer to an opportunity that can incredibly boost their careers.
Sheamus is recovering in the corner when Sami Zayn hits the Helluva Kick out of nowhere to be the first person pencilled in for the Money in the Bank match. Winner: Sami Zayn
Backstage Segment
Apollo Crews is being interviews by Renee Young regarding a Money in the Bank qualifier, and as soon as Crews mentions the “New Era,” Sheamus attacks him from behind and lays him out backstage.
The New Day vs. The Social Outcasts
Before the match starts, The Social Outcasts come out from nowhere and attack the New Day from behind and send them out of the ring. The Social Outcasts now only consist of Heath Slater, Bo Dallas, and Curtis Axel after a suspended Adam Rose was granted his release from WWE earlier today.
After a failed Bo Train, Big E and Kofi Kingston hit the Big Ending/Jumping DDT on Heath Slater for the victory. After the match, The New Day hits Slater with a birthday cake that was originally meant to celebrate Monday Night Raw reaching 1,200 episodes. Winners: The New Day
The Miz (w/Maryse) vs. Cesaro (Money in the Bank Qualifier)
For two Pay-Per-Views in a row, Cesaro has made the Miz tap out in an Intercontinental Championship match, but thanks to shenanigans, the Miz would retain the title. Tonight, if Cesaro defeats the Miz, he won’t win the Intercontinental Championship, but he will earn a spot alongside Sami Zayn in the Money in the Bank match.
Cesaro counters a double axe handle attemp by The Miz into a European uppercut, and follows it up with the Neutralizer to enter the Money in the Bank match. Winner: Cesaro
Chris Jericho vs. Apollo Crews (Money in the Bank Qualifier)
Chris Jericho was originally at a disadvantage in this match because of the punishment he took from last night’s Asylum match, but Crews was attacked earlier tonight by Sheamus. For those who don’t know, Chris Jericho is one of the men who invented the Money in the Bank match, although he has never won it.
Crews has an impressive showing, but he gets hit with a Codebreaker to give Jericho the win. Winner: Chris Jericho
Big Cass (w/Enzo Amore) vs. Bubba Ray Dudley (w/D-Von Dudley)
Enzo Amore is back, and (somehow) more energized than ever. He gets a huge pop from the audience, shows off his “gift of gab,” and gets set outside the ring as Big Cass picks up where he left off with the Dudley Boyz.
After a big boot to Bubba Ray Dudley, Big Cass hits the Empire Elbow for the win. Winner: Big Cass
In-ring Segment
Charlotte comes down to the ring with Ric Flair and Dana Brooke. She compliments herself, and then kicks Ric Flair out of “her ring,” and it takes way too long.
Dean Ambrose vs. Dolph Ziggler (Money in the Bank Qualifier)
Ambrose and Ziggler are both coming off matches last night at Extreme Rules, and this match will change the direction of the winner’s next few weeks. Ziggler almost has the advantage going against Ambrose, since Ambrose competed in the Asylum match last night against Chris Jericho. Along with that, Ziggler is a former Money in the Bank briefcase holder, and if he makes it into the ladder match, his experience will give him the edge.
Ziggler attempts the Zig Zag, but Ambrose holds onto the ropes. Ambrose takes advantage and hits Dirty Deeds for the win. Winner: Dean Ambrose
AJ Styles vs. Kevin Owens (Money in the Bank Qualifier)
Before the match starts, AJ Styles ends his “professional” relationship with Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows. Anderson and Gallows are offended, and decided to end the friendship as well. This being on Styles’s mind during the match might be in Kevin Owens’s favor.
Kevin Owens prevents Styles from hitting the Phenomenal Forearm, and follows up with a Pop-up Powerbomb to pick up the victory. Winner: Kevin Owens
