You could’ve tried to hold onto your hat with all of your strength and it still would’ve been blown away by some of the events of this year’s Money in the Bank in Toronto. On Saturday, the WWE witnessed two of the best ladder matches in the history of the promotion, and that is not an exaggeration, along with CM Punk returning to give hands to Drew McIntyre; and feet, and a chair, and a title belt to the face.
And in doing so, he assured Priest remained champion, infuriating Seth Rollins in the process and reigniting that feud in a big way ahead of Summerslam on August 3; and the actions of Punk and McIntyre have led to severe consequences for the latter … if they can actually be enforced.
Hint, hint.
FULL RECAP OF CONTROVERSIAL MITB EVENT HERE.
Oh and, by the way, John Cena announced his retirement tour — a bombshell dropped in the middle of all of the action.
The Bloodline found a way to steal victory from Kevin Owens, Randy Orton and WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, by way of an injured and discombobulated referee, keeping their trajectory pointed north with the return of Roman Reigns looming.
Date: Monday, July 8
Time: 8 pm ET
Location: Canadian Tire Centre (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada)
Broadcast: USA Network
WATCH: MCINTYRE GOES BALLISTIC AFTER CM PUNK ATTACK.
The women’s division saw Tiffy Time become Tiffy in the Bank after Stratton took the victory and the briefcase following a jaw-dropping showing by each of the six contenders, then pulling up on Trish Stratus to challenge her to in-ring action in what could be a wonderfully-timed program serving as a possible passing of the torch opportunity.
And as the Liv Morgan Revenge Tour continues to scorch the Earth beneath it, her social media and in-ring war with Zelina Vega has evolved into Morgan’s first-ever tag team match with none other than “Daddy” Dom Mysterio — after having accidentally cost Dom a win over Rey last week and promising to make it up to him.
It’s time for the MITB fallout episode of RAW, and there is a lot to unpack going into it, and inevitably plenty more to sift through by the time the credits start rolling.
Punk Rock
CM Punk is doing just fine, even after being hit with one — a fine — for his actions at Money in the Bank in screwing over Drew McIntyre for a third time, this time also making the men’s briefcase completely moot for the next 12 months. McIntyre went ape sh-t afterwards and assaulted Adam Pearce, leading to an indefinite suspension, or so we’re to believe.
For Punk, that means there’s no better time to cut a visceral mic promo without having to look over his back as he did in Chicago a few weeks ago when he was assaulted out of nowhere by McIntyre.
#ScottishKeyboardWarrior 😂 pic.twitter.com/XumPm5UALT
— WWE (@WWE) July 9, 2024
Punk first paid homage to John Cena by congratulating him on his retirement, though he did promise to “drag him out of retirement” one day, also stating he hopes to “lace ‘em up one more time” with Cena before the retirement becomes official in December 2025.
“But John Cena is not here. I’m here, but there’s someone else who isn’t here and that’s Drew McIntyre,” said Punk before reminding everyone about the promise that McIntyre would never again be champion while Punk is breathing.
“Promise fulfilled,” he shouted.
Then cave the curveball: Punk actually asked Pearce to lift the suspension on McIntyre.
But instead of getting Pearce to the ring, he got Seth Rollins, and to a stellar pop. Punk might’ve forgotten that the other consequence for his actions at Money in the Bank is throwing a lit match back onto the pool of gasoline that is Rollins’ rabid hate of him.
“If I somehow screwed things up for you and your little pipe dream — I’m trying to apologize to you so pay attention — I’m sorry,” said Punk. “I apologize. I didn’t mean to screw anything up for you. I’m a little snow blind with rage … but because it’s you, I can’t really be that sorry, can I?”
Ah, there it is, the sneaky backhand slap.
What has CM Punk so infuriated right now?#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/9uf61maq1u
— WWE (@WWE) July 9, 2024
Rollins made a promise of his own: that Punk “won’t be able to say Drew McIntyre’s name before I snap your arm again and put you back on the shelf.”
Triple threat match at Summerslam, anyone?
Book it, Paul.
And as for Rollins’ gentlemen’s agreement with Priest that would keep Rollins from ever again challenging for the WWE Heavyweight Championship while Priest holds it? It’s been deleted by Priest in a backstage conversation with Rollins so, if Gunther doesn’t walk away from Summerslam with the belt, Rollins can get back to fighting Priest for it again after he deals with the CM Punk issue once and for all.
One thing at a time though, Seth.
After all, that’s how you lost the belt in the first place — multitasking.
In-Zayn in the Membrane
Fresh off of another successful title defense, and against the brutal nature of rookie sensation Bron Breakker at Money in the Bank, WWE Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn gave the people of Ottawa what they wanted, and that was to see one of Canada’s favorite sons — as Toronto did two nights prior.
“Well first of all, let me just say what an honor it is to be standing in this ring in the nation’s capital as a champion,” said Zayn to raucous applause.
He then turned his attention to Breakker, who was undoubtedly watching, at least I certainly hoped so because their match at MITB deserves a sequel … at the least. Thankfully, I was correct, because out came the dog before Zayn could really get going with his promo.
“I came out here to look the only man in that locker room who can say they’ve beat me and, I’m not gonna lie, Sami, I didn’t think it was gonna be you,” said Breakker.
The respect was short-lived and not real, and apparently no one who has cut a promo with Breakker has learned this yet.
Breakker led Zayn to believe he didn’t want a remat- ….
*SPEAR*
SPEAR
BRON
SPEAR#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/ZH8SxSnQWR— WWE (@WWE) July 9, 2024
That’s precisely how abrupt the attack on Zayn’s ribs was, being forced out of the ring only to unleash another full speed around-the-ring spear against Zayn who, this time, didn’t leapfrog it and took the full brunt of it to the midsection; and kudos to him for keeping his lunch in his stomach after that impact.
So, yeah, rematch. A glorious, glorious rematch.
Ijla Dragunov wouldn’t idly stand by and watch Zayn get decimated though, and demanded a match against Breakker in Ottawa, as Adam Pearce was more than happy to oblige.
Chad Gable vs. Jey Uso
Result: Uso wins “clean” (pinfall)
Reaction: This one started to simmer prior to Money in the Bank, when Gable interrupted Uso’s MITB in-ring promo to basically tell him he’s not worthy of the briefcase and that only Gable is, considering what he’s “been through” (air quotes here) regarding the Alpha Academy and the Wyatt Sicks (6).
Neither AA nor TW6 appeared in Toronto though, and it was simply Gable losing out on a chance at the briefcase as Uso was nearly the winner before McIntyre threw a ladder upwards at him as he was trying to unhinge the case.
The journey for both Gable and Uso to earn their first-ever singles title in WWE continues, and they’re apparently now in each other’s way.
The last time these two were in the ring together, the Wyatt Sicks (6) made an appearance, so eyes were peeled for more potential terror in that regard.
Gable, ribs wrapped from his brawl against Uso and Co. in the Money in the Bank match, got off to a fast start and that included with his taunts. As a related sidebar, thank goodness that near-botch by Jey outside of the ring on the bump from the body toss ended favorably because, for a split second, it looked like he was going to land on his neck.
Disaster averted by the talented veteran, who literally adjusted at the last second in mid-air.
Now back to the match itself.
It felt as if most of the punishment handed out was at the hand of Gable in this one, seemingly far more angry and focused than was Jey, at least mostly. A suicide dive helped change that a bit for the lone wolf of The Bloodline. Throw in several Yeet slaps and he was finally eating, that was until he took his time climbing the top rope and got yanked off of it.
Gable went for the ankle lock and … black out … fireflies ….
THEY’RE HERE.#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/C9rR3wa9Z5
— WWE (@WWE) July 9, 2024
Superkick to a terrified Gable, pinfall. Jey Uso wins … and then high tails it out of there as the smoke emanated into the ring around a downed Gable.
THE WYATT SICKS WANTS YOU, CHAD.
They also want Michael Cole’s attention for a third consecutive week, as Abigail the Witch placed yet another package in front of him, and we all need to know what Brad Pitt demanded to know from Morgan Freeman in the legendary movie Se7en:
“What’s in the box?!”
Wait for it…#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/7jaQKDM2yD
— WWE (@WWE) July 9, 2024
It was another VHS and one that deepened the purpose of the hauntings, with the segment ending in Gable pleading with Pearce to do something — only for the GM to open his office door and see Bo Dallas (the alter ego of Uncle Howdy) sitting on his couch rocking anxiously and disturbingly back and forth.
That feels like a gargantuan hint that someone from the Wyatt Sicks (6) is about to step in the ring soon, be it Bo Dallas/Uncle Howdy or one of the others.
“Then sick we’ll be.”
Pete Dunne vs. Bronson Reed
Result: Reed wins clean (pinfall)
Reaction: You didn’t think you’d get away from a RAW following a PLE without a filler match, did ye? Of course not, and that’s what this served as, though it wasn’t actually needed outside of trying to add a layer to the package of Reed versus Sheamus, seeing as The Bruiserweight is a good friend of the future Hall of Famer and, as such, Reed wants to harm Sheamus in any way he can — though I suppose that doesn’t extend to an actual match against Sheamus…
… seeing as he told Sheamus no when offered one.
Besides, Dunne could use some bookings with his New Catch Republic teammate, Tyler Bate, currently rehabbing a real-life injury.
As I said: filler match, albeit with a little bit of purpose behind it.
Dunne was looking for the upset and Reed’s overconfidence bit him in the ass immediately after the bell rang, effectively being knocked around and having some joints manipulated before he realized his mission on Monday wasn’t to actually lose.
A Tsunami made sure the match didn’t go beyond its time constraints.
What happened next is really what this match was all about: furthering the beef between Reed and Sheamus, as Reed tried to hit a beaten Dunne with another Tsunami before Sheamus ran out and began beating on him with the help of Dunne.
“Big” Bronson wasn’t done with Dunne until…#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/5rQbA4buT3
— WWE (@WWE) July 9, 2024
There was even a side mission achieved: an air of resentment from Dunne to Sheamus that can be built upon to keep The Bruiserweight relevant until his tag team partner returns.
Braun Strowman + The Awesome Truth vs. Finn Balor + JD McDonough + Carlito (TJD)
Result: TJD wins clean (pinfall)
Reaction: Strowman isn’t chasing McDonough and Balor around the entire arena this time, at least not to begin this match, but that’s just a reminder that there’s plenty of smoke that’s been handed out to The Judgment Day at the hands of The Monster Amongst Men. He’s teaming up with R. Truth and The Miz this time around though, seeing as they have plenty of reason to want to get their hands on them as well.
After all, the only reason Balor and McDonough have the WWE Men’s Tag Team titles is because Truth was manipulated by Liv Morgan into taking the match, only to then be double crossed by the WWE Women’s World Champion during the match.
The Miz was livid, but R. Truth promised they’d get the titles back at Summerslam in the hometown of The Miz, Cleveland, but that’s not until Aug. 3.
TJD had no interest in letting The Awesome Truth finish dropping their bars during their introduction and interrupted it with punches and kicks before Strowman made his way out of the locker room to break up the brouhaha and giving momentum back to R. Truth and The Miz who passed out Attitude Adjustments and Five Knuckle Shuffles — perfectly timed with Cena’s news, by the way (though R. Truth always does it as homage to his favorite wrestler).
For now, it’s about exacting whatever revenge they can.
This one hits different now. 😔❤️#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/ANHPN5AT5i
— WWE (@WWE) July 9, 2024
Things were well in hand for the good guys until R. Truth took his eye off of the ball, lost himself in celebrating endlessly with the crowed and then got rolled up and pinned, as The Miz stared frustratingly at him from outside of the ring.
Is there trouble bubbling within one of the best friendships in WWE?
Ilja Dragunov vs. Bron Breakker
Result: Dragunov wins by disqualification
Reaction: The last two times these guys met, they blew the roof off of the arena and there was zero reason to believe the third installment would be any different. Not so long ago, it was Ricochet teaming with Dragunov in their mutual hatred of Breakker, who assaulted them both backstage during his pre-King of the Ring rampage, and Dragunov is simply fed up with Breakker’s antics in catching superstars off-guard.
And it’s not as if they haven’t already gone toe-to-toe on many occasions throughout their successful NXT runs.
It has all spilled over easily and sensationally onto the Red brand.
They got right to standing on business in Ottawa.
As in the previous matchups, it was a show of power versus athleticism, with the caveat that, to a degree, they both possess each attribute. Dragunov tried deploying strategy that involved taking out the legs of Breakker, a smart move when considering that’s where his spear power is housed, but Breakker was none the wiser in avoiding that tactic.
A power bomb off of the top rope worked nicely though for Dragunov, though.
Breakker would regain his wits while Dragunov tried to power up instead of continuing his onslaught and the Gorilla Press that included knees to Dragunov’s midsection served as a meat tenderizer for an inevitable spear attempt to come.
Because strategy, that’s why.
Who throws a chair?
HONESTLY. pic.twitter.com/uyADK50ipt
— WWE (@WWE) July 9, 2024
What wasn’t strategy, however, was Breakker tossing one of the ring announcer chairs at the face of Dragunov, resulting in a disqualification.
Zayn reappeared to get the last word … er … um … fist … against Breakker after the events that transpired earlier in the evening, but it backfired as Zayn again ended up being the one put down.
DESTROY
BRON
DESTROY#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/oK5p23tBNm— WWE (@WWE) July 9, 2024
So … about that rematch …
Hi, Cleveland.
Damage CTRL vs. Lyra Valkyria, Katana Chance, Kayden Carter
Result: Damage CTRL wins clean (pinfall)
Reaction: Valkyria is looking to hit a soft reset after not leaving Toronto with the MITB briefcase, though she did put forth an excellent effort. Now in Ottawa for RAW, she’s teaming up with Katana Chance and Kayden Carter to teach Damage CTRL a lesson — Iyo Sky having also participated (and lost) in the MITB ladder match two nights prior.
This match also comes one week after a backstage brawl involving the six ladies.
Dakota Kai and Kairi Sane are doing whatever it takes to try and appease Sky and, as a result, to hopefully keep Damage CTRL intact going forward.
Losing to Valkyria, Chance and Carter would probably serve as a death blow to the faction, considering Chance and Carter — while talented — has mostly been used lately to make others look good and not at all to enjoy any sort of push of their own.
They looked crisp in this one, as they often do, using their chemistry and expanding it to include Valkyria with certain gymnastics.
Sky and Sane are simply too legendary in their own right to not figure out a way to get back into the fight, however, and it was big trouble for the other three once they got going in combination with Dakota Kai. Kai did nearly forced Chance to tap out midway through the match, after all.
By far the best move of the match was a triple suplex by the faces to the heels.
You won’t see that every week, or month.
Damage CTRL has finally met their match on #WWERaw! pic.twitter.com/MaxizNBjE4
— WWE (@WWE) July 9, 2024
An Over the Moonsault by Iyo Sky ended this one, but that didn’t mean it was over. Out of the crowd, dressed in all black, was Shayna Baszler, Zoey Stark and …. SONYA DEVILLE?!
DeVille, a former women’s tag champion with Chelsea Green who was forced to vacate her belt (Piper Niven then picked it up) due to a torn ACL, is officially cleared medically and she’s joined up with two of the best in the women’s division and that can only mean a whole mess of bad news for Damage CTRL
Liv Morgan + Dom Mysterio vs. Rey Mysterio + Zelina Vega
Result: TBD
Reaction: TBD
