Monday night Raw was the Seth Freakin’ Rollins show this week as the Architect defended his WWE World Heavyweight title for the first time.
Rollins hit the ring to officially issue his open challenge for the title but was soon greeted by the Judgement Day’s Finn Balor and Damian Priest.
Priest announced his intent to take up the gauntlet to kick off a wild show.
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Raw results and Highlights: Monday 5 June 2023
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Becky Lynch def. Sonya Deville – Money in the Bank Qualifying Match
Becky Lynch overcame the meddling of Trish Stratus and Zoey Stark to punch her ticket to Money in the Bank.
Sonya Deville started strong, but as Lynch flipped the script, the WWE Hall of Famer and her newcomer sidekick entered the picture.
Despite Chelsea Green, Trish Stratus and Zoey Stark circling the ring, a Manhandle Slam propelled Lynch into the Money in the Bank Ladder Match.
Gunther def. Kevin Owens – Non-Title Match
Kevin Owens lost his cool during a backstage altercation with Imperium, and he used his rage to attack Gunther.
The Ring General rallied and started to unleash thunder on his adversary, but KO persisted in fighting back after being knocked out out of his boots by back-to-back kicks.
Owens shook the ring with a pair of Superkicks, a cannonball, and a follow-up Fisherman Buster that almost knocked out the Intercontinental Champion.
Sami Zayn assisted his partner in repelling the Imperium as they attempted to tip the scales, but Gunther was able to escape with a roll-up victory when Ludwig Kaiser was hit with a stunner.
Ronda Rousey & Shayna Baszler def. Kayden Carter & Katana Chance
Kayden Carter and Katana Chance set out to bring the party in their Raw debut, but the demons of Monday night Ronda Rousey and Shayna Baszler, have a long history as party-crashers.
The newcomers had it rolling for a while, and their tandem offense, known as The After Party, nearly took out The Baddest Woman on the Planet until Baszler dived in to make the save.
The champions grounded and pounded the newcomers before Baszler definitively demonstrated her technical supremacy with a Kirifuda Clutch that forced Carter to tap-out.
Ricochet vs. Shinsuke Nakamura ends in No Contest
Ricochet and Shinsuke Nakamura both hope to win the Money in the Bank contract, but only if Bronson Reed doesn’t destroy them both first.
Ricochet demonstrated his superior aerial skills with a running Shooting Star Press while fending off an Exploder from The King of Strong Style.
As the fight heated up, Bronson Reed would charge in and leave both Superstars sprawled in the ring after a stereo Tsunamis.
Zoey Stark def. Natalya – Money in the Bank Qualifying Match
In little time at all, Zoey Stark established herself on Raw, and this time, she did so at The BOAT’s expense.
Natalya had Stark caught in a Sharpshooter, and up until she wriggled her way to the ropes, the former NXT champion appeared destined to follow in the footsteps of so many other Superstars.
The red brand newcomer continually focused on The BOAT’s damaged leg, while Trish Stratus used the sneakiest strategy.
The intervention of the WWE Hall of Famer gave Stark the chance to hit a Z360 and secure her place in the Money in the Bank Ladder Match.
Indus Sher’s vicious attack forces referee to call off match against Cedric Alexander & Shelton Benjamin
Before the opening bell, Veer & Sango unleashed carnage and forced the official to stop the match before it even began.
Seth “Freakin” Rollins def. Damian Priest – World Heavyweight Title Match
In his first World Heavyweight Title defense, Seth “Freakin” Rollins delivered on his promise to the WWE Universe to be a new kind of champion.
The decision to go alone without The Judgment Day at ringside was made earlier in the evening by Damian Priest, and it appeared to give the challenger more confidence.
Later, Finn Bálor would ignore that order, and the bout would get chaotic. Rollins almost lost the championship when he returned to the ring and was hit with a clothesline and a South of Heaven. The Visionary persevered, and when the chance arose, the hardworking champion landed The Stomp to hold onto the top spot for the red brand.
DStv subscribers can rewatch Raw on the Catchup option or consult the guide for a scheduled repeat on the WWE Channel.
