WWE Raw Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from May 7

On the heels of WWE Backlash, the Raw brand wasted little time setting its sights on the June 17 Money in the Bank pay-per-view.

Three qualifying matches took place, featuring some of the brand's most prominent competitors.

Braun Strowman and Finn Balor cashed their tickets to the monumental pay-per-view, while the challenge of a new foe confronted Roman Reigns in the form of former WWE champion Jinder Mahal.

Ember Moon made her presence felt, advancing to the event, while the rivalry between Sasha Banks, Bayley and The Riott Squad heated up.

Seth Rollins stole the show (again), and Bobby Roode and Elias brought their rivalry to a head.

What else went down Monday night?

Find out now with this recap of the USA Network broadcast.

Kurt Angle Opens Raw

Raw general manager Kurt Angle kicked off the show and touted WWE's nonstop schedule before turning his attention to Money in the Bank.

He announced Raw and SmackDown will each have their own men and women's Money in the Bank ladder matches.

Braun Strowman eventually interrupted his opening promo, entering the arena to a huge pop, followed by chants of "get these hands."

Strowman told a story of knocking a tree down as a kid, to which Angle responded by saying if anyone deserves a spot in the Money in the Bank ladder match, it is The Monster Among Men.

Kevin Owens interrupted the proceedings and took exception, saying it is him who deserves to be in the match. He called himself the MVP of Raw and even claimed to respect the rules. He pointed out the illegal man was pinned in the tag team match at Backlash and said it is him that is on a roll, not Strowman.

The verbal confrontation ended with the announcement of Strowman vs. Owens to start the show.

Grade

C

Analysis

These opening segments are so tiresome at this point it is a wonder WWE management has not figured out a new or fresh way to present the opening of the show.

The "interrupted opening promo leading to a match" is so dated and predictable, it is amazing people even bother tuning in.

At least it should set up a strong match.

Money in the Bank Qualifier: Braun Strowman vs. Kevin Owens

Strowman dominated the competition early, tossing Owens around the squared circle.

A tornado DDT from the guardrail by KO led to him momentarily seizing control of the match. A missed blind charge into the corner added to Owens' control.

Strowman answered with a chokeslam, but the big man could not put his opponent down. A frog splash from Owens earned him a two-count and had The Prizefighter surging.

Unfortunately, his momentum was short-lived, as Strowman bowled over him on two separate occasions at ringside. Owens tried to roll out of harm's way once more, but Strowman bulldozed him one more time, wiping him out.

The powerslam ended Owens' misery and advanced Strowman to the upcoming Raw Money in the Bank match.

Result

Strowman defeated Owens

Grade

B+

Analysis

After weeks of watching Strowman work one-sided squash matches, it was nice to see him back in a hotly contested bout. Even nicer? The fact that Owens was presented as a very real threat to The Monster Among Men's win streak.

It has been so long since fans have been reminded of how good Owens is when he isn't bickering with authority figures that it was refreshing to see the former universal champion hang with a legitimate main eventer.

Hopefully, this is the start of many good things back on Raw for Owens.

And the jumping-off point for Strowman's Money in the Bank run.

No Way Jose and Titus Worldwide vs. The Revival and Baron Corbin

The war between Baron Corbin and No Way Jose bled over into Six-Man Tag Team action Monday night, as The Lone Wolf teamed with The Revival to battle Jose and Titus Worldwide.

Apollo Crews found himself on the receiving end of a punishing, targeted attack by Corbin, Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder.

A hot tag to Jose began the babyface comeback.

As the action broke down, Corbin received a blind tag. Jose took out Dawson but turned right into the End of Days from Corbin, who picked up the win for the heels.

Result

Corbin and The Revival defeated No Way Jose and Titus Worldwide

Grade

C+

Analysis

This is the strangest collection of talent in one ring in quite a while.

With that said, it was an entertaining little six-man tag while it lasted. All six Superstars are alumni of NXT, and their chemistry was strong enough.

Corbin picking up the win was essential if he is to thrive whenever his push ignites.

Everyone else, like it or not, has a definite limit on their success at this point in their runs.

Money in the Bank Qualifier: Sasha Banks vs. Ember Moon vs. Ruby Riott

Just 24 hours after defeating Bayley, Ruby Riott battled Sasha Banks and Ember Moon in a Triple Threat Money in the Bank qualifier.

The action was fast and furious to start before Riott seized control, laying in a few kicks to Moon and Banks. The former NXT star known as The Shenom nearly scored a pinfall victory over Riott but could not put her opponent away.

Riott and Moon paired off while Banks recovered on the floor.

With Sarah Logan and Liv Morgan watching from ringside, Riott controlled the match, outwrestling both of her opponents.

As the action progressed, The Legit Boss exploded back into the match, wiping out Morgan and Logan at ringside. Moon took the fight to Riott, drawing a dramatic near-fall as chants of "yes!" broke out.

Late, Riott delivered a headscissors from the top rope. Banks countered into a roll-up, but Logan and Morgan legally broke up the pin. Bayley hit the ring, making the save for her friend.

Back in the squared circle, Banks and Riott were momentarily distracted, allowing Moon to scale the ropes and come off with an Eclipse to Riott. Three seconds later, and she had cashed her ticket to Money in the Bank.

Result

Moon defeated Riott and Banks

Grade

B+

Analysis

This was a fun, high-energy match that gave Moon a huge win while furthering the ongoing rivalry between Bayley, Banks and The Riott Squad.

This time, the rivalry between the two teams cost both of them an opportunity to earn a championship match at any time they please. That is a huge blow that is the direct result of their feud. It is time for them to finish things, presumably at Money in the Bank.

Moon can, and should, be a huge star on Monday nights. This was a great way to kick off a potential push.

Chad Gable vs. Jinder Mahal

A week after suffering a major upset loss to Chad Gable, former WWE and United States champion Jinder Mahal squared off with the 2012 Olympian in singles competition, seeking to avenge the embarrassment from last Monday's broadcast.

Gable delivered a rolling heel kick right off the bat, stunning his more decorated opponent. The former tag team champion caught Mahal off guard on more than one occasion, using his speed and agility to frustrate The Modern Day Maharaja.

Mahal gained control of the match, working the midsection of Gable, wearing the smaller Superstar down.

Gable fought out and mounted a comeback, including a 1-2-3 Kid-esque moonsault that nearly scored him another upset victory.

A running knee to the face halted Gable's momentum, though, allowing Mahal to refocus himself.

The Khallas by Mahal allowed him to pick up the much-needed win and, maybe, earn a Money in the Bank qualifying match.

Result

Mahal defeated Gable

Grade

B+

Analysis

These two have some fun chemistry between the ropes.

Mahal as the overwhelming villain and Gable as the gutsy babyface keeping him off guard throughout the contest is a formula that works well. This time, Mahal scored the win to help build some momentum after weeks of losing.

While some will insist Gable should have gone over, he works well as the underdog, capable of beating anyone on any night.

Mahal needed the win more, and now he could figure prominently into the build to June's Money in the Bank pay-per-view.

Heath Slater and Rhyno vs. Drew McIntyre and Dolph Ziggler

Former tag team champions Rhyno and Heath Slater made a rare appearance on Raw Monday night.

They had the unfortunate task of battling the focused, dangerous duo of Drew McIntyre and Dolph Ziggler.

Rhyno surprisingly rode his strength advantage to early control over Ziggler, and Slater followed up with some early success of his own.

Ziggler wormed his way out of the grasp of Slater and tagged in the imposing Scot.

McIntyre dominated Slater, delivered a big headbutt to Rhyno that knocked the Man Beast off the apron and joined Ziggler for a combination Claymore/Zig Zag for another impressive win.

Result

McIntyre and Ziggler defeated Rhyno and Slater

Grade

B

Analysis

Ziggler and McIntyre are in the midst of a considerable push, and they are making the most of it, delivering weekly performances that are intense and convincing.

This win was relatively one-sided and sparked by the dominance of McIntyre.

At one point, Michael Cole told the story of Ziggler feeling stagnant and hoping McIntyre would spark his return to relevance. That may be far closer to reality than storyline, as Ziggler already feels fresher and more interesting than he has in a year.

Another great showing from an intriguing new team.

Bobby Roode vs. Elias

Elias cut a promo about his less-than-stellar night at Backlash, but Bobby Roode interrupted him, setting up a match between the two for the third week in a row.

Roode dominated early, driving Elias to the sanctuary of the arena floor heading into the break.

Elias gained control of the bout, though, wearing Roode down and applying a crossface. Resilient, Roode reached the ropes, necessitating a break.

Roode fought his way back into the match, and a back-and-forth between the competitors ensued. Roode delivered a big spinebuster but could net only a two-count.

At one point, Elias attempted to send the TNA Wrestling alumnus into an exposed turnbuckle but was stopped. Moments later, the sinister songster ran his mouth, only to eat a Glorious DDT from Roode, who finally exorcised the demon that is Elias and scored a huge win.

Result

Roode defeated Elias

Grade

B

Analysis

Can this be the end of the program for now?

Roode and Elias have worked each other since the Superstar Shake-up, and while there is nothing inherently wrong with their in-ring work, it is a match that has been overexposed in the last month. Roode got his big win, he silenced the big-mouth heel and all is right with the world.

It is time to move on for both men.

Seth Rollins vs. Mojo Rawley

Seth Rollins made his way to the squared circle, one night after successfully defending his Intercontinental Championship against The Miz in a stellar match at Backlash.

He reiterated his desire to be on Raw every week, to perform for the fans and to be the champion they deserve. With all the hype and excitement for Money in the Bank, an event he knows a thing or two about, he issued an open challenge for the Intercontinental Championship.

Mojo Rawley hit the ring, talked trash on hometown boy Zack Ryder and accepted the challenge.

The former Hype Bro seized early control, dodging a Rollins dive and leaving him lying on the arena floor.

Rawley controlled the match, keeping his faster and agiler opponent grounded. That is until The Architect mounted a comeback that saw him fire up and deliver two straight suicide dives to the floor, followed by a blockbuster for a near-fall.

Rawley again seized control, but his inability to put the champion away gave way to considerable frustration on the part of the former Green Bay Packer.

Chants of "burn it down" filled the arena as fans attempted to will Rollins back into the match.

The champion met a charging Rawley with a superkick, and the Blackout from Rollins earned him a successful title defense.

Result

Rollins defeated Rawley

Grade

A

Analysis

Seth Rollins is the best wrestler in all of WWE right now.

That may be a loaded statement, but every week his work speaks for itself.

Here, he took Rawley and delivered a strong and hotly contested match that told a story and kept the crowd on its feet for the near-falls. It was further proof of Rollins' greatness and Rawley's raw, untapped potential.

Without an obvious path to Money in the Bank for Rollins, a weekly open challenge is far from the worst idea to maintain his momentum.

Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt vs. Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel

The Raw tag team champions returned to action Monday, as Woken Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt battled the duo formerly known as The Miztourage, Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel.

Axel and Dallas isolated Hardy for the majority of the match, keeping him grounded and away from his partner.

That continued until the Side Effect fueled Hardy's hot tag to Wyatt and a champions comeback.

The Eater of Worlds attacked with ferocity and, ultimately, joined Hardy for a double Sister Abigail for the win.

Result

Hardy and Wyatt defeated Dallas and Axel

Grade

C

Analysis

What does it mean for the champions when they clearly are not as good or polished a duo as Axel and Dallas?

Yes, you have to give Hardy and Wyatt the benefit of the doubt given the fact that they have not partnered for an extended period of time. In the same breath, it is difficult to give them a pass considering they were given a tag title run so early in their partnership with no real proof that it will pan out or be a success.

They have not been particularly impressive to this point, though they are working on double-team maneuvers that will (hopefully) make them a more cohesive team as the weeks and months pass.

Dallas and Axel may not be a flashy team, but they are certainly better than their basement-dwelling spot on the tag team roster would suggest. They just need a win or two to build momentum for themselves.

Money in the Bank Qualifier: Roman Reigns vs. Sami Zayn vs. Finn Balor

The second spot in the Money in the Bank ladder match was up for grabs in the main event of Monday's show, as Roman Reigns, Finn Balor and Sami Zayn met in an action-packed Triple Threat match.

Balor and Zayn wisely worked over Reigns, the action spilling from the ring to the floor and into the stands. There, the celebrated veterans of the independent circuit left The Big Dog lying, seemingly cutting one of the opponents out of the equation and bringing the qualifying match to a one-on-one setting.

Late in the match, Reigns exploded back into the fray, delivering a massive clothesline and the Drive-By.

In the ring, he was rolling, targeting Balor for his trademark spear.

Instead, an interfering Jinder Mahal pulled him to the mat and down to the floor, having talked trash on the second-generation star earlier in the night.

Balor capitalized, delivering the corner dropkick and the Coup de Grace on Zayn to cash his ticket to Money in the Bank.

Result

Balor defeated Zayn and Reigns

Grade

B+

Analysis

Might WWE finally have found the one Superstar fans will actually cheer Reigns over in Mahal?

It remains to be seen, but the tease of a rivalry between them is a welcome one, if only because it is a relatively fresh match in a day and age where WWE tends to deliver far too many retreads.

The match itself was smartly wrestled, as Balor and Zayn were given the most to do while Reigns exploded back into the match late, hitting his trademark stuff to pop the crowd.

Balor going over for a spot in the ladder match is probably for the best given his previous performances in the gimmick bout, while Zayn appears to be on a collision course with buddy Kevin Owens if recent booking is any indication.