This week’s episode of WWE Raw emanates from Tulsa, Oklahoma! The final Money in the Bank qualifiers take place. Women’s Intercontinental Champion Lyra Valkyria calls out Becky Lynch. The Judgment Day take on the War Raiders, and more!
We break it all down in this week’s WWE Raw recap!
We Hear From CM Punk
Punk says it’s the summer of Punk time. Punk recalls being a two-time Money in the Bank winner, and declares he will soon be a three-time holder. Punk calls out his potential targets if he wins it, Jey Uso and John Cena. Punk says Cena is public enemy number one. Punk recalls always having Cena’s number and vows to pick his bones after he wins MITB. Punk declares it is time he becomes world champion one more time.
Sami Zayn’s music hits. Zayn says it is no secret that he too has ambitions to become world champion, but his ambitions were thwarted by Seth Rollins and crew. Zayn says Punk must win his MITB qualifier tonight. Zayn reiterates that Punk has to think about his task at hand, so he can be in MITB and prevent Rollins from claiming the briefcase. Zayn says if Rollins wins, WWE will turn into something they don’t like. Zayn adds that he wants Punk to win tonight too and guarantees that they will meet for the world title if Punk’s plan follows through. Punk says he looks forward to it.
Backstage, Roxanne Perez offers to help Liv Morgan in her MITB qualifier tonight. Morgan says she can help her by not interfering. Morgan runs into IYO SKY and tells her that she will cash in on her to get back the Women’s World Championship. SKY says it won’t happen.
Women’s MITB Qualifier: Liv Morgan vs. Stephanie Vaquer vs. Ivy Nile
Vaquer headbutts Morgan, then takes out Nile and Morgan with a crossbody. Vaquer drops Morgan to the mat, then follows up with Devil’s Kiss. She does the same to Nile until Morgan interrupts with a dropkick. Morgan hits the Three Amigos on Vaquer, with the third suplex landing on Nile. Morgan hip checks Vaquer and Nile in opposite corners. Vaquer rocks Morgan with a meteora. Nile German suplexes Morgan and Vaquer at the same time.
Back from break, Vaquer nails Morgan with a meteora in the corner. She then takes down Nile with a dragonscrew. Vaquer and Morgan trade strikes. Vaquer dodges an enziguri from Morgan. Morgan evades a dragonscrew. Nile sends Morgan and Vaquer crashing to the mat off the top rope with a superplex. Vaquer and Nile trade pinfall attempts. Morgan hits a double codebreaker. Morgan and Nile exchange blows. Morgan looks for Oblivion, but Vaquer kicks Nile to the outside and rolls up Morgan for a two count. Morgan hits another codebreaker and Oblivion on Vaquer. Nile tosses Morgan to the side and covers Vaquer. Morgan breaks it up. Nile sends Morgan crashing into steel steps on the outside. Nile returns to the ring and eats an SVB from Vaquer. Vaquer pins her for the win.
Winner: Stephanie Vaquer
Backstage, Paul Heyman extends his hand to AJ Styles. Styles asks what he wants. Heyman wishes Styles a happy birthday. Heyman brings Styles the gift of wisdom. Heyman tries making the case that the Money in the Bank briefcase comes with a lot of stress and implores Styles to focus on IC Champion Dominik Mysterio. Heyman also tells Styles to leave MITB to Seth Rollins. Styles says he is not buying what Heyman is selling. Styles adds that he doesn’t respond well to threats. Styles says he doesn’t care who tries to push him out because he will push back. Styles tells Heyman to tell Rollins he knows all about Rollins’ plan.
Elsewhere, Sheamus gives words of encouragement to Akira Tozawa. Sheamus says Rusev’s own WWE career imploded because of his own actions. Now that he’s back, Sheamus intends to put manners on Rusev before he goes to far. Sheamus says he bullies bullies.
Finn Balor & JD McDonagh vs. War Raiders
Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods are on commentary. Balor and Erik lock up. Erik takes him down with a shoulder tackle. McDonagh tags himself in and kicks Erik in the corner, the chops him. Erik knocks Balor off the apron, then tags in Ivar. Ivar drives McDonagh into the mat, then kicks Balor off the apron as well. Ivar sends McDonagh flying over the top rope and to the outside. Ivar slams Balor onto McDonagh. Erik then slams Ivar onto McDonagh. Ivar and Erik taunt the New Day, sends them bolting backwards in surprise. Kingston and Woods step forward and the referee ejects them.
Back from break, Balor stomps Ivar. McDonagh delivers an uppercut and boot to Ivar. Ivar counters his crossbody into a side slam. Erik tags in and wipes out Balor with a clothesline. He knocks down McDonagh as well. Erik sends McDonagh to the outside, then nails Balor with a pop-up headbutt. He follows up with a running knee for a near fall. McDonagh drags Erik to the outside. Balor drops an elbow on Ivar. McDonagh lands a moonsault on Erik. Ivar dodges a Coup de Grace, then takes down McDonagh with a spinning heel kick. He nails Balor with a cannonball in the corner. Ivar goes up top. Roxanne Perez hops up to the apron. McDonagh sends Ivar crashing into the top of the ring post as the referee waves off Perez. Balor follows up with a Coup De Grace for the win.
Winners: JD McDonagh & Finn Balor
After the match, Perez claps in celebration as McDonagh and Balor raise their hands in victory.
Backstage, Stephanie Vaquer says she’s feeling great after qualifying for MITB. Rhea Ripley enters the frame and shakes hands with Vaquer.
We Hear From Lyra Valkyria & Becky Lynch
Valkyria demands that Lynch come out to the ring. Lynch does. Lynch begins to talk, but Valkyria tells her to shut up. Valkyria calls her delusional and says her downfall needs to be studied. Valkyria says Lynch was right about Valkyria changing. Valkyria says that change is anger, though. Valkyria says no one has hurt her like Lynch has, but that hurt unlocked a hunger to destroy Lynch. Valkyria vows to make sure Lynch never tastes her Women’s IC Title. Lynch says the only thing poisoned is Valkyria’s perspective.
Lynch says Valkyria wanted an excuse to hate Lynch so she could replace her. Lynch says no one can do that though. Lynch claims she wanted to make Valkyria better, but that has since changed. Valkyria dares Lynch to put her money where her mouth is. Lynch says she doesn’t fight in Tulsa, then heads to the back. Valkyria follows and fires off the first shot. The two brawl on the stage, with officials separating them.
Jey Uso & Sami Zayn vs. Bron Breakker & Bronson Reed (w/ Paul Heyman)
Breakker shoulders Uso in the corner. Uso responds with a hip check. Breakker runs the ropes and charges at Uso with a shoulder tackle.
Back from break, Zayn chops Reed. Breakker rakes Zayn’s eyes as the referee talks to Reed. Breakker and Reed crush Zayn in the corner. Breakker follows up with a jumping knee. Reed strikes Zayn with an axe handle. They then go up top, with Zayn descending with a tornado DDT. Zayn tags in Uso. Reed tags in Breakker. Uso fires off right hands on Breakker. Uso follows up with a step-up kick. Breakker drops him with a pair of knees. Uso superkicks Breakker for a near fall. Uso locks in a sleeper hold on Breakker. Reed breaks it up with a senton, then crushes Zayn in the corner. Zayn dodges a splash from Reed on the apron. Zayn sends Breakker over the top rope and to the outside, then launches himself over the topes. Reed and Breakker catch him. Uso wipes out Breakker and Reed with a suicide dive. Seth Rollins runs in and stomps Uso on the outside.
Winners (by DQ): Jey Uso & Sami Zayn
After the match, Zayn fires off strikes on Rollins. Reed and Breakker position Zayn on the announce table. Reed goes up top. CM Punk whacks Breakker in the back with a steel chair, then hits Reed with it. He steps up to the apron and runs after Rollins. Rollins retreats up the ramp with Breakker and Reed. Rollins tells Breakker they have Punk right where they want him.
Backstage, Liv Morgan says she sees what Finn Balor is doing with getting Roxanne Perez involved in Judgment Day affairs. Balor says Perez came on a little strong with shoulder rubs, but he trusts Dominik Mysterio. Balor suggests Perez accompany Raquel Rodriguez to her match tonight. Morgan insists on doing it herself.
Kairi Sane vs. Raquel Rodriguez (w/ Liv Morgan)
Raquel and Sane lock up. Sane tries to roll up Raquel, but Raquel easily blocks it. Sane stuns her with a jawbreaker and a running forearm. Sane looks for a hurricanrana, but Raquel catches her and swings her into the apron. Raquel distracts the referee, allowing Morgan to kick Sane. Raquel rolls Sane back into the ring and covers her. Sane kicks out. Raquel wipes her out with a trio of clotheslines.
Raquel tosses Sane into the corner and delivers a series of back elbows. Raquel gets Sane up on her shoulders then rams her into the turnbuckle. Sane slaps Raquel, then headbutts her. Sane Ieaps off the top with a crossbody, only to get caught. Sane reverses Raquel’s attempts a powerslam. Raquel and Sane trade strikes. Sane takes Raquel off her feet, then kicks her neck. Sane fires off right hands, then hits a dropkick. Sane follows up with a blockbuster. Sane goes up top. Morgan hops up to the apron. IYO SKY runs down and takes out Morgan. Sane kicks Raquel’s head into the ring post, then finishes her off with an Insane Elbow for the win.
Winner: Kairi Sane
Backstage, Sami Zayn asks Karrion Kross why he is hovering over him. Kross claims Zayn is a liar to the people and to himself. Kross says Zayn is capable of doing terrible things and calls him a bad guy just like the rest of the locker room. Zayn says Kross is wrong. Kross says he might be wrong, but he also might be right.
Elsewhere, Gunther says the World Heavyweight Championship is personal to him. He says he can see Jey Uso is trying to be champion, but because Uso refuses to think with his head, Gunther is going to take the title back next week. Gunther is sure Uso will be there for Punk tonight if he needs tonight. Gunther says everyone can bet on their good friends Uso, but none of that should be the business of the world champion. Gunther says Uso is making it easy for him to win the title back right now. Gunther says his party will be over in a week. Uso points out that he made Gunther tap out.
Men’s MITB Qualifier: AJ Styles vs. El Grande Americano vs. CM Punk
Punk and Styles double team Americano in the corner, then send him flying to the outside. Punk and Styles lock up. Styles dropkicks Punk. Americano comes back in and takes down Styles with a crossbody. Americano then launches Styles across the ring with a hurricanrana. Punk rocks Americano with a running knee. Punk launches Styles into the ring post, then the corner. Americano knocks Styles off the apron. Punk tries to rip off Americano’s mask, but Americano slingshots him off the top rope. Americano levels Punk with a cannonball to the outside. He then bounces Styles off the commentary table.
Back from break, Punk elbows Styles from off the top. He takes down Americano with clotheslines and a spinning neckbreaker. Punk nails Americano and Styles with running knees. Americano suplexes Styles across the ring. Americano delivers a crossbody to Punk. Punk sets up for the GTS, but Styles then drives them both into the mat. Americano dodges a Styles Clash and counters into a ankle lock. Americano then counters a GTS into an ankle lock. Punk rolls through. Styles hits the Style Clash on Americano. Punk breaks up the subsequent pinfall attempt.
Punk and Styles trade strikes. Punk levels Styles with a neckbreaker. Punk positions Americano on the top rope. Styles rips Punk off. Americano leaps off the top to wipe them both out. Americano goes up top and misses a moonsault. Punk hits a GTS. Bron Breakker pulls Punk out of the ring before he can get a pinfall on Americano. Breakker and Bronson Reed beat down on Punk. Jey Uso and Sami Zayn run down to neutralize them. Zayn accidently pushes Reed into Styles. Styles wipes out the four men with a springboard dive. Americano puts a metal plate into his mask. Styles looks for the Phenomenal Forearm, but Americano catches him with a headbutt for the win.
Winner: El Grande Americano
Post-match, Punk lays in punches on Breakker. Seth Rollins runs down and brawls with Punk. Punk sets up for a GTS, but Breakker spears him. Zayn takes down Breakker, only for Reed to attack him from behind. Rollins stomps Zayn, then Punk. Uso superkicks Breakker and Reed, but Rollins catches him with a chokehold. Breakker spears him, then Rollins follows with a stomp. Reed goes up top and delivers a pair of Tsunamis to Uso.