RAW Fallout ─ Money in the Bank 2026

How’s It Going, Enthusiasts?

 

How’d you like Money in the Bank? Yeah, it wasn’t the most exciting PPV but it was cleanly executed, for the most part, I’ll give them that. There have been worse so, I’m not going to harp on it too much but I can understand the general chatter of it being “subpar” but only in its lack of creativity. I’ll get into that later. It was a sort of eventful weekend so, let’s have the discussion. I agree with some of the sentiments out there but not all.

 

We’ll start off in the Independent Wilderness as I was introduced to the village of House of Glory (HOG) Wrestling this weekend. It popped up in my feed. Mainly due to Tommaso Ciampa taking a little break from AEW to main event counter to this Charles Mason fellow. Not sure the kids know what the moniker references but do your research. The real dude was…something. I can see why Mason aligns himself with such company, you could definitely say he plays “psychopathic”.

 

Naturally, I was more taken in by word that the re-embraced Tommy End and Xelina would be in action against the “eccentric” Lio Rush and the non-judgmental Shotzi Blackheart. It was a fun throwdown. Rush proved impressive despite “personal issues” while Xelina and End proved why they’re well known. Ms. Blackheart however seems to be in “putting people over” mode ‘cause she took the L on MLW a couple weeks ago and then got the black sludge knocked out of her by both End and Xelina.

 

The Mixed Tag was provocative from start to finish ‘cause the ladies showed willingness to “box” with the men. It’s a murky area ‘cause it’s a bad look on the guy no matter what and I would say the same could be said for this evening ‘cause it was End who finally broke with tradition and let Blackheart have it. Guess it’s okay as long as it’s not his wife 🤷‍♀️ Rush gave End a few things to think about in defense of Blackheart’s honor but in the end Xelina choked out Blackheart with a leglock and End dispatched of Rush with a clean Black Mass.

 

It all seemed to be for the show so I’m not offended but it does color the husband/wife duo of End and Xelina as a different kind of ruthless…Not sure it’s a bad thing. They technically should be however they need to be careful. People do like to make something out of nothing these days and it’s a headache that could infringe upon their marketability. We’ll see where they turn up next.

 

In the rogue City-State of MLW, last’s week action was marked by a good ole fashioned Hoss Fight as this Damo gentlemen took on just as big of a mess in Wolfgang. It was all you’d want when you got too big men in there clashing. Of course, there was other stuff going on but that is what stuck out for me.

 

In the Realm of AEW, we got to see the rest of their French Tour on Collision. Points of note for me were the Riders of Death joining forces to best the Conglomeration. Even Marina Shafir and Willow Nightingale got to play in this one so it was a lively affair. I took note of how Claudio Catagnoli made a bid for us not to forget about him as he gave us a formidable display.

 

I found the exchange between Shafir and Roderick “Krista’s Dad” Strong interesting. Now that I know that they’re married to each other, you can’t help but think it was some form of foreplay. Guess Shafir wins this round. The Riders took the W here which I suppose makes up for the loss that happened on last week’s Dynamite.

 

There was a Rider promo to partake of as well. Jon Moxley started it off cryptically with what we’ll call “inspired rhythmic movement”. It’s to be expected in a way. It can happen when one shares stars with the “Lizard King”. The one thing we must all remember, however, is that no one is going to care about pro-wrestling more than those who Ride Death. This devotion is what makes them the true standard for excellence.

 

Debatable but the passion is noted, especially from Shafir. Now, that a new future must manifest, we’re beginning to see who may have more presence going forward. Personally, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Riders fracture down the line due to how to best emulate devotion to the cause. Who cares about it more? Who’s willing to sacrifice more? Now, in theory we all know who made the “ultimate sacrifice” but who will prove to honor life by serving pro-wrestling? Who’s really willing to do the work? What that is and how to do it could differ and lead to some of the Riders to break and perhaps form a new “denomination”. It’s nothing that has to happen now but it’s certainly something to contemplate for the future. We’ll see what comes to be, but I’ll just say I wouldn’t be surprised if Shafir establishes her own “congregation” someday.

 

Over in the WWE Universe, we had Money in the Bank and the general consensus seems to be, no disrespect to the performers but the booking sucked. This sort of complaint is always lost on me because the last thing I’m looking at is the booking. That’s just not what I take in when it comes to pro-wrestling. I want to be entertained by a “good fight”. That’s about it. I don’t care if everyone draws numbers before a show and that’s how the matches are done. Get with your pair or group and that’s what we’re doing. Couldn’t care less as long as it’s fun action.

 

What’s been swimming through my feed are questions of why this and why that and LA Knight is never going to win big and same ole boring Bloodline shit. And what’s the point of Liv Morgan winning? I don’t really care, it’s up to WWE Brass to make it work, ‘cause that’s essentially what’s going to go down anyway. Whatever they want.

 

However, with a disgruntled fanbase they find a challenge ‘cause the only way they can really do that is if no one is complaining. Kinda hard to do when this fanbase seems to pride themselves in bitching. Well, it’s the hole they dug themselves, if you ask me.

 

I didn’t mind Money in the Bank. I thought it was a bit subdued, though. The stakes weren’t very high and a lot of it was more or less forgone conclusion so, I can understand the lukewarm response. However, no one seemed to be upset at the action itself which speaks to the underlying problems of uninspired action. Again, what is Creative for when they don’t know how to “create”? Like I keep saying, when it comes to be release time again, some of these “writers” better go too. They don’t seem to understand the assignment.

 

In any case, I thought LA Knight did a great job. That was probably the best match I’ve seen him in, despite the semi-botch trying to bodyslam Roman Reigns’ heavy ass into the Announce Table. Like I said on the Twitters/X, I can see Knight with a Title not sure about “The Title” but a Title. If he’s ever to really get a chance, he’d have to be “smart about it”. Win the Money in the Bank and capitalize at a “crucial time” or otherwise use an expertly placed contingency to finagle his way to victory, playing the system so to speak. The possibility needs a level playing field and let’s admit that is not the WWE Universe.

 

However, some savvy could have a contender playing the game against itself and letting its own machinations lead to victory. It could last as long as the fans cheer it or get bored. Fans do lose interest. That’s basically what I pitched for Mr. End if he ever returns to WWE. He’d just have to “devise” a path to the Championship. It’s unlikely it’d ever be given to him. I don’t see why it couldn’t work for others, it’d just have to be accented with their given strengths.

 

But I digress. Back to the MITB Matches. I think both were solid. I think the Ladies played a little harder but they had more to prove. Not sure it was the smartest idea for Stratton to continue with that bump she took on the ladder spot but since she was slated to win, I guess she felt she had to carry on.

 

My feed was full of speculative posts on the true feelings of our players. Roxanne Perez sported the sourest of pouts but that’s to be expected. I’m expecting to see it develop her character.

 

The Men’s was hard to call from start to finish but I liked the melodrama with Je’Von Evans. Taken out in an ambulance only to “drive himself back” to take a spot through the ambulance ceiling. Should have stayed at the hospital if you ask me 😉 I was a little disappointed in Kevin Owens and Trick Williams. I suppose they just played their parts since it was clear that Bron Breakker had to show he’s a “difference maker”. Owens and Williams got taken out and they might as well have slinked off backstage.

 

CM Punk did his job of making a good go of it. He could have won if he wasn’t 75 years old. So, that basically left Penta (Lucha-Mitsu) to take the contract. I’m not mad at it.

 

And so, that leaves us tonight’s RAW Fallout. We can expect to see Rey Mysterio get his slingshot and take on Big Cass. Chad Gable and Rey Fenix will honor the Pro-Wrestling Gods with the Intercontinental Championship Match. The Bloodline will hopefully put together an effective gameplan to finally deal with this 946 problem. And we’ll get an idea of what our MITB winners plan for their future Championship runs.

 

I’ll get started right after I post this sucker so do whatever you gotta do to get settled for your evening. I’ll be doing it too.

 

See You in a Bit,

-Nicole Alexis (^_~)