Here’s a rewritten version of the content:
Disliked: Repetitive Storytelling
Roman Reigns is set to defend his title against LA Knight at Money in the Bank, which meant Reigns made one of his rare appearances on this Monday’s show to build up their feud. On paper, this encounter shouldn’t have been hard to enjoy. Knight is a strong talker and popular with fans, while Reigns carries an undeniable presence even when his delivery slumps. However, the segment fell flat because there wasn’t much fresh material to explore. The feud’s narrative feels stuck in a loop: Knight demanding a shot, The Bloodline denying him, Reigns absent or uninvolved, followed by confrontations that do little to advance the story. Tonight’s interaction felt disconnected and shallow, as Reigns merely reminded everyone of his status without showing genuine engagement with Knight. This ended up feeling like filler before the actual match, which is frustrating given the limited chances Reigns has to appear and promote the top title fight.
By Max Everett
Liked: Roxanne Perez Shines in an Enjoyable Tag Match
The women’s division on “SmackDown” hasn’t impressed recently, so a solid women’s tag match on “Raw” was a breath of fresh air. Sol Ruca and Lola Vice teamed up against Judgment Day’s Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez, and thankfully Liv Morgan was absent due to her No. 1 contender’s match later in the night. Perez secured the win for her team with a clever roll-up after some accidental chaos, giving her much-needed momentum ahead of the upcoming Money in the Bank ladder match. While it wasn’t a flashy victory, it was an important boost, considering Perez’s struggles with wins in 2026 aside from a couple of key qualifiers. The match itself was lively and helped showcase Ruca and Vice, with Vice clearly ready for main roster spotlight. This bout highlighted three of the six women competing in the Money in the Bank, creating anticipation for Saturday’s event and leaving fans hoping Perez might walk away with the briefcase.
By Daisy Ruth
Disliked: Solo Sikoa Rejoins The Bloodline
Solo Sikoa’s decision to rejoin The Usos in their upcoming six-man tag against The 946 is understandable but disappointing. WWE had spent weeks building Sikoa’s babyface partnership with LA Knight and crafting a storyline of Sikoa seeking his own path separate from his family legacy. Having him align with The Bloodline again feels like a narrative step backwards and complicates the storyline unnecessarily. If revenge against The 946 is the goal, wouldn’t it make more sense to wait until after Money in the Bank to have Knight support Sikoa? While some fans may enjoy this reunion, it doesn’t resonate as much for those invested in Sikoa’s face character development.
By Olivia Quinlan
Liked: Lyra Valkyria’s Character Growth
Lyra Valkyria has been impressing lately with her character work, exemplified in a backstage discussion with Byron Saxton. When asked about her losses and why she isn’t at the top of the women’s division, Valkyria confidently asserted she’s the full package and questioned what more she must do. She pointed out breaking up her tag team with Bayley and beating her twice, despite Bayley costing her a shot at the Money in the Bank ladder match and contributing to her loss against IYO SKY. Bayley then entered the segment, asserting control over when their rivalry ends. Their storyline is a welcome departure from typical women’s division tropes, focusing on substantive rivalry rather than clichés. Both Bayley and Valkyria consistently deliver captivating promos and matches with fresh storytelling, making their storyline a standout element in WWE right now. Valkyria’s mix of in-ring skill, mic talent, and character depth position her as a rising star if WWE decides to push her.
By Samantha Schipman
Disliked: Overbooked Finish in No. 1 Contender Match
The main event’s result—a triple threat for the Women’s World Championship at Money in the Bank—felt predictable, and the journey there was marred by excessive interference. While the triple threat setup itself is exciting, it would have been better to set it up properly in advance rather than rely on a chaotic No. 1 contender match filled with distractions and a controversial disqualification finish. Judgment Day’s Roxanne Perez and Raquel Rodriguez interfered heavily, allowing Stephanie Vaquer to claim the victory by disqualification after losing patience and causing the ending. Though the storyline involving Vaquer and Lynch’s “Santiago Screwjob” incident in Chile provided fertile ground for intrigue, WWE opted for a convoluted route instead of a straightforward buildup. The resulting overbooked match was entertaining at times but ultimately frustrating as it undermined the clean competition many fans crave. Despite this, the triple threat match slated for Saturday promises to be compelling.
By Daisy Ruth
Liked: Oba Femi’s Mic Skills Shine
While Oba Femi’s feud with The Vision hasn’t been a personal favorite, his performance on the mic this week was standout. Following an impressive solo effort clearing The Vision from the ring, Femi delivered a passionate promo that felt natural and engaging rather than forced. His ability to breathe life into even familiar wrestling phrases made the build toward his match with Bronson Reed at Money in the Bank more exciting. Femi’s combination of physicality and charisma on the mic enhanced his badass persona, elevating interest in what promises to be a hard-fought bout. Moments like this highlight Femi as a key player to watch in WWE’s mid-card scene.
By Miles Schneiderman
Fan Take:
This recap highlights both the strengths and weaknesses currently present in WWE programming, showing how character development and fresh storytelling are essential for capturing wrestling fan interest. The mix of evolving rivalries, standout performers like Roxanne Perez and Lyra Valkyria, and the ongoing flaws with overbooked finishes serve as a reminder that thoughtful booking can make or break the viewer experience, influencing the sport’s growth and fan engagement.
Source: www.wrestlinginc.com
