Another episode of Monday Night Raw is in the books, meaning it’s time to look back at the show to identify the highs and lows of an episode that featured Becky Lynch taking on Liv Morgan for the WWE Women’s World Championship.
The (Last Real) Good (Guy)
Sami Zayn
I’ve said before that Zayn has been one of the best things in wrestling in 2026, and that continued Monday night. Left to promote his upcoming match against Roman Reigns without the benefit of having Reigns on the show, Zayn delivered an excellent promo that led to Je’Von Evans coming out. While I continue to be underwhelmed by Evans on the mic, Zayn elevated the segment that led to an impromptu title match between the two. The match was strong with Evans’ near falls getting the crowd into things. I didn’t care for the finish where Penta came out (more on that later), but ultimately Zayn walked away with the retention. It’s smart to get him some wins heading into his match with Reigns, which he’ll almost certainly lose. If you watch nothing else from this show, make time to check out Sami’s promo.
Other Highlights
- Bayley and Lyra Valkyria had a really good match with some legitimately innovative spots that proved it’s possible to have a hard-hitting grudge match without blood. Seeing Bayley get the win makes me think she’s probably staying in WWE. Personally, I would’ve liked to see her make the jump to AEW, but if she’s happy in WWE, more power to her.
- Lynch and Morgan have good in-ring chemistry, and this singles match was better than the triple threat with Stephanie Vaquer at Money in the Bank. Of course, it had to have the predictable screwy interference finish, but the lead-up to that was well worked.
- Ethan Page and Big Cass are a fun, old-school heel pairing with the craven smaller guy and the monster to hide behind.
The Bad
Penta
I didn’t like Penta’s booking on this show. He wandered out midmatch, complete with briefcase pyro, to what end? If you’re going to cash in, wait until the match is done to maintain the element of surprise. If you’re not, why are you there? To distract Zayn? Why? To help Evans? OK, why? So you can take the belt off him instead? Evans came out injured to show Penta respect, and the response is to become a distraction in the biggest match of his career? If you’re Evans, you don’t want Penta out there because he could take the title from you the second you win it.
Then, after Evans lost, in part due to Breakker showing up, which only happened after Penta came out, the two are buddies in the back and looking to challenge for the WWE World Tag Team Championship? Why not have Penta ask Rey Fenix, his brother and the other half of a legendary tag team? I also thought it made Penta and Evans look weak to challenge Breakker and Austin Theory, who wasn’t even there, rather than Bronson Reed. If this was the direction, have Zayn win by cheating, then have Penta come out and get laid out by Breakker and Theory. In terms of logic, this was a mess.
Other Lowlights
- The Tiffany Stratton almost cash-in was nearly a beat-for-beat recreation of one from her last run with the briefcase, right down to Dominik Mysterio carrying an incapacitated Morgan from the ring to save the belt. Yeesh.
- I watch college football. I’ve seen many games with Joe Tessitore on commentary. He does a fine job. He is just awful right now in WWE. I didn’t think he was that bad early on, but his constant overselling has me wishing someone would cut his mic.
- Iyo Sky getting sucked into the Judgment Day vortex makes me sad.
The Ugly
Green Screen?
Solo Sikoa delivered a solid promo to set up a match with Royce Keys in a backstage segment on Raw. While he talked, Jimmy, Jey, and Roman were in the background leaning against an SUV. Basic stuff, right? So, why did it look so weird? The lighting and positioning were such that it looked like it was done with a green screen or even AI. Whatever was done, it was completely distracting. Oh, and don’t hold Crown Jewel in Saudi Arabia.
Related: WWE SmackDown Review for Oct. 23: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
