WWE Raw: Results, Highlights, Analysis, and Grades for May 7

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

Result: Finn Balor pinned Sami Zayn to qualify for Money in the Bank Ladder Match

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

I had this whole thing written out comparing Roman Reigns to Carl Winslow from Family Matters, which also indirectly called Braun Strowman and/or Seth Rollins “Steve Urkel,” which was strange. But the point was that the Family Matters showrunners were willing to adapt their original plan of focusing their show on the Winslows, putting Urkel front and center when it was clear he was the breakout star of the show. WWE is not willing to do that.

Or are they? Reigns seemed a safe bet to go into the Money in the Bank match based on his track record of always getting what he wants. Late entries into the Royal Rumble (when Triple H isn’t champion screwing things up), matches in the Elimination Chamber, and so on and so forth. But taking the loss tonight (even without getting pinned or made to submit) indicates at least a tiny step back for the Big Dog.

Of course, a feud with Jinder Mahal may not be the panacea that WWE intends. While it’s likely that the goal is to finally get Reigns the reactions they want him to get, it’s also likely that no one cares about this program enough to boo or cheer.

Let’s focus on Finn Balor being one step closer to finally getting that Universal Championship rematch he is still yet to receive. With Strowman and Balor starting off the MITB match, we need a heel presence soon. You have to figure Samoa Joe will end up in there. Big Cass, too. There’s still four other names to be added, but already this is shaping up to be a tremendous MITB match.

The actual match here was pretty good, if overbooked to hell to make Reigns seem like a damn Superman. Heel Sami Zayn is a freaking revelation; he’s so good at every little thing he does. The little shoulder shrugs after attacking Balor after the Coup de Grace to Reigns was such a jerk move. Give that man a title feud.

Next: Seth Rollins Should Be in Universal Title Picture

But overall, this episode of WWE Raw was honestly only slightly better than Backlash last night. There was less outright dreck, but the high points couldn’t hold a candle to Miz/Rollins or most of Styles/Nakamura. And we still haven’t gotten a true reset in the post-Mania and -Shake-up era. What gives?