WWE Raw: Results, Highlights, Analysis, and Grades for May 21

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Braun Strowman vs. Finn Balor

Result: Braun Strowman defeated Finn Balor via pinfall

Rating: 3.75 out of 5 stars

Okay, I know it’s just an episode of WWE Raw, and WWE have shied away from it lately. But wouldn’t this, of all times, be a great spot for Balor to paint up? Braun Strowman is, by far, the strongest, most destructive superstar in WWE. Wouldn’t the assumed psychological edge be something you’d want?

Balor did get off to a quick start, but this one was almost all Braun. The Monster Among Men has really transformed into the most “pro wrestler” superstar in all of WWE. He’s got the patter with the crowd down cold. All the nonverbal stuff a sports entertainer should do, Braun does. And the relative ease with which he can string together moves while playing to the crowd is amazing.

For my money, this was my favorite match of the night. It wasn’t the best — I still feel like Reigns/Rollins vs. Owens/Mahal was the objective match of the night. But this match had everything, and it was hella entertaining. It really picked up after Finn slapped the taste out of Braun’s mouth; everything after that was pure gold.

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The Sling Blade counter to Braun’s carousel charge outside the ring was one of those things that you don’t realize how obvious it is until you see it. The Coup de Grace on the floor from the barricade was exquisite. And the whole finishing sequence had me thinking Balor could have pulled out a win — right up until Balor got those hands around his neck for an attempted chokeslam.

I know Strowman is being built up as the clear cut favorite to win the Money in the Bank Ladder Match. But I don’t think he actually is the favorite. Ideally, I’d love to see Miz win it, because he’s on the run of his life and he’d be perfect with the briefcase again. If a WWE Raw superstar were to win MITB, I think it’ll be Owens — he’s got the personality that’s perfect for the case. Strowman is there for a crazy spot, but he won’t win the whole thing.

Next: SmackDown Heading to Fox After New $1B Rights Deal

Honestly, this was a very uneven episode of WWE Raw. The first hour built around Roman Reigns was fantastic, but the middle hour was too disjointed and odd. After the contract singing segment, the third hour was itself a mixed bag — another Elias/Roode match wasn’t great, but Balor/Strowman was a blast. What did you think of this week’s episode of WWE Raw?