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WWE Monday Night RAW Results – MVP Returns To Action, Jinder Mahal Vs. Drew McIntyre, More

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Welcome to our WrestlingINC.com Live WWE RAW Viewing Party. Tonight’s show comes from the Yuengling Center in Tampa, Florida.

– Tonight’s WWE RAW opens up on the USA Network from the ThunderDome at the Yuengling Center in Tampa, Florida as a huge pyro explosion goes off. Jimmy Smith welcomes us. He’s joined at ringside by Corey Graves and Byron Saxton. They hype Money In the Bank and tonight’s show.

– We go right to the ring and The Miz is out with John Morrison for a special Money In the Bank edition of MizTV. They have a ladder in the ring and we see the Money In the Bank briefcases hanging high above the ring. Miz hypes up Money In the Bank and Morrison. They go on until Drew McIntyre makes his way out to a pop.

McIntyre talks about how he hasn’t stopped fighting for the WWE Title and won’t stop until he wins Money In the Bank and cashes in to win gold from the champion on any brand he wants to. McIntyre hits the ring and goes on with his promo until Ricochet interrupts. Miz wasn’t ready to bring him out just yet. We see what happened last week in his double count out with Morrison. Ricochet talks some trash and Morrison tells him to back that up later. Riddle interrupts now. He comes riding down on his scooter. We see what happened last week when he kicked the steel ring steps. Riddle climbs the ladder in the ring and speaks from up high. His foot is doing better but he’s down about letting Randy Orton, his bro, down last week. He dedicates his upcoming win to Orton. Drew admires their friendship and Riddle says they are best friends.

The music interrupts and out come RAW Tag Team Champions AJ Styles and Omos now. AJ isn’t happy about being robbed for his Money In the Bank opportunity. AJ says Orton dropped out of the qualifier so he should’ve faced Drew in a one-on-one match last week. AJ goes on and says if anyone deserves to be in Money In the Bank, it’s him. AJ blames all of this on Riddle. Riddle taunts him from up high on the ladder. Riddle taunts Omos next. Omos wastes no time in tipping the ladder over. Riddle lands hard and hurts his leg it appears. Drew taunts Riddle. Omos throws the ladder out of the ring. Riddle, with his hurt foot taped up, tries to get back to his feet but he can’t.

AJ runs over and kicks the injured ankle. Morrison drops Ricochet from behind as fans boo him. AJ and Omos exit the ring. Ricochet counters and tosses Morrison over the top rope to the floor. Omos comes back in but Drew knocks him off the apron to the floor. Ricochet kicks Morrison back to the floor as he tries to re-enter. Morrison yells at Drew and Ricochet from his wheelchair, still in the ring. Ricochet takes one of the Drip Sticks from Miz’s wheelchair and breaks it over his knee as we go back to commercial.

– Back from the break and we see what just happened.

Ricochet vs. John Morrison

We go to the ring and the bell rings as Ricochet goes to work on John Morrison. The Miz watches from ringside in his wheelchair. This is a rematch from last week’s double count out.

Ricochet with an early 2 count. Ricochet beats Morrison down in the corner and kicks away. They take it to the opposite corner and Ricochet nails a clothesline. Ricochet slams Morrison and drops an elbow for 2. Ricochet works Morrison over while he’s down and grounds him. Morrison goes for the fingers but Ricochet keeps control. Morrison blocks a shot and drops Ricochet with a forearm.

Morrison unloads in the corner now. Morrison slingshots Ricochet under the bottom rope. Morrison grounds Ricochet with a headlock now. Ricochet fights back with chops but Morrison counters with a neckbreaker for 2. Morrison goes back to grounding Ricochet with a headlock. Morrison beats Ricochet back around but Ricochet sends him to the floor. Ricochet slides out but misses. They tangle with Miz in his chair in between them. Morrison powerbombs Ricochet into the barrier as we go back to commercial.

Back from the break and Morrison is kicking away at Ricochet in the corner. Ricochet fights out but Morrison takes him down. Morrison mounts Ricochet with strikes and then stomps him twice. Miz applauds. Morrison misses a kick and gets rolled for 2. Ricochet with another roll-up for 2. Ricochet with more strike and a big knee to the face. Morrison counters with a big standing Spanish Fly for a close 2 count.

Miz yells at the referee over the count. Morrison grounds Ricochet in a unique submission, hitting him with elbows to the ribs. Ricochet fights out with knees. Morrison rams Ricochet into the corner and unloads with more strikes. Morrison catches a kick but Ricochet kicks him in the head. They tangle and Ricochet drops Morrison with a tornado DDT.

They both get up but Ricochet gets the upperhand. Ricochet with a clothesline for 2. Miz tries to spray Ricochet with the Drip Stick but it just annoys him. Morrison tries to capitalize but can’t get the pin. Morrison goes on and delivers a running knee. Morrison misses a big elbow drop on the edge of the apron. Ricochet charges for a flying crossbody but they tangle on the ropes and both fall out to the floor, landing hard.

The referee counts. Morrison returns to the ring. Miz uses his wheelchair to block Ricochet from getting back into the ring. Ricochet is counted out.

Winner by Count Out: John Morrison

– After the match, Morrison stands tall and celebrates as the music hits. We go to replays. Ricochet recovers at ringside as Morrison pushes Miz up the ramp now.

– We see video from earlier today of Jinder Mahal driving his motorcycle into the arena backstage. Veer and Shanky greet him. Kevin Patrick approaches Jinder and asks for comments on tonight’s match with Drew McIntyre. Jinder says they were close, tag team partner and dare he say, good friends. Jinder says Drew was with him when he bought his motorcycle to celebrate one of his many WWE Title wins. Jinder says he texted Drew earlier to go riding with him for old time’s sake, and it took Drew 3 days to respond, and he couldn’t even spell out his response. Jinder says Drew is in Money In the Bank but he should be in the match as well. Jinder says that is why he demanded the match with McIntyre tonight. Jinder says he has always been better than Drew, and he will prove that tonight.

– Reginald, Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler are backstage talking about Doudrop. Alexa Bliss is seen in the background just staring at them but only Reginald sees her. Baszler yells at him, she’s had enough. She tells Reginald to get himself together. Jax defends Reginald and says they all just want to get through this match because things have been tough. They walk off together and we see Bliss standing there in the shadows again.

– Still to come, an eight-woman tag team match. Back to commercial.

– Back from the break and we get a promo for tonight’s tag team main event and Kofi Kingston vs. WWE Champion Bobby Lashley at Money In the Bank.

– Back from the break and we see what happened last week with Alexa Bliss, Shayna Baszler, Nikki Cross, Nia Jax and Reginald. Asuka, Cross and Naomi are backstage now. Naomi is happy for Nikki’s new look. Asuka always wanted to team with a superhero. Cross isn’t a superhero like Black Widow, she’s almost a superhero, she says. Cross began to believe in herself and now she has a chance at winning Money In the Bank. Naomi says she’s winning Money In the Bank. Asuka says she’s winning the match. Cross heads out to the ring and Alexa Bliss appears.

Alexa Bliss, Nikki Cross, Asuka and Naomi vs. Eva Marie, Doudrop, Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler

We go back to the ring and out comes Nikki Cross. Back to commercial.

Back from the break and Asuka, Naomi and then Alexa Bliss are out. Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler are out with Reginald for their team. Eva Marie and Doudrop are out together.

Naomi starts off with Doudrop. Eva tags in before they get going. They lock up and Eva takes it to the corner but Naomi shoves her away. Eva with a forearm and a tag to Doudrop. Naomi dropkicks Doudrop off the apron to the floor. Naomi flies and takes out Jax and Baszler.

Asuka with a Hip Attack off the apron to Doudrop. Cross with a plancha to Doudrop. Eva turns around to Bliss screaming at her. Eva goes down on the floor as we go to commercial as Bliss smiles and stares ahead.

Back from the break and Bliss is hitting Doudrop with forearms. Doudrop decks her. Bliss runs the ropes and leaps onto the ropes to pose, staring at Doudrop. Nikki tags in but Doudrop rag-dolls her. Cross comes back and dropkicks Doudrop to one knee. Asuka tags in and unloads on Doudrop with kicks. Doudrop catches a kick and delivers a headbutt to drop Asuka. Jax is tagged in. Jax and Doudrop sandwich Asuka with double splashes on their feet. Jax covers for a quick pin.

Jax goes to work on Asuka and splashes her, then drops an elbow for 2. Reginald claps for Jax as she takes Asuka to the corner for a tag to Baszler. Baszler beats Asuka up while Jax holds her. Baszler drops Asuka for a 2 count. Baszler mounts Asuka with strikes as fans boo. Eva ends up tagging in and kicking at Asuka while she’s down in the corner. Jax comes back in and scoops Asuka for a big slam. Asuka kicks out at 2.

Riddle vs. AJ Styles is confirmed for later. Jax ends up knocking Cross off the apron but she turns around to Asuka unloading with strikes. Jax drops her with a headbutt. Bliss stares Reginald down, controlling him with her gaze. Baszler tries to stop him but he slowly walks towards Bliss. Baszler grabs Bliss and attacks, launching her into the barrier. Jax drops Asuka in the ring as Baszler reminds Reginald to leave Bliss alone. Baszler ends up knocked off the apron as Jax misses a running shoulder to Asuka in the corner, knocking Baszler off.

Eva comes in but Asuka goes to work on her. Eva tags right back out. Baszler comes in but Asuka takes her down into an arm bar. Baszler reverses it. Naomi tags in. Asuka launches Baszler onto the mat and Naomi covers for 2. Doudrop makes the save and levels Asuka. Doudrop with a running corner cannonball to Naomi. Asuka drops Doudrop with knees. Baszler drops Asuka with a big knee. Cross leaps from the top onto Baszler with a crossbody. Eva breaks the pin up but Cross sends her to the floor.

Baszler and Cross tangle. Cross rolls her up but Jax was legal and Cross didn’t realize it. Cross fights out of a Samoan Drop and they tangle some more until Jax nails the Samoan Drop. Jax covers for the pin to win.

Winners: Eva Marie, Doudrop, Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler

– After the match, Mike Rome goes to announce the winners but Eva takes the mic and announces herself as the sole winner. Jax and Baszler aren’t happy. Doudrop stands with Eva at ringside but seems to be apologizing to Jax and Baszler for Eva’s antics.

– We see MVP and Bobby Lashley backstage partying with Lashley’s Ladies. Kevin Patrick asks why tonight’s main event was changed to the tag team match. MVP asks how Patrick keeps getting in here each week. MVP says he changed the match because Xavier Woods doesn’t deserve to be in the ring alone with the WWE Champion. He reminds us how Lashley dominated Woods last time. MVP goes on about how he’s been disrespected by The New Day. Lashley snatches the mic and says he eviscerated Drew McIntyre and Xavier Woods in back-to-back Hell In a Cell matches, so he took last week off but he’s going to send The New Day on a permanent vacation tonight. He goes on about Kofi Kingston thinking he has a shot at winning the title at Money In the Bank. Lashley says he’s going to hurt Kofi because they’re The Hurt Business and that’s what they do. Lashley tosses the mic back at Patrick as Lashley’s Ladies taunt him on his way out.

Mustafa Ali vs. Mansoor

We go back to the ring and out comes Mustafa Ali. Back to commercial.

Back from the break and we see Mansoor confronting Ali in a post-RAW segment last week, asking why he eliminated him in the Battle Royal. Ali said he doesn’t want Mansoor to end up like him. Mansoor makes his way out to the ring now.

The bell rings and they go at it, trading holds. Mansoor works on the arm off a counter. Ali turns it back around and takes him down by the arm. Ali takes it to the corner, puts Mansoor down and yells some advice to him. They lock up again and Ali drops him with a shoulder for a quick pin attempt. Ali with an arm drag takedown into a chinlock and more yelling lessons at him.

Mansoor comes back and gets aggressive, dropping Ali and yelling at him. Mansoor unloads now. Mansoor with an inverted Atomic Drop into a Spinebuster for 2. Mansoor counters with an enziguri, sending Ali into the ropes.. Ali gets stuck upside down in the ropes by his leg. He yells for help from the referee.

Mansoor helps the referee free Ali from the ropes. Ali suckers Mansoor back in and rolls him up for the pin to win out of nowhere.

Winner: Mustafa Ali

– After the match, Ali heads to the floor as his music hits. He continues yelling advice at Mansoor. A disappointed Mansoor looks on.

– We see how Drew McIntyre won the Money In the Bank qualifier last week. Sarah Schreiber approaches Drew and asks him about what Jinder Mahal said earlier. Drew has a few words for Jinder and brings out his sword, going on about how it’s made of a tooth from the Loch Ness monster. A jolly Drew tells a story of a Scottish warrior knocking the tooth out with a Claymore. His win over Jinder Mahal and his win at Money In the Bank was also predicted at that time. Drew heads out to the ring as his music hits.

Drew McIntyre vs. Jinder Mahal

We go back to the ring as Drew McIntyre makes his way out with the sword. The pyro explodes on the stage as Drew marches to the ring. Drew poses in the corner as more pyro goes off and the flames shoot up. We go to commercial as a “Drew!” chant starts up from the ThunderDome crowd.

Back from the break and out comes Jinder Mahal with Veer and Shanky. The bell rings and they lock up, going to the ropes and the corner. Drew backs off as the referee gets in between them. They lock up again and Jinder nails a shoulder. Drew comes back with a shoulder of his own, knocking Jinder down for a pop. They have a few words now. They lock up again and Jinder applies a headlock. Jinder gets out but Drew drops him with another shoulder.

Jinder kicks Drew coming out of the corner, working him into another corner. Jinder beats Drew down. Drew comes out of a corner with a clothesline. Drew takes Jinder back to the corner and works him over. Jinder fights back and drops Drew with a knee to the gut and a forearm. The brawling continues in the corner as the referee has to back Drew away. The referee checks on Jinder and he’s staying in it. Jinder follows up and nails a suplex on Drew. Jinder kicks Drew in the face, and again, while on his knees.

Jinder shows off but fans boo him. Jinder charges and Drew launches him overhead with a big suplex. Jinder rolls to the floor to re-group with Veer and Shanky. Drew follows and Jinder jabs him in the throat. Jinder then drops Drew on top of the announce table with a suplex. Drew lands hard and Jinder returns to the ring as we go back to commercial.

Back from the break and Jinder has Drew grounded in the middle of the ring. Drew fights up and out with chops. Drew keeps fighting but Jinder nails a jumping knee for a 2 count. Jinder continues to beat Drew around, putting a boot to him in the corner as the referee backs him off and yells at him. Jinder goes right back to work and whips Drew hard into the opposite turnbuckles. Jinder with more big strikes while Drew is on his knees.

Drew rocks Jinder out of nowhere with a big Glasgow Kiss headbutt. Drew with a pair of clotheslines. Drew with another big overhead throw, and again as fans cheer him on. Drew ducks a clothesline and hits a neckbreaker, then kips up with a nod to 3MB. Jinder blocks the double underhook and goes for The Khallas. Drew fights him off and drops him with the Futureshock DDT in the middle of the ring.

Drew waits for Jinder to get back up now. Veer attacks from the apron but Drew knocks him off. Shanky hits the ring to attack for the disqualification.

Winner by DQ: Drew McIntyre

– After the bell, Drew keeps fighting until he gets triple teamed. Jinder levels Drew with a huge superkick. The triple team attack continues and Drew is sent shoulder-first into the corner. Fans boo as Jinder drops Drew with The Khallas. The boos continue as Jinder, Veer and Shanky stand tall. Jinder suddenly runs out of the ring, straight up the ramp, as we go to replays. Jinder, Veer and Shanky are on the stage now. Jinder has Drew’s sword. Jinder says Drew took away his Money In the Bank opportunity, so he will take away a piece of Drew’s family history – his sword. Jinder’s music starts back up as Drew rolls out of the ring and stumbles to his feet.

– Patrick is backstage with The New Day. Kofi Kingston dismisses the idea that they have adjusted their strategy for MVP and Bobby Lashley. He touts The New Day being named the #1 WWE tag team of all-time and goes on with more words for MVP and Lashley. Woods does the same and talks about fans being back in the crowd at Money In the Bank, and how they will see Kofi leave with the WWE Title. Kofi said he proved before that anything is possible, and he’s about to prove it again. They go on with their promos and get hyped up to end the segment.

MACE and T-BAR vs. Lucha House Party

We go back to the ring and out first is the team of T-BAR and MACE. Back to commercial as they march down the ramp.

Back from the break and out comes Lince Dorado and Gran Metalik of Lucha House Party. Lince starts off with T-BAR, unloading with kicks. T-BAR tosses him into the corner but Lince keeps fighting. Lince with a hurricanrana. T-BAR turns it around with power strikes. Lince with a boot. Lince flies off the top but T-BAR catches him in mid-air and man-handles him into a backbreaker.

T-BAR keeps Lince held in his arms, then launches Lince out of the ring with ease, then boots Metalik. MACE tags in and goes to ringside to beat up Lince for the announcers. MACE brings it back in and stomps Lince, then slams his head back into the mat a few times. T-BAR tags back in and levels Lince with a running big boot for a close 2 count. T-BAR mounts Lince with strikes now. MACE tags back in and keeps Lince down. MACE drops a big elbow for a 2 count. Lince kicks MACE to stun him. Lince keeps fighting but MACE stops the tag and slams him on his face. MACE knocks Metalik off the apron and levels Lince with another big boot.

T-BAR tags back in and they go for High Justice in the middle of the ring but Metalik kicks them from behind to make the save. MACE gets sent to the floor. Metalik then counters T-BAR and flies out of the ring to take MACE back down on the outside. Lince capitalizes and gets the pin on T-BAR for the win.

Winners: Lucha House Party

– After the match, Lucha House Party heads to the ramp to celebrate as the music hits. T-BAR and MACE seethe in the ring.

– We see what happened earlier in MizTV. Riddle is backstage working on his foot when Damian Priest walks up and greets him asking how he’s doing after what happened earlier. Riddle says he’s doing fine. Riddle tells another random story and Priest isn’t sure how that has anything to do with tonight, and says the hurt ankle could affect Riddle’s match tonight and his chances in Money In the Bank. Riddle goes on with his story and says he’s not afraid of heights, ladders or AJ Styles. He’s bounced back from a bad fall before, and is going to show AJ and everyone else tonight, and Randy Orton wherever he is, that he can get the job done and do it with the three most dangerous letters in WWE – R-K-Bro. Riddle walks off and Priest isn’t sure about the math there.

AJ Styles vs. Riddle

We go back to the ring and out come the RAW Tag Team Champions – AJ Styles with Omos. AJ hits the ring and more pyro goes off. AJ and Omos pose in the middle of the ring as we go back to commercial.

Back from the break and out comes Riddle as a “Bro!” chant starts up. Riddle hits the ring and kicks his flip-flops off as pyro explodes, but he’s still suffering from the hurt ankle. The bell rings and AJ asks Riddle if he’s crazy competing tonight. Riddle limps around and they taunt each other. AJ goes for a takedown but Riddle avoids it. Riddle goes for a takedown and they hit the mat. AJ blocks an arm bar and gets the bottom rope. They tangle some more and AJ takes Riddle down with a kick.

AJ catches another leg and takes Riddle down, going to work on his injured foot. Riddle gets up hobbling to the ropes. AJ kicks the foot again. Riddle ends up going down as he’s unable to put weight on his foot. AJ approaches and Riddle performs a unique takedown to launch AJ over the top rope, to the floor. AJ comes right back to the apron but Riddle kicks him with the injured foot. AJ slams the foot into the rope and Riddle goes back down.

AJ returns to the ring and Riddle is doing a crane kick now for a pop. AJ asks him if he’s The Karate Kid now. AJ approaches talking trash and Riddle nails the kick for a big pop. Riddle unloads with punches in the corner now, Riddle with a gutwrench suplex for a quick pin attempt. Riddle goes for another kick but hurts himself and goes down. AJ goes to work on the foot and unloads with strikes. Riddle counters and drops him. Riddle with another kick.

AJ catches a kick and nails a Dragon Screw leg whip. AJ unloads while Riddle is down in the corner now. The referee backs AJ off and they argue. Omos takes advantage and sweeps Riddle’s injured foot out. Riddle goes down in pain and we go back to commercial.

Back from the break and AJ has Riddle down in a submission, focusing on the leg and foot. Riddle ends up leveling AJ. Riddle then nails the Bro-ton for a 2 count. Riddle hobbles around but stops AJ from springboarding up with the Phenomenal Forearm. Riddle goes for Randy Orton’s second rope draping DDT and he nails it. Riddle goes to the top for a moonsault but lands bad on his leg. AJ ends up dropping Riddle on his neck for a close 2 count.

AJ goes for a Styles Clash but Ivar and Erik appear on the other side of the barrier, stalking Omos. AJ is distracted now. Riddle takes advantage of the distraction and rolls AJ up for the pin to win.

Winner: Riddle

– After the match, Riddle joins The Viking Raiders on the ramp as a shocked AJ recovers. We go to replays. The Viking Raiders and Riddle stand tall together on the stage, taunting the champs.

– Still to come, Charlotte Flair will give a medical update. Back to commercial.

– Back from the break and Charlotte Flair is standing in the ring with a mic and a crutch. Graves says she is badly injured. We see how Flair and WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Natalya and Tamina Snuka defeated RAW Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley, Mandy Rose and Dana Brooke last week, and how Ripley attacked Flair after the bell.

Flair takes the mic now and says it’s shocking to see her like this after what did Ripley last week. She talks about how the NBA Playoffs are hurt due to injuries, and says what bigger news is she may miss her title shot at Money In the Bank. She goes on about Ripley using her own moves and using underhanded tactics to keep her title. She says nobody is better than Charlotte Flair. The music interrupts and out comes Ripley, who is also using a crutch but mocking Flair with it as if she’s also injured.

Ripley struggles to get into the ring with the crutch as Flair looks on. Ripley asks for help and a staffer holds the ropes for her. Flair accuses Ripley of also taking her entrance. Ripley sees right through Flair and says she can play her game better. Ripley says Flair is just being a little drama queen. Flair and Ripley kick each other’s crutches away at the same time. They size each other up and have words. They get ready to fight and pick the crutches back up now. Flair swings and Ripley ducks. Flair ducks now as Ripley swings. They swing and the crutches collide. They keep swinging but fail to hit each other.

Flair knocks Ripley’s crutch to the mat and kicks it out of the way. Ripley ducks a crutch shot and picks hers back up. She swings and hits Flair’s crutch, then jabs Flair in the gut with it. Ripley goes to crack Flair in the back with the crutch but Flair rolls out of the ring. Flair taunts Ripley from the ramp now. Ripley talks trash back from the ring, raising the title belt in the air.

– Still to come, Jaxson Ryker and R-Truth vs. Elias and Cedric Alexander. Back to commercial.

Elias and Cedric Alexander vs. Jaxson Ryker and R-Truth

We go back to the ring and out comes Elias. Cedric Alexander is out next. We see how Jaxson Ryker defeated Elias in a Strap Match last week. Ryker is out next. R-Truth comes out rapping to the ring next.

Before the match begins, WWE 24/7 Champion Akira Tozawa runs into the ring with a referee. Truth rolls him up but he kicks out at 2. Angel Garza, Shelton Benjamin, Drew Gulak and others chase Tozawa around the ring and back up the ramp. Truth joins the chase, abandoning Ryker but apologizing. Ryker is left alone for a Handicap Match now.

The bell hits and Cedric starts off with Ryker. Ryker fights back but gets hit with a big boot. Ryker catches Cedric and drives him into the mat. Ryker tosses Cedric to the mat and wants Elias to come in and fight. Elias backs off the apron and is walking out on Cedric. Cedric charges Ryker to attack but Ryker catches him with a tilt-a-whirl side-slam for the pin to win.

Winner: Jaxson Ryker

– After the match, Elias looks on from the ramp, a bit terrified. We go to replays as Ryker’s music hits. Ryker yells at Elias from the ring now.

– Bobby Lashley is backstage doing pull-ups as MVP encourages him. Kevin Patrick approaches for comments but MVP shuts him up and asks if this looks like a man that has lost his edge. Lashley stares straight ahead at the camera.

The New Day vs. Bobby Lashley and MVP

We go back to the ring for tonight’s main event as The New Day comes out – Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods. They hit the ring to pose as we go to commercial.

Back from the break and The Viking Raiders vs. RAW Tag Team Champions AJ Styles and Omos is confirmed for Money In the Bank. AJ vs. Ivar and Omos vs. Erik will take place next week. We go back to the ring and out comes MVP and WWE Champion Bobby Lashley. MVP starts off with Woods, who is talking trash and ready to fight. They lock up and MVP goes to work on the arm, then beats Woods around. Woods counters and beats on MVP’s arm now.

MVP ends up dropping Woods and talking trash at him. Back and forth now. Woods ends up taking MVP’s knee out with a chop block. Woods mounts MVP on the mat, working him over with strikes. Kofi tags in and Woods stops MVP from tagging. Kofi comes in off the top and hits MVP’s knee for a quick pin attempt. Kofi grounds MVP now, taunting him as Lashley looks on. MVP with a back elbow to drop Kofi. MVP slams Kofi by his head. Lashley tags in now. Lashley drops Kofi with ease. Lashley unloads in the corner now, with strikes and shoulder thrusts as the referee backs him off.

Lashley with a neckbreaker for 2. Kofi counters and drops Lashley, then boots him. Lashley powers out of a headlock, slamming Kofi to the mat. MVP comes back in to take over, beating Kofi around. Kofi fights out of a suplex with knees to the head. Kofi dropkicks MVP into their corner. Woods tags in and they double team MVP. Woods stomps away while MVP is down. Kofi comes back in with a big dropkick to keep MVP down.

MVP ends up rolling to the floor for a breather. Lashley marches over but Woods kicks him from the apron. Kofi runs and leaps as Woods pulls the top rope down. Kofi lands on Lashley at ringside for a pop. The New Day celebrates in the ring as we go back to commercial.

Back from the break and Woods is mounting Lashley in the corner with right hands. Lashley fights back and levels Woods with a big clothesline in the middle of the ring. Lashley stands over Woods and takes him back down with a big snap suplex. Lashley grounds Woods and man-handles him some now. Kofi talks trash and the referee backs Lashley away. Lashley goes back to working on Woods. MVP tags in and punches away on Woods as Lashley holds him.

MVP uses the middle rope to choke Woods now, then clubs him a few more times as the referee backs him off. Woods fights back but MVP drops him. MVP hits the Ballin’ elbow for a 2 count. Woods fights up from the mat and nails a jawbreaker to stun MVP. Woods kicks MVP away and tags in Kofi, who flies in and deck MVP, then knocks Lashley off the apron.

MVP decks Kofi but Kofi comes right back with a bulldog for a 2 count. Kofi kicks MVP in the chin while he’s down, then knocks Lashley off the apron again. Kofi with the Boom Drop to MVP, mocking the Ballin’ elbow. Lashley grabs Kofi from the apron but Kofi superkicks him to the floor. Kofi turns around to a big clothesline from MVP for a close 2 count. Kofi backs MVP into the corner but Lashley tags in. MVP delivers the Yakuza kick to Kofi. Lashley follows up with a big chokeslam but Woods breaks the pin up just in time.

Lashley tosses Woods out of the ring. MVP tags in but Kofi drops Lashley with Trouble In Paradise. Woods runs around the ring and leaps off the steel steps to take Lashley back down. MVP goes for the Playmaker on Kofi but Kofi counters and nails Trouble In Paradise for the pin to win.

Winners: The New Day

– After the match, the music hits as The New Day heads to the stage to celebrate. Lashley seethes as he helps MVP up from the mat. The ThunderDome crowd chants for The New Day as Lashley stares them down from the ring. RAW goes off the air.

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WWE Raw Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from April 5 | Bleacher Report

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    Credit: WWE.com

    The entire week leading to WrestleMania 37 is filled with events, and it all kicked off with Monday’s episode of WWE Raw.

    Before they do battle for the WWE Championship, Drew McIntyre and Bobby Lashley both had singles matches against somebody they have had run-ins with recently.

    The Scottish Warrior took on Baron Corbin, and The All Mighty faced his former Hurt Business associate, Cedric Alexander.

    The New Day will defend the Raw tag titles against AJ Styles and Omos this weekend, so WWE booked a rematch between The Phenomenal One and Xavier Woods for Monday’s show.

    We also saw future opponents Asuka and Rhea Ripley team up to face the women’s tag team champions, Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler, in a non-title bout.

    Let’s take a look at everything that happened on the go-home episode of Raw heading into WrestleMania on Saturday and Sunday.

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    Raw opened with McIntyre making his way to the ring. We saw a clip of Corbin attacking him last week before The Scottish Warrior delivered a promo about his upcoming fight with Lashley.

    He got a little choked up as he talked about the conversations he has had with his mother over the years about his career and all of the sacrifices he has had to make. Lashley came out with MVP to cut his promo short.

    Lashley called McIntyre a great champion but said his time was over. McIntyre tried to provoke a fight, but MVP told him he would have to wait. King Corbin joined the party and said he is going to stop McIntyre from ever making it to WrestleMania.

         

    Grade: C+

                                

    Analysis

    This was a decent promo segment, but it didn’t have the sense of urgency that is needed for the final show before WrestleMania.

    McIntyre and Lashley were good with the delivery of their lines, but Corbin slowed things down. His presence wasn’t necessary. In fact, his short speech would have been more effective if it was delivered backstage during an interview.

    This segment didn’t cover any new ground or make the match between Lashley and McIntyre any more interesting. It was kind of bland, but the people involved did a good job with what they had.

2 of 7

    The first match of the night was a rematch from last week featuring Styles taking on Woods. Omos and Kofi Kingston were there to support their partners from ringside.

    Styles struck first with a few punches and a hip toss. Styles locked Woods in the Calf Crusher, but he was distracted when Kingston threw a microphone at Omos.

    This allowed Woods to roll Styles up for the pin. The New Day celebrated as its challengers looked on in anger.

         

    Grade: C-

                             

    Analysis

    This was a short match that didn’t do anything to make this feud more exciting, but what we did get to see was entertaining.

    Woods and Styles only had time to hit a few moves, but each one looked great. The stuff with Omos and Kingston was contrived and still managed to be entertaining.

    Was this necessary? No. Was it good? Maybe. Was it funny? Yes.

3 of 7

    Braun Strowman delivered a passionate promo from inside a steel cage about his WrestleMania showdown with Shane McMahon. Once he was done, McMahon brought out Elias and Jaxson Ryker to face him in a handicap match.

    After the break, the bell rang and Strowman immediately took control of the situation. He threw Ryker out of the ring before going after Elias. Ryker prevented him from hitting a powerslam to save Elias.

    They stomped The Monster Among Men into the mat after hitting a double side suplex. They each took turns hitting moves from the top rope, but Strowman kicked out.

    The big man recovered and hit both men with powerslams for the win.

         

    Grade: C

         

    Analysis

    The promo from Strowman might not have made a ton of sense, but he delivered it with more heart than expected. He was convincing and did more to make this match matter than all of the previous moments he has had with McMahon combined.

    The match that followed was as predictable as it gets. McMahon stacked the odds against Strowman, but he still came out on top like we all knew he would.

    Elias and Ryker looked good for the few seconds they had the upper hand. Even though this whole segment was average at best, it was still the best thing we have seen during this feud.

4 of 7

    Asuka and Baszler began in the ring with a heated exchange before The Empress scored the first takedown. Asuka brought her to the corner for a tag, but Ripley refused.

    Baszler broke away before Ripley decided to take a turn in the ring. She picked up The Queen of Spades and threw her toward her corner. Jax came in and traded words with the No. 1 contender before they started throwing punches.

    Ripley tagged Asuka back in against her will and watched as she put Jax in an octopus stretch. The Irresistible Force countered to escape, but Asuka hit a knee to the face.

    Ripley and Baszler both got the tag, and thanks to a distraction from Reginald, The Queen of Spades took her down with a chop block. We returned from a break to see Baszler focusing on Ripley’s leg.

    Asuka got the hot tag and took out both opponents with a series of quick moves. As The Empress climbed to the top turnbuckle, Ripley shoved her to the ground. She threw Asuka back in so Baszler could hit a running knee for the win.

         

    Grade: B-

                                 

    Analysis

    This was a solid match with a logical outcome for everybody. Ripley and Asuka shouldn’t be getting along, and WWE made sure they were enemies by the time this was over.

    Ripley costing her own team the match helped push her storyline and keep the women’s tag champs looking strong with a win at the same time. Two birds with one stone.

    WWE also announced a four-team match for night one of WrestleMania with the winners earning a women’s tag title shot on night two.

5 of 7

    Shelton Benjamin and Cedric Alexander confronted MVP backstage earlier in the show. Before the match began, Benjamin and Alexander attacked Lashley to wear him down.

    Once Lashley was able to get free, the ref called for the bell and The All Mighty began beating Alexander in the corner. He hit a neckbreaker before throwing his opponent across the ring.

    Lashley dominated his former associate until the show cut to commercial. Alexander tried to make a comeback when we returned and was able to shove Lashley into the steps thanks to a distraction from Benjamin.

    The high-flyer hit a pair of suicide dives. When they got back into the ring, The All Mighty countered a DDT attempt. Shelton pleaded with Lashley to relent as he applied the Hurt Lock for the win. When he refused to break the hold, Benjamin came to his partner’s aide.

    Lashley grabbed The Gold Standard and put him in the same hold until he passed out.

         

    Grade: B+

                               

    Analysis

    Lashley has two different feuds going right now, and he has managed to make both of them seem important. He has his storyline with McIntyre while still dealing with his former Hurt Business teammates.

    Alexander and Lashley looked good together. Even though Lashley looked like a monster, Alexander was able to get in enough offense to keep himself from looking like a jobber.

    This was a strong segment for all four men. It’s just too bad we don’t get to see them as a stable anymore.

6 of 7

    Sheamus joined the commentary team to watch Mustafa Ali battle Riddle. The U.S. champ almost had Ali in a triangle choke right away, but he was forced to break when Ali rolled over into a pinning position.

    Riddle sent Ali over the top rope with a back body drop and followed up with a kick from the apron. He grabbed Sheamus’ hat and danced around until Ali took him out.

    We returned from a break to see Ali in control, but Riddle quickly began to mount some offense. He hit all of his signature moves as he prepared to execute his finisher.

    Ali countered and hit a gutbuster for a two-count. Riddle recovered and scored the win.

         

    Grade: B-

                                   

    Analysis

    We need to address how WWE added a graphic of birds appearing to fly out of Riddle’s butt as he kicked off his sandals. Good, we got that out of the way.

    Ali and Riddle have good chemistry and were given enough time to put on an enjoyable performance. Ultimately, Sheamus being there had no impact on the outcome.

7 of 7

    McIntyre and Corbin locked up and fought for control for several seconds before breaking away from each other and locking up again. Corbin went for a waistlock before knocking the former champion down with a shoulder tackle.

    The King took McIntyre down with a clothesline for a quick one-count. He choked The Scottish Warrior against the rope until the ref made him back off.

    McIntyre began to build up a head of steam as he threw Corbin across the ring with an overhead belly-to-belly suplex. Corbin avoided the Future Shock DDT but still wound up being thrown into the steel steps.

    We returned from a commercial to see Corbin trying to turn his luck around. He ran McIntyre into the ring post to send him flying off the apron. He reversed a suplex by the former WWE champion to get a near-fall.

    After both men came close to winning several times, McIntyre hit the Claymore for the win.

         

    Grade: B-

                              

    Analysis

    Corbin is a big guy who always tends to work best when he is in the ring with somebody of equal size, so it’s easy to see why this ended up being a decent match.

    It wasn’t great by any means, but it did highlight both men’s strengths and gave Corbin something to do since he doesn’t have his own WrestleMania feud.

    MVP being on commentary helped sell why this was taking place. He wanted Corbin to take out McIntyre so Lashley would have an easier challenge beating The King at WrestleMania. It was thin, but MVP made it work.

    For the final episode of Raw before ‘Mania, this was kind of lackluster. Let’s hope this weekend gives us a show that is better than the buildup to it.



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Entertainment

WWE Raw results, recap, reactions (Mar. 22, 2021): Gas on the fire

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This was a weird show.

I can honestly say I liked half of what I saw, and disliked half of what I saw. WWE 50/50-ed the whole show for me.

A lot of the comedy was a hit with me, aside from the dumb Shane McMahon and Elias song. But there were some strange decisions that made me not too excited about WrestleMania for Raw.

Right now, it’s McIntyre/Lashley, Fiend/Orton, Bad Bunny/Miz, Asuka/Ripley, and AJ and Omos/New Day. How much of this excites you?

Some of it I like, but the more main stuff is not a hit with me. We still have two weeks to go. Turn it around for me, WWE.

Let’s get to the main hits and misses of this show. For a full rundown of Raw, check out the live blog by Rev. Claire Elizabeth!

Well… more fire

Randy Orton still does not get that you can’t fight fire with… literal fire when it comes to The Fiend.

Before Orton came out, Alexa Bliss said that he should be careful what he wishes for. The idea was for Orton to summon the Fiend and put an end to it once and for all.

Orton walked out with a bag and said that it was time to put an official end to The Fiend and Alexa Bliss.

Silly Randy.

Bliss came out and wound up the… Bliss in the Box? The Fiend lighting returned, as did the screeching sound which I did not miss.

So what was in Orton’s bag?

… Gasoline.

Fiend didn’t flinch when Orton poured it on him, and then Fiend charged at him and Orton hit the RKO. Bliss got into the ring and Orton got distracted by her. He got the Mandible Claw for it. Then a Sister Abigail.

And then Bliss pointed to the sign and it was engulfed in flames. So that’s how we got The Fiend vs. Randy Orton for WrestleMania.

Huh?

Come on, man. What are we doing? The presentation of the return of the crispy Fiend was good at Fastlane, and then they ruined it here. And no Firefly Fun House match? That’s the wrong call.

I’m very disappointed with this. I don’t know how to salvage it. Help me, Cagesiders.

Multiple stories

Most of this match was rest hold city and just proved that WWE doesn’t know what they’re doing with Raw. They relied on the commentary team selling Sheamus’ match from last night as he wrestled this match as if he didn’t wrestle an Exploding ThunderDome Death Match at Fastlane.

They did this match last week. Lashley won already. There’s no need for him to “make an example” out of Sheamus as one of the commentators said. He did already.

So when Lashley made him tap out, Alexander and Benjamin pulled him out of the ring and attacked him. Who but Drew McIntyre made the save for his biggest rival not named Bobby Lashley. He then went into the ring and tried to get Lashley to fight him, but MVP calmed Lashley down and got him out of the ring.

This was a really unfortunate way to start the show. Sheamus has lost so many matches since turning on Drew and he doesn’t deserve this. Three matches in a week! Two of the three unnecessary, and both the Lashley matches.

The only thing this match did was sell dissension with Cedric and Shelton and Lashley and MVP. Sheamus had to continue being sacrificed for that. MVP said that they embarrassed the almighty both by being out there and losing the Raw tag team titles. To make good, they went to Adam Pearce to get a two on one handicap match against McIntyre, which McIntyre accepted under one condition – if he wins, Cedric and Shelton are banned from ringside at WrestleMania.

McIntyre dominated both men for the first few minutes, and went for the Claymore Kick, but Alexander pulled Benjamin out of the ring. Alexander tagged in and almost tweaked his knee on the outside. The Hurt Business then dominated the second half and worked well to put McIntyre down.

But we knew what was going to happen. After a hellacious Claymore to Alexander, McIntyre picked up the victory. Ced and Ben should just run away and not even go near MVP and Lashley. Of course they didn’t, and MVP chastised them. Then in an interesting twist, Lashley went up to a bunch of dudes in the locker room and put a bounty on Drew.

Ricochet was one of those men, and it HAS to be him. Please let it be him. I need Ricochet in the Hurt Business.

As for the rest of all of this, I’m saddened by the presentation of The Hurt Business after Lashley’s WWE title win. They immediately lost the tag titles, and now they’re imploding. Give me Ricochet in the Hurt Business, sure, but did they need to do all of this?

Drew’s just Drew. I haven’t thought about it really, but he’s been pretty one dimensional for a while. But I also don’t know how to change him up a bit to make him fresh. It’s weird.

On the plus side, Sheamus is officially done with this and going after Riddle!

Hey Hey, Hop Hop

You may think you know what my reaction to this was, but trust me… you don’t.

Miz asked who Bad Bunny thinks he is? How dare he ridicule the only double grand slam champion. Miz threw it to the tron where a WrestleMania poster showed Bad Bunny and Damian Priest, but no Miz and Morrison.

They then played their new single Hey Hey, Hop Hop a diss track to Bad Bunny and it was… very well produced actually. He challenged Bunny to a match and said his upcoming match with Jeff Hardy would serve as a display of what’s to come.

That was hilarious. Stupid, but hilarious. I laughed very hard at this. Yeah… me! Me who hates the Miz and Morrison stuff usually. THE BUNNY SUITS! HAHAHAHA! It felt like a better produced video and song, almost as if the great Bad Bunny himself was involved.

Hardy asked Miz to get Morrison away from ringside because we all know what happens. Miz surprisingly agreed. If you thought Morrison was going to come back anyway and interfere, we were in the same boat. I was very surprised.

As Miz’s hand was raised, BAD BUNNY HIM WITH A GUITAR! As of now, we have a singles match with Miz and Bunny at WrestleMania. I’m betting Morrison and Priest get added, but maybe not? Depends on if Bad Bunny actually has been training hard for a singles match. If he has, I’m game.

Bad Bunny gets it. He’s the best celebrity they’ve had on the show involved in storylines.

A-J Rocks! A-J Rocks!

Styles hyped up Omos’ debut at WrestleMania and said he’ll be teaming with the best wrestler in WWE history. He ran through New Day’s accolades and said that they can’t lose with Styles’ wrestling ability and Omos’ size.

Kingston interrupted and said they’re not a real team. Then Woods said to Omos that Styles would bring him down since he is a big man with great abilities. They then questioned how much Styles knows Omos. They asked what Omos’ favorite color, ice cream, and WWE wrestler was, and Styles failed all three questions.

Embarrassed, Styles challenged Kingston to a match.

They traded choke holds and take downs, and Styles kicked out of a pin attempt at one. Styles dove over the top rope and Kingston ducked it and took Styles down. Really clever take down into a pin by Kingston using his legs.

Kingston went for a Trouble in Paradise, but Styles kicked him right in the back of the head and man it looked nasty. He sold it so well I thought he got a concussion from it. He broke the Calf Crusher, and Styles was going for the Phenomenal Forearm, but Woods played the trumpet and distracted him.

Omos went to get Woods and Kingston took advantage to pin Styles. That was a fun match and I liked the teasing of tension between Omos and AJ. AJ is also really good with comedy and provided another laugh out loud segment for me.

The Rest

Asuka defeated Peyton Royce / Rhea Ripley debuted

Asuka went for an early Asuka Lock, but Royce transitioned out for her own submission. She sent Asuka face first into a turnbuckle and suplexed her. Asuka went for the hip attack but Royce dodged it and sent Asuka to the floor. Asuka did a German suplex and a knee to Peyton’s face for a near fall. Royce had a nice sell of Asuka’s facebuster for another near fall. Royce went to the top rope with a double stomp and almost won. SHe fell to the Asuka Lock. Peyton was booked very well here.

AND THEN RHEA RIPLEY CAME OUT! She called Asuka one of the greats. She mentioned Charlotte and that she’s recovering from COVID-19. So since she’s not here, she challenged Asuka for the title at WrestleMania, and Asuka accepted! Hell yeah! She was not presented as a heel as was rumored, and I prefer it this way. I’m excited for this one.

CHOO CHOO!

HAHAHAHAHA THEY’RE PLAYING THE TRAIN HORN AND ENGINE REVVING SOUNDS AS BRAUN RUNS AROUND THE RING! Shane doing dumb shit was dumb and yeah of course he faked his injury so he wouldn’t have to wrestle. So dumb but the sounds were hilarious.

The Reginald Tag Team Champions defeated Mandy and Dana

Yeah this was just for the continuation of Reginald as the focal point of the women’s division. Dude can just come in and out of the ring and not get the team disqualified or get thrown out. Cool, cool, cool, cool.

Grade: C

What were your thoughts, Cagesiders?

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US

Atlanta killings spark a raw debate about Asian-Americans, Trump and rhetoric

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Last September, when the House passed a resolution condemning anti-Asian bigotry and discrimination, every Democrat voted for it—joined by just 14 Republicans.

Why did this symbolic vote become a partisan battle?

House Republican Whip Steve Scalise said lawmakers were “wasting their time with the measure,” but the Democratic sponsor, Grace Meng, said “people’s lives are at stake.”

The horrific shootings in Atlanta have plunged the country into an acute awareness, and difficult debate, over hatred aimed at this community. And, as with every mass killing or terror attack, political finger-pointing has immediately been woven into that very raw discussion.

Whether the murder of eight people, six of them Asian-American women, at three spas fits the strict legal definition of hate crime is a matter for law enforcement. President Biden is heading to Atlanta today to show his concern about what he called “brutality” against Asian-Americans. What’s beyond dispute is that many in the community are understandably frightened.

We spent much of last year grappling with racial injustice in the wake of George Floyd’s killing, as well as unacceptable violence in the riots that followed. The media spend enormous amounts of time and energy in chronicling bias and crime against certain communities: Violence against blacks. Violence against Jews. Violence against Muslims.

Unfortunately, Asian-Americans are way down on the radar screen.

Despite a long history of discrimination—from the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 to Japanese internment during World War II–they have been viewed in recent decades as a model minority. The image is that of people who work hard, don’t make trouble and whose children get stellar grades.

TALE OF TWO PRESIDENTS: BIDEN, NOT TRUMP, GRABS HEADLINES WITH ABC SITDOWN

They have also been stereotyped as quiet and subservient. They don’t tend to rise to the highest political jobs and have little visibility in the media. Vice President Kamala Harris, the daughter of an Indian immigrant mother, is an exception, and so is Andrew Yang.

Experts say there is no revolting symbol of bigotry, like the noose or the swastika, against people of Asian descent. So sometimes there are disputes over whether a robbery of an Asian-American small business, for instance, is a hate crime.

But when Amara Walker, a Korean-American reporter for CNN, was doing a live shot for Don Lemon, someone drove by and shouted “Virus!”

Which brings us to the renewed complaints about Donald Trump referring to the “China virus,” as he did again this week, or the “Wuhan virus,” or “Kung flu,” as he has in the past. Liberals and Democrats have long complained that Trump was contributing to a climate of bias against Asian-Americans.

I hate how the Chinese regime originally covered up and mishandled the coronavirus, but I also believed Trump’s use of these terms was an unattractive attempt to score political points.

There is a huge difference between that and tying the former president in any way to the violence in Atlanta.

As with all such mass shootings, it comes down to a crazy person with a gun. And I say after every tragic case that it’s unfair to say politicians have blood on their hands because some nutjob had access to destructive weapons.

The Oklahoma City bombing wasn’t Rush Limbaugh’s fault, as Bill Clinton insinuated. The shooting of Gabby Giffords wasn’t Sarah Palin’s fault. The shooting of police officers wasn’t Barack Obama’s fault. The shooting of Steve Scalise at a Republican baseball practice wasn’t the fault of liberals who the gunman admired. And Atlanta isn’t Trump’s fault.

It’s fine to debate and criticize the rhetoric by a president or former president, but to go beyond that quickly descends into the fever swamps of partisanship.

SUBSCRIBE TO HOWIE’S MEDIA BUZZMETER PODCAST, A RIFF OF THE DAY’S HOTTEST STORIES

At a House hearing yesterday, Rep. Doris Matsui, who was born in a Japanese-American internment camp, said that last year, “as I heard, at the highest levels of government, people use racist slurs, like ‘China virus,’ to spread xenophobia and cast blame on innocent communities, it was all too familiar.”

But Republican Rep. Chip Roy, after denouncing Beijing’s handling of the virus, said: “My concern about this hearing is it seems to want to venture into the policing of rhetoric.”

This debate may or may not turn ugly, but it is long overdue.

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Entertainment

WWE Raw results, recap, reactions (Mar. 1, 2021): Reborn

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Of course it was supposed to happen this way.

If you remember last week, I said that there was definitely going to be more bait and switch this week. Holy shit did I undersell that or what?

To be honest with you, them dragging it out like they did soured me on pretty much the whole show. Okay, 9:00 P.M. no now 10:00 P.M. no now the main event! That was maddening.

The countdowns were laughable but I didn’t mind the one to 9:00 P.M. and then 9:00 P.M. came and went. And then 10:00 P.M. came and went. Miz had a cramp, and then let the bell ring and took the title and ran off for a count out. Literally anything that he could think of as an excuse to try and get out of this match he tried.

And it failed. Nearing the end of the final countdown, Shane McMahon said he had to defend the title or else he would have the title taken away and given to Lashley. Shane even threw in a special match to make sure Miz didn’t get away – a Lumberjack match!

So all of the heels who could have interfered in this match didn’t. Shane didn’t pull any shenanigans, neither did Braun, who was actually a lumberjack! I was waiting for it. Braun was very angry earlier in the night, RETRIBUTION was there, I was prepared for anything really.

I knew that Lashley wasn’t going to be the champion at the end of this show.

And my God does it feel amazing to be wrong!

As I said, it was exactly how it was supposed to happen. Miz weaseled and weaseled and in the end, he got dominated and tapped out to the Hurt Lock. Bobby Lashley is the new WWE Champion. This is incredible. I am so happy for him. He was very emotional about it and that made my night.

Bobby Lashley came back to WWE and was put in a feud with Sami Zayn, who brought out his sisters and tried to talk trash about him. He cut a very awkward promo telling them that he loved them. Yes, that did really happen. Then he got paired with Lio Rush and they had a fun run together, but Vince cut it after a few short months.

And then the Lana thing happened. That led us right into the pandemic and MVP was back and scouting talent. MVP chose Lashley and just like that, Lashley was reborn and as dominant as ever. MVP deserves a hell of a lot of credit for this night happening. He’s been a true guiding light for three souls lost to shit booking and floundering around in the mid card. Thank you, MVP.

Now we go to WrestleMania. Drew McIntyre said at the start of the show that whoever left the show as champion, he would be locked on them heading to the grandest stage.

Let’s get to the rest of the hits and misses of this show. For a full rundown of Raw, check out the live blog by Rev. Claire Elizabeth!

Former friends brawl

Drew called Miz the resident cockroach. Hahahahaaaaa. Sorry to the Miz fans out there.

That was great. Miz did great here too, buttering up Drew thinking he would get on his good side enough to interfere in the title match. Morrison’s suggestion of the “Three M-migos” was pretty funny.

I thought it was a great touch to remind us of last year’s offer from MVP to Drew, and I thought that telling us when the match was starting was smart. Really going for that second hour bump!

Anyway, Sheamus and McIntyre tore each other to shreds in proper blood feud fashion. Sheamus neatly caved McIntyre’s head with a knee to the face. Loved seeing someone finally do Sheamus’ 10 Beats of the Bodhran on him. McIntyre went for a futureshock DDT but was met with a nasty clothesline.

McIntyre then did the White Noise! Wow I did not expect that! They traded pinfall attempts and finally, the really awesome finish was McIntyre dive, duck, dip, dive, and dodging a Brogue Kick and hitting a Claymore to win.

This was a really great first match to start the show, after a bunch of talking.

“That sucks!”

Hahahahaaaaaa. I am so conflicted about all of this.

Okay. So clearly we’re heading to Braun Strowman vs. Shane McMahon at WrestleMania. How we’re getting there is… huh. Yeah.

Braun came out and wasn’t aware that he was going to be in a tag match, and didn’t know who his partner would be. This is a conspiracy, he said. So McMahon came out with Pearce and he went on about taking MBA classes and being all weird and all of a sudden Adam Pearce is tagging with Strowman in a Raw tag championship match. Huh?

Braun was actually pretty funny in this segment. Then the match came and he manhandled the tag champs. He threw Alexander across the ring multiple times. He powerslammed Benjamin and then Shane got up on the apron to get Braun to tag Pearce. And then Pearce got rolled up.

Alrighty then. This accomplished the goal of getting Braun pissed off and we’ll see where this goes I guess.

It finally happened

I’ve been loving Bad Bunny and Damian Priest since the start of this beautiful television friendship.

This was my least favorite iteration.

Why is Priest in a needlessly long match with Elias? This match was looooong. And sleeper holds galore. Something felt very off here. Thankfully Priest won, which I figured was happening but boy did it take us a while to get there.

Bad Bunny didn’t do anything this time around but stand around and try and get the referee to turn around when Ryker decked Priest behind his back. It’s great that he’s there! I love that he’s there! But this wasn’t the best week.

Let’s not do this again next week, please.

Seriously… is Randy Orton Okay?

Orton has confronted many people in his long WWE career, but never has Randy Orton confronted… um… Randy Orton before?

Kayla Braxton was interviewing Orton about what happened last week, and he said that he would not be as lenient as he had been with the twisted Bliss in the past.

Suddenly she popped up on the screen behind him. And then Orton popped up on the screen talking to himself. In a sinister demonic voice he said that he’ll soon come face to face with everything he’s done. And then non-demonic Orton started choking again.

Looks like we’re getting another Firefly Fun House match!

Charlotte Flair decides who she wants to face at… wait a minute

What a babyface!

Charlotte Flair said she wanted to be Asuka’s tag partner and she respects her. Asuka is at home injured due to Shayna Baszler’s kick to the face last week.

So how does she want to calm her friend in her hour of need? Going to her home, or sending her flowers and a get well soon card, calling her up, Zooming with her?

Nah she just announced that she wants Asuka’s Raw women’s title at WrestleMania. How nice, Charlotte! Seriously this is how WWE thinks good people act? Shayna and Nia called her out and then beat Charlotte up to start the match.

Charlotte won. Duh.

The Rest

Riddle and Lucha House Party defeated RETRIBUTION

In the midst of all the tomfoolery on this show, we had an actually entertaining six man tag. Everybody had a quick sprint and urgency and a fire under their asses. It was quick but it was fun and it led to the next match.

Mustafa Ali defeated Riddle

Riddle was wearing down Ali’s arm and suplexed him out of the ring. Ali targeted Riddle’s arm and it looked painful. Ali went for another neckbreaker and Riddle transitioned into a submission in mid-air. Riddle was going up to the top rope and the masked group distracted the referee and Ali did… something to pick up the victory. It looked cool! Also really looks interesting to see Ali pin a champion!

Nia Jax defeated Naomi

Uh… this was pretty much a match I guess. Remember that Lana and Naomi won a “future WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship Opportunity” and this was certainly a momentum killer. K.

Grade: C-

What were your thoughts, Cagesiders?

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Entertainment

WWE Raw results, recap, grades: Bobby Lashley overcomes Miz shenanigans to win first WWE championship

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The build to WWE Raw for a full week had centered around Bobby Lashley challenging The Miz for the WWE championship. While it took three tries to actually get the match off the ground, The Miz was simply no match for the ferocity and power of the challenger as Lashley captured his first WWE world championship in the night’s main event.

Miz spent the night doing everything in his power to avoid putting the belt on the line, including running from a match to take a countout loss, but Shane McMahon was in the building to make sure there would be a legitimate title defense. McMahon’s involvement was enough to keep Miz from using underhanded tactics to leave the ThunderDome as WWE champion.

CBS Sports was with you all night, bringing you recaps and highlights of all the night’s action.

Bobby Lashley finally becomes WWE champion

Drew McIntyre opened the show with a promo in his first appearance since losing the WWE championship to The Miz at Elimination Chamber. He said that whoever won between Miz and Bobby Lashley later in the night would have a huge target on their back. As McIntyre was ready to address Sheamus ahead of their match, he was interrupted by The Miz and John Morrison. Miz told McIntyre that he only did what is expected of a Money in the Bank contract holder, cashing in at the opportune time, and told the ex-champion that he should focus his anger on Lashley. As Miz pitched the idea of working with McIntyre, he was interrupted by MVP, who asked if McIntyre was taking the pitch seriously before telling Miz that nothing can change his fate and the match would happen at the top of the second hour of the show.

Drew McIntyre def. Sheamus via pinfall with a Claymore. Sheamus and McIntyre brawled before the match, leading to a pack of referees helping break them up to get the match officially started. The two big men would go on to brutalize each other in a very hard-hitting match that saw a combination of brawling and big power moves. After a lengthy bout that saw several near falls, McIntyre was able to get the win in an outstanding match.

WWE Championship — Bobby Lashley def. The Miz (c) via countout. At the planned 9 p.m. start time, Miz claimed to have cramps and diarrhea, leading Lashley to attack him backstage. Adam Pearce pushed the match back an hour, and Miz made an appeal to MVP and Lashley to have the match at WrestleMania instead, which they refused. As soon as the match began, Miz rolled out of the ring, grabbed his belt and ran to the back, taking a countout victory. Backstage, McMahon said there would be an actual title match or he would strip Miz of the title and award it to Lashley.

WWE Championship — Bobby Lashley def. The Miz (c) via submission with the Hurt Lock to win the title. Before the main event, McMahon made the bout a lumberjack match. Miz tried to hit Lashley with the championship belt after the bell rang, trying to force a disqualification, but Lashley intercepted the blow. Miz then tried to run from the ring but was thrown back in by the lumberjacks. Lashley dominated Miz before locking in the Hurt Lock to force the submission and win the championship.

Running a show-long angle with several starts and stops can be risky, but Lashley’s journey to finally becoming world champion was largely done well. Miz knew there was no way he was going to win one-on-one against Lashley, and he simply was not going to be allowed to avoid his fate. Lashley finally has things clicking during a WWE run, and there’s a lot to be said for him persevering through bad angles and fan criticism to finally put the pieces together in such a huge spot. The matches themselves were nothing, but that’s probably how everything should have played out. Grade: B

What else happened on WWE Raw?

  • Nia Jax def. Naomi via pinfall after a chokeslam powerbomb.
  • Raw Tag Team Championship — The Hurt Business def. Braun Strowman & Adam Pearce when Shelton Benjamin rolled up Pearce. The match happened as a Shane McMahon attempt at “conflict resolution” between Strowman and Pearce.
  • Damian Priest def. Elias via pinfall after Hit the Lights. Before the match, Priest and Bad Bunny got into it with Elias and Jaxson Ryker backstage.
  • A Randy Orton promo was interrupted by Alexa Bliss. Orton talked about vomiting black goo on last week’s Raw before Bliss interrupted on a monitor. She whispered “Bring it Back” before a man walked out in a hood, removing it to reveal … Randy Orton. The Orton on the video said that Orton would come face to face with everything he has ever done before Orton began choking again.
  • Charlotte Flair def. Shayna Baszler via pinfall after hitting Natural Selection. Before the match, Flair announced that she wanted to challenge Asuka for the Raw women’s title at WrestleMania before being interrupted and attacked by Baszler and Jax.
  • Riddle & Lucha House Party def. Retribution via pinfall after Gran Metalik hit an elbow drop on Slapjack.
  • Mustafa Ali def. Riddle via pinfall after a backstabber from the top rope. Ali demanded a match with Riddle after his Retribution lackeys lost in the previous match. 

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