Welcome to Monday Night Raw for the 23rd of July, and tonight promises to be a big show!
Roman Reigns will face Bobby Lashley in the main event tonight, with the winner going on to face Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam. Some may say this match is redundant, seeing as Lashley already beat Reigns just over a week ago. And you’d be 100% correct. This is a bizarre way for WWE to go, seemingly to just stretch the program out. If Reigns is to win, then Lashley’s win was pointless and we’re going down a road we’ve already been down and nobody wants to travel. Why Seth Rollins hasn’t just been pushed into the main event against Lesnar is anyone’s guess. Anyway, these two had a fun match at Extreme Rules, so I expect something just as good tonight.
Elsewhere on tonight’s Raw, Stephanie McMahon has a huge announcement to make. Rumours are rampant as to what the announcement could entail, with the two most popular theories being Women’s Tag Team titles, or an all-women’s PPV event. Personally I would much rather have the former, because there simply isn’t enough interesting stories with the females right now to justify a full PPV – we know how boring some cross-brand cross-gender PPV’s can be, so an all-women’s show with only a couple of worthwhile storylines could be a bust. On the other hand, Women’s Tag Team titles is an awesome idea and long overdue.
Also on tonight’s show is Finn Balor Vs. Drew McIntyre and more in regards to Sasha Banks and Bayley’s new storyline. There’s more to come but those are the heavy hitters. Remember to download the Ringside News app, follow us on Instagram, and enjoy the show!
Monday Night Raw opens with the entire WWE roster is standing on the stage. Meanwhile Vince McMahon is in the ring. This is big!
Vince welcomes us to Monday Night Raw, then introduces Triple H and Stephanie McMahon. Stephanie playfully tells the fans to boo and get it out of their systems. Stephanie says it’s a rare thing to be able to make history, making moments people will remember for the rest of their lives. Triple H wants to take a moment to acknowledge the WWE Superstars. The crowd gives them a hand. Triple H acknowledges not just the ones on the stage, but all Superstars from Raw to SmackDown to NXT to UK. Every superstar that’s ever stepped in the ring with the desire to entertain the world. He says nights like tonight happen because of them. Their dedication, passion, sacrifice, blood, sweat, and tears make all of this possible. But they don’t do it alone, they’re a team. And there’s a bond created when you’re a WWE Superstar. The bond is created when you step through the ropes and put the ultimate trust in their opponent’s hands. That bond is the strongest it’s ever been. That’s very un-kayfabe.
With that said, Triple H asks all the women to step up on stage – the NXT gals are there too. Triple H says the men that stand behind them truly support them. The WWE Universe supports them as well. They’ve supported them from the first Iron Man, Money in the Bank, Hell in a Cell match to now. They have stood in awe watching them, some with a tear in their eye as they have stolen the show again and again. Triple H starts to get choked up. Triple H wants to let them know they are so proud.
Stephanie says moments happen because of incredible talent, not because someone deems it important. They demanded more opportunities for the women in WWE, starting a hashtag that stated “Give Divas a chance.” Conveniently leaving out the fact that it was actually AJ Lee who started it. That opened doors for women all around. 30 second matches became main events and divas became the superstars they were meant to be. They’ve shown that women can do whatever they want. She says they’re going to do another first-ever announcement. On October 28, over 50 women then, now, forever will participate in a show called “Evolution.” It will be the first all-women’s PPV. The women clap and hug on stage while Triple H, Stephanie McMahon, and Mr. McMahon applaud them. We cut to the announcers as everyone heads to the back.
Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt appear on the screen and announce their arrival. They’ll face The B-Team after the break.
*Commercial Break*
The B-Team is talking about how excited they are about Evolution coming up. Bo Dallas says they’ve been on a great run and it’s been like living a dream. 10 weeks ago they could barely win a match. Now they’re defending the RAW Tag Team Championships. Curtis Axel says they were pretty rotten, but he wouldn’t want to be on this ride with anyone but Dallas. The “B” stands for brothers. Dallas says he’s the brother he never had, an inside joke. They leave, but then come back to get their RAW Tag Team Championships.
Elias strums a chord and greets the crowd. He starts to play until he’s cut off by Matt Hardy’s music. The Tag Champs are out second.
Raw Tag Team Championship Match
(C) The B-Team Vs. The Woken Warriors
Matt Hardy starts against Bo Dallas. They lock up and Hardy applies a side headlock to Bo. Dallas forces Matt to the corner but Bray Wyatt blind tags in. It’s brother vs. brother, despite what Bo said backstage.
They circle the ring before hitting the ropes, and Wyatt takes him out with a flying body block. Bray uppercuts his brother before punching him in the corner. Wyatt then lands with a stiff clothesline. Wyatt goes for Sister Abigail, but Axel runs in. Wyatt uppercuts him, and Hardy runs in to help. Wyatt does a crabwalk to scare The B-Team out of the ring. The Woken Warriors are in charge right now!
*Commercial Break*
We come back from the break to see Axel beating on Wyatt. Axel hits a snapmare and attacks for a two count. Axel then applies a chin lock. The Revival are backstage watching this match. Axel shoves Wyatt to the corner and tags in Dallas. Axel hits a knee to the face, and Dallas picks up a two count. Dallas then goes to a chin lock. Wyatt fights up, but Dallas stops him. Dallas hits the ropes, but Wyatt takes him down with a huge clothesline.
Hardy and Axel are tagged in. Hardy punches away at Axel before sending him into the ropes for a back elbow. Hardy follows up with a clothesline before bouncing him off the turnbuckles. Hardy gets the crowd fired up with a “DELETE” chant before catching him with a clothesline in the corner. Hardy then hits a Side Effect for a near fall.
Hardy goes to the second rope and leaps off with an elbow to the back. Hardy starts up another “DELETE” chant and connects with a Twist of Fate, but Dallas breaks up the pin. Wyatt runs back in, but Dallas turns him around and knocks him onto Matt, who is then pinned by Axel for the win!
Winners: The B-Team
Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt applaud The B-Team before Hardy hits Dallas with a Twist of Fate while Wyatt hits Axel with Sister Abigail. They stand over The B-Team, indicating this isn’t over yet. Sigh.
Later tonight, we’ll see Finn Balor take on Drew McIntyre – as per the request of Baron Corbin. We’ll also see Roman Reigns take on Bobby Lashley in the main event.
*Commercial Break*
We return and see replays of Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt attacking The B-Team.
Finn Balor is backstage talking with Chad Gable. They’re making small-talk about Evolution when someone walks by with Finn’ssuitcase. Someone then walks by with his jacket, so Balor stops him. The guy says they’ve been given strict orders to move him to a new room. Constable Corbin ordered it. The new “locker room” is a kid’s outdoor playhouse. Baron Corbin then walks up laughing and says after Extreme Rules, Balor is too big of a superstar to not have his own locker room. This room suits his stature. Balor thanks him and calls it “Finn’s Funhouse.” Corbin is angry and wishes him luck against Drew McIntyre. The dollhouse wasn’t even in the direction the two guys were originally walking, and Finn’s acting is so bad.
Replays are shown of Sasha Banks saving Bayley from an attack last week on RAW. Banks then admitted she loves Bayley. Charly Caruso interviews Bayley and Sasha backstage, after they see the footage. She asks if they’re ready to show that they can put aside their differences. Bayley says they have their differences, but the differences make them stronger. Banks says they are two very different people, but they have the same dream. They’re giggling and looking teary eyed talking about Evolution. They’re ready to be on the same page. Bayley says it was nice to hear what her best friend truly thinks and feels. Bayley says they’re going to take over the world. Sadly, these two carry-on the terrible acting precedent. Wtf is this storyline?
*Commercial Break*
Back from the break and out comes The Boss and Bayley – these two have been on again, off again more than Ross and Rachel.
Sasha Banks & Bayley Vs. Samantha Simon & kAREN lUNDY
Bayley starts with one of the jobbers and locks-up. Bayley hits her with a back elbow, then Banks tags in and hits double knees. The woman takes Banks down and shoulders her in the corner. The other woman is tagged in, but Banks fights her off then knocks her partner down.
Banks slaps her and tags in Bayley. Banks whips Bayley into her. They double-team the girl, tossing her into the turnbuckles. Bayley then hits a running knee to the head and keeps the other girl off, as Banks applies the Bank Statement for the submission win.
Winners: Sasha Banks & Bayley
The besties celebrate after their quick win. Bayley lifts Sasha’s hand but The Boss then pulls it down… and hugs her.
We see still images of Braun Strowman throwing Kevin Owens off of the steel cage at Extreme Rules. Strowman will be live, next!
*Commercial Break*
We return and Elias is sitting on the stage again. He strums the guitar and says his new album is out now. Before he can go any further, Braun Strowman’s music hits and he makes his way to the ring.
Strowman comes to the ring and says the WWE Universe is talking about two things: the all-women’s PPV and Roman Reigns Vs. Bobby Lashley. He congratulates all of the women, before specifically his Mixed Match tag partner, Alexa Bliss. The fans chant something and Strowman smiles. He moves on to the Reigns/Lashley feud, and says it doesn’t matter which of them emerges victorious because a monster is waiting in the wings. Strowman asks the fans how they will feel about him being Universal Champion and they cheer. Strowman then sets the briefcase down and throws his hands up to each side of the crowd to get cheers.
Kevin Owens’ music hits and he gingerly walks out. Owens calls Strowman a callous son of a bitch. He says he can’t believe Strowman can come out here and talk about becoming Champion like he didn’t just toss him off of a cage. He screams no. He says he tried to befriend Strowman because his son likes Braun, and his son wanted to be like Nicholas at WrestleMania. Owens says Braun crushed his son’s heart, just like his back at Extreme Rules. Strowman laughs. Owens says his son used to think he was invincible, but now he seems him limping. Even his little daughter is scared when daddy leaves the house. Owens says Braun tried to take everything from him, so now he will take everything from Braun. Strowman shouts at Owens and tells him to hobble down here and try. Owens reminds Braun that he won their cage match at Extreme Rules, and says Strowman’s situation is going to get much worse.
Baron Corbin comes on to the stage. He reminds everyone that Stephanie McMahon is backstage and she gave him the right to deal with this situation. Corbin says that what Strowman did at Extreme Rules was technically legal, but it was morally reprehensible. He says Braun needs help with his temper and he has the perfect person to help. Corbin introduces Jinder Mahal and Sunil Singh. Mahal makes his way to the ring and tells Strowman that there have been too many injuries in his wake. He says he has been asked to help Strowman find his inner peace. He tells Braun to close is eyes and repeat after him. Mahal performs breathing exercises but Braun tells him to stop. He says he appreciates it but he knows he has a temper, and there’s something he can do. He gets Sunil to hold the microphone and tells everyone to close their eyes, breathe deep, and repeat after him: “Get These Hands!” Mahal and Sunil suddenly look terrified. Braun kicks Mahal, then grabs Sunil and tosses him into Jinder like a child. Mahal rolls from the ring and Strowman lifts Sunil, then hits the running powerslam.
We see replays of Stephanie, HHH, and Vince announcing the all-women PPV, Evolution. Up next, Natalya faces Mickie James.
*Commercial Break*
Mickie James W/Alexa Bliss Vs. Natalya
The bell rings, and Natalya quickly takes Mickie down with a waistlock. James elbows her way out, but Natalya stops her and hits a snapmare. Alexa Bliss gets on the apron, so Natalya attacks her. James takes advantage of the distraction and knocks Natalya down.
Ronda Rousey will be on RAW next week according to Michael Cole. James applies a front facelock. Natalya fights up, but James takes her down for a two count. Natalya tries to make a comeback and boots her away. Natalya hits a side leg sweep and slaps her in the face. Natalya hits a snap suplex before tackling her to the corner and shouldering her. James hits a weak looking elbow before Natalya comes right back with an electric chair drop. Nattie gets to her feet and hits a low dropkick for a two count. Natalya tries for a Sharpshooter, but James kicks her to the apron. They stumble through something before Bliss pulls her off the apron. Natalya quickly clotheslines her on the floor. Natties gets back in the ring but James connects with the Mick Kick and scores the win!
Winner: Mickie James
Charly Caruso is backstage with Roman Reigns, who gets his usual boos from the crowd. She mentions the last time he faced Bobby Lashley, he lost. What will be different? Reigns says it is a night of firsts. This will be the first time he beats Bobby Lashley. Reigns doesn’t have an advocate to make excuses for him. Tonight he’s adding to his resume. Reigns is going to SummerSlam. People can talk hate and complain about him being shoved down their throats, you can either learn to like it or close your mouths. He’s going to SummerSlam to take the Universal Championship and whoop Brock Lesnar’s ass. I have no idea what Reigns is these days but I’m not sure it matters.
Elias is back. He strums a chord and says his debut album “Walk With Elias” is available on iTunes and Spotify. Elias is then interrupted by The Authors of Pain. Elias looks frustrated but I’m sure this is building to something. AOP will be in action, next.
*Commercial Break*
The AOP are in the ring when we return and ask for some challengers. They say anyone but Titus Worldwide. Of course, here comes Titus, Dana and Apollo. Titus says that there is no questioning that they’re legit but they’re young and they have a lot to learn. Akam says the only thing Titus could teach them is how to fall over. Titus says it’s fine to fall, you just get back up. Apollo says AOP needs to show Titus respect because he’s been here a lot longer than most people. He says if either Akam or Rezar had half the class of Titus, they’d be Champions already. Akam says that there is something Titus can do for them: walk away and retire. Titus says sometimes the best way to teach people is to hit them. They brawl and Titus Worldwide clear AOP from the ring. I have no idea why WWE split Paul Ellering from the AOP but they shouldn’t have, Akam and Rezar lose something when they talk.
We see Stephanie McMahon and Kurt Angle backstage, by her limo. Angle says he was worried when he learned she was coming here but he couldn’t be more proud to be the Raw General Manager after that announcement. Baron Corbin and Kevin Owens walks-up, and Stephanie asks how KO is feeling. Owens says Strowman tossed him from the cage gleefully, almost ended his career. Corbin says the therapy didn’t work, so they need to do something else. Owens says he needs to take everything from Strowman. Angle incredulously asks if Owens wants to face Braun again, and Owens says yes. He wants to face him at SummerSlam and should Braun lose by any method, he gets the Money In The Bank briefcase. Angle says that is absurd but Stephanie says she likes it. She grants him the match and leaves in the limousine.
Still to come, Roman Reigns Vs. Bobby Lashley and Finn Balor Vs. Drew McIntyre.
*Commercial Break*
We return from the break and Tyler Breeze is out. Mojo Rawley is out next for a rematch from last week, which Breeze requested.
Tyler Breeze Vs. Mojo Rawley
The bell rings and Breeze leapfrogs Rawley and dropkicks him. Rawley quickly knees him and puts him on the apron. Breeze shoulders him and flips into the ring, but Rawley hits him with a running shoulder block. Rawley talks a little trash before applying a chin lock.
Bobby Roode is shown in a picture-in-picture screen. Roode says Rawley obviously has a problem with him, but like Tyler Breeze and No Way Jose, he’s comfortable in his skin. Rawley can hide behind his keyboard all he wants. Back to live action, Breeze hits an enzuigiri. Rawley reverses a dropkick, grabs Breeze;s legs, and catapults him into the turnbuckle. Breeze avoids a running forearm before charging him, but Rawley drives him into the turnbuckle. Rawley hits a sit-out Alabama Slam for the win.
Winner: Mojo Rawley
Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre are shown on a handheld video promo. They had a plan to take over Monday Night RAW. Seth Rollins tried to interfere with their plans, but got decimated by WWE’s resident iron man. McIntyre says he’s not in the Universal Championship match because Finn Balor lost. McIntyre is going to take the opportunity to wipe the smile off Balor’s face permanently. Glad to see these two are still a team, it felt like they were already splitting.
*Commercial Break*
We return from the break and Elias is on the stage again. Before he can even speak, he is interrupted by Finn Balor.
Finn Balor Vs. Drew McIntyre W/Dolph Ziggler
McIntyre is on a knee looking at Balor as the bell rings. They come toe-to-toe and the Scot is way bigger. Balor takes the fight to McIntyre. McIntyre then clubs him down and chops the chest. McIntyre chops the chest a second time. McIntyre hits the ropes, but Finn dropkicks him out of the ring. Balor then hits the ropes and floors McIntyre with a summersault senton.
We come back from the break to see McIntyre whip Balor hard into the corner. McIntyre kicks him and hits a suplex for a two count. McIntyre then applies an arm bar. Balor fights up, but McIntyre sends him to the corner. Balor boots him back and hits a pair of running forearms, but McIntyre doesn’t go down. Balor then takes him down with a tilt-a-whirl DDT for a two count. Balor chops him and goes for a slingshot, but McIntyre catches him. Balor slides off on the apron and hits a slingshot kick.
Balor goes to the top rope, but McIntyre moves. Balor hits a Sling Blade and waits for him to get up. Balor hits a hard dropkick into the corner and goes to the top rope for a Coup de Grace. Ziggler then crotches him on the top rope for a disqualification.
Winner Via Disqualification: Finn Balor
Ziggler gets in the ring and stomps away at Balor. McIntyre joins in for the double-team. Seth Rollins runs down to a big pop to make the save. Rollins gets McIntyre out of the ring and attacks Ziggler, but Ziggler quickly gets out of the ring.
Kurt Angle comes out and says Ziggler and McIntyre are to go nowhere. This match will be restarted as a tag team match right now!
After the announcement, Rollins and Balor attack Ziggler and Drew from behind on the ramp,before getting them in the ring. McIntyre turns Rollins and punches away at him. Rollins fights back. Rollins and Balor then double clothesline McIntyre out.
Finn Balor & Seth Rollins vs. Drew McIntyre & Dolph Ziggler
Rollins starts against Ziggler. They circle the ring before Rollins hits Ziggler with a hip toss for a two count. Ziggler takes his time before punching away at Rollins in the corner. Rollins chops away at the chest before throwing him out of the ring. Rollins then hits a plancha.
*Commercial Break*
We come back from the break to see Ziggler working on Balor, but Balor soon comes back with a low dropkick. Balor then attacks McIntyre. Ziggler quickly tackles Balor to the corner, and McIntyre tags in. McIntyre takes Balor down and applies an arm bar. Balor fights up and tries to tag Rollins, but he’s stopped. McIntyre then whips him hard into the corner. McIntyre gets him out of the ring and drops him on the barricade. McIntyre puts him in the ring and tags in Ziggler.
Balor punches back at Ziggler, but he’s stopped from tagging in Rollins. Balor then floors him with an overhead kick. McIntyre tags in and quickly stops Finn from tagging in Rollins. Rollins eventually is tagged in after a sidestep. Rollins clotheslines McIntyre out of the ring. Rollins hits Ziggler and McIntyre with a suicide dive. Rollins puts McIntyre in the ring before sending Ziggler to the barricade.
Rollins hits a springboard clothesline to Drew and forearms him in the corner. McIntyre charges, but Rollins boots him back and hits a blockbuster for a two count. Rollins gets the crowd fired up by stomping his foot on the mat. Ziggler distracts him, but Rollins isn’t affected. Rollins superkicks McIntyre and covers, but Dolph breaks it up. Balor hits a Sling Blade on McIntyre. Ziggler then superkicks Balor. Rollins takes out Ziggler before McIntyre hits him with an inverted Alabama Slam for a near fall. The crowd chants, “This is awesome.” Ziggler tags in, and McIntyre puts Rollins on his shoulders. Seth fights Ziggler off on the top rope and punches away at McIntyre. Rollins gets McIntyre out of the ring before hitting Ziggler with The Stomp for the win.
Winner: Finn Balor & Seth Rollins
The babyfaces celebrate their win after the match before heading to the back.
Charly Caruso is backstage to interview Bobby Lashley. She asks what is going through his mind trying to beat Roman Reigns again. Lashley says this is why he came back. Lashley loves big matches and performs well with the lights shining brightest. Reigns has lost to Lesnar time and time again. Lashley will be ready to greet Lesnar next week. Lashley hopes he’s ready because there’s no sleep til Brooklyn.
Replays are shown of Stephanie McMahon announcing the all-women’s PPV “Evolution” earlier tonight. Ember Moon makes her entrance, she’ll face Liv Morgan, next.
*Commercial Break*
Ember Moon makes her way to the ring, while we get a promo from her saying Liv must be eclipsed. Liv Morgan is out second. WWE has a terrible happen of giving us the same matches every week and expecting us to care about who wins; wins and losses mean nothing and nobody cares to see a match for the 10th time, in NXT you’ll never see the Champion face the challenger three times before a PPV, then have the title match. It just doesn’t make sense but it’s why Rollins Vs. Corbin/McIntyre, Moon Vs. Morgan, and Rawley Vs. Breeze means nothing.
Liv Morgan Vs. Ember Moon
Moon quickly dropkicks her and hits a fall-away slam. Moon then hits a handspring attack in the corner. Morgan gets out of the ring to recover. Moon chases her out, but Morgan gets in the ring.
Moon wrenches the arm, but Morgan pushes her off. Moon goes for a springboard cross-body, but Morgan moves. Morgan slams her off the mat a few times. Moon eventually makes a comeback and goes to the top rope, but Morgan cuts her off. Moon blocks a superplex and knocks her to the mat. Moon hits the Eclipse for the win.
Winner: Ember Moon
We see Seth Rollins backstage with Mike Rome. Rollins says he is proud of the women. Rollins also talked to Kurt Angle and has a match at SummerSlam. Rollins will be taking on Dolph Ziggler for the WWE Intercontinental Championship.
It’ll be Roman Reigns vs. Bobby Lashley with the winner facing Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam for the WWE Universal Championship, next.
*Commercial Break*
We got a super-long promo for the Reigns/Lashley match.
And we’re back with the one and only Drifter. Elias strums a chord and waits to be interrupted. Elias is satisfied that no-one came out.and starts to play. Kurt Angle’s music hits, and Elias is furious. Angle says it’s not what Elias is thinking. Angle says he’s not here to interrupt Elias. Angle wants to let him know the floor is his and wants to hear a song from his new album. Elias says his album is going to change everyone’s life. He says they should buy two copies – one for themselves and one for the person they’ll become after listening. Elias gives a shoutout to O.A.R. in the front row. Elias says everyone wanted to be involved in the Elias album, but he’s been too busy to return their calls. O.A.R. knows what everyone else knows. WWE stands for Walk With Elias. Elias starts to play and sings, but soon stops to say that he’s not feeling the vibe. Elias doesn’t know where he is and then realizes that he’s in Cincinnati. Saying the city’s name makes him nauseous. Elias is not a vain man, but this is the grossest collection of human’s he’s ever seen.
Finally, Elias is interrupted as Bobby Lashley’s music hits, and he makes his entrance. Elias leaves angrily and Bobby comes to the ring.
*Commercial Break*
Roman Reigns makes his entrances to the usual negative reaction. He talks inaudible trash as he stomps to the ring. This one is for some of the marbles.
Bobby Lashley Vs. Roman Reigns
The two behemoths lock-up, and Reigns powers him to the corner. Reigns punches him before being sent into the ropes. Reigns hits a jumping clothesline and covers for a two count. Roman then clotheslines Bobby out of the ring.
Reigns follows after and slams Lashley off the barricade and puts him in the ring. Lashley kicks him getting back into the ring and takes him down before clotheslining him out of the ring. Reigns punches him coming out of the ring. Reigns charges him, but Lashley counters with a belly-to-belly overhead suplex on the floor. Lashley is in control as we head to the break.
*Commercial Break*
We return to see Reigns punch Lashley, then hit the ropes and get caught with a huge one-handed spinebuster. Lashley grounds Reigns with a knee in the back and wrenching his arms back. Reigns fights to his feet and punches Bobby. Reigns hits the ropes and they both take each other out with clotheslines. They take their time getting to their feet before trading punches. Reigns uppercuts him and hits the ropes, but Lashley leapfrogs him and connects with a clothesline. Lashley follows up with a belly-to-belly overhead suplex before clotheslining him in the corner and hitting a running shoulder. Reigns tries for a Samoan Drop, but Lashley grabs the ropes. Reigns drops him on the apron and punches him. Reigns hits the ropes, but Bobby clotheslines him from the apron.
Lashley gets in the ring, and Reigns quickly sends him out of the ring. As Lashley gets in, Roman hits him with a leg drop to the back of the head for a near fall. Reigns sets up for a Superman Punch, but Lashley counters into a full nelson. Reigns looks like he’s fading, but he backs Lashley to the corner and elbows him in the head to get out. Lashley surprises him with a reverse STO before turning over into a modified head and arm triangle. The crowd is getting into this match now. Reigns powers him over and pins his shoulders for two to get Lashley to break the hold. Lashley charges into the ring post after Reigns sidesteps him. Reigns starts hitting him with clotheslines in the corner ten times.
Reigns hits the ropes, and Lashley drops him with a scoop powerslam. Lashley sets up for his spear and waits for Reigns to get up. Lashley charges for a spear, but Reigns counters with a botched Superman Punch. Reigns picks up a near fall. Reigns is feeling it now. Lashley punches him back, but Reigns comes right back with a Superman Punch for a near fall. Reigns gets to his feet and tries to get the crowd into it. Lashley then rolls out of the ring to recover. Lashley looks exhausted at ringside. Reigns goes outside and leaps for a punch, but Lashley counters into a belly-to-belly attempt. Lashley throws him into the ring, and Reigns basically lands on his head. Lashley then hits a spear for a near fall! Lashley goes back to the corner and looks for another spear but, you guessed it, Superman punch. Reigns then runs for a spear of his own but Lashley kicks him away. Reigns hits the ropes, as does Bobby, and Reigns hits the spear for the win.
Winner: Roman Reigns
Oh boy. I guess we’re going with this one again and I for one couldn’t care less. Reigns celebrates his win after the match, then Lashley shakes his hand in a sign of respect. Reigns poses atop the turnbuckles. He will face Lesnar at SummerSlam for the Universal Championship.
That’s it for this week’s Raw. Let us know your thoughts in the comments and be sure to come back tomorrow for SmackDown Live. Until then, safe travels!
