Welcome to Ringside News’ coverage of Monday Night Raw!
Tonight’s Raw will kick-off with a 24/7 Championship “Mosh Pit Mixed Tag Team Match”. Which means R-Truth and Carmella will face Drake Maverick and his wife, Renee Michelle. It’s unclear what the rules are as of now, but it could be another term for tornado tag.
The Raw Tag Team Championships will be on the line tonight as The Revival defend the silver against The Uso’s and The O.C in a triple threat. This is an exciting match that has the potential to really shake things up ahead of SummerSlam.
Speaking of The O.C, the next challenger to AJ Styles’ United States Championship will be determined in a gauntlet match featuring Ricochet, Cesaro, Rey Mysterio, Sami Zayn, and Andrade. It’s highly unlikely the tale of Styles Vs. Ricochet is over quite yet, so expect the one and only to come out on top.
Elsewhere tonight, Samoa Joe and Roman Reigns take part in a “Samoan Summit”, Alexa Bliss battles Becky Lynch, and Seth Rollins takes on Dolph Ziggler. It’s a stacked card for Raw and it’s not often we know most of the matches ahead of time. If you’d like to talk about tonight’s Raw, download the Ringside News app, follow us on Instagram or Twitter, or just leave a comment. Enjoy the show!
Raw begins with a promo video all about the WWE 24/7 Championship, showing some of the best highlights since the title was introduced.
We go live to the arena and the ring is surrounded by Superstars. Drake Maverick and his wife come down to the ring for this mixed tag match, followed by the current 24/7 Champion, R-Truth, and Carmella come to the ring.
Renee Michelle hits Carmella before the bell even rings, but then the ladies are sent to the aprons. The match gets underway and Maverick attempts to roll-up Truth to no avail.
Truth catches Maverick with a hip toss, followed by a split-leg drop, then a regular leg drop for a two count. Truth dances to taunt Maverick, then flips him over the ropes but he’s caught by Superstars on the outside. They carry Maverick around the ring before setting him on the apron, where Truth flips him into the ring.
Truth’s pinfall attempt is broken-up by Michelle, prompting Carmella to run in and attack her. Maverick and Truth separate them, but then Carmella slaps Maverick. Truth hits him with a facebuster suplex for the win.
After the match is over, all the Superstars that surround the ring climb in and they all get on top of Truth like a dog-pile and the referee counts to three. There’s some confusion but then Mike Kanellis rolls out of the mosh pit and he’s got the title. Mike Kanellis is the WWE 24/7 Champion. Kanellis runs to the back and he’s chased by all the other Superstars, except Truth and Maverick. He locks himself in a room until Maria walks up yelling and tells them to leave, faking stomach problems. She bangs on the door, telling him to let her in. He asks who it is and she says she will knock down the door and kick him in the vagina if he doesn’t let her in. Mike opens the door.
Still to come, Becky Lynch faces Alexa Bliss, Seth Rollins battles Dolph Ziggler, and “The Samoan Summit” featuring Roman Reigns and Samoa Joe.
Now however, it’s time for a gauntlet match to determine the number one contender to AJ Styles’ United States Championship. Rey Mysterio is the first man out, meaning Rey will have to defeat four other Superstars if he looks to get the title opportunity. That match, is up next!
*Commercial Break*
1st Match
Rey Mysterio Vs. Cesaro
The match gets underway and Cesaro slams Rey down, then gator rolls him. Cesaro takes a headlock, Rey shoots him off, then the two exchange waistlocks. Rey looks for a roll-up but Cesaro kicks out. Rey catches Cesaro with another roll-up for a two count, then Cesaro drops Mysterio with a clothesline.
Cesaro takes a headlock and we see the Champion, AJ Styles, watching on a monitor backstage. Mysterio fights out and jumps on Cesaro, who catches Rey on his shoulders, electric-chair style. Rey tries to hurricanrana Cesaro over the ropes and they both tumble to the outside but Cesaro lands on his feet with Rey still on his shoulders! Mysterio knocks Cesaro down, then gets into the ring and hits a sliding splash to Cesaro on the outside.
Mysterio gets Cesaro back inside and hits a springboard hurricanrana onto the ropes. Rey looks for 619 but Cesaro rolls out of the ring. Rey dives out and hurricanrana’s Cesaro over the barricade and into the crowd.
*Commercial Break*
We return to see Cesaro apply a camel clutch to Mysterio. Rey fights out but Cesaro slams him into the turnbuckles. Cesaro sets Rey on the top rope, but Mysterio hits him with a senton, then a hurricanrana into the corner for a two count.
Mysterio looks for a springboard but gets caught in mid-air with an uppercut. Cesaro looks for the Neutraliser but Rey drops down and grabs his legs. Cesaro hits a leg drop, followed by a big boot for a two count. Cesaro lifts Rey up high but Mysterio hurricanrana’s Cesaro into the turnbuckles. Rey climbs the ropes but Cesaro cracks him with a European uppercut.
Cesaro then gets Rey on his shoulders and climbs to the middle rope. Mysterio elbows Cesaro and looks for a hurricanrana from the top rope but Cesaro holds on. Rey then punches him and hits a bulldog from the top! Rey hits the 619 and a frog splash for the win!
Winner: Rey Msyterio
Sami Zayn is the second opponent for Mysterio. Before the second match even begins, Zayn runs down and attacks Rey, kicking and punching him against the ropes.
2nd Match
Rey Mysterio Vs. Sami Zayn
Sami forces the referee to start the match and he instantly looks for the Helluva Kick but Rey dodges it and rolls him up for the win!
Winner: Rey Mysterio
Zayn is irate after the finish and referee’s have to hold him back. Rey’s next opponent will be Andrade.
*Commercial Break*
3rd Match
Rey Mysterio Vs. Andrade W/Zelina Vega
We return to see Rey and Andrade lock-up, with the latter forcing the lucha legend to the corner until the referee forces the break. They lock-up again and Rey takes the back but Andrade elbows him off. Andrade gets a hammerlock but this time Rey elbows his way out.
Andrade chops Rey in the corner, but then Mysterio returns the favour. Andrade looks for a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker but Rey counters into a splash for a two count. Andrade slams Rey into the turnbuckles, then delivers a lariat. Andrade throws Mysterio out of the ring, then attacks him on the outside.
Back inside the ring, Andrade chops the chest but Rey fires back with chops of his own and a kick. Rey looks for a springboard moonsault but Andrade catches him and hits Three Amigo’s. Andrade heads up top and moonsaults, Rey rolls away, but Andrade lands on his feet and hits a standing moonsault for a two count.
Rey hits an enziguiri, then looks for 619 but Andrade catches him and hits a backbreaker. Andrade hits the Hammerlock DDT for the win.
Winner: Andrade
After the bell, Andrade stomps on Rey, then rips his mask off! Ricochet is out next and he runs to the rescue of Mysterio. Ricochet hits Andrade with a springboard clothesline. Andrade regroups with Vega, while Ricochet helps Mysterio.
*Commercial Break*
4th Match
Ricochet Vs. Andrade W/Zelina Vega
The fourth and final contest gets underway and the two men lock-up, with Andrade forcing Ricochet to the corner. They lock-up again and Ricochet takes a waistlock. Ricochet ducks and dodges Andrade before hitting a hurricanrana and a dropkick. Andrade rolls from the ring, so Ricochet looks for a dive but Vega grabs his foot.
Andrade tries to make the most of the distraction but Ricochet fights him off. Ricochet gets on the apron and hits an enziguiri to Andrade. Ricochet looks for a springboard but again Vega grabs the foot. Andrade attacks Ricochet, knocking him to the floor.
Andrade chops Ricochet and throws him into the barricade. Back in the ring, Andrade stomps Ricochet in the corner, then chops him hard. Ricochet connects with a dropkick to create some momentum. Ricochet connects with a forearm, then a hurricanrana, followed by a springboard but nobody’s home. Andrade hip tosses Ricochet into the turnbuckles.
Andrade runs and hits double knees in the corner for a two count. Andrade looks for the Hammerlock DDT but Ricochet reverses to an inside cradle for a two count. Ricochet flips off of Andrade, who fires back with a spinning elbow. Ricochet then hits an inverted hurricanrana for a two count. Ricochet goes up top and Andrade tries to fight him off but gets knocked to the mat below, and Ricochet connects with 630 for the win!
Ricochet is once again the number one contender to the WWE United States Championship. We see replays of the match, then Kayla Braxton comes into the ring for an interview. Ricochet says when he beat Samoa Joe to become the United States Champion nobody could believe it. But if there’s anything he’s learned in his career, it’s that people only believe what they see. So, at SummerSlam, when he beats AJ Styles, then everyone will believe in him again. And so will he. We see AJ Styles laughing backstage.
Mike and Maria Kanellis are backstage and he’s so proud of himself. He says he won the title for them and now she can be proud of him. Maria tells him to get onto his back, like he usually does. She says she wants to pin him so that their unborn child has a real Champion for a parent. Mike reluctantly lies down and Maria puts a foot on his chest. Maria Kanellis is the 24/7 Champion. Maria is the first-ever pregnant Champion in WWE and she walks down the hallway yelling it. Other Superstars are watching and she goads them to attack her. She says, this week, she will be at her OBGYM appointment, so someone could pin her during it.
After the break, we’re getting A Moment of Bliss, with allegedly shocking footage.
*Commercial Break*
Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross come onto the stage for A Moment of Bliss.
Alexa starts off by congratulating Maria winning a title as a pregnant women. Nikki agrees and says Raw Reunion was inspiring. Alexa reiterates what Stone Cold said last week; we’re all family. However Dolph Ziggler betrayed the family on SmackDown when he superkicked Shawn Michaels. It was deplorable but it wasn’t the only deplorable thing that happened today.
Bliss then sends us to a video from earlier today of an empty arena, with Finley training Natalya and others, when Becky Lynch ran down and attacked both Finley and Nattie. The fans cheer and Alexa berates them. She asks if that’s the kind of example the Raw Women’s Champion should be setting. Cross says Becky is attempting to take-out Natalya before SummerSlam. However tonight, Alexa says she will take the man down a few pegs.
Lynch appears on the Titantron and says she decided to take a few minutes out of her day to threaten Alexa. She says Alexa can say whatever she want for free right now, but she’ll pay for it later. Lynch asks Cross if she really came all the way from Scotland to be a coffee maker for Bliss, and asks where her Celtic pride is? Lynch says Nattie learned earlier today what happens when she’s pissed off, and Bliss will find out later.
The Uso’s make their way to the ring. Jimmy and Jey will be in a Tag Team Championship Match, after the break.
*Commercial Break*
We start with Scott Dawson and Uso. Dawson takes Jimmy down but gets put in a headlock. Dawson shoots Uso off but gets floors by a shoulder tackle. Dawson responds with a high elbow and taunts Jey Uso. Dawson tees-off on Jimmy before hitting a back suplex and tagging Dash.
Wilder connects with a headbutt to Jimmy for a two count. Wilder chops Jimmy, who fires back with chops of his own and Jey makes the tag. Jimmy hold Wilder in the corner and Jey hits a clothesline. Knife edge chop from Uso, but Wilder fires back with a European uppercut and tags Dawson.
Scott applies a rear chin lock but Jey quickly fights to his feet. Dawson looks for a piledriver but Jey flips him off. Wilder is tagged in but Jey drops him with a kick to the gut. Jimmy is legal again and he uppercuts Wilder for a two count. Jey tags in and hits an axe handle to the arm of Wilder, before applying an armbar. Dash fights up and tags Dawson.
Scott applies a sleeper in the centre of the ring but gets rolled off and tags Wilder. Jey is set on the top rope but he fights Wilder off and hits a crossbody for a two count. Jey dodges Wilder and drops him with a right hand. Uso is sent out of the ring and Luke Gallows floors him with a clothesline.
*Commercial Break*
We’re back live and Karl Anderson has Uso trapped in a headlock in the middle of the ring. Uso fights up but Anderson whips him to the corner and connects with a knee for a two count. Anderson uppercuts Uso in the corner and tags Gallows, who drops Jey with repeated right hands. Gallows applies a sleeper until Jey fights out.
Anderson is tagged and he methodically attacks Jey. Anderson looks for a back suplex but Jey lands on his feet, punches Anderson, and tags Jimmy. Wilder is tagged as well and Jimmy drops him with a right hand. Jimmy connects with an enziguiri, before dropping Dawson as well. Jimmy hits a hip attack in the corner and knocks Gallows off the apron. Jimmy looks for a crossbody but Wilder catches him and rolls through.
Jimmy shoves Wilder into Anderson on the apron and hits a Samoan drop for a two count. Dawson pulls the hair of Jimmy, then makes the tag to Wilder behind Jimmy’s back. Dash lifts Jimmy onto his shoulders and Dawson hits a bulldog from the top rope for a near-fall. Dawson looks for a suplex on Anderson but both men end-up going over the ropes and crashing on the floor. Dash then dives through the ropes and uses the barricade for a tornado DDT to Gallows. Followed by a dive over the ropes by Jey Uso to Dash.
Jimmy takes to the top rope to dive on everyone below but Dawson instead attacks him. Jimmy and Dawson fight on the top rope until Jimmy superplexes Dawson onto The O.C., Dash Wilder, and Jey Uso on the floor! Jimmy drags Scott Dawson back into the ring, and takes to the top rope. Jimmy looks for the frog splash but nobody’s home. Gallows blind-tags in. The Revival hit The Shatter Machine to Jimmy, then Jey takes them both out with a crossbody. Anderson catches Jey with a spinebuster, then he and Gallows hit The Magic Killer to Jimmy for the win!
Anderson and Gallows take their titles and turn tail. They pose on the ramp with their belts. The O.C. now holds three titles, just like New Day over on SmackDown.
Still to come, Alexa Bliss Vs. Becky Lynch, Seth Rollins Vs. Dolph Ziggler, and the first-ever Samoan Summit.
*Commercial Break*
AJ Styles is backstage, getting a table set-up for celebrations. Kayla Braxton walks-up and starts talking to him but Anderson and Gallows run in yelling and they all hug.
We see some highlights from last week’s Raw Reunion. Next we see a replay of Shawn Michaels getting attacked by Dolph Ziggler on Miz TV.
The Viking Raiders will be in action, next.
*Commercial Break*
Erik starts things off with Jonny James and floors him with a tackle right away. Carter gets off the apron but Ivar drops him with a kick. Carter rolls into the ring and Erik dropkicks him into James. Ivar tags in and hits both men in the corner with a bronco buster. Erik hits a powerbomb/bodyslam to both men at the same time. They hit The Viking Experience for the win.
We see Street Profits backstage and they recount the show so far. Ford mentions Maria and Dawkins asks why she’s Champion. Ford says it’s because she’s pregnant and can’t be touched. Dawkins starts looking into the distance like he’s all about her. Ford asks if he’s the baby daddy and Dawkins tells him not to spread rumours. Ford says if he is the daddy that means Maria has him for 18 years, so Dawkins grabs him and tells him it’s not funny. Seth Rollins walks-up and Dawkins and Ford hug him. They say the locker room is behind Rollins as he takes on Ziggler tonight and Seth thanks them. Ford starts to scream “BURN IT DOWN!!” but Rollins stops him and says that’s his thing. However, if they’re gonna do it they gotta put some stank on it, then all three of them scream it.
Becky Lynch is shown walking to the ring, where she will face Alexa Bliss, next.
*Commercial Break*
The match gets underway and the fans are firmly behind Lynch. She puts her hands behind her back and tells Bliss to hit her. Alexa goes to throw but Lynch intercepts her. Becky slams Alexa down a few times before taking a front facelock.
Lynch lands a suplex and looks for the Dis-Arm-Her but Alexa fights her off. Bliss plays possum and slams Lynch onto the ropes. Bliss distracts the referee, so Cross hits a Lynch behind his back. Bliss then knocks Becky out of the ring.
Becky gets back inside and hits Alexa a few times with forearms. Becky goes to the middle rope and Alexa pulls her off by the foot. Alexa then stomps Lynch in the corner. Alexa applies a submission to Becky but the Champion fights out. Alexa rolls her up for a two count, then drops her with a right hand. Bliss drops knees on Lynch, then does a handstand and drops knees on her again. Bliss attempts multiple pinfalls.
Bliss tosses Lynch to the apron but Becky kicks her and gets back inside. Alexa counters the Bexploder and floors Lynch. The Champion connects with a knee, then clotheslines Alexa. Becky misses a spin kick, then does it again and connects, followed by the Bexploder. Alexa feigns an injured foot and the referee makes Becky leave her alone. The referee’s call and end to the contest.
Cross talks trash to Lynch after the match, getting in her face, and asking for a match. Becky seems up for it but we’re heading to the break.
*Commercial Break*
The bell rings as we come back from the break – Alexa Bliss is sitting at ringside. Cross pushes Becky but Lynch fires back with a right hand. The Champion whips Nikki to the corner and follows up with a splash.
Lynch connects with an uppercut, followed by a shoulder tackle. Nikki responds with an elbow before she climbs to the top rope. Cross looks for a crossbody and goes for the cover but Becky kicks out. Cross hits the Champ with a snapmare, followed by a headloc.
Becky eventually gets out of it and connects with a back elbow. Lynch tosses Nikki to the outside. Nikki climbs the ring apron and tp the top rope but Becky knocks her off. Becky hits the Manhandle Slam for the win.
Alexa Bliss runs in and attacks Becky Lynch from behind after the match. Her and Nikki beat on Becky Lynch until Natalya comes out as Bliss and Nikki leave the ring. Natalya goes after Becky and locks in the sharpshooter until she’s forced off.
*Commercial Break*
The 24/7 Champion, Maria, is backstage, posing for photos with her new title. She tells the cameraman to leave and then Braun Strowman is nearby. She asks him if he knows what it’s like to be pregnant but he doesn’t respond. She says “monster among men?” Then asks why doesn’t he show her how big and strong he is. Braun gets angry as she walks away.
Seth Rollins makes his way to the ring for the match against Dolph Ziggler. Shawn Michael’s music hits but it’s Dolph. He mocks Shawn’s entrance before laughing at the fans. He says we should be thanking him for enlightening them to pathetic people like Shawn Michaels and Goldberg. Ziggler says he is the real show-stealer, the main event.
The bell rings as Ziggler is posing like HBK, and Seth attacks him from behind. Rollins knocks Dolph from the ring, then beats him around ringside. Rollins tosses him into the barricade a few times, then gets him back in the ring and punches him. Ziggler crawls out of the ring to regroup.
Seth chases but Dolph kicks him. Rollins reverses Ziggler and tosses him into the barricade, then back into the ring. Rollins hits a snapmare, followed by a knee drop. Ziggler rolls to the apron and Seth goes after. Ziggler kicks the rope into Seth’s crotch, then hits a huge snap DDT on the apron. Both men are down on the floor.
*Commercial Break*
We’re back and Seth is delivering right hands to Ziggler. He forces him to the corner and stomps him down. Rollins connects with the falcon arrow for a two count. Rollins runs at Dolph in the corner but is tossed over and onto the apron. Rollins looks for a springboard knee but Dolph avoids it and tosses him into the ring post twice. Ziggler hits the Zig-Zag for a near-fall.
Ziggler goes to the corner and stomps up the band, but it’s Seth who connects with the superkick. Rollins then kicks him down and starts stomping.
Suddenly, Brock Lesnar’s music hits and The Beast comes down with Paul Heyman. Ziggler grabs the leg of Rollins as Lesnar storms the ring and attacks Seth!
Lesnar hits two German suplexes to Rollins, who then rolls from the ring. Lesnar tosses Seth into the barricade, then hits it again. Lesnar hits a German suplex on the floor. Brock lifts Rollins and hits the F5 into the ring post!
Brock grabs a chair and tosses Seth into the ring. Brock whacks the chair across Rollins’ back, then sits down on the chair and watches the former Universal Champion climb to his feet. Brock grabs Seth again and hits an F5 onto the chair sitting upright! Brock lifts Seth and gives him another F5 onto the chair, before holding his title in the air. Seth is bleeding from the mouth. Brock sets the chair up, lifts Seth, and delivers a fourth F5. Officials come down to stop the attack and Heyman begs Lesnar to stop. Brock leaves with his title and Rollins is placed on a stretcher.
*Commercial Break*
Back in the arena and Rollins is being taken away on the stretcher. Roman Reigns and more check on him as he’s going past. The Uso’s are attacked by Anderson and Gallows, then Roman Reigns joins in to help them but Samoa Joe attacks him from behind. The Uso’s and Reigns are left lying.
The camera runs back to see Seth be put in the ambulance. The ambulance tries to leave but then stops because Brock Lesnar is standing in front of it. Brock opens the back door and drags Rollins out on the stretcher. Brock rolls the stretcher into a production box, then tips it over. Brock lifts Rollins and F5’s him onto the side of the stretcher.
*Commercial Break*
Samoa Joe comes to the ring following a video of Roman Reigns and The Uso’s talking about Hobbs & Shaw.
Joe says he regrets to inform us that the Samoa Summit has been cancelled. And he’s perfectly OK with that because he came here to fight, not talk. So if Roman Reigns can, he should come down here so he can continue the beatdown he started backstage.
Reigns’ music hits and the big dog marches down to the ring. Reigns slides in and Joe starts attacking him. Roman fires back with right hands and knocks Joe from the ring. Roman slams Joe’s head into the apron, and punches him around ringside. Roman delivers a headbutt but then Joe whips him into the steel steps. Joe walks around, gloating, until he turns around and Joe tosses the steels steps into his face!
Drew McIntyre comes running down and attacks Roman. Reigns fires back and knocks him into the crowd. Reigns chases Drew through the fans and back to ringside. Joe attacks Roman and he and Drew get him back into the ring. They kick him down until Cedric Alexander shows-up and hits Joe with a springboard clothesline. Alexander hits McIntyre as well and looks to dive over the ropes onto them but Joe intercepts him. McIntyre then drags Alexander up the ramp and suplexes him into the LED wall, then throws him off the stage.
Meanwhile Samoa Joe has dragged Roman up to the announce table. Joe and McIntyre are going to slam Reigns through the table until The Uso’s come to his aid. The O.C. aren’t far behind and a huge brawl breaks out. Alexander reappears on top of the Titantron and he dives off onto everyone below!
Alexander and McIntyre get back down to the ring and Cedric is attacking him until Gallows and Anderson come down and beat him. Reigns and The Uso’s reappear and knock Anderson, Gallows, and McIntyre from the ring, then Roman hits Joe with a spear. Reigns, The Uso’s, and Cedric Alexander celebrate in the ring together to close the show.
And that’s it for Monday Night Raw. Let us know what you thought of the show and be sure to come back tomorrow for SmackDown Live. Until then safe travels!