WWE RAW Results – August 31, 2020

Welcome to Ringside News’ live results for WWE RAW, just one night removed from Payback.

Last night’s Payback was a great show that had some big title changes and ramifications moving forward. First and foremost, Keith Lee defeated Randy Orton, quickly and cleanly. The shocking win looks set to catapult Lee into stardom but where does Orton go next? Drew is still injured, so he might have to beat up Vince McMahon or something.

One of the best matches last night say the Mysterio’s defeat Seth Rollins and Murphy. After the match Seth stormed off and left Murphy at ringside, suggesting a fracture in the relationship. Well tonight Seth battles Rey because this feud never ends and we’re sure to see a new wrinkle appear.

Sasha Banks and Bayley lost their Women’s Tag Team Championships last night to Shayna Baszler and Nia Jax, and while we’re certain to get the new Champs tonight, it will be interesting to see what happens with the former Champions. WWE seems to be building to Sasha Vs. Bayley for the SmackDown Women’s Championship, but how long can they keep the story boiling?

And that’s the preview for tonight’s show. WWE hasn’t given us much to go on but we can assume RAW Underground will return, Apollo Crews isn’t finished with the new United States Champion Bobby Lashley, and perhaps Retribution will show up. Follow along here for live updates and enjoy the show!

WWE RAW

Tonight’s show opens with a memorial graphic for “Bullet” Bob Armstrong, who passed away last week.

We’re live in the ThunderDome with sold-out screens and out comes The Legend Killer, Randy Orton. Tonight there will be three matches, with the winners progressing to a Triple Threat main event to determine the number one contender at Clash of Champions. Those matches will be Dominik Mysterio Vs. Seth Rollins – because Rey is injured, Dolph Ziggler Vs. Keith Lee, and Kevin Owens Vs. Randy Orton.

Randy reminds us that last week Drew McIntyre offered him a pity rematch, so he kicked his head three times. Orton says Drew feels like he deserves to be WWE Champion but as far as he’s concerned the only thing he deserves is the hairline fracture in his jaw. Randy is angry he has to jump through hoops tonight to get another title shot, but he will. Then he will beat Drew at Clash of Champions for the Championship, that is…if Drew can make it.

Randy says Drew isn’t here tonight but he knows McIntyre has gotten together with a few friends to reminisce. He then directs us to the Titantron where we get a goofy graphic of Drew, Shawn Michaels, Ric Flair, Edge, Big Show, and Christian all lined-up in hospital beds. Orton is laughing at the picture when he gets interrupted by the Limitless Keith Lee.

Lee says Randy has done well for himself and he’s proud of it. He’s fixated on talking about the damage he’s done this year, but he can’t forget what happened at Payback last night. Lee says last night Randy got the chance to bask in his glory, and perhaps that kind of victory means he should get the shot at the WWE Championship. Keith says he considers Drew a good friend and he likes to talk about receipts, so he knows at some point….Dolph attacks Lee from behind.

*Commercial Break*

Qualifying Match

Keith Lee Vs. Dolph Ziggler

We return in time for the bell to ring and Dolph shoots for a single-leg takedown but Lee hoists him up and tosses him away. Dolph shoots again but Lee takes his wrist. Ziggler breaks free and jumps for a dropkick but Lee grabs his legs and catapults Dolph into the turnbuckles.

Ziggler takes his time getting back in the ring and manages to take Lee down with a neckbreaker into a sleeper hold. Keith fights to his feet, dodges Dolph and hits a pounce that sends him flying out of the ring as we head to the break.

*Commercial Break*

Back live and Lee chops Dolph hard in the corner, then throws him across the ring. Lee hits a splash in the corner, then gets Dolph up but Ziggler pulls his nose and jumps off to hit a Famouser. Ziggler rakes Lee’s face on the middle rope, then hits another neckbreaker and a big elbow drop for two.

Ziggler looks for a Zig-Zag but Lee shrugs him off and throws some hands. Lee hits a massive flapjack and a spinning powerslam. Lee looks for a splash in the corner but Ziggler dodges and hits a Zig-Zag for a near-fall. Ziggler looks for a superkick but gets caught with the Spirit Bomb!

Winner: Keith Lee

We see still images of Shayna Baszler and Nia Jax’s big win over Sasha Banks and Bayley. The new Champions are interviewed backstage and Jax says they did it because Baszler to follow her lead. Baszler disagrees and says Nia stayed out of her way, allowing her to submit both of them at once. Nia says she is the Tag Team Champion and Baszler is just holding the other belt. Asuka dances into the frame and that irks Baszler and Jax. Asuka shoves Shayna and shouts in Japanese before walking off.

*Commercial Break*

Adam Pearce is backstage with a bunch of guards, and he says tonight they have to make sure Retribution do not interfere tonight. And if they fail they will all be fired.

Charly Caruso interviews Asuka in the ring and asks if anyone is deserving of a title shot. Asuka laughs and rants in Japanese, before saying she has beaten many great women but it doesn’t matter who is next because she is ready. Mickie James comes out and says that, as a six-times Women’s Champion, she recognises greatness. James says Asuka is one of the all-time greats, so out of respect she should be the first to now she’s coming for the title.

Natalya’s music hits and she comes out alongside Lana. Nattie says Mickie has had six chances to be Champion and she’s just being selfish. Lana says Mickie has failed to evolve since 1998 and that’s why the game has passed her by. Lana says she is a trendsetter and Natalya is the B.O.A.T, so Mickie has to go through her. Asuka interrupts their arguing and says she is ready for all of them. Lana and Nattie attack them from behind but Asuka kicks Nattie out while Mickie tosses Lana to the floor.

*Commercial Break*

We get a video celebrating the Connor’s Cure foundation.

The Viking Raiders are backstage with Cedric Alexander and Demi Burnett. She wishes them luck in their match and gives Ivar a kiss. Once everyone has walked off Angel Garza walks up with a rose, looking angry.

Lana W/Natalya Vs. Mickie James

The match gets underway and Lana stomps Mickie down in the corner. Lana talks trash as she kicks Mickie around the ring. James fires back and hits a Thesz Press with punches. James connects with forearms and attempts the Mick DDT but Lana breaks away. Lana uses the referee to hit a cheap-shot but Mickie retaliates with a Mick Kick and scores a pinfall.

Winner: Mickie James

Charly Caruso is backstage attempting to get an interview with Aleister Black but Randy Orton walks out of his room and Charly looks baffled.

*Commercial Break*

Billie Kay and Peyton Royce are interviewed backstage. Later tonight they will face The Riott Squad to determine the number one contenders and the losing team must disband. Sarah asks how they feel and Kay says they’ve been friends since high school and they’ve did it all together. Kay says only a half-wit would think they’d let two snot-nosed brats ruin all that. Royce says they will end the Riott Squad and get the Women’s Tag Team Titles back in their possession.

Kevin Owens is making his way down to the ring for his qualifying match against Randy Orton but Aleister Black attacks Owens from out of nowhere. He beats him, tosses him into the LED apron, and hits Black Mass. Black then shoves Owens into the ring.

Qualifying Match

Kevin Owens Vs. Randy Orton

The referee checks on Owens and says he can’t compete but Owens is adamant he can. He swings some punches but Orton avoids them. KO chops the chest of Orton, so he hits a vicious RKO for the win.

Winner: Randy Orton

Randy Orton joins Keith Lee in the Triple Threat main event to determine the number one contender to Drew McIntyre at Clash of Champions. The final qualifying match will see Dominik Mysterio face Seth Rollins. Charly Caruso interviews the Mysterio’s backstage and Rey says he wanted closure against Seth tonight. Everyone knows the pain Seth put them through and it would mean the world to him to beat him tonight, but his loss is his son’s gain. Dominik says he knows he’s the underdog but last night put his confidence on another level, and he has a 619 with Monday Night Messiah written on it.

*Commercial Break*

MVP and Shelton Benjamin are in the V.I.P Lounge, and MVP says this is the first such show in the ThunderDome. He introduces the CEO of The Hurt Business and the new United States Champion, Bobby Lashley.

MVP says he’s known a lot of young guys who taste some success and let it get to their head. And Apollo is no different. Lashley says he did exactly what he said he was going to do, then Apollo attacked him from behind. He’s not mad because he would have done it himself, but he will get payback of his own. Benjamin says that he’s going to beat Apollo like a little punk in RAW Underground tonight. Cedric Alexander comes out and they meet him on the ramp. MVP asks if he’s finally changed his mind but he says “hell no”, and suddenly Erik and Ivar attack them from behind.

*Commercial Break*

The Hurt Business Vs. The Viking Raiders & Cedric Alexander

We return to find this match in progress, with Lashley beating Erik into the corner. The Viking fires back with stiff forearms, then hits the ropes but Lashley cracks him with a fist and tags MVP. The Balla’ beats Erik in the corner and makes a tag to Shelton.

Ivar gets a tag and he throws Benjamin into a huge knee from Erik. Ivar clobbers Shelton in the corner before tagging Cedric and he beats him as well. Erik tags in and drills Benjamin with a knee to the jaw, but Shelton comes back with a spinebuster. Both men are down and make tags to MVP and Alexander.

Cedric throws rapid punches but gets caught with a flapjack. Benjamin tags in and slams Cedric before unloading some ground and pound. Benjamin tosses Cedric across the ring, then hits a body slam. MVP tags in and takes Cedric down. Alexander tries to make a tag but Lashley and Benjamin pull his partners off the apron. MVP looks for the Ballin’ Kick but Cedric dodges and rolls him up with a handful of tights for the win!

Winners: The Viking Raiders & Cedric Alexander

After the match Benjamin and Lashley storm the ring but MVP hold them back from attacking Cedric, and he smiles at him for cheating.

*Commercial Break*

Back from the break and MVP, Lashley, and Benjamin are beating Cedric backstage. Ricochet and Apollo run up and they walk off.

Number One Contender’s Match

The Riott Squad Vs. The IIconics

This important match gets underway and Ruby runs at Kay but gets tackled down. They roll around punching each other and Kay tags Peyton for a double-team bulldog/knee. Royce takes a headlock but Ruby drills her with a forearm, ducks a kick and tags Liv.

Morgan ducks Peyton and hits a dropkick, followed by a running back elbow and a dropkick against the ropes. Kay tags in but Liv beats her down and makes a tag to Ruby for a double-team move. Ruby whips Billie to the corner and hits a forearm. Peyton runs in but Liv catches her with a facebuster. Ruby then catches Kay with a roll-up for two, and they continue to trade pinfall attempts until Ruby pins her!

Winners: The Riott Squad

The Riott Squad have earned a Tag Team Championship shot at Clash of Champions, but more importantly The IIconics are forced to disband. This was such a dumb stipulation that breaks up one of the very few women’s tag teams they actually have, and a really entertaining one to boot.

After the break Seth Rollins will face Dominik Mysterio, with the winner moving on the main event to face Keith Lee and Randy Orton. We see Shane McMahon approach the door of RAW Underground and talk to the doorman about what we can expect on the show, including Jessamyn Duke, Titus O’Neil, and Apollo Crews.

*Commercial Break*

Seth Rollins comes to the ring alongside Murphy. Rollins stares at Murphy with disdain, then takes the microphone and says last night was his fault. He says with a title shot on the line tonight he can’t have Murphy screwing it up for him, so Seth tells Murphy to take a hike. As Murphy is leaving, Dominik attacks him from behind!

Dominik Mysterio Vs. Seth Rollins

Dominik slides into the ring, ducks Seth, and tackles him to the mat. Seth breaks free and drops Dominik with a forearm, then whips him to the ropes but gets caught with a tilt-a-whirl arm-drag. Dominik hits a dropkick and Seth rolls outside, but Dominik chases after.

Rollins slams Dominik’s arm into the announce table, then puts him back in the ring and stomps him repeatedly. Seth sends Dom to the apron but he hits a springboard crossbody. Dominik knocks Seth onto the middle rope and looks for the 619 but Rollins avoids it. Seth drags him out of the ring and attempts to slam him into the desk again but Dom turns the tables, then jumps off the desk with a senton as we head to the break.

*Commercial Break*

Back live and Seth hits Dominik with a slingblade for a two-count, then goes to a leg scissors submission and slaps his head. Mysterio fights up but Seth knocks him down and applies a bearhug. Again Dominik fights out and punches Seth into the corner. He looks for ten punches but Seth grabs him for a Buckle Bomb…only for Mysterio to counter with a hurricanrana into the buckles!

Dominik hits a springboard tornado DDT and a standing moonsault for a two-count. Seth rolls from the ring but Dominik jumps off the top rope with a crossbody! Both men get back inside and Dominik drop-toe-holds Seth onto the middle rope. Dominik hits the 619 and goes up top for the five star frog splash…but Seth avoids it. Rollins hits The Stomp for the win.

Winner: Seth Rollins

Rollins joins Orton and Lee in the number one contender main event. After the match Seth hits a second Stomp and we see Rey and family watching backstage.

We join RAW Underground in progress, where Titus O’Neill hits a huge spinebuster and some ground and pound to win a fight. Another random guy jumps up and Titus hits him with a Judo throw, followed by headbutts for the win. Riddick Moss steps up and takes Titus down with a single-leg takedown. Moss lands a few shots and Titus tries to turn the tables but Moss keeps getting the better of him. Titus is able to throw Riddick off the mat and slam him into some shelves nearby. Back on the mat Riddick drops Titus with a big right hand!

The Street Profits are backstage and Dawkins has a scouting report on Andrade and Angelo Dawkins. They make fun of their opponents, including Zelina, saying she’s too short to ride rollercoasters.

*Commercial Break*

We see a video from earlier today when Akira Tozawa arrived at the arena with his ninja’s. An arena guard stops him to ask for his name and he’s not on the list. Tozawa holds up the 24/7 Championship and they argue while we see R-Truth pop-out from behind him. The guard is actually a referee and Truth rolls him up to win his baby back. R-Truth is the WWE 24/7 Champion. Truth runs off and Tozawa kidnaps the arena guard.

Tornado Tag Team Match

The Street Profits Vs. Andrade & Angel Garza W/Zelina Vega, Demi Burnett

The bell rings and the heels storm the Champions and toss Dawkins from the ring. They beat on Ford, who tries to rally, but gets whipped into the buckles. Ford hits enziguiri’s to both and goes up top, but they both climb up with him. Dawkins returns and we get a Tower of Doom as we head to the break.

*Commercial Break*

Back live and the heels are in control of Montez Ford, with Dakwins down on the outside. Vega claps as her men toss Ford into the ring post, then sends daggers at Demi. They bring Dawkins inside and slam him down. Garza torques the back of Angelo, then Andrade jumps off the middle rope with a dropkick to Dawkins for a two-count.

Andrade applies an armbar to Dawkins over the ropes. Garza holds Angelo while Andrade goes up top, but Dawkins punches him and catches Andrade for a belly-to-belly. Dawkins kicks Garza and slams Andrade for a two-count. Andrade gets Dawkins in tree of woe, Garza hits a running kick, and Andrade follows-up with a double stomp.

They attempt a pin but Ford leaps over Garza and breaks it up. Ford rallies and hits a dropkick to Andrade and screams, shaking the ropes. Suddenly the lights start flickering, so Garza grabs Demi and runs away. Retribution come through the “crowd” and storm the ring, beating down the Profits, Andrade, and Zelina Vega before running off.

No Contest

*Commercial Break*

Adam Pearce is backstage again, screaming at the guards from earlier, telling them to get to their posts and run them off.

We’re back in RAW Underground and Jessamyn Duke is fighting a girl called Avery, while Peyton Royce and Billie Kay watch on. Duke kicks Avery in the ribs a few times, then unloads some ground and pound until she’s pulled off by the referee. She hits a cheap knee after and a random girl jumps up to confront her.

Marina Shafir gets up on the mat and between them, but winds up fighting the girl and takes her down with a vicious judo throw and chokes her out with a triangle. Peyton throws Billie Kay onto the mat, and she gets headkicked by Jessamyn.

Charly Caruso interviews Ricoche, Alexander, and Apollo outside of RAW Underground. She asks if it’s wise for Apollo to face Shelton tonight and he says the old Apollo would have woke up feeling sorry for himself, but he’s gone. In his place is a determined man who will bounce back and not stop until he gets his United States Championship. Ricochet says MVP doesn’t know a thing about friendship, so they’re going to prove to him that what they have is worth more than money.

*Commercial Break*

We’re back in RAW Underground and Apollo Crews goes head-to-head with Shelton Benjamin. They trade punches and knees until Benjamin lifts and slams Apollo. They struggle for ground control with Shelton landing some shots, but Apollo gets a Kimura, but Shelton runs him off the mat and hell breaks loose. The Hurt Business drag Ricochet, Cedric, and Apollo onto the mat and choke all three of them out!

Angel Garza is walking backstage with Demi. She calls Retribution Restoration, and says they just abandoned Zelina and Andrade. He says it’s OK, they can handle themselves. She’s his main concern. They walk forward but a door bursts open and Retribution throw a random guy into the wall. Angel runs off, leaving Demi, and they chase after her.

Number One Contender Match

Randy Orton Vs. Keith Lee Vs. Seth Rollins

The bell rings and nobody moves. Orton and Rollins look to spark a partnership but instead Randy slides out of the ring, saying “I already worked tonight.” Seth rolls out as well, refusing to lock-up with Lee. Seth argues with Randy at ringside but Lee grabs him by the hair.

Seth chokes Lee on the top rope and runs in to grab a headlock. Lee throws him off and into the corner. Randy slides in and he takes a headlock but Lee forces him to the corner. Seth kicks Lee but the big man whips Seth into Randy in the corner. They toss Lee to the apron but he jumps back over with a crossbody to both!

*Commercial Break*

Back live and Lee jumps over the ropes, right into a superkick from Seth. Lee rolls outside and Seth jumps off the apron with a flying knee. Orton hits a back suplex to Lee onto the announce desk. Seth and Randy share a good laugh, then throw Lee into the steel steps.

They work together to bring Lee back in the ring but Orton stops and quickly grabs Seth to hit the draping DDT for a near-fall. Orton drops down and pounds the mat but Seth counters the RKO with a falcon arrow and scores a two-count.

Rollins readies for The Stomp but Lee climbs up on the apron behind him and punches him. Lee steamrolls them and throws Rollins into Orton like a child. Both heels roll outside and Lee hits Orton with a huge pounce at ringside. Seth comes through the ropes but Lee catches him and throws him over the announce table!

Lee gets Seth back in the ring but eats a kick. Seth runs but gets caught, though manages to roll-up Lee for two. Seth hits an enziguiri, then Avada Kadavra. Rollins foes to the corner and looks for The Stomp but gets caught with the Spirit Bomb! Orton slides in and catches Lee with an RKO, then slithers over and pins Seth for the win!

Winner: Randy Orton

And that’s it for this week’s WWE RAW. Let us know what you thought of the show and be sure to come back next week for more news and results. Until then, stay safe!