WWE Raw Results – 8/24/20

WWE Raw Results
August 24, 2020
Orlando, Florida (Amway Center)
Commentary: Tom Phillips, Byron Saxton, and Samoa Joe

 

(c) by wwe

 

WWE Champion Drew McIntyre makes his way to the ring. McIntyre poses and pyro goes off all around the arena, including behind the LED monitors with the WWE fans on it.

McIntyre welcomes everyone to the first Raw from the WWE ThunderDome. McIntyre asks everyone for a thumbs up, and the virtual crowd responds. McIntyre says he had his greatest challenge to date against an evil man in Randy Orton and he stands here still the champion. McIntyre asks Orton if he wants to know the secret of how he pulled it off. It’s simple. He’s hungrier than Orton and works harder than him. When the chips are down and Superstars are missing, he digs in and pushes forward because he’s so damn proud to be WWE Champion. McIntyre is also this way because of his journey. McIntyre knows what it’s like to go through hard times and feel desperate, wondering where your next paycheck is coming from. Some people watching know what that’s about. Orton knows nothing about that as he’s protected and coddled. No matter how many mistakes Orton made, his inner circle made sure he stayed at the top. Orton kept getting better and is the absolute best, which makes McIntyre sick. Still, last night, Drew McIntyre was that much better.

Thinking back to Backlash, didn’t Orton win a match called the “Greatest Wrestling Match Ever”? Then he started bragging about how he’s the greatest wrestler ever. Last night, he not only beat Orton, he beat him with a wrestling maneuver. What does that make Drew McIntyre? McIntyre is looking forward to his next challenge, but he knows Orton won’t let this go. If Orton wants to come back for more, he’ll get to do the one thing he didn’t get to do last night: he’ll kick Orton’s head off and send his ass to Claymore Country.

McIntyre leaves the ring and poses on the ramp. Orton attacks him from behind and throws him into the LED wall. Orton punches him back, but McIntyre fights back. Orton bounces him off the LED board.

They brawl into Gorilla position. Orton rakes the eyes and knocks McIntyre into the wall. Referees pull Orton back, but he escapes and Punk Kicks Drew McIntyre! Orton leaves. McIntyre tries to get to his feet, but he is knocked loopy. Orton then returns and delivers a second Punt Kick to McIntyre. McIntyre is not moving. Orton drops down and whispers to him before walking off.

Nia Jax is walking backstage when Sarah Schreiber comes up to her. She says Jax has been suspended. Jax says all she had to do was apologize and scares Schreiber away. Shayna Baszler comes up and says they’re all just waiting for Jax to say something to get herself kicked out again. Jax says if she needs help against Bayley she just needs to ask. Baszler says she doesn’t need help from a Haystacks Calhoun lookalike. Actually, Calhoun was good looking. Jax says she’s rude and looks like an Addams Family reject. Baszler sarcastically welcomes her back.

The Golden Role Models make their way to the ring. Sasha Banks looks unhappy after losing her Raw Women’s Championship last night at SummerSlam. Bayley retained her SmackDown Women’s Championship with Banks’ help.

SmackDown Women’s Champion and WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion Bayley w/ WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion Sasha Banks vs. Shayna Baszler

This is a non-title match. Before the match begins, Nia Jax walks out to the stage.

The bell rings, and Baszler quickly goes for Bayley’s arm. Bayley quickly gets to the ropes. Bayley applies a waistlock, but Baszler hooks a hammerlock and takes her down. Baszler grabs the arm, steps on her head, and twists. Baszler then hits an arm breaker. Bayley gets out of the ring to recover. Bayley takes a few moments before getting in the ring and attacking Baszler. Bayley takes her down and stomps her. Bayley then hits a headlock takeover, but Baszler whips her off and hits a big forearm. Baszler connects with a second forearm before kneeing her in the chest in the corner. Baszler talks trash to Banks, so Bayley rolls her up. Baszler kicks out and transitions into a triangle choke. Banks gets on the apron, which distracts Baszler. Bayley attacks her from behind and stomps her in the corner. Bayley hits a textbook suplex for a two count. Banks is holding all three title belts under the control of The Golden Role Models.

Bayley punches Baszler and talks trash. Nia Jax is seen watching on the ramp. Bayley whips her down by the hair and hits an elbow to the back. Bayley follows up with a running uppercut for a two count. Baszler forearms her back and kicks away at her. Baszler charges, but Bayley sidesteps her and sends her out of the ring. Baszler goes to get in the ring, but Jax pulls her off the apron. The referee calls for the bell.

Winner by Disqualification: Shayna Baszler

Baszler quickly fights back and flips Jax over. Jax quickly powers her into the LED apron and puts her in the ring. The Golden Role Models look very happy. Jax takes Baszler down and talks trash. Bayley and Banks root Jax on, but Jax just coldly stares at them. Baszler then gets to her feet and stands alongside Jax. They then join forces to scare back The Golden Role Models.

Kevin Owens is backstage wearing a necktie with a t-shirt on. He’s looking for Aleister Black and knocks on his door. Owens opens the door and asks if he’ll be on The Kevin Owens Show because it’s next. Owens gets no response and says he’ll see him out there.

Kevin Owens is in the ring and welcomes everyone to the first episode of The Kevin Owens Show from the WWE ThunderDome. It’s always special to host this show, but having this guest makes it better. This is someone you wouldn’t expect to see on his show. They’ve had a common enemy for a few months and hasn’t been seen in a while. Returning to Monday Night Raw is Aleister Black.

Aleister Black comes out with a covering over his eye and sits down. Owens says everyone has been concerned for him since Murphy shoved his eye into the steps. Owens asks how his eye is doing. Black tells him to just show the footage. Owens objects, but Black insists.

Owens says he knows exactly what Black is feeling. Rollins and his disciples can get under your skin and get in your head. They made him question why he even wants to be here. You can ask Rey and Dominik Mysterio about it. Seth Rollins loves to do it. As he told Ric Flair a few weeks ago, he’s done a lot of terrible things to get ahead, but Rollins takes it to another level. All of a sudden, Black drops down in pain. Owens gets up and looks concerned. Black all of a sudden blindsides him with a back elbow and wipes him out with a vicious Black Mass. Black angrily walks off.

The Golden Role Models are talking backstage when Charly Caruso comes up to them. She mentions they barely escaped from Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler. That was intense. Bayley says they just left because Sasha Banks has a title match. After Banks wins her title back, they’ll take care of Baszler and Jax.

WWE 24/7 Championship – Fatal 4-Way Match
Shelton Benjamin (c) vs. Cedric Alexander vs. Akira Tozawa vs. R-Truth

The bell rings, and Tozawa charges Benjamin. Benjamin takes him down and slams him. R-Truth covers Tozawa, so Benjamin breaks it up. Alexander takes everyone down. Alexander goes for a Neuralyzer on Benjamin, but Benjamin avoids it. Alexander hits a head-scissor on Benjamin into the corner. Benjamin quickly knees Alexander to the floor. R-Truth attacks Benjamin, but Benjamin avoids it. Tozawa goes for a hurricanrana, but Benjamin catches him and powerbombs him over the top rope, but the ninjas catch him. They put Tozawa on the apron, so Benjamin charges. Tozawa gets Benjamin out of the ring. The ninjas hold Benjamin while Tozawa rolls R-Truth up for the win.

Winner by Pinfall and new WWE 24/7 Champion: Akira Tozawa

Benjamin viciously lays out the ninjas as Tozawa runs away with the title.

Randy Orton is walking backstage when Sarah Schreiber stops him. She asks if he has anything to say about what he did to Drew McIntyre. Orton says he does have something to say and keeps walking.

Randy Orton makes his way to the ring. Orton says for the longest time he’s done what he’s wanted to when he wanted to on whoever he wanted. Last night at SummerSlam, he said he would RKO Drew McIntyre, kick him in the skull, and take his title… but he didn’t. You can call him a lot of things – a pretty long list – but one thing he’s always been is a man of his word. He promised that he would kill the legend of Edge, Christian, Big Show, Ric Flair, and Shawn Michaels… he did just that. Orton is the Legend Killer.

Drew McIntyre comes out here earlier and the opportunity presented itself. He took that opportunity and kicked him in the skull twice. Orton enjoyed it oh so much. Does McIntyre want to know why he kicked him in the skull twice? McIntyre stood in this ring and offered him a rematch out of pity. Who the hell does McIntyre think he is? Orton is the Legend Killer and the greatest wrestler…

Keith Lee’s music cuts him off. Lee walks down to the ring and stares right at Orton before smirking. Orton looks at him with some confusion. Lee says Orton seems a little perplexed, but they haven’t been properly introduced. Lee says, “Greetings and salutations, Mr. Orton. My name is Keith Lee and I have come here to offer you this spectacular opportunity – this luxury, this privilege – to stop what you’re doing for just one moment and bask in my glory.” Lee says Orton has been called many things: The Viper, Apex Predator… Legend Killer… He has been called many things: Game Changer, Anamoly… but he is limitless. Since the Limitless One is on Raw and Orton seems to be looking for a fight the likes of which no one has ever felt, with respect to his friend Drew McIntyre, Lee will step up if he’s willing to respect the challenge right here and now.

Orton circles around him and confirms his name is Keith Lee. Orton says if he wants to fight him right here and now… maybe later. Orton rolls out of the ring and leaves. Lee smiles.

Charly Caruso is backstage when she sees Angel Garza, Zelina Vega, and Demi Burnett. Caruso asks if Vega is finally ready to admit she poisoned Montez Ford. Vega says she had nothing to do with it. That footage had nothing to do with that. Garza says Vega has never been caught before. Vega tells him to shut up. She has a match to concentrate on and leaves. Garza asks if Burnett wants to come to ringside. She says she was talking to Ivar over the weekend. Caruso is also welcome to come. Caruso looks grossed out.

Angel Garza w/ Andrade and Demi Burnett vs. Raw Tag Team Champion Montez Ford w/ Raw Tag Team Champion Angelo Dawkins

The bell rings, and Garza immediately hooks a side headlock. Ford whips him off leapfrogs him twice, and hits a beautiful dropkick. Ford shakes the ropes and charges, but Garza puts him on the apron. Ford punches him back and comes off the top rope, but Garza dropkicks him out of mid-air! Garza rips his pants off and covers Ford for a near fall. Garza puts him in the tree of woe and hits a running knee for a two count. Ford fights up and goes for an enzuigiri, but Garza avoids it. Garza takes Ford down, and Ivar walks down the ramp. Ivar goes up to Demi Burnett and hands her a turkey leg. She happily accepts it and walks off with Ivar. Garza looks furious.

Garza angrily goes after Ford, but Ford sidesteps him. Ford goes to the top rope, but Garza kicks him. Garza goes for a superplex, but Ford fights it and punches him down to the mat. Ford hits a Twisting Frog Splash for the win!

Winner by Pinfall: Raw Tag Team Champion Montez Ford

Shayna Baszler is sitting backstage when Nia Jax walks up to her. Jax says she initially wasn’t thrilled with the idea of teaming with her, but now she’s sure they can win the Women’s Tag Team Titles. Jax wants those titles. Baszler says if she helps her with that, Jax gets off her back and leaves her alone. Jax says as long as she follows her lead and playfully pushes her. Baszler slaps her in the face and walks off. Jax rolls her eyes.

The IIconics (Billie Kay and Peyton Royce) and Zelina Vega vs. The Riott Squad (Ruby Riott and Liv Morgan) and Bianca Belair

It’ll be Liv Morgan starting against Billie Kay. Kay knees Morgan and tags Peyton Royce in. Royce punches Morgan, but Morgan punches back. Morgan sends her to the corner and avalanches her. Ruby Riott tags in and avalanches Royce. Royce quickly elbows her in the face and tags Kay in. Kay takes Riott down for a two count. Royce tags in, and The IIconics deliver stereo kicks to Riott. Zelina Vega tags in and axe kicks Riott. Vega puts her in the corner and kicks her in the head. Vega hits a running knee in the corner and covers for a near fall. Vega applies a dragon sleeper, but Riott whips her off. Vega knocks Morgan off the apron and gets in Belair’s face.

Riott tags Belair in. Belair takes Vega down with some shoulder tackles and knocks The IIconics off the apron. Vega goes for a head-scissor, but Belair lands on her feet. Belair hits a shoulder tackle and claps some syllables. Belair hits a Glam Slam followed by a handspring moonsault, but The IIconics break it up. The Riott Squad runs in and hits step-up enzuigiris on them. Vega rolls Belair up for a two count. Belair forearms her and hits the KOD for the win.

Winners by Pinfall: The Riott Squad and Bianca Belair

Ricochet and Cedric Alexander are arm wrestling backstage. Alexander wins. Mark Henry walks up and says they need the table. Some stagehands carry it away. MVP walks up and asks Alexander what he’s doing. He lost his 24/7 Championship and isn’t going after the new champion. Instead he’s having fun and losing arm wrestling matches. Ricochet says Alexander already told him no. MVP says he’s not talking to him. Why is Alexander going after a man called the One and Only? MVP says they can go back to doing whatever they were doing and stay right where they’re at. MVP walks off.

WWE Hall of Famer Mark Henry is in the ring. He says it’s time to see who is the strongest. He introduces the CEO of the Hurt Business, Bobby Lashley, to the ring. Next out is WWE United States Champion Cedric Alexander. Henry says he’s told The Hurt Business, Ricochet, and Cedric Alexander not to come out so it’s a fair competition. Lashley says he doesn’t need MVP or Shelton Benjamin. Lashley will slam his hand down and beat him up, but not too bad so he can show up this weekend and beat him for the United States Championship. Lashley asks, “Do you got that, little man?” Crews says he’ll do the same thing to Lashley he did to MVP last night.

Henry asks if they’re ready to go. They lock hands on the table, but Lashley pulls back. Lashley removes his jacket and puts it on the top rope. Lashley then gets in Henry’s face. Crews stomps on Lashley’s foot and slams Lashley’s arm down to win. Henry declares him the winner. Lashley is furious. Lashley attacks, but Crews gets the better of him. Crews goes for a Toss Powerbomb, but Lashley gets out. Crews big boots him and hits a summersault plancha on the rest of the Hurt Business as they run down to the ring. Crews grabs his United States Championship and runs off.

Rey, Angie, and Dominik Mysterio are talking backstage. Charly Caruso walks up to them. She asks Rey about the conflicting emotions he must be experiencing. Rey says whatever happens tonight, he’s proud of his son. Angie says they’re proud of him. Last night, Dominik took on one of the most dangerous superstars in WWE. Rey couldn’t ask for more. Charly asks Dominik if he was nervous. Dominik says he was absolutely terrified, but he knew no matter what he had his family in his corner, which gave him the courage to do what he had to do. Rey says Rollins doesn’t understand that about their family. They give each other strength. One day, Rollins will have a family of his own and understand what he put Rey through. Rey’s family is together and will have to deal with the consequences for the rest of his career. His son became a man and turned into someone he’s never seen before. Tonight isn’t about winning or losing. He’s so proud of Dominik for standing in front of him knowing how much pain he’s in. Rey says he loves Dominik so much and knows tonight will be a great night. This is the night he’s been dreaming of for many years. Rey has always wanted to share the ring with his son. He’ll be damned if Rollins ruins this moment. Rollins likes to talk about the bright future of Raw. He’s looking at it in Dominik.

Lana and Natalya are in the ring. Lana says they’re inducting a special woman into the Hall of Fame. Lana talks about Natalya and how great she is. Natalya says she’ll get her WWE Hall of Fame induction because she’s the Best of All Time #BOAT, but they’re paying tribute to Mickie James tonight. Like every great trail, it comes to an end. Lana says they tried to elevate James and put her on TikTok, but she refused it. They’re retiring the Chick With The Kick.

They laugh and say that is James’ career. Mickie James angrily runs down and punches Natalya down. She then hits Lana with a Mick Kick. James walks off.

Shane McMahon is outside of Raw Underground with the giant bodyguard when The Hurt Business comes up and goes inside.

Dolph Ziggler gets on the platform and challenges Lashley. Ziggler takes him down with a single leg and applies a front facelock. Lashley angrily takes him down and kicks away at his back. Ziggler kicks him in the head and jumps on his back for a sleeper hold. Lashley tries to roll him off and eventually does. Lashley then shoulder blocks Ziggler off the platform headfirst into a wall. The Hurt Business puts an unwilling participant into the ring… and Lashley knocks him out with a kick that doesn’t come anywhere near his head. Shane McMahon asks if anyone else wants to face Lashley. No takers.

Randy Orton vs. Keith Lee

They lock up, and Orton hooks a side headlock. Lee lifts him up, but Orton cinches it in to get back on the ground. Lee whips him off, drops down, leapfrogs him, and shoulder blocks him down. Orton looks absolutely surprised. Orton signals he wants to do a test of strength, but he instead kicks Lee in the midsection. Orton uppercuts Lee and goes for a punch, but Lee blocks the punch. Lee crushes his hand, and Orton screams in pain. Lee then hits a standing overhead belly-to-belly suplex. Orton rolls out of the ring to recover. Lee scoops him up, but Orton slides off and sends him into the ring post.

Orton has him in the ring and starts the Garvin Stomps. Orton then rakes Lee’s eyes on his kneepad. Orton covers, but Lee powerfully kicks out. Orton applies a deep chin lock. Lee fights up with Orton on his back. Lee backs him into the corner to get out of the hold. Lee avalanches him, hits the ropes, and hits a running cross-body block. Lee pounces Orton out of the ring. Lee puts him in the ring and goes to get in, but Orton kicks him in the chest. Orton hits a draping DDT, gets fired up, and drops down. Drew McIntyre then pulls Orton out of the ring and attacks him.

Winner by Disqualification: Randy Orton

McIntyre attacks Orton and sends him into the barricade. Orton jumps over the barricade and runs away. Lee has disappeared. McIntyre looks intense.

Drew McIntyre is walking backstage when Charly Caruso comes out. McIntyre says he’s happy for his friend Keith Lee, but he doesn’t need help fighting his battles. McIntyre says he doesn’t feel good because Orton tried to end his damn career. If Orton is watching… Randy Orton attacks McIntyre from behind and gives him the third Punt Kick of the night! Referees run up and back him up. McIntyre is unconscious this time.

Raw Women’s Championship – Lumberjack Match
Sasha Banks w/ Bayley vs. Asuka (c)

Lumberjacks: Ruby Riott, Liv Morgan, Bianca Belair, Mickie James, Shayna Baszler, Lana, Natalya, Peyton Royce, Billie Kay

They circle the ring, and Banks rolls her up for a two count. Asuka kicks her in the knee and sends her out of the ring. Banks shoves Riott and gets in the ring. Asuka quickly hip attacks her back to the floor. Bayley comes up and helps Banks, but the Lumberjacks stop her. The face lumberjacks have a staredown with the heel lumberjacks.

We come back from the break to see Bayley punching Asuka while Banks holds her up. Banks gets Asuka in the ring and picks up a two count. Banks slaps the mat in frustration. Banks charges, but Asuka kicks her down. Asuka goes to the second rope and hits a diving DDT for a near fall. Asuka blocks a kick, takes her down, and goes for the ankle lock. Banks fights it, but Asuka locks it in. Banks rolls through to knock Asuka out of the ring. Banks gets on the apron and dives, but Asuka ducks. Banks takes out the Riott Squad instead. Asuka then takes Banks down. Asuka goes after Bayley, and Asuka takes down Lana, Natalya, and The IIconics to get to her. Banks attacks Asuka from behind and puts her in the ring. Banks goes to the top rope and hits a frog splash for a near fall. Banks is stunned.

Bayley goes to put a chair in the ring, but Shayna Baszler stops her. Banks is surprised by that. Asuka then grabs Banks and puts her in the Asuka Lock for the submission.

Winner by Submission and still Raw Women’s Champion: Asuka

The Golden Role Models are furious. Shayna Baszler looks very pleased.

We go backstage to see an ambulance drive off. Charly Caruso says Drew McIntyre was sent to the hospital due to the severity of his injury. McIntyre will undergo more evaluations. Keith Lee is with her. Lee is a close friend of McIntyre. Lee says there’s a large portion of him that wanted to tell McIntyre not to interfere in his Raw debut. With his friend being loaded into an ambulance, that changes things. McIntyre is one of the toughest men he’s ever met. McIntyre will be ok… but he can’t say the same about Randy Orton.

We go back to Raw Underground to see Bobby Lashley battling Cedric Alexander. Lashley wildly slams him down and tries to apply an arm bar. Alexander taps out.

Ivar attacks Lashley, so The Hurt Business gets involved. Erik runs in to help his partner. Lashley applies a Kimura Lock to Ivar. Erik and Ivar are taken out Shane McMahon says business is booming with The Hurt Business. We’ll see what happens on Raw Underground next week.

Randy Orton battles Keith Lee this Sunday at WWE Payback.

Rey and Dominik Mysterio vs. Seth Rollins and Murphy

Rey and Dominik Mysterio attack Seth Rollins and Murphy during their entrance. Rey sends Rollins into the barricade. Murphy sends Dominik into the barricade, and Rollins sends Rey over the commentary table. Rollins and Murphy double-team Dominik and put him in the ring.

Dominik starts against Murphy, as the bell rings. Dominik hits a jawbreaker followed by a rolling arm drag. Dominik hits another arm drag, but Murphy blocks a third. Dominik quickly powers him over and dropkicks him out of the ring. Dominik sets up for a plancha, but Rollins grabs the feet. Dominik hits a baseball slide on him and sends Murphy out of the ring. Rey then sends Rollins into the barricade.

The Mysterios knock Rollins into the ropes. Rey goes for a 619, but Murphy pulls Rollins out of the ring. Dominik hits a diving cross-body off the top rope to the floor onto Rollins and Murphy… and Dominik sticks the landing. The Mysterio Family stands tall in the ring.

We come back from the break to see Rollins gutbuster Rey. During the break, Rollins hit a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Rollins punches Dominik off the apron and laughs. Rey punches Rollins back and hits a wheelbarrow bulldog. Murphy tags in and stops Rey. Rey kicks Murphy back with an enzuigiri.

Dominik tags in and jumps over Murphy. Dominik clotheslines Murphy down. Murphy reverses a whip, but Dominik connects with another clothesline. Murphy puts him on the apron, but Dominik comes back with a springboard cross-body. Dominik boots Murphy back and elbows him in the head. Dominik hits a hurricanrana into the ring post. Dominik goes for a leap, but Murphy catches him. Dominik counters into a DDT, but Rollins breaks up the pin. Rollins distracts Dominik, and Murphy blindsides him. Rollins goes for a Buckle Bomb on Dominik, but Dominik gets out.

Rey tags in and hits a springboard seated senton. Murphy blind tags in while Rey puts Rollins in position. Rollins avoids a 619. Murphy attacks Rey, but Rey puts him in position. Dominik tags in, and The Mysterio Family hit stereo 619s. The lights flicker as Dominik goes to the top rope. Rollins shoves Dominik off the top rope. Rey chases Rollins into the ring. RETRIBUTION gets in the ring.

No Contest

RETRIBUTION attacks the Mysterio Family as Rollins and Murphy run off. Rollins and Murphy happily watch from the stage as RETRIBUTION destroys Dominik and Rey. They slide Rey out of the ring onto his chest and send Dominik into the barricade. They send Rey head-first into the ring post and continue attacking both him and Dominik. RETRIBUTION poses on the apron, and Rollins looks really happy.

 

text by MK

pics (c) by WWE

WWE Raw Results – 8/3/20

WWE Raw Results
August 3, 2020
Orlando, Florida (WWE Performance Center)
Commentary: Tom Phillips, Byron Saxton, and Samoa Joe

 

(c) by WWE

 

WWE United States Championship
Apollo Crews (c) vs. MVP w/ Bobby Lashley and WWE 24/7 Champion Shelton Benjamin

The lights go out during Apollo Crews’ entrance. Before the match begins, MVP says he is the real United States Champion because at Extreme Rules, Crews didn’t show up. Crews made excuses while MVP made history. When the referee counts to three, their beef is done. He’ll represent the Hurt Business as the new United States Champion while Crews can go back to catering with Ricochet and Cedric Alexander. Bon appetit!

They circle the ring and lock up. MVP hooks a waistlock and takes Crews down. MVP applies a body scissor and goes for a chin lock, but Crews elbows out. Crews fights up and gets a jackknife pin for a two count. Crews kips up and taunts MVP. MVP soon takes Crews down with a knee to the midsection. Crews quickly sends him into the ropes and hits a back elbow followed by a clothesline. Crews hits a suplex for a two count. Crews punches away at MVP and applies an arm bar. MVP punches out and boots him in the face. Crews fights back with some forearms to the head. Crews sends him into the ropes, but MVP holds on. Lashley and Benjamin pull MVP out of the ring. Crews takes out the Hurt Business with a summersault senton.

We come back from the break to see MVP applying a neck vice to Crews. During the break, Lashley blindsided Crews on the apron. MVP then big booted Crews to the floor. Back to live action, Crews punches out and hits the ropes, but MVP turns him inside out with a clothesline for a near fall. MVP covers again for another near fall. MVP gets Crews to his feet and uppercuts him down for a two count. MVP nearly has a whip reversed, but he takes Crews down with a drop-toe-hold facebuster. MVP then uses the bottom rope to stretch out Crews’ neck. Crews’ neck was injured over a month ago by Lashley’s Full Nelson.

MVP punches Crews into the ropes and hits a suplex. MVP floats into the cover for a two count. The lights flicker momentarily. MVP looks confused. MVP punches Crews in the corner before sending him to the corner. MVP goes for a running big boot, but Crews moves. Crews kicks MVP in the head before hitting a cross-body block. Crews tackles MVP into the corner and shoulders away at him. Crews backs up and hits an avalanche followed by a big spinebuster for a two count. Crews goes for a Toss Powerbomb, but MVP gets out. MVP hits a German Suplex, but Crews pops up and gets fired up. Crews then grabs MVP and hits a Toss Powerbomb for the win.

Winner and still WWE United States Champion: Apollo Crews

Bobby Lashley runs in and tries to put the Full Nelson on Crews, but he escapes. Crews holds up both titles on the ramp and celebrates.

Charly Caruso asks Apollo Crews about being the rightful United States Champion. Bobby Lashley is unlike anyone he’s faced. Because of Lashley’s Full Nelson, he had to sit at home and watch MVP pretending to be the United States Champion. His children looked at him confused. Crews is going to take the old title and hang it in their bedroom. As for MVP’s title that he paid for, it looks good on his shoulder.

MVP is still at ringside and grabs a microphone. MVP shouts at the commentary and asks what kind of operation they’re running. MVP talks about the lights flickering. MVP says Apollo Crews should be ashamed by winning with the lights flickering. Crews didn’t show up at Extreme Rules because Bobby Lashley sent him home. Now he shows up and steals his title. MVP doesn’t care about Crews’ wife and kids. What he cares about is his rematch. MVP wants the rematch… at SummerSlam. The Hurt Business walks off.

Sarah Schreiber is backstage with the Golden Role Models. Schreiber asks if they’ll defend any or all of their titles at SummerSlam. They don’t answer the question and instead play a video of their accomplishments. Asuka appears in the video to interrupt it and says revenge will be sweet.

The Golden Role Models are furious. Shayna Baszler walks up and says she has a problem with them. Sasha Banks snaked her way into the championship, but she’s been waiting in line for her shot. Baszler punches Banks in the face and knocks her down before walking off.

Kevin Owens is walking backstage and passes by a cooler with drinks in it. The IIconics walk up and say they’ve heard he’s hosting The Kevin Owens Show next. Owens says they’d make great guests… just not tonight. He already has guests because he plans things. Owens tells them to have a water, and they look disappointed.

Kevin Owens is in the ring and says he has lots of thoughts about things, like the return of Shane McMahon. That’s not what he’s going to talk about, though. Owens wants to talk with someone who has had issues the last few months: Ruby Riott.

Riott makes her entrance. Owens talks about her getting her first singles win in a while and was emotional. Riott says she’s had trouble getting a singles win since February. The IIconics loved rubbing salt in the wound. Last week, she took out Peyton Royce and ended The IIconic bullshit. Owens laughs and says that’s hard to do. Riott just wishes Liv Morgan was there. Owens says Morgan is about to come out.

Liv Morgan, who hasn’t been seen since June, makes her entrance. Morgan says Riott asked her to listen to what she has to say. Morgan asks Riott to say what she has to say. Owens says he saw them both when they started in WWE, along with Sarah Logan. They had something special. Sarah has moved on to another part of her life. Owens has been on buses and flights with them. He’s seen them together and bring the best out of each other. Owens has done a lot of really crappy things to a lot of people and said a lot of crappy things. Owens always did it because he thought it would be better for his career, but he’s not sure it was really worth it. They don’t have to be friends… it’s just worth hearing Riott out.

A “Hear her out” chant picks up. Riott gets emotional and says when she came back, she thought it would be the same. Everything was different, including Morgan, but she was thriving and coming into her own. Riott thought Morgan didn’t need her. Morgan then beat her twice, and she realized Morgan doesn’t need her at all. This world without Sarah and being needed… she took it out on Morgan. She was wrong. Riott is crying. Every time she looks at her tattoo and knows Morgan has it on her neck… their lives changed forever. It’s their debut date. Riott asks for another chance to make The Riott Squad stronger than it has ever been.

The IIconics interrupt them. Peyton Royce says everyone is sick of hearing the two of them babble on. Morgan should have stayed in the bathtub. They’re tired of Riott’s social media posts about her one win over Peyton after 400 losses. The microphone keeps cutting off. They’ve dominated Riott and says they’re actually BFFs. Morgan says they’re not friends like The IIconics. They’re not IIconic… but there’s one thing they’ll always agree on. No one starts a Riott better than them. Owens says the message is clear unless The IIconics have something to say. Royce says they’ve got nothing on The IIconics. Riott challenges them to a match right now. Owens asks for more technical difficulties for their microphones only. Royce slaps him in the face. Owens asks if that was necessary. Billie Kay slaps him as well. Owens asks for a little help. The Riott Squad attacks The IIconics.

The Riott Squad vs. The IIconics

Ruby Riott will start against Billie Kay. They lock up, and Kay hits a neckbreaker for a two count. Peyton Royce tags in, and the double-team Riott for a one count. Royce knees Riott in the back and applies a chin lock. Riott fights up, but Royce pulls her down by the hair. Kay tags in, and The IIconics kick Riott down. Kay slaps Riott in the face and clubs the back. Riott fights back and superkicks her.

Morgan and Royce tag in. Morgan hits a pair of clotheslines and takes her down. Morgan attacks her in the corner and hits a missile dropkick off the second rope. Morgan covers for a two count. Kay, who was late getting in, comes to break up the pin after the kickout. Kay tags in, and Morgan rolls her up for the win.

Winners by Pinfall: The Riott Squad

The IIconics go for the Magic Killer, but Riott breaks it up. Morgan and Riott hit a double-team STO on Kay and walk off together.

Charly Caruso is standing by a crate that has been destroyed. Caruso says she heard this was deliberate. MVP comes up and is incredulous that she’s reporting on this rather than him being robbed of the title. She says Apollo Crews has accepted his challenge for SummerSlam. MVP says of course Crews did because what would his kids think? Shelton Benjamin comes up and says someone stole his title.

WWE Champion Drew McIntyre makes his way to the ring. Footage is shown of Randy Orton hitting McIntyre with an RKO out of nowhere last week. McIntyre says Orton has been taking advantage of vulnerabilities for 20 years. Orton won’t give you a one finger salute like Stone Cold Steve Austin or hit a People’s Elbow like The Rock. Orton hits his moves out of nowhere. McIntyre thanks Orton for the education. That will never happen again. McIntyre says he knows how motivated Orton is. Orton is motivated to take the title, but McIntyre is motivated to keep it. Once upon a time, Vince McMahon himself looked at them and said they were the chosen ones. They were the future of this industry.

Things didn’t go according to plan, but this wasn’t Orton’s plan ever, just like Edge said. Orton didn’t lie up at night and think about being here like he did while he was in Scotland. McIntyre doesn’t resent Orton for it, but he finds it interesting to hear Orton brag about his accolades… the accolades fed to him on a silver spoon because his dad was “Cowboy” Bob Orton. McIntyre never had anybody cleaning up after him like Evolution did for him. McIntyre was fired for his mistakes. McIntyre says he deserved to get fired, but he spoke to so many people that have been around for a long time. Orton should have been fired a few times.

Randy Orton’s music hits, and he walks out to the stage with “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair. Orton tells McIntyre to stop. Is his respect for McIntyre not enough? McIntyre repays him by telling the world that he was handed everything and he doesn’t want to be here. Orton says if he didn’t want to be here, then why is he here? He’s saved his money. Orton loves being here and hitting RKOs and Punt Kicks. Orton appreciates McIntyre’s fighting spirit. That’s why it’ll be sweet at SummerSlam when he hits an RKO and beats him for the title. McIntyre thinks he should have been fired years ago. McIntyre is right, but he wasn’t fired. McIntyre was. Orton is more valuable to this company than McIntyre ever will be. Orton gets the chances because he is the chosen one then, now, and forever. Orton finds it cute that McIntyre is quoting legends, but he challenges McIntyre to come up with one opinion about Orton on his own.

McIntyre asks if Orton really wants him to shoot with him. McIntyre thinks Orton represents everything that is wrong with the WWE. Just like everyone else, he watched the Last Ride documentary. Orton talked about how The Undertaker reached down and pulled him up to his level when he didn’t have to do that. Why did Undertaker do that? Undertaker loves this industry and wants to preserve it. How many times can Orton say over the past 20 years he’s taken a moment to reach down and pull anyone up to his level. Never. Orton has never sat down with anyone and passed on some knowledge he got from Undertaker, Shawn Michaels, or Ric Flair. How about 10 years ago? McIntyre remembers Orton walking past him with his world crumbling around him professionally and personally. McIntyre was far away from home, his mother was sick, and he was self-destructing. A kind word from Orton could have changed his life. McIntyre doesn’t see a locker room leader or someone people respect. He sees a selfish prick. McIntyre has receipts to cash in on roster members past and present and for every legend he’s taken out. McIntyre will take Orton out and he will see it coming.

Kevin Owens is talking with the Riott Squad when Ric Flair walks up to him. The Riott Squad walk off. Flair says he’s followed Owens’ career and says he’s been great, but now he’s worried about being a guidance counselor rather than worrying baout himself. Owens says he appreciates Flair coming to him, but he’s made a lot of mistakes to get to the top. Owens is trying a different approach. Owens is trying to be what Orton could be if he wanted to be. Flair says he’ll let that breathe. Flair says he’s in Orton’s corner. Instead of giving Owens advice, he needs to listen when Ric Flair speaks. Take care of himself. Owens says he’ll show what kind of fight he has. Owens tells Flair to have Orton meet him in the ring next week. Flair looks giddy.

Nia Jax is in the ring with Pat Buck. Jax says she came out here tonight to own up to what she’s done. Replays are shown of Jax attacking Buck last week on Raw. Jax was fined for her actions. Jax says she takes to heart the millions around the world that idolize her. When a scrawny, undeserving little runt from WWE management who couldn’t cut the mustard in his own career steps up to her, she steps back. Jax looks at Buck and says she almost couldn’t see him there. She knows Buck wants an apology. Instead, she offers an opportunity to prove she’s wrong. She challenges Buck to a match. Buck says he’s only here because he was told an apology is coming. Jax says she’ll give her apology after the match. This is Buck’s big opportunity. She says she’ll start real slow so his little legs can keep up. Buck says they should leave and talk about this behind the scenes. She says being a short ginger he’d have more fire. She tells him to say what he has to say. She shoves the microphone into his chest.

Buck says after her unsanctioned actions against a WWE official, she is indefinitely suspended without pay! Jax is stunned. Buck tells her to calm down and breathe. She pulls at his jacket and head-butts him down. Jax kicks him in the ribs and knocks him out of the ring. Buck’s shirt has Jax’ foundation all over it. Jax angrily walks off.

All of a sudden, R-Truth runs out with the WWE 24/7 Championship. He’s chased by Akira Tozawa and the Ninjas. Shelton Benjamin joins in the chase.

WWE 24/7 Championship
Shelton Benjamin (c) w/ The Hurt Business vs. Akira Tozawa w/ The Ninjas vs. R-Truth

Benjamin punches away at R-Truth and stomps him. Tozawa rolls Benjamin up for a two count. Benjamin attacks Tozawa, but he fights back. Benjamin wipes Tozawa out with a vicious powerbomb. R-Truth blindsides Benjamin, but Benjamin comes back with Pay Dirt. A ninja gets in the ring, but Benjamin kicks him down and attacks him at ringside. MVP and Lashley attack two other ninjas. Back in the ring, Tozawa hits R-Truth with a top rope senton splash for the win.

Winner by Pinfall and new WWE 24/7 Champion: Akira Tozawa

Shane McMahon is shown in some dingy room with a pseudo-ring set up and two guys fighting in it. People surround the ring area and cheer on. McMahon says Raw Underground starts at 10 p.m.

Replays are shown of Seth Rollins and Murphy attacking Dominik Mysterio last week. Aleister Black made the save, but Rollins and Murphy took him out. Dominik then attacked Rollins and Murphy with a kendo stick to send them running.

Sarah Schreiber is backstage with Dominik Mysterio. She asks why he keeps putting himself at risk while his father is injured. Mysterio says it’s easy to figure out why he’s doing what he’s doing. He witnessed his father be blinded. His mind isn’t in the right place. If people think he’s crazy now… they’ll really think he’s crazy when he challenges Rollins to a match at SummerSlam!

Shayna Baszler vs. Raw Women’s Champion Sasha Banks w/ SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley

Banks gets in Baszler’s face and slaps her twice. Baszler takes her down twice before teasing a kick and letting Banks up. Banks angrily gets up, but Baszler kicks her down. Baszler talks trash before stomping the hand and rolling her up for a two count. Banks kicks Baszler in the midsection and goes for a suplex, but Baszler puts the brakes on. Baszler hits a slam and goes for an arm bar, but Banks fights it and gets to the ropes. Bayley gets on the apron, so Baszler scares her away. Banks hits a backstabber and sends her into the ring post shoulder-first for a two count. Baszler fights back with a Kirifuda Clutch attempt. Banks gets out and takes her down for a Bank Statement. Baszler fights it and gets out. Banks hits a head-scissor takeover and knees her in the face. Baszler then kicks Banks down. Asuka runs down and attacks Bayley… so the referee throws out the match.

No Contest

Charly Caruso is in the ring with Asuka. Asuka says Kairi Sane will be ok, but she’s not here. Sasha and Bayley are here and she’s here. What she wants is a rematch against Sasha Banks for the Raw Women’s Championship at SummerSlam. Shayna Baszler is in the ring. She doesn’t want to fight Asuka. She’s cheering for Asuka. She wants Asuka to win the title back from Banks. She’ll be so excited to dismember Asuka and take the Raw Women’s Championship off her.

The Golden Role Models come back out to the stage. Banks is laughing. She has a message for the two of them. This is her Raw Women’s Championship. She’ll give Asuka the rematch at SummerSlam if she can beat a former NXT Women’s Champion, a member of the Four Horsewomen… her best friend, Bayley. If Asuka can beat Bayley next week, she’ll get her rematch. Bayley looks really surprised by that.

Angel Garza is backstage with Demi Burnett from “The Bachelor.” Andrade walks up and introduces himself. Zelina Vega walks up and says Burnett doesn’t belong here. Garza says she’s a friend of his. If she does belong here, then they need to talk. Garza says he’ll be right back.

We go to that underground fight club ripoff with Shane McMahon. There are scantily clad women dancing. Some guy gets slammed. McMahon says they’re having fun.

Shane McMahon is standing in the rope-less ring. McMahon says this is all things he’d like to see. Some big guy is in the ring named Dabba-Kato that McMahon is excited about. The big guy runs through two different guys. McMahon says Raw Underground will be right back.

Raw Tag Team Champions The Street Profits get in the ring. Angelo Dawkins says he’s interested in Demi Burnett. Montez Ford tells him to concentrate. Ford then makes fun of Garza for wearing velvet in August. Velvet doesn’t breathe. In all seriousness, they attacked his brother twice. They’re done playing nice.

Angelo Dawkins w/ Montez Ford vs. Angel Garza w/ Andrade and Zelina Vega

Dawkins quickly takes Garza down and throws him out of the ring in a heap.

We come back from the break to see Dawkins take Garza down for a two count. Garza reverses a whip and leapfrogs him. Dawkins also does a leapfrog and dropkicks him for a two count. Demi Burnett is watching backstage. Dawkins goes for a powerbomb, but Garza fights it. Dawkins accidentally rips Garza’s pants off. Garza takes Dawkins down before trying for a Wing Clipper. Dawkins punches Garza before avalanching him in the corner. Dawkins hits a bulldog. Montez Ford looks like he’s celebrating before just collapsing. Dawkins is concerned. Garza attacks Dawkins with a superkick and dropkicks him in the head for the win.

Winner by Pinfall: Angel Garza

Dawkins checks on Ford. The commentators say that Ford, who just collapsed for no reason, has to pick things up for his team in the next match.

Montez Ford w/ Angelo Dawkins vs. Andrade w/ Angel Garza and Zelina Vega

We join the match in progress. Samoa Joe says he doesn’t understand how the medical staff allowed Ford to compete after collapsing. Tom Phillips says the medical staff would never allow him to compete if he were in danger. Andrade hits a back suplex and attacks him on the ropes. Andrade knees him in the midsection and kicks him in the face. Andrade knees Ford in the midsection and throws him out of the ring. Ford reverses a whip into the barricade. Ford attacks Andrade getting in the ring. Andrade throws him off and boots him in the head. Andrade applies a chin lock, but Ford fights up and clotheslines him down. Ford flips over him and hits a leaping clothesline. Ford gets pumped up. Ford knocks Andrade out of the ring and hits a summersault senton. Ford gets in the ring and shakes the ropes before collapsing. The referee ends the match and yells for a doctor.

No Contest

Murphy is watching a replay of Aleister Black’s eye being shoved into the stairs. Seth Rollins is looking off into the distance. Rollins says Murphy made the right decision. He’s proud of him. The past is the past. Tonight, Murphy must focus on the future. Murphy asks if Rollins thought about Dominik’s challenge for SummerSlam. Murphy finds it ridiculous. Dominik isn’t a WWE Superstar. Rollins sacrificed his old man in front of the world. Murphy asks if it’s ridiculous to Rollins, but Rollins walks off.

Erik from The Viking Raiders is fighting a nameless guy on Raw Underground. Erik makes short work of the guy and knocks him out with a knee to the face.

Replays are shown of Montez Ford collapsing.

Charly Caruso is outside the trainer’s room. Angel Garza walks up and says he knows she is scared. Garza flirts with her. Zelina Vega and Andrade come up and say they’re worried about Montez Ford… but they’re also worried about SummerSlam. Angelo Dawkins comes out and says it appears Ford was poisoned. Bianca Belair comes out and accuses Vega of being behind it. She attacks her, but they’re both separated from each other.

Footage is shown from earlier in the day in the parking lot. Masked people dressed all in black throw Molotov Cocktails at a generator.

The Hurt Business is walking backstage when Charly Caruso comes up and asks them about not getting it done. MVP says they’ve been sabotaged. Shelton Benjamin says it’s no coincidence that they’ve been sabotaged when Raw Underground pops up. MVP has an idea.

Auska will face Bayley in a non-title match. If Asuka wins, she’ll face Sasha Banks for the Raw Women’s Championship at SummerSlam. We’ll also see Kevin Owens take on Randy Orton.

Seth Rollins makes his entrance. Rollins was going to make a statement on Dominik Mysterio’s challenge, but they have some housekeeping to take care of. Rollins calls out Tom Phillips over not calling it down the middle. When Phillips skews and slants things, it creates bias and does a poor job. If he’s doing a poor job, then Phillips becomes a liability. The time has come to find a new voice of Monday Night Raw. Rollins tells Murphy to take Phillips. Samoa Joe stands up and says this isn’t going to happen. They can walk back in the ring and make the point they came to make or he’ll slap him in the lips. Joe was laughing harder than anyone at this table at Rollins’ misfortunes. Rollins tells Joe he doesn’t want to do this. Joe says he does and removes his headset. Rollins and Murphy get in the ring. Rollins says what happens in here is not his responsibility.

Seth Rollins and Murphy are waiting in the ring with chairs. All of a sudden, Dominik Mysterio runs in from behind and attacks them with a kendo stick. Mysterio hits then with the stick and destroys it. Samoa Joe sits down at the commentary table again. Mysterio takes Rollins down, hits a 619, and runs them off. Rollins runs out to the stage and says he accepts Mysterio’s challenge for SummerSlam.

It’s time for one last fight at Raw Underground. Dolph Ziggler is fighting some young guy and gets a submission. MVP, Shelton Benjamin, and Bobby Lashley walk in. MVP says he has an announcement to make. On behalf of the CEO of the Hurt Business, until further notice, Raw Underground is under new management. The Hurt Business is ready to fight. Who wants to step up to the CEO of the Hurt Business. Some guy gets in the ring with Lashley. Lashley slams the guy and knocks him out. MVP says he wants some. They target some small guy, and MVP makes quick work of him. Former Raw commentator Dio Maddin gets in the ring, and Shelton Benjamin wipes him out. The Hurt Business wipes out the rest of the spectators.

Shane McMahon says they’ve proven their point. Anything goes at Raw Underground. McMahon says he can’t wait for next week. MVP says they are the Hurt Business and business is booming.

 

text by MK

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