Raw kicks off King of the Ring 2019!

This illustrious tournament returns and Raw begins its opening round! Who moves one step closer to the throne? Plus, the United States Championship is on the line between Phenomenal AJ Styles and the Monster Among Men, Braun Strowman!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Roman Reigns VS Dolph Ziggler; Reigns wins.
• Ricochet & The Miz VS Drew McIntyre & Baron Corbin; Ricochet & Miz win.
• WWE United States Championship: AJ Styles w/ The OC VS Braun Strowman; Strowman wins by disqualification, Styles retains the WWE United States Championship.
• King of the Ring Raw Bracket: Samoa Joe VS Cesaro; Joe wins and advances to the next round.
• The New Day VS The Revival; The New Day wins, by disqualification.
• Nikki Cross & Alexa Bliss VS Fire & Desire; Cross & Bliss win.
• King of the Ring Raw Bracket: Sami Zayn VS Cedric Alexander; Alexander wins and advances to the next round.
• Raw Tag Team Championships: The OC w/ AJ Styles VS Seth Rollins & Braun Strowman; Rollins & Strowman win and become the new Raw Tag Team Champions.

PLAY BY PLAY

Roman Reigns returns to Raw!

And as he heads down to the ring, Jerry “The King” Lawler is on commentary! Corey Graves is on vacation but that’s fine since The King will try to get The Boss to give us the answers to #WhySashaWhy. As for Roman, he and the rest of the WWE Universe still doesn’t know who has attempted to take him out for good! If it isn’t Buddy Murphy, if it isn’t Rowan or Daniel Bryan, then who is it?!

Roman Reigns VS Dolph Ziggler!

The Show-Off makes his entrance and wants to say this face to face, as a gentleman and the bigger man, his Tweets aren’t like the usual keyboard warrior stuff. Ziggler is glad Roman is okay, really. But he just doesn’t get why Roman gets the attention while- Fans tell Ziggler, “You Suck! You Suck!” No he doesn’t! He’s the bigger man, so shut up! Ziggler knows Roman almost got hit by a car, but Ziggler actually got Speared by Goldberg three times! Now the Goldberg chants begin. Ziggler says it’s bad enough to get Speared out of nowhere three times, because he thought Goldberg had to wait six months after each one. Then he got Sweet Chin Music’d and tapped out to the Miz’s parody of Ric Flair’s move!

Ziggler knows Roman is the big man around here, but #ItShouldBeDZ! And then SUPERKICK cheap shot! Ziggler is man enough for this match now! “You Still Suck!” but the referee checks on Roman. Roman shakes the cobwebs out and wants this match. The bell rings and Roman uppercuts Ziggler out of the ring! Roman still steadies himself, and he spots Ziggler crawling outside. Roman goes out and comes around the side, FLYING- No, Ziggler sends him into barriers! ZIGZAG to the floor! Both men are down on the ground while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns and Ziggler has Roman in a chinlock. Ziggler kicks Roman’s knees then punches him to a corner. Ziggler soaks up the heat before running in, but Roman puts him way out of the ring! Roman catches his breath while Ziggler rolls on the ground. A ring count begins and Ziggler gets back to his feet at 5. Roman goes out and comes around again, Drive-By Dropkick hits! Roman throws Ziggler back in then dodges Ziggler’s attack for the leaping lariat! Fans fire up with The Big Dog as he gives Ziggler the point-blank lariats! Roman gets all 10, then runs to BOOT Ziggler down! Roman gets to a corner then locks ‘n’ loads! But Ziggler dodges and rolls Roman up, TWO! Satellite DDT! Cover, TWO! Ziggler grows frustrated but fans are rallying up. Roman sits up and Ziggler stalks him from behind. Ziggler wants Roman to stand, and runs in, but the ZigZag is denied.

Roman ducks but Ziggler sunset flips, TWO! Famouser countered into a powerbomb, but Ziggler pops out to send Roman into a post! ZIGZAG AGAIN! Cover, TWO!! Roman survives and Ziggler can’t believe it! Both men are down again but fans continue to rally. Ziggler grins as he goes to a corner to tune up the band. Fans boo as Ziggler watches Roman stand. Ziggler runs over, but the kick is blocked! Roman spins Ziggler for a SUPERMAN PUNCH! Cover, TWO!! Ziggler shocks Roman! But Roman refocuses, and fires himself up. The fans fire up, too, as the battle cry is let out. But Ziggler counters spear into Famouser! Cover, TWO!! Ziggler can’t believe how close he is! Fans are cheering Roman on as Ziggler argues with the ref. Ziggler toys with Roman now, “I’m better than you!”

Ziggler says Roman had his chance and blew it. He starts slapping Roman around, then chokes Roman in the corner. The ref backs Ziggler off, and Ziggler comes in, to get a SPEAR!! Cover, Roman wins!

Winner: Roman Reigns, by pinfall

And once again, Ziggler’s ego gets the better of him! Roman wins tonight, but will his mystery assailant, or assailants, still try something before the night is over?

Becky Lynch speaks.

“Last week, Sasha Banks beat me stupid with a chair. “And we all want to know why. Why is Becky daring the Women’s Division to come after her? Because she wants the best, most aggressive version of everyone coming after her. Becky wants to fight the best, to fight everyone at their peak, and that is where Sasha is now. So Becky won’t be mad at her. Four months ago, Sasha ran away crying because her career went cold as ice. But now she’s hotter than ever. Why is that? What changed in those four months that made her this way? Nothing. It’s what Becky did. Sasha is the greatest on the roster to never be great.

So Becky directs this at Sasha: swing your chair and wear your dollar store glasses. But Becky did more work to keep Sasha here than Sasha did. Why did it take The Man to get the real Boss? The greats don’t need to be goaded into greatness, they seek greatness out. This is a cat ‘n’ mouse game, and then Becky will give Sasha something to run home about. Strong words from a strong champion, but what will Sasha’s response be in just a moment?

The King’s Court returns!

Jerry Lawler can tell Becky will want retribution on The Boss in the near future. But Jerry wants to remind everyone that the King of the Ring begins tonight! And The King loves this tournament. It’s not only a title, it can also be a launching pad. Legends like Bret Hart, Stone Cold Steve Austin and even Brock Lesnar were Kings of the Ring. The next few weeks will whittle 16 superstars down to one King of the Ring! Before Jerry names his pick, let’s take a look at that bracket!

Divided into Raw and SmackDown sides, we already know tonight will feature Cesaro VS Samoa Joe and Cedric Alexander VS Sami Zayn, but Raw will also have Ricochet VS Drew McIntyre and The Miz VS Baron Corbin! For SmackDown, there will be Kevin Owens VS Elias, Mustafa Ali VS Buddy Murphy in an incredible 205 Live rematch, Chad Gable VS Shelton Benjamin in a battle of former tag partners, and Apollo Crews VS Andrade Almas in a return of their rivalry just earlier this Summer.

Back to King, he likes quite a lot of those superstars. His Raw finalists will be Cedric and Ricochet, while SmackDown’s… Oh no. Not the lights! King saw the past few weeks, he’s bugging out! Jerry heads back for commentary, but too late!! When the lights come back on, King is surrounded by the strobe! The Fiend is behind him!! And the mandible claw clamps on!! Bray Wyatt smothers The King!! No King’s Court, no venue for The Boss to tell her side of things. Who will be The Fiend’s next victim?

Ricochet & The Miz VS Drew McIntyre & Baron Corbin!

The One and Only unites with the Hollywood A-Lister for a truly AWESOME duo to face off their respective King of the Ring opponents! Who wins this sampler before they compete in the tournament next week?

The teams sort out and Miz starts with McIntyre. Miz waistlocks but McIntyre elbows out to CHOP Miz back. Miz boots McIntyre, then runs but escapes the scoop. Ricochet kicks McIntyre and then Miz hits his A-List Lariat on the Scottish Terminator. Tag to Ricochet and he springboards to clothesline McIntyre down. Tag back to Miz and fans fire up as Miz boots McIntyre down. Ricochet adds a standing moonsault, and McIntyre bails out in frustration. Corbin runs over but is sent out! Ricochet helps Miz wreck them both with a dropkick, then Ricochet MOONSAULST to wipe them out! This awesome duo is standing tall as we go to break!

Raw returns and Miz counter punches Corbin! Miz clubs away then runs, only to get run over! Corbin throws off his suit shirt to rain down angry rights! Corbin glares at Ricochet but McIntyre chuckles. The Lone Wolf says he’ll be wearing the crown, but tags to McIntyre. These familiar friends mug Miz and McIntyre throws Miz overhead! Cover, TWO! McIntyre is on Miz with a mounted armlock and chinbar. Fans rally up and Miz fights to his feet to throw haymakers. McIntyre shoves and runs Miz over! Tag to Corbin, and Corbin stomps Miz down. Corbin brings Miz up to throw hands but Miz fights out! Miz backs Corbin down but COrbni rocks him. Corbin slides out then in to corner splash! Then he feeds Miz to McIntyre’s SPINEBUSTER! Jackknife cover, TWO!

Fans rally but McIntyre is on Miz. McIntyre CHOPS Miz then whips, but Miz gets McIntyre with a DDT! Both men are down and fans rally up. Miz and McIntyre crawl, hot tags to Corbin and Ricochet! Ricochet rallies on Corbin with big flying forearms! Dropkick-flip and enziguri! BOOT for McIntyre, but Corbi puts Ricochet on the apron. Ricochet hits back then springboards up and over. Ricochet hits McIntyre and slips out of Corbin’s back suplex. Corbin slides out then in, but misses to be baited into an enziguri! Somersault shotgun dropkick drops Corbin! Cover, ONE! Ricochet isn’t deterred, he runs corner to corner for a shoulder tackle and big kick! Springboard flying clothesline! Ricochet roars into his standing shooting star! Cover, but McIntyre breaks it!

Miz is after McIntyre and Ricochet helps. McIntyre shoves them away then BOOTS Miz! McIntyre grabs Ricochet and tosses him across the way! Ricochet crashes down and McIntyre takes aim. McIntyre wants Ricochet to stand, but Ricochet SUPERKICKS him into the FINALE! But Corbin has Miz for a Choke Slam! But Ricochet shoulders Corbin back, springboards again, but into a Choke Slam- to land on his feet! But Ricochet runs into DEEP SIX! Cover, TWO!! Ricochet lives and Corbin is furious. Fans chant “Corbin Sucks!” but Corbin tunes that out as he drags Ricochet up to the top rope. Corbin throws hands but Ricochet gives them back. Ricochet kicks Corbin away, leaps for a missile dropkick! Ricochet goes corner to corner, but Corbins ends him into buckles. Miz saves Ricochet and Corbin gets a RECOIL! Cover, RIcochet and Miz win!

Winners: Ricochet & The Miz, Ricochet pinning

The King of Flight and Mr. Most Must-See get a huge win, but will both men win their respective matches in the tournament?

Sasha Banks arrives.

With no King’s Court, the Boss will explain herself on a sit-down interview later tonight.

Booker T is here via Skype!

King Booker knows what just happened to Jerry, The Fiend is like a rabid dog. You either put them down or run away. Jerry was in the wrong place at the wrong time. But to King of the Ring, Booker is of course a former King, #KingBookah was a great king. What did that tournament win mean to him? Thinking to Harley Race, God rest his soul, or King Randy Savage, being a King of the Ring winner definitely puts you in great company and catapults you to great heights. Who does Booker thing will win this year? There are a lot of great stars this year, but his pick is #KingMcIntyre! Will the prediction come true?

WWE United States Championship: AJ Styles w/ The OC VS Braun Strowman!

The Phenomenal One didn’t like that the Monster Among Men ruined The OC’s official, original and only beat down of Seth Rollins and Ricochet that mattered, so he gave Strowman this chance to fight for the title! Obviously Strowman accepted, but will he be able to #GetTheseHands on his first singles championship in the WWE? Or will Gallows and Anderson be a critical factor again?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we begin!

Styles gets face to face with Strowman, or as much as he can with the height difference. Styles SLAPS Strowman but then avoids him in the corner. The chop block hurts Styles more than it does Strowman. Strowman shoves and runs Styles over! Styles flounders out of the ring but Strowman comes around the way! Styles runs while the OC get clear! Styles hits Strowman ash e gets back int he ring, but the ref counts. Strowman grabs Styles and lifts but Styles escapes. Styles mule kicks and stomps the leg, but runs into a pop-up back drop! Styles tumbles off Strowman but Gallows and Anderson get on the apron. Strowman swats them both down, then runs corner to corner at Styles! Styles boots Strowman back, and goes to the apron. Styles forearms Strowman away, then springboards, but into a SWAT of the hand!

Strowman drags Styles up, but here come the Good Brothers! YAKUZA KICK! Dropkick! BOOT!

Winner: Braun Strwoman, by disqualification; Styles retains the WWE United States Championship

The Good Brothers throw Strowman into a post! Strowman staggers into a ROUNDHOUSE! Then they ram Strowman into another post! Gallows drags Strowman out but here comes Seth Rollins! The Architect returns the favor as he takes on the Raw Tag Team Champions! SUPERKICK for Gallows! SUPERKICK for Anderson! Rollins clotheslines Gallows out and the OC is on the retreat! Rollins checks on Strowman, and they shake hands. But Strowman doesn’t let go… At least, not at first. Are these two unlikely allies? Or simply working together against a common enemy?

Seth Rollins catches up with Braun Strowman.

The Architect knows what is going on amidst all this teaming up. If Rollins could make matches, Strowman would definitely be a challenger for his title. But for now, they need to go after The OC. How about going for the Raw Tag titles first? Strowman likes that. A man of few words, that’s good. Will the McMahons approve of this match up of Monster and Beastslayer?

King of the Ring Raw Bracket: Samoa Joe VS Cesaro!

The Samoan Destroyer could make grandiose promises, but the truth is that the king has spoken. But will he dismantle the Swiss Cyborg on the way to the throne?

The bell rings and the tournament truly begins as Cesaro hits Joe with a HARD European Uppercut! Cover, TWO!! Joe gets to a corner but Cesaro is on him fast. Joe resists the suplex to fire back with CHOPS! Cesaro knees low then throws hands. Cesaro runs but Joe runs him over! Joe catches his breath as he drags Cesaro up and whips. Cesaro dodges and springboards for a flying EuroUpper! Cover, ONE! Cesaro keeps his cool as he drags Joe around by the legs. Joe pushes Cesaro away and CHOPS him again. Joe puts Cesaro in a corner to elbow and PELE! Cesaro bails out but Joe runs to DIVE! Direct hit sends Cesaro into the front row! Joe is seething while we go to break.

Raw returns and Joe jabs and chops away on Cesaro in a corner. Joe CHOPS again, but Cesaro CHOPS back! Cesaro throws more CHOPS, then runs, but into a clothesline! Joe grimaces as he looms over Cesaro. Joe drags Cesaro around for a neck wrench. Cesaro endures the twisting as fans build to a rally. Cesaro goes after Joe’s fingers! Joe uppercuts Cesaro! Joe argues with the ref about not reprimanding Cesaro, but Joe shrugs that off to drop a back senton, that misses! Cesaro got clear just in time and now both men are down. Joe stands but Cesaro follows with another EuroUpper! And more EuroUppers in the corner! From all sides! Cesaro runs, to BOOT Joe down! Cover, TWO! Joe just escapes but Cesaro won’t let up. Cesaro goes to suplex, but Joe is too big and strong. Joe suplexes Cesaro but Cearo resists, to get Joe up! He can’t hold Joe up, but tries again, and succeeds! Both men are down again but Cesaro crawls to a cover, TWO!

Fans cheer while Cesaro catches his breath. Cesaro drags Joe back up but Joe CHOPS him again! And again! Joe runs but Cesaro blasts him with another EuroUpper! Joe bails out and Cesaro follows. Cesaro goes around the side, for another EuroUpper! Joe falls but Cesaro puts him back in. Cesaro then goes to the far corner and climbs up. Cesaro flies for a crossbody! Cover, TWO! Joe holds his head from the constant uppercuts, but Cesaro stalks him to a corner. Cesaro runs into the urenage! Joe drops the senton! Cover, TWO! Cesaro survives but Joe keeps his focus. Joe drags Cesaro up and whips, but Cesaro dodges to give more EuroUppers. Cesaro trips Joe up, and takes him for a swing! But only a few rotations, before the Sharpshooter! Cesaro sits deep, then shifts to a crossface! Joe rolls him to a cover, TWO as Cesaro lets go.

Cesaro throws more EuroUppers, but Joe back drops out. Cesaro springboards, into the COQUINA! Joe has Cesaro down, Cesaro taps, Joe wins!!

Winner: Samoa Joe, by submission; advances to the next round

The first step has been taken, and the sinister Samoan Submission Machine is that much closer to the crown. Who will he meet after Ricochet and McIntyre have it out?

Ladies and Gentlemen: Elias.

The Drifter is in Minneapolis, but something is wrong with his sound. He has terrible news. Grab your loved ones and pull them close, because tonight is a night you won’t forget. This is Elias’ farewell performance. He has so much going on in his life, like these technical difficulties… Being the Uncrowned King of the Ring AND WWE 24/7 Champion is just too much, he cannot risk being out here live every week. But fear not, because he will leave us with an emotional ballad they’ll remember forever. So please silence cell phones, hold your applause and shut your mouths! Elias plays, but his guitar is way out of tune> Who is responsible for this?! There’s a reason for sound checks. Someone get him a guitar.

A guitar flops over. Pick it up and hand it to him! The stage hand slides in, but he looks familiar. He hands the guitar to Elias, but then reveals… It’s R-Truth! Elias sees the referee! Truth rolls Elias up!! TWO, and Truth tries again with a small package. TWO, but Truth kicks low. Truth hits the scissors kick! Cover, TWO!! Elias survives and Truth grows desperate. Truth grabs Elias’ guitar! And he takes aim at Elias! Fans chant “YES! YES!” as he swings, but Elias gets clear! Elias still has Truth’s “baby” but he also has a King of the Ring match coming up soon. Will Elias be able to retain and take a step closer to the throne?

Backstage interview with Rey Mysterio.

The King of Lucha Libre has been somber and cryptic as of late, mostly brought on by a shocking losing streak. He mentioned his family, so what can he tell us about that? Mysterio thanks everyone for their time and this forum to speak openly. He wants us to believe him when he says he is a fortunate man with a beautiful family and a wonderful career. Mysterio has wrestled since he was a little boy. He has inspired people all around the world. But recently, things just haven’t been clicking. And Andrade Almas ripping his mask, that is a disgrace! In lucha culture, that is the biggest insult. But the biggest thing is that Mysterio has failed to get back at Almas. Mysterio sees things several steps ahead, but his body can’t keep up. He’s had injuries, but his fear is that they’ve all caught up to him.

Mysterio takes a moment to compose himself before he says that “this day” comes to everyone at some point. But he just didn’t think it’d be today. Mysterio understands now that it is time to hang up the boots and the mask. Mysterio must let the new generation rise up. But Dominique stops his father from removing the mask on air! He wants his father to hear him out for a moment. Mysterio said Dominique’s debut would be by his father’s side. And he promised not to change a thing from the original Mysterio’s lessons. Dominique wants to tell his children, Mysterio’s grandchildren, that the great Rey Mysterio Jr was his partner. Please keep wrestling, so that Dominique can make him proud. Mysterio will, for his son. They hug, and it seems the legend will continue a little while longer.

The New Day VS The Revival!

AWWWWW~ Twin Cityyyy~! Xavier Woods and Big E bring their SmackDown Tag Team Championships over per the Wild Card Rule to show Raw how it’s done! Will the Power of Positivity be enough to get even with the #TopGuys from last week? Or will Scott Dawson & Dash Wilder prove they’re worthy of a cross-brand title shot?

The teams sort out and Dawson starts with Big E. Big E runs Dawson over and then throws him to a corner. Big E rams his shoulder in then whips Dawson for a big back elbow! Cover, ONE, but Big E won’t let up. HE brings Dawson over and tags Woods. Woods runs in for a forearm smash, then Big E rams his shoulder again. Big E feeds Dawson to Woods’ clothesline! Cover, TWO! Woods keeps on Dawson but Dawson throws hands. Dawson has Woods in a corner and tags Dash. Woods is fed to Dash’s knees then Dash throws uppercuts. Dash CHOPS Woods, but Woods CHOPS back. Dash kicks and bumps Woods off buckles in the open corner. Dash throws more uppercuts, then whips corner to corner. Woods boots Dash back then hits the Honor Roll!

Dawson runs in but gets hands and clotheslines! The New Day clotheslines The Revival right out! Fans fire up with Woods and Big E while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns and Woods fights off Dash on the top rope. Woods headbutts Dash down but Dawson tags in. Dawson hurries over but Woods headbutts him, too! Woods leaps to missile dropkick Dawson down! Both men are down and fans rally up. Both men crawl, hot tags to Big E and Dash! Big E throws Dash overhead! And he throws Dawson overhead! Dash runs in but gets the belly2belly! Fans fire up as Big E swivels those hips. Big E runs and hits the BIG SPLASH! Fans rally again as Big E waits for Dash to stand. Big E scoops but Dawson shoves Woods down! Big E hits Dawson then throws Dash out. Big E clubs Dash then runs, but into an RKO!!

Winners: The New Day, by disqualification

The Viper strikes! The Revival seem to be on his good side as Orton wants to keep getting at Kofi Kingston through the New Day! But speaking of, here comes Kofi! Kofi rolls in and takes Orton down! Kofi fights the Revival off, too! Big leaping ax handles take Dash and Dawson down, but Kofi gets another RKO!! The Viper vows to end Kofimania, but Woods fights Orton back! Woods runs, but into SHATTER RKO!!! The #TopGuys hear the voices, too, while Woods sputters. Orton has the Revival bring Woods around to “break his legs!” Throwback to NXT, Dawson has the deathlock, but Orton has Dash wait. Because Orton drags Kofi over to watch! Dash leaps to STOMP Woods’ knee!! Woods screams and writhes in agony and Kofi can only reach out in vain. Fans boo the heartless actions of Orton and his new cohorts, but is this only the beginning of the nightmares for the New Day?

Sasha Banks is ready for her interview.

The Boss was to be on King’s Court, but The Fiend stopped that before it began. Sasha attacked Natalya out of nowhere, can she explain her actions? Sasha says it has been a very emotional week for her, and she will start from the beginning. Last week, she looked in the mirror, and she told herself, “Blue is your color!” Isn’t it? It’s all over social media, “She looks good! She’s better than ever!” Sasha will show up, show out, and not only dose she look good, she feels better. Michael Cole says the hair is not the news, it’s her attack on Natty on a night when Natty was herself emotional. And then she fought a fellow NXT Horsewomen. Why last week? Why at all? Sasha gets serious, and simply says, “You’re welcome.” She gets up and leaves, but will we ever hear the answers?

Nikki Cross & Alexa Bliss VS Fire & Desire!

The Loony Lass and the Goddess are determined to be the fightingest team in the short history WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships. The titles aren’t on the lien tonight but Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville could earn a shot with a win. Will they beat the “odd couple” on the road to Clash of Champions?

Raw returns as Mandy and Sonya make their entrance. The teams sort out, and Nikki starts against Sonya. The two circle and tie up, Sonya gets a waistlock and slam. Sonya has the facelock and holds on as Nikki rolls around. Nikki slips out and throat chops Sonya! Alexa tags in but into the body scissor takedown! Cover, ONE! Oklahoma roll, ONE! Sonya knees low then tags Mandy. Fire & Desire whip ALexa and double kick to ram in knees in turn. They both throw Alexa down then Mandy covers, TWO! Alexa throws a hand but gets Mandy’s own killer right! Mandy scoops but Alexa slips out to waistlock. Mandy elbows out then trips Alexa, but then cartwheels over Alexa and taunts The Goddess. Alexa swings but misses and gets a dropkick! Then she gets a running knee! Cover, TWO!

Mandy keeps her cool but Alexa powers her to ropes. Alexa lets up at 4 but Nikki gets a cheap shot in! Mandy gets mad and chases Nikki down to give another hard right! But then Alexa wrecks Mandy with a dropkick! Alexa kicks Mandy while she’s down, then throws her into the ring. Cover, TWO! Alexa grows annoyed but she keeps on Mandy. She whips Mandy to the corner then tags Nikki. Alexa whips Nikki in for a splash, then runs in to SLAP Mandy! Nikki snapmares Mandy into a thrashing straitjacket stretch! Mandy endures and fights her way up. Nikki throws Mandy down by her hair, then drags her up to put her in the corner. Tag to Alexa, and ALexa whips Nikki in for another splash> But Mandy hits Alexa with a Knee from a Rose!

Both women are down but crawling for their corners. Hot tags to Nikki and Sonya! Nikki runs into Sonya’s right hands! Sonya kicks, kicks, and sweeps! Sliding Wizard! But Alexa distracts Sonya to give Nikki time. Nikki boots Sonya away then rams Mandy into a post! But Nikki runs into a SPINEBUSTER! Sonya roundhouses Alexa but Nikki gets her with the PURGE! Cover, Nikki and Alexa win!

Winners: Nikki Cross & Alexa Bliss, Cross pinning

The Women’s Tag Team Champions survive a fast and furious match! Will they be able to keep up this pace? Or will these #TinyTerrors eventually be caught?

Rollins and Strowman prepare backstage.

AJ Styles can’t get involved or it will be a disqualification. The OC are bad dudes but they’re not these two. Strowman, c’mon. Before the Universal Championship, focus on these championships. Follow Rollins’ lead and they might be tag team champions. Strowman is focused, but he is the leader, so that they will become tag team champions. Will Beastslayer and Monster be able to coexist and take the gold from the Good Brothers?

King of the Ring Raw Bracket: Sami Zayn VS Cedric Alexander!

Another opening round match pits the Critic of the Critics against a former WWE Cruiserweight Champion. The Age of Alexander is ready to rise again while Sami would rather just lord the accomplishment over the WWE Universe. Will Sami save his WWE career at the expense of Alexander?

The bell rings and Sami waistlocks and clubs Alexander down. Sami kicks Alexander then whips him to clothesline Alexander down! Cover, ONE, but Sami tries again, ONE! Sami keeps his cool as he stalks Alexander to the ropes. Sami chokes Alexander but lets up at 4. Fans boo but Alexander chops Sami back. Sami scoops Alexander for a backbreaker! Cover, ONE, but Sami again tries again, TWO! Sami hooks Alexander’s arm to wrap on a chinlock. Alexander endures and fans rally up. Alexander fights up and out with an arm-drag. Sami scoops Alexander for Michinoku! Cover, TWO! Sami grows frustrated, but he stomps and clubs Alexander over and over. Sami wraps on a chinlock again, but fans rally up. Alexander powers out and fights back, to CHOP Sami. Sami kicks low then whips, but Alexander stops that to rock Sami with an elbow!

Things speed up and Alexander hits Sami with flying forearms! Sami runs into Alexander’s boot, then Alexander goes up and over to handspring back, and headscissor Sami down. Alexander dropkicks Sami out of the ring! Fans fire up as Alexander runs, to DIVE! Down goes Sami! Alexander puts Sami in fast, then hits the Neuralizer enziguri! LUMBAR CHECK! Cover, Alexander wins!

Winner: Cedric Alexander, by pinfall; advances to the next round

The Age of Alexander takes that first step to a resurrection on Raw! But will he be facing The Miz or Baron Corbin in the second round?

The Street Profits check their brackets.

Montez Ford’s got it good but Angelo Dawkins already has a bust. He thought it would be Cesaro taking it to the finals. It’s fine, you can still make up for it in the SmackDown side. Andrade VS Apollo, KO VS Elias! Then on Raw, Miz VS Corbin, McIntyre VS Ricochet! Wait, wait. Why isn’t there some kind of tag team tournament? Kings of the Ring. Silly Dawkins, the Street Profits are already kings up in this piece. Ford has his crown, gold on his neck, but wait. The OC defending their Raw Tag Team Championships against Seth Freakin’ BRAUN-LINS! That is going to be a spectacular, show-stopping, heart-dropping match! And that match is… NEXT!

Anderson and Gallows don’t get this.

Rollins and Strowman don’t deserve a match! But Styles says this is how the OC can truly prove they’re the greatest trio! They can show that the Universal Champion and the Monster are no match for them! Too Sweet, boys!

Natalya speaks.

“I just came from the WWE doctors, again.” One week since baring her soul to the world. Between preparing for her SummerSlam match to nearing the anniversary of her father’s passing, Natty expected things to be emotional. She did not expect Sasha Banks to do what she did. Sasha was Natty’s friend. One of her closest. That is why Natty can’t understand why Sasha would do this! Then all Sasha does this week is smirk and laugh- SASHA ATTACKS AGAIN! She throws Natty around while daring her to keep talking. She puts the bad arm in an open drawer and STOMPS it! “Go to Hell, Natty, and tell Daddy I said hi.” Just why is Sasha treating everyone like this?!

Raw Tag Team Championships: The OC w/ AJ Styles VS Seth Rollins & Braun Strowman!

The favor was returned, and now Beastslayer and Monster Among Men look to really stick it to the Good Brothers. Can Rollins become a dual Universal and tag team champion alongside an unlikely ally? Or will the original, official and only team that matters still be Gallows and Anderson?

Raw returns as the champions make their entrance. Strowman glares at them all as they make their way out. The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and Styles talks trash the entire time. The teams sort out, and we start with Gallows and Strowman. Gallows talk trash but Strowman shoves him back. The two men tie up and Strowman puts Gallows in a corner for big hands! Strowman runs and runs Gallows over! The Monster roars and brings Gallows over to tag Rollins. Rollins drops a punch into Gallows then wrenches the arm. Gallows haymakers Rollins off his feet, then bumps him in the OC corner. Gallows throws hands on the bad ribs, then tags Anderson. Anderson puts Rollins in another corner to also go after the ribs. The ref backs him off but Anderson comes back, to get a CHOP!

Rollins backs Anderson down with haymakers and CHOPS! Anderson reverses the whip but Rollins kicks him back and clotheslines him down! Rollins drags Anderson up for a suplex, but Anderson slips out to waistlock. Rollins standing switches but Gallows tags in. Rollins knees Gallows and tosses Anderson out. Rollins dropkicks Anderson and hits a flying knee on Gallows! Rollins even punches Anderson back down. Gallows uppercuts and hauls Rollins into a fireman’s carry. Gallows drops Rollins on the barriers, ribs first! And again! Rollins falls down in a heap and Styles talks trash as Raw goes to one last break.

Raw returns once more, and Rollins fights out of an armlock. Rollins punches but Anderson reaches for Gallows. Anderson whips Rollins but Rollins kicks back. Rollins hits Gallows but runs into the SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Rollins survives despite the bad ribs, but Anderson is right on him again. Anderson hoists Rollins up top and throws hands. Anderson punches Rollins then climbs up to join him. Rollins resists the superplex, but Anderson keeps trying. Rollins fights back and sends Anderson down with a headbutt! Fans rally and Rollins catches his breath, but he boots Anderson away. Rollins leaps for a Block Buster! Both men are down and fans rally up! Hot tag to Gallows and he clobbers Rollins! Gallows chokes Rollins on the ropes but lets up at 4. Styles comes around but Strowman keeps him away. Gallows goes out to shove Strowman into a post!

Gallows BOOTS Strowman down before going back to Rollins. Rollins SUPERKICKS Gallows but Anderson tags in. Anderson runs into a Slingblade! Rollins goes corner to corner with forearm smashes! Gallows catches him, scoops hi but Rollins slips out to dump Gallows out. Rollins DIVES to wipe Gallows out into barriers! Then he goes at Anderson, Falcon Arrow! Cover, TWO!! Rollins can’t believe how close he was, but he doesn’t lose focus. Fans rally up as Anderson gets to a corner. Rollins runs in, but Anderson puts him on the apron. Rollins punches Anderson away then climbs, but Anderson distracts the ref for STYLES to trip Rollins up! Gallows tags in and the OC have Rollins in the back suplex neckbreaker combo! Cover, TWO!! Rollins still lives!

The OC are furious but tag to Anderson. Gallows drags Rollins up as fans rally again. Anderson helps hold Rollins up but Rollins fights them back! The OC stomps Rollins down, then toss him out. Gallows holds Rollins up and Styles gets ready to do something. But Strowman runs Styles over! And then runs Gallows over! Fans are thunderous as the Monster evens the score! Rollins escapes the suplex, hot tag to Strowman! And now Strowman runs Anderson over! And puts him in a corner for a BIG splash! Gallows urns in but gets run over, too! Strowman splashes Anderson again! Then scoops, to a MONSTER SLAM!! Cover, but Styles slips in! Rollins CURB STOMPS Styles! Strowman and Rollins win!!

Winners: Braun Strowman & Seth Rollins, Strowman pinning; NEW Raw Tag Team Champions

The Architect is a DUAL Raw Tag Team and Universal Champion! Strowman himself is a two-time tag team champion! Is this duo going to dominate all the way through Clash of Champions? How is Rollins going to handle the extra target on his back? Especially if Strowman is aiming for that top prize…

My Thoughts:

A pretty solid episode of Raw right here. One thing about tonight was that it all went smoothly for a faster pace to the show. Nothing really dragged on and nothing was filler, per se. Reigns VS Ziggler was a match that didn’t necessarily need to happen, but it was such a good match because these two really are among the best workers in the WWE right now. Bliss-Cross VS Fire & Desire was a pretty solid match and a good sampler of what could be a Women’s Tag Championship match. The New Day VS Revival was a great match, and a truly surprising appearance by Orton. Orton making Kofi watch as Woods has his knee kayfabe busted was some powerful stuff, and definitely brings into question if New Day can defend the SmackDown Tag titles at Clash of Champions. This story could even turn into Kofi having to defend both the tag titles and the world title via Freebird rules.

In fact, there might be some parallels in the world and Universal title stories. Sadly it was all but obvious Strowman wasn’t going to win that United States title just on how The OC were there to be with Styles. Rollins making the save i return made a lot of sense, and even wanting to have a tag match made sense. The tag titles being thrown on top of it was a nice touch but I would’ve thought Styles helps the OC retain. But wouldn’t you know, Rollins has another tag title reign and is the first superstar to be dual Universal and Raw Tag champion in their career. More boosting to Rollins’ resume, though at the expense of the OC. However, here come the parallels I mentioned. Whether or not Styles finds a new opponent for his US title, Strowman clearly wants the Universal Championship. Rollins will surely have to worry about his Raw Tag title and top title, but the question is how all that comes about.

I could easily see Strowman ditching Rollins for them to lose the tag titles if it helps him win the Universal title, though that could also turn into Rollins surviving Strowman to leave Strowman with nothing. There’s ways for Styles to get thrown into the mix, and some of this unpredictability is really good. I don’t think this will come down to a new Winner Takes All scenario, but there has to be some double duty pulled by someone in this. This could also involve some of the King of the Ring results. Joe VS Cesaro was so good! It is a shame this wasn’t a later match-up because that is how good this match was. Alexander VS Sami was a pretty good match, too, but it was pretty fast. Sami’s been getting buried ever since the start of this Critic of the Critics thing, but at least we’re a step closer to Alexander VS McIntyre in the Raw Finals. And those who will end up losing this tournament, except for Sami, could easily go against Styles. It would be a shame for Ricochet to be out in the opening round, but another US title match would be a great consolation.

The Raw Women’s Championship story was an interesting one tonight, and perhaps controversial. First, The Fiend attacking Jerry Lawler, another great shocking appearance and it keeps Bray consistent in going after legends. Second, Becky has a great promo to respond to Sasha’s actions, and Sasha has a solid “interview” promo as a partial response. However, where things might go sideways is when Sasha attacks Natty backstage. And not even the attack, but Sasha’s line about going to Hell and the late Jim Neidhart. It seems that while WWE have learned how to book their women, they still haven’t learned how to write their women. I remember back to both the Bella VS Bella story and the Paige VS Charlotte story, there being lines that were just a bit too controversial all for the sake of escalating things. But this will blow over quickly so let’s just focus on the chances of Natty coming back for revenge on Sasha at some point, and the possibility of all four NXT Horsewomen being on the Clash of Champions card.

My Score: 8.2/10