Is Raw about to get wild again tonight?

Kevin Owens confronts Randy Orton in the ring, Asuka fights Bayley for a rematch with Sasha Banks, and RAW UNDERGROUND rolls on!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Seth Rollins w/ Buddy Murphy VS Humberto Carrillo; Rollins wins.
• Andrade Almas w/ Zelina Vega & Angel Garza VS Angelo Dawkins; Dawkins wins.
• Zelina Vega w/ Andrade Almas & Angel Garza VS Bianca Belair w/ Angelo Dawkins; Belair wins.
• Apollo Crews VS Shelton Benjamin w/ The Hurt Business; Benjamin wins.
• 8 Man Tag: Ricochet, Cedric Alexander & The Viking Raiders VS Akira Tozawa & Ninjas; Ricochet, Alexander & The Viking Raiders win.
• WWE 24/7 Championship Shinobi Surprise: Akira Tozawa VS R-Truth; Truth wins and becomes the new WWE 24/7 Champion.
• Liv Morgan w/ Ruby Riott VS Peyton Royce w/ Billie Kay; Royce wins.
• Raw Underground – Riddick Moss wins.
• Asuka VS Bayley w/ Sasha Banks; Asuka wins and will challenge Sasha Banks for the Raw Women’s Championship at SummerSlam.
• Raw Underground – Arturo Ruas wins.
• Raw Underground – Dabba-Kato wins.
• Raw Underground – Shayna Baszler wins 3v1.
• Kevin Owens VS Randy Orton w/ Ric Flair; wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

WWE mourns the loss of Kamala, aka James Harris.

Samoa Joe is in the ring!

He welcomes us to Monday Night Raw as he presides over a contract signing “for one of the most personal of matches,” set for SummerSlam. Joe has seen some contract signings, but one of their competitors is signing two contracts to make them an official WWE superstar. First, “the Goliath in our tale of David and Goliath,” a man Joe has many profane words for, the self-proclaimed Monday Night Messiah, Seth Rollins! Rollins has Buddy Murphy beside him as he makes his way to the ring. And the opponent, a man with a babyface who has taken the fight to Rollins to such a level that he is surely “a grown ass man,” Dominik Mysterio! Dominik walks out, titantron and theme song accompanying him, as well as a kendo stick!

Dominik is wary as he joins everyone else in the ring. Joe may be there but he must stay impartial if he wants to keep his job. Rollins wonders, how is Dominik a man if he has that weapon? He looks like a coward, or a scared little boy. Joe agrees, he’ll hold onto the kendo stick for Dominik. Does Joe think this is a joke? No, it’s not. This is actually rather sad. What’s sad about this? It’s simple, Seth. Seth is the sad one. Joe should be seeing “Seth Freakin’ Rollins,” one of the greatest this generation. But instead, we have “a man who had the WWE Universe boo him a few times and he got all caught up in his own feelings.” Rollins used it all as an excuse to do what he wants. Rollins went after Rey’s eye, Murphy went after Aleister’s, and who knows what would’ve happened to Joe last week.

The saddest thing of all is that “Seth Freakin’ Rollins” is giving a man with very little training NO CHOICE but to face him. Rollins says Joe has so much wrong, but c’mon! No choice?! Dominik has had a choice every step of the way and has chosen wrong every step of the way! The same goes for Rey and Aleister Black, and now Joe if he makes the wrong choice. But y’know who’s really had no choice? Seth Freakin’ Rollins, that’s who! Not to play the victim card, but Rollins was forced into this! He tried to #BurnItDown, but he got crapped on! By everyone in the back and everyone watching at home! Rollins had no choice but to become the Monday Night Messiah and sacrificing others for the greater good!

So Rollins just has to ask: When is it going to be enough? Enough for Joe, for Dominik, for the other superstars and for the fans? Dominik says it will NEVER be enough! What? Rollins heard him. Rollins makes excuses for what he’s done. Aleister isn’t the same. Rey isn’t the same. Rollins changed the lives of good men for the worse, and uses “the greater good” as an excuse. Rollins is really just fighting for himself. Rollins says Dominik is ungrateful. Dominik is on the cusp of fulfilling a dream, but he doesn’t even understand it’s all because of Rollins. Dominik should be on his knees thanking Rollins. Maybe Rollins has a point. This was Dominik’s dream. But now, the dream is to kick Rollins’ ass!

Rollins laughs and says we all know that Dominik won’t even last 10 seconds in a regular singles match. Rollins is definitely the best of his generation. However, Rollins will do Dominik a favor. Dominik is pretty handy with kendo sticks. How about SummerSlam be a match where Dominik can use that kendo stick, or anything really! Dominik should have every weapon at his disposal, so that there will be no excuse when Rollins ends Dominik’s career before it even begins. Rollins signs his part, and hands it over to Dominik. Dominik signs the SummerSlam contract, as well as his WWE contract.

Congratulations! A big round of applause for the newest superstar! “Now get the hell out of my ring,” because Rollins has a match with Humberto Carrillo. Dominik can take a seat and take some notes so he’ll see what Rollins is forced to do to them all. Carrillo makes his entrance, and the road of revenge for Rey begins after the break!

Seth Rollins w/ Buddy Murphy VS Humberto Carrillo!

Raw returns and the bell rings. Carrillo and Rollins tie up, Rollins and Carrillo go around the ropes but Carrillo gets ROllins in the corner. Carrillo throws hands, Rollins turns things around to grind forearms in. The ref counts but Rollins body shots and stomps Carrillo down. Rollins makes sure Dominik gets a good look at the armlock, but Carrillo arm-drags free! Carrillo tackles Rollins and throws fists! Carrillo rallies and hits a springboard enziguri! Rollins bails out, Carrillo pursues and CHOPS him! Rollins throws Carrillo into barriers! Rollins gets back in the ring, the ref is distracted, but Dominik protects Carrillo from Murphy! The ref sees this and tells them both to back off.

Carrillo gets on the apron, shoulders into Rollins, slingshot sunset flips but Rollins rolls through. Carrillo ducks the Penalty Kick, Rollins ducks a roundhouse but not the enziguri! The crowd fires up as Carrillo drags Rollins up to throw haymakers. The ref backs him off, but Carrillo runs back to throw more hands! Rollins trips Carrillo up and Carrillo falls on the buckle! Rollins clubs away on Carrillo, climbs up behind him, but Carrillo resists the suplex. Rollins gets Carrillo up, Carrillo fights back more, and elbows Rollins down!

Carrillo adjusts, but Murphy distracts! Dominik SMACKS Murphy off the apron! Carrillo MOONSAULTS, but into BOOTS! Rollins SUPERKICKS, and POWERBOMBS! Rollins flips Carrillo over, to CURB STOMP! Cover, Rollins stares Dominik down as he wins!

Winner: Seth Rollins, by pinfall

And then Murphy TACKLES Dominik! The Disciple gets payback with furious stomps, but then feeds Dominik to Rollins. Rollins stomps away now, and Murphy drags Dominik up for his master. “I told you, take notes and listen to the master at work!” But Dominik breaks free to TACKLE Rollins! Murphy drags Dominik off but now they scrap! Rollins KNEES Dominik down! They beat Dominik down with punches and stomps, then they grab the kendo stick. Rollins aims it at Dominik, to SMACK him in the stomach! And SMACK him on the back! Dominik writhes but Rollins isn’t done. Rollins SMACKS Dominik in the stomach again! And then the back again!

Murphy rips Dominik’s shirt off and we can see the marks on his skin! Rollins SMACKS again to leave another mark! Rollins taunts Dominik to “fight like a man” before he SMACKS and SMACKS him again! Rollins got Dominik’s hands that time. Dominik gets to the ropes, but Rollins and Murphy tie him up in them! “You should’ve kept out of our business!” Rollins SMACKS Dominik as he mockingly says, “Hi, Dad~! You watching at home, Papa Rey?” He SMACKS Dominik again! “How’s that feel? I bet you’re on your knees in front of your TV set, begging for mercy! BEG, REY, BEG!!” Rollins SMACKS away on Dominik again and tells Rey he’s a coward!

Murphy fetches things for Rollins as Rollins SMACKS Dominik again! The welts are becoming bloody bruises, as Rollins has even MORE kendo sticks! Murphy gets to have a turn, and they’re going to make Dominik “pay his dues.” Rollins SMACKS Dominik’s chest while Murphy SMACKS Domink’s back!! And again! And again! And again!! Rollins even eggs Murphy on to see who can hit him harder! They hit Dominik so hard, he comes loose of the ropes and is on the mat! Murphy taunts Dominik, “You wanted to be a WWE superstar, right?” SMACK!! Rollins says if Dominik wants to be a man, he has to get up. But Dominik can’t, and that is the only thing that spares him from a Curb Stomp.

Rollins laughs, “The greater good is a beautiful thing! To be continued, Rey.” The crowd boos as Rollins and Murphy leave Dominik covered in bruises and cuts from the kendo sticks. Will Dominik even be able to compete at SummerSlam?

Retribution is coming.

Raw had technical difficulties because of damage done in the shadows. But then SmackDown was completely overrun! A group of masked maniacs did whatever they wanted last week, will they only escalate it this week?

Andrade Almas w/ Zelina Vega & Angel Garza VS Angelo Dawkins!

Before anything else happens, La Muneca takes the mic and says, “All week, I’ve been hearing, ‘Zelina, how could you poison Montez Ford?'” Did anyone realize it’s innocent until proven guilty? Vega will scream until she’s hoarse, she had NOTHING to do with the poisoning of Ford! What kind of manager would she be if she ruined her associates’ careers? Unlike most women, she doesn’t thrive off a man’s success, she creates it! And Bianca Belair can learn a lot from Vega about keeping men in line, and herself in check. Vega doesn’t appreciate Bianca putting her hands on her.

The Street Profits want the smoke, but her team wants the gold. And if you don’t get it, she’ll say it again: she had NOTHING to do with the poisoning. But Almas and Garza will have everything to do with taking away the Raw Tag Team Championships. But Angelo Dawkins makes his entrance, minus Ford, and though the lights have problems again, this match will happen, after the break!

Raw returns and Dawkins fires off forearms with Almas! Dawkins punches Almas to the ropes but lets up at the ref’s count. Dawkins whips Almas, Almas reverses but Dawkins hurdles, only to run into a kick. Almas throws more forearms then runs, into a big dropkick! Dawkins covers but Almas scrambles away. Almas gets out and Dawkins dares him to return. Garza helps Almas cool off and Vega coaches him up. Almas claims this is a “time out” but the ring count reaches 8. Almas goes in, just to get back out. The ring count starts again, Dawkins goes to the apron but Almas trips him up! Almas pushes Dawkins in to stomp away!

Almas rains down right hands then eggs Dawkins on. Dawkins sits up to get a basement dropkick! Almas drops down on Dawkins for a chinlock and grinds him down. Dawkins endures and fights up, throwing elbows. Almas throws forearms but Dawkins hits back. They brawl back and forth, Dawkins gets the edge, then has Almas on the ropes with body shots! The ref backs Dawkins off, but Dawkins LARIATS Almas down! Dawkins rallies, dodges and flying elbows! Almas staggers to a corner but Dawkins scoops him for an EXPLODER! Vega feels that one as the crowd rallies up. Dawkins runs corner to corner but Almas dodges to clothesline!

Almas fires off forearms then fires himself up. Almas runs corner to corner, CIEN SHADOWS! Cover, TWO!! Dawkins lives but Garza tells Almas to keep his focus. Almas goes to the top rope as Dawkins stirs. Almas leaps, but into a RIGHT HAND! Vega hops up on the apron as Dawkins covers! The ref is distracted, but here comes Bianca! Bianca yanks Vega down and Dawkins gives Almas the CASH OUT SPINE BUSTER! Cover, Dawkins wins!

Winner: Angelo Dawkins, by pinfal

The EST tells La Muneca to get up and get in the ring for their match! Vega barely stands before Bianca puts her in! Vega bails out but Bianca is ready! Raw goes to break before things really heat up!

Zelina Vega w/ Andrade Almas & Angel Garza VS Bianca Belair w/ Angelo Dawkins!

Raw returns again and Vega is on Bianca in a dragon sleeper body scissors combo! Bianca rams Vega into buckles until she’s free, but Vega just leaps on for a normal sleeper! Bianca pops her around for a BIG suplex! Vega wants mercy? She still defends she didn’t poison anyone, but then she lunges at Bianca! Bianca jumps over, jumps back around, and then wags her finger at Vega. Bianca keeps Vega from running, but Vega stomps Bianca’s foot and headbutts low. Vega tilt-o-whirls but Bianca spins her around again! Vega drags Bianca down to a triangle hold! Bianca stays on her feet, tries for a cover but Vega keeps her shoulders up. Bianca dead lifts but Vega sunset flips, only for Bianca to stay up again. Bianca drags Vega up and SLAMS her down!

Bianca dares Vega to get up and do something but Vega is just making sure she has her teeth. Vega stands, Bianca bumps her off buckles and stomps a mudhole! Then she fires off fast hands! The ref backs Bianca off but Bianca comes back fore more! The ref counts, Bianca stops at 4, but Vega RAKES her eyes!! Vega headlocks and uses the ropes, for a BULLDOG! Cover, TWO! Vega grows frustrated, Bianca sits up and grits her teeth. Vega pushes Bianca around and ax kicks her back. Vega whips but Bianca blocks and redirects! Vega goes up and over and waistlocks, and even pulls hair! Bianca swings on Vega but Vega shoves her into the corner! Step-up enziguri!

Vega goes corner to corner while Bianca is down, CIEN SHADOWS! Cover, TWO! Vega’s version wasn’t quite as powerful, but she has fire. Vega dribbles Bianca’s head off the mat as she says she didn’t do it. Vega headlocks but Bianca blocks the bulldog. Bianca runs at Vega, fireman’s carries her, but Vega fights out with elbows! Vega waistlocks, Bianca elbows out hard. Bianca swings but Vega dodges, Vega tilt-o-whirls to throw Bianca into ropes! Bianca gets a hotshot from it and Vega heads for a corner. Vega climbs up, leaps, but into Bianca’s arms! Bianca pops Vega up for the military press and SLAM!

The crowd fires up as Dawkins coaches Bianca and both Garza and Almas cheer Vega on. Vega glares at Bianca and Bianca glares at Vega. They both grab at each other’s hair but Vega throws a forearm. Bianca gets mad and fires off all sorts of strikes! Bianca throws Vega around the ring, then runs in, only to get POST! Vega shouts, “I didn’t do it!” and then stomps a mudhole in! Vega climbs up, clubs away on Bianca’s head, but Bianca  has her for a POWERBOMB! Matchbook, TWO, so Bianca ALLEY-OOPS Vega onto buckles! Bianca drags Vega up, spins her around for the torture rack, and the KISS OF DEATH!! Cover, Bianca wins!

Winner: Bianca Belair, by pinfall

Vega may not have done anything to Ford, but she couldn’t do anything to Bianca, either! Charly Caruso interviews Bianca in the ring. Not to spoil the moment, but given Vega defending herself, what evidence is there? Bianca says here’s a secret: She and Ford keep things separate at work, they handle their own business. Vega messed with Ford’s business. If she does it again, she’ll just whooped again. So Ford is out for now, what is his condition? Dawkins handles that by saying The Profits still have a match at SummerSlam. If you think Ford is going to miss the biggest party of the summer, that ain’t happening. They’re bringing the ruckus AND the Solo cups! Because the Profits are up, and #WeWantTheSmoke! Will Ford be ready to stand with the fam?

Raw presents a special edition of The VIP Lounge.

The Hurt Business is in the ring and MVP has the mic. “Tonight is a very different episode of the VIP Lounge.” He is not in a celebratory mood, so no popping bottles. He wants to pop someone in the mouth. Not to mention popping ligaments and tendons. MVP never misses a chance to be the guy who says “I told you so,” so he tells us so! The conspiracy is real! Lights flickering, a generator on fire, during MVP’s match! MVP is a professional of the highest order! How is he to win in “unsafe working conditions?” Apollo didn’t beat MVP, the lights beat MVP. Where is Apollo Crews? Apollo makes his entrance to confront these accusations!

Is MVP serious? He always has to make excuses. Losing a match is someone else’s fault. Losing the beautiful new belt, it’s someone else’s fault. Oh, like the excuses Crews made not to be at Extreme Rules? A fighting champion who takes time off because of a bad neck. Apollo says Lashley did all that for MVP so that it’d turn out that way. But Apollo does know MVP is hurting now that Apollo has the NEW United States Championship belt MVP paid THOUSANDS of dollars for! Apollo thinks that’s funny? That’s Apollo’s problem. MVP was just trying to help the “serial bad decision maker.” Like the decision to come out here alone. MVP, you have a point. Apollo makes bad choices. But he’s allowed to. Oh? Because Apollo is a bad, bad man.

In fact, MVP says he doesn’t care about Apollo? Or about his family? Well Apollo doesn’t care about Benjamin or Lashley. But he does care about MVP. Apollo promises that at SummerSlam, the lights going out will be MVP’s! The Hurt Business rushes Apollo but Apollo gets in to DECK MVP! And then he THROWS A COUCH! Apollo dares someone to do something, but Raw goes to break!

Apollo Crews VS Shelton Benjamin w/ The Hurt Business!

Raw returns and the Gold Standard steps to the United States Champion! They tie up, Apollo wrenches, and hammerlocks to a headlock. Benjamin powers out, things speed up but Apollo blocks a hip toss. Benjamin blocks back but swings into the waistlock. Apollo lifts but Benjamin gets away, and Apollo says it was that close to the Crews Missile. They circle again, Benjamin powers Apollo to a corner and rams his shoulder in. Benjamin knees low, whips Apollo cornet o corner, but Apollo goes up and over and handsprings to dropkick Benjamin down! Apollo rallies with elbows and a snap suplex! Cover, TWO! Apollo keeps his cool as he brings Benjamin up again. Benjamin escapes the military press to mule KICK!

Benjamin lifts Apollo to POWERBOMB him hard and fast! Cover, TWO! The Hurt Business knows to keep on him so Benjamin covers again, TWO! Benjamin drags Apollo up, turns him and hits a neckbreaker! MVP taunts Apollo as Benjamin throws Apollo out. The ref tells the Hurt Business to stay back but MVP and Lashley taunt Apollo. Benjamin goes out whole MVP mockingly asks if Apollo feels alright. Benjamin pushes Apollo around then knees him low! Benjamin bumps Apollo off the apron while putting him in. Benjamin stalks Apollo to ropes to choke him! The ref counts, Benjamin lets off, and Benjamin looms over him. Benjamin wraps Apollo up in a chinlock and grinds him down.

Apollo endures, the crowd rallies up, but MVP tells Apollo to quit. Apollo fights up and fights out to then ROCK Benjamin with rights! Benjamin gives them back, whips Apollo to ropes, but Apollo LEAPS to clobber Benjamin! The crowd fires up as Benjamin and Apollo stir. Apollo stands with the ropes to enziguri Benjamin down! Benjamin clutches a knee but Apollo drags him up to power him to a corner! Apollo rams his shoulder in over and over, MVP protests but Apollo runs to corner splash! Apollo lifts Benjamin but Benjamin resists. Benjamin runs into a SPINNING POWERSLAM! Standing moonsault, cover, TWO!

The Hurt Business grows worried for Benjamin while Apollo keeps his cool. Benjamin bails out to rest, but Apollo builds sped! Lashley swipes at him so Apollo BOOTS Lashley away! Benjamin clobbers Apollo and rolls him up! Benjamin wins!

Winner: Shelton Benjamin, by pinfall

Lashley wants to go after Apollo with the full nelson, but MVP tell him to stop. Apollo needs to be healthy for SummerSlam so they can settle this. Lashley reluctantly shoves Apollo away and MVP says he’s just trying to look out for him. But MVP tries to sucker punch Apollo, only to get DECKED by the enziguri! Apollo gets out with his championship belt. Will MVP win back the belt he bought at the biggest party of the summer?

The Retribution has already done damage!

They’ve thrown cinder blocks through windows! Security tries to get them to stop but they don’t listen, and SMASH the windows apart with the bricks! And then they run off to do who knows what else. Is anyone safe from the Retribution?

Backstage interview with Mickie James!

The six-time women’s champion is back with big news! Mickie is excited to be back and wants to help lead the locker room. If you don’t think she has gold on her mind, then you’re sadly mistaken. But then Lana and Natalya walk in, obnoxiously laughing and wearing matching business dresses. Sorry, is Mickie that delusional? How can she lead the Women’s Division without a Tiktok account? Don’t get them wrong, Mickie is one of the best in-ring, but Natty is THE best so… And if Mickie isn’t aware, Natty is the winningest woman, the Serena Williams of WWE. Best of All Time! The #BOAT!

Wow, Natty. Mickie expects this from Lana because she’s Lana but Natty has a legacy all hero win. Natty worked so hard of the Hart family coattails. Oh, and boats sink. Hashtag that! Mickie leaves but the new besties say Mickie is rude. Will they be the ones getting a rude awakening now that Mickie’s back?

Ivar talks up Raw Underground with Demi Burnett!

Erik comes by with Ricochet and Cedric Alexander. They’ve been looking all over for him! They’re all gearing up for their match. Don’t be mad at Ivar, they were just talking. She didn’t mean to keep him so long, he’s just so cute! Erik? Not so much. But good luck! Alexander and Ricochet try not to laugh at Erik but they can’t help it. But how does their match turn out? Also, has Demi already ditched Garza for the Warbeard? We find out, after the break!

8 Man Tag: Ricochet, Cedric Alexander & The Viking Raiders VS Akira Tozawa & Ninjas!

The fast and the furious team up with the big and the strong as they take on the Stamina Monster and his shinobi squad! Will the WWE 24/7 Champion survive the raid?

The teams sort out and Ricochet will start against Ninja 1! CRANE KICK! Tag to Alexander and they give him a double stomp complete shot! Ninja 2 runs in but gets double KNEES! Alexander tags Ivar in, they work together as Erik tags in. Ninja 2 gets knee after knee! The Vikings stare at Tozawa as Ninja 3 refuses to go in. Tozawa orders his henchman to fight, but Ninja 3 thinks they should just go. Tozawa agrees, and the ninjas are in retreat. Ninja 2 gets THOR’S HAMMER!! Cover, The Vikings and friends win!

Winners: Ricochet, Cedric Alexander & The Viking Raiders, by pinfall

Tozawa has his title in his clutches, but Ninja 3 calls in a referee? Because this is R-TRUTH!! Truth rolls Tozawa up, Truth wins!!

Winner: R-Truth, by pinfall (NEW WWE 24/7 Champion)

THIRTY EIGHT TIMES!! Truth has his baby back and then hurries out because the chase is on! Will Tozawa get his title back from Truth before the night is over? And what happened to the real Ninja 3?

Backstage interview with Drew McIntyre!

The WWE World Champion had strong words for Randy Orton. Does he stand by those words? And will he be watching Ortn’s match with Kevin Owens? For starters, McIntyre wouldn’t have said what he said if he didn’t mean it. But McIntyre had an epiphany. The reason Orton has been keeping the knowledge to himself and taking out legend after legend is simple: Self-preservation. Orton wants to make sure he’s on top for as long as possible. He ripped the torch from Mick Foley’s hand, and holds onto it so that he isn’t a thing of the past. McIntyre tells Orton that he’s had more original thoughts. First, he will rip the torch from Orton’s hand. Second, he’ll kick Orton as hard as he can. And third, Orton will realize evolution has passed him by.

Charly has one more question. What if Kevin rips the torch away first? In that case, McIntyre and Kevin can have a long talk about the future of Monday Night Raw. What happens to the proverbial torch as the summer heats up?

Liv Morgan w/ Ruby Riott VS Peyton Royce w/ Billie Kay!

The reunion tour has begun, all thanks to The KO Show! The Riott Squad got one over on the IIconics but things are far from over! Will the LIVing Embodiment keep things going as she takes on the Venus Flytrap?

As always, the IIconics have mics to speak before the match. “Aww, how cute is this, Billie?” The Riott Squad is back and… Better than ever? Liv is two-faced while Ruby’s mood changes more than the color of her split ends! While they campaigned to be Raw’s Drama Queen, the IIconics campaigned for the future, and the future is IIconic. Peyton gets in and this match begins!

Liv fires off forearms, then blocks a kick to trip Peyton up! Liv rains down rights but Peyton gets away. Liv brings her up but Peyton knees Liv back. Peyton throws Liv out and then goes out to fetch her. The ref has Ruby and Billie stay back as Peyton clubs Liv. Liv blocks the apron bump to give it back! With interest! Liv puts Peyton in at 5, but Billie creeps closer. Liv gets in, and runs into the spinning heel kick! Peyton drags Liv up and says Ruby doesn’t care about her! Peyton clubs away on Liv, then shoves her down. The crowd rallies for Liv and Liv spins around to waistlock and O’Conner roll! TWO, Liv and Peyton ROUNDHOUSE each other down!

Billie and Ruby coach their friends up while the crowd rallies. Liv gets to a corner while Peyton grits her teeth. Peyton runs into a boot, but Ruby gets Billie to back off. The ref sees Ruby on the apron, Liv is confused, Peyton CLOBBERS Liv! ANARCHY SUPLEX! Or as Peyton calls it, Deja Vu! Cover, Peyton wins!!

Winner: Peyton Royce, by pinfall

A miscommunication costs the squad and Liv is again paranoid about who Ruby is. The IIconics let the frenemies fall apart again as they leave. Will the IIconics leave them behind in the Women’s Tag Division rankings?

Shane checks in with Jordan Omogbehin, the Raw Underground bouncer.

Anything going on? No, it’s just fine. Nice. Now, it’s almost time to begin tonight’s festivities. Shane enters the Underground, what happens in this week’s third hour?

Raw Underground begins!

Riddick Moss returns to Raw in the opening fight as Shane welcomes us back. Moss counters a takedown with a facelock, but still gets SLAMMED! Moss scrambles up as “Cal Boom” has him in a clinch. They get up, go around, fight for control, and Moss gets the facelock! They go around, off the ring and into some spare paneling! Moss throws body shots and RAMS his opponent in return! And again! They end up back at the ring, clinch onto the mat, but Cal gets loose. They tie up again, Cal tries a cover but Moss moves. Moss throws body shots, they each pull hair, but Moss rakes eyes! And HEADBUTTS! Moss fires off more hands and DECKS Cal! The ref and Shane call it, Moss wins it!

Winner: Riddick Moss

The Regiment is back and tougher than ever! Will he rise to the top of this strange other division?

Asuka VS Bayley w/ Sasha Banks!

Here we go again! The Empress of Tomorrow wants to rip the Role Model apart for what happened to Kairi Sane, as well as earn her rematch with the NEW Raw Women’s Champion, Sasha Banks! But with The Boss ringside, will Bayley have the advantage in shutting Asuka out?

The bell rings and Asuka dropkicks Bayley right away! Asuka throws Bayley around, then runs corner to corner to hip attack! Asuka kicks away on Bayley in the corner, then snapamres her for a KICK! Cover, ONE! Asuka dribbles Bayley off the mat over and over, but Bayley gets away. Sasha shrieks in protest but Asuka goes out to throw Bayley into boards! The ref counts but Asuka stomps Bayley. Asuka puts Bayley in at 4 of 10 and climbs up top. Asuka talks smack with Sasha but Bayley trips Asuka up! Bayley Canadian racks for a RUNNING DOMINATOR! Cover, TWO!! Sasha and Bayley are upset already, and Bayley rains down angry rights.

The crowd rallies for Asuka as Bayley kicks the leg. Asuka gets to ropes but Bayley drags her back up. Bayley snap suplexes then covers, TWO! Bayley runs to sliding clothesline! Cover, TWO! Bayley cools off and Sasha cheers her own. Bayley wraps on a chinlock and thrashes Asuka about. Asuka endures, fights up as the lights flicker, but Bayley puts her in a corner. Bayley stomps Asuka down, taunts Asuka about Kairi but Asuka kicks back! Bayley drops elbows and covers, TWO! Bayley still makes fun of Kairi as she circles Asuka. She kicks Asuka around but Asuka just keeps getting up. Asuka gets mad, blocks a punch to backslide fast! TWO!!

Bayley ducks a kick and rolls Asuka but Asuka rolls through to SLIDING KICK! Both women are down, the crowd rallies up and both women slowly stand. Asuka side steps Bayley to then follow and run her over! Asuka blocks a kick, slips around and GERMAN SUPLEXES! Bayley gets up to get a hip attack! Cover, TWO! Asuka runs at Bayley in a corner but Bayley catches the hip attack to toss Asuka into buckles! Sasha coaches Bayley on as Bayley runs corner to corner. Asuka dodges the knee, has Bayley stuck on ropes and kicks away! Asuka runs side to side to springboard STOMP Bayley down! Cover, TWO!! Sasha helps Bayley get out as Raw goes to break!

Raw returns and Asuka climbs up top again. Asuka is more focused this time and she missile dropkicks Bayley down! Cover, TWO! Sasha is relieved but Asuka fires up. Asuka watches Bayley sit up and she KICKS her! And KICKS her! Sasha gets on the apron, Bayley catches the next kick to a KNEEBAR! Asuka flails as Bayley pulls on the ankle, and Asuka gets the ropebreak! Bayley clubs the leg before letting go at 4. Bayley stomps the leg, and DDT’s the ankle! Cover, TWO! Bayley hits another leg DDT, and Sasha says she’s loving it. Sasha hugs the Raw Women’s Championship belt as Bayley puts the bad leg on the ropes. The Golden Role Models mock Asuka with the belt before Bayley stomps the leg.

The ref backs Bayley off but Sasha SLAMS the bad leg in the distraction! Bayley covers, TWO! Asuka endures but the Golden Role Models are only getting angry. Bayley puts Asuka in a corner, stomps a mudhole in, then lets off to elbow Asuka back! Bayley runs, Auska rolls her up, TWO! Asuka wraps Bayley up in a GROUNDED OCTOPUS STRETCH!! Bayley endures being twisted up, pries free of a leg, and goes after Asuka, only to get caught into an ARMBAR! Bayley flails and kicks, makes it a cover, TWO! Asuka leaps but the code breaker is countered to an INDIAN DEATHLOCK! Asuka endures as Bayley shows she has an arsenal of her own! Asuka endures, Sasha taunts her face to face, but that only motivates Asuka! Asuka sits back to get an ANKLE LOCK and KNEEBAR!!

Bayley endures, fights up and pushes back to a cover, TWO! Asuka has the hold again, Bayley powers up again to pry Asuka off! Asuka counters the German to a crossbody! Cover, TWO!! The crowd fires up, Asuka hits the CODE BREAKER! Both women are down, Asuka crawls to a cover, TWO! Sasha is growing worried as Bayley and Asuka slowly sit up. Bayley and Asuka brawl on their knees then up to their feet. Asuka fires off palm strikes from all sides! Bayley blocks the back hand but gets the pop-up KNEE! Bayley ends up in a corner, Asuka hurries over and brings her up. Asuka hoists Bayley up top, climbs up to join her and throws forearms. Bayley hits back, sends Asuka down, and adjusts. MACHO ELBOW!! Cover, TWO!!

The crowd is thunderous as Asuka survives! Asuka slowly fights up but Bayley looms over her. Bayley brings Asuka up to BACK HAND Asuka! Bayley goes corner to corner, sunset bomb into the buckles! Bayley mocks Kairi by walking the plank, and runs, into a TAKEDOWN! ASUKA LOCK OUTTA NOWHERE!! Bayley taps, Asuka wins!!

Winner: Asuka, by submission (NEW #1 Contender to the Raw Women’s Championship)

But Sasha runs in, only for Asuka to get away! The Blueprint has the red brand’s belt for now, but will she lose it to a vengeful Empress?

We return to Raw Underground!

Arturo Ruas is in action, and if you don’t know him, he’s a 17-time Brazil amateur wrestling champion! Shane steps aside and the fight is on! Ruas BOOTS his opponent back, uses capoeria heel kicks to send him out of the ring, then dares him to come back. His opponent does but gets body shots and a SLAM! Ruas clubs away with big forearms, palm strikes and even slaps! His opponent doesn’t stand a chance with those elbows flying in! Ruas grabs an arm, cranks on it, can’t get the armbar so he goes for the legs. Ruas kicks then watches his opponent squirm. His opponent gets up to get the CAPOERIA KICK!! Ruas wins by knockout!

Winner: Arturo Ruas

The winner goes again, but who is going to take him? No one in this crowd will. Who else will step up to Shane’s blood sport?

We return from break for more Raw Underground!

Dabba-Kato is back! Let’s see if he’s still got it this week? The bell rings and his considerably smaller opponent circles around him. Dabba take a kick to give a kick! His opponent keeps fighting but Dabba drags him up to clinch and SLAM him down! And then he drags the man up to knee and SLAM again! Dabba keeps going, with a NUT CLAW!? That’s not against the rules but it’s just plain mean! And then Dabba DECKS the man! Dabba wins!

Winner: Dabba-Kato

But Shayna Baszler steps up!? The Queen of Spades wants after the big man but Shane tells Dabba to cool off. Shayna gets to have someone fresh for her opponent. Who steps up to the former MMA Horsewoman? NO one? So Shayna just DECKS a rando in the crowd and tosses her in! Shayna facelocks, turns and hammers away! The woman’s friend goes in to drag Shayna off, but Shayna just dumps her down and rains down rights! Another woman comes in, she tries for a sleeper, but Shayna throws her right off! Shayna has the arm but her opponent headscissors! Shayna hammers away, powers out of the squeeze, but sees she is in a 3v1 situation.

The other two go after her together, but Shayna fights them all off. Shayna DECKS the third opponent, judo throws the second, and ROUNDHOUSES the first! SPINE BUSTER and hammer fists for the third, KIRAFUDA KLUTCH! The woman taps, Shayna wins!

Winner: Shayna Baszler, by submission

That’s this week’s Raw Underground, tune in for more carnage next week!

Retribution causes more trouble!

They’ve tipped someone’s car over! And are beating it up more! They hurry off before anyone comes along, will they leave Raw without taking over like they did on SmackDown?

Kevin Owens VS Randy Orton w/ Ric Flair!

The Prizefighter takes a stand not only for himself, but for those the Viper has targeted and attacked. Will Kevin still be able to fight after going a round with the Legend Killer reawakened?

Raw returns and Kevin makes his entrance. The bell rings and Kevin circles with Orton. They tie up, Kevin powers Orton to ropes but Orton turns things around. Kevin turns it back around and into the corner, but Orton turns that back again. Kevin powers out of the corner, Orton headlocks and grinds Kevin down. The crowd rallies as Kevin endures and powers out. Orton runs Kevin over, things speed up, and Kevin runs Orton over! Orton bails out and Kevin wonders where he’s going. Flair grins, he likes the fire Kevin has. Kevin goes after Orton but Orton drags him out. Kevin counters punches, throws haymakers and chops, but Orton pokes eyes! Orton follows Kevin around the way to European Uppercut.

Orton brings Kevin to the desk but Kevin hits back and bounces Orton off the desk first! Kevin hears the ring count and puts Orton in at 8. Kevin stomps Orton to a corner, mocking the Legend Killer while getting angrier. The ref backs Kevin off, Kevin copies the “WOO~!” Orton hits back and CHOPS Kevin in the corner. Orton whips Kevin but Kevin reverses. Kevin dodges Orton on the return and kicks, but Orton denies the stunner! Kevin denies the RKO to SUPERKICK! Orton flounders into a corner, Kevin runs in to CANNONBALL! Orton bails out and Flair is worried. Kevin has to slow down because of a bad shoulder, but Orton ends up by barriers. Kevin CANNONBALLS again! The Viper is down as Raw goes to break!

Raw returns as Kevin stomps Orton down. Orton sits up to get haymaker after haymaker, and then goes to a corner. Kevin CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS, and Orton scrambles away. Kevin mocks Flair more as he gives more CHOPS! Kevin throws haymaker after haymaker, but the ref backs him off. Orton bails out but Kevin hurries after. Kevin whips but Orton reverses to send Kevin into steel steps! The bad shoulder feels worse and Flair just talks trash to add on. Orton drags Kevin up to bounce him off the Plexiglas! Orton gets in at the count of 8 but goes out to refresh things. He drags Kevin back up to whip into more steel steps! Now Orton leaves Kevin behind and at the mercy of the count.

Kevin manages to sit up at the count of 5, and drags himself in at the count of 7. Orton is right on him by yanking the bad arm and stomping a leg! Orton circles Kevin as he stomps, a favorite tactic of his. Orton scrapes his laces on Kevin’s face, another favorite! He drags Kevin around and stomps him in the stomach! Orton digs his heel in, and he leaves Kevin gasping as he runs. Orton drops a knee right on the head! Cover, TWO! Flair is amused as Orton wraps Kevin in a chinlock. Kevin endures and the crowd builds to a rally. Kevin fights but Orton rakes eyes! Kevin still fights up, fights back and wrenches to forearm! Kevin throws more but Orton CHOPS!

Orton whips, Kevin kicks back but Orton EuroUppers! Kevin clotheslines and back sentons! Flair grows worried again as the crowd fires up for Kevin! Kevin stands, Orton follows, but Kevin whips. Orton grabs ropes to bail out again. Kevin pursues but Orton catches him for the ANNOUNCE DESK BACK SUPLEX! Kevin tumbles down while Orton catches his breath at ringside. The ring count climbs but Orton drags Kevin up and in. Cover, TWO! Kevin refuses to stay down! Orton grows annoyed and he stalks Kevin to a corner. Orton brings Kevin up to the top rope, throws haymakers, then climbs up to join him. Kevin fights back with a headbutt but Orton hits back. They brawl up top, Kevin headbutts Orton down!

Kevin adjusts quickly, to SWANTON BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Orton survives and Flair shouts for him to get up, but so does Kevin! Kevin mocks Orton’s slithering around as Orton stands! Kevin spins Orton around but no Stunner! Orton hits the RKO!! Cover, Orton wins!

Winner: Randy Orton, by pinfall

The Apex Predator weathered the storm and takes Kevin down! Flair celebrates with Orton by raising his arm, but will we see the same thing when Orton faces McIntyre for the title? Orton wants a mic to talk before leaving. He wants Flair to stick around a moment. “I would like to ask a favor of you, my friend.” The favor is for Flair to stay here and talk something out, but also celebrate. Flair doesn’t mind. We find out what Orton has on his mind, after the break.

Raw returns and…

Orton tells Flair that “I have every right to be upset with you, but I just can’t. I can’t be angry at the Nature Boy, Ric Flair.” Orton can’t find it in his heart to be pissed. This match wasn’t necessary. Orton was only in a fight with Kevin because of Flair’s ego. But Orton can’t be angry with Flair! This is just what the Dirtiest Player in the Game does! Orton has learned so much. Orton grew up with Flair around, and Flair has been there the last 20 years. Flair taught Orton so much, and is why Orton is still here after 20 years. But does Flair remember back in 2002 or 2003. Orton got himself in trouble in Illinois. No one came to help Orton, except for Flair. Flair bailed Orton got his “dumbass 22-year-old punkass” got himself into. Orton respected and loved Flair for that moment.

But Orton doesn’t respect or love Flair anymore. Because Flair is a liability to everything Orton is trying to do! Orton realized when he looked back. Orton knows why Flair took him under his wing. Flair was thinking Orton could be the son Flair wishes he had. Aw, what’s wrong, Flair? Are you going to cry? “C’mon, you old ass man,” all this energy he still has and yet all he can do is cry? FINE! Cry Orton a river! Cry like a little baby! This isn’t the Flair we all looked up to even just a few years ago. This isn’t the Flair that taught Orton everything he knows! That Flair wouldn’t need a pacemaker in his chest to keep his heart going. That Flair wouldn’t have slipped into a coma! THAT Flair wasn’t some “whore for the spotlight” like this Flair. This is not the same Flair, because this Flair is washed up.

In just two weeks, Orton goes to SummerSlam with an opportunity to take a world championship for the 14th time! That is all Flair needs to worry about and yet he worries about himself! Flair takes the mic from Orton very carefully, and says he is taking all this very personally. Flair hears Orton’s words, but he wants to tell Orton something. That Flair, the one Orton was with in the early 2000’s, that Flair is gone. Does Flair like the spotlight? Yes. Does Flair like to praise Orton as the greatest because he truly is? Yes. Does Flair want to share that spotlight with Orton? Who wouldn’t? Flair is 71, on Monday Night Raw. Flair has Hogan calling him, asking how it feels, and Flair says it feels great, because Flair is with Orton.

Flair is here because he wants Orton’s approval, to be by Orton’s side, and to be there when Orton’s wins 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th even! Flair wants Orton to break his record! Not John Cena with his own 16, but FLAIR’S 16! A record we all grew up on! Driving 3000 miles for $150! Flying who knows how much, city after city! Orton knows what that is because Orton was there! Orton was watching his dad on the road. No cellphones back then, Orton knows what that feels like! Flair wants Orton, who crawled up from the bottom to the top, became the greatest in the business today who Flair loves being with.

But if Orton wants Flair to get emotional, here’s someone Flair can’t get mad at. Flair can’t get mad at Orton. After 31 days of intensive care, a coma for 12 of them, when Flair woke up, he just wanted to tell those around him that he loved them, and to let those he loves know it. Flair called everyone, and that includes Orton. You need to be where Flair has been to know what that feeling is. Flair isn’t trying to take away from Orton. Flair is just having a good time with him. Flair is Charlotte’s Dad and Orton’s friend. Yes, this isn’t Ric Flair anymore. But Orton is his favorite, the one he wants to break the record. That’s all. Orton takes the mic, throws it away, and hugs it out with Flair. The crowd cheers that, but Orton LOW BLOWS FLAIR!!

The crowd boos now as Orton sets Flair down. Orton whispers to Flair that it’ll be alright. Orton forgives Flair, so he hopes Flair can forgive him. Because Orton looms over Flair, and the crowd starts to fear what’s coming next. Orton listens to the voices in his head as Flair barely sits up. The lights flicker but Retribution doesn’t come. Orton aims as Flair is on his hands and knees, and…! The lights go out but you can hear the PUNT KICK!! Orton just annihilated Flair in the literal dark of night!! Orton still comforts Flair, but here comes McIntyre!! McIntyre runs Orton off, and cannot believe how low Orton has sunk! “Even him?! You evil son of a b*tch!!”

Medics check on Flair while McIntyre glares at Orton. McIntyre vows everything is coming back around on Orton’s head, and that he will make sure to hurt Orton. Will the the Scottish Psychopath destroy The Legend Killer once and for all? Or will the Viper simply sink his teeth into a 14th world title reign?

My Thoughts:

This was definitely a wild Raw. We got a lot of powerful stuff out of the opening segment with Dominik now getting a form of No Disqualifications match against Rollins, only for his first official day on the job to be him getting kendo stick’d into ground beef. The cajones on him to accept such a segment. I don’t know if Dominik wins, but he’s at least got to take Murphy out of action at SummerSlam as some retribution. We also got great stuff out of the story between Bianca and the Profits and Vega’s stable. The matches were great, but the sweep by Bianca and Dawkins makes me feel like SummerSlam goes Vega’s way. The go-home next week will be the last bit of math, though, maybe Ford returns triumphantly as the final piece of the puzzle.

For the poisoning part of the story, I like that Vega is adamantly defending herself while Bianca doesn’t believe her. But I’m pretty sure Vega didn’t. It’s GARZA! And the reason why is because he thought he was poisoning Dawkins’ cup, as a way to get Dawkins to back off the girls Garza’s been flirting with! Of course, Demi seems to be playing the field, too, having flirted with Ivar tonight. The 8 Man Tag was pretty fun, but clearly it was a vehicle to the 24/7 Championship. Truth is back on top, baby! Though, with Raw Underground now being a thing, I really hope Truth “accidentally” runs into that area and then we get some reigns for Dabba-Kato and the superstars hanging around in there.

Though again, I kinda wish we weren’t watching Swerve and Brennan Williams be in there, after already seeing them both get jobbed out. I would’ve loved if there was a long game where those two finally decide to join the fun and then give us some of the best things yet in Raw Underground. Though that’s a tall order after seeing what they did this week with Riddick Moss, Dabba and even Shayna Baszler! I honestly thought Shayna was gonna fight Dabba, but it seems even Underground follows WWE’s no co-ed wrestling rule. I wonder if Shayna becomes a regular. A little disappointed Hurt Business didn’t at least check in, they’re the “new management.” Maybe after Apollo turned things around on them, they felt a bit too foolish and had to get MVP some ice. They still should’ve been hanging around, though.

We got some good stuff out of the Riott Squad story. At the same time that the IIconics bounce back, the squad is already stumbling. Though, I wonder if this isn’t a week too soon. Maybe it should’ve been Liv being there to counter Peyton while Ruby beats Billie, and then this. It gives the context that Ruby is willing to be helped by Liv but is screwing Liv over, at least in Liv’s mind, which is the whole point. Asuka and Bayley have an AMAZING match, and Bayley bringing up Kairi was really good story. If only Kairi wasn’t done with WWE (for the foreseeable future), she could be in the Triple Brand Battle Royal this Friday and WIN to at least get a shot at the SmackDown Women’s Championship, her first singles title opportunity in years. But Asuka wins so she gets her match with Sasha, and that is going to be amazing, too.

Retribution was far more juvenile tonight than they were on SmackDown. More light flickering, more damage of property, but no attempts at attacking superstars or taking over the PC. Yes, there were higher security measures but that’s all kayfabe and easily gotten around. Though, they technically do have a part to play tonight that I actually appreciated. We got a great main event out of Orton and Kevin, but of course Orton wins to stay strong. I could just feel Orton turning on Flair as Flair kept raising Orton’s hand in victory. That feeling only got stronger as Orton had Flair hang around and there was the commercial before a 15 minute final segment.

The promos between them were great, and the lights going down was a great way to censor/cover up Orton “kicking” Flair in the head. The crowd and commentary both being in stunned silence is great, but I also would’ve liked it better if a handful of crowd members just went nuts with anger. This is Ric Flair! Someone, anyone, should’ve screamed like it was their own father/grandfather. But McIntyre VS Orton has reached a new level, I can’t wait to see it all happen!

My Score: 8.6/10