Raw has so much going on in one night!

Drew McIntyre and Randy Orton come face to face, the TRUE United States Championship will be decided, and Shane McMahon returns to Raw!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• WWE United States Championship: Apollo Crews VS MVP w/ The Hurt Business; Crews wins and is the undisputed WWE United States Champion.
• The IIconics VS The Riott Squad; The Riott Squad wins.
• WWE 24/7 Championship Triple Threat: Shelton Benjamin w/ The Hurt Business VS R-Truth VS Akira Tozawa; Tozawa wins and becomes the new WWE 24/7 Champion.
• Shayna Baszler VS Sasha Banks w/ Bayley; No Contest.
• Raw Underground – Daba Cato goes 2-0.
• Angelo Dawkins w/ Montez Ford VS Angel Garza w/ Zelina Vega; Garza wins.
• Montez Ford w/ Angelo Dawkins VS Andrade Almas w/ Zelina Vega; No Contest.
• Raw Underground – Erik wins.
• Raw Underground – The Hurt Business goes 3-0.

PLAY BY PLAY

WWE United States Championship: Apollo Crews VS MVP w/ The Hurt Business!

Apollo is back and he’s going to finally face Montel Vontavius Porter as intended at Extreme Rules! Assuming the lights stay on in the Performance Center… But technical difficulties aside, will MVP prove he is the real US Champion? Or will the real US Champion win?

The introductions are made, the two different belts are both raised, and MVP grabs the mic. MVP “drops some truth gems” that he is the REAL United States Champion because Apollo didn’t show up. Bobby Lashley put the full nelson on, Apollo made excuses and MVP made history. MVP vows he will continue to rep the Hurt Business while Apollo can hang out with Ricochet and Cedric Alexander back in catering. Apollo lets MVP run his mouth, and we settle this once and for all to start Raw!

MVP and Apollo stare down but the flickering lights worry them. They tie up, go around, MVP monkey flips but Apollo holds on. They get up again, MVP spins Apollo around, then drops down to body scissors. Apollo fights off the sleeper to throw elbows! Apollo goes after MVP but MVP avoids the cover. Apollo rolls, jackknife cover, TWO! MVP gets up but Apollo handsprings up! Apollo and MVP go again, and MVP stomps Apollo’s foot! MVP throws hands then bumps Apollo off buckles. MVP throws European Uppercuts and rocks Apollo! Apollo gets up but MVP throws haymakers. MVP whips, Apollo reverses and elbows MVP down! Apollo starts to rally! Apollo snap suplexes, covers, TWO! Another try, ONE! Another, ONE! Apollo rains down right hands to keep MVP down.

Apollo goes after the arm and wrenches on the shoulder. MVP endures, fights but Apollo digs his forearm into MVP’s face. Apollo keeps on the shoulder, MVP gets up but Apollo wrenches. MVP wrenches back and ROCKS Apollo again! And BOOTS him down! The Hurt Business likes what they see as MVP looms over Apollo. MVP brings Apollo up but Apollo hits back! Apollo fires off forearm after forearm, whips but MVP is saved by Lashley and Shelton Benjamin. But Apollo FLIES out onto all three! The real United States Champion stands tall as Raw goes to break!

Raw returns as MVP Has Apollo in a cravat. MVP cranks but Apollo endures. Replay shows us Lashley interfered during commercial behind the ref’s back! Apollo tries fighting out but MVP knees low. Apollo fights up again and throws body shots. Apollo gets free, runs, but into a LARIAT! Cover, TWO! MVP tries again, TWO! MVP brings Apollo up to elbow him down. Apollo gets to ropes but MVP brings him around to throw EuroUppers. Cover, TWO! MVP brings Apollo up to club and whip and drop toehold him down! MVP has Apollo in the ropes for a camel clutch! The bad neck is being attacked! The ref counts but MVP lets up at 4. MVP drags Apollo back up, throws big forearms, but Apollo hits back. MVP snap suplexes him, cover, TWO! Apollo barely gets out!

MVP drags Apollo up, throws forearms, then has Apollo in a corner for elbow after elbow from all sides! MVP whips corner to corner, powers up and runs in, but his boot misses! Apollo enziguris back! Apollo hops up, leaps, crossbody! But he rolls off, to tackle MVP into buckles! Apollo rams his shoulder in over and over as the crowd fires up. Apollo runs to hit a huge splash! And a SPINE BUSTER! Cover, TWO! The crowd rallies up for Apollo as he drags MVP up and around. MVP fights off the bomb to waistlock, GERMAN SUPLEX! But Apollo rises! Apollo gives MVP the CREWS MISSILE! Cover, Apollo wins!

Winner: Apollo Crews, by pinfall (still WWE United States Champion)

But Lashley goes after him! Apollo escapes the full nelson and gets away with both United States Championship belts! Which one will he choose to keep as the rightful title?

Backstage interview with Apollo.

Congratulations are in order! How does it feel to return to be the rightful champion? Apollo likes the sound of “rightful US Champion.” But in all seriousness, Bobby Lashley’s strength is unlike anyone else’s. Because of that full nelson, Apollo literally couldn’t turn his head away from the TV as he watched MVP walk around acting like the champ. But what hurt worse was Apollo’s kids saying, “Daddy, I thought you were the United States Champion.” But it’s okay, because now he IS champion! And he will take the classic belt and hang it in his kids’ room as a reminder of their dad’s first title in the WWE ever. As for MVP’s belt, how good does it look on Apollo? It looks so good! So thanks, P, Apollo appreciates this.

MVP grabs a mic at ringside.

“Hello? Hey! You tell me what kind of operation you three clowns are running here!!” What is with the unsafe working environment of the lights? Be ashamed of yourself! Is that how Apollo wants to win!? MVP was distracted! But he’s gonna explain something. Apollo didn’t show up because Lashley made him stay at home. But then Apollo shows up and steals MVP’s US Championship! “I don’t care about your wife! I don’t care about your kids! What I care about is my rematch!” MVP wants his rematch, but Shelton gives him an idea. The rematch will be… at SUMMERSLAM!

There’s something going on in a private dressing room.

There’s a guard, or perhaps a bouncer, at the door as dance music plays loudly. The “brainchild” of Shane McMahon is said to be behind that door. Is there something Shane O’Mac has planned for his return tonight?

Backstage interview with Bayley and Sasha Banks.

The Golden Role Models are Raw Women’s, SmackDown Women’s, and WWE Tag Team Champions because to put it simply, they have #AllTheGold! #BayleyDosStraps and #TwoBeltsBanks! But will either belt be defended at SummerSlam? Not to demean Sarah, but she is so boring! Ding dong, hello! This does no justice to what these two have accomplished! They are going to spice things up and have something special! ROLL THE FOOTAGE!

Movie trailer voice says, “In a world… full of mediocrity… two women are setting the standard, creating the blueprint, of what it means to be a champion.” We relive last week’s Raw Women’s Championship main event. Kairi chased Bayley away, but the narrator explains, “What on the surface… looked like cowardice… was actually a plan… of sheer brilliance.” Bayley turning things around on Kairi and that was a distraction to Asuka. Asuka chose to save Kairi over defending her title, and that is how Sasha “won” her second belt. “Now… they own all the gold…” They are your Golden Role Models.

But Asuka interrupts! “OI OI OI OI!” Do you think you’re going to get away with what you did to Kairi?! “Revenge will be very, very sweet!” That part scares Bayley and Sasha. What the hell is this?! They’re trying to be professional and you- Shayna Baszler interrupts the “garbage.” These two must be having fun. Shayna has a complaint. Sasha “snaked” her way to this title. But Shayna has waited long enough to finally have her own fun. And she DECKS Sasha!! Bayley is in shock as Sasha checks her chin. Shayna leaves, but when and where will she strike again?

Kevin Owens is backstage.

He picks up something to drink at catering, but the IIconics come over. They heard a little rumor that he is hosting another edition of the KO Show, and thought that they would make great guests. They would! He loves Australia. But maybe not this week. What? He already has guests for tonight. He does plan these things. Sorry, but have a water. Kevin heads off to do just as the IIconics said, but who are his guests? We find out, after the break!

Raw presents The KO Show!

The Prizefighter welcomes us back from break to his show. There are a lot of things happening tonight, one of them being the return of Shane McMahon. Kevin has plenty of thoughts on that, but he doesn’t want to talk about that. Wait, why is this mic freaking out? But Kevin wants to first talk about an issue that’s been going on. This is a very talented woman and a great friend of Kevin’s, it’s Ruby Riott! Ruby heads to the ring, definitely having gotten over a challenge in dealing with the IIconics. They sit in the chairs and Kevin thanks her for being here. He brings up the IIconics and how emotional Ruby was after finally winning. Ruby says it is no secret that she’s had bad luck since coming back. She hasn’t gotten a singles win since February and the IIconics grind salt into that wound.

Ruby has dealt with women like that her entire life. “Toxic, sad broads that gotta bring people down just to build themselves up.” Ruby brought Peyton Royce down to earth and hopefully put an end to the iconic BS. Strong words, but she should be proud. The only thing that would’ve been better is if Liv Morgan was here to celebrate. Well speaking of… Kevin got her to be on the show! Ruby is actually unsure if this is a good idea, but Liv does make her way out. Liv gets a mic and stands in the ring with Ruby and Kevin. Kevin thanks her for going through with this. Liv says Ruby wanted her to hear her out, and Kevin convinced her to try. So let’s hear it.

Kevin wants to say something first. He asked them both here, because he saw them both here when they started in the WWE. Stupid mic. It was Liv, Ruby and Sarah. Sarah is moving on to a new part of her life and that’s great. But these two can’t just throw everything away. He’s traveled with them, saw them together as friends, they’re great individuals but they also bring the best out of each other. Kevin has done a lot of really crappy things to people, said crappy things, and lost friendships because he thought it was better for his career. But he feels now it might not have been worth it. They don’t have to be friends, but it is worth hearing each other out. The crowd chants, “Hear Her Out!”

Ruby starts by saying that coming back, she thought it’d be the same. BUt she was wrong. The place was different, and Liv was different. Liv was thriving, coming into her own, and Ruby felt like she wasn’t needed anymore. Then Liv beat Ruby twice. Ruby realized Liv didn’t need Ruby. This world Ruby returned to without anyone, she wasn’t ready for it and she lashed out at Liv. She is sorry for that! That was wrong to do! But every time Ruby looks at her tattoo, the one that matches Liv’s, dedicated to their debut date, she remembers the day their lives changed. Ruby is just asking for a second chance. A second chance at the Riott Squad to be stronger than ever before! But then the IIconics crash the show!

Billie and Peyton of course have mics. Kevin washes his hands of this, but Peyton says everyone is SICK of hearing them babble on about whatever, because no one cares. Liv should’ve stayed in the tub. Ruby, the IIconics are just tired of the social media posts about her one “emotional” win over Peyton! After what? 400 losses?! Maybe some facts over emotion. Fact: The IIconics have dominated- The mic is freaking out. They DOMINATED the Women’s Tag Division. They conquered WrestleMania! And they have been, and always will be, better than Ruby and Liv. Actually, look BFF up and you’ll find a picture of them.

Liv speaks up and says maybe they’re right. Liv and Ruby aren’t friends like the IIconics. But there is one thing they will always agree on: NO ONE starts a riot better than us! The Riott Squad is reunited! Kevin says the message is clear. So unless the IIconics have something better to say, maybe they can just leave. Ruby and Liv think they’re a team now? They have nothing on the IIconics. Let’s go, right now! Any place, any time! Because right now… Actually, Peyton wants Billie to say it. No, Billie says Peyton can say it. They go back and forth and Kevin asks for more technical difficulties right now. Peyton SLAPS Kevin! And Billie laughs. Was that necessary? Billie SLAPS Kevin now! “Ladies, a little help, please?” The Riott Squad pounces!! The brawl spills out of the ring as Raw goes to break!

The IIconics VS The Riott Squad!

Peyton and Billie got the fight that they want, but will they regret it? Or can they ruin the Riott Squad’s reunion?

Billie starts with Ruby and circle. They tie up, Billie powers Ruby to a corner but Ruby turns it around. Billie shouts for the ropebreak, Ruby lets up to shove her back. Kevin has joined commentary as Ruby wrenches Billie’s arm. Billie throws hands, Ruby ducks but the throat chop hits! Billie wrenches Ruby to a straitjacket neckbreaker! Cover, TWO! The IIconics are furious already but Billie brings Ruby over to tag in Peyton. The IIconics double whip to double forearm! Peyton covers, TWO! Peyton drags Ruby around to jam her knees into Ruby’s back then she clamps on a chinlock. Ruby endures, the crowd builds to a rally, Ruby fights her way up to fight back. PEyton throws Ruby down by her green-yellow hair!

Tag to Billie the IIconics double wrench and double kick Ruby down! Billie talks trash before she kicks Ruby while she’s down! Billie drags Ruby up to club her back, then talks more trash. Ruby pushes her away to SUPERKICK her! Hot tags to Peyton and Liv! Liv rallies with flying forearms and a hair takedown! Liv whips, Peyton reverses, but Liv elbows back. Liv goes up, up and leaps for a missile dropkick! Cover, Billie breaks it! Billie drags Peyton to the corner and tags in. Billie storms up to Liv, brings her up, but Liv rolls Billie up! RIOTT SQUAD WINS!

Winners: The Riott Squad, by pinfall

But Peyton is right on Liv with hammering fists! The IIconics get up, coordinate, but Ruby saves Liv! Ruby shoves Peyton to a corner and enziguris Billie down! Ruby and Liv coordinate now, double STO! The squad heads out, will they continue to rise together? Or are there still cracks in the foundation they must be wary of?

Raw checks on the status of a near accident.

Large boxes fell over, things fell out, but no one was nearby so there were no injuries. There are rumors that perhaps, the boxes falling were not accidental. MVP is upset that they’re not talking about his loss because of these glitches and power surges! Charly Caruso understands he’s upset. She informs him that Apollo has accepted the rematch challenge. Well alright then! He feels a bit better now, but of course Apollo accepted it. What would his kids think if Daddy Apollo didn’t? But then Shelton comes by and says his 24/7 Championship belt has been stolen! What?! Well, they’ll track that down. Time to teach everyone what happens when you steal from the Hurt Business.

Drew McIntyre heads to the ring!

The WWE World Champion is not in a good mood after last week’s RKO outta nowhere! McIntyre had just settled things with Dolph Ziggler when Randy Orton made good on his threats. As such, the WWE world title is on the line at SummerSlam between the leader of Claymore Country and the Apex Predator! McIntyre picks up a mic to address this. “Randy Orton has spent 20 years preying on vulnerability.” He’s not the kind of guy who would show you how he felt with a finger gesture like Stone Cold. Or the kind of guy to take off and throw an elbow pad like The Rock. According to Orton, he’s better than those two. Orton is the kind who waits until you end an Extreme Rules match to hit you with an RKO outta nowhere.

But y’know what? That is on McIntyre. McIntyre was warned and it still happened. Lesson learned, it will never happen again. But McIntyre wants Orton to understand he knows how motivated The Viper is. He’s just as motivated to take the WWE title as McIntyre is to keep it. The similarities don’t end there. “Once upon a time, at one time or another, Vince McMahon himself looked at us, right in the eye and told us we were The Chosen One. We were the future of this industry.” McIntyre paces as he chooses his words. Things didn’t go as planned for McIntyre. But Orton admitted this wasn’t plan A, B, C or D. He didn’t lie awake as a kid in Scotland, a country of 5 million people, thinking about how he was going to make it to the WWE as one of the first ever.

Orton didn’t grow up being called crazy for dreaming so big, giving everything he could and finally pulling it off! This was handed to him! McIntyre doesn’t resent Orton for that. But he finds it interesting when Orton brags about the early accolades. The ones sped on a silver spoon because his father is Cowboy Bob. McIntyre never rode in a limo with Evolution, not that he wanted to. But the biggest part, McIntyre never had anyone cleaning up after him like Evolution did. No one had the influence like that for McIntyre. Making mistakes meant being punished, and in his case, FIRED for them. McIntyre has said it already, he did deserve that. But McIntyre has spoken to so many people over those years, those who cleaned up the literal crap Orton has left behind! Orton should’ve been fired WAY MORE times than McIntyre!

Orton appears, with Ric Flair by his side! Orton has a mic and tells McIntyre he’s gonna stop him right there and ask, “Is my respect not enough?” Orton said McIntyre had his respect, but McIntyre is repaying Orton by telling the fans all this? If Orton didn’t want to be here, then why  is he still here? Orton is here because he enjoys coming down the ramp, hitting RKO’s and punt kicking heads. Orton appreciates McIntyre’s fighting spirit, which will make it that much sweeter when Orton hits the RKO, the punt kick, and takes the title away. Now Orton should’ve been fired for all that? Well he’s right. Orton should’ve been fired multiple times! But McIntyre was because Orton is more valuable than McIntyre ever was or will be. Orton has been given third, fourth, fifth chances because he IS The Chosen One #ThenNowandForever.

Now it’s “real cute” that McIntyre is quoting legends like Edge. But Orton challenges McIntyre right now to come up with one opinion about Orton that’s his own. The key word, “original.” McIntyre puts his belt down and says if Orton wants McIntyre to “shoot,” then fine. McIntyre thinks Orton represents everything that is wrong with the WWE! Just like the others, we all watched The Last Ride. The most interesting part was Orton. Orton talked about how The Undertaker reached down, pulled Orton up to his level when he didn’t have to. HE didn’t, but why did he? Because Taker loves this industry and wants to preserve it. How many times can Orton honestly say over the last 20 years that he’s done the same? Never.

Has Orton ever sat down with a Kevin Owens, an Apollo Crews or a Mustafa Ali type, anyone at all, and passed on the knowledge that Shawn Michaels, Taker, HHH, or Ric Flair ever passed on? How about this? Ten years ago, there was a time when Orton went home and Edge reached out. McIntyre remembers being in catering, his world crumbling around him both professionally and personally. Orton could tell. McIntyre was far from home, his mother was sick, and he was self-destructing. Maybe something from Orton could’ve changed his life, but Orton didn’t even bother. McIntyre does not see a locker room leader. He does not see someone “the boys in the back” respect. McIntyre just sees “a selfish prick!”

So here is what happens at SummerSlam. McIntyre has receipts to cash in, not just from him. For guys on the current roster, from years ago, and every legend he has ever KICKED IN THE HEAD! McIntyre will RIP Orton’s head off, and Orton will sure as hell see it coming! The RKO or the Claymore, what move will decide the fate of not only the WWE World Championship, but both of these superstars?

Nia Jax talks with WWE official, Pat Buck.

She was fined for roughing him up last week, but it’s hard to be sure if she’s apologizing or expecting an apology. Either way, the Irresistible Force heads to the ring after the break!

Kevin Owens talks with Ruby and Liv backstage.

Are they good? Is the Riott Squad back full time? Before that can really be discussed, Ric Flair walks over! Ric says the Riott Squad was great, but needs to talk with Kevin. Ric has been following Kevin’s career, there’s history. Kevin is held in high esteem at the WWE. Everyone here loves Kevin. But Ric thinks Kevin is becoming the guy too worried about this and that, helping the others, when he should be helping himself! Kevin appreciates that, and all the advice Ric has ever given. Kevin isn’t being a guidance counselor, he was helping friends. He’s sacrificed friendships and done a lot of awful things just to get to the top. But now, Kevin is taking a new path. He wants to be the kind of person he’d look up to. What Orton could be if he wanted to but chooses not to. Does Ric get what he means?

Ric will let that slide as one of Orton’s friends. Instead of giving advice, Ric is warning Kevin to listen to him. “Mind your own business, take care of Kevin Owens, and maybe you’ll get a title match at SummerSlam.” Well, Ric,if you’re so worried about Kevin’s career, watch what kind of fight Kevin has. Just tell Orton to meet him in the ring next week. Really? Really, really. See you then. Will Kevin regret wanting Orton’s attention?

Nia Jax is in the ring.

Pat is right there with her as she has a mic. “I came out here tonight to own up to what I’ve done. And in the event you’re not sure what I’m referring to,” footage replays of Nia and Shayna brawling out of control. Nia used Pat to hit Shayna, then attacked him! Nia continues by saying she really takes to heart what the millions of fans who idolize her say. So when “a scrawny, undeserving little runt from WWE management who couldn’t cut the mustard in his own career steps to me, it’s my responsibility to step back.” Oh, hey, Pat, didn’t see you there still. She knows he wants an apology, but she’s giving him an opportunity to prove he’s wrong. Have a match against her, right now. Whoa, what? Pat tells her to hold on. He is in this ring for the apology.

Oh, Pat. You’ll get the apology after the match. IT can be settled right here! This is his big opportunity! All thanks to Nia! But she’ll do him a favor. She’ll start off real slow so his little legs can keep up. He wants the apology, nothing more. Is he scared? Even for a “little guy,” she hoped he’d have more fire. He is a ginger, after all. They don’t need to speak in private, say what you have to say. She pushes the mic into him, and he tells her, “After your unsanctioned actions against a WWE official, you are indefinitely suspended… Without pay!” Nia gets angry again, he has no authority to do that! She rips his jacket off and HEADBUTTS him! Pat can barely sit up! But Nia kicks him while he’s down! Pat flops out of the ring while Nia is fuming! How long will Nia sit and think about what she’s done?

R-Truth runs to the ring!

Akira Tozawa is chasing him and the 24/7 Championship belt! The ninjas are here, too! And Shelton Benjamin! They run all around ringside, but their match for that title will happen after the break!

WWE 24/7 Championship Triple Threat: Shelton Benjamin w/ The Hurt Business VS R-Truth VS Akira Tozawa!

Truth stole the belt but it isn’t his just yet! The Gold Standard of the Hurt Business is the one defending the belt, but can he hold onto it with two opponents after him?

The introductions are skipped since we saw them all come in. The belt is raised, and this wild situation finally becomes an official match!

Tozawa bails out but Truth throws hands on Shelton! Truth whips, Shelton reverses and hits a KNEE in the corner! Shelton snapmares Truth and rains down right hands at the ropes. Shelton stomps away but Tozawa rolls him up! TWO, and Tozawa focuses his power. Tozawa dodges, kicks, spins, slides under and fires off body shots! That do nothing… Shelton kicks low, lifts and POWERBOMBS Tozawa with authority!! Truth runs up, bobs ‘n’ weaves and throws hands back! The crowd fires up as Truth hits a leaping calf kick! Truth kicks low, runs again, but misses the scissor kick to get PAY DIRT! Shelton doesn’t cover, and a ninja handsprings in! He shows off his moves but his clothesline bounces off Shelton. Shelton BOOTS the ninja down!

Tozawa stays away as his ninja henchman is thrown out. But the other ninjas run in, only for MVP and Lashley to go after them! MVP throws one into barriers and the third endures the Almighty Full Nelson! But Tozawa hits his SUPER SENTON! Cover, Tozawa wins!!

Winner: Akira Tozawa, by pinfall (NEW WWE 24/7 Champion)

The Hurt Business is losing their gold like a bad investment! Tozawa runs away with the title, who will give chase?

There’s some kind of  match happening backstage?!

No ropes, a bunch of other men pounding the apron? Shane McMahon cheers them on as he talks to the cameras. He’s bringing something new to Raw, called the Raw Underground! Right here, 10 PM, more of whatever this is. See you there!

Backstage interview with Dominik Mysterio!

The son of Rey returns again, and answers why he continues to take these risks against Seth Rollins. He knows it might be crazy, but it’s easy to know why he’s doing this. He witnessed his father be blinded. It is understandable that Dominik’s mind isn’t in the right place. If anyone thinks he’s been crazy now, they’ll really think he’s crazy to challenge Rollins to a match at SummerSlam. That is pretty crazy, but also incredible! Will Dominik’s first match be a massive upset? Or just the only match he ever has?

Shayna Baszler VS Sasha Banks w/ Bayley!

The Queen of Spades called The Boss out and then knocked her down! Will #TwoBeltsBanks make her pay for that? Or will Shayna make her choose between #TapNapOrSnap?

The bell rings, Shayna and Sasha circle. Sasha pie faces Shayna, then SLAPS her! Shayna ducks the punch to hit a waistlock and slam, then another! Shayna drags Sasha around, shifts to a snapmare and fakes Sasha out with the kick, to pie face her back. Bayley is upset on Sasha’s behalf, but then Sasha gets up and throws a punch. Shayna blocks it to sweep her legs. Sasha swipes but her hand gets stomped! Shayna rolls Sasha to a cover, TWO! Sasha kicks low, says Shayna messed up, and reels her in. Shayna blocks the suplex, spins Sasha around, butterfly suplex to ARMBAR! Sasha rolls to the ropebreak and Shayna lets go. Bayley gets up on the apron but Shayna makes her back away. Shayna grabs Bayley’s hair but Sasha hits the arm with a code breaker! Sasha POSTS Shayna then rolls her up, TWO!

Sasha keeps on Shayna with a kick the the arm. Shayna backs off to shake out the arm but Sasha is on it! Sasha wraps the arm around ropes and pulls! The ref counts, Sasha lets go to kick Shayna in the corner. Sasha goes after the arm with a high keylock and Bayley talks trash. Shayna endures, fights up and throws hands. Shayna rams Sasha into buckles then rams her shoulder in. Shayna fires off, backs off at the ref’s count, and walks into Nightshade! Bayley is the only one cheering for Sasha as she kicks Shayna down. Sasha leaps, crossbody! Shayna rolls through, scoops Sasha, BACKBREAKER! The crowd rallies up as Sasha blocks a kick but Shayna blocks the knee. Kirafuda! Sasha drops, Shayna rolls her and kicks! Shayna has Sasha’s arm caught but Sasha rolls through, BANK STATEMENT!

Shayna endures the submission, pries the hold apart and fights her way up. Shayna scoops again, Sasha headscissors back! Sasha laughs, blocks a kick to KNEE, but Shayna ROUNDHOUSES back! Both women are down, and Asuka jumps Bayley! Asuka thrashes Bayley into barriers  and the ref wants her to stop! Asuka runs into the ring, the match is thrown out as the Golden Role Models regroup!

No Contest

Asuka won’t let the Golden Role Models get away from what’s coming to them! What happens to them after the break?

Raw returns to an in-ring interview with Asuka.

The Empress of Tomorrow relives what happened last week as footage of the main event plays again. What is the update on Kairi Sane’s condition? “Kairi will be okay. But now, she’s not here. Sasha and Bayley are here, I am here!” So what Asuka wants is a rematch against Sasha Banks for the Raw Women’s Championship at SummerSlam! The crowd wants it, but Shayna speaks up. She’s not gonna fight Asuka right now. Shayna is cheering Asuka, really. She wants Asuka to win back that Raw Women’s Championship. Shayna will root, cheer and clap the entire time, because she is so excited to dismember Asuka and take that title from her. But the Golden Role Models have composed themselves to return to ringside.

Sasha laughs as she has a message for both Asuka and Shayna. “This is MY Raw Women’s Championship! Look at it! It’s mine!” But Asuka gets her rematch, only if she can beat a former NXT Women’s Champion, a member of the Four Horsewomen, and Sasha’s bestie, BAYLEY! Yes! Beating Bayley means Asuka gets her chance! Bayley sure seems surprised by that, but Asuka is raring to go! Will Bayley be ready for Asuka?

Angel Garza flirts with a young lady backstage.

He gets her number, she gets a rose. For those who don’t know, this is Demi Burnett from The Bachelor, so she knows all about getting roses. Andrade Almas walks over to say hello. Zelina Vega is right behind her. Demi doesn’t belong here. Oh yes she does! She’s a friend of Garza’s! Then they need to talk. Garza apologizes to Demi for that, promises to get her a seat and to be right back. El Idolo y El Latino both go up against the Street Profits in two singles matches! Will it be a sweep or a tie between the Raw Tag Team Champions and their challengers?

We check back in with “Raw Underground.”

One man counters the triangle hold into a dead lift POWERBOMB! The match is called, he is the winner! Shane says this is fun! But it looks like Isaiah “Swerve” Scott is disappointed in the other guy. Was there money on this match? And wow, there are… dancers here… Check out what more there is to come! And check on that guy, make sure he’s okay.

Raw returns to The Underground!

Shane is in his ring as a new wrestler steps up. He welcomes us to the hour with “very little rules, lots of excitement, carnage, chaos and quite frankly, lots of things I personally would like to see.” One thing he likes is a fight, like our  next contest. “Where is Daba Cato?” Bring him in! Daba is a BIG man! At 7′ tall, at least 360 pounds, it is DABA CATO! And in the other corner, sorry, bro. The bell rings, Daba dodges a flying knee, and then grabs his opponent. His opponent throws hands but he throws knees! And hammers away with furious fists! That’s a TKO, Daba wins!

Winner: Daba Cato

Whose got next, boys? In comes some rando, but Daba is ready. The bell rings, Dbaa waits for his opponent ot kick to then catch for an ARM TRIANGLE SUPLEX! And a rain of forearms! Daba wins again!

Winner: Daba Cato, 2-0 win streak

An incredible showing, but he isn’t done until his opponent is dumped out of the ring! Shane tells Daba he’s good, but he’s on to the third round. Anyone wanna try? No? Well alright. Will Daba pile up bodies to give Shane more of what he likes?

Angelo Dawkins w/ Montez Ford VS Angel Garza w/ Zelina Vega!

The Raw Tag Team Champions party their way through the crowd as always, but will have to be ready for the fight against La Muneca’s alliance. First up is the #CurseOfGreatness and the Lethal Lothario! Will Garza make a good impression on his special guest?

Before the match, the Profits get the mics and welcome us to the show! But speaking of Raw, the longest episodic show in history, does Dawks remember last week when they got jumped at commentary? Yessir! But if things go right, Dawkins might holla at Garza’s friend. Demi from the Bachelor, you don’t need a rose from Garza. Come get a rose from Dawks! Focus, bro. Sorry! Ford likes how Garza walks around in his velvet track suit~! Jeda, it’s August and velvet does not breathe! Better step your game up to at least a polo. But tonight, they are put to the test against two of the best of the best. Vega is the secret sauce, muy caliente. But SummerSlam will be about the Raw Tag Team Champions and a bond like James! Vega put those two together. Dawks may say “fam” a lot, but Tez IS family.

Things get serious now as Ford takes off the sunglasses. You attack him and his brother twice, the games are done. Why? Because the Profits are up, and #WeWantTheSmoke! With things getting fired up, Garza and company make their entrance. Will things explode with these two heated 1v1 match-ups?

The bell rings, Dawkins powers Garza to a corner and fires off hands! Garza shoves back, but gets POST! Garza flops out, Dawkins runs out to POUNCE him into Plexiglas! Garza is down in a heap as Raw goes to break!

Raw returns and Dawkins has Garza down with an armlock. Garza endures, fights up and fights back, knees low and clubs away. Garza runs, into Dawkin’s FLAPJACK! Cover, ONE, but Dawkins keeps on Garza with a facelock. Garza reverses the whip, hurdles over but so does Dawkins. Dawkins shoves and dropkicks Garza down! Cover, TWO! Dawkins stays on Garza while Demi watches backstage. Garza fights back and she cheers, Dawkins hits back and she frowns. Dawkins lifts but Garza fights out of the bomb. Garza gets to the corner, off come the pants! Garza leaps to missile dropkick Dawkins down! Garza is furious and dares Dawkins to get the smoke! But Dawkins powers out of the underhooks to ROCK Garza with that right!

Dawkins hits the cyclone splash then the bulldog! Ford fires up with Dawkins and makes himself dizzy. Is he okay? What happened? Dawkins checks on Ford as he leans against the announce desk. Ford says he’s okay, but Garza SUPERKICKS Dawkins down! Garza hits a basement dropkick! Cover, Garza wins!!

Winner: Angel Garza, by pinfall

Demi is happy, but what happened with Ford? Ford has to have his match next, but can he?

Montez Ford w/ Angelo Dawkins VS Andrade Almas w/ Zelina Vega!

Raw returns with this match already underway. Ford standing switches the waistlock, but Almas pries free to hit a shoulder breaker. Almas waistlocks Ford but Ford resists the lift. Ford pries out of the hold, wrenches through, then waistlocks back. Almas reaches back, wrenches through and hits another shoulder breaker. Almas has a wirstlock, Ford rolls, rolls and handsprings to wrench and waistlock again. Ford CLUBS Almas, headlocks, but Almas endures. Almas powers up to back suplex Ford high and hard! Almas stomps Ford down then CHOPS him to a corner! Almas chokes Ford on the ropes, the ref counts and Almas lets up at 4.

Almas drags Ford up, throws knees then shoves and kicks him down. Ford is back on ropes, Almas pulls him back against them! Ford wobbles to his feet but Almas knees low again! Almas stomps Ford, throws him out of the ring, and leaves him to the ring count for a moment. Almas and Garza both go to Ford but Dawkins keeps Garza back. Almas kicks Ford, whips him but Ford reverses to send Almas into barriers! Vega coaches Almas while Garza checks. Almas and Ford are up at the count of 4, and in the ring at the count of 5. Ford stomps away on Almas now, then rains down rights! Almas slips out, staggers away but Ford pursues. Almas uses the ropes as defense to then sucker punch Ford down!

The crowd boos as Ford shakes the cobwebs out, only for Almas to BOOT him down! Almas clubs Ford, brings him up and suplexes! Cover, TWO! Almas keeps on Ford with a chinlock and grinds him down. The crowd rallies, Ford fights up, fights back, but Almas ROCKS him with another right. Ford comes back to LARIAT! Ford rallies, whips but Almas reverses. Ford goes up and over and hits a leaping clothesline! The crowd fires up with Ford as he glares at Almas with wild eyes. Ford goes corner to corner, but Almas BOOTS him right down! Almas hops up, Ford dropkicks him down first! Vega coaches Almas but Ford FLIES! Direct hit at the ramp! Ford gets back in to use the power of the ropes! But that again wears him out!! The ref calls it, something is definitely wrong!

No Contest

The ref tells Vega’s team to back off, they need medics. Medics check on Ford, but it isn’t clear what is going on. Will Ford be able to stand or even speak?

Buddy Murphy watches what he did to Aleister Black.

Just like his Monday Night Messiah, the Disciple dug the steel steps into Aleister’s eyes. Seth Rollins is there, and says Murphy made the right decision. Rollins is proud of Murphy, and Murphy should be proud of himself. The past is the past. Tonight is about the future. Speaking of that, has Rollins thought about Dominik’s SummerSlam challenge? Personally, it’s ridiculous. Dominik hasn’t wrestled a match, is not even a WWE superstar, and literally saw his father be sacrificed in front of the world. It is ridiculous, right? Rollins does not answer. Will he have an answer soon?

We return to Raw Underground!

Shane keeps the dancers from fighting each other, that is not why they’re here. Unless they want to get in the ring next week. But now, the Viking Raiders have joined the fun! Erik steps up, it’s time to fight! His opponent is Mike Reed, and the bell rings. Erik keeps his guard up, tackles Reed to the mat and rains down rights! Reed gets up but gets a SLAM and more fists! Then a dead lift GERMAN! Erik dumps his opponent out of the ring but that doesn’t end the fight! Ivar puts Reed back in and Erik hits big knees! Then Ace Ten Mao! Shane calls it, Erik wins!

Winner: Erik

Wow, Reed is OUT! Shane applauds Erik and raises his hand in victory! Who else will step up in Raw Underground?

Raw gives a medical update on Montez Ford.

Ford fainted as he did his rope shaking move, but why? Charly is at the trainer’s room as Garza walks over. Garza tells Charly not to be afraid. People like them, with full hearts, have a tendency to feel things strongly. He gives her a rose, but then Vega and Almas come over. We are all concerned about Ford. Ford is an amazing competitor, and an even better champion. But on that topic, she can’t help but wonder what this means for the titles. Come SummerSlam- Wait! Dawkins comes out. The update on Ford isn’t 100%, but the doctors are saying Ford was poisoned?! And Bianca Belair is here!

Belair was looking for Vega. She has one chance to even say what happened before she hurts Vega. Vega didn’t do anything! Uh, Belair’s husband was poisoned, so she knows one of them did something! SummerSlam is coming, and we all know Vega is the brains. Well yes she’s the brains, but she would not do something like this! Belair takes off the earrings, and SLUGS Vega! Dawkins holds Belair back, Almas and Garza both hold Vega back! Things are going down a dark path, but what is the truth behind all this?!

Raw has security footage!

A group of hooded figures are causing trouble?! They threw a fireball at a power generator! But then they run off before security comes! Who are these people? What are they doing!?

Backstage interview with The Hurt Business.

They’re dressed to leave but Charly asks them about their rough day. MVP failed to capture the United States Championship and Shelton lost the WWE 24/7 Championship. The pattern is going a certain way and- Wait, this is supposed to count as journalism? Mysterious accidents backstage, power glitches, people throwing Molotov cocktails, but she asks about their matches? Lashley mentions that Raw Underground “stunt.” She asks them not getting it done, but she should be talking about the sabotage! Shelton says this is quite coincidental with how “Raw Underground” showed up. Charly didn’t say anything about it, she just knows that’s where Raw Underground is. Then the Hurt Business has a plan.

Seth Rollins heads to the ring!

The Monday Night Messiah, with Disciple by his side, looks to address the WWE Universe directly. Murphy hands him a mic, and Rollins says, “Before I issue a statement regarding Dominik Mysterio and his challenge,” he and Murphy have some… “housekeeping” to do. Rollins calls out Tom Philips on commentary. “If you don’t mind, I would like to ask you a few questions.” Does Tom consider himself a professional? Does he consider himself an unbiased journalist? Rollins walks to commentary as he asks if Tom takes pride in his “body of work.” Rollins wants to ask Tom, “What were you doing last week when Rey Mysterio’s stupid kid was assaulting me with a kendo stick?”

To JOG HIS MEMORY, Tom was cheering Dominik on! Tom was inciting Dominik’s rage! Does Tom understand what that means?! Tom’s voice matters! What Tom says matters as the voice of Raw! Tom is part of the greater good, whether he likes it or not! What Tom say sis important because the fans hear it, it goes into their brains, and that is what they think. It is Tom’s JOB to call things down the middle! Not to skew things, slant things, or create bias! He is then doing a poor job. And if he is doing a poor job, then he becomes a liability. So Rollins feels the time has come to find a new voice of Raw. Murphy, take him. Samoa Joe steps up! “That ain’t gonna happen, gentlemen.”

Does Rollins think he can just bully them? Joe tells them to go back to the ring, finish speaking, or Joe can slap Rollins and beat down his disciple in front of him. If Rollins is worried about Tom, Joe will make this clear: he was laughing hardest of all! Rollins tells Joe he doesn’t want to do this. No, Seth, he does. Joe takes off the headset, Rollins and Murphy back off but dare Joe to get in the ring! Then it’s out of Rollins’ hands! The tension builds but Raw goes to break! Will Joe be able to finally humble the ego of The Architect?

Raw returns and Joe is still in a standoff with Rollins and Murphy!

They have chairs, he doesn’t. But while Rollins eggs Joe on, he doesn’t see Dominik return with ANOTHER kendo stick! And he SMACKS away on Rollins and Murphy! Rollins gets the stick from Dominik while Joe hops back on commentary to hype this up! Rollins swings, Dominik dodges and Murphy gets hit! Dominik TACKLES Rollins! Dominik throws fast hands on Rollins! Dominik wrecks Murphy with a swinging dropkick, then chop blocks Rollins onto the ropes! Dominik does his dad proud by dialing it up, to 6 1 9!! Rollins bails out and Dominik climbs up!? HUGE CROSSBODY! Dominik takes down Rollins and Murphy, then takes the ring back!

Dominik swings a chair but Rollins shouts! “I’ve had enough! You’ve jumped in way over your head!!” Dominik wants Rollins at SummerSlam? CHALLENGE ACCEPTED!! Will Dominik finally avenge his father and everyone else Rollins has “sacrificed”?

We return to Raw Underground!

Dolph Ziggler is in the ring?! And he’s schooling his opponent on mat wrestling. Is that Jake Atlas? Atlas pushes Ziggler to a jackknife but Ziggler slips off to rain down rights! Ziggler turns Atlas over, has the body scissor mount and clubs away. He gets Atlas in a sleeper, Atlas taps!

Winner: Dolph Ziggler

That is what they’re looking for! The Hurt Business waltzes in and Shane welcomes them. Does MVP have something to say? Shane hands him the mic. MVP has a LOT to say. “Ladies and gentlemen, this is Raw Underground, but however, I have an announcement to make.” On behalf of the CEO of the Hurt Business, this place is under new management! Lashley is in the ring as the Hurt Business has a hostile takeover in motion! They like to fight? Hurt Business came to fight! Who wants to step up to the Rocky Mountain Machine? Chase Parker does! He gets in, gets a GUT WRENCH POWERBOMB, and then gets a BIG right hand! Lashley knocked that man OUT!

Winner: Bobby Lashley

MVP wants in on this action. He takes off his jacket and “tags in.” He dares someone to take MVP, but he first picks someone out of the crowd. Shelton shoves the man. Lashley drags him up for MVP and MVP gets him with a judo takedown! And a rain of right hands! Point-blank forearms! The ref calls it, MVP wins!

Winner: MVP

Lashley dumps the rando out, but who wants Shelton? This guy just insulted Mama Benjamin! Get him, Shelton! Wait is that Brennan Williams?! Is this what he does now that he’s not on commentary? The Shogun steps up, but gets TACKLED DOWN! Shelton rains down forearms and then rams in knees! Swerve and his friends coach Brennan but he’s already beaten!

Winner: Shelton Benjamin

Anyone else?! Wait, there’s someone! Uh, no, he was just… Too late! It’s a brawl! Swerve and his buddies get hurt by the Hurt Business! Anyone who can runs away before they get hit! Who else wants some!? Shane likes this! He wants the Hurt Business to stick around! That’s what it is to be in Raw Underground! But will anyone want to fight after this change in management? “Ladies and gentlemen, we are the Hurt Business. And Business is booming.”

My Thoughts:

This was perhaps the wildest Raw in a good, long time, and for the better! The ongoing thread through the night was this apparent rise in chaos backstage, with what appear to be a group of anarchists running amok. I have no idea if this is the “new faction” WWE hyped for their show, or there are wires crossed about what is happening when. But there was also the return of Shane McMahon, and the creation of Raw Underground. It had pseudo-shoot fighting, gave us the call-up of Babatunde as Daba Cato, dragged 205 Live wrestlers in to be both jobbers and fans, had ladies dancing around, and tied into the Hurt Business story. It was like part of what WWE tried to make their ECW but also a bunch of other stuff, and somehow it worked out to be really good.

Speaking of the Hurt Business, them losing their titles might have been a big part of getting involved with Raw Underground to make this a bigger story, and I for one look forward to where they’re going with this. Tozawa has the title, so he and Truth can continue their rivalry while perhaps also bringing in some new people. Of course, that implies Raw can throw anyone else in. A lot of people have stories, but this could also be the moment for someone underutilized between Raw, 205 Live and the Performance Center to shine. Apollo did what I figured in keeping MVP’s belt for THE belt, but I really liked how he framed retiring the old belt. In fact, that might be a shoot. His kids are probably holding up that belt as we speak as a great gift from dad.

Kevin Owens takes his Face turn in a new direction with how he helped reunite Liv and Ruby. Ruby and Liv had a good match with the IIconics but it ended quick, so definitely expect many rematches as a way to build up contenders for the WWE Women’s Tag titles on the side. Then Kevin tying into the Randy Orton story is great, Kevin and Orton will have a great match next week. McIntyre’s promo was INCREDIBLE! Those shots taken at Orton were strong. Their title match at SummerSlam is going to be great stuff, especially given the glimpses we got before the lockdowns. That match could go either way and I don’t think it’d hurt anyone or be a letdown.

The Raw Tag Team Championship story and Women’s Championships story both took wild but really fun turns tonight. I never thought I’d see a story that goes into someone being POISONED. It might mostly be for the sake of bringing Bianca back into this, but she needed to be a part of this anyhow. Nia getting suspended might be a way of preserving her different feuds. Shayna is going after the titles while Charlotte is resting up. Charlotte and Nia will probably return at relatively close times, probably in time for a Big Four like Survivor Series or Royal Rumble.

Meanwhile, Shayna sucker punching Sasha was amazing! A “No Contest” finish was to preserve things there, since Shayna is more than happy to wait. It speaks to her love of fighting that she wants Asuka, who is definitely considered the more dangerous all on her own. Asuka VS Bayley next week will be great, Asuka VS Sasha for SummerSlam will be great, and Asuka VS Shayna will be great. I hope they do it up big since it also boils down to proving who is the most dominant (former) NXT Woman’s Champion ever. Speaking of, how could Bayley NOT see Sasha was going to sell her out to Asuka? Sasha said she was going to choose an NXT Four Horsewoman. Sasha isn’t going to do it because she’s trying to avoid Asuka. Charlotte is out recovering and Becky is pregnant. Bayley was it by default! But hey, guess this is a way to circle back to the dysfunction between them.

My Score: 8.8/10