Will Raw suffer backlash from Backlash?

Rhea Ripley is still Raw Women’s Champion and Bobby Lashley is still the All Mighty WWE World Champion! But who steps up to them as Hell (in a Cell) approaches?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• AJ Styles w/ Omos VS Elias w/ Jaxson Ryker; Styles wins, by disqualification.
• Angel Garza VS Drew Gulak; Garza wins.
• WWE 24/7 Championship Turn, Tables, Turn: R-Truth VS Akira Tozawa; Tozawa wins and becomes the new WWE 24/7 Champion.
• Randy Orton w/ Matt Riddle VS Kofi Kingston w/ Xavier Woods; Kofi wins.
• WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Tamina & Natalya VS Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler w/ Reginald; Tamina & Natalya win and retain the titles.
• Sheamus VS Ricochet; Sheamus wins.
• Charlotte Flair VS Asuka; Asuka wins.
• Lumberjack Match: Damian Priest VS John Morrison; Priest wins.
• WWE World Championship Open Challenge: Bobby Lashley w/ MVP VS ???; Kofi Kingston wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Bobby Lashley has ladies on his arms.

Is this MVP’s surprise for him? The girls love the gold, and they all head to the ring together. MVP is in the ring waiting as he is honored to present to us the ALL MIGHT WWE WORLD CHAMPION, BOBBY! LASHLEY~! The champion and his procession of beautiful ladies go down the ramp, he helps them up the steps and MVP holds the ropes open for them to enter the ring. Lashley himself looks in pretty good shape for having been thrown around and through things by Drew McIntyre and Braun Strowman, but he did have the last laugh. Lashley and MVP high-five and hug, and then Lashley gets a mic.

MVP asks if he came through, and Lashley said he sure did. MVP says it is his honor and pleasure to be standing here with the champion. “What Bobby Lashley did last night was Herculean! HE beat two of the absolute toughest, strongest, meanest competitors on the entire roster! Today, the Monster Among Men is nursing broken ribs, and the Scottish Warrior was so devastated by the match last night, he couldn’t even get out of bed last night, while Lashley was thrown through an LED screen and still had the temerity to make it back and keep his WWE Championship.”

But here’s something you didn’t know: Lashley did that while injured. That fist is hurt from repeatedly hitting the faces of Braun and McIntyre! You don’t know the pain he endured as he maintained his title. But when is this era gonna end? It’ll never end! And we are all here to witness it! Tonight was supposed to be for celebration, a night off, but Lashley doesn’t want to be that kind of champion. So on behalf of Lashley, MVP issues an Open Challenge to ANYONE in the WWE locker room that wants to step- McIntyre is here! Despite what MVP said, the Scottish Warrior is up and walking around!

McIntyre storms right up to the ring and steps inside, and he shuts MVP up to say, “I think that’s a fantastic idea. What a fighting champion! I can’t think of a better way to impress your lovely ladies than Lashley VS McIntyre for the WWE Championship tonight.” Is that not clear enough? CHALLENGE ACCEPTED. MVP says being rude and brutish as McIntyre is, he didn’t hear it all. MVP was going to say it was to anyone other than Braun and McIntyre. Back of the line, Drew. But Drew DECKS Lashley! The ladies scream and Lashley staggers away. MVP keeps Lashley from going after McIntyre in a rage, and says McIntyre doesn’t get his shot!

McIntyre dares Lashley to still fight him, but will the All Mighty work the hardest he ever has to avoid this fight?

AJ Styles w/ Omos VS Elias w/ Jaxson Ryker!

The Phenomenal One and his colossal compatriot were on the losing end of last week’s 8 Man Tag, and blame the ones who took the loss in the Drifter and his follower. Will Styles be singing his own praises tonight? Or will Elias change Styles’ tune and head for the gold?

The bell rings and Elias circles with Styles. They approach, Elias kicks and fires off CHOPS! Elias ROCKS Styles, runs, but into a dropkick! Styles scowls and brings Elias up for a suplex, but Elias blocks! Elias suplexes, holds Styles up for 5 then SLAMS him down! Styles goes to a corner, Elias runs in but into a boot! Styles fires off haymakers, has Elias in a corner and bumps him off buckles. Styles scoops and hits a BACKBREAKER! Elias writhes, Styles gets him up and throws forearms. Elias turns things around to RAM Styles into the corner and fire off hands! The ref counts, Elias lets off at 4 but Ryker cheers him on. Elias throws more hands on Styles, then whips corner to corner.

Styles tumbles and hits the post under the bottom rope! Elias WRECKS him with a basement dropkick! Styles hits post and steps on the way down, and Elias paces. Omos is there as Elias goes out to fetch Styles, but the ref warns Omos. Elias puts Styles in at 6 of 10, stomps him down, then drags him back out. Elias lifts Styles to SNAKE EYES on the apron! Omos gets mad and creeps over but Elias puts Styles in. Elias has Ryker watch Omos but Omos says they can’t handle this. Styles clotheslines Elias back out of the ring! And then PLANCHAS! Direct hit with the slingshot forearm, but Ryker steps over. Styles has big back-up, though, so Ryker backs up as Raw goes to break.

Raw returns and Styles hits Elias with body shots and haymakers! Styles runs but into a back drop! Elias hobbles after Styles to get him up and whip to ropes. Elias then hits a SPINEBUSTER, and high stack covers, TWO! Styles is still in this but Elias goes for another cover, TWO! Ryker is frustrated for Elias while Omos is coaching Styles up. Elias wraps on a chinlock and grinds Styles down. Styles endures, fights up, but Elias snapmares to drop a knee! Elias strikes a pose, drops another knee, then covers, TWO! Elias wraps the chinlock back on and Styles endures all over again. Styles fights back up, but Elias drags him back down!

Omos coaches Styles, Styles fights back up, and he throws back elbows. Elias snapmares Styles just to disorient him, but Styles still PELES! Elias is dazed, Styles hits a basement forearm! Elias is even more dazed as he and Styles get up. Styles fires off the Phenomenal Blitz, but Elias ROCKS him first! ANOTHER PELE! Elias staggers into the fireman’s carry, for the USHIGOROSHI! Cover, TWO! Elias survives but Omos says it’s all good. Styles gets up, he brings Elias around, but Elias holds off the clash to shovel Styles up and over! Styles sunset flips, tries for the Clash but Elias kicks free, to then SYMPHO-KNEE! ANARCHY SUPLEX!! Cover, TWO!!

Omos fires up and cheers Styles on while Elias is frustrated. Elias drags Styles back up and talks trash. “Who do you think you are, AJ?!” Elias Electric Chair lifts but Styles fights free! Styles waistlocks, Elias elbows out and runs in, but into a drop toehold! Elias eats buckles, Ryker shouts at him to get up, and Elias CHOPS Styles away! Styles CHOPS back! Styles runs in, Elias puts him on the apron but Styles ROCKS him! Ryker creeps up to trip Styles up!!

Winner: AJ Styles, by disqualification

Ryker RAMS Styles into barriers, but Omos storms over. Ryker dares Omos to do something, and that leaves Styles alone with Elias! Elias gets Styles up to RAM him into steel steps! Omos realizes what’s happened and he chases Elias off! Elias hides by commentary, but Ryker says the plan worked! Omos is furious, but clearly “divide and conquer” works for Ryker and Elias! Is this the key to taking the titles away from Styles and Omos?

Alexa and Lily swing together.

“We are so excited to have the NEW Women’s Tag Team Champions, Natalya & Tamina, on the Playground with us.” Alexa’s a big fan and Lily’s been dying to meet them. Will it be anything but fun and games when the Queen of Harts and Daughter of Superfly come to visit?

Matt Riddle meets with The New Day.

They got his letter! Pigeon mail never fails! And how dope was that pigeon sized mail bag? Made it himself. Right… They got his message, at least, but where’s the snake! No, it’s around here somewhere. You’ll see it any minute now. Orton shows up and asks where is Pearce and why are the New Day here. Well, Randall, Riddle said there was a two-headed snake and they can’t go to Ripley’s Believe It Or Not without proof! A two-headed snake? Is that a shot at The Viper? What is going on here, other than Riddle promising Pearce wanted to talk to him? Riddle tricked them in the spirit of friendship. It was such a great time until you know who did you know what.

But then what if this party of two became a party of four? And Riddle wondered, maybe Orton apologizes to the New Day? Orton frowns and Riddle knows apologies are tough. Like when Riddle tried to free a whale from an aquarium- Orton says there is NO apology. A reptile dysfunction, who would’ve thought. Orton isn’t going to say sorry because he’s not! Oh the big bad snake doesn’t know how to apologize! Well even if he did, they wouldn’t accept it! Riddle tries to keep the peace, but Kofi Kingston has known Orton way longer than Riddle. If Riddle isn’t careful, he’ll be getting an RKO, too. Orton tells Kofi if he doesn’t watch himself, he’ll be getting another RKO right here!

Oh is that so? Let’s see if that’s true! Let’s go in the ring, just like old time in 2009! C’mon, Randall! Challenge accepted! Riddle didn’t want it to go down like this, but Orton says to stop right there. Mouth zipped, throw away the key, but will RKBRO be no mo’?

Alexa and Lily are still on the playground.

They’re both very excited, because they have new friends! Friday Night SmackDown’s Tamina & Natalya! Congrats on the win! Natty thanks Alexa for that and says it was no easy beating two of the toughest women in all of WWE. But they did it, and they aren’t going to let that go to waste. This is Tamina’s very first women’s title, after all. Super duper nice! Tamina asks if they can go now. Alexa says she hasn’t even asked any tough questions yet. Lily wants to know what their favorite colors are. Uh… Well, pink for Natty. And black ‘n’ blue for Tamina. Those will look nice on Alexa if she tries anything weird. That’s not very nice. You’re lucky Lily likes you.

Lily also liked how they beat up Reggie last week. Was that fun? Yeah, actually. But if that little fly tries anything tonight, Tamina will swat him again. Alexa and Lily love that! Flies buzzing around then you SMACK and it is all super dead and squished! Lily likes collecting bug wings. And fingernails, and hair, and teeth. Alexa doesn’t judge her but- Natty and Tamina left… Was it something they said? Oh well. But good luck in the rematch tonight. Alexa & Lily will be watching~!

Angel Garza VS Drew Gulak!

The Lethal Lothario did what he said and used a rose to be more than just a thorn in the Philly Stretcher’s side. But will Gulak make him understand that pain in the rematch?

The bell rings, Garza already removes the pants, but Gulak SHOTGUN dropkicks him! Gulak ROCKS Garza then hits a T-BONE SUPLEX! Gulak is furious, he gets Garza up and wraps him up in a cobra twist! Gulak even has a leg for leverage! Garza powers up, powers out and HEADBUTTS Gulak to then hip toss him down! Garza dares Gulak to get up, and then CLOBBERS him! Garza gets Gulak up to SLAP and CLOBBER again! Garza dragon sleepers, suplexes and slingshots to SLAM Gulak on his face, then basement dropkick him down! Garza is fired up but Gulak throws body shots and haymakers! Garza dodges to ROCK Gulak!

Garza brings Gulak in, underhooks the arms, and gets Gulak up to hold him upside-down, before the BACKBREAKER! Gulak gets to a corner, Garza BOOT WASHES him! Garza pushes Gulak around, drags him back up, and underhooks again, for the WING CLIPPER! Cover, Garza wins again!

Winner: Angel Garza, by pinfall

Another victory for Garza, yet he’s not satisfied. Garza picks his rose back up, thinks about what to do with it, and he shoves it down Gulak’s throat! Another promise kept, will Garza look to go for gold and leave Gulak behind?

R-Truth carefully sneaks around the halls.

Kevin Patrick walks over and asks R-Truth what’s going on. Truth says he hasn’t seen himself, his eyes are closed. Kevin assures Truth it’s just him, and Truth is relieved. Sup, K-Peezy! You look shorter than you do at the Raw Talk desk. But Truth heard about the Open Challenge for his title tonight so Truth is a bit wary. No, Truth, Lashley is holding an Open Challenge for his title, the WWE WORLD Championship. Ricky Bobby’s got an Open Challenge? Okay, okay. Truth wonders how Lashley will feel when the turntables- No, wait, when the tables- But Tozawa rolls Truth up!! TOZAWA WINS!!

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

Tozawa says the tables HAVE turned! And he runs off with Truth’s baby! Turntables, tables turned, Truth is tired of tables! Will Truth find Tozawa before tonight is over?

The Eva-Lution continues.

Eva Marie finally feels like she’s made it. She’s seen levels of fame and fortune she never could’ve imagined when she started. She’s not just a supermodel, she’s a super role model. She has everything she could ever want, and wants others to see their dreams come true. But you have to be willing to put in the work. One perfect picture takes 99 bad ones to get there. Life isn’t perfect, but anything’s possible. Get ready for the Eva-Lution.

Randy Orton w/ Matt Riddle VS Kofi Kingston w/ Xavier Woods!

The Viper and #KofiMania face off again like in days of old, and also 2019, all because the Bro tried to patch things up. Will the only thing good about this be that one team gets closer to the tag titles?

Raw returns and The New Day make their entrance. The bell rings, Kofi and Orton circle, and they tie up. Orton headlocks, grinds, and hits a takeover. Kofi keeps his shoulders up, Riddle cheers Orton on as Kofi gets up. Kofi powers out, Orton runs him over, and things keep moving. Kofi hurdles, leaps, and back body blocks! Orton takes a tumble out and Riddle checks on him. Riddle wants everyone to back up, but Kofi goes out to fetch Orton. Orton kicks Kofi’s leg, scrapes laces on Kofi’s face, then puts Kofi in the ring. Orton stalks up behind Kofi, whips, but Kofi hurdles and arm-drags! And another! Kofi floats to a cover, TWO!

Woods says Kofi is the legend beating the legend killer! Orton gets up, Kofi hooks a leg for a Russian Leg Sweep! Kofi runs to springboard SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Riddle coaches Orton as Kofi gets a double wristlock. Orton endures, fights up, but Kofi wrenches the arm. Orton puts Kofi in a corner, the ref counts, and Orton pokes Kofi in the eyes! Orton gets Kofi up to bump off buckles, throws EuroUppers, and then ROCKS him with a right! Orton chokes Kofi on ropes, the ref counts, and Orton lets off at 4. Kofi sputters back to the corner, Orton stomps his foot! Orton stomps Kofi’s hand, covers, ONE! Orton clamps on with another headlock and grinds Kofi down again.

Riddle likes the squeeze, but Woods coaches Kofi up. The ThunderDome screens rally up, Kofi endures but Orton cranks back harder on the hold. Kofi keeps fighting up, throws elbows, but Orton headbutts him! Orton whips Kofi corner to corner but Kofi goes up and up and missile dropkicks! Both men are down, Woods gets the “NEW! DAY ROCKS!” beat going, and Kofi stands. Kofi double CHOPS, and CHOPS and dropkicks! Orton flounders up and dodges Kofi’s leaping lariat for a SPINNING POWERSLAM! But Woods gets on his trombone and plays a tune! Orton is annoyed, Kofi rolls Orton up! Kofi wins!!

Winner: Kofi Kingston, by pinfall

Riddle is just as shocked as Orton, but he tries to keep the Viper from striking back! Riddle tries to reason with all sides, but Orton looks like he’s aiming at Riddle! Orton reconsiders, and storms off. Woods turns Riddle around but Riddle shoves Woods! Is Riddle taking Orton’s side? Is he the only one?

Adam Pearce and Sonya Deville are handling some complaints.

The Ravishing Glow and the #SexyMuscleFriends are all very upset. They don’t understand why Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler are getting rematches for the titles just 72 hours after losing them! And when it comes to Naomi & Lana having title matches, someone interferes. Oh get over it, you two lost! Unlike Mandy Rose & Dana Brooke, who actually beat Shayna & Nia in that Six Woman Tag. So therefore, whoever comes out of tonight the champions, they’re up against Mandy & Dana, Sonya. Oh, really? But in walks The Queen. Charlotte Flair says they’ve all had a million chances and blown them all. Kinda like you, Charlotte?

What was that? Nothing. That’s what she thought. But Sonya wants all of them to wait patiently as she and Pearce figure out who the next contenders are, which will be after the title match. If they will excuse them, Charlotte has a “private matter” to discuss with them. The teams leave, the Queen stays, and she says that she feels she should have a 1v1 title match with Rhea Ripley now. But Charlotte didn’t win. She may be disappointed, but why does she think she gets a title match now? Well, she wasn’t the one pinned, so technically she didn’t lose. Sonya sees the logic there, but the decision isn’t just hers. If Charlotte wins against Asuka tonight, then both Sonya and Pearce will consider this request. It’s only fair. That’s not a problem for Charlotte.

Rhea says it might be. Rhea couldn’t care about Charlotte’s problems, though. She’s just here to tell Sonya and Adam that she’s ready for NEW competition. To Rhea, Charlotte’s nothing but yesterday’s news. Woof woof, Cruella. Well here’s a preview of tonight’s headlines: Charlotte beats Asuka! If history repeats itself like it has before, Charlotte will beat Rhea to become champion again. Rhea decides she will watch tonight’s match, to see the Queen fall off her throne. Ultimatums all around, but who makes good on their warning?

WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Tamina & Natalya VS Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler w/ Reginald!

The statement maker, bone breaker duo of second generation superstars truly became title takers on Friday Night SmackDown! But vindication may only last a weekend as they have to face the Irresistible Force & Queen of Spades again already! Will nothing stop Tamina & Natty now that they are living the dream?

Raw returns as the former champions make their entrance. The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and SmackDown revisited on a Monday sees who are really the alpha females of the division!

Natty and Nia start with the bell, and Nia rushes right in to CLOBBER Natty! Nia talks trash on Tamina, throws Natty to the corner and HIP ATTACKS! Tag to Shayna, she taunts Tamina now, and then runs in to KNEE Natty down! Shayna drags Natty, covers, TWO! Shayna grabs Natty’s arm, wrenches it and has a keylock on the mat. Shayna tortures Natty’s arm, twists the wrist, and stands on Natty’s head before she YANKS the arm back! Natty writhes but refuses to let this stop her, but Shayna is after the arm again. Shayna has another top wristlock but Tamina and the fans rally. Natty arm-drags free, but Shayna comes back to CLOBBER her! Cover, TWO!

Tag to Nia, they drag Natty up and feed her to a BODY CHECK! Nia talks trash, looms over Natty and brings her up. Natty throws hands, but Nia shoves her to a corner. Nia runs in but only gets buckles! Natty throws lariats, then hits a DISCUS! Cover, ONE!! Nia isn’t done so easily but Tamina tags in! Tamina fires off on Nia, Nia HEADBUTTS back! Nia CLUBS Tamina, scoops her, and SLAMS her! Tag to Shayna, and Shayna holds Tamina down while Nia climbs. Tamina kicks Shayna away! And SUPERKICKS Nia down! Reggie hurries to distract the ref! Shayna fires off on Tamina but kicks into a fireman’s carry! But Alexa and Lily watch from the stage as Shayna slips to a KIRAFUDA CLUTCH!

But then WOOSH! Pyro from the post! That’s not Kane, that’s Lily! Tamina is free, she tags Natty, and they hit Shayna with the HART ATTACK! Cover, the champs retain!

Winners: Natalya & Tamina, by pinfall (still WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions)

They don’t understand what happened, and Reggie is blinded by the fire’s light! Lily giggles, did she mean to do that?

Sheamus VS Ricochet!

The Fella is a fighting champion, but more fighting than defending. That’s because he wants people to earn a title opportunity! The King of Flight surely earned something at Backlash, and Sheamus says, “You think I’m out here playing?!” Ricochet put his dirty filthy hands all over his hat and jacket! So he better bring all that back or Sheamus will make him a stain on the bottom of his boot! Ricochet is smirking backstage and Sarah asks him about the very thing Sheamus is referencing. Ricochet may have lost the match, but he snatched Sheamus’ sweet threads. That was fun, because Ricochet vows to shut Sheamus up forever.

And though Ricochet may have thrown it all back at Sheamus last night, but you know he had to do it to him! He snatched it all back and feels like Ernest the Cat right now. But Ricochet does his best Irish accent to say that after the match, he might have himself a pint. Has he at least earned himself a whole can of whoop ass?

Ricochet makes his entrance, Sheamus storms up the ramp but Ricochet hits a drop toehold! Sheamus hits the deck, Ricochet slips into the ring, and then gets Sheamus with a dropkick on the return! Sheamus is furious, the bell rings, Ricochet dodges Sheamus again to fire off forearms! Ricochet fires off body shots, Sheamus shoves him but Ricochet BOOTS and rolls him up! TWO, Ricochet fires off kicks! Sheamus gets a hand on Ricochet to CLOBBER him! Sheamus CLUBS Ricochet, kicks him around, and stomps him in a corner. Sheamus gets Ricochet up to CLOBBER him! Sheamus looms over Ricochet, throws more body shots, but Ricochet CHOPS and throws hands!

Sheamus DECKS Ricochet, gets him back up, and scoops him to SLAM him! Ricochet grits his teeth and Sheamus starts to smirk. Sheamus kicks Ricochet, Ricochet fires off hands! Sheamus puts Ricochet in a corner, digs his forearms in, and then KNEES low and hard! Sheamus scoops, Ricochet slips out and gets a sleeper hold! Sheamus RAMS Ricochet into buckles, throws him off, and then drags him around to a chinbar and armlock. Ricochet endures, moves around, but Sheamus SLAPS him. Ricochet fights up, reaches for ropes, but Sheamus chinbars! Ricochet JAWBREAKERS free! Sheamus is even angrier now and he CLUBS Ricochet!

Sheamus whips, Ricochet hits a knee smash and ENZIGURI! Sheamus bails out, Ricochet slingshots but Sheamus catches the plancha! Sheamus POSTS Ricochet then TOSSES him into the timekeeper’s area! Ricochet writhes and Sheamus soaks up the heat as Raw goes to break!

Raw returns and Sheamus again looms over Ricochet. Sheamus stands Ricochet up and throws hands but Ricochet throws forearms back! Sheamus shoves, KNEES low, then kicks Ricochet against the ropes! Ricochet flops out, Sheamus gets him up for Beats of the Bodhrain! Ricochet takes about 7 before the ref gets to 4, but Sheamus drags him back in. Sheamus clamps on, digs his fingers in, but Ricochet fights off the Dublin Smile! Ricochet gets up, throws more forearms, and more forearms, and more forearms! Sheamus is dazed as Ricochet only stops because he was tiring out! Ricochet fires up, runs, but Sheamus gets him for an IRISH CURSE! Cover, TWO!!

Sheamus is seething as Ricochet survives, but Sheamus goes to a corner. Sheamus climbs, but slowly, and Ricochet ROCKS him with a right! Ricochet climbs, Sheamus knocks him back down! Sheamus adjusts, Ricochet runs and springs right up to get a SUPER SPANISH FLY!! Cover, TWO!! Sheamus survives but his leg is in great pain from how he’s writhing and kicking. Sheamus still grabs at Ricochet, but Ricochet kicks back. Ricochet kicks and kicks and Sheamus lets go. Sheamus stands up but Ricochet dodges to CHOP and CHOP and CHOP! Ricochet runs corner to corner to forearm smash! And then again, only for Sheamus to put him outside.

Sheamus hobbles, Ricochet springboards back in, FLYING CLOTHESLINE! STANDING SHOOTING STAR! Cover, TWO!! Sheamus is still in this and Ricochet is a bit frustrated. Ricochet LIONSAULTS onto knees! Cradle from Sheamus, TWO!! Ricochet escapes and he dodges the Brogue! SUPERKICK! To a NECKBREAKER! Sheamus is down, Ricochet drags him into a drop zone! Ricochet climbs, aims, but Sheamus bails out! So Ricochet just smirks and SUPER CROSSBODIES! Direct hit and both men go down! Ricochet gets Sheamus up and in, goes back to the corner, and springboards in, for a 450 SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!?!? Sheamus survives and Ricochet can’t believe it!

Ricochet snarls as he gets Sheamus back up and fireman’s carries. Sheamus fights out, throws more elbows and shoves Ricochet. Ricochet elbows back, springboards, into a PUMP KNEE!! Cover, Shea- TWO!??!?! That was a 2.99!! Sheamus is furious, he wanted this to be over! He tells Ricochet just to stay down, but Ricochet SLAPS him! Sheamus BROGUES Ricochet right back!! Cover, NOW Sheamus wins!

Winner: Sheamus, by pinfall

The One and Only gave Sheamus one hell of a fight! But Sheamus has everything back, and tells “Rick O’Shea” that he ain’t dancing now, huh? That victory felt great! Sheamus loves the gold, but his other shoulder feels a little empty. Lashley better watch his back, because Sheamus might come around and accept that Open Challenge! Is Sheamus hoping to become #SheamyTwoBelts?

T-Bar & Mace speak.

“From the second that we brought our desolation to Monday Night Raw, Bobby Lashley’s WWE title has had an expiration date.” “But don’t mistake the pain we brought as a gift. It was a loan. And tonight, Bobby Lashley pays his debt.” Tonight, they strike! Everything that lives is designed to die. The question is, which one of them ends the legacy of Lashley? That’s as simple as the flip of a coin. “What a terrible night to be Bobby Lashley.” “All Mighty? No. Tonight, Bobby Lashley’s WWE title will be all GONE!” Which of these two titans will make Lashley face retribution?

Charlotte Flair VS Asuka!

This isn’t an official contender’s match, but management did tell The Queen that if she wins, then maybe she’d get another chance. Will Charlotte repeat history from WrestleMania 34 to repeat history from WrestleMania 36? Or will the Empress of Tomorrow make sure tomorrow belongs to her?

Raw returns and Charlotte makes her entrance. The bell rings and the two circle. They approach, tie up, and go around. Charlotte arm-drags Asuka but she’s right up to avoid the boot. Charlotte avoids kicks, but so does Asuka! Asuka dodges Charlotte again, follows and dropkicks Charlotte down, to then HIP ATTACK her to ropes! Charlotte flounders, Asuka whips but Charlotte blocks! Asuka throws forearms, whips again, but Charlotte reverses. Asuka dodges, but Charlotte CLOBBERS her with a back elbow! Charlotte drags Asuka up, headlocks, but Asuka fights out. Asuka shoves Charlotte to a corner, Charlotte tumbles up and out but shoulders into a knee!

Asuka sweeps the legs, goes out to spin Charlotte around and HIP ATTACK her into the ring! Cover, TWO! Charlotte goes to ropes, Asuka is right after her. Asuka CLUBS Charlotte, clamps onto an arm, but Charlotte wrenches and ROCKS Asuka. Charlotte retreats to the outside, Asuka goes to the apron but her kick is blocked! Charlotte sweeps the legs! And here comes Rhea! The Nightmare is fashionably late to watching these royals wrestle, and Charlotte glares at her as she covers Asuka, TWO! The Queen stares down the champion while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Charlotte thrashes Asuka around with a chinlock. Rhea watches in a seat at ringside as Asuka endures. Asuka fights up, throws elbows, but Charlotte CLUBS her down! Asuka kicks from below but Charlotte stomps her down! Charlotte drags Asuka up for an EXPLODER! Charlotte puts Asuka on ropes and bends her back! The ref counts, Charlotte lets go at 4, and brings Asuka around to ROCK her! And CHOP her! And ROCK, and CHOP! Asuka falls over, Charlotte looms over her. Asuka kicks from below again but Charlotte stomps away on her! Charlotte sits Asuka up to cartwheel and BOOT her down! Cover, TWO!

Charlotte starts to smile because she’s amused that Asuka is still in this. Charlotte scoops, Asuka slips free and fires forearms! Asuka whips, Charlotte reverses but Asuka elbows back! And BOOTS! Asuka runs to LEAPING LARIAT! Rhea is amused as Asuka gets a ghost pin, TWO! Charlotte returns the favor, TWO! Asuka has it back, TWO! Asuka ROCKS Charlotte, runs in but into a BACKBREAKER and ROPE SHOT! Charlotte hits a NECKBREAKER, covers, TWO! Charlotte stops being amused and is annoyed as she stands up. Charlotte says she’s watching Rhea, and she wraps Asuka up in a headscisosr. Charlotte dribbles Asuka’s head off the mat, then squeezes tight!

Asuka endures, fans rally up, but Charlotte turns over to THROW Asuka around! And dribble her, then put the squeeze back on! Asuka still endures, even as Charlotte pushes up for leverage. Charlotte THROWS Asuka, covers, TWO!! Asuka shakes her head, she hasn’t given up! Charlotte says SHE is the division, and she toys with Asuka. Asuka pushes back, rolls Charlotte up, TWO! Asuka spins Charlotte to a backslide, TWO! BUZZSAW! It just got Charlotte and she goes to a corner. Asuka fires up, mule kicks Charlotte, then pop-up KNEES, to a GERMAN SUPLEX! Charlotte flounders about and Asuka runs in, HIP ATTACK! BULLDOG!

Asuka aims, SLIDING WIZARD! Cover, TWO!! Charlotte survives the onslaught and Asuka is beside herself! Asuka gets Charlotte up in another waistlock but Charlotte elbows free! Charlotte runs but into a BOOT! But she BOOTS Asuka down in return! High stack cover, TWO!! Rhea really likes seeing Charlotte frustrated. Charlotte goes to a corner, takes aim, and NATURAL- NO! Asuka slips through to get the chinbar! Charlotte throws Asuka off, runs back in but the boot misses, only for the ELBOW to hit! Was that Andrade’s move?! Cover, TWO!! Asuka survives but Charlotte hoists her up top! Charlotte ROCKS Asuka, climbs up, and brings Asuka up, but Asuka shoves her away!

Asuka steadies herself as Charlotte flops on the mat! Asuka leaps to missile dropkick! Cover, TWO!! Rhea is mildly impressed now as Asuka KICKS and KICKS and KICKS Charlotte! Asuka runs, but the sliding kick misses! Charlotte rolls Asuka, has hold of tights, TWO!! Charlotte waistlocks, Asuka switches but Charlotte elbows free again! Charlotte runs, Asuka follows, wheelbarrow to KNEEBAR!! Charlotte reaches, Asuka drags her back and twists that ankle! Charlotte stands up to pry Asuka off! Asuka fights the suplex to get the arm! Charlotte rolls, but into the TRIANGLE HOLD! Charlotte scrambles to her feet, pushes back, but can’t get a cover!

Charlotte fights up, it’s a cover now, ONE! Into a BOSTON CRAB! Asuka endures, reaches for the ropes, but Charlotte drags her away! Asuka powers out to hit a prawn hold, TWO!! FLYING ARMBAR TAKEDOWN! Into the ASUKA LOCK!! Charlotte fights, cameras go wonky, Charlotte gets the ROPEBREAK! Charlotte BOOTS Asuka from the ropes, gets a leg and has a HANGING KNEEBAR!! The ref counts, Asuka shouts, and Charlotte lets go at 4.9! Charlotte drags Asuka over and bounces her off the desk! Rhea smiles and tells Charlotte she’s a loser. Asuka runs in but Charlotte blocks the back hand!

Charlotte puts Asuka in the ring, tells Rhea to keep the belt warm, and goes in to get the leg! Asuka kicks Charlotte off the Figure Four, Rhea is on the apron and gets a BOOT! Charlotte is stuck a second, Asuka rolls her up! ONE!! Charlotte gets the legs, but Asuka cradle counters!! ASUKA WINS!!

Winner: Asuka, by pinfall

Charlotte lost her focus and that cost her the title opportunity! Rhea says that’s what she deserves! Will this keep going ’round ‘n’ ’round between the Empress, the Queen and the Nightmare?

John Morrison is NOT a zombie!

Kevin Patrick finds him and asks if he can somehow even attempt to explain last night’s Lumberjack match turned horror movie? “Whenever I think about what happened last night, to The Miz, it feels like someone is picking at my brain. Like I’m dead inside. A rotting feeling, y’know? I can still smell those lumberjacks. And I’m no medical expert, but I think those lumberjacks hadn’t showered or visited a dentist in a very long time.” The Miz might never be the same again, which is why Morrison is dedicating this match to him. Wherever Miz is, it is a nicer place. Drip Drip out. Is that a sign that the Greatest Tag Team of the 21st Century is no more?

Lumberjack Match: Damian Priest VS John Morrison!

The Archer of Infamy has apparently shrugged off the supernatural madness of #WrestleManiaBacklash, and WWE promises this will be an absolutely normal Lumberjack match. Will Priest #LiveForever at the expense of the “most moist-see WWE Superstar?”

Raw returns, and yes, the lumberjacks are normal superstars! Oh hey, Nikki Cross is back, too! Anyway, Morrison makes his entrance, the bell rings, and they circle. Morrison is wary of Priest’s strikes, but the two tie up. Morrison headlocks, Priest powers out, and Morrison rams shoulders only for Priest to rebound and run Morrison over! Things speed up and Priest arm-drags Morrison down! Morrison fights up, Priest wrenches but Morrison ROCKS him! Morrison fires off body shots and elbows in a corner, then some kicks and more forearms! Morrison throws Priest out, T-Bar & Mace go after him, PRIMED Alexander joining in!

The other lumberjacks storm over but Alexander puts Priest in. Morrison gets his shots in, Priest staggers into a KICK! Morrison ROCKS Priest with another forearm, then has him in a corner. Morrison winds up and goes corner to corner, but into a STOMP! Priest catches his breath, Morrison staggers up into a KICK! KICK! And ROLLING ELBOW! Priest powers up but Morrison bails out! Nikki puts him back in! The lumberjacks are fired up for that! They also fire up as Priest throws hands on Morrison! Priest ROCKS Morrison with a straight right hand, then he whips Morrison corner to corner. Morrison bails out, Priest gets buckles and a GAMANGIRI!

Morrison goes Eddy Gordo but Priest PUNCHES the foot! Morrison hobbles, Tozawa wants to put him in but Morrison turns the tables and throws Tozawa into the ring! T-Bar & Mace chase Morrison but he leaps over barriers! Morrison plays parkour to flip up and over Mustafa Ali, and get around Shelton Benjamin! He BOOTS Mansoor, gets in the ring, Priest gets him for the SOUTH OF HEAVEN CHOKE SLAM!! But that was a little too powerful, and Morrison rolls back to the apron! Priest is snarling as Raw goes to break!

Raw returns and Morrison stomps away on Priest! The lumberjacks are fired up as Priest kicks from below, only for Morrison to block and float through! Morrison throws hands, gets an arm, but Priest turns that to a cover, TWO! Priest keeps hold of Morrison’s arm, OMOPLATA TRIANGLE?! Morrison fights up, flails and reaches out, makes it a cover, TWO! Morrison springboards to FLYING CHUCK! Priest bails out, the Viking Raiders put him back in for the SHINING WIZARD from Morrison! Cover, TWO! Morrison wraps Priest up in a chinlock, grinds him down, and the lumberjacks rally. Morrison knee slow, throws body shots, and runs, into a back elbow!

Priest blocks a punch to fire off fast hands and a BOOT! And then he FLAPJACKS Morrison! Priest brings Morrison around to a Canadian rack, CLIFFHANGER! Cover, TWO!! Morrison survives and Priest takes a breath. Priest stalks Morrison but Morrison throws him out! Alexander, T-Bar and Mace go after him! The Raiders get in Mace’s face but he and T-Bar back them down! Alexander puts Priest back in for Morrison and Morrison grins. Morrison gets Priest up, Priest ROCKS him with a right! And then a left and an uppercut! Priest whips, Morrison reverses, Priest FLIES out onto the lumberjacks!!

Alexander gets in to DIVE onto Benjamin because he wants after him from last week! The lumberjacks break up this fight because that’s not what they’re here for! Morrison puts Priest out, Priest BELL CLAPS! Morrison ROCKS Priest back, climbs up to join him, but Priest changes things on him! SUPERPLEX ONTO THE CROWD!! The lumberjacks are down, but Titus O’Neil and Ivar sort through the wreckage to get Priest and Morrison back in. Nikki coaches Priest up, the ref checks on Morrison, and Priest choke grips! Morrison pushes out and ROCKS Priest in a corner! Morrison runs in but Priest dodges! Morrison goes up, Priest ROCKS him! Priest climbs, for a SUPER STEINER!!

Priest hurries to get Morrison up, and HIT THE LIGHTS!! Cover, Priest wins!!

Winner: Damian Priest, by pinfall

Two nights, two fights, two times Priest conquers the Greatest Tag Team in the 21st Century! Sarah congratulates him at the stage, and he says it feels great! He says in Spanish and then in English that it is time to finally move on. Miz ‘n’ Morrison are the past, and the future is to #LiveForever. Priest is going to create a moment, and maybe he accepts tonight’s Open Challenge! Maybe the next moment is becoming THE WWE World Champion. Will the Archer of Infamy take aim at the target on Lashley’s back?

Lashley prepares backstage.

The moment of truth is almost here! Who will the Rocky Mountain Machine look to wreck in Raw’s main event?

The Eva-Lution keeps growing.

“Behind the scenes, it takes a team of people to make the vision of a movie happen. I couldn’t be where I am today without the people who guided me down the right path.” Growing up, Eva wanted to be a hero like Angelina Jolie. And now that she is, she doesn’t want to just play a hero, she wants to be a hero. She might be a star, but stars are meant to show others the way. She wants to be the one little girls look up to and says, “I can be that, too!” This is #EvaLution.

Backstage interview with Shelton Benjamin.

Last week, he defeated former friend in Cedric Alexander, but we’re not talking about that. That’s a waste of time. Benjamin is going to talk about more important things, like him challenging Lashley for the title. But Alexander walks in with sarcastic applause. Alexander isn’t here to fight, but to give him the applause for Benjamin finally having the guts to challenge Lashley. In Benjamin’s mind, he seems himself as a legend, doesn’t he? Just because he get a fluke over Alexander, that means he can step to Lashley? Benjamin, remember this. There is a reason everyone around him ends up leaving: Benjamin always was and always will be worthless. Benjamin DECKS Alexander! Is that just the warm-up the Gold Standard needs before going for gold?

WWE World Championship Open Challenge: Bobby Lashley w/ MVP VS ???

We thought the All Mighty was going to take a night off, but that’s not the kind of man Lashley is. Granted, he and MVP agreed that this open challenge is only open to those not named Braun Strowman or Drew McIntyre. Will this fresh competition be the perfect thing to celebrate the win at Backlash? Or will the Rocky Mountain Machine be more like the Cocky Mountain Machine and get caught underestimating his opponent? Speaking of, who is tonight’s opponent? We find out, after the break!

Raw returns and MVP asks, “Who’s it gonna be? Who’s gonna step up and accept the Open Challenge? Anybody?” Does Lashley think there’ll be anyone? No one walks out yet, but IT’S A NEW DAY, YES IT IS! Is it Kofi? It IS!! Is he still okay after that hard match with The Viper? The introductions are made, the title is raised, and we see if #KofiMania2 happens on a Monday!

But then MVP says something. He has an announcement? That whole “championship” thing was nice, but did MVP say this was a title match? Lashley didn’t say it! Pearce isn’t here making it one! And Kofi isn’t even worthy of being in the ring, but good luck anyway. MVP pulls the rug out from under us all!!

(Non-title) Open Challenge: Bobby Lashley w/ MVP VS Kofi Kingston w/ Xavier Woods!

Kofi is furious and he fires off on Lashley in a corner! The ref counts, Kofi lets off, and the bell rings to make this a match now! Lashley hits a MILE HIGH SPINEBUSTER!! Cover, TWO!! Lashley is surprised Kofi survived, and he drags Kofi back up to reel him in. MVP says to finish this, and Lashley suplexes Kofi, holds him up for 5, but Kofi fights free! Kofi dodges Lashley, and dropkicks him to ropes! Lashley comes back but Kofi dodges to SUPERKICK! Lashley tumbles to the apron, and Kofi dropkicks him down! Lashley staggers, Kofi runs and WRECKS him with another dropkick!

Kofi keeps moving and FLIES! Direct hit and DOWN GOES LASHLEY! Woods is in MVP’s face about it, Kofi is fired up and so are the fans, as Raw goes to break!

Raw returns again Kofi brawls with Lashley! Lashley blocks a boot to elbow Kofi down! Lashley drags Kofi up and bumps him off buckles! Lashley throws hands, digs his boots in, but lets off at 4. Kofi is in a daze, but Lashley chokes him on the ropes! The ref counts, Lashley lets off at 3, and MVP talks trash. Kofi swipes at MVP, MVP says that should be a disqualification right there! Lashley RAMS Kofi into the corner over and over and over, then runs corner to corner to RAM into Kofi again! MVP talks more trash and Lashley suplexes Kofi to hold him for 10 this time! And with one arm! SLAM! Cover, TWO! Lashley tries again, TWO!

Kofi gets up but Lashley has a rear bearhug on him! MVP wants Lashley to humiliate Kofi and make him regret ever getting in this ring! Lashley squeezes tight, Kofi endures, and Kofi fights up to throw elbows! Lashley still holds tight, Kofi reaches and gets the ropebreak, while giving Lashley a hotshot! Kofi CHOPS and swings around Lashley to hit a DDT! Both men are down and MVP starts to worry as Kofi crawls to the cover. TWO, but Kofi kicks Lashley down! NEW~ DAY~ BOOM DROP! Lashley grabs at Kofi’s hair and drags him into a LIFTING COMPLETE SHOT! Cover, TWO!! Kofi is showing that same heart that made #KofiMania happen the first time!

Lashley stalks Kofi, MVP wants this to be done so they can go party. Lashley puts Kofi up top, climbs up, but Kofi fights back with headbutts! Lashley hits back, climbs up, but Woods uses the trombone! Just like on Orton! Lashley ROCKS Kofi, shouts at Woods, but Kofi LEAPS for an APRON DDT!! Kofi hurries back in, hooks Lashley up, but Lashley turns SOS into gut wrench and DOMINATOR! Lashley says this is because of Woods! Lashley throws Kofi out, follows him, and brings Kofi up to fireman’s carry, and POST him!! Kofi flops to the floor, Lashley gets him up and into the ring, and then throws him back out the other end.

Lashley goes out, drags Kofi up, and fireman’s carries him again. Woods saves Kofi, but the ref ejects him! Lashley puts Kofi in, and sets him up so MVP can aim. But McIntyre is here and he stops MVP from using the cane! Lashley grabs at McIntyre, to get a CANE SHOT!! Kofi rolls Lashley up, and WINS!!!

Winner: Kofi Kingston, by pinfall

The Scottish Warrior figures that if he can’t face Lashley, he’ll screw him over! MVP brought this upon himself and the All Mighty, and now Kofi has a win over the All Mighty World Champion! Is#KofiMania2 inevitable?

My Thoughts:

This was a trail mix of quality for a post-PPV Raw. On one hand, I think WWE was trying to invent “Aftermath Syndrome,” which is the sibling to Go Home Syndrome, where there were so many recap packages to fill time and it was never organically introduced. On the other, we got great matches and some surprising developments. Mostly. I’m disappointed that we didn’t get even a hint of Miz ‘n’ Morrison being zombies now after what happened at Backlash. If you’re going to plug a movie just because a legend is in it, why not keep that plug going? Zombie Miz and Morrison would be great stuff, honestly.

But the Lumberjack match was still very good, and technically should’ve been what we got at the PPV. I’m also surprised that after losing the 24/7 title, Truth didn’t go after Tozawa during the Lumberjack match. But maybe that would’ve been one detour too many since we also had Alexander going after Benjamin for the loss last week. Nikki Cross making a very lowkey return in that segment was great, too, she needed to show up somehow. At least, before she more than likely becomes Lily in human form, and then she and Alexa go after the women’s tag titles. Because apparently, forget “Lily’s favorite color is red” being a clue to anything, Alexa is skipping the singles title to go back to the tag division.

Admittedly, all of the Raw Women’s Division needs help in terms of depth. Alexa & Lily joining in is fine, so long as Lily’s human form isn’t as horrifying as the doll. That’ll be way too hard to look at as a full sized person. We got another Charlotte VS Asuka match, which is both good and bad. It’s good because they delivered another awesome match, and there was great ways of using Rhea ringside to give Charlotte comeuppance. But it’s bad because it literally means the title scene is just three women. Nia and Shayna should try to get back in the Raw Women’s title scene, mostly Shayna, so that they (mostly Shayna) can brush off some of the more awkward moments these last few months with some great matches against Asuka, Charlotte and Rhea.

Sheamus VS Ricochet tonight was amazing stuff, but I’m a little unsure about the supposed set up for it tonight. Ricochet said it in his own promo that he gave the jacket and hat back. Did he really need to snatch it all back again just to make Sheamus angrier? We knew this rematch was happening just on how things ended between them on Backlash, so just leave it at that. Was it all just so commentary could argue about the legal ramifications of Ricochet stealing the stuff? I was a bit scared Sheamus got hurt the same was Humberto Carrillo did last week, but it was good to see he walked it off. Sheamus wins again, but I feel like we could get a big match like SmackDown’s set up for the Intercontinental Championship, Sheamus VS Ricochet VS Mansoor VS Mustafa Ali or a returning Carrillo.

Styles VS Elias was a bit of a surprise, and it was a good match, and I feel like it puts Styles & Omos in a tweener position in the Raw Tag Division. It was also clever of them to have Elias & Ryker separate Omos & Styles long enough so they can beat up Styles. That will be the key to defeating them and taking those titles away. I like the set-up to Orton VS Kofi with Riddle pulling one of those “invite them both somewhere without mentioning the other” type moves. Orton VS Kofi was a good match and it’s clever that Kofi wins with help from a distraction so that we’d have reason for New Day VS RKBRO down the line.

But at the same time, that seemed like a misdirect given how the main event turned out. Lashley and MVP having ladies with them to party seemed a bit old days, but at least they were being mostly tasteful about it. I do like the loophole on MVP issuing the open challenge was a valid one, McIntyre “interrupted” too early and then was the one to say “championship match” when that was never the case. Kofi being the one to answer was a great move not just because of the great match, but also because it shows WWE might be working to have story and division overlap. Just because a tag team wrestler wants the tag team titles doesn’t mean they can’t go after the singles title.

Orton and Styles are also good choices on that front, but I like that it’s Kofi. The match tonight was a great sampler, and we’re surely getting more, and I like that McIntyre had a part to play in the ending. Lashley VS Kofi at Hell in a Cell but not in the Cell is going to be great, but I’m fairly certain Lashley wins because of Kofi is also involved in the story with RKBRO. It might not be at HITC, it could be next week or the week after, and Kofi loses because of Orton. McIntyre could and probably should take a detour because it’s starting to feel like the women’s title where there are only two or three people even considered for it. Braun getting a 1v1 chance wouldn’t be so bad, either.

My Score: 8/10