Raw prepares for Money in the Bank and a return to the road!

Before Raw says hello to Texas, it must say good-bye to the ThunderDome! And they do that with a Women’s Fatal 4 Way, the WWE US Championship and Lashley VS Woods!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Bobby Lashley w/ MVP VS Xavier Woods w/ Kofi Kingston; Woods wins.
• Fatal 4 Way: Asuka VS Naomi VS Alexa Bliss VS Nikki ASH; Nikki wins.
• AJ Styles w/ Omos VS Ivar w/ Erik; Ivar wins.
• Omos w/ AJ Styles VS Erik w/ Ivar; Omos wins.
• WWE United States Championship: Sheamus VS Humberto Carrillo; Sheamus wins and retains the title.
• Falls Count Anywhere: Ricochet VS John Morrison w/ The Miz; Ricochet wins.
• Rhea Ripley VS Natalya w/ Tamina; Ripley wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

WWE and Raw mourns the loss of “Mr. Wonderful,” Paul Orndoff.

Bobby Lashley w/ MVP VS Xavier Woods w/ Kofi Kingston!

The All Mighty WWE World Champion may have put a hurting on Woods inside the Cell, but he completely overlooked the ability of The New Day as a team last week! But MVP and the ladies hype Lashley up at gorilla position. MVP is already planning to party in the VIP Lounge after this, but will Woods take advantage of a furious Chief Hurt Officer?

The bell rings and Lashley goes right after Woods! Lashley gets a leg, trips Woods up, then gets him again for a waistlock and SLAM! Lashley taunts Kofi but Woods gets up to waistlock and headlock back. Lashley powers out, Woods slides under and headlocks again. Lashley powers out again, Woods holds ropes and boots him back! Woods runs to kick a leg out, then uses Lashley as a step for a back senton! Cover, TWO! Woods keeps on Lashley with a facelock and he throws in knees. Woods fires off hands, Lashley shoves and scoops Woods to TOSS him out to the floor! Lashley goes out after Woods and stares Kofi down.

Lashley gets Woods up, gorilla press to TOSS at the steel steps! Woods smacks face first off them, and MVP talks trash on Woods while Kofi and Lashley stare down. The Rocky Mountain Machine is rolling as Raw goes to break.

Raw returns and Lashley fires off hands on Woods in a corner. Lashley RAMS his shoulder in again and again, but lets off as the ref counts 4, so he can run and RAM into Woods again! Woods writhes, the ladies are fired up on the stage, and Lashley puts Woods in another corner. Lashley runs in to RAM Woods again! Woods falls, MVP talks trash and Lashley is fired up, but he runs into buckles! Woods SUPERKICKS Lashley but Lashley stays on his feet! Lashley scoops Woods, but Woods makes it a tornado DDT! Kofi is fired up as Lashley bails out, and Woods grits his teeth as he gets back up. Woods builds speed, to FLY! Direct hit and down goes Lashley!

Kofi is all fired up with Woods and Woods gets Lashley in the ring. Woods gets Lashley up, Lashley holds ropes and Woods loses grip. Lashley puts Woods on the apron but Woods GAMANGIRIS back! Woods climbs, leaps, and missile dropkicks! Cover, TWO! But to a CROSSFACE! The ladies panic but Lashley fights up, and turns crossface to SIDEWALK SLAM! Lashley hobbles and leans against ropes while MVP coaches him up. Lashley snarls as he aims at Woods, and he clamps onto Woods’ face to throw him down! Woods gets up in a daze but Lashley gut wrenches him to a Canadian rack. Woods slips out, but runs into a MILE HIGH SPINEBUSTER!!

Lashley gets Woods up, gut wrench and DOMINATOR! But Lashley won’t end it here, he wants to remind us why he’s leader of the Hurt Business! Lashley hauls Woods up, throws him out, then starts to smile as he brings Woods up again. Fireman’s carry, and Lashley POSTS Woods on the run! Lashley leaves Woods behind just long enough to refresh the count. Lashley puts Woods in the ring, drags him into a corner, and then aims from the other end. Lashley runs in and SPEARS Woods down! But Lashley is still not done making Woods suffer! Lashley looms over Woods as he writhes, drags him back up, but Woods cradle counters, WOODS WINS?!?

Winner: Xavier Woods, by pinfall

Lashley’s arrogance and Woods’ resilience get the biggest upset in ThunderDome history! The All Mighty World Champion is in disbelief! Is this proof that Kofi is right? Is Lashley getting soft under MVP’s guidance? Will Kofi make this happen again at Money in the Bank?!

Backstage interview with MVP.

Lashley was seen leaving the building, does MVP have an idea where he’s going? Yes, Lashley has left the building, but it isn’t the big deal they’re making it. Relax, rumor mongers, the champ just needs to blow off some steam. MVP guarantees that Lashley will be back for tonight’s VIP Lounge. Whatever is ailing Lashley can be fixed with some positive vibes and champagne. But is this the night where it all starts to fall apart for the champion?

Jinder Mahal again arrives on his motorcycle.

Veer and Shanky are there to greed the Modern Day Maharaja again, and present him with Drew McIntyre’s claymore sword. But will the Scottish Warrior come looking for them?

Alexa Bliss smiles.

What an exciting night! She’s facing some of her very best friends in tonight’s Fatal 4 Way, but they ALL get to compete in the Money in the Bank Ladder Match live in front of the WWE Universe! And think about how much fun she could have with the MITB contract? But Eva Marie interrupts to say that while Alexa is excited, was she ever going to introduce her- er, both Eva and “Doudrop” tonight? Yeah, sorry, forgot. Where are Alexa’s manners? Eva and Doudrop, welcome to the Playground! That’s a good name, Doudrop. It’s fun to say! Doudrop, Doudrop, Doudrop. She should try it! Piper Niven says, “Doudrop,” and Eva doesn’t like that she’s having fun.

But anyway, if “Doudrop” could summarize her time on Raw in one word, what would it be? Eva says she has this: #EvaLutionary. All thanks to Eva. Just like last week’s 8 Woman Tag: all because of Eva. Well uh… Alexa wasn’t asking Eva, she was asking Doudrop since Alexa invited her not Eva, but Eva was like a bonus! Uh, that is unacceptable. Eva tells Alexa to look at her. She is the star of Monday Night Raw, the headliner, and this will be the last time she ever steps foot in this dingy, grubby little “playground.” Eva gets up and sees why Alexa only wanted Doudrop. Now, they are going to go because the #EvaLution deserves better.

Piper has no choice but to go and Alexa mocks how “silly” Eva is being. Will Eva learn the world doesn’t revolve around her soon enough?

The WWE Best Moment of the Year goes to…

Sasha Banks and Bianca Belair! Their historic SmackDown Women’s Championship match at WrestleMania 37 won an ESPY last night, but will this only be the first of many more accolades for The Boss and the EST?

Jinder Mahal heads to the ring!

The Maharaja has Shanky & Veer with him, and surely they have something to say about McIntyre. Will McIntyre have something to say to them? We’ll find out, after the break.

Raw returns and Mahal says he has had time to reflect. He may have taken things too far with McIntyre from taking his family heirloom. McIntyre has taken opportunities from Mahal without remorse, and that is okay. But McIntyre probably hasn’t been able to eat, sleep or train after what Mahal did. Mahal will extend an olive branch, he will apologize and shake hands with McIntyre, then give the sword back. McIntyre, Mahal is trying to do the right thing, so please come on out. Mahal and his proteges wait, but McIntyre responds on the titantron! McIntyre waves hi and asks how Mahal is doing. Mahal is a tough bastard, a decorated champion, but he is also a liar, so cut the BS!

Mahal says he is offended that McIntyre isn’t trusting him! Think of what they’ve been through together. But if this is how it has to be, that’s fine. Mahal had Veer & Shanky take the sword and have it refinished. Behold the new and improved claymore! Wait, it’s BROKEN! Oh no something must’ve happened! McIntyre knew it’d be like this. This is Raw, Mahal can’t show up with a real car or sword and not expect it to get destroyed. That sword was just a replica! What?! But this is the real one! McIntyre pulled one over on Mahal, but that’s not all! Mahal’s motorcycle surely can’t be a replica. Looks a little delicate, though.

McIntyre tugs on the tail pipe until it goes off, and then he SMASHES the face of it! And then the rims, the mirrors, and even the side of the chassis! Mahal is furious but McIntyre says no worries. It’s nothing a little elbow grease can’t fix. Then he kicks the motorcycle over! Will Mahal escalate things further with McIntyre or let this end now?

Matt Riddle spots Nikki “Ash” backstage.

Whoa, sweet outfit! It reminds him of this show he used to watch with Randy Orton while having bowls of cereal. It was about a bunch of superheroes who- Wait, is Nikki a superhero? She could just fly up the ladder and win the MITB contract! Nikki says she loves superheroes as much as anyone, but she’s only Almost a Superhero. There’s a difference. So no flying just yet. Oh, Riddle gets it. It’s like this one time, where he wanted to be an astronaut, but they told him he can’t go barefoot in space because no oxygen. And he was like, “Bro, I don’t breathe through my feet.” But the real deal breaker was that he wasn’t at NASA, but at the food court at the mall.

Long story short, he was one happy bro at the end of that field trip, if you know what he means. Not really… But she does know she has her match right now! Time to fly to the ring! Wait, she just said she couldn’t fly. Will Nikki be feeling even higher than Riddle as she looks to take one giant leap towards MITB?

Fatal 4 Way: Asuka VS Naomi VS Alexa Bliss VS Nikki ASH!

Raw returns as Asuka makes her entrance, followed by Naomi, and lastly, Alexa. The bell rings and Naomi dropkicks both Nikki and Asuka out! Naomi RAMS Alexa into a corner, rams her shoulder in more, but Alexa ROCKS her with a forearm! Alexa whips, Naomi reverses but Alexa spiders in the ropes to then CROSSBODY back! Cover, TWO! Asuka gets in to DECK Alexa, but Nikki trips Asuka to a jackknife! TWO, and Naomi whips Nikki. Nikki wheelbarrows to victory roll, TWO! Naomi and Asuka fire off Kicks on Nikki and then double dropkick Nikki out! Naomi and Asuka are friends but they’re ready for every woman for themselves!

Naomi runs, slides under, fires off forearms but Asuka gives them back! Asuka fires off palm strikes and fast hands, but Naomi ducks the backhand! Asuka ducks the kicks, but Naomi ducks one, too! DOUBLE ROUNDHOUSES! Both women go down and Alexa slithers back in. But so does Nikki! Nikki and Alexa both look to the briefcase overhead, and Nikki powers up her fighting spirit! Alexa just smiles, but Nikki won’t let Alexa touch the mask! Alexa choke grips but Nikki fights out to throat chop and dropkick! Wait, Eva Marie and Piper Niven have appeared on the ramp. Eva must still be bitter about earlier, will she make her presence felt momentarily?

Nikki turns around into Naomi’s dropkick! Asuka clotheslines Naomi but Alexa kicks and DDT’s Asuka down! Cover, TWO!! The Empress of Tomorrow toughs it out, but Alexa just smiles and waves. Piper waves back and Eva is annoyed. Alexa slithers out of the ring and Eva shoves Piper at her. Piper says that was a good DDT. Alexa pats Piper on the shoulder, goes right past her, and stares Eva down. Eva is afraid for good reason, and then Alexa roars at her! Piper CLUBS Alexa, swats her around, and then fireman’s carries for a RUNNING TOSS over the barriers! Piper says everything is alright now, and Eva looks to check. Wait, Alexa disappeared?! Eva panics again as Raw goes to break!

Raw returns again and Asuka KICKS Nikki and Naomi back and forth! SLIDING WIZARD for Nikki, but Naomi blocks the buzzsaw! Asuka blocks Naomi’s kick, gets around to waistlock and GERMAN SUPLEX! Naomi ends up in a corner, Asuka hip attacks her down! ROUNDHOUSE for Nikki, then a BULLDOG for Naomi! Cover on Nikki, TWO! Cover on Naomi, TWO! Asuka grits her teeth, keeping her eyes on the two opponents left. Naomi boots but Asuka blocks, only for Naomi to ENZIGURI! And then BUCKLE BULLDOG! Nikki gets up but Naomi fireman’s carries for a TKO! Naomi gets Asuka up to BACK SUPLEX right next to Nikki! Naomi runs to DOUBLE LEGDROP! Cover, TWO!!

Naomi keeps her cool and springboards, only Asuka gets the Flying Chuck! Cover, TWO! Naomi goes after Nikki but Nikki BOOTS her! Nikki goes up, clubs and reels Naomi in, TORNADO DDT! Cover, Asuka breaks it in time! All three women are down, but Nikki rises first. Asuka follows, then Naomi. Nikki dumps Asuka out, dodges Naomi and tilt-o-whirls to a takedown, LA MA- NO! Naomi trips, body scissors, sunsets, TWO! Into the BUTTERFLY STRETCH!! Nikki endures and Asuka gets Naomi with a BUZZSAW! And ARMBAR!! Naomi endures, Nikki jumps and SEATED SENTONS Asuka! All three women are down again as the ThunderDome fires up!

Naomi gets up in one corner, Asuka is in center, and Nikki goes up top! Nikki leaps to CROSSBODY Asuka down! Cover, Naomi breaks it in time! Naomi drags Nikki up, whips, but Nikki reverses. Naomi ends up on the apron but she ROUNDHOUSES Nikki! But Asuka gets Naomi for a DRAPING CODE BREAKER! Nikki gets Asuka in a cradle! Cover, TWO!! Nikki waistlocks, O’Conner Rolls, TWO into the ASUKA LOCK!! Nikki scrambles, gets back and out to body scissor and clutch, NIKKI WINS!

Winner: Nikki ASH, by pinfall

She may not be able to fly, but she is rolling towards MITB! Will her fighting spirit be what helps her reach the top and have her golden ticket?

Backstage interview with The Viking Raiders.

Erik & Ivar are ready for their separate 1v1 matches with Styles & Omos, but how are they approaching each of those? Ivar is taking on the arrogant two-time WWE Champion, AJ Styles, who has insulted their way of life! Styles says Vikings are just smelly, barbaric brutes. The truth is, Vikings are some of the most spectacular, rugged and amazing people on the planet! And they have spectacular hygiene. The ladies love Ivar. Tonight, Styles will learn to respect the Viking culture after he gets a phenomenal beating! As for Erik, he has the very, very, very tall task of toppling that colossus, Omos!

Omos would’ve given Bjorn Ironside a fight for the ages, but this is Omos’ first singles match ever! Erik will use this weakness to find a crack in the armor and carve out a victory! Then next week, live in front of the WWE Universe, the Viking Raiders will once again raise those Raw Tag Team Championships above their heads! RAID! RAID! RAID! The battle begins, will Erik & Ivar be rolling into Texas with phenomenal momentum?

AJ Styles w/ Omos VS Ivar w/ Erik!

Raw returns and Styles gets a mic. “Now before the Phenomenal Raw Tag Team Champions put on an absolute clinic, I need to get something off my chest. Ivar, Erik, I said some things about the Vikings that, well, maybe you found offensive. So I wanna apologize. I never should’ve called you guys barbarians. What I should’ve said was that you’re hairy barbarians, uneducated, Salmonella poisoned, infested, never-shoulda-got-off-your-impractical-wooden-boats to come after the Raw Tag Team Champions!”

Styles and Omos like how Styles doubled down, but Styles continues to say, “If you haven’t kept up with what’s going on lately,” well… They’ve been sticking their nose in the champs’ business and cost Styles his chance to be in the MITB match! He was gonna be in it! So tonight, Ivar, Styles will take a leg and break it in the Calf Crusher! Ivar will tap to the Calf Crusher, and after that, Omos will have his first-ever singles match! And Omos will destroy Erik so badly, Erik will wish he never took off that ridiculous horned helmet. And then, at MITB, they will destroy the Viking Raiders limb from limb in their title match, and show everyone why they ARE the Raw Tag Team Champions!

The Viking Raiders finally make their entrance, and the raid begins! The bell rings, Styles fires off on Ivar and whips, but Iva reverses. Styles rolls off Ivar’s back and CHOPS, but Ivar doesn’t flinch! Styles dodges, Ivar rolls off Styles’ back, and styles can’t even understand what happened! Styles kicks but Ivar blocks to ROCK him with uppercuts and haymakers! Ivar has Styles in a corner for more, then lets off as the ref counts. Ivar fires up, goes corner to corner, and BRONCO BUSTERS! Cover, ONE!! Styles gasps but Ivar gets him up to scoop. Styles slips off, waistlocks, but Ivar bucks him away. Ivar runs Styles over with a shoulder!

Ivar runs, but Omos is at the ropes! The ref reprimands, but Styles ENZIGURIS! Styles has Ivar in a corner and stomps a mudhole! The ref counts, Styles lets off and runs corner to corner, but Ivar dodges! Ivar runs but Styles dodges, Styles runs but blocks a boot. He puts the leg on ropes to KICK it, then DDT’s Ivar down! Cover, TWO! Styles is frustrated but he pulls Ivar up by his hair to put on a chinlock. Ivar endures, fights up, and arm-drags free! Then he BACK DROPS Styles high and hard! Styles gets up, Ivar scoops him and SIDEWALK SLAMS! Ivar runs to BASEMENT SPLASH! The War Beard is fired up and he gets Styles up for a suplex.

Styles slips out, shoves, but Ivar cartwheels to LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Styles survives and Ivar grows frustrated, but Erik keeps him focused. Styles goes to a corner, Ivar runs in, but Styles SUPERKICKS! Styles goes out and prepares the arm, but Ivar gets under the springboard so Styles makes it a sunset flip! ONE, and PELE! Ivar falls into a corner, Styles runs back in, but into a SEATED SENTON! Cover, IVAR WINS!

Winner: Ivar, by pinfall

Omos is shocked as much as Styles, and the Viking Raiders go up 1-0! Can Omos uses his first singles match every to tie the series back up? Or are the Viking Raiders going to be rolling into Texas?

Omos w/ AJ Styles VS Erik w/ Ivar!

Raw returns and the bell rings on the second match! Erik is ready and he rushes in for a waistlock. But he can’t even get Omos off the mat! Omos THROWS Erik away, and then just stares him down. Erik keeps cool, gets up and Omos eggs him on. Omos swings but Erik dodges to kick the leg! And again! And then he throws forearms! Omos shoves Erik down, but Erik comes back, only for Omos to BOUNCE him off! Erik gets to ropes, Omos gets him up, and Omos whips Erik to then scoop. Omos says it’s too easy, but Erik slips off! Erik gets around, KICKS the legs again, but Omso stays up! Omos corners Erik, but Erik BOOTS him back! And leaps, but into a BEARHUG!

Omos thrashes Erik around but Erik endures! Erik digs his elbow into Omos’ face! Omos lets Erik go, steadies himself, and staggers after Erik. Omos gets Erik for a TOSS! Erik gets to a corner, Omos roars and runs in, but only into buckles! Erik fires off fast hands, runs and forearm smashes! And again! Erik ducks and dodges to SHOTGUN KNEE! Omos staggers, Erik runs again but into a COLOSSAL LARIAT! Omos seethes and roars again as he looms over Erik. Omos says he told Erik this would happen. Styles tells Omos to finish this and Omos nods. Omos drags Erik up with both hands, for a COLOSSAL SLAM!! Cover, Omos wins!

Winner: Omos, by pinfall

First singles match ever, first singles win ever! The teams go into MITB tied, but the tag titles will decide it all! Will the champions still be phenomenal? Or will the raid succeed in taking the gold?

Sheamus talks with Adam Pearce and Sonya Deville.

He wants them to save the pleasantries. He knows what they’ve been saying on his voicemails. “Defend your title or there will be consequences.” Do they even care about their superstars? Do they care that his face is still smashed to pieces?! Is this a joke, Sonya? Do you want to laugh at him? He’ll explain that his nose is broken but no one cares! They only want to give the man who did this to him a title match! Well, here Sheamus is, ready to fight. Good. So we’re all on the same page? Yeah, they’re on the same page. Sheamus heads out, but will the Masked Fella humble Humberto and get payback for the busted nose?

The New Day is fired up!

And Lucha House Party walks over to congratulate Woods on the win over Lashley. Woods congratulates them over their win against Mace & T-Bar. How is the SummerSlam party coming? They’ve been scouting out great locations, but there’s still work to be done. Good luck at MITB, Kofi! Kofi thanks LHP as they head out, and then Sarah walks in to congratulate Woods on the win over Lashley. Kofi, is this a sign of what’s to come? Kofi rewinds and wants to say it again: Woods just beat the All Mighty WWE Champion, BABYYY~! Speaking of, we heard Lashley has returned to ThunderDome and will go to MVP’s VIP Lounge.

Oh of course he is! Instead of focusing on the upcoming title match, Lashley is going to be with the champagne and ladies. Maybe Kofi should thank MVP for taking Lashley off his A Game! Woods agrees, and can’t understand why Lashley is back after losing to “The video game guy.” But Kofi will beat Lashley to become champion. Kofi doesn’t care what kind of champion Lashley wants to be portrayed as, but this is all mind-blowing! Lashley of all people should know how hard it is to become WWE Champion! It isn’t about the lounges, the parties and all that. It is about being on the best grind, taking on all comers! Kofi did that, because that’s the kind of champ the fans deserve!

Fear not, because those days are about to be upon us again !Kofi is gonna shock the world in front of a live audience when he beats Lashley to become what? A TWO-TIME… W! W! E! World! Heavy! Weight! CHAMPION~! Let’s go! The New Day heads out, but will they be partying even harder after this Sunday?

Sheamus attacks Carrillo backstage!

The Fella doesn’t want to let Carrillo have a chance in their title match, so he’s throwing him all around! He tells security to back off and shut up! Sheamus looms over Carrillo as he’s down in the wreckage. Sheamus mockingly says Carrillo is falling asleep on the job! He has the title match next! The Celtic Warrior leaves Carrillo behind and security calls for medical. Will Carrillo be in any shape to fight Sheamus now?

WWE United States Championship: Sheamus VS Humberto Carrillo!

Raw returns as Sheamus makes his entrance to the ring. We check backstage and Carrillo says he NEEDS to compete. Pearce and Sonya don’t question his toughness, but they can push this back a week if they have to. No, Carrillo has been waiting months for this, Sheamus is not going to use this as an excuse! No, he is good enough to stand so he is good enough to fight for the title! Damian Priest helps Carrillo to gorilla but management isn’t so sure. Will Carrillo’s machismo help him make it through?

Carrillo makes it to the ring and the introductions are made. The belt is raised, and though Sheamus has done everything to avoid this, he finally will be a fighting champion!

Carrillo hobbles but falls to his knees! He grits his teeth, gets back up, Sheamus BROGUES him right down!! Cover, Sheamus wins!!

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

This was one of the shortest matches ever for this title, but only because Sheamus made sure to win it backstage first! But the Celtic Warrior isn’t satisfied because of his busted nose! Sheamus stomps away on Carrillo, then fish hooks Carrillo’s face! Sheamus says Carrillo broke his nose, so he’ll break Carrillo’s! Sheamus stands over Carrillo, foot at the ready, but here comes Damian Priest! Priest gets in the ring, runs Sheamus out of it, and stares him down! Sheamus still declares himself winner, but will the Archer of Infamy look to shoot him down soon enough?

Riddle scoots up to Ricochet.

“Pardon me, partner. Didn’t see you in the donger.” No, it’s cool. Wait, is The Bro going to go with him to the ring? Darn tootin’! Well, that’s cool, but Ricochet is excited for Sunday. Same! They’re going to Fort Worth for Money in the Bank! Riddle is gonna make his Western Spaghetti Burritos, with real spaghetti! And then he’ll watch his favorite Western movie- Tombstone? No, Toy Story 2! His favorite part is where the cowboy finds a snake in his boot. It reminds Riddle of Randy. Though Randy isn’t really a snake in Riddle’s boot, more like snake in his heart. Miss you, Randy. Yeah, sure. But Ricochet was more excited about the MITB match.

Oh, right! If Riddle wins, he’ll surprise Orton and cash-in on the Raw Tag Team Champions! Can you do that? And Orton would have to be there, anyway. He wouldn’t be that surprised. In that case, Riddle will invite Orton over for WSB’s, tell him about the cash-in then. Even better. But speaking of surprises, Ricochet has surprises for John Morrison tonight! He won’t even see it coming. But surprise, splash holes! Morrison & Miz roll up, and Miz says, “I’m your huckleberry.” SQUIRT SQUIRT! Drip stick drive by! And they even run over Riddle’s bad foot! That Drip Drip is gonna go down at high noon! Will the One and Only get the Guru of Greatness once and for all?

Falls Count Anywhere: Ricochet VS John Morrison w/ The Miz!

No more count-outs, this can go wherever the King of Flight and the Mayor of Slam Town want! But how will it end for them with MITB just on the horizon?

Raw returns and Ricochet makes his entrance. The bell rings and Ricochet circles with Morrison. They approach, Morrison kicks low and headlocks. Ricochet powers out, things speed up, Ricochet hurdles but Morrison leaps over. Ricochet springboards to flying arm-drag! Morrison catches his breath and dumps Ricochet to the apron! Ricochet ROCKS Morrison but Morrison ROUNDHOUSES Ricochet! Morrison goes to the apron, has Ricochet in the ropes, DRAPING APRON NECKBREAKER!! Cover on the floor, TWO! Ricochet survives that nasty attack but Miz talks trash. Ricochet kicks at Miz but Morrison KICKS Ricochet in the side!

Miz laughs at Ricochet’s pain as Morrison gets Ricochet up to backslide! Miz even helps! TWO!! Ricochet escapes but Morrison has him against the barriers to KNEE him down! Morrison wrenches, brings Ricochet over, and snapmares him into barriers for a SOBAT! Cover, TWO!! Ricochet survives again but Morrison fires off body shots. Morrison puts Ricochet in the ring, Ricochet flounders about and Morrison stomps him down! Morrison goes up but Ricochet intercepts Starship Pain with a waistlock! Ricochet gets Morrison off the corner for a GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Miz grows worried, but Morrison gets up and away from Ricochet.

Morrison is in a corner, Ricochet glares at Miz and goes after Morrison, but Morrison HOOK KICKS him out of the ring! Morrison aims from the apron, KONG FLIP ATTACK! Cover, TWO! Morrison gets Ricochet up, bumps him off barriers, then follows him around the way. Morrison TOSSES Ricochet over the barriers, jumps the barriers, but Ricochet fires off hands! Ricochet smacks Morrison off the LED screens! Miz says respect the virtual fans, but Ricochet waves to them as he throws Morrison over the barriers. Morrison ROUNDHOUSES back, and gets up on the barrier. Ricochet joins him, and trips him up! Morrison hits the floor, Ricochet uses barriers for a 450 SPALSH!!

Ricochet’s ribs keep him from making an immediate cover but he gets the lateral press, TWO!! Morrison survives but Ricochet puts him in the ring. Ricochet ROCKS Morrison with a right, springboards, but Morrison gets out of the ring! Ricochet lands on his feet, thinks about what he could do, and uses the corner to LAUNCH himself for a SHOOTING STAR PRESS!! Direct hit and both men go down! Miz freaks out and wheels over as fast as he can while Raw goes to break!

Raw returns again as Morrison brings out a ladder! A preview of MITB as Morrison makes a ladder bridge between ring and announce desk. Morrison kicks Ricochet’s legs, CLUBS him down, then brings him around to whip. Ricochet slides under the ladder, ROCKS Morrison from over it, and then runs to go up and over and FLYING CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Ricochet keeps his cool as he brings Morrison up to throw haymakers. Morrison staggers, Ricochet RAMS him into the apron! Ricochet puts Morrison in the ring, aims from the apron, but Morrison scrambles away. Ricochet pursues but Morrison bails out.

Ricochet builds speed but Miz is used to block the way again! Ricochet still FLIES! He goes right over Miz to take Morrison out at the ramp! Cover, TWO!! Johnny Drip Drip is still in this but Ricochet get shim up to RAM him into barriers! Miz talks trash but Ricochet throws EuroUppers as they go up the ramp. Morrison scrambles to the stage but Ricochet clubs him down. Morrison hits low, brings Ricochet around to scoop, but Ricochet slips off and kicks low! Ricochet aims, reels Morrison in, but Morrison blocks the suplex! Morrison throws knees, tries a suplex, but Ricochet slips out to shove and RANA! Morrison hits pretty flat, Ricochet covers, TWO!

Morrison clutches his leg but Ricochet gets up. Ricochet brings Morrison over to throw at the LED board, but Morrison blocks to kick back! Morrison hurries backstage but Ricochet pursues! Miz does his best to wheel up the ramp but that’s hard. Morrison SUPERKICKS Ricochet from outta nowhere! Morrison talks trash, KICKS Ricochet in the side, and then grabs the chair to set it up. Morrison throws forearms, KICKS Ricochet into having a seat, and then SHINING WIZARDS Him out of it! Cover, TWO!! Ricochet survives but Morrison sticks ‘n’ moves with forearms. They go back to the stage and Miz laughs at Ricochet as he tumbles down.

Morrison and Miz circle Ricochet like buzzards, but Ricochet BOOTS Morrison down! Ricochet DECKS Morrison and Morrison tumbles down the ramp! Miz tells Ricochet to stop but Ricochet looks at Miz! Ricochet gets Miz’s wheelchair handles, and steers Miz at Morrison! FLYING TACKLE off the back of the wheelchair! Cover, TWO! Ricochet puts Morrison back in the ring, shoulders into him, and bumps him off buckles. Ricochet KICKS Morrison down, and then watches. Miz SQUIRT SQUIRT with the Drip Stick! Morrison rolls Ricochet up, has the ropes, TWO!! Morrison kicks low, MOONLIGHT DRIVE!! Cover, TWO!?!

Morrison can’t believe Ricochet survives, but he hurries to put him in position., But here comes Riddle! Riddle gets Miz’s chair handles, tips him back and back, and sets him down! Miz is stuck like a turtle on his back, and Riddle mocks him. Ricochet runs at Morrison but Morrison elbows him. Morrison springboards, into a RECOIL!! But Ricochet can’t cover, he’s too tired! Riddle keeps playing around with Miz, but Ricochet runs to KNEE Morrison! Morrison sits on the ladder, Ricochet goes up top!? Ricochet aims for a BIG SPLASH through the ladder!!! Riddle is shocked! Ricochet crawls to a cover, Ricochet wins!!

Winner: Ricochet, by pinfall

Riddle tells Miz what happened, and he is fired up as much as Ricochet! But with all of this building to the Men’s MITB, what will happen when four more superstars and even more ladders are in the mix?

Tamina and Natalya get fired up backstage.

The Queen of Harts is in the Women’s MITB and she’s taking on the Raw Women’s Champion tonight! Sarah comes over to interview Natty about that very subject, and Natty says she is a standard bearer here. Every day, she wants to be better. She has a foolproof plan to do what no one has ever done in the WWE. She will be Women’s Tag Team Champion, Raw Women’s Champion and SmackDown Women’s Champion at the same time! Because she’ll beat Rhea tonight and earn a shot at that title, and then she’ll cash in THE MITB contract on the other title! Tamina is fired up for Natty, but they also hear Mandy Rose & Dana Brooke around the corner.

Tamina asks those two why they’re laughing so much, and the #SexyMuscleFriends say a plan can’t be foolproof if it came from a fool. No offense, but they don’t love Natty’s chances this Sunday. Or even her odds tonight against Rhea. And when these two challenge Natty & Tamina for the tag titles, they don’t like the odds of the champs retaining. But Mandy loves those odds for the challengers. Tamina says she loves the idea of kicking their teeth down their throats! What’s stopping her? Oh look at D acting all tough. Tamina SHOVES Dana into trunks! Mandy holds Dana back because it is only a matter of time. But whose chances will be looking up after the Queen of Harts takes on the Nightmare?

Backstage interview with Drew McIntyre.

Now that we know his family heirloom has been safe this whole time, how will McIntyre refocus his attention on MITB? Well, he won’t pat himself on the back. He has bigger things to worry about. This MITB might be his last chance to reach the top of the mountain. Do you know the story of Icarus? Some Greek kid who flew too close to the sun. Imagine McIntyre as “Tricky Icky” and the MITB briefcase is the sun, and him flying like a 6’2″ Scottish fire-breathing dragon that he is. And he’s not made of wax and paper, no! He is made of 100% Grade A Scottish BEEF, brother!

And nothing, and he means absolutely nothing, not the ladders, not 700 other guys, not even the sun, can stop McIntyre from becoming Mr. MITB! Will the Scottish Warrior slay all who get in the way of this final opportunity at a world title?

Rhea Ripley VS Natalya w/ Tamina!

Before she makes her entrance, Sarah asks Rhea why she took this match this close to her match with Charlotte Flair at MITB? Natty challenged Rhea, and Rhea is not one who backs down from a challenge. As for Sunday, Charlotte won’t have a crutch to hide behind because Rhea’s exposed her for the drama queen that she is! When Rhea wins at MITB, she will give Charlotte a reason to need a crutch. The Nightmare heads out, is she about to give us all a sample of her brutality?

Raw returns and the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions make their entrance. The bell rings and the two circle. Natty and Rhea tie up, Rhea wrenches an arm to a wristlock then grinds the shoulder. Natty gets up, Rhea keeps on the wrist, but Natty rolls, handsprings and rolls Rhea up! TWO, but Natty waistlocks. Rhea pries free to switch, but Natty bumps, wrenches and wristlocks. Rhea spins, gets in and lifts Natty up but Natty sunset flips! TWO, and Rhea kicks low! Rhea whips Natty to a corner, Natty reverses but Rhea goes up and over. Things speed up, then the two stand off. Tamina cheers Natty on but Rhea says neener neener.

Things speed up again, Natty arm-drags to a cover, TWO to ghost pin! TWO, Natty kicks low and CLUBS Rhea on the back. Natty whips, Rhea slips around to go for a leg but Natty sits on the takedown! TWO, Rhea sunset flips, TWO! Natty has the prawn hold, ONE!! Rhea HEADBUTTS Natty down! Rhea gets Natty up, pump handles, but Natty slips out to roll up! ONE, Natty steps through but Rhea BOOTS her out of the ring! Rhea avoids the Sharpshooter, goes outside, and runs in, but Natty moves! Tamina gets hit with the dropkick! Natty gets Rhea with a DISCUS! Everyone is down on the outside and Raw goes to break!

Raw returns again and Natty fights Rhea up top. Rhea knocks Natty down but Natty comes back! They brawl on the top, Natty gets the edge with CLUBBING forearms, but Rhea HEADBUTTS Natty back! Rhea adjusts, leaps, and missile dropkicks! Both women are down, Natty gets to a corner but Rhea gets up. Rhea runs in, misses and gets buckles, Natty throws more forearms. Natty whips corner to corner, runs in but into BOOTS! Rhea hurries to cover, TWO! Rhea seethes, cravats and throws in knees, but Natty shoves her away. Natty swings but Rhea spins her to a NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! Natty gets out, Rhea pursues and brings her to a corner.

Natty throws hands, bumps Rhea off the POST, and then gets in to RUNNING POWERBOMB Rhea down! Cover, TWO!! Rhea survives and Tamina can’t believe it! Natty keeps her focus, and gets the legs! Rhea boots her away again, but misses in the corner! Natty gets Rhea up, rebound atomic sit-down! Natty runs on Rhea, but Rhea avoids the basement dropkick! Rhea gets Natty’s legs for the PRISM TRAP!! Tamina coaches Natty but Rhea drags her away! Natty victory rolls through, TWO! Natty wheelbarrows to victory roll, then the legs! Natty SLAPS Rhea and puts on the SHARPSHOOTER!! Rhea endures, crawls, Tamina coaches Natty and Natty sits deep!

Rhea powers up and ROLLS Natty into buckles! Natty lets go and Rhea clutches her back. Natty gets up, but Rhea EDDY GORDO KICKS her down! Pump handle and RIPTIDE!! Cover, Rhea wins!

Winner: Rhea Ripley, by pinfall

Step one of Natty’s ultimate championship plan does not go as she hoped, and The Nightmare is still strong going into MITB! Will the Queen of Harts have better luck in the Women’s MITB match?

But then Charlotte CHOP BLOCKS Rhea outta nowhere! Where did she even come from!? Charlotte puts the leg on ropes to drop a knee on the knee! And then she gets the leg for a FIGURE FOUR! And she drags Rhea over to the apron for a DRAPING FIGURE FOUR!! Charlotte twists one ankle and bends the other with her high-heeled boots, but lets go to mock Rhea. “What’re you gonna do? Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, Rhea.” But will the one true Queen once again become Raw Women’s Champion at MITB?

MVP talks with the ladies.

Tonight has not been the best night for Lashley, so this VIP Lounge has to be the best it can be. Smile, dance, make Lashley feel good. Back rubs, constant champagne, the works. MVP leads the ladies to gorilla position, but will the All Mighty’s mood be any better after a little bit of fun?

Backstage interview with Charlotte Flair.

Was that attack a preview of what’s to come? Sarah, it’s not about the pieces in the game, but the player. And Charlotte learned from the Dirtiest Player in the Game, and we will all see it is game over for Rhea at MITB.

MVP presents the VIP Lounge.

He says it is a very special edition, and says it is bittersweet. This is the last episode of Monday Night Raw from the ThunderDome! The ThunderDome saw the rise of the All mighty, Bobby Lashley, become a champion so dominant that he obliterated everyone! And MVP will fondly recall this place as the Lashley Dome. But more importantly, the Chief Hurt Officer, and the Half Man Half Amazing MVP will be LIVE in front of the WWE Universe next week! So it is his honor and privilege to introduce to us, Bobby Lashley! Uh, where is the music? Where is Lashley? MVP introduces him again but still no Lashley.

Okay, ladies, please help out. He starts up the introduction again, and the ladies join in in saying “BOBBY LASHLEY!” Finally the music plays, Lashley walks out, but his tie is loose and his vest is undone as he barely carries the title in his hand. MVP asks where Lashley’s been, but go ahead, jump right in, the water’s fine. Is Lashley alright? Ladies, help out. Lashley takes the mic to say MVP has said enough. Ladies, please excuse them so they can talk alone. The ladies leave and MVP looks to Lashley with confusion. Lashley says he doesn’t want the ladies here, anyway.

Lashley was thinking about what Kofi has been saying. At first, it seemed like trash talk just to get in Lashley’s head. But as he thought more about it, Kofi was right. Everything he’s said about MVP causing Lashley to lose his edge is right! Look what happened tonight! Lashley lost to Xavier Woods! Lashley should’ve dismantled that twerp, stacked him and Kofi as a pile of broken bones! Lashley is furious, but MVP wants to cheer him up with champagne and women? MVP, Lashley does appreciate everything he’s done for Lashley’s career, but the BS stops now! Back to business! The ONLY enjoyment Lashley wants to have from now on is destroying every single soul that steps for the title!

MVP nods and agrees, and then Lashley starts throwing things out of the lounge! MVP tries to stop him but he just glares at MVP. MVP lets Lashley chuck the tables and the couches, and even the champagne, all out of the ring. Lashley seethes as he looks at MVP, and then he grabs the mic again. “Kofi. I’m gonna do this weekend what I should’ve done weeks ago. I’m gonna tear you in half. I’m gonna go into MITB the All Mighty WWE Champion, and I’m going to leave the All Mighty WWE Champion!” Kofi can bring his family, friends and the entire WWE Universe to be behind him. Because Lashley will dismantle Kofi and do everything that he said he would do!

Lashley hopes Kofi is ready to fight not just for the title, but for his LIFE. Lashley will cave Kofi’s head in, wring his neck, and then fold him into a box and send it to a circus so he can be with the clowns! Yeah, the circus is dead. And after Sunday, so will be Kofi’s career! The wrath of the Rocky Mountain Machine is coming to Fort Worth, will Kofi be able to survive?

My Thoughts:

A great Raw to be the go-home to MITB and the good-bye to the ThunderDome. There were other things that could’ve made it better, but I would’ve really loved if Bobby Lashley demolished the LED fan screens on top of the VIP Lounge at the end there. But this was a taped episode, and it was taped before they had to film SmackDown live on Friday. They could’ve kayfabe’d it and put things back together before Friday, but oh well. But it was great for story that Woods got the big upset win and made Lashley see that he needed to stop taking this lightly. I am pretty sure the math holds and Lashley wins, but I almost feel like something happens, Kofi wins, and Lashley destroys MVP for it.

The exchange with Mahal and McIntyre was good but it also seemed a bit of a shame. McIntyre having a decoy sword seemed like a cop-out just so McIntyre could get the sword back without having to fight Mahal and put stuff on the line. But McIntyre busting up that sweet motorcycle was pretty standard behavior for Faces getting revenge. Pretty sure this means Mahal, Shanky and Veer attack McIntyre during the Men’s MITB and keep him from winning. McIntyre said this feels like his last chance, so it’d make some sense if Mahal takes this chance from him and then they feud on the way to SummerSlam.

Alexa’s Playground was alright, with Alexa and Piper oddly getting along a nice detail. Eva was a proper pain in the ass, but her wanting to screw Alexa out of the Fatal 4 was a bit backwards given how she wanted nothing to do with her just before. The little disappearing act was a decent way to getting to break there, and it did effectively keep Alexa out of the finish. Nikki getting the win was great for her, but it is hard to pick out a winner for MITB here. I do appreciate Natty wanting to become ultimate champion, and she had a great match with Rhea. But Charlotte’s attack was obvious from a mile away, and it is so obvious that the math is now in Rhea’s favor.

Sheamus attacking Carrillo to screw him over even before the US Championship match seemed very Sheamus. Damian Priest showing up to help Carrillo to the ring and then after the match were clear indicators that he’s next, and Priest can have one hell of a match with Sheamus with them both being bigger, taller and are hard hitting strikers. I do like that, with SmackDown putting their women’s championship on this Friday, the Raw Tag Team Championships get put on MITB. The two singles matches between the Viking Raiders and Styles-Omos were very good. Omos winning his first singles match makes sense, since they’ve obviously been very high on him. I don’t see Styles & Omos losing the belts, we still need to see them take on RKBRO at SummerSlam, it just feels right.

Riddle had good promos with Nikki and Ricochet, and him helping counter Miz during the Falls Count Anywhere was great. The Falls Count Anywhere match itself was awesome, but again it was a case where they could’ve done more with the ThunderDome. They should’ve taken a page out of the Roman Reigns VS Kevin Owens Last Man Standing and gone up around the LED fan screens, and even break a couple. But bringing out a ladder in an MITB teaser was very smart, and that ladder spot to end it was crazy! I have a feeling this keeps Ricochet out of the running, but I feel like it isn’t going to be a Raw superstar on the men’s side anyway. The stories for the SmackDown contenders are just so strong, with Kevin Owens and Seth Rollins having their reasons to go after Roman, and Big E finally getting his own chance to break through to the world title scene.

My Score: 8.2/10