This could be the wildEST Raw in a long time!

Bianca Belair goes after Charlotte Flair’s Raw Women’s Championship, RKBRO takes on The Street Profits, and two tournament semifinals, all on one night!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• King of the Ring Semifinals: Jinder Mahal w/ Veer & Shanky VS Xavier Woods w/ Kofi Kingston; Woods wins and advances to Crown Jewel.
• Austin Theory VS R-Truth; changed to…
• Austin Theory VS Jeff Hardy; Theory wins.
• Drew McIntyre & Big E VS The Dirty Dawgs; McIntyre & Big E win.
• Mansoor VS Cedric Alexander w/ Shelton Benjamin; Mansoor wins.
• RKBRO VS The Street Profits; RKBRO wins, by disqualification.
• Queen’s Crown Semifinals: Shayna Baszler VS “Doudrop” Piper Niven; Piper wins and advances to Crown Jewel.
• Finn Balor VS Mace; Balor wins.
• Raw Women’s Championship: Charlotte Flair VS Bianca Belair; Bianca wins by disqualification, Charlotte retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

Charlotte Flair heads to the ring!

Before putting her title on the line, the Raw Women’s Champion opens the show for her last Raw before moving back to SmackDown! Sacramento is a bit torn about The Queen as she gets the mic. She asks where are the balloons and champagne, and why isn’t the roster out here for farewell hugs? Where are her “Thank You, Charlotte” chants? This is her last night on Raw before she is officially drafted to SmackDown, and she has to defend her title against Bianca Belair? A rookie? “Some flash in the pan?” No, seriously, this is crap! Charlotte really thinks there’s a conspiracy here. Number one, Bianca isn’t officially on Raw yet, and then she has another title opportunity at Crown Jewel! And people say Charlotte is entitled?

All Charlotte wants is a ceremony. She hears fans chanting, “You Suck!” and she tells them to sit down, hush and listen. Charlotte uses the “What?” on the fans, then says she just wanted a fitted farewell for the most decorated woman in sports entertainment history! She finds it convenient that Bianca gets this match just before the switch. Talk about favoritism! Bianca couldn’t win two weeks ago, she needs to get her ass to the back of the line! You can’t beat this opportunity! Not this time, not any time! And tonight, Bianca learns how far she still has to go. Bianca may have beaten Bayley and Sasha, but Charlotte is the mountain she can’t climb!

And save the EST stuff for someone who isn’t the GOAT! But speaking of Bianca, here she comes! Fans cheer for the EST as she tells Charlotte, “A conspiracy?” No, this isn’t that. This is just desserts. The way Bianca sees it, she’s done nothing but prove she belongs. She deserves this rematch! And Charlotte wants to bring up two weeks ago? Bianca had Charlotte beat until she got saved by Big Time Becks. But Bianca can’t even believe Charlotte talking like this! She’s throwing a tantrum all for defending her title and leaving Raw. “Baby, it’s okay.” Bianca says she is the EST, and no matter what brand she’s one, she knows she’s the one to watch because she always shines.

Lucky for Charlotte, after tonight, Bianca won’t be Charlotte’s probably because Charlotte no longer goes here. Charlotte’s literally begging for a farewell, so take your time to say good-bye to the title. Bianca has some advice: After Charlotte takes the L, she can dust herself off and hold her head up high. This life brings trials and tribulations, but Charlotte can use that to make her stronger, rougher, tougher and maybe even kinder. Try that one. Bianca’s gonna take the title to Crown Jewel and return to Raw with a belt on each arm! “Now how’s that for a rookie, Charlotte?” Charlotte sucker punches Bianca! The heels come off, but Bianca dodges the boot to torture rack!

Charlotte scrambles away and to the apron but Bianca handspring heel kicks her down! Charlotte is flustered and frustrated, is this just the beginning of a bad night good-bye?

Backstage interview with the New Day.

Kevin Patrick asks Woods about this big opportunity. This is of the utmost importance, Sir Kevin. Woods will be one step behind some of the greatest King of the Ring winners ever! From King Mable to King Ken Shamrock to King BOOKAH! When Woods wins, he’ll be one step closer to fulfilling his destiny. Kofi says we all know how important this is, so that’s why Kofi will watch his back. No repeats of last week where Veer & Shanky get in the way. Martin Luther King had a dream but Woods’ dream is to be a king! All about that crown~!

Woods makes a royal decree here in the “castle” of the Sacramento Kings! And that is that this Thursday, Woods will sit on the crown as King Xavier, first of his name. “HAIL! KING WOODS!” But will the Modern Day Maharaja leave Woods on the outside looking in? We find out, after the break!

King of the Ring Semifinals: Jinder Mahal w/ Veer & Shanky VS Xavier Woods w/ Kofi Kingston!

Raw returns and Jinder makes his entrance, with his minions by his side. The bell rings and Mahal circles with Woods. They tie up, Woods waistlocks but Mahal throws Woods off. Mahal gloats but Woods keeps cool as he circles with Mahal again. They tie up, Mahal powers Woods back but Woods turns things around to have Mahal in the corner. The two get scrappy and the ref has them back off. The two go again, Mahal kicks low and shoves Woods to ropes. Woods boots back, Mahal elbows but Woods drop toeholds Mahal onto ropes! Woods runs to dropkick Mahal in the back! Woods CHOPS and throws hands in the corner, then climbs up. Mahal slips out and gets away.

Woods pursues, throwing haymakers and CHOPS! Woods climbs up another corner now and rains down rights on Mahal. Mahal stops that at 4, runs and runs Woods over with a shoulder! Mahal hits a headlock takeover as his henchmen applaud. Woods endures, fights up, throws body shots and then forearms. Woods runs but Mahal reels him in. Woods breaks free to then ENZIGURI! Woods runs but Mahal scoops, Woods tilt-o-whirls out to a RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Fans fire up as Woods runs, slides and basement dropkicks! Cover, TWO! Woods keeps cool as he headlocks, but Mahal powers up to a BIG back suplex!

Mahal stomps Woods, drags him up and CLUBS him down. Mahal JAMS his knee into Woods’ back, then brings him up for a headlock. Woods throws body shots as fans rally but Mahal knees low. Mahal scoops, Woods slips off and rolls him up, TWO! Mahal kicks low again, whips Woods to a corner, but Woods goes up and over to sunset flip! TWO! Mahal runs in but is sent into buckles! Woods runs in but is TOSSED out, and he SMACKS off the steps! Shanky & Veer cheer while Mahal soaks up the heat, and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Mahal clamps onto Woods’s arm, but Woods fights up to a JAWBREAKER! Woods goes to the apron, Mahal drags him up by his hair, and the ref reprimands. Mahal ROCKS Woods with a right, then another! Woods holds onto the rope and he hits back! Woods shoulders in, steps in, but Mahal fireman’s carries to a GUT BUSTER DROP! Cover, TWO! Woods is still in this and Kofi coaches him up. Mahal fires up as he watches Woods rise. Mahal wraps Woods up in the clutch but Woods resists the lift! Woods clubs the arm, throws hands on Mahal, but Mahal scoops for a SIDEWALK SLAM!

Mahal paces and soaks up the heat as he runs, but Woods avoids the knee drop! SUPERKICK! Woods WRECKS Shanky with a dropkick, then goes up the corner! Woods leaps, but into a KALLAS!! Deja vu from last week! Cover, ROPEBREAK!! Woods saves himself and Mahal is furious! Mahal drags Woods up, brings him up and puts him on the top rope. Mahal climbs up behind Woods, Woods fights with elbows and even headbutts! Mahal falls, Woods adjusts, tightrope walk and LIMIT BREAKER ELBOW!! Cover, Woods wins!!

Winner: Xavier Woods, by pinfall (advances to Crown Jewel)

Woods punches his ticket to the finals! He and Kofi go to the throne, and Kofi puts the cape on Woods. Kofi hands the scepter to Woods and Woods says these will be his! Woods holds the scepter to the sky, will Woods truly become King of the Ring when he’s facing The Prince?

Backstage interview with Austin Theory.

What did it mean to him to defeat a former WWE World Champion and one that he looked up to? Yes, he did look up to Jeff Hardy, but then he was looking down at him after he won. Wait, wait, the 24/7 Championship chase comes through! Theory has to duck as Reggie jumps off a road case! Is this serious? Drake Maverick and team go down a hall, but Reggie comes back around, only for R-Truth to get him! Truth outsmarted Reggie, but Theory breaks up his chance to pin the champ! Theory has had enough of this! “Do you know who I am?!” Truth has a theory that Theory is a theorisist. A what?

Truth wants Theory to hold on. This anger and frustration, he wants to take it out in the ring, huh? Oh yeah! In that case, Truth accepts the challenge. On one condition: Theory gets permission from mommy to stay up late! GOTTEE~! Well management made this match, and it’s happening next!

Austin Theory VS R-Truth!

Raw returns and Truth makes his entrance, but he wants the music to cut. “Hey, I made a mistake. That was on me, my bad. I didn’t accept your challenge for R-Truth. I accepted your challenge for R-Truth’s friend.” It’s Jeff Hardy! The Charismatic Enigma is getting a surprise rematch! Will this bait and switch throw Theory off completely? Or will Theory just go 2-0 against the future hall of famer?

Austin Theory VS Jeff Hardy!

The bell rings and the two tie up. Theory powers Hardy to a corner, lets off fast and mocks Hardy’s moves. The fans rally for Hardy as Theory headlocks, but Hardy powers out. Theory runs Hardy over and then mocks the moves again. But Hardy drags Theory into a cradle! TWO, and Theory blocks a kick! Hardy throws hands, Theory avoids the jawbreaker but Hardy rolls Theory up! TWO, and Theory says Hardy was pulling tights! Hardy apologizes, then dropkicks Theory out of the ring! Hardy is on the apron, but Theory blocks his kick to trip Hardy up! Hardy lands hard on the apron, but Theory then drags him out for a DRAPING NECKBREAKER! Hardy is down while Raw goes to break!

Raw returns and Hardy fights the chinlock, only for Theory to snapmare and stomp Hardy down! Theory talks trash to Hardy then jumps, but Hardy avoids the elbow drop! Hardy gets up, gives Theory an atomic drop, then trips him up for the leg splitting leg drop! Basement dropkick then a SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Hardy drags Theory up but Theory kicks back, whips, but Hardy reverses to send Theory out. Hardy builds speed to WRECK Theory with a dropkick! Hardy goes out, runs around the way and leaps off the steps, POETRY IN MOTION! Theory hits barriers and fans fire up with Hardy! The ring count is past 5 but Hardy puts Theory in.

Hardy HOTSHOTS Theory into a drop zone, and fans fire up as Hardy climbs! but Theory trips Hardy up by hitting the ropes! Theory fireman’s carries and spins, A T L! Cover, Theory wins!

Winner: Austin Theory, by pinfall

And that is two-and-oh! Theory even gets another victory selfie to add to his gallery! But Hardy gets up to give Theory a TWIST OF FATE! And he grabs the phone to take a payback selfie! Will Theory still take the momentum from the win and turn it into something big for the Fall?

Drew McIntyre talks with Big E at gorilla position.

About last week… The footage showed that nothing was intentional last week, but McIntyre saw red and of course dropped Big E with a Claymore. To be honest, Big E threw fuel on the fire by tagging in without permission. So maybe tonight they coexist. We know Thursday, they will do what they do. At Crown Jewel, may the best man win. Don’t worry, McIntyre will. But let Big E do what he does: AWWWWWW Sacramento~! Clap for your WWE World CHAMPIOOON~! And FEEL~ the POWER~! Big E heads out first, will he and McIntyre make it work in a rematch with “Big Bob” and DZ?

Sonya Deville talks with Adam Pearce backstage.

They are in agreement that things have to be bigger and better than ever, but then Charlotte Flair walks in. Are they talking about a way to screw her over? No, they were talking about the Raw season premiere next week, not that it is any of her business. And what is she talking about? Well Charlotte wasn’t asked but told to defend her title. And then they let Bianca walk out and disrespect her during her farewell speech! Plus, no champagne, balloons or hugs! She has to defend the title she made relevant! She smells conspiracy! Sonya has Charlotte relax, because this is just all logical sense to have that main event.

Charlotte won’t be replaced by Bianca because she will still be Raw Women’s Champion AND the new face of SmackDown! Forget SmackDown, is Charlotte one moment away from a meltdown?

Drew McIntyre & Big E VS The Dirty Dawgs!

Raw returns as McIntyre makes his entrance, Angela the sword in hand. Then Robert Roode & Dolph Ziggler make theirs. The teams sort out and the world champion starts against The Show-Off. They tie up, go around, and Big E SLAMS Ziggler down. Big E swivels them hips but Ziggler gets up. Ziggler throws hands, swivels his hips, but runs into Big E’s shoulder! Cover, TWO! Big E tags in McIntyre, they mug Ziggler, and then McIntyre TOSSES Ziggler to a corner. McIntyre CHOPS Ziggler and he falls down! McIntyre drags Ziggler up to CHOP him again, dedicating that one to “Big Bob.” Ziggler kicks McIntyre in the leg, rakes his eye, then tags in Roode.

The Dawgs mug McIntyre, Roode bumps him off buckles, then climbs up to rain down fists. Roode shouts, “I’m BIG BOB!” then he hops down to CHOP! Roode whips corner to corner but McIntyre comes back to run him over! “I’m BIG D!” McIntyre dead lifts Roode to a suplex! Cover, TWO! McIntyre wrenches Roode’s arm, tags Big E in, and they mug Roode. Roode kicks back, rakes Big E’s eyes, then headlocks. Big E powers up and out, things speed up, Big E hurdles and CLOBBERS Roode! Big E BLASTS Ziggler off the apron, then drags Roode over to the apron to CLUB away on his chest! Fans fire up as Big E gets back up, for the APRON SPLASH only for Ziggler to save Roode!

Ziggler then aims and runs at Big E, but Big E turns Famouser into a TOSS into the timekeeper’s area! But Roode whips Big E into the steel steps! Fans boo and McIntyre coaches Big E up as Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Roode bumps Big E off buckles. Tag to Ziggler and he stomps a mudhole in. The ref counts, Ziggler lets off to argue with him, and Roode chokes Big E! McIntyre protests but Ziggler dropkicks Big E down! Cover, TWO! Ziggler grows annoyed but he taunts Big E then wraps on a chinlock. Ziggler leans on the hold but Big E endures. Ziggler claws at Big E’s eyes, but Big E fights up to his feet! Big E reaches, walks towards his corner, but Ziggler rakes eyes again! Roode distracts the ref from seeing that, Ziggler hits a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Ziggler scrapes Big E’s face off ropes! The ref counts, Ziggler lets off and tags in Roode.

Roode whips Ziggler in for a SPLASH! Then Ziggler feeds Big E to Roode’s kick and NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Roode does push-up just to show off, then he drags Big E up to tag Ziggler. The Dawgs mug Big E, Ziggler rakes Big E’s eyes again, then climbs up in a corner. Ziggler rains down fists, stops at 7 because he says what happens here, and then he runs corner to corner, to SPLASH! Ziggler waits for Big E to stagger forward, but Big E TOSSES the satellite DDT away! Fans fire up as both men are down, hot tags to Roode and McIntyre! The Scottish Warrior rallies, whips and OVERHEAD Belly2Belly suplexes! Then he clinches Roode for another OVERHEAD Belly2Belly!

Ziggler runs in but he gets an OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! McIntyre dodges Roode to hit a NECKBREAKER! McIntyre kips up, fans fire up, and he corner clotheslines Ziggler for the INVERTED ALABAMA SLAM onto Roode! Fans fire up with McIntyre as he fireman’s carries Roode. Roode scrambles, fights free, and Ziggler goes after Big E! McIntyre and Big E avoid a collision but Ziggler trips Big E and Roode hits a SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Ziggler tags in, GLORIOUS FAMOUSER!! Cover, TWO!! McIntyre survives but Ziggler coordinates with Roode. Tag to Roode, Ziggler whips Roode and Roode whips Ziggler, but McIntyre dodges the splash! GLASGOW KISS FOR ROODE!

Big E is back on the apron, McIntyre gives him the tag! Big E scoops Roode, for the BIG ENDING! Cover, Big E and McIntyre win!

Winners: Big E & Drew McIntyre, by pinfall

The WWE World Champion has belt and hand raised, but then McIntyre turns him around. The two stare down, but McIntyre offers a handshake. Big E takes it, and both men are fired up for Crown Jewel. But then Big E doesn’t let McIntyre leave first. They get even more fired up! McIntyre says Big E will never be him, but Big E says he doesn’t want to be. We will see who is the better man at Crown Jewel!

The Street Profits are fired up backstage.

Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins are back on Raw, and they’re gonna take it by storm again! It’s like deja vu, because they’re gonna put the division on notice! Ford is excited for Crown Jewel. Are you ready~, ready~, ready~? Live on the WWE Network and Peacock this Thursday. But the biggest match they’re watching is the Raw Tag Team Championships, the fan favorite odd couple, RKBRO VS the Phenomenal AJ Styles & the one who actually puts in the work, Omos! Yeah, Styles is like that kid in the group project who doesn’t do anything but still gets the A. Wait, Ford and Dawkins were “that guy.”

But they aren’t just asking, they’re demanding for the smoke! Wait, it is smoky in here. Styles and Omos walk in and Styles says they were bringing dignity back to the Raw Tag Division, then these two dorks had to show up. Omos says Raw is HIS house. Uh, their house. Styles’ name is there, too. But you’re looking at the next Raw Tag Team Champions. They’ll beat RKBRO at Crown Jewel, making those two a fleeting memory. They gone…! But hey, if the Profits aren’t too beat up from the Street Fight on SmackDown, not that anyone cares about SmackDown here on Monday Night Raw, and maybe if they put a hurting on RKBRO, they can be at the top of the list when facing the new champions, aka Omos & Styles.

Wow, top of the list? HAHAHAHAHAHA! No. They’ll be back to put the entire roster on notice. Because the Profits are up, and #WEWANTTHESMOKE! Bye. Styles points out how it’s weird that they are the Profits, not Prophets. Well, they have no idea what’s coming anyway.

Mansoor VS Cedric Alexander w/ Shelton Benjamin!

Before going 1v1 with The Beacon at Crown Jewel to settle things from last week, the Star of Saudi Arabia shines on his own! Can he overcome PRIMED Alexander to be ready for Mustafa Ali?

Raw returns and The Hurt Business make their entrance. The bell rings, Mansoor and Alexander circle, and Alexander kicks low. Alexander headlocks, Mansoor tries to power out but Alexander holds tight. Mansoor rolls Alexander away, gets around to waistlock but Alexander bucks the O’Conner Roll. Mansoor wheelbarrows and victory rolls to a STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Mansoor CLUBS Alexander, wrenches and whips but Alexander holds ropes. Mansoor CHOPS, whips, but Alexander slides under to pump handle and EXPLODER! Alexander then gets Mansoor up, whips and scoops for a BACKBREAKER!

Mansoor crawls to a corner, Alexander storms over and climbs up to bark in Mansoor’s face while grinding forearms in. Alexander throws body shots, CLUBS Mansoor down, but Mansoor hits back. Alexander DECKS Mansoor and then rains down fists! Cover, TWO! Alexander stays on Mansoor with a rear bearhug and he leans his weight on Mansoor. Alexander drives in elbows, talks some trash, pulls hair and then has a chinlock to stretch Mansoor back. Mansoor endures, fights up as fans rally, and he pries the hold apart, only for Alexander to knee him in the back! Alexander throws body shots but Mansoor throws back elbows.

Alexander reels Mansoor in but Mansoor lands out of the back suplex to boot and ENZIGURI! Mansoor gets up, Alexander throws heavy body shots. Alexander whips, scoops but Mansoor tilt-o-whirls through for a REVERSE DDT! Mansoor fires up, Alexander gets to ropes and Mansoor runs, but Alexander puts him on the apron. Mansoor slingshots in for the NECKBREAKER! Cover, Mansoor wins!

Winner: Mansoor, by pinfall

But here comes Mustafa Ali! “You’ve got to be kidding me. After everything I’ve done to you, you are still coming out here and smiling like some damn fanboy! Honestly, it’s pathetic.” But in Mansoor’s hometown, Ali will finally wipe that stupid smile off Mansoor’s face. And not just Mansoor! No, Ali will wipe the smile off everyone’s face that supports Mansoor. Mansoor tells Ali, “For once in your life, shut the hell up!” Mansoor wants Ali to listen to him now! “I said look at me, you piece of trash!” Mansoor doesn’t have a smile on his face right now. But at Crown Jewel, Mansoor will be grinning ear to ear when he beats Ali senseless!

This Thursday, Mansoor proves to the world that Ali is nothing more than just a pathetic, cowardly excuse for a man! Mansoor then makes it even more clear in Arabic! Ali is stunned to see this fire in Mansoor! Will the Beacon burn in the light of the Star of Saudi Arabia?

Raw holds a dual interview via video with Goldberg and Bobby Lashley.

Separated for obvious reasons, Corey Graves thanks both men for being here tonight. Starting with Goldberg, we heard Lashley’s response to Goldberg’s threats. Goldberg says those weren’t threats. Threats are what someone might do. Goldberg will do what he said he’d do: beat Lashley within an inch of his life, then finish the job. Lashley hops Goldberg realizes that not only is what he saying nonsense, but criminal. Threatening the life of a man on live TV? Lashley could call the authorities and have Goldberg arrested. But that is not how Lashley does business. Goldberg can run his mouth because nothing he says will become reality. Lashley is untouchable!

Lashley promises Crown Jewel goes the same was as SummerSlam, but Goldberg won’t have any family members to fight for him. And speaking of family, how does Goldberg’s son feel about the example his father is setting? Goldberg wants Lashley to choose his words wisely. The more Lashley talks about Goldberg’s family, the more Goldberg will make Lashley suffer. In 72 hours, Lashley’s ass is Goldberg’s, and there’s not a damn thing he can do about it. Well Goldberg must not have been watching last week. You can’t kill the All Mighty! You can only hope to survive!

Lashley wants Goldberg to remember how he dropped to his knees, thanking the heavens for this match. Remember that Thursday when he’ll be begging for forgiveness. Is Lashley finished? And Lashley doesn’t believe his own crap, does he? Lashley says he’ll finish with this: before, Goldberg faced Lashley with restrictions; but No Holds Barred means there’s nothing to stop Lashley from ending Goldberg’s career! Lashley is done here. Goldberg corrects Lashley, and says they’ll be done at Crown Jewel. “Safe travels. Kill ya Thursday, Bobby!” Will either man survive when they can do just about anything to each other?

RKBRO talks backstage.

Matt Riddle is anticipating another great plan this week. He still can’t get over how Randy Orton suckered Omos & Styles during that match last week. Orton could win an Oscar, or even a Kids Choice Award! That was wild because Riddle wasn’t sure if Orton was coming out, but he knew deep down that Orton had a plan all along. For the love of God, Riddle, there was never a plan! Wow, totally believable, and totally Randy. Riddle says at Crown Jewel, they can table top Omos! Always works, dude. And what about The Profits? They say they want the smoke, so Riddle got a ton of ideas.

Orton says if Riddle wants to know the plan, with all his heart, then the plan is to go out and win! then at Crown Jewel, they will go to the ring and what? W-Win? YES. Now one question: Does Riddle want the smoke? Yeah! Then let’s go get it. Nice! The tag champions head out, but will they fire up on the way to Crown Jewel?

RKBRO VS The Street Profits!

Raw returns and the Profits make their entrance. The teams sort out and Riddle starts with Ford. Riddle says he wants the smoke, then he ties up with Ford. Riddle waistlocks, SLAMS Ford, and Ford calls to Dawkins! Riddle gets the ARMBAR, but Ford makes it a cover, TWO! Ford scrambles to ropes and Riddle resets. Fans chant for “R K BRO! R K BRO!” as Riddle and Ford circle. They tie up, Ford waistlocks to a headlock, and he grinds Riddle down. Riddle fights up, but Ford holds tight to the headlock. Riddle powers out, Ford goes up and over and handsprings to show off the agility. Ford mocks the Orton pose, then things speed up as Ford hurdles, hurdles and dropkicks!

Fans fire up as Ford brings Riddle over and tags Dawkins in. The Profits whip then dropkick Riddle down! Then the back suplex SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Dawkins swipes at Orton but he gets away. Tag to Ford, the Profits double suplex but Riddle slips out! Riddle dodges Dawkins, Orton trips Dawkins up and bumps him off the apron! Riddle dumps Ford out, then Riddle goes up and to the apron, PENALTY KICK for Dawkins! SPRINGBOARD FLOATING BRO takes Dawkins down! Ford FLIES in outta nowhere to take out RKBRO! Fans are fired up as all four men are down and Raw goes to break!

Raw returns again and Orton has Ford with a chinlock. Dawkins coaches Ford and he fights up, throws elbows, but Orton knees low. Orton whips Ford to ropes but Ford jumps over for the sunset flip! TWO, and Orton CLOBBERS Ford with a clothesline! Orton tags Riddle in, Riddle gut wrenches Ford and spins around and around and around! Riddle stops at about a dozen rotations then suplexes Ford away! Ford sits up and tries to not see double, but Riddle covers, TWO! Riddle drags Ford up into a chinlock and grinds him down. Ford endures, fights up and throws elbows and body shots. Riddle ROCKS Ford with a forearm, reels him in, and gets him up, but Ford slips out to ENZIGURI!

Both men are down, fans fire up as they crawl, Riddle anchors Ford’s foot, but Ford still fights up to hot tag Dawkins! Dawkins rallies on RKBRO, whips but Riddle reverses, only for Dawkins to hurdle and flying back elbow! Dawkins runs at Riddle to CYCLONE SPLASH! Then he scoops, but Riddle fights the exploder off! Riddle kicks, into a T-BONE BELLY2BELLY! Dawkins gets Riddle up, THE SILENCER! Cover, TWO!! Riddle survives the twisting butterfly but Dawkins drags him back up. Scoop, but Riddle slips out to ripcord FINAL FLASH! Dawkins staggers, Ford tags in. Hot tag to Orton, and The Viper rallies on Ford! Orton dodges Ford to POWERSLAM!

Ford flounders and writhes to the apron but Orton has him through ropes! Orton blows a big kiss to the fans before the DRAPING DDT! Fans fire up with Orton as he hears voices in his head! Ford slowly rises, but Styles & Omos make their entrance. Wait, just Omos? Styles sets up, springboard for the PHENOMENAL FOREARM!

Winners: RKBRO, by disqualification

Omos CLOBBERS Dawkins, then choke grips Riddle for an APRON CHOKE SLAM! Styles has Omos get in the ring with him, and Styles feeds Ford to Omos’ fireman’s carry! Gorilla press for a MOUNTAIN TOP DROP! Styles talks trash right to Orton’s face, “Did you see it coming?!” Omos then waits for Orton to stand back up, and he gives him a COLOSSAL ROUNDHOUSE! The Phenomenal One and the Mountain of a Man are standing tall, but will they be win big at Crown Jewel?

Queen’s Crown Semifinals: Shayna Baszler VS “Doudrop” Piper Niven!

The Queen of Spades got to bully Naomi on SmackDown, now she looks to make someone else #TapNapOrSnap. But will she get #DouDROPPED this close to the throne?

Raw returns and Piper makes her entrance. The bell rings and wait, here comes Zelina Vega! La Muneca is here in person to see who meets her in the finals. She even puts the crown on as if it’s hers! Shayna and Piper focus on each other as they circle and tie up. They’re in a deadlock but then Piper powers Shayna to a corner! Piper lets off and Shayna comes back. Shayna gets around, KICKS a leg, but Piper stays up. Shayna KICKS the leg more, then keeps away from Piper’s grip. They tie up, Piper TOSSES Shayna, and then storms up to her to grapple again. Shayna KICKS away on the leg and she has Piper down! Vega pretends to be concerned as Shayna runs, but into a SAIDO!

Piper hobbles up, Shayna is in a corner, and Piper runs corner to corner to CANNONBALL! Piper snarls, drags Shayna up and reels her in, to scoop and- NO! Shayna slips out to a KIRAFUDA KLUTCH! Piper endures, Shayna squeezes tight, but Piper RAMS Shayna into buckles! Shayna holds on but Piper throws her down! Piper runs and BASEMENT FLOPS! KIRAFUDA KLUTCH! Piper is caught, she’s fading, tries to fight up, but Shayna just holds on tighter! Piper gets up again, pries at the legs and makes this a cover! PIPER WINS!

Winner: Piper Niven, by pinfall (advances to Crown Jewel)

Piper snatches victory from the jaws of defeat! Vega is pleased, mostly because she doesn’t have to worry about the dangerous Baszler. She and Piper stare down on stage, but who will be the one returning to the US with the crown and cape?

Rhea Ripley & Nikki A.S.H. talk with Bianca Belair backstage.

The WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions want to wish the EST good luck against Charlotte Flair, and they officially welcome her to Raw with a baseball cap. Let them know if she needs any BOOM, ZAP and KAPOW! Rhea says that’s Nikki way of saying, “Welcome to Raw.” Bianca says there is nothing or no one that will get in her way of giving Charlotte a proper farewell. They like the sound of that. Bianca says she’s got this, though the hat and the ponytail don’t really work together. But will Bianca be wearing the Raw belt soon enough?

Finn Balor VS Mace!

The Prince is here to show Raw what’s in store! Will he use the menacing Mace as a tune-up for Woods and the King of the Ring finals?

Raw returns and Woods has returned to sit on the throne and show Balor what’s coming. Mace makes his entrance and the bell rings. They tie up, Balor wrenches but Mace shoves him away to knee hard and low! Mace runs, slides and comes back to CLOBBER Balor with an elbow! Cover, TWO! Mace clamps on with a neck wrench and he grinds Balor down. Balor fights up but Mace knees low! Mace puts Balor into a corner, Balor BOOTS him back! Balor throws forearms, goes for legs but Mace CLUBS him down! Mace drags Balor up to throw hands in the corner! Mace then runs, slides and comes back to back elbow hard!

Mace brings Balor up, whips him corner to corner and runs in, but Balor dodges and runs, only to run into a SCRAPBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Mace snarls but he drags Balor up and clamps on a claw into the shoulder. Fans rally up for Balor as he fights up and KICKS a leg. Balor tries for a takedown but Mace gut wrenches him up. Balor slips out, trips Mace up and DOUBLE STOMPS him down! Mace gets up and fireman’s carries but Balor slips out to an ELBOW DROP DDT! Fans fire up as Balor aims and runs, SLINGBLADE! Balor aims again, SHOTGUN DROPKICK! Mace hits buckles, flops into the drop zone and Balor goes up top! COUP DE GRACE! Cover, Balor wins!

Winner: Finn Balor, by pinfall

Woods cheers Balor, and Balor stares him down as he walks up the ramp. Woods says that crown is his, then points the scepter at Balor. Balor grabs it to yank Woods off the throne! Kofi comes out to back Woods up and keep the peace. Will the Prince become a king? Or will even Finn have to say, “All Hail King Woods?”

John Morrison is meditating again.

The Viking Raiders ask him, “In the name of Ragnar,” what he’s doing? Morrison says he is on a spiritual journey to find his chi, the mystical force at the center of all life. He is so close! What happens after that? If he captures this chi, will it help him to raid? Maybe. But the ultimate purpose of his journey is to share his inner most thoughts with the universe. What good is it if it’s not to raid? Erik & Ivar leave so Morrison can go back to meditating.

Raw Women’s Championship: Charlotte Flair VS Bianca Belair!

The Queen claims conspiracy and bias, but The EST says this is just what they both deserve. Will Bianca be going into Crown Jewel on the precipice of becoming a double champion? Or will Charlotte complicate the title scene by keeping this title as she goes to SmackDown?

Raw returns and Charlotte makes her entrance. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and the landscape of the WWE Women’s Division will be shaped right here and now!

Bianca dares Charlotte to bring it and fans rally up. Bianca and Charlotte slowly approach, tie up, and Bianca powers Charlotte back. Charlotte gets around to a waistlock and SLAM, but Bianca gets up to switch and SLAM Charlotte! Charlotte stands, elbows out, then runs, but Bianca runs and dropkicks cancel out! They both kip up and fans fire up! Charlotte oddly offers a handshake, but Bianca doesn’t trust it. Charlotte kicks low and whips Bianca to a corner, but Bianca goes up and over and handsprings to the other corner. Bianca says kiss this, then she jumps over Charlotte to RAM her in the corner! Bianca digs her shoulder in, backs off, but Charlotte knees her away!

Charlotte storms up, puts Bianca in a corner and stomps a mudhole into her! The ref counts, Charlotte lets off to whip corner to corner but Bianca reverses. Charlotte goes up and out but Bianca dropkicks her down! Bianca wants Charlotte to get back in, then she handsprings at her. But Charlotte trips Bianca up, drags her out and TOSSES her over the announce desk! Charlotte soaks up the cheers and jeers from Sacramento as Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Charlotte goes to bump Bianca off buckles, but she blocks to bump Charlotte instead! Bianca scoops and SLAMS, then runs to handspring, only for Charlotte to sweep the arms! Charlotte CHOPS Bianca, then CHOPS her again! Charlotte brings Bianca around to back suplex! And kip up! Fans duel between “WOO and “E S T!” as Charlotte handsprings! But Bianca gets her knees up! Charlotte pays for trying to copy Bianca, and Bianca fires up to dropkick Charlotte down! Bianca handsprings to MOONSAULT! Bianca stomps and kicks Charlotte around, then spins Charlotte for a stalling suplex! Bianca holds Charlotte up for 10 before she drops her down! Cover, TWO!

Bianca keeps her cool as she stomps Charlotte. Bianca runs to SPLASH onto knees! Charlotte rolls Bianca up, TWO and Charlotte shows her own power as she deadlifts to a POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO! Charlotte grows frustrated as Bianca survives, and she drags Bianca to a drop zone. Charlotte steps on Bianca as she goes to the corner and climbs up. MOONSAULT! Bianca moves, but Charlotte STANDING MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO!! Charlotte is beside herself as Bianca survives that double take, but fans know “This is Awesome!” Charlotte, grabs at Bianca but Bianca drags her to a ghost pin, TWO! Bianca gets around, scoops but Charlotte slips out to shove!

Bianca dodges to SPINEBUSTER! Charlotte scrambles to get out before the cover! Charlotte is frustrated but Bianca fetches her and bumps her off the apron. Bianca puts Charlotte in the ring but Charlotte slips out the side. Bianca watches as Charlotte paces around the way. Bianca goes out after her again and kicks ow. They scrap right by the barriers and the announce desk! Bianca TOSSES Charlotte over the desk in return for earlier! Bianca refreshes the count and tells Charlotte to kiss this again as Raw goes to break.

Raw returns once again as Charlotte whips and CHOPS Bianca off her feet! Bianca gets up with a scowl on her face and throws hands but Charlotte clubs and hammers away on her! Charlotte lets off, whips but Bianca holds ropes to kick back. Bianca then chicken wings the arms and gets Charlotte up, but Charlotte victory rolls! Bianca sits on it, TWO! Bianca dodges the boot once but the BOOT comes back! Cover, TWO! Charlotte is a little frustrated, but she sees Bianca on the apron. Charlotte drags Bianca up, Bianca fights the suplex nd tries to suplex back. Charlotte fights that, stomps Bianca’s feet and wrenches, but Bianca ROCKS her with a forearm!

Bianca climbs up the corner, Charlotte DECKS her to the floor! Charlotte goes to the apron, climbs the corner herself, and fans fire up as she SUPER MOONSAULTS! Direct hit at the ramp and Charlotte fires up! Fans fire up, too, and she puts Bianca into the ring. Charlotte stalks Bianca, runs in and NATURAL- NO! Bianca slips out to backslide! TWO!! Bianca dodges again, and swings her hair! Charlotte dodges that but Bianca dodges the boot, to chicken wing and GlamEST Slam! Cover, TWO!! Charlotte survives and Bianca is beside herself! Charlotte goes to a corner, Bianca is after her and torture racks! But Charlotte holds the ropes for dear life!

Bianca puts Charlotte on the apron but Charlotte HOTSHOTS back! Slingshot and roll up but Bianca slips through! Bianca scoops, Charlotte sips off, Bianca bucks the O’Conner Roll! They both run, Charlotte SPEARS!! Cover, TWO!!! Bianca survives and no one can believe it! Charlotte scowls and drags Bianca around by her ponytail! The ref reprimands, Charlotte stops but she has Bianca in a drop zone. Charlotte goes back up the corner, saying she is the champion! She reaches the top, to MOONSAULT! Bianca dodges again and waistlocks to GERMAN SUPLEX! Cover, TWO!! Charlotte survives and Bianca is shocked all over again! And Charlotte is laughing!

Bianca gets up, drags Charlotte over to a drop zone and stomps her. Bianca climbs now, but Charlotte trips her up! Charlotte climbs up but Bianca fights back! They struggle up top as Charlotte wants a superplex, but Bianca fires off! Charlotte drops down, comes back and climbs up, but Bianca catches her for a SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMB!! High stack, TWO!?! Charlotte survives again and Sacramento is thunderous! Bianca sees Charlotte bail out of the ring, and she hurries to get her! Charlotte JAMS Bianca with a chair!!

Winner: Bianca Belair, by disqualification (Charlotte Flair retains the title)

But Bianca DROPKICKS Charlotte, then SMACKS her with the chair in return! The EST stands tall but she doesn’t get the gold! Will she be able to make up for that at Crown Jewel?

My Thoughts:

What a mishmash of a go-home. As we just saw to end it, we got an awesome match with a BS ending. That felt more like they realized they were running low on time and just had to wrap things up rather than the actual plan. And sadly, this probably means that we’re getting champions simply trading belts like they had New Day and the Street Profits do last year. And in that scenario, I feel like that means Becky Lynch retains so that she can be champion from her first day back on Raw. But even with the dirty ass-pull finish, this match was great stuff and I wish they had let the Queen’s Crown matches have even half the quality.

Piper VS Shayna deserved to be more than two paragraphs long! Balor VS Mace didn’t need to happen if all it was going to be was a vehicle for Balor to confront Woods on the stage. Take Balor’s two paragraphs of match, give it to Piper VS Shayna, and finally the WWE would give us a great Queen’s Crown match. Piper winning was a great surprise, but it would’ve been a much more definitive end to her short feud with Shayna if it was more than just her turning the submission into a pin. Piper VS Vega will be good, I’m sure, and will easily be the best match of the tournament, but it will not redeem the crap Vince shoveled out for this historic first time.

As I said, Balor could’ve easily just shown up after Woods VS Mahal, which was still a great match in itself. Balor VS Woods could go either way, honestly, and both results could be big for whichever show has the King of the Ring. The stuff with Theory, Truth and Hardy was alright, but I just wish there was continuity where Theory calls Candice LeRae to get permission per Truth’s joke. This is fine as Hardy’s good-bye to Raw as he will go to SmackDown through the Draft, and maybe Theory moves on to some other long standing names. The US Championship is pretty open, too, so can guys like Theory and Keith Lee get in on the hunt?

Mansoor VS Alexander was a good match, of course Mansoor wins, but he had a great promo on Ali! Mansoor is pretty much given to win at Crown Jewel because that’s the number one tradition of these shows, but he and Ali could have a really strong match to establish both of them in the singles division and maybe even in the US Championship scene. We got really good stuff out of McIntyre, Big E and The Dirty Dawgs, but it was a bit redundant after seeing this match-up before. McIntyre had a good sense of humor about it on social media, though, joking that he loves “first-time matches.” Big E VS McIntyre is going to be great but of course Big E wins to keep the world title on Raw.

Goldberg and Lashley had… Well they had a double interview promo but none of it was that different from their other promos. I barely care about this match, it should be the opener to get it out of the way. I also don’t understand this change from Johnny Drip Drip to Johnny Meditation. Is this all they have for him now since he can’t feud with Miz? He’s going to SmackDown, he could be getting in on the Intercontinental Championship scene, or even foolishly call out Roman Reigns for a short but entertaining feud. We got a really good match out of RKBRO and the Profits but of course Omos & Styles “ruin” it. The math needs to say RKBRO is winning at Crown Jewel, and that means Omos & Styles stand tall here.

My Score: 8.2/10