WWE RAW aired live from the American Airlines Arena in Dallas. It was the first RAW following WWE Money in the Bank. NXT Champion Karrion Kross made his debut and John Cena kicked off the show. WWE Champion Bobby Lashley also held an Open Challenge for his title tonight.
RAW Results (7/19)
- Riddle & Viking Raiders def. AJ Styles, Omos, John Morrison
- Jaxson Ryker def. Elias in a Symphony of Destruction match
- Tamina & Natalya def. Shayna Baszler & Nia Jax
- Reginald def. Akira Tozawa to become the new 24/7 Champion
- Sheamus def. Humberto Carrillo
- Jeff Hardy def. Karrion Kross
- Rhea Ripley def. Charlotte Flair via DQ
- Nikki A.S.H. def. Charlotte Flair to become the new RAW Women’s Champion
Here are the takeaways from this week’s show:
Cena Wants Reigns At SummerSlam
John Cena kicked off this week’s show after returning last week to interrupt Universal Champion Roman Reigns following his victory over Edge at Money in the Bank. Cena said he missed the WWE Universe and he missed this as the crowd chanted “welcome back!”.
Cena said the biggest superstar in WWE is the WWE Universe and that tonight is electric & Monday Night RAW from Dallas, Texas. John noted that he ruined the championship celebration last night of Roman Reigns and wanted to explain his actions.
He stated that he came back for the crowd and because of Roman Reigns. Cena said he was here for the Universal Championship at SummerSlam and that Roman Reigns is an a**hole. Cena added that Reigns needs to be knocked a peg and the pathetic Reigns experience has gone on long enough.
Cena said that Reigns is an over exposed gimmick that is not as over as he says he is. John said he is going to be on SmackDown and can’t wait to see Reigns there. Riddle came to the ring and exchanged some “bros” with Cena. They fist bumped and Cena exited.
Viking Raiders & Riddle Picked Up A Win
Riddle & Viking Raiders faced John Morrison & RAW Tag Champs AJ Styles & Omos in the first match of the night. RAW went to a break after Omos launched Styles onto Viking Raiders and Riddle outside the ring.
When RAW returned, Styles had Riddle in a Headlock. Riddle escaped but AJ hit a Neckbreaker for a near fall. Morrison tagged in as Viking Raiders tried to fire up the crowd. Morrison got Riddle in another submission hold but he finally escaped to tag in Ivar.
Ivar leveled Morrison with a Clothesline and followed it up with a Bronco Buster. Ivar climbed to the top rope and went for a Moonsault but Morrison got out of the way. Morrison went for Starship Pain but Ivar dodged it. Riddle sprayed Omos with the drip stick but the big man thought it was The Miz.Omos started walking towards Miz and Morrison got in his way. Omos launched Morrison into the ring and Viking Raiders hit Viking Experience for the pinfall victory.
Jaxson Ryker def. Elias
Elias performed a song before another match against Jaxson Ryker. Jaxson quickly interrupted and said people are tired of hearing Elias introduce himself. Ryker said tonight will be the last time we hear “hello, I am Elias”. Ryker and Elias then battled in a Symphony of Destruction match.
Ryker dominated early and beat Elias down with a keyboard. Jaxson bashed Elias’ face off a drum kit a few times and leaped off the apron but Elias caught him with a knee to the face for a two count. Elias charged but Ryker sent him into a gong and the barricade. Jaxson broke a guitar over Elias’ back as RAW went to a break.
When RAW returned, Elias and Ryker were battling on the apron. They returned to the ring and Elias unloaded some chops before shoving Ryker out of the ring. Ryker sent Elias into the ring post and hit him with another guitar. Elias threw the drums but Ryker swatted them away.
Elias bounced Ryker’s face off of a piano but Ryker battled back. Ryker slammed Elias on the piano for a two count. Elias launched Ryker over the steel steps and grabbed the cello. He bashed it over Ryker’s back a couple times for a two count. Elias punched Ryker to the canvas and climbed to the top rope.Ryker met him up there and looked at the table set up below. Jaxson planted Elias with a Superplex through the tables for the pinfall victory.
Charlotte Will Defend The Title Against Rhea Ripley Tonight
Charlotte Flair came down to the ring to celebrate her win over Rhea Ripley at Money in the Bank and capturing the RAW Women’s Championship. Flair boasted about winning last night and all the congratulatory texts she got. Charlotte ran down her accomplishments and how she is the only 11 time women’s champ.
Flair claimed she could beat Ripley any night of the week and Rhea interrupted. A “Rhea!” chant broke out and Ripley suggested a rematch for tonight. Flair declined and claimed it was because of Rhea’s knee injury. Adam Pearce & Sonya Deville interrupted and Sonya congratulated Charlotte.
Deville and Pearce noted that Flair did say any night of the week and announced a rematch for the RAW Women’s Championship later tonight. Charlotte got in a cheap shot on Rhea’s knee to end after distracting her with a flying heel to end the segment.
Reginald Won The 24/7 Title
Women’s Tag Champs Natalya & Tamina faced Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler in a non-title match. Tamina & Natalya took control and Reginald tried to help but it backfired. Tamina hit a Superkick on Shayna for the pinfall victory. After the match, Nia Jax headbutted Reginald and left with Baszler. 24/7 Champion Akira Tozawa was then chased to the ring and Reginald pinned him.
Sheamus def. Humberto Carrillo
US Champion Sheamus faced Humberto Carrillo tonight on RAW. If Humberto won tonight’s match, he would earn a US Title shot. Humberto was fired up after Sheamus attacked him last week and dominated early. Sheamus rolled out of the ring but Carrillo caught him with a Crossbody.
Back in the ring, Sheamus booted Humberto in the face and clubbed him across the chest. Humberto hit another Crossbody for a near fall and stomped Sheamus down in the corner as Damian Priest was shown watching backstage. Carrillo went for a Suicide Dive but Sheamus blocked it. Sheamus Powerbombed Humberto on the ring apron as RAW went to a break.
When RAW returned, Sheamus was in control and beat down Carrillo on the apron. Sheamus posed and it allowed Humberto to get back into it. Carrillo hit a Hurricanrana and sent Sheamus out of the ring. Humberto hit a Suicide Dive and rolled the champ back into the ring.
Humberto climbed to the top rope and connected with a Dropkick for a near fall. Humberto hurt his hand of Sheamus’ protective mask and Sheamus capitalized with a Brogue Kick for the pinfall victory.
Goldberg Confronted Lashley
WWE Champion Bobby Lashley came to the ring for an Open Challenge following his dominant victory over Kofi Kingston at Money in the Bank. Lashley said he did all the talking he needed to do last night when he destroyed Kofi Kingston. MVP told the crowd that they were lucky to be in attendance tonight to witness WWE Champion Bobby Lashley.
MVP joked that he understands why Dallas is booing Lashley because it has been decades since they have seen a winner. MVP admitted that Kofi Kingston was right that the champion was distracted and MVP took responsibility for that. MVP said he feels sorry for the WWE roster because the window of opportunity is closed forever because nobody is taking the title away. He added that there is no more bullshit and they are back to business. Keith Lee made his return and accepted the Open Challenge.
Lee controlled the match early and hit Lashley with a Crossbody. Lashley escaped a Spirit Bomb and slammed Keith to the mat. Lashley then completely dominated for the next few minutes and connected with the Spear for the pinfall victory.After the match, Goldberg made his way to the ring and got in Lashley’s face. Goldberg laughed and shouted “I’m next!”.
Opinion: Everyone has their opinion of Goldberg getting another title shot. I have zero interest in it but congrats if you are excited. The bigger story to me is what just happened to Keith Lee. He got demolished and immediately brushed aside and overshadowed by Goldberg in his return.
McIntyre Ruined Jinder Mahal’s Birthday
Jinder Mahal came to the ring with Veer & Shanky. Mahal said it was his birthday and it gets better because Drew McIntyre is not Mr. Money in the Bank. Jinder rolled footage of their storyline revolving around McIntyre’s family sword. Mahal said Shanky was going to sing him Happy Birthday. Shanky sang until McIntyre interrupted. Drew hit Mahal with a chair and then bashed Shanky with the chair several times. The crowd wanted more and McIntyre hit Shanky about twenty more times with the chair.
Karrion Kross Lost In His Debut
Karrion Kross came to the ring without Scarlett for his RAW debut against Jeff Hardy (using his “no more words” theme).
Kross and Jeff locked up to start off the action. Karrion beat Jeff down and hit him with a Suplex. Hardy sent Kross into the ring post and him with a Twist of Fate. Jeff went for the Swanton Bomb but Kross got out of the way. Hardy rolled up Kross and used the ropes but the referee didn’t catch it. After the match, Kross said Jeff made the biggest mistake of his life and that everyone will fall and pray.
Opinion: I don’t understand why you would diminish the current undefeated NXT Champion in his RAW debut with a stripped down entrance and a loss. I was stunned at this result.
Lilly Returned
Alexa Bliss welcomed Lilly back to Alexa’s Playground. Eva Marie and Doudrop interrupted but Alexa ignored them. Bliss said she wanted to put Doudrop in timeout so we can see what Eva Marie can do without anyone’s help. Eva declined but tripped due to Alexa’s magical powers and Bliss laughed to end the segment.
Nikki A.S.H. Is The New RAW Women’s Champion
Charlotte Flair defended the RAW Women’s Championship against Rhea Ripley in the main event. Rhea slammed Charlotte into the turnbuckle a few times but Flair escaped and connected with an Arm Drag. Ripley and Flair traded punches in the middle of the ring. Rhea connected with a Dropkick for a two count before applying a Headlock.
Flair escaped and bounced Ripley’s face off the turnbuckle. Ripley shrugged it off and planted The Queen with a German Suplex. Rhea followed it up with a Dropkick for a near fall. Charlotte Clotheslined Rhea out of the ring and then booted her off the apron. Ripley fell to the floor and grabbed her knee in pain. Charlotte capitalized with a chop block and rolled Ripley back in the ring.The referee got in the way and checked on Ripley as RAW went to a break.
When RAW returned, Charlotte was working on Ripley’s knee and stomping on it against the ropes. Ripley battled back with a Clothesline and a Northern Lights Suplex for a near fall. Flair connected with a big boot and climbed to the top rope. Flair went for a Moonsault but Ripley got her knees up. Ripley then locked in a Figure Four but Flair reversed it. Ripley reached the ropes to break the hold and Flair sent her to the corner.
Charlotte hit some chops but Ripley connected with a boot to the ribs. Ripley hit Riptide and went for the cover but Flair got her foot on the ropes. Charlotte rolled out of the ring and started walking up the entrance ramp. Rhea chased her and Charlotte hit her with the belt to end the match in a DQ.
After the match, Flair posed with the title with a smile on her face. Rhea hit Flair with the Riptide and Nikki A.S.H. rushed the ring. Nikki cashed in and climbed to the top rope. Nikki hit a Crossbody for the pinfall victory. Nikki A.S.H. is the new RAW Women’s Champion.