The May 21st episode of WWE RAW aired live from the Times Union Center in Albany, NY. Here are 11 takeaways from this week’s show:
Stephanie McMahon Returned To RAW
Photo Credit: @WWE on Twitter
This week’s episode of WWE RAW kicked off with RAW GM Kurt Angle coming down to the ring for some major announcements. Angle stated that Ronda Rousey and Nia Jax will have a contract signing tonight for their title match at WWE MITB.
Angle was about to announce a Fatal 4-Way qualifying match for the women’s MITB Ladder Match, but was interrupted by RAW Commissioner Stephanie McMahon. Stephanie called their match at WrestleMania water under the bridge and claimed to have forgiven Angle. Stephanie added that she is a leader and will always do what is best for business.
The crowd chanted “you tapped out!” and Stephanie admitted that she did. Steph stated that she wanted to see Angle’s growth as a leader continue. Stephanie McMahon said that she will be presiding over the contract signing tonight and not RAW GM Kurt Angle.
Angle said that he could always use more room for guidance. Stephanie claimed that Kurt has been giving Roman Reigns far too much latitude and that needs to end tonight. Roman Reigns joined the party and entered the ring.
Reigns was greeted with “Roman sucks!” chants as Roman asked Stephanie to say what she has to say to his face. Stephanie stated that she doesn’t understand Reigns’ tone and threatened that Roman is going to need to find another line of work because of his “Samoan temper”.
Roman threatened to go backstage and destroy all Stephanie’s favorite Superstars is she doesn’t show him some more respond. Stephanie said that she doesn’t play favorites because she is in charge of a bunch of revenue streams and that is beneath her. Roman told Stephanie to cut the corporate crap and to speak the truth to him. Reigns said that Stephanie doesn’t want him anywhere near the Universal Championship or the MITB contract.
Stephanie said that Roman lost his shot and that if he wants to go take that up with someone, he should go take it up with Jinder Mahal. Reigns said that he already did that and then Kevin Owens came down to the entrance ramp. Owens claimed that him winning the MITB contract is what is best for business.
Kevin stated that Roman needs to know the truth about how everyone really feels about him. Owens admitted that he really likes Roman Reigns and asked the crowd to chant “thank you Roman!”. The crowd didn’t and Owens told Reigns that he tried. Owens said that Stephanie is correct about her not playing favorites because he has had issues with her brother and father, yet Stephanie still positioned him as the cornerstone of RAW.
Owens put his arm on Stephanie’s shoulder and Steph told him to never to do that again. Stephanie once again said that she doesn’t play favorites and announced that Owens will battle Roman Reigns right now.
Jinder Mahal Attacked Roman Reigns
Photo Credit: @WWE on Twitter
Kevin Owens faced Roman Reigns tonight on RAW. The two Superstars locked up in the middle of the ring to start off the match. Owens retreated to the ropes and told the referee to get Reigns away from him. Owens then applied a Headlock and dropped Reigns down to his knee.
Roman quickly got back up and reversed the hold. Roman then leveled Owens with a shoulder tackle that sent him tumbling out of the ring. Owens took his time getting back into the ring, but still walked into a right hand to the face. Roman beatdown Owens in the corner and then bounced his head off the turnbuckle.
Reigns hit a few more punches to the face and then Owens responded with a right hand that did nothing besides piss Reigns off. Roman unloaded a series of punches to the face and then connected with a massive one that knocked Owens to the canvas. Roman headbutted Owens in the corner as Owens tried to plead for mercy.
Owens connected with a boot to the face and hopped up to the second rope. Roman punched Owens in the face once again and Kevin fell to the floor outside the ring. Reigns paced around the ring before exiting to the outside. Roman grabbed Owens and brought him back into the ring.
Kevin Owens quickly rolled back outside and leaned up against the barricade to regroup. Roman once again followed him to the outside and then missed with the Drive By. Owens connected with a Superkick to the face and the action returned to the ring as RAW went to a commercial break.
When RAW returned, Owens was perched up on the top rope and Roman joined him up there. Owens connected with an elbow to the face that knocked Roman to the mat. Owens hopped down and Reigns decked him with a Clothesline. Owens responded with a DDT for a two count.
Roman connected with a Samoan Drop and went for the cover, but Owens was able to kick out at two. Reigns geared up for the Superman Punch, but Owens countered into a roll-up for two. Owens hit another Superkick, but Reigns exploded out of the corner and hit a Superman Punch for a two count.
Owens rolled out of the ring as Reigns was about to hit the Spear. Reigns followed him and connected with a Spear outside the ring. Jinder Mahal and Sunil Singh then attacked Reigns and the match ended in a DQ. Jinder launched Roman into the barricade and then threw him into the ring.
Mahal continued the beatdown in the ring and then Kevin Owens joined him. Seth Rollins came down to the ring to make the save. Rollins knocked both Jinder and Owens out of the ring as RAW went to a break.
Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns then faced Kevin Owens and Jinder Mahal in a tag match. Jinder and Rollins started the match off. Rollins connected with a Dropkick and then hit a Crossbody onto Mahal outside the ring. Reigns tagged in and dropped Jinder to the canvas.
Roman beatdown Jinder in the corner, but Mahal battled back with an elbow to the face. Owens tagged in and stomped on Reigns while taunting him. Mahal tagged back in and stomped on Reigns a coupe more times. Jinder then applied a Headlock in the corner of the ring as Rollins tried to fire Reigns up.
Owens tagged back in and beatdown Reigns in the corner. Owens once again applied a Headlock in the corner of the ring and started to taunt Seth Rollins. Roman fought out of the hold and leveled Owens with a Clothesline. Owens sent Jinder flying to the floor outside the ring. Reigns dived for a tag but Mahal dragged Rollins off the ring apron. Owens hit a Cannonball in the corner for a two count as RAW went to a commercial break.
When RAW returned, Roman Reigns was still stuck in the ring. Reigns battled back with a couple of right hands, but Owens quickly knocked Roman back down with a boot to the ribs. Owens applied a Chin Lock in the middle of the ring and demanded that the referee keep asking Reigns if he wanted to quit.
Roman battled back to his feet and lifted Owens onto his shoulders. Owens escaped but got a boot to the face for his troubles. Rollins and Mahal then tagged in and Seth connected with a Clothesline. Rollins followed it up with a Slingblade and then Clotheslined Jinder to the outside.
Seth hit Owens with a Suicide Dive and then delivered one to Mahal on the opposite side of the ring. Back in the ring, Rolling connected with a Blockbuster off the second rope for a two count. Sunil Singh hopped up on the ring apron and distracted Rollins. Mahal capitalized and slammed Seth to the canvas for a two count.
Rollins blocked the Khallas and dropped Jinder with an Enziguri. Owens tagged in and planted Rollins with a Gutbuster. Owens leaped off the second rope onto Seth for a two count. Reigns knocked Mahal out of the ring as Rollins Superkicked Owens in the face. Rollins then connected with the Curb Stomp to Owens for the pinfall victory.
Jinder Mahal attacked Reigns and Rollins with a steel chair on the entrance ramp. Mahal hit Reigns several times with a chair on the entrance ramp before WWE officials were able to break it up.
It was then announced that Roman Reigns will face Jinder Mahal at WWE Money in the Bank. It was also announced that Seth Rollins will defend the IC Title against Jinder Mahal on next week’s episode of RAW.
Bobby Lashley Beatdown His “Sisters”
Photo Credit: @WWE on Twitter
Sami Zayn came down to the ring to interview Lashley’s three sisters in an effort to expose him for his lies. Frances, Cathy and Jessica came down to the ring to ring. Well, actually it was just three men dressed in drag.
Zayn thanked them for joining him tonight and said that he totally sees the resemblance. Sami asked “Cathy” why she had to carry a broom everywhere she went. Cathy claimed that it was her mother’s broom and she used it to defend herself against Bobby Lashley.
Frances stated that she carried the helmet everywhere she went because Bobby would hit her with his knuckle on the top of her head as hard as she could. Zayn commended her bravery and moved on to Jessica.
Jessica stated that she carried a towel around everywhere she went because Lashley would make her cry all the time. A tissue wasn’t enough to handle all the tears and that the towel would be “sopping wet” by the end of the night.
Cathy claimed that Lashley only loves himself. Frances stated that their parents hated Bobby and were ashamed of him. They then shipped Lashley off to reform school. Jessica called Bobby a brat and claimed that he used to steal candy. It got so bad that Lashley’s parents would call the cops on Bobby because things got so bad.
Zayn went on a rant and called Lashley a menace to society. Lashley interrupted with a smile on his face and slowly made his way down to the ring while pumping his fist in the air. Bobby chuckled into the microphone and said that he couldn’t believe that Cathy was still single.
Bobby complimented Jessica’s outfit and stated that Frances has a big hairy mustache that all women want to have. Lashley thanked Sami for doing this for him and called him a great friend. Sami threatened to Helluva Kick Bobby in the face and called him a piece of garbage. Zayn stated that Lashley’s family thinks he is a piece of garbage.
Lashley then charged at Sami but Bobby’s “sisters” attacked Lashley from behind. Lashley battled back and hit the three men pretending to be his sisters. Lashley put the helmet on Frances and punched him in the face. Bobby threw Cathy out of the ring and then booted Jessica in the midsection. Lashley started whipping Jessica with a towel and then slammed him to the mat. Lashley threw Cathy out of the ring with the broomstick and then posed in the ring.
Opinion: It is hard to imagine how anyone thought this segment was a good idea. It rivals the “This is your life” promo with Alexa Bliss and Bayley as being one of the dumbest things I’ve had to sit through watching WWE in recent years.
Ember Moon Defeated Alexa Bliss
Photo Credit: @WWE on Twitter
Alexa Bliss faced Ember Moon tonight on RAW. Mickie James joined Alexa ringside for the match. Bliss threw Ember to the mat to start off the match and then stood on her back. Bliss stomped on Ember’s head a few times, but Moon hopped right up and leveled Bliss with a Crossbody for a two count.
Bliss rolled out of the ring to try and regroup. Ember followed her out there and knocked her to the floor. Moon was distracted by Mickie James and Bliss launched Ember into the barricade. Back in the ring, Alexa locked in an Arm Bar in the middle of the ring. Bliss then slammed her to the mat for a two count as RAW went to a commercial break.
Alexa was still in control of the match when RAW returned. Moon battled back and connected with a Side Slam. Ember followed it up with a Dropkick and then Alexa grabbed the ring apron. Moon dragged her into the ring as Alexa hung onto the apron. Mickie came into the ring with one of her heels in her hand. The referee stopped her and sent her to the back.
Ember dropped Mickie and then Alexa rolled her up from behind for a two count. Ember got pissed off and booted Alexa in the face. Moon then hit the Eclipse off the top rope for the pinfall victory.
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Baron Corbin Demolished No Way Jose
Photo Credit: @WWE on Twitter
Baron Corbin faced No Way Jose tonight on RAW. Jose started off the match in control, but Corbin quickly battled back and connected with a Clothesline off the ring apron. Baron stomped on Jose outside the ring and then brought him back inside.
Corbin launched Jose into the ring post and then shoved his boot in his face. Corbin applied a Chin Lock in the middle of the ring as the crowd made absolutely no noise. A smattering of people started cheering for Jose as he made his way back to his feet.
Jose broke the hold and threw Baron into the ring post. Jose hit a boot to the face and followed it up with a Clothesline. Jose planted Corbin face-first to the mat for a two count. Corbin hit Deep Six on Jose and followed it up with End of Days for the quick victory.
Opinion: I find this feud to be completely pointless. No Way Jose is never going to be a star in WWE and Corbin has been running in place for what feels like an eternity now. A victory over No Way Jose is not a “huge win!” for Corbin, even though Michael Cole shouted it during the broadcast.
Dolph Ziggler Defeated Chad Gable
Photo Credit: @WWEUniverse on Twitter
Chad Gable had a conversation with Kurt Angle backstage. Angle stated that he wanted to replace Jinder Mahal with Gable in the MITB Ladder Match but management got in the way. Drew McIntyre and Dolph Ziggler interrupted and started poking fun at Gable and Angle. Kurt Angle said that this will get settled in the ring later.
Chad Gable faced Dolph Ziggler later on RAW and Drew McIntyre was ringside for the match. Ziggler connected with an elbow to the jaw and followed it up with a Dropkick for a two count. Dolph followed it up with a Neckbreaker. Gable threw Ziggler into the turnbuckle and then hit a German Suplex for a two count. Ziggler headbutted Gable and then hit a Superkick for the pinfall victory. After the match, Drew McIntyre got into the ring and hit Gable with a Claymore.
The B Team Are Still Undefeated
Photo Credit: @WWE on Twitter
The B Team (Curtis Axel & Bo Dallas) faced Breezango again tonight on RAW. Axel and Tyler Breeze started off the match. Axel quickly rolled out of the ring to talk things over with Bo Dallas. Curtis got back into the ring and immediately tagged in Bo.
Breeze took control and tagged in Fandango. Fandango connected with a few jabs to Bo’s face for a two count. Fandango danced over Bo Dallas and it cost him. Axel and Dallas teamed up and slammed Fandango to the mat. Bo then pinned Fandango for the victory.
Axel and Dallas celebrated all the way up the entrance ramp and shared a hug with Corey Graves. Bo and Axel then slid down the entrance ramp on a computer chair with their fists in the air.
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Ronda Rousey Vowed To Take Nia’s Title & Her Arm At WWE Money In The Bank
Photo Credit: @WWE On Twitter
RAW Commissioner Stephanie McMahon came down to the ring for the RAW Women’s Championship contract signing. RAW Women’s Champion Nia Jax came down to the ring first and Stephanie congratulated her for winning the title. Stephanie then introduced Ronda Rousey and she came down to the ring.
Rousey asked Stephanie how her arm was and Stephanie said that it was doing really well and she appreciated her concert. Stephanie asked Rousey how it felt to leapfrog the entire women’s division. Ronda said that she knows what Stephanie is trying to do, but Nia Jax challenged her.
Stephanie claimed Nia Jax was trying to make a name for herself by facing Rousey because she has never had a singles match in WWE. Stephanie stated that Nia is bigger and more powerful than Rousey. Stephanie added that Nia also knows that Rousey hates losing and that after she does lose, Ronda will leave WWE.
Steph turned her attention to Nia Jax and said that Rousey knows the truth about Nia Jax and that she is lazy. Stephanie wondered if Rousey could even get Nia Jax in the Arm Bar because of how big and powerful she is. Nia interrupted and said that Rousey cannot get the Arm Bar on her.
Jax said she was sick of hearing that lazy crap and she has been hearing it her entire life. Nia stated that the truth is that she is going to make a name for herself by beating her at Money in the Bank. Jax and Rousey then signed the contract. Ronda then moved the table out of the way and grabbed the microphone.
Ronda said that she was happy the truth came out and then extended her hand. Nia shook Ronda’s hand, but Rousey didn’t let go. Ronda said that she is going to take Nia’s title and her arm. Nia and Ronda then had a stare down as Rousey’s music hit.
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Natalya Qualified For The Women’s MITB Ladder Match
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Dana Brooke, Liv Morgan, Sarah Logan & Natalya competed in a Fatal 4-Way match tonight on RAW. The winner of the match qualified for the women’s MITB Ladder Match next month at the PPV.
Liv Morgan beatdown Natalya in the corner to start off the match. Dana Brooke unloaded several punches to Sarah Logan in the corner. Natalya battled back and planted Sarah Logan with a Suplex. Natalya then threw Morgan to the canvas and followed it up with a Dropkick for a two count.
Sarah leveled Natalya with a Clothesline as Liv Morgan hit Dana with an Enziguri that sent her out of the ring. Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan were the two Superstars left in the ring. They looked up at the MITB briefcase above the ring and then shared a laugh. They then teamed up and beatdown Natalya in the middle of the ring.
Dana Brooke dragged Liv Morgan out of the ring and the two took each other out with a double Clothesline. Back in the ring, Logan connected with a knee to the face to Natalya after Ruby Riott distracted her. Logan threw Dana Brooke out of the ring and then Natalya slammed her to the mat. Natalya then applied the Sharpshooter on Sarah Logan for the submission victory.
After the match, Natalya said that she has Ronda Rousey as her training partner. Natalya stated that Rousey is become the new RAW Women’s Champion and that she is going to become Ms. Money in the Bank.
It was later announced that a Gauntlet Match will do down next week to determine the final RAW Superstar in the women’s MITB Ladder Match.
Elias Battled Bobby Roode Once Again
Photo Credit: @WWE on Twitter
Bobby Roode faced Elias yet again tonight on RAW. Before the match, Elias performed a song in the ring and was interrupted by Bobby Roode. Elias then attacked Roode during his entrance and beat him down in the corner of the ring.
The referee asked Roode if he stilled wanted to compete and Bobby shouted “absolutely!”. Roode then threw his robe on Elias’ face and decked him with a Clothesline. Roode then hit another Clothesline that sent Elias out of the ring as RAW went to a commercial break.
Elias had Roode in a Headlock when RAW returned. Roode escaped and connected with a couple chops to the chest. Bobby followed it up with a forearm to the face and then a Spinebuster for a two count.
Elias countered the Glorious DDT into a roll-up for a two count. Roode hit a Neckbreaker and then made his way up to the top rope. Elias crotched him on the turnbuckle and then hit the Drift Away for the pinfall victory. Braun Strowman delivered a shoulder tackle to Elias on the entrance ramp and made his way down to the ring for the main event.
Braun Strowman Defeated Finn Balor In The Main Event
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Finn Balor and Braun Strowman had a conversation with Stephanie McMahon backstage. They were trying to talk to RAW GM Kurt Angle, but Stephanie informed them that Angle had lent her his office for tonight.
They asked for a rematch against Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre. Stephanie announced that they will be facing each other in a match later tonight. Stephanie had a basket of fruit on a table, along with a framed picture of Vince McMahon.
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Strowman and Balor then faced off in the main event of this week’s RAW. Braun controlled the match early and threw Finn into the turnbuckle. Braun spent the next few minutes beating the hell out of Balor in remarkably boring fashion. Finn finally fought back for a moment, but Strowman knocked him back to the mat with a headbutt. Braun clubbed Finn across the chest and asked Balor if he had enough.
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Finn slapped Braun in the face and Braun got pissed off. Strowman knocked Balor out of the ring and then charged towards him. Balor planted Strowman with a Slingblade and then rolled inside the ring. Balor went back to the outside and Dropkicked Strowman over the barricade.
Braun quickly got back, but Balor hit a boot to the face. Finn connected with a Double Stomp off the apron and then followed it up with a Coup de Grace off the barricade. Balor rolled back into the ring as the referee started counting. Braun got back into the ring and leveled Balor with another shoulder tackle.
Braun charged at Balor in the corner, but Finn got out of the way and Strowman crashed into the ring post. Balor connected with a Dropkick to the face and made his way to the top rope. Braun dragged him down and planted him with a Running Powerslam for the pinfall victory. After the match, Strowman lifted Balor up for another Running Powerslam, but then placed him on his feet in the corner. Strowman then pointed at the MITB briefcase suspended above the ring and then posed as RAW went off the air.
Opinion: This entire show felt phoned in. Bobby Roode and Elias are still having matches on RAW for some reason. It is not leading to anything at all, they are just fighting to kill time. The only thing that was memorable tonight was how bad the Lashley and Sami Zayn segment was. The main event was very boring and the crowd couldn’t have cared less. There are some nights when the crowd is terrible and they take away from the show. This was not one of those nights. They had nothing to cheer about or get excited for throughout the entire three hour show.
What did you think of this week’s RAW? Let us know in the comments below.