WWE RAW aired live from the ThunderDome at the Yuengling Center in Tampa, Florida. It was the first episode of RAW following WWE WrestleMania Backlash. Bobby Lashley issued an open challenge and it was accepted in the main event of the show.
RAW Results (5/17)
- AJ Styles def. Elias via DQ
- Angel Garza def. Drew Gulak
- Kofi Kingston def. Randy Orton
- Natalya & Tamina def. Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler to retain the Women’s Tag Team Championships
- Sheamus def. Ricochet
- Asuka def. Charlotte
- Damian Priest def. John Morrison in a Lumberjack match
- Kofi Kingston def. Bobby Lashley
Here are the takeaways from this week’s show:
McIntyre Interrupted Lashley
WWE Champion Bobby Lashley came to the ring with a bunch of women. MVP said Lashley’s knuckles are swollen from pounding the faces of Braun Strowman and Drew McIntyre last night at WrestleMania Backlash. Lashley said he was supposed to have the night off but issued an open challenge to anyone that wants it.
Drew McIntyre came to the ring and accepted the challenge. MVP said Drew interrupted and the open challenge was for anyone except Braun Strowman and McIntyre. MVP told McIntyre to get to the back of the line and then Lashley & Drew traded punches. McIntyre knocked Lashley out of the ring to end the segment.
AJ Styles def. Elias
AJ Styles squared off against Elias in the first match of this week’s RAW. Styles controlled the action early and connected with a Dropkick. AJ went for a Suplex but Elias countered into one of his own. Elias launched Styles into the ring post and followed it up with a Dropkick that knocked AJ out of the ring.
When RAW returned from a break, Elias connected with a Spinebuster and went for the cover but AJ kicked out at two. Elias applied a Headlock but Styles escaped with a Pele Kick. Jaxson Ryker tripped AJ Styles up and the referee called for the bell.
After the match, Omos chased Jaxson Ryker backstage as Elias beat Styles down. Elias slammed AJ into the steel steps and then retreated once Omos came back to the ring.
The Women’s Tag Team Champions Joined Alexa’s Playground
Women’s Tag Team Champions Natalya and Tamina joined Alexa Bliss on Alexa’s Playground this week. Natalya and Tamina immediately wanted to get out of there but Alexa said she hasn’t gotten to ask the tough questions. Bliss then asked their favorite color and Natalya answered pink, Tamina said black and blue. Tamina added that Bliss’ face will be black and blue if she tries anything weird.
Alexa told Tamina and Natalya that they were lucky because Lilly likes them. Bliss added that Lilly was a fan of them beating up Reginald last week. Snuka vowed to beat him up again if he gets involved tonight. Alexa Bliss then went on a rant about Lilly collecting body parts of dead bugs as the Women’s Tag Team Champions walked out of the room. Bliss wished them luck and said Lilly will be watching.
Angel Garza def. Drew Gulak
Angel Garza faced Drew Gulak once again tonight on RAW. Gulak leveled Angel with a Dropkick and locked in the Abdominal Stretch in the middle of the ring. Garza escaped and connected with a Clothesline. Garza followed it up with a Suplex and a Dropkick. Garza hit a Backbreaker and then the Wing Clipper for the pinfall victory. Garza shoved a rose down Gulak’s throat after the match.
Kofi Kingston Pinned Randy Orton
Riddle wanted Randy Orton to apologize to New Day for attacking them last week. Orton said he was not sorry and Kofi Kingston told Riddle that he will eventually be on the receiving end of an RKO as well. Kofi challenged Orton to a match and Orton accepted.
Kingston and Orton collided in the ring to start off the action and Randy rolled out of the ring to regroup. Back in the ring, Kingston connected with an Arm Drag for a two count. Orton battled back and controlled the next few minutes of the match.
Kofi hit a Dropkick and tried to get in some offense but Orton put a stop to his momentum with a big Powerslam. Xavier Woods played the trombone and it distracted Orton. Kingston capitalized and rolled up Orton for the victory.
After the match, Riddle held Orton back as he wanted to attack Kingston. Riddle then shoved Xavier Woods down to the canvas and then Kofi held Woods back as he tried to attack Riddle.
Asuka def. Charlotte
Sonya Deville and Adam Pearce told Charlotte Flair that she can have a shot at the RAW Women’s Championship if she defeats Asuka tonight. RAW Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley interrupted and said that she wants new competition because Charlotte is yesterday’s news. Charlotte told Ripley that she will take the title away from her before walking away. Ripley added that she will be watching to see if The Queen falls off her throne tonight.
Asuka and Charlotte Flair battled to begin the third hour of RAW. Asuka connected with a Dropkick and then a Hip Attack to start off the action. Asuka hit another Hip Attack and went for the cover but Charlotte was able to kick out at two. RAW Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley interrupted and came down to the entrance ramp as RAW went to a commercial break.
When RAW returned, Flair had Asuka in a Headlock. Asuka escaped and connected with a Neckbreaker. Flair bounced Asuka’s head off the mat a few times but the Empress of Tomorrow battled back. Asuka planted Charlotte with a German Suplex and then a Hip Attack. Asuka followed it up with a Shining Wizard and went for the cover but Charlotte was able to kick out at two.
Asuka hit a Dropkick off the middle turnbuckle for another near fall. Asuka applied a kneebar and then transitioned into a Triangle choke. Charlotte countered into a Boston Crab but Asuka was able to break free. Asuka got Flair in the Asuka Lock but Charlotte reached the ropes to break the hold. Charlotte took control but got distracted with trash talking with Ripley. Charlotte went for the Figure Four but Asuka countered into a small package for the pinfall victory.
Natalya & Tamina Retained
Natalya & Tamina defended their Women’s Tag Team Championships against Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler tonight on RAW. Nia dominated to begin the match and isolated Natalya in the corner. Shayna tagged in and unloaded a knee to the face for a near fall. Natalya connected with a Clothesline and tagged in Tamina.
Tamina beat Nia down until Shayna tagged back in. Baszler went for the Kirifuda Clutch but was distracted when Alexa Bliss appeared on the stage. Flames popped up from the ring post and it scared Reginald. The Women’s Tag Team Champions capitalized with a Hart Attack on Shayna for the pinfall victory. Natalya & Tamina are still the Women’s Tag Team Champions.
Sheamus Picked Up A Win
Ricochet stole Sheamus’ hat and jacket and the Celtic Warrior was pissed. The United States Champion marched to the ring and demanded that Ricochet return them. Ricochet came to the ring wearing the hat and coat. Sheamus attacked him on the stage and brought him to the ring. Sheamus beat Ricochet down in the corner and then slammed him into the ring post. Sheamus then threw Ricochet over the barricade as RAW went to a commercial break.
When RAW returned, Sheamus was in control and hit 10 Beats of the Bodhran. Ricochet tried to battle back but Sheamus hit the Irish Curse Backbreaker for a two count. Sheamus climbed to the top rope but Ricochet hopped up and connected with an awesome Spanish Fly.
Ricochet hit a Clothesline and followed it up with a standing Shooting Star Press for a near fall. Ricochet went for a Moonsault but Sheamus got his knees up. Sheamus went for a Brogue Kick but Ricochet dodged it. Ricochet connected with a Neckbreaker and then a 450 Splash for a near fall.
Sheamus hit a boot to the face for a two count. Sheamus got pissed off and hit the Brogue Kick for the pinfall victory. After the match, Sheamus grabbed the microphone and said that Lashley should keep his eye on his title because he might answer the open challenge.
Damian Priest Won Another Lumberjack Match
Damian Priest faced John Morrison tonight in a Lumberjack Match. Priest defeated The Miz last night in a zombie Lumberjack match at WWE WrestleMania Backlash.
Priest dominated the action early and beat Morrison down. Morrison sent Damian out of the ring and the lumberjacks attacked him. Morrison tried to join in but the lumberjacks threw him back into the ring. Damian connected with a massive Chokeslam as RAW went to a commercial break.
When RAW returned, Morrison went for an Armbar but Damian escaped. Priest connected with a Superplex that took out all the lumberjacks. Damian followed it up with a Frankensteiner and then Hit the Lights for the pinfall victory.
Kofi Pinned The WWE Champion
Lashley and MVP came down to the ring and asked who is answering the open challenge. New Day’s theme hit and Kofi Kingston accepted the challenge. MVP then said that this is just an open challenge to face the WWE Champion and not a title match.
Kofi attacked Lashley just before the bell rang and got in some strikes. Lashley hit a Spinebuster and went for the win early but Kofi kicked out at two. Lashley lifted Kingston up for a Suplex but Kofi was able to break free. Kofi knocked Lashley out of the ring and leaped onto him as MVP & Woods argued outside the ring.
When RAW returned from a break, Lashley sent Kofi into the ring post and was in control the match. Woods tried to help but got tossed out. Drew McIntyre rushed the ring as MVP was trying to hit Kofi with the cane. McIntyre ripped the cane away and headbutted Lashley but the referee didn’t catch it. Kingston then capitalized with the cover for the victory.