The episode of WWE Raw kicks off with the “Then. Now. Forever,” videp package. MVP was in the ring, as he welcomed WWE Champion Bobby Lashley to the ring. Lashley came in with a group of women.
WWE Champion’s segment
MVP said it was an exciting night with exciting news. He said the WWE Champion was there and in July, WWE will be leaving the Thunderdome. They will be back on the road, so that the WWE Universe can witness Lashley, in person.
But they have a dark cloud named Drew McIntyre hanging over their heads. The women put their thumbs down. But according to him, McIntyre is a no go. He has already been beaten by Lashley at Wrestlemania and Wrestlemania Backlash.
McIntyre’s music hit and he walked down to the ring. He said their business was his business and everyone knew he was going to come out. If it weren’t for MVP, McIntyre believed he could’ve beaten Lashley on both the occasions. Lashley isn’t the best on Raw, he even lost to Kingston. Lashley tried to interrupt but McIntyre told him not to give excuses.
Kofi Kingston walked down to the ring with Xavier Woods. He said he beat Lashley last week, and McIntyre said, “You’re Welcome.” Kingston clarified that he never needed McIntyre’s help. But he was out demanding for a WWE Championship rematch, which he never got. It was time for McIntyre to go back in line as Kingston beats Bobby Lashley.
Adam Pearce walked out to the ring and announced that Kingston will face McIntyre, and the winner will go on to face Lashley at the WWE Hell in a Cell PPV.
Kofi Kingston vs. Drew McIntyre (No Contest)
McIntyre powered Kingston into the corner as the match began. Kingston hooked a side headlock, but Drew McIntyre powered out. McIntyre took him down with an arm wrench, but Kingston fought up to his feet. Kingston leapfrogged him twice. He went for a third leapfrog, but McIntyre grabs and slammed him.
McIntyre went for a vertical suplex, but Kingston kneed him in the head. He went for a powerbomb, but Kingston countered into a hurricanrana that sent McIntyre out of the ring. McIntyre reversed a whip into the steps, but Kingston leaped over them. McIntyre hit an inverted Alabama Slam on the apron.
Kingston came back with a springboard missile dropkick. They traded chops and Kingston dropkicked him down. Kingston flipped through a clothesline but McIntyre countered into a vertical suplex.
McIntyre put Kingston on the top rope. He punched McIntyre off the second rope and went for a cross-body block, but McIntyre crushed him with a Michinoku Driver for a near fall! McIntyre challenged Lashley to come down to the ring. Lashley removed his jacket and walked toward the ring.
Kingston got out of a slam and sidestepped McIntyre to send him shoulder-first into the ring post. As McIntyre slowly got back to his feet, Kingston came off the second rope with a big splash. McIntyre shoved Kingston away and charged, but Kingston sent him over the top rope.
McIntyre landed in front of MVP and Lashley, who were seated at ringside. Kingston splashed off the top rope and knocked him into the WWE Champion. Kingston got McIntyre in the ring and hit an SOS. Lashley and MVP got in the ring and started attacking McIntyre and Kingston, as the referee called for the bell.
Lashley took out Woods, as Kingston took him down with a Trouble in Paradise. McIntyre hit a Claymore Kick onto Kingston, and stood tall in the ring.
Nikki Cross def. Rhea Ripley (2-minute Beat the Clock challenge Of WWE RAW)
Ripley shoved Cross down at the sound of the bell. Ripley taunted her. Nikki Cross grabbed Ripley’s leg for a takedown, but Ripley fought her off. Cross charged, but Ripley lifted her up. Cross slid off and forearmed her.
Cross dropped her with a jawbreaker. Cross went to the top rope for a cross-body block. Less than 50 seconds left. Cross avalanched Ripley, but Ripley shoved her away. Ripley shouldered her in the corner and stomped her down. Time ticked away and Cross was adjudged the winner.
Charlotte Flair def. Asuka
Flair rolled Asuka but she broke free and kicked Flair in the midsection. Flair sidestepped a hip attack off the apron and dropped her on the steel steps knee-first. Charlotte Flair maneuvered into a Boston Crab. But Asuka countered into an arm bar. Flair went for a moonsault, but landed on her feet when Asuka moved away. Asuka hit a German Suplex.
Asuka hit a hip attack in the corner and went for another German Suplex. Asuka pulled Flair headfirst into the ring post and went out of the ring, but Flair bounced her off the commentary table. Flair went for a big boot, but Asuka countered into a facebuster.
Flair attacked the knee of Asuka on the ropes and went for a moonsault, but Asuka moved. Flair landed on her feet and hit a standing moonsault for a near fall. Flair angrily shouted, “I hate her!” Asuka countered out of a Figure Four and went for an Asuka Lock but Flair rolled through for the win.
Cedric Alexander def. Shelton Benjamin
The bell rang and Alexander immediately got out of the ring. Benjamin demanded him get back in. Benjamin punched Alexander down and stomped him. Benjamin got Alexander outside the ring and sent him hard into the barricade.
Benjamin went for a scoop slam, but Alexander slid off. Alexander countered into a super hurricanrana for a near fall. Alexander punched Benjamin and hit a big dropkick. Alexander applied a head and arm submission.
Benjamin avalanched him in the corner and hit a spinebuster. Alexander tried to fight back, but Benjamin took him out with a spin kick. Benjamin connected with two German Suplexes. Alexander elbowed out of a third and thumbed him in the eye followed a Neuralyzer for the win.
Riddle def. Xavier Woods
Woods hit a Death Valley Driver on the apron as soon as the match began. He also hit a missile dropkick off the second rope. Riddle countered with a German Suplex off the second rope that spiked Woods on his head. Woods tried to fight back, but Riddle eventually hit an RKO for the win.
Jaxson Ryker def. AJ Styles
In a very short match, AJ Styles and Ryker traded punches. Elias ran in and kneed Styles in the head. Ryker slammed him down for the win.
After the match, Omos ran down and threw Elias over the barricades. He chased the duo to the back.
Sheamus def. Humberto Carrillo
Carrillo tried to viciously attack Sheamus. Carrillo knocked him out of the ring and hit a suicide dive. Sheamus got him in the ring and rolled him up holding his tights to get the victory. He continued to attack Carrillo, as Ricochet ran in to make the save.
Natalya and Tamina def. Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler (retains Women’s Tag Team Championship)
The two teams went back and forth as the match began. Nia Jax gave Tamina a back body drop over the barricade. Reginald interfered, but he accidentally caused the referee to miss Baszler rolling Natalya up for the win.
Baszler kicked Reginald out. As he walked up the ramp a wall of pyro knocked him as Natalya rolled Baszler up for the win. After the match, Baszler grabbed Reginald and challenged him for a match next week.
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