RAW Results: Lashley pinned; Eva Marie returns
Alexa Bliss kicked off RAW and recapped what happened to Shayna last week, alluding to the fact that Baszler being out of action for now. Nia Jax showed up and said that Shayna challenged Alexa to a match at Hell in a Cell before telling her to stop messing with her and her friends.
Alexa denied that they were ever friends before Nia challenged her to a match tonight. Bliss started crying but then it turned to laughter before she accepted the challenge.
Nikki Cross vs. Charlotte on RAW
The match began and Rhea Ripley's music hit. Nikki Cross used the distraction to try to roll Charlotte over but failed. Ripley was having a closer look at the action as Charlotte tossed Cross outside and into the barricades.
After a break, we returned to RAW to see The Queen in control but Nikki managed to hit a counter and got a near fall. After some back and forth, Ripley taunted Charlotte on the outside and The Queen went after her and got totally distracted from the match.
Nikki got back in the ring and the referee counted Flair out, letting Cross pick up the win.
Result: Nikki Cross def. Charlotte
After the match, Charlotte hit a big boot on Nikki and dragged her to the ring but Ripley beat her to the punch and hit a Riptide, taking out Flair for good.
Grade: B
Backstage on RAW, Riddle asked Jeff Hardy what he should do to make Randy trust him after last week's loss. Hardy said that he should listen to Randy, who is a veteran, and walked out. Orton came up to Riddle and told him to be himself and not try to be Randy.
Jeff Hardy vs. John Morrison on RAW
John Morrison blinded Hardy with the Drip-Stick during his entrance but Jeff shook it off as the bell rang, taking Morrison to the corner for a body splash. Morrison responded with a clothesline but Cedric Alexander's music hit.
Jeff Hardy vs. John Morrison on RAW (contd...)
Alexander watched on from the ramp while Hardy nearly caught Morrison for a near fall on RAW. Hardy hit the Whisper in the Wind and got another two-count before taking Morrison to the apron. But Morrison hung Hardy up on the ropes with a TKO. Morrison hit Starship Pain and picked up the win.
Result: John Morrison def. Jeff Hardy.
Grade: B
After the match, Cedric Alexander grabbed a mic and apologized to Hardy for not retiring him last week. Hardy said that he'll retire if Cedric beats him tonight!
Cedric Alexander vs. Jeff Hardy on RAW
Alexander caught Hardy with the dragon screw and avoided the Twist of Fate, spiking Hardy with the Michinoku Driver for a two-count. Alexander moved up for the Swanton Bomb, but Hardy rolled away.
A leaping knee rocked Jeff but the Neuralizer failed to connect. Hardy spiked Cedric with the Twist of Fate and moved to the top for the Swanton Bomb. Alexander couldn't avoid it and Hardy picked up the win on RAW.
Result: Jeff Hardy def. Cedric Alexander
Grade: B
Naomi vs. Eva Marie on RAW
Eva Marie came out on RAW with another female superstar who took her place in the match. The unnamed superstar was Piper Niven/Vyper and she wiped Naomi out with a headbutt and tossed her around before getting a quick three-count.
Even the ring announcer did not know the name of the winner and Marie took the mic and said that the winner was herself, Eva Marie, confusing the WWE Universe.
Result: Eva Marie def. Naomi
Grade: C
Backstage on RAW, Mandy Rose and Dana Brooke got into a brawl with Natalya and Tamina.
In an interview backstage on RAW, Drew McIntyre said that he was confident about his chances at Hell in a Cell.
The New Day vs. RK-Bro on RAW
Kofi and Riddle kicked off the match and Kingston got a near fall before tagging in Woods for a double team. Riddle was isolated by New Day before Randy managed to sneak in a quick tag.
Woods was in trouble as Randy grounded him but New Day managed to toss him outside before taunting Randy and Riddle. Back after a break, Woods nearly pinned Randy but he countered and got the RKO in for the win.
Result: RK-Bro def. The New Day
Grade: B+
Rhea Ripley vs. Asuka on RAW
Ripley had the early advantage on RAW and hit a huge dropkick before sending Asuka onto the top rope. But she missed chance for the Superplex. Asuka hit a missile dropkick and sent Ripley to the mat.
Asuka hit the Northern Lights Suplex for a near fall before they traded submissions in the ring. Ripley hit the Riptide and picked up the win before Charlotte attacked her, wasting no time.
Result: Rhea Ripley def. Asuka
A bunch of officials had to separate Ripley and Charlotte, who ended up with a bloody nose before RAW continued.
Grade: B
MVP and Lashley were backstage and the WWE Champion said he would make Drew regret coming after the title.
Alexa Bliss vs. Nia Jax on RAW
Alexa climbed onto Nia's back early on and tried to choke her out multiple times before going for her legs. Nia managed to knock her down before tossing her around the ring and hitting a splash in the corner.
Alexa dodged a leg drop before Reginald distracted her while she was on the apron. Alexa hit a DDT and went up top again for the Twisted Bliss but Reginald broke the pin, causing a DQ.
Result: Alexa Bliss def. Nia Jax via DQ
After the match, Alexa seemed to possess Reggie for a minute before walking out of the ring.
Grade: C
MVP was backstage on RAW and told Kofi that New Day/Xavier Woods was holding him back. Kofi threatened him and told him to move on before MVP reminded him that they didn't have a match on Sunday at Hell in a Cell.
Elias vs. Jaxson Ryker on RAW
Elias was back and faced off with Ryker. Elias rushed his former partner, catching him with some big clotheslines and elbows.
The match went outside and Elias was sent into the ring post. The Drifter decided to let the referee count him out and walked backstage.
Result: Jaxson Ryker def. Elias
Grade: C
Bobby Lashley was out next with MVP and his ladies to watch Drew face AJ Styles as RAW continued.
Drew McIntyre vs. AJ Styles on RAW
AJ got some good offense in as the match started but a chop from Drew sent him flying. Drew was tossing AJ around before he hit a Futureshock DDT. Drew went to taunt Lashley and Omos dragged AJ out of the ring. The Viking Raiders showed up to give Drew some backup.
Drew McIntyre vs. AJ Styles on RAW (contd...)
Back after a break on RAW, Drew was dominating the match but AJ somehow lifted him and dropped him on the ropes before sending the Scotsman into the apron outside.
Lashley was enjoying the show as AJ beat down Drew in the ring and locked in a chokehold. Styles got a near fall before Drew dropped him outside and started engaging with Lashley and sending him into the steel steps.
Lashley attacked Drew in the ring and the match was called off before the Viking Raiders took the WWE champ outside for Drew to hit a huge suplex on the floor.
Result: Drew McIntyre def. AJ Styles via DQ
Grade: A
Drew McIntyre & The Viking Raiders vs. AJ Styles, Omos & Bobby Lashley on RAW
A 6-man tag match was sanctioned during the commercials and we returned to RAW to see that the match was underway. The Viking Raiders were double-teaming AJ when Lashley showed up in his ring gear and took out Drew on the outside, sending him into the barricades.
Drew McIntyre & The Viking Raiders vs. AJ Styles, Omos & Bobby Lashley on RAW (contd...)
Omos tagged in on RAW and Erik was in serious trouble before Ivar and Lashley were in and the Viking Raiders took back control. Lashley struggled to get the full nelson before Drew came in with huge kicks.
After another break on RAW, Ivar was isolated by team Lashley and AJ tagged in. Ivar somehow managed to tag Drew in before hitting some big suplexes on AJ. Omos dropped Drew from outside before Erik went after the giant, only to be tossed over the barricades.
AJ tagged Lashley who walked right into a Claymore, letting McIntyre get the pin on the WWE champion! Drew pinned the champ, a week before Hell in a Cell!
Result: Drew McIntyre & The Viking Raiders def. Styles, Omos & Bobby Lashley
Grade: A
Episode grade: A
The RAW before Hell in a Cell saw the return of Eva Marie and the main roster debut of Piper Niven. We got a PPV-worthy main event while Rhea Ripley and Charlotte got into a merciless brawl.
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