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WWE events that don't feature tomato warfare or zombie-themed matches are bound to be somewhat good. Instead of focusing on silly shenanigans and highly controversial booking decisions, this week's WWE RAW highlighted quality matches for the most part.
But apart from WWE's appreciable focus on in-ring action, the Red brand's repetitive nature was apparent throughout the show. During the latest edition of RAW, a major match was made official for next month's Hell in a Cell pay-per-view. Additionally, the two top contenders for Bobby Lashley's world title were revealed on the same night.
Let us know your thoughts about this particular episode in the comments section below. Here are the five biggest news stories from WWE RAW (May 24, 2021).
#5 WWE teased a split between Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler
Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler have always been an unusual team in WWE. Although their partnership helped them win tag team gold, there's always been a certain level of animosity between the two characters.
This week, WWE may have opted to capitalize on that onscreen animosity, which may eventually lead to the end of Jax and Baszler's tag team.
The main event of RAW featured a WWE Women's Tag Team Championship rematch pitting the two heel superstars against Natalya and Tamina. Baszler warned Reginald to stay away from the match, as it could negatively affect their chances of winning the titles once again.
However, Reginald eventually came out, and although he only meant to help out Jax and Baszler, his distractions proved to be a hurdle for the challengers. At one point, Baszler even banished him from the ringside area.
But on his way back, he encountered another pyro attack, with Alexa Bliss and Lilly being the most likely culprits behind this development. Bliss didn't appear on this week's RAW, but her pyro-centric distraction allowed Natalya to pin Baszler for the victory.
After the bout, a frustrated Shayna Baszler challenged Reginald to an intergender match next week.
Far better matches took place earlier in the night, which is why the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship contest didn't seem like the best pick for RAW's main event.
The latest conflict between Baszler and Reginald could drastically impact the former's partnership with Nia Jax. As a result, the two formidable women may soon move forward as solo competitors on RAW.
#4 Drew McIntyre and Kofi Kingston fought each other over a WWE title opportunity
Kofi Kingston was unexpectedly inserted into the WWE Championship picture in the previous episode of RAW. This week, WWE revealed exactly how his presence would affect Bobby Lashley and Drew McIntyre's feud.
The show opened with a segment featuring Lashley (flanked by his diehard female fans) and MVP. When McIntyre and Kingston interrupted The All Mighty, WWE official Adam Pearce figured out a way to settle the debate between all three men.
Kingston and McIntyre had to wrestle each other on RAW to determine a top contender for Lashley's WWE Championship at Hell in a Cell. While the potential challengers fought well, Lashley and MVP eventually attacked the competitors, as the match predictably ended in a no contest.
Sticking to Monday Night RAW's recurring theme of rematches, Drew McIntyre and Kofi Kingston are set to fight again for the number one contenders' spot next week. However, Adam Pearce made it clear that if MVP and Bobby Lashley got involved again, they would be suspended for 90 days without pay.
As far as the rematch is concerned, it would be a surprise if Kingston manages to pull off a clean victory over McIntyre.
#3 Nikki Cross aimed straight for the top during her in-ring return on WWE RAW
Before this week's WWE RAW, Nikki Cross last wrestled for the Red brand on February 1. She returned to in-ring action on WWE Main Event earlier this month. And during the latest edition of RAW, she made a significant splash in the top title scenario.
Nikki Cross was looking for a match, and she got to fight the RAW Women's Champion, Rhea Ripley, in a non-title contest. The bout itself ended up having a two-minute Beat the Clock stipulation. The challenge came about when Charlotte Flair, in front of Ripley, claimed she could defeat Cross in under two minutes. But The Queen had her own match scheduled for the same night, which is why she baited the RAW Women's Champion to take up that challenge.
Fortunately for Cross, the two-minute time limit ran out during her match against Ripley, and she ended up winning over the RAW Women's Champion as a result.
Although Nikki Cross probably won't become the new champion anytime soon, her latest victory over Rhea Ripley is a significant accomplishment.
At the same time, Ripley wasn't booked as the smartest character in this scenario, considering that the urgency of a two-minute Beat the Clock challenge somehow escaped her mind in the ring.
#2 Rhea Ripley's opponent for WWE Hell in a Cell revealed
Charlotte Flair and Asuka have faced each other on numerous occasions, and the two fought again during this week's WWE RAW. Unlike most rematches, Flair and Asuka's in-ring chemistry often results in must-see action.
The two women lived up to their reputations and put on a lengthy yet engaging contest this week. Their bout immediately followed Nikki Cross vs. Rhea Ripley, and it set a clear narrative for the RAW Women's Championship match at WWE Hell in a Cell.
Asuka and Flair were the two top contenders for the title, but thanks to a roll-up win, The Queen earned the top contender spot to face Ripley at next month's pay-per-view.
Charlotte Flair vs. Rhea Ripley was a more sensible creative direction over Asuka vs. Rhea Ripley at this stage. After all, the latter match took place at this year's WrestleMania event, so returning to Asuka vs. Ripley so early would have added more to the repetitive cycle of RAW.
Meanwhile, Flair and Ripley haven't faced each other in singles competition since last year's WrestleMania event. The current RAW Women's Champion lost on that occasion, and now the timing seems right for her to gain some revenge.
#1 Riddle unexpectedly executed an RKO during WWE RAW
The best match from this week's WWE RAW took place between Riddle and Xavier Woods. The former is mostly characterized as one of the most jovial characters on RAW these days. However, The Original Bro did not hold back in the ring against Woods this week.
The two competitors' in-ring styles meshed together perfectly, and it was Riddle's unexpected RKO maneuver that eventually earned him a victory.
Even though RKO is Randy Orton's finisher, Riddle only used it with good intentions in mind. After all, his match against Xavier Woods occurred in the first place thanks to Orton's conflict with The New Day (Woods and Kofi Kingston).
So Riddle essentially picked up the win to make Orton proud on Monday Night RAW.
It should be interesting to see how the R-K-Bro saga proceeds further on the road to Hell in a Cell. Let's not forget that Kofi Kingston defeated Randy Orton last week, so The Viper could have his twisted reasons to spoil Kingston's WWE Championship pursuits in the next episode.
While you're here, feel free to check out the latest edition of 'Legion of RAW' with Dr. Chris Featherstone and former WWE Head Writer Vince Russo in the video embedded above.
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