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Big E took the WWE Universe off guard by making a big announcement just hours before RAW. The former RAW Tag Team Champion tweeted that he would cash in his Money in the Bank briefcase on the WWE Champion during the show.
Randy Orton was also set to challenge Bobby Lashley for the WWE title on RAW. The match was originally scheduled for Extreme Rules, but The Viper pulled a few strings and moved it to Monday Night RAW.
Drew McIntyre teamed up with The Viking Raiders to take on Jinder Mahal, Shanky, and Veer. The babyfaces outlasted the heels, and McIntyre picked up the victory for his team with a Claymore Kick.
Damian Priest and Jeff Hardy were also scheduled to compete for the United States Championship. This was part of Priest’s Open Challenge for his title.
Meanwhile, AJ Styles led Omos, Mace, and T-Bar to victory over The New Day, Mustafa Ali, and Mansoor. This week’s RAW had some fine matches and a couple of big surprises.
Take a look at the five things WWE got right on RAW this week.
#5. RAW did well to build up the WWE Championship scene early on
RAW kicked off to build the WWE Championship scene. Big E had already tweeted about his intention to cash in his Money in the Bank contract to win the WWE title for the first time.
Lashley, MVP, Orton, and Riddle came out to talk about the situation with the title match. MVP wanted to know how Orton got the title match moved from Extreme Rules to Monday Night RAW.
The Viper revealed that he went to management and they granted his request simply because he is Randy Orton. Big E waited and watched them argue with a big smile on his face. After the men were done, he shoved the Money in the Bank briefcase in Lashley’s face.
Lashley threatened his challengers and knocked the MITB briefcase out of Big E’s hands. Right then, The Viper struck with another RKO out of nowhere to flatten The Almighty Champion.
RAW did well to build the segment after Big E made his intentions clear with a tweet. Even though it looked like the New Day member was simply fooling around, things got much more serious during the segment.
It was the build-up that the WWE Championship scene needed, especially after the match was moved from Extreme Rules to RAW.
#4. The rivalry between Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss picked up on WWE RAW
Charlotte Flair was booked to take on Shayna Baszler on RAW. She defeated Nia Jax last week and looked to do the same against Baszler in the non-title match.
Jax did not accompany her partner to the ring as Baszler walked out to face the RAW Women’s Champion. The Queen took control of the match early and took Baszler down with a crossbody followed by a couple of slams.
She climbed to the top rope, but The Queen of Spades tripped her and hit a kick to the head for a near fall. Baszler tried to lock in the Kirifuda Clutch, but the RAW Women’s Champion fought back with a side suplex.
Flair took Baszler down outside the ring with a moonsault before Jax made her way out. The distraction allowed Baszler to throw Charlotte into the steps.
While Baszler was gaining some momentum, Jax got on the apron and distracted Baszler, allowing Charlotte to hit a big boot for the pin.
After the match, Alexa Bliss came out with a gift for the RAW Women’s Champion. Flair opened it and found her own version of Lilly named Charly. The crowd started chanting "Charly" as the two women got into a brawl. Bliss ended the segment by taking down the RAW Women’s Champion.
The rivalry between Flair and Bliss is picking up, and The Goddess is playing her part well. It would be great if she ends up defeating Flair for the RAW Women’s title at Extreme Rules.
#3. Jeff Hardy gave Damian Priest a tough fight on WWE RAW
Damian Priest and Jeff Hardy competed in a United States Championship match on WWE RAW. Hardy was seen in a segment involving the 24/7 Championship last week. WWE decided to give Hardy a bigger match this week to calm his fans.
Priest was excited at the prospect of facing a superstar he respected for his title. Meanwhile, Sheamus wanted to see who he would face at Extreme Rules.
The Celtic Warrior watched the match from the commentary table as both men gave it their best in the ring. Hardy showcased his speed and energy during the contest, wearing The Archer of Infamy down in the process.
Both men hit a few moves from the top rope in hopes of putting each other down. A side-suplex attempt from Priest was countered by Hardy who reversed it into a splash.
The Archer of Infamy fought back and hit a spinning heel kick. The Charismatic Enigma nearly stole the win with a pin before Priest hit The Reckoning to put him away. Sheamus attacked Priest after the match.
The match was entertaining and gave The Charismatic Enigma a chance to win a top title on RAW. It was the right call to allow Damian Priest to retain the title before Extreme Rules.
#2. Bobby Lashley defeated Randy Orton on WWE RAW
Lashley defended his WWE Championship against Orton in the main event. The Viper decided to play mind games early on. Riddle distracted Lashley, and Orton went after the WWE Champion right after.
He slammed The Almighty all around the floor and sent him into the steps and the announce table. He could not put away the WWE Champion and sent him into the ring post. The Apex Predator kept the pressure on Lashley and weakened him by throwing him around outside the ring.
The Almighty fought back and worked his challenger. He hit a huge spear in the corner to cut The Viper in half. The two men traded some big moves throughout the contest as they tried to gain the upper hand.
Lashley countered an RKO late in the match and hit another spear. He couldn’t get the pin, and Orton countered The Hurt Lock soon after. He hit an RKO, but MVP helped him reach the ropes.
MVP ate an RKO for his troubles, but the distraction allowed Lashley to hit yet another spear and pick up the win on RAW. The match was good and allowed both men to put on a show.
Orton did well in the contest, and fans will have to wait and see RK-Bro defend their RAW Tag Team Championships.
#1. Big E won the WWE Championship after cashing in his Money in the Bank contract on RAW
Lashley wasn't finished with Orton after their match ended. He vented his frustration by putting The Viper through the announce table with a big slam. However, he seemed to hurt his knee in the process.
Big E’s music hit, and the babyface came out with a referee and the Money in the Bank briefcase in hand. Big E lived up to his promise and challenged Lashley for the WWE Championship only after his match against Orton was over.
The New Day member pissed off Lashley, and the WWE Champion unloaded on him. Big E started targeting Lashley’s knee and further injured it.
He went for the Big Ending, but Lashley countered it and hit a spear. Big E kicked out at the last moment and built up some momentum. He hoisted The Almighty on his shoulders and hit the biggest Big Ending of his career to pin the WWE Champion.
RAW needed some big moments, and this was arguably the biggest of the year. Big E deserved a big victory, and WWE did well to give him the title.
Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston ran down to celebrate with the new champion and gave fans a feel-good moment. What an unexpected episode of RAW so close to Extreme Rules!
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.
