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It was another good episode of RAW in the build to Extreme Rules. While the flow of the episode went back and forth in between, it started great and ended that way as well.
What was notable, however, was the absence of regularly featured stars like Alexa Bliss, The Miz, Mansoor, Mustafa Ali, etc. It didn't seem to matter too much, though, as WWE still put on a good episode of RAW.
Here is what they subtly told us on this week's episode:
#7. Bobby Lashley gets overwhelmed on RAW
Bobby Lashley came out to confront Damian Priest on RAW, but even RK-Bro entered the mix while Priest, Drew McIntyre, and Sheamus were all in the ring. Bobby Lashley seemed to have his sights set on becoming a double champion, whether it was a United States title victory or a RAW Tag team title victory.
Riddle opened his mouth about an "open challenge" and offered Bobby Lashley and MVP a shot at the RAW Tag Team titles. While Randy Orton pointed out that Riddle's "open challenge" wasn't "open" at all, MVP and Bobby Lashley were keen - so the main event of RAW was set.
MVP and Bobby Lashley challenged RK-Bro for the RAW Tag Team titles to close out the show. In the end, a chaotic finish ensued, but it was Riddle who got the pin and win over MVP for his team.
The RAW Tag Team titles remain intact. Immediately as Riddle was celebrating his win on RAW, Bobby Lashley speared him. The All Mighty was then hit with an RKO.
It was an interesting to see how things played out with WWE Champion Bobby Lashley. There are now two new potential challengers for Bobby Lashley and they're both champions - Randy Orton and Damian Priest.
It's hard to see any other superstar getting a shot at a pay-per-view. By all means, WWE has indicated that Bobby Lashley vs Goldberg will happen. Rumors suggest that Bobby Lashley vs Goldberg is penciled in for Crown Jewel in Saudi Arabia this October.
Whatever it is, it seems as though Bobby Lashley will hold on to the WWE title until October at the very least. Even then, Goldberg may not be the one to dethrone him. Big E seems to be the likeliest option.
#6. Possible reason why Drew McIntyre was pinned on RAW
In what turned out to be an incredible match on RAW, Damian Priest defended the United States title in a Triple Threat match against Drew McIntyre and Sheamus. How did it all come about?
Damian Priest kicked off RAW this week and, like many US champions before him, wanted to honor John Cena with an open challenge. Three superstars came out - Sheamus, Drew McIntyre, and Bobby Lashley.
While Bobby Lashley had his own tag team match booked, Adam Pearce and Sonya Deville announced that Damian Priest would defend the US title against Drew McIntyre and Sheamus in a Triple Threat match.
With the open challenge then closed, the match took place an hour into RAW. An incredible match is what it was. It was highly physical and intense, with both Sheamus and Drew McIntyre kicking out of big moves.
Ultimately, it was Drew McIntyre who took most of the punishment, with a Brogue Kick and a White Noise from the turnbuckles. While he kicked out on both occasions, Damian Priest took advantage and finished Drew McIntyre, pinning the 2-time WWE Champion.
It was a bit surprising to see Drew McIntyre getting pinned on RAW, but the reason for it was perhaps because WWE wants to continue a feud with Sheamus heading into Extreme Rules or a Champion vs Champion match vs Bobby Lashley.
#5. Eva Marie and Doudrop's feud on RAW continues
This week on RAW, Eva Marie was supposed to face Doudrop in a grudge match. However, before the match could even begin, Doudrop launched an assault on her. The referee couldn't even get the match on RAW started and called it off once Doudrop's assault had gotten too much.
Doudrop declared herself as the winner of the match, and Eva Marie wasn't happy about it. This simply means that WWE is continuing their feud. But did they make a big mistake with her attacking Eva Marie from behind as a babyface?
#4. Karrion Kross' dominance continues
WWE is finally getting it right with Karrion Kross after starting off wrong. The rumors of Karrion Kross losing being a message to NXT seems to be true, as he is now getting pushed.
When superstars don't have a program going on, it's good to have squash matches against smaller stars. It's a tried and tested formula to get stars over. However, it's only going to get him over to a certain extent. For now, he's being pushed right on RAW.
This week on RAW, Humberto Carrillo was Karrion Kross' victim.
#3. Jinder Mahal drops down, while The Viking Raiders take a step closer to RAW Tag Team title contention
One of the big issues with the RAW Tag Team division is the incredible lack of tag teams overall. This week on RAW, The Viking Raiders faced Jinder Mahal and Veer.
It was Jinder Mahal who surprisingly took the pinfall in a short match. This means two things - One, Jinder Mahal is dropping down the card and WWE isn't intent on pushing him. Second, The Viking Raiders have taken a step closer towards RAW Tag Team title contention.
It's unfortunate for Jinder Mahal, who was an important part of SummerSlam 2021.
#2. Johnny Drip Drip has a bad start to singles stardom on RAW
John Morrison was originally scheduled to face The Miz on RAW. For some reason, The Miz wasn't there. Instead, Johnny drip drip decided to have the biggest challenge possible - literally.
That big challenge happened to be the giant Omos. Understandably, it was a squash match that saw Omos pick up an easy victory. We're not sure why WWE halted the Miz-Morrison feud, but we wonder whether it's the same reason as why Alexa Bliss didn't appear.
#1. Rhea Ripley and Nikki A.S.H.'s alliance continues on RAW
This week on RAW, former Women's Champion Rhea Ripley took on Shayna Baszler - the woman she dethroned to become NXT Women's Champion early last year.
The circumstances are considerably different this year on RAW. Rhea Ripley and Shayna Baszler had an enjoyable match, but Nia Jax ended up taking Nikki A.S.H. out at ringside.
This seems to cement the fact that Rhea Ripley and Nikki A.S.H. will be going forward as a tag team. Since neither woman is vying for the RAW Women's title, for now, a tag team direction makes the most sense.
Rhea Ripley got the win with a lucky roll-up. Unfortunately for Shayna Baszler, it meant another pinfall defeat on RAW. Either way, the Nia Jax spot was meant to make her look strong ahead of her match against RAW Women's Champion Charlotte Flair.
The Nikki A.S.H.-Rhea Ripley alliance has been an enjoyable one to watch.
As for RAW Women's Champion Charlotte Flair, she faced Nia Jax and lost in a bit of an upset. There was no Alexa Bliss this week, for some reason. Does this mean that Nia Jax is automatically in title contention?
