'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
With WWE Hell in a Cell just six days away, RAW tried to bring some major rivalries to boiling point. Fans watched several matches take place, with a few having disappointing ends.
Nikki Cross and Charlotte Flair competed early on in the night, while Rhea Ripley took on Asuka later. The New Day was also looking to prove that they were the premier tag team on RAW in a match against The RK-Bro.
Elias and Jaxson Ryker competed in a match that led to another count-out victory for the latter. Alexa Bliss also returned to the RAW ring for a match against a superstar from the women’s division after a long time.
Plus, Drew McIntyre took on AJ Styles just days before his big match against Bobby Lashley for the WWE Championship.
Take a look at the five things WWE got right on RAW before Hell in a Cell.
#5 The tension between Rhea Ripley and Charlotte Flair heightened on WWE RAW
The first match of the night saw Nikki Cross take on Charlotte Flair. Cross has picked up some big victories on RAW over the past few weeks and was ready to show her skills once again.
Flair wanted to prove that she should not have lost to Cross in the two-minute challenge a couple of weeks ago. Rhea Ripley came out to watch the match and distracted The Queen for Cross to get a near-fall.
Flair seemed overconfident throughout the contest once again and punished the Scottish Superstar. She also started taunting Ripley, unaware of the fact that the referee was counting. Cross rolled back into the ring just in time to pick up a count-out victory over Flair.
The Queen took down Cross with a big boot following her loss before Ripley attacked Flair.
Later on RAW, Rhea Ripley competed in a match against Asuka. The Empress of Tomorrow controlled the match for some time before the RAW Women’s Champion made a comeback.
Asuka tried to use her submission holds to wear out Ripley, but the powerhouse used her strength to keep The Empress down. The RAW Women’s Champion finally picked up the victory with a Riptide to Asuka.
After the match, Charlotte Flair repaid the favor and attacked Ripley. They brawled until officials broke them up.
The two matches weren't special, but they allowed Ripley's and Flair's build-up to their match on Sunday.
It was unfortunate to see Asuka work as a warm-up for Ripley. However, it will be interesting to see who comes out on top on Sunday at Hell in a Cell.
#4 Jeff Hardy got a couple of matches on WWE RAW
Jeff Hardy and John Morrison were in a singles match on WWE RAW this week. The two experienced men got down to business and traded some fine moves. Cedric Alexander decided to come out and watch the match closely after being defeated by Hardy last week.
After some good moves, JoMo hit Hardy with Starship Pain to pick up a surprising victory. After the match, Alexander grabbed a mic and taunted Hardy. He apologized for not sending Hardy to a retirement home last week.
The Charismatic Enigma offered Cedric a rematch and claimed he would retire if Alexander beat him. The rematch took off soon after and Alexander targeted Hardy’s knee to weaken the veteran.
A Michinoku Driver earned Alexander a near-fall but he could not put Hardy away. Soon after, Hardy hit the Twist of Fate followed by the Swanton Bomb to pick up the victory.
It was good to see Morrison pick up a convincing victory after a long time. He deserves to get more singles victories and climb up the ladder on RAW. Hardy also picked up a crucial win against Alexander.
Alexander, who failed to put down Shelton Benjamin earlier, has now been humiliated by Jeff Hardy. What will he do on RAW going forward?
#3 The RK-Bro took down New Day on WWE RAW
RK-Bro and The New Day have had an eventful rivalry on WWE RAW. The two teams were set for a tag team match on this week’s episode. Riddle was defeated by Kofi Kingston last week, and he needed to prove to Randy Orton that he could right the wrong.
Woods and Riddle kicked off the action and got down to business. The New Day isolated Riddle for some time while Orton was forced to watch from his corner. The Viper was tagged in soon after, and the action picked up from there.
Both teams delivered some fine moves to keep the action ticking. There were several big spots during the contest and Riddle nearly put Kingston away with the Floating Bro, but the latter kicked out.
The Original Bro couldn't believe it and tried to keep the pressure on the veteran. Orton had to break up a pin late in the match to protect Riddle and finally hit an RKO on Woods to pick up the win.
This was the best match on RAW this week. All four men showed their skills and worked well together. A victory for RK-Bro will likely put an end to this rivalry. It could soon allow Orton and Riddle to move into the RAW Tag Team Championship picture.
#2 Alexa Bliss continued her bizarre gimmicks on WWE RAW
Nia Jax approached Alexa Bliss on WWE RAW with some big news. She informed The Goddess that Shayna Baslzer would face her at Hell in a Cell. The Irresistible Force challenged Bliss to a match for later on RAW.
The match kicked off with Bliss trying to take out Jax’s leg early. Bliss’s efforts were in vain as a big shot from Jax turned the tables.
The Goddess avoided a leg drop from Jax by sitting up like The Undertaker. She gained the upper hand with some big moves and hit Jax with Twisted Bliss to nearly pick up the victory. However, Reginald arrived to break up the pin and cause a disqualification.
Bliss stared at Reginald and mimicked his movements until Jax recovered and got back to her feet. The match wasn’t great, but it was good to watch Bliss compete in a proper match for the first time since February.
Hopefully, the match between Shayna Baszler and Bliss will be much better and more rewarding for the fans. Will Baszler end up joining The Goddess and Lilly at WWE Hell in a Cell?
#1 Drew McIntyre pinned Bobby Lashley on WWE RAW
Drew McIntyre and AJ Styles competed in a one-on-one match on WWE RAW this week. Bobby Lashley and MVP appeared with their group to watch the contest from the ramp.
Soon after the match started, Lashley tried to get involved and hurt his opponent for Sunday. Moments later, The Viking Raiders turned up to even the odds for The Scottish Warrior.
McIntyre and Styles continued to compete for some time before The All Mighty finally attacked his future opponent to end the match in a disqualification. Erik and Ivar made the save as Omos took his partner out of the ring.
Moments later, the inevitable six-man tag team match took place. The Viking Raiders took control early before Lashley leveled both men with some impressive moves. Fans even got a chance to watch a brief showdown between McIntyre and Omos during the match.
Finally, The Scottish Warrior hit a sickening Claymore Kick to the WWE Champion and pinned him to score the win for his team on RAW.
Fans also got a glimpse of what to expect during the future RAW Tag Team Match between The Viking Raiders and the team of Styles and Omos.
What was your favorite moment from this week's WWE RAW? Share your picks in the comments section below.
To stay updated with the latest news, rumors, and controversies in WWE every day, subscribe to Sportskeeda Wrestling’s YouTube channel.
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.
