'%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)
WWE RAW delivered a decent episode this week. The show had a lot of positives that included jaw-dropping swerves, big returns, and much-anticipated redemptions. Despite a couple of drawbacks, tonight’s episode was uncharacteristically entertaining.
Here, we will look at the flops and hits from WWE RAW this week. So, without further ado, let’s begin.
Trending
#6 Hit on WWE RAW: Randy Orton makes a huge return
Randy Orton returned on WWE RAW after almost two months. We last saw The Viper when he lost a crucial MITB qualifier because of Riddle’s interference. That didn’t stop The Original Bro from rushing to the ring when he saw that his tag team partner is back on the Red brand. Unfortunately, his enthusiasm met with Orton’s cold demeanor, who shockingly said that both he and Riddle don’t need to work together as a tag team.
They were soon interrupted by AJ Styles and Omos, and all four superstars were involved in a brief altercation. It led to a match being booked between Styles and Orton later in the night. Riddle repeatedly asked the latter if he could accompany him to the ring, but The Viper denied his request. He believed that he could fight and win all by himself on the Red brand.
Styles and Orton then faced each other in an engaging encounter in the main event. Both superstars were equally dominant and crafted excellent attacks throughout the bout. Orton delivered a draping DDT from the second rope to keep Styles from moving. He then prepared for an RKO, but Omos removed his partner from harm’s way.
Omos’ interference caused Riddle to rush to the ringside during the main event on WWE RAW. He took the giant out of the equation while Styles prepared for a Phenomenal Forearm. He even jumped off the top rope, but Orton caught him mid-air and brought down his opponent with a devastating RKO. He then pinned to pick up a win over one-half of WWE RAW Tag Team Champions.
End of RK-Bro?
After the match, Orton was angry because Riddle didn’t follow his instructions, while the latter argued that they are great as a tag team. Both superstars eventually hugged and celebrated with the fans. However, things quickly took a shocking turn when Randy Orton hit The Original Bro with an RKO and sat next to his ‘tag team partner’ with an evil grin.
It was typical of Randy Orton to betray Riddle, and it came across as a huge swerve. Maybe that is one of the reasons why Orton is considered a legendary performer in the business. However, one can’t help but wonder if it was too soon to end the RK-Bro? Their alliance was one of the most entertaining things we have seen on the Red brand in a while.
After the show went off the air, John Cena walked towards the ring. He then got Orton and Riddle to hug once again, and the events implied that The Viper’s RKO might not lead to RK-Bro’s split after all. Are there more surprises in store?
#5 Hit on WWE RAW: Damian Priest pins John Morrison and exposes The Miz
This week on WWE RAW, Damian Priest faced John Morrison in an entertaining singles match. Both superstars looked equally strong, but Priest eventually managed to overpower Johnny Drip Drip. The latter also deserves a lot of credit for taking several bumps that allowed Priest’s victory to look as convincing as it could get.
After the match, Priest used The Miz’s “Drip Stick” to attack Morrison before turning his attention towards The A-Lister on WWE RAW. He continued to threaten The Miz in close proximity until the former world champion shockingly stood up from his wheelchair. The Archer of Infamy said that he knew the latter wasn’t injured as he watched the two-time WWE Champion run backstage.
Soon after that, Sheamus walked out and accepted Priest’s title challenge. Both superstars are now set to face each other at SummerSlam 2021 for the United States Championship.
As for The Miz and Morrison, it will be interesting to see what’s next for the entertaining duo on WWE RAW. Now that we know that the former isn’t really injured, could we see them competing in the tag team division over the coming weeks?
#4 Hit on WWE RAW: Elias buries old gimmick
Elias was gone from WWE RAW for a while. Even before that, he mostly found himself a part of underwhelming matches. Tonight, WWE aired some interesting footage featuring The Drifter. He was seen playing his guitar before throwing his favorite instrument in the fire. Following that, he said, “Elias is dead,” and walked away.
His musical character is now in the past, and we are excited to see what’s next for the talented superstar. He enjoyed a great time with that guitar, but now, Rick Boogs on SmackDown is doing something similar. Thus, it is a brilliant opportunity for Elias to explore other gimmicks and rebrand himself on the Red brand.
#3 Hit on WWE RAW: Karrion Kross beats Jeff Hardy in an entertaining match
The NXT Champion, Karrion Kross, returned on WWE RAW for a rematch against Jeff Hardy. Both superstars previously faced each other when Kross debuted on the Red brand and lost his first match on the main roster. While we have seen him face Jeff Hardy and Keith Lee before, tonight was the first time Karrion Kross looked almost as strong as he does on NXT.
Kross started the match on a dominant note, but Hardy soon fought his way back. He added elevation to some of his hard-hitting maneuvers that helped take down the NXT Champion. Both superstars engaged in a well-balanced encounter that eventually ended with Kross picking up a convincing victory. Following the match, he attacked Jeff Hardy once again to assert his dominance.
Fans were skeptical about seeing Karrion Kross back on WWE RAW, but the reigning champion of the Black and Gold brand was highly impressive tonight. He looked strong, and his match was entertaining, and we hope that things will only get better when Scarlett joins him.
Another great thing about the match was the pop for Jeff Hardy when The Charismatic Enigma made his entrance. It was incredible to see the fans rally him throughout the match on WWE RAW. Hardy also deserves appreciation for working hard to put Kross convincingly over during their match this week.
#2 Flop on WWE RAW: Nikki A.S.H.’s match ends in disqualification
WWE RAW Women’s Champion Nikki A.S.H. returned to action this week. She faced former champion Rhea Ripley, in a singles match that ended in a disappointing fashion, but we will get to the specifics later. Nikki and Ripley looked impressive during their in-ring bout. There was a subtle change in their equation as the champion took more chances in the face of brutality.
Ripley is now being booked as a babyface on WWE RAW, but that barely impacted her ruthlessness. In hindsight, that is an excellent decision as it adds to her credibility. Nikki also looked strong as she showed her resilience throughout the match. Unfortunately, all of this amounted to nothing as Charlotte Flair interfered and attacked both superstars, ending the match in DQ.
It is understandable that the creative team want to draw more heat towards The Queen before the three superstars face each other for the RAW Women’s Championship at SummerSlam 2021. However, attacking Nikki A.S.H. and Rhea Ripley after their match would have fetched the same reaction.
The only difference is that a legitimate finish and a potential win for Nikki could have helped the champion look strong before a big match. She desperately needs momentum on her side before the triple-threat match, and such booking decisions aren’t helping her credibility on WWE RAW.
#1 Flop/Hit on WWE RAW: Alexa Bliss defeats Doudrop
This week on WWE RAW, Alexa Bliss returned to in-ring action and faced Doudrop in a singles match. While it was a decent bout, the finish could have been slightly better. Bliss and Doudrop took turns to dominate the match while Eva Marie stood at ringside. Both superstars were impressive and played to their respective strengths.
Towards the end, Doudrop gained momentum and managed to keep Bliss on the mat for several minutes. She then tried to rile up the crowd but soon got her eyes fixed on Lilly, who was in the corner at the top of the ring post. The doll winked at Doudrop, which left her in shock, and Bliss capitalized on the opportunity to pick up a win on WWE RAW.
Now, here’s what gets tricky. The only thing worse than ending matches in meaningless disqualifications are unconvincing ‘surprise’ roll-up pinfalls from behind. The move isn’t wrong, but it has been used to death on WWE RAW over the last few weeks. Although Doudrop had lost her focus entirely, Bliss still chose to go for a weak move.
Wouldn’t it be better to have her hit a devastating finisher before going for a pinfall? It would have made Lilly’s work look more like an actual distraction rather than a desperate ploy. Bliss should be booked strongly throughout this feud to help her momentum before she inevitably enters the RAW Women’s Championship picture.
You can check out this week's edition of Sportskeeda Wrestling's Legion of RAW in the video above.
Meet Randy Orton's lovely wife HERE
