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We learned that Randy Orton could not make it to RAW tonight and would have to be replaced in the last chance Triple Threat Money in the Bank qualifier match. Instead, RAW kicked off with a Battle Royal that that would decide his replacement in the qualifier.
Riddle walked up to Adam Pearce and Sonya Deville backstage before the match started, and said that he had a letter from Randy. The letter was written in green marker and it stated that Riddle should take his place in the triple threat qualifier tonight on Randy's behalf.
Pearce, Deville, and the rest of the WWE Universe did not doubt that the letter was written by Riddle himself, especially since he drew a little snake where the signature would be on the letter. Adam and Sonya said that they could not add Riddle straight to the qualifier, but the best they could do was add him to the Battle Royal.
Battle Royal Match - Winner replaces Randy Orton in the MITB Qualifier on RAW
Drew Gulak was the first one to be eliminated thanks to Shelton Benjamin. Benjamin was eliminated next before Garza was dropped from the ring but managed to keep one foot off the floor, hopping back to the ring. Ali and Mansoor teamed up to eliminate Garza before Ali turned on the youngster and eliminated Mansoor.
Jinder Mahal nearly eliminated Riddle before R- Truth, and Tozawa were tossed out of the ring. Drew Gulak pinned Tozawa outside the ring before Truth pinned Gulak for the 24/7 title. Truth was immediately pinned by Tozawa who took his 24/7 title back. That was three title changes in under a minute!
Omos came out and dragged Erik and Ivar over the ropes before we headed for a break. Back on RAW, Jinder Mahal was the next to be eliminated and only Hardy, Alexander, Priest, and Riddle remained on RAW.
Battle Royal Match - Winner replaces Randy Orton in the MITB Qualifier on RAW (contd...)
Cedric eliminated Hardy before Damian Priest took out Alexander on RAW. Riddle and Priest were left in the ring and the two hit each other with their finishers before Priest was caught on the apron with a huge knee strike.
Result: Riddle won the Battle Royal and will replace Randy Orton in the MITB Qualifier tonight
After the match, Riddle asked for Randy's music and did the Viper's celebration as well.
Grade: B
Backstage on RAW, AJ Styles said that he was not happy about the triple threat MITB qualifier match tonight and wished it was a one-on-one bout between him and McIntyre.
Nikki Cross vs. Shayna Baszler on RAW
Baszler got the first takedown of the match and hit a few big suplexes before sending her into the corner. Cross returned with a dropkick, sending Baszler outside before Alexa Bliss showed up at ringside. Cross hit a crossbody on Jax, Baszler, and Reginald off the distraction as RAW continued.
Nikki Cross vs. Shayna Baszler on RAW (contd...)
Back on RAW after a break, Cross hit a huge top rope move before Alexa used her powers to remove Reggie and Jax. Baszler was distracted in the ring and barely escaped a roll-up. Cross went for a second roll-up off the counter and picked up the win on RAW.
Result: Nikki Cross def. Shayna Baszler
Grade: B-
Kofi Kignston sends a message to Bobby Lashley on RAW
Kofi Kingston was in the ring and said that watching Lashley and MVP beat up Woods inside Hell in a Cell last week changed him. He said he was set to beat Lashley at Money in the Bank for the WWE title before MVP walked out.
MVP mocked him and said that Kofi was no threat to Lashley and that the WWE Champ liked every moment of beating up Woods last week. Kofi said that Lashley might be getting 'soft' and talked about MVP having to save the champ in his last few title matches.
The two yelled at each other as RAW continued, mocking each other's accomplishments before Kofi said Woods would be back next week. MVP said he would beat Kofi himself if he wasn't injured and Kingston ran down and hit him with the Trouble in Paradise.
Eva Marie and Doudrop were backstage on RAW and Marie said that her protege was there to redeem herself after last week's slip-up.
Asuka & Naomi vs. Eva Marie & Doudrop on RAW
Naomi and Doudrop started off the match and the latter hit the sit-down splash on Naomi but missed the Senton.
Asuka had a chokehold submission locked in on Doudrop and she was struggling and went for a tag. But Eva stepped off the apron just like Doudrop did to her last week.
Doudrop managed to recover and take both Naomi and Asuka out, securing the win despite Eva's actions.
Result: Eva Marie & Doudrop def. Asuka & Naomi
After the match, Eva claimed the win for herself and only herself.
Grade: C
Miz and Morrison were backstage before Ricochet came in and sprayed them with their own dripsticks.
Ricochet vs. John Morrison on RAW
Ricochet was dominating off the bat as RAW continued to send Morrison out of the ring. Miz blocked a shot from Ricochet who hit a hurricanrana over The A-Lister's wheelchair before spraying him once more with a dripstick.
Back after a break, Morrison hit a rolling senton and got a near fall before going for a huge springboard kick. Ricochet countered the starship pain and went for a dive, taking Morrison off the barricade!
Both men failed to recover from the fall in time and we got a double count-out.
Result: Double count-out
Grade: B
Charlotte, Tamina & Natalya vs. Rhea Ripley, Mandy Rose & Dana Brooke on RAW
Ripley and Charlotte started brawling as soon as the match kicked off and the rest of their teams started going at each other as well. Team Ripley managed to knock the others out of the ring before we headed for commercials.
Back on RAW, Natalya was in the ring with Brooke before Charlotte tagged in and isolated Brooke with the help of her team.
Charlotte, Tamina & Natalya vs. Rhea Ripley, Mandy Rose & Dana Brooke on RAW (contd...)
Ripley and Charlotte were in and Flair managed to counter the RAW Women's champ before tagging in Natalya. Rose tagged in and hit a Sunset Flip on Natalya before Charlotte sneaked in a tag and picked up the win with a big boot.
Result: Charlotte, Tamina & Natalya def. Rhea Ripley, Mandy Rose & Dana Brooke
Ripley hit a chop block on Flair after the match and walked out of the ring.
Grade: B
Elias vs. Jaxson Ryker - Strap Match on RAW
The match went outside right away and Elias sent Ryker into the steel steps before using the ring post to his advantage. Ryker broke free before whipping him with the strap.
Elias got a big knee strike before Ryker hit a massive Irish whip. He whipped Elias with the strap a few more times before getting a clothesline in. Ryker hit the Bossman slam, picking up the win rather quickly.
Result: Jaxson Ryker def. Elias
Grade: C
Riddle was backstage on RAW wearing Randy's jumper and acted like him before Damian Priest made him break character for a moment.
AJ Styles vs. Drew McIntyre vs. Riddle - Triple Threat Qualifier Match for Money in the Bank on RAW
Drew went after Riddle and AJ right off the bat and took them both down. The former WWE Champ was dominating the match and tossed Riddle and AJ across the ring with belly-to-belly suplexes.
McIntyre cleared the announce desk but failed to put AJ through it. Styles blocked another suplex attempt on the announce desk before McIntyre took out Riddle. AJ and Riddle teamed up and put Drew through the announce table!
Back after a break on RAW, AJ and Riddle were battling in the ring and Riddle broke out of the calf crusher. Riddle set up for the RKO but AJ nearly took him out before he could hit it.
McIntyre came back and sent AJ into the barricades before getting the reverse Alabama Slam on Riddle in the ring, wiping him out but failing to get the pin.
AJ Styles vs. Drew McIntyre vs. Riddle - Triple Threat Qualifier Match for Money in the Bank on RAW (contd...)
Riddle managed to toss Drew outside before hitting kicks to his face as RAW went on. Riddle hit a springboard dive to the outside, taking out both Styles and Drew.
Riddle went for a kick but went straight into the steel steps after AJ got out of the way. Riddle was injured and had to be escorted out with the help of crew and officials.
After a break on RAW, AJ and Drew were in the ring and Styles was taking a beating once more. Drew got a near fall before AJ got the calf crusher in. Riddle limped back to the ring with bandages on his leg and went for the bro-mission.
Riddle hit AJ with the RKO but Omos dragged Styles outside before McIntyre hit the Claymore for the win.
Result: Drew McIntyre won the qualifier and will join the Money in the Bank Ladder match
Grade: B
Episode Grade: B
Things are heating up on RAW as we get closer to Money in the Bank and the return for WWE to the live arena. Nikki Cross continued her winning trend on RAW while Ricochet's crossbody on Morrison sent shockwaves around the world.
