RAW Results: McIntyre and Lashley attacked; Former WWE Champion returns with new associates

Jojo
It was a wild night on RAW
It was a wild night on RAW

Charlotte Flair kicked off RAW and was set to join women's tag team champs Shayna Baszler and Nia Jax in a match against the team of Asuka, Mandy Rose, and Dana Brooke.


Charlotte Flair, Shayna Baszler and Nia Jax vs. Asuka, Mandy Rose, and Dana Brooke on RAW

Jax and Rose kicked off the match and Charlotte tried for an early distraction that allowed them to get the upper hand. Asuka tagged in and was in control of the match when Alexa Bliss showed up at ringside and said that she was there to 'keep an eye on someone', thanks to Lilly.

Back after a commercial break, the tag champs were in control again and got a near fall on Rose while Alexa and Lilly looked on. Brooke came in and got a near fall on Shayna. Shayna struggled to reach her partner and Asuka came in and pinned her off a shining wizard.

Result: Asuka, Mandy Rose, and Dana Brooke def. Charlotte Flair, Shayna Baszler and Nia Jax

Flair knocked Asuka out after the match and walked off as Alexa and Lilly giggled and swung at ringside.

Grade: B


Backstage on RAW, the New Day were told by Riddle that R-K-Bro were now registered as a tag team. They then talked about hitting Elias and Ryker with bromatoes before Randy showed up and talked about ending careers and setting fire to people.


MVP approached Braun Strowman's locker room backstage on RAW and went in before trying to negotiate a deal. MVP wanted Braun to injure Drew McIntyre so he couldn't make it to WrestleMania: Backlash for the triple threat title match.

Strowman would get a one-on-one title match against Lashley by default if that happened.


Miz & Morrison met with Adam Pearce backstage on RAW where Damian Priest offered to let Morrison pick the stipulation for Priest's bout with The Miz at WrestleMania: Backlash if he won their match today.


Jinder Mahal returns to RAW with new associates

Jinder Mahal was back on RAW and the former WWE Champion showed up with two new followers: Veer and Shanky.


Jinder Mahal vs. Jeff Hardy on RAW

Jinder unloaded on Hardy as the match began and countered all of Hardy's early offense. Hardy hit Mahal with a jawbreaker and tried to fight his way back into the match.

Hardy came back with an axhandle from the corner but was caught in the Khallas. Jinder picked up the win and made his big comeback to RAW.

Result: Jinder Mahal def. Jeff Hardy

Grade: C


R-K-Bro and the New Day vs. AJ Styles, Omos, Elias and Jaxson Ryker on RAW

Elias and Riddle kicked off the match and the former nearly got caught in an armbar early on. Ryker was tagged in and Riddle took him down before Omos came in and The Original Bro was being tossed around by the giant in no time.

Woods and Kofi were taken out by Omos before he and Randy stared each other down but then Orton rolled out of the ring and we headed for a break.

R-K-Bro and the New Day vs. AJ Styles, Omos, Elias and Jaxson Ryker on RAW (contd...)

Back on RAW, Styles tagged in and was beating up Riddle in the ring. Kofi and Woods came in and nearly got a pin on AJ with a crossbody splash.

Ryker got a near fall on Woods before Omos took everyone out. New Day taunted Omos by rolling AJ around on the floor and Randy Orton hit the RKO on Elias off the distraction to get the win.

Result: R-K-Bro and the New Day def. AJ Styles, Omos, Elias and Jaxson Ryker

After the match, Randy hit RKOs on Woods and Kofi before walking out.

Grade: B+


Sonya Deville sanctioned a WrestleMania rematch between Asuka and Rhea Ripley, backstage on RAW.


Backstage on RAW, MVP and Lashley were confident that Bobby would beat Drew McIntyre tonight.


Sheamus was out next on RAW and said that his next title challenger would have to earn their opportunity before challenging Humberto Carrillo to a match which kicked off shortly after.


Sheamus vs. Humberto Carrillo on RAW

Humberto started off strong on RAW and sent Sheamus outside with a dropkick but was tossed into the timekeeper's area before we headed for commercials. Back on the show, Sheamus tried for a submission but Carrillo got out.

Sheamus missed the White Noise and Humberto turned it into a hurricanrana. Carrillo tried for a sunset flip powerbomb from the apron and managed to hit it but injured himself in the process, leading to a no contest.

Result: DNF

Grade: B


Cedric Alexander vs. Shelton Benjamin on RAW

The two former Hurt Business members faced each other for the first time since their falling out last week. Benjamin focused on the lower back and the legs of Cedric Alexander and beat Cedric up early on.

Shelton caught Cedric with a huge knee from the ground while Alexander hit a dive to the outside. Shelton went for the Paydirt, but Cedric countered. Cedric hit the Dropkick and Springboard high kick before taunting Shelton. Benjamin hit the T-Bone suplex and picked up the win.

Result: Shelton Benjamin def. Cedric Alexander

Grade: B

Backstage on RAW, Drew Gulak was furious about the embarrassment that Garza caused him last week. Garza said in return that he would shove a rose down his throat next time.


Rhea Ripley vs. Asuka on RAW

We got a WrestleMania rematch and Asuka came out for the second time tonight to face Ripley. Asuka went for an early armbar but Ripley found the ropes with her feet. Asuka missed the hip attack on the apron before Charlotte came out to have a close look at her Backlash opponents.

Rhea got distracted and was caught with a backhand before going down on the apron. After a commercial break, Charlotte was on commentary and Rhea still had control of the match.

Ripley was outside the ring and she and Flair got in each other's faces before Asuka nearly pinned her off the distraction. Ripley hit a Riptide and picked up the win.

Result: Rhea Ripley def. Asuka

Grade: B+


Backstage, Drew McIntyre was confident about his chances at WrestleMania: Backlash.


Damian Priest vs. John Morrison on RAW

Priest landed the sidewalk slam early on before Morrison got a near fall off the sliding knee.

Damian Priest vs. John Morrison on RAW (contd...)

Priest hit Morrison with a rolling high kick and took him down on RAW. Priest dominated the match before hitting the Broken Arrow for a near-fall. Morrison nearly pinned Priest with a crucifix but The Miz, unfortunately, distracted the referee.

Priest got the Hit the Lights and picked up the win on RAW.

Result: Damian Priest def. John Morrison

Damian Priest chose a Lumberjack match for his WrestleMania: Backlash clash against The Miz.

Grade: B


Bobby Lashley vs. Drew McIntyre on RAW

A second WrestleMania rematch for tonight!
A second WrestleMania rematch for tonight!

Drew was caught in a headlock and broke free before taking a neck breaker. Drew hit chops in the corner before the match went outside where McIntyre hit a huge suplex on the floor.

After a commercial break, Lashley got back in control of the match and sent McIntyre outside to the floor with a big tackle. Lashley sent Drew into the steel post before Drew countered the spear.

Drew hit a few suplexes and a spinebuster but the WWE champ kicked out. Lashley went for the Hurt Lock but took the Claymore right when Braun Strowman made his entrance and hit a powerslam on Drew from behind.

Braun pretended to shake hands with Lashley before hitting him too with the powerslam and then one more on Drew. He then sent Lashley through the barricades before walking to the ring for one last powerslam on Drew.

Result: DNF

Grade: A


Episode grade: B

We got a great RAW before WrestleMania: Backlash with two WrestleMania rematches and the return of Jinder Mahal. MVP made Strowman an offer while R-K-Bro got another win on RAW.