WWE has made a change to one of the teams for Survivor Series.
Bobby Lashley will now be part of Team Raw for the men’s five-on-five traditional Survivor Series elimination match against SmackDown. Lashley took Dominik Mysterio’s spot on Team Raw by defeating Dominik on Raw tonight.
WWE authority figure Adam Pearce appeared on Raw tonight and said he felt like he might have made a mistake by giving Dominik a spot on the team. Pearce noted that every other member of the team was a former World Champion. He gave Dominik a chance to keep his spot — in a match against Lashley.
Lashley dominated Dominik throughout their match and submitted him with the Hurt Lock.
The men’s Survivor Series elimination match will see Raw’s Seth Rollins, Finn Balor, Kevin Owens, Rey Mysterio & Lashley face SmackDown’s Drew McIntyre, Jeff Hardy, Xavier Woods, Sami Zayn & Baron Corbin. The women’s elimination match will pit Raw’s Bianca Belair, Rhea Ripley, Liv Morgan, Carmella & Zelina Vega against SmackDown’s Sasha Banks, Shayna Baszler, Shotzi, Natalya & Aliyah.
Survivor Series is taking place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York on Sunday, November 21.
Tonight’s Raw was Lashley’s first appearance since losing a no holds barred, falls count anywhere match against Goldberg at Crown Jewel on October 21.
After defeating Bobby Lashley at Crown Jewel, Goldberg has expressed satisfaction with his performance.
Goldberg reflected on his trip to Saudi Arabia for Crown Jewel on the latest episode of the CarCast podcast. While discussing his match against Lashley, Goldberg said that, while he’s not happy with his performance, he’s satisfied enough with it after not having the best track record in Saudi Arabia previously. Goldberg said he thinks the performance “shut all these f*ckers up finally.”
“I don’t have the best track record in Saudi Arabia,” Goldberg said. I’ve knocked myself out in a match, I’ve dropped The Undertaker on his head, and this and that. I needed to redeem myself. I’m not happy with my performance, but I’m satisfied with it to a point where I think it’s shut all these f*ckers up finally.”
Goldberg vs. Lashley at Crown Jewel was a no holds barred, falls count anywhere match. Goldberg won when he speared Lashley off the stage and onto a crash pad on the floor.
Also on the CarCast, Goldberg addressed how his injured knee is feeling and spoke about what his relationship with Lashley is like behind the scenes.
“The knee, I mean it hurts. It is what it is. The fact is I hurt every day of my life. It’s all relative, you know? And my brace held up well, fortunately. He went after my knee again. But, it is what it is, man. I dropped the hammer on his ass in the end and you know, if you want to know about me and Bobby behind the scenes, let’s just say that Gage Goldberg is Wanda and I’s son and there is no frickin’ way I would let anyone on this planet touch him if I didn’t love and trust them,” Goldberg said.
“So, Bobby’s a great individual and I’ve wanted for years to be able to have a program with him. And you know, I’m just honored that he let me do it. You know, it was fun. And getting some payback and kicking his ass in the end was just icing on top of the cake.”
Another stipulation is set for Goldberg and Bobby Lashley’s match at Crown Jewel.
It was announced on the pre-show for Crown Jewel this morning that Goldberg vs. Lashley, which was already a no holds barred match, will now also have a falls count anywhere stipulation. Lashley defeated Goldberg by referee stoppage when they faced off at SummerSlam this August. After the match, Lashley put Goldberg’s 15-year-old son Gage in the Hurt Lock.
Also on the Crown Jewel pre-show, it was initially announced that a no disqualification stipulation was being added to Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar’s Universal Championship match. It was later said that Reigns and Lesnar had no interest in the stipulation and it would still be a regular match.
Edge and Seth Rollins’ Hell in a Cell match will be kicking off the Crown Jewel main card at noon Eastern time.
Here’s what’s been announced for today’s show:
Universal Champion Roman Reigns defends against Brock Lesnar
SmackDown Women’s Champion Becky Lynch defends against Bianca Belair and Sasha Banks in a triple threat match
WWE Champion Big E defends against Drew McIntyre
No holds barred, falls count anywhere match: Goldberg vs. Bobby Lashley
Raw Tag Team Champions RK-Bro (Randy Orton & Riddle) defend against AJ Styles & Omos
Mansoor vs. Mustafa Ali
King of the Ring tournament finals: Finn Balor vs. Xavier Woods
Queen’s Crown tournament finals: Zelina Vega vs. Doudrop
Hell in a Cell match: Edge vs. Seth Rollins
Non-title match: SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos vs. Shelton Benjamin & Cedric Alexander (pre-show)
Bobby Lashley vs. Goldberg has been made official for WWE Crown Jewel.
The match was made official on tonight’s Raw after Lashley issued the challenge to Goldberg, saying he’d accept another match as long as it was a no holds barred match. Goldberg accepted, telling Lashley that he was not only next, but also dead.
Goldberg and Lashley have been feuding since this summer, when Goldberg faced then-WWE Champion Lashley at SummerSlam. The finish had Goldberg unable to continue after suffering a knee injury, with the referee stopping the match. Goldberg’s son Gage came to the ring to help him. Lashley responded by laying out Gage with the hurt lock. Since then, Goldberg has called for revenge against Lashley.
Appearing on tonight’s Raw, Goldberg again said that Lashley would pay for what he did. Lashley invited Gage to Crown Jewel, insisting that what had happened at SummerSlam was a misunderstanding. But if Gage got involved again, what happens to him next would not be an accident.
Crown Jewel will take place on October 21 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The WWE Championship was on the line in a steel cage match in the main event of last night’s Raw.
Big E and Bobby Lashley’s WWE Championship match initially kicked off last night’s show, but it ended in a no contest due to interference. The Hurt Business reunited as Shelton Benjamin and Cedric Alexander came out to ringside during the match. Big E’s New Day stablemates Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods then made their way out to brawl with Benjamin and Alexander.
With the match not having a decisive finish, it was announced that Big E would defend the WWE Championship against Lashley in a steel cage match later in the night.
Big E retained his title after hitting the Big Ending on Lashley from the middle rope. Benjamin and Alexander also got involved again during the match before being taken out by Kingston and Woods. Benjamin, Alexander, Kingston, and Woods were all ejected from ringside.
Big E’s next challenger appeared to emerge after the steel cage match. Drew McIntyre came out to the stage, pointed his sword Angela at Big E, and the two had a staredown.
Last night’s Extreme Rules fallout edition of Raw also saw Damian Priest defend his United States title against Sheamus in a no DQ and no countout match. Plus, Goldberg appeared via video and sent a message to Lashley, Doudrop answered Charlotte Flair’s Raw Women’s Championship open challenge, and Keith Lee returned as Keith “Bearcat” Lee.
Goldberg appeared on WWE Raw tonight, targeting Bobby Lashley.
On tonight’s show, Goldberg appeared via satellite. He said that he hoped Lashley was a better father than he was a liar, as he knew that Lashley was lying when he said choking out his son Gage was a misunderstanding. He swore that he would protect his son against anything and anyone. He promised to hurt Lashley, and if he was lucky, Goldberg said that he would kill him. He promised that Lashley would be his next victim.
Goldberg was last seen at SummerSlam, where he challenged Bobby Lashley for the WWE Championship. Lashley injured Goldberg’s knee during the match, eventually causing the referee to stop the match. Lashley continued to attack Goldberg’s knee afterwards, causing Goldberg’s son Gage to enter the ring to try and help his father. Lashley ended up applying the Hurt Lock on Gage and escaped before Goldberg could recover.
On tonight’s episode of Raw, Bobby Lashley challenged Big E for the WWE Championship. After their first match ended in a DQ finish, Big E defeated Lashley in a steel cage match to retain the title.
One of WWE’s top factions looks to be back in business.
During Big E and Bobby Lashley’s WWE Championship match on tonight’s episode of Raw, Shelton Benjamin and Cedric Alexander appeared at ringside wearing their Hurt Business T-shirts. Lashley had kicked Benjamin and Alexander out of The Hurt Business on Raw this March. MVP is also part of the group.
Big E’s New Day stablemates Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods ran out to brawl with Benjamin and Alexander after they appeared. The match ended in a no contest, leading to WWE authority figure Adam Pearce announcing that Big E will defend his WWE Championship against Lashley in a steel cage match later on tonight’s show.
Lashley gave Benjamin and Alexander fist bumps as the three of them were heading up the ramp following the announcement.
Big E cashed in his Money in the Bank briefcase on Lashley to win the WWE Championship on Raw two weeks ago. When asked about potential challengers in an interview with Complex, Big E said he wanted to see The Hurt Business get back together:
Oh yeah, man. The first thought that comes to mind is The Hurt Business. I want to see them back. I want to see them together. Man, just the opportunity to go out there. The story is already there. The history is there, but I beat Bobby, and now Bobby needs to back up and [get] his two cast-off brothers back again. I got two brothers of my own. There are so many opportunities. And, same thing, I look over at SmackDown, it’s Roman and The Bloodline. I am someone who loves that. You look at The Hurt Business, you look at The Bloodline, and those that might be in those two great, incredible [factions] with really talented performers. But imagine The Hurt Business coming back together to do battle with The New Day. All kinds of incarnations; singles matches, tag matches. Man, there’s so much that we can do there.
So that’s the first order of business. I saw Cedric’s tweet, too, and I sent him the ‘mount up.’ Let him know: bring your boys, get the troop together, because that’s what I want. And I don’t think Bobby is ready to go quietly into that good night. I think he’s got some more fighting. So I want to see him with his troop, and let’s get this thing cracking again.
MVP is currently out of action after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery last week. He said he hopes to be back on Raw in 4-6 weeks. In storyline, WWE claimed that MVP suffered a rib injury when Randy Orton gave him an RKO on the floor.
Date: September 27, 2021 Location: Heritage Bank Center in Cincinnati, OH
The Big Takeaway —
Big E beat Bobby Lashley in a cage match to retain the WWE Championship. Drew McIntyre might be his next challenger.
Keith “Bearcat” Lee returned to squash Akira Tozawa, and Goldberg threatened to kill Lashley in a video promo.
Alexa Bliss was not on the show.
Show Recap —
There was a video recap of Big E beating Bobby Lashley for the title before pinning him again last night at Extreme Rules.
WWE Championship match: Big E vs. Bobby Lashley ended in a DQ (9:59)
Lashley backed Big E into the corner so Big E smacked him right in the face. That pissed off Lashley and he whaled on Big E, who came up bleeding from the mouth. Lashley posted him but Big E responded with an overhead suplex onto the mats.
That led to a commercial break less than three minutes into this title match even though this opened the show. Fortunately, it was a short break.
Lashley regained control by hitting a flatliner. They collided as they both hit clotheslines at the same time before Lashley cut off Big E’s comeback attempt with a swinging neckbreaker. Big E went for the Big Ending but Lashley fought his way to the apron. That led to Big E hitting a big spear through the ropes to the delight of the crowd.
Big E got to his feet only to see Shelton Benjamin and Cedric Alexander (wearing Hurt Business t-shirts) standing over him. Big E returned to the ring and ate a spinebuster. Lashley hit a spear as Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods ran down to attack Benjamin and Alexander.
The brawl spilled into the ring and interrupted the cover which led to a disqualification.
The teams continued to brawl and the New Day got the best of it after Kingston and Woods hit dives.
After officials ran down to break things up, Adam Pearce entered to announce that the two men will wrestle for the title later tonight in a steel cage match. The crowd was happy to hear it.
********
Angel Garza and Humberto Carrillo did a backstage promo earlier today, basically explaining how handsome they were.
Angel Garza (w/Humberto Carrillo) defeated Erik (w/Ivar) (2:00)
Erik hit a knee strike but became distracted by Carrillo who jumped on the apron, seemingly ready to throw Garza’s pants at him. Erik turned around into a superkick by Garza, who finished him off with a Wing Clipper for the pinfall win.
********
I don’t always mention when there’s a video recap, but I should probably mention that there was a video package of Charlotte Flair beating Alexa Bliss and Bliss’ post-match freak-out.
On Friday’s Smackdown: the draft begins.
********
24/7 Championship match: Reginald vs. Ricochet ended in a DQ (1:27)
They did some acrobatics until Ricochet wiped out Reginald with a dive. R-Truth and Drew Gulak (who were with Drake Maverick) attacked abruptly for the DQ. As those men fought, Akira Tozawa (directed by Maverick) tried to attack but Reginald knocked him down with a spinning crossbody before leaving.
********
Kevin Patrick interviewed Riddle who was on his own tonight. Riddle said Randy Orton was taking a break. Orton told him he needed a break from him or else he’d RKO him out of the country. Riddle rambled for a while until he began listening to Orton’s theme on his headphones. Riddle suddenly realized that Omos and AJ Styles were standing behind him. They stared at each other until the segment ended.
********
Tozawa was still in the ring after a break and he demanded a match against Truth or Gulak or Maverick or whoever. Keith “Bearcat” Lee entered. Lee had new gear with “Bearcat” on the back.
Keith “Bearcat” Lee defeated Akira Tozawa (0:36)
Lee won quickly with the Big Bang Catastrophe.
*******
Damian Priest did a pre-taped promo saying he wanted to finish Sheamus once and for all.
They announced that St. Louis will host the 2022 Royal Rumble and they expect 40,000-plus fans.
Patrick interviewed Big E, flanked by Kingston and Woods. Big E cut a serious promo where he said he called his shot when he said he would cash in the briefcase and when he said New Day would win last night. He was calling his shot again tonight and he would retain the title.
[Second hour]
No countout, no submission match: Damian Priest defeated Sheamus to retain the US Championship (15:51)
Priest hit a Broken Arrow early in the match for just a one count. He set up a table soon after but Sheamus attacked him and sent him into the steel steps. They battled on the apron until Sheamus hit a White Noise through the table (which didn’t look fun for Priest and his shoulder).
After a break, Sheamus attacked with a kendo stick before hitting a powerslam for two. Sheamus mocked Priest before trying something off the top but Priest nailed him with the kendo stick and attacked repeatedly. Sheamus managed to shove Priest into the post and the barricade. (Priest had a cut a bruise on his upper back and shoulder from the table bump.)
Priest attempted a comeback but Sheamus cut him off and drove him face-first into a steel chair that was wedged between the turnbuckles. Sheamus followed with an Alabama Slam for two. Sheamus went for a Brogue Kick but Priest chucked the chair at his face and hit a chokeslam for a nearfall.
Priest followed with a series of kicks but Sheamus came right back with a lifting knee strike for a nearfall. They traded reversals until Priest launched Sheamus into a table that was set up in the corner. Priest followed with Reckoning for the pinfall win.
This was a strong match, helped by the fact that they beat the crap out of each other.
********
Mustafa Ali approached Mansoor and asked him if he really asked Jeff Hardy to be their partner. Mansoor thought it was a great opportunity. Ali started trash-talking Hardy until Hardy showed up right behind him. Hardy wanted to hear what Ali had to say but Mansoor got between them. Hardy was pumped to beat up Jinder Mahal and his buddies tonight.
(They randomly announced during the upcoming match that we’d hear from Goldberg tonight, presumably by video.)
Six-man tag match: Jinder Mahal, Veer & Shanky defeated Mansoor, Mustafa Ali & Jeff Hardy (3:42)
Veer pinned Ali after hitting a big clothesline that turned Ali inside out. This wasn’t much.
(Corey Graves made a pitching analogy to Veer throwing the clothesline, playing off his brief baseball career.)
********
Karrion Kross did a promo in the back.
Karrion Kross defeated Jaxson Ryker (1:35)
Kross won via submission using a Saito suplex and Kross Jacket. (I don’t even think Kross had the hold locked in properly but Ryker still tapped.)
********
Doudrop approached Pearce and Sonya Deville in their office. She wanted the open challenge title match against Charlotte tonight. Deville said she would be fine with that, she just wanted to see Doudrop do that little dance that she does if she won. Doudrop danced in excitement.
(Deville also made a remark in here somewhere about Naomi not deserving to be on the Smackdown roster.)
(The funny thing about this segment was that Deville and Pearce left their own office for seemingly no reason so that we at home could focus on Doudrop’s dance.)
********
Lashley cut a promo in the back, speaking directly at the camera. He spoke about all the ways he can destroy Big E tonight to become the rightful WWE Champion.
********
AJ Styles (w/Omos) defeated Raw Tag Team Champion Riddle (12:34)
This match was all action.
Styles took control but Riddle mounted a comeback when they returned from commercial break. Styles got his knees up on a senton attempt and hit a fireman’s carry neckbreaker for two. Riddle came back with a German suplex for two. Styles hit a Pelé kick but Riddle came right back with a knee strike. Styles followed that with a pump handle gut buster.
[Third hour]
Styles set up for the Phenomenal forearm but Riddle kicked him off the top rope before hitting a PK and a dive. Styles applied the Calf Crusher when they returned to the ring but Riddle got a rope break. Styles ran into a knee strike and Riddle set up for an RKO but Styles countered into a burning hammer and Styles Clash for the pinfall win.
Omos gave Riddle a chokeslam after the match.
********
Sarah Schreiber asked Shayna Baszler to explain to the WWE universe why she so badly injured Nia Jax. Baszler walked off without answering.
********
Charlotte Flair defeated Doudrop to retain the Raw Women’s Championship (1:50)
Doudrop used her power advantage to take control and crush Charlotte with a senton.
Doudrop was running toward the ropes, presumably for a running crossbody, but Eva Marie’s music hit and Doudrop stopped dead in her tracks. Doudrop was distracted by Marie so Charlotte hit Natural Selection for the pinfall win. This was so dumb.
Charlotte attacked Marie after the match and the crowd popped.
********
Goldberg interview via satellite
Goldberg had a message for Lashley. He hoped that Lashley was a better father than he was a liar. He knew that Lashley was lying when he said choking out Gage was just a misunderstanding.
He swore that he would protect his son against anything and anyone. He promised to hurt Lashley, and if Lashley was lucky, Goldberg would kill him. Goldberg enjoyed handing out punishment and Lashley would be his victim.
********
Eva Marie was still in the ring, getting booed throughout her promo. She said she would have won the title if she had the opportunity that Doudrop just had and she was tired of the crowd’s disrespect.
Shayna Baszler marched out before Marie could leave the ring. Baszler put her in the Kirifuda Clutch and Marie tapped out before passing out. The crowd cheered. Baszler also stomped on Marie’s elbow into the steel steps. Officials begged her off as the crowd chanted “one more time.”
(I think they piped in booing here as if the crowd didn’t like Baszler, but the timing made it sound like they were mad that she didn’t kill Marie.)
********
Schreiber interviewed Nikki ASH and Rhea Ripley. Ripley said they were complete opposites but sometimes opposites attract and the one thing they had in common was the tag team titles. She wasn’t worried about the draft because they could go wherever they want, whenever they want. Nikki said they needed matching outfits. Ripley wasn’t interested.
********
Lashley attacked Big E during his entrance before he could enter the cage. Lashley drove him into the barricade, the steel steps, the post, and the side of the cage. Lashley also drove the steel steps into Big E’s back and they went to break wondering if Big E could compete.
Cage match: Big E defeated Bobby Lashley to retain the WWE Championship (16:28)
After the break, the referee checked on Big E who demanded they start the match. He immediately hit an STO for a one count. He was on offense briefly until Lashley cut him off. Lashley tried a spear but Big E hip tossed him into the buckle before driving him three times into the cage. Lashley blocked him from doing more and hit an overhead suplex.
Big E tried a Big Ending off the ropes but Lashley countered into a dragon sleeper. Lashley tried climbing the cage but Big E went after him and bounced his head against the cage until he fell off the ropes.
Benjamin and Alexander, who we were told couldn’t get involved, ran down and got involved by knocking Big E off the cage. Lashley tried escaping through the door but Woods slammed it in his face before giving Alexander a superkick.
Kingston ran up the side of the cage to knock down Benjamin. Kingston then did a trust dive off the side of the cage, taking out both Benjamin and Alexander. Commercial break. (Pearce ejected Kingston, Woods, Alexander and Benjamin from ringside during the break.)
Big E hit three overhead belly-to-belly suplexes but Lashley came right back with a spear for two. The crowd chanted “let’s go Big E.” Lashley wanted to leave through the door but Big E kept getting in his way. Lashley went after him but Big E hit a Big Ending for a nearfall. Big E went for the door but Lashley stopped him and hit a spinebuster.
Lashley tried climbing the cage again but Big E again went after him and hit a Big Ending off the ropes for the pinfall win. Big E retains.
Pretty good match and a good win for Big E.
After the match, Drew McIntyre entered the stage. He pointed at Big E with his sword as they went off the air.
Bobby Lashley is getting his rematch for the WWE Championship.
During tonight’s Extreme Rules pay-per-view, it was announced that Big E will defend the WWE Championship against Lashley on Raw this Monday night. The match will kick off the episode.
Big E cashed in his Money in the Bank briefcase on Lashley on Raw two weeks ago to win the title. The cash-in happened right after Lashley had retained the WWE Championship against Randy Orton. Lashley was selling a storyline knee injury when Big E cashed in. Lashley tried to use the injury to get out of defending the title against Big E, but the match began after Big E slapped him in the face. Big E got the win after hitting the Big Ending.
Big E again pinned Lashley in a six-man tag match at Extreme Rules tonight. The New Day (Big E, Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods) defeated Lashley, AJ Styles & Omos.
Lashley was setting up to put Big E in the Hurt Lock near the end of the six-man tag match, but Styles tagged himself in. Lashley then tagged himself back in when Styles went for the Phenomenal Forearm. When Big E avoided the Phenomenal Forearm, Lashley went to spear Big E but accidentally hit Styles. Big E then gave Lashley the Big Ending and pinned him to win the match.
Lashley cut a promo later in the night daring Big E to defend the WWE Championship against him on this Monday’s Raw. Lashley called Big E a coward for the way that he won the title.
Big E accepted Lashley’s challenge, saying that he’ll be in the ring at the start of Raw. Big E said Lashley better be ready this time.
Monday’s Raw is taking place at the Heritage Bank Center in Cincinnati, Ohio.
The decision to go with a triple threat Raw main event featuring WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns vs. WWE Champion Big E vs. Bobby Lashley was made on noon last Monday according to Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio.
Meltzer said that Vince McMahon got word that the previous weekend’s Reigns vs. Lashley vs. Big E matches in North Charleston, South Carolina, and Augusta, Georgia, were very good and he made the call to put it on TV to get the strongest ratings possible. That is also why it wasn’t advertised beforehand.
A six-man tag team match between The New Day vs. Reigns and SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos was originally announced for the show the Friday prior. While that match opened the show, Lashley got involved which later resulted in Big E demanding a match involving Lashley and Reigns.
Before that, Lashley complained about how Big E beat him for the title and said he could beat him or Reigns any day of the week. Paul Heyman also complained about Big E and Lashley at which point Sonya Deville made the match for the main event. Reigns won the non-title match after spearing Lashley while he was hitting Big E with a chair.
Ratings were up to 1.79 million viewers and .49 in the 18-49 demo thanks to Reigns’ first in-ring appearance on Raw in more than two years. Despite the main event, Raw still saw its usual 10% drop for the third hour from the first.
A big triple threat match headlined last night’s episode of Raw.
WWE Champion Big E, Universal Champion Roman Reigns, and former WWE Champion Bobby Lashley faced off in last night’s main event. It was Reigns who got the win, with him hitting a spear on Lashley after Lashley had attacked Big E with a steel chair.
The triple threat match was Reigns’ second win of the night. In the opening match of the show, Reigns & SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos defeated The New Day (Big E, Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods). Lashley getting involved in that match and wreaking havoc led to the triple threat main event being made. After the six-man tag, Lashley gave Reigns a spear and laid out Big E with a spear through the barricade.
Last night’s Raw was also the final episode of the show before Extreme Rules. It was announced that Reigns vs. “The Demon” Finn Balor for the Universal Championship at Sunday’s pay-per-view will now be an extreme rules match.
WWE finished building to Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss’ Raw Women’s Championship match at Extreme Rules with Charlotte appearing on Alexa’s Playground last night.
Jeff Hardy got added to the United States title match at Extreme Rules by defeating Sheamus. Damian Priest will defend his U.S. title against Sheamus and Hardy on Sunday.
Plus, the Women’s Tag Team titles changed hands as Rhea Ripley & Nikki A.S.H. defeated Natalya & Tamina.
For the first time in his career, Big E is WWE Champion.
Big E cashed in his Money in the Bank briefcase on tonight’s Raw and defeated Bobby Lashley to win the WWE Championship. The cash-in happened after Lashley retained the WWE title against Randy Orton in tonight’s main event.
In storyline, Lashley suffered a knee injury after facing Orton and tried to use that injury to get out of defending his title against Big E, but the match began after Big E slapped Lashley. Lashley hit a spear during the match, but Big E kicked out. Big E got the win by pinning Lashley after hitting the Big Ending.
The show went off the air with Big E celebrating in the ring with his New Day stablemates Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods.
Big E was a member of the SmackDown roster, but the Money in the Bank briefcase allowed him to cash in on the Universal Champion or WWE Champion. This is the first time that Big E has held either title.
Lashley had been WWE Champion since winning the title from The Miz this March.
Lashley vs. Orton was originally scheduled for Extreme Rules, but their title match was moved up to tonight’s Raw. Big E tweeted earlier today that he intended to cash in his Money in the Bank briefcase and become WWE Champion.
Date: September 13, 2021 Location: TD Garden in Boston, MA
The Big Takeaway —
Big E is the WWE Champion.
Show Recap —
Smackdown’s Big E came out to start the show. The announcers acknowledged Big E’s tweet saying he planned on cashing in his Money in the Bank contract tonight.
Big E was very excited and ate up the crowd reaction until Randy Orton and Riddle entered. Before they even hit the ring, Bobby Lashley (in a suit) entered with MVP (also in a suit).
Big announced that he fully planned on cashing in tonight. Riddle asked him not to cash in on his bro Randy. MVP told Riddle to shut up and said that won’t be an issue because Randy wasn’t winning the title tonight.
MVP said he was normally happy to see Big E because he can laugh at his stupid antics like everyone else. MVP wasn’t happy, however, because they were supposed to be getting a tag title shot but Orton politicked to get his WWE title match tonight instead of Extreme Rules.
Orton winked at the crowd. He said it’s been 14 years since he’s fought Lashley and didn’t want to wait two more weeks. He said there was no politicking involved. He simply asked for the match and it was accepted — because he’s Randy freakin’ Orton.
Big E was excited to see them fight. MVP called him a clown, but of all the clowns in New Day, he thought Big E would be the first to win the world title. However, he ran from Smackdown to Raw, perhaps because he’s afraid of Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar. (Lashley made sure to mention he wasn’t afraid of them.)
Orton told them to focus on him. He said all it would take is one RKO to become the new champion. Big E was excited to cash in on Orton as soon as he did. Lashley told Orton he would get pummeled tonight and threatened to shove the briefcase up Big E’s ass.
Lashley and Big E argued until Orton laid out Lashley with an RKO.
This was a better than usual opening promo segment and the crowd was hot.
********
Charlotte Flair told Sarah Schreiber that she didn’t get to the top with friends or partners, and Shayna Baszler would never get there while being held down by dead weight. Charlotte called herself the best. The ring was her throne and her reign would last forever. Long live the queen.
There was a video from earlier today of Nia Jax confronting Baszler (who was playing with a deck of cards) about last week. Baszler said she just did what Jax has been doing to her. Jax was confused but wanted them to get back on the same page. Baszler walked off.
Raw Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair defeated Shayna Baszler in a non-title match (14:15)
Charlotte wiped out Baszler with a dive and they went to break 53 seconds into the match.
Baszler tried the Kirifuda Clutch but Charlotte blocked it and hit a backdrop. Baszler responded with a high-angle German suplex and knee strike for two. Baszler used a few kicks and punches but Charlotte came back with a clothesline, chops, and a back elbow for two. Charlotte followed with a moonsault to the outside which woke up the crowd.
Jax sauntered out and the distraction allowed Baszler to shove Charlotte into the steel steps, which led to another break. Despite that, Charlotte was back in control when they returned. Baszler hit another German suplex but Charlotte chop-blocked her before wrapping her leg in the ropes. Charlotte taunted Jax before heading back in the ring.
Baszler nailed her with a knee strike while Jax hopped on the apron. The distraction allowed Charlotte to hit a big boot for the pinfall win.
********
After the match, Alexa Bliss entered with her doll and a gift for Charlotte. Bliss brought Charlotte the present as a thank you for accepting her title challenge. Charlotte said she doesn’t collect gifts, she collects championships. Bliss basically told her to stop taking herself so seriously and accept the gift. The crowd wanted Charlotte to accept it but she said no.
Bliss said, “yes” and Charlotte said, “no.” This repeated a few times which of course led to “Yes” chants. Charlotte finally accepted the gift and made sure the box wasn’t ticking. The crowd chanted “open it.” The gift was a Lilly doll dressed as Charlotte. Bliss said its name was Charly and the crowd chanted the name.
Bliss said even a narcissistic bitch like Charlotte deserved a friend. Charlotte said she didn’t want the doll and chucked it at Bliss. Bliss attacked her and gave her a Code Red.
The crowd definitely liked Alexa Bliss.
********
The WWE draft was announced for Smackdown on October 1st and Raw on October 4th.
*******
Jinder Mahal and his buddies attacked Drew McIntyre from behind before the upcoming match until the Viking Raiders made the save (really just Erik because he got to the ring much faster than Ivar).
Six-man tag match: Drew McIntyre & The Viking Raiders defeated Jinder Mahal, Veer & Shanky (2:39)
This was over in a hurry. McIntyre basically won this on his own by fighting everyone off and pinning Shanky after a Claymore Kick. (Corey Graves noted that Ivar didn’t even get in the match.)
********
Big E was in the back with Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods. Woods was pumped up for a cash-in tonight. Big E said it was even happening in Kingston’s hometown. He asked Kingston for advice since he’s won the title before. Kingston said he had everything it took and didn’t need his advice.
[Second hour]
They let us know that a clip of Reginald jumping in the ring has over 80 million views on TikTok.
In the back, Reginald escaped the 24/7 crew (including Cedric Alexander). Drake Maverick showed up and R-Truth told him that his plan didn’t work. Maverick said it wasn’t the fault of the plan, it was the execution. Truth and Akira Tozawa argued over whose fault it was.
********
Damian Priest did a quick backstage promo saying he gets to do something he’s always wanted — face someone he truly admires in Jeff Hardy.
Sheamus joined commentary for the upcoming match.
Damian Priest defeated Jeff Hardy to retain the United States Championship (11:20)
They fought back and forth until Priest wiped out Hardy with a dive. He argued with Sheamus as they went to break. Hardy gained control after the break and hit a dive off the second rope for two. Priest came back with a spinning heel kick for two, followed by a leg lariat (sort of) for two. Hardy followed with a cradle for a nearfall.
Priest suddenly hit Reckoning for the pinfall win. The match started off well but the final moments didn’t look good.
Sheamus attacked both men after the match. After Sheamus got rid of Hardy, Priest knocked him down with a Brogue Kick.
********
There was a plug for “NXT 2.0” tomorrow featuring the NXT title fatal four-way match.
In the back, Nikki ASH told Rhea Ripley that they should work on their very own victory celebration. Ripley wanted to focus on her match against Natalya. Natalya and Tamina showed up and Natalya called them freaks. They argued until a brawl broke out. Sonya Deville and some officials broke them up. Deville made a match between Tamina and Nikki.
They announced the signing of Gable Steveson.
In their locker room, Riddle asked Orton how he planned on holding his two belts. Riddle was being annoying so Orton put on headphones. Riddle kept talking until Big E sauntered in. Orton got to his feet but Big E told him not to worry. Big E said he’d be watching tonight’s title match very closely.
********
Nikki A.S.H. (w/Rhea Ripley) defeated Women’s Tag Team Champion Tamina (w/Natalya) (4:44)
Tamina dominated until Nikki hit a tornado DDT for the sudden pinfall win.
Tamina kicked out right at three. Tamina’s music played and she was announced as the winner.
Natalya and Tamina laid out both Nikki and Ripley after the match.
Rhea Ripley defeated Women’s Tag Team Champion Natalya (w/Tamina)
The announcers said Nikki was being checked by medical staff in the back.
Ripley went after Natalya and Tamina on the outside. She knocked down Tamina with a dropkick but Natalya dodged it and hit a discus clothesline. (Ripley inadvertently landed leg-first on the corner of the steel steps on the dropkick.) Natalya followed with a vertical suplex on the outside which led to break.
Ripley mounted a comeback with clotheslines, a headbutt, and a low dropkick but Natalya dropped her and followed with a low dropkick of her own for two. Ripley ducked a clothesline and used a Northern Lights suplex for two. Ripley applied a standing cloverleaf but Natalya fought out and hit a German suplex.
Ripley countered a sharpshooter into a schoolboy for two. Tamina hopped on the apron to distract Ripley but Nikki ran down at that moment to trip Natalya. Ripley dropped Tamina off the apron while Natalya tried a rollup with her feet on the ropes. Nikki knocked her feet off the ropes and Ripley kicked out.
Ripley applied the standing cloverleaf and Natalya tapped out.
[Third hour]
Schreiber tried interviewing Charlotte but Charlotte blew by her upon seeing the Charly doll sitting on an equipment box. Charlotte told Schreiber that she planned on destroying Bliss and Lilly. Charlotte tossed Charly in the trash.
********
Eight-man tag match: AJ Styles, Omos, Mace & T-Bar defeated Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods, Mustafa Ali & Mansoor (10:06)
Mansoor danced with New Day before the match which displeased Ali.
T-Bar turned Ali inside out with a great-looking boot and the heels attacked the remaining babyfaces. (The good guys returned to the apron pretty quickly so that was fairly pointless.)
After a break, Mansoor fought off Styles with an enziguri and made the hot tag to Woods. Woods and Kingston did a combo Russian leg sweep/missile dropkick for a two count. Woods took out T-Bar with a tornado DDT before Mansoor and Ali wiped out Mace and T-Bar with dives. Styles gave Kingston a fireman’s carry neckbreaker but Ali broke up the cover.
Everyone traded moves until Ali tagged himself in a gave Styles a tornado DDT. Omos tagged in and the crowd buzzed. Omos knocked down Ali before easily tossing aside Woods, Kingston and Mansoor. Omos dropped Ali with a tree slam for the pinfall win.
********
Kevin Patrick tried interviewing Lashley about Big E as he warmed up in the back. MVP told Patrick that Big E was more of an annoyance than a distraction. MVP said Orton would join Kingston, McIntyre and Goldberg as men who failed miserably to take on Lashley.
Big E approached and reminded them that he planned on cashing in tonight.
*******
Doudrop defeated Eva Marie (2:00)
Marie raked Doudrop’s eyes and tried a schoolboy but Doudrop didn’t budge or even notice what Marie was trying to do. Doudrop followed with a senton and running crossbody for the pinfall win.
********
Karrion Kross did a backstage promo. He introduced himself and used the Sean O’Haire line, “I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know.” He spoke about his victims and planned on hurting everyone here until there is no one left and he gets everything he wants. He’s not here to get lost in the shuffle. Everyone will fall and pray.
********
Next week: Shayna Baszler vs. Nia Jax
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Bobby Lashley (w/MVP) defeated Randy Orton (w/Riddle) to retain the WWE Championship (13:16)
Orton goaded Lashley into following him around the ring. Lashley confronted Riddle which allowed Orton to attack him from behind and toss him around ringside. Lashley kicked out at one before using shoulder tackles in the corner. Orton dodged a running shoulder tackle and Lashley went into the post. Orton tried a draping DDT but Lashley dumped him over the top.
Lashley went after Orton but Orton gave him a backdrop on the edge of the barricade before clotheslining him over the barricade into the timekeeper’s area. The crowd chanted for Orton as they went to break.
Orton hit a superplex following the break for two. Lashley responded by driving Orton into the post. (MVP pretended to fan Orton with his hand, so Riddle used his hat to fan Orton in response.) Lashley drove Orton into the barricade before hitting a shoulder tackle and neckbreaker in the ring for two.
Orton slipped out of a spinebuster attempt and hit clotheslines, punches in the corner and a powerslam for two. Orton hit a draping DDT and went for an RKO but Lashley shoved him off and hit a spear for a nearfall.
Orton fought out of a Hurt Lock and hit an RKO but MVP helped Lashley get to the apron which prevented Orton from making a cover. The referee and Riddle yelled at MVP until Orton went outside to give MVP an RKO. (Riddle was very happy about that.)
Orton went back in the ring but Lashley speared him for the pinfall win. Very good match.
********
After the match, Lashley attacked Riddle and drove him into the post before slamming Orton through the announce table.
(I’m not sure if this was by design, but as the table collapsed, a piece hit Lashley in the shin and he came up limping.)
*********
Big E ran out and he handed over the briefcase. They announced he was cashing in and the crowd popped big. Lashley sat down in the corner selling his leg as they went to break.
********
After a break, the crowd was still buzzing. The announcers said Lashley was refusing to defend the title because of his leg injury. Big E slapped Lashley in the face so Lashley tackled him and they rang the bell.
Big E defeated Bobby Lashley to win the WWE Championship (1:14)
Lashley was on offence until Big E chop-blocked his injured leg. Big E went for the Big Ending but Lashley slipped out and hit a spear for a nearfall.
Big E fought back and hit the Big Ending for the pinfall win. Big E is the WWE Champion.
(You could see the excitement on his face before the referee finished counting.)
The crowd went nuts as Kingston and Woods ran down to celebrate. They all hugged before Big E posed with the WWE title belt.
It appears that there’s been a change of plans for Monday’s episode of Raw.
A commercial that aired during SmackDown tonight announced that Bobby Lashley will defend his WWE Championship against Randy Orton on Monday’s Raw. Orton is also set to challenge for Lashley’s WWE Championship at Extreme Rules later this month.
RK-Bro (Orton & Riddle) were originally scheduled to defend their Raw Tag Team titles against Lashley & MVP on Monday’s Raw. WWE.com has taken down their article for that Tag Team title match.
Lashley & MVP won a Tag Team Turmoil match on Raw earlier this week to become the number one contenders to Orton & Riddle’s titles.
Lashley & MVP and AJ Styles & Omos were the final two teams in the Tag Team Turmoil match. Omos gave Lashley a tree slam after the match, then Orton capitalized on that by dropping Lashley with an RKO.
It was the second straight week that Orton had laid out Lashley with an RKO. The previous week, Orton gave Lashley an RKO after RK-Bro retained their Tag Team titles against Lashley & MVP in the main event of Raw.
Monday’s Raw is taking place at the TD Garden in Boston. The show will go head-to-head with the season premiere of Monday Night Football.
Randy Orton will be the next challenger for Bobby Lashley’s WWE Championship.
On tonight’s episode of Raw, it was announced that Lashley will defend his WWE Championship against Orton at Extreme Rules. The pay-per-view is taking place at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio on Sunday, September 26.
RK-Bro (Orton & Riddle) retained their Raw Tag Team titles against Lashley & MVP last Monday. Lashley laid out Riddle with a spear after the match and then went to put him in the Hurt Lock, but Orton dropped Lashley with an RKO.
Lashley and MVP interrupted a promo by Orton and Riddle on Raw tonight. After Lashley challenged him to a match, Orton accepted — if Lashley would put the WWE Championship on the line. MVP said the match will be happening at Extreme Rules.
Lashley also said that he was going to go to Adam Pearce and Sonya Deville and get them to add Lashley & MVP to tonight’s number one contender’s Tag Team Turmoil match. Lashley said he’ll become a double champion when he and MVP take Orton & Riddle’s Raw Tag Team titles.
Lashley has been WWE Champion since winning the title from The Miz this March. Lashley retained the title against Goldberg at SummerSlam last month.
This is the second match that’s been made official for Extreme Rules. Becky Lynch will also defend her SmackDown Women’s Championship against Bianca Belair at the PPV.
