Last night’s Raw ended with Bobby Lashley being “fired” by Adam Pearce.
The in-storyline firing happened after Lashley faced Seth Rollins in a United States title number one contender’s match. Lashley thought he had the match won following a spear on Rollins, but the referee was slow to make the count after trying to avoid getting knocked down when Lashley had Rollins in The Hurt Lock. Rollins then capitalized on Lashley being distracted. When Lashley went for another spear, Rollins reversed it into a Pedigree to get the win.
Lashley was upset with the referee and confronted him after the match. The ref tried to walk away, but Lashley shoved him into the corner. Lashley then knocked down another referee who tried to intervene.
Pearce attempted to speak with Lashley, but Lashley shoved him away. An angry Pearce then told Lashley that he’s fired.
The firing comes one week after Pearce warned Lashley about putting his hands on officials. Lashley had accidentally speared a producer last week during a brawl with Rollins.
A Raw Women’s Championship number one contender’s match also took place last night. Alexa Bliss defeated Bayley to get the next shot at Bianca Belair’s title.
There was a moment after the Bliss vs. Bayley match where Bliss and Belair embraced. But Bray Wyatt’s logo appeared on the video screen and Bliss went to hit Sister Abigail on Belair. Bliss snapped out of it before hitting the move and acted like she didn’t know what just happened.
Bobby Lashley was ‘fired’ from WWE at the end of Monday’s Raw.
Lashley was fired in storyline after shoving a referee, as well as official Adam Pearce, who told off Lashley after specifically telling him not to attack officials last week. After Lashley shoved Pearce in response, Pearce angrily told Lashley he was fired.
Seth Rollins and Lashley met in the main event of Monday’s Raw in a match to determine the number one contender for Austin Theory’s WWE United States title. The finish had Lashley hitting a spear on Rollins, but the referee was unable to make it into the ring quickly after tweaking his knee. Lashley then went for another spear, but Rollins countered and won with a pedigree. Lashley confronted the referee after the match and shoved down a second referee who tried to intervene. Pearce then came out to confront Lashley.
The storyline between Lashley and Pearce started last week, when a pull apart between Rollins and Lashley caused Lashley to inadvertently spear WWE official Petey Williams. Pearce later confronted Lashley backstage, saying he couldn’t attack WWE officials.
Date: December 12, 2022 Location: Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, WI
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Show Recap —
As Bayley entered with Damage CTRL for the opening match, Becky Lynch jumped Dakota Kai and IYO SKY and cleared them from ringside leaving Bayley on her own.
Women’s Champion Bianca Belair entered to watch from ringside.
Women’s Title Number One Contender’s Match: Alexa Bliss defeated Bayley (13:22)
Bayley took control ahead of a break by shoving Bliss into the ring post. Bliss came back with a hurricanrana off the ropes (she landed awkwardly and seemed out of sorts for a moment) but Bayley quickly cut her off. Bliss gathered herself and hit a senton off the apron for a two count followed by a DDT for two.
Bayley flung Bliss into the turnbuckle before hitting a sunset flip powerbomb into the middle turnbuckle for two. Bayley also hit a Bayley-to-belly for two.
Bayley removed the middle buckle pad but got into an argument with Belair who showed the referee what she did. Bliss knocked down Bayley and hit Twisted Bliss for the pinfall win. This was not good.
— After the match, it seemed like Bliss and Belair would have a friendly face-off. However, Bray Wyatt’s logo flashed on the screen and Bliss grabbed Belair as if she would do Sister Abigail. However, Bliss came to and didn’t do it. Bliss acted like she didn’t know what just happened and she left.
********
Byron Saxton interviewed Alpha Academy earlier today about what happened with Kurt Angle on Smackdown. Chad Gable wasn’t impressed with Angle’s cheap parlour tricks.
AJ Styles, Luke Gallows and Mia Yim walked by and they were laughing at something. In fact, they just so happened to be laughing at the clip of Angle dousing Alpha Academy with milk — sent to them by Karl Anderson who was taking care of business in Japan. Gable said Styles was a fossil just like Angle so Styles challenged him to a match.
(They made jokes about Otis still smelling like milk and Corey Graves continued the comedy by saying Otis doesn’t fit in hotel showers so those long car rides must be unpleasant.)
AJ Styles (w/Mia Yim & Luke Gallows) defeated Chad Gable (w/Otis) (9:07)
Bayley Gable took control ahead of a break by shoving Bliss Styles into the ring post steel steps. Styles was in control after the break but Gable came back with three straight German suplexes. Styles blocked the fourth attempt but Gable caught him again and hit a release German.
Gable applied an ankle lock but Styles countered into a calf crusher until Gable countered into the ankle lock again. Styles slipped out of it but Gable immediately followed with a Northern Lights suplex for two.
They traded a couple of counters until Styles hit Styles Clash for the pinfall win.
********
Johnny Gargano and Dexter Lumis were devising a plan on a whiteboard of what to do with all their money. (One idea was building fully functioning Iron Man suits for each of them.)
Candice LeRae showed up and said they were having trouble deciding what to do with the money because they already had everything they needed. She reminded them that it was the season of giving. Gargano said he had a plan.
********
Cathy Kelley interviewed the Street Profits and Akira Tozawa. She asked the Profits why they helped Tozawa last week. Montez Ford said they helped Akira Tozawa because he was Akira Tozawa. Angelo Dawkins said Tozawa was, “my ninja.” Tozawa yelled, “we want the smoke” and drank whatever was in his red solo cup. They screamed at each other before heading to the ring.
Six-man tag team match: Judgment Day (w/Rhea Ripley) defeated Akira Tozawa & The Street Profits (14:38)
Like the first two matches, the heel side took control ahead of a break a few minutes into the match.
[SECOND HOUR]
They had the heat on Tozawa until he made a hot tag to Ford but he was tackled over the announce table by Damian Priest for the heat again. Ford made a tag to Dawkins but the ref didn’t see it thanks to Priest so they kept the heat on Ford.
Dawkins finally did get the hot tag and hit Finn Bálor with a running back elbow, enziguri and Silencer but Dominik Mysterio broke up the cover. Tozawa tagged in and hammered away on Dom. Everyone traded moves until Priest chokeslammed Ford and chucked Dawkins from the ring. Tozawa knocked Priest from the ring and hit a cool suicide dive on Dom.
Tozawa handed out DDTs to both Bálor and Dom. The ref was distracted again as Tozawa went to the top so Priest gave him a Razor’s Edge and Dom made the cover for the pinfall win.
(Priest was presented as the biggest threat in the match. The crowd got into Tozawa with the more he did to Dom.)
********
Johnny Gargano/Dexter Lumis/Miz segment
Gargano and Lumis bought all the merchandise from a merch table using a few wads of cash. Gargano decided to carry everything to the ring to give out to the live crowd (instead of handing it to the nearby fans). Lumis gave a teddy bear to a young fan who was very grateful.
After a break, Gargano and Lumis walked down the aisle and chucked merch into the crowd.
This went on for a while until Miz shoved Lumis from behind, knocking Gargano down in the process. Miz grabbed the bag of money and tried to run away with it but he was cut off at the stage by Adam Pearce.
Pearce followed Miz into the ring and told him to give the money back to Lumis. Miz pleaded with them and said he was willing to earn the money back in a rematch. (Miz was annoyed because Gargano kept calling him “Mike.”)
Gargano said Lumis was willing to have a rematch next week in a ladder match with both bags of money hanging above the ring. Miz was completely fine with this but wondered what he meant by “both” bags.
Gargano said Miz would have to add a second bag of money and they’d make it “double or nothing, winner take all, baby!” Miz again claimed he didn’t have cash and that Maryse controlled their money.
They bickered for a while until Gargano convinced Pearce that Miz should help them give out the rest of the merch dressed as Santa’s elf. Miz begrudgingly whipped t-shirts into the crowd.
(This segment was about as long as the Styles/Gable match.)
********
Tag Team Champion IYO SKY (w/Bayley & Dakota Kai) defeated Candice LeRae (10:21)
LeRae went to the top rope two minutes into the match but they went to break and we never found out what happened. SKY hit a Codebreaker off the ropes during the break but LeRae fought back and hit a Poison Rana outside the ring which led to a two count. SKY followed with a German suplex into a pin for two.
The finish felt a bit abrupt because SKY followed the German suplex by simply dragging LeRae to the corner and hitting a moonsault for the clean pinfall win. The crowd was quiet for this.
********
They showed a replay of Matt Riddle being taken out by Solo Sikoa last week. The announcers said Riddle would be out for six weeks.
Kelley tried interviewing Kevin Owens about what happened but Elias interrupted. Owens’ mouth was agape at the appearance of Elias. Elias asked Owens to be in his corner tonight.
Owens said he hasn’t forgotten about the months of torment by him earlier this year. Elias said that was his brother Ezekiel. Owens freaked out and said even if that were true, Elias hit him in the head with a guitar the last time they were in the ring together.
Elias asked Owens again to be in his corner because he needed him. Owens was speechless.
********
Elias was in the ring and performed a tribute concert for Riddle (there was a large picture of Riddle behind him).
Elias had something in his pocket from Riddle. He pulled out a large rolled-up paper which was meant to look like a joint but he revealed they were lyrics written by Riddle to be performed by him. Elias claimed they were written by Riddle, anyway. The song was all about how great Elias was. Sikoa interrupted.
Solo Sikoa (w/Sami Zayn) defeated Elias (8:11)
Fifth match of the night and they’ve all gone to break 2-3 minutes in.
[THIRD HOUR]
Elias hit Sikoa with strikes, consecutive Stinger splashes and a spinebuster for two, followed by a lifting knee strike and neckbreaker for two. Elias got distracted by Zayn despite Zayn not doing anything (which Zayn even pointed out) so Sikoa dropped Elias on the top rope before hitting a superkick and Spinning Solo for the pinfall win.
(The crowd did their usual chants at Zayn as this started but was quiet for the match itself.)
— Sikoa attacked Elias after the match and hit him with the Samoan Spike (with Zayn’s assistance).
Sikoa put Elias’ head through a chair and was going to kill him with a running hip attack but Owens ran out and gave Sikoa a stunner. Zayn left with Sikoa who recovered very quickly from the stunner. (Sikoa wanted to go after Owens but Zayn stopped him.)
Elias tried to embrace Owens so Owens gave him a stunner.
********
There was a video package narrated by John Cena highlighting the history of Tribute to the Troops. The crowd cheered and chanted “USA.”
They showed a few pictures of an annoyed Miz, dressed as an elf, giving merch to fans.
********
Asuka didn’t wear face paint and was way more serious than usual during her entrance.
Asuka drove Ripley into the post and hit a Codebreaker on the apron leading to break three minutes into the match. (Make that six matches in a row.) With no explanation, Ripley was in control following the break.
Asuka fired back with strikes and knocked Ripley down with a roundhouse kick for two. Ripley dared Asuka to hit her again so she did with a sliding kick for two. Dom checked on Ripley after Asuka knocked her off the apron.
Asuka told Dom to get out of the way. She feigned kicking him and he fell on his ass. The distraction allowed Ripley to shove Asuka into the side of the ring.
Ripley tried Riptide but Asuka countered into an Asuka Lock. Dom pulled Ripley closer to the ropes so she could get a rope break.
Asuka misted Dom but Ripley shoved Asuka into Dom (knocking him off the apron) and hit Riptide for the pinfall win.
(Asuka looked good. The crowd was quiet again.)
********
A trainer tended to Dom who frantically complained that his eyes were burning. Priest told him it could be worse — something else could be burning. Ripley smacked him and told the trainer to do something.
Elsewhere, Dolph Ziggler put over the importance of the US Title which is why two of the best, Bobby Lashley and Seth Rollins, were gunning for it. Ziggler said Austin Theory was technically holding the title but was not the deserving champion. He warned Theory to watch his back.
(There were video packages throughout the evening for Theory, Rollins, and Lashley.)
********
US Title Number One Contender’s Match: Seth Rollins defeated Bobby Lashley (12:54)
Lashley dumped Rollins over the barricade and they went to break less than three minutes into the match. (That’s all seven matches that have gone to break 2-3 minutes in.)
Rollins fought back with a high cross, dives, a superkick, and a falcon arrow for two. Lashley drove him into the ring post but Rollins avoided a spear and hit a superkick for two, followed by a frog splash for two.
Lashley blocked a stomp and hit a powerslam. Rollins slipped out of a Hurt Lock as the referee fell out of the ring (while trying to avoid a collision). Lashley hit a spear but the ref took a few seconds to get back in the ring and Rollins kicked out.
Lashley argued with the ref before setting up for another spear. Rollins countered that spear into a Pedigree for the pinfall win. Rollins is the number one contender.
— Lashley popped right up from the Pedigree to argue with the ref before shoving him down. Adam Pearce sprinted out and told Lashley that he warned him about this already. Lashley shoved Pearce into the barricade. (They tried to make it sound like Pearce called him a motherf**ker but he didn’t really.)
The Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship will be on the line on the December 5 episode of WWE Raw.
In a match announced during Monday’s Raw, The Usos are set to defend the Undisputed Tag titles against Matt Riddle and Elias on next week’s show.
WWE continued to tease dissension between Riddle and Elias during this week’s show in a backstage interview with the duo. Elias stated that he sees himself as more of “a solo artist,” while Riddle was enthusiastic about their pairing.
Riddle and Elias’s only match as a team came on the November 21 Raw show, as they defeated Alpha Academy’s Chad Gable and Otis.
The Tag title bout is the only match or segment announced for the December 5 Raw, set to take place at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.
Here is the announced card:
WWE Raw, Monday, December 5 —
Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship: The Usos (c) vs. Matt Riddle & Elias
Last night’s Raw ended with Austin Theory becoming the fifth wrestler to ever fail in their Money in the Bank cash-in.
Instead of going after Roman Reigns and the Undisputed WWE Universal title, Theory instead tried to cash in his briefcase to become United States Champion. But Seth Rollins defeated Theory after Bobby Lashley interrupted the match.
Rollins issued an open challenge for his title in last night’s main event. Mustafa Ali was going to accept, but he got attacked by Lashley. Lashley then made his way out to challenge Rollins, but their match never got started. Lashley instead demolished Rollins and put him through a table.
Officials got Lashley away and Theory cashed in on a prone Rollins. The two had a match and Theory was on the verge of winning, but Lashley pulled Theory out of the ring and beat him down.
As the referee was about to count Theory out, he got back into the ring at the last second. But Rollins hit a stomp and pinned Theory to retain the US title.
Last night’s Raw also saw the build to Survivor Series begin. It was announced that the women’s WarGames match will be Bianca Belair, Alexa Bliss, Asuka, and two partners vs. Bayley, Dakota Kai, IYO SKY, Nikki Cross, and a partner.
Monday’s episode of Raw ended with a failed Money in the Bank cash-in. Theory cashed in the briefcase on Seth Rollins in an attempt to win the United States Championship, but Rollins ended up defeating Theory after involvement by Bobby Lashley.
Lashley was on a warpath after losing to Brock Lesnar at Crown Jewel. When Rollins issued an open challenge tonight, Lashley attacked him and their match never got started. Lashley demolished Rollins and slammed him through the announce table.
After officials got Lashley to back off, Theory came down with his Money in the Bank briefcase. Theory cashed in and was on the verge of winning the match until Lashley pulled him out of the ring. Lashley attacked Theory and left him laying.
The referee started to count Theory out, but he made it back in the ring at the last second. Rollins immediately hit a stomp and pinned Theory to retain the United States Championship.
Rollins won the United States Championship from Lashley on Raw last month. Before that match, Lashley was attacked by Lesnar. Rollins goaded Lashley into still having the match despite Lesnar’s attack.
Theory had held the Money in the Bank briefcase since winning the men’s MITB ladder match this July.
Theory is the fifth wrestler to be unsuccessful in their Money in the Bank cash-in.
Raw’s go-home show for Crown Jewel included a title change.
In the main event of last night’s Raw, Alexa Bliss & Asuka dethroned Damage CTRL (Dakota Kai & IYO SKY) to become the new WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions. The title match was made official after Bliss & Asuka returned earlier in the episode, saving Bianca Belair from a Damage CTRL beatdown.
Bayley got involved in the Women’s Tag Team title match until being countered by Belair. A brawl between the two ended with Bayley giving Belair a Bayley-to-Belly off the barricade and through a table.
With Bayley and Belair out of the picture, Bliss took out Kai and Asuka avoided a moonsault from SKY. Bliss hit Twisted Bliss on SKY to get the victory.
This was Bliss & Asuka’s first appearance on WWE television since being laid out by Damage CTRL four weeks ago.
Belair is defending her Raw Women’s Championship against Bayley in a Last Woman Standing match at Crown Jewel in Saudi Arabia this Saturday.
Plus, last night’s Raw featured a pull-apart brawl between Brock Lesnar and Bobby Lashley ahead of their match at Crown Jewel. Officials, security, wrestlers, and even Triple H tried to break up the brawl and restore order.
One week after being attacked by Brock Lesnar, Bobby Lashley was out for payback on last night’s Raw.
Last night’s episode opened with Lashley already in the ring and calling out Lesnar for a fight. When Lesnar made his way out, things erupted into a wild brawl. Lesnar initially had the advantage, but a reversal by Lashley sent Lesnar face-first into the ring post.
Lashley followed that up by spearing Lesnar through the barricade. A group of officials and some members of the locker room tried to keep Lashley away from Lesnar, but Lashley still went after Lesnar again. He tackled Lesnar onto the announce table and then slammed Lesnar through the table.
It was officially announced later in the show that Lashley vs. Lesnar will take place at Crown Jewel in Saudi Arabia on Saturday, November 5.
A six-man tag match between The OC (AJ Styles, Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson) and The Judgment Day (Finn Balor, Damian Priest & Dominik Mysterio) was also added to the Crown Jewel card last night.
Elsewhere on last night’s Raw, Seth Rollins made his first United States title defense, Elias returned, and an alliance between Baron Corbin and JBL was confirmed.
Bobby Lashley vs. Brock Lesnar and a six-man tag have been added to WWE Crown Jewel.
Lashley and Lesnar will meet on November 5 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia following events that have taken place over the last week. A six-man tag team match with The OC (AJ Styles, Karl Anderson, and Luke Gallows) taking on The Judgment Day (Finn Balor, Damian Priest, and Dominik Mysterio) has also been added.
Last week on Raw, Brock Lesnar appeared on WWE TV for the first time since SummerSlam, attacking Lashley. This week’s Raw had Lashley immediately calling out Lesnar. The two brawled, with Lashley gaining the upper hand after spearing Lesnar through a ringside barricade. The two were eventually pulled apart after Lashley put Lesnar through the announcer’s table.
Later on Monday’s show, Judgment Day issued a challenge to Styles and The OC after the latter made their return to WWE last week, sending Judgment Day packing after they attacked Styles. Styles and The OC accepted their challenge.
It is notable that Crown Jewel will take place the same day as New Japan Pro Wrestling’s Battle Autumn event in Osaka, where Anderson is set to defend the NEVER Openweight title against Hikuleo.
Here is the updated lineup for Crown Jewel:
Undisputed WWE Universal Championship: Roman Reigns defends against Logan Paul
The OC (AJ Styles, Luke Gallows, and Karl Anderson) vs. The Judgment Day (Finn Balor, Damian Pries, and Dominik Mysterio)
During an appearance on NotSam Wrestling with Sam Roberts, Bobby Lashley revealed an outside-the-box storyline idea that he once pitched to Vince McMahon.
Lashley said he proposed an angle a year or two ago where he would go through “severe depression” after losing a match. Lashley said the story would have involved him gaining 40, 50, 60, or 70 pounds before eventually transitioning back to his normal self.
I told Vince a year ago, I think a year or two ago, I told him, ‘I want to do this character.’ He said, ‘What is it?’ I said, ‘If I get beat one time, I want to go into this severe depression and put on like 40, 50, 60, or 70 pounds and just be fat and be a completely different character and then have like somebody like an MVP, or somebody that’s on my side, kind of like, pull me back and then have the crowd watch this transition back to me.’ And he said, ‘There’s no way you can do that.’ I said, ‘Man, I think I can do it.’
When Roberts asked Lashley if he would pitch the storyline again now that Paul “Triple H” Levesque is in charge of creative, Lashley responded by laughing at the idea.
A feud between Lashley and Brock Lesnar began when Lesnar attacked Lashley on Raw last Monday. It appears that Lashley and Lesnar will face off at Crown Jewel in Saudi Arabia on Saturday, November 5.
Lesnar’s attack led to Lashley dropping the United States title to Seth Rollins on last week’s Raw.
A United States Championship match has been added to next week’s season premiere of Raw.
Bobby Lashley will defend his championship against Seth Rollins on next week’s show. In addition, another match added to next week’s season premiere will have Johnny Gargano face Austin Theory in a singles match. This is in addition to appearances from D-Generation X and Roman Reigns & The Bloodline.
Monday’s Raw saw Rollins attack Lashley after Lashley had defeated Mustafa Ali. Rollins gave Lashley the curb stomp on top of the title, then laid out Ali, who was recovering on the outside, with a curb stomp as well. Later backstage, Lashley promised to take out Rollins.
Theory was on commentary during Monday’s show as Gargano and Otis had a match. During the match, Gargano turned his attention to Theory and attacked him. Theory retaliated by attacking Gargano with the Money in the Bank briefcase, allowing Otis to get the win. Theory backstage later told Alpha Academy he had a match with Gargano next week and would be taking him down.
Here is the lineup for next week’s show at the Barclays Center in New York City:
United States Championship: Bobby Lashley vs. Seth Rollins
Johnny Gargano vs. Austin Theory
D-Generation X (Shawn Micheals, Triple H, Road Dogg, X-Pac) to appear
Three matches have been added to next week’s Raw in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Chad Gable will face Braun Strowman, while Johnny Gargano is set to take on Otis. Candace LeRae, who made her return to WWE TV on Raw Monday, will face Dakota Kai on next week’s program as well.
After Alpha Academy failed to defeat Kevin Owens and Johnny Gargano on Raw, they were confronted backstage by an upset Austin Theory. Gable said that if it wasn’t for Braun Strowman, they would have easily won, hurling insults at Strowman. Theory’s phone than rang. When Gable answered, it was Strowman, who said he would be coming to Raw next week in Gable’s hometown.
Following the phone call, Theory told Otis that he would face Gargano next week, and wanted to make sure that he would put an end to Gargano. Otis was excited about his match, while Gable was not.
LeRae made her return to WWE on Monday, defeating Nikki A.S.H in a match. Later, she met Bianca Belair, Alexa Bliss, and Asuka backstage and wished Belair luck against Bayley at Extreme Rules. Bayley and Damage Control overheard and the groups exchanged words, with LeRae eventually challenging Kai.
Date: September 19, 2022 Location: The Shark Tank in San Jose, CA
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Show Recap —
The announcers ran down tonight’s show as Seth Rollins entered for the opening match. They’ve added Rey Mysterio and Matt Riddle against Finn Bálor and Damian Priest to the show.
Bobby Lashley defeated Seth Rollins to retain the United States Championship (20:04)
Rollins tried a curb stomp early on but Lashley was too strong and just didn’t budge. Lashley ran him over outside the ring leading to break three minutes in.
Rollins took control during the break after Lashley ran shoulder-first into the ring post and Rollins worked over the arm and shoulder. Rollins hit consecutive suicide dives but Lashley hoisted him up moments later and drove him into the ring post leading to another break.
Lashley hit a Dominator for two and a flatliner for two. Lashley tried for a superplex but Rollins raked his eyes and hit a buckle bomb followed by a frog splash for two. Rollins applied a crossface to no avail and Lashley followed with a powerslam.
Lashley went for a spear but Rollins leapt up and countered it into a Pedigree for a nearfall. Lashley avoided a Phoenix Splash and a stomp before applying the Hurt Lock. Rollins countered into a cradle for two but Lashley held on to the hold.
The referee was knocked over briefly so Rollins hit a low blow. Matt Riddle entered to his music and he ran down to ringside. He stopped there but the distraction allowed Lashley to hit a spear for the pinfall win. Good match and the crowd was into it.
********
Damage CTRL was shown arriving in a white Chrysler 300 limousine.
The announcers plugged Survivor Series War Games.
Damage CTRL Tag Team Championship Celebration
Bayley, Dakota Kai and IYO SKY entered in a golf cart. They got a fireworks display and streams filled the ring.
Bayley mentioned being back in her hometown but brushed that off and put over the new champs. The crowd booed Bayley before she could even make fun of the San Jose Sharks for not being able to win anything for them.
SKY said they were in control now and Kai said the division belonged to them. Kai said Asuka used to be a warrior and Alexa Bliss walked around like she had a lobotomy. Kai claimed Bianca Belair had been coasting and Bayley reminded her what it was like to lose.
Belair, Asuka and Bliss interrupted. Belair wanted them to celebrate their win but got tired of hearing them run their mouths and wanted to teach them some respect.
Bayley ran them down until Bliss threatened her. Bayley called Bliss a shell of her former self so Bliss challenged her to a match tonight. Bayley tried to go after her but she ran right into a forearm by Bliss. The heels bailed.
********
Austin Theory was shown warming up in the back. There was a QR code behind him with the words “Come With Me” over it.
Kevin Owens defeated Austin Theory (12:51)
Theory attacked Owens during his entrance and tossed him into the barricade. Owens laughed at the referee for asking him if he wanted to fight and told him to ring the bell.
Owens was in control until Theory gave him a neckbreaker off the apron to the outside which led to break two minutes in. They wrestled back and forth after the break. Theory blocked both a powerbomb and stunner attempt but Owens hit a superkick and Swanton Bomb for two.
[SECOND HOUR]
They battled on the top rope until Owens missed a double jump moonsault and Theory hit a rolling neckbreaker for two. Theory followed with another neckbreaker for two.
Johnny Gargano appeared at ringside holding Theory’s MITB briefcase. Theory was distracted and ran right into an Owens’ superkick. Owens followed with a cannonball and pop-up powerbomb for the pinfall win.
The finish was almost identical to the opener. (The crowd was into this too and they liked Owens.)
— After the match, Gargano dropped the briefcase on Theory. The crowd chanted, “Johnny.”
********
Kevin Patrick asked Riddle about costing Rollins a chance at the US title. Riddle said he gave Rollins some payback and would hunt him down every night until he got a rematch. He looked forward to helping Rey Mysterio get vengeance tonight. He said Finn Bálor and Damian Priest used to be cool but now they looked like the goth kids from South Park.
********
San Francisco 49ers TE George Kittle was shown at ringside.
There was a video package for Roman Reigns vs. Logan Paul.
*******
Ridge Holland and Butch entered the ring. Holland said he and the “bruiser” would win the tag titles on Smackdown and Sheamus was already planning their victory party.
The Street Profits interrupted. Montez Ford said the Brawling Brutes might have beaten a bunch of teams on Friday to earn their title shot but the Brutes didn’t beat them. Butch whipped his jacket at Angelo Dawkins so Ford told him to settle his butch-ass down. Ford challenged them to a match and the Brutes seemed ready to go.
The Brawling Brutes defeated The Street Profits (14:39)
Holland and Butch did a double-team version of Sheamus’ Beats of the Bodhran on Ford who looked like he’d rather be doing anything else in that moment.
The Brutes worked over Ford through a break until he made a hot tag to Dawkins who hit Holland with clotheslines, a spinning back elbow, spinning Stinger splash, enziguri and Silencer for two. Butch made a blind tag and kicked Dawkins in the mouth but Ford broke up the cover.
Butch applied a triangle choke but Dawkins hoisted him up into position for Ford and they hit a double-team blockbuster which really popped the crowd. Dawkins sent Holland out of the ring with a running shoulder tackle and Ford followed with a flip dive on both opponents.
The Profits tried a double-team move but Butch wrenched Ford’s fingers which caused him to fall to the outside. Holland then gave Dawkins a powerslam after Butch kicked him in the head for the pinfall win.
********
Sarah Schreiber interviewed Rey Mysterio. Rey wished he knew what Dominik was feeling because he could have pretended Judgment Day from warping his mind. He said Edge was out but he would be back before long.
Rey looked into the camera and told Dom that everything he did was for him. He wanted Dom to have the life he never did and to give him a chance to carry on the Mysterio legacy — if he wanted to. Rey was down but Riddle approached to cheer him up.
********
Chad Gable and Otis warned Gargano that Theory would always have the numbers game over him because they had his back. Owens showed up and informed Alpha Academy that he had Gargano’s back.
Gable challenged them to a tag match next week. Owens was happy to accept because he enjoyed beating up Gable. He answered Gable’s challenge a few weeks ago in Toronto, Canada — his home country — and they’d be in Edmonton, Canada next week. Gable tried to push the match to Minnesota in two weeks but Owens told him it was too late.
Gable was about to ‘shoosh’ them but Gargano beat him to it. (Owens and Gable were great here as usual.)
********
Judgment Day promo
Rhea Ripley said they took out everyone in front of them last week because they run Monday Night Raw. Nobody would stop them now that they had Dominik who was all man now. Bálor called Dom a brave man who stood up to his father.
Priest said Dom no longer stood in anybody’s shadow and proved that by facing Edge one-on-one last week. Now Dom was standing with them, while Edge wasn’t standing at all. Ripley told Dom, “Papi is very proud of you.”
Dom grabbed a mic but the crowd loudly booed before he could speak. The other members of Judgment Day told the crowd to shut up but they just got louder.
Dom called Judgment Day his real family. (Dom seemed delighted by the amount of heat he was getting.) Judgment Day posed for a family photo. Bálor tried to keep talking but was interrupted by Riddle’s music.
[THIRD HOUR]
Finn Bálor & Damian Priest (w/Rhea Ripley & Dominik Mysterio) defeated Rey Mysterio & Matt Riddle (17:05)
They worked over Rey until he made a tag to Riddle but his comeback was cut off when Priest chokeslammed him onto the ring apron.
After a break, Ripley gave Riddle a back suplex outside the ring. Riddle eventually gave Priest a bro-to-sleep and Rey made the hot tag. Rey hit Bálor with a low dropkick, seated senton, and springboard crossbody for two. Priest saved Bálor from a 619 so Riddle hit him with a PK and took him out with a dive.
Rey gave Bálor a 619 and went to the top as Ripley distracted the referee. Rollins attacked Riddle but Rey chased him away with a chair.
Dom dared Rey to him with the chair and the crowd wanted him to do it too. Rey put the chair down and went back into the ring but walked into a slingblade by Bálor. Priest gave Rey a chokeslam and Bálor finished him off with a Coup de Grâce for the pinfall win.
********
Rollins and Riddle were in the middle of a pull-apart brawl backstage after a break. Officials managed to separate them as they screamed at each other. Rollins told Riddle he had his rematch — whenever and wherever he wanted. Riddle challenged him to a fight pit match at Extreme Rules. Rollins accepted.
(Jimmy Smith said this was a dangerous match for Rollins to take because Riddle “fought” for a living. Don’t they both fight for a living?)
********
Miz TV with Miz and Tommaso Ciampa
Miz was pissed about Dexter Lumis and called him out. Lumis didn’t show so Miz kept rambling. What he couldn’t see was a knife cutting its way through the canvas from underneath the ring.
Lumis popped out and tried to pull Miz under the ring. Ciampa got in the way and hit Lumis in the head with a microphone, knocking him back down into the black hole. As Miz looked on cautiously, Lumis’ head popped out again. Miz and Ciampa scrambled out of the ring.
********
Next week on Raw:
Kevin Owens & Johnny Gargano vs. Alpha Academy
Matt Riddle vs. Damian Priest
********
Finn Bálor/AJ Styles segment
Kevin Patrick interviewed Judgment Day. Ripley said it was time to celebrate. Dominik feigned concern for his dad before he started laughing. Dom was ready for one of Priest’s infamous parties.
As they left, they stopped upon seeing AJ Styles. Bálor told them he would deal with this alone.
Bálor asked Styles if he was ducking him because they haven’t spoken in weeks. Styles said they haven’t spoken since Bálor joined Judgment Day and turned his back on him. Bálor said he was in Judgment Day but he never turned on Styles and he always had his back.
Styles wasn’t interested in turning his back on the people he cared about like Dominik did and wanted no part of Judgment Day.
Bálor asked Styles if he was looking for a fight and they got in each other’s faces. Bálor quickly laughed that off and gave Styles a hug because they were boys. Bálor held up the ‘too sweet’ sign and said the offer was still standing.
********
Bayley (w/Tag Team Champions Dakota Kai & IYO SKY) defeated Alexa Bliss (w/Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair & Asuka) (15:09)
Byron Saxton reminded us that Bliss beat Bayley in this building five years ago to win her first Women’s title. Corey Graves was still hammering home the point that Bliss isn’t as good as she used to be (as he’s been doing for months).
Bayley targetted Bliss’ leg and tried using the announce table but Bliss fought her off and hit a dive off the table. Bayley continued to target the leg after a break until they traded cradles for a series of two counts. Bayley hit Bayley-to-belly for two and the crowd did dueling chants of “let’s go, Bayley,” and “Bayley sucks.”
Bliss blocked a middle rope belly-to-belly and hit a code red for two. Bayley tried a cover with her feet on the middle rope but Belair pushed her off. That led to a brawl between the four women outside the ring.
This led to yet another distraction finish. Bliss went to the top but Kai distracted the ref as SKY knocked her down. Bayley then hit Rose Plant (headlock driver) for the pinfall win.
— Damage CTRL laid out Bliss and Asuka after the match. Belair tried to make the save but they laid her out too and Bayley gave her a Rose Plant.
Bayley told Belair she gets what she wants, when she wants and challenged her to a title match at Extreme Rules.
A United States Championship match has been announced for the Monday, September 19 WWE Raw.
Bobby Lashley will defend the United States title against Seth Rollins on next week’s show. The match was set up during this week’s Raw in a backstage segment. Rollins called himself the face of Raw, while Lashley said that “he who has the gold” is the face of the brand, and Rollins does not have gold.
In another bout set for next week, Kevin Owens will take on Austin Theory. Their bout was set up on this week’s Raw episode. Theory attacked Johnny Gargano after Gargano’s in-ring return to the company in a win over Chad Gable.
After, Theory was cutting a promo when Owens interrupted. Owens said that Theory doesn’t have what it takes to be the future of the business. The encounter turned physical after Owens attempted to hit a Stunner, but Theory escaped before Owens could hit his finisher.
Next week’s announced Raw lineup:
WWE United States Championship: Bobby Lashley (c) vs. Seth Rollins
With Saturday’s memorable Clash at the Castle now in the rearview mirror, the focus moves to the fallout from the event on Monday’s WWE Raw.
In one of the featured bouts, United States Champion Bobby Lashley will defend the title against The Miz in a steel cage match.
The two squared off last week with The Miz losing thanks to distraction by Dexter Lumis. Over the weekend on social media, The Miz called for the rematch and demanded it be in a cage so there could be no distractions.
As of now, that is the only match announced for the show but there is assumed to be follow-ups from Damage Control (Bayley, Dakota Kai & IYO SKY) defeating Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair, Alexa Bliss & Asuka at Clash at the Castle and Seth Rollins defeating Matt Riddle.
Additionally, Dominik Mysterio turned against his own father, Rey Mysterio, and Edge after their win over The Judgment Day on Saturday.
**********
Dominik Joins Judgement Day/Edge and Rey Mysterio Segment
Dominik officially joined the Judgement Day at the start of Raw. This was a well-done angle. Everyone was good in their roles. Judgment Day were good heels, Edge was the babyface out for revenge, and Mysterio was the conflicted father/friend.
It might have made more sense for Dominik to cost Rey and Edge the match on Saturday since he was joining Judgement Day.
Edge made his way to the ring to start Raw. He got a good reaction with the fans breaking into an “Edge” chant. A video recapped Dominik Mystero turning on Edge and Rey Mysterio at Clash at the Castle.
Edge talked about his relationship with Dominik since he was a kid. He wondered if Dominik was mad because he speared him a few weeks ago. Edge feels that Judgement Day is his fault, so he returned to help Rey and Dominik.
Edge isn’t looking at Dominik as Rey’s son. He’s looking at him as a WWE superstar and demanded Dominik come to the ring.
Rey came out instead. He pleaded with Edge not to hurt Dominik. Rey apologized on Dominik’s behalf. The fans erupted in boos. Edge told Rey that Dominik’s old enough to drink, so he could accept responseablity for his actions. Edge demanded Dominik come to the ring again.
Rhea Ripley came out instead. Ripley said Rey can’t baby Dominik anymore and added she made Dominik a man. Dominik walked out wearing all black. Rey told Dominik to snap out of it, and it was not too late to apologize to Edge.
Ripley and Dominik started walking towards the ring. Rey said he couldn’t be a part of this and jumped out of the ring. He walked up to Dominik and told him not to do this. Dominik ignored his father, so Rey walked off. The fans broke into a loud “Eddie’s son” chant.
Dominik and Ripley walked towards the ring, distracting Edge. Finn Balor and Damien Priest jumped Edge from behind and beat him down. Rey came back to help, but Dominik pushed him. Ripley tossed him into the ring steps.
Back in the ring, Balor and Priest targeted Edge’s leg. Dominik headed a chair to Balor and placed it on Edge’s leg. Balor then hit the coup de grace on Edge’s knee.
Judgement Day walked off as Rey checked on Edge. After the break, they announced Edge went to a local hospital.
***********
The Miz and Ciampa arrived at the arena earlier today. Sara Schreiber tried to ask about last week and Dexter Lumis. Miz didn’t want to talk about it. Instead, he’s focusing on his match with Bobby Lashley in the steel cage.
The Miz and Ciampa noticed something off-screen. The camera panned over to reveal a car flipped upside down and on fire. The Miz and Ciampa walked off.
Corey Graves tried to bring attention to the flipped-over car, but Jimmy Smith and Byron Saxton ignored him.
*******
Fatal Four-Way Number One Contender’s Match: New Day vs. Alpha Academy vs. Los Lothorios vs. Street Profits ended when Braun Strowman returned (14:00)
The big news was the return of Braun Strowman. Strowman’s return was well done and got a great reaction from the fans. They worked the match at a fast pace with lots of innovative moves and sequences. It was a disappointing finish to an awesome match up to that point.
Strowman destroyed the four top-tag teams on his own, making them look pretty bad. The match just kind of finished without a winner. It was supposed to be a number one contender’s match.
Woods and Angel started off with hot back-and-forth action. Garza then tagged in Kingston to face his own partner Woods. They shook hands and teased locking up. Instead, Woods let Kingston pin him, but everyone else broke it up. This spot never makes sense.
A brawl broke out, and New Day cleared the ring. They hit double dives to the floor, wiping out everyone.
Back from the break, Humberto hit a back suplex on Montez Ford for a near fall. Ford fought back, and Dawkins got the hot tag. The pace picked up. He ran wild and launched Kingston over the top rope in a crazy spot. Kingston landed on the pile at ringside.
Dawkins hit a huge dive wiping out everyone. In another fantastic sequence, Ford and Garza gave Woods a double superplex. Humberto then went for a moonsault, but Woods got his feet up. Humberto bounced off Woods’s feet into a German suplex from Chad Gable.
Otis then hit a splash on Woods off the second turnbuckle, but Kingston broke up the pin attempt.
Back from the break, Ford slammed Otis and climbed to the top rope. Ford didn’t see Gable make a blind tag. Los Lotharios cut Ford off. Kingston, Woods, and Dawkins went after Los Lostharos.
Los Lotharios hit double moonsaults. Ford then hit a frog splash on Otis, but Gable’s the legal man. Gable got the ankle lock on Ford.
Suddenly, Braun Strowman’s music hit to a huge pop. The referee jumped out of the ring but didn’t signal for the bell. Strowman destroyed all eight guys in the match. He even beat down security.
Strowman gave them all a vicious beat down, and power slammed Dawkins onto the commentary desk.
Back from the break, they recapped Strowman’s return.
********
WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Raquel Rodriguez & Aliyah defeated Doudrop & Nikki A.S.H. (3:42)
They kept this match short, which was smart. I’m not a huge fan of these short matches that don’t get a chance to build. It dragged at first but picked up once Rodriquez got in there. She looked good making the comeback and hit an impressive Texana bomb on Doudrop.
Damage Control watched the match backstage.
The heels isolated Aliyah and cut her off from her corner. Rodriguez got the hot tag and tossed Nikki around. Rodriguez caught Nikki with a fallaway slam.
Rodriguez tried to lift Doudrop, but she broke free. Doudrop hit a senton for a near fall. Doudrop went up for a Vader bomb, but Aliyah jumped Nikki at ringside. Doudrop was distracted, which allowed Rodriguez to hit the Texana Bomb for the win.
*********
Rey Mysterio discussed Dominik’s turn backstage. He needs to talk to his son and is furious about Judgement Day jumping Edge. He called Edge his family. He then challenged either Finn Balor or Damien Priest to a match tonight.
After the break, the commentators discussed Walter vs. Sheamus from Clash at the Castle. They showed the fans giving Sheamus a standing ovation after the match.
*******
Kevin Owens and Austin Theory Segment
Kevin Owens and Austin Theory had a fun segment. Theory seemed to struggle at first, but Owens was great. He was funny and planted seeds for a feud with Roman Reigns. Plus, Owens was great pumping the fans up.
Austin Theory came to the ring and discussed trying to cash in at Clash at the Castle. For some reason, he appeared to call it Crown Jewel as a joke. He kept selling his jaw after Tyson Fury knocked him out when trying to cash in.
Theory noted that when he gets knocked down, he gets back up. Theory is happy that Roman Reigns is still the champion. He mocked Drew McIntyre for losing in front of his friends and family.
Theory kept messing up his lines but did a decent job saving it. He promised to cash in on Reigns. Kevin Owens interrupted and made fun of Theory for getting knocked out. Owens started a “You got KO’d” chant. Owens realized he can call Theory Austin again.
Owens told him that Fury did Theory a favor. If Theory cashed in, either Reigns or McIntyre would beat him. Theory made fun of Owens for not holding a title in years or winning the briefcase. The fans tried chanting “What” at Theory, but he made fun of them.
Theory promised to give Owens the first title shot after he wins the title. Owens noted McIntyre couldn’t beat him two weeks ago. He added that 18 months ago, he had Reigns beat if it wasn’t for Jey Uso and Paul Heyman.
Owens noted Theory only won MITB because he wasn’t in the ladder match. Theory called himself the hand-picked future of the WWE. Owens countered that Theory’s not the hand-picked future anymore.
Owens asked Theory if he knew what was next. He said a referee was going to slide into the ring. Just then, a referee showed up. Owens joked he could have run faster. Owens then challenged Theory to a match.
Kevin Owens defeated Austin Theory (16:54)
Owens and Theory had a strong match with a hot crowd. They got a lot of time to tell a story around Theory’s injured jaw. They worked hard at a fast pace and got a pop for the finish.
Theory jumped out of the ring at the bell. Owens went after him and beat him around ringside. Theory had the brief advantage back in the ring, but Owens regained control. He hit a cannonball in the corner and followed up with a frog splash off the apron.
Back from the break, Theory was firmly in control with a chin lock. During the match, they recapped Tyson Fury knocking out Theory in Cardiff on a second screen.
Owens powered his way out and rocked Theory with shots to the jaw. He followed up with two stiff clotheslines. Owens went for a Swanton bomb off the apron, but Theory got his knees up.
Back from the break, Owens knocked Theory off the ropes and hit a Swanton bomb for a close near fall. Owens fought back with a superkick. Theory avoided a pop-up powerbomb and sent Owens into the post. Theory recovered and went for A Town Down.
They brawled around ringside. Theory sent Owens back first into the ring steps in a sick-looking spot. Theory went for a superplex, but Owens countered into the fisherman buster. He then hit the pop-up powerbomb and stunner for the win.
*********
The Miz and Tommaso Ciampa were backstage getting ready. Ciampa has a first name again. Sara Schreiber tried interviewing Miz, but she scared him instead.
Miz promised to win the U.S. title tonight and said there would be no distractions or people lurking in the shadows. Somehow, the cage prevents that from happening. They kept referring to Dexter Lumis as “he that shall not be named.”
********
A video package recapped Clash at the Castle.
Damage Control was walking backstage towards the ring.
Back fro the break, the Kansas City Cheifs were shown at ringside. They aired a video about Captain Patrick Payne.
Damage Control Segment
Bayley was awesome bragging about pinning Belair in Cardiff. They announced Raquel Rodriguez and Aliyah vs. IYO SKY and Dakato Kai for next week.
Damage Control made their way to the ring. Bayley bragged about winning at Clash at the Castle. IYO SKY noted that next week they get a tag team title shot. Dakota Kai pointed out that she wasn’t the legal person in the match when Aliyah pinned her. She told Raquel Rodriguez and Aliyah to enjoy their last week as champions.
Bayley kept bragging about pinning Bianca Belair. Belair heard enough and made her way to the ring. Belair challenged Bayley to match right now. Bayley told Belar to shoosh. She added that it’s Labor Day, so she’s not working. The fans booed loudly.
Belair noted that Bayley’s got her minions, but she’s got the Raw Women’s Championship. Belair added that as long as she has the title, then Bayley’s not in control.
Damage Control jumped out of the ring. Bayley said she didn’t need to prove anything. She noted they need to focus on SKY and Kai winning the tag team titles. Bayley said that when she’s ready, she will win the title one way or another. She pushed Sky and Kai forward.
**********
They showed highlights of Drew McIntyre entering the ring for his match with Roman Reigns last Saturday. He got a massive pop.
Sara Schreiber interviewed Johnny Gargano backstage. He discussed Austin Theory’s comments about him. Gargano’s excited to show everyone what he can do. Gargano’s got some goals he wants to achieve.
Theory showed up and got in Gargano’s face. He called him Johhny Talking and mocked him some more. Gargano added that he makes his in-ring return next week.
*********
As Rey Mysterio made his way to the ring, they recapped Judgment Day attacking Edge earlier. Graves noted they’re still waiting to hear about Edge’s conditions, who went to a local hospital.
Damien Priest defeated Rey Mysterio (13:30)
Priest and Mysterio worked hard and told a good story. The story was all about Mysterio’s head not being in the match because of what Dominik had done earlier and Edge’s injury. Just when Mysterio started gaining momentum, Dominik and Judgement Day came to ringside, which distracted Mysterio even more.
Mysterio attacked Preist at the bell. Preist tried going for South of Heaven, but Mysterio slipped out the back. Priest then rocked Mysterio with a big boot to the face.
Priest took over and whipped Mysterio into the corner. He missed a tackle and hit the ring post. Mysterio took advantage and hit a series of kicks. He followed up with a springboard crossbody but went for punches instead of going for the pin.
Mysterio fought back and sent Priest to the floor. He followed up with a sliding dropkick. Finn Balor, Rhea Ripley, and Dominik Mysterio made their way to ringside.
Mysterio was distracted but dove off the apron anyway. The distraction allowed Priest to catch Mysterio with a forearm.
Back from the break, Priest was firmly in control with a chin lock. Mysterio broke free and kicked Priest in the head. He sent Priest to the floor and hit a huge dive to ringside.
Mysterio hit a senton into the ring and followed up with a lionsault for a two-count. Mysterio looked over at Dominik and trapped Priest in the ropes. Priest dropped Mysterio on the corner. Priest went for a slam, but Mysterio countered with a DDT. Mysterio then hit a hurricanrana off the top rope for a very close near fall.
Priest avoided a 619 and took off Mysterio’s head with a kick. He went for the Razor’s edge, but Mysterio reversed. He went for the 619, but Dominik jumped on the apron.
Mysterio stopped in his tracks and looked at his son. Ripley caused a distraction, allowing Priest to hit a clothesline. He followed up with South of Heaven for the win.
Ripley noted there’s only one more person to take care of. She then announced Dominik vs. Edge for next week.
*********
Sara Schreiber interviewed U.S. Champion Bobby Lashley. Lashley noted that the only reason Miz wants a cage match is to be safe from Dexter Lumis. Lashley added Miz should only be worried about him.
********
They recapped Braun Strowman’s return earlier tonight when he destroyed eight superstars. Braun Strowman was walking backstage and vowed to give answers eventually. He promised to show up to Friday’s SmackDown.
A video package recapped Seth Rollins vs. Matt Riddle from Clash at the Castle. They showed footage from after the show. Sara Schreiber interviewed Riddle. He took responseability for his loss and challenged Rollins to another match.
Later that night, Schreiber interviewed Rollins. He turned down Riddle’s challenge because he’s moving on to bigger and better things.
**********
Steel Cage match: United Champion Bobby Lashley defeated The Miz (w/Tommaso Ciampa) to retain the title (13:55)
Lashley and Miz had a typical WWE cage match built around trying to escape. It wasn’t a bad match but wasn’t spectacular or anything special.
Like most WWE cage matches, it defied the logic of a cage match. Ciampa interfered freely throughout the match, and of course, Dexter Lumis distracted Miz for the finish. The finish wasn’t a surprise since it was built to Lumis’s appearance.
They did the special ring introductions. Miz took advantage and jumped Lashley before the bell. Miz and Ciampa dragged Lashley out of the ring and beat him down. Ciampa trapped Lashley’s arm in the cage, and Miz hit it with the steel steps.
Back from the break, the match was joined in progress. Miz scored a near fall and tried to escape. Lashley pulled him back in and tried to climb ou but his arm gave out. Miz recovered and hit the It kicks for a near fall.
They showed footage from the break of Ciampa attacking Lashley’s injured arm with a chair. Back in the ring, Miz tried to escape, but Lashley pulled him back in again. Lashley fired up and hit a belly-to-belly suplex. He tossed Miz into the cage and scored a two-count.
Lashley set up for the spear, but Miz tried to escape out the door. Ciampa tried to pull him out since it was no disqualification. Lashley pulled Miz back in and tried to escape. Ciampa grabbed a chair and hit the cage. Lashley jumped down, and Miz hit a running knee for a near fall.
Back from the break, Miz had Lashley in a cross face. Lashley stood up and threw Miz into the cage. He went for a spear, but Miz avoided it. He tried to escape, but Lashley cut him off. Ciampa tried to help, but it didn’t work.
Lashley gave Miz a superplex. He missed a spear and hit the cage. Miz followed with the skull-crushing finale for a close near fall. Miz tried crawling out the door, but Lashley grabbed his legs. Lashley tried walking out the door, but Ciampa interfered. He tried to slam the cage in Lashley’s face. Instead, Lashley blocked the door and hit Ciampa.
The distraction allowed Miz to attack Lashley from behind. He hit Lashley with the cage door several times. Lashley appeared knocked out but was blocking the door. Miz then climbed over the cage and was about to escape.
Suddenly, Dexter Lumis appeared on the floor at ringside. He was looking up at Miz with a cold stare. Miz freaked out and got back in the cage. Lashley took advantage of the distraction and speared Miz for the win.
After the match, Lumis climbed into the cage. Miz tried leaving out the door, but Lashley shut it. Lumis then choked out Miz and petted his head to end Raw.
********
Next Week: Edge goes one-on-one with Dominik Mysterio. Johnny Gargano makes his in-ring return. Plus, WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Raquel Rodriguez & Aliyah defend against IYO SKY & Dakota Kai.
