The Raw Tag Team titles will be on the line on this Monday’s “season premiere” edition of the show.
WWE has announced that Raw Tag Team Champions RK-Bro (Randy Orton & Riddle) will defend their titles against AJ Styles & Omos on Monday’s Raw. Orton & Riddle won the titles from Styles & Omos at SummerSlam this August and retained against them in a rematch at Crown Jewel on Thursday.
Riddle pinned Styles to win the Raw Tag Team title match at Crown Jewel. As Styles was going for the Phenomenal Forearm, Orton hit him with an RKO. Orton then tagged in Riddle so that Riddle could hit the Floating Bro on Styles to get the win.
On Raw this past Monday, RK-Bro’s non-title match against The Street Profits ended in a disqualification when Styles & Omos interfered and laid out both teams.
Monday’s Raw is taking place at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. It will be the first Raw episode where the show’s post-draft rosters are in effect. RK-Bro and Styles & Omos both stayed on Raw in the WWE Draft.
A pair of tag team matches have been added to Raw’s go-home show for Crown Jewel.
WWE Champion Big E and his Crown Jewel challenger Drew McIntyre will team up again as they face Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode on Monday’s Raw. Big E & McIntyre defeated Ziggler & Roode on the October 4 episode of the show.
Big E & McIntyre also teamed together on Raw earlier this week, losing by countout against The Usos. Dissension between Big E and McIntyre led to them brawling on the floor and ignoring the referee’s count. The show ended with McIntyre countering the Big Ending and laying out Big E with a Claymore.
It’s also been announced that Raw Tag Team Champions RK-Bro will face The Street Profits in non-title action on Monday’s show. RK-Bro are defending their titles against AJ Styles & Omos at Crown Jewel on Thursday (October 21).
The Street Profits were selected by Raw in the WWE Draft earlier this month. On last night’s SmackDown, they unsuccessfully challenged for The Usos’ SmackDown Tag Team titles in a street fight.
Monday’s Raw is taking place at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. Here’s the updated lineup for the episode:
Raw Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair defends against Bianca Belair
WWE Champion Big E & Drew McIntyre vs. Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode
Non-title match: Raw Tag Team Champions RK-Bro (Randy Orton & Riddle) vs. The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford)
King of the Ring tournament semifinal match: Xavier Woods vs. Jinder Mahal
Queen’s Crown tournament semifinal match: Shayna Baszler vs. Doudrop
The Raw Tag Team titles will be on the line at Crown Jewel.
It was announced today that RK-Bro (Randy Orton & Riddle) will defend their Raw Tag Team titles against AJ Styles & Omos when WWE returns to Saudi Arabia for Crown Jewel later this month. The show is taking place at Mohammed Abdu Arena in Riyadh on Thursday, October 21. It will air live on Peacock/WWE Network starting at noon Eastern time.
At SummerSlam this August, RK-Bro defeated Styles & Omos to win the Raw Tag Team titles. Orton & Riddle have made one title defense since then, retaining against Bobby Lashley & MVP.
Styles defeated Riddle in a singles match on Raw last week.
Orton & Riddle remained on Raw when they were selected in night one of the WWE Draft. Styles & Omos will be eligible to be selected when the draft concludes on Raw tonight.
Here’s the updated card for Crown Jewel:
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
Raw Tag Team Champions RK-Bro (Randy Orton & Riddle) defend against AJ Styles & Omos
The United States Championship and Raw Tag Team titles were both on the line last night.
After becoming champions at SummerSlam, Damian Priest and RK-Bro each made their first televised title defenses on last night’s episode of Raw. Priest retained against Drew McIntyre and Sheamus in a triple threat match. Randy Orton & Riddle retained by defeating WWE Champion Bobby Lashley & MVP.
Priest pinned McIntyre after hitting The Reckoning. Following the match, McIntyre showed respect to Priest by shaking hands with him.
In the main event, Riddle got the win for RK-Bro after hitting the Floating Bro on MVP. Lashley dropped Riddle with a spear after the match and tried to put him in the Hurt Lock, but Orton laid out Lashley with an RKO.
AJ Styles and Omos were on commentary for the Raw Tag Team title match. They tried to get involved but were fought off by Riddle and Orton.
The Raw Women’s Champion was also in action last night as Charlotte Flair lost to Nia Jax in a non-title match.
Date: August 23, 2021 Location: Pechanga Arena in San Diego, CA
The Big Takeaway —
The post-SummerSlam edition of Raw was a fairly uneventful one.
The Miz turned on John Morrison and the two will wrestle next week.
Riddle beat AJ Styles in the main event.
Show Recap —
There was a video recap of SummerSlam.
WWE Champion Bobby Lashley and MVP came out to start the show. They aired a video package of Lashley vs. Goldberg even though they just aired a video package of SummerSlam which included clips from that match.
The crowd booed MVP and Lashley. MVP said they knew Goldberg was a worthy challenger but they didn’t know he would bring his son Gage. Maybe Goldberg needed extra confidence — or a distraction. MVP admitted that Goldberg looked impressive. Lashley didn’t seem to agree.
MVP said Lashley got angry and he dominated Goldberg. Lashley was the only man ever to stop Goldberg. MVP claimed that Goldberg quit and that made him a coward. The crowd chanted for Goldberg.
MVP said Lashley retained his title but was attacked from behind after the match by a coward. Lashley did to Gage what he would have done to anyone who tried to jump him. They wouldn’t have to worry about anyone in San Diego attacking Lashley because they were all cowards. Lashley said anyone who thought Gage or Goldberg was owed an apology should go to hell.
US Champion Damian Priest interrupted. Priest thought it was funny that they were calling Goldberg a coward even though Lashley attacked him after the match. Priest also thought it was funny that Lashley was acting tough at the expense of the fans.
Priest challenged him to a singles match tonight and he was a coward if he didn’t accept. Lashley attacked him but Priest fought him off and booted him out of the ring. MVP and Lashley accepted the match.
NXT tomorrow: Fallout from Takeover. (Clips of Adam Cole were included in the promo.)
US Champion Damian Priest defeated WWE Champion Bobby Lashley (w/MVP) via DQ in a non-title match (1:23)
Lashley hit a flatliner and went for a spear but Priest fought him off and hit a clothesline. Sheamus ran down and attacked Priest for the quick disqualification.
Sheamus and Lashley attacked Priest until McIntyre ran down to make the save. Priest knocked Sheamus over the barricade while McIntyre suplexed Lashley on the floor and on the announce table. (Lashley almost landed on his head on the first suplex because he was probably anticipating the table spot and didn’t go up properly.)
US Champion Damian Priest & Drew McIntyre vs. WWE Champion Bobby Lashley & Sheamus
Priest was doing well and Lashley tried giving him a cheap shot but he saw it coming and Lashley backed off. The distraction allowed Sheamus to knock down Priest, then Lashley drove him twice into the post before a commercial break.
The heels worked over Priest for a while until he finally clotheslined Sheamus before making the hot tag to McIntyre who gave Lashley overhead suplexes and a neckbreaker. McIntyre set up for the Claymore Kick but got distracted by Sheamus, so Lashley gave him a chokeslam. McIntyre side-stepped a charge and Lashley went into the post.
Sheamus tagged in and gave McIntyre a White Noise off the middle rope for a nearfall. McIntyre ducked a Brogue Kick and Priest tagged himself in. He knocked down Sheamus before also knocking Lashley off the apron. Lashley decided to leave as Sheamus nailed Priest with a knee strike. Sheamus was surprised to see Lashley leave.
Priest tagged McIntyre who gave Sheamus a Claymore Kick for the pinfall win.
This was a good match and the crowd very much enjoyed it. I liked the inclusion of Priest here but he probably should’ve gotten the pin, too. (The match started during a break but went for approximately 15 minutes.)
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Sarah Schreiber interviewed Doudrop. Doudrop said she made a mistake aligning herself with Eva Marie. Marie helped her get in the door but she wasn’t there to be her doormat. Marie tried humiliating her by giving her the name “Doudrop” but she liked the name and was keeping it. Doudrop planned on dropping Marie.
At that moment, Marie shoved an equipment box into Doudrop and slammed her head against it. Marie said, “This is Eva-lution” before walking off.
********
Karrion Kross defeated Ricochet (1:36)
Kross won quickly after using a Saito Suplex and Kross Jacket submission.
Kross has silly new gear that makes him look like an idiot.
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There was a clip of Logan Paul calling Baron Corbin an asshole at SummerSlam.
[Second hour]
They showed a replay of what happened in the tag match earlier (which ended less than 20 minutes ago). An angry Sheamus confronted Lashley in the back. They had a heated argument until MVP got Sheamus to back off.
John Morrison’s Moist TV with guest Logan Paul
Paul was booed by the crowd and it got louder as he spoke. He seemed unsurprised but tried to tell the crowd that he loved them and loved WWE. They didn’t care.
The Miz interrupted. He said Morrison forgot to introduce him. He claimed to be Paul’s favourite but Paul said he was more of a New Day fan. Paul tried talking about his boxing fights but the crowd booed right over him and chanted “you suck.”
The crowd booed until Miz asked what round Jake Paul was going to get knocked out in. They cheered that. Miz said the bettors wanted to know. Logan said Jake was winning and if Miz asked another question like that he would get knocked out too. Miz told him to get out of his face.
Morrison told Miz to stop making everything about himself. Miz said Morrison should be thanking him for getting him Moist TV.
Paul decided to leave as they argued. They kept arguing until Xavier Woods interrupted.
(They tried to position Paul as a babyface but almost turned the Miz babyface by accident because the crowd hated Paul so much.)
Xavier Woods defeated The Miz (w/John Morrison) (11:40)
There was a spot where Morrison made the floor wet so that Miz could slide Woods into the steel steps but Woods countered and Miz went into the steps instead. Despite that spot, Miz was in control after a commercial break with no explanation.
Woods fought back and took out Miz with a flip dive before hitting a flying crossbody for two. Miz hit a DDT and set up for the Skull Crushing Finale. Morrison tried spraying Woods with the drip stick but Woods and Miz both ducked.
Miz used a rollup but the referee was distracted by Morrison. When the ref turned around, Woods rolled up Miz for the pinfall win.
Morrison tried to plead with Miz after the match. Miz acted like he forgave Morrison and they each grabbed drip sticks to spray the crowd.
Miz suddenly attacked Morrison, beat him down and laid him out with a Skull Crushing Finale. The crowd booed Miz. There was even a “why Miz why” chant.
********
Earlier today, Nikki A.S.H. approached Rhea Ripley in the back and asked her to be her tag partner against Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler. Ripley said beating up Jax and Baszler would lift her spirits, so she agreed.
********
Reginald was at the park getting ice cream from an ice cream truck. Truth and Akira Tozawa tried attacking him but he escaped, hopped in the truck’s passenger seat, and the truck took off.
(The highlight of this was when some shirtless guy walked out of his nearby RV towards the end to see what the commotion was.)
********
Riddle approached Randy Orton, who wasn’t interested in another hug. Riddle couldn’t wait for their celebration later. Orton wasn’t big on celebrations and asked Riddle not to do anything stupid. With a big smile on his face, Riddle said, “Trust me, bro. Would I do anything stupid?”
********
Earlier today, Mansoor asked Mustafa Ali not to get involved in his match because he wanted to do it the right way.
Mahal kicked Mansoor in the corner and wouldn’t stop at the five count so the ref called for the bell.
Ali didn’t help and didn’t get in the ring until Mahal left. Ali told Mansoor they should do things his way.
********
McIntyre was with Priest in the back. McIntyre was impressed that Priest had already showered and gotten dressed. Priest said champs have to look good and McIntyre would’ve had that experience not long ago. Priest also thanked McIntyre for helping him tonight. McIntyre was happy they each beat Sheamus. Priest said winning the US title was like living a dream. McIntyre suggested they go out for pints and Priest accepted.
[Third hour]
Charlotte Flair promo
Charlotte bragged about being a 12-time champion and said no other woman would come close to her legacy. “I do not need friends, I do not need family, and I sure as hell do not need the WWE universe. Because all I need, I have right here.” She held the title high as fireworks went off and her music played.
I thought the segment was done but the music stopped and Charlotte bragged about her physique. She said the crowd should enjoy looking at her instead of the pint-sized former champion.
She was here to restore order. She actually said, “I started the first-ever women’s evolution” and was starting a new one tonight. She told everyone to bow to their queen.
Alexa Bliss interrupted and stood on the stage. Bliss congratulated Charlotte and said, “Lilly and I just wanted to say, hi.” Bliss and Charlotte stared at each other as the segment ended.
********
Jax and Baszler met backstage. They admitted to having issues in the past but also agreed they were the most dominant team when they were together and they would prove it tonight.
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There was a new Elias video. Before he arrived, WWE stood for “World Wrestling Entertainment.” He conquered the entertainment part but it was time to conquer the wrestling part and become a champion. “Once I do that, I can conquer the world.”
The heels gained control over Nikki before a break and remained in control when they returned. Jax did a running hip attack and stinkface which seems like it will always get a pop from the crowd.
Jax drove Nikki into the corner but Nikki kicked Baszler off the apron. Jax didn’t seem to notice or care and set up for a Vader Bomb, but Nikki kicked her leg out of her leg and made the hot tag to Ripley. Ripley gave Baszler a Northern Lights suplex for two, followed by a missile dropkick. Jax tried breaking up the cover but Ripley moved and Jax fell on Baszler instead.
Nikki wiped out Jax with a crossbody off the top to the outside and Ripley gave Baszler a Riptide for the pinfall win.
The crowd was into this at the end and the finishing sequence was pretty good. Ripley and Nikki work well together as a team.
********
Morrison was in the back and acknowledged that Miz and Morrison were done, which meant no more Miz TV, no more Dirt Sheets, and no more music videos. Morrison was ending this next week when he gets that double-crossing son-of-a-bitch in the ring.
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RK-Bro celebration
Riddle got a big reaction coming out. He ran down the events that led to RK-Bro winning the tag titles and introduced his best bro, Randy Orton.
Orton entered and Riddle had Mike Rome introduce them as the new Raw Tag Team champions. A big fireworks display went off and the crowd cheered and chanted “RK-Bro.” Orton seemed fine with the fireworks.
Riddle said friendship was important so he got Orton a gift — his own scooter. Riddle showed him out to open and close the scooter.
AJ Styles and Omos interrupted. Styles told Omos that Riddle got Orton a new scooter he can break. Styles noted that Orton didn’t get Riddle a gift. Not even a plant. Styles had a gift for Riddle — a Phenomenal forearm to wipe the stupid smile off his face.
Styles wanted to whoop Riddle’s ass over and over until they got their title rematch. Riddle accepted the match and would win using the three most dangerous letters in sports entertainment, R-K-Bro.
********
Next week on Raw: Lashley vs. Sheamus, Eva Marie vs. Doudrop, John Morrison vs. The Miz.
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Raw Tag Team Champion Riddle (w/Randy Orton) defeated AJ Styles (w/Omos) (13:26)
Riddle tried a triangle choke but Styles showed off his strength by hoisting him up and carrying him to the ropes. Styles tried sending him over the top but he countered and they both stumbled out. After a break, Styles was in control but Riddle came back and hit an Exploder suplex and running kick for two. They traded strikes until Riddle hit a bridging German suplex for two.
Styles came back with a backflip reverse DDT for two, followed by a gutbuster for two. Riddle blocked a Phenomenal forearm attempt but Styles transitioned into a Calf Crusher. Riddle countered into a Bromission but Styles flipped over into a cover for two.
Riddle hit a knee strike and went to the top but was again distracted by Omos (like last week) and Styles knocked him down. Orton went after Omos but Omos chucked him aside. Styles gave Riddle a rack bomb for two.
Styles set up for a Styles Clash but was distracted as Orton attacked Omos repeatedly with the new scooter. Riddle hit Styles with a knee strike before hitting Bro Derek for the pinfall win. Really good match.
As Riddle celebrated, Orton laid out Styles with an RKO. Riddle and Orton posed as the show ended. The crowd really likes these two.
In the opening match of Saturday night’s SummerSlam main card, Randy Orton & Riddle defeated AJ Styles & Omos to win the Raw Tag Team titles. Orton pinned Styles after hitting an RKO. Riddle had taken out Omos by sending him into the ring post prior to the finish. Styles then backflipped off the apron and gave Riddle a reverse DDT on the outside.
Orton & Riddle were interviewed backstage by actor Mario Lopez after their title win. Orton said it’ll be smooth sailing for RK-Bro from here on out. When Orton left, Riddle told Lopez that he’ll have a surprise for Orton on Monday’s Raw.
RK-Bro reunited when Riddle saved Orton from an attack by Styles and Omos on Raw this past Monday. After being saved by him, Orton told Riddle that he’s earned his respect.
This is the second title Riddle has held on the main roster. He was previously United States Champion. During his time in NXT, Riddle held the NXT Tag Team titles with Pete Dunne.
It’s the first time Orton has been a tag team champion since he was part of The Wyatt Family in 2016.
Styles & Omos had been Raw Tag Team Champions since winning the titles from The New Day’s Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods at WrestleMania 37 this April.
The reunited RK-Bro are getting a Raw Tag Team title shot at SummerSlam.
WWE has announced that Randy Orton & Riddle will challenge for AJ Styles & Omos’ Raw Tag Team titles at SummerSlam this Saturday. The pay-per-view is taking place at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
Riddle challenged Styles & Omos to the title match after RK-Bro got back together on tonight’s Raw. RK-Bro reunited after Riddle made the save for Orton as he was being beaten down by Styles and Omos. Orton’s match against Omos tonight ended in a disqualification when the referee caught Styles attacking Orton at ringside.
Styles defeated Riddle earlier on tonight’s show. At the beginning of the match, Orton walked out on Riddle and refused to be in his corner. Styles got the win after Riddle was distracted by Omos.
After Riddle saved him from Styles and Omos, Orton told Riddle that he’s earned his respect. Orton said that even though he turned his back on Riddle, gave him an RKO last week, and walked out on him tonight — Riddle still came to his aid. Orton then gave Riddle a hug.
Styles & Omos have been Raw Tag Team Champions since winning the titles from The New Day’s Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods at WrestleMania 37 this April.
Here’s the updated card for SummerSlam:
Universal Champion Roman Reigns defends against John Cena
WWE Champion Bobby Lashley defends against Goldberg
SmackDown Women’s Champion Bianca Belair defends against Sasha Banks
Raw Women’s Champion Nikki A.S.H. defends against Charlotte Flair and Rhea Ripley in a triple threat match
Edge vs. Seth Rollins
SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos defend against Rey & Dominik Mysterio
United States Champion Sheamus defends against Damian Priest
Drew McIntyre vs. Jinder Mahal (Veer and Shanky are barred from ringside)
Raw Tag Team Champions AJ Styles & Omos defend against Randy Orton & Riddle
Two matches have been announced for Raw’s go-home show for Hell in a Cell.
A commercial that aired during SmackDown tonight announced two matches that will be taking place on this coming Monday’s episode of Raw:
RK-Bro (Randy Orton & Riddle) vs. The New Day (Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods)
Drew McIntyre vs. AJ Styles
RK-Bro and The New Day both took part in a number one contender’s tag team battle royal on Raw earlier this week. Riddle, who had already been eliminated by Woods, came back in the ring and got in Kingston’s way when Kingston went to hit Trouble in Paradise on Orton. After Kingston hit the move on Riddle, Orton eliminated Kingston. But The Viking Raiders then threw Orton out of the ring to win the battle royal.
Following the battle royal, Riddle and Kingston faced off in a singles match later in the night. Riddle had insisted on using the RKO in the match, but Kingston countered out of it before getting the win.
The issues between RK-Bro and The New Day began when Orton laid out Kingston and Woods after an eight-man tag match where they teamed together last month.
McIntyre is challenging for Bobby Lashley’s WWE Championship in a Hell in a Cell match at Hell in a Cell on Sunday, June 20. That title match also has a stipulation where — if McIntyre loses — he won’t be able to challenge for the WWE Championship again while Lashley is still champion.
Styles & Omos are the current Raw Tag Team Champions. WWE hasn’t announced when The Viking Raiders will be getting their title shot against Styles & Omos.
It’s also been announced that Eva Marie will make her return to WWE television on Monday’s Raw. Videos hyping Marie’s return have been airing for the past several weeks.
A battle royal on Monday night will determine the next challengers for AJ Styles & Omos’ Raw Tag Team titles.
WWE has announced that RK-Bro (Randy Orton & Riddle), The New Day (Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods), Mace & T-Bar, Lucha House Party (Gran Metalik & Lince Dorado), and The Viking Raiders (Erik & Ivar) will take part in a five-team battle royal on Monday’s episode of Raw. The winning team will become the number one contenders to Styles & Omos’ Raw Tag Team titles, but WWE hasn’t revealed when they’ll be getting their title shot.
Styles & Omos won the Raw Tag Team titles from Kingston & Woods at WrestleMania 37 this April. On Raw earlier this week, Styles & Omos retained against Elias & Jaxson Ryker after Elias abandoned Ryker during the match.
Two segments have also been announced for Monday’s Raw. WWE Champion Bobby Lashley and Drew McIntyre will take part in a contract signing ahead of their title match at this month’s Hell in a Cell pay-per-view. Plus, Shayna Baszler will come to Alexa’s Playground.
