The John Report: The WWE Raw Deal 07/05/21 Review
Welcome to the WWE Raw Deal review for this week. It’s the first Raw of the second half of 2021. The end of the ThunderDome era is near because if you count this week’s show, there are just two more episodes of Raw in the ThunderDome. The crowds are back on the July 16 episode of Smackdown, July 18 for Money in the Bank and July 19 for Raw. I’m excited to hear the fans again, that’s for sure. For this week’s Raw, WWE has advertised The New Day’s Xavier Woods & Kofi Kingston vs. Bobby Lashley & MVP, John Morrison vs. Ricochet, Miz TV with four Money in the Bank wrestlers (Morrison, Ricochet, Drew McIntyre & Riddle) and Charlotte Flair providing a health update.
This is the Raw Deal for episode #1467 of Monday Night Raw. It’s taking place at the WWE ThunderDome at Yuengling Center in Tampa, Florida. Follow me on Twitter @johnreport. Please visit TJRWrestling.net daily for our regular updates on the wrestling business featuring WWE news coverage, insightful columns from our team along with reviews about wrestling’s past (including my reviews of every WWE PPV ever listed in order) and present. Let’s roll.
The show began with a shot of the ThunderDome as the pyro went off in the building and the fans were shown on the screens. The ring had a ladder in it along with the two Money in the Bank briefcases.
Miz TV Hosted by The Miz and John Morrison
The Miz and John Morrison were in the ring with Miz sitting in a wheelchair since he has a right knee injury. Miz said that he’s a Money in the Bank expert since he’s won the briefcase twice and cashed in to become WWE Champion twice. Miz said his best friend John Morrison is going to win Money in the Bank. Morrison made some water references during his promo since he’s “Johnny Drip Drip” now. The Miz bragged about how he cashed in Money in the Bank on this man earlier in the year, Drew McIntyre.
Drew McIntyre said that they are the reason that Drew has a love/hate relationship with Money in the Bank. Drew said after he won at Elimination Chamber and after Bobby Lashley beat him up, Miz cashed in. Drew said ever since then, he has been fighting back and now he can win Money in the Bank to cash in against any champion on any brand. McIntyre claimed he was a distant relative of Davey Crockett through his great, great, great, grandmother and told a fake story. McIntyre told Morrison to get extra moist and he said he was going to shove Morrison’s head up Miz’s ass. Morrison called McIntyre a “Splash-hole” and made more water references.
Ricochet was up next with Miz complaining about how Ricochet didn’t wait for Miz to introduce him. They showed a replay of the spot from last week when Ricochet jumped off the top with a cross body block on Morrison on the barricade. That led to a double countout. Miz said that stunt could have cost Ricochet and Morrison their careers. Ricochet said he is still a little shook by what happened, but that’s just a taste of what Ricochet is willing to do to grab that contract. Morrison referred to him as the “Flood Stud” so that’s another water reference.
Riddle made his entrance with the scooter. Riddle had his right foot taped since he kicked the steel steps last week. Riddle climbed up the ladder and he sat up. Riddle: “Whoa, I’m really high.” He sure is. Riddle said he’ll dedicate his performance at Money in the Bank to his best friend, Randy Orton. Riddle saluted the sky saying he’ll make him proud wherever he is. Miz wondered why Orton hasn’t kicked Riddle in the head yet. Miz said he can’t wait to watch Jinder Mahal ragdoll McIntyre in his match tonight.
AJ Styles made his entrance with Omos. They are the Raw Tag Team Champions. Styles told Miz that he doesn’t speak for everyone. Styles said he was robbed of his opportunity to be in the Money in the Bank Ladder Match. Styles said that Randy Orton dropped out of the qualifying match last week, so it shouldn’t have been a triple threat and instead, it should have been McIntyre vs. Styles. Then they had Riddle in Orton’s place where Styles was not pinned in the match. Styles said it was Riddle that got pinned in the triple threat match, so this is all Riddle’s fault.
Riddle called Styles “Skipper” (Survivor Series reference) and said he looked like a bunny rabbit. Riddle wanted a high five from Omos, who instead shoved the ladder over. Riddle was favoring his right leg after he landed hard on the mat. Omos tossed the ladder out of the ring to the floor. Styles delivered a cheap shot to Riddle with a kick to the right leg. Morrison hit Ricochet in the back, but Ricochet tossed Morrison over the top to the floor. Omos looked like he was going to go after McIntyre, so Drew hit Omos with a clothesline over the top to the floor with Omos landing on his feet. Ricochet hit a springboard dropkick on Morrison to knock him off the apron. Ricochet tossed a Drip Stick out of the ring. That led to a break after about 15 minutes.
Analysis: It was okay for a show opening promo. The Money in the Bank competitors were all confident that they might win Money in the Bank while Styles had a legitimate complaint, but those were the rules for his match last week. I’m not sure if Morrison has been making so many “drip” water references in his promos in the past, but he did a lot of them here. Riddle saying he was high while on the ladder was a clever, yet obvious line for a known stoner.
(Commercial)
There was a replay of some of the action from before the break.
Ricochet vs. John Morrison (w/The Miz)
This was a double countout last week, so it’s a rematch because we know WWE really likes their rematches. Ricochet was in control with a running clothesline, bodyslam and an elbow drop. Ricochet grabbed a chinlock, Morrison broke free and hit a slingshot that sent Ricochet’s throat across the bottom rope. Morrison worked over Ricochet with kicks to the ribs followed by a neckbreaker and back to a chinlock. Ricochet with a headscissors that sent Morrison out of the ring to the floor. Ricochet did a spot where he jumped over Miz onto Morrison, but Morrison caught Ricochet and Ricochet gave Ricochet a Powerbomb into the barricade. Good spot there leading into a break.
(Commercial)
Morrison was in control with kicks, Ricochet came back with punches and Morrison did a trip leading to punches. Ricochet got a couple of nearfalls. Ricochet drove his knee to the face of Morrison and then Morrison hit a standing Spanish Fly slam for a two count. Morrison worked over Ricochet with elbows to the ribs, Ricochet with kicks to break free and Ricochet with a kick to the head. Ricochet charged with a Tornado DDT on Morrison was Miz encouraged his buddy John to get back up. Ricochet with punches followed by a clothesline into a two count. Miz sprayed some water on Ricochet for a distraction. Morrison blocked a kick, then he hooked the arms and got a two count. That was cool. Morrison with kicks on Ricochet to keep him down followed by a knee to the face. Morrison went for an elbow on the ring apron, and Ricochet moved. They did a spot where Ricochet did a move where he jumped over the top to tackle Morrison on the apron to knock both guys down. I’m not sure they did that move the right way. Morrison got back into the ring, but then Miz was blocking Ricochet’s crawling attempt to get back in, so Ricochet did not get back into the ring to beat the ten count. It went about 14 minutes.
Winner by countout: John Morrison
Analysis: *** A good match between two of Raw’s best athletes with a very weak finish. I get what they were going for by having Miz cause Ricochet going back into the ring, but it’s a lame way to end a match. They did some cool spots in the match like when Morrison blocked a kick and hooked the arms into a two count. Ricochet’s running attack at the end was a cool idea, but I don’t think they executed it properly and it looked a bit awkward. The good thing is Morrison caught Ricochet on it, so neither guy was hurt. I assume we’ll get a rematch again next week since WWE loves rematches these days. (The rematch was confirmed later in the show.)
Jinder Mahal was shown arriving at the arena on a motorcycle with his buddies there waiting for him. Mahal complained about Drew taking three days to respond to a text message from him. Mahal complained about not being in Money in the Bank. Mahal said he was once friends with Drew McIntyre, but that he thinks he has always been better than Drew and he’ll prove it tonight.
There was a backstage scene with Shayna Baszler, Nia Jax & Reginald talking backstage. Reginald claimed that Alexa Bliss was behind them (she was), but then Shayna and Nia turned around to show that Bliss was not there. That led to some bickering, so Jax told them to get on the same page. After they left, Bliss was there.
Later on Raw is an eight-woman tag team match.
(Commercial)
A video package aired about recent issues between Kofi Kingston/Xavier Woods and Bobby Lashley/MVP to set up their tag team match later.
The Raw announce team of Jimmy Smith, Corey Graves and Byron Saxton were shown on camera at ringside.
Naomi, Asuka and Nikki A.S.H. were shown backstage talking about their match. Nikki said she is almost a superhero and she’s never been more successful. Nikki said now she has the chance to win the Money in the Bank Ladder Match. Nikki said there are people who don’t always have confidence in their abilities, but if they believe in themselves, who knows what they can do? Naomi told Nikki she’s winning the MITB Ladder Match and Asuka said she’s going to win MITB Ladder Match for the second year in a row. Nikki A.S.H. made her entrance. Alexa Bliss told Asuka and Naomi to lower their expectations about winning Money in the Bank.
Analysis: Based on the promos there and what the announcers said, they are going forward with Nikki A.S.H. as the name instead of Nikki Cross.
Nikki A.S.H. made her entrance and was introduced as “Almost a Superhero, Nikki Cross.” The graphic said Nikki A.S.H. so there’s more evidence that they have dumped the Cross name. Alexa Bliss entered next.
(Commercial)
The entrances took place for the other women in the tag team match.
Eva Marie, Doudrop, Shayna Baszler & Nia Jax (w/Reginald) vs. Nikki ASH, Alexa Bliss, Naomi & Asuka
Naomi was going to start with Doudrop, then Eva Marie tagged herself in and Naomi shoved Evan back, so Eva hit a forearm to the chest and Doudrop tagged in. Naomi kicked Doudrop out of the ring and Naomi hit a twisting dive on Baszler & Jax. Asuka and Nikki hit dives on Doudrop. Eva went back into the ring, Bliss screamed at her and Eva bailed to the floor.
(Commercial)
Bliss was battling in the ring against Doudrop, Nikki tagged herself in and Doudrop hit a powerslam. Nikki came back with a dropkick to the knee. Asuka with kicks, Doudrop with a headbutt and Jax tagged in as Jax/Doudrop hit a double team splash at the same time on Asuka for a one count. Jax with a corner splash on Asuka followed by an elbow drop. Baszler tagged in with punches to Asuka and Baszler twisted on the left foot. Eva tagged herself in with weak kicks to the body and Jax got the tag leading to a body slam for two. Asuka tried to fight back, but Jax hit her with a headbutt. Alexa stared at Reginald, who was in a trance and Baszler threw Bliss into the barricade. Asuka fought out of the heel corner, Jax went for a shoulder tackle, Asuka moved and Jax hit the turnbuckle. Eva tagged in briefly, then Baszler tagged back in and Asuka went for an armbar. Baszler went for an armbreaker, Asuka fought out of it and Naomi got the tag. Naomi with a springboard kick into a German Suplex for two with Doudrop making the late save. Doudrop hit a cannonball. Nikki was back in with a cross body block on Baszler. Nikki went for the cradle again, but Jax made a blind tag and went after Nikki. Jax caught Nikki in her arms and Jax hit a Samoan Drop to pin Nikki for the pinfall win after 13 minutes.
Winners by pinfall: Eva Marie, Doudrop, Shayna Baszler & Nia Jax
Analysis: **1/4 Just an average match here. I figured the team with four women in Money in the Bank would beat the four women not in Money in the Bank, but I was wrong about that. This was just done to give Jax/Baszler a win because they have been out of the title picture for a while now. The Eva Marie stuff is cheap heel heat, so it works in that regard.
Post match, Eva Marie did a promo: “The winner of this match is Eva Marie.” Her teammates did not appreciate that.
There was a backstage scene in the private dressing room of the WWE Champion Bobby Lashley, MVP and Lashley’s ladies. MVP wondered how Kevin Patrick got in there every week for an interview. MVP said that they changed the match to a tag team match is because Xavier Woods doesn’t deserve to be in the ring with Lashley. MVP said that the last time, Bobby demolished Woods. MVP talked about how standing in Lashley’s corner is an honor and last week, Kofi disrespected Lashley. Bobby said that he took a vacation after decimating McIntyre and Woods. Bobby said that he heard what Kofi said about him. Lashley said that he’s going to take Kofi’s pipe dreams about Money in the Bank and he’s going to hurt Kofi because they’re the Hurt Business and that’s what they do.
Mustafa Ali entered for a match.
There was a commercial for Smackdown with Edge focusing his attack on Roman Reigns and family. Also, King Nakamura vs. Baron Corbin and Cesaro vs. Seth Rollins for Money in the Bank spots, but that wasn’t mentioned.
(Commercial)
Mansoor made his entrance. Before the match, they showed issues between them and a backstage scene with Ali continuing to offer Mansoor some advice.
Mustafa Ali vs. Mansoor
Ali with a shoulder tackle and then an armdrag into a chinlock. Mansoor with a running elbow smash. Mansoor with a spinebuster for a two count. Mansoor with a jumping kick that led to Ali’s right leg getting trapped between the bottom/middle rope. Mansoor helped the referee get out of that predicament. When Mansoor approached again, Ali got a forward roll and sat on top for the pinfall win after three minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Mustafa Ali
Analysis: *1/2 A short match to put the more experienced wrestler over the “rookie” that is a good guy. They told a simple story with Ali outsmarting Mansoor in this match.
Post match, Ali said stop thinking with your heart and start thinking with your head.
They showed a replay of last week’s Raw when Drew McIntyre beat Riddle and AJ Styles to qualify for Money in the Bank.
Drew McIntyre was interviewed backstage by Sarah Schreiber. When Sarah said that Jinder Mahal believes that Drew McIntyre Drew claimed the sword he uses in his entrance came from the Loch Ness Monster. It led to a bizarre story because Drew seems to tell crazy stories week after week.
Drew McIntyre made his entrance complete with the sword for his match wit h Jinder Mahal up next.
A commercial aired for Tuesday’s NXT Great American Bash show. It should be great. I’ll have a recap on TJRWrestling on Wednesday morning. They are going up against Game 1 of the NBA Finals, so that’s some tough competition.
(Commercial)
Jinder Mahal made his entrance with his two buddies by his side. Corey Graves referenced their history in 3MB (hey Heath Slater how you doing?) and how both guys left WWE and came back to become WWE Champions.
Jinder Mahal (w/Shanky & Veer) vs. Drew McIntyre
Mahal with a shoulder tackle and then McIntyre came back with a shoulder tackle to knock Jinder down. McIntyre with another shoulder tackle. McIntyre with a clothesline, then a hard slap and Mahal got a knee to the ribs. McIntyre with punches on Mahal against the turnbuckle. Mahal got some offense going with a suplex. Mahal charged at Drew, who hit a belly to belly suplex that sent Mahal out of the ring. Drew left the ring, Mahal with a shot to the throat and then Mahal suplexed Drew onto the announce table, which did not break. That led to a break.
(Commercial)
Mahal was in control with a chinlock, McIntyre fought back with chops and then Mahal hit a jumping knee to the face for a two count. Mahal drove his knee to McIntyre’s throat followed by Mahal whipping Drew into the turnbuckle. McIntyre came back with the Glasgow Kiss headbutt, then two running clotheslines and a belly to belly suplex across the ring. Drew hit another belly to belly suplex across the ring followed by a neckbreaker. Drew did a quick 3MB hand gesture, McIntyre fought out of The Khallas event and Drew hit a Future Shock DDT. Veer and Shanky went after McIntyre, so that was it for the DQ finish. It went about 10 minutes.
Winner by disqualification: Drew McIntyre
Analysis: **1/2 An average match with a cheap finish to prevent Mahal from being pinned by McIntyre. When you have a heel like Mahal bringing two guys to ringside like that, that kind of finish is to be expected. Mahal is just average in the ring most of the time, but they worked well together and we know Drew doesn’t have bad matches. This could have been the start of a long-term story between them.
After the match, McIntyre fought off Veer and Shanky briefly, but then Mahal hit a superkick. Veer and Shanky tossed McIntyre into the turnbuckle. Mahal hit The Khallas on McIntyre leading to Jinder celebrating with his buddies.
They showed replays of what happened. After the replay, Mahal was on the stage with his buddies and Mahal had the sword. Mahal said since Drew took away his Money in the Bank opportunity, Mahal is taking Drew’s precious sword. Mahal went to the back while McIntyre was selling at ringside.
Analysis: There’s a way to make things more personal in the rivalry since Mahal stole the sword that belongs to McIntyre. I can see Mahal costing McIntyre the Money in the Bank Contract Ladder Match and then that sets them up for a potential match at SummerSlam. It would make sense while keeping McIntyre out of the title picture.
Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods were interviewed by Kevin Patrick with Kofi mentioning they were named the greatest WWE Tag Team of all-time on WWE.com (it was actually on Peacock/WWE Network countdown that I covered here). Kingston said that Bobby Lashley and MVP were trying to compensate for the truth bombs that Kofi said about them last week. Kofi said now MVP is magically medically cleared and Bobby is back from vacation. Xavier Woods that he is back even though MVP said that Woods wouldn’t be there. Woods said that Kofi is going to become WWE Champion again at Money in the Bank. Kofi said he’s been putting in the time while Lashley has been taking time off. Kofi went on to say that he would be the two-time WWE World Heavyweight Champion, baby. Woods said it’s going to be a breeze (shoutout to his buddy Tyler Breeze who was recently released by WWE).
Mace & T-Bar entered for tag team action.
(Commercial)
Lucha House Party (Gran Metalik & Lince Dorado) vs. Mace & T-Bar
Dorado with a headscissors on T-Bar, but then T-Bar came back with a kick to the ribs. Dorado up top, cross body block, T-Bar caught him and T-Bar tossed Dorado over the top to the floor. T-Bar kicked Metalik off the apron to the floor. Mace tagged in and sent Dorado into the announce table two times. Mace slammed Dorado back first into the mat repeatedly and T-Bar tagged in with a boot to the face for two. Mace with an elbow drop on Dorado for two. Dorado with a dropkick, but then Mace stopped a tag from happening. Mace hit a jumping sidekick. T-Bar tagged in for a double team, but Metalik hit a dropkick. Metalik jumped off the middle rope and went over the top onto Mace on the floor. Dorado hit a hurricanrana into a pin attempt for the pinfall win after four minutes.
Winners by pinfall: Lucha House Party (Gran Metalik & Lince Dorado)
Analysis: ** The heels dominated most of the match. Dorado hit one move on T-Bar and that was enough to win. I don’t think the finish was that great, but it was done as a surprise ending to put over the faces. I assume we’ll get a rematch soon with Mace/T-Bar getting the win in dominant fashion.
Riddle was shown in the backstage area checking out his injured right foot. Damian Priest showed up asking Riddle if he was feeling good. Riddle said he has fallen from higher objects. Riddle told a story from when he was a kid. Riddle said he belonged and he is going to prove it with the three most dangerous letters in WWE…R-K-Bro. Priest counted the letters to note that Riddle said more than three letters. That’s what Riddle does. That’s the joke.
AJ Styles entered with Omos as the Raw Tag Team Champions.
(Commercial)
Riddle made his entrance. His right foot is taped up to sell the foot injury.
AJ Styles (w/Omos) vs. Riddle
Styles immediately went after the right leg of Riddle with kicks and a kneebreaker. Riddle got a sunset flip for two. Styles came back with another kick to the right leg. Styles wrenched on the right leg of Riddle and Riddle broke free with forearms to the back. When Styles tried a whip across the ring, Riddle collapsed and Styles laughed about it. Riddle came back using his legs to flip Styles over the top to the floor. Styles was back on the apron and he wrenched Riddle’s right leg across the rope. Riddle did a Karate Kid style pose at Styles, then Styles walked into it and Riddle hit a pump kick with the left leg. Riddle with a gutwrench suplex. Riddle with a kick to the back with the right foot, then Styles came back with strikes and Riddle flipped Styles over into a kick. Styles with a dragon screw leg whip across the ring. Styles stomped on the right leg of Riddle. While Styles was dealing with the referee, Omos tripped up Riddle by the right leg and Riddle was in pain selling the injury. Good spot leading to a break.
(Commercial)
The match continued with Styles remaining in control with a chop block to the back of the right leg. Styles applied an Ankle Lock, Riddle rolled out of it and Styles went for the Calf Crusher, but Riddle got out of that leading to a knee to the jaw. Riddle with a Broton Splash for a two count. When Styles tried to go for a springboard attack, Riddle grabbed the top rope and Styles bumped to the apron. Riddle hit the draping DDT that Randy Orton loves to do. Riddle hopped up to the top for a twisting move off the top, but Styles moved. Styled picked up Riddle on his shoulders leading to a slam on the mat for a two count. Styles went for a Styles Clash, then the Viking Raiders showed up to distract Omos and Riddle got a ROLLUP OF DEATH~! for the pinfall win after 13 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Riddle
Analysis: ***1/4 Good selling by Riddle throughout the match. Styles was on offense for most of it with Riddle taking advantage of the distraction to get the cheap win. Viking Raiders have been feuding with Styles/Omos for a while, so it was a way to continue that story. I’m tired of the ROLLUP OF DEATH~!, but clearly WWE continues to love it as a finish.
Post match, Riddle went up the ramp with the Viking Raiders. Riddle looked into the camera saying he did it for Randy Orton.
Charlotte Flair is up next.
(Commercial)
Let’s Hear from Charlotte Flair
A replay was shown of last week when Rhea Ripley did a chop block to Charlotte Flair after their team won a tag team match.
Charlotte Flair was in the ring in dress clothes with a crutch. Charlotte claimed she might miss Money in the Bank because Rhea Ripley did a cheap attack on her. Charlotte said that Rhea is learning pretty well.
Rhea Ripley entered as the Raw Women’s Champion with Ripley also walking out there with a crutch on the left leg. Ripley said that she sees through Flair and that Charlotte was just being a drama queen. They both kicked away the crutch from the other woman. Then they each picked up a crutch. They each tried attacking with a crutch, then Flair knocked it out of Ripley’s hand and Ripley knocked another crutch out of Charlotte’s hand. Ripley hit Charlotte in the ribs and Charlotte ran away to avoid another shot. Charlotte was on the ramp while Ripley was in the ring for some trash talk.
Analysis: This was lame. It added nothing to the rivalry. I don’t think the fake leg injury is really necessary, but it’s a way for Charlotte to get heat for lying. Ripley stands up to Charlotte well, which makes Ripley likable and a champion that people really enjoy.
(Commercial)
The entrances took place for a tag team match. Poor Elias doesn’t even get a guitar for his entrance.
Elias & Cedric Alexander vs. R-Truth & Jaxson Ryker
This was quick. R-Truth went running after 24/7 Champion Akira Tozawa. Elias bailed on the match and walked away from his partner. Ryker capitalized with a Bossman Slam for the pinfall win. This was really short. Maybe one minute.
Winners by pinfall: R-Truth & Jaxson Ryker
Analysis: 1/2* Ryker continues to pick up wins. I lost my interest in the match, was distracted by something and only caught the ending. Ryker’s feud with Elias remains among the worst in WWE considering how short she is.
The New Day entered for the main event.
(Commercial)
Next week on Raw: Ricochet vs. John Morrison in a Falls Count Anywhere Match. Sheamus is back to defend the US Title vs. Humberto Carrillo. Plus, Erik vs. Omos and Ivar vs. AJ Styles. In two weeks on Raw, it’s AJ Styles & Omos defending the Raw Tag Team Titles vs. Viking Raiders.
Analysis: They are taping next week’s Raw on Tuesday, so it will give the talent a break before they go on the road. It also will allow WWE to tear down the ThunderDome setup after Smackdown this week because that will be their last show.
The WWE Champion Bobby Lashley was up next with his buddy Montel Vontavious Porter for the tag team match main event. MVP had a big brace on his right knee.
Bobby Lashley & Montel Vontavious Porter vs. The New Day – Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods
Woods with an armbar on MVP and then MVP shoved Woods on his ass. MVP with punches, then Woods ran the ropes and Woods did a chop block to the front of MVP’s right knee. Kofi tagged in and he jumped off the top with a boot to the back of the knee. MVP got some offense going with a back elbow and a head whip into the mat. Lashley tagged in with a shoulder tackle. Lashley with strikes on Kofi against the turnbuckle and then a neckbreaker. Kofi countered a move by landing on his feet followed by a kick to the head. Lashley used his power for a spinning slam on the mat. MVP was back in with a suplex, but Kofi fought out of it and dropkicked MVP in the back. New Day stomped on MVP against the turnbuckle. Lashley checked on MVP, Woods with a dropkick and Kofi hit a dive over the top onto Lashley on the floor. Cool spot leading to a break.
(Commercial)
The show returned with about six minutes left as Lashley battled Woods with Bobby hitting a running clothesline. Lashley hit a suplex. Lashley worked over Woods with an armbar. MVP was back in with punches along with forearms to the face while Woods was against the ropes. MVP hit an elbow drop and back to an armbar. Woods fought back with a jawbreaker, Kofi got the hot tag and hit a double axehandle. Kofi avoided a move by MVP and Kofi hit a bulldog. Kofi knocked Lashley off the apron, then Kofi bounced off the ropes and hit a boom drop legdrop. Kingston knocked Lashley off the ropes with a superkick. MVP with a stiff clothesline on Kofi for two. Lashley tagged in, MVP with a boot to the face and Lashley hit a spinebuster for two as Woods made the save. Lashley tossed Woods out of the ring. MVP tagged in, Kofi hit Lashley with a Trouble in Paradise kick and Woods hit a clothesline on Lashley on the floor. Kofi avoided a Playmaker and hit a Trouble in Paradise on MVP for the pinfall win after 14 minutes.
Winners by pinfall: The New Day – Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods
Analysis: **3/4 This was just an average tag team match with the most obvious result that most viewers likely saw coming. It was a finish that protected Lashley by not having him get beat and it put over Kofi to have him build momentum going into Money in the Bank. As soon as MVP tagged in with about two minutes left in the show, you knew what was coming. From a logical point of view, Lashley should almost never tag out when his partner has a bad knee, but they have to do it that way to have Kofi beat MVP instead of Lashley.
The New Day celebrated on the ramp while Lashley was angry in the ring. Lashley helped MVP up. That led to some long distance staring from Lashley and Kofi and that was it for Raw.
Three Stars of the Show
- Riddle
- AJ Styles
- Kofi Kingston/Ricochet/John Morrison
The Scoreboard
5.25 out of 10
Last week: 6.25
2021 Average: 5.91
Final Thoughts
It was a boring, mostly uneventful show. It was necessarily bad because there were some good things, but it’s hard to be that excited about what they presented this week. Some bad finishes this week hurt certain parts and I just couldn’t get into the show. Matches like Styles/Riddle and Ricochet/Morrison were entertaining until the finishes happened and then it leaves you frustrated as a viewer. Several matches bored me to the point that I was falling asleep even while sitting upright in a chair and typing as I watch as usual. None of the non-wrestling segments were that interesting either. The Flair/Ripley thing felt like it was just killing time instead of making us care about their feud.
The main event of New Day vs. Lashley/MVP was just an average tag team match with a very predictable result with MVP taking the pin. It was obvious that was coming as soon as the match was announced.
I’m so ready for fans to be back. The last two weeks of Raw were better shows, but this was a step back. Nothing to see here, really.
The next WWE pay-per-view is Money on the Bank on Sunday, July 18. Here’s what we know so far.
WWE Universal Championship: Roman Reigns (c) vs. Edge
WWE Championship: Bobby Lashley (c) vs. Kofi Kingston
Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match: Ricochet vs. John Morrison vs. Riddle vs. Big E vs. Drew McIntyre vs. Kevin Owens vs. two more wrestlers. (Winners of Cesaro vs. Rollins and Nakamura vs. Corbin will be in the match.)
Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match: Asuka vs. Naomi vs. Alexa Bliss vs. Nikki Cross vs. Carmella vs. Zelina Vega vs. two more wrestlers.
Smackdown Women’s Championship “I Quit” Match: Bianca Belair (c) vs. Bayley
Raw Women’s Championship: Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Charlotte Flair
Money in the Bank takes place on Sunday, July 18, streaming at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT exclusively on Peacock in the United States and WWE Network everywhere else.
===
You can contact me using any of the methods below. Go Toronto Blue Jays. Be safe and smart out there.
Thanks for reading.
John Canton
Email: mrjohncanton@gmail.com
Twitter: @johnreport