Raw Review 06/29/2020

RAW REVIEW 06/29/2020

Tonight on Raw we will see two huge contract signings as first, Drew McIntyre and Dolph Ziggler make their WWE Championship Match at Extreme Rules official. Next, we will see Asuka and Sasha Banks make their Raw Women’s Championship Match official. Also, what will Seth Rollins do next as he tries to sacrifice Rey and Dominik Mysterio? Finally, what will be next for the Legend Killer Randy Orton?

Raw comes to us from the WWE Performance Center.

In-Ring Segment: Double Contract Signing:
Sasha Banks & Asuka: Raw Women’s Championship &
Dolph Ziggler & Drew McIntyre: WWE Championship
As Raw begins Asuka and Sasha Banks are already brawling it out in the ring with Banks having the help of Bayley ahead of their contract signing. We are then welcomed by Samoa Joe who is mediating the signing. Ziggler then comes and gets on the mic and again takes credit for Drew McIntyre’s success. Ziggler then brings out the WWE Champion.
Ziggler tells McIntyre he is champion because of him and asks him where he would be without him. Ziggler tells McIntyre while he was finding himself he was here for 15 years carrying monsters like him on his back. Ziggler says he knows what McIntyre sacrifice but he knows McIntyre is unsure. Ziggler says he will continue to get back up at Extreme Rules and survive. He tells McIntyre the 19-year redemption story will disappear with a snap of a finger. Ziggler tells McIntyre he created him and at Extreme Rules, he will destroy him. McIntyre and Ziggler now sign the contract. McIntyre tells that at one time he and Ziggler were like brothers. He says that he had to go through hell to become the man and champion he is today. McIntyre then says he thinks Ziggler needs the title because he’s never been the center of attention and he always drops the ball. He tells Ziggler he is going to hurt him and slaughter him and he will lose at Extreme Rules. McIntyre then tells Ziggler he will allow him to pick the stipulation for the match. Ziggler questions this and tells him there is no third chance for him.
Asuka gets on the mic and screams at Banks and Bayley in Japanese. Banks tells Asuka she is not the same person she faced before. She says at Extreme Rules she will be two belts Banks. She says with her and Bayley as double champion they are taking over both locker rooms and the whole damn company. Bayley says that it is going to be a horror show and laughs at Asuka. Asuka then goes after Sasha and Bayley. Ziggler tries a sneak attack but McIntyre stops him. Ziggler then avoids a Claymore. Both contracts are now signed and McIntyre and Asuka hold their titles high as their opponents have exited the ring.
My Opinion:
Both of these matches have the chance to steal the show at Extreme Rules. There is no doubt there is a lot of tension here especially for Banks and Asuka. For Ziggler, he seems confident but he better learn from the others who felt that way and got put down by McIntyre. Ziggler though does get to pick the stipulation so he better pick one that takes away some of McIntyre’s advantages. Overall, as champions, Asuka and McIntyre are on rolls rights now and it’s going to take a lot to get the titles off of them.

Backstage Segment: Angel Garza & Zelina Vega & Andrade
Garza tries to sweet-talk referee Jessika Carr ahead of their match. Charly then comes up and asks what he was talking about. Vega tells her they were making sure the match was called down the middle. Charly then asks if they beat the Viking Raiders do they think they are in line for the titles next. Andrade says yes absolutely. Big Show comes up and tells them that he is up next because he has issues with Randy Orton to work out. Vega then gets offended by this.

***Later Tonight, Drew McIntyre and Asuka will team up to take on Sasha Banks and Dolph Ziggler!

In-Ring Segment: The Big Show
Big Show tells Randy Orton to come on down. He says he is a legend so come and try him. He tells Orton he has a promise to keep smashing every bone in his body. Here comes Andrade, Angel Garza, and Zelina Vega.
Big Show tells them he is sorry for interrupting their interview but don’t try him right now. Garza and Andrade then question Big Show that he is a legend. Big Show tells them again not to try him right now. Garza tells him he will learn what the Street Profits did. Vega tells him he will learn what Angel Garza and Andrade are all about. She then tells Big Show he can say hi to Edge and Christian in the retirement home. Here comes Ric Flair.
Flair tells Vega, Garza, and Andrade he has a ton of respect for them but he has something to say to his old friend the Big Show. Flair brings up Orton and calls him the man who will take out Big Show whenever he feels like. Flair tells Show Orton is in the back and will come when he wants. Flair tells Show he has been making shows on Netflix. He tells Show he had his day and his run but if he continues Orton will become even a bigger legend killer than he already is. Flair then tells Garza and Andrade to have some fun, they are reluctant to get in the ring. The Viking Raiders then come out and brawl with Garza and Andrade as Raw goes to break.
My Opinion:
Big Show seems very fired up and I feel sorry for whoever gets in his way. However, even with him being the giant he may be barking up the wrong tree going after Randy Orton. Orton has shown in the past that he can outsmart anyone and he will find a way to make his point and get what he wants. For some reason as much as I’d love to see Big Show get revenge for Edge and Christian it just doesn’t seem like he can match up with the mental state that Randy Orton is in. Big Show is a person who strikes from the front but that’s easier said than done when he’s dealing with someone who strikes from behind.

Match 1: The Viking Raiders (Erik & Ivar) vs Angel Garza & Andrade w/ Zelina Vega
As Raw returns, Garza tries to take down Erik but Erik fights back and takes him down instead. Erik stays in control and keeps Garza on the mat. Erik throws him into the corner now and tags Ivar. Erik then throws Garza into the knee of Ivar. Ivar covers but Garza kicks out. Ivar hits a snap mare and then rakes the face of Garza. Ivar now backs him in the corner and tags Erik. Erik now holds him in the corner and continues to wear him down. Ivar tags back in and drives his shoulder into Garza. Ivar covers but again Garza kicks out. Ivar flattens Garza on the mat and tries a cover but still can’t put him away. Ivar now works the arm of Garza.
Garza is on his feet but Ivar stays in control. Erik now tags in and slams Ivar onto Garza. A cover and another kick out by Garza. Garza finally works a tag but Andrade is knocked down by Erik. Andrade makes his way back in the ring and works with Garza off a dropkick to take down Erik. Andrade now stomps on him. Garza tags back in and lands a kick to the midsection. Garza tries to put him away but Erik powers out. Garza lays him out and tries another cover but Erik kicks out again. Garza now beats on the back of Erik. Erik though hits a huge right out of nowhere. Erik kicks back Garza into his corner and Andrade tags in. Andrade now hits a kick to the face. Andrade gets mad at Garza and heads up the ramp screaming at him. Vega tries to calm him down as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Andrade has made his way back to the ring. Arza now works Erik in the corner. He then uses the ropes to choke Erik. Andrade tags in now and tries to keep Erik in the corner but Erik fights back. He backs off Andrade and then takes down Garza with an elbow. Andrade then his hit with a huge knee strike. Ivar tags in but so does Garza. Ivar takes it to Garza and then hits Andrade with a clothesline. Ivar stays on Garza now and tries to slam him but he fights off. Garza tries to take him down but can’t move him. Ivar now looks for a back elbow but he is hit with knees to the back. Both men now make tags. Erik grabs Andrade. Ivar then puts Garza up on Erik and he slams them both. Erik takes out Garza and sends him out of the ring. Andrade takes down Ivar and now fights off Erik. Garza on the outside slams Erik into the ring post. Andrade now hits Erik with an elbow as he is brought back into the ring. Garza now hits Erik with the Wing Clipper. Andrade helps him out and Garza is able to get the 1 2 3 on the cover.
Winners: Angel Garza & Andrade
My Opinion:
Just when you thought Garza and Andrade would let this opportunity slip through their hands they turned it around and picked up a huge win. There is obviously tension still between them but this should show them that if they work together they can make big things happen. With that win, they are definitely in line for a title opportunity and if they fight as they did in the second half of this match they could win them easily. They both are super skilled and once they fully put it together they could be the most dangerous and complete team on Raw. For the Viking Raiders, this is a very tough loss and it further kills the dominant team they once were. Hopefully, they can turn it around before they fall too far.

Backstage Segment: Ruby Riott & The IIconics (Peyton Royce & Billie Kay)
Royce calls Riott a freak. Kay then calls her a weirdo. They then say somethings don’t change as Riott still has no friends. They then make fun of Riott for not being able to get ahold of Liv and call her a loser. Riott then makes fun of them for blowing their championship opportunity. Royce and Kay then say at least they have each other. Riott then tells one of them to meet her out in the ring. The other then can carry that one back to the back after the match is over. Riott tells them that sounds iconic.

Backstage Segment: Angel Garza & Andrade & Zelina Vega & Ric Flair
Garza and Andrade talk things through and agree they won’t do that to each other again. Ric Flair then comes up and tells them that was a great win and they are on fire. He then asks Vega if he can talk to them alone for a minute.

Match 2: Akira Tozawa (c) vs R-Truth: 24/7 Championship Match
The match begins and Tozawa tries a quick roll-up. Truth kicks out. Tozawa now tries to shoot him off the ropes but Truth hangs on. Truth then is able to send Tozawa to the outside after a standoff. Tozawa comes back in the ring and Truth tells him to hold on. Truth uses this to work a roll-up and get the 1 2 3 to win the title back.
*** After the match, one of the ninjas tries to pin Truth but he is able to kick out and run out of the ring with the title.
Winner: R-Truth: New 24/7 Champion
My Opinion:
Truth wins the title again and he really outsmarted Tozawa in this one. Truth was smart to get out of there when he did as now he doesn’t just have Tozawa to worry about but all of the ninjas that follow Tozawa. This title definitely isn’t a premier title in WWE but at least it gives us some great moments of R-Truth. It should be fun to see Tozawa get to show his funny side as well as they feud over this title. It was very entertaining when Drake Maverick did it and I think Truth and Tozawa now could do the same kind of thing.

Backstage Segment: MVP & Bobby Lashley
Lashley tells MVP Apollo Crews turning down the offer was disrespectful to both of them. Lashley tells him not to give him another offer. MVP says the offer is dead. He says he does like the kid so before they take everything from him he wants to lend him a few gems.

Backstage Segment: Seth Rollins & Murphy
Rollins holds the mask of Rey Mysterio. He tells Murphy this is his most important message to date and he has to deliver it now before they lose their chance.

*** Later tonight Big Show will take on Angel Garza and Andrade in a 1 on 2 Handicap Match!

In-Ring Segment: Seth Rollins & Murphy
Rollins tells that last week Rey Mysterio along with his son Dominik made a heartwarming return to Monday Night Raw. He tells how Rey said nothing would stop him from returning to the ring. He says Rey believed that with all his heart and he believes it as well because Rey Mysterio has a duty to uphold. Rollins says the problem is Rey hasn’t been seeing things clearly as of late. He says Rey thinks his duty to avenge and protect his family but in fact, his duty is to be a sacrifice for Monday Night Raw. He says he has given Rey the chance to walk away in the sunlight but he has defied him at every turn. He then says what he has to do now is so important. Rollins then asks Rey to forgive him not for the past but for what he is forcing him to do in the future. He says we are bound by fate and fate has made him the Monday Night Messiah and fate has made Rey a sacrifice to Monday Night Raw. he says Rey will step in this ring again but every time he does he will be forced to take a piece of him until there is nothing left but a memory.
Rey comes on the screen and questions Rollins. Rey asks for forgiveness but from his son for what he is going to have to do to Seth Rollins. He tells Dominik he loves him for trying to fight his battles but this is for him to do now. He says he must do something just as remorseful to Seth. he tells Seth what he does will be by design. Dominik tells Rollins he will never forgive him and he will never forget what his father does and that will be bound by fate. Rollins tells Dominik his father forgot to tell him to be careful. He then tells Dominik he will be forced to end his career before it begins. Here comes Aleister Black and Humberto Carrillo. Mysterio tells Rollins it looks like he has company as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Rollins tells Black and Carrillo he was hoping to run into them. He says before he and Murphy come in there and take them out he asks them why they will fight for Rey Mysterio when Mysterio won’t fight for them. He tells them Rey is a fraud and coward. Carrillo tells Rollins he is a coward. He then says that Rollins is less of a man than Mysterio is. Black says he knows a thing about evil and he knows when he is looking at it. He tells Rollins he will pay for all that he has done. Rollins tells him he thinks he knows evil but he hasn’t seen nothing yet. Rollins says this ends now.
My Opinion:
I cannot wait to see where this goes as there seems to be so much anger between these two. I really hope Rey can come back and get the revenge he is looking for. This is a story that can lead to something so huge and I really hope it delivers that way. Rollins continues to be a perfect foe for Mysterio and when these two finally lock up you can beat it won’t be pretty. Rey and Dominik also have a lot of back-up and now Rollins is backed into a corner with the numbers game.

Match 3: Seth Rollins & Murphy vs Aleister Black & Humberto Carrillo
The match begins and Black takes it to Murphy. He beats him down and takes control early. Rollins tries to get involved but he is knocked to the outside. The ref checks on Murphy and now Rollins is able to hit Black and send him to the outside. Rollins beats Black down on the floor. Back in the ring, Rollins takes control and keeps Black down. Murphy tags in and the two beat down Black in the corner. Murphy now keeps him down with a chin lock. Black fights back and finally gets a tag. Carrillo takes it to Murphy and backs Rollins out of the ring. Carrillo hits a crossbody. He then sends Rollins out of the ring. Carrillo takes Murphy down and then hits him with a dropkick from the top. Carrillo looks for a 619 but Rollins pulls Murphy out of the ring. Carrillo now is able to hit Rollins with a pump kick. He then flies off the top and takes Rollins and Murphy down on the floor as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Murphy tags in Rollins but Carrillo is to beat down to make the tag. Rollins goes after Carrillo but somehow Carrillo is able to fight back and knock down Rollins. Murphy tags in and so does Black. Black hits Rollins with a boot and then takes down Murphy. Black now goes after Rollins again. He comes off the middle rope and takes down Rollins and Murphy. Black looks for the Black Mass but Murphy avoids. Carrillo comes in and sends Murphy into the ropes. Carrillo then hits the 619. He covers but Rollins breaks it up. He then sends Black to the floor. Rollins flies through the ropes and takes down Black. Rollins gets on the apron but Carrillo kicks him down. This allows Murphy to connect with a big knee strike. Murphy goes up top and Carrillo gets up and meets him up there. Murphy drops down and lands a big kick. Carrillo is then slammed down to the canvas with a big knee strike and an assist from Murphy. Rollins covers but Carrillo kicks out. Rollins gets distracted by Black. Carrillo tries to steal one but Rollins kicks out. Rollins now hits Carrillo with a stomp and gets the 1 2 3 on the cover.
***After the match, Black tries to attack Rollins but Murphy takes him down. They then throw Black to the floor. They meet him out there and throw him into the timekeeper’s area. They then bring Carrillo to the outside and look to destroy his eye on the steps. Carrillo now is able to fight them off. Murphy gets up and grabs the steps. He then blasts Carrillo with them. Rollins then puts the Rey Mysterio mask on Carrillo. Murphy then drags Carrillo over to the steps. Rollins looks to destroy the eye of Carrillo again but Black is able to knock down Rollins. Murphy and Black now fight and this allows Rollins to hit the stomp on Carrillo right onto the steel step. Rollins and Murphy then head for higher ground.
Winners: Seth Rollins & Murphy
My Opinion:
What a match between these two teams. That was very hard-hitting and you could tell both sides had a point they wanted to prove. I really loved the battle between them and I felt like they told an awesome story in there. Rollins and Murphy showed that even though they might now always have the numbers they still have the smarts. It amazed me how they were able to really take control of this match when Black and Carrillo seemed to be working so well together. Rollins then got to strike, laying out Carrillo with that vicious stomp on the steps. Rollins right now is like a mini Randy Orton in terms of his striking ability and honestly after this tonight it’s hard to say that Rollins and Murphy won’t get what they are after. It should be interesting to see Rey Mysterio’s reaction to this recent event.

Backstage Segment: Drew McIntyre & Asuka
McIntyre tells Asuka she will have a chance for revenge later on. Sara comes up and asks them what they are trying to gain in this match tonight. Asuka yells. McIntyre then says they are going to go have fun with their opponents tonight. McIntyre then tells him he allowed Dolph to pick their stipulation so Dolph will have no excuses when he beats him. McIntyre then says Sasha Banks is not ready for Asuka. Asuka says Dolph is not ready for Drew.

Backstage Segment: Lana & Ruby Riott
Lana comes up to Ruby Riott and tells her she couldn’t believe how the IIconics treated her. She says she knows what it’s like not to have friends. Riott says she isn’t buying what she is selling. She then tells Lana she should be out ruining another promising career. Lana shakes that off and then goes on and on telling Riott that this division finally has someone they can believe in which is Natalya.

Match 4: Ruby Riott vs Peyton Royce w/ Billie Kay
As the match begins Kay provides a distraction from the floor and allows Royce to hit Riott with a big kick. Royce gets her down and continues to stay on her. Royce tries to put her away but Riott kicks out. Royce now gets her in the corner and hits her in the elbow. Royce continues to toy with her before taking her down to the mat. Royce now goes after the shoulder of Riott. Riott gets to her feet and hits Royce with a back elbow to the face. Royce slows her up and hits a belly to back suplex. Royce covers but Riott kicks out. Royce goes for a clothesline in the corner but Riott avoids. Riott catches Royce and hits her with big elbow strikes. Riott hits the standing STO. she covers but Royce kicks out. Riott works the arm of Royce but let’s go as she backs Kay off the apron. Royce tries to steal one but Riott kicks out. Riott tries to come back but can’t keep Riott down. Royce now hits the spinning brainbuster and gets the 1 2 3 on the cover.
Winner: Peyton Royce
My Opinion:
Throughout this match, I really thought Peyton Royce would blow it because she was working slow and did too much taunting. However, Riott was the one who messed up and this surprised me. Ruby used to be all about business in the ring but somehow allowed herself to get distracted. This showed the strength of the IIconics and also showed that Ruby Riott might need someone by her side. I think there is a big potential for Riott and Liv Morgan if they could rekindle their partnership. It seems both are just coming up a little short alone but together it could be the key to their success.

Backstage Segment: The Big Show
Charly asks Big Show if he thinks his match is set up since Ric Flair is associated with Garza and Andrade. Show says it doesn’t take a genius to know Randy Orton won’t be far behind. He tells how he loved Flair as a kid but when he got in the business he learned Flair was the dirtiest player in the game. He talks about how Flair helping Orton makes Orton more dangerous but he welcomes Orton to come and try him and find out why he is the Big Show. He then tells Garza and Andrade they aren’t getting the fun-loving Big Show, they are getting one angry giant.

Match 5: The Big Show vs Andrade & Angel Garza w/ Zelina Vega
The match begins and both Garza and Andrade drop to the outside. They then argue over who is going to start the match first. They both slide in but Andrade slides out leaving Garza on his own. Show gets Garza in the corner and hits him with a chop. He throws down Garza and keeps control. Show puts Garza on the ropes and hits him with a chop. Show then throws Garza out to the floor. Garza gets back in the ring but is reluctant and goes back to the floor. He comes back in and then back out and finally back into tag Andrade. Andrade tries to get around on Show but Show breaks the grip and thrust Andrade into the corner. Show then hits him with a huge chop. Show then launches Andrade from the apron back into the ring.
Show brings Andrade to his feet and then slams him to the mat. Show then steps on the midsection of Andrade and walks over him. Andrade fights back with forearm shots but he is quickly thrown down. Show now throws Andrade into the corner and Garza gets the tag. Garza comes at Show in the corner and gets caught. He now is hit with yet another chop. Garza now avoids Show in the corner and Show crashes. Show goes to a knee and Garza attacks with strikes to the knees. Andrade comes in now but the two argue instead of working together. Garza goes to the floor and Garza tells him this is your moment. Andrade turns around now and is met with the chokeslam. Show covers and gets the 1 2 3.
*** After the match, Show lifts Andrade and hits him with the KO Punch.
Winner: The Big Show
My Opinion:
For the most part, Big Show dominated that one and did exactly what he said he would do. I do wish they would have given him a couple of people he could have completely run over as the mistake in the corner made him look human instead of as the giant no one can stop. This was a great opportunity for Garza and Andrade but once again their emotions stopped them from getting the job done. It’s tough for them as a team because once they take a step forward they take two steps back. Hopefully, they get back on track because what they did earlier tonight was quite impressive. For Show, he seems ready to fight and that’s going to be the key for taking down Randy Orton. Of course, one on one Show can beat Orton but Orton now can see a weakness and if he attacks from behind he can get Big Show down and take over.

Backstage Segment: Apollo Crews & Cedric Alexander & Ricochet & R-Truth
Apollo talks things over with ricochet and Cedric Alexander. Truth comes up and Crews asks what’s wrong and he looks shook. Truth says he finally got away from the ninjas but then questions this. He says he is paranoid. They laugh with Truth and Crews says you gotta go with it. He then tells Truth isn’t it hard being a fighting champion. Truth says you have no idea.

In-Ring Segment: MVP & Bobby Lashley
Lashley tells MVP to illuminate everyone on why he intends to do what he is going to do tonight. MVP says when he goes home people ask how they can be like him. He says he tells them there can only be one MVP but he can impress them. MVP says it’s been an honor to do that with Lashley but then you get people who reject the help like Apollo Crews. MVP says when one of the longest-reigning United States Champions of all time offers help you take it. He then says he won’t be disrespected. Here comes Apollo Crews.
Crews tells him he never disrespected him. He is also a self-made man and that MVP should have listened the first time he turned down his services but instead MVP kept pushing and pushing. He then says that MVP only cared about himself. MVP says that Crews didn’t want him as his manager but now he will find out he really didn’t want him as his enemy.

Match 6: Apollo Crews vs MVP w/ Bobby Lashley
Crews backs MVP up to the ropes. MVP tries to take control but Crews sends him for a ride. Crews gets him down but Lashley pulls MVP to safety. Crews then flies over the top rope and takes out Lashley. MVP then attacks Crews and takes him down on the floor as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, MVP works on the shoulder of Crews. Crews gets to his feet but he is brought back down. MVP tries to put him away but Crews stays in it. MVP hits him with a boot and then goes back to the shoulder. MVP hits him with a strike and lets the hold go. MVP hits him again and tries a cover but Crews is able to still stay in it. MVP gets him in the corner and hammers away with strikes. MVP gets him in the opposite corner now but misses on a big kick. Crews hits him with a series of strikes and beats him down in the corner. Crews lands a big splash that crushes MVP in the corner. Crews then hits a spinebuster but it is not enough to put MVP away on the cover. Lashley provides a distraction and this allows MVP to take control. He hits a big boot in the corner. He then hits a fisherman’s suplex into the bridge and gets the 1 2 3 on the cover.
***After the match, Crews goes after MVP and beats him on the mat. Lashley comes from behind and locks Crews in the full nelson. Ricochet and Cedric Alexander come out and try to break the hold but Lashley hangs on and fights them off. They then both come off the top and hit Lashley forcing the break as Raw goes to break.
Winner: MVP
My Opinion:
A huge win for MVP here and it was an eye-opening one as it showed how dangerous MVP can be if he has Lashley out there by his side. MVP seems to have his sights set on that U.S. Championship and I think he could win it if Lashley sticks with him and helps the way he did tonight. It seemed Crews fell into old habits and focused on something he shouldn’t have instead of the match. This could be bad for Crews if that continues because as a champion he really needs to lock in every time he is in the ring and let the outside stuff be just that. At least now Crews has some back up although even that was almost not enough to stop the dangerous Bobby Lashley.

Match 7: Bobby Lashley w/ MVP vs Ricochet w/ Cedric Alexander
As Raw returns Ricochet goes after Lashley hitting him with everything he has. He tries to take it to him in the corner but Lashley fights him off and takes him down on the mat. Ricochet fights back and looks for a kick on the apron but Lashley stops him. Lashley is able to grab him and throw him back in the ring from the apron. Lashley then drives his shoulder into the gut of Ricochet. Lashley now hits the stalling suplex. He covers but Ricochet is able to kick out. Lashley picks up ricochet and throws him to the floor. Lashley distracts the ref and this allows MVP to slam Ricochet on the announcer’s table. Lashley now goes to the floor and grabs Ricochet. He then throws Ricochet into the plexiglass around ringside. Back in the ring, Lashley lifts Ricochet and slams him down to the mat face first. He covers but somehow Ricochet kicks out. Lashley then tosses Ricochet again and Ricochet falls to the floor. Lashley goes after him again and launches Ricochet onto the floor.
Lashley picks him up and drives him into the ring post. Lashley gets back in the ring and breaks the ref’s 10 count. Lashley brings him back into the ring. Lashley looks for the spear but Ricochet falls to the mat and can’t stand. Ricochet comes to and makes it to his knees. Lashley goes for the full nelson but Ricochet fights it off. Ricochet now sends Lashley to the floor. Ricochet gets on the apron and looks for a crossbody but he is caught. Ricochet fights it off and sends Lashley into the ring post. Ricochet makes it back in the ring and so does Lashley thanks to MVP. Ricochet now hits the moonsault off the middle rope. He tries to put Lashley away but can’t. Ricochet goes up top. MVP looks to distract him but Cedric stops him. Ricochet rolls through from the top. He gets Lashley down to a knee. A looks for a kick but gets caught. Lashley then slams him down to the mat hard. Lashley locks in the full nelson and Ricochet taps out.
*** After the match, Lashley locks the full nelson on Cedric Alexander. He then throws Cedric down on the mat next to Ricochet. MVP and Lashley stand tall in the ring.
Winner: Bobby Lashley
My Opinion:
You gotta give a lot of credit to Ricochet for the heart he showed and the way that he battled back but wow, this was a dominating showing from Lashley. He seemed on another level tonight and if he can keep that kind of energy then all these things that he and MVP say will come true will come true. I love the pairing of Lashley with MVP because we finally are seeing the best of Lashley. Lashley may not be completely unstoppable but he sure looks like it. I can’t wait to see what he and MVP do next as they really seem like they are on the edge of something big here.

Backstage Segment: Dolph Ziggler & Sasha Banks & Bayley
Dolph tells Sasha and Bayley this is going to work. He tells Sasha to let him take the reigns and be a player-coach. Sasha and Bayley laugh at him. They bring up how the last time they saw him he was getting exposed by a hacker and sling Mandy Rose to Otis. Bayley tells him to not screw this up for Sasha. Dolph reassures again that this is going to be a good team.

Match 8: Asuka & Drew McIntyre vs Sasha Banks & Dolph Ziggler w/ Bayley
Ziggler and McIntyre start off the match. McIntyre hits Ziggler and sends him into the corner. McIntyre grabs Ziggler by the waist but Ziggler fights out. McIntyre stays in control and bounces Ziggler off the turnbuckle. Ziggler fights back and hits him with the famouser. Ziggler can’t put him away. They both make a tag now. Asuka takes it to Banks. Banks is able to get out of the corner and avoid her. Banks looks for a submission but Asuka fights out. Asuka looks for a submission of her own but Banks is able to get out of it. McIntyre now knocks Ziggler to the floor and Asuka knocks Banks to the floor as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Ziggler is on the back of McIntyre and has him in a chokehold. McIntyre crushes him in the corner. He now hits him with a strike. McIntyre lifts him but Ziggler again fights out. Ziggler now hits him with a DDT. Banks come in and so does Asuka. Asuka takes it to Banks, getting her in the corner. Asuka hits her with a hip attack and stays on her. Asuka hits the shining wizard. She covers but Banks kicks out. On the floor now Asuka gets distracted and it allows Banks to hit a Meteora on the floor. Banks brings her in the ring and takes over. Banks hits her with a kick and then a big suplex. Banks covers but Asuka kicks out. Banks now goes to a chin lock. Asuka gets to her feet. Asuka tries to fight off Banks in the corner but Banks stays in control and hits double knees.
Banks covers but Asuka kicks out. Asuka gets to her feet but Banks locks in a sleeper hold. Banks now grabs the arms of Asuka and is able to bring Asuka to her knees. Banks control the arms and stretches Asuka. Asuka fights back with double knees to Banks. The tag is made and here comes McIntyre and Ziggler Ziggler is taken down and McIntyre stays on the offensive. McIntyre grabs Ziggler and heaves him across the ring. McIntyre flies from the top and takes down Ziggler. McIntyre looks for the DDT but Ziggler fights it off. McIntyre now throws Ziggler into the corner. Banks tags in. McIntyre hits Ziggler with a right and knocks him to the floor. Asuka lands a kick from behind and covers. Banks kicks out. On the outside, Ziggler takes down McIntyre. Asuka goes for the Asuka Lock but Banks fights out. Banks works a cover but Asuka kicks out. Asuka now is in the Banks Statement but she fights out. Banks is able to fight off Asuka and work a cover. Banks gets the 1 2 3. Ziggler celebrates with Banks and Bayley as Raw goes off the air.
Winners: Sasha Banks & Dolph Ziggler
My Opinion:
A really intriguing match to end the night as a mixed tag isn’t something we see all the time. Both sides really gave it their all but it seemed Asuka and McIntyre may have gotten a little overconfident at the end and took their eye off the ball. I like the outcome of this one as it continues to feed the ego of the challengers and gives Asuka and McIntyre more incentive to get the job done at Extreme Rules. There is no doubt both matches are going to be good and this really could be anyone’s ballgame but more so for the Banks and Asuka match and not so much for Ziggler and McIntyre. That is unless Ziggler has some tricks up his sleeve!

Final Thoughts:
Another good week for the red brand, I really love all the developing stories and everything tonight flowed and made sense. I also love how much of the roster is getting involved now. It creates a good mix and allows some of the bigger rivalries to breathe. First, I really enjoyed what Big Show did tonight. He went out there and was Big Show of old and he really seems ready for Orton. I’m very excited to see what Orton will do next as Big Show is looking as dangerous as ever. For Andrade and Angel Garza I was very impressed with their win earlier in the night as they beat a very formidable team. They worked well together and showed how dangerous they can be when they are on the same page.
They had a hiccup later in the night but hopefully, they get past that and reach their potential. I liked the development in the Seth Rollins and Rey Mysterio story. Just when you thought Rollins would be down and out and run out of town by the numbers game, he found a way to strike again. Mysterio better continue to watch out for the very dangerous Monday Night Messiah. I was super impressed by what Bobby Lashley did tonight. He dominated in his match and with his win and MVP’s win, they both proved this pairing could very well run Raw in the near future. Finally, I liked the development between the champions and challengers (Asuka & Drew McIntyre, Sasha Banks & Dolph Ziggler). These are very intriguing matchups and I’m getting more and more excited for them. Extreme Rules really is shaping up to be a good one! As always I hope everyone stays safe and healthy this week and enjoys NXT The Great American Bash and SmackDown!
Overall Rating: 7/10