Raw Review 05/25/2020
RAW REVIEW 05/25/2020
On this Memorial Day Edition of Monday Night Raw can Apollo Crews pull off one of the biggest wins of his career as he challenges Andrade for the United States Championship? Plus, is the WWE Champion Drew McIntyre walking into a trap as he joins MVP in the VIP Lounge? Finally, will it be the NXT Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair, Nia Jax, or Natalya who will become the #1 Contender to Asuka and her Raw Women’s Championship?
Raw comes to us from the WWE Performance Center.
Raw kicks off with a Memorial Day Tribute.
In-Ring Segment: KO Show: Hosted By Kevin Owens
Owens welcomes everyone to Monday Night Raw. he then welcomes the NXT Superstars who are fans tonight and says some of them are the future of the WWE. He then welcomes everyone to the KO Show and tells how tonight he will be taking on Angel Garza. He then says he is here to discuss the Triple Threat Match tonight where the winner will become the #1 Contender for the Raw Women’s Championship at Backlash. He then welcomes Asuka.
Asuka gets in the ring and cheers for Becky. Owens says she’s not just The Man anymore she is the mom. He then congratulates Asuka on becoming the Raw Women’s Champion. He then takes a look back at last week when Nia Jax interrupted Asuka’s Championship Celebration and then Nia Jax’s attack on Karia Sane, followed by Asuka’s attack on Nia Jax. Asuka gets angry about Nia Jax but she is then interrupted by Charlotte Flair.
Flair tells Asuka the Raw Women’s Championship should have been handed to her. She then asks Asuka if she needs to remind her what happens when they face each other and reiterates that Asuka has never beaten her. She then tells Asuka to manage her expectations. Here comes Natalya.
Natalya apologizes to Owens for the temper tantrum she had last week. She then says she has been so frustrated. Flair tells her not even sucking up to Kevin Owens will help her win this match. Flair then says that was rude and she should have told Nattie she was irrelevant. Now out is Nia Jax. Jax says we all know she is going to be Raw Women’s Champion and that she is going to win this match tonight. She then tells Asuka that what she did to Kairi is just a fraction of what she is going to do when she bulldozes over her at Backlash. Asuka then attacks Nia Jax and Flair and Natalya go at each other. Asuka sends her retreating up the ramp.
My Opinion:
The Women’s Division on Raw is heating up and it’s great to see! There are a lot of different matches to have now and there is no doubt each woman on the roster is hungry to be at the top. Asuka hasn’t had her first challenger yet but as champion she seems ready to stand her ground. I like that Asuka is going after the fight and not letting it come to her. I think she will continue to be a fighting champion and I can’t wait to see the fight she brings when she actually does defend the title.
Backstage Segment: Apollo Crews
Kayla Braxton welcomes Apollo Crews and asks him about his United States Championship match tonight. Crews says he is prepared and tonight is the greatest night of his career because he will go out and defeat Andrade and become the new United States Champion.
Match 1: Andrade (c) w/ Zelina Vega vs Apollo Crews:
United States Championship Match
Andrade goes right to the corner and Crews is backed off. Andrade comes out hot from the corner but Crews is able to get the best of him. Andrade goes to the corner again and Crews is backed off once more. Crews gets the advantage again and is able to hammer on him in the corner. Crews gets him on the mat and goes for the cover but Andrade kicks out immediately. Crews now goes to a vertical suplex but Andrade is able to kick. Crews now goes to a series of strikes on Andrade. Andrade fights back and hits an elbow out of nowhere. Andrade covers but Crews is able to stay in it. Andrade now looks for the Hammerlock DDT but Crews counters and tosses Andrade. Crews now presses Andrade but he gets distracted by Zelina Vega. Andrade then almost runs into her. Andrade now does run into Vega on accident and she falls to the floor. Andrade goes and checks on her as Raw goes to break.
During the commercial the medical personnel come and check on Vega. Andrade goes to get back in the ring but slides back out. Crews tries to catch him on the outside but Andrade is able to hit him in the leg and stop him. Andrade then sends him into the barricade. Andrade holds up the U.S. title stating “This Is Mine.” Andrade now back in the ring, he tries a cover but Crews kicks out. Andrade toys with Crews before going after his arm and shoulder. Crews fights to his feet and fights back. Crews hits a big right hand. He fires up and hits a huge clothesline. Crews sends Andrade into the corner and continues the attack. Crews then hits a big splash in the corner.
Crews gets Andrade up top, he meets him up there and looks for a suplex. Andrade fights back and Crews gets caught up in the ropes. Andrade hits the double stomp. He covers but Crews kicks out. Andrade continues to fight but Crews stops him. Crews tries to put him away but can’t. Crews now looks for the powerbomb but Andrade counters and sends him into the corner. Andrade hits double knees. He covers but Crews kicks out. Crews fights back with a big kick. He then slams Andrade. He hits a big knee and then a moonsault. Crews covers and gets the 1 2 3. Crews is the new United States Champion!
*** After the match, Charly congratulates Apollo on winning the United States Championship. She then asks him how it feels to win his first championship in the WWE. he says people laughed at him for his journey and didn’t believe in him. He says he never gave up and 11 years later he won a championship in the WWE. he says even when his body quit on him he never gave up and he can now stand in the ring and say he is the new United States Champion. Backstage Andrade is visibly upset hitting whatever he can find.
Winner: Apollo Crews: New United States Champion
My Opinion:
What an amazing moment for Apollo Crews! He is so deserving of this and it is awesome to see him finally capture a championship. Crews battled in this one and finally things went his way. Andrade seemed off as usually, he is able to hang in there for a long time before being put away. Crews was smart in this one and picked the perfect spots. He has everything working for him tonight and finally after years of having so much potential he sees it come to fruition. I can’t wait to see what he does as champion and I hope he gets the run he deserves.
Backstage Segment: Seth Rollins
Seth Rollins holds the mask of Rey Mysterio. He has a personal message for Mysterio, next!
Backstage Segment: Seth Rollins & Murphy & Austin Theory
Rollins says tonight is a night for celebration. He says the Monday Night Messiah is here and he is better than he has ever been thanks to one man, Rey Mysterio. We then see Rollins attack on Mysterio from two weeks ago. Rollins says after MITB he was in a dark, dar place but Rey Mysterio presented himself in a time of need. He says Mysterio chose to be sacrificed and he fulfilled his duty to the greater good so valiantly. He says he can imagine the pain Rey went through and the pain his family must have gone through like his son Dominik who couldn’t be there by his side. He says if that is Rey Mysterio’s final attack as a WWE Superstar it was a courageous one because it allows them to move forward into the future.
He then welcomes Austin Theory and Murphy. He says they both know what it means to be underappreciated but with his guidance their ceiling is limitless. Murphy says he needed the Monday Night Messiah to lead him into the future. He then thanks Rollins. Theory says when he came to Raw he thought he had friends but they abandoned him but then Seth Rollins found him. He then thanks Rollins. Rollins says they are welcome but then says tonight they will show Rey Mysterio the goodness he brought to Monday Night Raw when they make examples out of Humberto Carrillo and Aleister Black and show what happens when they stand in the way of the Monday Night Messiah.
My Opinion:
I’m still not sure where this is all going to go for Rollins but right now he seems confident in the team he has assembled. He seems a little out of his mind right now but if this gets him and his group to the top who can argue. I’d like to see AOP back with these three as that could be an unstoppable force. Rollins has always had a plan and even though this has been a long drawn out one I’m sure there will be a greater plan that we see in the future.
Backstage Segment: Charlotte Flair & Asuka
Charly asks Charlotte if she thought about what being a double champion would do for her legacy. Charlotte says it doesn’t matter about titles or wins. She says she raises the bar for every woman and no one compares. Asuka comes in celebrating and then tells Charlotte red is not her color.
In-Ring Segment: The IIconics
Royce apologizes to Billie for costing them their opportunity. Billie then says she is the one who needs to apologize for slapping her. She says there doesn’t need to be any animosity between them. They then talk about how they came up together and have done everything together. Royce says they didn’t even get to defend their titles, they were stripped and overlooked. They continue on about how they have gotten an unfair shot but they are interrupted by Bliss and Cross.
Bliss tells them they have had opportunities and they have blown it. Cross goes to talk but Billie cuts her off and tells her to stand there and be grateful. Cross says she has taken the same steps as them to get to these championships. She says she had nobody, she had to scratch, and claw for everything. She says then Lexi came along and gave her time and respect. She says she was an outcast and everyone made fun of her cute little accent. She says she and Lexi are the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions because Lexi stops her from bouncing off the walls and doing something stupid. She says Lexi has taught her friendship and she can’t think of anything more iconic than that. The IIconics then attack Bliss and Cross and lay them out in the ring. They then plant Cross face-first into the mat. The IIconics pick up the Women’s tag titles and taunt Bliss and Cross.
My Opinion:
The IIconics definitely got the upper hand in this feud tonight. Cross had a lot to say on the mic but she and Bliss were blindsided by that attack. The IIconics proved something tonight and that’s that they are not afraid to go after what they want. They wanted a fight and they went for it. For Bliss and Cross this is a lesson that as champions you always need to be ready for a fight. You always have to be ready for a fight but they weren’t tonight. This is definitely giving The IIconics the edge right now and the next time they get a shot at the titles the results very well could go in their favor.
Backstage Segment: MVP & Lana
MVP asks Lana if there is something he can help her with. Lana tells him they need to talk. MVP says no we don’t and walks away.
In-Ring Segment: VIP Lounge: Hosted By MVP
MVP welcomes everyone to the VIP Lounge and then welcomes the NXT trainees and tells them to enjoy themselves and the tab is one him. He says the VIP Lounge might not be the only club opened soon but it is the hottest one to host a guest of the caliber of the WWE Champion or as he likes to say the soon to be former WWE Champion. He then introduces McIntyre as the soon to be former WWE Champion. McIntyre makes his way to the ring and clears the VIP Lounge set. McIntyre then asks MVP, where is he? MVP tells him he doesn’t have to worry about an ambush, no contract, no contact. MVP says the full-nelson will not happen tonight, or next week, or the week after that, we will save it for Backlash. He then asks McIntyre to remember when he offered his guidance to help him get to the top of the WWE. MVP says he remembers trying to be a friend and he was repaired with a Claymore Kick to the face.
He says after finding himself on his back he had two thoughts, Drew McIntyre is going to be WWE Champion and when he loses the title I (MVP) will have a part in that. He then brings up how after 13 years Bobby Lashey is going to get his shot at the WWE Championship. McIntyre says it took him 19 years to get the title. He then brings up his win at WrestleMania. He tells MVP he doesn’t need anyone thinking for him, talking for him, or having someone like MVP kissing his ass. He says one thing Lashley said last week that is true is that the only way he will take the title is by prying it from his cold dead heads. MVP says that can be arranged. Here comes Bobby Lashley. As Lashley attempts to get into the ring McIntyre hits MVP with a Claymore. Lashley pulls him out of the ring. McIntyre then begs him to get in the ring.
My Opinion:
Drew McIntyre continues to be on another level, the intensity he brings to the ring is awesome! I love that McIntyre is all business and it’s great to see a champion who is such a fighter. I’m shocked that Lashley didn’t get in there and fight him. Lashley needs to find that more aggressive edge if he has a shot at winning the WWE Championship. MVP took the bullet tonight and of course he is keeping Lashley calm but with McIntyre you have to fight fire with fire if you have any chance. I cannot wait to see this continue to unfold and see the fight between these two because it’s gonna be good!!!
Backstage Segment: Natalya
Charly goes to ask Natalya about her match but Natalya cuts her off as she gets a phone call. She tells TJ she went out and apologized and there is nothing else she can do. She tells him people have temper tantrums and then tells him that she can’t focus on this right now and she needs to focus on her match. She then gets back to the interview but Charly tells her they are out of time.
Match 2: Angel Garza w/ Zelina Vega vs Kevin Owens
*** As Owens makes his way to the ring he is attacked from behind by Garza who targets his knee. Owens is down on the ramp as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Garza goes right on the attack and works the leg of Owens. Owens tries to get away but Garza stays right on him and continues the attack on the knee. Garza gets him in the center of the ring and works a submission on the leg. Owens screams in pain but he is able to get to the ropes to break the hold. Garza now looks for the Wing Clipper but Owens counters and hits a DDT. Owens continues to fight and gets on the offensive. The knee of Owens slows him down and this allows Garza to hit him with a superkick. Garza covers but Owens kicks out. Owens fights back with a headbutt. He goes up top and is able to hit the senton from the top. Owens hits a chop on the ropes and then looks for the pop-up powerbomb but the knee gives out. Owens gets caught by Garza and Garza hits the Wing Clipper. He covers and gets the 1 2 3.
*** After the match, Garza attacks Owens from behind continuing the attack on the knee. He then walks up the ramp with his handheld high by Zelina Vega
Winner: Angel Garza
My Opinion:
Garza may have gotten an unfair advantage but it worked in his favor and played a big role in him getting this win. Ultimately a win is a win and the record books won’t show what happened before the match. I’m sure Owens will be looking for redemption but next time he better look over his shoulder because you never know where an attack is going to come from. If Owens does get another match Garza better watch out this time because he fired up one of the most dangerous competitors on the Raw roster. We’ll see going forward if Garza will continue to use underhanded tactics to get wins.
The Street Profits & The Viking Raiders
The two teams arrive at the golf course. The course superintendent reminds them of golf edicate and tells Ivar there is no food allowed on the course after he pulled out a turkey leg from a cooler. They start their game and Erik does not get the rules. They throw their club and then dig a hole in the sand trap. Ivar then pounds his club into the ground digging up the dirt. Ivar then goes to hit and hits someone in front of them with the ball. The Viking Raiders then pop a tire on the golf cart and the superintendent kicks them out. The teams then go to a mini-golf course. They play the game and continue to have fun with it. Ivar sinks a putt but the total score is Viking Raiders 144 and The Street Profits 28. The Profits then celebrate their win. Ivar pulls out a turkey leg from the hole but then they are approached by an alligator. Ivar taunts the gator but Dawkins and Ford hold him back and say they need to go to Raw.
My Opinion:
These competitions have been fun between these two teams and given the state of the current world it’s understandable that we would get more video packages like this. However it’s a shame sometimes that the top teams on Raw are doing this. I have no problem with the fun but when every other title is at high stakes and high tension the tag titles should be treated the same. It’s a shame they have become unimportant in the grand scheme of things. I hope these two teams get back in the ring soon and leave these fun segments to others who could benefit more from it.
Backstage Segment: MVP & Bobby Lashley & Lana
Lana apologies to MVP for what just happened. She says what a monster Drew McIntyre is for kicking him in the face. She then gives him ice. MVP asks if she thinks it is a joke. He asks if everything including her husband’s career is a joke to her. MVP tells her what McIntyre did was send a message not to him or her but to Lashley. He then tells her they are going to send a message to Drew McIntyre right now. Lashley and MVP then walk off. Lana then screams in anger.
Backstage Segment: Seth Rollins & Austin Theory & Murphy
Rollins tells Theory and Murphy that tonight is the night. They go over their plans for the tag team match, next!
Match 3: Austin Theory & Murphy w/ Seth Rollins vs Aleister Black & Humberto Carrillo
Carrillo and Theory start the match. Theory comes fast at Carrillo but Carrillo fights back with a chop. Theory gets him in the corner and in comes Murphy. Murphy stomps on him and gets the advantage. Theory and Murphy trade quick tags but Carrillo fights back and sends them to the outside. Black comes in now but stops before flying to the outside. Carrillo though goes to the top and flies off to take out Murphy and Theory on the floor. Back in the ring, Black takes down Theory. He lands a kick to the face and covers but theory kicks out.
Carrillo tags in and is able to fight off Theory and Murphy. Carrilo turns around as he goes up top and this allows Theory to hit him from behind and knocks him down. Murphy tags in and lands a big kick to Carrillo. Carrillo fights back again and takes down Murphy. Theory tags in but so does Black who lands a big takedown of Theory. He then takes down Murphy who comes in the ring. He takes down Theory and hits a moonsault. He then takes down Murphy. Theory tries to steal one but Black kicks out. Black fights back and unloads with strikes to Theory. Carrillo tags in now. Black goes up top but Murphy pushes him to the floor. Carrillo gets caught up by a kick and is then hit with the ATL by Theory. Theory covers and gets the 1 2 3.
*** After the match, Theory and Murphy send Black into the timekeeper’s area. Rollins then tells them to get Carrillo to the floor because he doesn’t learn. Black comes in with a chair but Rollins tells him to stop or Carrillo loses an eye. He tells them that Mysterio was sacrificed for the greater good and if they get in his way then his sacrifice will be in vain. He tells Black to get the chair out of the ring. He tells Black and Carrillo to not make him sacrifice them the way he had to do to Rey Mysterio.
Winners: Austin Theory & Murphy
My Opinion:
A huge win for Theory and Murphy. Carrillo and Black were game for this one but ultimately they didn’t click the way Theory and Murphy did. It seems Rollins really has these two working as a cohesive unit and it is evident that they will do whatever he says. This could continue to be dangerous for anyone who is daring enough to step in their way. Again, this is a developing story so it will take time to see what this will lead to but right now Rollins has the control.
Backstage Segment: Edge
Edge sits backstage as we will get his thoughts on what is being said to be the greatest wrestling match of all time, next!
Edge:
As Raw returns, Edge tells Randy that a few weeks ago on Raw he caught him flat-footed and tongue-tied. He says it doesn’t happen often but Orton laid the bait and he bit. He says he finds himself doubting if he can hang. He says he was retired for 3,212 days. He says in that time Orton competed in 1,126 matches. He tells that Orton made him contemplate many things. He then tells how he watched The Last Ride and watched himself talk about when it is time to hang up his boots but now here he is. He says Deadman, I get it, I get it. He tells Randy if he wants him to doubt his wrestling ability, he hangs toe to toe with Undertaker, Shawn Michaels, Rey Mysterio, Eddie Guerrero, Christian, William Regal, Owen Hart, the list goes on. He says he pulled people up to his level and he was damn good at it. He says he was a 5 tool workhorse for this company. He tells that everything he said was in the past tense because he doesn’t know if he can do any one of those things anymore but at Backlash he is going to dig to the depths of his soul to try, that’s all a man can do.
My Opinion:
Very real words spoken by Edge tonight and you could see the wheels turning in his head. Edge of course looks better than ever but without competing in a traditional match yet you can see where doubt could creep in. Edge though is a veteran who has done it all and I believe once he is out there he will find his footing. Orton has tried to get in his head but when that bell rings I don’t think the words will matter. Edge knows who he is and whether or not this is the greatest wrestling match ever it certainly might be the most important one in the career of Edge. It’s going to be time to see what he is made of but I believe Edge will rise, win or lose, he will prove he can hang.
Backstage Segment: The Viking Raiders & The Street Profits
Ford asks The Viking Raiders if they let them win. Erik says yes, just like in basketball. Dawkins tells them but your man had more turnkey legs in the hole than balls. Erik then says how about Gator… Dawkins cuts him off and says anything but gator wrestling. Erik then suggests bowling. MVP comes up and says another case of extraordinary talent wasted because they would rather golf than be champions. Dawkins says excuse me fam. MVP says they have more important things to deal with. They then ask him how his face is. MVP asks if they see who he rolls with. He then challenges them to a match against him and Lashley tonight and says if you’re up for it bring the smoke.
Match 4: Nia Jax vs Natalya vs Charlotte Flair:
#1 Contender’s Match for the Raw Women’s Championship At Backlash
***Before the match begins the Raw Women’s Champion Asuka joins the commentary team.
The match begins and Flair takes a cheap shot on Natalya. Flair and Jax then go at it. Natalya tries to get involved but is knocked down. Jax takes control slamming Natalya into Flair. Flair and Natalya work together and take out Jax. Flair now hits Natalya. She gets her in a headlock and takes control. Natalya fights back and gets a head scissors. Flair reverse and works the same hold. The two then get to their feet as Natalya fights out of the hold. Flair hits a shoulder tackle and then knocks Jax back to the floor. Natalya comes from behind and tries a cover but Flair kicks out. Flair fights off Natalya now but Jax pulls Flair to the floor. Jax clears the announcer’s table but she is then hit from behind by Flair. Jax gets back in it and stops Natalya. Flair then uses the top of the announce table as a weapon. Jax grabs it and rams Flair into the ring. Jax and Flair then fight on the apron. Flair hits her with a series of chops. Jax fights back and lifts Flair. Natalya goes after Jax and breaks the hold. Flair and Natalya then grab Jax and powerbomb her through the announcer’s table as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Asuka puts Jax back in the ring. Jax gets to her feet but Natalya is able to wrestle her to the ground. She hits her with strikes and looks for an armbar but Jax hangs on. Jax hits the one arm powerbomb. Flair comes in and breaks it up as Jax looked to put the match away. Flair goes up top and hits the moonsault on Jax. She covers but Jax kicks out. Flair now drives her knee into Jax. Natalya comes from the top and hits the crossbody on Flair. She covers but Flair kicks out. Jax fights back and takes it to both women. She hits a splash to both of them in the corner. She then tries to lift both of them but Natalya is able to fight her off. Natalya is sent out of the ring. Flair now works Jax in the corner and stomps on her knee.
Flair now looks for the Figure 4. She turns it into the Figure 8 but Natalya breaks up the submission. Natalya now locks in the Sharpshooter on Flair. Jax comes in and breaks the hold. Jax then dumps Natalya to the mat. Jax now looks for the Samoan Drop but it is broken up by a big boot. Flair covers but Natalya breaks it up/ Natalya is then thrown to the outside. Flair hits Jax now and goes back up top. She stops though as she knocks Natalya out the floor. Jax gets up and hits Flair who is up top now. Jax meets her up there and looks for a suplex. Natalya interjects and powerbombs both women. Natalya covers Jax but she kicks out. Natalya now covers Flair but she also kicks out. Natalya looks for the Sharpshooter but it is broken up. Flair tries to steal a cover but can’t. Flair now looks for the Figure 4 but Jax breaks it up. Jax hits the Samoan Drop on Flair. She covers and gets the 1 2 3.
Winner: Nia Jax:
New #1 Contender for the Raw Women’s Championship At Backlash
My Opinion:
What a match between these three, I loved how back and forth the action was and the way each woman fought their heart out. I was surprised that Natalya and Charlotte didn’t work together more as neutralizing Nia would have been key for them. Once Nia was able to take control it was all but over. She is a powerhouse and the only way to stop her is to beat her down. Nothing they did to her was good enough and Asuka’s nightmare has now come true. For Asuka though, this could be a great thing. She is a fighter and she has been able to get the best of Nia as of late. Plus, if she beats Nia she will more than validate herself as champion. This is going to be an interesting clash of styles between these two but there is no doubt it will be one heck of a match.
Backstage Segment: Drew McIntyre
Kayla stops Drew. Drew says he didn’t plan to Claymore MVP but you gotta admit he was asking for it. She then asks if he was aware that Lashley and MVP will be taking on the Street Profits. Drew says he was not aware of it. He then says he thinks he forgot something in the locker room and he has a strange feeling he won’t find it until Lashley’s match is over.
*** We then see a video exchange on Twitter between R-Truth and Gronk where Truth finally realizes it is not Tom Brady who is the 24/7 Champion but instead Rob Gronkowski. Gronk tells Truth he won’t be able to take the title from him because he has eyes in the back of his head, he then puts sunglasses behind his head to show this.
Backstage Segment: MVP & Bobby Lashley
Kayla asks MVP why he would want to compete in a match tonight after being hit by a Claymore. He points at Lashley and says that’s why.
*** We then get a promo from Ric Flair regarding the Edge and Randy Orton “Greatest Wrestling Match Ever.” Flair puts over Orton for being the greatest performer since he retired and says Orton will be the winner.
Backstage Segment: Liv Morgan
Morgan talks about feeling lost but then finding herself when she found the WWE and getting her first ring gear with her name on it. She says she doesn’t know all the answers but she is alive and she will fulfill her destiny to be who she is supposed to be. She finishes by saying she is living her best life.
*** Next Week, Rey Mysterio will have his retirement ceremony.
Match 5: The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford) vs MVP & Bobby Lashley
Ford toys with Lashley and uses his speed to stay away from him. Ford gets a side headlock. He is then sent off the ropes and knocked down by a shoulder tackle. Lashley gets him in the corner and hits him with his shoulder. Lashley hits the flatliner. He covers but Ford kicks out. MVP tags in and also buries his shoulder into the midsection of Ford. Ford tries to fight back but MVP continues with strikes. Lashley tags in and crashes into Ford. He then lifts Ford looking for a suplex but Ford fights off. Dawkins tags in and he and Ford are able to take down Lashley. Ford now tagged in gets caught on the apron and he is blasted to the barricade. Lashley lifts Ford and then rams him into the ring post as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, MVP keeps Ford on the defensive as he works him in the corner. Lashley tags in and tees off on Ford. Lashley hits him with a right and drops him to the mat. Lashley taunts him before knocking Dawkins to the floor. Lashley drops Ford to the mat and covers but Ford kicks out. Lashley tags in MVP now. MVP goes to the floor and grabs Ford throwing him into the steel steps. MVP brings him back into the ring and looks for the cover but Ford kicks out. He tries again but still can’t get the three. MVP now works the arm of Ford and keeps him on the mat. Ford fights to a vertical base. MVP keeps control and sends him into the top turnbuckle. Ford side steps him now and MVP crashes and burns in the corner. Dawkins finally gets the tag and takes MVP down with a series of clotheslines. Off the single leg takedown he drives MVP into the canvas. They get to their feet and he lands a splash in the corner. Dawkins then takes a shot to Lashley. Ford then goes after Lashley. They hit the Cash Out and Ford looks for the cover but Lashley breaks it up with the full nelson. Lashley keeps the hold on and the ref starts the 5 count. Lashley doesn’t let go and the ref calls for the bell.
***As the match ends here comes Drew McIntyre. McIntyre hits him with the Glasgow Kiss. He takes him to the outside and hammers on Lashley. He bounces him off the ring post and then brings him back in the ring. McIntyre continues to hammer on him with strikes. The WWE trainees now come in the ring to try to break it up but McIntyre lays them out. More guys come out to separate them. The two fight them off and go back to fighting each other. More and more guys get in the ring and hold these two back as raw goes off the air.
Winners: The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford): Via DQ
My Opinion:
Dawkins and Ford have to be proud of the fight they brought tonight. They showed their heart and why they are the tag champions. I’m glad they saw in-ring action and reminded everyone why they are one of the best teams on raw. For Lashley he seemed like he was out there to prove a point. He finally showed true aggression tonight and it’s exactly what he is going to need. He and McIntyre looked ready to tear each other apart tonight and I can imagine this is only going to get more intense as we inch closer to Backlash. What a way to end the night, I can’t wait to see what comes next!
Final Thoughts:
I really liked tonight’s show, of course having people at ringside helped and there was a nice flow to the show overall. It was awesome to see Apollo Crews win his first championship tonight. He and Andrade put on a solid match and tonight Crews was able to get the job done, it was an amazing moment to see! I loved the Triple Threat Match we saw as well, those three fought their hearts out, and ultimately Nia was able to rise to the occasion. I think Nia is a big threat to Asuka but Asuka has shown she is not intimidated. Seth Rollins and his disciples continued to make big moves tonight. He obviously has control over them and as we were shown they are working as one. There is no telling what this group will do next especially with Rey Mysterio coming to Raw next week!
We heard some real words from Edge tonight, this match he has coming up will be one of the biggest he has had as I really think he has something he wants to prove to himself. Either way they will have an amazing match and I’m excited to see this counted build and then the ultimate showdown! Finally, I was excited to see the Street Profits back in the ring tonight. They brought the big fight against a great team of MVP and Lashley. Lashley was out to hurt but Ford and Dawkins stuck it out. To end the show though we got the fight between Lashley and McIntyre. These two seem ready for this match and I couldn’t be more excited. We have two powerhouses ready to slug it out and this one for sure will be more of a fight than a match! Overall it was a really good night for Raw. As Always I hope everyone stays safe and healthy this week and enjoys NXT and SmackDown!!!!
Overall Rating: 6/10
