Raw Review 07/08/2019

Tonight is the Go-Home Edition of Monday Night Raw before this Sunday’s Extreme Rules PPV! Tonight we are set for a huge Mixed Tag Team matchup as Zelina Vega and Andrade take on Becky Lynch and Seth Rollins. Can Rollins and Lynch pick up another huge win ahead of their high stakes match this Sunday? Plus, can Roman Reigns survive a match against Shane McMahon and Drew Mcintyre with Shane picking Reigns tag partner? Also, what will happen when Rey Mysterio returns to Raw? The Club made their presence known last week and seem to ready to make an impact so what will they have in store for the WWE Universe tonight? Finally, what will the aftermath be of Braun Strowman’s and Bobby Lashley’s incident last week to start the show?

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Raw comes to us from the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ.

Raw kicks off with us being welcomed by Michael Cole, Renee Young, and Corey Graves

Match 1: Seth Rollins & Becky Lynch vs Andrade & Zelina Vega
Mixed Tag Team Elimination Match 
Lynch takes down Vega to start the match. Vega tries to get to her feet but Lynch once again takes her down. Lynch breaks the hold and taunts her. Vega tries to get a tag but Lynch keeps her from it. Vega tries a slap but Lynch blocks it and hits her with one of her own. On the apron, Vega is able to land a kick. Back in the ring, vega hits a DDT but can’t get the 3 on the cover. Vega stays on her and once again lands a big kick. Vega then uses the ropes to wear down Lynch. Lynch hits her with an elbow and a kick to follow. Lynch hits a suplex but it allows Vega to get to her corner and make a tag. Andrade grabs Rollins but Rollins fights it off and works his arm. Andrade reverses and now controls Rollins. Rollins sends Andrade off the ropes but Andrade comes back and lands a deep arm drag. Rollins hits one but Andrade comes right back. The two trade holds before being at a standoff. Andrade hits him with strikes and a chop to follow. Andrade hits him in the back of the neck but Rollins comes back and hits a sling blade. Rollins sends Andrade to the outside and hits him with a suicide dive. In the ring, Lynch takes it to Vega. Lynch gets her in the disarmher and Vega taps. Lacey Evans comes from the crowd and taunts Lynch. Lynch goes after her and the two trade strikes, Rollins has to separate them as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Andrade hammers on Rollins. Andrade hits him with a big kick and continues to work him as he is on the mat. Andrade goes for the cover but Rollins kicks out. Rollins tries to fight back but Andrade hits him with a kick and slams him to the mat. Andrade goes up top but Rollins hits him with a right hand. Andrade fights him off but Rollins jumps back up for a moment. Andrade knocks him down and lands a stomp to the chest. Andrade goes for the cover again but Rollins kicks out. Andrade hits a suplex and another to follow, he tries for a third but Rollins reverses into the falcon arrow. Rollins goes for the cover but Andrade kicks out. Rollins catches Andrade with a knee but still, it isn’t enough to put him away. Rollins goes to the top but Andrade knocks him to the floor. On the outside, Vega plants Rollins face first. Lynch then goes after Vega. Andrade accidentally runs into Lynch and Rollins goes after him. Rollins checks on her and it allows Andrade to take it to Rollins. In the ring, Andrade hits him with double knees in the corner. Andrade goes for the cover but Rollins kicks out. Vega jumps on Rollins on the outside but it allows Lynch to hit her with a dropkick. Andrade tries to take advantage but Rollins stays with it and finally hits him with a stomp in the center of the ring. Rollins goes for the cover and gets the 1 2 3.
*** After the match Corbin and Evans attack Lynch and Rollins from behind. Paul Heyman then makes his way to the ring as Raw goes to break.
Winners: Seth Rollins & Becky Lynch 
My Opinion:
Huge win for Lynch and Rollins tonight. They had some hiccups along the way but ultimately they were able to pull it together and Rollins capitalized for the two of them. I think tonight they got a little distracted but that can’t happen on Sunday. They need to keep their focus because it is obvious Corbin and Evans are coming for them and coming hard. Focus is going to be key for this match at Extreme Rules especially when anything goes.

Backstage Segment:
Corbin tells Evans that was easy and they never saw it coming. He says they left the two love birds on their back and its true love makes you blind. They then ask each other what will happen when Rollins and Lynch lose each other’s titles. Corbin says it’s like the song love stinks.

In Ring Segment: Paul Heyman
Heyman says this Sunday there is a PPV titled Extreme Rules and he knows something about the word about extreme. He says it is from Philadelphia and he happens to know a lot about extreme in Philadelphia. He declares that this Sunday his client will cash in on either Kingston or Rollins. He says it is not a prediction or a spoiler. He tells he hasn’t violated a spoiler since WrestleMania 30. He says he has built up credibility for this time to be a lie. He says he is either giving a heads up on a historic moment or screwing with the heads of Rollins and Kingston. He tells only he and one other person knows the answer and that is the former and future reigning defending Universal or WWE Champion Brock Lesnar.
My Opinion:
Once again we get some mind games from Heyman, but the fact of the matter is no matter what night is both Rollins and Kingston have to be alert for Lesnar. No matter the time it’s going to come as a shock and it is very likely Lesnar will be a champion in the near future because who really can stop a fresh Lesnar who is picking his spots?

*** Bobby Lashley and Braun Strowman will face off in a Last Man Standing Match this Sunday!

Backstage Segment:
Drew and Shane come up to a garbage guy and ask how he’d like to be Roman Reigns, tag partner. Shane tells him to hang around and they’ll be back.

Match 2: The Miz & The Usos vs The Revival & Elias: 2 Out of 3 Falls 
Dawson is able to get an early advantage and land a big takedown into a headlock. Dawson lands a big shoulder tackle but is taken down but an arm drag. Dawson lands a huge elbow and is able to tag in Elias. Elias continues the beat down and doesn’t let up. Elias hits a right on Jimmy and another to follow. Wilder comes in and stomps on Jimmy. On the outside Miz takes it to Elias. Elias runs from Miz up the ramp. In the ring, The Revival hit the Shatter Machine on Jimmy and get the 1 2 3 as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Dawson stays on Jimmy. Dawson stays on him in the corner but Jimmy fights back. Dawson takes him down at the leg and tags in Wilder. Wilder lands a big kick on the double team but can’t get the three on the cover. Dawson comes in and stays on
Jimmy with a waist lock. He then transitions to a chin lock. Jimmy able to fight out and send Dawson hard into the corner. Wilder comes in and knocks Miz off the apron. Jimmy lands a back body drop and tags Jey. Jey comes in hot and hits a huge kick. Jey lands a big move in the corner and follows with a crossbody. Wilder rolls throw and locks in the cover but Jey kicks out. Jey lands a Samoan drop. Dawson now the legal man stays on Jey and hits a brainbuster. Jey kicks out of the cover. Miz gets the tag and comes in and hits the Skull Crushing Finale. Miz goes for the cover and gets the 1 2 3. The Uso take over on the third fall. Jimmy takes out Wilder and Jey hits Dawson with a splash. Jey goes for the cover and gets the 1 2 3.
Winners: The Miz & The Usos 
My Opinion:
The Revival looked very strong tonight but suffered after Elias left. They controlled it for a while but once the Usos took over it was game over. The Usos are considered one of the best teams in the world and it shows. The pace they bring is unmatched and when they get the shot at the tag titles they are going to take over. The Usos are and always will be one of the teams you can never count out. On another note, I hope Miz can finally get his hands on Elias and the running away will be over.

Backstage Segment:
Drake Maverick comes out of an equipment crate and asks his wife if it’s clear. She asks if he thinks this is enjoyable for her. He tells her they’re her together and he is sorry he upset her. He says he gonna show the world how great of a champion he is and how great of a husband he is and they will go on a proper honeymoon. She tells them until then they can consummate their marriage. Mvrick screams in excitement saying he is gonna get it on with his wife. From this, a herd of Superstars comes to chase him. He tells his wife to stay here as he takes off running.

Backstage Segment:
Rey Mysterio heads to the ring.

Backstage Segment:
Shane tells a concessions worker he may have the opportunity to be Reigns tag partner. Mcintyre tells him it’s a huge opportunity and he better thank Shane. He thanks Shane and Mcintyre tells him it’s Mr. best in the world to you. The guy corrects himself and Shane tells him to bring the drinks to his dressing room.

In Ring Segment: 
Rey says he stood in the ring 6 weeks ago with his arm in a sling and he had to surrender the United States Championship. He says the doctors told him he’d be out a long time and he refused. He says he rehabbed hard and came back and beat their predictions. He says he is back and is going to hold an open challenge to anyone in the back who is listening. Out comes Bobby Lashley.

Match 3: Rey Mysterio vs Bobby Lashley 
Mysterio goes right after Lashley hitting him with strike after strike. Mysterio stays on him but Lashley picks him up and puts him on his shoulder. Mysterio counters with a DDT. Mysterio gets him in the 619 position and connects with it. Mysterio flies but Lashley catches him and plants him face first. Lashley hits him with a spear and gets the 1 2 3 on the cover.
*** After the match Lashley tosses Mysterio out of the ring. He meets him on the outside and drags Mysterio up the ramp. Lashley lifts Mysterio and thinks about throwing him through the screen but drops him to the ground. He lifts him again and sends him flying into a group of referees. Lashley grabs a mic and says last week he was the only man standing and this Sunday you better believe he will be the last man standing.
Winner: Bobby Lashley 
My Opinion:
It was good to see Mysterio back but I’m disappointed it went like this. Lashley could have made this example on anyone tonight so I don’t get why you pick the returning Mysterio because this does nothing for him. Lashley made his point and he definitely is ready for Sunday but this point could’ve come at someone else’s expense. For Mysterio, he has to bounce back and continue to fight as he always does. He is healthy and ready to compete so it’s time for him to try to get back in the United States title picture and win back what he never lost.

Backstage Segment:
Charly asks AJ Styles why he attacked Ricochet last week. He tells Charly he doesn’t owe her or anyone else an explanation. She then asks Gallows and Anderson if they have anything to say and they just look at her and walk away.

Match 4: Cesaro vs No Way Jose 
Before the match, Jose goes right at Cesaro and attacks him on the outside before bringing him into the ring. As the match begins Jose goes at him and hammers on him in the corner. Cesaro comes back with an uppercut. In the corner, he continues with rapid-fire uppercuts. He hits a gut wrench suplex and is in control. He grabs Joe and swings with him for a moment. He then locks in the sharpshooter. Jose taps out.
Winner: Cesaro
My Opinion: 
This was a dominating win for Cesaro. Jose came out hot but you have to capitalize on attacks as he had before the match. When you beat your opponent down that’s when you stay on him and Jose just looked outmatched. It was like he barely affected Cesaro and then Cesaro went to work. Cesaro more or less seems annoyed to be in these matches but hopefully continuing to be dominating and getting easy wins he’ll get out of this position sooner than later.

Backstage Segment:
The Street Profits say you should never cross Cesaro because you might end up in the upside down. They then plug Extreme Rules this Sunday. They then remind about Reigns match tonight and how if Undertaker shows up he out of the match on Sunday.

Backstage Segment:
Mike brings her flowers and tells Maria he is so sorry for what happened last week. He says he hasn’t been himself and the news caught him off guard. He says he is so happy to be having their second child. Maria tells him she loves him too and then tells him she wants ice cream and pickles.

Nikki Cross & Bayley Interview:
Cole tells Nikki she must feel so much pressure tonight because she has to win this beat the clock match for Alexa to pick the stipulation. Cross says she does and says she needs to win this for because she owes everything to her. Bayley tells her that Bliss has been using her and tries to convince her of this. Cross tells her she has had enough of this and the more Bayley talks like this the more she wants to beat her. Cole informs Bayley she is taking on Sarah Logan and that Cross will take on Dana Brooke. Bayley is confident and says she will beat Sarah Logan and pick the match at Extreme Rules. Cross says she has her work cut out for her but she has to win because she would do anything for Alexa Bliss. She tells Bayley she is going to beat the clock and lets play.

Backstage Segment:
R-Truth and Carmella are on the hunt for Drake Maverick. He tells Carmella he needs his baby back. He says she needs him and he can’t wait to get alone with his baby tonight. The Superstars run by chasing Drake Maverick. Truth puts Carmella on his back and runs the opposite way.

Match 5: The Viking Raiders vs Colin Justin and Devin Justin 
Erik takes down Colin and then throws him with a German suplex. Devin comes in and Erik hits him with a knee. Erik hits him with a powerbomb and Ivar tags in and hits a splash. Ivar goes for the cover but picks up Devin before the three. They handle both the Justin’s before finally putting away Devin Justin for the win.
*** After the match, Drake Maverick runs through the crowd with the superstars chasing him. A number superstars get taken down forgetting The Viking Raiders are in the ring. R-Truth wisely runs away with Carmella, as does Drake Maverick.
Winner: The Viking Raiders 
My Opinion:
The Viking Raiders were more dominant than ever tonight. They are such a powerful tag team with so much potential and they definitely deserve to be in the Raw tag title picture. When these guys go out there no one can stop them. They work so well together and just have the power that is unmatched. The way they dominated NXT and the world before WWE was no fluke. They are here to stay and can lead the tag division for a long time.

Backstage Segment:
Charly asks Reigns if he has any idea who his partner is. Reigns says he has no clue but the only team playing mind games tonight is his.

*** Ricochet will face AJ Styles for the United States Championship this Sunday!

In Ring Segment: Ricochet 
***Before the match Ricochet goes over the attack last week from The Club. He says he knows he has AJ Styles this Sunday but for tonight we all know what is going to happen. He says he is going to face Gallows but Styles and Anderson won’t be far behind. He says, in the end, he will have to face all three. Out comes The Club.
Styles tells Ricochet here in the WWE we move quickly so slow down and appreciate the moment. He tells him he might as well now because Gallows is going to stomp a mudhole in him. He says let’s appreciate the moment we had last week on Raw.

Match 6: Ricochet vs Luke Gallows w/ Karl Anderson & AJ Styles
Ricochet hits Gallows with big strikes. Ricochet gets thrown in the corner but he hits Gallows with a boot. Gallows catches him in the mid-air and hits him with a chokeslam. Gallows goes for the cover but Ricochet kicks out. Gallows gets him in the corner and hammers on him with body shots. Ricochet comes back with big right hands. Gallows though knocks him down with a boot. Gallows then hammers down on him with elbows. Gallows then goes to a chin lock. Gallows hits Ricochet on the back and stays on him. Gallows then hits him with a headbutt. Gallows hits Ricochet with a slap in the corner and then throws him into the opposite one. Ricochet is able to hit him with a kick but Gallows follows turning him inside out with a clothesline. Ricochet lands a roll through and gets the 1 2 3.
*** Gallows tells him we can leave it right there or we can do what you said and go through all three of us. He then challenges Ricochet to take on Karl Anderson next.
Winner: Ricochet 

Match 7: Ricochet vs Karl Anderson w/ Luke Gallows & AJ Styles 
Ricochet is able to fight off Anderson by launching himself into him. Ricochet tries a cover but Anderson kicks out. Anderson comes back and stomps on Ricochet in the corner. Anderson throws him off the ropes and knocks him down. Anderson goes for the cover but Ricochet kicks out. Ricochet locks in a chin lock and continues to wear down Ricochet. Ricochet tries to fight back with strikes. Anderson comes back with a spine buster. Anderson goes for the cover but Ricochet kicks out. Anderson uses his hand to wrench on the mouth of Ricochet. Ricochet is able to stay on his feet and land a huge kick. Styles creates a distraction and it allows Anderson to hit him with an uppercut. Ricochet fights back and flies to the outside taking out Gallows. He then takes out Styles. Back in the ring Ricochet avoids Anderson and Anderson runs into the ring post. Ricochet goes to the top and hits the 630. Ricochet goes for the cover and gets the 1 2 3.
*** After the match Styles hits the ring and pumbles Ricochet. Gallows then joins in on the assault. Styles then hits him with a suplex before The Club hits him with a Magic Killer. Styles then looks for the Styles Clash but instead just drops Ricochet o the mat. Styles gets on the mic says he is a good guy. He tells Ricochet he is going to leave a little left as long as he stays down so he doesn’t have any excuses when he beats him at Extreme Rules. The Club then exits. Ricochet gets to his feet and Styles then hits him with the Phenomenal Forearm.
Winner: Ricochet 
My Opinion:
Ricochet proved so much tonight weathering not one but two men. Gallows and Anderson are no joke and they took it to Ricochet but he didn’t give. To be a champion that’s how you have to be and Ricochet can put up with a big fight but then dish one out, then he can be champion for a long time. Styles is coming for him and the numbers game might catch up but Ricochet knows what he is up against. No, it’s no easy task but he has to prepare for all three guys. Ricochet knows who is and what he can do and I believe he is one of those guys how has the heart and determination to overcome these odds.

Backstage Segment:
Maverick tells his wife he survived the night as the 24/7 champion. R-Truth then pops out of a crate and says Hornswoggle that’s my baby. Carmella then tells Truth to get him. Truth puts the ref on his back and chases Maverick out of the building.

Backstage Segment:
Bayley heads to the ring for the Beat The Clock Challenge.

Backstage Segment:
Shane and Drew see a janitor and say that’s our guy. They then follow him into the bathroom asking for a word.

Backstage Segment:
Shane asks the janitor if he would like to make 5,000 dollars tonight. He says he would do anything for 5,000 dollars. Shane tells him he wants him to be Reigns partner. The janitor says he can’t wrestle. Shane says you don’t have to just stand there. They then tell him he is going to have to wear a mask. The janitor says deal.

Match 8: Bayley vs Sarah Logan: Beat The Clock Challenge 
Bayley and Logan lock up and Bayley is able to take her down. Bayley hammers on her but Logan fights back. Bayley is able to reverse into a pin but Logan kicks out. Bayley lands a lateral press but again can’t put Logan away. Bayley goes to the second rope and Logan drops her to the apron. Logan lands a huge head butt and then sends Bayley to the floor. Logan tries a cover but Bayley kicks out. Logan drives her into the corner with double knees. Logan goes for the cover but again Bayley kicks out. Logan sends her into the corner but Bayley reverses off the second rope and takes her down. Bayley tries another cover but still can’t put her away. Logan hits a dropkick and tries to put Bayley away but still can’t. Logan then goes to a submission hold. Logan gets Bayley to the ropes and drives her shin into the neck of Bayley. Logan tries a baseball slide but Bayley fights back with knees to the face. Bayley hits a clothesline but again Logan is able to fight back. Bayley rolls her up but still, Logan kicks out. Bayley lands a knee and then hits a sunset bomb into the corner. Bayley goes for the cover and gets the 1 2 3 at 4:32.
Winner: Bayley
Time 4:32 
My Opinion: 
That was a tough one for Bayley, even though she picked up the win Logan showed how much potential she has. She fought so hard and really got the better of Bayley for a lot of the match but Bayley is a veteran and a champion and knows you just have to fight through it. Bayley showed how quickly she can get the job done as 4:32 still is very quick and if nothing else it’s good momentum ahead of this Sunday.

Match 9: Nikki Cross vs Dana Brooke: Beat The Clock Challenge 
Brooke goes to the outside right away and plays to the crowd. She finally comes back in but goes right back out. Brooke goes over to Bayley and hugs her. Cross gets her back in the ring and hits her in the mid-section. Cross is able to get Brooke down and goes for the cover but Brooke kicks out. Cross hammers down on her and then throws her into the top turnbuckle. Brooke counters and slams Cross to the mat. Brooke tries to fly but Cross moves and Brooke crashes to the mat. Cross tries to roll her up but Brooke kicks out. Cross hits the neck breaker and goes for the cover. Cross gets the 1 2 3 and beat the clock!
*** Alexa Bliss will pick the stipulation for her match against Bayley this Sunday. Cross tells Bayley to come into the ring because she has something you wants to say to her face. Cross tells Bayley how she has been trying to convince her that Alexa Bliss isn’t her friend. She tells Bayley the problem is she doesn’t get what real friendship means. She says she is going to show her what it means when Alexa lets her make it a 2 on 1 handicap match and she is going to help her take the SmackDown Women’s Championship. Cross tells Bayley to go and find a friend of her own because she needs someone as loyal and as honest as Alexa Bliss. She says someone who can slap some sense into you. Bayley then hits her and puts her down with a Bayley to Belly. Bayley then hits her with an elbow.
Winner: Nikki Cross
Beat The Clock 
My Opinion:
Cross comes up big for Bliss but obviously Bayley is the bigger story at the end of this, she clearly is over Cross and Bliss so even with a 2 on 1 match Bayley is coming to fight. Bliss will not like what Bayley did tonight so her and Cross are going to come hard but like Ricochet early Bayley is going to have to be ready for the numbers game.

Backstage Segment:
Mike brings Maria her food and she says she can’t eat that it’ll make her fat. She asks Mike if he would impregnate her again if she wasn’t pregnant. He says of course. Maria says she wouldn’t let him do it again and isn’t even sure if it was him who did this time.

Becky Lynch & Seth Rollins Interview:
Corey Graves asks Rollins and Lynch how their personal relationship will affect their match this Sunday. He plays out the scenario if Lynch loses both their titles or vis versa. Lynch tells Graves he knows she has backed up everything she said and so has Rollins. She says there are no rules and they are taking the handcuffs off. She says when they lose they get no more chances. Rollins says yeah what she said. Graves mutters this is going to be an implosion.

Backstage Segment:
The Street Profits continue to plug Extreme Rules backstage.

Match 10: Shane McMahon & Drew Mcintyre vs Roman Reigns & Gary The Goat Garbutt 
Before the match, McMahon tells Reigns they are gonna put him down tonight as an example for him and The Undertaker. Mcintyre says he can see right through Reigns. He tells him he pretends he is a nice guy and role model but he has no respect. He tells Reigns tonight and this Sunday he is going to beat the respect into him. Shane then introduces Reigns partner Gary The Goat Garbet.
As Raw returns, Reigns takes down Mcintyre. He is able to hit him with a jumping clothesline and get in control. Mcintyre hits him with a kick but Reigns comes back with a Samoan drop. Reigns hits him with a right but Mcintyre hits him with a Glasgow kiss. The tag is made and Mcintyre throws Gary into the ring. Shane tags in and taunts Gary. Gary hits him with a right and then takes him down with a kick from the top rope. He takes out Mcintyre sending him to the floor. Gary then takes down Sahne before diving to the outside to take out Mcintyre. Gary continues the offensive but Mcintyre hits him with a Claymore Kick. Shane goes for the cover and gets the 1 2 3.
*** After the match Reigns hits Mcintyre with a Superman Punch. Sahne then calls for Mike Rome to make the announcement of them as winners. Gary takes off the mask and it’s Cedric Alexander.
Winners: Shane McMahon and Drew Mcintyre 
My Opinion:
Shane and Drew really didn’t make the point they were trying to. Reigns barely got touched and is going into Sunday unscaved. They definitley missed an opportunity here but it’s good news for Reigns and Undertaker. It was also really cool to see Cedric Alexander out there. He was impressive with his series of moves and hoepfully he gets some spotlight after this. I wish there would have been more hype for Sunday but ultimately when you put Undertaker on the card you don’t need much to build that up.

Final Thoughts:
This was a good Raw going into this Sunday, I liked the way the night started off with the mixed tag match, Rollins and Lynch fought hard and picked up the huge momentum-building victory. They seem very ready for this Sunday and definitely seem ready to put down Corbin and Evans, I can’t wait for it! I was very impressed tonight by not only The Viking Raiders but also Sarah Logan. I love seeing people get opportunities and make the most of them and that’s exactly what they did tonight. I wasn’t the biggest fan of how Rey Mysterio got put down tonight because Lashley could have done that to someone else but noenthless hopefully Mysterio battles back and gets on the winning track soon. As for Lashley, he made his point and he is coming for Strowman. There is absolutely no telling what these guys will do and it’s gonna be a good one! Nikki cross came up huge beating the clock and allowing Alexa Bliss to pick the stipulation for her match with Bayley. If Cross stands true and Bayley has to defend in a 2 on 1 then it’s gonna be an uphill battle especially since Bayley provoked Cross tonight. On the same note, Ricochet got put down again by The Club. He was impressive picking up two wins but this Sunday he is in for the fight of his life defending against Styles. This Sunday Ricochet can become a legend or fall victim to The Club. Finally, the main event didn’t hit as it could’ve but it still was okay. There should’ve been more hype to end the night but again with Undertaker in the match, it doesn’t need any building. Reigns leaves unscaved and is ready for Sunday. Mcintyre and Shane missed out on taking out Reigns and it definitely could haunt them. I hope everyone enjoys Extreme Rules this Sunday, I myself can’t wait!!!
Overall Rating: 6/10