WWE Raw is in Houston, Texas tonight for its final stop before SummerSlam.
Cody Rhodes and Brock Lesnar will both be in the same building ahead of Saturday's pay-per-view. It's the first time they've been in the same place since Lesnar attacked Rhodes in front of his family two weeks ago. Lesnar put Rhodes in a kimura twice during that attack.
Seth Rollins is defending his World Heavyweight Championship against Finn Balor at Saturday's PPV. Tonight, Rollins will team up with Sami Zayn as they take on Judgment Day's Damian Priest & Dominik Mysterio. Last Monday's Raw ended with Rollins and Zayn both being laid out by Judgment Day. Kevin Owens was also attacked by Judgment Day earlier in the night.
Logan Paul will appear for the final build to his SummerSlam match against Ricochet.
Plus, Maxxine Dupri wrestles her first-ever singles match as she takes on Valhalla tonight.
Our live coverage starts at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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– The show opened with an "In Memory Of" graphic for Adrian Street, who recently passed away.
– Kevin Patrick welcomed everyone into the show. Corey Graves began running down the card for the night. Logan Paul's music hit and Paul walked to the ring.
The Logan Paul/Ricochet segment
Paul welcomed everyone to Monday Night Raw as a chorus of boos rang through the arena. Paul said he wasn't there for the fans; instead, he was there for Ricochet. When Paul tried to speak, the crowd drowned him out with boos. Paul recalled how Ricochet attacked him last week. The fans gave Paul the "What?!" treatment. Paul said he will beat Ricochet in the most viral match in WWE history at SummerSlam. On cue, Ricochet's music hit and Ricochet walked out with a microphone in hand.
The crowd chanted Ricochet's name. Ricochet said last week, he was in Paul's live stream, but this week, he's in Paul's head. Ricochet said Paul isn't the good guy in their situation. Ricochet said Paul can't foot Houston. Ricochet said he thinks Paul is a horrible human being, but Ricochet admitted that he respects Paul as an athlete and competitor. Paul said he appreciated Ricochet's comments. The crowd chanted "You suck!" at Paul before Paul said Ricochet is one of the best to ever do it until Paul showed up. Paul recalled how their feud began at Royal Rumble and called for the clip where Ricochet and Paul jumped into each other at the Rumble.
Paul extended his fist for a fist bump and said they'll put on a hell of a match at SummerSlam. Ricochet obliged. Ricochet turned to leave and Paul stopped him to point out that ring announcer Samantha Irvin is engaged to Ricochet and Paul hopes there won't be any hard feelings when Irvin has to announce that Paul beat Ricochet. The two brawled as a result of the comment. Ricochet came off the top, but Paul caught him with a right hand to end the segment.
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– A video package featuring the Gunther/Drew McIntyre developments from last week aired.
– Jackie Redmond welcomed in Imperium for an interview backstage. Gunther said he doesn't live in the past and pointed out that he is currently disappointed in Ludwig Kaiser. Gunther said Kaiser can redeem himself later in the night against Matt Riddle. Gunther said he will personally end McIntyre at SummerSlam and the show went back to the ring, where Riddle made his entrance.
Ludwig Kaiser defeated Matt Riddle [11:04]
A very solid television match from two very solid professional wrestlers. The near-falls had me toward the end because I half-expected Riddle to go over as a means to underscore the friction in Imperium. As it goes, Riddle takes another loss in a very competitive match. I would have liked to see five more minutes and another gear – I mean, hell, Raw is three hours; it's not like they couldn't have given it a go – but it was not to be. Perhaps Riddle will have a say in Saturday's Intercontinental Title match finish somehow.
Riddle had control early, taking Kaiser down repeatedly. Kaiser gained control with a back elbow and a forearm. Kaiser worked a side head-lock. Riddle fought out of it and landed a pair of gut-wrench suplexes. The two traded strikes until Riddle hit a fisherman's suplex for a two-count. Riddle lifted Kaiser, but Kaiser worked out of it to run Riddle into the ring post. Kaiser followed that up with a dropkick and a European Uppercut on the outside. Riddle regained control with a series of a high-flying moves as the show went to commercial break.
When the show returned, Kaiser landed a kick to Riddle's head to take control. Riddle fought back with a series of chops and kicks. Riddle landed an Exploder and a Bro-ton to keep momentum. Riddle hit a German Suplex for a nice near-fall. Riddle landed another Bro-ton, but then went for another and Kaiser got his knees up. Kaiser hit what Patrick called a Kaiser Roll (which was kinda/sorta funny … ish) for a two-count. Riddle was quickly distracted, but came back with a knee to the head and a power-bomb for a good near-fall.
Riddle went for the Bro Derek, but Kaiser countered into a roll-up and a two-count. The two traded strikes and Riddle knocked Kaiser down before going for a moonsault. Kaiser moved at the last second and ultimately hit his finisher for the win. After the match, Gunther extended his hand to Kaiser and the two shook hands.
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– Logan Paul was walking backstage and was interrupted by Byron Saxton. Paul insulted Ricochet and told Saxton to get the microphone out of his face before storming off.
– A video package regarding the Cody/Brock feud aired.
Maxxine Dupri defeated Valhalla [3:30]
Well. All right. Dupri is still greener than a bucket of jalapeños, but she lasted three-and-a-half minutes here and didn't significantly hurt the match. It didn't feel like the Japanese Ocean Cyclone Suplex will be Dupri's finisher considering how this time, it was used out of circumstance, but who knows. God bless Otis, Gable and her – the live crowds are into it, and you can't be mad at that. As for the six wrestlers involved, it doesn't look like this story will be finished anytime soon.
Valhalla jumpstarted the match with a shotgun knee to Dupri. After a quick burst of energy, Valhalla whipped Dupri around and grabbed her by the hair. Valhalla worked a submission, but Dupri came back with an arm-drag. Dupri landed a Fisherman's Suplex and a splash in the corner. Otis and Gable stood on the ring apron. Dupri did the worm and landed an elbow drop. Dupri went to the top and hit a cross-body, but Erik came into the ring to break things up. As a result, Gable hit a moonsault on the Viking Raiders. Valhalla took back control after all that and went to the top. Dupri worked out of it and landed a Japanese Ocean Cyclone Suplex, which got Maxxine the win.
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– Nakamura was shown backstage and Ciampa confronted him. Ciampa said tonight, he's going to fix the problem they have. Ciampa said he needs to pick up some momentum and he's going to start against Nakamura before winning the battle royal at SummerSlam. Nakamura said he's going to win the battle royal and the show went back to the ring, where The Judgment Day stood with microphones.
The Judgment Day segment
Damien Priest began by speaking in Spanish and told everyone to rise for the Judgment Day. Rhea Ripley said Raw doesn't start until Judgment Day says it does. Ripley referenced putting Liv Morgan on the shelf. Priest wondered who might stop them and mentioned Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn and Seth Rollins. Priest said Judgment Day took care of them all and nobody can stop Judgment Day.
Finn Balor spoke next and called Seth Rollins someone who wants to look insane. Balor said insanity is waking up every day for the last seven years and seeing the scars he inflicted. Balor talked about how Rollins ruined his career. Balor said he can't erase the scars, but he will inflict scars. Balor said those scars will make him feel better. Dirty Dom tried to speak and the crowd booed the hell out of him. Dom said he's going to bring back the Mysterio name.
Ripley spoke up and talked about how Raquel Rodriguez ran and hid from her, but Raquel's music hit and she walked to the ring with purpose. Rodriguez and Ripley brawled inside the ring. Rodriguez clotheslined Ripley over the top rope and threw Ripley into the guardrail. Rodriguez threw Ripley around ringside. Raquel's momentum stopped when Ripley chop-blocked her. Officials ran out to try and keep Ripley away from Raquel and that ended the segment.
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– A video package looking back at the Rousey/Baszler feud aired. Turns out their match at SummerSlam will be under MMA rules.
– Alpha Academy were shown backstage. They were interrupted by Imperium. Gunther made fun of them, calling Otis a freak. Gunther said the last two weeks have been a rollercoaster for him and said Gable wouldn't last five minutes with him. Gable took exception to that and it looks like a five-minute challenge between Gunther and Gable will happen later on.
Shinsuke Nakamura defeated Tommaso Ciampa [8:54]
It's just hard to not expect more from these guys. Expectations have been limited for Nakamura since he debuted on the main roster years ago, but Ciampa has as much of a blank slate as one could have at this point in his career on the main roster, so the hope would be that perhaps he could get some booking love. Not here. It's funny. If you would have told me seven years ago that Ciampa and Nakamura would wrestle for nine minutes on Monday Night Raw, I would have stayed up just to see that. These days, we get a match that's mostly lost to a commercial break, a flat crowd and a clunky finish. Everything should have been better from everyone and everything involved.
Ciampa's entrance was not televised. Bronson Reed was shown watching the match backstage early on as Nakamura gained control. Ciampa fought back and gained momentum with a handful of strikes. Nakamura cut him off with a knee to Ciampa's midsection. The action went to the apron, where Nakamura kicked Ciampa repeatedly. Ciampa evened the odds with a paid of running knees. Ciampa clapped and patted himself on the back as the show went to commercial.
Returning from break, the two traded blows in the middle of the ring. Nakamura landed an enzigouri and a sliding German Suplex for a two-count. Ciampa fought back and hit a draping DDT for a two-count. Ciampa sold rib pain. Ciampa put Nakamura on the top rope, but Nakamura fought out of it. Nakamura landed a knee into Ciampa's midsection for a two-count. Nakamura ran at Ciampa, but Ciampa got a knee up. Ciampa went for a clunky Fairytale Ending, but Nakamura rolled Ciampa up in a clunky way for the win.
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The Brock Lesnar/Cody Rhodes segment
Brock made his entrance first and grabbed a microphone. The crowd chanted Cody's name. Brock said, "Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Brock Lesnar. I am an NCAA heavyweight wrestling champion. I am a UFC heavyweight champion. I am WWE heavyweight champion of the world," and Seth Rollins probably had something to say about that last part. The crowd gave Brock the "What?" treatment. Brock said at SummerSlam, he'll get paid to fight and kick ass against Cody Rhodes. Brock said Cody will get paid to get his ass kicked by Brock Lesnar. Brock invited Cody out to shake his hand and gave Cody five seconds to come out. Cody's music hit.
Cody walked down the entrance way in his wrestling gear. Cody didn't even stop to do the "Whoa!" bit so you know he meant business. Cody walked around the ring before stepping into it. The two stared at each other and Cody extended his hand. Brock smiled and shook it. Brock walked past Cody and out the ring, but Cody ran the ropes and hit a tope suicida onto Brock on the outside. Lesnar low-blowed Cody and grabbed the ring steps. Brock hit Cody with the steps. Brock looked like he was going to head to the back, but he went back to hit Cody with the steps some more. Brock looked like he was going to head to the back again, but Brock came back again and hit an F-5 on Cody in the ring. Brock put his cowboy hat and vest back on and left for real.
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Chad Gable beat the 5-minute Gunther challenge, but Gunther won the wrestling match [12:53]
What a swing. This went from the lazy gimmick of a five-minute challenge to a pretty good TV match by the time it was all said and done. I suppose the stipulation was added to protect Gable, and there's nothing wrong with that, but it was a bit deflating to see Gable last the five minutes … only to ultimately lose in what turned out to be an almost 13-minute match. I'd love to see them run this back with 10 more minutes and the I.C. title on the line, but that's for another day. The last five minutes here were a lot of fun and if the whole thing wasn't hamstrung by the silly five-minute challenge nonsense, it would have been even better.
The two locked up and Gunther threw Gable across the ring. Gunther threw Gable again. Gable went for a takedown, but Gunther instead worked Gable's leg. The two engaged in a test of strength, which Gunther won. Gunther stomped on Gable's head. Gunther slammed Gable and covered him twice for one-counts. Gable fired up and chopped Gunther, but Gunther cut him off with a European Uppercut. Gunther landed a chop to Gable's chest. Gunther went for a power-bomb, but Gable rolled out of it and sunk in an ankle lock. The two got to their feet and Gunther hit a chop, followed by a sleeper hold and Gable faded. Gunther went for a power-bomb, but Gable worked out of it and that was enough for Gable to last the five minutes.
After the challenge, Gunther got a microphone and yelled that the match had to continue. As a result … well … the match continued. Gable landed a dropkick and the show went to a commercial break. When the show came back from break, Gunther was chopping Gable in a corner. Gable grabbed Gunther's arm and sunk in an arm-bar. Gable followed that up with a dropkick and went for another one until Gunther moved. Gable came right back and worked another arm-bar. Gunther got out and hit a German Suplex for a two-count. Gunther went to the top, but Gable cut him off and landed a super-plex.
On their feet, Gable hit a bunch of strikes before Gunther slowed it down with a chop. Gable responded with a German Suplex, which was enough for a two-count. Gunther got up and landed a boot and a chop for a two-count. Gable went for another German Suplex, but Gunther countered with a series of chops. Gunther finally finished a power-bomb attempt and that got him the win. After the match, Gunther got a microphone and stood on the commentary table. He told the crowd to celebrate his success and on Saturday, he will not lose the Intercontinental Championship. Gunther said on Saturday, he's going to end Drew McIntyre.
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– Cody Rhodes was interviewed backstage by Byron Saxton. Cody said Brock could break his arm, ribs or jaw, but at SummerSlam, the aura of Brock Lesnar will be shattered. Cody stormed off.
– Becky Lynch made her entrance and stood in the ring with a microphone. Becky said The Man has come around to Houston, Texas. Lynch said she's done everything she needed to do to get her rematch with Trish Stratus. Becky said she can't think of a better place than here or a better time than now to fight Trish. Stratus walked out with a microphone. Stratus told Becky that nobody tells Trish when to fight. Stratus said she'll tell Becky when Becky gets her rematch. Trish said the one thing she's not is a cheater, unlike the Astros. The crowd booed. Stratus began to say when the rematch would happen, but Adam Pearce interrupted Stratus. Pearce said the match is going to happen tonight and right now.
Becky Lynch defeated Trish Stratus via DQ [0:04]
The bell rang, but as soon as Lynch attacked Stratus, Zoey Stark hit the ring and attacked Lynch, giving Lynch the win. After the match, Lynch battled with Stark and Stratus around the ring. Lynch took Stratus's face protector off before Stark cut Lynch off. Stratus hit Lynch with a chair. The heels walked away as Lynch sold midsection pain to end the segment.
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– Backstage, Stratus and Stark were confronted by Adam Pearce. Pearce said in two weeks in Winnipeg, Stratus will face Lynch with Stark banned from ringside.
– The second part of the Baszler/Rousey video package aired.
Seth Rollins & Sami Zayn defeated Damien Priest and Dominik Mysterio [12:20]
A worthy main event with a lot of action to close the show. Zayn and Rollins are kind of fun together and I wouldn't mind to see them team more – especially if it'll give Kevin Owens some rest. WWE has this habit of making those who stand tall to end go-home shows for PLEs go down in defeat once the actually PLE goes down. We'll see if that's the case for Rollins vs. Balor come Saturday. This match was fine for what it was, but nothing particularly worth going out of your way to see. Two commercial breaks will do that. Looks like from the Raw side at least, it's on to Saturday.
As the Judgment Day made their way to the ring, Rollins and Zayn attacked Dirty Dom and Priest in the entrance way. Rollins chased Balor to the back and Rollins with Zayn stood tall in the ring as the show went to break. Back from commercial, Dominick was punching Rollins, but Rollins threw Dom into a corner and kicked Dom in the head. Zayn tagged in and hit an axe-handle on Dom's arm. Priest tagged in and gave Judgment Day control. Zayn fought back and took Priest down before tagging in Rollins, who hit a double-stomp on Priest's arm.
Rollins came off the second rope, but Priest caught him with an elbow. Dom tagged in, punched Rollins and posed. Rollins fired up and chopped Dom before landing a splash in a corner. Rollins went for another one and missed. Dom tagged in Priest, who landed a super-kick on Rollins. Dom tagged back in and punched Rollins repeatedly. Dom tagged in Priest. Rollins was on the apron and Balor pulled Rollins off the apron while the ref was distracted and landed a few blows. The show went to another commercial break.
When the show returned, Dominik had control over Rollins, but Priest tagged in and Rollins rolled away to get the hot tag to Zayn, who took Priest out. Zayn threw Priest to the outside, where Zayn landed a dive onto Priest. Back inside the ring, Zayn landed a Tornado DDT, but Dom broke up the pin attempt. Dom tagged in and set up Zayn for a 619. When Dom ran toward Zayn, Zayn clotheslined Dom. Zayn tagged Rollins and Priest tagged in as well. Rollins hit a tope of tope suicidas onto Priest, who was on the outside.
Rollins stared at Balor on the outside and rolled Priest into the ring. Priest went for South of Heaven, but Rollins countered and hit a super-kick. Dom cut Rollins off, but Zayn took out Dom. Ripley ran over to yell at Zayn. While the ref was yelling at Ripley, Balor dropkicked Zayn. Inside the ring, Priest landed a Razor's Edge, but instead of pinning Rollins, Priest asked for his MITB briefcase. Balor gave it to him, but didn't cash it in before Rollins super-kicked Priest. Rollins landed a stomp on Priest for the win. Rollins and Zayn posed in the ring to close the show.
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