Hello and welcome to Rajah's Monday Night Raw results coverage. The host for this week is Mike Hogan. Hope you all had a good weekend and are ready to get back on the road to SummerSlam! This week's official WWE Raw preview gives us a big glimpse at tonight's programming.
Drew McIntyre will finally come face to face with the Viper, Randy Orton, tonight on Raw! We'll also have Shane McMahon on program; we've also learned a new faction is coming to Raw Tonight but they don't tell us who. The start of Raw will feature a US Championship defense as the disputed "champ" MVP will face legitimate champ Apollo Crews! The Asuka and Banks & Bayley feud will continue.
What else do we have in store for tonight? Beats me, but we're about to find out!
WWE Monday Night Raw Live Results (8/3/2020) - Performance Center, Orlando, FL
Show Opener
Tom Phillips welcomes us to Raw and reminds us that the 33th annual SummerSlam is just two weeks from Sunday! Corey Graves and Samoa Joe are at the announcer's table, too. We're reminded that Randy Orton will go face to face with Drew, and at SS Orton will take on McIntyre for the--
--there is a technical difficulty in the TV truck and Tom apologizes for that before we get Apollo's music.
United States Championship Match: Apollo Crews(c) vs MVP (c)
We're reminded that this match was supposed to take place at Extreme Rules but--there's more technical difficulties. They lose partial lighting for a few. We're reminded that there's a tropical storm in the area that's apparently having an effect on their technical end. MVP and Shelton Benjamin come out and wait at the top of the ramp for Bobby Lashley, then the entire Hurt Business walks to the ring. The announcements are made; Montel Vontavius Porter is not introduced as any form of a United States champion, even though he's wearing the new-designed US title. Apollo Crews is announced next, sporting his original US title. Ref holds the belts up. MVP gets on a mic and says before the match starts, somebody needs to drop some truth gems on the people. MVP says that Crews didn't show up at Extreme Rules, so MVP is the champ. MVP says that he's going to win tonight and go on and represent the Hurt Business as the real US champion and Crews can go hang with Ricochet and Cedric in the back with the food. Bell rings and here we go.
More lights are wavering. Both men lock up; MVP gets his right foot against Crews while maintaining the lockup and flips him back. MVP gets Crews in a seated rear hold, attempting a rear sleeper but can't pull it off. Crews throws a few elbows to get some distance. Crews attempts a pin on MVP but he kicks out, and Crews immediately kips up to his feet. Very fast and athletic, this young man is. MVP lifts his left hand, signalling for a test of strength. Crews takes the bait and MVP attacks him. Again the lights are fluctuating.
MVP and Crews exchange control, with Crews attempting a few quick pins but getting nothing. Crews locks in an armbar on MVP's left arm, and spends a couple of minutes working it, changing position, dropping elbows into it and twisting it. Finally, MVP gets a fist into Crews' face. He doesn't maintain control long before Crews takes control yet again. Crews sends MVP into the ropes but Lashley and Benjamin immediately grab his legs, dropping him to the mat and pulling him out to safety. The ref doesn't call the DQ for outside interference as, technically, they tripped him up. Crews flies across the ring as the lights fluctuate yet again, and goes flying over the top rope through the dim arena, crashing into the Hurt Business as we go to commercial!
Back from the break finds both men in the ring, MVP with a neck lock on Crews who's forced to take a knee. We're shown a clip during the break where, when the ref was distracted, the Hurt Business interfered, giving MVP the upper hand. Crews tries to fight out of it and rebounds off the ropes, only to eat a big lariat from MVP. MVP covers and only gets a two. He covers immediately and only gets another two. MVP drops an elbow to the back of the neck of Crews, then chops him, sending him to the mat and covering for two. MVP pulls Crews up and sets him against the ropes, chops him, whips him into the opposite ropes and hits a form of a drop toe hold, sending Crews face first into the canvas. MVP sets Crews up along the bottom rope, and applies a seated Full Nelson with the aid of the bottom rope until the ref breaks it. MVP hits a slam and gets a two; the lights continue to fluctuate and Samoa Joe asks Byron if he left his curlers plugged in backstage.
After a slow exchange between the two, MVP sets up Crews in the corner and goes for the helluva kick. He misses and takes a blow to the back of the neck. Crews begins to fire up. Crews works MVP over in the corner. Suplex from Crews. Big spinebuster from Crews! Crews goes for the toss powerbomb but MVP blocks it. MVP attempts to hit a rebounding Crews but Crews counters it into another toss powerbomb! Crews covers for the win!
Your Winner and UNDISPUTED United States Champion, Apollo Crews!
After the Match
Bobby Lashley hits the ring right away and goes for Crews, who very quickly ducks and escapes the ring. Crews backs up the ramp with both belts and we get replays from the match.
Backstage w/ Charly Caruso & Apollo Crews
Caruso talks to Crews about being the US champion. Crews says he's going to hang his proper US title in the bedroom for his kids, to remind them of the first title their daddy won. Crews says that the title from MVP, paid for by MVP, is now going to be the one he defends. He thanks MVP for paying for it.
At Ringside: Hurt Business
All three are staring at the announcers. MVP snatches a microphone. He complains about the working conditions being unsafe, with lights flickering. He runs down Apollo for turning him down and for "winning like that." He says that he doesn't care about Apollo's kids, or his wife--Apollo didn't show up at Extreme Rules. He then demands that he gets a rematch and, after Shelton Benjamin whispers in his ear, he demands his rematch at SummerSlam. Just before commercial, we see a shadowy door (as if it's in a back alley) and we're told that something is going on, and Shane has something to do with it. We go to break.
Backstage w/ Sarah, Bayley "Dos Straps" and Sasha "Two Belts" Banks
Bayley and Sasha tell Sarah that they've got all the gold. They don't let Sarah get any questions in. Bayley yells for someone to "roll the footage." We get a video promo for the double double-champions, and a recap from last week where Bayley beat Kairi backstage and Sasha won the Raw Women's Championship by countout as Asuka ran to the back to help her friend. They have one of the popular video package narrators narrating it. The video ends abruptly and we see Asuka bouncing in place, yelling in Japanese, before she stops and says in English: "revenge will be very, very sweet." Bayley and Banks are now back with Sarah and blow up at Sarah, criticizing the "professionalism" of Sarah--and up walks Shayna Baszler. Shayna says that she has a problem with Sasha, who snaked her way into winning the Raw Women's Championship. She then sucker punches Banks, sending her to the floor, and laughs as she walks off.
Backstage w/ Kevin Owens and the Iiconics
KO is backstage elsewhere, and the Iiconics walk up and say that they'd be great guests for the KO Show. He admits they would be...just not tonight, as he already has a guest. He tells them to grab a water, then he heads outside. Coming up next: the Kevin Owens Show hosted by, you guessed it, Kevin Owens. So glad Tom let me know, I was worried for a moment. Commercial break!
The Kevin Owens Show
KO welcomes the ladies and gentlemen to the KO show. He mentions that tonight, Shane McMahon is returning and while he has plenty of thoughts on that, it's not what he wants to talk about tonight. Its an issue that's been going on for a few months. He calls out Ruby Riott, calling her a very good friend of his. Out comes Ruby, all smiles. They both seat. He asks her about her return (and has a mic technical difficulty). She says that she's not had a single's win since February and it's been a rough time since she returned. She says that she's had an issue with the Iiconics who try to tear people down. Ruby says that she's happy because last week she got to shut up the Iiconics because she's tired of their bullshit. They bleep the word. Ruby mentions that she just wishes Liv were here; KO jumps in and says that he's eager and glad she mentioned Liv, and he calls out Liv Morgan. Morgan gets a mic and gets in the ring. KO continues to have mic difficulties. He interjects and says that he's watched them since they debuted and while Sarah Logan's moved on to other things in life, he thinks that these two bring the best out in each other. He says he speaks from experience as he's done a lot of really crappy things to people, said a lot of crappy things, all because he thought it was best for his career. He says he lost a lot of good friends and it wasn't worth it. He tells Liv that they don't have to be friends, he just wants Liv to hear out Ruby.
Ruby says when she came back, she thought everything was going to be the same but everything was different, including Liv. Liv was thriving and coming into her own, and Ruby thought that maybe Liv didn't need her, and that hurt. And then Liv beat Ruby, twice, and Ruby realized that maybe Liv didn't need Ruby at all. And the world that Ruby came back to, without Sarah, without being needed, she just wasn't ready for that. She took it out on Liv and she said that was wrong. She point sat a tattoo on her leg--the date that their faction debuted--and says Liv has the same tat on the back of her neck. Ruby just wants another chance for the Riott Squad to be stronger than it's ever been. The Iiconics come out to interrupt.
KO says he had nothing to do with that, meaning the Iiconics. They tell him not to interrupt them. They say that no one cares about them, and Liv should've stayed in the bath tub. The Iiconics have mic difficulties, too. Someone's losing their job. The Iiconics say that they have dominated the tag team division; they conquered WrestleMania; and they always have been, and always will be, better than the two of them. Liv gets ont he mic and says that the Iiconics are right--she and Ruby aren't friends like the Iiconics, and neither Ruby nor Liv are iconic. But there's one thing that they'll always agree on and that's the fact that no one starts a riot better than them. The crowd pops for this. KO tells the Iiconics that if they have nothing else better to say, they can leave. Peyton and Billie lay into them, and say that they'll take on the Riott Squad right now. KO asks if we can get some technical difficulties on just the Iiconics mics. Peyton smacks the heck out of him. He slowly looks back and asks if that was really necessary, to which Billie Kay replies by smacking the heck out of him. KO turns to the Riott Squad, saying "Ladies, a little help please?" The Riott Squad tackle and begin pummeling the Iiconics as we go to commercial!
Mysterious Backstage Location
We see the same door with a bodyguard cloaked in shadow. A butler comes up, sees the bodyguard, and backs off. We can hear loud yet muffled music coming from the mystery room backstage and we're told it has something to do with Shane O'Mac.
The Iiconics vs the Riott Squad
We're back from the break and this match is now underway. Kevin Owens is a guest on commentary. Petyon List takes control early, and uses a chin hold to slow the pace on Ruby Riott. Ruby tries to power out but List sends her to the mat, and tags in Billie Kay. Kay talks trash in Ruby's face and smacks her hard. Kay pulls Riott up and tells her she's nothing, and she'll never be anything. Ruby punches Kay and both women tag their partners in. Liv comes in hot, driving Peyton into the canvas. Morgan runs up the second rope and turns, hitting a second-rope dropkick. Pin attempt but Kay breaks it up. Kay drags List over to her corner, gets tagged in and runs in. Liv rolls up Kay and gets the quick win!
Your Winners, Ruby Riott and Liv Morgan
After the Match
The Iiconics both try to jump Liv, but Ruby runs in and makes the save. Together, Ruby and Liv take out the Iiconics. Ruby heads to exit the ring and holds the rope for Liv; Liv returns the favor and together, the reformed Riott Squad exit. We head to commercials.
Announce Table w/ Charly Caruso Backstage
Tom tells us there was a near accident backstage earlier today, and cuts to Charly. She says earlier this evening there was a loud sound, and then shows us boxes that fell on their sides with camera equipment spilling out. Interesting that no one's bothered to clean it up. Charly says there are rumors involving the boxes, but is interrupted by MVP. He says that she's covering fallen boxes instead of the real story of how power glitches cost him his match. She informs him that she's been informed that Apollo Crews has accepted MVP's request for a match at SummerSlam. Shelton comes up and tells MVP that someone's stolen his 24/7 championship, and they head off to find it.
In the Ring: Drew McIntyre
Drew comes out wearing black slacks and a black button up shirt. The announcers show us last week, when Randy Orton hit an RKO out of nowhere on the WWE champ. Drew gets a mic as we're reminded that he takes on Orton in two weeks at SummerSlam for the WWE title!
Drew tells us that Orton has spent 15 years preying on vulnerability. He's not the kind of guy who'd give you a finger gesture to show you how he's feeling like Austin, nor is he the kind of guy who'd rip off his elbow pad like the Rock. Drew says Orton says he's better than those guys, but Orton slithers around like a snake, hitting an RKO out of nowhere. Drew thanks Randy for this lesson and says it will never happen again. He says he knows how motivated Orton is right now--just as motivated to take the title from Drew, as Drew is motivated to keep it. Drew says that the similarities don't end there and that once upon a time, Vince McMahon looked at both Orton and Drew and told them that they were the chosen ones--the future of this industry. He paces for a moment. "Things didn't quite go to plan. I think Edge said it best. This wasn't your plan A. I don't know if this was your plan B, plan C or plan D." He says that Orton didn't lay awake at night in Scotland, a country of five million people, and dream of going to the WWE and pulling it off--becoming the champ. He says everything was handed to Orton. He says that Orton's early accolades were fed to him on a silver spoon because his dad was Cowboy Bob Orton. Drew says he never rode in a limo with Evolution, not that he wanted to. Drew says the most important part is he never had anyone cleaning up after him, like Orton did. When Drew made his mistakes he was punished for them, and was fired for them. Drew says that he's said it already, he deserved to get fired. He's since spoken to the people who've cleaned up the crap that Orton left behind, and Orton should've been fired way more times than Drew was fired. He's then cut off by the Viper's music. Orton comes out with a mic and Ric Flair.
Orton says he needs to stop Drew right there. He asks if his respect for Drew, if it's enough? He says last week he paid respect to Drew, yet this week Drew is out here talking about how Orton didn't earn his career. He says that he enjoys and appreciates Drew's fighting spirit, and that's why it's going to be so much sweeter at SummerSlam when he punt kicks and RKO's Drew and takes that title away. Orton says that regarding not being fired, Drew's right. Orton should've been been fired several times over. But Orton's been given multiple chances because unlike Drew, Orton was valuable to the company. Orton says that he was given 2nd, 3rd, 4th chances because he was the chosen one. Orton points out Drew's comments, paraphrasing other legends, and tells Drew right here, right now, in this ring to come up with one opinion on his own about Orton.
Drew lays his belt down and says he'll shoot with Randy. He says that he thinks Orton represents everything that is wrong with the WWE. He says that just like everyone else, he watched the Last Ride documentary and the most interesting part was Orton--when the Undertaker reached down and pulled Orton up to his level. He didn't have to do that, but the Taker loves this industry and cares about its future. Drew asks how many times in the last twenty years has Orton reached down to pull anyone else up to his level, and answers his own question--never. He says that Orton never once took the time to pass on to others the knowledge passed on to him by Flair, HHH, HBK etc. Drew says he remembers ten years ago when his world was crumbling around him, professionally and personally, and Orton walked across him in the back. Drew was far away from home, his mother was sick, and he was self destructing. He says that Orton knew all that and didn't do a damn thing. Drew says he doesn't see a leader before him, a man that the boys in the back can look up to or come to. Drew sees a selfish prick. Drew goes on to say that he's going to rip off Randy's head at SummerSlam. Drew's music plays as the announcers hype this match at SummerSlam, two weeks from Sunday. We see Nia Jax talking to the producer she put hands on last week, and we go to commercial.
Backstage w/ KO, the Riott Squad & Ric Flair
KO is talking to the Riott Squad when Ric comes up and congratulates them, but says he needs to speak to KO alone. Ric Flair says he's familiar with KO's career, coming up out of Canada, and likes him. Ric Flair says that the thing is, KO's coming off like a guidance counselor. KO says that he's done a lot of crappy things in his career and he's trying to change things, and be the kind of person in the locker room that he'd like to look up to. A person Randy could be, if you see what he means. Flair tells him that he's gonna let that one breathe. Flair says instead of advice that KO might want to listen to, Ric is giving him advice he needs to listen to: KO needs to mind his own damn business. Flair reminds him that this is Ric Flair talking, and when Flair talks, you listen. He says if KO listens to him, KO might have a title match at SummerSlam too. KO takes offense and tells Flair to tell his boy Orton to face KO next week right there in the ring.
In the Ring: Nia Jax
We get a clip from last week when Nia Jax assaulted WWE official Pat Buck. We're told Nia was fined an undisclosed amount of money for her actions. She goes on to say that she really takes it to heart the millions of us around the world who idolize her. "So...when a scrawny, undeserving little runt from WWE management--who couldn't cut the mustard in his own career--steps to me, it's my responsibility to step back." Pat Buck, standing behind her, has a "wtf?" look on his face. Nia continues: "Oh Pat, I almost didn't see you there." She says that she knows he's expecting an apology but instead she's offering a match right now between he and her. He tells her that he's only in this ring because he was told he'd get an apology. Nia says he'll get his apology but only after their match. She calls it a big opportunity, and says she'll do him a favor and start off real slow so his little legs can keep up. Someone in the crowd starts yelling "chicken legs!" Pat says that he's just there for the apology, not a fight. Nia calls him a ginger and asks if he's scared. She shoves the mic into his chest and tells him to say what he has to say. Pat Buck gets on the mic and says that after her actions, she's suspended indefinitely and without pay. She freaks out and yells that he has no authority to do this, grabs him and headbutts him. She stands over him for a moment before kicking him hard in the side. She yells that he has no authority to tell her this, and he flees from the ring. She paces back and forth in the ring as Buck rolls outside the ring. Nia Jax leaves as we're reminded that's he's been suspended indefinitely without pay. Buck has a brown stain on his shirt that was under his jacket. Suddenly, R-Truth runs to and around the ring, carrying Shelton's 24/7 title, being chased by the ninjas and Shelton Benjamin. We're having a 24/7 title match after this commercial break!
Triple Threat for the 24/7 Championship: Shelton Benjamin(c) vs R-Truth vs Akira Tozawa
Truck comes out last as the other two were in the ring. Ref holds up the belt and the bell rings, quickly starting things. Akira rolls outside the ring; R-Truth chops Shelton a few times before Shelton takes control, using his grappling style to gain the upper hand. He gets Truth down on the mat and stomps him repeatedly until Tozawa comes in. Tozawa channels his chi and tries to surprise Benjamin, doing a series of "strikes" to Benjamin's chest that did nothing. Benjamin gut kicks Tozawa before hitting a massive powerbomb. He then goes after Truth in the corner, but here comes Truth slinging out of the corner. Truth with the gut kick and goes for the Scissors Kick but Benjamin instead hits the Paydirt! A masked ninja runs in and shows off his form, but Benjamin kicks him in the face and takes him out of the ring. Two more ninjas are up on the apron but the Hurt Business runs to the ring and takes out the ninjas! Shelton's got a ninja in the Full Nelson outside, leaving it open for Tozawa to come flying off the top turnbuckle onto Truth in the ring and winning the title! He hightails it out of there!
Your Winner and NEW 24/7 Champion, Akira Tozawa!
Mysterious Location Backstage
We finally see inside the room and there are two men fighting and pummeling on a ring without ropes as others, wearing face masks, pound on the ring. Shane tells us he's debuting Raw underground at 10pm tonight (the final hour of Raw). We go to commercial without any elaboration.
Recap: Dominick Mysterio & Seth Rollins
We're treated to scenes from last week when Dominick finally confronted the Monday Night Messiah and ended up being ambushed by both Murphy and Rollins. Aleister Black came to his aid but Black was overwhelmed and ultimately had his eye injured. Dominick Mysterio fought off Murphy and Seth with a kindo stick, chasing them away from the ring before they could blind him, too.
Backstage w/ Sarah & Dominick Mysterio
Sarah asks why Dom continues to show up and take the risk while his father is out with his injury. Dom says it's easy to know why he's doing what he does--for fam. He says that if anyone thinks he's crazy, they're really going to think so now--he's challenging Seth to a match at SummerSlam.
Shayna Baszler vs Raw Women's Champion Sasha Banks
The Queen of Spades comes out first for her first-ever matchup between Sasha Banks and Baszler. Out next, accompanied by her partner Bayley, she is half of the WWE Women's Tag Team Champions and the current Raw Women's Champion, Sasha Banks. They come out holding all the gold.
Banks struts int he ring with her belt while Shayna Brock-bounces in the corner, awaiting the bell. The bell rings and Banks yells about being disrespected, and slaps Shayna twice. She yells that she's the champion, she's the boss--and Shayna immediately takes her down to the mat. Shayna wraps her up from the back. Banks escapes but Shayna sends her to the mat and kicks her in the back. We're reminded that Baszler has over a decade of martial arts experience. Banks tries to fight back but Baszler refuses to give up control. Shayna rolls Banks up but only gets two. Banks yells that Shayna messed up because Banks is the Boss, and her yapping gives Baszler time to leap and drag her down, locking in an arm submission on her left arm. Banks finally makes it to the ropes. Baszler gets distracted by Bayley at ringside, and Banks uses the distraction to her benefit. Banks rams Shayna's head into the turnbuckle. Banks attempts a pin but gets two. Banks wraps Shayna's right arm around the lower rope and yanks on it til the ref forces the break. Banks with a snapmare, and kneels behind Shayna, locking in the arm lock. Sasha continues to talk trash.
Banks maintains control. Banks goes up to the middle rope and jumps for the cross body, but Baszler rolls through with it, rolls to her feet holding Banks and drops a side backbreaker. Both women to their feet. Baszler throws a kick but Banks counters, yet still finds Shayna attempting a clutch. Banks counters and locks in the Bank Statement. Shayna powers through and separates Banks' hands, breaking the Statement. Baszler and Banks exchange blows, flooring both women. As both are down, Asuka runs up and attacks Bayley from behind. While Asuka is throwing Bayley down, the bell rings. Asuka runs into the ring but Banks rolls out. They made no announcement as to who the winner was. Asuka never made contact with Banks so there shouldn't have been a DQ. We cut to commercials.
Match Ended: No winner announced or reason given.
In the Ring: Charly Caruso w/ Asuka
Charly says she wants to ask about Kairi Sane but, first, she wants to show us what happened last week. For the third time tonight. We come back and Asuka is fired up, wanting her shot. Shayna comes in and tells her that Shayna wants Asuka to have her rematch with Sasha Banks and win the title back from Sasha Banks, so Shayna can dismember Asuka and take the Raw Women's title off of Asuka. Again, the women's tag team champions come back out. Banks says that she has a messsage for both of them--it's her title, all hers. She says that she'll give Asuka a title shot at SummerSlam if Asuka can beat her best friend, Bayley, next week. Bayley looks surprised and not too excited about it, and they exchange words at the top of the ramp off the mic.
Backstage w/ Demi Burnett, Angel Garza, Andrade & Zelina Vega
Angel asks Demi Burnett from the Bachelor if she wants his number. She and he flirt and exchange numbers. Andrade walks up with Zelina. Zelina is upset that he's talking to Demi and tells her to go, she doesn't belong there. Angel says she does, she's his guest. Zelina says that if that's what he thinks, they'll have a talk later. Both members of their tag have singles match against the Street Profits later tonight.
Backstage: Raw Underground
Again, we see two African American unknown talent beating the tar out of each other while wealthy multi-millionaire Shane McMahon yells at them to "beat him, beat him." We go to commercial.
Raw Underground
In a throwback to the Nitro Girls of the 90's, we see three women dancing as various persons are backstage along the ring without ropes. Shane welcomes us and introduces the next two competitors. The first is seven-foot-tall--and I'm probably spelling this wrong, there's no notification--"Dapa Kaydo." He doesn't even name the second competitor as the big man destroys him within seconds. Another is sent in and the big man destroys him, too. Shane announces Dapa Kaydo* as the winner of the second match, and Dapa throws the body of his second competitor out of the ring. Shane asks who's next and we cut to the announce table. Tom says that Shane's "really on to something" and then we have our next match up. Awkward.
In the Ring: The Street Profits
After taking their time to get into the ring, Dawkins talks about Demi Barnett from the Bachelor and Montez has to redirect his attention to tonight. Tonight, the Street Profits will take on Andrade and Angel in singles action. They banter a bit before Montez takes off his glasses to show how serious he is. He says they've been attacked twice and they want the smoke. Out comes Angel Garza, Andrade & Zelina Vega. While they're coming out, Montez drinks from his cup and grimaces, looking down into it. Kind of funny.
Angel Garza vs Angelo Dawkins
FYI, up next will be Andrade vs Montez Ford. The bell rings, and Dawkins throws Angel Garza into the ring post. Garza falls from the ring, barely having time to get to his feet before Dawkins runs in from off camera and runs him over. Dawkins hops off celebrating as we hop off to a commercial break.
Back from the break and Dawkins and Garza are exchanging counters. We're told Dawkins has been in control through the commercial break. Backstage, Demi Burnett is watching, holding the rose Angel Garza gave her. Dawkins picks up Garza in a powerbomb position, but Garza pummels him, forcing the big man back into the corner. Dawkins goes to throw Garza but Garza's pants rip off, and Garza escapes. Garza with a diving blow. Angel setting up the Wing Clipper but Dawkins counters and hits a bulldog. We suddenly cut to Montez Ford, who's down on the floor at ringside, holding both belts. Dawkins comes over to check him but is ambushed by Garza. Garza delivers a mule kick, a dropkick to the face and covers for the win.
Your Winner, Angel Garza
After the Match
We see Montez has managed to sit on the floor with his back against the announcer's table. Dawkins rolls out to check on him as we're reminded that Ford takes on Andrade after this commercial break!
Montez Ford vs Andrade
We come back from the break and this match is already underway. Andrade has a rear waist lock around Ford, but he reverses and slaps on his own rear waist lock. The announcers mention that the medical staff cleared Montez to fight, but they don't know what happened during Dawkin's match. Ford locks in the side headlock, and takes a knee. Andrade reaches under Ford and hits a belly to back suplex. Andrade now takes control, pushing his knee into Ford's back as Ford is draped across the middle rope. The ref breaks it up. Andrade hammers Montez with two big blows, then catches Ford draped over the bottom rope and cranks his neck back against the middle rope until the ref breaks it. Montez tries to get up but is very shaky. Andrade beats him and sends him outside. Andrade slowly paces around the ring as the ref counts, reaching Ford at the count of five. Andrade with a knee to Ford. Andrade gets cocky, allowing Ford the chance to slingshot whip Andrade into the barricade hard. Both men make their way into the ring. Ford stomps Andrade hard twice. Andrade escapes to a corner, ducking under the ropes by the turnbuckle, forcing the ref to caution Ford back, opening up an opportunity for Andrade to storm out the corner. Andrade takes control now, nailing a snap suplex and getting a two. Andrade locks Ford into a side headlock on the mat, but Ford powers them both to their feet and starts to throw elbows into Andrade. Andrade with a quick shot, but Ford bounces off the ropes and takes out Andrade. Ford rebounds off the ropes and leaps, taking Andrade down again. Andrade is up in the corner and Ford charges, taking a kick to the sternum. Down goes Ford. Andrade climbs the top turnbuckle and sits there, only to be caught with a leaping dropkick as Ford yells "sike!" Andrade is sent to the outside. Ford grabs the ropes and builds himself up, getting ready for something big...and suddenly collapses. The ref immediately rings the bell, and Dawkins and medical staff come in to check on him. Ford lays there, staring at the ceiling as we cut to:
Backstage w/ Murphy & Seth Rollins
We see a close-up of a cell phone, playing back footage from last week when Murphy helped attempt to blind Aleister Black. The camera pulls out and we see it's Murphy holding the camera. Rollins is standing with him, and tells Murphy that he made the right decision last week. He applauds Murphy's actions last week against Black. Murphy asks if Seth's given any thought to Dominick's challenge, saying that Rollins literally sacrificed his old man in front of the world and to do so to Dominick as well is ridiculous, right? Seth just smiles and walks off. We go to commercial with a reminder that SummerSlam 1992 will air tomorrow night on FS1!
Raw Underground
We return to see the uh...Raw Girls?...dancing and Shane tells them not to get out of control. He then introduces the next two opponents in his Underground event, which has Erik of the Viking Raiders taking on This Tough Kid. Not sure if that's a comment or his name. Erik spends about sixty seconds destroying This Tough Kid with suplexes and punches. He sends This Tough Kid outside to the floor, and those outside the ring act like lumberjacks, sending him back in. Erik mounts and pummels This Tough Kid until Shane tells him that's enough. Ivar congratulates Erik and Shane checks on This Tough Kid.
Announcer's Table: Update on Montez Ford
Tom shows us the end of the match, which saw Ford "hulking up" for lack of a better word before collapsing. We cut backstage to Charly Caruso, who is awaiting word outside the Doctor/Trainer's Room. Angel walks up and offers her a rose, flirting with her again. Zelina and Andrade walk up. Zelina tells "Charles" that they're all very concerned about Montez Ford as he's an amazing competitor and champion. She wonders what this means for the Raw tag titles, because come SummerSlam...
Angelo Dawkins walks out, and Charly asks him if there's any update. Dawkins says the docs told him that Montez might have been poisoned before the match. Bianca Belair steps out and gets in Zelina's face, and demands to know what they did. Zelina starts to interrupt and Bianca asks her if she st-st-st-stuttered? Bianca says we all know Zelina is the brains of this operation and she demands to know what the three of them did to her husband. Zelina says she is the brains, and starts to defend herself but Bianca attacks her. Dawkins, Andrade and Angel separate the women.
Announcer's Table, Again
We're told that they'll keep us updated on the situation (one of their employees being poisoned) and then show us footage from earlier today. We see five individuals in dark clothing and hoodies throwing what appear to be molotov cocktails at a stack of equipment. We go to commercial.
Backstage w/ Charly & The Hurt Business
Charly comes upon the Hurt Business, decked out in suits. She reminds them that MVP failed to capture the US title, Shelton lost his 24/7 title, and at this rate it's probably best Bobby didn't-- She's cut off by MVP, who insults her journalism. He says there's all kinds of crazy stuff going on at Raw, and she's questioning them about not getting it done. Shelton says that it's not a coincidence that all this strange stuff happened when they had their miscues. She mentions that Raw Underground is underground fighting, and the Hurt Business decide to go down and check it out.
Announcer's Table
Tom mentions we've got one more match in the Raw Underground tonight. We're reminded that next week, Asuka faces Bayley and gets a title shot at SummerSlam against Sasha Banks if she can prove victorious. We'll also see KO take on the RKO next week. We then cut to a video package, recapping what Seth Rollins and his Disciples have done to the Mysterio family over the last two months.
In the Ring: Seth Rollins & Murphy
Murphy and Rollins take their sweet time getting to the ring. Rollins says that before he can discuss the Mysterio situation, he has another matter to discuss. He turns to the announcer's table from the ring and addresses Tom Phillips. Someone yells "sacrifice him!" He asks Tom if he considers himself a professional, and an unbiased journalist? He climbs from the ring and asks Tom if he takes pride in his body of work and his job. Someone yells "Sacrifice him, Seth" and someone else yells "sacrifice his eye!" Seth asks Tom what was he doing last week when Rey Mysterio's kid was assaulting Seth with a kendo stick. Seth yells at Tom, saying Tom sat there, encouraging the kid. He says that Tom is the voice of Monday Night Raw and his voice matters, so he's part of the greater good whether he likes it or not. He says that what Tom says is important because what Tom says goes into the tiny little brains of the people at home. He says when Tom is unbiased like he was last week, he's doing a poor job. And if he's doing a poor job, he becomes a liability. A couple of people yell out "you suck, Tom!" Really liking this crowd. Seth then says that it's time to find a new voice of Raw, and tells Murphy to "take him."
Samoa Joe stands up and blocks Murphy and says that's not going to happen. He says that Seth can go back in the ring and make his point and go on to the back, or Joe can put them both down. Joe says that if Seth thought Tom was laughing at him last week, Joe was laughing harder. Seth tells him "Joe, you do not want to do this." Joe tells Seth he does. Seth and Murphy roll into the ring, and Seth pulls off his jacket. Joe takes off his and starts rolling his cuffs up as we go to a commercial break.
Back from the break, Joe is outside the ring threatening to get in. Murphy and Rollins have chairs, yelling for him to come on. Suddenly Dominick attacks them both from behind, sending Murphy out and knocking Seth down. Seth falls across the middle rope, and Dominick hits the 619! Seth is sent from the ring and Dominick leaps to the ringside, taking out Seth and Murphy. Seth and Murphy flee up the ramp. Seth gets on the mic and says he's had enough, and accepts Dominick's challenge for SummerSlam.
Raw Underground
Backstage, Dolph is fighting another unnamed opponent. Dolph is in complete control. He pummels his opponent on the mat, eventually tapping him out. The Hurt Business shows up, and Shane lets MVP take the mic. MVP says this is Raw Underground however he has an announcement to make. Until further notice, the Hurt Business is now taking control of Raw Underground and since those there want to fight, the CEO of the Hurt Business will fight. Bobby Lashley removes his suit jacket and a rando comes in to fight him. Bobby catches him with a form of a whirling backbreaker, and clubs the man down. MVP comes in as the opponent rolls out. We see the three Raw Underground dancers, then cut back to MVP and Bobby in the ring yelling at some bystander. He yells "did you say something? What'd you say?" Shelton pushes the guy back and Lashley hauls him up onto the ring mat. MVP takes him out in half a minute and grabs a mic, yelling for who's next. Some big dude with dreads gets in, fired up, as MVP yells "Shelton, he said something about your mama!" Both men jaw with each other before Shelton tackles him to the ground. The experienced grappler keeps him down on the mat, finally rolling him out. All three members of the Hurt Business are now in the ring--MVP points at a group and says "I think he said he wants to fight," so they hop off the ring side and start beating up random people at ringside. MVP yells for more. Shane tells them that was amazing, and they've definitely proved their point. He tells them that anything goes at Raw Underground. We get replays of the randos being quickly taken apart by the Hurt Business. Shane thanks them for showing up and says he can't wait to see what happens next week. We quickly see the three dancers dancing, then MVP says "Ladies and gentlemen, we are the Hurt Business" and we end our show.
In Closing
Well, that was interesting. Love the Raw Underground segments? Hate it? Curious who the dancers are? Want to know more about the unnamed talent hanging around ringside? Well gosh darnit, don't we all! Tune in next week for more Raw Underground! Thanks to you all for showing and interacting, and looking forward to seeing you all on Wednesday for NXT!
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