Post-PPV show so results, out of a kindness, go after the advert and the break...
RAW starts with Bobby Lashley boasting about beating Drew McIntyre in a Hell in a Cell match on the PPV. (It's been five days, I assume if you are reading this, you care enough to already know the PPV results.) He is interrupted by Kofi Kingston, who challenges Lashley to a WWE title match, given he beat the champ in the ring a few weeks ago. The match is set for the next PPV, Money in the Bank, but the champion thinks Kofi is too distracted by other activities to be much of a threat.
This escalates, and after a good promo by Xavier Woods, the main event is set: Lashley v Xavier Woods in the Hell in a Cell. No TV Cell matches for a decade then two in a weekend...
First Hell in a Cell match on RAW since 1998, apparently.
Ricochet pinned AJ Styles clean in a Money in the Bank qualifying match in what can only be called a major upset. The two have chemistry so this match went quite well, but Ricochet continues his slow rehabilitation push up the card. And he does have the moveset for a ladder match.
Riddle talks some rubbish to Randy Orton about Burger King.
Eva Marie announces that her protege (ie Piper Niven) has a new name and it is Doudrop. Yes, you heard correct. Luckily, Niven was able to look absolutely horrified at this, but then, this is the company that had Terry Taylor keep the Red Rooster name for years after splitting from Bobby Heenan...
Asuka and Naomi defeat Eva Marie and Doudrop (sigh) in a Money in the Bank qualifying match when Eva Marie gets beat up and Piper refuses to tag in to help. So that partnership is already breaking up.
Doudrop, FFS.
Adam Pearce and Sonya Deville bring out Rhea Ripley to tell her off for getting DQ'd during the PPV title match. Charlotte says she will destroy Ripley, so the bosses give her a rematch for Money in the Bank. Funny how fast matches are made for a PPV when you are selling tickets again!
Tamina and Natalya's photoshoot is disturbed by Mandy Rose working out in the ring. They fired Ruby Riott for god knows what reason, this is the only womans tag teams we have left.
John Morrison defeated Randy Orton in a Money in the Bank qualifier when Orton was distracted by Riddle. Decent match between two veterans.
Nikki Cross gives an interview and reveals she is now a superhero, complete with cape and mask. FFS.
Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross defeat Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler to qualify for the Money in the Bank match, when Alexa Voodoo confuses the opposition. Rubbish. Cross is still a superhero.
Jinder Mahal and Cedric Alexander backstage are upset they are not in a Money in the Bank qualifying match.
Riddle beat Drew McIntyre clean to qualify for the Money in the Bank match. Yes, Riddle beat one of the three most protected men on the roster (alongside Roman Reigns and Bobby Lashley) clean. Odd. Night of upsets. Decent match.
Jackson Ryker gives Mansoor advice. Then challenges Elias to a strap match. Sigh.
Lashley beat Xavier Woods in a Hell in a Cell match. Xavier had his moments before being killed by the Almighty Bobby Lashley. Kofi Kingston was at ringside to see his best friend die for his sins. The show ended with Xavier stuck in the Hurt Lock and Kofi inches away but blocked by the cell structure, which was a great bit of heeling.
A RAW of two stories. Efforts to push less focused on stars is good. Alexa Voodoo stuff is bad. Focus on in-ring stuff is good. Continuing to push Matt Riddle, less so. On balance, thanks to the main event, this gets a 5/10. Which shows how bad the bad was.
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