WWE Raw had a fresh start from last night onwards following Superstar Shakeup. We expected multiple rivalries to kick-off on the show eyeing the next pay-per-view event. Also, a new challenger for the Universal Championship emerged to face the current champion. All of these and more were in-store on this week’s episode of WWE flagship show that aired from the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa.
WWE COO Triple H’s music hit the arena to kick off this week’s WWE Raw. He came out followed by Seth Rollins to have a wild reception from the crowd. Rollins asked what’s next for him and got to know about two triple threat matches. The winners will face each other in the main event to determine the number one contender for Universal title.
The first triple threat match will see WWE United States Champion Samoa Joe taking on Rey Mysterio and AJ Styles. The other one will feature Baron Corbin taking on The Miz and Drew McIntyre. All six of these participants gatherer in the ring and boasted about the title opportunity as the first match went underway.
Samoa Joe vs. Rey Mysterio vs. AJ Styles was the opening of WWE Raw where Joe countered a 619 attempt with a Coquina Clutch. Styles broke the hold but Mysterio executed the 619. He missed the splash attempt as Styles hit him with a powerbomb on Joe. He followed up with the Styles Clash for the victory.
Naomi made her entrance on WWE Raw to feature in the next match. The IIconics showed up and cut a promo on Naomi finding her on a new roster. She was up against Billie Kay in the scheduled contest. Kay tried to lock her in a hold but got knocked off with a clothesline. Naomi soon hit her with a back elbow and caught her with a sunset flip for the win.
Drew McIntyre vs. The Miz vs. Baron Corbin was the next triple threat on WWE Raw. McIntyre slammed Miz onto the mat and called for the Future Shock DDT. But Miz dropped him with his own DDT. He countered Corbin’s End of Days into a DDT, as well. But McIntyre caught him with a Claymore Kick. Corbin came from behind to send him outside the ring and picked up the pinfall win. He will now face Styles in the main event.
Sami Zayn made his entrance next on WWE Raw to continue talk trash to the WWE Universe. He showed pictures of spending times of vacation from Instagram. He was having the time of his life until coming back to WWE. the fans serenaded him with boos before he left the ring.
Cedric Alexander showed up to compete in his first match on WWE Raw against Cesaro. Alexander connected with a Michinoku Driver for a near fall. Cesaro countered with a backslide only to receive an elbow to the face. Alexander put him down with a Summersault Senton before going for a top rope move. Cesaro caught him with an upper-cut to pick up the win.
The Usos received warning from The Revival who claimed that WWE Raw is the Top Guys Territory. The new tag team arrival Viking Raiders was in action next in a match against the Lucha House Party. The match never began as they double slam/powerbombed onto Gran Metallik and Kalisto. A Viking Experience followed before they left the ring.
WWE Raw and Smackdown Women’s Champion Becky Lynch was in action against Alicia Fox in a non-title affair. Prior to the match, she had a promo segment with Lacey Evans. Lynch threw Fox outside the ring and hit a pair of Bexploders. She locked in the dis-arm-her on Foxy to pick up the submission win. After the match, Evans hit Becky with two Women’s Right before leaving.
Ricochet vs. Robert Roode (a modified version of Bobby Roode) was the next match lineup on WWE Raw. Ricochet took control of the match by taking Roode out with a moonsault off the second turnbuckle to the floor. Roode came back into the contest hitting a spinebuster on his opponent. Ricochet countered with a knee to the face but missed a 630-splash. Roode hit him with the Glorious DDT to pick up the victory.
AJ Styles vs. Baron Corbin was the main event of this week’s WWE Raw with the winner going to Money in the Bank. Corbin was in control putting down Styles with a big boot until Styles came back with the Calf Crusher. Corbin got himself out of the lock hold by smashing Styles’ head into the mat. He jumped to hurt Styles who moved out of the way and delivered a Phenomenal Forearm for the win. Seth Rollins walked out to have a staredown with Styles to close this week’s episode.
