With SummerSlam less than two weeks away on August 21, it's all hands on deck as WWE continues the buildup for the pay-per-view.
Charlotte Flair took time to respond to losing in her match against Nikki A.S.H. last week. Did the Queen give the new champion her flowers, or did she blame the loss on someone else?
Bobby Lashley also took time out of his busy schedule to address the ongoing situation with Goldberg, and we saw Randy Orton return to the red brand for the first time in several weeks.
Let's take a look at what happened on this week's WWE Raw.
Drew McIntyre vs. Baron Corbin
1 OF 8
Baron Corbin appeared in a backstage interview and said Jinder Mahal offered him a payday to face Drew McIntyre. It's not a great excuse but at least WWE tried to explain why he is on a different brand.
Corbin tried to explain his situation to McIntyre, but The Scottish Warrior seemed uninterested in listening. He cornered the former King and knocked him down with a shoulder block.
Mahal, Veer and Shanky watched from backstage as McIntyre hit a suplex for a two-count. The Lone Wolf began to make a comeback and sent McIntyre out of the ring. He tried to follow, but the Scot sent him flying with a belly-to-belly suplex on the floor.
We returned from a break to see Corbin hit a superplex for a near-fall. McIntyre took control and set up for the Claymore, but Corbin begged him not to do it. He said he doesn't have anything else. McIntyre said he feels a little bad for him and asked how much money it would take to help him.
Corbin said he wanted $100,000 and McIntyre just laughed and then nailed him with a Claymore for the win.
Grade: C
Analysis
Corbin and McIntyre are two big dudes, so this match had some hard-hitting action, but it also moved at a pace that was a little slower than expected. The match felt like it was going in slow motion at times, and not in a good way.
The storyline with Corbin doing anything for money could end up leading to a face turn for the former King, but so far, he has done little to endear himself to the crowd. All he does is complain.
It's hard to tell if WWE actually wants us to feel sorry for him when he asks for $100,000 just to help him get by. At least WWE gave us something other than McIntyre taking on one of Mahal's cronies again.
Jeff Hardy vs. Karrion Kross
2 OF 8
Kross gave a quick pre-match promo from backstage. He talked about losing to Hardy during his debut and how he is going to get revenge in their rematch.
The Charismatic Enigma tried and failed to avoid Kross' strikes. The crowd chanted for Hardy as Kross threw him with a quick suplex. Hardy was able to send him into the steel steps when the fight spilled out of the ring.
He set up for the Swanton, but Kross tripped him on the top rope as the show went to a break. We returned to see Hardy hit a splash from the middle rope for a two-count.
Kross countered a Twist of Fate and hit a Saito suplex before locking in the Krossjacket for the submission victory. Instead of leaving, Kross hit another suplex and choked Hardy out.
Grade: B-
Analysis
This was much better than their first encounter. It was a competitive exchange that ended with the new guy getting the win. This is how their first match should have gone. Hady is still over with the crowd and could be pushed back to the top at any time.
It still doesn't make sense why Scarlett is not out there with Kross. She adds so much to his character, especially during his entrance. He looks kind of uncomfortable coming to the ring alone.
It will be interesting to see if this is the end of this or if Kross continues to be part of the Raw roster. He is booked so differently in NXT than he is on Raw, so it might be more beneficial for him to remain with the black and gold brand for a little while.
Alexa Bliss vs. Doudrop
3 OF 8
The crowd chanted "We want Wyatt" as the referee tried to get Eva Marie to leave the ring so Doudrop vs. Alexa Bliss could officially start.
Doudrop shoved Bliss down with ease, but she looked a little creeped out when Bliss did a strange pose to get back to her feet.
Bliss avoided a senton and hit a crossbody from the ropes for a two-count. She rolled out of the ring and approached Eva, but Doudrop took her out before she could do anything.
Lilly the doll winked at Doudrop and scared her enough to allow Bliss to get the win with a quick roll-up.
Grade: D
Analysis
The doll winked. WWE actually showed a closeup of the doll just so it could add a digital wink. This is a thing that happened in a WWE match.
Credit where credit is due. Bliss continues to put everything she has into this gimmick and more often than not, she makes these segments entertaining.
However, this match was a complete waste of everybody's time. It did nothing to further this storyline if you even want to call it that.
Doudrop continues to be an impressive competitor between the ropes who is in a no-win situation with Eva as her "mentor."
Ricochet vs. Sheamus
4 OF 8
Ricochet tried to put Sheamus in a waistlock right away, but the U.S. champion threw him off with ease. He hit a few clubbing blows before taking Ricochet down in a headlock.
The Celtic Warrior continued to dominate his much smaller opponent until Ricochet low-bridged him out of the ring and hit a kick to send him into the announce table. Ricochet then hit a huge crossbody from the top rope to the announce table.
We returned from a commercial to see Ricochet trying to fight out of a submission. Sheamus hit a quick backbreaker and soaked up the boos from the crowd.
The One and Only hit him with a jumping kick and nailed a springboard moonsault for a close two-count. Sheamus was able to recover and drill him with a Brogue Kick for the win.
Grade: B
Analysis
This is the fourth time we have seen these two have a singles match this year. Thankfully, this was their best encounter by a wide margin.
Ricochet is one of the smoothest high-flyers in the world and he continues to find ways to showcase his abilities in unique ways. It's too bad he had to lose this one.
Since Ricochet is probably not going to earn a title shot anytime soon, WWE should find another way to use him because he is clearly over with the crowd.
It looks like Damian Priest will be the next challenger for the U.S. title, most likely at SummerSlam. They got in each other's faces after the match as Priest made his entrance to battle John Morrison.
John Morrison vs. Damian Priest
5 OF 8
Priest and Morrison circled each other a bit before The Archer of Infamy took his opponent down in a headlock. Johnny Drip Drip used some good ground techniques to take control of the situation.
Priest was momentarily distracted by The Miz, but Morrison was unable to take full advantage. Both men hit kicks to the head at the same time to bring them to a stalemate.
JoMo tried to springboard into the ring, but Priest drilled him with a kick. He looked right at The Miz as he hit The Reckoning for the pin.
The Miz accidentally revealed he has been faking his injury when he stood up out of the wheelchair without a problem. He ran as fast as he could to escape Priest's wrath.
Sheamus came back out and Priest officially challenged him for the U.S. title at SummerSlam. The Irishman accepted the challenge.
Grade: C+
Analysis
This match was a little short, but it had some highlights. Morrison continues to be one of the great unsung heroes of Raw right now. Every time he goes to the ring, he does something memorable.
This feud with Priest and The Miz is starting to feel stale, but now that we know The Miz is healthy, we should get a final blowoff match at some point.
The real money feud here is Sheamus vs. Priest. They are two guys who are known for their size and striking ability, so their title match should be fantastic.
T-Bar vs. Mustafa Ali
6 OF 8
Mansoor gave Mustafa Ali a new ring jacket as a way to apologize for screwing up their match last week. Ali accepted the gift and told him to watch what he does to T-Bar this week.
The former leader of Retribution and his one-time protege locked up and T-Bar used his immense power to take control immediately. He caught Ali at ringside and swung him into the barricade.
Ali kicked out of a big boot to the face and had to get his foot on the bottom rope to break the count after a chokeslam. Mace wiped out Mansoor at ringside.
Ali hit a big tornado DDT but when he climbed to the top rope, T-Bar kicked his legs out from under him. He finished Ali off with a knee to the face to score the pin.
Grade: C+
Analysis
This was a halfway decent match, but having Ali lose clean seems like a weird choice, especially since the only clear babyface in this storyline is Mansoor. Mace and T-Bar getting more wins is great, but it doesn't seem like they are winning because they are being pushed. It has more to do with Ali and Mansoor than them.
Ali is one of the most gifted high-flyers on the roster. If he gets to turn babyface again, he will get more opportunities to show off what he can do.
The team of Mansoor and Ali could be something special if they are given enough time to grow. Right now, they still feel like an odd couple pairing.
Nikki A.S.H. vs. Rhea Ripley
7 OF 8
After defeating Charlotte last week, Nikki had an equally big challenge this week when she faced Rhea Ripley in a non-title bout.
The Raw women's champion gave a quick interview backstage and appeared a little banged up with bandages around her ribs and on her left arm.
Nikki applied a headlock and kept it on through a few attempted counters before Ripley finally dumped her on her face. She dumped Nikki out of the ring and dropped her on the LED apron.
We came back from a break to see Nikki hit a DDT to give herself some breathing room. She countered the Riptide for a close two-count.
As Nikki prepared to fly from the top rope, Charlotte came out of nowhere and knocked her off the turnbuckle to cause a disqualification. She took out both women and basked in the jeers of the crowd.
Grade: C
Analysis
The crowd did not seem to care about Nikki during her entrance. It was a little surprising seeing as she was cheered last week, but different cities have different reactions.
As usual, Ripley was great at using her size and power to control the pace. Nikki played the underdog as she usually does. It was simple and effective in-ring storytelling.
While interference is rarely a satisfying way to end a match, it made sense here. This protects Ripley and Nikki until they all meet in a triple threat at SummerSlam.
This match was fine, but nothing about it stood out the way Charlotte vs. Nikki did last week.
Randy Orton vs. AJ Styles
8 OF 8
Orton opened Raw and received a warm welcome from the WWE Universe as he made his way to the ring. He took a little extra time to soak up the cheers before speaking.
He welcomed everyone to Raw but before he could say anything else, Riddle rode his scooter down to the ring and joined his tag team partner. He said he is looking forward to teaming with Orton again, but The Viper asked why he should team up with him again.
AJ Styles and Omos decided to interject at this point. The Phenomenal One mocked Riddle for being sad that Orton doesn't want to be his partner. The Legend Killer told him to shut up, so Styles challenged him to a singles match.
Orton and Riddle both tried and failed to RKO Omos. Riddle ended up taking a chokeslam and The Viper just walked away looking disappointed. The match took place at the end of the night.
Orton came out of the gate hot with some big right hands to take control right away. He beat Styles from corner to corner before The Phenomenal One hit a few chops to back him up.
The Viper dropped him across the top rope and then stared right at Omos. Styles took advantage of Orton being distracted and hit a low dropkick followed by a slingshot forearm over the top rope to the floor.
They went back and forth trading offensive maneuvers after the break. Neither man could get the upper hand for long. Orton set up for a superplex, but Styles slipped between his legs and pulled him down into the Calf Crusher.
Orton broke free and spiked Styles with a rope-hung DDT. Riddle came out and attacked Omos to keep him from doing too much. The Viper hit a huge RKO as Styles jumped off the top rope to get the pin.
Orton ended up hitting Riddle with the RKO after pretending to hug him.
Grade: B
Analysis
The opening segment with Orton and Riddle was fine if a little uneventful. The fact that Orton wasn't upset about Riddle costing him a spot in the Money in the Bank match was strange.
The main event was a solid entry into this feud, but we have seen Orton and Styles do much better against each other.
Riddle asking for and getting a hug from Orton at the end of the show probably made some fans happy, but the RKO Orton delivered a moment later probably made a lot of people even happier.
