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WWE RAW kicked off with the announcement that Rey Mysterio's son Dominick had accepted Seth Rollin's invitation to join him on RAW, despite his father's disapproval. Randy Orton was the first to come out and said that he thanked Edge for reigniting the fire he had inside him. Randy was the 'Legend Killer' once again and Edge was in a hospital as Randy joked that Edge won't be ready to wrestle any time before 2029.
Christian came out and said that Edge wasn't gonna quit and Randy mocked him, saying that he too wanted one more match. Orton brought up that Christian wasn't cleared for the ring but proposed an Unsanctioned Match. Randy left after saying that Christian had until the end of RAW to give an answer and that if he declined it would prove that he was a coward.
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Backstage on RAW, Angel Garza & Zelina Vega were being interviewed and we learned that Garza had a match with Kevin Owens. Andrade came in and said that if he didn't win tonight, he hoped that Garza would be able to 'get over the disappointment'.
Kevin Owens vs. Angel Garza on RAW
Garza ran at Owens right away but KO sidestepped, sending him into the ring post. They were going at each other when Andrade's music hit, distracting Garza and giving Owens the early upper hand. Garza dodged the stunner before Andrade and Garza started bickering at ringside and Vega got frustrated and left.
We returned to RAW after a break to see Garza hit a huge missile dropkick for a near fall. Andrade ran a distraction yet again by stepping up to the apron and Owens took the opportunity to hit the stunner and pick up the win.
Result: Kevin Owens def. Angel Garza
After the match, Vega returned and tried to mediate things but to no avail.
Match rating: B
MVP and Lashley were backstage during RAW and refused to talk about last night's loss at Backlash.
MVP and Lashley were out and MVP went on about how last night's loss was entirely Lana's fault and that McIntyre should give him a rematch. Lana came out and immediately got in a shouting match with MVP.
Lana said that MVP was the real problem before Lashley defended MVP and Lana said that if Lana wanted to use someone to get famous, she would have dated someone like Drew McIntyre. Lashley said that he wanted a divorce and left.
We got a recap of last night's brawl involving The 'Viking Profits' and Tozawa's ninja crew. The factions met once again backstage on RAW and Tozawa proposed a sequel to last night's shenanigans.
The Street Profits & Viking Raiders vs. Akira Tozawa & The Ninjas on RAW
The Vikings and Profits took down the first two ninjas who the commentators dubbed Ninja #1 and Ninja #2. The four of them hit their combined finishers on the two ninjas and picked up the easy win.
Result: The Street Profits & Viking Raiders def. The Ninjas
After the match, the biggest ninja and Tozawa stepped in the ring before The Big Show showed up on RAW! Show chokeslammed a ninja and wiped out the rest of them before Tozawa retreated with his ninja crew.
Match rating: B
Backstage on RAW, Seth Rollins was heading to the ring and was wondering if Dominick would actually show up against his father's wishes.
Christian was on the phone, clearly weighing his options on whether to face Randy or not.
Rollins was in the ring, calling Rey Mysterio a coward for not showing up when Rey showed up on the Titantron. Rey gave Rollins a warning not to hurt Dominick but Seth wanted Dominick to join him instead.
Rey said that would never happen and Rollins said then he must be 'sacrificed'. Rey gave out one last warning before Dominick attacked Rollins from behind. Murphy and Theory came out and Dominick ran away before they could catch him.
R-Truth was backstage during RAW and walked up to MVP and his client and made fun of Lashley who threatened the 24/7 champ in return. After the break, Lashley caught up to him but Drew was there to drive him away. MVP somehow turned things around and asked for a Winner Takes All match for both the WWE and 24/7 Championships. The demand was accepted by R-Truth much to the surprise of McIntyre. So it was made official on RAW.
The IIconics vs. Natalya & Liv Morgan
Royce and Natalya were up first and Natalya went down early as the IIconics traded tags to keep the pressure on. Morgan came in and turned the tables with a missile dropkick but Royce broke the pin on RAW.
Natalya was dropped outside and Royce distracted the referee while Morgan had ample time to get a three count. The IIconics hit their combined finisher before getting the pinfall on Morgan to get the win on RAW.
Result: The IIconics def. Natalya & Liv Morgan
After the match, the IIconics called out Bayley and Banks for a tag team title match. The champs never showed but they revealed that they had someone 'on the inside' who was able to book them a match for the tag titles next week.
Match rating: C
Backstage on RAW, The Big Show was giving moral support to Christian while telling him to be careful. Christian looked like he was ready to make a decision.
Still backstage on RAW, Natalya was mad at Morgan and ran into Lana and they looked like they were forming a friendship.
Christian was out on the stage and accepted the match with Orton on RAW.
Backstage on RAW, MVP was trying to form an alliance with US champ Apollo Crews. Crews turned him down and got a threat instead.
Apollo Crews vs. Shelton Benjamin
Crews unloaded on Benjamin off the bat but took a German Suplex followed by a knee strike to the face. Apollo picked up Benjamin for a big move before Shelton went for a dirty pin using the ropes.
The referee caught the move and was warning Benjamin when Apollo rolled him up and got the three-count by holding on to the ropes, picking up the win on RAW.
Result: Apollo Crews def. Shelton Benjamin
Match rating: B
Tozawa and the Ninjas cornered R-Truth backstage on RAW but he was saved by McIntyre once again. The WWE Champion demanded that Truth get his head in the game, or they could lose everything tonight.
Asuka was backstage on RAW and said the Nia Jax started the fight and Asuka will finish it.
R-Truth spoke to the officials on RAW and made a deal that only Drew's title will be on the line and not his own.
Backstage on RAW, Big Show convinced the Viking Raiders and the Street Profits to finally have a RAW Tag Team Title match next week.
Drew McIntyre (c) & R-Truth vs. Bobby Lashley & MVP - WWE Championship match
Lashley and McIntyre started us off and the challenger took a Glasgow Kiss to start things off. MVP and Lashley cornered Drew but the champ powered through by sending Lashley outside and as he was preparing for the Claymore but R-Truth forced a tag.
We returned to RAW after a break to see R-Truth getting a legendary beatdown from MVP. Truth returned with a big kick and made the tag, letting Drew take out MVP and focus on Lashley. Drew hit a Futureshock DDT on MVP but Lashley broke the pin.
Truth dodged a charge and sent Bobby into the steel steps while McIntyre hit the Claymore on MVP before letting Truth get the pinfall.
Result: Drew McIntyre & R-Truth def. Bobby Lashley & MVP; Drew McIntyre retained the WWE Championship
Match rating: A
Ric Flair came out to show his support to Christian who was gearing up for the fight on RAW. Flair tried to warn him but Christian had made up his mind.
Sasha Banks and Bayley were out to celebrate Bayley's birthday on RAW. They were interrupted by the IIconics who made fun of their 'Mania title loss and slapped Sasha. Bayley got furious and accepted the challenge in the heat of the moment.
Rey Mysterio is set to return next week on RAW.
Asuka (c) vs. Nia Jax - RAW Women's Championship rematch
Jax was going at Asuka as the match started but Asuka locked in the armbar for a second. Nia shrugged off Asuka's offense but Asuka went for the armbar again before Nia rolled out of the ring. Jax hit a powerbomb on the floor as we headed for another break on RAW.
We returned to see Asuka get a near fall off a codebreaker and a Shining Wizard. Jax hit the Samoan Drop before attacking the referee for missing the count. The ref was about to disqualify her but Asuka rolled her up in the confusion and picked up the win after a fast count from the referee.
Result: Asuka def. Nia Jax to retain the RAW Women's Championship
Match rating: B+
Randy Orton was backstage before the main event of RAW and reminded us that he was going to destroy the 'legend' that is Christian.
Christian vs. Randy Orton - Unsanctioned match
Christian stepped inside the RAW ring after six years and was not in his wrestling gear. Ric Flair came out to talk Christian out of it and said that Edge told him not to. Christian told him to step aside and called for the bell but Flair hit a low blow on Christian and let Randy get the punt on the returning WWE Legend.
Randy got the three-count and yelled 'this is your fault' to Christian before the medical team came out to carry Captain Charisma out of the ring. Randy looked like he was conflicted as Christian was carried onto a stretcher and sent on his way.
Result: Randy Orton def. Christian
Match rating: A
Episode rating: A
An amazing RAW after Backlash saw Christian, Ric Flair, and Big Show return while we got a big title defense from Drew McIntyre. The unsanctioned main event, Asuka's rematch, and Dominick's appearance were major highlights of the night.
Ex WWE writer blasts Liv Morgan HERE
