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The last Thunderdome show is officially over after the latest episode of RAW. The ThunderDome era lasted for a while, but it was important in the course of WWE history.
This week of RAW wasn't the strongest, but there were some good matches. Ricochet defeated John Morrison in a falls count anywhere match while Rhea Ripley defeated Natalya, the latest addition to the Women's MITB Ladder Match.
Here's what WWE subtly told us on the final ThunderDome show.
#5 Bobby Lashley suffers a setback on RAW that could propel him further up
RAW this week began with a singles match between WWE Champion Bobby Lashley and Xavier Woods. The result seemed quite obvious until it didn't. In a shocking move, Woods pinned the WWE Champion on RAW.
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A distraught Lashley left the ring and didn't say a word. It was a result that didn't make too much sense, especially since The All Mighty isn't being protected well enough as the WWE Champion.
Bobby Lashley should be squashing Xavier Woods with ease, similar to how he did in their Hell in a Cell match on RAW. One thing it does reveal for sure is the possibility that Kofi Kingston won't be winning the WWE title on Sunday.
Woods' victory will be the high point, and the party is likely to end this Sunday at Money in the Bank 2021. It is still an odd decision, but hopefully, a title change won't take place.
Another big worry that Bobby Lashley has is the Money in the Bank briefcase. Even if he retains against Kofi Kingston (which we fully expect him to do), his title reign could be in jeopardy.
But the final segment of RAW was the biggest indicator of them all that Kofi Kingston is unlikely to win this Sunday. MVP hosted the VIP lounge and tried to cool Lashley down with champagne and women.
The WWE Champion had no interest and finally showed some edge in his character by rejecting MVP.
While our first thought was the tease of a face turn, that wasn't the case. Instead, it was a more motivated, focused, and angrier Bobby Lashley that told MVP that the only celebration they'll be doing is his in-ring dominance.
After thrashing the stuff in the ring, Bobby Lashley vowed to destroy Kofi Kingston at Money in the Bank 2021 - the final segment on RAW of the ThunderDome era.
#4 Drew McIntyre's MITB plans could go up in flames after RAW
Drew McIntyre's feud with Jinder Mahal began on RAW this week. Last week on RAW, their match ended in a disqualification, after which Drew McIntyre was assaulted by Veer and Shanky.
They even stole Drew McIntyre's sword - something he demanded back at first. Jinder Mahal revealed that it was all broken, at which Drew McIntyre laughed. He said that when you bring anything to RAW, you should expect it to be destroyed. He then revealed the real sword that was supposedly connected to the Lochness monster.
What was real, however, was the bike that Jinder Mahal had. McIntyre destroyed it and it's clear where this rivalry is heading. For one, it likely means that Drew McIntyre won't win the Money in the Bank briefcase, which is good.
Mahal, Veer, and Shanky will be expected to interfere and cost Drew McIntyre an opportunity, setting up a feud for SummerSlam. A non-title feud is exactly what Drew McIntyre needs, especially given his history with Jinder Mahal.
But this seems to be a clear spoiler that McIntyre won't walk out as Mr. Money in the Bank in 2021.
#3 Did WWE quietly end the "Lilly" storyline on RAW?
The entire point of the Bray Wyatt-Randy Orton feud on RAW heading into WrestleMania 37 seems even more pointless than before. While the finish to their match at the Show Of Shows was bad in itself, it has officially come to a dead end.
The objective of the finish was to build Alexa Bliss as her own character, which they have, to some extent. However, a large part of that was supposed to be "Lilly".
This week on RAW, Alexa Bliss brought in two new guests - Eva Marie and Doudrop. Bliss seemed to be impressed with RAW newcomer Doudrop and asked her the questions, only for Eva Marie to answer.
WWE is ensuring that Eva Marie does all the talking, getting all the heat on her. There was a Fatal 4-Way match between Alexa Bliss, Nikki Ash, Naomi, and Asuka. While the four women on RAW that qualified for the MITB ladder match faced off, Eva Marie and Doudrop made their presence felt.
They appeared to have started a feud with Alexa Bliss as Doudrop dropped her near the LED screen. It's interesting that WWE quietly ended the Lilly storyline and Alexa Bliss is back in regular storylines in the women's division.
As for the Fatal 4-Way match - Nikki Cross won after Alexa Bliss disappeared. She pinned last year's winner Asuka and seems to be getting a big push on RAW.
#2 Did Humberto Carrillo get booted out of the US Title picture on RAW?
Humberto Carrillo was getting a title push on RAW. The extent of it was limited to him being a challenger anyway. When Ricochet entered the US title picture as well, it was reported that WWE simply chose to remove Carrillo from the whole scenario.
That appears to have happened again. Sheamus hasn't been the most active United States champion on RAW, weaseling his way out of as many title defenses as possible. The Celtic Warrior also suffered a nasty injury that kept him away for a good month.
His feud with Humberto Carrillo was entertaining to watch on RAW, and it might finally be over. For one, Sheamus has a new challenger up ahead. He agreed to defend the United States title but ended up attacking Carrillo from behind and assaulting him.
Damian Priest had a momentary face-off with Sheamus when tending to Carrillo (with Mustafa Ali and Mansoor watching as well), after which the Mexican star told Adam Pearce that he needed to continue. The match on RAW ended in no time with Sheamus hitting a simple brogue kick to pick up the victory.
Damian Priest came out to confront him, hinting at the next US title feud. This could mean that Carrillo is heading back to the line in terms of chasing gold on RAW.
#1 The RAW Tag Team title picture heats up...a little
The originally scheduled RAW Tag Team title match was supposed to happen next week in the first crowd in front of fans. However, we found out this week that WWE moved the RAW Tag Team title match to Money in the Bank 2021. This was perhaps done because the SmackDown Women's Championship match was pulled from the card.
This week on RAW, we had two singles matches - AJ Styles vs Ivar and Omos vs Erik. AJ Styles lost, while Omos was victorious immediately after. It's a low-effort title feud and looking at it objectively, it's been a low-effort title reign.
It isn't exactly AJ Styles or Omos' fault, but they don't look like they fit into the tag team division. It's been a while now since WWE stopped putting effort into the tag team division and it's now suffering on RAW.
Hopefully, a win for The Viking Raiders can help somewhat revitalize the RAW Tag Team division. Either way, it should be fun to watch at Money in the Bank 2021.
