WWE Raw results, grades: Kofi Kingston beats WWE Champion Bobby Lashley and Randy Orton in two shock wins

Kofi Kingston scored a huge win over Bobby Lashley on Monday Night Raw after accepting the WWE Champion’s open challenge.

The New Day man may have catapulted himself back into the world title picture over 18 months after losing the gold to Brock Lesnar on SmackDown.

The red brand’s first show since Sunday’s WrestleMania Backlash opened with the All Mighty flanked by five women as he made his way to the ring.

MVP welcomed him and reflected on his huge win over the weekend as he retained his championship in a triple threat against Braun Strowman and Drew McIntyre.

Lashley gave his Hurt Business partner permission to lay down an open challenge, with the Scotsman making his way out and trying to accept immediately.

However, MVP insisted both Drew and Braun were exempt after losing on Sunday, leading to Lashley taking a swing but McIntyre sending him out of the ring.

Throughout the night, plenty of top stars were suggesting they’d be the one to accept the open challenge.

But Kofi had a very busy evening, first having a backstage row with Orton leading to a fun match with Xavier Woods and Riddle in their respective friend’s corner.

In the end, Kingston stunned the Viper with the win, before the Original Bro stopped his pal from attacking after the bell.

Later in the night, the short match made more sense when Kofi came out to answer Lashley’s open challenge, which MVP revealed to be non-title.

After a great main event, the former world champ rolled up Bobby after McIntyre cracked him with MVP’s cane while the referee was distracted.

Eva-lution isn’t far away, Alexa Bliss and Lilly target tag team champions and Asuka beats Charlotte Flair

In the opening match of the night, AJ Styles beat Elias by disqualification in a good match which ended when Jaxson Ryker pulled the Phenomenal One off the apron.

Then, Omos chased off his rival as Elias threw Styles into the steps.

We got more hype for Eva-Marie and her Eva-lution on the show, and Alexa Bliss let us into her playground with special guests Tamina and Natalya, fresh off their Women’s Tag Team Title win on SmackDown.

The Lilly doll wanted to know their favourite colour, and while the champs were focused on their upcoming rematch with Shayna Baszler and Nia Jax, Bliss was more interested in her friend collecting wings from dead insects.

Later, Natalya and Tamina won after a distraction from Alexa – some fire which blinded Reginald – gave them the opening they needed.

This could mean Bliss and Lilly going for the titles, which would be the shakeup the division needs.

Elsewhere, Angel Garza made quick work of Drew Gulak this week, delivering an entertaining bout before hitting him with the Wing Clipper and stuffing a rose in his mouth after the bell.

Sheamus would later storm the ring and demand Ricochet returns his stolen hat and coat after their Backlash Kickoff match.

They delivered a fantastic match which hopefully suggests more to come over the next month or so, with the Celtic Warrior rightly getting the win but it should leave the door open to a rematch.

Keeping up the run of top level bouts tonight, Charlotte Flair – whose request for a rematch against Rhea Ripley was turned down – took on Asuka as they showed great chemistry and delivered just as you’d expect.

In a nice surprise, Rhea Ripley’s involvement led to the Queen losing to the Empress of Tomorrow, keeping out of the title picture for a little longer – although it can’t be far away.

Finally, Damian Priest beat John Morrison (without The Miz) in a Lumberjack Match with Sunday’s zombies replaced by WWE superstars.

Cedric Alexander and Shelton Benjamin were the spark for things to deteriorate around the ring, with the Archer of Infamy getting a win that should surely signal the end of this feud, even with the fun action between the ropes.

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