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WWE Raw results, grades: Bobby Lashley destroys Xavier Woods inside Hell In A Cell, Money In The Bank qualifiers begin and more
Bobby Lashley met Xavier Woods inside Hell In A Cell to top off a great episode of WWE Raw.
The red brand has struggled for consistency – both weekly and long term – for a while, but there were a lot of exciting moments this week as the company looks ahead to Money In The Bank and the return of fans.
The night kicked off with Bobby Lashley, MVP and their entourage in the ring to celebrate the WWE Champion’s big win over Drew McIntyre on Sunday night.
Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods were quick to interrupt as the former pointed to his recent win over the All Mighty and called for a title match at MITB.
Lashley agreed, and also accepted a challenge to battle Kofi’s New Day partner inside Hell In A Cell in the night’s main event.
Woods has been on a roll lately, shining both in singles matches and in tag team action – so it’s no surprise he delivered here.
Bobby and Xavier put on a fantastic showing in the cell, which still managed to entertain despite being the fourth match inside the structure since Friday’s episode of SmackDown.
That didn’t matter, as the two stars shone in this environment – which shouldn’t shock anyone given that Woods and Kofi were involved in one of the greatest HIAC matches of the modern era against The Usos four years ago.
In the end, Lashley won – as he should – with the Hurt Lock, before punishing Woods some more with MVP locking Kofi out of the cage and forcing him to watch the beat down.
Money In The Bank qualifiers provide surprises, Doudrop betrays Eva Marie already and more
Raw was held together last night by a number of Money In The Bank qualifying matches, which are always welcome – and they provided plenty of shocks.
Ricochet beat AJ Styles in a good opening bout, with Viking Raiders taking out Omos at ringside and the One and Only countering a Phenomenal Forearm to secure a big victory.
Over on the women’s side of MITB, Doudrop – formerly Piper Niven – and Eva Marie were set to face Naomi and Asuka in tag team action but Eva tagged out, jumped to the floor and left her partner to it.
She eventually tagged back in to try and get the win for her team, got a two-count and was stunned as Doudrop dropped from the apron and left her open to a roll-up from Naomi.
Elsewhere, Adam Pearce and Sonya Deville welcomed Rhea Ripley and Charlotte Flair to the ring to discuss Sunday night’s contentious finish when the Raw Women’s Champion retained by getting herself disqualified.
In the end, the rematch was set for Money In The Bank – when hopefully the Nightmare and the Queen will have a definitive end to their feud and move onto other things heading into SummerSlam.
The men’s MITB field also got padded out as John Morrison stunned Randy Orton with Starship Pain after some interference from Riddle and The Miz.
As you’d expect, they put on a great match – but JoMo getting the win here was a pleasant surprise.
Alexa Bliss had some new music as she rekindled her team with Nikki Cross against Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler with the winners both getting spots in the MITB Ladder Match.
There was more magic from Bliss, although Reginald did his best to resist, and Cross – who should shine in her new superhero role – was able to pin the Queen of Spades.
In another MITB qualifier – this time for the men’s match – Drew McIntyre fought Riddle in an absolutely fantastic match.
The Scotsman was still showing the nasty war wounds from his battle with Lashley the night before, and in the end the Original Bro pinned the former world champion.
In other news during the night, plenty of stars tried to plead their case for a MITB qualifier, while Elias and Jaxson Ryker are set for a strap match next week.
The latter also tried to give some words of advice to Mansoor, but Mustafa Ali also got in the rising star’s ear backstage.
WWE Raw results and grades
- MITB Qualifier: Ricochet pinned AJ Styles (B)
- MITB Qualifier: Naomi and Asuka defeated Eva Marie and Doudrop (C+)
- MITB Qualifier: John Morrison beat Randy Orton (B+)
- MITB Qualifier: Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross defeated Shayna Baszler and Nia Jax (B-)
- MITB Qualifier: Riddle pinned Drew McIntyre (A-)
- Hell In A Cell Match: Bobby Lashley beat Xavier Woods (A-)
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