WWE Raw results, grades: Johnny Gargano makes sensational return and lays out Theory-Alistair McGeorge-Entertainment – Metro

Johnny Gargano is back and Theory is in his sights (Picture: WWE)

The Triple H era of WWE continues to leave fans stunned after Johnny Gargano returned on Monday Night Raw.

The former NXT Champion – who left the company early in December 2021 when his contract expired – made an epic comeback this week after almost 10 months away from the business, proving the old adage is finally true again, and anything can happen in WWE.

Johnny Wrestling got an incredible ovation from the fans in Toronto, Canada when his Rebel Heart music blared out, and he paused to look down the camera to deliver a message to everyone watching at home.

‘I missed you guys,’ he said before getting in the ring, and revealing his goal is to win every championship and perform at WrestleMania – but his return was interrupted by Theory, who he mentored in NXT group The Way.

Mr. Money In The Bank insisted over the last nine months he’s become the veteran and Gargano is the rookie, and offered him the chance to carry his bags before asking for their old high five.

Instead, Johnny laid out his former friend with a huge Superkick which got a fantastic reaction from everyone in attendance.

The response from the fans and his performance in this segment left no doubt that Gargano can be a major player for Triple H’s WWE, and he looks set to rise up the card as a genuine, beloved babyface if things go to plan.

He could even be in line to face Theory at Clash At The Castle in Cardiff on September 3, if the company decides to move things along quickly in that direciton.

Beth Phoenix saves Edge from Rhea Ripley after epic Damian Priest match, Trish Stratus returns, Dexter Lumis abducts The Miz and more

The show started on a chaotic note with Seth Rollins and Riddle scrapping from the backstage area into the crowd, with officials rushing to break up the brawl.

Trish Stratus kicked off the show properly, hinting at a big announcement as she said the ring will always be her home – but she was interrupted by Bayley, Iyo Sky and Dakota Kai, who had some words for the Hall of Famer.

Trish Stratus returned to Raw in Toronto, Canada (Picture: WWE)

Bianca Belair, Asuka and Alexa Bliss came out to support her, before the Empress of Tomorrow and the Goddess had their Women’s Tag Team Title Tournament semi-final against Sky and Kai.

Bayley’s girls won in a great bout, advancing to the finals where they will face the winner of SmackDown’s last chance bout after Toxic Attraction were forced to pull out of the other semi-final due to injury.

Dolph Ziggler and Finn Balor had a fun interaction backstage before facing off in a fantastic match with the Judgment Day man rightly picking up the win.

Kevin Owens is returning to his Prizefighter roots (Picture: WWE)

Alpha Academy came out and revealed they were accepting application for new students, with Chad Gable issuing an open challenge quickly answered by Kevin Owens.

The Canadian hero won a stunning match with a huge Pop-up Powerbomb, then laying out Otis with a Stunner before hitting another Powerbomb on Gable, driving him into his partner.

Bayley agreed to face hometown star Aliyah in a decent bout as the Role Model quite rightly got the win.

Dexter Lumis abducted The Miz in wild scenes (Picture: WWE)

AJ Styles and Bobby Lashley were opponents last week, but this time they found themselves teaming up against common enemies in The Miz and Ciampa, in a strong bout featuring a tonne of talent.

The ending came when someone attacked Styles at ringside and got hauled off by riot police and security, but one of them took their helmet off to reveal themselves as Dexter Lumis, only to then abduct The Miz and drag him through the crowd.

Finally, the main event was a genuine barnstormer as Edge turned back the clock and delivered a truly special performance against Damian Priest.

From getting send through the announce table to hitting a Canadian Destroyer, this was the Rated R Superstar at his absolute best en route to a special win for the Canadian legend.

Rhea Ripley and Finn Balor jumped on the attack after the bell, but Edge’s wife Beth Phoenix charged in with a chair to halt their beatdown and tease an epic bout with Ripley.

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