WWE Raw Results
May 24, 2021
Tampa, Florida (Yuengling Center)
Commentary: Adnan Virk, Corey Graves, and Byron Saxton
Results by: Mike Tedesco of Wrestleview.com
“Then. Now. Forever.” The WWE video leads us into the show.
We go live into the WWE ThunderDome to see MVP in the center of the ring. MVP says it is his honor to present the Chief Hurt Officer, the All Mighty WWE Champion, Bobby Lashley.
WWE Champion Bobby Lashley makes his way to the ring flanked on each side by enthusiastic women.
Video Package: Kofi Kingston defeats Bobby Lashley in a non-title match last week with an assist from Drew McIntyre
MVP asks for an explosive round of applause for the All Mighty WWE Champion Bobby Lashley. MVP says it’s an exciting evening looking handsome with these incredibly beautiful women. It’s an exciting night with exciting news. In addition to the fact that the champ is here, in July the WWE is leaving the ThunderDome and going back on the road where they belong so you can see the WWE Champion in person.
MVP says they sadly have a perennial dark cloud hanging over their heads named Drew McIntyre. The women put their thumbs down. Lashley says he beat Drew McIntyre at WrestleMania, beat McIntyre and Braun Strowman at WrestleMania Backlash, so if it were up to him, McIntyre is a no-go. MVP says Lashley issued an open challenge and was answered by that cartoon character Kofi Kingston. Once again, that dark cloud reared his head.
Drew McIntyre’s music hits, and he makes his way to the stage. McIntyre says everyone knew he was going to walk out here eventually because their business is his business. McIntyre’s business is getting back the WWE Championship. It it weren’t for MVP and Strowman, he’d have defeated Lashley twice. McIntyre wants his one-on-one rematch for the WWE Championship. If Lashley wants to prove once and for all that he’s the number one superstar on Raw… but maybe he’s wrong. Maybe Lashley knows he doesn’t measure up to McIntyre. Maybe the All Mighty doesn’t have the balls. Last week, he even lost to Kofi Kingston. Lashley says Kingston didn’t beat him… McIntyre hit him with MVP’s cane. McIntyre says he just hears excuses.
Kofi Kingston makes his way to the ring with Xavier Woods. Kingston shouts twice that he beat Bobby Lashley last week. McIntyre says, “You’re welcome.” Kingston says he didn’t need McIntyre’s help nor did he ask for it. Kingston came out because he never got a WWE Championship rematch. McIntyre knows something about that since he keeps getting rematch after rematch. It’s time for McIntyre to get behind him in the line since he did something McIntyre couldn’t – he beat Bobby Lashley.
WWE Official Adam Pearce comes out to the stage. Pearce says there’s an easy way to settle this. Drew McIntyre will take on Kofi Kingston with the winner taking on Bobby Lashley at the Hell in a Cell pay-per-view. MVP says they’ll be watching from the VIP Lounge.
-Commercial Break-
WWE is returning to the road in July.
Braun Strowman is backstage and says he cannot wait to get back to competing on the road. Anyone that gets in his way will get these hands.
The VIP Lounge is set up on the stage. Bobby Lashley and MVP are sitting there with the women.
Drew McIntyre vs. Kofi Kingston w/ Xavier Woods
They lock up, and McIntyre powers him to the corner before giving a clean break. Kingston hooks a side headlock, but McIntyre powers out. McIntyre takes him down with an arm wrench, but Kingston fights up to his feet. McIntyre whips him off and shoulder blocks him down. McIntyre hits the ropes, but Kingston leapfrogs him twice. Kingston goes for a third leapfrog, but McIntyre grabs him and slams him. McIntyre gets him to his feet and drops him with a straight right hand. McIntyre goes for a vertical suplex, but Kingston knees him in the head. Kingston hits a side leg sweep before hitting a slingshot splash for a two count. McIntyre soon blocks a kick and chops the chest. McIntyre then drops him with another chop. McIntyre stomps the hand and goes for a powerbomb, but Kingston counters into a hurricanrana that sends him out of the ring. Kingston whiffs on a plancha, but McIntyre still goes down. McIntyre reverses a whip into the steps, but Kingston leaps over them. Kingston gets on McIntyre’s shoulders, but he falls back. McIntyre then hits an inverted Alabama Slam on the apron!
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see McIntyre take Kingston down for a two count. McIntyre soon grabs him and hits an overhead belly-to-belly suplex. McIntyre knocks Kingston out of the ring. McIntyre gets him back in the ring and continues to overpower him. Kingston comes back with a springboard missile dropkick. They trade chops and Kingston dropkicks him. Kingston flips through a clothesline and goes for a roll-up, but McIntyre counters into a vertical suplex for a near fall!
McIntyre continues to fight Kingston and puts him on the top rope. Kingston punches McIntyre off the second rope and goes for a cross-body block, but McIntyre rolls through, lifts him up, and CRUSHES him with a Michinoku Driver for a near fall! McIntyre then challenges Lashley to come down to the ring. Lashley removes his jacket and walks toward the ring.
-Commercial Break-
We return from the break to see McIntyre punching and clubbing away at Kingston on the top rope. McIntyre hits a WILD back suplex off the top rope for a near fall. McIntyre continues to beat on Kingston. Kingston quickly counters out of a Future Shock DDT, but McIntyre quickly comes back with a spinebuster followed by a jackknife pin for a two count. McIntyre then powers him up for a sit-out powerbomb for a near fall.
Kingston gets out of a slam and sidesteps McIntyre to send him shoulder-first into the ring post. As McIntyre slowly gets to his feet, Kingston comes off the second rope with a big splash for a near fall! McIntyre shoves Kingston away and charges, but Kingston sends him over the top rope. McIntyre lands in front of MVP and Lashley, who are seated at ringside now. Kingston comes off the top rope and splashes McIntyre, knocking him into the WWE Champion!
Kingston gets McIntyre in the ring and hits an SOS for a near fall. Lashley and MVP get in the ring and start attacking McIntyre and Kingston.
No Contest
Lashley flattens Xavier Woods with a clothesline. Kingston quickly hits Lashley with Trouble in Paradise before McIntyre takes him out with a Claymore Kick. McIntyre stands tall with Kingston and Woods.
Really good match with Kofi Kingston and Drew McIntyre, but damn I saw that No Contest coming a mile away. Still, good action to kick off #WWERaw. The rest of the show seems like a replay of last week.
— Wrestleview.com (@wrestleview) May 25, 2021
Footage is shown of Asuka defeating Charlotte Flair last week on Raw. Flair will face Asuka once again tonight.
Earlier today, Charlotte Flair was walking backstage when Raw Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley comes up to her. Ripley talks a little trash, so Flair says Ripley is just jealous of her. Nikki Cross walks up and says she could beat both of them. Flair says if she didn’t have a match with Asuka tonight, she would beat Cross in two minutes. Ripley says this is why no one likes Flair. She talks down to people. Flair suggests she beat Cross in two minutes. Ripley accepts.
Raw Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley makes her way to the ring.
-Commercial Break-
Eva Marie talks about all the people that helped her on her way. This is the same video from last week. The Eva-lution is coming soon.
Non-Title 2 Minute Beat the Clock Challenge
Raw Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley vs. Nikki Cross
Cross charges Ripley at the sound of the bell, but Ripley shoves her down. Ripley taunts her. Cross grabs the leg for a takedown, but Ripley fights her off. Cross charges, but Ripley lifts her up. Cross slides off and forearms her. Ripley is furious, but Cross drops her with a jawbreaker. Cross goes to the top rope for a cross-body block, but Ripley kicks out at two. Less than 50 seconds left. Cross avalanches Ripley, but Ripley shoves her away. Ripley dropkicks her down and punches her in the corner. Ripley shoulders her in the corner and stomps he down. Time ticks away without Ripley even noticing.
Winner: Nikki Cross
Nikki Cross celebrates wildly at ringside, while a shocked Raw Women’s Champion stands in the ring.
Could they make Rhea Ripley look like a bigger idiot? What a horrible Women's Champion they've booked her to be so far. A complete non-factor since her (re)debut. #WWERaw
— Wrestleview.com (@wrestleview) May 25, 2021
Charlotte Flair makes her way to the ring. She’ll face Asuka, next.
-Commercial Break-
Another video plays hyping up WWE’s return to the road in July.
Damian Priest tells everyone to come out to see why they call him the Archer of Infamy.
Drew McIntyre and Kofi Kingston burst in WWE Official Adam Pearce’s office a half-hour after their match ended in a no contest demanding to know what he’s going to do. Pearce says they’ll have a rematch next week on Raw with the winner facing Bobby Lashley at Hell in a Cell.
Charlotte Flair vs. Asuka
They lock up and tussle a bit. Flair soon grapevines the head and rolls Asuka around. Asuka breaks free and kicks her in the midsection. Flair holds onto the ropes, but Asuka connects with a hip attack. Asuka goes for a second hip attack, but Flair chop blocks her out of midair. Flair stretches the leg out over the second rope for a few moments. Flair sidesteps a hip attack off the apron, and Asuka’s leg gives out. Flair then drops her on the steel steps knee-first.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Flair still attacking the injured left knee for a two count. Flair grapevines the leg and stretches. Flair then maneuvers into a Boston Crab. Asuka counters into a roll-up for a two count. Flair quickly attacks the knee and charges, but Asuka counters into an arm bar. Flair fights out and puts Asuka on the top rope. Flair puts her in the tree of woe, goes to the top rope, and stomps on the injured leg. Flair goes for a moonsault, but lands on her feet when Asuka moves. Asuka then hits a German Suplex.
Asuka hits a hip attack in the corner and goes for another German Suplex. Flair fights out, but Asuka knees her in the head. Asuka hits a backfist and connects with another hip attack for a near fall. Flair quickly snaps her off the top rope and pulls her to the ring post. Asuka pulls her headfirst into the ring post. Asuka goes out of the ring, but Flair bounces her off the commentary table.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Flair and Asuka going back and forth. Flair goes for a big boot, but Asuka counters into a facebuster. Flair soon fights back and elbows her down for a near fall. Flair is infuriated. Flair attacks the knee on the ropes. Flair takes her down and goes for a moonsault, but Asuka moves. Flair lands on her feet and hits a standing moonsault for a near fall. Flair angrily shouts, “I hate her!” Asuka counters out of a Figure Four and goes for an Asuka Lock. Flair rolls through and picks up the victory.
Winner by Pinfall: Charlotte Flair
Very good match with Asuka and Charlotte. If we're going to have to watch the same stuff week in and week out on #WWERaw, at least this is always a (mostly) good match-up. Still, they keep giving this match away on TV every week with a limited women's roster, which can't be good.
— Wrestleview.com (@wrestleview) May 25, 2021
WWE Champion Bobby Lashley is in the VIP Lounge getting massaged by the women. A stagehand walks in and tells Lashley that Adam Pearce wants to see him.
-Commercial Break-
WWE is returning to the road in July.
Mandy Rose and Dana Brooke cut a truly horrible scripted promo about being on the road.
WWE Champion Bobby Lashley and MVP walk into WWE Official Adam Pearce’s office. Pearce admonishes Lashley an hour after the Kingston/McIntyre match ended. Pearce says he made a rematch for Drew McIntyre and Kofi Kingston next week. If Lashley or MVP interfere in that match, they’ll be suspended for 90 days without pay. Lashley is furious, but MVP backs him up and tells him to think about Hell in a Cell.
Video Package: Shelton Benjamin vs. Cedric Alexander
Shelton Benjamin makes his entrance.
Cedric Alexander comes out and says he has something to get off his chest. They were on top of the mountain after MVP plucked them both from obscurity. It ended with them being kicked out of the Hurt Business. Why did that happen? Because Benjamin is washed up. Alexander is the only reason Benjamin was a champion again. Alexander carried the team. They kicked Benjamin out, making Alexander collateral damage. Alexander has years to make up for past mistakes. He’s young and fresh. Alexander is in his prime. Is Benjamin? How long has he been here? How many years does Benjamin have left? What does he have to show for all his hard work? Benjamin got lucky a few weeks ago. Benjamin got a fluke win a few weeks ago. Alexander is an evolving athlete. Tonight ends with his arm being raised in victory. Benjamin will be gone for good following this match.
Shelton Benjamin vs. Cedric Alexander
The bell rings, and Alexander immediately gets out of the ring. Benjamin demands he get back in.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Benjamin punching Alexander down before turning him inside out with a shoulder block. Benjamin punches Alexander in the corner and stomps him. Alexander punches away from Benjamin and hits the ropes, but Benjamin connects with a back elbow. Benjamin gets him outside the ring and sends him hard into the barricade. Benjamin gets Alexander in the ring and goes for a scoop slam, but Alexander slides off. Benjamin charges, but Alexander sidesteps him and sends him over the top rope. Benjamin skins the cat and avoids a Neuralyzer. Benjamin goes for a t-bone suplex, but Alexander fights out. Benjamin gets Alexander on the top rope and puts him on his shoulders. Alexander counters into a super hurricanrana for a near fall.
Alexander beats on Benjamin and hits a big dropkick for a two count. Alexander continues to beat away at him and applies a head and arm submission. Alexander gets to his feet and peppers Benjamin with kicks, infuriating him. Benjamin VICIOUSLY clotheslines him down and punches away at him in the corner. Benjamin avalanches him in the corner and hits a spinebuster. Alexander tries to fight back, but Benjamin takes him out with a spin kick. Benjamin connects with two German Suplexes. Alexander elbows out of a third and thumbs him in the eyes. Alexander hits a Neuralyzer for the win.
Winner by Pinfall: Cedric Alexander
Cedric and Shelton both looked good in this, but it's booked like a total afterthought. This wasn't promoted once tonight. They deserve better. #WWERaw
— Wrestleview.com (@wrestleview) May 25, 2021
Video Package: Team RK-Bro’s feud with the New Day
Riddle faces Xavier Woods, next.
-Commercial Break-
Riddle vs. Xavier Woods
The bell rings, and they tussle on the mat. They fight to the apron and Woods hits a Death Valley Driver on the apron.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break, and they continue going back and forth. Woods hits a missile dropkick off the second rope. Riddle comes back with an INSANE German Suplex off the second rope that spikes Woods on his head. Woods fights back, but Riddle eventually hits an RKO to put Woods away.
Winner by Pinfall: Riddle
-Commercial Break-
Charlotte Flair will take on Rhea Ripley for the Raw Women’s Championship at Hell in a Cell.
Raw Tag Team Champion AJ Styles vs. Jaxson Ryker
Styles takes it to Ryker early on. Elias runs in and knees Styles in the head. Ryker slams Styles to pick up the win.
Winner by Pinfall: Jaxson Ryker
Omos runs down and grabs Elias hiding in the timekeeper’s area. Omos throws him over the barricade and chases Elias and Ryker to the back.
After a really great match with Riddle and Xavier Woods, they follow up with Jaxson f'ing Ryker going over on AJ Styles. Oof. #WWERaw
— Wrestleview.com (@wrestleview) May 25, 2021
Video Package: Sheamus vs. Humberto Carrillo
-Commercial Break-
Non-Title Match
WWE United States Champion Sheamus vs. Humberto Carrillo
The match begins, and Carrillo comes right at Sheamus. Carrillo knocks him out of the ring and hits a suicide dive. After a few moments of action, Sheamus gets him in the ring and rolls him up with a handful of tights to get the victory.
Winner by Pinfall: WWE United States Champion Sheamus
Sheamus continues to attack Carrillo until Ricochet makes the save.
-Commercial Break-
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship
Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler w/ Reginald vs. Natalya and Tamina (c’s)
The two teams go back and forth. Late in the match, Nia Jax gives Tamina a back body drop over the barricade. Reginald interferes, but he accidentally causes the referee to miss Baszler rolling Natalya up for what would have been a victory. Baszler kicks Reginald out, but as he walks up the ramp a wall of pyro knocks him back. Natalya rolls Baszler up for the win.
Winners by Pinfall and still WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions: Natalya and Tamina
After the match, Baszler grabs Reginald and challenges him to a match next week.
Quick Match Results
— Drew McIntyre NC Kofi Kingston
— Nikki Cross def. Raw Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley in a 2-minute Beat the Clock Challenge (non-title)
— Charlotte Flair def. Asuka
— Cedric Alexander def. Shelton Benjamin
— Riddle def. Xavier Woods
— Jaxson Ryker def. Raw Tag Team Champion AJ Styles
— WWE United States Champion Sheamus def. Humberto Carrillo (non-title)
— Natalya and Tamina def. Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler to retain the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship
E-Mail – mike@wrestleview.com
Twitter – @MikeTedescoWV
Thanks for reading!
Post Raw will return with Mike and Victoria Tedesco next week.