We begin RAW with the VIP Lounge with Bobby Lashley, Lashley’s ladies and MVP. MVP introduces us and Bobby says Drew almost took him to his limits. But Drew at his best is not good enough to beat the almighty. MVP brings up a picture of Lashley holding the title and Drew looking crestfallen on the titantron. MVP then proposes a toast with champagne with everyone before they are interrupted by The New Day.
Kofi says they wanted to participate in the toast. They actually have toast with them and throw it in the ring. MVP says Kofi is showing why he was watching the main event last night instead of participating in it. He calls Kofi a clown and continue to be one while Bobby and himself enjoy the finer things in life. He asks them to leave, but Kofi says they’re not leaving. Kofi says he surrounds himself with friends, family and people he trusts. He asks Bobby if he thinks MVP and his ladies will be around after he loses to him for the title. Bobby says he’s not beating him in anything because there’s a hierarchy in this world, and he’s at the top while he’s at the bottom.
Kofi asks if Bobby’s forgotten him beating Daniel Bryan for the WWE Title and then beating him. Bobby looks disgusted as Kofi shows footage of Kofi beating Bobby last month. Kofi then officially challenges Bobby for the title at Money In The Bank. Bobby quickly accepts and then reminds Kofi that when Kofi beat him, Drew hit him with a cane, so the match has to be a one on one match. To make sure no one interferes, Bobby asks Xavier Woods if he’d be willing to accept a challenge for a match tonight.
Xavier Woods says it is not wise to underestimate him because he is an 11 time tag team champion and that Bobby and MVP come from an old school mindset with low testosterone energy. But he hopes he keeps overlooking him because it’ll make the ass whopping tonight all the more rewarding. He then ups the stakes, and suggests the two have a Hell In a Cell match tonight. Bobby accepts, MVP looks displeased at that decision.
Bobby Lashley vs. Xavier Woods in a Hell In a Cell match is made official for tonight.
An earlier segment between AJ Styles and Omos and The Viking Raiders have the Raiders remind AJ and Omos that they are owed a tag title match. AJ says it’ll have to wait after he wins the Money In The Bank ladder match and win the WWE Title. He then knocks out a drumstick out of Ivar’s hand, which infuriates him.
AJ Styles vs. Ricochet – Money In The Bank Qualifying Match
Omos attempts to interfere but is neutralized by The Viking Raiders, who sent him through the barricade. Admist the chaos, AJ Styles goes for the Phenomenal Forearm, but Ricochet counters in mid-air with a Codebreaker for the win and qualifies.
Winner: Ricochet
AJ is disgusted and Ricochet taunts him as he leaves.
Still to come tonight, more Money In The Bank qualifying matches. We have Randy Orton vs. John Morrison and Drew McIntyre vs. Riddle on the men’s side. On the women’s side, we have Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross vs. Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler and Asuka and Naomi vs. Eva Marie and “Her Partner” with the winners of the tag matches qualifying each.
Randy Orton is backstage when Riddle rides up on his scooter, talking about how they both have the chance to qualify for Money In the Bank. Riddle mentions hiding his stash in the briefcase if he wins… Orton asks what? Riddle says his stash of Whoppers, in case he gets hungry. Riddle goes on ranting as usual but Orton is annoyed. Riddle asks him for pointers on Money In the Bank, from bro to bro. Orton tells him to stay out of his way. Riddle goes on about how it would be awesome to have two brothers fighting for the WWE Title. Not for you, says Orton. Orton walks off as Riddle wishes him good luck. Back to commercial.
Back from the break and we see how Eva Marie returned last week with her unidentified friend. Kevin Patrick stops Eva and the former Piper Niven backstage now. Eva says it had been 5 years since she stepped into a WWE ring, so everything had to be perfect last week. She went and got a mani/pedi before RAW last week but unfortunately she picked up a cold. She knew the WWE Universe was dying to see her return, so she went and found her protege, and had her step in her place instead. Eva asks her name… but then cuts her off as she goes to speak. Eva says her name is Doudrop. Doudrop looks shocked and disappointed at this name Eva has chosen for her. They walk off with Doudrop looking disappointed behind Eva.
Asuka and Naomi vs. Eva Marie and Doudrop – Money In The Bank Qualifying Tag Match
Asuka rolls up Doudrop from behind after Eva leaves Doudrop to fend for herself.
Winners: Asuka and Naomi
We get a video package of highlights from Charlotte Flair’s DQ win over RAW Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley at Hell In a Cell. We see Adam Pearce and Sonya Deville backstage discussing the controversial finish. They head to the ring together as we go back to commercial.
Back from the break and we get a look back at The VIP Lounge segment from earlier tonight. We see Bobby Lashley backstage warming up for tonight’s Hell In a Cell match with Xavier Woods.
– Sonya Deville and Adam Pearce are in the ring now. They want to discuss an incident at Hell In a Cell last night. They call out RAW Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley first. Ripley takes the mic and says she heard Deville was going to summons her. Pearce agrees with Deville and says what Ripley did last night was completely unacceptable. They talk about how champions retain via disqualification but those rules were not meant to be abused, and Rhea intentionally got herself disqualified.
Ripley goes on about how she’s seen Flair abuse the same rules, and she only did what Flair would have done in her position. Pearce says but Flair is not the champion right now. The music interrupts and out comes Flair with a mic. Flair says Pearce meant she’s not the champion… yet.
Flair isn’t mad at Ripley, she’s actually proud of her because she was kicking Rhea’s ass last night and for the first time Rhea proved she’s smart, or clever, at least. Flair says Rhea proved for the first time that she is a strategic competitor, like Flair is, but Flair is still going to destroy her. Deville says if that’s Flair’s way of asking for a rematch, she will grant it. Pearce agrees. Deville announces Flair vs. Ripley for the title at Money In the Bank. Flair stares at Ripley from the stage. Ripley smiles back at her from the ring as her music starts back up.
– We see Dana Brooke and Mandy Rose brawling with WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Natalya and Tamina Snuka last week, and Natalya defeating Rose on the Hell In a Cell Kickoff. We see Sarah Schreiber interrupting Natalya and Tamina’s photo shoot earlier today. Natalya and Tamina stepped away to ask Brooke and Rose to keep it quiet in the ring, just like how the roles were reversed last Monday. The two teams have words before the champs get ready to storm the ring but get sent back to the floor.
Randy Orton vs. John Morrison – Money In The Bank Qualifier
Riddle comes out to try and neutralize the Miz, but Orton gets distracted and this allows Morrison to hit an enziguri followed by Starship Pain for the win.
Winner: John Morrison
Orton is not pleased as Miz and Morrison celebrates after the match.
We see highlights from Alexa Bliss’ win over Shayna Baszler at Hell In a Cell. Patrick stops Baszler, Nia Jax, and Reginald backstage. Jax says what happened last night to Reginald will not happen tonight. Baszler asks Reggie if he’s scared. Baszler isn’t worried about anyone stopping them from qualifying for Money In the Bank. Jax interrupts and says but there is something different about Bliss. They walk off.
Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross vs. Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler
Cross rolls up Baszler for the win.
Winners: Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross
After the match, Cross goes to ringside to celebrate by herself as the music hits. She and Bliss join Asuka and Naomi in the MITB Ladder Match. Baszler, Jax and Reginald regroup in the ring as the tension continues.
– Sonya Deville and Adam Pearce approach Drew McIntyre backstage. We see the nasty scars on his back from Hell In a Cell. They make it clear that he does not have to compete tonight but a passionate Drew insists and cuts a promo on how he will never give up, and will keep fighting. They both wish him good luck.
Back from the break and we go backstage to see Cedric Alexander, Jeff Hardy, WWE United States Champion Sheamus, plus Jinder Mahal with Dilsher and Veer. They’re all arguing about who deserves to qualify for Money In the Bank. Sonya Deville and Adam Pearce walk up. Deville understands their positions, but the qualifiers are final. Sheamus mentions how he’s able to wrestle, despite his broken nose. Pearce says this must mean Sheamus can defend his title. Sheamus changes his tune, rants about his nose hurting, then walks off. Jinder can’t believe guys like Ricochet and John Morrison are getting chances again.
He says if something were to happen to the other competitors, he would appreciate it if Deville and Pearce consider him for Money In the Bank. Cedric also likes the sound of this. We go back to the ring and Riddle waits as Drew McIntyre makes his way out.
Riddle vs. Drew McIntyre – Money In The Bank Qualifier
Riddle rolls Drew up from out of nowhere after Drew briefly clutches his shoulder for the win.
Winner: Riddle
After the bell, Riddle hops on his scooter as the music hits, riding it to the stage to join Orton, who is watching. Riddle is happy about his win but Orton just stares at him, seething. Riddle finally realizes that Orton isn’t happy. Riddle asks what’s wrong, telling Orton he’s always here for him, and Orton can talk to him. Orton stares straight ahead now.
– We see The New Day backstage preparing for the main event. Back to commercial.
Jaxson Ryker is warming up in the back when Mansoor interrupts. Mansoor was going to ask for some advice but Ryker seemed startled. Mansoor goes to leave but Ryker tells him to never let his enemy escape. Mansoor stops and turns back around. Ryker gives him some advice about never letting your enemy escape, about watching those close to you because they’re usually wolves in sheep’s clothing. Ryker says he’s facing Elias in a Strap Match next week. He says when they are bound together, Elias will have no place to run or hide.
Mansoor leaves and bumps into Mustafa Ali. Ali says he’s asking the wrong questions and wrong people. Ali says Mansoor should be asking how Money In the Bank qualifier spots were stolen from he and Ali. Ali goes on about building your own way but they’re distracted by Ryker hitting himself with the strap. The announcers hype next week’s Strap Match. Randy Orton vs. Drew McIntyre vs. AJ Styles in a Second Chance MITB Qualifier is also set for next week.
Bobby Lashley vs. Xavier Woods – Hell In a Cell
Lashley wins with the Hurt Lock.
Winner: Bobby Lashley
After the match, Lashley continues to apply the Hurt Lock and begs him to stop as he rubs his face into the steel as RAW goes off the air.
