The ring is already full of Superstars as we go right to the ring – The Viking Raiders (Ivar, Erik), The New Day (Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods), Lucha House Party (Lince Dorado by himself), T-BAR and MACE. Out next comes R-K-Bro, Randy Orton and Riddle. The music interrupts and out comes RAW Tag Team Champions AJ Styles and Omos. The winners of this Battle Royal will earn a future title shot.
AJ takes the mic on the stage and welcomes the other teams to this Tag Team Address. AJ says he and Omos feel compelled to defend their titles as WWE goes back on the road next month. He gives The New Day some praise but reminds them who won at WrestleMania 37. AJ addresses MACE and T-BAR next, but also takes a shot at the former RETRIBUTION members. He does the same with Lince Dorado, giving him props for being out here by himself while Gran Metalik is injured, and then The Viking Raiders. AJ addresses Riddle and Orton last. Fans chant “Bro!” now. AJ gives them each props and then says their chemistry is unbelievable. AJ and Omos then go on about how they’re phenomenal, unbelievable, handsome, and more. Kofi and Woods knock AJ and Omos before the two teams argue. Orton tells AJ to shut his damn mouth. Riddle shows AJ how to zip his mouth and throw away the key, saying it’s done wonders for he and Orton’s relationship. Orton is annoyed. Riddle shows off their new t-shirt and says he’s wearing two because Orton doesn’t wear shirts, or pants. Riddle keeps running his mouth until Orton quiets him. Riddle zips his mouth and Orton puts the key in his boot.
The music interrupts and out comes The Miz and John Morrison. Miz is wheeled out in a wheelchair. They talk about the tag team division suffering and Morrison pulls out his Drip Stick. Miz, who says he was injured at WrestleMania Backlash, says Morrison will be competing on behalf of their tag team tonight. Morrison begins his entrance as the music hits but he loses Miz as he starts rolling down the ramp. Morrison runs down and saves Miz from a disaster.
The match begins out of nowhere with Orton delivering a RKO to Woods and one to Kingston. Lince gets dropped with the RKO next. Orton and Riddle stand back-to-back in the middle of the ring as the other tag teams circle them. We go to commercial.
Orton eliminates Kingston, but then he gets eliminated by The Viking Raiders from behind and The Raiders earn a title shot.
AJ Styes is on commentary afterwards saying that is what they wanted and that they’re here to entertain.
We see Nikki Cross’ recent Beat The Clock upsets over Charlotte Flair and Rhea Ripley. Flair interrupts Adam Pearce and Sonya Deville in the back. She says she was publicly pressured into last week’s match with Cross, and she wants the match removed from her record. She goes on making her case but they won’t remove the match. Flair says she tried to ask nicely, but Deville and Pearce are just jealous of her and the career she’s had. She tells them to agree that she deserves a rematch with Cross. Ripley walks up and says unlike Flair, she actually respects Cross. She goes and says if anyone deserves a rematch… Deville and Pearce end up booking Flair and Ripley vs. Cross and a partner. Flair says unlike her partner, she can be professional about this. We go to commercial.
– We get a video package on Alexa Bliss and Lilly. Bliss says the fun is just getting started. Shayna Baszler will confront them on Alexa’s Playground later.
– Elias is in the ring with his guitar and spotlight now. He talks about Jaxson Ryker coming unhinged and says they could’ve been RAW Tag Team Champions if Ryker would’ve followed his lead last week. We get a replay of Elias turning on Ryker during last week’s title shot. Elias says he saw the ghosts of war in Ryker’s eyes, but didn’t see a man who would go to war for him. He goes on and reminds us that WWE stands for Walk With Elias. Elias says before he takes out that maniac… Ryker suddenly attacks from behind and beats Elias down. Ryker grabs the guitar and tosses it up the ramp. Ryker stomps away on Elias while he’s down now. Officials hit the ring to break the fight up as we go to commercial.
Elias loses by contout after Ryker gets him in the air with a choke slam. He retreats up the ramp after.
After the match, Ryker has his arm raised as his music hits but he’s not happy with the count out win.
– The announcers lead us to a look back at last week’s #1 contender’s match between Drew McIntyre and Kofi Kingston.
– We go back to the ring and out comes Drew McIntyre for the Hell In a Cell contract signing with WWE Champion Bobby Lashley. Fans cheer McIntyre on as he carries his sword to the ring. Drew raises the sword in the ring as more pyro goes off. Fans chant “Drew!” as he stands with the sword in the middle of the ring. Back to commercial.
Back from the break and McIntyre is sitting at the contract signing table. Adam Pearce and Sonya Deville are now in the ring. The WWE Champion is introduced but he’s not showing. McIntyre takes the mic and predicts how this will go, with more of the same schtick from MVP and Lashley. Drew then tells us the legend of Scotland’s King Robert The Bruce and the spider, and how he went on to win Scotland’s freedom. He told his army, if at first you don’t succeed… McIntyre stops and says he can modernize the speech to fit what we’re seeing now. If at first you don’t succeed, beat Lashley’s ass at Hell In a Cell and win your title back. Lashley signs his name on the dotted line.
MVP, Lashley and their models appear on the big screen now. MVP says there’s some unfinished business to tend to before things are official. MVP says they were busy being fashionably late. MVP calls for the music to hit and out comes Lashley, MVP and the models as Drew looks on from his chair. Lashley takes a seat at the table. MVP congratulates Drew on once again manipulating his way into facing Lashley. MVP mentions how Drew won’t get another WWE Title shot from Lashley if he loses, and goes on about how Lashley can’t wait to bring the WWE Title back on the road. Drew interrupts and accepts the terms, he just wants MVP to shut up. He says he will never challenge Lashley for the WWE Title again f he loses. Drew wants something in return also. He wants the match to take place inside Hell In a Cell. Fans pop.
MVP whispers something in Lashley’s ear after Drew’s request. MVP says Lashley accepts the terms. Pearce makes it official and the contract is signed. Lashley has some words for Drew and says the story will end with Drew tucking his kilt between his legs and walking away in shame, defeated. The match is now official. Drew talks about how brutal Hell In a Cell is and how this will be a new experience for Lashley. Drew is willing to go through all that again. He tells Lashley to start praying but those prayers will go unanswered. Drew says he will grant Lashley mercy with a Claymore to take back the WWE Title.
Drew tells Lashley to enjoy the next few weeks because he will see him in Hell. Lashley says he will beat Drew there. Lashley stands up and starts celebrating with his crew. Drew raises his sword and chops the table in two. Drew’s music starts up as he and Lashley stare each other down.
– Sarah Schreiber is backstage with Nikki Cross. She talks about her tenacity and her recent wins, and then reveals her tag team partner for tonight – Asuka. They get hyped up together to end the segment.
Ricochet vs. Humberto Carillo – Number 1 Contender’s Match
Ricochet runs the apron but Carrillo catches him and sends them both flying to the floor with a big Spanish Fly. Ricochet takes the worst of it. The referee counts as we get a replay. Ricochet tries to make it back in but he falls back down. The referee counts them both out.
Winner: Draw
After the draw announcement, Sheamus starts laughing on commentary. He stands up and mocks both competitors. Sheamus heads to the back as his music hits. The referee checks on Carrillo and Ricochet.
– The New Day is backstage heading into their locker room when MVP stops Kofi Kingston. Kofi tells Xavier Woods he’s got this, and Woods goes in by himself. MVP enjoyed Kofi’s performance earlier. He goes on and talks about being a big fan of Kofi, especially during KofiMania. MVP says seeing Kofi celebrate the WWE title with his sons made him want to come back to WWE because finally there was a champion like him he could be proud of him. MVP says KofiMania just ended and he wonders if Kofi has thought about why that happened. Because Kofi isn’t like WWE Champion Bobby Lashley. MVP brings up last week’s match and how Kofi shook Drew McIntyre’s hand after the match, like he enjoyed being a loser. MVP goes on about how Kofi could switch it up or stay in the back shucking & jiving with his friends… Kofi cuts him off and says he doesn’t need his advice. Kofi yells at MVP about why he does this, for the kids inspired at home watching him. Kofi wonders why Lashley does this, for money? MVP says no, Lashley does this for the WWE Title and everything that comes with it. We go to commercial.
Back from the break and we get a new “Eva-Lution” vignette to tease Eva Marie’s return. She’s ready to show the WWE Universe a side of her we’ve never seen. She announces that she will be coming back to RAW next Monday.
– The announcers show us footage from the Battle Royal earlier tonight. Riddle vs. Kofi Kingston is announced for later.
– Mansoor is backstage warming up. Mustafa Ali, wearing a suit, shows up and says he heard Mansoor has a match with Drew Gulak. Mansoor says he’s ready but Ali disagrees. Ali says Mansoor is ready for a fair & square match, but what happens when Gulak starts cutting any corner he can to win? Ali goes on and says not everyone will play by the rules like Mansoor. Ali walks off and Mansoor looks on.
Jeff Hardy vs. Cedric Alexander
Hardy wins with the Swanton Bomb.
Winner: Jeff Hardy
After the match, Hardy stands tall as his music hits and fans cheer him on. We go to replays. Hardy stands over Cedric and taunts him while he’s down now.
– Rhea Ripley is backstage warming up when Charlotte Flair approaches. Flair suggests Ripley follow her lead since she’s the more experienced professional Superstar. Ripley says she’ll be glad to follow Flair… in two weeks, straight to Hell. Ripley says in the meantime, her title makes up for Flair’s experience, so Flair will follow her lead. Ripley walks off and Flair shakes her head.
Rhea Ripley and Charlotte Flair vs. Nikki Cross and Asuka
Ripley grabs Flair for a Riptide in the middle of the ring but Flair counters, chop blocks the knee and nails a Natural Selection. Cross takes advantage and pins Ripley for the pin to win.
Winners: Nikki Cross and Asuka
– After the match, Asuka and Cross stand on top of the announce table to celebrate as Cross’ music hits. Flair exits the ring as Ripley recovers in the middle of the ring.
– Alexa Bliss is backstage talking to Lilly. Bliss says Shayna Baszler thought Lilly was just some stupid doll but watch what happens when Baszler comes to play later tonight. Bliss says it’s going to be a real scream. Bliss laughs as we go back to commercial.
Back from the break and the announcers hype McIntyre vs. Lashley at Hell In a Cell.
Mansoor vs. Drew Gulak
Mansoor pins over Gulak for the win.
Winner: Mansoor
– After the match, Mansoor hits the floor and celebrates as his music hits. Gulak seethes in the ring.
– Riddle is backstage when Randy Orton walks up. Riddle has a match with Kofi Kingston but all he wants to do is sit down with a Whopper from Burger King and eat. Riddle continues ranting and rambling about how he wants to be road buddies with Orton when WWE goes back on the road. Orton quiets him. Riddle asks if he’s going to come to the ring for the match tonight. Orton isn’t sure yet. Orton quiets Riddle again and this time drops the invisible key in the trash can. Riddle is a bit disappointed or upset as he rides off on his scooter.
Kofi Kingston vs. Matt Riddle
Kofi wins with Trouble in Paradise.
Winner: Kofi Kingston
After the bell, Kofi starts celebrating with Woods as the music hits. Riddle sits up at ringside against the announce table as a disappointed Orton looks down at him.
– We see what happened last week with Shayna Baszler, Reginald, Alexa Bliss and Lilly. Baszler is walking backstage now when Nia Jax stops her. Jax admits things have been tense for a variety of reasons… Baszler blames it all on Bliss sticking her nose in their business, and Reginald costing them the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles. Jax says Reggie is at home recovering from what Baszler did last week, which was out of line. Jax didn’t come to argue, she came to offer help to Baszler. Jax says she’s known Bliss for a long time but this is the most dangerous she’s been. Jax says Bliss likely has something planned tonight. Baszler isn’t afraid of a little blonde girl with some doll. Baszler goes on and says Jax might want to help her old friend tonight as Baszler shows Bliss what happens when you cross The Queen of Spades. Baszler walks off as we go back to commercial.
– Back from the break and the announcers hype SummerSlam on Saturday, August 21 from Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
– We go back to the ring, which is set up for Alexa’s Playground. Alexa Bliss welcomes us. She’s sitting on a swing with Lilly. She goes on about possibly making a new friend tonight. Lilly is apparently disagreeing with Bliss. Bliss talks about how new friends come in different shapes and blood types, when the music interrupts and out comes Shayna Baszler. Baszler knocks over a rocking horse and takes a seat on a swing.
Bliss says that wasn’t nice but she and Lilly would like to give Baszler the chance to be their new friend. All she has to do is apologize to Lilly. Baszler can’t believe Bliss wants her to apologize to a doll, calling her more delusional than she looks. Baszler says Bliss is to blame for Reginald’s accidents, and the reason why she and Nia Jax aren’t in the running for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles. Bliss laughs and says she’d never do such a thing, she just wants them to all be friends. Bliss changes her tone and says it would be in Baszler’s best interest to just apologize to Lilly. Baszler snatches Lilly from Bliss, looks at her and apologizes… then says she’s sorry Lilly is just a stupid doll. Fans boo.
Bliss attacks Baszler and they brawl. Bliss rolls to the floor. Baszler puts her foot on Lilly in the ring and stares out at Bliss, then stomps Lilly’s face in. The ThunderDome lights start flickering as Baszler retreats to the stage. A series of explosions go off on the ramp as Baszler backs up to the stage. Bliss is just sitting in her swing smiling. We see Baszler walking backstage now. The lights are flickering and everyone is gone. Something falls from up high, barely missing Baszler. Another part of the set falls over, just missing Baszler.
Baszler finds herself locked in the building now, blaming it all on a stupid doll. The lights are still flickering as she enters a room. She locks herself in the room and pushes a couch in the way of the door. Baszler says this is not happening. The lights start flickering in the room now. She looks in a mirror and Lilly is also there. Baszler keeps telling herself it’s just a doll. She sees Lilly in the mirror again. Baszler shatters the mirror and screams at it. Lilly is still there in the broken glass. RAW goes black as Baszler screams out one more time. RAW goes off the air.
