WWE Raw results, recap: Money in the Bank build continues - positively

The latest episode of WWE Raw emenated from the ThunderDome at Yuengling Center in Tampa, Florida. The show’s focus continues to be on the Money in the Bank pay-per-view. The annual show, which is now seen as being almost on-par with WWE’s fabled ‘Big Four’ pay-per-views, is next month. Yet the build to the event continues to be positive. In fact, one gets the feeling that Raw is setting up stories not only for MITB on July 18, but SummerSlam on August 21 too. Long-term planning in WWE isn’t always a given, so this seems like a pleasant surprise for fans.

Let’s get right to dissecting the good and bad from the latest show.

Riddle is hilarious

The show began with WWE officials Adam Pearce and Sonya Deville announcing that Randy Orton won’t be on the show tonight. Thus, his spot in the last chance triple threat will go to the winner of a battle royal.

Riddle, Orton’s RKBro partner, rolls up on his scooter to say Randy wanted him to be part of the triple threat. He even had a ‘note’, scrawled in green marker and with a snake drawn at the botton. WWE getting comedy right? Oh my.

Deville and Pearce rightly called out the note for being fake, but added Riddle in the battle royal anyway. He would then go on to win it, last eliminating Damian Priest.

He then celebrated using Randy’s music and his pose. More great comedy!

That signature @RandyOrton pyro startled @SuperKingofBros! ?#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/cactrz77Qs

— WWE (@WWE) June 29, 2021

The following triple threat was both good and hilarious. Good because a match featuring Riddle, Drew McIntyre and AJ Styles will always be just that, Hilarious because Riddle perfectly aped all of Orton’s signature mannerisms and moves.

Eventually, the match was won by McIntyre after he Claymore Kick’d Riddle. The build to the story so far suggests Orton will now turn on Riddle. Let’s hope a swerve is coming because this pair need more screen time.

KofiMania 2.0? Unlikely, but Kingston remains great

The feud between Bobby Lashley and Kofi Kingston over the WWE championship got a promo treatment this week. However, all involved knocked it out of the park.

Kingston came down to the ring without Xavier Woods, who was brutalised by Lashley last week after their Hell in a Cell match. Kofi said he was hurt seeing his best friend in that state while knowing he could do nothing.

Lashley and MVP then came out, with MVP saying that Lashley will beat Kingston so bad it will make his loss to Lesnar seems like child’s play.

But Kingston shot back, calling out MVP’s knee ‘injury’ and saying that Lashley’s focus is more on partying and women. As a result, his eyes are off the prize and Kofi will take that prize off him come MITB.

As mentioned before, everyone involved here looked great. It seems unlikely that Kingston will get another run with the strap, but this feud has been Lashley’s best since winning the gold.

WWE Raw – best of the rest

• Nikki Cross, now ASH – Almost a Superhero – defeated Shayna Baszler by roll-up. The match was fine, but the voodoo doll storyline involving Baszler and Alexa Bliss won’t be to everyone’s taste. And why does Baszler always seem to lose by roll-ups?
• Eva Marie and Doudrop (or Piper Niven) beat Asuka and Naomi when Doudrop pinned Asuka. Amazingly, Marie walked out on the match – as a callback to what her partner did last week – and Doudrop still won. Interesting! This storyline has potential if played out right.
• Ricochet and John Morrison fought to a double count-out in a match that left this writer wanting more. Normally, such an ending can fall flat but not in this case. Ricochet planted Morrison with a flying crossbody that sent both men over the barricades! In the end, neither beat the ten count. Anyone who’s watched these two do battle on Lucha Underground knows they have chemistry for days. Can we re-run this match next week?
• Jaxson Ryer beat Elias in a strap match. This face turn for Ryker feels a bit forced and it will be interesting to see how live crowds react to him when they return.
• Rhea Ripley, Mandy Rose and Dana Brooke lost to the team of Charlotte Flair, Natalya and Tamina. Flair pinned Rose after a big boot. This match didn’t hit home, but did combine both feuds for the women’s and tag team titles.

WWE Raw grade: B