Welcome to Fightful.com’s live coverage & discussion for WWE Monday Night RAW (7/17/23)!
We will bring you the full results of tonight’s episode of Monday Night Raw.
Here’s what’s on deck:
Preview
WWE Raw (7/17)
- Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn vs. Judgment Day (Dominik Mysterio & Damian Priest)
- Brock Lesnar returns
- Viking Rules Match: Alpha Academy (Chad Gable & Otis) (with Maxxine Dupri) vs. Viking Raiders (Erik & Ivar) (with Valhalla)
- WWE Women's Tag Team Championship: Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez (c) vs. Chelsea Green & Sonya Deville
- Ludwig Kaiser & Giovanni Vinci Barred From Ringside: Gunther vs. Matt Riddle
Cody Rhodes comes out to be greeted by his hometown crowd. He says they don't need to talk. Brock Lesnar is a shadow lurking overhead, according to Cody. Cody acknowledges his family in the front row. Brock Lesnar comes out, and Rhodes meets him on the ramp. His music cuts out. It plays again. Cody gets impatient, goes backstage looking for Brock Lesnar, and gets beaten down by Brock with an F5 and several Kimuras. Cody's challenge was accepted for SummerSlam.
- A video package highlights all of that after the commercial.
Ludwig Kaiser & Giovanni Vinci Barred From Ringside: Gunther vs. Matt Riddle
After slamming Riddle on the floor, Gunther had control going into the commercial break. Back from break, both men would exchange strikes. The end of the match came when Gunther got his knees up on a Floating Bro attempt. Shotgun Dropkick by Gunther. Powerbomb and a victory for "The Ring General."
Winner: Gunther
- After the match, Gunther cut a promo proclaiming himself the greatest IC Champion. He said that if Drew McIntyre wants to ride his coattails, that's fine with him.
- Jackie Redmond excitedly interviews the WWE women's Tag Team Champions, Raquel Rodriguez and Liv Morgan. They talk about their upcoming defense against Chelsea Green and Sonya Deville. They say they're not afraid of anybody, which prompts Rhea Ripley to approach them. Ripley attacks Morgan. Rodriguez gets into a scuffle with Ripley. Ripley kicks her in the knee and there is a concern that Raquel maybe injured.
- Judgment Day heads to the ring. Judgment Day hype up their desires for singles gold. Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens come out to interrupt them. Damian Priest challenges them to put their titles on the line in tonight's tag team match. They acquiesce.
- Adam Pearce is backstage with a doctor and the Women's Tag Team Champions. The doctor clears Raquel but wants to do more scanning. Raquel refuses because she wants to defend the title. The match is next.
WWE Undisputed Women’s Tag Team Championship: Raquel Rodriguez and Liv Morgan (c) vs. Sonya Deville and Chelsea Green.
Liv Morgan practically goes it alone. She hits the ObLIVion on Green, but Sonya breaks it up with a running knee. Sonya further attacks Rodriguez's knee. Morgan kicks out of the Unprettyher. Chelsea eventually hits another one followed by another knee from DeVille for the Victory and to crown new WWE Tag Team Champions.
Winners and new WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions: Sonya Deville & Chelsea Green
- Chelsea & Sonya say they will run the tag team division in an interview backstage with Byron Saxton.
- A video package recaps the latest Bloodline development from Friday Night SmackDown.
In a sit-down interview, Seth Rollins tells Byron Saxton he has big plans for the World Heavyweight Championship. Finn Balor interrupts. He demands to be the person to face Seth Rollins and insists upon ruining Seth Rollins' life. Rollins says the world championship is about more than his personal vendetta and they don't need to have a match to settle things. Balor ends up attacking Seth Rollins with a chair.
Viking Rules Match: Alpha Academy (Chad Gable & Otis) (with Maxxine Dupri) vs. Viking Raiders (Erik & Ivar) (with Valhalla)
It was a back-and-forth encounter with not only the two tag teams fighting but even Maxxine Dupri and Valhalla getting involved. Dupri lands a crossbody from the top on Valhalla. Gable puts Dupri's jacket on her. Gable and Dupri celebrate. Dupri is speared through a table in the corner by Valhalla. Erik snatches Gable and throws him headfirst into a shield. Otis enters the ring and demolishes Erik with a spinning elbow. Otis flings Ivar and Erik around the ring. Otis hits the Caterpillar. Otis ascends to the summit. Valhalla slaps Otis. Erik and Ivar knock Otis off the top and hit Ragnorok for the victory.
Winners: The Viking Raiders
Nikki Cross vs. Shayna Baszler
As soon as the bell sounds, Cross launches the assault. Cross is locked in the Kirifuda Clutch by Baszler. Cross quickly taps out.
Winner: Shayna Baszler
- Ronda Rousey emerges in the press box as Baszler celebrates. Rousey claims Baszler told her she came in the back door because it was the easiest way. Rousey didn't ask for her position; she took it. In less than a year, she surpassed Baszler. Baszler grabs a microphone and declares that Rousey can easily speak from the press box. Baszler believes she is a greater Ronda Rousey than Rousey herself. Baszler encourages Rousey to get to the ring right now so they can address things. Rousey says no and urges Baszler to make her. Baszler exits the ring and attempts to jump the barricade but is stopped by security. Rousey promises Baszler that she'll do her a favor and put her on SummerSlam.
Miz TV with Becky Lynch
Becky Lynch immediately starts trashing the set of Miz TV when The Miz starts questioning if she lost a step. Becky demands that The Miz call out Trish Stratus and Zoey Stark. They come out and say that they've already beaten her so they're done. Trish accuses Becky of being as immature as her toddler. This enrages Becky. Trish agrees to fight Becky Lynch but adds that if Becky Lynch loses she has to say thank you Trish while getting down on her knees and must also get thank you Trish tattooed across her chest. Becky agrees. Lynch is attacked by Stratus and Stark. Lynch responds by ripping off Stratus' protective face mask and hitting her in the nose. Lynch dons the mask and uses it to headbutt Stark.
- Ricochet challenges Logan Paul to meet him face-to-face next week. Logan later accepts via a tweet.
Shinsuke Nakamura vs. "Big" Bronson Reed
After a flurry of attacks, Nakamura gets a near-fall. Nakamura attempts a sleeper. Reed raises Nakamura and nails a Death Valley Driver. Nakamura gets out at two. Reed climbs on top, only to be stopped by a Nakamura kick. Nakamura catches Reed with a flying knee off the second rope. Reed kicks out. Nakamura goes for Kinshasa. Reed responds with a body block. Ciampa enters the ring and tackles Reed from behind. In the process, Nakamura is disqualified.
Winner: Bronson Reed
- After the match, Ciampa says something to Nakamura. Nakamura kicks Ciampa. Backstage, Nakamura tells Byron Saxton that he's tired of people getting in his business.
Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship: Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn (c) vs. Judgment Day (Dominik Mysterio & Damian Priest)
As Judgment Day made its entrance, it was confirmed that Finn Balor will challenge Seth Rollins for the World Heavyweight Championship at WWE SummerSlam. Seth Rollins came from the crowd to attack Finn Balor before the match. This allowed the champions to get an early advantage.
Late in this match, Dominik goes for 619. Dominik is ejected from the ring by Zayn after he dodges him. Both Zayn and Owens land dives. Owens is thrown onto the ring steps by Ripley. Zayn is rolled up by Dominik. Zayn kicks out. Ripley stands up on the apron. Ripley is taken off the apron by Liv Morgan after she rushes to ringside. Ripley is attacked by Morgan. Zayn slams Dominik with an explorer suplex. Zayn goes for his Helluva Kick. Priest tries to stop it, but is Stunned when Owens rolls into the ring. Zayn pins Dominik after kicking him.
Winners and still WWE Tag Team Champions: Sami Zayn & Kevin Owens
- Check out the post-show podcast for a full review of the show on Fightful's YouTube & Twitch channels. You can check Fightful's results section here.
