Welcome to Fightful.com's live coverage & discussion for Monday Night RAW (5/9/22)!
We'll be bringing you full, fight-by-fight results of every match on the card as we're just 24-hours removed from WrestleMania Backlash!
— The show begins and our commentary team of Jimmy Smith, Byron Saxton and Corey Graves welcome us to tonight's show and out comes Randy Orton and Riddle of RK-Bro. While the RAW Tag Team Champions make their way down to the ring, we see video footage of their match, alongside Drew McIntyre against The Bloodline from last night's WrestleMania Backlash premium live event. Orton says despite giving it their all, they lost their match last night but while The Usos may have won the battle, they'll win the war. Orton says The Usos were the ones who proposed the title unification match but Roman Reigns stood in the way during the contract signing because according to Orton, Reigns didn't think his cousins could hold their own. Orton challenges The Usos to a title unification match and Riddle says since Jimmy and Jey can't make their own decisions, he and Orton will be at SmackDown this Friday to go to 'The Tribal Chief' himself to see about the match. Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins of the Street Profits music hits and out come RK-Bro's next challengers. Ford offers their commiserations for RK-Bro's loss, last night. Dawkins says The Usos aren't the ones that they need to be worried about...they are. Ford says RK-Bro's only worried about The Usos but it's them who'll be the ones to win the tag titles because they got next. Dawkins says Orton and Riddle's new 420 shirts must have their brains fogged up because they clearly forgot about them. Ford says he and Dawkins want the smoke and Riddle says 'RK-Bro 420 just smoked your asses'. Orton laughs hysterically and says the Street Profits will fall to the three most dangerous words in sports entertainment...R-K-O. Both teams argue and we head to a commercial break ahead of the match.
RK-Bro (Randy Orton & Riddle) (C) vs. Street Profits (Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins) — RAW Tag Team Championship
— Riddle and Ford start this one off. Ford with a roll up, Riddle slides out and rolls Ford back, Ford rolls out trips Riddle to the mat and pats him on the head. Riddle locks-in an arm-bar, Ford rolls out, Riddle rolls Ford up, Ford kicks out and Riddle taunts Ford, who meets him with a drop-kick. Ford makes the tag to Dawkins who drills Riddle with a shoulder before going for the cover but Riddle kicks out. Dawkins wallops Riddle with a back-elbow and goes for another cover but Riddle lifts the shoulders. Riddle sends Dawkins to the corner and makes the tag to Orton, who unloads on Dawkins with a bevy of uppercuts. Orton sends Dawkins to the opposite corner and lands a number of shots before making the tag to Riddle, who leaps himself off of Orton’s knee and plants Dawkins with a moonsault before going for the cover but Dawkins kicks out. Ford makes the blind-tag to Ford, Dawkins sends Riddle to the outside and Ford goes flying over the top rope and blasts Riddle on the outside with a dive. Ford celebrates and we head to a commercial break. Back from the break and Riddle dives on the outside, Ford moves and Riddle takes out Orton, Ford throws Riddle in the ring, goes up top and plants Riddle with a splash then goes for the cover but Orton makes the save. Dawkins and Orton spill to the outside, Ford goes back up too and goes for another splash but Riddle kips up and hits an RKO out of nowhere! Riddle goes for the cover and gets the 1-2-3!
Winners - RK-Bro (C) (STILL RAW Tag Team Champions)
— Commentary hypes up tonight’s United States Championship match between champion, Theory and challenger, Cody Rhodes. We then see Kevin Patrick, who’s on a platform next to the entrance ramp and he welcomes Theory, who makes his way out. Patrick asks Theory how he plans to stop Cody’s momentum since coming back to WWE. Theory says he doesn’t need to prepare and he’s the youngest United States Champion in WWE history for a reason and he’s just scrapping his true potential. Theory says he was practically in diapers last time Cody was in WWE and he doesn’t give a damn about him because that’s the past and he’s the future. Theory takes selfies and the segment ends.
— We then see a highlight video of last night’s match between Edge and AJ Styles. Edge (with a new haircut), Damian Priest and the group’s newest member, Rhea Ripley of Judgement Day make their way down to the ring. We’ll hear from the WWE Hall of Famer and his two disciples, after the break. Back from the break and Edge says he, Ripley and Priest were sick of being sheep, like the fans. Edge says being a sheep got him a Hall of Fame ring but that doesn’t matter because he’s bigger than the Hall of Fame. Edge calls the fans keyboard warriors who do nothing but spew their ‘asinine comments’ and says the fans hate what they see in the mirror, mostly because they’re ugly but it’s because they just rest on their b.s. morales. Edge says nobody can touch Judgement Day. Priest says the truth hurts and individually, he and Edge were capable of destroying all of the fans’ favorites but now being together, they’re unstoppable…and now they’ve added an instrument of brutality. Priest orders the fans to raise for the newest member of Judgement Day, Rhea Ripley. Rhea says joining Judgement Day was the easiest decision of her life because she saw how Edge and Damian changed for the better and she wanted that for herself. Rhea says she’s done signing autographs for all the little kids that say she wants to be just like her because she sees those very same autographs being sold online. Rhea says she’s done being used and that’s why she joined Judgement Day. Rhea says she has unfinished business with Liv Morgan and she’ll give Liv an actual reason to cry when she destroys her tonight. Edge says Damian and Rhea have taken their lives into their own hands. Edge says he told Rhea that Liv was holding her back and that he’s the reason the fans favorite tag team split-up. Edge says he saw wasted domination in Rhea. Edge says his movement is not done…and they’re looking for more. Liv Morgan’s music hits and she’ll face Rhea Ripley, after the break.
Rhea Ripley (with Edge & Damian Priest) vs. Liv Morgan
— A brawl to start. Rhea knocks Liv back with a hammer fist and launches her to the corner where she lands a spear. Rhea sends Liv to the opposite corner and unload a number of strikes and then another spear. Rhea puts Liv on the top turnbuckle, lands a punch, follows her up there, Liv knocks Rhea back, walks the ropes and lands spring-board hurricanrana but walks into a big boot from Rhea, who gives for the cover but Liv kicks out. Rhea clocks Liv with a few shots of ground and pound, Edge mocks Liv from the outside and Rhea continues the attack. Rhea bounces Liv’s head off the canvas, face-first and locks her up with a body triangle. Liv rolls Rhea back for a pin but Rhea slides out and drills her with a lariat and goes for the cover with a foot on her chest but Liv kicks out. Rhea looks for a slam, Liv slides out and unloads some shots onto Rhea. Liv with a step-up enziguri, Rhea misses a lariat, Liv with a sling-blade and then double-knees to the face before a cover but Rhea kicks out. Liv goes up top and misses a dive, Rhea locks-in the cloverleaf and Liv taps!
Winner - Rhea Ripley
— After the match, Edge and Damian Priest get in the ring, Edge gives Rhea a simple nod and Rhea locks back in the cloverleaf while Edge mockingly taps out with Liv. Judgement Day celebrate in the ring and Finn Balor's music hits. Balor throws up the 'too sweet' and out comes AJ Styles. It's announced that Balor will face Priest, after the break.
Finn Balor (with AJ Styles & Liv Morgan) vs. Damian Priest (with Edge & Rhea Ripley)
— A lock-up to start. Priest sends Balor to the ropes and wallops him with a clothesline. Priest lands some heavy strikes and sends Balor to the corner and drills him with a splash. Balor with a sliding leg kick and wraps Priest’s leg around the middle rope. Priest with a double-slap and a clothesline. Priest sends Balor back to the corner and lands a number of kicks. Priest launches Balor across the ring with a falcon arrow and goes for the cover but Balor kicks out. Balor fights back with a kick, then a double front-kick but Priest slams him and goes for the cover but Balor lifts the shoulders after a count of two. Priest with a choke, Priest stares down Styles, who’s at ringside, Balor fights back to his feet, Priest with an Irish-whip and Balor plants Priest with a leg sweep. Balor tees off on Priest with kicks then a sling-blade and trips Priest to the mar and unloads some strikes. Balor with the double-stomp then sends Priest to the corner where he lands a knee to the mid-section. Balor with a roll-up, Priest kicks out, Balor with a sling-blade and Priest rolls to the outside. Balor looks for a dive through the ropes but Ripley stops him. Edge spears Balor in the ring and causes the disqualification.
Winner - Finn Balor (via DQ)
— After the match, Judgement Day goes on the attack and Edge drills AJ Styles with a spear and the heels celebrate in the ring.
— We then see a video package highlighting Omos' win over Bobby Lashley, last night at WrestleMania Backlash. Back to the ringside area and out comes Omos, alongside MVP. We'll see the latest edition of The VIP Lounge, after the break. Back from the break and we cut backstage where we see Kevin Owens, who’s with Chad Gable and Otis of Alpha Academy. Gable said he sent one of Ezekiel’s cups to a DNA lab and he should have the results, next week that’ll show it’s been Elias this entire time. Owens says he has a special guest coming to show, tonight, his older brother, Ken.
— Back in the ring, Omos and MVP are set for The VIP Lounge. MVP says the lounge is for people who are better than the fans and orders the crowd to cheer for Omos. MVP says Omos has proved everything he said he was going to and Cedric Alexander’s music hits. Cedric makes his way down to the ring and says ‘we’ did it. MVP asks Cedric what he means about ‘we’ and Bobby Lashley’s music interrupts. Lashley attacks security, who were surrounding the ring, Cedric goes on the attack but Lashley dispatches him with ease. Lashley gets in the ring and stares down Omos. Lashley wallops Omos with a clothesline and stares down MVP. Cedric goes back on the attack but Lashley shoved him aside and locks-in the Hurt Lock. Omos and MVP retreat and the segment ends.
— We see Adam Pearce and Sonya Deville backstage. Sonya says she’s done with the investigation into her being a WWE official. Sonya asks Pearce who she’s facing tonight then takes back the question and says it doesn’t matter because it’s all about business and then exits.
— Commentary hypes up the rest of tonight’s card and we go back to the ringside area where Sonya Deville’s making her way down to the ring and Sonya will face a mystery opponent, after the break.
— Back from the break and Adam Pearce makes his way down to the ring and informs Sonya that WWE has deemed her unfit to be an official and she’ll now solely be an in-ring competitor, effective immediately. Pearce introduces Sonya’s opponent for the evening…the returning Alexa Bliss!
Alexa Bliss vs. Sonya Deville
— Bliss immediately plants Sonya with a DDT then goes up top and drills Sonya with Twisted Bliss for the quick 1-2-3!
Winner - Alexa Bliss
— We see some video packages highlighting last night’s WrestleMania Backlash event, commentary hypes up Cody Rhodes vs. Theory for later on, tonight and we head back to the ring where Ezekiel makes his way down to the ring before we head to a commercial break.
— Back from the break and Ezekiel’s in the ring. Kevin Owens’ music hits and out comes ‘Ken’, who says he’s the older brother of Kevin Owens. ‘Ken’ says nobody believes that Ezekiel isn’t Elias and says only a ‘dumbass’ would believe that. ‘Ken’ calls the crowd idiots and ‘Ken’ rips off the wig to reveal that it’s, of course, Kevin Owens. Ezekiel says he’s not Elias but says he wishes Elias was here so he could sing Owens a lullaby to help calm him down. Owens attacks Ezekiel and Alpha Academy rush down to help Owens. The three use the numbers advantage to attack Ezekiel and the segment ends.
— We then see a video package highlighting the recent feud between Becky Lynch and Asuka. Adam Pearce is shown backstage with the aforementioned Asuka, who says she’s more than deserving for a title match. Becky interrupts and says it’s a travesty that she hasn’t gotten a rematch against Bianca Belair yet. Pearce says Asuka will face Bianca in a non-title match, tonight and if she wins, she’ll get the next shot at the champion. Everyone starts yelling and arguing and Becky storms off.
— Back in the ring, Veer Mahal makes his way down to the ring and he’ll be in action, after the break.
Veer Mahan vs. Frank Lowman
— Before the match begins, Byron Saxton interviews Lowman who says he’s concerned but he needs to do this for his family. Veer launches Lowman across the ring with a slam, then another. Lowman rushed at Veer but Veer wallops him with a press and then another slam. Veer with a corner splash then a lariat before locking in the cervical clutch and Lowman taps!
Winner - Veer Mahan
— We then see Kevin Patrick backstage with Cody Rhodes. Patrick congratulates Cody on defeating Seth Rollins last night at WrestleMania Backlash, Cody thanks Patrick and says while Rollins is great, he’s done with Rollins after his back-to-back wins over him. Rhodes says Theory has unlimited potential but nothing sounds better than The American Nightmare becoming the United States Champion then exits.
— Back to the ring, Cody Rhodes makes his way down to the ring and the United States Championship will be up-for-grabs, after the break.
Theory (C) vs. Cody Rhodes — United States Championship
— Theory with a head-lock to start. Theory lays Cody out with a shoulder block then does the Stardust pose. Cody drops down to the mat and clocks Theory back with a right hand. Rhodes tosses Theory to the corner, Theory fights back with an elbow, Cody lands a forearm, Theory puts Cody over the top rope and wallops him with a drop-kick before going for the cover but Cody kicks out. Theory sends Cody to the corner and locks-in a head-lock. Cody fights back to his feet and plants Theory with a suplex and a spring-board kick that sends Theory to the outside. Theory slams Cody on the apron and sends Cody into the announce table and we head to a commercial break. Back from the break and Cody’s fighting back Theory whilst back in the ring. Cody lands a back-breaker and goes for the cover but Theory kicks out. Theory sets Cody up for the ATL, Cody slides out and lands a spring-board kick then a cutter. Seth Rollins attacks Cody out of nowhere and causes the disqualification.
Winner - Cody Rhodes (via DQ)
— After the match, Rollins continues the attack on Cody. Rollins puts Cody on the announce table and plants him with a stomp. Rollins laughs maniacally and we head to a commercial break.
— Back from the break and we see a replay of the attack from Seth Rollins on Cody Rhodes.
Sasha Banks & Naomi vs. Doudrop & Nikki A.S.H.
— Naomi and Doudrop start this one off. Naomi sends Doudrop back with a drop-kick. Doudrop wallops Naomi with a slam, Naomi kicks Doudrop to the corner and lands a corner splash. Doudrop shoves Naomi back and plants Naomi with a standing splash before going for the cover but Naomi lifts the shoulders after a two-count. Doudrop slams Naomi and chokes the former SmackDown Women’s Champion with the middle rope before the referee forces the break. Naomi evades a slam from Doudrop but Doudrop catches Naomi before she can make the tag to Sasha. Doudrop launches Naomi to the corner and hits another corner splash. Naomi fires back with a step-up enziguri and makes the tag to Sasha. Doudrop slams Sasha and goes for the cover but ‘The Boss’ kicks out. Doudrop makes the tag to Nikki, who hits a seated cutter on Sasha before going for the cover but Sasha, again, kicks out. Sasha fights Nikki off and makes the tag to Naomi, who drills Nikki with a roundhouse kick for the 1-2-3!
Winners - Sasha Banks & Naomi
— After the match, Doudrop is berating Nikki in the ring after the champions exit. Doudrop asks Nikki when she’s going to start taking things serious. The Miz’s music hits and he comes out wearing a referee shirt and we head to a commercial break.
— Back from the break and Miz is in the ring and says he’s going to be the special guest referee for Ciampa vs. Mustafa Ali, but Ali has nothing to worry about because he’s going to ‘call it right down the middle’.
Mustafa Ali vs. Ciampa — Special Guest Referee, The Miz
— Ciampa sends Ali to the corner to start. Ali lands a chop to Ciampa’s chest but Ciampa sends him to the canvas with a looping right hand. Ali rolls Ciampa up, Ciampa kicks out and wallops Ali with a clubbing forearm to the back of the head. Ciampa goes for a big boot but Ali slides out and rolls to the outside. Ciampa follows Ali out and drills him with a running knee. Miz slow counts while Ciampa’s on the attack and fast counts when Ali’s on the offensive whilst on the outside. Ciampa slams Ali and sits on the announce table and pats himself on the back. Ciampa gets Ali back in the ring, Ali sends Ciampa to the corner and then goes up top but Ciampa avoids a dive and cracks Ali with a big right hand. Ali comes back and lands a spring-board DDT and goes for the cover but Miz slow counts it and Ciampa kicks out. Ali’s yelling at Miz, Ciampa uses the distraction and plants Ali with an inverted DDT and Miz quick counts the three!
Winner - Ciampa
— After the match, Miz rushes out of the ring and mocks Ali from afar.
— We then see a vignette hyping up the return of Lacey Evans.
— Bobby Lashley’s then shown backstage and it’s announced that Lashley will face Omos in a steel cage, next week and we head to a commercial break.
— Back from the break and we see a number of replays showing what's happened earlier in the show.
— We then see an update on the 24/7 Championship. R-Truth serves both Akira Tozawa and Reggie divorce papers. Reggie tries to talk with Dana Brooke but Tamina stops him and the segment ends.
Bianca Belair vs. Asuka
— Bianca with a slam to start. Asuka kips up and drills Bianca with a kicks. A striking exchange ensues and Asuka goes for a roll-up but Bianca kicks out and immediately goes for a slam but Asuka trips her with looks for a triangle choke. Bianca rolls out and plants Asuka with a power-bomb and Becky Lynch attacks Bianca out of nowhere to cause the disqualification.
Winner - Bianca Belair
— After the rematch, Becky continues the attack on Bianca on the outside of the ring. Becky then turns her attention to the ring where Asuka’s recovering. Becky plants Asuka with the Man-Handle Slam and retreats. Becky taunts both Becky and Asuka from afar as the show goes off-the-air!
