Steve Notes WWE Raw 7/27/21

Nikki opens the show, the live crowd is supportive, they give her the you deserve it chants, if not overwhelmingly. She says she didn’t have the confidence to try and fail. Then she realized one day if she fails, she fails. And when I put on the outfit, it gives her the confidence and it reminds her, that no matter what, if you believe in yourself, you can overcome all odds.  It worked for me, it can work for you, we can all almost be superheroes.

Charlotte comes out.

She says aw, Nikki ash, that’s a nice fairy tale, but yours doesn’t have a happy ending, you as Raw Women’s Champ, are a disgrace. You’re supposed to represent this company? Dressed like this? I can see you on the NBC Today Show, even Al Roker wouldn’t believe your champion. Maybe all of you believe she’s a champion, but I don’t, you have to work for it. I’m here to add star power and perspective to this ring. Before this Almost idiot takes another victory lap, let’s take a closer look at what happened last week. She says she wasn’t even on her feet when the match started, that was the only way she was able to cash in, YOU STOLE MY TITLE. So I’m gonna continue to be the opportunity, I’m gonna get my rematch at Summerslam, and you’re gonna bow down to the real champion. She says all this injustice isn’t your fault, it’s the WWE Universe’s fault. For months, you have cheered after I have been the victim of injustice, you’re all jealous of me why is this going on so long?

She continues to berate the crowd til FINALLY Rhea comes out to probably rant too long.

Rhea: We’re all so jealous of you, holy shit the crowd is huge on Rhea. She says it should be ME, you got intentionally DQ’d cuz you knew I was gonna win. Nikki says hold on, who said anything about either one of you beating me at Summerslam. Each of you represented this division wonderfully, but like my butterfly represents, this women’t division is ready for a metamorphosis. And I’ll be leading it.

Char: I’ve had it up to here with your cheap bargain marvel outfit, but-- Rhea says that title belongs to me.

Sony and Pearce come out, they make a triple threat match for Summerslam.

Chat says this is ridiculous, Nikki is a fluke, I want a rematch tonight, proving you will never be in my league. Nikki says you’re on. Pearce makes the match. Char attacks Rhea, Nikki evades an attack, drop kicks her out of the ring.

Damian Priest promo, he says Sheamus doesn’t deserve to be champion, he’s a bully, a coward, he deserves to get his ass kicked. When you get in the ring with me, you’ll know who deserves to be champion.

Damian Priest vs. Sheamus CHAMPIONSHIP CONTENDER MATCH 1

Priest kicks the mask off Sheamus, but Sheamus is able to counter an attempt to strike him, he goes up top, but Priest chokeslams him off the top rope for 2

He goes for hit the lights, Sheamus counters with Alabama Slam for 2

Sheamus goes for cloverleaf, Priest kicks him off, strikes, Sheamus counters with a knee strike for 2

Priest kicks Sheamus on the ear, then hits the light (they’re calling it reckoning again) for 3

***¼

Omos/Styles vs. Viking Raiders

As usual, Omos handles the VR on his own. When AJ comes back in, Ivar has his number, he misses the sitting senton, but nails a lariat, then gets caught with a superkick and tornado DDT for 2

Erik hits a nasty knee strike while ivar keeps Omos on the outside, Erik gets 2 as Omos kicks Ivar off

AJ comes back with a Pele kick, tags in Omos, Erik has no Ivar to tag in, Omos hits a huge slam, throws Ivar out, hits his finish on Erik, tags in AJ, hits a springboard 450 for 3

***¾

Jinder promo says you all should be ashamed cheering on the chair shots, then gives Drew the opportunity to apologize. Jinder then introduces his lawyer, Vivent Hal-Kassani, Esq. We will sue and take away everything.

Drew says lemme think, shutup, should I apologize? He polls the crowd. Should I apologize and buy them a steak dinner? Or option 2, screw the lawyer and beat Veer within an inch of his life. He says Jinder, I have a chant for you-- Drew is gonna kill you.

Drew McIntyre vs. Veer

HAHAHA Jinder gives Veer a chair, Drew Claymores it through the chair, so they DQ Veer and Drew wins according to the ring announcer, but Corey tries to say Drew lost. What a mess.

*

Drew throws the lawyer into the ring, give the lawyer a middle finger and does a counted down claymore

Alexa’s Playground Recap

Eva Marie at gorilla: Forget about what happened, after tonight we’ll be one step closer to the women’s tag titles, as long as you hold up your end.

Eva Marie/Dou Drop vs. Tamina/Natalya CHAMPIONSHIP CONTENDER MATCH 2

Once again, Eva Marie tries for a pin off a DD move, she gets 2, but then Alexa plays a Lilly-Lution parody of Eva-Lution, which results in Tamina hitting a superkick on her for 3

*

Hahahah oh dear, Kross vs. Keith Lee

Kross goes for an early saito, can’t get it, Lee tosses Kross, shoulder checks him, lariats him out of the ring

Kross gets the upper hand with a saito on the outside of the ring, Kross tries for a submission, Lee powers his way out, but he is gassed. He’s able to trade strikes, lays him out. Lee goes for Spirit Bomb, Kross follows with Saito Suplex, Forearm to the back of the head, Kross jacket til Lee taps out.

***

Nikki Cross interview, My confidence has grown and I’m no longer afraid to fail. Win or lose, nobody can take that away from me. I just want the kids of the WWE Universe to know that the hardest of challenges are worth fighting for. So tonight I’m gonna go out there with my positivity, no matter what, I’ll be defending my title at Summerslam. Rhea shows up, says Nikki, I can’t help but respect the belief in yourself, but at Summerslam, I fully believe I’ll walk out champ, but tonight, I hope you go out and give char hell.

T-Bar & Mace vs. Ali/Mansoor

T-Bar & Mace promo, the small exist to feed the large, that’s us, they exist to be devoured by us.

Haha Mansoor backstage says we need a gameplan, Ali says lets worry about tonight, then we can have a discussion about us being a team. Follow my lead and we’ll be fine.

T-Bar starts with a huge boot on Ali, who’s isolated early, Bossman slam for Mace

Ali hits a desperation kick to T-bar’s face, hot tag to Mansoor who comes in and handles Mace for the pin T-Bar breaks it, Mansoor lands on the outside, Ali suicide dives and takes out T-Bar with a DDT, Ali says WATCH YOUR BACK, Mansoor says THAT WAS AWESOME! Ali jumps up to intercept Mace, who grabs him by the neck on the apron, Mansoor kicks him off, then comes inside, rolls him up for the win, as Mansoor is about to be attacked, Ali pulls him out of the ring. Mansoor is all smiles and Ali is like, unnerved by it all. This was excellent.

Lashley Responds To MVP

MVP says Lashley must remind you of Tom Brady and ya’ll are feeling a certain way. Let’s talk about how Goldberg came out and disrespected Lashley. Everybody’s been talking about the Almighty vs Goldberg (HUGE GOLDBERG CHANTS), MVP says is Goldberg NEXT? Lashley says I’m not gonna dignify this with a response. This is MY ring. And I won’t be disrespected by anyone. MVP you heard it from the champ.

Cedric comes out. He says I wondered why you kicked me out, its cuz you knew I’m better than you. Today PRIME ALEXANDER steps up, I want my opportunity against the champ.

Shelton comes out. Hey Cedric, you have any idea how annoying the sound of your voice is? I’m not here to cry about hurt Business. I’m here to give you a real challenge. Cedric and him bicker. MVP says the champ doesn’t have time to deal with you or you. Lashley says I’ll take them both on at the same time.

Cedric/Shelton vs. Lashley

Cedric tries to sneak attack Lashley as he’s focused on Shelton, but Lashley flatlines him and throws him out. Then goes outside, puts him on his shoulders, POSTS him. Brings him in, Shelton tries to attack, Cedric holds his leg, Shelton strikes, they both pin, Lashley kicks out, spears Shelton after running through his clothesline, JACKHAMMERS SHELTON, DOMINATOR ON CEDRIC ON SHELTON, STACKS THEM, PINS THEM FOR THE WIN

****

Miz looks at his phone, Miz and Morrison pump each other up, AJ comes up, says he has something to discuss with them, Omos stands between camera and them as they huddle up.

Riddle vs. Morrison

They show a picture of Miz and Morrison from 2007

Miz hits Riddle with the drip stick, so Riddle kicks Miz in his wheelchair and he falls back in it

AJ and Omos come out mid-match

Riddle goes for RKO, Morrison counters, gets the upper hand, but Riddle eventually gets it back, gets 2 with a v-trigger

Riddle goes up top, AJ gives his scooter to Omos, who BREAKS it. This allows Morrison to hit a sick urunagi and Starship Pain for the win

***

After the match, AJ beats down Riddle, gives him styles clash

Reginald vs. R-Truth

Reginald leaps into the ring probably with the help of a trampoline, Truth is into it

R-TRUTH IS MIC’D UP DURING THE MATCH

Reggie evades everything, til Truth throws his jacket in his face, but he’s still able to evade, Reggie hits his flipping seated senton for 3

**½

After the match, the 24/7 division comes running out, he flips over them all from inside to outside

Char interview: Nikki is delusional, I am sick and tired of this division being run down by almost superstars. I built this and there wouldn’t be a women’s champion in the WWE if it wasn’t for me. Tonight I’m gonna prove that to the almost champion, Nikki.

Nikki ASH vs. Charlotte Flair Championship Contender’s Match #3?

Whoa what? Why did they call this a championship contender’s match, that wasn’t the deal

Char dominates much of this

Nikki comes alive with a funsplash to the floor on Char, Char tries a boot, Nikki evades, takes over, Nikki hits a tornado DDT, goes up, hits funsplash, Char rolls it over and pins for 3

***

Charlotte mocks her, interview with Char afterwards, she says why are you congratulating me? What did you expect? Nikki, 1 2 3, you think cuz you put on a mask and a cape that youc an be a superhero, look me in my face, NO ONE IS IN MY LEAGUE, NO ONE.

Nikki says I might have lost tonight, but next week I’m challenging you to a rematch

Char says I can beat you any week, so you got it.

Char beats her afterwards