Monday Night Raw recap
Providence, Rhode Island
Dunkin Donuts Centre
May 10th 2021
HOUSE OF MEMORIES - P!ATD
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Match 1: Queen of the Ring 1st Round match: Alexa Bliss vs Mercedes Martinez
Match summary: Monday Night Raw this week kicks off right in the middle of the action as we get the first Queen of the Ring match of the evening with Alexa Bliss taking on Mercedes Martinez. The commentary team mentions that no one is allowed at ringside for Queen of the Ring matches, while also pointing out that Mercedes was competing on the Armageddon pre-show, whereas Alexa Bliss comes into this match fresher and more rested.
Early on in the match, Bliss is wary and keeps her distance from Mercedes Martinez, respecting the superior power that her opponent has. Martinez has no patience for the games of Alexa and stays on the attack, giving Bliss a bit of a beating early on before working over her with a bunch of submissions. Bliss is tougher than she looks and fights out of Mercedes Martinez's hold, starting to take control of the match by bending the rules to stay on top of Martinez.
As the match heads towards the closing stages, Mercedes Martinez is in control of the match and looks to lock Alexa in her in the BRASS CITY SLEEPER CHOKING THE LIFE OUT OF ALEXA BLISS! Bliss is in big trouble and can’t seem to find any way to escape until she FLIPS HER BODY OVER INTO A PINNING PREDICAMENT! Mercedes realizes a bit late, tired from her match last night, and ALEXA BLISS ESCAPES WITH THE PINFALL VICTORY!
Winner via pinfall: Alexa Bliss (10:25)
Mercedes Martinez lets go of the hold just a little too late as Alexa Bliss rolls off and chokes on the mat, feeling the effects of the sleeper hold. Martinez looks furious and kicks the ropes in frustration whilst Alexa Bliss celebrates and gloats, heading up the entrance ramp. The commentary team confirms she will face the winner between Bianca Belair and Stevie Turner in the next round as we cut to a commercial break.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ad break
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When we return from the commercial break, we see Sheamus walking out of the gym with a frustrated look on his face, clearly still unhappy about being currently locked out of the Intercontinental title picture. His mood gets worse, though, when he comes face-to-face with The Miz! Sheamus tells the A-Lister he already said no to his help and doesn’t need The Miz to teach him anything. Sheamus walks off, but The Miz tells Sheamus that he should hear him out and even has a special Miz TV for him to guest star on. Sheamus glares as Miz asks him to hear him out. Sheamus says it better be good or Miz will have his Hollywood smile ruined, and storms off, leaving The Miz standing there with a smile.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Next, we cut elsewhere backstage as Trent Seven is standing backstage in front of his new allies, The Grizzled Young Veterans. Trent looks furious and says that tonight he should be fighting Andrade Cien Almas in the Intercontinental title series, but instead Elias has stolen his spot thanks to the jealousy and bitterness of British Strong Style! Zack Gibson chimes in to say that Trent’s old boys could not bear to see their former friend thriving, so they had to try to drag him down.
Zack goes on saying that Trent was all that was keeping them relevant, and now they know their time in the spotlight is closing, so they knew they needed to make sure they couldn’t move on from them. James Drake says British Strong Style has made a huge mistake because if they stayed out of their business, they would have left them alone as they focused on becoming tag team champions, but now not only will they win the number one contender’s match, but they will make them grit their teeth!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We then go backstage as The New Day stand, getting loud cheers from the live crowd watching them on the titantron. Big E speaks first with the WWE title on his shoulder, saying that last week he teamed with Cesaro to take on a common threat. He notes that, while he respects Cesaro's abilities, he isn’t there to be a footnote in anyone else’s story. Big E emphasizes that he waited a full year to become WWE Champion, and he intends to keep the title around his waist!
Big E says he has no plans on waiting 3 weeks for a fight either and tells Wade Barrett to find him an opponent next week. Kofi Kingston talks next, saying he is keeping a close eye on the Intercontinental series and wishes all 4 men good luck, promising to watch the final next week up close. Xavier Woods then takes over, saying that he is planning to see his Cruiserweight title challenge in the ring. His best friends tell him they will be on standby in case of any fun business before Woods heads to the ring.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ad break
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When we return from the commercial break, Xavier Woods makes his way to the ring as promised with his Cruiserweight title around his waist and a microphone in his hand. Woods says he came to this ring as he wants to see the man against whom his first one-on-one defence of the Cruiserweight title will be and look him in the eyes. He tells the crowd that Oney hits hard and is one of the most proficient wrestlers on the Raw roster. Woods, though, says he knows Danny Burch has a habit of getting involved in his fights.
This leads to Oney Lorcan coming to the ring, joined by his tag team partner, Danny Burch. They climb into the ring and stand across from Xavier Woods. Burch seems ready to fight right now, but Oney puts an arm in the way, looking to keep the Brit under control for the time being. Oney steps forward and comes face to face with Woods as he asks the Cruiserweight Champion why he feels he can talk about people needing to do things alone.
Danny Burch pipes in to say that Woods has leaned on the New Day his whole career, getting a head shake from Woods. Xavier says they have all supported each other, and there was a time people could get to him by calling him a weak link, but those days are long gone. He tells both of the men in the ring he intends to prove he is a worthy champion, so he asks Danny to stay in the back next week. Oney has a cocky smirk and nods at his partner, agreeing to fight Woods alone next week, but only if Xavier does the same, bringing the promo to an end!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We cut backstage as we can see Mustafa Ali sitting in a stairwell looking off into the distance before speaking to the camera. He says he spent weeks after WrestleMania 37 unable to leave his bed due to the pop-up powerbomb given to him by Kevin Owens. He takes a moment to pause before asking the fans if they forgot how much they loved him. Ali talks about the cheers he would get during both his Cruiserweight title reigns, but it was all forgotten when he was wronged by someone the crowd loves more.
Mustafa says he can understand that because he knows the general public can be fickle and they need someone like him to lead them. Ali shakes his head and says his anger is aimed at Sami Zayn. He tells us that people call Sami someone super moral and the conscience of WWE, but where was he when his so-called best friend powerbombed him onto the ring apron? Ali says if Sami had the morals that he says he does, he would have confronted Kevin Owens in public about using that move.
Ali even points to the Armageddon PPV and says Owens even tried to do the move to someone else last night! Mustafa says the fans can make their choice tonight before the bell, but he will show in the ring who the morally superior and better athlete is when he beats Sami Zayn in tonight’s main event. Ali rises to his feet and says that once he gets past Sami, it doesn’t matter if it is Elias or Andrade Cien Almas. Neither man will stop him from claiming the Intercontinental title before Ali leaves the stairwell and Raw goes to a commercial break.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ad break
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Match 2: Drew McIntyre vs Dolph Ziggler w/OMOS
Match summary: When we return from the commercial break, we get a clash between two former World Champions in Drew McIntyre and Dolph Ziggler. Dolph, for all of his talk coming into this match, keeps away from the Sinister Scotsman as much as he can, knowing Drew can overpower him with ease. Ziggler can only play keep away for so long as Drew grabs hold of him and dominates Ziggler from the middle stages to the finish as he puts away Dolph with the CLAYMORE!
Winner via pinfall: Drew McIntyre (6:43)
Drew McIntyre gets back to his feet and soaks in the cheers from the live crowd as he celebrates the victory. OMOS steps into the ring and looks to attack Drew McIntyre… BUT DREW IS READY! He hits a GLASGOW KISS INTO A CLAYMORE DROPPING THE GIANT! The crowd loudly cheers as Drew leaves the ring and backs up the entrance ramp, still celebrating… RANDY ORTON RKO’S HIM! A loud mixed reaction as Orton tilts his head, smirking, before we cut elsewhere backstage…
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We see Baron Corbin and Tommaso Ciampa sitting together in a locker room, with neither man happy about their loss in the main event of Raw last week. Both men talk about being held down and the fact that they belong at the top of this show. Corbin suggests an alliance, which prompts Ciampa to ponder it for a few moments before he says he would need to see how it works. Ciampa suggests they throw a challenge out to Cesaro and see if he can find a partner for them to both beat. Corbin nods and offers a hand to Ciampa, who says he will save the pleasantries until after he proves this partnership can work.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ad break
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Match 3: Intercontinental series match: Andrade Cien Almas w/Zelina Vega vs Elias
Match summary: The 2nd hour begins with the first of the two semi-final matches in the Intercontinental title series, as Andrade Cien Almas and Elias collide for a spot in the final. Early on in the match, Andrade is very cocky and dismissive of Elias, not taking him too seriously. This costs him as Elias takes control of the match and shocks Andrade by overpowering him. Andrade shakes his head and looks to get back on track, using a well-timed distraction from Zelina to take control of the match.
Andrade starts to realize that Elias can match him power-wise and instead starts to use his agility/lucha skills to overwhelm his challenger tonight. Elias is struggling but is giving the former World Champion a tough time in this encounter as the fans are loudly behind him. In the closing stages, Elias is trying to put away Andrade, but as he goes for the DRIFT AWAY… ANDRADE COUNTERS HITTING A FLATLINER INTO THE TURNBUCKLE! Andrade follows up with SEEING SHADOWS before dragging Elias out of the corner and making the cover to advance to the final!
Winner via pinfall: Andrade Cien Almas (9:00)
Andrade gets to his feet and is joined by Zelina Vega in the ring, who lifts his arm into the air as they gloat in the ring to loud boos from the live crowd. Elias, meanwhile, rolls to the outside, sighing and looking disappointed to have come up just short tonight, as we cut to a commercial break.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ad break
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When we return from the commercial break, we see Tegan Nox and Rhea Ripley hanging out backstage. The two women are in good spirits as they talk about their plans to kick Charlotte Flair’s ass the next chance they get. Before they can carry on with their talk, we see Piper Niven walk into the ring, wincing in pain as she does. There is a tiny bit of tension between Piper Niven and Rhea Ripley after their talk about Rhea not getting involved in the match.
Piper smirks slightly, saying that was a good way to get around not getting involved, as Rhea holds her hands up and tells Piper that no matter the result of the match, she was coming out there to beat Charlotte’s ass. Rhea even has the Women’s Universal title on show and says she would have gladly welcomed a challenge from Piper too. Niven smirks saying well, when she wins Queen of the Ring, they will have to see if Rhea changes her mind.
Tegan Nox chimes in to make it clear she plans to win her Queen of the Ring match next week and talks about the fact that she made it further than Piper in last year’s tournament. Piper doesn’t look happy at that comment and fires back that they both didn’t walk out winners. Rhea gets between both of them and says they can save it for the tournament, which gets a look from Piper, who backs away and leaves the room as Tegan and Rhea go back to talking to each other.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We cut to the ring as The Swiss Superman Cesaro walks to the ring in a suit with a serious look on his face. He plays to the fans a bit, who are cheering, but he mostly remains stoic as he enters the ring. He says he is not one for long speeches and is more someone who believes in action. He walks around the ring and says he will start with the most important piece of business: The WWE Champion Big E. He says he heard what Big E had to say, and he is glad he made their alliance clear last week.
Cesaro makes it clear that he was under no illusions about the nature of their alliance last week, and he just wanted the chance to beat up Andrade one more time. A slight smile crosses his face, but as he turns to address Big E, his expression grows determined. He tells Big E that while Big E might have waited a year to cash in, Cesaro has been waiting for this his entire career. The smile fades, replaced by raw anger, as Cesaro says he has people telling him he doesn’t have what it takes to be a World Champion and that he doesn’t grab “the brass ring”.
Cesaro shakes his head, frustration visible, and calls it a stupid concept because you can work and only get one opportunity at the wrong time. Calming himself, he tells the crowd that when he fought Drew last year, he was under bad management who were not going to guide him to the top of WWE. Instead, they held him back for their golden goose. Cesaro says at WrestleMania 37, he broke free from those chains and slayed the golden goose, so now he is free to take the spot that should have belonged to him, his tone growing more resolute.
He makes it clear that he has already proved how much he has learned in the last year by beating Drew McIntyre, the man who stopped him last year. He says Big E should hold that title tight and keep his friends close because he’s going to need them soon. Cesaro smirks before finishing the promo by saying he heard Corbin and Ciampa's words, promising he knows just who will team with him and confirms he will team with his friend Ilja Dragunov against them next week!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ad break
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When we return from the commercial break, we cut to the interior of what appears to be a music studio. The camera pans around as we see Swerve Strickland sitting down next to his friend AR Fox. Swerve smirks, starting the promo, and looks to AR Fox, telling his friend it took him a while to see sense. Fox nods in agreement with Swerve but says it’s better late than never. AR looks to the camera and says he tried to do things the right way, but where does that get him? He came to Raw for success, not to be another person on the roster.
Swerve nods and says that’s the mindset The Hurt Business needs. Morals don’t matter; all that matters is the results, and he beat Lio Rush in the middle of the ring to remove him from The Hurt Business. Swerve gives a toothy grin before saying they are taking care of some business this week, but they will return to Raw next week for a business meeting with the rest of the group. Both men smirk before Swerve pulls out a phone and makes a call, whilst we cut to a video package.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We cut to a video package that shows us highlights of Lyra Valkyria’s performances in NXT UK, showcasing her impressive in-ring skills. We even hear from Lyra, who talks about Becky Lynch being a big influence on her when she was breaking into the business, and she plans to become Queen of the Ring.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Match 4: Queen of the Ring 1st Round match: Lyra Valkyria vs Mia Yim
Match summary: Lyra gets a decent reaction from the live crowd for someone appearing on Raw for the first time. Mia Yim is very dismissive of the Irish superstar early on and even taunts her. Mia soon comes to regret it when Lyra fires back with a series of strikes and plants Yim to the mat. Mia has to roll to the outside, but Lyra has no intention of letting up as she dives through the ropes, keeping up the pressure with a suicide dive! Lyra stays in control throughout, and in the end, she manages to put away Mia Yim with NIGHTWING (SAMOAN DRIVER) to advance to the last 16!
Winner via pinfall: Lyra Valkyria (8:17)
Lyra Valkyria gets to her feet and has a big smile on her face, having pulled off to a lot of fans watching at home a huge upset. Michael Cole is full of praise for the NXT UK superstar and even speculates that her win tonight might put her in line for a call-up in the draft as Monday Night Raw. Pat McAfee adds that she will face the winner of Isla Dawn and Kay Lee Rae in the last 16, wondering if we will see another NXT superstar pull off an upset as we cut to a commercial break.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ad break
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When we return from the commercial break, we see Keith Lee standing backstage with his Money in the Bank briefcase on show. He doesn’t look to be in a good mood and says that last night an old enemy came back into his path. Keith Lee talks about his history with Adam Cole in NXT and their battle over the North American/NXT title. He says Adam Cole has to always have a group behind him and someone to call on to help him. He tells the camera that doesn’t mean Cole is a weak competitor, quite the opposite, as he wags a finger.
Adam Cole is a capable athlete and an elite wrestler on his own, which makes his need for a group at his back even more baffling to Keith Lee. The limitless one says Cole doesn’t need it but insists on it. He tells the fans that will be for him to deal with on SmackDown in the coming weeks, but he has some business still on Raw. Keith Lee says there is one man on Monday Night Raw who holds a victory over him, and he is calling that man out: Samoa Joe! Keith tells the former WWE Champion to name the time and the place for them to fight, ending the promo!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We next cut backstage as Cathy Kelley stands ready for an interview with her guest, Ricochet. She welcomes the high-flier before asking him how he has been feeling lately. Ricochet says he remembers just over 2 years ago, he was fighting Roman Reigns for the Men’s Universal title, but since then, he has gone downhill and hasn’t been close to gold. Cathy asks him what might be the cause, as Ricochet takes a moment to sigh before saying he can only blame himself.
Ricochet says he forgot what got him gold in NXT, and it is time for him to get back to what he used to be. As Cathy is about to ask him what his plan is, they are interrupted by Angel Garza and Humberto Carrillo. Angel mockingly says Maybe Ricochet should join them in the Ungovernables, and he might remember what success feels like. Ricochet chuckles and says they look as successful as he right now. This angers Humberto, who challenges Ricochet to a singles match next week, which the One and Only accepts!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Match 5: Bobby Lashley vs Shelton Benjamin w/MVP
Match summary: Bobby Lashley marches out for this match by himself with a scowl on his face, but he does flex and pose for the live crowd. Once in the ring, Shelton makes his way out next, joined by Samoa Joe, Cedric Alexander, and MVP. MVP makes a point to send the other two to the back, walking to the ring with Shelton Benjamin. Before Shelton enters the ring, MVP makes it clear that they want a clear match and then to talk with Bobby, glaring at MVP.
Shelton, early on, is smart enough not to try to match Bobby Lashley when it comes to power moves and instead uses his agility to keep in the match, avoiding the power moves of the All Mighty. Bobby thinks he's no slouch and catches up to Shelton as he starts to lay into him with a series of power moves. Shelton mounts a comeback, but in the closing stages, Bobby catches Shelton leaping off the ropes with a WICKED SPEAR! Lashley makes the cover and picks up the victory!
Winner via pinfall: Bobby Lashley (7:06)
The crowd loudly cheers as Bobby picks up another win on Monday Night Raw. He looks serious as he gets to his feet, whilst MVP slides into the ring looking to check on his client. We see Bobby Lashley walk up to him and shout about what they did to Lio Rush, but MVP once again denies having any involvement in AR Fox’s attack last week. Shelton gets up to get in between the two men and offers Bobby a handshake, saying they have no issue with him. Lashley looks at the hand and shakes his head before heading to the back as Raw goes to a commercial break.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ad break
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monday Night Raw’s 3rd hour starts with Rhea Ripley making her way to the ring with her ally and friend, as of late, Tegan Nox. Both women get loud cheers from the crowd as Rhea says they have come out here for one reason, they want Charlotte Flair to come to this ring and accept the ass beating she is due! The fans love this from the Women’s Universal Champion as Tegan Nox takes over and says Charlotte showed her true colours months ago when she tried to injure her best friend, Dakota Kai!
Tegan carries on to say that they teamed with Charlotte to take down the bigger threat in the MMA Horsewomen, but The Queen was just a snake in the grass waiting for her time to strike! Rhea says it is time for her to cut the head off the snake, and if Charlotte is not going to make her way out here, she will go backstage to find her! Rhea gets sick of waiting, but eventually Charlotte walks out onto the entrance ramp, getting loud boos from the fans in the crowd.
She stands with a smirk and asks Rhea why she is so eager to get her ass kicked early, getting furious boos from the live crowd. Charlotte tells Rhea that she should be thankful that The Queen is willing to wait until the Queen of the Ring to take back what she never should have lost. Rhea Ripley replies, saying no matter what, she would have walked out of WrestleMania 37 with this title around her waist, and all Charlotte’s injury did was delay her getting her ass kicked by her!
Charlotte shakes her head and tells Rhea to ask herself what happened last time they stepped in the ring at Queen of the Ring! Rhea scowls as Charlotte tells the fans she made Rhea tap in the middle of the ring! Rhea tells Charlotte she is not the same nightmare she was back in those days and says she will prove it to Charlotte right now. The Queen says she would love to fight, but she isn’t fighting two women at once, and tells Rhea she will see her soon, bringing the segment to an end!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ad break
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Match 6: Number one contender’s match for World tag team titles: British Strong Style vs Grizzled Young Veterans vs Jeff Jarrett and Heath Slater vs Breezango
Match summary: The Street Profits make their way out before the start of this match and head straight to the commentary desk. They talk about all of the teams and are full of praise for all of the potential challengers except for Jeff Jarrett and Heath Slater, who they rip into. They call Jeff Jarrett a coward and a snake oil salesman who has corrupted Heath Slater with false promises of gold. The match gets underway and is a chaotic affair with 4 men in the ring at all times.
During the match, it becomes very clear that British Strong Style and The Grizzled Young Veterans are focused on fighting with each other. In the closing stages, the bad blood between the two British teams spills over, and they end up brawling with each other in the crowd. This leaves Breezango alone with Jeff Jarrett and Heath Slater, with Heath Slater catching Fandango with E-MINOR to give him the tag team victory tonight and earn the World tag team title shot in 3 weeks!
Winners via pinfall: Jeff Jarrett and Heath Slater (8:56)
Jeff Jarrett and Heath Slater celebrate in the ring with the live crowd giving them a ton of heat. They grab their guitars from ringside and slide back into the ring, ready to clock Breezango… BUT THE STREET PROFITS RUN INTO THE RING TO MAKE THE SAVE AND SEND THEIR CHALLENGERS PACKING! Both teams jaw-jack with each other as the commentary team hypes the upcoming tag match, whilst Raw goes to a commercial break.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ad break
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When we return from the commercial break, we see Bobby Lashley with his suitcase ready to leave Monday Night Raw when he is stopped by Lio Rush, who comes to have a chat with him. Lio says he appreciated what Bobby is doing for him and thanks the main man for having his back. Bobby smiles and says he considers Lio a friend, so he wants to make sure The Hurt Business gets an ass kicking for how they screwed him over. Bobby, though, notices that Lio doesn’t smile in response and asks what’s wrong.
Lio Rush says he wants payback on the people who screwed him over, but he believes the Hurt Business didn’t know what Swerve and Fox had planned. Bobby looks confused, but Lio says that MVP might not be a good man; however, he has a code for how he handles business. He also brings up Samoa Joe’s recent issues with Swerve Strickland and how he is acting. Bobby pauses to think about it as Lio suggests they leave together and talk in private about this, leading to both men leaving the arena for the night.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We then cut to the ring as Ruby Riott makes her way out, getting a decent pop from the live crowd. She has a microphone in hand and looks pretty furious before telling the fans that she hasn’t been a perfect person since she came to Raw and SmackDown. She has made plenty of mistakes and treated Liv Morgan horribly. Ruby says the best thing she has done recently is making up with her former friend Liv Morgan because she is starting to wonder if she made a mistake ever being friends with Shotzi!
This prompts Shotzi Blackheart to storm out with her arm still in a sling and a microphone in her other hand. Shotzi asks Ruby to forgive her, but she did what she thought was best for their team. Ruby shakes her head, annoyed with this answer, and tells Shotzi she never asked for her help to win that match against Dani Luna. Shotzi says she felt bad because she caused the match to happen, but Ruby replies that if she felt bad, maybe she should stop causing problems for Ruby.
Liv Morgan makes her way out next, getting loud cheers from the crowd as she looks to come out and play peacemaker! Liv tells both of them this is not what she wanted when she reunited with Ruby Riott. Shotzi tells Liv to stay out of it, but this further angers Ruby, who tells Shotzi this is the exact problem. Ruby says Shotzi has done nothing but be jealous of Liv Morgan ever since Ruby made up with her. Shotzi tries to deny it, but Ruby says her friend can’t even be honest with her.
Shotzi tries to speak, but even Liv is getting fed up with this and tells Shotzi she needs to sort this out, as they both have the Queen of the Ring to focus on this week and next week. Shotzi is furious at this and tells Liv Morgan she would be in the tournament if not for her dragging them into a war with the MMA Horsewomen. Shotzi gets right in Liv’s face… AS RUBY PUSHES HER OVER AND TELLS HER TO STOP IT! Shotzi looks shocked as Ruby drops the microphone and leaves the ring, joined by Liv Morgan, who shakes her head as we cut to a commercial break.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ad break
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Match 7: Queen of the Ring 1st Round match: Piper Niven vs Natalya
Match summary: When we return from the commercial break, we cut to the ring for the 3rd and final Queen of the Ring match of the evening. Piper Niven starts the match like a house on fire, but it becomes clear very early on that she is starting to be aggressive as she is coming into this match hurt, and Natalya looks to take advantage, targeting the right leg of Piper in relentless fashion! Piper at first stays in control, but Natalya slowly dissects the right leg of Piper and starts to grind her down!
The crowd looks to will the Scot on, hoping for her to overpower the MMA Horsewomen veteran, but Natalya is in her element, even having picked up a few tricks from Shayna Baszler and Marina Shafir. In the closing stages, Natalya gets Piper Niven trapped in the SHARPSHOOTER! Natalya wrenches everything she has into the hold as Piper tries to find a way out of the hold… BUT SHE CAN’T ESCAPE AND IS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RING! Piper doesn’t want to do it, but in a huge shock… SHE TAPS OUT!
Winner via submission: Natalya (8:05)
The crowd boos, though a lot of them are shocked, having expected Piper Niven to overcome the injuries to walk out with the victory. Natalya gloats to the crowd and shouts off-mic that winning the Queen of the Ring is in her genetics. The commentary team hypes up The Queen of Harts' family history and her submission skills, which they believe could be vital in this tournament, as we cut to Piper Niven in pain in the ring, furious at her loss.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We cut to the back as we can see MVP in The Hurt Business locker room talking to his clients, though it is clear that Samoa Joe, Shelton Benjamin, and Cedric Alexander are not in a good mood. Notably, EJ Nduka is sitting in the corner, working out, and seems stoic rather than angry. We soon see Tom Phillips walk into the room as he looks for an interview with MVP and outright asks him if they had anything to do with AR Fox getting involved in last week’s loser leaves The Hurt Business match.
MVP looks to answer the question by saying no, but before he can say another word, SAMOA JOE LOSES HIS TEMPER GRABS TOM AND PINS HIM AGAINST THE WALL! Joe screams in his face and tells people to stop asking stupid questions. MVP comes over and pulls Joe away as he tells the big man to cool it, leading Joe to back off for the moment. MVP makes it clear that the group wanted to see who the better man was, so Swerve's cheating to win goes against that.
Cedric Alexander chimes in to say he was pro Swerve Strickland winning the match as he felt Lio wasn’t cutting the mustard, but he wanted it to be between the two men. EJ stays quiet in the corner as Cedric carries on and says that if Bobby still wants to blame his tag team partner for what happened, he’ll gladly see him in the ring next week. Samoa Joe wraps up the promo by telling Tom that he will fight Keith Lee in two weeks and show there are limits when it comes to getting past him!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We then cut to Sami Zayn walking to the ring ahead of tonight’s main event, when he is stopped by Cathy Kelley for an interview. She asks Sami how he is feeling ahead of tonight’s main event, now two matches away from a chance to get his Intercontinental title back. Sami says it has been a long road to get back to the title he lost to Swerve Strickland, but he knows he is worthy of being a singles champion again on Raw. Cathy then asks him about what Mustafa Ali had to say earlier in the night.
Sami sighs and takes a few seconds before answering the question from Cathy Kelley. He says he has had a lot of respect for Mustafa Ali and even considered him an ally in the lead-up to WrestleMania. He says he is not responsible for Kevin’s actions and never will be. He tells Cathy that if Mustafa Ali has a problem with what Kevin Owens did to him at WrestleMania 37, he needs to confront Kevin about it! Sami Zayn wraps up the promo and heads to the ring as we cut to the final commercial break of the night!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ad break
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When we return from the commercial break, the commentary team confirms before both men make their way out that James Strom has accepted Big E’s challenge and they will collide on Raw next week!
Main event: Intercontinental series match: Mustafa Ali vs Sami Zayn
Match summary: Sami offers a handshake to start the match, but Ali responds to it by SLAPPING SAMI IN THE FACE INSTEAD! Loud boos from the crowd as Ali shows a lot of the same aggression he did last week in the ring with Dolph Ziggler. Sami struggles early on to fight back against Mustafa Ali and even has to roll to the outside of the ring to get a breather… BUT ALI RUNS THE ROPES AND DIVES TO THE OUTSIDE WIPING SAMI ZAYN OUT!
Mustafa Ali is in total control of the mat before grabbing hold of Sami Zayn and rolling him back into the ring. Ali climbs onto the ring apron as he lines up the prone Sami and hits him with a SPRINGBOARD SENTON! Ali is in control of the match, but he can’t seem to put Sami Zayn away as the match carries on. The former Intercontinental Champion puts up a bit of a fight and starts to get in control of the match, getting him in the corner for the HULLEVA KICK…
ALI COUNTERS WITH A KICK OUT OF THE CORNER! Sami stumbles backward as Ali follows up with a SUPERKICK! Sami falls to the mat before Ali turns around and climbs to the top rope! He dives off looking for the 054… SAMI MOVES JUST IN TIME! Ali crashes and burns, allowing Sami to get hold of him as he connects with the BLUE THUNDER BOMB! He makes the cover as Ali kicks out! Sami looks to stay on top, lifting Ali up… BUT ALI COUNTERS LOCKING IN A KOJI CLUTCH… BUT SAMI FIGHTS OUT AND COUNTERS INTO A ROLL-UP TO SECURE THE 3 COUNT!
Winner via pinfall: Sami Zayn (11:53)
Sami Zayn uses his technical ability to outwrestle Mustafa Ali and advances to the final of the Intercontinental series! He gets to his feet and celebrates the victory whilst Mustafa Ali looks furious. Sami, after he finishes celebrating, looks at Ali and once again offers him a hand. Ali looks at it for a few seconds before shaking his head and storming off towards the backstage area. Sami responds by shrugging before going to celebrate in the ring as Raw comes to a close!
Confirmed matches for next week:
Cruiserweight title match:
Xavier Woods © vs Oney Lorcan
Queen of the Ring 1st Round match:
Isla Dawn vs Kay Lee Rae
Queen of the Ring 1st Round match:
Tegan Nox vs Tamina
Queen of the Ring 1st Round match:
Mickie James vs Ruby Riott
Intercontinental series final:
Andrade Cien Almas vs Sami Zayn
Singles match:
Big E vs James Storm
Tag team match:
Cesaro and Ilja Dragunov vs Baron Corbin and Tommaso Ciampa
Singles match:
Bobby Lashley vs Cedric Alexander
Singles match:
Ricochet vs Humberto Carrillo
Confirmed matches in two weeks:
Queen of the Ring 2nd Round match:
Marina Shafir or Toni Storm vs Mickie James or Ruby Riott
Queen of the Ring 2nd Round match:
Emma or Jinny vs Natalya
Singles match:
Keith Lee vs Samoa Joe
Confirmed matches in three weeks:
WWE title match:
Big E © vs Cesaro
Intercontinental title match:
Kofi Kingston © vs Andrade Cien Almas or Sami Zayn
World tag team titles match:
The Street Profits © vs Jeff Jarrett and Heath Slater
Queen of the Ring 2nd Round match:
Franky Money or Sonya Deville vs Gigi Dollin or Liv Morgan
Queen of the Ring 2nd Round match:
Tegan Nox or Tamina vs Mandy Rose or Shayna Baszler
EWR Rating:
70%
NXT QOTR recap:
Queen of the Ring 1st Round match: Gigi Dollin vs Liv Morgan
Gigi comes into this match as a rookie on NXT, still against Liv Morgan, but Gigi more than holds her own, even catching Liv a bit by surprise by how good she is doing during this encounter. In the end, though, Liv Morgan picks up the win with obLIVion!
Winner via pinfall: Liv Morgan (6:45)
Queen of the Ring 1st Round match: Marina Shafir vs Toni Storm
These two are very different characters from who they are in real life in 2025. Toni, though, has become an NXT mainstay and a popular fiery babyface for the live crowd. Marina works over Toni Storm, who struggles due to the lethal submission from Shafir, but in the end, she proves why she is one of NXT’s best and picks up the win with STORM ZERO!
Winner via pinfall: Toni Storm (10:10)
More injuries on house shows over the week:
Jeff Hardy and Kid Lykos II have both picked up injuries on a house show and will be out for the next few weeks. Jeff Hardy’s contract is set to expire soon, and it remains to be seen whether it will be renewed.
Queen of the Ring
London, England
June 6th 2021
BACK FROM THE DEAD – HALESTORM
Women’s Universal title match:
Rhea Ripley © vs Charlotte Flair
WWE Women’s title match:
Taynara Conti © vs Deonna Purrazzo
Women’s tag team titles match:
Boss ‘N’ Hug Connection © vs Iyo Sky and Zoey Stark
Queen of The Ring quarter-final:
Isla Dawn or Kay Lee Rae or Lyra Valkyria vs Carmella or Nina Samuels or Naomi or Xia Brookside
Queen of The Ring quarter-final:
Alexa Bliss or Bianca Belair or Stevie Turner vs Emma or Jinny or Natalya
Queen of The Ring quarter-final:
Toni Storm or Mickie James or Ruby Riott vs Tegan Nox or Tamina or Mandy Rose or Shayna Baszler
Queen of The Ring quarter-final:
Billie Kay or Dani Luna or Ember Moon or Xia Li vs Franky Monet or Sonya Deville or Liv Morgan
Queen of The Ring semi-final:
Isla Dawn or Kay Lee Rae or Lyra Valkyria or Carmella or Nina Samuels or Naomi or Xia Brookside vs Alexa Bliss or Bianca Belair or Stevie Turner or Emma or Jinny or Natalya
Queen of The Ring semi-final:
Toni Storm or Mickie James or Ruby Riott or Tegan Nox or Tamina or Mandy Rose or Shayna Baszler vs Billie Kay or Dani Luna or Ember Moon or Xia Li or Franky Monet or Sonya Deville or Liv Morgan
