Raw is War
Knoxville, Tennessee
April 25, 2022
Results from wrestleview.com
“Then. Now. Forever.” The WWE video leads us into the show.
Raw Tag Team Champion Riddle is in the ring. The ring is surrounded
by WWE Raw performers, including Seth “Freakin” Rollins, The Street
Profits, Bobby Lashley, and Veer Mahaan. Riddle welcomes everyone to
the show and says we’ll be celebrating one of the greatest WWE
Superstars.
Video Package: The 20-year career of Randy Orton
A “Randy” chant picks up. Riddle introduces his best friend, The
Viper, The Apex Predator, and The Legend Killer, Randy Orton!
Raw Tag Team Champion Randy Orton comes out to a tremendous ovation
from the Knoxville crowd. Orton gets in the ring, and the crowd
chants his name. Orton says he appreciates Riddle for doing this.
Knoxville is where Orton was born. It’s on Wikipedia. It’s cool that
they’re doing this here. It’s been a hell of a journey with a lot of
ups, downs, twists, and turns. Orton hopes the people aren’t sick of
him because he’s not going anywhere anytime soon. 20 years flew by
in a flash. Orton has made a lot of relationships and had some
killer matches against some badass men like John Cena, Triple H, The
Undertaker, Shawn Michaels, and Mick Foley. It’s because of Mick
Foley that he became The Legend Killer and he’s even here. Orton
thanks Foley, as well as Triple H and Ric Flair.
There’s one thing that’s different these days. Orton is having more
fun right now than he’s ever had in his entire career. It’s because
of Riddle. Orton loves him and embraces him. An “RK-Bro” chant picks
up. Orton wants to let the WWE Universe know that they’ve had some
ups and downs, twists and turns, but they always came back and
supported him. Without them, there is no Randy Orton. Orton says he
loves the crowd. Another “Randy” chant picks up.
Riddle says he has a surprise for Orton. This man wanted to come out
and tell him how much a mentor Orton is to him. He’s a
second-generation superstar that looks up to Orton as a locker room
leader. This person says he’s friends with Orton. Riddle introduces
“The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes to the ring. Rhodes comes out
to a nice ovation and embraces the former leader of Legacy.
Rollins has had enough and sarcastically says this is so cute.
Rollins warns Orton not to trust Rhodes. Rhodes isn’t out here to
show love. Rhodes is here to steal the spotlight just like he tried
to do to Rollins at WrestleMania. Rollins gets in the ring and wants
to let Rhodes in on a secret: not everything is about him. Rhodes
agrees. Rollins says tonight is specifically about Randy Orton.
Rollins dressed in his finest suit for the occasion to celebrate 20
years in the past. Rollins says Orton’s best years are behind him.
Orton is the past, but not the present and the future. Neither is
Rhodes. The next generation of WWE Superstars won’t be inspired by a
Nightmare, a Bro, or a Viper. They’ll be inspired by a visionary and
a revolutionary in Seth Rollins.
Ezekiel gets in the ring and says he hates to interrupt, but as the
newest superstar around he wants to say congratulations. Ezekiel
introduces himself to Orton as Elias’ younger brother. Ezekiel
claims he and his brother would watch Orton dominate on TV as The
Legend Killer. Kevin Owens comes through the crowd screaming that
Ezekiel is a liar. Owens says he talks and sounds like Elias because
he is. Owens gets in the ring and tells Orton not to let Ezekiel lie
to him. Ezekiel is a disgusting piece of trash. He may have passed a
lie detector test. Owens is the only one that’s still sane around
here.
SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos come out to the ring. They say
they were 15 years old when Orton debuted. Jey has a favorite Randy
Orton story. They used to watch him as youngsters, but now their
favorite moment will be when they beat him to unify the Tag Team
Titles and cement their legacy.
WWE Official Adam Pearce comes out to the stage. Pearce wants to
stop this before it tarnishes the night. In commemoration of Orton’s
20th anniversary, Seth “Freakin” Rollins will team with Kevin Owens
and The Usos to take on Ezekiel, Cody Rhodes, and RK-Bro! Owens
punches Ezekiel down, so Orton drops him with an RKO. The Usos back
off.
Mayor Glenn Jacobs (WWE Hall of Famer Kane) is backstage talking
with Bianca Belair. Belair will defend the Raw Women’s Championship
against Sonya Deville next.
-Commercial Break-
Raw Women’s Championship
Sonya Deville vs. Bianca Belair (c)
The bell rings, and they immediately go at it. Belair shoulder
blocks Deville down, and Deville gets out of the ring. Deville pulls
Belair out of the ring, but Belair sends her over the commentary
table. Deville grabs her ankle in pain and is counted out.
The ring announcer goes to announce Bianca Belair as the winner, but
Deville says she did not lose. There was water everywhere. This
match will restart with no count-outs.
The bell rings again, and Belair goes at Deville. Belair goes for a
suplex on the floor, but Deville blocks it and drives her into the
LED apron. Belair fights back, but Deville pulls at the braid.
Belair counters and sends her into the timekeeper’s area. Deville
hits Belair in the midsection and spine with a chair. The referee
calls for the bell.
Deville says Belair cheated first by using a foreign object with her
hair. This match will be restarted with no count-outs or
disqualifications. The bell rings, and Deville calls Queen Zelina
and Carmella down to the ring.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Carmella holding up Belair and
Deville punching away at her. Belair boots Deville back and knocks
Carmella away. Belair hits a spinebuster on Deville, so Zelina runs
in and jumps on Belair’s back. Deville kicks Belair in the
midsection. Deville and Zelina send Belair to the corner. Deville
shoulders Belair in the corner. Belair knocks Zelina and Carmella
away before sidestepping Deville. Belair gets in the ring and goes
for a slam on Deville, but Deville counters into a roll-through into
the turnbuckle. Deville sets up a steel chair and hits a DDT on it.
Deville covers for a near fall.
Zelina wedges the chair in the corner, but Belair sends Deville
headfirst into it. Belair knocks Zelina and Carmella away before
hitting Deville with the KOD for the win.
Winner by Pinfall and still Raw Women’s Champion: Bianca Belair
Edge and Damian Priest are shown backstage. We’ll hear from them
next.
-Commercial Break-
Replays are shown of Bianca Belair defeating Sonya Deville moments
ago.
Carmella and Queen Zelina are arguing backstage. Sonya Deville walks
up and is furious with them. They didn’t deliver the Raw Women’s
Championship to her, so she’s denying them another title
opportunity. They’re not happy, so Deville slaps Queen Zelina in the
face. Carmella goes to hit Deville, but Deville warns her that she’s
still her boss. Carmella says this was all Zelina’s fault. Deville
slaps Carmella in the face and walks off.
Replays are shown of Edge and Damian Priest viciously attacking AJ
Styles last week. They attacked his arm.
Edge and Damian Priest are shown backstage. Edge is sitting on a
throne. Edge mentions how everyone is wondering why he’s changed,
but he’s the same. Edge insults the town, as well as Mayor Kane and
the Tennessee Volunteers. They’re dealing out punishment to AJ
Styles. Later tonight, Damian Priest will beat up Finn Bálor and
finish their unfinished business. They laugh ominously.
Veer Mahaan makes his way to the ring.
-Commercial Break-
Replays are shown of the destruction caused by Veer Mahaan.
Veer Mahaan vs. Sam Smothers
Mahaan immediately and viciously attacks Smothers at the sound of
the bell. Mahaan avalanches him in the corner and hits him with a
Million Dollar Arm clothesline. Mahaan applies the Cervical Clutch
for the submission.
Winner by Submission: Veer Mahaan
Mahaan throws Smothers out of the ring and reapplies the Cervical
Clutch. Referees run down to help, but they are ineffective. Mahaan
slams Smothers on the commentary table and applies the Cervical
Clutch on the table. Smothers passes out from the pain. Mahaan
stands over the broken local competitor.
Bobby Lashley is throwing shadow punches backstage. Lashley is
preparing for an Arm Wrestling Challenge against Omos, but he
doesn’t trust him or MVP.
Omos makes his way to the ring alongside MVP. He’ll face Bobby
Lashley in an Arm Wrestling Challenge, next.
-Commercial Break-
Tweets from John Cena, Drew McIntyre, and Triple H congratulating
Randy Orton are shown.
Omos is in the ring with MVP. MVP calls out Bobby Lashley for being
foolish and selfish for thinking he can go to WrestleMania without
him. The crowd gives MVP the “What” treatment, which upsets him.
Bobby Lashley comes out to the ring to interrupt the promo. The Arm
Wrestling Challenge starts up. Omos gets the early advantage, and
MVP talks trash the whole time. Lashley then rallies back and
defeats Omos. MVP pretends to hit Lashley with his cane. The
distraction allows Omos to blindside Lashley. Omos wipes Lashley out
with a clubbing blow and slams the arm wrestling table down on top
of him a few times. Omos throws the table out of the ring. MVP holds
Omos back from doing more damage.
Video Package: The Double Commitment Ceremony from last week
R-Truth will be the guest referee for a Mixed Tag Team Match with
Dana Brooke and Reggie taking on Tamina and Akira Tozawa.
-Commercial Break-
Earlier today, R-Truth showed off his certification to be a referee.
Mixed Tag Team Match
Special Guest Referee: R-Truth
WWE 24/7 Champion Dana Brooke and Reggie vs. Tamina and Akira Tozawa
Brooke and Tamina start the match out, but Reggie and Tozawa soon
tag in. Reggie gets the better of Tozawa, so Tamina tags back in.
Tamina teases kissing Brooke, but Tozawa tags in. Tozawa kicks
Reggie down and hits a top rope senton splash for the win.
Winners by Pinfall: Tamina and Akira Tozawa
After the match, Tozawa tries to roll up Brooke, but R-Truth breaks
it up. R-Truth then rolls Brooke up and tries to count his own pin,
but she escapes.
Video Package: The rivalry between Seth “Freakin” Rollins and Cody
Rhodes so far
Becky Lynch makes her way to the ring looking very dejected. This is
her first appearance since losing the Raw Women’s Championship to
Bianca Belair at WrestleMania. We’ll hear from her next.
-Commercial Break-
A bleak-looking Becky Lynch is in the ring. Lynch says it’s been
three years since she’s been on Raw without her championship. She
doesn’t recognize herself without the title and doesn’t know who she
is. This is rock bottom. Lynch says she has hit rock bottom. Lynch
then gets fired up and says if she’s hit rock bottom, then the only
direction to go is up. This is the start of a Becky Lynch comeback.
She’ll beat Bianca Belair for the title and never lose it again. No
one can stop her.
Asuka makes her way to the ring! Asuka comes out to a huge ovation.
Asuka gets in the ring and shouts in Japanese. Lynch looks furious.
Asuka says she’ll stop Becky Lynch because no one is ready for her.
Asuka flicks Lynch’s nose. An irate Lynch swings at her, but Asuka
ducks it. Lynch escapes the ring.
Replays are shown of The Street Profits defeating Raw Tag Team
Champions RK-Bro last week in a non-title match.
The Street Profits talk about tonight’s main event. They say they’ll
be waiting to see who wins the Title Unification Match. They’re next
in line.
Finn Bálor makes his way to the ring. He’ll face Damian Priest next.
-Commercial Break-
Edge and Damian Priest come out to the ring on a platform that
slowly drives them toward the ring. Edge is sitting on the throne.
They’re known of Judgement Day.
Finn Bálor vs. Damian Priest w/ Edge
The bell rings, and Priest quickly takes it to Bálor. Priest throws
him to the corner and wails away at him. Bálor sidesteps an
avalanche and punches at the midsection of Priest. Bálor
clotheslines Priest out of the ring. Priest pulls him out of the
ring, but Bálor fights back. Priest clubs him and hits a Crucifix
Powerbomb on the apron.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Priest taking it to Bálor. Bálor
fights back and goes to the top rope, but Edge stands up from his
throne, which causes a devastating distraction. Priest pulls Bálor
off the top rope and hits South of Heaven. Priest follows up with a
flatliner for the win.
Winner by Pinfall: Damian Priest
The commentators talk about tonight’s main event with an 8-man tag
match.
The Miz will have WWE United States Champion Theory on Miz TV next.
-Commercial Break-
The Miz has WWE United States Champion Theory come to the ring. Miz
puts him over as a United States Champion that is going to bring
prestige back to the title. This prestige hasn’t been seen on that
title in 12 years. Theory points out that Miz was champion 12 years
ago. Theory puts Miz over. Miz says everyone will be coming for him
as champion, but he can’t take every challenge.
Mustafa Ali makes a real surprise return. Miz and Theory make fun of
him for trying to legitimately quit the company. Ali says he’s here
on Raw and wants to take the United States Championship from Theory.
Theory declines the challenge. Ali says he’s spineless and makes fun
of The Miz. Theory defends Miz and says he just texted Mr. McMahon,
who put Miz in a match with Ali. Miz is not happy. Miz says Ali will
wish he got his walking papers. Ali slaps Miz in the face.
-Commercial Break-
Randy Orton is talking with WWE Hall of Famer Kane (Mayor Glenn
Jacobs) backstage.
The Miz vs. Mustafa Ali
Ali takes it to Miz early on, but Miz quickly gets the better of
him. Miz turns him inside out with a knee to the midsection and
whips him hard into the corner. Ali comes back with some kicks, but
Miz kicks out. Miz fights back, but Ali rolls him up for the win.
Winner by Pinfall: Mustafa Ali
Tommaso Ciampa attacks Mustafa Ali after the match.
We’ll hear from Rhea Ripley next.
-Commercial Break-
Replays are shown of Rhea Ripley attacking Liv Morgan last week on
Raw.
Rhea Ripley says she won the Raw Women’s Championship but has since
been in the tag division with disappointing partners that aren’t as
good as her. Ripley says they tried to bring her to their level, but
she won’t go. Liv Morgan viciously attacks Ripley.
Kevin Owens is talking with Chad Gable and Otis about the Lie
Detector Test from last week. Owens says he’s not paying him. Seth
“Freakin” Rollins walks up and wants to game plan with him, but
Owens is upset that Rollins insulted him last week. Owens says he’s
a better friend to Rollins. They argue until The Usos walk up and
say they better get the win tonight or The Tribal Chief won’t be
happy. Rollins says this is their show, but Owens walks off on him.
Cody Rhodes makes his way to the ring.
-Commercial Break-
Replays are shown of Omos attacking Bobby Lashley after losing to
him in an Arm Wrestling Challenge earlier tonight.
Kevin Patrick asks MVP and Omos about attacking Bobby Lashley after
losing. MVP says Lashley didn’t look like a winner laying there
after Omos beat him down. Omos is challenging Bobby Lashley to a
match at WrestleMania Backlash.
8-Man Tag Team Match
Cody Rhodes, Ezekiel, and Raw Tag Team Champions RK-Bro (Randy Orton
and Riddle) vs. SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos (Jimmy and Jey
Uso), Kevin Owens, and Seth “Freakin” Rollins
Before the match begins, Ezekiel attacks Kevin Owens. A giant brawl
breaks out that ends with Rhodes, Ezekiel, and RK-Bro standing tall
in the ring.
-Commercial Break-
Order was restored over the break, and we join this match in
progress. Ezekiel takes it to Jimmy Uso. Ezekiel boots him in the
face and pins him with a backslide for a two-count. Ezekiel powers
Jimmy up for a delayed twisting suplex for another two-count.
Ezekiel wrenches the arm and lifts Jimmy before tagging Riddle in.
Riddle kicks Jimmy in the chest and hits a snapmare. Randy Orton,
the man of the night, tags in. Orton flips Riddle onto Jimmy before
doing the Garvin Stomps. Cody Rhodes tags in, and he punches Jimmy
before stomping him down. Rhodes hits Jimmy with a release vertical
suplex. Seth “Freakin” Rollins distracts Rhodes, but Rhodes drops
down and uppercuts Jimmy. Jey Uso blind tags in and hits Rhodes with
a Samoan Drop for a one-count. Jey punches Rhodes and applies a
front facelock. Rhodes fights back and punches Jey. Jey fights back
with an uppercut that floors The American Nightmare. Jimmy tags back
in. The Usos hit Rhodes with a wishbone split. Jimmy chokes Rhodes
on the middle rope. Owens gets a cheap shot in. The Usos double-team
Rhodes before tagging Rollins in. Rollins goes after his
WrestleMania Backlash opponent, but Rhodes sidesteps the avalanche.
Rollins quickly boots Orton off the apron, but Rhodes soon takes him
down. Ezekiel tags in, and he clotheslines Rollins twice before
hitting a high knee. Ezekiel hits a spinebuster for a near fall.
Ezekiel presses Rollins up, but Rollins gets out. Riddle tags in and
takes it to Rollins. Riddle goes for a Broton, but Rollins gets the
knees up. Riddle elbows him back and goes to the top rope, but Jimmy
sweeps the feet. Rollins hits an inverted superplex on Riddle!
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see The Usos dominating Riddle.
Riddle boots Jimmy back and goes to tag in Orton, but Jimmy stops
him. Riddle flips through and hits a Ripcord Knee. Orton prepares to
tag in, but he’s pulled off the apron by Rollins. Jey tags in and
hits a running hip attack. Owens tags in and hits Riddle with a
Swanton Bomb for a near fall. Jey tags back in, but Riddle chops him
back. Jey blocks a kick and hits an enzuigiri, but the force knocks
him into Orton.
Orton hits Jey with a pair of clotheslines and a snap powerslam.
Jimmy runs in and takes a snap powerslam. Orton knocks Owens and
Rollins off the apron. The crowd is loud for Orton. Orton grabs Jey
and tries for a draping DDT, but Jey gets off the apron and pulls
him out. Orton bounces him off the commentary table and hits a back
suplex on the table. Rollins jumps off the apron, but Orton avoids
it and hits a back suplex on the apron. Orton pokes Owens in the
eyes, prompting him to scream, “Ow my eyes!” Orton hits a third back
suplex on the table.
Orton hits Jey with a draping DDT and gets the crowd going. Rollins
attacks Orton from behind. Rhodes hits Rollins with a Disaster Kick.
Orton hits Rollins with an RKO. Owens goes for a Stunner, but Orton
gets out and hits an RKO. Orton avoids a superkick from Jimmy.
Riddle catapults Jimmy into Orton for an RKO. Jey comes off the top
rope, but Orton hits him with an RKO out of nowhere for the win!
Winners by Pinfall: Cody Rhodes, Ezekiel, and Raw Tag Team Champions
RK-Bro