WWE Raw Results
May 3, 2021
Tampa, Florida (Yuengling Center)
Commentary: Adnan Virk, Corey Graves, and Byron Saxton
Results by: Mike Tedesco of Wrestleview.com
“Then. Now. Forever.” The WWE video leads us into the show.
A video recaps the events from last week. Braun Strowman defeated Drew McIntyre to be entered into the WWE Championship match at WrestleMania Backlash.
Footage is shown from earlier in the day of WWE Officials Adam Pearce and Sonya Deville backstage with MVP. They’re going to flip a coin to determine who will face WWE Champion Bobby Lashley tonight. MVP checks the coin, so Drew McIntyre walks up and asks if Lashley is scared about the decision. Braun Strowman walks up and says he can beat McIntyre and Lashley. They flip the coin. It’ll be Strowman taking on Lashley. MVP says that once the Hurt Lock is on Strowman, he won’t make it to WrestleMania Backlash.
Raw Tag Team Champions AJ Styles and Omos make their way to the ring for the first time since winning the titles at WrestleMania 37. Styles puts over the title victory at WrestleMania and beating the New Day. It was also Omos’ first match. Did the people miss them? Of course they did! They’re the Raw Tag Team Champions. Of course they’ve been missed. Where were they after their victory? They went to party and celebrate on the coasts of Florida and the Caribbean. It was awesome because they had better things to do than throw tomatoes like the New Day. Officially, AJ Styles is a Grand Slam Champion. Styles can go on and on about his accolades in WWE. It only took him 5 years. New Day has been through a lot, so he doesn’t want to make them jealous.
The New Day’s music hits, and Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston make their way to the stage. They’ll battle Styles and Omos in a WrestleMania rematch for the Raw Tag Team Championship. Woods says they made a hell of an impact at WrestleMania. Kingston says he wasn’t sure if they still worked here and sarcastically congratulates them on their time off. Kingston says that’s not what they did to become 11-time champions. Kingston says they’ve had some fun, but it’s time to put the jokes aside. There’s a reason why they’re 11-time Tag Team Champions. When they’re knocked down, they dust themselves off, get in the ring, and win the titles back. Styles can take shots and jabs at their careers, but on one of the greatest nights of his life when he won the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 35 in front of thousands of people, his family, and brothers, it was an emotionally draining match. The next night, he went to Raw because that’s the kind of champion he is and the New Day elevated him to be. Styles can brag and boast about winning a match and taking a month off, but that’s not the way they roll.
Omos shouts that he’s had enough of these morons running their mouths. It looks like he didn’t knock enough sense into them at WrestleMania. When he’s done with them, they won’t be able to laugh or walk. Omos challenges them. Woods says they’re about to become the 12-time WWE World Tag Team Champions.
-Commercial Break-
Raw Tag Team Championship
AJ Styles and Omos (c’s) vs. The New Day (Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston)
It’ll be Xavier Woods starting against AJ Styles. Styles laughs at the sound of the bell and immediately tags Omos in. Woods tries to pepper Omos with kicks, but Omos blocks one and throws him across the ring. Omos pulls Woods to his feet and clubs him in the spine. Omos throws Woods to the corner, and Kofi Kingston tags in. Kingston cautiously approaches Omos. Omos blocks a kick, spins him around, and shoves him down. Kingston quickly boots him and tags Woods in. The New Day hits a double dropkick on Omos. Omos bounces off the ropes and hits a double clothesline on the New Day. Omos punches Woods down and high fives Styles. The referee calls it a tag. Woods rolls Styles up for a two count. Woods knocks Styles out of the ring and hits a baseball slide. Kingston goes for a trust fall, but Omos stands in his way. Kingston charges and springboards off the top rope to do a wild trust fall to the floor!
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Styles punching away at Woods. Woods quickly comes back with a snap flatliner for a two count. The New Day starts a Unicorn Stampede on Styles. Omos angrily grinds his teeth from his corner. Kingston dropkicks Styles for a near fall. Kingston knees Styles in the face for a near fall. Styles hits a jawbreaker and a Pelé Kick. Woods tags in and stops Styles from making a tag. Styles flips through a back suplex and tags Omos in.
Omos grabs Woods by the head and clotheslines Kingston. Omos throws Woods down and hits a backbreaker on Kingston. Omos then hits Woods with a backbreaker. Omos hits a pair of avalanches on Woods and Kingston. Omos hits a two-handed slam on Kingston and big boots Woods down. Styles tags in and hits jumps off Omos’ shoulders to hit Woods with a Phenomenal Forearm to retain the titles.
Winners by Pinfall and still Raw Tag Team Champions: AJ Styles and Omos
Sonya Deville is backstage with Charlotte Flair and says she’ll take her concerns under advisement. Adam Pearce walks up and asks what that was about. Deville says it was nothing. Pearce says she’s overstepping her bounds lately.
Kayla Braxton is backstage with WWE Champion Bobby Lashley and MVP. Lashley will face Braun Strowman later tonight.
-Commercial Break-
Eva Marie is coming back to WWE soon. The Eva-lution is coming.
Kayla Braxton is backstage with WWE Champion Bobby Lashley and MVP. MVP says Braun Strowman’s luck will run out tonight after being in the ring with Lashley. It doesn’t matter if it’s Drew McIntyre or Braun Strowman. They’re great men, but Lashley is not normal. Lashley says he’s a freak of nature. They’ll have to pry the WWE Championship out of his hands. Lashley can lose the title without being pinned, but he won’t allow that. MVP says the Strowman Express will be derailed by Lashley.
Footage is shown of the New Day and Damian Priest throwing tomatoes at Elias, Jaxson Ryker, the Miz, and John Morrison last week.
The New Day are icing up backstage. Elias and Jaxson Ryker are around the corner with tomatoes to get even. They throw some, but hit Randy Orton who was walking by. Orton is infuriated. Riddle scoots by him smiling.
Charlotte Flair will take on Dana Brooke, next.
-Commercial Break-
Charlotte Flair vs. Dana Brooke w/ Mandy Rose
Flair shoves Brooke at the sound of the bell and saunters around the ring. Brooke hits a head-scissor takeover followed by a sloppy dropkick. Flair comes back and boots her in the face before knocking her out of the ring. Brooke snaps Flair off the top rope and hits a step-up enzuigiri. Flair quickly bounces off the ropes and clotheslines her down. Brooke fights back and takes her down. Brooke comes off the top rope with a diving senton, but Flair kicks out. Flair chop blocks her as she does a handspring. Flair puts her in the Figure Eight for the win.
Winner by Submission: Charlotte Flair
Mandy Rose runs in and dropkicks Flair before kneeing her in the head. Rose kicks Flair out of the ring. WWE Official Sonya Deville comes out to the ring.
-Commercial Break-
We’ll have an exclusive interview with Drew McIntyre later tonight.
WWE Official Sonya Deville is in the ring with Charlotte Flair. Deville will let Flair talk. Flair is upset that Rhea Ripley and Asuka are having a match again at WrestleMania Backlash. Flair reminds everyone that she ended Asuka’s undefeated streak at WrestleMania and put Rhea Ripley on the map by beating her at WrestleMania last year. Flair is happy to be reinstated, but if she’s not put into the WrestleMania Backlash then that match isn’t important. Flair is an influencer. Deville made a courageous decision, but she needs to make another one. It’s time to put Flair in the WrestleMania Backlash match. Flair tells Deville to “be fair to Flair.”
Deville says Flair makes a compelling argument. The men have a triple threat match for the WWE Championship, so she’s adding Flair to the Raw Women’s Championship match to make it a triple threat.
Raw Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley comes out to the stage. She says the reason why Flair wasn’t at WrestleMania is because nobody likes her. Triple threat matches are unfair. Asuka comes out and is fake crying saying Flair is a big baby. Asuka says she can beat Flair and Ripley because she’s ready to become the Raw Women’s Champion. Flair says no one compares to her. They get thrown a curveball and lose their minds. Ripley will walk in as Raw Women’s Champion, but Flair will be leaving with the title. Ripley gets in Deville’s face. Flair attacks Ripley from behind, so Asuka sends Flair out of the ring.
Kayla Braxton is backstage with Humberto Carrillo. Carrillo says he won’t let Sheamus disrespect him. Sheamus attacks him from behind and talks down to him.
The Miz and John Morrison make their way to the ring. Morrison will be in action against Damian Priest, next.
-Commercial Break-
Footage is shown of what just happened moments ago.
Sonya Deville is walking backstage when Adam Pearce comes up and demands to know what just happened. Deville says she sent him a text, but the service must be bad. Pearce is right. They should make these decisions together.
The Miz and John Morrison are in the ring. Footage is shown of them being pelted with tomatoes last week. Miz puts over his accolades. When you hear that, you think of a first ballot Hall of Famer. His accomplishments stack up with the best. It’s only a farfetched comparison when you ignore the facts. Would any top star be subjected to that disrespect? Yet he’s the bad guy. Whenever he asks for a little respect, he doesn’t get it. John Morrison will beat respect into Damian Priest. Morrison goes overboard with the “Johnny Drip Drip” talk.
John Morrison w/ The Miz vs. Damian Priest
A pre-taped promo is shown Damian Priest. Miz and Morrison are upset about tomatoes, but how upset will they be when he breaks their jaws?
The bell rings, and Priest quickly powers Morrison out of the ring.
-Commercial Break-
Priest and Morrison go back and forth for a few moments. Morrison sets up for Moonlight Drive, but Priest rolls him up. Miz gets on the apron, but Morrison turns it into an inside cradle. Priest kicks out at one. Priest hits Hit the Lights for the win.
Winner by Pinfall: Damian Priest
Mansoor is backstage with WWE Official Adam Pearce signing a Raw contract. WWE United States Champion Sheamus walks in and says Humberto Carrillo’s challenge doesn’t have a leg to stand on. Mansoor introduces himself, but Sheamus doesn’t know who he is. Sheamus tells him to answer the open challenge.
Kayla Braxton is backstage with MVP. MVP says Drew McIntyre and Bobby Lashley should team up to take out Braun Strowman so they can have their rightful match at WrestleMania Backlash.
-Commercial Break-
Tag Team Match
Lucha House Party (Gran Metalik and Lince Dorado) vs. Cedric Alexander and Shelton Benjamin
We join this match in progress. Metalik runs over Alexander for a few moments before Alexander hits a Michinoku Driver. Benjamin tags in and slams Metalik. Benjamin continues to attack Metalik, but can’t put him away. Alexander tags in and stomps Metalik down. Metalik boots Alexander back and hits a bulldog. Benjamin and Dorado tag in. Dorado goes for a springboard, but Benjamin moves and clotheslines him down for a two count. Metalik eventually tags back in and hits a top rope elbow drop on Benjamin for the win.
Winners by Pinfall: Lucha House Party
Cedric Alexander shouts at Shelton Benjamin. They went from being Raw Tag Team Champions to this. That’s why MVP and Bobby Lashley kicked them out. Alexander says it was Benjamin at that really got kicked out. Alexander should have turned his back on him as well. How many opportunities has Benjamin received? Alexander is in the prime of his life and refuses to waste another second helping Benjamin keep his. This team is done. Alexander walks off.
Angel Garza is walking backstage with a rose when Drew Gulak makes fun of him. Garza is supposed to be a ladies man, but can’t score. Gulak challenges him to a match. Garza accepts and will shove the rose up his ass when he beats him.
-Commercial Break-
WWE congratulates Young Rock on being picked up for a second season.
Kayla Braxton interviews Shelton Benjamin backstage about Cedric Alexander. Benjamin says he can take the hits. Benjamin let Alexander say what he wanted, but he will show him respect. If he can’t, Alexander will be a bright young star that fizzled out while Benjamin continues to survive.
Drew Gulak vs. Angel Garza
Garza immediately dropkicks Gulak down. Garza punches away at him and dominates. Garza hits the Wing Clipper for the win.
Winner by Pinfall: Angel Garza
Garza takes the rose and puts it into Gulak’s tights. Garza then kicks him in his rear end to do what he said: shove the rose up his ass…
Riddle goes up to the Viking Raiders and talks about them in the NFL Draft (Raiders and Vikings). They say they’re not two separate things, but one. Riddle rides off and bumps into Randy Orton. Orton is still not happy about the tomato incident. Riddle is excited about teaming with him, but Orton tells him to zip it and they walk off together.
-Commercial Break-
Tag Team Match
Randy Orton and Riddle vs. Elias and Jaxson Ryker
Elias and Ryker dominate Riddle early on. Orton tags in and runs over Elias. Orton hits a draping DDT on Elias. Riddle tags in and hits a Floating Bro. Riddle looks like he landed right on Elias’ head. Ryker runs in, but Orton drops him with an RKO. Team RK-Bro gets another victory.
Winners by Pinfall: Randy Orton and Riddle
Kayla Braxton is backstage with Drew McIntyre. McIntyre hopes Bobby Lashley and Braun Strowman beat the hell out of each other. As for T-Bar and Mace, they’re idiots that took off their stupid masks and kept the stupid names. What’s meant to be will be. McIntyre is meant to cave in the heads of Lashley and Strowman at WrestleMania Backlash. Braun Strowman walks up and says he earned his opportunity. He’ll walk out of WrestleMania Backlash as the new WWE Champion. McIntyre says maybe, but maybe not. For now, Strowman just needs to leave. Strowman walks off.
WWE United States Champion Sheamus makes his way to the ring.
-Commercial Break-
Non-Title Match
WWE United States Champion Sheamus vs. Mansoor
Sheamus slams Mansoor down twice before hitting a shoulder block. Sheamus hits the ropes and catches Mansoor trying a leapfrog. Mansoor shoves Sheamus away, so Sheamus slaps him. Mansoor forearms him and rolls him up for a one count. Mansoor dropkicks him twice before rolling him up for a two count. Sheamus knees Mansoor in the ribs and puts him on the ropes before viciously shoving him to the floor. Mansoor gets in the ring before being counted out. Sheamus viciously attacks him and rips at the face. Sheamus hits the 10 Beats of the Bodhrán before clotheslining him on the apron. Sheamus then press slams Mansoor into the timekeeper’s area. Mansoor gets in before being counted out again. Mansoor fights back at Sheamus and hits a tornado DDT for a two count. Mansoor clubs the back and goes to the top rope. Sheamus clips the knee and hits White Noise. Sheamus puts him in the corner. Sheamus is bleeding from the forehead. Humberto Carrillo runs in and dropkicks Sheamus.
Winner by Disqualification: WWE United States Champion Sheamus
Carrillo knocks Sheamus out of the ring and hits a suicide dive. Sheamus quickly shoves Carrillo away and gets in the ring. Carrillo follows and eats a Brogue Kick. Mansoor gets to his feet and eats a Brogue Kick as well.
Alexa’s Playground is next.
-Commercial Break-
Alexa Bliss is on her swing set backstage. Bliss says someone has caught the beady little eyes of Lilly, but that’s their dirty little secret. Don’t blame Bliss for what happens next.
Naomi and Lana make their entrance. They’re in action, next.
-Commercial Break-
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship
Naomi and Lana vs. Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler (c’s) w/ Reginald
Naomi and Lana had an early run, but Jax and Baszler soon took over. Baszler puts the Kirifuda Clutch on Lana to end this match quickly.
Winners by Pinfall and still WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions: Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler
MVP is backstage with WWE Champion Bobby Lashley. Lashley faces Strowman, next.
-Commercial Break-
Non-Title Match
WWE Champion Bobby Lashley w/ MVP vs. Braun Strowman
They lock up. Lashley goes for a waistlock, but Strowman backs him to the corner. Lashley forearms him and goes for a shoulder tackle, but he bounces off Strowman. Lashley hits a neckbreaker for a no count. Strowman goes for a Running Powerslam, but Lashley slides off. Strowman clotheslines Lashley over the top rope. Lashley regroups at ringside with MVP. Lashley gets on the apron, but Strowman knocks him to the floor. Strowman gets Lashley in the ring and avalanches him in the corner. Lashley boots Strowman in the face and hits a clothesline for a one count. Strowman fights back and goes to club the chest, but Drew McIntyre’s music hits. McIntyre is dressed to compete. Strowman clubs Lashley down and gets out of the ring to get in McIntyre’s face. Lashley jumps off the apron and blindsides Strowman. Lashley goes for a fist bump with McIntyre. McIntyre declines.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Lashley leapfrog Strowman and hit a flatliner for a two count. Drew McIntyre is on commentary now. Lashley chokes Strowman with his boot. Lashley puts Strowman on the ropes and clubs at the face. Lashley puts Strowman shoulder-first into the corner and digs his forearm into his face. Lashley hits a snap suplex on Strowman for another two count. Lashley shoulders Strowman in the corner and continues to attack him. Strowman eventually gets Lashley in the electric chair and drops him down for a two count.
Strowman avalanches Lashley and hits a release suplex. Strowman boots Lashley and scoops him up. Lashley slides off and goes for a Hurt Lock, but Strowman fights it. Strowman hits a sidewalk slam. Strowman knocks Lashley out of the ring and charges for a shoulder block, but Lashley sends him into McIntyre at commentary. Strowman and McIntyre get into a shoving match in full view of the referee. Strowman gets in the ring, but McIntyre follows and gets on the apron. Strowman turns into a Spear from Lashley. Lashley picks up the win.
Winner by Pinfall: WWE Champion Bobby Lashley
McIntyre flattens Lashley with a Claymore Kick before hitting Strowman with one. Next week, Drew McIntyre will battle Bobby Lashley.