WWE Monday Night RAW 08 16 2021

“Then. Now. Forever.” The WWE video leads us into the show.

A video package kicks off the show featuring the saga between Randy Orton and Riddle from last week’s show. Orton turned down Riddle’s request to team with him as RK-Bro. Later in the night, Orton would face AJ Styles. Riddle attacked Omos during the match, and Orton picked up the victory. After the match, Orton celebrated with Riddle before dropping him with an RKO.

We go live into the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. This is the final episode before SummerSlam.

Randy Orton makes his way to the ring. The crowd boos him lightly, but a “Randy” chant breaks through. Orton has a cut above his left eye. People have been asking him all week why he hit Riddle with an RKO. People said that Riddle helped him win the match and just wants to be Orton’s friend. Therein lies the problem. Orton doesn’t need friends. Orton doesn’t need anybody. Last week, he would have beaten AJ Styles with or without Riddle. Orton reminds everyone that he is a 14-time World Champion and has done it all by himself. Orton doesn’t owe anyone anything, nor does he owe them an explanation. He is Randy Orton and is the Viper. Orton is the Apex Predator. Monday Night Raw is still his territory. He proved that to AJ Styles last week. Tonight, he’ll prove it to Omos. Omos is not a man to be taken lightly and is an undefeated force of nature. Orton has it on good authority that he’s a bit of a jackass, too. What a mess he’s gotten himself into. An “RK-Bro” chant picks up. Orton says they’re right. He knows what he’ll do. He’ll hit that big son of a bitch with the three most destructive letters in sports entertainment: R-K-…

BROOOOO…

Riddle makes his way to the ring. Riddle says Orton is right and doesn’t have to explain himself to anybody. Riddle knows why Orton hit him with an RKO last week. Orton highly doubts that. Riddle says he wasn’t the best in school, but he realized Orton was just teaching him. Orton is incredulous. Riddle says he was delivering RKOs in tribute to Orton in the past, but he wasn’t doing it right. Orton came back to teach him how to do it properly. Riddle learned his lesson and hopes they can give the “team thing” a chance. Orton needs Riddle in his corner if he stands any chance against Omos. It’s time to bring back RK-Bro.

Raw Tag Team Champions AJ Styles and Omos make their way to the stage. Styles has a suggestion. How about RK-No? The crowd boos. Styles says nobody really cares why Orton RKOd Riddle. Hell, he can do it again if he wants to. How about RKOing himself, if that’s possible? Styles says last week meant nothing. Orton proved nothing. Orton had help. If it hadn’t been for that turd, Riddle, Orton wouldn’t have won anything. No one can save Orton from his own personal colossus, Omos. Omos will defang the Viper. Why should Omos have all the fun? Styles is so sick and tired of Riddle and everyone else saying, “Bro.” A “Bro” chant picks up. Styles says that’s why he wants to break Riddle’s jaw and have doctors wire it shut. Styles wants to do it right now in the ring.

Riddle calls him “skipper” in reference to Survivor Series last year. Riddle accepts. The one thing Styles doesn’t know about Riddle is that he’s unstoppable with Randy Orton in his corner. Styles will get a phenomenal thrashing at the hands of the three most devastating letters in sports entertainment, RK-Bro. Orton looks down in disgust.

-Commercial Break-

We come back from the break to see Riddle go for a fist bump with Randy Orton. Orton declines and walks off on him.

Riddle vs. Raw Tag Team Champion AJ Styles w/ Omos

Styles attacks Riddle at the sound of the bell and hits a backbreaker for a two count. Styles hits a snap suplex for another two count. Orton turns and watches from the stage. Styles sends Riddle to the corner, but Riddle slingshots over him and takes him down. Riddle connects with a Broton and hits a gutwrench suplex. Riddle covers for a one count. Riddle forearms Styles in the face and sends him to the ropes, but Styles quickly locks him in an abdominal stretch. Orton has gone to the back. Riddle takes Styles down and rolls him up for a two count. Riddle attempts a triangle while hanging over the top rope before pulling Styles over to the floor. Riddle forearms Styles at ringside and bounces him off the apron. Riddle gets on the apron and hits a running penalty kick on Styles. Riddle then hits a springboard twisting plancha to the floor!

-Commercial Break-

We come back from the break to see Styles send Riddle to the corner and attempt an avalanche, but Riddle moves. Riddle avalanches him and goes for an exploder suplex, but Styles fights it. Riddle hits a bridging German Suplex for a near fall. Styles ducks a kick to the head and hits a clothesline, followed by the ushigoroshi for a near fall. Styles sets up for the Styles Clash, but Riddle gets out and kicks him in the chest. Riddle hits a second kick to the chest and tries for a Broton, but Styles counters into the Calf Crusher. Riddle screams in pain, but he scratches and claws his way to the bottom rope.

Styles grabs Riddle’s foot, but Riddle connects with a jumping knee to the chin followed by an exploder suplex into the turnbuckles! Riddle limps his way to the corner and climbs to the top rope. Omos walks near the corner, which distracts Riddle. Styles clips the leg and pulls him off the top rope. Styles connects with the Styles Clash for the victory.

Winner by Pinfall: Raw Tag Team Champion AJ Styles

Footage is shown of Charlotte Flair attacking Raw Women’s Champion Nikki A.S.H. and Rhea Ripley last week on Raw.

Raw Women’s Champion Nikki A.S.H. says she’ll do what it takes to retain her Raw Women’s Championship at SummerSlam this Saturday because she’s almost a superhero.

Nikki A.S.H. makes her way to the ring.

-Commercial Break-

Olympic Gold Medalist Keldon Johnson is at ringside for WWE Raw.

Replays are shown of Randy Orton walking off on Riddle before the start of his match against AJ Styles. Riddle lost the match to Styles after Omos distracted him by walking around at ringside.

Kevin Patrick finds Riddle backstage walking with his scooter. Riddle looks down in the dumps. When Orton was gone for two months, he didn’t give up on RK-Bro, but tonight Orton just left him high and dry. Riddle is sad.

Non-Title Match
Raw Women’s Champion Nikki A.S.H. vs. Rhea Ripley

Before the match begins, Charlotte Flair makes her way to the ringside area. She’ll be joining the commentary team.

They lock up, and Ripley easily takes Nikki down. Nikki goes for a waistlock, but Ripley turns her around and slings her across the ring. Ripley lifts Nikki, but Nikki elbows out and hits a rope walk bulldog. Nikki hits a baseball slide and a cross-body block off the apron. Nikki celebrates and poses in front of Flair.

-Commercial Break-

We come back from the break to see Nikki roll Ripley up for a two count. Ripley immediately takes her down. Ripley hits a delayed vertical suplex for a two count. Ripley applies a bearhug in the center of the ring, but Nikki elbows her. Ripley easily tosses her aside. Ripley charges, but Nikki moves. Ripley weakly hits the corner. Nikki connects with a head-scissor takeover. Nikki goes for a whip, but Ripley sends her into the ropes. Nikki avoids a big boot and rolls her up for a two count. Ripley goes at Nikki, but Nikki comes back with a tornado DDT off the second rope for a near fall. Nikki slaps the mat in frustration.

Nikki goes back to the second rope and tries for a cross-body block, but Ripley catches her. Ripley then connects with a northern lights suplex for a two count. Nikki hits a jawbreaker and rolls her up for a two count. Ripley immediately big boots her down and hits the Riptide for the clean victory.

Winner by Pinfall: Rhea Ripley

Charlotte Flair mocks Nikki A.S.H. at ringside, so Nikki attacks her with a flurry of strikes. Flair is put in the ring, and Ripley clotheslines her down. Nikki and Ripley double-team Flair before Nikki throws Flair out of the ring.

Footage is shown of Drew McIntyre chasing off Jinder Mahal, Veer, and Shanky with his Claymore sword.

Jinder Mahal is backstage with Veer and Shanky. Mahal is not happy that Drew McIntyre is threatening their lives with his sword. Tonight is their last opportunity to take away the sword. This Saturday, Drew McIntyre, without Angela, the sword will crumble to the Modern Day Maharajah.

Drew McIntyre makes his way to the ring. He’ll face Veer and Shanky in a 2-on-1 Handicap Match next.

-Commercial Break-

MVP is outside WWE Champion Bobby Lashley’s dressing room. Kevin Patrick walks up and asks what we can expect with the face-to-face between Lashley and Goldberg. MVP says we can expect fireworks. The last time Goldberg was on Raw, he speared MVP. That was disrespectful to MVP and an insult to Lashley. Lashley will repay Goldberg. It could happen tonight or at SummerSlam.

WWE Champion Bobby Lashley and Goldberg will be face-to-face later tonight.

2-on-1 Handicap Match
Drew McIntyre vs. Veer and Shanky w/ Jinder Mahal

If Veer and Shanky lose to McIntyre, they’re banned from ringside at SummerSlam. If McIntyre loses, he can’t bring his sword Angela to the ring.

McIntyre starts against Veer. McIntyre takes him down, so Shanky tags in. The giant Shanky walks up to McIntyre, so McIntyre jabs him in the jaw. Shanky attacks him and elbows McIntyre in the face. McIntyre chops Shanky back, but Shanky fights back and hits a big boot. Veer tags back in and drops an elbow for a one count. Veer applies a chin lock to the Scottish Warrior. McIntyre fights out and hits a pair of clotheslines before punching Shanky. McIntyre sends Veer into the ropes and elbows him down. McIntyre hits an overhead belly-to-belly suplex followed by a neckbreaker. Shanky tags in, but McIntyre sends him to the corner and hits a Michinoku Driver on the 7-foot man! McIntyre then hits Veer with a Future Shock DDT. McIntyre kips up and starts the countdown. McIntyre hits Shanky with a Claymore Kick for the victory. Veer and Shanky are banned from ringside at SummerSlam.

Winner by Pinfall: Drew McIntyre

Veer goes for McIntyre’s Claymore sword Angela, so McIntyre hits him with an overhead belly-to-belly suplex on the floor. McIntyre takes Angela and leans it in the corner. McIntyre says he knows Mahal is terrified of it. Mahal won’t have his goons at ringside at SummerSlam this Saturday. McIntyre thinks Shanky wants to say something. McIntyre says Shanky is sorry and wishes he could be as confident, sexy, and badass as Drew McIntyre. Shanky also realizes the error of his ways and hopes McIntyre beats Mahal at SummerSlam. What did Mahal think was going to happen when he screwed him over at Money in the Bank, his last chance to get his WWE Championship back. McIntyre has known Mahal for 10 years. He knows how to hurt him. McIntyre will maim, embarrass, and humiliate him. McIntyre will create a moment that will live forever. Then again, maybe he’s underestimating Mahal, a former WWE Champion and someone in peak shape. McIntyre asks San Antonio if Mahal will win. They boo. McIntyre asks them to put their hands up if they think he’ll win at SummerSlam. The crowd raises their hands. McIntyre says the results are in. Mahal is screwed.

WWE Officials Adam Pearce and Sonya Deville are talking backstage. Charlotte Flair walks in. Pearce says Charlotte has a few options: either wait 5 days to get Nikki or find a partner, and they’ll sanction a tag match. Flair says she doesn’t play well with others.

Replays are shown of Damian Priest going after The Miz last Monday on Raw. Miz showed that he was milking his injury and ran away.

John Morrison is making his way to the ring. It’ll be the first episode of Moist TV with a special guest, The Miz.

-Commercial Break-

The same vignette with Elias saying he’s dead is shown.

Moist TV w/ The Miz

John Morrison is in the ring and welcomes everyone to the first episode of Moist TV. Last week we witnessed a miracle with The Miz rising from the wheelchair. Now we’re thirsty for answers.

The Miz makes his way to the ring, looking very healthy. The commentators try to say Morrison is probably upset that Miz milked his injury and had him pushing him in the wheelchair. Miz starts a “Moist TV” chant. Morrison has a few questions. What is Miz’s favorite movie? Miz says all of his starring roles in The Marine franchise. Was Miz pretending to be injured? Miz says he knows where Morrison is going with this. Has he ever lied to Morrison or used him? Morrison says he hasn’t. Miz asks if he’s lied about an injury, and Morrison thinks he has. Miz asks if he really thinks he’d lie to his best friend.

Damian Priest makes his way to the ring. Priest says everyone knows Miz is lying. As for “Mr. Drip,” he doesn’t know what Moist See is, but he likes it better than Must See. Before he goes to SummerSlam to whoop and trash Sheamus before going out to Las Vegas as the United States Champion, why doesn’t Morrison ask Miz why he treated him like a personal servant. Miz says his health is not of any concern to Priest. Priest should know better than anyone why Miz’s knee was injured. It’s because of Priest. Miz has never been injured in 16 years and is the most durable. It’s the reason why he’s the only 2-time Grand Slam Champion in the company’s history. When he had his first injury, he didn’t know what to expect. Some people compete with injuries like Morrison did at WrestleMania. Miz was cleared a few weeks ago. Morrison isn’t happy to hear that. Miz says he still wasn’t 100%. Priest says he looked fine running away. Miz says he had a surge of energy. Morrison asks why he didn’t tell him. Miz says Priest is trying to twist them against each other. Morrison says it’s time to make Moist TV special by having Damian Priest take on The Miz. Priest loves that idea, but Miz is terrified. Miz almost falls into a kiddie pool with rubber duckies, so Priest pushes him over.

-Commercial Break-

WWE United States Champion Sheamus will be on commentary for this match.

The Miz vs. Damian Priest

Miz tries to beg Sheamus for help, but Priest claps his ears from behind. Priest gets Miz in the ring. Miz fakes an injury and snaps Priest off the top rope. Miz takes him down and boots him down. Miz hops around the ring showing his knee is fine. Miz starts the IT Kicks, so Priest punches him in the knee. Priest hits a flurry of kicks followed by a wheel kick. Miz quickly boots Priest back. Morrison teases giving Miz the Drip Stick, but Morrison pulls it away and walks off on him. Priest then takes Miz’s head off with a clothesline. Priest mocks Sheamus’s taunt and hits Miz with a Brogue Kick for the win.

Winner by Pinfall: Damian Priest

Sheamus calls Priest a “disrespectful scumbag.” Sheamus tells him to enjoy the moment. It’ll be Priest’s last moment in the spotlight. The title around his waist belongs to him. Sheamus will kick Priest’s head off his shoulders this Saturday at SummerSlam.

Footage is shown of Lilly the doll winking at Doudrop to distract her and cost her the match against Alexa Bliss.

Eva Marie is backstage with Doudrop. Doudrop says it was Lilly, but Eva says she doesn’t care what Doudrop thinks she saw (despite replays clearly showing Lilly winking). Eva says she’ll take care of Alexa Bliss this Saturday at SummerSlam but wants Doudrop to attack Lilly on the playground.

Alexa Bliss looks excited that they’re going to get some company.

-Commercial Break-

Replays are shown of John Morrison walking off on The Miz.

Miz finds John Morrison backstage and asks why he walked off on him. Miz apologizes and asks for it to be water under the bridge. Morrison agrees, and they act as nothing happened.

Alexa Bliss is talking with Lilly, the doll backstage. Bliss says she’ll end the Eva-lution at SummerSlam. Who would want to be like Eva Marie? Bliss laughs. Doudrop shows up and grabs Lilly. Bliss says she wouldn’t do that if she were her. Doudrop looks in horror at Lilly (we can’t see Lilly’s face) and hands it back to Bliss. Doudrop looks disturbed and walks away.

T-Bar and Mace make their way to the ring. Mace will face Mansoor next.

-Commercial Break-

Mustafa Ali says he’ll watch Mansoor’s back tonight.

Mace w/ T-Bar vs. Mansoor w/ Mustafa Ali

Mace throws him around to start the match. Mace viciously throws him and stomps the back before applying a camel clutch. Mansoor fights out and ducks a side kick. Mansoor hits a flying forearm, but Mace soon throws him off. Mansoor goes for a sunset flip, but Mace sits on the shoulders. Ali kicks Mace in the face, and Mansoor picks up the win.

Winner by Pinfall: Mansoor

Omos says he’ll kill the legend that is Randy Orton. Styles says Omos will be the Legend Killer. Styles beat Riddle, so that makes him the Moron Killer. Tonight, they celebrate the death of RK-Bro.

Randy Orton makes his way to the ring to face Omos next.

-Commercial Break-

Randy Orton vs. Raw Tag Team Champion Omos w/ AJ Styles

The bell rings, and Orton stares at Omos. Orton goes for an RKO, but Omos easily shoves him off. Orton walks around the ring before ducking a strike from Omos. Orton goes for a punch, but Omos blocks it. Orton tries to pry apart the grip, but Omos easily thwarts him. Orton stomps the foot, so Omos easily scoops Orton up and slams him down. Omos applies a vice grip to Orton’s skull. Orton punches out of it, so Omos clubs him down. Omos shoves Orton to the corner, so Orton fights back. Omos quickly takes him down and takes a moment to recover. Orton goes for another RKO, but Omos throws him out of the ring. Styles kicks Orton in the ribs, but the referee catches him.

Winner by Disqualification: Randy Orton

Styles puts Orton in the ring, and Omos attacks. Omos sends Orton out of the ring and drives him hard into the barricade. Omos lifts Orton and puts him back in the ring. Riddle’s music hits, and he runs down to baseball slide Omos before kneeing Styles in the face.

Riddle helps Orton up. Orton says after everything he did to him, turning his back on him and walking off, here Riddle comes to his aid. Riddle had his back, so Orton says Riddle has earned his respect. Orton says RK-Bro is back. They shake hands, and Orton hugs him to a big ovation. Riddle says Orton makes him so happy. Now that RK-Bro is back, they’re facing AJ Styles and Omos for the Raw Tag Team Championship at SummerSlam.

Replays are shown of Karrion Kross defeating Jeff Hardy last week on Raw before destroying him after the match.

Jeff Hardy says he’ll get his revenge. Karrion Kross’s 15 minutes of fame is over. Kross attacks him and shouts, “Tick-tock!”

NXT Champion Karrion Kross makes his way to the ring.

-Commercial Break-

NXT Champion Karrion Kross vs. Jeff Hardy

Hardy takes it to Kross quickly at the sound of the bell. Hardy hits a double leg drop to the midsection and dropkicks him in the face before hitting a splash. Hardy goes for a Twist of Fate, but Kross counters into a Kross Jacket for the submission.

Winner by Submission: Karrion Kross

Doudrop walks up to Eva Marie backstage. Eva asks where Lilly is. Doudrop apologizes. Eva says all she wanted was for her to retrieve a doll. It’s like being slapped in the face with Doudrop not doing it. Eva slaps Doudrop in the face twice before walking off.

We’ll look at some 24/7 Championship defenses next.

-Commercial Break-

Video: Reggie avoids R-Truth and Akira Tozawa at a park to keep his WWE 24/7 Championship

The commentators run down the SummerSlam card.

Rhea Ripley makes her way to the ring. She’ll team with Nikki A.S.H. to take on Charlotte Flair with a mystery partner.

-Commercial Break-

Elias says he’s had #1 records and fans eating out of the palms of his hands. Music didn’t fail him. It just wasn’t enough. Elias erects a tombstone by the burnt ashes of his guitar. WWE used to stand for Walk With Elias, but Elias is dead. The tombstone says, “Elias: 2017-2021.”

Tag Team Match
Rhea Ripley and Raw Women’s Champion Nikki A.S.H. vs. Charlotte Flair and Nia Jax

Nikki A.S.H. will start against Nia Jax. Jax laughs and points at Nikki. Nikki says she’s the Raw Women’s Champion. Jax shoves her, so Nikki forearms back at her. Jax easily shoves her down and isn’t hurt by any of Nikki’s strikes. Jax throws her down and scoops her up. Nikki counters into a sleeper hold attempt. Jax quickly backs her to the corner and forearms her down. Jax hits a hip attack followed by a Stink Face. Jax sends her into the ropes and KILLS her with a clothesline. Nikki rolls out of the ring. Charlotte Flair tags in and boots Nikki at ringside.

-Commercial Break-

We come back from the break to see Nikki hit Flair with a bulldog. Ripley tags in and hits Flair with a pair of short-arm clotheslines. Ripley hits a snapmare and knocks Jax off the apron. Ripley dropkicks Flair and viciously kicks her in the face. Ripley hits a northern lights suplex for a two count. Ripley knocks her back and goes for a missile dropkick, but Flair moves.

Shayna Baszler is watching the match backstage.

Jax tags in and crushes Ripley with a Samoan Drop. Jax sets up for a Banzai Drop, but Flair tags herself in. Flair knocks Nikki off the apron and hits Ripley with Natural Selection for the win.

Winners by Pinfall: Charlotte Flair and Nia Jax

Nia Jax doesn’t look happy as Charlotte Flair celebrates.

Kevin Patrick is backstage with Raw Tag Team Champion AJ Styles. Styles says RK-Bro has no chance. Styles already beat Riddle. They were in the midst of destroying Randy Orton until Riddle screwed it up. They’ve beaten every tag team. There is no one left. It’s just him and Omos. 5 days until SummerSlam. Randy Orton will despise Riddle within those 5 days. Guaranteed.

Goldberg makes his way to the ring. He’ll face off with WWE Champion Bobby Lashley next.

-Commercial Break-

Goldberg is standing in the ring listening to a “Goldberg” chant. The problem is they’re showing a wide shot of the crowd, and no one is chanting.

Goldberg greets San Antonio. Before he starts talking about SummerSlam, there’s something important that he needs to address. Last week, Bobby Lashley and MVP came out and cut a promo about fatherhood. For the second week in a row, they brought his son into it. It’s been less than two years since he’s moved his family to Texas, so why not beat him at his own game? Goldberg calls attention to his son, Gage Goldberg. Goldberg says his son is the reason he came out of retirement. These days, you can go online and see videos of who Goldberg was. That isn’t going to cut it. Goldberg wants his son front and center to experience who Goldberg is… who his father is.

WWE Champion Bobby Lashley makes his way to the ring with MVP. MVP says we’ve heard more from Goldberg than at any point. Maybe he’s overcompensating because he knows he’s outmatched. Maybe he thought he could be the Goldberg of old, but when he locked eyes with the All Mighty, Goldberg saw it would be different this time. For the first time in Goldberg’s career, he ran down on a man more dangerous, explosive, and dominant than him. Goldberg has run down on the All Mighty WWE Champion, Bobby Lashley.

Lashley says he gave Goldberg the opportunity to turn away, but he’s too hard-headed. Now he’s playing by house rules, and the house always wins. Lashley will give Goldberg the privilege of saying the All Mighty WWE Champion ended his career. When Goldberg enters the ring, he’s stepping into the house of the All Mighty. Goldberg says that’s bullshit. That was uncensored. Lashley angrily drops the microphone.

Lashley charges Goldberg, but Goldberg ducks and spears him down! Goldberg goes to ringside and takes his son, Gage, backstage with him.