On the final Raw before SummerSlam, Randy Orton sent a clear message to WWE Champion Drew McIntyre with a ruthless attack on WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels. Plus, Rey & Dominik Mysterio got payback against Seth Rollins, and RETRIBUTION once again wreaked havoc.
Photos | Highlights | Exclusives
Raw results: Aug. 17, 2020
RETRIBUTION crashed the WWE TV production truck
WWE Champion Drew McIntyre kicked off Raw, addressing the heinous actions of Randy Orton last week. But before McIntyre could put a punctuation on his pointed message to his SummerSlam challenger, the broadcast was thrown into chaos. The rebels known as RETRIBUTION commandeered the WWE TV production truck, running the employees out, destroying equipment and forcing the broadcast off the air temporarily.
Apollo Crews def. Shelton Benjamin; Shelton Benjamin won the 24/7 Championship
While MVP accused Apollo Crews of orchestrating RETRIBUTION’s attacks, Crews instead looked forward to SummerSlam, setting up a match with Shelton Benjamin to determine if The Hurt Business could remain at ringside on Sunday. Thanks to a distraction by R-Truth and Akira Tozawa, who set off a mid-match chase for Truth’s 24/7 Title, Crews rolled up Shelton to ensure that his battle with MVP at SummerSlam is one-on-one.
After the bell, while Ricochet, Cedric Alexander and Mustafa Ali tried to fight off Lashley, the 24/7 Title chase made its way back to ringside, but Benjamin dropped R-Truth and claimed the championship. MVP then issued a challenge for a Six-Man Elimination Tag Team battle later in the night, between The Hurt Business and Apollo Crews, along with whatever two Superstars Crews could find to tag with him.
Angel Garza def. Ivar
In a battle for the affections of “The Bachelor’s” Demi Burnett, Ivar clashed with Angel Garza in one-on-one action. Despite Ivar impressing Burnett by summoning a turkey leg from nowhere and showing off his unique power, Garza emerged victorious after connecting with a dropkick to the side of the head.
But that was only the beginning of the night for Zelina Vega’s crew, as Angelo Dawkins revealed that there was “video” to be seen. Confused by this revelation, Vega stormed over to Samoa Joe, who said that WWE officials have been poring over hours of security footage. Joe shared the footage with Angelo Dawkins, saying it might also be of interest to Vega.
Zelina Vega was revealed to be behind Montez Ford’s poisoning
Zelina Vega, Andrade & Angel Garza confronted Angelo Dawkins backstage, causing Dawkins to reveal the footage, which showed Vega tampering with Ford’s trademark red cup. Vega again tried to deny it, but it was not long before Ford flew back into action, setting off a brawl with Garza & Andrade.
Natalya def. Mickie James via count-out
Mickie James was looking forward to her in-ring return, but she quickly had it spoiled by Natalya & Lana. As James attempted a top-rope maneuver, The Ravishing Russian distracted her, allowing Natalya to knock James from the ropes to the floor. James was unable to answer the referee’s 10-count, and Lana tried to embarrass James further by snapping some pictures for social media. Instead, she caught a Mick Kick to the dome from James.
Asuka & Shayna Baszler def. Sasha Banks & Bayley
This tag team battle seemed to be going swimmingly until Nia Jax burst through the plexiglass at ringside, setting off a huge brawl between Baszler and Jax, leaving Asuka to fend for herself. The Empress of Tomorrow was in a dire situation, trapped in the Bank Statement, until Baszler returned and tagged back into the bout, clobbering The Boss with a series of strikes. The Queen of Spades locked the Kirifuda Clutch on Bayley for the submission victory as The Empress of Tomorrow trapped Banks in the Asuka Lock. Will the Raw and SmackDown Women’s Champions face the same fate at SummerSlam?
Peyton Royce def. Ruby Riott
Ruby Riott initially thought she was going to be facing Billie Kay, but a last-minute shoulder issue forced Peyton Royce into the match instead. Despite her injury, Kay played into the outcome of the match, distracting Riott and Liv Morgan at ringside, allowing Royce to shove Riott into Morgan. That gave Royce the opening to hit the Deja-Vu and get the three-count, showing that The Riott Squad still have more work to do in getting back on the same page.
The Viking Raiders ambushed Dolph Ziggler in Raw Underground
Once again, Erik of the Viking Raiders proved to be a dangerous competitor in Raw Underground, clobbering his opponent with vicious knees to get the victory. Erik’s win did not impress Dolph Ziggler, who blew off Erik’s win. The furious Viking Raider wasted no time calling Ziggler out, which The Showoff accepted. In an anything goes battle, Ziggler emerged victorious after locking in a sleeper hold, shoving his thumb into Erik’s eye for added damage. Ziggler’s tactics drew the ire of Ivar, who sent The Showoff flying out of the ring with a huge tackle.
Rey & Dominik Mysterio fought off Seth Rollins & Murphy with Kendo sticks
Rey Mysterio arrived on Raw, confirming the rumors of his return, apologizing to his son Dominik for not being there to protect him last week. Rey did vow that he would be in Dominik’s corner when he takes on Seth Rollins in a Street Fight this Sunday at SummerSlam.
However, The Monday Night Messiah soon arrived, saying that the Mysterio family name would be the ultimate sacrifice for “the greater good.” The Mysterios called out Rollins & Murphy to back up his words, and they got their wish. Rollins & Murphy thought they had the upper hand, given Rey’s recovery, but the Mysterios had other plans, as they unleashed a Kendo stick of their own, giving The Monday Night Messiah a taste of his own medicine ahead of SummerSlam.
Riddick Moss & Arturo Ruas teamed up for a brawl in Raw Underground
A battle between Riddick Moss and Arturo Ruas quickly turned into a melee. The two Superstars were unloading on each other with vicious strikes before Ruas locked on a kneebar. The two rolled out to the floor, where they turned their attention to bludgeoning the spectators at ringside, bringing the match to an early end, leaving Moss and Ruas with unfinished business.
The Hurt Business def. Apollo Crews, Mustafa Ali & Ricochet in a Six-Man Tag Team Elimination Match; Cedric Alexander won the 24/7 Championship
The Hurt Business jumped out to an early lead in this battle, with Lashley eliminating Mustafa Ali after a thunderous Dominator and Benjamin sending Ricochet packing with Paydirt. Apollo Crews was up against the wall as The Hurt Business looked to soften him up, but he was able to pin Benjamin after the Toss Powerbomb. Benjamin’s night would only get worse, as Cedric Alexander rolled him up at ringside to capture the 24/7 Championship.
Crews fought valiantly and eliminated MVP and escaped the Full Lashley, but he was stopped in his tracks by a Spear from The All Mighty. Did accepting this challenge and falling short put Crews at a disadvantage ahead of his United States Title Match with MVP at SummerSlam?
24/7 Champion Cedric Alexander def. Akira Tozawa; Shelton Benjamin def. Cedric Alexander to become 24/7 Champion
Cedric Alexander got a quick lesson in what being 24/7 Champion is all about. Despite fighting off Akira Tozawa and his ninjas to retain the title, Cedric’s reign lasted mere minutes, as Shelton Benjamin used the 24/7 rules to his advantage and connected with Paydirt to reclaim the title.
Marina Shafir’s Raw Underground debut was crashed by Nia Jax
Shayna Baszler brought her training partners, Marina Shafir & Jessamyn Duke, to Raw Underground to show their MMA skills off in Shane McMahon’s lawless battleground. Shafir made the most of her opportunity, twisting her opponent into a painful pretzel to get the win. The celebration was cut short, as Nia Jax arrived and blindsided Shafir, then kneed Duke in the face. Baszler leapt into the ring, ready to throw down with Jax on the spot, but The Irresistible Force walked out of Raw Underground before any punches were thrown.
Montez Ford def. Andrade
In his return to the ring after being poisoned, Montez Ford was on fire. And when Zelina Vega tried to get involved, Bianca Belair arrived and drove her into the floor with a huge slam. That distracted Andrade, giving Ford the opening to roll him up.
Randy Orton punted Shawn Michaels and dropped Drew McIntyre with an RKO
One week removed from Randy Orton’s heinous attack on Ric Flair, WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels came to Raw to chastise The Viper for his actions and put his full support behind Drew McIntyre in the WWE Championship Match at SummerSlam. HBK said that Orton would not see it coming. What Michaels did not see coming was The Legend Killer, who dropped him with an RKO, then subjected him to the same fate as Flair, ruthlessly punting him.
McIntyre arrived and unleashed his rage on The Viper, pummeling him around ringside before hurling him over the announcers’ desk. That wasn’t enough to keep Orton down for the night, as The Viper slithered back into the ring and planted the WWE Champion with an RKO. Will McIntyre meet the same fate this Sunday at SummerSlam?
Who will enter Raw Underground next?
Shane McMahon’s Raw Underground once again returns tonight. Who will step into the lawless battleground where anything goes?
Find out during Raw, tonight at 8/7 C on USA!
