WWE Raw: Bobby Lashley retains WWE Championship

Bobby Lashley had the title around his waist and the celebration of the “All Mighty” started on the latest edition of Monday Night Raw. 

Bobby Lashley walked out of Monday Night Raw last week with the WWE title around his waist. This week, he was scheduled to defend that title against the former champion, the Miz. That, plus much more action was slated for the latest edition of the red brand on the USA network.

The first match of the evening was that title rematch, as the Miz looked to regain that title. The Miz tried to start things off with some mind games, but that did not last too long before he was planted on his back by Lashley. Everything that The Miz attempted to throw Lashley’s way continued to blow up in his face. Lashley’s power allowed him to reign supreme for much of the match.

Even as the Miz kept trying to fight back, Lashley kept hammering him with more violence. It was just a matter of time, but Lashley snatched Miz into the Hurt Lock and forced the former champion to submit.

Bobby Lashley versus the Miz: A

Bobbly Lashley continues to be presented as a main event champion who can destroy anyone standing against him. It is how he should have been presented years ago and it is coming across excellent now.

Drew McIntyre was talking as if he were the next challenger, only to be attacked by Sheamus, setting up a No DQ match for later in the evening.

Braun Strowman stormed out to the ring next to demand an apology from Shane McMahon for what occurred between him and Adam Pearce. McMahon came out to the ring and got right into Strowman’s face and apologized for his actions.

Sheamus came out for his match with McIntyre but he barely made it out the curtain before he was attacked from behind by the former champion. This was a no-disqualification match, and it was clear from the start it was going to be brutal.

The battle was not long for the ring, as they ended up outside, crashing into the steel chairs and over the barricade. When the weapons started to come out, the violence increased. Sheamus struck McIntyre multiple times with the kendo stick, leaving the champion writhing in pain. McIntyre countered another strike into an overhead belly-to-belly suplex, kicking off the swing of momentum in his direction.

The two men found themselves on the top rope where McIntyre landed a super-plex. Sheamus grabbed a chair but McIntyre turned the tables, flattening him with a shot to the back then the Future Shock DDT. Sheamus nearly picked up the victory when he countered the Claymore with a chair shot to the face and a knee. Sheamus baited McIntyre to taking the Brogue kick, and both men ended up smashing into each other with the steel steps. Both men were unable to answer the referee and the match ended up being called.

Sheamus versus Drew McIntyre: A

Everything about this match ruled. It was clear this was a blood feud that was going to be a violent match before Sheamus could even hit his pose. Things escalated at a perfect pace, with both men looking exceptional with their offense. The finish was perfect as well, setting up what should be a brutal Last Man Standing match at Fastlane.

The New Day were out, and they were set to face the Hurt Business next week on Monday Night Raw. This week was singles action as Xavier Woods and Shelton Benjamin faced off against one another. Woods tried to break out the speed early but was sent crashing to the mat once Benjamin got his hands on him.

Benjamin tied Woods up in the rope and battered him with a nasty knee to the chin. Woods fought back, punching, and chopping Benjamin into the ropes. Benjamin decided to lose focus and talk smack to Kofi Kingston outside the ring, which allowed Woods to roll him up and get the victory.

Xavier Woods versus Shelton Benjamin: B

This was a solid singles match to lead into the tag team title match next week. The New Day are forever a hilariously fun team when they are on television. Thankfully, Cedric Alexander and Benjamin are no longer being booked as a team about to split up, setting up that group as a formidable stable. This match delivered as well.

Matt Riddle and Slapjack were set for a match up next.

Riddle went right after Slapjack, immediately planting him and nearly overwhelming him with offense. When Riddle attempted to take the match outside, Slapjack used that moment to take over. Slapjack landed a beautiful dropkick and multiple suplexes, but he was unable to put the current United States champion away. Riddle countered the Snapback and planted Slapjack with a Bro Derek to pick up the victory.

Matt Riddle versus Slapjack: B+

This was an excellent showcase for not only Riddle, but Slapjack who looked great in his moments of offense. With the announcement of Slapjack versus Mustafa Ali next week, this match was a strong representation of what is to come in that match.

Shane McMahon was back out to further antagonize Strowman before running away in his car, bringing an end to a pointless segment.

Naomi and Lana were out next to get their title shot against Shayna Baszler and Nia Jax for the WWE Women’s Tag Team titles. Jax surprised everyone bringing Reginald from WWE SmackDown out to be at ringside.

Lana and Naomi attempted tandem offense on Jax, which was working at first until Baszler got into the ring to attempt to bully Lana. Things were not going Baszler’s and they even had Lana surrounded outside the ring until Naomi sprung over the top to save her partner.

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Naomi was finally able to get the tag to Lana and unleashed a wealth of offense to finally get Jax off her feet. Reginald played a factor in the finish, leading to Lana getting power bombed by Jax for the tag team champs to keep the titles.

Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler versus Naomi and Lana: C

This match should have been promoted to draw value in those that are invested in both teams. Reginald’s involvement is stupid, but hopefully gets him out of the Sasha Banks and Bianca Belair storyline. Naomi and Lana had some strong offense and looked like an actual team. It was clear that Jax and Baszler were going to come out of the match with the titles around their waists as they are scheduled to face Sasha Banks and Bianca Belair at Fastlane.

The main event of the evening brought out Randy Orton to take on AJ Styles. Orton attacked Styles right from the gate, taking control of the match early. He almost hit the RKO, but Styles was able to roll out of the ring. Orton stalked Styles around the ring, torturing him at his own pace. Styles turned it around when he attacked Orton as he moved to reenter the ring, landing a plancha to drop him on to the floor.

Styles took over the match from that point, battering Orton in the corner. Orton was able to fight back, but Styles kept the pressure up, dropping him back to the mat. Orton eventually blasted with Styles with a clothesline, stopping the onslaught momentarily. Orton had to fight out of the Calf Crusher, and nearly knocked Styles completely from the ring before planting him with the hanging DDT.

Before the match could end, Alexa Bliss appeared again, and Orton started to cough up the black substance. He turned around and was hit with the Phenomenal Forearm, giving Styles the victory.

AJ Styles versus Randy Orton: B-

This was an excellent match between two future Hall-of-Famers. The Alexa Bliss and The Fiend storyline continues, which is a rare example of long-term story telling by the WWE. At least it keeps the groups involved in something as WrestleMania season approaches.