WWE Raw results: Baron Corbin attacks Drew McIntyre

WrestleMania 37 is a few short days away and the WWE Universe is ready for the biggest show of the year. Titles will be on the line, fans will be in attendance and so much more when the two-day event finally arrives. But before the performers can get there, they have to get through another edition of Monday Night Raw where there’s going to be some sort of shenanigans that go down as they do every, single week.

The night started with Bobby Lashley and the Hurt Business making it clear that if anyone takes out Drew McIntyre, they will get a title shot at WrestleMania in his stead. But that wasn’t the focus as Cedric Alexander and Shelton Benjamin were also called to the carpet for failing to defeat McIntyre last week. What occurred saw Lashley attack both Benjamin and Alexander, ending the Hurt Business as a group.

The first match of the night brought out Sheamus to face Matt Riddle. The match wasn’t pretty from the very start, as both men looked to get control, but Sheamus eventually found the first position on the mat. Sheamus had control at first until Riddle got to his back, but that led to Sheamus breaking out the powerful elbows to rock the current United States Champion. Riddle was able to get Sheamus outside of the ring, landing the Floating Bro to slow things down in his favor.

Sheamus was back in control when the action returned to the ring and his power was front and center. That was until both men were on the top and Riddle countered with a toss-off of the turnbuckle, leaving both men grounded. Riddle followed up with two stiff elbows and a duck-under suplex. Riddle stayed on Sheamus and nearly finished the match with a triangle-armbar combo. Sheamus nearly won the match after slamming Riddle to the apron with the White Noise. Riddle and Sheamus continued to fight back, but Sheamus landed a stiff counter knee and pinned the champion clean to get the victory.

Sheamus defeated Matt Riddle via pinfall: B+

This was a great back and forth match, a hard-hitting affair that made both men look great. However, the WWE goes back to their pinning the champion bit where Sheamus gets the victory, probably setting up the rematch at either WrestleMania or on next week’s Monday Night Raw.

Shane McMahon continued to goad Braun Strowman and this week included a match between Strowman and Jaxson Ryker.

As soon as the bell rang, the decimation began, with Ryker being tossed all around the ring. Ryker was able to get off a little offense of his own, but that didn’t last long as he was quickly flattened outside the ring. When they get back into the ring, Strowman hits the powerslam and picks up the victory.

Braun Strowman defeated Jaxson Ryker via pinfall: F

These segments are horrible and continue to get worse every week.

WWE decided to finally get back to wrestling and that came via a singles match between Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin.

The bell rings and Benjamin goes right at Lashley. Benjamin was in control early until Lashley countered with a Flatliner, turning the tide. Lashley attempted to attack Alexander and that moment gave Benjamin some space to land the Paydirt, nearly pinning the champion.

Benjamin was rolling until catching a Spinebuster, followed up by another and the Hurt Lock. Benjamin attempted to fight, but he eventually passed out, giving the victory to Lashley.

Bobby Lashley defeated Shelton Benjamin via submission: B

This was a good match for Lashley and Benjamin. Benjamin looked good in defeat, getting in some decent offense against the dominant champion, but Lashley looked very strong in his win as well. A good way to build the issues between the two former members of the Hurt Business.

Xavier Woods and AJ Styles locked up in a singles match. Woods laid into Styles early with chops, bouncing Styles all around the ring. Woods eventually knocked Styles from the ring, landing an over-the-top flip as well, dropping the former champion again. Woods continued rolling once the action returned to the ring, laying Styles out with kicks and back body drops.

Styles was able to counter when Woods went to the top rope, turning things in his favor. Woods looked to set up a move off of the top rope, but Omos pulled Styles to safely. He would then attack both members of the New Day, causing a disqualification finish.

Xavier Woods defeated AJ Styles via disqualification: B

This was a nice introduction to Omos getting more physical in the ring, dominating both members of the New Day. Before that, Woods and Styles were putting on a great match in which Woods was getting in a lot of offense against one of the biggest names he’s faced in singles action.

Naomi and Shayna Baszler had a one-on-one match during the evening. Baszler was in control early, stomping on Naomi’s wrist and slowing the match down from there. Naomi found a way to fight back and nearly pinned Baszler twice, but had to fight out of the Kirifuda Clutch. Outside the ring, things broke down as Lana started brawling with Nia Jax, Mandy Rose and Dana Brooke. Naomi used the opportunity to roll Baszler up and pin her for the victory.

Naomi defeated Shayna Baszler: C

This was a decent, quick match but shows the continued lack of direction in the women’s division as it is clear they are setting up a multi-team match for the women’s tag titles at WrestleMania.

Drew McIntyre spent the night looking for a challenge and that challenge came in the form of Ricochet. Ricochet came out of the corner firing punches and kicks, but McIntyre launched the smaller man high into the air. Ricochet’s quickness was able to save him momentarily and he used that to land offense on the former champion.

Outside the ring, Ricochet countered being thrown into the barricade to balance and hit a high impact dropkick. Ricochet went for the 630 back in the ring, missed and walked right into a Claymore that put him down for the McIntyre win.

Drew McIntyre defeated Ricochet via pinfall: B

This was another match in which McIntyre looked good but Ricochet did not looked totally crushed in defeat. WWE needs more matches of this ilk on weekly television.

Before McIntyre could celebrate, Mustafa Ali attacked from behind, setting up an immediate match between the two.

Ali went after McIntyre’s knee, trying to keep the bigger man grounded. The strategy was working well to start, especially after Ali landed a splash to the back of McIntyre’s knee. Ali continued to fight back until he took a nasty headbutt out of midair. The Claymore followed soon after and the match was over, just like Ricochet’s, giving McIntyre another win on the evening.