WWE Raw: Kofi Kingston defeated Matt Riddle in main event

WWE Hell in a Cell is still a few weeks away and there is a lot to build for that network special. Drew McIntyre is poised to compete against Bobby Lashley once again for the WWE Championship. The rest of the card needs to be flushed out and that, along with plenty of other activities, was set for another edition of WWE Monday Night Raw.

The night started out with Randy Orton coming to the ring first with Matt Riddle in tow for a tag team battle royal.

After major exposition by everyone involved in the match and the emergence of John Morrison as a lone entrant like Lince Dorado, things got underway with a stiff series of RKOs on Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods, and Dorado.

Dorado and Morrison exchanged a series of close encounters on the apron, but Morrison would come out on top, eliminating Dorado. But that would not last long as Mace and T-Bar immediately sent him flying. Mace and T-Bar were rolling but all the other three groups decided to team up on them, tossing the pair over the top to eliminate them at the same time.

The Viking Raiders put their power on display, eliminating Riddle, who was immediately followed by Woods. Just as it looked like the Raiders were about to dispatch Orton, Kingston made a save of sorts. He was lining up the Trouble in Paradise on Orton, but Riddle ran back in to make the save. Orton then tossed over Kingston in the confusing moment, allowing the Raiders to toss him out, picking up the win and the title shot.

The Viking Raiders won a tag team turmoil battle royal for a tag team title shot.

Elias and Jaxson Ryker found themselves in a singles match after Elias turned on Ryker last week.

Ryker got off to a fast start and knocked his former partner from the ring. Elias took control, nearly pinning Ryker after a big spinebuster. Ryker started rolling again, only to eat a one-handed spinebuster from Ryker. Elias rolled out of the ring and ran away, taking the count-out.

Jaxson Ryker defeated Elias via count-out.

Ricochet and Humberto Carrillo were out next for a singles match to see who faces off against Sheamus for his United States title.

The two men brought out a wealth of fast-paced, high-flying offense. Neither individual was able to maintain a lengthy advantage, but Carrillo hit a big suicide dive onto Ricochet, following up with a missile dropkick but was unable to complete the pinfall. Ricochet eventually countered, landing a big clothesline of his own.

Both Ricochet and Carrillo would take a nasty spot of a Spanish Fly off the apron onto the floor. Neither man was able to get back to their feet, ending in a count out.

Ricochet versus Humberto Carrillo ended in a draw due to double count-out.

Jeff hardy and Cedric Alexander were up next for singles action.

Alexander was aggressive to start the match, but Hardy was able to counter the initial offense. Alexander landed a stiff dropkick and even though the pin did not work he stayed all over Hardy to inflict more damage. Hardy tried to pick up some steam to make a dive to the outside on Alexander, but he was cut of with a nasty elbow. Hardy was able to get in his own moves, nearly pinning Alexander’s shoulders to the mat.

Alexander tried to taunt Hardy from the top but took a Twist of Fate leading into the Swanton Bomb for his troubles. Alexander was pinned, giving Hardy the win.

Jeff Hardy defeated Cedric Alexander via pinfall.

Nikki Cross found a tag team partner in Asuka to take on Rhea Ripley and Charlotte Flair in tag team action.

Flair started out the match against Cross and was in firm control of the smaller woman. After tossing her to her back, she tagged in Ripley who did the same. Cross tagged in Asuka, and she faced down the Women’s Raw champion. The match continued in this pacing until Flair and Asuka were back in together with Flair getting the upper hand. Ripley made the tag, only to be knocked out of the ring because she did not see Asuka coming thanks to Flair’s positioning. The two women ended up attacking each other outside of the ring with Flair demanding that Ripley get back in the ring.

Ripley continued to struggle with Cross, who nearly pinned her in a transition back to the ring. Flair was back in the ring, taking control over Cross. Ripley held Cross in a long vertical suplex, but Cross continued to kick out.

Cross was finally able to tag in and went on a rampage against both women. Cross nearly pinned Ripley off a crossbody from the top rope. Flair and Ripley would end up fighting in the middle of the ring, with Flair laying out Ripley with the Natural Selection. Cross then dove in and pinned Ripley to pick up the win.

Nikki Cross and Asuka defeated Rhea Ripley and Charlotte Flair via pinfall.

Drew Gulak and Mansoor were up next for singles action. Gulak went to the grappling strategy to attempt to keep Mansoor on the ground and found some success early. However, Mansoor was able to reverse a pin attempt into a pin of his own, picking up the victory over Gulak.

Mansoor defeated Drew Gulak via pinfall.

Based on the fall out from the tag team battle royal, Kofi Kingston and Matt Riddle competed in singles match later that night.

Kingston was in control early in the match, peppering Riddle with kicks and punches but Riddle responded with multiple gut wrench suplexes. Riddle was rolling until he allowed Xavier Woods to catch his eye, giving Kingston the opening to take over. Kingston’s dominance caused Randy Orton to come back down to the ring, where he was dropped by a sliding kick.

After Orton’s interference outside the ring, Riddle was back in control within the ring. Kingston would hit the slingshot Vader Bomb, but Riddle kicked out to remain in the match. Riddle knocked Kingston from the ring and went on to land a slew on offense, culminating with the draping DDT back into the ring. Riddle then tried to call for the RKO, but Kingston countered, landing the Trouble in Paradise to pick up the victory.

Kofi Kingston defeated Matt Riddle via pinfall.