WWE Raw: Nikki A.S.H successfully cashed in on Charlotte Flair

WWE Money in the Bank was a massive showcase that did a lot to get fans excited about some of the developments within the promotion. Big E and Nikki A.S.H have the Money in the Bank briefcases in their grasps, plus John Cena returned to face off with Roman Reigns. Coming off that show, there was a lot of action to look forward to with WWE Monday Night Raw, the first edition of the show to welcome back fans in more than 17 months.

The night started with John Cena, who was welcomed with a massive fan reaction. Cena did what he did best as all the fans in attendance hung on his very word. After he said what was needed about Roman Reigns, Matt Riddle came out to add his presence to the scene.

The first match was Matt Riddle and the Viking Raiders teaming up to take on AJ Styles, Omos, and John Morrison.

Riddle and Styles started things off and picked up at a quick pace out of the gate. Riddle got the better of it, causing Styles to tag in Morrison. Riddle kept rolling and eventually brought in both Ivar and Erik to continue the action. Morrison was finally able to get back to Styles to get the fresh man in. Styles was rolling and even got an assist from Omos who launched him onto all three opponents who were outside the ring.

Omos was back in the ring and going to work on Riddle. Styles was back in, keeping Riddle from tagging out. He and Morrison took turns dominating Riddle. Erik made it into the ring and immediately took the power game to Styles, laying into him with strikes then a flying knee. Morrison tried his luck with Ivar and after some slick evasions by them both, Ivar dropped him with a clothesline, then the bronco buster in the corner. Unfortunately, his attempt at the moonsault missed, and Morrison responded with a knee, but also missed Starship Pain.

Outside the ring, The Miz accidentally sprayed Omos with the drip stick, that caused the big man to toss Morrison aside. He was left in the ring alone to take the Viking Experience.

The Viking Raiders and Matt Riddle defeated AJ Styles, Omos, and John Morrison.

Elias and Jaxson Ryker were meeting for yet another singles match, this time a symphony of destruction match.  They immediately brawled around the ring, using all types of instruments against each other. Elias would even break out the cello on Ryker, but he would still kick out of the pin attempt. The end of the match came when Ryker suplexes Elias through two tables outside the ring and make the pin.

Jaxson Ryker defeated Elias via pinfall.

Charlotte Flair was out to the ring next with the WWE Raw Women’s title around her waist. After making it clear that she was the dominant presence in the women’s division, Rhea Ripley made her way down to the ring. Ripley demands a rematch, but Flair declines which brings out Adam Pearce and Sonya Deville. The result is that Flair was forced to defend against Ripley once again.

The Women’s Tag Team champions were up next, as Natalya and Tamina took on Shayna Baszler and Nia Jax.

Baszler was rolling early in the match until she missed a basement dropkick on Natalya, falling outside the ring. She would follow up with a knee to Natalya but could not complete the pinfall. Baszler hit her patented wrist lock into the stomp on the arm, brining in Jax to further the damage.

Natalya was able to bounce back, pushing Baszler into the corner and hitting a German suplex as he made a tag. Tamina went up to the top but Reggie distracted Tamina. Natalya made the save but Baszler turned around into another superkick. Tamina made the pin to pick up the victory.

Natalya and Tamina defeated Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler via pinfall.

Reggie was laid out by Nia Jax with a headbutt but found himself in a positive situation when he stumbled upon Akira Tozawa. He would lad a front-flip senton onto Tozawa and pick up the 24/7 Championship.

Sheamus was out for another rematch, as he faced Humberto Carrillo once again.

Carrillo used his speed to catch Sheamus off guard, taking the momentum in the match when the bell rang. He would knock Sheamus from the ring and follow up with a top rope plancha. Carrillo hit a big cross body but could not get the pinfall. Sheamus would not stay on the defensive forever, taking over with his power game after they ended up outside the ring.

The violence continued inside the ring, with Sheamus battering Carrillo with forearm shots. Carrillo would not stay down, landing a kick to Sheamus’s face who immediately responded with two boots to the chest. Carrillo sent Sheamus from the ring then hit a spot-on suicide dive. Carrillo hit a missile dropkick but Sheamus kicked out of the pinfall. Carrillo tried to continue but found himself taking a Brogue Kick to end the match.

Sheamus defeated Humberto Carrillo via pinfall.

Bobby Lashley was out next with an open challenge in mind. His open challenge was answered by Keith Lee.

The two big men locked up and Lashley was unable to immediately move Lee. Lashley backed Lee into the corner and instead of a clean break, started laying into him. Lee responded by tossing Lashley into the corner, then moving him from corner to corner. Lashley fought out of the corner and unloaded strikes on Lee, hitting a shoulder charge before knocking him over the top rope. MVP distracted Lee as he tried to get back into the ring, only to take another blow from Lashley and a spear to the floor.

Lashley attempted to lock in the Hurt Lock but Lee powered out of the move. That was until Lashley flattened him with a one-handed spinebuster. Lashley followed up with a spear to pick up the victory.

Bobby Lashley defeated Keith Lee by pinfall.

As Lashley was celebrating and that brought out Bill Goldberg to confront Lashley.

Karrion Kross was out next for he debuts match. His opponent was Jeff Hardy.

Kross brought out the power game immediately, landing a big forearm into a suplex. He continued to toss Hardy around the ring with ease. Hardy hit a big Twist of Fate but missed the Swanton Bomb. Kross attempted to follow up, but Hardy caught him with a powerbomb and put his feet on the rope to get the victory.

Jeff Hardy defeated Karrion Kross via pinfall.

The main event of the evening featured another rematch between Charlotte Flair and Rhea Ripley.

Flair came out of the gates quick but Ripley countered, slamming her to the mat and landing strikes. Flair took over for a moment, but Ripley was on top of her game. Flair was not going to be an easy out, hitting multiple strikes before Ripley tried to roll her up. Ripley hit a tight German suplex that folded Flair up, before landing a basement dropkick. They ended up outside the ring where Ripley hit a stiff chop block to Ripley’s bad knee.

Flair continued to attack Ripley’s knee in violent fashion. On one leg, Ripley would fight back, landing multiple clotheslines, a kick, and a northern lights suplex. Ripley countered the moonsault, then looked in the figure four in the middle of the ring. Flair rolled through to reverse the pressure and stomped away on Ripley. Ripley landed the Rip Tide, but Flair got her foot on the rope to break up the pin.

Flair attempted to walk out of the ring with the belt, but Ripley ran her down only to eat a shot to the face. Flair was disqualified and Ripley declared the victor.

Rhea Ripley defeated Charlotte Flair via disqualification.

After the beat down, Nikki A.S.H cashed in on Flair and picked up the pinfall to become the champion.