WWE Raw: Asuka and Mustafa Ali return to the active roster

This week of WWE Monday Night Raw came with a wealth of anticipation as a news outlet, Fightful Select, reported that both Asuka and Mustafa Ali were scheduled for big returns. That, along with former WWE Raw Women’s Champion, Becky Lynch, was enough to cause interest in what would go down on the show.

The show opened with the WWE roster out at the ring to pay respect to Randy Orton, who was celebrating his 20th anniversary in the profession. Orton ran off some of his career accolades to the cheer of fans. Cody Rhodes came out to have his own moment with Orton, but Seth Rollins had something to say.

Ezekiel and Kevin Owens were not to be counted out, as they interrupted Rollins on his rant. Even The Usos came out as they are set to face off against Team RK-Bro at WrestleMania Backlash. Adam Pearce took this moment to make the main event which was an eight-man tag between the group.

After the commercial break, Sonya Deville was in the ring for her match against Bianca Belair for the WWE Raw Women’s championship.

The two women locked up and Belair immediately brought her power game to play. Deville was able to pull the champion out of the ring, bouncing her off the apron. Belair fired back, throwing Deville over the announce table. She would not get back into the ring on time, leading to a count-out finish.

Deville damned the match to get restarted and Deville jumped on Belair outside the ring. Belair launched Deville into the timekeeper’s area and that allowed Deville to use a chair for the disqualification. Deville then switched the match to no DQ. Deville then called out Carmella and Queen Zelina to help.

All three women were jumping Belair, but the champion refused to stop fighting. Belair tossed the tag team from the ring, but before she could take over Deville countered. Deville planted Belair with a DDT on the chair, but she was able to kick out. Belair once again cleared out the ring, hitting a KOD on Deville to pick up the win.

Bianca Belair defeated Sonya Deville via pinfall.

Veer Mahaan was out next for a singles match against Sam Smothers.

He walked out of the corner and right into a big boot. Seconds later the match was over via submission with the cervical clutch.

Veer Mahaan defeated Sam Smothers via submission.

MVP was out with Omos and had quite a bit to say about Bobby Lashley. Lashley stormed out, ready for the arm-wrestling match up against the bigger man. Lashley was able to win but that didn’t stop Omos from beating him down.

R-Truth was out to referee the upcoming mixed tag match between Reggie and Dana Brooke against Tamina and Akira Tozawa.

Reggie and Tozawa started off the match, with Reggie hitting some offense before the ladies were tagged in. Just as it looked like Tamina and Dana were going to get together, Tozawa tagged himself in. Tozawa countered Reggie’s offense and hit a kick to the head. He hit a huge senton from the top to get the victory.

Akira Tozawa and Tamina defeated Reggie and Dana Brooke via pinfall.

Becky Lynch was out next and she looked highly upset. Lynch went on a tirade about getting back to her WWE Raw Women’s title but Asuka cut her off. Few words were exchanged before Lynch was forced to retreat.

Finn Balor was out next to take on Damian Priest in singles action.

Balor tried to lock up with the bigger man to start the match and that didn’t work out. Priest tossed him into the corner with ease, peppering him with shots. Balor knocked him over the top rope, following Priest to the floor. That led to him getting bounced off the ring apron before the commercial break.

After the commercial break, Priest continued to roll in the match, with Balor fighting back for a moment. Balor went for a pinfall but Priest kicked out at two. Balor countered a chokeslam to roll Priest up but the kickout came quickly. Priest caught Balor with the South of Heaven chokeslam, before finishing him off for the win.

Damian Priest defeated Finn Balor via pinfall.

The Miz was out to the ring for the next segment. Austin Theory was to join him for Miz Tv. While they spent the session hyping each other up, Mustafa Ali came down to the ring for the first time in months.

The two men exchanged some tie ups before Miz landed a blow to the face. Ali attempted to pick up the pace, but The Miz cut him off, landing shots to his back and attempting a pin fall but Ali kicked out. The Miz was in control, but unable to finish off Ali. The Miz bounced him off the corner before mounting him to land big punches to the face.

Ali countered a charging Miz, landing a kick to the head before hitting a dropkick. Ali hit his version of a rolling neck breaker for a two count. The Miz cut off his momentum with a big DDT, but Ali kicked out at two. The Miz pushed Ali off the top rope and tried to hit the Figure Four, but Ali countered to hit the pin via roll up.

Mustafa Ali defeated The Miz via pinfall.

Out of nowhere, Tommaso Ciampa attacked Mustafa Ali.

The main event was up next. Cody Rhodes teamed with Ezekiel and RK-Bro against The Usos, Kevin Owens, and Seth Rollins.

The match started before the bell, with Ezekiel attacking first and a brawl erupting.

Ezekiel and Jimmy Uso started out the match with Ezekiel having the upper hand. He held Jimmy up for a vertical suplex, changing it into a downward spiral. He tagged out to Matt Riddle who landed a big kick to Jimmy’s chest before making the tag to Orton. After stomping on Jimmy, he tagged out to Cody Rhodes to stomp away on Jimmy in the corner. Jey was able to make the blind tag, hitting a Samoan Drop for a one count.

Rhodes tried to fight back, but Jey laid him out before tagging Jimmy back in. They kept Rhodes isolated in their corner, taking turns piling up the damage. Rollins tagged in when Rhodes was down, taking him time to start the action. He missed a splash in the corner but cut Rhodes off before he could make the tag, but he still got to Ezekiel.

Ezekiel landed a jumping knee and a spinebuster for a two count. He tagged in Riddle but he couldn’t get his momentum going as Rollins hit an inverted suplex from the second rope.

Back from the commercial and Riddle was finally able to get some space. Rollins made the tag to Jimmy who stopped Riddle from getting to the corner. They kept Riddle on their side while exchanging tags. Just when Riddle was going to make the tag, Rollins cleared off the apron to stop him. Owens tagged in, hitting a senton for a two count.

Riddle was able to get to Orton who took over the match. He hit two powerslams on the Usos before clearing off their side of the ring. The match continued to break down, until the final RKO where Orton hit one on a diving Jey Uso.

Ezekiel, Cody Rhodes, and RK-Bro defeated Seth Rollins, Kevin Owens, and The Usos.