Tonight’s WWE NXT episode on the USA Network will feature Raquel Gonzalez defending her NXT Women’s Title against Xia Li.
* The 2021 Breakout Tournament continues
* What’s next for NXT Champion Karrion Kross?
* Tyler Rust and Roderick Strong vs. Bobby Fish and NXT Cruiserweight Champion Kushida
* NXT Women’s Champion Raquel Gonzalez defends against Xia Li
Goldberg has indeed returned to Raw, confronting Bobby Lashley and declaring himself to be next on the WWE Champion’s list of contenders.
The rumors were true. Goldberg has returned to Raw after more than a year away, confronting WWE Champion Bobby Lashley.
Bobby Lashley, still riding the high of squashing Kofi Kingston on Sunday night, also issued an open challenge for the WWE Title. That prompted the return of Keith Lee to a very big pop in his home state. Lee didn’t become WWE Champion, but at least he’s back after more than five months of uncertainty.
Moments after successfully fending off one challenger, Lashley’s next one emerged. Yes, the rumors were true, Goldberg is back once again. The Hall of Famer’s music hit and once he was in the ring, Goldberg got up in Lashley’s face and declared “I’m next”. Lashley appeared to want to go there and then, but was prevented from doing so by MVP.
Presumably, the plan is for Lashley and Goldberg to clash for the WWE Title at SummerSlam. Despite everything Goldberg has achieved in his career, winning the WWE Title still isn’t on his resume. He has been WCW Champion, won WWE’s World Heavyweight Title, and, of course, beat The Fiend to become Universal Champion prior to the start of the pandemic. The WWE Title is a championship that has evaded him his entire career.
Source: The Sportster
NXT Champion Karrion Kross lost his debut match on Monday Night Raw thanks to wily WWE veteran Jeff Hardy.
Fall and pray! Or don’t, because NXT Champion Karrion Kross lost his debut match on Raw to WWE veteran Jeff Hardy.
It all went down on the latest edition of Monday Night Raw on USA Network which emanated live from the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. Kross’ imminent debut was announced earlier in the night without too much fanfare. Prior to his match, a brief hype package aired, and Kross then made his way to the ring — without Scarlett, his real-life partner who serves as his valet in NXT and plays a big part in his extravagant entrance.
The NXT Champion went one-on-one with Jeff Hardy, but the match didn’t last very long as the wily veteran Hardy pulled off a shock victory over the usually unstoppable Kross. The finish came when Kross dodged a Swanton Bomb and attempted to capitalize by hitting the presumably discombobulated Hardy in the back of the head with his trademark elbow blow. However, Jeff Hardy has missed hundreds of Swantons and it takes a lot more than that to mess him up. Hardy dodged the elbow and rolled Kross up. He used the ropes as leverage but the ref didn’t see, and so the dominant NXT Champion Karrion Kross lost his debut match on WWE’s flagship brand.
After the match, Kross was interviewed in the ring and put Jeff Hardy on notice, telling the former WWE Champion that he had just made the biggest mistake of his life.
Source: The Sportster
Former NXT Champion Keith Lee made his long-awaited return to WWE on Raw when he answered an open challenge issued by WWE Champion Bobby Lashley.
Bask in his glory! Keith Lee returned to WWE programming after a seven-month absence and confronted the WWE Champion Bobby Lashley.
It all went down on the latest edition of Monday Night Raw on USA Network which emanated live from the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. “The All Mighty” Bobby Lashley and his associate MVP were talking themselves up in the ring and bragging about Lashley’s destruction of Kofi Kingston at Money In The Bank the previous night. Lashley issued a non-title open challenge, which was answered by former NXT Champion Keith Lee.
Lashley got the win after hitting Lee with a spear and was confronted by Goldberg as he celebrated his victory.
Before Monday, Keith Lee hadn’t been seen on WWE programming since February, and the reason for his absence is yet to be explained by either WWE or The Limitless One himself.
Recently, Lee took to Twitter for the first time in a week to check in with his fans.
“Many of you are reminding me of this day a year ago,” Lee captioned a photo of himself taken on the night he defeated Adam Cole to become NXT Champion. “So much has happened since then, it feels so long ago. Patience my friends….there is zero quit IN me. So don’t you quit ON me. I miss you. And I love you.
Prior to his unexplained leave of absence, Lee’s future in WWE seemed promising. While he was still a member of the NXT locker room, the big man stole the show at Survivor Series in 2019. The black and gold brand was victorious that night, but Lee’s face-to-face in the ring with Roman Reigns felt like a huge moment that was laying the groundwork for a tantalizing future feud. Lee’s staredown and battle with Brock Lesnar during the men’s Royal Rumble match two months later seemed to cement his status as a star of the near future, but sadly his main event push is yet to come to fruition.
Source: The Sportster
Tonight’s post-Money In the Bank edition of WWE RAW will take place from the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, marking WWE’s first red brand show on the road since the return to touring last week.
WWE has announced that John Cena make his RAW return tonight as he opens the show to explain why he returned after last night’s Money In the Bank main event. As noted, Cena confronted WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns after his win over WWE Hall of Famer Edge.
Tonight’s RAW will also feature an appearance by new RAW Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair, who won the title from Rhea Ripley last night.
Nikki A.S.H. will also appear tonight to celebrate her win in the Women’s Money In the Bank Ladder Match on Sunday.
There are at least two rumored returns for tonight’s show. Becky Lynch is rumored to return at RAW or SmackDown this week, while WWE Hall of Famer Bill Goldberg is expected to return and challenge WWE Champion Bobby Lashley for SummerSlam. Lashley dominated Kofi Kingston last night at Money In the Bank to retain his title.
Source: Wrestling Inc.
WWE SMACKDOWN TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP (KICKOFF)
The Usos defeated Rey Mysterio and Dominik Mysterio (c) to win the SmackDown Tag Team Championship
WOMEN’S MONEY IN THE BANK
Nikki A.S.H. defeated Asuka, Naomi, Alexa Bliss, Liv Morgan, Zelina Vega, Natalya, and Tamina
WWE RAW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
AJ Styles and Omos (c) defeated The Viking Raiders
WWE CHAMPIONSHIP
Bobby Lashley (c) defeated Kofi Kingston
WWE RAW WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP
Charlotte defeated Rhea Ripley (c) to win the RAW Women’s Championship
MEN’S MONEY IN THE BANK
Big E defeated Ricochet, John Morrison, Riddle, Drew McIntrye, Kevin Owens, Shinsuke Nakamaura, and Seth Rollins
WWE UNIVERSAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Roman Reigns (c) defeated Edge
Seth Rollins interfered, costing Edge the championship.
– After the match, Reigns recovers as his music hits. We go to replays. Rollins returns to the ring and snaps on Edge, counting him with strikes as Reigns is barely able to get out of the way in time. Heyman watches from the apron as he was bringing the WWE Universal Title belt in when Rollins snapped on Edge. Rollins and Reigns meet in the middle of the ring now. They have words as Rollins rants about how he should’ve been in the match. Edge attacks from the side and sends Rollins to the floor. Edge unloads on Rollins at ringside, then takes the brawl to the crowd. They fight through the fans and to the stage as it looks like Rollins is running away. The camera focuses back on Reigns in the ring as music starts back up. Heyman hands Reigns the title and he holds it on his shoulder. Heyman then hands Reigns a mic.
Fans boo as Reigns takes the mic in the middle of the ring. Reigns says now the whole world can acknowledge him. The music interrupts and out comes John Cena to a major pop. Cena poses on the stage as the crowd erupts. Reigns looks on as Cena rushes the ring. Cena meets Reigns in the middle of the ring and they face off. Cena does his “you can’t see me” taunt in Reigns’ face and the crowd blows up again. Cena hits the corner to pose as Reigns stares him down from behind. The 2021 Money In the Bank pay-per-view goes off the air with fans cheering Cena on as Reigns looks on.
IMPACT KNOCKOUTS TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP (PRE-SHOW)
Havok and Rosemary defeated Fire ‘N Flavor (c) to win the Impact Knockouts Tag Team Championship
IMPACT X DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP (ULTIMATE X)
Josh Alexander (c) defeated Trey Miguel, Ace Austin, Chris Bey, Rohit Raju, and Petey Williams
Matt Cardona and Chelsea Green defeated Brian Myers and Tenille Dashwood
The Hot Mess, Chelsea Green was Cardona’s mystery partner
W. Morrissey defeated Eddie Edwards
FinJuice defeated Shera and Madman Fulton
Chris Sabin defeated Moose
IMPACT WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
The Good Brothers defeated Violent By Design (c), Rich Swann and Willie Mack, No Way and Fallah Bahh to win the Impact World Tag Team Championship
No Way Jose filled in for TJP
IMPACT KNOCKOUTS CHAMPIONSHIP
Deonna Purrazzo (c) defeated Thunder Rosa
Thunder Rosa was the mystery opponent
– Post-match, Purrazzo takes the mic. Mickie James’ music then hits and out she comes! James heads right for Purrazzo. She tells the crowd it’s good to be back in front of a crowd and she knows if there’s one thing Nashville loves is hardcore country! Purrazzo is not happy that James is stepping on her moment. James says she appreciates Purrazzo and lists off her accomplishments. James mentions she’s connected to NWA POWERRR and wants only the best. She invites Purrazzo to the show. Purrazzo says everybody wants her on their show, but she still feels disrespected and tells James to get her trash bag and get the hell out of here! James slaps Purrazzo and then superkicks her. The champ rolls out of the ring and walks up the ramp. She eyes James and heads to the back.
IMPACT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP (NO DQ MATCH)
Kenny Omega (c) defeated Sami Callihan
– Post-match, Callis, The Good Brothers, and Omega celebrate the victory. They go for too sweet and the lights go out. Bullet Club music hits and out comes NJPW star Jay White! The group throw up “too sweet” to White, White has his NEVER Openweight Championship with him and looks to be considering what he’ll do as the PPV comes to a close.
DATE: July 18, 2021 8:00 pm
LOCATION: Dickies Arena, Fort Worth, Texas
AVAILABLE ON:Peacock, WWE Network (outside of the U.S.)
CARD
WWE UNIVERSAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Roman Reigns (c) vs. Edge
WWE CHAMPIONSHIP
Bobby Lashley (c) vs. Kofi Kingston
WWE RAW WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP
Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Charlotte
WWE RAW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
AJ Styles and Omos (c) vs. The Viking Raiders
MEN’S MONEY IN THE BANK
Ricochet vs. John Morrison vs. Riddle vs. Big E vs. Drew McIntrye vs. Kevin Owens vs. King Shinsuke Nakamaura vs. Seth Rollins
WOMEN’S MONEY IN THE BANK
Asuka vs. Naomi vs. Alexa Bliss vs. Nikki Cross vs. Liv Morgan vs. Zelina Vega vs. Natalya vs. Tamina
Kickoff Pre-show: SmackDown Tag Team Titles Match
The Usos vs. Rey Mysterio and Dominik Mysterio (c)
DATE: July 17, 2021 8:00 pm
LOCATION: Skyway Studios, Nashville, Tennessee
AVAILABLE ON:FITE and Traditional PPV
CARD
IMPACT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP (NO DQ MATCH)
Kenny Omega (c) vs. Sami Callihan
IMPACT KNOCKOUTS CHAMPIONSHIP
Deonna Purrazzo (c) vs. Mystery Opponent
IMPACT X DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP (ULTIMATE X)
Josh Alexander (c) vs. Trey Miguel vs. Ace Austin vs. Chris Bey vs. Rohit Raju vs. Petey Williams
IMPACT WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
Violent By Designs (c) vs. Rich Swann and Willie Mack vs. TJP and Fallah Bahh vs. The Good Brothers
IMPACT KNOCKOUTS TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
Fire ‘N Flava (c) vs. Havok and Rosemary
Chris Sabin vs. Moose
Eddie Edwards vs. W. Morrissey
Brian Myers & Tenille Dashwood vs. Matt Cardona & A Mystery Partner
Tonight’s WWE SmackDown on FOX will air live from the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas with the final build for Sunday’s Money In the Bank pay-per-view.
This show marks WWE’s official return to touring since the COVID-19 pandemic shut things down last year. WWE is expected to have several surprises this weekend, and a new set will debut on tonight’s SmackDown.
