The August 5th, 2019 edition of WWE RAW took place at the PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA.
– The show opens up with the entire roster on the stage for a moment of silence for the victims of the murders in Ohio and Texas.
– Back from the break, Samoa Joe comes out and hops up on the announce table. Joe takes issue with the announcers, and he questions Michael Cole about Joe being accused of attacking Roman Reigns on SmackDown with the fork lift. Joe freaks out, and Corey Graves tries to talk some sense into Joe, saying the incident was ruled an accident. Cole says WWE did a poll where 80% of the WWE Universe said they don’t think Roman’s forklift crash was an accident. Joe says he just did a poll and 80% of the WWE Universe are idiots. Cole introduces footage of the incident from SmackDown, and Joe points out that he wasn’t seen in one frame of footage. Joe says the show is getting shut down until he gets the apology he deserves, and when Reigns gets here Joe is going to take him to the ring. Becky Lynch’s entrance music hits and she heads past Joe down to the ring for her match.
– Becky Lynch & Charlotte vs. Trish Stratus vs. Natalya: Natalya and Becky start off and trade holds on the mat. Natalya looks for an armbar early on, but Becky fights out. Becky tackles Natalya and looks for the Sharp Shooter, but Natalya fights out. Charlotte tags in on Becky’s back, and Flair goes at it with Natalya now. Charlotte takes control and beats down Natalya. Charlotte hits a kick and a suplex, and then she gets distracted talking trash to Trish. Becky tags herself in hard off Charlotte’s back, and Charlotte is not happy about it. Charlotte leaves, and this leads to Natalya putting Becky in the Sharpshooter. Becky reaches the ropes to break the hold, but Natalya won’t break the hold, and the ref calls for the DQ.
Winners via DQ: Becky Lynch and Charlotte
– Trish pulls Natalya off of Becky. It looks like Trish and Natalya are about to start fighting, but Natalya leaves.
– We see a replay of Andrade ripping off Rey Mysterio’s mask last week.
– Rey Mysterio vs. Andrade: Rey has lots of momentum in the opening moments of this one, until Andrade drops him with a spinning elbow to the face. They fight up to the top turnbuckle, and Andrade drops Rey upside down in the Tree of Woe Position. Andrade follows up with a double stomp to the chest of Rey in the corner for a two count. Rey fights back with a sunset flip powerbomb for a two count of his own. Andrade dumps Rey in the corner and follows up with the running double knee strike. Andrade pins for another two count. Andrade continues the offense until Rey hits another sunset flip piledriver for another two count. Rey follows up with the 619, then he goes to the top rope. Zelina Vega briefly distracts Rey from ringside. Rey goes flying off the top for a splash on Andrade, but Andrade gets his knees up to block it. Andrade looks for a suplex, but REy fights out and knees Andrade in the head. Andrade fights back with a powerslam, then he again tries to rip off Rey’s mask. The ref admonishes Andrade, and Zelina cheap shots Rey behind the ref’s back. Andrade follows up with the hammerlock DDT on Rey for the three count.
Winner: Andrade
– We go to a scene of Maria and Mike Kanellis at the OBGYN doctor’s office. Maria talks about being the first pregnant 24/7 champion, and she demands that Mike defends her. Maria and Mike get called into the doctor’s office, then we go to commercial.
– Back from the break, Maria is in a gown in the doctor’s office. Maria complains to Mike, and he tells her to relax and hugs her. Mike “pins” Maria to the doctor’s chair, and a referee comes in and counts the pin for the three count. Mike Kanellis is now at the new 24/7 Champion. Mike leaves the office, and R-Truth and Carmella are in the lobby waiting for him. Truth throws a fake baby at Mike, then rolls him up for the three count. R-Truth is now the 11-time 24/7 Champion. Carmella hops on Truth’s back and they run away.
– Becky Lynch is backstage for an interview, and she says that Natalya is going to let down her country again at SummerSlam.
– Natalya does an interview where she says Becky could break her arm and she still won’t tap out in Canada.
– WWE Universal Champion Brock Lesnar comes out to the ring with Paul Heyman. Heyman gets on the mic an says he has an educational message for everyone. Heyman talks about how Seth Rollins was supposed to be the one “beast slayer” who would have Brock’s number in the ring. Heyman rolls some footage of Lesnr beating down Rollins, and Heyman says he begged Lesnar to show mercy. Heyman starts talking trash about Rollins, and then Rollins comes out to interrupt with a steel chair. Rollins is still selling the beating Brock gave him last week. Rollins hits the ring, but Brock immediately drops him and starts beating on the injured Rollins. Lesnar takes his time, and then hits the F-5 on Rollins. Lesnar picks up his Universal Title belt and heads to the back with Heyman.
– Back from the break, referees are helping Rollins to his feet in the ring, and there’s a stretcher at ringside. Rollins gets on the mic and says he still loves what he does, even if it means getting beaten down week after week after week. Rollins gets the “What” chants from the crowd. Rollins says this is who he is, this is all he ever wanted, and this is all he’s got. Rollins says he’ll be at SummerSlam and he guarantees he’ll beat Brock Lesnar. Rollins walks to the back without help from the refs, but he’s still selling the rib injury.
– Kurt Angle is backstage for an interview, and he gets a big pop from his hometown crow. The Street Prophets interrupt his interview, and they say they’ve been crossing their T’s, and dotting their three I’s, in preparation for their NXT Tag Title defense on Saturday. They open up a cooler and bring out a carton of milk and some red solo cups. Kurt said he promised his wife he wouldn’t do anything crazy tonight. They tell Kurt he’s a hero to them, and they want to have a drink with him. Kurt says “alright, just one,” and they pour glasses of milk all around. Drew McIntyre interrupts their cheers and says he was worried his sides were literally going to split from all the hilarity. Drew says he comes in peace, but he has a friendly reminder for Kurt. Drew says he knows Kurt is the hometown hero, but he wants Kurt to remember what happened last time they were in the ring together, and Drew says he humiliated Kurt. Drew tells Kurt to call it straight down the middle as special guest referee tonight in Drew’s match against Cedric Alexander. Kurt stares Drew down and Drew walks off.
– The Viking Raiders vs. Enhancement talent: Ivar starts this one off with a series of knee strikes on one of the jobbers. Erik tags in for the double team, then he suplexes the other jobber into the ring from the apron. Erik continues the offense with elbow and knee strikes. Ivar tags back in for the double team. Erik hits a powerbomb on one jobber, then Ivar hits a splash from the top. They grab their other opponent and hit the Viking Experience for the finish after a short squash match.
Winners: The Viking Raiders
– We see a video package memorializing the late Harley Race, and showing highlights from his Hall of Fame career.
– Olympic Gold Medalist and WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle comes out to the ring in a referee shirt for the next match. Before the match, Drew attacks Cedric from behind on the ramp while Cedric was making his entrance. Drew beats down Cedric at ringside and slams him into the barricade. Drew goes for the reverse Alabama Slam, but Cedric fightsh im off with kicks into the ring post. Cedric gets on the barricade and leaps off at Drew, and Cedric hits a tornado DDT on Drew on the ramp. Kurt is in the ring looking down at the two men on the floor, when the lights start going out in the arena. A spotlight goes on the ring with some creepy sound effects, and we see a masked Bray Wyatt applying the mandible claw to Kurt Angle. The lights go out again and we hear Bray laughing, then we go to commercial.
– The New Day (Xavier Woods, Big E) vs. The OC (Karl Anderson, Luke Gallows): Within the first minute of the match, AJ Styles gets involved with a cheap shot on Woods.
Winners via DQ: The New Day
The OC starts beating down Woods an Big E until Ricochet comes out for the save. Ricochet helps clear the ring, and it looks like this one will be turning into a six-man tag.
– Big E, Xavier Woods & Ricochet vs. AJ Styles, Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson: AJ starts off strong against Ricochet in the opening moments. AJ hits a shot to the throat of Ricochet, then Anderson tags in and Ricochet fights back with a neckbreaker for a two count on Anderson. Big E tags in and connects with right hands on Anderson. Anderson takes out Big E’s knee, then Gallows tags in and hits a big boot to the face of Big E. Gallows follows up with a series of strikes on Big E in the corner. Big E tries to fight back, but Gallows stuns him with another kick to the head. Gallows knocks Ricochet off the apron, then tags in AJ. AJ works over Big E in the corner, but Big E starts firing up and fighting back. AJ stuns Big E with a kick, but then AJ misses a shot and Big E answers with a belly to belly suplex. Woods and Anderson tag in, and Woods cleans house. Woods hits a Shining Wizard on Anderson, but Gallows breaks up the pin. Ricochet hits a missile dropkick on Gallows, then Big E clotheslines Gallows out to ringside. AJ hit sthe Pheneomneal Forearm on Big E, then Ricochet hits some kicks on AJ that sends AJ out to ringside. Gallows pulls Ricochet out to ringside and slams him into the barricade. Gallows distracts the ref and AJ hits a cheap shot on Ricochet. Anderson works over Woods, then Gallows tags in and double teams Woods with the Magic Killer for the three count.
Winners: AJ Styles, Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson
– Samoa Joe is shown backstage talking to a production assistant about Roman Reigns. Joe is told that Reigns is almost at the arena, and Joe then declares that RAW is now shut down, and Joe is going to take over the ring.
– Big E, Xavier Woods & Ricochet vs. AJ Styles, Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson: AJ starts off strong against Ricochet in the opening moments. AJ hits a shot to the throat of Ricochet, then Anderson tags in and Ricochet fights back with a neckbreaker for a two count on Anderson. Big E tags in and connects with right hands on Anderson. Anderson takes out Big E’s knee, then Gallows tags in and hits a big boot to the face of Big E. Gallows follows up with a series of strikes on Big E in the corner. Big E tries to fight back, but Gallows stuns him with another kick to the head. Gallows knocks Ricochet off the apron, then tags in AJ. AJ works over Big E in the corner, but Big E starts firing up and fighting back. AJ stuns Big E with a kick, but then AJ misses a shot and Big E answers with a belly to belly suplex. Woods and Anderson tag in, and Woods cleans house. Woods hits a Shining Wizard on Anderson, but Gallows breaks up the pin. Ricochet hits a missile dropkick on Gallows, then Big E clotheslines Gallows out to ringside. AJ hit sthe Pheneomneal Forearm on Big E, then Ricochet hits some kicks on AJ that sends AJ out to ringside. Gallows pulls Ricochet out to ringside and slams him into the barricade. Gallows distracts the ref and AJ hits a cheap shot on Ricochet. Anderson works over Woods, then Gallows tags in and double teams Woods with the Magic Killer for the three count.
Winners: AJ Styles, Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson
– Samoa Joe is shown backstage talking to a production assistant about Roman Reigns. Joe is told that Reigns is almost at the arena, and Joe then declares that RAW is now shut down, and Joe is going to take over the ring.
– Back from the break, we see footage of the Roman Reigns forklift incident from SmackDown, and then Samoa Joe comes out to the ring. Joe gets on the mic and calls out Reigns, and says he’s sick of waiting. Joe says he’s going to give Reigns the opportunity to come out to the ring and apologize to Joe. Roman doesn’t appear, so Joe says they’ll do thinks Roman’s way, and Joe sets up a chair in the ring and sits down. Joe says RAW is officially shut down until Reigns comes down to the ring and apologizes to Joe in person. Joe says he’ll give Roman to the count of three, and then counts to three. Joe says Reigns must be too scared to come out, so all the fans will be sitting here waiting too. Someone walks up the ring apron and tells Joe that Reigns has arrived. Joe says he’s going out to the parking lot to meet Reigns, and Joe heads to the back. We see Reigns walking out the back of the arena, and he approaches Reigns’ rental car. Reigns steps out of his car, and then another car comes out of nowhere and t-bones Reigns’ car. The two cars are jammed together, and Joe looks shocked at what just happened in front of him.
– Back from commercial, we see footage from during the break. The car who hit Reigns backs off and drives away. We see Joe and Triple H both check on Reigns and ask for medical assistance.
– Kabuki Warriors vs. The Iiconics (c) vs. Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross vs Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville: This one is a Fatal 4 Way for the Women’s Tag Titles. Peyton and Billie trade frequent tags in the opening moments to double team Mandy Rose, and knock some of the other women off the aprons. Alexa comes in and The Iiconics double team her, then they do the same to Kairi Sane. Billie hits a spinning kick on Asuka, then they double team Asuka as well. Mandy gets back in the ring and drops Peyton from behind, then she starts going at it with Billie. Sonya Deville comes in and drops Peyton again, then Mandy hits a running knee to the fae of Billie for the three count. The Iiconics have now been eliminated from the match. Sonya and Asuka go at it now, and Asuka connects with a series of kicks. Kairi tags in for the double team on Sonya. Sonya tags in Alexa Bliss. Bliss and Kairi go at it, then Asuka and Mandy tag in. Sonya tags in shortly after for the double team on Asuka. Mandy tags back in and hits double underhook facebuster. She goes for another one, but Asuka escapes and hits a knee to the face. Asuka follows up with the Asuka Lock and Mandy taps out for the elimination. It’s down to the Kabuki Warriors vs. Cross & Bliss. Asuka and Nikki go at it on the mat now and Asuka tries to work over Nikki’s knee. Nikki breaks free and tags in Alexa, who stomps on Asuka in the corner. Cross tags back in for aother double team on Asuka, and then more strikes. Nikki hits a suplex for a two count. Alexa and Kairi tag in, and all four women are in the ring now. The Kabuki Warriors get the upper hand and double tem Nikki. Asuka looks for the Asuka Lock on Alexa now, but Alexa fights out. Asuka comes back with a knee to the face, then Kairi tags in and goes to the top rope. Nikki pushes Kairi down, then she beats on Asuka. Alexa kicks Asuka from behind for good measure. Kairi knocks Nikki off the apron, but then Alexa drops Kairi with a shot to the head. Alexa goes to the top rope and hits the Twisted Bliss on Kairi for the three count.
Winners & new Women’s Tag Team Champions: Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross
– Kairi and Asuka celebrate their Title win with Paige after the match.
– We see a new WWE 2k20 video game commercial featuring Becky Lynch, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Hulk Hogan and others.
– The Miz comes out to the ring for a SummerSlam contract signing. Miz says he wants to make sure Dolph Ziggler signs the contract and dhows up to SummerSlam, so he is bringing out Shawn Michels to oversee the signing. The Miz introduces Dolph Ziggler next. Ziggler says he’s the best thing going since Michaels lots his smile and Miz lost his balls. Ziggler signs the contract without reading it. Ziggler talks about deserving more priase from the fans, but Miz cuts him off. Miz informs Ziggler that the contract Ziggler just signed isn’t for a match against The Miz, it’s for a match against someone else who might not have many SummerSlam moments left. Ziggler stares down Michaels, but Michaels says it’s not him. Goldberg’s music then hits, and former WCW Champion Bill Goldberg marches out to the ring. Miz and Michaels leave the ring as Goldberg comes down the ramp. Ziggler tells Goldberg to bring it, but when Goldberg gets in the ring, Ziggler leaves. Goldberg signs the contract, then picks up the mic and says “Dolph Ziggler, you’re next.” Michael Cole tells us it’s official, and the return of Goldberg will happen at SummerSlam against Dolph Ziggler. As Ziggler is heading back up the ramp, Shawn Michaels sneaks up and hits a superkick on Ziggler on the stage. Michaels stands over Ziggler on the stage as RAW goes off the air.
