Raw Deal - Raw recap for July 23, 2018

The show starts with the entire main roster locker room on the stage as WWE Chairman Vince McMahon welcomes everyone to tonight's show. Vince then introduces the CEO of WWE and Raw Commisioner Triple H and Stephanie McMahon, respectively. Triple H acknowledges the WWE Superstars on the stage as well as anyone who has ever stepped through the ropes of a WWE ring, and says tonight's announcement is possible because of them. He says that everything they do makes it possible and that they have all done it as a team, and says the bond between them all has never been stronger than what it is today. Triple H then asks all the women to step forward on the stage. He says that the men standing behind them truly support them, and that the WWE Universe support them as strongly every single night since day one through history all the way up to this moment. Triple H then says that the women have stolen the show time and time again, and lets them know that he, Stephanie and Vince are so proud of them. Stephanie says these talents because of opportunity, incredible talent or because WWE deems it important, but because the fans deem it important and as part of what they love. They asked for it, and because of that, the women of WWE moved to the forefront. Because of that, the women of WWE were able to prove they could be who they want to be, and because of that, on October 28th, WWE Evolution will take place and become the first-ever all-female pay-per-view. It is then announced by the commentary team that the Raw, SmackDown Live and NXT women's titles will all be on the line that night, and that the finals of the second annual Mae Young Classic will also take place there.

In the locker room, The B-Team talk about WWE Evolution. Curtis Axel talks about the event, then focuses on the tag team title. Bo Dallas talks about their unbeaten run so far, but Curtis Axel doesn't regret a second of it, saying the B in "B-Team" stands for "brothers." After he calls Curtis Axel the brother he never had, Bo Dallas says it's time to go and prove why B stands for "best," then The B-Team awkwardly walk backwards and grab the Raw tag team titles before leaving.

Elias is about to play on stage when Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt show up.

The B-Team (Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel) retain the WWE Raw Tag Team Championships against Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt. After the match, Bray Wyatt and Matt Hardy applaud the B-Team for their efforts before attacking them as soon as they turn their backs.

O.A.R. is in the front row as it is announced that they are working together with Connor's Cure.

Backstage, Finn Balor talks with Chad Gable about WWE Evolution when they notice people carrying Finn Balor's things somewhere. They learn that there are strict orders from Constable Baron Corbin to move Finn Balor to a new locker room. The "locker room" is a tiny red house with a teddy bear. Corbin shows up and says Finn Balor was too big not to have his own locker room, and says it is fitting of his stature. Finn thanks Corbin for giving him his very own "Finn's Funhouse." Corbin tells Finn he has a match with Drew McIntyre tonight.

Backstage, Charly Caruso interviews Bayley and Sasha Banks. Bayley says they have had a long talk since last week, and while they have their differences, their differences are what make their friendship strong. Sasha says they are two different people with the same dream, and with WWE Evolution on the horizon, they have every reason to be on the same page. Sasha and Bayley then head to the ring.

Bayley and Sasha Banks beat Samantha Simon and Karen Lundy with the Banks Statement. Bayley and Sasha hug after the match.

We look back on Hulk Hogan vs. Andre The Giant at WrestleMania 3, courtesy of Mission Impossible: Fallout.

Elias announces that his debut album Walk With Elias is available now, then Braun Strowman shows up. Strowman says it seems like the fans are talking about two things tonight: the announcement for WWE Evolution - for which he congratulates the women in the back, especially Alexa Bliss - and the commotion between Roman Reigns and Bobby Lashley. Everyone has heard about Roman and Lashley going at it week after week, and tonight, they face each other to see who faces Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam. He then says it doesn't matter who it is, because sooner or later, a monster will come calling as he has the Money In The Bank contract. He then asks the fans how he would look as WWE Universal Championship, then poses in the crowd to all sides of the audience until Kevin Owens arrives. Kevin Owens says that after what Strowman did to him at Extreme Rules, he is surprised that Strowman showed up as if nothing happened, and shows his anger. He says he tried to befriend Strowman out of kindness and for his ten-year-old son. He then says Strowman crushed his son's dream as he crushed his spine at Extreme Rules, and says his kids thought he was indestructible until what Strowman did to him and that they are now afraid when he walks down the stairs at home. Owens then says Strowman tried to take his livelihood away from him, and says he will do the same to him. Strowman dares him to hobble to the ring and try, but Owens says he won at Extreme Rules and has nothing left to prove. He then tells Strowman his problems have just begun, then Constable Baron Cobin shows up. Corbin says Commissioner Stephanie McMahon has empowered him to handle this situation, and while what Strowman did at Extreme Rules was legal, it was morally reprehensible. He then says that as Constable, he has done everything he can to help Superstars grow, and after a Finn Balor height joke, he says he has somebody who can teach Strowman to control his temper: Jinder Mahal. Jinder Mahal and Sunil Singh show up, and Jinder says he senses a storm of anger brewing within Strowman. He asks Strowman to help him help find the inner calm within himself, as he has caused too much damage and management have appointed him to help Strowman find inner peace. He then tries to get Strowman to breath deeply into his nose and chant "Shanti." Strowman appreciates the effort, but he has a mantra of his own. He asks Sunil Singh to hold his microphone, then asks Sunil, Jinder and the fans to close their eyes, breathe deep and repeat after him: "Get. These. Hands." Strowman then hits Jinder with a big boot before grabbing Sunil and tossing him into Jinder. Strowman then grabs Sunil again, and Sunil falls victim to a running powerslam.

Mickie James beats Natalya thanks to the distraction by Alexa Bliss, who gets laid out with a discus forearm.

We see footage of WWE at the ESPN Sports Humanitarian Awards.

Backstage, Charly Caruso interviews Roman Reigns. He says tonight is different from Extreme Rules and that he will beat Bobby Lashley. He may have lost to Lashley, but he has no advocate to make excuses for him. He then says he is the workhorse and the most decorated Superstar of this generation, and that he will beat Lashley and continue to SummerSlam. He also tells the critics to learn to love him or close their mouths.

Elias talks about his debut album being available now before The Authors of Pain (Akam and Rezar) show up.

The Authors of Pain (Akam and Rezar) show up and say they will not wait forever, and demand anyone but Titus Worldwide (Titus O'Neil and Apollo Crews), as they are done with Titus Worldwide. They get Titus Worldwide anyway. Titus O'Neil say The Authors of Pain are legit and two of the strongest guys in WWE as well as two of the youngest, and that they have a lot to learn. The Authors of Pain think Titus will make them into a joke. Titus says he may have fallen at Greatest Royal Rumble, but he got back up. Apollo says that Titus got him on his feet, helped him learn and made him into an asset for his community. He also says Titus has seen talent come and go, but is still here, and that he has seen more talent than The Authors will ever know. He also says that if The Authors had as much class as Titus, they'd be as good as people as they would be champions. The Authors say that Titus is better off walking away and retiring. Titus responds by saying that sometimes, to teach someone a lesson, you have to fight them, and he and Apollo get the jump on The Authors, who quickly flee the ring.

General Manager Kurt Angle and Commissioner Stephanie McMahon talk about WWE Evolution when Kevin Owens and Constable Baron Corbin show up asking for Stephanie's advice. Owens says he has had it rough after what Braun Strowman has done to him, especially at Extreme Rules, and wants to take everything away from Strowman at SummerSlam in response to Strowman trying to do the same to him. Owens then says that if he beats Strowman in any way, he gets the Money In The Bank Contract. Angle thinks the idea absurd, but Stephanie tells Owens he has his SummerSlam match. Angle then opens the limousine door for Stephanie, who then leaves.

Mojo Rawley beats Tyler Breeze. During the match, Bobby Roode says Mojo Rawley has a problem with him, but he is comfortable in his own skin. He says Mojo can hide behind his computer keyboard all he wants.

We hear from Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre. Dolph says they came to Raw with a plan to take over, and that their plan is working. He says Seth Rollins tried to interfere, but got squashed by McIntyre. Drew McIntyre says he is no closer to the WWE Universal Championship thanks to Finn Balor, and tonight, he plans to wipe the smile off Finn's face...permanently.

Elias is interrupted before he can say much of anything thanks to Finn Balor's entrance.

Finn Balor beats Drew McIntyre by disqualification after Dolph Ziggler gets involved. After the match, Dolph and Drew attack Finn, but Seth Rollins runs in and quickly tosses Drew out of the ring before getting the high ground on Dolph. Seth helps Finn up, then General Manager Kurt Angle shows up and makes a tag team match between the team of Dolph and Drew and the team of Seth and Finn for right now.

Seth Rollins and Finn Balor beat Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre.

Backstage, Charly Caruso interviews Bobby Lashley. Lashley says he came back for big matches like tonight's, as he is at his best when the lights are brightest. He says Roman Reigns had two chances against Brock Lesnar and failed, and he plans to be the man Lesnar fights. He hopes that Brock Lesnar is rested up, because there will be no sleep until Brooklyn, New York.

Ember Moon beats Liv Morgan.

Backstage, Mike Rome interviews Seth Rollins, who says that General Manager Kurt Angle has given him a match against Dolph Ziggler for the WWE Intercontinental Championship at SummerSlam.

It is announced that The Bella Twins (Brie and Nikki Bella) will be on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon later this week.

Elias can't even get a note in edgewise before General Manager Kurt Angle shows up and tells him that the floor is his and that he can do his song because the people want to hear a song from the debut album. Elias tells the crowd that his album will change their lives for the better and that they should buy one copy for themselves and another for the person they become. He gives a shout-out to O.A.R., then proceeds to play. He then says he is not feeling the vibe here, then proceeds to make fun of Cincinnati, Ohio, saying it is the grossest collection of humans he has ever seen. Bobby Lashley then shows up for the next match.

Next week: "Rowdy" Ronda Rousey returns from suspension! Finn Balor vs. Baron Corbin! Seth Rollins vs. Drew McIntyre! Brock Lesnar returns!

Roman Reigns beats Bobby Lashley to face Brock Lesnar for the WWE Universal Championship at SummerSlam. After the match, Bobby Lashley and Roman Reings shake hands.

Here are the top 10 moments from tonight's show!