Raw Deal - Raw recap for October 22, 2018

Roman Reigns shows up to start tonight's show. Roman feels like he owes everyone an apology, as for months - maybe even a year - he said we would be a consistent workhorse and fighting champion, but is has all been lies. He says the reality is that is real name is Joe and he has been living with leukemia for 11 years. Unfortunately, it has come back, and because it is back, he cannot be the fighting champion he is promising to be and he must relinquish the WWE Universal Championship. While he will accept the fans' prayers, he is not looking for sympathy, as he has had this since he was 22 years old and was quickly able to put it in remission. But during that time, he had no money or job, football was done with him, and he had a kid on the way. He calls WWE "the team that gave [him] the chance," and when he made it on the main roster, he was put in front of the fans, and the fans have made his dreams come true. He thanks the wrestling fans, both fans and haters, for reacting to him, and thanks them all. The crowd chants "Thank you, Roman!", then Roman says life is not always fair and it throws a curveball at times. He says he needs to head home and focus on his health, but he makes it clear this is not a retirement speech. He also says that when is done "whipping leukemia's ass," it won't be about winning matches and titles, it will be about showing the world that when life throws curveball at him, he stands in the batter's box and swings for the fences every single time. He says he will be back "very, very soon," then thanks the fans one more time before leaving. He then lays the WWE Universal Championship in the middle of the ring as the crowd chants "Thank you, Roman!" one more time. As Roman leaves, he is joined by Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins, and all three men share a hug on the stage. (This promo explains why Roman Reigns has missed this weekend's house shows.)

Finn Balor beats Bobby Lashley with a surprise schoolboy pin.

Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre talk backstage. Dolph thanks Drew for having his back, and Drew says he saw the writing on the wall when it came to Braun Strowman. Dolph says they have a tag team title match, and that he has a chance to prove he is the best in the world at Crown Jewel. Drew says Strowman needed them more than they needed him, and after tonight, they won't have to worry about him. Drew leaves, then Dolph asks him where he is going. Drew comes back and tells him "Monster hunting."

Ruby Riott beats Sasha Banks after Sasha Banks beats up Sarah Logan and Liv Morgan for trying to interfere in the match.

We hear from Nia Jax, who says that Evolution will prove that women can do anything. She plans to get another opportunity at the Raw Women's Championship at the battle royal on Sunday, and she refuses to squander it.

D-Generation X (Triple H and Shawn Michaels) show up. Triple H says there have been a lot of big words being thrown around, such as "fear" of Triple H taking off the corporate suit and Shawn stepping out of retirement, but says it will take a lot more than stepping into a boiler room and making idle threats to instill fear. Shawn says neither of them are running, and says another word being thrown around is "nostalgia," which he calls "a real blind way of saying 'old.'" Triple H says that nostalgia-wise, Halloween is the #1 movie again after 40 years, and that they were able to pack an arena in Melbourne, Australia. He says that "old" is probably "a polite way of saying 'we're better.'" Triple H then says that he and Shawn have been "running the X" for 22 years, and that the X proved they were better than everybody else. He says that X may be in the past, but there is another X that speaks to the future, and Shawn says they're running that, too. That leads to an "NXT" chant from the crowd. Triple H tells Kane and The Undertaker that when they bring the X to Crown Jewel, they are coming to kick their ass. Before he and Shawn can finish speaking, however, the lights flicker in and out before The Undertaker shows up. The TitanTron shows a cemetery, then Kane and The Undertaker are seen. They says that pride goes before arrogance, and arrogance before a fall. The Undertaker says DX's arrogance will be the vessel of their downfall. They tell DX to bring everything they've got, as they will do the same. Kane tells Triple H and Shawn that they should have stayed away, and The Undertaker says they cannot outrun the reaper of survive them. We then see tombstones made for Triple H and Shawn, and The Undertaker tells them that their first match against them will be their last match against anybody once they own their black and blistered souls for all eternity. After Kane says that Triple H and Shawn will be plunged into Hell, The Undertaker says they will never rest in peace. We then see The Undertaker and Kane shovel dirt into an open grave.

It is announced that as per Acting General Manager Baron Corbin and Commissioner Stephanie McMahon, Braun Strowman and Brock Lesnar will clash for the vacant WWE Universal Championship at Crown Jewel.

We hear from Dana Brooke, who says that she has been overlooked for too long, and after Evolution, everyone will see who she is and what she can do.

Paul Heyman is in the ring. Heyman says his thoughts and prayers are with Roman Reigns, and that it is humbling among the locker room tonight and to have been in the presence of such courage and greatness. He says that when he goes home tonight to explain this to his kids, he wants them to know what was witnessed was not only courage, but sacrifice, as Roman sacrificed his career ambitions because the title deserves the best it has to offer. He says that the fans have the right to point and say someone is the best that the business has to offer, and until five minutes after the show started, we had the right to do just that. He then says that Roman would want the show to go on, and at Crown Jewel, Braun Strowman and Brock Lesnar will battle to say they are the one worthy of being the champion before saying it is not Strowman. He says only one person is worthy of being champion, and that person is Brock Lesnar. Heyman says Strowman can say whatever he wants and bill himself as a monster, but Lesnar is a beast and Strowman is not in Lesnar's league, category or stratosphere. Strowman shows up, and says the only words that should be coming out of Heyman's mouth is about him beating Lesnar's ass at Crown Jewel, taking back the Universal title and bringing it every week. He also says that when he wins, Roman Reigns - whom he has had differences with for years - will be first in line for a title opportunity. After he says that Lesnar will get these hands, he is suddenly Claymored out of nowhere by Drew McIntyre.

Backstage, Dolph Ziggler gives kudos to Drew McIntyre on his attack on Braun Strowman, then Charly Caruso interviews them. Drew says half the people aren't willing to do what it takes to get the job done. He says that he is willing to do that, and says that Braun Strowman received a swift kick of reality and will soon realize that he needed them. He says they can now focus on what matters: defending the Raw tag team championships.

Elias is in the ring. He plays on his guitar, introduces himself, tells the fans they are blessed, and asks who wants to walk with him. He says the fans are almost there, but they are not ready yet. He then almost proceeds to play and sing a song about Apollo Crews interrupting him when Apollo suddenly interrupts him to start the next match.

Elias beats Apollo Crews.

We hear from Kurt Angle, who says that he has beaten the best in his career, which he admits has been in the rear view mirror as of late. Now, he has the chance that never though he had to prove he is the best in the world in the WWE World Cup. He says that with the opponents he may be facing, this may be his toughest challenge yet. Angle admits he may not be the same man he once was, but he the opportunity to be the best he possibly can be.

John Cena's new children book, Elbow Book, is the #1 children's book on the New York Times' best-seller list.

Elias is in the ring again. He is interrupted by Acting General Manager Baron Corbin, who says that he needs to keep the show rolling and that Elias' performance cannot be accommodated. Baron Corbin tells Elias that what he has to say is more important than his performance, and that if Commissioner Stephanie McMahon didn't like Elias, she would have fired him. He then tells Elias to get off the stage. Elias stays put, then says that he was in his own world while Corbin was sucking the air out of the room. He tells Corbin to shut up, then proceeds to make fun of him. Corbin demands Elias' mic be cut, and tells Elias that he works for him and to get off the stage. Elias gets off his stool, then proceeds to leave. As Corbin is about to speak, Elias shows back up and smashes his guitar into Corbin's back.

We see a video package chronicling the events leading up to Nikki Bella vs. "Rowdy" Ronda Rousey for the WWE Raw Women's Championship at Evolution.

Michael Cole is in the ring to moderate the contract signing for Nikki Bella vs. "Rowdy" Ronda Rousey for the WWE Raw Women's Championship at Evolution. Nikki Bella is introduced first, followed by "Rowdy" Ronda Rousey. Nikki is accompanied by her sister Brie Bella as she enters the ring, then Brie pretends to be sparring coach for Nikki. When Ronda shows up alone, Brie and Nikki clear the ring. Nikki says Ronda is here to fight while she and Brie are here for a contract signing, and Ronda says she is here to ensure that Nikki signs the contract so that she can beat her up on Sunday. She promises not to lay a finger on her until Sunday and that her word is her bond. She also says that her mother would be ashamed if Brie and Nikki would actually hurt her right now. Brie and Nikki cautiously enter the ring, then makes references to things that Ronda promised her mom before saying her mom is already ashamed of her. Nikki then says that Ronda's mom will be ashamed of her after a diva beats her for the title. Nikki signs the contract, then slaps Ronda. Ronda laughs it off, signs the contract, then gives Nikki her word that she will end her Sunday.

Charly Caruso interviews Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins backstage. Ambrose says there are no words to describe the ride they and Roman Reigns have been for the past six years as well as the highs, lows and in-betweens. He says that when you don't know what to do or say, you just do what you always do, and that is why he and Seth plan to do: win. Seth says there are no words; only emotions. They are planning to win the Raw tag team titles for Roman tonight.

Ember Moon beats Tamina, Nia Jax and Dana Brooke in a Fatal 4-Way with an Eclipse on Tamina.

Titus O'Neil is on the stage with breast cancer survivors. He talks about WWE Evolution, and says that as exciting as Sunday will be, WWE is moving towards beating something unacceptable: breast cancer. Titus also talks about how his grandmother lost her battle against breast cancer in 1995 before mentioning the breast cancer survivors he is sharing the stage with. On stage with Titus are Claire DiCenzo, Lindsay McGloughlin, Susan Lane, Monique Costa, Patrice Shelton and Cheryl Cuddy, who are holding up honorary pink Women's Championships. (During this segment, it is mentioned on commentary that Titus Worldwide (Titus O'Neil and Apollo Crews) that has officially split and that both men have gone their separate ways.)

Backstage, Charly Caruso interviews Trish Stratus and Lita. Trish Stratus says that cowardice did not get Alexa Bliss and Mickie James where they are now and that it is not what Evolution is about. As Trish and Lita talk about how they have made each other better competitors, Alicia Fox shows up and says Alexa and Mickie will pack them up and send them home. As Trish and Lita respond to Alicia, Mickie James attacks Trish and Lita from behind. Referees quickly move into place as Alicia and Mickie attack Trish and Lita. Mickie speaks into the microphone, Trish and Lita return to get the upper hand and tell them that was how it was done in the Attitude Era.

We look back on "Stone Cold" Steve Austin's career, courtesy of Just For Men Control GX.

Road To WWE Evolution will be on USA Network immediately following Raw.

The Shield (Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins) beat Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre to become the WWE Raw Tag Team Champions! During the match, Braun Strowman shows up and brawls with Drew McIntyre into the crowd as Dolph Ziggler sends Seth Rollins into the ref, knocking him out. Seth manages to hit The Stomp, and Dean revives the referee to earn The Shield the win and the titles. After the match, however, Dean Ambrose hits Seth Rollins with Dirty Deeds from out of nowhere, and continues to assault Rollins on the outside until ripping the floors mats off and hitting Dirty Deeds again, this time on the exposed concrete. Afterwards, Dean leaves through the crowd.

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