Raw Deal - Raw recap for May 18, 2020

Charly Caruso introduces Randy Orton into the ring to start tonight's show. Orton asks why "straight-up wrestling match" is so hard to comprehend, as WWE is wrestling. He says that he and Edge tore each other apart at WrestleMania and that Edge was the better man, but he knows that Edge is not the superior wrestler; he is. Orton says he can prove that, and all he needs is the ring and a referee, and while competitors are a dime a dozen, not all of them can do what he can do in the ring. He then says that Edge did not accept his challenge last week because he saw doubt in his eyes, and that the grit and passion he had has faded away into doubt and fear. Suddenly, Edge shows up. Edge says that Orton spoke a lot of truths and gave him a lot to contemplate and internalize, and knows that he is playing chess to keep him from rushing into his next moves. He then says this is a game and a paycheck to Orton. Edge once again admits that Orton is the most talented person he has seen in the wrestling ring, but he was handed his career and he did not choose it, saying that Orton was not a big wrestling fan like him. He also says that Orton has never had a career-ending injury he had to fight back from for years or had the same amount of passion that he did. Orton interrupts and demands an answer as to whether he will accept his challenge. Edge accepts.

Backstage, Murphy meets up with Seth Rollins, who tells Murphy that he has had a revelation and that he wants to tell the world. The two of them then head to the ring.

Seth Rollins and Murphy show up. Rollins that sometimes in life, you have to lose who you are to truly find yourself, and when he lost to Drew McIntyre last Sunday, part of him thought that he had lost everything, and he fell into a place so dark that he was not sure if he would ever escape. He then says that without darkness, there can be no light, and he has seen the light and it is brighter than it has ever been before, and it is thanks to Rey Mysterio. He then says that what happened to Rey has been described as heinous, disgusting and unforgivable as well as an act of penance paid to him for Rey's disbelief in him, but he does not see it that way at all. As he sees it, what happened to Rey was unfortunate but necessary, and a sacrifice for the greater good as it gave him the clarity needed to make him the leader he was meant to be. Rollins then says he wants to take this moment to speak to Rey directly, and while Rey is at home healing with his family, he will come to understand that what happened to him was a blessing to disguise. Rollins then says "You're welcome" to Rey, then Humberto Carrillo shows up. Carrillo says that nobody believes Rollins, and says that Rey is a hero to millions as well as his idol. He calls Rollins a coward, then gets in the ring only to be blocked by Murphy. Rollins applauds Carrillo for standing up for Rey, but he is not dressed for a fight. He then says that Murphy has a later on tonight with Aleister Black, but if he wants a fight, Murphy will be happy to oblige.

Murphy beats Humberto Carrillo. After the match, Murphy attacks Carrillo again, but Aleister Black runs into the ring and he and Murphy start brawling. Black goes for Black Mass, but Murphy ducks out of the way and rolls out of the ring.

Backstage, King Corbin demands a backstage worker give him his own private locker room before talking with a referee, wanting to know why he is not being treated like royalty on Raw and demanding that everything be fixed before telling the referee how his match will go.

We hear from Liv Morgan, who says that her mom is a hero, and while she didn't have a job or resume or much of a savings account, she had determination, and she never quit. After saying that she is her mother's daughter, she talks about her match with Charlotte Flair. While she did not win, she learned that she is just like her mother and determined to become Raw Women's Champion.

Charlotte Flair shows up. Charlotte talks about her match against Bayley for this week on SmackDown, and says she is excited to teach Bayley that there are even levels to being a champion. She then says that Ruby Riott is dying to say something about her, and tells her to come to the ring to say what she has to say. Ruby shows up and stands face-to-face with Charlotte.

Charlotte Flair beats Ruby Riott with the Figure Eight.

Backstage, Charly Caruso interviews Bobby Lashley when MVP shows up and says that he and Lashley will not be doing business because he is busy dealing with clowns like R-Truth and Lana. MVP then asks Lashley what it would be like to put a full nelson on a champion in WWE, and tells him to think about when Lashley is going to free Lashley, and maybe he will see him later.

Edge vs. Randy Orton is official for Backlash.

In footage from earlier today, Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) and The Viking Raiders (Ivar and Erik) . Street Profits see a man in a Viking helmet on a horse, then see the Raiders as well as a small Viking encampment. After The Viking Raiders offer a gift of smoke from a nearby campfire, the competition starts. Ford does not like their chances, but Dawkins is game for competition.

Kairi Sane introduces Asuka in the ring. Asuka shows up, and is elated to see Kairi with a bouquet of flowers before congratulating Becky Lynch on becoming a mother and realizing that she is Raw Women's Champion. Kairi Sane runs down Asuka's previous championship accolades before telling her she has become a Grand Slam Champion. Kairi then plays music on a recorder before Nia Jax shows up. Nia says there is nothing to celebrate, as Asuka was handed the title because she couldn't fight anymore, and tells her she will be replaced by someone far more worthy of the championship: her. She says their showdown will end only one day, and that there will be a real party when she is champion. Kairi approaches Nia Jax slightly, and this allows Asuka to attack Nia Jax and send her into a retreat.

Backstage, Charly Caruso interviews King Corbin. Corbin says Drew McIntyre might be WWE Champion, but he is no king, and as he says he chose tonight's match and that he carried him for over a year, McIntyre watches him backstage as he says that McIntyre is dangerous. Corbin says that McIntyre still has the potential to make mistakes, and he will take advantage of him and make it so that when they meet again, it will be for the WWE Championship.

R-Truth is in the ring. He says that Bobby Lashley has been "a bad, bad, bad man," and after footage of Lashley with MVP is shown, he says he does not want to be put in "Nelson from The Simpsons" again, and says his childhood hero John Cena would never give up against Lashley. He also says he will not give up on the 24/7 Championship, and after he is done with Lashley, he will sack Tom Brady and win the title back.

Bobby Lashley beats R-Truth with the full nelson. After the match, MVP congratulates Lashley on the stage. Backstage, Lana throws a temper tantrum and starts throwing things around.

Backstage, Nia Jax spies on Kairi Sane and Asuka.

We get a closer look at Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross, courtesy of Dairy Queen.

Before the next match, The IIconics (Billie Kay and Peyton Royce) say that they are glad Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross so they can drop off the women's tag team titles and be gone.

Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross retain the WWE Women's Tag Team Championships against The IIconics (Billie Kay and Peyton Royce) by disqualification after Peyton Royce refuses to listen to the referee and keeps attacking Alexa Bliss.

Backstage, Kairi Sane is playing on her recorder when Nia Jax sneaks up from behind her and throws her into a road crate.

Backstage, The IIconics (Billie Kay and Peyton Royce) argue, and Billie angrily slaps Peyton. Both realize what has happened and then hug each other.

We see scenes from Chapter 2 of "Undertaker: The Last Ride," exclusively on WWE Network.

Backstage, Asuka and a trainer check on Kairi Sane. When Kairi mentions Nia Jax, Asuka is enraged.

Backstage, Asuka confronts Nia Jax. When Nia Jax walks away, Asuka grabs her and kicks her in the back of the head.

"The Queen of Spades" Shayna Baszler beats Natalya in a submission match with the Kirifuda Clutch. After the match, Natalya is despondent in the ring and starts throwing things around as the ring crew prepares the ring for The Kevin Owens Show.

Backstage, Zelina Vega tells Andrade, Angel Garza and Austin Theory that they will all be on the same page.

It's time for The Kevin Owens Show. Tonight's guests are Zelina Vega, Andrade, Angel Garza and Austin Theory. After sarcastically thanking Natalya for "getting all the crap out of the way," he admits he has not been around for a while and says that his WrestleMania moment came at the cost of getting banged up, but he is good to go and he is back. He says that while the set is reduced tonight, tonight's show is a major edition, and he introduces Zelina, Andrade, Garza and Theory onto the show. Zelina says Owens is expecting a "Jerry Springer show" tonight, and that she is sick of everyone thinking one argument means that her empire is crumbling, then says that Andrade is a god among insects and a real champions. She says that Angel Garza breaks faces as well as hearts and calls Austin Theory a 23-year-old prodigy before saying that she is on the come-up. When asked by Zelina why he is not in the ring, Owens mentions what has gone on the last few months with his show, mentioning that things always eventually get heated and somebody always gets beaten up. He then says he does not want the ring to be too crowded for his next guest: Apollo Crews, who rushes into the ring and attacks Andrade.

Kevin Owens and Apollo Crews beat Andrade and Angel Garza after Austin Theory inadvertently punches Garza in the face while Zelina Vega distracts the referee on the ring apron. After the match, Andrade attacks Austin Theory from behind, and both men brawl. Angel Garza joins in, and both men throw Theory into the guardrail repeatedly before Zelina slaps him in the face, saying she should have never believed in Theory. Afterwards, Garza and Andrade throw Theory into a bunch of steel chairs.

Backstage, Charly Caruso interviews Drew McIntyre, who says that he is having a great time and that Monday nights are always a great time for a Claymore party. He says that the brand-to-brand invitational has allowed for dream matches, and one has fallen into his match with King Corbin, whom he knows well. He says that he is a terrible human being who does terrible things to his opponent and that he will do anything to win a match, but he has a special Claymore fit for a king with Corbin's name on it.

We see footage of the ax throwing competition between Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) and The Viking Raiders (Ivar and Erik). When Montez Ford throws an axe, it goes way off target. After the commercial break, Angelo Dawkins makes his shot, but ends up hitting a barrel full of water, and Ivar and Erik have to keep the rest of the vikings away from the Street Profits.

Aleister Black beats Murphy by disqualification. During the match, Austin Theory - still down after the beating he was given earlier - is met by Seth Rollins, who extends his hands. Theory takes it, and Rollins helps him up before commanding him to attack Aleister Black as he goes for the Black Mass. After the match, Theory continues to attack Aleister alongside Murphy, and after hitting Aleister with the ATL, he hugs Rollins and becomes one of his disciples.

In footage from earlier today, the axe throwing competition between Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) and The Viking Raiders (Ivar and Erik) officially begins. The Viking Raiders score bullseye after bullseye, but The Street Profits come up short as the Raiders make it look easy. Street Profits eventually score a point, but the game is broken up by two cops who want to know who put a throwing axe throw their windshield. When Angelo Dawkins does a perfect behind-the-back bullseye, Ivar and Erik are dumbfounded.

Backstage, Charly Caruso interviews Apollo Crews, who felt that things were falling in place before his injury and that he had to look inside himself and make something happen. He then says the last piece will fall into place as he challenges Andrade for the United States Championship, then Zelina Vega shows up and tells him to either stay out of the ring and keep his ring, or face Andrade and never walk again. Apollo tells Zelina to tell Andrade to be ready next week, then says he will walk out next week as United States Champion.

In footage from earlier today, one of the two police officers let Street Profits and The Viking Raiders off with a warning only because Ivar is cute. (Erik...not so much.)

Before the next match, MVP and Bobby Lashley show up, and MVP says that they have taken a personal interest in this match. After MVP speaks highly of both Drew McIntyre and King Corbin, MVP gives Lashley the floor. Lashley tells McIntyre he is coming for him and the WWE Championship, and if he has to rip it out of his cold, dead hands, then so be it.

Drew McIntyre beats King Corbin.

Here's the top ten moments from tonight's show!