Raw Deal - Raw recap for May 24, 2021

MVP is in the ring to start tonight's show, and he introduces Bobby Lashley. Lashley shows up with his female entourage. Following a video package of what happened to Lashley last week, MVP then demands the entourage give Lashley a round of applause, which they do. MVP then announces that WWE will go back on the road in July so that the fans can see Lashley up close and personal, and the entourage also applauds this. He then says that a "perennial dark cloud" continues to hang over him and Lashley, and that "dark cloud" is Drew McIntyre. Lashley says he has beaten McIntyre more than once, then says he and MVP do not want to see him anymore. MVP then says that they tried to move on from McIntyre with their open challenge, but McIntyre got involved after Kofi Kingston opened the challenge. McIntyre then shows up yet again. McIntyre says their business is his business and that his business is taking back the WWE Championship, and says that if it weren't for MVP or Braun, he would have won it. He then says he wants his title rematch and knows deep down that Lashley wants it, too. He says that Lashley wants to prove that he is the number one Superstar on wrong, but at the same time he feels that Lashley does not think he measures up to him or "has the balls" to face him. Lashley brings up McIntyre's actions from last week's main event, but McIntyre says all he hears is excuses when The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods) suddenly shows up. Kofi says Lashley and McIntyre both have good points, then Lashley asks Kofi if he has thanked McIntyre yet. Kofi says he did not ask McIntyre to be in his corner and says he answered Lashley because he never got a WWE Championship rematch. Kofi then tells McIntyre to get behind him, and as McIntyre talks with Kofi, WWE official Adam Pearce shows up and puts Kingston and McIntyre in a match where the winner faces Lashley for the WWE Championship at Hell In A Cell. MVP approves of the idea, and moves his VIP Lounge to the stage so he, Lashley and the ladies can all watch this match up close.

We hear from Braun Strowman, who says he cannot wait to get back to competing on the road and throwing hands at whoever gets in his way.

Kofi Kingston vs. Drew McIntyre to decide who faces Bobby Lashley for the WWE Championship at Hell In A Cell ends in a no-contest with MVP and Lashley attack both men at the same time after Kofi knocks McIntyre into Lashley with a top rope cross body to the outside. During the match, MVP and Bobby Lashley watch the match from the announce table after the second commercial break after McIntyre dares Lashley to get in the ring with him. After the match, Kofi and McIntyre take out Lashley with both a Trouble In Paradise and a Claymore Kick, forcing MVP and Lashley to retreat.

In footage from earlier today, Rhea Ripley wishes Charlotte Flair luck in her match tonight, as she will probably lose like she did last week. Charlotte calls Ripley "jealous" and says she wishes she could be like her, then Nikki Cross shows up and says she could beat both of them. Charlotte says she is too busy with Asuka and says she could beat Nikki in two minutes, but Ripley accepts after saying she can do what Charlotte refuses to do after saying that Charlotte constantly talks down to people.

We see Eva Marie's new vignette from last week.

Nikki Cross beats Rhea Ripley in a Beat The Clock Challenge when Rhea Ripley fails to beat her in two minutes. After the match, Charlotte Flair shows up for her match as Nikki celebrates, and Charlotte laughs at Rhea Ripley.

We hear from Damian Priest, who tells the fans to see why they call him "The Archer of Infamy" when WWE gets back on the road in July.

Backstage, Drew McIntyre and Kofi Kingston meet with WWE official Adam Pearce, who makes a rematch with the same WWE Championship opportunity at Hell In A Cell for the winner for next week. Kofi says that if MVP and Bobby Lashley are kept out of the match, he will have no problem beating McIntyre and then beating Lashley. McIntyre says he will not let anybody - including Kofi - get in the way of the WWE Championship.

Charlotte Flair beats Asuka after pinning her shoulders to the mat on an Asuka Lock attempt and working on her left knee throughout the match.

Backstage, Bobby Lashley is told that WWE official Adam Pearce wants to see him.

We hear from Mandy Rose and Dana Brooke, who have missed being on the road, travelling and performing for the fans, which they plan to do when WWE is back on the road.

Backstage, MVP and Bobby Lashley meet with WWE official Adam Pearce. Lashley says he is the only Superstar who can represent Raw. Pearce says that if either of them interfere next week, Lashley will be suspended for 90 days without pay. MVP holds an angry Lashley back, telling him to save his anger for Hell In A Cell.

Before the next match, Cedric Alexander tells Shelton Benjamin that they had something as Raw Tag Team Champions and as part of The Hurt Business for the past year after MVP took them from obscurity to the top of the mountain. He then blames their being kicked out of The Hurt Business on Shelton Benjamin being washed up, and says he was the only person who carried their team and was collateral damage when Shelton was kicked out. Cedric then says he is young, fresh and in his prime and has years to correct past mistakes while Shelton is not, then says that he is an evolving athlete who learns and that tonight will end with him winning while Shelton will be gone for good.

Cedric Alexander beats Shelton Benjamin with the Neuralyzer after thumbing Shelton in the eye.

We hear from John Morrison, who says that he will be competing again when WWE goes back on the road in July as he makes numerous water jokes.

Matt Riddle beats Xavier Woods with an RKO.

Charlotte Flair vs. Rhea Ripley for the WWE Raw Women's Championship is made official for Hell In A Cell.

Jaxson Ryker beats "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles after Elias knees Styles in the jaw at ringside. After the match, Omos runs out and finds Elias hiding behind the barricade, then chases him and Jaxson Ryker to the back and shoves Elias into some LED boards.

We hear from Jeff Hardy, who says that it feels like a millennia since he went out on tour and that he cannot wait to tour the universe when WWE goes back on the road in July.

Sheamus beats Humberto Carrillo after sitting down on a wheelbarrow move from Carrillo and grabbing the tights. After the match, Sheamus continues to attack Humberto Carrillo and puts him in the Cloverleaf. All of a sudden, he is hit with a missile drop kick from Ricochet, who teams up with Humberto Carrillo to get in the last word.

Backstage, Sarah Schreiber interviews Nia Jax and "The Queen of Spades" Shayna Baszler. Nia says that what happened last week was a fluke and will not happen again, but Shayna says Nia was distracted yet again. Nia says that Reginald has been shaken up and has been having nightmares, and Shayna says that they were an unstoppable force until Nia was distracted by things that don't matter. Shayna says tonight, it will just be them in the match. Reginald says he was only trying to help, but Shayna tells him that if she sees him at ringside, she will give him a real reason to have nightmares.

We hear from Eva Marie, who says it is as important to build yourself from inside as it is from the outside, and that physical strength starts with the right mindset and that while the weight of the world will bring one down, discipline and consistency will overcome weakness. She also says she has learned to become her own cheerleader and have helped other people become better versions of themselves.

Natalya and Tamina retain the WWE Women's Tag Team Championships against Nia Jax and "The Queen of Spades" Shayna Baszler. Despite being warned not to be at ringside by Baszler, Reginald is at ringside before the first commercial break. Later in the match, Baszler sees Reginald and tells him to leave. Reginald leaves, and as he does, the pyro goes off and blinds Reginald again, and this distraction causes Natalya and Tamina to retain with an inside cradle from Natalya to Baszler. After the match, Baszler grabs Reginald and challenges him to a match next week, telling him that if he has the balls, she will make him wish he was in the explosion.

Raw Talk: Riddle is overjoyed to hit his first RKO.

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