Raw Deal - Raw recap for July 26, 2021

Nikki A.S.H. heads to the ring to start tonight's show. Nikki welcomes everyone to Monday Night Raw, then says being Raw Women's Champion feels like a dream before stating that the dream is now real. She says that when she reached for the stars in the past, she didn't have the confidence that she needed, and was so afraid to fail. One day, she realized that if she fails, she fails, and she is still her. She says that when she puts on the superhero outfit, it gives her the confidence and it reminds her that no matter what, if you believe in yourself, you can overcome all of the odds. She says it worked for her and can work for anyone else, and says that everyone can almost be superheroes. Suddenly, Charlotte Flair shows up. Charlotte Flair says that is a nice fairytale that Nikki is telling, but says that Nikki's fairytale has no happy ending and that she is a disgrace, stating that she should not represent the company. She says that Al Roker did not believe that Nikki was a champion, then says one has to work for it to become a champion and that she brings star power and perspective to the ring. After Charlotte calls Nikki an "almost idiot," she says that Rhea Ripley acted like a bratty teenage who got her phone taken away from her after she beat her, then says this is the only reason Nikki became champion, as she was not even on her feet when she was pinned. Charlotte says that Nikki stole her title, then says she will continue to stand in the ring and be the opportunity while Nikki continues to play dress-up, then she will get her championship rematch and Nikki will bow down to her. She then says that "this injustice" is the fans' fault, as they have cheered after she has become the victim of injustice just to bring her down to their level before Rhea Ripley shows up. Rhea Ripley says it's not hard to be jealous of someone who has held the title for one whole day, and while Charlotte Flair has been an 11-time champion, she can only win by pinfall or submission, and lost by disqualification because she couldn't handle losing to her. After Rhea says she should be the one getting the title rematch, Nikki asks who said anything about beating her at SummerSlam, and says that Raw is ready for change in the form of a new champion and that she will lead that change. Charlotte says she will walk out of SummerSlam as champion, then Rhea says the title will be hers. Suddenly, WWE officials Sonya Deville and Adam Pearce show up. Sonya says the only fair thing to do is to make a Triple Threat Match for the Raw Women's Championship at SummerSlam, which Charlotte calls "ridiculous," saying neither Rhea or Nikki deserve the title and that she should have a match tonight. Charlotte says she wants the match tonight to prove that Nikki is not in her league, and Nikki simply responds with "You're on!" Adam Pearce makes the match official, then Charlotte sends Ripley out of the ring before Nikki drop kicks her out of it.

We hear from Damian Priest, who says that Sheamus is a coward and a bully who deserves to get his ass kicked instead of holding the WWE United States Championship, and says that when Sheamus looks at him in the ring, he will see who should be United States Champion.

Damian Priest beats Sheamus in a United States Championship Contender's Match in a match that sees Sheamus' face mask get knocked off.

"The Phenomenal" AJ Styles and Omos retain the WWE Raw Tag Team Championships against The Viking Raiders (Ivar and Erik).

Before the next match, Jinder Mahal says that he is disgusted with Drew McIntyre and with everyone for cheering for the beating that Shanky got last week, and gives McIntyre a chance to apologize. When McIntyre refuses to apologize, Jinder Mahal introduces McIntyre to his attorney and threatens to sue him for everything that he has. McIntyre asks the crowd for their opinion, and decides to beat Veer within an inch of his life. McIntyre then starts a "Drew is gonna kill you" chant, then the match starts.

Drew McIntyre beats Veer by disqualification when Jinder Mahal hands Veer a chair only for McIntyre to kick the chair into Veer's face with a Claymore Kick.

Backstage, Eva Marie tells Doudrop to forget about what happened last week on Alexa's Playground, as she will be get one step close to the women's tag titles. She says that the Eva-lution will not stop as long as Doudrop holds up her end.

Natalya and Tamina beat Eva Marie and Doudrop in a WWE Women's Tag Team Championship Contender's Match after Eva Marie is distracted by Lilly's mockery of Eva Marie with the "Lilly-Lution." After the match, Natalya has to be helped with the back after hurting her left leg.

Karrion Kross beats Keith Lee with the Kross Jacket.

Backstage, Sarah Schreiber interviews Nikki A.S.H. Nikki says her confidence has grown and she is no longer afraid to fail. She says that she believes in herself and that nobody can take that feeling from her. She wants the fans to know that the hardest challenges are worth fighting for, and she plans to go in tonight knowin that win or lose, she will defend her title at SummerSlam. Rhea Ripley shows up and says that she respects the confidence that she has, then says she will be walking out with the Raw Women's Championship at SummerSlam. As for tonight, however, she hopes Nikki goes out there and gives Charlotte hell.

Mustafa Ali and Mansoor beat Mace and T-Bar after Mansoor takes a bullet for Ali and turns a choke slam off the top rope from Mace into a roll-up.

MVP and Bobby Lashley head to the ring. MVP addresses Goldberg's sudden appearance last week, and Lashley says he will not dignify Goldberg's challenge with a response before stating that the ring is his and that he will not be disrespected by anyone. Suddenly, Cedric Alexander shows up and brings up the dissolution of The Hurt Business, and says that Cedric was kicked out of the fold because Lashley knew he was better than him. As Alexander says that "Prime Alexander" is here and wants a shot at the champ, Shelton Benjamin shows up and says the sound of Cedric's voice is annoying before saying he is here to give Lashley a real challenge. MVP tells Cedric and Shelton that Lashley has no time for them, but Lashley takes the microphone from him and says he will take them both on at the same time before asking for a referee.

Bobby Lashley beats Cedric Alexander and Shelton Benjamin in a two-on-one handicap match. Near the end of the match, Lashley hits Shelton Benjamin with a Jackhammer before hitting Cedric Alexander with a Dominator onto Shelton.

Backstage, The Miz and John Morrison are met by "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles and Omos. Styles plots something with Miz and Morrison while Omos keeps watch.

John Morrison beats Matt Riddle after "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles and Omos show up and break Riddle's scooter. After the match, Styles pounds on a downed Riddle and hits him with the Styles Clash.

Reginald retains the WWE 24/7 Championship against R-Truth with a somersault senton after outsmarting R-Truth throughout the match. After the match, several Superstars run into the ring, but Reginald flips over the top rope and escapes them all yet again.

Backstage, Sarah Schreiber interviews Charlotte Flair, who says that Nikki A.S.H. only beat her because of Rhea Ripley, and says that she is tired of the women's division being run down by "almost Superstars." She says there would not be a Women's Champion if it weren't for her, and that she will prove this against Nikki A.S.H.

Charlotte Flair beats Nikki A.S.H. after rolling over Nikki after Nikki hits a top rope cross body. After the match, Kevin Patrick congratulates Charlotte Flair for her win. Charlotte asks Kevin what he expected before mocking Nikki, saying that no one is in her league. Nikki takes the microphone and admits that she lost, then tells Charlotte that she can beat her and challenges her to a rematch. Charlotte says she can beat her any week, then accepts the challenge. Charlotte extends her hand, and when Nikki extends her, Charlotte clotheslines her before degrading her in front of a fan in the front row. She then hits Nikki with a big boot to end the show.

Raw Talk: Damian Priest reflects on his humble beginnings.

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