Raw Deal - Raw recap for August 2, 2021

MVP and Bobby Lashley head to the ring to start tonight's show. MVP addresses Goldberg's sudden return to challenge Lashley for the WWE Championship, which Lashley has refused to dignify with a response. He says that while Goldberg is an icon who is still capable of annihilating anyone, he challenged "The All Mighty." He says that while Goldberg is a gladiator, Lashley is a larger than life kaiju. The fans then chant "Goldberg," and MVP says that if Lashley accepts Goldberg's challenge, it could be the last match of Goldberg's career. MVP then asks Goldberg if he wants to be remembered as a champion or a casualty, then Goldberg shows up. Goldberg says that if anyone should be worried about losing something, it should be Lashley who should be worried about losing the WWE Championship, and says MVP is "nothing but scared" while Lashley looks scared. He says that he knows that Lashley sees him as a high-level athlete and a gladiator, but questions himself and shows weakness, and asks if he is up for the challenge, for the first time he saw him, he saw him as the next victim. Goldberg tells him that Chicago, Illinois is not Lashley coliseum and that the fans in the town can smell fear a mile away, and that Lashley is either scared or out of his mind. He then says that no matter his age, "Goldberg will always be Goldberg," as he lives by the Spear and Lashley will die by the Spear, and at SummerSlam, Lashley is next. After Goldberg leaves, MVP points out Goldberg's son Gage in the front row, and Lashley confronts him. MVP tells Goldberg's son that Lashley will end his father's career, and this leads to Goldberg hitting MVP with a Spear before heading to the back with his son.

Drew McIntyre beats Veer and Shanky by disqualification in a two-on-one handicap match after Jinder Mahal attacks McIntyre with a chair. After the match, Jinder, Shanky and Veer all have chairs, but McIntyre grabs his sword and strikes the chair out of Jinder's hands. Jinder retreats, but Veer fights back and is laid out. Shanky thinks better of fighting McIntyre and throws his chair to the side, then retreats when McIntyre lunges at him with the sword. Backstage, Jinder Mahal tells Kevin Patrick that Drew McIntyre is a madman and that karma will come around for him when he, Veer and Shanky run out of the arena.

We hear from Nia Jax and "The Queen of Spades" Shayna Baszler. Nia says that if the fans were shocked at what just happened, then they should wait and see what she does to Rhea Ripley.

Backstage, Kevin Patrick interviews Drew McIntyre, who says that he started the job but did not finish it, then says that Jinder Mahal always runs away and says he has a choice of the hospital, the graveyard or his sword.

Rhea Ripley beats Nia Jax after the distraction from "The Queen of Spades" Shayna Baszler fails. After the match, Nia and Shayna argue, then Shayna leaves. Afterwards, Rhea Ripley gets back in the ring and hits Nia with another Riptide.

T-Bar and Mace beat Mustafa Ali and Mansoor after T-Bar boots Mansoor into the ropes, knocking Mustafa Ali off the top rope and taking Mansoor off his game. After the match, Ali shoves Mansoor out of the ring to take a two-man choke slam for him.

Charlotte Flair heads to the ring. She talks about how she woke up to the news that Simone Biles withdrew from the Tokyo Olympics due to mental health concerns, and the more she heard, the more she empathized (which earns her and WWE some heat with fans). She talks about her recent title victories prior to Nikki A.S.H. cashing in and winning the WWE Raw Women's Championship, saying that Nikki stole the title from her and that she is about to have a nervous breakdown. Charlotte says that she is the most decorated woman in the history of the business, and says that cashing in the Money In The Bank briefcase is the most cowardly way to win the championship, calling it "theft." Charlotte says she has been cashed in on not once, not twice, but three times As she says this, she pulls a Kendo stick, a broom and a steel chair out of the ring, saying that people has cashed in on her hard work. She says that she asked for a one-on-one match with Nikki to show her superiority last week, and when she beat her, Nikki said she was still confident she could beat her and asked for a rematch. She says that Nikki is gullible and willing to sacrifice herself and not the courageous person she thinks she is. As she says that she will beat Nikki tonight, she is attacked from behind with a steel chair by Nikki.

Backstage, Kevin Patrick interviews Eva Marie and Doudrop. Eva Marie says nobody cares about Natalya's injury and that everyone should be concerned about Alexa Bliss and Lilly's smear campaign against her. She says that Doudrop was scared and alone living on a farm somewhere before she met her, and calls the "Lilly-Lution" gross. She says that Natalya paid the price last week, and now, so will Tamina.

Tamina beats Doudrop after Eva Marie tells Doudrop to hit the cross body only for Tamina to duck it. After the match, Alexa Bliss shows up with Lilly on the TitanTron makes fun of Eva Marie, calling her "the loser of this match."

Backstage, Damian Priest is met by Matt Riddle, who now has a new scooter. When Damian asks if Riddle is concerned that Omos will break the new scooter, Riddle says he is not alone and that he has the power of Randy Orton in him. When Riddle asks Priest if he should be in the club instead of being on Miz TV, Priest says that he's good after Lollapalooza this weekend and that he will be able to handle himself.

It's time for Miz TV. Tonight's guest is Damian Priest. The Miz airs his grievances against Damian Priest for putting him in a wheelchair and ripping Sheamus' mask off last week. Priest responds by telling Miz and John Morrision that they are out of their minds. He says that Sheamus was medically cleared and knew what to do, then asks The Miz what is wrong with his knee, if he will ever wrestle again or if he has a "different situation" between his legs. Miz says he has never been injured in the sixteen years in his business and is so injured he cannot stand, and says if he was not injured, he would smack the taste out of his mouth. Priest dares him to. Miz does not. As Priest says that he has seen tough guys like Miz before, Morrison stands up and threatens to moisten him with a Drip Stick before saying that Miz's wheelchair will be in a museum while kids will want to grow up to be like Miz and Morrison. Priest there is not a kid who wants to grow up to be second fiddle to The Miz or a loudmouth who will use anyone to get what he wants, including Morrison. He then says he was here to challenge Sheamus, but now he is royally pissed and wants a match with Morrision. Miz tries to squirt Priest with a Drip Stick. Priest blocks the shot, then fights off Morrison before squirting Miz with every Drip Stick he has and getting his suit wet.

Damian Priest beats John Morrison despite The Miz spraying him with a Drip Stick. After the match, Damian Priest is attacked from behind by Sheamus, but Ricochet runs into the ring and fights Sheamus off. Morrison goes after Ricochet, but Priest takes Morrison out.

Damian Priest and Ricochet beat Sheamus and John Morrison.

Backstage, Sarah Schreiber interviews Bobby Lashley. Lashley says that Goldberg brought his son to see him tonight, then says that he hopes Goldberg brings him to SummerSlam so he can see him destroy him his father.

Backstage, Kevin Patrick interviews Omos, who simply states "Riddle's scooter came first. Riddle's spine comes next."

Omos beats Matt Riddle.

We hear from Alexa Bliss, who says that Lilly has been thrilled about how the "Lilly-Lution" is going before she is suddenly attacked by Doudrop. Eva Marie then shows up, says that Lilly is yuckier and grosser than she first thought, and says that this is the "Eva-Lution." After Eva Marie and Doudrop leave, Lilly stands up without any help.

Keith Lee beats Karrion Kross after breaking out of the Kross Jacket and hitting the Spirit Bomb.

Backstage, Kevin Patrick interviews Rhea Ripley, who says her match was nowhere near as brutal as a no holds barred match. She says she will be watching tonight and that she hopes Nikki A.S.H. beats the hell out of Charlotte Flair. She then says that nothing will change the fact that she will walk out of SummerSlam as WWE Raw Women's Champion.

Reggie retains the WWE 24/7 Championship against Akira Tozawa.

Backstage, Kevin Patrick interviews Nikki A.S.H. Nikki says that she does not know what to expect, but Charlotte Flair did not expect her, and she has to give tonight her absolute best, as she knows that she can beat Charlotte and prove that if you believe in yourself, you can be "almost a superhero."

Nikki A.S.H. retains the WWE Raw Women's Championship against Charlotte Flair in a no-holds-barred match.

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

Raw Talk: Reggie knows he has to watch his back.