Raw Deal - Raw recap for August 23, 2021

MVP and Bobby Lashley head to the ring to start tonight's show. MVP addresses what happened at SummerSlam, saying that when Goldberg first showed up, he and Lashley were shocked he would show up and challenge Lashley for the WWE Championship. He says that everyone knows about his history in the wreslting business and that Goldberg is still a powerhouse and a worthy challenger, but that he did not know he would show up with his son Gage. MVP says that while he and Lashley do not know why Goldberg brought his son Gage, but in the end, Goldberg looked amazing, but also succeeded at making Lashley angry, and the angrier Lashley gets, the stronger he gets. After saying that Goldberg learned this the hard way, MVP says that Lashley "beat the holy hell" out of Goldberg to the point that he did not have a leg to stand on and quit, which makes Goldberg a coward. MVP then mentions Lashley winning the match before Gage tried to attack Lashley from behind like a coward and got put in the Hurt Lock, which he says Lashley would do to anybody in the building. MPV then says that he and Lashley do not have to worry about that in San Diego, California, for the city is full of cowards, and says that if anyone thinks Lashley owes Goldberg or Gage an apology, then, according to Lashley, they can go to Hell. Suddenly, Damian Priest appears and confronts MVP and Lashley for calling Goldberg and the fans cowards, then says he won't jump Lashley from behind and is not half his size, and that he is challenging Lashley tonight. Priest goes on to call Lashley a coward if he does not want to accept the challenge. Lashley hits Priest with some right hands, but Priest fires back, and MVP tells Priest if he wants Lashley, he's got him.

Damian Priest beats Bobby Lashley by disqualification. During the match, Sheamus runs into the ring and attacks Priest. As Sheamus and Lashley gang up on Priest, Drew McIntyre runs into the ring, and he and Damian Priest clean house.

Damian Priest and Drew McIntyre beat Bobby Lashley and Sheamus after Lashley and MVP leave Sheamus high and dry in the ring.

Backstage, Sarah Schreiber interviews Doudrop, who says she made a mistake associating herself with Eva Marie, and even though Eva got her foot in the door, she did not sign up to be treated like she was worthless. She then says that she likes the Doudrop name and that this is her name now, but as she says what she will do to Eva Marie the next time she sees her, Eva Marie attacks her with a road crate.

Karrion Kross wears a Roman gladiator's mask on the way to the ring before the next match.

Karrion Kross beats Ricochet with the Kross Jacket.

In backstage footage from SummerSlam, Big E and Logan Paul interrupt Baron Corbin's interview. When Corbin asks why Logan Paul is suddenly being interview, Logan Paul says "Maybe it's because you're an asshole."

Logan Paul is seen with The Viking Raiders (Ivar and Erik) backstage.

Backstage, Sheamus confronts Bobby Lashley for leaving him hanging in the ring. Lashley tells Sheamus he did not need saving, and tells him to deal with it unless they want to handle business.

It's time for Moist TV. Tonight's guest is Logan Paul. John Morrison mentions his and his brother Jake Paul's forays into boxing, then asks what is next from the Paul brothers. Before he can answer, The Miz shows up. Logan Paul talks about his brother Jake's boxing match against Tyron Woodsley and how Jake will win and make Woodsley into a meme, then Miz tells the crowd to shut up and show Logan Paul some respect. Miz says that Logan Paul and his brother are great, then asks what round his brother Jake is getting knocked in. Logan says Jake will do the knocking out, and that Miz won't be the only opponent if he keeps it up. John Morrison has to stop the argument and tells Miz that he is making the segment all about him, but Miz says Moist TV is an offshoot of Miz TV and that he gave Morrison Moist TV out of the goodness of his heart. As they argue, Logan Paul leaves. Miz and Morrison continue then argue about recent events, then Xavier Woods shows up while Logan Paul is still on the stage.

We see Elias' gravestone vignette from last week.

Xavier Woods beats The Miz with an inside cradle after John Morrison inadvertently distracts the referee with the Drip Stick. After the match, John Morrison says it was an accident and apologizes, then he and Miz spray the crowd with the Drip Sticks until Miz attacks Morrison. After Miz hits the Skull Crushing Finale, the crowd chants "Why, Miz, why?" before Miz heads to the back.

In backstage footage from earlier today, Nikki A.S.H. meets with Rhea Ripley, saying she will not let what happened to her at SummerSlam bring her down. Nikki then asks Rhea to be her tag team partner against Nia Jax and "The Queen of Spades" Shayna Baszler in an attempt to raise her spirits. Rhea accepts.

We hear from Reggie, who talks about how he was never able to afford ice cream as a kid due to having no money and being bullied as kid as he buys two cones, and says he had to learn to be smart and agile to outsmart the bullies. Akira Tozawa and R-Truth sneak up on him, but Reggie hands them the cones, climbs a tree, gets on the top of the ice cream truck, then gets a ride from the owner of the truck. Afterwards, R-Truth and Akira Tozawa argue again.

Backstage, Matt Riddle meets with Randy Orton and says that he will love the championship celebration that he has in store for him. Orton says he is not big on surprises or celebrations, and asks Riddle not to do anything stupid. Riddle asks "Trust me, bro...would I do something stupid?" before he leaves.

In footage from earlier today, Mansoor asks Mustafa Ali not to get involved in his match with Jinder Mahal.

Mansoor beats Jinder Mahal by disqualification after refusing to listen to the referee and refusing to let Mansoor out of the corner while stomping him. After the match, Mustafa Ali tells Mansoor they can do things Mansoor's way or they can do things his way.

Backstage, Damian Priest and Drew McIntyre have a chat. Priest thanks McIntyre for having his back earlier tonight, and McIntyre congratulates Priest on beating Sheamus for the United States Championship at SummerSlam. As Damian Priest talks about how he is living a dream as United States Champion, Drew McIntyre invites Damian Priest to the bar to slam down a few pints. Priest accepts.

Charlotte Flair heads to the ring. Charlotte Flair counts her main roster singles title reigns and calls herself the most decorated woman in WWE, then says she is surprised that nobody has created a "commemorative statue of opportunity" of her. She says she will hold the Raw Women's Championship as long as she can, and says she does not need friends, family or fans because the championship is all she needs. Charlotte Flair then says she looked in the mirror this morning and saw a champion, and tonight, she wants to give the fans a chance to see her walk around with the title instead of Nikki A.S.H. After stating that she is no longer playing around anymore and that started the first Women's Evolution, she says that tonight is the start of a new one. Suddenly, Alexa Bliss shows up. Alexa congratulates Charlotte, then says she and Lilly want to say hi.

Backstage, Nia Jax talks with "The Queen of Spades" Shayna Baszler, saying she saw a title opportunity and took it only to come up short. Baszler tells Nia that when they team up, nobody can stop them, and that they need to become the unstoppable force.

We hear from Elias, who says that before WWE stood for "Walk With Elias," it stood for World Wrestling Entertainment, but he is here not to entertain, but to conquer wrestling and become a champion. He says that by doing this, he can conquer the world. He says that from the ashes come opportunity, and with this comes the opportunity to become a Superstar. All the while, Elias plants a tree in front of the gravestone from last week.

Nikki A.S.H. and Rhea Ripley beat Nia Jax and "The Queen of Spades" Shayna Baszler.

Backstage, we hear from John Morrison, who faces the fact that he and The Miz are no longer friends and that he will end a double-crossing Miz next week.

Matt Riddle heads to the ring. Riddle says he and Orton have been on a wild ride before recounting more recent events, including winning the Raw Tag Team Championships, then says there is one thing left to do: "have the dopest celebration" in San Diego, California. Riddle then introduces Orton, who shows up. After Orton and Riddle are announced as Raw Tag Team Champions, the fans are given an impressive pyrotechnics display. Riddle says that as good as the tag team titles are, friendship is just as important, and Riddle gifts Orton with a scooter. Suddenly, "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles shows up. Omos catches up with Styles, then Styles makes fun of Orton's scooter before noting that Orton has not given Riddle anything before saying he has something for Riddle: a Phenomenal Forearm to the face. Styles says he will beat Riddle like he always has until he and Omos get their tag team title rematch, and that he will do it tonight. Riddle accepts Styles' challenge and says he will beat him.

Next week: Bobby Lashley vs. Sheamus! Doudrop vs. Eva Marie! John Morrison vs. The Miz!

Matt Riddle beats "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles after Randy Orton hits Omos with the scooter Riddle gifted to him. After the match, Orton hits Styles with an RKO.

Raw Talk: We hear from Charlotte Flair, Damian Priest and Jinder Mahal.

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