Raw Deal - Raw recap for August 9, 2021

Randy Orton returns for the first time in weeks to start tonight's show. Orton welcomes everyone to the show, then Matt Riddle arrives. Riddle tells Orton he missed him, then admits that at first, he thought he was hiding backstage. He then talks about how his step-father got lost buying some milk 25 years ago before declaring that he and Orton can team up again. Orton asks Riddle what makes him think he would team up again, then said they both had their matches, their shirts and their buzz on social media before stating he works better alone and that Riddle does not need his help. Orton goes on to say that they were a good team, then "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles and Omos show up. Styles makes fun of Riddle and calls what is going on in the ring "embarrassing," then tells him that Orton has used and abused everyone he has ever met and that Riddle will be no different. Styles then admits he never thought in a million years that a broken heart by Randy Orton would hurt Riddle the most, but Orton tells him to shut up, saying the only thing bigger than his ego is Omos. Styles takes offense to this, then tells Orton to fight him tonight so they can see who runs Raw. Orton accepts, saying he will beat him with the RKO before uppercutting him out of the ring. Orton tries to hit Omos with an RKO, but gets tossed out. Riddle tries to do it, but he gets choke slammed for it. Orton says to Riddle "That wasn't a smart move, was it?" before heading up the ramp to the back.

Backstage, Kevin Patrick interviews Baron Corbin, who says that he needs the money after having lost everything including his house, his wife and his kids. He says that he has received a phone call for Jinder Mahal for an opportunity to turn things around in a match with Drew McIntyre, and while he is not jumping for joy at the prospect of this match, if this turns things around, so be it.

Backstage, Kevin Patrick interviews Drew McIntyre, who says that Jinder Mahal and his goons are scared of him and that he has no sympathy towards Baron Corbin for being a terrible human being in general. McIntyre then talks about his late mother, Angela, whom his sword is named after, and says that karma is a bitch and that if Jinder pushes him too far, he will push Angela too far.

Drew McIntyre beats Baron Corbin. Near the end of the match, McIntyre readies the Claymore Kick, but Corbin begs for mercy, saying he has nothing. McIntyre tells Corbin he is absolutely pathetic, but he is starting to feel bad for him and says that if things are that bad, he will get him enough money to get him by for a while. McIntyre then proposes $200,000, then $300,000, then counts down from three and hits the Claymore Kick for the win. After the match, Jinder Mahal, Shanky and Veer - who have been watching the match from backstage - arrive, but McIntyre produces his sword Angela, making them think twice.

Backstage, Matt Riddle asks Randy Orton if they can still be friends and if he can at least be in his corner tonight. Orton declines.

Karrion Kross beats Jeff Hardy with the Kross Jacket. After the match, Kross attacks Jeff Hardy attack and puts him in the Kross Jacket again.

We see a video package of the recent history between Matt Riddle and Randy Orton.

Backstage, Kevin Patrick interviews Matt Riddle, who says that today has been an emotional rollercoaster after Orton's sound rejection and has no idea what to do, but if Orton wants to be alone, he has to let Orton be Orton. He then says that he has to do what he has to do, and that is ride.

Alexa Bliss beats Doudrop with a roll-up after Lilly winks at Doudrop.

Backstage, John Morrison talks with The Miz about Damian Priest, saying that Damian Priest is "dry." As Miz agrees, Sheamus says that he considers Morrison ridiculous in response to costing him his match against Damian Priest. Miz has to stop Morrison from squirting Sheamus with a Drip Stick, and Sheamus says he has bigger fish to fry with Ricochet. Sheamus then tells Morrison to get the job done against Damian Priest or else he will be in for one hell of a drought.

Sheamus beats Ricochet in a United States Championship Contender's Match after Ricochet goes down from hitting Sheamus in the forehead during a top rope move, allowing Sheamus to hit the Brogue Kick for the win. After the match, Damian Priest shows up and gets in Sheamus' face. This starts a staredown between the two men before Sheamus leaves. Suddenly, Sheamus charges at Priest for a cheap shot attempt as soon as Priest turns around, but Priest sees it coming and it does not work. As The Miz and John Morrison make their way to the ring, Sheamus argues with Morrison on his way to the back.

Damian Priest beats John Morrison after The Miz squirting Priest with a Drip Stick has no effect. After the match, Priest confronts The Miz, then punches Morrison. He then squirts Morrison with a few Drip Sticks before confronting The Miz and tricking him into standing on his feet. When it is revealed that Miz is no longer injured, Miz runs to the back. Priest then takes the microphone and talks about what Sheamus has been doing for the last few months, and Sheamus shows up to tell Damian to say what he has to say to his face. Priest calls out Sheamus for treating people like garbage and running his mouth, and says that he will deal with him just like every other bully in his life and face him for the United States Championship at SummerSlam. Sheamus says that Damian Priest talks a big game, then admits that he is a bully and likes it before saying he does not care about what anyone thinks before telling Damian he accepts the challenge and that he should prepare for the fight of his life. Afterwards, John Morrison rushes at Damian Priest from behind only to eat a big boot from Priest, and Priest tells Sheamus that this will be him at SummerSlam.

Backstage, Mansoor apologizes to Mustafa Ali and makes it up for him with a nice jacket. Mustafa says there is no need to apologize, then tells him that he will show how it is done and that all Mansoor needs to do is watch and learn.

T-Bar beats Mustafa Ali after Mace attacks Mansoor on the outside. After the match, T-Bar and Mace almost attack Ali again, but Mansoor fights them off and sends them both out of the ring.

As Reggie does a photo shoot, Akira Tozawa and R-Truth, disguised as a postal worker and a janitor respectively, try to attack Reggie and take the WWE 24/7 Championship back, but Reggie uses his agility to avoid them both.

Backstage, Kevin Patrick interviews "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles and Omos. Styles says he does not care if Randy Orton is back and has broken up his tag team with Matt Riddle, and says he will not be at the top of the mountain upon his return. Styles then says that Orton made a colossal mistake and that he and Omos will break him and put him back on the shelf for good.

MVP and Bobby Lashley head to the ring. After demanding respect for Lashley from the fans, MVP recounts the happenings of last week, then says that there have been some false narratives spun about Lashley accepting Goldberg's challenge. MVP mentions Goldberg's attack on him, saying Goldberg attacked him for no reason whatsoever and that he did not threaten Goldberg's son Gage, saying he acted in a humanitarian capacity. He says that he told Gage to dissuade his father from facing Lashley at SummerSlam, for Lashley would end his career if he continued, and says that by slandering him, you slander Lashley. MVP then compares being hit by Goldberg's Spear to being hit by a Mack truck, saying that his ribs are now hurt, and that the only thing that hurts more is a Spear from Lashley. He then says that he and Lashley are "fashionably violent" and that Goldberg should not involve his son in this matter, then says he cannot sneeze, cough or laugh before saying this is no laughing matter and tells Gage to dissuade Goldberg from facing Lashley. MVP says once again that if Goldberg continues, Lashley will destroy him like no one has destroyed him before and end his career, then says the upside of this will be that Goldberg can spend more time with his son Gage. Lashley then tells Goldberg not to let his son watch SummerSlam, for he will watch the destruction he will set upon Goldberg to the point that Gage will be embarrassed to have his last name. He then says that Goldberg is not next; he is done.

We see a video package chronicling the history between Nikki A.S.H. and Charlotte Flair.

Backstage, Sarah Schreiber interviews Rhea Ripley, who admits that Nikki A.S.H. held her own last week and proved she is almost a superhero, then says that "almost" is not good enough to stay a champion and that she knows the difference between light and dark. She says that she doubts that Nikki has a dark side, and that she will walk away as Raw Women's Champion.

Backstage, Sarah Schreiber interviews Nikki A.S.H., who says that being almost a superhero means she has to be prepared for things not going her way, and if one believes in themselves, they can achieve their dreams. She admits that tonight, her dream might turn into a nightmare, she has her "trusty night light:" her spirit and her drive. She says that she knew Charlotte Flair and Rhea Ripley would be dangerous, but she has beaten Charlotte and is almost positive she can beat Rhea. She also says that the odds might be stacked against her, but she will walk out of SummerSlam as Raw Women's Champion.

Nikki A.S.H. beats Rhea Ripley by disqualification after Charlotte Flair shows up and shoves her off the top rope before attacking both Nikki and Rhea, hitting Rhea with the Natural Selection and holding up the Raw Women's Championship afterwards.

We see Elias strum his guitar near a campfire before tossing it in. He then says that WWE stood for "Walk With Elias," but Elias is dead.

Backstage, Sarah Schreiber interviews Charlotte Flair, who says that as she watched Nikki A.S.H. and Rhea Ripley, she found a way to throw salt into some wounds, and says that if Rhea and Nikki were on her level, they would have seen her coming. She says that one loss does not open her up to heavy criticism, and that she is the most decorated woman in WWE. Charlotte says that while others can steal the opportunities that she has created, she will walk out of SummerSlam as Raw Women's Champion.

Backstage, Kevin Patrick interviews Randy Orton, who says that he works better alone and that he will beat "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles tonight all by himself.

We get a closer look at Randy Orton, courtesy of Sonic Drive-In.

Randy Orton beats "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles. During the match, Omos drags Styles to the corner as Orton goes for the RKO, and Orton dares Omos to get in the ring and fight him. Shortly after this, Matt Riddle runs in and goes for a sleeper on Omos, who rams him into the ring post to break the hold. As Styles goes for a Phenomenal Forearm, Orton counters with an RKO to win the match. After the match, Orton yells at Riddle for helping him, then refuses to give him a hug. Riddle asks Orton to reconsider and to listen to the people, who chant "R-K-Bro." Orton and Riddle hug, then Riddle raises Orton's hand. Suddenly, Orton hits him with the RKO.

Raw Talk: Karrion Kross is in demand.

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