Raw Deal - Raw recap for July 4, 2022

Kevin Patrick replaces Michael Cole on commentary this week.

Bobby Lashley heads to the ring to start tonight's show. After welcoming everyone to tonight's show, Lashley says he is glad to be the new United States Champion, but the title does not make the man; the man makes the title. He says there is no other man in any division or promotion that can beat him for the title. Suddenly, Austin Theory shows up and takes offense to Lashley kicking the show off, as everyone has been on the edge of their seats to hear from him. He says that while Lashley got his victory, he is the youngest Mr. Money In The Bank in WWE history. Theory says he had the odds stacked against him against seasoned veterans and previous briefcase winners, and while Lashley had him in the first half, he shined brighter than ever in the clutch, grabbed the briefcase and proved he can do this all day. Lashley says he thought Theory was trying to be an arrogant jackass, but it is obvious to him it is second nature to Theory, and says that Theory was only in the match because he shattered his ego. Theory mentions their six-man tag match tonight, then says that compared to Lashley, he is always "making it happen" and he is going to the top with the Money In The Bank contract, especially when he has gotten a rematch for the United States title at SummerSlam. Theory says this is only the start of his SummerSlam plans, because when Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns face each other for the WWE Undisputed Championship, the last man standing is going A-Town Down. Theory says that when that happens, he will become the unified and undisputed WWE Champion at 24 years old, but Lashley tells Theory he forgot about the "if" part and that the fans deserve some fireworks tonight on Independence Day. Theory throws his Money In The Bank briefcase at Lashley and hits him with a cheap shot before hitting him with the briefcase. He goes for one last shot to the gut, but Lashley blocks, counters with a back elbow, and slams him to the mat.

Backstage, Sarah Schreiber interviews Rey and Dominik Mysterio. Dominik says Finn Balor's comments were disgraceful and disrespectful and that Rey is a great teacher. Rey says he and Dominik were the first father-and-son tag team champions, so he is doing something right. He then says it is his first match in years in San Diego while it is Dominik's first match ever there, they will teach The Judgment Day to respect them in the 619.

Rey and Dominik Mysterio beat The Judgment Day (Finn Balor and Damian Priest) by disqualification after Rey falls to the mat as Finn Balor has a chair in his hand while Damian Priest tries to distract the referee. When the referee turns around, he sees Rey on the mat and Finn with the chair and disqualifies The Judgment Day.

We see footage of Logan Paul - now signed to WWE and wanting nothing to do with The Miz - training in the WWE Performance Center.

Backstage, Megan Morant interviews The Miz, who says that he loves confidence and wild, outlandish statements that make headlines, as this is how Logan Paul has gotten his fanbase, yet he surrounds himself with "yes men." He says that WWE is a different animal and that it can eat someone alive, and that he does not want Logan Paul to make the same mistakes he made. He tells Logan to retract his statement and take his offer to ensure his success. He then says that if Logan Paul does not, he will become relentless and Logan will be humbled. As for his match with AJ Styles last week, he says Styles will be the one quitting tonight when he shows that he has a big manhood.

In backstage footage from earlier today, The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) host an Independence Day cookout when Alpha Academy (Chad Gable and Otis) show up. Chad Gable questions The Street Profits partying after Saturday's loss and that he does not care about Montez's shoulder being up. After Montez tells Gable to shut up and smacks him with a hot dog, Otis comes to Gable's defense, but Angelo Dawkins says he is a hot dog eating champion while Montez Ford has served in the Marines. Otis says he can hold his own in a hot dog eating contest, then Montez Ford announces a hot dog eating contest.

Backstage, The Judgment Day (Damian Priest and Finn Balor) attack Rey and Dominik Mysterio, and officials have to rush in to restore order.

"The Phenomenal" AJ Styles beats The Miz. After the match, Styles is attacked by Tommaso Ciampa, but Styles fights back. He goes for a Styles Clash on Ciampa, but Miz hits Styles with a Skull Crushing Finale. Afterwards, Miz and Ciampa shake hands.

Liv Morgan heads to the ring. Liv responds to the "You deserve it!" chants by saying "Thank you, guys, but we deserve it!" She says she is proud to be SmackDown Women's Champion and that all of her dreams came true thanks to one unbelievable night at Money In The Bank. She thanks the fans for getting her through that night and staying with her through every step of her journey, even when it felt like she gave nothing to believe in, as the fans gave her the confidence she needed to become champion in one night. Liv Morgan says that this victory is not just for her, but for the fans. Suddenly, Natalya shows up. Natalya says Liv should be thanking her, as she is the only reason Liv was able to cash in after she destroyed "Rowdy" Ronda Rousey's leg with the Sharpshooter, and instead of taking a thank you, she would rather take her title. Liv says Natalya cannot handle losing to Ronda and that it would make sense for her to go after the giant target on her back, and if Natalya wants a title shot, she knows exactly where to find her. Suddenly, Carmella shows up. Carmella wants to know why Liv and Natalya are on Raw and tells them to go back to SmackDown, then says she finds it shocking that they can share a ring. She then tells them to leave so she can have the spotlight. Liv says all eyes were on Carmella when she lost to Bianca Belair, then tells Carmella to make her get out if she wants her out of the ring. Carmella and Natalya then gang up on Liv in the corner until Bianca Belair runs in. Liv and Bianca get the upper hand on Carmmela and Natalya and stand tall, then WWE official Adam Pearce shows up and makes the brawl a match, with Bianca and Liv vs. Natalya and Carmella happening right now.

Liv Morgan and Bianca Belair beats Natalya and Carmella after Liv boots the Sharpshooter away and hits Natalya with Ob-Liv-Ion.

In footage from earlier today, Cedric Alexander and Mustafa Ali steal Veer's food, MVP and Omos talk strategy, and people chase after Dana Brooke for the 24/7 Championship. When Reggie runs into Omos, Omos tosses him. The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) also meet Ezekiel, who talks about a hot dog eating contest with his two brothers that went wrong. He suddenly inadvertently squirts ketchup on Seth "Freakin'" Rollins' shirt. Rollins suddenly laughs it off, licks the ketchup, then walks off. The Street Profits then make a "Seth Zeke-in' Rollins" joke.

The mysterious vignette from Saturday night is replayed. (Just like on Saturday, certain things can be seen, such as an Olympic gold medal, glasses without lenses, a "Latino Heat" license plate, and Jeff Hardy's sleeves.)

Seth "Freakin'" Rollins beats Ezekiel with The Stomp following a backslide pin. After the match, Rollins goes for another Stomp on Ezekiel, but he is hit with an RKO out of nowhere by Matt Riddle.

In backstage footage from earlier today, Angelo Dawkins and Otis have a hot dog eating contest. Otis wins 23 to 22...almost. Akira Tozawa wins with 48 hot dogs. Austin Theory reminds Alpha Academy (Chad Gable and Otis) they have a six-man tag match after Otis says he does not feel well.

Bobby Lashley and The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) beat Austin Theory and Alpha Academy (Chad Gable and Otis) in a six-man tag match. After the match, Otis almost throws up in Chad Gable's face, and Gable has to help Otis to the back.

Backstage, Megan Morant interviews Becky Lynch, who says she is "mad as hell" ever since Asuka has come back and that everything that can go wrong has gone wrong. Becky says she is a fighter, and that a no-holds-barred match with Asuka means that she will not hold back. She says that while no one is ready for Asuka, Asuka is not ready for "No Holds Barred Becky."

R-Truth heads to the ring dressed as Uncle Sam for a Fourth of July celebration. R-Truth starts some "USA" chants, then introduces himself as Uncle Sam before stating that today is his favorite holiday, and that they will honor those brave American heroes who saves the Earth from the alien invasion in 1996. After the brief reference to Independence Day from 1996, he reads his favorite part of the United States Constitution - another Independece Day reference - Ludwig Kaiser shows up to introduce Gunther as "a man worthy of celebration." R-Truth starts some more "USA" chants before Gunther smackst he wig off R-Truth's head. This leads to a match.

Gunther quickly beats R-Truth.

Backstage, Sarah Schreiber interviews Alexa Bliss, who is genuinely happy for Liv Morgan. She then realizes that it is time for championship gold of her own, then Asuka shows up and says she will beat Becky Lynch and become the next Raw Women's Champion.

Becky Lynch beats Asuka in a no-holds-barred match.

This week on Raw Talk: Bianca Belair! Matt Riddle! Damian Priest!

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