Raw Deal - Raw recap for August 8, 2022

Iyo Sky, Dakota Kai and Bayley head to the ring to start tonight's show. Bayley says the three of them are excited to see the fans, even though the fans are booing them, and says that while they do not want to be here, the fans need them. She says that she had to do something to salvage the Raw women's division, and says that the fans can't possibly enjoy Becky Lynch playing dress-up every week or cheering for Bianca Belair, saying Bianca would be nothing without her. Bayley says that the three of them had to make a statement by breaking Becky Lynch's shoulder and lighting a fire under the entire women's division in order to bring back what has been missing: the hunger. She says that the fans demand a women's division who is starving and hungry for more, but without her, nobody knows how to ask for her, and she says that to get better answers, to ask better questions. Bayley then asks how she found the potential of Dakota Kai and Iyo Sky and asks how mad they can be not to get opportunities, then Dakota Kai says they will show how mad they are by winning the Women's Tag Team Championship tournament. (In the midst of this, Bayley accidentally calls Dakota Kai "Dakota Sky," which ends up getting made fun of during and after the show.) Suddenly, Alexa Bliss, Asuka and Bianca Belair show up. Alexa says they are not winning the tournament, as they will eventually have to face her and Asuka, and they have more incentive to beat the hell out of them and win the tournament. Bianca says she is not done with Iyo Sky yet and is ready to finish what was started with her, then says that the three of them have no problem dealing with Bayley, Dakota and Iyo Sky right now. Bayley says she is the one calling the shots and that they should have a three-on-three match where it counts at Clash at the Castle. Bianca says "Challenge accepted." Bianca then says that while Bayley is trying to keep control, she feels like losing it. Both teams then brawl all over the ring. Officials eventually show up to restore order, even as the brawl spills out into the crowd and Alexa hits everyone with a cross body off the barricade.

Seth "Freakin'" Rollins beats Angelo Dawkins with the Pedigree after Dawkins runs into the ring steps. After the match, Rollins hits Dawkins with The Stomp, then runs away after Montez Ford slides into the ring.

Backstage, Rey and Dominik Mysterio are met by Edge, who tells them that he has their backs. He says last week was an accident and that he did not mean to hit Dominik with a Spear. When Edge asks if they're cool, Dominik says "We're cool," then shoves Edge. Rey tells Dominik he's known Edge for 20 years, but Dominik says "You've known me for 25" and walks away. Rey tells Edge he will talk to Dominik.

We get a closer look at Tommaso Ciampa, courtesy of Sonic Drive-In.

Backstage, Kevin Patrick interviews The Miz and Tommaso Ciampa. Miz chews out Kevin Patrick for using the word "phenomenal" and says that there is nothing phenomenal about "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles helping out Logan Paul. Ciampa says that Harley Race believed in him and trained him, and dedicates his win to Harley Race. We then see a red and blue robe with the word "Race" hung on a wall. Ciampa says that Harley Race will look down on him and that tonight is his moment when Bobby Lashley looks into his eyes and feels his sacrifice before realizing that he has already lost.

Kevin Owens vs. Ezekiel ends as soon as it begins with Owens powerbomb Ezekiel on the ring apron, injuring Ezekiel. The referee calls for medical assistance, and Ezekiel is put on a stretcher as Kevin Owens laughs.

We see footage of Elias being taken out on a stretcher.

Before the next match, Finn Balor says that Rey and Dominik Mysterio cannot get on the same page, then says that The Judgment Day (Finn Balor, Damian Priest, Rhea Ripley) is not afraid because fear is not real and only a figment of one's imagination. He then says that danger is real and that Rey will find out that he is danger. Damian Priest then tells Edge that if he wanted to, he would lay Edge out, but in two weeks, they will be in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and he will challenge him to a one-on-one match then. He then says they can finish things if Edge still "has a set," and when that happens, The Judgment Day will end him.

Backstage, Rey Mysterio meets with Edge and says he cannot find Dominik Mysterio anywhere. Edge says his offer still stands, and Rey says that he knows Dominik and that Dominik will eventually come around.

Finn Balor beats Rey Mysterio. During the match, Edge shows up and brawls with Damian Priest through the crowd. Later in the match, Rhea Ripley shows up with a beaten-down Dominik Mysterio. This allows Finn Balor to hit a distracted Rey with the 1916 followed by the Coup de Grace for the win.

Backstage, Sarah Schreiber interviews Dana Brooke and Tamina. Dana says it is an opportunity to become a double champion, and with all the competition, she needs a partner who will get her there. She considers Tamina her biggest competition, and that is why she is her partner. Bayley, Dakota Kai and Iyo Sky show up and Bayley says they are coming for titles that suit them and that the WWE Women's Tag Team Championships suit them because she was among the first to hold them, even though they wouldn't know about that. Tamina says she does and tells Bayley to keep running her mouth, as she has no problem taking them out of the tournament. Dakota says she will see them in the ring, and Iyo Sky says she does not like Tamina.

Iyo Sky and Dakota Kai beat Dana Brooke and Tamina to advance in the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship Tournament.

Backstage, Kevin Patrick interviews Kevin Owens, who threatens to drop him harder than he did Ezekiel if he sneaks up on him again, then says he knows who he is - unlike Ezekiel - and that he is Kevin Owens. Kevin Owens says there are more eyes on the show than ever and that Raw is "The Kevin Owens Show." (As this goes on, there is a crashed car in the background, and Nikki A.S.H. and Doudrop are near it along with two other people who work backstage.)

Dominik Mysterio is checked on in the trainer's room.

Bobby Lashley retains the WWE United States Championship against Tommaso Ciampa with the Hurt Lock. During the match, The Miz puts Ciampa's foot on the rope, and as Lashley stares down The Miz, "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles chases The Miz through the crowd and through the ring. Despite Ciampa sending Lashley into an exposed turnbuckle, Lashley is able to win with the Hurt Lock.

In backstage footage from moments ago, "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles and The Miz brawl, and officials have to restore order. It is then announced that Styles vs. Miz in a no-disqualification match is official for later tonight.

"The Nigerian Giant" Omos beats Andrea Guercio and Spencer Slade in a two-on-one handicap match. (Andre Guercio is independent wrestler Mambo Italiano, and has previously performed in WWE as Sal Sergio.)

Backstage, Kevin Patrick interviews Seth "Freakin'" Rollins. Upon hearing that Matt Riddle has an exclusive interview next week and asked about what Riddle has to say about him, Rollins says he is done with Riddle and that Riddle will just use a lot of interjections and keep mentioning Randy Orton. Rollins says that he is the gatekeeper of the industry and that anyone who is good will have to get through him, and says that as good as he is at wrestling, Riddle is even better at flushing his reputation down the toilet and to "ask Dana White." He then says that Riddle will retire and hang up the flip flops for good, and if he does not, he will have to "Cody Rhodes his ass out the door." Rollins then says that if Riddle has something to say next week, then so does he.

We get a closer look at Alpha Academy (Chad Gable and Otis), courtesy of Progressive.

Dolph Ziggler beats Chad Gable despite Chad Gable weaking his leg throughout the match.

Backstage, we hear from Nikki A.S.H. and Doudrop. Nikki says they will be one step closer to the WWE Women's Tag Team Championships next week, and Doudrop says they will crush Alexa Bliss and Asuka's dreams in the process. We then hear from Alexa Bliss and Asuka. Alexa says that Nikki and Doudrop will manifest their dreams, not crush them. Bayley, Dakota Kai and Iyo Sky show up and mock them, then security runs by. They leave and pass by "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles, who is headed to the ring. (As Alexa Bliss and Asuka are cutting their promo, the crashed car from earlier is being towed.)

Despite interference from Tommaso Ciampa, who ends up being punched off the ring apron and falling through a table, "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles beats The Miz in a no-disqualification match. After the match, someone is seen being arrested by three police officers in the front row. The man is quickly identified on Twitter and on WWE's Instagram as Dexter Lumis.

This week on Raw Talk: Edge! Bayley, Iyo Sky and Dakota Kai! Omos and MVP!

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