Raw Deal - Raw LIVE recap for July 17, 2023

"The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes heads to the ring to start tonight's show. Cody says there is a large shadow that looms over the arena tonight that looms over every arena, and that shadow is Brock Lesnar. He says that when Lesnar is called to this ring, he shows up, and instead of talking, Lesnar should come to the ring and accept his challenge for SummerSlam. Lesnar fails to show immediately, and Cody states that he knows Lesnar is here and his plan is to be fashionably late, and if that is the plan, he will still be in the ring waiting for him regardless of the time. Cody then says he would be remiss not to mention that even though this is the house that built him, his mother Michelle Rhodes is in the front row and credits her for the reason that he is a fighter. He admits that his relationship with Lesnar is complex and that the only two words to describe it are "hard times," then says it is okay because when Lesnar shows up, it will be hard times for Lesnar, not for him. As Cody heads out to leave and hugs his mother in the front row, however, Lesnar's music hits, but Lesnar fails to show. Lesnar's music hits again as Cody reaches the stage, and Cody goes backstage only for Lesnar to attack him with a chair. Lesnar then sends Cody into the ring post and hits him with the F5 right in front of his mother before locking in the Kimura Lock and hurting his left arm. He then gets Cody in the ring and locks the Kimura Lock in on the left arm again before telling Cody that he accepts his challenge and that "I'll see you at SummerSlam, bitch!"

Gunther beats Matt Riddle. After the match, Gunther tells the fans they can boo them as much as they want, as it will not change the fact that tonight is "the greatest night of [their] sad nights" after seeing the greatest Intercontinental Champion of all time. Gunther then tells Riddle that it is done and that he is building a legacy, and he tells Drew McIntyre that if he wants to ride on his coattails, he can be his guest, but he will fall victim to "The Ring General."

Backstage, Jackie Redmond interviews Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez. Liv says there is not just one deciding factor when it comes to a victory for tonight, and that they will not back down from anyone. Rhea Ripley shows up, and when Liv and Raquel make it clear that they are not having it with her, Rhea headbutts Raquel, and this starts a brawl that officials quickly have to quell. It happens, but not before Raquel's knee is hurt.

The Judgment Day (Finn Balor, Damian Priest, Rhea Ripley, "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio) head to the ring. Rhea Ripley says that The Judgment Day are stronger than ever and that anyone with half a brain cell can tell they are better than everyone and are just built differently, and now that no one can stop them, they not only run Raw, they dominate it. She says that Raquel Rodriguez found this out the hard way and that she is the biggest threat is the women's division while Finn Balor and Damian Priest will become tag team champions and Dominik Mysterio becomes an NXT champion. Once again, Dominik can barely get a word in edgewise when he says he will beat Wes Lee, and Damian Priest says all those boos will not change the fact that he will become NXT North American Champion and that he is guaranteed to be a world champion. After Damian promises Finn that he has the first crack at Seth "Freakin'" Rollins, Finn says he will listen to anything Rollins has to say and that their issues will never be over until his arm is raised as the new World Heavyweight Champion. Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn show up, and Sami says he has a pretty good relationship with the fans and knows what they like and dislike, then asks the crowd if they paid to hear Dominik talk, which leads to a giant row of boos. When Sami asks the crowd if they paid to see somebody shut Dominik's mouth for him, the crowd cheers, then Sami says they, he and Owens are all in luck when they take Damian Priest and Dominik Mysterio. Damian Priest admits the tag team titles would look good on The Judgment Day, and if Owens and Sami are so confident they can beat them, they should put their tag team titles on the line tonight. Sami admits that is not a bad idea, but says he should ask for Owens' output after hearing The Judgment Day talk for five minutes. Owens says he does not care as long as he gets to Stun Priest and punch his fist through Dominik's face.

Backstage, Raquel Rodriguez is cleared, but the trainer recommends that Raquel does not compete tonight. Raquel says she can still go, and WWE official Adam Pearce sanctions tonight's Women's Tag Team Championship match.

Sonya Deville and Chelsea Green beat Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez to become the WWE Women's Tag Team Champions after Sonya repeatedly targets Raquel's injured knee throughout the match.

Backstage, Byron Saxton interviews Sonya Deville and Chelsea Green. Sonya says nobody wants to hear about Raquel Rodriguez's injury and that she and Chelsea - who has too many people to think - are champions and will run the women's division.

Backstage, Byron Saxton interviews Seth "Freakin'" Rollins. Rollins says he has big plans for the World Heavyweight Championship and that the title deserves a marquee match-up, and while he has a short list, Finn Balor has earned a spot on that list. Finn Balor shows up, and Saxton leaves. Finn tells Rollins that he wants his rematch and that he does not care how many contenders to the title that there are as the line starts with him and the issues between them are far from over. He tells Rollins to talk to WWE official Adam Pearce and make the match. Rollins says that he understands where Finn is coming from, but tells him to stop living in the past. Finn says he is living in chaos and that he will do to Rollins what Rollins did to him. Finn says he will hurt him, laugh in his face, take his title and alter his career forever, and Rollins tells him that the World Heavyweight Championship is about more than Finn's personal vendetta and is bigger than the both of them. He also says that they do not need to have a match to settle things right here, right now, and demands Finn take his shot or get out of his face. Finn says "Cool," then leaves. Rollins apologizes to the camera crew, then Finn attacks him and tells him to make the match.

Titus O'Neil guests on commentary for the next match.

The Viking Raiders (Ivar and Erik) beat Alpha Academy (Chad Gable and Otis) in a Viking Rules Match.

"The Queen of Spades" Shayna Baszler quickly beats Nikki Cross with the Kirifuda Clutch. After the match, "Rowdy" Ronda Rousey mocks Baszler from the skybox and has thought a lot about Baszler's "complaint," then asks whether the front door or the back door is better when it comes to entering WWE. She says that she had an opportunity and took it, and that Baszler cannot stand the fact that she is one of the best combat athletes in the world while Baszler is "a knock-off version of [her]." Baszler responds by telling Ronda she is "a better Ronda Rousey" in the ring than Ronda is and demands they settle things in the ring tonight. Ronda says she declines unless Baszler makes her. Baszler is stopped by security on her way to the skybox, then Ronda tells Baszler she will see her at SummerSlam.

Backstage, Jackie Redmond interviews Ricochet. Ricochet says Logan Paul does not get it and considers him a joke, but the people are here for wrestling, not because of what is posted on Instagram, and Logan is the joke and the one got laid out. He then invites Logan Paul to meet with him in the ring next week so he can really hit him where it hurts: his ego.

It's time for Miz TV. Tonight's guest is Becky Lynch. Miz brags about beating Tommaso Ciampa last week and being a winner, then talks about playing in the American Century Championship golf tournament before bringing out Becky. On the subject of her losing streak as of late and whether or not she has lost a step, Becky throws the chairs out of the ring and says she has a lost of things in the last year and that a step is not one of them as she gets in Miz's face. She then demands that Miz bring out Trish Stratus before he loses his "tiny testicles," which leads to a "tiny balls" chant form the crowd. Miz introduces Zoey Stark and Trish, then Becky demands her rematch. Trish tells Becky to calm down and stop acting like "a bratty toddler" before asking Becky why she is so obsessed with her, saying she will not fight her after already fighting her and winning. She also tells Becky that she and Zoey are done with her and moving on, and demands that Becky thank her while they have their "must-see moment." Becky calls Trish out for being high and mighty and hitting her when she at her lowest point, as she could not handle at her highest, and tells her that she has accomplished more than Trish ever has. She then tells Trish that if she wants to prove she is the best, then she will give her rematch, unless she is good at anything besides wrestling. Trish says she will fight Becky, albeit under a few conditions. Trish says that Becky will have to beat Zoey Stark first, then get on her knees and say "Thank you, Trish!" afterwards and tattoo "Thank You, Trish" across her chest. Becky says "Done" to all of this, then Trish and Zoey attack her. Becky fens them off, then yanks Trish's mask off and hits her in the face before wearing it herself and headbutting Zoey with it.

Bronson Reed beats Shinsuke Nakamura by disqualification after he is suddenly attacked by Tommaso Ciampa. After the match, Shinsuke Nakamura kicks Tommaso Ciampa in the chest and knocks him down in response to Ciampa costing him the match.

Backstage, Byron Saxton interviews Shinuke Nakamura, who says he is tired of everyone getting involved in his business and loudly reiterates his point when asked about his actions towards Tommaso Ciampa.

It is announced that Seth "Freakin'" Rollins will defend the World Heavyweight Championship against Finn Balor at SummerSlam.

Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn retain the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships against The Judgment Day (Damian Priest and "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio) after Rhea Ripley distracts the referee only to be attacked by Liv Morgan and Owens hits the Stunner on Priest so that Sami can hit the Helluva Kick on Dominik. Seth "Freakin'" Rollins attacks Finn Balor and chases him to the back before the match begins.

This week on Raw Talk: Becky Lynch! Tommaso Ciampa! Alpha Academy (Chad Gable, Otis, Maxxine Dupri)!

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