5/11 WWE Raw Results: Powell’s live review of Becky Lynch’s major announcement, the return of Edge and Randy Orton, Lynch confronting MITB winner Asuka, Money in the Bank fallout

By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)

WWE Raw (Episode 1,407)
Taped earlier in the day in Orlando, Florida at the WWE Performance Center
Aired May 11, 2020 on USA Network

[Hour One] Raw opened with a video package and still shots of the Money in the Bank matches that took place simultaneously at WWE Headquarters the night before…

Powell’s POV: It’s amazing how the production team always manages to make underwhelming matches seem better than they actually were.

The Raw opening aired… Tom Phillips, Byron Saxton, and Samoa Joe were on commentary. They hyped Edge and Randy Orton, then Saxton announced that Aleister Black and Rey Mysterio landed on a secondary roof at MITB and would actually team to face Seth Rollins and Murphy during Raw. It was also announced that A Moment of Bliss would feature a pair of surprise guests…

Raw Women’s Champion Becky Lynch headed to the ring holding the women’s MITB briefcase. The broadcast team noted that Asuka won the briefcase and questioned why Lynch had possession of it. Lynch set the briefcase on a small circular table that was in the middle of the ring.

Lynch’s voice cracked as she said it was an emotional night for her. Lynch said she asked the decision makers to raise the stakes for MITB and they did just that. Lynch recalled walking through the WWE Performance Center doors in 2013 and said she didn’t know anybody and she didn’t know if she was good enough to make it.

Lynch said she didn’t know if anyone would care about a loud-mouthed Irish woman, but they did care and the fans carried her on their shoulders to history. She said that’s why the fans have to hear it from her first. “I have to go away for a while,” Lynch said.

Asuka made her entrance. Asuka entered the ring and yelled in Japanese. Lynch said Asuka beat her when nobody else did. Lynch said Asuka has been the best wrestler in the world for a long time and she’s so glad this is happening for her. Lynch announced that the match at MITB wasn’t for an opportunity, it was for so much more. Lynch opened the briefcase and it contained the Raw Women’s Championship.

Lynch announced that the women’s MITB match was actually for the Raw Women’s Championship. Asuka took the belt and then had an over the top celebration as she made her way up the ramp. Asuka stood on the broadcast table and danced with the title belt while Lynch watched and smiled from the ring. Asuka rejoined Lynch in the ring.

Lynch told Asuka to go and be a warrior “because I’m going to go and be a mother.” Asuka smiled and then hugged Lynch, who was emotional. Asuka chanted Becky’s name and they hugged again. Lynch’s entrance music played. Lynch walked to the stage and then turned and looked back at the ring. Lynch sighed and then headed to the back. Asuka’s music played and she danced in the ring with her title belt heading into a commercial break… [C]

Powell’s POV: So this is The Messiah’s revenge for losing a WWE Championship match? I’m kidding. Congratulations to Lynch and Seth Rollins on the great news. Lynch will definitely be missed while she’s away.

Lynch was interviewed backstage by Charly Caruso, who was quickly interrupted by Natalya and Rey Mysterio, who hugged and congratulated Lynch. The Street Profits, Bianca Belair, Ricochet, Dana Brooke, Cedric Alexander, R-Truth, Akira Tozawa, and Kairi Sane also joined in on the moment…

1. Bobby Lashley vs. Humberto Carrillo in a No DQ match. The broadcast team recapped Lashley attacking Carrillo in last week’s gauntlet match. Mike Rome announced it as a No DQ match “where anything goes.” The match spilled to ringside where Lashley picked up a chair. Carrillo ran off the apron and dropkicked the chair into Lashley’s face. [C]

Lashley caught Carrillo leaping off the ringside barricade and then ran him into the ring post. Lashley swung a chair at Carrillo, who moved out of the way, and the chair hit the ring post. Carrillo grabbed the chair and hit Lashley with it several times. Back in the ring, Carrillo went for a springboard move, but Lashley caught him and applied a Full Nelson, which led to him getting the win…

Bobby Lashley defeated Humberto Carrillo in 8:45 in a No DQ match.

Powell’s POV: An entertaining brawl with Carrillo showing good fire. It’s nice to see Lashley being booked strong and more seriously now that the Lana pairing ran its course. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Lashley is being built up while Drew McIntyre holds the WWE Championship, as I’m sure Vince McMahon will want to book his big babyface champion against bigger challengers.

Footage aired from “earlier today” of The Street Profits hanging out backstage. Angelo Dawkins had a basketball and said they were about to get their jam on. They still want the smoke. They cut to a shot of the Viking Raiders. Ivar looked awkwardly at a basketball while Erik questioned why the Profits want to face them in a game of basketball. Ivar reminded Erik that he said they could do anything the Profits do only better. Ivar said they just need to be physical. Erik said they had to avoid fouls. Ivar questioned what fouls are…

A graphic hyped the two-on-two basketball game, then the broadcast team hyped the return of Edge and Randy Orton… [C]

A “Breaking News” graphic was used with a graphic noting that Becky Lynch is pregnant and Asuka is the new Raw Women’s Champion. Footage aired from the segment…

Powell’s POV: If you’re wondering why WWE didn’t announce Lynch’s pregnancy at MITB and then hang the belt above the ring as the prize, it’s because the MITB matches was taped weeks in advance, presumably before Lynch gave the company the good news.

Asuka was interviewed by Caruso on the backstage interview set. Asuka spoke in Japanese. An excited Kairi Sane joined her in celebrating…

A video package recapped the Edge vs. Randy Orton match from WrestleMania… Saxton questioned if tempers would flair when Edge and Orton share the ring later in the show. Phillips recapped footage of Apollo Crews suffering a storyline knee injury during his U.S. Title match against Andrade…

Andrade, Angel Garza, Zelina Vega, and Austin Theory were shown bickering backstage. It looked like Andrade and Garza were upset with Theory. The broadcast team said Garza was scheduled to be in action after the break… [C]

2. Angel Garza (w/Zelina Vega, Andrade, Austin Theory) vs. Akira Tozawa. The match was joined in progress. Saxton noted the resurgence of Tozawa on NXT television lately. They broadcast team said they were unsure what the issues were between Vega’s crew. Vega stood between Andrade and Theory at ringside. Garza put Tozawa in position for his finisher, then turned and jawed at Theory before hitting the Wing Clipper and scoring the pin.

Angel Garza beat Akira Tozawa in 2:45 of television time.

After the match, Theory entered the ring and jawed with Garza. Drew McIntyre came out and asked if the heels were all on the same page. Garza charged McIntyre, who gave him a Claymore Kick. McIntyre got up and gave Theory a Claymore Kick. McIntyre and Andrade jawed at one another while Phillips wondered if it would lead to an impromptu champion vs. champion match…

Powell’s POV: McIntyre beat Andrade in a champion vs. champion match on the April 14 edition of Raw, so hopefully they make this one a WWE Championship match to justify going back to this matchup so soon.

3. WWE Champion Drew McIntyre vs. U.S. Champion Andrade (w/Zelina Vega) in a non-title champion vs. champion match. Garza and Theory were not at ringside when the match started coming out of the break. Garza was under the ring when he targeted the arm of McIntyre, which he continued to do once they returned to the ring.

[Hour Two] Andrade performed double knees to the bad arm and covered McIntyre, who kicked out at one. McIntyre rallied and performed an overhead release German suplex, then caught Andrade with a big boot to the head. McIntyre went to the top rope and came off with a clothesline. McIntyre kipped up and then set up for a Future Shock DDT, which Andrade avoided.

McIntyre performed a sit-out powerbomb for a two count. Andrade wrenched McIntyre’s arm over the top rope, then ran McIntyre’s bad arm through the ropes and into the ring post. Andrade caught McIntyre with double knees in the corner and covered him for just a one count.

A short time later, McIntyre caught Andrade with a Glasgow Kiss headbutt. Andrade dove onto the shoulders of McIntyre, who gave him a reverse Alabama Slam. McIntyre did his countdown and then hit the Claymore Kick and scored the pin…

Drew McIntyre defeated Andrade in a non-title match in 8:30.

After the match, McIntyre said his match was just plain fun. He said he had a hell of a fight with Seth Rollins at Money in the Bank. He said he had to keep it PG, but Rollins brought it. McIntyre said Raw extended an invitation to a certain Smackdown wrestler, who accepted and chose him as an opponent. McIntyre said this man is a terrible human being and is hated by everyone. McIntyre announced that he would face King Corbin next week. McIntyre said he’s proud that Corbin finally stepped up and manned up, then said he would have a Claymore Kick waiting for him…

Powell’s POV: A well worked match, but it’s disappointing to see the company go back to it so quickly. It would be one thing if they were having an actual feud and not just feeding Andrade to McIntyre. Obviously, it works for McIntyre and he is the bigger priority, but at some point this company needs to stop having their tag champions and secondary singles champions lose non-title matches. The Corbin news seems to indicate that WWE won’t be going with firm brand split rules. Quite frankly, Smackdown needs more help than Raw these days.

The broadcast team hyped Edge and Orton appearing in the same ring together for the first time since WrestleMania and the basketball game between the Street Profits and Viking Raiders… Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross were shown putting on makeup backstage… [C] Phillips touted The Last Ride documentary series…

Backstage, MVP told Bobby Lashley that his Full Nelson was impressive. He asked why he was facing Humberto Carrillo when there are “fools from Smackdown fighting the WWE Champion.” MVP said Lashley hasn’t had a WWE Championship match since 2007, which is the same year that MVP started. MVP said he’s back and Lashley is still trapped inside his own head. “When is Lashley going to let Lashley out?” MVP asked.

MVP told Lashley not to answer and said he had to go get ready for his match. MVP crossed paths with Lana and told her that he’s not looking to manage anyone, but if Lashley is looking for a way out then she should tell Lashley to come find him. Lana yelled a lot…

WWE Women’s Tag Champions Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross headed to the ring for A Moment of Bliss segment. Bliss noted that Lynch is pregnant and that she made the announcement the day after Mother’s Day. Cross started issuing belated Mother’s Day wishes until she was interrupted.

“The IIconics” Peyton Royce and Billie Kay made their entrance. Royce welcomed them back to Raw. Cross did her impersonation of the IIconics pose. Bliss brought up the timing of their return and said a baby stole their thunder. Kay told them to focus on defending the tag titles against them later in the night. Cross said that just like the baby in Lynch’s stomach, the title belts are her and Bliss’s babies.

The IIconics said they are not leaving without a title match, then struck their pose. The teams bickered and Cross starting moving chairs while the broadcast team wondered if this meant they would have a title match after the break… [C]

4. WWE Women’s Tag Champions Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross vs. “The IIconics” Peyton Royce and Billie Kay in a non-title match. Cross was isolated and eventually made a hot tag to Bliss, who got a near fall on Kay when Royce broke up the pin. Cross charged at Royce, who held the ropes down, causing Cross to tumble to the floor. Royce and Kay performed a double team move on Bliss and got the pin…

Peyton Royce and Billie Kay defeated Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross in 5:20 in a non-title match.

Powell’s POV: See what I wrote earlier about how often the tag team champions and secondary singles champions lose non-title matches. This formula is lazy and predicable, and just plain damaging to the titles.

Rey Mysterio was interviewed by Caruso on the backstage and said he felt great coming out of the MITB ladder match. He said King Corbin threw him off the roof and he landed on a second roof. He said by the time he realized he had to get up to go after the briefcase, Aleister Black landed right next to him. Mysterio said it was too late by then, and he congratulated Otis for winning the match.

Seth Rollins showed up and glared at Mysterio, who said “may the best team win tonight.” Mysterio also congratulated Rollins and said that being a father truly changes your life. Mysterio offered Rollins a handshake while saying he’s truly happy for him and Lynch, but Rollins just walked away. “What a dick,” Mysterio told Caruso…

The broadcast team hyped upcoming matches… R-Truth was backstage and said he had his cousin Pretty Ricky if they needed more help. Truth turned around, put in his fake teeth, and then said, “I’m back” as Pretty Ricky… [C]

5. Ricochet, Cedric Alexander, and R-Truth vs. MVP, Brendan Vink, and Shane Thorne. Of all the wrestlers, only a portion of Truth’s entrance was televised. Truth tagged out and put in his Pretty Ricky teeth for a moment. Ricochet performed a moonsault onto a pile at ringside. Truth did his Pretty Ricky bit. MVP attacked Truth, who handed his teeth to the referee. Truth hit a rough version of whatever move he was going for and pinned MVP.

Ricochet, Cedric Alexander, and R-Truth beat MVP, Brendan Vink, and Shane Thorne in 4:30.

After the match, Bobby Lashley headed to the ring and speared R-Truth. Lashley asked MVP if he wanted to talk to Truth. MVP said yes. Lashley held Truth, then MVP kicked him. MVP delivered a running boot to the head of Truth. Lashley told MVP that they needed to go talk…

Powell’s POV: Will MVP, Lashley, Vink, and Thorne be a faction or will Vink and Thorne become jobber fodder for Lashley to plow through?

Jinder Mahal was interviewed by Caruso on the interview set. Mahal spoke about returning from knee surgery after ten months. He spoke about his old friend Drew McIntyre winning the championship. Mahal said he deserves to be respected like McIntyre. Mahal said he is taking a different path and this time his journey back to the top will be a hero’s journey…

Phillips hyped a special look at The Last Ride documentary series after the break. AJ Styles was shown sitting down in front of a monitor with a bucket of popcorn. “This outta be good,” Styles said… [C] Highlights aired of the Lynch and Asuka segment…

Backstage, Shayna Baszler was approached by Caruso, who asked her about Lynch’s pregnancy. “How stupid do you have to be to get knocked up while you’re the champion?” Baszler asked. She said ten out of ten mothers will try to convince you that pregnancy didn’t ruin their careers. She said Lynch became the longest reigning champion and threw it all away “just to house some miserable parasite.” She said to imagine The Man barefoot and fat while eating some bonbons on a couch. “That kid is going to suck,” Baszler said. “Do you know who the father is? I rest my case”…

Powell’s POV: I suspect that this will be a polarizing promo, but I actually like that Baszler was scripted to stay true to her character.

The broadcast team set up footage of Undertaker’s “The Last Ride” documentary series… Styles was shown looking at the floor and then he threw his popcorn bucket at the television and stormed away…

Rey Mysterio and Aleister Black made separate entrances for their tag match heading into a break… [C]

Becky Lynch and Vince McMahon were shown hugging backstage. There was no audio, so they missed whatever Lynch said to Vince that led to both of them laughing…

[Hour Three] Seth Rollins and Murphy made their entrance…

6. Seth Rollins and Murphy vs. Rey Mysterio and Aleister Black. Rollins’ hair was a disaster and he acted despondent as he walked to the ring. Rollins stood in his corner to start the match and didn’t respond when Murphy tried to talk to him. Murphy reached out for a tag, but Rollins remained motionless. Murphy fought alone and caught Black with a kick that drove his head into the ring post going into a break. [C]

Murphy continued to fight on his own while Rollins looked despondent in the corner. Mysterio ended up in the heel corner and caught Murphy with a kick and then hit Rollins with an elbow to the gut. Mysterio set up for a 619 on Murphy, but Rollins caught Mysterio and ended up flinging him into the barricade. The referee called for the bell for some reason.

Rey Mysterio and Aleister Black beat Seth Rollins and Murphy by DQ in 12:00.

After the match, Rollins delivered a thumb to the eye of Mysterio. Black tried to help Mysterio, but Murphy sent him into the barricade and then Rollins tossed him over it. Rollins barked at Murphy to stay back from Mysterio. Rollins jabbed the eye of Mysterio into the corner of the ring steps. Mysterio “bled” while the referee and producers checked on him. Rollins headed to the back with the despondent look, then stopped and closed his eyes for a moment while Mysterio continued to sell the injury… [C]

Powell’s POV: While I assume the idea is that Rollins is despondent about failing to defeat Drew McIntyre to win the WWE Championship at MITB, he actually came off like a guy who just learned that he’s going to be a father following a regrettable one night stand. Meanwhile, the injury angle was more violent than one might expect from WWE programming in 2020, not that I’m complaining.

An ad for Smackdown hyped Miz TV with MITB winner Otis, and the return of Charlotte Flair…

Powell’s POV: Good lord, Flair is going to be beating women on THREE different brands? Will she beat all the UK wrestlers and cruiserweights once NXT UK and WWE 205 Live are up and running again?

Mysterio was being treated by a doctor while Aleister Black, Adam Pearce, and others stood by. Seth Rollins and Murphy walked into the room. Mysterio was taken out of the room. Rollins said he didn’t know what happened out there. Black looked upset, but Murphy got in his way, which led to a pull apart brawl between Black and Murphy…

The broadcast team spoke on the stage about Rollins and Mysterio. Saxton called it disgustingly reprehensible. Joe said he’s done some unsavory things to provide himself with opportunities, but he said this was different and wrong. He said the pattern will continue until somebody stops it. Phillips turned the focus to the basketball game…

Footage aired of the Street Profits playing one on one while the Viking Raiders stood and watched. Ivar said he gets it, you put the ball in the hoop. The Viking Raiders set up for an alley-oop, but Ivar threw the ball so high that it hit a ceiling tile. Erik pointed at Ivar’s belly and said that if they need another basketball he knows where to find one. Ivar seethed while the Profits laughed uproariously… [C]

More footage from The Last Ride was shown, then the broadcast team set up more basketball footage…

Montez Ford established that they were playing half-court rules. Angelo Dawkins threw the ball to Ivar and said check, then Ivar threw it back to him twice and said it was fine both times. The Profits took advantage of his confusion and made a layup. The Profits said they want the smoke. Erik told them that smoking is not good. It was 23-0 when Ford rejected a shot. Ivar failed to make an easy layup. Dawkins said they always knew white men couldn’t jump. The “hilarity” continued until Erik made a shot. The Viking Raiders tried to claim victory. The Profits pointed to the scoreboard, that was 74-2 in their favor…

Powell’s POV: I thought the Profits were showing a bit more of a edge when this feud started on Raw, but it didn’t take long for both teams to be booked to look cartoonish and silly. What a shame.

Baszler was shadow boxing backstage. “Hey, Shayna, do you know how bad it makes you look to disrespect the miracle that is motherhood?” Natalya asked. “I can’t wait to teach you some manners tonight. Baszler asked Natalya what she knows about motherhood. Baszler said it’s not like Natalya will have a kid, then added that the Hart Dynasty would die with her… [C]

Powell’s POV: At least one person on this damn show gets to be edgy.

Phillips touted some online award that WWE won, then the broadcast team set up the post game footage…

The Street Profits and Viking Raiders hugged while the Profits told them good game and mockingly said better luck next time. Erik told the Profits that they let them win. Erik told Ivar to show them. Ivar started knocking down shots from all over the place. Erik laughed and said he told them that anything the Profits can do, they can do better. Ivar slam dunked the ball while the Profits looked on in disbelief…

Powell’s POV: They let them win? Is that what the Minnesota Timberwolves have been doing for the rest of the NBA for the last 31 years?

7. Shayna Baszler vs. Natalya. Baszler applied an early wrist lock. Natalya slapped her while in the hold a few times. Baszler backed Natalya into the corner and then kicked her leg so that she fell over. Natalya came back and went for a Sharpshooter, but Baszler stuffed it. Baszler went for her arm break stomp, but Natalya avoided it and tried to roll her up. Baszler stood up and blasted a seated Natalya with a knee to the face and then pinned her…

Shayna Baszler beat Natalya in 3:45.

Powell’s POV: A dominant win for Baszler. I wonder if WWE officials wish they had booked Baszler to win the Raw Women’s Championship at WrestleMania?

King Corbin was interviewed by Caruso on the backstage set. She asked him to address what happened at MITB. Corbin said he proved that he would do whatever it takes to win. He said he was seeing red in the moment and thought that’s what it would take to become King Money in the Bank. Corbin pointed out that Black and Mysterio landed on a secondary roof that was six feet below the main roof. He said they both got lucky. Caruso asked if he had what it takes to go toe to toe with Drew McIntyre. Corbin said of course, and he claimed that McIntyre rode his coattails for an entire year on Raw…

Saxton hyped Edge and Orton appearing in the same ring… Phillips set up a video on WWE’s work with Make-A-Wish… [C]

The broadcast team announced Drew McIntyre vs. King Corbin in a non-title match, and Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross vs. The IIconics for the WWE Women’s Tag Titles for next week’s Raw…

Charly Caruso stood in the ring and introduced Edge (let’s just say she’s no Tony Chimel). Once in the ring, Edge noted that it was his first time in the ring since WrestleMania. He said WrestleMania wasn’t the end for him. He took issue with the advertising suggesting that he was going after Randy Orton. Edge said he got his pound of flesh at WrestleMania.

Randy Orton made his entrance and joined Edge in the ring. Orton said he came out to say one thing. Orton approached Edge and said, “Congratulations.” Orton said the better man won at WrestleMania. Orton backed up and then left the ring. Phillips said he couldn’t believe he heard Orton say those words. Orton started to head up the ramp, but he stopped, smiled, and then returned to the ring.

Orton said he tried to be the better man and then bite his tongue, but he just can’t do it. Orton said he tried to do it with the idea what maybe one day they’d be able to ride up and down the road like they did back in the day, but he just can’t do it. Orton said it’s true that the better man won at WrestleMania, but the better wrestler did not.

Orton said Edge entered the Royal Rumble with the ability to hide behind 29 other wrestlers. Orton said they had a hell of a fight at WrestleMania. Orton said he didn’t get up by the ten count in the Last Man Standing match after Edge slammed his head between two chairs, but it didn’t take him nine years to get back on his feet.

Orton said nine years is a long time. He said the Royal Rumble and Last Man Standing match are not traditional wrestling matches. He said he doesn’t think Edge has it in him anymore. Orton said he’s known Edge a long time and he recognized the look on his face. “There is doubt in your eyes,” Orton said.

Orton said Edge has grit and passion and that’s why he was in the ring, but all that grit doesn’t come close to comparing to Orton’s natural ability and the passion won’t knock off the ring rust. Orton recalled some of the praise that Edge gave him before WrestleMania, then said he thinks the story writes itself if Edge has the guts. “If you’ve got the guts, then at Backlash it will be Edge vs. Orton in a straight up wrestling match,” Orton said.

Caruso entered the ring and asked Edge if he had a response. Edge looked down and to the side, then looked at Orton. Caruso said that if this does happen, it may just be the greatest wrestling match ever. Edge looked around. “He won’t answer,” Saxton said. The show ended without Edge responding…

Powell’s POV: Edge and Orton were really good here and I like the logic that Orton used to explain away his loss and to set up the need for a straight up wrestling match between the two. Caruso being scripted to jump in and asked Edge for a response felt forced, though even that wasn’t as forced as her line about them having the greatest wrestling match ever. I enjoy the work of both men, but why try to set fan expectations so ridiculously high?

Overall, Raw was all over the place tonight. The Lynch news was joyful and the transition to Asuka actually went pretty well given the circumstances. The closing segment worked for me, and there were some other moments throughout the night that I enjoyed, but then we also had the basketball game, Pretty Ricky, multiple champions losing non-title matches again, etc. Oh, and it looks like the brand split rules are being tossed aside. I will have more to say about the show in my same night audio review coming up shortly for Dot Net Members. Let me know what you thought of Raw by assigning it a letter grade in our weekly post show poll available on the main page.