WWE Raw Results – May 21, 2018 – Braun Strowman vs. Finn Balor

May 21, 2018

May 21, 2018
Albany, New York
Commentary: Michael Cole, Corey Graves, and Jonathan Coachman
Results courtesy of Mike Tedesco of Wrestleview.com

Quick Match Results

* Roman Reigns defeated Kevin Owens via disqualification.
* Roman Reigns & Seth Rollins defeated Kevin Owens & Jinder Mahal via pinfall.
* Ember Moon defeated Alexa Bliss via pinfall.
* Baron Corbin defeated No Way Jose via pinfall.
* The B-Team defeated Breezango via pinfall.
* Dolph Ziggler defeated Chad Gable via pinfall.
* Women’s Money in the Bank Qualifier match – Natalya defeated Dana Brooke, Liv Morgan, and Sara Logan via submission.
* Elias defeated Bobby Roode via pinfall.
* Braun Strowman defeated Finn Balor via pinfall.

In-Ring: Kurt Angle, Stephanie McMahon, Roman Reigns, Kevin Owens

RAW General Manager Kurt Angle makes his way to the ring while the crowd lovingly sings, “You suck” to the theme of his music. Angle puts over that Ronda Rousey will be here in a contract signing, which gets a nice reaction. Angle will preside over that signing. We’ll also have a Women’s Fatal 4-Way Money in the Bank Qualifying Match…

Stephanie McMahon’s music hits, and she’s making her first appearance since the night after WrestleMania. McMahon says she talked to Angle many times. After what happened at WrestleMania, she holds no hard feelings. She’s a leader and a businessperson. She’ll always do what’s best for business. The crowd chants, “You tapped out.” She admits that she did, but she’s forgiven everything. Angle is here as a leader, but with her continued guidance, he could be at the top. Angle has been doing a phenomenal job ever since WrestleMania. She wants to see that growth continue. Sometimes Angle lets his emotions get in the way. She will be the one who is presiding over the contract signing for the RAW Women’s Championship (she incorrectly said “Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match.”). Angle admits he could take more guidance. McMahon says his favors to Roman Reigns must end tonight.

Roman Reigns’ music hits, and he comes out to thunderous boos. Reigns says if she’s going to say something about him, say it to him. McMahon doesn’t understand the aggression. Reigns was the big dog and the leader, but if he continues to let his Samoan temper get the best of him, he’ll have to look for another line of work. That gets a nice reaction. Reigns warns her to watch her tone when talking to him. If not, he’ll take his Samoan temper backstage and destroy all her favorite superstars. McMahon says she doesn’t play favorites. She does what’s best for business. She is a leader that manages multiple revenue streams. Favorites are beneath her. Reigns wants to talk about her favorite revenue stream, Brock Lesnar. McMahon says she’s taken his concerns to her father and have taken it under advisement. Reigns tells her to cut the corporate crap and tell him the truth. She doesn’t want him anywhere near the Universal Championship or the Money in the Bank contract. McMahon says the truth is he lost his qualifying match. Reigns can take that up with Jinder Mahal. Reigns smirks and says he already did.

Kevin Owens’ music hits, and he makes his way to the stage. Owens says he feels in debt to Reigns. After he speared Mahal through the wall, he replaced him, stepped up, and is the final RAW entrant into the Money in the Bank match. Kevin Owens winning the Money in the Bank contract is best for business. After last week, he wants to let Reigns know how people feel about him. Owens says he actually really likes Roman Reigns. Owens gets in the ring. Reigns needs to hear this. Owens tells the crowd to chant something smart: Thank you, Roman. Owens tries to start the chant, but the crowd boos and refuses. Owens says he tried. As much as he likes Reigns, he has to say McMahon is right that she doesn’t play favorites. Owens is living proof of that. Owens has had well documented issues with her brother and father, but that didn’t stop her from positioning him as the cornerstone of her roster. McMahon knows talent when she sees it. Owens puts his arm on her shoulder, and she gives him a cold stare. McMahon tries to emasculate him, but she blows her line. McMahon says she’s going to make a match right now between Owens and Roman Reigns. That match happens right now.

Roman Reigns vs. Kevin Owens

We join the match in progress. They’re locked up, and Reigns powers him to the corner before giving a clean break. Owens applies a waistlock, but Reigns gets out. Owens quickly goes to the ropes to keep Reigns back. Owens hooks a side headlock and holds it on, but Reigns soon powers out and applies a side headlock. Owens whips him off, but Reigns floors him with a shoulder block that turns him inside out. Owens immediately gets out of the ring to recover. Owens gets back in the ring and goes for a right hand, but Reigns blocks it and floors him with an uppercut. Reigns puts him in the corner and punches away at him. Owens tries to chop back, but Reigns doesn’t sell it. Owens forearms Reigns, but he shakes it off before doing the ten punches in the corner. Owens shoves him off, but Reigns quickly takes him down with another uppercut. Owens begs him off in the corner. Reigns head-butts him before whipping him to the corner. Reigns charges into a boot. Owens goes to the second rope, but Reigns uppercuts him off the ropes to the floor. Reigns calmly leaves the ring, and Owens chops him, which Reigns doesn’t sell. Reigns punches him down and sends him back into the ring. Reigns gets in the ring, and Owens quickly bails out. Reigns slowly leaves the ring and goes for a Drive By Dropkick, but Owens moves. Owens superkicks him on the apron.

We come back from the break to see Reigns cut Owens off on the top rope. Reigns goes for a superplex, but Owens fights it before knocking him down to the mat. Owens goes to the canvas and elbows Reigns back. Reigns quickly comes back with a pair of clotheslines followed by a jumping clothesline. Reigns clubs him in the corner ten times before hitting the ropes. Owens avoids a big boot and connects with a DDT for a near fall. Owens cannot believe it. Owens sends him into the ropes, but Reigns holds on and boots him. Owens forearms him and hits the ropes, but Reigns hits a Samoan Drop for a two count. Reigns slowly walks around the ring and goes for a Superman Punch, but Owens counters into a roll-up for a two count. Owens immediately superkicks him and charges into a Superman Punch. Reigns picks up a two count. Reigns starts shaking the ropes, but the crowd boos him. Reigns tries for a Spear, but Owens gets out of the ring. Reigns follows him out and Spears him on the floor. Jinder Mahal then attacks Reigns from behind.

Winner by Disqualification: Roman Reigns

Mahal’s ribs are taped up while he punches away at Reigns. Mahal sends him into the barricade before taking him down. Mahal gets him in the ring and stomps the head. Mahal and Owens double-team Reigns in the ring. Seth Rollins runs down to make the save. Rolling clears the ring of Owens, Mahal, and Sunil Singh before they abruptly go to commercial.

Roman Reigns & Seth Rollins vs. Kevin Owens & Jinder Mahal

We join the match in progress. Rollins chops away at Mahal before hitting the ropes, but Mahal shoulder blocks him down. Mahal hits the ropes, but Rollins dropkicks him down. Mahal leaves the ring, and Rollins flattens him with a plancha. Rollins gets him in the ring and chops the chest. Reigns tags in and sends Rollins into Mahal for a forearm. Rollins then sends Mahal into Reigns for a back elbow. Reigns punches away at him and drops him with a back elbow. Mahal quickly tags in Owens, and he takes Reigns down before stomping at the head. Mahal tags back in and stomps at him before applying a head and arm lock. Reigns fights up, but Owens tags in and applies a chin lock. Reigns fights out and sends him into the ropes, but he lowers his head and eats a kick. Reigns then hits a desperation clothesline. Mahal tags in, but Reigns sends him out of the ring. Reigns goes for a tag, but Mahal pulls Rollins off the apron and sends him into the barricade. Owens knocks Reigns into the corner and hits a cannonball for a two count.

We come back from the break to see Mahal power Reigns to the corner, and Owens tags in. Owens stomps Reigns down in the corner before the referee backs him up. Owens talks some trash and punches Reigns back. Owens talks a little trash to Rollins. Reigns punches Owens back, but Owens hits a drop-toe-hold and hits some crossfaces. Owens kicks him in the ribs for a two count. Owens then goes back to the chin lock. Reigns fights up and goes for a Samoan Drop, but he can’t get him up. Reigns then big boots him.

Rollins and Mahal are tagged in. Rollins hits a springboard clothesline before knocking Owens off the apron. Rollins takes him down before clotheslining him over the top rope. Rollins hits the ropes, but Owens grabs the ankles. Rollins knocks him back and knocks Mahal off the apron. Rollins hits a suicide dive on Owens, gets in the ring, and hits a suicide dive on Mahal. Rollins gets in the ring and boots Mahal back before hitting blockbuster for a two count. Rollins stomps the mat, and Sunil Singh distracts him. Mahal hits a fireman’s carry gut-buster for a near fall. Mahal goes for the Khallas, but Rollins hits an enzuigiri. Owens tags in, and Rollins hits a reverse STO. Owens soon comes back with a gut-buster. Owens hits a Vader Bomb elbow drop, but Reigns breaks up the pin. Reigns punches Mahal and hits a Samoan Drop. Singh distracts Reigns, and Owens superkicks him. Owens gets out of a Ripcord Knee and tries for a Pop-up Powerbomb, but Rollins gets out. Rollins superkicks him and goes for the Stomp, but Owens moves. Rollins tries again and connects with the Stomp for the win.

Winners by Pinfall: Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins

As Rollins and Reigns walk up the ramp, they’re attacked by Mahal with a chair. Mahal cracks them both with the chair before bending it over Reigns’ back. Referees run out to keep Mahal back. Mahal eventually goes to the back. Reigns and Rollins slowly get up and look like they’re in a lot of pain.

Video: Bobby Lashley

Video Package: Replays are shown of Bobby Lashley talking about his older sisters bullying him. Sami Zayn will interview his sisters, next.

In-Ring: Sami Zayn Interviews Bobby Lashley’s sisters

Sami Zayn makes his way to the ring bouncing around. Zayn talks about the interview Renee Young had with Bobby Lashley, but it wasn’t accurate. Tonight, he will expose Bobby Lashley in his lies. That doesn’t get much of a reaction. Zayn invited Francis, Cathy, and Jessica to the show. Zayn then introduces them to the ring. The “Lashley” sisters come out, obviously not his real sisters. They’re guys dressed in drag. One even has a mustache. Zayn asks the one sister why she hit him with a broom. “Cathy” said that Lashley used to bully her, so she took the broom and swatted him away. Zayn interviews “Frances,” who is carrying a helmet. Frances is the one with the mustache. Frances used the helmet to hit Lashley so he’d stop hitting her on the head. “Jessica” says she carried a towel because he’d make her cry. The crowd is turning on this. The fake sisters run down Lashley for some time.

Bobby Lashley’s music hits, and he comes out to absolutely no reaction smiling and pumping his fists. Lashley comes out and high fives the fans at ringside in an attempt to get them reengaged. Lashley addresses his “sisters” smiling. Lashley picks on them a bit before saying Frances has what every woman wants – a big, hairy mustache. Zayn threatens Lashley and says he’s a piece of garbage. That’s what Lashley’s family thinks of him. Lashley stops smiling and looks at Zayn. Lashley grabs him, but the sisters grab him. Zayn and the sisters attack him before the sisters hold him up. Zayn gets a cheap shot in, but Lashley fights out and takes them all out. Lashley takes Frances, puts the helmet on him, and clubs the head. Lashley attacks Cathy and throws him over the top rope. Lashley then takes out Jessica and whips his rear end with the towel. Lashley then hits a spinebuster. Lashley puts the broom between Cathy’s legs and uses it to launch him over the top rope. Zayn retreats up the ramp.

Video: Nia Jax, Ronda Rousey

Video Package: A replay is shown of Nia Jax challenging Ronda Rousey.

Backstage: Renee Young, Alexa Bliss

Renee Young asks if Alexa Bliss is concerned about facing Ember Moon, who beat her in her debut. Bliss talks about the Visigoths and the Romans.

Ember Moon vs. Alexa Bliss w/ Mickie James

Bliss takes Moon down and stomps her. Moon kips up and hits a running cross-body for a two count. Moon hits a head-scissor takeover, but James soon distracts her, allowing Bliss to attack her. Bliss gets her in the ring and covers for a two count. Bliss applies an arm bar.

We come back from the break to see Bliss sneering over Moon. Bliss hits pair of arm breakers. Bliss kicks her in the back and applies an arm bar. Moon tries to fight up, but Bliss takes her back down for the arm bar. Moon fights up and knees her down. Moon dropkicks her to the apron. Moon drags her in. James gets in, and the referee stops her before ejecting her. Moon forearms her before Bliss rolls her up for a two count. Moon hits an Eclipse for the win

Winner by Pinfall: Ember Moon

Backstage: Stephanie McMahon, Finn Balor, Braun Strowman

Stephanie McMahon is talking to Finn Balor and Braun Strowman. She books them in a match against one another. Strowman crushes an apple and says he loves competition.

No Way Jose vs. Baron Corbin

The match begins, and Corbin is soon on top. Corbin takes him down with a clothesline and applies a chin lock. Jose fights up and sends Corbin shoulder-first into the ring post. Jose boots him back and connects with a second boot before hitting a clothesline. Jose hits a flapjack and picks up a near fall. Corbin soon takes him down and hits the End of Days for the win.

Winner by Pinfall: Baron Corbin

Backstage: Kurt Angle, Chad Gable, Drew McIntyre, Dolph Ziggler

Kurt Angle is playing with his phone when Chad Gable walks up. Drew McIntyre and Dolph Ziggler stop them and talk a little trash. Gable sarcastically says they think they’re so special. McIntyre says they are.

The B-Team vs. Breezango

Curtis Axel starts against Tyler Breeze and wrestles him down before taunting him. They lock up, and Breeze takes him down. Axel quickly gets out of the ring to talk strategy with Bo Dallas. Axel gets in and tags in Dallas. Breeze takes him to the corner and tags in Fandango. Fandango hits an axe handle. Fandango counters a sunset flip and gyrates his hips. The B-Team soon hits him with a back suplex/neckbreaker combo for the win.

Winners by Pinfall: The B-Team

They celebrate wildly in the ring and “swim” on the commentary table.

In-Ring: Stephanie McMahon, Nia Jax, Ronda Rousey

Stephanie McMahon is in the ring, which is decorated with a red carpet and a table. In a few weeks, Nia Jax will defend the RAW Women’s Championship against one of the biggest box office attractions in the world, Ronda Rousey. None of that happens until they sign this contract. McMahon introduces Nia Jax, who comes out to a lukewarm response. McMahon says she’s had issues with Alexa Bliss, but she has boldly chosen her next opponent. McMahon then introduces “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey.

Rousey comes out to a good reception. Rousey gleefully greets McMahon and asks how her arm is. McMahon asks Rousey how it feels to leapfrog the entire RAW Women’s Division, women Rousey said are far more deserving than her. Rousey says she knows what McMahon is trying to do, but Jax challenged her rather than them. McMahon asks why Jax challenged her. Maybe Jax is trying to make a name for herself at Rousey’s expense. Rousey has never had a singles match in WWE, so she’s ripe for picking. Rousey also comes from a place where there were weight classes, but there are no weight classes here. Rousey also doesn’t like to lose. Jax knows if she beats her, Rousey will tuck tail and leave, making Jax the baddest woman on the planet.

McMahon says Rousey knows that it took Jax fifteen to twenty minutes to beat Alexa Bliss. McMahon then says maybe Rousey thinks Jax is lazy. Can Rousey get her arm bar on Jax? Jax says the truth is Rousey can’t get the arm bar on her. Jax says she will make a name for herself by beating her at Money in the Bank. Jax signs the contract and picks up her title. Rousey looks at her intensely before signing the contract. Rousey then calmly pushes the table to the side and picks up a microphone. Rousey says she’s happy the truth came out. Rousey offers a handshake, and Jax accepts. Rousey says she’s going to take the title. Rousey then looks at Jax’s arm and says, “… and your arm!”

Chad Gable vs. Dolph Ziggler w/ Drew McIntyre

Gable quickly takes Ziggler down a few times and applies a leg lock. Gable applies a front facelock and spins him around a bit. Ziggler gets to the ropes to force a break. Ziggler soon gets to his feet and hits a dropkick for a two count. Ziggler applies a chin lock. Gable fights up, but Ziggler takes him down. Ziggler drops an elbow for a two count. Ziggler reapplies a chin lock. After a long time, Gable fights up and takes him down for a two count. Gable quickly takes him down again and gets a jackknife pin for a two count. Gable flips through a back suplex and goes for a German Suplex, but Ziggler blocks it. Ziggler then hits a neckbreaker. Gable quickly hits an elbow and rolls him up for a two count. Gable avoids an avalanche and hits a German Suplex with a bridge for a two count. Ziggler pulls himself up on the ropes and knocks Gable back with a head-butt. Ziggler connects with a superkick for the win.

Winner by Pinfall: Dolph Ziggler

Drew McIntyre gets in the ring and grabs Gable. McIntyre holds him up by the hair and hits the Claymore.

Fatal 4-Way Women’s Money in the Bank Qualifying Match
Dana Brooke vs. Liv Morgan vs. Sarah Logan vs. Natalya

The bell rings, and they all cautiously approach each other. The Riott Squad quickly attacks Brooke and Natalya. Morgan takes Natalya down by the hair. Morgan goes to the top rope and hits a diving face-buster for a two count. Morgan drops Brooke on the apron, but Brooke punches her back. Natalya soon gets the better of Morgan and hits Logan with a snap suplex for a two count. Morgan grabs Natalya by the hair and talks trash. Natalya slams her on her tailbone before hitting a low dropkick for a two count. Logan quickly hits a running knee to the face, but Brooke breaks it up. Brooke hits a handspring back elbow on Morgan. Logan hits an enzuigiri on Brooke. Morgan and Logan go face-to-face and look at the briefcases above the ring. They then laugh and go back to attacking Natalya. They take some time before Natalya gets out. Brooke pulls Morgan out of the ring and they hit a nasty double clothesline on the floor. Natalya goes for a Sharpshooter, but Ruby Riott distracts her. Logan hits a big knee, but Brooke breaks it up. Logan sends Brooke into the ring post shoulder first. Natalya then takes Logan down and applies a Sharpshooter for the win.

Winner by Submission: Natalya

Charly Caruso interviews Natalya in the ring. She asks if Natalya’s experience is her greatest asset. Natalya says of course, but she has the baddest woman on the planet, Ronda Rousey, as her training partner. Rousey will be the Women’s Champion and she’ll be Miss Money in the Bank.

In-Ring: Elias, Bobby Roode

Elias greets the crowd. From the moment he arrived on Monday Night RAW, this company’s stock has risen 150%. It’s trading at an all time high. There is no such thing as coincidence. It comes down to one fact, NBC Universal, and everyone else knows that WWE stands for Walk With Elias. Elias strums the guitar and sings, “When I say, ‘I love Elias,” you say, ‘Yes I do.’” The crowd enthusiastically sings it back. Elias says he doesn’t feel the same way about any of them. Just last week, he was at the Eiffel Tower and Stonehenge. So you can imagine how much it stinks to come to Albany.

Bobby Roode cuts him off. While Roode is making his entrance, Elias attacks him from behind. Roode doesn’t even have his robe off. The referee checks on Roode and asks if he wants to go on with the match. Roode agrees.

Elias vs. Bobby Roode

Roode throws his robe into Elias’ face and stomps away at him. Roode punches him to the corner and attacks the back. Roode chops the chest before having a whip reversed. Roode quickly explodes out of the corner with a clothesline. Roode then clotheslines him out of the ring.

We come back from the break to see Elias clothesline Roode before dropping a knee. Elias picks up a two count. Elias applies an cobra clutch. Roode fights up, but Elias quickly takes him down. Roode fights out, but Elias applies it again. Roode fights out and chops the chest. Elias knees him in the ribs and calls him an idiot. Roode clotheslines him twice before having a whip reversed, but Roode hits a running forearm. Roode clotheslines him in the corner and tries for a neckbreaker, but Elias counters. Roode quickly follows up with a spinebuster for a two count. Roode gets the crowd going and does the “GLORIOUS” taunt. Elias counters a Glorious DDT and rolls him up for a two count. Elias knees him and sends him to the corner, but Roode boots him back. Roode tries a blockbuster, but Elias avoids it. Roode quickly hits a neckbreaker for a two count. Roode goes to the top rope, but Elias crotches him. Elias hits Drift Away for the win.

Winner by Pinfall: Elias

Elias is walking to the back with his guitar over his shoulder, and Braun Strowman’s music hits. Strowman then floors Elias with a running shoulder!

Braun Strowman vs. Finn Balor

The bell rings, and Strowman smiles. Balor smiles back. Balor forearms him quickly and gets away. Balor goes for the legs, but Strowman swats him away and clubs the back. Strowman then takes Balor down. Strowman clubs the chest and walks around him. Strowman then whips him hard into the corner before taunting the crowd. Strowman shouts that Balor got pinned last week before head-butting him. Balor dropkicks Strowman twice before hitting the ropes, but Strowman viciously takes him down for a two count. Strowman then kicks him in the ribs, sending him out of the ring. Strowman goes outside and throws Balor into the ring. Strowman tells Balor to get up and fight. Strowman then clubs him in the back. Strowman continues to slowly beat Balor down. Balor soon boots him back twice. Balor avoids an avalanche and kicks him in the face. Balor chops the chest, but Strowman no sells it. Strowman head-butts him down. Strowman big boots him and pins him with one foot for a two count. Balor pulls the top rope down to get Strowman out of the ring. Balor goes for his running apron kick, but Strowman blocks it and takes him down. Strowman continues to work him over and says he’s done playing. Balor slaps him in the face, so Strowman swats him down. Strowman runs around the ring for a running shoulder, but Balor counters into a Sling Blade. Balor then runs around the ring and dropkicks Strowman into the crowd. Strowman then gets up behind him in an awesome visual and grabs him. Balor then jumps off the apron with a double stomp. Balor then hits the Coup de Grace off the barricade. Balor gets in the ring and looks for a count-out. Strowman eventually gets in. Strowman then shoulder blocks him down. Strowman lets out a guttural scream before trying for a shoulder, but Balor moves and he (of course) hits the ring post shoulder-first. Balor goes to the top rope, but Strowman grabs him. Balor slides off and charges, but Strowman hits a Running Powerslam. Strowman hits a second Running Powerslam for the win.

Winner by Pinfall: Braun Strowman