WWE Raw Results – May 17, 2021 – Lashley Open Challenge

May 17, 2021

May 17, 2021
Tampa, Florida (Yuengling Center)
Commentary: Adnan Virk, Corey Graves, and Byron Saxton
Results by: Mike Tedesco of Wrestleview.com

Quick Match Results

AJ Styles defeated Elias by disqualification when Jaxson Ryker interfered
Angel Garza defeated Drew Gulak via Wing Clipper
24/7 Championship: Akira Tozawa defeated R-Truth (c) via roll up backstage – New Champion
Kofi Kingston defeated Randy Orton via roll up while Orton was distracted by Xavier Woods playing the trombone
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship: Natalya & Tamina (c) defeated Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler via Hart Attack on Baszler
Non-Title Match: Sheamus defeated Ricochet via Brogue Kick
Asuka defeated Charlotte Flair via roll up after Asuka knocked Flair into Rhea Ripley on the apron
Lumberjack Match: Damian Priest defeated John Morrison via Hit the Lights
Non-Title Match: Kofi Kingston defeated Bobby Lashley via roll up after Drew McIntyre hit Lashley with MVP’s cane

In-Ring: Bobby Lashley, MVP, Drew McIntyre

We open the show backstage to see two women in a hallway. Out walks WWE Champion Bobby Lashley from the locker room, smiling broadly. A few more women emerge from his locker room and happily walk with him.

MVP is in the ring, and he introduces the All Mighty WWE Champion Bobby Lashley. Lashley comes to the ring with the women.

Video Package: Bobby Lashley retains the WWE Championship over Drew McIntyre and Braun Strowman at WrestleMania Backlash

MVP says he always comes through on his gifts. What Lashley did last night was herculean. He beat two of the top athletes on Raw. Today, Braun Strowman is nursing broken ribs, while Drew McIntyre was so devastated after his loss that he couldn’t even get out of bed this morning. The All Mighty was thrown through an LCD screen, but still had the temerity to get back to the ring and retain the WWE Championship. Lashley did all that while injured. Lashley holds up his fist, but there doesn’t appear to be anything. MVP says his knuckles were damaged after punching the faces of McIntyre and Strowman.

MVP asks when the All Mighty Era will end. Lashley says it never ends. MVP says we are blessed to witness it. Tonight was supposed to be a night of celebration. The champ was supposed to have a night off, but Lashley says he doesn’t take nights off. On behalf of the All Mighty WWE Champion, MVP is issuing an open challenge. Whoever wants to face him…

Drew McIntyre’s music hits, and the Scottish Warrior walks out to the ring. McIntyre says he can’t think of a better way to impress the lovely ladies than Lashley vs. McIntyre for the WWE Championship tonight. McIntyre asks if that’s clear enough. McIntyre accepts the challenge. MVP says McIntyre interrupted before he was finished. MVP is issuing the challenge to anyone in the locker room except Braun Strowman and Drew McIntyre. McIntyre avoids an attack from Lashley and punches him in the face. Lashley goes outside the ring, and MVP holds him back.

Bobby Lashley will issue an open challenge for the WWE Championship later tonight. Anyone except Braun Strowman or Drew McIntyre can accept it.

AJ Styles vs. Elias

The bell rings, and Elias kicks and punches away at Styles. Elias hits the ropes, but Styles dropkicks Elias down. Styles goes for a suplex, but Elias blocks it. Elias then executes a textbook suplex. Styles boots Elias back and punches him. Styles connects with a backbreaker and continues punching him. Elias turns Styles and shoulders away at him. Elias punches Styles down in the corner before whipping him hard across the ring. Styles slides on the mat to break the momentum, but Elias dropkicks him into the ring post, knocking Styles out of the ring.

Elias gets Styles in the ring and cautiously stays away from Omos. Elias pulls Styles out of the ring and drops him face-first on the apron. Elias gets Styles in the ring and looks at Omos as he gets in. Styles clotheslines Elias over the top rope. Styles connects with a plancha. Ryker approaches Styles, but Styles backs into Omos. Omos’ presence scares Ryker back.

We come back from the break to see Elias punching Styles before connecting with a huge back body drop. Elias sends him into the ropes and connects with a spinebuster for a two count. Elias takes Styles down and poses, flexing his muscles. Elias drops a knee for a two count. Elias applies a chin lock. Styles manages to fight up and connect with a dropkick. Styles forearms him in the face. They get to their feet, and Styles unloads with a strike combo to take Elias down. Styles connects with an ushigoroshi for a near fall. Styles tries for a Styles Clash, but Elias goes for a back body drop. Styles counters out, but Elias gets out of another Styles Clash. Elias connects with a huge knee to the face followed by Drift Away for a near fall.

Styles is bleeding from a cut on his cheek. Elias lifts Styles up in the electric chair, but Styles gets out. Elias viciously elbows him and charges, but Styles hits a drop-toe-hold into the turnbuckle. Styles chops him and forearms him back. Styles goes for a Phenomenal Forearm, but Ryker pulls him off the apron.

Winner by Disqualification: Raw Tag Team Champion AJ Styles

Omos slowly walks toward Ryker, who backs up the ramp. Elias throws Styles into the ring steps and attacks him. Omos charges him, so Elias runs away. Omos helps his partner up.

Backstage: Riddle, The New Day, Randy Orton

Footage is shown of Randy Orton giving the New Day RKOs after teaming with them and Riddle.

Riddle is backstage when the New Day walks up to them. Riddle is happy they got his letter. The New Day is asking where the two-headed snake is. Randy Orton walks up and asks where Adam Pearce is. Riddle says he stretched the truth to get them together. Riddle says he had a lot of fun teaming with them. Even though they ended on bad terms, he was thinking Orton can apologize to the New Day. Orton angrily stares at him. Riddle says he knows apologies are tough. Orton says it won’t happen. Kofi Kingston calls this “a reptile dysfunction.” Kingston says they wouldn’t accept the apology anyway. Riddle tries to talk with Kingston, but Kingston says he knows Orton too well. If Riddle isn’t careful, he’ll be on the receiving end of an RKO, too. Orton is angry at that and says he should drop him where he stands. Kingston challenges him to a match tonight, which Orton accepts. The New Day walk off. Orton stares at Riddle in exasperation and walks off.

Backstage: Alexa Bliss, Natalya, Tamina

Alexa Bliss is on her swing set holding Lilly. WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Natalya and Tamina are there. Natalya says it was great winning the titles. It’s Tamina’s first title in WWE. Tamina asks if they can go, but Bliss says she hasn’t even asked the tough questions yet. Bliss asks what their favorite color is. Natalya looks confused and says she likes pink. Tamina says black and blue, which will look good on Bliss’ face if she tries anything weird. Bliss says that wasn’t very nice. Lilly liked when she beat up Reginald a few weeks ago. Tamina says she’ll do it again if he gets involved in their rematch. Bliss starts talking, but Natalya and Tamina walk off. Bliss says they’ll be watching tonight.

Angel Garza vs. Drew Gulak

Photos are shown of Angel Garza shoving a flower up Drew Gulak’s butt. They got into another confrontation last week.

The bell rings, and Gulak dropkicks Garza into the corner. Gulak attacks and hits an exploder suplex. Gulak talks some trash and applies an abdominal stretch. Garza fights out and hits a hip toss. Garza sizes Gulak up and clotheslines him. Garza gets him back to his feet and clotheslines him again. Garza goes for a slingshot inverted suplex, but Garza lands on his feet before taking a bump. That was a botch. Garza quickly dropkicks Gulak and hits a delayed double underhook backbreaker. Garza hits a running boot to the face and talks some trash. Garza connects with the Wing Clipper for the win.

Winner by Pinfall: Angel Garza

Garza grabs the rose and shoves it into Gulak’s mouth.

Backstage: R-Truth, Akira Tozawa

WWE 24/7 Champion R-Truth is sneaking around backstage. Kevin Patrick finds him, but R-Truth says he hasn’t seen R-Truth. Not a typo. R-Truth is worried that he has an open challenge, but Patrick says it’s Bobby Lashley that’s issuing the open challenge. R-Truth is happy “Ricky Bobby” is doing the open challenge. Akira Tozawa crawls down the stairs and rolls R-Truth up to win the WWE 24/7 Championship. R-Truth shouts, “Turn tables! Tables turned! I’m tired!”

New 24/7 Champion: Akira Tozawa

Video: Eva Marie

Eva Marie wants to be a super role model.

Randy Orton vs. Kofi Kingston

They lock up, and Orton cinches in a side headlock before hitting a takeover. Orton really grinds it in, but Kingston fights up and whips him off. Orton shoulder blocks Kingston down and hits the ropes. Kingston absolutely rocks Orton with a big back elbow. Orton quickly gets out of the ring to recover. Kingston follows him out, but Orton kicks him and gets him into the ring. Kingston leapfrogs Orton and hits a pair of arm drags for a two count. Kingston takes Orton down and hits a slingshot splash for another two count. Orton quickly powers Kingston to the corner and rips at the hair. Orton chokes him on the bottom rope before stomping on his ankles. Orton covers for a one count. Orton goes back to a rear chin lock. Kingston fights up and takes Orton down. Woods plays his trombone, distracting Orton. Kingston rolls Orton up for the win.

Winner by Pinfall: Kofi Kingston

The New Day celebrates in the ring, as Randy Orton seethes. Orton walks off. Riddle shoves Xavier Woods down before walking off. Woods is not happy.

Backstage: Naomi, Lana, Adam Pearce, Sonya Deville, Charlotte Flair, Rhea Ripley

Naomi and Lana are backstage with WWE Officials Adam Pearce and Sonya Deville. Mandy Rose and Dana Brooke are there. Lana and Naomi are complaining about their title opportunities.

Charlotte Flair walks up and dismisses the two teams. Flair wants a one-on-one match with Raw Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley. Flair says she wasn’t pinned last night and didn’t lose. Deville says Flair has to be victorious tonight and then they’ll consider it. Flair says it shouldn’t be a problem.

Raw Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley says it will be a problem, but she could care less. Flair is yesterday’s news. Flair says if history repeats itself like it has 13 times, she’ll be the new Raw Women’s Champion. Flair walks off. Ripley says she’ll watch in case the Queen falls from her throne.

WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship
Natalya & Tamina (c) vs. Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler

The bell rings, and Nia Jax avalanches Natalya before getting in Tamina’s face. Jax avalanches Natalya in the corner and tags in Shayna Baszler. Baszler knees Natalya in the face and stretches her a bit. Baszler continues to attack Natalya, but Natalya gets away and tags Tamina in. Tamina charges, but Baszler takes her down. Tamina fights back. Alexa Bliss appears on stage with Lilly. Reginald gets on the ring steps, but pyro explodes from the corner… like magic. Reginald falls back covering his face. Natalya and Tamina hit the Hart Attack for the win.

Winners by Pinfall and still WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions: Natalya and Tamina

Natalya and Tamina stand tall with their championships, but look disturbed as Lilly’s laugh plays on the speakers.

Non-Title Match
Sheamus vs. Ricochet

WWE United States Champion Sheamus charges down to the ring. Sheamus knows that it was Ricochet that stole his clothes. Sheamus demands his belongings back.

Sarah Schreiber finds Ricochet backstage. Footage is shown of Ricochet attacking Sheamus and putting on Sheamus’ clothes. Ricochet even did a dab… Ricochet says he was having fun. The real fun will come when he shuts him up forever. She asks Ricochet about Sheamus’ accusations. Ricochet leaves the frame and returns wearing Sheamus’ hat and jacket. Ricochet says he had to do it. Ricochet then does an impression of Sheamus and walks off.

Sheamus goes to attack Ricochet as he makes his entrance, but Ricochet gives him a drop-toe-hold on the stage. Sheamus gets in the ring, but Ricochet dropkicks him.

The bell rings to start this match. Ricochet forearms Sheamus back and punches away at him. Sheamus shoves him, but Ricochet rolls him up for a no count. Sheamus quickly clotheslines him down and punches him. Sheamus punches away at Ricochet and hits a big scoop slam. Sheamus punches him to the corner and knees him in the ribs. Ricochet quickly jumps on his back and applies a sleeper hold. Sheamus quickly backs him to the corner and slams him to the mat. Sheamus hooks the arm and stretches Ricochet out. Ricochet fights up and stuns Sheamus with a facebuster. Ricochet goes for a plancha, but Sheamus catches him and drives him spine-first into the ring post. Sheamus then throws him into the timekeeper’s area.

We come back from the break to see Sheamus beating away at Ricochet. Sheamus does the Beats of the Bodhrán on the apron. Sheamus tries for the Dublin Smile, but Ricochet fights it. Ricochet forearms Sheamus off him and hits the ropes, but Sheamus floors him with an Irish Curse Backbreaker for a two count. Sheamus goes to the top rope, but Ricochet cuts him off. Sheamus punches him down to the mat and stands on the top rope. Ricochet leaps up and hits a Spanish Fly. Ricochet comes down hard on Sheamus’ left leg. Ricochet picks up a near fall.

Sheamus grabs his knee in pain and angrily punches the mat. Ricochet takes Sheamus down and hits a standing shooting star press for a two count. Ricochet tries for it again, but Sheamus gets the knees up. Ricochet avoids a Brogue Kick, and Sheamus gets hung up on the rope. Ricochet hits a neckbreaker. Sheamus gets out of the ring as Ricochet goes to the top rope. Ricochet hits a big cross-body block off the top rope to the floor. Ricochet gets Sheamus in the ring and hits a springboard 450 splash for a near fall. Ricochet lifts Sheamus up, but Sheamus elbows him in the jaw. Ricochet tries to come back with a springboard, but Sheamus kicks him out of midair for a near fall. Sheamus is flabbergasted and shouts at him. Ricochet slaps him in the face, so Sheamus angrily takes him out with a Brogue Kick for the win.

Winner by Pinfall: WWE United States Champion Sheamus

Sheamus puts his hat and jacket back on. Sheamus says Ricochet isn’t dancing now. Sheamus says he loves his gold, but warns Bobby Lashley to keep an eye on his shoulder because the Celtic Warrior just might be coming for his WWE Championship. Sheamus celebrates with his title.

Backstage: T-Bar, Mace

Mace and T-Bar are shown backstage. They’re talking ominously about Bobby Lashley’s WWE Championship reign. It’s a bad night to be Bobby Lashley.

Asuka vs. Charlotte Flair

The bell rings, and Asuka shows up Flair quickly. Flair soon takes her down and sweeps the feet on the apron. Flair angrily dropkicks her in the knees to take her down again. Raw Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley makes her way to the ring. Flair is not happy.

We come back from the break to see Rhea Ripley sitting at ringside. Flair continues to dominate Asuka and chops her down. Flair stomps away at Asuka, randomly does a cartwheel, and kicks her in the face for a two count. Asuka fights back and hits a clothesline. They trade pinfall attempts. Flair quickly hits a backbreaker and whips her into the ropes. Flair connects with a neckbreaker for a two count. Flair grapevines the head and drives the head into the mat a few times. Flair callously throws Asuka aside. Asuka soon makes a wild comeback. Asuka strikes away at her and hits a German Suplex. Asuka connects with a sliding knee for a near fall. Asuka charges, but Flair big boots her down for a two count. Asuka goes for an Asuka Lock, but Flair gets out. Flair rolls her up for a two count.

Flair gets Asuka on the top rope and goes for a Spanish Fly. Asuka shoves her off, and Flair does a moonsault to the mat. Asuka connects with a missile dropkick for a two count. Asuka kicks away at Flair’s chest before going for a kick to the face. Flair rolls her up for a two count. Asuka elbows her, but Flair elbows back. Asuka follows her into the ropes and rolls her up for a two count. Asuka then applies a knee bar. Flair powers her up, but Asuka elbows her. Asuka takes her down and goes for a triangle choke. Flair fights it and powers Asuka’s shoulders down. Asuka gets out and keeps trying for the submission. Flair counters into a Boston Crab. Asuka fights out and rolls her up for a near fall. Asuka takes her down and tries for the Asuka Lock. Someone is having a wardrobe malfunction. The camera comes on for a moment, and it’s Flair. Flair gets to the ropes and applies a knee bar over the ropes. Rhea Ripley is smiling at ringside. Flair bounces Asuka off the commentary table and gets in Ripley’s face. Flair avoids a backfist from Asuka and nearly hits Ripley.

Flair gets in the ring, and Asuka kicks Flair into Ripley, who got on the apron. Asuka rolls Flair up with an inside cradle for the win!

Winner by Pinfall: Asuka

Lumberjack Match
Damian Priest vs. John Morrison

John Morrison is walking backstage when Kevin Patrick asks what happened last night. Morrison laughs off the zombie garbage, but says The Miz will never be the same again.

Lumberjacks: Nikki Cross, Erik, Ivar, T-Bar, Mace, Cedric Alexander, Mustafa Ali, Mansoor, Titus O’Neil, Cedric Alexander, Akira Tozawa, Shelton Benjamin, Lince Dorado, Gran Metalik

Priest quickly takes Morrison down. Morrison fights back and knocks him out of the ring. T-Bar and Mace attack Priest and put him in the ring. Priest fights back with some strikes on Morrison. Morrison is thrown out of the ring, so Nikki Cross throws him back in. Morrison is soon thrown out again. Morrison runs away and does some flipping around to avoid the lumberjacks. Morrison gets in the ring, and Priest chokeslams him down for a near fall.

We come back from the break to see Morrison fighting Priest away. Priest fights back and hits a dominator on him for a near fall. The commentators randomly claim that was a DDT. Morrison pulls Priest out of the ring, and the lumberjacks attack Priest. Morrison smiles at the broken Priest. Priest hits the ropes and hits T-Bar and Mace with a somersault senton. Alexander gets in the ring and hits a suicide dive on Benjamin. The lumberjacks all collect at ringside, so Priest hits Morrison with a superplex off the top rope onto the lumberjacks.

The Viking Raiders put Priest and Morrison in the ring. Morrison stuns Priest with a kick, but Priest soon sidesteps him. Priest hits a scary Frankensteiner. Priest connects with Hit the Lights for the win.

Winner by Pinfall: Damian Priest

Sarah Schreiber catches up with Damian Priest on the stage. Priest starts to talk and the broadcast cuts out. It comes back and she asks what the future is for him. Priest says he wants his name to live forever. It’s not just a catchphrase. Maybe he’ll accept Bobby Lashley’s open challenge tonight.

Video: Eva Marie

Eva Marie wants to be a role model for people.

Backstage: Shelton Benjamin, Cedric Alexander

Shelton Benjamin doesn’t want to talk about Cedric Alexander. He wants to accept Bobby Lashley’s open challenge. Cedric Alexander walks up and says Benjamin is worthless. Benjamin punches him down.

Non-Title Match
Bobby Lashley vs. Kofi Kingston

MVP asks who is going to accept the challenge. The New Day’s music hits. It’s going to be Kofi Kingston.

MVP gets on the apron and says he has to make an announcement. That whole championship announcement was nice, but he never said anything about a championship match. The All Mighty didn’t say championship match. Adam Pearce isn’t here. Kingston isn’t worthy to be in the ring with Lashley.

Kingston angrily attacks Lashley before the match begins. The bell rings, and Lashley viciously crushes him with a spinebuster for a near fall. Lashley goes for a vertical suplex, but Kingston gets out and knocks Lashley out of the ring. Kingston hits a baseball slide followed by a trust fall. Kingston gets pumped up.

While the WWE Champion is competing in a match, WWE elects to show a replay of MVP issuing the open challenge earlier tonight.

Once the video ends, Lashley is shown choking Kingston with his boot. Lashley shoulders away at Kingston’s midsection. Lashley hits the ropes and hits a weak looking shoulder on Kingston, who was walking out of the corner apparently unaware of this spot. Lashley hits a delayed vertical suplex, complete with flexing theatrics, for a near fall. Lashley covers a second time for a two count. MVP shouts for Lashley to humiliate Kingston. Lashley applies a grounded bear hug, but Kingston fights up. Kingston lunges for the ropes to break the hold. Kingston chops Lashley back. They botch a move, but Kingston saves it with a DDT for a near fall. Kingston connects with a double leg drop, but Lashley hits a big flatliner for a two count.

Lashley stands over Kingston and talks some trash. Lashley puts Kingston on the top rope. Woods distracts Lashley with the trombone, so Kingston DDTs Lashley on the apron. Kingston goes for an SOS, but Lashley easily hits a slam for a near fall. Lashley throws Kingston out of the ring, puts him on his shoulders, and drives the head into the ring post. Lashley puts Kingston in the ring, goes inside the ring, and throws Kingston back outside. Lashley lifts Kingston, but Woods pulls him off Lashley’s shoulders. The referee ejects Woods from ringside. Drew McIntyre appears at ringside and grabs MVP’s cane. McIntyre digs the cane into Lashley’s midsection. Kingston rolls up Lashley for the win.

Winner by Pinfall: Kofi Kingston

Drew McIntyre celebrates with the cane and raises Kingston’s arm. Lashley is furious as the show comes to an end.