WWE Raw Results – May 24, 2021 – McIntyre vs. Kingston

May 24, 2021

May 24, 2021
Tampa, Florida (Yuengling Center)
Commentary: Adnan Virk, Corey Graves, and Byron Saxton
Results by: Mike Tedesco of Wrestleview.com

Quick Match Results

Drew McIntyre vs. Kofi Kingston was no contest when Bobby Lashley and MVP attacked both men
Non-Title 2 Minute Beat the Clock Challenge: Nikki Cross defeated Rhea Ripley due to Ripley failing to defeat Cross within two minutes
Charlotte Flair defeated Asuka via pinfall after countering an Asuka Lock
Cedric Alexander defeated Shelton Benjamin via Neuralizer
Riddle defeated Xavier Woods via RKO
Jaxson Ryker defeated AJ Styles via Black Hole Slam after Elias kneed Styles
Non-Title Match: Sheamus defeated Humberto Carrillo via pinfall with a handful of tights
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship: Natalya & Tamina (c) defeated Shayna Baszler & Nia Jax via inside cradle by Natalya on Baszler after an Reginald unintentionally distracted Baszler

In-Ring: MVP, Bobby Lashley, Drew McIntyre, Kofi Kingston

We go live into the WWE ThunderDome to see MVP in the center of the ring. MVP says it is his honor to present the Chief Hurt Officer, the All Mighty WWE Champion, Bobby Lashley.

WWE Champion Bobby Lashley makes his way to the ring flanked on each side by enthusiastic women.

Video Package: Kofi Kingston defeats Bobby Lashley in a non-title match last week with an assist from Drew McIntyre

MVP asks for an explosive round of applause for the All Mighty WWE Champion Bobby Lashley. MVP says it’s an exciting evening looking handsome with these incredibly beautiful women. It’s an exciting night with exciting news. In addition to the fact that the champ is here, in July the WWE is leaving the ThunderDome and going back on the road where they belong so you can see the WWE Champion in person.

MVP says they sadly have a perennial dark cloud hanging over their heads named Drew McIntyre. The women put their thumbs down. Lashley says he beat Drew McIntyre at WrestleMania, beat McIntyre and Braun Strowman at WrestleMania Backlash, so if it were up to him, McIntyre is a no-go. MVP says Lashley issued an open challenge and was answered by that cartoon character Kofi Kingston. Once again, that dark cloud reared his head.

Drew McIntyre’s music hits, and he makes his way to the stage. McIntyre says everyone knew he was going to walk out here eventually because their business is his business. McIntyre’s business is getting back the WWE Championship. It it weren’t for MVP and Strowman, he’d have defeated Lashley twice. McIntyre wants his one-on-one rematch for the WWE Championship. If Lashley wants to prove once and for all that he’s the number one superstar on Raw… but maybe he’s wrong. Maybe Lashley knows he doesn’t measure up to McIntyre. Maybe the All Mighty doesn’t have the balls. Last week, he even lost to Kofi Kingston. Lashley says Kingston didn’t beat him… McIntyre hit him with MVP’s cane. McIntyre says he just hears excuses.

Kofi Kingston makes his way to the ring with Xavier Woods. Kingston shouts twice that he beat Bobby Lashley last week. McIntyre says, “You’re welcome.” Kingston says he didn’t need McIntyre’s help nor did he ask for it. Kingston came out because he never got a WWE Championship rematch. McIntyre knows something about that since he keeps getting rematch after rematch. It’s time for McIntyre to get behind him in the line since he did something McIntyre couldn’t – he beat Bobby Lashley.

WWE Official Adam Pearce comes out to the stage. Pearce says there’s an easy way to settle this. Drew McIntyre will take on Kofi Kingston with the winner taking on Bobby Lashley at the Hell in a Cell pay-per-view. MVP says they’ll be watching from the VIP Lounge.

Backstage: Braun Strowman

WWE is returning to the road in July.

Braun Strowman is backstage and says he cannot wait to get back to competing on the road. Anyone that gets in his way will get these hands.

Drew McIntyre vs. Kofi Kingston

The VIP Lounge is set up on the stage. Bobby Lashley and MVP are sitting there with the women.

They lock up, and McIntyre powers him to the corner before giving a clean break. Kingston hooks a side headlock, but McIntyre powers out. McIntyre takes him down with an arm wrench, but Kingston fights up to his feet. McIntyre whips him off and shoulder blocks him down. McIntyre hits the ropes, but Kingston leapfrogs him twice. Kingston goes for a third leapfrog, but McIntyre grabs him and slams him. McIntyre gets him to his feet and drops him with a straight right hand. McIntyre goes for a vertical suplex, but Kingston knees him in the head. Kingston hits a side leg sweep before hitting a slingshot splash for a two count. McIntyre soon blocks a kick and chops the chest. McIntyre then drops him with another chop. McIntyre stomps the hand and goes for a powerbomb, but Kingston counters into a hurricanrana that sends him out of the ring. Kingston whiffs on a plancha, but McIntyre still goes down. McIntyre reverses a whip into the steps, but Kingston leaps over them. Kingston gets on McIntyre’s shoulders, but he falls back. McIntyre then hits an inverted Alabama Slam on the apron!

We come back from the break to see McIntyre take Kingston down for a two count. McIntyre soon grabs him and hits an overhead belly-to-belly suplex. McIntyre knocks Kingston out of the ring. McIntyre gets him back in the ring and continues to overpower him. Kingston comes back with a springboard missile dropkick. They trade chops and Kingston dropkicks him. Kingston flips through a clothesline and goes for a roll-up, but McIntyre counters into a vertical suplex for a near fall!

McIntyre continues to fight Kingston and puts him on the top rope. Kingston punches McIntyre off the second rope and goes for a cross-body block, but McIntyre rolls through, lifts him up, and CRUSHES him with a Michinoku Driver for a near fall! McIntyre then challenges Lashley to come down to the ring. Lashley removes his jacket and walks toward the ring.

We return from the break to see McIntyre punching and clubbing away at Kingston on the top rope. McIntyre hits a WILD back suplex off the top rope for a near fall. McIntyre continues to beat on Kingston. Kingston quickly counters out of a Future Shock DDT, but McIntyre quickly comes back with a spinebuster followed by a jackknife pin for a two count. McIntyre then powers him up for a sit-out powerbomb for a near fall.

Kingston gets out of a slam and sidesteps McIntyre to send him shoulder-first into the ring post. As McIntyre slowly gets to his feet, Kingston comes off the second rope with a big splash for a near fall! McIntyre shoves Kingston away and charges, but Kingston sends him over the top rope. McIntyre lands in front of MVP and Lashley, who are seated at ringside now. Kingston comes off the top rope and splashes McIntyre, knocking him into the WWE Champion!

Kingston gets McIntyre in the ring and hits an SOS for a near fall. Lashley and MVP get in the ring and start attacking McIntyre and Kingston.

No Contest

Lashley flattens Xavier Woods with a clothesline. Kingston quickly hits Lashley with Trouble in Paradise before McIntyre takes him out with a Claymore Kick. McIntyre stands tall with Kingston and Woods.

Backstage: Charlotte Flair, Rhea Ripley, Nikki Cross

Heeeeeeeere’s Nikki!@NikkiCrossWWE @RheaRipley_WWE @MsCharlotteWWE #WWERaw pic.twitter.com/UyQdR78YtG

— WWE (@WWE) May 25, 2021

Footage is shown of Asuka defeating Charlotte Flair last week on Raw. Flair will face Asuka once again tonight.

Earlier today, Charlotte Flair was walking backstage when Raw Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley comes up to her. Ripley talks a little trash, so Flair says Ripley is just jealous of her. Nikki Cross walks up and says she could beat both of them. Flair says if she didn’t have a match with Asuka tonight, she would beat Cross in two minutes. Ripley says this is why no one likes Flair. She talks down to people. Flair suggests she beat Cross in two minutes. Ripley accepts.

Video: Eva Marie

#EVALution @natalieevamarie #WWERaw pic.twitter.com/RydzGja02n

— WWE (@WWE) May 25, 2021

Eva Marie talks about all the people that helped her on her way. This is the same video from last week. The Eva-lution is coming soon.

Non-Title 2 Minute Beat the Clock Challenge
Rhea Ripley vs. Nikki Cross

Cross charges Ripley at the sound of the bell, but Ripley shoves her down. Ripley taunts her. Cross grabs the leg for a takedown, but Ripley fights her off. Cross charges, but Ripley lifts her up. Cross slides off and forearms her. Ripley is furious, but Cross drops her with a jawbreaker. Cross goes to the top rope for a cross-body block, but Ripley kicks out at two. Less than 50 seconds left. Cross avalanches Ripley, but Ripley shoves her away. Ripley dropkicks her down and punches her in the corner. Ripley shoulders her in the corner and stomps he down. Time ticks away without Ripley even noticing.

Winner: Nikki Cross

Nikki Cross celebrates wildly at ringside, while a shocked Raw Women’s Champion stands in the ring.

Backstage: Damian Priest

Another video plays hyping up WWE’s return to the road in July.

Damian Priest tells everyone to come out to see why they call him the Archer of Infamy.

Backstage: Drew McIntyre, Kofi Kingston, Adam Pearce

Drew McIntyre and Kofi Kingston burst in WWE Official Adam Pearce’s office a half-hour after their match ended in a no contest demanding to know what he’s going to do. Pearce says they’ll have a rematch next week on Raw with the winner facing Bobby Lashley at Hell in a Cell.

Charlotte Flair vs. Asuka

They lock up and tussle a bit. Flair soon grapevines the head and rolls Asuka around. Asuka breaks free and kicks her in the midsection. Flair holds onto the ropes, but Asuka connects with a hip attack. Asuka goes for a second hip attack, but Flair chop blocks her out of midair. Flair stretches the leg out over the second rope for a few moments. Flair sidesteps a hip attack off the apron, and Asuka’s leg gives out. Flair then drops her on the steel steps knee-first.

We come back from the break to see Flair still attacking the injured left knee for a two count. Flair grapevines the leg and stretches. Flair then maneuvers into a Boston Crab. Asuka counters into a roll-up for a two count. Flair quickly attacks the knee and charges, but Asuka counters into an arm bar. Flair fights out and puts Asuka on the top rope. Flair puts her in the tree of woe, goes to the top rope, and stomps on the injured leg. Flair goes for a moonsault, but lands on her feet when Asuka moves. Asuka then hits a German Suplex.

Asuka hits a hip attack in the corner and goes for another German Suplex. Flair fights out, but Asuka knees her in the head. Asuka hits a backfist and connects with another hip attack for a near fall. Flair quickly snaps her off the top rope and pulls her to the ring post. Asuka pulls her headfirst into the ring post. Asuka goes out of the ring, but Flair bounces her off the commentary table.

We come back from the break to see Flair and Asuka going back and forth. Flair goes for a big boot, but Asuka counters into a facebuster. Flair soon fights back and elbows her down for a near fall. Flair is infuriated. Flair attacks the knee on the ropes. Flair takes her down and goes for a moonsault, but Asuka moves. Flair lands on her feet and hits a standing moonsault for a near fall. Flair angrily shouts, “I hate her!” Asuka counters out of a Figure Four and goes for an Asuka Lock. Flair rolls through and picks up the victory.

Winner by Pinfall: Charlotte Flair

Backstage: Mandy Rose, Dana Brooke

WWE is returning to the road in July.

Mandy Rose and Dana Brooke cut a truly horrible scripted promo about being on the road.

Backstage: Bobby Lashley, MVP, Adam Pearce

WWE Champion Bobby Lashley is in the VIP Lounge getting massaged by the women. A stagehand walks in and tells Lashley that Adam Pearce wants to see him.

After commercials, Lashley and MVP walk into WWE Official Adam Pearce’s office. Pearce admonishes Lashley an hour after the Kingston/McIntyre match ended. Pearce says he made a rematch for Drew McIntyre and Kofi Kingston next week. If Lashley or MVP interfere in that match, they’ll be suspended for 90 days without pay. Lashley is furious, but MVP backs him up and tells him to think about Hell in a Cell.

Shelton Benjamin vs. Cedric Alexander

Cedric Alexander comes out and says he has something to get off his chest. They were on top of the mountain after MVP plucked them both from obscurity. It ended with them being kicked out of the Hurt Business. Why did that happen? Because Benjamin is washed up. Alexander is the only reason Benjamin was a champion again. Alexander carried the team. They kicked Benjamin out, making Alexander collateral damage. Alexander has years to make up for past mistakes. He’s young and fresh. Alexander is in his prime. Is Benjamin? How long has he been here? How many years does Benjamin have left? What does he have to show for all his hard work? Benjamin got lucky a few weeks ago. Benjamin got a fluke win a few weeks ago. Alexander is an evolving athlete. Tonight ends with his arm being raised in victory. Benjamin will be gone for good following this match.

The bell rings, and Alexander immediately gets out of the ring. Benjamin demands he get back in.

We come back from the break to see Benjamin punching Alexander down before turning him inside out with a shoulder block. Benjamin punches Alexander in the corner and stomps him. Alexander punches away from Benjamin and hits the ropes, but Benjamin connects with a back elbow. Benjamin gets him outside the ring and sends him hard into the barricade. Benjamin gets Alexander in the ring and goes for a scoop slam, but Alexander slides off. Benjamin charges, but Alexander sidesteps him and sends him over the top rope. Benjamin skins the cat and avoids a Neuralyzer. Benjamin goes for a t-bone suplex, but Alexander fights out. Benjamin gets Alexander on the top rope and puts him on his shoulders. Alexander counters into a super hurricanrana for a near fall.

Alexander beats on Benjamin and hits a big dropkick for a two count. Alexander continues to beat away at him and applies a head and arm submission. Alexander gets to his feet and peppers Benjamin with kicks, infuriating him. Benjamin VICIOUSLY clotheslines him down and punches away at him in the corner. Benjamin avalanches him in the corner and hits a spinebuster. Alexander tries to fight back, but Benjamin takes him out with a spin kick. Benjamin connects with two German Suplexes. Alexander elbows out of a third and thumbs him in the eyes. Alexander hits a Neuralyzer for the win.

Winner by Pinfall: Cedric Alexander

Riddle vs. Xavier Woods

The bell rings, and they tussle on the mat. They fight to the apron and Woods hits a Death Valley Driver on the apron.

We come back from the break, and they continue going back and forth. Woods hits a missile dropkick off the second rope. Riddle comes back with an INSANE German Suplex off the second rope that spikes Woods on his head. Woods fights back, but Riddle eventually hits an RKO to put Woods away.

Winner by Pinfall: Riddle

Charlotte Flair will take on Rhea Ripley for the Raw Women’s Championship at Hell in a Cell.

AJ Styles vs. Jaxson Ryker

Styles takes it to Ryker early on. Elias runs in and knees Styles in the head. Ryker slams Styles to pick up the win.

Winner by Pinfall: Jaxson Ryker

Omos runs down and grabs Elias hiding in the timekeeper’s area. Omos throws him over the barricade and chases Elias and Ryker to the back.

Remaining results by Richard Trionfo of PWInsider.com

Non-Title Match
Sheamus vs. Humberto Carrillo

Sheamus with forearms and then he sends Carrillo to the floor. Sheamus sends Carrillo into the ringside barrier. Carrillo with punches but Sheamus with a short arm clothesline. Sheamus with a suplex throw. Sheamus with an arm bar and he runs his forearm across the jaw. Sheamus with forearms across the chest. Carrillo with forearms to Sheamus. Carrillo with chops and a kick. Carrillo with a drop kick that sends Sheamus through the ropes to the floor. Carrillo with a suicide dive that sends Sheamus into the announce table. Carrillo with a back elbow off the turnbuckles for a near fall. Carrillo kicks Sheamus from the apron. Sheamus blocks a victory roll and drops down with a handful of tights for the three count.

Winner: Sheamus

After the match, Sheamus attacks Carrillo and slams Humberto. Sheamus with a Cloverleaf but Ricochet with a missile drop kick and a Carrillo with a springboard back elbow. Ricochet with a moonsault. Carrillo with a moonsault and then Ricochet with a springboard 450 splash.

Backstage: Nia Jax, Shayna Baszler, Reginald

We take a look at the Women’s Tag Team situation.

Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler are asked how they are going to regain the titles. Nia says it won’t happen again. Shayna says that Nia was distracted again. Nia tells Shayna to stop being a bully and then she talks about how Reggie is reacting to the pyro. Shayna tells Nia to prove that they are the best without Reginald.

Reginald says he is only trying to help.

Shayna tells Reginald if she sees him at ringside he will give him a reason to see double.

Video: Eva Marie

We are back and Eva Marie says it is as important to build yourself up from the inside as much as the outside. She talks about mental strength. The weight of the world might tear you down but consistency will overcome any weakness. She says she has become a cheerleader for herself and she wants to be an advocate for others.

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

Nia and Tamina start but Nia tags in Shayna. Shayna pie faces Natalya on the apron and Natalya wants to tag in and Tamina does it. They lock up and Natalya with a side head lock take down. Shayna with a head scissors and Natalya escapes. Shayna with a wrist lock and Natalya with a take down for a near fall. Shayna with a kick and side head lock. Shayna with a shoulder tackle and she blocks a hip toss. Natalya blocks a hip toss and Natalya with a rollup for a near fall. Shayna goes for a double wrist lock but turns it into a hammer lock. Shayna with a Sharpshooter on Natalya but Natalya escapes. Shayna with a judo throw and she hyper-extends the arm. Nia tags in and she works on the arm and drops a leg onto the arm.

Shayna tags in and she puts the arm on the mat and then prepares to stomp on the elbow but Reginald doesn’t listen and he comes to the ring. Shayna misses the boot to the arm and Natalya with a German suplex.

We are back and Shayna sends Natalya to the mat and gets a near fall. Shayna with a double wrist lock. Natalya with a slam and Nia and Tamina tag in. Tamina with punches and a forearm followed by a European uppercut. Nia tries to send Tamina into the turnbuckles but Tamina with a sunset flip. Tamina with a super kick for a near fall. Tamina goes up top and Nia with a forearm to stop Tamina. Nia gets Tamina on her shoulders but Tamina with elbows. Tamina with a boot but misses. Nia gets a rollup for a near fall. Shayna tags in and punches Tamina.

Nia tags in and splashes Tamina. Shayna tags in and hits a running knee into the corner for a near fall. Tamina with a punch to Shayna. Tamina with another punch to Shayna. Shayna misses a punch on Natalya and Tamina with a power slam. Natalya tags in and she catapults Shayna into a super kick from Tamina for a near fall. Nia with a head butt to Natalya. Tamina with a Thesz Press to Nia and they go to the floor. Tamina and Nia battle on the floor but Nia with a back body drop over the ringside barrier.

Shayna misses a knee in the corner and hits the turnbuckles. Natalya with a discus clothesline and Reginald gets on the apron to distract the referee while Shayna covers Natalya and she gets a near fall. Shayna yells at Reginald and tells him to GO NOW. As Reginald goes up the ramp the pyro goes off and Natalya with an inside cradle for the three count.

Winners: Tamina and Natalya (retain championship)

After the match, Shayna checks on Reginald and then she calls him a son of a bitch and she says she is tired of him interfering in her matches. Shayna tells Reginald that they are going to wrestle next week. She tells him if he had the balls, she will make him wish he was in that explosion.