WWE RAW RECAP – July 12, 2021

(1)  Xavier Woods defeats Bobby Lashley…with the Inside Cradle/Raw Roll Up for the win (10:41)…no, seriously…that happened.

*MVP backstage with Kevin…Bobby Lashley has left the building to “blow off some steam” but MVP guarantees he will be in the VIP Lounge later this evening.

*Jinder Mahal arrives on his custom motorcycle…Veer/Shanky have Drew’s sword.

*Alexa’s Playground with special guests Eva & Doudrop…Eva won’t let Doudrop get a word in…Eva insults the playground, then walks off.

*Sasha/Bianca won the ESPy for “WWE Moment of the Year” (gee, who saw that coming?!).

*Jinder (with Veer & Shanky) to the ring…Jinder offers to “do the right thing” & give Drew back his sword…Drew McIntyre on the ‘tron…Jinder says Veer & Shanky had the sword “refinished”…as he unveils it, apparently Veer & Shanky broke the sword in half…Drew says that’s OK, it was just a replica (he has the original with him)…camera pulls back & Drew is in the garage, he proceeds to pull parts off Jinder’s motorcycle with his bare hands.

*Viking Raiders backstage with Sarah…AJ has had some terrible things to say about Vikings but Vikings are, in fact, amazing people with excellent hygiene…AJ & Omos are in for trouble tonight…after the commercial…AJ & Omos to the ring…AJ pretends to begin an apology, then doubles down on his insults…

(3)  Ivar defeats AJ Styles…AJ charges Ivar in the corner…Ivar uses the ropes to elevate his legs to AJ’s shoulder & comes crashing down on AJ’s chest with an Earthquake-like Splash for the win (03:44).

(4)  Omos defeats Erik…Double Arm Chokeslam for the win (03:23)…*NOTE*…after the SmackDown Women’s Championship match was moved off the PPV card for this weekend, the Raw Tag Team Championship match has been moved from Mon the 19^th, onto the Money in the Bank PPV card.

*New Day backstage…Lucha House Party congratulate Woods & wish Kofi luck at MitB…Sarah approaches with the news that Bobby Lashley has returned to the building…Kofi is not surprised, Lashley is always distracted by things like the VIP Lounge, etc…Kofi says that after this weekend the WWE Universe will have the dedicated champion they deserve when he takes Lashley’s title.

*Sheamus attacks Humberto Carillo backstage, leaves him laying…Damian Priest strolls by in the aftermath…Pearce/Sonya try to convince Carillo to postpone the title shot, he refuses…“If I can stand, I can fight!”

(5)  Sheamus defeats Humberto Carillo…to retain the United States Championship…Carillo can barely move…Sheamus charges across the ring & hits the Brogue Kick for the win (00:18)…AFTER…Sheamus attacks Carillo further…Damian Priest to the ring for the save, stopping Sheamus from stomping on Carillo’s face in retribution for his injury.

*Riddle/Ricochet backstage, talking MitB…Riddle says if he wins, he’ll cash in immediately for a tag title shot for him & Randy…Miz/Morrison interrupt…Morrison, “Surprise splash-holes!”…both fire Drip Sticks at Riddle & Ricochet before running over Riddle’s foot with Miz’s wheelchair.

(6)  Ricochet defeats John Morrison…in a FALLS COUNT ANYWHERE match…Riddle comes to ringside after 15 of Miz’s antics & flips Miz’s chair onto its’ back…Morrison is laid across a ladder bridged from the ring apron to the announce desk…Ricochet hits a Splash from the top buckle to Morrison, through the ladder to the floor & crawls into the cover for the win on the floor (16:02).

*Natty was added to the Women’s Money in the Bank match by Sonya via Twitter earlier today…now, Natty/Tamina backstage with Sarah…Mandy/Dana are around the corner, laughing at them…Tamina shoves Dana & walks off…Mandy holds Dana back.

*Drew backstage with Kevin…another history lesson…this time Drew is Icarus, except his wings are not made of wax, but “100% Grade-A Scottish beef, brother!”

(7)  Rhea Ripley defeats Natalya…Riptide for the win (09:33)…AFTER…Charlotte attacks out of nowhere, chop blocks Rhea…Charlotte locks in Figure-4 & leans out of the ring & off the apron for added leverage…Rhea left holding her injured left knee.

*Charlotte backstage with Sarah…she learned from the dirtiest player in the game & it’s game over for Rhea at MitB.

*VIP Lounge…MVP introduces Bobby Lashley several times before the champ makes his way out, looking a bit disheveled…Lashley tells MVP that Kofi was right, MVP has caused him to lose his edge/focus…no more ladies, no more Champaign…the only fun from now on is destroying anyone who comes for the WWE Championship…Lashley destroys the VIP Lounge…“Kofi, I am going to dismantle you…the circus is dead & after this Sunday, so is your career.”