WWE Raw Results: Winners, News And Notes As John Cena Returns

WWE Raw in Laredo, Texas advertised the return of John Cena to celebrate his 20-year anniversary with WWE.

John Cena’s return featured countless tributes from WWE legends and Hall of Famers, including current AEW stars Bryan Danielson, the “Big Show” Paul Wight and Chris Jericho. Cena then appeared live, after an introduction by Vince McMahon of course, to thank the WWE Universe and those who inspired him.

WWE Raw was a legit sellout in the Sames Auto Arena as over 4,500 tickets moved since the Cena announcement per WrestleTix. WWE insider account WrestleVotes reported backstage morale was high for Cena’s return to WWE given his leadership and “positive presence.”

WWE Raw started with a victory lap for John Cena backstage, and thankfully, R-Truth was present to celebrate his “childhood hero.”

If Riddle is not allowed to challenge for the WWE Universal Championship anymore, what the hell is he doing in a match for the opportunity to do just that?

Battle Royal subplots included Jinder Mahal eliminating Shanky and the dastardly Miz costing AJ Styles an opportunity by faking a knee injury only to eliminate him.

Riddle qualified for Money in the Bank, and I can see either him or Drew McIntyre winning MITB and ultimately using the briefcase to challenge Roman Reigns at Clash at the Castle. If that’s how McIntyre plans on using Money in the Bank, I’d much rather have Riddle win it.

The Street Profits had a fun, if not campy, exchange backstage as Cena gave them a “never give up” pep talk. There’s no way Montez Ford was losing after this.

This week’s Street Profits gear looked similar to that of the Orlando Magic, but unfortunately, they’re in Texas tonight.

Montez Ford almost went through the barricade while delivering a suicide dive to Jey Uso.

The John Cena career retrospective—which featured The Big Show and Bryan Danielson—was followed by The Miz appearing live when I’m sure many people thought this was the moment John Cena would return.

The Miz is wearing his Logan Paul fit on the same day it was reported Logan Paul is training for a wrestling match, possibly at SummerSlam. I hardly think that's a coincidence.

Right on cue, The Miz announced Logan Paul was going to return to WWE for SummerSlam.

WWE continues to try to book Logan Paul as a babyface and I can’t think of a bigger miscasting in wrestling.

WWE couldn’t wait six days for a Miz-AJ Styles match at Money in the Bank?

Maybe it was a good thing that Miz and Styles had a TV match, because they seemed to be on two entirely different pages and maybe needed to work out some kinks.

After The Miz walked out of this match, Corey Graves hilariously rooted for The Miz to return to the ring—saying there was still plenty of time even though he was at the top of the ramp by the count of nine.

Theory cut a fantastic backstage promo on John Cena after this match.

Bianca Belair was great in her promo segment calling out Carmella by saying she “doesn’t respect herself.” The line got a big reaction from the live crowd

Bianca Belair called out Carmella, who predictably declined in a limited promo segment.

Just when it seemed like WWE was going with an Alexa Bliss-Liv Morgan tag team, WWE aired a backstage promo between the two, where both admitted to not liking one another.

Asuka’s surprise.shocked reaction, at Liv Morgan pulling off this upset, was priceless.

No post-investigation WWE Raw would be complete without a live appearance by Vince McMahon, who appeared alongside the WWE locker room to personally introduce John Cena.

Cena appeared at the top of the hour, and I’m surprised they didn’t have a John Cena countdown.

John Cena gave a garden-variety heartfelt promo/acceptance speech where he talked about all the people and families who inspire him. Surprisingly, there was no big angle coming out of this promo. Perhaps he’ll be back for Theory’s segment?

Bobby Lashley continues to be dominant as he chases the United States Championship, which is in stark contrast to how egregiously Mustafa Ali was booked. One week after dusting three WWE Superstars in a gauntlet, he beat two WWE Superstars in a handicap match.

After the match, Alpha Academy and Austin Theory attacked Bobby Lashley. Conspicuous, by his absence was John Cena. It didn’t matter, Lashley fought them all off by himself.

Cody Rhodes promoted each WWE Superstar better than WWE has over the past year. After this segment, Seth Rollins—who appeared to be wearing his wife’s sunglasses—cackled to the tune of John Cena’s theme music.

Becky Lynch was dominant throughout this match, eliminating one WWE Superstar after another. Given how she’s been booked, as close but no cigar, this was setting up for her getting every pinfall except the final one.

Becky Lynch did not score every pinfall, but she ultimately won this match, which included her impressively delivering the Manhandle Slam to Doudrop from the second rope.