WWE Raw results, recap, grades: Becky Lynch wins women's world title, Gunther enters King of the Ring 2024

The women's title was vacant and up for grabs after Rhea Ripley's injury forced her to vacate the belt

One week ago, Rhea Ripley was forced to end her year-long reign as women's world champion due to an injury that will keep her out of action for the next few months. That left WWE scrambling to crown a new champion, a situation the company addressed with a battle royal in the main event of Raw on Monday night.

When the show came to a close, it was Becky Lynch who was holding the championship, last eliminating Liv Morgan to kick off her seventh run as world champion.

CBS Sports was with you all night with recaps and highlights of all the action from Schottenstein Center in Columbus, Ohio.

Becky Lynch wins battle royal to become women's world champion

Women's World Championship -- Becky Lynch wins battle royal to win the title: This was the first time in 17 years that a top WWE title was to be determined by a battle royal. When the match got down to eight women, Becky Lynch eliminated Piper Niven, which led Niven to drag Lynch from the ring, send her into the ring steps and then pull Nia Jax from the ring. Jax choke slammed Niven onto Lynch on the commentary desk and then deliver a Samoan drop. Finally, Jax put Lynch through a table with a powerbomb.

The final four came down to Shayna Baszler, Jax, Morgan and Lynch, with Jax quickly eliminating Baszler. Lynch and Morgan then worked together to eliminate Jax, bringing things down to a one-on-one finish. The two women brawled on the ring apron until Lynch hit a Manhandle Slam that sent Morgan sliding to the floor, awarding Lynch the title.

Lynch was the only real choice to win the match. Morgan hasn't quite completed the quest she's on to win the belt and it would have felt cheap for her to take the belt here. Similarly, Jax wouldn't have felt like a stabilizing champion after Ripley was put on the shelf. In that sense, the result was what it should have been. That said, everyone has their personal preferences and opinions. But personally, I don't enjoy straight battle royals and the match really lacked any real spark. Right winner, wrong match. Grade: C

What else happened on WWE Raw?

• Jey Uso and Damian Priest came face-to-face to open the show. The pair exchanged mostly respectful words about their upcoming match at Backlash for Priest's world heavyweight championship before JD McDonagh attempted a sneak attack on Uso. This was clearly against Priest's wishes but also led to Priest taking an Uso superkick intended for McDonagh in the chaos.
• World Tag Team Championship – The Awesome Truth (c) def. #DIY via pinfall with the Truth-Crushing Finale to retain the titles. Johnny Gargano shook Miz and R-Truth's hands but Tommaso Ciampa refused before walking away.
• Gunther returned to Raw for the first time since losing the intercontinental championship to Sami Zayn at WrestleMania 40. Gunther thanked Zayn for defeating him and taking the target off his back and now he would go on to new and bigger things, starting with declaring himself for the King of the Ring tournament. 
• The New Day def. Imperium via pinfall after Xavier Woods pinned Giovanni Vinci. The match came about after New Day interrupted Gunther's promo, with Woods talking about being the reigning King of the Ring. Gunther was furious after Imperium's loss. Ludwig Kaiser consoled Vinci after the defeat but attacked his partner after the two left the ring. The attack ended after WWE officials pulled Kaiser away. Kaiser then broke free and dropkicked Vinci's head into the ring steps. Backstage, Gunther gave Kaiser a smile of approval.
• Sheamus def. Shinsuke Nakamura via pinfall with a Brogue Kick. Drew McIntyre was watching from ringside after the two came face-to-face before the match, with Sheamus telling McIntyre to get over himself and stop blaming everyone else for his problems.
• Bronson Reed attacked Sami Zayn backstage after Zayn told Reed if he wanted a shot at the title, he could have one anywhere, any time.
• Chad Gable addressed his attack on Sami Zayn after last Monday's match, ultimately saying it should have been his moment but he wasted so much time recently training losers. After running down Akira Tozawa, Maxxine Dupri and Otis, he made them say they'd have his back in getting the intercontinental title "no matter what."
• Andrade & Ricochet def. JD McDonagh & Santos Escobar via pinfall when Andrade hit McDonagh with The Shadow. Priest attacked the winners after the match, frustrated McDonagh and Escobar hadn't handled business. Dominik Mysterio was unable to participate in the match due to an elbow injury. Priest then told Mysterio and McDonagh, "I don't need anybody, you need me."