WWE Raw: Back in Knoxville, hometown hero Bianca Belair retains her title

A lot of people are in Bianca Belair's corner tonight for WWE "Raw" in Knoxville, from her hometown fans at Thompson-Boling Arena to Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs, better known in WWE as Kane.

Although the former University of Tennessee track star was named the top female wrestler of 2021 by Pro Wrestling Illustrated, Belair might still need the support.

For one, her previous homecoming celebration was violently crashed by Becky Lynch, who is returning to "Raw" tonight. Belair also will be defending her Raw Women's Championship against Sonya Deville during the televised event.

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Local talent squashed by Veer

Veer Mahaan continued his streak of destruction by taking out hometown wrestler Sam Smothers in a squash match, despite Smothers claiming he would “give my all for Tennessee today.” The worst beating came after the match, though, with Smothers taking a violent slam on the announcers’ table

Edge talks smack to Knoxville

During a backstage segment, Edge made fun of the Knoxville fans in attendance for cheering on the Volunteers and supporting Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs.

“You don’t like it when truth slaps you upside your ugly melons,” he said.

Belair retains despite all odds

Even with outside interference, Belair was able to retain her title with some well-placed chair shots and her finishing move, KOD. During the commercial break, Belair briefly celebrated at ringside.

Belair wins in two false finishes

Belair defeated Deville twice — once by count-out and once by disqualification. Deville forced the official to restart the match both times. The match will now have no disqualifications and no count-outs.the

Belair makes a Big Orange entrance

Bianca Belair, known to make her own in-ring gear, made her way to the ring for her title defense match in Tennessee orange attire.

Glenn Jacobs hypes up crowd

Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs, known in WWE as Kane, came out to his signature music just five minutes before “Raw” went on air to hype up Bianca Belair’s title defense match and congratulate Randy Orton on celebrating 20 years in the business. Jacobs said some of his best matches were against Orton, adding that “no one deserves a ‘Rocky Top’ welcome” like the Legend Killer. The Orton celebration segment kicked off the live show.

Montez Ford hits hard on pre-show

No signs from Bianca Belair yet. But her husband, fellow WWE superstar Montez Ford, and Street Profits partner Angelo Dawkins defeated the Hurt Business in a hard-hitting pre-show match. Plenty of “EST” signs have been spotted during this “WWE Main Event” pre-show, with “Raw” kicking off in less than 10 minutes.

More planned for WWE in Knoxville

WWE "Raw" will celebrate 20 years since Randy Orton made his WWE debut. While Orton is billed from St. Louis, the "Legend Killer" was born in Knoxville, according to CBS Chicago.

In addition to Belair's match and Lynch's return, the event will include an arm wrestling match between two behemoths: Bobby Lashley and Omos.

Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston are set to take on Sheamus and Ridge Holland, according to an event description on Thompson-Boling's website, and the following superstars also are scheduled to appear:

• The Miz

• The Street Profits

• Rhea Ripley

• Seth Rollins

• Cody Rhodes

• Riddle

WWE will be selling a special Bianca Belair shirt at the Knoxville event, appropriately colored Volunteer orange with the catchphrase, "EST of Tennessee."

Refresh this story for the latest updates on Belair's return.

Ryan Wilusz: Knoxville's downtown explorer and urban reporter
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: WWE Monday Night Raw live updates: Bianca Belair retains in Knoxville