Raw is ready for revenge!
What will Raw Women’s Champion, Becky Lynch, have to say about Shayna Baszler’s new bloodthirst? Will Rusev and Humberto Carrillo CRUSH Bobby Lashley and Angel Garza? Will Randy Orton be BROKEN by Matt Hardy?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Erick Rowan VS Aleister Black; Aleister wins.
- WWE 24/7 Championship Triple Threat: Riddick Moss VS Mojo Rawley VS R-Truth; Moss wins and retains the WWE 24/7 Championship.
- Drew McIntyre VS MVP; McIntyre wins.
- Rusev & Humberto Carrillo VS Bobby Lashley VS Angel Garza w/ Zelina Vega; Lashley & Garza win.
- Kairi Sane w/ Asuka VS Natalya; Kairi wins.
- Ricochet VS Karl Anderson w/ The OC; Ricochet wins.
- Six Man Tag: Buddy Murphy & The Authors of Pain VS Kevin Owens & The Viking Raiders; Kevin & The Viking Raiders win, by disqualification.
PLAY BY PLAY
Raw opens with Randy Orton!
The Viper heads down to the ring slowly as fans all boo and jeer. He gets in the rings as fans chant, “You Suck! You Suck!” Without saying a word, Orton cues footage from last week, when he tried to come out here and explain himself, only to get more boos and jeers. And to then be interrupted by Matt Hardy. Hardy recounted his rivalry and friendship with Edge, and how it sickened us all to see Orton do what he did. In the end, Orton would do the same to Hardy as he did to Edge!
Back in the present, fans only boo and jeer harder after that reminder. Orton takes up a mic to say, “Tonight, I’m supposed to face Matt Hardy in a No Holds Barred match. But after what happened last week, I’m sorry, that’s not going to happen.” Even still, Hardy is trying to get cleared, but given what Orton did to him, “that is not going to happen.” The Hardy Boys are known for jumping off the highest of highs and crashing to the lowest of lows. If Matt were to face Orton tonight- But Matt Hardy walks out! “Stop, stop, stop.” Matt tells Orton that he shouldn’t talk about him. Orton should just confess to why he took away Edge’s second chance. Why did Orton SMASH the surgically repaired neck between two chairs? “What in the Hell is wrong with you, Randy Orton!?”
Hardy can tell Orton doesn’t like it when he’s asked that. That is why Orton made Hardy feel what Edge felt. Orton wants to take all of “this” away from Hardy, but he can’t! No one can! Hardy isn’t ready to call it quits. That is why Hardy is here to fight Orton! To no one’s surprise, the WWE doctors refuse to clear Matt Hardy to compete. But Hardy is a man of his word and he is here. Much like Edge, Hardy has grit. Hardy has no quit, “Matt Hardy will not die.” Knock them down all you want, men like Edge and Hardy always get back up. So while Hardy doesn’t know what his future holds, he knows it won’t be determined on Orton’s terms! Orton says Hardy should’ve just said good-bye while he could still walk!
Hardy gets in the ring and fans chant “DELETE! DELETE!” Orton asks what Hardy’s going to do. Look at him, he’s a sitting duck! What would Hardy do if Orton gave him an RKO right here and now?! Hardy refuses to leave and Orton gives him credit, but no one will ever understand why Orton did what he did! “From the bottom of my heart, I respect you and everything you have done!” But when it comes to Edge, Orton respects Edge, and even loves him as a brother. Fans don’t believe that, and they don’t believe Orton when he apologizes. Orton says he’s sorry, he drops the mic, and he exits the ring. Hardy leaves it at that, but will we ever get a clear explanation for #WhyRKOWhy?
Wait. Orton stops at the ramp and takes off his vest. Hardy grabs a chair in preparation for a fight that’s coming! Fans are freaking out as Orton walks menacingly back to the ring. Hardy dares Orton to finish him, and has the chair at the ready. Fans are divided as Orton slithers up to the apron. Hardy swings, Orton ducks and then Orton hotshots Hardy! The bad neck is hurt! Orton slithers in and watches Hardy as he writhes. Orton is still conflicted about what to do, but he stands as Hardy stands. RKO!! Orton fans want “One More Time!” while Orton looks at the chair. Orton gives Hardy a chair shot! And again! And again! Hardy writhes but now Orton JAMS the chair into his ribs! And again! And again!
Orton shows no mercy even as he backs off. Orton SMACKS Hardy on his back! Hardy gasps and sputters, and Orton drops the chair. Because Orton wants another chair! Now fans boo and jeer as Orton looks to recreate last week. Referees hurry out to stop Orton but he refuses! Orton puts Hardy’s head on one chair, and takes the neck brace off! Referees beg him not to, but Orton raises the chair! But Orton stops himself? Orton is conflicted again, as are the fans. Orton drops the chair and throws the neck brace away. But then Orton gets in to drag Hardy to the apron! Orton throws Hardy to the floor then tosses the top of the steel steps! He brings Hardy to the base, whispers something in Hardy’s ear, and then picks up the top half! Orton stands on top of those, for a CON-STAIR-TO!!
Orton takes a seat in the chair he just used on Hardy. Many fans boo, many others jeer, but many more are just stunned. Referees hurry to check on Hardy while Orton walks away. But then Orton returns!? Orton drags Hardy up, sets him back on the base steps, and pats Hardy on the back. ANOTHER CON-STAIR-TO!! Orton shouts “I’m sorry!” but does he even mean it?!
Erick Rowan VS Aleister Black!
Raw moves from one monster to another as the Redwood Behemoth and his mystery pet head to the ring. But will Big Red soon #FadeToBlack?
The bell rings and Aleister KNEES Rowan! Rowan stays up and throws Aleister to the apron, but Aleister dumps Rowan out. Aleister jumps the sweep and Penalty Kicks! Aleister MOONSAULTS but Rowan gets clear! Rowan comes back to BODY CHECK Aleister! Big Red roars as Raw goes picture in picture.
Rowan puts Aleister in then runs to splash! Cover, TWO! Rowan grins as he stomps Aleister down. Rowan throws big forearms and puts Aleister in a corner. He whips Aleister corner to corner, then corner splashes! Aleister staggers up into a dropkick! Cover, TWO! Rowan drags Aleister back up to ram his knee into Aleister’s back, and use his big hands to wrench Aleister’s neck. Then Rowan shifts to the fist vice! Aleister fights his way up, throws body shots and gets free, only to run into a big elbow! Rowan roars again before circling Aleister. Aleister moves to a corner but Rowan rains down rights! Rowan drags Aleister up again, ump handles and gives Aleister a backbreaker!
Rowan bends Aleister, brings him up into a bearhug, then thrashes Aleister around! Aleister endures, even as Rowan clubs his back. Rowan squeezes tight but fans rally up. Aleister elbows against Rowan but Rowan lifts him up higher. Aleister sunset flips, Rowan stays standing and drops an elbow, but flops when Aleister evades! Rowan gets up to get a ROUNDHOUSE! Aleister grits his teeth as he catches his breath and stands again. Rowan stands to get more kicks as Raw returns to single picture.
Rowan blocks a kick but Aleister uses body shots now. Aleister fires off a strike fest, misses his roundhouse and Rowan shoves, for a pop-up into a POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Aleister lives and Rowan is shocked! Rowan drags Aleister around to drop elbow after elbow, then stands Aleister up to put in the corner. Rowan hammers away with haymakers and stomps but the ref backs him off. He drags Aleister to the apron to then swing into barriers! Aleister is down in a heap but Rowan drags him up, to atomic SLAM Aleister into the barrier! Rowan refreshes the count to come back for more.
Fans rally for Aleister as Rowan stands him up. Rowan brings Aleister around, powerbomb lift, but Aleister fights and huricanranas Rowan into the post! Both men are down but fans rally up. The ref’s count reaches 7 but Aleister is in at 8. Aleister goes back out to aim from the apron, MOONSAULT! Direct hit takes out Rowan and almost takes out the cameraman! Aleister puts Rowan back in, boots Rowan away, then fires off more kicks! Rowan catches the clothesline but Aleister elbows out, to KNEE TRIGGER! Cover, TWO!! Rowan survives but Aleister looks to make him pay! Aleister aims, Rowan stands, and Rowan blocks the Black Mass?! Rowan clamps on the claw, Aleister elbows out!
Aleister and Rowan throw clubbing shots, Aleister whips but Rowan reverses. Rowan BOOTS Aleister down, then hauls him up for a POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Rowan dares Aleister to stand again. Aleister does, and the claw clamps on again! But Aleister slips out, BLACK MASS! Rowan flops against ropes in a daze and flounders over to Aleister. BLACK MASS AGAIN!! Cover, Aleister wins!
Winner: Aleister Black, by pinfall
The “caged animal” within Aleister overcomes the twisted zookeeper! Will Aleister be able to free himself from the prison within his soul?
Raw welcomes back The Queen!
Charlotte Flair is here tonight after making quite the impact in Portland! Charlotte goes to the ring, gets some help getting in, and gets a mic. She lets everyone know she was at TakeOver: Portland, and cues up the footage to show everyone who missed it, the very moment she attacked Rhea Ripley from behind. Rhea Ripley is still NXT Women’s Champion, so Charlotte officially decided: “I’ll see you at WrestleMania.” She emphasized the decision with Natural Selection.
Back in the present, Charlotte asks why everyone loves to chant for NXT. No one has an answer. But Charlotte wanted to see why Rhea would even dare show up to Raw and challenge The Queen. Charlotte watched TakeOver and was impressed. And reminisced. The challenges, the growing pains, and the NXT graduating class that built what is officially WWE’s third brand. “So this is what’s bothering me.” The entitlement! The women who didn’t scratch, claw, fall down as many times as Charlotte did to gain the respect NXT has now, they have the audacity to step in Charlotte’s ring and hold up the title Charlotte put on the map?
Charlotte says Rhea is very good, but the saying goes, “Pride comes before the fall.” Charlotte will make sure to humble Rhea at WrestleMania. “Everyone’s the next big thing, until they’re not. WOO~!” The NXT Women’s Champion is on the Mania card for the first time ever! Who makes history by being the first woman to win that title at Mania?
WWE 24/7 Championship Triple Threat: Riddick Moss VS Mojo Rawley VS R-Truth!
Riddick was Mojo’s “lineman” and kept him safe from contenders like R-Truth from getting the title. But the “One True Champion” didn’t expect to be betrayed! Now all three men will settle the score, but who scores a 24/7 touchdown?
Raw returns with the bell and Mojo rushes Riddick for a big corner splash! Truth rolls Mojo, TWO! Mojo kicks Truth then runs but Truth splits and calf kicks! Riddick clobbers Truth and bumps him off buckles. Riddick fires off fast hands and fires up! Fans boo Riddick as he drags Truth up for a dead lift clubbing SLAM! Cover, but Mojo drags Riddick off! Mojo throws Riddick HARD into barriers! He goes back to Truth, but Truth ROCKS him with right hands! Mojo shoves, Truth ducks and hits a shoulder tackle! And another! Truth is going John Cena with the spin-out BOMB! And the Five Knuckle Shuffle! Fans cheer as Truth fireman’s carries, but Mojo slips out. Mojo fireman’s carries, for the military press SLAM! But Riddick rolls up Mojo, and wins!!
Winner: Riddick Moss, by pinfall (still WWE 24/7 Champion)
Mojo took his eye off the ball and Riddick scores the win! Riddick runs off, and Mojo takes his frustration out on Truth. Truth kicks back to hit the SCISSOR KICK! Fans echo “What’s Up?!” as Truth heads out. Will Truth get reign 35 before WrestleMania 36?
Raw shares The Wrap’s breaking news!
At the Elimination Chamber PPV in March, there will be a Raw Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Chamber match! Asuka, Natalya, Liv Morgan, Ruby Riott, Sarah Logan and Shayna Baszler will all compete for a chance at Becky Lynch! Who survives the other five to head to WrestleMania?
Drew McIntyre VS MVP!
The Sexy Scot doesn’t want someone trying to ride his coattails or lead him on a leash. Montel Vontavius Porter tried to do both, and got a Claymore for it! Will McIntyre give MVP another one to drive the point home?
Before the match, McIntyre has the mic to say, “I see everyone’s fired up tonight. That can only mean one thing. There’s only 48 days ’til WrestleMania.” Charlotte already pointed at the sign tonight, so McIntyre wants to go bigger. Let’s all point at the sign together! Use the Claymore Countdown. Three, two, one, POINT! There it is! And now a quick geography lesson. Suplex City is currently in #ClaymoreCountry. And come WrestleMania, “we’re invading Suplex City, demolishing that bitch to the ground, and I am leaving WWE Champion!” Fans like the sound of that!
But ladies and gentlemen, Paul Heyman is here! McIntyre looks around in case Brock Lesnar is lurking. Fans boo Heyman and Heyman waits it out. Heyman gives his introduction, and says if you want the evening to get bigger, then here it is! The reigning, defending, undisputed WWE Heavyweight Champion of the World, BRRROCK! LESNARRR! McIntyre is ready but fans are still booing. Oh, sorry, did McIntyre really think Lesnar would be here tonight? No, no, Heyman just wants everyone in the WWE Universe to know what it’ll sound like after the words, “And still…!” Those words will be said after Lesnar beats Ricochet at Super Showdown, and after Lesnar beats McIntyre at WrestleMania. Heyman points to the sign, too.
McIntyre says that Heyman can say Lesnar’s name over and over. Heyman can say it before the match, during lunch, while he’s getting manicures, and when Lesnar is CRYING after McIntyre kicks his head off at Mania to take the WWE Championship! Heyman says he has respect for McIntyre. The Advocate is not here to debate McIntyre. Heyman admires McIntyre’s talents. But there is a man who is not such a fan. That is McIntyre’s opponent tonight, who has a “legitimate grievance” with McIntyre to settle. So ladies and gentlemen, Heyman presents M! V! P!! MVP finally appears and he has a mic of his own.
“Drew.” Yes? Mr. Heyman has no issue with McIntyre, but MVP has a big issue. As old friends, MVP invited McIntyre to the VIP Lounge and treated him with the respect of an elite level star. They were friends, or so MVP thought. How did McIntyre repay him? Oh McIntyre knows this one: he kicked MVP’s head off! Ha, very funny. But it was a cheap shot. MVP promises to whoop McIntyre and McIntyre will see it coming. Ring the bell. And then MVP sucker punches McIntyre! The bell hasn’t rung, and MVP BOOTS McIntyre in the corner! The ref backs MVP off but McIntyre is furious. Fans cheer for McIntyre as the bell rings and McIntyre BOOTS MVP back!
McIntyre drags MVP up, pulls off the nose tape and puts MVP in a corner for fast hands! The ref counts, but he has to pull McIntyre off MVP! McIntyre whips MVP corner to corner but MVP elbows back. MVP runs but into the FUTURE SHOCK DDT! McIntyre kips right up! McIntyre gets to a corner and fans fire up. The countdown begins again! Three, two, one! CLAYMORE! Cover, McIntyre wins!
Winner: Drew McIntyre, by pinfall
BOOM! The Beast better fortify Suplex City, because the king of Claymore Country is coming to conquer it!
Raw Women’s Champion, Becky Lynch, is here!
The Man isn’t going to stay away, even if she has Shayna Baszler’s teeth marks in her neck. What’s in the bag? We’ll find out when Raw returns from break.
Raw returns and Becky has a mic. “Washington, I’ve been feeling a lot of things over the last week.” Becky came to America to seek her fame and fortune, and she’s come to realize she has no need for fame. But she does have a use for fortune. That brown bag is full of $100 bills! Becky explains to WWE Management that this is her paying now for a fine she’s about to bring on herself when she crosses paths with Baszler! “Consider this a down payment on violence!” Take more if they want, or every penny that she has. Because Becky is warning us all that bad things are going to happen.
Only animals go for the neck. And when they do, it is to weaken their prey before ending them. Becky tells Baszler to look at the face of the longest-reigning Raw Women’s Champion in HISTORY! “Do I look like prey to you?” Becky’s faced a murderer’s row of contenders, from Natalya to Asuka to Charlotte to Sasha Banks to Ronda Rousey, and a few more. She took them down because she had to. But she’s going after Baszler because she wants to. But then Shayna is on the titantron! Just look at Becky, throwing her money around for something she’ll never do.
Shayna explains how this is going to happen: The Queen of Spades is in the Women’s Chamber match. The winner of that match faces Becky at WrestleMania. And the Chamber match is in a cage. Baszler is a cage fighter first. Everything about this is set up perfectly for Shayna to take the title at Mania. Therefore, Baszler will chew through everyone else in that match. But if it makes Becky feel any better, Baszler didn’t plan on biting a piece out of Becky. But she did it anyway. So now, imagine what Baszler does have planned. “I’m going to tear the living sh*t out of you.” Becky will be rooting for her at Elimination Chamber. The Man welcomes the beastly Baszler, but will she regret taking on a ferocious animal head on?
Lana and Lashley meet with Garza and Vega.
And then Charly Caruso comes by to interview both duos. How was it this tag team match came about? Lana had a brilliant idea on Valentine’s Day: What could be better than the two hottest couples on Raw today teaming up against their respective enemies? It is a Raw Double Date! Brilliant, huh? Vega congratulates the newlyweds on their nuptials, but while they’re teaming up, Garza and Vega are a couple of hot people, they are NOT a couple. Same for when Vega had Almas by her side. This is business, money.
Garza wants Vega to stay calm, we all know how beautiful La Muneca is. Garza also assures everyone he is just here for Vega’s business acumen. And there is no woman that can tie down the ladies man. And as cousin Carrillo knows, no man can measure up to Garza. Lashley and Lana still smile, and this “double date” is up next!
Rusev & Humberto Carrillo VS Bobby Lashley VS Angel Garza w/ Zelina Vega!
#HandsomeRusev and the equally debonair Ultimo Ninja are a dynamic duo of their own. Will they be able to ruin this scintillating super team’s first time together?
Raw returns from picture in picture as the teams sort out. Carrillo starts against Lashley and the fans are fired up for “Rusev Day!” Lashley puts Carrillo in a corner and keeps him there. Carrillo slips under and dropkicks back! Carrillo fires off fast hands but Lashley pushes him away. Lashley blocks the whip to reverse, but Carrillo handsprings, into Lashley’s waistlock. Carrillo elbows free and runs, but Lashley hurdles and runs him over with a shoulder! Lashley hushes the fans but Rusev wants after him. The ref keeps Rusev back and Lashley tags Garza. Cousin wrenches cousin’s wrist, but Carrillo handsprings and cartwheels to arm-drag free!
Carrillo runs but Garza swings on him. Carrillo ducks but Garza CHOPS! Vega and Lana are both happy as Garza whips Carrillo corner to corner. Carrillo goes up and leaps, to flying headbutt Garza down! Fans fire up with Carrillo as he runs in, but Garza puts him on the apron. Carrillo CHOPS back, then slingshot arm-drags Garza away! Rusev sees Lashley on the move and intercepts while Carrillo springboard arm-drags Garza! Carrillo kicks and whips Garza but Garza reverses. Carrillo goes up and over but Garza SHOTGUN dropkicks! OFF COME THE PANTS! And he throws them at Rusev! The ref keeps Rusev back but Garza bails out. Garza gets a kiss from a female fan! But Carrillo DIVES! The handsome Humberto grounds the gorgeous Garza as Raw goes to break!
Raw returns as Garza snapmares and KICKS Carrillo! Tag to Lashley and they mug Carrillo. Lana and Vega are still happy as Lashley looms over Carrillo. Lashley drags Carrillo up just to knock him down. Fans rally up but Lashley drags Carrillo around for a gut wrench! Lashley has Carrillo in the Canadian rack, but Carrillo slips out to duck and springboard, only to get caught! But then Carrillo slips out of the lift, ducks and dodges again, only to get caught again! Carrillo sunset flips, Lashley drags him up and whips, but Carrillo somersaults to hot tag Rusev! Garza tags in only to get run over by the Bulgarian Brute! Rusev rallies with clotheslines and a Samoan Drop!
Rusev hits Lashley then corner splashes Garza, to OVERHEAD SUPLEX! Corner splash and another overhead suplex! Cover, but Lashley runs in! Rusev evades, the elbow drop hits Garza! Rusev throws Lashley into a corner to fire off! Garza staggers over to roll Rusev up! TWO!! Rusev kicks, Garza ducks, SUPERKICK! Cover, but Carrillo breaks it! Now Lana and Vega are mad as Carrillo whips Garza. Garza holds ropes, puts Carrillo on the apron, but Carrillo goes up and over as Garza baseball slides. Carrillo runs to FLY! Direct hit takes out Garza! But Lashley SPEARS Carrillo! Rusev RAMS Lashley! Fans are fired up as Rusev glares at Garza.
Rusev puts Garza in and climbs up top. But Lashley anchors a foot and Garza enziguris! Garza hops up top, but Rusev throws body shots to throw Garza down. MACHKA FLYING HEADBUTT! Cover, TWO!! Garza survives but Rusev is firing up more! Rusev shouts, “RUSEV!! CRUSH!!” Stomp and ACCOLADE, but Garza slips out! Rusev mule kicks, scoops but Lashley distracts. MACHKA KICK! Garza rolls Rusev up again, with tights!! Garza and Lashley win!!
Winners: Bobby Lashley & Angel Garza, by pinfall
El Latino steals one from the Bulgarian Brute! So Rusev goes after Garza! Rusev clubs and throws Garza out while Lashley and Lana run away. Will Rusev get revenge on Lashley as part of the Super Showdown Tuwaiq Gauntlet match?
Kairi Sane w/ Asuka VS Natalya!
As we learned, the Empress of Tomorrow and the Queen of Harts will be part of the Raw Women’s Championship Contender’s Elimination Chamber match! But to revisit a Raw from a couple weeks ago, Natty will take on Asuka’s cohort in the Pirate Princess first! Will Natty get payback by proxy?
Before the match, Asuka and Kairi use mics to cutely introduce themselves. “Asuka deeesu~!” “Kairi deeesu~!” Together they are, the Kabuki Warriors! That part was a bit more menacing… But Natty, are you okay after that black eye Asuka gave you? Kairi says they don’t care. “We don’t care!” It become a song. Asuka promises to beat Natty inside the Elimination Chamber and go on to WrestleMania, “E-Z P-Z!” But will it be so easy for Kairi tonight?
The bell rings and Kairi circles with Natty. They tie up, Natty waistlocks and slams Kairi down. Kairi gets up and elbows out. Kairi whips Natty to a corner and CHOPS! Fans cheer and Kairi laughs, but Natty puts her on the apron. Kairi shoulders in, climbs up and leaps over Natty to roll. Kairi does a cat paw dance and tells Natty to “kiss this.” Natty spins but Kairi dodges the discus to pie-face Natty. So Natty SLAPS Kairi! Natty suplexes Kairi up and holds her for 5 before dropping her! Cover, TWO! Natty is after the legs but Kairi resists and crawls to the ropebreak! The ref backs Natty off, and Kairi BACK HANDS Natty down! Kairi covers Natty with one foot while making cat ears, TWO!
Kairi ax kicks Natty while she’s down, and then claws at her face. Fans rally for Natty as Kairi clubs away. Kairi wraps on a chinlock but Natty endures. Natty fights her way up and elbows back, but Kairi throws her down by her hair! Cover, ONE! Coach Asuka keeps giving Kairi tips and Kairi wraps Natty up in a straitjacket stretch. Natty endures again as Kairi pulls back. Natty gets up, Kairi becomes a backpack, but Natty sits down for a backpack stunner! Kairi gets up, clutching the tailbone. She runs into Natty’s elbow, and then her boot. Natty whips, Kairi reverses and sends Natty hard into the buckles! Kairi shows her cat claws and marches the plank, to run back in, to the DISCUS! Cover, TWO!!
Natty drags Kairi up, Alabama lift, but Kairi sunset flips. Cover, TWO, and Kairi leaps, into the arms! Natty has the legs, but Asuka distracts! Natty lets up on the sharpshooter, and Kairi knocks her off the apron! Asuka ROUNDHOUSES Natty while the ref is looking at Kairi! The ring count begins but Natty is still down at 5! Kairi does her cat paw dance as the count rises, it hits 10! Kairi wins!
Winner: Kairi Sane, by count-out
The Kabuki Warriors celebrate their teamwork! But will Natty use the Elimination Chamber match as a way to seek revenge?
Raw returns with Buddy Murphy and The AOP already in the ring.
The disciples have a podium and posters up to praise their Monday Night Messiah. Murphy introduces “the man that single-handedly saved Monday Night Raw,” Seth Rollins! Rollins makes his entrance, and only the disciples applaud as he heads to the ring. Rollins shakes hands with a few fans along the way. He gives his followers greeting hugs and pats on the back before standing at the podium.
“Thank you, Murphy, for the kind introduction, and thank all of you for making me the man I am today!” Rollins says that before we begin, he wants to talk about the word “sermon.” That is not something Rollins came up with, but this is how the powers that be chose to advertise this moment. Rollins just wants to talk to us honestly, but “sermon” does seem appropriate, for what he wants to share is “divine.” He turns to his note cards while fans boo and jeer. “Brothers and sisters, we are gathered here tonight to celebrate progress!” We celebrate the future! We celebrate moving forward in Rollins’ vision! It is all of our vision! Phase 1 encountered resistance, but last week saw the conclusion of it. Fans chant “You Suck!” but Rollins wishes Washington to have some respect.
Rollins says that Phase 1 was complete with the vanquishing of Kevin Owens, Samoa Joe and the Viking Raiders. The four men in the ring proved that through sacrifice, devotion and belief, you can achieve whatever you set your mind to! “But now, the work begins.” Rollins does not take the responsibility as our Monday Night Messiah lightly. Phase 2 will not be easy. Fans still chant “You Suck!” Rollins understands their confusion and pain. Phase 2 will not be easy but it is necessary for “the greater good!” Now it is time for us to seek out the weak, the lesser, and the non-compliant. “We must find the flaws in the system and rehabilitate them, if we can. And eradicate them, if we must.”
Rollins tells his “people” that this is not a promise, or a threat. This comes from his heart. “This is the Gospel.” If there are any WWE Superstars who remain non-compliant, then they will suffer the same fate as the weak Kevin, Joe and Viking Raiders! If you stand int he way of progress, in the way of- Here come the Viking Raiders! Erik & Ivar rush the ring, but the AOP are in their way! Those four behemoths brawl as Rollins and Murphy get away! Murphy runs back in but gets knees from Ivar and Erik! Then the Raiders throw Rezar into a post! And double knee Akam down! Rollins is furious, but he’s not without a piece of the action as Kevin gives Rollins a STUNNER! Phase 2 has begun, but how will it end?
Raw finds Rollins regrouping with his followers backstage.
And Charly Caruso asks him about the sermon going all wrong. Oh~, breaking news~! The only ones that respect Rollins are the men around him. Kevin and the Raiders want to fight? They’ll get a fight against the disciples, TONIGHT!
The OC are here at 100%!
AJ Styles is back in action after that shoulder injury during the Royal Rumble, and he leads his Good Brothers to the ring. The Phenomenal One grabs a mic and says, “That’s right! Feast your eyes! The Phenomenal A! J! Styles is back on Monday Night Raw!” What would WrestleMania season be without him? Luke Gallows says “Uncle Allen” is at his absolute best when the WrestleMania sign is up. They point at the sign! And Karl Anderson says that as far as the OC goes, Styles is the NEW Mr. WrestleMania. Styles says that is the sweetest thing Anderson’s ever said. And being the humble man Styles is, he is the greatest superstar on all the WWE rosters. And of any era.
But there are those who criticize Styles. But Styles says that when he wins the gauntlet match, no one can say anything, except for Styles. And Styles will say, “Who’s next?” It won’t matter who it is, but maybe it’ll be the WWE Champion. It could be Brock Lesnar, Drew McIntyre, Roman Reigns, Ricochet, The Undertaker, Shawn Michaels, Razor Ramon, Diesel, Sting, Hulk Hogan, or even the entire nWo, Too Sweet. When Styles shows his dominance at Super Showdown- Speaking of Super Showdown, here’s Ricochet! The One and Only gets in the ring but Styles won’t let “Little Ricky” respond yet. Styles was just joking about Ricochet being champion. Styles was just being nice. No one believes he’ll ever be world champion. What has Ricochet done to deserve the title match, anyway?
Ricochet says it’s okay, that’s just Styles opinion. But Ricochet says that whether they like it or not, Ricochet earned his title match. At Super Showdown, Ricochet will do the impossible and beat Brock Lesnar! The OC laugh. Oh it’s good to see them in a good mood. Then how about Ricochet proves it in a match with Styles, right now? Fans want to see that but the OC says “Whoa whoa whoa!” Anderson won’t let Styles’ return to Raw be against the non-Good Brother. So if Ricochet wants a fight, and Anderson is the toughest man in the building, he accepts. Will Ricochet prove he’s Super Showdown ready against the Machine Gun?
Ricochet VS Karl Anderson w/ The OC!
The bell rings and Anderson circles with Ricochet. Anderson kicks low then clubs Ricochet. He whips but Ricochet rolls off Anderson’s back. Ricochet somersaults under to handspring back and headscissor Anderson! Then dropkick him down! Anderson bails out, Ricochet builds speed, and FLIES! Direct hit at the ramp! Fans fire up with Ricochet as Styles says that’s not fair because Anderson wasn’t ready! Raw goes picture in picture as Ricochet puts Anderson back in the ring.
Ricochet aims but Gallows distracts. Anderson knocks Ricochet off the apron and distracts the ref, and Styles CLOBBERS Ricochet! The OC uses numbers to their advantage again but the ref realizes what happened. The ref EJECTS Styles and Gallows! Styles and Gallows protest, as does Anderson, but the referee lays down the law. Anderson is alone now as the ring count starts on Ricochet. Anderson fetches Ricochet into the ring and whips him corner to corner hard! Ricochet hits buckles then the mat, and then Anderson rains down rights. Anderson fires up and stalks Ricochet to a corner.
Anderson back suplexes to drop Ricochet high and hard! Cover, TWO! Anderson wraps a chinlock on and grinds Ricochet down. Ricochet endures as Anderson grinds him down. Ricochet fights his way up, but Anderson knees low! Anderson scoops Ricochet for a backbreaker! Cover, TWO! Anderson keeps on Ricochet in the corner with palms to the face! The ref backs Anderson off but he goes after Ricochet with stomps. Anderson drags Ricochet up to snapmare and dig an elbow into Ricochet’s face! The ref counts and Anderson lets up, to then kick Ricochet while he’s down.
Raw returns to single picture as Anderson drags Ricochet up, but Ricochet cradle counters! TWO, and Ricochet tries a school boy, TWO! Anderson ducks a punch to hit a neckbreaker! Cover, TWO! Anderson grinds Ricochet down with another chinlock, but fans rally up. Ricochet fights to his feet and throws body shots. Anderson European Uppercuts and whips Ricochet to ropes. Ricochet holds ropes to elbow Anderson away. Ricochet boots Anderson away to somersault shotgun dropkick! Both men are down and fans rally up again. Ricochet and Anderson slowly stand. Ricochet counter punches, bobs ‘n’ weaves with Anderson, then whips, Anderson reverses but Ricochet rallies with clotheslines! Fireman’s carry but Anderson sips out to shove.
Ricochet goes up, out, counter punches and buckle bumps Anderson. Ricochet KICKS Anderson off the buckle! then springboards for the crossbody! But he doesn’t cover there, he hits a standing shooting star! Cover, TWO!! Ricochet drags Anderson to a drop zone to go up top! Ricochet 630, but he has to bail out! Anderson runs in but gets a boot! Ricochet runs, into a SPINE BUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Anderson drags Ricochet up, hangs him up on the ropes, but Ricochet slips off. Anderson standard suplexes but Ricochet lands on his feet! Ricochet SUPERKICKS! And fireman’s carries, to a falling PELE! Cover, Ricochet wins!
Winner: Ricochet, by pinfall
The One and Only conquers the Machine Gun, but can he conquer the Conqueror to shock the world?
Backstage interview with Liv Morgan.
Liv, Ruby Riott and Sarah Logan are all in the Elimination Chamber. Ruby takes credit for everything in Liv’s career. What does Liv say in response? “I was excited as anyone to see one of my closest friends return after battling back an injury. I was just as surprised as everyone else when Ruby Riott appeared.” In that moment, the rush of emotion she felt was one of the best moments of her career. But then it quickly turned into one of the worst as Ruby threw the Riott Squad days away.
Being betrayed by someone who meant that much to you could break anyone. It would’ve broken Liv. But she is not the “puppy on a leash.” Liv found a home in her own skin by looking to the future. And in the future, Liv steps into the Chamber to eliminate Ruby and move on to WrestleMania! Will karma come to make Ruby regret her return?
Six Man Tag: Buddy Murphy & The Authors of Pain VS Kevin Owens & The Viking Raiders!
Phase 2 begins with a huge rematch from the Elimination Tag match a couple weeks ago. Rollins helped his followers win that one, but will it go that way again tonight?
Raw returns again as Murphy starts with Kevin. The bell rings and Kevin dropkicks Murphy right away! Kevin throws hands on Murphy in the corner but the ref backs him off. Fans fire up as Kevin tells the AOP to “SUCK IT!” Kevin fires off more hands on Murphy then bumps him off buckles. Tag to Ivar and Ivar throws big hands. Ivar throws body shots and double chops before he scoops. Murphy slips out and waistlocks but Ivar bucks him off to run him over! Ivar drags Murphy up and puts him in the corner to tag Erik The Viking Raiders ram shoulders into Murphy, then Erik throws knees.
Erik whips Murphy and runs him over! He keeps Murphy from the AOP and brings Murphy back to the corner. Tag to Kevin and Kevin CHOPS Murphy! Kevin throws in knees then CHOPS Murphy again. Kevin whips and runs Murphy over with an elbow! He asks the disciples, “Where’s your little b*tch now?!” The AOP are angry but Kevin drags Murphy away. Kevin throws body shots and tags Erik back in. Erik throws big forearms then tags in Ivar. Ivar rams his shoulders into Murphy then snapmares him down for a fist drop! Ivar grinds his forearm into Murphy’s face before throwing crossface forearms.
Fans rally as Ivar scoops Murphy and tags Erik. Ivar slams Murphy down, then Erik scoop slams Ivar onto Murphy! Cover, TWO! Erik glares at the AOP as he drags Murphy up. Murphy jawbreakers and tags out to Akam! Akam and Erik stare down and start shoving. Erik throws a forearm but Akam returns it, and it’s a barwl! Fans fire up as this gets fast and furious! Erik knees and rocks Akam, then tags in Ivar. The Raiders knee Akam back and forth! The fans fire up as Ivar tags Erik back in. Erik rams his shoulders into Akam then wrenches to a whip. Akam reverses and hits a powerslam! Akam hammers away on Erik but the ref backs him off. Fans duel over AOP as Rezar tags in. They give Erik an atomic KNEE SMASH! Cover, TWO!
Rezar grinds his forearm into Erik’s face but Erik fights back with a body scissors. Rezar smashes Erik then drags him over. Tag to Akam and the AOP mug Erik with big knees to the ribs! The ref backs Rezar off and Akam ROCKS Erik! Akam talks trash as fans chant for Kevin. Akam grinds his boot into Erik but lets up at 4. Tag to Murphy and Murphy mugs Erik. Murphy snapmares Erik to KICK him down! Cover, TWO! Murphy clamps on tight with a chinlock and grinds Erik down. Erik fights his way up and out but Murphy elbows him down. Murphy bumps Erik off buckles then tags in Rezar. Rezar throws big hands then tags in Akam.
Rezar sucker punches Ivar! Kevin avoids the shot, and Erik fights the AOP. The AOP whip but Erik sends Rezar out! Erik rocks Akam, Ace Ten Mao! Fans fire up as Erik and Akam crawl for their corners. Hot tags to Kevin and Murphy! Murphy runs into Kevin’s lariat! And double ax handles! Kevin whips but Murphy kicks him back, only for Kevin to LARIAT! Fans fire up as Kevin drops the senton! Kevin aims but runs into a boot! Raw goes picture in picture as Kevin catches Murphy for a tilt-o-whirl backbreaker! Kevin aims and runs corner to corner, CANNONBALL! Direct hit and fans are fired up! Kevin goes up and up and VADER BOMBS! Cover, TWO!!
Kevin keeps his focus as Murphy survives. Kevin hears the fans chanting, and he whips Murphy for the POP-UP- No! Murphy slips out, elbows back and fires off a strike fest! Kevin avoids the knee to enziguri Murphy! And hit a DDT! Cover, TWO!! Murphy still lives! Kevin heads up top but has to fight Rezar off. And Akam, too! Kevin finishes climbing, but Murphy trips him up! Kevin tumbles down off the top and Murphy tags Rezar. Rezar drags Kevin out to throw him into barriers! And again! Rezar puts Kevin back in the ring and rains down right hands! Rezar sits Kevin up for a neck wrench! Kevin endures and reaches for his partners as Rezar cranks harder.
Kevin fights his way up to his feet, throws body shots, but Rezar hits an STO! Raw returns to single picture as Rezar rains down more hammering fists! The fans boo and the ref backs Rezar off, but Akam tags in. The AOP bring Kevin up to mug with stomps! Akam covers, TWO, and Akam hammers on Kevin more. Akam puts Kevin in the corner to tag in Murphy. Murphy stomps a mudhole into Kevin then backs off to soak up the heat. Kevin SLAPS Murphy. And SUPERKICKS! And SUPERKICKS! Both men are down but fans rally as they crawl for their corners. Murphy drags Kevin to his corner and Rezar tags in. Rezar rains down more furious fists but the ref backs him off.
Rezar drags Kevin up with a guillotine facelock but fans rally. Kevin works towards his corner, but Rezar powers him all the way back! Rezar throws knee after knee then tags Murphy back in. Murphy mugs Kevin more then covers. ONE, but Murphy drags Kevin back up. Kevin ROCKS Murphy with a right! Murphy hits back and we have another brawl! Murphy knees low, elbows then runs, but into a BIG right! Both men are down again and fans fire up. Murphy crawls, tag to Rezar! hot tag to Ivar! The War Bear BOOTS Rezar, scoops and sidewalk slams Akam! BASEMENT SPLASH! Ivar sees Murphy coming, dodges and heel kicks!
Fans fire up as Ivar whips Rezar corner to corner. Rezar reverses but runs into a seated senton! Ivar cartwheel clotheslines Akam! Washington is thunderous as Erik tags in. Ivar corner clotheslines Rezar, Erik adds shotgun knees! Erik picks up Ivar for the human weapon hip attack! Tag to Kevin and Kevin hurries up top, SWANTON BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Rezar survives but fans keep rallying. Kevin watches Rezar rise, kicks, but no stunner! Rezar LARIATS Kevin down! Tag to Murphy and Murphy climbs up top. Murphy leaps, but Kevin gets under. Murphy turns around, into the POP-UP BOMB! Cover but Akam breaks it!
Erik throws Akam out and the Raiders see the AOP together. The Raiders run and DOUBLE DIVE! The four big men wipe out at ringside! Murphy runs in, but gets a STUNNER! But here comes Rollins!! Rollins attacks Kevin!!
Winners: Kevin Owens & The Viking Raiders, by disqualification
The Monday Night Messiah will not let Raw end with Kevin standing tall! Rollins stomps and punches Kevin while he’s down, then takes off the jacket. The AOP throw the Viking Raiders into barriers, then help Rollins beat down Kevin! Murphy joins in for a 4v1, but Rollins grabs himself a mic. “I told you this is what would happen if you stood in the way of progress!” Rollins told Kevin this is what would happen if you resisted Rollins’ “vision.” Kevin has tried to crucify Rollins since day one. So now, they will crucify Kevin! But here come the STREET PROFITS! Kevin’s other allies run down the ramp, and Angelo Dawkins BODY CHECKS Murphy!
Montez Ford climbs up top quick and springboards to crossbody Akam! Dawkins SPEARS Rezar! Rollins goes after the Profits but the Raiders add on. Now Rollins is in a 4v1! Rollins retreats so the AOP and Murphy take the beating in his place! Rollins is again on the stage in anger as Dawkins gives Murphy a SPINE BUSTER! Ivar and Ford are on opposite corners as Murphy and Akam are in the drop zones! Erik gives Rezar to Kevin’s STUNNER, then we get DOUBLE SPLASHES!! The Raw Resistance is stronger than ever! Will this be the alliance needed to deny Rollins his vision?
My Thoughts:
A pretty good Raw episode, though with a lot I don’t really get. Do we really need a Women’s Elimination Chamber match to determine a Raw Women’s Championship challenger? We all know it’ll be Shayna Baszler in the end. I suppose it does help get a lot in one match, such as the growing feuds of Liv VS Ruby and Asuka VS Natty, but it’s all going to be fodder for Shayna. Are there fans watching now that weren’t watching during Survivor Series? Are there really fans that didn’t see Shayna take the Women’s Champions Triple Threat? This Chamber match seems to be about summarizing Shayna running through the same handful of opponents to establish herself instead of making way for other Chamber matches.
Kairi VS Natty was still a good match, and this could still result in a Women’s Tag Team Championship story along the Road to WrestleMania. I feel like Natty and Beth Phoenix might reunite, and I’m still waiting on Paige giving the Kabuki Warriors payback for the mist. And speaking of payback, after Orton decimates Matt Hardy again, I wouldn’t be surprised if this was a way to give Jeff Hardy his return to Raw. Jeff has had his history with Orton in recent years, and it would be a big story for Raw to have Jeff fight Orton while Edge “recovers” and prepares for WrestleMania.
I’m very disappointed in the handling of the WWE 24/7 Championship tonight. I know WWE, through Mojo Rawley, said they’d take the 24/7 Championship more seriously, but I don’t think they’re taking it seriously. A Triple Threat that gets triple “jobber entrances,” and then it happens so quick with no real segments planned after? Really? Aleister VS Rowan was a great match, but I’m still waiting on the day Aleister and the 24/7 title cross paths. Ricochet had a good filler match with Anderson, and it was a subtle way of reintroducing Styles while also covering for that he might not be 100% yet. Styles will surely be ready in time for Super Showdown, or else they wouldn’t even put him in the gauntlet. Also I just realized the only superstars in that match are from Raw. I guess Fox doesn’t want direct affiliation with Saudi Arabia.
Speaking of those other gauntlet competitors, I actually really liked the crossing of stories in Rusev-Carrillo VS Lashley-Garza. I also expected a moment after where Vega and Lana would argue about why they lost, but maybe that’ll be next week. Still hoping that with Almas back with Super Showdown, there is a stable formed so that Almas and Garza can both be Vega guys. Not sure how that’ll shake out for the WWE Untied States Championship, but it hopefully still becomes part of Elimination Chamber in a Men’s Chamber match.
And while I cringed hard at hearing Rollins was going to “give a sermon,” it was a good set-up for Kevin and his forces to strike. The Six Man main event we got was pretty great, even with Rollins interfering. I was surprised the Profits didn’t join this story sooner, or even before the Viking Raiders, but the Raw Tag Team titles needed to be part of this first, it seems. I wonder if this results in an Elimination Chamber match for the Raw Tag titles, where it is Rollins-Murphy, The AOP, the Viking Raiders, the Profits, Kevin-Joe and The OC in, with the OC being the only team that doesn’t care about Rollins’ vision for Raw and only about being the best team on Raw again. It might not be going that way but something about it makes sense.
My Score: 8/10
