Welcome to our coverage of tonight’s Monday Night Raw!
On tonight’s show, Roman Reigns is out for revenge after the return of The Miz and their subsequent attack on him. Reigns was beaten-down badly last week and The Miz made it clear that he is back and wants his Intercontinental Championship. Reigns will no doubt have something to say about this on tonight’s show.
Interestingly, we have three injured Superstars but we’re unsure of just how injured they are and what will happen with them. Paige received an injury at a house-show and now is seemingly banned from ever competing again in a WWE ring. This is incredibly crappy news for Paige but hopefully we get some sort of news tonight, it’s not as though WWE can keep on her on TV as Absolution’s leader and not explain why she isn’t wrestling. Another injured star is Jason Jordan, another partner of Seth Rollins. First Ambrose and now Jordan, it seems the latter may be out of action for a little while and thus he and Rollins might have to forfeit the Tag Titles. The Shield can’t seem to catch a break. And finally, Samoa Joe reportedly received an injury on last week’s show but we haven’t received word on how serious the injury is. Joe looks to be heading to the Royal Rumble and a potential showdown with John Cena, so let’s hope that’s not in jeopardy.
In other, less depressing news, we should get the fallout from Braun Strowman’s latest monstrous attack on Lesnar and Kane. Strowman pulled a huge lighting rig down on top of Kane and Lesnar, which surely writes the Champion off of TV, perhaps even until the Rumble. Will Kurt Angle reprimand the Monster Among Men or will he continue to wreak havoc without any punishment? Hopefully the latter.
All that and lots more on tonight’s Raw. Remember to download the Ringside News app and join in the conversation. Enjoy the show!
Monday Night Raw opens with highlights of Braun Strowman’s monstrous attack last week.
We go live to Raw in San Antonio, Texas, and out comes The Monster Among Men, Braun Strowman!
The fans in Texas are happy to see Strowman. He comes to the ring and says he wants to tell us a short story, one with a happy ending. He says a beast and a machine met a monster at the Royal Rumble, and the last one standing was the monster among men. That monster became the new Universal Champion. Braun’s short story is interrupted by Kurt Angle, flanked by a team of security.
Angle comes into the ring and Strowman isn’t happy to see him. Angle says he too has a story but it doesn’t have a happy ending. He says Lesnar and Kane could have been maimed for life last week, ruined equipment and so on, to which Strowman says it could have been much worse. The fans cheered that. Angle says Strowman created an unsafe work environment, this is Monday Night Raw and problems are settled in the ring, not with a grappling hook backstage. Strowman says Angle doesn’t get it, he plays by his own rules. If he wants to walk into Suplex City and tear the walls down, he will. If he wants to go to Hell, he’ll kick the doors in. If he wants to win the Universal Championship at the Royal Rumble, he will. Angle says that Braun’s lucky Brock and Kane can still compete at the Royal Rumble but Braun won’t be competing. “Braun Strowman, you’re fired.” Wow!
Angle leaves the ring and the fans chant “you suck” but not in an endearing way. Strowman jumps out of the ring and stomps up the ramp.
The announcers give us a rundown of tonight’s show, which includes a match between Asuka and Nia Jax, as well as a 1-on-2 handicap match with Roman Reigns facing The Miztourage.
Backstage, Braun Strowman is stomping furiously through the halls. Security is enforcing him from the building but Braun stops, glares at one of the guards and tells them to make him leave…just as we head to the break.
*Commercial Break*
We return to Raw and get a special 25th anniversary moment, this one is when Hugh Jackman hosted Raw and helped Zack Ryder defeat Dolph Ziggler. Gotta love Jackman.
Strowman is still walking backstage, and he comes to the exit door but stops. One of the guards grabs him and sternly tells him to leave. Strowman grabs him and rams him into a shutter door. Strowman then attacks all of the security guards, throwing them around like ragdolls, through tables and whatnot. He turns to leave but shouts that he isn’t finished yet, he won’t leave until everybody has touched his hands. Back ringside, the announcers are scared and say the police should be called. This is awesome, reminds me of Austin wreaking havoc throughout a show.
The Bar make their way to the ring for some tag-team action! Maybe Jason Jordan’s injury isn’t serious, because the commentators talk-up the Royal Rumble tag team match.
The Bar Vs. Titus O’Neil & Apollo Crews W/Dana Brooke
Sheamus starts the match against Apollo Crews. They lock-up and Sheamus forces Apollo to the corner, where Cesaro tags-in and stomps away at Crews. Cesaro taunts Apollo and the fans before tagging Sheamus again.
Crews reverses a double team move and dropkicks Cesaro from the ring. Apollo then dodges Sheamus and tags in Titus, who knocks Sheamus down with a shoulder tackle. Titus slaps the chest of Sheamus but gloats a little too long and Sheamus tags Cesaro, who chops the chest of Titus. Cesaro tells the fans to shut-up, only for Titus to regain control and chop the chest of Cesaro four times. Cesaro turns the tables and starts slapping Titus, who simply gets irritated. Titus grabs Cesaro by the face and pushes him to the corner, where he slaps Cesaro’s chest, then drops him with a scoop slam. Apollo gets tagged back into the match and hits Cesaro with a scoop slam, then a running elbow drop for a near-fall.
Cesaro makes a blind-tag to Sheamus, then The Bar double-team Apollo. Sheamus catches Apollo with a shoulder tackle from the top rope, then poses for the fans.
*Commercial Break*
We come back from the break to see Crews boot Cesaro back and elbow Sheamus away. Cesaro stops a tag and slams Crews into the corner. Sheamus tags in and hits Crews with a backbreaker before Cesaro drops an elbow off the top rope. Sheamus picks up a near fall. Sheamus applies a chin lock. Crews fights up and hits a step-up enzuigiri. O’Neil and Cesaro are tagged in.
O’Neil hits a pair of shoulder blocks and a clothesline. O’Neil clubs away at the chest in the corner before throwing him across the ring. O’Neil gets pumped up and hits an avalanche followed by a front slam for a near fall. Cesaro quickly kicks him in the face and tags in Sheamus. They both kick O’Neil. Cesaro tries to attack Crews, but he gives him a back body drop over the top rope. Sheamus goes for a Brogue Kick on Crews, but puts the brakes on when he backflips off the apron.
This was the finish from last week. Sheamus then attacks O’Neil from behind, and Cesaro uppercuts him. Sheamus rolls O’Neil up for a near fall. Cesaro tags in and goes for a Gotch Neutralizer, but O’Neil gives him a back body drop. Cesaro lands on his feet, but he tweaks his knee. Crews tags in and hits a cross-body block. Cesaro kicks out, so Crews hits a standing moonsault. Sheamus breaks it up and knocks O’Neil out of the ring.
Jason Jordan’s music hits, and he walks out to distract them. Crews then rolls up Sheamus for the win. Titus Worldwide has upset The Bar for the second week in a row.
Winners: Titus O’Neil & Apollo Crews
Seth Rollins comes out and yells at Jordan for what he just did but JJ tries to defend himself. Sheamus and Cesaro are not happy.
We go backstage to see Braun Strowman walking furiously backstage looking for Kurt Angle’s office. Strowman kicks the door down to the office, but Angle isn’t there. Strowman destroys the office before leaving.
*Commercial Break*
We return and see some officials and wrestlers eating at in catering when a stagehand runs in yelling that Braun Strowman is coming. Strowman charges in mumbling about being fired and turns over the table. Strowman then grabs Curt Hawkins and chokeslams him through a table! Strowman turns, and there is a random guy holding a chocolate cake. Strowman stares at him before eating a piece and leaving. The guy never moved a muscle and the fans laughed.
WWE Cruiserweight Champion Enzo Amore comes out with Tony Nese. Enzo is hobbling around with his ankle is taped up. Enzo goes through his usual shtick before saying he’s doing better than Curt Hawkins. Braun Strowman may be a Monster Among Men, but so is he. Enzo says he may be banged up, but he’ll be at the Royal Rumble even if he has to find parts like Frankenstein. If he’s Frankenstein, then Cedric Alexander is Dracula because he sucks. Before Alexander can face him, he’ll have to go through Tony Nese.
Cedric Alexander comes out to no reaction before Goldust joins him. Goldust is angry Enzo compared himself to Boris Karloff. Goldust says Alexander will be beaten at the Royal Rumble. Alexander then says there will be one word to describe Enzo: S-A-W-F-T!
*Commercial Break*
We return to see Braun still stomping around backstage. He rams a dumpster through a table or two.
Back ringside, we join the match with Cedric Alexander already in progress.
Cedric Alexander W/Goldust Vs. Tony Nese W/Enzo Amore
Nese wipes him out with a back elbow for a one count. Nese kicks him in the back before stomping him. Nese punches him back, but Alexander responds with a club. Alexander backflips over him and hits a handspring head-scissor before dropkicking him. Alexander hits a running shoulder before going to the top rope, but Nese sweeps the feet. Nese kicks him in the ribs and hits a gutbuster for a near fall.
Nese punches away at him before showcasing his abs. Nese chops and clubs him before putting him in the tree of woe. Nese knees away at him before doing crunches while kicking him. Nese applies a neck vice before dropping a leg for a near fall. Nese then goes back to the neck vice. Enzo rants at ringside before Goldust scares him away and the fans laugh. Alexander fights up and punches out. Nese whips him to the corner and charges, but Alexander moves. Alexander uppercuts him and sends him into the corner.
Alexander knees Tony Nese in the face before hitting a springboard slam. Alexander hits a springboard clothesline for a near fall. Goldust tries to get the crowd going. Alexander goes for a Lumbar Check, but Nese applies a side headlock. Nese elbows him in the face tries for a roll-up, but Alexander kicks out. Nese knees him in the face, but Alexander elbows him. Nese goes for a pumphandle, but Alexander counters into an awesome Lumbar Check for the win.
Winner: Cedric Alexander
Kurt Angle is in his wrecked office and he looks worried. He says he’s never been in a situation like this, he says Braun is like a loose elephant and he has no option but to call the cops and request S.W.A.T teams. An out-of-breath referee runs in and tells Angle to hurry, Braun is headed for the production trucks. Angle puts his hands on his head and exclaims “Oh God! They’re worth 12 million dollars!”
*Commercial Break*
We return and Strowman comes upon the TV production truck. He walks into the truck and tells the techies that he will wreck everything and shut the whole show down. He asks them how to turn it all off before continuing into another section and throwing papers around. He makes all the workers scram before leaving the truck again. We see the workers cowering in a corner before they all run back into the room and resume work. Inside the truck, there’s some commotion and the workers fall over. We cut to outside the truck and Strowman disengages the tractor at the back, then hops out and tries to overturn it. Kurt Angle walks-up and begs him to stop. Braun turns and walks away before coming back and flipping the truck! He screams in Angle’s face before storming off and kicking a chair. This could be a show all on its own.
Strowman is still walking around with two guys walking behind him, begging him to stop. He tells them to leave and walks back towards ringside, the fans are happy to see Strowman again. He stomps to the top of the stage before turning to the announce table. Michael Cole tries to leave but Braun picks him up by the belt and walks away with him. Braun lifts Cole up and carries him to the edge of the stage, where Kurt Angle appears and tells Braun to stop, he just got off the phone with Stephanie and she has rehired him and inserted him in the Championship match. Strowman roars and throws his hands in the air. Angle tells him he can leave and to leave Cole alone, Strowman walks off, only to come back, pick-up Cole and throw him off the stage onto the security guards.
*Commercial Break*
We come back from the break to see Corey Graves and Booker T talk about how Braun Strowman just committed a criminal act. Tom Phillips joins them to replace Michael Cole. They show replays of what just happened to Michael Cole.
Roman Reigns will take on The Miztourage in a 2-on-1 Handicap Match later tonight.
Replays are shown of Nia Jax attacking Asuka while she made her entrance on laat week’s Raw.
Nia Jax Vs. Asuka
The bell rings, and Asuka sidesteps Jax before kicking away at her. Jax then tosses her to the side. Asuka hooks the arm, but Jax swipes her away. Asuka is shoved into the ropes, but she comes right back with an octopus stretch. Jax fights out, but Asuka kicks her away.
Asuka hits the ropes, but Jax counters her with a backbreaker. Jax then throws her across the ring. Asuka kicks her back and punches away at her. Jax sends her into the ropes and clotheslines her. Jax stands over her, but Asuka surprises her with a triangle choke. Jax powers her up and slams her in the corner.
*Commercial Break*
We come back from the break to see Jax applying a bear hug to Asuka. Asuka fights out and goes for a sunset flip. Jax goes for a sit-out senton, but Asuka moves and kicks her in the face. Asuka hits some backhand strikes and a kick. Jax goes for a Samoan Drop, but Asuka counters into a roll-up for a two count. Asuka kicks away at her, but Jax blocks one and viciously powerbombs her. Jax falls to her knees before falling into a cover for a two count.
Jax screams in frustration. Jax picks Asuka up by the hair, but Asuka counters into a kneebar. Jax screams in pain and eventually grabs the bottom rope to break it up. Jax gets to her feet and throws Asuka out of the ring. Jax goes outside without limping and throws her into the ring apron. Jax climbs the stairs, but Asuka kicks her leg and Jax falls through the steps. Jax frees herself but she clips her knee on the way down. Jax barely beats the count and can’t put any weight on her knee. Nia Jax is crying, she tries to stand but can’t, so the referee calls the match due to injury.
Winner Via TKO: Asuka
After the match, officials come in to check on Nia, then Alexa Bliss runs down and checks on her as well. They help her from the ring and to the back.
Kurt Angle is looking at the damage in his office. Jason Jordan comes up to him and thanks Angle for believing in him. Angle says he’s welcome. Jordan is lingering. Jordan says he’s had his eye on Braun Strowman the whole night. Angle probably didn’t notice, but he’s been behind him the whole time. Angle says he didn’t notice. Jordan says he wants to help his partner. Seth Rollins needs singles competition to keep him sharp after a loss. Jordan has the perfect opponent: Finn Balor. Angle agrees to the match.
The commentators give an update on Michael Cole. Cole is very shaken up. Corey Graves says Stephanie McMahon made a huge mistake in rehiring Braun Strowman.
We get a lengthy video celebrating the life of Martin Luther King.
*Commercial Break*
Alexa Bliss is backstage with Nia Jax, who is icing her knee. Bliss says she thought Jax would destroy Asuka. Enzo Amore walks up and checks on Jax. Bliss walks off. Enzo says he’s sorry she got hurt.
The Revival Vs. Local Talent
Scott Dawson starts for his team and immediately starts beating the tar out of the first jobber. He tags in Wilder for a jumping knee to the head from the middle rope. He purposely rolls the kid to the corner so he can tag Wilder.
Dash dominates the second jobber before tagging in Dawson for a gourdbuster. He slaps the man on the apron and then throws his partner into him before they hit the Shatter Machine for an easy win.
Winners: The Revival
After the match, Charly Caruso comes into the ring to interview the winners. Scott Dawson asks Charly if she is sure she wants to talk to them on live TV. What everyone just witnessed was tag team excellence, which has been missing for quite some time. Too many people are busy running to the back to play video games or check Instagram for likes. All they care about is punishing their opponents and doing holds. She asks what old school superstars they’re looking forward to seeing. New Age Outlaws? Shawn Michaels? Stone Cold Steve Austin? Wilder says they’re the reason this business is a mockery. Dawson says they’re not a WWE creation – they’re as real as it gets. They will not change who they are. Next week on RAW 25, they’ll prove that this is their universe. There’s only one team that will set the tone for RAW for the next 25 years, and they’re in the ring right now. Great promo from the best tag team around.
Elias will be out next with a new song! Woo!
*Commercial Break*
Elias is in the ring playing some riffs before asking who wants to walk with Elias. Elias says he hopes Michael Cole is ok. He’s here to two reasons: to teach them a lesson and make their lives better. That lesson is WWE stands for Walk With Elias. Elias talks about being in the Royal Rumble before singing about how he’ll eliminate John Cena for what he did on Christmas Day. The crowd loudly boos when he says the Spurs are destined to fail.
Elias then sings an introduction for The Miz. The Miztourage takes on Roman Reigns in a 1-on-2 Handicap Match, next.
*Commercial Break*
We return and The Miz has some things to say. The Miz talks about how awesome it was to hear the reaction to his return last week. The spark that was missing from this show was not John Cena or Brock Lesnar: it was him. Last week, Kurt Angle granted him his Intercontinental Championship rematch. That felt awesome. Laying out Roman Reigns also felt awesome. Now USA Network is producing a show called “Miz and Misses.” At RAW 25, he’ll deliver an unforgettable moment that people will talk about for the next 25 years. That title is his. Miz will reclaim his title in the Barclays Center. That’s gonna feel awesome. Out comes The Big Dog.
1-On-2-Handicap Match
Roman Reigns Vs. Bo Dallas & Curtis Axel
Reigns and Axel start the match. Roman’s belt is on the apron, which Miz lifts to distract Roman. It doesn’t work however as Axel’s sneak attack is met with an uppercut from Roman. The Big Dog then knocks Dallas down and leaves the ring to go after Miz.
The Miz backs away from Roman around the ring. Dallas tries to attack Roman but he too eats an uppercut, then Axel leaps onto Roman from the apron. They toss him into the steel steps and take control as Miz talks trash.
Back inside the ring, Dallas and Axel exchange quick tags with stomps to Reigns in the corner. Dallas slams Roman to the mat for a two count, then grounds him with a sleeper hold in the middle of the ring. Eventually Roman climbs to his feet but Dallas knee’s him in the chest and looks for a suplex but it’s reverses and Reigns looks to suplex Dallas outside the ring. Axel makes he save and Dallas hits Roman with a DDT for a near-fall. Roman tries to fight back but Axel tags in and attacks Roman. Irish whip reverses by Roman and a Samoan Drop lands to create some distance. Axel leaps to make the tag to Dallas but Roman catches him in mid-air and drives him into the corner.
Axel staggers to the corner but Reigns punches Dallas off. Axel looks worried as Roman zeroes in on him and Miz checks on Dallas outside the ring. Roman drops Axel with a flying forearm, then clobbers him with clotheslines in the corner. Again Roman attacks Dallas on the apron but this time he falls into the ring. Roman throws Axel into Dallas, who catches him, Roman boots Dallas and he falls backwards and inadvertently DDT’s Axel!
Roman readies for the Supeman punch but Miz climbs on the apron. Roman runs at him and Miz drops off, then Roman Superman punches Dallas and Axel. Roman leaves the ring and runs at Miz with a Superman punch but Miz shoves Dallas into the firing line. Roman then throws Miz into the ring but he slides back out and Axel looks for a roll-up. Roman kicks out and hits a Spear for the win!
Winner: Roman Reigns
Shockingly, Roman overcame the odds to win. Miz takes his jacket off on the ramp and looks pissed. Roman lays his title down like a line in front of him and begs Miz to come get it. They talk trash to each other as we see replays.
Later tonight, Finn Balor will take-on Seth Rollins.
*Commercial Break*
We return and out comes Sasha Banks, flanked by Bayley and Mickie James. Paige and Absolution are out next. No mention so far of Paige’s injury.
Sasha Banks Vs. Sonya Deville
The bell rings, and Deville quickly takes her down with a waistlock. Banks tries for a surprise Bank Statement, but Deville gets out. Deville shoulders her in the corner, but Banks elbows her back. Deville sends her to the corner and counters a slingshot with some vicious knee strikes for a two count.
Deville applies a chin lock, but Banks fights up and slams her in the corner. Banks forearms her and hits a head-scissor takeover. Banks hits a dropkick and connects with double knees in the corner twice. Banks goes to the second rope and jumps into a kick from Deville for the win!
Winners: Sonya Deville
The commentators did mention that Paige is injured and won’t be in the Rumble match.
Seth Rollins is warming up when Jason Jordan comes in. Rollins says Jordan shouldn’t have done what he did to The Bar tonight or speak on his behalf. They’re teammates. Jordan is not his mouthpiece. Rollins doesn’t have a problem with what he did. He has a problem with how he did it.
WOKEN Matt Hardy Makes his entrance. He’ll be in action, next.
*Commercial Break*
Heath Slater and Rhyno make their entrance as Heath will enter the ring against the Woken Brilliance.
Matt Hardy Vs. Heath Slater W/Rhyno
We join this match in progress to see Hardy applying a side headlock to Slater. Slater whips him off, but Hardy splashes him and wildly punches away at him. Hardy pulls him into the ring and punches away at him. Hardy attacks him in the corner before laughing in his face, to which Slater looks inorror.
Slater gets back in the ring after a pep talk from Rhyno. Slater kicks and punches Hardy down. Slater applies an arm bar, but Hardy gets out by biting him. Hardy hits a German Suplex into the turnbuckles before clubbing away at him. Hardy hits a corner clothesline before connecting with a Side Effect for a near fall. Hardy bounces him off the turnbuckles before hitting a neckbreaker. Hardy starts a “DELETE” chant before hitting a Twist of Fate for the win.
Winner: Matt Hardy
After the match, the commentators announce the first induction in the 2018 Hall of Fame class: Bill Goldberg!
Seth Rollins Vs. Finn Balor is up next!
*Commercial Break*
We get the entrances before the match begins and it’s hard to tell who the fans like more, although it’s clear they still don’t care for JJ.
Finn Balor W/Anderson and Gallows Vs. Seth Rollins W/Jason Jordan
The bell rings, and they lock up before Rollins quickly goes to a side headlock. Balor tries to whip him off, but Rollins hangs on. Balor whips him off, drops down, and hits a pair of arm drags before hooking an arm bar. Rollins fights up and backs him into the corner. Rollins whips him off and hits a running back elbow. Rollins kicks him in the back and chops the chest.
Rollins punches Balor down in the corner and stomps away at him. Rollins hits a snapmare and applies a chin lock. Balor fights up and sends him into the ropes, but Rollins goes for a sunset flip. Balor quickly gets out of it and clotheslines him over the top rope before hitting a running kick to the face.
*Commercial Break*
We come back from the break to see Rollins punch and chop Balor back. Rollins boots him in the face and hits a blockbuster. Rollins then grabs his knee in pain. Rollins hits him with a running knee that sends him out of the ring. Rollins hobbles into the ropes and connects with a suicide dive. Rollins gets him in the ring and hits a neckbreaker for a near fall. Rollins then applies a neck vice. Balor tries to fight up, but Rollins takes him down and drops a knee. Rollins elbows him in the neck and tries for a suplex, but Balor lands on his feet.
Rollins elbows Finn, but Balor boots him right back. Balor hits a pair of clotheslines followed by a takedown and a double stomp. Fighting back, Rollins boots him back in the corner, but Balor comes back with a falling elbow for a near fall. Rollins counters a Sling Blade and comes back with one of his own for a near fall. Rollins hits a pair of running forearms in the corner before Balor pops out for a Sling Blade. Balor charges into a superkick, which gives Rollins a near fall.
Both men are down. Balor gets to his feet and elbows and chops Rollins. Rollins tries for the Ripcord, but Balor gets out. Rollins then hits an enzuigiri. Rollins tries for a Phoenix Splash, but Balor moves. Rollins lands on his feet, but his knee is really hurt. Balor hits a running dropkick to the corner and slowly goes to the top rope. Rollins pops up and hits a superplex followed by a falcon arrow for a near fall. Rollins goes to the top rope for a frog splash, but Balor gets the knees up and covers for what looks like a three count, but the referee says he kicked out.
The Bar come down to the ring and inadvertently hit Gallows and Anderson. They brawl at ringside before Balor wipes them out with a summersault senton. Balor kicks Rollins back and goes for a Coup de Grace, but Rollins moves. Cesaro gets on the apron, but Balor punches him off. Balor hits the ropes, but Jordan trips him. Finn is on his knees and Rollins his the freakin’ Curb Stomp for the win!
Winners: Seth Rollins
Rollins and Jordan high-tail it up the ramp, in almost heel-like fashion. I’m so glad to see the Curb Stomp return, that was always a fantastic finisher and nothing else has felt right for Seth. Replays are shown from the match, including the seemingly botched pinfall. Finn Balor sits in the ring with Anderson and Gallows by his side. Rollins and Jordan leave.
The music stops but nothing is happening. I think they’re playing up the fact that Rollins used the Curb Stomp and that it’s a dangerous move. Balor seems to be feigning a concussion, at least I hope he’s faking it. The three of them stand around in the ring for a few moments before the show goes off the air. Weird ending but it’s definitely building to something with the Curb Stomp and maybe a heel turn for one of these teams.
That’s it or this week’s Raw. Let us know what you thought and remember to stay tuned for all your wrestling news and results. Until next time, safe travels!
