Welcome to Monday Night Raw, less than 24 hours removed from Elimination Chamber 2018!
Last night’s PPV marked the final stop for Monday Night Raw on the Road To WrestleMania. The PPV was pretty good across the board, however the end results may have left a bad taste in people’s mouths. Roman Reigns emerged from the men’s Chamber match as the number one contender to Brock Lesnar and his Universal Championship at WrestleMania. Let’s be honest though, we all knew that would be the result and that Reigns would clash with Lesnar again. That may not be the match people want to see but it’s the one we’re going to get and Roman will win without doubt. So assign yourself to that fact now and don’t be disappointed on April 8th.
Elimination Chamber also set-up a WrestleMania match in the form of Ronda Rousey and Kurt Angle facing Triple H and Stephanie McMahon. Rousey came out to sign her contract but Angle couldn’t let her do-so without letting her know that there was an ulterior motive from the McMahon’s. Ultimately, this ended in Ronda giving Triple H a belly-to-belly through a table and signing the contract, with a welt on her cheek from a signature Steph slap. It wasn’t the best segment in the world and Ronda seemed extremely unsure on the mic but I am excited to see where it goes and I hope she exceeds all of our expectations.
Asuka is heading to WrestleMania still undefeated after pinning Nia Jax at Elimination Chamber. Asuka and Jax had a decent match and Asuka scored the win with a roll-up, however Jax proceeded to tackle her through the barricade. The result was exactly what it should be and as Bubba Ray Dudley said on Twitter:
So Asuka will head into WrestleMania to face Alexa Bliss, who emerged from her Elimination Chamber match with her title reign intact. Bliss cut a promo after the match and said she was the best, then later said that “nobody is ready for Alexa”. So expect the mind-games to begin tonight between the Goddess and the Empress.
Also on tonight’s show, The Bar look for new Tag Team Title Challengers, John Cena questions his place, and is Sasha Banks a heel now? All that and more to look forward to on tonight’s show. Remember to download the Ringside Talk app and join the conversation. Enjoy the show!
WWE Monday Night Raw opens with a look back at last night’s show, with a focus on Braun Strowman’s destruction.
We go live to the arena and the announcers mention that tonight Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns will meet face-to-face, then we see the replay of Ronda Rousey’s contract signing.
We return to the arena and out comes the RAW Women’s Champion, Alexa Bliss, accompanied by Mickie James. As the duo walk to the ring we see pictures from last night’s women’s Chamber match, as well as Asuka Vs. Nia Jax. In the ring, Alexa points to the screen and says “wow, what a historic moment.” She says she continues to amaze herself, and last night she did it by retaining her Championship in the first-ever women’s Elimination Chamber match. She says people will be talking about her accomplishments for a decade to come. She says she isn’t a selfish person and she gives credit where it is due, so she turns to Mickie James. Alexa says James showed last night why she is a former Women’s Champion and future Hall Of Famer. Then, she says she has learned a lot from Mickie and will gladly learn more. Turning her attention to her opponents, Alexa says Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville have bright futures but not as long as she is Champion. As for Bayley, she’s a sad situation. And Sasha? She didn’t even have to do anything because Sasha’s massive ego got in her own way. “Sorry boss, this just isn’t your year.” Since she came to RAW, this has been her show. And at WrestleMania, she will break Asuka’s streak, that is, if Asuka makes it to WrestleMania after Nia broke her in half last night.
The Empress of Tomorrow then stomps her way to the ring, showing no signs of wear, and the fans chant “Asuka’s going to kill you”. Alexa says she finds it funny that Asuka is pretending to be healthy, because last night Nia humiliated her. She says Nia should have been added to the Championship match, were it not for one tiny slip-up. Alexa then speaks loud and slow and says she knows Asuka’s english is not great but her body language says different. Asuka looks ready to fight and Alexa tells her that she can fight her…
Nia Jax comes to the ring but Asuka doesn’t wait and she attacks Mickie and Alexa but then gets bowled over by Nia. Jax lifts Asuka up for a powerbomb but the Empress takes her down with an armbar. Alexa and Mickie return and beat on Asuka but Sasha Banks and Bayley come to her aid. Sasha and Bayley double-team Alexa, and Mickie but then Nia takes them out and Alexa clobbers Asuka. The heels leave the ring and retreat up the ramp.
Later tonight, Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns meet, and John Cena speaks on his lack of direction headed to WrestleMania.
*Commercial Break*
Alexa Bliss, Nia Jax & Mickie James vs. Sasha Banks, Bayley & Asuka
We are back live with a six woman tag team match in progress and Bayley and Mickie James in the ring. Bayley tosses James to the corner, but James fires back with a few kicks. Bayley plants James with a scoop slam and drops a quick elbow. James with a huricanrana takedown on Bayley from the corner for a two count.
A tag to Nia who headbutts the ribs of Bayley, a strange one. Jax with another quick headbutt and charges Bayley in the corner. Bliss gets the tag and chops the chest of Bayley. Bliss with kicks and chokes Bayley with her boot in the corner. Bayley dumps Bliss to the corner repeatedly. Banks tags herself in when Bayley backs to the corner. Banks with double knees to Bliss for a two count. Banks trips up Bliss and gets a roll up for another two count. Banks is knocked from the ring, then catches Bliss with a high knee. Back inside, Banks lands double knees in the corner for a two count.
Banks with a double dropkick shot to both Bliss and James through the ropes on the outside. Banks tosses Bliss back inside the ring, but Jax jumps off of the apron and runs into Banks, knocking her flying! Bliss tosses Banks back in and gets a two count off a pinfall attempt. Bliss dumps Banks to the corner and Banks rolls out as we head to the break.
*Commercial Break*
Back live, Jax cuts off a tag out attempt by Banks. Tag to James who hits a snapmare and boot to the face combo on Banks. James tosses Banks face first to the corner and tags in Bliss who kicks away at Banks in the corner. Bliss keeps Banks grounded in a headlock. Bliss cuts off Banks with a clothesline and then gets in a cheap shot on Asuka. Banks jumps to tag in Bayley.
Bayley jumps down and backs up staring down Banks. Banks counters a finisher attempt by James and tags in Asuka. Asuka with a dropkick to James, strikes and then a leaping shot off the ropes. Asuka with a kick to Jax knocking her down. Asuka with a big knee to James and big kicks. Asuka with a shot to Jax knocking her back and Asuka with a kick to James. Bliss breaks up the pin. Bayley takes out Bliss jumping back in. Asuka gets a kneebar applied on James, who quickly taps out.
Winners: Sasha Banks, Bayley & Asuka
After the match, we see Bayley smiling on the outside. She turns and stares down an upset Sasha Banks who is just starting to recover at ringside. Bayley walks up the ramp and continues smiling.
John Cena will be out after the break to discuss his road to WrestleMania.
*Commercial Break*
John Cena makes his way to the ring to a song of “Cena Sucks” by Anaheim. He says last night he failed. And proceeding that failure he was immediately thrown into a room with a microphone and he came across as very down. He says a person’s character is not defined by when they’re riding a wave of success and everyone loves them but when their back is against the wall and they have a mountain to climb. He says this is his downtime.
Cena continues to say that he gave himself five minutes to be down but then he moved forward. He said his last words on RAW Talk were, “I’ll figure it out”. He says he and the fans are not strangers to failure, and you won’t hear any other WWE Superstar’s out here telling you’ve when they’ve failed. The fans boo and he stops talking and soaks it in. He says failure has made him who he is, and failure gives you two options, fall down and die or get up and try again. And he’s back up because he’s figured it out. He’s doing something he should have done a long time ago….and that’s put out a WrestleMania challenge to The Undertaker! The fans exploded and chant “YES!”.
Cena seems genuinely very excited and says 39 WrestleMania’s between him and The Undertaker, yet they’ve never stood opposite each other. He says that match is what WrestleMania is all about…but that match isn’t happening. He doesn’t make the matches and he has been told that the match is not happening. Can’t happen. He says now the fans understand disappoint and failure, so from here he will move to SmackDown Live and try to earn a spot at WrestleMania. He will go there tomorrow night. Cena drops the mic and walks off. Interesting stuff.
Michael Cole talks about Roman Reigns Vs. Brock Lesnar and shows an Instagram post from Paul Heyman.
*Commercial Break*
We return and out comes Bray Wyatt for a match against Heath Slater.
Before the match, Bray Wyatt attacks Rhyno sending him to the outside. Wyatt then takes out Slater and plants Rhyno when he jumps back in. Wyatt is laughing and drops down in his backwards pose. Wyatt with a big charge to Slater in the corner and throws big right hands as he laughs some more.
Wyatt grabs Slater, pretends to dance with him and hits Sister Abigail. It’s over but the match never officially started. Wyatt drops to his knees and then hits a Sister Abigail on Rhyno as well. Wyatt grabs a mic and falls to the corner. “Look what you made me do. You made me hurt this innocent men. This is your fault Matt Hardy. You led them to slaughter. The great war is far from over my friend. You will face me again, but this time I will make sure your Woken eyes stay shut forever.” Wyatt begins laughing. “I’m coming for you, Matt. I’m coming for you…run.”
The Miz will find out his WrestleMania opponent next. We see the man himself walking with The Miztourage backstage.
WWE Intercontinental Champion The Miz heads to the ring with The Miztourage. The Miz stands in the ring and talks about the road to WrestleMania – we’re going to hear that an awful lot over the next two months. Miz wonders why it stops in Anaheim; he says Los Angeles is 45 minutes away, but instead he’s here in Anaheim. He should be running into Jennifer Lawrence but here the best you’ll get is a guy dressed like Donald Duck. Moving on, Miz says Kurt Angle takes his stars for granted. Miz says in 62 days, he will become the longest reigning Intercontinental Champion of all time. He will go on to be the best – not HBK, Bret Hart, Pedro Morales, Edge, Chris Jericho or Roman Reigns.
Miz refers to himself as the new television sensation along with his wife Maryse. He repeats himself and demands the crowd cheer. Miz says those booing will be watching anyway. He says despite all the accolades, he still isn’t treated like a star. Miz talks about a lack of merchandise and how his photo isn’t on any kind of promotional material. “I should be going to the main event of WrestleMania.” Miz repeats himself.
He talks about Kurt Angle forcing Finn Balor and Seth Rollins on everyone inside the Elimination Chamber and how he was “punished” for winning his qualifying match. Miz is sick of being taken for granted and is sick of the disrespect. He says despite it all, he still has his championship and he wants the fans to take a good look at it. Miz says this is the more prestigious championship in all of WWE. He talks about walking into Kurt Angle’s office and wants to know what the Intercontinental Champion is doing at WrestleMania. Miz asks if they want to know what he’s doing at WrestleMania. He adds Angle booked him against an opponent tonight who “might” determine his opponent at WrestleMania. Miz talks about carrying RAW on his back in the last year and how he has made his title more relevant than the Universal Championship. He talks about being here for 12 years. Miz says whoever comes out is going to get a beating and asks who it is.
There’s a long pause before Seth Rollins out on stage. Rollins walks to the ring and it seems we’re getting a match. My guess is that over the next month we’re going to get matches to see if Rollins, Balor or Strowman will face Miz and we may very well end up with a Fatal 4-Way.
*Commercial Break*
The Miz W/The Miztourage vs. Seth Rollins
Miz with a shoulder block takedown early on Rollins. Rollins with a hip toss, snapmare and Miz avoids a kick to the face sliding out of the way. Rollins with a shoulder tackle, knee to Miz, snapmare and this time connects with the running knee. Rollins then clotheslines Miz over the top rope and The Miztourage checks on Miz.
Rollins teases a suicide dive, but Rollins stops himself from committing as Miz and Miztourage run off. Miz misses a clothesline to Rollins and Rollins tosses Miz back inside the ring. Bo Dallas with a distraction allowing Miz to knock Rollins off the ring apron. Back inside, Rollins with a jawbreaker to Miz. Miz catches Rollins with a big knee. Miz with a high back body drop sending Rollins rolling out of the ring as we head to the break.
*Commercial Break*
Back live, Rollins catches Miz with a right hand from the ring apron. Rollins with a springboard clothesline to Miz and follows with a Sling Blade. Rollins with a Blockbuster from the corner on Miz for a two count. Miz with his spike DDT on Rollins. Miz with a corner dropkick to Rollins, connects with a second dropkick and then connects with his corner clothesline. Rollins crotches Miz on the top turnbuckle. Rollins with a superplex and Falcon Arrow combo on Miz for a close two count!
Rollins with a dive to the outside taking out the Miztourage. Rollins clotheslines Miz over the top rope. Rollins hits the ropes and takes out Miz, Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel with a suicide dive on the outside! Back inside, Rollins connects with his jumping knee to Miz. Rollins goes up top but he’s very far away from Miz. Rollins leaps and just barely catches Miz with a frog splash to get the win!
Winner: Seth Rollins
After the match, Finn Balor’s music hits and he immediately interrupts Seth Rollins’ celebration. Balor heads to the ring and does his usual corner pose. Rollins isn’t having it and heads up the ramp.
*Commercial Break*
We return and it seems Angle has booked Miz in something of a gauntlet match as he must now face Finn Balor. Obviously, Miz is upset.
The Miz W/The Miztourage Vs. Finn Balor
The bell rings and Balor immediately charges Miz in the corner. The Miztourage jump inside the ring and immediately begins attacking Balor. The referee calls for the bell.
Winner Via Disqualification: Finn Balor
After the match, Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson run down and go after Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel in the ring. Gallows tosses Dallas out, while Anderson tosses Axel out. Axel with a forearm to Anderson. The Miz is standing up and walking back to Finn Balor. Kurt Angle shows up on screen. He kicks Luke Gallows, Karl Anderson, Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel from ringside and orders Miz vs. Balor to resume. Angle announces the match must resume and have an ending, or Miz will not compete in a match at WrestleMania!
The Miz vs. Finn Balor
The bell rings and here we go again.The Miz charges Balor in the corner and clotheslines him, then connects with his DDT for a two count. He wants to put Balor away quickly. Miz mounts Balor and throws lefts. Miz with a kick to the face of Balor and gets another two count. On the outside, Balor sends Miz into the steel steps.
Back inside, Miz with a quick snap suplex on Balor. Miz with another spike DDT on Balor and gets yet another two count off a pinfall attempt. Miz with a running knee that drops Balor. The Intercontinental Champion is on top as we head to the break.
*Commercial Break*
Back live, we see Seth Rollins watching the match backstage. Miz with a left hand and Balor responds with a Pele Kick. Balor trips up Miz and connects with a double stomp to the chest. Balor with a chop to Miz in the corner, tosses Miz to the other corner and hits another big chop. Miz catches Balor with a boot, but Balor responds with a kick to the head of Miz. Balor with a roll up and Miz kicks out.
Miz with a backbreaker and neckbreaker combo for a two count. Balor with kicks to the chest of Miz. Balor with a drop down dropkick to the face of Miz for a two count. Miz rolls out and Balor with a running dropkick that sends Miz back first into the barricade. Balor tosses Miz back in and connects with a Sling Blade. Balor dropkicks Miz to the corner. Miz is down. Balor is heading up top. Balor with his top rope Coup De Grace and hooks the leg to get the pinfall.
Winner: Finn Balor
After the match, Renee Young interviews Seth Rollins backstage. Rollins says Balor was being disrespectful tonight interrupting his celebration. Young talks about Rollins coming up short at Elimination Chamber. Rollins says he doesn’t know what Finn was trying to achieve tonight but he wants Miz and the Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania. Rollins walks off as we see Balor celebrate in the ring. I guess I’m wrong about Strowman’s inclusion.
We see Ronda Rousey talking with Kurt Angle backstage, they will both be out to talk tonight.
*Commercial Break*
We are back live and Roman Reigns heads to the ring. Loud and mixed reaction for Reigns tonight in Anaheim. Roman stands in the ring before saying, “I’m a man of my word.” Reigns talks about predicting that he would win the Elimination Chamber and he did. He says when he predicts he will go on to WrestleMania and beat Brock Lesnar, he’s telling the truth. Reigns asks the fans if they want to know the truth.
He said they aren’t going to like that he is saying this, but he reveals Brock Lesnar isn’t here tonight. Reigns said up until about 30 minutes ago, Lesnar never showed. He says Lesnar is an “entitled piece of crap” and points out how they are six weeks away from WrestleMania with the Universal Champion no where to be seen.
Reigns says Lesnar was in Las Vegas last night, but he was more interested in taking pictures with UFC President Dana White. He says all the boys in the back “bust their ass” on the road and Lesnar shows up when he wants to. Reigns says Paul Heyman and Lesnar may refer to themselves as businessman, but he was born into this business and knows the different between business and respect. “I don’t respect Brock Lesnar. And I damn sure don’t fear that bitch.” Reigns adds that’s all he has to say and will head to the back to get chewed out, but notes he is the only one man enough to say what he had to say and actually respects this place. Reigns leaves the ring and walks to the back. That’s exactly what Reigns needs to do to get over in this feud.
The Bar head to the ring as we head to the break.
*Commercial Break*
We return to see Titus Worldwide make their way to the ring for a tag title rematch.
2-Out-Of-3-Falls Match
WWE Tag Team Championship Match
(C) The Bar Vs. Titus Worldwide
The bell rings as Cesaro and Apollo take to the aprons. Cesaro then turns and runs at Titus, and ducks the clothesline and slides from the ring. The distracted Titus O’Neil eats a Brogue Kick and it’s 1-0 to The Bar!
1st Fall To The Bar
Sheamus and Cesaro celebrate at ringside like they just won the Superbowl. Cesaro is now in and Apollo gets the tag. Apollo with a shot to Sheamus in the corner. Apollo with a cross body for a two count. Apollo with a series of pinfall attempts early. Cesaro with a big right and tag to Sheamus. Apollo flips back from the corner and catches Sheamus with a quick dropkick.
Tag to Titus who goes after Sheamus in the corner. Sheamus with a knee and tag to Cesaro. Titus with a big shoulder tackle on Cesaro. Titus with a chop to Cesaro, tags in Apollo, Titus plants Cesaro and Apollo drops an elbow. Tag back to Titus. Titus with a few rib shots and tag back to Apollo who press slams Cesaro down. Apollo with his standing moonsault over Cesaro. Apollo with a moonsault off the ring apron taking out both Sheamus and Cesaro.
Back live, Apollo dumps Cesaro to the outside. Tag to Sheamus who cuts off Apollo. Apollo counters and tags in Titus who levels Sheamus with a shoulder tackle. Titus with a chop and body shots to Sheamus in the corner. Titus tosses Sheamus to the other corner. Sheamus with a knee, but Titus counters with a snap powerslam. Titus with a Dominator on Sheamus and gets a close two count. Tag to Apollo who comes off the top rope with a splash. Cesaro breaks up the pinfall attempt. Titus tosses Cesaro out of the ring.
Sheamus tosses Titus out after that. Apollo rolls up Sheamus for a two count. Apollo with a kick to the head of Sheamus and connects with his standing moonsault for another close two count. Sheamus drives Titus into the barricade. Apollo tosses Sheamus in, kicks Cesaro away and Sheamus crotches Apollo who falls to the mat. Cesaro gets the tag. Sheamus has Apollo up and Cesaro comes off the corner dropping Apollo to pick up the pinfall. A clean sweep for The Bar!
Winners: The Bar
After the match, The Bar runs down all of the teams they have taken out in WWE. Sheamus thinks they will be punished when it comes to WrestleMania because they have been so dominate. He wonders who is left. Cesaro reminds everyone they are the bar.
We get a video package for Jarrius “JJ” Robertson, 2018’s recipient of the annual Warrior Award at this year’s 2018 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony. A great, heart-warming video.
*Commercial Break*
Back from commercial, Elias is in the ring to play a new song. He introduces himself and says he wasn’t going to treat himself to a performance tonight, but then he heard Braun Strowman call his beautiful music “noise pollution”. He says Braun criticizes him because he wants to be him, we all saw it two weeks ago. What Braun did that night was noise pollution, every word that Corey Graves lets out of his stupid mouth is noise pollution, but his music is a gift. Elias begins to play his song, which simply criticises Braun and the city of Anaheim.
Unsurprisingly, Elias doesn’t get to finish as Braun Strowman makes his entrance. They will have a match after the break.
*Commercial Break*
Braun Strowman Vs. Elias
The bell rings as we return live. Lock up and Strowman tosses Elias to the corner. Elias rolls out immediately. Strowman chases down Elias. Back inside, Elias catches Strowman with a kick to the face. Strowman levels Elias with a big clothesline. Elias with boots to Strowman in the corner, but Strowman hammers the chest of Elias knocking him down. Strowman tosses Elias from one corner to the next.
Strowman splashes Elias in the corner. Strowman picks up Elias and levels him with another clothesline. Strowman drops his first over the chest of Elias sending him crashing to the mat. Elias rolls to the ring apron and drops the jaw of Strowman off the top rope. Elias goes up top and catches Strowman on the shoulder. Strowman then shoulder tackles Elias. Elias falls out and Strowman sends him chest first into the barricade. Strowman sends Elias back in and Elias rolls out.
Strowman follows yelling, “You can run but you can’t hide!” Elias crawls under the ring. Strowman leans down and pulls Elias out. Elias sprays Strowman in the face with a fire extinguisher and the ref calls for the bell.
Winner Via Disqualification: Braun Strowman
After the match, Elias sends Strowman face first into the steel ring post. Elias slides Strowman back in and hits him in the gut with the fire extinguisher. Strowman goes for a chokeslam on Elias and Elias breaks free. Strowman with a right hand and Elias bails. Strowman attacks Elias on the ramp and drags him to the top of the stage. Strowman clears off the announce table. Elias rakes the eyes of Strowman and runs away. Backstage, we see Strowman continuing to chase Elias. Elias runs far away as a limo pulls up near Strowman. He yells at Elias he isn’t finished with him. The camera focuses on the limo but we must wait to see who is inside.
*Commercial Break*
We return from the break and out comes Triple H and Stephanie McMahon. The duo enter the ring and Steph grabs the microphone. She says last night was to be a historic night, with WWE making the biggest signing of all-time. However that night turned sour when Ronda laid her hands on Triple H due to the hallucinogenic ramblings of Kurt Angle, who it turns out has double pneumonia. Steph says such actions may be tolerated in MMA but they aren’t in WWE and she shows the footage of what happened.
Stephanie says Ronda simply gave-in to her savage instincts and she had to get physical to bring Ronda back to reality. Also, Kurt Angle must answer and report to her, and Ronda, well she did sign the contract last night and that means she is WWE’s property. Stephanie says everyone needs to learn their place here in WWE and invites Kurt Angle to come out to give an apology.
“Rowdy” Ronda Rousey walks out instead with a very angry look on her face. Ronda reaches the ring and Kurt Angle walks out telling her to hold up. Angle gets inside the ring and says her coming to WWE is the best decision she ever made. Ronda said she meant everything she said last night and she wants this more than anything. She says she’s never been slapped before in her life and she refuses to be disrespected. “I am no one’s property,” adds Rousey. Angle says this is a different world and that she needs to work within the system. He adds, “I need this job.” Angle says last night he lied. Triple H and Stephanie get back inside the ring and approach them.
Angle isn’t sure why he “lied” and isn’t even really sure what he said last night. He said his statements were not true and he’s sorry. Stephanie thanks Angle for clearing the air. She says they aren’t horrible people. Stephanie wants to put this all behind them and make Ronda the superstar she deserves to be. Stephanie and Triple H go to leave when Ronda says they addressed everything…except the slap. Ronda demands Stephanie apologize to her if she really wants to put this behind them. She says if Stephanie doesn’t apologize, she will not hesitate to rip Stephanie’s arm out of its socket. The crowd in Anaheim starts a “Rip It Off” chant.
Stephanie walks up to Ronday like she is going to hit her again but says she is “terribly sorry.” She apologizes and asks to believe her. Stephanie welcomes Ronda to WWE and says we are all good now. Triple H then drops Kurt Angle with a right hand out of no where and they walk up the ramp. Ronda checks on Angle. Triple H and Stephanie look back at Ronda and Angle. Angle slowly gets to his feet with help of Ronda as the show comes to a close.
That’s it for tonight’s show, let us know what you thought and come back tomorrow for SmackDown Live and all your daily wrestling news!
