Tonight’s Monday Night Raw is the last episode before the Royal Rumble on January 24. How will tonight set up the Royal Rumble match, and all the feuds and stories leading up to Sunday?
Opening Segment
Roman Reigns comes out. Immediately getting down to business, Roman calls out Lesnar. And here comes…. Chris Jericho! To build up what might be the biggest Highlight Reel ever later in the night, Jericho proposes Reigns joins Lesnar on the in-ring talk show. Roman accepts, and it looks like we have quite the Highlight Reel later on.
For some reason, the League of Nations interrupts. They try to lobby to get on the show, and Jericho wants to “keep it entertaining”. At least he understands what is entertaining. The League of Nations is being outdone by the Social Outcasts at this four man faction thing. Rusev starts rambling on about how he will crush Roman Reigns, and Roman tells him to “please shut up.” Then, he suggests that since he’s versing Brock later, he has time to shut up Rusev himself. Rusev accepts, and since Jericho has some power we’re not aware of, he makes himself the special guest referee.
Rusev (w/ The League of Nations) vs. Roman Reigns – Special Guest Referee: Chris Jericho
Rusev is getting on the offensive early on, but he is spending too much time being distracted by Jericho as the referee. It’s a shame that Rusev and Barrett have been lumped into this League of Nations plot that as gone nowhere. Once Rusev and Barrett got over on their own, WWE threw them into something that has been sucking the life out of the show. The match was okay, but Jericho does what referees are meant to do, and bans all of the League of Nations from ringside. However, Jericho did it with his over-the-top Y2J style, and gets a huge pop from the crowd each time. Roman hits a Superman Punch and a spear for the victory. Winner: Roman Reigns
Backstage Segment
Jericho runs into Stephanie McMahon, who points out that Jericho has no authority to make a match, nor make himself the special guest referee.
Brie Bella (w/ Alicia Fox) vs. Natalya (w/ Paige)
Natalya’s back, and she brought Paige! It’s good to see that their injuries have healed. Luckily, since Brie is the Divas jobber, Natalya might pick up the victory. Brie taunts for a little too long, Natalya takes advantage, and wins with the Sharpshooter. Winner (via submission): Natalya
The Dudley Boyz & Ryback vs. Erick Rowan, Luke Harper, & Bray Wyatt (w/ Braun Strowman)
At first I was confused as to why this match is happening, then they pieced together the puzzle. The first part is that the Dudleys and the Wyatts are bound to fight each other weekly for the rest of time Also, the Dudleys teamed with Ryback because he wants revenge on the Wyatts for attacking him on a previous Raw. The Dudleys had the Wyatts reeling for most of the match, but the numbers game got the better of them, leading to the Discus Clothesline from Luke Harper for the victory. Winners: The Wyatt Family
Big Show vs. Heath Slater
Big Show is now a face, as seen by the high-fiving during his entrance. Anyone can predict how this match is going to go, and this match lasts 55 seconds (I timed it, actually getting a minute and 13 seconds). Big Show hits the Knockout Punch on Heath Slater for the win, then proceeds to knock out the rest of the Social Outcasts. Winner: Big Show
Royal Rumble #1 Entrant Drawing
“Dad, you are truly an unbelievable human specimen.” This was actually said by Stephanie McMahon before the drawing. After picking at random, it’s Roman Reigns! But just to be fair to the champion, the redraw it. Vince is having quite a hard time opening the balls with the names in them. Leaving the Roman Reigns option out of the drawing, Vince draws again, and it’s Roman Reigns again! Royal Rumble Entrant #1: Roman Reigns
Becky Lynch vs. Tamina (w/ Naomi)
Charlotte (Ric Flair’s daughter, if you didn’t know) enters with her father to sit ringside during her former best friend’s match. Tamina is a great opponent to make Becky look like the underdog in the match, although Tamina has practically no success in the WWE. Tamina looks to put Becky away, but Becky reverses into the Disarmer for the win. Winner (via submission): Becky Lynch
After the match, Becky asks Charlotte her answer to her challenge. After calling Ric Flair out for being a coward like Charlotte, Ric disputes the claim and gives her the title match at the Royal Rumble.
Dean Ambrose & Kalisto vs. Sheamus & Alberto Del Rio (w/ King Barrett)
The current Intercontinental champion, Ambrose, managed to get a new friend in the former 4-day US Champion, Kalisto. Also, Kevin Owens is on commentary, which is always amazing. This is an interesting set of Superstars, because each teams vary immensely in how entertaining they are. There is Dean Ambrose and Kalisto, two fan favorites with consistently exciting bouts, against the League of Nations. As Get More Sports WWE writer Travis Brinkley said, they are “sucking the life out of the show.”
Dean Ambrose takes Del Rio to the announce table (neither are legal men), and Kevin Owens provides the distraction for Del Rio to hit Dean with an enziguri. Afterwards in the ring, Sheamus counters the Salida Del Sol and hits Kalisto with the Brogue kick for the win. Winners: Sheamus & Alberto Del Rio
Francesa the Trombone Memorial Service
Xavier Woods is a mess over the loss of his trombone, but Big E and Kofi Kingston comfort him. Big E tells Xavier that Francesca is in his heart, and Xavier feels better. Xavier says that Francesca will be avenged by her champion, who will face Jey Uso. So next is Jey Uso against… Big E!
Jey Uso vs. Big E (w Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston)
The New Day enters with a little less pep in their step, but still skipping and clapping to the ring. Big E has some missteps during the match, resulting in some big bumps. Big E manages to stay in it, and the numbers game gets the best of the Usos, leading to a Big E victory. Winner: Big E
Tyler Breeze & The Cosmic Wasteland vs. Mark Henry, Titus O’Neil, R-Truth & Neville
Well this is a throwaway match if there ever was one. According to Michael Cole, all of the Superstars in this match will be in the Royal Rumble, so we know eight Superstars that definitely won’t become WWE World Heavyweight Champion. After a chain of The World Strongest Slam into the Red Arrow, the faces pick up the victory. Winners: Mark Henry, Titus O’Neil, R-Truth & Neville
Smackdown Promotions:
Two announced segments:
– The League of Nations vs. Roman Reigns
– MizTV featuring Dean Ambrose and Kevin Owens
The Highlight Reel with Chris Jericho, feat. Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar
Chris Jericho starts the Highlight Reel with Paul Heyman, the advocate for Brock Lesnar. Jericho asks Paul if he’s worried about Brock’s chances, against 29 other Superstars. Heyman, on the other hand, notes that Brock is a beast, compared to 29 other men. After wondering what it would be like at the Rumble if it’s down to Jericho and Lesnar, Lesnar decides to enter and show everybody.
Right before Lesnar gets into the ring, Roman Reigns enters, and spear Brock immediately. As he continues getting the upper hand, the League of Nations comes out to attack Roman and seemingly save Brock. After Brock gets back on his feet, he takes League of Nations to Suplex City. Roman catches his breath and delivers a second spear to Lesnar, leaving Monday Night Raw on to-but wait! The Wyatts have surrounded the ring, with Reigns and Lesnar in their sights. Bray deliver Sister Abigail to Reigns, then each member of the Wyatts takes their turn on Lesnar. After a Sister Abigail to Brock Lesnar, the Wyatts have the momentum in their favor leading into the Royal Rumble.
