The Royal Rumble is just a couple weeks away, and there are plenty of spots open. For tonight’s episode of Monday Night Raw, we find out some more entrants in the big 30-man match, as well as seeing if Chris Jericho and Kevin Owens can defeat Roman Reigns for the United States Championship in a handicap match.
Opening Segment
We kick off Monday Night Raw in Stephanie McMahon’s office, where McMahon is about to give Mick Foley his 2016 performance review. Before things get started, she wants to address the rumors circulating that The Undertaker will be appearing tonight. Seth Rollins decides to enter, and he is immediately interrupted by Braun Strowman. Strowman was speared by both Roman Reigns and Goldberg last week, and demanded one of them in a match tonight. Rollins decided to attack the “mountain of a man” himself, and with end the segment with chaos in McMahon’s office. So much for that performance review.
Roman Reigns (c) vs. Chris Jericho & Kevin Owens – United States Championship
You read that right. Roman Reigns is defending the United States Championship, a singles championship, in a handicap match against JeriKO. Well, he would be if Braun Strowman didn’t decide to attack Roman Reigns as demanded. Kevin Owens and Chris Jericho are more than willing to join in on the assault, and Seth Rollins rushes to the ring with the chair, and after the former Shield brothers start swinging chairs, they stand tall in the ring.
Stephanie McMahon doesn’t want the United States Championship match to end before it begins, so she says it will restart later in the night. For right now, Seth Rollins takes on Braun Strowman for the second consecutive week.
Braun Strowman vs. Seth Rollins
Strowman wanted a match with Goldberg, but he isn’t in town. He also wanted a match with Roman Reigns, but Reigns has the United States Championship match later on. Instead, he settles for Seth Rollins. The battles goes to the outside, and Braun Strowman starts to drag Rollins into the ring when the referee counts to 10. Result (via count-out): Draw
Jack Gallagher vs. Drew Gulak
Two weeks ago on 205 Live, Jack Gallagher defeated Ariya Daivari in the first-ever Gentleman’s Duel in WWE history. Gallagher would face Tony Nese last week, and during the match, Daivari ambushed Gallagher to get revenge for his embarrassment from the duel.
After a vicious headbutt to Gulak, Gallagher hits a running dropkick in the corner to pin Gulak and continue his great run in the Cruiserweight Division. Gallagher gets on the microphone after the match and invited him into 205 Live tomorrow night for parlay, where they will negotiate terms to end their feud. Winner: Jack Gallagher
HBK Returns
It’s the Royal Rumble season, and the man who won two consecutive Royal Rumble matches is here to promote his new movie address the WWE Universe. HB Shizzle talks about his new movie, and he is interrupted by Rusev (with Lana and Jinder Mahal at his sides). Rusev demands that Michaels has Lana put in the movie, then Enzo and Big Cass roll and stroll down to the ring. Somehow, this leads to another Rusev/Big Cass match.
Big Cass (w/Enzo Amore & Shawn Michaels) vs. Jinder Mahal (w/Rusev & Lana)
The only thing that makes this match interesting to any degree is that Shawn Michaels is at ringside. After HBK hits Rusev with Sweet Chin Music at ringside, Big Cass hits the Empire Elbow on Jinder Mahal to pick up the pinfall. Winner: Big Cass
Neville vs. Lince Dorado
While Neville may be the self-professed King of the Cruiserweights, he has never faced Lince Dorado. Dorado is a fast paced luchador, who excels in his aerial attack. Unfortunately for Dorado, Neville has all of that and the strength of a heavyweight.
Neville submits Dorado by turning him into a human pretzel, then does it again after the match to make a statement. Rich Swann, who suffered the same fate two weeks ago, rushes the ring and attacks Neville. Winner (via submission): Neville
Luke Gallows vs. Sheamus
Last week, Cesaro lost to Karl Anderson in singles action, and now Sheamus faces Luke Gallows. If Gallows picks up a win over the other half of the Raw Tag Team Champions, the Club could be in line for a championship opportunity.
Karl Anderson and Cesaro fight near the announce table, and while this distracts Sheamus, this doesn’t stop him from putting Luke Gallows with a Brogue Kick. Winner: Sheamus
Mick Foley’s Performance Review
For some reason, Mick Foley’s job depends upon whether or not The Undertaker shows up tonight. Luckily, for Foley’s sake, the Phenom decides to show up. Not only does he make an appearance, he announces his entrance for perhaps the most star-studded Royal Rumble match ever. I guess The Undertaker doesn’t care about being back on SmackDown Live anymore.
Bayley & Sasha Banks vs. Charlotte & Nia Jax
Last week, Bayley had to defeat Nia Jax in order to earn a Raw Women’s Championship at the Royal Rumble. Sasha Banks distracted Jax, and Bayley was able to win the #1 Contendership. Tonight, the Boss and Hug Connection takes on Charlotte and Nia Jax, who are far from friends themselves.
Sasha Banks wasn’t 100% during this match, so Bayley had to essentially wrestle a handicap match. Nia Jax hits Bayley with an atomic leg drog and picks up the win over the #1 Contender. Winners: Charlotte & Nia Jax
Kofi Kingston (w/Xavier Woods & Big E) vs. Titus O’Neil
For the second week in a row, Titus O’Neil tries to join The New Day. O’Neil gets embarrassed by the New Day, then challenges Kofi Kingston to a match. O’Neil couldn’t defeat Xavier Woods last week, and the numbers game gets the best of him this week after getting hit with Trouble in Paradise. Winner: Kofi Kingston
Roman Reigns (c) vs. Chris Jericho & Kevin Owens – United States Championship
This time, Roman Reigns is actually defending the championship. Reigns has a Universal Championship opportunity at the Royal Rumble, so he could potentially become a double champion.
While everybody and their mother (myself included) expected Roman Reigns to overcome the odds, JeriKO had the big dog’s number. After a vicious assault outside the ring, Chris Jericho would pin Roman Reigns to win the United States Championship for the first time in his 20+ year career. Winner, and NEW United States Champion: Chris Jericho
