Tonight, Monday Night Raw takes it last shot at getting the WWE Universe excited for WrestleMania. Raw has a lot of work to do, considering that the Raw brand has the majority of the matches on Sunday. Two big segments advertised tonight are Seth Rollins’ response to Triple H’s challenge, as well as a face-to-face between Goldberg and Brock Lesnar.
Opening Segment
In a bit of a change for Raw, Bayley comes to the ring to kick off the show. The Raw Women’s Champion is rightfully excited since she is defending her title in a Fatal Four Way match at WrestleMania. Charlotte interrupts the champion to convince her that Sasha Banks will stab her in the back, but Bayley has none of it and neither does Banks, who also makes her way to the ring.
Nia Jax, who earned her spot in the title match last week, comes out to insult the drama between the other women as well as the constant title changes. Charlotte takes another shot at Banks’ relationship with Bayley, and Banks attacks the Queen. All four women brawl into the commercial break.
Bayley & Sasha Banks vs. Nia Jax & Charlotte
Since Raw only has four women (and Dana Brooke), having all of these women in the same match before WrestleMania seems like the only option. This match happened a few weeks ago and Bayley was pinned by Nia Jax. Bayley would then be submitted by Sasha Banks and pinned by Nia Jax in subsequent weeks.
Sasha Banks disposes of Nia Jax outside of the ring, and Bayley hits the Bayley-to-Belly on Charlotte to finally pick up a win before defending her title. Jax rushes the ring after the match and assaults every other woman in her path. Winners: Bayley & Sasha Banks
Austin Aries vs. Noam Dar (w/Alicia Fox)
Austin Aries has a Cruiserweight Championship match against Neville this Sunday, and this match against Noam Dar could be his last chance to build momentum for the biggest match of his career. Aries has been undefeated since his main roster debut, but the Scottish Supernova has been picking up a win for himself lately as well.
Aries hits Dar with the Discus Five-arm, then finishes him off with the Last Chancery submission maneuver. Winner (via submission): Austin Aries
In-ring Segment
Seth Rollins returns to Raw from getting attacked by Triple H a couple weeks ago to sign a contract for his WrestleMania match. Since he isn’t “medically cleared,” the contract will prevent Rollins from suing WWE if he gets seriously injured in their match.
Rollins signs the contract, and Triple H shoves the table right into Rollins’ injured knee. Rollins manages to fight back, and he sends The Game retreating after throwing him over the top rope.
Over the Top Rope Challenge
There isn’t much explanation as to what this is, but it starts with Big Show and Jinder Mahal. A new Superstar enters after each elimination.
Eliminations: Jinder Mahal, Bo Dallas, The Shining Stars, Big Show
After Big Show is eliminated, he enters the ring to knock out everyone involved. His music starts and Braun Strowman shows up to enter himself into the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal.
Backstage Segment
Sheamus and Cesaro are being interviewed regarding their Raw Tag Team Championship match when Gallows and Anderson attack them from behind. The assault ends when the champions hit both Sheamus and Cesaro with a ladder.
Neville vs. Jack Gallagher
When Neville defended the Cruiserweight Championship against Jack Gallagher at Fastlane, they stole the show. It was a match that elevated Gallagher to the next level of Superstardom, but he has only been competing on 205 Live since. Neville needs this win before he defends his title on Sunday.
The King of the Cruiserweights hits a superplex followed by the Rings of Saturn submission to force Jack Gallagher to tap out. Winner (via submission): Neville
In-ring Segment
Roman Reigns comes to the ring to tell the WWE Universe that he intends to retire The Undertaker. Reigns says that this is his “yard” now, which leads him to The Deadman interrupting him on the Titantron. The lights go out, Taker shows up behind Reigns, and says that he will rest in peace. Undertaker then lowers the lights and the segment ends.
In-ring Segment
Enzo Amore and Big Cass are supposed to take on Gallows and Anderson in tag team action, but Sheamus and Cesaro attack the tag champs from behind with a ladder. They go to fight Enzo and Cass, but Gallows and Anderson come back in the ring to wipe everybody out and stand tall. Perhaps this could lead to the Raw Tag Team Championship match being a ladder match.
Sami Zayn vs. Kevin Owens – No Disqualification Match
This is a huge match for Sami Zayn. If he wins, he earns a spot in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal. If he loses, Stephanie McMahon will fire him. Unfortunately for Zayn, he doesn’t exactly have the best record against Kevin Owens.
Samoa Joe looks to come to the ring and help Owens, but Chris Jericho saves Zayn by hitting Joe with a chair. Zayn takes advantage of Owens’ divided attention by rolling him up for the quick win. Y2J sends Owens and Joe retreating with his steel chair and finally puts Kevin Owens on the List of Jericho. Winner, and still employed: Sami Zayn
Closing Segment
In the final Monday Night Raw segment before WrestleMania, we have a final faceoff between Goldberg and Brock Lesnar. Paul Heyman cuts his usual promo, and Goldberg comes out to hit Lesnar with one last spear to end the show.
