This week, Monday Night Raw is kicking into full gear heading into the Royal Rumble. Roman Reigns defends his Intercontinental Championship against Samoa Joe, Alexa Bliss takes on Asuka, and Finn Balor reunites with Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson.
Opening Segment
To kick off Raw and to kick off 2018, General Manager Kurt Angle comes down to the ring with some huge news. He starts off by addressing the Women’s Royal Rumble match. That match will take place just like the men’s match. The rules will be exactly the same and there will be 30 entrants.
Jason Jordan (w/Seth Rollins) vs. Cesaro (w/Sheamus)
Last week, Jason Jordan and Seth Rollins shocked the world when they captured the Raw Tag Team Championships. Jordan was ready to defend his father’s honor after Angle was insulted by Sheamus and Cesaro, so here we are with Raw’s first match of the night.
Despite Sheamus trying to constantly interfere, Jordan manages to take care of Cesaro for the win. Winner: Jason Jordan
Apollo Crews (w/Titus O’Neil & Dana Brooke) vs. Bray Wyatt
Over the past few weeks, Bray Wyatt has been in dueling promos with Woken Matt Hardy and things have been incredibly weird. Since starting his new rivalry, Wyatt has not competed in a match. He was supposed to have a match last week, but Hardy attacked him and sent him retreating.
A distraction from Dana Brooke gives Apollo Crews an opportunity to take advantage, but Wyatt counters into the Sister Abigail anyway for the win. Winner: Bray Wyatt
Alexa Bliss vs. Asuka
In a bit of a surprise, the Empress of Tomorrow gets a shot at the Raw Women’s Champion. Luckily for Bliss, however, this is not for the title. Both women had incredible years in 2017, with Bliss holding a title every month while Asuka is still undefeated.
Bliss survives for a surprisingly long time, but Asuka is always one step ahead of the champ. After hitting Bliss with very quick strikes, she locks in a modified armbar, forcing her to tap out. Winner (via submission): Asuka
Braun Strowman vs. Rhyno (w/Heath Slater)
Former SmackDown Tag Team Champions Heath Slater and Rhyno have had a lot of trouble as of late finding success and Rhyno believes that the key to success is for Slater to “toughen up.” Unfortunately for Rhyno, he has the unenviable task of facing Braun Strowman.
During the match, Strowman tells Slater to stay quiet at ringside or enter the match himself. Slater tries to help out his partner but Strowman decimates both of them. After the match is over, Strowman hits several running powerslams on both Slater and Rhyno for good measure. Winner: Braun Strowman
Roman Reigns (c) vs. Samoa Joe – Intercontinental Championship
Ever since Samoa Joe debuted he has been tied up with the Shield. He injured Seth Rollins’ leg and he recently injured Dean Ambrose’s arm, leaving the Lunatic Fringe out of action for up to nine months. Last week, Roman Reigns took out his aggression on Joe in their match. Reigns was assaulting Joe in the corner and refused to listen to the referee’s count of five, forcing a disqualification. If Reigns gets disqualified tonight, he will lose his Intercontinental Championship.
Joe keeps trying to bait Reigns into a disqualification, but it doesn’t work. Reigns fights through everything Joe throws at him and spears him in the center of the ring. Reigns retains the Intercontinental Championship while finally picking up a win over Joe. Winner, and STILL Intercontinental Champion: Roman Reigns
Drew Gulak & Ariya Daivari vs. Cedric Alexander & Goldust
Originally, Cedric Alexander was planned to face Enzo Amore for the Cruiserweight Championship tonight. That is not happening because Amore is dealing with the flu so he cannot defend his title. Alexander challenged either Drew Gulak or Ariya Daivari to a match but they only accepted if it was a tag team match. Even though he isn’t a Cruiserweight, Goldust decided to take the place as Alexander’s partner.
After Goldust hits Gulak with an uppercut, Alexander finishes him off with the Lumbar Check to pick up the win. Winners: Cedric Alexander & Goldust
Finn Balor, Luke Gallows, & Karl Anderson vs. Elias Samson & The Miztourage
After doing a bunch of nothing for the past few weeks, Finn Balor decided to regroup with Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson, who he was partnered with in Japan. This might be exactly what they need for them to rejuvenate their WWE careers.
Gallows and Anderson hit the Magic Killer on Bo Dallas and Balor immediately finishes him off with the Coup de Grace to secure the victory. Winners: Finn Balor, Luke Gallows, & Karl Anderson
