All that’s advertised for tonight’s episode of Monday Night Raw is the return of Brock Lesnar. Other than that, Raw is just treading water until the Royal Rumble, and then WrestleMania season is underway. Take a look and see the small (and potentially important) developments in every feud Raw has to offer.
Opening Segment
Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, Kevin Owens, and Chris Jericho all talk about their plans for the Royal Rumble and WrestleMania, then Braun Strowman and Brock Lesnar come down to the ring. Everybody brawls (Sami Zayn even comes from nowhere to attack Strowman) and Lesnar ends the fight by hitting Roman Reigns with an F5.
Rusev & Jinder Mahal (w/Lana) vs. Enzo Amore & Big Cass
Somehow, these teams are still feuding. To think, it all started with Enzo Amore being naked around Lana.
Rusev saves Jinder Mahal from being pinned by the Empire Elbow, but the Bulgarian Brute can’t stop him from being taken out by Air Enzo. Winners: Enzo Amore & Big Cass
Ariya Daivari vs. Lince Dorado
Tonight, Ariya Daivari takes on one of the best high flyers in the Cruiserweight Division, Lince Dorado. Tomorrow night, Daivari will take on his rival of the past several weeks, Jack Gallagher, in an “I Forfeit” match. This is much like an “I Quit” match, although the loser submits the feud as well as the match.
Lince Dorado misses a huge cross body from the top rope, and Ariya Daivari takes advantage to lock in a crossface of sorts and pick up the victory. Winner (via submission): Ariya Daivari
Video Package
Earlier today, Sasha Banks was running the ropes to see if her knee was ready to go. During her evaluation, Nia Jax attacked her and dealt more damage to her knee.
Sheamus & Cesaro (c) vs. Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson – Raw Tag Team Championships
A couple weeks ago, Karl Anderson defeated Cesaro in singles action, so that was enough to give them a title shot even though Sheamus beat Luke Gallows last week. This might be the last time Sheamus and Cesaro defend the belts for a while, since they have announced they will be in the Royal Rumble match.
Sheamus hits referee John Cone, and another referee comes into the ring to count a pinfall victory for Gallows and Anderson. However, Cone reverses the decision and says that they win by disqualification. Winners (via disqualification): Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson
STILL Raw Tag Team Champions: Sheamus & Cesaro
Tony Nese vs. Rich Swann
This match was going to start, but as soon as Rich Swann enters the ring, Neville attacks him from behind. Neville has been dead set on taking over the Cruiserweight Division, and he has a Cruiserweight Championship match against Swann at the Royal Rumble Pay-Per-View. On top of defeating every Cruiserweight he faces, Neville won a match last night against Tommy End during the second day of the United Kingdom Championship tournament.
Big E (w/Xavier Woods & Kofi Kingston) vs. Titus O’Neil – Royal Rumble Qualifying Match
Before the match is made, The New Day enter the ring to gloat about that have the best chance at winning the Royal Rumble match. Since they are all in the match, they have a 1/10 chance to win, and if one wins, they all win. Titus O’Neil interrupts them not to join the New Day, but to take one of their Rumble spots. Big E accepts, and if O’Neil loses, he can no longer harass the New Day.
Titus O’Neil toys with Big E for most of the match, but the longest-reigning Tag Team Champion ever comes back to hit O’Neil with the Big Ending, keeping his Rumble spot. Winner: Big E
In-ring Segment
Charlotte defends the Raw Women’s Championship against Bayley at the Royal Rumble, so the champ decides to dig up through Bayley’s journey to WWE and she makes fun of the challenger. After Charlotte goes on for too long, Bayley rushes the ring and Flair retreats. Bayley cuts an impassioned promo about her journey to become a wrestler, and nothing too important happens before the segment ends.
Brian Kendrick vs. Cedric Alexander
Last week on 205 Live, Brian Kendrick and Cedric Alexander had very different nights. Kendrick picked up a victory over Sean Maluta, while Alexander lost his match against Noam Dar because of Alicia Fox and proceeded to break up with her. Tonight, it’s all about climbing the ladder to earn a Cruiserweight Championship opportunity.
Kendrick has Alexander in the Captain’s Hook, and Alicia Fox comes down to the ring to help him reach the rope to break the hold. Even though Alexander pauses for a moment out of confusion, Fox distracts Kendrick long enough to help him hit the Lumbar Check and pick up the win. Winner: Cedric Alexander
Hall of Fame Announcement
Every year, a class of WWE Legends if inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame the night before WrestleMania. The Class of 2017 just got their first official inductee: Kurt Angle.
Braun Strowman, Chris Jericho, & Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn, Seth Rollins, & Roman Reigns
After the brawl that took place at the beginning of the night, it is only fitting to make a 6-man tag team match out of it. While Teddy Long might not have been SmackDown General Manager for years, his methods resonate to this very day.
Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins take out Kevin Owens and Chris Jericho outside of the ring, and Braun Strowman takes advantage of Zayn being all by himself to get the win. Winners: Braun Strowman, Chris Jericho, & Kevin Owens
After the match, Braun Strowman looks to send Sami Zayn through the announce table, but Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns, and a steel chair come to his aide and take out Strowman. Owens and Jericho attack Reigns and Rollins, and Owens powerbombs Reigns through the announce table to close the show.
