Raw tonight is a pretty big episode. There are a ton of great matches, the return of the Revival, the debut of Hideo Itami, and the announcement of a Women’s Royal Rumble match.
Opening Segment
Last week, Kane faced Braun Strowman in a #1 Contender’s Match to decide who will face Brock Lesnar for the Universal Championship at the Royal Rumble. However, the match ended in a double count-out, so General Manager Kurt Angle has the unenviable task of deciding who faces Lesnar. Both men come out to demand their shots and Paul Heyman interrupts to have Lesnar join the conversation.
Angle knows things are going to get out of hand, so he makes a quick announcement before retreating to the back. At the Royal Rumble, it will be a triple threat match with Lesnar defending against Kane and Strowman. A brawl starts immediately and after Lesnar clotheslines Strowman out of the ring, he F-5s Kane to cement his superiority.
Seth Rollins vs. Jason Jordan
This is not the match that was originally booked for tonight. Seth Rollins comes down to the ring expecting a match with Samoa Joe, but Jason Jordan shows up instead. Jordan wants to be Joe’s next opponent, so he tells Rollins to step aside. Joe then appears to provide a “simple solution,” with Jordan facing Rollins to determine Joe’s next opponent. Rollins refuses until Jordan pushes him, then Rollins’ anger leads to him accepting the proposal.
Jordan looks to get a quick cover on Rollins, but Rollins kicks out and immediately hits his signature knee strike to Jordan’s face. After Rollins covers him for the win, Samoa Joe attacks him and Jordan for good measure. Winner: Seth Rollins
Announcement
Last tonight, Seth Rollins will team up with Dean Ambrose and Jason Jordan to face Samoa Joe, Sheamus, and Cesaro.
Finn Balor vs. Bo Dallas & Curtis Axel
Over the past two weeks, Finn Balor has defeated Curtis Axel and Bo Dallas in what seemed like irrelevant matches. However, there has been constant follow-up and this week, Balor takes on both of them at the same time.
Balor looks to hit the Coup de Grace on Axel, but Dallas enters the ring and they start a 2-on-1 assault on the first-ever Universal Champion. To save his friend from NXT, Hideo Itami debuts a night early instead of his planned debut tomorrow night on 205 Live. Winner (via disqualification): Finn Balor
Finn Balor & Hideo Itami vs. Bo Dallas & Curtis Axel
Instead of leaving Itami’s debut at that moment, this turns into a tag team match. However, this is not Itami’s first main roster match. At WrestleMania 30, Itami was part of the inaugural Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal. More importantly, he is one of the hardest strikers in the business and was a huge star in Japan before signing with WWE.
After Finn Balor shotgun dropkicks Bo Dallas into the barricade, Hideo Itami hits Curtis Axel with the first Go to Sleep seen on Raw since the departure of CM Punk. Winners: Finn Balor & Hideo Itami
Cedric Alexander vs. Drew Gulak (w/Enzo Amore) – #1 Contender’s Match (Cruiserweight Championship)
Two weeks ago, Drew Gulak pinned Cedric Alexander in a Fatal Four-Way match to earn his spot in this #1 Contender’s match. Rich Swann was supposed to be Gulak’s opponent, but he was arrested and Alexander won a Second Chance Fatal Four-Way match last week to redeem himself against Gulak.
Enzo Amore spends the match at the commentary table, but he leaves after checking his phone. This distracts Gulak briefly, giving Alexander the opportunity to take advantage and to win the match. Alexander will be the next man to challenge Amore for the Cruiserweight Championship. Winner, and NEW #1 Contender: Cedric Alexander
Asuka vs. Alicia Fox
A couple weeks ago, Asuka and Alicia Fox had a surprisingly competitive match that led Fox wanting more. Their rematch was supposed to take place last week, but Absolution got in the way of it taking place. Tonight, they collide for the second time.
After a swift kick to Fox’s head, Asuka locks in an armbar for good measure, forcing her to tap out. Winner (via submission): Asuka
Samoa Joe, Cesaro, & Sheamus vs. Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose, & Jason Jordan
After tonight’s earlier events, Kurt Angle announced a six-man tag team match.
While Jason Jordan is laid out at ringside, Dean Ambrose seemingly suffers an injury to his right arm. While Rollins is alone in the middle of the ring, Sheamus hits him with a Brogue Kick to secure the win. Winners: Samoa Joe, Cesaro, & Sheamus
While Ambrose is being checked out by medical personnel backstage, his opposing team from the match ambushes him and Rollins, further hurting his arm. Michael Cole says that Ambrose is being taken to a “local medical facility.”
Heath Slater & Rhyno vs. The Revival
Out of nowhere, The Revival is back. The pair of Dash Wilder and Scott Dawson suffered a serious of unfortunate injuries that kept them off of Monday Night Raw for months. Now that Dawson is back to full health, they are back to showing the WWE Universe why they are one of the greatest tag teams today. Also, it is nice to finally see Heath Slater and Rhyno again.
Wilder pulls Rhyno off of the apron to prevent a tag and the duo seamlessly double teams Slater, quickly finishing him off with the Shatter Machine. Winners: The Revival
Sasha Banks, Bayley, & Mickie James vs. Absolution
After weeks of build, there is finally a six-woman tag team match between Absolution and the women they attacked in their debut.
Just like the handicap match involving Finn Balor, the referee calls for the bell after all members of Absolution assault Banks in the ring. Winners (via disqualification): Sasha Banks, Bayley, & Mickie James
Right after the match ends, Nia Jax enters the ring and start attacking Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville. Jax easily Samoan drops both of them at the same time before Paige chops her left leg. The entire locker room rushes to the ring to attack Absolution before Stephanie McMahon interrupts, stopping everyone in their tracks.
McMahon doesn’t do any of her evil boss gimmick and instead, she sets that aside for a historic announcement. For the very first time, there will be a Women’s Royal Rumble match next month as well as the traditional men’s match.
