With WrestleMania being less than two weeks away, Raw only has two more nights to get the WWE Universe excited for the biggest wrestling event of the year. Not much has been advertised for tonight’s show, outside of The Highlight Reel with the “real” Kevin Owens, and a rematch between Braun Strowman and Roman Reigns.
Opening Segment
After a tense closing segment with Triple H and Stephanie McMahon last week, Mick Foley makes his way to the ring. Foley reads a leave of absence message off of index cards, then he rips the cards up and tries to say what’s on his mind. Unfortunately for him, his microphone got cut and Stephanie McMahon makes her way to the ring. As expected, she doesn’t like his insubordinate actions, and then proceeds to fire him.
The now former General Manager starts to leave, then Sami Zayn, of all people, shows up to tell Stephanie McMahon that she is wrong. Samoa Joe comes down to the ring to provide backup, and a match is made, starting right now.
Samoa Joe vs. Sami Zayn
In singles action, Samoa Joe defeated Sami Zayn at Fastlane. They squared off again in tag team action, where Zayn would pick up the victory, but only because Joe and Kevin Owens would assault him and ignore the referee. This is Zayn’s big opportunity to get a huge upset, as well as to stick it to the Commissioner of Raw.
Zayn hits Joe with a Tornado DDT outside the ring, but Joe has the will to counter the Helluva Kick into a Uranage. Joe then locks in the Coquina Clutch, defeating Zayn yet again. Winner (via submission): Samoa Joe
Charlotte vs. Dana Brooke
Dana Brooke lost to Sasha Banks last week, and Charlotte demeaned her and got rid of her as her protege. Brook decided to stand up for herself, and she attacked Charlotte and sent her reeling. 13 nights out of WrestleMania, Dana Brooke has a huge chance to get rid of any momentum Charlotte has going into her championship triple threat match.
Brooke gets a surprising amount of offense in on the former Raw Women’s Champion, but Charlotte finds an opportunity to hit a big boot and get the pinfall. Winner: Charlotte
Chris Jericho’s Highlight Reel
Y2J makes it his mission to show the WWE Universe the “real” Kevin Owens. Jericho shows a picture of Owens at 16 years old owning a ton of Chris Jericho merchandise, and even in 2014 when he asked Y2J for advice when he was signed to NXT. Kevin Owens is about to be put on the List of Jericho, when he attacks Jericho from behind, lays him out with the Pop-up Powerbomb, and rips up The List.
TJ Perkins vs. Brian Kendrick
Both men in this match are former Cruiserweight Champions, and they feuded with each other over the title for a few months at the end of 2016. Kendrick was the last man eliminated from the #1 Contender’s Elimination Match on 205 Live last week, and that was with the help of TJ Perkins.
The referee is in the corner, which prevents TJ Perkins from doing his planned move. Kendrick takes advantage of Perkins’ frustration and hits the Sliced Bread No. 2 for the win. Winner (via bread): Brian Kendrick
Bayley vs. Nia Jax – No Disqualification Match
The Raw Women’s Champion, Bayley, has suffered several losses to Nia Jax over the past year. If Jax can beat the champion one more time tonight, she will be added to the Women’s Championship match at WrestleMania between Bayley, Sasha Banks, and Charlotte. Stephanie McMahon made this a No Disqualification Match just to make it easier for Jax.
Just like in all of their previous encounters, Nia Jax dominates the Raw Women’s Champion. Jax pulls Bayley off of the turnbuckle, hits a Samoan Drop, and earns her spot in a WrestleMania title match. Winner: Nia Jax
Interview with Triple H
Last week, Seth Rollins made a surprise return and tried to attack Triple H. The Game attacked Rollins’ knee with his own crutch, and forced him back into rehab. While there is no way for Seth Rollins to be medically cleared for WrestleMania, Triple H proposes a “non-sanctioned match,” which would have Rollins sign a contract preventing him to sue the company if he gets too hurt in the match.
Sheamus & Cesaro vs. Karl Anderson, Luke Gallows, Enzo Amore, & Big Cass
In this 2-on-4 handicap match, Sheamus and Cesaro need to win or else they are out of the Raw Tag Team Championship match at WrestleMania. Luckily for them, their opponents don’t get along.
Gallows and Anderson attack their partners before the match starts, and they continue to battle throughout the short match. Sheamus and Cesaro take advantage to hit an assisted Brogue Kick to stay in the title match. Winners: Sheamus & Cesaro
Austin Aries vs. Tony Nese
Two weeks ago in his 205 Live debut, Austin Aries picked up a victory over Tony Nese. Since then, Aries won his Monday Night Raw and a #1 Contender’s Elimination Fatal Five Way Match (Man, that’s a mouthful.) the following night. Aries needs this win to build momentum to his WrestleMania match against Neville.
After a running elbow in the corner, Aries hits his Discus “Fivearm” on Nese to secure the win. Winner: Austin Aries
Roman Reigns vs. Braun Strowman
The Big Dog, Roman Reigns, has The Undertaker in his sights for WrestleMania. However, Braun Strowman wants revenge on Reigns after losing their match at Fastlane. Strowman is roughly the same size as The Undertaker (although in way better shape), and this is a good chance for Reigns to get ready for The Deadman.
The lights go dark, and the Undertaker appears in the middle of the ring. Undertaker chokeslams Braun Strowman, then turns around into a spear from Roman Reigns. Taker sits up, and the two stare down to close the show. Result: No Contest
