Tonight, Raw starts its four-week long build to WrestleMania 33. Goldberg celebrates his Universal Championship victory, Chris Jericho returns, and we get a better idea of what we are going to see on the Grandest Stage of Them All.
Opening Segment
After distracting Kevin Owens and costing him the Universal Championship, Chris Jericho is back on Raw. Owens attacked Jericho at the end of the Festival of Friendship three weeks ago, and now Y2J calls him out to find out why.
Owens was using Jericho as a tool, and when Jericho accepted the Universal Championship match on his behalf, he outlasted his usefulness. Jericho says that the distraction from last night is just the beginning, and he wants to face KO at WrestleMania. Owens accepts, and the match is made with the United States Championship on the line.
Owens and Jericho brawl in the ring, and Samoa Joe enters the ring to help the former Universal Champion. Sami Zayn, who lost to Joe last night, rushes to the ring with a steel chair and helps Y2J send Owens and Joe retreating.
Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn
During the commercial break, Mick Foley made this impromptu match with Chris Jericho and Samoa Joe banned from ringside (they will face each other later tonight). Sami Zayn also used to be Owens’ friend, until he was betrayed in NXT.
Owens attacks Zayn’s neck, then finishes him off with a Pop-up Powerbomb for a dominant victory. Winner: Kevin Owens
Neville (c) vs. Rich Swann – Cruiserweight Championship
Neville captured the Cruiserweight Championship from Rich Swann at the Royal Rumble, and Swann suffered a minor ankle/foot injury. During his time out, Jack Gallagher became the new #1 Contender. Now that Neville retained the belt last night, Swann cashes in his rematch clause. Swann won a tag team match alongside Akira Tozawa on the Fastlane Kickoff Show when he pinned Noam Dar following a beautiful Phoenix Splash.
The King of the Cruiserweights rolls out of the Phoenix Splash attempt, then locks in his unique submission hold, forcing Swann to tap out. Winner, and STILL Cruiserweight Champion (via submission): Neville
Austin Aries, in his journalistic prowess, asks Neville a couple questions after he went through two championship matches in less than 24 hours. The champ says that no one is on his level, and then he threatens Aries to get out of the ring. Instead, Aries clocks Neville with the microphone and holds up the Cruiserweight Championship, revealing his intentions.
In-ring Segment
Goldberg comes down to the ring to celebrate his Universal Championship victory, and he is almost immediately interrupted by Paul Heyman. Heyman introduces his client, Brock Lesnar, and brings the Conqueror to the ring to shake Goldberg’s hand. Of course, he doesn’t shake Goldberg’s hand, and suckers the champ in for an F-5.
Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson (c) vs. Enzo Amore & Big Cass – Raw Tag Team Championships
Enzo Amore had his foot on the rope when he was pinned in the championship match last night, but Gallows pushed it off the rope. Mick Foley must have seen this and scheduled a rematch, giving the Realest Guys in the Room another shot at the titles. Sheamus and Cesaro decide to come down to ringside and watch the match up close.
Amore hits a suicide dive on Gallows, and dances to celebrate. The dance leads to Amore knocking into Cesaro, who spills coffee all over himself. The Swiss Superman chases Amore into the ring, and accidentally clotheslines Karl Anderson, then all three teams brawl with Sheamus and Cesaro clearing house. Winners (via disqualification): Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson
Hall of Fame Announcement
Joining Kurt Angle, Beth Phoenix, Teddy Long, and the Rock ‘N’ Roll Express, “Ravishing” Rick Rude is the latest inductee announced into the 2017 class of the WWE Hall of Fame.
Akira Tozawa vs. Ariya Daivari
Ariya Daivari has been doing a bunch of nothing since his “I Forfeit” Match with Jack Gallagher, and he faces the man who has been prominently featured over the past few weeks, Akira Tozawa.
Daivari rushes a clothesline, and Tozawa counters it into a snap German suplex for the win. The Stamina Monster immediately calls out Brian Kendrick. Kendrick doesn’t fight him, but he says he will have an answer for him on 205 Live. Winner: Akira Tozawa
The New Day vs. The Shining Stars
The New Day bring back their Pop-cycle, which will eventually transport their ice cream. Primo and Epico decide to pay attention to the bike instead of their opponents, and they lost very quickly. Winners: The New Day
In-ring Segment
Bayley comes down to the ring to address her journey to WrestleMania, and Sasha Banks comes out to challenge her to a match at WrestleMania 33. Charlotte and Dana Brooke interrupt the challenge to argue that there was controversy in the Raw Women’s Championship match last night. Of course, Stephanie McMahon joins the debate and sides with Charlotte.
McMahon makes Bayley vs. Charlotte official for WrestleMania, but Foley argues her decision. He proposes Charlotte vs. Sasha Banks next week for a chance to face Bayley for the title. Stephanie McMahon takes his idea and changes it. Instead of Sasha Banks vs. Charlotte next week, Banks faces Bayley next.
Sasha Banks vs. Bayley
If Sasha Banks loses, Bayley will face Charlotte at WrestleMania. If Banks wins, she will make the match a triple threat with Charlotte still involved.
Charlotte tries to interfere, but it backfires when Banks kicks her off of the apron to continue the Bank Statement. Bayley taps out, and Charlotte attacks both women after the match. Winner (via submission): Sasha Banks
Samoa Joe vs. Chris Jericho
Because of the brawl to open the show, Chris Jericho and Samoa Joe square off for the first time ever. This is Y2J’s first match since the Festival of Friendship incident, and he has to face the man who has beaten Sami Zayn, Cesaro, and Roman Reigns in his first three main roster matches.
Joe locks in the Coquina Clutch outside the ring, and leaves Chris Jericho laid out until the referee’s count of 10. After getting the victory, Joe looks to further the assault, but instead he gets hit with a Codebreaker. Winner (via count-out): Samoa Joe
In-ring Segment
Braun Strowman lost to Roman Reigns last night, so he calls out the Big Dog for another fight. Instead, the Undertaker shows up. The Deadman stares down Strowman, and Strowman walks away. It looks like the show is over, but Roman Reigns makes his entrance. Reigns calls it his yard, which angers Taker.
Undertaker looks at the WrestleMania sign, then back at reigns, and chokeslams the Big Dog to end the show.
