Tonight, Monday Night Raw hosts the last Pay-Per-View before WrestleMania: Fastlane. Tonight’s card has its fair share of big matches, from Neville defending the Cruiserweight Championship against Jack Gallagher to Goldberg challenging Kevin Owens for the Universal Championship.
Rich Swann & Akira Tozawa vs. Brian Kendrick & Noam Dar (w/Alicia Fox)
This match takes two feuds from 205 Live and throws them together for a fun opener on the Kickoff Show. Brian Kendrick feels like he has been disrespected by Akira Tozawa, and has gone out of his way to forcefully teach him lessons. Rich Swann and Noam Dar feuded for at least a week over Alicia Fox, but there isn’t much to go on there.
Akira Tozawa disposes of Brian Kendrick with a snap German suplex, and Rich Swann picks up the victory with a beautiful Phoenix Splash on Noam Dar. Winners: Rich Swann & Akira Tozawa
Prediction: Rich Swann & Akira Tozawa (1/1)
Sami Zayn vs. Samoa Joe
In an interview following his debut, Samoa Joe mentioned that he isn’t like “Sami Zayn.” Zayn took offense to this, and in mentioning Joe’s comments, it angered the Samoan Submission Machine. Joe attacked him from behind two weeks ago, and Zayn did the same last week. The brawls have led to Joe’s first main roster Pay-Per-View match.
Sami Zayn give Joe perhaps his hardest fight on the main roster so far, but Joe locks in the Coquina Clutch to put Zayn away. Winner (via submission): Samoa Joe
Predicted Winner: Samoa Joe (2/2)
Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson (c) vs. Enzo Amore & Big Cass – Raw Tag Team Championships
Gallows and Anderson won the Raw Tag Team Championships from Sheamus and Cesaro at the Royal Rumble Kickoff Show. Enzo Amore and Big Cass cost Sheamus and Cesaro their rematch, then defeated the former champs to earn this title match tonight.
While Enzo Amore was entering the ring, Karl Anderson kicked him in the side of the skull. During the pin, Amore had his foot on the rope, but Gallows pushed it off to retain the titles. Winners, and STILL Raw Tag Team Champions: Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson
Predicted Winners: Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson (3/3)
Sasha Banks vs. Nia Jax
Since Bayley is defending the Raw Women’s Championship against Charlotte, there is only one possibility for another women’s match: Sasha Banks vs. Nia Jax. Jax defeated Banks at the Royal Rumble Kickoff Show, and Jax also pinned Bayley last week on Raw.
Nia Jax decides to toy with Sasha Banks instead of going for the pin, and Banks rolls up Jax for the surprise victory. Winner: Sasha Banks
Predicted Winner: Nia Jax (3/4)
Jinder Mahal vs. Cesaro (w/Sheamus)
On the Kickoff Show, Rusev and Jinder Mahal revealed to Mick Foley that they are no longer a tag team. They both wanted singles action, and Foley said he would find suitable competition for both. Mahal and Rusev battle it out to see who goes first, and Mahal disposed of his former partner long enough to get the first match.
Mahal turned his attention to Rusev, and that mistake led to a pop-up European uppercut and the loss. Rusev takes advantage of a downed Mahal and dishes out an assault. Winner: Cesaro
Predicted Winner: N/A
Rusev (w/Lana) vs. Big Show
After Mahal finishes his match, Rusev gets his in the form of the World’s Largest Athlete. Big Show put on a great match with Braun Strowman a couple weeks ago, and is back to weekly in-ring action after getting in arguably the best shape of his career.
Big Show hits the Bulgarian Brute with three chokeslams, then finishes him off with the WMD for an emphatic win. Winner: Big Show
Predicted Winner: N/A
Neville (c) vs. Jack Gallagher – Cruiserweight Championship
Neville defeated Rich Swann for the Cruiserweight Championship at the Royal Rumble, and Swann was injured long enough for Gallagher to fill the #1 Contender spot. Both men involved in this match have brawled over the last few weeks, and the Extraordinary Gentleman has always come out the victor. However, Neville has been on a roll when it comes to official matches.
Gallagher hits Neville with all he’s got, but the self-professed King of the Cruiserweights brings back the Red Arrow to keep his crown. Winner, and STILL Cruiserweight Champion: Neville
Predicted Winner: Neville (4/5)
Roman Reigns vs. Braun Strowman
Braun Strowman has been unstoppable since being drafted to Raw, and that didn’t stop with Roman Reigns. The mountain of a man has attacked the former WWE Champion over the past few weeks, and the Big Dog hasn’t managed to keep him down. If Reigns can’t do it again tonight, Strowman is going to have an easy win.
Braun Strowman shocks the world and goes to the top rope, but misses a huge splash attempt. This was the perfect opportunity for Reigns to hit the spear, pinning Strowman. Winner: Roman Reigns
Predicted Winner: Braun Strowman (4/6)
Bayley (c) vs. Charlotte – Raw Women’s Championship
After pinning Charlotte in a mixed 6-man tag team match, Bayley won the opportunity to challenge her for the Women’s Championship. A few weeks ago, she did just that and won her first title on the main roster. Charlotte immediately cashed in her rematch for Fastlane, which is a smart strategy since she is 16-0 in Pay-Per-View singles matches.
Sasha Banks runs down to the ring during the match, and Charlotte shifts her focus, leading to a Bayley-to-Belly outside the ring. Charlotte rolls up the champ, but Banks tells the referee that Charlotte is using the tights for leverage. One more Bayley-to-Belly later, and Charlotte is no longer undefeated in Pay-Per-View singles matches. Winner, and STILL Raw Women’s Champion: Bayley
Predicted Winner: Charlotte (4/7)
Kevin Owens (c) vs. Goldberg – WWE Universal Championship
Goldberg challenged Kevin Owens for the Universal Championship, and Chris Jericho accepted the match on Owens’ behalf. If Goldberg wins, he’ll take the belt to WrestleMania for his match against Brock Lesnar. If Owens wins, it looks like it will get involved in some unfinished business he has with Chris Jericho.
Kevin Owens spends about five minutes outside of the ring before the match begins. The second the bell rings, Chris Jericho appears on the stage, distracting Owens. This gives Goldberg a chance for the spear, the jackhammer, and the pin. Winner, and NEW Universal Champion: Goldberg
Predicted Winner: Goldberg (5/8)
