Two days ago on the WWE Network was the last stop before WrestleMania: Roadblock. We saw numerous title defenses, but every champion retained their title. This includes Triple H, who beat “The Lunatic Fringe” Dean Ambrose, after what seemed like a victory for Ambrose. With only a few weeks until WrestleMania, how will this episode of Monday Night Raw play a role?
The New Day (c) vs. Alberto Del Rio & Rusev (w/Wade Barrett & Sheamus) – WWE Tag Team Championship
At Roadblock, The New Day defeated Sheamus and Wade Barrett (Del Rio and Rusev’s League of Nations teammates) to retain their Tag Team Championships. Since the victory included interference from Xavier Woods (When does it not?), Del Rio and Rusev have decided to get revenge on The New Day.
It’s refreshing to see Monday Night Raw start with a match. It seems like for years the show has started with a 15-minute promo that leads to the main event match/segment. What is also refreshing is that Kofi Kingston is the member of The New Day that is standing at ringside. It has been a while since Woods has been part of a New Day title defense, so this is a nice change of pace.
Kofi Kingston provides a distraction, and after Sheamus and Barrett fail to take care of Kingston, Rusev tries to take him out by himself. While Rusev is trying to take out Kingston, Xavier Woods rolls up Rusev for the win. Winners, and STILL WWE Tag Team Champions: The New Day
After the match, The League of Nations beat down The New Day, which for some reason will probably get them another title shot even though they’ve lost two title matches in a row.
In-ring Segment
Dean Ambrose comes down to the ring to talk about his loss against Triple H two days ago at the Roadblock WWE Network special. After talking about how he beat down Triple H, he shifts gears to the Road to WrestleMania. Immediately, Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman interrupt Ambrose, and stand at the stage.
Paul Heyman hypes the match at WrestleMania, and they start to turn to the back when Lesnar comes back to the ring. Lesnar teases getting into the ring to fight Ambrose, but Ambrose pulls out a crowbar, keeping “The Beast” away for now.
Ryback vs. Sin Cara (w/Kalisto)
Ryback has been clearly pursuing the United States Championship, and if he wins this match, it could make a statement for how a match with Kalisto might go. This is also the first time in a while that we have seen Sin Cara in a singles match, so this might give him a chance to show off his move set.
Well, there was no chance. Ryback hit Shell Shocked twice on Sin Cara for the win. Winner: Ryback
After the match, Ryback challenges Kalisto to defend the United States Championship against him at WrestleMania, and so far we have no word from Kalisto on whether or not he accepts the challenge.
In-ring Segment
Triple H comes to the ring and cuts a promo, talking about how all the fans aren’t above authority, and how he will beat Roman Reigns at WrestleMania. For some reason, Dolph Ziggler interrupts Triple H. He is tired of the Authority insulting the fans, and says that his place is in the ring, saying that no matter what the Authority does, he won’t quit. After Dolph Ziggler does some insulting of the Authority, Stephanie McMahon says that he can have any WrestleMania match he wants, as long as he wins his match tonight. His match: One-on-one with Triple H.
Sami Zayn vs. The Miz
Before the match starts, Kevin Owens joins Michael Cole, JBL, and Byron Saxton on commentary. Last week on Raw, Owens was attacking Neville after defeating him in a match, when Sami Zayn made his Raw debut to save Neville. Owens and Zayn have been friends and rivals for over a decade, and now their feud involves the Intercontinental Championship.
Kevin Owens distracts the Miz (They had a poor partnership on Smackdown last Thursday), and Sami Zayn hits the Helluva Kick for the win. Winner: Sami Zayn
Backstage Segment
The League of Nations comments on their beatdown of The New Day, but most importantly, challenges them to a match at WrestleMania.
Brie Bella & Alicia Fox vs. Team B.A.D. (Naomi & Tamina)
At first, this match seemed pointless. But then, Lana comes out to scout the match. For the past couple of weeks, Lana has decided to target Brie Bella, possibly leading to a match in the future.
Lana distracts the referee, allowing Team B.A.D. to double team Brie Bella for the win. Winners: Team B.A.D.
The Usos vs. Bo Dallas & Adam Rose (w/Heath Slater & Curtis Axel)
Before the match starts, the Dudley Boyz join the commentary team. There has been a weird feud between the Usos and The Dudleys over the last few weeks, which hasn’t really gone anywhere.
After superkicking all of the Social Outcasts, Bo Dallas is hit with a splash for the win. Winners: The Usos
Backstage Segment
Dean Ambrose is in the locker room, when he is approached by Mick Foley. In preparation for Ambrose’s match with Brock Lesnar, Mick Foley gives him a baseball bat wrapped in barbed wire as a “passing of the torch.”
Dolph Ziggler vs. Triple H (w/Stephanie McMahon)
This is the first time Triple H is wrestling on Raw in three years. Since then, he has beaten WCW Sting at WrestleMania 31, as well as Dean Ambrose at Roadblock last Saturday.
After several near-falls, Triple H hits a Pedigree on Ziggler for the win. Winner: Triple H
After the match, Roman Reigns comes down to the ring from the entrance ramp and immediately attacks Triple H. This is the first time Roman Reigns has been on Raw since Triple H destroyed him weeks ago. They brawl to the backstage area, and Reigns hits Triple H with a trash can and even a TV, leading to The Usos, Jack Swagger, and Mark Henry coming to the area to stop Reigns from continuing the assault.
Golden Truth Update
Not yet.
Chris Jericho vs. Neville
Jericho cuts a promo before his match, saying that he’s AJ Styles’s “Daddy.” That’s a real thing that Chris Jericho said on Monday Night Raw. Before the promo goes any further, Neville interrupts and the match is underway.
Jericho shoves referee Charles Robinson, and is disqualified. Winner (via disqualification): Neville
After the match, AJ Styles comes down to the ring and hits Jericho with the “Phenomenal Forearm” (Springboard forearm with a terrible name), and walks out.
In-ring Segment
Vince McMahon, Shane McMahon, and The Undertaker are all in the ring to hype Shane vs. The Undertaker at WrestleMania 32. After Vince and Shane insult each other for a little while, Vince McMahon ends up pushing Shane into the Undertaker, leading to a chokeslam, and The Undertaker stands tall to end Monday Night Raw.
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