Last week on Monday Night Raw, we saw the return of Roman Reigns, who finally got some revenge on Triple H. The two brawled into the backstage area, where Reigns busted Triple H open, and ending the assault by hitting “The Game” in the back with a television. With WrestleMania less than two weeks away, it can (hopefully) only get more interesting from here.
Opening Segment
We start the show off with Stephanie McMahon. As soon as she gets in the ring, McMahon announces that her husband, Triple H, will not be on Raw this week. She starts talking about how great Triple H is, and immediately gets interrupted by Roman Reigns (who seems to permanently be entering from the entrance ramp from now on). Roman shushes Stephanie McMahon, blocks her attempt to slap him, and says that he’s the Authority now.
AJ Styles vs. Kevin Owens
Kevin Owens and AJ Styles faced each other on Smackdown last week, when Owens won because a distraction by Styles’s former tag team partner-turned-rival, Chris Jericho. Both of these competitors two of the best in-ring performers the WWE has to offer, and if Styles wasn’t feuding with Chris Jericho, this should be the Intercontinental Championship match at WrestleMania 32.
During the match, Chris Jericho comes down the entrance ramp chanting “A-J Sty-les”, and causes Styles to be distracted again for Owens to pick up a roll-up victory. Winner: Kevin Owens
After the match, Kevin Owens addresses the fact that no one is scheduled to face him for the Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania KOMania, and before he can continue, he is interrupted by Dolph Ziggler, The Miz, and Sami Zayn. Owens says that he will go to the Authority and see if they set up a triple threat match between the three possible challengers to determine the new #1 Contender.
Backstage Segment
Dean Ambrose is out and about in Philadelphia, where he runs into hardcore legend, Terry Funk. Funk praises how great Ambrose is, and gives him a gift to go along with Mick Foley’s barbed wire bat: a chainsaw.
Big E (w/The New Day) vs. Rusev (w/The League of Nations)
The New Day will defend their Tag Team Championships against The League of Nations. Last week on Monday Night Raw, the League of Nations lost in a tag team match to The New Day, but made a statement by delivering a post-match beatdown to The New Day (and an obnoxiously long beatdown at that).
The New Day fends off ringside distractions from The League of Nations, allowing Big E to hit the Big Ending for the win. Winner: Big E
In-ring Segment
The Big Show comes down to the ring, and he promotes the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal, which he won last year. Big Show announces that he will be in the third annual Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal at WrestleMania 32, and he hopes to be a two-time winner. The Social Outcasts interrupt the Big Show and start ganging up of “The World’s Largest Athlete,” who is saved by longtime tag team partner, Kane. Big Show thanks Kane, but Kane decides to chokeslam the Big Show from the top turnbuckle.
Fandango vs. Chris Jericho
That’s right, Fandango. There is no typo there; he’s actually having a televised match on Monday Night Raw. This match is a “WrestleMania Rewind match,” highlight Fandango’s WWE debut, where he defeated Chris Jericho at WrestleMania 29 in one of the biggest WrestleMania upsets ever. Tonight, Fandango has a very angry Chris Jericho on his hands.
AJ Styles distracts Jericho by chanting “Y-2 Jack-ass,” but Jericho still managed to hit the Codebreaker on Fandango for the win. Winner: Chris Jericho
After the match, Styles challenges Jericho to a match at WrestleMania, which was something I thought was already on the card.
In-ring Segment
Kevin Owens is in the ring to announce the competitors in the triple threat match to determine the #1 Contender for the Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania. The competitors are not the ones expected however, as Owens introduces Stardust, Sin Cara, and Zack Ryder.
Zack Ryder vs. Stardust vs. Sin Cara – #1 Contender’s Match (Intercontinental Championship)
The match is underway, and Sami Zayn, Dolph Ziggler, and The Miz make their way down to the commentary booth to confront Kevin Owens about making a triple threat match that didn’t involve any of them. Kevin Owens sends Ryder into The Miz, and for some reason the referee calls off the match even though a triple threat match has no disqualifications. Result: Draw
Backstage Segment
Kevin Owens barges into Stephanie McMahon’s office claiming that none of the men involved in the last segment deserve a chance at the Intercontinental Championship. Stephanie McMahon, annoyed that she was interrupted, decides that Owens will defend his title against all of them in a ladder match.
Stephanie McMahon meets Triple H in the parking lot to leave for the night, and Roman Reigns pulls Triple H out of his van and starts attacking him. Triple H manages to get back in the van pretty quickly and escapes.
Charlotte (w/Ric Flair) vs. Natalya
Before the match starts, Becky Lynch and Sasha Banks join the commentary team at ringside. Charlotte and Natalya have had great matches in NXT and at Roadblock, which took place a little over a week ago.
After countering the Sharpshooter, Charlotte hits Natural Selection on Natalya for the win. Winner: Charlotte
Bubba Ray Dudley (w/D-Von Dudley) vs. R-Truth
It was officially announced last week that the Dudley Boyz will take on the Usos at WrestleMania, and Bubba Ray Dudley looks to gain momentum going into WrestleMania.
D-Von Dudley distracts R-Truth, leading to Bubba Ray Dudley hitting a big boot for the win. Winner: Bubba Ray Dudley
After the match, Goldust tries to make the save, but the numbers game gets the best of him. After the Dudleys put away Goldust, the Usos come to the ring to attack the Dudleys.
In-ring Segment
Vince McMahon walks down to the ring to promote the match between Shane McMahon and The Undertaker at WrestleMania 32. Vince McMahon announces that if The Undertaker loses to Shane McMahon, then this WrestleMania will be his last.
Dean Ambrose vs. Braun Strowman
Before the match starts, Paul Heyman (the advocate for Brock Lesnar) joins the commentary team to scout Dean Ambrose, as well as promote the street fight between Ambrose and Lesnar at WrestleMania. Speaking of which, Brock Lesnar will be on Smackdown this Thursday.
Ambrose decides to get a steel chair and attack Braun Strowman to cause the disqualification. Winner (via disqualification): Braun Strowman
After the match, Dean Ambrose hits Strowman with Dirty Deeds to send a message to Brock Lesnar, and end this episode of Monday Night Raw.
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