WWE RAW Review (February 17th)
Welcome to another edition of the Monday Night RAW Review! One week after the vicious beatdown on Matt Hardy, Randy Orton was set to square off against Matt in a No DQ Match! Also, Shayna Baszler made her RAW debut last week by attacking Becky Lynch after her Championship Match against Asuka where she proceeded to bite Becky's neck! How will The Man respond? Will Shayna Baszler be in attendance once again to strike? Does Matt Hardy put a stop to Orton on his vicious rampage? What's the Monday Night Messiah going to do next? Let's recap the show to answer all of these questions!
The Viper Randy Orton kicked off RAW as he tried to talk about his upcoming No DQ Match against Matt Hardy. Matt Hardy interrupted him almost immediately to confront Orton about his actions. Matt not only told Orton that he's prepared for their upcoming match, but he still wanted to know what was Orton's deal as of late. Orton then explained that he has every ounce of respect for Edge and he indeed loves him like a brother. He struggled to continue his explanation after that so he ended up saying, "I'm sorry". He goes to leave but then takes off his hoodie and walks back to the ring, as Matt goes to grab a chair for protection. Matt goes after Orton but Orton would knock him down with the ropes, then RKOs him. Orton then grabs two chairs and teases he's was gonna hit the Conchairto but refused for a moment. He then finally hits it and walks off, but he wasn't done there. He would then drag Matt out of ring and props him face down on the steel steps then hits another Conchairto on the steel steps! After doing the damage, Orton repeatedly screams "I'm sorry" to Matt as he walks off in anger yet satisfied about what he had done. At that point we had no idea if their No DQ Match would go down, but Orton for sure was certain that Matt wouldn't walk after his brutal assault.
The Viper Randy Orton kicked off RAW as he tried to talk about his upcoming No DQ Match against Matt Hardy. Matt Hardy interrupted him almost immediately to confront Orton about his actions. Matt not only told Orton that he's prepared for their upcoming match, but he still wanted to know what was Orton's deal as of late. Orton then explained that he has every ounce of respect for Edge and he indeed loves him like a brother. He struggled to continue his explanation after that so he ended up saying, "I'm sorry". He goes to leave but then takes off his hoodie and walks back to the ring, as Matt goes to grab a chair for protection. Matt goes after Orton but Orton would knock him down with the ropes, then RKOs him. Orton then grabs two chairs and teases he's was gonna hit the Conchairto but refused for a moment. He then finally hits it and walks off, but he wasn't done there. He would then drag Matt out of ring and props him face down on the steel steps then hits another Conchairto on the steel steps! After doing the damage, Orton repeatedly screams "I'm sorry" to Matt as he walks off in anger yet satisfied about what he had done. At that point we had no idea if their No DQ Match would go down, but Orton for sure was certain that Matt wouldn't walk after his brutal assault.
Aleister Black Vs. Erick Rowan
Decent match as Rowan's strength tangled with Black's combat style. Rowan actually had Black's number for the most part as he took the man down with some big maneuvers. Black looked bleak for a moment, but the Dutch Destroyer came back with his acrobatic moves and devastating strikes. Black even hit a Moonsault to Rowan at ringside before being Powerbombed by the man in the ring for a near fall. Black came back to hit the Black Mass, but that only startled him! Rowan struggled to get back to his feet but once he did, Black nailed another Black Mass for the pinfall victory!
Charlotte Flair arrived up next as she talked about her invasion at NXT Takeover: Portland by attacking NXT Women's Champion Rhea Ripley. Charlotte described Rhea as being not humbled enough to hold the NXT Women's Championship. She claims that the title is something she made worth so much in NXT today and that Rhea doesn't respect the prestige behind the gold. She would then simply go on to state that at Wrestlemania, she will take the title from her and make the championship worth something meaningful yet again. Charlotte could possibly be underestimating Rhea here, but I'm sure the NXT Women's Champion will clap back at The Queen sooner than later.
Charlotte Flair arrived up next as she talked about her invasion at NXT Takeover: Portland by attacking NXT Women's Champion Rhea Ripley. Charlotte described Rhea as being not humbled enough to hold the NXT Women's Championship. She claims that the title is something she made worth so much in NXT today and that Rhea doesn't respect the prestige behind the gold. She would then simply go on to state that at Wrestlemania, she will take the title from her and make the championship worth something meaningful yet again. Charlotte could possibly be underestimating Rhea here, but I'm sure the NXT Women's Champion will clap back at The Queen sooner than later.
Riddick Moss (C) Vs. Mojo Rawley Vs. R-Truth (24/7 Championship)
Quick match as Riddick Moss was taken out early on so Mojo and Truth mainly fought for a bit. Truth fought hard but Mojo overwhelmed him with his quickness then lays out Truth with a big Flapjack. Mojo attempts covering Truth but Moss comes back in and rolled up Rawley for the win to retain the 24/7 Championship! Rawley was angry so he attempted to attack Truth but Truth fought back and nailed the Scissors Kick to lay him out.
We had a quick announcement as a new match was made for WWE Elimination Chamber. Shayna Baszler, Natayla, Asuka, Liv Morgan, Ruby Riott, and Sarah Logan will all compete in the Women's Elimination Chamber Match! The winner of that match will face Becky Lynch for the RAW Women's Championship at Wrestlemania 36! I wonder who the winner will be........
We had a quick announcement as a new match was made for WWE Elimination Chamber. Shayna Baszler, Natayla, Asuka, Liv Morgan, Ruby Riott, and Sarah Logan will all compete in the Women's Elimination Chamber Match! The winner of that match will face Becky Lynch for the RAW Women's Championship at Wrestlemania 36! I wonder who the winner will be........
Drew McIntyre Vs. MVP
Before the match, Drew McIntyre hyped up the crowd as they all pointed towards the Wrestlemania sign. Drew continues to display his confidence that he will beat Brock Lesnar at Wrestlemania to become the WWE Champion then suddenly Paul Heyman comes out and teases that Brock was in the building. Sure enough The Beast wasn't there and Heyman fooled everyone, but Drew still wanted to let know that he will indeed defeat The Beast and take the WWE Championship away from him on the grandest stage. MVP finally arrives and trash talks Drew before nailing him with the microphone followed up with a Big Boot before the match. Bell rings and Drew nailed a Big Boot of his own then destroys MVP in quick fashion. Drew nailed the Claymore Kick to pin MVP and gained the victory, sending Brock Lesnar a message as he's on the road to winning his 1st WWE Championship at Wrestlemania!
RAW Women's Champion Becky Lynch arrives as she addressed the actions of Shayna Baszler last week. Becky brought out a brown paper bag with her and it turned out to be full of money. She dumps the money out of the bag and states that she will pay a fine for what she does to Shayna whenever she will get her hands on her. Shayna Baszler would appear via the titantron and address Becky personally, applying that she will be in the Women's Elimination Chamber Match and will come out on top. She then goes on to state that she will tear the living s**t out of Becky the next time they meet and Becky loved hearing that Shayna will be in the Elimination Chamber Match. Becky claims that she'll watch the match up close at the PPV, so there could be a chance that she'll be there at ringside.
RAW Women's Champion Becky Lynch arrives as she addressed the actions of Shayna Baszler last week. Becky brought out a brown paper bag with her and it turned out to be full of money. She dumps the money out of the bag and states that she will pay a fine for what she does to Shayna whenever she will get her hands on her. Shayna Baszler would appear via the titantron and address Becky personally, applying that she will be in the Women's Elimination Chamber Match and will come out on top. She then goes on to state that she will tear the living s**t out of Becky the next time they meet and Becky loved hearing that Shayna will be in the Elimination Chamber Match. Becky claims that she'll watch the match up close at the PPV, so there could be a chance that she'll be there at ringside.
Humberto Carrillo & Rusev Vs. Bobby Lashley & Angel Garza
Fine tag match as both teams have some animosity towards each other, so this match was a way to blow off some steam. Carrillo and Garza didn't battle too much but whenever they did Carrillo would get the upper hand as he wanted to get revenge on his cousin. Lashley and Rusev had their moments too as they rekindled their rivalry for a bit. Action would then spill to the outside where Carrillo dived onto Garza then gets Speared by Lashley then Rusev takes out Lashley afterwards! Back in the ring, Rusev was the legal man where he fought off Garza, but Lashley tried to get involved as well. Rusev would take out Lashley but then Garza rolled him up and and picked up the win for his team!
Natalya Vs. Kairi Sane
A match that was fine for what it was. With Asuka at ringside, Kairi had the advantage but Natayla wasn't going to let that stop her from emerging victorious. Kairi taunted Natayla and had her under control for a minute but the Queen of Hearts fought back fiercely. She almost applied the Sharpshooter but Asuka attempted to interfere and this caused Kairi to kick Natayla out of the ring. Referee had his back turned and this was the opportunity for Asuka to Roundhouse Kick Natayla in the head. That kick did enough damage as Natayla was unable to get up afterwards and couldn't make it back in the ring in time for the 10 count. Kairi Sane would be victorious by countout and celebrated happily with her partner Asuka as if this was a big win for them.
Next we had A Sermon of the Monday Night Messiah. Murphy along with AOP introduced Seth Rollins and Rollins would embark on a speech that supposedly would enlighten the fans into a new direction. I'm gonna spare you guys the annoying dialogue but Rollins gets interrupted by The Viking Raiders as they charge the ring and brawled with AOP! Rollins and Murphy went up the ramp and they watched on as Viking Raiders took down AOP. Rollins then turns around and would receive a Stunner from Kevin Owens! Backstage, Rollins announced that Murphy and AOP will face Kevin Owens and The Vikings in a 6 Man Tag Match!
The O.C. arrived next as AJ Styles made his return to RAW since his last appearance at the Royal Rumble. AJ talks about competing in the Tuwaiq Battle Royal at Super Showdown and determines to be the winner of the match. He then lists off who he could face next at Wrestlemania including the likes of The Undertaker, Shawn Michaels, Hulk Hogan, etc. He's then interrupted by Ricochet, who's preparing to face Brock Lesnar at Super Showdown for the WWE Championship. The O.C. then made fun of Ricochet for even thinking that he could beat Brock Lesnar and Ricochet of course took offense to that. Ricochet then proceeds to challenge AJ Styles to a match but Karl Anderson stepped in and decided he wanted to face Ricochet instead. Both men agreed so an impromptu match came about next!
Next we had A Sermon of the Monday Night Messiah. Murphy along with AOP introduced Seth Rollins and Rollins would embark on a speech that supposedly would enlighten the fans into a new direction. I'm gonna spare you guys the annoying dialogue but Rollins gets interrupted by The Viking Raiders as they charge the ring and brawled with AOP! Rollins and Murphy went up the ramp and they watched on as Viking Raiders took down AOP. Rollins then turns around and would receive a Stunner from Kevin Owens! Backstage, Rollins announced that Murphy and AOP will face Kevin Owens and The Vikings in a 6 Man Tag Match!
The O.C. arrived next as AJ Styles made his return to RAW since his last appearance at the Royal Rumble. AJ talks about competing in the Tuwaiq Battle Royal at Super Showdown and determines to be the winner of the match. He then lists off who he could face next at Wrestlemania including the likes of The Undertaker, Shawn Michaels, Hulk Hogan, etc. He's then interrupted by Ricochet, who's preparing to face Brock Lesnar at Super Showdown for the WWE Championship. The O.C. then made fun of Ricochet for even thinking that he could beat Brock Lesnar and Ricochet of course took offense to that. Ricochet then proceeds to challenge AJ Styles to a match but Karl Anderson stepped in and decided he wanted to face Ricochet instead. Both men agreed so an impromptu match came about next!
Ricochet Vs. Karl Anderson
Decent match that was actually a bit competitive for sure. Karl Anderson wanted to make Ricochet look weak going into his Super Showdown match but that wasn't an easy task. He did his best but Ricochet came back strong and fast to put Anderson down. Ricochet was on a role til Anderson hit a big Spinebuster and almost gained the win. Ricochet then lifts Anderson on his shoulders then lets him go with a big Roundhouse Kick and actually picked up the win!
Kevin Owens & The Viking Raiders Vs. Murphy & AOP
Standard Tag Match here that featured all action. Both teams beat the crap out of one another and both encountered near falls that almost ended the match abruptly. Viking Raiders were the main ones dominating in this match with their big double team maneuvers and so on, even keeping AOP down for a bit. AOP were then outside of the ring when suddenly Viking Raiders dived onto both of them, then KO hits the Stunner on Murphy! KO couldn't even pin Murphy though as Seth Rollins ran out and ambushed him for the DQ. AOP rised back to their feet and took out Viking Raiders then they all would gang up on KO. AOP held up KO for Rollins to berate him then we see The Street Profits run out to help him! Street Profits cosigned with Viking Raiders and KO to take out AOP and Murphy while Rollins back away on the stage. A feel good moment to end the show indeed and now how will The Street Profits intervene in all of this mess going forward?!
Show Rating: 6.8/10
Show Rating: 6.8/10
