The Road to WrestleMania gets Rated R!

After an improbable return to the ring, EDGE is back to tell us all about it! Plus, the Royal Rumble match winners, Charlotte Flair and Drew McIntyre, will start planning for their main event matches! Which champions will be chosen? What new champions might be crowned in the meantime?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• 2v1 Handicap: The OC VS Drew McIntyre; McIntyre wins.
• Rey Mysterio VS MVP; Mysterio wins.
• Aleister Black VS Kenneth Johnson; Aleister wins.
• Raw Tag Team Championships: Seth Rollins & Buddy Murphy VS Samoa Joe & Kevin Owens; Rollins & Murphy win to retain the Raw Tag Team Champions.
• WWE United States Championship: Andrade Almas w/ Zelina Vega VS Humberto Carrillo; Carrillo wins by disqualifications, Almas retains the WWE United States Championship.
• Charlotte Flair VS Asuka w/ Kairi Sane; Flair wins, by disqualification.
• WWE 24/7 Championship San Antonio Showdown: Mojo Rawley w/ Riddick Moss VS No Way Jose; Rawley wins and retains the WWE 24/7 Championship.
• WWE 24/7 Championship San Antonio Sizzler: Mojo Rawley w/ Riddick Moss VS R-Truth; Truth wins and becomes the new WWE 24/7 Champion.
• WWE 24/7 Championship San Antonio Sudden Death: R-Truth VS Mojo Rawley w/ Riddick Moss; Rawley wins and becomes the new WWE 24/7 Champion.
• Liv Morgan VS Lana; Morgan wins.
• Erick Rowan VS Branden Vice; Rowan wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Eat, Sleep, Eliminate, Repeat!

That was the new mantra for The Beast, Brock Lesnar, as he started the Royal Rumble and went through half the field! But then, Drew McIntyre appeared as Mr. Sweet Sixteen. With a low blow from Ricochet and a Claymore on top, McIntyre ELIMINATED the WWE World Champion, and then went on to win it all! Where does the Scottish Stud plan on going next as we begin the Road to WrestleMania?

Drew McIntyre heads to the ring!

The winner of the Men’s Royal Rumble didn’t just punch his ticket to WrestleMania, he kicked it! He sent Lesnar out of the ring like a home run and is now poised to have his first ever world championship match in the WWE! As such, he gets to point at the WrestleMania sign! McIntyre gets a mic to speak as fans chant, “You Deserve It!” McIntyre is clearly very touched by that, and says he needs someone to pinch him. He thinks he’s dreaming. And it feels so good to stand here in San Antonio that the winner of the 2020 Men’s Royal Rumble is DREW MCINTYRE. Does everyone know what that means? It means he’s going to WrestleMania!

Now some people play games when in this position, drawing it out and stuff. But that’s not McIntyre’s style. He is going to make an announcement, and he’s going to make a challenge. McIntyre challenges BROCK LESNAR! Fans love that! McIntyre can say for a fact that most of the men are terrified of Lesnar, but not him. McIntyre looked in Lesnar’s eyes and saw a sign that he could Claymore Lesnar out of the ring, and that’s what he did. And there’s more: McIntyre vows to BEAT Lesnar for the WWE Championship at Mania! McIntyre is all fired up but he needs to get this energy out. He wants to give out some Claymores. Let’s have a #ClaymoreParty tonight! So he makes an open challenge to anyone in the back that’s “got the balls” to fight him!

The OC appears! Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows storm their way out, minus AJ Styles after an unfortunate shoulder injury in the Rumble. Anderson says this sounds like an open challenge. That’s because it is. And the Machine Gun accepts! But Gallows says he accepts the challenge. Well if the fans are thinking what Drew is thinking, the Dream Maker will give them both a match! Get a referee!

2v1 Handicap: The OC VS Drew McIntyre!

The Scottish Stud is riding high, but he’s going against the Best Tag Team in the World! Is this wise so soon after his amazing Rumble victory?

The bell rings and Anderson starts with McIntyre. They tie up, McIntyre waistlocks and throws Anderson aside. Anderson is already frustrated and he CHOPS. Anderson isn’t afraid, but that CHOP still floors him! McIntyre dead lift suplexes Anderson! Tag to Gallows and now McIntyre circles with the Big LG. McIntyre powers Gallows to a corner to throw hands and a CHOP! And another! Gallows throat chops and knees back hard, then tags Anderson. The OC want it but no Magic Killer here. McIntyre knocks Gallows down and headbutts Anderson. McIntyre whips and THROWS Anderson overhead! Fans fire up as he does it again! McIntyre heads up top and watches Anderson stand, big leaping ax handle! And a kip up!

Gallows runs in, misses, and gets FUTURE SHOCK! Another kip up and McIntyre is just showing off now. McIntyre aims at Anderson and gives us the countdown. CLAYMORE! But the party isn’t over, it’s just beginning! Gallows gets up, gets a countdown of his very own, CLAYMORE AGAIN! McIntyre stacks and covers them both, McIntyre wins!

Winner: Drew McIntyre, by pinfall

Somehow it seemed like the handicap was in McIntyre’s favor. McIntyre clears the ring, but here comes BROCK LESNAR!? He’s here!? And he gives McIntyre an F5!! The Beast gets payback but he’s just a sore loser. Will Lesnar be even more sore when he and McIntyre finally throw down at Mania?

Raw relives some classic Edge moments.

That is to say, WrestleMania 17 in 2001, THE TLC match where Edge spears Jeff Hardy out of the air! But his moment last night at the Rumble was perhaps his biggest yet. Is Edge going to give us even more iconic moments now that he’s back?

Rey Mysterio VS MVP!

The King of Lucha Libre didn’t last as long as he’d hoped in the Royal Rumble, but he’ll refocus on the Road to WrestleMania. But another return is happening tonight as Montel Vontavius Porter is BACK on Raw! Will MVP become the MVP of Raw?

The bell rings and MVP circles with Mysterio. They tie up, Mysterio headlocks but MVP powers out. They collide but neither falls. MVP dares Mysterio to keep going, and they do. MVP manages to keep up but Mysterio sweeps to cover, ONE. MVP sweeps to cover, ONE, and the two stand off. Fans like the exchange as Mysterio and MVP circle. “You Still Got It!” Mysterio and MVP tie up, Mysterio waistlocks but MVP powers out. Mysterio comes back to waistlock again, MVP powers out to wrench and whip. Mysterio goes up and over, things speed up again, and MVP BOOTS Mysterio down! MVP covers, TWO! He tries again but the ropes are too close. MVP drags Mysterio up to throw hands and forearms.

MVP has Mysterio up and clubs him on the back. Mysterio looks in bad shape and he wobbles to the corner. MVP keeps on him with a mudhole, but then Mysterio drop toeholds him into buckles! Mysterio steadies himself and enziguris MVP down! MVP bails out and Mysterio goes to the apron for a flying headscissors! MVP hits barriers and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns and MVP has Mysterio on the ropes. MVP bumps Mysterio on buckles then whips him to ropes. Mysterio kicks back and throws forearms! MVP whips again and Mysterio hits buckles. Mysterio boots back then again, and then hops up the ropes. MVP clubs Mysterio to stop him, then Electric Chairs, only for Mysterio to slip around and headscissor MVP into buckles! MVP sputters as he turns around and fans are rallying for Mysterio. Mysterio kicks MVP in the leg and throws forearms. MVP reverses the whip as fans duel, but Mysterio hits the tilt-o-whirl headscissors! MVP puts Mysterio on the apron but Mysterio hits back to climb up and fly! Seated Senton hits, then Mysterio LIONSAULTS! Cover, TWO!

Mysterio keeps moving, springboard but MVP catches him for a SLAM! MVP decides to go BALLIN’! Elbow drop! Cover, ROPEBREAK! Mysterio saves himself and MVP can’t believe it. MVP toys with Mysterio now, only giving him scuffing kicks. MVP brings Mysterio around to bring into position, but Mysterio fights out of the bomb to headscissor MVP onto ropes! Dial it up, but MVP gets up, only to get the 619 in the back! Mysterio keeps going, frog splash to the back! Cover, Mysterio wins!

Winner: Rey Mysterio, by pinfall

Mysterio makes it work against the returning MVP, and Mysterio might be returning to rare form. Will Mysterio find his way to a title in time for Mania?

Aleister Black VS Kenneth Johnson!

The Embodiment of the End didn’t make the Rumble #FadeToBlack, but that doesn’t mean Aleister has missed out on gold. With time still to spare, will Aleister find his way to championship vindication?

The bell rings and Aleister rushes Johnson. Aleister gives a testing kick to see how tough Johnson is. The strikes really sting but so does the waistlock throw and BLACK MASS! Aleister is almost upset that he covers and wins!

Winner: Aleister Black, by pinfall

Another fast victory for the dark warrior. Aleister takes to the mic, saying “last night, I got eliminated in the Royal Rumble. But before you think that people like Buddy Murphy or Seth Rollins are to blame, the only person accountable for my loss is me.” If Aleister starts and doesn’t finish, that’s on him, and he owns that. There is also something else he is accountable for. He made the mistake of waiting for someone to come pick, a fight, with him. Aleister now sits in the ring to say that starting tonight, everything changes. Raw’s roster doesn’t pick a fight with him, he brings the fight to them! Who will be first to cross paths with the ominous one?

Seth Rollins and Buddy Murphy head to the ring!

The Monday Night Messiah and his first disciple are here ahead of their tag team championship match. What will they have to say before throwing down with Samoa Joe and KO? We find out after the break.

Raw returns and Rollins has a mic as he and Murphy stand side-by-side. “Now last night, I was this close from winning the Royal Rumble for the second year in a row!” But it was not in the cards. Rollins was eliminated by the eventual winner, Drew McIntyre. Yes, applaud McIntyre, everyone’s new favorite. But enjoy it while it lasts, McIntyre, because fans stab you in the back so fast. But Rollins isn’t here for the negative, but the positives. Two positives were that Rollins eliminated Kevin Owens and Samoa Joe so that neither goes to Mania. Another positive is the man beside him. Rollins and Murphy dethroned the unbeatable Viking Raiders to become the NEW Raw Tag Team Champions!

Earlier today, Joe and KO put the challenge for the titles. And since Rollins is “a benevolent leader,” the challenge was accepted! Kevin, Joe, come on out to get your asses handed to you! KO appears first, and he also has a mic. Joe is next, and even Joe has a mic. Kevin asks Joe if Rollins still talks too much. He does. But to make Rollins aware of something, Rollins is not only delusional, but these last few months, he’s been an absolute jackass. Kevin means that from the bottom of his heart, Rollins SUCKS. Rich, Kevin, real rich. Kevin talking about someone else talking too much? Then stop talking and fight! Joe wants everyone to wait. Who is this boy putting on his big boy pants? Kevin and Joe have been looking for this fight but Rollins hasn’t. So what is it about tonight? It must be that the AOP are hiding somewhere. Under the ring? In the crowd? Ready to pounce?

Rollins knew Kevin would get like this so he told Akam and Rezar to stay in the back. And there’s a camera back there to keep an eye on them. The Authors of Pain are in the back, and in the locker room. No hiding, no sneaking. Well that’s fine for Joe. It’s not like there aren’t just a bunch of cameras that record things. Is Joe calling Rollins a liar?! Rollins is NOT a liar! Prove that’s a live feed! Akam speaks to Kevin, and now we see Rollins is telling the truth. So then the AOP is back there in Rollins’ dressing room? Yes, right now. Well okay then. But then, thanks for exposing where those two are. What? THE VIKING RAIDERS get at the AOP! Erik and Ivar make sure Akam and Rezar can’t help Rollins out tonight! Referees and security hurry to stop this brawling, but we still have the tag title match! Does Rollins have a back-up plan for this?

Raw relives another classic Edge moment.

The first man to ever cash in the Money in the Bank was Edge! And he did it the biggest way possible: taking advantage of a bloodied John Cena after a grueling Elimination Chamber match! Will the Ultimate Opportunist find an amazing opportunity now that he’s back?

Raw Tag Team Championships: Seth Rollins & Buddy Murphy VS Samoa Joe & Kevin Owens!

The Architect didn’t have the AOP being neutralized in his designs, and now he and his disciple must go it alone! Will they be able to survive an angry and determined Samoan Submission Machine and Prizefighter? Or will another Monday night miracle happen?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and this semblance of retribution begins!

Rollins and Joe start and circle as San Antonio chants for “JOE! JOE! JOE!” Joe and Rollins tie up, Rollins headlocks to hammerlock to headlock again. Rollins wrenches and laughs, but Joe just sneers as he works on the escape. Joe DECKS Rollins and Kevin laughs as Rollins bails out. Murphy checks on Rollins’ jaw as the ring count begins. Rollins complains that Joe and Kevin are too close, so they back off. Rollins returns but tags out to Murphy. Murphy gives Rollins a quick hug before circling with Joe. They tie up, Murphy waistlocks but Joe pries free with force. Joe headbutts Murphy down and Rollins is annoyed. Joe CHOPS Murphy down and Rollins is stunned.

Joe jabs away on Murphy in the corner until Murphy sits down. Joe drags Murphy up and throws a BIG forearm! Murphy wobbles but Joe is on him with another forearm. Murphy hits back then runs, but gets run over! Joe drags Murphy up and tags in Kevin, they mug Murphy in the corner! Kevin fires off but lets up at 4, to tell Rollins to “SUCK IT!” Rollins is furious but the ref keeps him back. Kevin places Murphy in a drop zone for a Vader Bomb elbow! Cover, TWO, but Kevin puts Murphy in the corner to CHOP! Tag to Joe and Joe snapmares Murphy to CHOP him on the back and Penalty Kick him from the front! Running elbow drop and a cover, TWO! Murphy survives but Joe won’t let up. Joe drags Murphy back to the corner to tag Kevin, and Kevin gives a big corner clothesline.

Kevin reels Murphy out of the corner for another clothesline! Kevin mocks Rollins and Murphy to reach for each other, but then Kevin drags Murphy around to whip hard into buckles. Cover, TWO, but Kevin keeps his focus. Kevin brings Murphy back to tag Joe again. Joe headbutts Murphy then CHOPS him against ropes. Murphy hobbles over but Joe keeps him from Rollins. Joe uses a Russian Leg Sweep to take Murphy down, then covers, TWO! Murphy is proving his toughness but Kevin tags back in. KO and Joe mug Murphy more and then Kevin gives Murphy a backbreaker. Cover, TWO! Kevin puts Murphy in the corner, tags Joe, and Joe back suplexes. Murphy slips out but walks into a CHOP. Joe whips, Murphy dodges, Rollins tags in. Joe is ready and punches them both away, but Murphy mule kicks. Murphy and Rollins double whip to double elbow!

Rollins CHOPS and punches and stomps Joe in the corner, and Rollins gets all fired up! Fans boo but Rollins doesn’t seem to hear it. Tag to Murphy and together they double whip Joe corner to corner. Murphy whips Rollins in but Joe puts Rollins way out! Joe dodges Murphy, then dodges the crossbody with ease! Joe clotheslines Murphy out of the ring, and Kevin CANNONBALLS onto Rollins! Joe DIVES to hit Murphy into barriers! The champions are in trouble as Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Rollins now mocks Kevin about where Joe went. It seems that dive took more out of Joe than it did Murphy. Rollins stomps Kevin then tags in Murphy. The champs double suplex Kevin up and down then Murphy covers, TWO! Murphy knees Kevin in the back over and over then wraps on a chinlock. Kevin endures but this is basically a handicap match now. Fans rally because they’re still on Kevin’s side, and Kevin fights up to fight out with body shots. Murphy kicks but is blocked, Kevin kicks back and SPIKES Murphy with that DDT! Both men are down but there’s still no one for Kevin to tag! Murphy crawls and tags Rollins back in. Rollins runs at Kevin but misses! Rollins only gets buckles, Kevin goes up top, FROG SPLASH! Cover, TWO!!

All three men are down, from Kevin to Rollins to Murphy on the apron. But Murphy gets up because Rollins needs him again. Tag and the Aussie Juggernaut heads at Kevin again. Fans rally and Kevin SLAPS Murphy then CHOPS him! Kevin keeps throwing haymakers and forearms then runs, into a calf kick! Murphy kips up and covers, TWO! Murphy can’t believe it, but he still has the advantage. Rollins tells fans to shut up with the cheering for Kevin, but Murphy puts Kevin in the corner. Tag and Rollins throws hands. Kevin throws them back! Kevin fights back but Rollins throws big hands. Rollins brings Kevin around but he can’t powerbomb. Kevin back drops and POP-UP BOMBS! Cover, TWO!! Rollins survives and Kevin was so close!

Fans rally as Kevin and Rollins are down again. Rollins heads back to his corner, tag to Murphy. Murphy goes after Kevin and they brawl. Murphy gets the edge then gets Kevin up top for a sharp enziguri! Murphy climbs up to join Kevin, but Kevin blocks the superplex! Kevin powers up and fights back with body shots. Kevin headbutts Murphy a few times then SUPER GOURD BUSTERS! Kevin adjusts, to SWANTON! Cover, but Rollins breaks it! Rollins saves the reign as he drags Kevin up and off Murphy. But Kevin throws Rollins out first, and then FLIES! Direct hit with the tope and Kevin gets back in. KNEE TRIGGER! Kevin is on the ropes and the ref backs Murphy off. But Kevin saw last week and avoids the apron stomp. Kevin wants a stunner, but Murphy denies it. So Kevin just gives Rollins the STUNNER! But Murphy rolls Kevin up, Murphy and Rollins win!!

Winners: Seth Rollins & Buddy Murphy, Murphy pinning; still Raw Tag Team Champions

The Messiah and his disciple win, but mostly because Kevin no longer had Joe watching his back. Will Joe make a recovery so they can try again? Or are Rollins and Murphy coasting their way to WrestleMania?

Raw has another classic Edge moment.

The 2010 Royal Rumble was also a night of a Rated R return, and another night Edge got the better of John Cena! Ten years went by so fast, but will we get more unforgettable moments after tonight?

Backstage interview with Becky Lynch!

The Man is still Raw Women’s Champion, and her win over Asuka means so much to her. The win means even more than she thought it would. She had been doubting herself, so finally getting even with Asuka brought about a profound realization. Becky held the belt and it hit her. ” I really am in a whole different league than those dopes!” She can’t believe she ever doubted herself! She called her shots, beat them all, and she has done it all! But now that she’s clear of debts, the next arse she beats will be because she wants to, not that she has to! And with that, Charlotte Flair won the Women’s Rumble, guaranteeing her spot to Mania. What if it were Charlotte? Well it won’t be the first, but it will be the last. Becky is now the GOAT, but will that be enough to finally get rid of the Queen of Queens?

WWE United States Championship: Andrade Almas w/ Zelina Vega VS Humberto Carrillo!

From one title match to another! El Idolo remained El Campeon in Houston, and he did it cleanly! But that was still a close one, will Almas have La Muneca help make sure Ultimo Ninja loses once and for all? Or is the third time the charm for the young Latino superhero?

Raw returns as Carrillo makes his entrance. Carrillo gets in the ring, ready for this newest opportunity at redemption. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and the newest chapter in this budding rivalry begins!

Carrillo rushes Almas and dropkicks him down! Carrillo punches and stomps away but backs off at the ref’s count. Then he comes back to stomp Almas more! ALmas bails out and Vega protests, but Carrillo SUPERKICKS Almas! Carrillo clubs Almas then throws him into barriers! The ring count climbs and Vega shouts at Carrillo, but then Almas shoves Carrillo into the post! Almas CHOPS Carrillo and the count reaches 7 before the two go in the ring. Almas dares Carrillo to stand, and then he just hits a big knee in the corner! Cover, ONE, and Almas seethes as he stomps Carrillo in the corner. The ref backs Almas off and Almas gets mad. Carrillo throws hands back on Almas but Almas knees and forearms and CHOPS back.

Almas grinds and chokes Carrillo on the ropes but lets up at 4. Almas backs off to then come back and stomp both feet into Carrillo’s face! Fans boo and jeer but Almas tunes them all out. Almas whips Carrillo corner to corner then runs in, but Carrillo dodges! Almas tumbles over and out to the floor! Vega panics as Carrillo dropkicks Almas back down. Carrillo builds speed and FLIES! Direct hit at the ramp and Almas is on the defensive! Vega is in shock as we go to break.

Raw returns again and Almas knees low. Almas whips but Carrillo kicks back! Carrillo springboards but is thrown down on the mat! Vega coaches Almas as he drags Carrillo into that modified surfboard from last night. Cover, but Carrillo bridges out at ONE. Carrillo endures as fans rally up, and Carrillo sits up out of the surfboard, only to get BOMBED! Almas sits Carrillo up in the corner for mudhole stomps and big forearms. Almas runs corner to corner, but Cien Shadows hits buckles! Carrillo crawls away but Almas hobbles after him. Almas brings Carrillo up and back suplexes but Carrillo slips out to speed up, only to get a SPINE BUSTER! But Carrillo headscissors right back! Carrillo springboards and crossbodies! Almas dodges the dropkick but Carrillo dodges the lariat to enziguri! Somersault moonsault hits! Cover, TWO!!

Carrillo and Almas are down but fans rally up. Carrillo waistlocks but Almas elbows out hard. Almas brings Carrillo around to suplex but Carrillo slips out to springboard, only for Almas to trip him up! Cover, TWO! Vega protests but then tells Almas to keep focused. Carrillo is in the corner, but Almas doesn’t want to go corner to corner. Almas drags Carrillo up, but Carrillo slips out. Roundhouse misses but not the enziguri! Or the springboard roundhouse! Carrillo positions Almas in the drop zone and climbs up, MOONSAULT! Cover, but Vega gets in!!

Winner: Humberto Carrillo, by disqualification; Andrade Almas is still WWE United States Champion

But Carrillo has had it! He snaps and goes after Almas with stomps and punches! Vega protests but this is her fault! Carrillo throws Almas into steel steps! And now, to return the favor, Carrillo exposes the floor! Carrillo drags Almas to the bare patch of concrete as Vega freaks out! Vega begs for mercy, but Carrillo uses Almas’ on HAMMERLOCK DDT onto the concrete!! Ultimo Ninja may have just destroyed El Idolo! Will the wrath of Carrillo only continue to build until he finally gets that US title?

Raw relives a sadder moment for Edge.

It was a Monday Night Raw in 2011 that Edge had to retire because of a very concerning neck injury. That moment in itself is why his return is so miraculous and shocking. We said “Thank You, Edge!” before, and now we say, “Welcome Back!” But just what does his return really mean?

Charlotte Flair heads to the ring!

Drew McIntyre already made his decision and it seemed pretty easy. But what will the winner of the 2020 Women’s Royal Rumble decide? Charlotte grabs herself a mic and points to the sign. For those who didn’t watch the Rumble, Charlotte won! Charlotte did something that she said she would. She doesn’t want to brag too much, but she is Charlotte Flair. Check out the highlights! Alexa Bliss and Bianca Belair were impressive as long lasting first and second entrants in the Rumble, but Charlotte was a sinister 17 as she eliminated them and even the Queen of Spades, Shayna Baszler!

“I did that. I outlasted 29 other women.” So in just 10 weeks, Charlotte gets to face a champion of her choice at WrestleMania. She does not take this decision lightly because it means so much. At Mania, Charlotte will challenge… for a championship. She’s still thinking about it, of course. But wait, here come the Kabuki Warriors! Asuka introduces herself and Kairi Sane in Japanese, and then uses English to congratulate Charlotte! But “I don’t think so!” Asuka won’t let Charlotte hog the spotlight just for winning the Royal Rumble. Asuka did that her first year, and it was easy peasy! The Kabuki Warriors get in the ring with Charlotte and fans are cheering for Asuka! Charlotte knows all that, but maybe they can celebrate together. Sure, sure. But if Asuka is sure she would’ve won the Rumble twice. So is this some kind of challenge? No, it’s a fight! The Kabuki Warriors double suplex Charlotte down! Raw goes to break, will someone come to Charlotte’s aid?

Charlotte Flair VS Asuka w/ Kairi Sane!

It seems no one saved The Queen, but she’ll happily take on the Empress of Tomorrow on her own! There is a lot of history already between these two, and now that they’ve both won a Women’s Rumble, will we see who is truly the superior?

The bell rings and the two tie up fast and furious. Charlotte gets Asuka down but Asuka gets up to bring Charlotte down. They go around and around and then into a corner. Charlotte lets up and then they tie up again! Asuka headlocks but Charlotte powers out. The two collide with shoulders and start shoving. Charlotte CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS, but Asuka ducks to run, only to get run over! Charlotte drags Asuka up again to whip and hip toss. Charlotte runs to Penalty Kick Asuka down! Kairi coaches Asuka but Charlotte is on her with knees tot he back. Charlotte drags Asuka to whip her to a corner. Asuka reverses but Charlotte tumbles over and out to shoulder and slingshot back in. Charlotte arm-drags Asuka down into an armlock!

Fans rally and duel, with Kairi tipping the scales in Asuka’s favor. Asuka fights her way up but Charlotte wrenches. Asuka rolls and sweeps the legs to then run and Shining Wizard! Cover, TWO, but Asuka grits her teeth. Asuka throws off armbands and heads after Charlotte. Asuka kicks Charlotte in the back and against the ropes. The ref reprimands so Asuka runs, but the hip attack misses. Asuka hits Charlotte with a forearm, but runs into the backbreaker! Charlotte clotheslines Asuka down and the fans are divided. Asuka boots Charlotte but Charlotte forearms back. Charlotte puts the leg on the ropes but Asuka gets clear to give back more forearms. Asuka headlocks but the bulldog is denied, and a shotgun dropkick puts Asuka in a corner!

Fans rally and duel as Charlotte goes after Asuka’s leg with knee drops. Charlotte puts the leg on the ropes now and wraps it around! The ref counts and Charlotte lets up at 4. Kairi shouts for Asuka to get up, and Asuka kicks the Figure Four away! Asuka waistlocks for a GERMAN SUPLEX! Charlotte sits up in a daze while Kairi coaches Asuka back in this. Asuka climbs up top and missile dropkicks Charlotte down! Cover, ONE, and with some force. Asuka keeps on Charlotte with a waistlock but Charlotte resists suplexes. So Asuka climbs on for an Iron Octopus Stretch! Charlotte endures being bent and twisted around, then powers out! Asuka sunset flips but Charlotte slips out to basement dropkick Asuka down! Charlotte CHOPS Asuka and shouts, “I already beat you!” Charlotte keeps giving CHOPS as Asuka ends up in the corner!

Charlotte hoists Asuka up top and then climbs up to join her. Kairi grows concerned as Charlotte goes up, but then Asuka shoves her down! The Queen is down and the Empress is on top as we go to break.

Raw returns again and Charlotte brawls with Asuka! Forearm for forearm but Asuka runs, into Charlotte’s waistlock and back suplex! Both women are down but Asuka gets to a corner. Charlotte kips up and fires up! San Antonio fires up as Asuka dodges and back kicks to hit the bulldog! Cover, TWO! Charlotte survives but Asuka keeps close. Asuka brings Charlotte up for forearms and elbows. Asuka heads to the corner and up top, but Charlotte avoids the missile dropkick to dropkick Asuka! Asuka is on the apron and Kairi shouts her concern, but Asuka hotshots Charlotte! Charlotte BOOTS Asuka down! Cover, TWO!! Asuka survives her head being knocked off her shoulders but Charlotte won’t let up. Charlotte puts Asuka in a drop zone, walks all over her, and climbs up top. Charlotte MOONSAULTS but FLOPS!

Asuka grabs Charlotte in a modified submission, some kind of inverted triangle hold! Charlotte flops around to pop free, but ends up in a normal triangle. Charlotte covers, ONE, and Asuka shifts again to get a better grip. But Charlotte dead lifts Asuka up for a POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Asuka still lives and Kairi breathes in relief. Charlotte backs away to a corner and watches Asuka rise, Natural Selection misses, and Asuka wrenches. Asuka runs and gives Charlotte a CODE BREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Charlotte survives and Asuka can’t believe it! But Kairi helps her focus and she brings Charlotte back up. Chicken wing and sleeper hold, but Charlotte rolls back to cover, TWO! Asuka misses a kick but dodge the boot, Charlotte SPEARS! Cover, TWO!! Tom Philips is losing his voice while Kairi is losing her cool.

Charlotte grabs a leg, Figure Four but Asuka cradle counters! The counter slips off, Charlotte has the hold! Charlotte wants to bridge but Asuka drags herself backwards towards the corner! Charlotte bridges, FIGURE EIGHT! Kairi drops anchor, InSANE Elbow!

Winner: Charlotte Flair, by disqualification

Well that’s a familiar sight, as far as Kairi dropping in like that. But now Charlotte is defenseless as Kairi hammers away from all sides! Kairi stomps and hammers Charlotte in the corner then clubs her down. But Charlotte throws Kairi into buckles! And BOOTS Kairi down! Asuka hurries to get Kairi to safety, and shouts at her in Japanese! Nothing has been settled between these fierce warriors, but will Charlotte forget her Mania goals to take care of the royal pains in her side?

It’s Raw and the Street Profits are hyped again!

Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins have been loving this! Charlotte and Asuka, Lesnar and McIntyre, and it is live and Rated R! But speaking of surprises, it’s KELLY KELLY! Holla holla~… But theme songs aside, Dawkins introduces himself. The Dawk Night, the Dawk Father, and even… Dawk Vader. Um, okay. Ford thinks this is so cute. But with just 10 weeks away, the WWE 24/7 Championship is going to make an appearance! As always, #WeWantTheSmoke!

WWE 24/7 Championship San Antonio Showdown: Mojo Rawley w/ Riddick Moss VS ???

The newest and most brutal 24/7 Champion yet seems to have some back-up tonight. One half of the Outliers made it back to the States from the UK, but will Riddick be able to protect Mojo like a football lineman? Or can Mojo’s opponent manage a strip sack fumble to take the title to the house?

Raw returns as Mojo grabs the mic to ask, “Is the 24/7 Champion actually about to defend the title inside a ring?” Whoa…! But Mojo said he wasn’t going to run and hide! This is no longer the Hide and Go Seek title. Anyone can bring it any time, any place. It can be in the ring, backstage, the gym or yo mama’s house! Like any franchise quarterback knows, you need a strong offensive line to watch your blindsides. So introducing to Raw for the first time ever, it IS Riddick Moss! So if anyone wants to take this from Mojo, just know that you’ll get blocked. No Way Jose turns out to be the opponent. Will he need more than the starting 11 to take this win?

The bell rings and Mojo chop blocks Jose! Then he goes side to side to FOREARM! Then he fireman’s carries and SLAMS Jose down! Cover, Mojo wins!

Winner: Mojo Rawley, by pinfall; still WWE 24/7 Champion

That was a quick three-and-out, but the burger clown gets in the ring! The burger clown rolls Mojo up and wins!! That burger clown is R-TRUTH!!

Winner: R-Truth, by pinfall; NEW WWE 24/7 Champion

So much for Moss being a good blocker. The Truth Whopper gets the title back to become a whopping 32-time 24/7 champion! But Truth celebrates too long and gets flanked by Moss. Truth breaks it down, but then turns around into Mojo’s FIREMAN SLAM! Cover, Mojo wins again!

Winner: Mojo Rawley, by pinfall; NEW WWE 24/7 Champion

And Mojo gets the ball back. Moss may need to work on his defense but surely he’ll intercept challengers next time. Will Mojo continue to stack days rather than reigns? Or will Truth return later in the season like a division rival to spoil Mojo’s run?

Liv Morgan VS Lana!

The Ravishing Russian’s karma is catching up to her as the LIVing Embodiment finally gets a match with her. Rusev and Bobby Lashley are banned from ringside given their volatility. Will Lana and Liv finally settle the score? Or is this just the first stop on the Road to WrestleMania?

Raw returns as Liv storms right to the ring. The two want at each other, and the bell lets them loose. They tie up, Liv puts Lana on the ropes but backs off. Lana SLAPS but Liv kicks! Liv whips Lana to the corner then hits a big back elbow! Liv snapmares Lana hard to kick her in the back even harder. Cover, ONE, but Liv slaps Lana around. Liv hops up but Lana shoves her down! The Ravishing Russian talks a lot of trash before going out to fetch Liv into the ring. But Liv hits back with forearms, only to get a ROUNDHOUSE! Cover, TWO! Lana is furious as she drags Liv up for a suplex. Lana shouts that she is the best in the world, but fans all boo in disagreement. Lana wraps Liv up in a chinlock and thrashes her around. Fans rally up for “Rusev Day!” as Liv gets up and arm-drags Lana off her.

Liv lariats Lana again and again, then throws her down by her hair! Lana wobbles up into an enziguri! Liv roars and runs in to DOUBLE STOMP Lana face down! Cover, TWO, but Liv doesn’t slow down. Liv lifts but Lana cradle counters, TWO! Liv rocks Lana with rights and then uses the ropes for a draping Complete Shot! Cover, Liv wins!!

Winner: Liv Morgan, by pinfall

Vindication for Liv! That unique use of the ropes in the facebuster gives Liv the retribution she’s wanted, but will she find satisfaction so easily?

Erick Rowan VS Branden Vice!

The Big Redwood has been having some problems making his pet behave. Will he take his frustrations out on the defenseless creature in the ring with him?

The bell rings and Rowan dropkicks Vice right out of the ring! Rowan then goes outside and runs around the way to BODY CHECK Vice down! Rowan drags Vice up to haul him back into the ring, and then runs corner to corner to CRUSH him! Rowan scoops Vice up into a suplex and JACKHAMMER! Cover, but Rowan lets up on purpose! Rowan wants to make Vice suffer, IRON CLAW SLAM! Cover, now Rowan wins.

Winner: Erick Rowan, by pinfall

Mortal men don’t stand a chance against the raging redwood that is Erick Rowan. Will Rowan and his pet be feasting tonight?

Edge is FINALLY HERE!

San Antonio erupts and Edge gives commentary high-fives as the Rated R Superstar is back on Raw! As is his insane amount of pyro! Edge goes to the ring and gets his official introduction. Not quite Chimmel but good enough. Edge gets a mic for himself and fans are still thunderous as they welcome him back. Edge is of course very touched by this ovation, and takes a moment to collect himself. “As a performer, as an athlete, as an artist, and trust me, wrestlers are all of those things. The reaction I got last night at the Royal Rumble” and here tonight, he can’t put into words what it means to him. But that is why we do this, so he thanks them. Fans assure him, “You Still Got It!” “You’re damn right I do.”

Edge wants to address the elephant in the room. How is he here just a day removed from the Rumble? Nine years ago, he was medically disqualified from ever doing this again. But Edge refused to life in a world of “What If?” The second he asks that, he gets to work to make that question disappear. Over the years, Edge felt pretty good. Edge then asked himself, “What If?” That is to say, what if Edge came back home? So Edge got to work. And fans now chant, “Welcome Home!” Edge worked hard, got another surgery, and busted his ass. He got in the best shape of his life at 46 years old and is back! He wants to end his career on his terms! Fans love the sound of that! Edge ended up in the Royal Rumble, saw some familiar faces and some new ones. A familiar one was Randy Orton, a newer one was Roman Reigns. There was AJ Styles, Seth Rollins, Kevin Owens, Aleister Black, Matt Riddle, so on and so forth. He hopes to see them all again real soon.

But Edge knows this might not last. Who knows how much he has. But Edge sure hopes that the fans are with him on this ride. They certainly are! Well that’s the first Yes chant, so thanks Daniel Bryan. But Edge also knows that he’s older, grayer, wrinkled, but it is the road map that got him here. So Edge has one thing that no one can fabricate, fake or force someone’s throat. And the way you know you have it is you look someone in the eye. That thing Edge has: grit. “If you knock me down, I get back up.” But here comes Randy Orton! Rated RKO reunited in the Royal Rumble, but it also imploded as Edge got one over on The Viper. Orton gets in the ring with Edge now, and they hug it out!

Orton gets himself a mic to say, “It’s no secret that I have somewhat a self-destructive personality.” But driving around, when there was a hole Orton dug too deep, there was a guy that’d help drag him out of it. That one guy was Edge. Orton officially welcomes Edge home. They’re brothers, and last night, that energy of Edge’s music hitting and feeling the chemistry that only they have, “that was special.” Edge is talking about What If. Orton has one for us. He doesn’t know how anyone will feet about this, but what if Rated RKO really reunited? Fans are freaking out and thunderous with “YES! YES! YES!” Edge looks Orton in the eyes, to get an RKO OUTTA NOWHERE!! Of course that happened… Fans are angry with Orton now as he grabs a chair! Orton keeps it away from Edge to sit it up. But then Orton changes his mind and uses it to SMACK Edge on the back! Orton is going to break Edge all over again!!

Orton watches Edge crawl and writhe for a moment before going to a corner. Fans chant, “You Suck!” but Orton just said he had a self-destructive tendency. Orton is destroying all the good will he’d gathered up, and the friendship between him and Edge, as he takes the chair and opens it up. Fans fear what is coming next, and even Orton hesitates… to put Edge’s head inside the chair! Orton already did damage, but he could do something far worse tonight! Orton hops up onto the ropes and looks down at the defenseless man he just called a brother. Fans shout for Orton to stop this, but Orton stands up on the ropes, only to hop back down. Orton takes the chair off Edge’s head and tosses it aside. A moment of compassion is just a guise for something sinister! TWO chairs, because there’s something Edge used to do that Orton wants to use now!

Referees rush out to shout at Orton but he still sets Edge’s head on one chair. Orton raises the other for… a CON-CHAIR-TO!!! Some fans call Orton names, but many more are just in shock over what they witnessed. Did the Rated R Superstar return just for The Viper to end his legacy?

My Thoughts:

Well, this was definitely a shocking Raw After Rumble. Opening with McIntyre was a great move, I love that he’s Face but with the same attitude he had before the Rumble, and while it’s a shame The OC have to suffer, it was great to see McIntyre win a handicap match. I have a feeling we were supposed to get a strong match between McIntyre and AJ Styles, but Styles hurt his shoulder during the Rumble match so it’s more important Styles recovers and has a chance at being back around Mania. At the same time, Lesnar coming back for revenge also fit. It definitely adds to the Heel Heat on Lesnar, and the heat between these two. I fully expect McIntyre to have a rant in return for either social media or Raw next week. Mysterio VS MVP was alright, but I feel like MVP forgot some of the cues. Either way, good start for MVP’s return and a good win for Mysterio’s seemingly last run.

Aleister winning his squash match to then give that promo about changing strategies was pretty good. I still feel like Aleister should be joining Joe and Kevin against Rollins and his team down the line. Murphy & Rollins defending and retaining those titles against Joe and KO was pretty interesting, but I really loved how the whole bit about checking if the AOP would stay out was just so Viking Raiders could get after them. We’re definitely getting an 8 Man Tag at some point, too, given all that. The United States Championship match was a surprise and a really good one. This time it’s fine that Almas wins thanks to Vega, since he already got his clean win over Carrillo at the Rumble. But then Carrillo snapping like that was amazing, I love it. I really hope we still get a US Championship Chamber match.

Becky’s promo showing her confidence was restored was great. It really sells that there is a fresh start for her, as I was hoping. I really liked seeing Charlotte taking on the Kabuki Warriors, and especially seeing that amazing, title/PPV worthy match from Charlotte and Asuka. I don’t know if they’d do this, but what if Charlotte were to challenge the tag team champions per her WrestleMania moment? The Women’s Rumble doesn’t stipulate it has to be a singles championship, does it? And it’d be pretty great if Charlotte got her Grand Slam on the Grandest Stage of Them All. Though, that would bring into question if Becky would be along for the ride again, or someone comes to Raw to be that perfect partner for Charlotte. Oddly enough, I wonder if Charlotte and Sarah Logan could come to an understanding given the gritty fights they’ve had lately.

The brief moment with Street Profits and Kelly Kelly was fun. I do like that Mojo Rawley is bringing some seriousness to the 24/7 Championship, that is the next phase for this title. And while Truth keeps grabbing up short reigns, I do appreciate that this story will now benefit a guy like Riddick Moss, who has been under the radar for quite some time. I do wonder if the other Outlier, Dorian Mak/Dan Matha will be joining Mojo’s line-up so that Mojo becomes the unofficial leader of that team. I think it’d be pretty unique if Mojo also brought that title to the other brands, like NXT or NXT UK. Then Liv VS Lana was mercifully short, though not sure why they had it this late in the show. It’s good that Liv won, she really needs that, and she also needs to get out of this story to get serious. And something something Erick Rowan won another squash match.

Edge was obviously going to be the big moment of the night, given all the recaps of his return and those classic moments from his career. It worked that he’d be the last moment of the night, but WOW what a moment. Just when we were all excited to see Rated RKO get in on the tag division, the moment I thought, “But the titles are stuck in a story, who would these two even face?” is when Orton RKO’d Edge, as we all should’ve guessed. I just didn’t think Orton would go back to his uncomfortably violent phase like he had when he first returned. I suppose this is Edge ending his career on his terms since Orton got to use the ConChairTo on him. But at the same time, Orton VS Edge for that one last match in the Rated R Superstar’s career, that would be some awesome stuff for WrestleMania 36.

My Score: 8.5/10