Monday Night Raw brings on the grudge matches!

Though he will address Sheamus’ actions from last week’s Raw, Drew McIntyre will take on Randy Orton in one last grudge match!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Jeff Hardy VS AJ Styles w/ Omos; Styles wins.
• The New Day VS Retribution; The New Day wins.
• Charlotte Flair VS Lacey Evans w/ Ric Flair; Evans wins, by disqualification.
• Damian Priest w/ Bad Bunny VS Angel Garza w/ The Miz & John Morrison; Priest wins.
• Matt Riddle VS Keith Lee; Lee wins.
• Tables Match: Lana VS Nia Jax w/ Shayna Baszler; Lana wins.
• Naomi w/ Lana VS Shayna Baszler w/ Nia Jax; Naomi wins.
• Drew McIntyre VS Randy Orton; Orton wins, by disqualification.

PLAY BY PLAY

WWE and Raw mourn the loss of “The Natural,” Butch Reed.

Adam Pearce opens Raw in the ring.

Scrap Daddy welcomes us back to the show, and welcomes back SHANE MCMAHON!! What a shock to see Shane O’Mac back on Raw and in the ThunderDome! Shane goes to the ring, fist bumps Pearce and says it is great to be back during the Road to WrestleMania. They’re crossing the double yellow line into the Elimination Chamber! Shane and Pearce have a “blockbuster” announcement for the PPV’s main event: Drew McIntyre will defend the WWE World Championship IN the Chamber match! Six superstars enter, only one will remain, and that one will be THE WWE Champion!

Shane knows McIntyre is in by default but who are the other five? Even bigger news! All the opponents will be FORMER world champions, starting with Randy Orton! Then, Jeff Hardy, AJ Styles, The Miz and lastly, Sheamus, complete the field! Shane says it is a pleasure being out here with Pearce and says this blockbuster card is amazing. Shane thanks Pearce for the hard work and then takes his leave. But on his way out is AJ Styles! The Phenomenal One and Omos say hey to Shane before continuing on to the ring. Styles wants to talk with Pearce. Pearce IS doing an amazing job! The Chamber match, if it’s Pearce’s idea, is great!

But hold on. Styles wants to make sure he has this right: McIntyre has to defend the WWE Championship inside the Chamber? That’s genius! The chances of McIntyre losing that title are, pun intended, phenomenal! And at a perfect time, too, because we’re on the Road to WrestleMania! Perfect time for Styles to come out a THREE-TIME world champion! And not to let this out to the world, but uh, Styles always thought Pearce was a dumbass. But that’s neither here nor there. Omos and the “future” champion are giving Pearce just a snippet tonight. So please, get out of the ring.

With that said, Jeff Hardy is headed out! The Charismatic Enigma and Styles are going to give us that Chamber appetizer to open Raw! Who takes a big first step towards the six man mayhem coming down the Road to WrestleMania?

Drew McIntyre talks with Shane backstage.

The champ couldn’t help but overhear that announcement. They go a way’s back so he thought Shane had it as just be McIntyre and Sheamus 1v1. Well yes but then they thought it’d be even bigger by putting them in the Chamber. If McIntyre wants to test his mettle, there is no better way to do it. Shane wishes McIntyre good luck then heads out.

Jeff Hardy VS AJ Styles w/ Omos!

Raw returns and the bell rings. Hardy and Styles circle, tie up and Hardy wrenches to club away on Styles’ arm. Styles gets the ropes, Hardy lets off, and the two reset. They tie up, Styles gets around to waistlock but Hardy switches. Hardy headlocks, Styles tries to power out but Hardy holds on tight. Hardy grinds Styles down, Styles gets up and powers out. Hardy runs Styles over! Hardy rallies the fans and circles with Styles again. They approach but Styles kicks low! Styles throws haymakers to put Hardy in a corner, then he runs in to ROCK Hardy with more fists! The ref has Styles back off, he runs back in but Hardy dodges!

Hardy kicks Styles, puts him in a corner and rams his shoulder in! Hardy snapmares, basement dropkicks, then covers, ONE! Hardy drags Styles up to wrench the arm. Styles pulls Hardy’s hair and puts him in a corner. Styles rams into Hardy, whips him corner to corner, then runs in to RAM him again! Styles brings Hardy back up, whips him again, but Hardy reverses and back drops Styles hard! Hardy drops ax handles, covers, TWO! Hardy drags Styles up, bumps him off buckles, then bumps him off more buckles! Then a third corner, and then the fourth for a complete set! Hardy drops a leg then covers, TWO!

Hardy keeps on Styles at the ropes, whips him, but Styles kicks back! Hardy blocks the kick and throws Styles down! Hardy goes after Styles in a corner and throws haymakers! The ref counts, Hardy lets off and whips but Styles reverses. Hardy goes up but his leg jams! Hardy hobbles out of the ring, Styles steadies himself and waits as the ring count climbs. Styles goes out and CHOP BLOCKS the bad leg! Styles refreshes the count, brings Hardy up, and gives him a SHIN BREAKER, then SWINGS him legs first into the post! The ref reprimands Styles while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Styles goes after Hardy’s bad leg. Hardy clubs Styles but Styles drops knees on the knee! Styles stomps the leg, stalks Hardy as he crawls to ropes, then KICKS the leg! Hardy falls back over, Styles drags him by that leg and hits a leg DDT! Omos likes what he sees as Styles stalks a hobbling Hardy. Styles has the leg again, Hardy clubs then enziguris him away! Hardy hobbles over but into a roll, CALF CRUSHER! Styles pulls back on the leg, Hardy endures, Hardy fights up to throw elbows but Styles pulls the leg harder! Hardy reaches and gets a ropebreak! Styles keeps his cool as he stalks Hardy more.

Styles brings Hardy up, Hardy throws haymakers, but Styles whips. Hardy falls over because of the bad leg! The ref checks on Hardy but Hardy refuses to let this end the match. Hardy gets to a corner, drags himself to his feet, and Styles runs in only to be put on the apron. Hardy hobbles into position, though, but he trips up Styles’ springboard! Styles flops to the apron and Hardy has time to rest. Hardy holds his leg as he rolls away but Styles gets back in. Fans rally on their ThunderDome screens, Styles hurries over to Hardy but gets a jawbreaker! Hardy manages an atomic drop, leg splitting leg drop, and the basement dropkick! Splash down, cover, TWO!

Hardy and Styles are both down but Hardy forces himself to stand again. Styles stands, Hardy kicks but Styles blocks, only to get the spinning back kick! Hardy kicks again, but no Twist, he uses a GOURD BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Hardy grows frustrated and works to get his bad leg moving. Hardy gets up, drags Styles up but Styles KICKS the bad leg! Styles drags Hardy around, reels him in, but no Clash! Hardy slips out to hit TWIST OF FATE! Hardy crawls to a corner, drags himself up the corner, but the Swanton FLOPS as Styles moves! Styles gets the leg, for the CALF CRUSHER!! Hardy endures, scrambles around, elbows Styles but Styles thrashes harder! Hardy taps, Styles wins!

Winner: AJ Styles, by submission

The Phenomenal One beat the Charismatic Enigma all by himself this time! And he’ll have to do that four more times in the Chamber since Omos can’t be inside with him! Will Styles make a phenomenal return to glory thanks to the Elimination Chamber?

Matt Riddle finds Keith Lee backstage.

The Bro is still sporting the black eye from his battle with Bobby Lashley. But laughter is the best medicine, and Riddle got cozy to binge watch the Air Bud franchise. Keith wonders if Lashley knocked a “screw loose” in Riddle. Does Riddle really want to still go after the Hurt Business after what they’ve done to him? Well people though tit was ridiculous for a dog to play basketball, but it didn’t matter, Air Bud kept playing. And Riddle will keep going after the US Championship until he takes it!

Keith thinks maybe someone new should try. Keith has what it takes to beat Lashley, and what it takes to beat Riddle tonight. Is that so? Well, may the better man win, bro! But will it be the Bro or the Limitless One that heads for the Rocky Mountain Machine’s gold next?

Sheamus finds Pearce backstage.

Didn’t McIntyre promise a 1v1 title match? But now Pearce and Shane are throwing in four others?! Pearce understands- HOW COULD HE?! Is Sheamus not a draw? No, they’re just trying to make the biggest match for the Chamber. Oh “they,” huh? Didn’t Shane say this was all Pearce’s idea? WWE officials like Pearce come and go, with their empty suits and yes men mentalities, full of broken promises just like McIntyre. They’re refusing to give Sheamus the respect he deserves! But Sheamus gets it. McIntyre is the shiny new toy, but he would be NOTHING without Sheamus!

You want to put them in the Chamber, stack the odds? Fine. But remember, tis is Pearce’s idea. And when Sheamus unleashes brutality on every WWE superstar in there, remember that this is on Pearce’s hands.

The New Day VS Retribution!

Kofi Kingston is back in the ring, and now he’s helping Xavier Woods against Retribution! But which to members of Mustafa Ali’s faction are they taking on? We’ll see after the break!

Raw returns and Retribution makes their entrance. The two members stepping up against the ten-time tag team champions are T-Bar and Slapjack! Mustafa Ali and Mace join commentary as Slapjack starts with Woods. They circle, tie up and Slapjack drags Woods down. Slapjack waistlocks, Woods fights up and pries free to hit a headlock takeover. Woods grinds Slapjack down, Slapjack fights his way up, and Slapjack powers out. Woods runs Slapjack over, covers, ONE! Woods hits another headlock takeover and he grinds Slapjack down. Slapjack fights up, slips out and gets the arm to wrench.

Slapjack yanks the arm, Woods wrenches free to CHOP! Slapjack CHOPS! Woods dodges, tags Kofi, and tilt-o-whirls Slapjack for Kofi’s dropkick! Cover, TWO! Woods says that dropkick and leg sweep is new. Kofi CHOPS, whips, but Slapjack reverses to elbow Kofi down! Tag to T-bar and T-Bar CLOBBERS Kofi! T-Bar swings on Woods, but catches Kofi’s flip! T-Bar choke grips Kofi, Kofi breaks free and throws hands, but T-Bar doesn’t flinch. Kofi runs, leaps but into T-Bar’s arms! T-Bar pops Kofi up to a fireman’s carry, but Kofi slips out to shove T-Bar away! T-Bar goes up and over, keeps moving, Kofi hurdles but then leaps into a torture rack!

Kofi scrambles to sunset flip but T-Bar drags him back up, to SLAM him down! Ali wants T-Bar to show the world what Retribution is about! They need to hurt the New Day the way the WWE hurts them! T-Bar runs in but Kofi dumps him out! Slapjack runs over, is also put on the apron, and Woods BOOTS Slapjack! Kofi runs and FLIES to take Retribution down! The New Day is fired up as Raw goes to break!

Raw returns again and T-Bar throws hands on Woods. Woods hits back, CHOPS, but T-Bar smothers him into the corner! T-Bar throws elbow after elbow but lets off as the ref counts 4. T-Bar stomps Woods, stands on him, then walks over to tag Slapjack. T-Bar scoop slams Woods, Slapjack stomps him down! Slapjack kicks away on Woods but Woods throws hands back! Slapjack DECKS Woods, and wraps on a chinlock! Woods endures, fights up, Slapjack shifts and clamps on with a neck wrench. Woods fights up to jawbreaker free! T-Bar tags in, Slapjack anchors Woods and T-Bar BOOTS Kofi! Slapjack whips Woods and T-Bar LARIATS! Cover, TWO!

Woods gasps and sputters but Ali tells T-Bar to keep on him. T-Bar choke grips and drags Woods up, to tag in Slapjack. They combine for a CHOKE SLAM BACK SUPLEX! Cover, TWO!! Woods still lives and Retribution is furious! Ali says tonight is Retribution’s night to eat! They’re hungry, so they’re going to eat! Slapjack suplexes but Woods slips out to roll him up! TWO, Woods tags in Kofi! Kofi climbs up and hits a flying ax handle! Kofi knocks T-Bar off the apron, fires off CHOPS and a dropkick on Slapjack, then hits T-Bar again! Ali is furious as Kofi dodges Slapjack to ax handle him down! Kofi fires up, and hits the NEW~ DAY~ Boom Drop!

Kofi claps and laughs at Ali as he aims from a corner. T-Bar runs in but gets the TROUBLE IN PARADISE! But Slapjack gets Kofi for a back suplex! Kofi lands on his feet, elbows Slapjack away then tag sin Woods! Woods enziguris Slapjack, tags in Kofi, and together they hit DAYBREAK! Cover, The New Day wins!

Winners: The New Day, by pinfall

Ali throws a fit and Mace rushes the ring. Woods and Kofi get away, and Woods shouts, “GIVE ME RECKONING!” Ali is furious with his team’s failure. Will Ali crush the Power of Positivity with his rage?

Bad Bunny and Damian Priest talk backstage.

They’re enjoying the reactions to last week, when Bad Bunny clowned John Morrison while Priest beat Miz. Bunny’s in Priest’s corner this week, and they go back to rewatching the footage of the “mic drop.” Will they do the same again to Angel Garza?

Lacey Evans and Ric Flair go to the ring!

The Queen is upset with the Sassy Southern Belle for creeping on her father, and is upset with her father for taking Lacey’s side! Will Charlotte make Lacey #BowDown and finally leave the Nature Boy alone?

Raw returns and Ric has a mic. “Seems to be there are some people out there who want an explanation at why Ric Flair wants to be back main-lining.” The reason why is that he doesn’t take orders from any woman, not even his daughter! He’s not staying at home! And Ric is really tired about hearing how great Charlotte is! Yes, she’s the Queen! Yes, she’s got 13 title reigns! Yes, she doesn’t need Ric! But Ric needs Ric! And Ric says he has found someone with the looks, the skills and the drive to be a star! She just needs motivation, knowledge and wisdom!

Charlotte may be the greatest today, but Ric is going to train Lacey. This is completely casual! If Lacey falls for his charm, that’s just how it is. But this is a warning to Asuka! Lacey will be the next Raw Woman’s Champion! And all you nasties who think you know, you don’t. Lacey respects Ric and gives him the respect he deserves as “the living legend he is,” unlike the ungrateful daughter he has. Charlotte is a fool to turn away the best of all time, “bless her heart.” The way Charlotte speaks to Ric is not how Lacey would ever speak to her father! Yet Lacey’s the villain? But here comes Charlotte! Lacey won’t even let Ric hold the ropes open for Charlotte!

Charlotte has a mic to respond. “First of all, Lacey, if you really wanted to learn, you’d take yourself to Orlando and work your ass off in the Performance Center.” But Lacey is just using Ric, using Charlotte, and waring their robes to ride their coattails. And then for Ric, what does Charlotte need to do? Validate her? Charlotte never said Ric wasn’t proud of her or that she never wanted his help. But what Charlotte has been doing the last seven years is protect and add on to the legacy! Ric has yes people but Charlotte is honest! Charlotte doesn’t care who he manages, just don’t bring him down with her!

Lacey tells “Char-Char” she is just here to listen and learn. Why are they enemies? Why can’t they be a team? Lacey would’ve been a way better tag partner than that “feral animal,” Asuka. Charlotte didn’t come this far just to come this far. Charlotte’s been trying to prove to Ric, to the fans and to everyone in the locker room that she can do this on her own. And Asuka IS Charlotte’s tag partner, okay? Well Lacey doesn’t feel the same way. Lacey’s sights are on the Raw Women’s title. Well hopefully Ric takes Lacey right to that title. Well Ric has heard from management that if Lacey beats Charlotte tonight, she’s next in line to face Asuka.

Oh is that so? Ric thinks Charlotte hasn’t been listening but she has. Let’s go now! Lacey hides behind Ric to then sucker punch Charlotte! And then she goes out to whip Charlotte hard into steel steps! Lacey accepts the match, which was happening anyway, but now it’s moved up to after the break!

The Miz and John Morrison talk with Angel Garza.

They know Bad Bunny has Damian Priest’s back, so they promise to have Garza’s. Morrison and Garza start doing some Spanish rapping, and Miz joins in. Is the duo going to become a trio of sorts?

Charlotte Flair VS Lacey Evans w/ Ric Flair!

Raw returns and the bell rings, and Charlotte RAMS Lacey right to a corner! Charlotte RAMS into Lacey more, lets off as the ref counts, and then ROCKS Lacey with a right! Lacey is in the ropes but Charlotte is after her. Lacey hotshots the arm, wrenches and kicks it, then wrenches to an elbow drop! Lacey knuckle locks, Charlotte, handsprings through and wrenches to drag Lacey down. Charlotte is after Lacey’s shoulder but Lacey fights to the ropebreak. The ref counts, Charlotte lets go, and Lacey kicks low! Lacey wrenches the bad arm again, whips Charlotte, but Charlotte goes up and out to ram into Lacey! Charlotte slingshots and rolls Lacey and BOOTS her down!

Charlotte runs at a corner, Lacey dodges and wrings Charlotte out, but Charlotte dropkicks Lacey down! Ric helps Lacey on the outside, Charlotte storms over but Lacey hotshots Charlotte again! Lacey sweeps the legs, slingshots up and over, to drop the elbow! Lacey rains down furious fists but lets off as the ref reprimands. Lacey kicks Charlotte, goes after the arm again, and wrenches to an elbow breaker. Lacey kicks the arm, reels Charlotte in, but Charlotte slips out to CLOBBER Lacey! Charlotte gets the leg but Lacey scrambles away! Lacey gets the ropebreak, Charlotte holds on until the ref counts, and Lacey kicks the legs!

Charlotte hobbles, wrenches Lacey again, but Lacey slips through to yank the arm! Lacey wrenches, wristlocks, and throws Charlotte down hard! But Charlotte kips right up to egg Lacey on! Lacey throws her down, Charlotte kips back up, but Lacey wrenches and whips. Charlotte reverses, Lacey holds ropes, and Lacey styles and profiles just to anger Charlotte. Charlotte ROCKS Lacey, scoops her and hits an EXPLODER! Lacey bails out, Ric is there, but Charlotte shows Lacey how it’s done! Ric is flustered, Charlotte slingshots, but Lacey uses Ric as a shield! Lacey trips Charlotte up hard! Charlotte clutches her bad arm as Raw goes back to break!

Raw returns again and Lacey has Charlotte’s arm wrapped on ropes. Lacey uses a leg to hook Charlotte’s head as she pulls on the arm! The ref counts, Lacey lets off, Charlotte CLUBS Lacey back! Lacey drop toeholds Charlotte but Charlotte stays up to throw more hands! Charlotte drags Lacey up but Lacey jawbreakers! Lacey throws Charlotte down by her hair and pulls on the arm! Lacey uses legs to keep Charlotte down but Charlotte fights up! Charlotte moves around, Lacey drags her down by hair, but the ref reprimands again. Charlotte fights up, stomps Lacey, but Lacey drags Charlotte down with a hammerlock! Charlotte rolls but Lacey drops knees on the arm!

Lacey whips Charlotte to a corner, Charlotte stops herself and elbows Lacey away! But Lacey comes back to CLOBBER Charlotte! Cover, TWO! Lacey is on the bad arm, and uses it to turn Charlotte for a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Lacey scowls as she stalks Charlotte. Lacey pushes Charlotte down into a drop zone, then climbs up, for the SASSIEST MOONSAULT onto boots!! Charlotte waits for Lacey to stand and she CHOPS away! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Lacey falls over, Ric is upset. Charlotte runs at Lacey but Lacey SLAPS her away! Lacey runs but into a BOOT! Charlotte covers, TWO!

Lacey bails out, Ric is there, but Charlotte dares dad to do something. Ric says he won’t do anything, but Lacey is sneaking up again! Lacey WRINGS the arm! The ring count is climbing, Lacey puts Charlotte in at 8! Lacey covers, TWO! Ric says for Lacey to use the Figure Four but she doesn’t know how that works! Charlotte BOOTS Lacey then SPEARS her! Charlotte stares down at Ric and says, “You want to humiliate me, do it on your own time! Watch this!” Charlotte fires off furious forearms on Lacey! The ref backs her off but she shoves him away! Charlotte fires off on Lacey more but the ref rings the bell!!

Winner: Lacey Evans, by disqualification

Ric gets in and Charlotte dares him to do something! But he doesn’t, and Charlotte says this ring is hers now. Will the Queen be a gatekeeper of the Raw Women’s Championship on the Road to WrestleMania?

WWE celebrates Black History Month.

“Memories of our deeds and our lives will live on in others.” – Rosa Parks

Edge is back again!

The Rated R Superstar has made it through one week as the Men’s Royal Rumble Winner, now he starts week two! Edge says it was one hell of a week, but an amazing one, because it started with winning the Rumble. He still has the massive decision to make. It seems simple on the surface, but Edge digs deeper. That’s why Edge was on Raw last week. He wanted a lay of the land, but he also settled things with Randy Orton. Edge went to NXT, went to SmackDown, met their champions, and was so close to making a decision. But now things have changed because of the Elimination Chamber having a match of all former champions!

Edge knows Roman is Universal Champion. He knows Finn Balor is NXT Champion. He also knows the Chamber is one of the most brutal matches in WWE. But what he doesn’t know is who will walk out of the Chamber as champion. Edge likes his odds against every single one of them! To be realistic, though, he doesn’t like McIntyre’s odds. Edge likes and respects McIntyre but he knows how hard it is to get out of the Chamber. Edge will wait for the dust to settle, and then he’ll- Wait, here comes The Miz and John Morrison, and even Garza, first. Miz says, “Wow, what a great speech! Epic speech! Dare I say, it reeked of awesomeness!” Edge has such a big decision to make!

But we all know Edge is the ultimate opportunist. And Miz knows Edge is waiting for the perfect chance to strike. Miz is more of a strategist, so let’s strategize! Even if Edge’s comeback leads to winning a WWE World or Universal Championship, Miz will be there with his Money in the Bank contract! Miz will cash in on Edge and leave WrestleMania as a champion! Oh and welcome back. Edge asks if Miz knows who he’ stalking to. Edge put that MITB briefcase on the map! He knows at Mania, as soon as Edge raises a title, he’ll need eyes on the back of his head. But thanks for reminding him.

Edge is the master manipulator keeping three champions on alert but Miz just gave his plan away? Miz needs to worry about the Chamber, about Priest, and hell, even Bad Bunny! Edge is playing poker, Miz is playing Old Maid. There are fundamental differences in how they think. Miz is okay being awesome, Edge did that 20 years ago! edge NEEDS to see his story through, and he NEEDS to be champion. Notice a difference? Think about it! Edge leaves, Miz keeps Morrison and Garza back, but will these two battle things out soon enough?

Damian Priest w/ Bad Bunny VS Angel Garza w/ The Miz & John Morrison!

The Archer of Infamy became fast friends with the chart-topping Reggaeton star because of their distaste for the Greatest Tag Team of the 21st Century *look off into distance*. Now they might have to add the Lethal Lothario to that mix since he’s hanging with MC M I Z and Johnny Drip Drip. Will Priest #LiveForever at Garza’s expense?

The bell rings and Garza talks some trash, but Priest BOOTS him down! Priest is after Garza in the corner with hand sand kicks, then he ROCKS Garza with an uppercut! Garza checks his chin, Priest whips Garza tor opes but Graza kicks back! Garza runs into the windmill kick! Cover, ONE, but Priest stalks Garza to ropes. Miz and Morrison are there to protest and distract, Garza throat chops Priest! Garza runs, shoulders and clotheslines then dropkciks Priest down! Cover, ONE, but Garza basement dropkicks Priest for good measure. Priest flounders, Garza chokes Priest on ropes but lets off as the ref counts. Miz gets a cheap shot in!

Bunny protests, Garza throws off the pants and throws them at Bunny! Garza hooks up Priest’s legs for an inverted deathlock! Garza slaps Priest around but Priest just gets pissed! Priest throws big hands to get free, but Garza comes around, only for Priest to block a punch with a punch! Priest fires off forearms, then aims to kick, kick and KICK! Priest drags Garza up to ROCK him, then DECK him with a lariat! Bunny cheers with the fans as Priest aims from a corner. Priest tunes up with stomps, takes aim with the bow, and runs corner to corner for a LEAPING back elbow! Morrison and Miz get on the apron but Priest runs them off! Garza runs in to clothesline Priest out!

Morrison and Miz mug Priest while the ref backs Garza off. Bunny snatches the MITB briefcase! Bunny slides that in, Morrison goes after it, and the ref sees that! The ref EJECTS Miz and Morrison! Bunny gets the better of them, just as Edge figured he would. Bunny then shrugs to Garza, and Garza turns around into Priest’s BELL CLAP! And the RECKONING! Cover, Priest wins!

Winner: Damian Priest, by pinfall

Bunny has Priest’s back and together, they’re rolling on the Road to WrestleMania! Will Priest find himself heading for a big target come the Showcase of the Immortals?

Backstage interview with Drew McIntyre!

An interesting night already with the announcement about the Elimination Chamber world title match. His reaction? Simple: It’s WrestleMania season, expect the unexpected. Much like what Sheamus did. McIntyre heard what Sheamus has to say but it boils down to this: why end a 20 year friendship if you just wanted a title shot? But while Sheamus has his reasons and McIntyre has his theories, McIntyre has to focus on Orton. The Viper will break bones or tear muscles if it means keeping McIntyre from the Chamber. But Mania Season makes the target on a champion’s back even bigger.

But let’s take a lay of the land: The Chamber, Orton tonight, Miz’s MITB shot, Edge still hasn’t chosen, Sheamus, Styles, Hardy, things are crazy! McIntyre is cornered! Will he crack under the pressure? No. Backed in a corner, McIntyre is a wild animal! McIntyre dares you to come at him so he can rip your damn face off! Will the Claymores be flying come time for the Elimination Chamber?

BREAKING NEWS!

Because Lacey technically did win, she DOES have a match against Asuka for the Raw Women’s Championship! Will the Sassy Southern Belle make the best of Charlotte’s rage costing her?

Backstage interview with Bianca Belair!

The Women’s Royal Rumble winner is here on Raw to react to the news of Asuka VS Lacey. It’s been a wild week but the honeymoon is over. Bianca proved she is the EST of WWE, this is her time! And yes, people are wondering what she’ll do. But as the smartEST woman in the WWE, it could be Sasha Banks, but it could also be Asuka. Asuka isn’t just the Empress of Tomorrow, but the Empress of All Day. Lacey could be champion, but only a fool underestimates Asuka. Bianca wants to beat the best, and Asuka comes over to say congratulations! Bianca won, she did it! But that does not mean Bianca is ready for Asuka!

Girl, uh-uh! Bianca IS ready. But y’know who isn’t? LACEY~! These two are in agreement now, but Bianca says if Asuka hands business, they might be seeing each other more often. What will the women’s title scene look like after the Elimination Chamber PPV in two weeks?

Matt Riddle VS Keith Lee!

The Limitless Bros are facing off against each other 1v1 for the first time in WWE! They both want a shot at the WWE United States Champion, but Riddle’s had his turns. Will Keith win here to prove it’s his turn against Bobby Lashley?

Raw returns and Keith makes his entrance. MVP is on commentary to represent the Hurt Business’ interests in this match. MVP says Keith may be a kaiju, but Lashley is the king of kaiju. The bell rings and Riddle circles with Keith. They fist bump out of respect, then circle more. Riddle goes for an armbar takedown but Keith uses size and strength to stay up, then dead lift Riddle! Riddle tries to bring Keith down but Keith wags his finger! Keith brings Riddle up, Riddle lets go and gets away. The two nod and circle again. MVP says Lashley would’ve done much better, but Keith holds off Riddle’s leg takedown to then toss Riddle aside!

Riddle and Keith reset, circle again, and feel out a grapple. Riddle shoots in again, gets around and gets a sleeper! Keith stays up, reaches for ropes, but Riddle adds body scissors and squeezes tight! Keith scowls as he pries free and throws Riddle off! Riddle gets out of the ring to cool off and sort himself out, then he gets back in. Keith and Riddle circle again, tie up with knuckle locks, but Riddle shifts, only for Keith to block the throw. Riddle avoids Keith’s clothesline to fire off strikes, then he ROCKS Keith into a corner! Riddle goes side to side but gets caught! Keith holds tight but Riddle breaks free to fire off KICKS!

The ref counts, Riddle lets off at 4 and goes corner to corner. Keith POUNCES Riddle across the ring! Even MVP has to admit that was good. Cover, TWO! Keith keeps his cool and watches Riddle gets to a corner. Keith throws body shots now, but Riddle throws forearms back! Riddle CHOPS, Keith Lee GRIZZLY MAGNUMS! Keith hauls Riddle up, wrenches and whips corner to corner hard, and Riddle bounces off buckles! Keith stands and watches Riddle, but Riddle gets up to throw body shots. Riddle fires off haymakers and CHOPS, but Keith grabs Riddle by the head to DECK him with a left! Riddle grits his teeth as he gets back up to throw more hands on KEith!

Riddle CHOPS, forearms, but Keith blocks a kick to elbow and ROCK Riddle with a forearm! GERMAN SUPLEX, but Riddle land son his feet! Riddle spins Keith for the PELE! Keith wobbles but stays up in a corner., Riddle runs in to throw a forearm, runs side to side for another forearm! Riddle brings Keith up but Keith fights off the Brosploder. Keith shoves and GRIZZLY MAGNUMS again! Keith brings Riddle up, pops him up, but Riddle fights the Spirit Bomb off! Riddle goes up, FLYING KNEE! Keith falls over, Riddle covers, ONE?!? Riddle keeps moving and PENALTY KICKS! Riddle hurries to a corner, climbs up and leaps, FLOATING BRO!! Cover, TWO!?!?

MVP admits he is impressed by Keith Lee, and even Riddle’s resilience, but they’re still not Lashley. BROTON and then another BROTON, and then a third BROTON! Riddle is firing up and demands Keith get up! MVP doesn’t understand that logic. Keith blocks Final Flash to pop Riddle up again! Riddle still fights and gets the TRIANGLE HOLD! Keith stays standing, lifts Riddle but Riddle drags Keith down all the same! Keith powers up to short-bomb, but Riddle holds on! Riddle pulls harder, Keith powers up and MVP likes what he sees as Keith BUCKLE BOMBS Riddle! Riddle runs back in to FINAL FLASH again! Riddle runs again, but into the SPIRIT BOMB!! Cover, Keith wins!!

Winner: Keith Lee, by pinfall

MVP says he was entertained, and he looks forward to the fight that’s coming, but he knows Lashley will still win. Keith helps Riddle up, proving they’re still pals. But here comes Lashley to CLOBBER them both!! Riddle goes down but Keith stays up! And Keith is just as mad as Lashley is now. But Keith runs into the MILE HIGH SPINEBUSTER!! MVP says THAT is power! The Chief Hurt Officer gets Riddle in another HURT LOCK!! Riddle is a rag doll all over again! Lashley throws Riddle away but Keith gets back up. Lashley RAMS Keith off the apron, then runs around the way to CLOBBER him! Lashley keeps on Keith and POSTS him!

Lashley tears steel steps apart and aims at Keith! BATTERING RAM!! Keith falls over the announce desk! MVP grins as Lashley stands on the desk. Lashley holds up the US Championship, but will he only come to regret what he just did?

Randy Orton speaks.

“Unfinished business. That’s what stands between you and I, Drew.” It is a fact McIntyre took the title from Orton, but it is a fact that at Elimination Chamber, Orton will take it back. Orton has done what he has to in order to get what he wants. The title means everything to him. Whether it is kicking legend sin the skull or RKO’ing anyone in his way, or even setting someone on fire, Orton alone lives with those actions! But those actions always end the unfinished business. Tonight, McIntyre will be reintroduced to the Legend Killer, and destiny will come calling again as Orton walks into WrestleMania THE WWE World Champion.

Tables Match: Lana w/ Naomi VS Nia Jax w/ Shayna Baszler!

Speaking of settling unfinished business by any means necessary, the Ravishing Russian looks to finally get payback against the Irresistible Force in the most poetic way possible! Will Lana finally be the one putting Nia through a table tonight?

Raw returns as Lana makes her entrance, Naomi by her side. The bell rings, Lana rushes at Nia but Nia shoves her away! Nia drags Lana up just to elbow her back down! Nia kicks Lana around and says Lana doesn’t understand the repercussions of her decisions. Nia brings Lana up for a LAST RIDE POWERBOMB! Nia grins at Naomi and taunts that this is going to be her tag partner for their eventual tag title match. Nia drags Lana up for another BOMB! Nia kicks Lana around for being an “idiot,” and then taunts Naomi for coming back just to team with Lana. Nia grabs Lana’s leg and drags her up for a STRETCH MUFFLER!

Lana can only endure as Nia thrashes her around, then SWINGS her into buckles!! Lana is dazed, Naomi tries to coach her up, but Nia grins as she watches Lana slowly sit up. Nia kicks Lana at the ropes, pushes her into the ropes, then drags her up and scoops her. Lana fights the lawn dart off, but Nia just gives her snake eyes instead! Nia drags Lana into position, runs, but Lana avoids the elbow drop! Lana BOOTS Nia back, ROUNDHOUSES her, then dodges in the corner! Nia hits buckles, and walks into the SWITCH KICK! Lana fires up with anger and she runs at Nia, only for Nia to run her over.

Nia talks more trash and she drags Lana up. “King Kong ain’t got s*** on me!” Nia drags Lana up, but Lana fights the bomb off with elbows! She uses the LANA RANA to throw Nia onto the apron! Naomi cheers Lana as she ROUNDHOUSES Nia again! And again! And again! Nia wobbles, Lana pries at the fingers! Lana gets one hand free but Nia uses the other to grab Lana for a HEADBUTT! Nia drags Lana to the apron and stands on her head! “This is what you wanted! Nia backs up, takes aim, but Lana avoids the apron leg drop! Nia clutches her tailbone, but she shoves the table over in anger. Lana runs out and RAMS Nia through a table!! LANA WINS!!

Winner: Lana

Naomi celebrates with Lana! Justice has been served! But then Shayna attacks Lana! So Naomi kicks and FLYING KICKS Shayna in return! The Glow has the Ravishing Russian’s back and now the bullies can’t get away with things! Will Naomi and Lana make the Queen of Spades #FeelTheGlow?

Naomi w/ Lana VS Shayna Baszler!

The Glow and the Queen of Spades throw down now on behalf of what happened to their tag partners! The bell rings, Naomi slides under the roundhouse, and then comes back to elbow Shayna! Naomi throws forearms, Shayna shoves Naomi but Naomi wrenches to get both arms for a double Sole Food! Shayna runs back in but Naomi hurdles, only for Shayna to get a leg. Shayna trips Naomi, and she PENALTY KICKS an arm out! Shayna hammerlocks that arm on the mat, but Naomi kips up to avoid the stomp! Shayna sweeps the legs, gets the arm, and STOMPS it after all! Lana looks on at Shayna twists Naomi’s wrist and drags her to the mat.

Shayna bends the arm around, but Naomi endures, so Shayna uses a foot to YANKS on the arm! Shayna keylocks the arm, Naomi endures again, and she kicks Shayna away! Naomi gets up, Shayna runs back over but the kick misses! Naomi dodges Shayna again to send her into buckles, then she rallies with dropkicks! Naomi dodges a clothesline to run and RANA! Shayna staggers into a corner, but she kicks Naomi away. Naomi SLAPS Shayna, then hits a RUNNIGN JAWBREAKER! Shayna is rocked, Lana cheers but Shayna reverse the whip. Naomi boots Shayna away, wheelbarrows, but into the KIRAFUDA! Naomi is caught, but she’s rolling around! ROPEBREAK!

The ref counts, Shayna glares at Lana but she lets go at 4. Naomi gasps, Lana coaches her up, but Shayna goes out to KICK Lana’s leg and KNEE her down! “Mind your own business and learn your place!” Shayna whips Lana into barriers! The ref counts but Shayna is back in at 7 of 10. But Naomi cradles her, to win!!

Winner: Naomi, by pinfall

Shayna got distracted by the wrong challenger and now the tag team champions have lost in a sweep! Will this be how it goes when it’s 2v2 for the Women’s Tag Team titles?

MORE BREAKING NEWS!

The United States Championship will be on the line at the Elimination Chamber PPV, but in a TRIPLE THREAT! Riddle and Keith both get their shots, but will either of them be able to stop the Rocky Mountain Machine?

Drew McIntyre VS Randy Orton!

The Scottish Warrior has four other foes to worry about in the Chamber, but right now he’s going to focus 100% of his body and mind on The Viper. The Viper has won Chambers, and has won titles, and looks to do both at the same time this year! Is tonight’s “unfinished business” only going to be the beginning of Orton’s return to glory? Or will one more Claymore derail those plans?

Raw returns once again, and McIntyre makes his entrance. The bell rings and these two circle. They tie up, go around on the ropes, in corners, and out of corners, but then back into a corner. McIntyre has control but Orton pushes him back and then tries for an RKO! McIntyre fights that off, but Orton bails out of the ring to avoid the Claymore! McIntyre tells Orton it was that close, but Orton takes his time returning. Orton gets in but McIntyre kicks him in the ropes! McIntyre drags Orton out along the ropes, but Orton avoids the draping DDT being stolen! Orton whips McIntyre to a corner but McIntyre bounces off buckles to CLOBBER Orton!

But here comes Sheamus! He runs right up to the ring, but stays out so that Orton can CLOBBER McIntyre! Orton has McIntyre on the apron and he POSTS him! And then POSTS him the other way! McIntyre falls to the floor and is furious that he let the Fella get the drop on him like that. Orton grins and Sheamus watches closely as Raw goes to break.

Raw returns once more as Orton clinches McIntyre but McIntyre fights free. McIntyre CHOPS Orton but Orton pokes McIntyre in the eye! Orton throws McIntyre out of the ring hard, and Orton bounces him off the announce desk. Orton then gives McIntyre the BACK SUPLEX to the desk! The ref counts, Orton puts McIntyre in and covers, TWO! Orton keeps on McIntyre with a chinlock and he grinds McIntyre down. McIntyre endures and fans rally on their ThunderDome screens. McIntyre fights his way up, pries the hold open, but Orton knees low! McIntyre kicks back, Orton throws haymakers but McIntyre returns them. They brawl, Orton goes to a corner and kicks again.

Orton throws EuroUppers, haymakers, but McIntyre turns them. Orton kicks, whips, but McIntyre reverses, only for Orton to kick him away. McIntyre dodges the clothesline to OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! McIntyre puts Orton in a corner to OVERHEAD Belly2Belly him again! Sheamus watches intensely as McIntyre stalks Orton for a leaping neckbreaker! McIntyre kips up and fires up! McIntyre kicks Orton, reels him in, but no Future Shock! Orton trips and jackknife bridges, TWO! Orton runs into a SPINEBUSTER! McIntyre jackknifes, TWO! McIntyre grows frustrated as he couldn’t get the right footing there. But McIntyre decides to go to a corner and go up top!

Orton throws hands to stop McIntyre, then he throws another EuroUpper! Orton throws more hands, climbs up to join McIntyre now, and hits a SUPERPLEX! Both men are down, Orton crawls to a cover, TWO! Orton grows frustrated now and he staggers up. Orton brings McIntyre up but McIntyre HEADBUTTS! The Glasgow Kiss rocks Orton but he throws McIntyre into ropes again. Orton kicks McIntyre, drags him out, DRAPING DDT! Both men are down again, but Orton rises first. Orton paces about, and he hears the voices in his head! McIntyre rises, but he shoves the RKO away to spin Orton around, FUTURE SHOCK!

Orton hurries to get away but McIntyre keeps his eyes locked on The Viper! Orton slowly rises, McIntyre grits his teeth, but in comes Sheamus! McIntyre senses it, the BROGUE hits Orton!!

Winner: Randy Orton, by disqualification

And McIntyre CLAYMORES Sheamus!! The Celtic Warrior may have handed the win to the Viper with that boot, but the Scottish Warrior gets even for last week! Will McIntyre stand tall above not only Orton and Sheamus, but Hardy, Styles and The Miz?

My Thoughts:

A very good episode of Raw, though not on the same level as last week’s. Raw opening with the Elimination Chamber announcement is a very subtle way of tying in what Paul Heyman told Adam Pearce on Talking Smack. I’m not entirely sure this is what Heyman wanted, though, but the possibility of facing five other opponents has only made Edge want to take more time to consider his options. I’m sure Heyman will give Pearce an earful about it on SmackDown. Pearce is being used to tie the stories together very well, and I wonder if Pearce will choose to stay only on Raw and let Sonya Deville handle Heyman on SmackDown because of all the pressure Heyman keeps putting on him.

It was good to see Edge and Bianca Belair on the show, but already something feels repetitive about it. Bianca said a lot of what she’s already been saying since winning the Women’s Rumble, but her bit with Asuka was really fun. Edge’s promo started off as a recap of the week and that was a bit boring, but I like that Miz came out and Edge tore into him about constantly overplaying his hand and giving things away. Titles or no titles, I almost want to see if a program of Edge VS Miz could help bring Miz back up from this comedy act he and Morrison have become. Speaking of, Morrison and Miz backing Angel Garza up was logical, but of course Priest wins again because he’s still building momentum. I wonder if Garza will stick with Miz and Morrison, though, since his ladies man gimmick is getting old.

Hardy VS Styles was a really good match, and Styles wins to build his momentum. I almost wonder if Hardy’s leg is played up and someone replaces him, but perhaps not. It’d be almost hilarious if Kofi Kingston gets to replace Hardy again and Ali just goes nuts over it. The tag match of New Day VS T-Bar & Slapjack was pretty good, and of course New Day wins. I like that Woods is continuing what he said on Raw Talk about wanting a co-ed match with “Reckoning” Mia Yim, but chances are, we’ll only get New Day VS Ali & Mace next, winners go after Raw Tag Team Championships. Either way it’d be a rematch as Hurt Business beat Retribution and then beat New Day.

Charlotte VS Lacey wasn’t a great match but there was a lot of good story progression. Ric is upset with Charlotte, Charlotte is upset with Ric, and Lacey is still the one benefitting, despite Charlotte not wanting that to happen. Asuka VS Lacey with Ric ringside will be better than without him ringside, but I would think Asuka still wins. I’m glad to see we saw the Tables match we should’ve seen at TLC with Lana and Nia, and Lana shoving Nia into a propped up table was a great way to end it. Naomi VS Shayna was a good match, even with Shayna going after Lana only to get caught as the ending. The tag title match will be pretty fun, but I am also pretty sure Shayna and Nia win.

Keith VS Riddle was a great match, definitely worthy of being seen as a contender’s match. Keith wins, but the irony is, what Lashley did to him and Riddle only puts him in a Triple Threat situation. Having Riddle or Keith get the win off the other and not Lashley would help Lashley stay strong in a loss, and then Fastlane or WrestleMania is the 1v1 rematch. In fact, I feel like that has to be how it goes or Lashley comes off almost too strong. McIntyre VS Orton was a very good match, and the context of the Chamber news makes it work out as more than just throwing them back together by default. It was also clever to use Sheamus to dirty up the finish and keep things even in the math.

Similarly to how the US Championship scene can go, I bet there is a way where McIntyre and Sheamus still have their 1v1 match at Fastlane, winner goes on to WrestleMania. Of course, Edge will have surely made a decision by then, so maybe by then we’ll know if it’ll be Edge VS McIntyre or Edge VS Roman, and something else will have been arranged for the champion Edge doesn’t choose.

My Score: 8.4/10