Raw Review 02/04/2019
Tonight what is next for the 2019 Royal Rumble Seth Rollins now that he is set to face Brock Lesnar for the Universal Championship at WrestleMania? Plus, what will happen when Becky Lynch comes to Raw after being invited by Stephanie McMahon? Also, what will Kurt Angle have to say on behalf of his future with WWE? Finn Balor may have lost to Brock Lesnar but tonight he has another shot at gold as he takes on Bobby Lashley for the Intercontinental Championship. Bayley and Sasha Banks have been leaders in the quest to finally get Women’s Tag Team Championships but can the two qualify for the Elimination Chamber as they take on Nikki Cross and Alicia Fox? Finally, can Elias make a statement tonight at the expense of Jeff Jarrett as the two face one on one?
Raw comes to us from the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon.
Raw kicks off with us being welcomed by Michael Cole, Renee Young, and Corey Graves
In Ring Segment: Stephanie Mcmahon & Becky Lynch
Stephanie welcomes everyone to Raw but before she can introduce her out comes Becky Lynch. Stephanie then introduces Lynch after she gets to the ring. Stephanie then looks back on last week when Lynch came out to challenge Ronda Rousey for the Raw Women’s Championship. Stephanie says she’s never seen someone step toe to toe with Rousey and smile. Lynch says why wouldn’t she smile because she won the Rumble and is gonna go to Mania and slap the head off of Rousey. Stephanie says no one would love that more than her after what Ronda did to her. Stephanie then asks Lynch about her knee injury. Stephanie shows the footage from the Rumble and talks about how Lynch won against all odds. Stephanie tells how Lynch has been refusing medical attention. Lynch says she will fight anyone anywhere and she doesn’t want a doctor. Stephanie tells Lynch she is so incredibly tough but she cannot let her physically compete if she is not cleared by the medical staff. Lynch questions her and says she is the glitch in the plan, the one they didn’t plan for and she isn’t moving for anyone. She questions Stephanie and says what would she know about struggle. Lynch calls her a daddy’s girl who didn’t have to fight for anything and someone who is trying to stop her from fighting for everything. She says she earned her way to Mania and there is no one who is gonna stop her. Stephanie says she can not compete if she isn’t cleared. Stephanie says she fears the injury is worse than Lynch is letting on. She says this match will be one of the biggest in WWE history but she has to see the doctor. Lynch says she is not having her moment taken from her. Stephanie says she is gonna be suspended until she does. Stephanie then says at this moment she is suspended from WWE. Lynch then loses it and attacks Stephanie. Lynch then takes down security members.
My Opinion:
I loved Raw kicking off with Becky Lynch and she definitely brought the fight to Raw tonight. I don’t get where they’re gonna go with this but we have a lot of time until Mania so maybe they’re just trying to drag it out so this won’t lose steam. Lynch is a fighter and I’m sure she’ll be ready to go if they let her. It’ll be an interesting couple of months as this develops.
Backstage Segment:
Ronda tells Lynch she is a professional and she has a PPV to sell. She questions Lynch’s actions and says what she did was unprofessional. She questions Lynch for being her and calls her a bitch.
Match 1: Ronda Rousey vs Liv Morgan w/ Sarah Logan & Ruby Riott
Morgan starts off the match by getting out of the ring and doesn’t wanna start the match with Rousey. Morgan comes back in and Rousey pushes her down. Rousey gets to Morgan and pounds on her. She goes to lock in the armbar but Morgan taps quickly. Rousey then grabs a mic and asks who else has a problem with her. She then calls out Logan. Logan cmes in and they start and impromptu match. Logan takes it to Rousey and Rousey quickly works an armbar and she has to be saved as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Rousey wraps up Logan but she throws her off. Rousey takes it to her with knee strikes. Rousey gets her on the mat and hammers on her with rights. Rousey gets her in the armbar and she taps.
Winner: Ronda Rousey
My Opinion:
This was statement night for Rousey. She went out and beat two of three members of the Riott Squad. Rousey seems she is out trying to prove her worth and this could be very good. Rousey can get a ton of heat before Mania and go in there as the fighter she is. Rousey has her back against the wall right now in terms of fan reaction but in the ring she is killing it and she just needs to continue to be her own person.
Backstage Segment:
Ruby is asked why she would run from Ronda. Ruby says she didn’t run and she could beat her and when she does it will be for the Raw Women’s Championship. She says right now she needs to her for her for her friends because they stick together. She says that’s something Ronda knows nothing about.
Backstage Segment:
Charly asks Sasha and Bayley if their failures against Ronda Rousey will drive them tonight. Bayley says they pushed her to her limits and together they are great. Sasha says they will go to the chamber and make history. Fox and Cross come up and Fox says they won’t be making it to the chamber. Cross says no one wanted to play with Nikki. Fox says they will realize not to cross the Fox.
Match 2: Lucha House Party vs Heavy Machinery vs The Revival vs The B Team: Winner gets a future Tag Team Championship Match
As Raw returns, Dawson works Metalik. Dawson slams him and covers him but Metalik kicks out. Wilder comes in and he and Dawson work a double team. Metalik fights back with a chop but Wilder gets back in control and tags Dawson. The two then land a double gut buster. Metalik fights back and tags Dorado. Dorado can’t mount much and it’s Heavy Machinery that gets back in control. Otis lands the caterpillar on Dallas but can’t get the three as it’s broken up. Otis has to fight off Wilder but then is taken out by Dawson. Dallas comes in and tries a cover but can’t get the three. The Revival hit The Shatter Machine and get the 1 2 3.
Winners: The Revival
My Opinion:
Huge win for The Revival, we’ve seen them get to this spot so many times before but maybe now it’ll be different since they were really considering leaving WWE. This is either gonna be the start of something special for The Revival or their exit out the door. I’m very curious to see how this will play out.
Backstage Segment:
Ryder tells Hawkins they’ll be out there next time. Hawkins says he is a problem and tells Ryder he should find someone else. Hawkins asks why he would want to be with him. Ryder tells him how they spelt his name wrong last week and tells hawkins he is a loser like him. He says it won’t be for long though. He says they will end their losing streak together.
In Ring Segment: Kurt Angle
Angle talks about how he’s lived by the three I’s for his life. He talks about his accomplishments throughout his career and tells how he’s always had the fans there to tell him how much he’s sucked. He talks about how the last few matches he had didn’t go the way he wanted to. He says he wanted to prove he still had it. He says in his career he beat them all but there is one opponent he knows he cannot defeat and that opponent is father time. He’s then cut off by Baron Corbin.
Corbin asks Angle if they can wrap this up already. He asks Angle if he wants everyone to feel sorry for him and tells him he did this to himself. He tells Angle he was suppose to make matches and not be in them. Corbin calls him a broken down shadow of a man. Angle says this old man will break his ankle in two. Angle tells him to come down to the ring and he will show him. Out comes Drew Mcintyre.
Mcintyre tells Angle he just can’t help himself. Mcintyre questions Angle and tells him that in his eyes he saw fear right before he tapped him out to his own ankle lock. Mcintyre says Angle has no quit in his body and says he will keep showing up until someone does something very drastic. Mcintyre says this is the last time they will see Angle in a WWE ring because they are going to take him down for good. They storm the ring but here comes Braun Strowman.
Strowman hammers on Mcintyre on the ramp. Angle takes out Coein in the ring. Angle and Strowman surround Corbin but he and Mcintyre escape.
My Opinion:
Well, we don’t know why Angle came out but I hope he isn’t done yet. His last match should not be a random match on Raw and instead, if he is going out it should be at Mania. Hopefully, Angle will continue on and we can see one more special match out of him.
Match 3: Sasha Banks & Bayley vs Alicia Fox & Nikki Cross:
Winners advance to the Elimination Chamber
*** As Bayley and Sasha make their entrance they are attacked by Fox and Cross. Bayley tries to fight back but she can’t fight them off. Cross and fox lay them out.
As Raw returns, the match is underway. Bayley does her best to fight off Cross but Cross is able to stay on her. Fox gets the tag and comes in hot but Bayley stops her with a cross body. Bayley takes down Fox and tries a cover but Fox kicks out. Bayley again takes Fox down to the mat but this time Cross breaks up the cover. Bayley uses the ropes to hang up Fox and Fox goes down on the apron. On the outside, Bayley hits Cross with a right but then is hit with a scissors kick by Fox back in the ring. Fox goes for the cover but Bayley kicks out. Cross gets the tag and her and Fox double team Bayley. In the corner Cross hammers on Bayley with kicks. Fox gets the tag again and lands a series of body shots to Bayley. Cross comes back in and works a submission on Bayley. Fox gets the tag again and her and Cross continue to work Bayley in the corner. Bayley tries t fight out but Cross buries her with shoulders as she tags back in. Cross hits a bulldog and tries the cover but Bayley kicks out. On the outside, Cross lays out Bayley with a cross body. Banks comes on the outside and assists Bayley. Back in the ring, Bayley is able to work a roll up and Bayley gets the 1 2 3 on Fox.
Winners: Bayley & Sasha Banks
My Opinion:
Big win for Bayley and Sasha especially with the odds stacked against them. Bayley put her team on her back and got them this win. I think Bayley and Sasha are the best tag team going into the chamber and they have a great shot to win. This is everything Bayley and Sasha have been waiting for so this Chamber Match is theirs to lose.
Match 4: Jeff Jarrett w/ Road Dogg vs Elias
Elias and Jarrett tee off on each other to start the match. Elias runs from Jarrett as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Jarrett takes control and continues to take down Elias. Elias fights back and works Jarrett to the mat. Elias then works a chinlock on the mat. Elias fires at Jarrett with right hands. He lands a big elbow and goes for the cover but Jarrett kicks out. Elias takes out Road Dogg on the outside but this escalated Jarrett and he hits Elias with huge right hands. Jarrett hangs him up in the ropes and connects on an enziguri as Elias gets up. Elias is able to wrap up Jarrett and he hits Drift Away. Elias goes for the cover and gets the 1 2 3.
*** After the match Road Dogg attacks Elias. Jarrett then hits him with the guitar.
Winner: Elias
My Opinion:
Big win for Elias knocking off Jarrett on Raw but I will say I love Jeff Jarrett wrestling on Raw. I love seeing him and Road Dogg in there and Jarrett still looks so good in there. Time will tell if this is just a one off but I really would love to see Jarrett gets back in there again and have a big match at some point.
Backstage Segment:
Dana Brooke apologizes to Natalya and says she realize last week wasn’t just any tag team match and she is sorry. She tells Natalya she was just pumping herself up when she says she was better. Dana tells Natalya she is gonna go make a match for next week to take her on and rove she belongs her. Natalya then takes out her ear buds and didn’t hear anything Brooke said.
Backstage Segment:
Charly brings up how Balor is looking like he’s walking slow. Balor tells how there is no quit in the Irish and he is gonna keep fighting. He proclaims that he will take the Intercontinental Championship from Lashley tonight.
Match 5: Finn Balor vs Lio Rush w/ Bobby Lashley:
*** Lashley comes out and tells Balor he won’t be getting a title match but instead will face Lio Rush. He tells him he can have a match if he entertains him enough. Lashley then Balor before the match attacking his ribs.
Rush is in control as the match gets underway. He hammers on Balor and toys with him as balor is down on the mat. Balor is able to catch him and drive him down to the mat. As Rush is forced to the outside Balor hits him with a dropkick. Lashley then grbas Balor and throws him to the floor. The ref then kicks Lashley from ringside. Rush hits Balor with a suicide dive as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Rush has an abdominal stretch on Balor. Rush continues to work the ribs of Balor With big shoulders to the gut. Balor creates space with a big knee. Balor then hits him with a kick on the apron. Balor goes to the top but Rush gets to his feet and drops Balor. Rush goes to the top and hits Balor with a hurricanranna sending him flying to the mat. Rush goes for the cover but Balor is able to kick out. Rush then goes to a modified abdominal stretch. Balor gets to his feet and turns it into an abdominal stretch of his own. Balor takes him down and hits him with a stomp. Balor then hits the sling blade. Balor tries to lift Rush but can’t. Rush tries a roll up but balor kicks out. Rush is able to take down Balor and goes to the top. Rush goes for the splash but Balor gets out of the way. Balor drives him into the turnbuckles and then goes to the top. Balor goes for the cover and gets the 1 2 3.
Winner: Finn Balor
My Opinion:
Balor really had to gut this one out but he did just that. Balor looked banged up but there’s no quit in him, he is a true fighter and will never stop. I hpe Balor gets that title shot and gets the title. They need to do something with him because they haven’t used Balor the way they should. He’s very over and anywhere else he’d be in the main event. Hopefully, Balor’s luck will turn around.
A Moment Of Bliss: EC3
Bliss introduces her guest EC3. Bliss tells him he has everything going for him. Bliss says she has noticed he’s been playing hard to get going back and forth between Raw and SmackDown. Nia Jax and Tamina come out and Jax says no one cares. Jax then gloats about herself and her accomplishments lately. Jax then jokes and says she might fill in for Becky Lynch at WrestleMania. Out comes Dean Ambrose. Ambrose tells Nia it’s obvious she has a huge crush on him, he tells her to stay away from him and not to come near him again. He then asks who EC3 is and slaps the mic out of his hand. Ambrose then asks EC3 a few questions of his own. He ass EC3 why he sits around backstage like a mute Chip and Dale dancer instead of getting in the ring. EC3 then his Ambrose.
Match 6: EC3 vs Dean Ambrose
Ambrose takes it to EC3 but he comes back with a huge clothesline. Ambrose fights back and drives EC3 shoulder first into the ring post. Ambrose continues to hammer on him and goes for the cover but he kicks out. Ambrose works a chinlock and keeps him grounded on the mat. EC3 gets to his feet and fights off Ambrose. He hits him with big rights and is able to take him down with a flying forearm. EC3 gets hung up in the corner but he comes back and gets Ambrose in a jackknife cover.
Winner: EC3
My Opinion:
Huge win for EC3 tonight, I’m not shocked though by this. If Ambrose is truly on his way out I can see this happening a lot to him. Ambrose could now just be used to put people over until he leaves in April. It’s sad that this is where they are at with Ambrose but we’ve seen things like this happen a lot. As for EC3 we know his future is bright and this is a heck of a way to start himself on the main roster.
Backstage Segment:
Charly asks Angle what a win tonight would mean. Angle says he wasn’t expecting to compete tonight but he’s not in this fight alone. Angle says he’s glad Braun is on his team tonight. Braun tells Angel that before the night is over Mcintyre and Corbin are gonna get these hands, oh it’s true it’s damn true.
Match 7: Braun Strowman & Kurt Angle vs Drew Mcintyre & Baron Corbin
Angle takes it to Corin quickly as Strowman went after Mcintyre. Corbin takes a cheap shot as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Corbin works the neck of Angle. Corbin hits him with a hip check and gets him in the corner. Corbin and Mcintyre then hammer on Angle in the corner. Mcintyre tries to hit Angle but he fights back. Mcintyre gets back in control and tags Corbin. More double team ensues but eventually, Angle fights back. Angle goes after Corbin but now Mcintyre is the legal man. Mcintyre taunts Strowman and then hits Angle with Angle slam after reversing Angle’s attempt at one. Mcintyre then locks in the ankle lock. Angle is able to counter and tags Strowman. Strowman takes down Corbin and Mcintyre. He hits a splash and then a big blow to Mcintyre to take him down. Mcintyre and Corbin work together to take out Strowman. Corbin sends Strowman off the ring posts and then drives him into the barricade. Back in the ring, Strowman is put in the corner. Mcintyre comes in and kicks Strowman and follows with a chop. Mcintyre hits a neckbreaker but it’s not enough to get the three count. Corbin comes back in and tries to get the three on Strowman but still, Strowman won’t stay down. Mcintyre comes back in and hits Strowman with big kicks in the corner. Corbin comes in and they try to suplex Strowman but he counters and hits a double suplex of his own. Angle comes in and hits a German suplex on Corbin and then hits one on Mcintyre. Corbin tries to fight back but Angle stays strong and hits the Angle slam. Strowman comes in but isn’t the legal man so the ref calls for the bell. After the match, they take it to Strowman and Mcintyre hits him with a Claymore knocking him into the crowd. They then drive Angle into the steel steps. They then bring the steps into the ring and bring Angle in. Strowman gets back up and makes the save. Strowman then slams Mcintyre on the steps and does he same to Corbin.
Winners: Baron Corbin & Drew Mcintyre: Via DQ
My Opinion:
This was an okay match but I didn’t like how both Angle and Strowman got so dominated throughout this match. It’s cool seeing Angle wrestle but it’s to bad they’ve made him look so broken down. Even though they got the last laugh Strowman and Angle didn’t have the best go in this one. I also wasn’t a fan of the ending because when is that rule ever real implemented. I get they can do whatever they want but if you want this to feel authentic then you need to keep it consistent.
Final Thoughts:
This wasn’t the best Raw tonight. I thought the Becky Lynch segment to start the night was pretty good. Becky showed she isn’t gonna take any crap and she wants this match at Mania. On the same note, Ronda Rousey looked great tonight s well being so dominate. She really needs to look as dominating as she can before Mania to really sell this match as the big main event they want it to be. It was cool seeing Jeff Jarrett and Road Dogg again, and seeing Kurt angle was awesome as well. For Angle like I said it’s sad that it has to be like this for him right now. I hope his luck will turn around and ends his career on a high note. Ne thing I did think was weird was not seeing Seth Rollins. He wasn’t that beat up last week and he’s suppose to be the new face of the place right now but yet he wasn’t there. We’ll see what next week brings as we inch closer to the Elimination Chamber!
Overall Rating: 5/10
