Raw Review 02/18/2019

Tonight is the Fall-Out Edition of Monday Night Raw following last night’s Elimination Chamber PPV. Who will be the first to step up to the Inaugural WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Bayley and Sasha Banks? Plus, what will Ronda Rousey have to say about Becky Lynch after her attack last night? Finn Balor finally captured the Intercontinental Championship but will Bobby Lashley came back for the title he never technically got pinned to lose? Finally, with rumors circulating what will happen as the WWE Universe is introduced to new NXT Call-Ups.

Raw comes to us from the Cajundome in Lafayette, LA.

Raw kicks off with us being welcomed by Michael Cole, Renee Young, and Corey Graves

In Ring Segment: Triple H
Triple H asks the crowd if they can feel it and says it is that time of year. He says we are on The Road to WrestleMania. He says the last 24 hours should be proof enough. He mentions how last night history was made as Bayley and Sasha Banks became the first WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions. He then tells how Finn Balor became Intercontinental Champion and then mentions Kofi Kingston and ho he came so close to becoming the WWE Champion. Triple H then tells how Becky Lynch came out against all odds and took it to Ronda Rousey and Charlotte Flair. He says professionally she will be prosecuted if she does that again but personally, it was pretty fricken cool. He then tells how DX will be going into the WWE Hall Of Fame. He says if that is not enough he has more. He tells how he oversees NXT and introduces some people who will be making their debut tonight. He first introduces Ricochet. He then announces Aleister Black as the next one to make their debut. Next is Johnny Gargano, and finally Tommaso Ciampa. He says you will see the future tonight but right now all hell will break loose as there is a table match right now. He announces Baron Corbin and Braun Strowman as the participants.
My Opinion:
Wow, this was a huge way to start the night with so many big announcements. I love the new additions to the roster, all four will bring something new and special to the roster and these are the guys we wanna see on the main roster. Also, seeing DX go into the Hall Of Fame is amazing, they are no doubt one of the greatest factions of all time and deserve it. This is The Road to WrestleMania and Triple H definitely got everyone excited tonight. This is exactly what WWE needs right now.

Match 1: Baron Corbin vs Braun Strowman: Tables Match
Corbin and Strowman go to the outside early and Strowman takes it to him with big punches and throwing him into the barricade. Strowman looks for a table but Corbin comes back and hits him from behind. Corbin then targets the injured ribs. Corbin is able to get Strowman and drive him into the barricade twice. Corbin takes it to him but Strowman reverses and throws him into the barricade. Strowman hits him with a big right hand. Strowman introduces a table to the match. Corbin catches him with a big kick and then tees off on Strowman with kicks to the ribs. Corbin pulls off Strowman’s shirt and hits him with huge right hands. Corbin then pushes the table out of the ring. Corbin hits him with another right hand to the ribs and then lands a big kick. Corbin then puts all of his body weight onto Strowman’s mid-section. Corbin drives Strowman into the ring as he gets to his feet. Corbin tries to suplex Strowman but Strowman reverses and suplexes him instead. Strowman then drives Corbin into screens on the stage and then lifts Corbin to his feet. Strowman lifts Corbin but Corbin reverse and throws Strowman off the stage as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Strowman gets back in control and tries lift Corbin but Corbin fights off and Corbin takes it to him. Corbin bounces Strowman off the barricade and then grabs a kendo stick. Corbin then hits Strowman and taunts him. Strowman fights back and grabs the steel steps and hits Corbin with it as he comes off the apron. Corbin tries to fight back but Strowman continues to manhandle him. Strowman lifts him and slams him through the table set up in the corner.
Winner: Braun Strowman
My Opinion:
Big win for Strowman tonight after getting destroyed last night. Corbin did well taking it to Strowman and picking on his injury but Strowman didn’t give up. Strowman is one of if not the most dominant force in WWE and it’s time they show that again. They need to get him away from being in the mid-card and make him a main eventer as he should be.

In Ring Segment: Paul Heyman
Heyman says he is not surprised by Braun Strowman’s actions, but then tells that everyone should be envious of his client Brock Lesnar. He then shows a vignette of him chronicling Lesnar and his Road to WrestleMania. Heyman then tells how
Rollins has no shot to beat Lesnar. He asks the crowd how many of them actually think Seth Rollins could win. Heyman says there isn’t enough fire in Rollins soul to burn down Suplex City. Out Comes Finn Balor as Raw goes to break.

In Ring Segment: Finn Balor
Balor says it’s been a while since he’s held a title and says it’s been a dream of his. He tells he is proud to hold this title and says he wants to defend this title. Out comes Lio Rush.
Rush tells him he doesn’t deserve to be Champion and that Lashley does. From behind Lashley attacks Balor. Rush gets in the ring and they begin a two on one attack. Out comes Richocet to help! Ricochet takes out Rush and then takes it to Lashley as Raw goes to break.
My Opinion:
This was awesome having Ricochet come out and save Balor. Ricochet is ready to go and I can’t wait to see him out there next. I’m excited to see what he can bring to the table and I think debuting with Balor by his side will be amazing!

Match 2: Ricochet & Finn Balor vs Bobby Lashley & Lio Rush
Ricochet gets Rush in a headlock and takes it to him. He and Rush trade moves and is able to take it to Ricochet. Ricochet takes it to him and knocks him down. Lashley gets tagged in Lashley takes it to him. Ricochet is able to use his quickness to take back control of the match. Balor gets the tag and tries to take it to Rush. Balor gets him in the corner but Rush is able to get out and Lashley gets tagged. Lashley knocks down Balor and takes it to him. Rush comes back in and Balor finally is able to get back in control. Balor throws Rush into the corner and then into the opposite one hitting him with a big chop. Balor gets Rush to his feet but Balor knocks him down with a sling blade. Lashley gets back in control and knocks down Balor. Lashley continues to hammer on him on Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Balor still can’t get to his feet as Lashley is still in control. Rush gets the tag but can’t keep up with Balor. Balor knocks him down and tries to get the tag but Rush won’t allow it. Balor is able to escape Lashley’s hold and knocks him down. Ricochet comes in and comes in hot. He takes it to Rush as he comes in. Ricochet sores off the top rope and takes him down. Balor comes to the outside and knocks Lashley into the barricade. Ricochet takes out Rush and hits his finisher. Ricochet gets the 1 2 3.
Winners: Ricochet & Finn Balor
My Opinion:
Huge win for Balor and Ricochet, what a debut he made. Ricochet is one of those guys who can change the game. I really hope he gets his fair shot on the main roster and has the opportunity to shine. He is a star and is so over with the crowd and they need to use him as a star.

Backstage Segment:
Drew Mcintyre tells Triple H to give him Seth Rollins. He says he wants to main event WrestleMania. Dean Ambrose comes up and says he’s not doing anything tonight so why not him. Ambrose then slaps him. Mcintyre tells Triple H to change the match.

Match 3: Curt Hawkins & Zack Ryder vs Lucha House Party
Hawkins starts off the match and takes it to Metalik. Ryder comes in and they double team him. Ryder comes in and takes it to Metalik. Dorado comes in and takes it to Hawkins. Hawkins comes back and slams Dorado. Hawkins goes for the cover but Dorado kicks out. Hawkins knocks down Metalik but it allows Dorado to hit a hurricanrana. Dorado locks in the cover and gets the 1 2 3.
Winners: Lucha House Party
My Opinion:
Hawkins and Ryder continue to lose and it doesn’t look like there is an end in sight. I feel so bad for those two as they have been loyal to WWE and do all they’ve asked but can never catch a break. I hope eventually they will be able to get it together and maybe get a little success before their time with WWE is over.

Match 4: Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano vs The Revival
Gargano is able to wrestle Wilder to the ground and work a headlock on him. Gargano gets to his feet and stays in control working his arm. Gargano tags Ciampa and he takes it to Wilder before tagging back in Wilder. Wilder takes it to Gargano and brings him to the corner. Dawson comes in and hammers on Gargano. Gargano turns it around and hits him with big chops Gargan stays in control for a moment but Dawson knocks him down with a shoulder tackle. Gargano fights back and takes on The Revival on the outside. Ciampa comes over to help as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Gargano hits Wilder with shots to the gut but Wilder keeps him in The Revival’s corner and tags Dawson. Gargano is able to fight both of them off as Dawson comes in and takes him down. Finally, Ciampa gets the tag and hits Dawson with a German suplex. He then sends Wilder to the outside and hits Dawson with another suplex. Ciampa hits him with a knee and goes for the cover but Dawson kicks out. Wilder comes in and hits him with a suplex. Ciampa fights back but Dawson keeps up the offense with a right hand. The Revival look for the Shatter Machine but Ciampa fights back. Gargano gets the tag and hits the DDT. Gargano goes for the cover but can’t get the three. Gargano rolls up Wilder but can’t get the three. Gargano launches himself inside the ring but is hit by Wilder. Dawson goes to the top and plants Gargano off the top rope. Dawson tries the cover but can’t get the three. Dawson dumps Ciampa to the outside and tries to launch Gargano to the outside but Gargano hangs on. Gargano flies in after a kick and takes down Dawson. Gargano and Ciampa hit the superkick and the knee on Dawson and they get the 1 2 3.
Winners: Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano
My Opinion:
Huge debut for these two and what a win. They took it in old DIY fashion and took out the tag champions. These two look like they are here to stay but with them having their NXT titles still, it’ll be interesting to see how much they will be used. No doubt they both will make a huge impact whether that is together or individually but I’m excited to see what happens.

Backstage Segment:
Charly congratulates Balor on his title win and his and Ricochet’s win tonight. Balor says he had his night last night and tonight was all about Ricochet. Ricochet says living your dreams and achieving your dreams is better than you ever could imagine. He says if you think you’ve seen the last of him this is only the beginning. He says he will prove that he is the one and only Tommaso Ciampa.

In Ring Segment: Bayley & Sasha Banks
Bayley thanks the crowd and says last night was a very emotional night for both of them. She says she can’t believe that they are here right now as the first ever WWE Tag Team Champions. Sasha says she can’t believe it either and says from NXT to now they have done it together. Bayley says they have felt every emotion together. Sasha says they do they have the same vision and goal and they were born to do this.  Bayley and Sasha agree there is no stronger connection then the Boss and Hug Connection and you can bank on that. Out comes Nia Jax and Tamina.
Jax tells them to stop. She says no one wants to sit through this nauseating love fest. She congratulates them but says she doesn’t get it. She says this is the best they’ll ever get so she doesn’t wanna ruin it but tells that Sasha Banks is only about Sasha Banks. Nia reminds that Sasha always loses titles on her first defense. Tamina tells that last night they got lucky but won’t tonight. They try to storm the ring but Bayley and Sasha take it to them and they retreat.
My Opinion:
I am so proud of Bayley and Sasha and loved seeing them out there with the titles. I can’t wait to see them defend the titles and see the titles brought into the mix. Now they will have targets on their back but they work amazingly together and it’ll be tough for any team to take those titles away from them. Sasha and Bayley look ready to defend and ready to trailblaze for generations to come.

Match 5: Drew Mcintyre vs Dean Ambrose
Mcintyre hits him with a headbutt and then hits him with a right hand. Mcintyre sends Ambrose to his knees with a big chop. Ambrose fights back but he gets caught. Ambrose fights off and hits him with a huge elbow. Ambrose sends him to the outside and then hits him with a kick. Ambrose hits a suicide dive and sends him into the barricade. Ambrose hits a neck breaker and then goes to the top. Ambrose avoids Mcintyre as he jumps off but is hit with a Claymore kick. Mcintyre lays out Ambrose and is able to get the 1 2 3.
Winner: Drew Mcintyre
My Opinion:
Mcintyre made quick work of Ambrose and it’s too bad Ambrose is being squashed now. Ambrose is awesome but it seems in his final leg of his WWE run he is just gonna go out on the bottom. Mcintyre showed tonight he is dominate and when he does get a shot at the Universal title he has a good shot at winning it.

Backstage Segment:
Charly asks Rollins if he has any regrets at WrestleMania. Rollins says everything Heyman said about Lesnar is the truth. He says he isn’t walking into WrestleMania with a death wish but with an acceptance of his fate. He says Lesnar’s reign of terror is done. He says whether he leaves on his own two feet or on a stretcher he is leaving as the world champion. Ambrose comes up to him and asks where he was out there. Rollins asks if he has lost his mind. Ambrose says eh.

Backstage Segment:
Elias tells how he is constantly disrespected and interrupted. He tells about all these new superstars coming up but it won’t change the truth. He says he makes magic with his fingers every night. He says he hopes he slips into a deep consciousness so deep that he hopes he forgets anyone exists. Out comes Aleister Black.

Black says if silence and deep sleep is what he seeks then let him help. He tells Elias tonight he will fade to black.

Match 6: Aleister Black vs Elias
Black quickly takes it to Elias and Elias has to go to the outside as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Elias has Black hung up in the ropes. In the corner, Elias lands a big kick and takes it to him. Black is thrown off the ropes and taken to the mat. Elias works him on the mat and gets him in a chin lock. Black gets to his feet and is able to toss Elias off. Elias works him back down the mat and works a chin lock once again. Black gets to his feet and hits Elias in the gut but Elias hits him with a knee. Black is able to hit him with a kick and take him down. Black hits him with a knee and then hits a moonsault. Black jumps from the middle rope and gets hit with a huge knee. Elias grabs Black but Balck is able to hit the Black Mass kick and gets the 1 2 3.
Winners: Aleister Black
My Opinion:
Big win for Balck tonight, Elias really took it to him but he stayed the course. Black hung in there and finding success on the main roster will take that fighting spirit. I’m so proud of Black and I’ve loved him since his days as Tommy End. Black deserves to be a champion and deserves to be on the main roster. I really hope is here to stay and here and to be the star that he is.

Match 7: Ronda Rousey (c) vs Ruby Riott:
Raw Women’s Championship Match
Rousey flips Riott over and over and then takes it to him in the corner. Riott has to go to the outside to recover. Riott comes back in and tries to work Rousey but she fights back for a moment. Riott is able to get him to the ground and hammers on her. Rousey tries an armbar but Riott is able to escape and goes to the outside as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns,  Riott works the arm of Rousey. Rousey goes to the outside and comes back in the ring and Riott gets right back on her. Riott grabs her arm on the mat. Riott has to change positions and goes to a chin lock. Rousey fights back and lands a big kick. Rousey flips her and slams her. Rousey gets her in the corner. Riott is able to fight back once again and gets her in a pin but Rousey kicks out. Riott hits the Riott Kick but Rousey kicks out. Riott gets on top of her pushes her head to the mat. Riott gets caught and Rousey spins her and slams her to the mat. Rousey drags Riott to the corner and goes up top but has to fight off Morgan. Riott takes advantage and hits the Riott kick. Riott goes for the cover but Rousey kicks out. Riott drags Rousey to the corner and goes up top. Riott jumps but Rousey catches her and is pulled out of the ring by the Riott Squad. Rousey flies to the outside and takes them out. Back in the ring, Rousey takes it to Riott and locks in the armbar after working her in the corner. Rousey makes Riott tap. After the match, Rousey fights off Morgan and Logan.
Winner: Ronda Rousey: Still Raw Women’s Champion
My Opinion:
Rousey retains once again and is looking good heading into WrestleMania. Riott gave her a fight tonight but ultimately Rousey isn’t one of those you can just put away. Rousey is able to take so much and all she needs is that one move to put it away. I really hope Rousey will still fight Lynch but who knows if it’ll happen. Either way, Rousey is ready for anyone that steps in her way.

Final Thoughts:
For me, I really enjoyed tonight. Seeing Black, Gargano, Ciampa, and Ricochet up on Raw was amazing and I hope they keep coming back. All for can change the game and would be amazing additions to the main roster. They all made a huge impact in their debuts and I loved watching them do their things. There were some parts that were dull in the night but guys like Strowman and Mcintyre reminded the WWE Universe what they are capable of. Finally, to close out the night Rousey made a huge statement. It doesn’t matter how much you beat her down she will continue to rise and all she needs is to lock in that armbar and it’s over. Rousey looks locked and ready for April and I can’t wait to see what will happen with her, Charlotte, and Lynch.
Overall Rating: 6.8/10