Raw Review 02/19/2018

Tonight is the Go-Home Edition of Monday Night Raw as this Sunday is The Elimination Chamber PPV. We have a huge match set as the 7 competitors in the men’s Elimination Chamber will compete in a Gauntlet Match. On the same note, the competitors form the women’s Elimination Chamber Match will compete in a 6-Woman Tag Team Match. Braun Strowman is on a path of destruction ahead of this Sunday but will Braun destroy next? Finally, Nia Jax showed last week she is focused and will continue to make statements showing that she is ready for Asuka but who will be Jax’s statement tonight?

Raw is live tonight from the Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix

Raw kicks off with us being welcomed to the show by Michael Cole, Corey Graves, and The Coach.

In Ring Segment:
Charly tells Roman he could be in for a long night and asks if he has any concerns about competing in such a grueling match before the Elimination Chamber. Reigns says he’s not concerned about tonight but he is concerned about the Elimination Chamber. He says he’s never been in the match but seen many and sees the destruction is causes and he’s going up against the best. He tells the men in the chamber have on thing in common they can’t beat Brock Lesnar. Reigns says he can beat Lesnar and if you don’t think it’s true back and watch WrestleMania because he would’ve defeated him.

Match 1: 7 Man Gauntlet match
Reigns and Rollins start off the match. Reigns and Rollins lock up and Reigns backs him in the corner. Rollins gets around on Reigns but Reigns overpowers him and works the wrist of Rollins. Reigns gets a side headlock, Rollins tries to fight it off but Reigns brings Rollins to the mat. Reigns keeps the headlock on as Rollins continues to try and fight out. Rollins works to his feet and bounces Reigns off the ropes but is taken down by a shoulder tackle. Rollins is able to hit a leapfrog and follow with a deep arm drag. Rollins goes for a cover but Reigns kicks out. Rollins tries for another pin but again Reigns kicks out. Rollins and Reigns have a stare down as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns Reigns works a chinlock on Rollins. Rollins creates separation but is taken down but a big elbow from Reigns. Reigns hits Rollins with big rights in the corner. Reigns whips Rollins in the corner but is caught by a kick. Reigns comes back and slams Rollins to the mat but it’s not enough to keep Rollins down. Rollins lands a big kick on Reigns and is able to hit the blockbuster. Rollins follows up with the sling blade. Reigns brings Rollins to the apron but Rollins flies back in and takes down Reigns. Rollins knocks Reigns to the outside and tries for a suicide dive but Reigns hits him with a big right hand. Reigns thnes hits the drive by. Reigns brings him back into the ring and hits a big clothesline. Reigns then lays on Rollins in the corner with huge clotheslines. Reigns tries for the Superman Punch but Rollins counters. Rollins is able to hit the buckle bomb on Reigns but Reigns comes out of the corner and hits the Superman Punch. Both men are down as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Rollins tries for the frog splash but misses as Reigns rolls out of the way. Rollins and Reigns then trade right hands. Rollins side steps Reigns and sends him to the outside. Rollins then hits a suicide dive and then hits a second. Rollins flies from the top rope and Reigns counters with the Superman Punch. Reigns goes for the cover but Rollins kicks out. Reigns looks for the spear but Rollins catches him with a kick. Rollins tries for the curb stomp but Reigns counters and goes for the pin but Rollins kicks out, Rollins then rolls him up and pins Reigns. Next out is Cena. Rollins knocks down Cena as soon as he enters the ring and goes for the pin but Cena kicks out as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Cena has Rollins on the mat in a side headlock. Cena tries for a cover but Rollins kicks out. Cena hits Rollins and throws him into the corner.
Cena goes for the cover but Rollins kicks out. Cena then goes to a chinlock and hooks his legs around Rollins to get more pressure on him. Rollins tries to fight out but Cena knocks him back down to the mat. Cena then throws Rollins to the outside. Rollins makes it back before the 10 but Cena continues to wear him down. Cena hits a series of belly to bellies but Rollins still won’t stay down as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Rollins and Cena are both down. Rollins and Cena trade blows. Cena goes for the pin but Rollins kicks out. Cena hits Rollins with a big right and taunts him. Cena again hits Rollins with a straight right and knocks Rollins down. Rollins comes back with rights but Cena knocks Rollins back down with an elbow. Rollins still won’t stay down. Cena then drives Rollins off the apron onto the floor. Rollins just makes the count as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Rollins tries to fly from the top rope but Cena catches him. Rollins is able to fight back and hits the sling blade but it’s not enough to keep Cena down. Cena looks for the STF but Rollins fights out. Rollins tries for the suplex but Cena brings him to the apron. Cena sidesteps Rollins and sends him into the post. Cena goes to Rollins but Rollins moves out of the way and Cena crashes into the steps. Cena and Rollins make it back into the ring and Cena gets the advantage. Cena hits the Five Knuckle Shuffle and goes for the AA but Rollins slips through. Rollins then locks in the crossface. Cena fights out but is hit with an enziguri. Rollins hits the frog splash and goes for the cover but Cena kicks out at two. Cena is able to hit the AA but Rollins again kicks out of the cover. Rollins hits the suplex from the top and then hits the Falcon Arrow but it’s still not enough to keep Cena down. Rollins looks for the stomp but Cena catches him and locks in the STF but Rollins makes it to the ropes. Cena again locks in the STF but Rollins again forces the break. Cena gets Rollins on his shoulders but Rollins fights out. Rollins is able to roll through on Cena and he hits him with the AA but Cena kicks out at two. Rollins looks for the Phoenix Splash but Cena rolls out of the way and Cena is able to connect with the AA. Cena tries again but Rollins is able to hit him with a knee and hits Cena with the stomp. Rollins goes for the cover and eliminates Cena. out comes Elias next. Elias goes for the cover but Rollins kicks out. Elias tries again but Rollins kicks out. Elias tries for a third cover but Rollins kicks out as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Elias has Rollins in a half crab but Rollins makes it to the ropes. Elias starts working more on Rollins knee but Rollins hammers away on him. Rollins is able to hit a superkick on Elias but it’s not enough. Elias is knocked to the outside and Rollins flies to take him down. Elias hits Rollins with Drift Away and finally puts away Rollins to eliminate him. Next out is Finn Balor. Balor comes in hot with big forearms. Elias hits Balor with big right hand. Balor is able to roll through on Elias and hit him with a big kick. Elias gets him in the corner but Balor gets to the apron and hits him with another kick. Elias rolls out of the ring to avoid the Coupe de Grace as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Elias works the shoulder of Balor. Elias lifts Balor but Balor fights off but Elias once again picks him up and hits a shoulder breaker. Elias continues on the shoulder of Balor and uses the ropes as leverage to create more pressure. Elias throws Balor into the corner shoulder first and goes for the cover but Balor kicks out. Elias then wrenches on the shoulder of Balor on the mat. Balor fights out and hits a big kick. Elias comes back with a forearm but Balor is able to take him down as well. Balor hits a series of shoulder tackles and hits Elias with a big chop in the corner. Elias is on the top and Balor hits him with a huge kick knocking him to the outside. Balor meets him out and there and drives him into the barricade. Balor hits the sling blade but Elias comes back with an explosive clothesline and goes for the cover but Balor kicks out. Elias hits a powerbomb and goes for the power but Balor kicks out as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Balor tris for a cover but Elias kicks out and works it right into an armbar. Elias continues the pressure on the arm of Balor. Balor hits a double stomp on Elias and both men are down. Balor is able to hit the sling blade and catches Elias with a big kick. Balor flies from the top and hits the Coupe, de Grace. Balor goes for the cover and gets the 3 eliminating Elias. Next out is Miz. Miz comes from behind and unloads on Balor. Miz sends Balor face first to the mat but Balor kicks out of the cover. Miz hits a DDT and goes for another cover but Balor kicks out again. Another cover and another kick out. Miz hits a big boot on Balor and follows with another one and one more. Miz goes for the cover but Balor kicks out. Balor hits Miz with big forearms but Miz again knocks him to the mat. Miz throws Balor to the outside and goes after him. Miz throws him shoulder first into the barricade. Miz brings him into the ring and works the arm of Balor. Miz then sends Balor to the outside as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Miz continues on the shoulder of Balor. Miz then hits the IT kicks. Balor fights back and delivers an elbow burying Miz. Balor goes for the cover but Miz kicks out. Balo sends Miz into the corner and then into the other. Balor is able to counter Miz and goes for a cover but Miz kicks out. Miz looks for the Skull Crushing Finale but Balor holds on to the ropes. The Miztourage gets involved but Balor still has fight. Balor takes out The Miztourage and hits Miz with a big kick. Balor takes out Dallas and Axel but Miz takes advantage of the distraction. Miz hits the Skull Crushing Finale and eliminates Balor. Out comes Braun Strowman. Miz tries to run but Strowman chases him. Strowman knocks Miz to the ground and throws him back to ringside as raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Strowman throws Miz across the ring. Strowman lands a huge kick to the ribs of Miz. Strowman then tosses Miz across the ring again. Miz is able to sidestep Strowman and land shots to him but Strowman fights right back. Miz gets him in the corner again and lands a big dropkick. Strowman comes out of the corner and hits Miz with a huge dropkick. Strowman then lays a deadly chop across the chest of Miz. Strowman is sent over the top rope and Miz hits him with a big kick. Strowman though runs over Miz on the outside. Miz hits the Skull Crushing Finale on Strowman but he kicks out. Strowman hits him with a clothesline and follows with a running powerslam. Strowman finally puts him away.
*** Charly asks Braun if his mindset with change Sunday since he hasn’t been in an Elimination Chamber. He says he doesn’t fear the unknown, the unknown fears him. He says just like tonight he is gonna win and then he’s coming for Brock Lesnar and he’s gonna get these hands. He then says he has unfinished business. Strowman goes back to the ring and lays out The Miztourage. Miz runs up the ramp and Strowman follows. Miz then is thrown back onto the stage and Strowman follows as he crawls down the ramp. Strowman then hits the powerslam on Miz. Strowman follows with one more to Miz.
Winner: Braun Strowman
My Opinion:
Wow, I honestly loved that so much. First off what a performance by Seth Rollins, that right there should earn him a major spot on the WrestleMania card. I like the order of the superstars in this match, I thought it was a good mix of matches and it was highly entertaining. This isn’t something that can be done all the time but I’ll be honest I won’t mind seeing this every now and again. This really keeps the action going and for people tuning in they were constantly seeing wrestling which is key so for me, it was awesome. Others will criticize but I saw some amazing matches and those guys proved why they are the best of the best.

*** Jeff Jarrett will be inducted into the Hall of fame

In Ring Segment:
Renee asks Asuka if she fears the possibility of her WrestleMania Match becoming a Triple Threat. Asuka says she is in control of her own destiny and her destiny is winning the championship at WrestleMania. Renee then asks about her if she’s worried about Asuka. Asuka says she is not that strong and she didn’t look strong when she limped from the ring. Nia comes after Asuka. Asuka hits big kick but Nia flattens her. Nia then hits a big leg drop and stands over her.
My Opinion:
I’m very excited for this match, I hope Nia and Asuka have a great battle and it’ll be interesting to see how it all turns out. I don’t see Asuka going down but how she will beat Nia remains to be seen.

Match 2: The Bar (Sheamus & Cesaro) vs Titus Worldwide (Apollo Crews & Titus O’Neil)
Cesaro and Titus start the match. Cesaro backs him in the corner. Titus is able to get the advantage on Cesaro and tags in Apollo. Apollo goes to work and back in comes Titus. Cesaro fights back but Apollo gets the tag and hits a huge clothesline. Apollo gets sent to the outside and Sheamus hits a huge clothesline. Sheamus the drives Apollo into the barricade. Cesaro and Sheamus then double team Apollo in the corner. Cesaro gets a chinlock on Apollo. Sheamus gets the tag and the two again hit the double team. Sheamus takes it to Apollo and goes for the cover but it’s not enough. Sheamus works the shoulder on Apollo and then tags Cesaro. Cesaro hits a big knee and follows with an uppercut. Sheamus gets the tag but Apollo is able to fight back. Sheamus tries to hold him down. Sheamus takes a cheap shot on Titus and prevents the tag for Apollo. Apollo though rolls up Cesaro who got the tag and steals the victory.
Winners: The Bar (Sheamus & Cesaro)
My Opinion:
Another win for Titus Worldwide, I keep saying hopefully this leads to something for them but it hasn’t so I’m kinda confused on where this is going. At least it’s fun for the fans but they need to get Sheamus and Cesaro back on track, there’s no reason for this loss tonight. Plus this was supposed to be The Revival’s match.

Backstage Segment:
Bray says some say the end is near and personally he hopes there right not just for all of you but for Matt Hardy and his end will be at Elimination Chamber. Hardy says they are only beginning. Wyatt says he is a liar. Hardy says he is a liar. Hardy says he has the power of deletion. Wyatt says he must be silenced. Hardy says will the woken warriors by his side Wyatt will surrender to reality. Wyatt says at Elimination Chamber Matt Hardy will burn. Hardy again says he will be deleted.

Match 3: Sasha Banks & Bayley & Mickie James vs Alexa Bliss & Sonya Deville & Mandy Rose
Deville and James start off the match. Deville takes James to the mat. James is able to get to her feet and tags in Sasha. Sasha takes it, Deville. Deville has to tag Rose. Sasha takes it to her and fights her into her corner. Bayley gets the tag. Bayley takes it to Rose but Rose is able to get out of it. Rose takes a cheap shot and Bayley goes off. Bayley hits her with big boots in the corner and follows with a huge suplex that sends Rose to the outside as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Rose has Bayley in a chinlock. Bayley is able to escape and goes for the cover but Rose kicks out. Bayley is able to escape Rose but Rose prevents Bayley for getting the tag. Rose sends Bayley face first on the mat. Rose goes for the cover but Bayley kicks out. Rose hammers with right hands. Rose tags Bliss and Bliss lands a big shot to the back of Bayley. Bliss hammers on her in the corner but Bayley reverses. Bliss stays on her and lands a huge slap to Bayley. Deville gets the tag and two double team Bayley but it doesn’t keep her down. Deville then locks in a submission but Bayley is able to create separation. Bayley tries for a tag but Deville stops. Rose gets the tag and goes after Bayley. Bayley is able to tag James and she comes in hot. James takes her down with a clothesline and then sends Rose face first to the mat. James goes to the top and flies taking down Rose. she then hit s neckbreaker on Deville. James is then hit by a knee form Rose. Rose goes for a cover but it’s not enough. Rose gets James in an abdominal stretch. James tries for a tag but Rose prevents her. Rose hits a big suplex. Deville comes back in. Deville throws her in the corner but James hits a hurricanrana. Deville catches James before a tag is made and slams her. Deville goes for the cover but James kicks out. Rose gets the tag and James is able to take her down. James gets the tag and in comes Sasha. Bliss gets the tag as well. Sasha takes out Deville on the outside and then bounces Bliss off the turnbuckle. Sasha hits double knees form the top. Bliss rolls up Sasha but Sasha counters but Bliss kicks out. Sasha is then sent so hard into the corner. Sasha gets her into the Bank’s Statement and Bliss taps.
*** Deville and Rose then attack Sasha. Bayley tries to help but they then take out Bayley. James then helps out Bliss form the attack. Bliss and James then hit a double DDT on Deville.
Winners: Sasha Banks & Bayley & Mickie James
My Opinion:
This was a good back and forth match between these teams. These women know each other so well and it showed a lot tonight. The chamber will be interesting to see what alliances stay and which go. One thing’s for sure Deville and Rose continue to impress and Deville for me is becoming a key player if they use her right. Watching her tonight all I could think was a possible Deville and Rousey match but she needs to get that push first.

Final Thoughts:
I really enjoyed this Raw. Seth Rollins made a huge statement tonight and for me earned himself a major match at WrestleMania for that performance. I like that for the first two hours we saw nothing but wrestling, people have said Raw has all these fillers but there you go they didn’t do that tonight. I think this was a perfect hype for the men’s chamber because you can see all of them can go and go in big ways and when they’re all locked in there there’s no telling what can happen. I didn’t quite get why The Revival didn’t get to face The Bar but nonetheless, Titus Worldwide stepped up and picked up a huge win. The Women’s main event was awesome as usual, they all know how to work together and keep a match exciting. Plus with them as the main event it shows they are doing big things and I love that now they can main event and it’s normal, why? Because they are key players and have arrived and Sunday will only cement it even more. I can not wait for the Elimination Chamber, big things will happen!
Overall Rating: 9/10