Raw Review 02/26/2018

Tonight we see the Fall-Out from last night’s Elimination Chamber PPV. Roman Reigns was able to withstand 6 other men in the Elimination Chamber last night but what will be next for him as he gears up to face Brock Lesnar for the Universal Championship at Wrestlemania and goes face to face with him tonight? Alexa Bliss won the historic first ever Women’s Elimination Chamber Match and we now know it will be her to defend against Asuka but is Bliss ready for the challenge? John Cena lost in the chamber but vowed that he will be at WrestleMania, so what does Cena have in mind? Sasha Banks showed it was every woman for themselves as she turned on Bayley last night but was this a bad sign for their friendship going forward? Lastly, Ronda Rousey has arrived and did so in a big way but what will happen if Rousey shows up tonight just 24 hours after putting Triple H through a table and getting slapped by Stephanie McMahon?

Raw is live tonight from the Honda Center in Anaheim, CA

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

In Ring Segment: Alexa Bliss & Mickie James
Alexa says she amazed herself and says you have no idea how amazing it felt to win the Elimination Chamber match. She said she has set a higher standard for being champion and forever people will look back on February 25, 2018, and say Alexa Bliss changed the game then now and forever. She then turns to Mickie and says she has learned so much from her and so many can learn from her. She then says Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville have a bright future just not with her as champion. She then says Bayley is a sad situation and then says she capitalized on Sasha Banks ego and it’s not her year. She says it’s her year and that’s why she is going to WrestleMania. She says it’s a good feeling but nothing will compare to the feeling she will have when she breaks Asuka’s streak. She then says she hopes Asuka is okay after what Nia Jax did and vows to finish the job at WrestleMania. Out comes Asuka.
Alexa asks are you kidding me? Alexa says she finds it funny that Asuka came out her acting like she is one hundred percent healthy. She says Asuka isn’t fooling anyone and says as she watched last night she had no doubt Nia Jax should be in the championship match and tells Asuka she knows that to be true. She then makes fun of the way Asuka speaks. Alexa tells Asuka to wipe the smile off her face before she does and here comes Nia Jax.
Asuka takes out Alexa and Mickie but Nia runs through her. Nia lifts her but Asuka gets her in a triangle choke. Alexa and Mickie attack her but out comes Bayley and Sasha taking them out. Nia then takes out Banks and Bayley but Asuka comes at her with huge kicks. Alexa then saves Nia and hits Asuka with a huge right hand.
My Opinion:
This was a good way to start the show, I think the Women have so much potential to have a huge WrestleMania.
Bliss and Asuka need to get the rivalry hot and this was a good way to do that. It’ll be interesting to see where this all leads because I can’t image Nia, Bayley, and Sasha all being off the WrestleMania card. I wouldn’t mind more women added to the championship match but at the end of the day Asuka has earned this match and has proved this very well could be the year of Asuka.

Match 1: Bayley & Sasha Banks & Asuka vs Alexa Bliss & Mickie James & Nia Jax
Bayley and Mickie start the match. Bayley works the wrist of Mickie but Mickie comes back with a big shoulder tackle. Bayley throws her into the corner and follows with doing so once more. Mickie lands a big kick but Bayley comes back with a huge slam. Bayley tries for the cover but Mickie kicks out. Mickie hits a hurricanrana and then throws herself into Bayley. Mickie tries for a cover but Bayley kicks out. Nia gets the tag and hammers on Bayley. Nia then crushes Bayley in the corner and tags in Alexa. Alexa lands a big shot and throws Bayley into the turnbuckle. She then stomps on Bayley in the corner. Bayley sends Alexa into the top turnbuckle and then bashes her off of it. Bayley tries for a cover but Alexa kicks out. Bayley lands another shot but can’t get the three. Sasha tags in hard and rolls up Alexa but she kicks out. Sasha hits double knees but Alexa won’t stay down. Sasha lands a takedown and tries another pin but Alexa kicks out. Sasha catches Alexa with a huge knee and follows with double knees but still, Alexa won’t stay down. Sasha then sends Mickie and Alexa to the floor. Nia then runs throw Sasha and sends her crashing to the floor. Alexa pins Sasha but she kicks out. Alexa then stomps on Sasha and gets her in a chinlock. Sasha gets hung up on the second rope and Alexa stomps on her. Sasha is sent to the floor as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Nia is control of Sasha but Sasha is able to create space. Nia overpowers Sasha and throws her into the corner. Nia then uses the ropes to choke Sasha. Mickie gets the tag and lands a snapmare takedown. Mickie lands a big kick and goes for the cover but Sasha kicks out. Mickie then works Sasha on the mat. Sasha gets to her feet and punches Mickie. Mickie bounces Sasha off the turnbuckle and tags in Alexa. Alexa again stomps on Sasha and covers her but Sasha quickly kicks out. Alexa gets a chinlock in but Sasha is able to throw her off. Alexa quickly knocks her back to the mat and cheap shots Asuka. Sasha lands a suplex and looks for a tag but Bayley drops from the apron. Mickie comes in and tries to take advantage but Sasha is able to get out and tag Asuka. Asuka tees off on Mickie and then knocks Nia off the apron. Mickie lands a big kick but Asuka hits her with a big knee. Asuka then lands huge strikes but Alexa breaks up the pin. Bayley takes out Alexa. Asuka is able to get Mickie in an armbar and Mickie taps out.
Winner: Bayley & Sasha Banks & Asuka
My Opinion:
This was a good match to kick off the night. Asuka once again proved she is amazing in the ring and all it took was that one moment and she capitalized. I like where they are going with Sasha and Bayley, I think those two can go on to have a classic if that’s where this is leading to. Alexa looked good but she relied too much on her team and in order to keep her title she’s gotta be able to fight for herself. Overall though Asuka walks away looking the best because she’s on another level right now.

In Ring Segment: John Cena
Cena says last night he failed. He tells that in the moment of failure he was immediately rushed into a room and given a microphone and he was demoralized. He says that you go through failure alone but he knows where he’s at and a persons character is tested at the times when your back is against the wall. He tells that for him that time is now. He says he spent 5 minutes feeling sorry for himself but he moved forward and said he will figure it out. He says he thought it’d be the rumble but he failed, he thought it’d be the chamber but he failed. He says when you say you failed it’s on you but it’s made him who he is today and he is up and fired up because he has figured it out. He says he needs to stand in this ring and do something he should’ve done a long time ago and put out a WrestleMania challenge to The Undertaker. Cena tells that there are 39 WrestleMania between them and they have never stood face to face on the grandest stage of them all. He says that is WrestleMania and that match is not happening because he does not make the matches and he’s been told that match is impossible. He says his Road to WrestleMania goes through SmackDown and says he will go there tomorrow and do whatever it takes to earn a spot at WrestleMania.
My Opinion:
Major let down here, I mean we all know Undertaker probably wouldn’t come back but why name drop like that. To me, this would make sense if Taker does come back but if he doesn’t then that was a waste and Cena didn’t need to come out and tell everyone he was just gonna go to SmackDown to find his answers. I hope something bigger come out of this cause right now this is a big let down.

Bray Wyatt vs Heath Slater
Wyatt goes after Rhyno before the bell. Slater then goes after him but Wyatt takes it to Slater and beats him down to the mat. He then hits a uranage on Rhyno. Wyatt crushes Slater in the corner and then tees off on him. Wyatt then hits Sister Abigail on Slater. Wyatt then grabs a mic and tells Hardy to look what you made me do. He tells Hardy he lead them to slaughter and the great war is far from over. He tells Hardy he will face him again but this time he will make sure his Woken eyes stay shut forever. He says he’s coming for you Matt and tells him to run.
My Opinion:
In terms of Hardy and Wyatt, I wouldn’t mind seeing this again but they really need to do better to capitalize on what these two can do. Wyatt showed his aggression tonight but he needs to keep that going forward. Wyatt has never been used the best and finally, you have someone who can match up to him and I hope that if they face at Mania it’s not an ordinary match and it will allow both of them to really show the full potential of their characters.

In Ring Segment: The Miz w/ The Miztourage (Curtis Axel & Bo Dallas)
Miz tells that we are on The Road to WrestleMania but then questions their stop tonight in Anaheim. He tells that Kurt Angle takes his stars for granted. He says in 62 days he will become the longest reigning Intercontinental Champion of all time. He tells that as big of a star he is in the ring he’s even bigger out there. He says with all of his accolades he is still treated like every other superstar. He claims he should be going to the main event of WrestleMania taking on Brock Lesnar becoming the first ever Intercontinental and Universal Champion. He then tells that Angle forced him to start the Elimination Chamber and he had to face two superstars who didn’t deserve to be there. He says his dream will live on at WrestleMania because he has the Intercontinental Championship. He says the title is the most honorable and prestigious title in all of WWE. he then tells he asked Kurt Angle what he will be doing at WrestleMania and tells that Angle says his opponent tonight might determine his opponent WrestleMania. He then goes on to say that might is not good enough for him and whoever comes out is going to get a beating. Out comes Seth Rollins.
My Opinion:
I love Miz right now, he definitely does speak the truth and he has done so much especially this past year. The only thing they need to look out for is he started to sound similar to CM Punk so he’s gotta keep it original. I will say if he faces Rollins at Mania that would be a huge match, maybe even add Balor to make it that much more meaningful and maybe make it a ladder match and bring back the true prestige

Match 2: Miz w/ The Miztourage (Curtis Axel & Bo Dallas) vs Seth Rollins
Miz gets a headlock on Rollins and follows with a big shoulder tackle. Rollins lands a hip toss but misses on the kick. Miz regroups and gets back in the ring locking up with Rollins. Rollins is backed into the corner but is able to fight out and land a big shot on Miz. Rollins hits a snapmare takedown and hits Miz with a knee. Rollins then sends Miz to the floor. Rollins goes out there and is able to avoid a cheap shot and bring Miz into the ring. Miz takes advantage of the interference from Dallas and pushes Rollins to the floor. Miz goes out there and bounces Rollins off the barricade. Miz tries for a cover but Rollins kicks out. Miz then goes to the chinlock on Rollins. Rollins hits a jawbreaker but Miz lands a knee to the mid-section. Miz then hits Rollins with the IT kicks. Miz then gets rolled up but is able to kick out. Rollins then tees off with huge chops. Miz comes back and launches Rollins over the top rope as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns Rollins and Miz trade fist. Rollins turns to chops and hits him with a big elbow. Rollins is sent to the apron but Rollins launches from the top rope and takes down Miz. Rollins hits the sling blade and follows with the blockbuster but it’s not enough to keep Miz down. Rollins gets hung up on the rope and Miz hits a big DDT. Miz goes for the cover but Rollins kicks out. Miz hits a dropkick and follows with another. Miz then crushes Rollins in the corner and goes to the top. Miz is then dropped by Rollins. Rollins meets him up there and looks for a suplex but Miz fights out and hits a headbutt sending Rollins to the floor. Rollins gets back up and hits the suplex from the top. Rollins then hits the falcon arrow and goes for the cover but Miz kicks out. Rollins hits a big kick but Axel gets involved tripping him up. Miz tries for the Skull Crushing Finale but Rollins counters with a pin. Miz kicks out but Rollins doesn’t stop and takes out The Miztourage. Rollins then sends Miz to the outside and hits another suicide dive this time on all three men. Rollins hits the Revolution Knee and then hits a frog splash from the across the ring. Rollins goes for the cover and gets the 1 2 3.
*** After the match out comes Finn Balor.
Winner: Seth Rollins
My Opinion:
Wow was Rollins impressive tonight. Rollins doesn’t stop ever, he just goes and goes and it’s incredible to watch. The frog splash he hit at the end was a thing of beauty and he better get his shot at Mania. Rollins had proved for weeks now that he will work harder than anyone and honestly he deserves to be a champion. Rollins stops at nothing and Miz better be worried if that’s who he has to face. With Balor coming out at the end you know he wants the shot too but he stole Rollins moment there but if we get a Balor and Rollins match out of it I won’t complain.

Match 3: Finn Balor vs The Miz
As the match starts the Miztourage attacks Balor. Miz takes advantage and looks for the IT kicks but out comes Gallows and Anderson. They take out Miz and The Miztourage saving Balor. Kurt Angle tells Miz that he was gonna have a match against Balor and now Anderson, Gallows, and The Miztourage are banned from ringside and there will be a winner or Miz won’t go to WrestleMania.
The match starts again and Miz sends Balor face first to the mat but Balor kicks out of the pin. Miz hammers on Balor and tries another pin but still, Balor kicks out. Miz meets Balor on the outside but Balor takes it to him and sends him into the steps. Balor tries for a cover but Miz hits a big kick. Miz grabs Balor in the corner and hits a suplex. Miz goes for the cover and Balor kicks out. Miz sends Balor face first into the mat again but Balor kicks out. Balor hits Miz with big rights but Miz comes back with a running knee. Balor kicks out of the cover as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Miz has Balor in a chinlock. Balor hits a jawbreaker and is able to land an overhead kick. Balor lands a double kick and follows with big clotheslines. Balor hits the stomp and then takes it to Miz in the corner. Balor hits a devastating elbow driving Miz into the mat and goes for the cover but Miz kicks out. Balor is able to roll up Miz but Miz kicks out. Miz hits a neckbreaker and goes for the cover but Balor kicks out. Balor hits a big kick and then turns it into the Yes kicks. Balor tries for another cover but Miz kicks out. Balor goes to the outside and drives Miz into the barricade. Balor then hits the sling blade back in the ring and drives Miz into the corner with a dropkick. Balor flies from the top and hits the Coupe, de Grace. Balor goes for the cover and gets the 1 2 3.
Winner: Finn Balor
My Opinion:
A big win for Balor and this should put him in the talks for the Intercontinental Championship. You know he can go and so can Rollins and so can Miz, and if you want a WrestleMania match there it is. Rollins and Balor beat Miz tonight and of course Miz will have excuses but nonetheless, his title is in jeopardy if he’s staring at those two come WrestleMania. One thing’s for sure this Intercontinental Championship is about to bring us some great wrestling for the next 6 weeks.

Backstage Segment:
Renee asks Rollins what he thinks of Balor’s win. Rollins says he thinks he tries to upstage him and he proved himself last week when he went 62 minutes. Renee asks where Rollins stands going into WrestleMania. Rollins says he knows there are many roads to get there and he has paved his own road and he wants Miz and the Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania.

In Ring Segment: Roman Reigns on Brock Lesnar 
Reigns says he is a man of his word and reminds that he won the Elimination Chamber just like he said. He says when he tells he is going to WrestleMania and can beat Brock Lesnar he is telling the truth. Reigns says Brock Lesnar is not here tonight and calls Lesnar an entitled piece of crap who hides behind his contract. He says Lesnar was in Vegas last night but he wasn’t with WWE. He says Lesnar has no respect for anyone. He says Lesnar only shows up when he wants to. Reigns tells that he shows up every time because he said he will. He tells he was born in this business and he was taught at an early age that there is a fine line between business and respect. He says he doesn’t respect Lesnar and doesn’t fear that bitch. He says he is gonna go to the back and take his ass chewing because unlike some people he respects this place.
My Opinion:
One of my most favorite Reigns promos ever. Preach Reigns Preach! He’s not wrong at all, Lesnar cares about himself and everyone knows it. I hope Reigns goes into Mania takes back our Universal Championship and sends Lesnar packing because honestly he shows up very rarely and WWE is better off having a fighting Universal Champion night in and night out. It’s time from Lesnar to walk and get back to the guys who bust their but night in and night out while he sits on a couch and collects a paycheck for his name, not for his work. In my opinion, someone like Seth Rollins deserve to be paid that much for the amount of work he puts in and not someone who works what 10 days a year?

Match 4: The Bar (Sheamus & Cesaro) (c) vs Titus WorldWide (Titus O’Neil & Apollo Crews):
2 out of 3 Falls Match for the Raw Tag Team Championships
Sheamus and Titus start the match, Cesaro is able to distract Titus and Sheamus hits the Brogue Kick. Sheamus goes for the cover and gets the first fall for The Bar. Cesaro and Apollo now matchup. Cesaro lands big uppercuts but Apollo comes back with a big cross body. Apollo tries for covers in a row but Cesaro kicks out. Sheamus gets the tag but Apollo stays on him and lands a huge dropkick. He tries for the cover but Sheamus kicks out. Titus gets the tag but Sheamus lands a big shot and tags Cesaro. Titus lands a shoulder tackle and lifts Cesaro into the corner hitting him with big chops. Apollo gets the tag and the two double team Cesaro but can’t keep him down for the three. Titus comes back in and he lands a big shot on Cesaro and tags Apollo. Apollo lands a standing shooting star but Cesaro kicks out of the pin. Apollo then flies off the apron taking out both Cesaro and Sheamus as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns Apollo hits Cesaro with a big elbow. Cesaro is sent off the top and Apollo looks for the tag but Sheamus gets the tag and tries to prevent it. Titus does get the tag and hits a big shoulder tackle. Titus then tees off on Sheamus in the corner and then launches him. Titus lands a big slam and follows with a big splash in the corner. Titus drops Sheamus but can’t get the three. Apollo gets the tag and flies from the top but Cesaro breaks up the cover. Apollo hits the enziguri and follows with the standing moonsault but still, Sheamus kicks out. Sheamus takes out Titus from behind. Apollo then takes out Sheamus but is stopped but Cesaro. Cesaro gets the tag and he and Sheamus double team Apollo. Cesaro goes for the cover and gets the 1 2 3 and The Bar retains.
*** Charly says it started to look like Titus WorldWide had The Bar’s number, Sheamus cuts her off and says their number tonight was zero. They then list the teams who they have out down since they’ve been a team. Sheamus says with WrestleMania season in full swing everyone wants to be part but he says he thinks he and Cesaro will be punished because they are so dominant. He asks who is there to face if there is no one left to beat. Cesaro says that’s expected because they don’t just set the bar they are the bar.
Winners: The Bar (Sheamus and Cesaro):
Still the Raw Tag Team Champions
My Opinion:
A good match, Titus WorldWide looked so great but unfortunately, it’s just not their time to win the titles. Sheamus and Cesaro are correct they’ve beaten everyone and it’ll be interesting to see what they come up with them. I think I have an idea but for WrestleMania, they need them to face a big tag team and not one that they’re trying to get over. It’s gonna be interesting because they have to live up to what happened last year but how do you beat that?

*** Warrior Award Recipient Jarrius ‘JJ’ Robertson

Match 5: Braun Strowman vs Elias
Strowman backs Elias into the corner and throws him. Elias quickly gets out of the ring to regroup. Elias lands a series of kicks and again ducks out of the ring. Strowman chases but Elias catches him in the ring with right hands. Strowman then catches him and hits Elias with a big clothesline. Strowman then tosses Elias across the ring. Strowman follows up with a big splash. Strowman stays on Elias and hammers on him. Strowman hits a huge clothesline and stays on Elias. Strowman drives his arm into the chest of Elias sending him to the mat. Elias lands a cheap shot and goes to the top to hit Strowman with an ax handle on the shoulder. Strowman goes o the outside with Elias after big kicks and drives him into the barricade. Elias quickly goes back out of the ring again. Strowman pulls Elias out from under the ring and Elias sprays a fire extinguisher onto the face of Strowman. Elias hits him in the mid-section with it but Strowman grabs him and hits him with a huge right hand. Strowman meets him on the ramp and knocks him down. Strowman tries to slam Elias through the announcer’s table but Elias racks his eyes and runs away. Strowman chases him into the back but Elias runs away. A limo pulls up as Strowman screams I’m not finished with you.
Winner: Braun Strowman: Via DQ
My Opinion:
I really like Elias and tonight he was funny as usual before the match. I liked how this match went because in reality, of course, most people would run form Strowman. Strowman is so impressive but you can’t always have him be destructive so tonight they made the right call having Elias run away. Plus this rivalry can continue on and for these two it works. I could see them having another match but maybe it’d work better if they did a no disqualification so Elias can use anything he pleases.

In Ring Segment: Triple H & Stephanie McMahon & Ronda Rousey & Kurt Angle
Stephanie says last night was supposed to be the highlight of their executive careers but because of Kurt Angle things went horribly wrong. She says Angle has double pneumonia which cause him to go crazy last night and say what he did. She says Ronda believed him and took action that may be appropriate in the UFC but not here in the WWE. stephanie says Ronda acted out of savage instincts and she gets that but to speak to her she had to get physical to remind her of the hierarchy in the WWE. She says that now that Ronda Rousey has signed her contract she now reports to her and belongs to WWE. she says as a good boss she needs to call them out here so everyone knows their place and they can go forward on The Road to WrestleMania. She calls out Angle but here comes Rousey. Angle tells her to stop and tells her to hear him out. Angle tells Rousey that her coming to the WWE was the best decision she ever made. Rousey says she meant everything she said last night and she was this more than anything but she refuses to be disrespected and she is no one’s property. Angle tells her this a different world and she needs to work in the system. He tells her he needs this job and he has to do what he has to do. Angle tells her that last night he lied. He says he misheard them talking and he doesn’t even know what he said and apologizes. Stephanie thanks him for clearing the air and says they are not horrible people. Stephanie says let’s put this behind us and make you the superstar you deserve to be. Ronda says they addressed everything but her slap. She tells Stephanie she needs to apologize to her and if she doesn’t she won’t hesitate to rip her arm out of her socket. Stephanie says she is terribly sorry and there is no excuse. She welcomes Rousey to WWE and steps out of the ring. Angle is the leveled by Triple H and he and Stephanie leave the ring.
My Opinion:
This was a great way to end the night. First off I’m so happy to see Ronda in WWE finally! She is going to do amazing things and honestly, I like the direction she is headed right now. You can’t just throw her into the title mix so it’s smart to start with some unfinished business. I like Ronda and Kurt versus Triple H and Stephanie would be awesome for Mania. Of course, it may not show everything Ronda can do but it’d be a heck of a way to start her career here. I’m so excited to see what she does every single week going forward. You know there’s gonna be big things to follow!

Final Thoughts:
I loved tonight’s show, first off I liked the start I think Alexa does awesome as champion and she really knows how to push people. The 6 women tag match was a great way to start the night and I’m excited to see what will come of Bayley and Sasha Banks. I think both are amazing and if this rivalry is started I’d love to see a big blow out at WrestleMania. Once again tonight I was thoroughly impressed by The Miz, his promo was great and then he had two good matches against Rollins and then Balor. To me, Balor and Rollins both proved worthy of an Intercontinental Championship match and I as I mentioned earlier I’d love to see a triple threat match come out of it. John Cena had some interesting words tonight, we still don’t know who he will face at Mania but hopefully, we get a better understanding on SmackDown Live. he mentioned The Undertaker so that was either to plant the seeds or put to rest the rumors but time will tell. Roman Reigns killed his promo tonight! Reigns spoke the truth and Lesnar may have never been actually scheduled to show up but nonetheless, Reigns wasn’t wrong and it’s time the Universal Championship comes back to the WWE Universe and gets on the shoulder of a man who wants to go up and down the roads every single day defending it. The way Raw ended I absolutely loved it. Ronda Rousey is so special as an athlete and I’m beyond thankful to have her in WWE. It seems we are gearing up for a tag team match at WrestleMania and I couldn’t be more excited. Rousey and Angle on the same team would be historic and it would let Rousey finish her business so then she can move forward and start looking for championships. Overall this was a great show and we are definitely on The Road to WrestleMania!!!
Overall Rating: 8/10