WWE RAW Opener:
We begin with a graphic “In Memory of “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka”.
– We cut to a video package to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
– We are in Little Rock, Arkansas and your announcers are Michael Cole, Corey Graves, and Byron Saxton.
– Roman Reigns makes his way to the ring and we see footage from last week’s Raw when Chris Jericho became the new United States Champion.
Roman says as a former member of the Shield, he cannot complain about losing a fight when he was outnumbered. The Shield took down everyone in sight. He is not complaining. He lost the United States title in a handicap match against Kevin Owens and Chris Jericho. Roman says Kevin Owens will be complaining at the Royal Rumble because he won’t have KO helping him. Roman says KO cannot beat him one-on-one. No one can beat him one-on-one. He will become the Universal Champion and be the main event at Wrestlemania.
Paul Heyman appears on the stage and he makes his way to the ring. He says he is the calm before the storm. There is a storm coming here. For the first time since Survivor Series, his client, Brock Lesnar is at Raw. That harbinger of doom, the spectre of the beast. That sword of Damacles hangs above the ring.
Paul says he has a Royal Rumble match spoiler…
The crowd chants for Goldberg and Heyman stops speaking.
Paul says Goldberg… is not here this evening.
Paul says he has the Royal Rumble match spoiler. This is how the match goes. Eat… Sleep… Elimination… Repeat.
Roman says that Brock must be eating or sleeping because he is not in the ring with Paul.
Kevin Owens’ music plays and he comes out with Chris Jericho. Kevin says it is interesting that they are making Wrestlemania plans when he and Chris are the Universal and United States Champions.
Chris says if anyone has a date with destiny it is the USUniversal Champions. Kevin beats Reigns at the Royal Rumble. Jericho wins the Royal Rumble. In the main event of Wrestlemania, the best friends meet and they will still be USUniversal Champions. He says everyone better watch… IT.
Kevin says the Wrestlemania math does not add up, but it does not matter. Kevin says he is the longest reigning Universal Champion in history. After the Royal Rumble, he will still be the Universal Champion. Just like after Wrestlemania, he will be the Universal Champion, no matter who he faces.
Seth Rollins’ music plays and he comes out and he said he heard people talking about the main event of Wrestlemania, but you cannot have that discussion without Seth Rollins. Seth says since he was on the shelf last year, there is no better way to get back into the main event than to win the Royal Rumble. Seth tells Paul and the Big Dog that anything can happen in the main event of Wrestlemania.
Braun Strowman’s music plays and he comes to the ring.
Before Braun can say anything, Brock Lesnar makes his way to the ring after doing the Brock Bounce.
Sami Zayn attacks Braun Strowman from behind. Roman with a Superman Punch followed by a knee from Rollins and a Helluva Kick by Zayn. Lesnar attacks Roman and Rollins and Lesnar grabs Zayn and hits a German suplex. Lesnar wants Strowman and Braun gets on the apron, but he returns to the floor. Reigns with Superman punches to Lesnar, Jericho, and Owens. Lesnar gets up and hits an F5 on Reigns. We go to commercial.
Enzo & Cass vs. Rusev & Mahal
Enzo and Mahal start things off and Jinder misses a punch. Jinder sends Enzo to the mat and hits a back elbow. Mahal with an Irish whip but Enzo with a boot and he punches Jinder. Colin tags in and Colin sends Enzo into Mahal but Enzo bounces off Rusev. Colin with a knee to Rusev and then he clotheslines Mahal over the top rope to the floor. We go to commercial.
We are back and Enzo with punches to Mahal while Colin holds him. Rusev makes the blind tag and Rusev with a uranage to Enzo for a near fall. Rusev with kicks to the ribs. Rusev wtih a slam and an elbow drop. Mahal tags in and he hits a leaping knee drop and he chokes Enzo in the ropes. Mahal continues to choke Enzo in the ropes. Rusev tags in and he kicks Enzo and Mahal with a kick.
Rusev with a front face lock into a bear hug and Rusev jumps around to add more pressure. Rusev runs into a boot and Enzo hits a leaping DDT off the turnbuckles. Colin and Jinder tag in and Colin with shoulder tackles and a fallaway slam followed by a splash into the corner. Colin with a leaping elbow drop and Rusev breaks up the cover.
Rusev goes gingerly over the top rope when Enzo drops down. Colin with a boot to knock Rusev off the apron. Mahal with a rollup. Colin with a boot and then Enzo tags in for the Rocket Launcher and the three count.
Winners: Enzo & Cass
– Jack Gallagher walks in the back as we go to commercial.
– We are back and it is time for some Cruiserweight action and we are told the I Forfeit Match will take place tomorrow on 205 Live.
Lince Dorado vs. Ariya Daivari
Daivari runs Dorado into the corner and Dorado with a kick and springboard cross body for a near fall. Daivari wtih a clothesline and he sends Dorado into the turnbuckles and punches and kicks him. Daivari with punches and Dorado punches back. Dorado with punches to Daivari and then Dorado avoids a kick and chops Daivari. Dorado with a handspring cutter and he gets a near fall. Dorado goes to the turnbuckles and hits a missile drop kick.
Dorado goes up top again and he misses a frog splash when Daivari moves. Daivari with a wraparound short arm clothesline and then he applies a Cobra Clutch and Dorado taps out.
Winner: Ariya Daivari
We go to commercial.
– We are back with footage of Undertaker’s return to Raw last week when he announced he will be in the Royal Rumble match.
– We see highlights from the UK Title Tournament from last weekend.
– We go to footage from the WWE Facebook Page when we saw Sasha Banks doing some testing in the ring. Nia Jax attacks Sasha and connects with a leg drop to the injured leg.
RAW Tag Team Title Match: Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson vs. Sheamus and Cesaro
We go to the ring and out come RAW Tag Team Champions Cesaro and Sheamus. Back to commercial.
Anderson and Cesaro start things off and Anderson with a wrist lock and Cesaro kips up. Anderson with a punch and side head lock. Sheamus tags in and Cesaro catches Anderson on a leap frog and hits a tilt-a-whirl back breaker followed by a knee from Sheamus for a near fall. Cesaro tags in and he hits a double stomp after Sheamus hits a Finlay Slam. Anderson with an elbow after Cesaro misses a splash into the corner. Anderson with forearms and he tags in Gallows. Anderson with a back breaker and Gallows with an elbow drop. Gallows with punches and an uppercut.
Gallows with an uppercut and Anderson tags in and he kicks Cesaro and then he gives Ceasro a snap mare and hits a series of leaping knee drops and he gets a near fall. Anderson with knees and he sends Cesaro into the turnbuckles and tags in Gallows. Gallows with kicks. Gallows goes for a belly-to-back suplex but Cesaro lands on his feet and he tags in Sheamus. Sheamus with a slingshot shoulder followed by a knee lift and shoulder in the corner. Sheamus with a clothesline off the turnbuckles for a near fall. Gallows sends Sheamus to the floor but Sheamus with a punch and forearms across the chest. Cesaro and Anderson go to the floor. The referee deals with Cesaro and Anderson with a drop kick to the knee. Gallows with a round kick and Sheamus goes to the floor. We go to commercial.
We are back and Gallows sends Sheamus into the corner and he hits a splash. Anderson tags in and they hit a belly-to-back suplex and neck breaker combination but Sheamus kicks out at two. Gallows tags back in and he knocks Cesaro off the apron but Sheamus with a power slam and both men are down. Cesaro and Anderson tag in and Cesaro with a clothesline and a running European uppercut. Cesaro with a series of European uppercuts in the corner followed by a drop kick for a near fall. Cesaro signals for the Giant Swing but Gallows tries to interfere. Cesaro with a drop kick to knock Gallows to the floor. Cesaro with a drop toe hold and a Swisee19 to Anderson. Cesaro with a cross body to Gallows on the floor.
Cesaro with a European uppercut followed by a springboard European uppercut for a near fall. Cesaro with the Giant Swing on Anderson. Cesaro goes for the Sharpshooter but Gallows with a thrust kick to get Cesaro to release the hold. Anderson gets a near fall. Anderson with a European uppercut but Cesaro with an elbow to Gallows and European uppercuts to Anderson. Cesaro wtih a boot to Gallows on the apron but Anderson with a spinebuster for a near fall.
Sheamus with forearms to everyone and he hits the referee. Anderson and Gallows take care of Cesaro. Gallows and Anderson hit Magic Killer and a second referee makes the three count.
The original referee recovers and tells the ring announcer that there was a disqualification.
Winners: Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson (by disqualification)
After the match, Gallows and Anderson attack Sheamus and hit Magic Killer on him.
– We take a look back at the opening segment from tonight’s show and the aftermath.
– We have a very well done video package for Jimmy Snuka. We go to commercial.
– We are back and we have more photos of Emma… only photos.
Backstage:
Sami Zayn is with Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins. Sami talks about Kevin and Chris but he says that Braun is the focus of the team. He is like a house. He is big and fast and moves like a train. Sami says they need to throw smokescreens and then Roman cleans things up.
Seth says he appreciates Sami’s enthusiasm but they have been here before. Sami throws out his fist and Roman and Seth walk away.
Tony Nese vs. Rich Swann
The match never starts as Neville comes running through the crowd and attacks Swann. Officials are out to break it up. Neville unloads but Swann comes back. Nese joins in but won’t let up, which causes Neville to toss him to the floor. Neville with more cheap shots on Swann before we go to replays.
– Still to come, The New Day will be in the ring. Back to commercial.
Backstage:
We are back and Neville is stopped in the back and asked why would he attack Swann tonight.
Neville asks if he remembers what happened last week, or maybe you don’t care. You perceive him as a bad guy and have no compassion. Maybe you are a hypocrite like everyone in this country. Rich Swann may think he is a fighting champion, but the reality is he is too proud to admit when he is defeated. Bring your unbreakable spirit because he will break him and you will kneel to the one and true King of the Cruiserweights.
In the Arena:
The New Day make their way to the ring.
Xavier Woods says each and every one of you will get to watch the most stacked Royal Rumble match in the history of the Royal Rumble. Kofi mentions the contenders… Goldberg, Brock Lesnar, Braun Strowman, the Undertaker. You also have… the New Day.
Big E says that while preparing for the Royal Rumble, they heard rumblings of foe versus foe. Xavier mentions it will also be friend versus friend. Kofi says that means it is every man for himself. Big E says if one of you win the Royal Rumble… WE ALL WIN THE ROYAL RUMBLE!!! Kofi says when they all win the Royal Rumble, they all go on to the main event of Wrestlemania. Xavier says when they win, they become the WWE U…
Titus O’Neil interrupts and he makes his way to the stage. Titus says he is not here for your Booty-Os or your Booty Business. Titus says he does not want to be in the New Day. He says he would replace the New Day. Titus says there are three spots and since you have three spots in the Royal Rumble, hook a brother up with one of those spots. He says he does not need them to give him anything so he will take it. Titus asks which one will lose their spot in the Royal Rumble against him.
Kofi says if Titus knew the proper time to call a huddle, he would still be playing football.
Big E accepts, but with the caveat of no DMs, Texts, or showing up on his porch with a pizza with a hole in the bottom of the box.
Titus is happy that Big E accepted and he starts his Titus Rocks chant. We go to commercial.
Titus O’Neil vs. Big E
Titus punches Big E as the match is joined in progress. Titus with an Irish whip but Big E with a shoulder tackle. Titus misses a punch and Big E taunts Titus. Big E with an abdominal stretch and it is time to play the butt bongos. Big E with a tricep meat back elbow. Big E sends Titus through the ropes to the floor and Big E punches Titus. Titus hits Xavier and then he connects with a boot to Big E and he kicks Big E. Titus punches Big E.
Titus with elbow drops for a near fall. Titus with a Dominator for a near fall. Big E with punches but Titus with a slam. Titus with a leg drop for a near fall. Titus with an abdominal stretch and he hits Titus in the ribs and rear end. Big E with two clotheslines and then he ducks a clothesline and hits a belly-to-belly suplex. Big E does the Sexy Party and then it is time for the Warrior Splash. Big E with a Big Ending for the three count.
Winner: Big E
– Charlotte walks in the back and we go to commercial.
In the Arena:
WWE RAW Women’s Champion Charlotte heads to the ring.
Charlotte has a mic. She talks about out working and studying every opponent. Charlotte describes Bayley has being “average” and how she has a lot of common with the WWE Universe. She points at the crowd and how they see themselves in her. Charlotte describes Bayley as an “average fan.” Charlotte has photos of a young Bayley with John Cena, Ivory, Rob Van Dam and Bret Hart. “Obsessed much?” She also has notes Bayley wrote about her wrestling dreams put on the screen. Charlotte said while Bayley was doing this, she was winning state championships and training 20 hours a week. “She was writing in little notebooks,” adds Charlotte. Charlotte calls Bayley pathetic. She has a video clip played of Bayley reading an essay she wrote in school about wanting to be a wrestler in WWE. Charlotte has the clip stopped so she can read a copy she brought herself. She calls the essay an empty promise of dreams.
Bayley walks out and heads down the ramp very quickly. Charlotte bails. Bayley grabs a mic as Charlotte starts heading up the ramp. She asks Charlotte what she is doing saying all of this is unnecessary. Charlotte asks Bayley if she is ashamed? “This is who you are. An average fan,” says Charlotte. Bayley asks Charlotte if this is really her strategy to try and get in her head and embarrass her before the Royal Rumble? She isn’t ashamed of her passion for WWE. Bayley has a story from the past. She talks about not being fortunate enough to have a father that could get her in the door with one phone call. Bayley said she did have a dad that took her to every WWE event in San Jose even if he didn’t have any money to do so. She talked about telling her dad that one day that was going to be her. Charlotte calls the comments touching. Bayley has a new poem for Charlotte: “Roses are red, violets are blue, at Royal Rumble, I will defeat you.”
– Footage of Brock Lesnar showing up earlier tonight is shown.
Backstage:
Braun Strowman is warming up when Kevin Owens and Chris Jericho walk up. Owens wants to talk strategy tonight. Jericho says they can be unstoppable tonight with help from Strowman. Owens suggests Strowman beat up Reigns so bad that maybe he’s out of action for around two weeks. Jericho also suggests Strowman beat up Seth Rollins. Strowman says what they don’t understand is that he does what he wants. He says he is winning the Royal Rumble and coming after the WWE Universal Championship. Back to commercial.
The Brian Kendrick vs. Cedric Alexander
We are back and footage from WWE 205 Live is shown from last week with Alicia Fox helping Noam Dar get a win over Cedric Alexander. Cedric then broke up with Fox backstage.
Austin Aries is back on commentary with Cole and Saxton.
Kendrick tosses Alexander face first into the corner early. Alexander with a head scissors takedown and then a big dropkick. Alexander then springboards off the ropes driving his knees into the head of Kendrick. Back inside, Kendrick catches Alexander with a heel kick.
Kendrick has a full nelson submission applied on Alexander on the mat. Backstage, we see a shot of Noam Dar watching the match. Alexander with a right and chops to Kendrick. Kendrick with a big back elbow as Alexander came off the ropes. Kendrick eats repeated boots form Alexander in the corner. Alexander with a big back elbow to Kendrick and then a kick to the head in the corner. Alexander with a springboard clothesline from the top turnbuckle on Kendrick for a two count.
Kendrick counters Alexander raking the eyes and then pulling Alexander down into a front face lock. Alicia Fox runs down to ringside and helps Alexander grab the bottom rope to break the submission. Alexander rolls out and asks Fox what she is doing. Kendrick with a dropkick to Alexander and tells Fox to beat it. Kendrick tosses Alexander back in the ring. Alexander connects with knees to the lower back of Kendrick after a counter and gets the pinfall.
Winner: Cedric Alexander
After the match, Alicia Fox gets in the ring and claps for Cedric Alexander. Alexander smiles at her and opens his arms for a hug. Fox goes to hug him and he walks off walking under her arms. Fox is not pleased as we see Noam Dar smiling backstage.
– We take a look at the Nia Jax attack on Sasha Banks earlier in the day.
Backstage:
Nia is asked about her motivation for her attacks. Nia says Sasha is a wannabe tough girl. When she stepped in the ring with a real woman, the aura was gone. When she saw Sasha laying in there in agony, she knew the hype was over. Nia says she broke the boss and the buzz is about the right woman.
– WWE will officially reveal Kurt Angle as the first inductee into the Class of 2017 WWE Hall of Fame up next. We go to commercial.
Backstage:
We are back and Alicia walks in the back and she is stopped and asked about what just happened. Is her relationship with Cedric over? She says she does not want to talk about it. She is asked if it has anything to do with Noam Dar. Alicia screams that she does not want to talk about it and she walks away.
– It is time to see the first inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2017. It is Kurt Angle. During the video, Kurt says he was born to win the Gold Medal, but his destiny was to come to the WWE to entertain the fans. Big reaction for Angle in Little Rock including the crowd doing the “YOU SUCK” chant along with Angle’s theme.
Six Man Tag Team Match
Kevin Owens, Chris Jericho and Braun Strowman vs. Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins and Sami Zayn
WWE Universal Champion Kevin Owens and WWE United States Champion Chris Jericho head to the ring next for tonight’s main event.
Sami Zayn goes right after Braun Strowman as a big brawl breaks out. Kevin Owens with rights to Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins throws Chris Jericho over the top rope. Strowman tosses Rollins over the top rope. We are left with Reigns and Strowman. Strowman grabs Reigns and quickly tosses him over the top rope. Back to commercial.
We are back and Jericho tags in and he punches Reigns. Owens punches and chokes Reigns while Jericho distracts the referee. Jericho slaps Reigns and Reigns does not appreciate it. Reigns with an uppercut and he sends Jericho into the corner and Zayn tags in. Sami wtih a chop and he sends Jericho into the turnbuckles and chops him. Zayn with a back breaker and moonsault. Owens tags in after Jericho backs Zayn into the corner. Owens punches Zayn and he taunts the crowd. Owens with a chop. Owens with knees to the back and a reverse chin lock.
Owens with an enzuigiri for a near fall. Jericho tags in and kicks Zayn. Jericho with a belly-to-back suplex for a near fall. Jericho with a clothesline into the corner. Jericho goes up top and Zayn with a punch to the midsection as he comes off. Owens tags in and he keeps Zayn from making the tag and Owens with a short arm clothesline and Zayn gets his knees up on a back senton from Owens. Roman tags in and he punches Owens. Reigns with a flying clothesline and then he connects with NeverEnding Story in the corner. Reigns stops Jericho from interfering. Reigns with a thrust kick to Owens and he sets for the Superman punch but Jericho grabs the leg. Jericho is stopped by Rollins and Strowman sends Rollins into the ringside barrier.
Strowman blocks a Superman punch and Owens with a super kick for a near fall. Strowman tags in as we go to commercial.
We are back and there is pandemonium with Reigns down on the mat. Owens tells everyone to watch him as he applies a reverse chin lock. Owens with a reverse chin lock. Reigns with a Samoan drop and both men are down.
Jericho and Rollins tag in and Rollins with Slingblade. Rollins with forearms in the corner and then he goes to the turnbuckles for a Blockbuster. Owens misses a clothesline and Zayn sends him to the floor. Rollins with a suicide dive to Jericho and Zayn with a plancha onto Owens. Zayn ducks and Strowman hits the ring post. Rollins with a springboard knee to the temple for a near fall.
Rollins with a kick and he tries for the Pedigree but Jericho blocks it. Rollins escapes. Strowman tags in and Rollins punches Strowman but Strowman stays on his feet. Strowman grabs Rollins by the throat and Zayn stops him. Strowman with a forearm to Zayn. Rollins with an enzuigri and Roman with a Superman punch but Strowman stays on his feet. Rollins with a cross body onto Jericho and Owens on the floor. Zayn with a cross body for a near fall on Strowman.
Zayn goes for the Helluva Kick but Strowman with a body tackle and then he hits a running power slam for the three count.
Winners: Chris Jericho, Kevin Owens, and Braun Strowman
After the match, Braun Strowman grabs Sami Zayn and walks him on his shoulder up the ramp near the announce table. Seth Rollins quickly runs up with a steel chair and hits Strowman with it. Roman Reigns then catches Strowman with a spear. We see a replay of Rollins cracking the chair over Strowman’s back and the big spear by Reigns.
Back live, Rollins and Reigns clear off the announce table when Chris Jericho and Kevin Owens run up attacking them. Jericho and Owens point at the announce table as they grab Reigns. Rollins attacks Owens to break it up. Jericho goes after Rollins. Rollins with a Pedigree on Jericho on the stage. Owens cracks the steel chair over the back of Rollins. Reigns comes in for a spear on Owens and Owens cuts it off using the steel chair. Owens then cracks the steel chair over the back of Reigns. Owens grabs Reigns and powerbombs him over the announce table smashing it to pieces.
Fade out!
