WWE RAW Opener:
We begin tonight’s show with a graphic in memory of George the Animal Steele.
– We see a video package of the Festival of Friendship that did not end friendly for Chris Jericho.
– Kevin Owens sits in the ring with a spotlight on him.
Kevin says that the spotlight is solely where it belongs, he can answer the question that is on everybody’s mind. WHY? Why does Kevin Owens think he can walk out of Fastlane still the WWE Universal Champion. If when he was 15 years old, someone told him that he would defend his WWE Universal Title in the main event of a pay per view against Goldberg, he would tell them they are crazy. Not the part about him being champion and being on pay per view. The crazy part would be the opponent.
Kevin comments on the Goldberg chant. That is the chant that makes Goldberg think he is invicible. That is the chant that makes Goldberg think everyone believes the hype. Kevin says he never believed the hype, even when Goldberg was running through everyone in WCW. Goldberg has never impressed him.
What about how Goldberg embarrassed Brock Lesnar in a minute and 26 seconds? That was because Lesnar underestimated Goldberg and Goldberg got lucky. Kevin says he knows what to expect and what to do. No one expects to see him retain his title at Fastlane. He will have to prove everybody wrong. He will walk out of the pay per view as the champion. He tells Bill that he does not have to beat, he has to outlast you. Kevin says the longer a Goldberg match goes, the longer the scales tip in your opponent’s favor. This will be Kevin’s match. Kevin just has to outsmart Goldberg. Everyone knows that Goldberg does not come close to Kevin. Kevin says he knows how to play the game better than anyone else.
Kevin says he waited his whole life to become a champion in WWE and nothing will stop him from keeping that title. Kevin says that Goldberg said he came back to show to his son and wife that superheroes exist. You want to use his title as a prop in Goldberg’s superhero fantasy? Kevin will show you, your son and everyone else that superheroes do not exist.
Kevin stands up and tells Bill Goldberg that the fans can chant for you all you want and say ‘You’re Next’ all the time and it won’t matter because Kevin says ‘You’re Nothing’ to Goldberg.
Kevin says that as far as Chris Jericho goes… Kevin drops the mic and walks away.
– We go to Michael Cole, Byron Saxton and Corey Graves. Still to come, Big Show vs. Braun Strowman and Enzo Amore & Big Cass vs. Sheamus & Cesaro in a #1 contender’s match. We go to commercial as Enzo and Cass are walking backstage.
Enzo & Big Cass vs. Sheamus and Cesaro in a Number One Contender Match for the Raw Tag Titles
Cass and Sheamus start things off and they lock up. Sheamus with punches but Cass with punches. Cass with an Irish whip but he misses a splash into the corner. Sheamus with a splash into the corner. Cass with elbows and he brings Sheamus back into the ring. Sheamus with a kick and Ceasro tags in and they hit a double running forearm to take Cass to the mat and Cesaro gets a near fall. Sheamus tags in and connects with knees. Cass wtih a slam to Sheamus.
Cass with punches and then Enzo is thrown into Cesaro who tries to interfere. Enzo is thrown into Sheamus and then Enzo goes up top and Sheamus with a forearm to knock Enzo to teh floor. Cesaro tags in and he hits a running European uppercut. Cesaro mocks Enzo and we go to commercial.
We are back and Sheamus with a reverse chin lock. Sheamus with a uranage back breaker followed by a knee drop and he gets a near fall on Enzo. Cesaro tags in and Sheamus with a Finlay Slam followed by a double stomp from Cesaro for a near fall. Sheamus tags back in and Sheamus is sent into the corner for a shoulder. Cesaro tags in and Cesaro is sent to the apron and then to the floor. Enzo sends Sheamus to the floor but Enzo avoids him. Enzo dives to make the tag and he leaps into a European uppercut. Cesaro drop kicks Cass to the floor.
Cesaro charges into the corner and Enzo with a drop toe hold. Sheamus and Cass tag in and Cass with a shoulder tackle and fallaway slam. Cass with a Stinger Splash but he misses a boot. Cesaro tags in and Cass with a boot to Sheamus. Cesaro with a running European uppercut followed by a double jump cross body. Cass escapes the Gotch Style Neutralizer. Cesaro with a springboard corkscrew European uppercut. Enzo distracts Cesaro and Cesaro sends Enzo to the floor. Cass with a Bossman Slam to Cesaro for the three count.
Winners: Enzo & Big Cass
After the match, Enzo has some comments about Sheamus and Cesaro. Sheamus with a Brogue Kick to Enzo.
– Kevin Owens walks in the back and Mick Foley wants to know what he is doing. Kevin says he is leaving, but Mick says Kevin has a match against Sami Zayn. Kevin says that he thought Mick liked Sami. He tells Mick he might end up with more guys in the injured list than in the locker room. We go to commercial.
– We are back with a Braun Strowman destroying people video package.
– Michael Cole mentions that we will hear from the new Raw Women’s Champion, then we cut to a video package for Bayley showing footage of her winning last week.
Backstage:
Mick Foley is in his office on the phone and Roman Reigns enters. Mick tells Roman that Braun has a match against Big Show tonight. He tells Roman he has to wait until Fastlane for Strowman. Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows enter. Karl says the three of them have some unfinished business for Raw. Karl suggests they finish it tonight. Mick tells Roman to find a partner and they have a match. Roman says he does not need a partner, he can handle it on his own. We go to commercial.
Brian Kendrick vs. Akira Tozawa
We are back and Kendrick demands that Tozawa shakes his hand but Tozawa refuses so Kendrick connects with a clothesline and then Kendrick attacks Tozawa and snaps his neck against the exposed turnbuckle. Kendrick applies the Captain’s Hook.
Kendrick puts on his jacket and walks to the back.
Brian Kendrick is asked about his actions. Kendrick says you do not disrespect him. When he offered to mentor the kid and he throws it back at him, it showed that the kid has a lot to learn. The first lesson is respect.
We go to commercial.
Handicap Match: Roman Reigns vs. Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson
Back from the break and out comes Roman Reigns for a rematch from last week’s RAW. We go to replays of that match. RAW Tag Team Champions Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson are out next.
Karl with punches as the bell rings and Roman with a shoulder tackle. Roman with another shoulder tackle. Gallows tags in and Reigns with an uppercut as he comes into the ring. Roman with a flying clothesline to Anderson and a punch to Gallows. Reigns with a Drive By to Gallows. Anderson grabs Roman by the hair and that allows for Gallows to recover and hit a thrust kick. Gallows sends Reigns back into the ring. Gallows punches Reigns and the referee warns him.
Gallows with a suplex and he gets a near fall. Gallows with an elbow and reverse chin lock. Gallows with a vertical choke power bomb for a near fall. Anderson tags in and Reigns sends Anderson to teh floor and Gallows goes over the top rope. Anderson and Gallows pull Reigns to the floor and punch him. Gallows gets a chair but Reigns with a kick to Gallows. Reigns looks at the chair and he picks it up.
Reigns hits Anderson and Gallows with the chair and the referee calls for the bell.
Winners: Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson (by disqualification)
After the match, Reigns hits NeverEnding Story on Anderson and then GallowsAnderson comes off the top but Reigns spears him in mid-air. Reigns stands tall as his music hits. Gallows and Anderson recover as we go to replays.
– Still to come, Braun vs. Show.
– The announcers show us the opening segment with Owens talking about Goldberg. Owens will face Sami later tonight. Also, Cole will have a sitdown interview with Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman. The New Day will face Jinder Mahal and Rusev next. Back to commercial. Anderson comes off the turnbuckles and Reigns with a spear.
– We are back and we go to the announcement that the New Day will be hosting Wrestlemania.
The New Day vs. Rusev and Jinder Mahal
Back from the break and Lana is in the ring. She introduces Rusev and Jinder Mahal. WrestleMania 33 hosts The New Day are out next. Xavier Woods plugs some of his “UpUpDownDown” stuff before mentioning that they are working to land the role of the hyenas in the next Lion King movie. He also plugs their WrestleMania 33 hosting gig. Kofi Kingston informs us that they remembered the blue prints to the ice cream machine that Bo Dallas destroyed last week. This time the plans are digital. Lana ends up cutting them off and revealing that she has the plans. They wonder how she got the plans. “You know she’s Russian…” The crowd laughs. They enter the ring and face off with Rusev and Jinder now. The New Day want their plans back. We go to commercial with the two teams arguing.
The match is joined in progress and Rusev with a bearhug on Kofi. Kofi with elbows and Rusev with a drop kick. Mahal tags in and hits a series of knee drops. Rusev tags in and he punches Kofi. Rusev runs into a boot from Kofi and Kofi with a tornado DDT. Mahal and Big E tag in and Big E with an overhead belly-to-belly followed by a second one. Big E ducks a clothesline and then he hits a belly-to-belly suplex. Big E with a Warrior Splash. Rusev with a jumping thrust kick and then Rusev punches Kofi. Rusev charges and goes over the top rope. Kofi with a Fosbury Flop plancha onto Rusev.
Woods scares Lana with the trombone and Woods catches the tablet and breaks it.
Big E with an elbow to Mahal and then Kofi tags in and they hit Midnight Hour for the three count.
Winners: Kofi Kingston and Big E
– The announcers lead us to a video package in memory of WWE Hall of Famer George “The Animal” Steele, who passed away this past Thursday at the age of 79. Back to commercial.
In the Arena:
Back from the break and Austin Aries is in the ring with Jack Gallagher. There’s a table for the contract signing and what looks like tea and biscuits. Gallagher and Aries speak a bit before Gallagher signs. Aries introduces WWE Cruiserweight Champion Neville and out he comes.
Neville walks straight in the ring and signs the contract, then leaves. Gallagher stops him and thought they could sit down to talk over tea and biscuits. Neville steps back through the ropes as fans chant “tea and biscuits” now. Neville asks Gallagher if he’s for real. Neville says Gallagher is exactly what these American imbeciles expect an Englishman to be. Neville says it’s embarrassing and Gallagher should be ashamed of himself. Neville mocks Gallagher and calls him a caricature, a cartoon, a stereotype. Neville says Gallagher doesn’t really exist. Neville says the real streets of England look like this… they’re ugly and a little rough around the edges. Neville says Gallagher is what the WWE Universe wanted Neville to be. Neville says the people aren’t laughing with Gallagher, they’re laughing at him and once they see what he does to Gallagher at Fastlane, the only person laughing will be Neville.
Gallagher says he’s not playing a gentleman, he is a gentleman. The suit, the tie, the mustache – it’s all how he was raised, the way he is. Gallagher says he’s not Neville’s problem, Neville’s problem is that the thinks he’s a king and better than everyone else. Gallagher says he will not stand for that. Neville drops the title and they prepare for a fight. Neville tips the table over, shattering the tea and biscuits tray. Neville confronts Gallagher and taunt him. Gallagher tackles Neville and unloads. Neville comes back but Gallagher connects with the big headbutt. Gallagher stumbles and Neville goes to the floor. Neville runs back to the apron but Gallagher pulls the umbrella on him. Neville backs off the apron and leaves as Gallagher’s music hits. Gallagher poses with the umbrella as Neville looks on from the ramp.
– Still to come, Strowman vs. Show in the main event. We see Nia Jax backstage walking. Back to commercial.
Nia Jax vs. Sara Pierce
Pierce with a drop kick but it has no effect on Nia. Nia with a shoulder and she throws Pierce around the ring by the hair. NIa with a splash in the corner followed by a kick to the back of the head and follows with the Samoan Drop for the three count.
Winner: Nia Jax
After the match, Nia is asked about Bayley winning the title and the controversy. Nia says the only controversy is that she has not gotten her title match. Nia says that she would have loved to see Bayley and Sasha try that on her. Nia says she is putting the champ on notice.
– Bayley walks in the back and she hugs a few people on her way to the ring. We go to commercial.
In the Arena:
We are back and Bayley makes her way to the ring.
Bayley talks about being able to celebrate her win in California. It is where dreams are made. Her friends had their dreams, but she wanted to be in the WWE and be able to stare at the Wrestlemania sign and be able to call herself a champion. Bayley says she still cannot put the feeling from last week into words, but it was awesome. After she got to the back last week, she had to call her dad. Bayley tells her dad that she did it.
Bayley thanks everyone for making her feel cool in front of her dad.
Of course Charlotte is trying to tarnish the best week in Bayley’s life. Bayley tells Charlotte to face the facts because she is the Raw Women’s Champion.
Stephanie McMahon’s music plays and she comes to the ring.
Stephanie shakes Bayley’s hand before getting a mic. She asks Bayley if her dream includied her wrestling for the title in the main event of Raw. Did she envision hearing people chanting You Deserve It. Did you envision almost tapping out and getting a tainted victory. Was your dad silent saying you did it. Did he think ‘Did Sasha do it’. Stephanie says she looks at the looks on the people’s faces because you are good and honest. You have good moral character. Are you willing to throw that all away to hold a championship that you didn’t really earn?
Stephanie says the Bayley she knows would relinquish the Raw Women’s Championship. You don’t want to win the title that way. You are better than that.
Bayley takes off the title belt and she holds it.
Stephanie says this is a defining moment. Stand up to the girls and win the title for the right reason.
Bayley holds out the title belt and…
Sasha Banks’ music plays and she comes to the ring and Stephanie points out that Sasha is interfering again for Bayley. Do you think Bayley is too naive or do you think she cannot win on her own? Do you think that Bayley is a charity case.
Sasha tells Bayley not to listen to this garbage. She says Bayley won this title fair and square. She will not let Bayley give this up because of what she has worked for to get this title. She tells Bayley to listen to the WWE Universe. Sasha asks the people if Bayley should give up her title.
Stephanie wants to know if Sasha loves Bayley or because she knows she cannot beat Charlotte but can beat Bayley.
Bayley says Stephanie is right. This title means everything to her. It is bigger than her, Sasha, or Charlotte. Bayley says she has worked her entire life to be a champion, but not to have it handed to her. She has tried to spread and encouraging word to everyone. The title should represent happiness, not controversy. Bayley asks if she should give up the WWE Women’s Championship.
Bayley says there is one answer…
Hell no she is not giving up this championship. She pinned Charlotte a third time to become the Women’s Champion. It was not because of Sasha, it was because of all of you. Bayley says she will fight for all of you and defend the title any time and any place.
Charlotte’s music plays and she comes out to the stage.
Charlotte apologizes to Stephanie for these two ingrates being so disrespectful. Charlotte says she does not want Bayley to give back the title because she is going to take it back. At Fastlane, the Queen of Pay Per View is invoking her rematch clause.
Sasha tells Charlotte to stop running her mouth. She says her knee is feeling fine so why not one more time tonight.
Charlotte says it is Sasha’s fault that her title is on Bayley’s shoulder. If she has the chance to injure Sasha, she will not pass that up.
Stephanie McMahon makes the match official, but first… We go to commercial.
Sasha Banks vs. Charlotte
They lock up and Charlotte with a clean break. Sasha slaps Charlotte but Charlotte kicks Sasha and sends her to the mat. Charlotte sends Sasha’s knee into the mat but Sasha with kicks and a rollup for a near fall. Sasha with a crucifix for a near fall. Charlotte sends Sasha to the mat and she lands hard on her neck. Sasha sends Charlotte into the turnbuckles with a head scissors. Sasha chops Charlote and then she goes for running knees into the corner but Charlotte moves. Charlotte charges into the corner but Sasha moves. Charlotte sends Sasha into the mat with a knee drop and she connects with more knee drops and gets a near fall.
Charlotte with a snap mare and elbow. Charlotte drives Sasha’s head into the mat and she holds on to the figure four head scissors. Charlotte sends Sasha around the ring while in the head scissors. Sasha with a boot to the head but Sasha runs into a kick from Charlotte. Charlotte sends Sasha to the floor and we go to commercial.
We are back and Charlotte with a neck breaker and she holds on to a Dragon Sleeper. Charlotte with another neck breaker. Sasha with knees to try to escape the hold. Sasha with a rollup for a near fall. Charlotte with a knee and Irish whip but Sasha with a boot and she avoids a kick. Sasha with a drop kick and bulldog out of a wheelbarrow for a near fall. Charlotte with a knee but Sasha has Charlotte on the middle turnbuckle. Charlotte avoids the double knee drop and goes to the floor. Sasha with Meteora from the apron.
Dana Brooke goes to the ring to interfere but Bayley stops her. Charlotte kicks at Sasha and that allows Sasha to hit a lungblower followed by the Banks Statement and Charlotte taps out.
Winner: Sasha Banks
– We take a look at a video package for the newest Hall of Fame Inductee… Diamond Dallas Page.
Backstage:
Sami Zayn is in the interview area and he is asked about his match against Kevin Owens. Sami says he went on the Highlight Reel five months ago and he said this would happen. He does not want to gloat. He says he knows Samoa Joe very well too. They are terribly selfish people. They will justify their actions. Kevin has done it for years and now he is seeing it from Joe. The inevitability to the Kevin Owens and Samoa Joes is that it catches up to you. The real Kevin Owens has to deal with Goldberg at Fastlane but he will have to deal with him kicking his teeth in tonight. We go to commercial.
Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn
As Zayn goes to the ring, Samoa Joe attacks Zayn from behind and sends him into the apron. Joe with punches as he pulls Zayn’s jacket over his head like he was a member of the Kings. Joe sends Zayn into the ring post again. Joe with punches and he sends Zayn into the ring post. Joe with a back senton on the floor.
Kevin Owens looks ‘sarcastically’ disgusted at what is going on.
Zayn is rolled into the ring and the referee checks to see if Zayn can wrestle. Zayn wants the match to happen.
The bell rings and Owens with two running clotheslines followed by a cannonball. Owens kicks Zayn and the referee warns Owens. Owens with another cannonball. Owens punches Zayn. Owens picks up Zayn and hits a pop up power bomb and he gets the three count.
Winner: Kevin Owens
Still to come, Strowman vs. Show in the main event. We get a Tale of the Tape for that match.
– We see Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman backstage. Cole is headed to the back for the interview. We go to commercial.
– We are back with a graphic in memory of Ivan Koloff.
Backstage:
Stephanie McMahon wants to know where was Mick Foley when Sasha and Bayley showed her no respect. Mick says he enjoyed every moment of what happened. Stephanie tells Mick not to test her. She says that Mick is being insubordinate. Mick says he told Stephanie not to treat him like he is stupid. Mick says he listened, trusted, and believed in Stephanie. Seth is on the injured list off Wrestlemania again. Mick says he has been a supporter of Samoa Joe since 2004. He says he knows what he is doing here. Mick says he is commiting career suicide. He will not let Stephanie’s greed get in the way of what is right.
Interview With Brock Lesnar:
Michael Cole is with Paul Heyman and Brock Lesnar. He mentions what has happened the last two times Goldberg and Lesnar met in the ring. However, he brings up Goldberg’s match at Fastlane.
Paul says that his client is on edge and is a bit anxious. It might behove Cole to lower his voice and adjust his tone. Paul says the Owens versus Goldberg match will affect Brock at Wrestlemania. Paul says his client disagrees. Brock gets up and he takes Cole’s seat.
Paul says Owens established himself last week that some thing Owens should be the most violent champion in the WWE. Brock disagrees. If Goldberg takes Owens as lightly as Lesnar took Goldberg it will be a long night at Fastlane for Goldberg. They disagree. Paul says Kevin Owens is hitting his stride and he will shock the world at Fastlane. Kevin Owens has a chance to walk into Wrestlemania as champion. His client disagrees. If Goldberg hits a spear at Fastlane, he will walk into Wrestlemania as champion. That will just be one more thing for his client to conquer at Wrestlemania.
Braun Strowman vs. Big Show
– Braun Strowman makes his way to the ring as the ring is being reinforced for the main event. We go to commercial.
They break and lock up again. Strowman tries to get out of a wristlock and he does by kicking up. Braun takes Show to the corner and they break. Braun stays in Show’s face and talks some trash. Show shoves Braun to the mat. Braun ends up with Show on the mat. Show fights up and out of a hold. Braun levels Show with a big clothesline and he goes down. Braun stands over Show and yells out.
Strowman with a big splash in the corner and more offense. Braun with big body shots in the corner now. Braun charges again but Show grabs him for a chokeslam. Braun kicks him in the gut and drops him with a DDT for a 2 count.
Braun keeps control as he beats Show around the ring. Strowman with another big splash. Strowman goes on and drops Show with another big clothesline for another 2 count. Show blocks a suplex. Strowman blocks a suplex. They trade more blocks until Show nails the suplex. Strowman runs into a big boot in the corner, and another. Show with a big shot to the gut. Show splashes Strowman in the corner and nails a flying tackle off the ropes. Show calls for a chokeslam and nails it in the middle of the ring. Show covers but Braun kicks out at 2.
Show goes to the second rope for the splash but Braun kicks his leg out. Show slides out of a powerslam. Show takes Braun to the top rope for a superplex. More fans in the arena stand up to watch. Show climbs up but Braun fights him. Show goes back to the mat on his feet. Strowman comes flying off the second rope but Show hits the knockout punch in mid-air. Strowman still kicks out at 2. Show slowly gets up and goes back to the second rope for the splash. Braun gets underneath and scoops Show for the powerslam and somewhat hits it. Show kicks out at 2. Braun drops his straps. Show grabs him for another chokeslam. Braun shakes his head and scoops Show. Braun nails the powerslam for the win.
Winner: Braun Strowman
As soon as the match is over, the music hits and out comes Roman Reigns. Reigns hits the ring and ducks a shot. Reigns unloads on Braun and nails a Superman punch but Braun won’t go down. Reigns with another Superman punch to take him down. Reigns readies for a spear but gets a loud mixed reaction. Braun stops the spear with a big dropkick. Braun scoops Reigns for the powerslam in the middle of the ring. Braun yells in Reigns’ face and stands tall as his music hits. Braun steps over the top rope and makes his exit. RAW goes off the air with Braun smiling back at the ring while Reigns is down.
