WWE RAW Opener:
The show opens with a video package highlighting the latest events between Seth Rollins and Triple H.
Mick Foley and Stephanie McMahon are in the ring and Mick brings out the hottest free agent signing of the ‘New Era’, Samoa Joe.
Stephanie hugs Joe and then she does the proper introduction for Samoa Joe. Stephanie asks Mick why is he not so happy? Is it because you didn’t bring him in or is it because she had to do Mick’s job?
Mick says he has been a supporter of Joe for years, but he does not appreciate the way that Joe got his job or who he is associating with.
Joe tells Foley eighteen years. It took him eighteen years to be standing in this ring right now. In those eighteen years, when you said you were a fan, only one man opened that door for an opportunity. If being loyal to that one man means putting Seth Rollins on the shelf, so be it. Joe says he is putting the locker room on notice. He will choke out anyone who gets in his way and then he will do it again if he has to. The Destroyer has arrived and there is nothing you can do about it.
Joe signs the contract.
Roman Regins’ music plays and he makes his way to the ring.
Roman says that Joe is talking tough and making threats so he figured he would come out here. Roman introduces himself and he says he is the Baddest Man There is in the WWE. He says that Joe can shut his mouth or Roman says he will cave it in.
Mick says that Joe may have loyalty to one man, but Mick says he is the GM and he has loyalty to the crowd. Mick says he will continue to make the matches. Samoa Joe will face Roman Reigns.
Joe and Reigns face off as Stephanie gets in between them. Reigns’ music hits as Joe leaves first with Stephanie right beside him.
– We go to the announcers to discuss tonight’s show. Cole promises an injury update on Seth Rollins. Also, Bill Goldberg will respond to Brock Lesnar’s WrestleMania 33 challenge. Also, Bayley vs. Nia Jax. We see Bayley, Cesaro and Sheamus walking backstage. We go to commercial.
Nia Jax vs. Bayley
They lock up and Nia pushes Bayley into the ropes and Bayley with a forearm. Bayley punches Nia in the corner but Nia with a head butt and then she hits a running hip strike. Nia with a head butt. Bayley with elbows. Nia with a slam and she pie faces Bayley. Nia with a chop and kicks to Bayley. Nia with kicks to Bayley on the apron but Bayley with punches and a cutter onto the middle rope. Bayley sensd Nia into the turnbuckles.
Nia sends Bayley into the middle turnbuckle and the referee checks on Bayley as we go to commercial.
We are back and Nia with a modified Cobra Clutch but Bayley escapes and goes for a sunset flip but Nia does not go over. Bayley with a forearm but Nia runs Bayley into the corner and biels Bayley across the ring. Nia with a splash into the corner and she gets a near fall.
Bayley kicks Nia away and she connects with a clothesline in the corner. Bayley with elbows and then he goes for the jumping elbow into the corner but Nia catches Bayley and connects with a forearm to the back.
Nia sends Bayley into the ringside barrier and then Bayley moves when Nia goes for a splash against the ring post. Bayley sends Nia into the ring post again and Bayley rolls back into the ring. The referee continues his count as Bayley encourages it.
Charlotte makes her way to the ring and Bayley kicks the ropes and Charlotte falls into the ring. Bayley with a drop kick to Charlotte but that allows Nia to recover and hit a Samoan drop for the three count.
Winner: Nia Jax
After the match, Nia stands tall as we go to replays. Nia makes her exit as Charlotte stands tall over her with the title in the air. Bayley vs. Charlotte with the title on the line is announced for next week in Las Vegas.
– Still to come, Sami Zayn vs. WWE United States Champion Chris Jericho with the title on the line. Also, Cesaro and Sheamus get a title shot from RAW Tag Team Champions Cesaro and Sheamus. Plus Samoa Joe vs. Roman Reigns in the main event. Back to commercial.
Braun Strowman vs. CC Bonin, Rob Pelley, Dusty Wallace, and James Stock
All four men go after Strowman and then he takes control and he works over everyone in the ring. Strowman with splashes to two of the victims. One of them runs to the back. Strowman with a suplex throw as another connects with a forearm and then he regrets his decision as Strowman punches him and connects with crossfaces. Strowman with a running power sla. Strowman rolls the other two on top and gets the three count.
Winner: Braun Strowman
After the match, Strowman gets on the mic and he asks if this is what Foley thinks is competition. Strowman says he is coming for Foley.
Strowman is in the back and he sees Foley and he says his idea of competition is a joke. Strowman says he wants everyone. Mick tells Strowman he can have a match at Fastlane against Roman Reigns.
– Corey Graves talks about Akira Tozawa and we have a video package. We go to commercial.
Akira Tozawa vs. Drew Gulak
They lock up and Gulak with a waist lock but Tozawa stays on his feet and he applies a hammer lock but Gulak escapes. They lock up and Gulak with a side head lock. Tozawa with punches but Gulak with a shoulder tackle. Gulak with a rollup for a near fall. Gulak with strikes to Tozawa but Tozawa with chops and then he stops short and connects with a jab. Tozawa with a kick and back senton for a near fall. Gulak with head butts and Tozawa goes to the floor.
Gulak sends Tozawa back into the ring and Drew gets a near fall. Gulak with a reverse chin lock. Tozawa with punches but Gulak with a knee. Tozawa with a rana and Gulask goes to the apron. Tozawa with a flying forearm that knocks Gulak off the apron. Tozawa with a suicide dive to Gulak. Tozawa sends Gulak back in and he goes up top. Tozawa leaps over Gulak when Drew moves. Tozawa wtih a drop kick to the knee and a Shining Wizard for a near fall. Tozawa with kicks to the chest.
Gulak avoids a kick but Tozawa with the snap German suplex and bridge for the three count.
Winner: Akira Tozawa
After the match, Tozawa stands tall as we go to replays. Brian Kendrick comes out and offers a handshake to Tozawa. Kendrick welcomes Tozawa and leaves the ring as Tozawa goes back to the corner to celebrate.
– Still to come, Goldberg is here. Back to commercial.
In the Arena:
Chris Jericho and Kevin Owens make their way to the ring.
Kevin says last week he stood in this ring and he told everyone he has been proving people wrong his entire career. Last Monday night, he did it again because nobody gave him a fighting chance against a monster like Braun Strowman, but he stands in this ring as your WWE Universal Champion.
Chris tells Kevin he looks great with the belt. He says after he defeats that muttonhead Sami Zayn, he will still be your United States Champion and greatest of all time. Chris says he has a bone to pick with someone who is also called the Greatest Of All Time. Do you know what happens when you steal Chris Jericho’s nickname? Chris says that Tom Brady made the list.
Chris says he wants to talk about Wrestlemania. We know Randy Orton will face the winner of the Elimination Chamber match. Chris has an idea for the Universal Title Match at Wrestlemania. Best Friend versus Best Friend. Title versus Title. Champion versus Champion. The biggest title match in Wrestlemania history.
Kevin says that is the biggest main event in Wrestlemania history. Kevin says he is not sure he can fight his best friend. As big as it would be…
Goldberg’s music plays and he walks through the back and he makes his way to the ring.
Bill tells them they have two choices. They can step aside or they can face him two on one right here, right now.
Bill says last week on Raw, Paul Heyman and Brock Lesnar challenged him to one more fight at Wrestlemania. Bill says he has never been one to ever turn down a fight so he accepts.
Kevin says that is some announcement. Kevin says Bill accepting Brock’s challenge is a great choice. Brock Lesnar versus Goldberg will be a perfect undercard match for KOMania II. Kevin says Chris was right. They are the main event. Kevin asks Bill if he knows why Kevin is the longest reigning Universal Champion in history.
Bill says it is because Kevin never faced him. Bill says that Kevin has an open card for Fastlane so why not step up to the plate and meet for the title.
Chris interrupts and says Goldberg cannot come down here and interrupt them when they are spitting fire. He says that when people make their own matches… Goldberg takes the list and he writes his name on it.
Chris says Goldberg has a big fat mouth and he says he never liked Goldberg. If you want a match at Fastlane, you got a match at Fastlane. Chris says it is Goldberg versus… Kevin Owens for the WWE Universal Championship.
Bill says that Kevin and his title are NEXT.
We go to commercial.
Backstage:
Back from a commercial break and Owens is backstage with Jericho. Owens can’t believe Jericho did this. Owens already has Foley trying to put him in all sorts of matches. Jericho says he’s always had Owens’ back and will do the same at Fastlane. Owens says Jericho volunteering him for Goldberg is not having his back. Owens storms off.
RAW Tag Team Title Match: Cesaro and Sheamus vs. Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson
We go to the ring and Enzo Amore and Big Cass are at ringside watching. Cesaro and Sheamus are out first. RAW Tag Team Champions Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson are out next for their first TV defense.
Anderson and Sheamus start things off and Anderson with punches and European uppercuts. Sheamus with a slam and leaping knee drop for a near fall. Cesaro tags in and he comes off the turnbuckles with a double sledge to the arm. Cesaro with a wrist lock but Anderson with a boot and he sends Cesaro into the corner and tags in Gallows. Cesaro with a series of European uppercuts and then Sheamus tags in and gets a near fall. Gallows and Sheamus exchange punches.
Anderson tags in and kicks Sheamus. Sheamus avoids being sent into the turnbuckles and he punches Anderson. Sheamus with a Finlay Slam and Cesaro with a double stomp for a near fall. Cesaro with Irish whips and European uppercuts but Gallows distracts Cesaro and Anderson with a shot to the back. Cesaro goes to the floor and Gallows with a round kick to Cesaro as we go to commercial.
We are back and Anderson and Cesaro are in the ring. Anderson has a punch blocked and Cesaro with punches and he stops Gallows from interfering. Anderson with a spinebuster for a near fall. Anderson kicks Cesaro but Cesaro with a European uppercut. Anderson misses a splash into the corner and Anderson hits the turnbuckles. Sheamus tags in and he connects with double sledges and then he hits a series of shoulders into the corner followed by a flying round kick. Sheamus goes up top and hits a flying shoulder tackle for a near fall. Sheamus goes for the Finlay Slam but Anderson gets to his feet. Sheamus with a clothesline that sends Anderson to the apron. Sheamus with forearms across the chest.
Cesaro tags in and they hit a spike power slam but Gallows breaks up the cover. Gallows kicks Sheamus off the apron. Cesaro with European uppercuts to Gallows and he goes over the rope to the floor. Gallows with a thrust kick to Enzo and then Colin kicks Gallows and the referee calls for the bell.
Winners: Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows (by disqualification)
After the bell, Cesaro and Sheamus aren’t happy with Enzo and Cass. Gallows and Anderson leave with the titles as their music hits. We go to commercial.
– We are back and it is time for an update on Seth Rollins, but first… We get another video recap of the events.
They confirmed that Rollins tore his MCL and stated that Rollins appearing at Wrestlemania 33 was “still in doubt.” The plan had been for Rollins to face Triple H at the company’s flagship PPV.
In the Arena:
The New Day make their way to the ring. Kofi says they see the Shining Stars with pamphlets talking about their resort. Who has been there… NOBODY. Kofi says it is not real. Xavier says the New Day give people what they want. They wanted Magic so they gave them unicorns. They wanted to dance so they gave them Francesca. They were hungry so they hand fed them Booty-Os. Big E says after giving them real cereal, what more can they give them? Ice cream? We go to commercial.
Epico and Primo vs. Kofi Kingston and Big E
The match is joined in progress and Big E slams Epico. Woods is tagged in and he is slammed onto Epico. Primo makes the blind tag and he drop kicks Woods. Primo with a chin lock. Woods with punches and a sunset flip attempt but Epico is tagged in and they hit a double drop kick and get a near fall. Epico mocks Big E and then he punches Woods. Epico with a delayed vertical suplex. Epico gets a near fall and then he returns to a key lock.
Woods wtih an arm drag but he cannot make the tag and Epico runs Woods into the corner and Primo tags in and hits a drop kick. Primo kicks Woods and he hits a splash from the turnbuckles. Primo sends Woods into the ropes and connects with a boot to the back. Primo with an Irish whip and a running shoulder into the corner. Primo puts Woods on the turnbuckles and Woods with punches to knock Primo off the turnbuckles. Woods with a missile drop kick and both men are down.
Big E and Epico tag in and Big E with two overhead belly-to-belly suplexes and follows with a belly-to-belly suplex. After some dancing Big E hits a Warrior Splash. Woods with an enzuigiri and DDT to Primo to take care of him. Woods tags in and they hit the Midnight Hour for the three count.
Winners: Big E and Xavier Woods
Backstage:
Chris Jericho is interviewed in the back and he is asked about the status of his friendship with Kevin Owens and its impact on his match against Sami Zayn. Chris says there is no way Sami beats him two weeks in a row. Chris says some times best friends have minor disagreements.
Kevin shows up and Chris says he has the best intentions.
Kevin tells Chris he is right. Kevin says he knows that Chris had his back the entire time. Fastlane will be no different. He says he will beat Goldberg. He will beat Bill because Chris has his back. Kevin says Chris will walk out of Raw as the United States Champion because he has Chris’ back. They hug and we go to commercial.
– We are back and it is time to announce the newest inductees into the WWE Hall of Fame, Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Express.
WWE United States Title Match: Sami Zayn vs. Chris Jericho
We go to the ring and out comes Sami Zayn. WWE United States Champion Chris Jericho is out next with WWE Universal Champion Kevin Owens. We get formal ring introductions from JoJo.
They lock up and Zayn with an arm drag. They lock up again and Jericho with a wrist lock. Jericho slaps Zayn and Zayn with a reversal. Jericho gets to the ropes and Zayn slaps Jericho in the head. Zayn with a few arm drags followed by a satellite arm drag into a La Magistral for a near fall. Jericho goes to the floor and Owens talks to Jericho. Zayn chases Jericho around the ring and Jericho with a baseball slide when Zayn returns to the ring.
Jericho with a chop in the corner. Zayn with forearms and chops. Jericho with an Irish whip but Zayn with an elbow and boot followed by a double jump cross body and he gets a near fall. Zayn with chops and then he hits a drop kick to Jericho. Zayn sets for the Helluva Kick but Jericho goes to the floor. Zayn sets for a plancha and he connects.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Jericho chokes Zayn in the ropes and Owens gives Chris a high five. Zayn with a clothesline. Zayn misses a drop kick when Jericho holds on to the ropes and then Jericho with a Lionsault for a near fall. Jericho goes for a Codebreaker but Zayn blocks it and he hits an exploder into the turnbuckles. Jericho goes for the Walls of Jericho but Zayn with a rollup for a near fall.
Zayn with a Blue Thunder Bomb for a near fall. Zayn goes up top and leaps over Jericho. Zayn goes for the tornado DDT but Jericho blocks it and applies the Walls of Jericho. Zayn gets to the ropes to force Jericho to release the hold. Jericho argues with the referee and Owens with a super kick and Jericho with a Codebreaker for the three count.
Winner: Chris Jericho
– Samoa Joe gets ready for his match against Roman Reigns in the back as we go to commercial.
Backstage:
We are back and Sasha Banks is getting some medical attention and Charlotte enters. Charlotte says people once viewed them as equals, but now Sasha is in physical training while Charlotte continues to write history. Charlotte says she hopes Sasha watches next week so she can have Bayley next to her.
In the Arena:
Austin Aries is in the ring and he brings out Neville.
Aries thanks Neville for the interview. Aries mentions the ankle injury suffered by Rich Swann. Aries announces that TJ Perkins, Tony Nese, Cedric Alexander, Noam Dar, and Jack Gallager in an Elimination Match with the winner earning a title match against Neville at Fastlane.
Aries asks Neville which of those five scares him the most.
Neville looks at Aries like he said something crazy. Neville says Aries must be delusional if there is anyone who scares him. It is irrelevant tomorrow night. Whoever the new number contender is, they will have to bend a knee and pay respect to the King.
Cedric Alexander makes his way to the ring.
Aries starts to talk to Cedric, but Noam Dar comes out and he tells everyone to calm down. He says it would be a good idea if he stole that championship, just like he stole Cedric’s girlfriend Alicia Fox.
Jack Gallagher comes out before Aries can say anything.
Jack apologizes for the interruption but he says if you are going to have a King of The Cruiserweights, he should be a gentleman.
Tony Nese comes out and makes his way to the ring.
TJ Perkins finishes the roster of potential challengers for Neville.
TJ points out that he was a Cruiserweight Champion. Unlike you, he knows what it takes to win the title. He says he will do it again. TJ tells Neville that they have some unfinished business. He came here to do this and he punches Nese.
We have a brawl involving the six men until Neville and Gallagher remain in the ring. Gallagher with European uppercuts and a drop kick. Dar trips Gallagher and Perkins with a plancha. Nese with a dive to the flor. Cedric with a plancha.
Neville sets for a dive and he stops short. We go to commercial.
We are back and Emmalina will premiere next week! Maybe…
Neville, Tony Nese, and Noam Dar vs. Jack Gallagher, Cedric Alexander, and TJ Perkins
The match is joined in progress and Nese wants to tag in Neville but he refuses. Neville with kicks to Gallagher. Neville with a suplex and forearm in the corner. Dar tags in and gets a near fall. Dar works on the arm and he gets a near fall. Nese tags in and he slams Gallagher and gets a near fall. Nese with a hard Irish whip. Nese with a front face lock on Gallagher. Gallagher tries to make the tag but Nese stops Alexander. Gallagher with a head butt and both men are down. Dar and Neville argue on the apron. Dar steals the tag from Neville and Perkins tags in and he hits a reverse atomic drop.
Perkins with strikes and a drop kick. Perkins with an elbow into the corner and he knocks Nese off the turnbuckles. Perkins goes for a springboard move but Dar with a drop kick. Neville refuses the tag and he walks away. Dar begs for another chance but Perkins with an inside cradle for a near fall. Nese wants to know what Neville’s problem is. Dar goes to the floor and Perkins hits a Detonation Kick on Nese. Alexander tags in and hits a springboard clothesline on Dar and follows with Lumbar Check for the three count.
Winners: Cedric Alexander, TJ Perkins, and Jack Gallagher
Backstage:
We go to the locker room where Chris Jericho and Kevin Owens talk about having each other’s back. Chris says they need to show the world how huge their friendship is. They need a festival. The Festival of Friendship. It will be the biggest celebration in WWE history. It will be in Las Vegas, the perfect place for an extravaganza. It is the Wrestlemania of Friendship. Kevin says he would not miss that for the world. We go to commercial.
– We are back with a video package for the Elimination Chamber match on Sunday.
Samoa Joe vs. Roman Reigns
We go to the ring and out comes Roman Reigns for tonight’s main event. Reigns makes his way down the ramp when Samoa Joe attacks from behind. Joe beats Reigns to ringside and sends him into the barrier. Joe drops Reigns with a clothesline. Joe slams Reigns into the apron as the referee looks on from the ring. Joe continues the beatdown on Reigns and rolls into the ring to some boos.
Joe goes back outside and sends Reigns into the ring post. Joe with a senton on the floor. Joe re-enters the ring. The referee comes out to check on Reigns. Back to commercial.
We are back and the referee starts the match.
Joe with jabs to Reigns in the corner and then he kicks Reigns. Joe with jabs and punches to Reigns followed by a head butt. Reigns sends Joe to the floor and then Reigns kicks Joe. Reigns with punches and he Irish whips Joe into the ringside barrier. Reigns rolls Joe back into the ring. Reigns kicks Joe and punches him. Joe wtih an Irish whip and enzuigiri in the corner. Joe with a head butt. Joe with chops and Reigns shows no effect. Reigns with forearms but Joe with a back elbow. Joe with a chop kick and elbow drop. Joe gets a near fall.
Joe with forearms across the chest and then Joe with a head butt to the back of the head. Joe with jabs to Reigns. Joe with a knee and he sends Reigns into the turnbuckles. Joe with a cravate on the top rope. Joe with a suplex and he gets a near fall. Joe and Reigns exchange punches in the ring and Joe with a knee to the midsection. Reigns with an elbow and uppercut. Reigns with a head butt and uppercut. Reigns with a clothesline. Reigns avoids a charge into the corner by Joe and Reigns with NeverEnding Story. Reigns with a boot to the head and then he tries to get Joe up for a Samoan drop. Reigns with a boot but Joe with a reverse atomic drop and a boot. Joe gets a near fall.
Joe with jabs and he face washes Reigns. Reigns with a Samoan drop for a near fall. Reigns sets for the Superman punch and Joe goes to the floor. Reigns with a drive by. Reigns with a Superman punch and he sets for the spear but . . .
Braun Strowman’s music plays and he makes his way to the ring.
Reigns punches Strowman but Strowman stays on the apron. Reigns with a Superman punch to Strowman. Joe with an enzuigiri followed by a uranage for the three count.
Winner: Samoa Joe
After the match, Strowman picks up Reigns and hits a running power slam. Strowman kicks Reigns to the floor. Reigns with punches but Strowman sends Reigns into the ring steps and he connects with a forearm across the chest. Strowman picks up the ring steps and waits for Roman to get up. Strowman hits Reigns in the head with the stairs. Strowman picks up Reigns again and he hits a running power slam through the ringside barrier.
We go to credits.
