We start off with a look back at the end of Raw when Mick Foley fired Stephanie McMahon and the incident between Seth Rollins and Triple H.
We are in Brooklyn, New York and your announcers are Michael Cole, Byron Saxton, and Corey Graves.
RAW General Manager Mick Foley heads to the ring and grabs a mic. Loud “FOLEY” chant from the crowd in Brooklyn tonight. Foley has a card and appears to be reading a statement. He stands before everyone a humble man and talks about being GM for the last nine months. Foley wants to “personally thank” Triple H and Stephanie McMahon for “giving me the opportunity of a lifetime.” He apologizes for putting Mr. Socko in the mouth of Triple H and the last thing he wants is his personal problems with Stephanie to distract from WrestleMania in two weeks. Foley wants friends talking about WrestleMania. He says for the good of WWE, for the good of WrestleMania and for the sake of his own personal sanity, “effective immediately, I am taking a leave of absence.”
Foley rips up the index cards and after 30 years, he has handed index cards by Triple H just moments before he walks out here and his mic starts to get cut off. He tries talking and the mic continues to get cut off.
Here comes Stephanie McMahon. Here comes Stephanie McMahon. Stephanie grabs a mic and asks Foley what is wrong, is his mic not working? She brings up Foley “physically attacking” her husband Triple H last week and how she gave Foley an opportunity to give a farewell address in his home state of New York. Stephanie says he was given index cards because he “screws up everything” and it’s always about him. She says it is always about Foley wanting to be liked. The crowd in Brooklyn starts a loud “FOLEY” chant. Stephanie says Foley can’t even make the tough decisions and she will have to do it for him. She’s wanted to say something for a very long time. “Mick Foley I’ve got two words for ya…YOU’RE…FIRED.”
Stephanie points at the ramp and tells Foley to leave. Foley smiles and starts exiting the ring when Sami Zayn’s music hits. Sami has a mic. He tells Stephanie that what she is doing to Mick Foley right now is wrong. Sami says Stephanie has been wrong about many decisions and no one has had the guts to say it to her face. Stephanie thanks Sami for the opinion and wants him to help Foley to the back instead. Foley tells Sami to walk away. Stephanie tells Sami to listen to Foley. The crowd starts a loud “CM PUNK” chant. Sami gets in the ring and says Foley has showed more class than Stephanie has in her whole life. He says Stephanie should be ashamed of herself only because Foley didn’t want to be a corporate sellout.
Stephanie says while Sami is a very talented guy, he isn’t on the level to question her integrity or even on the level to speak to her at all. She tells Sami to go backstage and think about how he’s going to make this up to her. Stephanie offers to have his “little ska music” play so he can do a dance on his way out. Sami agrees that the smart thing to do would be for him to go backstage. He’s about doing the right thing and not the smart thing.
Samoa Joe walks out and Stephanie tells Joe to hang on. Stephanie tells Foley to get out “once and for all” and she tells Sami that his mouth has gotten him into trouble once again. She books Sami Zayn vs. Samoa Joe right now.
Sami hits the ropes, leaps over and takes out Joe on the outside. We go to commercial.
Sami Zayn vs. Samoa Joe
The show returns live as Joe works over Sami in the corner with body shots and headbutts. Sami fires back with some elbows of his own. Sami with rights to Joe in the corner. Joe with a snapmare, chop to the back, kick to the face and quick elbow drop. Sami with a shoulder block from the ring apron, flips over Joe and connects with a quick dropkick. Joe catches Sami with a snap powerslam off the ropes for a two count.
Sami with a big chop to Joe and Joe fires back with a big elbow. Joe catches Sami with a jumping kick to the head in the corner sending Sami to the outside. Joe hits the ropes and connects with a suicide dive on Sami through the ropes! Joe tosses Sami back inside as we head to a break.
We are back and Joe stretches Zayn. We see Joe with a running boot and back senton during the commercial break. Zayn kicks Joe away and Zayn punches Joe. Joe with an Irish whip and running elbow followed by an enzuigiri. Zayn goes to the floor and Joe follows. Zayn is sent into the ring post. Joe with a running boot to the head and Zayn is down. The referee’s count gets to nine and Zayn powers up to get back into the ring.
Joe with kicks to the head but Zayn with a clothesline. Zayn chops Joe but Joe with an Irish whip. Zayn wtih an elbow and a boot followed by a double jump cross body for a near fall. Joe pulls Zayn to the floor and Zayn sends Joe into the ring post. Zayn sees where Joe is and Zayn goes through the corner and hits a tornado DDT but Zayn holds his left arm. They get back into the ring and Zayn sets for the Helluva Kick but Joe with an STJoe and then he locks in the Kokina Clutch.
Zayn taps out after trying to fight out of the hold.
Winner: Samoa Joe
– We take a look back at the history between Roman Reigns and Braun Strowman. We start with Strowman interfering in the Universal Title Match at The Royal Rumble. We go to commercial.
Backstage:
Mick Foley thanks Sami Zayn for the support. Sami can’t believe Foley is leaving and says they need him here. Foley gives Joe a hug. Sami says they tell you to never meet your heroes, but he is glad he got to meet his and shake his hand. Foley walks off and hugs both Sheamus and Cesaro. Cesaro thanks him for giving them a chance, while Sheamus gives him a slap to the chest for believing in them. Foley shakes hands with more of the Cruiserweights and then gives a hug to a smiling Bayley. We then see Triple H show up from behind them watching and smiling. “Have a nice day,” says Triple H and he walks off. Foley walks through the exit door of the arena.
– Footage is shown of Triple H attacking Seth Rollins last week. Video of Rollins rehabbing in Birmingham, Alabama was also shown.
– Michael Cole is with Kevin Wilk and he says that Seth reaggravated his injury but it could have been worse if he was not wearing his knee brace. He says the rehab is doing better than he expected and Seth is the most driven person he has ever seen. Kevin is asked if Seth will be at Wrestlemania. Kevin says he never said Seth would be ready for Wrestlemania. It will be several months before he is ready. No doctor will clear him, but if he does show up then he will be back doing rehab the next day.
– Charlotte heads to the ring. She’s in action next against Dana Brooke.
Charlotte vs. Dana Brooke
Dana with a waist lock take down and punches. Dana with shoulders in the corner. Dana kicks Charlotte and then sends Charlotte to the mat wtih arm wringers. Dana with punches. Charlotte goes to the floor to avoid Dana’s offense. Charlotte with a shoulder as Dana charges at her. Dana with a forearm and leg sweep that drops Charlotte on the apron. Dana gets a near fall. Dana with a full nelson and Charlotte tries to escape but Dana holds on. Dana with a clothesline and she gets a near fall.
Charlotte with elbows and chops but she misses a boot. Dana with a double leg take down and punches. Dana gets a near fall. Dana slaps Charlotte. Charlotte with an Irish whip but Dana gets a boot up. Charlotte with a boot to Dana and she gets the three count.
Winner: Charlotte Flair
We go to commercial.
Backstage:
Stephanie McMahon approaches Bayley smiling. She asks Bayley what’s the matter and asks if she needs a hug. Bayley doesn’t want a hug from her. She talks about admiring Stephanie growing up and thought she was such a strong woman. Bayley says ever since Foley brought her to WWE…right here in Brooklyn, New York…Stephanie interrupts. She says it takes a strong woman to run RAW and it also takes a strong woman to be women’s champion. Stephanie says Bayley has to earn it every single night. She books a rematch with Nia Jax and if Nia wins, she will become part of the RAW Women’s Championship match at WrestleMania. Stephanie adds it will be No DQ rules tonight.
Highlight Reel: The “Real” Kevin Owens
Chris Jericho heads to the ring. A loud “Y2J” chant breaks out in Brooklyn. Jericho said his guest tonight is the “real” Kevin Owens. He talks about Owens betraying him and that he doesn’t need him as a best friend because “I got a lot of friends.” Jericho encourages the “fans of Jericho” to “cheer me on maaaaaaaaaaaan.”
He then shows a photo of Kevin Owens at 16 years old wearing a Y2J t-shirt. Jericho points out the Y2J posters and that he doesn’t seem like much of a prize fighter to him. “He was marking out maaaaaaaaaaaaan,” adds Jericho. Jericho displays a private direct message from Owens back in 2014 when Jericho was nearby in Montreal asking for advice.
Jericho wants to see the real face of Kevin Owens at WrestleMania. He has footage played from Fastlane two weeks ago where Owens was shocked when Jericho’s music hit setting up a spear by Goldberg. Back live, Jericho implies he is a hero and idol for Owens. Jericho says Owens is going to transport to being that 16 year old nerd when he watches him walk to the ring in front of 70,000 fans at WrestleMania. Another “Y2J” chant starts up. He says if Owens felt hurt about losing the Universal Championship then it will be even worse at WrestleMania. The fans start a “STUPID IDIOT” chant. Jericho asks Owens if he knows what happens when you stab Jericho in the back. Jericho raises his pen and looks up on the stage. Samoa Joe is walking out. Owens hits the ring and attacks Jericho from behind. We see Joe walking to the back as Owens throws big knees to Jericho and stomps. Owens throws Jericho into the ropes and connects with a Pop Up Powerbomb. Owens picks up The List as the crowd starts up a “STUPID IDIOT” chant. Owens removes the list and starts ripping them up. Owens even puts some of the paper in his mouth and spits it out over Jericho. Owens does the Y2J pose.
– We take a look at the battle between Braun Strowman and Roman Reigns during the contract signing. We go to commercial.
TJ Perkins vs. The Brian Kendrick
They meet in the middle of the ring for a handshake but Kendrick disses Perkins. The bell rings and Perkins goes right to work. Kendrick gets dumped out to the floor. Kendrick avoids the first attempt but Perkins hits a Wrecking Ball dropkick and brings it back into the ring. Perkins goes to the top and nails a crossbody for a 2 count.
Perkins goes for the Detonation Kick but it’s blocked. Kendrick almost causes Perkins to knock the referee down. Kendrick takes advantage of the distraction and hits Sliced Bread #2 with a handful of hair for the quick win.
Winner: Brian Kendrick
After the match, Kendrick speaks from ringside and wonders where Akira Tozawa is. He mentions Tozawa isn’t even in the country tonight. Kendrick produces Tozawa’s passport and says he found it on the locker room floor last week. Kendrick gives Tozawa another lesson, telling him to be careful with things like that.
– Still to come, a special look at Goldberg vs. Lesnar. Back to commercial.
– We are back with a look at Shawn Michaels’ appearance on Raw and his confrontation with Roman Reigns.
– Backstage, Reigns says the only time he thinks about The Undertaker is him laying flat on his back at WrestleMania.
– A video package runs looking back at the careers of Goldberg and Brock Lesnar. They talk about how Goldberg was lightning in a bottle and he looked like a man who could not be stopped. Goldberg talks about how his son and wife never got to see him in the ring and he thought he could do it one more time. We see footage from Wrestlemania 20 when Goldberg beat Lesnar.
– Nia Jax walks in the back as we go to commercial.
Backstage:
Stephanie McMahon informs Sheamus and Cesaro that the spot they earned in the RAW Tag Team Championships match at WrestleMania isn’t a lock anymore. She books them in a 2 on 4 match later tonight against Big Cass, Enzo Amore, Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson. If they lose, they lose the spot at WrestleMania.
No DQ Match – Nia Jax vs. Bayley
If Nia Jax wins, she enters WrestleMania title match
Bayley with elbows and Nia shoves her away quickly. Bayley takes the back of Nia attempting a sleeper. Nia quickly flips her off. We see a shot of Charlotte watching the match from backstage. They brawl to the outside and Nia sends Bayley into the barricade. We see Sasha Banks watching from backstage as well. Bayley attempts a jumping huricanrana. Nia counters hanging on, Bayley lifts up, kicks Nia and then Nia drops her face first off the ring. Nia pushes Bayley near the ring steps and Nia goes for a hip attack against the stairs but Bayley moves. We go to commercial.
We are back and Nia with a reverse chin lock. We see footage from the commercial break when Nia gave Bayley snake eyes. Bayley with forearms but Nia with a body block and a shoulder breaker. Nia with elbow drops for near falls. Nia with a Cobra Clutch. Bayley with punches and a slap. Nia throws Bayley to the floor. Nia grabs Bayley by the head and swings her into the ringside barrier a few times. Nia gets a chair but Bayley kicks it into Nia’s face. Nia with a head butt as she returns to the ring.
Bayley kicks Nia in the head and hits a stunner into the ropes. Bayley with a running knee to the back and she gets a near fall. Bayley with a corkscrew back elbow to the back followed by a clothesline for a near fall. Bayley with a cross body for a near fall. Bayley with a boot to Nia but Nia pulls Bayley off the turnbuckles and Bayley hits the turnbuckle. Nia with a Samoan Drop for the three count.
Winner: Nia Jax
We see Charlotte and Sasha in their respective rooms not too happy about the fact that Nia won (even though it was a no disqualification match and they could have kept her from winning).
– A video package honoring Mae Young was shown. Back to commercial.
In the Arena:
We are back and Michael Cole is in the ring and he talks about how if the match happened between Triple H and Seth Rollins, it would be a dream match. Michael brings out Triple H.
Hunter says he is having a nice day. Hunter says he is disappointed with the news about Seth Rollins because he was in the best shape of his life. Hunter says Cole is wrong in saying that Seth not being at Wrestlemania is his fault. Hunter says it is Seth’s fault. It happened when Seth stopped listening to him and started to listen to the crowd. That is addictive but it is an insecurity thing. Seth needs them to justify that he is pretty good. Hunter says he knows how good he is.
Hunter says Mick Foley is a prime example. How many times have the fans ruined things for him. Hunter mentions the ear and how Foley walks. He says it is everyone’s fault.
Seth becomes addicted to the roar of the crowd. He shows up last week and Seth drops his crutch and that blows the roof off the place because Seth is going to stand on his own two feet to kick Triple H’s ass. That lasts for about thirty seconds before he beats Seth into a crippled heap.
We see the footage from last week.
Hunter says that is on you.
Cole asks Hunter about Seth being his former protege and if he would have done anything different with Seth. Hunter says he thought Seth was the future the first time he saw him in the ring. He showed Seth the way. Hunter says he gave the architect the blueprint. Hunter says Seth started to whine when things did not go his way. Hunter says he was a crutch to help Seth get to the top.
Hunter says he is officially done with Seth Rollins.
Hunter gives Cole an envelope and he tells him it is some comp tickets for Wrestlemania.
Hunter starts to leave the ring but he takes them back. Hunter asks if there was a way for them to fight at Wrestlemania.
Cole reminds Hunter that Seth was not medically cleared.
Hunter says Seth wants to fight him and Hunter wants to fight Seth. Hunter asks if the people want to see them fight at Wrestlemania. Hunter says if he signs a Hold Harmless Agreement and Seth signs it next week to be in an Unsanctioned Match. Then Seth cannot sue him or his wife.
Hunter tells Seth to show up next week to sign the document and they can have their match at Wrestlemania. Hunter asks if Seth is a coward.
– We take a look at the match between Roman Reigns and Braun Strowman from Fastlane. We go to commercial.
2 on 4 Handicap Match
Big Cass, Enzo Amore, Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson vs. Sheamus and Cesaro
Sheamus & Cesaro must win to keep WrestleMania spot
Gallows and Anderson attack Big Cass and Enzo Amore immediately.
Anderson rolls in as the match begins. Cesaro trips up Anderson attempting a Cesaro Swing. Anderson with a kick to Cesaro in the corner. Cass pulls Gallows down and throws him into the barricade. Sheamus gets the tag, Cesaro holds him up and Sheamus hits the Brogue Kick on Anderson. Sheamus hooks the leg to get the pinfall.
Winners: Sheamus and Cesaro
Sheamus and Cesaro keep the spot at WrestleMania 33 joining Big Cass and Enzo Amore to challenge Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson for the RAW Tag Team Championships.
After the match, Cass takes out Gallows with a big boot and Enzo splashes Anderson.
Backstage:
The New Day is here to hype WrestleMania 33. Big E and Kofi Kingston are giving Xavier Woods the eye asking if he has nothing to say. Get it? They proceed to hype the card in two weeks in Orlando. Woods brings up Smackdown Live also being part of the show.
– Austin Aries heads to the ring. He’s in action next.
Austin Aries vs. Tony Nese
Back from the break and Aries finishes his entrance as the announcers discuss his WrestleMania 33 title shot. Tony Nese is out next. Nese strikes early and goes to work. Nese with offense until Aries cuts him off. Nese dodges a move in the corner and turns it back around for a 2 count. Nese beats Aries around and keeps control. Aries dumps Nese over the top rope to the floor. Aries runs and nails a dive, taking Nese out on the floor. We go to commercial.
We are back and Nese with a torture rack but Aries with a sunset flip to escape and he gets a near fall. Nese with a running elbow and he goes to the floor to pose. Aries with a neck breaker in the middle rope and then Aries with a running clothesline or two followed by a chop. Aries with a gutbuster followed by an STO and it is time for the Pendulum Elbow Drop. Aries with a Finlay Slam and Aries goes up top and hits a missile drop kick. Aries with a running forearm followed by a rolling elbow and the three count.
Winner: Austin Aries
After the match, Neville comes out and Aries introduces him. Aries says he did not have an interview scheduled with him so why is he out here?
Neville says this is no interview. He says he could come to the ring right now and obliterate Aries like he did everyone else. Why would he bother? Austin Aries is beneath him. Aries is not threat to the King. Sitting back and watching your ego spiral out of control will make his inevitable victory at Wrestlemania even more satisfying.
Aries says that is the worst and most unbelievable interview segment he has done on Raw. He hears the words coming out of your mouth, but what he sees is something different. What he sees is a man who knows he has to step in this ring with another man who is not at his level, but is above his level. Aries tells Neville to say over and over again and tell anyone who listens to him tell them that he is the King of the Cruiserweights. When Aries wins the title, this facade will be over.
– We have an Emma video package and she is coming soon.
– We are back and it is time to look at the second part of the Bill Goldberg and Brock Lesnar video package.
– Braun Strowman is asked about his match and Braun says he will not face Roman tonight, he will destroy him. He says if Undertaker is going to face Roman at Wrestlemania, he will need a shovel to scrape him off the mat.
Braun Strowman vs. Roman Reigns
We go to the ring and out comes Roman Reigns for tonight’s main event. Back to commercial.
They go at it to start. Reigns goes for an early Drive By on the floor but Braun knocks him out of mid-air. Reigns falls on the apron. Braun brings it back into the ring and hits a spinebuster for a 2 count. Braun takes control and works Reigns around the ring. Braun keeps Reigns grounded now.
We get dueling chants for Reigns now. Reigns finally looks to make a comeback. He unloads with right hands. Reigns scoops Braun for a Samoan Drop but can’t get him up. Braun floors Reigns with a clothesline. Fans chant “we want Taker” now. Braun with a big shot to the ribs and a running attack in the corner. Braun whips Reigns into the opposite corner but misses a shoulder and hits the ring post.
Reigns unloads in the corner. He runs the ropes but Braun grabs his throat. Reigns counters and stuns Braun with a right. Reigns picks Braun up for a Samoan Drop and nails it for a 2 count. Reigns with a Drive By on the floor. Braun stumbles around the ringside area. Reigns walks over but Braun launches him into the steel steps. Braun tosses half of the steps into the ring. Braun brings Reigns back in and follows. Braun picks up the steel steps but Reigns stops him with a Superman punch. Braun goes down to one knee. Reigns goes for another Superman punch but Braun catches him. Reigns counters and Braun runs into a big boot. Reigns finally connects with the Superman punch and Braun goes down.
Fans boo as Reigns readies for a spear. The Undertaker’s gong hits and the crowd pops big. The lights go out and the gong hits again. The lights come on and The Deadman is in the ring staring at Reigns. Braun is still down behind Taker in the corner. Taker turns and looks at Braun, then back at Reigns. Fans chant for Taker. Braun comes at Taker but Taker turns around and chokeslams him. Taker turns around to a spear from Reigns as fans boo. Reigns stands tall over Taker as his music hits. We see the WrestleMania 33 banner hanging high as Reigns makes his exit while Taker recovers on the mat. Reigns turns around on the stage and looks back at the ring as Taker sits straight up to a pop. Taker gets to his feet and cuts his own throat for another pop. Reigns stares at Taker as the lights go back down and Taker’s music hits. RAW goes off the air with the two staring each other down.
