Tonight’s show opens up with a video package with highlights from Roman Reigns’ last WWE appearance in October 2018, where he announced his second battle with leukemia and relinquished the WWE Universal Title.
We are live from the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, as Roman Reigns makes his way to the ring to a huge pop.
Roman say he is probably going to say this a lot, but he thanks everyone. He says he misses everyone. He says there is no other job like this. There is no other fan base like you guys. He says he is ad libbing a bit. He said this was his yard but this is our yard. He said this before. Roman says he is a man of faith. He believes in God and he thinks God looks down on him. Roman says before his announcement in October, he was terrified and scared. He was insecure and he did not know if he wanted to share that secret with the world.
He says he was scared to tell everyone because he did not know how you would react. When he got home, the outreach to him through social media and other means was overwhelming and a godsend. Roman thanks everyone. It wasn’t just WWE fans, it was everyone. It was people who liked him and people who did not like him who gave him support. Roman says that God was probably wondering what was going on with all of the concern for him. He loved being surrounded by your love and your grace. To be able to feel that strength, Roman says he can do anything with that strength and love.
That overwhelming support gave him strength, new life, a new opportunity, and a new purpose. In WWE, a lot of your purpose is to win titles and climb that mountain to get to the top. The only thing that is important to him is to step in this ring every night. If he can do that, he will use this platform to raise awareness and support those who are in need, just like he was.
Roman says this was advertised as an update so here is the update. Roman says when he made his announcement, he said he would swing for the fences. Roman says they did better. Roman says they hit a home run. Roman says that he is in remission. He says the Big Dog is back. Roman says before he goes, he thanks everyone once again.
As Roman goes up the ramp, Seth Rollins’ music plays and he hugs his fellow Shield member. We go to commercial.
Ricochet and Aleister Black vs. The Revival
Back from the break and Aleister Black has made his way out. Ricochet is also out as we get a sidebar promo video for him. RAW Tag Team Champions The Revival, Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder, are also out for this non-title match.
The Revival attacks before the match, sending Ricochet out of the ring. Black fights them off as Ricochet comes flying back at his opponents. The Revival gets sent back out to the floor. Black and Ricochet dive back out at separate points, taking Dawson and Wilder back down on the outside. We go back to commercial.
We are back and the match has officially started and Wilder with a wrist lock on Ricochet. Ricochet lands on his feet on a belly-to-back suplex attempt and Black tags in and he punches Wilder and hits a leg sweep and knee to Wilder. Black kicks Dawson and hits a quebrada on Wilder for a near fall.
We see Gable and Roode watching in the back.
Wilder with an elbow and Dawson tags in. Wilder goes for a suplex but Black with a knee and Dawson with a sunset flip and Black with a German suplex to Wilder. Dawson with a near fall and then he hits a DDT for a near fall. Dawson with another near fall. Dawson gets Black on his shoudlers and Ricochet knocks Wilder off the turnbuckles. Ricochet with a moonsault off the turnbuckles onto Wilder. Black with Black Mass for the three count.
Winners: Ricochet and Aleister Black
Backstage:
Charly Caruso is in the back with Baron Corbin. Charly brings up Baron’s comments when Roman made his announcement about the leukemia. Baron asks if you like to live in the past. He says you are desperate for a story and he says he never said those things. Baron is told that they have the footage. Baron says the things were taken out of context. He was under a lot of stress. No one, not even Roman Reigns, could understand that. Baron is asked if running Raw is harder than dealing with leukemia. Baron says he hopes that their paths do not cross.
– We see Shawn Michaels at Raw to celebrate Ric Flair’s birthday and Johnny Gargano walks by.
– Elias is in the ring as we go to commercial.
– We are back with comments from Snoop Dogg wishing Ric Flair a happy birthday.
In the Arena:
It’s time for Elias… to be interrupted by Lacey Evans for her weekly walk towards the ring.
The music hits again and out comes Dean Ambrose to the stage with a mic.
Ambrose says all this celebrating tonight has him in a good mood, reminiscing about the past. Ambrose says he feels good and when he feels good, he’s dangerous. Ambrose wants to issue a challenge for a rematch from last week, with Drew McIntyre, but this time he wants a No DQ match. Elias starts playing his guitar as Ambrose enters the ring. Ambrose asks if Elias is trying to play him off the stage like the Academy Awards or something. Elias takes shots at Atlanta and then Ambrose. Ambrose says he’s actually a fan of Elias and he came out to request a song. Ambrose asks Elias if he knows several bands and songs, including Dirty Deeds. This leads to Elias turning to swing the guitar at Ambrose. Ambrose avoids it and drops Elias with Dirty Deeds. Ambrose makes his exit as the sirens start up.
– Elias is recovering in the ring when the music hits and out comes The Riott Squad – Liv Morgan, Sarah Logan and Ruby Riott. We go back to commercial.
– Back from the break and we see Dasha interviewing more stars on the red carpet for Ric Flair’s birthday. She’s talking to WWE Hall of Famer Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat now.
Natalya and Ronda Rousey vs. Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan
We go to the ring and Natalya has made her way out. RAW Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey is out next as The Riott Squad looks on.
The bell rings and Sarah Logan slams Natalya to start. Logan unloads on Natalya and mounts her with forearms against the ropes as the referee warns her. Ruby Riott waits for the tag as Liv Morgan looks on from ringside. Rousey reaches for a tag and has words with Logan. Ruby tags in and keeps Natalya down. Ruby with a kick to the back and a 2 count. Natalya powers up and rams Riott back into the corner. Rousey tags in and they hit a double suplex on Riott. Liv gets on the apron for a distraction. Rousey turns around to Riott dropping her with a STO off the distraction.
Riott takes Rousey to the corner and works her over. Fans chant for Becky Lynch. Logan and Riott with more double teaming and tags in the corner as Rousey tries to make it to Natalya. Rousey knocks Logan off the apron and clotheslines Riott. Natalya tags in with a clothesline to Riott. They go back and forth now. Natalya fights Logan off from the apron and drops Riott. Liv gets involved but Rousey and Natalya corner her on the floor. Natalya holds her up for a version of the Hart Attack on the floor. Riott gets sent back into the ring but Logan levels Natalya on the outside before she can re-enter. We go to commercial.
Back from the break and Riott has Natalya grounded. Riott keeps control for a pair of pin attempts. Riott takes Natalya back to her corner and in comes Logan for more punishment in the corner. Natalya crawls for a tag but Logan stops her and drops a big elbow. Logan yells out to the crowd and poses over Natalya. Logan with a standing submission now as fans start to rally for Natalya.
Natalya finally makes the hot tag to Rousey. Rousey unloads on Logan and tosses her around. Rousey unloads with strikes in the corner now. Riott runs in and attacks from behind but Rousey works them both over in the corner now. Rousey knocks Liv off the apron. Rousey drops Logan again but Riott makes the save just in time. Riott tosses Natalya out of the ring. Natalya drops Riott with a discus clothesline on the outside. Rousey scoops Logan for the Piper’s Pit and hits it in the middle of the ring. Rousey goes to make the finish but Becky Lynch comes through the crowd, entering through the timekeeper’s area. Becky unloads on Natalya at ringside with her crutch for the disqualification.
Winners by DQ: Natalya and Ronda Rousey
After the bell, Rousey runs over and grabs Becky’s crutch as security and officials from backstage run down to keep them apart. Rousey drops security members in the ring as producer Adam Pearce pleads with her. Jamie Noble and Fit Finlay try to keep Becky back at ringside. Rousey gets out of the ring and goes for Becky but police officers are getting involved. Officials hold Rousey back at ringside as officers haul Lynch up the ramp. We go to commercial.
We are back with a look at Natalya being helped to the back by Ronda Rousey and Ronda makes her way back to the ring. Ronda wants Vince McMahon to come out to resolve this thing.
Stephanie McMahon’s music plays and Ronda tells her to reinstate Becky. Stephanie says she understands that Ronda is upset. To reinstate Becky is the least of her problems. Becky has been arrested. Ronda tells Stephanie to have Vince reinstate Becky. Stephanie tells Ronda that her opponent at Wrestlemania is Charlotte Flair. That is not what you wanted and it is not what she wanted. Becky is the victim of her own situation. Becky Lynch did this to herself. Instead of being on the Road to Wrestlemania, Becky is on the Road to Jail. Ronda says this is what everyone wants. This is what the ginger girl in cuffs wants. This is the first women’s main event. Think about the legacy and think about your three daughters.
Stephanie says the answer is no. Ronda says that is not good enough. She demands that Becky be reinstated for Wrestlemania. Stephanie reminds Ronda that she is her boss. You and Becky are cut from the same cloth. You both have a bad attitude. No one is bigger than the WWE. Ronda says Stephanie does not control her. Ronda says she bled enough and she is set for life. Ronda says she is not her worker, she is the Raw Women’s Champion. Ronda says she will carry this title as long as she defends against the best. Ronda says she cannot endorse Stephanie violating this title. If Vince makes all of the tough decisions. It is time for him to make the right decision. Ronda puts the title belt down and leaves the ring as Stephanie looks shocked.
We go to commercial.
– We are back and Steve Austin wishes Ric Flair a happy birthday.
– We have a Moments Ago Moment of Ronda giving Vince an ultimatum.
– We see Hunter and Stephanie in the back and Stephanie is holding the Women’s Title belt.
– Jinder Mahal is in the ring with the Singh Brothers. He says all of this talk about Ric Flair’s birthday. What has Ric Flair ever done and accomplished? The biggest travesty is that he wasn’t invited. You cannot have a celebration without the Modern Day Maharaja. That is why he was backstage and he challenged any WWE Superstar invited to Ric Flair’s birthday party to a match. As far as he is concerned, this party is over.
JInder Mahal vs. Kurt Angle
Mahal takes advantage of a distraction and he gets a near fall. Mahal with kicks to Angle. Mahal with punches. Mahal with a snap mare and reverse chin lock. Mahal gets a near fall and then he goes to the half nelson and chin lock. Mahal has a punch blocked and Angle with punches. Angle with a German suplex. Angle with another German suplex and he holds on for a second one. Angle completes the Three Rivers combination and then he knocks the Singhs off the apron. Angle avoids the Khallas and Angle with an ankle lock and Singh taps out.
Winner: Kurt Angle
After the match, Angle with a German suplex to Samir and then to Sunil.
– Alexa Bliss makes her way to the set of A Moment of Bliss, but first… We go to commercial.
In the Arena:
Back from the break and Alexa Bliss is on the stage for “A Moment of Bliss” and she starts by saying “bye Ronda” to Ronda Rousey. Bliss says she never would have disrespected the RAW Women’s Title like that and officials know where to find her if they need a new WrestleMania opponent for Charlotte Flair. Bliss brings her guest out, WWE Intercontinental Champion Finn Balor.
Bliss welcomes Balor and he thanks her. Balor is dressed to wrestle. She brings up how he won the title by beating Bobby Lashley and Lio Rush at Elimination Chamber. She congratulates him. Bliss points out how the title covers up Balor’s abs and he needs to just let them breathe. Balor asks if she’s trying to make him blush. Bliss wants to make a deal – if Balor shows her his abs, she will show him her… the music interrupts and out comes Lio Rush to the stage.
Rush says this whole talk show is a sham. He says Balor doesn’t deserve to be champion because Lashley does. Fans boo. Balor says if Lashley wants to challenge him for this title, he knows where to find him. Rush says Lashley is preparing for Braun Strowman, which means Balor is answering to Rush now. Rush isn’t leaving until Lashley gets the title back, even if it means he has to take it from Balor’s hands. Balor asks if Rush came to challenge him for the title to prove he’s better than Lashley. Rush denies that. Balor says he believes Rush deserves to get the opportunity he’s fought hard for. Balor accepts the challenge and says it makes perfect sense because he pinned Rush for the title, so Rush should get the chance to challenge him back. Rush says he knows what Balor’s trying to do here. Balor proposes the match for tonight. Bliss asks if Rush is man enough to do the job by himself. Balor taunts Rush. Rush gets upset and takes shots at Balor, and accepts the challenge. Rush says he’s going in the back to prepare but Bliss informs him that the match is right now. Rush calls for his music to hit as he heads to the ring in street clothes. He barely makes it down the ramp when Balor’s music starts up. We see Bliss heading to the back as Balor gets up from his chair and makes his way to the ring.
Finn Balor wraps his entrance as Lio Rush looks on. We go to commercial.
– Back from the break and we see more Happy Birthday tweets from stars to Ric Flair. We also see a video of Maria Menounos wishing a Happy Birthday to The Nature Boy. We see Titus O’Neil and WWE Hall of Famer Sting backstage at the red carpet area for Flair’s 70th birthday celebration. We return tot he ring and the match is starting. They lock up and Balor takes it to the corner but Rush avoids an attack. They tangle and Rush takes Balor down. Rush with a dropkick for a 2 count.
WWE Intercontinental Title Match: Lio Rush vs. Finn Balor
They lock up and Rush avoids Balor and Rush with a head scissors and drop kick for a near fall. Balor with a side head lock. Balor holds on when Rush tries to send Balor off the ropes. Balor with a side head lock take down and Rush with a head scissors. Rush with a series of kicks and a drop kick to send Balor to the floor. Rush runs into a back elbow from Balor. Balor drop kicks Rush on the floor and then Rush with a baseball slide to stop Balor on the apron. Balor with an Asai Moonsault followed by two suicide dives. Balor is sent back into the ring and Rush goes up top.
Rush lands on Balor’s knees on the frog splash. Finn kicks Rush but he does favor his left leg. Balor with a chop. Balor with an Irish whip and a running chop. Balor with slingblade and then he sets for the running drop kick but Rush with a drop kick to Balor’s knee. Rush kicks Balor in the hamstring and then works on the injured knee. Rush grabs the injured leg but Balor with an enzuigiri. Balor goes for a reverse suplex but Rush with a rollup for a near fall. Rush with a round kick for a near fall.
Rush goes to the turnbuckles for a moonsault but misses. Balor with a clothesline. Balor goes to the apron and he goes up top Rush crotches Balor and he punches Balor. Rush goes for a Frankensteiner but Balor rolls through. Rush gets a near fall. Rush kicks Balor in the leg but Balor with a punch. Rush with more kicks and Balor with more punches. Rush goes for a springboard cutter but Balor blocks it. Balor with 1916 and then Balor goes up top and hits Coup de Grace for the three count.
Winner: Finn Balor
Backstage:
Tucker Knight is walking in the back and he sees The Ascension. Konnor says he sees Fresh Meat and Viktor asks where is Otis. Konnor says he is dumpster diving for cheeseburgers. Tucker talks about Otis’ temper. Konnor and Viktor comment on Otis’ neck. Otis stops by and Tucker tells Otis about what Konnor and Viktor said. Otis knocks Konnor and Viktor down and Otis says that is what you get when you mess with Heavy Machinery.
We go to commercial.
– Bobby Lashley is in the back and he yells at Lio Rush for getting a title match instead of him. Bobby reminds Lio that he lost. Bobby tells Lio he had one job. Bobby asks if he can trust Lio. Lio tells Bobby he can trust him.
Bobby Lashley vs. Braun Strowman
Lashley attacks from behind and beats Strowman down before the bell can ring. Strowman tries to turn it around but Lashley stays on top of him. Lashley clubs Strowman from behind and keeps the attack going, taking Strowman to the corner. The referee looks on from the outside. Lashley tries for a suplex but Strowman knocks him away. Strowman runs into an elbow in the corner. Strowman levels Lashley. Strowman charges in the corner with a big splash and then a big blow to the chest. Lashley goes to the corner for a breather as Rush checks on him. Strowman runs around the ring and knocks Lashley over, then Rush.
Strowman talks some trash to Lashley and Rush while they are down on the outside. Strowman’s music hits as he makes his exit and we get replays without the match starting. Strowman looks on from the stage.
No Contest
Backstage:
Charly Caruso is in the back and she is with Seth Rollins. Seth says he has a little extra pep in his step. He has been thinking about Brock Lesnar and Wrestlemania is the biggest match of his life. He vows to walk out of Wrestlemania as Universal Champion. That is secondary because his brother is back. Tonight is about love and celebrating. Seth says Roman probably has an ice cold beverage so it is time to burn it down, but in a different way.
– A limousine pulls up in the back and out steps WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair with wife Wendy Barlow. The Nature Boy heads to the ring as we go to a Black History Month video and a commercial break.
Dean Ambrose vs. Drew McIntyre in a No Disqualification Match
Dean attacks Drew as Drew makes his way to the ring and he chops and punches Drew. Drew is sent into the ringside barrier and then the ring post. Drew kicks and chops Dean on the floor. Dean with an elbow and he sends Drew into the apron.
The match starts and Dean with punches. Drew with a kick and Dean with a drop kick to the knees and a kick to Drew. Dean takes off a belt and Drew with a kick to the head and Dean goes down and he lets go of the belt. Drew picks up the belt and whips Drew in the back and then the chest. Drew picks Dean up by the ears and hits a spinebuster and floats over into a cover for a near fall. Drew whips Dean in the back but he misses a punch with the belt around his fist. Dean with punches and a clothesline that sends Drew over the top rope. Drew catches Dean on a suicide dive and sends him into the ringside barrier and then hits a suplex as we go to commercial.
We are back and Dean goes up top and hits a forearm off the turnbuckles to the floor. Dean with forearms to Drew and then Drew tries to send Dean into the ring post but Dean stops short. Drew is sent into the ring steps. Dean with a rollup for a near fall. Dean avoids a clothesline and hits a neck breaker for a near fall. Dean whips Drew with the belt. Drew with a head butt and Dean falls to the floor. Drew grabs the ring steps and Dean with a drop toe hold and Drew falls onto the ring steps. Dean slams Drew’s head into the ring steps.
Elias hits Dean from behind with his guitar. Elias rolls Dean into the ring. Drew sees Elias and then goes into the ring and hits a Claymore for the three count.
Winner: Drew McIntyre
After the match, McIntyre stands tall as his music hits. Baron Corbin’s music starts up as he marches to the ring with Bobby Lashley. Elias, McIntyre, Corbin and Lashley enter the ring and gang up on Ambrose now, taking turns with power moves. The music hits and out comes Seth Rollins with a steel chair. He waits on the stage. Fans go wild as Roman Reigns makes his way down next, joining Rollins on the stage. Reigns and Rollins march down the ramp. They take out Lashley and Corbin on the ramp, Reigns dropping Lashley with a Superman Punch. They hit the ring and Elias goes down, as does Drew. Lashley comes back for another Superman Punch on the apron. Reigns with a big Spear to Drew. Reigns’ music hits as he and Rollins hug in the middle of the ring. Rollins and Reigns exit the ring and march up the ramp together as Ambrose rolls into the ring, slowly recovering to look up at them. Reigns and Rollins stop on the stage and look back at Ambrose in the ring.
– Still to come, Ric Flair’s birthday celebration and Nia Jax vs. Bayley. Back to commercial.
Bayley (with Sasha Banks) versus Nia Jax (with Tamina Snuka)
Nia pushes Bayley and misses a forearm in the corner. Nia with a forearm and then Nia goes to the floor when Bayley moves. Bayley with forearms and she gives Nia a hip toss for a near fall. Bayley with punches and a flying forearm but she bounces off Nia. Bayley with forearms and Nia grabs Bayley by the throat and she sends Bayley to the floor.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Nia with a bear hug but Bayley goes for a sunset flip but Nia stays on her feet. Bayley avoids a seated splash. Bayley misses a knee drop and Nia misses an elbow drop. Bayley sends Nia face first into the mat. Nia with a running shoulder tackle and she punches Bayley. Nia biels Bayley across the ring. Nia with a cobra clutch. Bayley with elbows and escapes the hold. Nia is sent face first into the turnbuckles. Bayley with a running knee to send Nia to the floor. Bayley with a cutter in the ropes and connects with forearms. Bayley with a drop kick that sends Nia to the floor.
Bayley comes off the turnbuckles and Nia catches Bayley and runs her into the turnbuckles. Nia puts Bayley in the tree of woe and hits a splash on Bayley. Nia grabs Sasha and Bayley with a knee. Sasha avoids Tamina and Tamina goes into the ring steps. Bayley with an elbow off the turnbuckles for the three count.
Winner: Bayley
– We see Triple H and Stephanie McMahon walking backstage, leading the roster to the arena for Ric Flair’s birthday celebration. Back to commercial.
In the Arena:
We are back and Triple H and Stephanie McMahon make their way to the ring.
Hunter says Mondays are not as hectic as usual, but things get amped up on the Road to Wrestlemania. The Big Dog returns to claim his yard. You get Ronda Rousey laying down the women’s championship. You get Becky Lynch going to jail. All of that pales in comparison to the reason why we are here right now. We are here to celebrate the 70th birthday of the man he believes is the greatest sports entertainer of all time… Ric Flair.
Stephanie says what is a party without invited guests. She brings out Shawn Michaels. She also brings out Ricky Steamboat. Out next is Kurt Angle. The final guest is This is Sting.
Hunter says a lot of things have been said about Ric Flair over the years. He is a kiss stealing, wheeling dealing, styling and profilin, limosuine riding, jet flying son of a gun.
We have a video package.
Triple H goes on to introduce Flair and the music hits but he’s nowhere to be seen. The camera cuts backstage and we see Batista dragging a camera man. He enters Flair’s dressing room and slams the door shut.
Batista opens the door again and is dragging Flair out by his collar. Fans in the arena boo. Batista looks at the camera and asks if he has Triple H’s attention now. Triple H leaves the ring and runs up the ramp to the back. Triple H heads through the back and stops to check on Flair. Producers and referees are also checking on him as Triple H yells for medics. Flair cries as they check on him. RAW goes off the air.
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