WWE Raw live results: The build to WrestleMania continues

The Big Takeaway: Only two weeks before WrestleMania, not that newsworthy of a show. There was no Undertaker in the main event, where John Cena pinned Kane in a no-DQ match. Cena cut another promo on Undertaker to conclude the show. Brock Lesnar beat up Roman Reigns again in the opening segment. Main news item was Bayley and Sasha Banks brawled in the back after an exchange of hostilities. 

Show Recap: 

Lesnar and Paul Heyman came out to mainly cheers. Heyman showed highlights of Reigns getting beat up by Lesnar last week. Heyman said Reigns suspension has been lifted, which means for everyone who’s waiting for Reigns to come out, Heyman said Reigns isn’t here this evening. Heyman said Reigns was raised by WWE Hall of Famers, like his father Sika and his uncle Afa, and the rest of his family to be a badass, to wrestle and to win. But its was a shame they didn’t raise Reigns to be a man. Because a man would be in Cleveland tonight. Heyman said it was Reigns who claimed to be at Raw week in and week out, whether he was advertised or not. Heyman said Reigns was advertised tonight but he wasn’t here two weeks before WrestleMania. And for the record, if Lesnar was the one who was beaten up last week like Reigns was last week, Lesnar would come down that ramp like King Kong on his knuckle, propel himself into the ring, put the Universal Championship on the line and dare Reigns to take it from him. 

Heyman said Reigns isn’t man enough to take another beating from Lesnar, which is why at WrestleMania Reigns isn’t man enough to take the Universal Title away from Lesnar. As Heyman was about to do his catchphrase, Reigns walked out through the crowd slowly. Reigns picked up a chair, but Lesnar clobbered Reigns with a clothesline at ringside. Reigns pushed Lesnar into the ringpost and slammed the chair to his back three times. Reigns jumped off the ring steps in an attempt to hit Lesnar with the Superman Punch, but Lesnar caught him with a belly-to-belly suplex. Lesnar picked up a set of ring steps and rammed Reigns in the head with them hard. Lesnar took the steps and whacked Reigns again, this time in the ring. Lesnar picked up the chair that Reigns hit him with, which was already dented, and slammed it over Reigns’ back repeatedly. 

Just like last week, Lesnar started to leave but went back to the ring for more. Lesnar gave Reigns the F-5 on the ring steps, then climbed the steps and posed with the belt. 

After a commercial, Reigns staggered up the ramp without any help. 

Nia Jax defeated Mickie James (with Alexa Bliss) (7:05) 

Mickie James pounded on Jax’s right knee, using a chop block after Bliss tried to interfere on the floor. Finish came when James went to the top rope, but Jax picker her off the top rope, pressed her and pinned her with a Samoan Drop. 

Postmatch, Bliss came in the ring and forearmed Jax on the back. Jax looked stunned and chased Bliss from the ring. Jax screamed and Bliss and called her a bitch, which they tried and failed to bleep out. 

There was a profile package with HHH and Stephanie McMahon building up their match with Rousey and Angle. HHH said Angle was an idiot and this was all hiis fault. HHH said this wasn’t judo or MMA, this was “their world.” HHH said people can look at them and everything they have and think it was just handed to them, that Stephanie has was she has because she’s Vince McMahon’s daughter. But it has nothing to do with that. Joe DeFranco, a strength and conditioning coach, was interviewed and said HHH and Stephanie train year around, commonly doing midnight workouts. We got HHH doing box jumps and tossing around a medicine ball. Stephane was training like Dana White getting ready to box Tito Ortiz for three rounds in 2006. Stephanie said Rousey looked vulnerable last week and she doesn’t have any clue what she’s in for. Stephanie said she’s ready to exploit Rousey’s arrogance. 

They showed HHH beating Angle several times during Angle’s original WWE run from 1999-2005. Stephanie said Rousey doesn’t scare her because she’s a McMahon, which means she will work for her. Stephanie said they will humble Rousy just the way they’ve humbled every superstar in the WWE. 

Cedric Alexander and Mustafa Ali defeated TJP and Drew Gulak (4:04) 

Drake Maverick was on commentary. The storyline was Cedric Alexander and Mustafa Ali will face each other for the Cruiserweight Championship at WrestleMania and they were teaming tonight. Alexander hit a springboard clothesline on TJP, but Drew Gulak made the save. Ali completely overshot Gulak on a somersault tope. Finish was Alexander gave TJP a handspring kick, but Ali made the blind tag. Alexander gave TJP the Lumbar Check, but couldn’t get the pin because Ali had already tagged in. Ali pinned TJP with the 054. Alexander and Ali smiled at each other but was there some tension over Alexander not getting the pin. 

The Miz, Curtis Axel and Bo Dallas were out for MizTV. Miz got welcome home chants since they were in Cleveland, but he said “I live in L.A.” Before Miz got to Finn Balor and Seth Rollins, Miz acccused Axel and Dallas of failing him. Miz said the past two weeks, he has been left laying because they let him down. Dallas said they are doing the best they can. Miz said maybe should Bo-Lieve himself back to catering because Dallas would be nothing without him. 

Rollins came out and said this was great to see the MizTourage hash out their problems. Miz said this was an issue he needed to sort out with Dallas and Axel. Rollins said the MizTourage was feeling unappreciated. He asked Miz when was the last time Miz thanked Dallas and Axel. Miz wondered if Rollins was kidding. Rollins said he wasn’t because if it wasn’t for the MizTourage, then the Miz wouldn’t be Intercontinental Champion. Rollins started a “MizTourage” chant. Miz said the MizTourage knows he is grateful for them, and they should be thankful for him because he elevated their careers. Miz said even without the MizTourage, he would still be the Intercontinental Champion, be a huge star. Dallas shot up and said Miz would be a phony A-lister who can’t fight. Rollins asked Dallas to repeat that. Miz asked Dallas to repeat that, too. 

Before he could, Finn Balor came out and said it looks like Miz needs his help and he wanted to hear what Dallas said. Balor claimed that Dallas said the Miz was the biggest jerk he had ever met. Dallas said that’s not what he said, he said Miz was a phony A-lister who can’t fight. Miz looked stunned as the crowd chanted “yes.” Miz looked Dallas in the eye and muttered “say that again.” Dallas started to repeat himself but Miz slapped him. Dallas wanted a piece of Miz, but Axel held him back. Miz said he was trying to motivate Dallas because he was 34 days away from becoming the longest reigning Intercontinental Champion of all time, meaning he would be better than Randy Savage, better than Shawn Michaels, better than Mr. Perfect. 

When Miz said that, Axel got mad. Crowd didn’t seem to pick up on the fact that Axel was Curt Henning’s son. Miz was remorseful and told Axel that one slipped. Miz tried to calm everyone down with breathing techniques and said MizTV was now canceled for tonight. Miz wanted to leave, but Dallas and Axel got in his face and wouldn’t leave. Rollins annd Balor laughed. Miz said no one wanted to see this. Crowd cheered and chanted some more. Miz backed up, right into Rollins and Balor. Then Axel and Dallas jumped Balor and Rollins, showing it was all a ruse that Miz had set up. Dallas and Axel tried to set up Balor for the Skull Crushing Finale, but Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows came out to save Balor. Dallas and Axel brawled to the back with MizTourage. Miz was left alone with Balor, who recovered and gave him a Sling Blade. Rollins tried to give Miz the Curb Stomp, but Miz got out of the ring and left the Intercontinental belt in the ring. Balor and Rollins looked at the belt, and Rollins took it while looking at Balor and held it over his head. Balor pushed Rollins out of the way as Miz tried to jump Rollins and decked Miz. Rollins clotheslined Miz out of the ring. Balor gave Rollins a forearm to the nose and picked up the Intercontinental belt. 

Kane did an interview from the back telling Cena there are demons you should never call out, demons that should Rest In Peace. Kane said Cena wasn’t going to WrestleMania because tonight he was going straight to hell. 

Charlie Caruso did an interview with Jamie Frost, the opponent for Asuka, who said that Asuka likes to say no one is ready for Asuka, but Asuka wasn’t ready for her. 

Asuka defeated Jamie Frost (:30)

Frost slapped Asuka, who responded with a knockout roundhouse kick for the pin.

Michael Cole reviewed the Ultimate Deletion last week, something that he looked like he didn’t want to do. Corey Graves was more than happy to review what happened. Matt Hardy did a promo saying that Bray Wyatt has been deleted and he was entering the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal at WrestleMania, the field of which now includes Scott Dawson, Dash Wilder and Baron Corbin.

Bayley was in the back when Sasha Banks approached her. Banks said she got Bayley’s text. Bayley started to walk off, and Banks asked if that was it? Bayley said she was entering the WrestleMania women’s battle royal and that was it. Banks wondered if they were going to talk about last week. Bayley said there was nothing to talk about because Banks knows what she did. Banks raised her voice and said she was sick of Bayley’s passive-aggressive nonsense. Bayley said she thought Banks liked Bayley being passive because that was the type of friendship they wanted to have. The one where Banks gets to do whatever she wants because Bayley gets to be right by her side going along with it. Bayley says Banks loves it that Bayley puts Banks first, that Banks loves that she allows Banks to walk around like Banks is the legit boss. Banks says she is the boss and she does for herself for her career and makes no apologizes for it. Maybe Bayley should do that so that everyone around here doesn’t think Bayley is a complete loser. Bayley said the truth is Banks can’t beat her. Banks said she’s a four-time Raw Women’s Champion. Bayley asked how long did Banks keep it. Bayley started to walk away but Banks grabbed her from behind and rammed her into a locker. They brawled with Bayley making a brief comeback and Banks ramming Bayley into a table. They were pulled apart by Banks broke free. Bayley kicked her back and they were finally separated. 

Sheamus and Cesaro came out to face Braun Strowman. Sheamus wanted to know who Strowman’s partner was. Strowman said he would reveal his partner if Sheamus could beat him. Sheamus got mad and demanded to know who was Strowman’s partner. Strowman said maybe Sheamus would get to find out, but he guaranteed Sheamus would get these hands. 

Braun Strowman pinned Sheamus (with Cesaro) (7:54) 

Jonathan Coachman compared not knowing who Strowman was teaming with to not knowing who LeBron James was going to team with. Graves called that a terrible analogy because James has a professional basketball team around him. After Strowman threw Sheamus around early, Sheamus made a comeback working on Strowman’s left arm. Strowman would ram his shoulder into the post after missing a charge. Sheamus missed a Brogue Kick and Strowman pinned Sheamus with the running powerslam.

Angle came out and introduced Rousey. Angle said WrestleMania was the most intimidating stage for anyone to compete in for the first time, but after watching Rousey train the last few weeks, he knows she’s ready. Angle brought up HHH and Stephanie’s interview from earlier and said they write the rules and make the rules. Angle said this wasn’t going to be easy. 

Rousey, who had blood red under the bottom of her eyes, said it was fine that it wasn’t going to be easy because she wasn’t looking for easy. Rousey said she was there to earn everything that she gets. Rousey said Stephanie talks tough, but she’s trust-fund talk, she’s limousine tough and personal trainer tough. Rousey said Stephanie is going to get everything she deserves, which is her ripping Stephanie’s arm out of her socket. 

Absolution walked out. Paige said the one thing that will absolutely destroy Rousey is not having friends. Paige said this is our show and this is her house. Paige said she understands Rousey grew up watching the WWE, but people will take advantage of Rousey and Paige offered to have Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville as her background. Rousey politely declined saying that Angle had her back. Paige said Rousey could become the fourth member of Absolution. Rousey thanked Paige for the offer but turned it down. Paige said she understands that Rousey made her choice, but it wasn’t a good one because Rousey made some enemies. Rose jumped toward Rousey, but Angle held her back. Then Deville grabbed Rousey by the shoulder, but after some hesitation Rousey decked her with a clothesline. Rousey backed Rose into a corner. Rose tried to kick Rousey, but Rousey caught her leg. Rose could be heard giving Rousey instructions as Rousey gave Rose a suplex into Deville, which was mistimed. 

Angle raised Rousey’s arm, but then Rousey sensed Rose coming from behind and gave her a perfectly timed sword throw. Rousey held Rose in an armbar, threatening to break it like she was Pentagon Jr. In Lucha Underground, but Angle asked her to let Rose off free. Rousey agreed. 

The Good Brothers defeated The MizTourage (5:03) 

Anderson gave Axel the Boot of Doom, but Dallas made the save. Axel went for the Perfect Plex, but Anderson escaped with a flying neckbreaker off the top rope. Gallows pinned Axel after the Magic Killer.

Elias was back with a performance. Elias said in this kingdom of madness, there are those who walk and those who don’t walk yet, but in 13 days at WrestleMania he will give the greatest performance of his lifetime. Elias claimed he sold out Madison Square Garden last week, so coming to Cleveland is a huge disappointment. He was embarrassed to be here tonight,  but he friend LeBron James told him the same thing when he returned to Cleveland. Elias claimed James would be leaving Cleveland soon, just like he would. Elias sang a song about how WrestleMania was on the horizon, but he’s stuck in this town. The only thing that would be more embarrassing is being a member of the Cleveland Browns. Rhyno and Heath Slater were the ones who interrupted him this time.

Elias pinned Rhyno (with Heath Slater) (2:24) 

Elias blocked a Rhyno charge with a knee, followed with a clothesline and got the pin with Drift Away. Postmatch, Elias jumped Slater and gave him Draft Away, as well. 

They’re having another Rollins/Balor match next week in Atlanta. Also next week, Angle & Rousey will have a faceoff with Stephanie & HHH.

John Cena defeated Kane in a No DQ match (14:01)

Cena came out holding a towel with Ellen DeGeneres with a quote reading “Be kind to one other.” About 60% of the crowd responded by chanting “Cena sucks.” Cena tried to lift Kane for the AA, but collapsed under Kane’s weight. They fought on the floor, where Kane threw Cena into the ring steps. That led to a big brawl around the arena floor where Cena rammed a barricade into Kane’s midsection near the commentator’s table. Kane responded by suplexing Cena onto the barricade, which was posted against the table. They returned to the ring, where Kane unloosened a turnbuckle. Then Cena sat up just like the Undertaker, triggering his comeback, which included a Blue Thunder Bomb where Cena failed to get Kane four feet off the ground. Cena threw Kane into the exposed turnbuckle, then made a throat-slashing gesture like the Undertaker before he actually hit a choke slam. Cena went under the ring for a table and set it up in the ring, but Kane sat up this time. Kane tried to lift Cena, but Cena reversed and attempted the AA through the table. But Kane pushed the table over and knocked Cena down. Kane put the table into the corner, where he threw Cena but got only two. Kane pulled out another table and teased a choke slam, but Cena got behind Kane and hit the AA through the table for the pin. 

Postmatch, Cena waited for some sign of the Undertaker. There was no lightning, no bells of terror and no Undertaker. Cena said this was a match with no rules, anything can happen and anyone could be here. He screamed for the Undertaker. Crowd started chanting for Undertaker. Cena said Undertaker wasn’t deaf, he was just a coward. Night after night, city after city, the fans chant Undertaker’s name. Cena said you don’t get to be mysterious here, silence is not an answer, it’s either yes or no. Crowd chanted yes. Cena said he’s fine with no because he will go to WrestleMania as a fan, but he told the Undertaker to get his eyes out of the back of his head when the fans chant his name. Cena said do something, because now Undertaker only has one week left, one week that sums up his entire career. Cena said Undertaker can do something, or he can do nothing. And if Undertaker does nothing, Undertaker will let him down,  let Kane down and let everyone down who ever believed in the Undertaker. Cena said he hopes for the sake of everything that is good inside this ring that he sees Undertaker next week. Cena just left thee ring and that was it.