WWE Raw live results: Elimination Chamber fallout
Date: February 20, 2023
Location: Canadian Tire Center in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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Show Recap —
There was a long recap of the Elimination Chamber main event and aftermath.
Sami Zayn kicked off Raw. The crowd sang his song and gave him a long ovation that went on for a few minutes. Zayn could only say, “wow” to the reaction and they kept going.
Zayn said the one feeling that’s been most prevalent the past few days was gratitude and the fans had no idea how much their reaction meant to him. The crowd chanted “you deserve it” and Zayn soaked it in.
Zayn came so close to putting a bow on a storybook ending in front of his friends and family but he felt a lot of guilt like he let a lot of people down. The crowd seemed genuinely upset to hear that. Zayn let them know that the story wasn’t over but we were entering the final chapter.
The final chapter wasn’t just about him. He called out Kevin Owens.
Owens entered. Zayn wanted to say ‘thank you’ and ‘sorry’ but he knew that they were beyond the point of words. He knew how much they put Owens through but he also knew how much Owens wanted to take down the Bloodline. Zayn would stop at nothing to make sure that Roman Reigns and the Bloodline came crumbling down.
Owens couldn’t do it alone and Zayn couldn’t do it alone. There was one way they could get it done and that was if they did it together. The crowd chanted “Yes.”
Owens said he didn’t want an apology or his gratitude. He didn’t attack the Bloodline on Saturday for Zayn — he did it for himself and his family. Owens’ family was in the front row but they weren’t there at the Royal Rumble when the Bloodline beat the hell out of him while Zayn just stood by and watched.
Owens also did it for Zayn’s family so they didn’t have to watch Zayn get beaten down too. Owens has been fighting the Bloodline alone for months and would continue alone. Owens said if Zayn wanted help against the Bloodline he should just ask his buddy Jey.
Owens walked off and the crowd booed.
— After the announcers ran down tonight’s card, Zayn saluted the crowd one last time when he was suddenly attacked from behind by Baron Corbin. They abruptly went to break.
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After a break, Corbin was cutting a promo on Zayn as officials helped him to his feet. Corbin said he called it when he said Reigns would embarrass Zayn in front of his friends and family. Zayn was pissed and had to be held back by officials. Corbin called Zayn a failure whose story was over after he let down all of Canada.
Even Adam Pearce thought that was too much so he stepped aside and let Zayn go after Corbin. Zayn decked Corbin and they made a match official.
Sami Zayn defeated Baron Corbin (9:01)
Corbin worked over Zayn’s bruised back through a break. Zayn came back with a tornado DDT for two followed by a flip dive. Zayn went for the Helluva Kick but Corbin turned him inside out with a clothesline and hit Deep Six for a nearfall. Corbin charged at Zayn in the corner but Zayn came right back with a Helluva Kick for the pinfall win.
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Rhea Ripley/Dominik Mysterio interview
Byron Saxton did a sit-down interview with Rhea Ripley and Dominik Mysterio. Ripley said she had unfinished business with Beth Phoenix but she was focused on WrestleMania and didn’t want to talk about Phoenix anymore. Saxton was going to press her on Phoenix but Dom told him to move on or else he’d show him what he did to people in prison who talked too much.
Saxton asked about Charlotte Flair. Ripley said Charlotte kept talking about three years ago because she knew that Ripely was the best woman in the company. Ripley said Charlotte’s empire would come crumbling down when she becomes champion at Mania.
They mentioned that Ripley would have a face-to-face with Charlotte on Smackdown. Dom said his deadbeat dad had a match scheduled and decided he would join Ripley on Friday.
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Cathy Kelley interviewed Austin Theory. Theory admitted he was banged up from the Chamber but he was here as always because he was the champ. He beat five of the best in WWE including Seth Rollins who everyone thought would win.
Theory was annoyed that John Cena was getting headlines over him for his upcoming appearance in two weeks. Theory looked forward to beating a legend like Edge in “crappy Canada.”
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Mustafa Ali defeated Dolph Ziggler (2:16)
Ali did a cool counter to the Fameasser where he basically did a handstand to block it and followed with a crucifix cover for the pinfall win.
(Ali was being a phoney babyface, glad-handing fans on the way to the ring, and he celebrated the win like it was a huge deal.)
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Kelley interviewed Miz and Maryse who were making out backstage. Maryse had an anniversary gift (in an envelope) for Miz. Whatever it was seemed to be a big deal to Miz but he won’t reveal what it is until next week. Kelley kept trying to ask him about facing Rollins tonight. Miz was annoyed by Kelley but was glad to see Rollins get bested by his former protegee Logan Paul.
[SECOND HOUR]
Cody Rhodes/Paul Heyman segment
Rhodes only said one word before Paul Heyman interrupted on the big screen. Heyman wore a neck brace and had both WWE title belts. Rhodes invited Heyman to the ring. Heyman declined because he was attacked by a maniac and took a dig at the Canadian healthcare system.
Heyman had a simple statement for Rhodes: “You can’t beat Roman Reigns.” However, Heyman wanted Rhodes to imagine what his life would be like if he did beat Reigns.
Heyman basically said Reigns had him doing his business but Rhodes didn’t. Heyman spoke about Reigns’ busy schedule as champion and all the time spent away from home defending the title, doing promotional work, etc. The crowd booed as he droned on.
Heyman mentioned Dustin once saying that Dusty was never at home and when he was at home, it didn’t feel like he was. Heyman said Reigns was a happily married man and seemed to suggest that Rhodes (and his wife) wouldn’t be if he won the title at Mania.
Rhodes looked into the camera and told Reigns not to send Heyman again. Rhodes said they haven’t come face to face yet but they will soon. Rhodes called Reigns the best Universal Champion in history and the best current champion in the business but Rhodes had to finish the story. Rhodes had to beat Reigns at WrestleMania.
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Asuka defeated Nikki Cross (9:29)
Bianca Belair’s music hit as soon as the match started and she marched down to ringside to watch.
They had a competitive match which probably wasn’t for the best. Asuka kicked the ring post after Cross ducked and Cross followed with a reverse DDT on the apron. After a break, Asuka fought back with strikes and three straight German suplexes for a two count. Cross got some more offence in but Asuka won by submission with her new finisher.
— Belair entered the ring for a staredown after the match. It seemed to be a friendly exchange until Asuka began spitting up a blue substance. Asuka laughed and Belair looked weirded out.
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Kelley asked Carmella if she had a new game plan for making it to Mania. Carmella said no because it’s only been 48 hours since Elimination Chamber. Carmella did want to give Asuka a receipt. After Carmella left, Kelly caught up to Seth Rollins who was nearby.
Rollins warned Logan Paul that there was another side to him. “I’m going to find Logan Paul and I’m going to hurt Logan Paul.” Paul wasn’t there tonight so Rollins looked forward to making Miz suffer in his place.
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MVP called Brock Lesnar a coward. Lesnar knew he couldn’t escape the Hurt Lock so he got himself disqualified. MVP said Omos was issuing Lesnar a challenge to face him at WrestleMania. He invited Lesnar to show up next week to accept.
Seth Rollins defeated The Miz via referee stoppage (11:07)
As with the Zayn/Corbin and Asuka/Cross matches, the heel took control ahead of an early commercial break. Rollins made a comeback but Miz kicked his leg out of his leg and hit a Codebreaker for two. They traded counters until Miz hit Bryan Danielson’s running knee strike for two. Miz hit Yes kicks but Rollins came back with strikes and curb stomp.
The crowd chanted “one more time” so Rollins stomped him again. The crowd chanted it again and the referee told him not to do it but Rollins stomped him again anyway. Rollins was declared the winner via ref stoppage.
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Adam Pearce agreed to give Carmella a match against Asuka. Pearce received a phone call from Chelsea Green who said their travel department sent her to Ottawa, Illinois, not Ottawa, Canada. Pearce smirked and claimed he didn’t know how that happened. She complained until he hung up on her.
Chad Gable was practicing his modelling in front of a mirror with Otis. Bronson Reed asked him if that’s how he prepared for a match. Gable said he was on the verge of a big modelling gig. Reed threatened to put him in a full-body cask so Otis got in his face. Reed chuckled and left.
[THIRD HOUR]
Ding Dong, Hello (Bayley’s talk show)
Bayley said it was Family Day in Canada (well, most of Canada) so she wanted to spend it with her family — Dakota Kai and IYO SKY. Kai bragged about all of the people they’ve beaten to retain the tag titles.
Becky Lynch interrupted. She said it’s been so long since they’ve defended the titles that they were getting dusty. Lynch said they weren’t going to coast into WrestleMania without defending the titles first and Lynch wanted the titles. Bayley said Lynch didn’t have any friends to team with.
Lita entered and joined Lynch. Bayley said they didn’t do anything to deserve a title match. Lynch said she and Lita were two of the best ever and that was enough.
They argued with Bayley until they persuaded her into accepting the match on behalf of Kai and SKY, which they didn’t seem to appreciate. Lynch and Lita grabbed the title belts and posed with them before forcefully handing them back.
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Saxton tried interviewing Candice LeRae about Johnny Gargano but before she could say much, she approached Nikki Cross who was nearby. LeRae wanted answers from her. Cross whispered something to LeRae and scampered off. LeRae informed Saxton that Cross said all her friends were gone and she was lonely.
LeRae also let Saxton know that Gargano would be back soon.
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Bronson Reed defeated Chad Gable (w/Otis) (3:15)
They gave Gable moments to shine, notably when he gave Reed a German suplex. However, Gable was distracted because Otis was busy talking to Maxxine Dupri. Reed gave Gable a power slam and Tsunami for the pinfall win.
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Elias was in the ring and had a message for Rick Boogs. This was the time of year when stars were made and there was no bigger star than Elias. He wanted to know who wanted to talk with Elias.
Bobby Lashley entered, attacked Elias, hit a spear and made him tap out to the Hurt Lock.
Lashley said everyone had a plan until they get put in the Hurt Lock. Lesnar panicked when he got put in the Hurt Lock and he had to use a low blow. Lashley said nobody could break the Hurt Lock — not Lesnar, not Bray Wyatt, not Elias. Lashley issued a warning to everyone in the back.
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Next week on Raw:
- Dakota Kai & IYO SKY vs. Becky Lynch & Lita – Women’s Tag Titles
- Candice LeRae vs. Piper Niven
- Asuka vs. Carmella
- Brock Lesnar responds to Omos’ challenge
- Miz TV
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Edge interview
Saxton interviewed Edge. Edge was happy that Judgment Day was behind him and said Beth Phoenix was back at home with their girls. Edge could now focus on the goals that he set when he first returned.
Edge mentioned Theory’s “forever reign” but he warned Theory that nothing was forever and he knew firsthand how quickly things could be taken away. Edge couldn’t wait to knock the duckface off of Theory’s overly manscaped head.
Edge said his second WWE match was in Ottawa in 1997 and he hasn’t wrestled there in 18 years. He said it would feel pretty damn good to win the title in Ottawa and walk into WrestleMania as the United States Champion. “Never say never.”
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Kevin Patrick mentioned that Edge beat Kurt Angle for the US title back in 2001 when Austin Theory was 4 years old.
Austin Theory defeated Edge to retain the United States Championship (18:17)
Edge outwrestled and outsmarted Theory early on and held control through an early commercial break. Theory hit a clothesline to take over and applied a chin lock. The crowd chanted “let’s go Edge” as Theory cut off a comeback attempt and applied a chin lock again. Theory hit a rolling dropkick for two which led to another break.
Theory tried a superplex but Edge dropped him and hit a flying crossbody. Edge followed with clotheslines, a flapjack and an Edge-o-matic for two. Theory tried the rolling dropkick again but Edge countered into a powerbomb for two.
Theory leaped over a spear attempt but Edge landed on his feet when Theory tried a monkey flip. Edge applied a crossface but Theory got a rope break. Theory tried a cover with his feet on the middle rope but the ref caught him.
Theory tried an A-Town Down but Edge reversed into an Edgecution DDT for a nearfall.
Edge set up for a spear but stopped to fend off Finn Bálor who ran to ringside. Theory tried to catch Edge off guard with the distraction but Edge countered into a schoolboy for a nearfall.
With the ref’s back turned, Bálor caught Edge with a kick to the head and Theory hit A-Town Down for the pinfall win. Theory retains. The crowd was deflated by the finish.
— After the match, Bálor attacked Edge and hit him with the Coup de Grace three straight times. The crowd booed as the show went off the air.
