WWE Raw live results: Jey Uso & New Day vs. Gunther & Imperium
Date: February 12, 2024
Location: Rupp Arena in Lexington, KY
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Show Recap —
Cody Rhodes was shown arriving at the arena earlier today as they announced he will indeed face Roman Reigns at WrestleMania.
A rare occurrence: Raw is starting with a wrestling match.
Six-man tag team match: Jey Uso, Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods defeated Intercontinental Champion Gunther, Ludwig Kaiser & Giovanni Vinci (19:44)
Gunther avoided getting physical with Jey Uso until he was sure his team was in control — or until he could get in a cheap shot. Jey tagged out after a break and New Day ran wild on Vinci until a distraction allowed Kaiser to drive Kingston into the ring steps. Gunther put Kingston in a Boston Crab, so Jey straight-up slapped him in the face. The referee separated them ahead of another break.
Jey made a hot tag after a break and hit Vinci with strikes as the crowd chanted “Yeet.” Gunther looked on in disgust. Jey handed out running hip attacks and superkicks Kaiser and Vinci. Gunther finally did tag in and chopped Jey down but Jey came back with an enziguri and flying crossbody for two. Jey tried a spear but Gunther blocked it and chopped him before also knocking New Day off the apron. Gunther hit Jey with a Rainmaker for a nearfall.
Gunther mocked Jey’s pose and tried a splash off the ropes but Jey got his knees up. Jey speared Gunther but Kaiser broke up the cover. Vinci tagged in but New Day and Jey laid him out with a 3D. New Day wiped out Kaiser with dives while Jey hit Vinci with an Uso Splash for the pinfall win.
This was what it needed to be.
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There was a video package recapping the WrestleMania press conference.
There was an Andrade video package. He spoke about winning the NXT and United States Champions when he arrived in WWE. Titles weren’t enough and he had to leave to remember who he was. Now his direction was clear.
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B-Fab and the Street Profits accompanied Lashley to the stage but returned to the back for the match.
Elimination Chamber qualifier: Bobby Lashley defeated Bronson Reed (8:41)
Lashley entered and waited almost ten minutes for the match to start. When it finally did start, they went to break 90 seconds later after Reed drove him over the barricade.
Lashley fought back after the break and hit an impressive vertical suplex for two. Reed hit a Death Valley Driver for two and Lashley hit a spinebuster for two. Reed blocked a spear and hit a uranage and senton. He went up for the Tsunami but Lashley brought him down with a slam and followed with a spear for the pinfall win.
This was fine. The crowd liked Lashley.
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Sami Zayn/Shinsuke Nakamura segment
Like last week, Jackie Redmond interviewed Sami Zayn in the stands before the show. Zayn said there was a feeling of embarrassment in sports when you say you’re going to do something but fail. He’s had that feeling many times in his career but the difference now was that he had an overwhelming feeling of self-belief. His belief last year is what drove him to WrestleMania. He planned on becoming champion and that was a promise.
In the middle of this sit-down interview, Shinsuke Nakamura appeared on the screen with a (pre-taped) promo. Nakamura compared him to Cody Rhodes and said he was swindling people by trying to gain their sympathy to stay in the spotlight. Zayn’s chance was over and Nakamura would continue on his warpath.
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[SECOND HOUR]
They aired the WrestleMania “trailer.”
Cody Rhodes/Seth Rollins segment
(This went more than 18 minutes. Long story short, Rhodes has unfinished business with The Rock and Seth Rollins offered to help.)
Rhodes entered to a big reaction. He said he was facing Roman Reigns in the main event at WrestleMania. It took him a while to be able to say that but the reason he could say it now was because of the fans. He spoke about the social media reaction last week and, right on cue, the crowd chanted, “We want Cody.”
Rhodes wasn’t sure how he could repay them, but maybe there was one way (he looked at the sign). Rhodes admitted he was getting emotional because of how much he cared. He didn’t want to get too emotional though because maybe he’d be a “crybaby.” The crowd booed and chanted “Rocky sucks.”
There was one man who did not want Cody and that man was perhaps the most famous person alive, a potential presidential candidate and the original people’s champion. Rhodes played a clip of Rock on Pat McAfee’s show cutting a promo on Rhodes and his fans. (There was a line where Rock said the fans ate chicken nuggets and shoved them up their ass while complaining online.)
Rhodes said promos were different now than when The Rock was first around and mocked Rock’s line about chicken nuggets. Rhodes said he was a fan of the Rock but one thing Rock did not do well was listen. Rhodes said nothing to defile his ancestors but Rock still took his words personally and slapped him in the face. Rhodes saw malevolence in Rock’s face. Rock put his hands on him and that meant, “I’m going to hit you back.”
Seth Rollins interrupted. Rhodes thanked him for coming to his aid at the press conference. Rollins was looking forward to defending his title against Rhodes at WrestleMania but he understood his decision. Rollins knew that Rhodes and millions of fans wanted him to finish his story.
Rollins told Rhodes that he needed to finish his story. For himself, for his dad, and the fans. If Rhodes does not beat Reigns, the landscape after WrestleMania will be very dark. Reigns would get more power and would defend his title even less. The glass ceiling would get even thicker. This was probably their last chance to get that title back and give it to the people.
Rollins wanted to know what Rhodes’ plan was. Rhodes got screwed last year thanks to the Usos, Solo Sikoa, and Paul Heyman. The deck was stacked again and now he had to deal with the most influential man in the industry, The Rock.
Rollins told him: “You do not have to fight this battle alone.” Rollins really felt it when Rhodes said he wanted to take everything from Reigns. Rollins was sick of people like Reigns always getting away with what they wanted.
Part of who Reigns has become was partially his fault. Rollins spoke about their debut together but said he couldn’t imagine the monster that Reigns would become. Now that monster had two heads because Reigns found the one man who was as entitled and selfish as him.
When it comes to fighting the Bloodline and Roman Reigns, there was only one man on earth who was uniquely suited to be Rhodes’ shield.
(Rollins went on for too long and his dialogue about Reigns was really over the top.)
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Cathy Kelley informed Jey Uso and the New Day that Jey would be getting an IC title match against Gunther next week. Jey and New Day were all pumped to hear the news.
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There were pre-taped by Liv Morgan and Zoey Stark ahead of the next match.
Elimination Chamber qualifier: Liv Morgan defeated Zoey Stark (9:12)
Morgan fought back after a break with a Codebreaker off the ropes but Stark kicked out and responded with a powerbomb for two, followed by a missile dropkick for two. Morgan went for Oblivion but Stark hit a superkick for two. Stark tried a Phoenix Splash but Morgan dodged it and hit a Codebreaker and Oblivion for the pinfall win.
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Backstage, R-Truth tried to accompany Judgment Day to the ring (for his match against JD McDonagh) but Damian Priest made a very clear statement to him: Truth was not a member of Judgment Day and never was. Every beating he received was a beating and not an initiation. Tonight would be his execution.
After a break, Truth was in Gorilla trying to convince The Miz over the phone to get on a plane from LA to Lexington right now. Adam Pearce was there trying to get him to go to the ring.
JD McDonagh (w/Damian Priest, Finn Bálor & Dominik Mysterio) defeated R-Truth (6:53)
Truth hit an Attitude Adjustment but Dom helped McDonagh out of the ring ahead of a break 90 seconds into the match. Truth did John Cena’s comeback sequence and set up for another AA but he stopped what he was doing upon seeing Priest ringside and McDonagh applied a cradle for two.
Truth set up for a Scissors Kick but McDonagh kicked his leg out of his leg and hit the Devil Inside (backdrop driver) for the pinfall win. (I’m not sure McDonagh has ever won with that move on the main roster so the crowd seemed surprised that was the finish.)
— Everyone aside from Priest tried to attack Truth after the match but Truth fought them off. Priest decked Truth and all of Judgment Day put the boots to him. Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano ran out with chairs and Judgment Day bailed.
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Rhodes approached Zayn backstage. Rhodes thanked him for coming to his aid last week. Rhodes said he believed in Zayn and the fans did too. Rhodes offered a handshake so Zayn hugged him.
[THIRD HOUR]
Becky Lynch segment
Lynch entered. She pointed out a sign from a young fan who wanted to be her prom date in 2034. Lynch said the road to WrestleMania has been confusing and unpredictable and she loved it. She has loved the business since she stepped into a wrestling ring for the first time at 15 years old.
She has been obsessed with it and that obsession has been great at times. She has traveled the world and that obsession was why a girl who once failed gym class main evented WrestleMania. The obsession is how she met her husband and why she has a daughter.
However, the obsession is also why she has missed birthdays, weddings and her own father’s funeral (she choked up there). Her daughter was only three years old but she already had to explain to her why her mother’s face was busted open, explain that she couldn’t pick her up because she had a separated shoulder, and explain why her dad wanted to fight Maui.
Lynch was going to the Elimination Chamber and her daughter would see her body bruised by steel but she would also see the brutality that her mother was capable of. Lynch was obsessed with getting her title back for the first time in two years and that started with the Chamber. That meant facing the most dominant champion we’ve seen.
Lynch knew the fans loved Mami and that they didn’t think anyone could beat her. But Lynch wasn’t just anyone and Rhea Ripley hasn’t faced anyone like her. Lynch grabbed a drink and had the fans raise their drinks in the air. She toasted to Ripley and suggested she enjoy her last few weeks as champion.
Nia Jax interrupted. The crowd told her that she sucked. Jax tried to act sincere and told Lynch that she respected her. Jax would’ve been lucky if her mom was half the mother that Lynch was. Jax “choked up” and said she wanted to be a mother like Lynch one day. The crowd booed as she spoke. Jax knew that nothing would stop Lynch from winning the Chamber.
Jax got serious and said nothing would stop her from beating Ripley to win the title and Lynch would have to face her at Mania.
Ripley stormed out and tackled Jax. With Lynch leaning against the corner, Jax squashed Ripley into Lynch. Jax dropped Ripley with a right hand before Lynch sent Jax out of the ring with a missile dropkick. Jax tried to get back in but Ripley booted her. Ripley told Jax she’d have to kill her.
Ripley and Lynch looked at each other as the segment ended.
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Redmond interviewed Drew McIntyre. McIntyre said he has only tried to give the fans what they wanted. McIntyre pushing Rhodes in the right direction was the real reason he was going after Reigns. McIntyre called Rollins selfish, while Rhodes should be thanking him.
McIntyre called himself the underdog. He had to beat AJ Styles, one of the best in the world, just to qualify for the Chamber. Now he had to win one of the most dangerous matches in WWE but he was trying to do things the right way, the Drew way.
McIntyre implored Rhodes to get out of their match next week because Rhodes didn’t need this right now. McIntyre warned Rhodes he may not make it to WrestleMania, just like CM Punk.
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Truth thanked DIY for saving him earlier. They mentioned that Miz called them and asked for their help. Truth never imagined being saved by “DX.” He made some DX references and thanked them.
Elimination Chamber qualifier: LA Knight defeated Ivar (w/Valhalla) (8:37)
They went to break 90 seconds into the match after Ivar squished Knight into the barricade. With Ivar on the top, Knight leaped to the top and hit an impressive superplex. Ivar responded with a powerslam for two, followed by a sit-out powerbomb for two. Knight hit a knee strike, body slam and elbow drop for two.
Knight was distracted by Valhalla which allowed Ivar to hit a spinning kick. Ivar went for the moonsault but Knight ducked and hit BFT for the pinfall win. Knight blew a kiss to Valhalla.
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Zayn walked through the back and bumped into McIntyre. McIntyre warned Zayn to keep his name out of his mouth and his nose out of his business. Zayn responded, “You’re in my way.” (A line meant more ways than one.) McIntyre politely stepped aside.
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Raw next week in Anaheim, CA:
- Cody Rhodes vs. Drew McIntyre
- Gunther vs. Jey Uso for the Intercontinental Championship
- DIY, R-Truth & Miz vs. Judgment Day
- Last chance battle royal to qualify for the Women’s Chamber
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Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell met with Pearce but were interrupted by Chelsea Green who wanted in the Chamber. Hartwell wanted in so she could get a chance to compete in front of her family. Green wanted a singles match to qualify and not a “loser battle royal.” Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark appeared. Baszler looked forward to tearing Green apart next week.
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Shinsuke Nakamura defeated Sami Zayn (17:06)
They went to break 90 seconds into the match after Zayn chucked Nakamura out of the ring. Zayn was on offence after the break but Nakamura took control with strikes. Zayn countered a reverse exploder and hit a Michinoku Driver for two. Zayn hit a flip dive and they went to break again, less than nine minutes into the match.
Nakamura was in control after the break but they didn’t show us how that happened. The crowd got into it as they exchanged strikes and the match picked up from here. Nakamura blocked Zayn’s Blue Thunder Bomb for a second time and hit an enziguri. Zayn ducked a Kinshasa and hit the Blue Thunder Bomb for two.
Nakamura went outside to avoid a Helluva Kick. Zayn went for his dive-through-the-ropes tornado DDT but Nakamura saw it coming and kicked him in the face. Nakamura responded with a stomp off the ropes for two, followed by a knee off the ropes for two. Zayn fired back with a clothesline and smacked Nakamura repeatedly before hitting an exploder in the corner.
Zayn set up for Helluva Kick but decided to turn his back on his opponent upon seeing McIntyre run down to ringside. Nakamura kicked Zayn in the back of the leg and hit a Kinshasa from behind for the pinfall win.
— McIntyre and Nakamura attacked Zayn so Rhodes ran out to make the save. Rhodes gave McIntyre a Cody Cutter and laid out Nakamura with a Cross Rhodes.
(I really don’t think Zayn has to lose every match to tell a story that he needs to come from behind and he certainly didn’t need to lose to Nakamura here.)