WWE Raw live results: Roman Reigns vs. Bray Wyatt
The Big Takeaway: Roman Reigns and the Miz are officially in the Elimination Chamber, joining John Cena, Elias and Braun Strowman. It will be Elias that will enter the Elimination Chamber last after he pinned Cena in tonight’s main event.
The final spot in the Elimination Chamber will be determined next week in a second chance Fatal Four-Way with Finn Balor vs. Apollo Crews vs. Bray Wyatt vs. Matt Hardy. Kurt Angle announced that Alexa Bliss will defend her Raw Women’s Championship in the Elimination Chamber against Bayley, Sasha Banks, Sonya DeVille, Mandy Rose and Mickie James.
Also at Elimination Chamber, it will be Asuka vs. Nia Jax. If Jax wins, then she will be entered into the Raw Women’s Championship match at WrestleMania, with Asuka facing whoever the Raw Women’s Champion will be, making it a three-way match.
Show Recap:
Reigns and Wyatt each did backstage promos before their singles match, which opened the show. Wyatt said last year’s Elimination Chamber was his crowning achievment because he won the WWE Championship. Wyatt called Reigns a falling star who was in a downward spiral. Reigns responded that he’s had his share of failures, but that has led him to success and he will eventually become Universal Champion.
Roman Reings defeated Bray Wyatt in an Elimination Chamber qualifying match (14:48)
Matt Hardy watched on backstage. After taking his weekly shoulder bump into the ring post, Reigns rebounded with a clothesline and attempted the Drive-By, but Wyatt caught him with a clothesline, then threw Regins into the ring steps. Reigns escaped a chinlock with a Samoan Drop. Reigns attempted his ten clotheslines in the corner, but Wyatt grabbed his arm after five and hit his side shoulder block to the midsection. Wyatt attempted a superplex and brought back his old catchphrase “anyone but you, Roman,” but Reigns landed a series of head butts, then followed with a Liger Bomb for a near fall.
Reigns called fo rthe Superman Punch, but Wyatt spiked Reigns with a uranage followed by a senton for two. There was a very audible “Let’s go, Bray” chant. Wyatt attempted Sister Abigail, but Wyatt escaped with a schoolboy cradle, then caught the Superman Punch for another near fall. Reigns went for the Spear, butt Wyatt caught him with a boot, then nailed Reigns with Sister Abigail, but Reigns kicked out of the finisher. Announcers pointed out that something was off with Wyatt and he’s had a fall from grace since last February. Wyatt picked up Reigns for another Sister Abigail, but Reigns got out, ducked a clothesline and drilled Wyatt with a Spear to a round of boos.
Postmatch, Hardy came out from the crowd, snuck up behind Wyatt and gave him the Twist of Fate to “delete” chants.
Seth Rollins talked with Jason Jordan backstage. Rollins said Jordan was injured with a bad knee and neck. Rollins said tonight was their final rematch against Sheamus and Cesaro and he wanted to make sure Jordan could go tonight because he didn’t want a repeat of what happened against the Royal Rumble. Jordan assured Rollins he was fine. Rollins said tonight wasn’t about Rollins or Jordan, it was about them winning back their tag team championships.
Dash Wilder and Scott Dawson cut a prematch promo after Finn Balor’s entrance. Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows already were in the ring. For the second straight week, Dawson had a huge brace on his left knee and it’s clear that has hurt his cardio. Dawson said they were the Revival and they we were tag team specialists. Dawson asked to make it a tag team match. Wilder told Balor to pick a partner and they would show them how it was done. Gallows agreed to step aside and Anderson teamed with Balor.
Karl Anderson and Finn Balor (with Luke Gallows) defeated the Revival (8:04)
Balor got the heat with Dash & Dawson working over his left shoulder. Dawson used a Fujiwara armbar as a resthold before Balor hit a double stomp, leading to Anderson getting the hot tag. Anderson used a flying neckbreaker off the second rope against Wilder, but missed a dropkick after Dawson held Wilder against the ropes. Dawson tagged in, but Anderson greeted him with an Anderson spinebuster. Anderson hit a somersault pecasdo against Wilder. Balor tagged in against Dawson. Sling blade. Woo Dropkick. Coup de Grace. Pin.
Kurt Angle will announce who Bliss will face in the Elimination Chamber tonight.
Sasha Banks watched footage from her loss to Asuka last week. Bayley walked up and noticed Banks couldn’t stop watching the match. Bayley said Banks was beating too hard on herself. Banks said the day she stops being hard on herself is the day she stops being me. Bayley said she was facing Asuka tonight and asked Banks for any advice. Banks said, no offense, but she wanted to keep her secrets to herself. Bayley said she took some offense, but it was every woman for herself, just like the women’s Royal Rumble. Bayley alluded to Banks eliminating her. Banks said she had to do what she had to do and she wants to beat Asuka to end her undefeated streak. Bayley said that’s funny, she was thinking the same thing. Banks couldn’t believe that Bayley thought she was good enough to beat Asuka. Bayley shot back she was good enough to beat Banks. This segment was the same tease of Bayley and Banks turning on each other that they’ve done for over a year and never pulled the trigger.
Drake Maverick, who Michael Cole acknowledged was once known as Rockstar Spud, joined Michael Cole, Jonathan Coachman and Corey Graves on commentary for the cruiserweight match.
Cedric Alexander & Mustafa Ali defeated Tony Nese and Drew Gulak (4:21)
Drew Gulak clotheslined Cedric Alexander while Alexander was crotched on the top rope. Alexander nearly fell on his head and favored his right shoulder for the rest of the match.Mustafa Ali did a flying Tornado DDT for a two count on Gulak. Alexander did a somersault tope on Tony Nese. Alexander made a blind tag for a springboard clothesline, then pinned Gulak with the Lumbar Check.
Angle came out to announce the plan for the women’s Elimination Chamber. He announced that Bliss, Bayley, Mandy Rose, Mickie James, Sonya DeVille and Banks would be the six competitors. Angle said that Nia Jax was missing from the match, but she would face Asuka at Elimination Chamber. Asuka has already secured a Raw Women’s Championship match at WrestleMania, and if Jax defeats Asuka, then the match at WrestleMania will be a three-way.
Bliss came out, not looking happy, and said it was wrong and unjust for her to defend the Raw Women’s Championship at Elimination Chamber, while Brock Lesnar doesn’t have to defend his championship at Elimination Chamber? Is it because she was just a woman? Angle said he successfully defended his championship at Royal Rumble and the last time Bliss defended her title was in October at TLC. Bliss said she doesn’t make the matches and Angle values Lesnar over her. She called that sexist. Angle said it never occurred to him to compared Bliss with Brock.
Angle said he wasn’t going to make the decision, he would ask the audience. He asked the fans if they wanted to see Bliss defend the Raw Women’s Championship in the Elimination Chamber. The fans erupted with cheers. Bliss called the fans sheep and said she deserved respect. Angle asked the fans again and again they chanted “Yes.” Bliss left in a huff.
John Cena did a promo about his Triple Threat match against Braun Strowman and Elias. The winner of the match will enter the Elimination Chamber match last. Graves made a great point about the vast majority of Elimination Chamber winners have entered late in the match.
Graves dropped a line to Coachman about watching what he says or else he’ll get demoted to local radio. Coachman cracked up.
Asuka defeated Bayley by tapout (11:12)
Bayley did a flying head scissors through the ropes into flying head scissors to the floor, then threw Asuka into the barricade. Bayley hit a Saito Suplex, which sparked a dormant crowd. Asuka hit a knee to the head, a kick to the back and a butt bump, followed by a Shining Wizard for a two count. Asuka missed a missile dropkick, and Bayley hit a knee to the head for a two count. Bayley attempted the Draping DDT, but Asuka clamped on the Asuka Lock while on the apron. Bayley dropped Asuka’s head against the ropes. Bayley jumped off the apron to the floor, but Asuka met her with a knee to the head. Some good near falls where Bayey ducked a spin kick and rolled her into a schoolgirl cradle for a two count. Asuka tried to clamp on the Asuka Lock, but Bayley rolled backwards and trapped Asuka’s shoulders down for a long two. Asuka put on the flying armbar for the tapout.
Postmatch, Asuka and Bayley had a long staredown. Asuka extended her hand. Bayley, looked frustrated (actually, that’s been her normal look for about six months), shook her hand but still looked angry.
Cesaro and Sheamus did a promo in an empty arena earlier in the day. Cesaro said by facing Rollins and Jordan, they get another chance to beat up the pretty boy and the daddy’s boy. Sheamus said they get another chance to kick off Jordan’s head tonight.
Miz came out with Bo Dallas. Curtis Axel was missing. Graves quipped that Axel was auditioning for a potential role as an extra. Miz said he encourages everyone to go out tonight and look at the sky because the constallation with look like him holding up the Intercontinental Championship. Miz said he said 2018 will go down as the year of the Miz. In his first match of 2018, he defeated Reigns on the highest rated Raw in nearly three years. The next week, he defeated Reigns again. Miz said Reigns is a world class athlete and one of the best of all time, but he still couldn’t contend with the momentum that is him. Miz claimed before the Super Bowl, Philadelphia Eagles coach Doug Pedersen showed his team a video of him, and it motivated the Eagles to win the Super Bowl. Miz said tonight he had a chance to qualify for the Elimination Chamber and potentially face Lesnar. Miz said at WrestleMania, his daughter will be born just in time to witness the first ever Intercontinental and Universal Champion….him.
The Miz (with Bo Dallas) defeated Apollo Crews (with Titus O’Neil and Dana Brooke) in an Elimination Chamber Qualifying match (5:31)
Apollo Crews got near fall after near fall, including a dropkick after Miz jumped off the top rope. Crews pressed Miz over his head, but Miz got the knees up when Crews attempted a standing moonsault. Crews made a comeback with another dropkick, a kick to the head and a flying clothesline. Crews caught an enzuigiri leading to a two count. Miz tried a clothesline to the corner, but Crews caught him, slammed him, hit a standing moonsault and a standing Shooting Star Press for a near fall. Miz kicked Crews’ left knee and attempted the Skull Crushing Finale, but Crews turned it into a victory roll for two. Crews attempted a kickover in the corner, but Miz crotched him on the top rope and got the pin with a Skull Crushing Finale.
Rollins walked backstage when he found Jordan huddling together with Angle and a doctor. Rollins wondered what was up. Jordan told him that he couldn’t compete because he suffered a neck injury doing neck bridges. Rollins was upset that Jordan went back on his word and the tag team match was next. He asked Angle if he would get a new partner. Angle wondered if he could find one in time. Reigns walked in and without saying a word, Angle agreed to have Reigns replace Jordan.
Raw Tag Team Champions Cesaro & Sheamus defeated Roman Reigns & Seth Rollins by DQ to retain the Raw Tag Team Championships (13:28)
Crowd groaned over seeing Reigns again. Afte a strong start, Reigns called for the Superman Punch on Cesaro. At the same time, Rollins tried a tope on Sheamus, who caught Rollins on the floor for an Irish Curse backbreaker. Cesaro threw Reigns into the dasherboards. Cesaro covered Reigns after a double-team White Noise, but he kicked out. Cesaro attempted the Gotch Neutralizer, but Reigns countered with the Samoan Drop. Rollins got the hometown pop and the fans wanted to see the hot tag, but Sheamus knocked him off the apron. Then Jordan came out to boos and helped Rollins get back on the apron. Rollins made the hot tag, gave Cesaro a blockbuster, Sheamus a tope, a legdrop to Cesaro and another tope to Cesaro. Rollins hit the Sling Blade for a two count. Rollins went for the Curb Stomp, but Cesaro moved out of the way and put Rollins on the top rope.
Rollins came off the second rope for a suplex followed by the Falcoln’s Arrow for another near fall. Jordan interfered and gave Cesaro a thumb to the eye, leading to a schoolboy cradle on Cesaro for a two count. Reigns got mad at Jordan and told him to leave. Rollins hit the Rainmaker Knee on Cesaro. Finally, that move was given a name, the Ripcord. Cesaro and Sheamus rolled out of the ring and attempted to walk out. Jordan stopped them. Cesaro started to punch Jordan, but Jordan blocked it and punched Cesaro, then Sheamus. The referee saw this and disqualified Rollins and Reigns. Rollins was very upset at Jordan, who screamed “What are you doing?”
Strowman did a backstage interview saying he was the last man standing against Kane last week, just like he’ll be the last man standing at the Elimination Chamber and he’ll be the last man standing at WrestleMania. He told Elias and Cena that no one could stop him.
Backstage, Rollins was screaming at Jordan, calling him a “selfish son of a bitch.” Angle tried to play peacemaker. Rollins said he was upset that he couldn’t hurt Jordan himself and walked off. Angle told Jordan the best thing he could do was go home. Jordan started to say something, but Angle screamed at Jordan to leave.
Nia Jax defeated Vanessa Floyd (1:24)
Jax is back to her original look as opposed to having her hair made up when she was courting Enzo Amore. Jax gave Vanessa Floyd a beal, a running splash in the corner, another beal and pinned her after an Ultimate Warrior press and legdrop.
Renee Young did an interview with Jax in the ring. Jax told Asuka she was the only woman in the locker room that doesn’t fear her, she’s the only woman in the locker room that Asuka couldn’t beat. Jax said she was going to ruin Asuka’s pretty face and make her wear that mask permanently and when she was finished with Asuka, she wasn’t going to be the Empress of Tomorrow, she was going to be the Empress of Yesterday.
Mickie James defeated Sonya DeVille (3:35)
James got stiff with a kick to DeVille’s nose. James tried flying head scissors out of the corner, but Mandy Rose jumped on the apron to distract her. DeVille scored with a right then used a stiff punch to the head while James was on the mat. DeVille landed two knees to the head, which James barely sold before wrapping up DeVille for a schoolgirl cradle and the pin out of nowhere. Postmatch, Paige and Rose jumped in to attack James. Then Bliss ran out to pull James to safety. James was shocked to see Bliss come to her aid. Weird segment.
Next week, there will be a second chance Fatal Four-Way match with the winner grabbing the last spot in the Elimination Chamber. It will be Balor vs. Hardy vs. Crews vs. Wyatt.
Elias pinned John Cena in a Triple Threat match that also included Braun Strowman to earn the right to enter the Elimination Chamber last (9:58)
Elias ran away most of the time. Strowman laid out both men, giving Cena a slam and a splash, then clotheslined Elias over the top rope. Elias and Cena teamed up in an attempt to knock down Elias. Cena gave him a clothesline, Elias landed a flying knee. Cena and Elias gave Strowman a double clothesline over the top rope. Cena threw Strowman into the post, then joined Elias to send Strowman into the ring steps. Cena rammed the steps into Strowman’s shoulder, then Elias smashed the guitar over his back (no DQ since it was a Triple Threat match).
Finally, Cena gave Strowman the AA onto the ring steps to get Strowman off his feet. Elias hit Cena from behind and gave him a Billy Robinson backbreaker for a two count. Cena made his comeback with a series of tackles and the Blue Thunder driver. Cena looked out of ring shape because we were only nine minutes in and he was huffing and puffing. He attempted the Five Knuckle Shuffle, but Strowman arose from the dead and gave Cena the Running Powerslam. Strowman attempted another powerslam on Elias, who slipped out the backdoor and sent Strowman out of the ring. Elias rushed over to an unconscious Cena and pinned him.
A furious Strowman came back in the ring, gave Elias a powerslam, Cena another powerslam and Elias a powerslam. Strowman started posing in the corners like he was the top babyface in the company celebrating after a main event victory at a house show, asking the crowd for more noise. Strowman gave Cena another powerslam. Cena was in a lengthy conversation with Strowman while he was on his shoulders. Strowman powerslammed Elias again.