Triple H is asserting his control ahead of WrestleMania, set to appear on tonight’s RAW. (Instagram)
The Undertaker is coming to RAW. A major Divas battle is brewing and one WWE Superstar is already teasing a “big announcement.”
See, having an extra Monday this month isn’t really all that bad, is it? We didn’t think so. Read on for all the results from tonight’s taping:
Triple H Opened the Show With Dean Ambrose…Kind Of
Triple H entered the ring first and did a bit of Roman Reigns mocking. He talks about how Reigns didn’t know his place and makes fun of him sitting at home…then Dean Ambrose’s music cuts in.
Ambrose limps into the ring, fans chant his name and he gives an update on Reigns. Triple H mocks their “bromance” before he takes on Ambrose as well. Game on? Game on.
Becky Lynch vs. Sasha Banks
Winner: Draw
In a tight #1Contender Match, @BeckyLynchWWE and @SashaBanksWWE took each other to the limit! #RAW t.co/Jo2CRghYjh
Yup. You read that right. Becky Lynch and Sasha Banks battled it out for a chance to face Charlotte at WrestleMania, but the referee called a double pin. So, how did that happen?
Becky took Sasha to a 2-count, before dropping her with an elbow. Then Sasha brought Becky back down with a sunset flip. And, well, this one isn’t over yet.
It’s a draw?! @MsCharlotteWWE could very well have the night off at @WrestleMania… #RAW #1Contender
Everyone is, understandably, confused.
The Miz vs. Dolph Ziggler
Winner: The Miz
Ziggler tried. He really did.
He attempts several early pins, goes for a neckbreaker to a 2-count and even records a dropkick and spalsh in the corner. The Miz never gives up though.
He catches a superkick, rolls Ziggler up out of the corner and grabs the win. It wasn’t too thrilling, but it happened.
The Lucha Dragons vs. Sheamus & Rusev
Winners: Sheamus & Rusev
Another week, another round of League of Nations shenanigans.
The #LUCHADragons take to the air in an attempt to topple the #LeagueOfNations on #RAW! t.co/1stsZhFSSy
The Lucha Dragons held their own for awhile and it even looked as if Kalisto was going to cruise, before Sheamus broke up the pin. Cara sent Sheamus to the floor and dived out, but Sheamus responded with a Brogue Kick. Alberto Del Rio distracted Kalisto and when he turned around, he received a kick from Rusev.
After the match, Del Rio went after Kalisto, turning him upside down in the corner as The League continues to celebrate.
Ryback vs. Adam Rose
Winner: Ryback
Hey, this was a good one for Ryback.
He opened up the match claiming he deserved the spotlight and, well, he seized it. Ryback overpowers early on and dominates the entire match. He nailed the Shellshocked for the win.
It was quick. It was effective.
The New Day vs. Chris Jericho & AJ Styles
Winners: Chris Jericho & AJ Styles
Is a win for @AJStylesOrg and @IAmJericho “in the cards?” #RAW #TheNewDay #GotHisNumber t.co/quISLJifIg
This new Chris Jericho and AJ Styles thing appears to be a real thing.
Not only did the duo earn the victory (thanks to Jericho’s takedown of Kof with the Walls of Jericho), but the pair also challenged The New Day to a WWE Tag Team Title match at next week’s raw.
Look at what happens when you play nice with your former enemies! You start chasing championships together!
Jey Uso vs. Bubba Ray Dudley
Winner: Bubbay Ray Dudley
Well, we’ve had multiple tag team matches tonight, so why not have a one-on-one between two different tag team members?
Uso hit first, but D-Von Dudley stepped in (kind of) and pulled a table from under the ring as a distraction. Jimmy Uso ran around, jumped off the steps trying to hit Dudley and ran straight into the table.
It was more than enough time to give Bubbay Ray time to hit Jey with the Full Nelson Slam for the win.
Looks like the tables are back.
Kevin Owens vs. Big Show
Winner: Big Show
That’s one way to get some revenge.
After last week’s SmackDown matchup, Big Show took down Owens on RAW and it was another prime example of what kind of athlete the Show is. After Owens started off strong, Big Show grabbed him by the through, crotches him on the top rope and dropped K.O. to the floor. Owens is quickly counted out and Show is, well, he’s thrilled. Check it out:
Here is your winner via count-out…@WWETheBigShow! #RAW
Naomi vs. Brie Bella
Winner: Naomi
Brie’s losing streak continues, Lana is inexplicably involved in some trash talk and Tamina continues to be a pretty good body guard.
Tamina was the difference-maker late in the match as she ran up and distracted Brie (who actually dropped her), before Naomi came in and forced a submission victory.
No one really understood why Lana was there.
Dean Ambrose vs. Alberto Del Rio & Triple H Loses His Mind…Again
Dean Ambrose can’t walk. He actually came into the ring with a noticeable limp and Del Rio used that to his advantage.
Del Rio – flanked by his League of Nations allies – took down Ambrose quickly and beat down in and out of the ring, throwing him into the barrier more than once. Ambrose’s visibly bandaged body was taking a very serious beating when Triple H’s music sounded and the League of Nation attacked.
Triple H shook everyone’s hands, smiled and we all realized that the Authority and the League of Nations are now, officially, together. But, Ambrose wasn’t done yet. He could barely walk, but he was still breathing, so that was something:
After being completely obliterated – and thrown through the table – by Triple H, Ambrose lay seemingly unconscious in the middle of the ring. Triple H, finally, responded to his request for a title match and, well, that response was yes.
Yes.
Tonight’s WWE RAW, which is being aired from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee, promises the return of The Undertaker as he prepares to face off against Shane McMahon in a Hell in a Cell match at WrestleMania this year. But The Undertaker won’t be the only Superstar heading into the ring tonight. Here’s who else the WWE has announced for Leap Day: World Heavyweight Champion Triple H, Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose, The League of Nations, The Wyatt Family, Chris Jericho and WWE Intercontinental Champion Kevin Owens.
Not a bad list, huh?
Of course, much of the focus will be on McMahon’s upcoming battle with The Undertaker, but there’s also a Divas battle brewing as well as Sasha Banks and Becky Lynch – who have been allies in their battle against Charlotte for the last few weeks – square off for a chance to take on the Champion at WrestleMania.
Meanwhile, Rusev tweeted this on Sunday night:
Now, this could just be Rusev being Rusev, but the League of Nations member seemed fairly confident that the announcement is legit. He’s slated to appear tonight with his fiancee Lana.
Triple H is also expected to continue to assert his power, particularly after he absolutely obliterated Roman Reigns last week. Dean Ambrose will also respond to Brock Lesnar after driving an ambulance into the arena on last Monday’s RAW and demanding a rematch. Maybe this time he’ll walk in.
RAW airs at 8 p.m. ET on the USA Network.
