The show started out with Shane McMahon returning which was a nice surprise announcing Drew McIntyre will defend his WWE Championship in an elimination chamber match. The following participants are AJ Styles, Sheamus, Jeff Hardy, The Miz, and Randy Orton. I expect that match to be very good.
AJ Styles w/Omos vs: Jeff Hardy:
Jeff Hardy had control for majority of the match until hurting his left knee avoiding a diving AJ Styles. Styles has since taken advantage and has gone after Hardy’s knee. Hardy was able to regain advantage although he is still hurting. Hardy hit Styles with the Twist of Fate but slowly tried to go to the top rope to hit the Swanton Bomb but Styles counters and then hits the Calf Crusher for the submission victory.
Results: AJ Styles defeats Jeff Hardy via submission
Grade: B
The New Day (Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods) vs. Retribution (T-Bar and Slapjack):
Slapjack and Xavier Woods started off the match for their respected teams. Leader of Retribution, Mustafa Ali joined on commentary. Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods pulled off a double-team move as Kofi came into the match. Shortly after, T-Bar got in the match and changed the momentum. Xavier Woods has been neutralized with Slapjack and T-Bar making frequent tags and staying on the attack. Kingston was finally able to get back in the match after a hot tag and takes out both members of Retribution. The New Day hits the Daybreak for the win.
Results: Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods defeat Slapjack and T-Bar via pinfall
Grade: A-
Lacey Evans w/Ric Flair vs. Charlotte Flair:
Lacey Evans and Ric Flair came out for a promo. Lacey states Charlotte was ungrateful and never truly appreciated her father. Charlotte came out and interrupted Evans claiming she can do this on her own. Charlotte also told her dad “I don’t care who you manage, just don’t bring me down”. Evans then said if she were to beat Charlotte in a match Lacey would be the #1 Contender for Asuka’s Championship. Charlotte proposed to fight now and then Evans attacked Flair from behind before commercial break. As soon as the bell rung, it got physical and fast. Evans left the ring and Charlotte mocked her dad with the slow walk. On the attack before the match, Evans injured the shoulder of Flair and has been attacking it ever since. Charlotte finally comes back and hits a spear on Evans. She then unleashes on Evans in the corner ultimately costing her the match.
Results: Lacey Evans defeated Charlotte Flair via disqualification
Grade: A-
Edge comes out to announce his plans on who he is going to face at WrestleMania after winning the Royal Rumble. He said he will wait and see what happens after the Elimination Chamber PPV and then make his announcement. The Miz came out with John Morrison and Angel Garza to remind Edge that he has the Money in the Bank briefcase and can use that to cash in at any time.
Damian Priest w/ Bad Bunny vs. Angel Garza w/ The Miz and John Morrison:
Priest goes right after Garza hammering him with strikes. Miz and Morrison climb on the apron causing a distraction. Garza has taken advantage of the distractions with two cheap shots early in the match. Priest has simply dominated and outmuscled Garza. Garza distracted the ref as Miz and Morrison unload on Priest at ringside. Bad Bunny outsmarts Miz and Morrison and gets them disqualified from ringside. Priest takes advantage and hits The Reckoning for the win. The match was one sided and filled with too many distractions.
Grade: D+
Results: Damian Priest defeats Angel Garza via pinfall
Riddle vs. Keith Lee:
MVP joined commentary table for this match. Keith Lee curled Riddle with one arm impressively until Riddle slid out. Lee was simply dominating Riddle until Riddle locked in a sleeper hold. Riddle is finally starting to get in some offense but he has not been able to put him on the ground yet. Riddle finally took him off his feet with a knee to the face off the top rope. Riddle hits Lee with a series of Brotons. Lee hits Riddle with the Spirit Bomb. Bobby Lashley after the match, came out and viciously attacked both Riddle and Lee.
Results: Keith Lee defeats Riddle via pinfall
Grade: B
Lana w/Naomi vs. Nia Jax w/Shayna Baszler in a Tables Match:
Nia Jax has dominated that match and has obliterated Lana. Lana temporarily had momentum after putting her on the apron. However, Nia went for the leg drop and missed causing Nia to hurt her leg and backside. Lana countered the irish whip with one of her own putting Jax through a table for the win. Baszler went after Lana after the match before Naomi stepped in and through Baszler out of the ring. Lana’s matches has been boring lately as she gets destroyed by Nia but then pulls off one move for the win. WWE needs to book her better otherwise she will fade out.
Results: Lana defeats Nia via Nia Jax going through a table
Grade: F
Naomi vs. Shayna Baszler:
Naomi had the advantage early on until Baszler took advantage and went after Naomi’s arm. Baszler put Naomi in her finisher but Naomi got to the ropes forcing a break. She then went outside the ring to attack Lana. Naomi then rolled up Baszler for the victory.
Results: Naomi defeats Shayna Baszler via pinfall
Grade: D
Drew McIntyre vs. Randy Orton:
The two went back-and-forth until Sheamus’ music hit causing McIntyre to be distracted. Orton has taken advantage since then as they go into commercial break. The two both put on a performance with powerful strikes and moves. Sheamus eventually got involved and hit Orton with a Brogue Kick and shorty after received a Claymore Kick from McIntyre.
Results: Randy Orton defeated Drew McIntyre via Disqualification
Grade: B
Recap: This weeks episode of Raw was fairly average. The three matches before the Main Event were awful in my opinion. The best match of the night was the Lacey Evans vs. Charlotte Flair match. The best parts out of tonight’s episode was Shane McMahon returning and the Lacey Evans-Flair match. I would give this show a C+.
Brian's World of Sports 