Tonight’s show is the go home show for WrestleMania. Will The Undertaker answer Cena? A face off between Kurt Angle, Ronda Rousey, HHH, and Stephanie McMahon! Seth Rollins faces off against Finn Balor! Who will be Braun Strowman’s partner?! Let’s begin!
The Authority has a face off against Angle and Rousey.
Jonathan Coachman is mediating the face off between The Authority, Kurt Angle, and Ronda Rousey. Before Coachman can get to the submitted questions that social media has. HHH cuts him off and starts a back and forth between the two teams. I would go in detail, but the only thing that was good was Steph’s dig on Ronda about handling loses. At the end Coachman asks for the photo op and says “This is not like MMA or Boxing. We will do this with class”. We all knows what that means. They pose, Steph extends her hand to Rousey. Ronda gets in her face. Then HHH attacks Kurt from behind. Steph in turn PUTS RONDA THROUGH A TABLE!!!
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBTV5ekQwWw&w=424&h=238]
Bayley vs Sonya Deville
Bayley and Sonya face off tonight as a pre warmer for WrestleMania’s Women’s Royal Rumble. DeVille starts off with full confidence as her leg kicks land on Bayley. Bayley dodges a third leg kick and knocks Sonya back with her own leg kick. Bayley hits a cross body and puts Sonya in the corner. Sonya fights back, but Bayley gains control and tries for a top rope arm drag. It turns into more of splash. After a commercial break, Sonya is in control, landing hits after hits. Bayley is able to take control and bounce Sonya’s head off the mat. Sonya gets Bayley in the corner with kicks, The Hugger ducks away and fires back. A back and forth ensues with Bayley getting a roll up pin from a missed roundhouse kick.
Afterwards Mandy Rose and Sonya attack Bayley. Sash Banks comes running down for the rescue. After clearing the ring. Sasha tells Bayley to raise her hand. Bayley refuses, then Sasha grabs her face. Bayley attacks The Boss, only to have Absolution attack again. With Mandy Rose hitting the Angles Wing on Bayley.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyH-h-yINgI&w=640&h=360]
Finn Balor vs Seth Rollins.
Here we go. A match that stole the show from a previous WrestleMania. All for free on WWE’s Raw. This match was hard for me to take my usual notes. Because it was so awesome and enthralling. Both men start the match feeling each other out. After a counter fest of strength, technique, and ring awareness. It ends in a stalemate. Cut to commercial break.
After the break, the stalemate continues. Albeit at a faster pace. Both start trading haymakers in the middle of the ring. The action is back and forth. Then WWE decides it was a good time to have a picture in picture promo for the Shinsuke vs AJ Styles WrestleMania match. Umm, ok.
After the promo, the two trade chops. The action follows outside with Seth countering Finn. Getting Finn into the same move that injured him for a year, Finn counters and gives his own move into the barricades. Seth goes for the top rope Superplex to Falcon Arrow combo and Finn counters with a roll up. Only a two count. What ensues a furious chain event of counters. With Seth finally hitting a Curb Stomp for the win. What a match!!
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8L29LXylks&w=640&h=360]
Braun Strowman’s new partner
The Bar comes out. Sheamus starts off stating that The Bar does not care on who Braun’s partner is. Cesaro agrees. The Monster Among Men music hits. Braun says that the bosses in forcing him to have a partner. So, Braun has found one. If The Bar wants to know on who he is, they must agree to match against him. The Bar agrees. Braun warns ” He’s as bad as me”.
After a bit, Braun’s partner walks out! It’s Strowman wearing glasses and another shirt. He claims to be Braun’ brother “Brain”. AKA Braun Strowman in slightly different clothes. So the new “partner” runs to the ring and clears out The Bar. We still have no clue on who will be Braun’s partner for WrestleMania. Any guesses?
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Da4w-xJJnNI&w=640&h=360]
The Bizarre vs The Woken.
I’m pretty sure that there is some section in the world wide web that has fan fiction about this match. Woken Matt Hardy vs Goldust. Before the match began, the two had a video segment aired. Both in their bizarre and woken selves. The match was nothing too spectacular. Just good ol’ wrasslin and humor. A filler match to keep the fans at bay for the next set up. It was entertaining to see Matt take control of the crowd and Goldust provide the basic lesson on how to put over a performer. Woken Matt hits the Twist Of Fate on Goldust for the win.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1J8MovY7M8&w=640&h=360]
Does The Undertaker answer John Cena?
John Cena makes his way out to the ring. He says that he has done everything to get Taker to respond. Alas, nothing from is heard from Taker. Cena is now proud to go to WrestleMania as a fan. The crowd chants “UNDERTAKER!”. Cena acknowledges them and says “I hope he hears you.” The man who never gives up, gave up. Citing he is happy to see great moments at WrestleMania. From AJ Styles to all of the women’s matches. He asks the crowd one more time to summon The Undertaker. However, Taker still does not show up. Cena now has no road to WrestleMania.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsHj1aHWY2M&w=640&h=360]
The Drifter.
Elias comes out and works the crowd. After his usual segment. In which is usually great, Heath Slater comes out to challenge him. Elias has a squash match against Slater. Even showing off his finisher. Another filler match.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVBcGFab0wE&w=640&h=360]
Nia Jax responds.
After a couple of very good segments between Alexa Bliss and Nia Jax over the past few weeks. We are treated to an interview with Nia Jax. It was not as nearly as powerful as the past segments. But, sets up the WrestleMania match between them.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fr7-JAqQtoI&w=640&h=360]
Asuka’s Streak on the line.
Dana Brooks teams up with Asuka against Alexa Bliss and Mickie James. With Asuka’s undefeated streak on the line. Dana starts the match off. We all know this was a filler match. But on the brightside, this the best I’ve seen Dana work in months. Asuka gets the hot tag from Dana and cleans house. The Empress Of Tomorrow locks in the Asuka-Lock on Mickie James for the win. Afterwards, Alexa and Mickie attack Asuka. Nia Jax comes running down to the ring and cleans house. In the process Nia destroys Mickie, with Alexa escaping.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHuFQj0Z-6U&w=640&h=360]
The Advocate speaks.
Paul Heyman promised Kurt Angle that he would not entice Roman Reigns into coming out to the ring. As a precautionary, a few of the heel wrestlers blocked a path from the stage to the ring. Did Heyman stay true to his word? Of course not! Not only did he call out Roman for getting beat down the past two weeks, but he called Roman “Brock’s B***H!”. Roman music hits, but there is a blockade in front of him. Reigns asks the wrestlers that “why are you protecting a part-timer?”. They agreed and step aside. Leaving for a pre WrestleMania showdown.
Roman enters the ring and delivers not one, or two, or three Superman punches. But FIVE!Paul Heyman is in disbelief outside the ring. As Roman grabs the Universal Championship belt to celebrate. Brock Lesner pops up to deliver a F-5. Quickly stopping all of Roman’s momentum.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlngwhWaLBs&w=640&h=360]
Was this a worthy Raw before WrestleMania?
For the most part, no. Yes, I understand that storylines had to lead into WrestleMania. However, tonight seemed lackluster. Aside the great match between Seth Rollins and Finn Balor. Most of the night was nothing but filler. Maybe there was some truth to the rumors that the plans for WrestleMania was not set until the last minute. With The Showcase Of The Immortals just six days away, we will see.
