Reviews

The John Report: The WWE Raw Deal 02/14/22 Review

By John Canton • Published 14th February 2022
wwe raw deal feb 14

This week’s WWE Monday Night Raw featured Brock Lesnar returning to the show ahead of Saturday’s Elimination Chamber event while Damian Priest defended the US Title against AJ Styles.

I’m in a very good mood and if you don’t like the NFL or that my team won the Super Bowl then maybe scroll down three paragraphs. If you follow me on Twitter or on my Facebook, you know I’m elated about the LA Rams winning the Super Bowl on Sunday. Over 35 years of fandom for me since I was gifted an Eric Dickerson jersey as a child by an older cousin that liked the Rams and they’ve been my team ever since even though they were in LA, then St. Louis and back in LA again while I live thousands of miles (or kilometres) away in southern Ontario. Being loyal to the team is what matters. The last two Super Bowls were painful losses for Rams fans. This time the journey has been incredible after beating the championship Tampa Buccaneers and that heel (just joking) Tom Brady as their QB. That was huge. Getting past the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Title game with a three-point win after being down by ten in the fourth was incredible. It was another three-point win in Super Bowl 56 with the Rams winning 23-20 over the Bengals.

This was a sweet win even though it was nearly one of the worst screwjobs in Super Bowl history. The fact is that the Bengals offense only generated three legit points in the second half. The touchdown pass Tee Higgins was one of the worst non-calls in Super Bowl history because he grabbed Rams CB Jalen Ramsey by the facemask and yanked him down. It should have been a penalty on Higgins and the Bengals were in their own end. Instead, they were gifted a TD. Thankfully the Rams were good enough to fight back and win after getting screwed. I don’t know how the refs missed what Higgins did. Ridiculous. I know the Rams got some calls towards the end of the game, but I think they were penalties and justified. I’m so happy for my fellow Rams fans, for coach Sean McVay becoming the youngest coach to win the Super Bowl ever (he’s 36 years old), and for players like the amazing Aaron Donald, great Cooper Kupp, clutch Matthew Stafford, leader Andrew Whitworth, Von Miller, Odell Beckham, Robert Woods, and so many others. The Rams overcame injuries to key guys to find a way to win with Stafford finding MVP Kupp for that 4th quarter TD. The Bengals had a shot to win or tie, but Donald, Miller, and that defense shut their asses down. Defense wins championships. I know Kupp won MVP, which is certainly justified because he was so great on the final drive, but I think the defense won the game for the Rams.

I respect the Bengals a lot and wish the best to their fans. They’re going to be good for a while especially if they draft some good offensive lineman and sign some OL guys to help protect Joe Burrow. Anyway, I’m in a really good mood getting messages from family, friends, readers and others that know how much I care about the team. I didn’t anything really, but when you’re a fan of a team for life, it does mean a lot when something good happens. My Toronto Raptors won the NBA Title in 2019 too, so pretty cool having two title teams within three years. More please. This is fun being happy about sports instead of being miserable sometimes! Anyway, I already ordered two hats, two shirts and there will be more coming, I’m sure. I don’t think I’ll order the Rams WWE Title, but I thought about it for sure. Going into this Raw in a good mood. I guess it’s Valentine’s Day today too. No personal valentine for me. That’s okay. A Super Bowl Championship is good enough for me. Whose house? Rams House! The Super Bowl Champions house. I’ll never forget it. Thank you LA Rams for that great memory that will last a lifetime.

This is the Raw Deal for episode #1499 of Monday Night Raw. It’s taking place at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. Follow me on Twitter @johnreport. Let’s get to it.

It was another Raw that was on Syfy for those of you in the US due to the Winter Olympics on USA Network. The first hour was commercial-free like last week.

Let’s Hear from Bobby Lashley and Many Others

The “All Mighty” WWE Champion Bobby Lashley made his entrance to start the show with MVP by his side. Lashley defends the WWE Championship inside the Elimination Chamber at Elimination Chamber Premium Live Event on Saturday night.

Lashley spoke about how the Elimination Chamber has changed careers while noting that he has done that too. Lashley said that everybody else in the match has been destroyed by him. MVP said that Lashley has a 1 in 6 or 16% chance to win Elimination Chamber. MVP went over the names of the five guys in the Chamber match saying that none of them are All Mighty. MVP said when you factor in the All Mighty quotient, it gives Lashley a 100% chance to walk out of Elimination Chamber as the WWE Champion.

Seth “Freakin” Rollins made his entrance wearing a shiny gold suit with a black shirt. Rollins told “Bob” that he looked great, but not as great as Rollins. Seth said that as of this moment, Lashley is the WWE Champion and the bad news is that it won’t be for very long. Rollins said it was good news that he didn’t think anybody else in the Chamber match can beat Lashley, but the bad news is that Rollins can beat Lashley. MVP said he had a vision that if Seth keeps running his mouth like that he won’t make it to Elimination Chamber.

Riddle was next to join the promo party on a scooter while wearing a toga. Riddle was greeted with a “toga” chant from the crowd in Indy. Riddle wondered if Elimination Chamber was like a giant Quiz Bowl, Seth said he made no reference to that and Riddle rambled on with a story about being trapped in a room. Riddle said he’s going to win Elimination Chamber and wondered what would happen if he was WWE Champion. Riddle said in two weeks, he could win back the Tag Team Titles with Randy Orton, so then he can be a double champion. Riddle said it would be cool if they could come to his toga party while Riddle noted that Rollins had to face Randy Orton. Riddle noted that Bobby didn’t have a match, so he asked Indy to get Bobby in a toga, but here’s an interruption.

Austin Theory was the next man to walk to the ring with a microphone in hand. Theory said that Mr. McMahon taught him to expect the unexpected. Theory said that apologies are just weaknesses. Theory said he can’t let Mr. McMahon down so he has to win the Elimination Chamber match.

AJ Styles was the fifth man up with the fans cheering him. Styles said that Theory’s lips have been on Mr. McMahon’s ass that he’s not making sense anymore. Styles told them that they have to worry about him. Styles said that he’s been in the Chamber before and the odds are in no one’s favor. Styles said no one including Lashley is going to stop him from having a defining WrestleMania moment. Styles told Riddle that is a sweet toga. Riddle: “Yeah! Thank you AJ!” Styles said that he’s facing Damian Priest for the US Title and when he beats him, he can walk into WrestleMania as the US Champion and the WWE Champion. Riddle said it would be a phenomenal moment if AJ came to Riddle’s toga party tonight. Lashley said that he’s the only one there that has won an Elimination Chamber match. Lashley told Theory he’s wet behind the ears, so he needs to wait. Lashley told Rollins, Riddle and Styles that they are not going to be able to beat him. Lashley mentioned Brock Lesnar saying this is the closest he’ll ever get to the WWE Championship again because he’ll beat Brock Lesnar and walk into WrestleMania in Dallas as the WWE Champion.

Brock Lesnar made his entrance as the sixth man in the Chamber match. Lesnar walked out wearing a black cowboy hat with the fans cheering the cowboy. Lesnar walked around the ring before getting inside of it with the other wrestlers. Lesnar took off his coat and hat and put them on Theory, who took a selfie. Lesnar got in Lashley’s face. Theory went after Lesnar, but that was dumb and Lesnar hit Theory with two German Suplexes. Lesnar hit Theory with the F5. Lesnar stared at Lashley, who held up the WWE Title in the aisle while Lesnar was in the ring. Lesnar had Theory’s cell phone and took a selfie with Theory. That was funny.

Analysis: It was a basic promo exchange between the six guys in the Chamber match. Five of them had words to say while Lesnar showed up to kick ass at the end of it. I’m a bit surprised that Lesnar didn’t speak at all, even for a brief moment, but it was just basically Lesnar going out there to kick some ass.

The Street Profits were standing in the backstage area behind the curtain. They mentioned the first hour was commercial-free while plugging what matches and segments were coming up. They mentioned they had a match with the Dirty Dawgs. Corey Graves mentioned Dawkins was able to keep it cool considering the Bengals (Dawkins’ favorite team) blew it in the Super Bowl. Yes they did! Go Rams.

The Street Profits duo of Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins made their entrance. The Raw commentary team was Jimmy Smith, Corey Graves and Byron Saxton as usual. The heel team of Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode were up next. They showed Ziggler’s brief appearance on NXT last week, which should set up future matches with Tommaso Ciampa and NXT Champion Bron Breakker. That should be fun when those matches happen.

The Street Profits – Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins vs. Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode

They were joined by NXT’s Tommaso Ciampa on commentary.

Ford with a dropkick on Ziggler. Roode saved a pin attempt and Ziggler hit a chop block to Ford. Roode hit a spinning uranage slam on Ford for a two count. Roode launched legal man Ziggler into the air leading to a knee drop on Ford for a two count with Dawkins getting the pin. Ciampa ripped on Ziggler for thinking he can just own NXT by showing up. Ford hit an enziguri kick on Ziggler, Dawkins got the tag against Roode and Dawkins hit a clothesline. Dawkins with a jumping elbow, then an overhead suplex and a corner splash. Roode with a spinebuster for two. Ziggler was on the floor, Ciampa clapped in his face, Ziggler teased a superkick and Ciampa threw a cup of water on Ziggler. Roode was mad about that, then Dawkins with a spinebuster on Roode and Ford jumped off the top with a Frog Splash on Roode. Ford had a bit of a rough landing when he hit that move. It went about four minutes.

Winners by pinfall: The Street Profits – Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins

Analysis: ** A solid tag team match that was pretty short, but effective in terms of putting over the Street Profits with another win for them. Roode and Ziggler aren’t being pushed much, so seeing them lose is to be expected. Since I expect Alpha Academy to beat Orton & Riddle when they wrestle again, I think we’ll see the Street Profits emerge as challengers to the tag team titles possibly at WrestleMania.

Post match, Ciampa and Ziggler got involved again with Ziggler hitting a superkick to knock Ciampa again. The Profits tried to do more to Ziggler, but he managed to escape with Roode.

Analysis: I’m sure Ziggler and Ciampa will have a great match whenever it happens. I like using Raw guys on NXT for some angles. Why not? It mixes up the rosters a bit and creates fresh matchups.

A replay was shown from last week’s Raw when Riddle & Orton beat Alpha Academy in a Quiz Bowl competition to earn a Tag Team Title match against AA.

There was a backstage scene with Riddle walking up to other midcard wrestlers at the RK-Broga party. Zelina Vega was doing her British accent while others like Carmella, Apollo Crews and Commander Azeez were there.

Randy Orton was in his locker room that was interviewed by Kevin Patrick. Orton said that he’s facing Seth Rollins, who is already planning his next move. Orton said that Rollins is already planning how to steal the World Title (he means WWE Title) at Elimination Chamber, but that’s Saturday. Orton said tonight on Raw, Rollins will be hit with the RKO.

A video aired about Black History Month with a look at the career of Hall of Famer Rocky Johnson. The video was narrated by his son, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. It aired on Smackdown last Friday, so they aired it again. Good video.

AJ Styles made his entrance for the US Title match.

A replay was shown of Kevin Owens telling WWE Officials Sonya Deville and Adam Pearce about his love for Texas last week. There was a Twitter asking if Owens was lying about his love for Texas. It was 60.5% YES and 39.5% NO.

Kevin Owens was shown doing a locker room promo saying that he likely won’t be in the Elimination Chamber. Owens said it might mean he won’t be on WrestleMania as well. Owens ripped on Texas (since WrestleMania is in Dallas) while saying he was lying, but right now he was telling the truth. Owens said he can’t stand Texas any more than anybody from Indianapolis. Owens ripped on Texans for being “redneck morons” while saying if North America was a human body, Texas would be its ass. Owens ended with this: “Howdy partner.” Owens laughed.

Analysis: KO’s promo work was fine as usual. I wasn’t sure where this storyline was going, but then Fightful Select reported on Monday night that WWE is trying to get Steve Austin to wrestle one more match and have it be against Owens at WrestleMania. That’s why Owens is ripping on Texas, we know Austin is a Texas legend and maybe it’s going to lead to a match. I’m a bit surprised Austin would do it, but he’s in great shape even at 57 years old and it would be a big payday for him. Maybe he wants to do it? I don’t know. I’m all for it as a WrestleMania attraction. The pop for Austin would be huge.

Damian Priest made his entrance for a US Title defense. Styles earned this title shot after beating Priest in a non-title match last week.

United States Championship: Damien Priest vs. AJ Styles

Priest hit an armdrag leading to an armbar. The announcers put over Styles being on a hot streak even though he lost to Omos a few weeks ago and they didn’t put Omos in a qualifying match for Elimination Chamber, but they did put Styles in a match. I’m not complaining because Styles is better. I’m just saying they ignored a match result there. Priest hit a backbreaker for two. Priest with forearms, Styles with strikes leading to a clothesline and a corner clothesline. Styles with a running forearm on a seated Priest. Styles wanted a Styles Clash, Priest countered that and hit a slam off the shoulders for a two count. Priest missed a spin kick, so Styles came back with a Pele Kick to knock the big man down. Styles with a clothesline that sent Priest over the top to the floor. Priest on the floor, he went for a Chokeslam on the apron, Styles fought out of it and Priest did a spin kick to knock down Styles on the apron. Styles was on the apron, he got in some punches, but Priest hit a kick to the head. Priest bounced off the ropes, Styles wanted a Phenomenal Forearm, Priest held onto the ropes and Priest did a sunset flip for the pinfall win after five minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Damian Priest

Analysis: **1/4 It was good while it lasted. I thought it would be a longer match considering how talented these guys are. A clean win for Priest makes sense since he’s a face just like Styles is. It’s a good victory for Priest although it wasn’t that significant since it was a sunset flip pin. If you win with a move that isn’t a finisher it’s a “just enough to get by” booking moment instead of a finish that makes the winner look dominant.

Post match, Styles extended a hand and Priest shook it. They are both babyfaces, so the handshake makes sense.

Alexa Bliss was shown with her therapist for another discussion. Bliss said for the first time in a long time, life is good and she’s happy. He asked her what she thinks of if she hears the word “gift.” She asked for some music to stop, so the therapist turned it off. The therapist put a “gift” on the table that was the inside of a doll along with other parts of the Lilly doll. He put it on the table saying he recovered that from the real Lilly. He gave them to Bliss as a gift so that she can be at peace. Bliss stared at it, then she closed her eyes and opened her eyes. Bliss smiled. The therapist had a doll saying he had an idea. The scene ended.

Analysis: Alexa is making progress, so that’s good for her. I guess I’m supposed to care. I’m not sure if I do. If she returns to the old Bliss character instead of the woman obsessed with a doll then that’s a good thing.

A commercial aired for the NXT Vengeance special on Tuesday’s show. I’ll have a review on TJRWrestling on Tuesday night.

Omos vs. The Hurt Business – Shelton Benjamin & Cedric Alexander

Alexander tried a sneak attack, Omos caught him and palmed his head. Omos tossed Alexander to the corner. Benjamin tagged in, Alexander grabbed the foot of Omos and Benjamin tried punches, but Omos came back with a whip into the corner. Benjamin with a jumping knee to the face, Alexander went for a springboard attack, Omos knocked Benjamin down with a boot and Omos hit a two-handed Chokeslam on Alexander. Omos pinned Alexander for the pinfall win after two minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Omos

Analysis: 1/2* Another dominant win by Omos as usual. That’s expected in his matches.

A clip was shown of 24/7 Champion Dana Brooke and Reggie hanging out backstage last week with Dana kissing him on the cheek saying they are good friends.

They showed Dana Brooke and Reggie at a restaurant for Valentine’s Day. Dana was wearing the 24/7 Title at the table as if a person would wear that. Reggie said Dana looked amazing. Tamina and Akira Tozawa showed up wearing costumes. Tamina said they’re not there to eat and told Tozawa not to ruin it. It said “to be continued” as well.

Analysis: Another riveting 24/7 Title segment. More to come I guess.

A quick commercial aired for the Chucky show on Peacock in the US.

A Smackdown video was shown promoting Roman Reigns and Goldberg meeting face to face. Plus, Shinsuke Nakamura defends the Intercontinental Title against Sami Zayn. It was taped last week.

The RK-Broga party was shown with wrestlers in togas along with announcer Kevin Patrick as well. The Street Profits arrived in togas as well. They were player beer pong. There were “Broga” chants.

Raw Women’s Championship Contract Signing

There was a table in the ring along with two chairs and a black carpet. It was contract signing time with WWE Official Adam Pearce on hand to officiate. Lita was introduced first. They showed last week’s Raw when Lita dropped Becky Lynch with a Twist of Fate and a moonsault off the top that looked pretty good. Raw Women’s Champion Becky Lynch entered (while looking sad for some reason) for this signing for their Elimination Chamber match. They showed a billboard in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia featuring Becky & Lita, which is big news because it was first-time women wrestlers were on billboards over there.

Lynch and Lita were seated in the chairs. Lynch told Lita she didn’t have to do this. Lynch claimed that she didn’t have to do this while saying that her teenage idol attacked her last week. Lynch told Lita to tear it up and walk away. Lynch said that Lita is a Hall of Famer and there’s no Becky Lynch without Lita. Lynch said that Lita didn’t want to fight Becky while Becky didn’t want to fight her while adding that the fans want to see it because they like seeing people ruin their lives. Lynch told Lita to not let the fans do this to them. Lita asked if she should tear this up and walk away, so the fans chanted “no” at that. Lita said she could sign it and shut Becky Lynch up for good, which led to cheers. Lita said she didn’t come here because she had one good match left in her – she had a good run left, a championship run. Lita said she knows Lynch is scared because Becky saw that Lita has what it takes to beat Lynch. Lita said you don’t have to like it, but the match is happening. Lita signed the contract.

Lynch said that Lita has no idea of what Becky is capable of doing to keep the title on her shoulder. Lynch said that she’s not afraid to go for Lita’s neck and Lita is the one that made her do it. Lynch said people will remember Lita with a smile on her face right now, but when Becky is done with her, they’ll remember Lita with a tear in her eye. Lynch signed the contract.

Lita said if she had a hand in creating Becky Lynch, then it’s on Lita to finish it. Lita said that the only thing that’s ending on Saturday night is Becky’s title reign when Lita becomes the Raw Women’s Champion. Becky threw the title contract at Lita and Lynch left with her title. Pearce had the contract back in his hands. Lita posed while Lynch left with her head down.

Analysis: This was about as basic and simple that a WWE contract signing segment can be. Lynch tried to outsmart Lita by saying she didn’t want to hurt Lita, but Lita showed she was ready for a fight without backing out or playing Lynch’s games. No brawl or anything like that. As I said, it was a simple promo exchange.

A video aired about the violence of the Elimination Chamber matches. I have reviewed every Chamber match in history in our PPV section on TJRWrestling. There have been 28 Chamber matches. Two more this year makes it 30.

Rhea Ripley made her entrance for a Gauntlet Match against other women in the Elimination Chamber match. The winner gets to enter the Elimination Chamber match last. Ripley did a pre-tape promo about winning the Chamber match. Nikki A.S.H. was the opponent with her own pre-tape promo. It was the first commercial of the night since they onto hour two. The first hour was the commercial-free part of the show.

(Commercial)

Gauntlet Match #1: Rhea Ripley vs. Nikki A.S.H.

The match started during the break. Here in Canada on Sportsnet, they don’t show the picture in picture action although I never include it in my reviews on other shows. Nikki was in control with a trip on the apron followed by Nikki hitting some forearms while covering Ripley’s face with the ring apron. Nikki with a running forearm thrust to the throat. Nikki applied an armbar, Ripley got out of it and Nikki sent Ripley into the turnbuckle pad repeatedly. Ripley came back with punches, but Nikki kicked the legs to knock Ripley down. Ripley with a clothesline followed by a lifting slam. Ripley went for Riptide, Nikki got out of that with a punch to the head and Nikki tried a cross body off the apron. Ripley went for a move, Nikki slipped out of her arms and Ripley hit a Riptide to pin Nikki. This went five minutes.

Nikki A.S.H. was eliminated by Rhea Ripley

Liv Morgan made her entrance wearing some pink and green gear. Morgan did a pre-tape promo ending with her “Watch Me” catchphrase. A lot of fans enjoy watching her. Just saying.

(Commercial)

Gauntlet Match #2: Rhea Ripley vs. Liv Morgan

It’s a matchup between two babyface women. Ripley got to rest for about four minutes after beating Nikki. Morgan with a rollup, then Morgan got a backslide pin for two and Ripley hit a kick to the gut. Morgan with another rollup followed by a dropkick. Morgan with a running back splash as well as a jumping knee and that got a two count. Ripley drove Morgan back-first into the turnbuckle and Ripley slammed Morgan off the shoulders for two. Ripley kicked Morgan into the ropes, then Morgan bounced back with a face first slam into the mat for two. Morgan went for a running attack, Ripley moved, Morgan with a punch and Ripley avoided a move off the ropes. Ripley applied a submission on the legs, Morgan to the ropes and Morgan countered with a headscissors into the turnbuckle. Ripley got a hold of Morgan on her shoulders, Morgan landed on her feet, Ripley with a superkick and a Riptide slam for the pinfall win. That was about five minutes.

Liv Morgan was eliminated by Rhea Ripley

Analysis: The crowd was mostly dead for this matchup between two faces with no issues with eachother. It was an even matchup with Ripley winning for the second match in a row.

Doudrop was next.

(Commercial)

Gauntlet Match #3: Rhea Ripley vs. Doudrop

Doudrop tried a running shoulder block, Ripley didn’t move and then Ripley went for a shoulder block of her own and Doudrop barely moved. Ripley knocked down Doudrop after another attempt, then both women hit headbutts followed by Doudrop hitting a belly to back suplex. Doudrop with a senton backsplash for two. Doudrop with a headbutt to the arm, Ripley fought back with punches to the gut and Doudrop with a punch to the face. Doudrop hit a body slam. Ripley avoided a splash leading to Ripley hitting a dropkick on a seated Doudrop. Ripley with two clothesline, then they exchanged clotheslines and Ripley hit a dropkick. Doudrop got back into it with a headbutt. Ripley fought out of a slam, Ripley with a kick to the head and Ripley hit a Riptide slam on the bigger Doudrop for the pinfall win. It went four minutes. The crowd popped a bit for the final Riptide since Doudrop is a bigger woman.

Doudrop was eliminated by Rhea Ripley

Analysis: This had a different feel to it since it was a power matchup. As I noted above, there was a good reaction to Ripley hitting Riptide on Doudrop. The fans were impressed by it.

Bianca Belair was up next in the Gauntlet Match. Belair did a pre-match promo about how she’s going to win Elimination Chamber and the spotlight will be on her, the EST of WWE.

(Commercial)

Gauntlet Match #4: Rhea Ripley vs. Bianca Belair

Ripley was in the match for 32 minutes at this point. Belair with a back elbow on a charging Ripley, then a backflip over a charging Ripley and they battled over a suplex. Belair managed to hit a suplex for two. Belair applied an abdominal stretch with Ripley turning it into a drop toehold into the turnbuckle. Ripley charged, Belair moved and Ripley missed a dropkick. Belair bounced off the ropes with a moonsault for a two count. Belair and Ripley each ran at eachother with a double head whip move that sent them both into the mat. Ripley bailed to the floor, so Belair followed and Ripley sent Belair ribs first into the steel steps. They went to break there.

(Commercial)

Belair was in control as she hit her version of a Glam Slam for a two count. That’s not her finisher, but it’s a good spot for a two count. Ripley was in the match for 41 minutes at this point. Belair slipped out of a Riptide attempt, Belair wanted a KOD and Ripley managed to get to the apron to send Belair to the turnbuckle. Ripley and Belair exchanged slaps to the face with Ripley seated on the turnbuckle, so Belair hit a dropkick. Belair slammed Ripley off the turnbuckle. Belair went for a moonsault, but Ripley got the knees up to block. Ripley went up top and hit an impressive missile dropkick for a two count. Ripley wanted a submission, Belair to the ropes and Belair managed to hit the KOD slam after that for the pinfall win. The match went 44 minutes.

Analysis: That was the best fall in the Gauntlet Match so far. No doubt about that.

Rhea Ripley was eliminated by Bianca Belair

Winner: Bianca Belair

Analysis: ***1/4 It was pretty good by the end of it. I give a lot of credit to Ripley for working a long match like that. The first three falls were just average and then the last fall was competitive between Ripley and Belair. They worked well together as they have done in the past as well. They’re definitely two future stars and leaders in the women’s division for this decade.

Belair and Ripley shook hands and posed for the crowd together. The win by Belair meant that she will enter the Elimination Chamber last. The sixth woman in the match remains a mystery.

Analysis: I’m definitely thinking Belair wins the Chamber match and goes on to face Becky Lynch at WrestleMania.

Riddle was shown at his Broga Party playing some stupid song. That’s when Alpha Academy’s Chad Gable and Otis showed up to say that the party was over. Otis decked Riddle with a shot to the ribs. Everybody else left. Gable to Riddle: “Party’s over, bro.” That was it.

Rey and Dominik Mysterio entered for a match.

(Commercial)

They showed images from Super Bowl 56 with my LA Rams beating the Cincinnati Bengals to win the Super Bowl. They showed Rams LB Leonard Floyd celebrating with the WWE Title with the Rams logo on the side plates. It should be at the parade coming up as well.

Dana Brooke was shown in the restaurant with Reggie. They realized R-Truth was dressed like a waiter while Tamina and Tozawa tried to get Dana. Reggie helped Dana avoid them and referee Mike Chioda ate some food at the table. That drew some laughs. Dana kissed Reggie on the cheek, Reggie pitched being more than friends, she didn’t want any of that and Reggie rolled up Dana on the restaurant floor to win the “coveted” 24/7 Title.

Winner by pinfall AND NEW 24/7 Champion: Reggie

Reggie said that friendship has its perks and left with the title. The trio of Truth, Tamina and Tozawa saw Dana on the floor without her title. They left. The waiter gave Dana her bill for the dinner, so she was mad about that too.

Analysis: These segments are bad. This one was too. It’s an attempt at lighthearted comedy, I guess, but it’s not that funny. Anyway, Dana’s only title reign in her career is over.

Alpha Academy, the Raw Tag Team Champions, did a promo with Chad Gable doing his “shoosh” (instead of “shush) with Gable saying it was time for education. Gable did a promo saying he despised cheaters and said RK-Bro were cheaters. Gable did a promo on the Mysterios saying Rey taught Dominik that cheating was the way to win and they showed last week’s match with a cheating win by Rey helping Dominik beat The Miz. Gable called them cheaters.

The Miz and Maryse made their entrance to do commentary for the next match.

(Commercial)

Alpha Academy (Chad Gable & Otis) vs. Rey & Dominik Mysterio

This is not a title match. It started during a break with Otis in control of Rey while Miz kissed Maryse on commentary. Otis with a hard whip into the corner leading to Rey hitting a sternum bump into the turnbuckle. Otis with a running splash on Rey for two. Miz said he was there to make sure the Mysterios don’t cheat. Gable tagged in with a slam off the shoulders leading to a knee to the ribs. Rey avoided a move leading to a drop toe hold into the turnbuckle. Otis tagged in with some head squeezing on Rey. Otis went for a splash off the ropes, Rey moved and Dominik got the tag against Gable with a forearm. Dominik with a jumping hurricanrana along with a jumping DDT for two. Dominik with two suplex and then Gable held the arms for a Tiger Suplex for two. Dominik used his legs to send Gable out of the ring. Rey tagged in, he knocked Otis off the apron and Dominik hit a suicide dive on Otis. Rey hit a dive on Gable leading to a sunset flip into the barricade. That led to a break.

(Commercial)

The match continued with Gable hitting two belly-to-belly suplexes on Dominik. Gable went for a moonsault off the ropes, Dominik moved and brought in Rey. Rey with a headscissors on Gable, Rey punched Otis off the apron and Rey countered a sunset flip into a kick to the face for two. Rey with an elbow to the head, Gable caught Rey doing a move off the ropes and Gable hit a bridging German Suplex for two. Rey countered a Gable move off the shoulders into a bulldog. Otis made the save. Dominik into the ring illegally and he shoved Otis into the ring post. Dominik left the ring. Rey sent Gable into the ropes, then the Mysterios hit a double 619 and Miz was on the apron. Dominik kicked Miz down, Rey jumped on Miz and Dominik went for a cross body block off the top with Gable countering it while holding the tights for the pinfall win after 11 minutes.

Winners by pinfall: Alpha Academy (Chad Gable & Otis)

Analysis: *** Good match between two talented teams. The Miz’s distraction led to Rey taking him out and then the heel Gable outsmarted Dominik by grabbing the tights to get the win. A clever finish to the match that was fitting for the heels. I also like that the champions didn’t lose a non-title match. It was done this way to further Miz’s story with Rey.

After the match, Maryse got in Rey’s face, Miz tossed Dominik over the top rope to the floor and Miz hit the Skull Crushing Finale on Rey. Miz and Maryse celebrated their actions.

Analysis: It was announced that Miz will face Rey Mysterio at Elimination Chamber. That announcement was made later in the show.

Alexa Bliss was shown with her therapist for another segment. Bliss was in a different outfit with the therapist saying that Bliss is cured, at least as cured as she’s going to be. There was a Lilly doll with the therapist saying that the insides of the old Lilly were inside it. The therapist told Bliss that she can have a wonderful life if she keeps Lilly by her side and said she can have a wonderful life. Bliss left with the doll, she made the therapist shake the doll’s hand and Bliss left the office.

A video aired with Alexa Bliss mentioning there’s an open spot in the Elimination Chamber match and said that she knows what she’s doing on Saturday. A graphic was shown letting us know Alexa Bliss is now in the Women’s Elimination Chamber match on Saturday.

Analysis: It makes sense for Bliss to be in that spot. It’s been months since she has had a match. Now she’s back. I’ll still pick Belair to win.

Seth Rollins entered for a match with Randy Orton up next.

A trailer video aired about a movie called Dog starring Channing Tatum. They showed clips from the movie as well as comments from Tatum, the director and more. Good luck.

(Commercial)

The Smackdown Breakdown video aired with highlights of last week’s Smackdown. Great match by Charlotte Flair and Naomi in the main event. The fans really wanted Naomi to win. Check out TJRWrestling writer Joel’s column about why he thinks Naomi should be added to the Charlotte/Ronda Rousey match at WrestleMania. Post match, it led to Ronda saving Naomi from a 2-on-1 attack from Charlotte and Sonya Deville. That led to WWE announcing Charlotte/Sonya vs. Ronda/Naomi at Elimination Chamber on Saturday.

There was a rundown of Elimination Chamber matches:

Ronda Rousey & Naomi vs. Charlotte Flair & Sonya Deville

Women’s Elimination Chamber Match: Bianca Belair vs. Doudrop vs. Rhea Ripley vs. Nikki A.S.H. vs. Liv Morgan vs. Alexa Bliss – The winner earns a match against the Raw Women’s Champion at WrestleMania. Belair will enter the Chamber match in the #6 spot.

WWE Smackdown Tag Team Championships: The Usos (c) vs. The Viking Raiders

Rey Mysterio vs. The Miz

Falls Count Anywhere Match: Drew McIntyre vs. Madcap Moss

WWE Universal Championship: Roman Reigns (c) vs. Bill Goldberg

Raw Women’s Championship: Becky Lynch (c) vs. Lita

Men’s WWE Championship Elimination Chamber Match: Bobby Lashley (c) vs. Brock Lesnar vs. Seth “Freakin” Rollins vs. Austin Theory vs. Riddle vs. AJ Styles

Analysis: That looks like the full card for Elimination Chamber with eight matches. We’ll have a preview on TJRWrestling late Thursday or Friday morning and then I’ll review Elimination Chamber on Saturday afternoon my time.

Randy Orton made his entrance while Seth Rollins was in the ring for about ten minutes after he made his entrance. Orton got a good ovation. Saxton said that the last Orton/Rollins match on Raw was on August 10, 2015. Orton did his in-ring posting and they went to break there.

(Commercial)

Seth “Freakin” Rollins vs. Randy Orton

I think Seth was in the ring for like 15 minutes after he made his entrance and then the match finally started. Orton worked over Rollins with punches by the turnbuckle, but then Rollins slipped out leading to Rollins sending Owens into the turnbuckle. Rollins choked Orton across the middle rope followed by a running forearm and a kick to the back for two. Rollins set up Orton for a move by the ring apron with Rollins hitting a running kick to the face. Rollins sent Orton back into the ring leading to a double axhandle off the top for two. Orton with a kick to the chest, then chops and Orton hit two clotheslines. Orton went for a powerslam, Rollins moved, Orton avoided a Stomp attempt and Orton clotheslined Rollins over the top to the floor. Orton gave Rollins a belly to back slam on the commentary table. Back in the ring, Orton wanted the DDT off the ropes, but Rollins countered with a back body drop over the top to the floor. Rollins hit a running knee off the apron to Orton’s head. Rollins ran the ropes leading to a suicide dive that sent Orton over the commentary table on the floor.

(Commercial)

There were about seven minutes left when the show returned as Rollins hit Orton with a suplex. Rollins went up top, Orton tripped him up and Rollins was crotched on the top rope. Orton followed up with the superplex off the top rope for two. Great height on that move. Orton and Rollins exchanged punches, Rollins with a jumping kick to the head and Rollins sent Orton into the middle turnbuckle. Rollins hit the Slingblade neckbreaker followed by a Stomp attempt, Orton moved out of the way and Orton hit a powerslam for two. Rollins avoided a move off the ropes, Rollins with a rollup and then a superkick for two. Rollins with a rolling elbow to the jaw, then a forearm for the back and Orton avoided The Stomp. Orton gave Rollins a back body drop to the apron followed by Orton hitting a DDT off the ropes. Orton with the RKO, but Alpha Academy’s music hit. Otis and Chad Gable went out there, so Riddle showed up in his toga. Orton grabbed Otis and threw him into the barricade. Orton punched Gable. Orton wasn’t attacked so the match continued. When Orton went back into the ring under the bottom rope, Rollins hit The Stomp for the pinfall win after 15 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Seth Rollins

Analysis: ***1/2 A very good match with Rollins getting the win since he’s in the Elimination Chamber match while Orton is not on the show. Orton has had issues with Alpha Academy so that built up that story more and it gave Rollins a win over Orton even though it was cheap. Rollins took advantage of the situation that Orton was in and hit The Stomp for the win. Orton was protected by that booking while Rollins can say he has a lot of momentum going into the Chamber match. These guys always work well together as most fans remember going back to their WrestleMania 31 match seven years ago.

The announcers promoted Elimination Chamber again as Rollins sat on the commentary table smiling. That was the end of the show.

Three Stars of the Show

  1. Rhea Ripley – She worked over 40 minutes, so she deserves it.
  2. Seth Rollins
  3. Randy Orton

The Scoreboard

6.5 out of 10

Last week: 6

Final Thoughts

It felt like the usual average Raw with the second half of the show being better than the first half. The women’s gauntlet match took a lot of time and then they followed up with two strong matches to end the show. A good match by Seth Rollins and Randy Orton in the main although Orton isn’t even on the Elimination Chamber card, so it felt like just a random match to do between former WWE Champions.

I am surprised they didn’t do more to build the Men’s WWE Title Elimination Chamber match. The show opening promo was very average and I thought they should have done more with those guys later in the night. At least on the women’s side, we got to see the long Gauntlet Match with Rhea Ripley working 40 minutes. We also heard Alexa Bliss announcing her in-ring return.

The next WWE Premium Live Event is the Elimination Chamber from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia this Saturday, February 19. Here’s the lineup so far:

wwe elimination chamber feb 19 wwe title

Men’s WWE Championship Elimination Chamber Match: Bobby Lashley (c) vs. Brock Lesnar vs. Seth “Freakin” Rollins vs. Austin Theory vs. Riddle vs. AJ Styles

WWE Universal Championship: Roman Reigns (c) vs. Bill Goldberg

Raw Women’s Championship: Becky Lynch (c) vs. Lita

Women’s Elimination Chamber Match: Bianca Belair vs. Doudrop vs. Rhea Ripley vs. Nikki A.S.H. vs. Liv Morgan vs. Alexa Bliss – The winner earns a match against the Raw Women’s Champion at WrestleMania.

WWE Smackdown Tag Team Championships: The Usos (c) vs. The Viking Raiders

Ronda Rousey & Naomi vs. Charlotte Flair & Sonya Deville

Falls Count Anywhere: Drew McIntyre vs. Madcap Moss

Rey Mysterio vs. The Miz

You can watch WWE Elimination Chamber streaming LIVE from Jeddah beginning at 12 p.m. ET/9 a.m. PT on Saturday, Feb. 19, on Peacock in the United States and on WWE Network everywhere else.

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Check out the WWE PPV Review archive right here. You can contact me using any of the methods below. Go Toronto Raptors and Toronto Maple Leafs. Be safe and smart out there.

Thanks for reading.

John Canton

Email: mrjohncanton@gmail.com

Twitter: @johnreport