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With the WWE Royal Rumble just 24 hours removed, the road to Wrestlemania kicked off on WWE Raw. After his big win against Goldberg, Drew McIntyre retained his title and awaits his next challenger. With Edge winning the men’s Royal Rumble, only time would tell if he would be the one who challenges McIntyre. The US Title will be on the line with Bobby Lashley taking on Riddle. The Raw Tag Team Titles will also be defended as The Hurt Business defends against the Lucha House Party
WWE Raw: A Betrayal
WWE Champion Drew McIntyre kicks off Monday Night Raw as he congratulated all the winners at the Royal Rumble. As he begins to talk about the men’s rumble, Edge’s music hits. McIntyre praises Edge but is quickly cut off. Edge questions why McIntyre would give him compliments rather than attack him, but that’s when Sheamus’ music played.
Poignant words from @EdgeRatedR…
There IS a major target on #WWEChampion @DMcIntyreWWE, and @WWESheamus just proved it! #WWERaw pic.twitter.com/D9VPblY7R5
— WWE (@WWE) February 2, 2021
Sheamus gets into Edge’s face but is quickly brushed off and warns McIntyre that he’ll make it known when he’s ready to announce who he’ll face at Wrestlemania. After Edge leaves the ring, Sheamus hits the Bro Kick on McIntyre to turn on his best friend.
US Title Match
Riddle defeats Bobby Lashley by DQ
After winning the gauntlet match against The Hurt Business on last week’s WWE Raw, Riddle got his shot at the US Title. After the introductions, Riddle quickly attacks Lashley with a fury of strikes but is powered down with ease by the champion. A stalling drop suplex by Lashley rocks Riddle who is able to bounce back with a head scissors over the top rope. Riddle connects with the Floating Bro but gets caught in the Hurt Lock on the apron. Lashley refuses to let go and is disqualified. After the match, Lashley snaps and continues to beat down Riddle.
Can @SuperKingOfBros manage to upset @fightbobby for the #USTitle?! #WWERaw pic.twitter.com/3ymFPU39aQ
— WWE (@WWE) February 2, 2021
Match Analysis: Unfortunately this was too short to mean anything in regards to in-ring action. A proper Lashley-Riddle match has the potential to be a show-stealer, but this was more about storyline advancement. Skim It. *1/2
WWE Raw: In-ring Action
Xavier Woods defeated Mustafa Ali
The feud between the New Day and Retribution movies forward on WWE Raw. Xavier Woods and Mustafa Ali waste no tie going at it as the action makes its way to the floor. Ali returns to the ring and connects with a neckbreaker as Woods is distracted by Retribution on the floor. Ali continues his offense and hits another neckbreaker for a 2-count as he mocks Kofi Kingston at ringside. Woods is able to make a comeback after a tilt-a-whirl Russian leg sweep and then a lariat for a 2-count. Kofi and Retribution go at it on the outside before Woods is able to roll up Ali for the quick win.
.@AustinCreedWins gets the win over @AliWWE on #WWERaw! pic.twitter.com/5oDgZunySE
— WWE (@WWE) February 2, 2021
Match Analysis: The action was solid but the story is just not there. It’s very middle of the road and feels like there’s a missing ingredient to take it to the next level. Skim It. **
WWE: Miz TV
The Miz and John Morrison give sarcastic praise to music artist Bad Bunny before introducing him to Miz TV. The Miz attempts to apologize to Bad Bunny after their altercation at the Royal Rumble. Miz and Morrison praise Bunny and attempt to make a deal with him. In exchange for teaching Bunny how to wrestle, Miz and Morrison want a record deal. Bunny turns them down which results in outrage. The lights go out and Damian Priest officially makes his WWE Raw debut by attacking Miz and Morrison. It looks like we are getting a tag team match at Wrestlemania 37.
Damian Priest defeats The Miz
After The Miz TV segment, a match was quickly made between Damian Priest and The Miz. The match starts fast as Priest hits a flipping senton on both Miz and Morrison before the action moves inside. Miz uses his experience to poke the eyes of Priest before connecting on all of his signature moves. Miz then mocks Bad Bunny on the outside before Priest makes his comeback. Morrison attempts to distract Priest but is knocked down by Bunny on the outside. Priest then picks up the win after nailing Miz with the Reckoning.
How does @sanbenito's microphone taste, @TheRealMorrison?!#WWERaw @ArcherOfInfamy @mikethemiz pic.twitter.com/V3Qz4VVTWr
— WWE (@WWE) February 2, 2021
Match Analysis: The match itself was just fine. A basic short and sweet contest that helps a debuting Priest. If you’re into the mainstream storyline of Bad Bunny, then the entire segment and match are Worth a Watch. *1/2
WWE Raw Tag Team Title Match
The Hurt Business (Shelton Benjamin & Cedric Alexander) vs Lucha House Party
(Gran Metalik & Lince Dorado)
Shelton Benjamin absorbs kicks from Dorado to start but uses his power to get the early advantage. Gran Metalik gets the quick tag and after a struggle is able to connect on the hurricanrana. Cedric Alexander is then tagged in before Dorado is also tagged back in. Double team moves from Lucha House Party knock the Hurt Business to the outside before the commercial break.
The #LuchaHouseParty @WWEGranMetalik & @LuchadorLD could be on their way to becoming the next #WWERaw #TagTeamChampions! pic.twitter.com/CbfXK3KEdU
— WWE (@WWE) February 2, 2021
The match continues with The Hurt Business having their way with Lince Dorado. Alexander and Benjamin trade power moves until Dorado is able to counter into a DDT and a dropkick before making the hot tag to Metalik. Metalik and Lorado use their Lucha abilities to catch The Hurt Business off guard with several high flying moves. A big splash followed by a Swanton by Lucha House Party gets a two count on Alexander before Benjamin makes the save. After tagging himself back in, Benjamin connects with the PayDirt on Metalik for the win.
.@SheltyB803 gets the tag out of nowhere and hits PAYDIRT!#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/14UKXohry1
— WWE (@WWE) February 2, 2021
Match Analysis: Despite a few sloppy spots by the Lucha House Party, this was easily the best match on the show to this point. All four men can go and they worked well together. Fun stuff that’s Worth a Watch. ***
Women’s Tag Team Action
Lana & Naomi defeats Charlotte Flair & Asuka and Mandy Rose & Dana Brooke
The winning team becomes the #1 contenders to the WWE Raw women’s tag team titles. Charlotte starts off with Naomi with as both women trade moves and square up. Mandy Rose then tags who falls into a pinning combo bu Asuka. The tags come quickly with Lana entering before Rose tagging back in. Rose and Brooke then hit a double face plant on Asuka as the match goes to commercial.
This match-up is VERY intriguing!#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/Ow8X0CcME2
— WWE (@WWE) February 2, 2021
Mandy Rose has the advantage over Charlotte as she double teams with Dana Brooke. Charlotte makes the tag to Asuka who unloads on Rose as a shining wizard gets a 2-count. Naomi makes her way back in with Charlotte as she brings it to the Flair, including a springboard kick. Lana re-enters but runs into a big boot by Flair. Chaos ensues before Ric Flair’s music hits causing the Nature Boy and Lacey Evans to come down to the ring. With Asuka distracted, Naomi hits the rear-view for the win.
Match Analysis: Solid match that was definitely a bit step up from the women’s tag match on WWE Raw. It looks like Asuka and Charlotte will be breaking up soon, with Flair and Lacey Evans being the reason. Skim It. **1/2
WWE Raw Return
Jeff Hardy & Carlito defeated Elias & Jaxson Ryker
Carlito made his return at the Royal Rumble and is now back on WWE Raw. Carlito starts off hot on Ryker before tagging in Jeff Hardy. Hardy carries the momentum over before Ryker powers Hardy into the corner and tags in Elias. Hardy struggles to get to his feet and eats another double team.
BACKSTABBER by @litocolon279!#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/JRZuWxOEKi
— WWE (@WWE) February 2, 2021
Elias knocks Carlito off the apron before nailing a sit-out chokeslam for a 2-count. After a missed second-rope head butt by Ryker, Hardy makes the hot tag to Carlito. A fired-up Carlito battles it out with both men before hitting the backstabber on Elias. Hardy then finishes it off with the Swanton Bomb for the win.
https://twitter.com/WWEUniverse/status/1356441045697978368
Match Analysis: Perfectly fine tag team match to reintroduce the WWE Universe to Carlito. Skim It. **
WWE: Cinematic Bliss
Alexa Bliss vs Nikki Cross
Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross were once friends but the influence of The Fiend has changed that. Cross gets the early advantage while screaming at Bliss about their former friendship. In response, Bliss smiles all while taking punishment. Bliss lands multiple right hands that get a 2 count. Bliss uses methodical offense to control the match before Cross makes her comeback. Alexa’s original music hits as she’s transformed into her old ring gear.
😱 😱 😱@AlexaBliss_WWE is taking these mind games to a completely new level. #WWERaw pic.twitter.com/7b1RIqxCmJ
— WWE (@WWE) February 2, 2021
Nikki Cross looks at her with confusion but tosses her into the corner. Bliss’ new music hits again as she’s transformed back into what she was previously wearing. A stunned Cross is then hit with a modified Sister Abigal for the win. After the match, Randy Orton’s music hits as he walks past Bliss without looking at her.
.@AlexaBliss_WWE gets the win against her former best friend @NikkiCrossWWE on #WWERaw! pic.twitter.com/U91OMbCMqU
— WWE (@WWE) February 2, 2021
Match Analysis: The cinematic character of Alexa Bliss is not for everyone. Most will either love it or hate but I find myself in the middle. Looking at it for what it is, it has potential that will be eliminated or heavily altered once fans return to the ring. Take a Pass. *
WWE Raw: Main Event
Edge defeated Randy Orton
In what is being built as the final battle, Edge and Randy Orton put a bow on their feud. Edge connects right off the bat with a cross body followed by punches. Edge gets a quick two-count before attempting the anti-venom submission until Orton reverses it into a takedown. The Viper beats Edge down in the corner before choking him across the second rope. Edge makes his comeback hitting the Edgecution DDT but Orton is able to kick out. A failed spear by Edge results in a power slam by Orton who then tosses the Rated R Superstar into the ring post.
One final chapter: @EdgeRatedR vs. @RandyOrton … and it's already a BRUTAL encounter! #WWERaw pic.twitter.com/KjWoB0lkTn
— WWE (@WWE) February 2, 2021
The WWE Raw main event heads outside as Edge is whipped into the steel steps as we get a commercial break. After the break, Randy Orton continues his assault on Edge who is looking exhausted after his marathon at the Royal Rumble. Edge sidesteps and attempts to climb to the top rope, but is cut off by Orton. After getting back on track, Edge connects with a flying closeline for a two count.
End of an Era
A failed RKO turns into an Edge-O-Matic but that isn’t enough to get the win. Orton goes to the apron but eats a spear as he flies off and lands on the barricade. Edge heads to the outside but is met with a poke to the eye and then a backdrop onto the announce table. Orton sets up and connects with straddle DDT and then sets up for the RKO. Alexa Bliss then appears sitting on the top rope as she bleeds from her mouth. Orton turns around and is hit by a spear from Edge for the win.
SPEAR!@EdgeRatedR capitalizes on the distraction!#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/8Tlxp71EZc
— WWE (@WWE) February 2, 2021
Match Analysis: I’m surprised the match went as long as it did considering Edge wrestled for an hour in the Rumble. Good main event that delivered all the hits and ended the feud between both men while continuing Orton’s angle with Bliss and the Fiend. Worth a Watch. ***1/2