With less than a week until WrestleMania, this episode of Raw should be momentous. Expect to see appearances from all the major players including HHH, Daniel Bryan, Batista and Orton. Orton and Batista are scheduled to face off tonight in a sneak peak at WrestleMania's main event.
Tonight's show starts with The Undertaker coming to the ring. He gets on the mic and says that 21 men have stepped up and have been set down at WrestleMania. He says that he will go further than anyone else and that is why the streak stays alive. He says Lesnar will not know what to do when he takes him to "the deep water" and his feet no longer touch the bottom. Undertaker acknowledges that Lesnar is dangerous and that the streak will inevitably be broken, but then says that there are 3 things that cannot be beat: Death, taxes and the streak. Undertake says Lesnar will rest in peace.
Lesnar's music hits.
Heyman gets on the mic and says he means no disrespect but his client does. He says that this match is not one that Lesnar has to win but rather one that The Undertakes must not lose. Heyman claims this is the most important WrestleMania moment since Hulk vs. Andre at WM 3. He says that's not a prediction, that's a spoiler. Lesnar appears to be going backstage but stops and makes his way to the ring. Halfway down the ramp he stops and point to the WrestleMania sign and continues down to the ring. He stops again, obviously toying with the Undertaker and proceeds to circle the ring. Heyman distracts Undertaker and Lesnar attacks. He cloteslines Undertaker and follows up with an F5 in the middle of the ring.
*Commercial Break*
The show returns with a replay of Lesnar's attack on the Undertaker.
MATCH: Big E vs. Alberto Del Rio
Del Rio goes after Big E. Big E answers with a shoulder check for a one count. He sends Del Rio to the corner and drives his shoulder into Del Rio for a 1 count. He follows with a gorilla press to Del Rio and drops him to the mat for a 2 count. Big E goes for another shoulder in the corner but Del Rio moves. Del Rio goes to work on Big E's arm against the ring post.
*Commercial Break*
The show returns with Del Rio in control. Big E fights out and hits a suplex. Big E's arm is visibly hurt. Del Rio locks on the armbreaker hanging over the top rope. Del Rio goes to the top rope and is caught midair by Big E. Big E delivers a backbreaker followed by a belly to belly suplex. He goes for the splash but Del Rio gets his knee up. Del Rio goes for the head kick but Big E launches him off the mat and lets Del Rio fall to the mat. Big E goes for the Big ending but Del Rio reverses into a back stabber. Del Rio goes for the cross armbreaker but Big E reverses and hits the big splash for the 2 count. Big E takes his straps off for the big ending but Del Rio locks in the armbreaker. Big E powers out and slams Del Rio for a 2 count. Big E continues the offensive and gets Del Rio on the top rope. He goes for the superplex but is shoved off by Del Rio. Big e gets caught dangling on the middle turnbuckle and is stomped to the mat by Del Rio. Del Rio hits the side head kick and gets the 3 count.
WINNER: Alberto Del Rio via Pinfall
A poll on the WWE app is announced to determine which member of the Shield will face Kane later tonight.
*Commercial Break*
The show returns with with a recap of the match between John Cena and Luke Harper from last Monday that ended with Cena being beaten and humiliated with the Wyatt's sheep mask.
The Wyatt's cut a promo. Bray Wyatt makes cryptic references and says you cannot whisper in people's ears and expect them to understand. He then says a mysterious woman told him he would be a chosen one. Wyatt then says that Cena will soon be forgotten and everyone will see Cena as Wyatt sees him. It ends with Bray Wyatt singing.
A recap from Total Divas plays of Summer Rae's confrontation with Natalya where Summer Rae slaps Natalya after she calls her a stripper.
MATCH: Summer Rae vs. Natalya
*Commercial Break*
Vickie Guerrero joins the commentary team as the show returns.
The match starts out with Natalya taking out Summer Rae's legs. Summer Rae fights back and stomps Natalya in the corner. She hits a clotheline for a 2 count. Summer rae locks in the chinlock. Summer drives her to the mat but natalya fights back. She runs across Summer's neck and hits a dropkick. She then delivers a series of suplexes. Summer Rae slaps Ntalya in the face. Natalya goes for the sharpshooter but Summer Rae counters. Summer tries to go out of the ring but is caught by the hair by Natalya. Summer Rae gets back in and roles up Natalya for the 3 count.
WINNER: Summer Rae via Pinfall
HHH and Stephanie are shown backstage walking to gorilla position.
*Commercial Break*
The show returns with HHH and Stephanie making their way to the ring.
Stephanie gets on the mic and says they will show their benelovence tonight by letting everyone in attendance say goodbye to the YES Movement before HHH destroys it at WrestleMania. HHH then adds in that the audience doesn't really care about the YES Movement, they just want to be part of something and are part of a disposable culture. He then references Fandango and how everyone used to sing his song but then just moved on. Stephanie then baits the audience to chant YES to see Daniel Bryan tonight and then criticizes them for being Gullible. She then says Daniel Bryan is not there tonight. HHH says that Daniel Bryan and the YES Movement is a myth. He then says that he has the power he has because of his dominance in the ring, not who he married and that Daniel Bryan doesn't compare. A video package then plays highlighting all of the mega Superstars of the past 2 decades. It then shows HHH beating all of them.
After the video HHH says that the difference between him and them is that they are players, and he is The Game. He goes on to say that he is going to beat Daniel Bryan and then go on to beat Orton and Batista. Batista's music hits.
Batista gets on the mic and reminds HHH that he never beat him. HHH says that he should focus on his match with Orton tonight. Batista snubs HHH by saying that he is the brains and Stephanie is the bronze. Orton's music hits. He says not to slap Batista again because he wants to handle him himself later tonight. Orton sucks up to HHH and asks him to please reconsider being a part of the triple threat match at WrestleMania. HHH responds by saying that Orton's reign will come to an end unless he can become "The Viper" again. He then announces that Orton and Batista's match tonight will be no disqualification.
A graphic plays for a special edition of Piper's Pit later tonight.
*Commercial Break*
MATCH: The Usos and Los Matadores vs. Rybaxel and The Real Americans
Ryback and jimmy lock up and Ryback drives Jimmy to the corner. Jimmy Fights back and hits a series of big chops. Jimmy hits an armdrag and tags in Jay. They hit the double sidekick on Ryback for a 1 count. Ryback fights back and tags in Axel. Jay slingshots Axel into the corner. Los Matadores are tagged in and deliver a double team maneuver to Axel. Jay Uso is tagged back in and delivers several chops to Axel. He takes him down and brings him to his corner. Los Matadores are tagged back in and hit a dropkick. Uso is tagged back in and Axel gains the advantage. He tags in Cesaro. Uso hits a forearm on Cesaro. Cesaro fights back with a European uppercut and tags in Swagger. Swagger dominates Uso. Uso reverses and hits a DDT. Ryback tries to interfere but is sent outside. Uso dives over the top rope onto Ryback. Jimmy Uso hits a crossbody on Swagger. Swagger sends Uso to the outside.
*Commercial Break*
The show returns with Uso in control of Cesaro. Cesaro hits a dropkick for a 2 count. He sends Uso to the corner. Uso goes for a crossbody but is caught by Cesaro. Cesaro delivers a backbreaker followed by a big slam for the 2 count. Cesaro tags in Swagger and they double team Uso in the corner for a 2 count. Swagger tags in Ryback. He gets Uso in a chinlock. Uso fights out with a bulldog. Ryback tags in Axel who knocks Los Matadores off the mat. Uso tags in his brother and the advantage goes to the Usos. He hits a samoan drop followed by a stink face. He covers Axel and it is broken up by Ryback. Axel rolls up Uso for a 2 count. He then tags in Swagger. Cesaro gets involved and goes for the Swing on Fernando. He is sent outside and hit with a dive. Fernando is tagged in and attempts an attack form the top rope but is caught in the patriot lock. It is broken up by Uso. Swagger yells at Uso while Los Matadores pull of the switcheroo. Los Matadores rolls up Swagger for the 3 count.
WINNER: Los Matadores and The Usos
*Commercial Break*
The show returns with Fandango and Summer Rae in the ring.
MATCH: Fandango and Damien Sandow vs. The Rhodes Brothers
The match starts with Sandow and Cody locking up. Sandow drives Rhodes into the corner. Rhodes fights out and goes for the moonsault but Sandow rolls out of the ring. He tags in Fandango. Cody Rhodes hits the hiptoss. Fandango fights back and whips Rhodes into the corner. He tags in Sandow. Sandow delivers several stomps to the head of Rhodes on the mat. He covers Rhodes for a 2 count. Fandango is tagged in and hits a suplex for a 2 count. He shoves Rhodes into his teams corner and tags in Sandow. Sandow delivers a knee to the head of Rhodes followed by a chinlock. Rhodes fights out but is tripped by Sandow. Rhodes fights back and makes the tag. Goldust hits the uppercut on Sandow followed by a spine buster. Fandango tries to interfere but Goldust fights him off. Goldust hits the scoop slam for a 1 count. Fandango breaks up the count and is sent to the outside. Rhodes dives off the top rope onto Fandango. Goldust hits his finisher on Sandow for the 3 count.
WINNERS: The Rhodes Brothers via Pinfall
*Commercial Break*
The show returns with a recap of The Shield's fourway tag team match 2 weeks ago on SmackDown and the beat down that followed at the behest of Kane.
The Shield cuts a promo. Rollins says he feels sorry for Kane because any one of them can beat Kane. Ambrose says that they never disrespected Kane, but Kane and the Outlaws disrespected them and they will learn their lesson at WrestleMania. Roman Reigns says to believe in the Shield.
The Wyatt's make their way to the ring.
*Commercial Break*
MATCH: Bray Wyatt vs. R Truth
The match starts with Wyatt throwing Truth to the mat. He follows up with a head butt and drives Truth to the corner. R Truth reverses and ducks a blow from Wyatt. He knocks wyatt to the mat for a one count and follows with a splash in the corner. Wyatt regains momentum when he launches himself into R Truth as he comes off the ropes. Wyatt chokes Truth on the middle rope with his leg. Wyatt locks on a submission hold that stretches Truth's mouth. Truth tries to fight back but his tossed outside. He gets back in and is met with a boot to the midsection. Wyatt continues to beat Truth on the mat. Wyatt delivers a big gut buster to Truth followed by a right hand to the corner. Wyatt follows up with a big splash on Truth. Wyatt hangs backwards off the ropes and hits the Sister Abigail for the 3 count.
WINNER: Bray Wyatt
Xavier Woods tries to get Truth out of the ring after the match but is beat down by the Wyatt Family.
A mysterious figure appears behind the Wayatts in a sheep mask. It turns out to be John Cena. Cena tries to hit the Attitude Adjustment but Wyatt slips out and retreats from the ring.
*Commercial Break*
The show returns with AJ Lee in the ring with Naomi.
MATCH: AJ vs. Naomi in a "Lumberjill" match.
The two women lock up. Naomi gets AJ in a wristlock which AJ reverses. Naomi Hits a dropkick and sends AJ out of the ring. SHe is thrown back in by the Lumber Jills. Naomi is sent out of the ring and none of the women throw her back in. Naomi delivers several kicks to AJ's legs. AJ ducks a high kick and returns with one of her own. AJ gets the 2 count. AJ stomps Naomi in the corner. She locks in a modified head lock. Naomi tries to fight out but AJ hits her with a neckbreaker. Naomi fights back and gets a 2 count. Naomi goes to the top but AJ goes to the outside. Tamina tries to protect her but is beat up by a bunch of Divas. AJ is thrown back in the ring and Naomi hits the Rear View for the 3 count.
WINNER: Naomi via Pinfall
*Commercial Break*
The show returns with an interview with John Cena. He says that desperate time call for desperate measures. He says that Wyatt better be careful what he asks for because he is dangerous when fighting for what he believes in and that he will become a monster. He says that his career will not be ended by Bray Wyatt and throws in a plug for the WWE Network. He ends the interview by saying he will stick his boot up Wyatt's ass.
The camera cuts to the Raw preshow panel. They discuss Cena's upcoming match against Wyatt.
A replay shows Undertaker's encounter with Lesnar from earlier in the night.
The results of the WWE APP vote reveals that Roman Reigns will face Kane tonight.
The Shield's music hits and Reigns comes to the ring by himself.
*Commercial Break*
The two lock up and Reigns drives Kane into the corner. Kane fights back with a big boot. Kane delivers several blows to Reigns in the corner and sends him to the mat. Kane hits a sidewalk slam and loads up for the chokeslam. Reigns fights out and hits a big clothesline followed by one to the corner. With Kane on his knees, he delivers a noot to his face. Reigns goes outside and kicks Kane's head as it hangs off the apron. Reigns loads up the superman punch but the New Age Outlaws come down to the ring. They are stopped by Ambrose and Rollins. Kane tries to capitilize on the distraction but Reigns hits the superman bunch. All 3 members of the shield deliver a beat down to Kane. Kane is pulled out of the ring by the Outlaws.
WINNER: Kane via Disqulification
*Commercial Break*
Roddy Piper comes out for The Piper's Pit. He talks about the Andre the Giant Battle Royal. He is about to tell us his favorite in the match but is interrupted by The Miz. Miz says he is the favorite and Piper's Pit doesn't compare to Miz TV. Sheamus' music hits and he disses on Miz, saying he isn't worthy of holding Piper's kilt. Titus O'Neil's music hits and says he is going to win the Battle Royal. He barks in Piper's face. Dolph Ziggler's music hits and says he is going to win. Piper is growing increasingly frustrated. He takes back control of the Piper's pit and shoves Miz into Sheamus. Chaos ensues and a handful of contestants come out and start to fight. Mysterio makes his entrance and hits the hurricanrana followed by the 619 on Sin Cara. Sheamus hits several Brogue kicks. Big Show's music hits and he clears house. He delivers a double chokeslam to Zack Ryder and Dolph Ziggler. Rey Mysterio tries to fight the Big Show but is gorilla pressed over the top rope into the mass of superstars waiting outside the ring.
*Commercial Break*
After Batista and Orton come to the ring, HHH and Stephanie come to the ring unexpectantly and sit down for commentary.
MATCH: Batista vs. Randy Orton
Orton starts off with a boot to the midsection and sends Batista into the ring post. He sends Batista outside the ring. Batista fights back with a clothesline. He rolls Orton back in the ring. Orton stomps Batista as he gets back in the ring. They both go back outside the ring. Orton whips Batista into the barricade and follows up with a clothesline into the timekeeper's area. Batista gets a steel chair and delivers several blows to Randy Orton. Orton ducks the last one and drives Batista's head into the announce table. He follows up by slamming Batista into the top of the Barricade. Orton grabs a steel chair and blasts Batista across the back. Batista rolls back in the ring and fights back as Orton gets back in. The action spills back outside the ring. Batista drives Orton into the announce table and then into the apron. Batista grabs another chair but Orton grabs a Kendo Stick and beats Batista with it. Batista fights back and sends Orton into the steel steps.
Batista and Orton get back in the ring and Batista delivers a huge spinebuster. He goes for the Batista bomb but Orton reverses into a backbreaker. Batista is on the apron a Orton delivers the DDT from the middle rope. Daniel Bryan comes out of nowehere and jumps on HHH at the announce table. Orton tries to stop him but Bryan fights him off. Orton then drives Daniel Bryan into the steel steps. Orton throws Bryan into the ring. Orton is met with a spear as he gets back in. He delivers the flying knee to Batista and hits the suicide dive to HHH. He follows up with by beating him with the kendo stick. The crowd is going crazy and Daniel Bryan clears the ring and begins the YES chants.
REVIEW
With this being the final episode of Raw before WrestleMania, the WWE did not fail to deliver. All of the big feuds leading into WrestleMania have reached a boiling point and were built up very well. Lesnar's attack on Undertaker added another layer of drama to this feud and casts doubt on the Undertaker's ability to maintain the streak at WrestleMania. It showcased the raw power of Lesnar and the momentous task set before the Undertaker.
The stunt pulled by John Cena tonight was a little corny but that is to be expected with anything that involves Cena. Whether you love, hate or are indifferent towards Cena, this match is going to epic on many different levels. Cena is being driven to his physical and psychological limits. If he wins it tells a great (albeit predictable) story of a man overcoming his greatest challenge and if he loses it shows the sheer dominance of Bray Wyatt and his followers. Wyatt in ring style is vicious and is the culmination of his entire character. At 6'3" and nearly 300 pounds, Bray Wyatt is an explosive brawler who throws his body around like a cruiser weight. I am really looking forward to this match.
Daniel Bryan's appearance tonight was exactly what fans wanted to see for nearly a year now and it was definitely worth the wait. After sustaining beatings on nearly every episode of Raw since last summer, we finally got to see Daniel Bryan unleash his vicious side and take on 3 men who physically dominate him. It was a classic babyface moment and gave me butterflies in my tummy.
Unlike Cena's match with Wyatt, the winner of Bryan's match will certainly matter. No matter how good of a performance Bryan puts on at WrestleMania, if he doesn't walk out champion then the air will be sucked right out of the YES Movement and the overall product will suffer. I have a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach that Daniel Bryan will not win the title at WrestleMania, but hopefully I'm proven wrong.
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