Monday Night Raw kicks-off with the General Manager, Kurt Angle, making his way to the ring in Detroit, Michigan.
Angle says it’s so exciting and such an honour to be competing at WrestleMania this year, with his tag partner Ronda Rousey. Angle says that, considering his partner’s skill level, he almost feels sorry for Stephanie McMahon. However, he doesn’t feel bad for what he will do to Triple H at the big show. Moving on however, Angle wants to talk about the Universal Championship match. Unfortunately, Brock Lesnar will not be here at Raw tonight because he may have had travel issues, he may be feeling ill, or he may just not want to be here. Angle says the show will be great nonetheless but he’s interrupted….
As Roman walks to the ring, Michael Cole and the announcers talk about how Brock is flaky and Roman is the workhorse that everyone loves. They’re hitting this story a little too hard on the nose. Roman says he wishes he was surprised but he isn’t, it’s like he said, Brock doesn’t have respect for Kurt Angle, for WWE, for the fans here in Detroit. Roman asks Kurt what kind of trouble will Brock be in for missing two weeks of Raw. He answers the question for himself, and says “nothing, because Brock is Vince’s boy.” Angle tries to take the mic from Roman but he holds onto it. Roman asks the fans what would happen if they missed work? He asks Angle what would happen if he missed work? He says they’d be fired, as would he or any of the boys in the back. Roman then says it isn’t Angle’s fault, it’s Vince’s fault that this is the way it is. He says he walked right past Vince before he came out here and he didn’t even have the courtesy to stop and let him know what was happening. The man he travels all over the world for, the man he busts his ass for, the man he isn’t at home with his daughter for. Roman says he will not be disrespected by Vince McMahon and shoves the mic back in Angle’s hand.
Reigns then storms up the ramp and through the curtain into gorilla and the camera goes with him! He walks up to Vince and Shane McMahon, who’re sitting at the monitors with headsets on, and he gets in Vince’s face and Shane tries to stop it. Roman demands to talk and Vince ushers him away to his office, telling someone to cut to commercial. That was a cool end to the segment and is the first time I can ever recall seeing gorilla position during an episode of Raw. They very literally pulled back the curtain.
*Commercial Break*
Back from commercial, Renee Young is posted outside of Mr. McMahon’s office. She says things between him and Roman got really loud but not completely out of hand and have settled down now. Roman leaves but she can’t get a word out of him. Vince is out next and says he’s a little rattled, but Brock Lesnar isn’t anybody’s boy, he’s his own man. As far as disrespecting Roman, he has no intention, he thinks Reigns is a great competitor. Vince says he reminded Roman of something The Rock used to say, “know your role and shut your mouth”, and does Brock have certain privileges? Yes, but he doesn’t like people, and that doesn’t make him a bad guy. Does he respect the WWE Universe? Probably not, but he does respect competition, whether in the ring or the octagon. Does Brock have special privileges? Yes, but Vince thinks he’s earned them even if he’s taking advantage of them, and he assures us that Lesnar will be on the show next week and that he’ll compete for the Universal Championship at WrestleMania. And if you doubt Brock will be there, he gives his word. Vince turns to leave but stops and says “one more thing, about respect? Based on what just happened, Roman Reigns has been temporarily suspended!”
We return ringside and see Sonya Deville, Mandy Rose and Paige in the ring, waiting for Sonya’s opponent, The Boss!
Sasha Banks vs. Sonya Deville
The match begins and Banks ducks a lariat and starts throwing forearms! An Irish whip reversed by Sonya but Sasha follows-up with a sunset flip for a one-count. Deville goes low but Sasha reverses to a backslide attempt. Sonya breaks free and looks for an armbar but she can’t lock it in! Sonya bounces off of the ropes, Sasha leapfrogs her and connects with a dropkick, then another dropkick. Banks and Deville trade stiff forearms but Sasha gets the better of her and the Boss dumps Deville to the floor and we go to break.
*Commercial Break*
We return to see Sonya holding Banks down with a body scissors submission. She drops Banks with a backbreaker for a quick two count before putting her in the corner for a series of strikes. The Boss tries to fight back, but a roundhouse to the body takes her down.
Deville ties Banks in another submission hold, but Banks shows some power by standing up with Sonya on her back and ramming her into the corner. Deville nails her with a kick and a running knee to the face for a two count. Banks takes control and hits a flying double knee for a two count. Bayley prevents Mandy from interfering, allowing Sasha to lock in the Bank Statement for the win.
Winner: Sasha Banks
As soon as the bell rings, rather than celebrating with her friend, Bayley walks right up the ramp to the back. Still not happy. Sasha is staring after her when Absolution storm in and beat The Boss down. They stand tall over the fallen Banks.
We get a video package for our next Hall of Fame 2018 inductee, Kid Rock! The Kid will join The Dudley Boyz, Jeff Jarrett, Goldberg and more as this year’s class. Kid Rock has also provided the theme song for this year’s WrestleMania as well as many other themes including Undertaker’s American Badass.
Later tonight, we will take a look at Asuka’s big arrival at Fastlane last night.
*Commercial Break*
We return to see The Miz in the ring, by himself for a change. Miz introduces himself before noting that the Miztourage is not with him tonight because they have a very special tag team match, and it just goes to show that hanging with him elevates your career. Speaking of elevating your career, his guests are the men he’ll defeat at WrestleMania in what will be his final hurdle to become the longest-reigning Intercontinental Champion of all time.
He introduces Seth Rollins first and allows him to take a seat before he introduces Finn Balor. Miz points out that Seth seems awful calm and collected given that he’s in the ring with a guy that took away the singles match that they, the workhorses of WWE could have had. They could have burned it down at WrestleMania, and Finn is a great up-and-comer but he’s just not as accomplished as they are. Miz continues to try to stir the pot and Rollins asks if he thinks they’re stupid. They know what he’s trying to do, and it’s a triple threat match and he’ll have to deal with it. Miz says he’s just trying to get to the truth, and if you want the truth, Finn is the man… in bingo halls. Balor’s WWE resume is lacking, but he does have one thing– two years ago he beat Seth to become the first-ever Universal Champion.
Miz goes on to say that that’s a huge accomplishment, and maybe Miz should be talking to Finn instead, maybe he’s the guy that deserves the one-on-one spotlight against the greatest Intercontinental Champion of all time. Balor’s already proven he’s better than Rollins, why do it again? Finn points out that Miz literally just tried the same tactic with Seth and he’ll have to try a lot harder to keep the title. The A-Lister complains that they’re acting like he’s the bad guy and asks the crowd and they respond that he is, in fact, the bad guy. Admit it, Seth, he resents Balor beating him for the title. Miz carries on about Rollins stabbing people in the back, just ask the Shield, and that gets the Architect to tell him to shut up. He doesn’t need to fire them up, it’s WrestleMania, they’re already fired up.
Seth says if you want the truth, he’s gonna beat Miz and take the Intercontinental Championship and he’s sorry but Finn doesn’t stand a chance. Balor responds with all due respect, what happened the last time they had a title match? That’s right, he beat him with one arm. Rollins accuses him of living in the past and says he’s gonna stomp his head into the mat in four weeks and become champion. Finn doesn’t want to wait four weeks, he wants to do it right here! Miz is like a kid in a candy store, egging the crowd’s cheers as his two opponents square off and jaw at each other. They turn towards Miz, whomakes a break for it but Seth catches him and they throw Miz out of the ring! Rollins blindsides Balor and leaves him lying as he walks up the ramp smirking. Every man for himself.
Later tonight, John Cena will be here to address his path to WrestleMania, again.
*Commercial Break*
Back from commercial, we’re informed that Kurt Angle has made Rollins vs. Balor official for later tonight.
The Miztourage blindside the Bar before their match even begins! The Bar escape to the floor and rush back in but get beaten down and run off by the Miztourage again! Cesaro & Sheamus get their wits about them and manage to surround Dallas and Axel and turn things around on them! The Revival run down and attack the champions! Bo and Curtis come back in as the brawl continues and here comes The Club!
Sheamus and Cesaro turn tail and run up the ramp, leaving The Revival and Miztourage manage to stand tall. However, The Bar then and run into Titus Worldwide, who start pounding on them. The entire tag division is at ringside beating the champions down! Cesaro makes his way out through the crowd as Sheamus gets away up the ramp, where he slumps down! The Champions have been put on notice.
John Cena will be up after the break to discuss WrestleMania.
*Commercial Break*
