We return and out comes the Empress of Tomorrow, Asuka! Charly Caruso leads us into a photo package of Asuka challenging Charlotte Flair to a match at WrestleMania. Caruso says everyone assumed she would face Alexa Bliss, but she actually went for Flair. Why?
Asuka goes to speak, but Alexa Bliss’ music cuts her off. Bliss comes out with Mickie James. Bliss says last night was exciting. As for Asuka, English isn’t so strong for her, so she’ll explain the sudden turn of events. Bliss says Asuka is a fierce competitor. While she can’t speak the language, she is smart and has the longest streak ever. She wouldn’t dare step in the ring with someone like Bliss at WrestleMania. Mickie James sarcastically says no one is ready for Asuka. Bliss says she defied all the odds by retaining her title against five other superstars inside Elimination Chamber. As for Asuka, she wouldn’t face Bliss at WrestleMania because she knows she can’t face her. Some may say it’s cowardly to back up from a fight, but don’t listen to them. If you can’t win the fight, it’s smart strategy. Bliss is rooting for Asuka to beat the champion of the B show.
Asuka says she chose Charlotte because to be the woman, you’ve got to beat the woman. She wants to face the best champion in WWE. Bliss says she chose the easiest champion to face. Asuka says she beat Bliss before and will do it right now. Bliss says she had the chance, but she didn’t take it. Instead, she gets this woman… and no one comes out. Bliss and James talk amongst themselves. Bliss throws her microphone at Asuka, and James attacks. James says she’s ready for Asuka today as she stands over the fallen Asuka. This match will happen after the break.
*Commercial Break*
Asuka Vs. Mickie James W/Alexa Bliss
We join this match in progress. James is kicking away at Asuka. James clubs the back and wildly kicks and punches at her. Asuka fights back and has a whip reversed, but she comes back with a running hip attack. Asuka kicks away at her and hits the ropes, but James rolls out of the ring.
James talks with Bliss before Asuka wipes her out with a kick. Bliss keeps her distance. Asuka gets in the ring, but James rolls back out. James tries to leave through the crowd, but Asuka grabs her and sends her headfirst into the LED apron. Asuka goes for a kick, but she hits the ring post when James moves. Asuka holds her leg at ringside, but she gets back in the ring before being counted out. James works on the leg. Asuka tries for an Asuka Lock, but James rolls through for a two count.
Asuka kicks Mickie, but her leg still hurts, which means she falters. Asuka then makes a comeback and kicks her in the nose for a near fall. James ducks a kick and chop blocks her before hitting a flapjack. James kips up and goes to the top rope. Asuka cuts her off, but James comes back with a sunset flip powerbomb for a near fall. Asuka applies the Asuka Lock for the quick tapout win.
Winner: Asuka
Alexa Bliss storms off, not checking on Mickie. Asuka celebrates her win but uses the ropes to hold herself up.
Later tonight, we will get a preview of The Ultimate Deletion. Also, we will get a five-team battle royale match to determine who will face The Bar at WrestleMania.
Nia Jax is backstage when Alexa Bliss comes up to her. Bliss asks where she was. Jax says Kurt Angle told her not to come out next because she has a match next. Bliss says she knows Jax wants payback to get revenge for her embarrassing performance last week. Bliss says she is her best friend and picked up the pieces last week because she loves her. Jax says she loves Bliss as well, and they hug. Bliss says she needs Jax’s word that she’ll be in her corner when she faces Asuka next week. Nia nonchalantly says O.K and Bliss tells her to head out there and show everyone that the force of nature is back and better than ever.
*Commercial Break*
We return from the break and Nia Jax stomps to the ring to face a local talent.
Nia Jax Vs. Joan King
The local gal, Joan King, looks terrified. Jax shoves her to the corner and avalanches her before throwing her across the ring. Jax drops an elbow before connecting with a Samoan Drop for the win.
Winner: Nia Jax
Alexa Bliss and Mickie James are talking backstage. James says she can’t believe what Alexa Bliss said to Nia Jax. Bliss says she could have been harder on her. James says she almost died at the airport line. Bliss says she’s like Shrek walking through TSA. Bliss says Jax is happy to carry her back. Bliss says she uses Jax because she’s a vulnerable human being. Bliss cannot believe she screwed them this week. Bliss says she has Nia in the palm of her hand. Jax has been a total loser her whole life. She’s just as dumb as she is big. Bliss says Jax knows she’d be nothing without her. Bliss makes Jax relevant. Bliss says if Jax tries to think for herself, they’ll beat her down. Charly Caruso walks up and says the boom mic has been on the entire time and that Jax heard everything they said.
Nia Jax leaves the ring looking devastated and wiping her eyes. Jax then looks up and growls before running to the back. Bliss and James try to pack up, but then they decide it would be best to just leave. They run off and Charly Caruso talks to the camera until Nia Jax comes in screaming for Alexa Bliss. She throws some luggage and wrecks the changing room. Caruso says they left and runs off. Jax throws an Alexa Bliss jacket and screams really loud.
*Commercial Break*
Matt Hardy previews the Ultimate Deletion match with Reby Sky, his kids, Señor Benjamin, and Vanguard One coming back!
Bray Wyatt is shown backstage. Wyatt says Matt Hardy is a liar and a fool, but above all he’s just a man. Hardy has made a very bad decision. Wyatt wants to give Hardy some friendly advice: when the Devil is standing on your doorstep, don’t let him in. Wyatt accepts the invitation to the Ultimate Deletion. Hardy has a beautiful home and family. It’d be a real shame if something bad were to happen to them. Wyatt sneers at the camera and says he’s coming for Hardy.
Kurt Angle is looking perplexed backstage wondering what happened to Matt Hardy. A referee comes in. Angle says Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt are both RAW superstars under his jurisdiction. Angle asks him to be the referee. The referee asks if he did something wrong and that got a good laugh. Angle says he knows it’ll be chaos. Angle wants him to make sure they make it back to RAW in one piece.
Coming up next, we’ll see a Tag Team Battle Royal. The winners face The Bar for the titles at WrestleMania.
*Commercial Break*
Replays are shown of Roman Reigns confronting Vince McMahon earlier tonight on RAW.
The Ultimate Deletion Match will happen next week on RAW. We’ll also see Alexa Bliss take on Asuka.
The Bar makes their way to the commentary table. All the teams are in the ring for the chance to face The Bar at WrestleMania. Braun Strowman makes his entrance and stomps down to the ring. Strowman tells the referee to ring the bell, apparently he’s taking on five other teams and wants to face The Bar.
Tag Team Battle Royal
The Revival vs. Heath Slater and Rhyno vs. Anderson and Gallows vs. The Miztourage vs. Titus Worldwide vs. Braun Strowman
The bell rings, and Strowman eliminates Apollo Crews immediately. Strowman throws Slater down and chases him out of the ring. Strowman catches him and sends him into the barricade. Strowman throws Slater into the ring and eliminates him. Strowman turns and sees the remaining individuals looking at him. The eight men attack Strowman and try to eliminate him.
The Revival then takes Rhyno and eliminates him. O’Neil then attacks The Revival. Strowman then clears the ring. O’Neil gets in the ring and goes face-to-face with Strowman. O’Neil then leaves the ring through the middle rope.
*Commercial Break*
We return from the break to see the tag teams knock Strowman through the middle ropes and to the floor. They hit him with the steel steps a few times, but he doesn’t go down. They finally knock him into the timekeeper’s area. O’Neil is in the ring laying everyone out. O’Neil chops Dash Wilder and throws him. O’Neil then hits an avalanche on Scott Dawson before hitting the Clash of the Titus. The Miztourage double-teams him with The Revival. The Revival then turns on The Miztourage.
The Miztourage then eliminates The Revival and the fans booed at that. O’Neil wipes everyone out again. Strowman comes in and eliminates O’Neil before eliminating Gallows. The Miztourage tries to eliminate Strowman, but he wipes them out and eliminates them. Anderson tries to take on Strowman with numerous kicks, but Strowman blocks one and throws him away. Strowman grabs him and says he’s going to WrestleMania before throwing Anderson over the top rope into the other tag teams.
Winner: Braun Strowman
Braun Strowman has won the battle royale to face The Bar at WrestleMania. Sheamus slowly removes his sunglasses and they stare at Braun, a little taken aback.
That’s it for this week’s Raw. Let us know what you thought and be sure to check back everyday for your gaming news. Until next time, safe travels.
