WWE Monday Night Raw opens with the WWE Universal Champion, Brock Lesnar and his advocate, Paul Heyman making their way to the ring.
Heyman introduces himself and Lesnar, a mere 13 days before the showcase of the immortals. Heyman reminds us of Lesnar’s beatdown of Roman Reigns last week but says even his articulation cannot do it justice, so he points us to the titantron where we see the opening segment.
We return from the video to cheers from the fans and Lesnar is leaning on the ropes laughing. Heyman says he has breaking news: “the temporary suspension of Roman Reigns has been lifted.” He says the fans are probably expecting Reigns to walk out here and confront them ready for a fight. And there’s some more breaking news: Roman Reigns is not here this evening. More cheers from the crowd. Heyman says he can’t give the credit to Lesnar for Reigns not being here tonight. He says Roman Reigns was raised by his father, a legend, WWE Hall of Famer Sika. And his uncle, a legend, a WWE Hall of Famer, Afa. He says Reigns was raised to be a Samoan bad-ass. Heyman says it’s a shame they didn’t raise Reigns to be a man, because a man would be here tonight.
Heyman wonders why Reigns isn’t here to weeks before WrestleMania – particularly after all the crap he’s said recently.. Heyman says Lesnar would always be a man and show up. “Roman Reigns isn’t man enough to show up tonight to take another beating from Brock Lesnar. Which is why at WrestleMania, on April 8, Roman Reigns isn’t man enough to take the Universal Title away from the reigning, defending, undisputed, Universal Heavyweight Champion, Brock Lesnar!” As Lesnar holds up the Universal Championship, Heyman stops talking and Lesnar drops his hands down. They see Roman Reigns in the crowd walking towards the ringside area!
Reigns is walking gingerly and picks up a steel chair at ringside. Lesnar jumps out and cuts off Reigns with a big clothesline that looked stiff af. Lesnar is shaking his head as he starts to pick up Reigns. Reigns drives Lesnar face first into the steel ring post. Reigns cracks the steel chair over the back of Lesnar. Reigns again cracks the chair over Lesnar’s back.
Lesnar is rolling around the floor. Reigns runs and jumps off the steel steps for a Superman punch but Lesnar catches Reigns and gives him an overhead suplex on the floor! Lesnar grabs the steel steps at ringside and hits Reigns in the face with them – great looking bump. Lesnar tosses the steel steps back inside the ring and throws Reigns in after.
Lesnar picks up the steel steps, Reigns is back up and Lesnar hits him in the face again. Lesnar grabs the steel chair and cracks it over the back of Reigns four times. Lesnar leaves the chair bent over Reigns’ back and gets out of the ring. He walks off with Heyman before turning and running back into the ring. Lesnar picks-up Roman and hits him with an F5 onto the steel steps. He stands atop the steps holding the title over a writhing Roman.
Later tonight, John Cena will face Kane in a no-DQ match, Ronda Rousey will appear, but up next, Nia Jax in action!
*Commercial Break*
We return and see Roman Reigns just now walking up the ramp with a referee behind him. We see some replays of the intense brawl. Cole and co. talk-up the brutality of the last two beat-downs from Lesnar and try to build sympathy for Reigns.
Nia Jax makes her way to the ring and we get highlights of her brewing feud with Alexa Bliss.
Nia Jax Vs. Mickie James W/Alexa Bliss
Both men talk trash before a quick lock-up. James backs right off before going for it again, Jax throws her aside and they talk more trash at each other. Back to the lock-up, again Nia throws Mickie aside and this time she falls to the floor and we go to break.
*Commercial Break*
Back live, we see Jax tossing around James more in the ring. James tries to bail and Jax pulls on her hair. James with a big slap to James. James bails, Jax jumps out, Bliss distracts Jax and James with a chop block to Jax. James kicks the back of Jax and gets back inside the ring. The referee starts the count on Jax but she makes is back in and James keeps her down with kicks to the head.
James with kicks to the knee of Jax in the corner. Jax overpowers James with a big scoop slam. James avoids a leg drop and connects with a boot to the face of Jax for a two count. Jax tosses James away, misses a splash in the corner and James with another kick to the knee of Jax. James is going up top. Jax grabs James and puts her on her shoulders. Jax drops James with a big samoan drop and gets the pinfall.
Winner: Nia Jax
After the match, Alexa Bliss jumps in and attacks Jax. Nia isn’t bothered about it and tries to go after Bliss. Bliss runs out of the ring and up the ramp. Jax is yelling at Bliss and the cameras pick up her calling Bliss a bitch. Jax leaves and stares back at James.
After the break we’ll get a video to show how Triple H and Stephanie are preparing for WrestleMania.
*Commercial Break*
We get a lengthy video package of Stephanie and Triple H training, interspersed with footage of Ronda Rousey.
Cedric Alexander makes his way to the ring and we’ll get some cruiserweight action after the break.
*Commercial Break*
Cedric Alexander & Mustafa Ali Vs. Drew Gulak & TJP
We return live and the match is underway. Drake Maverick, the GM of 205 Live, has joined commentary for this tag team match. TJP is working over Ali and lands a scoop slam near the corner and then springboards back in with a quick swanton.
Gulak gets the tag and plans Ali with a quick scoop slam. Gulak with a high back body drop on Ali for a two count. Gulak with a cheap shot to Alexander on the ring apron. Ali with an uppercut to Gulak and catches Gulak with a springboard tornado DDT. Tags to Alexander and TJP. Alexander with a clothesline, head scissors takedown and dropkick combo to TJP.
Alexander with a kick to the head of TJP from the ring apron. Alexander comes flying off the top rope with a clothesline over TJP. Gulak breaks up the pinfall attempt. Ali dropkicks Gulak out of the ring and jumps over just barely catching Gulak. TJP tries to hold the tights and roll up Alexander for a close two count. Alexander with his knees to the back of TJP, but Ali tagged in earlier. Ali with his 054 on TJP for the win.
Winners: Cedric Alexander & Mustafa Ali
After the match, Ali and Alexander smile at each other. Cole reminds us that Ali and Alexander will face off at WrestleMania to crown the new Cruiserweight Champion – and the fans could not care less.
After the break we will MizTV featuring Seth Rollins and Finn Balor.
*Commercial Break*
