Samoa Joe and Kevin Owens are backstage, debating tactics for tonight. Joe says the only tactics they need is beating people up. The Big Show walks up and clenches a fist in front of Owens. He says his fist needs to be reintroduced to Seth Rollins.
The WWE Champion, Brock Lesnar, and Paul Heyman come to the ring. Heyman mocks the Kentucky accent as they boo the two of them, then introduces him and Brock. The fans keep booing and start chanting “you suck”, so Heyman and Brock leave the ring and start up the ramp. They stop and Heyman says is client does not suck.
They’ve got nuclear heat in Kentucky. The two of them get back in the ring and Brock holds his title up. Heyman says they’ll start over, so he reintroduces himself and the boos are incredible – and people wonder why Brock is still around. Heyman says last week they broke the biggest news of the year, that Brock would be entering the Royal Rumble at number 1. He reiterates that none of the other 29 men are worthy, and none will stand a chance.
Heyman says there is a streak going on in WWE and it’s perhaps the greatest of all-time. Of course there was another streak at one point but it was conquered by The Beast. The new streak is about his spoilers. And his spoilers are always right. He says he wants to make it clear that Brock isn’t going to eek out a win at the Rumble, he’s going to dominate. Heyman continues talking his spoilers until R-Truth, the 24/7 Champion, comes out.
Truth gets in the ring and he says he’s glad Heyman called him out, because he’s about to set things off. Truth says he saw something about the Rumble on TV; you might be the most favourite but his childhood hero, John Cena, taught him to never give up. So for the first time ever, the 24/7 48/7 7/11 190 South, Lexington, Kentucky European Champion is declaring the Rumble. And it isn’t about the size of the dog, but the size of the fight. He says you might be a big, big, big man but you will go over that top rope…Paul Heyman.
Brock laughs his ass off while Heyman looks baffled. Heyman calls Truth a “bong-kit”, and says he isn’t in the match. He says Truth will be going face-to-face with Lesnar instead. Truth asks Heyman if he’s in the match and Heyman yells at him. Truth says “my bad”, and then says that, for the first time, he is officially undeclaring the Royal Rumble match. Brock laughs again. Truth says he wasn’t listening back there because Heyman talks so much. And he’s been spoiling everything, so what’s the point. Truth says he isn’t entering the Rumble because he doesn’t want to go to Sioux Falls City. Heyman tells at Truth and says nobody like him. Brock gets in Truth’s face but Truth asks him what’s up, then does the splits and dance…until Brock clotheslines him. Brock F5’s Truth and lifts the 24/7 Championship then throws it at Truth. Brock grabs the mic and says “that’s what’s up” and leaves with his title. What a great segment.
*Commercial Break*
We return to see referee’s helping Truth up the ramp, but Mojo Rawley runs down and boots him. Rawley pins and wins. Mojo Rawley is the new WWE 24/7 Champion. Rawley celebrates his big win.
Charly Caruso stops Bobby Lashley and Lana earlier today – even though it’s dark – outside the arena. She asks about their wedding and they get mad. They recount the events of the wedding and say it was a disaster. So they’ve made two new year resolutions; to accept that everyone is jealous of them, and they will crush Rusev.
The happy couple make their entrance as we head to the break.
*Commercial Break*
Bobby Lashley W/Lana Vs. Rusev
Liv Morgan was supposed to be in Rusev’s corner but she’s nowhere to be seen. The match begins and the two behemoths trade blows in the ring. Lashley takes the back and Rusev struggles to break free – nowhere near enough intensity for what this should be. Leapfrog from Lashley but Rusev connects with a spinning heel kick. One count from Rusev – why would he go for a pin when he wants to destroy Lashley?
Lashley fights back and beats Rusev down in the corner, and chokes him with his boot. Lashley beats Rusev into the opposite corner and rubs his forearm across his face. Rusev turns the tables and batters Lashley until the referee forces him off. Lashley whips Rusev but the Bulgarian bounces out of the corner with a lariat. Suplex from Rusev, then he beats Lashley up against the ropes.
Rusev yells in Lashley’s face, then unloads a few right hands. Lashley fires back with a boot and falls into the corner, but Rusev comes right back with a cannonball for a near-fall. Bobby rolls to the outside and Rusev grabs him through the ropes but the almighty delivers a thumb to the eye. Lashley runs into the ring and clotheslines Rusev to the outside. Lashley runs around the ring and hits a big spear on the floor.
*Commercial Break*
Back live and Lashley has Rusev in a headlock in the ring. Rusev starts to fight up but Lashley counters with a body slam. Lashley stands on Rusev’s head but Rusev grabs his ankle and looks for a submission. Lashley drops an elbow on him, then drags Rusev to the ring post and slams his knee into it.
Back in the ring, Lashley kicks Rusev and delivers repeated right hands as Lana claps. Lashley looks for the roll-out Dominator but Rusev escapes. Lashley looks for a shoulder tackle in the corner but eats ring post. Rusev fires up and delivers big right hands, followed a lariat, and another, and a Samoan Drop. Rusev takes to the corner and hits a splash to Lashley, followed by an overhead belly-to-belly suplex.
Rusev looks for the Machka Kick but Lashley avoids it and hits a German suplex. Rusev no-sells it and follows-up with the Machka Kick! Rusev stomps on the back and looks for the Accolade but Lana gets on the apron to distract him. Lashley delivers a chop block, then both men hit clotheslines.
Out come Liv Morgan and she goes right for Lana. They come face-to-face and Liv begs Lana to hit her. Lana grabs a fan’s drink and throws it in Liv’s face, then whips her into the barricade before screaming. Meanwhile, Lashley delivers a spear for the win.
Winner: Bobby Lashley
*Commercial Break*
Charly Caruso is backstage and she says she has some breaking news, but up walk Bobby Lashley and Lana. They says Rusev was the least of their worries. Lana calls Liv a troll and a stalker, and says she shouldn’t intimidate her. So she challenges them to a mixed tag match on Raw next week. Lashley doesn’t like it but Lana yells that she is a fashion model and a fashionista, nobody intimidates her.
The RAW tag team Champions, The Viking Raiders come to the ring. Erik says “new week, same story”. He says anyone who challenges them gets put down. They have proven their dominance throughout the RAW tag division. Ivar says tonight they dare any team to try and stop them.
The Viking Raiders Vs. The singh brothers
Before the Brothers even get in the ring, Erik and Ivar go out and grab them. They throw them into each other like lawn darts. Ivar gets in the ring with Sunil, while Erik tosses Samir in. Erik tags in and he body slams Ivar onto both Singh’s. They hit the Viking Experience for the win.
Winners: The Viking Raiders
We cut backstage to Rusev and Liv Morgan. He says they’re both a waste of breath. He says he will fight them next week. Liv says she doesn’t make promises she can’t keep. So here’s a promise; she’s a living embodiment of her karma. And karma is an honest to god bitch.
*Commercial Break*
