Jerry Lawler mentions the first time he met Rocky Johnson, and says he will be missed. We get a video package for the life and legacy of Johnson, who died last week.
Sarah Schreiber interviews Asuka backstage and asks if this is the kind of Champion she wants to be. Asuka rants in Japanese, then says Becky is not ready for her.
Raw Tag Team Championships
(C) The Viking Raiders W/Samoa joe & kevin owens Vs. Seth Rollins & Buddy Murphy W/The Author’s of Pain
The Championship bout gets underway with Erik and Rollins, but Murphy tags himself in and Rollins hugs him. Murphy gets clobbered with a running knee from Erik after he turns around. Ivar tags in and slams Murphy, then Erik body slams Ivar onto Murphy. Rollins pulls Murphy from the ring to regroup, meanwhile Akam and Rezar get on the apron. Owens and Joe pull them down and they start brawling around ringside, meanwhile Seth and Murphy brawl with Erik and Ivar in the ring.
*Commercial Break*
Back live and Erik throws Murphy over the ropes to the floor, then does the same to Rollins and looks to make the tag to Ivar. Murphy and Rollins pull Ivar from the apron and throw him into the barricade. They get back in the ring and Murphy cracks Erik with a knee before suplexing him and tagging Rollings. Seth with a frog splash off the top for a near-fall.
Murphy tags back in and slows things down to talk trash to Erik and grab his beard. Murphy lands a few big kicks but gets flipped over and knee’d in the mouth. Ivar is back on the apron and gets the tag, as does Rollins. Ivar with a big shoulder tackle, then a sidewalk slam to Buddy and a running splash. Erik senton’s Rollins, cartwheel’s past Murphy, and hits a clothesline. Erik is tagged and they look to his the Viking Experience but Seth returns and saves Murphy.
Seth and Buddy roll from the ring, so Erik and Ivar hit suicide dives, then get Murphy back in the ring and hit the Viking Experience, but Seth breaks the pin. Seth knocks Erik from the ring but Ivar cracks him with a spinning heel kick. Murphy goes up top but Ivar climbs up with him. They struggle on the top until Rollins kicks Ivar, then hits a double powerbomb with Murphy for a near-fall.
Murphy gets the tag but Ivar counters him and Rollins to hit a springboard back elbow. Erik tags in and powerbombs Murphy, then looks for Ivar to hit a leg drop but Seth shoves him from the top rope to the floor! Murphy kicks Erik and he falls onto the bottom rope. Buddy distracts the referee, allowing Rollins to hit The Stomp on the apron and Buddy pins for the win!
Winners and New raw tag team champions: Seth Rollins & BUDDY MURPHY
*Commercial Break*
Murphy, Rollins, and AOP are celebrating backstage. Sarah Schreiber congratulates them and asks what this means. Rollins says this is a new beginning and it cements everything he’s been saying. He says last week Buddy Murphy lost to Aleister Black, but now he’s a Champion. And this Sunday, he’s going to win the Royal Rumble.
We get the next episode of Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins’ WWE recap skit, in which they poke fun at Paul Heyman, John Morrison and Miz, Otis and Mandy, and R-Truth is a correspondent for them at the Royal Rumble arena.
Matt Hardy makes his entrance to a great reaction. He’ll be in action after the break.
*Commercial Break*
Matt Hardy Vs. Erick Rowan
The match begins and Hardy takes the back and forearms Rowan. Hardy tries to sunset flip Rowan but the big man drops an elbow on him. Rowan hits a running splash, then throws Matt onto the apron and big boots him to the floor.
Rowan drags Matt over to his bird cage and asks if he wants to see but then throws him back. Rowan opens the cage and reaches inside, and once again he’s bitten. Rowan lifts the cage and slams it on the steps. Hardy jumps on Rowan’s back and attacks him but gets shrugged off. Rowan then runs over Matt with a shoulder, before throwing him back in the ring. Rowan hits the Iron Claw slam for the win.
Winner: Erick Rowan
We see clips from the Jerry Springer feud. Later tonight, Lashley and Lana will face Rusev and Liv Morgan.
*Commercial Break*
Sarah Schreiber is backstage with Owens and Joe. She asks what is next for them and Owens says that Rollins and Murphy winning the tag titles is interesting and they will deal with that. However they announced they would be in the Royal Rumble, but so is he. Joe says he’s all about transparency, so he’s also declaring his spot in the Rumble. Joe says when it comes to Seth, he will stand by KO’s side, but if it comes down to them, he will go right through him. Owens nods and walks off.
Charly Caruso is backstage and she interviews Mojo Rawley, the WWE 24/7 Champion. She asks how he will be a different champion. Rawley says the title has been held by cowards who run from danger, but that’s not him. The Singh Brothers try to sneak attack Rawley but he attacks them and throws them into production boxes.
Lana and Lashley come to the ring. Lana says Rusev Day is cancelled. The fans start chanting it and she tells them to shut up. Lana says nobody seems to care that they’re trying to show their love to the world. She says they have accepted the fact that everyone is jealous of their love. Lana rants about Rusev and Morgan and says she can’t wait to get her hands on them.
*Commercial Break*
Bobby Lashley & Lana Vs. Rusev & Liv Morgan
Morgan starts the match with Lana but the latter leaves the ring right away and Morgan chases her. They get back in the ring and Lana attacks Liv, then taunts her. Morgan gets up and clotheslines Lana before hitting a dropkick. Liv hits a flying back elbow in the corner.
Lashley distracts Morgan, allowing Lana to kick her in the head for a two count. Lana hits a suplex for another two count. Lana talks more trash and slaps Morgan, but Liv slaps her back. They end up hitting each other with stereo clotheslines and making tags.
Rusev runs over Lashley with shoulders before hitting a Samoan Drop. Rusev hits an overhead belly-to-belly suplex but Lana gets on the apron behind Rusev to distract him. Lashley goes for an attack but Rusev moves and he almost hits Lana. Eventually Lana does hit Rusev and Lashley takes him down with the spin-out Dominator but Morgan breaks up the pin.
Morgan then hits an enzuigiri to Lashley and the crowd pop. Rusev sets up for the Macha Kick but Lana grabs his ankles. Rusev breaks free and turns around into a spears from Lashley, who scores the pinfall.
Winners: Bobby lashley and Lana
And that’s it for this week’s WWE Raw. Let us know what you thought and be sure to come back tomorrow for all your wrestling needs. Until then, safe travels!
