Monday again, everybody. You’re at 1Z1 Pro Wrestling.com, where as always, the WWE Raw Recap starts now! So watch this space.
MLK video package opens Raw.
Randy Orton in a shadowy promo. Says there’s a saying that people who fight fire with fire end up with ashes of the one responsible for their affliction. We see that he’s got an old lucha mask on now and his face seems to be painted red. Says the voices have never been louder, encapsulating his thoughts just as his mask hides his face. Randy says three weeks ago he held Alexa Bliss’ fate in his hands and he showed a side of himself that he never thought existed. Compassion.
Says he was leading his next victim to their demise like a lamb to the slaughter until she interrupted. And now look at him. This is the damnation he receives for showing compassion. He can’t sleep because when he closes his eyes all he can see is the ball of fire hurdling towards his face. Says if there was any semblance of compassion left in his body it left him. He wears this mask not only to protect himself but to shield everyone from the horror that he endured.
Says he considers himself lucky to get out with first degree burns.
They could’ve been more severe, could’ve disfigured his face forever. But he doesn’t blame her, he blames the Fiend. And he sent him straight to Hell. There’s no doubt the Fiend is responsible, Alexa was merely the vehicle and he knows exactly what the Fiend wants. He wants to stop Orton from achieving the inevitable. Hilariously, after having regularly shown plot relevant videos during this, we then see footage of Orton winning two different Rumble matches.
Randy Orton says everyone loved watching him get burned backstage as it could’ve taken him out of the Rumble match but he vows to remain in it. He can only compete as long as he can tolerate the pain but the funny thing is, he enjoys the pain. He wants everyone to blame the Fiend when he burns everyone’s dreams to ashes and goes on to main event WrestleMania. Randy lights a match, blows it out.
We almost didn’t get to the arena before the first commercial break, that’s pretty wild…
Replay of Ric Flair costing his daughter again last week. Ric and Lacey Evans walking around backstage. They’re asked about their relationship and Lacey claims she’s simply learning from one of the best to ever play the game.
Charlotte Flair comes out for a match but her opponent Peyton Royce jumps her from behind. Up next on the WWE Raw Recap…
Charlotte Flair vs. Peyton Royce
After a commercial break the match has begun, Flair with shoulder thrusts in the corner. Peyton sidesteps and kicks her into the buckles. Flair double legs her, forearms to the face. They roll out to the floor, Charlotte with chops now. Throws her into the ring. Peyton rolls out to the opposite end of the ring and Flair follows her, slams her head into the announce table. For some reason we go back to the opposite end of ringside again for more chops, this time Royce ducks one and Charlotte chops the post.
Peyton takes her into the ring and gets a chinlock in. Charlotte fights up, hip toss, shoulder block. Royce avoids a charge, hair trip backbreaker, 2 count. Peyton chokes her with her foot. Whip to the opposite corner, Charlotte ducks out to the apron, shoulder thrust, sunset flip for a 2 count. Forearm shiver to the corner. Royce with the boots up on a charge but Flair catches them, slips her into the ropes for a Hangman’s Neckbreaker for 2.
Ric’s music hits and he makes his way to the stage.
Lacey Evans saunters out wearing Ric’s robe! Charlotte is very distracted, Peyton with a Spinning Heel Kick for a nearfall. Commercial break as the WWE Raw Recap continues. We come back, Peyton kicks out of an O’Connor Roll to send Flair into the buckles but she sidesteps a charge and sends Peyton into the buckles. Peyton with a jawbreaker, kick off a back body drop attempt. Royce lands another heel kick, Scorpion Kick from the apron. Peyton up top, has to cancel the dive, Charlotte with an STO Backbreaker for a nearfall. Charging big boot takes Royce to the floor.
Charlotte calls out Lacey but she’s not there. Lets Peyton get back in, she fights back but her leg is bothering her now. Elbow strike, spinning heel kick, jumping spin kick for a nearfall! Looks for a suplex, Charlotte escapes behind her for a chop block! Working over the knee, Figure Four Leglock into the Figure Eight. Peyton taps.
Winner: Charlotte Flair
Charlotte keeps the hold in after the bell for a good while to really hurt her.
Hurt Business backstage confront Riddle. He says he lives his life untethered. They add “unkempt”. Riddle wants to take the high road, Shelton says he bets he does. Riddle talks about how nicely dressed they are, asks who would call Lashley ‘Slobby Bobby’ dressed like that. Lashley says he actually kinda likes the flip-flops but he heard they’re bad for his feet. Riddle protests but Lashley stomps his foot and walks off smug. Riddle is writhing, promises he’ll see this foot later, up his ass.
After a commercial, Riddle has his foot propped up on a steel chair seat as Lucha House Party seem concerned. Riddle tells them he once got his foot run over and still made it to prom, he’ll be fine.
Interview with Mustafa Ali says Kofi Kingston sitting at home with a broken jaw isn’t enough. He wants to break his heart and spirit. He’ll do that by destroying Xavier over and over. Ali hopes that Kofi misses the Rumble and even Mania from it.
Next up on the WWE Raw Recap…
Mace vs. Xavier Woods
Before the bell Ali gets in Woods’ face to talk about what a coward Kofi is and he threatens Xavier. Xavier punches him to the mat and Ali has to hold Mace back from jumping him. Commercial break. As we come back, the match begins officially. Mace takes Woods into the corner but Xavier manages to duck out of the way. Woods ducks a shot and chops him, tries corner punches but Mace repeatedly shoves him away. Xavier tries a Monkey Flip but Mace counters with a mighty chokeslam!
Mace grabs Woods by the throat and forces him to the corner, charging elbow. Whip to the opposite corner, charging high knee to the middle of Xavier’s back, cover for 2. Mace twisting on Woods’ neck and fish-hooking his mouth. Xavier fights to his feet, thrust kick to the gut to free himself. Chops, Mace with a Kane-style throat thrust. Irish whip, Woods ducks a shot, dropkick to the knee. Attacking the back of the head, looks for an Honor Roll but Mace grabs him by the throat to stop it!
Xavier escapes the grip, enziguri sends Mace to the outside. Ali yells at Mace, Xavier hits him with a Baseball Slide. Mace up on the apron but Woods kicks him back off. Ali yells that they do it now, shut it down. Mace back in the ring, Slapjack and T-Bar circle around the ring as Mace stops Woods with a Harlem Side Kick, Sidewalk Slam for the win.
Winner: Mace
The guys circling around at ringside at the end seemed kind of irrelevent, Xavier wasn’t even noticeably distracted. Really felt like Mace just sorta happened to get the win at the same time they made their move.
Asuka admits that she doesn’t know what to expect from her spot on Alexa Bliss’ Playground. Says Alexa has a darkside and walks off. The brevity Asuka must have is actually a gigantic advantage she holds over most of the WWE roster.
They play the goofy skit with everyone pretending to be reporters talking about the news of WrestleMania’s next three venues.
Alexa’s Playground begins.
Says before we get started, she wants to address the Viper in the room. Last week she just wanted to come talk to him, clear the room. Then things got a little heated. I wonder how many times she’s made this exact pun now. Says she could give Randy some suggestions on sunblock but she’s glad he’s still around. She’s excited to introduce her guest tonight, Asuka.
She comes down with a smile and starts to sit in the swing opposite Alexa and she blocks her, says that’s not her seat. Asks “Are you okay?” and Asuka says yes, but Alexa wasn’t talking to her. Asuka decides to stand over towards the corner. Alexa says they have a match later but they’ll focus on that when the time comes because right now she’s got breaking news.
Alexa Bliss says she’s declaring her entry into the Royal Rumble match!
She may be a favorite there this year. Asuka wishes her good luck. Bliss says if she wins the Rumble and Asuka is the Raw Women’s Champion they could face each other at WrestleMania! Asuka says it’d be an honor, she’s a big fan of hers. Alexa is stunned and thanks her. Asuka laughs and says “Yowie-wowie” and Bliss turns cross. Turns to the invisible man in the swing next to her and says she wasn’t supposed to say that. Asuka calls for her music and starts to dance until Alexa yells at her to stop. Bliss continues having a conversation with her imaginary friend. Says if she did things differently he’d still be there and everything would be okay but she’s alone and so cold…
Asuka tells her that she’s gonna be okay, the Fiend is still here. Alexa warns her not to say his name. Hobby horse starts to rock on it’s own and Alexa is pleased with this as Asuka leaves, freaked out. Alexa sits on the horse.
WWE Raw Recap continues and we’re already building to our next talk show segment as Miz and Morrison have Goldberg on the Dirt Sheed tonight. They promise controversy.
Shayna Baszler and Nia Jax have a promo backstage as Shayna makes it clear it’s every woman for herself and she and Nia argue about this. Meanwhile, Mandy Rose and Dana Brook are making their entrance, commercial break, WWE Raw Recap will continue. After the break we get a word from Jeff Jarrett, an expert on both Drew McIntyre and Goldberg evidently. He predicts Goldberg to win the WWE title.
Mandy Rose vs. Shayna Baszler
Shayna kicking Mandy around, roundhouse kick lands for a quick 2 count. Clubbering shots to the back, kicking her around, forearm to the face. Pulls her up, snapmare, kick to the back. Cover for 2. Baszler choking Mandy, singling out an arm now. Off goes the hairtie and there’s the stomp. Dana distracts Baszler, Mandy with a roll-up for a nearfall. Ducks a roundhouse kick, clotheslines landing. Flapjack, kip up!
Drives Shayna into the corner. One armed striking here in the corner, Baszler with a kick to the left arm, grabs that wrist and wrenches. Mandy with forearms. Baszler with some joint manipulation, brings her down hard! Kirifuda Clutch for the quick tap.
Winner: Shayna Baszler
Afterwards Shayna and Nia kick up their argument again until Dana Brooke surprises them with a dropkick, sends Shayna into the ringpost and seems to injure her shoulder.
WWE Raw Recap continues and Shayna and Nia are still bickering backstage. They say that they never got along, even when they were champions. Nia suggests that Asuka and Charlotte probably aren’t getting along either. Shayna says this is a great time for the rematch they never got.
Elsewhere backstage, Charlotte Flair says she’s been accused of living off her last name. Now there’s legitimately a woman begging for her fifteen minutes of fame living on Ric Flair’s name. Says she’s lived with the Dirtiest Player In The Game her whole life but claims she never went down that route. May have to rethink things though because you can only take so much trash.
Adam Pearce is discussing things with Ricochet, says a win tonight could do a lot to get him an opportunity. Pearce is opening a window but he has to go through it. AJ Styles and Omos walk up, AJ says who would take advice from Pearce, a guy who tucked his tail and ran from a world title match? Says yes he’d have lost and been embarrassed but atleast he’d have his dignity. AJ says Ricochet will lose and be embarrassed but he’d have his dignity! Ricochet’s only comeback is talking too long about Drew Barrymore and bringing up that AJ lost, and Styles points out that it was Miz’s fault.
Next up then on the WWE Raw Recap…
Ricochet vs. AJ Styles
Lock-up. AJ drives him into the corner. Clean break. Headlock from AJ Styles, Ricochet tries to shoot him off but he holds on. Ric blocks a kick, flips him with a Japanese Arm Drag, cradles exchanged for 2, Styles hoists him for the Styles Clash but Ricochet springs free, roll up for 2! Elbow ducked, ranas aplenty, inverted headscissor and AJ is loopy, dropkick sends him to the floor! Omos however is existing at ringside.
Ricochet with a baseball slide rana to AJ! Ricochet is staring Omos down. Ric takes AJ into the ring, AJ tries to jump him back in the ring but Ricochet low bridges him right back out. Wants a tope but Omos catches him! Ref demands that he put him down. He does, rather roughly though. Commercial break, WWE Raw Recap shall resume shortly. AJ with a kneedrop to the chest as we come back. Rear chinlock, Ricochet fights to his feet, Jawbreaker.
AJ ducks a line, German Suplex, Ricochet lands on his feet. Ducks a shot, Around-The-World DDT!
Ricochet with a combination of shots, pump knee, big discus lariat flipping AJ for a nearfall! Ric looking for the Kickback, AJ slips free but Ricochet with a beautiful backflip into a Deadlift German Suplex for a nearfall! Looking for a big kick but AJ avoids it, Ricochet with a back elbow, Springboard Moonsault but AJ nails him with an elbow out of the air, Brainbuster for a nearfall!
Styles pulls him up, Ushigoroshi for a cloooose 2 count! AJ on the apron, pulls the elbow pad down, Phenomenal Forearm attempted but Ricochet nails the Recoil out of the air!! Ric can’t cover right away, nearfall! Ricochet on the apron considering a springboard of his own but he decides to go up top instead, Styles trips him and sends him crashing to the buckles, then back to the apron. From there, Ric surprises AJ with a Hot Shot. Springboarding but AJ catches – STUN GUN AND RICOCHET REBOUNDS IN PERFECT POSITION FOR THE STYLES CLASH! That is that!!
Winner: AJ Styles
I don’t want you to alarm you but AJ Styles and Ricochet just had a real good match. That finish was absolutely wild.
The Dirt Sheet begins as the WWE Raw Recap continues. Miz says Goldberg can be a hero for a whole new generation if he can beat Drew McIntyre at the Royal Rumble. Calls him the biggest guest in Dirt Sheet history and introduce him.
Crew comes out with sparklers and here comes Gillberg!
They ask how he prepares for the match. Gillberg says he bangs his head into the wall because he’s so pumped up. Claims he has smoke coming out his nose and fire out of his ass. Now Drew McIntyre’s music hits, he literally can’t be here. And indeed out comes, a big pudgy dude with a mullet wig and the world’s shortest sword.
Miz says this edition of the Dirt Sheet keeps getting bigger. “Drew” promises to kick Goldberg’s ass back to 1998 and go home to eat some haggis. Morrison gives the guy a pointer on Scottish accents, he asks for another take. Miz gets upset as this is live TV, says this is a train wreck. Miz and Morrison argue over whose idea this is. Gillberg does his mocking roar and they both tell him to shut up. Miz asks if Goldberg will lose. Morrison says yes and that’s CORRECT. McIntyre will ALSO lose! Two losers in one match because Miz will cash in the MITB contract. Miz says you’re looking at the future WWE Champion because he’s the Miz and he’s next.
Next up on the WWE Raw Recap…
The Hurt Business vs. Riddle & Lucha House Party
Riddle’s left foot is taped up from the stomp earlier in the night. Cedric Alexander starts with Gran Metalik. Cedric immediately clobbers him across the back, forearm to the face. Whip to the opposite corner, Metalik with a boot off a charge, looks for a Spinning Bulldog but Alexander blocks it. Dropkick lays him out. Teases a tag but doesn’t do it, chop to Metalik! Pendulum Backbreaker, grinding Metalik around his knee.
Why are we doing dissension in the Hurt Business right now that’s such a terrible idea. This group is working, we JUST turned Cedric around for God’s sakes. Lince tags in, kick, Springboard Moonsualt Press for a close nearfall! Cedric finally tags out, Shelton power whips Lince into the corner! Cover for a nearfall. Bobby tags in, double whip, double shoulderblock. Sidesteps Dorado, pounding him in the corner. Cedric tags himself in for a shot but Shelton does the same.
Tense staredown, I hate this.
Cedric tags himself in again and eats the Rewind! Cedric manages to prevent the tag though dragging Dorado over, Shelton tags in and shoulder checks Cedric, they shove each other until Shelton pushes him full strength and sends him out of the ring. MVP is holding Cedric back as we go to commercial break and I hate this. WWE Raw Recap will continue. We come back and now Bobby’s involved with the bickering too, Shelton with a biel throw to Lince.
Alexander back in, he’s pounding Lince in the corner.
Takes him up top. Forearms exchanged, Lince kicks him away, high crossbody! Good impact on that one. Cedric tags to Shelton, Riddle with the hot tag! Immediate Pele Kick to Shelton, charging forearms aplenty. Fights out of a powerbomb, forearm to the face, PK missed, Shelton rols him up but Riddle rolls through, Final Flash for a nearfall!
Up top, Floating Bro misses. Metalik tags in, Springboard Crossbody! Chop, Top Wristlock, pulls him to the ropes, double springboard into a rana! Shelton stops him with a Brainbuster though, Cedric tags himself in for a Vertical Suplex. Lashley tags in now, knocks Riddle to the floor, spear to Metalik! Hurt Lock for the tap!
Winner: The Hurt Business
So we’re dissolving the group, but in spite of fighting each other the whole match they still control about 75% of it and then win definitively. So it’s nice to know we’re atleast also making the faces they fight look terrible as this is happening. Afterwards Riddle gets a cheap shot in on Lashley and bolts.
Replay of Ryker pinning Jeff Hardy only for Hardy to immediately beat Elias in an impromptu match afterwards. Cool. Looks like Elias and Ryker are already having issues too, nobody could possibly care. Ryker says he will embody the universal truth and beat Jeff Hardy until he accepts it too.
Drew McIntyre with a recorded promo.
He says Raw is like a circus. You have clowns like Miz and Morrison and lions like himself. Says he respects Bill Goldberg but that doesn’t change what he’s willing to do to retain that WWE title. Says he’s deluded and put words in his mouth. But when Goldberg shoved him to the mat and he saw the look in his eyes, he saw a glimpse of the real Goldberg. Tells him to find that guy and bring him to the Rumble or else he’ll eat him alive in 2 minutes.
Next up on the WWE Raw Recap…
Jaxson Ryker vs. Jeff Hardy
Jeff sidesteps Ryker on a corner charge, shoulder thrusts. Ryker with body blows, pulls him out and slams his face into the buckle. Facewashing him. Hardy with an elbow to the gut but Ryker ignores it, clubbering shot to the back. Jeff with a back kick from the corner, headscissor, Double Leg, Legal Low Blow, Basement Dropkick! Short Splash for a quick kickout. Reverse Enziguri takes Ryker to the corner, whip to the opposite corner, Ryker avoids him and nails him with a charging axe handle, 2 count.
Mounted punches. Pulls him up, Back Suplex for a 2 count. Side headlock cinched in tight. Jeff fights up, Jawbreaker, Twist of Fate – Ryker takes it wrong so they have to call it a Neckbreaker. Jeff up top, Elias knocks him to the apron and the ref calls for the DQ.
Winner: Jeff Hardy (By DQ)
Ryker and Elias arguing now, Ryker said he told him not to help him. Elias thought he meant to help him. Jeff attacks Ryker from behind for reasons and Ryker lays him out with a Black Hole Slam, cool.
WWE Raw Recap to conclude now, we have our main event…
WWE Raw Women’s Champion Asuka vs. Alexa Bliss (Non-Title)
Lock-up. Asuka with a wristlock. Alexa rolls through to reverse. They reverse again and again, Alexa with a side headlock cinched in. Asuka shoots her off, big shoulderblock takes her down. She’s dancing now, hits the ropes, Alexa trips her up, Oklahoma Roll for a nearfall! Alexa with a pose, Asuka with a quick cradle for 2, series of palm strikes, elevates her for a knee to the face! Sliding knee for a nearfall! Half armbar and facelock, Alexa struggles to her feet. Grabs the ropes for the break.
Bliss to the outside. Avoids a baseball slide and rolls into the ring. She smiles as the lights start to go off. Commercial break. We return to see a close-up of Alexa’s face, she’s got more gothic makeup on and the lights are very purple. Asuka is in the ring, seemingly shook. Asuka with a tentative Spinning Backfist but Alexa casually steps out of the way out of it. With ease Bliss blocks Asuka’s shots, she finally lands a kick to the gut but Bliss with a shoulder block stopping a charge! Asuka is stunned.
She approaches again, ducks a shot, Elevated Knee to the face, Alexa is in the corner… stops a charge in it’s tracks by hanging upside-down, Bray style! Alexa wipes at her mouth. Looking for the Mandible Claw! Asuka blocking it! Asuka ducks a kick, wants a German Suplex but Bliss with a back elbow, forearm drops her! Cover for 2! Bliss has quite the commitment to her character here, she’s suddenly wrestling like she’s soulless. She puts a hand to Asuka’s face as she slowly rises. Asuka surprises her with a roundhouse kick, backfist but Alexa springs back to hook her – Sister Abigail for the win!
Winner: Alexa Bliss
Afterwards the lights flash and she transforms back to her more typical look. Alexa smiles and laughs and then speaks in the Fiend’s echoing voice, “Let Me In” right before the show ends.