WWE Raw Results
February 12, 2024
Lexington, Kentucky (Rupp Arena)
Commentary: Michael Cole and Pat McAfee
Results by: Mike Tedesco of Wrestleview.com
“Then. Now. Forever. Together.” The WWE video leads us into the show.
Footage shows “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes entering the Rupp Arena. In 54 days, Rhodes will face Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at WrestleMania XL.
“It’s a New Day, yes, it is!”
6-Man Tag Team Match
The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods) and “Main Event” Jey Uso vs. Imperium (WWE Intercontinental Champion Gunther, Ludwig Kaiser, and Giovanni Vinci)
Replays of the confrontation between Gunther and Jey Uso last week on Raw are shown. Jey took Gunther down before being overwhelmed by the rest of Imperium. The New Day ran out to make the save.
Kofi Kingston will start against Ludwig Kaiser. They lock up, and Kingston gets him in the corner. Kaiser turns him around and punches him in the forehead. Kingston fights back, but Kaiser chops the chest. Kingston chops back a few times, but Kaiser elbows him in the head to take him down. Kaiser kicks Kingston in the chest. Kaiser hits the ropes, but Kingston avoids a kick and dropkicks him down. Kingston connects with a clothesline and tags Xavier Woods in. Woods and Kingston go back and forth on Kaiser with attacks. Woods has Kaiser down in the corner. The New Day and Jey Uso then start up a Unicorn Stomp. Woods then whips Jey into Kaiser for a hip attack. Jey then sneers at Gunther. Kaiser crawls to his corner and tags Gunther in. The Ring General locks his eyes on Jey and tags Giovanni Vinci in before doing anything. Jey takes exception to that, and Vinci takes him down from behind. Vinci mocks Jey’s dance and tags Gunther in. Vinci holds Jey up. Gunther rips Jey’s shirt off and viciously smashes his chest with a chop. Kaiser tags in and punches away at Jey. Kaiser grabs Jey, but Jey uppercuts him. Jey punches Vinci off the apron and takes Kaiser down. Jey goes after Gunther, but Gunther avoids it. Kaiser then clotheslines Jey from behind and knocks him over the top rope. Gunther then wipes Jey out at ringside with a big boot.
-Commercial Break-
Back from the break, Jey fights out of Kaiser’s chin lock. Jey connects with a back suplex, and both men are down.
Woods and Vinci tag in. Woods takes Vinci down and knocks Kaiser off the apron. Kingston hits Vinci with a crossbody block. Woods follows up with a swinging neckbreaker. Kingston connects with a famouser on Vinci. Woods hits a tornado DDT, and Kingston flattens him with a frog splash as Vinci tries to stand. 1… 2… Vinci kicks out. Woods and Kaiser start to brawl at ringside. Kingston gets involved and kicks Kaiser in the face. Kingston hits Vinci with a leaping clothesline and hits the ropes for a Boom Drop. Kingston sets up for Trouble in Paradise, but Kaiser grabs the feet. Vinci knocks Kingston over the top rope, and Kaiser drives Kingston headfirst into the steel steps. Kingston slowly gets on the apron, but Vinci kicks him in the head to knock him back to ringside. Vinci gets Kingston in the ring and covers for a two-count.
Gunther tags in. The longest-reigning Intercontinental Champion of all time stomps Kingston before connecting with a beautiful uppercut. Gunther smiles as he stalks Kingston. Gunther bends Kingston on the ropes and elbows him on the bridge of the nose. Gunther taunts his opponents on the apron and elbows Kingston in the neck. Gunther connects with another uppercut. Kingston is in Imperium’s corner and fights off Kaiser and Vinci. Gunther stops Kingston from making a tag and chops him down. Gunther then snaps around and chops Jey off the apron. Gunther grabs Kingston’s legs and turns him over to apply a Boston Crab. Gunther talks trash to Jey as he applies the hold. Jey has seen enough and enters the ring. Jey steps up to the Ring General and slaps him in the face. Gunther is incredulous and lets go of Kingston. The referee separates Gunther and Jey as we go to the commercial.
-Commercial Break-
We return from the break to see Kaiser pulling Kingston away from his corner by the hair. Kaiser knocks Woods off the apron, but he misses Jey. Kingston then hits Kaiser with a back body drop.
Jey and Vinci tag in. Jey hits a pair of clotheslines before kicking him in the midsection and hitting an uppercut. Jey catches Vinci with a Samoan Drop before delivering one to Kaiser. Gunther is furious. Jey hits Kaiser with a running hip attack before hitting one on Vinci. Jey goes after Gunther, but Gunther avoids it. Jey superkicks Kaiser down and superkicks Vinci out of midair.
Gunther tags in. Jey avoids a chop and punches away at the Ring General. Jey does some theatrics, and Gunther takes the opportunity to chop him down. Gunther blocks a kick, but Jey spins and hits a rebound enzuigiri. Jey punches him to the corner and backs up. Gunther drops him on the apron, but Jey punches him back. Jey hits Gunther with a crossbody block for a two-count. Jey gets up and goes to the corner to size Gunther up. Jey charges for a spear, but Gunther takes him down and chops the chest. Gunther knocks the New Day off the apron. Gunther grabs Jey and annihilates him with a short-arm clothesline. 1… 2… Jey kicks out! Gunther cannot believe it. Gunther heads to the top rope and mocks Jey’s dance. Gunther goes for a splash, but Jey gets the knees up. Jey hits Gunther with a spear! 1… 2… Kaiser breaks up the pin.
Woods hits Kaiser with a diving kick at ringside. Woods lands hard on the floor and lands on the back of Kaiser’s leg. That looked bad. Kingston then sends Kaiser into the ring post. Vinci tags into the match. Vinci goes for a powerbomb on Jey, but Jey gets out of it. Vinci big boots him, but Jey superkicks him. The New Day gets in the ring and hits Vinci with a 1D with Jey! They knock Kaiser back, and Kingston hits him with a somersault senton. Jey goes to the top rope and hits Kaiser with an Uso Splash for the win.
Winners by Pinfall: The New Day and “Main Event” Jey Uso
The New Day and Jey Uso celebrate in the ring. Gunther is irate at ringside and holds up his WWE Intercontinental Championship.
Video: WrestleMania XL Kickoff Show from this past Thursday. During the show, The Rock turned on the crowd that was chanting for Cody Rhodes. Rhodes then came out and declared that he would be challenging Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship, seemingly canceling a proposed match of Roman Reigns vs. The Rock. Reigns said Rhodes is irrelevant, like his father. The Rock slapped Rhodes in the face after Rhodes invoked his family.
“The All Mighty” Bobby Lashley makes his way to the ring alongside The Street Profits and B-Fab. He embraces them and then heads to the ring by himself. Next, Lashley will face “Big” Bronson Reed in an Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match.
-Commercial Break-
Video: Andrade says life has taught him that he has to decide what he wants and what he deserves. Andrade loves this business. He had his first match when he was 13. He has been a champion many times. When he came to WWE, he became the NXT Champion. Then, he won the United States Championship. The titles were not enough. Three years ago, he had to leave to remember who he was. Now he is back. Andrade knows the direction is clear.
Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match
“The All Mighty” Bobby Lashley vs. “Big” Bronson Reed
This past Friday on SmackDown, Randy Orton and Drew McIntyre qualified for the Elimination Chamber match.
The bell rings, and they lock up. Reed gets the better of Lashley and shoves him. Reed lifts him, but Lashley slides off and goes for a Hurt Lock. Reed fights it and backs Lashley into the corner, landing hard on his ribs. Reed sends Lashley to the corner, but Lashley knocks him back with a clothesline. Lashley leapfrogs him and connects with a clothesline. Lashley charges for a spear, but Reed sends him shoulder-first into the ring post. Reed gets on the apron and dives off with a shoulder tackle, knocking Lashley over the barricade and into the timekeeper’s area.
-Commercial Break-
Back from the break, Reed is clubbing away at Lashley in the corner. Reed pulls him out of the corner and connects with a short-arm clothesline. Reed goes for a suplex, but Lashley gets out and kicks him. Lashley then drops him with a flatliner. Lashley grabs Reed and connects with a vertical suplex for a two-count!
Lashley clotheslines Reed in the corner and backs up for a second one. Lashley backs up and hits a running shoulder. Lashley sets up for a neckbreaker, but Reed shoves him off and superkicks him. Reed crushes Lashley with a Death Valley Driver for a near fall. Lashley gets up in the corner and avoids an avalanche. Reed attacks Lashley against the ropes and charges, but Lashley hits him with a one-armed spinebuster for a two-count. Lashley sizes Reed up and charges, but Reed knees him in the face. Reed slams Lashley and connects with a senton splash. Reed heads to the top rope for a Tsunami, but Lashley pops up and slams him down to the mat. Lashley connects with a spear for the win.
Winner by Pinfall: “The All Mighty” Bobby Lashley
Bobby Lashley joins Drew McIntyre and Randy Orton in the Elimination Chamber match. The winner of that match will face Seth “Freakin” Rollins for the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania.
Last Monday on Raw, Drew McIntyre attacked “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes. Rhodes had just fought a grueling match against Shinsuke Nakamura in a Bull Rope Match. After the show, Sami Zayn made the save.
Video: Jackie Redmond interviewed Sami Zayn earlier in the day. Last week, Zayn said he was a contender. Then he lost his WrestleMania opportunity on SmackDown. Zayn says any athlete who declares they will do something and falls short feels embarrassed. This is something he has felt many times in his career, but that feeling is overtaken by his belief in himself. Last year, Cody Rhodes told him that if he wanted to be in the main event of WrestleMania, he had to believe in himself. Zayn believes he is a contender. It won’t be easy, but he will take the title.
Shinsuke Nakamura appears on the titantron. Zayn wants the sympathy of the people and is a clever guy, just like Cody Rhodes. They swindle people, but if Zayn doesn’t let his real emotions out, he won’t tolerate that. Nakamura will pick up Zayn’s soul and keep his warpath moving forward.
“The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes is walking backstage. We’ll hear from him next.
-Commercial Break-
Video: WrestleMania XL trailer
Some of the major headlines coming out of the WrestleMania XL Kickoff Press Conference are shown.
“The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes addresses his confrontation with Roman Reigns and The Rock
“Wrestling has more than one royal family.”
“The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes makes his way to the ring to a massive reception. A loud “Cody” chant picks up. Rhodes looks moved by the reception. Rhodes says, “So, Lexington, Kentucky, what do we want to talk about?” Rhodes believes they can talk about how in the Main Event of WrestleMania 40, he’ll be challenging for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship against Roman Reigns. The crowd roars and starts to chant “Cody” again. Rhodes says it took a while to say that. The only reason he’s able to say it is because of the fans. They made their voices heard. It trended for a full week. They spread the word. The word was… the crowd loudly chants, “We want Cody!” Rhodes doesn’t know how he could repay them. Well, actually there is one way. The crowd cheers. Rhodes says they’re making him emotional. Rhodes is a passionate guy and passionate about this place and his legacy. His astrological sign is cancer, so he wears his emotions on his sleeve. Rhodes doesn’t want to get emotional because then he would be a… crybaby. The crowd boos and chants, “Rocky sucks!”
Rhodes says while everyone was saying, “We want Cody,” one man 100% didn’t want to hear it. That same man happens to be the most famous human being alive, a potential presidential nominee, the original People’s Champion, and the one who coined the term, “Cody Crybabies.”
Video: The Rock appeared on “The Pat McAfee Show” last Thursday. The Rock really came down on Cody Rhodes’ fans.
Rhodes shakes his head in the ring. Rhodes knows that promos are different from the last time Rock was here, and very few can fathom matching The Rock on promos, but he wants to know what they’re actually expected to do with the nuggets (The Rock said they could shove them up their asses). Rhodes asks McAfee what he said. McAfee acts coy. Rhodes says they shouldn’t mistake his candor for weakness. Rhodes is a fan of The Rock. Everyone has been a fan of his at one point. One thing The Rock does not do well is listen. At the Press Conference, he said nothing to defile his ancestors. Still, The Rock slapped him in the face in public. Sometimes you can hear the rivers overflowing. The Rock lost the people’s energy. There was malevolence. The Rock and Roman Reigns together is the perfect storm. The Rock put his hands on him and slapped him in the face. What that means is Rhodes will hit him back. The crowd roars in approval.
“BURN IT DOWN!”
World Heavyweight Champion Seth “Freakin” Rollins makes his way to the ring in a big leopard coat. The crowd loudly sings his theme. Rollins takes a bow. Rhodes says Rollins should take a bow. Before they get started with whatever this is, Rhodes thanks Rollins for coming to his aid at the Press Conference. Rollins says he is welcome. Rollins says as much as he was looking forward to defending the World Heavyweight Championship against Rhodes at WrestleMania, he understands his decision. Rollins says he understands why Rhodes chose Roman Reigns and his title. He has to finish the story. Millions of people want to see Rhodes finish his story. Now that the decision is made, Rollins wants to make this clear to Rhodes: Rhodes NEEDS to finish this story. Rhodes needs to finish this for his dad, for Rollins, and every person here tonight. If Rhodes does not beat Roman Reigns at WrestleMania and take the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship, the landscape on the other side of WrestleMania is very dark. You have the most powerful champion of the Modern Era. Reigns gets more power and leverage, meaning he shows up less and defends the title less. The glass ceiling gets higher and the brass rings get higher. This could be the last real chance they have to take that title and power and give it to the people.
A loud “Cody” chant picks up. Rollins says Rhodes might be the man for the job, but what is his plan? Last year, Rhodes got screwed out of the title in the Main Event of WrestleMania. The Usos were there, Paul Heyman was there, and Solo was there. Rhodes didn’t get the job done, but he fought his way back. Rhodes won the Royal Rumble again. The deck is stacked against Rhodes just the same, except the bar has been raised. Rhodes isn’t dealing with just Jimmy Uso, Solo Sikoa, and Paul Heyman. He’s dealing with the most powerful man in the entertainment industry. Rhodes has to deal with The Rock. Another “Rocky sucks” chant fires up. Rollins says he tends to agree with Lexington. That’s why Rollins is here to tell Rhodes that he does not have to fight this battle alone. The crowd loudly cheers. They haven’t always seen eye to eye, but Rhodes wants to take everything from Roman Reigns. Rollins felt that deep in his soul. That’s why at the Press Conference when The Rock laid his hands on Rhodes, he stepped up. Rollins is tired of these entitled pricks getting away with it.
Rollins has to admit something. The man Roman Reigns became is partly Rollins’ fault. 12 years ago, they came down the steps in their tactical vests. Rollins is partly responsible for Reigns, but he never imagined the monster he would become. That monster has two heads. Reigns is standing side by side with the one man on this planet who is as entitled and selfish as he is. When it comes to fighting the Bloodline, The Rock, and Roman Reigns, there is only one man on earth who is uniquely suited to be his Shield. Rollins says he’ll give him a hint. He was once an architect and is now a visionary and a revolutionary. He is Seth “Freakin” Rollins! Rollins walks off.
Backstage Interview
Cathy Kelley is backstage with “Main Event” Jey Uso and The New Day. Kelley announces that Jey will face Gunther for the WWE Intercontinental Championship next week. They celebrate big time. Jey says he’ll get a big W next week.
Liv Morgan makes her entrance. She’ll face Zoey Stark in an Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match next.
-Commercial Break-
Video: The Kansas City Chiefs got their custom-made WWE Championships following their Super Bowl victory last night.
Video: Liv Morgan says she was on the run of a lifetime until Rhea Ripley injured her arm. Now she is back for her revenge and will take everything from Ripley. Zoey Stark says she’s been making history and has taken out Becky Lynch and Trish Stratus. Now she’ll continue to make history all the way to WrestleMania.
Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match
Liv Morgan vs. Zoey Stark
The bell rings, and Morgan immediately rolls her up for a two-count. Morgan ducks a clothesline and punches away at Stark in the corner. Stark quickly bounces Morgan into the corner, but Morgan soon stomps her down. The referee pulls Morgan back. Morgan goes for a roll-up, but Stark holds the ropes. Stark then clotheslines Morgan down. Stark punches away at Morgan. Stark goes for a slam, but Morgan slides out and hits a hurricanrana. Morgan sends Stark to the apron and shoulders her. Morgan bounces her off the turnbuckles before hitting a springboard dropkick to knock her to the floor. Morgan goes for a suicide dive, but Stark punches her in the face. Stark goes for a springboard, but Morgan punches her to the floor. Morgan heads to the top rope, but Stark gets on the apron and grabs her. Stark hits a Death Valley Driver on the apron.
-Commercial Break-
Back from the break, Morgan hits Stark with a diving codebreaker from the second rope for a near fall. Morgan charges Stark in the corner, but Stark counters with a powerbomb for a two-count. Stark pulls herself up, and Stark quickly flattens her with a springboard missile dropkick for another two-count. Stark talks trash to Morgan, but Morgan fights back. Stark charges, but Morgan catches her with a crucifix pin for a near fall. Morgan goes for a codebreaker, but Stark blocks it and hits a catapult into the corner. Stark charges, but Morgan takes her down with a double stomp. Morgan sizes Stark up, but Stark superkicks her down. 1… 2… Morgan kicks out.
Stark drags Morgan to the corner and stomps her. Stark heads to the top rope and dives for a corkscrew, but Morgan moves. Morgan hits a codebreaker, and Stark is leaning on the ropes. Morgan hits her with the Ob-Liv-ion for the win.
Winner by Pinfall: Liv Morgan
Liv Morgan joins Becky Lynch and Bianca Belair in the Elimination Chamber match. The winner will face Rhea Ripley for the Women’s World Championship at WrestleMania XL.
Backstage Segment
The Judgment Day is walking backstage. R-Truth starts walking alongside them. Damian Priest says he likes R-Truth, but the joke is over. There was no initiation. Every beating was just a beating. Priest says he’s being really clear: tonight, it’s an execution. Can he get that through his skull? The Judgment Day walks off, and R-Truth looks sad.
The Judgment Day makes their entrance. JD McDonagh will face R-Truth next.
-Commercial Break-
Gorilla Position
R-Truth is on the phone with the Miz, begging him to get on a plane and get to Lexington. Miz is in Los Angeles right now. Raw General Manager Adam Pearce says his match is right now. R-Truth shouts to Miz that Judgment Day wants to kill him.
JD McDonagh w/ The Judgment Day (Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions Finn Bálor and “Señor Money in the Bank” Damian Priest, and “Dirty Dominik Mysterio) vs. R-Truth
The bell rings, and McDonagh comes out strong on R-Truth. R-Truth soon fights back and bounces him off the top turnbuckle. R-Truth sends him into the ropes and connects with a hip toss. R-Truth does a split and connects with a running forearm on McDonagh. R-Truth connects with a back body drop. R-Truth lifts him and hits an Attitude Adjustment. Mysterio pulls McDonagh out of the ring.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see R-Truth and McDonagh exchanging punches. R-Truth shoves him to the corner, ducks a clothesline, and hits a pair of John Cena shoulder tackles, followed by a back suplex powerbomb. R-Truth sets up for a 5 Knuckle Shuffle, but McDonagh kicks him in the head. R-Truth quickly takes him back down and hits a 5 Knuckle Shuffle. R-Truth lifts McDonagh, but he slides off and rolls him up with a handful of tights for a two-count. R-Truth hits a Lie Detector. R-Truth sets up for a Scissor Kick, but McDonagh moves. McDonagh connects with the Devil Inside for the win.
Winner by Pinfall: JD McDonagh
The Judgment Day celebrates in the ring. R-Truth looks on sadly. Finn Bálor charges R-Truth, but he avoids it. R-Truth goes face-to-face with Damian Priest. McDonagh grabs R-Truth and gets punched down. Priest then punches R-Truth down. The Judgment Day gangs up on R-Truth until #DIY runs down with chairs. Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa stand tall with R-Truth.
Backstage Segment
Sami Zayn is getting ready for his match with Shinsuke Nakamura when “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes comes up to him. Rhodes thanks him for helping him against Shinsuke Nakamura last week. Rhodes believes in Zayn, as do the fans. They embrace.
Backstage Segment
Becky Lynch is walking backstage. We’ll hear from her next.
-Commercial Break-
Photos are shown of numerous celebrities wearing Snoop Dogg’s WWE Golden Championship at the Super Bowl.
“The Man” Becky Lynch talks about her first Elimination Chamber match
“The Man” Becky Lynch makes her way to the ring. The crowd loudly chants her name. Lynch shouts, “The Man has come around to Lexington, Kentucky.” She just saw an interesting sign… she’s going to the prom in 2034. They are officially on the Road to WrestleMania. It has been crazy, wild, chaotic, and confusing. It’s also unpredictable. That’s what she loves about this. She loves this business so much. She was 15 years old when she first stepped into a wrestling ring. She has been obsessed ever since. That obsession has been great most of the time. She traveled the world and is in front of these fine people right now. It’s the reason a girl who once failed gym class went on to win the Main Event of WrestleMania. It’s how she met her husband and has her daughter.
That obsession is also the reason she’s missed birthdays, weddings, and her own father’s funeral. Her daughter is only three years old, but she’s already had some difficult conversations with her. She’s had to explain why her face is busted and bloodied, why she can’t pick her up because of a separated shoulder, and why her daddy wants to fight Maui. She’s going to the Elimination Chamber. Her daughter will see her mother’s face smashed on the steel, but she’ll also see the brutality that her mother is capable of. She is obsessed with this and has never been more obsessed about getting the title back she hasn’t held in two years. That starts with winning the Elimination Chamber and going face-to-face with one of the most dominant champions we’ve ever seen. A lot of people love Mami. They don’t think anyone can beat her. A “Mami” chant picks up. Lynch isn’t just anyone. She ain’t never faced anyone quite like Lynch. Whether you love Mami or hate her… whether you love Lynch or hate her… Lynch asks for a drink to make a toast. If you have a drink, some popcorn, or a fist, she wants them to raise it up in the air. This is for Rhea Ripley. She can enjoy her last few weeks as champion. Bottoms up!
Nia Jax comes out to the ring to loud boos. Jax knows they’ve had their differences, but she has something to say to her. Jax gets in the ring, and a “You suck” chant picks up. Jax is pretending to be emotional. She has so much respect for Lynch. If her mom was half the mom Lynch is, she’d be lucky. She hopes to be a mother one day and use Lynch as an example. Lynch looks confused. Jax says Lynch will win the match at Elimination Chamber. With that passion and that drive for her little girl, there’s nothing that will stop her from winning that match and going to WrestleMania. Jax is pretending to cry and then stops. Jax says nothing will stop her from beating Rhea Ripley and winning the Women’s World Championship. It will be them at WrestleMania.
Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley charges down to the ring. Ripley takes Jax down and punches away at her. Jax head-butts her away and knocks her back. Ripley nearly hits Lynch. Jax then avalanches Ripley into Lynch. Jax lifts Ripley, but Ripley slides off. Jax takes Ripley out with a right hook. Lynch then dropkicks Jax out of the ring. Ripley slowly gets up and stares at Lynch. Ripley then sidesteps Lynch and big boots Jax off the apron. Ripley shouts to Jax, “You’re going to have to kill me!”
Backstage Interview
Jackie Redmond is backstage with Drew McIntyre. She asks him about facing “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes next week and being one step closer to the World Heavyweight Championship. McIntyre says he pushed Rhodes in this direction. McIntyre says he’s the underdog. He had to beat AJ Styles to qualify for the Elimination Chamber match, one of the toughest wrestlers in the world. McIntyre says he’s doing things the right way. As for Rhodes, he should be avoiding two things: McIntyre’s prayers and facing him one-on-one.
Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns and The Rock return this Friday on SmackDown.
Next week on Raw, Drew McIntyre will battle “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes.
LA Knight makes his way to the ring to a huge ovation. Next, he’ll face Ivar in an Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match.
-Commercial Break-
Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match
LA Knight vs. Ivar w/ Valhalla
Ivar quickly avalanches Knight and punches him down. Ivar grabs Knight and goes for a double underhook powerbomb, but Knight gets out. Knight punches away at him and hits a DDT. Ivar quickly rolls out of the ring. Knight catches him with a baseball slide and bounces him off the commentary table a few times. Knight sends him ribs-first into the barricade. Knight grabs him, but Ivar flapjacks him onto the barricade. Ivar backs up and charges for a running crossbody block against the barricade.
-Commercial Break-
Back from the break, Knight is trying to superplex Ivar. Ivar fights him off, but Knight leaps to the top rope and hits a WILD superplex for a near fall. Knight punches away at Ivar as the crowd chants, “This is awesome.” Knight avoids a spin kick and lifts him, but his back gives out. Knight quickly elbows Ivar and charges, but Ivar connects with a spinning World’s Strongest Slam for a near fall. Knight quickly shoulders him, but Ivar comes back with a double underhook powerbomb for a near fall.
Ivar chares Knight in the corner, but Knight moves. Knight hits a running knee, followed by a powerslam. Knight drops an elbow for a near fall. Knight stomps away at Ivar until Valhalla gets on the apron. Knight sidesteps an attack from Ivar. Knight goes for Blunt Force Trauma, but Ivar gets out and hits a spin kick. Ivar goes for a Doomsault, but Knight moves. Knight connects with BFT for the win!
Winner by Pinfall: LA Knight
LA Knight joins Randy Orton, Drew McIntyre, and Bobby Lashley in the Elimination Chamber match. Two spots remain open.
Backstage Segment
Sami Zayn is walking backstage and stops when he approaches Drew McIntyre. McIntyre warns Zayn to keep his name out of his mouth. Zayn tells him to get out of his way.
-Commercial Break-
Next week on Raw, “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes will take on Drew McIntyre. Gunther will defend his WWE Intercontinental Championship against “Main Event” Jey Uso. R-Truth, The Miz, and #DIY will team up to take on The Judgment Day. Finally, there will be a Last Chance Battle Royal Match for the five losers of the Women’s Elimination Chamber Qualifying Matches.
Raw General Manager Adam Pearce’s Office
Raw General Manager Adam Pearce is talking with Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell, but they’re interrupted by Chelsea Green and Piper Niven. Green wants to be in the Elimination Chamber match because WrestleMania can’t be the biggest without her. Pearce says he has a lot to consider. Green says she wants a one-on-one match, not a match with all the losers. Green goes to talk to management, not realizing that Pearce is management. Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark approach him about a Tag Title match. Pearce says he needs a drink.
Shinsuke Nakamura makes his entrance. Sami Zayn soon follows.
Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Sami Zayn
They start slow until Zayn sends him into the ropes and pulls the top rope down to get him out of the ring. Zayn goes for a dive but redirects into a feint when Nakamura moves. Zayn lands on his feet and does Nakamura’s, “COME ON” taunt.
-Commercial Break-
We return from the break to see Zayn come off the second rope with a diving elbow to the head for a two-count. Nakamura quickly backs Zayn into the corner and does some Bad Vibrations. Nakamura lays Zayn on the top rope and knees him in the midsection for a two-count. Nakamura peppers him with kicks to the face before hitting a stiff kick to the chest. Nakamura kicks him again and smiles. Zayn blocks a kick, but Nakamura hits a rebound kick to the skull for a two-count. Nakamura applies a rear chin lock. Zayn fights out and elbows him back, but Nakamura quickly puts him on the second rope and kicks him in the spine. Nakamura hits a sliding German Suplex for a two-count.
Nakamura goes back to the chin lock, but Zayn flips through. Nakamura elbows him and hits the ropes, but Zayn counters with a Michinoku Driver for a near fall. Zayn gets fired up, and the crowd chants for him. Zayn punches away at Nakamura. Nakamura reverses a whip, but Zayn bounces off the bottom rope for a leapfrog. Zayn then gets Nakamura out of the ring. Zayn hits the ropes and hits Nakamura with a somersault senton. Zayn landed flat on his back and appears to have knocked the wind out of himself.
-Commercial Break-
Back from the final break of the evening, Nakamura is kicking away at Zayn’s chest in the corner. Zayn soon blocks a kick and elbows him in the quadriceps. They exchange punches in the center of the ring before Zayn shouts for more. Zayn goes for a Blue Thunder Bomb, but Nakamura fights it and kicks him in the head to take him down. Nakamura sizes him up for a Kinshasa, but Zayn avoids it and hits a Blue Thunder Bomb! 1… 2… Nakamura barely kicks out.
Zayn sizes Nakamura up for a Helluva Kick, but Nakamura gets out of the ring. Zayn follows him out and goes to dive through the turnbuckles for a DDT, but Nakamura stuns him with a kick to the head! Nakamura sends him back into the ring. Zayn looks out on his feet. Nakamura comes off the ropes with a diving knee to the head! 1… 2… Zayn kicks out. Nakamura is furious. Nakamura kicks away at him and goes to the second rope for another diving kick to the back of the neck. Nakamura covers: 1… 2… Zayn kicks out again! Nakamura is furious. Nakamura sizes Zayn up and charges, but Zayn turns him inside out with a clothesline!
Zayn is fired up, and the crowd roars in approval. Zayn grabs Nakamura by the hair and slaps him in the face a few times. Zayn punches away at Nakamura. The referee backs Zayn up. Zayn grabs Nakamura and hits an exploder into the corner. Zayn sizes Nakamura up, but he’s distracted by Drew McIntyre running down to the ring. Nakamura dropkicks Zayn in the knees and hits a Kinshasa for the win.
Winner by Pinfall: Shinsuke Nakamura
Drew McIntyre stoically looks at Zayn and gets in the ring. McIntyre and Nakamura start to double-team Zayn. McIntyre stomps Zayn’s face until “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes runs down for the save. Rhodes takes out Nakamura at ringside and gets in the ring. Rhodes punches away at McIntyre and hits him with a Cody Cutter. Rhodes then takes Nakamura out with Cross Rhodes. Rhodes is fired up and challenges McIntyre to get back in the ring. McIntyre does not oblige.
Next week on Raw, “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes will battle Drew McIntyre. This Friday, Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns and The Rock return to SmackDown.
Quick Match Results
— The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods) and “Main Event” Jey Uso def. Imperium (WWE Intercontinental Champion Gunther, Ludwig Kaiser, and Giovanni Vinci) in a 6-Man Tag Team Match
— “The All Mighty” Bobby Lashley def. “Big” Bronson Reed in an Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match
— Liv Morgan def. Zoey Stark in an Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match
— JD McDonagh def. R-Truth
— LA Knight def. Ivar in an Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match
— Shinsuke Nakamura def. Sami Zayn
Email – mike@wrestleview.com
X – @MikeTedescoWV
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