The February 18th, 2019 episode of WWE RAW aired live from the Cajundome in Lafayette, LA. It was the first episode of RAW following WWE Elimination Chamber 2019. Here are 7 takeaways from this week’s show:
Triple H Announced Several NXT Superstars Will Be Appearing On RAW
WWE COO Triple H kicked off this week’s episode of RAW. Triple H stated that the last 24 hours should be proof of the excitement going on as we are on the road to WrestleMania. Triple H congratulated Sasha Banks & Bayley on winning the first-ever Women’s Tag Team Championships. He also congratulated Finn Balor on becoming the Intercontinental Champion and complimented Kofi Kingston on his efforts last night at Elimination Chamber.
Triple H brought up Becky Lynch attacking Flair and Rousey last night and said that corporately he has to say that if she does that again, she will be arrested. He then chuckled and stated that it was pretty damn cool anyway. Triple H brought up DX being inducted into the WWE HOF and got a great reaction from the crowd.
Triple H then announced that several NXT Superstars will be making their debut tonight on RAW. Ricochet, Aleister Black, Johnny Gargano, and Tommaso Ciampa will be featured on RAW tonight.
They are four of the BEST performers in @WWENXT, and they will be making their #RAW debuts TONIGHT!
– #NXTChampion @ProjectCiampa
– #NXTNorthAmericanChampion @JohnnyGargano
– @WWEAleister
– @KingRicochet pic.twitter.com/BXum6nldWL— WWE (@WWE) February 19, 2019
Braun Strowman Got Revenge On Corbin
Last night at WWE Elimination Chamber, Braun Strowman faced Baron Corbin in a No DQ Match. Strowman was in control of the match, but ultimately lost after Bobby Lashley and Drew McIntyre interfered. On tonight’s episode of RAW, Strowman faced Corbin once again in a Tables Match.
Corbin controlled the match early and threw Strowman into the barricade. Braun battled back and threw a table in the ring. Strowman sold a rib injury from last night’s PPV, which allowed Corbin to regroup. Baron went right after Strowman’s injured ribs and then slid the table back out of the ring.
Baron went for a Suplex but Strowman reversed it and planted Corbin on the entrance ramp. Strowman cleared off the announce table on the entrance ramp while still favoring his ribs.
Strowman went for the Running Powerslam on the announce table but Corbin escaped and shoved Strowman into the table. The action returned to the ring with Corbin still in control of the match. Baron grabbed a kendo stick from under the ring and went back to work on Strowman’s ribs.
Braun grabbed the steel steps and bashed Corbin several times. Braun brought Corbin back inside the ring and slammed him through a table with the Running Powerslam for the victory.
The table looms in the ring as a battered @BraunStrowman looks for retribution in a #TablesMatch against @BaronCorbinWWE! #RAW pic.twitter.com/8mpOXBM7LX
— WWE (@WWE) February 19, 2019
After the match, Paul Heyman came down to the entrance ramp for the next segment. Braun grabbed Heyman by the throat as Paul comically shouted: “I’m just an advocate!”. Strowman opted to let Heyman go and marched backstage. Heyman eventually regrouped and came down to the ring to hype up Universal Champion Brock Lesnar and his match against Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 35.
You alright, Paul @HeymanHustle? #Raw pic.twitter.com/egPRiiGkOK
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) February 19, 2019
I was expecting McIntyre and Lashley to show up either during or after the match to help Corbin, but they were nowhere to be found. I’d like to see Strowman be built up again and return to a prominent role on RAW. Injuries and a needless heel turn have turned him into a midcarder and I still think he is capable of much more.
Goodbye, Baron. pic.twitter.com/WF81uDyYQS
— TDE Wrestling (@totaldivaseps) February 19, 2019
Ricochet & Finn Balor Picked Up A Win
Intercontinental Champion Finn Balor came down to the ring and noted that it has been a while since he held a title. Finn brought up some of the great former Intercontinental Champions (Razor Ramon, Shawn Michaels, Ric Flair) and stated that he is proud to continue the title’s legacy.
Lio Rush interrupted and told Balor that he doesn’t deserve to be the Intercontinental Champion because Lashley deserves to still be the champ. Lashley attacked Balor from behind and then Lio Rush joined in on the beatdown in the ring. Ricochet rushed down the entrance ramp and hit Rush with a Moonsault off the apron.
Match: MADE! @FinnBalor & @KingRicochet are taking on @itsLioRush & @fightbobby in #TagTeam action! #Raw pic.twitter.com/4rajBuVRH5
— WWE (@WWE) February 19, 2019
Ricochet & Finn Balor then battled Lashley & Lio Rush. Rush went for a Hurricanrana but Ricochet showed off his ridiculous athleticism and landed on his feet. Lashley tagged in and locked up with Ricochet in the middle of the ring. Lashley beat down Ricochet for a bit before Ricochet battled back and knocked him out of the ring.
Balor tagged in and Lashley quickly connected with a Suplex. Rush got back in the action and Balor launched him to the corner of the ring. Finn set up for the Coup de Grace but Lashley distracted him and Rush capitalized with a strike to Balor’s knee. Rush and Lashley took turns beating the hell out of Finn for the next several minutes.
Finn finally was able to take in Ricochet and he quickly connected with a Neckbreaker on Rush. Lashley chased Ricochet around the outside of the ring but Balor came out of nowhere with a Dropkick that sent Lashley to the barricade. Back in the ring, Ricochet hit Rush with the 630 Splash for the pinfall victory.
RAW is @KingRicochet! pic.twitter.com/5ZHMWkKW5Y
— TDE Wrestling (@totaldivaseps) February 19, 2019
Since arriving in NXT, Ricochet has consistently put on incredible matches and it was awesome to see him show off his skills tonight on RAW. The only negative from Ricochet’s RAW debut was the crowd. They were relatively silent throughout the match and it took away from the moment.
.@KingRicochet might not be human. #Raw pic.twitter.com/fHVd7viB2i
— WWE (@WWE) February 19, 2019
DIY Pinned The RAW Tag Team Champions
DIY (NXT Champion Tommaso Ciampa & NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano) reunited tonight on RAW to square off against RAW Tag Team Champions The Revival. Wilder and Dawson controlled the bout early and isolated Gargano in the corner of the ring as Bobby Roode and Chad Gable were shown backstage watching the match. DIY battled back and knocked The Revival out of the ring. Tommaso Ciampa then gave himself a round of applause on the ring apron.
They meet again…#RAW #TagTeamChampions @ScottDawsonWWE & @DashWilderWWE are being harshly reacquainted with @WWENXT #NorthAmericanChampion @JohnnyGargano & #NXTChampion @ProjectCiampa on #RAW! pic.twitter.com/J3REQ2kdBK
— WWE (@WWE) February 19, 2019
The Revival isolated Ciampa in the ring and went for the Shatter Machine but Ciampa blocked it. Tommaso connected with a Hip Toss that sent Wilder flying into the turnbuckle. Gargano tagged in an hit a Slingshot DDT for a near fall. Dawson dragged Ciampa off the apron and launched him into the barricade. Gargano went for a Slingshot Spear but Wilder countered with a knee to the face.
Dawson tagged in and hit a Bulldog off the top rope and went for the cover but Ciampa broke it up at the last moment. Dawson knocked Ciampa out of the ring and sent Gargano to the apron. Johnny hit Wilder with the Slingshot Spear and tagged in Ciampa. Tommaso and Gargano then hit Dawson with the Superkick/Knee for the pinfall victory.
Sometimes you just gotta be like @JohnnyGargano and @ProjectCiampa… and Do It Yourself. #DIY pic.twitter.com/Kyhnfdrlom
— TDE Wrestling (@totaldivaseps) February 19, 2019
Once again, the crowd absolutely sucked during this match and sat on their hands. DIY and The Revival had an instant classic 2 out of 3 Falls Match back at NXT TakeOver: Toronto in 2016. This match obviously wasn’t anywhere close to that, but it still was awesome to see these two teams battle again.
Just keep following @ProjectCiampa's lead and you'll go far, Johnny… pic.twitter.com/MJTrHdDM0O
— TDE Wrestling (@totaldivaseps) February 19, 2019
Nia Jax & Tamina Interrupted The Women’s Tag Team Champions
Women’s Tag Team Champions Sasha Banks & Bayley came down to the ring. Bayley and Banks stated that last night was a dream come true and that they made history together. They added that it took them going to war against each other to realize how well they work together as a team.
Sasha Banks said that they plan on defending the titles against anybody on RAW, SmackDown, and NXT. Nia Jax and Tamina interrupted and came down to the entrance ramp. Nia Jax claimed that nobody wanted to listen to the “nauseating love fest” that is going on.
Jax joked that this is the best Bayley will ever get and claimed that Sasha Banks only cares about herself. Nia brought up Sasha’s history of losing the titles on her very first defense. Tamina chimed and said that Banks and Bayley got lucky last night but their luck is about to run out. Tamina and Nia tried to get into the ring but Bayley and Banks booted them off the apron. Nia Jax and Tamina then retreated up the entrance ramp to conclude the segment.
The first-ever @WWE #WomensTagTeamChampions @SashaBanksWWE & @itsBayleyWWE are ready to defend those titles against ANY team that crosses their path! #RAW pic.twitter.com/Z3dSZWihhr
— WWE (@WWE) February 19, 2019
Sasha Banks and Bayley’s promo was incredibly dull and the silent crowd just enhanced the awkwardness. It managed to get even worse when Nia Jax and Tamina interrupted. Nia Jax and Tamina are a boring team in my opinion, but to be fair, a normal crowd would have at least reacted when Jax brought up Sasha Banks’ history of quickly losing titles.
I know a team… ???????? pic.twitter.com/YQ1f4e3fbE
— TDE Wrestling (@totaldivaseps) February 19, 2019
Aleister Black Defeated Elias
Elias came down to the ring for a musical performance. Elias announced that the song was going to be about himself so that he can forget anyone in the crowd exists. Elias told the crowd to silence their cell phones, hold their applause and shut their mouths.
Aleister Black interrupted and the lights in the arena went out. Aleister made his epic entrance and marched down to the ring.
Black told Elias that he will fade to black before the match started. Aleister threw Elias to the outside and took a seat in the ring as RAW went to a break. When RAW returned, Elias was in control and slammed Black to the canvas for a two count. Black connected with a Moonsault for a near fall.
Aleister leaped off the second rope but Elias was ready and hit a knee to the face for a two count. Elias went for a Neckbreaker but Aleister escaped and connected with the Black Mass for the pinfall victory.
BL?CK M?SS from @WWEAleister! pic.twitter.com/MHjkOyWIB3
— TDE Wrestling (@totaldivaseps) February 19, 2019
Ronda Rousey Retained The RAW Women’s Championship
Ronda Rousey defended her RAW Women’s Championship against Ruby Riott last night at Elimination Chamber. Rousey won the match with ease and Riott got a title rematch tonight on RAW. Sarah Logan and Liv Morgan were ringside for the match.
Ronda started off the match in control and sent Ruby to the corner of the ring. Rousey hit Ruby with a few strikes and Ruby rolled out of the ring to regroup with the rest of the Riott Squad.
Back in the ring, Riott slammed Rousey to the mat for a two count. Ronda went for the Arm Bar but Ruby retreated out of the ring once again. Riott got back in the ring and applied a Headlock to Rousey.
Rousey escaped but Ruby connected with a Spear for a near fall. Ruby bounced Ronda’s head off the top turnbuckle and then made her way to the second rope. Riott connected with a Senton but Rousey kicked out at two.
Ruby escaped Piper’s Pit and hit Rousey with a headbutt. Ruby followed it up with the Riott Kick and went for the cover but Rousey kicked out at two. Riott went for another Spear but Rousey countered into a Gutwrench Suplex.
Rousey made her way to the top rope but Liv Morgan hopped on the apron for a distraction. Ruby connected with another Riott Kick but Ronda once again kicked out at the last second. Ruby climbed back up to the top rope and went for another Senton but Rousey got out of the way.
Ronda then hit a Crossbody onto the Riott Squad outside the ring. Back in the ring, Rousey slingshotted Ruby face-first into the top turnbuckle and locked in the Arm Bar for the submission victory. After the match, Rousey fought off Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan as RAW went off the air.
Can @RubyRiottWWE take advantage of this second opportunity at the #RAW #WomensChampionship against @RondaRousey?! pic.twitter.com/z4PqAZS4Gj
— WWE (@WWE) February 19, 2019
It would have been nice if we got this match last night at Elimination Chamber, instead of the squash match that took place. Ruby Riott at least looked solid in defeat tonight on RAW. The only noise this terrible crowd made all night was a “we want Becky” chant for a few seconds during this match. They couldn’t muster up any energy for Aleister Black’s RAW debut or any of the other NXT Superstars that appeared on tonight. Overall, this week’s episode of RAW was a very entertaining show, even if the Lafayette crowd didn’t think so.
Fantastic reversal by @RondaRousey! pic.twitter.com/f0VgjXlnsG
— TDE Wrestling (@totaldivaseps) February 19, 2019
